Monthly Current

Affairs
Edition - August
2023
Important
Current Affairs
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 Monthly Current
Affairs
Edition - September
2023
Important
Current Affairs

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 Art and Culture

1. Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav

● About: A 75-day-long event celebrating Indian languages that commenced
on September 28, 2023, in Lucknow.
● Participants: Padma Shree awardees and representatives from various
Indian languages.
● Highlight: A multi-language conference called Bahubhashi Sangoshthi and
a play based on the epic Ramayana.
● Duration: It will be organised from September 28 to December 11, which
coincides with the birthday of the famous Tamil poet Subrahmanyam
Bharti, celebrated as Indian Languages Day.

2. Waheeda Rehman to be given Dadasaheb Phalke

Lifetime Achievement Award 2023
● Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman has been chosen to receive the Dadasaheb
Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
● About: A prestigious honour named after the father of Indian cinema,
Dadasaheb Phalke.
● Aim: To recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to
the Indian film industry and have left a lasting impact on audiences.

3. Hoysala temples in Karnataka

designated as India’s 42nd
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hoysalas
● Origin: The Hoysalas began as provincial
governors under Western Chalukyas & held
power in Karnataka from 10th - 14th century.
● Coming to power: The dynasty came to power
when the two dominant empires of the South,
the Western Chalukyas and the Cholas
crumbled.
● Capital: Initially located at Belur, but was later moved to Halebidu(or
Dwarasamudra).
Hoysala temples
● Construction: During the 12th to 13th centuries

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 ● Remarkable architecture: They are renowned for their remarkable
architecture and showcase the sculptural and artistic achievements of the
Hoysala dynasty.
● Designated UNESCO site: The decision to include this site was made during
the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
● Use of soapstone: A malleable stone that is easy to carve due to which
intricate sculptures (animals, scenes of daily life, depictions from the epics
and the Puranas) were made on the temple walls.
● Platform: Generally built on stellate (star-shaped) platforms.
● Amalgamation of 3 distinctive styles: Dravidian, Vesara and the North Indian
Nagara style
● ‘Signed’ sculptures: The sculptors, masons leave behind their names, and
sometimes a few more details.

4. Shantiniketan
● Shantiniketan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as
announced by UNESCO on September 18, 2023.
● This decision was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage
Committee held in Saudi Arabia.
● Shantiniketan
○ Establishment: 1901 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, the father of
Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
○ Location: Birbhum district of West Bengal, India.
○ Original Theme: It was originally as a residential school and an art
centre.
○ Evolved into a ‘world university’: SInce 1921, it came to be known as
“Visva Bharati,” emphasizing the unity of humanity.

5. Ganesh Chaturthi - September 19, 2023.

● About: A Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, the god of prosperity and
wisdom.
● Celebration: Starts on the fourth day/ chaturthi of the Hindu month of
Bhadrapada (August or September).

6. Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards

● The Ministry of Culture awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards
to 84 performing artists in New Delhi. The special achievement award was
given to artists above the age of 75 from all over India who had not been
bestowed with any national honour yet.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards

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 ● About: A national honour bestowed on performing artists as well as
teachers and scholars in the field of performing arts.
● Selection of recipients: By the Akademi’s General Council.
● Akademi’s General Council: Comprises distinguished musicians, dancers,
theatre artists and scholars in these disciplines and nominees of the
Government of India, state governments, and Union Territories.
● Prize money: Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) besides Tamrapatra and
Angavastram.
● Aim: To honour Indian artists aged above 75 years who have not been
accorded any national honour in their career so far.
Sangeet Natak Akademi
● About: India's national academy of music, dance and drama.
● Institution: Created by a resolution of the Ministry of Education, with P.V.
Rajamannar as its first Chairman.
● Establishment: In 1953
● Aim: Preservation and promotion of the vast intangible heritage of India’s
diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama.
● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
● Chairman: Appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
● Funding: Fully funded by the Government for the implementation of its
schemes and programmes.

7. 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

● The 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) started on September 7
and will end on September 17, 2023. This year, the festival features a diverse
selection of films from different genres, languages, and countries, including
seven Indian films that highlight the talent and creativity of Indian cinema.
● Prithul Kumar to lead India:
○ India's official delegation at TIFF was led by Prithul Kumar, Joint
Secretary (Film), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and
Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
○ NFDC: Central agency of the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, which is organising India's participation in TIFF.

8. World’s tallest Nataraja statue

● The world’s tallest Nataraja statue has been installed at Bharat Mandapam,
the venue of the G20 summit 2023 in Delhi.
About the statue
● Dimensions: 28- foot-tall & weighing 20 tonnes
● Material used: The Nataraja statue was built in Ashtadhatu (8 metals) using
the traditional casting method.

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 Economy

9. M. Rajeshwar Rao
● M. Rajeshwar Rao has been reappointed as Deputy Governor of the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI). The reappointment is for a period of one year, starting
from the 9th of the next month or until further orders, whichever comes
earlier.

10. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2023-24 Series II

opens until 15 September
● Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) are open for subscription until September 15th,
marking the second series of the scheme for the fiscal year 2023-24.
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set the price of the gold bonds at 5,923
rupees per gram.
● Online applicants will receive a discount of 50 rupees per gram less than the
nominal value when paying digitally, making the issue price for online
investors 5,873 rupees per gram.
● The minimum investment allowed in a gold bond is one gram, while the
maximum subscription limit is set at 4 kg for individuals and 20 kg for trusts
and similar entities per fiscal year.
● SGB offers a safer alternative to physical gold and an additional income
source, making it an attractive investment option.
● Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: Initiated by the government in November
2015, under the Gold Monetisation Scheme.

11. RBI Gradually Reduces Incremental Cash Reserve

Ratio (ICRR) to Manage Liquidity
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will gradually reduce its requirement for
banks to park an additional 10% of their fresh deposits with the central bank.
The reduction of this requirement, known as the incremental cash reserve
ratio (ICRR), will occur in stages.
○ Starting on 9 September 2023, 25% of the ICRR will be released.
○ Another 25% will be released on 23 September.
○ The remaining 50% of the ICRR will be released on 7 October.
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)
● About: A percentage of total deposits (currently, stands at 4.5%) that the
banks have to maintain as liquid cash with the RBI.
● Aim: To ensure that the banks never run out of cash to cater to the payment
demands of depositors.

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 ● A safety net for depositors: The banks cannot use this amount for lending
or for any investment purposes.
Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (ICRR)
● About: An additional cash balance which the RBI can ask banks to maintain
over and above the CRR - for a specific period.
● RBI Directives: Banks will have to maintain an I-CRR of 10% on the increase
in their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) between May 19, 2023, and
July 28, 2023.
● NDTL: Total demand and time liabilities (deposits) of the public that are held
by the banks with other banks.

12. New UPI Payment Options Launched by NPCI

for Inclusive Digital Payments
● On September 7, 2023, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
introduced several new payment options on the Unified Payment Interface
(UPI). The RBI Governor announced these options at the ongoing Global
Fintech Festival in Mumbai. The new options are:
○ Hello! UPI for voice-enabled payments.
○ Credit Line on UPI for instant loans.
○ UPI LITE X for low-cost smartphones.
○ Tap & Pay for contactless payments.
● Aim: To create an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital payments
ecosystem and contribute to UPI’s goal of achieving 100 billion transactions
per month.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
● About: An umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and
settlement systems in India.
● Initiated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association
(IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act,
2007, to create a robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
● Incorporation: As a “Not for Profit” Company under the provisions of Section
25 of Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013).
● Payment systems that the NPCI can operate in: National Financial Switch
(NFS), Immediate Payment System (IMPS), Aadhaar-enabled Payments
System (AEPS) and National Automated Clearing House (NACH).

13. ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign

● ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign is a mega cleanliness drive
organised to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti. The cleanliness drive is
scheduled for October 1st, Sunday, at 10 am.
‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Campaign

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 ● About: A massive voluntary effort for cleanliness in India, endorsed by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
● Aim: It encourages citizens to engage in one hour of “shramdaan” (voluntary
labour) for cleanliness at 10 am on October 1st as a tribute to Mahatma
Gandhi.
● Swachhata Pakhwada 2023: Theme - “Garbage Free India,” is organised
alongside this initiative.
● Significance: It implies Environmental Consciousness, Community
Engagement, Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility.

