BEST

3000+
CURRENT
QUESTIONS AFFAIRS 2024
 Table of Content

Page No.

1. Awards & Honours………………………………………………………………………………... 1 – 12

2. Appointments & Resignations .………………………………………………………………… 13 – 23

3. Sports News.………….…………………………………………………………………………… 24 – 33

4. Government Policies & Schemes........………………………………………………………….. 34 – 39

5. Index & Reports..…….……………………………………………………………………………. 40 - 44

6. Defence News……………………………..……………………………………………………… 45 – 51

7. Science & Technology…………..……………………....……………………………………….. 52 – 55

8. National Affairs…………………………………..……………………………………………….. 56 – 76

9. Summits & Conferences…………………………………………………………………………. 77 – 82

10. MOU & Agreements.……………………………..………………………………………………. 83 – 87

11. Banking & Economic Affairs………………...…………………………………………………... 88 – 93

12. International Affairs…………………...…………………………………………………………. 94 - 100

13. India And World………………………………………………….…………………………..…… 101 – 102

14. State Affairs…………………………………………………….…………………………………. 103 - 108

15. Books & Authors……………………………………………………………………………..……. 109 - 112

16. Obituaries………………………………………………………………………………………….. 113 - 114

17. Days & Events……………………………………………………………………………………... 115 - 124

CHAPTER : 1

AWARDS & HONOURS Ms Sudha

Social Work Karnataka
Murty
y National Awards
Shri Kamlesh D Others -
y Padma Awards Telangana
Patel Spiritualism
• In 2023, 106 eminent personalities have been • Padma Shri (91)
selected including 6 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma
Bhushan and 91 Padma Shri awardees, 19 • A total of 91 eminent personalities across fields
women, 2 NRIs and 7 posthumous awardees. like art, literature, science, social work, public
affairs etc. were awarded the Padma Shri.
• Padma Vibhushan (6)
• Important names include Jodhaiyabai Baiga
State/ (Art, Madhya Pradesh), Premjit Baria (Art,
Name Field
Country Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu),
Usha Barle (Art, Chhattisgarh), Munishwar
Shri Balkrishna
Others - Chanddawar (Medicine, Madhya Pradesh),
Doshi Gujarat
Architecture Hemant Chauhan (Art, Gujarat), Bhanubhai
(Posthumous)
Chitara (Art, Gujarat), Hemoprova Chutia (Art,
Shri Zakir Assam).
Art Maharashtra
Hussain

Shri S M Krishna Public Affairs Karnataka

Shri Dilip
Mahalanabis Medicine West Bengal
(Posthumous)
Shri Srinivas Science & United States
Varadhan Engineering of America
Shri Mulayam
Singh Yadav Public Affairs Uttar Pradesh
(Posthumous) y IIFA Awards 2023 winners
• Padma Bhushan (9) Category Awardee(s) Film/Work
State/
Name Field Bhushan
Country
Kumar,
Shri S L Literature & Krishan
Karnataka Kumar, Kumar
Bhyrappa Education Best Picture Drishyam 2
Mangat
Shri Kumar Pathak &
Trade & Industry Maharashtra
Mangalam Birla Abhishek
Pathak
Shri Deepak Science &
Maharashtra
Dhar Engineering
Rocketry: The
Direction R Madhavan
Ms Vani Jairam Art Tamil Nadu Nambi Effect

Swami Chinna Others - Performance in

Telangana Gangubai
Jeeyar Spiritualism a Leading Role - Alia Bhatt
Kathiawadi
Female
Ms Suman
Art Maharashtra
Kalyanpur
Performance in
Hrithik
Shri Kapil Literature & a Leading Role - Vikram Vedha
Delhi Roshan
Kapoor Education Male

1
Performance in a Sanjay Leela
Brahmastra Bhansali, Gangubai
Supporting Role - Mouni Roy Screenplay
Part 1 - Shiva Utkarshini Kathiawadi
Female
Vashishtha
Performance in a
Supporting Role Anil Kapoor Jug Jug Jeeyo
- Male

Brahmastra
Music Direction Pritam
Part 1 - Shiva

Jasmeet
Best Story - K Reen &
Darlings
Original Parveez
Shaikh
y 69th Filmfare Awards winners
Aamil Keeyan
Best Story - Khan,
Drishyam - 2 Category Awardee(s) Film/Work
Adapted Abhishek
Pathak
Best Feature Film Rocketry Rocketry
Amitabh Brahmastra
Lyrics
Bhattacharya Part 1 - Shiva
Nikhil
Best Director Godavari
Mahajan

Playback Singer - Shreya Brahmastra Best Popular

Female Ghoshal Part 1 - Shiva Film Providing
RRR RRR
Wholesome
Entertainment
Playback Singer Brahmastra
Arijit Singh Nargis Dutt Award
- Male Part 1 - Shiva
for Best Feature The Kashmir The Kashmir
Film on National Files Files
Integration
Shantanu Gangubai
Best Debut Male
Maheshwari Kathiawadi
Best Actor Allu Arjun Pushpa

Dhokha
Best Debut Khushalii Gangubai
Round D Alia Bhatt,
Female Kumar Best Actress Kathiawadi,
Corneracade Kriti Sanon
Mimi

Outstanding
Kamal Best Supporting Pankaj
Achievement In Mimi
Haasan Actor Tripathi
Indian Cinema
Best Supporting The Kashmir
Outstanding Pallavi Joshi
Riteish Actress Files
Achievement in Ved
Deshmukh
Regional Cinema
Chhello
Best Child Artist Bhavin Rabari
Show
Sudeep Gangubai
Cinematography Best Screenplay
Chatterjee Kathiawadi Shahi Kabir Nayattu
(Original)

2
 Best Actor, Series Vijay Varma (Dahaad)
Best Male Playback Kaala
RRR (Male), Critics: Drama
Singer Bhairava
Best Actor, Series Rajshri Deshpande (Trial
Best Female Shreya (Female): Drama By Fire)
Iravin Nizhal
Playback Singer Ghoshal
Best Actor, Series Karishma Tanna (Scoop)
Sardar Sardar (Female), Critics: and Sonakshi Sinha
Best Hindi Film
Udham Udham Drama (Dahaad)

Indira Gandhi Best Supporting Actor, Barun Sobti (Kohrra)

Award for Best Vishnu Series (Male): Drama
Meppadiyan
Debut Film of a Mohan
Director Best Supporting Actor, Tillotama Shome (Delhi
Series (Female): Crime Season 2)
Anunaad: Drama
Best Film on Social Anunaad: The
The Best Actor, Series Abhishek Banerjee (The
Issues Resonance
Resonance (Male): Comedy Great Weddings Of
Munnes)
Best Children’s Gandhi and Gandhi and
Film Co. Co. Best Actor, Series Maanvi Gagroo (TVF
(Female): Comedy Tripling)
Special Jury Award Vishnuvardhan Shershaah
Best Supporting Actor, Arunabh Kumar (TVF
Series (Male): Comedy Pitchers S2)

Best Supporting Actor, Shernaz Patel (TVF

Series (Female): Tripling S3)
Comedy
Best Comedy (Series/ TVF Pitchers S2
Specials)

Best Non-fiction Cinema Marte Dum Tak

Original, Series/
Special
Best Film, Web Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai
Original
y Filmfare OTT Awards 2023 winners
Best Director, Web Apoorv Singh Karki (Sirf
Award Category Winner Original Film Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai)

Best Actor, Web Alia Bhatt Best Actor, Web Rajkummar Rao (Monica
Original Film (Female) Original Film (Male) - O My Darling).
Critics
Best Actor, Web Manoj Bajpayee Best Actor, Web Sharmila Tagore
Original Film (Male) Original Film (Female) (Gulmohar) and Sanya
- Critics. Malhotra (Kathal).
Best Director Series Vikramaditya Motwane
(Jubilee)
Best Supporting Actor, Suraj Sharma (Gulmohar)
Web Original Film
Best Director, Critics Randeep Jha (Kohrra) (Male)
Best Supporting Actor, Amruta Subhash (Lust
Best Actor, Series Suvinder Vicky (Kohrra) Web Original Film Stories 2) and Shefali
(Male): Drama (Female) Shah (Darlings)

3
y Dadasaheb Phalke International Film
Most Promising
Festival Awards 2023 Actor
Rishab Shetty Kantara

Awards
Category Awardee Most Versatile
Received for Most Versatile
Anupam Kher Actor of the
Actor of the Year
Year
Best Actor Ranbir Kapoor Brahmastra
Most Versatile
Best Actor - Actress in a Rupali Ganguly Anupamaa
Varun Dhawan Bhediya Television Series
Critics

Outstanding
Best Actor in a Contribution in Rekha
Jim Sarbh Rocket Boys
Web Series Film Industry

Gangubai Outstanding
Best Actress Alia Bhatt Contribution in Hariharan
Kathiawadi
Music Industry
Best Actress
Vidya Balan Jalsa Most Versatile
Critics People’s Choice
Anupam Kher Actor of the
Award
Best Actress in a Year
Shefali Shah Delhi Crime
Web Series

Best Director R. Balki Chup

The Kashmir
Best Film
Files

Best
Performance Dulquer
Chup
by an Actor in a Salmaan
Negative Role

Best
Brahmastra
Performance by
Mouni Roy Part One:
an Actress in a
Shiva
Negative Role

Canteen
Best Short Film Canteen by Shourya
Kumar Lal

Best Television
Anupamaa
Series
y International Film Festival of India
Rudra: The
Best Web Series Edge of
(IFFI) in 2023
Darkness
Award Awardee Film/Work Country

RRR (Rise
Directed
Film of the Year RRR Roar Revolt) ‘Endless
Best Film by Abbas Persian
(original title) Borders’
Amini

4
 contributions during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Created
Best Web ‘Panchayat by TVF for • Indore was awarded Best Smart City at the
India
Series Season 2’ Amazon
Prime
National Smart Cities Conclave 2023.

• The Prime Minister became the 41st recipient of

Best Actor Pouria ‘Endless the Lokmanya Tilak National Award.
Persia
(Male) Rahimi Sam Borders’

Best Actor Melanie ‘Party of

French
(Female) Thierry Fools’

Special Jury Rishab

‘Kantara’ India
Award Shetty

Stephan ‘Blaga’s
Best Director Bulgarian
Komandarev Lessons’

Best Debutant Reger Azad

‘When The
Not y International Awards
Seedlings
Director Kaya specified
Grow’ y 95th Academy Awards 2023 (Oscars)

Satyajit Ray Category Winner (s) Film/Work

Michael
Lifetime American
Douglas
Achievement
Actor in a Brendan Fraser The Whale
Leading Role
• Madhuri Dixit honoured with ‘Special Recognition
for Contribution to Bharatiya Cinema’ Award at
54th IFFI. Everything
Actor in a Ke Huy Quan Everywhere
Supporting Role
• L.P. Hemanth K. Srinivasulu, Director of the Latin All at Once
America and Caribbean Trade Council, receives the
“Man of the Year-2023” Everything
Actress in a Michelle Yeoh Everywhere
Leading Role All at Once

Everything
Actress in a Jamie Lee Everywhere
Supporting Role Curtis All at Once

Guillermo del
Toro, Mark
Guillermo
Animated Gustafson,
del Toro’s
Feature Film Gary Ungar,
Pinocchio Alex Bulkley
(Producers)
• Reliance Nippon Life Insurance wins National
Energy Conservation Awards 2023 for climate-
All Quiet on the
friendly operations and sustainable growth. Cinematography James Friend
Western Front
• Asha Bhosle honored with Lata Mangeshkar
Award on April 24, 2023. Everything Daniel Kwan
Director Everywhere All and Daniel
• ‘Vir Chakra’ posthumously awarded to Vice at Once Scheinert
Admiral Benoy Chowdhury for exceptional

5
 y Golden Globe Awards 2023
Daniel Roher,
Odessa Rae,
Documentary Diane Becker, Category Winner
Navalny
Feature Film Melanie Miller,
Shane Boris
(Producers) Best Film – Drama “The Fabelmans”
Kartiki
Documentary The Elephant Gonsalves
Short Film Whisperers and Guneet Best Film – Musical or “The Banshees of
Monga Comedy Inisherin”

International All Quiet on the Best TV Series –

Germany “House of the Dragon”
Feature Film Western Front Drama

Best TV Series –
“Abbott Elementary”
Music (Original All Quiet on the Volker Musical or Comedy
Score) Western Front Bertelmann

Best Limited Series,

From RRR; Anthology Series, or “The White Lotus: Sicily”
Music by M.M.
Music (Original TV Movie
Naatu Naatu Keeravaani;
Song) Lyric by
Chandrabose
Best Actor in a TV Kevin Costner,
Daniel Kwan, Series – Drama “Yellowstone”
Daniel
Everything Scheinert,
Best Picture Everywhere All Evan Peters, “Monster:
Jonathan Best Actor in a Limited
at Once The Jeffrey Dahmer
Wang Series or TV Movie
(Producers) Story”

Charlie
The Boy, The Best Actress in a
Short Film Mackesy Amanda Seyfried, “The
Mole, The Fox Limited Series or TV
(Animated) and Matthew Dropout”
and The Horse Freud Movie

Tom Berkeley
Short Film (Live An Irish Best Supporting
and Ross Jennifer Coolidge, “The
Action) Goodbye White Actress in a Limited
White Lotus”
Series or TV Movie
Joe Letteri,
Richard
Avatar: The
Visual Effects Baneham, Best Supporting Actor
Way of Water Paul Walter Hauser,
Eric Saindon, in a Limited Series or
Daniel Barrett “Black Bird”
TV Movie

Martin McDonagh, “The

Best Screenplay
Banshees of Inisherin”

Steven Spielberg, “The

Best Director
Fabelmans”

Best Non-English
“Argentina, 1985”
Language Film

Best Actress – Drama Cate Blanchett, “Tár”

6
 y International Emmy Awards 2023
Best Supporting
Julia Garner, “Ozark”
Actress in a TV Series Award
Awardee For
Category
Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Netflix special
Best Supporting Actor Best Comedy Vir Das “Vir Das:
Everywhere All at Once”
Landing”
Angela Bassett, “Black
Best Supporting Derry Girls TV series “Derry
Panther: Wakanda Best Comedy
Actress Season 3 Girls” Season 3
Forever”

Best Supporting Actor Tyler James Williams, Role in the

in a TV Series “Abbott Elementary” Best Actor Martin Freeman drama series
“The Responder”
Best Original Score Justin Hurwitz, “Babylon”
Performance
“Naatu Naatu,” Kala in the Mexican
Best Actress Karla Souza
Bhairava, M. M. sports drama “La
Best Original Song
Keeravani, Rahul Caida” (Dive)
Sipligunj (RRR)”
Drama series
Best Actor in a TV The Empress, “The Empress,”
Jeremy Allen White, “The
Series – Musical or Best Drama Sommerhaus produced by
Bear”
Comedy Series Serien Sommerhaus
(Germany) Serien in
Best Actress in a TV Germany
Quinta Brunson, “Abbott
Series – Musical or
Elementary” Mariupol:
Comedy
The People’s
Story, Top Hat Documentary
Best Actor – Musical or Colin Farrell, “The Best
Productions “Mariupol: The
Comedy Banshees of Inisherin” Documentary
/ Hayloft People’s Story”
Productions /
Michelle Yeoh, BBC (UK)
Best Actress – Musical
“Everything Everywhere
or Comedy
All at Once”
y Nobel Awards 2023
“Guillermo del Toro’s
Best Animated Film
Pinocchio” Field Awardee Reason for Award

Best Actor – Drama Austin Butler, “Elvis” For experimental

Pierre
methods that
Agostini,
Best Actress in a TV generate attosecond
Zendaya, “Euphoria” Physics Ferenc
Series – Drama pulses of light for
Krausz, Anne
the study of electron
L’Huillier
dynamics in matter.

For their discoveries

concerning
nucleoside base
Katalin
modifications
Physiology Kariko,
that enabled the
or Medicine and Drew
development of
Weissman
effective mRNA
vaccines against
COVID-19.

7
 • Rijul Maini was crowned Miss India USA 2023,
Moungi G. marking the 41st year of the oldest Indian pageant
Bawendi, For the discovery and
outside India.
Chemistry Louis E. synthesis of quantum
Brus, Alexei dots.
I. Ekimov

For his innovative

plays and prose
Literature Jon Fosse
which give voice to
the unsayable.
For her fight against
the oppression of
Narges women in Iran and
Peace
Mohammadi her fight to promote
human rights and
freedom for all.
• Indira Gandhi Peace Prize was jointly awarded to
For having advanced Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad for non-
Claudia our understanding
Economic violent resolution efforts in the Israel-Palestine
Goldin of women’s labour
conflict.
market outcomes.

• Actor Kabir Bedi awarded Italy’s highest civilian

• ISRO was awarded the Leif Erikson Lunar Prize
honour ‘Order of Merit’ for his contributions to the
for Chandrayaan-3 achievement, making India the
film industry.
fourth nation to achieve a successful lunar landing.
• Taylor Swift and Lionel Messi were named
• Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh receives Bhutan’s Time Magazine’s Person of the Year and
National Order of Merit Gold Medal for Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2023,
distinguished services to the country. respectively.
• Ukraine’s President Zelensky receives Poland’s
highest honor, Order of the White Eagle.

• Indian-American mathematician C R Rao awarded

2023 International Prize in Statistics.

• Shemaroo Entertainment clinches 13 trophies

at Promax Global Excellence Awards 2023,
becoming the first Indian company to be a finalist
for ‘Creative Marketing Team of the Year.’

• Israeli film ‘Children of Nobody’ wins Best Film
award at Kolkata International Film Festival,
while Anjan Dutta’s ‘Chalchitro Ekhon’ bags the
Special Jury Award.
• Top ISRO scientist V R Lalithambika was
conferred with the highest civilian French honour
for space cooperation initiatives, the Legion
d’Honneur.

8
• Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua was crowned
Gaur Gopal Das Energize Your Mind
Miss Universe 2023, becoming the first Nicaraguan
woman to win the prestigious title.
Deepak Chopra The Seven Spiritual Law Of
• Indian films Dear Jassi, (Platform Award) and A Success
Match (NETPAC Award) won major awards at the Ashneer Grover Doglapan
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Namita Thapar The Dolphin And The Shark:
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Stories On Entrepreneurship
awarded Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship
Singapore’s Top Fellowship, for public service.
Kamlesh Patel The Wisdom Bridge
• Madhuri Patle crowned Mrs Universe India 2023.
Jeff Kinney Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Diper
Overlode
Sneh Desai, Sunil Ultimate Secrets To Wealth
Tulsiani & Brian
Tracy

y Sahitya Akademi Awards 2023

Title and Name of the
Language
Genre Author
Assamese Dr. Pranavjyoti Pranavjyoti
Deka Shrestha Deka
Galpa (Short
Stories)
• Greece President confers PM Modi with The Bengali Jabar Pari Swapnamoy
Grand Cross of the Order of Honour. (Novel) Chakraborti

• Shaktikanta Das named ‘Governor of the Year’ Bodo Si-Ufari Sarni Vinod Sona Minj
at Central Banking Awards. (Short Stories)
Dogri Daun Sadiyan Vijay Verma
• Sanika Lahane crowned The International Glamour Ek Seer
Project Mrs. India 2023. (Poetry-
Ghazal)
English Requiem in Neelum Saran
Raga Janki Gour
(Novel)
Gujarati Sairandhree Sandeep Joshi
(Epic Novel)

Hindi Mujhe Sanjeev

Pehchano
(Novel)

Kannada Mahabharata Lakshmesh

y Literary Awards Anushandhana Tolpadi
y Golden Book Awards 2023 Bharata
(Poetry)
Winner Work
Kashmiri Yath Wavah Manshoor
J.K Rowling Fantastic Beasts Halis Toong Banhali
Tsolay Zaley
(Essays)

9
Konkani Varsal (Short Mahabaleshwar
Stories) Sail
Maithili Bodha Basukinath Jha
Sanketan
(Essays)
Malayalam Malayala E.V.
Novelinete Ramakrishnan
Deshakalangal
(Literary Study)
Manipuri Yangkhoibagi Sorokhaibam
Nanglo Helli Gambhini • Sukrita Paul Kumar receives the 6th Rabindranath
(Poetry) Tagore Literary Prize for her book ‘Salt & Pepper:
Selected Poems.
Marathi Ringan (Novel) Kusumkhatri
Rana • Gaja Capital Business Book Prize 2023 jointly
Nepali Nepali Juddhar Rana won by ‘Against All Odds: The IT Story of India’
Lokshitya Ra and ‘Winning Middle India: The Story of India’s
Loksanskritiko New-Age Entrepreneurs.’
Pariyocha • Writer Pushpa Bharati’s memoir ‘Yaadein,
(Essays)
Yaadein aur Yaadein’ was selected for the 33rd
Odia Aprastuta Ashutosh Parida Vyas Samman Award.
Prutyu (Poetry) • Irish author Paul Lynch wins the 2023 Booker
Prize for his novel ‘Prophet Song’.
Punjabi Mann Di Chip Swarnjit Savi
• Comptroller and Auditor General of India receives
(Poetry)
‘Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar’ for outstanding
language policy implementation.
Rajasthani Manak Mati Gaje Singh
(Poetry) Rajpurohit • L&T Finance recognized as “Prestigious Brand
of India” in Goal Fest Conclave 2023.
Sanskrit Shunye Arun Ranjan
Meghghanam Mishra • Time Shelter, written by Georgi Gospodinov has
(Poetry) won the International Booker Prize 2023.

Santali Jaba Baha Taraceen • “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver

(Short Stories) Baskey (Turia and “Trust” by Hernán Diaz jointly earned the 2023
Chand Baskey) Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Sindhi Hathu Hikro Vinod Asudani • Russian poet Maria Stepanova wins Leipzig
Pahinjaro Book Prize.
(Ghazal) • Tamil writer Sivasankari wins Saraswati
Tamil Neeraviyal Rajasekaran Samman 2022 for her book “Survya Vamsam.”
(Poetry-Short- (Devibharathi)
Stories)
Telugu Rameshwaram T. Pattabhi
Kaakulu Satyam
Marikonni
Kathalu (Short
Stories)

Urdu Rajdev Ki Sadiqua Nawab

Amrai (Novel) Saher

10
y Sports Awards • Savita Punia and Hardik Singh receive
Prestigious FIH Awards for Goalkeeper of the
y ICC awards winners for 2022
Year and Player of the Year (Male), respectively.
Award Player Country

Sir Garfield
Babar Azam Pakistan
Sobers Trophy

Rachael Heyhoe
Nat Sciver England
Flint Trophy

Men’s Test
Cricketer of the Ben Stokes England
Year
Men’s ODI • Lionel Messi wins ‘Best Foreign Player’ award
Cricketer of the Babar Azam Pakistan
of Ligue 1.
Year
• Aasif Sheikh becomes first Nepali cricketer to
Women’s ODI win ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.
Cricketer of the Nat Sciver England
Year • Mirabai Chanu named BBC Indian Sportswoman
of the Year 2022; wins the award for the second
Men’s T20 consecutive year.
International Suryakumar
India y Other Important Awards
Cricketer of the Yadav
Year
• ICAR Emeritus Professor P. Indira Devi, based at
Women’s T20 Kerala Agricultural University, has been honoured
International with the title of Indian Society of Agricultural
Tahlia McGrath Australia
Cricketer of the Economics (ISAE) Fellow 2023.
Year
• Kohinoor Group, led by Krishnakumar Goyal,
Men’s Emerging secures the Best Brands of 2023 award.
Cricketer of the Marco Jansen South Africa
Year • Movate wins ‘AI & Data’ category at Inc. Best
in Business Awards 2023 for its generative AI
Women’s platform.
Emerging
Renuka Singh India • NTPC Kanti receives the FICCI Water Award 2023
Cricketer of the
for Industrial Water Use Efficiency, recognizing
Year
notable water conservation efforts.
Men’s Associate • Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, Chairman of Real
Gerhard
Cricketer of the Namibia Vision Homes Pvt Ltd, was honoured with the
Erasmus
Year Visionary Leader Icon Award 2023.
Women’s • Startek recognized among India’s Best
Associate Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM by Great Place To
Esha Oza India
Cricketer of the Work® India for 2023.
Year
• NTPC recognized as Most Preferred Workplace
of 2023-24.
David Shepherd Richard
England
Trophy Illingworth • Aparna Sen receives ‘Lifetime Award’ at Jaipur
Film Festival for her outstanding contribution to
Nepal cinema.
Spirit of Cricket
Aasif Sheikh • Odisha wins World Habitat Awards 2023 for Jaga
Award
Mission.

11
• Tiruchirappalli International Airport rated the best • Northeast Frontier Railway wins PMI South Asia
in the Asia Pacific region according to ACI-ASQ Award 2023 for ‘Micro Project of the Year’.
Awards 2022. • Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s SVAMITVA Scheme
• NTPC Limited is recognized as one of the “World’s wins National Award for e-Governance 2023.
Best Employers 2023” by Forbes, ranking 261st
• Elephant images for Anamalai Tiger Reserve
out of the top 700 companies globally.
wins Drone Photo Awards.
• Binomo was awarded Most Reliable Trading
Platform of 2023 at the World Business Outlook
Awards.
• Kiriteshwari village in Bengal named Best
Tourism Village of India by Ministry of Tourism.
• NovelVox wins ‘Best Digital CX Platform’ award
at India CX Summit & Awards 2023.

12
CHAPTER : 2
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS • Srinivasan K. Swamy: Chairman of Audit Bureau
of Circulations.
National Appointments • Rahul Navin: Interim director of the Enforcement
• Vivek Srivastava: DG of Fire Service & Civil Defence. Directorate.
• Nina Singh: 1st woman to head Central Industrial • Rajesh Nambiar: Chairperson of Nasscom.
Security Force (CISF).
• R Madhavan: President of FTII (Film and Television
Institute of India) and governing council Chairman.
• Manish Desai: Principal Director General of the
Press Information Bureau (PIB).
• Dr. Vasudha Gupta: Principal Director General of
Akashvani and News Services Division.
• Jaya Varma Sinha: Chairman and CEO of
the Railway Board, becoming the first woman
Chairman.

• Rahul Rasgotra: Director General of Indo-Tibetan

Border Police (ITBP).
• Maheshwar Dayal: Director General of Prisons.
• Uma Sekhar: First Indian woman elected to
UNIDROIT Governing Council.
• Kanchan Devi: First woman officer as DG of
ICFRE.
• Geetika Srivastava: First woman to head the
• Col Sunita: First woman to command Armed Indian mission in Pakistan.
Forces Transfusion Center.
• Hitesh Kumar S Makwana: Surveyor General of
India.
• Heeralal Samariya: Chief Information
Commissioner.
• Narendra Modi: Re-elected as chairman of Shree
Somnath Trust.
• Surendra Kumar Adhana: Re-elected at UN
Advisory Committee.
• Dr. Sonali Ghosh: First woman field Director of
• Justice Rajendra Menon: Chairman of Armed Kaziranga National Park.
Forces Tribunal.
• K.V. Karthik: President of the Indian Pump
• Air Marshal Sadhna Saxena Nair: DG Hospital Manufacturers Association (IPMA).
Services; first woman to hold the position.
• Justice Prakash Shrivastava: Chairperson of the
• Amit Agrawal: UIDAI CEO tenure extended by one National Green Tribunal (NGT).
year.
• Radhika Madan: Youngest jury member at Emmy
• Shailesh Gupta: Chairman of Media Research Awards 2023.
Users Council India.
• Manoj Yadava: Railway Protection Force Director
• Dhananjay Joshi: Chairman of Telecom Industry General (RPF).
Body ‘DIPA’.
• P T Usha, S Phangnon Konyak, Fauzia Khan,
• Anil Agrawal, Sweta Kakkad, and Deepak Sulata Deo: Four women Parliamentarians to the
Anurag: CCI Members. panel of Vice-Chairpersons in Rajya Sabha.

