Current Affairs May

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
Current Affairs 1 & 2 May 2023 : Headlines
1. MoA&FW and NAFED launched First ever Millets Experience Centre

2. Indian Navy’s Warships Starts Inducting Indigenous Naval Anti-Drone Systems
3. Indian Air Force participates in exercise INIOCHOS-23 in Greece
4. UNICEF Report: 9 out of 10 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Low-income Countries have
No access to Internet
5. WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund launches Multi-asset NFO with Old Tax benefits
6. BOI Launches Shubh Arambh FD scheme for Senior citizens
7. ACC names Siddhartha Mohanty as LIC Chairperson and First CEO
8. IOA sets up a two member ad-hoc committee to manage WFI
9. Shantanu Roy to be the Next CMD of BEML Limited
10. Emirates Airline Unveils World’s First Robotic Check-In Assistant: “Sara”
11. Golden Globe Race 2022: Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy 1st Indian & Asian to Complete Golden
Globe Race
12. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a book titled ‘Reflections’ by Narayanan Vaghul
13. World Immunization Week 2023 – April 24 -30
14. World Veterinary Day 2023 – April 29
15. Justice S.V. Bhatti appointed Acting Chief Justice of Kerala
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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoA&FW and NAFED launched First ever Millets Experience Centre
On April 28 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) collaborated with National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) has launched the first ever ‘Millets
Experience Centre’ (MEC) at Dilli Haat, INA (Indian National Airways), New Delhi in Delhi, in order to enhance
the public awareness on Millets and encourage the utilisation of Millets.
Key People:
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of MoA&FW and Rajbir Singh, Managing Director of NAFED
commemorated the launch of the MEC in New Delhi, Delhi.
About Millets Experience Centre (MEC):
i. MEC established at DilliHaat which, is known as the food bazaar of Delhi is a national and cultural hub for
visitors from all over the world, will further provide the visitors a chance to witness India’s ‘Millet Movement.
ii. The MEC would help broaden the range of vision for consumers, who are looking for healthier alternatives,
as well as bring visibility to India’s strong millet-based start-up community.
iii. MECs will likely come across Delhi and some other states in the future through collaboration with retail
chains, hotels, and the food and beverage industry.
iv. MEC will enable the consumers to experience an expansive Millet menu and an ‘in-store’ shopping
experience with a wide variety of millet based products, a promotion to a healthy and nutritional diet.
International Year of Millets (IYM 2023):
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the year 2023 as the International Year of
Millets (IYM 2023), in response to India’s proposal, which was supported by 72 countries.
• This declaration made the Government of India to work on ‘mission mode’ to promote Millets or
Shree Anna as a good crop for farmer, environment and consumer.
Key Points:
i. The declaration of the National Year of Millets began in 2018, with some visionary effects of the Government
of India, it has been continued with the IYM 2023 and now gearing towards becoming a ‘Global Hub’ for Millets
with this initiative.
ii. The IYM 2023 celebrations will include a variety of activities targeted at raising awareness about the
environmental, health, and economic benefits of millet farming.
About National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED):
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), established in 1958 is registered
under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act., to promote Cooperative marketing of agricultural produce to
benefit the farmers.
Managing Director – Rajbir Singh Panwar
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi

Indian Navy’s Warships Starts Inducting Indigenous Naval Anti-Drone Systems
Indian Navy’s Surface warships are inducting the Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS) developed by the Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with the support of the Indian Navy and manufactured by the
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Public sector undertaking(PSU) under the Ministry of Defence.
• This is the first indigenously developed Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS) to be inducted into the
Indian Armed Forces.
Background:
In 2021, Indian Navy and BEL signed a contract for the supply of the indigenous Naval Anti-drone system
which is expected to provide an effective way to counter the increased threat to the strategic installations of the
Indian Navy.
Note: Similar contracts have been signed with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
About the Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS)
i.The Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS) developed under the `Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative will support the
Indian Armed Forces in tracking and tackling emerging aerial threats.
ii.The NADS is equipped with both hard and soft kill capabilities.
This system uses a laser-based kill mechanism for destroying the enemy target.
iii.They operate with Radars, Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and radio frequency (RF) detectors.
iv.They are capable of detecting and jamming micro drones.
• The RF/global navigation satellite system (GNSS) detects the frequency which is being used by the
controller, and then the signals are jammed.
Additional info:
i.This system provides 360-degree coverage and both the mobile and static versions of NAD will be supplied to
the Indian Navy.
ii.The NADS has been deployed to provide cover for the Republic Day parade, Independence Day Celebrations
at Red Fort and in 2020 during the Ahmedabad for the Modi-Trump roadshow.
About Indian Navy:
Chief of the Naval Staff– Admiral R Hari Kumar
Motto– “Sam no Varunah” – “Be auspicious unto us Oh Varuna”
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Indian Air Force participates in exercise INIOCHOS-23 in Greece
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the
Greece Air Force at its Andravida Air Base in the western Peloponnese from April 24, 2023 – May 4, 2023.

• Hosted by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) of Greece, IAF participated with four Su-30 MKI and two C-
17 aircraft.
• INIOCHOS a major air exercise in Europe and the Mediterranean, capable to provide high level
training and a unique participation experience.
Objective:
To enhance international cooperation, synergy and interoperability amongst the participating Air Forces
Participants:
i. Cyprus with an AW139 Helicopter
ii. France with Rafales
iii. India with 4 Su-30 MKI and two C-17 Aircraft
iv. Italy with Tornados
v. Jordan with F-16s
vi. Saudi Arabia with F-15s
vii. Slovenia with PC-9s
viii. Spain with EF-18s
ix. USA with F-16s and MQ-9s
x. Austria with INTEL personnel and Canada with Air Battle Managers.
Key Points:
i.The Exercise is divided into three phases:
• Phase 1: Detachment Deployment, 18 – 23 April 2023
• Phase 2: Execution Phase, 24 April – 4 May 2023
• Phase 3: Force Redeployment, 5-7 May 2023
ii.INIOCHOS-23 will also involve Hellenic Army, Navy and Special Operations assets and personnel for the
creation of complex and realistic combat scenarios involving multiple types of air and surface assets.
iii.It is based on the Single Base Concept, which means the entire exercise takes place from a single air base.
iv.It will also enable the participating contingents to engage in professional interactions, to share each other’s
best practices.
Note: This will be the third exercise that the IAF will be taking part in simultaneously. The Exercise Cope India
with the United States (US) is underway at Kalaikunda, West Bengal (WB) and four Rafale fighters are taking
part in a multilateral exercise Orion hosted by France.
About Greece:
Capital– Athens
Currency– Euro
UNICEF Report: 9 out of 10 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Low-income Countries have
No access to Internet
According to the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) report ‘Bridging The Gender Digital Divide:
Challenges and an Urgent Call for Action for Equitable Digital Skills Development’ Around 90% (9 out of 10) of

adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in low-income countries have are offline (no access to the
internet). compared to 78% of adolescent boys and young men of the same age who do not use the internet.
Key Findings of the Report:
i.The report highlights that a majority of youth in low- and middle-income countries are not connected to the
internet, have limited digital skills, and do not own a mobile phone.
ii.Among 54 countries and territories analysed, only eight have achieved gender parity in internet use among
youth.
• Among regions, the largest gap is observed in South Asia, favouring adolescent boys and young men
by 27% points.
iii.For every 100 male youth who have digital skills, only 65 female youth do, across 32 countries and
territories analysed.
iv.Across 41 countries and territories analysed, female youth (15- to 24-year-old) are nearly 13% less likely to
own a mobile phone than male youth within the same household, limiting their ability to participate in the
digital world.
v.The median values for the share of female and male youth who have digital skills are 9% and
20% respectively, a difference of 11 percentage points.

Recent Related News:
The second ILO–UNICEF (International Labour Organization – United Nations International Children’s
Emergency Fund) joint report on social protection for children titled ‘More than a billion reasons: The urgent
need to build universal social protection for children’ was released on March 01, 2023.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Headquarters – New York, USA
Executive Director – Catherine M. Russell
BANKING & FINANCE

WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund launches Multi-asset NFO with Old Tax benefits
On April 28, 2023, the White Oak Asset Management Company (AMC) has announced the launch of its new fund
offer (NFO) ‘White Oak Capital Multi Asset Allocation Fund’ which is an open-ended scheme that will invest
across multiple asset classes, including equity-related instruments, debt and gold instruments with old tax
benefits.
• The NFO is open for subscription from May 03 to May 10, 2023.
Backdrop: The NFO was launched for investors who are looking for tax benefits under the Old Income Tax
regime after the Union government announced the removal of the long-term capital asset benefit given to
mutual fund investments with effect from April 1, 2023.
Key Points:
i.The minimum application amount is Rs 500 and in multiples of Rs 1 thereafter. As it is an open-ended scheme,
it will reopen again for buying later.
• The systematic investment plan (SIP) amount is Rs 500 on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.
Where one opts for a quarterly mode of SIP payment, the amount is Rs 1,500 and in multiples of Rs 1
thereafter.
ii.Under the multi asset allocation approach, allocations will be based on relative attractiveness of various asset
classes.
• The fund invests across asset classes such as equity, foreign equities, debt, gold, silver and money
market securities dynamically by making use of the Internal Proprietary Model.
iii.NFO scheme is eligible for Long Term Capital Gain Tax, along with indexation benefit on holding for over 3
years.
iv.WhiteOak Capital Multi Asset Allocation Fund seeks to achieve reasonable return with moderate volatility for
its investors over medium- to long-term. The scheme can be a easier and tax-efficient way of investing in
various asset classes via a single mutual fund scheme.

BOI Launches Shubh Arambh FD scheme for Senior citizens
Bank of India (BoI) announced the launch of a retail term deposit scheme for senior citizens named
‘Shubh Arambh Deposit’.
• With effect from April 1, 2023,the special FD scheme comes with an additional interest rate of 0.50%
for senior citizens and 0.65% for super senior citizens.
• The bank is providing a 7.15% interest rate on a 501-day term for the general public.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

ACC names Siddhartha Mohanty as LIC Chairperson and First CEO
On April 28, 2023, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal of the Department
of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance for the appointment of Siddhartha Mohanty, Managing Director
(MD) and interim chairperson, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as Chairperson till June 29, 2024.
• After this, he will be named as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director till June
7, .2025, i.e. up to the date of his attaining the age of 62 years, or until further orders, whichever is
earlier, in the pay scale of Rs 2,25,000 (fixed).
Note: LIC has decided to phase out the chairman post to align with other publicly traded corporations. In May
2022, LIC offered the largest IPO in India to date as the government agreed to sell a 3.5% stake.
Key Points:
i.Siddhartha Mohanty name for this post was recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau
(FSIB)
ii.He was one of four managing directors at LIC when insurer launched its IPO.
iii.He began his career with LIC as a direct recruit officer in 1985 and rose through the ranks to the top
position.
About Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC):
Establishment– 1956
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
IOA sets up a two member ad-hoc committee to manage WFI

On April 27, 2023 the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) set up a two-member ad-hoc committee comprising,
Bhupender Singh Bajwa, IOA executive council member and Suma Shirur, former Indian shooter of outstanding
Merit of IOA, to overlook the operations of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the governing body of
wrestling in India.
• Additional appointment: IOA plans to appoint a retired High Court Judge to the Ad-Hoc Committee
for a fair and transparent election.

Backdrop:
i.Seven women wrestlers have made allegations against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
for sexual harassment of them. Thus First Information Report (FIR) was been filed against him and he resigned
from the post following the allegation.
ii.Earlier in January 2023 IOA formed a committee led by veteran boxer Mary Kom to address a complaint by
the wrestlers.
iii.The committee held multiple hearings of the complaint for both parties, but instead of utilising this
committee, the wrestlers, including World Championships medal winner Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medallists
Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik wrestlers chose to protest publicly in New Delhi, Delhi.
iv.Thus the IOA again formed the ad-hoc committee to overlook and give suggestions over the WFI’s operation.
Ad-hoc Committee:
i.The ad-hoc committee was formed which will be responsible to manage the WFI’s affairs including the
selection and participation of sportspersons in international events.
• Note: The decision for the appointment of ad-hoc committee was taken on April 27, 2023, at the IOA
Executive Council emergency meeting chaired by President P T Usha (retired Indian track and field
athlete).
ii. The election for the WFI President post was earlier proposed on May 7, 2023 and now the election stands
null and void as per an order issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and the new election date will be
communicated by the Adhoc Committee.
• Note- The 37th National Games are going to be held in Goa later in 2023.
About Indian Olympic Association (IOA) :
It is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and other
international athletic meets and managing the Indian teams at these events.
President – P. T. Usha
Shantanu Roy to be the Next CMD of BEML Limited

Shantanu Roy has been chosen to become the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Limited
(fomerly known as Bharat Earth Movers Limited), a Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the
Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Public enterprises selection board (PESB) on 18th April 2023, recommended Shantanu Roy for the
position.
• Current CMD of BEML Limited is Amit Banerjee, Director (Rail & Metro), Additional Charge.
Currently, he is serving as Director (Mining & Construction Business) in BEML Limited.
About Shantanu Roy:
i. Shantanu Roy has more than 30 years of extensive experience in the capital goods sectors for Defence, Mining
& Construction, Transportation, Transmission, Renewable and large power projects.
ii. He was served in the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited from 1992 to 2019.
iii. He joined BEML Limited in 2019 as an Executive Director and was responsible for International Business
Division, Strategy & New initiatives, Coordination and northern region operations. He was appointed as
Director in February 2023.
About the BEML Limited:
i. BEML is India’s leading mining & construction equipment manufacturer, as well as Asia’s 2nd-largest
equipment company.
ii. It provides a wide range of mining machines for both opencast and underground mining.
Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Establishment- 1964

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Emirates Airline Unveils World’s First Robotic Check-In Assistant: “Sara”
On 27th April 2023, Dubai-based airline Emirates unveiled the world’s 1st robotic check-in assistant named
“Sara”, at its newly launched City Check-in and Travel Store, at the ICD Brookfield Place of Dubai International
Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai, the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
The aim of the latest innovation of Emirates is to enhance the customer experience and make the check-in
process more seamless and efficient.
• Emirates City Check-in and Travel Store provide a wide range of services to consumers, including a
booking facility, check-in for flights at the heart of the city, luggage drop-off, shopping for travel
essentials, and saving time.
• Sara has facial recognition technology and can print boarding cards, making the check-in procedure
faster.
SPORTS
Golden Globe Race 2022: Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy 1st Indian & Asian to Complete Golden
Globe Race
On 29th April 2023, Commander Abhilash Tomy (44-year-old), a retired Naval officer, has become the 1st
Indian and Asian to finish the Golden Globe Race, a solo around-the-world sailing race, which started on 4th
September 2022 from Les Sables-d’Olonne in France. He came in 2nd taking 236 days 14 hrs and 46 mins to
complete this feat.
• The 2022 Golden Globe Race is the 3rd edition of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.
South African Kirsten Neuschäfer has become the 1st woman ever to win a solo around the world race,
finishing 1st in the Golden Globe Race. She took 235 days, 5 hours, 44 minutes and 4 seconds to complete.
About Abhilash Tomy:
i. Abhilash Tomy is an adventurer, author, environmentalist, survival expert, and one of India’s most prominent
sailors.
ii. A pilot in the Indian Navy. Abhilash has covered 52,000 miles under sail while in the Navy including a solo
non-stop circumnavigation from Mumbai (Maharashtra) and back in 2012-13.
iii. He has also represented India in the Cape Town (South Africa) to Rio Race in 2011, the Copa del Rey Race in
Spain in 2014, and the Korea Cup for 2 years in a row.
iv. He has been awarded the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (2012), the Kirti Chakra for valour
(2013) and courageous action and Mac Gregor medal(2013).
About Golden Globe Race:
i. The Golden Globe Race (GGR) is a solo sailing race around the globe in a yacht with no kind of modern
technology.

ii. It started off on July 1, 2018, for the 1st time since 1968-69 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sunday
Times Golden Globe Race.
iii. The winner of the first 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe was Englishman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston sailing a
32ft timber yacht built in India named Suhaili.
Conditions for GGR:
• At least 21,600 nautical miles (the earth’s circumference, or approximately 40,000 kilometres) must
be covered.
• Every meridian must be crossed at least once and the Equator twice;
• The race must end at the same port where it began;
• The 3 great capes: Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape of Good Hope, must be rounded.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a book titled ‘Reflections’ by Narayanan Vaghul
On 28th April 2023, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs
released a book titled “Reflections” authored by the eminent banker Narayanan Vaghul, former chairman of
ICICI Bank Ltd, in an event organised at Jio Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The book is a vivid account of Vaghul’s experiences over several decades in the financial sector of India.
• Narayanan Vaghul was awarded the Padma Bhushan in the Trade and Industry category in 2010.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Immunization Week 2023 – April 24 -30
World Immunization Week is observed annually across the globe in the last week of April to highlight the
collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
• The World Immunization Week 2023 is observed from 24th to 30th April 2023.
• World Health Organization (WHO) set the theme of World Immunization Week 2023 as ‘The Big
Catch-Up’ to get vaccines back on track.
World Immunization Week is annually organised by the WHO to protect more people and their communities
from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Background:
Vaccination Weeks, a global movement, was first introduced in the region of the Americas in 2003 and was
observed simultaneously in the WHO’s 6 regions in April 2012, with the participation of more than 180
member states.

In May 2012, The resolution WHA65.18 adopted during the 65th WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY (WHA)
requested the member states to designate the last week of April, when appropriate, as World Immunization
Week.
The first World Immunization Week was held in April 2012.
Key Points:
Through World Immunization Week 2023, WHO highlights successful vaccination campaigns underway in
several countries, as well as some “bright spots of resilience”, such as India, which saw a strong recovery in
essential immunization in 2022.
• Uganda also maintained high coverage levels during the pandemic.
As per the statement of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around 67 million children worldwide missed out on
one or more essential vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19
pandemic and armed conflict.
• Around 25 million children missed out on vaccination in 2021 alone.
Points to be Noted:
i.Vaccination will protect populations from vaccine-preventable outbreaks, save children’s lives and strengthen
national health systems.
ii.Due to pandemic the essential immunization levels decrease in over 100 countries, leading to rising
outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever.
iii.Under the World Immunization Week 2023 focus will be given to the 20 countries that missed children
vaccinations in 2021 (for three quarters)
• The 20 countries include Afghanistan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Somalia and Myanmar.
iv.WHO, UNICEF, Gavit (the Vaccine Alliance), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with
Immunization Agenda 2030 has set the targeted ‘The Big Catch-up’, a global effort to boost vaccination among
children following declines driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Under the theme of ‘The Big Catch-Up’, WHO is working with partners to accelerate rapid progress
in countries to get back on track to ensure more people, particularly children, are protected from
preventable diseases.
Additional info: Immunization can protect against 25 different infectious agents or diseases, including –
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Hepatitis B, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Meningitis A, Measles, Mumps,
Pneumococcal, Polio, Diptheria, Rotaviruses, Rubella, Tetanus, Yellow fever.
World Veterinary Day 2023 – April 29

World Veterinary Day (WVD) is annually observed across the globe on the last Saturday of the month of
April to raise awareness about the veterinarians and their utmost devotion to animal health, welfare, and
public health.
• The day is celebrated to honour and recognise the efforts of veterinary professionals across the
globe in augmenting animal health and welfare.

World Veterinary Day 2023 is observed on 29th April 2023.
• WVD 2022 was observed on 30th April 2022.
• WVD 2024 will be observed on 27th April 2023.
The theme of World Veterinary Day 2023 is “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the
Veterinary Profession”.
The annual observance of World Veterinary Day is led by the World Veterinary Association (WVA), a federation
of more than 80 veterinary medical associations representing over 500,000 veterinarians across the world on 6
continents.
Background:
i.World Veterinary Association (WVA) founded World Veterinary Day (WVD) on 29th April 2000.
ii.Since then, the last Saturday of April is annually observed as World Veterinary Day across the globe.
• Every year the WVD is celebrated with a different theme which highlights the distinct aspect of
veterinary medicine.
Significance of Veterinarians:
Veterinarians are the only doctors who are professionally trained to safeguard the health of both animals and
the populace.
They address the health and safety needs of every single species of animal.
They also play a major role in environmental protection, research, food safety, and public well-being.
About World Veterinary Association (WVA):
President– Dr Rafael Laguens
Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
STATE NEWS
Justice S.V. Bhatti appointed Acting Chief Justice of Kerala
Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti has been appointed as the acting Chief Justice (CJ) of Kerala with effect
from 24 April 2023. He succeeds Justice S. Manikumar who retired on 22 April 2023.
• Justice S.V. Bhatti, a native of Madanapalli in Andhra Pradesh(AP)’s Chittoor district, began his
career as a lawyer in Hyderabad, Telangana, in 1987.
• He had served as the standing counsel for several public sector companies, including Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Hindustan Shipyard and National
Maritime University.
• He had also served as a special government pleader in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.
He was appointed as a judge to the High Court of the undivided State of Andhra Pradesh in April 2013 and
joined the Kerala High Court as a judge in March 2019.
GA Questions Asked in Exams
• Affairscloud’s Self Analysis for General Awareness Section

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
Current Affairs 3 May 2023 : Headlines
1. DRDO & IN conducted successful maiden test trial of ADC-150 from IL-38SD Aircraft off Goa coast
2. MoPNG Increased the APM Natural Gas Price for May 2023 to US$8.27 per mBtu
3. Union Govt extends EV battery Safety Certification deadline by 6 months till October 1, 2023
4. WEF Future of Jobs Report 2023: Indian Job Market to Witness 22% Growth in 5 Years
5. HDFC Bank Smart Saathi: HDFC Bank rolls Out Digital Distribution Platform for BCs & BFs
6. FPIs pulled out Rs 29,921cr from Banking and Financial Services sector in FY23
7. IFSCA inks MoU with IHub-Data, IIIT Hyderabad to support FinTech
8. NTPC and NPCIL signed agreement for developing Nuclear Power Plants
9. IMF Regional Economic Outlook: Asia-Pacific to grow 4.6% in 2023; India, China to contribute
half of global growth
10. UK based Indian origin actor-author Meera Syal receives BAFTA Fellowship
11. Socialist Pandit Ramkishan conferred with the Title ‘Man of the Century’
12. Brookfield Acquires 51% Stake in 4 Commercial Properties of Rostrum Realty
13. ATP Challenger Tour 2023: Sumit Nagal won Men’s Singles title at 2023 Roma Garden Open
14. Amitabh Kant Authored a New Book Titled “Made In India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise”
15. World Asthma Day 2023- May 2
16. World Tuna Day 2023 – May 2
17. International Workers’ Day 2023 – May 1
18. International Jazz Day 2023 – April 30
19. Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2023 – April 30

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
DRDO & IN conducted successful maiden test trial of ADC-150 from IL-38SD Aircraft off Goa
coast
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy (IN) conducted the successful
maiden test trial of ‘ADC-150’ from IL 38SD aircraft off the coast of Goa. It is an indigenously designed and
developed Air Droppable Container with 150 kg payload capacity.
Developers:
It is developed by 3 DRDO laboratories viz. Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL),
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh); Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra
(Uttar Pradesh) and Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru (Karnataka).
• The flight clearance certification was given by Regional Center for Military Airworthiness (RCMA),
Kanpur, UP headed by Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), Bengaluru.
Reason behind this development:
To enhance the naval operational logistics capabilities by providing quick response to meet the requirement of
critical engineering stores to ships (under distress), which are deployed more than 2,000 kms from the coast.
DRDO conducts Design Validation Trial of Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage
Structure
The Design Validation Trial Vertical Shaft based Underground Ammunition Storage Facility was conducted
successfully by detonating 5,000 kgs of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in one of the chambers of the underground
facility.
• This facility was designed and developed by the Centre of Fire, Explosive and Environment
Safety (CFEES), a Delhi-based laboratory of DRDO.
Benefit:
This facility will ensure that an explosion within will not cause damage to the adjacent chamber and also ensure
full operability of the remaining facility, as, it enables upward vertical dissipation of blast effects.
Reason:
The Armed Forces face challenges in storing ammunition due to the lack of enough land. To store ammunition,
safety distances need to be maintained, which is hard when there’s limited space. But underground storage can
reduce safety distances, as seen in trials. Using a new design, they’ve found that 120 metric tons of ammunition
per chamber can be safely stored with a lower safety distance. This design is also 50% cheaper and safer from
attacks or sabotage.
i.Murugappa Group-owned Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) has signed a Licensing Agreement for the
Transfer of Technology (LAToT) with DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) Laboratory for licensing
technology to manufacture “Ceramic Radomes (GELCAST Process) Technology” used in missile systems.
ii.On March 14, 2023, DRDO conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of Very Short Range Air Defence
System (VSHORADS) missile at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.

About Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO):
Chairman– Dr Samir V Kamat
Headquarter– New Delhi, Delhi
MoPNG Increased the APM Natural Gas Price for May 2023 to US$8.27 per mBtu
According to the data released by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), the Ministry of Petroleum
and Natural Gas (MoPNG) increased the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) domestic natural gas price
for May 2023 to more than 4% MoM (month-over-month) to US$8.27 per mBtu (million British Thermal
Units) on Gross Calorific Value (GCV) basis from US$7.92 per mBtu in April 2023.
• Objective: To ensure a stable pricing regime for domestic gas consumers and provide adequate
protection to producers from adverse market fluctuation with incentives for enhancing production.
Backdrop:
i.In April 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved and revised the domestic natural
gas pricing guidelines based on the recommendation set by the committee led by Kirit Parikh.
ii.Under the new pricing formula, price of natural gas shall be 10% of the monthly average of Indian Crude
Basket and would be revised monthly basis, from the 26th of the previous month to the 25th of the current
month.
iii.The gas produced in the nomination fields of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)/Oil India Limited(OIL)
would be allowed a premium of 20% over the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) price.
Key Points:
As per the statement of PPAC, the price of gas from the nomination fields of both ONGC and OIL will be subject
to a ceiling of US$6.50 per mBtu.
• This means that the price of piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) may remain
unchanged as the two ONGC and OIL use the gas from their nomination field to supply to them.
• The nominations fields are the assets that the government awarded to ONGC and OIL prior to 1999.
April 2023 Natural Gas Pricing:
i.In April the prices were revised for two time periods i.e from April 1 to April 7 and another from April 8 to
April 30.
ii.For April 1 to 7, 2023, the price of natural gas on a Gross Calorific Value (GCV) basis was about US$9.16 per
mBtu. Further MoPNG revised the price of natural gas under the APM at US$7.92 per mBtu for April 2023
(i.e.April 8 to April 30).

Commercial LPG: The oil marketing companies (OMCs) revised the price of commercial LPG (Liquefied
petroleum gas ) on May 1, 2023. The rates have been decreased by Rs 171.5 per 19kg in line with a reduction in
the international prices of natural gas. Thus a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder now costs Rs 1,856.5 in Delhi.
Note – The Union government has targeted to increase the share of natural gas in India’s primary energy mix
from 6.5% to 15% by 2030.
About Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG):
Union Minister – Hardeep Singh Puri (Rajya Sabha Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State(MoS) – Rameswar Teli (Constituency – Dibrugarh, Assam)
Union Govt extends EV battery Safety Certification deadline by 6 months till October 1, 2023
Union Government has extended the deadline for obtaining the mandatory electric vehicle (EV) battery safety
test certification from the Ministry of Heavy Industries by six months till October 1, 2023 from April 1, 2023.
• The certification was compulsory for manufacturers if they wanted to be eligible for incentives
under various EV promotion schemes.
Backdrop:
i.Due to multiple instances of EVs catching fire in 2022, the Ministry of Heavy Industries notified the new
testing parameters as mandatory for obtaining union government incentives from April 1, 2023.
• The incentives were provided under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric
Vehicles in India (FAME-II) and production-linked incentives (PLI) schemes.
• According to the statement of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Fire instances were reported in
vehicles of Okinawa Autotech, Ola Electric, Pure EV, Jitendra Electric Vehicles, and Boom Motors.
ii.As all the automakers, across segments, failing to obtain EV battery certifications, in November 2022 Ministry
of Heavy Industries mandated the industries to obtain certification to enhance human safety of the battery used
in EVs by requiring checks at three levels such as the cell, battery management system (BMS), and the battery
pack.
Kind of:
In September 2022, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)The industry to be complying with
the new AIS 038 and AIS 156 EV battery safety standards issued under the central motor vehicle rules (CMVR)
from March 31, 2023.
WEF Future of Jobs Report 2023: Indian Job Market to Witness 22% Growth in 5 Years
According to the 4th edition of World Economic Forum’s (WEF) bi-annual survey report Future of Jobs Report
2023 Insight Report May 2023, the Indian job market is expected to expand by 22% over the next five years
with top job creation from the artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data segments.
• Globally, the job market is estimated to expand at 23%, with 69 million new jobs expected to be
created over the next 5 years.
• The study also estimates that about 83 million will be eliminated by 2027.
Key Findings regarding India:
i.As per the report’s estimation, India’s job growth will be driven by 61% of broader applications of ESG
(Environment, Social and Governance) standards followed by increased adoption of new technologies (59%),
broadening digital access (55%), Climate-change induced investments into adapting operations (53%), etc.
ii.India figured among the seven countries where job growth was slower for social jobs than non-social jobs.
iii.In India, 97% of respondents said that the preferred source of funding for training was ‘funded by
organisation’ as against the global average of 87%.
Global Scenario:
i.The survey report included 803 companies, which combined employ more than 11.3 million people across 45
economies from across the globe and 27 sector clusters.
ii.Almost a quarter of jobs (23%) are expected to change in the next 5 years globally through growth of 10.2%
and a decline of 12.3%.
iii.Globally, six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but currently, only half of the employees are
seen to have access to adequate training opportunities.
• Employers estimate that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years.
iv.Globally manufacturing and oil and gas sectors have the highest level of green skill intensity.
• India, the United States and Finland feature at the top of the list for Oil and Gas.

v.India and China were more positive than the global average when compared with countries’ viewpoints on
talent availability while hiring.
vi.Brazil, United Arab Emirates and India are among the seven countries where job growth was slower for
social jobs than non-social jobs.
vii.Within technology adoption, big data, cloud computing and AI feature highly on the likelihood of adoption.
E-commerce and digital trade are expected to be adopted by 75% of businesses.
viii.Organizations estimate that currently 34% of all business-related tasks are performed by machines, with
the remaining 66% performed by humans. 42% of business tasks are predicted to be automated by 2027.
ix.Jobs in the Education industry are expected to grow by about 10%, leading to 3 million additional jobs. Jobs
for agricultural professionals, especially Agricultural Equipment Operators, are expected to see an increase of
around 30%, leading to an additional 3 million jobs.
About World Economic Forum(WEF):
Founder & Executive Chairman – Professor Klaus Schwab ;
Managing Director (MD) – Saadia Zahidi
Headquarters – Cologny, GenevaCanton, Switzerland
Establishment – 1971
BANKING & FINANCE

HDFC Bank Smart Saathi: HDFC Bank rolls Out Digital Distribution Platform for BCs & BFs
HDFC Bank has launched ‘HDFC Bank Smart Saathi’, a digital distribution platform (DDP) which will help in
connecting Business Correspondents (BCs) and Business Facilitators (BFs) to the bank.
• This platform will make it easier for the HDFC Bank’s agents and BCs to sell services, especially in
rural areas.
• This will also provide a secure and user-friendly experience to its users.
• It was launched in New Delhi, Delhi by the Department of Financial Services (DFS-Ministry of
Finance) Secretary Vivek Joshi; and Smita Bhagat, Group Head, Government and Institutional
Business, Alternate Banking Channels and Partnerships, Inclusive Banking Group and Start-Ups,
HDFC Bank.
Key Points:
i.This launch is a step towards fulfilling India’s vision of a cashless economy and true digital financial inclusion.
ii.HDFC Bank Smart Saathi will enable its agents to offer over 40 banking products and services, including loan
products, especially for rural customers.
iii.Over the next 12 to 18 months, HDFC bank plan to reach 2 lakh villages through a combination of branches
and agent network.
iv.The platform will increase agents’ income generation, provide easy credit access for customers, boost agents’
capacity building, and enhance financial literacy for customers.

About HDFC Bank Ltd:
MD & CEO – Sashidhar Jagdishan
Established– 1994
Tagline– We Understand Your World
FPIs pulled out Rs 29,921cr from Banking and Financial Services sector in FY23
Foreign Portfolio Investors’ (FPIs) holdings in many of the private sector banks went down marginally in FY23
as they pulled out Rs 29,921 crore from Banking and Financial Services sector in FY23.
• Banking and Financial Services sector becomes the 3rd highest loser of FPI money after IT
(Information Technology) Services (Rs 51,138 crore) and Oil & Gas (Rs 37,674 crore).
Reducing stake
FPIs holding in RBL Bank went down by 4% in FY23 to 25% as of March 2023 quarter. In IndusInd Bank too,
FPIs have trimmed their exposure by 4% to 42.16% during this period.
• The FPIs stakes in HDFC Bank went down by 3% while their stake in Bandhan Bank and Kotak
Mahindra Bank were reduced by 2% and 1%, respectively.
• FPI shareholding in ICICI Bank remained unchanged at 44% in FY23.
Stake Hike
In FY23, FPIs increased their stakes in Yes Bank (by 12%), IDFC First Bank (6%) and Axis Bank (2%).
• Notably, FPIs’ holding in Yes Bank went up to 23.1% as of March 2023 from 10.97%in March 2022.
Amid Carlyle and Advent picking up a 9.99% stake in Yes Bank for about Rs 8,896 crore during the
December 2022 quarter of FY23.
IFSCA inks MoU with IHub-Data, IIIT Hyderabad to support FinTech

The International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) and IHub-Data, IIIT (International Institute of
Information Technology)-Hyderabad signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) at IIIT- Hyderabad
campus in Hyderabad (Telangana).
• This MoU will enable cooperation and collaboration on diverse initiatives regarding FinTech.
• FinTechs and TechFins registered with IHub-Data, IIIT- Hyderabad will facilitated to access IFSCA’s
Regulatory and Innovation Sandbox and apply to the IFSCA (FinTech Incentive) Scheme, 2022.
Reason behind this MoU:
To put in place a framework for cooperation and understanding between IFSCA and IHub-Data, IIIT- Hyderabad
to collaborate in supporting and facilitating FinTech and TechFin entities.
Key Points:
i.The IFSCA is responsible for development and regulation of international financial services, including
insurance sector.
ii.IHub-Data is a Technology Innovation Hub for Data Banks, Data Services and Data Analytics (IHub-Data) at
IIIT Hyderabad which was established by IIIT Hyderabad under the National Mission on interdisciplinary

Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) scheme funded by the Department Of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry
of Science and Technology (MoST).
• Its objective is to bring closer different stakeholders in research community, academics, government
officials, industry leaders, incubating start-ups and social science critics for enhancing mutual
collaboration.
About International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA):
Chairperson– Injeti Srinivas
Headquarters– Gandhinagar, Gujarat
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

NTPC and NPCIL signed agreement for developing Nuclear Power Plants
On May 1, 2023, The NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC),
signed a supplementary joint venture (JV) agreement with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) for
the development of nuclear power projects.
• The agreement between both entities (NTPC Ltd. and NPCIL) is expected to help India in meeting its
Clean Energy Commitments to achieve a net zero emission target by 2070.
• The government of India (GoI) aims to achieve a 20 GW capacity of nuclear power generation by
2030 under this collaboration.
Signatories:
The agreement was signed by Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director Projects, NTPC Ltd. and Ranjay Sharan,
Director Projects, NPCIL in New Delhi, Delhi.
Key People:
The agreement was signed in the presence of R.K. Singh, Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy, K.N.
Vyas, Secretary Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) & Chairman Atomic Energy Commission, Gurdeep Singh,
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NTPC, Bhuwan Chandra Pathak, CMD of NPCIL and other senior
officials of the ministry.
Nuclear Power Projects:
i. At first, the JV company shall develop two pressurised heavy-water reactor (PHWR) projects: Chutka Atomic
Power Project 2×700 MW in Madhya Pradesh and Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project 4×700 MW in
Rajasthan, which were identified as a part of fleet mode nuclear projects.
ii. NTPC hopes to commission 3.5 GW (Giga-Wat) of capacity by 2030 from its two nuclear power projects in
collaboration with the NPCIL.
Note: The current total installed power generation capacity of NTPC is 71.644 GW, of which 3.01 GW is
renewable energy (RE).
iii.GoI has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for the construction of 10 indigenous 700
MW (megawatt) PHWRs to be set up in fleet mode.
iv. The present installed nuclear capacity is expected to reach 22,480 MW by 2031, on progressive completion

of the projects under construction and accorded sanction.
About NTPC Limited:
Established in – 1975
Chairman & MD – Gurdeep Singh
About Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL):
Established in – September 1987
Chairman & MD – Bhuwan Chandra Pathak
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
IMF Regional Economic Outlook: Asia-Pacific to grow 4.6% in 2023; India, China to contribute
half of global growth
According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Regional Economic Outlook Asia and Pacific May 2023,
the Asia-Pacific region’s growth is estimated to increase to 4.6% in 2023 from the 3.8% growth recorded in
2022. The forecast for 2023 is an upgrade of 0.3% from its October forecast(October 2022 World Economic
Outlook) of 4.3%.
• Asia and the Pacific region is expected to contribute around 70% of global growth in 2023.
• IMF expects China and India to contribute around half of global growth in 2023, with the rest of Asia
and the Pacific contributing an additional fifth.
• The growth of Asia is driven primarily by the recovery in China and resilient growth in India, while
growth in the rest of Asia is expected to bottom out in 2023, in line with other regions.
Key Points:
i.The IMF reduced 2024’s Asian growth forecast by 0.2% to 4.4%, and warned of risks to the outlook such as
stickier-than-expected inflation, slowing global demand as well as the impact of US and European banking-
sector stress.
ii.The global economy is expected to grow by 2.8% in 2023 and 3% in 2024. In 2022, the global economy
projected to rise 3.4%.
iii.The IMF also urged central banks in Asia ( excluding Japan and China) to keep monetary policy tight to bring
down inflation.
iv. In India, the growth momentum will slow down due to the softening domestic demand offsets strong
external services demand and the growth is expected to moderate slightly from 6.8% in 2022 to 5.9% in 2023.
About International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Managing Director – Kristalina Georgieva
Headquarters – Washington, D.C, USA
Member Countries – 190

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
UK based Indian origin actor-author Meera Syal receives BAFTA Fellowship
UK (United Kingdom) based Indian-origin actor, writer Meera Syal, 61 has been presented a BAFTA (British
Academy of Film and Television Arts) Fellowship, the highest accolade granted annually by the BAFTA, a
world-leading independent arts charity, upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional
contribution to films, games and/or television.
• On May 14, 2023, the fellowship will be presented to Meera Syal, during the BAFTA Television
Awards ceremony as part of a special commemoration of her work to date at the Royal Festival Hall
in London, UK.
• As part of the fellowship, Meera Syal will work directly with the arts charity over the upcoming year
to inspire and support aspiring creatives through BAFTA’s year-round learning, inclusion and talent
programmes.
About Meera Syal:
i. MeeraSyal was born on 27 June 1961 to Punjabi parents and grew up in the West Midlands region of England,
UK.
ii. She was honoured with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1997 and
then a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2015 by the late Queen Elizabeth
II for her contribution to drama and literature.
iii. She has received the Women In Film and TV Award for Creative Innovation, and honorary doctorates from
SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), Manchester and Birmingham Universities, UK.
iv. She was the Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine’s College,
Oxford University, England in the UK in 2012.
v. Apart from the television and literary arts, she has made an extraordinary impact as a voice artist, novel
writer, storyteller and actor in radio dramas.
• Some of her best novels are: Anita and Me’ and ‘Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee’.
• Best television shows of Meera Syal are ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and ‘The Kumars at No. 42.
About British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Fellowship:
First awarded– 1971
Presented by– BAFTA
Country– United Kingdom
About British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA):
President– Prince William, The Prince of Wales
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom

Socialist Pandit Ramkishan conferred with the Title ‘Man of the Century’
On 30th April 2023, a former Member of Parliament (MP) – Lok Sabha, Pandit Ramkishan was honoured with
the title of Shatabdi Purush (Man of the Century) to recognise his efforts as a socialist leader during the
event organised to mark the birth centenary celebrations of Madhu Limaye, a socialist ideologue and ace
parliamentarian, in New Delhi, Delhi.
• Pandit Ramkishan had actively participated in the movements launched by socialist leaders
Jayaprakash Narayan and Lohia and was put behind bars several times while fighting for tribals,
Dalits and the poor.
• He was elected once to the Lok Sabha in 1977 and 4 times to Rajasthan Assembly (1962, 1967, 1974
and 1990).
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Brookfield Acquires 51% Stake in 4 Commercial Properties of Rostrum Realty
Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management has acquired a 51% stake in 4 commercial properties Rostrum
Realty Private Limited, a real estate joint venture (JV) firm, in which Bharti Enterprises Limited will hold the
balance of 49%.
• Bharti Enterprises Limited and Brookfield Asset Management announced the completion of their
joint venture (JV) agreement for a portfolio of commercial properties totalling 3.3 million square
feet, located in the Delhi-NCR region.
• The transaction had an enterprise value of Rs 5,000 crore.
• Rostrum Realty Pvt Ltd is home to 4 upscale commercial properties near the airports in Delhi,
Gurugram (Haryana), and Ludhiana(Punjab), which were previously owned entirely by Bharti
Realty.
The Commercial Properties: Worldmark Aerocity (Delhi), Airtel Centre and Worldmark 65 (Gurugram); and
Pavillion Mall (Ludhiana).
SPORTS
ATP Challenger Tour 2023: Sumit Nagal won Men’s Singles title at 2023 Roma Garden Open
On 30th April 2023, Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal won the men’s singles title at the 2023 Roma Garden
Open, a part of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Challenger Tour 2023, defeating Jesper de Jong
of the Netherlands. The 2023 Roma Garden Open was held in Rome, Italy, from 24th to 30th April 2023.
• This marks his 3rd Challenger title and his 1st title since 2019(Buenos Aires, Argentina). He won his
maiden Challenger title at Bengaluru Open 2017.
• Sumit Nagal is the first ever Indian to win a challenger trophy title on European clay.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Amitabh Kant Authored a New Book Titled “Made In India: 75 Years of Business and
Enterprise”
Retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Amitabh Kant, who served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) (2016-2022), has authored a new book titled
“Made In India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise” published by the Rupa Publications India on 5th
March 2023.

• The book coincides with India reaching a significant milestone by becoming the 5th largest economy
in the world, surpassing its former colonial master, the United Kingdom (UK), after 75 years of
independence.
• Amitabh Kant’s other books: Branding India-An Incredible Story, Incredible India 2.0, Editor of “The
Path Ahead- Transformative Ideas for India”, and the author of over 500 published articles in
leading Indian newspapers.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Asthma Day 2023- May 2
World Asthma Day (WAD) is annually observed across the world on the first Tuesday of May month to
create awareness about asthma, a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swell
and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.
World Asthma Day 2023 is observed on 2nd May 2023.

• WAD 2022 was observed on 3rd May 2022.
• WAD 2024 will be observed on 7th May 2024.
The theme of World Asthma Day (WAD) 2023 is “Asthma care for All”
• The goal of WAD 2023 theme is to encourage all resource rich countries to create and execute
extensive asthma management programmes globally.
World Asthma Day is annually organised by the GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma).
• Each year GINA chooses a theme and coordinates preparation and distribution of World Asthma Day
materials and resources.
Note:
In 2023, GINA celebrates 30 years of working to improve the lives of people with Asthma by translating medical
evidence into better asthma care worldwide.
Background:
The first World Asthma Day was observed by the GINA in 1998 and it was celebrated in more than 35 countries
in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting held in Barcelona, Spain.
Why May?
The month May is chosen because it coincides with the spring and the fall season, the symptoms of asthma
worsen during the time of the year.
What is Asthma?
i. Asthma is a condition of chronic (long-term) disease that obstructs the respiratory system, causing difficulty
breathing.
ii. As there is no cure for this condition, but treatment to control the symptoms is available and effective
measures can reduce the chance of making the disease dangerous.
iii. Clean environments, regular breathing of fresh and clean air, avoiding taking drugs and quitting smoking
are some of the beneficial ways to keep us away from the disease.

Causes of Asthma:
i. The causes of Asthma may be different from person to person. Still it happens when the immune system
strongly reacts to a substance in the lungs.
ii. Mostly it is caused by swollen (inflamed) and sensitive airways that become narrow and clogged with sticky
mucus in response to certain triggers like allergies from dust, animal fur or feathers and infections like cold and
flu, smoke, pollution and so on.
iii. Genetics, pollution and modern hygiene standards have been suggested as causes, but currently there is not
enough evidence to know if any of these do cause asthma.
Symptoms:
The most common symptoms of asthma are: Wheezing, Shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing.
• Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of asthma.
Key Points:
i. According to WHO the diagnosis and treatment of Asthma are considered to be a challenge in low- and lower-
middle-income countries.
ii. Both the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the WHO’s Global Action Plan
for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases recognise asthma as a priority and implement
various strategies to increase asthma diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
About Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA):
GINA was launched in 1993 in collaboration with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBL) and
National Institutes of Health in the United States of America (USA), and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
MD, Chairperson– Arzu Yorgancioglu (Türkiye)Headquarters– Wisconsin, United States of America (USA)
World Tuna Day 2023 – May 2

United Nations (UN)’s World Tuna Day is annually observed across the globe on May 2 to raise awareness
about the importance of tuna and to promote more sustainable fishing practices.
• World Tuna Day 2023 was observed on 2nd May 2023.

Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/71/124 on 7th December
2016 and proclaimed May 2 of every year as World Tuna Day.
ii. The 1st ever World Tuna Day was observed on 2nd May 2017.
About Tuna:
Family/Genus- Scombridae/Thunnus
Status- Some species are critically endangered
i. A tuna, a saltwater fish, is comprised of 15 species across 5 genera, with sizes ranging from the tiny bullet
tuna to the 2 m-long Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is believed to believed live up to 50 years.
ii. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), most tuna stocks are fully exploited
(meaning there is no room for fishery expansion) and some are already overexploited (there is a risk of stock
collapse).

Note: SDG- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 is about conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas
and marine resources.
Facts:
i. According to the UN, a large number of countries worldwide depend on tuna for both food security and
nutrition.
ii. At the same time, there are tuna fisheries in more than 80 countries, and their capacity is constantly growing.
Some Benefits of Tuna:
i. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in tuna fish may help to reduce the level of omega-6 fatty acids and LDL
(low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol that can accumulate inside the arteries of the heart.
• Consuming more omega-3 is associated with reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, including
heart attacks.
ii. The omega-3s in tuna also seem to have a positive effect on eye health.
iii. Omega-3 fatty acids found in tuna are also believed to reduce inflammation and decrease the growth of
tumour cells in the body.
Key Points:
i. More than 7 million metric tons of tuna and tuna-like species are harvested yearly.
ii. Tuna and tuna-like species include approximately 40 species occurring in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific
Oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea.
iii. Tuna species account for 20% of the value of all marine capture fisheries and over 8% of all globally traded
seafood.
iv. The annual value of tuna, which is currently managed and conserved by over 96 countries, is almost USD 10
billion, and certain FAO-relevant programmes have started showing positive results in reducing overfishing.
About the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO):
Director-General- QU Dongyu
Headquarters- Rome, Italy
Establishment- 1945
Member States- 194 member states
International Workers’ Day 2023 – May 1

International Workers’ Day also known as International Labour Day is annually observed on 1st May to
highlight the importance of workers and their contribution to the society.
• International Workers’ Day is also referred to as International Workers Day or May Day or
Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din.
Origin:
i.The origin of the observance of labour day traces back to the 1886 Haymarket riot of Chicago, the United
States of America(USA).

• The Haymarket Riot (also known as the “Haymarket Incident” and “Haymarket Affair”) occurred
on May 4, 1886, when a labor protest rally near Chicago’s Haymarket Square turned into a riot after
someone threw a bomb at police. At least 8 people died as a result of the riot.
ii.In 1889, Second International, a worldwide organisation of socialist and labour parties, declared the 1st
May of every year as the International Workers Day.
Origin of Labour Day in India:
i.In India, the Labour day was 1st celebrated in Madras(now Chennai, Tamil Nadu) on 1st May 1923.
ii.The initiative for the celebration was taken by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan led by Comrade
Singaravelar (leader of the party) who arranged two meetings to celebrate India’s first Labour Day.
Labour Movement:
i.A labor movement is an initiative where workers or laborers organize to demand better working conditions,
wages, and working hours from an entire company or industry.
ii.The major issues included the right of the workers to organize themselves, and the right to an 8-hour
working day.
8-hour day movement:
i.The eight-hour day movement was a social movement to regulate the length of a working day, preventing
excesses and abuses of working time.
ii.The eight-hour day was the 1st topic discussed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) which
resulted in the Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, of 1919 ratified by 52 countries as of 2016.
• An 8-hour shift is a global norm that full-time employees are required to work daily, 5 days per
week, for the total hours worked per week to equal 40, according to the same norm.
International Jazz Day 2023 – April 30

The United Nations (UN)’s International Jazz Day is annually observed across the globe on 30th April to create
awareness about the significance of jazz as an educational tool, and its role in promoting peace and dialogue
among people from diverse cultures.
The theme of International Jazz Day 2023 is “A Jazz Journey around the World”.
Major support for International Jazz Day is provided by the Doris Duke Foundation, with additional, generous
support from the Ford Foundation.
Background:
i.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference, 36th
Session, adopted the resolution UNESCO 36 C/Resolution 39 in November 2011, and proclaimed 30th April of
every year as “International Jazz Day”.
• The first-ever International Jazz Day was observed on 30th April 2012.
ii.In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) formally welcomed the decision by the
UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day.

Events of International Jazz Day:
International Jazz Day is chaired and led by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and legendary jazz
pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman
of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
All-Star Global Concert:
i.UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock hosted the All-Star Global Concert, the flagship program of the
International Jazz Day, featuring performances in 13 global cities.
ii.The concert features the jazz performances from Austria to Zimbabwe, highlighting the power of jazz in
bridging differences and promoting unity and peace through intercultural dialogue and collaboration.
Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) – April
i.Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) is a music festival held every April in Canada and the United States, in honor of
jazz as an early American art form
ii.Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) was initiated by John Edward Hasse, curator of the Smithsonian’s National
Museum of American History in 2001, to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz.
iii.The observance of JAM aims to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz – to study the
music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings
Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2023 – April 30

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is annually observed across India on April 30 to emphasise the importance of
healthcare facilities for all citizens of India. The day is celebrated as a part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
• The day aims to promote the significance of providing medical facilities to all remote areas and to
provide quality healthcare to every citizen in India.
Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2023 was observed on 30th April 2023 under the theme “Swasthya Amrit”.
About Ayushman Bharat –Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY) :
i. Ayushman Bharat, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), is a flagship scheme of the
Government of India (GoI), which was launched as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to
achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
• It was launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 23rd September 2018 in Ranchi,
Jharkhand.
ii. The initiative’s main goal is to provide quality healthcare services through public-private partnerships
(PPPs).
iii. The Ayushman Bharat comprises 2 interrelated components: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres:
i. The GoI announced the creation of 1.5 lakh HWCs in 2018 by transforming current Sub-Centres and Primary
Health Centres into the base pillar of Ayushman Bharat.
ii. By providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC), these facilities would bring healthcare closer to
the homes of people.

• It covers both maternal and child health services and non-communicable diseases, including free
essential drugs and diagnostic services.
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana:
i. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) aims to provide financial protection for secondary and tertiary
care to about 40% of India’s households.
• PMJAY is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance scheme fully financed by the government.
ii. PMJAY aims to offer secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation coverage of Rs 5 lakhs per family across
private and public institutions in India.
iii. These benefits are available to over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 55 crore
beneficiaries).
Note: The 2 parts of Ayushman Bharat working together will make it possible to achieve the goal of universal
health coverage.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. India’s CSIR & Israel’s DDR&D sign MoU on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation
2. DoE launches Vivad se Vishwas scheme for relief to MSMEs for COVID-19 period
3. NITI Aayog Released ‘Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023’ in Collaboration with
UNDP
4. IA’s MES inks MoU with IIT Kanpur for making Cantonments Carbon-Neutral
5. AIME-23: 1st ASEAN-India Maritime exercise initiated in Singapore
6. Highlights of Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh’s 6-day visit to the UK
7. EAM Dr S. Jaishankar visits Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic – 21-29
April 2023
8. Global Fintech 2023: APAC to Become World’s Top Fintech Market by 2030
9. Airtel Payments Bank Partners with NPCI to Roll out Face Authentication for AePS
10. Pine Labs Partners ICICI Bank to Accept Digital Rupee on its PoS Terminals
11. Bharti Airtel & Dialog Axiata signs Binding Term Sheet for the Merger of their Sri Lankan
Subsidiaries
12. Dvara SmartGold & Jana SFB Partners to Offer Gold Loans
13. CA Institute & ICAEW Renews their MoU
14. BharatPe acquires 51% stake in Trillion Loans
15. Phintella dhritiae & Phintella platnicki: ZSI team discovered 2 New Spider Species in Karnataka
& TN
16. Badminton Asia Championships 2023: Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
17. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez wins the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
18. Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson Arun Manilal Gandhi, Author and Cocio-Political Activist, Passed
Away
19. World Press Freedom Day 2023 – May 3

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
India’s CSIR & Israel’s DDR&D sign MoU on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation
On May 2, 203, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology
(MoST) and Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defense of the State of
Israel, signed a Multi-Sectoral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Research and Development
Cooperation focusing on several key technology areas.
• The agreement was signed by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General (DG) of CSIR and Dr Daniel Gold,
Head of DDR&D, at the CSIR-Science Centre, New Delhi, Delhi in the presence of Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of MoST.
Note: The agreement was signed during the meeting between the high-level Israel delegation led by Dr Daniel
Gold, Head of DDR&D and Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Key Points:
i. The key technology areas under this MoU include Aerospace, Electronics Instrumentation, Civil,
Infrastructure & Engineering, Ecology, Environment, Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water, Mining, Minerals,
Metals & Materials, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Energy (Conventional & Non-Conventional) and Energy
Devices, Agri, Nutrition & Biotech and Healthcare.
ii.In November 2021, Defense R&D Organization (DRDO) and DDR&D have inked a Bilateral Innovation
Agreement (BIA) to promote innovation and accelerated R&D in startups and MSMEs of both countries
• Now, this agreement will open a new phase in India-Israel partnership in areas like Innovation,
Technology, and StartUps.
iii.The year 2023 marks 30 years of successful diplomatic relations between India and Israel.
About Israel:
President– Isaac Herzog
Capital– Jerusalem
Currency– Israeli New Shekel
DoE launches Vivad se Vishwas scheme for relief to MSMEs for COVID-19 period
On May 2, 2023, The Department of Expenditure (DoE), Ministry of Finance, has launched the scheme, ‘Vivad se
Vishwas I – Relief to MSMEs’ for providing relief to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for COVID-
19 period.
• It was launched on the lines of the Union Budget FY24 announcement by the Union Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance.
• The scheme was commenced from April 17, 2023 and the last date for submission of claims is June
30, 2023.
Backdrop: To provide relief to MSMEs, Nirmala Sitharaman stated (in the Union Budget for FY24) that 95% of
the forfeited amount relating to bid or performance security will be returned to them by government and
government undertakings in cases of failure by MSMEs to execute contracts during the Covid -19 period.

Key Points:
i.Under the scheme, Ministries have been asked to refund performance security, bid security and liquidated
damages deducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.Eligibility: Relief will be provided in all contracts for the procurement of Goods and Services, entered into by
any Ministry/ Department/ attached or subordinate office/ autonomous body/ Central Public Sector
Enterprise (CPSE)/ Central Public Sector Banks/ Financial Institution etc. with MSMEs, which meet the
following criteria:
• Registered as MSME as per the relevant scheme of the Ministry of MSME on the date of claim by
supplier/ contractor.
• The original delivery period/ completion period stipulated in the contract was between 19.02.2020
and 31.03.2022.
iii.The Government will provide the following additional benefits to eligible MSMEs, affected during the COVID-
19 period:
• 95% of the performance security forfeited shall be refunded.
• 95% of the Bid security shall be refunded.
• 95% of the Liquidated Damages (LD) deducted shall be refunded.
• 95% of the Risk Purchase amount realized shall be refunded.
• In case any firm has been debarred only due to default in execution of such contracts, such
debarment could also be revoked, by issuing an appropriate order by the procuring entity.
iv.No claim shall be entertained if the firm has been ignored for placement of any contract due to debarment in
the interim period (i.e. date of debarment and the date of revocation under this order) and no interest shall be
paid on such refunded amount.
Note – A dedicated web page has been created by Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for the implementation of
this scheme. Only GeM was authorised to process eligible claims.
NITI Aayog Released ‘Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023’ in Collaboration
with UNDP
On May 1, 2023, the NITI Aayog (National Institute for Transforming India) in collaboration with the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released the ‘Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium,
2023’ which features 75 case studies which truly highlight the theme ‘Achievement@75’ at the grassroot levels.
• The compendium was also framed to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence.
• The case studies have been sourced from the 28 States and 8 Union Territories (UTs) and over 30
Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.

• Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog launched the compendium in the presence of NITI Aayog
Members Dr. V K Saraswat, Dr V K Paul and Dr. Arvind Virmani and B.V.R Subrahmanyam, CEO
(Chief Executive Officer), NITI Aayog, and Ms Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India.
Key Points:
i.The compendium is a compilation of innovations in policymaking at national and state levels in 14 key social
sectors such as health, education, agriculture, information technology (IT), the environment, etc.
ii.The 75 case studies which include best practices have been chosen from over 200 innovative initiatives
received from the states/UTs and Ministries.
• UNDP supported NITI Aayog in reviewing and compiling these 75 best practices.
iii.The 75 best practices highlight models which are innovative, sustainable, replicable and impactful.
iv.The compendium intends to synthesise lessons for the future to expand, enhance and improve life at the
grassroots level.
v.The Compendium has been prepared under the overall guidance of Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog
and the leadership of Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog.
IA’s MES inks MoU with IIT Kanpur for making Cantonments Carbon-Neutral
The Indian Army’s (IA) Military Engineer Services (MES) Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh (UP) signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, UP (IIT-K) to convert IA’s
stations/cantonments into carbon-neutral campuses.
• This collaboration will showcase a proof-of-concept model through coordinated initiatives in

sustainable practices.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed between Col. Akhil Singh Charak, Commander Works Engineer (CWE) & IITK alumnus,
and Major Sunny Attri, Garrison Engineer from MES Jhansi, and Prof. A.R. Harish, Dean of R&D, IIT Kanpur.
What will be done under the MoU?
Under this, five MES Jhansi cantonment campuses will be converted into net zero carbon, net zero energy, net
zero water, and net zero waste campuses in a phased manner. IIT-K will carry out yearly audits of cantonments,
and oversee the entire on-ground processes of the Army campuses selected under the MoU.
• IIT-K will also train Army personnel through on-job training for sustainable practices.

Key Points:
i.The transformation of Army cantonments will be done on the basis of the crucial parameters of NetZero
including energy sources, consumption, carbon footprint, sustainable alternatives adoption, on-site tree
planting, and habit-related factors.
ii.This initiative will not only help in reducing carbon emissions but also in conserving natural resources.
iii.Both sides plan to create a carbon-neutral roadmap for India by utilizing the vast land area covered by Army
cantonments to achieve India’s vision of net zero emissions by 2070.
AIME-23: 1st ASEAN-India Maritime exercise initiated in Singapore
On May 2, 2023, the opening ceremony of the inaugural ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-India
Maritime Exercise (AIME-23) was held at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore which was inaugurated and co-
officiated by Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy (IN) and Rear
Admiral Sean Wat, Chief of Navy (CNV), Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and senior dignitaries from ASEAN.
• Through this exercise the Navies from ASEAN and IN will conduct joint drills.

Hosts:
The inaugural edition of AIME is being co-hosted by the RSN and IN.
Aim of AIME-23:
To promote maritime cooperation and enhancing trust, friendship and confidence amongst ASEAN and Indian
Navies
Participants:
Navies of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, and Vietnam (ASEAN Nations), and IN
• India is represented by RAdm (Rear Admiral) Gurcharan Singh, the Flag Officer Commanding
Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) along with indigenous warships INS (Indian Naval
Ship) Delhi and INS Satpura, and P8I maritime patrol aircraft.
• INS Delhi, India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-
built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of IN’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam (Andhra
Pradesh).
Key Points:
i.The harbour phase of the exercise will be held at the Changi Naval Base from May 2 to May 4, 2023 and the sea
phase will be conducted from May 7 to May 8, 2023 in the South China Sea.
ii.The first phase will witness a range of professional and social interactions between the participating navies
including cross deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and planning meetings.
iii.The second phase will provide an opportunity to the participating navies to develop closer links in the
coordination and execution of operations in the maritime domain.
iv.CNS Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar along with participating ships from India will also participate
in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference
(IMSC) being hosted by Singapore.
• CNS will deliver a talk on ‘Cooperation and Collaboration in the Future Maritime Environment’
during a panel discussion at 8th International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), being
conducted on the sidelines of IMDEX – 23.
v.AIME reinforces India’s commitment of ‘Act East’ by ensuring ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region
(SAGAR).
Note: In South China Sea, China is known for its aggressive activities that threaten to escalate tensions in the
region.
Additional info: The Philippine Navy has deployed its missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) for the
inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.
i.Indian Navy Ship (INS) Trikand is participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023
(IMX/CE-23) being held in the Gulf region from 26 February to 16 March 2023. This marks Indian Navy’s 1st
IMX participation and also marks the 2nd occasion in which INS participates in an exercise conducted by
Combined Maritime Forces.
ii.FRINJEX-23, The first edition of the Joint Military Exercise between the Indian and French Army was
conducted at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on March 7-8, 2023.
About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):
It is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries.
Establishment – It was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN
Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by founding members Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and
Thailand.
Secretary-General– H.E. DR. Kao Kim Hourn
Headquarters– Jakarta, Indonesia

Highlights of Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh’s 6-day visit to the UK
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Ministry of State (Independent Charge (IC)) Science & Technology made a 6-
day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from April 26 to May 1, 2023, to hold a series of meetings with his
counterpart Ministers in the Government of the UK as well as with the Indian diaspora, StartUps and
academicians.
-India-UK ‘Net Zero’ Innovation Virtual Centre

i.Jitendra Singh chaired the India-UK Science & Innovation Council meeting co-chaired by George Freeman, UK
Science Minister.
ii.At the council meeting, Jitendra Singh announced the joint establishment of the India-UK ‘Net Zero’
Innovation Virtual Centre focusing on industrial decarbonisation and launching the first-ever India-UK
scientific deep sea voyage.
• Innovation Virtual Centre will facilitate collaboration between stakeholders from both nations to
work on focus areas such as the decarbonization of manufacturing processes and transportation
systems and green hydrogen as a renewable energy source.
-India, UK Signed Agreement to Collaborate on Science and Innovation
i.On April 26, 2023, India and the UK signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on science and innovation
that will drive economic growth, create skilled jobs and improve lives in the UK, India, and worldwide.
• Under the agreement, India was named as a partner for the UK’s International Science Partnerships
Fund, carrying forward the UK-India science partnership built through the Newton-Bhabha fund.
ii.Both Jitendra Singh and Freeman called for newer collaborations for joint Research and Development
Projects.
• Projects between Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), UK Research
and Innovation (UKRI), and Innovation Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and
Technology, Government of India in the area of Farmed Animal disease and Health.
• Projects between the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), GoI and the Natural Environment Research
Council (NERC), UK, in the area of Solid Earth hazards.
iii.Other agreements between UK and Indian institutions in research and innovation include:
• Funding 10 new UK-India Fisheries Research Fellowships.
• A programme of UK-India university partnerships, including one between Aston University and the
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on sustainable biofuels.
UK & India Development Collaboration:
i.UK has emerged as India’s second-largest international research and innovation partner.
ii.The India-UK Science & Technology (S&T) collaboration has been growing at a rapid pace and the joint
research programme has gone from an almost zero base to close to £300-400 million.
iii.Points to be Noted: Jitendra Singh invited UK Minister Freeman to the G20 Research Ministers meetings to
be held in Mumbai (Maharashtra) on 6th July 2023.
• India is holding G20 Presidency in 2023 and organising a number of meetings in scientific tracks,
including Science 20 (S20), Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) and Scientific
Advisers meetings.
India’s Achievements:
i.Jitendra Singh also mentioned India’s net zero journey, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency and
renewable energy.
• He also mentioned India’s achievements in Science and Technology such as India’s massive rise in its
ranking on the Global Innovation Index (GII) from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2022 among 132
economies of the world, 3rd rank in terms of the number of StartUps, Unicorns, scientific
publications and PhDs awarded.
ii.He highlighted the collaboration between the two countries strengthened through an ambitious ‘Roadmap
2030’ that provides a framework for UK-India relations across health, climate, trade, education, science and
technology, and defence.
Additional info:
• On May 1, 2023, Jitendra Singh had an exclusive interactive meeting with the London-based Jammu
& Kashmir-origin social groups and students.
• The visit marks Jitendra Singh’s first visit after the new Government headed by Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak took over in the UK.
Note – Jitendra Singh also holds the position of Minister of State(MoS) (IC) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS of
Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
From September 20–25, 2022, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh,Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Science; MoS
PMO, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, paid an official visit for 5
days to the United States of America (USA).
About Ministry of Science and Technology:
Ministers of state (independent Charges) – Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency – Udhampur, Jammu and
Kashmir)
EAM Dr S. Jaishankar visits Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic – 21-29
April 2023
External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the
Dominican Republic between 21st April to 29th April 2023. This marks his first-ever official visit to all these
Latin American countries and the Caribbean as a Union Minister of External Affairs of the government of India.
Details of his visit:

EAM’s 3-day Visit to Guyana:21st to 23rd April 2023:
During his 3 day visit, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar co-chaired the Joint Commission Meeting with, H.E. Mr. Hugh
Hilton Todd, Foreign Minister of Guyana. The meeting entailed discussions on the whole gamut of issues
between India and Guyana.
i.He also held a meeting of Foreign Ministers in the India-COFCOR (Council on Foreign and Community
Relations), a group of 15-member CARICOM (Caribbean Community) format and held bilateral meetings with
participating Ministers.

ii.He also visited the site of the ongoing East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage project along with the Public
Works Minister of Guyana Deodat Indar.
• The East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project is being developed by the Indian infrastructure
company Ashoka Buildcon Limited.
• This road link will serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank.
EAM co-chaired 4th India-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting with Jamaican counterpart
On 22nd April 2023, EAM Dr S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 4th India- CARICOM Ministerial Meeting with Kamina
K Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica at CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
• He also met with Carla Natalie Barnett, Secretary General of the CARICOM in Guyana and discussed
the efforts to intensify India-CARICOM ties.
India-Guyana Business Round Table:
EAM Dr S. Jaishankar participated in the India-Guyana Business Round Table held in Guyana on 23rd April
2023 along with Hugh Todd, Ashni Singh, Finance Minister of Guyana, and Deodat Indar, Public Works Minister
of Guyana.
Key Points:
He addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table and highlighted the increasing engagement between
India and Latin America.
He also stated that the partnership between India and Guyana holds new possibilities and highlighted the new
focus agreed upon by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The focus areas include energy, health and pharma, technology, and defence. These sectors will play
a major role in promoting the bilateral relationship between India and Guyana.
India & Guyana sign Air Services Agreement to allow easier travel
On 22nd April 2023, India and Guyana signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) to facilitate easier travel
between the two nations.
Signatories:
The agreement was signed by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, M.P and the High Commissioner of
India to Guyana KJ Srinivasa, and in the presence of EAM Dr S. Jaishankar.
Points to note:
i.This agreement will complement the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has negotiated with other
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) governments for the advancement of interstate air travel.
ii.It also addresses important matters granting of Rights; Designation and Authorization of Airlines; Revocation
or Suspension of Operating Authorization, Principles governing the operation of Agreed Services, and others.
GRSE-built ferry MV ‘Ma Lisha’ commissioned in Guyana
Dr S Jaishankar joined Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana in the commissioning ceremony of the Garden Reach
Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE)-built ocean-going passenger-cum-cargo ferry MV ‘Ma Lisha’ at
Georgetown, Guyana.
Note:
The contract for the ferry boat worth USD 12.7 million was signed between the Transport and Harbour
Department (T&HD), Guyana, and GRSE in January 2021.
About the Ferry MV ‘Ma Lisha’:
The 70 metres long ferry and propelled by two diesel engines can reach a top speed of 15 knots.
• This is the largest and fastest ferry to operate in the riverine and coastal parts of the northwest
district of Guyana.
The Ferry (with a displacement of 1,700 tonnes) can carry 294 passengers (including a 14-member crew), 14
cars, 2 trucks, 14 containers and other assorted cargo.
EAM visits the monument of Indian arrival in Berbice, Guyana:
During his visit to Guyana, EAM Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Youth
and Sports of Guyana, Charles Ramson, visited the monument to Indian arrival in Berbice, Guyana.

Background:
On 5th May 1838, the year of the final abolition of slavery in the British West Indies, around 396 Indian
immigrants known as the ‘Gladstone Coolies’ landed at Highbury, Berbice in British Guiana (Guyana) from
Calcutta.
The monument featuring 6 bronze statues, donated by the government of India, was installed at Palmyra
Village in Berbice during the Indian Arrival Day celebrations on 5 May 2019.
Note: The six bronze statues depict a Hindu man, a Muslim man, a Drum boy, a woman with bundle, a woman
with tawa and cahary and a man with cutlass and rice plant.
EAM’s 2 day Visit to Panama from 24th to 25th April 2023
During his 2 day visit to Panama, Dr S. Jaishankar, EAM of India was hosted by Panama’s Foreign Minister
Janaina Tewaney Mencomo.
• This is the 1st time in 60 years that an Indian External Affairs Minister was visiting Panama.
Highlights:
i.During his visit he met with Nito Cortizo, President of Panama and discussed the will to make an alliance with
the Indian pharmaceutical industry to achieve quality, effective and cheaper medicines for Panamanians.
ii.He also met with Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, and discussed ways to
strengthen the bilateral relationship.
iii.During his visit, he noted that India is exploring the possibility of opening a logistics hub for Indian
companies in Panama.
• India’s trade with Latin America is growing and the trade volumes are nearing USD 50 billion level
annually.
iv.He met the representatives of the eight-country Central American Integration System (SICA) during the
India-SICA Foreign Ministerial Meeting.
• The SICA is an economic and political organisation of Central American countries.
v.He also met Indian-origin members of the National Civil Protection System in Panama.
EAM’s Visit to Colombia from 25th to 27th April 2023
During his visit to Colombia, EAM Dr S. Jaishankar met Alvaro Leyva Duran, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Colombia and discussed the ways to boost bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on global issues,
including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
On 27th April 2023, He participated in and addressed the India-Colombia business forum held in Bogota,
Colombia during his visit.
• Addressing the business forum, he stated that Indian companies are executing projects in Latin
America, including in infrastructure, power transmission and mining, he said, adding that they are
also delivering products in the shipping and aviation domain.
Other Highlights of EAM’s visit:
EAM Dr S. Jaishankar and Alvaro Leyva Duran signed the Cultural Exchange Program for 2023-26 and
discussed cooperation in sectors such as health, agriculture, digital infrastructure and more.
EAM also met Honorio Henriquez, second vice President of the Senate of Colombia, and discussed collaboration
in the health, energy and technology sectors.
EAM’s Visit to the Dominican Republic from 27th to 29th April 2023
During his visit to the Dominican Republic, EAM Dr S. Jaishankar met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Dominican Republic, Roberto Alvarez, in the framework of the High-Level Political Dialogue on 28 April 2023
and discussed on bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
• This visit marked the highest-level visit to the Dominican Republic from India since diplomatic ties
were established on 4th May 1999.
• He also paid a courtesy call to Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, and discussed the
possibility of a future visit to India.

Key Points:
The ministers reiterated their interest in strengthening the political dialogue between the two countries,
promoting democratic values and principles, peace, and security.
They also called for expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism within the UN framework.
Highlights of the visit:
i.EAM also unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, established in Santo Domingo and a pavilion dedicated to
India at Faro a Colon Museum, as a sign of friendship between the people of both nations.
ii.On 28th April 2023, Roberto Alvarez and EAM Dr S. Jaishankar jointly inaugurated the Embassy of India in
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the presence of Raquel Pena, Vice President of the Dominican Republic,
Eduardo Estrella, President of the Senate of the Dominican Republic and other cabinet ministers.
iii.Dr S. Jaishankar and Roberto Alvarez finalised negotiations on the following agreements:
• Protocol on Joint Economic and Trade Cooperation (JETCO) between the Department of Commerce,
Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of India, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Dominican Republic.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central Drug Standard Control Organization
of India (CDSCO) of India and the Director of the General Directorate for Medicine, Food and
Sanitary Products of the Dominican Republic (DIGEMAPS).
• An MoU between the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), the Ministry of AYUSH,
and Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena (UNPHU) on the establishment of an ‘Academic
Chair’ at the university.
iv.Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCYT) of the Dominican Republic, and the Indian
Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi), International Institute of Information
Technology (IIIT-Bangalore) signed framework agreements during EAM’s visit.
• These agreements will enable the inclusion of these Indian institutions in the Dominican Republic’s
National Scholarship Program with the objective that Dominican students pursue master’s and
doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in India.
v.EAM Dr S. Jaishankar and Roberto Alvarez agreed on the need to join the efforts to promote trade and
investment through the regular exchange of business delegations between both nations.
• They also highlighted the relevance of the business meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Dominican Republic, with the participation of a delegation of businessmen from the
Confederation of Industries of India (CII), and the National Council of Private Enterprise of the
Dominican Republic (CONEP).
• An MoU was signed between CII and CONEP in an effort to unite the private business sectors of both
countries.
i.Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), visited the Republic of Cyprus from
December 29 – 31, 2022 and the Republic of Austria from December 31, 2022 -January 3, 2023.
ii.From January 18-20, 2023, India’s Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA) paid an official visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka.
About Ministry of External Affairs:
Union Minister– Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
Minister of State(MoS)– V Muraleedharan; Meenakashi Lekhi; Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh
Global Fintech 2023: APAC to Become World’s Top Fintech Market by 2030
According to the report titled “Global Fintech 2023: Reimagining the Future of Finance”, jointly produced by
Boston Consulting Group(BCG) and QED Investors, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to outpace the
United States of America(USA) and become the world’s top fintech market by 2030 with a projected compound
annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%.

• The fintech sector, which currently holds around 2% share of global financial services revenue, is
estimated to reach USD 1.5 trillion in annual revenue by 2030(a 6-fold growth), with banking-
related fintech representing 25% all banking valuations.
• The sector is estimated to witness revenue share grow to 7% by the end of this decade.
• By 2030, global banking and insurance revenue pools are expected to reach USD 21.9 trillion, a 6%
compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
What is The compound annual growth rate (CAGR)?
CAGR is the rate of return (RoR) that would be required for an investment to grow from its beginning balance
to its ending balance, assuming the profits were reinvested at the end of each period of the investment’s life
span.It is the mean annual growth rate of an investment over a specified period of time longer than one year.
Key Points:
i.This growth of APAC region will be driven primarily by local champions in emerging APAC that will solve
access issues, and facilitate financial inclusion.
ii.The separating emerging APAC like China, India, and Indonesia, from developed APAC like Japan and South
Korea, most growth is expected to come from the emerging APAC, since it has the largest fintechs, voluminous
underbanked populations, a high number of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a rising tech-
savvy youth and middle class.
B2B2X & B2B:
i.The report states that the initial stages of fintechs’ evolution were led by payments, accounting for roughly
25% of cumulative equity funding (USD 120 billion) since 2000, B2B2X (business-to-business to any end-user)
and B2B (business-to-business), serving small businesses, will lead the next.
• The B2B2X market comprises B2B2C (business-to-business-to-consumer) – enabling other players
to serve consumers, B2B2B (Business-to-business-to-business) – enabling other players to serve
businesses, and financial infrastructure players.
ii.B2B2X is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25% to reach USD 440 billion in annual revenues by 2030 supported
by growth in embedded finance and financial infrastructure.
iii.The B2b fintech market is expected to grow at a 32% CAGR to reach USD 285 billion in annual revenue by
providing solutions to credit-starved and poorly served small businesses.
India and Fintech:
i.India is undergoing major fintech activity with the emergence of local champions such as PayTM and
Razorpay.
ii.The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) is taking an active role in shaping the market through such vehicles as United
Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhar, Rupay, and Digilocker.
iii.The report projects a major fintech revenue growth in India to be spurred by expanding Gross domestic
product (GDP) (a CAGR of 7% per year), the rise of the educated middle class, younger demographics coming of
age, and increasing fintech penetration.
Note: The report highlights that the majority of fintech revenues in the APAC region currently originate in
China and it is expected to remain a regional leader in the years to come.

Regulatory oversight:
i.The report stated that the regulators must take care not to overregulate the industry and stifle innovation
while creating guardrails.
ii.To encourage future growth, regulators will need to lead from the front proactively to develop and enforce
policies that protect consumers but do not stifle innovation.
iii.Regulators should level the playing field such as enable faster pathways for banking and payment institution
licenses, supporting digital public infrastructure, and facilitating an open banking ecosystem.
BANKING & FINANCE

Airtel Payments Bank Partners with NPCI to Roll out Face Authentication for AePS
Airtel Payments Bank collaborated with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to roll out Face
Authentication for AePS (Aadhaar-enabled Payment System) at its 5 lakh banking points to drive financial
and digital inclusion.
• Through this launch, Airtel Payments Bank became one of the first four banks to offer face
authentication for AePS in India.
Prevailing authentication: So far, transactions were being authenticated using the customer’s Aadhaar
number and fingerprint or iris match in the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) records.
Face Authentication Feature:
i.Under the face authentication facility the customers could validate a transaction using face authentication
along with the Aadhaar number.
ii.Process: The Aadhar Face authentication RD Service Application which was developed in-house by UIDAI
will be used for processing authentication.
iii.The NPCI’s AePS feature will enable the customers to carry out financial and non-financial transactions at
any banking point using their Aadhaar number or virtual ID to access their Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Airtel Payments Bank’s Face Authentication Process:
i.Process:
• The Banking Correspondent (BC) will enter the customers’ details i.e. Aadhaar number enter it into
the business App and confirms the type of authentication that customers wish to opt for i.e. either
fingerprint or face.
• If the customer selects face authentication, then the face authentication RD App will capture the live
Image of the customer and the BC will enter their mPIN and completes the transaction.
ii.The face authentication facility was deployed by Airtel Payments Bank in different phases. The first phase
includes non-financial transactions like balance enquiry and mini-statements.
iii.The face authentication feature was scheduled to be made available by Airtel Payments Bank within a few
weeks for financial transactions.
• The facility is now made available to customers of Airtel Payments Bank who are enabled for face
authentication modality only.

• Airtel Payments Bank also plans to enable the functionality for other bank customers and Airtel
Payments Bank customers at other banking outlets.
About Airtel Payments Bank Ltd:
MD&CEO – Anubrata Biswas
Establishment -January 2017
Pine Labs Partners ICICI Bank to Accept Digital Rupee on its PoS Terminals
On May 2, 2023, Pine Labs India, the Merchant commerce platform, announced the acceptance of the digital
Rupee (e-Rupee- e₹) or central bank digital currency (CBDC), on its PoS (point-of-sale) terminals across key
retail outlets in Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) in partnership with ICICI Bank.
Key Points:
i.The execution of Pine Labs’ e-Rupee payment process is completely digital via dynamic QR built within its
smart Android PoS terminals.
ii.The acceptance of the e-Rupee will provide a seamless payment option to the users and improve the
operational efficiency of merchants with Pine Labs PoS terminals.
iii.As the e-Rupee will accelerate the migration from paper-based currency to digital, the Pine Lab is partnering
with ICICI Bank in launching the e-Rupee as a payment option under the pilot run by the Reserve Bank of India.
Backdrop:
i.On December 1, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched its pilot on retail digital currency/ rupee
called e-Rupee, which is an electronic form of sovereign currency.
ii.The RBI’s CBDC pilot for both person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) e-Rupee transactions is
currently live with leading banks like State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank, Union Bank of
India, Bank of Baroda, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and HDFC Bank.
iii.This controlled retail CBDC pilot is expected to expand to more banks, users, and locations, in addition to
more applications.
iv.After being formally introduced to pan India as a legal tender, the e-Rupee is expected to reduce the
operational costs of the management of physical cash, improve financial inclusion, and deliver resilience and
efficiency in payment transactions.
About ICICI Bank Ltd.
MD & CEO – Sandeep Bakhshi
Tagline – Hum Hai Na Khayal Apka

Bharti Airtel & Dialog Axiata signs Binding Term Sheet for the Merger of their Sri Lankan
Subsidiaries
Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel), an Indian multinational telecommunications services company, and Dialog
Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest telecommunications service provider, signed a binding term sheet for the
merger of their Sri Lankan subsidiaries.
• The binding is to combine the operations of Bharti Airtel Lanka (Private) Limited, Airtel’s wholly-
owned subsidiary, with Dialog, a subsidiary of Malaysian multinational telecommunications
conglomerate Axiata Group Berhad.
• The new entity is set to become the largest telecom provider in Sri Lanka.
Key Highlights:
i. As part of the agreement, Airtel would receive a stake in Dialog that represents the fair market value of Airtel
Lanka.
• Upon the completion of the transaction, new shares of Dialogue would be issued to Airtel.
ii. The proposed transaction is still going on between the parties and with the relevant regulatory authorities as
per applicable laws and regulations.
iii. The proposed transaction is subject to the signing of legal agreements and necessary closing conditions
including shareholder approvals and required regulatory clearances.
Note:
• Dialog Axiata has 17.4 million subscribers, accounting for 57% of the country’s mobile market.
• Airtel Lanka has over 5 million customers and operates in 25 administrative districts and has a
distribution network of over 50,000 retailers with 4G and 2G services present across major towns in
Sri Lanka.
About Dialog Axiata PLC:
Dialog Axiata PLC is a subsidiary of Malaysian multinational telecommunications conglomerate Axiata Group
Berhad.
Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Supun Weerasinghe
Headquarters- Colombo, Sri Lanka
Establishment- 27 August 1993
About Bharti Airtel Lanka (Private) Limited:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Ashish Chandra
Headquarters- Colombo, Sri Lanka
Establishment- 2009
Dvara SmartGold & Jana SFB Partners to Offer Gold Loans

Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Dvara SmartGold Private Limited, a fintech and a portfolio company of Dvara
Holdings (formerly Dvara Trust), has entered into a strategic partnership with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based
Jana Small Finance Bank (SFB) to offer gold loans to its customers in Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and
Maharashtra.

• Under this partnership, Dvara SmartGold will provide gold loans to its customers with Jana SFB as
the lending provider.
• Customers of Dvara SmartGold will have the option to apply for gold loans through the platform and
get money into their bank accounts.
• The loans will have competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms.
• The aim of this partnership is to attract customers away from the traditional, unregulated channels
dominated by moneylenders and pawnbrokers.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

ICAI & ICAEW Renews their MoU
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England
and Wales (ICAEW), the 2 premier globally renowned accounting bodies, have renewed their Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU), which will open opportunities for the “appropriately qualified” member of both the
institutes.
The MoU, which will be reviewed after 3 years, was renewed on 24th April 2023 in London, the United
Kingdom.
• The ICAI has over 3.8 lakh members, whereas ICAEW has over 2 lahks.
• The MoU was signed by Aniket Sunil Talati, President of ICAI, and Julia Penny, President of ICAEW
in the presence of Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, Vice President of ICAI, along with other Council
Members, ICAI and senior functionaries of ICAEW.
• The 1st MoU between the two Institutions, which established the relationship between ICAI and
ICAEW, was signed in 2008.
Note: Members of each Institute who have successfully completed the training and education requirements of
their respective Institutes are considered to be “appropriately qualified” members.

BharatPe acquires 51% stake in Trillion Loans
BharatPe, a fintech in the payment space, has acquired a 51% stake in Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based
Trillionloans Fintech Private Limited, a non-banking financial company (NBFC).
• Trillion Loans sells a range of secured and unsecured loans to small businesses and credit products
such as auto, gold, and education loans to retail customers.
• Following the acquisition, Trillion Loans will operate as an independent entity with a separate team
under the supervision of the board.
• BharatPe will bring in the product and technology capabilities to enable Trillion Loans to launch
new and path-breaking digital lending products that will cater to a diverse set of business owners
and clients.
ENVIRONMENT
Phintella dhritiae & Phintella platnicki: ZSI team discovered 2 New Spider Species in
Karnataka & TN
Researchers of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered 2 new species of jumping spiders from
southern India, namely, Phintella dhritiae from Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and Phintella
platnicki from Salem district of Tamil Nadu (TN).

• The name ‘Phintella dhritiae’ has been given in honour of Dr Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman
Director of the ZSI
• The name ‘Phintella platnicki’ has been given in honour of the late Dr Norman Platnick for his
contribution to the field of arachnology.
Note: Arachnology- The scientific study of arachnids, which comprise spiders and related invertebrates such as
scorpions and pseudoscorpions.
Team- Souvik Sen and Sudhin P P from ZSI in Kolkata, West Bengal; and John T D Caleb from Chennai, TN.
About the Discovery:
Family: Salticidae/ Genus: Phintella.
i. The newly described species are small-to-medium-sized, colourful spiders, usually covered with metallic
iridescent scales.
ii. The head is rather rounded or oval, relatively high with a distinct posterior slope and the abdomen is ovoid
or elongated, usually with pale and dark horizontal bands.
Highlights:
i. Prior to the discovery of these new jumping spider species, 12 species of Phintella were known to be valid
from India.
ii. A prominent publication called “Arthropoda Selecta” published an article about the discovery of these 2 new
species in its March 2023 issue.
Note: In early 2023, the team described another 2 new jumping spiders – ‘Cocalus shendurneyensis’,
‘Habrocestum mookambikaensis’, ‘Stenaelurillusmegamalai’ and ‘Stenaelurillusneyyar’ from the Western Ghats
region.
SPORTS
Badminton Asia Championships 2023: Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Indian pair Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won the men’s doubles title at the 2023
Badminton Asia Championships(BAC) defeating Malaysian pair Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin. They became
the first Indian men’s doubles pair to win the title at the BAC.
• 2023 BAC was held at the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates(UAE) from 25th to 30th April 2023.
• This also marks India’s 2nd ever title at the BAC after Dinesh Khanna, who won India’s first gold, in
men’s singles, at BAC in 1965.
Note:
• Dipu Ghosh and Raman Ghosh, bronze medallists from 1971, were the last Indian men’s doubles pair
to reach the semi-finals of BAC.
About 2023 Badminton Asia Championships(BAC):
The 2023 BAC is the 40th edition of the Badminton Asia Championships. The event was hosted by the United

Arab Emirates Badminton Federation with sanctions from Badminton Asia.
Winners of 2023 Badminton Asia Championships
Category Winners (Gold) Runners (Silver)
Men’s singles Anthony Sinisuka Ginting(Indonesia) Loh Kean Yew(Singapore)
Women’s singles Tai Tzu-Ying(Chinese Taipei) An Se-young(South Korea)
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Chirag Shetty
Men’s doubles (India) Teo Ee Yi Ong Yew Sin(Malaysia)
Women’s doubles Yuki Fukushima Sayaka Hirota(Japan) Baek Ha-na Lee So-hee(South Korea )
Mixed doubles Jiang Zhenbang Wei Yaxin(China) Zheng Siwei Huang Yaqiong(China)
Satwik and Chirag regained World Rank No 5:
With this win, the Indian doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Chirag Shetty has jumped a place in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings to regain the 5th
rank.
• Previously they attained the World Rank No 5 in December 2022.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez wins the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
On 30th April 2023, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (Mexican racing driver) won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix (GP) Title
at the Formula One (F1) 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix held from 28th to 30th April 2023 at the Baku City
Circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the Dutch-Belgian driver, secured 2nd position on the podium and
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, a Monacan driver secured 3rd position.
Sergio Perez became the 1st-ever repeat winner of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. His 1st Azerbaijan Grand Prix
victory was at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
About Azerbaijan GP 2023:
The Azerbaijan GP 2023 was the 4th of 23 rounds in the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, which is
the 74th edition of the F1 World Championship.
Circuit Length- 6.003km.
No. of Laps- 51.
Race Result: (Top 5)
Position Driver Team Points
1 Sergio Perez Red Bull 25
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 18
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 15
4 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 12
5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 10

Note:
• Max Verstappen is currently leading the world Championship race, with a total of 93 points.
• Followed by Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso, with 87 and 60 points respectively.
About Sergio Perez:
i. Sergio Perez, born on 26 January 1990, started his career with a Kart race in 1996. He began racing in the
Skip Barber series in the United States of America (USA) in 2004.
ii. He started his first F1 race in 30 years when he made his debut in the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.
iii. He became the 5th Mexican to compete in F1
iv. Sergio Perez has won 6 F1 Grand Prix races and entered 240 Grand Prix, and the overall points are 1288.
OBITUARY
Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson Arun Manilal Gandhi, Author and Socio-Political Activist, Passed
Away
On 2nd May 2023, Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson Arun Manilal Gandhi, the 89-year-old author and socio-
political activist, passed away at Kolhapur in Maharashtra. He was born to Manilal Gandhi and Sushila
Mashruwala in Durban, South Africa, on 14th April 1934.
• He is the 5th grandson of India’s legendary leader, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma
Gandhi).
• Arun Gandhi along with his wife Sunanda Gandhi started the M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
at the Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America (USA) in 1991.
Arun Gandhi penned several books including “Kasturba: A Life” (2000); “The Forgotten Woman: The Untold
Story of Kastur Gandhi, Wife of Mahatma Gandhi” (2016); and “The Gift: Ten spiritual lessons for the modern
world from My Grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi” (2018).
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Press Freedom Day 2023 – May 3
United Nations (UN)’s World Press Freedom Day is annually observed across the globe on May 3 to raise
awareness about the importance of a free and independent press.
• 3rd May 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2023 is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a
Driver for all other human rights”.
• The 2023 theme signifies the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all
other human rights.

Background:
i. The observance of World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May was recommended by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during its 26th General Conference held in Paris,
France, from 15th October to 7th November 1991.
ii. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 1993.
Why May 3?
The date May 3 was chosen to commemorate the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of press freedom
principles put forth by African journalists, in 1991 in Windhoek, Namibia
Events 2023:
i. On World Press Freedom Day 2023, UNESCO will organize a special anniversary event at UN headquarters in
New York, United States of America (USA).
ii. On 2nd May 2023, the UN Headquarters (New York, USA) hosted a full day of events in honour of World
Press Freedom Day’s anniversary.
World Press Freedom Index 2023: India ranks 161
On 3rd May 2023, the 21st edition of the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) was released by Reporters
Without Borders (RSF – Reporters sans frontières), India’s ranking has slipped 11 positions from 2022, when it
ranked 150, to 161st Rank out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom.
• In terms of press freedom, Norway is ranked 1st for the seventh consecutive year, followed by
Ireland (2nd) and Denmark (3rd).
• The last 3 places are occupied solely by Asian countries: Vietnam (178th), China (179th), and
North Korea (180th).
Table showing Top 5 in WPFI 2023:
Rank Country Score
161 India 36.62
1 Norway 95.18
2 Ireland 89.91
3 Denmark 89.48
4 Sweden 88.15
5 Finland 87.94
Click here for Official RSF WPFI 2023
Key Points:
i. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, the situation is “very serious” in 31 countries, “difficult” in
42, “problematic” in 55, and “good” or “satisfactory” in 52 countries.
ii. Only 3 out of 10 countries have a “satisfactory” environment for journalism, while 7 out of 10 have a “bad”
environment.
iii. World Press Freedom Index:
• World Press Freedom Index, a ranking of countries based on the degree of press freedom they
provide.
• The Index is annually compiled by Paris(France)-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a non-
profit organization that advocates for press freedom worldwide, and published since 2002.
iv. According to RSF, WPFI uses 5 new indicators that shape the Index and provides a vision of press freedom in
all its complexity: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and safety.