14. PM Vishwakarma Scheme for Empowering

Traditional Artisans and Craftspeople
● The Prime Minister recently launched the “PM Vishwakarma” scheme on
September 17, 2023, in New Delhi.
About the Scheme
● Aim: To support and promote traditional crafts and artisans.
● Centrally funded: It will be fully funded by the Union Government with an
allocation of Rs 13,000 crore.
● Vishwakarmas:
○ Artisans/ Vishwakarmas, will be registered for free through Common
Services Centres using a biometric-based portal.
○ They will receive recognition through a certificate and ID card, skill
training, a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000, and collateral-free credit
support at concessional interest rates.
● Focus: On preserving the Guru-Shishya parampara and improving the
quality and reach of artisanal products and services.
● Coverage: 18 traditional crafts, including carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery,
weaving, and more in both rural and urban artisans across India.
● Significance: It will incentivize digital transactions and provide marketing
support to artisans and craftspeople.

15. Cabinet Approves extension of PM Ujjwala

Yojana for three years
● The Government has approved expansion of PM Ujjwala Yojana, to provide
support for LPG connections to women on 13th September 2023 during a
cabinet meeting.
PM Ujjwala Yojana
● Aim: To release a total of 75 lakh LPG connections over a period of three
years, from the Financial Year 2023-24 to 2025-26.
● Financial cost: One thousand 650 crore rupees.
● Provisions:

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 ○ 75 lakh free LPG connections to women from poor and needy families
to enable them to benefit from the Ujjwala scheme.
● Ujjawala 2.0:
○ The first refill and stove will also be provided free of cost to Ujjwala
beneficiaries.

16. Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar : Invoice incentive

scheme
● The invoice incentive scheme - Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar begins on 1
September 2023 to bring a cultural and behavioural change in the general
public to ask for a Bill as their right and entitlement.
Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar
● About: A Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoice incentive programme that
offers cash incentives for uploading invoices.
● Pilot scheme: Initially introduced in Assam, Gujarat, and Haryana, the UTs
of Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
● Aim: To encourage customers to request a bill whenever they make
purchases.
● Mechanism:
○ Eligibility: All invoices issued by GST-registered suppliers to
consumers will be eligible for the scheme.
○ Monthly and quarterly draws: Winners will be eligible for cash reward
prizes beginning from Rs 10,000 to up to Rs 1 crore.
○ Minimum purchase value for the invoice to be considered for the
lucky draw: Rs 200, and individuals can upload a maximum of 25
invoices in a month.
● Condition: The invoice uploaded on the app should have the GSTIN of the
seller, invoice number, amount paid and tax amount.

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 Important Days

17. World Tourism Day : 27 September

● The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) established this
observance in 1980. The choice of September 27th for World Tourism Day is
linked to the adoption of the UNWTO’s Statutes on that day in 1970.
○ Its purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of tourism
and its various impacts: social, cultural, political, and economic.
○ The goal is to promote sustainable and responsible tourism practices
worldwide.
○ Tourism contributes significantly to the global economy by creating
jobs, fostering economic growth, and promoting sustainable
development.
○ The theme for World Tourism Day 2023 is ‘Tourism and green
investment,’ emphasising the need for targeted investments to
achieve sustainable development goals.

18. Hindi Diwas : September 14

● To commemorate the adoption of Hindi as India’s official language by the
Constituent Assembly in 1949.
● First Hindi Diwas: 1953.

19. Teachers Day : 5 September

● To honour the teachers and their contribution to society. The date marks
the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an Indian scholar,
philosopher and the first Vice President of India.
● Awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in India, in 1954.
● First Teachers Day: 1962

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 International Affairs

20. India-UN Capacity Building Initiative for Global

South
● Launched on September 24, 2023.
● Objective: To share India’s development experiences, best practices, and
expertise with partner countries in the Global South through capacity
building and training programs.
● Announced at the India-UN for the Global South event in New York.
● It will work towards achieving the development-related goals of India’s G20
Presidency like the G20 Action Plan for Accelerating Progress on the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), technological transformation, and
the establishment of Digital Public Infrastructure.

21. PM Modi inaugurate two day International

Lawyers Conference in New Delhi
● Theme: “Emerging Challenges in the Justice Delivery System.”
● Organised by: Bar Council of India for the first time.
● Key topics for discussion: Emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border
litigation, legal technology, and environmental law.
● Aim:
○ To facilitate meaningful dialogue and discussion on legal topics of
national and international significance.
○ To promote the exchange of ideas and experiences and enhance
international cooperation and understanding on legal issues.

22. Recent Tensions and Diplomatic Expulsions in

India-Canada Relations
● Recently, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in response, and
Canada expelled an Indian diplomat.
● Tensions escalated after the Canadian Prime Minister hinted at a link
between the Indian government and the killing of Sikh separatist leader
Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
● The tensions are centred around the Sikh independence movement, known
as the Khalistan movement.
● India has accused Canada of sheltering Khalistani activists.

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23. 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference
(IPACC) from 26 to 27 September 2023 at the
Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi
● Edition: 13th biennial IPACC and is being hosted by both the Indian Army
and the US Army Pacific.
● Hosts: General James C McConville, the Chief-of-Staff of the US Army, &
General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Indian Army Staff.
● Key topics to be discussed: Role of military diplomacy in crisis mitigation,
enhancing collaboration and interoperability, and the importance of self-
reliance for modern armies.
● Indo-Pacific region: It encompasses 64 percent of the world’s population,
contributes 63 percent of the global GDP, and accounts for 46 percent of
world merchandise trade.

24. Key Highlights from the 18th G20 Summit in

New Delhi
● Held on 9th and 10th September 2023 in New Delhi.
● 18th G20 Summit: It concluded in New Delhi on September 10, 2023, with
India passing the Presidency to Brazil.
● India addressed various global issues: UNSC reforms, the mandate of
Multilateral Development Banks, and the regulation of cryptocurrencies.
● Initiatives by India: Including the African Union in the G20, launching the
Global Biofuel Alliance, and promoting economic integration through
initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

25. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

(IMEC): A Key Initiative for Regional Connectivity
and Economic Growth
● Launched on September 9, 2023, at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
● A collaborative initiative involving India, the European Union, and six other
countries.
● Aim: To improve connectivity and economic integration among Asia, the
Arabian Gulf, and Europe by establishment of a railway network.
● Parties: United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France,
Germany, Italy, and the European Union.

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 26. Prime Minister Modi attended 20th ASEAN-
India Summit 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia
● Theme: ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.’
● India presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-ASEAN
cooperation, covering various aspects, including connectivity, digital
transformation, trade, and addressing global challenges.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

● About: It is a regional grouping that aims to promote economic and security

cooperation among its members.
● Ten members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
● Establishment: 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the
ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
● Founding fathers: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
● Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
● Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia.
● Significance: ASEAN countries have a total population of 662 million people
and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $3.2 trillion as of 2022.

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27. Indian-origin Tharman Shanmugaratnam has
been elected President of Singapore
● Indian-origin Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a renowned economist and
former deputy prime minister of Singapore, has been elected as the next
president of Singapore.
● He is the third individual of Indian origin to assume this prestigious role in
the prosperous city-state, and his tenure will extend for the next six years.