13
• Rakesh Pal: 25th Director General of the Indian • A K Mohanty: Atomic Energy Commission
Coast Guard (ICG). chairman.
• Nivruti Rai: Managing Director and CEO of Invest • Aravind Maiya: Chief Executive Officer of
India. Embassy REIT.
• Justice S K Singh: Acting Chairperson of the • Lt Gen Daljit Singh: Director General of the
National Green Tribunal (NGT). Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).
• Lt Gen M U Nair: National Cybersecurity • Deepak Mohanty: Chairperson of the Pension
Coordinator. Fund Regulatory & Development Authority
(PFRDA).
• PM Prasad: Chairman-cum-Managing Director of
Coal India. • Rashmi Shukla: Director General of Sashastra
Seema Bal (SSB).
• Tushar Mehta: Solicitor General of India.
• Hasmukh Adhia: Chairman of GIFT (Gujarat
International Finance Tec) City.
• Amit Agrawal: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).
• Ravi Sinha: Chief of RAW (Research and Analysis
Wing).
• Nitin Agarwal: Director-General of the Border
Security Force (BSF).

• Janardan Prasad: Director General of the

Geological Survey of India.
• K. Krithivasan: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
• Praveen Kumar Srivastava: Central Vigilance
Commissioner.
• R. Dinesh: President of CII (Confederation of
Indian Industry) for 2023-24.
• Praveen Sood: Director of the CBI (Central
Bureau of Investigation).
• A K Jain: Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural
Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
• Ajay Singh: President of ASSOCHAM (Associated
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India).
• Lt Gen RS Reen: Director General Quality Assurance
(DGQA).
• Rajeev Raghuvanshi: Drug Controller General of
India (DCGI).
• Aniket Sunil Talati: President of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
• Saiyam Mehra: Chairman of the All India Gem and
Jewelry Domestic Council.
• Dinesh Kumar Shukla: Chairman of the Atomic
Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
International Appointments
• Dr. Samir Shah: BBC chairman.

• Laxman Narasimhan: CEO of Starbucks.

• Luc Frieden: Prime Minister of Luxembourg.

• Ravneet Kaur: Chairperson of the Competition
• Javier Milei: Argentina president.
Commission of India.

14
• Nihar Malaviya: CEO of Penguin Random House.
• Gen Brice Oligui: New leader of Gabon after a
military coup.
• Emmerson Mnangagwa: President of Zimbabwe.
• Hun Manet: Prime Minister of Cambodia.
• S. Vincent Rajkumar: Chairman-elect of the
Board of Directors of the International Myeloma
Foundation (IMF).
• Preeti Aghalayam: Director-in-charge of IIT Madras’
Zanzibar campus.
• Andrea Gaudenzi: ATP Chairman for a second
term from 2024 to 2026.
• Vishesh Chandiok: First Indian council member
of ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales) residing overseas.
• Nusrat Jahan Choudhury: First Muslim woman to
serve as a federal judge in the US.
• Celeste Saulo: First female head of the UN
weather agency.
• Girish Chandra Murmu: External Auditor of WHO
(World Health Organization.)
• Jaswant Singh Birdi: First turban-wearing Lord
Mayor of Coventry, UK.
• Dilma Rousseff: Elected as the new President of
BRICS Bank.
• Ajay Banga: President of the World Bank.
• Miguel Diaz-Canel: President of Cuba for a second
term.
• Gianni Infantino: FIFA president.
15
• Xi Jinping: President of China for a third term.
• Ram Chandra Paudel: President of Nepal.
• Vo Van Thuong: President of Vietnam.
• Nicola Fox: First woman to serve as NASA’s science
chief.
• Girish Chandra Murmu: External Auditor of ILO in
Geneva.
• Neal Mohan: CEO of YouTube.
• Mohammad Shahabuddin: President of
Bangladesh.
• Lula da Silva: President of Brazil for the 3rd time.
• Prof Jim Skea: Elected as Chair of the IPCC
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
• QU Dongyu: Director-General of the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO).
• Pieter Elbers: Elected as the Chair-elect of IATA’s
Board of Governors.
• Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Nigeria’s president.
Brand Ambassador
• Deepika Padukone: Global Brand Ambassador
for Bisleri.
• Amrita Raichand: Health Ambassador for Salaam
Bombay Foundation.
• Ravindra Jadeja: Brand Ambassador for AS-IT-IS
Nutrition.
• Sourav Ganguly: Brand Ambassador of West
Bengal.
• MS Dhoni: SBI brand ambassador.
• Raj Kumar Rao: ECI’s National Icon.
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni: JioMart’s brand
ambassador.
• Hrithik Roshan: Brand ambassador of lubricants
brand Mobil.
• Anushka Sharma: Brand Endorser by “W,”.
• Rahul Dravid: Brand ambassador for Bharat
Petroleum.
• Sachin Tendulkar: Designated as a ‘national icon’
by the Election Commission (EC).
• Shah Rukh Khan: Brand ambassador of ICC
World Cup 2023.
• Shraddha Kapoor: Brand ambassador for Asics in
India.
• Rashmika Mandanna: Brand ambassador for Epson
India’s EcoTank printers.
• Sourav Ganguly: Brand ambassador of Tripura
Tourism.
• Ranveer Singh: Brand ambassador for Star Sports.
• Virat Kohli: Brand ambassador for Luxor Writing
Instruments Private Limited.
• Ayushmann Khurrana: Signed as the brand
ambassador for Wakefit Innovations Private Limited.
• Athiya Shetty: First brand face for Laneige in India.
• Parineeti Chopra: Brand ambassador for KBM
Spices.
• Virat Kohli: Brand influencer for HSBC India.
16
• Suryakumar Yadav: Brand ambassador for
JioCinema.
• Shreya Ghodawat: India Ambassador of ‘She
Changes Climate’.
• Sachin Tendulkar: World’s first ‘Hand Ambassador’
by Savlon India.
• Ayushmann Khurrana: UNICEF’s National
Ambassador for Child Rights.
Banking
• CS Rajan: Chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• Pramod Agrawal: BSE Chairman.
• Narayan Sheshadri: IDRCL chairman.
• Rajat Kumar Jain: Chairman of Fino Payments Bank.
• Ashok Vaswani: MD, CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• Nitin Gupta: CBDT Chairman tenure extended by
nine months.
• Sashidhar Jagdishan: HDFC Bank MD.
• Rajnish Kumar: Chairman of Mastercard(India).
• Sandeep Bakhshi: ICICI Bank MD and CEO.
• Umesh Revankar: Chairman of the Finance
Industry Development Council (FIDC).
• P. R. Seshadri: MD & CEO of South Indian Bank.
• Sanjay Kumar Agarwal: Chairman of the Central
Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
• Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma: Managing Director
& Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka Bank.
• P. N. Vasudevan: Managing Director and CEO of
Equitas Small Finance Bank.
• Debadatta Chand: MD and CEO of Bank of
Baroda.
• Sanjay Singh: President of Wrestling Federation
of India.
• Herman Kruis: Coach of India junior hockey teams.
• Ravindra Banshtu: Coach of the Indian national
women’s volleyball team.

• P. N. Vasudevan: Managing Director and CEO of

Equitas Small Finance Bank.
• Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma: Managing Director
& Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka Bank.
• Sekhar Rao: Appointed as the interim CEO of • Aadhav Arjuna: President of the Basketball
Karnataka Bank. Federation of India (BFI).
• Sanjay Agarwal: Managing Director & CEO of AU • Ajit Agarkar: Chairman of the Senior Men’s
Small Finance Bank. Selection Committee by the BCCI.
• Rajiv Dhar: Appointed as the interim CEO of the
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
• Siddhartha Mohanty: Interim chairman of Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• Surinder Chawla: CEO of Paytm Payments Bank.

• N. Jayaprakash: President of the Swimming

Federation of India (SFI).
• Kalikesh Singh Deo: President of the National
Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
• Ajay Kumar Srivastava: MD and CEO of Indian
Overseas Bank. • Mahavir Singh Phogat: Chairman of MMA-1
Federation.
Sports
• Vita Dani: First Indian on ITTF foundation’s governing
board.

• Dmitry Dmitruk: Foreign coach for the Indian

boxing team.

17
• Ajay Jadeja: Mentor of Afghanistan Cricket Team • Chief Minister of State & UT
for ICC World Cup 2023.
• Lokesh Suji: First Indian member of the State/UT Chief Minister Image
International Esports Federation Committee.
• Namdev Shirgaonkar: President of the executive
committee of India Taekwondo.
• Amol Muzumdar: India women head coach. Andhra YS Jagan
Pradesh Mohan Reddy
Defence
• Captain Geetika Koul becomes the first woman
medical officer deployed at Siachen, the world’s
highest battlefield.
• Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi was appointed
as India’s first Woman Aide-De-Camp from the
Indian Armed Forces.
Arunachal
Pema Khandu
Chief of Armed Forces Pradesh

• Chief of Defence Staff: General Anil Chauhan.

Himanta Biswa
Assam
Sarma

Bihar Nitish Kumar

• Chief of Army Staff: General Manoj Pande.
• Chief of Air Staff: Air Chief Marshall VR Chaudhari.
• Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai

Delhi (NCT) Arvind Kejriwal

18
Goa Pramod Sawant Madhya
Mohan Yadav
Pradesh

Bhupendra
Gujarat
Patel
Maharashtra Eknath Shinde

Haryana Manohar Lal

Manipur N. Biren Singh

Himachal Sukhvinder
Pradesh Singh Sukhu

Conrad Kongkal
Meghalaya
Sangma

Jharkhand Hemant Soren

Mizoram PU Lalduhoma

Karnataka Siddaramaiah

Nagaland Neiphiu Rio

Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan

19
Odisha Naveen Patnaik
A Revanth
Telangana
Reddy

Puducherry
N. Rangaswamy
(UT)

Tripura Dr. Manik Saha

Bhagwant Singh
Punjab
Mann

Uttar
Yogi Aditya Nath
Pradesh

Bhajan Lal
Rajasthan
Sharma

Pushkar Singh
Uttarakhand
Dhami

Sikkim PS Golay

Mamata
West Bengal
Banerjee

Tamil Nadu M. K. Stalin

20
• Governor of States
State Governor Image
Acharya Dev
Gujarat
Vrat

Justice (Retd.)
Andhra
S. Abdul
Pradesh
Nazeer

Bandaru
Haryana
Dattatraya

Lt. General
Kaiwalya
Arunachal Trivikram
Pradesh Parnaik,
PVSM, UYSM,
Himachal Shiv Pratap
YSM (Retired)
Pradesh Shukla

Gulab Chand
Assam
Kataria

C.P.
Jharkhand
Radhakrishnan

Rajendra
Bihar Vishwanath
Arlekar

Thaawarchand
Karnataka
Gehlot
Biswa Bhusan
Chhattisgarh
Harichandan

Arif
P.S.
Kerala Mohammed
Goa Sreedharan
Khan
Pillai

21
 Mangubhai Odisha Raghubar Das
Madhya
Chhaganbhai
Pradesh
Patel

Banwarilal
Punjab
Purohit
Maharashtra Ramesh Bais

Sushri Rajasthan Kalraj Mishra

Manipur Anusuiya
Uikye

Lakshman
Sikkim Prasad
Phagu Acharya
Meghalaya
Chauhan

Tamil Nadu R. N. Ravi

Dr.
Mizoram Kambhampati
Haribabu

Dr. Tamilisai
Telangana
Nagaland La. Ganesan Soundararajan

22
 • Lt. Governors / Administrators
Lieutenant
Indra Sena Union
Tripura Governor / Image
Reddy Nallu Territory
Administrator

Andaman and Admiral D K

Nicobar Island Joshi

Uttar Anandiben
Pradesh Patel

Banwarilal
Chandigarh Purohit
(Administrator)

Lt. Gen.
Gurmit Singh,
Uttarakhand PVSM, UYSM,
AVSM, VSM Dadra and
Nagar Haveli
(Retd.) Praful Patel
and Daman
and Diu and (Administrator)
Lakshadweep

Vinai Kumar
Saxena
Delhi (NCT)
(Lieutenant
Dr. C.V. Governor)
West Bengal
Ananda Bose

Manoj Sinha
Jammu and
(Lieutenant
Kashmir
Governor)

Tamilisai
Soundararajan
Puducherry (Addl. Charge)
(Lieutenant
Governor)

Brig. (Dr.) B.D.

Mishra (Retd.)
Ladakh
(Lieutenant
Governor)

23
CHAPTER : 3

SPORTS NEWS
z Major Sports Events and Host (Venue)
Event Name Host/Venue
Asian Youth Chess Championships • UAE

Shillong Armfight-All India Championship 2023 • Shillong

ACC Under-19 Asia Cup • UAE

Vijay Hazare Trophy • Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (Finale)

• Indira Gandhi Stadium, Jawahar Lal Nehru
Khelo India Para Games
Stadium & Karni Singh Shooting Range.
67th National School Games • New Delhi

FIDE World Junior Rapid Chess Championship • Italy

U-19 Girls National Chess Championship 2023 • Ahmedabad, Gujarat

National Archery Championship • Ayodhya

Cricket World Cup 2023 • India

Irani Cup • Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot

Sheffield Shield • Australia

2024 Men’s T20 World Cup • USA and West Indies

Asia Cup 2023 • Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Durand Cup • Kolkata, Guwahati & Kokrajhar.

BWF World Championship 2023 • Denmark

Chess World Cup 2023 • Baku, Azerbaijan

Asian Junior Squash Championships • Dalian, China

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 • Sydney, Australia

U20 World Wrestling Championships • Jordan

Asian Wrestling Championships • Chennai, Tamil Nadu

World Athletics Championships • Budapest, Hungary

Archery World Championships • Berlin

World University Games • Chengdu
ISSF Junior Shooting World Championships • South Korea
Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2023 • Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Para Athletics Championships • Paris

6th Youth National Boxing Championships • Gangtok, Sikkim

37th National Games • Goa

24
Indonesia Open • Indonesia

9th SAFF Championship • Bengaluru

U17 Asian Wrestling Championships • Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

FIFA U-20 World Cup • Argentina

Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav • Bhubaneswar

ICC World Test Championship 2023 • The Oval, England

Youth World Championships • Ireland

Hockey India Junior Women National Championship • Rourkela, Odisha

Dutch Hockey League • Netherlands

World Archery Youth Championships • Ireland

Global Chess League • Dubai

National Boxing Championships • Bhopal

Women’s Caribbean Premier League • West Indies

WTT Tournament • Tunis

Asian Fencing championships • Wuxi, China

Inter-State Athletics Championships • Bhubaneswar

National Games • Goa

Squash World Cup • Chennai

U17 Asian Wrestling Championship • Bishkek

National Rugby Championship • Pune

ICC World Test Championship • England

• India’s campaign at the 19th Asian Games in

Hangzhou ended with 28 gold, 38 silver and 41
bronze to a total of 107 medals.

• India’s opening ceremony flag bearer:

Harmanpreet Singh and Lovlina Borgohain.
19th Asian Games
2022 (Hangzhou, China) • India’s closing ceremony flag bearer: PR
Sreejesh.
• India records its best-ever haul, China tops with
201 gold medals.

25
• Mascot: The three robots namely Congcong,
Lianlian and Chenchen which are collectively Cricket Men’s/Women’s Team
known as “The Smart Triplets”.
Equestrian Hriday Vipul Chheda,
• Motto: Heart to Heart, @Future.
(Dressage Team) Divyakriti Singh, Anush
• Next Edition: Japan (2026). Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela

z List of India’s Gold medal winners in

Hockey Men’s Team
19th Asian Games:
Kabaddi Men’s Team
Discipline Athlete

Archery (Men’s Ojas Deotale Kabaddi Women’s Team

Individual)
Shooting (10m Arjun Singh Cheema,
Archery (Women’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam Air Pistol Men’s Sarabjot Singh, Shiva
Individual) Team) Narwal

Archery (Women’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Shooting (10m Air Aishwary Pratap Singh
Compound Team) Parneet Kaur, Aditi Rifle Men’s Team) Tomar, Divyansh Singh
Swami Panwar, Rudrankkash
Balasaheb Patil

Archery (Men’s Abhishek Verma, Ojas Shooting (50m Aishwary Pratap Singh
Compound Team) Deotale, Prathamesh Rifle 3 Positions Tomar, Swapnil Suresh
Jawkar Men’s Team) Kusale, Akhil Sheoran

Archery (Mixed Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Shooting (Trap Zoravar Singh Sandhu,
Team) Ojas Deotale Men’s Team) KD Chenai, Prithviraj
Tondaiman
Athletics Avinash Sable
(Men’s 3000m Shooting (10m Air Palak
Steeplechase) Pistol Women)

Athletics (Men’s Rajesh Ramesh,

4x400m Relay) Muhammed Ajmal Shooting (25m Manu Bhaker, Esha
Variyathodi, Amoj Jacob, Pistol Women’s Singh, Rhythm Sangwan
Muhammed Anas Yahiya Team)

Athletics (Men’s Neeraj Chopra Shooting (50m Sift Kaur Samra

Javelin Throw) Rifle 3 Positions
Women)
Athletics (Men’s Tajinderpal Singh Toor
Shot Put) Squash (Men’s Abhay Singh, Harinder
Team) Pal Singh Sandhu,
Saurav Ghosal, Mahesh
Athletics Parul Chaudhary
(Women’s 5000m) Mangaonkar

Athletics Annu Rani Squash (Mixed Dipika Pallikal Karthik,

(Women’s Javelin Doubles) Harinder Pal Singh
Throw) Sandhu

Badminton (Men’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Tennis (Mixed Rohan Bopanna, Rutuja

Doubles) Chirag Shetty Doubles) Bhosale

26
z Important Mascots • Yogesh Choudhary and Deepankar Mech were
declared champions at the Shillong Armfight-All
Event Name Mascot Image India Championship 2023.

Khelo India Ujjwala • Manchester City made history by winning the Club
Para Games World Cup 4-0 against Fluminense.
2023
• Mitchell Starc became the costliest player in IPL
history with a bid of ₹24.75 crore from Kolkata
Knight Riders.

Hockey Asian Bomman

Champions
Trophy 2023

• Bangladesh U-19 cricket team won the ACC

Under-19 Asia Cup by defeating UAE by 195 runs.
37th National Moga
Games • Haryana beat Rajasthan by 30 runs to clinch the
Vijay Hazare Trophy.

• Bengaluru SG Mavericks won the Fifth edition of

Tennis Premier League, defeating Bengal Wizards
41-28.

• Haryana dominated the medal tally with 105 medals

in the inaugural Khelo India Para Games; UP and
25th Asian Lord Hanu- Tamil Nadu secured second and third positions.
Athletics man
• Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka received
Champion-
ITF World Champion Awards.
ships
• Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj became the first
Asian men inducted into the International Tennis
Hall of Fame.

19th Asian Congcong,

Games 2022 Lianlian and
Chenchen
also known
as

“The Smart
Triplets”.

z Other Important Sports News

• A.S. Sharvaanica, an eight-year-old chess
prodigy, secured gold in U-8 rapid and blitz, and
a silver in U-8 classical at the Asian Youth Chess
Championships in Al Ain, UAE.
• U20 woman wrestler Antim Panghal was named
Rising Star of the Year by UWW.
• Zinc Football Academy received AIFF’s ‘Elite
3-Star Rating.’

27
• Vaishali Rameshbabu became India’s 84th • Reetika Hooda becomes the first Indian woman
Grandmaster. to win the U23 Wrestling World Championship.

• Abhinav Choudhary became the men’s 25m

rapid-fire pistol national champion.

• Punjab defeated Haryana to win the 13th Hockey

India Senior Men’s National Championship.

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty finish

as runners-up in the China Masters Badminton
2023 men’s doubles final.

• Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar wins gold in rifle

3-position event at the 15th Asian Shooting
Championship in South Korea.

• Jyothi Yarraji and Tejas Shirse set National

Games records in 100m and 110m hurdles in
athletics competitions.

• VK Elakkiyadasan and SS Sneha crowned fastest

• Vidya Pillai clinches the World 6 Red Women
Snooker Championships title by defeating
Anupama Ramachandran in the final.
• Ishwar Sharma, a 13-year-old Indian-origin Yoga
prodigy, wins a Gold medal at the European Yoga
Sports Championship in Sweden.
athletes at the 37th National Games, winning gold
in men’s and women’s 100m at GMC Bambolim
Athletic Stadium.
• Claire Polosak and Eloise Sheridan make history
as the first female umpires in Sheffield Shield for
Australian cricket.

• Anahat Singh becomes the second youngest to

win the Senior National Squash Championship
women’s title, defeating Tanvi Khanna.

• Pankaj Advani wins the IBSF World Billiards

Championship title for the 26th time, defeating
Sourav Kothari in the final.

• Virat Kohli smashes records with his 50th ODI

century and becomes the first batter to score 700
runs in a single ODI World Cup edition.

• F Zoramchhana of Mizoram wins the Super
Bantamweight WBC India Boxing Title.
• Angelo Mathews becomes the first to be ‘timed
out’ in international cricket during the Bangladesh-
Sri Lanka ODI World Cup match.
• Raunak Sadhwani wins the FIDE World Junior
Rapid Chess Championship in Italy, aiding
Magnus Carlsen to lift the European title.
• Shubhi Gupta wins U-19 Girls National Chess
Championship 2023 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• Indian women’s hockey team beats Japan 4-0 to • Cricket set to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles
win the Asian Champions Trophy. Olympics with T20 men’s and women’s tournaments.

• Bangladesh to host the 24th Asian Archery • Ayodhya hosted National Archery Championship in
Championships in 2025 after winning the bid. November 2023.

28
• ICC names Sachin Tendulkar as ‘Global • India triumphs in the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s
Ambassador’ for the men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. World Cup Qualifier, defeating Thailand 7-2 in the
final and securing qualification for the Hockey 5s
• Rest of India hammers Saurashtra to win the Irani
World Cup in Muscat 2024.
Cup.
• Neeraj Chopra makes history by winning gold at
• Sue Redfern becomes the first woman to stand as
the World Athletics Championships in Budapest,
an umpire in a men’s first-class cricket match in
Hungary, becoming the first-ever Indian to achieve
England.
this feat.
• India crowned champions at the SAFF U-16
Championship 2023, defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in • Indian women’s blind cricket team wins gold at
the final. the IBSA World Games, defeating Australia by 9
wickets in the finals.
• Novak Djokovic wins his 24th Grand Slam title at the
US Open 2023, equaling Margaret Court’s record. • Praggnanandhaa finishes 2nd at the Chess World
Cup 2023; Magnus Carlsen wins his first World Cup
• India wins the Asia Cup 2023, defeating Sri Lanka
title by defeating Praggnanandhaa.
in the final.
• Germany beats Serbia to win its first-ever FIBA
Basketball World Cup title.
• Coco Gauff becomes the first American teen to
win the US Open.

• The Khelo India Women’s League is renamed as

the “Asmita Women’s League” to promote gender
equality in sports.
• India wins the Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023
• India’s Geoffrey Emmanuel secures double
in a penalty shootout against Pakistan, securing
podium finishes in his debut at the Malaysian
qualification for the 2024 FIH Hockey 5s World Cup.
Superbike Championship 2023.
• Mohun Bagan SG beats East Bengal FC 1-0,
• Anahat Singh wins gold in the U-17 category
claiming the Durand Cup title after 23 years.
of the Asian Junior Squash Championships in
• Danielle McGahey becomes the first transgender Dalian, China.
cricketer selected for Canada’s women’s squad,
• Spain’s women’s football team wins in the World
set to play in an international match in Los Angeles.
Cup 2023, defeating England 1-0 in Sydney,
Australia.

• Antim Panghal becomes the first Indian woman

wrestler to win back-to-back U20 world titles.

• Priya Malik wins gold at the U20 World Wrestling

Championships in Jordan.

• Wrestler Mohit Kumar makes history by winning

gold in the 61-kg freestyle event at the U20 World
Wrestling Championships in Jordan.

29
• India beats Malaysia 4-3 to win the fourth Asian
Champions Trophy hockey title in Chennai, Tamil
Nadu.
• Neeraj Chopra leads a 28-member Indian team at
the World Athletics Championships in Budapest,
Hungary.
• Aditi Swami becomes the first-ever Indian to clinch
the individual World Archery Championship title
in Berlin.
• Prarthana Thombare clinches the doubles title at
the women’s tennis hardcourt event in Barcelona,
Spain.
• H.S. Prannoy loses to Weng Hongyang of China
in the Men’s singles final at the Australia Open
Badminton in Sydney.
• Arsenal beats Manchester City 4-1 on penalties to
lift the FA Community Shield 2023.
• The Indian women’s compound team wins gold
at the World Archery Championships 2023 in
Berlin, marking India’s first-ever gold at the archery
world championships.
• Iga Swiatek wins her fourth title of the season at
the BNP Paribas Warsaw Open, defeating Laura
Siegemund in the final.
• Aditya Samant becomes India’s 83rd Grandmaster
after achieving his final GM norm at the Biel Chess
tournament.
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
win the Korea Open 2023 title in men’s doubles
badminton, marking their third Super 500 title.
30
• Minerva Academy Football Club becomes the first
Indian club to win the Gothia Cup in Sweden, the
world’s largest youth football tournament.
• Paralympian Aruna Tanwar secures three gold
medals in consecutive days at the Taekwondo
championships in Australia.
• Ajeet Singh breaks the championship record and
clinches gold in the Men’s javelin throw F46 at
Para Athletics Championships in Paris.
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy breaks the world record
for the fastest badminton hit with a 565-kmph
smash.
• Keerthana Pandian wins the IBSF World under-21
women’s snooker championship, defeating
Anupama Ramachandran in the final.
• Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic in five sets,
winning his maiden Wimbledon title and becoming
the third-youngest male champion at Wimbledon.
• Asian Athletics Championships 2023: Indian
athletes finished 3rd with 27 medals, six gold, 12
silver and nine bronze - in Bangkok. Japan tops
the medal tally.
Athlete Name Sport
Tajinderpal Singh Toor Men’s Shot Put
Jyothi Yarraji Women’s Hurdles
Abdulla Aboobacker Men’s Triple Jump
 • India beats Iran 42-32 to win the Asian Kabaddi
Women’s
Parul Chaudhary Championship 2023, securing their eighth title in
Steeplechase
nine editions.
Ajay Kumar Saroj Men’s 1500m Run
• Tamil Nadu wins the Senior Women’s National
Rajesh Ramesh, Football Championship for the second time,
Aishwarya Kailash Mishra,
Mixed 4x400m Relay defeating Haryana 2-1 in the final.
Amoj Jacob, Subha
Venkatesan • Uma Kolkata emerges as champions in the
historic Dubai Women’s Kabaddi final, defeating
• Parth Salunkhe becomes the first Indian male Punjab Panthers in the world’s first international
archer to secure gold in the recurve category at women’s Kabaddi final.
the Youth World Championships in Ireland.
• Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and Tai Tzu Ying win
• Hockey Madhya Pradesh clinches the 13th Hockey singles titles at the YONEX Taipei Open 2023.
India Junior Women National Championship 2023
by defeating Hockey Jharkhand 1-0 in the final. • Maharashtra Ironmen become champions of the
Premier Handball League, defeating Golden Eagles
• India’s women compound archers win gold in Uttar Pradesh at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium.
the U-18 and U-21 categories at the World Youth
Championships in Ireland. • Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee won the
doubles title at the WTT contender tournament in
• Indian archers Priyansh and Avneet Kaur secured Tunis.
gold in the junior mixed team compound event
at the World Archery Youth Championships in
Ireland.