About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General- Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters- Paris, France
Establishment- 1945 (came into force in 1946)
Members- 193 Members and 11 Associate Members.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Karnataka ranked most innovative State by the National Manufacturing Innovation Survey 2021-
22
2. India sets foodgrain production target of 332 MT for 2023-24 crop year
3. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs signs MoU with RITES as Technical Support Agency for
Swachhata
4. CMIE: Unemployment Rate Rises to 8.11% in April
5. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Maldives from 1st to 3rd May 2023
6. Indian Army Conducted Buland Bharat Training Exercise at High Altitude Artillery Ranges of
Eastern Theatre
7. RBI’s Report On Currency And Finance 2022-23 Suggests Carbon Pricing system for India
8. Cashfree Payments, YES Bank Partners to offer International payment collection service to
Indian exporters
9. Axis Bank, IndiaShelter Enters Co-lending Partnership to Offer MSME Loans
10. Ajay Banga becomes first Indian-American to be appointed as 14th World Bank President
11. HDFC ERGO General Insurance elevates Anuj Tyagi to Joint Managing Director
12. CCI approves Acquisition of Shareholding of Tower Vision by Ascend Telecom Infrastructure
Private Limited and GIP EM
13. Union Minister Parshottam Rupala launches VCI portal
14. US Sprinter & 3 Time Olympic Medalist Tori Bowie Passed Away
15. International Firefighters’ Day 2023 – May 4
16. Tamil Nadu Food Department opens Portal and App for grievances
17. AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lays Foundation Stone for Rs 21,844 Crore Vizag Tech Park
18. Justice T.S. Sivagnanam appointed as the CJ of the Calcutta High Court

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Karnataka ranked most innovative State by the National Manufacturing Innovation
Survey 2021-22
According to the ‘National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22: Summary for Policymakers’, a
joint study by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO), Karnataka has topped the Indian Manufacturing Innovation Index (IMII) ranking 2022
with an IMII score of 33.41.
• The NMIS 2021-2022 which aims to evaluate the innovation performance of manufacturing firms in
India was released by Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DST, Ministry of Science and Technology
(MoST).
Note: NMIS 2021-22, a follow-up of the first Indian Innovation Survey 2011, is a focused effort to evaluate the
state of innovation in India’s manufacturing sector.
Assessment:
The survey was conducted for a period of financial years 2017-2020 in 28 states and 6 Union Territories (UTs),
covering manufacturing and related service sector and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises). It was a
follow-up of the DST’s first National Innovation Survey held in 2011. The survey had two specific components:
the Firm-Level Survey and the Sectorial Systems of Innovation (SSI) survey.
The Firm-level survey covered 58 sector, and captured data related to types of innovations and innovative
measures taken by firms while SSI survey mapped the manufacturing innovation system and its enabling role
in achieving innovations in firms in select five key manufacturing sectors important to the Indian economy viz.
textiles; food & beverage; automotive; pharma; and ICT (Information and Communications Technology).
• A total of 8,087 firms participated in the firm-level survey, while 5,488 firms and non-firms
participated in the SSI survey.
The responses obtained from the firm-level survey have been converted into an index, the India
Manufacturing Innovation Index (IMII) for comparison across the 28 states and 6 UTs of India.
IMII:
i.The Indian manufacturing sector has an overall IMII score of 28.17.
ii.Karnataka, overall, is the most innovative State with index score of 33.41, followed by Dadra and Nagar
Haveli & Daman and Diu (DNH&DD) (32.88), Telangana (32.86), and Tamil Nadu-TN (32.54).
iii.Apart from Northeastern states except Assam (19.69), low-performing states include Bihar (21.32),
Jharkhand (22.78), and Odisha (23.05).
iv.Telangana, Karnataka, and TN had the highest share of innovative firms at 46.18%, 39.10% and 31.90%,
respectively, with Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand reporting the lowest share of such firms at 12.78%, 13.47%
and 13.71%, respectively.
v.Uttarakhand (31.72) has the highest score among the hill states, while DNH&DD has the highest score among
the UTs.

Key Points:
i.There is a need to increase innovation in manufacturing.
ii.The report states that only 25.01% of the 8,074 firms surveyed were considered innovative.
iii.The majority of the firms, 73.76%, did not introduce product or business process innovations in this period
iv.The most frequent barriers to innovation were the lack of internal funds, high innovation costs, and lack of
financing from external sources.
• Gujarat and DNH&DD reported the highest frequencies of barriers to innovation, despite being
among India’s most industrialised States.
Note: The NMIS 2021 aligns with the objectives of SDG9 (Sustainable Development Goal), namely supporting
domestic technology development, research and innovation, increasing the access to financial services of small-
scale industries and their integration into value chain markets, to foster innovations and promoting inclusive
and sustainable industrialization by 2030.
i.On March 1, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the March 2023 round of its 2 surveys: Inflation
Expectations Survey of Households (IESH), and Consumer Confidence Survey (CCS). Data gathered from these
surveys, which are regularly done by RBI, will provide useful inputs for RBI’s monetary policy.
ii.According to the 3rd edition of PayNearby’s annual report titled “PayNearby Women Financial Index
(PWFI)” over 10,000 women entrepreneurs have dispensed over Rs 900 crores of financial services in FY22.
The report, released by PayNearby in association with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), is a detailed
analysis on ‘financial consumption by women at retail outlets’ in 2021-22.
About United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO):
Director General– Gerd Müller
Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
India sets Foodgrain Production Target of 332 MT for 2023-24 crop year
The Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare(MoA&FW), Government of India, has set a target of 332
million (3320 lakh) tonnes of production of foodgrains for the 2023-2024 crop year (July 2023-June 2024).
MoA&FW’s target includes the production of 29.25 MT of pulses, 44 MT of oilseed, and 17 MT of millets.
• The target was released during the conference of State officials for the preparation of strategies
amid the forecast of El Nino, inaugurated by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare
Narendra Singh Tomar.
• MoA&FW noted the strategy to achieve the set targets by increasing the production area through
inter-cropping and crop diversification and productivity enhancement through the introduction of
high-yielding varieties, and adoption of suitable agronomic practices in low-yielding regions

Key Points:
i.The Union Minister stated that the agriculture sector has witnessed an average annual growth rate of 4.6%
over the last six years.
• Total production of sugarcane during 2022-23 is estimated at a record 4688 lakh tonnes.
• As per the 3rd Advance Estimates of Horticulture, a record 3423.3 lakh tonnes of horticultural
production are estimated in 2021-22 which is 77.30 lakh tonnes higher than production of 2020-21.
ii.The annual growth enables the agriculture and allied activities sectors to contribute to the overall economic
growth of India.
iii.GoI has prioritised agro-ecological-based crop planning for the diversion of land from excess commodities
such as rice and wheat to deficit commodities like oilseeds and pulses and high-value export-earning crops,
iv.Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State(MoS) for MoA&FW stated that following the celebration of 2023 as the
International Year of Millets(IYM), the global demand for millets is set to rise.
• This will offer an opportunity to increase the production of millets, ensure efficient processing and
consumption, promote better utilisation of crop rotations, and encourage better connectivity
throughout food systems to promote millets as a key component of the food basket.
Note:
i.As per the second advance estimate for the crop year 2022-2023, The foodgrain production of India is
estimated at 3235 lakh tonnes, up 79 lakh tonnes compared to the crop year 2021-22.
ii.Record production has been estimated for rice, maize, gram, pulses, mustard, oilseeds, and sugarcane.
iii.The export of agri and allied sector have increased from USD 41.86 billion in 2020–21 to USD 50.24 billion in
2021–22 i.e. an increase of 19.99%.
iv.To support farmers, the union government also plans to convert over 325,000 fertilizer shops into Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras, offering fertilizers, seeds, soil testing, and farming technique information.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs signs MoU with RITES as Technical Support Agency
for Swachhata
On May 2, 2023, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited, (RITES Limited) for technical assistance for
Solid Waste Management (SWM) & Used Water Management (UWM) under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban
(SBM-U) 2.0.
• The Technical Support Unit (TSU) of RITES will assist SBM-U for a period of 3 years.
• The MoU will focus on accelerating Solid Waste and Used Water Management(UWM) – a newly
funded component for towns with less than 1 lakh population.
• Under UWM, RITES will provide technical support for standards & specifications in the field of
sewage and faecal sludge management and reuse, engineering design and process of waste water
treatment units.
CMIE: Unemployment Rate Rises to 8.11% in April 2023

According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s unemployment rate rose to a 4-month
high in April 2023 at 8.11%, compared to 7.8% in March 2023.
• The Unemployment rate was 7.14% in January 2023, 7.45% in February 2023.
The Rural Unemployment rate declined to 7.34% in April 2023 from 7.47% in March 2023 and the Urban
unemployment rate rose to 9.81% in April 2023 from 8.51% in March 2023.
• India’s labour force increased by 25.5 million people to 467.6 million in April 2023.
• The labour participation rate (LPR) increased slightly from 39.77% in March 2023 to 41.98% in
April 2023.
• In India, there were 34.5 million unemployed people in March and 37.9 million in April 2023. An
extra 3.4 million individuals became unemployed.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Maldives from 1st to 3rd May 2023
Union Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, paid an official visit to Maldives from 1st to 3rd May 2023. During his
3 day visit, he held bilateral talks with Mariya Ahmed Didi, Minister of Defence of the Maldives and Abdulla
Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.
He also called on President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and discussed ongoing projects and ways to
further strengthen defence ties
• During his visit, he handed over 2 naval vessels- Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and a Landing Craft Assault
ship, to the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF).
• He also joined Mariya Ahmed Didi in the foundation stone laying ceremony of MNDF Ekatha harbour
in Male, Maldives.
Note: Rajnath Singh arrived in Male on 1st May 2023 at the invitation of Mariya Ahmed Didi.
Bilateral talks:
i.Defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi discussed the regional and
global security issues of mutual concern and agreed to strengthen the cooperation in the defence and security
sector.

ii.They also discussed the need to promote people-to-people contacts and exchanges between the armed forces
of both India and Maldives.
iii.During the meeting with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, both nations reaffirmed their
commitment to strengthen the partnership between India and Maldives.
iv.They also noted that both nations are looking forward to continuing the dialogue and cooperation in future.
Key Points:
i.During his visit, he visited the ongoing project sites in the Maldives and interacted with the Indian diaspora in
the Maldives.
ii.The visit of the Defence Minister to Maldives marks a major landmark in building strong bonds of friendship
between India and Maldives.
iii.India and Maldives are working towards addressing the shared challenges such as maritime security,
terrorism, radicalisation, piracy, trafficking, organised crime and natural disasters.
Defence Minister handed over 2 naval vessels to MDNF
On 2nd May 2023(day 2 of the visit) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over the 2 naval vessels, Fast
Patrol Vessel (FPV) and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the MNDF.
• The defence minister highlighted the handing over of these vessels as the symbol of the shared
commitment of India and the Maldives towards peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR).
• The FPV, capable of coastal and offshore surveillance at high speeds, was commissioned as
the MNDF Coast Guard ship Huravee.
Additional info:
In Sri Lanka, the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V. R. Chaudhari donated AN-32
transport aircraft propellers to Commander Sri Lanka Air Force at Katunayake Air Base.
Laid foundation stone for MNDF Ekatha harbour
On 3rd May 2023, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Mariya Ahmed Didi, Minister of Defence of the Maldives
laid the foundation stone for the MNDF Coast Guard ‘Ekatha Harbour’ in Male, Maldives.
• The development of the Coast Guard Harbour and repair facility at Sifavaru is one of the biggest
grant-in-aid projects in India.
Key Point: The defence minister highlighted that India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the
Region) and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy along with the Maldives’ ‘India First’ policy aims to work together to
jointly develop the capabilities within the IOR (Indian Ocean Region).
Union minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) visited African nations – Uganda,
Ethiopia and Mozambique for 6 days from April 10 to 15, 2023 to strengthen India’s bilateral relationship with
the countries.
About Maldives:
President– Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Capital– Male
Currency– Maldivian Rufiyaa
Indian Army Conducted Buland Bharat Training Exercise at High Altitude Artillery Ranges of
Eastern Theatre
Indian Armed Forces conducted ‘Buland Bharat’, an integrated surveillance and firepower training Exercise,
at the newly operationalised High Altitude Artillery Ranges of Eastern Theatre – Mandala High Altitude Firing
Ranges in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Objective: To add coordination and speed towards the detection, destruction and depletion of the
enemy’s war-waging capabilities.
Key Points:
i.The training exercise involved the synergised application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the

Artillery and the Infantry in close coordination with Special Forces, Aviation and Central Armed Police Forces
(CAPF) deployed in West Kameng and Tawang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
ii.The exercise was conducted to test simulated war conditions in high-altitude areas.
iii.The exercise validated plans for bringing down integrated firepower by orchestrating synchronised firing by
artillery guns and fire support components of Infantry, for destruction of designated targets.
iv.The training exercise was held after a month-long training in which troops and equipment were tested in
simulated war conditions in high-altitude areas and extreme weather conditions.
v.Uninterrupted communication on multiple media was also tested at long distances under the training
exercise.
Note: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are the Border Guarding Forces under the
administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Additional info:
i.The Eastern Command is one of the six operational commands of the Indian Army. It is headquartered in Fort
William in the city of Kolkata in the state of West Bengal.
ii.The Eastern Theatre encompasses Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura and
Meghalaya, Assam and Bengal.
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI’s Report On Currency And Finance 2022-23 Suggests Carbon Pricing system for India
The report released by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Report On Currency And Finance 2022-23 on May 03, 2023,
recommends India to introduce a broad-based carbon pricing system in line with emerging global best
practices to meet the country’s climate goals.
• The theme of the report is – ‘Towards a Greener Cleaner India’,

• The report does not represent the views of the RBI, inturn it is based on the findings, views and
conclusions of the contributors from the Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR).

Key Recommendations of the Report to India:
i.The carbon tax was suggested to be accompanied by complementary redistributive policies due to its
regressive nature, in view of the inability of the weaker sections of the society to move to eco-friendly modes of
production and patterns of consumption.
ii.The report also recommends introduction of an Emissions Trading System (ETS) linked to green taxonomy,
covering all sectors of the economy, which can partly balance subsidy (less polluting industries getting carbon
credits for trading) and tax (more polluting industries that should have to buy carbon certificates).
• As per the report, a carbon tax may be more effective, an ETS may be less politically contentious.
iii.Green Taxonomy:
• It also mentioned the requirement of an effective green taxonomy to identify sustainable green
assets and activities and limit the potential risk of greenwashing.
• Suggestion was made to properly record public spending on climate change and related issues after
the implementation of Green taxonomy.
• The issues need to be reported in a climate budget report as a supplement to the annual budget.
iv.India needs to find ways to improve access to technology and critical mineral resources through multilateral,
regional and bilateral strategic partnerships.
v.Furthermore efforts are required to address the variability in wind and solar power supply through
appropriate energy storage technology and demand management mechanisms using smart grids.
vi.Improving Domestic Capacity:
• The report also suggests to improve the domestic capacity to mine lithium, cobalt and rare earth
elements and/or procure them through long-term contracts and outward FDI (Foreign Direct
Investment).
• Suggestion was also made to increase the domestic manufacturing of critical equipment such as
batteries, electrolysers, PV cells, EVs, other associated components.
• Application of AI (Articifial Intelligence) and ML (Machine learning) need to be advanced for better
resource management.
Prevailing Climate Action Plan:
i.India has updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with the target of Net Zero emissions by
2070, to raise the share of renewable energy and reduce the carbon emissions intensity of GDP by 2030.
ii.India has also launched the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure,
and the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
-RBI Data: India’s Service Exports increased by 26.6% in FY23
i.According to the data released by RBI on 2nd May 2023, India’s services exports increased by a record 26.6%
in 2022-23 (FY23) to US$ 322 billion.
• Services imports grew 22.2 % to US$179.7 billion, leading to a services trade surplus of US$142.5
billion.
ii.Merchandise exports rose by only 6% to US$ 447 billion in FY23.
• With a US$267 billion merchandise trade deficit in FY22, India has a cumulative trade deficit (or net
exports) of US$124.5 billion.
iii.While software exports continue to dominate India’s services exports.
• The ‘other business services’ exports have increased accounting for 24% of total services exports in
the first nine months of FY23 (April-December, 2022), up from 19% in FY14.
iv.The Union government has set a goal of US$ 2 trillion in combined goods and services exports by 2030.
On January 4, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Annual Report of the Ombudsman Schemes
for the period April 01, 2021 – March 31, 2022. Issues related to ATM (Automated Teller Machine)/debit cards
were the highest at 14.65% of the total received at the Office of Banking Ombudsman (OBO) from April 1 to
November 11, 2021.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors – Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T. Rabi Sankar
Establishment – 1st April 1935
Cashfree Payments, YES Bank Partners to offer International payment collection service to
Indian exporters
In May 2023, the Cashfree Payments have partnered with Yes Bank to offer ‘Global Collections’, an
international collection service for Indian exporters with Yes Bank account, to simplify the way Indian
exporters receive payments from across the world.
• The partnership will enable the Yes Bank account holders to collect payments in over 30 foreign
currencies using the Global Collections service.
• After receiving the payments, the customer could convert the payments into rupee and settle into
their local bank account in India within one business day.
Key Benefits:
i.The payments service will include dedicated facilities in four currencies (USD(United States dollar),
GBP(Pound Sterling), EUR (euro) and CAD(Canadian dollar)).
ii.It also enables global collections in over 30 foreign currencies up to the equivalent of US$10,000 in line with
the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) Online Payment Gateway Service Providers (OPGSP) guidelines.
iii.The Global Collections will enable the exporters to have real-time access and control over their payments
and collections journey.
iv.The exporters could share their payment collection details with their buyers over email, SMS or WhatsApp.
• The buyers could make payments using local rails like Automated Clearing House (ACH), Single Euro
Payments Area (SEPA), etc.
v.Exporters will receive their settlements in INR (Indian Rupee) in their local bank accounts in India. Further,
they will also get digital Foreign Inward Remittances Advice (e-FIRA) within 24 hours.
About YES Bank Ltd.
MD&CEO – Prashant Kumar
Tagline – Experience Our Expertise
Axis Bank, IndiaShelter Enters Co-lending Partnership to Offer MSME Loans

Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, and India Shelter Finance Corporation Ltd (IndiaShelter),
a Gurgaon(Haryana)-based Housing Finance Company, have entered into a strategic partnership under the co-
lending model to offer secured MSME(Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) loans to middle and low-income
borrowers in semi-urban areas.

• This partnership with IndiaShelter is in line with Axis Bank’s Bharat Banking mission which aims to
extend its reach in remote regions and provide financial service in a seamless digital manner.
Features of the partnership:
i.Under the partnership, Axis Bank will leverage its financial expertise and IndiaShelter will provide its loan
processing technology to assess borrowers’ credit profiles and offer loans at an optimal interest rate, ensuring a
seamless banking experience.
ii.The digital co-lending platform of Axis Bank will offer a superior customer experience.
iii.IndiaShelter would support first-generation semi-urban families to get access to credit through its well-
established Phygital Model.
About Axis Bank Ltd.
MD&CEO – Amitabh Chaudhry
Tagline – Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi

Ajay Banga becomes first Indian-American to be appointed as 14th World Bank President
On May 3, 2023, Vice Chairman of General Atlantic Ajaypal Singh Banga, known as Ajay Banga, (63) was
appointed as the 14th President of the World Bank (WB) by the 25-Executive Directors of the WB for a five-
year term beginning June 2, 2023.
• He will succeed incumbent President David Malpass and become the first-ever Indian-American
President of WB.
• He is also the first-ever Indian-American and Sikh-American to head either of the two top
international financial institutions: the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the WB.
Key Points:
i.In February 2023, United States of America (USA) President Joe Biden nominated Ajay Banga to lead WB.
ii.As President of the World Bank Group, he will also serve as the Chair of the Board of Executive Directors of

the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), as well as ex officio chair of the Board of
Directors of the International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), the
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and of the Administrative Council of the International
Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Note: The World Bank has been led by an American since its founding(1944) at the end of World War II, while
the International Monetary Fund has been led by a European.
About Ajay Banga:
i.Ajay Banga was born in Pune, Maharashtra, India and in 1996, he moved to the USA and joined Pepsico. He
served at various capacities including the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pepsico’s operations in India
and Southeast Asia.
ii.He joined Mastercard as its President and Chief Operating Officer(COO) in 2009 and became its CEO in 2010.
iii.In December 2021, he joined General Atlantic as Vice Chairman following his retirement from the post of the
CEO of Mastercard.
iv.He previously served on the Boards of the American Red Cross, Kraft Foods and Dow Inc.
v.He is a member of the Trilateral Commission, a founding trustee of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum,
a former member of the National Committee on US-China Relations, and Chairman Emeritus of the American
India Foundation.
vi.He is a co-founder of The Cyber Readiness Institute, Vice Chair of the Economic Club of New York and served
as a member of President Barack Obama’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity.
• He is a past member of the US President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
vii.The government of India honoured him with “Padma Shri” for trade and Industry in 2016. He was awarded
the Foreign Policy Association Medal in 2012, the Ellis Island Medal of Honour and the Business Council for
International Understanding’s Global Leadership Award in 2019, and the Distinguished Friends of Singapore
Public Service Star in 2021.
About World Bank (WB):
Headquarters– Washington, D.C., United States of America(USA)
HDFC ERGO General Insurance elevates Anuj Tyagi to Joint Managing Director
Anuj Tyagi, Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of HDFC ERGO, has been promoted as Joint Managing
Director(MD) of HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited. The elevation was approved by the
Nomination & Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors of HDFC ERGO General Insurance decided
during their meeting held on 27th April 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
He has about 22 years of work experience in insurance and banking.
• Anuj Tyagi has been with HDFC ERGO for the last 14 years, since 2008, and has played a significant
role in the organisation’s success.
• In 2016, he was appointed as a Whole-time Director (designated as Executive Director (ED) & Chief
Business Officer (CBO)) of HDFC ERGO General Insurance for a period of 5 years. He was
reappointed as the ED & CBO in 2020 for a further 5 years, and in 2021 he was re-designated as the
DMD.

CCI approves Acquisition of Shareholding of Tower Vision by Ascend Telecom Infrastructure
Private Limited and GIP EM
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves the acquisition of the shareholding of Tower Vision India
Private Limited (Tower Vision) by Ascend Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited and GIP EM Ascend 2 Pte. Ltd
(GIP EM).

Acquirers- Ascend Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (Ascend) and GIP EM
Target- Tower Vision
Highlights:
i. The Proposed Combination is being notified under Section 6(2) read with Section 5 of the Competition Act,
2002 (as amended).
ii. The proposed combination requires the acquisition of 100% of the issued and fully paid-up ordinary equity
shares of Tower Vision by Ascend and GIP EM.
iii. Ascend is engaged in providing passive telecommunication infrastructure services through towers in India.
GIP EM is presently not engaged in any business operations.
• Both Ascend and GIP EM are entirely owned by funds/investment vehicles managed by entities that
are ultimately controlled by Global Infrastructure Management LLC (GIM LLC).
iv. Tower Vision, established in 2006, is engaged in the provision of passive telecommunication infrastructure
services through towers in India.
• It is registered as Infrastructure Provider Category –I (IP-I) with the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT), the Ministry of Communications, Government of India
CCI approves Acquisition by Sanjay Chamria (SC) of certain equity shares of Jaguar & Magma HDI
The CCI approves acquisition by Sanjay Chamria (SC) of certain equity shares of Jaguar Advisory Services
Private Limited (Jaguar), resulting in an indirect acquisition of certain equity shares of Magma HDI General
Insurance Company Limited (Magma HDI).
Highlights:
i. The proposed combination is in the nature of the acquisition by Sanjay Chamria of an aggregate of 11,500
Jaguar equity shares total, representing 51.11% of Jaguar’s total equity share capital, held by Poonawalla
Fincorp Limited (PFL) and HDI Global SE (HDI).
ii. As a result, Sanjay Chamria will indirectly acquire roughly 5.44% of the equity share capital of Magma HDI.
iii. The Proposed Combination is an indirect acquisition of shares under Section 5(a) of the Competition Act,
2002.
Note:
• Sanjay Chamria is engaged in investing directly and through entities owned by him in various listed
and unlisted enterprises.
• Jaguar, incorporated on 03 July 2009, is engaged in the business of provision of manpower supply
services.
• Magma HDI is engaged in the business of general/non-life insurance in India and offers a complete
range of general/non-life insurance products.
About Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited:
i. Magma HDI General Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture (JV) between Magma Fincorp Limited and
HDI Global SE Germany.
• Magma Fincorp Limited, one of India’s largest Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)

• HDI Global SE Germany is part of the Talanx Group, a multi-brand conglomerate that has a presence
in over 150 countries
ii. A range of innovative retail and commercial general insurance products are available from Magma HDI.
On 14th March 2023, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the fair trade regulator, approved the
following acquisition:
i. Acquisition of Meritor, Inc., by Cummins Inc.
ii. Acquisition of METRO Cash & Carry India by Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL)
iii. Acquisition of 100% of the equity share capital of L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited and
Kudgi Transmission Limited, by Epic Concesiones Private Limited and Infrastructure Yield Plus II, respectively.
About the Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Acting Chairperson- Sangeeta Verma
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment- 14th October 2003 (Operational from 2009)

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala launches VCI portal
On 29th April 2023, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying,
launched a Veterinary Council of India (VCI) portal during the event organised to celebrate World Veterinary
Day 2023 (29 April 2023) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• He also released the draft Minimum Standards of Veterinary Practices Regulation (MSVPR) 2023,
and a list of outstanding veterinarians in the event.
• The event was organised to recognize and celebrate the important roles of Veterinarians in animal
and human health and ecology
OBITUARY
US Sprinter & 3 Time Olympic Medalist Tori Bowie Passed Away
On 2nd May 2023, American track and field athlete Tori Bowie, who won 3 medals in the Olympic Games,
passed away in Horizon West, Florida, United States of America (USA), at the age of 32. She was born on 27th
August 1990 at Sand Hill, Rankin County, Mississippi, USA.
About Tori Bowie:

i. Tori Bowie began her professional track and field career in 2013 and made her international debut at World
Indoor Championships in Sopot in 2014 in Long Jump.
ii. She also competed in long jumping at the Adidas Grand Prix (2013) and Hercules meets (2013) as well as the
IAAF Diamond League circuit (2014)

• IAAF – World Athletics, formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation and
International Association of Athletics Federations
iii. She later switched from long jump to sprints in 2014 and won the bronze medal in the 100-metre dash
(10.80 seconds) at the 2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and became the fastest woman in the
world.
iv. She won her 1st major international medal (bronze) in a 100-meter at the 2015 World Championships in
Beijing, China.
v. She anchored the US team that won 4x100m relay gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she also earned
silver in the 100m event and bronze in the 200m event.
vi. Tori Bowie won the gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in
London, United Kingdom. She also won the gold for the 4×100 meter relay in the same.
vii. Her last major international competition was the World Athletics Championships in 2019 in Doha, Qatar,
where she finished 4th in the long jump. Her last official competition was in June 2022.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Firefighters’ Day 2023 – May 4
International Firefighters’ Day(IFFD) is annually observed across the globe on 4th May to honour and recognise
the incredible work done by the firefighters while protecting the life and property of people. IFFD also aims to
pay tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
• The day 4th May is also marked as St Florian’s Day. St Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighters.
IFFD’s symbol: Red and Blue ribbon (two colours fused on top) is the significant symbol of the IFFD, the red
colour symbolises the element of Fire and the blue symbolises the element of water.
Background:
i.International Firefighters Day(IFFD) was initiated to honour the deaths of 5 firefighters who died in the line of
duty in the 1998 Wildfire at Linton, Victoria, Australia.
ii.On 4th January 1999, Australian firefighter JJ Edmondson sent out the proposal to observe 4th May as
International Firefighters Day.
• The first-ever International Firefighters Day was observed on 4th May 1999.
Why May 4?
The date, May 4th, for IFFD, was chosen to coincide with the feast day of St Florian.
• St Florian (250-304AD) was the first known commander of one firefighting squad in the Roman
Empire.
• He lost his life, as well as those of his colleagues, for protecting the same humane ideas which are
shared by firefighters all over the world.
Sound Off:
i.For the first time, in 2002 the “sound off” was conducted to reflect on the commitment and sacrifices of
firefighters worldwide.

ii.Following the success of the inaugural sound-off, it is now annually conducted on the 1st Sunday of every
May.
• 2023 Sound-off will be conducted on 7th May 2023.
Related observance in India:
In India, 14th April of every year is observed as the National Fire Service (NFS) Day to pay tribute to the
firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and emphasize the importance of fire service.
STATE NEWS
Tamil Nadu Food Department opens Portal and App for grievances
The Health Minister of Tamil Nadu (TN), Ma Subramanian, has launched a mobile app ‘TN Food Safety
Consumer App‘ and website of the Food Safety Department (www.foodsafety.tn.gov.in) for grievances at an
event held at the Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar Estate in Chennai, TN.
• Through these consumers can find information on safe food and other details.
• The website would provide information about the Food Safety Department’s activities, banned
items, Acts governing food safety and licences.
• It can be accessed in Tamil and English and has a screen reader facility for ease of access for the
differently-abled.
Key Points:
i.Consumers can also lodge complaints with the Food Safety Department in the following ways,
• Mobile app: TN Food Safety Consumer
• Website: foodsafety.tn.gov.in
• Email: unavupukar@gmail.com
• WhatsApp: 9444042322
ii.Short films to create awareness on reused oil and food fortification are being popularised on social media.
iii.The Food Safety Department had also confiscated 16,209 kg of fruits, worth around Rs 9.2 lakh, that had
been ripened through harmful artificial methods.
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister– Muthuvel Karunanidhi (MK) Stalin
Governor– Ravindra Narayana Ravi
Zoological Parks– Chennai Snake Park, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust/Centre For Herpetology
AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lays Foundation Stone for Rs 21,844 Crore Vizag Tech Park
On 3rd May 2023, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister (CM) of Andhra Pradesh (AP), laid the foundation
stone of Rs 21,844 crore Vizag Tech Park Limited (VTPL), a subsidiary of Adani Group company which will
house 300 megawatt (MW) data centres.

• Vizag Tech Park will be India’s 1st data park. The event was attended by Rajesh Adani, Managing
Director of Adani Group and Karan Adani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Adani Group.
Highlights:
i. The 300 MW data centres would facilitate the laying of a submarine cable from Singapore and help change the
future dynamics of broadband services.
ii. The Vizag Tech Park (coming up in an area of 190.29 -acres) would consist of:
• A 200 MW Integrated Data Centre (130 acres) at Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, AP, with an
investment of Rs 14,634 crore.
• A 100 MW Integrated Data Centre (60.29 acres) at Kapuluppada, AP, with an investment of Rs
7,210 crore.
iii. According to the CM statement, the VTPL would provide direct employment to 39,815 people in a phased
manner over 7 years and indirect employment to 10,610 more.
CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lays Foundation for Rs 4,592 Crore Bhogapuram Airport
On 3rd May 2023, AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for Rs 4,592 crore International
Greenfield Airport at Bhogapuram village in Vizianagaram district, AP.
• In addition to the Bhogapuram airport, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy also virtually laid the foundation for
the Rs 194 crore Taraka Rama Sagaram project and the Rs 24 crore Chintapalli Fish Landing Centre
in the Vizianagaram district of AP.
Highlights:
i. Bhogapuram Airport will initially serve 40 lakh people before expanding to 4 crores, serving as the hub for
the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, and changing the appearance of North AP.
• In four months, the foundation stone will be set for a 6-lane motorway that would span a 60-
kilometre route between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram.
ii. All necessary approvals, including no-objection certificates (NOCs), as well as the resolution verdict from the
National Green Tribunal and the courts, have been obtained, and the land acquisition and tender process are
now complete.
iii. The Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation (APADCL) has signed an agreement with the GMR
group to build the airport in the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Justice T.S. Sivagnanam appointed as the CJ of the Calcutta High Court

The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, has notified the appointment of Justice T.S.
Sivagnanam, the seniormost judge of the Calcutta High Court, as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Calcutta High
Court. He is currently serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court.
• On 9th February 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium (SCC) suggested Justice T.S. Sivagnanam for the
position of CJ of the Calcutta High Court.
• He was born on 16 September 1963 and began his legal practice in September 1986.
• He was appointed as an additional judge of the Madras High Court on March 31, 2009, and became a
permanent judge on March 29, 2011.

• In October 2021, he was transferred to the Calcutta High Court where he has been serving since
then. He is scheduled to retire on September 15, 2025.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. AHDF KCC Campaign launched to provide KCC to all eligible farmers engaged in AHDF
2. CEA Report: India to have 41 GW of energy storage capacity by 2029-30
3. Shantanu Thakur flags off MV-ITT LION (V-273) from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
4. Union Minister Nityanand Rai inaugurated Dawki land port in Meghalaya
5. President Murmu visits Odisha, launched Addiction Free Odisha” Campaign in Mayurbhanj
6. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviews ‘Food Street Project’ to develop 100 Healthy and
Hygienic Food Streets across India
7. Dr Chintan Vaishnav & Durga Jasraj launches “UPAJ: A Festival of Innovations in Arts”
8. RBI, BISIH Jointly Launches G20 TechSprint 2023; RBI Updates KYC instructions on wire
transfers
9. Capital SFB Partners with Max Life Insurance to Offer Life Insurance Solutions
10. India, Russia Agreed to Explore RuPay and Mir cards for Easy Payments
11. Vishesh: HDFC Bank launches programme for customers in semi-urban and rural
12. Indian embassy in Nepal ink MoU with STMHF for Distribution of LPG Stoves, Cylinders
13. Three Imprisoned Iranian women journalists receive 2023 UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize
14. Santiago Peña elected as the next President of Paraguay
15. Dhruva Space successfully tests its Satellite Orbital Deployers & Orbital Link
16. Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane launched the IHD platform in Health Sector
17. L.chalukyae & L. gomantaki: CSIR-CCMB Scientists discovered 2 New Species of Spiny Clam
Shrimps in Karnataka & Goa
18. International Day of the Midwife – May 5 2023
19. World Hand Hygiene Day 2023 – May 5
20. African World Heritage Day 2023 – May 5
21. World Cartoonist’s Day 2023 – May 5

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
AHDF KCC Campaign launched to provide KCC to all eligible farmers engaged in AHDF
On May 3rd 2023, the nationwide AHDF KCC Campaign for 2023-24 has been launched by Parshottam
Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (FAHD) to provide Kisan Credit Card
(KCC) facility to all eligible farmers engaged in Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fishery (AHDF) Farmers.
• The campaign has been launched as part of AazadiKaAmritMahostav.

About AHDF KCC Campaign:
The Nationwide AHDF KCC Campaign is organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in
association with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) from 1st
May 2023 to 31st March 2024 to expand the benefit of KCC to all eligible animal husbandry, dairy and fishery
farmers, in order to improve the income of the farmers by avoiding the financial uncertainties faced by them.
In March 2023, DFS issued detailed guidelines for organising the campaign to banks and state governments
Key Points:
i. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) in association with DFS are organising
various campaigns since June 2020 for providing KCC facilities to all eligible Animal Husbandry and Fishery
Farmers.
Note: The recent Nationwide AHDF KCC Campaign has been held from 15.11.2021 to 15.03.2023.
ii. More than 27 lakh fresh KCC have already been sanctioned to Animal Husbandry and Fishery Farmers as a
result of the campaign, and under the scheme, an organisational credit facility is provided to the farmers to
meet their working capital requirements.
About KCC Scheme:
i. KCC Scheme aims to provide sufficient and timely credit support from the banking system under a single
window with simplified and flexible procedures to the farmers.
ii. The purpose of the scheme is to meet the limited credit requirements for cultivation of crops, post-harvest
expenses, working capital for maintenance of farm assets and all the activities associated with agriculture and
investment credit requirements for agriculture and associated activities.
CEA Report: India to have 41 GW of energy storage capacity by 2029-30

According to the “Report on Optimal Generation Capacity Mix for 2030 version 2.0” published by the Central
Electricity Authority(CEA) under the Ministry of Power, in April 2023, India is projected to have 41 Gigawatt
(GW) of energy storage capacity along with 777GW of total installed power capacity by 2029-30.
• The report was prepared by the CEA team headed by Chief Engineer Ammi Ruhama Toppo.
• The study is an exercise to assess the least cost generation capacity mix to meet the projected
Electricity Demand for 2029-30.
Highlights:
i.The report stated that under the base case scenario, where the total fossil fuel and non-fossil fuel capacities

are assumed to be 276 GW and 500 GW, respectively, India will require 41.65 GW/208.25 Gigawatt hours
(GWh) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to meet its electricity demand in 2029-30.
• This was concluded based on the hourly dispatch studies and the ‘capacity mix obtained from long-
term studies.
• The report also studies the installed capacities and the corresponding BESS requirements under
four different scenarios – conservative, higher demand, higher hydro, and higher BESS cost
assumptions.
ii.The report has projected an increase in electricity generation from non-fossil fuels(including large
hydropower plants) from 25% in 2022-23 to 44% by 2030.
iii.The non-fossil fuel-based sources would increase from 41% in March 2022 to 64% in March 2030. The total
installed power capacity would rise to 777 GW by 2030.
Targets:
i.The electricity generation would increase to 2.4 trillion units, of which 1.3 trillion would come from thermal,
and 1 trillion from non-fossil fuels.
• The 1 trillion units from non-fossil fuels include 212 billion from hydro, 208 billion from wind, 553
billion from solar, 92 billion from nuclear and 10 billion from other Renewable Energy (RE) sources.
ii.With high renewables penetration in the system, India is set to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution
target of 50% non-fossil fuel capacity.
Note: Between 2005 and 2022, India’s per capita electricity consumption doubles from 631 units to 1255 units,
with this, India became the 3rd largest electricity market in the world.
Shantanu Thakur flags off MV-ITT LION (V-273) from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata
On May 4, 2023, the Minister of State (MoS) Shantanu Thakur, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
flagged off MV-ITT LION (V-273) from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (West Bengal), a first shipment to
operationalize the Sittwe Port in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
• It should be noted that this port in Myanmar has been built under grant assistance from the
Government of India as part of Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP). The Inland
Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) was the Project Development Consultant for the
implementation of Port and Inland Water Transport (IWT) components of the work has been
successfully completed.
Key Points:
i.MV-ITT LION (V-273) carrying 20,000 bags containing 1,000 metric tonnes of cement will reach Sittwe Port
on May 9, 2023.

ii.Sittwe port will make Sittwe a maritime hub for Myanmar and enhance the regional connectivity by
enhancing trade, commerce and economic ties with Myanmar, our North-Eastern States and South Asian
Countries.
iii.Sittwe Port has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the
construction and operation of a Multimodal Transit Transport Facility on Kaladan river connecting the Sittwe
port in Myanmar with the state of Mizoram in India.
• The port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to
Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component.
Participants during the flagging off ceremony:
Tin Moe Consul General, Consulate General of Myanmar in Kolkata; Sanjay Bandhopadhayay, Chairman, IWAI,
PL Haranadh, Chairman Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, among others.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai inaugurated Dawki land port in Meghalaya

On 4th May 2023, The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai inaugurated the Dawki land port
in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya in the presence of Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar to
promote trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.
• The land port is also expected to boost the tourism and business sectors.
Key People:
The inauguration was also attended by Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay, Mohd
Alamgir, Chairman Land Port Authority of Bangladesh, Aditya Mishra, Chairman of LPAI (Land Ports Authority
of India), and other senior officials of the Government of Meghalaya.
Location:
The Dawki land port is located nearly 55 km from Jowai (the district headquarters of West Jaintia Hills), and
about 84 km from Meghalaya’s capital Shillong. The corresponding Land Port in Bangladesh is Tamabil, located
in the Sylhet district.

Facilities of the Port:
The Dawki land port has good infrastructure with an abundance of facilities such as a godown, canteen, cargo
for tourists and electric substation.
It will serve as an important trade and transportation centre between India and Bangladesh and will ease the
movement of goods, people and vehicles across the border.
It will also promote passenger movement across the border.
About Meghalaya:
Capital– Shillong
Chief Minister– Conrad Kongkal Sangma
Governor– Phagu Chauhan
Wildlife Sanctuary– Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary
President Murmu visits Odisha, launched Addiction Free Odisha” Campaign in Mayurbhanj
On 4th May 2023, During her 3-day (4th to 6th May 2023) visit to Odisha, Droupadi Murmu, the President of
India, launched the “Addiction Free Odisha” campaign of Brahma Kumaris Centre at Hatbadra, Mayurbhanj,
Odisha.
• Droupadi Murmu stated that addiction is a disorder, which is a social, economic, physical and mental
curse. Brahma Kumaris Centre is engaged in building a healthy society through spirituality.
• On 4th May 2023, President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stones for the Skill Training Hub
and Community Centre at Pahadpur in Mayurbhanj.
• On 5th May 2023, President paid tribute to Pandit Raghunath Murmu on his birth anniversary.
Later, she also visited the Similipal Sanctuary, Mayurbhanj.
• On 6th May 2023, President will grace the 12th convocation of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo
University at Baripada.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviews ‘Food Street Project’ to develop 100 Healthy and
Hygienic Food Streets across India
Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), reviewed the ‘Food
Street Project’ aimed at developing 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across India with senior officers of
the MoHFW and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The initiative will be implemented through National Health Mission (NHM) in convergence with the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) apart from FSSAI’s technical support.
• The project aims to promote safe and healthy food practices, reduce foodborne illnesses, and
enhance overall health outcomes.
• NHM would provide Rs 1 crore to operationalise per food street as a pilot project to support 100
such food streets at different locations across India.
• The provision of safe drinking water, handwashing stations, restrooms, and suitable liquid and solid
waste disposal would all be covered financially.
• These initiatives provide certification under the Clean Street Food Hub initiative of the Eat Right
India movement.
Dr Chintan Vaishnav & Durga Jasraj launches “UPAJ: A Festival of Innovations in Arts”
Dr Chintan Vaishnav, Chair of Startup20, G20(Group of 20) along with Durga Jasraj, founder of Pandit Jasraj
Cultural Foundation, launched the “UPAJ: A Festival of Innovations in Arts” during the event held in the
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, New Delhi, Delhi.
• The event was a part of the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2023 (26th April 2023) celebration
organised by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks.
• The UPAJ festival is scheduled for the 1st week of July 2023, the same week as the G20 Startup20
summit.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and NITI Aayog hosted a panel discussion on the Importance and
Challenges of Protecting Innovation in Performance Arts.
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI, BISIH Jointly Launches G20 TechSprint 2023; RBI Updates KYC instructions on Wire
Transfers
On May 4, 2023, under India’s G20 presidency, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the BIS Innovation Hub
(BISIH) of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) jointly launched G20 TechSprint 2023, the 4th edition
of the global technology hackathon for innovators to promote innovative solutions aimed at ‘Transforming
cross-border payments’.
• The competition is open to developers from around the world for submitting applications from May
4, 2023, to June 4, 2023, and it will conclude in Q3 2023 (i.e. around August/ September 2023).

• Objective: To showcase how technology solutions could address illicit financing risks, provide
settlement solutions in other currencies and achieve interoperability in multi-lateral Central Bank
Digital Currency (CBDC) platforms.
Three Problem Statements:
The 2023 TechSprint will focus on three problem statements on cross-border payments.
• The first one was Anti Money Laundering (AML)/CFT (Combating the Financing of
Terrorism)/Sanctions technology solutions to reduce illicit finance risk.
• Second aspect was covering Foreign exchange (FX) and liquidity technology solutions to enable
settlement in emerging markets and developing economy (EMDE) currencies.
• Final statement deals with the technology solutions for multilateral cross-border CBDC platforms.
Note – The three problem statements were developed in consultation with the G20 members.
Process of Competition:
i.The participants who are registering for the G20 TechSprit 2023 will submit technological solutions to one or
more problem statements.
ii.The Shortlisted teams will be invited to develop their solutions over a six-week period and each team will be
eligible for a stipend of Rs 8 lakh (~ USD 10,000).
iii.An independent panel of experts will select the most promising solution to each problem statement from the
shortlisted solutions, to be announced at a final event in August/ September 2023.
iv.The winners for each problem statement will receive an award of Rs 40 lakh (~USD 50,000).
Additional info: The previous three successful editions of the TechSprint are conducted in 2020, 2021, and
2022 in the areas of regulatory compliance (RegTech) and supervision (SupTech), Green and Sustainable
finance, and CBDCs.
RBI’s Statement
As per the statement of RBI, economic linkages, economic cooperation and economic activities across borders
become easier when payments across borders become efficient.
It also added that payments should be able to flow seamlessly across borders and between payment systems to
promote competition while preserving financial integrity.
-RBI updates KYC instructions on wire transfers
On May 4, 2023, RBI updated its instructions in the Master Direction (MD) on Know Your Customer (KYC)
related to wire transfers and also aligned the same with the relevant recommendation of the Financial Action
Task Force (FATF).
• Through the amendment, RBI mandates all banks, and financial institutions in the country to ensure
all wire transfers such as domestic as well as international contain complete information about
the originator and beneficiary to prevent them from being used as a channel for money
laundering, and terrorist financing platforms.
Key Updates over wire transfers:
i.In case of domestic wire transfer, where the originator is an account holder of the ordering RE (Regulated
Entities), the transfer should be accompanied by the originator and beneficiary information, as indicated for
cross-border wire transfers.
ii.Domestic wire transfers of Rs 50,000 and above, where the originator is not an account holder of the ordering
RE, should also be accompanied by the originator and beneficiary information as indicated for cross-border
wire transfers.
• Note – ‘Ordering RE’ refers to the financial institution which initiates the wire transfer and transfers
the funds on behalf of the originator.
iii.RBI has directed the REs to make available all the information on the wire transfers to appropriate law
enforcement and/or prosecutorial authorities as well as FIU-IND (Financial Intelligence Unit – India) on
receiving such requests with appropriate legal provisions.
• Note – The wire transfer instructions are not intended to cover any transaction carried out using a
credit card/debit card / Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) for the purchase of goods or services.

Capital SFB Partners with Max Life Insurance to Offer Life Insurance Solutions
Capital Small Finance Bank (SFB), India’s 1st SFB, and Max Life Insurance Company Limited entered into a
partnership to offer life insurance offerings to Capital SFB’s customers.
• Under the partnership, Capital SFB will offer a range of savings, protection, retirement, and group
life insurance plans of Max Life to its customers.
Key Points:
i.This partnership is a part of Capital SFB’s continual efforts to assist its customers in achieving a stable
financial future.
ii.Capital SFB operated as a local area bank before conversion, and it focuses on the middle-income group
customer segment, with a special focus on rural and semi-urban areas, via an optimum ‘phygital’ distribution of
their products and services.
iii.The Capital SFB’s partnership with Max Life will enable the bank’s customers across branches and other
partnership channels, to access and avail of innovative, flexible and varied life insurance products.
Note – Prior to Max Life, Capital SFB also partnered with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and HDFC life
insurance to provide their life insurance products to its customers.
About Capital Small Finance Bank Ltd:
MD & CEO – Sarvjit Singh Samra
Establishment – April 24, 2016
Headquarters – Jalandhar, Punjab
India, Russia Agreed to Explore RuPay and Mir cards for Easy Payments
In the recently held high-level Internal Governmental Commission meeting on Trade, Economic, Scientific,
Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), India and Russia discussed and agreed to explore the
possibility of accepting RuPay (India) and Mir cards (Russia) in each other’s country for hassle-free
payments.
• The meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russia Deputy Prime
Minister Denis Manturov.
Benefits:
The mutual acceptance of both RuPay and Mir Card will help Indian and Russian citizens to make hassle-free
payments in Indian rupees and Russian rubles in their respective countries.
Key Points:
i.Both nations also agreed to explore the possibility of interaction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of the
National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Faster Payments System (FPS) of the Bank of Russia.

ii.India has also agreed to look at adopting the Russian financial messaging system, the Services Bureau of
Financial Messaging System of the Bank of Russia, for cross-border payments.
Note
i.Presently the overseas payments from India and vice versa are happening through the Society for Worldwide
Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) network.
ii.In February 2023, The Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi, and the PM of Singapore, Lee Hsien
Loong launched real-time payment linkage between the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and PayNow
of Singapore.
• Which now enables people in both nations to undertake faster and cost-efficient digital
transfers. Click here to know more
Additional info:
• RuPay card, a first-of-its-kind global Card payment network of India, was launched by NPCI for all
Indian banks.
• Mir card, launched in 2017, is a Russian card payment system for electronic fund transfers
established by the Central Bank of Russia.
Vishesh: HDFC Bank launches programme for customers in semi-urban and rural
On May 4, 2023, the HDFC Bank launched its customised retail banking programme ‘Vishesh’ for customers in
semi-urban and rural (SURU) geographies.
• As a part of this, the bank plans to open more than 675 branches in these areas in FY24, onboard
around 1 lakh new customers, and launch customized products and financial solutions for this
market segment.
• With this program, the bank will also meet some of its Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets.
Features of Vishesh:
i.Through this program the bank will understand the different needs of 5 important segments viz. farmers,
merchants, micro enterprises, government salaried people.
ii.Features of the programme include a dedicated personal banker; facility extendable to 8 family members; up

to 50% discount on processing fees in gold loan and 50% waiver on valuation (once a year); and up to 50% off
on processing fees on construction equipment, tractors, personal, business, auto and two-wheeler loans.
• It also offers daily Hospicash benefits (up to 5 days), annual preventive health check-up up to Rs
3,000; one annual complimentary and cashless health check-up; unlimited Tele Health consultation,
and a host of agritech services.
iii.There will also be a customer engagement model to felicitating rural seniors such as sarpanches, teachers,
and key officials to acknowledge the growth and progress of villages.
Additional info:
i.HDFC Bank already has a ‘Classic’ programme for HNI (High Net worth Individuals).
ii.As of March 31, 52% of the bank’s 7,821 branches are in rural and semi-urban locations.
• The bank had 7,821 branches and 19,727 automated teller machines across 3,811 cities and towns
in India.
About HDFC Bank Ltd:
MD & CEO – Sashidhar Jagdishan
Established– 1994
Tagline– We Understand Your World
Indian embassy in Nepal ink MoU with STMHF for Distribution of LPG Stoves, Cylinders
On May 4, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Embassy of India,
Kathmandu (Nepal) and Sushila Thakur Memorial Health Foundation (STMHF), for distribution
of LPG(Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Stoves & Cylinders in Mahottari District, Nepal with the Indian grant
assistance of ~ Nepalese Rupees (NRs) 50 million under India-Nepal Development Cooperation.
Key Points:
i.This project will benefit nearly 8000 underprivileged and marginalized families of 5 Municipalities in
Mahottari District, Madhesh Pradesh of Nepal.
ii.The project is based on the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme initiated by the Government of
India (GoI) which provide clean cooking fuel like LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) to deprived rural households
that were previously reliant on traditional fuels like coal, firewood, and cow-dung cakes.
iii.Since 2003, India has undertaken more than 535 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) in
Nepal, of which 478 have been completed. Out of these, 81 are situated in Mahdesh Pradesh, including six in the
Mahottari District.
• GoI has also donated 23 ambulances to various hospitals and health centers in Mahottari District.
About Nepal:
President– Ram Chandra Poudel
Prime Minister– Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Currency– Nepalese Rupee
Capital– Kathmandu

Three Imprisoned Iranian women journalists receive 2023 UNESCO World Press Freedom
Prize
On May 2, 2023, the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced three
imprisoned Iranian women journalists – Niloofar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi, and Narges Mohammadi as
the laureates of the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, an award that celebrates
press freedom.
• The three journalists were selected following the recommendation of an international jury of media
professionals.
• The Award Ceremony took place on 2 May 2023 in New York, United States of America (USA) in the
presence of Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO.
About the Awardees:
The Three Journalists were imprisoned at the Evin Prison which is located in Tehran,Iran.Evin Prison has been
accused of committing “serious human rights abuses” against its political dissidents and critics of the
government.
i.Niloofar Hamedi: She is a writer in the leading reformist daily newspaper Shargh. She revealed the news of
the death of Mahsa Amini, the young woman who died in detention on 16 September 2022, three days after
being arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly failing to properly cover her hair.
ii.Elaheh Mohammadi: She writes for the reformist newspaper, Ham-Mihan, covering social issues and gender
equality. She reported on Masha Amini’s funeral.
• Both of them detained in solitary confinement in Iran’s Evin Prison since September 2022.
Award won: Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi are joint winners of both the 2023 International Press
Freedom Award by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), and Harvard’s 2023 Louis M. Lyons Award
for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism.
• They were also named as two of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.
iii.Narges Mohammadi: She has worked as a journalist for many years for a range of newspapers and
currently serving a 16-year prison sentence in Evin Prison. She interviewed other women prisoners and those
were included in her book “White Torture”.
• She is an author and Vice-Director of the Tehran-based civil society organization Defenders of
Human Rights Center (DHRC).
• In 2022, she won the Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Courage Prize.
About the award:
i.The annual UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was created in 1997 to honours a person,
organization or institution which has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of
press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.
ii.The award was named after Guillermo Cano Isaza, the Colombian journalist who was assassinated in Bogotá,
Colombia, on 17 December 1986.
Additional info: In 2021, UNESCO published The Chilling, a study on global trends in online violence against
women journalists.

Santiago Peña elected as the next President of Paraguay
On 30th April 2023, former International Monetary Fund (IMF) economist, Santiago Peña, candidate of the
ruling conservative Colorado Party won the Paraguay presidential election 2023.

• He took nearly 43% of the votes in the election and defeated centre-left candidate Efraín Alegre, who
secured nearly 28% votes.
• Santiago Peña will replace Mario Abdo Benítez who is serving as the President of Paraguay since
2018 to become the youngest President of Paraguay.
• Santiago Peña will take office as the 52nd President of Paraguay on 15th August 2023. He will
become the youngest Paraguay President since the return of democracy in 1989.
Note: For more than 70 years, Paraguay’s political landscape has been dominated by the Colorado Party.
About Santiago Peña:
i. Santiago Peña, born on 16 November 1978, is a Paraguayan economist and former Minister of Finance with
domestic and international experience in policy design and implementation.
ii. In 2000, he began working at the Central Bank of Paraguay in the research division.
iii. In 2009, he was hired by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and moved to Washington, D.C., USA, where
he worked as an economist responsible for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
iv. He was appointed a Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Paraguay in 2012 and as
Minister of Finance responsible for the economic policy design and implementation of the government in 2015.
v. Santiago Peña resigned as Minister of Finance in June 2017 in order to participate in the Colorado Party’s
primaries that took place in December 2017 as a presidential candidate.
vi. Currently, he works in the finance sector in Paraguay and regularly contributes to different projects in
Paraguay and the region.
About the Republic of Paraguay:
President- Mario Abdo Benítez
Capital- Asunción
Currency- Paraguayan Guarani

Dhruva Space successfully tests its Satellite Orbital Deployers & Orbital Link
On 3rd May 2023, Dhruva Space Private Limited announced the successful test and space qualification of its 2
satellite orbital deployers – 3U Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-3U), 6U Satellite Orbital Deployer (DSOD-6U)
and its orbital link Dhruva Space Orbital Link (DSOL) launched aboard Indian Space Research Organisation’s
(ISRO) PSLV-C55 mission.
• The Dhurva Space’s payload utilised the PSLV(Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) Orbital Experimental
Module-2 (POEM-2) which was launched as a part of the PSLV-C55 mission.
• POEM-2 enables the conduct of scientific experiments in orbit using the spent PS4 stage as an orbital
platform.
• PSLV-C55 mission was launched on 22nd April 2023 from the first launch pad at Satish Dhawan
Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP)

Key Points:
i.Satellite orbital deployers are the mechanical casings in which CubeSats, nano satellites with the dimensions
of 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm sit when a launch takes place.
ii.DSOD-3U is an extension of its DSOD-1U, which was successfully tested in June 2022 on ISRO’s PSLV-C53 and
used to deploy the two Thybolt nanosats in 2022.
• DSOD-6U was tested for storage and delayed deployment of cubesats in LEO (lower earth orbits) or
higher orbits.
iii.DSOL, a configurable transceiver was made for telemetry, telecommand and control, and payload data
download with high data rates with successful reception confirmed from ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry Tracking &
Command Network), Port Blair ground station.
About Dhruva Space:
CEO– Sanjay Nekkanti
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane launched the IHD platform in Health Sector
On May 3rd 2023, the Union Minister Narayan Rane, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME),
launched the India Health Dialogue (IHD) platform in New Delhi, Delhi (at Indian Council of Medical Research(
ICMR), AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Delhi) for enhancing MSMEs in healthcare and boost the
export development in Health domain to make India the global manufacturing centre and self-
reliant(AtmaNirbhar Bharat).
• Ministry of MSME has identified health as a target sector for import substitution and is partnering
with IHD to promote advance manufacturing capabilities among MSME’s.
India Health Dialogue (IHD) platform:
i. The India Health dialogue is a global initiative of India Chamber of Business and Commerce in collaboration
with ICMR, Indian Medical Association(IMA) and supported by Ministry of MSME, Government of India to build
a strong ecosystem to reform the future health and health care sector.
ii. IHD is designed as an integrated platform to import changes and help achieve self-reliance in the healthcare
sector through advanced technologies and innovations.

Advantages:
i. As the import costs under the health sector are higher, the government aims to increase domestic production
and reduce imports via IHD.
ii. It also serves as a great opportunity for the state governments to produce and use all the required goods
locally in their respective states.
ENVIRONMENT
L.chalukyae & L. gomantaki: CSIR-CCMB Scientists discovered 2 New Species of Spiny Clam
Shrimps in Karnataka & Goa
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) Scientists
have discovered 2 new species of Spiny Clam Shrimps (or Spinicaudatans) – “Leptestheria chalukyae” and
“Leptestheria gomantaki” from Karnataka and Goa respectively, which are genetically distinct from other
known Indian species.
• The two new species are part of the Leptestheriidae family, one of 35 currently known species of
clam shrimps.
• Leptestheria chalukyae was named after the Chalukya dynasty, which ruled large parts of mediaeval
southern and central India with its capital at Badami in Karnataka, where the specimens were found.
• Leptestheria gomantaki has been named after Goa, where it was discovered.
The 2 new species were discovered by a team led by Sameer Padhye, a data analyst with Ahmednagar-based
Biologia Life Science LLP, and Mihir Kulkarni, a researcher with the Laboratory for the Conservation of
Endangered Species at Hyderabad’s CSIR-CCMB.
• The findings of their study were published on 13 April in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of the Midwife – May 5 2023
International Day of the Midwife (IDM) is annually observed across the globe on 5th May to celebrate and
recognise the contribution of the midwives across the world.
• The day celebrates the achievements of the midwives towards improving newborn, maternal,
reproductive, and sexual health outcomes.
Midwives are the healthcare professionals who provide support and care for women during pregnancy, labour
and birth.
The theme of the IDM 2023 is “Together again: from evidence to reality”.
• Every year the theme of IDM is chosen by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), an
accredited non-governmental organisation representing midwives and midwifery.

Background:
The idea of the “International Day of the Midwife”- a day to recognize and honour midwives – came out of the
1987 International Confederation of Midwives(ICM) conference in the Netherlands.
• International Midwives’ Day was first celebrated on 5th May 1991 and has been observed in over 50
nations around the world.
About Midwifery:
Midwifery is defined as skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate care for childbearing women, newborn
infants and families across the continuum from prepregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early
weeks of life.
Key Points:
According to World Health Organisation,
• Universal midwifery coverage would result in an 82% reduction in maternal mortality.
• Around 50% of nurses and midwives comprise nearly 50% of the world’s health workforce.
• 62% of effective practices within the scope of midwifery show the importance of optimizing the
normal processes of childbirth
History of ICM:
i.The International Midwives Union (IMU), the forerunner of the International Confederation of Midwives
(ICM), was created in 1922 in Belgium.
ii.In 1954, the reconstituted IMU changed its name to ICM with headquarters in London, the United Kingdom.
iii.In 1999 the headquarters of ICM was moved to the Hague, the Netherlands.
There are currently 140 Midwives’ Associations, representing 119 countries across every continent.
iv.ICM is organised into six regions: Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South East Asia and
Western Pacific.
About the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM):
President– Dr Franka Cadée
Headquarters– the Hague, the Netherlands
World Hand Hygiene Day 2023 – May 5

World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD) is a global healthcare event observed on 5th May to raise awareness and
spread the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of infections. The day also aims to unite people
together to support hand hygiene improvement around the world.
• The campaign slogan for WHHD 2023 is “Accelerate action together. SAVE LIVES – Clean Your
Hands”
• The campaign theme/theme of WHHD 2023 is “Together, we can accelerate action to prevent
infections and antimicrobial resistance in health care and build a culture of safety and quality in
which hand hygiene improvement is given high priority.
The annual observance of the WHHD is led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Background:
WHO launched an annual global campaign in 2009 called “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands,” which is celebrated as
World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5th to spread the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare globally.
SAVE LIVES – Clean Your Hands:
i. SAVE LIVES – Clean Your Hands is an extension of the WHO First Global Patient Safety Challenge: Clean Care
is Safer Care work which is now the WHO Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Technical and Clinical Hub
unit.
ii. SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign, led by the WHO is to support health-care workers to improve hand
hygiene in health care and to support the prevention of often life threatening HAI (Healthcare-Associated
Infections).
World Hand Hygiene Day 2023:
i. WHHD 2023 focuses mainly on the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), motivated by their passion, values and
strong social justice agendas, and often in close presence to the communities they serve, CSOs can lead and
accelerate change at local, national and international levels.
ii. WHO encourages all CSOs to take part in the campaign and encourage the process of achieving effective hand
hygiene and a goal of minimising the risk of infections and development of antimicrobial resistance in health
care.
Note: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are organized voluntary non-state institutions which mostly operate
on non-profit basis.
Importance of Hand Hygiene:
i. Hands are the main pathways of germ transmission during health care.
ii. Appropriate hand hygiene prevents up to 50% of avoidable infections obtained during health care delivery,
including those affecting the health workforce. Germs or infections can spread when:
• Touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
• Touch surfaces or objects that have germs on them
• Blowing the nose, cough, or sneezing into hands and then touching other people’s hands or common
objects.
How to clean:
i. Cleaning hands by rubbing them with an alcohol-based formulation, if hands are not visibly dirty.
ii. Washing hands with soap and water when hands are visibly dirty with blood or other body fluids or after
using the toilet.
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Founded in- 1948
Director General- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
African World Heritage Day 2023 – May 5

African World Heritage Day is annually observed across the globe on May 5 to raise awareness about the
importance of preserving the cultural and natural heritage of Africa.
African World Heritage Day 2023 was observed on 5th May 2023.
• The day is celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) in collaboration with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and its partners.
Aim:
UNESCO aims to promote greater cooperation for the preservation of African heritage at the local, regional, and
global levels. It particularly aims to focus on youth.
Background:
i. The 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference in November 2015 proclaimed May 5 of every year as
African World Heritage Day.

• It was proclaimed as an opportunity for people around the world, particularly Africans, to celebrate
the continent’s unique cultural and natural heritage.
ii. The 1st ever African World Heritage Day was observed on 5th May 2016.
Africa:
i. Africa, the world’s second-largest continent and second-most-populous continent consists of 54 countries and
one non-self-governing country.
ii. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the continent has 40% of the world’s gold
and up to 90% of its chromium and platinum.
• It holds 65% of the world’s arable land and 10% of Earth’s internal renewable fresh water source.
iii. African Heritage Site:
UNESCO has designated 147 World Heritage Sites in Africa. These sites are located in 46 countries.
• Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe); Serengeti National Park (Tanzania); Great Lakes (Kenya);
Kilimanjaro National Park (Tanzania); iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa) are some of the
major Heritage sites in Africa.
Key Points:
i. The properties in Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, are underrepresented on the World Heritage
List (African properties account for some 12% of all inscribed sites worldwide).
• 39% of these sites are listed as being in danger on the World Heritage List, which is a
disproportionately high number.
ii. Contemporary risks to Africa include climate change, unchecked development, poaching, civil unrest, and
instability. Many of Africa’s wonders risk losing their outstanding universal value.
Events 2023:
i. On 5th May 2023, UNESCO conducted the round table conference for African World Heritage Day on “Our
Natural Cultural Heritage at the Service of an African without Borders.
ii. The organisation also celebrated Africa’s unique and diverse heritage by screening “Christiansborg Castle”,
holding a panel discussion, and more.
World Cartoonist’s Day 2023 – May 5

World Cartoonist’s Day is annually observed across the globe on May 5 to celebrate the art of cartooning and
the creative minds behind it. The day recognises cartoonists and their creations, which have provided
entertainment and commentary on society for over a century.
• World Cartoonist’s Day 2023 was observed on 5th May 2023.

Significance:
The day celebrates how cartoons have shaped the media environment by offering commentary on current
events, social issues, and popular culture.
Background:
i. On 5th May 1895, the 1st commercially successful cartoon appeared on the pages of the New York World.
• A single-strip, full-colour drawing of a child with big ears, no shoes, and a mischievous expression
was published in The New York World.
• The very first commercially successful cartoon was this comic strip (originally titled “Hogan’s
Alley” and later “The Yellow Kid“) by American comic strip author and illustrator Richard
Outcault.
ii. World Cartoonist Day was established in 1990 by the National Cartoonist Society (NCS) to honour the people
doing the hard work of cartooning.
History:
i. During World War II, a group of talented cartoonists, including Gus Edson, Otto Soglow, Clarence D. Russell,
and Bob Dunn, decided to entertain the troops by putting on brief comic performances in hospitals.
ii. As a result of the overwhelmingly positive response, the group quickly expanded their performances to
include military bases across the United States of America (USA).
iii. In 1946, the group of cartoonists established the National Cartoonists Society (NCS), a club which was
suggested by an American cartoonist Clarence D. Russell.
About the National Cartoonists Society (NCS):
The National Cartoonists Society is the world’s largest and most prestigious organisation of professional
cartoonists.
President- Jason Chatfield
Headquarters- Florida, USA

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Ex Agni Daman-23: Civil – Military Agencies Combat Fire Together

2. BEL signs MoU with Emjay Contro Systems to Manufacture Electro-Mechanical Bollards
3. Union Govt Constitutes 11-member Committee to Restructure 94-years-old ICAR
4. Transactions by CA & CS for Clients are Now Under the ambit of Money Laundering Law
5. BMC & MGL Partners to set up Asia’s largest bio-gas plant in Mumbai; to Treat 1,000 Tonnes of
Wet Waste Daily
6. GRFC 2023: People Facing Acute Hunger in 58 Food Crisis Countries Rise to 258 Million in 2022
7. WHO launched PRET initiative to be better prepared for future pandemics
8. BharatPe Rebrands Multi-Brand Loyalty Program PAYBACK India as ‘Zillion’
9. Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023
10. Two Andhra Pradesh students got NASA Recognition
11. Russian Poet Maria Stepanova Received 2023 Leipzig Book Award For European Understanding
12. South Asian American Author Fatimah Asghar wins Inaugural Carol Shields Prize for Fiction
13. Doha Diamond League 2023: Neeraj Chopra wins Gold in Javelin Throw with 88.67m throw
14. Fide World Championship 2023: Ding Liren becomes China’s 1st Male World Chess Champion
15. Boria Majumdar Released a New Book Titled “Sachin@50 – Celebrating a Maestro”
16. International No Diet Day 2023 – May 6
17. International Leopard Day 2023 – May 3
18. Buddha Purnima – 5th May 2023

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Ex Agni Daman-23: Civil – Military Agencies Combat Fire Together
On 28th April 2023, A mutual firefighting Exercise named ‘Agni Daman-23’ was conducted to raise awareness
and train the personnel of both civil and military agencies on firefighting at 29 Field Ammunition Depot, Dehu
Road under the aegis of Headquarter Southern Command, Pune (Maharashtra).
• The exercise showcased teamwork of all the firefighting resources available with the Military and
Civil establishment in Pune.
Reason behind this Exercise:
The extremely high-temperature conditions in and around Pune have severely increased the fire hazard factor.
So, in order to overcome this disastrous situation this exercise was held which utilized the capabilities of
combined forces of all agencies including military and civil to combat fire together.
Participants:
A total of 56 firefighting columns including 32 from civil agencies like the National Disaster Relief Force
(NDRF), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), Fire Department Pimpri Chinchwad, Nagar Parishad Chakan, Tata
Motors Ltd, Mahindra Vehicle Ltd, Bajaj Auto, among others participated in the exercise.
Key Points:
i.During the exercise drills and procedures including swift response strategy against all types of fire were
rehearsed in a coordinated manner.
ii.It empowered combatant manpower, including central/state agencies, to coordinate firefighting efforts and
provide maximum aid to save lives and valuable assets in affected areas.
BEL signs MoU with Emjay Contro Systems to Manufacture Electro-Mechanical Bollards
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru (Karnataka)
based Emjay Control Systems Pvt Ltd, to jointly manufacture and develop business for state-of-the-art,
electro-mechanical bollards for use in various defence, homeland security, paramilitary, and export projects.

Key Features of the Bollard:
i.The bollards would safeguard vital installations by pre-empting the unauthorised entry of heavy vehicles.
ii.The bollards are built to withstand the impact of IED(Improvised Explosive Device)-laden vehicles weighing
from 24,000 to 1,50,000 kg and coming in at alarming speeds of 80 to 100 km/h.
iii.The company designed the bollards indigenously, agreeing with the government’s Make in India and
Atmanirbhar Bharat policies.
What is a bollard?
A bollard is a sturdy, short, vertical post which is installed to control road traffic and prevent automotive
vehicles from colliding or crashing into pedestrians and structures.
In the case of an Electric bollard, an electric motor moves the piston in the cylinder to raise and lower the
bollard.
About Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL):
It is a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence
Chairman & Managing Director (Additional Charge) – Bhanu Prakash Srivastava
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Union Govt Constitutes 11-member Committee to Restructure 94-years-old ICAR

The Union Government has formed an 11-member high-level committee under the chairmanship of Sanjay
Garg, Additional Secretary(AS) of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DPRE) & Secretary,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), to restructure the 94-year-old ICAR, which was established in
1929, to meet the objective of Amrit Kaal.
• The committee was formed on April 24, 2023, and it would submit the report within 30 days.
Backdrop:
i.Earlier, the union government constituted the committees under Dr MS Swaminathan and Dr RA Mashlekar.
However, their recommendation was never implemented.
ii.Recently, Dr K Ramasamy, a former Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and member of
ICAR-Academic Infrastructure, also recommended restructuring of ICAR. Thus the new 11-member committee
was formed to restructure the ICAR.
Terms of Reference (ToR): The committee would make recommendations for rationalising and right-sizing
ICAR so as to transform it into a dynamic, lean and efficient organisation.

Other Members:
i.The other members of the committee include the Financial Adviser to ICAR, the Deputy Director General
(DDG)(Natural Resource Management) of ICAR, DDG (Fisheries Science), the Department of Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and the Department of Fisheries will be
represented by an officer of Joint Secretary from each department.
ii.Senior Adviser of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) Dr. Neelam Patel and Agricultural
Economist Dr P.K. Joshi is also a member of the committee. Joint Secretary (Administration) of ICAR has been
made the Member Secretary of the Committee.
Amrit Kaal:
• On 15 August 2021, on the event of the 75th year of Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
used the term Amrit Kaal for the first time. He also laid out a roadmap for India for the next 25 years,
the Amrit Kaal.
• Thus Amrit Kaal is referred to the next 25 years to make India fulfill the aspiration of youths, self-
reliance and economic stability.
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
i.It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
ii.Established on 16 July 1929 in the name of Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, as a registered society
under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
iii.Being one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world, currently has 111 institutes and 71
agricultural universities under it.
Transactions by CA & CS for Clients are Now Under the ambit of Money Laundering Law
On 4th April 2023, the Union Ministry of Finance notified changes in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA), 2002, widening its ambit to include the financial transactions facilitated by the Chartered
Accountants(CA), Company Secretaries(CS), and Cost and Works Accountants (CWA).
• Following the changes, the financial transitions by these professionals including operating and
managing their client firms and trusts, and buying and selling business entities will be now covered
under the anti-money laundering law.
Details of the changes in PMLA 2002:
i.The changes have been made in the sub-clause (vi) of clause (sa) of sub-section (1) of Section 2 of the PMLA,
which defines ‘relevant persons’ and firms covered under the anti-money laundering law.
ii.Prior to these changes, the PMLA 2002 did not include these professionals.
Following this change, CA, CS and cost and works accountants have all become ‘reporting entities’.
Note:
Chartered Accountants- Individuals who obtained a certificate of practice under section 6 of the Chartered
Accountants Act, 1949.

Company Secretaries- Individuals who obtained a certificate of practice under section 6 of the Company
Secretaries Act, 1980.
Key Points:
i.Now, these professionals will be responsible for the activities such as buying and selling of any immovable
property, managing assets, creation, operation or management of companies, limited liability partnerships or
trusts, and buying and selling of business entities by their clients.
ii.They would need to examine the ownership and financial position, including clients’ sources of funds, and
record the purpose of the specified transaction.
These professionals will be now liable under the PMLA if they facilitate a transaction that violates the law.
Penalties:
Failure to meet the requirements will result in penalties imposed by the Director of Financial Intelligence Unit –
India (FIU-IND) under Section 13 of the Act.
Note: Vivek Aggarwal is the Director (additional charge) of FIU-IND. He is serving as the Additional Secretary in
the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.
About Ministry of Finance:
Union Minister– Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka)
Minister of State– Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency- Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh) & Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao
Karad (Rajya Sabha- Maharashtra)
BMC & MGL Partners to set up Asia’s largest bio-gas plant in Mumbai; to Treat 1,000 Tonnes of
Wet Waste Daily
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), a Public Sector
Undertaking of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), are joining hands to set up Asia’s largest bio-gas plant
in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The upcoming plant will be able to scientifically treat the segregated 1000 tonnes of
wet-waste per day into compressed bio-gas (CBG).
• The proposed plant will recycle 3,500 tonnes of damp, organic, and degradable waste, from the
6,000 tonnes of solid waste that are generated per day in Mumbai.

• The BMC will supply the segregated wet waste to the plant, which MGL will treat to produce gas and
supply it back to Mumbai.
• The BMC will provide the land parcel, and MGL will bear the capital expenditure.
GRFC 2023: People Facing Acute Hunger in 58 Food Crisis Countries Rise to 258 Million in
2022
The flagship publication of the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), ‘Global Report on Food Crises
(GRFC) 2023’, estimates that nearly 258 million people (i.e. 22.7% of the analysed population) in 58 food-
crisis countries/territories were faced acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels (IPC/CH Phase 3-5)
in 2022, up from 193 million people in 53 countries and territories in 2021.
• This is the highest number in the 7-year history of the GRFC.

• GRFC 2023, the 7th edition of the annual report produced by the Food Security Information Network
(FSIN), was launched by GNAFC – an international alliance of the United Nations, the European
Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies, working to tackle food crises together.
IPC-CH Dashboard:
i.The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification- Cadre Harmonisé (IPC-CH) Dashboard is a visual display of
the total number of people experiencing or facing high levels of acute food insecurity classified in Crisis or
worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above).
ii.GRFC 2023 marks the 4th consecutive year of rising numbers of people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above or
equivalent due to persistently high numbers in some countries, worsening situations in others.
i.253 million people were in Stressed (IPC/CH Phase 2) in 41 countries/territories with IPC/CH analyses in
2022. Around 35 million people were in Emergency (IPC/CH Phase 4) in 39 countries/territories.
ii.As per the report, more than 40% of the population in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above resided in just 5 countries –
Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, parts of Nigeria (21 states and the Federal Capital
Territory(FCT)), and Yemen.
iii.People in 7 countries faced starvation and destitution, or catastrophe levels of acute hunger (IPC/CH Phase
5) at some point during 2022. More than half of those were in Somalia (57 percent), while such extreme
circumstances also occurred in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Haiti (for the first time in the history of the country),
Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen.
Main Drivers of Food Crisis:
i.Economic shocks (including the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 and the repercussions of the war in
Ukraine) became the main driver in 27 countries with 83.9 million people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above or
equivalent.

ii.Conflict/insecurity was the most significant driver in 19 countries/territories, where 117 million people
were in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above or equivalent.
iii.Weather/Climate extremes were the primary driver of acute food insecurity in 12 countries where 56.8
million people were in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above or equivalent
Way Forward:
i.According to 2023 projections (as of March 2023) for 38 of the 58 countries/territories, up to 153 million
people (i.e. 18% of the analysed population) will be in IPC/CH Phase 3 or above.
ii.Around 3,10,000 people are projected to be in IPC/CH Phase 5 across 6 countries – Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali,
parts of Nigeria (26 states and the FCT), Somalia and South Sudan. (A three quarters of them were in Somalia).
What is a food crisis?
A food crisis occurs when levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition rise sharply at local or national levels,
raising the need for emergency food assistance.
According to a joint report by the United Nations (UN) Agencies titled “Asia-Pacific Overview of Food Security
and Nutrition 2022: Urban Food Security and Nutrition”, an increasing number of people in Asia lack enough to
eat as food insecurity rises with greater prices and worsening poverty.
About Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC):
European Union, World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the
Global Network Against Food Crises at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS).
It is an alliance of humanitarian and development actors united by the commitment to tackle the root causes of
food crises and promote sustainable solutions to end Hunger.
WHO launched PRET initiative to be better prepared for future pandemics

On April 26, 2023 WHO (World Health Organisation) launched a new initiative called PRET (Preparedness
and Resilience for Emerging Threats) to ensure the world is prepared for future outbreaks like the Covid-19
pandemic.
• Objective: To help world countries by providing guidance on integrated planning for responding to
respiratory pathogens and their recovery by supporting to strengthen the systems and capacities.
• PERT is a Call to Action to accelerate preparedness for pandemics and emerging threats globally.
• The PRET Initiative’s first module focuses on respiratory pathogens, including influenza,
coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus.
• The PRET initiative was announced at the Global Meeting for Future Respiratory Pathogen
Pandemics held on 24-26 April 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Framework:
A collection of commitments that the countries expected to act on and achieve by December 2023 were
described in the PRET monitoring Framework as follows:
i. Updated preparedness plans which affirm priority actions
ii. Improve connectivity among shareholders in pandemic preparedness planning through systematic

coordination.
iii. Financing and monitoring of pandemic preparedness with a special focus on bridging the gaps highlighted
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Points:
i. PRET, comprises the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during
the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent public health emergencies.
ii. According to WHO, the PRET Initiative assists in a new era for pandemic preparedness and represents an
evolution of WHO’s core activities to support all member states in strengthening Health Emergency
Preparedness, Prevention, and Response and Resilience (HEPR).
iii. It also aims to assist in operationalising the aims and provisions of the Pandemic Accord, which is currently
being negotiated by WHO Member States.
iv. The Working Group of WHO was also working on the Amendments related to compliance, implementation,
and public health responses.
Established in– 1948
Director-general– Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
BANKING & FINANCE

BharatPe Rebrands Multi-Brand Loyalty Program PAYBACK India as ‘Zillion’
On 4th May 2023, BharatPe Group, a fintech startup, announced the rebranding of its loyalty
program, PAYBACK India, the multi-brand loyalty program to “Zillion”. The new web address for Zillion
is https://zillionrewards.in/.
• This new brand identity is in line with BharatPe’s vision to make Zillion ubiquitous to loyalty and
rewards across India.
• Zillion aims to target customers across age groups and add a new dimension to their overall
shopping experience, across categories and brands.
• Zillion will have a wide range of options for customers to earn and redeem points at a variety of
partners across India.
• Customers will be able to earn ‘Zillion coins’ across the network of offline and online partners,
including groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, apparel, and more.

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Forbes’ World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023
According to Forbes’ World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023, Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) has
become the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023 after he moved to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in January
2023, after his exit from Manchester United, nearly doubling his annual salary to an estimated USD 75 million.
• He topped the list with a total earning of USD 136 million – USD 46 million on-field and USD 90
million off-field.
• He has topped the list for the first time since 2017.
Key Points:
i.Paris-Saint Germain (PSG)’s forward Lionel Messi(Argentina) stands 2nd with a total earning of USD 130
million.

ii.24 years old PSG player and France National football team captain Kylian Mbappé is ranked 3rd with a total
earning of USD 120 million. He entered the list of the top 10 for the first time and he is the youngest member
(under 30) featured on the 2023 list.
Table Showing Top 5 in The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2023:
Rank Name Nationality Sports Total Earnings On-Field Off-Field
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal Soccer $136mn $46mn $90mn
2 Lionel Messi Argentina Soccer $130 mn $65mn $65mn
3 Kylian Mbappe France Soccer $120mn $100mn $20mn
4 LeBron James United States (US) Basketball $119.5mn $44.5mn $75mn
5 Canelo Alvarez Mexico Boxing $110mn $100mn $10mn
The Last 5 in the list include US Golfer Dustin Johnson ($107mn) at 6th position; US Golfer Phil Mickelson
($106mn) at 7th; US Basketball player Stephen Curry ($100.4mn) at 8th; Switzerland’s Tennis player Roger
Federer ($95.1mn) at 9th; and US Basketball player Kevin Durant ($89.1mn)
Points to note:
i.The world’s ten highest-paid athletes collectively made $1.11 billion before taxes and agents’ fees over the last
12 months, the highest total ever.
ii.On-field earnings include prize money, salaries, and bonuses earned from May 1, 2022, to May 1, 2023. Off-
field earnings estimate sponsorship deals, appearance fees, licensing income, and cash earned during the same
period.
About Forbes Highest-Paid Athletes list:
i.Forbes’ on-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned between May 1, 2022,
and May 1, 2023.
ii.The off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia and licensing
income for the 12 months leading to May 1, 2023.
3 Indian Student Teams Won NASA HERC 2023 Competition; Two Student Winners of AP
Felicitated by APNRTS
On April 22, 2023, three student teams from India won the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration) Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) 2023 competition which was held near
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Alabama, USA (United States of America).
• The Director for NASA’s Space, Time, Energy and Mass (STEM) Engagement Southeast Region Kevin
McGhaw presented the award to the teams.
• The competition featured a total of 61 teams, including students from 45 colleges and universities
and 16 high schools, from 30 countries.
Winners of the NASA HERC 2023 from India:
i.Project Review Award: College/University Division: Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani,
Rajasthan.

ii.Social Media Award:
• High School Division: Young Tinker Educational Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• College/University Division: KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Note – The Director for NASA’s Space, Time, Energy and Mass (STEM) Engagement Southeast Region, Kevin
McGhaw, presented the award to the teams.
APNRTS Felicitated two Student Winners from AP:
i.Two students from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh (AP) such as Sai Akshara Vemuri and Chittineni Akarsh were
part of the six-member under-19 Indian team (Young Tinker Educational Foundation) which won the NASA
HERC 2023 competition under Social Media Award Category.
ii.The Two student winners from Vijayawada were felicitated by Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society
(APNRTS) president and Adviser to the government Medapati S. Venkat and CEO P. Hemalatha Rao.
• Sai Akshara Vemuri has completed her 12th grade and was Student Safety Officer in the NASA HERC
Rover Challenge 2023.
• Akarsh Chittineni has completed his 10th grade and was the technical lead of the NASA HERC Rover
Challenge 2023 team.
iii.The social media award recognised the Young Tinker Educational Foundation team’s exceptional
communication skills and efforts to involve and educate the public on STEM activities.
iv.The team also designed a multi-purpose tool to collect liquid samples from lunar and Martian surfaces.
About NASA HERC 2023:
i.NASA HERC is an annual engineering competition for teams of students to design, develop, build, and test
human-powered rovers capable of traversing challenging terrain and a task tool for the completion of various
mission tasks.
ii.The 2023 HERC marks the 29th-anniversary competition and it is held for 8 months. HERC is managed by
NASA’s Southeast Regional Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Marshall.
iii.Since its inception in 1994, more than 15,000 students have participated in HERC with many former
students now working at NASA, or within the aerospace industry.
Russian Poet Maria Stepanova Received 2023 Leipzig Book Award For European
Understanding
Maria Stepanova, a Jewish author from Russia now living in exile in Germany, has been awarded the Leipzig
Book Award for European Understanding 2023 for her volume of poetry
entitled “Mädchen ohne Kleider“ (Girls Without Clothes).
• She received the award on 26th April 2023, during the opening ceremony of the 30th Leipzig Book
Fair at the Gewandhaus Leipzig in Germany. She was introduced by Swiss literary scholar, author
and translator Ilma Rakusa.
Note: The winner of the 2022 Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding was Austrian writer Karl-
Markus Gauss.

About Mädchen ohne Kleider
Mädchen ohne Kleider sensitively described the study of often hidden violence against the female body and the
power imbalance that drives this abuse.
The volume was published in May 2022 by Suhrkamp Verlag, a German publishing house.
About Maria Stepanova:
Maria Stepanova, born in Russia in 1972, is the founder and current editor-in-chief of Colta.ru, an online
publication specialising in the cultural, social and political reality of contemporary Russia.
Noted Works:
She is the author of over ten poetry collections and three books of essays. Out of ten poetry collections, three
have recently been translated and published in English:
• War of the Beasts and Animals (Bloodaxe Books, 2021), In Memory of Memory (New Directions,
2021), and The Voice Over (Columbia University Press, 2021).
Awards:
i. She has received several Russian and international literary awards, including the prestigious Andrey Bely
Prize in 2005 and Joseph Brodsky Fellowship.
ii. She was awarded the BolshayaKniga Award, an annual Russian literary prize presented for the best book of
Russian prose for In Memory of Memory in 2018.
iii. Her novel In Memory of Memory (2017) was recognized with the Big Book Prize 2018 and the NOS (New
Literature) Literary Prize 2018.
About Leipzig Book Prize:
i. The Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding has been awarded annually since 1994 and is one of the
most important literary prizes in Germany.
ii. The Award is presented every year during the official opening of Leipzig Book Fair to personalities, whose
intellectual and literary work has made an outstanding contribution to mutual understanding in Europe,
particularly with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
iii. The Award comes with prize money of 20,000 euros. A Grand Prize and a Recognition Prize were awarded
until 2004.
• The inaugural winner of the Leipzig Book Award (1994) were Ryszard Kapuścińsk (Poland) – Main
Prize and Eckhard Thiele (Germany) – recognition award.
Selection Committee:
The winners will be selected by an internationally renowned jury including: the Free State of Saxony, the City of
Leipzig, the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels e.V. (The German Publishers and Booksellers
Association) and Leipziger Messe in Germany.
South Asian American Author Fatimah Asghar wins Inaugural Carol Shields Prize for Fiction
On 4th May 2023, Fatimah Asghar, a South Asian American poet and screenwriter, won the inaugural Carol
Shields Prize for Fiction for her debut novel “When We Were Sisters”, published by One World/Random
House.

• In addition to the cash prize of USD 150,000, Fatimah Asghar will receive a residency at the award-
winning Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction is a new English-language literary award to celebrate creativity and
excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States of America.
• The prize was named after American-Canadian novelist Carol Ann Shields and is managed by the
Carol Shields Prize Foundation.
The other 2023 Prize Finalists are Daphne Palasi Andreades, Talia Lakshmi Kolluri, Suzette Mayr, and Alexis
Schaitkin. Each finalist will receive USD 12,500 prize.
• 2023 Prize Jury Members- Anita Rau Badami, Merilyn Simonds, Monique Truong, Katherena
Vermette, and Crystal Wilkinson.
SPORTS
Doha Diamond League 2023: Neeraj Chopra wins Gold in Javelin Throw with 88.67m throw
India’s javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in Javelin Throw men’s event of the Doha Diamond
League 2023 (officially known as Wanda Diamond League) by registering a distance of 88.67 metres(m).
• Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic finished second with a best of 88.63 m and reigning world
javelin champion Anderson Peters of Grenada finished 3rd with a best of 85.88 m.
• The Doha Diamond League was held at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on May 5, 2023.
Key Points:
i.This throw was Neeraj Chopra’s fourth career-best effort, who has a personal best of 89.94m.
ii.This was his second win in a Diamond League Meeting. He became the first Indian to win a Diamond League
Meeting in 2022 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
iii.Neeraj Chopra became the 1st Indian athlete to be crowned Diamond League champion by winning the
grand final in Zurich, Switzerland in September 2022.
Points to note:
i.By winning the top spot, Neeraj Chopra earned 8 qualification points from the first leg.
• Athletes competing in Diamond League are awarded points instead of medals and the top eight
athletes at the end of the Diamond League series qualify for the Diamond League final.
ii.The 2023 finals will be held in Eugene on the 16th & 17th September 2023.
Note: The next leg of the Diamond League series will be held in Rabat, Morocco on May 28, 2023.
About Diamond League:
Initiated in 2010, Diamond League is an annual series of athletic meets, comprising track and field events
organised by Monaco-headquartered World Athletics. It was established to replace the IAAF (International
Association of Athletics Federations) Golden League, which was held since 1998. The meets are held in
different cities across the globe.
• The 2023 Diamond League is the 14th season which is being held from May 5, 2023 – September
17, 2023 through 14 meetings.

Fide World Championship 2023: Ding Liren becomes China’s 1st Male World Chess Champion
Chinese chess grandmaster Ding Liren (32 years old) has become the 17th world chess
champion and China’s 1st Male World Chess Champion by defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi at the FIDE
World Chess Championship 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Ding Liren
• Ding succeeds five-time champion and World’s No 1. Magnus Carlsen of Norway, who held the title
since 2013.
• Ding will receive 1.1 million Euros (approximately USD 1.2 million), 55% of the total 2 million euros
(approximately USD 2.2 million) prize money.
Note:
• With Ding’s win, China now holds the World Chess Champion title for both men and women.
• Ju Wenjun is the current Women’s World Chess Champion.
• Xie Jun of China was the 1st Asian female and 1st Chinese person to become a world chess
champion.
About World Championship 2023:
i.International Chess Federation(FIDE:Federation Internationale des Echecs) World Championship 2023 was
held from 7th to 30th April 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
ii.It was a best of 14 games, plus tiebreaks between Ding Liren and Ian Nepomniachtchi to determine the World
Chess Champion.
iii.Both players each won three matches and registered eight draws in the opening 14 games.
About Ding Liren:
i.Ding Liren hails from Wenzhou, China’s “chess city”.
ii.He became China’s youngest chess champion at the national level in 2009.
iii.At second place in the FIDE’s world rankings, he is currently the highest-ranked Chinese player.
Tech Mahindra & FIDE to host inaugural Global Chess League in Dubai
The Global Chess League (GCL), a joint venture between FIDE and Tech Mahindra Limited, a part of the
Mahindra Group, has announced Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the venue for its inaugural edition
which is set to be held from 21st June to 2nd July 2023.
• It will be held in association with Dubai Sports Council as the league’s host partner.
• It will be the world’s largest and first franchise-based chess league.
Note: Tech Mahindra and FIDE have entered into an agreement to conduct the league as a joint venture(JV) for
5 to 8 years.
About Global Chess League (GCL):
i.The first edition of the GCL will feature 6 teams, each consisting of 6 players. Notably, every team is required
to have a minimum of two female players and one icon player. The competition will follow a round-robin
format, with each team playing a total of 10 matches.
ii.The top two teams will qualify for the final on July 2, 2023, and be crowned the World Champion Franchise
Team.