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 National Current Affairs

28. Sankalp Saptaah, a week-long programme for

Aspirational Blocks
● Prime Minister recently launched a week-long programme called Sankalp
Saptaah in New Delhi on September 30, 2023.
● It took place at Bharat Mandapam in the National Capital and saw the
participation of approximately three thousand panchayat and block-level
people’s representatives and functionaries from across the country.
Sankalp Saptaah
● It is linked to the effective implementation of the Aspirational Blocks
Programme (ABP).
● Aim: To implement the ABP and prepare an effective block development
strategy, “chintan shivirs” were organized at village and block levels across
the country. The Sankalp Saptah is the culmination of these chintan shivirs.
● Observed in all 500 aspirational blocks.
● Themes for the first six days: “Sampoorna Swasthya”, “Suposhit Parivar”,
“Swachhta”, “Krishi”, “Shiksha”, and “Samridhi Diwas”.
● End day theme: “Sankalp Saptah – Samavesh Samaroh”.
Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)
● Launched on January 7, 2023, on the lines of the Aspirational District
Programme ( launched in 2018) and covers 112 districts across the country.
● Aim: Enhancing governance and improving the quality of life in 500
Aspirational Blocks spanning 329 districts across India.
● Majorly covers 6 states: Uttar Pradesh (68 blocks), Bihar (61), Madhya
Pradesh (42), Jharkhand (34), Odisha (29) and West Bengal (29).

29. Best Smart City in India : Indore

● Awarded on September 27, 2023, during the India Smart Cities Conclave
2023.
● Fourth edition of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2023.
● India Smart Cities Conclave 2023 took place on September 2627, 2023, at
the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
● Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and saw
participation from all 100 smart cities in India.
● It served as a platform for cities to showcase their noteworthy
achievements under the Smart Cities Mission and contribute to the future
urban transformation of the country.

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 30. PM Modi to Distribute 51,000 Appointment
Letters in Rozgar Mela
● The distribution of appointment letters will take place during a Rozgar Mela
(employment fair) held at 46 locations across the country.
● The Rozgar Mela is expected to play a pivotal role in creating more
employment opportunities and empowering youth to participate in
national development.

31. C-295 MW transport aircraft formally inducted

into Indian Air Force
● Inducted at the Indian Air Force airbase in Hindan, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
on 25 September 2023.
● It will enhance the medium lift tactical capability of the Indian Air Force.
C295 Transport Aircraft
● About: A new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment
that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
● Designed and built by: Airbus, a European multinational aerospace
corporation.
● Features:
○ Flight endurance: Up to 11 hours
○ Can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions.
○ A rear ramp door for quick reaction and para-dropping of troops and
cargo.
○ Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces

32. Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 at Indian Air Force

airbase at Hindon in Ghaziabad
● Co hosted by the Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India
● Location: Indian Air Force airbase at Hindon in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on
September 25, 2023.

33. 19th edition of YUDH ABHYAS in Alaska, USA

from 25 September 2023
● Conducted annually
● A joint effort between the Indian Army and the US Army.
● Indian Army contingent: 350 personnel (Lead battalion - MARATHA Light
Infantry Regiment).

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 ● Aim: To conduct tactical drills that enhance interoperability for UN
peacekeeping operations.
● Exchange of views and best practices related to various combat skills,
including combat engineering, obstruction clearance, and warfare involving
mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

34. Prime Minister Modi flagged off nine Vande

Bharat Express trains
● These trains will connect religious and tourist destinations across 11 states.
○ Udaipur - Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
○ Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express
○ Hyderabad -Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
○ Vijayawada - Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express
○ Patna - Howrah Vande Bharat Express
○ Kasaragod - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express
○ Rourkela - Bhubaneswar - Puri Vande Bharat Express
○ Ranchi - Howrah Vande Bharat Express
○ Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express/ Train 18
● India's fastest indigenous train
● Built by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai under the Government’s Make
in India.
● First launch: Between New Delhi and Varanasi on February 15, 2019
● First semi-high-speed train.
● World class passenger amenities like On-board wifi entertainment, GPS
based passenger information system, CCTVs, bio-vacuum toilets, rotating
chairs in executive class, etc.
● 2 travel classes: executive and chair car, similar to the Shatabdi.
● Intelligent braking system with power regeneration for better energy
efficiency thereby making it cost, energy and environment efficient.
● First locomotive-less train in the country.

35. India’s First Lighthouse Festival in Goa from 23

to 25 September 2023
● Inaugurated at Fort Aguada Lighthouse.
● From September 23 - September 25.
● Celebrated at lighthouses across the country to promote them as tourist
destinations.
● Campaign ‘Lighthouse Heritage Tourism’ was launched to transform 75
historic lighthouses into tourist spots.

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 ● Aim: To develop lighthouses as tourist attractions and boost local
economies.
● Activities: Dance performances, food stalls, music concerts, and discussions
on marine history.

36. SIMBEX
● An annual bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of
Singapore Navy.
● From September 21 to September 24, 2023.
● Aim: To enhance interoperability and mutual understanding between the
two navies.
● 2 phases:
○ Harbour Phase: This phase involves professional interactions, cross-
deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and sports fixtures.
○ Sea Phase: During this phase, various maritime operations are
conducted, including air defence exercises, gunnery firing, and anti-
submarine exercises.
● Indian Navy participants: Ranvijay, Kavaratti, and Sindhukesari, along with
Long- Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P81.
● Longest-running naval exercise that the Indian Navy conducts with any
other country.
● Allows units from both navies to enhance their warfighting skills through
multidiscipline operations in the maritime domain.

37. PM Modi inaugurated the International

Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, in
Dwarka, New Delhi
● On September 17, 2023, Prime Minister inaugurated the International
Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, located in Sector 25, Dwarka,
New Delhi.

38. Rahul Navin, IRS, has been appointed as the in-

charge director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED)
● He will serve in this capacity until the appointment of the regular director.
● Currently, Rahul Navin holds the position of ED’s special director.
● Sanjay Kumar Mishra was the outgoing director of the ED, who was
appointed as the ED director in 2028.
Enforcement Directorate (ED)

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 ● Established in 1956 as an ‘Enforcement Unit’ under the Department of
Economic Affairs.
● Later, in 1957, this Unit was renamed as ‘Enforcement Directorate’.
● Under the administrative control of the Department of Revenue (under the
Ministry of Finance) for operational purposes.
● Responsible for enforcement of the Foreign Exchange Management Act,
1999 (FEMA), and certain provisions under the PMLA.
● Can attach the asset of the culprits found guilty of the violation of FEMA.
● Can undertake, search, seizure, arrest, prosecution action, and survey, etc.
against the offences committed under PMLA.
● Appointment of ED Director: By the central government on the
recommendation of a committee chaired by the Central Vigilance
Commissioner & members comprising Vigilance Commissioners, Home
Secretary, Secretary DOPT and Revenue Secretary.

39. Defence Acquisition Council approves nine

capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 45,000 crore
● Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
● The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body
in the Indian Ministry of Defence for deciding on new policies and capital
acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and the
Indian Coast Guard. The council is headed by the Minister of Defence.
Defence Acquisition Council
● Highest decision-making body of the defence Ministry on procurement.
● Aim: To ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of
the armed forces.
● Formed after the Group of Minister's recommendations on 'Reforming the
National Security System', in 2001, post-Kargil War (1999).
● Composition:
○ The defence minister is the chairman of DAC.
○ Members: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and chiefs of the Army, Navy,
and Air Force.

40. Uniformity in Measurement: India can issue

internationally accepted OIML Certificates
● India has achieved the capability to issue Internationally Accepted OIML
(International Organisation of Legal Metrology) Certificates, becoming the
13th country globally to do so.
● Domestic manufacturers can now have their weighing and measuring
instruments tested within India and market them internationally.

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 ● Internationally Accepted OIML Certificate is recognized worldwide,
reducing redundancy and saving resources for manufacturers.
● This system ensures uniformity and trust in measurements on a global scale
and eliminates the need for repeated certifications.
● Indian manufacturers and their agents can obtain OIML Certificates for their
measuring instruments from the Indian OIML Issuing Authority, which is the
Legal Metrology Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
OIML
● Established in 1955.
● An international standard-setting body.
● Develops model regulations, standards, and related documents for use by
legal metrology authorities and industry.
● Plays a crucial role in harmonising national laws and regulations on the
performance of measuring instruments like clinical thermometers, alcohol
breath analysers, radar speed measuring instruments, ship tanks found at
ports, and petrol dispensing units.
● India became a member 1956.
● Headquarter: Paris

41. Supreme Court of India joining the National

Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) platform
● The Chief Justice of India announced that the Supreme Court of India will
join the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) platform to track case pendency.
● Inclusion in the NJDG is expected to bring transparency and accountability
to the judiciary by making details of pending civil and criminal cases easily
accessible.
National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)
● Developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) in close coordination with
the in-house software development team of the Computer Cell, Registry, it
is a national repository of data relating to cases instituted, pending, and
disposed of by the courts across the length and breadth of the country. The
entire database shall be periodically updated on the NJDG portal.