• India wins the 9th SAFF Championship, defeating

Kuwait 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the Sree
Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

• Max Verstappen wins the Austrian Grand Prix,

marking his fifth successive win of the season in
the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.

• Triveni Continental Kings are crowned champions

of the inaugural Global Chess League after • Diksha Dagar wins the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open,
defeating Mumba Masters 2-0 in the final. securing her second Ladies European Tour title.

• Haryana emerges as the winner of the 6th Youth • Bhavani Devi becomes the first Indian fencer to win a
Women’s National Boxing Championships in medal in the Asian fencing championships, securing
Bhopal, securing 13 medals, including five gold. a bronze in the women’s sabre event in Wuxi, China.

• Shreyanka Patil creates history by becoming the • Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) wins the team
first Indian cricketer signed for the Women’s championship at the 6th Youth men’s National Boxing
Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). Championships in Gangtok, Sikkim.

• The 62nd Inter-State Athletics Championships

conclude in Bhubaneswar, with shot putter Tajinder
Singh Toor and hurdler Jyothi Yaraji winning
Best Athlete awards.

• Indian men’s senior football team clinched

the Intercontinental Cup with a 2-0 victory
over Lebanon in the final at Kalinga Stadium in
Bhubaneshwar.

• Spain wins the Nations League 2022-23 final in a

• Neeraj Chopra wins the Lausanne Diamond penalty shootout against Croatia, with goalkeeper
League 2023 with a best throw of 87.66m. Unai Simon named the player of the tournament.

31
• Indian duo Rankireddy and Shetty make history by • Novak Djokovic wins a record 23rd men’s singles
winning the men’s doubles title at the Indonesia Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating
Open, becoming the first from the country to claim Casper Ruud.
a Super 1000 event.
• Australia wins the ICC World Test Championship
2023, defeating India by 209 runs in the final at The
Oval, England.

o Player of the Match: Travis Head.

• Jyothi Yarraji clinches gold in the women’s 100m

hurdles event at T-Meeting 2023 in Tilburg, the
Netherlands.

• Chennai Super Kings win their 5th IPL title,

defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL
• India concludes U-17 Asian Wrestling Championships 2023 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals; Ankush
secures gold in freestyle 55kg category in Bishkek, o Orange Cap: Shubhman Gill.
Kyrgyzstan.
o Purple Cap: Mohammad Shami.
• Uruguay beats Italy 1-0 to win maiden FIFA U-20 o
World Cup title.

• Egypt wins the SDAT-WSF Squash World Cup in

Chennai, defeating Malaysia in the final, marking the
first time teams were fully gender-balanced.

• Manchester City wins the Premier League for the third

consecutive time.

o David de Gea: Golden Glove.

o Kevin De Bruyne: Player Maker of the Year.

• Odisha dominates the 10th senior and 7th junior
national Rugby 7s Championship, defeating o Haaland: Golden Boot.
Maharashtra 31-7 in the finals at Balewadi Stadium.
• H.S. Prannoy wins his first BWF World Tour title in
• Iga Swiatek secures her third French Open title and the Malaysia Masters 2023 final, defeating China’s
fourth Grand Slam title, winning the French Open 2023 Weng Hong Yang.
by defeating Karolina Muchova.
• India wins the Central Asian Volleyball Association
(CAVA) Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup 2023,
defeating Kazakhstan 3-0 in Kathmandu.

• Indian Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar wins

gold, at the International Jumping Meeting in
Kallithea, Greece.

• Indian shooters Ganemat Sekhon and Darshna

Rathore created history by winning two senior
individual medals in women’s skeet at the ISSF
World Cup stage in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

32
• Sania Mirza was appointed as the Tennis z Major Awardees in different Sports
Ambassador for Sony Sports Network. events in 2023
• Sameer Verma wins gold in men’s singles at the Awards Awardee
2023 Slovenia Open.
Player of Series (Vijay Hazare
Sumit Kumar
Trophy)
Novak
ITF World Champion Awards Djokovic, Aryna
Sabalenka
UWW Rising Star of the Year Antim Panghal

Men’s Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi

Women’s Ballon d’Or Aitana Bonmati

VK
Fastest Athletes at National
Elakkiyadasan,
z ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Games
SS Sneha
• Tournament held in November 2023. Player of the Match (Cricket
Travis Head
World Cup Final)
• The final was played between India and Australia
at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Player of the Tournament
Virat Kohli
(Cricket World Cup)
• Australia won by 6 wickets to clinch their 6th
World Cup title. Player of the Match (ICC Test
Travis Head
Championship Final)
• Australia scored 245/4 in reply to India’s 240 in
Tajinder Singh
the final. Best Athlete Awards at Inter-
Toor, Jyothi
State Athletics Championship
Yaraji
Award Players Player of the Tournament
Unai Simon
(Nations League)
Player of the Tournament Virat Kohli
Player of the Tournament (Asia
Kuldeep Yadav
Player of the Match (Final) Travis Head Cup)

Most Runs Virat Kohli

Highest Score Glenn Maxwell

Most Hundreds Quinton de Kock

Most Fifties Virat Kohli

Most Wickets Mohammed Shami

Best Bowling Figures Mohammed Shami

Most Sixes Rohit Sharma

Most Catches Daryl Mitchell

Most Dismissals (keeper) Quinton de Kock

Highest Strike Rate Glenn Maxwell

33
CHAPTER : 4
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & SCHEMES
Scheme/Program
“Aarogya Maitri” for Medical
Supplies
AI Chatbot for PM-KISAN
Scheme
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
Auction of Lithium and Rare
Earth Minerals
Ayushman Bhava Campaign
Bhagwant Mann Sarkar
Tuhade Dwar’ Scheme
Bharat New Car Assessment
Programme (Bharat NCAP)
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
2023
Broadcasting Infrastructure
and Network Development
Scheme
Capacity Building Plan for
Govt Employees
Capacity Building Program
for Higher Education
Teachers
Captive Employment’
Scheme
Carbon Credit Trading
Scheme
Central Sector Scheme for
Drones to Women SHGs
City Investments Scheme
(CITIIS 2.0)
Community Service for Petty
Crimes
Comprehensive ‘Vibrant
Village Program’
Description
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces ‘Aarogya Maitri’ project to provide
essential medical supplies to developing nations affected by disasters.
• Launched by Union Ministry of Agriculture. Provides prompt and accurate
responses to farmers’ queries.
• Consultative Committee announces the upgrade of 1,275 railway stations.
Part of the Amrit Bharat Station scheme for long-term station development.
• Mines ministry proposes an amendment to mineral concession rules to
determine the methodology for fixing the value of estimated resources.
Geological Survey of India found significant lithium reserves of 5.9 million
tonnes in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Introduced by the President on September 13, 2023. Part of Seva Pakhwada
with three major components.
• Delivers citizen-centric services at people’s doorstep. Includes 43 services
like certificates, bill payments, and land demarcation.
• Launched by Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. Aims to enhance road safety for
vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Provides a tool for consumers to compare crash
safety.
• Implements death penalty for mob lynching. Updates law with clearer
definitions and stricter penalties.
• Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme was
launched to expand and upgrade Prasar Bharati infrastructure.
• Launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh to enhance skills and competencies. iGOT
training modules for Govt employees at all levels.
• UGC launches program for holistic development of 15 lakh higher education
teachers. Covers various aspects of NEP 2020 and enhances digital skills.
• Union Minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh initiates ‘Captive
Employment’ Scheme under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya
Yojana.
• Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment to develop a Carbon Credit
Trading Scheme for decarbonization. Aims to price Green House Gas
emission through trading of Carbon Credit Certificates.
• Rs. 1261 Crore outlay for providing drones to 15,000 Women SHGs. Aims to
offer rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes.
• Approved by the Union Cabinet for a period of four years (2023-2027). Aims
to support competitively selected projects promoting a circular economy.
• Proposal for community service as punishment for petty offences. Initial
implementation for criminal defamation. Aims to introduce alternative
punishment mechanisms.
• Government launches a program for comprehensive development in 46
border blocks of 19 districts in four states and UT.
34
Constitution (Scheduled
• Passed by Parliament to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in Chhattisgarh.
Castes) Order Amendment
Includes Mahara and Mahra communities in Chhattisgarh.
Bill
• Implemented under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
Credit Guarantee Scheme for
(AHIDF). Facilitates credit flow to MSMEs in the Livestock sector without
Livestock Sector
collateral.
• PM-PRANAM Yojana approved by the Cabinet. Incentivizes states to promote
Credit Scheme for Farmers alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. Package of Rs.
3,68,000 crores for reducing chemical fertilizer use.

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) by the Ministry of Law & Justice for
CSS for Development of
developing infrastructure facilities in District and Subordinate Courts. Fund-
Infrastructure Facilities for
sharing pattern: 60:40 (Centre: State), 90:10 for 8 North-Eastern and 2
The Judiciary
Himalayan States, and 100% central funding for Union Territories.

• Uses facial recognition technology. Part of government efforts to upgrade

Digi Yatra at 13 Airports
airport security.

• Approved by the Cabinet with an outlay of ₹14,903 crore. Includes upskilling

Digital India Expansion of 525,000 IT professionals and training 265,000 in cybersecurity. Umang
application to offer 540 more services.

• Approved by the Union Cabinet. Specifies norms for managing personal data
Digital Personal Data
and requires explicit consent. Set to be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon
Protection (DPDP) Bill
Session.

• Announced by Amit Shah, including schemes worth over Rs 8,000 crore.

Disaster Management
Focuses on disaster management and achieves progress over the last nine
Schemes
years.

Discontinuation of Padho • Ministry of Minority Affairs discontinues the Padho Pardesh scheme providing
Pardesh Scheme interest subsidy on education loans for overseas studies.

• 19.42 lakh new workers enrolled in ESI Scheme. 24,849 new establishments
ESI Scheme Enrollments
registered; 3.73 lakh female employees enrolled.

Extension of Pradhan Mantri • Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announces the extension of the Pradhan
Awas Yojana-Urban Scheme Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) scheme up to 2024.

• Subsidy reduction under the FAME-II scheme for electric two-wheelers

FAME-II Subsidy Reduction
registered on or after June 1, 2023. FAME India scheme commenced on April
for Electric 2-Wheelers
1, 2019.

• Union Cabinet approves Rs 1.08 lakh crore fertilizer subsidy for the 2023-
Fertilizer Subsidy for Kharif
24 Kharif season. Includes subsidies for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K)
Season
fertilizers and urea.

• Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Aims to strengthen fire services in

Fire Services Expansion
states with a total outlay of ₹5,000 crore. Requires a 25% contribution from
Scheme
the respective state governments.

35
First Consultation on Digital • Government conducts the first public consultation on the Digital India Act,
India Act aiming to replace the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Garib Kalyan Food Grain • Extended for another 5 years under the public distribution scheme. Provides
Programme free grains to eligible citizens.

• Government working on sharing infrastructure data from the Gati Shakti

Gati Shakti Infrastructure
portal. Data includes multi-modal connectivity and physical/social
Data Sharing
infrastructure. Aims to facilitate transparency for industry and investors.

• Launched by Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Managed by WHO to

Global Initiative on Digital
enhance digital health globally. Release of the World Bank’s Flagship Report
Health (GIDH)
on Digital-in-Health.

• Lok Sabha passes amendments to levy 28% tax on online gaming, casinos,
GST Bills for Online Gaming
and horse race clubs. Amendments clarify taxation in casinos, horse racing,
Tax
and online gaming.

Harit Sagar Green Port • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launches Harit Sagar Green Port
Guidelines Guidelines to achieve a zero-carbon emission goal.

• ASI to invite corporate stakeholders for monument amenities. User-friendly

Heritage 2.0’ Programme
mobile app “Indian Heritage” to be launched.

Indian Forest & Wood • Launched for forest and wood certification. Managed by the Indian Institute of
Certification Scheme Forest Management, Bhopal.

Integrated Food Security • Centre names the new Integrated Food Security Scheme as Pradhan Mantri
Scheme as PMGAY Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY).

• Passed to give disciplinary and administrative powers to Commanders of

Inter-Services Organisation
Inter-Services Organizations (ISOs). Applicable to regular Army, Navy, and Air
Bill
Force personnel.

IRCTC Operated Baba • IRCTC operates the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra tour package under the
Saheb Ambedkar Yatra “Dekho Apna Desh” initiative in April 2023.

Kisan Rin Portal and Weather • Launched by Nirmala Sitharaman for comprehensive farmer data. Ghar Ghar
WINDS Manual KCC campaign unveiled for scheme saturation.

Krishi Udan Scheme • Covers 58 airports for cost-effective air transportation of agricultural produce.

Mahila Samman Savings • Over 18 lakh accounts opened, totaling over Rs. 11,000 crore. Two-year
Certificate tenure scheme with 7.5% fixed interest compounded quarterly.

• Ministry of Finance issues gazette notifications for Mahila Samman Savings

Mahila Samman Savings
Certificates-2023 scheme. Two-year tenure scheme offers a fixed interest of
Scheme
7.5% compounded quarterly.

36

MASI Portal for Child Care
Homes
MedTech Mitra
Mega Textile Parks under PM •
MITRA Scheme
Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ GST
Reward Scheme
Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’
Invoice Incentive Scheme
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’
Project
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY
Bharat) Platform
Mission Daksh (Bihar Govt.)
Mission Indradhanush 5.0
(IMI 5.0)
Mission Vatsalya
Model Prisons Act, 2023
MoU Signing for PM MITRA
Park in Dhar
MSME Competitive (LEAN)
Scheme
Mukhymantri Nirmaan
Shramik Pension Yojana
MY Bharat Campaign
National Anganwadi-cum-
Crèches Program
National Clean Air
Programme (NCAP)
National Curriculum
Framework for School
Education
National Medical Devices
Policy, 2023
• Developed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Aims
for real-time monitoring of Child Care Institutions (CCIs). Ensures compliance
with the Juvenile Justice Act.
• Advances health solutions for young innovators. Part of India’s holistic
healthcare transformation by 2047.
Government announces the setting up of mega textile parks in seven states
under the PM MITRA scheme.
• Launched to promote invoice usage and offer incentives. Implemented in
select states and union territories.
• Launched to motivate consumers to ask for bills. Currently implemented in
Haryana, Assam, Gujarat, and select UTs.
• Aims to map and document all Indian villages. National Mission on Cultural
Mapping in coordination with IGNC.
• Launched by PM Modi for youth empowerment. Autonomous body “Mera
Yuva Bharat” approved by Union Cabinet.
• Targets minimizing school dropout with special classes. Successfully
implemented in over 60,000-plus schools.
• Flagship routine immunization campaign across all districts. Three rounds
conducted over six days each month.
• Ministry of Women and Child Development identifies children in need through
Child Welfare and Protection Committee. Aims to provide support under
Mission Vatsalya for children in difficult circumstances.
• Center finalizes comprehensive ‘Model Prisons Act, 2023’ focusing on skill
development of prisoners. Includes features like grievance redressal, prison
development board, separate accommodation for women prisoners, etc.
• MoU signing between the Ministry of Textiles and the Government of Madhya
Pradesh for PM MITRA Park in Dhar. The park will be set up in the village
Bhensola, Badnawar Tehsil, Dhar district.
• Government launches the revamped MSME Competitive (LEAN) scheme to
benefit enterprises.
• Offers lifelong monthly pension to construction workers aged 60 and above.
Inauguration of 264 projects and development works worth Rs. 266 crore.
• Highlights India’s development across sectors. Calls on youth to contribute to
India’s development by 2047.
• Aims to set up 17,000 crèches nationwide. Focuses on economic
opportunities for women-run self-help groups.
• Allocated funds for 131 cities to combat air pollution. Aims for 20%-30%
reduction in particulate matter by 2024.
• Released by Dharmendra Pradhan for 21st-century education alignment.
Emphasizes the 5+3+3+4 design of schooling.
• Cabinet approves the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, aiming to
increase domestic production of medical devices.
37
National Nursing and • Passed for comprehensive reforms in the nursing sector. Establishes National
Midwifery Commission Bill and State Commissions for nursing education and services.

National Policy on Research • Launched by M. Mandaviya to boost Pharma-MedTech sector. Scheme for
and Development the promotion of Research and Innovation introduced.

National Rabies Control • National Centre for Disease Control launches the National Rabies Control
Programme (NRCP) Programme for the prevention and control of rabies.

• Passed to establish a National Research Foundation (NRF). Aims to fund and

National Research
promote research in natural sciences. Repeals the Science and Engineering
Foundation Bill
Research Board (SERB) Act.
National Strategic Plan and
• National Strategic Plan and Roadmap for Leprosy 2023-2027 launched on
Roadmap for Leprosy 2023-
National Anti-Leprosy Day.
2027

New Housing Scheme in • Cleared by Naveen Patnaik-led cabinet. Targets those left out in Central and
Odisha - ‘Mo Ghara’ state schemes. Plans to spend Rs 2,150 crore over the next two years.

• Launched by Hardeep Singh Puri for street vendors. Simplifies the loan
PM SVANidhi Mobile App application process under the PM SVANidhi Scheme. Commended for
promoting financial inclusion and digital literacy.

• Empowered artisans in Sonipat; 55% women’s participation. SAMARTH-

PM Vishwakarma Yojna
curated training programs on iGOT Karmayogi platform.

• Aims to break traders’ monopoly in crop pricing. Total cost of Rs. 170 crore for
PM-Kisan Bhai Scheme
3 years, pilot launch in 7 States.

• 140 MW solar power plants and 2.73 lakh Solar Pumps installed. Focuses on
PM-KUSUM Scheme
demand-driven allocation for solar power installations.

• Announced by PM Modi on Independence Day. Aims to allocate around

Vishwakarma Yojana ₹13,000 to ₹15,000 crore for skill development among traditional artisans.
Drones promised for women self-help groups in agriculture.
• Ministry of Finance launches the scheme “Vivad se Vishwas I – Relief to
Vivad se Vishwas Scheme
MSMEs” for providing relief to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises during
for MSMEs
the COVID-19 period.
• Launched by the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a global wedding
Wedding Tourism Campaign destination. Seeks to attract couples worldwide and expand the wedding
industry.
• Initiative to set up women-only courts for alternate dispute resolution. Piloted
Women-only Courts for
in Assam and J&K, with plans for nationwide expansion. Focus on addressing
Dispute Resolution
issues like domestic violence and property rights.
• Union Minister Smriti Irani launches the “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi” program
Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi’
under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Aims for the holistic
Program
development of children under the age of 6 years.

Press and Registration of • Simplifies online periodical registration process. Requires Central
Periodicals Bill 2023 Government consent for local publication of foreign periodicals.

Recognition Scheme for • Launched by DoT to recognize ISPs for expanding rural FTTH connections.
Internet Service Providers Nine ISPs awarded based on net additions of rural FTTH connections.

38
 • Amit Shah announces the complete repeal of the sedition law. Introduction of
Repeal of Sedition Law
three bills for criminal justice system reform.

Reservation in CISF for • Union Home Ministry announces a 10% reservation for former Agniveers in
Former Agniveers the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

• Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane launches the revamped CGTMSE
Revamped CGTMSE
Scheme in Mumbai. Scheme includes a reduction in guarantee fees for loans
Scheme
up to ₹1 crore.

Revised MGNREGA Wage • Union government notifies a hike in wage rates under MGNREGA for the
Rates 2023-24 financial year.
• PM Modi launches Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI schemes. Amrit Dharohar for
Revival of Wetlands and
conservation of existing Ramsar sites. MISHTI for reviving and protecting the
Mangroves
mangrove ecosystem.

• Export benefits extended under RoDTEP scheme till June 2024. Provides
RoDTEP Scheme Extension
refund of taxes, duties, and levies for exporters.

SAKSHAM Learning
• Union Health Ministry launches SAKSHAM LMIS, a digital learning platform
Management Information
developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare.
System (LMIS)

Sangathan-se-Samriddhi’ • Government launches ‘Sangathan-se-Samriddhi’ scheme to bring

Scheme marginalized rural women into Self Help Groups (SHGs).

SEBI’s Institutional
• SEBI proposes an institutional mechanism to curb market abuse, focusing on
Mechanism to Curb Market
unauthorized trading and market manipulation.
Abuse

• Supports 2,564 SC students in 142 private schools for 2023-24. Dual modes:
SHRESTHA Scheme
Entrance Test and NGO/VO-operated schools/hostels.
• Umbrella scheme for SC students with 4 sub-schemes. Includes financial aid,
SHREYAS Scheme
free coaching, fellowship, and overseas education support.
• Launched by Dharmendra Pradhan and Om Birla to promote skill
Skills on Wheels Initiative
development. Begins in Rajasthan and expands to other parts of the country.
• Launched to attract international students. Jointly launched by Education
Study In India’ Portal
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.

Subsidy for Loans under • Government offers up to 8% subsidy for artisan loans. Provision of Rs. 13,000
Vishwakarma Yojana crore in the Budget 2023-24.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 • Launched by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat from Jaipur. Focuses on ‘Swachh
Campaign Bharat’ vision; special SHS Portal introduced.

• Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launches Swachhotsav, a three-week

Swachhotsav under Swachh
women-led swachhata campaign under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban
Bharat Mission
2.0.

Unified Registration Portal for • Introduced by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Over 1163
GOBARdhan biogas and CBG plants registered for organic manure.

Viability Gap Funding • Approved by the Government with an initial outlay of Rs. 9,400 crore.
Scheme Envisages 4,000 Mega Watt hours of BESS projects by 2030-31.

39
CHAPTER : 5

INDEX & REPORTS

Indices Issued by First Position India’s Rank

Climate Change Performance First three none

German Watch 8th
Index 2023 4th- Denmark
World Digital Competitiveness International Institute for Management US 49th
Ranking Development (IMD)
Concern World Wide and
Global Hunger Index 2023 Belarus 111th
Weilthungerhlife

International Institute for Management

World Talent Ranking 2023 Switzerland 56th
Development (IMD)

World Intellectual Property

Global Innovation Index 2023 Switzerland 40th
Organisation

Economic Freedom Index Fraser Institute Singapore 87th

Global Crypto Adoption Index

Chainalysis India 1st
2023
Gender Snapshot 2023
United Nations Iceland 127th
Report

Emerging Markets Tracker Mint India 1st

Delhi and
World’s Most Liveable Cities Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Vienna Mumbai tied for
141st place
World Press Freedom Index
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Norway 161st
2023
World’s Wealthiest Cities
Henley & Partners New York City Mumbai (21st)
2023
World Bank Logistics Index
World Bank Singapore 38th
2023

Global Unicorn Index 2023 Hurun US and China 3rd

World’s Most Criminal

World of Statistics Venezuela 77th
Countries Ranking 2023
FIFA Rankings FIFA Argentina 101st
Sustainable Development Solutions
World Happiness Index 2023 Finland 126th
Network

Global Terrorism Index 2023 TerrorismTracker Afghanistan 13th

Time’s ‘World’s Greatest Mayurbhanj and

TIME Magazine Tampa, Florida
Places Of 2023’ Ladakh

World Air Quality Report IQAir Lahore Delhi (4th)

International Intellectual
US Chambers of Commerce United States 42nd
Property Index

Organisation for Economic

OECD’s Services Trade
Cooperation and Development Japan 47th
Restrictiveness Index
(OECD)

40
 Food and Agriculture Organization
World Milk Production Corporate Statistics Database India 1st
(FAOSTAT)

Global Fire Power Index 2023 Global Fire Power US 4th

Mercer’s Quality of Living Hyderabad

Mercer Vienna
Index 2023 (153rd)

World Bank’s Migration and

World Bank India 1st
Development Brief

QS World University University of Delhi University

QS
Rankings: Sustainability 2024 Toronto (220th position)

Other Major Reports y LEADS 2023 Report on Logistics Ease:

y India Skills Report 2024:
 Achievers include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
 Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala are the Karnataka, TN, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, UP,
most preferred places to work. Assam, Sikkim, Tripura, Delhi.

 51.25% of surveyed youth are employable; Kochi  Fast movers: Kerala, Maharashtra, MP,
tops the list for women. Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Puducherry.
y Forbes 2023 Highest-Paid Female Athletes:

 PV Sindhu ranked 16th with earnings estimated

at $7.1 million.
 Polish tennis star Iga Świątek topped the list with
$23.9 million.
y Niti Aayog’s Agri-Marketing Reforms Index:

 Andhra Pradesh ranked 1st with a score of 94.

 Uttar Pradesh secured the 2nd position with a
score of 92.
y India’s State Economy Ranking:
 Maharashtra leads with 15.7% GDP share; Uttar
Pradesh is second with 9.2%.
 Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal follow with
varying shares.
y IMF’s Recognition of India’s Growth:
 India contributes over 16% to global growth.
 Prudent macroeconomic policies cited as a major
growth driver.
y NCRB Report on Food Adulteration:
y Hurun India’s ‘Top 100 Under 30’ List:
 Zepto’s founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit
Palicha top the list.
 Recognized for their commitment to delivering
diverse products within minutes.
y EPFO’s Women Members Addition:
 EPFO added 28.69 lakh net women members in
FY23.
 Female unemployment rate declined to 2.9% in
2022-23 from 4.2% in 2019-20.
y National Survey on Substance Use in India:

 Hyderabad ranked 1st in food adulteration cases  Highest prevalence in alcohol (17.1% among
with 246 out of 291 reported. adults).
 291 food adulteration cases reported across 19  Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan reached 10.72
major cities in India. crore people, raising awareness.