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Boria Majumdar Released a New Book Titled “Sachin@50 – Celebrating a Maestro”
Boria Majumdar, a renowned sports historian and TV show host, released his new book titled “Sachin@50 –
Celebrating a Maestro”, published by Simon & Schuster India, on the occasion of an Indian former
international cricketer Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar’s 50th birthday (24th April 2023).
• The book has been conceptually designed and curated by Majumdar, with a special back cover note
penned by Gulzar.
• The book covers Sachin Tendulkar’s journey to success, beginning with his teenage debut, when he
rose to fame after his bloodied nose incident in Pakistan in 1989.
• It also highlights how he became the greatest batting sensation, transcending the boundaries of
sport.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International No Diet Day 2023 – May 6
International No Diet Day (INDD) is annually observed across the globe on May 6 to promote body positivity,
self-acceptance, and the acceptance of all body shapes and sizes, as well as raise awareness about the dangers
of dieting.
Ribbon: The symbol of International No Diet Day is a light blue ribbon.

Objectives:
i. The aim of INDD is to promote a healthier and more sustainable approach to health and well-being that
focuses on self-love, body acceptance, and mental and emotional well-being.
ii. The day also aims to raise awareness of eating disorders, a major mental health problem that affects people
of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Background:
i. International No Diet Day was created by Mary Evans Young, a British feminist and director of a British group
called ‘Diet Breakers’, in 1992.
ii. The 1st ever INDD was observed in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1992.
Diet:
i. Diet is to regulate one’s food intake to improve physical health, particularly to lower obesity or what is
conceived to be excess body fat.
ii. Dieting plans are based on the reduction of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that constitute the major
portions of food that a person eats (other than water) and that are necessary sources of energy.
iii. Benefits of Dieting:
• A healthy diet can improve and maintain health, which can include aspects of mental and physical
health.

• It boosts immunity and lowers the risk of disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
Risks of Dieting:
i. Dieting rarely has positive results. Within one to five years, 95% of dieters regain their lost weight and more.
ii. Dieters often experience physical consequences such as thinning hair, loss of coordination, dehydration and
electrolyte imbalances, etc.
iii. Dieting also impacts the mind. When an individual restricts calories, energy will be restricted, which might
restrict brainpower.
International Leopard Day 2023 – May 3

International Leopard Day is annually observed across the globe on May 3 to raise global awareness about
the leopards (Panthera pardus) and their plight as well as the risks that leopard populations face.
• The day is observed to make people aware of the nocturnal big cat that is mostly found in the Indian
subcontinent, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southern Russia.
About Leopards (Panthera pardus):
i. Leopards (Panthera pardus) are the smallest of the big cats, among others.
ii. They are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with some
subspecies classified as Critically Endangered.
iii. They occupy a myriad of habitats including deserts, forests, savannah, alpine areas, and even in proximity to
highly populated urban centres.
Threat:
i. Leopards have lost 63 – 75% of their historical distribution, despite their adaptability.
ii.Other key threats include prey depletion, conflict with people, unsustainable trophy hunting and poaching for
body parts and skins.
Note: The Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area has the highest documented leopard
density in the world, with roughly 26 per 100 square kilometres
International Leopard Day 2023: Website dedicated to Rosette Cats Launched
On International Leopard Day (3 May 2023), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), active predator conservation
working group, Panthera, a global wild cat organisation, and some other organisations launched a new
portal “internationalleopardday.org” dedicated to leopards with an aim of promoting and honouring
leopards all across the globe.
• The website portal was launched at the Global Leopard Conference held from 13-17 March 2023.
March 2023 marks the inaugural Global Leopard Conference.
• The conference brought together hundreds of researchers, students, conservationists and
enthusiasts in the 1st-ever international gathering dedicated to the Leopard.
Aim:
The aim of the website is to enable higher awareness, promotion and celebration of leopards globally.

Buddha Purnima – 5th May 2023
Buddha Purnima celebrates the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Based on
the Hindu calendar, Buddha Purnima is annually observed on the Purnima (full moon day) in the month of
Vaisakh which usually corresponds to April or May in the Gregorian Calendar.
Buddha Purnima 2023 falls on 5th May 2023.

• Buddha Purnima 2022 was observed on 16th May 2022.
• Buddha Purnima 2024 will be observed on 23rd May 2024.
Significance:
i.The celebration of Buddha Purnima is also known as Buddha Jayanti, Vesak, Vaishaka, and Buddha’s Birthday.
It is also believed that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment on this day.
ii.The day commemorates the Vesak festival which honours 3 significant events in the Buddha’s life – his birth,
enlightenment, and death.
About Gautama Buddha:
i.Gautama Buddha was born as ‘Siddhartha Gautama’ in the ancient city of Lumbini (now in Rupandehi District
of Lumbini Province in Nepal).
• Siddhartha Gautama was a prince who left his luxurious life to follow the path of spirituality and find
the meaning of life.
ii.It is believed that Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya(Bihar), and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)
is recognised as the location where he first taught Dharma.
Teachings of Buddha:
Buddha’s teachings are known as Dharma. The teachings offer a path to end suffering and achieve Nirvana
through the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the Noble Eightfold Path.
4 Noble Truths are:
• The truth of the unsatisfactoriness(suffering)
• The truth of the cause of the unsatisfactoriness
• The truth of the cessation of the unsatisfactoriness
• The truth of the way leading to the cessation of unsatisfactoriness
Noble Eightfold Path:
The Eightfold Path consists of eight practices: right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right
livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Uttar Pradesh becomes first state to make digital health cards for children
2. NITI Aayog’s Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023 includes 14 Union Govt
Initiatves
3. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Inaugurates India’s 1st IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh
4. Vistara Becomes the First Indian Airline to Use Sustainable Aviation Fuel
5. Visa Launched CVV-Free Payments Feature for Tokenised Cards
6. Ram Nath Kovind confers ‘Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award’ on CM Yogi Adityanath for
Creating Fear-Free UP
7. King Charles III & Queen Camilla crowned at Westminster Abbey, UK
8. Indian Navy decommissions INS Magar at Naval base in Kochi after 36 years of Service
9. IAF Received 1st Batch of Indigenous Loitering Munitions – TATA ALS 50
10. Rocket Lab launches 2 NASA satellites to study Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
11. IAF’s First C295 for India completes its Maiden Flight in Spain
12. Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the F1 Miami Grand Prix 2023
13. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami releases Book on Cybercrime Titled “Cyber Encounters” in Hindi
Version
14. Dr Sandeep Marwah Presented the First Copy of Book “8 Years of Modi Sarkar” to Ram Nath
Kovind
15. World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023 – May 8
16. International Thalassaemia Day 2023 – May 8
17. World Athletics Day 2023 – May 7
18. 64th Raising Day of Border Roads Organisation – 7th May 2023
19. Vineet Joshi, an IAS officer appointed as new Chief Secretary in Manipur

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Uttar Pradesh becomes first state to make digital health cards for children
On May 7, 2023, The Urban Development Department and Lucknow Smart City launched the ‘School Health
Program’ making Uttar Pradesh (UP) the first Indian state to make digital health cards for children.
• As a pilot project, the program has been started by Lucknow Smart City in three schools in Lucknow
viz. Aminabad Inter College, Kashmiri Mohalla Girls Inter College and Kashmiri Mohalla Montessori
School.
• These schools have been given the responsibility of health checkup of 1765 children.
About School Health Program:
i.Under this, a digital health report card will be prepared on 130 parameters for the overall physical and mental
well-being of municipal school. A health insurance worth Rs 25,000 will also be given to these children
ii.30 to 35-member mobile health team of doctors, paramedics, health volunteers as well as team coordinators
will do desk-to-desk examinations of the child. A unique ID card will be made for each child, through which the
child’s parents, school and administrative officials can download this health card. Follow-up of the Digital
Health Report is also done every six months.
iii.There will an eye test, dental test, test of oral health of children as well as abilities to listen and speak are
also tested.
iv.Workshops are also conducted on topics like child psychology, first aid, health and hygiene.
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Governor- Anandiben Patel
Chief Minister– Yogi Adityanath
Bird Sanctuaries– Surajpur Wetland, Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Declared as a Ramsar Site in 2020)
NITI Aayog’s Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023 includes 14 Union
Govt Initiatives
On May 1, 2023, the NITI Aayog (National Institute for Transforming India) in collaboration with the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released the ‘Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium,
2023’ which is a compilation of 75 initiatives of the Centre and the states/ Union Territories (UTs) in the
social sector.
• Out of the 75 initiatives, 14 have been launched by the Union government, two are joint initiatives
by the Centre and the state governments, while the rest are from 26 states and UTs.
14 Social Sector:
The 75 initiatives are the innovations in policymaking at national and state levels in 14 key social sectors such
as health, education, agriculture, science and technology, the environment, Disaster mitigation,Sports, COVID–
19, Energy conservation, E- governance and digitization, Women’s empowerment, Financial inclusion, Skill
development, and Social welfare.
• 75 initiatives have benefitted a large segment of the society and are replicable.

Key Initiatives under Social Sector:
i.Union Government’s Initiatives:
• DigiLocker
• UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance)
• Direct and full benefit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers
• Department of Food and Public Distribution
• Academic Bank of Credits
• National Academic Depository
• A life, less ordinary: Ganga Prahari – Guardians of the Ganga
• National Artificial Intelligence Portal-A critical hub for everything AI in India
• Innovations for Defence excellence
• Combating drug addiction – Nasha Mukt Bharat
• Prayatna: Special Project for Transgenders
• Financial inclusion for street vendors under PM SVANidhi
• Ethanol – A success story
• Portability of Ration Cards: One Nation One Ration Card
ii.Government of NCT of Delhi’s Initiatives:
• Home based education to children with multiple disabilities and profound/severe disabilities
• Electric vehicle policy and Induction of Electric Buses –A measure to improve Delhi’s air quality
• Bio Decomposer Solution and Spray Programme – Fighting stubble burning
• Delhi pushes towards sustainable power eco-system
iii.Government of Karnataka’s Initiatives:
• Kalika Chetarike – Activity based learning in Karnataka
• Solving dry waste handling Materials Recovery Facility at Nitte Gram Panchayat, Zila Panchayat,
Udupi District
• Santhe Kaushalkar – Self Help Group and Artisan Profiling Platform
• Farmer Registration and Unified beneficiary Information System (FRUITS)
• Kutumba: Social Protection cum Entitlement Management System
• Akanksha: An integrated online platform for SDG and CSR alignment
iv.Government of Uttar Pradesh’s Initiatives:
• Black Rice Initiative in Chandauli
• Reducing Maternal and Newborn Deaths (ReMiND) through mobile application
• SARTHI & SAKHI -Mental Health Helpline
• Shifting Gears from Disaster Management to Disaster Risk Reduction in Chitrakoot District

Number of Best Practices in Social Sector:
Union Government 14
Union and State Government Joint initiatives 2
Karnataka 6
5
Assam, Madhya Pradesh
each
4
NCT of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh
each
3
Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan
each
Andaman and Nicobar, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttarakhand, 2

Manipur each
Jammu and Kashmir, TamilNadu, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal 1
Pradesh, Kerala, Tripura, Nagaland each
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
(CSIR), have jointly prepared a report “Assessment of Lead Impact on Human and India’s Response”, in July
2022, which found that India bears the world’s highest health and economic burden due to lead poisoning.
About National Institution for Transforming India(NITI Aayog):
CEO – B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
Headquarters – New Delhi
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Inaugurates India’s 1st IAF Heritage Centre in Chandigarh
During his visit to Chandigarh on May 08, 2023, the Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence, has
inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre in Chandigarh’s Sector 18 to
highlight the IAF’s various aircraft and its contributions in various wars.
• The IAF heritage is spread across 17,000 square feet at the Government Press Building in
Chandigarh.
• It includes five vintage aircraft and would provide visitors with cockpit exposure and an experience
with flight simulators.

Backdrop: An MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the heritage centre was signed in June 2022 between
the Chandigarh administration and the IAF, in the presence of Banwarilal Purohit, Administrator of UT of
Chandigarh.
Key Points:
i.The heritage centre has the first IAF-made patent aircraft Air Force ‘Kanpur-1 Vintage Prototype Aircraft’, a
single-engine indigenous flying machine designed and built by the late Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh in
1958 at Base Repair Depot Kanpur.
ii.The Defence Minster was accompanied by Banwarilal Purohit, V R Chaudhari, Air Chief Marshal, Kirron Kher,
Member of Parliament (MP).
iii.The Defence Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a few other projects in Chandigarh.
iv.A souvenir shop equipped with the IAF’s memorial and scale models has been set up at the heritage centre
• Note – Souvenir ship is a shop that sells things that are meant to be a reminder of a place one visits.
Additional Features:
i.A beautiful one-foot wall in the centre has photographs/paintings of 58 vintage and retired aircraft.
ii.Various rescue operations being undertaken by the IAF all over the country and at the world level were also
planned to be included in the heritage centre.
iii.The initiatives undertaken by the Air Force Family Welfare Association for the benefit of the families of air
warriors at the station, regional and central levels were also planned to be shown through projectors.
iv.As per the MoU signed in June 2022, the heritage centre is set to have simulators, decommissioned aircraft,
aero engines and other IAF artefacts along with employing virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
Vistara Becomes the First Indian Airline to Use Sustainable Aviation Fuel
On 4th May 2023, Air Vistara became the 1st Indian carrier to operate a commercial domestic flight on a
widebody aircraft using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The feat was achieved by the airline’s new Boeing
787-9 Dreamliner flying from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Delhi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport, Mumbai using a blend of 17% SAF and 83% conventional jet fuel, reducing carbon
dioxide (CO₂) emissions by around 4,500 kilograms (kg).
• On this flight, Vistara was able to reduce approximately 10,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions.

• This initiative is a part of Vistara’s efforts to minimize carbon emissions and support a sustainable
future for the aviation industry.
Vistara is the flagship brand of Tata SIA Airlines, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
Note: Vistara was named the ‘Best Overall Airline’ in Central/Southern Asia at the 2023 Regional Passenger
Choice Awards. It also recently received the Ch-aviation Asia’s Third Youngest Airline Fleet award for the
second consecutive year.
BANKING & FINANCE

Visa Launched CVV-Free Payments Feature for Tokenised Cards
Visa, the Card payments company, launched a Cardholder Verification Value (CVV) free feature for
tokenized cards in India to make the online transaction process easier. Thus enabling the users to carry out
online transactions without the need to enter the CVV.
• It eliminates the need for customers to enter the CVV for every domestic transaction.
• The feature allows the merchants only to verify the three-digit CVV once when tokenising the card.
The process of Authentication:
i.Under tokenized cards, the tokenization process replaces card details with a unique code, which improves
transaction security.
ii.The tokenised transactions require two-factor authentication i.e. first at tokenisation and then when entering
the OTP.
Advantage:
i.The CVV free feature prevents the customers from having to input their 16-digit debit or credit card number,
CVV, and expiry date at merchant websites for every transaction.
ii.The transaction could be made securely as the online merchants could only store tokens (not card data) and
the tokens also cannot be used on other merchant platforms.
Note – Merchants like Zomato and payment service providers Razorpay are the existing users of Visa’s CVV-
free solution.
Prevailing Service:
• After RBI eased the two-factor authentication for online card transactions up to Rs 2,000 in 2016,
Visa had launched the Visa Safe Click service in 2019 to eliminate the need for CVV or OTP for
transactions below Rs 2,000. Now Visa plans to pause Safe Click.
• As of March 2023, Visa claims to have issued over 250 million tokens in India.
Rise of UPI Transaction:
i.According to latest RBI (Reserve Bank of India) data, total debit and credit transactions in the country totalled
458.8 million in February 2023, worth Rs 1.68 lakh crore.
ii.As per the data of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data, the total UPI (Unified Payment
Interface) transactions in February 2023 were more than 7.53 billion, processing payments worth Rs 12.35
lakh crore, underscoring the popularity of the payments infrastructure.

Ram Nath Kovind confers ‘Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award’ on CM Yogi Adityanath for
Creating Fear-Free UP
On 5th May 2023, Ram Nath Kovind, a former President of India, honoured Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister
(CM) of Uttar Pradesh (UP), with the 13th edition of the Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award, for creating a
fear-free UP, during the ceremony held at Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The award was received by Lalji Prasad, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) in UP, on behalf
of CM Yogi Adityanath.
• The award ceremony event was organised by the Buddhanjali Research Foundation.
• On this occasion, the 13th Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award was also given to popular film actors
Prem Chopra, Udit Narayan, and Rajpal Yadav as well as other talents from other regions of India.
About Yogi Adityanath:
i. Yogi Adityanath (born Ajay Mohan Singh Bisht) was born on 5 June 1972 in Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh
(now in Uttarakhand).
ii. He is a politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an Indian Hindu monk who has been serving as
the 21st and 1st Hindu monk CM of UP since 19 March 2017.
iii. At the age of 26, in 1998, he started his political career by becoming the youngest Member of Parliament
(MP) from Gorakhpur to the 12th Lok Sabha.
iv. He has been elected as an MP from Gorakhpur to the Lok Sabha for 5 consecutive terms (in 1998, 1999,
2004, 2009 and 2014 elections).
v. From 1998 to 1999, he worked in departments like the Committee on Food, Civil Supplies, Public
Distribution and its Sub-Committee-B on the Department of Sugar and Edible Oils, and was a Member of the
Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
vi. On 19th March 2017, he became the 21st Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. In 2022, he won the UP Legislative
Assembly election from Gorakhpur.
vii. In 2022, he took oath as the CM of UP for the 2nd time at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
About the Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award:
The Dr Ambedkar National Award or the Dr Ambedkar National Award for Social Understanding and
Upliftment of Weaker Sections is a national award presented by the Government of India (GoI) in honour of
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (B. R. Ambedkar), Former Minister of Law and Justice of India.
i. The award was established in 1992 and is administered by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation to people or
organizations for their outstanding work.
ii. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 Lakhs and a citation.
iii. The inaugural award was conferred in 1993 to the National Institute of Social Work and Social Science,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

King Charles III & Queen Camilla crowned at Westminster Abbey, UK
On 6th May 2023, King Charles III was crowned as the King of the United Kingdom(UK) and sovereign of 14
Commonwealth realms at the coronation ceremony held at Westminster Abbey (formally titled the Collegiate
Church of Saint Peter at Westminster) in London, the UK.
• The Queen Consort (the wife of a reigning king) Camilla, was crowned the Queen beside King
Charles III during the coronation. She became the 29th Queen Consort to be crowned at
Westminster Abbey.
• This marks the 40th coronation to take place at Westminster Abbey since 1066.
• For the first time since 1937, the Queen Consort was crowned beside the coronation of the King.
Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI, was the last Queen Consort to be crowned.
Note:
A Bible lesson from the biblical book of Colossians was read by Rishi Sunak, UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian
heritage and a practising Hindu.
Significance of King Charles III’s coronation:
i.The Coronation Service of Their Majesties the King and The Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey will be
attended by a congregation of more than 2,200 people including the royal family members, Nobel Prize
winners, British Empire Medal recipients and others.
ii.The Coronation did not formally change the King’s status.
• Charles became King of the UK and 14 other realms in September 2022, when his mother Queen
Elizabeth II died after 70 years on the throne.
iii.In total, 4,000 armed forces personnel and 19 military bands took part in the event, making it the biggest
state occasion since the coronation of the late Queen in 1953.
Key Points:
i.King Charles III wore St Edward’s Crown for the historic coronation ceremony.
ii.It was worn by the King’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her own coronation in June 1953. And by
the King’s late grandfather, King George VI, at his coronation in May 1937.
iii.Queen Camilla wore the Queen Mary’s Crown at the Coronation. It is the first time a Consort’s crown has
been re-used since the 18th century.

Indian Navy decommissions INS Magar at Naval base in Kochi after 36 years of Service
On May 6, 2023, the Indian Navy (IN) decommissioned Indian Naval Ship (INS) Magar, the oldest Landing Ship
Tank (Large) after 36 years of service at the Naval base in Kochi, Kerala. It was commanded by CDR Hemant
V Salunkhe.

• It was decommissioned in the presence of Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, Commanding-in-Chief,
Southern Naval Command, as a Chief Guest. He helmed the ship from 2005-06.
Key Points:
i.The ship’s timeline and special postage cover were also released during the event.
ii.INS Magar was launched on November 16, 1984 by Meera Tahiliani and commissioned on July 18, 1987 at
Garden Reach Shipyard and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Kolkata (West Bengal) by late Admiral
Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani.
iii.During service, INS Magar participated in numerous operations, amphibious exercises and humanitarian
missions and operations including Samudra Setu wherein more than 4,000 Indian nationals were repatriated
from various corners of the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
iv.The ship was also instrumental in evacuation of over 1,300 survivors post Tsunami in 2004 and had been
part of several joint military exercises with the Indian Army.
v.In 2018, the vessel was converted into a training ship and joined the First Training Squadron at Kochi.
IAF Received 1st Batch of Indigenous Loitering Munitions – TATA ALS 50

Indian Air Force (IAF) has received its first indigenously designed and developed Vertical Take Off and Landing
(VTOL) loitering munitions named the TATA ALS 50 which are capable of operating from all kinds of terrain
and high altitude areas and can take down targets at a range of over 50 km, without exposing any personnel to
risk.
• The munitions which are also known as suicide drone has been developed by Tata Advanced
Systems Limited (TASL)
• The munitions are designed for VTOL and have successfully demonstrated their capability to carry
out precision strikes (less than 2 meters) during trials and tests.
• TATA ALS 50 could allow for real-time targeting, either by the operator or autonomously.
Features:
VTOL capability will support operating in areas where limited space is available, like narrow valleys, fortified
mountain positions, small jungle clearings and the decks of warships.

Loitering munition could be used to destroy enemy targets that may be beyond line of sight, including high-
value targets like command centres and missile launchers, that may be located at far distances.
Rocket Lab launches 2 NASA satellites to study Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
On 8th May 2023, Rocket Lab USA, Inc.(Rocket Lab) launched the first of the 2 launches to
deploy NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation
Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission across two separate
Electron launches.
• Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket launched Rocket Like A Hurricane, 1st of the 2 launches to deploy
NASA’s TROPICS mission carrying two TROPICS CubeSats, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in
Mahia, New Zealand.
• This is also the Rocket Lab’s 36th Electron launch overall.
Note:
The 2nd mission – Coming To A Storm Near You – is scheduled to launch from the same location in mid-late
May 2023.
About TROPICS:
i.NASA’s TROPICS constellation will monitor the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including
hurricanes, and will provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity.
ii.This data will help scientists better understand the processes that effect these high-impact storms, ultimately
leading to improved modelling and prediction.
iii.The constellation, a part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program, consists of 4 CubeSats that
require launch to a specific orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometres and inclination of about 30 degrees.
• These were originally planned as a series of six satellites but the first two were lost in an Astra
launch failure in 2022, and the remaining four were subsequently switched to Rocket Lab.
IAF’s First C295 for India completes its Maiden Flight in Spain
The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s 1st C295 medium transport aircraft has completed its maiden flight in Spain,
marking a significant milestone towards its delivery by the second half of 2023. The aircraft took off from
Seville, Spain, on 5 May 2023 and landed after 3 hours of flight.
• This first flight represents a significant accomplishment for the 1st Make in India aerospace
programme.
India’s defence ministry signed a ₹21,935-crore agreement to acquire 56 C295 aircraft in September 2021 to
replace the (IAF) legacy AVRO fleet.
• The first 16 aircraft will be assembled in Seville, Spain, and delivered to the customer in ‘fly-away’
condition.
• The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in
India as part of an industrial partnership between Airbus Defence and Space and Tata Advanced
Systems Limited companies.

The C295 programme comprises a total of 280 orders from 39 operators, making it an unmatched aircraft in its
weight and mission class.
SPORTS
Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the F1 Miami Grand Prix 2023
Dutch-Belgian racing driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the Formula 1(F1) Miami Grand Prix(GP)
2023 title, the 5th round of the 2023 F1 World Championship, at the Miami International Autodrome, Hard
Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the United States of America(USA).
• This marks Max Verstappen’s 38th career win, tying him with Sebastian Vettel for most victories
for Red Bull.
• Mexico’s Sergio Perez (Red Bull) finished 2nd and Spain’s Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) finished
3rd in Miami GP 2023.
The Miami GP 2023, officially known as the F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2023, is the 2nd edition of
Miami GP. The inaugural edition was held in 2022.
Note: Max Verstappen was the inaugural winner of the Miami GP in 2022.
About Miami Grand Prix:
Circuit: Miami International Autodrome is a one-of-a-kind circuit located at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
Gardens, Florida USA.
Circuit length- 5.41 km
Race Length– 308.326 km
Laps– 57
Podium of F1 Miami Grand Prix 2023:
Rank Name Car
1 Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch) Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT
2 Sergio Perez (Mexico) Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT
3 Fernando Alonso(Spain) Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes

Key Points:
i.With this win, Max Verstappen leads the 2023 Drivers Standings with 119 points, followed by his teammate
Sergio Perez with 105 points and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin with 75 points.
ii. Previously, Max Verstappen won the Bahrain GP 2023, the opening round of the 2023 F1 World
Championship and the Australia GP 2023.
iii.The Constructors’ Championship standing is topped by Austria’s Red Bull Racing-Honda followed by the
United Kingdom’s (UK) Aston Martin Aramco-Mercedes at 2nd, and Germany’s Mercedes at 3rd.

BOOKS & AUTHORS
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami releases Book on Cybercrime Titled “Cyber Encounters” in Hindi
Version
On 7th May 2023, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, launched the Hindi version of
“Cyber Encounter: Cops’ Adventures With Online Criminals” (साइबर एनकाउं टसस ) at St Joseph’s Academy,
Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. This version has been published by Prabhat Prakashan Pvt. Ltd.
• The book was originally written in English by Ashok Kumar, the Director General of Police(DGP)
of Uttarakhand, and co-authored by OP Manocha, a former scientist of the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and published by Ebury Press.
• The book provides information about the world of cybercriminals and the challenges faced by law
enforcement agencies while tracking and catching them.
Dr Sandeep Marwah Presented the First Copy of Book “8 Years of Modi Sarkar” to Ram Nath
Kovind
Dr Sandeep Marwah, the Chancellor of AAFT University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and President of the
International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI), presented the 1st copy of the book “8
Years of Modi Sarkar- A Compilation of Achievements”, published by ICMEI, to Ram Nath Kovind, the
former President of India.
• The book documents the achievements of the Modi government over the past 8 years.
• The book is sure to be a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in
understanding the government’s work over the past eight years.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023 – May 8
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is annually observed across the globe on 8th May to celebrate the
principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The theme of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023 is “Everything we do comes #fromtheheart”
Background:
i.The idea of World Red Cross Day originated during the 14th International Conference was held in London, the
United Kingdom, in 1938.
ii.In 1946, The Board of Governors of the League of the Red Cross Societies (LORCS) proposed the celebration
of World Red Cross Day and it was later adopted in 1948.
iii.The first International Red Cross Day was celebrated on 8th May 1948.
iv.The celebration was renamed as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 1984.

Significance of 8th May:
8th May marks the birth anniversary of Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) and the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1901).
• He was born on 8th May 1828 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The first Nobel Peace Prize was jointly received by Jean Henry Dunant and Frédéric Passy. Dunant
was the first Swiss Nobel laureate.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
i.International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was founded as the League of the Red
Cross Societies (LORCS) on 5th May 1919.
• The league changed its name to the IFRC in 1991.
ii.The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies working to save lives, build community resilience, strengthen localization and promote dignity around
the world.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
i.The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 97
million volunteers, members and staff worldwide.
ii.It is made up of three independent parts: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); The
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and National Societies.
About the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
President– Francesco Rocca
Members– 192 member National Societies
International Thalassaemia Day 2023 – May 8

International Thalassaemia Day is annually observed across the globe on 8th May to raise awareness about
Thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder caused when the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called
haemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells.
• The theme of International Thalassaemia Day 2023 is “Be Aware. Share. Care: Strengthening
Education to Bridge the Thalassaemia Care Gap”.
Objective of the Day:
i. To increase understanding and knowledge about thalassaemia, its symptoms, and its impact on individuals,
families, and communities and show support for those who live with it.
ii. To promote the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and ongoing support for people living
with this blood disorder and healthcare professionals involved in their care.
Background:
In 1994, the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) proclaimed the 8th May of every year as the
International Thalassaemia Day to remember all the Thalassemia patients who fought the disease and lost their
life.

The day was established in the memory of George, the son of TIF’s President and Founder, Panos Englezos.
• The first ever International Thalassaemia Day was observed on 8th May 1994.
About Thalassaemia:
i. Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin, the protein that carries
oxygen in the blood.
ii. People with thalassemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin and may have mild or severe anaemia.
Severe anaemia can damage organs and lead to death.
Types of Thalassaemia:
i. Alpha thalassemia occurs when a gene or genes related to the alpha globin protein are missing or changed
(mutated).
ii. Beta thalassemia occurs when similar gene defects affect production of the beta globin protein.
• Beta type is the most severe one.
Cause:
Thalassemia is caused when faulty genes prevent your body from making the right amount of alpha globin or
beta globin chains. When this happens, red blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to your body’s organs and
tissues.
Other associated health issues:
Thalassemia major damages the heart, liver, lungs and endocrine organs due to anaemia and iron accumulation,
in addition Thalassemia cause mental and social problems.
Symptoms:
Thalassemia signs and symptoms can include: Fatigue, weakness, paleness and slow growth, Facial bone
deformities, abdominal swelling, Dark urine.
About Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF):
The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in
1986
President & Founder– Panos Englezos
Headquarters– Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus
World Athletics Day 2023 – May 7

World Athletics Day is annually observed across the globe on May 7 to promote sports and exercise for
physical and mental well-being. The day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity and
encourage young and school children to take up athletics.
World Athletics Day 2023 was observed on 7th May 2023 under the theme “Athletics for All – A New
Beginning”.
• The theme focuses on promoting diversity and inclusivity in athletics and making sports accessible
to people of all genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
The day is annually observed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), formerly the
International Amateur Athletic Federation (1912–2001).

• The IAAF was renamed World Athletics in 2019.
Background:
i. The IAAF, the world governing body for the sport of track and field athletics, introduced World Athletics Day
as a social responsibility titled “Athletic for a Better World.”
ii. The 1st ever World Athletics Day was observed on 15th May 1996, with the participation of over 50
countries, and the event was launched by the late Primo Nebiolo, the then-president of the IAAF.
World Athletics Championships 2023:
i. The World Athletics Championships, formerly known as the World Championships in Athletics (until 2019),
are a biennial athletic competition organized by World Athletics.
• 2023 marks the 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships.
ii. World Athletics Championships are scheduled to be held from 19th to 27th August 2023 in the National
Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.
Kids’ Athletics Day 2023:
i. World Athletics will be celebrating Kids’ Athletics Day on 7th May 2023 with organisations around the world
to mark the launch of the new Kids’ Athletics Programme.
• The theme of Kids’ Athletics Day 2023 is “Move, Play, Explore”.
ii. This programme aims to encourage kids to get out there and have fun being active.
About the World Athletics:
World Athletics (or IAAF) was established on 17 July 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden, following the Olympic Games
closing ceremony.
President- Sebastian Coe
Headquarters- Monaco
64th Raising Day of Border Roads Organisation – 7th May 2023

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), annually celebrated its Raising Day on May 7th to mark the
establishment of the BRO on 7th May 1960. The day aims to recognise the contribution of the BRO personnel
and invite all ranks of the Organisation to continue on the path of excellence towards the construction and
maintenance of roads and bridges in the border areas.
• 7th May 2023 marks the observance of the 64th Raising Day of BRO.
BRO is the leading road construction organisation in India which has been managed by the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) since 2015. It also supports the armed forces to meet their strategic needs by dedicated and cost
effective development and maintenance of the infrastructure.
• BRO has constructed over 61,000 kms of roads, over 900 Bridges, four Tunnels and 19 airfields
along India’s borders and in friendly foreign countries, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and
Tajikistan.
Background:
i. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop
infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states in India.

ii. The Government of India set up the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB), as an inter-ministerial body,
in March 1960 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
iii. The BRDB was reconstituted in 1985 with the Defence Minister as the chairman. Currently, the Minister of
State (MoS) for Defence is the chairman of the Board.
iv. The Director-General Border Roads (DGBR) is the executive head of the BRO and the Organisation is
primarily composed of officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the
General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).
Event 2023:
i. As a part of the celebration of BRO’s 64th Raising Day, the ‘Chief Engineers and Equipment Management
Conference’ was organised at BRO School and Centre, Pune in Maharashtra. The event was attended by Ajay
Bhatt, the MoS for Defence(RakshaRajya Mantri).
ii. He alsoinaugurated the BRO Technical Training Complex and an Automated Driving Track to enhance the
training standards of the BRO personnel and help them to be better prepared for various challenges.
Launch of BRO-centric Softwares:
i. BRO-centric softwares- Recruitment Management System, Electronic Measurement Book & Work
Management System, developed as part of ‘Digital India’ initiative, were also launched at the event.
ii. These software have been developed to automate various aspects of functioning of the BRO for smoother &
faster output and increased transparency.
GRSE & BRO signed MoU for construction of indigenous Class 70R Double Lane Modular Bridges
On the occasion of the 64th Raising Day of BRO, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between
the BRO and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited for construction of indigenous Class 70R
Double Lane Modular Bridges, which will help in bolstering the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces.
Other Highlights:
i. MoS Ajay Bhatt also flagged in the ‘EktaAvamShradhanjali Abhiyaan‘, a multi modal expedition which
commenced on 10th April 2023 from Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in Ladakh and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh and
ended on 07 May 2023 at Pune, Maharashtra.
Note: Ekta Avam Shradhanjali Abhiyaan is organised by BRO in order to commemorate the sacrifices and
contribution of its Karmyogis in nation building.
• All ranks of the Organisation were invited in this expedition consisting of motor-cycle and four-
wheel drives.
• The expedition teams from various border States/Union Territories collected the samples of soil,
water and local saplings, at BRO School & Centre, Maharashtra.
ii. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General Border Roads (DGBR) flagged off the Motorcycle and car rally teams
from Seema SadakBhawan, New Delhi, Delhi on 01 May 2023 and encouraged all ranks of the Organisation.
During the event, Union MoS for Defence, Ajay Bhatt unveiled Several BRO conceptualised documents and
special BRO edition of Sainik Samachar, a fortnightly journal brought out by Directorate of Public Relations,
Ministry of Defence. The documents released during the event includes,
• A monograph on ‘BRO Vision@2047’;
• Compendium on Road Slogans;
• Improvement & Standardisation of Medical Establishments;
• Quality Control Labs & Design of Bridges and Problem Statements for Innovations for Defence
Excellence (iDEX), including use of satellites for monitoring BRO assets.
Note: The edition of the Journal comprises the achievements, ongoing projects and the history of the BRO.
About Border Roads Organisation (BRO):
Established in- 1960
Director General- Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhary
Motto– We Will Either Find a Way or Make One

STATE NEWS
ACC Appointed IAS officer Vineet Joshi as new Chief Secretary in Manipur
On May 7th 2023, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Vineet Joshi, Additional
Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, as the new Chief Secretary in Manipur.
• The 1992 Manipur cadre IAS officer, Vineet Joshi replaced Dr Rajesh Kumar, whose term was
previously extended for six-months in December 2022, but was cut short because of Vineet Joshi’s
appointment.
Key Points
• Vineet Joshi also replace three other IAS officers MH Khan (1988 cadre), Moses Challai (1990 cadre)
and P Vaiphei (1991 cadre), all of Manipur cadre.
• ACC has approved the appointment of Vineet Joshi on the request of the Government of Manipur to
handle the Clashes that broke out in the state after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the
10 hill districts on May 3, 2023 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled
Tribe (ST) status.
• So far, 23,000 people have been rescued from the violence-hit areas and were moved to military
garrisons.
Responsibilities:
i. According to the order of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (personnel division) of
the Manipur government, the Governor of Manipur appointed Dr Vineet Joshi as Chief Secretary
(Finance/Information Technology/Department of Defence Protection/Cabinet/Planning).
ii. Vineet Joshi has also been given additional responsibilities of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Manipur and
Principal Resident Commissioner, Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
About Vineet Joshi:
i. Vineet Joshi served as the Principal Secretary to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren
ii. He joined the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as private secretary in 1999.
iii. He was appointed as the chairperson of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) twice, in 2010 and
then again re-appointed in 2022
iv. He served as the Director-General of National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting
entrance examinations in India.
Other Recent appointments:
On May 4th 2023 the Manipur government appointed:
i. Retired IPS (Indian Police service) officer and former CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) chief Kuldiep Singh
as the security advisor.
ii. IPS officer Ashutosh Sinha as the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Intelligence, and the
Operational Commander.

About Manipur:
Capital– Imphal
Chief Minister– N. Biren Singh
Governor– Anusuiya Uikey
Airports– Imphal International Airport

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. MoHUA and MoR jointly ink MoU with JICA for Project SMART
2. PMJJBY, PMSBY & APY Completes 8 Years; Recorded 16.2 crore, 34.2 crore & 5.2 crore
Enrolments
3. Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
4. India Post, CAIT and Tripta Technologies signed MoU for Logistics Services
5. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal receives 1st Indian Cargo Ship at the Sittwe Port, Myanmar
6. AU Small Finance Bank Partners with RuPay to Offer Cashback RuPay Credit Card
7. Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes India’s 1st to Relocate Mauritius Domiciled Fund to GIFT IFSC
8. Fitch Ratings has lowered India’s 2023-24 GDP forecast to 6% from 6.2%
9. 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards: Lionel Messi & Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce win top awards
10. 2023 Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism; Books, Drama and Music: Associated Press won Journalism
Prize under Public Service
11. Accenture appoints Ajay Vij as India MD & Sandeep Dutta as lead for India Market Unit; Rekha
Menon to Retire
12. Groww completes Rs 175 Cr Acquisition of Indiabulls’ Mutual Fund Business
13. Asian Weightlifting Championships Jinju 2023: India Finishes Campaign with 3 Silver Medals
14. Sahitya Akademi Awardee & Bengali author Samaresh Majumdar Passed away
15. Ajai Chowdhry Authored a New Book Titled “Just Aspire”
16. Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second
World War – 8-9 May 2023
17. World Portuguese Language Day 2023 – May 5
18. Max Life, IIA join hands to offer Life Insurance Access to 11 lakh MSME workforce in UP

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoHUA and MoR jointly ink MoU with JICA for Project SMART
On May 8, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked between the Ministry of Housing &
Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Ministry of Railways (MoR) with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
for ‘Station Area Development along Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (Project-SMART)’.
• It was inked for four High Speed Rail Stations viz. Sabarmati, Surat in Gujarat and Virar and Thane in
Maharashtra; out of 12 stations in-route.
• Surat, Virar and Thane are Green fields while Sabarmati is a Brown field development.
What is Project SMART?
Its goal is to improve the areas around the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Railway (MAHSR) stations to make
it easier for commuters, other people and businesses to access them more conveniently.
• It will also encourage economic growth in these areas.
• The project will also help the government and other authorities to better plan, develop, and manage
the places near the stations.
Note:
i.MoHUA, Governments of Gujarat, Maharashtra and JICA are organizing a series of Seminars and field visits for
the Project–SMART in Delhi, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Mumbai (Maharashtra). The first seminar was
organized at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi on May 8, 2023.
ii.Officers from Japan Embassy, JICA, MoR, National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, MoHUA, Town and
Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) deliberated during the seminar.
iii.This will contribute to the preparation of ‘Station Area Development Plans’ for Sabarmati, Surat, Virar and
Thane HSR Stations and model handbook, containing experiences and methodologies adopted in Japan, India
and other countries for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Station Area Development.
About Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA):
President– Akihiko Tanaka
Headquarters– Tokyo, Japan
PMJJBY, PMSBY & APY Completes 8 Years; Recorded 16.2 crore, 34.2 crore & 5.2 crore
Enrolments
9th May 2023 marks the 8th anniversary of the three major social security (Jan Suraksha) schemes, Pradhan
Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal
Pension Yojana (APY).
• Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman stated that till 26th April 2023, 16.2 crore, 34.2 crore
and 5.2 crore enrolments have been done under PMJJBY, PMSBY & APY respectively. The total
enrollment under all three schemes are 55.6 crore.
Backdrop: The two low-cost insurance schemes of PMJJBY and PMSBY and the guaranteed pension scheme of
APY were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9, 2015, from Kolkata, West Bengal.

• The three schemes were built under the initiative of ‘National Mission for Financial
Inclusion’ which was launched to ensure that every citizen in India has access to banking facilities,
financial literacy, and social security coverage.
Three social security schemes are dedicated to the welfare of the citizens, recognising the need for securing
human life from unforeseen risks/losses and financial uncertainties.
The schemes were launched to expand the coverage of insurance and pension to provide the poor and
marginalised sections of society the much-needed financial security through affordable products.
About the Schemes in Brief:
a.Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY):
i.Scheme Detail: It is an insurance scheme of the Ministry of Finance, offering life insurance cover for death
due to any reason. It is a one-year cover, renewable from year to year.
ii.Eligibility:
• All individual account holders of participating banks/ Post offices in the age group of 18 to 50 years
are entitled to join.
• People who join the scheme before completing 50 years of age can continue to have the risk of life
cover up to the age of 55 years upon payment of the premium.
iii.Benefits:
• It offers a renewable one-year term life cover of Rs 2 Lakh to all the subscribing bank account
holders in the age group of 18-50 years, covering death due to any reason for a premium of Rs.
436/- per annum per subscriber, to be auto-debited from the subscriber’s bank account.
• The scheme is offered/administered through LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) and other
Life Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms with necessary approvals and
tie-ups with Banks / Post office for this purpose.
iv.Achievements: As on 26.04.2023, the cumulative enrolments under the scheme have been more than 16.19
crore and an amount of Rs. 13,290.40 crore has been paid for 6,64,520 claims.
b.Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
i.Scheme Detail: It is an Accident Insurance Scheme offering accidental death and disability cover for death or
disability on account of an accident.
ii.Eligibility: Individuals in the age group of 18-70 years having a savings bank or a post office account are
entitled to enroll under the scheme.
iii.Benefits
• On Death by accident – the Nominee shall get Rs 2 Lakh
• Total and irrecoverable disability due to accident – Rs 2 Lakh
• Partial disability – Rs 1 Lakh

iv.Premium: Rs.20 per annum per member. The premium will be deducted from the account holder’s bank
account through ‘auto debit’ facility in one instalment on or before 1st June of each annual coverage period
under the scheme.
v.Achievements: As on 26.04.2023, the cumulative enrolments under the scheme have been more than 34.18
crore and an amount of Rs. 2,302.26 crore has been paid for 1,15,951 claims.
c.Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
i.Scheme Detail:
• It is an old-age income security scheme to addresses the longevity risks among workers in the
unorganized sector and encourages the workers to voluntarily save for their retirement.
• APY is administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the
overall administrative and institutional architecture of the National Pension System (NPS).
ii.Eligibility:
• The minimum age for joining APY is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years.
• The age of exit and start of pension would be 60 years. Therefore, the minimum period of
contribution by the subscriber under APY would be 20 years or more.
• Exclusions: Tax Payers became not eligible to join APY from 1 October, 2022.
iii.Benefits: Subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 or
Rs. 3000 or Rs. 4000 or Rs. 5000 at the age of 60 years, based on the contributions made by the subscriber after
joining the scheme.
iv.Payment frequency: Subscribers can make contributions to APY on monthly/ quarterly / half-yearly basis.
v.Withdrawal from the Scheme: Subscribers can voluntarily exit from APY subject to certain conditions, on
deduction of Government co-contribution and return/interest thereon.
vi.Disbursement of the Scheme Benefits:
• The monthly pension could be availed by the subscriber, and after him to his spouse and after their
death, the pension corpus (as accumulated at age 60 of the subscriber) would be returned to the
nominee of the subscriber.
• In case of premature death of the subscriber (death before 60 years of age), the spouse of the
subscriber could continue contributing to the same APY account, for the remaining vesting period
(i.e. till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years).
vii.Contribution by Union Government:
• The minimum pension would be guaranteed by the Government, i.e., if the accumulated corpus
based on contributions earns a lower than estimated return on investment and is inadequate to
provide the minimum guaranteed pension, the Central Government would fund such inadequacy.
• In case the returns on investment are higher, the subscribers would get enhanced pensionary
benefits.
viii.Achievements: As on 27.04.2023 more than 5 crore individuals have subscribed to the scheme.
As per the Ministry of Finance notification, those who pay income tax will not be allowed to enrol in the
Government’s Social Security Scheme Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from October 1, 2022.
About Ministry of Finance:
Union Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS) – Pankaj Chaudhary; Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad
Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

The 3rd phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) was launched by the Minister of State
(MoS) Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to commemorate the World
Thalassemia Day on May 8, 2023.
• TBSY is an imitative of MoHFW and which is being supported by Coal India Limited (CIL) as part of
their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

• The Minister also launched Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Portal and released the Standard
Treatment Workflow for Sickle Cell Disease, developed by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical
Research), during the event.
About TBSY:
MoHFW has been implementing the TBSY since 2017 under the National Health Mission (NHM) to treat
Thalassemia, which is an inherited blood disorder that causes a body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Its
second phase was completed in March 2023.
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) program, a CIL’s CSR-funded initiative, is aimed to
provide a one-time cure opportunity to underprivileged Thalassemia patients who have a matched
sibling donor but do not have the financial resources to cover the cost of the procedure.
About 3rd phase of TBSY:
It will continue to provide financial assistance for a package cost of 10 lakhs per HSCT, directly transferred
from CIL to the institutions performing HSCT.
• The program has empanelled 10 reputed hospitals across India, including AIIMS, New Delhi; CMC
Vellore; Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai; MCGM Hospital, Mumbai; PGIMER,
Chandigarh; Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi; SGPGI, Lucknow; Narayana Hrudayalaya,
Bangalore; CMC, Ludhiana and Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata among others.

India Post, CAIT and Tripta Technologies signed MoU for Logistics Services
On 9th May 2023, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India Post (a part of
the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications), Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) (an
apex body of trading community of India), and Tripta Technologies Private Limited for logistics services.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State (MoS) for
Communications at National Media Centre, New Delhi, Delhi.
• The MoU will benefit small and medium traders as they will be able to use India Post as a logistics
service provider across the country.
• This MoU is a significant milestone for taking e-commerce to small towns and rural areas and can
benefit thousands of traders.
Note: Tripta Technologies is Facilitated by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT)
Benefits of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
i. The Tripartite MoU between India Post, CAIT and Tripta Technologies will provide shipping and last-mile
delivery services to CAIT’s strong trader base and small and medium business in the unorganised sector.
ii. This initiative will streamline the parcel operations of India Post.
iii. It will enable delivery of goods for small businesses, by leveraging the vast network of India Post.
Additional information:
i. The Government of India has transformed the India Post by expanding service areas through technology
induction.
ii. Banking and insurance services have been initiated in India post along with financial inclusion services.
About India Post:
Director General (Postal Services)- Alok Sharma
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
About Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT):
Chairman– Mahendra Shah
President- B.C.Bhartia
Secretary General– Praveen Khandelwal
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal receives 1st Indian Cargo Ship at the Sittwe Port,
Myanmar
On 9th May 2023, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW),
received the 1st Indian cargo ship at Sittwe Port in Myanmar (formerly Burma) in the presence of Admiral Tin
Aung San, Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister (Dy PM) and Minister of Transport and Communications.
• He received the first Indian Cargo ship while inaugurating the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State,
Myanmar, along with Admiral Tin Aung San.
• The inauguration of Sittwe Port initiated the regular transit of cargo ships between Syama Prasad
Mookerjee Port in Kolkata (West Bengal), India to Sittwe Port in Rakhine, Myanmar.

• Sittwe Port’s opening will enhance bilateral and regional trade as well as contribute to the local
economy in Rakhine, Myanmar. Sittwe port development is part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit
Transport Project (KMTTP).
BANKING & FINANCE

AU Small Finance Bank Partners with RuPay to Offer Cashback RuPay Credit Card
On May 9, 2023, the AU Small Finance Bank (SFB) partnered with RuPay to introduce the Business Cashback
RuPay credit card, a solution tailored to meet the financial requirements of self-employed (i.e. Micro, Small And
Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)) customers and promote financial inclusion.
• The bank intends to provide multiple range of benefits to small businesses through this credit card.
Key People: The Credit Card was launched in the presence of Dilip Asbe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Sanjay Agarwal, Managing Director (MD) & CEO of AU SFB.
Benifits:
• The card provides benefits like up to 2% cashback, 48 days of interest-free credit, and instant loans.
• It also offers fire insurance, burglary, and housebreaking coverage, etc. and simplifies the financial
operations of businesses.
• The credit card also provides lifestyle and travel benefits.
About AU Small Finance Bank Ltd.
MD & CEO – Sanjay Agarwal
Headquarters – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes India’s 1st to Relocate Mauritius Domiciled Fund to GIFT IFSC
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited has become India’s 1st to relocate Mauritius
domiciled fund to Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT-city), Gujarat. On 6th May 2023, it successfully
re-domiciled Alchemy India Long Term Fund from Mauritius to GIFT City, India’s 1st International Financial
Services Centre (IFSC).
• Kotak Bank issued the 1st ever Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) licence to Alchemy’s Fund
incorporated in GIFT and registered with the International Financial Services Centres
Authority(IFSCA) for relocating from its original jurisdiction.
• This is the 1st FPI license issued by a custodian bank or designated depository participant (DDP) in
India, to a fund incorporated in GIFT City, to relocate an existing fund.
Note: In June 2023, Alchemy India Long Term Fund will complete 15 years of operation.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Fitch Ratings has lowered India’s 2023-24 GDP forecast to 6% from 6.2%
Fitch Ratings has lowered India’s 2023-24 (i.e. Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24)) GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
growth forecast to 6% from 6.2% of its earlier projection, amid increased inflation and interest rates along with
subdued global demand.
• The projection for FY25 also decreased to 6.7% from 6.9% projected earlier.
• India’s FY24 growth will be slower than the 7% expected in FY23, as weak domestic and global
demand is induced.
Highlights:
i.India’s long-term foreign-currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) is projected at ‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook.
• This rating indicates that expectations of default risk are currently low and payment capacity to
meet financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions
are more likely to impair this capacity.
ii.India’s headline inflation will decline, but remain near the upper end of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 2%-
6% target band, averaging 5.8% in FY24 from 6.7% in FY23.
• Core inflation fell to 5.7% in March 2023, the lowest since July 2021.
iii.The 2022-23 current account deficit projection for India slashed to 2.3% of GDP from 3.3% in December
2022.
• It will narrow further to 1.9% deficit in 2023.
iv.The central government will meet its fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of GDP in 2023-24 from 6.4% in 2022.
• States deficits will rise from 2.7% of GDP estimated in FY23 to 2.8% of GDP in FY24.
• General government deficit (excluding divestments) will narrow to a still-high 8.8% of GDP in FY24
from 9.2% in FY23.
v.India’s general government debt remains elevated at 82.8% of GDP in FY23 and is likely to remain around
83% of GDP even in FY28.
vi.The private sector will show stronger investment growth as corporate and bank balance sheets are
improving. However, risks still remain due to India’s low labour force participation rates and an uneven reform
implementation record.
Note: India will be one of the fastest-growing nations bolstered by resilient investment prospects.

2023 Laureus World Sports Awards: Lionel Messi & Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce win top awards
Lionel Messi, Argentine professional footballer and forward of Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain(PSG), was
honoured with the Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year 2023 at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards.
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jamaican track and field sprinter, won the Laureus World
Sportswoman Of The Year 2023
The winners of the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards, the most prestigious honours in sport, were honoured
in the ceremony held on 8th May 2023 in Paris, France.
• Laureus Awards 2023 marks the 24th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards.
• The 2023 Awards will honour the most memorable sporting performances of 2022.
Key Points:
i.This is the 2nd time that Lionel Messi has been honoured with the Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year
Award. In 2020, he shared the award with British race car driver Lewis Hamilton.
• He also became the first person to win the team and individual award in the same year(2023).
ii.Lionel Messi, who won the 2022 Football World Cup with Argentina, was nominated for the Laureus World
Sportsman Of The Year Award along with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé, Max Verstappen (motor racing),
Mondo Duplantis(athletics), Rafael Nadal(Tennis) and Stephen Curry(Basketball).
iii.Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the 100 metres gold medal in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in
Eugene, Oregon, and become the 1st person to win five golds in an individual track event at the championships.
• She has won more global 100 metres titles than any other sprinter in history. She has also won the
Olympic gold medals in 2008(Beijing, China) and 2012(London, United Kingdom).
• Previously she was nominated for the Laureus Award in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020.
Highlights:
i.Danish footballer Christian Eriksen who also plays for Manchester United, won the Laureus World Comeback
of the Year award.
• Christian Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Euro 2020 game against Finland,
returned to the field in January 2022.
ii.Swiss para-athlete Catherine Debrunner won the Laureus World Sportsperson Of The Year With A Disability
after winning two marathons – 2022 Berlin Marathon and the 2022 London Marathon.
iii.The Sport for Good Award was presented to TeamUp, a programme for children displaced by war, by
Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski.
• Note: Slum Soccer, a project based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN), which aims to use soccer to tackle
the root causes of homelessness in India, has been shortlisted for the 2023 Laureus World Sports
Awards under Laureus Sport For Good category.

Winners of the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards:
Category Winner Sport
Lionel Messi
Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year (Argentina) Football
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Athletics – track and field
Laureus World Sportswoman Of The Year (Jamaica) sprinter
Argentina Men’s Football
Laureus World Team Of The Year Team Football
Carlos Alcaraz
Laureus World Breakthrough Of The Year (Spain) Tennis
Christian Eriksen
Laureus World Comeback Of The Year (Denmark) Football
Laureus World Sportsperson Of The Year With A Catherine Debrunner Para Athletics – wheelchair
Disability (Switzerland) racer
Eileen Gu
Laureus World Action Sportsperson Of The Year (China) Freestyle Skiing
Laureus Sport For Good Teamup Global
Laureus Sport for Good:
i.Laureus’ Sport for Good City programme has been active in Paris since 2019.
ii.Laureus Sport for Good Award recognises an individual or organisation that has made a significant
contribution to transforming the lives of children and young people through sport.
About Laureus World Sports Awards:
i.Laureus World Sports Awards Limited is a company registered in England and Wales
ii.Laureus World Sports Awards, first presented in 2000, is the annual event that honours the greatest and
most inspirational sporting triumphs of the year and showcases the work of Laureus Sport for Good.
iii.The winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards are selected by the ultimate sports jury – the 71 Members
of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the living legends of sport honouring the greatest athletes of today.
2023 Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism; Books, Drama and Music: Associated Press won Journalism
Prize under Public Service
On 9th May 2023, the winners of the 2023 Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism; Books, Drama and Music; and Special
Citations were announced.
• Associated Press won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Journalism under the Public Service category.
Associated Press’ journalists Mstyslav Chernov, Evgeniy Maloletka, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Lori
Hinnant were recognized for reporting from the besieged city of Mariupol that bore witness to the
slaughter of civilians in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver (Harper) and Trust, by Hernan Diaz (Riverhead Books)
won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Books, Drama and Music under the Fiction category.

• The Pulitzer Prize, administered by Columbia University in New York, United States of
America(USA), is considered the most prestigious prize in US journalism.
• Categories: The Pulitzer Prize recognises the work in 22 categories, i.e. 15 journalism categories;
seven arts categories and one special citation.
About the Pulitzer Prize:
i.The Pulitzer Prize was established by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American journalist and newspaper
publisher. The Pulitzer Prizes were first awarded in 1917.
ii.Eligibility:
• Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for the Prizes in Books, Drama and Music (with the exception
of the History category, in which the book must be a history of the United States but the author may
be of any nationality).
• For the Journalism competition, entrants may be of any nationality but work must have appeared in
U.S. newspaper, magazine or news site that publishes regularly.
iii.Gold Medal and Cash Prize:
• Out of the 22 categories, Only the winner in the Public Service category of the Journalism
competition is awarded a gold medal.
• The Public Service prize is always awarded to a news organization, not an individual, although an
individual may be named in the citation.
• In 21 other categories’ winners receive a US$15,000 cash award and a certificate.
2023 Pulitzer Prize winners in different Categories:
2023 Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism:
Category Winners
Associated Press, for the work of Mstyslav
Chernov, Evgeniy Maloletka, Vasilisa
Public Service Stepanenko and Lori Hinnant
Breaking News Reporting Staff of the Los Angeles Times
Investigative Reporting Staff of The Wall Street Journal
Explanatory Reporting Caitlin Dickerson of The Atlantic
Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today, Ridgeland,
Miss.
Local Reporting (There were two winners under this John Archibald, Ashley Remkus, Ramsey
category. They don’t share the category, each receive the full Archibald and Challen Stephens of AL.com,
prize amount of US$15,000) Birmingham
National Reporting Caroline Kitchener of The Washington Post
International Reporting Staff of The New York Times
Feature Writing Eli Saslow of The Washington Post
Commentary Kyle Whitmire of AL.com, Birmingham
Criticism Andrea Long Chu of New York magazine
Nancy Ancrum, Amy Driscoll, Luisa Yanez,
Isadora Rangel and Lauren Costantino of the
Editorial Writing Miami Herald
Illustrated Reporting and Commentary Mona Chalabi, contributor, The New York Times
Breaking News Photography Photography Staff of Associated Press
Feature Photography Christina House of the Los Angeles Times
Audio Reporting Staff of Gimlet Media, notably Connie Walker

2023 Pulitzer Prizes – Books, Drama & Music:
Category Winners
Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver (Harper)
Fiction Trust, by Hernan Diaz (Riverhead Books)
Drama English, by Sanaz Toossi
Freedom’s Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power, by Jefferson Cowie
History (Basic Books)
G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century, by Beverly Gage
Biography (Viking)
Memoir or
Autobiography Stay True, by Hua Hsu (Doubleday)
Then the War: And Selected Poems, 2007-2020, by Carl Phillips (Farrar, Straus and
Poetry Giroux)
His Name Is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice, by Robert
General Nonfiction Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa (Viking)
Music Omar, by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels
There were no Special Citations for 2023 Pulitzer Prizes.
On 7th March 2023, Sir David Alan Chipperfield (David Chipperfield), a 69-year-old British Civic Architect,
urban planner and activist, won the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2023, the architect’s most prestigious award,
for his timeless modern design that confronts climate urgencies, transform social relationships and
reinvigorates cities.

Accenture appoints Ajay Vij as India MD & Sandeep Dutta as lead for India Market Unit; Rekha
Menon to Retire
Accenture has appointed Ajay Vij to the newly created role of Country Managing Director (MD) and Sandeep
Dutta will take over as the lead for its India Market Unit.
Rekha Menon, Chairperson and Senior Managing Director of Accenture in India is set to retire on 30th June
2023 after a career spanning 2 decades at the company. The primary responsibilities of the chairperson will
now be undertaken by the new appointees.
• Ajay Vij, country managing director, would expand his current responsibilities as the Corporate
Services & Sustainability lead for India to provide overall leadership and promote coordinated
decision-making for important company priorities.
• Sandeep Dutta, the India Sales Lead, will now oversee Accenture’s India Market Unit, serving as its
India business lead responsible for developing business and operations in the domestic market,
focusing on growth, market differentiation, and clients.

Groww completes Rs 175 Cr Acquisition of Indiabulls’ Mutual Fund Business
Nextbillion Technology Private Limited, doing business as Groww – an investment platform, has acquired
the Mutual Fund business of Indiabulls Housing Finance Loans (IBHFL) for Rs.175.6 crore after receiving
the necessary approvals.

• In May 2021, Groww signed an agreement with IBHFL to acquire the entire stake of IBHFL in its
mutual fund subsidiaries Indiabulls Asset Management Company Limited (IAMCL) and Indiabulls
Trustee Company Limited (ITCL), trustee of IAMCL.
Highlights:
i. The Rs.175.6 crore agreement also included a cash equivalent of Rs. 100.62 crores, to be invested by Groww.
• In September 2021, the transaction, received approval from the competition regulator Competition
Commission of India (CCI).
ii.The closing date of the transaction was May 3 2023, and Groww doesn’t have any control or shareholding in
IAMCL and ITCL subsequent to the closing date.
iii. The sale of IAMCL was limited only to the mutual fund part of the business.
iv. The Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) and Portfolio Management Service (PMS) businesses will be separated
from the existing IAMCL structure, and remain under IBHFL.
Additional Information:
i. With this acquisition, Tiger Global and Sequoia (Investors of Groww) backed Groww, will now be able to
launch and manage its own mutual funds.
ii. Groww has raised $393 million till date, and was last valued at $3 billion after raising $251 million in
October 2021 in a round led by ICONIQ Growth, a tech focused direct investment effort that is affiliated with
ICONIQ Capital (an American wealth management and investment firm).
About Groww:
CEO&Co-founder– Lalit Keshre
Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
Founded in– 2016 (started operations in 2017)
SPORTS
Asian Weightlifting Championships Jinju 2023: India Finishes Campaign with 3 Silver Medals
Indian weightlifters concluded the Asian Weightlifting Championships Jinju 2023 in Jinju, South Korea, with a
total of 3 silver medals. Asian Weightlifting Championships Jinju 2023 was held from 03 to 13 May 2023 in
Jinju, South Korea.

• Bindyarani Devi, hailing from Manipur, won 2 silver medals in overall and clean & jerk under the
Women’s 55kg category.
• On 7th May 2023, Jeremy Lalrinnunga from Aizawl, Mizoram, won silver in snatch under the men’s
67kg.
Note: The Asian Weightlifting Championships 2023 will run till May 13 but India doesn’t have any
representation in any of the remaining categories.
Asian Weightlifting Championships 2023: India’s medal winners
Women’s
Name Category Medal
Overall
Bindyarani Devi (women’s 55kg event) Clean and Jerk Silver
Men’s
Jeremy Lalrinnunga (Men’s 67kg event) Snatch Silver
Note:
A total of 6 Indian weightlifters competed at the continental championships, which is second in the series of
qualifying events for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Bindyarani Devi:
On 6th May 2023, India’s Bindyarani Devi (24-year-old) clinched a Silver medal in the women’s 55kg category
with a combined lift of 194kg (snatch 83kg and 111kg in clean & jerk) at the Asian Weightlifting Championships
2023 in Jinju, South Korea. Bindyarani Devi also won the silver in the Clean and Jerk section.
• China’s Chen Guan Ling won the Gold medal with a combined lift of 204 kg (snatch 90kg + clean &
jerk 114kg).
• Vietnam’s Vo Thi Quynh Nhu bagged the Bronze with a combined lift of 192kg (snatch 88kg + clean
& jerk 104kg).
Jeremy Lalrinnunga:
On 7th May 2023, India’s Jeremy Lalrinnunga (20 years old) won a Silver medal in the Snatch section under
the Men’s 67 Kg category of the competition with a lift of 141kg but was unable to tally an overall total since he
was unable to lift the weight in each of his three attempts at the clean and jerk.
About the Asian Weightlifting Championships:
i. The Asian Weightlifting Championships is a weightlifting championship organised by the Asian Weightlifting
Federation for weightlifters from Asian countries.
• It has been held since 1969 for men and 1988 for women.
ii. In 2008, the championships served as the official qualification for Asian competitors to qualify for the 2008
Beijing Olympics.
OBITUARY
Sahitya Akademi Awardee & Bengali author Samaresh Majumdar Passed away
On 8th May 2023, the Sahitya Akademi Award winner and popular Bengali
writer Samaresh Majumdar passed away at the age of 79 in Kolkata, West Bengal. He was born on March 10,
1944 in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
About Samaresh Majumdar’s writing:
i. SamareshMajumdar made his writing debut with the novel titled “Dour” (Run), which was Published in
“Desh” (a Bengali literary magazine) in 1976.
• The Dour novel was later made into a film in 1979.

ii. His famous Animesh quartet (a series of four novels) of Uttoradhikar, Kalbela, Kalpurush, and Mousalkal is
now considered a modern classic.
• He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for the second novel of the series, ‘Kalbela’, in 1984, which
was set against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement of West Bengal in 1960s and 1970s.
• It was later made into a film of the same name by director Gautam Ghosh in 2009.
iii. He was also credited for his creative character ‘Arjun’ (a detective cum science fiction character) in the
detective novels “Adventures of Detective Arjun”.
• The 2013 film “Arjun – Kalimpong E Sitaharan” is based on the novels – Sitaharan Rahasya and
Khunkharapi by Samaresh Majumdar
iv. He published a Novel titled ‘BunoHaansh’ in PujabarshikiAnondolok, which was later made into a Bengali
film named Buno Haansh in 2014.
Other Awards:
i. SamareshMajumdar got BFJA (Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards), Dishari and
ChalachitraPrasar Samiti award in 1982 for Best Script Writer.
ii. He got the Bankim Puroshkar award (the highest award given by the Government of West Bengal) in 2009
for contribution to Bengali fiction “Kolikataye Nobokumar”.
iii. He was awarded the Banga Bibhushan Samman, a title instituted by the West Bengal government to honour
the services of personalities in various fields in 2018.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Ajai Chowdhry Authored a New Book Titled “Just Aspire”
Ajai Chowdhry, one of the six founding members of HCL (Hindustan Computers Limited), authored a new book
titled “Just Aspire: Notes on Technology, Entrepreneurship and the Future”, published by Harper Business,
an Imprint of HarperCollins.
• “Just Aspire”, a motivational book, that focuses on the importance of having a positive mindset,
setting goals, and taking action to achieve them.
• This book talks about the journey of a small-town boy (Ajai Chowdhry) who turned into a Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of a global company.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second
World War – 8-9 May 2023
The United Nations(UN) annually marks the 8th and 9th of May as the “Time of Remembrance and
Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War” to pay tribute to the victims
of the Second World War(WWII).

Significance of 8th May:
i.On May 8, 1945, World War II Allies – the United Kingdom(UK), the United States of America(USA), and the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.
ii.The overall surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies was signed by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel in Karlshorst,
Berlin, Germany.
iii.The anniversary is also known as Victory in Europe or VE Day.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/59/26 on 22nd November 2004
and declared the 8-9 May of every year as the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost
Their Lives during the Second World War.
ii.The UNGA invited all the members to observe annually on either one or both days to pay tribute to all the
victims of the 2nd World War.
• The year 2005 marked the 60th anniversary of the end of the 2nd World War.
iii.The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/64/257 on 2nd March 2010 invited all the member states,
organisations of UN systems, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe May 8-9 to pay
tribute to all victims of the Second World War.
• 2010 marks the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.
World War II:
i.The Second World War was fought between the Axis powers and the Allies. Germany, Italy, and Japan were
part of the Axis and The UK, USSR and the USA are the allies.
ii.It was fought in Europe, in Russia, North Africa, and in Asia.
iii.In August 1945, the USA dropped the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
hastening the end of the Second World War.
World Portuguese Language Day 2023 – May 5

World Portuguese Language Day is annually observed across the globe on May 5 to highlight the important
role the Portuguese language plays in maintaining human civilization and culture.
Background:
i. Since 2005, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Member States have observed May 5 as
a day of the Portuguese language and Lusophone culture.

• On their initiative, the CPLP Member States also organised the 1st celebration of the Portuguese
language at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
headquarters (Paris, France) in 2006.
ii. The UNESCO General Conference’s 40th session, held in 2019, proclaimed May 5 of every year as “World
Portuguese Language Day”.
iii. The 1st ever World Language Day was observed on 5th May 2020.
History of Portuguese Language:
i. The Portuguese language, one of the world’s most spoken and widespread languages across the globe,
originated from Latin in the Western Iberian Peninsula.
• Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique,
Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Macao, Equatorial Guinea and East Timor
• It is also used in Macau, a territory under Portuguese administration until 1999, and in Goa.
ii. A Portuguese-speaking person or nation is referred to as “Lusophone” (lusófono).
iii. Around 228.5 million people speak Portuguese as their first (mother) language worldwide.
iv. It is also the official language of the UNESCO General Conference and several other multiple regional
organisations.
Members- 193 Members and 11 Associate Members.
STATE NEWS
Max Life, IIA join hands to offer Life Insurance Access to 11 lakh MSME workforce in UP
Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (Max Life) signed a strategic partnership with the Indian Industries
Association (IIA) to provide life insurance plans to the MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) sector’s
workforce in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
Note: Max Life is the appointed lead insurer for the state of Uttar Pradesh under IRDAI’s State insurance plan.
Now, Max Life aims to enhance accessibility and drive affordable insurance penetration across UP.
What is in the MoU?
With this partnership, Max Life will be positioned as IIA’s preferred partner, thus will utilize its extensive
network across industrialized districts, to offer life insurance access to more than 11 lakh MSME workforce
affiliated with IIA, their families in the State, and to reach underserved population in UP.
• These activities will be undertaken with Sana Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. as the enrolment
partner to engage with the MSME workforce.
About Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (Max Life):
It is a joint venture between Max Financial Services (part of Max Group) and Axis Bank.

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer– Prashant Tripathy
Headquarters– Gurugram, Haryana
About Indian Industries Association (IIA):
President– Ashok Kumar Agarwal
National Office– New Delhi, Delhi

Daily Current Affairs PDF
AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Telangana Govt Launches India’s 1st State Robotics Framework

2. Punjab Becomes 1st State to Enforce ‘right to walk’
3. MoHFW launches a Learning Management Information System-“SAKSHAM”
4. MyGov, in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, launches “YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent
Hunt”
5. ‘Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth’: India among Top 5 Countries of Higher Pre-
term Births
6. FICCI, BCC organised a Roundtable to connect business leaders
7. Yes Bank Launched Solar Financing Scheme ‘YES KIRAN’ for MSMEs
8. Federal Bank Launches e-Bank Guarantees in Partnership with NeSL
9. Rukart partners with SBI for Easy loan to buy Subjee cooler
10. Axis Bank enables UPI for RuPay Credit Cards
11. CCI clears Edelweiss, ESOF III Investment Fund and Biocon Biologics deal
12. IBM and NASA collaborate to convert satellite data into high resolution maps using AI
13. IIT Madras partners with DRDO to Develop Sensor Technology for Underwater Communications
14. Padma Bhushan Awardee and Indian-American development economist Padma Desai passed
away
15. K.K. Shailaja Authored a New Book “My Life as a Comrade”
16. International Day of Argania 2023 – 10th May
17. Uttarakhand approved CM’s Skill Upgradation and Global Employment Scheme
18. PTC India inks MoU with Brookfield for 100 MW solar power in Rajasthan

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Telangana Govt Launches India’s 1st State Robotics Framework
On May 9, 2023, the Telangana government (Govt) launched ‘Telangana State Robotics Framework’, a first-
of-its-kind policy in India, to provide a roadmap for the state to create a sustainable robotic ecosystem and be a
leading state in the field of robotics.
 Telangana State Robotics Framework was launched by Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao(KTR), Minister for
Information Technology(IT) and Industries, the Government of Telangana at T-Hub Events Room,
Hyderabad, Telangana.
 The framework was developed by the Emerging Technologies Wing of the ITE&C (Information
Technology, Electronics and Communications) Department of Telangana in collaboration with the All
India Robotics Association.
Focus Area: The framework focuses on leveraging robotics technology for the growth and development of four
key domains such as agriculture, healthcare, consumer robotics, and industrial automation.
Key Points:
i. The state govt plans to set up a Telangana Robotics Innovation Centre (TRIC) to implement the framework.
 TRIC will focus on the key pillars of infrastructure access, business enablement, fostering research and
innovation, development of a skilled workforce, and responsible deployment.
ii. A Robo Park is planned to be set up by the state to provide testing facilities, co-working options, and co-
production/manufacturing options.
iii. The state govt also plans to establish a robotics accelerator to provide start-ups with incubation,
infrastructure, authorisation support, market insights, investor connect, and mentorship support.
iv. The state government is planning to organise a Global Robotics Summit to showcase its growing robotics
ecosystem and attract investments from across the world.
Telangana Signed MoUs to Enhance Robotics Ecosystem
During the event, the Telangana government signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with IIT (Indian
Institutes of Technology)-Hyderabad, ART PARK(AI & Robotics Technology Park) Indian Institute of Science
(IISC), GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), AgHub (Professor Jayashankar Telangana State
Agricultural University(PJTSAU)) and All India Robotics Association (AIRA).
 Objective: The MoUs were signed to enhance the robotics ecosystem in Telangana and promote
innovation, research, and growth in the field.
Existing Tech Frameworks:
The robotics framework is the 6th framework formulated and launched by the emerging Technologies Wing of
the ITE&C Department.
The State has earlier launched five frameworks, covering the technology areas of Blockchain (2018), Drones
(2019), AI (2020), Cloud Adoption Framework (2021), and SpaceTech (2022).
Note –
 A robot was deployed to co-host the launch event which was held at the T-Hub.

 T-Hub (Technology Hub) is an innovation intermediary and business incubator based in Raidurg,
Hyderabad, Telangana
On 6th February 2023, K T Rama Rao, Minister for Information Technology(IT) and Industries, the Government
of Telangana, launched the Telangana Mobility Valley (TMV), India’s 1st mobility focused cluster with an aim to
attract investments of around Rs 50,000 crore and generate more than 4 lakh jobs in the next 5 years.
About Telangana:
Chief Minister – Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao
Governor – Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan
Tiger Reserve – Amrabad Tiger Reserve
Punjab Becomes 1st State to Enforce ‘right to walk’
Punjab has become the first Indian State to implement the “Right to walk” by making it mandatory for all
road-owning agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to provide footpaths and
cycle tracks in all future expansion of roads and construction of new ones.
 This is a part of the efforts of Punjab to control the number of accidents and deaths of pedestrians and
cyclists.
 These directions were issued by the Government of Punjab following 2 court orders after Public Interest
Litigations (PILs) filed at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
Key Points:
i.According to the government, the number of pedestrians killed in road crashes has increased from 25,858 in
2019 to 29,124 in 2021, which indicates that the road infrastructure does not provide safety to pedestrians.
ii.In 2022, the Supreme Court of India notified the states to ensure the safety of the pedestrians and cyclists by
provided dedicated, seamless and safe pedestrian lanes and cycle tracks.
About Punjab:
Chief Minister– Bhagwant Mann
Governor– Banwarilal Purohit
Wildlife sanctuary– Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary; Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary
Airport– Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport; Bathinda Airport
MoHFW launches a Learning Management Information System-“SAKSHAM”

Union Minister Rajesh Bhushan, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has
launched SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management), a learning
management information system (LMIS) of MoHFW.
 SAKSHAM was developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi,
Delhi.
Key People:
i. Gopalakrishnan, Special Secretary (Health), Dr Dheeraj Shah, Director NIHFW, Nidhi Kesarwani, Deputy
Director NIHFW, Dr V K Tiwari, Dean NIHFW, along with senior officials of the Health Ministry and NIHFW

were present on the occasion.
Key Highlights:
i. SAKSHAM is a dedicated and unified platform that offers medical education and training online to all health
professionals in India.
ii. It will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health centres located in rural
and remote areas all the way up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan cities.
iii. Currently, SAKSHAM: LMIS hosts more than 200 public health and 100 clinical courses online.
iv. After undergoing the necessary training and qualifying for the required assessment criteria, health
professionals can register for the clinical courses on the portal https://lmis.nihfw.ac.in/ and receive
certification.
MyGov, in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, launches “YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent
Hunt”
On 10th May 2023, MyGov in collaboration with Ministry of Culture launched a “YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing
Talent Hunt” with an aim to promote Indian music at the grassroots level on a national scale by identifying and
recognising the new and young talent in various singing genres such as Folk, Patriotic, and Contemporary.
 The initial submission for the competition will be open for a period of one and a half months.
 It is a unique opportunity for citizens across India to display their singing talent and skills and to gain
national recognition.
 The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winners will be rewarded with Rs 1,50,000, Rs 1,00,000, and Rs 50,000,
respectively, along with a Trophy and Certificate. The top 3 winners will be mentored for a period of 1
month with a mentorship stipend.
‘Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth’: India among Top 5 Countries of Higher
Pre-term Births

According to the report ‘Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth’, published on May 10, 2023,
almost half of all pre-term births (babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy) in 2020 happened in five
countries of India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China and Ethiopia.
 The report alarms ‘silent emergency’, as for every 10 babies born, 1 is preterm, and every 40 seconds, 1
of those babies dies.
 The report was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF) together with PMNCH, the world’s largest alliance for women, children, and adolescents.
i.An estimated 13.4 million babies were born pre-term in 2020 with nearly one million dying from
complications. This is equivalent to around one in 10 babies.
ii.In 2020, Bangladesh had the highest estimated pre-term birth rate (16.2%), followed by Malawi (14.5%) and
Pakistan (14.4%). India and South Africa, at an estimated 13% each.
iii.India tops the list of pre-term birth numbers with 30.16 lakh births, Pakistan is at 9.14 lakh, Nigeria at 7.74
lakh and China at 7.52 lakh.
iv.As per the report only 1 in 10 extremely preterm babies (less than 28 weeks) survive in low-income
countries, compared to more than 9 in 10 in high-income countries.
v.Over a decade:
 Overall, the preterm birth rates have not changed in any region in the world in the past decade, with 152
million vulnerable babies born too soon from 2010 to 2020.
 The global pre-term birth rate was 9.9% in 2020, compared to 9.8% in 2010.
vi.Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of preterm birth, and preterm babies in these
regions face the highest mortality risk. Together, these two regions account for more than 65% of preterm
births globally.
 The pre-term birth rate in Southern Asia was 13.3% in 2010 and 13.2% in 2020, and in sub-Saharan
Africa at 10.1% in both 2010 and 2020.
vii.Preterm birth is now the leading cause of child deaths, accounting for more than 1 in 5 of all deaths of
children occurring before their fifth birthday.
 Maternal health risks, such as adolescent pregnancy and pre-eclampsia, are closely linked to preterm
births.
Additional info: The report includes updated estimates from WHO and UNICEF, prepared with the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on the prevalence of preterm births.
India’s Initiative: The government of India has launched many programmes such as the India Newborn Action
Plan and Rashtriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram and has set up many Speciality Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) to
overcome the preterm birth issue.
Points to be Noted:
 Preterm birth: It is a live birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.
 Neonatal death: Death of a live-born baby within 0-28 days, irrespective of gestational age or weight.
 Stillbirths: fetal death after 22 weeks of gestation (28 weeks of gestation is used by WHO for comparing
rates)
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Hosted CEOs Roundtable Organized by FICCI, BCC
On May 9 2023, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry (India) hosted the CEOs (Chief
Executive Officers) roundtable in Toronto, Canada, along with Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of International
Trade, Export, Small Business and Economic Development.
 The CEOs Roundtable was organized by the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
Industry), a non-government, not-for-profit organisation,) and the BCC (Business Council of Canada).
Key People: Key People participated in the CEOs Rountable include Subhrakant Panda, President,FICCI,
Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General,FICCI and Goldy Hyder, President & CEO, BCC .

Partnership Announcement:
i.During the rountable the FICCI and the BCC made announcement of a new partnership to connect business
leaders from India and Canada to both countries, promote bilateral economic ties, and enhance cooperation as
partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
ii.India’s bilateral relationship with Canada holds great potential especially in areas like energy, science,
biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure development.
Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA):
On May 10 2023, Piyush Goyal and Mary Ng co-chaired the sixth Canada-India ministerial dialogue on trade and
investment and discussed an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA), an interim step towards the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The two countries are expected to sign EPTA within 2023.
Note: Seventh round of negotiations between Indian and Canadian officials for EPTA was held in Ottawa,
Canada in April 2023.
Trade between India & Canada:
i.The total bilateral trade between India and Canada amounted to US$ 6.8 billion for FY (Financial Year) 2021-
22.
ii.Canada exported US$ 3.1 billion worth of products to India and imported US$ 3.7 billion worth of products
from India.
iii.Canadian portfolio and institutional investment into India is currently valued at CA$ (Canadian Dollar) 70
billion (US$51.7 billion).
About Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI):
The largest and oldest apex business organisation in India.
President– Shubhrakant panda
About Business Council of Canada (BCC):
President and CEO– Goldy Hyder
Headquarters– Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
BANKING & FINANCE

Yes Bank Launched Solar Financing Scheme ‘YES KIRAN’ for MSMEs
On May 8, 2023, Yes Bank Limited announced the launch of a solar financing scheme named ‘YES KIRAN’ to
offer financial assistance to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) manufacturers who wish to install
solar panels at their premises.
 Objective: The scheme was launched by the bank to support MSMEs to adopt sustainable energy
practices and bring in cost efficiency by reducing the expenses towards power and fuel.

Key Points:
i.The bank has partnered with solar panel manufacturers like Tata Power Solar Systems, Goldi Solar and Loom
Solar, and Panasonic Solar Power System to facilitate MSME businesses for their transition to renewable energy
solutions.
ii.Benefits provided under the scheme include flexible loan tenure at competitive interest rates, reduced
operational cost, end-to-end support from the YES BANK team through the entire cycle of planning to
implementation, and a broad range of tie-ups with leading solar panel manufacturers and installers.
iii.The scheme also supports to fulfil India’s G20 vision of achieving a target of over 50% energy production
from renewable sources by 2030.
About YES Bank Ltd.
Federal Bank Launches e-Bank Guarantees in Partnership with NeSL
Federal Bank Limited partners with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) to launch an electronic
Bank Guarantee (e-BG) facility for its customers, enabling them to obtain a Bank Guarantee digitally, replacing
the traditional paper-based process.
Key Points:
i.Under the e-BG facility, which is issued through NeSL’s e-BG platform, all the processes such as issuance,
invocation, amendment, and cancellation of Bank Guarantees will be made digitally and overcomes the need for
physical printing of any document or request.
ii.The platform is safe, secure, and fast, making trade and business activities convenient.
iii.Customers who are eligible to avail of the service include individuals, sole proprietors, companies,
partnership firms, government agencies, and associations of people.
iv.Currently, the service is made available only in states where e-stamping is available.
v.The e-BG enables faster communication, reduces opportunities for fraud, reduces time, ensures correct
payment of stamp duty, and lowers the cost of storage and retrieval.

About Federal Bank Ltd.
Establishment – April 23, 1931
Headquarters – Aluva, Kerala
MD&CEO – Shyam Srinivasan
Tagline – Your Perfect Banking Partner
Rukart partners with SBI for Easy loan to buy Subjee cooler
Kalyan(Maharashtra)-based Agritech firm Rukart, which sells “Subjee Cooler” to enhance the shelf life of fruits
and vegetables, has partnered with the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, to help
potential customers in getting easy loan options to buy the cold storage system ‘Subjee cooler’.
 Rukart manufactures Subjee Cooler, a cold chain storage system that requires only 20 litres of water a
day to function.
 The cost of the product is Rs 50,000 each and one Subjee Cooler has a storage capacity of 100 kg.
 The aim of the tie-up is to mitigate distress sales among marginal/small farmers and retailers.
Note: Rukart is mentored by the Powering Livelihoods program, jointly run by Council On Energy,
Environment and Water (CEEW) and Villgro Innovations Foundation.
Axis Bank enables UPI for RuPay Credit Cards

On 9th May 2023, Axis Bank Limited (formerly known as UTI Bank), India’s third largest private sector bank,
enabled RuPay Credit Card support on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
 Customers can now scan UPI QR codes or use the merchant’s UPI checkout page to make a purchase
using their RuPay credit card.
 This feature will currently work in UPI apps which are supporting the RuPay Credit Card feature and the
customers have RuPay Credit Card with Axis Bank.

CCI clears Edelweiss, ESOF III Investment Fund and Biocon Biologics deal
Competition Commission of India (CCI), a Fair-trade regulator, has cleared the proposal of Edelweiss
Alternative Asset Advisors (EAAA) and ESOF III Investment Fund to subscribe to certain compulsorily
convertible debentures issued by Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL).
 The Proposed Combination is notified under Section 5(a) of the Competition Act, 2002.
Acquirers- Edelweiss Alternative Asset Advisors Limited and ESOF III Investment Fund.
Target- Biocon Biologics Limited.
Highlights:
i. EAAA is a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-registered alternative asset advisor.
ii. ESOF III Investment Fund is a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
iii. BBL is a global biosimilar firm, engaged in the manufacturing and commercialisation of pharmaceutical

formulations.
Key Points:
i. The activities of the Parties do not exhibit any horizontal, vertical, or complementary overlaps in any of the
plausible relevant markets in India.
ii. The Proposed Combination is being notified under the green channel route in terms of Regulation 5A and
Schedule III of the CCI (Procedure in regard to the transaction of business relating to combinations)
Regulations, 2011 (as amended).
About the Competition Commission of India (CCI);
Acting Chairperson- Sangeeta Verma
Establishment- 14th October 2003 (Operational from 2009)

IBM and NASA collaborate to convert satellite data into high resolution maps using AI
IBM (International Business Machines) in collaboration with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration) disclosed a new geospatial foundation model, designed to convert satellite data into high-
resolution maps of floods, fires, and other landscape changes to reveal the planet’s past and hint at its future.
 The model watsonx.ai geospatial offering is an artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by IBM.
 The goal of the NASA and IBM collaboration is to provide an easier way for researchers to analyse and
draw insights from large NASA datasets related to Earth processes.
 This collaboration is part of NASA’s Open-Source Science Initiative (OSSI), a commitment to building an
inclusive, transparent, and collaborative open science community over the next decade.
About IBM geospatial foundation model:
i. As part of a Space Act Agreement with NASA, IBM set out to build the first-ever foundation model for
analysing geospatial data in just four months.
ii. The new geospatial foundation model is designed to enable first steps by converting NASA’s satellite
observations into customised maps of natural disasters and other environmental changes.
iii. As part of the NASA/IBM collaboration, the geospatial intelligence foundation models will be applied to
NASA’s Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) dataset.
iv. The part of IBM’s watsonx.ai model, a nextgen enterprise studio is planned to be available in preview for AI
builders through IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite (EIS) in July 2023 to train, test, tune, and deploy both
traditional machine learning and new generation AI capabilities.
Note: IBM watsonx, is a new AI and data platform to be released that will enable enterprises to scale and
accelerate the impact of the most advanced AI with trusted data.

Potential applications:
The potential applications of this platform would include:
 Helping to estimate climate-related risks to crops, buildings, and other infrastructure.
 Valuing and monitoring forests for carbon-offset programmes.
 Developing predictive models to help enterprises create strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate
change.
IBM is working with NASA’s Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) on this
effort.
Note: IMPACT is a component of NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program and is charged with
expanding the use of NASA Earth-observing data through innovation, partnerships, and technology at NASA’s
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, United States of America (USA).
Another collaboration:
IBM & NASA plan to develop another project which is expected to be a large language model based on Earth
science literature.
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
Administrator– Bill Nelson
Headquarters– Washington, D.C., United States (US)
About International Business Machines (IBM):
Chairman and CEO– Arvind Krishna
Headquarters– Armonk, New York, United States (US)
IIT Madras partners with DRDO to Develop Sensor Technology for Underwater
Communications
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M), located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, partnered
with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to develop cutting-
edge Piezoelectric MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technology sensor for underwater
communications, which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Navy.
 This sensor will be used by the Indian Navy’s Next Generation SONAR initiative by DRDO to support both
innovative and modern technological advances.
Key Highlights:
i. Piezoelectric MEMS technology sensor allows India to fabricate the devices at a lower cost than the foundries
that are available internationally, where production costs are high and the availability of foundries is restricted.
ii. With the development of Piezo MEMS technology, India is able to expand beyond the limits of defence
capabilities and undertake strategic operations for key applications.
iii. “Piezoelectric MEMS technology” is required to produce high-performance thin films and turn “piezo thin
film” into sophisticated, futuristic naval sensors and apparatus for underwater applications.
 The piezo thin films are one of the essential parts of piezo MEMS devices and are considered for
acoustics and vibration-sensing applications.

iv. IIT Madras researchers and DRDO scientists collaborated with many partners to develop a piezo MEMS
process technology to make “Thin film membrane based Piezo MEMS Acoustic sensors.”
v. The fabricated PZT thin film-based acoustic sensor outperforms the traditional PVDF-based acoustic sensor
in terms of functionality.
 Lead-Zirconium-Titanium oxide (PZT) is a piezoelectric ceramic with high piezoelectric constants often
used as sensors and actuators.
Research:
The research was led by IIT Madras Prof. Amitava Das Gupta and Prof. Boby George, along with Dr E.
Varadarajan, Scientist, and Dr V. Natarajan, Senior Scientist of DRDO at the DRDO Industry Academia –
Ramanujan Centre of Excellence (DIA-RCoE).
 The researchers worked with multiple partners for the development of Piezoelectric MEMS technology.
About the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
DRDO is the Research and Development (R&D) wing of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India.
Chairman- Dr Samir V Kamat
Formed in- 1958
OBITUARY
Padma Bhushan Awardee and Indian-American development economist Padma Desai passed
away
On April 29 2023, an Indian-American development economist and Padma Bhushan award winner, Padma
Desai passed away at the age of 92 in New York, the United States of America (USA). She was born in Surat,
British India (now in Gujarat) in 1931.
 She was the Gladys and Roland Harriman Professor of Comparative Economic Systems and Director of
the Center for Transition Economies in 1992 at Columbia University in New York, USA.
 She is well known for her scholarship on Soviet and Indian industrial policy.
About Padma Desai:
i. Padma Desai started her career at the Department of Economics, Harvard in the USA from 1957–1959.
ii. From 1959 to 1968 she was an associate professor of economics at the Delhi School of Economics at the
University of Delhi in New Delhi, Delhi.
iii. In 1980 she joined Columbia University as a professor of economics and in 1992 she became the Gladys and
Roland Harriman Professor of Comparative Economic Systems and later become the director of the Center for
Transition Economies at the University
iv. In 1995 she served as the US Treasury Advisor to the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation.
v. She served as the President of the Association of Comparative Economic Studies in 2001.
vi. The Harriman Institute at Columbia University established the Padma Desai Summer Fellowship with gifts

from Padma Desai and her husband, Jagdish Bhagwati.
Books:
i. In 1968 she co-authored a book titled “India: Planning for Industrialization” with Jagdish Bhagwati.
ii. Other noted books authored by Padma Desai include, The Soviet Economy: Problems and Prospects (1987);
Perestroika in Perspective: The Design and Dilemmas of Soviet Reform(1989); Work Without Wages: Russia’s
Nonpayment Crisis.
iii. In 2013 she published her memoirs titled “Breaking Out: An Indian Woman’s American Journey” in the USA.
Awards:
In 2009, the Government of India honoured her with Padma Bhushan for literature and education.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

K.K. Shailaja Authored a New Book “My Life as a Comrade”
Former Health Minister of Kerala K. K. Shailaja, a Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from the
Mattanur constituency, authored a new book (autobiography) titled “My Life as a Comrade: The Story of an
Extraordinary Politician and the World That Shaped Her”. The book was co-authored by Manju Sara
Rajan, former CEO of the Kochi Biennale Foundation and journalist, and published by Juggernaut Books.
 The book details the course of her life which started in a small settlement in Malabar and eventually led
her to a Cabinet position in the Kerala government.
 K. K. Shailaja, popularly known as ‘Shailaja Teacher’, is a member of the Communist Party of India
(Marxist).
 She has also served as the minister for Social Justice, Women and Child Development in Kerala. She has
authored several books on gender, communism and public health in Malayalam.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Argania 2023 – 10th May
The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Argania is annually observed across the world on 10th May to
create awareness about the major role of the Argan Tree (Argania spinosa), the native species of Morocco, in
achieving the 3 dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social and environmental) at the local level.
 10th May 2023 Marks the observance of the 3rd edition of International Day of Argania.
The theme of International Day of Argania 2023 is “Socio-economic development & sustainability of
the Argan ecosystem”.