42. Government approved the eCourts Mission

Mode Project Phase -3
● The Government approved the e-Courts Mission Mode Project Phase -3 on
13th September 2023 during a cabinet meeting.
● The project is a Central Sector Scheme with a financial outlay of 7,210 crore
rupees, spanning four years.
● The e-Courts Project has been under implementation since 2007 as part of
the National eGovernance Plan.

19
 ● It aims to improve access to justice through technology.
● It will enable citizens, including those without access to technology, to
access judicial services through eSewa Kendras.
● To establish online and paperless courts to make the judicial system more
convenient, economical, and transparent for citizens.
● There will be the establishment of 4,400 eSewa Kendras at all Court
complexes to facilitate this initiative.

43. Nomination for the Padma Awards for the year

2024 is open until the 15th September
● The online nomination process for the Padma Awards for the year 2024 is
open until the 15th of this month. The nomination process began on 1 May
2023.
Padma Awards
● One of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve
of Republic Day.
● Aim: To recognize works of distinction and is given for distinguished and
exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines.
● Instituted in the year 1954
● 3 categories:
○ Padma Vibhushan: for exceptional and distinguished service;
○ Padma Bhushan: for distinguished service of a high order; and
○ Padma Shri: for distinguished service.
● Award: A Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
● Eligibility:
○ All persons
○ Government servants including those working with PSUs, except
doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
○ Normally not conferred posthumously, but, in highly deserving cases,
the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
● The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix
to the awardees’ name.

44. First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights in

New Delhi on 12 September 2023
● President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the first Global Symposium on
Farmers’ Rights in New Delhi on 12 September 2023.
● The event hosted eminent scientists, farmers, and resource persons from
59 countries worldwide.

20
 ● The symposium focused on discussing critical issues related to Farmers’
Rights, which are outlined in Article 9 of the International Treaty on Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
● India is the first country globally to have incorporated Farmers’ Rights
within the framework of Plant Variety Registration, accomplished through
the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act of 2001.

45. Cauvery Water Dispute: Unresolved issue and

Ongoing Tensions
● The Cauvery water dispute is an inter-state water dispute between Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry over the sharing of the Cauvery
river’s water and its tributaries.
● The dispute originated in 1892 between the Madras Presidency (under the
British Raj) and the Princely state of Mysore (now Karnataka) when they had
to divide the river water.
● Despite various agreements, tribunals, and court orders to resolve the issue,
no satisfactory resolution has been reached for all parties involved.
Cauvery River
● About: The largest river in the state
● Origin: Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills of the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
● Left bank tributaries: Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi.
● Right bank tributaries: Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini,
and Amaravathi

46. Jaya Verma Sinha : First Woman Chairman And

CEO Of Indian Railway Board
● Jaya Verma Sinha has been appointed as the first woman CEO and
Chairperson of the Railway Board, which is the top decision making body
for the national railway system. She assumes her new role on September 1,
and her tenure will extend until August 31, 2024.
● The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved her
appointment to the position of Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board.

21
 Polity

47. Manipur government extended the imposition

of the AFSPA for another six months
● On September 27, 2023, the Manipur government extended the imposition
of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months,
covering the entire state except for 19 police stations in seven districts of
the Imphal Valley.
● The “disturbed area” status under AFSPA will continue to apply to all the hill
districts, which are predominantly inhabited by tribal communities.
● However, the act has gradually been withdrawn from valley districts since
2022 due to improved security conditions.
● Manipur has witnessed a resurgence of insurgent groups, primarily
operating from Myanmar, advocating for the secession of Manipur from
India.
● The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating a transnational
conspiracy by these groups to wage war against the government amid
ongoing ethnic violence.
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
● About: The Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India.
● Nodal Ministry: Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
● Establishment: Created after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks under
National Investigation Agency Act 2008.
● Jurisdiction: Can deal with terror related crimes across states without
special permission from the states.
● Powers: A State Government may request the Central Government to hand
over the investigation of a case to the NIA, provided the case has been
registered for the offences as contained in the schedule to the NIA Act.
● NIA special courts: For trial of the cases arising out of offences committed
in various states of the Union. Presided over by a judge appointed by the
Central Government on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the
High Court with jurisdiction in that region.
● Headquarter: Delhi.
● Regional Branches: Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai,
Kolkata, Raipur, Jammu, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Chennai and Imphal.

48. Parliament Passes Women’s Reservation Bill for

Increased Political Representation
● Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed by Parliament on
September 21, 2023.

22
 ● It aims to reserve one-third of the total number of seats for women in the
following legislative bodies:
○ Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s parliament)
○ State Legislative Assemblies
○ Delhi Assembly
● Also known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, received approval from the
Rajya Sabha (the upper house of parliament) through a division of votes.
● In this division, 214 members voted in favor of the bill, and none voted
against it.

49. Old Parliament building is renamed as

“Samvidhan Sadan”
● The old Parliament building in New Delhi was officially renamed as
“Samvidhan Sadan” on September 19, 2023.
● The new Parliament building has been designated as the “Parliament House
of India.”
Old Parliament building
● Originally designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert
Baker.
● Constructed between 1921 and 1927.

50. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar hoisted the

National Flag at the top of Gaja Dwar of the New
Parliament Building
● The Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman hoisted the National Flag at
the top of Gaja Dwar of the New Parliament Building on 16 September 2023.

51. New Parliament Building in India

● The new Parliament Building in India, inaugurated on May 28, 2023, is a part
of the Central Vista Redevelopment project in New Delhi.
● It features a unique triangular shape, a built-up area of about 64,500 square
metres, and can seat 1,272 individuals.
● The design of the Lok Sabha Chamber is inspired by India’s national bird,
the Peacock.
● The project encompasses the construction of the Parliament building, a
Common Central Secretariat, and the renovation of the Rajpath, with a total
cost of around 970 crore rupees.
● The architect behind this project is Bimal Patel.

23
52. ‘One-nation, one-election’
● Govt forms Ram Nath Kovind-headed committee to explore possibility Lok
Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously on 1 September 2023. The
committee’s purpose is to examine the feasibility of conducting Lok Sabha
(parliamentary) and assembly elections simultaneously across the country.

24
 Science and Technology

53. Global Innovation Index 2023 : India retains

40th rank
● India has retained its 40th rank in the Global Innovation Index (GII) for the
year 2023.
● The ranking was published by the World Intellectual Property Organization,
and India’s consistent improvement in the GII ranking was highlighted.
● India’s GII ranking has
improved significantly
over the years, moving
from 81st place in 2015
to its current 40th
position in 2023.
Global Innovation Index 2023
● It is published by the
World Intellectual
Property Organization.
● It is a reliable tool for
governments across
the world to assess the
innovation-led social
and economic changes
in their respective
countries.
● This year, the NITI
Aayog, in partnership
with the CII and the
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), is hosting, virtually, the
India Launch of the GII 2023 on 29th September 2023.

54. MS Swaminathan, father of India’s Green

Revolution, passed away
● MS Swaminathan, a prominent agricultural scientist and often referred to
as the father of India’s Green Revolution, passed away in Chennai on
September 28, 2023, at the age of 98.
● He was also honored by the Indian government with prestigious awards like
Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.

25
55. India’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus
● Launched in Delhi by Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum and
Natural Gas in Delhi on 25 September 2023.
● A total of 15 green hydrogen buses are planned to be operational by the end
of 2023 as part of the project.
● The hydrogen fuel-powered vehicle can be refilled in just a few minutes,
similar in speed to filling an internal combustion engine with fossil fuel.
● The project for green hydrogen fuel cell buses is a collaboration between
the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Tata Motors.