41
y Crime Rise in 2022: NCRB Report:
 Crimes against women, children, seniors, SC, ST
rose in 2022.
 Economic offences increased by 11.1%,
corruption by 10.5%, cyber crimes by 24.4%.
y Highest Paid CEOs in India:
 Wipro CEO Thierry Delaporte tops the list.
 Zerodha founders Nithin Kamath and Nikhil
Kamath highest-paid in the startup category.
y WHO Report on Malaria in South-East Asia:
 India accounted for 66% of malaria cases in the
Southeast Asia region.
 Malaria cases in the region declined by 76% from
2000 to 2022.
y NITI Aayog’s Delta Ranking of ABP:
 Tiriyani Block of Telangana secured the top
position.
 Kaushambi Block of Uttar Pradesh secured the
second position.
y India Infrastructure Report 2023:
 Addresses complex issues related to urban
planning and development.
 Collaborative effort by IDFC Foundation, iDeCK,
and NIUA.
y Forbes’ Most Powerful Women 2023:
 Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra,
Soma Mondal, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw among
top Indian women.
 Criteria: money, media, impact, spheres of
influence.
42
y Hurun’s List of 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs:
 Radhakishan Damani leads; founders of Flipkart
closely follow.
 IDFC FIRST Private Hurun India’s report
highlights top self-made entrepreneurs.
y UNICEF’s “2023 Global Snapshot on HIV and
AIDS” Report:
 Adolescent girls bear the brunt of 98,000 new HIV
infections in 2022.
 Sub-Saharan Africa’s HIV prevalence among
adolescent girls is over 3 times higher than boys.
y Forbes’ “Hall of Shame” List:
 Highlights 10 individuals from ‘30 Under 30’ who
took a “dubious path.”
 Includes names like Sam Bankman-Fried,
Caroline Ellison, and Cody Wilson, among
others.
y IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Stars of 2023:
 Shah Rukh Khan tops the list.
 Alia Bhatt claims the second spot; success in
Bollywood and Hollywood.
y Bengaluru Tops in Women-Led Startups:
 Bengaluru has the highest number of women-led
startups in India.
 Karnataka offers a grant-in-aid of Rs 50 lakh to
encourage women entrepreneurs.
y Record 148 Indian Universities in QS Asia
Rankings:
 IIT Bombay ranks No.1 in India overall; seven
Indian universities in the top 100 in Asia.
 Remarkable debut for Indian statistical institutes,
securing the 220th position.
y Hurun Rich List 2023:
 Mukesh Ambani reclaims the top spot on the
Hurun India Rich List 2023.
 Jayashree Ullal of Arista Networks is the
wealthiest Indian-origin business head.
y Times World University Ranking:
 KIIT Deemed to be University ranks 6th among
Indian universities in the Times Higher Education
World University Rankings 2024.
 IISc Bangalore tops with 91 Indian universities
securing spots.
y Consumer Price Index for Agri Labourers:
 All-India Consumer Price Index for Agri Labourers
increases in August 2023.
 Tamil Nadu tops the Agricultural Labourers Index,
and Andhra Pradesh leads in the Rural Labourers
Index.
y Fortune Global 500:
 Walmart tops the Fortune Global 500 list for
2023.
 Reliance jumps 16 places, securing the 88th
position.
y SBI Research Economic Outlook:
 SBI Research predicts India to become the
world’s 3rd largest economy by 2027.
43
 Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are expected to
cross the USD 500 billion mark by 2027.
y QS Best Cities for Students 2024:
 No Indian city ranks in the top 100 of QS Best
Student Cities 2024.
 Mumbai secures the 118th position in the
rankings.
y Switzerland Tops Best Country Rankings:
 Switzerland claims the title of the world’s best
country in the U.S. News & World Report
rankings.
 Canada and Sweden follow closely at 2nd and
3rd positions.
y Smart Cities Contest:
 Indore was declared the best Smart City and
Madhya Pradesh tops in the State category.
 Surat and Agra secure 2nd and 3rd places
among cities, while Tamil Nadu is 2nd in the State
category.
y Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023:
 Indore secures the 1st position, Bhopal 5th, in
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2023.
 Madhya Pradesh holds two of the top five
positions for cities with over 10 lakh population.
y NITI Aayog’s Delta Ranking:
 Jammu and Kashmir achieve the 2nd position
in ‘Scan and Share OPD’ tokens, surpassing
Karnataka.
 Nuh district moves from 30th to 2nd position in
NITI Aayog’s Delta ranking.
y Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023:
 Srinagar district secures the top spot in the ‘Front
Runners’ category.
 Evaluated on water supply and management,
Srinagar shows significant improvement.
y UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index:
 UNDP’s report reveals 415 million people moved
out of poverty in India from 2005-06 to 2019-21.
 India surpasses China as the world’s most
populous nation.
y Asia University Rankings 2023:
 18 Indian universities secure spots in the Times
Higher Education’s Asia university rankings.
 IISc Bangalore ranks 48th globally.
y Forbes’ Global 2000 List 2023:
 Reliance Industries climbs eight spots to the 45th
rank, the highest for an Indian company.
 Ranking based on sales, profits, assets, and
market value; Mukesh Ambani’s company excels.
y Interbrand’s Best Indian Brands 2023:
 TCS tops the list with a brand value of Rs 1.09
lakh crore.
 Reliance Industries, along with Jio, also among
the top five valuable brands in India.
y NIRF Rankings 2023:
 IIT Madras tops overall higher education
institutions; IISc Bengaluru and IIT Delhi follow.
 Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, leads in
the Universities category.
y Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athletes 2023:
 Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the world’s highest-
paid athlete.
 Messi, LeBron James, and Canelo Alvarez follow
in the top five.
44
y ADB’s Largest Recipient in Asia:
 Pakistan becomes the largest recipient of ADB-
funded programs in 2022.
 ADB disburses over $31.8 billion to 40 countries,
with Pakistan receiving $5.58 billion.
y State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22:
 Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan,
and Telangana in the Front Runner category.
 Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, and Chandigarh
show most improvement in the ‘Aspirant’
category.
y Uttar Pradesh Tops in Startup Ranking 2022:
 UP tops the state-wise ranking of states and
Union Territories.
 DIPP and Ministry of Commerce release the
second edition of the ranking.
y Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey 2023:
 Mumbai ranked as the most expensive Indian city
for expatriates.
 Hong Kong, Singapore, and Zurich top the global
list; Mumbai at 147th globally.
y Health Ministry’s Food Safety Index:
 Kerala tops the State Food Safety Index among
larger states.
 Goa leads among smaller states; Jammu &
Kashmir, Delhi, and Chandigarh secure top ranks
among union territories.
CHAPTER : 6

DEFENCE NEWS
Important Defence News
• HAL’s Aero Engine Research & Development
Centre had inaugurated a facility for advanced
design and testing of engines including the
Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine and Hindustan
Turbo Shaft Engine.
• The Indian Navy unveiled a new design of Admirals’
Epaulettes, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj’s Rajmudra.

• President Murmu presents ‘President’s Colour’ to

INS Dronacharya for exceptional service.
• Indian Navy conducts Ocean Sailing Race 2023
from Kochi to Goa, encouraging adventure at
sea.
• The Indian Navy conducted a quiz competition
“THINQ: Sail Beyond Horizon” for school children
as part of Navy Week activities
• The Army Aviation Corps plans to phase out
Cheetah, and Chetak helicopters in 2027.
• Indian Navy’s MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopter makes
maiden landing on INS Vikrant.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated
the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre in
Chandigarh.
• Indian Naval Ship Magar, Landing Ship Tank
decommissioned after 36 years of service.
• Paramilitary forces adopt ‘Sandes App’ for secure
official communication, document sharing, and
data security.
• Indian Army receives the world’s 1st fully
operational ‘SWARM’ Drone System.
• Asia’s largest Helicopter factory opens in
Tumakuru, Karnataka. • 33rd edition of the annual IMBL meeting between
Indian and Sri Lankan Navies held onboard INS
• Indian Navy commissions stealth guided missile Sumitra.
destroyer “INS Imphal”, under Project 15B.
• DRDO’s “Project Kusha” aims to develop an
• Indian Army organized ‘Inno Yodha 2023,’ indigenous Air Defence System, valued at over
showcasing 80 innovative solutions. $2.5 billion.
• PM Modi unveils the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji • Indian Air Force Fighter Squadron transitions
Maharaj at Rajkot Fort during a Navy Day function from Mig-21 to Sukhoi-30 MKI to enhance warfare
in Sindhudurg. capabilities.

45
• Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, • Rajnath Singh inaugurates Integrated Simulator
to unveil the crest of the Indian Navy’s guided Complex ‘Dhruv’ in Kochi for practical training in
missile destroyer ‘Surat.’ the Indian Navy.
• IAF develops a ‘Vayulink’ platform for steady
jammer-proof communication using IRNSS.
• Indian Air Force signs a contract for the procurement
of ‘Virupaaksha,’ an indigenous advanced radar,
to upgrade Su-30 MKI aircraft.
• India gifts missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam,
enhancing the country’s naval capabilities.

• The Indian Army organizes the ‘Chanakya

Defence Dialogue 2023’ in New Delhi, discussing
regional and global security issues.
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) wins the
13th edition of the All India Police Commando
Competition (AIPCC) 2023.
• Rajnath Singh had launched ‘Project Udbhav’, an
initiative aimed at integrating ancient wisdom with
modern military pedagogy.
• Rajnath Singh inaugurates ‘Bharat Drone Shakti
2023,’ showcasing over 75 drone start-ups and
promoting indigenous technology.
• Indian Air Force receives the first C-295 transport
aircraft from Airbus, formalizing the acquisition of
56 such aircraft.
• Indian Air Force pledges support to 765 TB
patients as part of the ‘NI-KSHAY MITRA’ program
in Maharashtra.
• ‘Neerakshi,’ an autonomous underwater vehicle
designed for mine detection, is launched, a
collaborative effort of GRSE and AEP.
• Lok Sabha passes the Inter-Services
Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline)
Bill - 2023, empowering ISO commanders with
disciplinary and administrative powers.
• Indian Army implements common uniform for
Brigadier and above ranks to reinforce common
identity and fairness.
• Pixxel, an Indian space tech startup, receives a
grant from iDEX to develop small, multi-purpose
satellites for the Indian Air Force.

46
Ì Military Exercises and Operations

Exercise/Operations Location Details

FRINJEX-23 Kerala Indo-France joint exercise commences.

Exercise DUSTLIK Uttarakhand India-Uzbekistan training Exercise begins.

Dharma Guardian Japan Indo-Japan military exercise held.

Indian Air Force successfully tests SAMAR air
Exercise AstraShakti
Andhra Pradesh defence missile. Akash missile hits four targets
2023
simultaneously at 25km.
6th edition of Indo-US exercise concludes, featuring
TARKASH Chennai
CBRN response.

Cobra Warrior UK Indian Air Force contingent participates in Exercise.

Cope India Kalaikunda Airbase India-US air exercise with Japan as an observer.

Vayu Prahar Line of Actual Control (LAC) Indian Army and Air Force joint drills.

Shinyuu Maitri & Desert Indian Air Force participates in international

International
Flag VIII exercises.
South Africa joint military exercise with Russia and
Mosi II Indian Ocean
China.

MILAN 2024 Planning Mid Planning Conference for the Multilateral Naval
Visakhapatnam
Conference Exercise.

Exercise Sea Dragon 23 Guam, USA Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft participates.

Bold Kurukshetra Singapore Joint India-Singapore exercise concludes.

Biennial exercise with navies of Australia, France,

La Perouse Indian Ocean Region
India, Japan, and the United States.
Indian Navy’s major Operational level exercise
TROPEX Arabian Sea
concludes.
ASEAN India Maritime
Singapore INS Satpura and INS Delhi participated.
Exercise-2023
7th edition of Joint Military Exercise between India
AJEYA WARRIOR Salisbury Plains, UK
and the United Kingdom.
Kalaikunda, Panagarh and 6th edition of Air Exercise between Indian Air Force
Cope India-2023
Agra and US Air Force concludes.
Indian Air Force to participate in the multilateral
INIOCHOS Greece
exercise.
Indian Rafales to participate in French multinational
Orion 2023 France
exercise.

Prasthan Offshore Indian Navy conducts offshore security exercises.

SLINEX 2023 Colombo India-Sri Lanka maritime exercise begins.

47
Operation Sajag West Coast Indian Coast Guard conducts coastal security drills.

Air Defender 23 Germany NATO’s biggest-ever air exercise.

Indian Coast Guard conducts the 9th National Level

NATPOLREX-IX Vadinar, Gujarat
Pollution Response Exercise.
VAJRA PRAHAR 14th Edition of Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise
Umroi, Meghalaya
2023 commences.

MITRA SHAKTI-2023 Aundh, Pune 9th edition of Joint Military exercise commences.

Air Show at Ambala Indian Air Force organizes an air show featuring Surya
Ambala
Air Force Station Kiran and Akashganga teams.

BONGOSAGAR-23 & 4th edition of Bilateral Exercise and 5th edition of

Vizag
CORPAT CORPAT held with Bangladesh Navy.

KAZIND-2023 Kazakhstan Indo-Kazakhstan joint military exercise commences.

India-EU Joint
Gulf of Guinea Enhancing collaboration on maritime security.
Maritime Exercise
Umroi Cantonment
HARIMAU SHAKTI India-Malaysia joint military exercise commences.
Meghalaya.
Umroi Cantonment Indian and Bangladesh Army conclude joint military
SAMPRITI-XI
Meghalaya. exercise.

Trilateral Maritime INS Sahyadri participates with the Royal Australian

Indo-Pacific region.
Partnership Exercise Navy and Indonesian Navy.

India and the United States participate in the 19th

Yudh Abhyas 2023 Alaska
edition of the joint military exercise.

Navies of India and Singapore conduct annual bilateral

SIMBEX South China Sea
maritime exercises.

Enhancing naval cooperation between India and

Varuna 2023 Phase II Arabian Sea
France.

Exercise Bright Star- INS Sumedha participates in the largest joint military
Egypt
23 exercise in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Northern sector (Ladakh,

The Indian Air Force initiates a mega multilateral air
Exercise Trishul Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &
exercise involving around 12 air forces.
Kashmir, and Punjab)

Nomadic Elephant Soldiers of the Indian Army and Mongolian Armed

Mongolia
2023 Forces participate.

Samudra Shakti-23 Batam, Indonesia Fourth edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise.

Operation Broader India and the US conduct operations to stop illicit drug
India and USA.
Sword trafficking.

48
 Seventh edition of Indian Navy – US Navy Salvage and
SALVEX Kochi
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exercise.
India and Japan commence the bilateral maritime
JIMEX23 Visakhapatnam
exercise.
Indian Air Force plans its biggest air exercise involving
Tarang Shakti Rajasthan
forces from 12 countries.
UB Hills and Central Air The Indian Air Force conducts exercises focusing on
Exercise Ranvijay
Command Area integration and electronic warfare capabilities.

Agneyastra 1 Eastern Ladakh Indian Army concludes massive military exercise.

Indian Army participates in multinational exercises for

Khaan Quest 2023 Mongolia
UN Peacekeeping Operations training.

12th edition of the joint military exercise between the

Ex Ekuverin Chaubatia, Uttarakhand
Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force.

Joint Maritime
Exercise (India- Gulf of Oman Maiden joint maritime exercise.
France-UAE)

Ekatha Maldives Sixth edition of India-Maldives Exercise underway.

Ì Missiles and Drones

Missile Why in News Image

Successfully tested by the Indian Air Force in Exercise Astra

SAMAR
Shakti-2023.

Successfully tested by the Indian Navy from INS

MRSAM
Visakhapatnam. High-response, quick-reaction missile.

Set a record by hitting four targets simultaneously at 25km

during the ‘Astrashakti’ military exercise.
Akash

49
Agni-1 Successfully training launch with a range of 700–1,200 km.

Procured from Russia to enhance combat capability in

Igla-S
sensitive forward locations by the Indian military.

Successfully tested by Turkey for the second time. Short-

Tayfun
range ballistic missile.

Successfully test-fired from INS Mormugao, the Indian Navy’s

Brahmos
latest guided-missile destroyer.

VTOL
Indigenous to India. Capable of taking down targets over 50
Loitering
km away. Received by the Indian Air Force.
Munition

Hellfire
Purchased from the USA for MH-60 Romeo helicopters by
and MK 54
India.
Torpedoes

50
 Test-launched by the U.S. Air Force with a range of over
Minuteman III
6,000 miles.

Successfully test-fired by Bharat Dynamics Limited. Anti-

Amogha-III
tank missile with a range of 2500 meters.

Included in the procurement along with 12 HAL-

Dhruvastra manufactured Su-30 MKI fighter jets and Dornier aircraft
upgrade.

Successfully test-fired by LCA Tejas, demonstrating its

ASTRA
capability to engage and destroy aerial targets.

Successfully tested by DRDO with a range of 1,000 km

ASTRA Prime
from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island.

Received by the Indian Air Force from Israel. Anti-tank

Spike Non-Line of
guided missiles capable of hitting targets up to 30 km
Sight (NLOS) away.

MQ-9B Armed Approved for acquisition by the Indian Defense Ministry

Drones from the US.

51
CHAPTER : 7

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO
• Dhruva Space, Bellatrix Aerospace, and TM2Space set to launch payloads
PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission
showcasing innovative space technologies on the PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission.
• ISRO developed FEAST (Finite Element Analysis of Structures) software for
FEAST Software
predicting structural reactions in rockets, aircraft, satellites, and buildings.
• Solar mission set to reach the Lagrangian Point (L1) to study solar events for
Aditya-L1 Mission
the next five years.
• Set to launch the first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) to explore the
XPoSat Satellite
polarization of powerful X-ray sources.

IIT Guwahati Drone Tech • Launched a three-month training program on drone technology for armed
Training forces officers.

NASA-ISRO Joint Space • Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) set to launch, providing consistent data for
Mission “NISAR” understanding Earth’s changes.
• India becomes the first country to land on the Moon’s south pole with
Chandrayaan - 3
Chandrayaan-3. Follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
NASA
• NASA relaunched the OSIRIS-APEX mission to study the “God of Chaos”
God of Chaos Mission
asteroid Apophis approaching Earth’s orbit in 2029.

• NASA successfully tested a 3D-printed rotating detonation rocket engine,

3D-Printed RDRE Test
advancing propulsion technology.

• NASA launched the “Psyche” spacecraft on a mission to study a metal-rich

Psyche Mission
asteroid, exploring its iron core.

• NASA’s Osiris-Rex spacecraft landed on Earth with samples from the asteroid
Osiris-Rex Capsule Landing
Bennu, marking the largest asteroid sample ever collected.
China
• China successfully launched the Long March-11 carrier rocket, placing three
Long March-11 Launch
satellites for space science and experiments.
• China launched the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background
Deepest Lab
Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF) for dark matter research.

AI Related
• Accenture opened the genAI Studio in Bengaluru for co-creating AI solutions
Accenture’s genAI Studio
and optimizing business processes.
Ola Founder’s “Krutrim” AI • Ola founder’s AI firm announced the launch of “Krutrim,” a generative AI
Platform platform rivalling ChatGPT, focusing on Indian ethos and culture.
• Google unveiled AI project “Gemini,” designed to exhibit human-like behavior,
Google’s AI Gemini
introduced in phases with less sophisticated versions.
Adani Total Gas Green • Adani Total Gas initiated a ‘Green Hydrogen Blending Pilot Project,’ blending
Hydrogen Blending hydrogen with natural gas for over 4000 customers.

IndiGo’s AI Chat Assistant • IndiGo unveiled AI chat assistant “6Eskai,” powered by GPT-4 technology,
“6Eskai” addressing customer queries in multiple languages.

52
 • NeevCloud launched India’s first AI SuperCloud, aiming to make the country
NeevCloud’s AI SuperCloud
self-reliant on AI and supercomputing.

• Developed by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Krishi

Krishi 24/7 - AI Agricultural
24/7 is the first-ever AI-powered solution for automated agricultural news
Monitoring
monitoring and analysis.

Mika - the World’s First Robot • Mika, a humanoid robot, became the world’s first robot CEO for Dictador, a
CEO spirit brand based in Colombia.

Lab Technology

• Scientists discovered a ‘kill switch’ triggering the self-destruction of cancer

Kill Switch for Cancer Cells
cells, a significant breakthrough.

• DCGI granted market authorization for CAR-T cell therapy “NexCAR19”

CAR-T Cell Therapy
developed by ImmunoACT, approved for relapsed-refractory B-cell lymphoma
“NexCAR19” Approval
and leukaemia cases.

World’s First Injectable Male • ICMR completed clinical trials of the world’s first injectable male contraceptive,
Contraceptive demonstrating safety and efficacy.

New Bacteria “Pantoea • Researchers discovered “Pantoea Tagorei,” a bacteria that enhances plant
Tagorei” growth and transforms agricultural practices.

Indian Immunologicals • Indian Immunologicals launched a measles and rubella vaccine for children,
Measles & Rubella Vaccine developed through an exclusive partnership with Vietnam’s Polyvac Institute.

First Indigenous Animal

Tissue for Skin Wound
Healing
AMRIT Technology for Water
Purification
• Indian Drugs Controller approves indigenous animal tissue scaffold for scar-
free skin wound healing.
• IIT-Madras developed “AMRIT” technology for arsenic and metal ion removal
from water, applicable at both domestic and community levels.

World’s Second Malaria • Serum Institute of India received WHO approval for a malaria vaccine, paving
Vaccine Approval the way for global deployment.

ICSR’s High-Yielding Black • IISR developed a high-yielding black pepper variety ‘Chandra’ with optimal
Pepper Variety “Chandra” spike intensity and increased yield.

• Important Missions and Launch Vehicle

Mission Name Spacecraft

SpaceX X-37B Launch X-37B robot spaceplane (Military).

ISRO’s PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission PSLV-C58 (Carrier Rocket) with XPoSat payload.

NASA’s “God of Chaos” Mission OSIRIS-APEX mission (Asteroid study).

Japan’s H-IIA Rocket Launch H-IIA rocket with SLIM and XRISM payloads.

China’s Long March-11 Launch Long March-11 carrier rocket (Carried three satellites).

NASA’s 3D-Printed RDRE Test 3D-printed rotating detonation rocket engine (Propulsion).

53
 ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Mission Aditya-L1 solar mission (Study solar events).

ISRO’s XPoSat Satellite XPoSat X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (X-ray source exploration).

Spanish PLD Space Reusable Rocket Miura-1 reusable rocket (Private rocket launch).

X-37B Launch X-37B (Military Robot spaceplane).

• Upcoming Missions of ISRO

Expected
Mission Name Description
Launch

• A collaborative project between NASA and ISRO, aims to launch a

NISAR January 2024
dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite for remote sensing.

• Part of the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) series, designed

INSAT 3DS January 2024 for monitoring weather systems, disaster management, and
meteorological forecasts.

Mangalyaan-2 • Second Mars Orbiter Mission aims to study the surface, atmosphere,
2024
(MOM 2) and climatic conditions of Mars.
• Planned to investigate the polarization of cosmic X-rays, equipped to
X-ray Polarimeter
2024 observe pulsars, X-ray binaries, active galactic nuclei, and non-ther-
Satellite
mal supernova remnants.
Shukrayaan-1 December • Venus Orbiter Mission, aims to launch a spacecraft to orbit Venus for
(Venus Orbiter) 2024 or 2025 five years to study the atmosphere of the planet.

o Landing Spot:
z Chandrayaan-3
o Historic Lunar Landing: Chandrayaan-3, ƒ Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces
launched by ISRO, achieved a groundbreaking Chandrayaan-3’s landing spot as ‘Shiv-Shakti
soft landing on the Moon’s southern polar Point.’
region on August 23, 2023. ƒ Spot where Chandrayaan-2 left its footprint
named ‘Tiranga Point.’
o Union Cabinet approves celebrating August 23
as National Space Day. o Timeline of Major Events

o Mission Objectives: Chandrayaan-3 aimed

to demonstrate cutting-edge technologies and Date Event Description
secure India’s first-ever soft landing on another
celestial body. Launch scheduled for July 14,
July 06, 2023 2023, at 14:35 Hrs. IST from
o Launch Details: The mission took off from the SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
LVM3 M4 vehicle successfully
Range (SDSC SHAR) on July 14, 2023. July 14, 2023
launches Chandrayaan-3 into orbit.
o Lunar Arrival: Chandrayaan-3 successfully
entered lunar orbit on August 5, marking a August 05, Chandrayaan-3 was successfully
2023 inserted into lunar orbit.
critical milestone in the mission.
The Lander Module successfully
o Lander-Propulsion Module Separation: On August 17,
separated from the Propulsion
August 17, the lander module separated from 2023
Module.
the propulsion module, initiating the crucial
descent to the lunar surface. August 23, Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-
2023 landed on the moon.

54
 o Distance from Earth: Approximately 1.5 million
First observations from ChaSTE
August 27, 2023 km.
payload onboard Vikram Lander.
Lander and Rover are in sleep o Timeline:
September 04,
mode. Awaiting awakening
2023 Date Event
around September 22.
Efforts to establish A successful launch, the
September 22, September 2,
communication with the lander satellite was placed precisely
2023 2023
and rover are underway. into the intended orbit.
September 18, Commencement of scientific
2023 data collection.
HEL1OS captures the first High-
October 8, 2023 Energy X-ray glimpse of Solar
Flares.
Solar wind Ion Spectrometer
November 7, (SWIS) in the Aditya Solar Wind
2023 Particle Experiment (ASPEX)
payload becomes operational.
Aditya-L1 successfully inserted
January 6, 2024 into Halo-Orbit around Sun-
Earth L1.

z Aditya L-1
o Launch Date: September 2, 2023.

o Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C57.

o Orbit: Halo orbit around the Sun-Earth

Lagrange Point 1 (L1).

55
CHAPTER : 8
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
z First in India:
• Delhi’s IGI Becomes India’s first Airport with
Four Runways.
• India welcomes its first Regional AI News
Anchor, ‘Lisa’ in Odisha.
• Union Minister Hardeep S Puri launches India’s
first home-produced Reference Fuel for engine
development.
• Amit Shah inaugurates India’s first Nano DAP
(liquid) plant in Gandhinagar by IFFCO.
• J&K launches India’s first Chatbot Tele-MANAS
for People in Mental Distress
• Amit Shah lays the foundation for India’s first
cooperative-run Sainik School in Jamnagar,
Gujarat Maritime University to manage the
school.
• India’s first indigenous 700 MW nuclear reactor
at Kakrapar Atomic Power Project is operational.
z Portals Launches & Initiatives:
• Chennai Police launched India’s first Police
Drone Unit.
• Telangana launches India’s first Agricultural
Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agriculture Data
Management Framework (ADMF).
56
• PM Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone
for India’s first Digital Science Park at the
Technocity campus in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Ladakh hosted the country’s first Frozen Lake
Marathon on Pangong Tso, officially registered
in the Guinness Book of World Records as the
world’s highest Frozen Lake marathon.
• The world’s first 200-meter-long Bamboo
Crash Barrier, named ‘Bahu Balli,’ was installed
on the Vani-Warora Highway in Vidarbha,
Maharashtra, using treated bamboo coated with
recycled High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE).
• NTPC commissioned India’s first Air air-cooled
condenser at the North Karanpura Super
Critical plant in Jharkhand.
• The world’s longest river cruise, MV Ganga
Vilas, completed its maiden journey at Bogibeel
in Dibrugarh, covering 3200 km through 27 river
systems in 5 states and Bangladesh.
• Gujarat got Country’s first ‘Satellite Network
Portal Site’
• The Kerala High Court published recent
judgments in Malayalam on International
Mother Language Day, becoming the first high
court in the country to do so.
• Amit Shah launched ‘CRCS-Sahara Refund
Portal’.
• Government introduces ‘Panchayat
Development Index’ for targeted development
in villages.
• Union Minister Narayan Rane unveiled
‘CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal’ for Geo-tagging of
Cluster Projects and Technology Centers.
 • Union Minister Parshottam Rupala launched Star named after Indian
‘Nandi’ portal to streamline NOC process for Atal Bihari Vajpayee personality (registered in
veterinary drugs and vaccines. Star the International Space
• Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Registry)
Tomar launched PM-Kisan Mobile App with Chhatrapati Sambhaji
Aurangabad (Maharashtra)
Face Authentication Feature. Nagar
Islam Nagar village
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flags Jagdishpur
(Madhya Pradesh)
off India’s first international cruise vessel, MV
Empress, from Chennai to Sri Lanka. Martyr Captain Tushar
Mahajan Railway Udhampur Railway Station
• Indian government launches ‘GOBARdhan,’ a Station
unified registration portal for biogas projects.
Bhavanapadu port in
Mulapeta port
• MyGov, in collaboration with IHM Pusa, (Andhra Pradesh)
launches ‘YUVA PRATIBHA - Culinary Talent Prime Ministers’
Hunt.’, aims to increase millet awareness in line Nehru Memorial Museum
Museum and Library
with the United Nations’ declaration of 2023 as and Library Society
Society
the ‘International Year of the Millets.’ Churchgate Railway Station
Sir CD Deshmukh
• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches (Mumbai)
‘Skill India Digital’ platform. Swatantrya Veer Bandra-Versova Sea Link
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launches Savarkar Sea Link (Maharashtra)
the ‘AAINA Dashboard for Cities’ portal.
• Note: Prime Minister Narendra Modi named
• Education Ministry introduces ‘One Nation, One the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman
Student ID’ (APAAR ID) aligned with NEP 2020. and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra
awardees in a ceremony on the occasion of
• Old Parliament Building renamed as ‘Samvidhan
Parakram Diwas 2023.
Sadan’.
• Ministry of Tourism launches ‘Travel for LiFE’ UNESCO Sites of India 2023
Portal.
z Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas:
• Supreme Court’s ‘SuSwagatam’ Portal: Allows
o The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, a
online application for entry passes by visitors,
UNESCO World Heritage site in southern
litigants, counsel, etc.
India, showcases three exemplary Hoysala-
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) style temple complexes from the 12th to 13th
launches ‘Rajmargyatra,’ a unified mobile CE.
application, Provides comprehensive o Inscribed in 2023, the site covers 10.47
information on Indian National Highways. hectares with a 195.87-hectare buffer zone,
embodying artistic excellence and contributing
z Names Changed in India 2023 to the preservation of cultural heritage.