 The 2023 theme aims to highlight the role of Argania in reinforcing resilient communities, contributing
to food security and adapting to climate change while empowering rural women through the support
and promotion of cooperatives and agricultural organizations.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/75/262 on 3rd March 2021 and
proclaimed the 10th May of every year as the International Day of Argania.
ii.The resolution was the initiative led by Morocco and co-sponsored by 113 member states of the UN.
iii.The first-ever International Day of Argania was observed on 10th May 2021.
Significance:
The observance of the International Day of Argania highlights the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in
promoting the Argan tree as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity and an ancestral source of resilient and
sustainable development.
Aim of International Day of Argania 2023:
 To share knowledge and practices from the Argan production sector, in support to food security and
sustainable production and consumption patterns.
 To initiate an exchange of experience around the contribution of natural ecosystems to food security.
 To share the products and the culinary and food heritage of Argania with the international community.
 To highlight the unique attributes of the Argan ecosystem and its agricultural heritage as well as its
national and global value chains.
About Argan Tree:
i.Argan Tree is endemic to the calcareous semi-desert Sous valley of southwestern Morocco and to the region of
Tindouf in southwestern Algeria.
ii.It is resilient to a harsh environment under water scarcity, risk of erosion and poor soils.
iii.The oil extracted from Argan seeds “Argan oil” is one of the rarest oils in the world. It is hailed as the “liquid
gold” of Morocco.
iv.The oil is used in traditional and complementary medicine and in the culinary and cosmetic industries.
STATE NEWS
Uttarakhand approved CM’s Skill Upgradation and Global Employment Scheme
On May 3 2023, the State Cabinet of Uttarakhand chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami
approved the ‘Chief Minister’s Skill Upgradation and Global Employment Scheme‘ (“Mukhya Mantri
Kaushal Unnayan aur Vaishavik Rozgar Yojana”) to help youths of the state to pursue careers in foreign nations.
 The scheme will also help aspiring youth in the procedures related to tickets, and visas of the selected
candidates apart from grooming and upskilling.
Process of the scheme:
i.An application has been developed on the ‘Apuni Sarkar Portal’ to create a database related to youth seeking
jobs abroad.
ii.Under the scheme, youths who are interested in pursuing careers abroad will be prepared by the state
government by developing their skills accordingly.
iii.In the first phase, selected candidates will be trained in the hospitality and nursing sectors by institutions
which have expertise in the field.
iv.Selected candidates will be trained in the language, culture and work ethics of the country where they are
going to work.
Note – Proposals are being invited from organisations working in the field of foreign employment and the
Uttarakhand government has received the proposals of many organisations.
On May 9 2023, the state conducted a workshop, where interested candidates were screened and the selected

candidates are being trained for jobs available in the elderly care sector in Japan.
About Uttarakhand:
Capital– Dehradun (Winter capital) and Bhararisain (Summer Capital)
Chief Minister– Pushkar Singh Dhami
Governor– Gurmit Singh
Bird Sanctuary– Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary, Kilbury and Pangot and Bird Sanctuary
PTC India inks MoU with Brookfield for 100 MW solar power in Rajasthan
On 9th May 2023, PTC India Limited (formerly Power Trading Corporation of India Limited), a Power Trading
Solutions (PTS) provider, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brookfield Renewable, for the
procurement of 100 MW solar power on a long-term basis.
 Brookfield Renewables is developing a 400 MW solar power project at the Bikaner solar park in
Rajasthan.
 The MoU includes an option to increase the power capacity to 200 MW at the time of project
commissioning based on mutual confirmation by the two parties.
 PTC India will market the power to various utilities and commercial and industrial consumers.
 Under this arrangement, PTC India will provide Brookfield Renewables with an assured tariff and
payment security.
 Affairscloud’s Self Analysis for General Awareness Section

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. PM Narendra Modi launches projects worth over Rs 5,500cr in Rajasthan

2. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches ‘Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023’ to Achieve Zero
Carbon Emission Goal
3. Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani launches “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi” for ECCE
4. MoF Reduces e-invoicing threshold to Rs 5 crore from August 1 2023
5. 50% of India’s Total Villages Achieved ODF Plus Status under SBM-G Phase II
6. 35th Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) held at IMBL in the Andaman Sea
7. SEBI extends DMA facility to FPIs to participate in Exchange Traded Commodity Derivatives
8. India extends $1bn credit line for Sri Lanka by a year until March 2024
9. RBL Bank goes live on “Direct Tax Collections” through TIN2.0
10. Unnati Subsidiary Ora Finance receives NBFC Licence
11. AIBEA to launch “Bank Clinic” to Help Retail Customers with Grievance Redressal
12. NIIFL appoints Rajiv Dhar as interim CEO&MD
13. Wesley W Simina Elected as the 10th President of the Federated States of Micronesia
14. ISRO successfully tested Semi-Cryogenic Engine at IRPC, Mahendragiri
15. SpaceX launched 51 Starlink satellites and landed Falcon 9 rocket on a ship at a Sea
16. India wins 17 medals at Moscow Wushu Stars Championship 2023
17. Mexican 5 time World Cup Veteran Antonio Carbajal Passed Away
18. National Technology Day 2023 – May 11
19. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Ayushman Asom Scheme under MMJA in Guwahati

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Narendra Modi launches projects worth over Rs 5,500cr in Rajasthan
On May 10, 2023, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi dedicated and laid the foundation stone of infrastructure
projects costing over Rs 5,500 crore during an event in Nathdwara in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district. The
development projects focus on promoting the infrastructure and connectivity in Rajasthan where the railway
and road projects will facilitate the movement of goods and services and promote trade and commerce in the
region.
Key people:
Kalraj Mishra, Governor of Rajasthan; Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister(CM) of Rajasthan; Members of Parliament
and Ministers from the Government of Rajasthan were present on the occasion.
These include the following national highways, rail and road projects:
Foundation stone laid for three Rail Projects:
i.Redevelopment of Udaipur railway station to provide enhanced amenities for the public.
ii.Gauge conversion project
iii.Setting up a new line from Nathdwara to Nathdwara town in Rajsamand
• It will connect Mewar with Marwar and will help the sectors like Marble, granite and mining
industries.
A foundation stone for road construction project for upgradation to two-lane in Rajsamand and Udaipur was
also laid.
Dedicated three national highway projects to the nation
i.114 km long six-lane Udaipur to Shamlaji section of NH-48
• It will benefit Udaipur-Dungarpur and Banswara.
ii.110 km long widening and strengthening to 4 lanes with paved shoulder of Bar-Bilara-Jodhpur Section of NH-
25
• It will make access to the border easier. The distance from Jaipur to Jodhpur will also be reduced by
three hours, and the world heritage sites like Kumbhalgarh and Haldi Ghati will become more
accessible.
iii.47 km long two lanes with paved shoulder section of NH 58E.
i.On March 21, 2023 Prasadi Lal Meena, Minister of Medical & Health, announced that the Rajasthan Assembly
had cleared a bill named ‘Right to Health’ (which was passed in September 2022), becoming the first state in
India to do so.
ii.On March 28, 2023, Japan has committed Rs 7,084.5 crore to India for three infrastructure projects viz. one
each in Patna (Bihar), West Bengal, and Rajasthan’s Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project (II).

About Rajasthan:
Governor– Kalraj Mishra
Chief Minister– Ashok Gehlot
Zoological Parks– Sajjangarh Biological Park (Udaipur Zoo), Kota Zoo
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches ‘Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023’; Major Ports
Awarded ‘Sagar Shreshtha Samman Awards 2023′
On May 10, 2023, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH
(Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy), launched ‘Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023’,
the Green Port Guidelines, in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The guidelines were prepared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways to meet the larger
vision of achieving the Zero Carbon Emission Goal.
Key Points:
i.Objective: The objective of the guidelines is to minimize waste through Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and
Recycle to attain zero waste discharge from port operations and promote monitoring, based on Environmental
Performance Indicators.
ii.Framework for Ports: The Guidelines provide a framework for the Major Ports empowering them to create
a comprehensive action plan aimed at achieving quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines
and Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG).
iii.The guidelines also includes aspects of National Green Hydrogen Mission pertaining to ports, development of
green hydrogen facility, bunkering greener fuels like Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, and Green Methanol or
Ethanol, Offshore Wind Energy etc, and provide provision for adopting global Green Reporting Initiative (GRI)
standard.
iv.As per the statement of Sarbananda Sonowal Ports are undertaking green initiatives and actively
contributing to the fulfillment of the “Panchamrit” commitments announced by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra
Modi.
‘Sagar Shreshtha Samman’ Awards 2023:
On May 10, 2023 at ‘Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023’ launch event, the ‘Sagar Shreshtha
Samman Awards 2023’ were also conferred to major ports for their all-time best performance on select
operational and financial parameters during FY 2022-23.
• Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) (Andhra Pradesh) received Sagar Shrestha Samman Award
2023 from Sarbananda Sonowal. VPA’s chairman M Angamuthu received the award.

Other Recipients of Sagar Shreshtha Samman Awards 2023:
Port Category
Awarded as best port for the year 2022-23
Awarded for best incremental performance for attaining the highest
cargo growth rate of 16.56% in FY23
Paradip Port, Jagatsinghpur (Odisha) Received a performance shield on Ship Berth Day Output
Awarded for the best Absolute Performance for the year FY23 for
Deendayal Port, Kandla (Gujarat) handling the highest cargo of 137.56 MMT
Jawaharlal Nehru Port,
Mumbai(Maharashtra) Awarded for achieving major milestone in Turn Around Time
Kamarajar Port, Chennai (Tamil
Nadu) Awarded for pre-berthing detention time
Received a performance shield in turn-around time (non-container
Cochin Port (Kerala) port)
Note – The four major ports Deendayal Port, Visakhapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh), New Mangalore Port
(Karnataka) and V. O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu) are already generating renewable energy more than
their demand.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal launched India’s first National
Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS), at the ‘INMARCO 2022’, International Maritime
Conference and Exhibition, held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways:
Union Minister -Sarbananda Sonowal (Rajya Sabha – Assam)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shantanu Thakur, Shripad Yesso Naik
Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani launches “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi” for ECCE
On 10th May 2023, Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, the Ministry of Women and Child Development
(MoWCD), launched “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi”, the flagship programme of MoWCD, to strengthen Early
Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) component of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission
Poshan 2.0),
The programme was launched during the national event organised by MoWCD on key initiatives for
strengthening ECCE at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi.
• ECCE is an important component of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan
2.0) and is envisaged under the National Education Policy.
Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi:
i. ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ is a pathbreaking ECCE program to ensure that India has the world’s largest,
universal, high-quality preschool network, as suggested by the NEP.
ii. Under this campaign, work will be undertaken in Anganwadis across India to provide nutrition as well as
better education to children in the age group of 3 to 6 years.

• There are around 13.9 lakhs (around 14 lakhs) Anganwadis across India.
• Anganwadis is a type of rural child care centre in India
iii. The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), under the NEP 2020,
provides training to Anganwadi staff regarding the mental development of children.
iv. Poshan bhi Padhai bhi will focus on developing holistic and high-quality pre-primary education for children,
ensuring the use of developmentally appropriate teaching methods, and emphasising the links with primary
education as well as early childhood health and nutrition services.
v. This program will provide for the mother tongue as the primary teacher instruction medium, different types
of teaching-learning material (visual aids, audio aids, audio-visual and bodily-kinesthetic aids) to Anganwadi
Sewikas, and help build a Jan Andolan, to involve communities in strengthening the foundations of India’s
future generations.
Key Points:
i. Smriti Zubin Irani stated that Rs 600 crore is being proposed to be allocated for the training process under
Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi.
ii. The initiative aims to target children’s development in every domain mentioned in the National Curriculum
Framework (NCF), like physical and motor development, cognitive development, and socio-emotional-ethical
development, among others.
iii. Under the initiative, every child would be provided with at least 2 hours of high-quality preschool
instruction on a daily basis.
MoF Reduces e-invoicing threshold to Rs 5 crore from August 1 2023

On May 10, 2023, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) reduced the threshold of the turnover of the companies that
are mandated to generate electronic or e-invoicing for all business-to-business (B2B) transactions to Rs 5
crore (from Rs 10 crore) with effect from August 1, 2023.
• Prevailing Case: Currently, businesses with a turnover of Rs 10 crore and above are generating e-
invoice for all B2B transactions.
• In exercise of the powers of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, the government, on the
recommendations of the Goods and Services Tax Council, made the amendment in the notification.

What is e-invoicing?
i.It is a system of raising invoices, under which invoices generated by one software can be read by any other
software, eliminating the need for any fresh data entry or errors.
ii.As per Rule 48(4) of CGST (Central Goods and Service Tax) Rules, notified class of registered persons have to
prepare an invoice by uploading specified particulars of invoice (in FORM GST INV-01) on Invoice Registration
Portal (IRP) and obtain an Invoice Reference Number (IRN).
iii.Thus the invoice with IRN (with QR Code) issued by the notified supplier to buyer is referred to as ‘e-invoice’
in GST.
Applicability of e-invoicing:
The e-Invoicing system under Goods and Services Tax (GST) law was implemented from 1st October 2020 for
taxpayers with an aggregate turnover exceeding Rs.500 crore.
The e-invoicing was then extended to a turnover of over Rs 100 crore effective January 1, 2021.
From April 1, 2021, the B2B transaction turnover of over Rs 50 crore was generating B2B e-invoices, and the
threshold was brought down to Rs 20 crore beginning April 1, 2022.
From October 1, 2022, the threshold was lowered to Rs 10 crore.
Points to be Noted:
i.The lowering of e-invoicing threshold will expand the scope of MSMEs under e-invoicing, now they will also
need to implement e-invoicing.
ii.The phased implementation of e-invoicing was envisaged to reduce disruptions, improved compliance, and
increased revenue.
iii.The invoice not registered on the portal will not be valid. In such a situation, input tax credit (ITC) on the
same cannot be availed by the recipient and will attract applicable penalties.
iv.Failure to comply with the e-invoice mandate i.e. if the supply has been made without an invoice recognised
under the GST laws, a minimum penalty of Rs 10,000 is prescribed under the laws.
Note – The union government has plans to further reduce the threshold to Rs 1 crore in the future.
50% of India’s Total Villages Achieved ODF Plus Status under SBM-G Phase II
According to the data released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, as of May 10, 2023, 50% of the total villages in
India achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status under Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission –
Gramin (SBM-G).
• An ODF Plus village is one that has implemented solid or liquid waste management systems in
addition to maintaining its ODF designation.
• So far more than 2.96 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus, which is a significant step
towards achieving the SBM-G phase II goals by 2024-25.
Top Performing States/UTs:
i.The top performing states in terms of percentage of ODF Plus villages are as follows:
• Among big states – Telangana (100%), Karnataka (99.5%), Tamil Nadu (97.8%) & Uttar Pradesh
(95.2%)
• Among small states – Goa (95.3%) and Sikkim (69.2%)

• Among UTs – Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu and Lakshadweep have
100% ODF Plus Model villages.
Background:
a.SBM-G:
i.The Prime Minister(PM) of India Narendra Modi launched the SBM on 2nd October 2014 by modifying the
erstwhile Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA), as a community-led and people-oriented program aimed at
universalizing safe sanitation.
• 2023 marks 9 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
ii.Under the mission, all villages, Gram Panchayats, Districts, States and Union Territories (UTs) in India
declared themselves “ODF” by 2 October 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing
over 100 million toilets in rural India.
b.SBM-G Phase II:
i.Further Phase II of the SBM-G was launched in February 2020 with a focus on the sustainability of ODF status
and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) in rural India and achieving ODF Plus Status.
ii.Phase II of the SBM-G is working towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet and it
is scheduled to be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in a mission mode.
iii.Components: The major components of the Phase-II of SBM (G) are Sustaining ODF-Status (ODF-S), Solid
(Bio-degradable) Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management (PWM), Liquid Waste Management (LWM),
Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), GOBARdhan (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources- dhan), Information
Education and Communication/Behavior Change Communication (IEC/BCC) and Capacity Building.
Fund Allocation:
i.The Union Government has allocated a total of Rs 83,938 crore to SBM-G between 2014-15 and 2021-22, the
allocation for the year 2023-24 is Rs 52,137 Crore.
ii.In addition to the SBM(G) funds the allocation of 15th Finance Commission funds for sanitation also have
been utilized to build sanitation assets, promote behaviour change, and implement SLWM systems.
Progress in SBM-G Phase II:
a.ODF Plus Villages:
i.Out of the 2,96,928 ODF Plus villages, 56,285 villages are ODF Plus Model villages, 2,08,613 villages are ODF
Plus Aspiring villages with arrangements for Solid Waste Management / LWM, and 32,030 villages are ODF Plus
Rising villages with arrangements for SLWM.
ii.So far, 1,65,048 villages have arrangements for Solid waste management, 2,39,063 villages have
arrangements for LWM, 4,57,060 villages have minimal stagnant water and 4,67,384 villages have minimal
litter.
What is ODF Plus Model Village?
It is the village which is sustaining its ODF status and has arrangements for SLWM, observes visual cleanliness,
i.e., minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, no plastic waste dump in public places, and displays ODF Plus
Information, Education & Communication (IEC) messages.
b.Progress in Plastic Waste Management:
i.831 PWM Units and 1,19,449 waste collection & segregation sheds have been set up so far.

ii.As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the plastic is cleaned, shredded,
bailed and transported for use in road construction and also as a fuel in cement factories etc.
iii.More than 1 lakh Gram Panchayats have passed a resolution for a ban on Single Use Plastic (SUP).
c.Bio-degradable waste management:
i.GOBARdhan is an initiative to support biodegradable waste recovery, conversion of waste into resources and
creation of a clean & green village.
ii.So far 3,47,094 Community compost pits have been constructed and 683 Functional Bio-Gas/CBG Plants set
up across 206 districts.
d.Grey water management:
i.It is the management of the wastewater generated from everyday household chores- cleaning, cooking,
bathing etc, in villages that do not have drainage systems.
ii.A special campaign Sujlam was undertaken and approximately 2.2 million (22 lakh) soak pits (community &
household pits) were made to manage grey water.
iii.Now, Sujalam 3.0 has been launched for holistic and convergent Greywater Management.
Click Here to know about the recent Initiatives undertaken by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
under SBM – G.
On 25th April 2023, during a programme organised on the 53rd Foundation Day of Housing and Urban
Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), the HUDCO Awards of 2022-2023 were announced in New Delhi,
Delhi.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Uttar Pradesh has been awarded the HUDCO Award (2022-2023) for Best
Practices to Improve the Living Environment 2022-23 category for Sanitation.
About Ministry of Jal Shakti:
Union Minister – Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Constituency – Jodhpur, Rajasthan)
Minister of State (MoS) – Prahlad Singh Patel ; Bishweswar Tudu
35th Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) held at IMBL in the Andaman Sea
From May 3-10, 2023, the 35th edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was
conducted between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) along the International Maritime
Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Andaman Sea.
Aim of Exercise:
To reinforce maritime linkages between the two countries and ensure the safety and security of the
international trade route in the Indian Ocean
Participants:
India: INS Kesari, an indigenously built LST (L) and Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Thailand: His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Saiburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate, along with Maritime Patrol
Aircraft
Key Points:
i.The exercise helps in understanding and interoperability between the two navies and facilitates the

prevention and suppression of unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug
trafficking, piracy, and armed robbery.
ii.It also enables the exchange of information to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration, and conduct search and
rescue (SAR) operations at sea.
iii.India has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) towards enhancing
regional maritime security as part of the Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in
the Region) through bilateral and multilateral exercises, Coordinated Patrols, Joint Exclusive Economic
Zone(EEZ) Surveillance, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Note: The Indo – Thai CORPAT is being conducted bi-annually since 2005.
BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI extends DMA facility to FPIs to participate in Exchange Traded Commodity Derivatives
On May 10, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed stock exchanges to extend Direct
Market Access (DMA) facility to foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) for participation in Exchange Traded
Commodity Derivatives (ETCDs) with immediate effect.
• This notification was SEBI is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 11(1) of
the SEBI Act, 1992 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to
promote the development of the securities market
Key Points:
i.This decision of extension has been taken based on the representations received for enabling DMA facility to
FPIs in ETCDs and deliberations by Commodity Derivatives Advisory Committee (CDAC) of SEBI.
ii.However, this is subject to certain conditions that require brokers to follow procedure for application for
DMA, operational specifications, client authorisation, and broker-client agreement, risk management, among
others.
iii.In September 2022, SEBI allowed FPIs to participate in the ETCDs in order to increase depth and liquidity in
the market.
• Initially, SEBI allowed FPIs to take part in cash settled non-agricultural commodity derivative
contracts and indices comprising such non-agricultural commodities.
• SEBI has already permitted institutional investors such as Category III Alternative Investment Funds
(AIFs), Portfolio Management Services and Mutual Funds to participate in the ETCD market.
What is DMA?
DMA facilitates the clients of a broker to directly access the exchange trading system through the broker’s
infrastructure to place orders without manual intervention by the broker.
• It also provides certain advantages to brokers such as direct control over orders, faster execution of
orders, reduced risk of errors associated with manual order entry, maintaining confidentiality,
lower impact costs for large orders and implementing better hedging and arbitrage strategies.

About Securities Exchange Board of India(SEBI):
Chairperson– Madhabi Puri Buch
Establishment– 12 April 1992
India extends $1bn credit line for Sri Lanka by a year until March 2024
India has extended a USD 1 billion credit line for Sri Lanka by one year until March 2024 thus providing a
backup infusion of dollars for essential imports.
• The credit line is part of about USD 4 billion in emergency assistance extended by India during the
peak of Sri Lanka’s financial crisis in 2022, which was scheduled to end in March 2023.
Key Points:
i.There is about USD 350 million left of the credit line that can be utilized as needed.
ii.The extension came as Sri Lanka’s creditor nations are preparing for their first meeting to coordinate the
restructuring of the nation’s debt.
• Sri Lanka owes USD 7.1bn to bilateral creditors, government data show, with USD 3bn owed to
China, followed by USD 2.4bn to the Paris Club and USD 1.6bn to India.
• The government also needs to renegotiate more than USD 12 billion of debt in euro bonds with
overseas private creditors, and USD 2.7 billion on other commercial loans.
About Sri Lanka:
President– Ranil Wickremesinghe
Prime Minister– Dinesh Gunawardena
Capital– Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Currency– Sri Lankan Rupee
RBL Bank goes live on “Direct Tax Collections” through TIN2.0

Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based RBL Bank, formerly known as Ratnakar Bank, has gone live with “Direct Tax
Collections” on behalf of the Government of India (GoI) through the new Tax Information Network (TIN2.0)
portal.
• This is the 2nd such offering from the Bank, following its empanelment by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) as an ‘Agency Bank’ to conduct banking business for the Central and State Governments.
• The Bank already offers customs duty collections through a direct interface through the Indian
Customs Electronic Data Interchange Gateway (ICEGATE).
• This service will enable RBL Bank customers to make direct tax payments seamlessly via various
digital channels and RBL Bank branches.
• The solution, which makes use of its improved technological infrastructure, offers an easy, user-
friendly platform for processing direct tax payments and marks an important milestone in RBL
Bank’s Government Banking offerings.

Unnati Subsidiary Ora Finance receives NBFC Licence
Ora Finance Private Limited, a subsidiary of a fintech-driven agritech firm Unnati, has become the 1st firm to
receive the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence in the agritech space.
• Ora Finance will enable the company to meet the financial needs of those in the agricultural sector,
like farmers, retailers, traders, brands, and food processors.
• Unnati has a network of over 1 lakh registered retailers and traders who use its uStore app to
engage with the farmers and manage their agri-business on a day-to-day business.
• Through their apps, these partners connect with more than 1.3 million farmers.
Ora Finance will enable the network of Unnati to avail of various credit products which are simple, fairly priced
and easy to use.
AIBEA to launch “Bank Clinic” to Help Retail Customers with Grievance Redressal
The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), the oldest and largest national trade union of bank
employees in India, plans to launch an online “Bank Clinic” to assist bank customers with grievance redress.
• Once a customer files a complaint with the Bank Clinic, AIBEA’s team will take up the complaint with
the bank to address the issue.
• The Bank Clinic aims to assist customers with their complaints and to give feedback to banks on
areas where there is a deficiency in service.
• Bank Clinic will be one more channel through which retail bank customers can get their grievances
addressed.

NIIFL appoints Rajiv Dhar as interim CEO&MD
The board of directors of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL), a collaborative
investment platform for international and Indian investors, anchored by the Government of India, has
appointed Rajiv Dhar as the interim Chief Executive officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of NIIFL,
effective from May 11, 2023.
• Rajiv Dhar succeeds Sujoy Bose, who has been serving as the MD and CEO of NIIFL since its
inception in 2016.
• Rajiv Dhar, currently the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at NIIFL has been a
part of NIIFL since 2017. He is also the designated Chief Risk Officer of NIIFL.
About Rajiv Dhar:
i. Rajiv Dhar has more than 30 years of experience and he served on the investment committee for all funds
managed by NIIFL.
ii. Before joining NIIFL, Rajiv Dhar served as an Executive Director with Omzest Group, one of the most
diversified and respected Group of companies in Oman.

iii. He has also worked with the TATA Group from 1994 for 15 years. He was associated with TATA Petrodyne,
Tata Industries Limited (TIL) and Tata Communications Internet Services Limited.
iv. He has also worked with Roto Pumps and Ansal Group in the early days of his career.
Additional info:
The announcement of the creation of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) was announced in the
Union Budget of 2015-16.
NIIFL manages over USD4.3 billion of equity capital commitments across its three funds – Master Fund, Fund of
Funds, and Strategic Opportunities Fund. It’s Fund of Funds (FoF) is focused on building a portfolio of private
equity funds across diversified sectors and investment strategies.
About National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL):
Managing Director and CEO– Rajiv Dhar
Wesley W Simina Elected as the 10th President of the Federated States of Micronesia
On 11th May 2023, Former Speaker Wesley W Simina was elected as the new and 10th President of
the Federation States of Micronesia (FSM) during the 1st regular session of the 23rd FSM Congress in
Micronesia.
• Wesley W Simina will succeed David W. Panuelo, the 9th President of the FSM.
Prior to his presidential election, Wesley W Simina was the senator at-large for Chuuk State.
• During the first day of the 23rd FSM Congress, Aren B. Palik was re-elected as vice president of
FSM. He used to work in Congress as the Senator At-Large for Kosrae State. He has been Vice
President of the FSM since September 2022.
Other Appointments:
• The Speaker of the Congress of the FSM- Esmond B. Moses
• The Vice Speaker of the Congress of the FSM- Robson U. Romolow
• The Floor Leader of the Congress of the FSM- Quincy Lawrence
About Wesley W. Simina:
i. Wesley W. Simina was born on 10th September 1961. Between 1988 and 1991, he served as the Directing
Attorney for the FSM Public Defender Office for the states of Kosrae and Chuuk.
ii. In 1991, he was the Legislative Counsel for the Chuuk State Legislature and two years later was confirmed
for the position of Attorney General for the Chuuk State Government from 1993 until 1997.
iii. He served as Legal Counsel for various private and public corporations between 1997 and 2003.
iv. In 2001, he was elected as the State of Chuuk’s at-Large representative to the 3rd FSM Constitutional
Convention.
v. In 2005, Wesley W. Simina was elected Governor of the State of Chuuk, one of the 4 states that constitute the
FSM, and served for 4 years until 2019.
vi. In 2011, he was seated as a Member of the 17th Congress of the FSM and during the 18th Congress in 2013
he was elected Chairman of the Congressional Standing Committee,

vii. In March 2015, Simina was re-elected to the national body as the State of Chuuk’s at-large representative or
four-year Member and In May 2015, he was elected to head the Legislative Branch of the FSM National
Government as Speaker of the 19th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.
About the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM):
Capital- Palikir
Currency- United States Dollar (USD)

ISRO successfully tested Semi-Cryogenic Engine at IRPC, Mahendragiri
On May 10 2023, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the first integrated test on
an intermediate configuration of the 2000kN (Kilonewton) thrust Semi-cryogenic Engine at the newly
commissioned Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine & Stage Test facility at the ISRO Propulsion
Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
• The design and development of a Semi-cryogenic Engine were undertaken by the Liquid Propulsion
Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO with Indian industry participation, and it works on a Liquid Oxygen
(LOX)-Kerosene propellant combination which willpower the booster stages of future launch
vehicles.
• This test has demonstrated the successful performance of the test facility, and Power Head Test
Article (PHTA) in the first attempt.
Power Head Test Article (PHTA):
i. The intermediate configuration, designated as PHTA, comprises all the engine systems except the thrust
chamber.
ii. This test was the first of a series of tests planned to validate the design of the propellant feed system,
including the low-pressure and high-pressure turbo-pumps, the gas generator, and control components.
iii. This test demonstrated the complex chill-down operations spanning about 15 hours duration that was
conducted successfully, meeting all the required conditions for engine start.
iv. After the chill down of the LOX circuit, the feed circuit of kerosene was filled, and LOX was admitted into the
gas generator by opening the injection valve.
Successful performance of the test article helps derive the sequence of operations for further tests.
New Test Facility:
The newly established test facility at IPRC in Mahendragiri, TamilNadu with a state-of-art Programmable Logic
Controllers (PLC)-based control system and data acquisition system, is capable of testing Semi-Cryogenic
engines up to 2600 kN thrust and will support the subsequent testing and qualification of the fully integrated
Semi-cryogenic engine and stage.

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman– S. Somanath
SpaceX launched 51 Starlink satellites and landed Falcon 9 rocket on a ship at a Sea
On May 10 2023, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) successfully launched 51 Starlink
internet communications satellites that rode atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, whose first stage was successfully
landed on Earth and the satellites are destined for insertion into low-Earth orbit(LEO).
• The Falcon 9 rocket carried 51 Starlink spacecraft lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in
California, United States of America (USA).
Note: SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites are designed to provide high-speed internet access to users around
the world, particularly in remote areas where internet access is limited.
Falcon 9:
i. The first stage of Falcon 9’s returned to Earth about 8.5 minutes after lifted off as planned. It touched down
on SpaceX’s “Of Course I Still Love You”droneship, which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean off the California
coast.
• This launch marked SpaceX’s ninth flight from the West Coast so far in 2023.
ii. The Falcon 9’s upper stage, continued its journey to low Earth orbit, where it deployed the 51 Starlink
satellites as planned about approximately 17.5 minutes after liftoff.
iii. It was the third launch and landing for this Falcon 9 first stage booster, which previously launched Space
Development Agency’s Tranche 0 and now two Starlink missions.
Launches of SpaceX:
i. SpaceX has already launched more than 4,300 satellites for Starlink for its broadband mega constellation and
has permission to deploy 12,000 Starlink spacecraft and has applied for approval to loft 30,000 more on top of
that.
ii. This 51 Starlink satellite launch was the 28th Falcon 9 flight of 2023. SpaceX has also launched two missions
with its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket in 2023.
About Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX):
CEO, Chairman and Chief Technology Officer– Elon Musk
Headquarters– Hawthorne, California, United States of America
SPORTS
India wins 17 medals at Moscow Wushu Stars Championship 2023
Indian Wushu athletes have won a total of 17 medals (10 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze) at the Moscow Wushu
Stars Championship 2023 held in Moscow, Russia from 2nd May to 8th May 2023.
• The girls won the medals in the junior girls, sub-junior girls and senior girls categories across Sanda
(Fight) and Taolu in Moscow, Russia
On 9th May 2023, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) felicitated the 17 medal winners in the felicitation
ceremony hosted by SAI in New Delhi, Delhi.
The winners were felicitated by Deputy Director Generals of SAI, Ekta Vishnoi and Shiv Sharma in New Delhi,
Delhi.
Note:
All the winners of the Wushu Stars Championship 2023 from India were the participants at the Khelo India
Women’s Leagues held in India across a year.

Details of the Medal Winners:
Name Category Medal
Sanda (fight)
Komal 52 Kg Junior Girls
Deepika 56 Kg Junior Girls
Onilu Teg 48 Kg Senior Girls
N Roshibina Devi 60 Kg Senior Girls
Jiya 36 Kg Sub Junior Girls
Sweta Rani Mahanta 48 Kg Sub Junior Girls
Sonia 45 Kg Junior Girls
Himanshi 60 Kg Junior Girls Gold
Himani 42 Kg Sub Junior Girls
K Chaoba Devi 48 Kg Junior Girls Silver
Taolu
L Linthoingambi Sub Junior Girls
Priyngka Devi Sub Junior Girls Gold
H Langlentombi Devi Junior Girls
Mercy Ngaimong Senior Girls Silver
Mepung Lamu Senior Girls
Nyeman Wangsu Senior Girls
K Luxmi Devi Senior Girls Bronze
Note:
Wushu athlete and Arjuna Awardee (2018) Pooja Kadian was the first woman to win a gold medal at
the Wushu World Championships (2017).
OBITUARY
Mexican 5 time World Cup Veteran Antonio Carbajal Passed Away
On 9th May 2023, Mexican football player Antonio Félix “Tota” Carbajal Rodríguez, who played as Mexico’s
goalkeeper in 5 football World Cups passed away at the age of 93 in León, Mexico. He was born on 7th June
1929 in Mexico.

• He was the first footballer to play in 5 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de football association)
World Cups. He held the record for 32 years until Germany’s Lothar Matthaus equalled it in 1998.
• He played 47 games for the Mexican national team and appeared in World Cups in Brazil in 1950,
Switzerland in 1954, Sweden in 1958, Chile in 1962 and England in 1966
• He won 48 caps for Mexico, 11 of which came at World Cups, in addition to 409 appearances at club
level.
• After retiring as a player, he became a manager with Club León, Unión de Curtidores, Atletas
Campesinos and Atlético Morelia.
IMPORTANT DAYS
National Technology Day 2023 – May 11
National Technology Day is annually observed across India on 11th May to celebrate and recognise the
achievements of scientists, researchers, engineers and others involved in the field of science and Technology
and to celebrate the major technological advancements of India.
• The day also marks the anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear test (Pokhran II) code-named Operation
Shakti, conducted on 11th May 1998.
11th May 2023 marks the 25th year of National Technology Day.
The theme of National Technology Day 2023 is “School to Startups- Igniting Young Minds to Innovate”.
• Annually, the theme of the National Technology Day is decided by the Technology Development
Board(TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology(DST).
Background:
i.The celebration of the National Technology Day was initiated in 1998 by then Prime Minister(PM) of India,
Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• He declared the 11th May of every year as the National Technology Day as a reminder of the
anniversary of the Pokhran II tests and to honour Indian scientists, engineers and technologists, who
worked for India’s scientific and technological advancement.
ii.The first National Technology Day was observed on 11th May 1999.
Pokhran II Tests:
i.The Pokhran-II tests were a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India at the Indian
Army’s Pokhran Test Range, in the Thar Desert (or Great Indian Desert), Rajasthan, between 11th and 13 May
1998.
ii.The first three detonations took place simultaneously on 11 May 1998 and 2 nuclear devices detonated
simultaneously on 13th May 1998.
iii.The key people behind the success of ‘Operation Shakti’ were APJ Abdul Kalam, the then chief of the Defence
Research and Development Organisation(DRDO); R Chidambaram, Chairman of the Atomic Energy
Commission; K Santhanam, Mission Director, and Anil Kakodkar, Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(BARC).

Events 2023:
On the occasion of the National Technology Day 2023, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the
programme which marks the commencement of the celebration of the 25th year of National Technology Day
at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• The programme will be held from 11th May to 14th May 2023.
• During the event, PM also inaugurated the Expo showcasing scientific & technological advancements
made in India in the recent past.
• He also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.
Focus: The programme and celebration of National Technology Day 2023 focus on the Atal Innovation Mission,
the flagship initiative of the Indian government to create and promote a culture of innovation and
entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of India.
Key Points:
The AIM pavilion will showcase the multiple innovative projects and offer an opportunity for the visitors to
witness live tinkering sessions, engage in tinkering activities, witness outstanding innovations and products by
Startups.
PM Modi laid foundation stone and dedicated multiple scientific projects
PM Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple projects related to scientific and
technological advancement in India worth more than Rs 5800 crore.
PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the
• Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India), Hingoli, Maharashtra
• Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni, Odisha
• Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
He also dedicated the several scientific projects to the nation. The projects includes,
• Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP)
• National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Radiological Research Unit, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam, AP
• Women & Children Cancer Hospital Building, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
LIGO-India:
i.LIGO-India, developed in Hingoli, will be one of the handful Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave
observatories in the world.
ii.LIGO-India is an extremely sensitive interferometer of 4 km arm length which is capable of sensing
gravitational waves generated during the merger of massive astrophysical objects such as black holes, and
neutron stars.
iii.It will work in sync with the 2 such observatories operating in the United States; one in Hanford, Washington
and the other in Livingston, Louisiana.
Click here to know more
Rare Earth Permanent Magnet plant:
i.Rare Earth Permanent Magnets are primarily produced in developed countries.
ii.The facility for production of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets is developed at the campus of Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre at Visakhapatnam, AP. The facility is based on indigenous technology and uses indigenous
Rare Earth material extracted from indigenous resources.
iii.With this production plant, India will join a select group of nations with the capacity to produce Rare Earth
Permanent Magnets.
National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility:
Tata Memorial Centre’s National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility is a state-of-the-art facility that works to
undertake the exact delivery of radiation to the tumour with minimal dose to the surrounding normal
structures.

Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility:
i.Fission Molybdenum-99 Production Facility is located at the Trombay Campus of Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre in Mumbai.
ii.Molybdenum-99 is the parent of Technetium-99m, used in more than 85% of imaging procedures for the
early detection of cancer, heart disease and others.
The facility is expected to enable about 9 to 10 lakh patient scans per year.
Highlights of PM’s address:
i.PM noted that more than 10,000 ATAL tinkering labs(ATL) in 700 districts have become innovation nurseries
and around 60% of these labs are in government and rural schools.
• More than 75 lakh students are working on more than 12 lakh innovation projects in ATL.
ii.He also stated that initiatives like Startup India Campaign, Digital India, and National Education Policy have
contributed to the development in the field of Science and Technology.
iii.The number of patents has increased from 4000 per year 10 years ago to around 30000 at present. The
Registration of designs has increased from 10,000 to 15,000 and the number of trademarks have increased
from less than 70,000 to more than 2,50,000 in the same period.
iv.He also highlighted that according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s Global Innovation
Index Rank India has moved from 81st in 2015 to the 40th position in 2022.
STATE NEWS
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Ayushman Asom Scheme under MMJA in Guwahati
On May 10 2023, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Chief Minister(CM) launched Ayushman Asom Scheme
under the Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (MMJAY), aimed at promoting accessible and affordable
healthcare across Assam, during the event organised at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Auditorium in
Guwahati, Assam.
• Ayushman Asom-MMJAY is an initiative of the Department of Medical Education and Research,

Government of Assam.
Note: The launch of the scheme coincides with the completion of 2 years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
rule led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam.
About Ayushman Asom MMJAY scheme:
Salient Features:
i. The Ayushman Asom MMJAY scheme covers as many as 1,578 healthcare procedures in more than 300
empanelled hospitals within the state and all Ayushman Bharat-empanelled hospitals across the country.
The beneficiaries of the Ayushman Asom MMJAY scheme will be listed under the National Food Security Act
(NFSA).
Eligibility:
The scheme is eligible only:
• For Aadhaar-linked ration card holders;

• For those who have an Aadhaar Card and are not covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Benefits:
Initially 26 lakh families will be benefited under this scheme and will go up to 32 lakh families in the upcoming
phases.
Key Points:
i. The healthcare scheme for the people of Assam is similar to the Central Government’s AB-PMJAY scheme, and
is slightly different because the Ayushman Asom MMJAY scheme will cover treatment expenditure for all kinds
of diseases.
• Due to certain limitations, a significant number of families belonging to the economically-
disadvantaged sections were left out of the AB-PMJAY.
ii. The Assam government has also launched an e-KYC (Electronic- Know Your Customer) drive under AB-
PMJAY and AyushmanAsom MMJAY for NFSA beneficiaries.
iii. Atal Amrit Abhiyan Society would be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Ayushman Asom
MMJAY scheme.
Note: Atal Amrit Abhiyan scheme is launched by the Assam government to provide the much needed, hassle-
free and convenient cashless treatment and coverage to BPL population and Low Income households, and it
covers the entire State of Assam.
Future Schemes of Assam Government:
i.The health insurance policy covers cashless medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per household.
ii. The Chief Minister of Assam also declared the roll out of ‘MukhyaMantriLok Seva Arogya Yojana’, a
healthcare scheme for employees of the Assam government from August 15 2023.
iii. The Assam government is also in a plan to set up five dedicated POCSO (Prevention of Children from Sexual
Offences) courts and also a dedicated judicial cadre of government-appointed public prosecutors and additional
public prosecutors.
About Assam:
Capital– Dispur
Chief Minister– Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor– Gulab Chand Kataria
Wildlife Sanctuary– Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Ministry of Ayush and ICMR sign MoU to Promote & Collaborate on Integrative Health
Research
2. Highlights of Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s Visit to India – May 9 to 11 2023
3. KIRF: Kerala becomes 1st state to launch Institutional Ranking Framework
4. India Semiconductor Mission signs MoU with Purdue University in USA
5. Union Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired 6th India-Canada MDTI in Canada
6. RBI provided license to Profectus Capital for Factoring Services to MSMEs; Mandates INR
settlement of fees for Certain Cards7 World Bank approves USD 82mn for Zoonotic
Disease Prevention in India
7. Kotak Bank’s launched ‘Privy League’ Premium Banking Customers offering India’s 1st
LED debit cards
8. ADB Announces IF-CAP Program for Climate Change Financing in Asia&Pacific
9. RazorpayX Introduces Automated ESCROW+ Solution Powered by Axis Trustee Services
10. Sebi grants Final Approval for Proposed Change in Control of HDFC AMC
11. Bank of Baroda launches Electronic Bank Guarantee on its BarodaINSTA Platform
12. Overview of IBLA 2023: CNBC TV18 honours the best in business
13. Badminton legends Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei to enter 2023 BWF Hall of Fame
14. CJI DY Chandrachud launches ‘E-filing 2.0’ & “e-Sewa Kendra”
15. International Nurses Day 2023 – May 12
16. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma dedicates ‘Digitising Asom’ to the public
17. Telangana CM KCR launched Geeta Karmikula Bima Scheme

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Ministry of Ayush and ICMR sign MoU to Promote & Collaborate on Integrative Health Research
On May 11, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) and the Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) to promote and collaborate on integrative health research, explore possibility to work on
public health research, and take initiatives for addressing diseases of national importance.
Signatories:
MoU was signed by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush and Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General,
ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Key People:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ayush; Union Minister
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, MoHFW; Minister of State Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, MoHFW, among others.
What is in the MoU?
i.The MoU aims to focus on identified areas of national importance in healthcare to promote high impact
research to generate evidence using the modern scientific methods.
ii.The MoU between AYUSH and ICMAR will help traditional Knowledge to create a niche and support the
development of Ayurveda as evidence based science.
iii.Under this MoU, Both sides will jointly establish Ayush-ICMR Centers for Advanced Research in Integrative
Health at all AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) with co-funding.
iv.It will explore the possibility of inclusion of research on Integrative Medicine in the National ethical
guidelines for biomedical and health research involving human participants by ICMR-DHR.
v.There will be formation of a joint working group which will meet quarterly to hunt for further areas of
collaboration, formulate and implement joint research projects/programs and allow joint supervision of the
activities.
v.The research capacity will be led by ICMR for Ayush researchers. It will develop a curriculum; facilitate the
development and delivery of training modules.
 The Ministry of Ayush and ICMR will also design and conduct conferences/workshops/seminars jointly
with active participation of researchers interested in the field of Integrative healthcare.
Note: On May 11, 2023, the 5th inter-ministerial convergence meeting was also held to further augment the
cooperation between the Ministry of Ayush and MoHFW. It was co-chaired by Union
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
 Issues related to synergy and cooperation were discussed and both sides agreed upon important
matters.
About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):
Director– Rajiv Bahl

Highlights of Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s Visit to India – May 9 to 11 2023
Foreign Minister of Israel Eli Cohen has arrived in New Delhi, Delhi, for his first official three-day visit to India
from May 9 to 11, 2023.
 Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen launched the project World on Wheels (WoW) Bus, by the Embassy
of Israel in India.
 The project World on Wheels aims to facilitate digital literacy, personality development, and
entrepreneurship training in rural parts of India.
-India, Israel Signed an Agreement to allow 42,000 Indians to work in Israel
i.Eli Cohen had a meeting with his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
ii.Under the meeting, both ministers signed an agreement that will allow 42,000 Indian workers to work in
the Jewish state of Israel in the fields of construction and nursing.
 As per the agreement statement, 34,000 workers will be engaged in the construction field and another
8,000 for nursing needs.
 The objective of the agreement was to support the rising cost of living in Israel and assist families who
are in need of nursing care in Israel.
-Expanding Cooperation in Different Fields
The two foreign ministers held productive and wide ranging discussions on the main pillars of India and
Israel’s strategic partnership – agriculture, water, defence and security.
i.New agreements were also signed by both nations in the area of mobility, water, and agriculture.
ii.The ministers Jaishankar and Cohen discussed ways to strengthen the Indo-Israel relationship by adding
direct flights, continuing cooperation in agriculture and water management, and expanding cooperation in the
fields of artificial intelligence and cyber defence.
iii.Both Jaishankar and Cohen discussed the progress in the I2U2 (India, Israel, United States, and United Arab
Emirates) grouping as well as cooperation in multilateral forums.
iv.Rail and Port Network:
 Backdrop: The national security advisers of the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,
and India met on May 7, 2023, to discuss building a rail and port network to link the Gulf states, other
Arab countries, and India.
 For the proposed rail and port link, the Israeli foreign minister stated that the country would shorten the
route between Asia and Europe and make Israel a commercial, technological and transportation hub in
the changing trade routes in the Middle East.
v.Cohen stated that India could play a significant role in expanding the Abraham Accords and promoting
regional projects with countries (that do not yet have relations with Israel).
Note – The Abraham Accords of 2020 was the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years and is the popular
description for the normalisation of Israel’s ties with the Islamic world.
-Exploring Partnerships in Advanced defence technologies
i.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with the Israeli delegation, led by Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, in
New Delhi, Delhi.

 Rajnath Singh underlined India’s priority towards indigenisation in accordance with the ‘Aatmanirbhar
Bharat Policy’.
ii.The cooperation being extended by Israeli companies to India is acknowledged by Rajnath Singh and he
encouraged them for more investments in India and for forging joint ventures with Indian partners to
manufacture defence equipment in India.
iii.The Israeli Minister also affirmed the continued cooperation of Israel in India’s endeavour for indigenisation
and conveyed the willingness to cooperate and partner in advanced defence technologies.
iv.As the diplomatic relationship between India and Isreal has completed 30 years and both nations
acknowledged continuing the relationship to further strengthen the bilateral ties.
Points to be noted:
i.India’s bilateral merchandise trade increased to a record US$ 10.12 billion in FY23 (April 2022 -Feb 2023)
from US$ 7.86 billion in FY22.
ii.Eli Cohen attended the India-Israel Business Forum which was organised by the industry chamber
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on May 9, 2023.
 As per the statement from CII, Eli Cohen participated in a special conversation organised by the Israel
Export and International Cooperation Institute on May 9 in New Delhi, Delhi.
iii.Israeli Foreign Minister’s visit is in preparation for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to India later
this year.
Note – Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat visited India in April 2023 with a business delegation to strengthen
bilateral ties in common areas of interest, automotive technologies, and fintech.
From April 3–5, 2023, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, visited India on an
official trip at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu.
His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was accompanied by Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and other top Royal Government of Bhutan officials.
About Isreal:
President – Isaac Herzog
Prime Minister – Benjamin Netanyahu
Currency – Israeli Shekel
Capital – Jerusalem
KIRF: Kerala becomes 1st state to launch Institutional Ranking Framework
On 3rd May 2023, R. Bindu, Minister of Higher Education of Kerala, formally launched the Kerala Institutional
Ranking Framework (KIRF), modelled on the lines of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF),
to assess the quality of higher education institutions in Kerala.
 With this launch, Kerala become India’s 1st state to establish a State-specific ranking framework for its
higher education institutions.

KIRF will be annually implemented by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).
Note: NIRF for higher educational institutions in India by the Ministry of Education (MoE), then Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MHRD), in 2015
KIRF:
i. The KIRF is a set of metrics for ranking of academic institutions, based on the parameters agreed upon by the
Executive of the KSHEC.
ii.The ranking framework will classify the participating institutions as universities, colleges, engineering,
management, architecture, medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, law and teacher education institutions.
 KIRF will rank the participating institutions in categories like overall, universities, colleges, engineering,
management, architecture, etc.
iii. The Government of Kerala announced that higher education institutions would be evaluated using state-
specific standards and metrics.
Eligibility for Participation in KIRF:
i. All the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Kerala can participate in the ranking irrespective of the
discipline.
ii. The affiliating universities should not include details of their affiliating colleges.
iii. Institutions that have graduated at least 3 batches of students in full time Undergraduate (UG) or
Postgraduate (PG) programs, where the duration is not less than 3 years for the UG programs and 2 years for
the PG programs are eligible to participate.
Click here to know more.
About Kerala:
Chief Minister (CM)- Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor- Arif Mohammed Khan
Seaport- Kochi Port or Cochin Port
Bird Sanctuary- Chulanur Peafowl Sanctuary; Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
India Semiconductor Mission signs MoU with Purdue University in USA
On 9th May 2023, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Purdue University, Indiana, United States of America (USA) in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini
Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MoE&IT), for capacity building, research and
development (R&D), and industry participation.
 Purdue’s partnership with the ISM is the 1st of its kind under the framework of a USA-India
governmental partnership.
 The MoU between Purdue and India and ISM is valid for 5 years with the option of extension.
 This partnership aligns with ISM’s mission of driving India’s strategies for developing a comprehensive
semiconductors and display ecosystem.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired 6th India-Canada MDTI in Canada
On 8th May 2023, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, co-chaired the 6th India-Canada
Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) along with Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade,
Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Government of Canada, in Ottawa, Canada.
 During the meeting, the Ministers highlighted the trade and economic relationship between Canada and
India and recognised the significant opportunity to deepen bilateral ties and economic partnership.
6th India-Canadda MDTI

6th India-Canada MDTI was focused on various themes such as strengthening the Bilateral Trade Relationship
between India and Canada, Investment Promotion and Cooperation, Green Transition including Critical
Minerals discussion and New Areas of Cooperation such as promoting B2B (Business-to-Business)
engagements.
Note: MDTI is a bilateral mechanism that offers an institutional framework to discuss a wide range of trade
and investment-related issues and cooperation areas.
Key Points:
i.In 2022, the India-Canada bilateral trade in goods reached about USD 8.2 billion, registering a 25% growth
compared to 2021.
ii.The ministers also highlighted the contribution of the services sector in furthering the bilateral relationship
and noted the significant potential for increasing bilateral services trade which stood at about USD 6.6 billion in
2022.
iii.During the meeting, the ministers also emphasised on enhancing cooperation in sectors such as clean
technologies for infrastructure development, critical minerals, electric vehicles and batteries, renewable
energy/hydrogen, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
iv.They also reviewed the progress so far achieved in the India-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations in
the seven rounds of negotiations so far.
v.They reaffirmed that Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) would cover, among others, high-level
commitments in goods, services, investment, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical
barriers to trade, and dispute settlement and it may also cover others where mutual agreement is reached.
 The EPTA is one of the important steps towards the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
(CEPA).
CEPA:
CEPA was launched in 2009 to promote bilateral trade and investment by eliminating or reducing tariffs on
goods and services traded between India and Canada.
 The agreement covers a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, services, and
intellectual property.
Outcomes of 6th India-Canada MDTI:
i.India and Canada agreed to explore cooperation through measures such as coordinated investment
promotion, information exchange and mutual support through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
preferably by September-October 2023.
ii.They also agreed on the importance of Government to Government (G2G) coordination to promote critical
mineral supply chain resiliency and committed to an annual dialogue at the official level on the margins of the
Prospectors and Developers Association Conference (PDAC) in Toronto (Canada).
iii.The ministers also agreed to rework and relaunch the Canada-India CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Forum
with focus and a new set of priorities
 This CEO forum will be a platform to enhance B2B engagement.
iv.Minister Mary Ng will lead a Team Canada trade mission to India in October 2023. This will provide an
opportunity to deepen the trade and investment ties between India and Canada.
v.They also noted the aspiration for an enhanced discussion related to migration and mobility.

vi.They also discussed appropriate mechanisms to discuss talent and innovation partnerships to strengthen the
bilateral innovation ecosystem.
Other Highlights of the Minister’s Visit:
i.Union Minister Piyush Goyal visited Toronto, Canada from 9th to 10th May 2023 and participated in various
events to promote trade and investment.
 During his visit, he participated in several engagements including a meeting with CEOs of key Canadian
companies, a Round Table of Indian and Canadian CEOs, interaction with Canadian and Indian
companies based in Canada and a Financial Sector Round table.
ii.He was accompanied by a delegation of Indian CEOs led by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
& Industry (FICCI).
iii.He also inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at SIAL CANADA-2023, The largest food innovation trade show in
North America. Around 1000 national & international exhibitors from 50 countries participated in the show.
 Indian business participation consists of a delegation from the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI),
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India Trade
Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM).
CII Report: Indian companies invested CAD 6.6 billion in Canada creating 17k jobs
According to the report titled “From India to Canada: Economic Impact and Engagement” 30 Indian companies
have invested more than 6.6 billion Canadian dollars (CAD) in Canada creating 17000 jobs across 8 provinces of
Canada. These companies have also spent over CAD 700 million in research and development (R&D)
expenditures.
 The report was prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) in partnership with Canada –
India Business Council(C-IBC) and India’s High Commission in Ottawa(Canada).
 The report was released by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his Canadian
counterpart Mary Ng at the reception organised by C-IBC in Toronto.
Note:
This report is the first of its kind that captures the growing presence of Indian Industry in Canada in order to
highlight the contributions of Indian companies to the competitiveness of the Canadian economy in the form of
foreign direct investment (FDI), jobs created and saved, and funding for R&D as well as local corporate social
responsibility initiatives.
Key Points:
i.According to the report, 100% of participating companies plan to invest more in Canada in the next five years,
and 96% plan to hire more employees.
ii.Around 32% of the companies accounted for technology services while the manufacturing and engineering
and life sciences, pharmaceuticals and healthcare comprised 25% each.
iii.The report demonstrates how Indian companies across Canada are expanding their investments, creating
jobs, funding research and development initiatives, and supporting their communities through corporate social
responsibility programmes.
About Canada:
Prime Minister– Justin Trudeau
Capital– Ottawa
Currency– Canadian Dollar (CAD)
About the Ministry of Commerce and Industry:
Union Minister– Piyush Goyal (Rajya Sabha- Maharashtra)
Minister of State– Som Parkash (Constituency- Hoshiarpur, Punjab); Anupriya Singh Patel (Constituency-
Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh)

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI provided license to Profectus Capital for Factoring Services to
MSMEs; Mandates INR settlement of fees for Certain Cards
On 10th May 2023, Profectus Capital Private Limited, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) backed by
Actis, received the Certificate of Registration (CoR) under the Factoring Regulations Act, 2011 from the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to provide factoring services to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
 Factoring is a financial tool that provides the seller of goods (client) with an advance against the
accounts receivable.
Key Points:
i.Now, Profectus Capital plans to offer timely and efficient factoring services to improve their working capital
management, boost their businesses, and receive short-term finance to fund operations.
ii.Profectus will continue to focus on select manufacturing and service sectors based on its cluster-based
lending approach.
iii.It will focus on BBB- and above rated corporate buyers.
RBI mandates rupee-only settlement of fees for certain cards
RBI also mandated Rupee (INR)-only settlement of fees charges levied by ‘Authorised Persons’ on
International Debit Cards, Store Value Cards, among others, and payable in India.
 The instruments also include Charge Cards/Smart Cards or any other instrument that can be used to
create a financial liability as ‘currency’.
 Authorised Persons include banks authorised to deal in foreign exchange, full-fledged money changers,
etc.
World Bank approves USD 82mn for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in India
On May 10, 2023, the World Bank’s (WB) Board of Executive Directors has approved USD 82 million loan
for Animal Health System Support for One Health Program (AHSSOH) that will support India’s Livestock
Health and Disease Control Program, which seeks to control animal diseases by adopting global best practices
for animal health management and to prevent, detect, and respond to endemic zoonotic diseases.
 The loan has a maturity of 11.5 years with a grace period of 4.5 years.

 The loan will be disbursed from the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD), and uses the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument that links
disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of specific program results.
Note: AHSSOH is implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Department of
Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Key Points:
i.A infection or disease that is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions is called
zoonotic.
ii.The program will address food safety in livestock value chains by supporting evidence-based policies on
animal disease and zoonoses management.
 The programme will also enhance food quality and safety in animal products, especially in livestock and
wet markets.
iii.It will also strengthen India’s One Health approach, which recognizes that people and animals are connected
with their shared environment
iv.India has the largest livestock population in the world, and 68% of the Indian workforce relies on farming
and remains in close contact with domestic animals and poultry, therefore, foot and mouth disease alone costs
more than USD 3.3 billion annually for India.
 Thus, this program will help reduce the risks of animal disease outbreaks by improving disease
surveillance and veterinary services in the livestock and wildlife sectors.
v.With this, at least 2.9 million livestock farmers will have increased access to improved animal health services
in the participating states of Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh (MP).
vi.Through state-of-the-art laboratories, the program will also strengthen collaboration and data sharing with
the human health sector.
President– Ajay Banga
Headquarters– Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
Member Nations– 189
Kotak Bank unveils “Privy League” an Exclusive Premium Banking Programme; offers India’s
1st LED Debit Cards
Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) has launched a premium banking programme, Privy League targeting
High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNI). The program offers lifestyle privileges and bespoke financial solutions.
The Privy League is the Kotak Mahindra Bank’s flagship premium banking program, designed to celebrate its
customers’ achievements.
 It include Signature LED Debit Card, designed for Privy League Platinum tier, which is India’s first LED
card. It offers 75% discount on Priority Pass.
 It also offer Premium Metal Debit Card, designed by artist Arunanshu Chowdhury for the Privy League
black tier, offering luxury deals and complimentary airport lounge access, among many other benefits.

Key Points:
i.Privy League provides access to customized portfolios and investment solutions from specialists based on the
customer’s risk profile and financial goals.
ii.It also provides access to a robust 3-in-1 integrated account featuring a bank, demat and trading account.
Members will get preferential rates on loans, locker rentals, brokerage, and other specialized products.
iii.It will create experiences across health and wellness, culinary experiences, knowledge-based sessions, and
more.
iv.The initiative provides a variety of Business Banking solutions, as well as advantageous rates on loans, locker
rentals, brokerage, and other specialised products.
under this programme the customers will have access to a 3-in-1 Integrated Account, which includes a bank
account, a demat account, and a trading account. They will also have access to personalised investment insights
and research reports.
v.It includes travel benefits as well as a complimentary MMT Black Elite Annual Membership.
About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL):
Managing Director & CEO– Uday Kotak
Tagline– We Mean Business
ADB Announces IF-CAP Program for Climate Change Financing in Asia&Pacific
In May 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced the launch of a significant financing program,
the ‘Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific’ (IF-CAP), to support Asia and the Pacific
region in the battle against climate change.
 The announcement was made by Masatsugu Asakawa, President of ADB on the first day of the ADB’s
56th Annual Meeting in Incheon, South Korea.
What is IF-CAP?
i.As Asia and the Pacific is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as hurricanes, droughts, heat
waves, floods, and sea-level rises. There is an immense climate financing gap that must be filled to win the
battle against climate change.
ii.ADB has developed the innovative financing program, IF-CAP program to bridge the financing gap needed to
combat climate change.
iii.IF-CAP will use guarantees from partners for leverage to accelerate billions of dollars in much-needed
climate change investment.
iv.Initial Partners: IF-CAP’s initial partners are Denmark, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United
Kingdom, and the United States.
Financing Program
i.With a model of ‘US$1 in, US$5 out’, the initial ambition of US$3 billion in guarantees could create up to US$15
billion in new loans for much-needed climate projects across Asia and the Pacific.

 This is the first-of-its-kind guarantee mechanism i.e. a leveraged guarantee mechanism for climate
finance has never before been adopted by a multilateral development bank.
ii.IF-CAP financing will contribute to ADB’s raised ambition for $100 billion from its own resources for climate
change for 2019–2030.
iii.ADB is also discussing with bilateral and multilateral sources, the private sector, and philanthropies,
including the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet for climate investments.
RazorpayX Introduces Automated ESCROW+ Solution Powered by Axis Trustee Services
RazorpayX, the business banking platform of Razorpay, introduced an automated ESCROW+ solution,
powered by Axis Trustee Services Ltd, RBL Bank, and ICICI Bank to support merchants and enables Instant &
Secure Money Transfers for Businesses.
Prevailing Issue:
i.In certain industries, 100% of the money in the account doesn’t belong to the business and receiving funds in
a current account is not an ideal solution for a business.
ii.Hence, those businesses either receive funds either on behalf of others or operate under a partnership model
in which funds from another business entity are in their current account to manage operations.
iii.This complicated money flow could lead to a compliance issue causing penalties for businesses.
ESCROW+ solution:
i.The RazorpayX’s ESCROW+ solution addresses such issues by providing an Escrow trustee who is vetted and
on-boarded by RazorpayX.
ii.It also offers merchants an Escrow account to route funds they are receiving on behalf of end beneficiaries,
ensuring the right tax treatment and reporting.
iii.The automated processes facilitated by Escrow+ assure higher success rates and seamless payouts,
enhancing overall payout performance.
iv.Currently, the solution will cater to digital-first businesses in Gaming, Marketplace & eCommerce, Co-
lending, and P2P-lending industries. RazorpayX plans on expanding the solution to other industries also in
future.
Recent Initiatives of RazorpayX:
i.Recently RazorpayX forayed into Forex Service for Startups, in the three months since its beta launch, the
service enabled 15 firms to bring Rs 350 crore in annualised run rate (ARR) to India.
ii.It also launched RazorpayX Digital Lending 2.0, a digital lending solution for NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance
Companies) and Fintechs to assist them in complying with digital lending guidelines.
About Razorpay Software Private Limited:
CEO and Co-founder – Harshil Mathur

Sebi grants Final Approval for Proposed Change in Control of HDFC AMC
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), through its letter dated 10 May 2023 to HDFC Asset
Management Company (HDFC AMC) Limited, a subsidiary of HDFC Ltd, and the investment manager of HDFC
AMC AIF (Alternative Investment Fund) II, has granted its final approval for the proposed change in control of
HDFC AMC.
 The merger of HDFC with HDFC Bank, which is expected to be completed by the 3rd quarter of this Fiscal
year 2023-24 (FY24), will benefit from this approval.
 Thus HDFC Bank will have a combined asset base of around Rs 18 lakh crore.
 Once the deal is effective, HDFC Bank will be 100% owned by public shareholders, and existing
shareholders of HDFC will own 41 per cent of the bank.
Bank of Baroda launches Electronic Bank Guarantee on its BarodaINSTA Platform

On 10th May 2023, Vadodara (Gujarat)-based Bank of Baroda (BOB), an Indian public sector bank, announced
the launch of Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG) on its BarodaINSTA platform, in partnership with the
National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).
 The new facility will enable BOB to issue electronic bank guarantees on its online platform
BarodaINSTA.
 An e-BG can be offered with a faster turnaround time than the traditional paper-based process of issuing
inland bank guarantees.
 Following issuance, the beneficiary can immediately access the final digital BG on the NeSL portal. Such
an e-BG eliminates the need for a separate authentication from the BG issuing Bank.
Note: NeSL is the 1st and only Information Utility in India, and it is governed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Board of India (IBBI) under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC).

Overview of IBLA 2023: CNBC TV18 honours the best in business
India Business Leader Awards’ (IBLA) 2023, the 18th edition of the annual awards hosted by CNBC-TV18,
was held at Jio World Convention Centre at BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex), Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The event was presented by Standard Chartered in partnership with Hindustan Times.
About IBLA:
i.The India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) was instituted to recognise exceptional leaders, high achievers, and
true visionaries in the Indian corporate world.
ii.The award recognises and celebrates the individuals who have contributed their knowledge and expertise
towards achieving equitable economic growth or have excelled in creating profitable, sustainable, and socially
conscious enterprises.
Highlights of IBLA 2023:

i.TV Narendran, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Tata Steel has been named the
Outstanding Business Leader of the Year at IBLA 2023.
ii.Infosys Limited, an Indian multinational information technology company, has been named the Outstanding
Company of the Year at IBLA 2023.
 Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys, received the award on behalf of Infosys.
 Titan, Apollo Hospital, Mahindra, Hindalco, and Cipla were nominated for the award under this category.
iii.Azim Premji, Founder and former Chairman of WIPRO Limited and one of India’s leading business tycoons
has been honoured with the Hall of Fame Award during the event.
iv.Indian boxer and 2-time world women’s boxing champion Nikhat Zareen won the Sports Leader of the Year
 Satwiksairaj & Chirag Shetty, Neeraj Chopra, Savita Punia and Harmanpreet Kaur were among the
nominees for the Sports Leader of the Year.
v.Late Ela Ramesh Bhatt, winner of Ramon Magsaysay Award (1977), Padma Shri (1985) and Padma Bhushan
(1986) has been honoured with the Special Recognition Award for Social Imapct Icon.
vi.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the national governing body of Cricket in India, has been
named the Game Changer of the Year.
 Indian women cricketers Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Jhulan Goswami,
Harmanpreet Kaur and BCCI secretary Jay Shah jointly received the award on behalf of BCCI.
Winner of IBLA 2023:
Category Winner
TV Narendran
Outstanding Business Leader of the Year
Managing Director of Tata Steel
Outstanding Company of the Year Infosys
Azim Premji
Hall of Fame Founder and former Chairman of WIPRO
Limited
Venu Srinivasan Chairman Emeritus of TVS
Lifetime Achievement Award
Motor
Sports Leader of the Year: Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen
Entertainment Leader of the Year Alia Bhatt
Social Impact Icon Late Ela Ramesh Bhatt
Game Changer of the Year The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
Brand Campaign of the Year Dove
Young Turk Startup of the Year Skyroot
Young Turk of the Year OfBusiness
The Disruptor Idea Forge
Dilip Asbe Managing Director & CEO of National
Outstanding Contribution to Brand India
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
Cyrus Mistry, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala,
In Memoriam
Vikram Kirloskar, Rajeev Luthra
Badminton legends Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei to enter 2023 BWF Hall of Fame
On 2nd May 2023, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced that the Badminton legends Lin Dan
from China and Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia have been elected to the BWF Hall of Fame for 2023.
They will be inducted into the hall of fame at a ceremony on 26th May 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention
Centre (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
 On May 26 2023, the official ceremony has been scheduled to induct the duo by BWF at the Kuala
Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
 Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan both began their senior international career in early 2000’s had dominated
the men’s singles for two decades until their retirements in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Note: Badminton doubles legends Liliyana Natsir from Indonesia and Zhao Yunlei from China were inducted as
the 2022 BWF Hall of Fame.
About Lin Dan’s Badminton record:
i. Lin Dan won 2 Olympic Golds in Men’s singles. He was the first player in the men’s singles to retain an
Olympic gold medal. He won his first gold in Beijing 2009(China) and his 2nd in London 2012(the United
Kingdom).
ii. He won five golds (Madrid 2006, Kuala Lumpur 2007, Hyderabad 2009, London 2011 and Guangzhou 2013)
and two silvers (2005 Anaheim and 2017 Glasgow) in World Championships.
iii.He is the first and the only player to have completed the “Super Grand Slam” by winning nine major titles in
the badminton circuit – Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super
Series Masters Finals, All England Open, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.
About Lee Chong Wei’s Badminton record:
i. Lee Chong Wei finished with 47 BWF Super Series and World Tour titles and was ranked world No. 1 for 349
weeks (the most in the badminton circuit to date).
ii. He won 3 Olympic Silver medals in 2008 Beijing, 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro(Brazil).
iii. After his retirement in 2019, Chong Wei continues to play an active role in sport in his native Malaysia,
serving as his country’s chef-de-mission at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 held from 23 July – 8 August in
Japan.
Additional Info:
Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei faced each other 40 times in their career, (including 2 Olympic Games finals in 2008
and 2012) with Lin Dan leading the head-to-head record 28–12.

CJI DY Chandrachud launches ‘E-filing 2.0’ & “e-Sewa Kendra”
On 12th May 2023, D Y Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India (CJI), launched “E-filing 2.0” and told lawyers that
the facility for filing cases electronically will be now available around the clock.
 CJI D Y Chandrachud, who has been advocating for e-courts and e-filing of cases across the country, also
inaugurated an “e-Sewa Kendra” on the Supreme Court’s premises.
 The “e-Sewa Kendra” aims to provide litigants and lawyers with a one-stop solution for all their needs
related to filing cases and accessing information on cases pending or disposed of in any court across
India.
 The lawyers could also use the e-Sewa Kendra to know the case status from any court or tribunal across
India.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Nurses Day 2023 – May 12
International Nurses Day (IND) is annually observed across the globe on May 12 to honour the contribution
of nurses to society and acknowledge their role in the overall healthcare system.
 The day commemorates the birth anniversary of British Nurse and statistician Florence Nightingale, one of
the founders of modern nursing. She was born on 12th May 1820 in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany
(Italy).
International Nurses Day 2023 was observed on 12th May 2023.
 The theme/campaign of the IND 2023 is “Our Nurses. Our Future”.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) commemorates this annual observance by producing and
distributing International Nurses’ Day (IND) resources and evidence.
Background:
i. Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the United States (US) Department of Health, Education and Welfare,
proposed to Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States of America (USA) to declare “Nurses
Day” in 1953.
ii. The 1st ever International Nurses Day was observed on 12th May 1965 by the ICN.
About Florence Nightingale:
i. Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was popularly known as “The Lady With the Lamp”.
ii. In 1860, she established the 1st scientifically based nursing school, the Nightingale School of Nursing, at St.
Thomas’ Hospital in London, United Kingdom (UK).
iii. She became the first woman to be awarded the Order of Merit (1907), a British honorary institution
founded by Edward VII in 1902.
IND 2023 Campaign: Our Nurses. Our Future:
i. On 12th May 2023, the ICN launched the “Our Nurses. Our Future” campaign, which includes its ten-
point Charter for Change and International Nurses Day 2023 report.
ii. The Charter for Change outlines 10 policy actions that employers and governments must adopt to create
and sustain healthcare systems that are safe, affordable, accessible, responsive, and resilient.
 This will change the focus of nurses as being invisible and make them invaluable.
iii. The IND report includes the reasons for the 10 policy recommendations in the Charter for Change,
demonstrating why these key actions are necessary to nurse the world and the profession.
Key Points:
i. The State of the World’s Nursing Report 2020: Investing in Education, Employment and Leadership, which
was published by the World Health Organization (WHO), estimates that there are 28 million nursing
professionals in the world, a number that represents more than half of all health professionals.
ii. It also notes that there is a global shortage of 5.9 million nursing professionals, mainly in Africa, Southeast
Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as in some Latin American countries.
iii. According to WHO, there are about 27 million men and women working as nurses and midwives.
About the International Council of Nurses (ICN):
President- Pamela F Cipriano
Establishment- 1899

STATE NEWS
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma dedicates ‘Digitising Asom’ to the public
On May 11 2023, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister (CM) of Assam dedicated ‘Digitising Asom‘, a
community project aimed at the digitisation of rare Assamese journals and books published between 1813 and
1970 for public use at an event organised at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati, Assam.
 Digitising Asom is initiated by Nanda Talukdar Foundation, a Non-Government Organisation in Assam &
supported by Assam Jatiya Bidyalaya Educational and Socio-economic Trust.
 Digitising Asom aimed to preserve the remarkable works of Assamese Literature for ages digitally,
regardless of their location, and make them available to the public for free of cost through the
website https://www.assamarchive.org/
Phases of the project:
i. Phase 1:
 In the first phase of the project, journals published between 1840 and 1970 have been included
encompassing 3,071 editions of as many as 161 journals with a total of 2,45,680 pages.
 A large number of literary works have not been digitised under this phase of the project as many such
journals, books are no longer available in the public domain.
ii. Phase 2:
 The second phase of the project, under processing, shall cover books published between 1813 and 1962.
All the rare collections of books can be digitalised in this phase.
For Digitizing Asom, all the necessary support will be provided by the Government of Assam including financial
support.
Additional Info:
i. Efforts have already been taken by the Government of Assam at using digitization for efficient delivery of
public services such as Mission Sadbhavna (an initiative to dispose-off all pending files in the state secretariat),
among others.
ii. From June 1 2023, all files in the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and the Directorates set to be processed
only in digital format
About Assam:
Capital– Dispur
Festivals– Bohag Bihu festival is celebrated in the month of April when the farmers start sowing and it is
marked as Assamese New Year.
Magh Bihu festival is celebrated in the month of January-February, which celebrates the season of harvesting of
grains.

Telangana CM Chandrashekhar Rao launched Geeta Karmikula Bima Scheme
On May 2 2023 Telangana Chief Minister (CM) K Chandrashekhar Rao announced a special scheme
named Geeta Karmikula Bima, for the Toddy Tappers community of Telangana, to provide life insurance
cover of Rs.5 lakh to toddy tappers.
 “Geeta Karmikula Bima” Scheme is on the lines of the existing scheme of “Rythu Bheema”, which was
designed by the Telangana Government for the farmer families.
Key people involved in the Scheme:
Thaneeru Harish Rao, Minister of Medical Health and Finance Department of Telangana, and V. Srinivas Goud,
Minister of Prohibition & Excise of Telangana, to formulate guidelines for the scheme; A. Santhi Kumari, Chief
Secretary of Telangana to initiate immediate steps of the scheme.
Objective of the Scheme:
i. The main objective of this scheme is to provide financial support to the family members of Toddy Tapper,
who accidentally or unfortunately fall from the trees while collecting toddy.
ii. Telangana government wants to cover all toddy tappers of the state under this insurance scheme.
Eligibility:
The eligibility criteria for the Geeta Karmikula Bima Scheme are:
 The person should be a permanent resident of the Telangana state.
 He must be a toddy tapper.
 He should belong to an economically backward section of society.
Features:
i. The insurance amount of Rs.5 lakhs will be sent directly to the bank account of the family member within 3-4
days of the
 Even though the state government is giving Ex-gratia payments to the families of the victims, there was a
significant delay in the process, but under this Karmikula Bima scheme, the insurance to the family
members will be provided within 7 days of the victim’s death.
Note: Ex-gratia payment is made to an individual by an organisation, government, or insurer for damages or
claims, but it does not require the admittance of liability by the party making the payment.
Benefits:
i. Through the development of this scheme, Lifestyle changes will be provided to people from the economically
backward section of society.
ii. Financial benefits will be provided to the whole family if the only job holder of the family died accidentally.
iii. Families that do not have insurance coverage can benefit from the Geeta Karmikula Bima insurance scheme.
Note – In a separate announcement, the CM also assured farmers hit by unseasonal rains that the State
government would procure the entire crop, including paddy stocks exposed to rainwater at the same price.
About Telangana:
Capital– Hyderabad
Chief Minister– K. Chandrashekar Rao
Governor– Tamilisai Soundararajan
Tiger Reserve– Amrabad Tiger Reserve
 Affairscloud’s Self Analysis for General Awareness Section

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. DGQI Assessment for Q3 FY23: MoPSW Ranked 2nd among 66 Ministeries with Score 4.7
2. IDMC Report: 71.1 Million Internally Displaced Worldwide in 2022
3. AIIMS Delhi Partners with WHO, Duke-NUS on Patient Safety, Quality Control
4. Quant Mutual Fund Launched an Open-ended Equity Scheme ‘Quant Business Cycle Fund’
5. RBI: Banks to Commence ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ Campaign for Return of Unclaimed Deposits
6. PayNearby launches ‘PayNearby Mall’ for Small Businesses & Consumers ahead of ONDC
Platform
7. Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar awarded the first ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award
8. 2023 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize won by Arinze Ifeakandu
9. Elon Musk appoints Linda Yaccarino as Twitter CEO
10. Alia Bhatt becomes 1st Indian Global Ambassador of Gucci
11. NASA Launches 2nd Super Pressure Balloon from New Zealand
12. Eminent Singer Kalyani Kazi Passed Away
13. Lithuanian Embassy releases Comic Book Titled “First Lithuanian Travelers in India”
14. World Migratory Bird Day 2023 – May 13
15. International Day of Plant Health 2023 – May 12
16. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched ‘Him Data Portal’ for better digital
services

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
DGQI Assessment for Q3 FY23: MoPSW Ranked 2nd among 66 Ministeries with Score 4.7
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has secured the second position among 66 ministries
with an score of 4.7 (out of 5) in the highly influential ‘Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) assessment for
2022-2023 Q3 (Third Quarter of FY23)’.
• DGQI Assessment for FY23 was conducted by Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office
(DMEO), an attached office of NITI Aayog.
• The MoPSW’s 2nd position highlighting its commitment to excellence in data governance.
About DGQI:
i.Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) is prepared by Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO),
an attached office of NITI Aayog, to enable a comprehensive self-assessment of data preparedness levels with a
scorecard of DGQI for the government agencies at the central and state level.
ii.DGQI survey measure the maturity level of administrative data systems and their use in decision-
making of various ministries and departments on the implementation of Central Sector Schemes (CS) And
Centrally-Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
iii.Six Themes: Under DGQI, the assessment was based on score under 6 key themes, including Data
Generation, Data Quality, Use of Technology, Data Analysis, Use and Dissemination, Data Security and HR
Capacity, and Case Studies.
MoPSW’s Progress:
i.MoPSW’s success in the DGQI assessment is mainly supported by the efforts of the National Technology
Centre for Ports, Waterways, and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Madras, which was
tasked with improving MoPSW’s Management Information System (MIS) in compliance with DGQI standards.
ii.NTCPWC is developed under Sagarmala Programme by MoPSW as a technology arm of the MoPSW.
• Sagarmala: It is an ambitious national programme initiated from March 2015 to enhance the
performance of the India’s logistics sector, by unlocking the full potential of India’s coastline and
waterways.
• It intends to reduce logistics cost for EXIM (Export-Import) and domestic trade with minimal
infrastructure investment.
iii.DGQI has assessed the MIS portals for five schemes of MoPSW such as Sagarmala, Research and
Development, Shipping, (Andaman, Lakshadweep Harbour Works), IWAI (Inland Waterways Authority of
India) & IWT (Inland Water Transport) to enhance data flow, increase data quality and by incorporating
emerging technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence)/ ML(Machine Learning).
Benefits of Data-driven Decision-making:
i.Data-driven approach will enable policymakers to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement
accurately.
ii.If the ministries have reliable data it could make informed decisions that would lead to better outcomes for
citizens.

iii.Data-driven decision-making is cost-effective and enhances transparency, making it easier to track the
progress of schemes and policies.
iv.The Ministry’s commitment to data-driven decision-making is a testament to its dedication to serving the
people of India effectively.
Additional info:
As per the statement of Union Minister MoPSW, Sarbananda Sonowal, the data-driven decision-making has
enabled the MoPSW to identify reforms and achieve its desired goals and objectives to implement the
framework of government policies, schemes, and programs efficiently.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways(MoPSW) has constituted a High-Level Committee headed by
Sanjay K. Mehta (SK Mehta), Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Gandhidham, Gujarat, to draft the
revised guidelines for the operation of Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) and Roll on-Passenger (Ro-Pax) ferry service.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minsiter – Sarbananda Sonowal (Rajya Sabha – Assam)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shantanu Thakur, Shripad Yesso Naik
IDMC Report: 71.1 Million Internally Displaced Worldwide in 2022
According to the ‘Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID 2023): Internal Displacement and Food
Security’ released jointly by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Internal Displacement Monitoring
Centre (IDMC), the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) around the globe reached 71.1
million in 2022, an increase of 20% from 2021.
• Meanwhile, 60.9 million new internal displacements were reported in 2022, with some people
forced to flee multiple times during 2022.
• India recorded the 4th largest disaster displacement, with 2,507,000 displacements.
Key Analysis of the Report:
Internal displacements by disasters– 32.6 million.
Internal displacements by conflict and violence– 28.3 million.
Note:
• 47% Share of internal displacements triggered by conflict and violence.
• 53% Share of internal displacements triggered by disasters.

Overview:
i. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to 5.9 million people being forced to move inside Ukraine by the end of 2022,
ii. The overall number of people internally displaced by conflict and violence to more than 62.5 million, a rise of
17% since 2021.
iii. 8.7 million people were internally displaced by the end of 2022 as a result of disasters including floods and
starvation, an increase of 45% from 2021.
Disasters:
i. A total of 32.6 million people were internally displaced by disasters.
• 25% of global disaster displacements were triggered by monsoon flooding in Pakistan.
• 1.1 million movements were recorded in Somalia as it experienced its worst drought in 40 years.
• 2% of the population in Tonga was forced to relocate after an extremely rare volcanic eruption.
• 6 out of 10 disaster displacements were triggered by floods, surpassing storms for the first time
since 2016.
ii. Pakistan had the highest number of disaster displacements in the world in 2022, at 8.16 million, followed by
the Philippines (5.44 million) and China (3.63 million). India ranked 4th, with 2.5 million displacements and
Nigeria ranked 5th with 2.43 million displacements.
Conflict & Violence:
i. A total of 28.3 million people were internally displaced by conflict & violence.
• 60% of global conflict displacements were recorded in Ukraine as people repeatedly fled from
rapidly shifting frontlines.
• 4 million conflict displacements took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1.5 times more
than in 2021.
• 1,06,000 internal displacements in Haiti, a five-fold increase compared to 2021 and the highest
figure ever recorded for the country.
ii. Beyond Ukraine, nine million or 32 per cent of the global total were recorded in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The highest number of IDPs in sub-Saharan Africa as of the end of 2022- the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (28.3 million).
IDP in India: Around 6,31,000 people in India were still living in displacement as a result of conflict and
violence as of the end of 2022.
Internal Displacement broke New Records in 2022:
i. Reaching 71.1 million in 2022, an increase of 20% from 2021, and 60.9 million internal displacements, an
increase of 60% from 2021, is the highest number ever recorded.
ii. The war in Ukraine triggered 16.9 million internal displacements in 2022, the highest figure ever recorded
for any country.
iii. For the 3rd consecutive year, the La Nina weather phenomena occurred, causing unprecedented numbers of
people to flee their homes because of floods in nations including Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil.
iv. It also fuelled the worst drought on record in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, triggering 2.1 million
movements.
According to the V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute’s report titled, “Democracy Report 2023: Defiance in
the Face of Autocratization,” India has been ranked 97th in the Liberal Democracy Index (LDI) (2022) and
108th in the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI) (2022).
About the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC):
Director- Alexandra Bilak
Establishment- 1998

AIIMS Delhi Partners with WHO, Duke-NUS on Patient Safety, Quality Control
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has collaborated with World Health Organization -South
East Asian Regional Office (WHO-SEARO) and Duke-NUS to ensure patient safety and quality control.
• Under the collaboration, AIIMS will follow the learning curriculum proposed by WHO in
collaboration with the Duke-NUS (Institute of Patient Safety & Quality(IPSQ)).
Note – Duke-NUS is a collaboration between Duke University in the United States and the National University of
Singapore in Singapore.
–Partnership to Overcome Patient Harm
Patient Harm: WHO recognize Patient harm as one of the key concerns in global public health which adversely
impacts the financial, social, and psychological well-being of patients.
Initiative Undertaken by AIIMS Delhi:
i.In May 2023, a meeting was held between AIIMS Director, Dr M Srinivas, and WHO and SEARO
representatives to advance patient safety and quality of patient care at AIIMS to the level of the global standard
of zero avoidable harm.
ii.Under the meeting, AIIMS Delhi has made the announcement of following implementation to address the
current challenge in global public health is patient harm, which is a leading cause of avoidable mortality and
morbidity.

• AIIMS Delhi plans to start patient safety and quality control measures with the Department of
pediatrics including neo-natalogy and paediatric Surgery including Neonatal Surgery.
• A core committee for Patient Safety and Quality at AIlMS is being constituted for implementation of
advanced patient safety and quality initiatives across various departments.
iii.Key Points:
• WHO would support through cross sharing of healthcare practices and improvement journeys.
• Patient Safety Secretariat was set to be created with the Department of Hospital Administration at
AIIMS, Delhi to implement the WHO initiatives and eventually becoming a WHO Collaborating
Center on patient safety.
• The Patient Safety Secretariat will coordinate between the WHO and AIIMS Delhi and will also act as
a channel to share the best practices being followed at AIIMS on public platforms which will enable
dissemination of evidence-based knowledge.
BANKING & FINANCE

Quant Mutual Fund Launched an Open-ended Equity Scheme ‘Quant Business Cycle Fund’
Quant Mutual Fund has launched an open-ended equity scheme following business cycles-based investing
theme named ‘Quant Business Cycle Fund’.
• The New Fund Offer is open and will close for subscription on May 25 2023.
• Objective: To generate long-term capital appreciation by investing with a focus on riding business
cycles through allocation between sectors and stocks at different stages of business cycles.
• The performance of the scheme will be benchmarked against NSE (National Stock Exchange) 500
TRI (Total Returns Index).
Key Points:
i.Minimum Application Amount:
• The minimum subscription amount for investment in this scheme is Rs 5,000 and in multiples of Re
1 thereafter.
• The minimum additional purchase/switch in this scheme is Rs 1,000 and in multiples of Re 1
thereafter.
• The minimum Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) amount for weekly, fortnightly, and monthly SIP is
Rs 1,000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter.
• The minimum SIP amount for Quarterly SIP is Rs 3,000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter.
ii.The scheme will offer Regular Plan and Direct Plan with Growth and IDCW (income distribution cum capital
withdrawal) options.
iii.The scheme will provide long term growth by investing at least 80% of its net assets in equity and equity-
related instruments (including equity ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)) selected on the basis of business cycle.
iv.This fund also plans to invest up to 20% of its net assets into debt & money market instruments (including

debt ETFs), up to 20% into Gold & Silver ETFs, or up to 10% in Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and
Infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs). Investments in Foreign Securities shall not be more than 20%.
Note – The scheme is suitable for investors who are seeking capital appreciation over the long term. It will have
the flexibility to invest across sectors and market capitalization.
RBI: Banks to Commence ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ Campaign for Return of Unclaimed Deposits
As per the announcement of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 12, 2023, banks are set to commence a ‘100
Days 100 Pays’ campaign, where they will trace and settle the top 100 unclaimed deposits of every bank in
every district within 100 days.The banks will commence the campaign on June 01, 2023.
• Objective of ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ campaign is to complement the ongoing efforts and initiatives by
the RBI to reduce the quantum of unclaimed deposits in the banking system and return such
deposits to their rightful owners/ claimants.
• As per the RBI data, at the end of February 2023, the total amount of unclaimed deposits transferred
to the RBI by Public Sector Banks in respect of deposits that have not been operated for 10 years or
more was Rs 35,012 crore.
Key Points:
i.Unclaimed Deposits: Balances in savings/current accounts which are not operated for 10 years, or term
deposits not claimed within 10 years from date of maturity are classified as “Unclaimed Deposits”.
ii.These amounts are transferred by banks to the “Depositor Education and Awareness” (DEA) Fund
maintained by the Reserve Bank of India.
iii.The Reserve Bank, has encouraged its members of the public to identify and approach the bank concerned
for claiming such deposits.
iv.Recently, the Reserve Bank has also announced the setting up of a Centralised Web portal for public to
search unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.
v.In the backdrop of settling the unclaimed deposits RBI has introduced the ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ campaign for
banks to trace and settle the top 100 unclaimed deposits of every bank in every district of the country within
100 days.
PayNearby launches ‘PayNearby Mall’ for Small Businesses & Consumers ahead of ONDC
Platform
On 12th May 2023, PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network, launched “PayNearby
Mall”, a meta-commerce platform to enable the availability of goods and services, in an assisted mode at the
last mile.
• This will soon be integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform.
• With this initiative, PayNearby aims to upgrade every retailer, in its million+ active network to
ensure they can benefit from the ongoing e-commerce revolution, including the ONDC platform.
• Customers can walk into their nearest PayNearby store and with the help of the local retailer,
discover any seller, product or service at the most optimal price point.
• Anand Kumar Bajaj is the Founder and current MD & CEO of PayNearby.

Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar Awarded the first ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award
2022
On May 11 2023, Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, an eminent astrophysicist and past president of
the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) was awarded the first ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement
Award 2022 for his outstanding contributions to the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics in India.
• In 2022, ASI celebrated its golden jubilee and instituted the Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement
award for the year 2022, which was named after Professor Govind Swarup (1929-2020), who is
widely recognised as the pioneer of Indian radio astronomy.
• Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar is the founding director of Inter-University Centre for Astronomy
and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Pune, Maharashtra.
Award Felicitation:
i. The award was announced at the 41st ASI meeting held at IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Indore,
Madhya Pradesh in March 2023.
ii. As Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was unable to attend the meeting. ASI President Professor Dipankar
Banerjee visited Pune to present the award to Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar in person.
About Jayant Vishnu Narlikar:
i. In 1960, Jayant Vishnu Narlikar won the Tyson Medal for astronomy and during his doctoral studies at
Cambridge in the United Kingdom (UK), he won the Smith’s Prize in 1962.
ii. During 1966–72, he served as the founding staff member of the institute of Theoretical Astronomy in
Cambridge (UK) established by Fred Hoyle.
Note: He developed the conformal gravity theory, known as Hoyle–Narlikar theory with Sir Fred Hoyle, it
synthesises Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and Mach’s principle.
iii. In 1981, he became a founding member of the World Cultural Council.
iv. In 1988, the Indian University Grants Commission set up IUCAA in Pune, Maharashtra and he became its
Founder and Director.
v. During 1994–1997, he was the President of the Cosmology Commission of the International Astronomical
Union, he was amongst the first to initiate cosmology research in India.
Other Awards Received by Vishnu Narlikar:
i.In 2004 he was awarded Padma Vibhushan in the field of Science & Engineering and in 1965, he received the
Padma Bhushan award from the Indian Government for his research work.
ii.In 2011, the Government of the State of Maharashtra honoured him with the State’s highest civilian award of
Maharashtra Bhushan.
iii.In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi, the premiere literary body in India, selected his autobiography for its highest
prize in regional language (Marathi) writing.

About ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement award:
i. The ASI GovindSwarup Lifetime Achievement Award for Astronomy and Astrophysics has been instituted by
ASI and is awarded to senior scientists of eminence once in two years.
ii. As the award is named in honour of ProfessorGovindSwarup, widely regarded as the father of Indian radio
astronomy, conceived of and led the construction of the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) and the Giant Metrewave
Radio Telescope (GMRT) using innovative, cost-effective ideas optimised for the Indian environment.
iii.The award carries a citation and plaque, and a cash prize of Rs 1,50,000.
iv.Nomination Criteria: The nominee must be 60 years of age or above and have an Indian affiliation for the
bulk of the work done.
v.The award will not be given posthumously unless the passing away occurs after the process has begun.
2023 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize won by Arinze Ifeakandu

On May 11, 2023 Nigerian writer Arinze Ifeakandu, 28 years was announced as the winner of the 2023
Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize, for his debut book ‘God’s Children Are Little Broken Things’, a
stunning short fiction collection in English language.
• Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the United Kingdom’s (UK) most prestigious literary prizes, one of the
world’s largest literary prizes for young writers, which is named after the Swansea-born writer,
Dylan Thomas, and celebrates his 39 years of creativity and productivity.
• Arinze Ifeakandu was awarded the prestigious £20,000(Pounds) Prize at a ceremony held in
Swansea in the UK on the 70th death anniversary of Dylan Thomas.
Note: Dylan Thomas Prize 2022 winner was Patricia Lockwood, an American poet, novelist for her debut
novel No One Is Talking About This.
About God’s Children Are Little Broken Things book:
i. God’s Children Are Little Broken Things book was published by the British Publisher Orion, Weidenfeld &
Nicolson from London.
ii. The collection of nine stories in the book that examine queer love, family and loneliness against the backdrop
of Nigerian society.
Annual International Dylan Thomas Day 2023:
May 14 2023, marks the observation of the 9th Annual celebration of International Dylan Thomas Day, to
celebrate the life and work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
Note: 14th May, because it’s the date when Under Milk Wood (a 1954 radio drama by Welsh poet Dylan
Thomas) was first read on stage at 92Y The Poetry Center, New York (United States of America) in 1953.
Other Honor of Arinze Ifeakandu:
In 2022 he won the UK’s Republic of Consciousness Prize for the United States and Canada for the book God’s
Children Are Little Broken Things.
About Annual Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize:
i. The International Dylan Thomas Prize was launched in 2006 by Peter Stead, Founder and President, awarded
annually for the best published literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under.

ii. The Prize celebrates the international world of fiction in all its forms including poetry, novels, short stories
and drama.
iii. Swansea University is the chief sponsor of the Prize and the Prize is a registered charity.

Elon Musk appoints Linda Yaccarino as Twitter CEO
On May 11 2023, Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla and SpaceX (Space Exploration
Technologies Corporation), officially announced Linda Yaccarino, as the new CEO of Twitter, and she would
succeed Elon Musk as the CEO of both Twitter and X Corp, a technology company.
• Linda Yaccarino is the current head of New York (United States of America) headquartered
NBC(National Broadcasting Company)Universal’s advertising sales and is set to begin her role as a
CEO of Twitter in six weeks.
• Yaccarino is the first female Twitter CEO and also the first to come from a non-tech background.
Key Points:
i.On May 12 2023, Linda Yaccarino left her role as chairman of Global Advertising & Partnerships at NBCU.
ii.Elon Musk, disclosed his transition to the position of executive chair and chief technology officer, overseeing
product development, software, and system operations.
iii.Linda Yaccarino as a new CEO will primarily focus on the business operations of the social media platform,
which has been struggling to make money.
Note: In 2022, Elon Musk bought the social media platform US Dollar 44billion and had been under pressure to
find a lead for Twitter and refocused his attention on some of his other businesses, which include electric
carmaker Tesla and rocket firm SpaceX.
About Linda Yaccarino:
i. Linda Yaccarino worked at NBCUniversal since 2011, where she was involved with the launch of its streaming
service, and before that she served as an executive vice president in advertising at Turner Entertainment, an
American multimedia company for nearly 15 years.
ii. According to the Wall Street Journal in 2012, her negotiating style within the industry earned her the
nickname the “velvet hammer”.
iii. In 2014, she joined the Advertising Council, commonly known as the Ad Council, an American non-profit
organisation and became chair of the Ad Council’s board of directors from 2021-2022.
iv. In 2018, she was appointed by former US president Donald Trump to the President’s Council on Sports,
Fitness and Nutrition.
v. She has also built relationships in new media with the likes of Apple News, Snapchat and YouTube
Alia Bhatt becomes 1st Indian Global Ambassador of Gucci

Alia Bhatt, a Bollywood actress, producer, and entrepreneur, has been announced as the 1st Indian global
ambassador for Gucci, a high-end luxury fashion house based in Florence, Italy.

She will make her 1st appearance as the brand ambassador at the Gucci Cruise 2024 show, to be staged in
Seoul, South Korea, at Gyeongbokgung Palace, on 16th May 2023, which will mark the 25 years since the brand
opened its first store.
• Recently, Alia Bhatt made her debut at the MET Gala 2023 on 1st May 2023.
• The other brand endorsed by Alia Bhatt are Cadbury, Make My Trip, Blenders Pride, Lay’s, Caprese,
Manyavar, Cornetto, Titan Raga, Phonepe, Phillips and many more.
Note: Gucci is part of the global luxury group Kering, which manages renowned Houses in fashion, leather
goods, jewellery, and eyewear.

NASA Launches 2nd Super Pressure Balloon from New Zealand
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Scientific Balloon Program has launched a 2nd
football-stadium-sized, heavy-lift Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) from Wānaka Airport, New Zealand, on a
technology mission aimed for 100 days or more of flight in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
• The overall goal of the mission is to test and qualify the SPB technology for flight.
• This balloon launch is the second and final for NASA’s 2023 New Zealand balloon launch campaign.
NASA conducts SPB launch from New Zealand in collaboration with the Queenstown Airport Corporation,
Queenstown Lake District Council, New Zealand Space Agency, and Airways New Zealand.
Note: The 1st Super Pressure Balloon launched on 16th April 2023. It has already completed 3 revolutions
about the Earth’s southern hemisphere flying at about 108,000 feet.
Key Highlights:
i.The 2nd Balloon is flying with the Extreme Universe Space Observatory 2 (EUSO-2), a science mission from
the University of Chicago, Illinois, that aims to build on data collected during a mission in 2017.
ii. EUSO-2 will detect ultra-high energy cosmic-ray particles from beyond our galaxy as they enter Earth’s
atmosphere.
iii. About the Super Pressure Balloon (SPB):
• Helium-filled and almost the size of a football stadium when completely inflated, the 18.8 million
cubic foot (532,000 cubic metres) balloon has an operational float height of around 110,000 feet
(33.5 miles).
• Wānaka, New Zealand, is NASA’s dedicated launch site for mid-latitude, long-duration balloon
missions.
iv. NASA’s balloons are fabricated by Raven Aerostar, a world leader in the design and manufacture of
aerospace platforms.
i. The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) team of NASA has launched more than 1,700 scientific
balloons over some 40 years of operations.
ii. NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, United States of America (USA), manages the agency’s scientific

balloon flight program with 10 to 15 flights annually from launch sites worldwide.
iii. Peraton Inc, which operates NASA’s CSBF in Texas, USA, provides mission planning, engineering services,
and field operations for NASA’s scientific balloon program.
OBITUARY
Eminent Singer Kalyani Kazi Passed Away
On 12th May 2023, Kalyani Kazi, the eminent singer and the youngest daughter-in-law of poet Kazi Nazrul
Islam, passed away in Kolkata, West Bengal, at the age of 87.
• Kalyani Kazi was a member of the advisory council of Poschimbongo Kazi Nazrul Islam Akademi
• She was honoured with the Sangeet Mahasamman Award from West Bengal in 2015.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Lithuanian Embassy releases Comic Book Titled “First Lithuanian Travelers in India”
On 10th May 2023, the embassy of Lithuania released a comic titled “First Lithuanian Travelers in India”,
which was launched by Diana Mickevičienė, Lithuanian ambassador to India.
• The comic book, which has been translated into Hindi, has been released as a sign of friendship
between the two nations.
• The comic book depicts real historical personalities men and women from Lithuania whose
individual discovery of India was the first recorded connection between the two countries.
• The comic is based on the historical books, India & Lithuania: A Personal Bond and From Lithuania
to Santiniketan Schlomith Flaum & Rabindranath Tagore.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Migratory Bird Day 2023 – May 13
United Nations (UN)’s (backed campaign) World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is annually observed across the
globe on 2 occasions (2 peak days each year), the 2nd Saturday in May and in October, to raise awareness
about the importance of migratory birds and their conservation.
World Migratory Bird Day 2023 falls on 13th May 2023 and 14th October 2023.
• World Migratory Bird Day 2022 was observed on 14th May & 8th October 2022.
• World Migratory Bird Day 2024 will be observed on 11th May & 12th October 2024.
The Theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2023 is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. It was also the campaign
slogan of WMBD 2023.

• Activities to mark the campaign will be held globally on two peak days in May and October under the
theme of WMBD 2023.
• WMBD 2023 campaign focuses on water and its significance for migratory birds.
The annual observance of the WMBD is led by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the leading
environmental authority in the UN system.
Note:
• 2nd Saturday of May- celebrated in the United States of America (USA)
• 2nd Saturday of October- celebrated in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Background:
i. The idea of World Migratory Bird Day was 1st originated in the USA in 1993.
ii. WMBD was initiated in 2006 by a collaborative partnership among 2 UN wildlife treaties, the Convention on
the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of
African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the non-profit organization, Environment for the Americas
(EFTA).
• The day was initiated on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the AEWA in 2005, which was held
in Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia.
iii. The 1st ever WMBD was launched by AEWA and CMS on the weekend of 8-9 April 2006.
Why May & October?
The 2 peak days (WMBD) each year reflect the cyclical nature of bird migration as well as the various peak
migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Importance of Water to Migratory Birds:
i. The organizations behind World Migratory Bird Day urge decision-makers at the UN 2023 Water Conference
to consider the value of water for migratory birds.
ii. Migratory birds rely on water and its associated habitats, such as wetlands, for migration, breeding, and
wintering.
iii. Globally, aquatic environments are increasingly threatened, and migratory birds that depend on them are in
danger too.
• The risk is due to human activities such as intensive agriculture, rapid urbanization, and other forms
of development, as well as pollution and climate change.
Key Points:
i. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and CMS, 35% of the world’s wetlands,
critical to migratory birds, have been lost in the last 50 years.
ii.The Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and the eighth-
largest terminal lake in the world, is in danger of disappearing within 5 years.
The lake and associated ecosystems are used annually by millions of wetland birds with records of 42
shorebird species, 38 waterfowl species, and 18 species of colonial-nesting waterbirds.
iii. According to State of World’s Birds, around 48% of bird species worldwide are known or suspected to be
experiencing population declines due to human-influenced factors such as loss or degradation of habitats,
changes in land use, overexploitation, and climate change,
Observance in India:
i.The World Migratory Bird Day was observed as a part of the Mass Mobilization for Mission LiFE(Lifestyle for
Environment), a campaign which is scheduled to run for one month till June 5, 2023. The campaign is organised
across India in run-up to World Environment Day 2023(5th June 2023).
• The events were jointly organised by the National Zoological Park in collaboration with the National
Museum of Natural History under the theme: “Water and its Importance for Migratory Bird”.

International Day of Plant Health 2023 – May 12
United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) is annually observed across the globe
on May 12 to create global awareness of the importance of plant health to end hunger, reduce poverty, protect
biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development.
• 12th May 2023 marks the observance of the 2nd International Day of Plant Health.
The theme of International Day of Plant Health 2023 is “Plant Health for Environmental Protection”.
The annual observance of the International Day of Plant Health is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations(FAO), in collaboration with the International Plant Protection Convention.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/76/256 on 29th March 2022
and proclaimed May 12 of every year as the International Day of Plant Health.
ii. The 1st ever International Day of Plant Health was observed on 12th May 2022.
Note:
• The day follows as a legacy of the UN’s International Year of Plant Health observed in 2020.
• The Year was extended until 1 July 2021 due to the postponement of some key initiatives caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Significance:
i. According to the UN resolution, protecting plant health is vital to the sustainable development of agriculture
required to feed a growing global population by 2050.
ii. The idea for IDPH was promoted by Zambia with the help of a suggestion from its national plant protection
organisation.
Importance of Plant:
i. Plants provide 98% of the oxygen humans breathe, 80% of the food consumed by people, fibres for clothes,
and other lifestyle items.
ii. Plants give shelter to countless birds and other living beings.
iii. According to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), around 40% of food crops get damaged
annually due to diseases and pests.
Plant Production and Protection:
i. The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) supports countries in the transition to sustainable crop
production systems.
ii. NSP works with countries and a broad range of partners in developing and promoting agroecological
approaches to sustainable crop production that builds on ecosystem services while enhancing and protecting
the underlying natural resource base.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO):
Establishment- 1945

STATE NEWS
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched ‘Him Data Portal’ for better digital
services
On May 12 2023, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Him data
portal‘, a common digital platform to improve the delivery of welfare schemes by integrating real-time and
accurate data of all government bodies to better serve the public.
• The launch was made at a conference organised by the Bharti Institute of Public Policy of the Indian
School of Business (ISB) on governance and technology at Mohali, Punjab.
• The portal was developed in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology,
Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Benefits of the portal:
i.Objective: The Him Data Portal aims to serve as a one-stop platform to provide easy access to more than 200
datasets with all State-specific information available at the highest accuracy including block and village-level
information.
ii.It will improve the efficiency and transparency in the working of the state government.
iii. The data portal will bring valuable data from multiple domains together and help in visualising patterns,
gaps, opportunities and connections together.
iv.Smart recovery process and connected system outages to benefit both the public and the state government.
Time saving, transparent as well as efficient.
Knowledge Partner: The knowledge partner, Indian School of Business (ISB) in Punjab, would help in making
the Himachal Data Portal more useful. The state government and the ISB plans to work together in the fields of
education, information technology, forests and governance.
Note: ISB was also invited to set up a Center for Policy Research in Himachal Pradesh.
Project Him Parivar & Him Pulse:
i.Govt of Himachal Pradesh plans to start the project ‘Him Parivar’ from July 2023, which will give a special
digital identity to the people of the State.
• Information about essential facilities like ration card, family register, electricity, drinking water etc
would be available on a single click through Him Parivar Project.
ii.The project will also strengthen the State’s benefit delivery systems through ‘Him Pulse’ which will support
and enhance the capacity of Him Parivar in linking digital identity to the delivery of benefits to the targeted
population.
• Him Pulse’ was designed to enhance governance, help with last-mile delivery, and assess the trends
of inclusion and exclusion of welfare beneficiaries.
Note – As per the statement of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, people associated with the ‘Him Pariyojna’ project
would get information about various welfare schemes easily.

About Himachal Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Governor– Shiv Pratap Shukla
Wildlife Sanctuary– Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. MoD approves 4th Positive Indigenisation List to promote Aatmanirbharta in Defence

2. SCO adopted India’s proposal to adopt Digital Public Infrastructure
3. Union Minister Jitendra Singh graced the Valedictory Ceremony of National Technology Week
2023 at Delhi
4. REMC Ltd launches National Energy Management Centre for Indian Railways
5. Samudra Shakti 23: 4th India-Indonesia Bilateral Naval Exercise at Batam, Indonesia
6. WHO launches framework to help reduce anaemia in women of reproductive age
7. RBI asks banks to complete transition away from LIBOR from July 1, 2023
8. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Launches New Debt Fund ‘ICICI Pru Constant Maturity Fund’
9. IRDAI forms 5-Member Committee under Chairmanship of Pratima Murthy to Advice on Mental
Health Cover
10. Netherlands becomes India’s 3rd Largest Export Destination in FY23 after US, UAE
11. Pakistani-Canadian Author Musharraf Ali Farooqi wins the Inaugural Armory Square Prize for
Translation
12. Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood Appointed as CBI Director for 2 years
13. Indian Navy Scuccessfully Test-fired BrahMos Missile from INS Mormugao
14. Bhupender Yadav launched Meri LiFE App, track the progress made on Mission LiFE
15. Bus-sized Asteroid 2023 JL1 Passes Earth on 15th May 2023
16. ISSF World Cup Baku 2023: India ends campaign with four medals
17. Telangana’s Vuppala Prraneeth becomes India’s 82nd Grandmaster
18. Ruskin Bond Authored a New Book Titled “The Golden Years”
19. International Day of Families 2023 – May 15
20. MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Flags off 406 Veterinary Ambulances

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoD approves 4th Positive Indigenisation List to promote Aatmanirbharta in Defence
On May 14, 2023, the Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved 4th Positive
Indigenization List (PIL) of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units (LRUs)/Sub-systems/Spares &
Components including high-end materials & spares.
• The import substitution value of this list is worth Rs 715 crore.

• Details of these items are available on SRIJAN Portal.
• These will only be procured from the Indian Industry after the timelines indicated in the list.
Reason behind PIL in Defence:
To promote Aatmanirbharta in defence
To minimize imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)
Key Points:
i.This fourth list is a follow up to the previous three PILs involving LRUs/Sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-
assemblies/Spares & Components which were notified by the Department of Defence Promotion(DDP)/MoD in
December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022 respectively.
ii.These lists contain 2,500 items which are already indigenized and 1,238 (351+107+780) items which will be
indigenized within the given timelines.
• Of 1,238, 310 items (1st PIL – 262, 2nd PIL – 11, 3rd PIL – 37) have been indigenized, so far.
iii.The DPSUs will indigenize items via various routes under ‘Make’ category & in-house development using
MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), private Indian industry which will promote economic growth,
defense investment, reduce import dependence, and enhance domestic defense industry’s design capabilities.
SCO adopted India’s Proposal to Adopt Digital Public Infrastructure

On May 13, 2023, the members of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) unanimously adopted India’s
proposal to support the development and adoption of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) like Aadhaar,
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and DigiLocker.

• The proposal was adopted during the meeting between the Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Ministers of SCO member states chaired by Union Minister Ashwini
Vaishnaw, Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY), Government of India.
Note: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), blocks or platforms built either by private or government agencies
with government support, are meant to deliver essential services in the digital space.
Key Points:
i.The DPI aims to deploy digital technology among SCO member states and ensure digitally inclusive growth.
ii.The SCO recognizes the need for interoperability and setting common standards for digital systems.
iii.India is also planning to invest $3 billion to take mobile connectivity to villages in remote areas and $5
billion to bring broadband connectivity to all 250,000 Gram Panchayats.
iv.India will also chair the Annual Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) summit in December.
The SCO consists of eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and
Uzbekistan), four Observer States (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) aiming for full membership, and
six Dialogue Partners (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey).
Union Minister Jitendra Singh graced the Valedictory Ceremony of National Technology Week
2023 at Delhi
On 14th May 2023, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge) for Science and
Technology, graced the valedictory ceremony of the 4-day long event “National Technology Week 2023”
(11th to 14th May 2023) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• During the valedictory ceremony Technology Development Board (TDB) conferred the National
Technology Awards 2023 upon Industries, Entrepreneurs & Scientists who contributed to bringing
innovation to the market and support in contributing to the vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.”
• The National Technology Awards 2023 was conferred to 11 winners following the two-tier
evaluation process.
National Technology Awards 2023
The National Technology Awards was presented under 5 categories: Main, MSME(Micro, Small & Medium
Enterprises), Startup, Translational Research and Technology Business Incubator.
The winners were chosen from various industries for successful commercialization of innovative indigenous
technology, scientists involved in research and Technology Business Incubators.
Winners of National Technology Awards 2023
National Technology Award (Main):
Winner: MyLab Discovery Solutions Private Limited, Maharashtra

Prize: Rs.25 Lakh and a trophy
Reason: For successfully indigenising the CNATSpert ID TripleH Detection Kit which offers all in one
qualitative multiplex Real-Time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for simultaneous detection and
discrimination of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) ,
hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in donated blood in a single tube format.
National Technology Award (MSME):
Prize: Rs. 15 lakhs each and a trophy
Winners:
Winners Reason
Developed indigenous Fixed-wing VTOL UAV- SWITCH UAV that can fly at
Ideaforge Technology diverse terrains and harsh environments, ranging from -30 °C to +55 °C for a
Limited, Maharashtra variety of security and surveillance applications.
Electronics Devices
Worldwide Private Limited, Developed Zero-ventilated induction cap sealing device with the improved
Maharashtra spatial distribution of optimized power loss.
XIOTZ Private Limited,
Karnataka (Women led
MSME) Developed Managed Cyber Assurance Platform.
National Award Under Technology Start-Up:
Prize: Rs 15 lakh each and trophy
Winners:
Winners Reason
Kanpur Flower Recycling developed Fleather- an animal free sustainable alternative to conventional
Private Limited, Uttar Pradesh leather made from flower waste.
Sascan Meditech Private Developed an Oral Scan handheld device to screen for early-stage cancers and
Limited, Kerala for biopsy guidance.
Produced a Novel Multi-Point and Multi-Parameter Sensing to withstand
Xyma Analytics Private Limited., extreme environment in Industrial applications using Patented Ultrasonic
Tamil Nadu, Waveguide based Technology.
WellRx Technologies Private Developed ‘Oil and Gas Wells Rejuvenation Technologies to “Revive” the shut
Limited., Haryana wells and “Increase” the Oil and Gas Production’.
Qzense Labs Private Limited, Developed Early spoilage detection and shelf-life prediction for fresh food
Karnataka (Women led Start up) using artificial olfaction.
National Technology Award- Translational Research
The award is presented to the outstanding contribution of Women Scientists/entrepreneurs in
commercializing innovative indigenous technologies.
Winner: Prof. Govindaraju Thimmaiah
Reason: For Outstanding contribution of Scientists in commercializing innovative indigenous technologies.
He developed a novel drug candidate TGR63 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
National Technology Award-Technology Business Incubator
Winner: T-Hub Foundation, Telangana.
Reason: For outstanding contribution in techno-entrepreneurship development by way of promoting
innovative, technology-driven knowledge, intensive startup enterprises in different technological areas.
National Technology Week 2023 – 11th to 14th May:
The National Technology Week 2023 took place from 11th to 14th May 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi,
Delhi under the theme “School to Startup – igniting young minds to innovate”.
• The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on the occasion of “National
Technology Day 2023 – 11th May”.
• The event marks the celebration of 25 years of National Technology Day.

The National Technology Week was organised with the primary focus on Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
Organisers:
The National Technology Week 2023 was organised by the TBD along with 12 Ministries or Departments.
The organisers of the events includes Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) -NITI Aayog(National Institution for
Transforming India), Department of Science and Technology(DST), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Defence
Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) – Ministry of Defence, Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology, Department of Atomic Energy(DAE), Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology(MeitY), Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Education, Indian Space
Research Organisation(ISRO) and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
REMC Ltd launches National Energy Management Centre for Indian Railways
Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) Limited, a subsidiary of RITES (Rail India Technical and
Economic Service) Limited, has set up a National Energy Management Centre (NEMC) that has been established
at its office in Delhi.
The state-of-the-art NEMC was inaugurated by Naveen Gulati, Member Traction & Rolling Stock, Railway
Board, in the presence of Rahul Mithal, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) RITES & Chairman REMC Ltd, and
Additional Member, Traction, Railway Board.
• The aim of the NEMC is to oversee and handle the Procurement of energy for the Railways on a
national scale.
• The NEMC will be pivotal for energy data collection from the 17 State Energy Management Centres
(SEMCs) operating across the Railways.

Samudra Shakti 23: 4th India-Indonesia Bilateral Naval Exercise at Batam, Indonesia
Samudra Shakti-23, the 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral Naval Exercise between the Indian Navy (IN)
and Indonesian Navy (IDN) is being held at Batam, Indonesia from May 14-19, 2023.
Aim:
To enhance interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies.
Representors:
IN– INS (Indian Naval Ship) Kavaratti, an indigenously designed & built ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare)
Corvette; Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft, and Chetak helicopter
IDN– KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and AS565 Panther Helicopter
• KRI stands for Kapal Perang Republik Indonesia, or Naval Vessel of the Republic of Indonesia.
Note: The 3rd edition of the Bilateral Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ was held in September 2021 in Jakarta,
Indonesia.
Key Points:
i.The exercise consists of Harbour phase and sea phase.
• While the harbour phase will see Cross deck visits, professional Interactions, Subject Matter Expert
Exchanges, and sports fixtures; the sea phase will have planned weapon firing, Helicopter
Operations, Anti-submarine warfare & air defence exercises and boarding operations.
ii.The exercise will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared
commitment towards peace and stability in the region.
• Samudra Shakti was commenced in 2018 between IN and IDN.
About Indonesia:
President– Joko Widodo
Currency– Indonesian Rupiah
WHO launches framework to help reduce anaemia in women of reproductive age

The World Health Organisation (WHO) launches its first-ever comprehensive framework on reducing
anaemia, Accelerating anaemia reduction: a comprehensive framework for action, calling on countries to
accelerate action to reduce the prevalence of anaemia in women of reproductive age by 2025.
• The United Nations Health Agency launched a comprehensive framework on reducing anaemia
during the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC) 2023 held from May 8-11
2023, in Cape Town, South Africa.
• This framework proposes strategic, effective and implementable actions which, by leading to the
reduction of anaemia, will improve health and accelerate progress toward national and global
targets.
• Anaemia is a serious global public health problem, affecting 571 million women and 269 million
young children worldwide.

Framework:
i. The new Framework has set out ways to address the following fundamental drivers of Anaemia:
• The direct causes
• Risk factors
• Broad social inequities
ii. The framework also proposes actions that other societal stakeholders can take, including Governments, civil
society, academia, researchers, funding agencies, international organisations and media.
Global Target:
i. Reduction of anaemia is one of the World Health Assembly’s (the decision-making body of WHO) Global
Nutrition Targets for 2025, which is accorded as a 50% reduction of anaemia in women of reproductive age.
ii. Though some progress in reducing anaemia has been achieved, global progress on reducing anaemia is not
on track for reaching the 2025 target accorded by the World Health Assembly.
Analysis:
In 2019, anaemia affected:
• 40% of children between 6 months and 5 years of age;
• 37% of pregnant women;
• 30% of women of 15–49 years of age.
The scenario is most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Anaemia increases the risk of infections
and death, damages cognitive performance, and causes extreme fatigue, poor pregnancy outcomes, etc. Simply,
it is a strong indicator of overall health.
Problems for Pregnant women with Anaemia:
i.Iron Deficiency: The major work on addressing anaemia has been focused on the prevention and treatment
of iron deficiency. Consumption of at least 90 iron-containing supplements during pregnancy can reduce
maternal anaemia by up to 70%.
ii.Pregnant women with anaemia (iron deficiency) are at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes including
preterm delivery, delivering a low-birth-weight baby, preeclampsia, caesarean delivery, maternal death, and
perinatal death.
iii.Children born to mothers who are anaemic are likely to suffer from the blood disorder which may continue
during the life course.
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director General– Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland.
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI asks banks to Ensure Complete Transition away from LIBOR from July 1, 2023
On May 12, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued an advisory to banks and other RBI-regulated entities
to ensure a complete transition from the international benchmark reference rate US$ London Interbank
Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the Mumbai Interbank Forward Outright Rate (MIFOR) from July 1, 2023.
• After June 30, 2023, Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd. (FBIL) will cease to publish Mumbai
Interbank Forward Outright Rate (MIFOR).
Note: LIBOR has been a globally accepted key benchmark interest rate that indicates borrowing costs between
banks.
Key Points:
i.Banks / Financial Institutions (FIs) have been advised to ensure that no new transactions undertaken by them
or their customers rely on or are priced using the US$ LIBOR (including transactions that reference MIFOR).
ii.In this regard, banks/FIs will develop systems and processes to manage the complete transition away from
LIBOR. RBI will continue to monitor for ensuring a smooth transition from LIBOR.

Background:
i.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), United Kingdom (UK) on March 05, 2021 had announced that all
LIBOR settings will either cease to be provided by any administrator or no longer be representative.
ii.On July 2021, RBI issued an advisory on ’Roadmap for LIBOR Transition’ to banks and other RBI-regulated
entities to prepare for the transition from LIBOR, to any other widely accepted Alternate Reference Rates
(ARR). Click here to know more
Additional info: RBI has been proactively taking steps to deal with the issues around LIBOR transition.
About the Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
i.The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve
Bank of India Act, 1934.
ii.Though originally privately owned, since nationalization in 1949, the Reserve Bank is fully owned by the
Government of India.
iii.Thus, 2023 marks the 75th year of public ownership of the Reserve Bank and its emergence as a national
institution.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Launches New Debt Fund ‘ICICI Pru Constant Maturity Fund’
On May 15, 2023, the ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited launched a new debt
fund ‘ICICI Pru Constant Maturity Fund’ which will be available for investments with the Company’s flagship
Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP) offerings like ICICI Pru Signature, ICICI Pru Smart Life and ICICI
Pru LifeTime Classic.
• ICICI Pru Constant Maturity Fund is the first-of-its-kind debt fund in the fixed-income ULIP space
in India’s life insurance market.
• The fund is available with Unit Linked Products from May 15, 2023.
• Objective: To enable its customers to lock-in their investments at high current interest rates, build
long-term wealth, and achieve financial goals.

Key Points:
i.ULIPs provide customers with a unique proposition of life cover, financial security to the family and facilitate
building wealth over the long-term.
ii.ULIPs provide customers with a unique proposition of life cover, financial security to the family and long-
term wealth building.
iii.Tax benefits: If annual investments made are up to Rs 2.5 lakh and with a life cover of 10 times the annual
premium, maturity proceeds are tax-free for customers.
iv.Wealth Creation: As the investment in the fund is locked up for a minimum of 5 years with the flexibility to
switch between fund options, it would enable investors to build wealth.
v.The ICICI Pru Constant Maturity Fund is provided with linked savings products.
About ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited
It is promoted by ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited.
Managing Director & CEO – N. S. Kannan
IRDAI forms 5-Member Committee under Chairmanship of Pratima Murthy to Advice on Mental
Health Cover
On May 15, 2023, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) constituted a 5-
member expert committee comprising medical experts and insurers under the chairmanship of Pratima
Murthy, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), to provide advice
and inputs to IRDAI on matters related to mental health and insurance.
Key Points:
i.Objective: To make a complete examination of the various aspects such as types of conditions, and types of
treatments from an insurance perspective to deal with products designed to cover mental illnesses and other
related aspects.
ii.The committee which has a 2-year tenure was directed to advise IRDAI on coverages offered/to be offered
under insurance products, for mental illnesses.
iii.The committee will also guide on the terminology and concept from a medical domain perspective, and
aspects pertaining to mental illnesses from an insurance perspective.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
Chairperson – Debasish Panda
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Establishment – 1999 (Incorporated on 1st April 2000)

ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Netherlands becomes India’s 3rd Largest Export Destination in FY23 after US, UAE
As per the data of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Netherlands emerged as the 3rd largest export
destination for India in Financial Year 2023-23 (FY23) after the United States (US) and United Arab Emirates
(UAE).
India – Netherland Trade Progress FY23:

i.India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands has increased from USD 8 billion in FY22 to USD 13 billion in FY23.
• The trade surplus was mainly due to an increase in the shipment of goods such as petroleum
products, electronic items, chemicals, and aluminium goods.
• As per the economic think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative), ATF (aviation turbine fuel)
and diesel were the key petroleum products exported from India to the Netherlands.
• Telecom equipment and smartphones (with a value of over USD 1 billion) were the largest
electronic items exported.
ii.India’s exports to the Netherlands increased by about 48% to USD 18.52 billion in FY23 as against USD 12.5
billion in FY22.
iii.India’s exports to the Netherlands increased to USD 18.1 billion in 2022 from USD 5.5 billion in 2017.
iv.The Netherlands has taken over major destinations such as the UK, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Germany.
v.The outbound shipments to the European country in FY22 and FY21 stood at USD 12.55 billion and USD 6.5
billion, respectively.
vi.The transition:
• In 2000-01, India’s exports to the Netherlands were USD 880 million, after which the exports are
registering healthy growth continuously till now.
• The Netherlands was the 9th largest destination for Indian exports in FY21 and it became the 5th
largest destination in FY22.
vii.As per the statement of Ajay Sahai, Director General, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)
Netherlands’ ports are very efficient and cheaper than other European ports for shipping operations.
viii.The foreign direct investment (FDI) received from Netherlands to India in FY23 (April-September 2022)
was about USD 1.76 billion. It was USD 4.6 billion in FY22.
Additional info: Over 200 Indian companies, including all the major IT firms such as TCS (Tata Consultancy
Services), HCL, Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra as well as Sun Pharmaceuticals and Tata Steel are operating in
the Netherlands.
According to a report (July 2022) released by the Department for Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade
(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Andhra Pradesh (AP) has emerged as India’s top
investment destination, attracting a substantial share of investments worth Rs. 40,361 crore between January –
July 2022.

About Netherlands:
Prime Minister – Mark Rutte
Capital – Amsterdam
Currency – Euro (EUR)

Pakistani-Canadian Author Musharraf Ali Farooqi wins the Inaugural Armory Square Prize for
Translation
On 8th May 2023, Pakistani-Canadian author, translator, and storyteller, Musharraf Ali Farooqi, who
translated Siddique Alam’s short story collection “The Kettledrum and Other Stories” from Urdu to English, won
the inaugural edition of the Armory Square Prize for South Asian Literature in Translation.
• As part of the prize, the Kettledrum and Other Stories will be published by Open Letter Books in
2024.
About the Armory Square Prize:
i. The Armory Square Prize for South Asian Literature in Translation is an annual effort launched in July 2022.
ii. The Prize is given to address the stark disparities in literary translation worldwide and support compelling
storytellers from the Indian Subcontinent by raising their visibility in the United States of America (USA).
iii. It is sponsored by New York (USA)- based venture capital firm, Armory Square Ventures.
Click here for the finalist of the Armory Square Prize.
About Musharraf Ali Farooqi:
i. Literary translator Musharraf Ali Farooqi was born on 26 July 1968 in Hyderabad, Pakistan. He has over 2
decades of experience as an author, novelist, translator, and storyteller.
ii. His translations from classical and contemporary works include “The Adventures of Amir Hamza”, “Fabulous
Machinery for the Curious (Qissa anthology)”, “Hoshruba”, Syed Muhammad Ashraf’s “The Beast”, and Afzal
Ahmed Syed’s “Rococo and Other Worlds”.
iii. He founded the publishing house KITAB (2012), launched the online index Urdu Thesaurus (2016), and
designed the interactive storytelling and reading initiative STORYKIT Program (2016).
• These 3 initiatives have been combined with an activity-based learning program for children.
iv. His novel “Between Clay and Dust” was a finalist for the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize, and his novel “The
Story of a Widow” was a finalist for the 2013 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
About “The Kettledrum”:
The book “The Kettledrum” tells the story of an Adivasi matriarch living with the ghost of her deceased
husband, weaving in legends that animate tribal communities and their rapidly receding traditions.

Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood Appointed as CBI Director for 2 years
On May 14 2023, according to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order, Karnataka Director
General of Police (DGP) Praveen Sood was appointed as the new director of the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) after his name was finalized by a three-member high-powered selection committee led
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Approval of the Competent Authority conveyed the appointment of Praveen Sood, as Director, CBI
for a period of two years, extendable for up to five years.
• The outgoing CBI Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal’s two-year tenure will end on May 25 2023. He is a
1985-batch IPS (Indian Police Service) officer from the Maharashtra cadre, who is going to complete
his tenure, and took over as CBI director on May 26 2021.
• Through the appointment, Praveen Sood will be in charge of the affairs of the premier investigating
agency during the 2024 general elections.
Selection Panel:
i. A high-powered 3-member panel comprising:
Narendra Modi- Prime Minister of India;
DY Chandrachud- Chief Justice of India and
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury- Leader of the Opposition (Congress Party) in the Lok Sabha.
ii. Three shortlisted names were sent to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and apart from
Praveen Sood, the other two names in the list were:
Sudhir Kumar Saxena- DGP, Madhya Pradesh
Taj Hassan- Director General FSCD (Fire Service, Civil Defence) and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA).
iii. Praveen Sood was scheduled to retire in 2024, now he will have a fixed two-year tenure as a CBI director.
Career of Praveen Sood:
i. In 1989, Praveen Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre started his career as assistant
Superintendent of Police (SP) of Mysore, Karnataka.
ii. He later served as Superintendent of Police, in Bellary and Raichur districts of Karnataka and from 2004 to
2007, he served as a Commissioner of Police of Mysore City, Karnataka.
iii. Till 2011, he worked as an additional police commissioner in Bengaluru’s (Karnataka) traffic police.
iv. He has also served as a police advisor in a deputation to the government of Mauritius.
v. In January 2020 he was appointed as the DGP of Karnataka.
Honours:
i. Praveen Sood was awarded with the Chief Minister’s Gold Medal for excellence in service in 1996.
ii. He also won the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002 and the President’s Police Medal for
Distinguished Service in 2011.

iii. In 2011, he earned the National E-Governance Gold Award for “Most innovative use of technology for traffic
management.
About Karnataka:
Chief Minister– Basavaraj Bommai
Governor– Thawar Chand Gehlot
Tiger Reserve– Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Bhadra Tiger Reserve

Indian Navy Successfully Test-fired BrahMos Missile from INS Mormugao
On May 14, 2023, a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from the Indian Navy’s
frontline guided missile destroyer INS (Indian Naval Ship) Mormugao.
• The indigenous ship (INS Mormugao) and weapon (BrahMos supersonic cruise missile), mark the
symbol of ‘AatmaNirbharta’ and the Indian Navy’s firepower at sea.
• This marks INS Mormugao’s first BrahMos Supersonic cruise missile firing.
About BrahMos Missile:
i.It is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms and is
already inducted by the Indian Armed Forces.
ii.The missiles fly at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.
iii.BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between the Indian Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniyan, produces supersonic cruise
missiles.
Additional info:
BrahMos Tests are being carried out on a regular basis to extend the ranges from the original 290 kms to
around 450 kms and 600 km.
Indian Navy has already successfully conducted a test from another indigenous stealth missile destroyer INS
Visakhapatnam.
India is also exporting BrahMos missiles:
• The Philippines was the first country to buy the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. The
BrahMos missile is acquired by the Philippines Army under the Horizon 3 Modernisation
programme of the Philippines (Year 2023-2027).
• In January 2022, the Philippines signed the ‘notice of award’ for supplying the missile system for the
Philippine Navy. India signed a US$375 million deal with the Philippines for supplying three
batteries for the missile. Click here to know more
INS Mormugao: INS Mormugao (D67) is the second warship of the Visakhapatnam class (P-15 Bravo class) of
stealth guided-missile destroyers, of the Indian Navy was built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL),
Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was launched on 17 September 2016 and commissioned on 18 December 2022.

About Indian Navy
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral R Hari Kumar
Establishment – 26 January 1950
Bhupender Yadav launched Meri LiFE App, track the progress made on Mission LiFE
On May 15 2023, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change launched a
mobile application named Meri LiFE (My life) in New Delhi, Delhi to activate the youth action for climate
change.
• This app is inspired by the concept of LiFE, envisioned by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi at
COP (Conference of the Parties) 26, which emphasises mindful and deliberate utilisation instead of
mindless and wasteful consumption.
Note: On 20 October 2022, Mission LiFE was launched by PM Narendra Modi at Kevadia, Gujarat, which is a
global mass movement to encourage individual and community action to protect the environment.
Objective:
i. The Meri LiFE app will showcase the power of citizens, especially young people in saving the environment.
ii. This app will help in creating a structured way to track the progress being made on Mission LiFE.
Key People involved:
The Meri LiFE App was launched in the presence of:
Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; C.P. Goyal, Director General of
Forest and Special Secretary; Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief of GenU (Generation Unlimited), Youth Development,
and Partnerships, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) India.
Central Ministry:
i. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry for national-level coordination
and implementation of Mission LiFE.
ii. The Ministry has mobilised Central Ministries, State Governments, Institutions and private organisations to
align their activities with LiFE and spread awareness about the reasonable actions that individuals can
undertake, as part of its implementation efforts.
Portal for LiFE:
The Environment Ministry has developed two dedicated portals for LiFE, in order to create a structured
reporting format that can track the progress being made on LiFE and they are:
i. The Mission LiFE Portal (missionlife-moefcc.nic.in)- open access and can be used to download more than
100 creatives, videos, and knowledge materials that have been developed by the ministry for LiFE.
ii. The Meri LiFE Portal (merilife.org)- has been developed for ministries and institutions to upload event
reports and capture the progress of the mass mobilisation drive.
Meri LiFE App:
The app is available in Google PlayStore, and once signed in the users will be guided to participate in a series of
LiFE related tasks under the following 5 themes:

• Save Energy;
• Save Water;
• Reduce Single Use Plastic;
• Adopt Sustainable Food Systems;
• Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle.
World Environment Day 2023
On June 5 2023, this mass mobilisation campaign will build up on the occasion of World Environment Day
2023. The theme for World Environment Day 2023 is Solutions to Plastic Pollution.
Note: The above theme is a topic which aligns with one of the 7 themes of Mission LiFE: “Reducing the use of
single-use plastic items”.
Bus-sized Asteroid 2023 JL1 Passes Earth on 15th May 2023

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an American space agency, has issued an alert that
the 39-foot bus-sized Asteroid 2023 JL1 will pass by Earth at a distance of 2,490,000 km on 15th May 2023. It
is travelling at a speed of 26,316 kilometres per hour (km/hr). The asteroid 2023 JL1 is classified as an Earth
Close Approach.
• The scientists of NASA have also alerted about 2 other big-size asteroids named 2023 JO1 and 2023
JD2, which are also expected to make their closest approach to Earth soon.
• 2023 JO1- 46-foot house-sized asteroid, which will pass Earth at a distance of 2,990,000 km on 16th
May 2023.
• 2023 JD2- 200-foot aeroplane-sized asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of 5,630,000 km on 16th
May 2023.
SPORTS
ISSF World Cup Baku 2023: India ends campaign with four medals
Indian rifle and pistol shooters finished the International Shooting Sport Federation(ISSF) World Cup
Rifle/Pistol 2023 held in Baku, Azerbaijan with 4 medals (1 Gold; 2 Silver and 1 Bronze).
• India finished 2nd in the overall medal tally with 4 medals. China topped the medal tally with 7
medals (4 Gold; 1 Silver and 2 Bronze) while the Islamic Republic of Iran finished 3rd with 2
medals (1 Gold and 1 Silver).
About World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2023 Baku:
The World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2023 Baku was the penultimate stage of the ISSF World Cup for rifle and pistol
shooters.
The final stage will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before the ISSF World Championships which will be held in
November 2023 in Doha, Qatar.
Key Points:
i.Sarabjot Singh and Divya TS won the Gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team

• This marks the 2nd ISSF World Cup gold for Sarabjot, who had previously won the gold medal in
men’s 10m air pistol at ISSF World Cup Bhopal in March 2023. This also marks Divya’s 1st senior
ISSF medal at this level.
ii.21-year-old Hriday Hazarika and 19-year-old Nancy Mandhotra won the Silver medal in men’s 10m air rifle
and women’s 10m air rifle respectively.
• This marks the first ISSF World Cup medal for both Hriday Hazarika and Nancy Mandhotra.
iii.19-year-old Rhythm Sangwan won the bronze in women’s 10m air pistol. This marks her first senior ISSF
World Cup medal.
• She scored 595 in the qualification round of the women’s 25m pistol event and broke the 29-year-
old world record of 594 points in the women’s 25m pistol event, set by Bulgarian shooter Diana
Iorgova in 1994.
• She also broke the junior women’s 25m pistol qualification record of 593 set by Russia’s Nino
Salukvadze in 1989.
• Rhythm Sangwan topped the qualification round but finished 8th in the finals.
Indian Winners of ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2023 :
Event Indian Winners Medal
10m air pistol mixed team Sarabjot Singh & Divya TS Gold
Men’s 10m air rifle Hriday Hazarika Silver
Women’s 10m air rifle Nancy Mandhotra Silver
Women’s 10m air pistol Rhythm Sangwan Bronze
Telangana’s Vuppala Prraneeth becomes India’s 82nd Grandmaster

On May 13 2023, 16-year-old Vuppala Prraneeth from Telangana, has become India’s
82nd GrandMaster (GM) by defeating GM Hans Niemann from United States of America (USA) in the
penultimate round of the Baku Open 2023, which took place from May 4-12, in Baku Crystal Hall, Baku,
Azerbaijan.
• With this win Vuppala Prraneeth crossed the required 2500 FIDE’s (International Chess Federation
or World Chess Federation) Elo live ratings, to achieve the GM title.
• He is the sixth Grandmaster from the Telangana State.
Note:
• Indian GM Leon Luke Mendonca won the Baku Open 2023 title defeating Vuppala Prraneeth in the
final round of Baku Open 2023.
• Baku Open 2023 is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who
served as the President of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003.
Vuppala Prraneeth GM norms:
i. VuppalaPrraneeth obtained his first GM-norm and the title of International Master (IM) at the First Saturday
Chess tournament in March 2022 at in Budapest, Hungary.
ii. In July 2022, he earned his second GM norm at Master Tournament (MTO) Biel International Chess Festival

2022, in Switzerland.
iii. In 2023, he earned his third IM-norm at the 2nd Chessable Sunway Formentera Open 2023, in Spain.
Additional Info:
i. VuppalaPrraneeth hails from Ilagadapa village, in Nalgonda district of Telangana.
ii. He started playing chess at the age of just 5 and also holds the distinction of being a former world number 1
in the under-11 age group category.
iii.Till 2021, Vuppala Prraneeth was trained by N.V.S. Ramaraju, and now he is being trained by GM Victor
Mekhalevski from Israel.
iv. He will next participate in the Asian Continental Chess Championship 2023, which is going to be held from
June 3-12, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Ruskin Bond Authored a New Book Titled “The Golden Years”
Ruskin Bond, an Indian author, authored a new book titled “The Golden Years: The Many Joys of Living a
Good Long Life”, published by HarperCollins India, which is scheduled to be released on 19th May 2023 (on
the occasion of his 89th Birthday). The book is about the last 20 to 30 years of his life (60s, 70s and 80s).
• Ruskin Bond was born on 19th May 1934 in Kasauli, Punjab States Agency, British India.
• He wrote his 1st book “The Room on the Roof” at the age of 17. It was a semi-autobiographical story
with Rusty being the protagonist.
• Ruskin Bond was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 for “Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra”.
• He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and Padma Bhushan in 2014 for Literature and
Education.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Families 2023 – May 15
The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Families is annually observed across the globe on May 15 to
celebrate the importance of families and highlight their role in society.
• The day aims to raise awareness about the social, economic, and demographic changes that impact
families worldwide.
International Day of Families 2023 was observed on 15th May 2023 under the theme “Demographic Trends
and Families”.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution 44/82 in 1989 and proclaimed the year
1994 as the “International Year of the Family”.

ii. In 1993, UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/47/237 titled “International Year of the Family” and declared
May 15 of every year as the International Day of Families.
iii. The 1st ever International Day of Families was observed on 15th May 1994.
30th Anniversary of International Year of the Family-2024:
i. As part of the preparations for the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, 2024 (IYF+30),
the 2023 observance of the International Day of Families focuses on the megatrend of demographic change and
its impact on families.
ii. The event is to share current knowledge about demographic trends, such as,
• ageing, and intergenerational solidarity;
• facilitate the analysis of their impacts on family life;
• recommend family-oriented policies that respond to the needs of families around the world.
Demographic Trends and Families:
i. The world’s population has reached 8 billion people by the end of 2022.
ii. It described as a “milestone in human development” by the UN Secretary-General, is an example of how
significant improvements in health have increased human lifespans.
iii. It is projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 in 2100 rising concerns about the prospects of
sustainable urbanization and management of climate change.
iv. One of the most significant megatrends affecting the world and the lives and well-being of families
everywhere is demographic change. Demographic trends are mostly shaped by fertility and mortality patterns.
Events 2023:
The event for International Day of Families 2023 includes:
• Launch of the Background Paper on “The Impact of Demographic Trends on Families”.
• Presentation of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)’s report
titled “World Social Report 2023: Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World”.
• Presentation on intergenerational equity and solidarity.
• An overview of recommendations of policies in response to demographic trends Presentation of civil
society initiatives for IYF+30.
• Interactive discussion with audience participation.
Key Points:
i. In 2019, the global life expectancy at birth was 72.8 years, an increase of about 9 years since 1990.
• Nearly 12% of the global population will be 65 or older by 2030.
• The average life expectancy is projected to be around 77.2 years old by 2050.
ii. In urban regions, approximately 23% of people (or more than 1 billion people) live in slums.
iii. According to the UN, a growth of 1% in an urban population increases the incidence of slums by 5.3% in
Asia and 2.3% in Africa.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General- António Guterres
Headquarters- New York, USA
Establishment- 1945
STATE NEWS
MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Flags off 406 Veterinary Ambulances
On 12th May 2023, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister (CM) of Madhya Pradesh (MP) inaugurated a Gau-
Raksha Sankalp Sammelan (Cow-Protection Resolution Conference) at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal, MP, and
flagged off 406 veterinary ambulances under the “Pashu Chikitsa Ambulance” (animal ambulance) scheme. The
ambulance, mainly meant for the treatment of cows, will operate in urban areas and all development blocks of
MP.

• Shivraj Singh Chouhan also launched a toll-free number “1962” for the treatment of animals in an
emergency.
• The CM also announced Rs 900 per month to farmers for rearing cows, the first instalment of which
will be released to 22,000 farmers in May 2023. People from the tribal communities will be provided
with a 90% subsidy for buying cows.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Kerala becomes 1st Indian State to launch Welfare Fund for Workers under MGNREGS
2. Govt to develop Indian Carbon Market; MoP, MoEF&CC Plans to Develop Carbon Credit Trading
Scheme
3. MHA prepares “Model Prisons Act 2023” to replace Existing British-era law
4. IIP’s 57th Foundation Day: IIP signed MoUs with various Institutions
5. NSE India Launched Rupee-Denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil & Natural Gas Futures Contracts
6. IRDAI Directs Insurers To Provide Full Insurance Coverage For Surrogacy
7. WB Granted Rs 51 Crore to set up Integrated Road Safety Enforcement system in Shimla &
Nurpur
8. BSE relaunches Sensex & Bankex Derivative Contracts
9. ACC approved the appointment of Ravneet Kaur as Chairperson of CCI
10. ACC appoints Anil Kumar Jain as New PNGRB Chairman
11. Amy Pope of USA Elected as the 1st Woman Director General of UN’s IOM
12. iDEX signs 250th contract, 1st under Mission DefSpace; & 100th SPRINT (Navy) Contract in New
Delhi
13. Vast and SpaceX partnered to launch the first commercial space Station
14. American Economist & Nobel laureate Robert E Lucas Jr Passed Away
15. National Dengue Day – May 16 2023
16. International Day of Living Together in Peace 2023 – May 16
17. International Day of Light 2023 – May 16
18. AP launches ‘e-Chits’ app to Regulate Funds through Online Transactions
19. Himachal Pradesh CM launched ‘Himcare‘ scheme for jail inmates

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Kerala Becomes 1st Indian State to Launch Welfare Fund for Workers under MGNREGS
On May 15, 2023, Kerala became the first state in India to launch a welfare fund for Mahatma Gandhi Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers in the State.
• The initiative was launched by the Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan at
Kotta Maidanam, Palakkad, as part of the 100-day action plan in connection with the state
government’s second anniversary.
• This fund is based upon the Kerala Employment Guarantee Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 2021.
Highlights of Fund:
i.The Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme workers will also be part of the welfare fund.
ii.Under this, the workers who have completed the age of 60 will be entitled to a pension which will also
provide financial assistance for medical treatment, education, and marriage, among other benefits.
Key Points:
i.Under this, the workers need to pay a nominal monthly amount of Rs 50 as a contribution to the fund and the
government will also contribute an equal amount.
• Those who have paid the contributions for ten or more years, and their families will get the benefits
in case of the beneficiary’s death.
ii.Eligibility for membership includes being between 18 to 55 years of age and having engaged in unskilled
work for at least 20 days in the year of application or any year in the two years immediately preceding it.
iii.27 lakh people in Kerala depend on the MGNREGS, and at least 90% of the work (jobs) under the scheme in
Kerala goes to women
iv.This scheme will also aid in the social development of Kerala.
v.Notably through MGNREGS, a family gets an average of 50 days of work at the national level whereas in
Kerala an average of 64 days of work was being provided.
Note – As per the statement of CM the Union Governments fund allocation for MGNREGS was reduced from Rs
1,12,000 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 60,000 crore in 2022-23.
About Kerala:
Governor– Arif Mohammed Khan
Natural Heritage Site– Western Ghats
Bird Sanctuaries– Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Vembanad Bird Sanctuary), Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Govt to develop Indian Carbon Market; MoP, MoEF&CC Plans to Develop Carbon Credit Trading
Scheme
Union Government (Govt) plans to develop the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) where a national framework will
be established to decarbonise the Indian economy by pricing the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions through
trading of the carbon credit certificates.

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Ministry of Power (MoP), along
with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change(MoEF&CC) is developing the Carbon Credit Trading
Scheme for the ICM.
• As India has an energy savings-based market mechanism, the scheme will improve the energy
transition efforts with increased scope and cover the potential energy sectors in India.
A one-day ‘Stakeholder Consultation on Accredited Carbon Verifiers under ICM’ was organized on May 11,
2023, in New Delhi, Deli with participants from key stakeholders including Accredited Energy Auditors,
Carbon/Energy Verifiers, Sector Experts etc.
Key Purpose of ICM:
i.ICM will enable the creation of a competitive market which would provide incentives to climate actors to
adopt low-cost options by attracting technology and finance towards sustainable projects that generate carbon
credits.
ii.Methodologies for the estimation of carbon emissions reductions and removals from various registered
projects would be developed by ICM.
iii.Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) guidelines for the emissions scheme are also planned to be
developed under ICM (after consultation).
• Further, it would also stipulate the required validation, registration, verification, and issuance
processes to operationalize the scheme.
iv.A comprehensive institutional and governance structure with specific roles was planned to be set up for each
party who is involved in the execution of ICM.
Climate Action Target:
i.India is at the forefront of climate action to meet the climate goals through its ambitious Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDC).
• The Union govt is developing the ICM to facilitate the achievement of India’s enhanced climate
targets and to meet future goals.
ii.The ICM will facilitate achieving the NDC goal of reducing the Emissions Intensity of the GDP (Gross Domestic
Product) by 45% by 2030 against 2005 levels.
iii.ICM will mobilize new mitigation opportunities through demand for emission credits by private and public
entities.
About Ministry of Power:
Union Minister – Raj Kumar Singh (Constituency – Arrah, Bihar)
Minister of State(MoS) – Krishan Pal

MHA prepares “Model Prisons Act 2023” to replace Existing British-era law
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared the “Model Prisons Act 2023” which will replace “The
Prisons Act, of 1894”, a 130-year-old British-era law, to overhaul the prison administration that will focus on
the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
• The decision was taken under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and the
guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Apart from ‘The Prisons Act, of 1894’, MHA also reviewed ‘The Prisoners Act, of 1900’ and ‘The
Transfer of Prisoners Act, of 1950’ by taking relevant provisions of these Acts and assimilating them
into the “Model Prisons Act, of 2023”.
• “Model Prisons Act, 2023” allows security assessment and segregation of prisons, separate wards for
women and transgenders and punishment for conniving jail staff among other provisions
• The aim is to provide a guiding document for states to adopt in their jurisdictions and improve
prison systems across India.
IIP’s 57th Foundation Day: IIP signed MoUs with various Institutions
On 14th May 2023, the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mumbai, Maharashtra, signed an official
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with various prestigious institutions, universities &
government bodies on the occasion of IIP’s 57th Foundation Day celebrations at Hotel The Lalit, Andheri,
Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• IIP has signed MoUs with various institutions including The Bihar Agriculture University, Bhagalpur,
Bihar, The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM),
Sonipat, Haryana, The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management
(NIFTEM), Thanjavur(Tamil Nadu-TN), The Tamilnadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University
(TANUVAS), Chennai(TN) and The North East Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation
(NHDC), Guwahati, Assam.
• The MoU was inspired by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Textile; Minister of Commerce and
Industry, Consumer Affairs; Minister of Affairs, and Food and Public Distribution.
• IIP also released a special book on the packaging designs developed by IIP for the ODOP project,
Government of India as a special achievement.
Note: WorldStar Awards by World Packaging Organization (WPO) is coming to India in 2024. India is among
the top 3 at Worldstar Awards 2023.
BANKING & FINANCE

NSE India Launched Rupee-Denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil & Natural Gas Futures
Contracts
On May 15, 2023, the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE India) launched the rupee-denominated New
York Mercantile Exchange’s (NYMEX) West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil and Natural Gas futures
contracts in its commodity derivatives segment.

Backdrop:
i.In February 2023, NSE signed a data licensing agreement with CME Group to list, trade and settle rupee-
denominated NYMEX WTI crude and Henry Hub natural gas derivatives contracts on its platform.
ii.On March 02, 2023, the NSE received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to
launch the rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI crude oil and natural gas futures contracts in its commodity
derivatives segment.
Benefits:
i.The NYMEX WTI contracts will be suitable for FPIs (Foreign Portfolio Investors) to get the benefit of margin
collateral from their cash holdings in NSE to trade in these commodity derivative contracts
ii.The NYMEX WTI will provide effective trading and hedging opportunities to the market participants, with the
availability of key energy products on a single trading platform.
iii.The NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas contracts are among the world’s most traded commodity
derivatives contracts generating interest from across the globe.
About National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE India):
NSE India was incorporated in 1992. It was recognized as a Stock Exchange by SEBI in 1993 and commenced
operations in 1994.
MD & CEO – Ashishkumar Chauhan
IRDAI Directs Insurers To Provide Full Insurance Coverage For Surrogacy

On May 12, 2023, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) directed all insurers
to provide comprehensive insurance coverage for surrogate mothers and oocyte donors in compliance with the
provisions of the two Acts, Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, and Assisted Reproductive Technology
(ART) Act, 2021.
• IRDAI has directed all insurers to comply with the two Acts with immediate effect and ensure that
suitable products are made available.
Key Points:
i.Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021:
• Section 4 (iii)(a)(III) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 states that insurance coverage of
the amount may be prescribed in favour of the surrogate mother for a period of 36 months (3

years) covering postpartum delivery complications from an insurance company or an agent
recognised by the IRDAI.
• Rule 5 of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022 states that the intending woman or couple shall
purchase general health insurance coverage in favour of the surrogate mother for 36 months. The
Insurance coverage should be for an amount sufficient to cover all expenses for all complications
arising out of pregnancy and also cover post-partum delivery complications.
ii.ART Act, 2021:
• Section 22(1)(b) of ART Act, 2021 has stipulated insurance coverage for 12 months from an
insurance company or an agent recognised by the IRDAI in favour of the oocyte donor by the
commissioning couple or woman, for an amount sufficient to cover all expenses for complications
arising due to oocyte retrieval.
Additional info:
i.Surrogacy:
• It is a legal and regulated arrangement in which a woman (the surrogate mother) carries a
pregnancy and gives birth to a child on behalf of another individual or couple (the intended
parents).
• The surrogate mother will agree to nurture the embryo or fetus until birth and transfer parental
rights to the intended parents.
ii.ART: As per the act, ART means all techniques that attempt to obtain a pregnancy by handling the sperm or
the oocyte outside the human body and transferring the gamete or the embryo into the reproductive system of
a woman.
WB Granted Rs 51 Crore to set up Integrated Road Safety Enforcement System in Shimla

& Nurpur
World Bank (WB) has approved a grant of Rs 51 crore for the project to set up an integrated road safety
enforcement system in the Shimla and Nurpur police districts of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and develop the
Palampur-Sheela Chowk in Kangra (HP) as a “safe corridor”.
Integrated Road Safety:

i.The project envisages the establishment of a traffic enforcement control room in Shimla and the allocation of
funds for interceptors and patrol vehicles, an intelligent traffic management system, artificial intelligence (AI)

cameras and rescue equipment.
ii.As per the statement of Sandeep Dhawal, Superintendent of Police, Traffic, 120 locations have been identified
in the Shimla district for the installation of AI-powered cameras.
• The locations include Theog, Rampur, Rohru, Kumarsain, Kotkhai, Nerva, Jubbal, Chopal, Sunni,
Shimla, etc.
Fund Allocation:
i.Under the first phase of the project, Shimla and Nurpur have been selected and a sum of Rs 42 crore (out of
Rs 51 Crore granted by WB) will be spent on both police districts to strengthen their emergency response
systems.
ii.The Palampur-Sheela Chowk stretch of road in Kangra has been chosen to be developed at a cost of Rs 9
crore as a safe corridor under the Safe Corridor Demonstration Programme (SCDP) by making safety
interventions and design improvements.
Data over Road Accidents :
i.According to the analysis of crash data of all districts (over the past few years), site visits, surveys of existing
resources, and identification of black spots and accident-prone stretches, Shimla, Mandi and Kangra districts
are the most accident-prone districts of HP.
ii.The highest number of over 1,170 fatalities were reported out of 2,600 road accidents that occurred in
Shimla from 2017 to 2022.
iii.The number of accidents in HP was reduced from 3,114 in 2017 to about 2,600 in 2022.
World Bank Group President – David Malpass (Ajay Banga will take over as President of WB on 2nd June
2023)
Headquarters – Washington, DC, USA
BSE relaunches Sensex & Bankex Derivative Contracts

On 15th May 2023, BSE (formerly known as the Bombay Stock Exchange), Asia’s oldest stock exchange,
relaunched Sensex and Bankex derivative contracts in its bid to boost derivative trading at India’s premier
bourse.
• The relaunch of derivative contracts comes with a reduced lot size of futures and options and a new
expiry cycle of Friday from Thursday earlier.
• The lot size of futures and options has been reduced to 10 from 15 for Sensex, and to 15 from 20 in
the case of Bankex.
• It evoked a good response from market participants.
• Nearly 100 members participated in trading with a total turnover of Rs 53.12 crores with an open
interest of 252 lots.
Note: BSE launched Sensex-30 derivatives (options and futures), which are made up of 30 of the largest and
most actively traded companies on BSE, for the first time in 2000.

ACC approved the appointment of Ravneet Kaur as Chairperson of CCI
On May 15 2023, The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment
of Ravneet Kaur, a 1988 Punjab cadre IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer, as the Chairperson of
Competition Commission of India (CCI). She has been appointed for a period of 5 years with effect from the
date of assuming the charge or till the date of attaining the age of 65 or until further order.
• Ravneet Kaur becomes the first woman and non-secretary bureaucrat to be appointed as a CCI
Chairperson.

• She will replace CCI Member Sangeeta Verma who has been serving as the interim (acting)
chairperson of CCI since October 2022 after Ashok Kumar Gupta demitted office.
• Ravneet Kaur is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner at
the Department of Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management in Chandigarh, Punjab.
Note: CCI has to have a chairperson, not less than two and not more than six other members, as per the
Competition Act.
About Ravneet Kaur:
Ravneet Kaur has served at various capacities in the government over the period of two decades.
i. From 2006 to 2008, Ravneet Kaur was the Director at Department of Economic Affairs, and from 2008 to
2011 she was the Joint Secretary at the Department of Financial Services and from 2012 to 2013 she served as
the Principal Secretary of the Punjab government for 11 months.
ii. She served as the Principal Secretary of Cabinet, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs for the Punjab
government from 2014 to 2015 and later was appointed as the Joint Secretary Department of Industrial Policy
and Promotion.
iii. She served as the Chairperson and Managing Director (CMD) of India Tourism Development Corporation
from 2017 to 2019.
iv. In 2019, Ravneet Kaur was appointed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Punjab government, and was also
given the charge of Additional Chief Secretary & Financial Commissioner at the Department of Revenue,
Rehabilitation and Disaster Management.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body (within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) of the
Government of India under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation, and enforcement
of the Act.
Established in– 14 October 2003 (Operating from March 2009)
Chairperson– Ravneet Kaur
ACC appoints Anil Kumar Jain as New PNGRB Chairman

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the
appointment of Anil Kumar Jain, a former Coal Secretary, as the new Chairman of the Petroleum & Natural
Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). He has been appointed for a period of 5 years from the date of assumption of
charge of the post or till attaining the age of 65 years, or until further orders.
• The Chairman position of PNGRB has been lying vacant since Dinesh Kumar Sarraf retired on 4th
December 2020.
About Anil Kumar Jain:
i. Anil Kumar Jain is a 1986 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
ii. He served in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) from 2003 to 2006 as the Director (Natural
Gas), after which he was promoted to Joint Secretary (Exploration), a position he held until 2008.
iii. He served as the head of the Energy division of the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)

from 2012 to 2017. He served as the Adviser (Energy) at NITI Aayog and was later promoted to Additional
Secretary for the Energy vertical.
iv. He also served as the additional secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). In 2019, he
was appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Coal.
Books:
Anil Kumar Jain has authored 2 books: Natural Gas in India: Policy and Liberalisation (2012) and Natural Gas in
India Challenges and Opportunities (2022) and several articles on the oil and gas sector.
About the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB):
i. The PNGRB was constituted under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 (NO.19 of
2006) notified on 31st March 2006.
ii. PNGRB is the 1st regulatory body set up by the Government of India (GoI).
Chairman- Anil Kumar Jain
Amy Pope of USA Elected as the 1st Woman Director General of UN’s IOM
On 15th May 2023, Amy E. Pope (49 years old) of the United States of America (USA) was elected as the 1st
woman Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations(UN)
Migration Agency. She will take over as the 11th DG of IOM for a 5-year term beginning on 1 October 2023.
• She defeated the incumbent DG of IOM Antonio Vitorino of Portugal, the European Union(EU)
candidate, who has been serving as the DG of IOM since 2018.
• Prior to joining IOM, Amy Pope served as the Senior Advisor on Migration to President Biden in
2021, as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor from 2015-2017,
and as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on Transborder Security from 2013-
2015.

iDEX signs 250th contract, 1st under Mission DefSpace; & 100th SPRINT (Navy) Contract in
New Delhi
On May 15, 2023, the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of the Ministry of
Defence (MoD), signed its 250th contract (1st under Mission DefSpace) with Thane (Maharashtra) based
InspeCity Space Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., and 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract with Pune (Maharashtra)
based Siliconia Technologies Pvt Ltd in New Delhi, Delhi.
About Contract with InspeCity(Mission DefSpace contract):
It is a first contract under Mission DefSpace which was signed by Additional Secretary-Defence Production (AS-
DP) and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) T. Natarajan; and CEO of
InspeCity, Arindrajit Chowdhary.

• The company is one of the winners of the challenge ‘Micropropulsion system for cubesats’ which is
being led by the Defence Space Agency.
What is in the contract?
The contract envisages the development of a gas-based system for micro propulsion of Cubesats, a class of
smallsats, which are modular; low-cost; easy to manufacture, integrate, and launch; and form a critical
component for launch-on-demand capabilities.
• Cubesats capture images, conduct intelligence surveillance, and facilitate communication. To ensure
their effectiveness in these areas, they need to be accurately aligned. This is why there is a need for a
compact micropropulsion system that enables precise maneuvering and orbit correction.
This technology, once developed, can be integrated with other satellites, including the cubesat swarm being
developed under Mission DefSpace.
About Contract with Siliconia Technologies Pvt Ltd(100th SPRINT (Navy) contract):
It is the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract which was exchanged between CEO-DIO T. Natarajan; and
CEO, Sushil Eknath Ghule, Siliconia Technologies Pvt Ltd.
• The company is winner of the Challenge which envisaged the development of a prototype that is a
lightweight ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) based communication system using
software defined antenna for Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary satellite
communication.
What is in the contract?
It envisages the development of a prototype that provides multiple independent receiver and transmitter
sources essential in phased-array radars used in satellite tracking.
About Mission DefSpace
It was launched in October 2022 by the Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi during DefExpo at
Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Under this, 75 Defence Space Challenges for the three Services (Indian Airforce (IAF),
India Navy (IN) and India Army (IA)) are being addressed by the private sector.
• The challenges, classified into five buckets viz. Launch System, Satellite System, Communication &
Payload System, Ground System and Software System, provide a holistic 3600 overview of space.
About ‘SPRINT’ initiative:
Under this, a total of 75 Challenge statements for the Indian industry were unveiled by PM Narendra Modi
during the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ in July, 2022.
• Its aim is to induct at least 75 technologies/products into the Indian Navy (IN) by August 2023 as
part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
About iDEX:
Launched in 2018 by the Indian PM, its objective is to provide the platform of co-creation & co-development in
the defence sector. It promotes startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to contribute to indigenous defense
production.
• It is being implemented by DIO, established under the Department of Defence Production, MoD.

i.On March 16, 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for
capital acquisition of over Rs 70,500 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and
Manufactured)} for Armed Forces viz. Indian Navy (IN), Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army (IA), and the
Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
ii.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) inked a contract for the
procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at a cost of Rs. 667 crore.
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister– Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State– Ajay Bhatt (Constituency- Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Uttarakhand)
Vast and SpaceX partnered to launch the first commercial space Station Haven-1 by 2025
On May 10 2023, Vast, a California (United States of America) based Space startup, has announced a plan to
launch the world’s first commercial space station, called Haven-1 in partnership with SpaceX (Space
Exploration Technologies) using the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to low-Earth orbit as soon as August 2025.
• Haven-1 will initially act as an independent crewed space station before connecting as a module to a
larger Vast space station.
• The initial mission will be followed by a Crew Dragon mission called Vast-1 that will transport four
astronauts to the module for a stay of up to 30 days. Vast-1 will also launch atop a Falcon 9, and its
astronauts will ride on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
• It is the first time in history that a commercial space station company has both a contracted launch
for its space station as well as a visiting human spaceflight mission.
Haven-1 and its features:
i. The first station Haven-1 of Vast featuring artificial gravity powered by rotational velocity and initially
Haven-1 is intended to operate on its own, but will eventually become one module in a larger Vast station, and
it can simulate the Moon’s gravity by spinning.
ii. It features a docking hatch designed for Crew Dragon, and looks to be a little over double the height of
SpaceX’s human-rated spacecraft.
iii. Science, research, and in-space manufacturing opportunities – 1000 Watt of power, 24/7 communications,
and up to 150 kg of pre-loaded cargo mass in Haven-1.
iv. Fully independent space station providing life support functions and consumables for the full mission’s
duration. Always-on internet via onboard Wi-Fi.
Crew Training:
SpaceX will also provide crew training on Falcon 9 and the Dragon spacecraft, emergency preparedness,
spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial and full mission simulations including
docking and undocking with Haven-1 for return to Earth.
Additional Info:
i. Vast is selling up to 4 crewed seats on the inaugural mission to Haven-1, the company is open to both space
agencies and their professional Astronauts, as well as private individuals aiming to do either scientific or

philanthropic work.
ii. Vast also secured an option with SpaceX for a second mission, Vast-2, which would fly in 2026.
iii. Four companies have already received funding from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
to develop private space stations. Vast isn’t one of the four, and getting its station into orbit first could give it an
advantage over NASA’s existing partners when it comes to securing contracts.
About Vast:
Founded in– 2021
CEO– Jed McCaleb
Headquarters– California, United States of America
OBITUARY
American Economist & Nobel laureate Robert E Lucas Jr Passed Away
On 15th May 2023, Noted American economist and Nobel laureate, Robert Emerson Lucas Jr. (Robert Lucas),
professor of Economics at the University of Chicago(since 1975), passed away in Chicago, Illinois, United States
of America (USA), at the age of 85. He was born on 5th September 1937 in Yakima, Washington, USA.
• He won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science – officially known as “The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in
Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel” in 1995 for his work on rational expectations and
the efficacy of government intervention in the economy.
About Robert Emerson Lucas Jr.:
i. Robert Lucas began his career as an economics professor at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and
Carnegie Mellon University in the USA, from 1963 to 1974.
ii. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1980, the National Academy of Sciences in
1981, and the American Philosophical Society in 1997.
iii. Nobel Prize motivation:
• Robert Lucas received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1995 for having developed and applied the
hypothesis of rational expectations, thereby transforming macroeconomic analysis and deepening
our understanding of economic policy.
Contribution to Economics:
i. He has published his theories in journals, including “Expectations and the Neutrality of Money” (1972),
“Econometric Policy Evaluation: A Critique” (1976), “On the Mechanics of Economic Development” (1988),
“Supply Side Economics: An Analytical Review” (1990), and “Why Doesn’t Capital Flow from Rich to Poor
Countries?” (1990).
ii. His work “Studies in Business-Cycle Theory” (1981) collects his research from the 1970s, and “Models of
Business Cycles” (1987) provides an overview of his economic theory.
iii. In 2001, Robert Lucas published Lectures on Economic Growth, a collection of his writings on economic
growth.

iv. His other contributions are the “Lucas critique”, “Lucas paradox”, “Lucas Wedge”, and foundational
contributions to behavioural economics.
IMPORTANT DAYS
National Dengue Day – May 16 2023
National Dengue Day is annually observed across India on 16th May to create awareness about dengue among
general public and to promote the preventive measure against dengue.
The observance of the National Dengue Day is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW).
Background:
The government of India observes the 16th May as National Dengue Day and the month of July as the Anti
Dengue Month to create awareness about Dengue- a mosquito-borne viral infection, which is predominantly
found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide.
Other Related observance:
i.Since 2011, The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annually celebrates the ASEAN Dengue Day
on 15th June to create awareness of dengue.
ii.In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined ASEAN to mark 15th June as AESAN Dengue Day.
About Dengue:
i.Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of
infected mosquitoes.
ii.Around 50% of the world’s population is at risk of dengue with an estimated 100–400 million infections
occurring every year.
iii.Dengue virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae, having four serotypes that spread by the bite of infected
Aedes mosquitoes
Transmission:
The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the
Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Other species within the Aedes genus can also act as vectors.
Vaccine:
The first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV), developed by Sanofi Pasteur, was licensed in December 2015
and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FAD) in around 20 countries.
Dengue in India
i.According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 2.3 lakh dengue cases
and around 303 deaths due to dengue were recorded in 2022.
ii.The National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) administers an umbrella programme
NVBDCP for the prevention and control of 6 vector-borne diseases namely Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis,
Dengue, Chikungunya, Kala-azar and Lymphatic Filariasis.

About National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC)
Director– Dr. Tanu Jain
Headquarters– Delhi
International Day of Living Together in Peace 2023 – May 16

United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Living Together in Peace is annually observed across the globe
on May 16 to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.
• The day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in
order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/72/130 on 8th December 2017
and proclaimed May 16 of every year as the International Day of Living Together in Peace.
ii. The 1st ever International Day of Living Together in Peace was observed on 16th May 2018.
Resolutions Regarding Peace:
i. In 1997, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/52/15 and proclaimed the year 2000 as the “International
Year for a Culture of Peace”.
ii. In 1998, UNGA proclaimed the period from 2001-2010 as the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace
and Non-Violence for Children of the World”.
iii. UNGA also adopted the resolution A/RES/53/243 in 1999 proclaiming the Declaration and Programme of
Action on a Culture of Peace.
• It serves as the universal mandate for the international community, particularly the UN system, to
promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity, including future
generations.
Note: These resolutions have been adopted by the UN to work towards world peace since the end of the 2nd
World War (WWII).
Establishment- 1945
International Day of Light 2023 – May 16

The International Day of Light (IDL) is a global initiative, annually observed on 16th May to celebrate the
contribution of light in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development. The day also
celebrates the role of lights in fields as diverse as medicine, communications, and energy.
16th May 2023 marks the 6th edition of International Day of Light.
• The International Day of Light is observed by the United Nations (UN)s and administered from
the International Basic Science Programme (IBSP) of United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

• The observance of the International Day of Light is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and
harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development.
Why May 16th?
i. 16th May marks theanniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by American physicist
and engineer, Theodore Maiman.
ii. The day marks the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser and it also includes aspects of art,
culture, entertainment, everywhere light is present.
Background:
i. In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed the year 2015 as the
International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies(IYL 2015).
ii. Following the successful observance of IYL 2015, the Russian Federation, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand
proposed the annual observance of International Day of Light.
iii. The resolution was adopted on September 19 2016 at the UNESCO Executive Board’s 200th session (200
EX/Decision 27) held at the UNESCO Headquarter Paris in France.
iv. On November 7, 2017, The UNESCO’s General Conference adopted the 39 C/Resolution 16 and proclaimed
the 16th May of every year as the International Day of Light.
• The first official International Day of Light was observed on May 16 2018.
Significance:
i. The International Day of Light provides an enduring follow-up of the achievements of the International Year
of Light (IYL 2015) in raising the profile of science and technology, and its application towards stimulating
education, improving the quality of life worldwide, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set
in the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
ii. The observance also offersUNESCO an opportunity to fulfil its mission of promoting international
cooperation in the basic sciences and STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Education.
Goals:
Few major goals of the International Day of Light are:
i. To improve the public understanding of how light and light-based technologies touch the daily lives of
everybody, and are central to the future development of the global society.
ii. To build worldwide educational capacity through activities targeted on science for young people, addressing
issues of gender balance, and focusing especially on developing countries and emerging economies.
iii. To highlight and explain the link between light and art and culture, enhancing the role of optical technology
to preserve cultural heritage.
iv. To emphasise the importance of basic research in the fundamental science of light, the need for investment
in light-based technology to develop new applications.
v. To raise awareness that technologies and design can play an important role in the achievement of greater
energy efficiency, particularly by limiting energy waste, and in the reduction of light pollution.

About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Established in– 1945 (entered into force in 1946)
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
STATE NEWS
AP launches ‘e-Chits’ app to Regulate Funds through Online Transactions
On May 15, 2023, the Andhra Pradesh’s (AP) Minister of Revenue, Dharmana Prasada Rao, launched ‘E-chits’
application, an electronic service delivery system developed by the Registration and Stamps Department for
it to regulate funds through online transactions.
• This development comes amid the increasing number of cases of cheating customers by chit fund
companies.
• It will provide transparency in the chit-fund business and prevent duping of customers.
Aim:
To ensure better regulation of the chit fund businesses in AP
Key Points:
i.Through this app the concerned officials will provide online approvals for various processes to facilitate
smooth transactions. In order to obtain these approvals, companies need to ensure that they fulfill all the
required compliances through the E-chits platform.
ii. By using this app, individuals who are interested in subscribing to chit funds can easily verify if the
companies they are considering are registered.
• They also have the option to contact the assistant registrars of chits located in each district
headquarters for further assistance.
iii.In case, any subscriber facing a problem with a chit fund company, he/she can file an online complaint to
escalate the issue to the concerned officer.
More details about the initiative can be accessed at https://echits.rs.ap.gov.in.
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister– Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy
Governor– Justice S Abdul Nazeer
Zoological Parks– Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh launched ‘Himcare’ scheme & ISHTH Campaign for jail
inmates
On May 15 2023, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh launched
the Himcare scheme for jail inmates, by providing Himcare cards to the prisoners at Model Central Jail Kanda
in Shimla.

• The initiative aims to cover the cost of premiums for inmates, easing their financial burden during
their time in prison.
Features:
i.The jail inmates under HimCare scheme would avoid facing scarcity of funds for treatment during illness.
ii.The registration of inmates under the HimCare scheme has been initiated and the state government would
cover the cost of premiums for inmates lodged in jails and juvenile homes in the state in prisons.
ISHTH Campaign:
The CM also presided over the launch of the Integrated campaign against STI (Sexually transmitted infections),
HIV (Human immunodeficiency viruses), TB (Tuberculosis), Hepatitis (ISHTH) in prisons and other closed
settings at Kanda Jail, which will screen and treat prisoners across the state.
Objective:
The efforts taken by the State Government is to get rid of the diseases and move forward to achieve the target
of eliminating AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) by the year 2030.
Features:
i. The jail inmates under HimCare scheme would avoid facing scarcity of funds for treatment during illness.
ii. The registration of inmates under the HimCare scheme has been initiated and the state government would
cover the cost of premiums for inmates lodged in jails and juvenile homes in the state in prisons.
Integrated Campaign ISHTH:
i. The integrated ISHTH campaign aimed at screening and treating 3,218 inmates of 14 jails in the State and
1,278 inmates of juvenile homes, Nari Niketan and drug rehabilitation centres.
ii. In order to make the campaign successful, teams have been formed at the district level, consisting of various
medical professionals such as District AIDS Program Officer, ICTC (Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres),
ART (Antiretroviral therapy), Counsellor, Lab Technician, Freezer Peer Mobilizer and paramedical staff.
Note: The exercise would be completed across the state by June 14 2023.
Benefits:
i. The Health Department would provide free counselling, treatment and medicines for HIV, TB, STI and
Hepatitis to the jail inmates during the campaign in order to prevent the spread of infections in society after the
release of inmates.
ii. Ensuring proper care of HIV-infected persons by providing free of cost medicines at 6 Antiretroviral centres
besides financial assistance of Rs. 1500 per month and a free bus pass facility for treatment.
Future Scheme for Orphans:
Himachal Pradesh Government is also in a plan to introduce a scheme
“Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Scheme” aimed at educating the children residing in Bal Sudhar Grih of the
State, that provides comprehensive support to orphaned children up to 27 years of age, which includes
education and hostel expenses, a pocket allowance of Rs 4,000 and offering financial assistance to construct
homes.

About Himachal Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Governor– Shiv Pratap Shukla
Stadium– Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA Stadium), The Indira Gandhi Stadium

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. MoC Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launches Sanchar Saathi Portal to Prevent Frauds by Misusing
Mobile Phones
2. India & Bangladesh launched a ‘50 start-ups exchange programme’
3. MCA launched C-PACE to Simplify Removal of company names from Register
4. Bhopal becomes first Indian city to measure UNs SDGs process
5. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts celebrates Rabindra Jayanti; ‘Vigyan Vaibhav’ portal
Launched
6. TN CM M.K. Stalin inaugurates 570-meter Skywalk Bridge at T Nagar
7. UNEP Report: Measures to Reduce 80% of World’s Plastic Pollution by 2040
8. IDBI, BOB and SBI Capital Appointed to manage IREDA IPO
9. HDFC AMC launches India’s first Mutual Fund focused on Defence Sector
10. Zomato UPI: Zomato inks pact with ICICI Bank to launch its own UPI
11. UN Projected India’s Economic Grwoth at 5.8% in 2023 , 6.7% in 2024
12. Slovakia President appoints Central banker Ludovit Odor as interim PM
13. Raheja QBE General Insurance appoints Rajeev Dogra as the new MD & CEO
14. Paytm appoints Bhavesh Gupta as President & COO
15. Gekko Mizoramensis: Researchers from Mizoram & Germany discovered New Flying Gecko
Species in Mizoram
16. Australian Tennis Player Owen Davidson, winner of 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, passed away
17. Former Arunachal Pradesh minister Chow Tewa Mein dies at 80
18. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2023 – May 17
19. World Hypertension Day 2023 – May 17
20. International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2023 – May 17
21. Mukhyamantri Krishak Byaaj Maafi Yojana-2023: Interest waiver scheme for farmers launched
in MP

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoC Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launches Sanchar Saathi Portal to Prevent Frauds by Misusing
Mobile Phones
On May 16, 2023, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Communications (MoC) launched
the Sanchar Saathi portal – ‘https://sancharsaathi.gov.in‘ to prevent fraud by misusing mobile phones.
• Developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), MoC, it is citizen-centric to

empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen-
centric initiatives of the Government.
Need behind this:
Mobile phones are used for various activities such as banking, entertainment, e-learning, healthcare, and
accessing government services. To safeguard users from frauds like identity theft, forged KYC (Know Your
Customer), mobile device theft, and banking frauds, a Sanchar Saathi portal has been developed with the
following modules:
i.CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) – For blocking stolen/lost mobiles
ii.Know your mobile connections – To know the mobile connections registered in your name. This
facilitates citizens to check the genuineness of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) of their
mobile devices.
iii.ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM
Subscriber Verification) – ASTR is an AI(Artificial Intelligence) powered tool to identify SIMs (Subscriber
Identity Module) issued using fraudulent/forged documents.
iv.Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP) – To check the
number of mobile connections taken in her/his name using paper-based documents or report fraudulent
or unrequired connections.
Key Points:
i.With 117 crore subscribers, India has emerged as the second largest telecom ecosystem in the world.
ii.It should be noted that in the first phase of ASTR, an analysis of 87 crore mobile connections was done
using the Param-Siddhi Supercomputer. ASTR used various techniques of facial recognition and data
analytics. In the 1st phase, the connections with paper-based KYC( Know Your Customer ) were analysed.
• Multiple cases were found where one photo led to hundreds of connections. A total of 40.87
Lakh suspected connections were detected. Of these, 36.61 Lakh have been disconnected after
verification, while the rest are being processed.
• 40,123 Point of Sales (PoS) involved in selling these connections were blacklisted, and over 150
FIRs (First Information Report) were filed nationwide.

i.On March 6, 2023, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, released a unique cover of the Department of Posts,
‘Go Green, Go Organic’ for Sikkim.
ii.Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL)has entered into an agreement with Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), for the provision of Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) Services to
enterprise customers. Both TCIL and BSNL, are Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under DoT.
About Ministry of Communication(MoC):
Union Minister– Ashwini Vaishnaw(Rajya Sabha- Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)– Devusinh Chauhan(Constituency- Kheda, Gujarat)
India & Bangladesh launched a ‘50 start-ups exchange programme’

India and Bangladesh launched a ‘50 start-ups exchange programme’, under which 50 Start-ups from
Bangladesh and 50 Start-ups from India were planned to exchange visits to each other’s countries for
exploring partnerships, expanding business relations, sharing experience and knowledge and expand
youth and entrepreneurial cooperation.
• Under the programme, the first group of 10 start-up companies belonging to sectors such as e-
commerce, health, transport and logistics, energy, education and skill development from
Bangladesh have made a 5-day visit to India from May 8 to 12, 2023.
• The framework of the programme was decided by the Prime Ministers(PM) of the two countries
(i.e. PM of India Narendra Modi and the PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina) during their recent
bilateral summits.
Key Events of the Exchange Programme:
i.The start-ups of Bangladesh were introduced to India’s ‘Start-up India’ initiative.
ii.They participated in interactive sessions focused on establishing a Start-up and business model creation
process, role of incubator, marketing of projects and services, cyber security and artificial intelligence
including data protection, start-up evaluation and methods to secure funding.
iii.The High Commission of India in Bangladesh organised an interactive session in Dhaka on May 14, 2023
with a group of 10 startups who visited India.
iv.It has the potential of augmenting cooperation in new and emerging areas, cutting-edge technology,
entrepreneurship and innovation,
Additional info:
The programme will enable both nations’ start-up communities to enhance cooperation as the two
countries explored ways to further enhance ease of doing business, including trade settlement in local

currencies and collaboration in digital payment platforms.
50 Start-ups exchange programme has the potential of augmenting cooperation in new and emerging
areas, cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, said an official press release.
MCA launched C-PACE to Simplify Removal of company names from Register

On May 13 2023, The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) set up the Centre for Processing
Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) to centralise the process of striking off companies from the MCA
Register.
• On May 1 2023, the office of C-PACE was inaugurated by RK Dalmia, Director of Inspection &
Investigation at MCA.
• Harihara Sahoo, Indian Corporate Law Services (ICLS), was appointed as the first Registrar of
C-PACE.
• The C-PACE office will work under the supervision/administration of the Director General of
Corporate Affairs (DGCoA) in New Delhi, Delhi.
Objective:
i. The establishment of the centralised institution C-PACE aims to facilitate ease of doing business and
simplify the exit process for companies.
ii. It also aims to provide a hassle-free, timely and process-bound experience for companies seeking to
strike off their names from the MCA Register.
About C-PACE:
i. C-PACE, which was established under sub-section (1) of section 396, will be operational through the
Registrar of Companies (RoC) for the purposes of exercising functional jurisdiction of processing and
disposal of applications and is located at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) in Gurgaon,
Haryana.
ii.After being announced in the Union Budget 2022-23, C-PACE came into effect from April 1, 2023. As per
new rules issued by the Ministry of corporate affairs, from May 1 2023, applications for removal of the
name of a company under Section 248 of the Companies Act would be made to the registrar, C-PACE.
iii.It is expected that the process of voluntary winding up of companies would now be completed in six
months as against the earlier timeline of two years.
Benefits:
i. The Centralised process of striking off companies helps maintain a clean registry.
ii. Provides hassle-free filing and process-bound striking off for stakeholders.
iii. Ensures timely and efficient disposal of applications.
iv. Better availability of meaningful data to stakeholders.

Bhopal becomes first Indian city to measure UNs SDGs process
On May 12 2023, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (MP) launched An Agenda for
Action: Sustainable Urban Transformation in Bhopal, India’s first city-level Voluntary Local Review
(VLR).
• Through the launch, Bhopal, the Capital of MP, has become the first city in India to join the
growing global movement on the localization of the United Nations (UN)-mandated sustainable
development goals (SDG).
• The VLR of Bhopal will demonstrate the local government’s (Bhopal Municipal Corporation)
capacity and commitment towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Background:
i.In 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development” (known as Agenda 2030) comprising of 17 Sustainable Development Goals
and 169 targets as a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity.
ii.The member states report their progress towards the achievement of the Goals through a Voluntary
National Review (VNR) to UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
About VLR:
i.As Cities and regions have a pivotal role to play in the achievement of Agenda 2030, the VLR enables

them to localise the SDGs and report their progress.
ii.VLRs have emerged as a powerful tool that forefront local action.
iii.Unlike VNRs, the local reviews do not directly have a legal basis in the 2030 Agenda or other
international agreements.
iv.The SDGs localisation is translating the Agenda 2030, into local actions and impacts as part of the SDGs
localisation process, which helps promote the achievement of the goal on a global scale.
Bhopal’s VLR:
i.Bhopal’s VLR is the result of a collaboration between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, UN-Habitat, and
a collective of over 23 local stakeholders to work together to create a VLR to measurably demonstrate the
city’s aspirations for a sustainable and inclusive urban transformation.
ii. It incorporated a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches to the review of SDGs, with qualitative
mapping of 56 developmental projects .across the three pillars of People (SDGs 1,3,4,5), Planet (SDGs
6,13,15) and Prosperity (SDGs 7,8,11)—and an in-depth quantitative review of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities
& Communities).
Note: According to the UN, at least 60% of the 169 targets could not possibly be achieved.
Note: New York City in the United States became the first city to submit its VLR to the UN’s HLPF in 2018.
By 2021, some 33 countries had made 114 VLRs publicly available or similar review documents.
Key People involved:
Bhupendra Singh, Minister for Urban Development (Madhya Pradesh); Vishvas Kailash Sarang, Minister of
Medical Education (Madhya Pradesh); Malti Rai, Mayor of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh were present at the
launch event.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts celebrates Rabindra Jayanti; ‘Vigyan Vaibhav’ portal
Launched
On 12th May 2023, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in collaboration with Shree Guru
Gobind Singh Tricentenary University and Sanrachna Foundation held Rabindra Jayanti Celebrations at
Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi, Delhi.
• During the celebration, Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State (MoS) for Culture of India, launched
the “Vigyan Vaibhav” portal developed by IGNCA.
Dignitaries:
Riva Ganguly Das, a former Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Goutam De, former
Regional Director of ICCR, Rudranil Ghosh, an eminent actor from the Bengali film industry, Prof. O. P.
Kalra SGT University, Dr Sachichidand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, Prof. Pratapanand Jha, Dean
Academics and HoD CIL, IGNCA were present.
Vigyan Vaibhav Portal:
i. Vigyan Vaibhav is dedicated to 75 eminent Indian scientists who have done groundbreaking work in the
field of science and technology.
ii. The portal identifies the contribution of women and men in equal numbers in the field of science.
iii. It is a collective effort and its launch can be seen as an extension of the launch of ‘Kala Vaibhav’ which
was recently launched at IGNCA.
Rabindra Jayanti:
i. Rabindra Jayanti is annually celebrated across India on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh to
commemorate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali polymath.
ii. Rabindranath Tagore was the 1st non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his
poetry collection, “Gitanjali”, which was written in Bengali and later translated into English.
iii. The intersection of culture and science was provided by Rabindranath Tagore and those ideals were
carried forward by Visva Bharati University.
TN CM M.K. Stalin inaugurates 570-meter Skywalk Bridge at T Nagar
On 16th May 2023, Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin (M. K. Stalin)
inaugurated a 570 metres long and 4.2-metre wide Skywalk Bridge connecting the Mambalam railway
station and T Nagar bus terminus in Chennai, TN.
• The inaugurated sidewalk bridge is the longest skywalk in Tamil Nadu and it is considered one
of the longest skywalks in India.
• The skywalk was constructed at a cost of Rs 28.45 crore under the Smart City funds. More than
1 lakh pedestrians are expected to use the skywalk daily.
• The Skywalk has been built along Madley Road and Railway Market Road to ease congestion in
stretches such as Ranganathan Street and Natesan Street in the commercial areas of T. Nagar,
Chennai, TN.
UNEP Report: Measures to Reduce 80% of World’s Plastic Pollution by 2040
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s report “Turning off the Tap: How the world can end
plastic pollution and Create a circular economy” states that global plastic pollution can be reduced by up to
80% by 2040 if the companies and countries make policies and market shifts using existing technologies.
The report released ahead of the second round of negotiations in Paris, France, is aimed at agreeing to a
world-first international plastics treaty to beat plastic pollution.
• The treaty negotiations, known as INC2 (second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee), will take place from May 29 to June 2, 2023. The treaty would address the whole
life of plastics from production to disposal.
Highlights:
i.The report focuses on 3 main market shifts that are required to create a circular economy that keeps
produced items in circulation as long as possible and to replace the widespread use of single-use plastics
and their inappropriate disposal.
The 3 key shifts are,
• Accelerate Reuse.
• Accelerate Recycling.
• Reorient and Diversify the market for sustainable and safe plastic alternatives.
ii.The report highlights that recycling could achieve an additional 20% by 2040 if the process of recycling
becomes a more stable and profitable venture and fossil fuel subsidies are removed.
iii.The reuse systems provide the highest opportunity to reduce plastic pollution, up to 30% reduction by
2040, by replacing some of the most problematic and unnecessary products.
iv.The replacement of plastic wraps and sachets with compostable materials(sustainable alternatives)
could yield an additional 17% reduction.