56. New set of national awards called ‘Rashtriya

Vigyan Puraskar’ in the field of Science, Technology,
and Innovation.
● Aim: To recognize and celebrate the remarkable and inspiring contributions
made by scientists, technologists, and innovators across various domains
of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
● Divided into four categories:
○ Vigyan Ratna
○ Vigyan Shri
○ Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
○ Vigyan Team
● Announcements will take place on May 11th, which is National Technology
Day, and the Award Ceremony will be held on August 23rd, designated as
National Space Day, each year.
● To be presented in 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological
Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine,
Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science,
Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology,
and others.

57. Life Clues on K2-18 b: Hydrogen-Rich

Atmosphere and Possible Oceans
● NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope discovered carbon dioxide and
methane on the exoplanet K2-18 b.
● K2-18 b is a potential Hycean exoplanet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere
and a water ocean-covered surface. K2-18 b is within the “habitable zone”
of its star, where conditions are conducive to the existence of life.
● K2-18 b orbits the cool dwarf star K2- 18 a and is located 120 light years from
Earth.

26
● K2-18 b is 8.6 times the mass of Earth and falls in size between Earth and
Neptune.
● The presence of methane and carbon dioxide, along with the absence of
ammonia, suggests the possibility of a water ocean beneath a hydrogen-
rich atmosphere on K2-18 b.
● The telescope also detected a possible molecule called dimethyl sulfide
(DMS), which on Earth is produced by life, particularly phytoplankton in
marine environments.
● NASA plans to conduct follow-up research using the telescope’s MIRI
spectrograph to further validate their findings and gain more insights into
K2- 18 b’s environmental conditions.

58. Aditya L1, successfully completed its third

earthbound manoeuvre
● First space based
observatory class Indian
solar mission to study the
Sun from a substantial
distance of 1.5 million
kilometres.
● It will take approximately 125
days to reach the L1 point.
● ISRO’s second astronomy
observatory-class mission
after AstroSat (2015).
● The mission's journey is
notably shorter than India's previous Mars orbiter mission, Mangalyaan.
● Planned to be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1) of
the Sun-Earth system.
● Aim:
○ To provide valuable insights into the solar corona, photosphere,
chromosphere, and solar wind.
○ To gain a deeper understanding of the Sun's behaviour, including its
radiation, heat, particle flow, and magnetic fields, and how they
impact Earth.

59. Japan launched the lunar lander “SLIM” for

Moon Landing
● Japan launched the lunar lander “SLIM” on September 7, 2023. Japan aims
to become the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s surface.
The launch used an H- IIA rocket.

27
SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon)
● About: A small-scale exploration of JAXA (Japan’s Space Agency) lander.
● Importance: The expertise gained in precision landing and other
technologies will be inherited by future missions such as the Martian Moon
eXploration (MMX) and lunar polar missions.
● Functions:
○ Pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface with a landing accuracy of
less than 100 metres.
○ It employs ‘Vision based navigation’ technology for its higher landing
accuracy.
○ Reduction in the size and weight of equipment used in Moon
landings which will result in more frequent lunar and planetary
landings.
○ It employs small, lightweight and high performance chemical
propulsion systems and light-weight materials in designing systems
such as computers to save on the weight.
Importance of Pinpoint Landing

Landing on sloped surfaces

Benefits:

28
● Base for future missions: Future solar science exploration will demand the
level of navigation accuracy that JAXA is seeking through the SLIM mission.
● Observation equipment: Planetary science exploration will additionally call
for highly capable equipment for observation.
● Downsizing the exploration system: It can reinforce the instruments to be
placed into a locale especially well-suited for its landing mission.

29
 Sports

60. Indian Women’s Cricket Team won the gold

medal at the Asian Games
● The Indian Women’s Cricket Team won the gold medal at the Asian Games
in Hangzhou, China on September 25, 2023.
● They defeated Sri Lanka in a closely contested final match.
● Harmanpreet Kaur was the team’s top scorer with 116 runs in 20 overs.
● Smriti Mandhana just missed a half century, and she and Jemimah
Rodrigues had a crucial partnership of 73 runs.
● This gold medal is India’s first in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.

61. India become the number 1 ranked team in all

three cricket formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is
● In the ODI rankings, India displaced Pakistan from the top spot.
● India also led the T20I rankings, with England following closely behind.
● In Test cricket, India held the first position, with Australia as the immediate
second.

62. 19th Asian Games

● The 19th Asian Games took place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23
to October 8, 2023. The event will include a total of 61 different sporting
disciplines.

63. ICC released official Anthem ‘Dil Jashn Bole’ for

Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
● On 20 September 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the
official anthem for the Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is set to begin on
5th October 2023.
● The theme of the anthem is “Dil Jashn Bole,” and it features Bollywood
superstar Ranveer Singh along with other popular social media influencers.
● The ICC made the official anthem announcement on its social media
platform, X, and encouraged fans to board the “One Day Xpress” and join
the cricket celebration.

30
64. ISSF World Cup 2023
● Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan secured the gold medal in the women’s 10-
metre air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 held in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, on September 18, 2023.
● Elavenil Valarivan narrowly defeated France’s Oceanne Muller.
● This victory marked Elavenil Valarivan’s second individual ISSF World Cup
medal.
● The Rio meet was the last rifle and pistol ISSF World Cup event of 2023.

65. India won the Asia Cup in cricket by defeating

Sri Lanka
● India won the Asia Cup in cricket by defeating Sri Lanka in the final on 17
September in Columbo.
● India’s Mohammed Siraj was the star performer, taking six wickets, while
Hardik Pandya contributed with three wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah took
one.
● Mohammed Siraj was awarded the player of the match, and Kuldeep Yadav
was named the player of the Tournament.

66. Subroto Cup International Football

Tournament from 19th September 2023
● The 62nd edition of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament is
scheduled to take place starting from 19th September 2023.
● A total of 109 teams representing 27 States and Union Territories will
participate in the tournament.
● The primary goal of the tournament is to promote football at the grassroots
level.
● The tournament is named after Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, who initiated
the idea to promote sports at the grassroots level.
● The Subroto Cup is a prestigious annual inter-school football tournament
that began in 1960.
● It features champion school teams from all Indian states as well as teams
from foreign countries, making it a unique and competitive event.

31
67. Coco Gauff won Women’s Singles title at the US
Open tennis tournament 2023
● Coco Gauff won her maiden Women’s Singles title at the US Open tennis
tournament. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the title match on 10
September 2023 in New York.
● Coco Gauff, age 19 years is the first American teenager to win the US Open
singles title in the 21st century.
● She is only the third American overall to achieve this feat in the history of
the tournament.

68. Novak Djokovic win his fourth US Open and his

24th Grand Slam singles title
● Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets on September 10,
2023, winning his fourth US Open and his 24th Grand Slam singles title at
the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. He defeated Medvedev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
in the final.
● Djokovic became the oldest men’s champion in New York in the Open era
at the age of 36.
● Djokovic is the first man to win three Grand Slam events in the same season
four times.

69. Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury Secure US Open

Men’s Doubles Title, Beating Bopanna and Ebden in
Thrilling Final
● Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden lost the men’s doubles final at the US
Open on September 8, 2023. They were defeated by the two-time
defending champions, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, in a closely contested
match.
● This was the first Grand Slam final appearance for the Indo-Australian pair
of Bopanna and Ebden.

70. Indian men’s table tennis team qualify for the

Paris 2024 Olympics
● Indian men’s table tennis team won a bronze medal at the Asian Table
Tennis Championships 2023 on 7 September 2023.
● They were defeated by Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals in Pyeongchang,
South Korea.

32
● The Indian team consisted of Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Sathiyan
Gnanasekaran.

71. Durand Cup 2023 final

● The final of the Durand Cup 2023 took place on September 3 at the
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata.
● The final was contested between arch rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant and
East Bengal Football Club.
● Mohun Bagan SG won their 17th Durand Cup title with a 1-0 victory.
● The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third
oldest in the world.

72. India won Men’s Hockey 5 s Asia Cup 2023 by

defeating Pakistan
● India won the inaugural Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023 by defeating
Pakistan in a penalty shootout in the final on 2nd September 2023 in Salalah,
Oman.
● This victory also secured India’s qualification for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s
World Cup Oman 2024.
● It was the first edition of the Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup and served as the
qualifying event for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.
● Along with India and Pakistan, Japan and Oman also secured berths in the
World Cup by finishing in the top four positions.