New Name Old Name

Ahilyanagar (Named
after Punyashlok Ahmednagar (Maharashtra)
Ahilyadevi Holkar)
Ahmedabad -Delhi Gujarat
Akshardham Express Sampark Kranti Express
train
Mughal Gardens
Amrit Udyan
(Rashtrapati Bhavan Delhi)
Asmita Women’s Khelo India Women’s
League League

57
z Santiniketan:
o Santiniketan, inscribed as a UNESCO World
Heritage site in 2023, was founded in 1901 by
Rabindranath Tagore.
o It embodies Tagore’s vision of a united
humanity transcending cultural and religious
boundaries, featuring a ‘world university’
established in 1921.
o It is a testament to Tagore’s influence on
20th-century art, literature, and education in
South Asia, emphasizing environmental art,
educational reform, and an internationalist
humanist ideology.
58
z Goals & Target taken by Government
• Prime Minister inaugurates National Sickle
Cell Anemia Eradication Mission in Madhya
Pradesh, to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by
2047.
• India targets Tuberculosis elimination by 2025,
surpassing global Sustainable Development
Goal by five years.
• India targets the launch of its first Polar
Research Vessel (PRV) in the next five years,
aiming to sustain bases in Antarctica.
• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
launches ‘Rajmargyatra,’ a unified mobile
application, Provides comprehensive
information on Indian National Highways.
z GI Tags in 2023

Product Name Image Category

Andhra Pradesh

Atreyapuram Pootharekulu Food Stuff

Arunachal Pradesh

Khaw Tai” (Khamti Rice) Agricultural

Yak Churpi Food Stuff

Tangsa Textile Product Handicraft

Handmade Carpet Handicraft

59
 Wancho Wooden Craft Handicraft

Adi Kekir (Ginger) Agricultural

Assam

Gamosa Handicraft

Bihar

Mithila Makhana Agricultural

Marcha Rice Agricultural

Chhattisgarh

Nagri Dubraj Agricultural

Goa

Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim

Agricultural
Brinjal)

Sat Shirancho Bhendo Agricultural

60


Mankurad Mango Agricultural

Goan Bebinca Food Stuff

Goa Cashew (Kaju Or Caju) Agricultural

Gujarat

Mata ni Pachhedi Handicraft

Jammu & Kashmir

Mushqbudji Rice Agricultural

Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft Handicraft

Bhaderwah Rajmash Agricultural

61
 Ramban Sulai Honey Food Stuff

Basohli Pashmina Woolen

Handicraft
Products

Udhampur Kaladi Food Stuff

Basohli Painting Handicraft

Ramban Anardana Agricultural

Karnataka

Indi Limbe Agricultural

Kari Ishad Mango Agricultural

62
 Kerala

Attappady Attukombu Avara Agricultural

Attappady Thuvara Agricultural

Onattukara Ellu Agricultural

Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli Agricultural

Kodungallur Pottuvellari Agricultural

Ladakh

Ladakh Raktsey Karpo Apricot Agricultural

Pashmina Wool of Ladakh Handicraft

Ladakh Shingskos (Wood Carving) Handicraft

63
 Ladakh Seabuckthorn Agricultural

Madhya Pradesh

Morena Gajak Food Stuff

Rewa Sunderja Mango Agricultural

Sharbati Gehu Agricultural

Gond Painting of Madhya Pradesh Handicraft

Wrought Iron Crafts of Dindori Handicraft

Ujjain Batik Print Handicraft

64
 Gwalior Handmade Carpet Handicraft

Waraseoni Handloom Saree & Fabrics Handicraft

Jabalpur Stone Craft Handicraft

Maharashtra

Alibag White Onion Agricultural

Bhandara Chinoor Rice Agricultural

Odisha

Kendrapara Rasabali Food Stuff

Odisha Khajuri Guda Food Stuff

Dhenkanal Magji Food Stuff

65
Similipal Kai Chutney of Odisha Food Stuff

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal Agricultural

Kapadaganda: Dungaria Kondh

Handicraft
Embroidery Shawl

Koraput Kalajeera Rice Agricultural

Painting of Lanjia Saura (IDITAL),

Handicraft
Odisha

Rajasthan

Nathdwara Pichhwai Painting Handicraft

Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft Handicraft

Bikaner Kashidakari Craft Handicraft

66
 Jodhpur Bandhej Craft Handicraft

Bikaner Usta Kala Craft Handicraft

Tamil Nadu

Ramnathapuram Mundu Chilli Agricultural

Vellore Spiny Brinjal Agricultural

Myladi Stone Carvings Handicraft

Manapparai Murukku Food Stuff

Ooty Varkey Food Stuff

67
 Manamadurai Pottery Handicraft

Thaikkal Rattan Craft Handicraft

Salem Sago (Javvarisi) Food Stuff

Authoor Vetrilai Agricultural

Cumbum Panneer Thratchai Agricultural

Negamam Cotton Saree Handicraft

Sholavandan Vetrilai Agricultural

68
 Marthandam Honey Food Stuff

Jaderi Namakatti Handicraft

Kanyakumari Matti Banana Agricultural

Chedibutta Saree Handicraft

Udangudi Panangkarupatti Food Stuff

Telangana

Tandur Redgram Agricultural

Uttar Pradesh

Adamchini Chawal Agricultural

69
 Aligarh Tala Handicraft

Bakhira Brassware Handicraft

Banda Shazar Patthar craft Handicraft

Nagina Wood Craft Handicraft

Pratapgarh Aonla Agricultural

Hathras Hing Food Stuff

70
 Banaras Langda Aam (Mango) Agricultural

Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) Agricultural

Muzaffarnagar Gur (Jaggery) Food Stuff

Banaras Pan (Betel Leaf) Agricultural

Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip Handicraft

Mainpuri Tarkashi Handicraft

Sambhal Horn Craft Handicraft

71
 Amroha Dholak Handicraft

Baghpat Home Furnishings Handicraft

Barabanki Handloom Product Handicraft

Kalpi Handmade Paper Handicraft

Agra Leather Footwear Manufactured

Jalesar Dhatu Shilp (Metal Craft) Handicraft

72
 Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Berinag Tea Agricultural

Uttarakhand Bichhu Buti (Nettle)

Handicraft
Fabrics

Uttarakhand Mandua Agricultural

Uttarakhand Jhangora Agricultural

Uttarakhand Gahat Agricultural

Uttarakhand Lal Chawal (Red Rice) Agricultural

73
 Uttarakhand Kala Bhat Agricultural

Uttarakhand Malta Fruit Agricultural

Uttarakhand Chaulai (Ramdana) Agricultural

Almora Lakhori Mirchi Agricultural

Uttarakhand Buransh Food Stuff

Uttarakhand Pahari Toor Dal Agricultural

Nainital Mombatti (Candle) Manufactured

74
 Rangwali Pichhoda of Kumaon Handicraft

Ramnagar Nainital Litchi Agricultural

Ramgarh Nainital Aadu (Peach) Agricultural

Chamoli Wooden Ramman Mask Handicraft

Uttarakhand Likhai (Wood Carving) Handicraft

West Bengal

Tangail Saree of Bengal Handicraft

Garad Saree Handicraft

75
 Korial saree Handicraft

Kalonunia Rice Agricultural

Sundarban Honey Food Stuff

76
CHAPTER : 9
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES
Summit Name
27th WAIPA World Investment
Conference
Infinity Forum 2.0
Global Partnership on Artificial
Intelligence (GPAI) 2023
India Internet Governance
Forum 2023
Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023
CII India Nordic Baltic
Business Conclave 2023
India Water Impact Summit
2023
ASEAN-India Millet Festival
2023
Global Fisheries Conference
India 2023
Annual UN Forum 2023
Aerospace & Aviation in 2047
Voice of Global South Summit
India International Science
Festival (IISF) 2023
10th Kalinga Literary Festival
14th International Conference
of NHRIs
Bletchley Declaration Signing
AI Safety Summit 2023
World Economic Forum’s
Annual Meeting
International Council on
Archives Congress
CII Annual Tourism Summit
Annual Technology
Conference - Infinity 2023
Venue Theme
New Delhi Empowering Investors: IPAs Pioneering Future Growth
GIFT-IFSC: Nerve Centre for New Age Global Financial
IFSCA and GIFT City
Services
India Advancing Responsible AI in Public-Sector Applications
New Delhi Moving Forward – Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda
Bengaluru Breaking Boundaries
Fostering collaboration between India and Nordic-Baltic
New Delhi
Eight (NB8) countries in innovation and technology
Dr Ambedkar
International Centre, Development vis-à-vis Land, Water and Rivers
New Delhi
Kota Kasablanka
Raising awareness and creating a market for millets and
Mall, Jakarta,
millets-based products among ASEAN Member states
Indonesia
Science City,
Celebrating Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth
Ahmedabad
New Delhi International Humanitarian Law and Peacekeeping
Yashobhoomi
Convention Centre, Commemorating 75 years of excellence of the AeSI
New Delhi
Inaugural Leaders’ Session: Together, for Everyone’s
Virtual Growth, with Everyone’s Trust; Concluding Leaders’
Session: Global South - Together for One Future
Faridabad, Haryana Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal
Legends of Ancient Bharat and Beyond: Inspiring Lived
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Experience in the 21st Century
Copenhagen,
Theme: Torture and other ill-treatment: The role of NHRIs
Denmark
Working together to assess the risks associated with
United Kingdom
artificial intelligence
United Kingdom Theme: AI for Good
Dubai Gender Balance and 4IR
Abu Dhabi, UAE Enriching Knowledge Societies
Strengthening Tourism through Economic and Green
Mumbai
Opportunities
Digital transformation for futuristic businesses: Emerging
Noida
technologies leading growth and sustainability
77
International Research
Conference
Abu Dhabi International
Petroleum Exhibition and
Conference (ADIPEC) 2023
Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav and
Technology Summit
South-South Knowledge
Sharing Series by World Bank
International Lawyers’
Conference 2023
20th ASEAN-India Summit and
18th East Asia Summit
International Aerospace
Conference
Global IndiaAI 2023
7th Assembly of the Global
Environment Facility
9th Commonwealth
Parliamentary Conference
India Startup Festival 2023
17th Global Communication
Conclave
3rd edition of “GCPM”
Semicon India 2023
5th Helicopter and Small
Aircraft Summit
Global Food Regulators
Summit 2023
Global India Maritime Summit
India Mobile Congress (7th
edition)
11th meeting of A-WEB
Visitor’s Conference 2023
23rd SCO Summit 2023
17th Indian Cooperative
Congress
IIAS Annual Conference 2025
From Research to Impact- Towards Just and Resilient
New Delhi
Agri-food Systems
Abu Dhabi, UAE Theme: “Decarbonising. Faster. Together.”
Technologically enriched future for Bharatiya languages in
New Delhi
education
Virtual Conference Theme: “Digital Public Infrastructure: The India Story”
Vigyan Bhawan, New
Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System
Delhi
Jakarta, Indonesia Theme: “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”
Gwalior, Madhya Developing inclusive global value chains in the aerospace
Pradesh sector
Bharat Mandapam in
Next Generation Learning and Foundational AI models
New Delhi
Vancouver, Canada Theme: “Healthy Planet, Healthy People”
Theme: “Strengthening Democracy and Good
Udaipur
Governance in Digital Age”
Bengaluru Theme: ‘Innovation at the Bottom of the Pyramid’
New Delhi Theme: “Building Trust in the Digital Age”
Theme: “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals
New Delhi
Manufacturing Hubs in India”
Gandhinagar Theme: “Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem”
Khajuraho, Madhya Theme: “Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity
Pradesh through Helicopters & Small Aircraft”
Creating a global platform for regulators on enhancing
Delhi
food safety systems
MMRDA Grounds in Creating an international forum for key decision-makers
Mumbai and industry leaders in the maritime sector
New Delhi Theme: ‘Global Digital Innovation’
Theme: “A global view on the challenges of regional
Cartagena, Colombia
elections 2023”
Theme: “Education for Sustainable Development: Building
Rashtrapati Bhavan
a better world”
Virtual Summit Theme: ‘Towards a SECURE SCO’
Pragati Maidan, New Theme: “Amrit Kaal: Prosperity through Cooperation for a
Delhi Vibrant India”
Theme: “Next Generation Administrative Reforms -
Kochi
Empowering the Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile”
78

National Conclave on Sportech
14th Clean Energy Ministerial
meeting
Mining Start-up Summit
NITI Aayog 8th Governing
Council Meeting
Wings India 2024
Asia Petrochemical Industry
Conference 2023 (APIC)
13th Banking and Finance
Conference of Indian Merchant
Chamber
6th Indian Ocean Conference
ASEAN Summit 2023
World Sports Tourism
Congress 2023
Indian Air Force Commanders’
Conference
Global Buddhist Summit 2023
CII Digital Health Summit 2023
G20 MACS Meeting of agri
chief scientists
11th International Conference
on Ports
5th International Conference
on Disaster Resilient Infra
Combined Commanders’
Conference-2023
International Conference on
‘Natural Farming’
International Conference on
‘Buddhist Heritage’
3rd International Conference
on ‘Election Integrity’
7th International Dharma
Dhamma Conference
20th Edition of BioAsia Summit
2023
Theme: “The Future of Sport Textiles and Accessories
New Delhi
Industry in India”
Goa Theme: “Advancing Clean Energy Together”
Focus on innovation and techniques to support and
Mumbai improve performance, safety, and autonomy in mining and
metallurgy
Pragati Maidan, New
‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Role of Team India’
Delhi
Begumpet Airport,
Asia’s largest event on Civil Aviation
Hyderabad
New Delhi Theme: “Ushering in a Sustainable Future”
Theme: ‘Harnessing Banking and Finance to Drive India’s
Mumbai
Growth’
Theme: “Peace, Prosperity, Partnership for a Resilient
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Future”
Indonesia Theme: “ASEAN Affairs: Epicenter of Growth”
Croatia Theme: “Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability”
New Delhi Theme: ‘Beyond Boundaries: Robust Foundation’
Theme: “Responses to Contemporary Challenges:
New Delhi
Philosophy to Praxis”
Theme: “Building One Health Together – Improving Health
Panaji, Goa
Equity”
Theme: “Sustainable agriculture and food systems for
Varanasi
healthy people and the planet”
Mumbai Theme: “Envisioning Future of Logistics @2047”
New Delhi, India Theme: ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure’
Bhopal Theme: ‘Ready, Resurgent, Relevant’
Central Agricultural ‘Natural farming for Revitalizing Environment and Resilient
University, Manipur Agriculture’
Theme: Shared Buddhist Heritage with a focus on India’s
New Delhi
civilizational connect with SCO nations
virtual format Theme: ‘Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity’
Bhopal, Madhya
Theme: ‘Eastern Humanism for the New Era’
Pradesh
Theme: “Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation
Hyderabad
of humanized healthcare”
79
 Theme: Hindi – Traditional Knowledge to Artificial
12th World Hindi Conference Nadi, Fiji
Intelligence

2nd Indian Rice Congress Cuttack, Odisha Theme: “Transforming Rice Research”

World Government Summit

Dubai Theme: “Shaping Future Governments”
2023
Ambassadors’ Roundtable
conference for ‘Aero India New Delhi Theme: ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’
2023’
World Economic Forum 2023
Davos, Switzerland Theme: ‘Cooperation in a fragmented world.’
Summit

™ Conference of Parties (COP) 28: Abu Dhabi, UAE.

• The United Arab Emirates is hosting the UNFCCC’s 28th COP in Abu Dhabi, in 2023.
• UNFCCC, established in 1992, is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement and 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
• Its objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous climate repercussions.
• COP, UNFCCC’s apex body, meets annually, and the office of the COP President rotates among UN regions.
• Key Takeaways:
o Global Stocktake Text.
o Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.
o Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
o Climate Finance.
o Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.
o The Global Cooling Pledge for COP 28.
o Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy.
• India’s Engagement:
o Green Credit Initiative.
o Phase II of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT 2.0).
o Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA).
o Quad Climate Working Group (QCWG) on Localised Climate Action.

™ 18th G20 Summit 2023: India

• India has held the G20 presidency since 1 December 2022.
• With its presidency’s theme being Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्” in Sanskrit or translated
as “One Earth, One Family, One Future” in English.
• The summit was held from 9 September 2023 to 10 September 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

80
• Troika: Indonesia, India and Brazil.
• 10 Major Key Highlights:
• Admittance of the African Union (G20 now G21):

o The G20 leaders agreed to admit the African Union as a permanent member, enhancing representation
for developing countries.
o This move aims to reshape global trade, finance, and investment, giving a greater voice to the Global
South.

• India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):

o MoU signed between India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the EU, UAE, France, Germany, and Italy.
o Part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII).
o A significant infrastructure project connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe to counter China’s Belt
and Road Initiative.

• G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion:

o Recognizes the transformative impact of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) on financial inclusion.
o Highlights the success of PMJDY, G2P payments, UPI dominance, and private sector efficiency.
o Emphasizes reduced compliance costs, cross-border payments, and the Account Aggregator Framework.

• Tripling Global Renewable Energy Capacity:

o G20 commitment to work towards tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
o Aims to avoid seven billion tonnes of CO2 emissions between 2023 and 2030.
o Aligns with efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

• Commitment to Global Food Security and Nutrition:

o G20 leaders address rising commodity prices, hunger, and malnutrition.

o Historic consensus on Deccan G20 High-level principles on Food Security and Nutrition and the Millet
initiative called MAHARISHI.
o Emphasis on transparent, fair, and rule-based trade in agriculture.

• Small Arms and Terrorist Safe Havens:

o The New Delhi Declaration condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
o Supports FATF’s efforts for global asset recovery and recovery of criminal proceeds.

• Healthcare Resilience and Research:

o Emphasis on building a resilient healthcare system.

o Commitment to strengthening global health architecture, focusing on WHO.
o Recognition of the importance of research on long Covid and integration of traditional medicine practices.

• India-US Collaboration:
o Strengthening technology partnerships, resilient semiconductor supply chains, and telecom infrastructure.
o Support for the US ‘Rip and Replace’ pilot project.
o Collaboration in defence, including the GE F-414 Jet Engine Agreement.

• Climate Financing Commitment:

o Emphasis on a substantial increase in climate financing to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

o Calls for trillions of dollars in financial resources for developing countries.
• India’s Cultural Showcase:

81
 o Exhibition of India’s cultural heritage at the G20 summit, including art, sculptures, and diverse musical
traditions.

™ 15th BRICS Summit: South Africa (Johannesburg)

• BRICS is a grouping of 5 nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2023, under the theme of “BRICS and Africa:
Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”.
• Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the organization on 1 January 2024.
• India to launch BRICS start-up forum.

™ 49th G7 Summit 2023: Hiroshima, Japan

• The G7 countries are the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
• In a recent development, leaders of the G7, including the United States, European Union, and Japan.
• They reached a consensus to establish an intergovernmental forum known as the “Hiroshima AI process,”
which aims to foster discussions and deliberations on the rapid expansion of AI.