Key Points:
i.The report stated that 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute while up to 5 trillion plastic
bags are used worldwide every year. Around 50% of all plastic produced is designed for single-use
purposes and around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated every year.
ii.An investment of around USD 65 billion a year is required for the overall shift.
iii.Reducing plastic pollution by 80% would prevent damage valued at more than USD 3 trillion including
impacts on health, climate, air pollution, the ocean environment and legal costs for cases brought against
plastic companies.
iv.The 80% reduction will also prevent 500 million tons of CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions per year.
BANKING & FINANCE

IDBI, BOB and SBI Capital Appointed to Manage IREDA IPO
The Union government has appointed the three merchant bankers IDBI Capital Market & Securities Ltd,
BOB Capital Markets Ltd and SBI Capital Markets Ltd to manage the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). IDBI Capital is the lead banker for the
transaction.
• Separately, Saraf and Partner was appointed as the legal adviser for the IPO.
• The IPO, which is expected in FY24, will likely comprise a 10% stake sale by the government
and 15% fresh equity issuance by the renewable energy project financier to fund its business
growth.
Backdrop:
i.The Union government intends to List the unlisted state-owned firms to unlock value in those companies
and also improve corporate governance.
ii.In June 2017, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) decided to allow IREDA to issue 139
million fresh equity shares of Rs 10 each to the public on a book-building basis through IPO. Further, The
government infused capital to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore in March 2022.
iii.On May 15, 2023, the government invited applications for hiring an advertising agency and a registrar
for the IREDA IPO and on March 17, 2023, the CCEA approved the IREDA IPO.
About Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA):
i.IREDA is a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India Enterprise under the administrative control of
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
ii.It is a Public Limited Government Company established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987
engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects relating to
new and renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation.
iii.As of date, IREDA has financed more than 3,068 Renewable Energy (RE) project loan accounts with
cumulative loan sanction and disbursement of Rs 1.42 trillion and Rs 0.9 trillion respectively.

iv.It has supported the RE capacity addition of 19,502 MW in India. The company’s net profit increased by
50% to Rs 611 crore in the first nine months of FY23(i.e, April to December 2022).
Chairman and Managing Director – Pradip Kumar Das
HDFC AMC launches India’s first Mutual Fund focused on Defence Sector
On May 16, 2023, the HDFC Asset Management Company (AMC) Limited, investment manager to HDFC
Mutual Fund (HDFC MF) announced the launch of the ‘HDFC Defence Fund’ i.e. India’s first mutual
fund that plans to invest in the defence sector.
• It follows a bottom-up approach to portfolio construction within the defence ecosystem.

• Objective: To provide long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and
equity-related securities of Defence & allied sector companies.
• The new fund offering (NFO) of HDFC Defence Fund, an open-ended equity scheme would open
on May 19, 2023 and close on June 2 2023.
Key Points:
i.At least 80% of the net assets of the defence fund will be invested in defence and allied sector companies.
ii.The Defence and allied sector stocks include stocks forming part of aerospace and defence, explosives,
shipbuilding, and allied services.
iii.The defence fund will invest in companies with good quality management with demonstrated track
records and aims to achieve diversification by following a multi-cap strategy.
iv.The fund’s focus would be on growth and quality at reasonable valuations by investing across large, mid
and small-cap stocks.
Note – HDFC Defence Fund will be managed by Abhishek Poddar, Fund Manager, Equity and Senior Equity
Analyst, Dealing & Investments, HDFC Asset Management Company Limited.
Potential of Defence Sector:
• As global countries are improving their defence capabilities, defence expenditure is set to
increase globally.
• As per the statement of HDFC AMC, with Self-reliance in defence led by strong R&D (Research
and Development) focus and enhancement of manufacturing capabilities would create an
opportunity for Indian companies to serve the domestic market as well as tap the large export
potential.
About HDFC Asset Management Company (AMC) Ltd
MD and CEO – Navneet Munot
Incorporated in 1999

Zomato UPI: Zomato inks pact with ICICI Bank to launch its own UPI
Zomato has collaborated with ICICI Bank to introduce its own Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service
called ‘Zomato UPI’ for select users.
• This feature allows customers to make direct payments within the Zomato app by creating their
own UPI ID, eliminating the need for redirection to external payment gateways like PhonePe,
Google Pay, or other third-party apps.
• Users can utilize this service for both peer-to-peer transactions and merchant payments.
Key Points:
i. Zomato UPI will be further expanded on the initial customer response.
ii.This will allow Zomato to exercise better control over the payments taking place on its platform.
iii.In November 2022, dining out program, Zomato Pay, using which customers can make payments at
some of its partner restaurants and avail some cashback and offers. However, this is not a UPI offering.
Note: This development is a part of the broader attempt by the National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI), governing body UPI network, to bring large consumer internet companies to the network to
reduce dependency on Walmart-owned PhonePe and Google’s Gpay, which currently dominate the UPI
transaction market.
About Zomato:
Founder & CEO– Deepinder Goyal
Headquarters– Gurugram, Haryana
Launched in 2010
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

UN Projected India’s Economic Growth at 6.7% in 2024; Global Growth at 2.5% in 2024
According to the report World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2023, of the United Nations
(UN) released on May 16, 2023, India’s economy, the largest in the South Asian region, is expected to grow
by 5.8% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2024, supported by resilient domestic demand.

• Global Economy: The report projected the world economy to grow by 2.3% in 2023 and 2.5%
in 2024.
• The report is prepared by the Global Economic Monitoring Branch in the Economic Analysis and
Policy Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs(UN DESA).
Report over Indian Economy:
i.In India higher interest rates and weaker external demand were expected to continue to weigh on
investment and exports in 2023
ii.Inflation is expected to decelerate to 5.5% in 2023 as global commodity prices moderate and slower
currency depreciation reduces imported inflation.
• The inflation of the regional average for South Asia is 11%.
iii.Unchanged Projection: The economic growth estimates for India’s in the mid-year assessment
remained unchanged from the earlier projections made in the World Economic Situation and Prospects
2023, the report launched in January 2023.
• The report of January 2023 also projected India’s GDP to moderate to 5.8% in 2023.
-UN forecasts world economic growth of 2.3% in 2023, 2.5% in 2024
Global Economy: The report projected the world economy to grow by 2.3% in 2023 (up 0.4% points from
a January 2023 forecast) and 2.5% in 2024 (dropped 0.2% points from January 2023 projection).
• The growth rate is found to be well below the average growth rate in the two decades before the
pandemic of 3.1%.
• The U.N. forecasts are less than the International Monetary Fund, which projected the global
growth to fall to 2.9% in 2023 from 3.4% in 2022 and increased slightly to 3.1% in 2024.
ii.The volume of global trade in goods and services is forecasted to grow by 2.3% in 2023, which is below
the pre-pandemic trend.
iii.The least developed countries are forecast to grow by 4.1% in 2023 and 5.2% in 2024, far below the 7%
growth target set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Other nation’s Growth Projection: The United States (US) and European Union’s economy is projected to
grow at 1.1% and 0.9% respectively in 2023. China’s growth in 2023 is now forecast at 5.3%, as compared
to the 4.8% or January 2023 projection.
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asian Development Outlook April 2023, has reduced India’s GDP
(Gross Domestic Product) growth forecast for the Financial year 2022- 2023 (FY23) to 6.4% from 7% of its
earlier projection.
About United Nations (UN)
Secretary-General – António Guterres

Slovakia President appoints Central banker Ludovit Odor as interim PM
On May 15 2023, Zuzana Caputova, President of Slovakia, appointed Ludovit Odor, a Slovak economist
and former Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia, as interim Prime Minister (PM) of
Slovakia. He will head the 15-member cabinet of Slovakia till the elections, which will be held in September
2023.
• Prior to this appointment, Ludovit Odor served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of
Slovakia from 2018 to 14th May 2023.

• Ludovit Odor takes over as the PM from Eduard Heger, who resigned from the post on 7th May
2023.
President Zuzana Caputova has also appointed economist Michal Horvath, Chief Economist of the
National Bank of Slovakia as Slovakia’s interim finance minister.
Note: The interim government is mandated to help people struggling with inflation, prepare the budget for
2024 and ensure budget sustainability.
About Ludovit Odor:
i. LudovitOdorbelongs to Slovakia’s Hungarian minority, and does not belong to any political party. The
member of his government (interim government) will not contest in the upcoming election.
ii. From 1999 to 2001, LudovitOdor served as an analyst for Československáobchodní banka (CSOB), one
of the largest commercial banks operating in the Czech Republic.
iii. He also served as the chief economist of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic from 2003 to
2005.
iv. In January 2006, he became a board member of the National Bank of Slovakia and he was on the central
bank’s board until 2010 and in 2012, he was also an adviser to the then Prime Minister IvetaRadičová.
v. In September 2015, he was appointed vice-chairman of the European Union’s Network of Independent
Fiscal Institutions.
vi. In 2017 he became a member of the supervisory board of Slovenskásporiteľňa and a member of the
Council for Budget Responsibility.
vii. Since 2016, he has been a visiting professor at the Central European University (CEU).
viii. In February 2018 became Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia. He is a co-founder of the
Institute for Financial Policy, and the Value for Money Department at the Ministry of Finance as well as the
independent Council for Budget Responsibility.
ix. He also played a role in the reform of the pension system, the adoption of the euro, and the creation of
budget rules.
PM Eduard Heger’s Resignation:
In December 2022, Slovakia’s parliament voted to oust the three-party government of Prime Minister
Eduard Heger.
Eduard Heger who had planned to stay on in a caretaker capacity until early polls, resigned on 7th May
2023 after four members of his caretaker government resigned.
Since December 15 2022, Slovakia has been without a proper government when the coalition government
led by the then Prime Minister Eduard Heger lost a vote of no confidence in parliament called by the
opposition, following months of political crisis.
About Slovakia:
Capital– Bratislava
President– Zuzana Čaputová

Prime Minister– Ludovit Odor (interim)
Currency- Slovak Koruna
Raheja QBE General Insurance appoints Rajeev Dogra as the new MD & CEO
Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Raheja QBE General Insurance Company Limited has appointed Rajeev
Dogra as its new Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following approval from the
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). He succeeded Pankaj Arora.
• He joined Raheja QBE in 2011 as Chief Distribution Officer in Sales and Distribution division.
• He started his career at National Insurance Company Limited in 1989 as a Direct Recruit Officer
and later moved to Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd. in 2001 where he worked till 2011.
Raheja QBE is a joint venture(JV) between Prism Johnson Limited (part of Rajan Raheja Group), India
and QBE Holdings (AAP) Pty. Ltd. & QBE Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd., subsidiaries of Australian-based QBE
Insurance Group Limited.
Paytm appoints Bhavesh Gupta as President & COO

On 16th May 2023, Noida (Uttar Pradesh)-based One97 Communications Ltd, which owns Paytm,
appointed Bhavesh Gupta as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Paytm.
• Bhavesh Gupta, with 25 years of experience in financial services, will be responsible for leading
the verticals of lending insurance, payments (online and offline), and consumer payments, and
driving key initiatives including user growth, operation risk, fraud risk, and compliance.
• He will be reporting to Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Paytm.
• In 2020, he was appointed as Paytm’s CEO of lending and head of payments.
• Prior to joining Paytm in 2020, Bhavesh Gupta held multiple leadership roles including CEO of
Clix Capital (formerly known as GE Capital), Head of SME (Small and Medium enterprises) &
Business Banking at IDFC Bank Limited and was also associated with ICICI bank Limited in
various roles.
ENVIRONMENT
Gekko Mizoramensis: Researchers from Mizoram & Germany discovered New Flying Gecko
Species in Mizoram
A team of researchers from the Mizoram University and the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tubingen,
Germany, discovered a new species of flying gecko named “Gekko Mizoramensis” along the Indo-Mynmar
border.
The new species Gekko Mizoramensis has been named after the state of Mizoram.
• The species was found by the team led by Prof Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Head of the
Department of Zoology, Mizoram University.
• The researchers discovered the species in Mizoram, as well as regions of Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Thailand, and Cambodia.
• Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards found in warm climates throughout the world.
Their unique feature among lizards is their vocalisation and loud mating calls.
• The new species is related to the sister species “Gekko popaensis,” however it differs in shape
and colour pattern. It has a divergence of 7–14% from its sister species.
The study on the new species, which is also called gliding geckos, has been published in the latest issue
of Salamandra, a German journal on herpetology or the study of amphibians and reptiles.

• The study was conducted in association with Max Planck Institute for Biology, Max-Planck-Ring,
Tübingen, Germany.
OBITUARY
Australian Tennis Player Owen Davidson, winner of 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, passed away
On May 12 2023, Australian tennis player Owen Davidson, who won 13 Grand Slam doubles titles,
passed away at the age of 79 in Conroe, Texas, the United States of America (USA). He was born on October
4, 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
About Owen Davidson:

i. Owen Davidson won 11 major titles in mixed doubles and two in men’s doubles during his career that
spanned from the early 1960s to mid-1970s.
• He teamed with Billie Jean King of the USA to win 8 of 11 Mixed Grand Slam trophies.
• In 1967 he won a calendar year slam for mixed doubles. He won the Australian Championships
with Lesley Turner Bowrey, and the French Championships, Wimbledon and the US
Championships with Billie Jean King.
• With this he became only the third player in tennis history to earn all four major mixed doubles
titles in the same year.
ii. He won the Mixed doubles Grand slam titles at Australian Open 1965 & 1967; French Open 1967;
Wimbledon in 1967, 1971, 1973 & 1974 and US Open in 1966, 1967, 1971 & 1973. In Men’s doubles, he
won the title in Australian Open 1972 and the US Open 1973.
iii. On April 22 1968, he played in the first match of the Open Era, defeating John Clifton, a British tennis
player in the first round of the British Hard Court Championships and he became the first player to win a
match in the Open era of tennis.
• In Singles, Owen Davidson held the career record of 253 wins out of 403 matches.
He also played on Australia’s Davis Cup team and coached the British team from 1967 to 1970. He also
worked as the head pro at Wimbledon.
Honours:
i. In 2010, Owen Davidson, a player with left-handed style, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall
of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, US.
ii. In 2011, he was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne,
Australia.
Books: Davidson has authored 2 books, “Lawn Tennis: The Great Ones and Great Women Tennis Players”
and “Tackle Lawn Tennis Way”.

Former Arunachal Pradesh minister Chow Tewa Mein dies at 80
On May 15, 2023, the former Arunachal Pradesh (AR) minister, Chow Tewa Mein(CT Mein) passed away
at the age of 80. He was born on March 31, 1943, at Chongkham village, Arunachal Pradesh. He was the
elder brother of AR’s Deputy Chief Minister(Dy CM) Chowna Mein.
• Hailing from Chongkham village of AR, he was elected as a member of the Pradesh Council in
1972. (Pradesh Council was converted into the Provisional Legislative Assembly on August
1975). In 1978, he was elected from Namsai-Chowkham assembly constituency and was among
the first 30 elected MLAs of AR from the Janata Party.
• He served as MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) from Chowkham constituency in 1995,
2004, 2009 and 2014.
• He also served as the horticulture minister in 1995 and as PHE & WS (Public Health Engineering
& Water Supply ) Minister in 1998; as parliamentary secretary in the Animal Husbandry,
Veterinary & Dairy Development Department in 2009; and in Environment & Forest
Department from 2011-2019 till his retirement from active politics.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2023 – May 17
The United Nations(UN)’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day(WTISD) is annually
observed across the globe on 17th May to create awareness about the uses of the Internet and other
information and communication technologies (ICT) in societies and economies. The day also aims to raise
awareness about the ways to bridge the Digital divide.
WTISD 2023 is observed on 17th May 2023 under the theme – “Empowering the least developed
countries through information and communication technologies”.
Background:
i.World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969.
• The day marks the founding anniversary of the signing of the 1st International Telegraph
Convention on 17 May 1865 in Paris, France and the creation of the International Telegraph
Union(ITU)- now known as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
ii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/60/252 on 27th March
2006 and proclaimed the 17th May of every year as World Information Society Day.
• The observance was proposed by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in
November 2005 to focus on the importance of ICT and the range of issues related to the
Information Society raised by WSIS.
iii.In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey(Türkiye), decided to
celebrate both events on 17 May as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

Key Points:
Around 407 million people in the least developed countries (LDCs) were using internet in 2022. This
accounts for around 36% of the population compared to 66% globally.
720 million people in LDCs are still offline, this accounts for 27% of the global offline population.
• The LDC population accounts for only 14% of the world’s population.
About International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
ITU is the UN’s specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.
Secretary-General– Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Founded in 1865
World Hypertension Day 2023 – May 17

World Hypertension Day is annually observed across the globe on May 17 to raise awareness about
hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, and promote its prevention, detection and
control.
World Hypertension Day 2023 was observed on 17th May 2023 under the theme “Measure Your Blood
Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.
Aim:
The day aims to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical
complications.
Background:
i. World Hypertension League (WHL) initiated a global campaign on Hypertension in 2005 and observed
the first-ever World Hypertension Day on 14th May 2005.
ii. From 2006 onwards, WHL dedicated the 17th May of every year as “World Hypertension Day”.
Hypertension:
i. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition which generally has no symptoms and if left
untreated, can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.
• Hypertension is when the pressure in the blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg (millimetres
of mercury) or higher).
ii. Blood pressure is recorded as 2 numbers: the systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart beats) and
the diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats).
iii. Hypertension risk factors include older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically
active, a high-salt diet, and drinking too much alcohol.
Key Points:
i. Worldwide, 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 are believed to have hypertension, with two-thirds of them
living in low- and middle-income countries.

ii. Adults with hypertension are reportedly 46% less likely to be aware of their condition.
iii. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 42% of persons with hypertension receive a
diagnosis and treatment. 1 in 5 (21%) persons with hypertension have it under control.
• Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.
iv. The reduction of hypertension prevalence by 33% between 2010 and 2030 is one of the global goals for
non-communicable diseases.
About the World Health Organization (WHO):
Director General- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Establishment- 7 April 1948
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2023 – May 17

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) is annually observed
across the globe on May 17 to raise awareness about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and
Intersex (LGBTQI+) issues.
IDAHOTB 2023 was observed on 17th May 2023 under the theme “Together Always: United in
Diversity”.
Note:
The IDAHOTB is currently celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 countries where same-sex
acts are illegal.
Background:
i. The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia was established in 2004 to
highlight the difficulties faced by the people of the LGBT community.
ii. The day was officially founded by Louis-Georges Tin, a French academic and activist against
homophobia and racism, in 2004.
Why May 17?
17th May commemorated the day in 1990 when the World Health Assembly (WHA) removed
homosexuality per se from the 10th revision International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
Note: ICD-6 published in 1948 classified homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Events 2023:
i. The United Nations (UN)’s LGBTI Core Group hosted an event at UN headquarters to commemorate the
2023 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), cosponsored by UN
Women.
• This is the 5th year that the Core Group holds an IDAHOTB event.
ii. This event is being held to raise awareness of the discrimination, violence, and marginalisation that
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people face across the globe, emphasising the

importance of creating an inclusive society that respects and protects the human rights of all people,
including trans people.
Highlights:
i. The Netherlands became the 1st country to legalise same-sex marriage on 1st April 2001. The law
received royal assent from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on 21 December 2000 and took effect on 1
April 2001.
ii. In 2019, Gender Identity Disorder (as applied to trans individuals) was removed from the International
Classification of Diseases (ICD) list of mental health disorders by the World Health Organization (WHO).
STATE NEWS
Mukhyamantri Krishak Byaaj Maafi Yojana-2023: Interest waiver scheme for farmers launched
in MP
The Chief Minister (CM) of Madhya Pradesh (MP) Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched a farm loan interest
waiver scheme namely ‘Mukhyamantri Krishak Byaaj Maafi Yojana-2023 or the Chief Minister Farmer
Loan Waiver Scheme’ to compensate the defaulter farmers, who have outstanding loans of up
to Rs 2 lakh including the principal and interest as on March 31, 2023, from Primary Agricultural Credit
Cooperative Societies (PACS) affiliated to District Cooperative Central Banks.
• Under this outstanding amounts of Rs 2,123 crore will be waived off for 11,19,000 farmers,
and will also be certified as default-free.
• This initiative will make the farmers eligible for the crop loan scheme at a 0% interest rate.
• The scheme also includes short-term crop as well as short-term loans, which have been
converted into medium-term loans due to natural calamities.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Cabinet Approvals on May 17, 2023

2. GoI Implements RPwD Act 2016; Established Accessibility Standards for Divyangjan
3. 3rd ETWG meeting under India’s G20 Presidency held in Mumbai- India Commits to Just Energy
Transition
4. DDP of Defence Ministry announces 164 PIL Items; Import Value of Rs 814 crore
5. 1st Ministerial Meeting of TTC: EU-India agrees to coordinate Policies in Strategic Semi-
Conductor Sector
6. IRDAI Forms Task Force to Facilitate Ease of Doing KYC Using Aadhaar
7. N Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons Chairman Conferred with Highest French Civilian Honour-
“Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur“
8. Manoj Soni sworn in as UPSC Chairman
9. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
10. RBI gives nod to SBIFML to acquire 9.99% stake in HDFC Bank
11. UGC launches 2 New Portals: “UTSAH” to Track Implementation of NEP 2020 & “PoP”
12. SP Hinduja, UK-based Billionaire Businessman & Chairman of Hinduja Group, Passed away
13. Rattan Lal Kataria, BJP MP from Ambala, Passed Away
14. International Museum Day 2023 – May 18
15. World AIDS Vaccine Day 2023 – May 18
16. MP Cabinet approved ‘CM Learn and Earn’ Scheme for Unemployed Youths

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Cabinet Approvals on May 17, 2023
On May 17, 2023, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi has approved
the following:
i.Signing of Project Collaboration Agreement between India’s DHR and WHO on Assistive Technology
ii.PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware
iii.MoU between ICAI and CA Maldives
Cabinet approves signing of Project Collaboration Agreement between the DHR & WHO on Assistive
Technology
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) between
India’s Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and
the World Health Organization (WHO) for promoting access to high quality affordable assistive technology.
• This collaboration will foster research, innovation, and capacity building in this area.
• The PCA was signed on 10.10.2022 by the WHO and on 18.10.2022 by DHR.
Key Points:
i.Assistive technology refers to tools and devices that help people with disabilities or limitations to perform
daily tasks and improve their quality of life.
• Hearing aids, wheelchairs, communication aids, spectacles, prostheses, pill organizers and memory
aids are all examples of assistive products.
ii.The collaboration also seeks to draw global attention to the importance of assistive technology and develop
appropriate training programs.
Cabinet approves PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware
After the success of PLI for mobile phones, the Union Cabinet also approved the Production Linked Incentive
(PLI) Scheme 2.0 for Information Technology (IT) Hardware with an outlay Rs 17,000 crore. It will cover
covers laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs (Personal Computers), servers and ultra small form factor devices.
Focus of PLI Scheme 2.0
It is focused on expanding India’s production and presence in Global value chains of IT hardware, servers and
laptops
This will speed up India’s USD 300 billion electronics manufacturing mission, a vital part of India’s trillion-
dollar digital economy goal.
PLI Scheme 2.0 Features:
• Tenure of this scheme- 6 years
• Expected incremental production- Rs 3.35 Lakh crore
• Expected incremental investment- Rs 2,430 crore
• Expected incremental direct employment- 75,000

Key Points:
i.Electronics manufacturing in India showed a consistent growth with 17% CAGR (Compound annual growth
rate) in last 8 years. In 2023, it crossed a major benchmark in production, USD 105 billion (about Rs
9 lakh crore).
ii.India has become the world’s second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones.
• Exports of mobile phones crossed a major milestone of $11 billion this year (about Rs 90 thousand
crore).
iii.The Central Government in February 2021 approved the PLI scheme or IT hardware, covering the
production of laptops, tablets, All-in-One PCs, and servers with an outlay of Rs 7,350 crore.
Cabinet approves MoU between ICAI and CA Maldives
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and The Chartered Accountants of the Maldives (CA
Maldives).
Aim:
To establish mutual co-operation for the advancement of Accounting Knowledge, Professional and Intellectual
Development, Advancing the interests of their respective members and positively contributing to the
development of the Accountancy Profession in the Maldives and India through Training, Professional Ethics,
and Technical Research
Key Points:
i.Under this MoU, ICAI Members will get enhanced professional opportunities in Maldives in short to long term
future.
ii.ICAI will provide services in accountancy profession to Maldives.
• CA Maldives intends to become a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the
global voice of the accountancy profession with more than 180 members in 135 countries. ICAI will
do technical due diligence for CA Maldives to make it a member of IFAC.
About ICAI:
i.ICAI is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 for the regulation of the
profession of Chartered Accountants in India.
ii.It contributes to the field of education, professional development, maintenance of high accounting, auditing
and ethical standards in furtherance of the profession of CAs.
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between CCI and Egyptian Competition Authority
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of MoU between the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the
Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) to promote and strengthen cooperation in competition law and policy
through exchange of information, technical cooperation, sharing of best practices as well as through various
capacity building initiatives.
The MoU also aims to develop and strengthen linkages between CCI and ECA, and learn and emulate each
other’s experiences in the enforcement of competition law in their respective jurisdictions through experience
sharing and technical cooperation.
Key Points:
i.This MoU will enable CCI to learn from the experience and lessons of ECA which would help improve
enforcement of the Competition Act, 2002 by CCI.
• This will benefit consumers at large and promote equity and inclusiveness.

ii.Section 18 of the Competition Act, 2002 permits CCI to enter into any memorandum or arrangement with
any agency of any foreign country for the purpose of discharging its duties or performing its functions under
the Act.
iii.On the lines of International Cooperation, earlier, CCI also inked MoUs with competition authorities in
different jurisdictions, including Mauritius, Europe, the United States, China, Canada, Australia, Russia, Brazil,
South Africa, and Japan.
Cabinet Approves revision in Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for RABI Season, 2022-23 and fixing of NBS
rates for KHARIF Season, 2023 on P&K fertilizers
The Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for revision in Nutrient Based Subsidy
(NBS) rates for various nutrients i.e. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) for Rabi Season
2022-23 (from 01.01.2023 to 31.03.2023) and approved NBS rates for Kharif Season, 2023 (from 1.4.2023 to
30.09.2023) for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers to make available 25 grades of Phosphatic and
Potassic (P&K) fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices.
• The government will be providing a subsidy of Rs. 38,000 crores for the Kharif 2023 to fulfil its
commitment of providing quality and subsidized P&K fertilizers to farmers.
• This takes the total fertiliser subsidy for the Kharif season (April-September) to Rs 1.08 lakh
crore. This includes Rs 70,000 crore of urea subsidy earmarked in the Budget for the Kharif
season 2023-24.
• The subsidy is likely to benefit about 12 crore farmers.
Director-General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
About Maldives:
President– Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Capital– Male
Currency– Maldivian Rufiyaa
GoI Implements RPwD Act 2016; Established Accessibility Standards for Divyangjan
The Government of India (GoI) has formulated rules under the provision of section 40 of the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 to establish the standards of accessibility for persons with
disabilities (Divyangjan or PwDs).
• The rules establish the standard of accessibility for the physical environment, transportation,
information and communication, including appropriate technologies and systems and other facilities
and services provided to the public in urban and rural areas.
Note: The RPwD Act, 2016 was enacted on 28th December 2016 and came into force on 19th April 2017.
Key Points:
i.Under this provision of section 40 of the RPwD Act 2016, 20 ministries are involved in making Accessibility
guidelines/standards for their respective sector.

ii.The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities(DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment(MoSJE), will regularly monitor the formulations of these guidelines or standards.
• Regular review meetings are undertaken at various levels. A recent review of the progress was
conducted by the MoSJE.
Status of guidelines :-
i.Standards/guidelines notified in RPwD Rules under Rule 15:
• Accessibility for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products and services.
• Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standard for Barrier-Free Built Environment 2016.
• Standard for Bus Body Code for Transportation system.
ii.Guidelines under Draft notification in RPwD Rules and inviting public and other stakeholder
comments
• Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for universal accessibility in India 2021 by 31st March
2023.
• Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Civil Aviation by 10th June 2023.
• Accessibility standards and guidelines for the Culture sector (monuments/sites/museums/libraries
by 10th June 2023.
• Accessible Sport complex and residential facilities for sports person with disabilities by 10th June
2023
iii.Guidelines notified in the Gazette of India by concerned Ministries/Departments
• Accessibility standards for healthcare.
iv.Guidelines awaited for notification in the Gazette of India by the concerned Ministry/Department
• Guidelines on the accessibility of Indian Railways stations and facilities at stations for differently-
abled persons and passengers with reduced mobility
• Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities
• Accessibility Guidelines for Bus Terminals and Bus Stops
• Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation

Points to be noted on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016:-
• Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right
to free education.
• 5% reservation in seats in Government and Government aided higher educational institutions for
persons with benchmark disabilities.
• 4% reservation in Government jobs for certain persons or class of persons with benchmark
disability.
On 28 September 2022, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Sector Skill
Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) and Amazon Internet Private Limited signed a tripartite
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide skill training and employment opportunities for persons
with disabilities at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
About the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJE):
Union Minister– Virendra Kumar(Constituency- Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh)
Minister of State– A. Narayanaswamy; Pratima Bhoumik & Ramdas Athawale
3rd ETWG meeting under India’s G20 Presidency held in Mumbai- India Commits to Just Energy
Transition
The 3rd Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting (ETWG) under India’s G20 Presidency was held in
Mumbai, Maharashtra on 15th May 2023.Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary, the Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (MNRE), announced that India is committed to an accelerated, responsible and just energy
transition through international cooperation and collaboration.
• This was announced during the official side event “Low-cost Finance for New & Emerging Energy
Technologies” organised as a part of the 3rd ETWG.
• The side event was organised by the MNRE along with Indian Renewable Energy Development
Agency (IREDA), and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
• The 3rd ETWG Meeting will be chaired by Shri Alok Kumar, who serves as the ETWG Chair and
Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• The first two meetings of the ETWG were held in Bengaluru,Karnataka and Gandhinagar,Gujarat
respectively.
Highlights of the side event of 3rd ETWG:
Report launch:
i.A report titled “Low-Cost Finance for Energy Transition” prepared by IRENA in collaboration with the
MNRE was also released during the side event of 3rd ETWG.
• The report highlights the comprehensive toolbox to increase the availability of low-cost capital in
G20 countries and beyond.

ii.During the event, 2 other reports titled “Financing Needs for New Age Critical Technologies: CO2 Capture
Utilization and Storage (CCUS)” and “Financing Needs for New Age Critical Technologies: Battery Energy
Storage (BES)” were also released.
• These reports were developed by the Ministry of Power, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of
Management(IIM), Ahmedabad(Gujarat) and NETRA(NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance).
• NETRA is a Research and Development(R&D) laboratory of NTPC Limited based in Greater Noida,
Uttar Pradesh.
Participants:
• Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Vivek
Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, and Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary of the Ministry of
Coal,Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director, IREDA; Sunil Nair, Chief General Manager,
Reserve Bank of India(RBI) were participated in the deliberations.
• Members from International Organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), and United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP) were participated in the meeting.
Key Points:
i.During the side event, policymakers, financial institutions and technology developers deliberated on the
estimation of cost-effective financing for an energy transition based on the future trajectory of emerging critical
technologies such as Hydrogen, Offshore Wind, Energy Storage and Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage
(CCUS).
• Low-cost financing is one of the 6 key priority areas established by the ETWG under India’s
presidency.
ii.During the event, two-panel discussions moderated by Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General, IRENA and Dan
Dorner, Head of the Strategic Initiatives Office, International Energy Agency (IEA) respectively were held.
• The 1st-panel discussion focused on the “outlook of new and emerging energy technologies” and the
2nd focused on the theme “The role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Multilateral
Development Banks (MDBs) in mobilising investments”.
Recent Related News :-
India is hosting the prestigious G20 (Group of Twenty) summit in 2023, as the country holds the G20
Presidency from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023.The first “G20 Energy Transition Working Group”
(ETWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from February 5-7,
2023…Click here for more detail..
About Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE):
Union Minister– Raj Kumar Singh(Constituency- Arrah, Bihar)
Minister of State– Bhagwanth Khuba(Constituency- Bidar, Karnataka)
DDP of Defence Ministry announces 164 PIL Items; Import Value of Rs 814 crore
The Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD), announced that 164 Positive
Indigenisation List (PIL) items, which were to be indigenised by December 2022 and had an import
substitution value of USD 99 million (Rs 814 crore), have achieved the target within the timelines. This is in
line with realising “Aatmanirbharta” in the defence sector.
With the notification of these 164 additional items, the total number of indigenised items from these PILs of
DDP is 2,736, with an import substitution value of Rs 2,570 crore.
• The indigenisation of these items has been achieved by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)
either through Industry partners, including MSMEs, or in-house.
• Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have successfully indigenised these items either
through Industry partners, including MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), or in-house.
• The DDP has notified 4 PILs consisting of 4,666 items, including Line Replacement Units (LRUs),
Sub-systems, and Spares & Components for DPSUs.

• DDP had earlier notified the successful indigenisation of 2,572 items, with an import substitution
value of Rs 1,756 crore.
The DPSUs-wise list of these indigenised items is available on the Srijan Portal.
1st Ministerial Meeting of TTC: EU-India Agrees to coordinate Policies in Strategic Semi-
Conductor Sector
On 16th May 2023, India and the European Union (EU) agreed to coordinate their policies in the strategic
semiconductor sector with an aim to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by September 2023 in
the 1st ministerial meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Brussels, Belgium.
• The EU-India Trade and Technology Council is the 2nd bilateral forum for the EU and the 1st one
established with any partner for India.
Note: The EU and the United States of America (USA) launched a TTC in June 2021 is the 1st bilateral forum.
Dignitaries:
The meeting was co-chaired by European Commission Executive Vice-Presidents (EVP) Margrethe
Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis, with Indian Ministers Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs
(MEA), Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of
State (MoS) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & MoS for Electronics and Information Technology,
and joined by High Representative/ Vice-President Josep Borrell and Thierry Breton, European
Commissioner.
Background:
i. The formation of the TTC was announced by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, and Ursula von der
Leyen, President of the European Commission in New Delhi, Delhi, in April 2022.
ii. They agreed to set up the TTC to facilitate the exchange of critical technologies relating to an array of
domains including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductors and cybersecurity.
India & EU- Joint Statement:
i. The EU and India will work towards bridging the digital skills gap, explore Mutual Recognition of
certifications and further the promotion of skilled professionals and talent exchange.
ii. It also enhances cooperation on Information technology (IT) and Telecoms Standardisation with a particular
focus on promoting interoperable standards.
iii. According to the joint statement of the EU and India, both sides recognised the importance of Digital Public
Infrastructure (DPI) for the development of open and inclusive digital economies and digital societies.
iv. The EU and India are committed to deepening their partnership and using their respective strengths to
accelerate the creation and adoption of advanced digital technologies that will benefit both societies and
promote global progress in line with common values.

About the European Union(EU):
European Union (EU) is an organization of European countries to oversee their economic and political
integration.
Presidency of the Council of the EU- Sweden (1st January 2023 to 30th June 2023)
Formed in 1993
Members– 27 member states
BANKING & FINANCE

IRDAI Forms Task Force to Facilitate Ease of Doing KYC Using Aadhaar
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), a statutory body under the jurisdiction
of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), has constituted a task force to facilitate ease of doing Know Your
Customer (KYC) and allied matters by insurers using Aadhaar, the 12-digit individual identification number.
• At Present, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) framework allows insurance companies
to identify the customer by using their Aadhaar with consent management.
• The 12-member task force is headed by Rakesh Joshi, Member (finance and investment (F&I)) of
IRDAI.
• The panel has been asked to suggest measures to ease of onboarding of customers using Aadhaar,
and steps for fraud management at the underwriting and claims stages.
• The 12-point terms of reference also seek the panel’s suggestion on linking of ABHA ID (Ayushman
Bharat) and facilitating insurers to access annuity life certificates (Jeevan Pramaan).

N Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons Chairman Conferred with Highest French Civilian Honour-
“Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur“
On 17th May 2023, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, was honoured with the Chevalier de
la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest French Civilian award, for his substantial
role in developing and fostering commercial links between India and France.
• N Chandrasekaran received the award from Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Europe and
Foreign Affairs, who gave the award on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron.
About Natarajan Chandrasekaran:
i. In 1987, Natarajan Chandrasekaran started his journey with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a graduate
trainee.
ii. He served the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director(MD) of TCS from 2009 to 2017. He
became the first non-Parsi and professional executive to head the Tata Group.
iii. In 2016, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) appointed N Chandrasekaran as a director on its board.
iv. He has also been appointed as the chair of B20 India by the Central government. In this role, he will lead the

business agenda during India’s G20 presidency.
v. He is also heading the new Economic Advisory Council of Maharashtra, which was announced by the state
government in December 2022.
Awards: In 2022, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan by the Government of India for his excellence in
Trade and Industry.
Indo-French Business:
i.With approximately 25 French research and development centres, 15 joint Indo-French research institutes,
and 500 collaborative projects in India, France has established itself as one of India’s most important scientific
partners.
ii.In December 2022, Tata Technologies inaugurated its innovation centre in Toulouse, France, to cater for the
new-age product engineering and digital requirements of the global aerospace and defence sector.
iii.In 2023, Tata Group-owned Air India had inked a multi-billion dollar deal with Airbus, France-based
aerospace industry, to buy 250 aircraft from Airbus, which included 210 A320 neo planes and 40 A350 aircraft.

Manoj Soni sworn in as UPSC Chairman
On May 16 2023, Manoj Soni, a former Vice-Chancellor of two universities in Gujarat, sworn in as
the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Oath was administered by Smita Nagaraj, a
senior most Member of UPSC.
• Manoj Soni was already serving as the Chairman in charge of UPSC since April 2022. He joined
UPSC as a member on June 28, 2017.
About Manoj Soni:
i. Manoj Soni served three terms as Vice-Chancellor:
• Two consecutive terms from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2015 as Vice-Chancellor of Dr
Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU), Gujarat;
• From April 2005 to April 2008 Manoj Soni, served as the Vice-Chancellor of The Maharaja Sayajirao
University(MSU) in Baroda, Gujarat.
• He became the youngest-ever vice-chancellor in India, during his tenure at MSU.
ii. He taught International Relations at Sardar Patel University (SPU), Vallabh Vidyanagar between 1991 and
2016, except for the period when he served as Vice-Chancellor of the two universities.
Awards:
i. In 2013, he was honoured with the ‘Honorary Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge’ title by the Mayor-
President of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America.
ii. In 2015, he received the World Education Congress Global Award for Distance Learning Leadership from the
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, London, United Kingdom.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):
i.The UPSC conducts the civil services examination to select Group “A” officers of elite services such as the
Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) and

over two dozen all-India services that form the backbone of the country’s administrative structure.
ii.The Commission is headed by a Chairman and it can have a maximum of 10 members, who are all appointed
by the President of India.
About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):
Chairperson– Manoj Soni
Founded– 1 October 1926
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
On 15th May 2023, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who was commissioned in the fighter stream in the Indian Air
Force (IAF) on 6th December 1986, took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff(DCAS).
Prior to taking over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, he served as Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western
Air Command and the Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command.
• He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test pilot, with over 3300 hours of flying
experience on fighter, trainer, and transport aircraft.
• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron, a frontline fighter base in the
Western sector, and a premier fighter training base.
• He formerly held the positions of Principle Director of Air Staff Requirement, Assistant Chief of the
Air Staff (Projects), and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans).

RBI gives nod to SBIFML to acquire 9.99% stake in HDFC Bank
On May 17, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved SBI Funds Management Ltd’s (SBIFML)
application for acquiring up to 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of HDFC Bank Ltd.
• SBIFML has to acquire the major shareholding in the bank within a period of six months i.e.
by November 15, 2023.
• The investment will be made as part of the mutual fund schemes managed by SBI Funds
Management.
Key Points:
i.SBIFML currently holds a 5.07% equity stake in HDFC Bank and 3.79% in Housing Development Finance
Corporation (HDFC) Limited.
ii.SBIFML has to ensure that the aggregate holding in the bank remains below 10% of the paid-up share capital
or voting rights of the HDFC Bank at all times.
iii.It should be noted that approval is subject to the conditions, including compliance with the relevant
provisions of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949, RBI’s Master Direction and Guidelines on Acquisition and
Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies dated January 16, 2023, provisions of the Foreign
Exchange Management Act, 1999, provisions of the regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of

India (SEBI), and any other guidelines, and regulations, as applicable.
iv.SBIFML is the largest in India with assets under management of Rs 7.17-lakh crore as of March end 2023.
About SBI Funds Management Ltd. (SBIFML):
It is a Joint Venture between the State Bank of India (SBI) and AMUNDI (France).
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer– Shamsher Singh

UGC Launches 2 New Portals: “UTSAH” to Track Implementation of NEP 2020 & “PoP”
On 16th May 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched a new portal named “UTSAH”, short for
“Undertaking Transformative Strategies and Actions in Higher Education”, to monitor the implementation of
the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
The new portal was launched by Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of UGC.
• On the same occasion, the UGC also launched the Professors of Practice (PoP) portal and
revamped its main website.
About the UTSAH portal:
i. UTSAH portal will effectively track the qualitative reforms and initiatives taken by educational institutions
across India in line with NEP.
• The Higher Educational Institutions can register on the UTSAH portal.
ii. UGC has developed this portal to motivate, implement, and monitor the progress of these initiatives.
iii. This portal also provides detailed information about UGC’s initiatives for qualitative reforms in higher
education.
iv. For the information of all stakeholders, the Regulations, Guidelines, and Frameworks issued by the UGC will
also be easily available via a hyperlink.
v. UTSAH portal has been designed in consultation with esteemed institutes such as the National Institute of
Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the Institute of National Importance (INIs).
About the PoP Portal:
i. The UGC has developed a portal for Professors of Practice (PoP) to facilitate institutions in recruiting
experienced professional experts in the required area.
ii. Experts from any discipline can register with an email ID and mobile number in the PoP portal.
iii. Universities and institutions can also register on this portal and upload advertisements for the appointment
of PoP positions with the required number of posts and specific domains.
iv. Universities and other organisations can also register on this portal and upload job advertising for PoP
positions with the required number of posts and specific domains.
v. This portal serves as a platform for collaboration between experts and academic institutions, fostering a
beneficial partnership.

About the University Grants Commission (UGC):
Chairman- Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar
Establishment- 1956 (came into existence in 1953)
OBITUARY
SP Hinduja, UK-based Billionaire Businessman & Chairman of Hinduja Group, Passed away
On May 17 2023, the India-born British industrialist and Chairman of the Hinduja
Group, Srichand Parmanand Hinduja (SP Hinduja) passed away at the age of 87 in London, United
Kingdom (UK). He was born on 28 November 1935 in Karachi, Sindh province, British India (now Pakistan).
• SP Hinduja was also serving as the chairman of the Hinduja Bank of Switzerland and Hinduja
Foundations.
• SP Hinduja was the eldest among the four Hinduja brothers: Gopichand P Hinduja, Prakash P
Hinduja & Ashok P. Hinduja.
• Gopichand Hinduja, brother of SP Hinduja will succeed him as Chairman of Hinduja Group.
Career of SP Hinduja:
i. SP Hinduja entered the family business of textile and trading in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and in Tehran, Pahlavi
of Iran in 1952.
• The Hinduja Group remained headquartered in Iran till 1979 then moved to London, UK.
ii.In 1993 he ventured into banking with IndusInd Bank, the 1st of the new-generation private banks in India.
• He founded the only Indian-owned Swiss bank, S P Hinduja Banquee Privee in 1994,
headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
iii.He also became a leading business tycoon in India alongside Tatas, the Birlas, the Bajajs and the Ambanis.
iv. Under his leadership, Hinduja group acquired Gulf Oil from the United States of America(USA)-based oil
company Chevron in 1984, and Ashok Leyland Ltd (Land Rover Leyland International Holdings) from UK’s
Rover Group in 1987.
• In 2012, the Group acquired the US firm Houghton International, the world’s largest metal fluids
manufacturer.
Wealth:
i. SP and GP Hinduja were ranked 8th on the Forbes’ 2022 India’s 100 Richest List.
ii. SP Hinduja and his brother Gopichand topped the Sunday Times Rich List in 2022 for a fourth time with an
estimated net worth of 28.5 billion pounds.
Rattan Lal Kataria, BJP MP from Ambala, Passed Away

On 18th May 2023, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rattan Lal Kataria, a Member of Parliament (MP), Lok
Sabha, from Ambala (Haryana), passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 72. He was born on 19 December 1951
in Yamunanagar, Haryana.

He was also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for over five decades. From 2000 to 2003,
he served as the President of the BJP (Haryana Unit).
• Rattan Lal Kataria, the 3-time MP, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ambala in 1999, 2014, and
2019.
• Rattan Lal Kataria served as the Minister of State (MoS) for Jal Shakti and Social Justice and
Empowerment from 2019 to 2021.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Museum Day 2023 – May 18
International Museum Day (IMD) is annually observed across the globe on May 18 to promote the
importance of museums as cultural institutions and to create awareness about the role of museums in society
and their contribution to education, cultural exchange, and heritage preservation.
• The theme of the International Museum Day 2023 observed on 18th May 2023 is “Museums,
Sustainability and Wellbeing”.
Objective:
The day aims to raise awareness about the fact that Museums are an important means of cultural exchange,
enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.
Background:
i. International Museum Day was created by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 following
the adoption of a resolution by the ICOM General Assembly in Moscow, Russia, to create an annual observance
to highlight the role of museums in the development of society on an international level.
ii. ICOM has been organising International Museum Day since 1977.
Key Highlights:
i. ICOM plans to highlight the vital role that museums play in promoting sustainable development and well-
being in IMD 2023.
ii. Museums can help educate the public on significant global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity
loss, and social inequality and encourage action towards positive change.
iii. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved in many different ways, from promoting
inclusivity and promoting climate action to addressing social isolation and improving mental health.
iv. Since 2020, IMD supports a set of goals from the SDGs of the United Nations (UN). In 2023, it focuses on SDG
3 (Global Health and Well-being), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Events 2023:
i. Museums across the globe will participate in the IMD by hosting events, exhibitions, and activities that
explore the theme of sustainability and well-being.
ii. These events will showcase how museums are working to reduce their environmental impact, promote
sustainable practices, and educate the public on the importance of sustainability.

About the International Council of Museums (ICOM):
President- Emma Nardi (Italy)
Establishment- 1946
World AIDS Vaccine Day 2023 – May 18

World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Knowledge Day(HVAD), is annually observed across
the globe on 18th May to create awareness about the importance of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
vaccinations in preventing Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV infections.
• The observance of HVAD also recognizes the volunteers, community members, and researchers
working to find a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HIV.
Red Ribbon:
The red ribbon is the internationally recognized symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.
Background:
i.The idea of the observance of the World AIDS Vaccine Day was proposed by the then United States of
America’s President Bill Clinton.
ii.The observance was inspired by his commencement speech at the Morgan State University in 1997 when he
emphasised on the importance of vaccination in eradicating HIV.
iii.The first ever World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on 18th May 1998.
HIV and AIDS:
i.HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS, a chronic
immune system disease.
ii.HIV can be spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
iii.There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medications can control the infection and prevent disease progression.
Discovery of HIV:
i.French virologists, Luc Montagnier and Françoise Barré-Sinoussi discovered the HIV that causes AIDS in 1983.
ii.They received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of HIV.
• They shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine with Harald Zur Hausen, who discovered the viral
cause of cervical cancer that led to its development.
HIV Vaccine:
i.At present there are no vaccine available that will prevent HIV infection.
ii.There are numerous scientific challenges to developing an HIV vaccine. Since the virus itself integrates into
host DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid), it limits the vaccine platforms that can be used.
iii.The difficulties are due to the HIV’s unusual characteristics such as rapid replication, furious mutation,
immune system evasion, and creation of viral reservoirs.

STATE NEWS
MP Cabinet approved ‘CM Learn and Earn’ Scheme for Unemployed Youths
On May 17 2023, the State Cabinet of Madhya Pradesh chaired by Chief Minister
(CM) Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a new scheme named ‘Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana’ (Chief
Minister Learn and Earn Scheme) to provide opportunity to learn skills for unemployed youths of the state.
Objective:
• To provide employment-oriented skill training to about a lakh youth of MP.
• The scheme will also provide stipend to the youths along with training, skill upgradation which will
boost employment opportunities and pave the way for a better way of earning.
Eligibility:
Candidates accommodated in Madhya Pradesh and aged between 18 and 29, with a minimum educational
qualification of 12th class, ITI (industrial training) are eligible for the scheme.
Features:
i. 703 work areas types including: Engineering, Tourism, Hotel Management, Hospital, Railway, ITI, Software
Development, Banking, Chartered Accountant, Industries, and other financial services have been identified for
training.
ii. Establishments working in media, art, law and legal services, education-training and service sectors will also
be included in the scheme.
iii. It will also provide industry-oriented training to the trainees, proficiency in latest technology and processes,
thereby enhancing their regular employability.
iv. State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) certificate will be given by the Madhya Pradesh State Skill
Development and Employment Generation Board (MPSSDEGB) to the candidates who pass.
Note: Industrial and private institutions of India and Madhya Pradesh will be connected with the scheme.
Stipend Benefits:
Education qualification Monthly stipend
Class 12 Rs 8,000
ITI Rs 8,500
Diploma Rs 9,000
Graduate or higher degree Rs 10,000

• 75% of stipend will be paid by DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to the trainee on behalf of the state
government. The concerned establishment will have to deposit 25% of the prescribed minimum
stipend in the bank account of the trainee.

Committee for the Scheme:
i. Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Iqbal Singh Bains will be the chairperson of the Empowered
Committee that will operate the scheme.
ii.Member secretary – Manu Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary of Skill Development
and Employment Department.
iii.Members – Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary of Finance, Industrial Policy and Investment
Promotion, Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises, Labour, Higher Education and Technical Education
Departments of MP.
Registration:
i. The registration of establishments for training the youths will begin on 7th June 2023 and the registration of
youths will start from 15th June 2023.
ii. From August 1 2023, the youth will start working/get training and the first monthly stipend will come on
August 31.
Additional Info:
Workshops will be held between May 22, 2023 to June 6, 2023 in Pune (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka)
and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) to link key establishments with the scheme.
Also, activities/workshops will be conducted at the divisional and district level from June 1 2023 to June 14
2023 for the purpose of giving information about the scheme.
About Madhya Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor– Mangubhai C. Patel
Zoological Park– Van Vihar National Park Zoo, Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya Zoo (Indore Zoo)

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone, Inaugurates Railway Projects Worth over Rs 8000 crore in
Odisha
2. Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways & Assam signed an MoU for a Riverine based Tourism
Circuit
3. Israel & India Partners to Establish Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras
4. Union Minister Parshottam Rupala launches “Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-V”
5. UBI Global ranks Kerala Startup Mission as World’s No.1 Public Business Incubator
6. MoUs signed for 2 Community Development Projects in Nepal under GOI Grant Assistance
7. Govt Included ICCs Spending Outside India under RBI’s LRS & Levied 20% TCS
8. IRDAI Relaxes Norms for Surety Bonds to Expand Market for such Products
9. Paytm in Partnership with SBI Card, NPCI Launches Co-branded RuPay Credit Cards
10. JCB partners with NPCI to offer 40% cashback for RuPay JCB Cardholders for in-store purchases
11. YES Bank Launches YES PAY EASY App to Enable Merchants to Accept Digital Payments on
Smartphones
12. ICICI Lombard Partners with actyv.ai to Introduce Revolutionary Insurance Solutions for SMEs
13. Trichy Airport’s New Terminal Project Bags International Safety Award: British Safety Council
14. SAFFMontréal 2023: Kavitha Lankesh’s “Gauri” bags “Best Long Documentary Award”
15. Union Cabinet Reshuffle: Arjun Ram Meghwal Replaces Kiran Rijiju as Law Minister; Kiran Rijiju
Assigned to Earth Science Ministry
16. DSCI appoints Pramod Bhasin as its New Chairman
17. CCI Approved the Merger of Credit Suisse Group with UBS Group
18. Indra Installs Naval Version of Lanza 3D Radar on Indian Navy’s Destroyer
19. SpaceX launches 22 Second-Generation Starlink Satellites to Orbit
20. Patch Reporting App: Uttarakhand CM launches mobile app to Report Potholes
21. Himachal Pradesh’s unique Kangra tea registered for GI tag with European Union
22. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches State Dashboard & CM Dashboard

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone, Inaugurates Railway Projects Worth over Rs 8000 crore in
Odisha
On 18th May 2023, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation,
several railway projects worth more than Rs 8000 crores in Odisha through video conferencing.
• During the event, the PM flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Puri(Odisha) and
Howrah(West Bengal).
• He also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Puri and Cuttack railway stations.
Vande Bharat Express between Puri-Howrah:
i.This vande bharat express reduced the travel time between Puri and Howrah to only 6 hours 30 min.
ii.The train covering around 500 kilometres (Km) will pass through Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and
Balasore districts in Odisha and Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur districts in West Bengal.
Note: 15 Vande Bharat Trains are already running in various states of India giving a push to the economy of
India.
PM Laid Foundation Stone for the Redevelopment of Puri and Cuttack railway stations:
The redevelopment of the Puri and Cuttack railway stations aims to provide a world-class experience to rail
travellers by equipping the stations with modern amenities.
Puri railway stations:
i.The new design of the Puri station is inspired by the Odisha’s temple architecture and the redevelopment is
expected to be completed in 36 months.
ii.With a budget of Rs 162 crore, the station is being equipped with world-class amenities, including
environmental and waste management systems, aesthetic lighting, and comfortable waiting and retiring rooms.
iii.This station is designed as a green building, adhering to gold and platinum standards
iv.Its sustainable features of the station will enable it to withstand wind speeds of up to 250 mph.
Cuttack Railway Station:
i.The budget for the renovation of Cuttack Railway Station is set at Rs 303 crore.
ii.The station is designed through a public poll on Twitter.
iii.The station will feature a range of amenities, including waiting rooms, dormitories, a food court, retiring
rooms, lifts, escalators, and a dedicated baby feeding room.
Other Highlights:
i.The Prime Minister dedicated 100% electrification of the rail network in Odisha which will reduce the
operating and maintenance cost and reduce reliance on imported crude oil.
• With this Odisha becomes one of the states in India where 100% electrification of rail lines has been
achieved.
ii.He also dedicated other railway projects including,
• Doubling of the Sambalpur-Titlagarh rail line.

• New broad gauge rail line between Angul-Sukinda.
• New broad-gauge line between Bichhupali-Jhartarbha.
• 3rd line connecting Manoharpur-Rourkela-Jharsuguda-Jamga.
These projects will cater to the increased traffic demands as a result of rapid industrial development in the
steel, power & mining sectors in Odisha and will also help ease the pressure on passenger traffic in these rail
sections.
On 24th March 2023, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, laid the foundation stone and dedicated
development projects worth more than Rs. 1780 crores in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh(UP) during the
programme organised at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground.
This is in line with the efforts towards transforming the landscape of Varanis and enhancing the ease of living
for the people living in Varanasi and adjoining cities.
About Odisha:
Chief Minister– Naveen Patnaik
Governor– Ganeshi Lal
Festival– Raja Parba; Rath Yatra; Nuakhai
Stadium– Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium; East Coast Railway Stadium
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways & Assam signed an MoU for a Riverine based Tourism
Circuit
On May 19 2023, the Assam Government and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways(MoPSW) signed an
agreement for a ‘Riverine based Tourism Circuit’ being developed over the River Brahmaputra in Assam
Administrative Staff College in Guwahati, Assam.
• The project is being developed under the Sagarmala Programme will connect the seven historic sites
namely Kamakhya (Assam), Pandunath (Assam), Ashwaklanta, Doul Govinda, Umananda,
Chakreshwar and Auniati Satra situated in Guwahati, Assam.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed among the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under MoPSW; Sagarmala
Development Corporation Limited (SDCL) under MoPSW; Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC);
and Department of Inland Waterways Transport (DIWT); Government of Assam.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of Himanta Biswa Sarma- Chief Minister(CM) of Assam;
Sarbananda Sonowal- Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Government of
India.
Project Cost:
i. The initial cost of the project being developed under the Sagarmala Programme is INR 40-45 crores.

ii. SDCL and IWAI will jointly contribute 55% of the project cost while the remaining will be provided by ATDC.
iii. DIWT (Directorate of Inland Water Transport, Assam) has generously offered the usage of Ghats near the
temples free of charge for the project.
Riverine based Tourism Circuit:
i. The Riverine based Tourism Circuit project will facilitate modern ferry service on a ‘Hop On Hop Off’ among
seven historic religious temples/sites around Guwahati and the waiting lounge at the ferry terminal will be a
modern facility providing a comfortable ambience for the passengers.
ii. The circuit will sail from Hanuman Ghat, Uzan Bazar (Assam) and will complete its journey by covering all 7
temples/sites through waterways.
iii. This project is executed via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), and will be completed within 12 months.
Key People Involved:
Parimal Shuklabaidya- Transport Minister, Government of Assam; Jayanta Malla Baruah- Tourism Minister,
Government of Assam; Sanjay Bandopadhyay- Chairman, IWAI; Rituparna Baruah- Chairman, ATDC; Dilip Das-
Vice Chairman, ATDC; Dilip Kumar Gupta- Managing Director, SDCL
About Assam:
Stadium– Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Israel & India Partners to Establish Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras
India through the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) has signed a Letter of
Intent (LoI) with the Israel government to build an “India-Israel Center of Water Technology” (CoWT) in
Water Resource Management and Water Technologies at IIT Madras.
• The LoI was signed on 9th May 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi, by Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Prof V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, and Naor Gilon,
Ambassador of Israel to India in the presence of External Affairs Ministers S Jaishankar and his
Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen.
Key Points:
i. The CoWT aims to build human capacity to ensure the implementation of the best technologies of Israel in a
tailor-made context for the Indian requirements and pilot sustainable technologies to ensure water security for
India.
ii. The centre will help the MoHUA develop its Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT) Mission for attaining its overall targets in collaboration with Israel’s Agency for International
Development Cooperation(MASHAV- acronym in Hebrew), in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel.
India-Israel Center of Water Technology (CoWT):
i. CoWT will build a mutual network of knowledge exchange that will include technology, scientific information,
and literature in addition to sustainable water management practices.

ii. It will also function as a platform to bring together experts from both India and Israel to hold discussions and
consultations on issues like drinking water, and sewerage management and to develop new areas of
intervention.
iii. CoWT will also provide wide exposure to Indian Water professionals at all levels as they demonstrate the
projects using advanced technology and host an exhibition of Israeli water companies.
iv. India and Israel seek to jointly identify specific projects in the areas of integrated water resources
management, urban water supply, non-revenue water, and sewage recycling at the onset of this development.
v. The focus will be on building the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions for
water harvesting and smart data management with the objective of demonstrating the most advanced
technologies in the field.
Union Minister Parshottam Rupala launches “Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-V”

On 17th May 2023, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
(MoFAHD), launched the “Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-V” in Karanja, Raigad, Maharashtra.
The yatra started on 17th May 2023 from Gateway of India, Mumbai concluded on 19th May 2023 in Goa.
• The Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-V would be proceeding towards coastal regions including Gateway
of India, Karanja (Raigad District), Mirkarwada (Ratnagiri District), Devgad (Sindhudurg District),
Malvan, Vasco, Mormugaon, Canacona (South Goa).
• It aims to resolve the issues of the fishermen and stakeholders and ensure their economic
upliftment.
• The Program ‘Sagar Parikrama’ has successfully completed 4 phases, covering 19 locations in
Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

UBI Global ranks Kerala Startup Mission as World’s No.1 Public Business Incubator
Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has been ranked as the World’s Top Public/Private Business
Incubators in the 2nd edition of the UBI Global World Rankings of business incubators and
accelerators (World Ranking Report 21/22). KSUM was honoured for its role in making Kerala a vibrant
Startup hub.
• The honour for the same was jointly received by the Secretary (Electronics & IT),
Kerala, Rathan U Kelkar, and KSUM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anoop Ambika during the UBI
Global World Rankings 2021-2022 event held as part of the World Incubation Summit in Ghent,
Belgium.
• This report presents the Rankings and Recognitions derived from the World Benchmark Study
2021-2022 conducted by UBI Global, a Swedish-based innovation intelligence company and
community. This is the 6th iteration of the study.
• The study attracted incubators and accelerators from more than 90 countries to self-assess their
performance and impact for analysis, study, benchmarking, and ranking by UBI Global.
Note: Previously in 2019, UBI Global recognized KSUM as the world’s No. 1 public business accelerator.
Other 1st Rankers:
Category Winner
Public/Private Business Incubator Kerala Startup Mission(KSUM), India
Public/Private Business Accelerator EIT Health Accelerator, Europe
University Business Incubator İTÜ Çekirdek, Türkiye
University Business Accelerator Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) Belgium
About KSUM:
Established in 2006, KSUM is Kerala Government’s agency for promoting entrepreneurship in Kerala. It
implements the Kerala Technology Startup Policy and supports the startup ecosystem through schemes and
programs. It fosters technology-based entrepreneurship and builds the necessary infrastructure for high-end
startup businesses.
• Its innovative programs, such as the virtual incubation program ‘Fail Fast or Succeed’ (FFS), physical
incubation support for start-ups at different stages, and systematic funding mechanism, have played
an instrumental role in gaining the above mentioned global recognition.
About World Benchmark Study 2021-2022:
It analyzes the impact and performance of business incubators and accelerators. Participating programs are
studied according to four distinct groups: University, Public, Private, and Corporate.
• It assessed more than 600 incubators and accelerators from over 90 countries by utilizing 21 Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs) that form the base of the subcategory scores.

Rankings:
Developed as an output of the World Benchmark Study, the UBI Global world and regional rankings help
incubation programs understand their competition and their place in the global innovation ecosystem.
The assessed programs were compared by utilizing 21 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that form the base of
the subcategory scores.
i.ICICI Bank Limited (ICICI Bank) has unveiled “Startup Ecosystem Banking,” a comprehensive suite of digital
and physical solutions to meet all of the banking needs of startups at various stages of development.
ii.India became the world’s third-largest start-up economy and also crossed the 100 unicorn mark in
2022. India now ranks behind the United States of America (USA) (661 unicorns) and China (312 unicorns).
About UBI Global:
CEO and Co-Founder– Ali Amin
Headquarters– Stockholm, Sweden
Founded in 2013
MoUs signed for 2 Community Development Projects in Nepal under GOI Grant Assistance
On May 17 2023, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General
Administration, Government of Nepal, signed a Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for
undertaking two High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal under the grant assistance
of the Indian Government.
• The 2 projects are the construction of the Malagiri Shanti Yogashram in Ramechhap District, Nepal
and the Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus, Doti District, Nepal.
• The 2 projects, one each in Health Care and Education Sectors, will be developed at a total estimated
cost of Nepalese Rupees (NRs) 80.33 million.
About HICDPs:
Objective:
The construction of these 2 projects aims at providing better health care and education facilities for the local
community and improving the quality of life for people in Nepal.
Implementation:
The construction of Malagiri Shanti Yogashram in Ramechhap will be implemented through Ramechhap
Municipality and Kedar Jyotipunja Multiple Campus in Doti will be implemented through Badikedar Rural
Municipality.
Indo-Nepal Projects:
Since 2003, India has taken up over 535 High Impact Community Development Projects in Nepal and has
completed 478 projects. Among these, 81 projects are in Mahdesh Pradesh, Nepal including 6 projects in
Mahottari District, Nepal.
The Government of India has gifted 23 ambulances to various hospitals and health posts in Mahottari, Nepal.

About Nepal:
President– Ram Chandra Poudel
Prime Minister– Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Capital– Kathmandu
Currency– Nepalese Rupee (NR)
BANKING & FINANCE

Govt Included ICCs Spending Outside India under RBI’s LRS & Levied 20% TCS
On May 16, 2023, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Ministry of Finance, Government of
India (GoI) omitted Rule 7 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000
under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and included the international credit cards (ICCs) spendings
outside India under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and also be subjected it to a higher rate
of 20% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) effective after July 1, 2023.
• Note: Rule 7 exempts overseas use of ICCs from ‘Rule 5’, which mandates prior approval from the
RBI.
Key Points:
i.Prevailing Rules: Only debit cards, forex (Foreign exchange) cards, and bank transfers were included in the
LRS limit and the usage of ICCs for making payments for fulfilling expenses during travel outside India was not
included in the LRS limit.
ii.Now due to the amendment the privilege provided for ICCs will no longer be available and now the spending
by ICCs will also be treated at par with other money transfer instruments.
Applicability of TCS:
i.TCS is the tax the seller collects from the buyer at the point of sale so that it can be deposited with the tax
authorities. Banks deduct TCS on foreign remittances.
ii.The amendment of FEMA was made in accordance with the announcement made in budget 2023-23 and the
TCS for foreign remittances under LRS was raised from 5% to 20% on overseas tour packages and funds
remitted under LRS (other than for education and medical purposes).
• Till July 1, 2023, a 5% TCS would be levied on ICCs transactions.
• To eliminate procedural ambiguity, it was decided that individual payments up to Rs 7 lakh per
financial year made using international debit or credit cards would be excluded from the LRS limits
and therefore not subject to TCS.
iii.Medicine and Education: TCS of 5% will be levied towards medical treatment expenses exceeding Rs 7
lakh. A lower TCS rate of 0.5% would be levied above the Rs 7 lakh threshold for those availing loans for
overseas education.
What is LRS scheme?
i.LRS is a scheme which allows Indian Resident Individuals (including minors) to remit funds outside India up
to USD 250,000 or its equivalent in any freely convertible foreign currency per financial year (April-March) for

any permissible capital or current account transaction or a combination of both without any prior approval
from the RBI.
Exception: The amended LRS rule will not be applicable for payments made through money held in Resident
Foreign Currency (RFC) Account in a bank in India.
Note – The inclusion of ICCs transactions under LRS will support tracking high-value overseas transactions and
it will not apply to the payments for the purchase of foreign goods/services from India.
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to
amend the Competition Act, 2002, that regulates competition in the Indian market and forbids anti-competitive
practices like cartels, mergers, and acquisitions that might have a negative impact on competition.
IRDAI Relaxes Norms for Surety Bonds to Expand Market for such Products
On May 15, 2023, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) relaxed norms for
‘surety bonds’, which protect parties in transaction financial losses due to a breach of contract or other types of
non-performance.
• Surety bonds are a type of insurance that provides financial protection and assurance to parties
involved in a contract or agreement.
• A surety bond involves three parties: the principal (contractor), the obligee ( the person hiring
the contractor), and the surety company (the insurer). The principal obtains a surety bond from the
surety company, which guarantees to the obligee that if the principal fails to fulfill their obligations,
the surety will step in and provide compensation.
What are the relaxations?
i.The solvency requirement for surety bond products has been lowered by the IRDAI.Previously, insurance
companies had to hold capital 1.875 times their liabilities, but now they only need to hold 1.5 times their
liabilities.This change is meant to help the surety insurance market grow.
• solvency requirement refers to the amount of capital that an insurance company must hold in
relation to its liabilities.This requirement ensures that the insurance company has enough money
set aside to fulfill its promises and pay for any claims or obligations it may have.
ii.The previous 30% exposure limit on each contract underwritten by an insurer was also removed.Now
insurers have more flexibility and can take on a higher percentage of the risk or liability on individual contracts.
• The exposure limit is a rule that sets a maximum level of risk or liability that an insurance company
can take on for each contract they underwrite.It is like a safety measure that puts a cap on the
amount of risk or responsibility the insurance company can handle for each individual contract.

Key Points:
i.The regulator has made amendments to the ‘IRDAI (Surety Insurance Contracts) Guidelines’ in January
2022.This notification removed the restriction on the amount of money (premiums) that insurance companies
specializing in surety insurance can receive for providing coverage in a single financial year. Before the
amendment, there was a limit on how much they could earn from premiums, but that restriction has now been
removed.
ii.Applicability: It is applicable to all General Insurers (Except ECGC Ltd, AIC Ltd and Stand Alone Health
Insurers).
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
Chairperson– Debasish Panda
Headquarter– Hyderabad, Telangana
Paytm in Partnership with SBI Card, NPCI Launches Co-branded RuPay Credit Cards
On May 18, 2023, Paytm in partnership with SBI Card and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI),
launches the next-generation co-branded RuPay Credit Card named ‘Paytm SBI Card’ on the RuPay network.
• Objective: To further improve credit inclusion in India and make credit cards more accessible to
young and digitally-evolved customers.
Features:
i.The card enables customers to make UPI (Unified Payment Interface) payments by scanning QR codes.
ii.The co-branded credit cards offers Paytm First membership worth Rs 750 along with numerous offerings.
iii.The cardholder could also receive the added benefit of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver and Rs 1,00,000 cyber
fraud insurance coverage in the case of ‘Platinum’ cardholders.
Note – Through the launch of the card the partnership between SBI Card and Paytm, which began in 2020, has
expanded further.
-Godrej Agrovet Partners SBI to Extend Finance to Oil Palm Farmers
On May 18, 2023, Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Oil Palm Business announced the launch of a first-of-its-
kind finance offering for oil palm farmers in partnership with the State Bank of India (SBI).
Objective: To offer loans to palm farmers for setting up micro irrigation facilities, establishing fencing
arrangements to protect against cattle grazing, and enhancing tube wells on farms.
Key Points:
i.The financial offering was initially launched for the oil palm farmers of Telangana, and now it enables Godrej
Agrovet farmers from the states of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Manipur and Tripura also to avail loan for
around Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50 Crore.
• As a loan up to Rs 1.6 lakh would be offered without security it would be ideal for farmers venturing
into oil palm farming for the first time.
ii.GAVL is the largest oil palm processor in India and works directly with farmers for the entire lifecycle of their
crop. It has 65,000 hectares of oil palm under cultivation across India, and now the company plans to increase
cultivation by 1 lakh hectares by 2027.

iii.It provides a comprehensive package of knowledge, tools, services, and solutions to oil palm farmers through
its Samadhan centres.
JCB partners with NPCI to offer 40% cashback for RuPay JCB Cardholders for in-store
purchases
JCB International Co. Ltd., Japan’s international payment brand, partners with the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI) to offer 40% cashback to RuPay JCB cardholders on in-store purchases in the UAE
(United Arab Emirates), Thailand, Malaysia, and Spain.
• The offer will be valid from May 15 to August 15, 2023.

This offer is the third phase of the limited-time special cashback offer scheme offered by JCB in partnership
with RuPay for all RuPay JCB Debit and Credit Cardholders.
Key Points:
i.During the offer period, the customers using a RuPay JCB Card would receive 40% cashback on purchases
made at retail stores in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Thailand, Malaysia, and Spain.
ii.The maximum cashback amount per transaction will be Rs 3,000, with an overall cap of Rs 15,000 per card
during the offer period.
Note – In-store purchase is defined as a face-to-face point of sale (PoS) transaction made at a merchant location.
About the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
MD & CEO – Dilip Asbe
Headquarters -Mumbai, Maharashtra
YES Bank Launches YES PAY EASY App to Enable Merchants to Accept Card & Digital Payments
on Smartphones
YES BANK partnered with Mastercard and Worldline India, and launches YES PAY EASY, a mobile app for
small-scale merchants to enable them to accept card and digital payments from their customers’ smartphones.

• YES PAY EASY will transforms the customers’ smartphone into a secure payment acceptance device
and enable merchants to use their mobile phones as a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal and accept
remote payments.
Payment Acceptance Mode:
Merchants can accept payments using Bharat QR, tap-on-phone, and SMS Pay.
• BHARAT QR (STATIC & DYNAMIC): Under this mode, the app accept payments from Visa,
MasterCard, RuPay Cards and UPI through Bharat QR. Physical Debit Cards and Credit card are not
required.
• SMS PAY: In this mode, the payments will be collected remotely by sending a unique payment link
through SMS.
• TAP-ON-PHONE: Contactless payment by Tapping debit and credit cards on the NFC (Near-field
communication)-enabled phone. Transaction Limit is up to Rs 5000/- per transaction.
Features of YES PAY EASY:
i.The merchants could share digital charge slips and generate reconciliation statements using the app.
ii.Merchants could also track pending payments and send reminders using the app’s Khata feature, which
facilitates the digital recording of pending payments and reminders.
iii.The onboarding process for the app is self-guided, catering to individuals or sole proprietors who are
customers of YES BANK.
iv.To cater to customers across different regions, the app is available in eight languages, including English,
Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Bengali.
v.The app possesses low rental costs compared to regular POS terminals.
About YES Bank Ltd.:
MD & CEO -Prashant Kumar
Establishment -2004
ICICI Lombard Partners with actyv.ai to Introduce Revolutionary Insurance Solutions for SMEs
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited announced a strategic partnership with actyv.ai, a
Singapore-based enterprise SaaS (Software as a service) platform with embedded B2B (Business-to-business),
BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) and insurance to co-create comprehensive insurance offerings for Small and
Midsize Enterprises (SMEs) the entire supply chain ecosystem, encompassing distributors, retailers, and
suppliers.
• The partnership was made to empower sustainable growth, reduce the business, foster growth, and
contribute to the overall economic development of the country.
Key Points:
i.By providing group insurance options to supply chain partners, enterprises can foster continuous growth,
while simultaneously ensuring the well-being and security of all stakeholders.
ii.Under the partnership with actyv.ai’s technological capabilities, ICICI Lombard will embed bite-sized
insurance products within the actyv.ai platform, enabling seamless access to enterprises and small businesses
alike.
iii.ICICI Lombard is the first in India to establish a digital platform specifically designed for MSMEs to acquire
risk coverage.
About ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited:
MD & CEO – Bhargav Dasgupta

Trichy Airport’s New Terminal Project Bags International Safety Award: British Safety Council
The Tiruchirappalli International Airport project(Trichy Airport Project) of ITD Cementation India
Limited has been awarded the International Safety Award under the 1st- class merit category by the British
Safety Council.
• ITD Cementation India Limited, engaged in the construction of the new terminal building in Trichy,
Tamil Nadu, received the award on 10th May 2023.
• ITD Cementation India Limited received the award for demonstrating a strong commitment to good
health and safety management in 2022.
Key points:
i. The airport project was selected for the award with 73.21% of the marks under the parameters fixed by the
council for evaluation.
ii. ITD has already received an award from the National Safety Council of India (NSCI) for their achievement in
occupational safety and health in 2019.
About the International Safety Awards:
i. The British Safety Council gives away awards to set health and safety standards and celebrate the best
practice.
ii. International Safety Awards recognise an organisation’s commitment to excellent standards of health, safety,
and well-being management at a specific site or business unit.
iii. International Safety Awards 2023 received more than 975 applications for the award, with 79% of them
successfully achieving a Distinction, Merit or Pass grade.
iv. These winners included businesses from the United Kingdom (UK), Africa, Asia, India, continental Europe,
and the Middle East, as well as organisations of all sizes, sorts, and industries.
Click here for the 2023 winners list
Two Airports from Karnataka win Platinum Rating in ACI’s Green Airports Recognition
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), the 2
airports from Karnataka, have bagged the Platinum Category award in the Airports Council International (ACI)
Asia-Pacific’s Green Airports Recognition 2023, for demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in their
sustainability projects.
• MIA was awarded among the less than 8 million passengers per annum airports for the single-use
plastic-free airport project.
• KIA bagged the platinum award for airports handling between 15-35 million passengers per annum
for the project- plastics circularity at KIA.
The theme for the Green Airports Recognition 2023 is “Single-Use Plastic Elimination”.
Note: The 2 airports from Karnataka are among the 12 airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to get the
Green Airports Recognition 2023.

About Green Airports Recognition:
i. The Green Airports Recognition aims to promote environmental best practices to minimise aviation’s impact
on the environment and recognise airport members who have outstanding accomplishments in their
environmental projects.
ii. According to various airport size categories and set criteria, the outstanding airports are awarded into 3
categories: platinum, gold, or silver.
iii. The airports are divided into four categories based on the number of passengers they handle annually: over
35 million, between 15-35 million, between 8-15 million, and less than 8 million.
Airports Council International (ACI) announced the winners of the 2022 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards
recognizing the best airports for customer experience worldwide. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) –
Delhi Airport, has been adjudged as one of the Best and Cleanest Airports in the Asia Pacific region.
IGIA operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a consortium of the GMR Group won the 2022 ASQ
award under Best Airports by Size and Region – Over 40 million passengers per year.
About the British Safety Council:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Michael Robinson
Headquarters- London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Establishment- 1957
About Airports Council International (ACI):
Director General- Luis Felipe de Oliveira
Headquarters- Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Establishment- 1970
SAFFMontréal 2023: Kavitha Lankesh’s “Gauri” bags “Best Long Documentary Award”
“Gauri,” a documentary based on journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, directed by Kavitha Lankesh, has
won the “Best Long Documentary Award” at the 12th edition of the South Asian Film Festival of Montréal
(SAFFMontréal 2023) in Montréal, Canada.
• The film portrays the life of Gauri Lankesh, who was assassinated in 2017 due to her criticism of
right-wing Hindutva politics.
• The documentary film “Gauri” has been commissioned by Free Press Unlimited, Amsterdam,
Netherlands.
• In 2022, “Gauri” won the “Best Human Rights Film” award at the Toronto Women’s Film Festival in
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
SAFFMontréal(SAFFM) is presented by Kabir Centre for Arts & Culture, a not-for-profit organization promoting
various art forms and activities such as music, dance, cinema, literature and poetry.
SAFFM was held in hybrid mode on-site from 28th April to 7th May 2023 and online from 1st to 10th May
2023.

Union Cabinet Reshuffle: Arjun Ram Meghwal Replaces Kiren Rijiju as Law Minister; Kiren
Rijiju Assigned to Earth Science Ministry
In accordance with the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan regarding the Union Cabinet
Reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal, has replaced Kiren Rijiju with the independent charge as Minister of State in
the Ministry of Law and Justice in addition to his existing portfolios.
Kiren Rijiju was assigned with the portfolio of the Ministry of Earth Sciences which was earlier handled by
Union minister Jitendra Singh.

• The reallocated the portfolios of following two ministers in the Union Council of Ministers were
made by President Droupadi Murmu, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
About Kiren Rijiju:
i.Kiren Rijiju is an Indian politician from Arunachal Pradesh and a member of the Lok Sabha representing
Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency since 2014.
ii.He served as the Minister of State for Home Affairs from 2014 to 2019 and the Minister of State for Minority
Affairs from 2019 to 2021 and the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports from
2019 to 2021.
iii.He took over as the Minister of Law and Justice on 8 July 2021.
About Arjun Ram Meghwal:
i.The existing portfolios of Meghwal are the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and the Minister of State
for Culture.
ii.He is a member of Lok Sabha since 2009 representing the Bikaner constituency, Rajasthan.
iii.He served as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs and the Minister of State for Water
Resources from 2016 to 2017.
iv.He also served as Chief Whip, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises from 2019 to
2021.
v.He was awarded the Best Parliamentarian in 2013.
Note – Union Cabinet Ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendations of the Prime Minister.
DSCI appoints Pramod Bhasin as its New Chairman

The Data Security Council of India (DSCI) has appointed Pramod Bhasin as its new Chairman with effect from
1st April 2023. He succeeds Rajendra S Pawar, the chairman and co-founder of NIIT Group, who had served as
the Chairman of DSCI for a period of 3 years.
• Pramod Bhasin is currently serving as the Chairman of the Indian Council for Research on
International Economic Relations (ICRIER).
• He established Genpact in 1996 and led it until 2011, shaping the business process industry in India.
• The newly appointed leadership aims to establish cybersecurity as a cornerstone of the new era of
digitisation along with Vinayak Godse, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DSCI.
Note: DSCI, a not-for-profit industry body on data protection in India, was established by NASSCOM(National
Association of Software and Service Companies) with a commitment towards making cyberspace safe, secure
and trusted by establishing best practices, standards and initiatives in cyber security and privacy.

CCI Approved the Merger of Credit Suisse Group with UBS Group
On 18th May 2023, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the UBS Group AG
(Aktiengesellschaft) (UBS)’s proposed acquisition of Credit Suisse Group AG (Credit Suisse) by way of an
absorption merger with UBS being the surviving legal entity.
• The merger has been necessitated due to the financial difficulties of Credit Suisse.
• Post transaction, all Credit Suisse’s Assets, Liabilities, and Contracts will be transferred to UBS in
their totality.
The proposed transaction is notifiable to the CCI under the Section 5(c)(i)(A) of the Competition Act, 2002.
Key Points:
i.UBS is a multinational investment bank and financial services company founded and based in Switzerland.
• UBS is involved in wealth management, asset management, investment banking services, and retail
and corporate banking.
• In India, UBS’s business is primarily focused on brokerage services.
ii.Credit Suisse is a multinational investment bank and financial services company founded and based in
Switzerland.
• The businesses of Credit Suisse comprise wealth management, asset management, investment
banking services, and retail and corporate banking.
• In India, Credit Suisse’s businesses comprise wealth management and investment banking services.
Note: UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher and UBS Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ralph Hamers will be the
chairman and Group CEO of the new combined entity.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
CCI was established under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation and enforcement
of the Act, and was constituted in March 2009.
Chairperson– Ravneet Kaur

Indra Installs Naval Version of Lanza 3D Radar on Indian Navy’s Destroyer
Indra Sistemas, S.A.(Indra), Madrid (Spain) based Information Technology and Defense System
Company, and TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has installed the naval version of Lanza-N 3D on one
of the Indian Navy’s Destroyer Ship.
• This is the first of the 23 radars that will be equipped in the Indian Naval Ships. Indra will deliver the
radars to the Indian Navy by over the next decade.

• The Lanza radars will replace the ELM-2248 MF-STAR and RAWL-02/LW-08 radars on India’s
destroyers: Kolkata-class and Visakhapatnam-class, during their scheduled refit or mid-life
modernization program.
Objective:
• Indian Navy aims to enhance its maritime security efforts, with the deployment of Lanza-N 3D
radars.
• These cutting-edge radar systems offer advanced surveillance capabilities, enabling naval vessels to
effectively detect and track both surface and air threats in real-time.
Background:
i. The installation is part of the contract signed by Indra in 2020 with TASL, within the framework of a
technology transfer program. This provides for the delivery of a total of three complete radars by Indra, and the
core system elements for another 20 radars, destined for ships, which will be locally assembled and integrated
by TASL.
ii. In November 2022, after designing and producing the first radar at Indra’s facilities in Madrid, Spain, the
system passed the factory acceptance tests (FAT) at CEAR (the Radio-electric Analysis Center) of the Institute
of Aerospace Technology (INTA).
iii. The Lanza-N radar that is being installed is based on the one fitted to the ship Juan Carlos I of the Spanish
Navy but the system has been adapted to the regulatory requirements of India to guarantee its optimal
operation even in high humidity and extreme heat conditions.
Lanza-N Radar and its Features:
i. Lanza-N 3D radars, the naval version of its advanced surveillance system, will be deployed to augment the
Indian Navy’s surveillance and air defence capabilities over the next decade.
ii. The Lanza-N integrates a 3D primary surveillance radar that provides medium and long-range coverage up
to 254 nautical miles(around 450 kilometres). It also includes the integration of a Secondary Surveillance
Radar (SSR)/IFF (Identification Friend or Foe).
iii. The Lanza- N incorporates the latest technological and operational updates from Indra’s Lanza radar family,
as well as improvements such as increased power for long-range capabilities and remote monitoring of the
pressurisation system.
iv. The Lanza-N radar system provides a comprehensive situational picture to naval commanders, enabling
them to make informed decisions swiftly.
v. These radars offer enhanced detection range, accuracy, and reliability, thereby improving the Navy’s overall
situational awareness during operations with these high-resolution tracking and target acquisition capabilities.
SpaceX launches 22 Second-Generation Starlink Satellites to Orbit

On 19th May 2023, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket topped with 22 second-generation “V2 Mini” Starlink
satellites into Orbit, which was lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States of
America (USA), and landed the returning rocket at sea.
• “V2 Mini” Starlink satellites are larger and more capable than the 1st-generation Starlink craft that
make up the vast majority of the mega constellation.

• This launch was the 30th Falcon 9 flight of the year and the 32nd orbital mission overall for SpaceX
in 2023.
• It was the 5th launch and landing for this particular booster, SpaceX. It has previously launched CRS-
26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, and one Starlink mission.
STATE NEWS
Patch Reporting App: Uttarakhand CM launches mobile app to Report Potholes
On May 15, 2023, the Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘Patch Reporting App’
to report potholes. It will help in making the roads of Uttarakhand pothole-free.
• This app will enable the mobile phone users to record pictures of potholes and register their
complaints with Public Works Department (PWD) authorities seeking their repair by giving the
relevant details.
• The complainants will be given updates about action taken for the redressal of their complaints.
Himachal Pradesh’s unique Kangra tea registered for GI tag with European Union
On May 18, 2023, the Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra tea received a protected Geographical Indication (GI) with the
European Union (EU). This means the tea can now be sold in Europe, as the registration will recognize the
quality, genuineness and reputation of the product in the European market.
• Kangra Tea is known for quality, unique aroma, and a tinge of fruity flavor.
• This recognition will benefit the growers of Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, and Dharamshala in Kangra
district, Jogindernagar in Mandi district, and Bhattiyat area of Chamba district.
• Kangra tea received GI status in 2005 from the Registrar of Geographical Indications, Chennai (Tamil
Nadu).
• The GI status has been given to more than 400 traditional products of the State including Kullu
shawl, Chamba Rumal, Kinnaur shawl, Kangra painting, Lahaul woolen socks and gloves etc.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches State Dashboard & CM Dashboard

On 18th May 2023, Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, launched “State Dashboard”, a data and
analytics-powered platform which will streamline performance monitoring of government schemes by aiding
data-driven decision-making.
• The State Dashboard consists of 3 critical components: CM Dashboard, Department Dashboard, and
Administrative Action Monitoring Portal.
• The launch of the integrated Dashboard will carry forward the 5T governance model (transparency,
teamwork, technology, timeliness, and transformation).
The Dashboard will enable citizens to access public information with ease on policies, budget allocations and
public expenditures.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. AirAsia India i5-767 becomes India’s first commercial plane to took off using SAF from Pune to
Delhi
2. GNCTD Vs Union of India Issue on Control Over Services: SC ruled in favour of Delhi govt
3. India’s Defence Production Exceeds USD 12 Billion for 1st Time
4. USAID & IACC extends MoU for 5 years to Enhance Collaboration across Sectors
5. Indian Navy & Royal Saudi Naval Force Collaborate for Maiden Afloat Training of Saudi Cadets
6. India’s UHNWI to Rise By 58.4% to 19,119 by 2027: Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2023
7. RBI withdrew Rs 2,000 banknote from Circulation; Exchange/Deposit until September 30, 2023
8. NPCI introduces CVV-less payments for Tokenized Cards
9. NGEL & HMEL signs MoU; HMEL to source 250 MW Renewable Energy from NGEL
10. Siddaramaiah sworn in as CM of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar as Dy CM
11. S.P. Singh Baghel appointed as MoS under Health Ministry
12. First Sea Sortie of 6th Scorpene Submarine “Vaghsheer”
13. World Metrology Day 2023 – 20th May
14. World Bee Day 2023 – May 20
15. 7th Global Road Safety Week – 15 to 21 May 2023
16. Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali launches “SAHAS”; An Initiative to Make
Workplaces Safer for Women

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
AirAsia India i5-767 becomes India’s first commercial plane to took off using SAF from Pune to
Delhi
On May 19, 2023, AirAsia India flight i5-767 became India’s first commercial passenger flight to successfully
take off using an indigenously produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blended Aviation Turbine Fuel
(ATF) from Pune (Maharashtra) to New Delhi (Delhi).
• It is a significant development towards the decarbonization of the aviation sector.

• SAF was supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) in partnership with Praj Industries
Ltd. (Praj).
• Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) received the
special flight at the airport.
Note: AirAsia India flight i5-767 is a part of the Tata group and a subsidiary of Air India.
Key Points:
i.SAF blending up to 1% has been used in this flight as demonstration mode.
ii.This development is a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan mission, Net Zero emissions by 2070 and to
develop indigenous solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation.
iii.By 2025, if India targets to blend 1% SAF blending in jet fuel, then around 14 crore litres of SAF per annum
will be required.
• If India targets for 5% SAF blend, India requires around 70 crore litre of SAF/ annum.
iv.Notably, global aviation accounts for about 3% of total global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. If the
emission remains unchecked, it could be responsible for 22% of GHG emissions by 2050.
• To overcome this, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has released Carbon
Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) regulations targeting 50%
reduction of CO2 emissions from the aviation sector by 2050.
• An alternative to the current use of fossil fuels is to use SAF.
Background:
The SAF sourced for this initiative by Praj Industries, is in partnership with Colorado, United States (US)-
based Gevo Inc., which has developed Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology for the production of SAF using bio-
based feedstock/agricultural feedstock.
GNCTD Vs Union of India Issue on Control Over Services: SC ruled in favour of Delhi govt
On 11th May 2023, The judgment of a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court(SC) of India ruled in
favour of the elected Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi(GNCTD) and stated that the GNCTD
has legislative and executive control over services, except law and order and land, in Delhi.
• The SC also highlighted the significance of the people’s mandate in a democracy expressed through
an elected government.