33
 States

73. First Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in

Greater Noida from 21 to 25 September 2023
● President inaugurated the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in
Greater Noida on September 21, 2023.
● The event is being held at the India Expo Mart in Knowledge Park of Greater
Noida and will run until September 25, 2023.
● It aims to provide international exposure and market opportunities for
products, specialties, cuisine, and culture of Uttar Pradesh.
● More than 400 participants from over 60 countries have registered for the
event.
● Over 2000 exhibitors will showcase products across various sectors,
including automobiles, handicrafts, healthcare, food processing,
pharmaceuticals, dairy, electronics, and e-commerce.
● The trade show is an initiative to bring together products from Uttar
Pradesh for a larger market.
● It features products such as ODOP (One District One Product) products and
GI-Tag products manufactured in Uttar Pradesh.

74. Confirmed cases of Nipah Virus (NiV) found in

Kerala
● In Kerala, three individuals have tested positive for the Nipah virus,
confirmed by the National Institute of Virology, Pune on 12 September 2023.
Nipah virus (NiV)
● It is a zoonotic disease with initial symptoms including fever, headache, and
respiratory issues.
● It can spread through infected animals, contaminated food, or person-to-
person contact.
● First identified in Malaysia in 1999, it has caused outbreaks in Bangladesh
and India.
● There’s no specific treatment or vaccine, and supportive care is the main
approach.

75. Country’s first solar city inaugurated in Sanchi

of Madhya Pradesh
● Country’s first solar city, Sanch, Madhya Pradesh was inaugurated on 6
September 2023.

34
● Sanchi Solar City is expected to annually reduce approximately 13,747
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to more than 2 lakh adult
trees.
● It will also result in an annual saving of more than 7 crore rupees in energy-
related expenses for the government and citizens.
● Prime Minister has set a target to develop a solar city in every state of India
by 2070, aligning with the national goal for sustainable energy.

35
 Miscellaneous

76. Dr. R Ravi Kannan, a surgical oncologist from

Assam, wins Ramon Magsaysay Award 2023
● Dr. R Ravi Kannan, a surgical oncologist from Assam, has been honoured
with the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2023.
● He received the award for his significant contributions in transforming
cancer treatment in Assam, particularly through his people-centered and
pro-poor initiatives.
● Dr. Kannan previously worked at the Cancer Institute in Chennai and later
moved to Silchar in 2007 to become a part of the Cachar Cancer Hospital.
● The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation made the announcement of this
prestigious award recently.

77. Ramon Magsaysay Award

● The Ramon Magsaysay Award, established in 1957, is renowned for
recognizing individuals who display integrity in governance, provide
courageous service to the people, and demonstrate pragmatic idealism in
democratic societies.
● It is often likened to the Nobel Prize of Asia.

36
 Art and Culture
1. 69th National Film Awards
● Best Feature Film: “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” directed by R. Madhavan.
● Best Actor: Allu Arjun for “Pushpa: The Rise.”
● Best Actresses: Alia Bhatt for “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and Kriti Sanon for
“Mimi.”
● Best Supporting Actress: Pallavi Joshi for “Kashmir Files.”
● Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi for “Mimi.”
● Best Popular Film: “RRR.”
● Best Film on National Integration: “The Kashmir Files” directed by Vivek
Agnihotri.
● Best Non-Feature Film: “Ek Tha Gaon” directed by Srishti Lakhera.
● Best Direction: Nikhil Mahajan for the Marathi film “Godavari.”
● Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal for “Mayava Chayava” from
“Iravin Nizhal.”
● Best Male Playback Singer: Kaala Bhairava for “Komuram Bheemudo”
from “RRR.”
● Best Lyrics: Chandrabose for the Telugu film “Konda Palam.”
● Best Choreography: Prem Rakshith for “RRR.”
● Best Music Direction: Devi Sri Prasad for “Pushpa: The Rise” and M.M.
Keeravaani for “RRR.”
● Best Hindi Film: “Sardar Udham Singh” directed by Shoojit Sircar.
● Other Awards for “Sardar Udham Singh”: Best Cinematography, Best
Production Design, Best Costume Design.
● Best Child Artist: Bhavin Rabari for the Gujarati film “Chhello Show.”
● Best Direction (Non-Feature Film): Bakul Matiyani for “Smile Please.”
● Total Submissions: 280 films from 28 languages were submitted for the
awards in the year 2021.

2. G20 Film Festival (August 16 to September 3,

2023)
● Cultural event showcasing diversity and creativity of G20 countries
through cinema.
● Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India.
● Features 16 award-winning films from G20 nations.
● Aims to promote dialogue and understanding among different cultures.

2
3. Parsi New Year (Navroz - August 16, 2023)
● Celebrated by the Indian Parsi community in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
● Marks the start of a new year in the ‘Shahenshahi’ calendar.
● Involves wearing new clothes, decorating homes, visiting fire temples,
offering prayers, and enjoying traditional dishes.

4. Festival of Libraries 2023 (5 to 6 July 2023)

● Inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
● Organized by the Ministry of Culture.
● Aims to modernize and digitize libraries in India.
● Part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to promote library development and
reading culture.
● Launches a special ranking system for Indian libraries.

5. “Utkarsh” and “Unmesh” Festivals in Bhopal

● Inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu on 3 August 2023.
● “Utkarsh” focuses on folk and tribal expressions.
● “Unmesh” is an international literature festival.
● Emphasizes the significance of literature in reflecting and advancing
humanity.
● Promotes the progress of tribal communities and preservation of their
traditions.

6. Venice Recommended for World Heritage

Sites in Danger List by UNESCO
● UNESCO recommends adding Venice due to tourism, overdevelopment,
and rising sea levels.
● Aims to encourage better preservation of the city.
● Criticizes Italian authorities for lacking a strategic vision.
● Reflects concerns over failure to protect the historic city and its lagoon.

3
 Economy
7. India as Largest Source of Human Hair:
● India is the largest source of raw material for Human Hair globally.
● In the last fiscal year, India exported Human Hair worth 169.23 million
dollars.
● PLEX Council collaborates with the industry for international trade shows.
● Partnership with the government to train exporters for high-value
products like wigs.

8. RBI Monetary Policy (August 2023)

● Repo Rate: Unchanged at 6.5%.
● CPI Inflation Target: Revised to 5.4%.
● Real GDP Growth Projection: 6.5% for FY 2023-24.
● New Framework: Allows borrowers to switch from floating to fixed
interest rates.

9. Income Tax
● 6.77 Crore Income Tax Returns filed for 2023-24, a 16% increase.
● Over 53 lakh first-time filers.
● Online filing usage: More than 46%.

10. GST on Casinos and Online Gaming

● 28% GST effective from October 1, 2023.
● GST Council recommendation for actionable claims in casinos, horse
racing, and online gaming.

4
 Environment
11. Wildfire in Greece:
● Largest in EU, 810 sq km affected.
● 20 casualties, ongoing efforts with EU aid.
● Attributed to climate change.

5
 Government Schemes
12. LPG Price Reduction:
● Reduced by Rs. 200 for all consumers.
● Ujjwala Beneficiaries: Rs. 400 reduction.
● Plan to provide 75 lakh new free LPG connections.

13. PM Jan Dhan Yojana:

● Completed 9 years, over 50 crore people brought into the formal banking
system.
● 56% account holders are women, 67% in rural areas.
● Total deposit balances exceed Rs. 2.03 trillion.

14. PM Vishwakarma Scheme:

● Aims to support traditional workers with formal recognition, training, and
upskilling.
● Budget: Rs. 13,000 crore.
● Expected to benefit around 7 crore workers.

15. PM-eBus Sewa:

● Plans to deploy 10,000 electric buses across 169 cities.
● PPP model with a total outlay of Rs. 57,613 crore.

16. PM-KUSUM Scheme:

● Extended till March 31, 2026.
● Benefits nearly 2.46 lakh farmers.
● Aims for 10 GW distributed solar projects.