82
CHAPTER : 10
MOU & AGREEMENTS
� Different Ministries of India
• Pact with Amazon India to
Ministry of
promote India’s creative talent
Information and
and showcase Made in India
Broadcasting
content globally.
• Contracts worth Rs 19,600
Crore for Next Generation
Offshore Patrol Vessels and
Missile Vessels.
• Contracts worth Rs 3,700
crore with BEL for Medium
Power Radars and Radar
Warning Receivers.
• Contracts over Rs 9,100
Crore for improved Akash
Weapon System and
Weapon Locating Radars.
• Rs 1,700 crore contract
with BrahMos Aerospace
for maritime mobile coastal
batteries and BrahMos
missiles.
• Contracts worth Rs 5,400
Ministry of
crore with BEL for air
Defence
defence control system and
electronic support measure
systems.
• Contracts with Larsen and
Toubro for 41 indigenous
Modular Bridges.
• Contract with Mazagon Dock
for the first Training Ship for
the Indian Coast Guard.
• Rs 19,000 crore contract with
Hindustan Shipyard Limited
for five Fleet Support Ships.
• Contracts with HAL
for procurement of 6
Dornier-288 aircraft at ₹667
crore.
• MoU with Genpact India for
ex-servicemen jobs.
• MoU with Ayush Ministry for
Ministry of Rural
rural youth skill development
Development
under DDU-GKY.
83
• MoU with Digital Green for
national-level digital extension
Ministry of platform.
Agriculture and • MoU with Pixxel Space for
Farmers Welfare
leveraging satellites for crop
mapping and soil assessment
in agriculture.
• MoU enabling Primary
Ministry of Agricultural Credit Societies
Cooperation (PACS) services through
Common Service Centers.
• MoU with Engineers India
Limited for waste-to-energy
Ministry of projects in million-plus cities.
Housing and • MoU with Ministry of Railways
Urban Affairs for ‘Station Area Development
along Mumbai-Ahmedabad
High Speed Rail.’
• MoU with India Tourism
Development Corporation
Ministry of Ayush
(ITDC) for promoting medical
value travel in Ayurveda.
• MoUs with private job
Ministry of Labour portals for integrating with
and Employment the National Career Service
portal.
• Performance-based MoU with
Ministry of New
IREDA for strategic targets
and Renewable
in fiscal years 2023-24 and
Energy (IREDA)
2024-25.
Ministry of
• MoU with UNDP for fast-
Development of
tracking development in the
North Eastern
North East.
Region
Department of • MoU for Nasha Mukt Bharat
Social Justice and Abhiyaan with Prajapati
Empowerment Brahma Kumari.
• Partnership with MakeMyTrip
Ministry of to showcase 600+ offbeat
Tourism destinations through a
microsite.
• Partnership with Meta for a
Ministries of 3-year digital marketing skills
Education and initiative. Signing 106 MoUs on
Skill Development the occasion of Akhil Bhartiya
Shiksha Samagam 2023.
� State wise MoUs
• Arunachal Pradesh:
o Paytm partners with the state to establish a
thriving startup ecosystem.
o Government signs MoA with NHPC, SJVN, and
NEEPCO for hydropower projects under the
‘Golden Jubilee Border Village Electrification
Program.’
• Assam:
o State government & NDDB signed an MoU for
holistic dairy development.
• Goa:
o Swiggy partners with the government to
launch ‘Chavath e-Bazaar’ for local women
entrepreneurs.
• Gujarat:
o State government signs six MoUs with private
industries for mangrove plantation under the
MISTHI scheme.
• Himachal Pradesh:
o Signs Rs 817 crore MoU with a French agency
for improving drinking water and sanitation
services.
• Madhya Pradesh:
o Tourism Board signs MoUs with chapters of
Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin
(GOPIO) from 8 countries for tourism promotion.
o Finalizes MoU on Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-
Chambal (PKC) Link project for water resource
utilization and economic development.
• Maharashtra:
o Art of Living joins hands with the government for
natural farming.
o Signs MoU with London’s Victoria and Albert
Museum for the return of Shivaji’s ‘Wagh Nakh.’
o Chief Minister signs investment MoUs worth
₹4800 crore in London.
o NHPC and the government sign an agreement
for 7,350 MW pumped storage projects, named
Kalu, Savitri, Jalond, and Kengadi.
o Signs Rs 5,000 crore MoU with Bajaj Finserv for
sustainable growth and job creation in Pune.
84
• Odisha:
o Partners with Global Stainless Steel Expo 2023 to
make the state the ‘Stainless Steel Destination.’
• Rajasthan:
o Finalizes MoU on Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-
Chambal (PKC) Link project for water resource
utilization and economic development.
� International
• Afghanistan:
o India commits to sending 50,000 MT of wheat as
humanitarian assistance, signing an MoU with
the World Food Programme.
• Argentina:
o India and Argentina sign a Social Security
Agreement for old age, survivor’s pension, and
disability pension.
• Australia:
o India-Australia Framework Mechanism for
Mutual Recognition of Qualifications signed.
• Bangladesh:
o India and Bangladesh sign MoUs on digital
payment, cultural exchange program renewal,
and agricultural research cooperation.
• Belgium:
o India and Belgium sign MLATs in criminal matters
for executing search warrants and summons.
• Egypt:
o India-Egypt sign a 5-year cultural cooperation
MoU focusing on music, dance, theatre,
literature, festivals, and research.
o Prasar Bharati and Egypt’s National Media
Authority sign MoU for media content exchange
and co-productions.
o Indian High Commission signs MoU to establish
a Hindi Chair at Sabaragamuwa University in Sri
Lanka.
• Fiji:
o India-Fiji Visa Exemption MoU signed for
diplomatic and official passport holders.
• France:
o India and France sign a Letter of Intent for
administrative reforms and good governance.
• Germany:
o Deakin University and NSDC International
collaborate for global job readiness of young
Indians.
o NASSCOM signed MoU with NRW Global to
establish a launchpad in Germany.
• Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand:
o EESL signs MoU with Indonesia-Malaysia-
Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council
for energy efficiency promotion.
• Iran:
o MoU signed between Iran-India Joint Chamber
and Federation of Indian Export Organizations
for trade cooperation.
• Kenya:
o India announces $250 million line of credit to
Kenya in the agri sector.
• Maldives:
o India and Maldives ink 9 agreements for
development projects, including play promotion,
school computer lab upgrades, and High Impact
Community Development Projects.
• Mexico:
o India-Mexico MoU on research, technology,
and innovation in key areas like Aerospace,
Electronics, Earth Sciences, and Healthcare.
• Nepal:
o India and Nepal ink MoU for the 480 MW Phukot
Karnali Hydro Electric Project, utilizing the
Karnali River for power generation.
• Saudi Arabia:
o NSDC signed MoU with the Saudi government
to protect the rights of skilled laborers.
• Seychelles:
o India-Seychelles Maritime Pact signed for
enhanced maritime domain awareness.
• Singapore:
o Chief Justice of India signs MoU with Singaporean
counterpart for judicial cooperation.
• South Korea:
o HDFC Bank partners with Export-Import Bank
of Korea for a $300 million credit line to support
Korea-related businesses.
85
• Sweden:
o MoC between India and Sweden (SERB and
STINT) for research cooperation.
• Tajikistan and Kazakhstan:
o CAG signs MoUs with Tajikistan and Kazakhstan
for strengthening cooperation in auditing.
• United Kingdom:
o UK government and Tata Steel agree on a £1.25
billion joint investment package for Port Talbot
steelworks.
• United States:
o India and US sign an MoU on Semiconductor
Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership.
o University of Mumbai signs MoUs with the
University of Illinois and St. Louis University for
articulated degree programs.
� Defence, Health and Space Related
• Indian Army and Assam government sign
agreement to provide Ex-Servicemen Contributory
Health Scheme (ECHS) at eight medical college
and hospitals.
• Indian Army-iDEX Tactical LAN Radio Pact: Indian
Army signs pact with Astrome Tech through iDEX
for indigenous ‘Tactical LAN Radio.’
• NTPC Renewable Energy signs MoU with Indian
Army to set up Green Hydrogen Projects for
decarbonization.
• Raman Research Institute partners with the Indian
Navy to develop secure maritime communications
using quantum technologies.
• L&T-Navantia Navy Submarines Teaming
Agreement: L&T signs Teaming Agreement with
Navantia for the Navy’s P75 submarine project,
submitting techno-commercial bid.
• National Maritime Heritage Complex MoU:
MoU signed for planning, development, and
commissioning of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard
gallery at National Maritime Heritage Complex.
• ISRO partners with Indian Navy for Gaganyaan
crew module recovery trials in the ocean.
• CUMI signs MoU with DRDO’s RCI laboratory for
licensing agreement to manufacture Ceramic
Radomes used in missile systems.
• BEL signs MoU with Israel Aerospace Industries
for domestic manufacture of the LORA Weapon
System.
• India and France sign MoU for constructing
three advanced Scorpene submarines under the
P75 program, equipped with stealth features and
advanced weaponry.
• DGCA and EASA sign MoU for cooperation in
Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Innovative Air
Mobility.
• GE Aerospace signs MoU with HAL to produce
fighter jet engines for Indian Air Force’s Light
Combat Aircraft Mk2.
• ISRO and Microsoft sign MoU to support
Indian space tech start-ups in areas like
space engineering, cloud technologies, and
marketing.
• Tata Elxsi joins hands with ISRO to develop crew
recovery models (CMRM) for Gaganyaan Mission,
simulating actual crew module parameters.
• Indian Immunologicals partners with ICAR-CIFA
for fish vaccine against Hemorrhagic Septicemia.
• Tata Memorial Hospital and University of
Auckland sign MoU for long-term cooperation in
cancer care.
• India and Netherlands sign MoI to cooperate
on medical product regulation for improved
healthcare services.
� IIT Related
• IIT Bombay:
o Collaborates with JioMart to launch ‘Bharat GPT’
language model.
o Signs MoU with UIDAI to develop a touchless
biometric capture system.
• IIT Delhi:
o Collaborates with THDCIL for R&D in green
hydrogen, recycling, and electric vehicles.
o Signs MoU with Telecommunication Engineering
Centre for AI innovation.
• IIT Dhanbad:
o Signs MoU with Hindustan Copper for
collaborative and sponsored research projects.
• IIT Guwahati:
o Collaborates with NHIDCL for research in civil
engineering and road construction.
86
o Signs MoU with Sathya Sai Hospital for cardiac
research.
• IIT Hyderabad:
o Agrees on a Joint Doctoral Programme with
Kathmandu University.
• IIT Kanpur:
o Signs MoU with Indian Navy for innovation and
research.
• IIT Kharagpur:
o Collaborates with Axis Bank for a Centre for
Mathematics and Computing at IISc, Bengaluru.
o Collaborates with HCLTech for petroleum
engineering and earth sciences solutions.
• IIT Madras:
o Collaborates with Denmark on Next Generation
Fuels.
o Collaborates with UN WFP for technology-driven
solutions to improve food security.
o Signs MoU with ISRO for astronaut training
modules using AR and VR technologies.
o Signs MoU with University of Jaffna for academic
collaboration and research initiatives.
o Participates in India-Zanzibar IIT Campus MoU.
• IIT Roorkee:
o Signs MoU with CWC to establish the
International Center of Excellence for Dams.
• IIT Tirupati:
o Collaborates with Kyndryl India for AI-enabled
3D-printing technology research.
� World Organizations
• India signs World Bank loan agreement for Green
National Highway Corridors in Himachal Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
• UN signs first ‘High Seas Treaty’ to protect ocean
areas beyond national boundaries, covering 30%
of the world’s oceans.
• GoI and ADB signed 37 billion Japanese Yen
loan for Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor.
• USD 175 million loan agreement signed with ADB
for MP road improvement.
• India and ADB sign $130 million loan agreement
to enhance horticulture in Himachal Pradesh,
focusing on agricultural productivity and income for
15,000 farm households.
• ADB and India sign $141 million loan for Andhra
Pradesh industrial corridor development, part of a
larger $500 million financing facility.
� Other Important MoUs
• NTPC Green Energy signs Joint Venture
Agreement with IOCL for renewable energy
projects to meet power requirements of IOCL
Refineries.
• India Post signs MoU with Shiprocket to
enhance last-mile delivery services for E-commerce
products.
• NADA-NCERT MoU to enhance value-based sports
education and awareness among school children.
• Tata Steel Mining signs MoU with GAIL for natural
gas supply to reduce carbon footprint in Odisha.
• Government approves contract with Larsen and
Toubro for three Cadet Training Ships, generating
22.5 lakh man-days of employment.
• BEL signs MoU with Israel Aerospace Industries
for domestic manufacture of the LORA Weapon
System.
87
• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd
signs MoU with Rolls Royce Solutions for RITES Ltd
signs pact with NEEPCO for consultancy services
to strengthen logistical infrastructure at North East
hydropower stations.
• JioMart partners with DAY-NRLM to empower
Self-Help Groups under Deendayal Antyodaya
Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
• DAY-NRLM and SIDBI sign MOU to support
women-led enterprises in Deendayal Antyodaya
Yojana.
• NTPC Limited and Oil India Limited sign MoU
for collaboration in renewable energy and green
hydrogen.
• PepsiCo India and The Social Lab (TSL) expand
‘Tidy Trails’ program in Agra for responsible plastic
waste management.
• Indian Railways signs MoU with USAID for
collaboration on renewable energy, aiming for Net
Zero Carbon Emission by 2030.
• MakeMyTrip partners with Microsoft for voice-
assisted travel booking in Indian languages,
enhancing inclusivity in travel planning.
• India Post signs MoU with CAIT and Tripta
Technologies for logistics services, benefiting
small traders with shipping and last-mile delivery.
CHAPTER : 11
‘Innovators for Bharat:
BANKING & ECONOMIC SBI Foundation and Climate Resilient
AFFAIRS Villgro Agricultural Livelihoods’
program.
y New Banking Products & Services Paperless Electronic
RBL Bank and NeSL Bank Guarantees
{ NPCI introduces ‘UPI for Secondary Market’
Collaboration
allowing investors to block funds in bank
accounts for equity trades. Approval for Merger;
RBI and IDFC-IDFC
{ IndusInd Bank launches ‘eSvarna’, India’s first IDFC First Bank
First Bank
RuPay corporate credit card integrating UPI for Ownership Change
payments.
y Technology & Innovation
{ SIDBI launched ‘GST Sahay’ app-based invoice
financing loans platform for MSMEs. Institution Initiative,
or Product and Details
{ SBI Life Insurance launches ‘LifeVerse
Company Service
Studio’ on Meta.
UPI Introduction of
{ Bank of India introduces ‘Nari Shakti Savings
Interoperability interoperability
Account’ for working women with insurance SBI
in Digital Rupee in digital rupee
and health benefits. Payments payments
{ Axis Bank introduces ‘Infinity Savings
Unveils portal to
Account,’ a zero-transaction-fee account for UDGAM Portal
track unclaimed
digital customers. RBI for Unclaimed
deposits across
Deposits
{ Indian Bank rolls out ‘IB SAATHI’ for banks
basic banking services through business
24x7 Video Introduction of
correspondents.
Banking for real-time video
AU Bank
{ Federal Bank launches ‘Bank on the Go’ Real-Time banking for
mobile vehicle for remote banking Transactions transactions
{ RBI launches financial inclusion dashboard Launches account
‘Antardrishti’ MoneySaver for receiving
Razorpay
Export Account international
{ Razorpay launches Turbo UPI for direct UPI
remittances
payments
Launches
Card Soundbox
y Partnerships & Collaborations Soundbox for card
Paytm for Card
payments across
Payments
Collaborators Details networks

Sets record for

Digital Transformation Largest Online the largest online
LIC and Kellton Tech
Partnership HDFC Selfie Mosaic - selfie mosaic
‘Insure India’ under ‘Insure
Kotak Mahindra Bank Kotak School of India’ campaign
and IIT Kanpur Sustainability Launch
Launches portal
Centralized
for centralized
Climate Lending and RBI Licensing Portal
Federal Bank and IFC licensing -
Reporting Partnership - ‘PRAVAAH’
‘PRAVAAH’
‘Seekho Paiso ki Launches
Kotak Mutual Fund and
Bhasha’ Investor India Post WhatsApp WhatsApp
CBSE
Education Program Payments Banking with banking in
Bank Airtel collaboration with
Ujjivan Small Finance Partnership for Airtel
Bank and Water.org Sanitation Loans

88
 Savings Certificate scheme, becoming the first
Launches micro bank to offer it at all branches.
Micro ‘Pin on
swipe machines
Axis Bank Mobile’ Swipe • Punjab National Bank launches IVR-based UPI
with ‘Pin on
Machines solution ‘UPI 123PAY,’ making it the first public
Mobile’ technology
sector bank to do so.
Launches mobile
‘IRIS’ Mobile app with 100+ • Axis Bank introduces ‘MicroPay,’ the first pocket-
YES BANK sized swipe machine in India based on ‘Pin on
App features and
services Mobile’ technology.
Receives GIFT • HDFC Mutual Fund files for India’s first Sovereign
City IFSC Green Bond with Target Maturity Funds tracking
GIFT City IFSC
registration; Sovereign Green Bonds.
IndiaFirst Registration,
Fincare SFB to • RBI launches Mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ during
Life Fincare SFB
amalgamate into
Amalgamation Digital Payments Awareness Week to promote
AU Small Finance
digital payments across India.
Bank
• Indian Overseas Bank introduces the Electronic
Plans to launch
‘Yono Global’ Bank Guarantee scheme, facilitating e-BG
‘Yono Global’
App Launch in issuance in association with NeSL.
SBI app using UPI in
Singapore and
Singapore and the • Paytm Payments Bank becomes the first to
the US
US launch a UPI LITE feature for multiple small-value
UPI transactions.
Public Tech Initiates pilot for
Platform for frictionless credit • MobiKwik becomes the first app to support RuPay
RBI
Frictionless on a public tech Credit Cards on UPI, aligning with NPCI and RBI’s
Credit Pilot platform vision to boost credit card acceptance.

Launches voice- • SBI launches e-Bank Guarantee facility in

enabled UPI association with NeSL, simplifying the process
Voice-Enabled payment features with digital document execution technology.
UPI Payment - ‘Hello UPI’ • Bandhan Bank launched the ‘Jahaan Bandhan,
NPCI
Features - ‘Hello and ‘Lite X’ for Wahaan Trust’ campaign, emphasizing the trust
UPI’ and ‘Lite X’ conversational earned in its seven years as a bank.
payments, UPI
Tap & Pay facility • SState Bank of India introduced “Svyam Siddha,”
a financial product tailored for SHG women
y Economic Affairs entrepreneurs, facilitating loans up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
• Ministry of Coal’s GeM Procurement: The Ministry
• HSBC becomes the first foreign bank to offer an
of Coal procured goods and services worth Rs.
Electronic Bank Guarantee platform in India.
23,798 crore through GeM, surpassing its annual
• SBI Foundation and Villgro partner for the target for FY23-24 within the second quarter.
‘Innovators for Bharat: Climate Resilient
• Grocery startup Zepto becomes India’s first
Agricultural Livelihoods’ program.
unicorn in nearly a year, raising $200 million at a
• HDFC Life sets Guinness World Record title for valuation of $1.4 billion.
‘Insure India’ campaign with largest online selfie
• SBI chief economist predicts India to become the
mosaic.
third-largest economy by 2027.
• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank sets world record
• MRF becomes the first Indian stock to touch ₹1
for constructing largest Pookalam during Onam
lakh per share mark.
celebrations.
• Visa launches CVV-free payments for tokenized
• Federal Bank launches NRE Eve+, an exclusive
credit and debit cards in India.
NR savings account scheme for NRI women,
offering tailored benefits. • HDFC Bank rolls out a digital distribution platform
for agents and partners through HDFC Bank
• Bank of India initiates the Mahila Samman
Smart Saathi.

89
 • Reliance General Insurance becomes the y Economic Growth
first insurer to accept RBI’s Central Bank
Š GDP growth estimate for 2023-24: 6.5%.
Digital Currency (CBDC) e-Rupee for premium
payments. Š Capex increased by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore.
• PhonePe launches e-commerce app Pincode on Š Fiscal deficit target set at 5.9% of GDP.
the ONDC network, allowing customers to search
for stores in multiple categories.
• The National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI) introduces a surcharge for payment apps
on transactions above ₹2,000 on UPI.
• YES Bank issues the first electronic bank
guarantee with NeSL for complete digitization of
the Bank Guarantee process.
• IDFC Mutual Fund rebrands as Bandhan Mutual
Fund following acquisition by Bandhan Financial
Holdings.
• GeM achieves ₹1.5 lakh crore GMV with over 1.3
crore transactions, featuring 66,000 government
buyers and 58 lakh sellers.
• AU Small Finance Bank introduces the SwipeUp
platform for credit cardholders to easily upgrade
cards.
• ‘PayRup,’ India’s fastest payment app, launched
with cutting-edge technology and ticketing/
booking services announced.

Budget 2023-24 y Direct Taxes

y The budget focuses on 7 priorities: Š Standard deduction of Rs 50,000 extended under
1. Inclusive development new regime.

2. Reaching the last mile Š Highest surcharge rate reduced from 37% to 25%
under new regime.
3. Infrastructure & investment
Š New income tax slabs for personal income tax
4. Unleashing potential under new regime:
5. Green growth
6. Youth power

7. Financial sector

y Agriculture
Š Agriculture acceleration fund for agri-startups in
rural areas.
Š New sub-scheme under PM Matsya Sampada
Yojana with Rs 6,000 crore outlay.

90
 Š Digital public infrastructure for agriculture to be
built.

y Infrastructure & Investment

Š 50 additional airports, heliports, water aerodromes
to be revived.
Š Urban infra development fund to be set up for Tier
2 & 3 cities.

y Climate Action
Š Green credit program to incentivize environment-
friendly projects.
Š 5 MMT green hydrogen production target by 2030.
Š Rs 35,000 crore outlay for energy transition.

y Financial Sector
Š New legislative framework for National Financial
Information Registry.
Š SEBI to regulate institutes like NISM.
Š Unified platform to reclaim shares from IEPF
Authority.

91
Economic Survey 2022-23 y Global Economy Challenges
Highlights Š Pandemic, Russia-Ukraine conflict, supply chain
issues.
y Key Growth Projections
Š Hardening of bond yields and equity outflows.
Š GDP growth estimate for 2023-24: 6.0% to 6.8%.
Š Slowing trade due to protectionism affecting
Š Baseline GDP growth forecast for 2023-24: 6.5%. growth.
Š GDP growth for 2022-23: 7%
y India’s Growth Drivers
Š Investment and manufacturing gaining traction.
Š Rebound in consumption to new highs.
Š Housing market decline in inventory.
Š Buoyant credit growth to support 2023-24 growth.

y Economic Recovery
Š India staged a full economic recovery ahead of
many nations.
Š Consumption and investment driving growth in
2022-23.

y MSME Growth
Š Credit growth to MSME sector over 30% during
Jan-Nov 2022.
Š Recovery of MSMEs evident from GST payments.

y Direct Tax Revenue

Š Direct tax revenue collections highly buoyant in
2022-23.

y Government Capex
Š Centre’s capex rose 63.4% in first 8 months of
2022-23.
Š Crowding in private capex that picked up since
Q4 2021-22.

y Inflation & RBI Policy

Š RBI projects 2022-23 headline inflation at 6.8%,
outside target range.
Š Rate hike by RBI managed to bring down retail
inflation.

92
93
CHAPTER : 12

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS y China

y Australia Š Unveiled the ocean drilling vessel
‘Mengxiang’ for exploring Earth’s mantle and
Š Perth to have world’s tallest wooden tower; deep-sea resources.
authorities approve ‘hybrid’ tower plans.

Š Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 commenced:

Australia’s largest military exercise involving 13
nations in multi-domain warfighting.

Š Launched the world’s first methane-powered

rocket “Zhuque 2.”
Š Launched the world’s first commercial fourth-
generation gas-cooled nuclear reactor power
plant in Shandong province.
Š Evergrande filed for bankruptcy protection in
New York court amid financial challenges.
Š Became the first country in Asia to launch
hydrogen-powered trains.
Š Appointed Li Qiang as the new Premier,
Š Sydney’s Harris Park officially named “Little succeeding Li Keqiang.
India” during a special event with Indian and
Australian prime ministers.

y Bangladesh
Š Conducted joint naval exercise ‘Tiger Shark 40’
with the US in Chattogram.
Š Inaugurated its first submarine base, ‘BNS
Sheikh Hasina,’ with Chinese assistance.
Š Received Russian uranium for Rooppur Nuclear
Power Plant.
Š Population fell for the first time in 60 years;
y Canada negative population growth begun.
Š Became the first country to mandate health y Iran
warnings on individual cigarettes, effective
Š Launched Noor 3 Satellite: Revolutionary Guards
August 1.
orbit Noor 3 at 450 km above Earth.
Š To commercialize the world’s first photonic-
based quantum computer with a $40 million
investment.
Š ‘Digital Nomad Strategy’: Temporary arrangement
allowed foreigners with foreign employers to work
in Canada for up to six months.
Š Vancouver planned to accord honorary name
“Komagata Maru Way” to commemorate the
1914 incident.

94
 Š Presented its first hypersonic ballistic missile
named Fattah with a range of 1,400 km.
Š Reopened diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia
after a seven-year rift, restoring diplomatic ties.
y Israel
Š Launched ‘Operation Iron Swords’ in response
to a surprise attack by Hamas.
Š Unveiled AI-powered Tank: Merkava Mark 5,
Barak.
Š Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and Israel’s Finance
Ministry completed the proof of concept for the
world’s first digital government bond.
Š Israeli researchers developed a tool to predict
extreme rainfall events more accurately.
Š Successfully launched Ofek-13 spy satellite to
enhance military intelligence capabilities.
y Japan
Š New island emerged near Iwoto after an undersea
volcano erupted.
Š Parliament passed a bill to raise the age of
consent from 13 to 16, clarified rape definition,
and criminalized voyeurism.
Š Health Ministry approved the country’s first
abortion pill, MeFeego Pack.
Š Population fell by over 800,000 in 2022, marking
the 14th consecutive year of contraction.
Š G7 leaders visited Hiroshima, laid wreaths at
the Peace Memorial Park.
Š Typhoon Khanun impacted Taiwan and
Japan.
Š Offered medical scholarships to Bhutan:
Memorandum of Understanding signed with
International Japan’s University of Health
Welfare.
y Nepal
Š Designated 2025 as a ‘Special tourism year’ to
support tourism industry recovery.
Š Became the first South Asian country to
register same-sex marriage.
95
Š Strong earthquake resulted in the loss of over
120 lives and injuries to at least 140 individuals.
y New Zealand
Š Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand’s
prime minister.
Š Became the first country to ban thin plastic
bags at supermarkets.
y Poland
Š Google Doodle celebrated Polish sculptor
Magdalena Abakanowicz’s 93rd birthday,
known for her innovative soft sculptures.
Š Sent four Mig-29 fighter jets to Ukraine,
becoming the first NATO country to do so.
y Russia
Š Unveiled two new nuclear-powered submarines:
Krasnoyarsk and Emperor Alexander the Third.
Š Officially pulled out of the Treaty on Conventional
Armed Forces.
Š President Putin revoked Russia’s ratification of
the nuclear test ban treaty (CTBT).
Š Suspended participation in the New START treaty,
the last remaining major military agreement with
the US.
Š UNESCO designated Ukraine’s Odesa as a
World Heritage in Danger site due to the threat
of Russian air strikes.
Š World’s Largest Permafrost Crater in Russia
Thaws: Drone footage reveals Batagaika crater;
Russia warming 2.5 times faster than the global
average.
Š Introduced its own ChatGPT named GigaChat,
claiming better communication in Russian.
y UAE
Š Won the bid to host the 2025 World Conservation
Congress, expecting over 10,000 delegates
from 160+ countries.
 Š Nakheel beaches in Dubai received Blue Flag
status for sustainability, cleanliness, and safety.
Š Inaugurated the first Women’s Kabaddi
League, featuring 8 teams representing different
Indian states.
Š Ministry of AI and Dubai Media Council released
‘100 Practical Use Cases of Generative AI in
Media.’
Š Inaugurated the world’s largest single-site
solar power plant. Š President Biden appointed Indian American
Shakuntla Bhaya to the Council of the
Š Emirates unveiled the world’s first robotic Administrative Conference.
check-in assistant, Sara, in Dubai.
Š Republican Congressman Mike Johnson
elected as Speaker of the US House of
Representatives.
Š US FDA approved the world’s first chikungunya
vaccine, Ixchiq.
Š Admiral Lisa Franchetti became the first
woman in the top Navy role, chosen by President
Biden.

Š Ras Al Khaimah announced plans for the world’s

first free zone dedicated to digital and virtual
assets.
Š Jais’ - Advanced Arabic Language Model
released in Abu Dhabi.
Š Withdrawn from the US-led maritime coalition for
security cooperation evaluation. Š Google Doodle for Zarina Hashmi on her 86th
birthday; honors Indo-American artist known for
Š INDEX Dubai 2023 commenced, showcasing
abstract and geometric forms.
international interior furnishings trends and
innovations. Š U.S. destroyed the last declared chemical
weapon, closing a chapter dating back to World
Š Sharjah Police launched the “Stay in Your
War I under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Lane” traffic campaign to curb road lane
violations. Š Rejoined UNESCO in July 2023 after a four-
year absence due to allegations of bias against
y United Kingdom Israel.
Š King Charles III’s coronation took place in Š US and UK signed the “Atlantic Declaration” to
London on May 6, 2023. address challenges posed by Russia and China,
Š Rolled out passports in the name of King Charles focusing on defense and renewable energy
III; design update following Queen Elizabeth II’s collaboration.
death. Š Approved the world’s first vaccine for declining
honey bees to protect against American foulbrood
y United States
disease.
Š Launched Operation Prosperity Guardian
to secure the Red Sea amid the Israeli-Hamas
war.

96
� Other Important News South Korean court recognized
Country News South Korea same-sex couple rights for the first
time.
Rejected BRICS invitation under
Argentina President Javier Milei. Pedro Sánchez reelected prime
Spain
minister of Spain.
Introduced Digital ID: Self-sovereign
national digital ID powered by Seylan Bank opened an Indian
Bhutan blockchain technology introduced for Sri Lanka rupee-denominated Nostro
all citizens. account in Mumbai.

Opened military service to women Declared the world’s largest narco-

Colombia for the first time in 25 years. state, relying on the production
Syria
and export of the banned drug
Daniel Noboa won Ecuador’s Captagon.
presidential runoff elections to
Ecuador become the country’s youngest-ever Srettha Thavisin elected as the new
president. Thailand
Prime Minister of Thailand.
Abdel Fattah El Sisi won the Inaugurated ‘Arkadag’ Smart City in
Egypt Egyptian Presidential Elections with honor of former leader Gurbanguly
89.6% of the vote. Turkmenistan
Berdymukhamedov, costing $5
Appointed its first female vice billion.
Gabon president, Rose Christiane
Ossouka Raponda. President won a referendum to
Uzbekistan rewrite the Constitution, extending
Kyriakos Mitsotakis sworn in as presidential term limits.
Greece
Greece’s PM.
Archaeologists unearthed a
Recorded the heaviest rainfall in 476,000-year-old wooden
Hong Kong Zambia
140 years. structure at Kalambo Falls in
Zambia.
Storm Daniel devastated Derna city
Libya
in Libya.

Andry Rajoelina reelected as

Madagascar
Madagascar president.

Presidential Election: Dr. Mohamed

Maldives
Muizzu won with over 53% of votes.

Coup in Niger: Army General

declared himself leader citing
Niger
degradation of security; warned
against foreign intervention.

Tested an underwater nuclear-

North Korea capable attack drone during a
military drill.

Commuted the death sentence of

Qatar eight Indian Navy veterans in the
Dahra Global ‘espionage’ case.

Indian-origin economist Tharman

Shanmugaratnam secured 70.4%
Singapore
of votes, becoming Singapore’s
president.

97
 Climate and Environment
• World Meteorological Organization and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction launched the “Early
Warnings for All” initiative.
• Draft for Santiago Network, a framework for managing climate-induced loss and damage, adopted at
COP28.
• World leaders adopted a declaration to speed up the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development
Goals at UNGA.
• South-East Asia countries launched SEAHEARTS initiative to combat cardiovascular diseases.
• UAE hosted International Civil Aviation Organization Conference on Aviation & Alternative Fuels, winning the
bid.
• EU approved world’s first Green Bond Standards to fight greenwashing of loans.
• Sri Lanka hosted Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Meeting in Colombo.
• Germany shut down its last three nuclear plants on April 15, 2023, increasing renewable energy production.
• European summit aimed to boost wind energy production in the North Sea, involving 9 European countries.
• World Meteorological Congress approved a global tracker for greenhouse gas emissions.
• Cyclone Mocha made landfall in Myanmar, changing its route from the eastern Indian coast. The name
“Mocha” was given by Yemen.
• Cyclone Freddy caused significant casualties in Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
Health
• WHO classified Eg.5 Mutation as a “variant of interest” and reported its presence in 51 countries.
• US FDA approved Pfizer’s Covid antiviral pill, Paxlovid, for adults at high risk of severe COVID-19.
• Bangladesh facing dengue crisis; recorded 634 deaths; launched a nationwide campaign for awareness.
• Tanzania announced its first outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease.
• Ghana became the first country to approve Oxford’s malaria vaccine for children.
• WHO declared that monkeypox no longer constitutes a global health emergency.
• Laos successfully eliminated lymphatic filariasis.
Space & Technology
• China and Egypt jointly launched MisrSat-2 satellite into space.
• China’s domestically developed large passenger jet, C919, made its first commercial flight from Shanghai to
Beijing.
• Israel tested its first autonomous flying taxi to ease traffic congestion.
• Alef Model A: World’s First Electric Flying Car certified: Alef Aeronautics Model A receives Special Airworthi-
ness Certificate from the US FAA.
• Russia launched Soyuz spacecraft to bring back stranded astronauts after a coolant leak.
• European Space Agency successfully launched its mission to Jupiter’s moons, JUICE, aiming to explore
the icy moons of the gas giant.
• Google-backed Anthropic launched AI Chatbot Claude, a rival to ChatGPT.
• UAE announced a 13-year space mission, MBR Explorer, to explore the asteroid belt starting March 2028.
• Rayyanah Barnawi became the first Arab woman astronaut, part of Axiom Space’s private mission to the
International Space Station.
• China launched communication satellite Zhongxing-26, aiming to provide high-speed connectivity.
• Kenya launched its first Earth Observation Satellite, Taifa 1, to provide data on agriculture and food secu-
rity.
• Nokia changed its logo for the first time in 60 years, dropping the iconic blue color.