The 5 judge constitution Bench:
The bench is headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and also comprises Justices M R Shah,
Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and P S Narasimha.
Key Points:
iThe SC stated that the legislative power of NCT Delhi under Entry 41 of the State List of the 7th Schedule to the
Constitution would extend to Indian Administrative Service(IAS) and it shall control them even if they are not
recruited by the NCT Delhi and it would not extend to the services which come under land, law and order and
police.
• Lieutenant Governor(LG) shall be bound by the decision of NCT Delhi over services apart from land,
police and law and order.
ii.The SC stated that the LG shall exercise powers under the administrative role as entrusted by the president.
iii.SC also highlighted that the Executive administration can only extend to matters which fall outside the
legislative assembly. It is limited to the powers entrusted by President and it cannot mean administration over
the entire NCTD.
Background:
i.In 2018, the 5-judge bench headed by then CJI Dipak Misra, ruled that the LG could not act independently
without the aid and advice of the Delhi government’s ministers.
ii.In 2018, the Constitution Bench of the SC interpreted Article 239AA of the Constitution, which contains
special provisions with respect to the NCT.
iii.In 2019 two judges Justices Ashok Bhushan and AK Sikri, delivered a split verdict which stated that all
services were outside of the Delhi government’s purview.
Article 239AA:
Article 239AA specifically excludes land, police and public order from the purview of the legislative powers of
the Delhi government.
GoI Passes (GNCTD) (Amendment) Ordinance 2023
The government of India (GoI) passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi(GNCTD)
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu, and reinstated the final
authority of the Delhi LG in transfers and postings of bureaucrats serving Delhi Government.
• This strengthens the role of LG as an administrator empowered to take decisions on proposals
considered or decided by the elected government in Delhi.
• The GNCTD amendment ordinance 2023 amends the GNCTD Act, 1991 and nullified the Supreme
Court order (11th May 2023) which handed over the control of services in Delhi, excluding police,
public order and land, to the elected Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Key points:
i.The Amendment to the GNCTD Act has created a “National Capital Civil Service Authority(NCCSA)” which
will make recommendations to the LG on matters concerning transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental
matters against All Group A officials (IAS) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Civil) Services (DANICS) cadre officers.
• The NCCSA will be headed by the elected Chief Minister(CM) of Delhi and the Chief Secretary of
GNCTD and the Principal Secretary of the Home Department of GNCTD will be the members.
Note:
i.The matters decided by the NCCSA shall be decided by a majority of votes of members present and voting.
ii.Section 45H of the Ordinance states that in case of a difference of opinion, the decision of the LG is final.
• This infers that the bureaucrats appointed by the GoI can overrule the elected CM.
Highlights:
i.The GNCTD Ordinance introduced a new “Part IV A” to the GNCTD Act, with 13 provisions under Section 45 A
to Section 45-M titled “Provisions relating to the maintenance of the democratic and administrative balance in
the governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.”
ii.The Ordinance also states that appointments to the various officials in Delhi would be made through the
“Public Service Commissions for National Capital Territory of Delhi”.
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will be responsible for appointment to the posts in Group
‘A’ and Group ‘B’ gazetted posts and the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) will be
responsible for appointment to the Group ‘B’ non-gazetted and Group ‘C’ non-gazetted posts.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister– Arvind Kejriwal
Governor– Vinai Kumar Saxena
Stadium– R.K. Khanna Stadium; Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
Festival– Mango Festival; Qutub Festival
India’s Defence Production Exceeds USD 12 Billion for 1st Time

India’s defence production increased by more than 12% in FY2022-2023 and crossed the USD 12 billion(Rs 1
lakh crore) mark for the first time.
• At present, the value of defence products stands at Rs 1,06,800 crore and it is expected to increase
once the data is received from the remaining private defence industries.
• The total value of defence production of India in FY 2021-22 was over Rs 95,000 crore.
• This feat was achieved through the efforts of the Indian government to promote the domestic
defence industry and reduce the reliance on imports from countries such as Russia.
Goal of Ministry of Defence: To achieve a turnover of USD 25 billion (~Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence
manufacturing by 2024-25. This also includes an export target of USD 5 billion (~Rs 35,000 crore) worth of
military hardware.
Key Points:
i.In the past 7-8 years, the number of defence licenses issued to the industries has increased by around 200%.

ii.Several policy reforms were undertaken to achieve the objectives of ease of doing business. This includes
integration of the MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and start-ups into the supply chain.
iii.In FY 2022-2023, India’s defence exports increased by around 24% and reached an all-time high of Rs
15,920 crore.
• India exports Dornier-228 aircraft, artillery guns, Brahmos missiles made under a joint venture with
Russia, radars, armoured vehicles, rockets and Launchers, ammunition and other equipment.
Arm imports of India:
i.India is one of the largest arms importers. The arm imports by India has declined by 11% between 2013-2017
and 2018-2022.
ii.It is estimated that the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion in capital
procurement in the next five years.
USAID & IACC extends MoU for 5 years to Enhance Collaboration across Sectors
On 19th May 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Indo-American
Chamber of Commerce (IACC) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 5 years to enhance
collaboration between the American and Indian business communities across sectors including health, climate
change, economic growth, education and women empowerment.

About MoU:
i. The scope of collaboration has expanded to encompass various areas, such as mental health, global health
security, gender issues faced by youth, climate change, agriculture, and education.
ii. The signing of the MoU provided a chance to launch a mental health initiative that would focus on mental
health in the post-COVID period.
iii. The renewal of the MoU was signed by Lalit Bhasin, IACC National President, and Veena Reddy, USAID
Mission Director.
• This MoU was 1st signed on 2nd April 2019.
Key Highlights:
i. USAID and IACC would establish a working group focused on partnering with local organizations and
institutions to advance equitable change.
ii. The working group will collaborate with the IACC members to ideate and develop tools to make programmes
responsive to local priorities and draw on local capacities, diverse networks, and resources.
• This aims to maximise impact by empowering and engaging local organisations that can tailor
solutions to community needs.
About the United States Agency for International Development (USAID):
Administrator- Samantha Power
Headquarters- Washington, D.C., United States of America (USA)
Establishment- 3 November 1961
About the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC):
IACC is the apex bi-lateral Chamber synergizing India-US Economic Engagement.
National President- Dr Lalit Bhasin
Establishment- 1968
Indian Navy & Royal Saudi Naval Force Collaborate for Maiden Afloat Training of Saudi Cadets
Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Force of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces collaborate for first-
ever training of Saudi Cadets with the Indian Navy. 55 cadets from the King Fahd Naval Academy, Saudi
Arabia, arrived at Kochi(Kerala) headquarters of India’s Southern Naval Command on 16th May 2023 for 24
days of afloat training.
This would contribute towards mutual cooperation between the Navies of India and Saudi Arabia.
• The 55 cadets along with 5 Directing Staff from King Fahd Naval Academy, Saudi Arabia arrived
onboard First Training Squadron (1TS) ships, Indian Navy ships(INS) Tir and INS Sujata at Kochi as
part of afloat training with the Indian Navy.
• The cadets will undergo training on various aspects of seamanship, navigation, fire fighting and
emergency drills onboard.
• To provide first-hand experience of life onboard a sail ship, the cadets would also be attached
onboard Sail Training Ship, INS Sudarshini during this period.
India’s UHNWI to Rise By 58.4% to 19,119 by 2027: Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2023
According to the report titled “The Wealth Report 2023” published by Knight Frank, India’s Ultra-High-Net-
Worth Individuals (UHNWI) are estimated to increase 58.4% in the next 5 years from 12,069 in 2022 to 19,119
individuals in 2027.
• UHNWI is someone with a net worth of USD 30 million or more, including their primary residence.
• The report stated that India’s billionaire population is expected to increase from 161 individuals in
2022 to 195 individuals in 2027.

High-Net-Worth Individual:
The report also stated that the high-net-worth individual (HNWI) population will also rise by around 107% in a
five-year period. The HNWI population is expected to increase from 797,714 persons in 2022 to 1.65 million in
2027.
• HNWI is someone with a net worth of USD 1 million or more, including their primary residence.
Key Points:
i.After a record rise of 9.3% in 2021, the global population of UHNWIs declined by 3.8% in 2022.
ii.The global UHNW population grew by 44% in the last five years and it is expected to slow to 28.5% over the
next five years.
iii.In India, UHNWI population registered a decline of 7.5% in 2022 compared to 2021.
iv.The rise in interest rates and the appreciation of the USD impacted the growth of wealth in India.
v.The HNWI population recorded a year-on-year growth of 4.5% in 2022 and the billionaire population in India
increased by 11% y-o-y in 2022, compared to 2021.
Distribution of Wealth (Asia):
i.Asia is estimated to record a rise of 40% in UHNWIs in the next 5 years. UHNWIs in Asia is expected to reach
210,175 by 2027, taking over Europe and standing only 2nd to the Americas.
ii.In 2022, the UHNWIs population in Asia declined by 6.5% y-o-y due to the reduction of the dominance of Asia
in the creation of new wealth.
iii.Despite the decline, Asian markets like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia were listed among the Top 10
highest growth spots.
iv.Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia recorded a rise of between 5% and 7% rise in the population of UHNWIs.
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI withdrew Rs 2,000 banknote from Circulation; Exchange/Deposit until September 30,
2023
On May 19, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notified the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes
from circulation and directed banks to stop issuing this banknote with immediate effect.

• As a result of this notification, the public needs to deposit and/or exchange Rs 2000 banknotes with
bank branches or 19 Regional Offices (ROs) of RBI within 4 months i.e. from May 23, 2023, to, on or
before September 30, 2023.
• The limit for the exchange facility is Rs 20,000 at a time to ensure operational convenience and
prevent any disruption to the regular activities of bank branches.
Legal Tender Status will be continued:
While the Rs 2000 banknotes will no longer be issued or circulated after September 30, 2023, they will still be
considered legal tender after this too.
• For transactions, the individuals can continue to use the Rs 2000 banknotes upto September 30,
2023, but are encouraged to exchange/deposit within the given time frame.
Reasons behind its Withdrawal:
i.Sufficient Supply of Alternatives: The stock of banknotes in other denominations is adequate to meet the
currency requirement of the public.
ii.Concluding Timeframe: Approximately 89% of the Rs 2000 banknotes were put into circulation before
March 2017. These banknotes are approaching the end of their projected lifespan of 4 to 5 years.
iii.Diminishing Circulation: The cumulative value of these banknotes in circulation has declined from Rs 6.73
lakh crore as on March 31, 2018 (37.3% of notes in Circulation) to Rs 3.62 lakh crore, as compared to on March
31, 2023, representing 10.8% of notes in Circulation.
• This means, that people are hoarding this high-value currency. So, the decision will help in curbing
black money to a great extent.
The Story of Rs 2000 Banknote:
Rs 2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016 under Section 24(1) of RBI Act, 1934, as an
immediate relief to meet the currency requirement of the Indian economy amid the withdrawal of the legal
tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes in circulation at that time.
• Its intended objective was met as an adequate quantity of other denominations became available.
Therefore, its printing was halted in 2018-19.
Note: The withdrawal of the Rs 2000 denomination is a routine exercise. A similar withdrawal of currency
notes printed before 2005 was done by the Central Government in 2013-2014.
Additional info: The Magenta coloured Rs 2000 note was a part of the Mahatma Gandhi New Series of
banknotes. The reverse side features a motif of the Mangalyaan, representing India’s first interplanetary space
mission
i.On March 06, 2023, RBU launched the mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ as part of the Digital Payments
Awareness Week (DPAW) to reinforce the ease and convenience of digital payments and facilitate onboarding
of new consumers into the digital payment system.
ii.On 10th March 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused liquidity amounting to Rs 82,650 crore into the
banking system through a 14-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction. Under the VRR auction, Banks borrowed
Rs 82,650 crore against the announced Rs 1 lakh crore (USD 12.19 billion)at a weighted average rate of 6.53%.
Deputy Governors– Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T. Rabi Sankar
NPCI introduces CVV-less payments for Tokenized Cards

RuPay, the Indian payment network developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has
rolled out a new feature that enables its cardholders to make Card Verification Value (CVV)-less payments if
they have tokenized their debit, credit or prepaid cards on the merchant application or webpage, supporting
this feature.

• This means the cardholder will not have to reach out to their wallet or remember any card details, if
they have tokenized their card on the ecommerce merchant.
What are RBI Guidelines for tokenization?
RBI mandated to store customer’s card information in the form of an encrypted form i.e. Card-On-File (COF) to
secure transactions. COF turns sensitive cardholder data into randomly generated 16 digit numbers called
“token” with no meaningful value, if breached. These tokens then allow payments to be processed without
disclosing any customer details like Card number, CVV, Card expiry date. This is called tokenization.
• Therefore this mandate disallows businesses, payment aggregators, and acquiring banks from
storing customers’ credit/debit/prepaid card information.
• This safeguards the card details of the customer from cyber frauds.
Note: RuPay, went live on Card on File Tokenization in 2021.
About National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
MD & CEO– Dilip Asbe
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

NGEL & HMEL signs MoU; HMEL to source 250 MW Renewable Energy from NGEL
On 19th May 2023, the NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, and
HPCL Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL), a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
(HPCL) and Mittal Energy Investment Pte Ltd, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi,
Delhi.
The MoU was signed to realise green energy and green hydrogen objectives and the Government of India
(GOI)’s efforts towards energy transition.
• The MoU was signed by V. V. Sivakumar, General Manager (GM) of NGEL, and Girish Ghildiyal, GM of
HMEL in the presence of Mohit Bhargava, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NGEL and Harak Banthia,
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of HMEL.
• The MoU plans to collaborate in the field of Renewable Energy (RE) by supplying HMEL with 250
megawatts (MW) of RE-RTC (round-the-clock) power and also exploring opportunities in the Green
Hydrogen business & its derivatives (Green Ammonia & Green Methanol).

Siddaramaiah sworn in as CM of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar as Dy CM
On 20th May 2023, Congress Legislative Party Leader Siddaramaiah took oath as the Chief Minister(CM)
of Karnataka at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This

marks Siddaramaiah’s 2nd term as the CM of Karnataka. He previously served as the CM from 2013 to 2018. He
became the 24th CM of Karnataka.
• During the event, Karnataka’s Congress President DK Shivakumar took oath as the Deputy CM (Dy
CM) of Karnataka.
Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka, administered the oath of office and secrecy to both CM and Dy
CM.
2023 Karnataka Elections:
Congress has won the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections by winning 135 of the total 224 seats, this is the
biggest victory for “any party in Karnataka” after 1989. In 1989 Congress won 178 seats with a vote share of
43.76%.
Key Points:
Siddaramaiah has secured a 9th term in the state assembly, by winning the 2023 Karnataka election from the
Varuna constituency.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar, won the Karnataka Assembly
Election 2023 from the Kanakapura constituency.
Other Appointments:
During the event, 8 Members of the Legislative Assembly(MLAs) took oath as the cabinet ministers of the
Karnataka government.
List of Karnataka’s cabinet ministers:
• Dr G Parameshwara
• KH Muniyappa.
• KJ George.
• MB Patil.
• Satish Jarkiholi.
• Priyank Kharge.
• Ramalinga Reddy.
• BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Note:
Priyank Kharge, son of AICC (All India Congress Committee) president Mallikarjun Kharge, was the youngest
among the ministers that took the oath.
About Siddaramaiah:
i.Contesting on Bharatiya Lok Dal Party, Siddaramaiah was first elected as the MLA to the 7th Karnataka
Legislative Assembly(KLA) in 1983 from Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency in Mysuru District.
ii.He was re-elected in 1985, 1994 and 2004 from the same Constituency.
iii.He has served as the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Deputy Chief Minister
twice with a portfolio of Finance & Excise.
He served as the Janata Dal Party President from 1999 to 2004.
iv.In 2013 he was re-elected to the 14th Legislative Assembly from Varuna Constituency

About DK Shivakumar:
i.He was first elected to the KLA in 1989 from the Sathanur constituency in Mysuru district.
ii.He was then re-elected from the Sathanur constituency in 2004, and from the Kanakapura constituency in
2008, 2013, and 2018.
iii.In 1991, at the age of 29, he became the youngest minister in Karnataka. He served as the Minister of State
for Prisons and Homeguard till 1992.
iv.He has also served as the Minister of Urban Development and Cooperation portfolio, Power Minister, and
Minister of Irrigation and Medical Education.
S.P. Singh Baghel appointed as MoS under Health Ministry

On 18th May 2023, S P Singh Baghel has been moved to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as Union
Minister of State (MoS).This decision was made after the recent cabinet reshuffle of Arjun Ram Meghwal who
was allotted as independent charge of the Ministry of Law & Justice, while the Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju
was moved to Minister of Earth Sciences.
• Previously,S P Singh Baghel was working under the Ministry of Law and Justice as MoS.
Note: According to the Rastrapati Bhavan communique, the President as advised by the Prime Minister has
allocated the portfolio.

First Sea Sortie of 6th Scorpene Submarine “Vaghsheer”
On 18th May 2023, the 6th Scorpene Submarine of Project-75, Yard 11880, Indian Navy’s Kalvari class
“Vaghsheer” commenced its sea trials. The submarine was launched on 20 April 2022 from the Kanhoji Angre
Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), formerly known as Mazagon Dock Limited.
• MDL has delivered 3 submarines of Project-75 in 2 years and the commencement of sea trials of the
6th submarine is a significant milestone.
• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vaghsheer will now undergo intense trials of all its systems at sea, which
includes propulsion systems, weapons and sensors.
• Vagsheer is scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy in early 2024 after the completion of these
trials.
INS Vagsheer is named after the Sand Fish a deadly deep-sea predator of the Indian Ocean.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Metrology Day 2023 – 20th May
World Metrology Day is annually observed across the globe on 20th May to create awareness about
the Metrology, scientific study of measurement and its application.
The day also recognizes and celebrates the contribution of the people who work in intergovernmental and
national metrology organizations and institutes.
• The observance marks the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention on 20th May 1875.
The theme of World Metrology Day observed on 20th May 2023 is “Measurements supporting the global
food system”.
• The 2023 theme addressed the increasing challenges of climate change and the global distribution of
food in a world whose population reached 8 billion at the end of 2022.
The observance is a joint project by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) International
Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML – Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale).

Background:
i.During the 21st meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures held in October 1999, the
International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) decided to mark the 20th May of every year as
Metrology Day.
ii.The first-ever Metrology Day was celebrated on 20th May 2000.
• May 2000 marked the 125th anniversary of the Metre Convention.
Metre Convention 1875:
Metre Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its
industrial, commercial and societal applications.
• Aim: The worldwide uniformity of measurement.
• This lead to the creation of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, the International
Committee for Weights and Measures, and instigated the General Conference on Weights and
Measures.
Note: On 20th May 1875, 17 countries, Austria-Hungary, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, France,
Germany, Italy, Norway, the then Ottoman Empire, Portugal, Peru, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United
States of America(USA) and Venezuela, signed the Metre Convention
Observance in India:
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Physical Laboratory(NPL), organized and celebrated
the World Metrology Day 2023 in association with Metrology Society of India (MSI).
• Pawan Aggarwal, Former Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Former Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) graced the event as chief guest
while Prof. Prabhat K Nema, Director, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and
Management(NIFTEM) joined as the Guest of honour.
Highlights:
i.During the event, 4 Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs®) namely, BND® 9002 for Atenolol, BND® 9003 for
Atorvastatin Calcium, BND® 9004 for Paracetamol, and BND® 9005 for Trimethoprim were released.
ii.These BNDs are the Indian Certified Reference Materials jointly developed by CSIR-NPL, New Delhi &
Pharmaffiliates Analytics & Synthetics (P) Ltd. Panhckula, Haryana.
iii.These BNDs are intended to be used as Reference Standards for the validation of methods for the
characterization of measurands for Analysis.
About Bureau International des Poids et Mesures(BIPM)
BIPM is the home of the International System of Units (SI) and the international reference time scale (UTC).
Director– Dr Martin J.T. Milton
Established in 1875

World Bee Day 2023 – May 20
United Nations (UN)’s World Bee Day is annually observed across the globe on May 20 to raise awareness of
the importance of adopting pollinator-friendly agricultural production practices to protect bees and other
pollinators, while contributing to the resilience, sustainability and efficiency of agrifood systems.
The theme of World Bee Day 2023 observed on 20th May 2023 is “Bee engaged in pollinator-friendly
agricultural production”.
• It is a call for global action to support pollinator-friendly agricultural production and highlights the
importance of protecting bees and other pollinators, particularly through evidence-based
agricultural production practices.
As part of the celebration of World Bee Day 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) has organised a hybrid event under this year’s theme.
Aim:
The day aims to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly
contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.
Background:
i. World Bee Day was proposed by the Republic of Slovenia at the FAO Regional Conference for Europe in 2016.
• In 2017, the proposal for World Bee Day was submitted for consideration at the 40th Session of the
FAO Conference.
ii. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/72/211 on 20th December
2017 and proclaimed May 20 of every year as World Bee Day.
iii. The 1st ever World Bee Day was observed on 20th May 2018.
Why May 20?
The 20th of May is the birth anniversary of Slovenian-born Anton Janša, who pioneered modern beekeeping
(apiculture) techniques in the 18th century.
Apiculture:
Apiculture is the scientific method of rearing honeybees. The word ‘apiculture’ comes from the Latin word
‘apis‘ meaning bee.
Importance of Bees and Pollinators:
i. Bees are mong the most crucial pollinators, ensuring food production, food security, sustainable agriculture,
and biodiversity. They also play a vital role in climate change mitigation and environmental protection.
ii. By pollinating, Bees increase agricultural production, thus maintaining diversity and variety in the fields.
iii. Pollination:
• It is the highest agricultural contributor to yields worldwide, contributing far beyond any other
agricultural management practice.
• Bees and other pollinators make important contributions to agriculture.
• 35% of the world’s agricultural land is affected by pollinators, which help produce 87 of the leading
food crops globally.

Status:
i. According to the FAO, Bees and other pollinators are under threat.
ii. Present species extinction rates are 100 to 1000 times higher than normal due to human impacts.
Efforts of the UN:
i. In 2000, the International Pollinator Initiative (IPI) was established (COP decision v/5, section II) at the 5th
Conference of Parties (COP V) as a cross-cutting initiative to promote the sustainable use of pollinators in
agriculture and related ecosystems under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and UN’s FAO.
ii. In addition to the IPI, the FAO also provides technical help to countries on a variety of issues, such as queen
breeding, artificial insemination, sustainable solutions for honey production, and export marketing.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO):
Establishment- 1945
Members- 194 member states,
7th Global Road Safety Week – 15 to 21 May 2023

United Nations (UN)’s Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial global road safety campaign hosted by
the World Health Organisation (WHO). The week aims to recognise and create awareness of road safety and
make changes that will reduce the number of road deaths by demanding safe and sustainable mobility.
UN Global Road Safety Week 2023 was observed from 15th to 21st May 2023 and it marks the 7th UNGRSW.
• 6th UNGRSW was observed from 17th to 23rd May 2021.
The theme for UNGRSW 2023 is “StreetsforLife #RethinkMobility”.
Background:
i.The proposal to organize a Global Road Safety Week was first made by the Working Party on Road Traffic
Safety of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in March 2005.
ii.On 26th October 2005, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) officially expressed its support for the
UNECE to host global road safety week in resolution A/RES/60/5 on Improving global road safety.
iii. The 1st ever UNGRSW was observed from 23rd to 29th April 2007.
iv. UNGA has mandated the WHO and the UN Regional Commissions to host the biennial UN Global Road Safety
Week.
• The week has been observed every two years since 2013.
Key Points:
i. Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability globally, with around 1.3 million people killed
and as many as 50 million people injured each year.
ii. Globally, 1 of every 4 deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists.
iii. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 reflects an ambitious target to reduce
road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030.
• It highlights that they can be avoided if the entire transportation system is addressed, taking action
to ensure safe roads, vehicles, and behaviours, and to improve emergency care.

iv. WHO focuses on sustainable transport, in particular the need to shift to walking, cycling and using public
transport.
v. WHO organised events and activities and shared messages and materials on social media with the hashtags:
#RethinkMobility, #StreetsforLife, and #RoadSafety.
STATE NEWS
Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali launches “SAHAS”; An Initiative to Make
Workplaces Safer for Women
On 19th May 2023, Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Minister of Home, Prisons, and Fire Services of Telangana,
inaugurated the “SAHAS” initiative, which means ‘Courage’, aimed at enhancing support systems for women
facing workplace sexual harassment.
SAHAS is the first of its kind State Police- Industry Body collaborative initiative to strengthen the ecosystem of
support for women employees in workplaces across Telangana.
• The SAHAS project was conceptualised by Shikha Goel, DGP (Director General of Police) Women
Safety Wing.
• The initiative includes the launch of the Sahas Microsite, Sahas Sathi Chatbot, Sahas Whatsapp
Number, Forum, and online support facilities in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• The Sahas initiative is sponsored and supported by Ixoreal Biomed, the manufacturer of “KSM-66
Ashwagandha”.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. UGC Launches ‘NEP SAARTHI’ to Involve Students in Implementing NEP 2020

2. RBI cancels Certificate of Registration of 7 NBFCS, 14 surrender permits
3. SEBI Introduced Risk disclosure Framework for Trading by Individual Traders in Equity F&O
Segment
4. India’s First Small-Cap Fund in ULIP Segment Launched By Bajaj Allianz Life
5. Tide and Transcorp launch India’s-first Recycled PVC RuPay Card
6. Paytm Money Launches Bond Investing on its Platform
7. Aditya Birla Capital launches ‘Udyog Plus’: An Innovative One-Stop Business Platform for MSMEs
8. SpaceX Launched First Saudi Astronauts including Nation’s First Woman to ISS
9. Italian Open 2023: Daniil Medvedev wins Men’s Singles title; Elena Rybakina wins Women’s
singles title
10. Indian long jumper Shaili Singh won bronze in Seiko Golden Grand Prix 2023, Japan
11. Renowned British Novelist Martin Louis Amis Passed Away
12. Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria releases a Book Titled “Partitioned Freedom”
13. International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 – May 22
14. International Tea Day 2023 – May 21
15. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2023 – 21st May
16. National Anti-Terrorism Day 2023 – May 21
17. Madhya Pradesh becomes India’s 1st State to Provide Free Air Travel to Pilgrims
18. Rajasthan Cabinet Approved proposal for developing GIS-based 3D models of 4 cities
19. Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme: Vizag launches AP’s first health insurance scheme for
special children

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
UGC Launches ‘NEP SAARTHI’ to Involve Students in Implementing NEP 2020
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a new initiative titled ‘NEP
SAARTHI (Student Ambassador for Academic Reforms in Transforming Higher Education in India)’ to involve
students in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Objective: To create an environment where students could engage and participate to make effective
use of the provisions of NEP 2020.
Selection Process of NEP SAARTHIs:
i.UGC has instructed all vice-chancellors, directors and principals of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to
nominate 3 students from their institutions to be considered as NEP SAARTHIs along with a brief write-up
justifying the nomination.
ii.The UGC will select 300 NEP SAARTHIs from among the nominees and the selected students will be given
orientation and guided on how to carry out their roles effectively in hybrid mode.
iii.Nominations are open till June 2023. The NEP SAARTHIs will be announced in July 2023.
Skill requirement: The nominated students need to have an outstanding personality, excellent communication
skills, organisational capabilities for conducting outreach programmes, creativity, sense of responsibility along
with being a team leader.
NEP SAARTHIs’ Role & Responsibilities:
i.The student would work as ambassadors to promote and create awareness about the NEP 2020.
ii.They will promote NEP 2020 initiatives on social media, collect feedback from students to improve the policy,
and provide guidance to students and other stakeholders.
iii.The NEP SAARTHIs will organise awareness drives regarding the latest NEP initiatives, connect with student
groups, prepare brief notes on each NEP initiative for display on campus, plan events, debates, discussions,
competitions, quizzes, nukkads, chaupals, initiate social media activities or campaigns and set up NEP help
desks at college festivals.
Recognition for NEP SAARTHIs: They will get a certificate of recognition, and their name will be mentioned in
the UGC’s official social media handles. They will get invites to all relevant online events organised by the UGC
and an opportunity to publish an article in the UGC newsletter.
On January 29, 2023, the Ministry of Education (MoE) released the All India Survey on Higher Education
(AISHE) 2020-2021.
AISHE 2020-21 was the 11th annual Survey and 1st Survey being conducted using an entirely online data
collection platform through the Web Data Capture Format (Web DCF), which was Developed by the
Department of Higher Education and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

About University Grants Commission (UGC):
It was established by an Act of Parliament in 1956 to coordinate, determine, and maintain standards of
teaching, examination, and research in university education.
Chairman – Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI cancels Certificate of Registration of 7 NBFCS, 14 surrender permits
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6) of the RBI
Act, 1934 has cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of seven Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFC).
• With this, the notified companies are barred from transacting the business of a Non-Banking
Financial Institution (NBFI), as defined in clause (a) of Section 45-I of the RBI Act, 1934.
The 7 NBFC are as follows:
NBFC Registered Office (City/State)
Coorg Tea Company Limited Bengaluru, Karnataka
Trimurthi Finvest Limited Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
East West Finvest India Limited Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
J.V.Modi Securities Limited Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
K K Patel Finance Limited Gwalior, MP
Purvi Finvest Limited Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Genfin Capital Private Limited Bengaluru, Karnataka
14 NBFCs surrender their Certificate of Registration to RBI
The 14 NBFCs have surrendered the Certificate of Registration (CoR) granted to them by RBI. Thus, RBI, in
exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6) of the RBI Act, 1934, has therefore cancelled their
CoR.
1.Under this, 7 companies surrendered their licence because of exit from business while two surrendered due
to meeting the criteria prescribed for unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC) that do not require
registration.
• An unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC) refers to a company that operates as a Core
Investment Company but is not registered with the regulatory authorities.

• A Core Investment Company(CIC) is a type of non-banking financial institution(NBFC) in India that
primarily invests in shares of other companies and holds significant equity investments. However,
there are certain criteria outlined by the regulatory authorities under which a CIC may operate
without the requirement of registration.
2.Remaining five surrendered permits due to NBFC ceasing to be a legal entity due to
amalgamation/merger/dissolution/ voluntary strike-off, etc.
• Amalgamation is the process of merging two or more companies into one, and if an NBFC
undergoes amalgamation, it ceases to exist along with any associated permits becoming invalid.
• Merger, on the other hand, is the process of combining two or more companies into a single legal
entity. Similar to amalgamation, if an NBFC merged with another entity, the original NBFC would
cease to exist, resulting in the surrender of any permits it held.
• Dissolution refers to the formal termination or winding up of a company’s existence. If an NBFC
decided to dissolve, it would cease to be a legal entity, leading to the surrender of its permits.
• Voluntary strike-off is a process where a company voluntarily requests to be struck off from the
register of companies. If an NBFC chose to undergo voluntary strike-off, it would no longer exist as a
legal entity, and its permits would consequently be surrendered.
The 14 NBFCs are as follows:
i.Due to exit from NBFI business:
Lunia Trading & Investment Private Limited Kolkata, West Bengal (WB)
Swastik Goods and Suppliers Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata, WB
Icseva Finance Private Limited Aurangabad, Bihar
Gipsy Management Pvt Ltd Kolkata, WB
Shiba Fabspin Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata, WB
Esar Entrade Ltd Kamrup, Assam
Maba Corporate Services Private Limited Bengaluru, Karnataka
ii. Due to meeting the criteria prescribed for unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC) that do not require
registration:
L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Limited Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
Josan Deposits and Advances Limited Kolkata, WB
iii.Due to NBFC ceasing to be a legal entity due to amalgamation/ merger/dissolution/ voluntary strike-off, etc.:
Melinex Investment and Finance Private Limited Ludhiana, Punjab
Casablanca Broking & Agency Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata, WB
Janpragati Syntex Pvt Ltd Kolkata, WB
Nalimbur Mercantile Pvt Ltd Kolkata, WB
Wondermax Mercantile Pvt Ltd Kolkata, WB
About NBFC :-
In India, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are regulated under the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Act, 1934. The RBI is the primary regulatory authority for NBFCs and oversees their registration, functioning,
and operations.

• NBFCs registration is obtained under the Companies Act, 2013,earlier registered under the
Companies Act 1956. These institutions are engaged in offering Loans and Advances, and Acquiring
stock, equities, and debts issued by the government or any local authority.
• Section 45-IA states that no NBFC can commence or carry out its business activity without
acquiring an NBFC Registration.
• For all Companies currently applying for registration as a NBFC, the minimum Net Owned Funds
requirement is INR 10 Crore (Previously it was INR 2 Crore) (Minimum NOF amount may be
higher depending on specific type of NBFC). RBI has prescribed a timeline to meet the minimum Net
Owned Funds amount of INR 10 Crore in a phased manner for existing NBFCs.
• The registration process for NBFCs in India is governed by the RBI and is outlined in the RBI Non-
Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
i.RBI has partially relaxed the restrictions it had imposed on SBM Bank (India) Limited (“SBM Bank India“) with
regard to transactions made under the Liberalised Remittances Scheme (LRS).
RBI has approved trading between India and Tanzania in national currencies, i.e.,the Indian Rupee (INR) and
Tanzanian Shilling (TSh), by enabling authorized banks in India to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs)
with correspondent banks in Tanzania, a step that will benefit the business community.
Establishment– 1st April 1935
SEBI Introduced Risk disclosure Framework for Trading by Individual Traders in Equity F&O
Segment
On May 19, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a risk disclosure
framework for individual traders for trading in the equity Futures & Options (F&O) segment.The risk
disclosure framework would come into force with effect from July 01, 2023

• Objective: To empower the traders with detailed information about the risks associated with
trading in derivatives and also to facilitate informed decision-making by the investors.
Key Points:
i.In accordance with the framework, all stock brokers are required to display risk disclosures on their websites
and inform all their clients in a specified manner.
ii.Upon login into their trading accounts, clients need to be prompted to read ‘risk disclosures’ (which may
appear as a pop-up window) and should be allowed to proceed ahead only after acknowledging the same.
iii.The ‘Risk disclosures’ need to be displayed prominently, covering at least 50 percent area of the screen.
iv.All Qualified Stock Brokers (QSBs) have been directed to maintain the Profit and Loss (P&L) data of their
clients on a continuous basis and are directed to be retained for at least five years.
v.Stock Exchanges and Depositories are directed to display the ‘Risk disclosures’ on their respective websites,
with a link to a study conducted by SEBI on January 25,
Risk disclosures on Derivatives:
i.9 out of 10 individual traders in the equity Futures and Options Segment, incurred net losses in the financial
year 2021-22, with an average loss of Rs 1.1 lakh.
• Only 11% of individual traders in the equity F&O segment made a profit, with an average profit of Rs
1.5 lakh in FY22.
ii.On average, loss makers registered net trading losses close to Rs 50,000.
iii.Over and above the net trading losses incurred, loss makers expended an additional 28% of net trading
losses as transaction costs.
iv.Those making net trading profits, incurred between 15% to 50% of such profits as transaction costs.
Note – The above framework was issued by SEBI in the exercise of powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the
SEBI Act, 1992, to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and
regulate, the securities market.
What is Futures and Options(F&O)?
According to SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), the equity Futures & Options (F&O)
segment refers to a specific segment of the financial market where derivatives contracts based on equity
(stocks) are traded.
• Futures and options are the major types of stock derivatives trading in a share market In simple
terms, traders can enter into agreements to either buy or sell stocks at a specific price and date in
the future (futures contracts) or have the right to buy or sell stocks at a specific price within a
certain time period (options contracts).
• These are contracts signed by two parties for trading a stock asset at a predetermined price on a
later date. Such contracts try to hedge market risks involved in stock market trading by locking in
the price beforehand.
• Future and options in the share market are contracts which derive their price from an underlying
asset (known as underlying), such as shares, stock market indices, commodities, ETFs, and more.

About Securities Exchange Board of India(SEBI):
Chairperson -Madhabi Puri Buch
Establishment – 12 April 1992
Bajaj Allianz Life Launched India’s First ULIP Small-Cap Fund

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Ltd launched India’s first small-cap fund in the ULIP (Unit Linked
Insurance Plan) segment namely ‘Bajaj Allianz Life Small Cap Fund’ that offers customers the opportunity to
achieve capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks.The NFO (New Fund
Offer) period for Bajaj Allianz Life’s small-cap fund ends on May 23, 2023.
• The benchmark index is the Nifty Small Cap 100 index.The benchmark index is a standard or
reference point used to measure the performance of a particular market or segment.
• Focus: Long-term wealth creation for our customers
About Bajaj Allianz Life Small Cap Fund:
This new fund offered by Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company allows customers to invest in a variety of small-
cap stocks. Small-cap stocks are from companies that have a smaller overall value in the stock market.
• It will invest a minimum of 60% in small-cap stocks, and market-cap exposure is based on equity
exposure re-scaled to 100%.
What is ULIP?
A ULIP plan is a type of life insurance that offers the policyholder two advantages: protection through life
coverage and the opportunity to invest in specific market-linked funds. In other words, ULIP is a type of
insurance product that combines investment and insurance components into a single policy.
Key Points:
i.Small-cap equity funds have done better than the benchmark Nifty Small Cap 100 index for a long time. This
means that the funds, which invest in smaller companies, have performed better than the average performance
of similar companies in the index.
ii.The Nifty Small Cap 100 index’s value has decreased from its highest point and is now lower than its average
value over a long period of time. This makes a case for investment in small-caps from a valuation perspective.
iii. In this case, the Nifty Small Cap 100 index specifically tracks the performance of small-cap stocks listed on
the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India.By using the Nifty Small Cap 100 index as the benchmark, it
provides a way to assess how well the investments in the Bajaj Allianz Life Small Cap Fund or similar funds
perform in relation to the overall small-cap market.
About Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Ltd:
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer– Tarun Chugh
Headquarters– Pune, Maharashtra

Tide and Transcorp launch India’s-first Recycled PVC RuPay Card
Tide, United Kingdom-based fintech, in partnership with Transcorp International Limited, launched India’s
first recycled Polyvinyl Chloride (rPVC) Rupay card, along with MCT Cards & Technology Pvt. Ltd.
and NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
• PVC cards are more durable than paper-based cards and can last longer without getting damaged or
torn, along with security features.
• rPVC Rupay cards are made from recycled PVC plastic. Every 99% rPVC card weighing 5.5-6 grams,
saves on 7-8 grams of CO2 emissions and 3.5-4.0 grams of plastic waste, which will be used in the
production of a new card made with virgin PVC.
Industry First Initiative:
With this launch, all the 4 entities initiated industry-first initiatives as part of an India-wide and global shift
away from virgin plastic and accelerate reduction in carbon emissions.
• The move is also on the lines of Tide’s commitment to becoming a more sustainable company, by
reaching Net Zero simpler for customers in India, and globally. Made from 99% recycled plastic, this
is the first such move by a fintech company in India.
Formation of rPVC Cards:
Open Loop Recycling Process: The rPVC cards undergo an open loop recycling process which means that old
products, like plastic cards, are transformed into new ones, thereby reducing industrial plastic waste through
recycling and reusing.
Material Approval: The material used for producing Tide’s rPVC cards is approved by global testing agencies,
including Intertek. The material is also compliant with GRS 4.0 (Global Recycling Standards). These
certifications ensure its high-quality and sustainability standards.
• rPVC cards significantly reduce the amount of virgin plastic used and contribute to reducing carbon
emissions.
Stringent Testing: All Tide rPVC cards are thoroughly tested for various parameters. These tests include
assessing ink adhesion, wrappage, bending, and stress tolerance. The cards are compliant with ISO
(International Organization for Standardization) standards. It also undergo a certification process by CIPET
(Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology), for quality and sustainability.
Sustainability Badge: Each rPVC card carries a sustainability badge on the reverse side as an educational tool
for customers, informing them that the card is made from recycled plastic.
About Tide:
Tide is the United Kingdom’s (UK) leading SME-focused business financial platform. In March 2023, Tide
became the first fintech in the world to remove 100% of its emissions with durable carbon removals as of 2022
onwards. To deal with the devastating impacts of climate change, it has made three pledges:
• Pledge 1: Removing 100% of our emissions with durable carbon removal from 2022 onwards.
• Pledge 2: To reduce 90% of 2021 emissions per employee by 2030. Pledges 1 and 2 will make Tide
fully Net Zero by 2030.
• Pledge 3: Tide Member NetZero – Tide commits to making Net Zero simpler for itsMembers by
developing support for them to get to NetZero.

The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) for Tide (India) is Gurjodhpal Singh.
i.City Union Bank (CUB), a private sector lender, has announced the launch of its first-ever credit card service,
the “Dhi CUB Visa Signature Credit Card,” in collaboration with 42 Card Solutions Pvt Ltd, a provider of credit
card management services.
ii.State Bank of India, an Indian multinational public sector bank, completed its 1st non-dollar transaction with
Sri Lanka by paying for exports in Sri Lankan rupees to bring countries that lack US (United States)dollars into
the trade mechanism.
About Transcorp International Limited:
It is a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulated Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) license holder.
Managing Director– Gopal Sharma
Paytm Money Launches Bond Investing on its Platform for Retail Investors
Paytm Money Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Paytm, has launched India’s most advanced bonds
platform for retail investors to simplify bonds and enable them to invest in three types of bonds such
as government, corporate and tax-free.
Features:
i.All information related to coupon vs yield, clean price vs dirty price, coupon frequency, coupon record dates
etc, would be available on one dashboard on the Paytm Money app.
ii.Being a SEBI’s registered broker, Paytm Money is leveraging the existing strong regulatory framework to
innovate and bring a simple, secure and transparent bond product to India.
iii.Paytm Money has incorporated safety features such as limit order as the default order type, prices compared
across both NSE and BSE and the best exchange rate pre-selected, credit ratings from multiple rating agencies,
with the lowest being the default rating.
iv.Currently, Bonds on Paytm Money is being launched with an early access waitlist program.
Different Types of Bonds:
Bonds are a safe option for investors to get a steady income and fixed returns on their investments and to
diversify their portfolios for good returns.
i.Government Bonds: Investments could be made in Government of India Bonds, with maturity ranging from
16 days to 39 years, giving investors great flexibility in managing their investments across all time horizons.
• The yield on these bonds are currently between 7-7.3% per annum.
• These bonds could be sold on the market at any time, without any premature penalty/lock in, giving
investors flexibility in managing their investments.
ii.Tax-free Bonds: Investments could be made in tax-free bonds, issued by Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs),
like National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), REC etc
• The yields of these bonds are up to 5.8% per annum, and maturity, ranging from 5 months to 13
years.

iii.Corporate Bonds: Investors could expand their portfolio via investing in corporate bonds like Indiabulls
Housing Finance, Edelweiss etc where depending on the credit profile of the company, and the maturity of the
bond, one can earn up to 15% per annum.
Aditya Birla Capital launches ‘Udyog Plus’: An Innovative One-Stop Business Platform for
MSMEs
Aditya Birla Capital, the financial services business of the Aditya Birla Group, through its lending arm, Aditya
Birla Finance, has announced the launch of “Udyog Plus”, an innovative one-stop business platform, designed
for the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) customers.
• This new Business-to-business (B2B) digital platform offers solutions for MSMEs, including
financing, protection, investments, advisory and value-added services for managing and growing
their businesses.
• Both existing and new customers of Aditya Birla Finance can access Udyog Plus, an open market,
through the financing portion of the Aditya Birla Capital website.
• The platform offers a completely paperless digital journey for business loans of up to Rs 10 lakh.
• Udyog Plus is integrated with government e-commerce websites via Open Credit Enablement
Network (OCEN) and with private e-commerce websites to provide credit facilities to sellers on
these platforms.
Note: In February 2023, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL), the holding company for the financial services
businesses of the Aditya Birla Group, announced its collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI) to develop and promote digital payment methods through subsidiaries to its customers.

SpaceX sends Ax-2 Mission to ISS; Crew Includes 1st Saudi Astronauts & 1st Saudi Woman
On May 21 2023, Spacex Falcon 9 Rocket launched the Crew of 4 astronauts (including the 2 Saudi Arabian
Astronauts) with the Dragon Capsule spacecraft on the all-private Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) chartered flight to
the International Space Station (ISS) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the United States of America
(USA).
Saudi Astronauts’ 1st Flight to ISS:

i.The private flight carries two Americans and two Saudi Arabians, including the first woman to fly in space
from the Arab nation.
ii.One of the crew members Rayyanah Barnawi, became the first woman Astronaut from Saudi Arabia to go
to space. She was accompanied by Ali al-Qarni, a fighter pilot with the Royal Saudi Air Force.
• Ali al-Qarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Government, were the first
from Saudi Arabia to ride a rocket since a Saudi prince launched aboard shuttle Discovery in 1985.

About the Ax-2 Mission:
i.Once reached the Space station, the 4 astronauts will spend a week over there.
ii.It is the second private flight to the space station organised by Axiom Space, a privately funded space
infrastructure developer in Houston, Texas, USA, selected by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) to provide the first commercial destination module on the ISS.
iii.The Ax-2 mission is the SpaceX’s 10th human spaceflight. The company has flown seven government-booked
crew missions and three private flights since launching astronauts for the first time in May 2020.
Note: The first Private flight Ax-1 was launched on 8 April 2022 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA
crewed by three businessmen, with a retired NASA astronaut.
Astronaut crew:
The 4 astronauts are namely:
i. Peggy Annette Whitson- retired NASA astronaut and former NASA Chief Astronaut;
ii. RayyanahBarnawi- a stem cell Researcher;
iii. Ali al-Qarni- a fighter pilot with the Royal Saudi Air Force;
iv. John Shoffner- former driver and owner of a sports car racing team that competes in Europe from
Tennessee, USA.
Highlights:
i. The Crew was led by Peggy Annette Whitson, who racked up more total time in space- 665 days and counting
than any other woman or American during her time as a NASA astronaut and the Ax-2’s first female
commander and John Shoffner, served as Ax-2’s pilot.
ii. In a quirk of timing, the crew will be greeted at the station by an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates
named Sultan Al Neyadi, who became the first Arab astronaut to complete a long trip to the ISS.
• Note: Sultan Al Neyadi reached space for the first time in March 2023. On 28 April 2023, Sultan Al
Neyadi became the first Arab to perform a spacewalk and he is there on a six-month mission.
SPORTS
Italian Open 2023: Daniil Medvedev wins Men’s Singles title; Elena Rybakina wins Women’s
singles title
Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev won the Men’s Singles title at the 2023 Italian Open (also known as
the Rome Masters or the Internazionali BNL d’Italia) by defeating Holger Rune of Denmark in the final. The
2023 Italian Open was from 2nd to 21st May 2023 at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy.
• This marks Daniil Medvedev’s first-ever Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tile on the
clay court of his career and his first-ever Italian Open title.
• With this win, Daniil Medvedev ascended to world number 2 in the ATP rankings.
Women’s Singles:
The 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina won the Women’s singles title at the Italian Open 2023 by
defeating Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine. This marks her first major title on clay.

Italian Open 2023:
Italian Open 2023 is the 80th edition of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia and the 1st event with an upgraded
format in 2 weeks and a 96-player draw.
• The Italian Open 2023 is classified as an ATP Tour Masters 1000 event on the 2023 ATP Tour and
a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 event on the 2023 WTA Tour.
Italian Open 2023 Doubles Title:
Men’s doubles:
Polish-Monegasque duo Jan Zieliński and Hugo Nys won the men’s doubles title at the Italian Open 2023
defeating Robin Haase and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the finals.
• This marks their first ATP Masters 1000 title as a team and 2nd title (overall).
• With this win, Nys and Zielinski have topped(No 1) in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Teams
Rankings.
Women’s Doubles:
Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens of Belgium defeated Coco Gauff and
Jessica Pegula of the United States of America to win the Women’s Doubles title at Italian Open 2023.
• This marks the duo’s first-ever major title as a team.
Winner of Italian Open 2023:
Category Winners Runners
Men’s Singles Daniil Medvedev (Russia) Holger Rune (Denmark)
Women’s
Singles Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) Anhelina Kalinina (Ukraine)
Hugo Nys (Monaco) and Jan Zieliński Robin Haase and Botic van de Zandschulp
Men’s Doubles (Poland) (Netherlands)
Women’s Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens
Doubles (Belgium) Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula (USA)
Indian long jumper Shaili Singh won bronze in Seiko Golden Grand Prix 2023, Japan
On 21st May 2023, Indian athlete (Long Jumper) Shaili Singh bagged a Bronze medal as she finished in 3rd at
the Seiko Golden Grand Prix 2023 athletics meet in the women’s long jump event held in Yokohama, Japan.
She also recorded jumps of 6.59m, 6.35m, 6.36m, and 6.41m at the Yokohama meet, a World Athletics
Continental Tour gold label event.
• German athlete Maryse Luzolo, who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, won the Gold medal
with an effort of 6.79m.
• Two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist Brooke Buschkuehl, an Olympic long jumper from
Australia, bagged the Silver medal with a 6.77m leap.
During the Indian Grand Prix 4 2023 athletics meet in Bengaluru, Karnataka, which was concluded in April
2023, Shaili Singh registered a jump of 6.76m, her personal best jump, the second-best by an Indian woman
after the legendary athlete Anju Bobby George 6.83m.
Note: In 2021, Shaili Singh won the silver medal in the women’s long jump with a 6.59m effort at the World
Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.
OBITUARY
Renowned British Novelist Martin Louis Amis Passed Away
On 19th May 2023, a renowned British Novelist Martin Louis Amis, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature,
passed away in Lake Worth, Florida, United States of America (USA), at the age of 73.

Note: He was the son of British writer Kingsley Amis, who won the 1986 Booker prize for his novel “The Old
Devils”.
• Martin Amis was born on 25th August 1949 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, the United Kingdom
(UK). He was also an English essayist, memoirist, and screenwriter.
• He is best known for his novels “Money: A Suicide Note” (1984), “London Fields” (1989) and “The
Information” (1995). His last novel is “Inside Story”, published in 2020.
• As an actor, he was known for ‘Saturn 3’ (1980), ‘London Fields’ (2018) and ‘A High Wind in Jamaica’
(1965).
• He was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his memoir “Experience” (2000).
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria releases a Book Titled “Partitioned Freedom”
On 20th May 2023, Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Assam, released a book titled “Partitioned Freedom”,
which was authored by Ram Madhav and published by Prabhat Prakashan Pvt. Ltd, in Guwahati, Assam.
• The book “Partitioned Freedom” offers profound insights into the events that unfolded during 1905
and the pre-independence era.
• It explores and answers the questions raised because India which defeated the British designs to
partition one province failed when the whole country was being partitioned 4 decades later.
• Ram Madhav is an Indian Politician, Author, and thinker. His other books are “Uneasy Neighbours:
India and China After 50 Years of the War” and “Asahaj Padosi”.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 – May 22
United Nations (UN)’s International Day for Biological Diversity is annually observed across the globe
on May 22 to raise awareness and promote the conservation of biological diversity.
• The day highlights the importance of biodiversity and its crucial role in sustaining life on Earth.
The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 observed on 22nd May 2023 is “From
Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”.
• The promotes the idea of an action plan agreed upon at a global level to implement all the measures
that the agreement contemplates before 2030.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/49/119 on 30th January 1995
and proclaimed December 29 as the International Day for Biological Diversity.
ii. In 2001, the UNGA proclaimed the resolution A/RES/55/201 and proclaimed May 22 of every year as the
International Day for Biological Diversity.
• From 2002 onwards the International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on May 22.

Why May 22?
May 22 marks the date of the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The text of the
convention was adopted on 22nd May 1992 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legal instrument that has been ratified by 196
countries for the following:
• The conservation of biological diversity
• The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
Biological Diversity:
i. Biological diversity is often understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms.
ii. It also includes the various ecosystems (lakes, forests, deserts, agricultural landscapes) that support a
diversity of interactions among their inhabitants (people, plants, and animals), as well as the genetic variations
that exist within each species itself, such as those between crop types and cattle breeds.
iii. Biodiversity faces unprecedented threats, such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and
overexploitation.
iv. It has been proven that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses (diseases transmitted from animals to
humans). However, if biodiversity is preserved, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those
caused by coronaviruses.
Key Points:
i. Current negative trends in biodiversity and ecosystems will undermine progress towards 80% of the
assessed targets of the 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ii. Human activities have significantly changed 3-quarters of the land-based environment and 66% of the
marine environment.
iii. 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework:
i. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted during the 15th meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (COP 15) in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada.
• This framework supports the achievement of the SDGs and builds on the Convention’s previous
Strategic Plans, setting out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in
harmony with nature by 2050.
ii. The Framework’s key elements are 23 targets for 2030 and 4 goals for 2050.
iii. The implementation of this framework will be guided and supported through a comprehensive package of
decisions also adopted at COP 15.
About the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD):
Acting Executive Secretary- Dr David Cooper
Headquarters- Montreal, Canada.
Establishment- 29 December 1993
Establishment- 1945
International Tea Day 2023 – May 21

The United Nations (UN) International Tea Day is annually observed on 21st May globally to promote the
ways to sustain the production and consumption of tea across the globe and also to learn the significance of tea
in combating hunger and poverty.

• International Tea Day also provides an opportunity for tea-producing countries, international
organisations, governments and tea enthusiasts to collaborate and exchange knowledge and
experiences related to tea production, trade and consumption.
• The day is observed by the Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO) of the UN in collaboration
with other relevant Organisations.
History:
i. Since 2005, prior to the UN’s resolution, tea-producing countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, , Malawi, Tanzania, Vietnam and Uganda came together to celebrate International
Tea Day on 15th December.
ii. The first International Tea day was celebrated in New Delhi, Delhi in December 2005.
iii. In 2015, the Indian government submitted a proposal to the FAO Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea,
which leads worldwide activities to advance the world tea industry and played a key role in the establishment
of International Tea Day.
Background:
On 19th December 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Resolution A/RES/74/241
and designated 21 May of every year as International Tea Day.
• The first official UN-sanctioned International Tea Day was held on May 21st, 2020.
About Tea:
i. Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water, and is believed that tea originated in northeast India,
north Myanmar and southwest China.
ii. Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared withCamellia sinensis plant.
iii. Tea production and processing constitutes a main source of livelihoods for millions of families in developing
countries.
iv. Tea, being one of the most important cash crops, plays a vital role in rural development, poverty reduction
and food security in developing countries.
Tea production and SDGs:
i. Tea production and processing contributes towards achieving UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
which are as follows:
SDG 1: The reduction of extreme poverty
SDG 2: To the fight against hunger Sustainable Development Goal
SDG 5: The empowerment of women
SDG 15: The sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
Tea and climate change:
i. Tea can only be produced in narrowly defined agro-ecological conditions, in a very limited number of
countries which are heavily impacted by climate change.
ii. The production and qualityof the tea are highly impacted by the changes in temperature and rainfall
patterns, floods and droughts. This lowers the income and a poses threat to rural livelihoods.
Tea-producing countries are advised to integrate climate change challenges, both on the adaptation and
mitigation front, into their national tea development strategies to contribute to climate change mitigation.

About Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO):
Director-General– QU Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2023 – 21st May
The United Nations(UN)’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually
observed across the globe on 21st May to celebrate the richness of the world’s cultures. The day also
recognises the need to enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable
development and peaceful global coexistence
• The annual observance of the day is led by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO).
Significance:
The day highlights that strengthening intercultural dialogue must be a priority to promote cooperation and
sustain peace. More than 89% of all current conflicts in the world are occurring in countries with low
intercultural dialogue.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/57/249 in December 2002 and
proclaimed the 21st May of every year as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
ii.The UNGA resolution follows UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity,
which recognises the need to enhance the potential of culture to achieve prosperity, sustainable development
and global peaceful coexistence.”
• The first-ever World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed on 21st
May 2003.
UN and Cultural Protection:
i.In 2015, the 2nd Committee of the UNGA adopted the resolution A/C.2/70/L.59 on Culture and Sustainable
Development, affirming culture’s contribution to the 3 dimensions of sustainable development, acknowledging
further the natural and cultural diversity of the world.
ii.Four Goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions:
• Support sustainable systems of governance for culture
• Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase the mobility of artists and
cultural professionals
• Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks
• Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
iii.In September 2022, delegations from 150 States gathered in Mexico for UNESCO World Conference on
Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development- MONDIACULT 2022, the largest world conference devoted to
culture in the last 40 years.

• They unanimously adopted the historic Declaration for Culture affirming culture as a “global public
good” and calling for it to be integrated “as a specific goal in its own right” in the development
agenda beyond 2030.
Key Points:
i.The cultural and creative sector, one of the key promoters of development across the globe, accounts for more
than 48 million jobs, and around 50% of the jobs are held by women.
ii.This also represents 6.2% of all existing employment across the globe and 3.1% of the global Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
National Anti-Terrorism Day 2023 – May 21

Anti-Terrorism Day is annually observed across India on 21st May to mark the death anniversary of former
Indian Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991 at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
• 21st May 2023 marks the 32nd death anniversary of 6th Prime Minister of India PM Rajiv Gandhi
(1984 to 1989).
Significance:
Anti-Terrorism Day is observed to promote peace, humanity, unity, and harmony among the people, and to
raise awareness about terrorism’s antisocial acts.
• All government offices and other public institutions take an anti-terrorism pledge on this day, and is
celebrated to honour the victims of various terror attacks throughout India.
Background:
In 1992, the Government of India (GoI) decided to observe May 21 as National Anti-Terrorism Day to honour
the memory of Rajiv Gandhi
About Rajiv Gandhi:
i. Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest Prime Minister of India at the age of 40 and perhaps even one of the youngest
elected heads of Government in the world.
ii. He was born on August 20, 1944, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra.
iii. He became both Prime Minister and Congress President in the wake of his mother’s (Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi) assassination on 31 October, 1984.
iv. In 1991, Indian government posthumously awarded Rajiv Gandhi, India’s highest civilian
award Bharat Ratna for his contribution to the development of India.
v. Rajiv Gandhi, the architect of digital India, is hailed as the ‘Father of Information Technology and Telecom
Revolution of India’.
Global Terrorism Index:
India was ranked 13th as per the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2023, comprehensive study analysing the
impact of terrorism for 163 countries covering 99.7% of the world’s population.

• The GTI report is produced annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Sydney, Australia
using data from Terrorism Tracker and other sources.
STATE NEWS
Madhya Pradesh Becomes India’s 1st State to Provide Free Air Travel to Pilgrims
On 21st May 2023, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister (CM) of Madhya Pradesh (MP), flagged off a batch of
32 senior citizens (comprising 24 men and eight women) on pilgrimage to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP), from
Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, MP, through a flight under the state’s scheme of Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan
Yojana.
• Madhya Pradesh has become India’s 1st state to conduct pilgrimage by air on government
expenditure under the Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana.
Key Highlights:
i. So far, 7,82,000 senior citizens have travelled on pilgrimage on 782 special trains as part of the Mukhya
Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana.
ii. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan prepared an effective action plan for the month of May to July to make the benefits
of Mukhya Mantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana by air easily available to the elders of MP, which was launched on May
21 from Bhopal (MP) to Prayagraj (UP).
iii. Upcoming Pilgrim Plans:
• On 23rd May 2023, pilgrims from the Agar Malwa district (MP) will leave from Indore airport for
Shirdi, Maharashtra.
• On 25th May 2023, pilgrims from Betul district (MP) will leave from Bhopal airport through Agra
airport for Mathura & Vrindavan (UP).
• On 26th May 2023, pilgrims from Dewas (MP) will leave from Indore airport for Shirdi, Maharashtra.
• On 3rd June 2023, pilgrims from Khandwa (MP) from Indore airport through Kolkata, West Bengal,
for Gangasagar (West Bengal).
About the Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana:
i. The Government of Madhya Pradesh launched Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana in June 2012.
ii. Under the scheme, senior citizens will be taken on a free spiritual tour across India.
iii. The senior citizens of MP who are 60 years of age and older are eligible to visit different holy places outside
MP under this scheme.
About Madhya Pradesh:
Chief Minister- Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor- Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
National Park- Bandhavgarh National Park
Wildlife sanctuaries- Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary; Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary

Rajasthan Cabinet Approved proposal for Developing GIS-based 3D models of 4 cities
On May 20 2023, the state cabinet of Rajasthan chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a financial
proposal of Rs 106.46 crore for developing Geographic Information System (GIS) based 3D models of 4
cities in the state namely Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota and Ajmer.
• The state government will develop GIS-based 3D models of the four cities for better planning and
management of urban development.
• The financial approval has been made for the implementation of GIS-based 3D city and Rajdhara
Satellite Imagery Repository projects in these four cities.
Features and Benefits:
i. With this development, it will be possible to propose land use in city master plans, build new highways,
flyovers, colonies, and drainage plans, as well as other ground-level works, large-scale infrastructure
development, transportation planning, land planning, and town planning, among other things.
ii. Making efficient evaluations, simulations, and plans will be simpler and easier. A virtual tour of the city can
also be taken using the produced 3D model and Augmented reality or virtual reality.
iii. In addition, a “repository” of satellite images of Rajasthan from various eras would be set up on the Rajdhara
platform.
iv. According to the needs of various departments, this would make it easier to analyse land usage, land cover,
changes in reservoirs/water sources and forest areas, assessment of crop yields, the growth and spread of
cities etc.
Lavkush Gardens:
i.To promote ecotourism, the state government plans to create Lavkush Gardens in all districts of the state,
and Rs.66 crore has been allotted for this purpose.
ii.In these gardens, models of forests and wildlife were set to be created for the children to learn about
protecting the environment and wildlife conservation.
iii. There will be space for an exhibition as well as eco-trial trails that will be constructed. These gardens are
meant to raise awareness of environmental conservation.
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister– Ashok Gehlot
Governor– Kalraj Mishra
Airports– Jaipur International Airport, Maharana Pratap Airport
Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme: Vizag launches AP’s first health insurance scheme for
special children
On 20th May 2023, Visakhapatnam district launched “Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme” a first of its kind
initiative in Andhra Pradesh (AP), to provide free medical services for Special children i.e. children suffering
from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities.
• The Visakhapatnam District Collector A. Mallikarjuna launched the scheme at a programme
organised at the Bhavitha Centre at Akkayyapalem, Visakhapatnam.

• The scheme was being operated by the Central Government through the National Trust, under
the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
About Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme:
i.Objective: The scheme intends to provide free medical services for special children.
ii.So far Fund Allocation: Rs 1,34,750 has been allocated to the scheme from the ‘Sanjeevani Nidhi’ fund for
payment of insurance premiums to the physically challenged.
• The amount in Sanjeevani Nidhi is the funds donated by all employees from their personal income
on January 1 (New Year’s Day) and to date, Rs 15 lakh was collected.
• The fund would be utilised for the poor, the underprivileged and persons with special abilities.
iii.In Visakhapatnam there are around 1,404 children with special needs and the district is implementing the
scheme with the assistance of ‘The Ability People Organisation’.
iv.Under the scheme the beneficiaries could claim up to Rs 1 lakh/ year as reimbursement for medical
expenditure incurred on treatment during the year.
Additional info: The district further plans for paying a premium for the ‘Sukanya Samruddhi Yojana’ scheme
for girls, who have lost their mother or father and providing wheelchairs, tricycles and other aids to physically
challenged persons in the district with Rs 60 lakh from the IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited).
About Andhra Pradesh:
Chief Minister – Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Governor – S. Abdul Nazeer
Airports – Visakhapatnam International airport, Vijayawada International Airport

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. MoPSW Sarbananda Sonowal announces ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ during Chintan Shivir in Kerala
2. UKMRC unveils Rapid Trasit Systems; Dehradun gets India’s 1st Neo Metro & Hardiwar gets Pod
Taxi
3. GAINS 2023: GRSE launches Challenge for Innovation in Shipbuilding
4. India Lost Over 1.3 Lakh Lives In Disasters Linked To Extreme Weather, Climate Change In 50
Years: WMO
5. WHO launches Global Network to detect and prevent Infectious disease threat
6. Public Sector Banks‘ total profit reaches Rs 1,04,649cr in FY23
7. Google Pay in Partnership with NPCI Allows UPI Payments using RuPay credit cards
8. SIIC at IIT Kanpur, YES Bank Signs MoU to Support Startups; YES Bank Collaborates with Red Hat
to Redefine Mobile Banking Experience
9. RBI Board approved Transfer of Rs 87,416 Crore as Surplus to Government
10. Bank of Baroda introduces Live Video chat & Web Chat for Customers
11. Garuda Aerospace & HAL’s subsidiary Naini Aerospace partners to Manufacture Make in India
drones
12. JSW Steel & JFE Steel form JV to Manufacture CRGO Products in India
13. 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize Regional Winners announced
14. Sony Sports Network ropes in Sania Mirza as its Ambassador
15. Indian Navy’s warship INS Mormugao engages sea-skimming supersonic target
16. Renowned Telugu writer, Sahitya Akademi Awardee Kethu Viswanath Reddy Passed Away
17. World Turtle Day 2023 – May 23
18. International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2023 – May 23
19. Endangered Species Day 2023 – May 19

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoPSW Sarbananda Sonowal announces ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ during Chintan Shivir in
Kerala
On May 22, 2023, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
made five major announcements collectively named as ‘Panch Karma Sankalp‘ focusing green shipping and
digitization of the ports during the culmination of MoPSW’s second Chintan Shivir held in Munnar, Kerala.
• These initiatives are poised to make India a global leader in the maritime sector.
Key People:
Shripad Naik, Minister of State(MoS), MoPSW & Tourism, Shantanu Thakur, MoS, MoPSW, Sudhansh Pant,
Secretary, MoPSW and Chairpersons of all major ports were present during the event.
What is in the Panch Karma Sankalp?
i.MoPSW to provide 30% financial support for the promotion of Green Shipping
ii.Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai, Maharashtra), VO Chidambaranar Port (Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu), Paradip
Port (Jagatsinghpur, Odisha) and Deendayal Port (Kandla, Gujarat) will procure two tugs each Under the Green
Tug Transition Programme(GTTP).
Nodal agency of GTTP: National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS).
• This program envisages the conversion of tugboats utilized in ports into environmentally friendly
vessels known as ‘green tugs’ that run on non-fossil fuels such as methanol, hydrogen or ammonia.
• Tugboats, also referred to as tugs, play a crucial role in assisting ships with mooring and berthing
operations by towing or pushing them towards the port.
iii.Deendayal Port and VO Chidambaranar Port to be developed as Green Hydrogen Hub
iv.Single Window Portal to facilitate and monitor river and sea cruises
v.Jawaharlal Nehru Port and VO Chidambaranar Port to become smart port by 2024
Key Points:
i.The MoPSW Union Minister will review the progress with respect to these targets in a mid-year Chintan and
strict action will be taken in-case of any delay in completion of the project.
ii.The cargo handled by coastal shipping has grown to 151 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes per Annum) in
2022-23 which was 74 MMTPA in 2014-15.
iii.A consistent growth has been seen in cargo handling via IWT (Inland Water Transport) , it was only 30
MTPA in 2014 which has now grown to 126 MTPA in 2022-23.
MoPSW’s 2nd Chintan Shivir:
The 2nd Chintan Shivir organised by MoPSW was chaired and inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union
Minister of MoPSW on 21st May 2023.
• This aims to create awareness and educate people about the impacts of maritime sector and its
impact on the lives of common people.

1st Day: discussed the achievements and targets set during the previous Chintan Shivir.
2nd Day: focused on cargo handling by Major ports, improving and optimising port call procedures,
digitalization and standardization, inland waters and coastal shipping enhancing cargo and good governance.
i.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has announced the “Green Tug Transition Programme” (GTTP), in order
to make India a “Global Hub for Green Ship Building” by 2030.
ii.Union Minister Sarbananda SonowaI inaugurated India’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port &
Shipping (NCoEGPS), a collaboration between the MoPSW, Government of India, and The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI).
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister– Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Majuli, Assam)
Minister of State (MoS)– Shripad Yesso Naik (Constituency- North Goa, Goa), Shantanu Thakur Constituency-
Bangaon, Uttar Pradesh)
UKMRC unveils Rapid Transit Systems; Dehradun gets India’s 1st Neo Metro & Hardiwar gets
Pod Taxi
On May 19, 2023, the Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation (UKMRC) unveiled the plans for the construction of
the state-of-the-art rapid transit systems in Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh within next four years (by
2027) to overcome the traffic congestion in Uttarakhand.
Jitendra Tyagi MD of UKMRC announced that India’s first Neo Metro will be implemented on 2 corridors
in Dehradun, India’s 1st Provide on Demand (Pod) taxi will be introduced in Haridwar and two ropeways in
Haridwar and Rishikesh.

• Objective: To enhance connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in the respective regions.
• State-of-the-art rapid transit systems will provide a significant boost to eco-friendly and cost-
effective public transportation options in the state.
The Modern Transportations:
a.Neo Metro:
i.Neo Metro is the rubber tyre-based mass transit system that draws power from an overhead electric
conductor and it runs on a dedicated elevated track.
ii.The Neo Metro project would be implemented on two corridors in Dehradun.
iii.The two corridors, spanning a total length of 22.42 kilometers, will connect ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminal)
of Dehradun to Gandhi Bagh and Forest Research Institute (FRI) of Dehradun to Raipur, to effectively cover the
entire city.
iv.The Neo Metro trains will have a maximum speed of 70 kmph, with an average speed of 25 kmph.
v.The project has already received approval from the state government and is currently awaiting clearance
from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
vi.The project will be jointly funded by the Union and state governments.
b.Pod Taxi:
i.Pod taxis are driverless electric vehicles that move on a specially designed track.
ii.The pod taxis would cover a distance of 20.74 km with 21 stops in Haridwar. It will have a major stretch of
14.55 km from Sitapur (Jwalapur) to Bharat Mata Mandir.
c.Ropeways:
i.UKMRC also plans to complete two ropeways in Haridwar and Rishikesh for a better travel experience for
tourists coming from all over the world for pilgrimage.
ii.The 2-km-long ropeway in Haridwar will take pilgrims from Har Ki Pauri to Chadi Devi in 9 minutes. UKMRC
plans to build Asia’s longest ropeway of about 6.5 km in Rishikesh.
The development of ropeways and Pod taxis will be carried out through a public-private partnership (PPP)
model, with equal investment from the central and state governments.
GRSE launches GAINS 2023 to Promote Innovation in Shipbuilding by Startups

On May 22, 2023, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd launched GAINS
2023’ – GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme 2023′ in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB) to utilize the eco-
system that tackles current and future challenges in the ship design and construction sector.
• GAINS 2023 is a part of GRSE’s drive to identify and promote the development of innovative
solutions towards technological advances in shipbuilding by Startups.
The scheme was launched by G Surya Prakash, Assistant Manager (Finance), GRSE in the presence of Minister
of State (MoS) Rajeev Chandrasekha, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
What is GAINS 2023?
‘GAINS 2023’ is a program to support and inspire new innovators, engineers, and designers in the field of
shipbuilding in India. They have created a dedicated department to pursue this.

• It aims to inspire them to think and innovate in the specific technology area of shipbuilding.
The shipyard also called a dockyard or boatyard is a place where ships are built and repaired.
GAINS 2023 Challenge:
The ‘GAINS 2023’ Challenge is a two-stage process that aims to generate a large pool of ideas, from which a few
promising ones will be chosen and supported. In the initial stage, participants, including entities, firms, and
individuals, need to submit concise written and illustrated entries.
• It is to be executed as an “Open Innovation Challenge” scheme for firms/ entities/ individuals (who
are Indian Citizens).
• Artificial Intelligence in Shipbuilding; Renewable/Green Energy and Energy Efficiency; and
Operational Efficiency Enhancement are the focus areas for GRSE and are the thematic areas of
‘GAINS 2023’ Challenge.’
i.Stage – I: In the first stage, participating entities/firms/individuals are required to submit short illustrated
and written submissions with sufficient detail to clarify a required degree of understanding of the chosen
problem/solution.
• The submission of stage I will be closed on July 3, 2023.
ii.Stage – II:Shortlisted parties who have cleared Stage-I are required to submit Stage-II proposal (Project
Report) with a detailed technical description of the proposals. It will be followed by interviews/presentations
by the entity/firm.
• These submissions should also include a rough estimate of cost and justification of the professional
qualifications
Funding:
A sum of up to a maximum of Rs 5 Lakh each will be paid to firms/ entities against Stage-II submission based
on evaluation by GRSE. Winners may be awarded contract. If the product is sold to other customers, a revenue
sharing model will be worked out.
Click Here for Official Info
Note: GRSE delivered the first indigenous warship INS Ajay to the Indian Navy in 1961.

i.GRSE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kerala Electrical & Allied Engineering (KEL), a
state-owned enterprise of Kerala, for the joint research and development (R&D) of a lightweight bailey bridge
with a carbon fibre composite deck.
ii.On March 21, 2023, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Androth, the second in a series of eight Anti-
Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was launched in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is built by GRSE.
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd:
It is a Category 1 Mini Ratna Company.
Chairman and Managing Director– Commodore (Retd) P R Hari
Headquarters– Kolkata, West Bengal
India Lost Over 1.3 Lakh Lives In Disasters Linked To Extreme Weather, Climate Change In 50
Years: WMO
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN),
India has witnessed 573 disasters related to extreme weather, climate, and water events between 1970 and
2021. These disasters resulted in 1,38,377 death and caused economic losses amounting to USD 18.3 billion.
• According to the data from the Annual Statement on Climate of India, issued by the India
Meteorological Department, India recorded 2,227 human casualties due to extreme weather events
in 2022.
Note:
These new findings were issued for the quadrennial World Meteorological Congress(19th session) held from 22
May to 2 June 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• A high-level dialogue on accelerating and scaling up action to ensure that early warning services
reach everyone on Earth by the end of 2027 was held during the event.
• The United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4All) is one of the top strategic priorities
due to be endorsed by the World Meteorological Congress.
Overview- Global:
i.Around 11,778 disasters were reported across the globe between 1970 and 2021. These disasters caused
20,87,229 deaths and USD 4.3 trillion in economic losses.
• More than 90% of the reported deaths across the globe occurred in developing countries.
ii.Due to the implementation of multi-hazard early warning systems, the mortality from weather, climate and
water-related extremes has been decreasing over the last 50 years.
iii.The Economic losses attributed to weather, climate and water extremes continue to increase.
• More than 90% of the reported deaths across the globe occurred in developing countries.

• 60% of economic losses due to weather-, climate- and water-related disasters were reported for
developed economies.
• Europe accounted for 8% of reported deaths worldwide and Extreme temperatures were the
leading cause of reported deaths.
Overview – Asia:
Around 3612 disasters attributed to weather, climate and water extremes were reported between 1970 and
2021. This resulted in 9,84,263 deaths in Asia, around 47% of all reported deaths worldwide and incurred USD
1.4 trillion in economic losses which is around 33% of all reported losses worldwide.
• Tropical cyclones were the leading cause of reported deaths in Asia and floods were the leading
cause of economic losses.
• Bangladesh has the highest death toll in Asia with 5,20,758 deaths due to 281 events.
Africa: In Africa, 1,839 disasters caused 7,33,585 deaths and USD 43 billion in economic losses. Droughts
caused 95% of the reported deaths. Tropical cyclone Idai in March 2019 was the costliest event that occurred in
Africa (USD 2.1 billion).
Additional info:
The WMO study highlighted that the risk will increase significantly under the warming climate and variability
in the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• ENSO is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature (El Niño) and the air pressure of the
overlying atmosphere (Southern Oscillation) across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
• El Nino – warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the
central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
WMO is a UN Agency dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behaviour of the
Earth’s atmosphere.
Secretary-General– Prof. Petteri Taalas
WHO launches Global Network IPSN to detect and prevent Infectious disease threat
On May 20 2023, The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a global network named The
International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) to help protect people from infectious disease threats
like COVID-19 and share the information to prevent their spread through the power of pathogen genomics.
• The IPSN will provide a platform to connect countries and regions, improving systems for collecting
and analysing samples, using these data to drive public health decision-making, and sharing that
information more broadly.
Objective:
i.The network aims to help ensure infectious disease threats are swiftly identified and tracked, and the
information shared and acted on to prevent catastrophes like the COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.This network could play a vital role in health security, to give every country access to pathogen genomic
sequencing and analytics as part of its public health system.
Pathogen Genomics:
Pathogen genomics analyses the genetic code of viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms to
understand how infectious and deadly they are and how they spread.
The data feed into a broader disease surveillance system, with this information, scientists and public health
officials can identify and track diseases, in a bid to contain outbreaks and to develop treatments and vaccines.
About IPSN and its features:
i.The IPSN, was formally launched on the side-lines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland and
the event took place on 20 May 2023 in the InterContinental Geneva (CET) hosted by the WHO’s Hub for
Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.

• The establishment of the IPSN has been supported by German government funding to the WHO
Pandemic Hub.
• WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence (the WHO Pandemic Hub)was established in
September 2021 in Berlin (Germany) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ii.Operational bodies of IPSN:
The IPSN consists of three main operational bodies that bring together different sets of stakeholders, supported
by a Secretariat at the WHO Pandemic Hub:
• Partners collaborate in Communities of Practice (COPs)
• The Country Scale-Up Accelerator (CSUA)
• The Funders Forum
iii. The IPSN is a new global network of pathogen genomic actors, to accelerate progress on the deployment of
pathogen genomics and improve public health decision-making.
iv. It is the latest of several initiatives launched since COVID-19 that aim to strengthen the world’s ability to
prevent and more effectively respond to pandemic threats.
v. The network will bring together experts on genomics and data analytics, drawn from governments,
academia, the private sector and elsewhere.
Director-Genenral– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
BANKING & FINANCE

Public Sector Banks‘ total profit reaches Rs 1,04,649cr in FY23
The 12 Public Sector Banks’ (PSBs) cumulative profit crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark in FY23 by touching Rs
1,04,649 crore.
• They witnessed a 57% increase in total profit compared to Rs 66,539.98 crore earned in FY22.
• In the March 2023 quarter, the PSBs’ profit cumulatively increased more than 95% to Rs 34,483
crore as compared to Rs 17,666 crore in March 2022.
Key Points:
i.In percentage terms,
• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) had the highest net profit growth with 126% to Rs 2,602 crore.
• It is followed by UCO Bank with a 100% rise to Rs 1,862 crore, and
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) with a 94% increase to Rs 14,110 crore.
ii.In absolute terms, the State Bank of India (SBI) has reported an annual profit of Rs 50,232 crore in 2022-23,
showing an increase of 59% over FY22.
iii.Except for the Punjab National Bank (PNB), other PSBs have reported impressive annual increases in their
profit after tax.PNB posted a 27% decline in annual net profit from Rs 3,457 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 2,507 crore

in March 2023.
iv.The PSBs which reported an annual profit in excess of Rs 10,000 crore are Bank of Baroda (Rs 14,110
crore) and Canara Bank (Rs 10,604 crore).
v.Punjab & Sind Bank posted an annual profit growth 26% (Rs 1,313 crore), Central Bank of India 51% (Rs
1,582 crore), Indian Overseas Bank 23% (Rs 2,099 crore), Bank of India 18% (Rs 4,023 crore), Indian
Bank 34% (Rs 5,282 crore) and Union Bank of India 61% ( Rs 8,433 crore)
The doom-to-bloom story of PSBs:
From 2016-17 to 2020-21, the Central Government infused Rs 3,10,997 crore to recapitalize PSBs. This
infusion was a part of 4R strategy: Recognising NPAs transparently, Resolution and recovery, Recapitalising
PSBs, and Reforms in the financial ecosystem.
• Recapitalization program provided much-needed support to the PSBs and prevented the possibility
of any default.
Public Sector Bank in India:
In India, public sector banks (PSBs) are financial institutions that are owned and operated by the government, a
majority stake held by the government, typically more than 50% of the bank’s equity capital. The government
exercises control and influence over these banks through its majority ownership.
Government Shareholding % of 12 PSBs, as at end-December 2022 :-
State Bank of India (57.59%), Canara Bank (62.93%), Bank of Baroda (63.97%), Punjab National Bank
(73.15%), Indian Bank (79.86%), Bank of India (81.41%), Union Bank of India (83.49%), Bank of Maharashtra
(90.97%), Central Bank of India (93.08%), UCO Bank (95.39%), Indian Overseas Bank (96.38%) and Punjab
and Sind Bank (98.25%).
Google Pay & NPCI Collaborate to Integrate RuPay Credit Cards with UPI
On May 23 2023, Google pay has partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to enable
the integration of RuPay credit cards with Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• The users could avail the feature by linking the RuPay credit cards with Google Pay to pay at all
online and offline merchants where RuPay credit cards are accepted.
Backdrop:
i.To further deepen the reach and usage of UPI, in June 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed the
linking of credit cards (starting with RuPay at first) to the UPI platform to make payments.
ii.Currently, UPI facilitates transactions by linking savings and current accounts through debit cards.
Key Points:
i.The feature is now available to RuPay credit card holders of Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda (BoB), Canara Bank,
HDFC bank, Indian Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Punjab National Bank(PNB) and Union Bank of India(UBI).
ii.Benefit: The integration of RuPay Credit Card on UPI will provide both the convenience of UPI with the
benefits of RuPay Credit Card.
Additional info:
i.As per the NPCI data, approximately 74 billion transactions worth Rs 125.94 trillion were conducted using

UPI in 2022.
ii.NPCI has also reported a massive rise in monthly transactions, as the UPI transactions touched 8.7 billion in
March 2023.
YES Bank Partners with IIT Kanpur to Transform Startups and Red Hat to Redefine Mobile
Banking Experience
Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with YES Bank to provide financial support to the startups incubated at
SIIC.
Key Points:
i.As per the terms of the MoU, SIIC and YES Bank will collaborate to identify innovative startups and extend
them the necessary financial backing.
ii.The partnership intends to establish the startup ecosystem in India by granting ventures access to a wide
range of resources through YES Bank’s specialised startup-focused program called YES Head-Startup.
iii.The YES Head-Startup program which is backed by a full-service banking proposition, is specifically created
for technology-based or technology-enabled startups and is complemented by an exclusive privilege program.
-YES BANK Collaborates with Red Hat to Redefine Mobile Banking Experience
On May 22, 2023, as per the announcement of Red Hat, Inc., the world’s leading provider of open source
solutions, YES BANK has adopted Azure Red Hat OpenShift to transform their next-generation mobile banking
applications for efficient mobile banking experience for its customers.
• Azure Red Hat OpenShift platform will enable YES BANK to improve customer experience and
provide innovative banking solutions by launching security-focused and efficient modern
applications.
• These applications will have the agility and flexibility to scale on demand, and also support creating
a seamless customer experience across multiple banking solutions.
About YES Bank Ltd.:
RBI Board approved Transfer of Rs 87,416 Crore as Surplus to Government

On 19th May 2023, the board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the transfer of Rs 87,416 crore as
surplus to the Government for the year 2022-2023 at the 602nd meeting of the RBI’s Central Board of
Directors, Chaired by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. It also decided to raise the contingency risk buffer to 6%
from 5.5%.
• In the financial year (FY) 2021-2022, the RBI transferred Rs 30,307 crore to the government.
• The RBI’s annual report and its financial statements for the accounting year 2022–2023 were
approved by the board, led by Shaktikanta Das. The board also discussed the working of the RBI
during the year April 2022 to March 2023.
Bank of Baroda introduces Live Video chat & Web Chat for Customers
Bank of Baroda (BOB), launched two innovative customer service initiatives: “a Live Video Calling service- bob
Video Chat” and “a Live Web Chat facility- bob Live Chat” on its website to enhance the overall experience for
customers and prospective customers.
BoB is the 1st Public Sector bank to offer live video chat and live web chat services to its customers.
• These 2 initiatives are introduced for people to effortlessly get in touch with the Bank and
seamlessly address their banking queries.

• The Bank has also launched an easy-to-remember, 8-digit toll-free number (1800 5700) with 24
hours a day, everyday customer support, in 11 languages (English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil,
Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi and Bengali).
• bob Video Chat facility is also available at the BoB’s Digital Banking Units (DBUs) across India.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Garuda Aerospace & HAL’s subsidiary Naini Aerospace partners to Manufacture Make in India
drones
On May 22 2023, Garuda Aerospace Private Limited, a Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Drone-as-a-Service
(DaaS) startup and Uttar Pradesh (UP) based Naini Aerospace engineering limited (NAeL), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)- under the Ministry of Defence(MoD), has signed a joint
development partnership to manufacture indigenous drones for various applications.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed by RR Thakur, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NAeL, and Vijaykumar Rajarathinam,
executive director of Garuda Aerospace, in the presence of Agnishwar Jayprakash, CEO of Garuda Aerospace in
an online mode.
About the advanced precision drones:
i.The advanced precision drones developed by Garuda Aerospace will be able to carry a payload of around 25
kg and shall cover a radius of 500 metre with speed of 5 metre/second.
ii.The drone has a spray efficiency of 1500-2550 square metre/minute.
Note:
• As part of the partnership, 5000 drones are planned in the first year.
• Garuda Aerospace have pre-booked over 7,000 drones at Rs.4.5 lakh each.
Features of the Partnership:
i.Under this partnership, the NAeL, Naini (Prayagraj, UP) based Public sector unit, will start manufacturing the
heavy-duty drones by the end of June 2023.
ii. The initiative is expected to create employment and will boost economic activities in Naini industrial area,
which is also an educational hub.
iii. This will be the first drone manufacturing facility in northern India with the potential to add value to the
industries like Security and Surveillance, agriculture, mapping of lands among other things to cater the
requirements within India.
Key Points:
i. The partnership will promote the indigenisation of imported components required for the manufacturing of
drones.
Note: At present, most of the components (75%) are being imported from China and many Western countries.
ii. The partnership also enables a reduction in cost given the ease of transportation.
This partnership is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving the milestone of 1 lakh

‘Made in India’ drones by 2024.
About Garuda Aerospace:
Founded in– 2015
Founder & CEO– Agnishwar Jayaprakash
Headquarters– Chennai, Tamil Nadu
About Naini Aerospace engineering limited (NAeL):
Founded in– 29th December 2016
CEO– R.R.Thakur
Headquarters– Naini, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
JSW Steel & JFE Steel form JV to Manufacture CRGO Products in India
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based JSW Steel Limited, a flagship company of JSW Group, and Japan’s JFE Steel
Corporation, the 2nd largest Japanese steel manufacturer, will form a joint venture (JV) company (50:50) to
manufacture the entire range of CRGO (Cold Rolled Grain Oriented) products at its proposed facilities
at Vijayanagara, Karnataka.
The JV company will be the 1st to produce CRGO products with its entire chain of manufacturing processes in
India.
• The JV will contribute to the rapidly growing Indian demand, with its “Made in India” CRGO products
based on JFE Steel’s energy-efficient production technology developed through extensive research
and development (R&D).
• The finalisation of the JV will be subject to the execution of definitive agreements and necessary
regulatory approvals.

Commonwealth Foundation Announced 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize Regional
Winners
The regional winners of the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story Prize have been announced. The
Commonwealth Foundation named the winning writers from five continents such as Hana Gammon (South
Africa, Africa) Agnes Chew (Singapore, Asia), Rue Baldry (United Kingdom, Canada and Europe), Kwame
McPherson (Jamaica, Caribbean) and Himali McInnes (New Zealand, Pacific).
• The Commonwealth Short Story Prize which is a cultural initiative of the Commonwealth
Foundation is awarded annually since 2012 for the best piece of unpublished short fiction from the
Commonwealth.
• The regional winners of 2023 have been selected from 6,642 entries.
Note: The 2024 prize will open for submissions on 1 September 2023 and will also accept entries in Bengali,
Chinese, Swahili and Tamil and the winning entry, in one of these languages, will be translated into English.

Prize Ceremony and Publishing:
i. On 27 June 2023, the overall winner of the prize will be announced in the 12th edition of Commonwealth
Short Story Prize in an online ceremony.
ii. Regional winners each receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £5,000.
iii. On 24 May 2023, the five regional winning stories will be published online by the literary magazine Granta
of the United Kingdom, and will also be published in a special print edition by Paper + Ink, available online and
in bookshops from 27 June 2023.
Jury Panel:
The international judging panel, comprising a chairperson and five judges, one from each of the Commonwealth
Regions.
Bilal Tanweer (chairperson, Pakistan, Asia), Rémy Ngamije (Africa), Ameena Hussein (Asia), Katrina Best
(Canada and Europe), Mac Donald Dixon (Caribbean) and Selina Tusitala Marsh (Pacific).
Eligibility:
i. All citizens of all Commonwealth countries are eligible with a proof of confirmation of citizenship.
• The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.
ii. Holders of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards are not eligible, unless they also hold a passport from a
Commonwealth member country.
iii. Dual citizens are eligible, as long as one of the countries is a member of the Commonwealth
iv. And the eligible citizens should be aged 18 and over. There is no upper age limit.
Winners List:
Winner Name Region Story
Hana Gammon South Africa (Africa) The Undertaker’s Apprentice
Agnes Chew Singapore (Asia) Oceans Away From My Homeland
Rue Baldry United Kingdom (Canada & Europe) Lech, Prince, and the Nice Things
Kwame McPherson Jamaica (Caribbean) Ocoee
Himali McInnes New Zealand (Pacific) Kilinochchi
Indian writer Vidhan Verma’s story named A Groom like Shahrukh took place on the list of shortlisted stories.

Sony Sports Network ropes in Sania Mirza as its Ambassador
Leading sports broadcaster Sony Sports Network (also known as Sony TEN), owned and operated by Sony
Pictures Networks (SPN), has roped in Sania Mirza, an Indian former professional tennis player, as a Tennis
ambassador for the broadcaster, who will be seen as an expert panellist on the network.
Starting with 2023 Roland Garros, Sania Mirza will be a part of the panel on Sony Sports Network’s studio
show, Extraaa Serve.
• Sony Sports Network has launched a special campaign called The Home of Tennis, which
showcases Sania Mirza, Sony Sports Network, and the 3 Grand Slams as a perfect match and
celebrated the journey of Sania Mirza.
• She is the recipient of the Arjuna Award (2004), Padma Shri (2006), Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
Award (2015) and Padma Bhushan (2016).

Indian Navy’s warship INS Mormugao Engages Sea-skimming Supersonic Target
On May 23, 2023, the Indian Navy’s latest indigenous guided missile destroyer, Indian Naval Ship (INS)
Mormugao, successfully carried out the engagement of a sea-skimming supersonic target with Medium Range
Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) missile.
• The Indian Navy undertook the 1st MRSAM firing from INS Mormugao.
• The successful MRSAM missile firing by INS Mormugao is yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s
quest for accurate delivery of Ordnance on Target. It showcases Indian Navy’s Future Proof Combat
Readiness and commitment toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Note – Prior to this, on a test firing INS Mormugao also launched a Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.
What is Sea skimming?
It is a technique that is used by anti-ship missiles and some fighter or strike aircraft to avoid radar or infrared
detection during their approach to the target.
About INS Mormugao:
i.It is the second ship of the Visakhapatnam-class Project 15B stealth-guided missile destroyers of the Indian
Navy.
• It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock
Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai (Maharashtra) to offer new design concepts for improved
survivability, seakeeping, and manoeuvrability.
• INS Mormugao was named after the port city of Goa and started its maiden sea trials on 19
December 2021 commemorating the 60th Goa Liberation Day. It was commissioned on 18
December 2022.
ii.The INS Mormugao measures 163 m in length, and 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and
can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India.
iii.The ship is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration,
capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced
Radar Cross Section (RCS).
iv.It contains sophisticated weapons and sensors such as surface-to-surface missile and surface-to-air missiles
and it is equipped with a modern surveillance radar that provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems
of the ship.
v.The ship’s Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket
Launchers, Torpedo Launchers, and ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare ) helicopters.
vi.The ship is also equipped to fight under nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.
About MRSAM:
i.The MRSAM is a weapon system capable of engaging multiple targets up to a range of 70 km and it is powered
by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system.
ii.It comprises missiles, combat management system (CMS), mobile launcher systems (MLS), advanced long-

range radar, mobile power system (MPS), radar power system (RPS), reloader vehicle (RV), and field service
vehicle (FSV).
iii.MRSAM has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and produced at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
About Indian Navy:
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral R Hari Kumar
Founded– 26 January 1950
OBITUARY
Renowned Telugu writer, Sahitya Akademi Awardee Kethu Viswanath Reddy Passed Away
On May 22 2023, a noted Telugu writer, novelist and Sahitya Akademi
awardee Kethu Viswanath Reddy passed away in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh (AP) at the age of 84. He was born
on July 10, 1939.
Career of Kethu Viswanath Reddy:

i. KethuViswanatha Reddy hails from Rangasaipuram village in Yerraguntlamandal of YSR (Kadapa) district in
AP and started his career as a journalist.
ii. He is well known for his short stories and novels depicting culture and ethos of Rayalaseema, the southern
region of Andhra Pradesh in the same dialect.
iii. He served as a teacher and rendered distinguished service in Kadapa, Tirupati, Hyderabad and other places
of Andhra Pradesh. He also served as the Director of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University (Dr BRAOU)
in Hyderabad, Telangana.
iv. He also served as the editor of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).
v. He also served as the president of AbhyudayaRachayithalaSangam (Arasam) or (Progressive Writers
Association) in Andhra Pradesh.
vi. He has also served as a member of the General Council of the Central Sahitya Academy.
Notable works:
i.His first short story “Anaadivaallu” was published in the journal Savyasaachi in 1963.
ii.KethuViswanatha Reddy Kathalu (1998 – 2003), Japthu, and Ichhagni are among his best-known collections
of short stories.
iii. Famous novels: Verlu and Bodhi.
Awards:
i.In 1996, Viswanatha Reddy received the Sahitya Akademi Award (Telugu) for his Short story
Kethu Viswanatha Reddy Kathalu.
ii. In 2021, he was honoured with YSR Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Telugu literature.