6
 Important Days
17. Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (August
14):
● Commemorates the violent partition of India in 1947.
● Approximately 15 million displaced, 2 million killed.

18. World Lion Day (August 10):

● Raises awareness about endangered lions.
● Only natural home of Asiatic lions: Gir National Park, Gujarat.

19. National Handloom Day (August 7):

● Celebrated annually since 2015.
● Dedicated to promoting indigenous handloom industry.

7
 International Affairs
20. BRICS Summit (Johannesburg, August 22-24,
2023):
● Theme: ‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth,
Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism.’
● India supports BRICS expansion.
● Six new members to join from January 1, 2024.

21. Zimbabwe Election:

● Emmerson Mnangagwa re-elected for a second term.
● The Zanu-PF party has maintained control since 1980.

22. B20 Presidency:

● India hands over the B20 presidency to Brazil.
● B20 Summit theme: "Vasudeva Kutumbakam" (One Earth, One Family,
One Future).

23. Malabar 2023:

● 27th edition held in Sydney, Australia.
● Quad nations (India, USA, Japan, Australia) participated.
● Focus on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

24. WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

(August 17-18, 2023):
● Co-hosted by WHO and the Government of India.
● Discusses the role of traditional, complementary, and integrative
medicine in global health.

25. PM Modi Receives Award in Greece:

● First foreign head to receive 'The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour.'
● Awarded for contributions to enhancing Greece’s stature.

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26. Srettha Thavisin as Thailand’s New Prime
Minister:
● Wealthy property developer and political newcomer.
● Affiliated with Pheu Thai Party, supported student-led protests.

27. Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister:

● Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar sworn in, oversees October 2023 elections.
● From Balochistan, seen close to military leadership.

28. Exercise MALABAR 2023:

● Commenced on August 11, 2023, in Sydney, Australia.
● Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata actively participating.
● Involvement of US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and Royal
Australian Navy.
● MALABAR series originated in 1992, now involves four significant navies.
● Platform for enhancing interoperability among participating navies.
● Opportunity for the Indian Navy to learn and adopt best practices in
maritime security.

29. Aung San Suu Kyi Pardon:

● Partially pardoned on August 1, 2023.
● Pardoned on Dhamma Cakka Day, reducing jail term by six years.
● Transferred from prison to house arrest in Naypyitaw.
● Military junta extends state of emergency, postponing promised
elections.
● Critics argue that the extension may prolong the crisis in Myanmar.

30. National Smart City Award:

● Madhya Pradesh recognized as top-performing state.
● Indore retains National Smart City Award.
● Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh secure top positions among
states.
● Surat and Agra follow Indore among cities.
● Chandigarh receives Union Territory award.
● Previous winners: Uttar Pradesh (state), Surat, and Indore (city).

9
31. Sachin Tendulkar as National Icon:
● Declared National Icon by Election Commission of India.
● Aims to raise voter awareness and promote participation.
● Three-year partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding.
● Collaboration aims to address urban and youth apathy towards voting.
● Tendulkar joins previous national icons: Pankaj Tripathi, MS Dhoni, Aamir
Khan, and Mary Kom.

10
 Science and Tech
32. BNCAP: Enhancing Car Safety in India:
● Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) launched on August
22, 2023.
● Ratings range from 1 to 5 stars, reflecting crash test performance.
● Aims to enhance car safety standards in India and empower consumers.
● Implementation starts from October 1, 2023, covering all new car models.

33. International Olympiad on Astronomy and

Astrophysics:
● India secures second rank with four Gold Medals and one Silver Medal.
● The United Kingdom leads with five Gold Medals.
● 236 students from 50 nations participate.
● Indian team guided by Prof. Surhud More and Pritesh Ranadive.
● Held in Chorzow, Poland, from August 10 to August 20, 2023.

34. Mobile SIM Card Security Measures:

● Biometric verification of mobile SIM card dealers made mandatory.
● Discontinuation of bulk connection mechanism for SIM cards.
● Compulsory registration for all point-of-sale dealers.
● Measures aim to prevent cyber frauds and protect users.
● Sanchar Sathi Portal instrumental in detecting and deactivating
fraudulent connections.

35. INS Vindhyagiri Launch:

● Launched by President Droupadi Murmu on August 17, 2023, in Kolkata.
● Sixth ship of Project 17A Frigates with advanced technology.
● Guided missile frigate with enhanced stealth features.
● Thorough trials before commissioning into the Indian Navy’s service.

36. Likaru-Migla-Fukche Road:

● Under construction by Border Roads Organisation in Eastern Ladakh.
● World’s highest motorable road, reaching 19,400 feet.
● Budget of approximately Rs 520 crore allocated.

11
 ● Connects Likaru to Fukche near the Line of Actual Control.

37. India's 77th Independence Day:

● Celebrated on August 15, 2023.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoists the National Flag at Red Fort.
● Highlights achievements, challenges, and opportunities for the nation.
● Celebrations held in Indian Embassies abroad.

38. Gallantry Awards on Independence Day:

● President Droupadi Murmu approves 76 Gallantry awards.
● Includes Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakras, Sena Medals, Nao Sena Medals,
and Vayu Sena Medals.
● Also includes Mention-in-Despatches for significant contributions in
various military operations.

39. ‘Zayed Talwar’ Naval Exercise:

● `enhancing maritime operations and regional security.

40. Bharat Net Extension:

● Government allocates Rs 1,39,579 crore to extend Bharat Net.
● Extension to cover six lakh 40 thousand villages in nearly two years.
● Success of pilot project in 60 thousand Gram Panchayat villages.
● Bharat Net one of the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity
programs.

41. Ajay Kumar Bhalla's Extension:

● Ajay Kumar Bhalla gets a one-year extension as Union Home Secretary.
● Third extension since assuming the position in August 2019.
● Responsible for overseeing internal security, inter-ministerial
coordination, and policy matters.

42. Rajiv Gauba's Extension:

● Rajiv Gauba, Cabinet Secretary, gets a third extension.
● Will continue as Cabinet Secretary until August 30, 2024.

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43. Replacement of IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act:
● Introduction of three new bills on August 11, 2023.
● Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyay Prakriya Sanhita, and Bharatiya
Sakshya Sanhita.
● Aims to replace IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act, respectively.
● Focus on introducing new offenses, simplifying criminal procedure, and
updating rules of evidence.

44. Monsoon Session of Parliament:

● Ended on August 11, 2023, with both Houses adjourned sine die.
● Passed 22 bills, including Constitutional Amendment Bill and Taxation
Laws (Amendment) Bill.
● No Confidence Motion against NDA Government defeated.

45. Digital Personal Data Protection Bill:

● Passed on August 9, 2023, by Indian Parliament.
● Focus on processing digital personal data with respect to individual
rights.
● Establishment of Data Protection Board of India.
● Penalties for breaches based on the severity of the violation.

46. FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup:

● India hosts the tournament from October 11 to October 30, 2023.
● Matches held in Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Navi
Mumbai.
● Participating teams from around the world showcase young women's
football talent.
● A significant event to promote women's sports in India.

47. AIIMS Gorakhpur Foundation Stone:

● Foundation stone laid on August 14, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi.
● AIIMS Gorakhpur has 750 beds and state-of-the-art medical facilities.
● Aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh.

48. Sardar Patel Sports Complex Inauguration:

● Inaugurated on August 15, 2023, by Home Minister Amit Shah.

13
 ● Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
● Includes facilities for multiple sports and aims to promote a sports culture
in the region.

49. Astra Rafael Communication System:

● Launched on August 23, 2023.
● Collaboration between Astra Rafael Communication System and Rafael
Advanced Defense Systems.
● Aims to provide secure and reliable communication solutions for the
Indian Armed Forces.