98
 Cultural and Social
• Oxford Word of the Year 2023 is “Rizz,” meaning style, charm, and attractiveness.

• ‘Hallucinate’ is the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2023.

• Rikkie Valerie Kollé became the first transgender woman to win the Miss Universe Netherlands title.

• Hindi film “Mrs” premiered at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.
• Diwali became School Holiday in New York City: Mayor Eric Adams announced Diwali as a school holiday,
recognizing the city’s South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.
• Pennsylvania, US declared Diwali as an official state holiday in the US.

• Bhutan Bird Festival returned after three-year hiatus.

Sports Achievements
• Virgin Atlantic operated the world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) flight.

• Shi Hailin set a World Record: Chinese athlete walked 100m on a slackline in 1 minute 14.198 seconds.
• Weizmann Institute of Science scientists developed complete synthetic models of human embryos using
stem cells in Israel.
• Arab League Summit in Jeddah adopted the Jeddah Declaration, focusing on fostering Arab unity and
addressing regional challenges.
European Union
• Latvia’s Edgars Rinkevics sworn in as EU’s First Openly Gay President.

• Eurozone fell into recession, with a 0.1% drop in GDP in the first quarter of the year, led by a 0.3%
contraction in Germany.

• Croatia adopted the euro and joined the Schengen Area, becoming fully integrated into the European
Union.

• Estonia legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the first central European country to do so.

• Sex Education Compulsory in Ireland Schools: Lessons in relationships and sex education to be
mandatory for 15 to 18-year-olds.
• Ireland becomes the first country to label alcoholic drinks with mandatory health advisories, effective
May 22, 2026.

• Finland joined NATO, becoming the alliance’s 31st member, a setback for Russia.

• European Union inaugurated its first mainland satellite launch port in Sweden.

Other International Organizations

• UN Security Council passed a resolution for unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery in the Gaza Strip.

• WHO declared Covid-19 no longer represents a global health emergency

• WHO officially recognized Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease.

• UNESCO dedicated International Day of Education 2024 to Afghan girls and women.

• Afghanistan among Most Weapons-Contaminated Countries: UNICEF reportsed 85% of victims are
children due to explosions of mines.

99
• UNDP’s Open-Source Software for Carbon Credits: National Carbon Registry helped countries manage
data for trading carbon credits.

• UN Security Council Talks on AI Risks: First-ever meeting on July 18, 2023, to discuss threats and
management of Artificial Intelligence.
• India, Israel, UAE, and US Collaborate on Space Venture: I2U2 grouping announces joint space venture at
UN General Assembly.
• Elon Musk launched xAI Artificial Intelligence Firm: Aimed to understand the true nature of the universe;
collaborated with Twitter, Tesla, and others.

• UN General Assembly elected Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and South Korea as non-
permanent members to the UN Security Council.
• Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland begun their two-year term as non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council.
• Saudi Arabia became a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

• Egypt joined the BRICS New Development Bank as a new member.

• FATF suspended Russia’s membership over the Ukraine war, added South Africa to the “Grey list.”

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CHAPTER : 13

INDIA AND WORLD

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
o Started paying for crude oil imports in rupees.
o CBSE to open office to streamline operations for
affiliated schools.
o Signed MoU to establish IIT-Delhi campus in Abu
Dhabi. • Dubai
o PM Modi inaugurated BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu o Vibrant Gujarat Roadshow for business and
Dhabi investment opportunities.
o India Pavilion at International Apparel & Textile
Fair.
• Israel
o Launched ‘Operation Ajay’ to facilitate the return
of citizens amid developments.
• United States
o Georgia declared October ‘Hindu Heritage
Month’.
• Sri Lanka
o Finance Minister inaugurated SBI’s branch, o PM addressed joint session of Congress,
reinforcing commitment. highlighting India’s global role.

o Begun Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry o Launched INDUS X to enhance defense

service, reducing travel time to 30 mins. collaboration and innovation.

o Hosted first Karnataka cultural festival. o ISRO received jointly developed NISAR satellite.

• South Africa
o ‘Gandhi Walk’ in Johannesburg resumed after 3
years, honouring his legacy.
o PM gifted Telangana ‘Surahi’, Nagaland shawl at
BRICS Summit.

• Bahrain
o Embassy launched EoIBh-Connect app for
consular/visa services.
• Maldives
o NCGG trained 27th batch of civil servants, signed
MoU.
o 7th Deputy NSA Meeting of Colombo Security
Conclave held.
• Riyadh
• Russia
o Diaspora Week celebrated Unity Day and state
o University to establish study center in CCSU
cultural heritage.
India.
• South Korea
o Minister inaugurated Indian Mango Festival
o Business Forum celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ‘Aamrus’.
relations. • Bangladesh
o 108 Buddhist pilgrims from South Korea to walk o “Glory of Indian Art” exhibition organized in
1,100 kms in India and Nepal over 43 days. Dhaka.

101
 o Launched ‘50 Start-ups Exchange Program’. • Turkey/Syria
• United Nations o ‘Operation Dost’ launched to aid after earthquake.
o PM’s yoga session created record for most • Egypt
nationalities participating.
o PM awarded ‘Order of Nile’ honor by President
El-Sisi in Cairo.

• Oman
o First to promote yoga with ‘Soulful Yoga, Serene
Oman’.
• Japan
o PM unveiled Gandhi bust in Hiroshima during G7 India’s chairmanship and leadership
Summit. positions in 2023:
• Sudan
Organisation Position
o ‘Operation Kaveri’ brought back Indians from Port
Sudan. G20 Presidency
o Deployed women peacekeepers platoon for UN. Shanghai Cooperation
Presidency
• Uganda Organisation (SCO)

o EAM launched ‘Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project’. International Sugar Organisation Chairmanship
• Australia Wassenaar Arrangement Chairmanship
o 2 universities opening campuses in GIFT City.
UN Statistical Commission Membership
o Introduced Punjabi language to school students.
Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) Leadership
Technical Working Group at Food
and Agriculture Organization Vice-Chair
(FAO)

102
CHAPTER : 14
STATE AFFAIRS
z Andhra Pradesh
• Distributed education-focused tabs with AI-aided
learning to 4 lakh Class 8 students, introduced
doubt clearance app.
• L&T’s greenfield airport plan in Bhogapuram,
Andhra Pradesh: Estimated cost Rs 2,500-
5,000 crore.
• Collaborated with the UK and Tamil Nadu on
smart tech sustainable resource management
project.
• Laid foundation for Critical Care Blocks and
BSL-3 Laboratory to enhance healthcare
infrastructure.
• CM laid foundation stone for Rs 21,844 crore
Vizag Tech Park in Visakhapatnam.
z Arunachal Pradesh
• Inaugurated “The Hump WWII Museum”
showcasing US aircraft wreckage from WWII;
‘Hump World War-II Museum’ inaugurated by
Eric Garcetti.
• CM launched ‘Arunpol App’ for Arunachal
Pradesh Police and ‘E-Vigilance App’ for
government employees.
• Discovered new tree species, Meiogyne
arunachalensis, during biodiversity expedition.
• Inaugurated the new monastery, Shar Nyima
Tsho Sum Namyig Lhakhang Gonpa, in Tawang.
z Assam
• Inaugurated academic blocks at Royal Global
University, boosting education infrastructure in
Assam.
• Amrit Brikshya Andolan initiative achieves 9
Guinness World Records for planting over 1
crore seedlings in a day.
• Assam government to launch Mukhyamantrir
Atmanirbharshil Asom Abhiyan for youth
financial assistance.
• CM inaugurates ‘Griha Pravesh’ for PMAY-G
beneficiaries and launches ‘Gajah Kotha’
campaign to address human-elephant conflict.
• World’s largest Bilingual Braille dictionary
established; agreement signed with Arunachal
Pradesh to settle boundary dispute.
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z Bihar
• Bihar Police launches ‘Mission Investigation@75
days’ for timely case investigations.
• Launch of ‘Mission Daksh’ to enhance academic
performances of academically weak school
children.
• Implementation of a new Reservation Act,
increasing the reservation quota for SC, ST,
EBC, and BC in state government jobs to 65%.
• Bihar government announces 10% reservation
for EWS in judicial services.
• Ashwamedh Devi appointed as the Chairperson
of the State Women Commission.
• Identification of the first breeding site of
endangered Indian skimmers in Vikramshila
Sanctuary.
• Construction begins on the “World’s largest
Ramayan temple” in East Champaran district.
z Gujarat
• Gujarat to pioneer India’s first submarine
tourism in Dwarka through collaboration with
Mazgaon Dock Limited for a unique underwater
experience.
• Installation of a 700 kW solar power plant in
Ahmedabad, promoting green energy production
in the transportation sector.
• Inauguration of Samau Shaheed Memorial and
Library in Gujarat by Amit Shah to honor unsung
freedom struggle martyrs.
• Recognition of Gujarat as India’s ‘Petro Capital’
with the world’s largest grassroots oil refinery,
leading in rooftop solar installations providing
31% of India’s total capacity, and passing a bill
reserving 27% of local body seats for OBCs.
• CM lays foundation for IAAD Complex in
Gandhinagar and the assembly passes a bill
to prevent paper leaks in recruitment exams on
February 24.
• Railways introduces Garvi Gujarat tour under
the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Scheme.
z Haryana
• Haryana adopts drone technology for land
mapping with Drone Imaging and Information
Systems leading initiatives; gears up for a
comprehensive city gas distribution policy.
• Punjab and Haryana High Court declares
Haryana’s law providing 75% job quota for
 locals in the private sector as “unconstitutional.”
• National level Saras Aajeevika Mela 2023
begins in Gurugram, showcasing rural women’s
skills and products.
• Offers a grant of ₹50,000 for daughters of
industrial workers pursuing higher education;
launches ‘SABAL Yojna’ for divyang children.
z Himachal Pradesh
• Renames Handicraft & Handloom Corporation
to “Himcraft Corporation.”
• CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches ‘Sashakt
Mahila Rin Yojna’ for collateral-free loans for
women entrepreneurs.
• Real Estate Expo-2023 in Dharamshala.
z Jammu and Kashmir
• Introduction of “Gyanodaya Express- College on
Wheels” for mobile education in J&K.
• Completion of the 1.08 km long Ramban Viaduct
construction in J&K.
• Release of rankings for Panchayats under
the Aspirational Panchayat Development
Programme.
• Top position in Geo Tagging of Cluster
Development Projects (CDPs).
• Inauguration of Aerator cum Dancing Fountains
in Srinagar, Bird Census at Aralam Wildlife
Sanctuary, receiving the first FDI project.
• Organization of 1st Snow Marathon on February
26, hosting the maiden SARAS Fair 2023, and
declared a “Free Area” under the PCICDA Act
2009.
• Discovery of lithium deposits for the first time in
India during challenging weather conditions in
the severe 40-day winter, ‘Chilla-i-Kalan.’
• Launch of Vistadome train services for enhanced
travel experience and tourism, adoption of a
“Whole of Government” approach for integrated
scheme execution, and completion of a
224-meter viaduct in Sherebibi.
z Jharkhand
• Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren unveils ‘Juhi’
mascot for Women’s Asian Champions Trophy
2023.
• Jharkhand includes transgender persons in
‘Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana.’
• Jharkhand government signs an agreement with
104
TCPL Green Energy Solutions for the country’s
first hydrogen fuel project.
• CM announces ‘Abua Awas Yojna’ to provide
three-room houses to the needy.
• Approval of pension and OBC status for the
transgender community.
z Karnataka
• KSRTC launches ‘Namma Cargo’ logistics
services.
• Bengaluru inaugurates its first underground
electric transformer in Malleswaram.
• Karnataka government plans to establish
“Koosina mane” child homes in 4,000 gram
panchayats.
• Launches ‘Shakti’ scheme for free bus travel for
women; 50% seats reserved for men.
• Announces the scrapping of NEP 2020, forming
a new state education policy.
• Notifies 10% EWS quota in education and
employment.
z Kerala
• India’s fastest solar-electric boat, Barracuda,
launched for passenger and cargo transport.
• Olympian Murali Sreeshankar honored with the
35th Jimmy George Foundation award.
• Kolkata hosts international short film festival on
autism (CIFA).
• Kerala inaugurates its first 3D-printed building,
AMAZE-28, in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Kerala named the most preferred state to work
in India.
• Legislative Assembly passes resolution to
rename Kerala as ‘Keralam.’
• CM Pinarayi Vijayan declares Kerala a total
e-governance state.
• PM Modi flags off India’s first water metro project
in Kochi, connecting ten islands.
• Tamil Nadu’s ‘TN REACH’ initiative utilizes
unused helipads for helicopter services.
• Temple introduces robotic elephant for ritual
duties on February 26.
• CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates Biodiversity
Congress.
z Madhya Pradesh
• Niwari district achieves 100% tap water supply,
 becoming the second Har Ghar Jal district.
• ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’ rolled out, providing Rs
1,000 monthly to beneficiaries.
• ‘Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana’
introduced for free air travel for pilgrims.
• ‘Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana’ unveiled
for unemployed youths.
• Appasaheb Dharmadhikari awarded
“Maharashtra Bhushan” for 2022.
• ‘Panchatirth’ included in Mukya Mantri Tirth
Yojana (MMTY).
• Ladli Bahna scheme launched for women,
providing Rs 1,000 per month on March 5.
• CM lays foundation stone for India’s largest
pumped storage project, investing Rs 11,500
crores.
• PM Modi to inaugurate Vijaipur-Auraiya-Phulpur
gas pipeline project in Madhya Pradesh.
• MP government issues notification for 35%
reservation for women in government jobs,
excluding the Forest department.
z Maharashtra
• PM Modi launches 511 Pramod Mahajan
Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras for rural
youth.
• ‘Lek Ladki’ scheme introduced, providing one
lakh rupees financial aid for a girl child from a
poor family.
• Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region
and Apparel (PM MITRA) park inaugurated in
Amravati.
• CM Eknath Shinde inaugurates Asia’s largest
cluster development scheme in Thane.
• Free health treatments in government hospitals
offered under Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan
Arogya Yojana from August 15, 2023.
• State Infrastructure Development Corporation to
be established for ICT solutions in solid waste
management.
• ‘Salokha Yojana’ implemented for farmers.
• 4% reservation announced for disabled
employees in promotions.
• Savarkar’s birthday to be observed as
‘Swatantraveer Gaurav Din’ on May 28.
• ‘Akanshit Shahar Yojna’ launched for the
development of small and medium-sized cities.
105
z Manipur
• “SAANS” Campaign 2023-24 launched to
counteract pneumonia, with a focus on neonatal
health amid rising COVID-19 cases.
• Manipur government extends AFSPA in hill
districts for 6 months.
• Hosts the first B20 conference with representation
from 23 nations.
z Meghalaya
• CM Conrad K Sangma flags off CRPF Women
Bike Expedition ‘Yashaswini’ to celebrate Nari
Shakti.
• 100% subsidy provided in crop insurance
premium, allocating Rs. 4.4 crore for kharif and
rabi seasons.
• CM Conrad Sangma inaugurates Prime Hub
Umdihar and Pineapple Processing Unit in
Meghalaya.
z Nagaland
• President Droupadi Murmu attends Karbi Youth
Festival-2024 in Assam.
• Start of the 24th Hornbill Festival 2023 in
Kohima, featuring exhibits on Mithun, Tenyi Vo,
and the ‘Bee tourism’ initiative.
• Inauguration of Nagaland’s first Medical College,
Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and
Research, by the Union Health Minister.
• Inauguration of Nagaland’s first HIV-1 Viral Load
Laboratory at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima.
• Government creates a new Directorate
of Minority Affairs under the Planning and
Transformation Department.
z Odisha
• Paradip Port achieves a new cargo handling
record of 100 Million Metric Tonnes in 262 days,
showcasing efficiency and capacity.
• Launch of ‘Ama Bank’ to provide banking
services in unbanked gram panchayats.
• Inauguration of Odisha Research Centre in
Bhubaneswar.
• ‘Consumer Rights Awareness Drive’ organized
by Berhampur University in Odisha emphasizes
consumer rights and dispute redressal.
• Promotion of maize cultivation through the
Mukhyamantri Maka Mission for increased
productivity.
 • USAID and Room to Read India partner with
Rajasthan SCERT to publish 27 children’s
storybooks.
• Approval of ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme
with a budget allocation of Rs 4,000 crores.
• Endorsement of the inclusion of Kui language in
the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
• Initiation of ‘Ama Pokhari’ project to revive urban
water bodies.
• Launch of ‘Mo Jungle Jami Yojana’ for Forest
Rights Act recognition.
• Odisha launches ‘Mukhyamantri Sampoorna
Pushti Yojana’ for nutritional needs.
z Punjab
• Initiation of mission ‘Hope Initiative’ in Punjab for
a drug-free state, focusing on a prayer, pledge,
and play strategy.
• Punjab launches a pilot project for residue-free
Basmati rice cultivation in Chogawan block.
• Dissolution of all Local Government Bodies
in Punjab; elections to be held for Panchayat
Samitis, Zila Parishads, and Gram Panchayats.
• Police launch state-wide operation ‘OPS Clean’
in Punjab to combat drug smuggling.
• Punjab hosts its first state-level “Shrimp mela”.
z Rajasthan
• CM Ashok Gehlot announces a caste survey and
the formation of three new districts – Malpura,
Sujangarh, and Kuchaman.
• Launch of the Indira Gandhi Smart Phone
Scheme providing free smartphones and data to
1.3 crore women.
• CM extends greetings on Bhopal Gaurav Diwas
and declares a government holiday from 2023.
• Dholpur-Karauli Reserve becomes Rajasthan’s
fifth tiger reserve, spanning 1,058 sq km.
• Tabling of India’s first gig workers’ rights bill.
• Launch of PCTS app for online health monitoring.
• Declaration of three new wildlife conservation
reserves in Sorsan, Khichan, and Hamirgarh.
• CM demands national project status for the
Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).
• Approval of subsidy for the first-ever women’s
cooperative fund.
• Plans for a zoo for dolphins and rhinos in
Bharatpur Sanctuary.
106
z Tamil Nadu
• MSME Minister Thiru. T.M. Anbarasan launches
‘Startup Thamizha,’ the state’s first Business
Pitch Reality TV show.
• Implementation of AI-based early warning
system on Ettimadai–Walayar railway section to
prevent elephant-train collisions.
• Launch of ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’ for conservation
of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr in the Western
Ghats.
• Sagar Parikrama, Phase-IX, launched in Tamil
Nadu and Puducherry to boost fisheries and
animal husbandry.
• Teacher Muthamizh Selvi becomes the first
woman from the state to climb Mount Everest.
• CM MK Stalin unveils TM Soundararajan’s
statue in Madurai.
• Signs MoU with UNEP for implementing Urban
Cooling Program, and CM MK Stalin launches
the 2nd phase of ‘Puduman Penn’ scheme.
z Telangana
• Telangana introduces ₹5 lakh accident insurance
for Gig Workers under the ‘Rajiv Arogyasri
scheme.’
• Unveiling of the world’s first 3D-printed temple in
Siddipet district.
• PM Modi announces the Central Tribal University
in Telangana, costing Rs 900 crore.
• World’s first 3D printed Hindu temple in
collaboration with Apsuja Infratech.
• Telangana achieves 100% coverage of PMJDY,
extending banking services to all households.
• Selected to host India’s first IAU 50 Km World
Championships on November 5, 2023.
• Mukhra (K) village becomes the first fully insured
habitation and establishes de-addiction centers
in all 33 districts.
• Inaugurates the Centre for Innovation Incubation
Research and Entrepreneurship (C-i2 RE).
• DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence
inaugurated at IIT Hyderabad and launches
‘cool roof’ policy to reduce temperatures in
urban areas.
• CM KCR unveils a 125-ft-tall Ambedkar statue
in Hyderabad and announces India’s first new
mobility-focused cluster.
z Uttarakhand
• Uttarakhand kicks off India’s first Gyrocopter
Air Safari tourism and launches India’s first
Himalayan Air Safari with Gyrocopter rides.
• Rays Power Infra to build a 500 MW solar park
in Uttarakhand, aligning with the state’s vision
for sustainable energy.
• PM Modi to inaugurate ‘Uttarakhand Global
Investors Summit 2023’ at Forest Research
Institute, Dehradun, focusing on “Peace to
Prosperity.”
• Uttarakhand plans to become the first state in
India to adopt the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
• Uttarakhand Mahotsav begins in Lucknow,
showcasing the state’s culture.
• Launch of ‘Sapno Ka Sanchay’ deposit-linked
loan scheme for students aged 10 to 18 in
Uttarakhand.
• Inauguration of the 4th EMRS Cultural, Literary,
Arts Fest-2023 in Uttarakhand.
• Uttarakhand CM launches deposit-linked loan
scheme ‘Sapno Ka Sanchay’ for students aged
10 to 18.
• Uttarakhand launches ‘Rozgar Prayag Portal’ to
provide employment opportunities for the youth
in the state.
• Arjun Munda inaugurates 4th EMRS Cultural,
Literary, Arts Fest-2023 in Uttarakhand.
• Naini Saini Airport receives an aerodrome
license from DGCA.
• Forest Department releases 4th annual report
on the conservation of 2035 plant species.
z Uttar Pradesh
• Uttar Pradesh ranks second in the country in
disposing of crimes against women.
• Launches ‘one-tap-one-tree’ campaign for green
cover.
• Inaugurates SVANidhi Mahotsav marking three
years of the PM SVANidhi scheme.
• Gears up for ‘Mahakumbh 2025,’ allocating Rs.
60 crore for Digital Kumbh Museum.
• Initiates ‘Elder Line’ (14567) service for homeless
elderly citizens.
• Initiates Heritage Tree Adoption Scheme to
conserve and beautify heritage trees, mostly in
Varanasi.
• Aims for 100% electric vehicles in government
departments by 2030.
107
• Exempts Electric Vehicle buyers from tax and
registration fees on March 5.
• Launches portal for “One Family, One ID.”
• Conclusion of the ‘Women and Water’ Dialogue
Series in Prayagraj, emphasizing women’s role
in the water sector.
• Ayodhya railway station renamed as “Ayodhya
Dham.”
• UP plans to introduce a green hydrogen policy
and build India’s first AI-based city in Lucknow.
• UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates the state’s
first intra-district chopper service connecting
Bateshwar to Govardhan and gifts tractors to
farmers on Kisan Diwas.
• UP cabinet approves the proposal to build
the state’s first Advanced Pediatric Center at
SGPGI.
• Uttar Pradesh Police launches WhatsApp
Channels for its headquarters and all district
units.
• Launch of ‘CM Fellowship Programme’ for
urban development under the Aspirational City
Scheme.
• Presentation of the state’s first budget for 2023-
24 with significant allocations for the power
sector and Ayodhya projects.
• Announcement of India’s first Telecom Centre
of Excellence focusing on 5G technology and
artificial intelligence.
• Launch of the ‘Hot Cooked Meal Scheme’ for
children at Anganwadis and declaration of ‘No
non-veg’ day on November 25.
• Inauguration of South-West Asia’s largest
beverage plant in Amethi.
• Organization of the country’s largest Kanya Puja
in Gonda as part of Chief Minister’s Mission
Shakti Abhiyan.
• Organization of a three-day ‘Sri Anna Mahotsav’
to promote millet use and felicitate farmers.
• Inauguration and foundation laying for 303
development projects in Gorakhpur by CM Yogi
Adityanath.
• UP to launch ‘Har Ghar Solar’ campaign in
Lucknow and Varanasi.
• Ayush Board to be formed in Uttar Pradesh for
integrated management of traditional medicine.
• UP government to launch ‘Officer Desk System’
for prompt and transparent disposal of files in
the secretariat.
z West Bengal
• 29th Kolkata International Film Festival opens
with the screening of the 1963 film ‘Deya Neya.’
• Hosting of Asia’s largest sports, fitness, and
wellness trade Expo (FITEXPO INDIA 2023).
• Commencement of the National Handicrafts
Exhibition ‘Gandhi Bunkar Mela’ in Kolkata,
promoting khadi textiles.
108
• Throne Room at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata named
after Sardar Patel.
• West Bengal announces the establishment
of a ‘Mangrove Cell’ on International Day for
Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
• National Handicrafts Exhibition ‘Gandhi Bunkar
Mela’ begins in Kolkata, promoting khadi textiles.
• New fish species, Pterygotrigla intermedica,
discovered in Bengal’s Digha harbor.
CHAPTER : 15

BOOKS & AUTHORS

January
Book Title Author
Jadunama Arvind Mandloi

Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story Aashish Chandorkar and Suraj Sudhir

Coaching Beyond: My Days with the Indian Cricket Team R. Kaushik & R. Sridhar

Irrfan Khan: A Life in Movies Shubhra Gupta

Spare Prince Harry

Ambedkar: A Life Shashi Tharoor
Chief Minister’s Diary No.1 Himanta Biswa Sarma

Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom Sanjeev Sanyal

Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking Tamal Bandyopadhyay

Human Anatomy Dr Ashvini Kumar Dwivedi

February
Book Title Author
Sujan Chinoy, Vijay Chauthaiwala,
“Modi: Shaping a Global Order in Flux”
and Uttam Kumar Sinha
“Victory City” Salman Rushdie

“The Best of Satyajit Ray” Satyajit Ray

“The Poverty Of Political Economy” Meghnad Desai

March
Book Title Author
Phoolange (English translation: Fruits of the Barren Tree) Lekhnath Chhetri
War and Women Dr MA Hasan
Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform Rachna Bisht Rawat
Mundaka Upanishad: The Bridge to Immortality Dr Karan Singh

India’s Struggle for Independence – Gandhian Era P. Jyothimani and G. Balan

India’s Vaccine Growth Story - From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri Sajjan Singh Yadav

April
Book Title Author
Reflections Narayanan Vaghul
Collective Spirit, Concrete Action Shashi Shekhar Vempati

Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origin of Empire Nandini Das

109
 May
Book Title Author
From Manjunath to Manjamma: The Inspiring Life of a Transgender Folk
Manjamma Jogathi
Artist

Gita Acharan - a practitioner’s perspective K Siva Prasad

The Golden Years: The Many Joys of Living a Good Long Life Ruskin Bond

Supreme Court on Commercial Arbitration” Dr. Manoj Kumar

My Life in Design” Gauri Khan

My Life as a Comrade K.K. Shailaja and Manju Sara Rajan

Made in India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise Amitabh Kant

June

Book Title Author

The Yoga Sutra for Children Roopa Pai

R.A.W Hitman S. Hussain Zaidi

India’s Finance Ministers: From Independence to Emergency (1947-1977) A.K. Bhattacharya

Symphony to Jazz Ankit Khemka

The Power of Facebook Marketing Amit Kumar Jha

Master Residential Real Estate Ashwinder R Singh

The Art of Plunder Alekhya Talapatra

Ajay to Yogi Adityanath Shantanu Gupta

Amrutkaal Ki Ore Jagat Prakash Nadda

Who Killed Moosewala? Jupinderjit Singh

The Power of One Thought: Master Your Mind BK Shivani

July

Book Title Author

Nalanda Abhay K

As the wheel turns Ranjit Pratap

Raag Prakash Dr. Om Prakash Kaul

All To Play For: The Advance of Rishi Sunak Michael Ashcroft

A Fool’s Journey Sarika Bhardwaj

August

Book Title Author

Sikhs and Modi (A Journey of Nine Years) Outlook Group

110
Drunk on Love: The Life, Vision and Songs of Kabir Vipul Rikhi

Kuch Adhure Shabd Ashutosh Agnihotri

Too Good To Be True Prajakta Koli

Monsoon Abhay K
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra: A Spell Binding Pilgrimage Smita Sawant
September
Book Title Author

The Day I Became a Runner A Women’s History of India through the

Sohini Chattopadhyay
Lens of Sport

Tales From the Home of Wags and Wiggles Vijaya Raghavan

Western Lane Chetna Maroo

Zeba: An Accidental Superhero Huma Qureshi

The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human Siddhartha Mukherjee

IDOLS: Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja Amish Tripathi and Bhavna Roy

Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras Radhika Iyengar

Let’s Move Forward NCERT and UNESCO

October
Book Title Author

Warrior on Wheels - Wheelchair to Padma Shri Kanubhai Tailor

Revolutionizing Business Operations: How to Build Dynamic Processes

Tony Saldanha and Filippo Passerini
for Enduring Competitive Advantage

Cold Blooded Love Girish Dutt Shukla

The Reverse Swing- Colonialism to Cooperation Ashok Tandon

Drop of The Last Cloud Sangeetha G

The Book of Life: My dance with Buddha for Success Vivek Agnihotri

Going Viral - Making of Covaxin: The Inside Story Balram Bhargava

November
Book Title Author
Ramesh Chandra Gaur and Vismay
Mapping of the Archives in India
Basu
Thread by Thread Sathya Saran

Building Partnerships: India and International Cooperation for Maritime

Captain Himadri Das
Security

The Autobiography of God Lenaa Kumar

111
 December
Book Title Author
Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Future Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba
Welcome to Paradise Twinkle Khanna
Indian Punter League: The True Story of the Fake IPL Abhishek Bhatt
The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma Madhav Godbole
Collected Works Of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Narendra Modi (released)

Compilation of Narendra Modi’s speeches

Naye Bharat Ka Samveda
(launched by Ram Nath Kovind)

112
CHAPTER : 16
OBITUARIES
• M.S. Swaminathan (96): Agricultural scientist, key
figure in India’s ‘Green Revolution.’
• Henry Kissinger (100): American diplomat, Nobel
winner, instrumental in U.S. foreign policy.
• S.S. Badrinath (92): Founder of Sankara Nethralaya,
Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan awardee.
• S Venkitaraman: Former RBI Governor during the
1990-91 crisis.
• Subrata Roy (75): Founder of Sahara India Pariwar.
• Bishan Singh Bedi (77): Former India cricket captain,
Padma Shri awardee.
• Michael Gambon: Renowned actor, played Dumbledore
in ‘Harry Potter.’
• Ian Wilmut (77): British scientist, creator of ‘Dolly’ the
Sheep.
• Dennis Austin (75): Co-creator of PowerPoint, shaped
the software’s early success.
• Ajit Ninan (68): Renowned cartoonist, known for
‘Centrestage’ in India Today.
• Malini Rajurkar: Hindustani classical vocalist, Gwalior
gharana exponent.
• Mohammed Habib: Former India football captain, part of
1970 Asian Games bronze-winning team.
• Bindeshwar Pathak (79): Sulabh International founder,
Padma Bhushan awardee.
• José Paulino Gomes (127): Brazilian supercentenarian,
touted as the world’s oldest man.
• Lucile Randon: World’s oldest person at 118, officially
113
recognized by Guinness World Records.
• N Valarmathi: ISRO scientist, known for countdown
announcements.
• Dr. V.S. Arunachalam: Former DRDO Director General,
Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardee.
• Milan Kundera (94): Renowned author of ‘The
Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ known for profound
storytelling.
• Luis Suárez Miramontes (88): Only Spanish man to
win Ballon d’Or (1960), part of Spain’s 1964 European
Championship-winning team.
• John Deyle (68): Veteran US actor and Broadway
star, known for roles in “Annie” and “Camelot.”
• Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar (109): Oldest veteran
of the Indian Army’s Kumaon Regiment.
• John Goodenough (100): Nobel-winning scientist,
co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery.
• Sylvester daCunha: Creator of the iconic Amul Girl
campaign, which debuted in 1966.
• Matthew Perry (54): Starring as Chandler Bing on the
television sitcom Friends.
• Ved Kumari Ghai (91): Noted Sanskrit scholar
and Padma Shri awardee, former head of Sanskrit
Department at Jammu University.
• Srichand Parmanand Hinduja (87): Chairman of
Hinduja Group, consistently ranked among the UK
and Asia’s wealthiest people.
• Shanti Bhushan: Former Law Minister, Janata
Party co-founder, and anti-corruption activist.
• Dr. Kanak Rele: The Iron Lady of Mohiniyattam,
 founder of Nalanda Dance Research Centre, and
Padma Bhushan recipient.
• Pervez Musharraf: Former President of Pakistan,
four-star general, and coup leader in 1999.

• Gordon E. Moore (92): Intel co-founder, known

for Moore’s Law, transformed semiconductor chip
manufacturing.
• Justice M. Fathima Beevi (96): First female Supreme
Court Justice in India.

• A.M. Ahmadi (89): 26th Chief Justice of India, rose

from a City Civil and Session Court judge to Chief
Justice.
• Sabir Ali: ‘Ironman of India,’ Decathlon gold medalist
at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships.
• A. D. Damodaran: Renowned scientist, former director
of CSIR-NIIST, and Chairman of Kerala State Council for
Science. • Vasudevan Namboothiri: Renowned artist from
• Mukarram Jah Bahadur: Last Nizam of Hyderabad, Malappuram, known for his work as a cartoonist,
son of the last Caliph of Islam. illustrator, painter, and sculptor.
• Lisa Marie Presley: Musician, daughter of Elvis • Alan Arkin (88): Oscar-winning actor, acclaimed
Presley, honored by the Governor of Tennessee. for roles in “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Catch 22.”
• Sumitra Sen: Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent, • Constantine II: Former and last King of Greece,
honored with the Sangeet Mahasamman award. Olympic gold medalist in sailing.
• Rehman Rahi: Kashmir’s first Jnanpith awardee, • Dr. Tehemton E. Udwadia: ‘Father of laparoscopic
poet, and Padma Shri recipient. surgery in India,’ Padma Shri awardee.
• Keshari Nath Tripathi: Former governor of Bengal • Sitaram Shastri (104): Freedom fighter from
and Bihar, senior advocate, and BJP leader. Varanasi who participated in the country’s freedom
• Glenda Jackson (87): Two-time Oscar winner for movement.
“Women in Love” (1969) and “A Touch of Class” • Satyabrata Mookherjee: Former union minister
(1973), also served as a Member of Parliament. and Additional Solicitor General of India.
• Antonio Carbajal (93): First Mexican player to • C R Rao (102): Renowned mathematician and
appear in five World Cups, played from 1950 to statistician, Padma Vibhushan recipient.
1966.
• Darcelle XV (104): World’s oldest drag queen
performer, Guinness World Record holder.
• Daniel Ellsberg (92): Pentagon Papers whistleblower,
exposed U.S. government deception about the Vietnam
War.
• Walter Cunningham: The last surviving Apollo 7
astronaut, participated in the first crewed Apollo
spacecraft mission.

114
CHAPTER : 17

DAYS & EVENTS

Date Event Additional Information
1st January Global Family Day 2023 • Theme 2023: “Demographic Trends and Families”
4th January World Braille Day
6th January World War Orphans Day
• Theme 2023: “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s
8th January 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
progress in Amrit Kaal”
• Theme: “Hindi – Traditional Knowledge to Artificial
10th January World Hindi Day
Intelligence”
National Human Trafficking
11th January
Awareness Day
11th-17th January Road Safety Week • Theme 2023: “Parvah krenge surakshit rahenge”
National Youth Day (Swami
12th January • Theme 2023: “Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat.”
Vivekananda’s Birthday)
14th January 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day
15th January 75th Army Day
• Declared by PM Modi in 2022; Startup India
16th January National Startup Day Innovation Week organized by the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry
Foundation Day of Manipur,
21st January
Meghalaya, and Tripura
• Celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ (Bravery Day) since
23rd January Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
2022
24th January National Girl Child Day
• Theme 2023: To Invest in People, Prioritize
24th January International Education Day
Education’
25th January National Voters’ Day • Theme 2023: ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’

• Theme 2023: ‘Nurturing the Next Generation:

26th January International Customs Day Promoting a Culture of Knowledge Sharing and
Professional Pride in Customs’

26th January 74th Republic Day of India

International Holocaust
27th January • Theme 2023: “Home and Belonging”
Remembrance Day
28th January Data Privacy Day • Theme 2023: ‘Think Privacy First’

29th January World Leprosy Day 2023 • Observed on the last Sunday of January
Indian Coast Guard Day 2023
1st February
(46th)
2nd February World Wetlands Day 2023 • Theme: “Wetlands Restoration”
International Human Fraternity
4th February
Day
4th February World Cancer Day 2023 • Theme: “Close the Care Gap”

115
 • Theme 2023: “Partnership with Men and Boys
International Day of Zero Tolerance for
6th February to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End
FGM
Female Genital Mutilation”
10th February World Pulses Day
International Day of Women and Girls
11th February
in Science
• Theme 2023: Unani Medicine for Public
11th February World Unani Day 2023
Health
12th February International Darwin Day

13th February World Radio Day

13th February National Women’s Day in India

13th February International Epilepsy Day

International Childhood Cancer Day
15th February
(ICCD)
20th February World Social Justice Day

21st February International Mother Language Day

22nd February World Scout Day

• Theme 2023: “role and influence of NGOs in
advancing human rights, addressing social
27th February World NGO Day 2023
and environmental challenges, and achieving
sustainable development goals.”
• Theme 2023: “Global Science for Global Well-
28th February National Science Day
being”
March 1 Zero Discrimination Day • Save lives: Decriminalise

March 3 World Wildlife Day • Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation

March 4 National Safety Day • Our Aim – Zero Harm

Pharma Anveshan-2023 inauguration • Promoting pharmacy education and job portal

March 6
on National Pharmacy Education Day launch

• Theme 2023: DigitALL: Innovation and

March 8 International Women’s Day
technology for gender equality

March 10 CISF Raising Day

March 14 International Day of Mathematics • Mathematics for Everyone

March 14 International Day of Action for Rivers

• Empowering Consumers Through Clean
March 15 World Consumer Rights Day
Energy Transitions
March 16 National Vaccination Day • Vaccine Prevents the Unwanted

March 20 World Oral Health Day • Awareness about oral health

March 20 International Day of Happiness • Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind.

116
 March 21 World Down Syndrome Day

March 21 International Day of Forests

March 22 World Water Day • Accelerating Change

March 22 Bihar Day (Bihar Diwas) • Formation of the state of Bihar

• The Future of Weather, Climate and Water across
March 23 World Meteorological Day
Generations
International Day for the Right
March 24 to the Truth Concerning Gross • Honoring Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero
Human Rights Violations
March 24 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day • Yes! We can end TB!
International Day of Unborn
March 25 • Dignity and Value of Children Yet-to-be-Born
Child
March 27 World Theatre Day • Theatre and a Culture of Peace
• Odisha celebrates its 88th foundation day on April 1,
1st April Odisha Day or Utkal Diwas
2023
International Mine Awareness
4th April • Theme for 2023: “Mine Action Can Not Wait”
Day
5th April World Health Day • Theme for World Health Day 2023: ‘Health for All’

5th April National Maritime Day

International Day of Sport for
6th April • Theme for 2023: “Scoring for People and the Planet”
Development and Peace
7th April World Health Day • Theme for World Health Day 2023: ‘Health for All’

10th April World Homeopathy Day • Theme for 2023: “One Health, One Family”
• Theme for World Parkinson’s Day 2023:
11th April World Parkinson’s Day
“#Take6forPD”
15th April World Art Day

16th April Save the Elephant Day

16th April World Voice Day

• Theme for 2023: “Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds

17th April World Hemophilia Day
Age the Global Standard of Care”
• Theme for 2023: “Be Vigilant, Do Regular Liver
19th April World Liver Day
Check-Up, Fatty Liver Can Affect Anyone.”
21st April National Civil Services Day

22nd April Earth Day • Theme for 2023: ‘Invest in Our Planet’

24th April National Panchayati Raj Day

24th-30th April World Immunization Week • Celebrated under the theme ‘The Big Catch-Up’

• WHO Guiding Theme: “Time to Deliver Zero Malaria:

25th April World Malaria Day
Invest, Innovate, Implement”

117
 • Theme for 2023: ‘A Safe and Healthy Working
World Day for Safety and Health
28th April Environment as a Fundamental Principle and Right at
at Work
Work’
• Theme for 2023: ‘Promoting Diversity, Equity, and
29th April World Veterinary Day
Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession’.
International Noise Awareness
29th April
Day
1st May International Labour Day • Also known as May Day

1st May Gujarat Day • Foundation day of the state of Gujarat

• Foundation day of the Marathi-speaking state of
1st May Maharashtra Day
Maharashtra
• Theme for 2023: “Shaping a Future of Rights:
3rd May World Press Freedom Day Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Human
Rights”
4th May International Firefighters’ Day
7th May World Athletics Day
• Theme for 2023: Be Aware. Share. Care:
8th May World Thalassemia Day Strengthening Education to Bridge the Thalassaemia
Care Gap
• Birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, founder of the
8th May World Red Cross Day
International Red Cross
12th May International Nurses Day
• Celebrated with the theme “Water and its importance
13th May World Migratory Bird Day
for migratory birds”
• ITU Day 2023 Theme: “Empowering the least
17th May World Telecommunication Day developed countries through information and
communication technologies.”

18th May World AIDS Vaccine Day • Also observed as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
National Endangered Species • 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act in
19th May
Day 2023
• Theme for 2023: Measurements supporting the global
20th May World Metrology Day
food system
• Commemorating the death anniversary of former
21st May National Anti-Terrorism Day
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
International Day for Biological • Theme for 2023: “From Agreement to Action:
22nd May
Diversity Rebuilding Biodiversity”
75th Anniversary of UN
29th May • Theme for 2023: “Peace begins with me”
Peacekeeping Day
30th May Goa Statehood Day • Celebrating freedom from Portuguese rule in 1961

31st May World No Tobacco Day • Theme for 2023: “Grow food, not tobacco”

June 2024 World Milk Day • Theme for 2023: “Enjoy Dairy”
• Formation of the state in 2014 after bifurcation from
2nd June Telangana Formation Day
Andhra Pradesh
• Theme for 2023: Riding Together for a Sustainable
3rd June World Bicycle Day
Future

118
5th June World Environment Day • Theme for 2023: “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”

7th June World Food Safety Day • Theme for 2023: “Food Standards Save Lives”

8th June World Oceans Day • Theme for 2023: “Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing”
• Theme for 2023: “Protect yourself- keep away from
8th June World Brain Tumor Day
stress.”
• Theme for 2023: ‘Social Justice for All. End Child
12th June World Day Against Child Labour
Labour!’
International Albinism
13th June • Theme: “Inclusion is Strength”.
Awareness Day
• Theme for 2023: “Give blood, give plasma, share life,
14th June World Blood Donor Day
share often.”
• Theme for 2023: “Closing the Circle: Addressing
World Elder Abuse Awareness
15th June Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Older Age Policy,
Day
Law and Evidence-based Responses.”
World Day to Combat
17th June • Theme: “Her Land. Her Rights”
Desertification and Drought
20th June World Refugee Day • Theme for 2023: “Hope Away from Home”
• Theme for 2023: “Yoga for Vasudhaiva
21st June International Day of Yoga
Kutumbakam”.
• Theme: “Hydrography – Underpinning the Digital;
21st June World Hydrography Day
Twin of the Ocean”
23rd June International Olympic Day • Theme for 2023: “Let’s Move for better health.”

• Theme for 2023: “Alignment of State Indicator

29th June National Statistics Day Framework with National Indicator Framework for
Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals
29th June International Day of the Tropics
National Chartered Accountant
1st July • Celebrating the establishment of the ICAI
Day
• Theme for 2023: “Celebrating Resilience and Healing
1st July National Doctors’ Day
Hands”.
International Plastic Bag Free
3rd July
Day
• Theme for 2023: “One World, One Health: Zoonoses,
6th July World Zoonoses Day
Human and Environmental Health”
10th July National Fisherman Day

• Theme for 2023: “The Legacy Lives on Through You:

11th July World Population Day
Climate, Food, and Solidarity.”
International Nelson Mandela
18th July • Theme for 2023: “It is in your hands now”
Day
20th July International Chess Day
22nd July National Mango Day
22nd July Pi Approximation Day

23rd July National Broadcasting Day

24th July National Thermal Engineer Day

119
 • Theme for 2023: “One Life, One Liver: Share your
28th July World Hepatitis Day
liver, Share your life, Often Share”
• Theme for 2023: “Forest and Livelihood: Sustaining
28th July World Nature Conservation Day
People and Planet”
29th July World Tiger Day
29th July International Tiger Day
7th August National Handloom Day • Honoring handloom weavers
10th August World Lion Day • Conservation of lions
10th August World Biofuel Day • Awareness about non-fossil fuels
• 2023 Theme: “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a
12th August International Youth Day
Sustainable World.”
• 2023 Theme: ‘Safeguarding Elephant Habitats for a
12th August World Elephant Day
Sustainable Tomorrow. ‘
• 2023 Theme: “Step up to volunteer; need more
13th August World Organ Donation Day
organ donors to fill the lacunae”.
Partition Horrors Remembrance
14th August • Commemorating the victims of the partition of India
Day
15th August India’s Independence Day • 77th Independence Day in 2023

19th August World Photography Day • 2023 Theme: “Landscapes”

19th August World Humanitarian Day

20th August Sadbhavana Diwas • Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary

International Day for the
• 2023 Theme: “Fighting slavery’s legacy of racism
23rd August Remembrance of the Slave
through transformative education”
Trade and its Abolition
29th August National Sports Day • Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary
31st August World Sanskrit Day
• 2023 Theme: “Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for
1st-7th September National Nutrition Week
All”.
1st-8th September Literacy Week • Celebrating the Ullas New Bharat literacy program

• 2023 Theme: “Sustaining Coconut Sector for the

2nd September World Coconut Day
Present and Future Generation”.
• 2023 Theme: “Teachers at the Heart of Education
5th September National Teachers’ Day
Recovery”.
• 2023 Theme: ‘Promoting literacy for a world in
8th September International Literacy Day transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and
peaceful societies’
• 2023 Theme: “Prevention and Management of
8th September World Physiotherapy Day
Osteoarthritis”

10th September World Suicide Prevention Day • 2021-2023 Theme: “Creating Hope through Action”

14th September Hindi Diwas

15th September Engineers’ Day • 2023 Theme: “Engineering for a Sustainable Future”

120
16th September World Ozone Day
•
2023 Theme: “Montreal Protocol: Healing the Ozone
Layer and Reducing Climate Change”
• World Patient Safety Day 2023 is dedicated to the
17th September World Patient Safety Day theme “Engaging patients for patient safety” and the
slogan “Elevate the voice of patients!”.
18th-24th • 2023 Theme: “A World Where Deaf People
International Week of the Deaf
September Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!”.
18th September World Bamboo Day
• 2023 Theme: “Action for peace: Our ambition for the
21st September International Day of Peace
#GlobalGoals”.
21st September World Alzheimer’s Day • 2023 Theme: “Never too early, never too late”

22nd September World Rhino Day

International Sign Language • 2023 Theme: “A World Where Deaf People Can Sign
23rd September
Day Anywhere”
25th September Antyodaya Diwas • Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary
• 2023 Theme: “Pharmacy Strengthening Health
25th September World Pharmacists Day
Systems.”
• 2023 Theme: “Global Environmental Public Health:
World Environmental Health
26th September Standing up to protect everyone’s Health each and
Day
every day.”
27th September World Tourism Day • 2023 Theme: “Tourism and Green Investments”
29th September World Heart Day • 2023 Theme: “Use Heart, Know Heart”
• 2023 Theme: ‘Translation unveils the many faces of
30th September International Translation Day
humanity’.
2nd October Gandhi Jayanti • Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
International Day of Non- • Honoring Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-
2nd October
Violence violence
• The theme for World Animal Day 2023, “Great or
4th October World Animal Day Small, Love Them All,” emphasizes the importance of
acknowledging animals as sentient beings.

6th October World Cerebral Palsy Day • 2023 Theme: “Together Stronger.”

8th October World Dyslexia Awareness Day • 2023 Theme: “Uniquely You”
• 2023 Theme: “Tugedar for Trust: Collaborate for a
9th October World Post Day
Secure and Unified Future”
• 2023 Theme: “Mental Health is a Universal Human
10th October World Mental Health Day
Right”
International Day of the Girl • 2023 Theme: “Investing in Girls’ Rights: Our
11th October
Child Leadership, Our Safety”

12th October World Sight Day • 2023 Theme: ““Love your eyes at work”.

• 2023 Theme: “Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis at All

12th October World Arthritis Day
Stages of Life”

13th October National Cinema Day • Celebration of the magic of the silver screen

121
 • 2023 Theme: “Water is life, water is food. Leave no
16th October World Food Day
one behind”.
International Day for the • 2023 Theme: ‘Decent Work and Social Protection:
17th October
Eradication of Poverty Putting Dignity in Practice for All.’
• Integration of national statistical systems with the UN
20th October World Statistics Day
statistical system
25th October World Osteoporosis Day • Osteoporosis awareness
World Occupational Therapy
27th October • 2023 Theme: “Unity through Community”
Day
• 2023 Theme: “Together we are #Greater Than
29th October World Stroke Day
Stroke.”
1st November Andhra Pradesh Formation Day • Formed based on linguistic basis in 1956
International Day to End
2nd November Impunity for Crimes Against • Awareness about crimes against journalists
Journalists
3rd November World Jellyfish Day • Observed since 2014
7th November National Cancer Awareness Day • Awareness about cancer
7th November National Child Protection Day • Ensuring the right to grow for every child in 2023
8th November World Radiography Day • Celebrating radiological safety in 2023
• Promoting justice for all through legal awareness in
9th November National Legal Services Day
2023
9th November Uttarakhand Foundation Day • Separated from Uttar Pradesh in 2000

10th November World Science Day • Celebrating science, UNESCO initiative since 2001

• Tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first

11th November National Education Day
Education Minister
Public Service Broadcasting
12th November • In memory of Mahatma Gandhi’s speech
Day
13th November World Kindness Day • Promoting kindness
Jawaharlal Nehru Jayanti and
14th November • Rights and well-being of children
Children’s Day
World Chronic Obstructive
15th November • Awareness about respiratory diseases
Pulmonary Disease Day

16th November International Day for Tolerance • Awareness against intolerance

16th November World Philosophy Day • Reflection on human thought development

• Celebrating global student community and
17th November International Students’ Day
challenges

17th November National Epilepsy Day • Awareness about neurological disorders

World Day for the Elimination of

18th November • Preventing and treating child abuse
Child Abuse

World Day of Remembrance for

19th November • Focused on justice in 2023
Road Traffic Victims

122
20th November Universal Children’s Day • Every child’s rights in 2023

21st November World Fisheries Day • Policies for small-scale farmers

21st November World Television Day • Commemorating the invention of television in 1927

22nd November Science Day • Birthday of renowned physicist C.V. Raman

International Day for the
25th November Elimination of Violence against • 16-day campaign against gender-based violence
Women
• Dr. Verghese Kurien’s birth anniversary, father of
26th November National Milk Day
India’s White Revolution
27th November Constitution Day • Adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949

• Remembrance of the first spacecraft landing on Mars

28th November Red Planet Day
in 1964
International Day of Solidarity
29th November • Support for the rights of the Palestinian people
with the Palestinian People
• Nagaland statehood day on December 1, 1963
1st December Nagaland Statehood Day marked its separation from Assam and establishment
of Kohima as its capital.

• The theme for 2023: “Promoting literacy for a world in

2nd December World Computer Literacy Day transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and
peaceful societies.”
• Theme for 2023 is “The Power of Collective Action: if
5th December International Volunteer Day
everyone did.”

5th December World Soil Day • Theme for 2023 is “Soil and water, a source of life.”

• International Civil Aviation Day on December

7th December International Civil Aviation Day 7 commemorates 50th anniversary of Chicago
Convention by ICAO in 1996.

• Observed annually to honor martyrs, veterans, and

serving personnel of the Indian defence forces.
7th December Armed Forces Flag Day
Funds are collected for the well-being of armed
forces and their families.

• Commemorates the signing of the SAARC Charter

on December 8, 1985. SAARC, consisting of seven
8th December 39th SAARC Charter Day South Asian countries, aims for regional cooperation
and development. Afghanistan joined as a member in
April 2007.
• The theme for 2023 is “The UN Convention
International Anti-Corruption
9th December against Corruption at 20: Uniting the World against
Day
Corruption.”
• The theme for 2023 is “A Living Force in World
International Day of
Society: The Legacy of the 1948 Convention on
9th December Commemoration of the Victims
the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
of Crime of Genocide
Genocide.”

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 United Nations Human Rights
10th December
Day 2023

11th December International Mountain Day • Theme: “Restoring Mountain Ecosystems.”

• Ttheme for 2023 is “For every child, every right,”

11th December UNICEF Day focusing on enhancing the health and well-being of
children worldwide.

12th December Universal Health Coverage Day • Theme for 2023 is “Health For All: Time for Action.”

12th December International Day of Neutrality

• Theme for 2023 is ‘Celebrating Diversity and

Inclusion.’ Recognizes the importance of individual
18th December Minorities Rights Day
rights for religious, linguistic, national, or ethnic
minorities.

18th December International Migrants Day • Theme for 2023: “Promoting Safe Migration”.

• Marks the day in 1961 when the Indian Army freed

19th December Goa Liberation Day Goa, Daman, and Diu from 450 years of Portuguese
rule.
• Theme for 2023 is ‘Advocate for Change,’ promoting
International Human Solidarity
20th December a culture of solidarity and raising awareness for
Day 2023
Sustainable Development Goals.

• The UN General Assembly officially announced

International Human Solidarity
22nd December International Human Solidarity Day on December 22,
Day (UNGAs Announcement)
2005.

• Honors Indian farmers and marks the birth

23rd December National Farmers’ Day
anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh.

• Celebrated annually on December 25 to honor the

24th December Good Governance Day birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee.

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