50. India’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing (23

August 2023):
● India achieved historic feat with first successful soft landing on lunar
South Pole.
● Vikram lander executed flawless touchdown after Automatic Landing
Sequence (ALS) initiation.
● ISRO Chairman, S Somnath, credited success to past failures' lessons.
● Chandrayaan-3 focus shifts to lander and rover exploration after
successful Vikram landing.
● Project Director P Veeramuthuvel hailed the achievement as a
demonstration of India’s soft-landing capabilities.
● Mission Director M Sreekanth thanked ISRO team for successful soft
landing.
● Communication established between Chandrayaan-3 Lander and MOX-
ISTRAC, Bengaluru.
● Images from Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera shared on social media
revealing lunar surface.

51. Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter Communicates with

Chandrayaan 3 Lander:
● Two-way communication established between Chandrayaan 2 orbiter
and Chandrayaan 3 lander (Vikram).
● Chandrayaan 3 Lander set to land near Moon’s south pole on August 23rd.
● Live telecast announced on DD National and social media platforms from
5:20 pm on August 23rd.

14
52. Russia’s Luna-25 Mission Failure (19 August
2023):
● Luna-25 lunar lander mission ends in failure, crashing into Moon’s south
pole.
● Launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome on 10 August 2023.
● Russia's first lunar mission in nearly five decades.
● Cause of the crash under investigation by Roscosmos.

53. India’s First 3D Printed Post Office

(Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru - 18 August 2023):
● Inauguration of India’s first 3D printed post office in Cambridge Layout,
Bengaluru.
● Construction completed in 45 days using 3D concrete printing
technology.
● Significant reduction in construction cost and time.

54. Chandrayaan-3 Lander Separation Milestone

(17 August 2023):
● ISRO successfully separates Chandrayaan-3’s lander module from the
propulsion module.
● Lander Module (Vikram) and rover Pragyaan set to land on Moon on
August 23rd.
● Chandrayaan-3 aims for safe and soft landing, rover exploration, and in-
situ scientific experiments.

55. Aditya-L1: India’s First Space-Based Solar

Observatory (Launch in September 2023):
● Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based solar observatory, set for launch in
September 2023.
● Developed at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru.
● Placed in halo orbit around Lagrange point L1 for continuous observation
of the Sun.
● Seven payloads for studying Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and
outermost corona layers.

15
56. MATSYA6000: India’s Advanced Manned
Submersible (Deep Sea Mining and Exploration):
● MATSYA6000, a manned scientific submersible, capable of 60,000
meters depth.
● Designed for deep-sea mining and exploration with integrated mining
machine.
● Successful locomotion trial at Central India Ocean as part of Deep Ocean
Mission.

57. Russia and India Lunar Missions Competition:

● Russia's Luna-25 mission aims for Moon’s south pole exploration.
● Chandrayaan-3 mission by India targets a soft landing near Moon’s south
pole.
● Both countries are competing for lunar exploration; Russia collaborating
with China for the International Lunar Research Station.

58. Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Orbit Injection (5

August 2023):
● Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully injected into lunar orbit on 5
August 2023.
● Next operation: Reduction of orbit scheduled for 6th August.
● Chandrayaan-3 expected to make a soft landing near Moon’s south pole
around August 23rd.
● India became the fourth country achieving a soft landing on the Moon.

59. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) RF Seeker

Handover (2 August 2023):
● BDL hands over first RF Seeker of Akash to DRDO in Hyderabad. - RF
Seeker critical for target tracking in Surface-to-Air Missiles and Air-to-Air
Missiles. - Significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)
in RF seeker production.

16
 Sports
60. FIFA Women’s World Cup:
● Champion: Spain
● Final Score: Spain 1-0 England
● Key Moment: Olga Carmona's stunning volley (29th minute)
● Notable: Spain joins Germany in winning both Men’s and Women’s World
Cups.

61. World Athletics Championships 2023: Neeraj

Chopra's Gold (27 August 2023):
● Neeraj Chopra wins gold in Javelin throw with 88.17m throw. - First-ever
Indian to win gold in World Athletics Championships.

62. Indian Women’s Visually Impaired Cricket

Team Victory (26 August 2023):
● Indian women’s visually impaired cricket team wins IBSA World Cup final
against Australia. - Rain-interrupted match with revised target; India wins
by nine wickets. - Indian men’s visually impaired cricket team set to play
against Pakistan in IBSA World Games 2023 finals.

63. Magnus Carlsen Wins FIDE Chess World Cup

(14 August 2023):
● Magnus Carlsen wins FIDE Chess World Cup 2023, defeating R.
Praggnanandhaa. - Carlsen wins first FIDE World Cup title;
Praggnanandhaa makes history as youngest finalist.

64. FIDE Chess World Cup 2023 Final Tie-Breaker

(23 August 2023):
● The FIDE Chess World Cup final between Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen
ended in a draw. - Tie-breaker with rapid games, blitz games, and
Armageddon match if needed to decide the winner.

17
65. Indian Men’s Cricket Team Squad for Asia
Cup 2023:
● Rohit Sharma to lead Indian Men’s Cricket Team in Asia Cup 2023. - Hardik
Pandya named Vice Captain. - Asia Cup 2023 to be held in Pakistan and
Sri Lanka from 30 August to 17 September 2023.

66. ISSF World Championship - Shooting:

● Gold: Esha Singh & Shiva Narwal (10m air pistol mixed team)
● Score in Final: 16-10 against Turkey
● India's Medal Tally: Two (one gold, one bronze)

67. U20 World Wrestling Championships:

● Gold: Priya Malik (76 kg category)
● Historical Feat: Second Indian woman to win gold in this event
● Overall Medals: India - 2 gold, 1 bronze

68. U20 World Wrestling Championships (Men's):

● Gold: Mohit Kumar (61 kg Freestyle)
● Bronze: Jaideep (74 kg), Sagar Jaglan (79 kg), Deepak Chahal (97 kg)
● Overall Medals (Men's Freestyle): India - 5

69. ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings:

● Top Batter: Suryakumar Yadav (907 points)
● Notable Move: Shubman Gill rises 43 places to 25th rank

70. Asian Champions Trophy Hockey 2023:

● Champion: India (4th title)
● Final Score: India 4-3 Malaysia
● Notable: PR Sreejesh - Best Goalkeeper, Harmanpreet Singh - Player of
the Tournament

71. World Athletics Championships 2023:

● Indian Contingent Leader: Neeraj Chopra

18
 ● Debutants: 15 out of 28 athletes
● Youngest Athlete: Shaili Singh, former U20 silver medalist

72. World University Games 2023:

● India's Performance: 26 medals (11 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze)
● Best-Ever Performance: Surpassing previous record of five medals

73. World Archery Championships:

● Indian Women's Team:
● Gold in compound women’s team final (V. Jyothi Surekha, Aditi Swami,
Parneet Kaur)
● First-ever gold at elite level

74. Durand Cup 2023:

● Oldest Football Tournament in Asia - Number of Teams: 24 - Unique
Inclusion: Army teams from Nepal and Bangladesh

75. Sri Lanka Athletics National Championships: -

Indian Medals (Final Day):
● Six (including 4x400 meter relay gold) - Best Male Thrower: Kishore
Kumar Jena (javelin)

19
 Miscellaneous
76. Miss Diva Universe 2023:
● Winner: Shweta Sharda - Representation: India in the 72nd Miss Universe
pageant

77. Sulabh International Founder:

● Name: Bindeshwar Pathak - Contributions: Over 1.5 million toilets, eco-
friendly technology - Awards: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Stockholm
Water Prize

78. Tesla CFO Appointment:

● Name: Vaibhav Taneja - Role: Chief Financial Officer - Tesla in India: Plans
to establish a new supplier ecosystem

79. FBI Appointment:

● Name: Shohini Sinha - Role: Special Agent in Charge (Salt Lake City) -
Expertise: Counter-terrorism

80. Lokmanya Tilak National Award:

● Recipient: PM Narendra Modi - Date: August 1, 2023

81. Book 'Memories Never Die':

● Tribute to: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - Authors: Dr. APJM Nasima Maraikayar
and Dr. Y. S. Rajan

82. India's Nomination for Oscars 2024:

● "The Disciple" by Chaitanya Tamhane selected as India’s official entry.
● Entered the International Feature Film category.
● The film explores the journey of a Hindustani classical musician in
Mumbai.

20