IMPORTANT DAYS
World Turtle Day 2023 – May 23
World Turtle Day is annually observed across the globe on May 23 to help people celebrate and protect
turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.
23rd May 2023 marks the observance of the 23rd World Turtle Day.
• The theme of World Turtle Day 2023 is “I Love Turtles”.
Background:
i. In 2000, the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a non-profit organization based in Malibu, California, United
States of America (USA), launched World Turtle Day.
ii. The day is being annually celebrated across the globe on May 23 since 2000.
iii. ATR and World Turtle Day were established by a husband and wife duo, Susan Tellem and Marshall
Thompson, who saved two Russian tortoises named Peggy Sue, in 1990.
Significance:
World Turtle Day is observed to raise awareness about the need to protect turtles and tortoises and their
nesting sites across the globe.
About Turtle:
i. Turtles are hard-shelled reptiles that protect them from predators.
ii. They are among the oldest and most primitive groups of reptiles, having evolved millions of years ago.
iii. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), the turtle order Testudines (or Chelonia),
divides into the suborders “Cryptodira” and “Pleurodira”, which are further divided into 13 families, 75 genera,
and more than 300 species.
iv. Although the terms “turtle,” “tortoise,” and “terrapin” are sometimes used interchangeably, the types of
chelonians have distinct differences.
• Turtles spend most of their lives in water- It has webbed feet or flippers and a streamlined body.
• Tortoises are land animals- Their feet are round and stumpy, adapted for walking on land.
• Terrapins live on land and in water, usually in swamps, ponds, lakes and rivers.
Threats to Turtles:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)- Species Survival Commission (SSC) Marine Turtle
Specialist Group has identified 5 major global threats to sea turtles: fisheries bycatch, coastal development,
pollution and pathogens, direct take, and climate change.
Turtles in India:
i. India has at least 29 species of freshwater turtles (24) and tortoises (5) along with 5 species of marine turtles.
ii. India is also home to one of the largest freshwater turtles, the Asian giant softshell. This turtle can reach
lengths of 51 inches and a mass of 250 kg.
iii. As per the latest amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 2022, which became applicable in April
2023, nobody will now be allowed to keep Indian turtle species at home.
iv. According to the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, 28 Indian species of a total of 29 are
protected under the WPA 1972.

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2023 – May 23
United Nations (UN)’s International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is annually observed across the globe
on May 23 to raise awareness about obstetric fistula and to promote actions towards its prevention, treatment,
and eventual elimination.
• The theme of the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2023 observed on 23rd May 2023 is
“20 years on – progress but not enough! Act now to end fistula by 2030!”.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/67/147 on 20th December
2012 and proclaimed May 23 of every year as International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.
ii. The 1st ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was observed on 23rd May 2013.
About Obstetric Fistula:
i. Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries.
ii. It is a hole between the birth canal and bladder and/or rectum, which is caused by prolonged, obstructed
labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment.
iii. It causes women and girls to leak urine, faeces, or both and frequently causes depression, social isolation,
and worsening poverty.
• 90% of pregnancies involving fistula end in stillbirth.
Campaign to End Fistula:
i. In 2003, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners launched a global Campaign to End
Fistula.
ii. The campaign is in line with international targets to improve maternal and newborn health and with the goal
of making obstetric fistula as rare in developing countries as in the developed world.
iii. The 20-year-old campaign reflects a commitment to fistula prevention and holistic care, which includes
surgical repair, social reintegration, and rehabilitation.
Ending obstetric fistula by 2030:
i. Obstetric fistula is preventable; it can largely be avoided by: delaying the age of the first pregnancy; the
cessation of harmful traditional practices; and timely access to obstetric care.
ii. The UN is running with a global target to eliminate fistula by the year 2030 under its Sustainable
Development Goals, for which the UNFPA is leading a global campaign to end fistula and transform the lives of
vulnerable women and girls.
Key Points:
i. In over 55 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Arab States, Latin America, and the
Caribbean, over 5 lakh women and girls live with fistula, and there are thousands more new cases annually.
ii. The UNFPA has assisted with over 1,21,000 significant repairs since 2003.
• They backed nearly 9,000 fistula surgeries in 2021 alone, including 164 women and girls whose
condition was previously believed to be incurable.
iii. 80% of countries established reintegration mechanisms for fistula survivors, and 54% included mental
health services in fistula treatment through the UNFPA initiatives.

About the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
i. UNFPA began operating in 1969 as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities.
ii. UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency.
Executive Director- Dr Natalia Kanem
Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA)
Endangered Species Day 2023 – May 19

Endangered Species Day(ESD) is annually observed across the globe on the 3rd Friday of May to create
awareness about endangered flora and fauna and to highlight the significance of the plants and animals
working in harmony to sustain the ecosystem.
Endangered Species Day 2023 was observed on 19th May 2023.

• Endangered Species Day 2022 was observed on 20th May 2022.
• Endangered Species Day 2024 will be observed on 17th May 2024.
According to the Endangered Species Coalition(ESC), The theme of Endangered Species Day 2023
is “Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of The Endangered Species Act!”
Significance of ESD 2023:
2023 marks the observance of the 18th annual Endangered Species Day and the 50th Anniversary of
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, the primary law in the United States of America for protecting
imperilled species.
Note:
• ESA of 1973 provides a framework to conserve and protect endangered and threatened species and
their habitats both domestically and abroad.
• The act establishes protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or
endangered.
Background:
Endangered Species Day, the global day of action was created and founded by David Robinson and
the Endangered Species Coalition(ESC) in 2006.
• Since 2006, the Endangered Species Day is annually observed on the 3rd Friday of May.
Key Points:
i.The day offers a platform to raise awareness about the increasing number of animal species facing the risk of
extinction and to highlight the disruptive impact of climate change on previously harmonious ecosystems.
ii.The day also promotes the conservation of endangered species and the measures implemented by the USA to
ensure the proper protection of these animals.
Endangered Species and India:
The government of India has taken various efforts to protect the endangered species of wild animals in India,
which include,
• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 which provides protection to the wild animals against hunting and
commercial exploitation.

• Under this, Protected Areas such as National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and
Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over India.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to strengthen the enforcement of the law for the
control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
• Centrally Sponsored Schemes such as “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats”, “Project Tiger”
and “Project Elephant” provides better protection for wildlife and improvement of its habitat.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. MoHUA launched its Mega Campaign ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ to promote RRR
2. Ladakh’s Annual Great Prayer Festival ‘Ladakh Monlam Chenmo 2023’ held from May 11 to 16
2023
3. Tata Group only Indian firm in BCG list of top 50 Most Innovative Firms 2023; Apple Tops
4. World Bank Report: Revenues Collected Globally via Carbon Pricing Raised to US$95 billion in
2022
5. Shanghai, Tokyo, Mumbai Emerge as Top Data Centre Markets in APAC Region: Knight Frank
Report
6. SBI General launches ‘Surety Bond Bima‘ for Infrastructure Projects
7. Plotch, IDFC FIRST Bank Collaborates and Launches ONDC Focused Payment Solution Nodepe
8. Axis Bank launches Digital Onboarding platform ‘Sarathi’ for POS Terminals
9. CCAvenues’PayPal integration to offer merchants in Middle East global payment acceptance
platform
10. Energy Disputes Arbitration Centre, Türkiye & IAMC Hyderabad Signs MoU
11. Georgi Gospodinov & Angela Rodel won International Booker Prize 2023 for ‘Time Shelter’
12. 76 Entries from India featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2023
13. PPBL gets RBI approval to Re-Appoint Vijay Shekhar Sharma as Part-Time Chairman for 1 Year
14. IDBI Bank board appoints Jayakumar S. Pillai as Deputy Managing Director
15. Kerala Governor Signs Ordinance to Bring Strict Punishment for Offence Against Healthcare
Professionals
16. Sourav Ganguly appointed Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism
17. Odisha Govt Partnered with Infosys & Nasscom to boost Employability of students in HEIs
18. Puducherry & L&T Engineering signed a MoU to develop Tourist Spots under Centre’s SD2.0
19. UP govt inaugurated an online education programme ‘Pahal’ for rural area students

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoHUA launched its Mega Campaign ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ to promote RRR
On May 15 2023, The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched its massive campaign
programme “Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar” to promote the RRRs (3Rs) of waste management: Reduce,
Reuse, and Recycle.
• Citizens of urban India are actively refurbishing used objects for reuse, embracing the principles of
creating “wealth” from waste. This is boosting the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0’s (SBM-U) total
zero-waste ecosystem.
Key People:
Hardeep S. Puri, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched the campaign “Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh
Shehar” in the presence of Manoj Joshi- Secretary, MoHUA; other senior officials of MoHUA and Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
RRR and Mission LiFE:
i. The 3R’s form the backbone of ‘Waste to Wealth’ and has empowered many entrepreneurs, startups, self-help
groups (SHGs), craftspeople, and recyclers to recycle waste into a variety of products.
ii. The Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi further
promotes individual and collective action towards the same.
iii. Mission LiFE aims to protect and preserve the environment and bring about a pro-planet behavioural
change that can be instilled through individual action in day-to-day life.
Campaigns and RRR Centres:
i. This nationwide campaign aims to highlight cities to setup ‘RRR Centres, one stop collection centres, for
citizens to contribute clothes, shoes, old books, toys and used plastic to be reused or recycled.
• The RRR Centres are scheduled to be launched nationwide on May 20, 2023
• After collection, these items will be given to different stakeholders for refurbishment, for reuse or
for making new products, thus effectively taking forward the Government’s vision of a circular
economy.
ii. The three-week campaign will support Mission LiFE’s objective of taking collective action for the protection
and conservation of the environment by adopting sustainable daily habits and will also strengthen citizen’s
resolve under SBM-U 2.0 – to reduce, reuse and recycle.
The Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar campaign was scheduled to end on 5th June 2023, i.e. on the occasion of
World Environment Day, by undertaking Pledge for LiFE by everyone along with large-scale cleanliness
operations across all cities.

Ladakh’s Annual Great Prayer Festival ‘Ladakh Monlam Chenmo 2023’ held from May 11 to 16
2023
Ladakh’s annual five-day group prayer camp of Buddhist monks and nuns
named ‘Ladakh Monlam Chenmo 2023’ which is also called as Great Prayer Festival was held from May 11
to 16, 2023 in Leh (Ladakh) for world peace and happiness.
Key Points:
i.The annual Mass Prayer was resumed after three years which was discontinued due to Covid-19.
ii.The Monlam Chenmo 2023 mass prayer camp event is organised by the All Ladakh Gonpa Association.
iii.The Festival which is being held since 1991, falls on 21st to 25th days of the third month of the Tibetan lunar
calendar.
iv.During the festival the buddhist monks will perform the traditional Tibetan Buddhist dance (Cham)
About Monlam Chenmo:
i.The Monlam Chenmo, known as The Great Prayer Festival, is the most important Tibetan Buddhist celebration
of the year.
ii.Monlam means “wish-path” – the Buddhist path of helping others through the prayers.
iii.The Monlam Chenmo commemorates the Buddha’s enlightenment or fully awakening from ignorance
(Budha Miracle Day).
iv.It is a major annual prayer of the Sangha Community of Ladakh gathered at one platform.
Seva for Sangha Special Camp:
i.On the side-lines of the event, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ladakh Constituency Jamyang Tsering Namgyal
lead a special camp named ‘Seva for Sangha’ for Sangha Community from May 11 to 16, 2023 at Leh in
collaboration with district administration Leh.
• The camp is being organised for the first time for Sanga Community to avail benefits of different
government schemes.
ii.Different government departments, including banks, also offered the benefits of about 20 schemes of the
government to the monks and nuns.
iii.The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has also joined hands with the organisers to set up medical camps
during the five-day-long camp ‘Seva for Sangha’.

Tata Group only Indian firm in BCG list of top 50 Most Innovative Firms 2023; Apple Tops
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has released a report namely ‘Most Innovative Companies 2023: Reaching New
Heights in Uncertain Times’ showcasing top 50 companies in 2023 that are most innovative in their operations.
In this, Tata Group is the only Indian company to feature in this list at 20th position.
• The list has been topped by Apple Inc., and followed by Tesla Inc., and Amazon.com, Inc. at 2nd
and 3rd rank.
• Notably, tech companies continue to dominate the top 50, including the top ten, International energy
companies hold five spots in 2023 list amid concerns over climate change.
Assessment:
The BCG’s global survey examined several aspects of these companies, including their capacity for developing
novel products and processes, venturing into new markets, and establishing fresh sources of revenue. It
highlighted the benefits of innovation, showcasing how strategies such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A),
portfolio planning, and technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence) empowered companies to surpass their
competitors in terms of innovation.
Table showing Top 5 most innovative Companies of 2023
Rank Company Country
1 Apple Inc. California, United States (US)
2 Tesla Inc. Texas, US
3 Amazon.com, Inc. Washington DC, US
4 Alphabet Inc. California
5 Microsoft Corporation Washington DC
20 Tata Group Mumbai (Maharashtra), India
Key Points:
i.Despite global economic uncertainty, innovation rose as a top corporate priority in 2023, with 79% of
companies ranking it among their top three goals., while two-thirds of ready companies ranked it as top
priority.
• This is up from 75% in 2022 and close to 2019’s high of 82%.
ii.The most innovative companies were generating greater financial rewards for their shareholders.
iii.The top areas of innovation emphasis are new products and exploring adjacent business models.
iv.Nearly 90% of ready companies plan to increase innovation spending.
About Innovative Companies Report by BCG:
Since 2003, BCG has published an annual innovation report identifying the world’s most innovative companies
by assessing the overall state of corporate innovation.

• As per the BCG, during this period, there have been remarkable product innovations, for example,
the first smartphones, the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs), and myriad lifesaving and life-enhancing
advances in health care, major developments in technology and its impact on business and operating
models.
About Tata Group:
Founded in 1868 by Jamsetji Tata, it is an Indian multinational conglomerate.
It operates in various sectors including automotive, steel, Information Technology (IT), telecommunications,
hospitality, consumer goods, energy, and more. Some of its notable companies include Tata Motors, Tata
Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Steel, Tata Power, Tata Communications, Tata Global Beverages, and Tata
Chemicals.
• Ratan N Tata is the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and
Tata Chemicals.

i.According to the report by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Climate Policy Initiative
(CPI), ‘Global landscape of renewable energy finance, 2023’, in February 2023, The developing and emerging
countries, which house around 70% of the world’s population, received only 15%, or roughly US$75 billion, of
global investments in renewables in 2022.
ii.According to the “2023 Global Payments Report” by global financial technology pioneer FIS, India’s e-
commerce (e-com) sector is projected to grow from USD 83 billion in 2022 to USD 150 billion in 2026, as
cash transactions continue to drop and Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based transactions continue to set all-
time highs.
About Boston Consulting Group (BCG):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Christoph Schweizer
Headquarters– Massachusetts, United States
World Bank Report: Revenues Collected Globally via Carbon Pricing Raised to US$95 billion in
2022
According to the World Bank’s (WB) annual report ‘State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2023’ released on May
23, 2023, revenues collected from carbon taxes and Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) globally have reached
a record high, about US$95 billion in 2022 despite the challenging context for governments facing high
inflation, fiscal pressures, and energy crises.
• The revenues collected from carbon taxes and ETS in 2021 was about US$ 84 billion.
• The report was launched at Innovate4Climate (I4C), the World Bank Group’s flagship climate action
event which held in Bilbao, Spain, from May 23 to 25 2023.
Carbon Pricing Instruments:
i.As per the report, there are currently 73 global carbon pricing instruments are in operation, compared with
68 in May 2022 when the World Bank issued its 2022 report.
ii.The 73 Carbon Pricing initiatives covered 11.66 GtCO2e (gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent),
representing 23% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Only 7% of global GHG emissions were covered by either a carbon tax or an ETS, when the report
was published for first time i.e. 10 years ago.
• As of April 1, 2023 less than 5% of global GHG emissions are covered by a direct carbon price at or
above the range recommended by 2030.
iii.New instruments were implemented in Austria and Indonesia, as well as in subnational jurisdictions in the
United States and Mexico.
Carbon Price:
i.In 2017, a report by the High-Level Commission on Carbon Prices indicated the need for carbon prices need to
be in the USD 50-100 per ton range by 2030 to keep a rise in global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius, the
upper end of the limit agreed upon in the 2015 Paris agreement.

ii.As per the ‘State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2023’ report, being adjusted for inflation, the carbon price
were now needed to be in a range of USD 61-122 per ton.
What is Carbon Pricing?
It is an instrument that captures the external costs of GHG emissions. It is the costs of emissions that the public
pays for, such as damage to crops, health care costs from heat waves and droughts, and loss of property from
flooding and sea level rise and ties them to their sources through a price, usually in the form of a price on the
carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted.
Types of Carbon Pricing
There are two main types of carbon pricing: emissions trading systems (ETS) and carbon taxes.
i.ETS: It referred to as a cap-and-trade system, that caps the total level of GHG emissions and allows those
industries with low emissions to sell their extra allowances to larger emitters.
• By creating supply and demand for emissions allowances, an ETS establishes a market price for GHG
emissions.
• The cap helps ensure that the required emission reductions will take place to keep the emitters (in
aggregate) within their pre-allocated carbon budget.
ii.A carbon tax: This is a tax that directly sets a price on carbon by defining a tax rate on greenhouse gas
emissions or – more commonly – on the carbon content of fossil fuels. It is different from an ETS in that the
emission reduction outcome of a carbon tax is not pre-defined but the carbon price is.
Note – The report states that Chile, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Türkiye continue to work towards
implementing direct carbon pricing.
On November 14, 2022, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2023 released which was published by
three environmental non-governmental organizations viz. Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and the Climate
Action Network (CAN) International. In this, India climbed two spots to bag 8th position out of 63 with a score
of 67.35, and achieved ‘High’ performance rating.
Headquarters – Washington, DC, USA
World Bank Group President – David Malpass (Ajay Banga will take over as President of WB on 2nd June
2023)
Shanghai, Tokyo, Mumbai Emerge as Top Data Centre Markets in APAC Region: Knight Frank
Report
According to the Knight Frank Report titled “Data Centre Q1 2023”, Mumbai (Maharashtra, India) has
emerged third on the list of top data centre markets in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with a total capacity of
2,337 megawatt (MW). Shanghai (China) holds the first position with 2,692 MW capacity and is followed
by Tokyo (Japan) (2,575 MW).
• The Data Centre Q1 2023 was prepared by Knight Frank, an International property consultant, in
partnership with DC Byte, leading data centre research and analytics platform.

• The report focuses on 9 emerging markets in APAC – Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur (Malaysia), Mumbai, Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney (Australia) and
Tokyo.
Key Points:
i.The total market capacity recorded in Q1 2023 across all 9 markets stands around 13,400 MW.
ii.Market expansions recorded in Mumbai and the new capacity announcements from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur
and Tokyo contributed to the majority of this growth in supply.
iii.Mumbai, the only Indian city on the study, has a live capacity (operational capacity) of 270 MW, committed
capacity of 607 MW, under construction capacity of 188 MW and early stage capacity at 1,272 MW.
iv.Mumbai witnessed the most significant expansion in capacity in Q1 2023 with total market capacity
surpassing the 2,000MW mark.
v.According to the report, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore and Hong Kong have a high percentage of their
capacity in the live segment, indicating a higher level of commissioning and demand.
BANKING & FINANCE

SBI General launches ‘Surety Bond Bima‘ for Infrastructure Projects
On May 23, 2023, SBI General Insurance (SBIG), the non-life insurance arm of State Bank of India (SBI),
launched ‘General Surety Bond Bima (Conditional & Unconditional)’ insurance product for infrastructure
projects.
• It will act as a security arrangement to provide protection for infrastructure projects and shield both
the contractor and the principal (the entity awarding the contract).
Objective:
To provide protection against breach of terms and conditions by the contractors either during the bidding stage
or during the performance stage of a project
Variants:
This Surety Bond Insurance is available in two variants viz. Conditional and Unconditional.
i.In a conditional bond, a specified sum is paid to the beneficiary upon claim when specific conditions are met.
ii.The unconditional bond allows the beneficiary to claim the money almost without any conditions.
What is Surety Insurance?
It provides an assurance to the project owner in the form of a Surety Bond that the contractor would complete
the project as per the agreed terms and conditions. It involves three parties: the principal (contractor), the
obligee (the individual or entity hiring the contractor), and the surety company (the insurer).
• The principal secures a surety bond from the surety company, which serves as a guarantee to the
obligee that in the event the principal fails to fulfill their responsibilities, the surety will intervene
and provide compensation.
Key Points:
i.The Surety insurance product consists of a wide range of bonds, such as bid bonds, advance payment bond,

performance bond, and retention money bond
ii.The General Surety Bond Bima caters to the requirements of a diversified group of contractors
iii.It was developed in response to the Central Government’s vision to upscale infrastructure development.
iv.On May 15, 2023, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
relaxed norms for surety bonds, under which, the solvency requirement was reduced from 1.875 times to 1.5
times the prescribed amount, providing insurers more flexibility while ensuring financial stability.
• The previous 30% exposure limit on each contract underwritten by an insurer was also removed.
About SBI General Insurance (SBIG):
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer– Kishore Kumar Poludasu
Tagline– Suraksha Aur Bharosa Dono
Plotch, IDFC FIRST Bank Collaborates and Launches ONDC Focused Payment Solution Nodepe
Plotch, the SaaS (Software as a Service) firm, in collaboration with IDFC FIRST Bank Limited, has launched an
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)-focused payment solution NodePe.
Key Points:
i.The NodePe could be used to route the payments between buyer and seller apps based on transaction level
contracts agreed upon by network participants.
ii.These contracts include payment settlement amount, period and bank details. NodePe also helping in
reconciliation of the payments.
iii.Currently, NodePe plans to use the NOCS platform of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for
settlement between parties and the company to settle funds to sellers instantly upon delivery of the product by
the seller.
• In April 2023, the NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL), subsidiary of NPCI, has launched the NOCS
platform to provide reconciliation and settlement services for transactions made on the ONDC
network.
Note – Plotch is targets to bring over 10,000 sellers to the ONDC.
Additional info: As per the report of McKinsey, the global management consulting firm, India’s digital
consumption is expected to rise fivefold to reach US$ 340 billion by 2030, with 500 million digitally transacting
consumers.
ONDC:
i.The government launched ONDC, a freely accessible platform, to democratise e-commerce in 2022.
ii.It is not owned or controlled by any single entity.
iii.ONDC is aimed to benefit small merchants with more advanced technologies and better business
mechanisms.

About IDFC FIRST Bank Limited:
MD&CEO – V. Vaidyanathan
Establishment – December 18, 2018
Tagline – Always You First
Axis Bank launches Digital Onboarding platform ‘Sarathi’ for POS Terminals
On May 23, 2023, the Axis Bank Ltd has launched ‘Sarathi’, a first of its kind digital onboarding platform to
enable easy installation of Electronic Data Capture (EDC) or Point of Sale (POS) for merchants.
• Sarathi provides a seamless and hassle-free experience for merchants unlike the traditional
onboarding process that can take several days.
Easier Onboarding Process:
i.Sarathi enables merchants to complete the onboarding process in four simple steps such as
• The application process under Sarathi are streamlined through real-time database checks.
• Merchant information will be authenticated through Live video verification at the customer’s
convenience
• Instant decision-making, as the solution eliminates the field verification process
• Instant installation of POS
ii.The paperless onboarding process of Sarathi eliminates the need for merchants to fill out forms or wait for
extended periods to get their POS terminals installed.
iii.The solution ensures that all necessary documents are collected at one go, (avoiding multiple visits) and it
provides quick installations of POS within 45 minutes of processing the application.
What is a POS Terminal?
i.A point-of-sale (POS) terminal is a hardware system for processing card payments at retail locations. A
software to read magnetic strips of credit and debit cards is embedded in the hardware.
ii.The POS terminals empower the merchants to accept payment from customers, by swiping/dipping/tapping
their debit/credit/pre-paid cards on it.
iii.On the swipe of a card, the POS terminal reads the magnetic strip to check for an ample amount of funds in
the card and then transfers it.
About Axis Bank Ltd:
MD&CEO – Amitabh Chaudhry
Establishment -1993
Tagline – Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi

CCAvenues’PayPal integration to offer merchants in Middle East global payment acceptance
platform
CCAvenue, a payments aggregator in the Middle East and a part of the Infibeam Avenues group, has partnered
with PayPal to provide global payment acceptance solutions for businesses in the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) region.
• This means, PayPal will now be available as an additional option on CCAvenue, allowing businesses
in the MENA region to settle and receive payments from their cross-border customers and vendors.
• This will eliminate the need of having a US bank account to access their funds.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Energy Disputes Arbitration Centre, Türkiye & IAMC Hyderabad Signs MoU
International Arbitration & Mediation Centre Hyderabad (IAMC Hyderabad) has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Energy Disputes Arbitration Center (EDAC) in Türkiye to globally promote
arbitration and mediation.
• Under this, both sides will promote and encourage Institutional Arbitration in the energy sector, as
well as the development of resources and knowledge sharing between partner organisations.
• Signatories: The signing ceremony took place in Istanbul, Türkiye in the presence of EDAC
Chairperson Süleyman Boşça and IAMC Hyderabad Registrar Tariq Khan as well as EDAC Vice
Secretary General Ece Dayıoğlu.
EDAC is a sectoral-based arbitration centre established with the aim of solving disputes in Central Asia, Europe,
Balkans, Middle East and Africa regions regarding Energy and Infrastructure Law.

Georgi Gospodinov & Angela Rodel won International Booker Prize 2023 for ‘Time Shelter’
Bulgarian Writer Georgi Gospodinov and translator Angela Rodel won the International Booker Prize 2023
for the dark comic novel titled “Time Shelter”. This becomes the first book originally written
in Bulgarian (and translated into English) to win the International Booker Prize.
• The award carries a cash prize of 50,000 pounds, divided equally between the author and the
translator. In addition, the shortlisted authors and translators each receive £2,500.
• On May 23 2023, the winners were announced by French-Moroccan novelist Leïla Slimani, chair of
the 2023 judge panel, at an event at London’s Sky Garden in the United Kingdom (UK).
• “Time Shelter” is Georgi Gospodinov’s third novel to be published in English and it was published by
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, a British publisher of UK.
About International Booker Prize:
i.The International Booker Prize is awarded annually for a single book, translated into English and published in

the UK or Ireland.
ii.The International Booker Prize was established in 2005 as the Man Booker International Prize, a biennial
prize for a body of work.
iii.since 2015, the prize is awarded annually for a single book, written in another language and translated into
English.
About Time Shelter:
The novel revolves around a “clinic for the past” that offers a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s sufferers,
and the novel explores both how people fantasise about exiting the forward flow of time, and how they seek
refuge in their memories or, more often, their idealised notions of the past.
About Georgi Gospodinov:
i. GeorgiGospodinov was born in Yambol, Bulgaria, and his works have been translated in 25 languages.
ii. He is the most translated and internationally awarded Bulgarian writer to emerge after the fall of
communism.
iii. The Italian edition of the book “Time Shelter” won the prestigious Premio Strega Europeo prize in 2021.
About Angela Rodel:
Angela Rodel originally from Minnesota, the United States of America (USA) is a literary translator, actor and
musician who lives and works in Bulgaria.
76 Entries from India featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2023

76 entries from India are featured among the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2023. The Indian winners
includes Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra(25), Co-founders of
Genrobotic Innovations(Kerala) Arun George(29); Vimal Govind MK(28); Rashid Karimbanakkal(28); Nikhil
NP(29), and Elwinder Singh(29), cofounder of Connect and Heal.
• India ranked first with 76 entries, followed by China (34), Japan (33), Singapore (30) and South
Korea (28).
About Forbes 30 under 30 Asia Class of 2023:
This marks’ Forbes’ 8th annual “30 Under 30 Asia” list featuring 300 young entrepreneurs, leaders and
trailblazers across the Asia-Pacific region. 20 countries and territories are represented on this 2023 list.
• The list features 30 notable honorees under each of the 10 categories: The Arts (Art & Style, Food &
Drink); Entertainment & Sports; Finance & Venture Capital; Media, Marketing & Advertising; Retail
& Ecommerce; Enterprise Technology; Industry, Manufacturing & Energy; Healthcare & Science;
Social Impact; and Consumer Technology.
Notable Indian entries on the list:
Category Name Age Title/Company
Entertainment & Sports Siddhant Chaturvedi 29 Artist
Entertainment & Sports Neeraj Chopra 25 Athlete
Industry, Manufacturing & Arun George; Vimal Govind Mk; Rashid 29; 28;
Energy Karimbanakkal; Nikhil Np 28; 29 Cofounders, Genrobotics

Entertainment & Sports Ambika Nayak aka Kayan 28 Musician
Co-Founder, Connect and
Healthcare & Science Elwinder Singh 29 Heal
Key Points:
i.Among the Indian winners of the Asia 2023 list, 16 were featured on Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 2023 list
which was released in January 2023.
• These 16 includes chef Niyati Rao, co-founder of Ekaa; Kaushal Shetty, cofounder of Nostos Homes;
Aashti Miller, founder of MillerInk; Harsh Agarwal, founder of Jaipur-based fashion label Harago;
Misbah Ashraf, cofounder of Jar.
ii.Amrit Singh, cofounders of Loop Health; Baker and food influencer Shivesh Bhatia; Akshay Rampuria and
Yashovardhan Poddar, cofounders, Openhouse were the other notable indians on the list.
iii.The honorees of 2023 class were selected by a panel of judges in each category. The judges includes Roshni
Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies and trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation; Meena Ganesh,
cofounder and chairperson of Portea Medical, SD Shibulal, cofounder of Infosys and Axilor Ventures; and many
more.
The judging factors includes funding and/or revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness and potential and
others.
Click here for the complete list of Indian featured among the 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2023
According to the Forbes’ India’s 100 Richest 2022 list, Gautam Adani, Chairperson of Adani Group, has topped
the list with a net worth of USD 150 Billion, nearly tripling his wealth in 2021. Adani has also become the
richest person in India and World’s 2nd richest person.
• Mukesh Ambani Chairman and Managing Director(CMD) of Reliance Industries Limited(RIL) is at No
2 with a net worth of USD 88 billion(5% less compared to 2021).

PPBL gets RBI approval to Re-Appoint Vijay Shekhar Sharma as Part-Time Chairman for 1 Year
Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), a part of Paytm, received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
for the re-appointment of Vijay Shekhar Sharma as part-time Chairman of PPBL for a period of 1 year starting
from 23rd May 2023. This mark’s his 3rd term as the chairman of PPBL.
• Noida (Uttar Pradesh)-based One97 Communications Limited (OCL), the parent entity Paytm, holds
a 49% stake in PPBL.
• Vijay Shekhar Sharma holds the rest of the stake (51%) in PPBL
About Vijay Shekhar Sharma:
i. Vijay Shekhar Sharma started his career in RiverRun Software Group in 1998 and became the Tech Head of
India Today Group Online in 1999.
ii. In 2000, he started One97 Communications Limited, which offers mobile content including news, cricket

scores, ringtones, jokes and exam results. He serves as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Paytm.
iii. He also serves as Board Advisor at China-based BAce Capital.
iv. In 2010, Vijay Shekhar Sharma launched Paytm, an Indian multinational financial technology company,
which specializes in digital payments and financial services.
Some of his Recognition:
i. In 2007, Vijay Shekhar Sharma appeared in Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.
ii. He has been named the “Patron for Clean Air” of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in
2017.
About Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL):
Part-time Chairman- Vijay Shekhar Sharma
Headquarters- Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Establishment- 2017
IDBI Bank board appoints Jayakumar S. Pillai as Deputy Managing Director

On May 22 2023, the Board of Directors of Industrial Development Bank of
India (IDBI) Bank Limited approved the appointment of Jayakumar S. Pillai as Deputy Managing Director
(DMD) on the Board of IDBI for a period of 3 years with effect from the date of his taking charge as specified in
the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval received in this regard.
• IDBI has two DMD positions, one of the current DMD is Suresh Khatanhar, the other DMD Samuel
Joseph Jebaraj, moved as DMD (Lending & Project Finance) to the National Bank for Financing
Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) in April 2023.
• Jayakumar S. Pillai is currently working as Chief General Manager and Circle Head in Canara Bank in
Mumbai, Maharashtra.
STATE NEWS
Kerala Governor Signs Ordinance to Bring strict Punishment for Offence Against Healthcare
Professionals
On May 23, 2023, the Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan signed the Kerala Healthcare Service Workers
and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Amendment
Ordinance that brings in punishment for offences against health officials.
Background:
i.The ordinance was approved by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in Kerala led by its Chief
Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan during Cabinet meeting on May 17, 2023.
ii.This decision has been taken following the brutal killing of Dr Vandana Das by a patient, G Sandeep, a
school teacher by profession, at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital in Kollam district of Kerala.

What is in the Ordinance?
It provides for strict punishment for those found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to healthcare workers
or professionals including doctors, medical students, and others working in the health services sector in Kerala.
• The punishment includes imprisonment ranging from one year to seven years and a fine of Rs
1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
Other Highlights:
i.Anyone who commits or attempts to commit or incites or inspires an act of violence against healthcare
workers or those working in healthcare institutions will face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 5 years;
and with a fine between Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
ii.Cases filed under the Act must be investigated by a police officer holding the rank of Inspector or higher, and
the investigation must be concluded within 60 days of filing the First Information Report (FIR).
• Special courts will be designated in each district to ensure speedy adjudication
iii.The ordinance also extends the protection under the Act to paramedical students, security guards,
managerial staff, ambulance drivers, helpers who are posted and working in health care institutions.
• Also, the health workers who would be notified in the official government gazette from time to time.
Additional info:
Prior to the amendment, the Kerala Healthcare Service Workers and Healthcare Service Institutions
(Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act of 2012 imposed a maximum punishment of 3 years
imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for any act of violence against healthcare service personnel or
damage to medical institution property.
• Also, the Act was only applied to registered and provisionally registered medical practitioners,
registered nurses, medical students, nursing students, and paramedical staff employed in healthcare
institutions.
Sourav Ganguly appointed Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism

On 23rd May 2023, Sourav Ganguly, former Indian cricket team captain who served as the 35th President of
the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been appointed the brand ambassador of Tripura tourism.
• The announcement came after Tripura’s Minister of Tourism Sushanta Chowdhury, Chairman of
Tripura Tourism Development Corporation Limited (TTDCL), met Sourav Ganguly at his residence
in Kolkata, West Bengal, along with Tripura state officials, and discussed the proposal.
Other brands endorsed by Sourav Ganguly recently are Fortune Rice Bran Oil, My11Circle, and Ajanta Shoes. He
has also endorsed many brands, which include Puma, Classplus, Hero Honda, and more.
About Tripura Tourism:
i. Tripura is the 3rd smallest state in India known for its diverse culture, archaeology, handicrafts, and music.
ii. Currently, Tripura attracts more than 5 lakh domestic and foreign tourists annually and has created a mark
for itself on the tourism map of India.
About Sourav Ganguly:
i. Sourav Chandidas Ganguly was born on 8th July 1972 in Behala, Kolkata, West Bengal. He was active in his

cricket career from 1992 to 2008. He was fondly called Dada, Prince of Calcutta, Maharaj, and Bengal Tiger.
ii. Between 2015 and 2019, he served as the 16th President of the Cricket Association of Bengal.
iii. From 2019 to 2022, he served as the 35th President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
iv. In 2021, he assumed the role of Chairman of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee.
v. Sourav Ganguly was recently in charge of the Delhi Capitals as the Director of Cricket in the IPL 2023.
Awards:
i. Sourav Ganguly received the Arjuna Award in 1997 and Padma Shri for sports in 2004.
ii. In 2013, the Government of West Bengal honoured him with Banga Bibhushan Award, West Bengal’s Civilian
award.
About Tripura:
Chief Minister (CM)- Manik Saha
Governor- Satyadeo Narain Arya
Wildlife Sanctuary- Gomati Wildlife Sanctuary; Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Airport- Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport; Kamalpur Airport
Odisha Govt Partnered with Infosys & Nasscom to boost Employability of students in HEIs
On May 23 2023, The Higher Education Department of Odisha Government signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Infosys Limited and Nasscom (National Association of Software and Service
Companies) to enhance the skills and employability of students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in
Odisha.
• The collaboration aims to provide learning and employment opportunities for students and promote
equal access to education for passionate individuals, preparing them for the future.
Signatories:
Rohit Pujari, Minister for Higher Education, Odisha; Bishnupada Sethi, Principal secretary at Government of
Odisha; Prabhat Kumar Das, Vice-resident and Centre Head of Infosys, Bhubaneswar (Odisha); Hanumesh VJ,
Associate vice-president of Nasscom.
Partneship with Infosys:
i. Infosys, in line with its ESG (Environmental Social Governance) Vision 2030 aims to enable digital skills at
scale and empower over 10 million people in India by 2025 through the Infosys Springboard program.
ii. The initiative in Odisha is part of Infosys CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program, Infosys Springboard
provides a free curriculum-rich virtual platform that delivers corporate-grade learning experiences, on any
device, with closer educator-learner collaboration for students from Class VI to lifelong learners.
iii. Infosys springboard empowers women and students from rural areas with a focused learning portal,
specialised resources and expert mentors for holistic development. It is aligned with India’s National Education
Policy 2020.
iv.The learning programme will develop vocational skills and soft skills and will lead to developing
employability of approximately 8 lakh students across 1100 colleges and universities in Odisha.

Partnership with Nasscom:
i. The MoU with Nasscom, aims to equip students and faculty with essential skills in key technologies, crucial
for today’s digital ecosystem and to establish India as a hub of digital talent.
ii. This partnership will provide training to 800,000 students through their future skills prime program.
iii. It also focuses on developing technical expertise across various disciplines, promoting digital fluency, and
delivering industry-curated content. It offers a comprehensive career-building programme that leads to
industry-recognised Nasscom certifications.
About Odisha:
Dance– Chhau Dance, Gotipua Dance (Folk Dance category)
Puducherry & L&T Engineering signed a MoU to develop Tourist Spots under Centre’s SD2.0
On May 22 2023, the Territorial administration of Puducherry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Engineering Limited to prepare a concept paper, initiate consultations with
stakeholders and a detailed report to develop the infrastructure of the tourism spots in Puducherry and
Karaikal.
Key Signatories:
The MoU was signed by P. Priytarshny- Tourism Director, Puducherry Government and ; B. Ratheesh- Head –
Area/Urban Planning & Environment, L&T Engineering in the presence of N. Rangasamy, Chief Minister (CM) of
Puducherry, K. Lakshminarayanan, Minister for Public Works, and Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma.
Background:
i.The MoU was signed following the inclusion of Puducherry and Karaikal regions under the Government of
India(GoI)’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme(SD2.0).
ii.The government of India has appointed L&T Engineering Limited as its project management consultant for
the Scheme in Puducherry and Karaikal.
Note: The Centre had selected Puducherry because of performance in the timely implementation of more than 2
projects under the Swadesh Darshan 1 in 2022.
Key points:
i.Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme 2.0, a financial assistance of around Rs 80 crore for each region will be
provided to develop places of importance that have heritage and cultural significance, as tourism spots.
ii.The funds will be used to develop heritage sites, water bodies and provide civic amenities at tourist spots.
About Swadesh Darshan scheme 2.0 (SD2.0):
Swadesh Darshan scheme 2.0 (SD2.0) is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Tourism.
• The scheme aims to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist &
destination centric approach.
• The scheme focuses on increasing self-employment, youth skilling, private sector investments, and
preserving local cultures to ensure a 360-degree holistic development.

About Puducherry:
Chief Minister– N. Rangasamy
Lieutenant Governor– Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan
Stadium– Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium
UP govt inaugurated an online education programme ‘Pahal’ for rural area students
On May 15 2023, Durga Shanker Mishra, Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP)
inaugurated an online rural education programme ‘Pahal’ at Government UP Sainik Inter College, Sarojini
Nagar in Lucknow, UP.
• The programme Pahal has been developed by the Department of secondary education in
collaboration with IIT (Indian Institutes of Technology) Kanpur.
• Under this programme, free online education has been initially provided at 10 government
secondary schools, and will soon be extended to 40,000 schools in UP.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. MoCA launches UDAN 5.1 designed for helicopter routes

2. CBDT extends due date for Re-Registration/Approval by Charitable, Religious Trusts till Sept 30,
2023
3. Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Japan – May 2023
4. Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Papua New Guinea and Australia – May 2023
5. India’s AI Supercomputer ‘Airawat‘ Ranked 75th in Top 500 Global Supercomputing List
6. Making cities climate-ready crucial to Solving Climate Crisis: World Bank
7. WMO approved for a Global Greenhouse Gas Tracker
8. Union Govt Approved Digital communication system between PSU banks & CEIB to Check Loan
Defaults
9. Paytm launches UPI SDK to enable customers pay directly within the merchant app
10. HDFC Bank partners Manipal Global Academy of BFSI launches “Future Bankers 2.0”
11. Senior judge Ioannis Sarmas appointed as Caretaker PM of Greece
12. Realme ropes in Shah Rukh Khan as New Brand Ambassador
13. Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated PCIM&H ‘e-office’ and online portal
14. Iran successfully test-launched ‘Kheibar’ New Generation Ballistic Missile
15. Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis: New Gecko Species identified in Pakkamalai hills, Tamil Nadu
16. International Missing Children’s Day 2023 – May 25
17. World Thyroid Day 2023 – May 25
18. AIFF declares P.K. Banerjee’s Birth Anniversary as “AIFF Grassroots Day”
19. Singapore Investment Conclave: TN Government Signed 6 MoUs with Singapore institutions
20. Justice S Vaidyanathan was Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MoCA launches UDAN 5.1 designed for helicopter routes
The Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA) launched the Regional Connectivity
Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) 5.1 to enhance connectivity to remote areas of the country
and achieve last-mile connectivity through helicopters.
For the 1st time, the RCS-UDAN scheme is designed specifically for helicopter routes.
• UDAN 5.1 is designed in consultation with all stakeholders including helicopter operators.
Note:
The launch follows the 4 successful rounds of RCS-UDAN. At present, the 5th phase of RCS-UDAN (UDAN 5.0)
focusing on aircraft operations of Category-2 (20-80 seats) and Category-3 (>80 seats) is underway.
About UDAN 5.1:
UDAN 5.1 focuses on 2 emerging phenomena in Indian civil aviation,
• Democratization of air travel with a focus on last-mile connectivity.
• Increasing demand for helicopters in aiding tourism.
Features of UDAN 5.1:
i.The scope of operations for operators has been increased.
• The scheme will now allow routes where either origin or destination is in a priority area. Earlier,
both points had to be in the priority area.
ii.To ensure that flying in helicopters is more affordable for passengers, the airfare caps have been reduced by
around 25%.
iii.To enhance the financial viability for operating the awarded routes, the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) caps for
the operators have been increased substantially for both single and twin-engine helicopters.
About UDAN:
i.Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) is a Regional Connectivity Scheme(RCS) launched on 21st October 2016 by
the Ministry of Civil Aviation with an aim to fulfill the aspirations of the common man by following the vision
of “Ude Deshka Aam Nagrik” with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier
III cities.
• The first flight under UDAN was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th April 2017.
ii.Under UDAN scheme the number of operational airports in India has increased from 74 in 2014 to 141(as of
2022), which include 8 heliports, and 2 waterdromes.
iii.Around 425 new routes have been initiated under the scheme to provide air connectivity to more than 29
States/Union Territories.
iv.Under the previous rounds of UDAN, 46 helicopter routes have been operationalized to support hilly and
northeast states.
Additional info:
The Government of India has approved a “Revival of unserved and underserved airports” scheme for the
revival and development of 100 unserved and under-served airports, helipads and water aerodromes by 2024.

About Minister of Civil Aviation(MoCA):
Union Minister– Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Rajya Sabha- Madhya Pradesh)
Minister of State– General (Retd.) Vijay Kumar Singh
CBDT extends due date for Re-Registration/Approval by Charitable, Religious Trusts till Sept
30, 2023
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for furnishing the application by the
charitable or religious trusts and institutions for re-registration/approval to September 30, 2023 from
November 25, 2022.
• Under Income Tax law, the income of charitable institutions, religious trusts, medical and
educational institutions, referred to in sub-clause (iv) or sub-clause (v) or sub-clause (vi) or sub-
clause (via) of clause (23C) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 or any trust or institution
registered under section 12AA or section 12AB of the Act are exempt from tax.
• However, these institutions are required to seek registration from the I-T department.
• The due date for regular registration/approval by provisionally registered /approved trusts or
institutions has also been extended from September 30, 2022, to September 30, 2023.
Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Japan – May 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan from May 19 to 21, 2023 at the invitation of Fumio Kishida,
Prime Minister of Japan.
• Additionally, he embarked on an official visit to participate in key multilateral summits such as the
49th Group of Seven (G7) and the Quad Summit in 2023.
Participation in G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023:
The 49th G7 summit was held from 19 to 21 May 2023 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
i.As India has been invited as a guest country for the G7 summit, PM Narendra Modi participated in the
annual summit of the G7 advanced economies in Hiroshima under the Japanese Presidency on May 20 2023.
He talked about challenges facing the globe, including food, fertiliser and energy security.
ii.The broad terms of the G7 Summit preferences include nuclear disarmament, economic resilience and
security, regional issues, climate and energy, food and health and development. Other priorities include
digitisation and science and technology.

iii.Other Countries: Japan has also invited Australia, Brazil, Comoros, Cook Islands, Indonesia, South Korea,
Vietnam and some international organisations including the UN(United Nations) for the annual G7 summit
2023.
Initiatives taken in G7 Summit :-
i.Together with the G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament, the group countries reaffirm the
importance of disarmament and non-proliferation efforts to create a more stable and safer world.
ii.Group countries reaffirm the shared commitment to the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment (PGII) and to working together and aiming to mobilize up to $600 billion by 2027.
iii.Initiatives that are intended to support clean energy transition in countries around the world, such as Asia
Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA),2050 Pathways Platform,
Net Zero World (NZW), and the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge and discussions included commitment to the
Paris agreement, keeping a limit of 1.5°C global temperature rise within
• Goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 with highlighting the increased
urgency to reduce global GHG emissions by around 43 percent by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035.
iv.Initiative including such domestic policies that are designed to achieve 100 percent or the overwhelming
penetration of sales of light duty vehicles (LDVs) as zero emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035 and beyond; to
achieve 100 percent electrified vehicles in new passenger car sales by 2035.
V.The summit also highlighted the commitments to the developed country Parties’ goal of jointly mobilizing
$100 billion annually in climate finance by 2020 through to 2025 in the context of meaningful mitigation
actions and transparency on implementation.
About G7:
• Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; additionally, the European Union.
• The G7 is not based on a treaty and has no permanent secretariat or office. It is organized through a
presidency that rotates annually among the member states, with the presiding state setting the
group’s priorities and hosting and organizing its summit;
• Japan currently holds the presidency of G7 for 2023. Italy will take over the presidency from Japan
in 2024.
Bilateral Talk with World Leaders:
On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with several world leaders.
i.France: PM Modi had a meeting with President of France Emmanuel Macron and reviewed both nation’s
progress in Strategic Partnership in various areas, trade, economic spheres, civil aviation, renewables, co-
production and manufacturing in defence sector, as well as civil nuclear cooperation.
• Both leaders have exchanged views on regional developments and global challenges.
ii.Urkrain: While at the meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukrain, PM Modi conveyed India’s
support for dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means to find a way forward for Ukraine. He also assured
that India would continue extending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.
iii.Japan: Prime Minister also had a meeting with of PM of Japan Fumio Kishida and both discussed ways to
enhance India-Japan friendship across different sectors including trade, economy and culture, ways to
synergise efforts of their respective G7 and G20 Presidencies.
iv.South Korea: While meeting the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, PM Modi discussed ways to
further boost India-South Korea friendship in key developmental sectors and agreed to deepen cooperation in
areas of trade and investment, high technology, IT hardware manufacturing, defense, semiconductor, and
culture.
v.Vietnam: PM Modi and Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh discussed opportunities in the fields of defence,
building resilient supply chains, energy, science and technology, human resource development, culture and
people-to-people ties.
vi.PM Modi along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and reviewed and assessed the progress in bilateral
relations he also met President of United States of America (USA) Joe Biden.

Quad summit 2023:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the third in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in
Hiroshima, Japan on 20 May 2023, along with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister
Fumio Kishida of Japan and President Joseph Biden of the United States of America.
• This summit was hosted by Australian Prime Minister Albanese in Japan.
• The Quad summit, initially set to happen in Sydney, Australia on May 24, had to be called off. The
cancellation followed the US President’s announcement of postponing his visit due to ongoing debt
ceiling negotiations in Washington.
ii.The Quad leaders from the US, India, Australia and Japan discussed measures to deepen their cooperation on
critical and emerging technologies, high-quality infrastructure, global health, climate change, maritime domain
awareness, and other issues that matter to the people of the Indo-Pacific.
• About Quad – The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad, is a strategic
security dialogue between the four countries Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
-Unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi
i.PM Modi unveiled a 42-inch tall bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan on 20 May 2023.
ii.The Mahatma Gandhi bust has been gifted by the Government of India to the city of Hiroshima as a symbol of
friendship and goodwill between India and Japan.
iii.The bust has been sculpted by Padma Bhushan awardee Shri Ram Vanji Sutar. The location of the bust
location adjacent to the Motoyasu River, which is close to the iconic A-Bomb Dome has been chosen as a mark
of solidarity for peace and non-violence.
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome/A-Bomb Dome) was the only structure left standing in
the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on 6 August 1945. It is the iconic ruin of the
Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall and it has become a symbol of both the horror of
nuclear war and the hope for peace.
• In December 1996 the A-Bomb Dome was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List based on
the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Dignitaries present during the unveiling ceremony include H.E Mr. Nakatani Gen, Special Advisor to the Prime
Minister and Member of Parliament; Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima City; Mr. Tatsunori Motani,

Speaker of the Hiroshima City Assembly; Members of Parliament from Hiroshima and senior government
officials; members of the Indian community; and followers of Mahatma Gandhi in Japan.
About Japan :-
Prime Minister – Fumio Kishida
Capital – Tokyo
Currency – Japanese yen
Highlights of PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Papua New Guinea and Australia – May 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made official visit to Papua New Guinea and Australia from May 21 to
24,2023.
Visit to Papua New Guinea:

PM Modi travelled to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was his first visit, and it also marks the first-ever
visit by any Indian Prime Minister, to Papua New Guinea.
Release of ‘Thirukkural’ in Tok Pisin language:
On May 22, 2023, PM Narendra Modi along with PM of Papua New Guinea James Marape released translation
of the Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ in the Tok Pisin language to bring the Indian thought and culture closer to
the people of this southwestern Pacific nation.
• Tok Pisin is the official language of Papua New Guinea. The translation was Co-authored by Subha
Sasindran and Governor Sasindran Muthuvel of West New Britain Province
Note – Incumbent Governor of West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, Sasindran Muthuvel made
history when he became the first person of Indian origin to be elected to the Parliament of Papua New Guinea
in 2012.
PM Modi Conferred with Highest Civilian Award in Fiji
On May 22, 2023, in a special ceremony at the Government House, Sir Bob Dadae, Governor-General of Papua
New Guinea, conferred Prime Minister Modi with the “Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL)“, the
highest civilian award in Fiji, in recognition of his global leadership.
The recipients of the award are titled “Chief”. The medallion was presented to PM Modi in recognition of his
global leadership, a rare honour for a non-Fijian.
Note – The Companion is conferred upon citizens, or other foreigners by an Honorary Award, in recognition of
eminent achievement or the highest degree of meritorious service to Fiji or humanity. Fiji, is an island country
in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean
PM Jointly Hosted FIPIC III Summit 2023
PM Modi jointly hosted the 3rd Summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC III
Summit) with James Marape on May 22, 2023. FIPIC had been launched during PM Modi’s visit to Fiji in 2014.
• The summit intends to strengthen India’s engagement with Pacific Island countries and promotes
cooperation in various sectors.
• The third FIPIC summit was to be held in early 2020 but was postponed because of the Covid-
19 pandemic.
• PM Modi also have bilateral interactions with Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae,
James Marape and some of the other PIC Leaders participating in the Summit.

India’s Initiatives
• PM Modi unveiled a comprehensive 12-step initiative aimed at advancing India’s collaborations
with the countries in the Pacific region including FIPIC SME Development Project, Solar project for
Government buildings, Provide desalination units for drinking water, Supply sea ambulances, Set up
dialysis units, Set up of 24×7 emergency helpline, Set up of Jan Aushadi Kendras, Set up Yoga
centres.
• Establishment of a super-specialty cardiology hospital in Fiji .The Indian government will bear
the full cost of this mega greenfield project.
• In 2022, an initiative called the Jaipur Foot Camp was held in Fiji, offering free prosthetic limbs to
more than 600 individuals. The Prime Minister announced plans to establish a similar camp in
Papua New Guinea this year, and starting from 2024, the intention is to organize two such camps
every year in the Pacific island nations.
FIPIC includes 14 island countries –
Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu – that are located in the Pacific Ocean, to the northeast of
Australia.
• India’s involvement with these 14 nations aligns with its Act East Policy, and the country has
primarily fostered its relationships with them through developmental aid as part of South-South
Cooperation.
Visit to Australia:
Prime Minister Modi made his official to Australia from May 22 to 24 ,2023 and his visit to Australia builds on
the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi in March 2023.
Note – India set to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit 2023 ,the world’s premier forum for economic cooperation
in September 2023 in New Delhi. The India’s G20 Presidency would guide the work of the G20 under the theme
of – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future”.
Bilateral Meeting with Australian PM:
PM Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting with the Australian PM Anthony Albanese. While at the meeting he
raised India’s concerns over incidents of attacks on temples and activities of pro-Khalistani elements in
Australia.
• They also had a constructive discussion on strengthening strategic cooperation in mining and
critical minerals.
• Agreements were signed between India and Australia in the field of migration and mobility
partnership and on the Green Hydrogen task force and the Memorandum of Understandings were
also exchanged
• PM Modi also announced the establishment of a new Australian Consulate General in Bengaluru
(Karnataka) which will help connect Australian businesses to India’s digital and innovation
ecosystem.
• PM Modi shared the stage with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney
Olympic Park,Australia.
Note – PM Modi invited Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and all Australian cricket fans to India for the Cricket
World Cup in 2023.
Laid Foundation Stone for ‘Little India’ gateway
On May 23, 2023, PM Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese jointly laid the foundation stone of
the ‘Little India’ gateway to be built in Harris Park in Western Sydney as a symbol of the friendship between
the two nations and to recognise the diaspora’s immense contribution.
• Harris Park is a hub in Western Sydney where the Indian community celebrates festivals and events
such as Diwali and Australia Day.
A street in Western Sydney, Australia was officially renamed as “Little India” by PM Narendra Modi.
Note – The first proposal for officially naming the area ‘Little India’ was made in 2015.

Promotion of tribal art and culture via Gifting:
During his visit to the three nations, PM Modi Gifted Tribal artworks to leaders of different countries:
i.Dokra art was given to the leaders of Australia, Brazil, Cook Islands and Tonga.
• Dokra art is the dancing girl artefact found in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan excavations.
• The common themes of Dokra art revolve around figurines of Hindu gods, goddesses and different
animals.
ii.PM Modi gifted Gond paintings, one of the most admired tribal art form, for Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.
• These paintings are created by dots and lines, with locally available natural colours and materials
like charcoal, coloured soil, plant sap, leaves, cow dung and lime stone powder.
iii.A Pithora was gifted to Niue, a Pacific island country leader. It is a ritualistic tribal folk art by the Rathwa
artisans from Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat and is considered a living testament of an ever-changing ethos
exemplifying the highly enriched folk and tribal art culture of Gujarat.
About :- Papua New Guinea
Capital – Port Moresby
Currency – Kina
Prime Minister – James Marape
About Australia:
Capital – Canberra
Currency – Australian dollar (AUD)
Prime Minister – Anthony Albanese
India’s AI Supercomputer ‘Airawat‘ Ranked 75th in Top 500 Global Supercomputing List
On May 24, 2023, India’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, has been ranked 75th globally
in the 61st edition of Top 500 Global Supercomputing List which was released at the International
Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023) in Germany.
• AIRAWAT or AI Research Analytics and Knowledge Dissemination Platform is installed at C-DAC

(Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), Pune (Maharashtra) under National Program
on AI (NPAI) by Government of India.
• The list has been topped by the United States (US) Frontier. This HPE Cray EX system is the first US
system with a performance exceeding one Exaflop/s (EXA Floating point Operations per Second).
Note: AIRAWAT stands as India’s largest and fastest AI supercomputing system, with a remarkable speed of
13,170 teraflops (Rpeak).
Table Showing World’s Top 5 Supercomputers:
Rank System Country
1 Frontier, HPE Cray EX235a US
2 Supercomputer Fugaku, A64FX Japan
3 LUMI, HPE Cray EX235a Finland

4 Leonardo, Xeon Platinum 8358 32C Italy
5 Summit, IBM Power System AC922 US
Table Showing India’s Supercomputers in Top 500 List::
Rank System Installed At
AIRAWAT – PSAI – NVIDIA DGX A100, AMD EPYC 7742 64C
2.25GHz, NVIDIA A100, Infiniband HDR, Netweb
75 Technologies C-DAC
PARAM Siddhi-AI – NVIDIA DGX A100, AMD EPYC 7742 64C
131 2.25GHz, NVIDIA A100, Mellanox HDR Infiniband, Atos C-DAC
Pratyush – Cray XC40, Xeon E5-2695v4 18C 2.1GHz, Aries Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
169 interconnect , HPE (IITM), Pune
National Centre for Medium-Range
Mihir – Cray XC40, Xeon E5-2695v4 18C 2.1GHz, Aries Weather Forecasting, Noida, Uttar
316 interconnect , HPE Pradesh
About AIRAWAT:
i.Manufactured by Netweb Technologies, its processor is AMD EPYC 7742 64C 2.25GHz or Operating System is
Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS. It is currently funded by MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) and
implemented by C-DAC, Pune.
ii.The AIRAWAT PoC (Proof of Concept) of 200 AI Petaflops integrated with PARAM Siddhi – AI of 210 AI
Petaflops gives a total peak compute of 410 AI Petaflops Mixed Precision and sustained compute capacity of 8.5
Petaflops (Rmax) Double Precision. The peak compute capacity (Double Precision, Rpeak) is 13 Petaflops.
iii.MeitY has already envisioned roadmap for scaling AIRAWAT to 1,000 AI Petaflops Mixed Precision compute
capacity to cater to the current AI computational needs.
iv.AIRAWAT will empower the Academia, Research Labs, Scientific Community, Industry and Start-Ups to
develop indigenous AI enabled products/solutions for solving India specific challenges complex real-life
problems.
About World’s Top 3 SuperComputers:
It is installed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, USA, where it is operated for the
Department of Energy (DOE). It currently has achieved 1.194 Exaflop/s using 8,699,904 cores. The HPE
(Hewlett Packard Enterprise) Cray EX architecture combines 3rd Gen AMD EPYC™ CPUs optimized for HPC and
AI, with AMD Instinct™ 250X accelerators, and Slingshot-11 interconnect.
• Fugaku, the No. 2 system, is installed at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) in
Kobe, Japan; while world no 3rd, LUMI system, another HPE Cray EX system is installed at EuroHPC
center at CSC in Kajaani, Finland with a performance of 309.1 Pflop/s.
Other TOP500 Highlights :
i.The TOP500 list shows that AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), Intel, and IBM (International Business Machines
Corporation) processors are the preferred choice for HPC systems.
ii.China and the United States (US) earned most of the entries on the entire TOP500 list. iii.The US increased its
lead from 126 machines to 150 on the current list, while China dropped from 162 systems to 134.
iv.In terms of entire continents, Asia saw 192 machines on the list, North America has 160 systems, and
Europe has 133 systems.
v.In terms of system interconnects, ethernet is winner despite dropping from 233 machines to 227. It is
followed by Infiniband interconnects with 200 machines, and Omnipath with 35 machines.
i.Marconi Society has awarded Hari Balakrishnan, an Indian-born Computer scientist, with the 2023 Marconi
Prize for his fundamental discoveries in wired and wireless networking, mobile sensing, and distributed
systems.

ii.Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Bombay, (Mumbai, Maharashtra)and IIT-Delhi(New Delhi, Delhi) are
featured among the top 50 in the subject of Engineering and Technology in the QS(Quacquarelli Symonds)
World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
About Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY):
Union Minister – Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS) – Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Making cities climate-ready crucial to Solving Climate Crisis: World Bank

The World Bank(WB)’s report titled “Thriving: Making Cities Green, Resilient, and Inclusive in a Changing
Climate” highlights the role of cities in both reducing the effects of climate change on Food, water, biodiversity
and protecting people from its impacts. This also provides guidance for local and national policymakers to
make cities greener, more resilient and more inclusive.
• The assessment is based upon the 10,000 cities globally.

• The report examines the contribution of the cities towards climate change through greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions and impacts on urban households by the increasing frequency and intensity of
weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones.
Key Points:
i.It stressed the urgent need for cities to be climate ready by adopting integrated green urban planning
strategies that address interconnected challenges, including investment in green space and sustainable
infrastructure.
• It also provided a set of recommendations, including information dissemination, incentives,
insurance coverage, integration and investments.
ii.The number of people living in cities increased from 1.19 billion to 4.46 billion between 1970 and 2021 and
was responsible for approximately 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
iii.On a per capita basis, cities in high and upper-middle-income countries have the highest fossil carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions and those in low-income countries have the lowest.
• Cities in lower-income countries account for only 14% of global urban CO2 emissions
iv.North American cities are the largest per capita emitters, while cities in Sub-Saharan Africa remain the
lowest per capita emitters on average.
v.The urban population is expected to grow by 2.5 billion by 2050, thus, protection and restoration of
ecosystems, such as forests, is needed for urban resilience and water security.
• In sub-Saharan Africa alone, the urban population is projected to grow by 950 million, reaching 1.26
billion by 2050.
WMO approved a Global Tracker for Greenhouse Gas Emissions

On May 24 2023, The World Meteorological Congress, the supreme body of World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) approved a new Green House Gas (GHG) watch, a global GHG monitoring initiative to
support urgent action to reduce heat-trapping gases which are fuelling temperature increase.

• New Global Greenhouse Gas Watch approved by WMO will support mitigation action taken by the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris
Agreement.
• 193 countries of WMO have unanimously approved the creation of a new GHG monitoring
mechanism to have a stained, internationally coordinated GHG monitoring.
Cause for formation of GHG watch: GHG watch was framed as there is no comprehensive international
exchange of surface and space-based GHG observations and many of the existing international and national
activities dealing with GHG are supported mainly by the research community.
Global Greenhouse Gas Watch:
i.GHG Watch envisages a top-down approach to the evaluation which builds on existing capabilities in surface-
and space-based observations and modelling.
ii.It will build on WMO’s experience in coordinating international collaboration on weather prediction as well
as modelling and data assimilation capabilities.
iii.The monitoring infrastructure would expand WMO’s long-standing activities in GHG monitoring,
implemented as part of the global atmosphere watch and via its integrated global GHG information system.
4 Components of GHG:
i. A comprehensive, sustained, global set of surface-based and satellite-based observations of carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) concentrations, total column amounts, partial column amounts,
vertical profiles and fluxes and supporting meteorological, oceanic, and terrestrial variables, internationally
exchanged as rapidly as possible, pending capabilities and agreements with the system operators;
ii. Prior estimates of the GHG emissions based on activity data and process-based models;
iii. A set of global high-resolution Earth System models representing GHG cycles;
iv. Associated with the models, data assimilation systems that optimally combine the observations with model
calculations to generate products of higher accuracy.
Benefits:
i. GHG monitoring infrastructure will help improve understanding of the carbon cycle, which is vitally
important for the planning of mitigation activities.
ii. Globally consistent, gridded information on GHG and their fluxes with appropriate time resolution will help
in the improved evaluation of sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and indicate their association with the
biosphere, the ocean and the permafrost areas.
iii. It also strengthens monitoring of CO2 to inform climate change mitigation. It will reduce uncertainty about
carbon sources and sinks.
Long-lived GHG:
i.According to WMO, between 1990 and 2021, the warming effect on our climate (known as radiative forcing)
by long-lived greenhouse gases rose by nearly 50%, with carbon dioxide accounting for about 80% of this
increase.
ii.WMO measures atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases – what remains in the atmosphere after
gases are absorbed by sinks like the ocean and biosphere. This is not the same as emissions.
iii.In that manner, CO2 remains in the atmosphere for many decades. Methane is more potent but has a shorter

life-span of about 10 years. Nitrous oxide (from natural sources and agriculture) is the third most important
gas.
About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
WMO is a UN Agency dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on the state and behaviour of the
Earth’s atmosphere.
Secretary-General– Prof. Petteri Taalas
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland.
BANKING & FINANCE

Union Govt Approved Digital communication system between PSU banks & CEIB to Check Loan
Defaults
The Union government has ended paper-based communication and introduced a digital communication
mechanism between Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks and Central Economic Intelligence Bureau
(CEIB) to check the defaults on loans.
• Under the digital mechanism, the CEIB will digitally send a report regarding borrowers to the PSU
banks for a loan amount of Rs 50 crore or higher at the pre-approval stage within 15 days of
request.
Introduction of Digital communication system:
i.Prevailing System: At present, it is mandatory for all the PSU banks to furnish a report from CEIB regarding
the loan seekers of Rs 50 crore or more and those who have a pending default, before processing any loans.
ii.Now the Union government has introduced the digital system to streamline the process of communication
between banks and CEIB.
iii.Digital Requirement: The new system will require banks to submit their requests to CEIB through
dedicated emails in a specific format.
• In turn, CEIB will exclusively send reports to banks via email, maintaining a record of the timeline
and actions taken by the banks.
Benefit: With the new digital mechanism will make the process more smooth and faster with banks just having
to place a request with CEIB online and getting final reports within 15 days.
About Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB):
i.CEIB, established in 1985, is responsible to the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance(MoF).
ii.It is the nodal agency for economic intelligence mandated to ensure effective interaction and coordination
among all the concerned agencies in the area of economic offences.
iii.It also functions as the clearing house of all economic intelligence and provides a platform for such exchange
between various agencies within the Department of Revenue and other intelligence and enforcement agencies
including IB (Intelligence Bureau), RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), CBI (Central Bureau of
Investigation) etc.
Director General– Amit Mohan Govil

Paytm launches UPI SDK to enable customers pay directly within the merchant app
Paytm owner One97 Communications Limited launches Paytm UPI (Unified Payments Interface) SDK allowing
customers of online merchants to make UPI payments directly and in-line from the merchant’s mobile app by
entering their UPI PIN, and without getting redirected during checkout.
• This is part of the existing UPI acquiring arrangement between Paytm Payments Services Ltd. and
Paytm Payments Bank, under which Paytm Payments Services Ltd provides UPI acquisition service
to merchants. This UPI SDK is an add-on feature under the same arrangement.
HDFC Bank partners Manipal Global Academy of BFSI launches “Future Bankers 2.0”
HDFC Bank Limited, India’s largest private sector bank, in association with the Manipal Global Academy of BFSI
(Banking, financial services and insurance), has launched Future Bankers 2.0, a pan-India recruitment
program to transform young graduates into banking professionals within 1 year.
• Future Bankers 2.0, a one-year professional diploma, aims to create a robust, future-ready talent
pipeline for HDFC Bank’s retail banking business.
• The programme provides 8 months of paid internship and on-the-job training at HDFC Bank’s
branch locations within India.
• It facilitates strengthening a student’s grounding in banking products, processes, compliance
framework, and day-to-day banking operations.
• The course completion will get a Postgraduate (PG) Diploma in Sales & Relationship Banking from
the Manipal Academy of BFSI and an assured job opportunity as a personal banker at the grade of
Deputy Manager with HDFC Bank.

Senior judge Ioannis Sarmas appointed as Caretaker PM of Greece
Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Greece, has appointed Senior Judge Ioannis Sarmas (66 years old) as
the caretaker Prime Minister(PM) of Greece to lead the caretaker government until the repeat election on 25th
June 2023.
• On 25th May 2023, He was sworn in as the PM to replace outgoing PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis after
the inconclusive ballot.
• Ioannis Sarmas is the President of the Hellenic Court of Audit, (the supreme financial court of
Greece), one of Greece’s 3 senior courts.
About Ioannis Sarmas:
i. Ioannis Sarmas was born on March 21, 1957, on the island of Kos, Greece. From 1984 to 1986, he served as an
officer in the Greek Air Force fulfilling his national service.
ii. From 1987 to 1993, he worked as a magistrate at the Greek Council of State and then as a magistrate since
1993 at the Hellenic Court of Audit, where he continues to serve.
iii. From 2002 to 2013, he held a position as a Member of the European Court of Auditors.

Background:
i. On 21st May 2023, Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s conservative New Democracy party won the general election with
almost 41% of the vote.
ii. The New Democracy party won 146 seats out of 300, 5 seats short of the 151 required for a majority.
iii. Under Greece’s constitution, the president can appoint a caretaker PM to lead the country to a repeat vote if
coalition talks fail.
The June 2023 poll will take place under an electoral system that boosts the winning party.
About Greece:
Capital– Athens
Prime Minister– Ioannis Sarmas (interim)
President– Katerina Sakellaropoulou
Currency– Euro
Realme ropes in Shah Rukh Khan as New Brand Ambassador

Realme, a Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, has appointed
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador for their innovative range of smartphones.
• This announcement coincides with the imminent launch of Realme’s highly awaited flagship
smartphone series, the Realme 11 Pro Series 5G, which will soon be released in June 2023 in the
Indian market.
• Shah Rukh Khan will be promoting Realme’s new smartphone series.
• Other brands endorsed by Shah Rukh Khan are TAG Heuer, Hyundai, Pepsi, Whirlpool, Nokia, Dish
TV, LUX, Denver, Airtel, and Hotstar.

Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated PCIM&H ‘e-office’ and online portal
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
Homoeopathy (AYUSH), visited Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H),
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh(UP) and inaugurated “e-Office portal of PCIM&H” and “Online portal”.
Online portal:
• The portal is inaugurated for the purpose of selling soft copies of pharmacopoeial monographs.
• It will promote the hassle-free reach of pharmacopoeia monographs among stakeholders across the
world.
Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya, Adviser (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director,
PCIM&H also accompanied Sarbanada Sonowasl during his visit to PCIM&H.
Key Points:
i.Sarbananda Sonowal also inspected the laboratories viz. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Microbiology,
herbal garden and raw drug repository of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU & H) drugs.

ii.Sarbananda Sonowal also released the Monthly Newsletters published by PCIM&H which showcase the
activities of PCIM&H.
• The newsletters are paving way for the stakeholders to get updated about the new developments in
the field of Quality Control and Standardization of ASAU&H drugs.
About PCIM&H: PCIM&H which is under the control of the Ministry of Ayush is actively engaged in the
Standardization and Quality Control of ASU&H drugs and is publishing the standards in the form of
Pharmacopoeias.
Iran successfully test-launched ‘Kheibar’ New Generation Ballistic Missile

On May 25 2023, Iran successfully test-launched a new surface-to-surface 4th generation of Khorramshahr
ballistic missile, a medium-range precision-guided projectile named Kheibar. It was developed by the
Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) under Iran’s Ministry of Defense.
• The missile was unveiled during the event organised to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the
liberation of Khorramshahr city from Iraq in 1982.
• The missile was unveiled alongside a replica of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, Israel.
Name References:
The Khorramshahr-4 is named after the Iranian city Khaybar in modern-day Saudi Arabia.
• Khaybar was the scene of heavy fighting during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
• Khaybar also refers to the Jewish fortress conquered by the Muslims in the 7th century.
Features of Kheibar:
i. Kheibar is, a liquid fuel missile with a potential 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles) range and can carry a 1,500
kilogram (3,300-pound) warhead.
ii. The upgraded ballistic missile was capable of hitting Israel and the United States of America (USA) bases in
the Middle East.
iii. The Kheibar missile is the latest version of the Khorramshahr, which is Iran’s longest-range missile to date.
iv. The engine is placed in the fuel tank, effectively reducing the missile length to about 13 metres.
v. The speed of the high-mobility tactical missile can reach Mach 16 outside the atmosphere and Mach 8 inside
the atmosphere.
vi. Its features include quick preparation and launch time, which makes it a tactical weapon in addition to a
strategic one.
vii. The missile is equipped with radar evading technology and can pass through the enemy’s air defence
systems due to its low radar cross-section.
• The Khorramshahr-4 is modelled on North Korea’s Musudan ballistic missile.
About Iran:
Capital– Tehran
President– Ebrahim Raisi
Currency– Iranian Rial (IRR)

ENVIRONMENT
Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis: New Gecko Species identified in Pakkamalai hills, Tamil Nadu
A team of researchers led by V. Deepak, a herpetologist and scientist at the University of Wolverhampton,
United Kingdom (UK), has discovered a new species of rock-dwelling large-bodied gecko named
as Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis (H.pakkamalaiensis) from the Pakkamalai hills, Gingee Hill range
(southern Eastern Ghats) in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu(TN).
• The new species, which belongs to the genus Hemidactylus, is named after the Pakkamalai hills
where it was recorded.
• The findings have been published in the latest issue of an international journal, Vertebrate Zoology.
Research Team:
The research team led by V Deepak, which includes Surya Narayanan, P. Christopher, K. Raman, S. Vimalraj,
Prabhu N. Ponmudi, N. Mukherjee and M. Lenin first spotted the gecko in 2022 during an expedition in the hills.
Genus & Species:
i. The genus Hemidactylusgoldfuss has 188 species of which 54 are known from India. Members of this group
are primarily known to live in gigantic boulders.
ii. With the discovery of this new species, the total number of species of Hemidactylus in India becomes 55.
Note: Out of the 55 species, 9 species are restricted to the Western Ghats, while the rest are distributed
throughout peninsular India.
Features of Hemidactylus pakkamalaiensis:
i.This species is nocturnal and appears to be locally abundant.
ii. The gecko measures 104 mm(10.4 cm) from snout to vent and is light brown in colour. The new species can
be easily distinguished from other geckos in the region by its large size and prominent tubercles on the body.
iii. It is altogether different from other large-bodies congeners (organisms of the same genus) by several non-
overlapping morphological characteristics.
iv. It is genetically related to H. easai and H. graniticolus (24-28 femoral pores), it differs significantly from
these closely related species by having fewer femoral pores, with a count of 19-21.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Missing Children’s Day 2023 – May 25
International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) is annually observed across the globe on May 25 to commemorate
missing children and generate awareness about the kidnappings of children.
• The day is widely referred to with a forget-me-not flower as its emblem.
Background:
i. IMCD was initiated in 1983 by then-USA (United States of America) President Ronald Reagan as National
Missing Children’s Day.

ii. The International Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), Missing Children Europe and the
European Commission formally recognised May 25 of every year as International Missing Children’s Day.
iii. The 1st ever International Missing Children’s Day was formally recognised on 25th May 2001.
Why May 25?
The date marks the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy Etan Patz on 25th May 1979, who was kidnapped on his
way to school in New York City, USA.
• Etan Patz was one of the first children to be profiled in the “Photo on a milk carton” campaigns of the
early 1980s.
Key Points:
i. On the eve of International Missing Children’s Day, Child Rights and You (CRY), an Indian non-governmental
organization (NGO), released a booklet based on the post-rescue lives of missing children on 24th May 2023.
• The booklet named “Missing Childhoods” includes case stories of survivors from 4 states of North
India, including Madhya Pradesh.
• The booklet is a first-of-its-kind documentation which highlights the stigma of child victimisation.
ii. According to the data from CRY, Madhya Pradesh (MP) reported the highest number of missing children
(11607) among all states in India in the year 2021, which means that every day, 31 kids went missing in MP in
2021.
Indian Laws Against Child Abduction:
i. On 30th March 2009, the Law Commission of India presented the 218th Report titled “Need to Consent to The
Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980”.
ii. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme, namely the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) since 2009.
iii. National Informatics Centre (NIC) developed the TrackChild Portal, designed and developed sticking to the
guidelines provided in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and Model Rules 2007.
World Thyroid Day 2023 – May 25

World Thyroid Day is annually observed across the globe on 25th May to create awareness about the
importance of the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck and to educate the
general public about thyroid diseases and their symptoms.

Awareness ribbon:
The blue and blue paisley print ribbons are used as the awareness ribbon to support awareness for Thyroid
diseases.
Background:
i.World Thyroid Day (WTD) was founded by the European Thyroid Association (ETA) in 2008.
ii.In 2010, the day was endorsed by the four sister societies -ETA, American Thyroid Association, Latin
American Thyroid Society (LATS) and the Asia and Oceania Thyroid Association (AOTA) at the International
Thyroid Congress(ITC) in Paris, France.
• 25th May was chosen as the day of observance since the date was already observed as “National
Thyroid Day” in some Scandinavian countries.
Thyroid diseases
i.Thyroid diseases cause your thyroid to make either too much or too little of the hormones.
ii.It can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) to cancer.
Most common thyroid-related conditions include Thyroid nodules, Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Disease,
Hyperthyroidism, Goiter, Thyroiditis and thyroid cancer.
Prevention of Thyroid Diseases:
The efforts to prevent thyroid disease include adopting various lifestyle factors and behaviours
• Maintaining a healthy diet with sufficient iodine, selenium, and iron intake
• Avoiding smoking
• Abstaining from excessive alcohol consumption
• Managing stress
• Getting enough sound sleep
• Practising safe sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.
About European Thyroid Association (ETA):
President– Graham Williams(United Kingdom)
Founded in 1965
Headquarters– Altdorf, Germany
AIFF declares P.K. Banerjee’s Birth Anniversary as “AIFF Grassroots Day”

The All India Football Federation(AIFF) has declared June 23 as “AIFF Grassroots Day” to commemorate the
birth anniversary of Indian football icon Pradip Kumar Banerjee (PK Banerjee) and honour his legacy.
• Pradip Kumar Banerjee, popularly known as P.K., was born on 23rd June 1936 in Jalpaiguri, Bengal
Presidency, British India(Now in West Bengal).
• He began his football career at the age of 15 and represented Bihar in Santosh Trophy.
• He made his debut for the national team in the 1955 Quadrangular tournament in Dacca, East
Pakistan (now the capital of Bangladesh) at the age of 19.
• He represented India thrice at the Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where India won a silver
medal in 1959 and 1964 and a bronze medal in 1965. He captained the Indian team in the 1960
Rome Olympics.
• He represented India in 3 Asian Games namely, the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan, the 1962
Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, where India clinched the gold medal, and the 1966 Asian Games
in Bangkok, Thailand.

STATE NEWS
Singapore Investment Conclave: TN Government Signed 6 MoUs with Singapore institutions
On 24th May 2023, the Tamil Nadu (TN) Government agencies signed 6 memoranda of understanding (MoUs)
with institutions and companies based in Singapore during the Investment Conclave – Tamil Nadu Investor’s
first port of Call at Singapore.
• The MoUs were signed in the presence of M K Stalin, Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu and S.
Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister in charge of Trade Relations, Singapore.
Note:
• CM participated in the event as a part of his 2 national tours of Singapore and Japan aiming to
attract investors towards TN ahead of the global Investors Summit in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in
January 2024.
• This marks his first-ever visit to Singapore.
Key People from Tamil Nadu:
T.R.B. Rajaa- Minister for Industries Department, Tamil Nadu; V. Irai Anbu- Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu;
Periasamy Kumaran – Indian High Commissioner to Singapore and other senior officials.
Details of the Six MoUs:
i. Guidance Tamil Nadu, the investment promotion agency of the State government, signed an MoU with the
Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries for research and development (R&D) initiatives, a
collaboration between universities, government and private players, as well as assistance in exports from
companies in TN.
ii. Guidance Tamil Nadu also signed an MoU with Hi-P International Private Limited, for the manufacture of
electronic spare parts on an investment of Rs 312 crore. This will potentially generate employment
opportunities for over 700 persons.
iii. Guidance Tamil Nadu also signed an MoU with the Singapore University of Technology and Design for
technology transfer.
iv. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limitied (SIPCOT) signed an MoU with
Singapore-India Partnership Office (SIPO) for cooperation between the two.
v. Another MoU was signed between SIPO and FaMe TN (Facilitating Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) of Tamil Nadu) and Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (TANSIM) towards technical
education and start-ups.
vi. The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation signed an MoU with ITE (Information technology
equipment) Education Services for technology transfer and skill development.
Highlights of CM’s visit:
i.TN CM and Singapore’s Transport Minister S Iswaran discussed on improving economic and bilateral ties
between India and Singapore. He also met the Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Temasek, Kim Yin Won, CEO of Sembcorp and Sanjeev Dasgupta CEO of CapitaLand.

ii.During his meeting with the Tamil diaspora in Singapore, CM Stalin announced that the TN government will
construct a Memorial for Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister(PM) of Singapore who is also known as the
founding father of Singapore, in Mannargudi, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.
• The memorial will include a statue and a library.
About TamilNadu:
Chief Minister– M.K. Stalin
Governor– R. N. Ravi
Airport– Coimbatore International Airport, Chennai International Airport
Justice S Vaidyanathan was Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court
Justice S Vaidyanathan, the seniormost judge of the Madras High Court (HC), was appointed as the Acting
Chief Justice (ACJ) of the Madras HC with effect from 25th May 2023. He succeeds ACJ, T. Raja, who retired
from service on 24th May 2023. The appointment was made by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in
the exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India.
• Justice Vaidyanathan will be the 3rd judge to hold the office of ACJ in the last 9 months after Justice
Duraiswamy and Justice T Raja.
• The position of CJ of Madras HC has been vacant since the superannuation of Justice Munishwar
Nath Bhandari in September 2022.
• Justice S Vaidyanathan from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN), got enrolled as an advocate on 27th
August 1986 and practised in the Madras HC.
• Later, he was elevated as an additional judge of the Madras HC on 25th October 2013 and became a
permanent judge on 14th April 2015.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Kerala becomes India’s first e-governed State

2. Union Ministers Jitendra Singh & R. K. Singh jointly Launched the Website & Logo of CEM14/MI-8
3. Central Government signs agreement with 6 states to Start Digital Crop Survey
4. NTCA, the Central Government body formed a 11 member Committee to oversee Cheetah Project
5. PM Modi Attended the 3rd Quad Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima & Invited Quad Leaders to India
for next Quad Summit in 2024
6. Al Mohed Al Hindi 23: 2nd edition of India-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Naval Exercise held in Saudi
Arabia
7. IEA’s World Energy Investment 2023: Clean Energy Investment Rises Fasten Than Investment in
Fossil Fuels
8. ADB, India signs US$141.12 million Loan Agreement for industrial corridor development in AP
9. SBI’s Ecowrap Report Projects India’s GDP Growth to 5.5% in Q4 FY23 & 7.1% in FY23
10. ISA partnered with AISC for Growth and Sustainability in Steel Sector
11. 3 Indian peacekeepers honoured with UNs Dag Hammarskjold Medal
12. TVS SCS’s Executive VC R Dinesh elected as President of CII for 2023-24; ITC MD Sanjiv Puri as
President Designate
13. CCI approves Multiples Fund III and CPHI-4 investments in Acko Technology
14. MiG-29K makes first-ever Night Landing on INS Vikrant
15. South Korea launched NEXTSat-2, 1st commercial-grade satellite, aboard Nuri
16. GCC’s Araku Coffee from Andhra Pradesh gets Organic Certificate
17. UNGA declares November 26 as World Sustainable Transport Day
18. World Schizophrenia Awareness Day 2023 – May 24
19. Indian Commonwealth Day 2023 – May 24
20. Home Minister Amit Shah lays Foundation Stone of NFSU Assam & launches “Assam Police Seva
Setu”
21. Goa & Uttarakhand signs MoU to Enhance Tourism

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Kerala becomes India’s first e-governed State
On May 25, 2023, Kerala became India’s first fully e-governed state as it successfully digitized a range of
government services for prompt and transparent delivery to its citizens.
• It was announced by the Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan during the Total e-
Governance Kerala event organised by the Kerala IT Mission in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
e-Sevanam Portal:
i.A single-window portal named e-Sevanam was launched by the state government to offer 900 government
services online. It was further set to be extended to taluk-level offices.
ii.The portal offers citizen services including various registrations and services related to social security
pension.
Other e-Governance Initiatives:
i.Under this comprehensive e-governance initiative, the Kerala government aims to bring services directly to
citizens by eliminating the need to visit government offices in person.
ii.A noteworthy step in this direction is the implementation of the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON)
project, which has made internet access a citizen’s right.
• This initiative will make the internet affordable or even free for the residents of Kerala.
iii.About 7.5 crore certificates were distributed through the e-district online service scheme. Around 250
services are currently being delivered online in the state’s panchayats.
iv.Kerala has also established India’s first digital university namely Kerala University of Digital Sciences,
Innovation and Technology, also known as Digital University Kerala (DUK) in Thiruvananthapuram worth Rs
1,500 crore to foster knowledge-based society and economy by promoting e-literacy.
About Kerala:
Governor– Arif Mohammed Khan
Festivals– Onam, Vishu
Stadiums– Greenfield International Stadium (Trivandrum International Stadium), Jawaharlal Nehru
International Stadium
Union Ministers Jitendra Singh & R. K. Singh jointly Launched the Website & Logo of CEM14/MI-
8
On May 25, 2023, Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and
Technology, and R. K. Singh, the Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy, jointly launched
the Website and Logo of the Joint 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation meeting (CEM-
14/MI-8).
• The CEM14/MI-8 will be held in Goa from 19th to 22nd of July 2023.

• This is scheduled on the margin of the G20(Group of 20) Energy Transition Ministerial Meeting
which will be held on July 22, 2023.
The theme for CEM-14/MI-8 is “Advancing Clean Energy Together”.
About logo:
i.The diverse set of colours on the logo represents the diversity of engagement among countries and partners.
ii.It also features renewable resources like sun, wind and water.
iii.The crest and trough using green and blue, indicate the variability of renewable energy resources and the
blend emphasises the first fuel of energy efficiency, which cuts across all aspects of energy use.
MI-8:
i.Ministers and Heads of delegation from MI Member Countries, the European Union and International
Organizations along with select high-level invitees representing key stakeholders from Industry, Research,
academia, citizen organizations and Innovators from the globe will be participating in the MI-8.
ii.The focus for this 2023’s MI is ‘Advancing the Continuum of R&D towards Pilot Demonstration on Clean
Energy Technologies’.
iii.As per the statement of Jitendra Singh, the MI-8 is in line with the national aspiration on India’s climate
action called Panchamrit, which is outlined during COP26.
• Under the Panchamrit action plan, India intends to reach a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW
by 2030, fulfilling at least half of its energy requirements via renewable energy by 2030, intends to
reduce CO2 emissions by 1 billion tons by 2030, reduce carbon intensity below 45% by 2030, and
achieve a net-zero emissions target by 2070.
About Mission Innovation (MI):
i.It is a global initiative of 23 Countries and the European Commission (on behalf of the European Union) to
accelerate Clean Energy revolution and progress towards the Paris Agreement goals and pathways to net zero.
• The term ‘Mission Innovation’ was coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India was one of
the founding members of Mission Innovation.
ii.The first phase of Mission Innovation (MI) (2015-2020) was announced at COP21 on November 30, 2015, in
Paris (France) to commit the ambitious efforts to combat climate change.
iii.After a successful 5 years under the first phase, the second phase of Mission Innovation (MI2.0) was
launched on June 2, 2021.
About CEM:
i.The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) was established in 2009 as a high-level global forum to promote policies
and programmes that advance clean energy technology, to share lessons learned and best practices, and to
encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy.

ii.The CEM has 29 members – European Commission and 28 governments (largely aligned with the G20
membership).
Union Government signs agreement with 6 States to Start Digital Crop Survey
On May 25, 2023, the Union Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 6
States Governments of Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
(UP) to initiate the digital crop survey.
• The agreement was signed during the National Conference of State Agriculture Secretaries &
State Revenue Secretaries on Digital Crop Survey, which was organised by the Ministry of
Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) in New Delhi, Delhi to discuss with the state
governments for the implementation of digital crop survey plan.
• A manual for web portal and mobile application for digital crop survey was also unveiled.
Aim:
To create one verified source of truth about the farmer and his/her crop-sown data.
What is Digital crop survey?
i.It is a part of the Government’s Agristack or India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture (IDEA) that has been
under development since 2020, to create a robust, effective, on-time, transparent digitally driven crop survey
system.
ii.The implementation of Agristack and the Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS) aims to address the
challenges and problems faced in the agriculture sector.
iii.The survey will provide comprehensive information on the crops cultivated throughout India during various
agricultural seasons, thus facilitating, more accurate understanding of the farming landscape.
iv.The survey will use GIS (Geographic Information Systems )-GPS (Global Positioning System) technologies
and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
NTCA formed a 11 member Committee Headed by Rajesh Gopal to oversee Project Cheetah
On May 25, 2023, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment,
Forests, and Climate Change has constituted an 11-member Cheetah Project Steering Committee to oversee
the implementation of ‘Project Cheetah’
• The NTCA, the nodal agency for Project Cheetah formed the 11-member Committee including the
national and international experts which will be headed by Rajesh Gopal, Secretary-General of
Global Tiger Forum as its chairman.
• This move comes following the death of six cheetahs, including three newborn cubs, within a period
of two and half months at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.
• Thus the committee would review, progress, monitor and advice on the Cheetah reintroduction
programme to the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and NTCA.

Responsibility of the Committee:
i. The Cheetah project steering committee will also be responsible for opening of the cheetah habitat for eco-
tourism, suggesting regulations and advice on community interface for their involvement in the project
activities.
ii. The committee which would be in force for a period of two years and will hold at least one meeting every
month, besides taking field visits to KNP.
Project Cheetah: In September 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reintroduced
wild Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, as part of “Project Cheetah”,
the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project. Click here to know more
Members of the Committee:
• Dr. Rajesh Gopal, Secretary General, Global Tiger Forum, New Delhi – Chairman
• R. N. Mehrotra, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF/CWLW, Rajasthan- Member
• P. R. Sinha, former Director, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradu (Uttarakhand)
• Dr. H. S. Negi, former Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Wildlife
• Dr. P. K. Malik, former Faculty at WII
• G. S. Rawat, former Dean, Wildlife Institute of India/ Member WII Society
• Ms Mittal Patel Social Worker, Founder Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM), Ahmedabad
(Gujarat)

• Shubhoranjan Sen, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden,
Madhya Pradesh
• Prof. Qamar Qureshi, Scientist, WII, Dehradun,Inspector General, NTCA, New Delhi, Delhi.
Note – H. S. Negi and P. K. Malik are also members of the NTCA.
ii.Consulting panel of international Cheetah experts: A panel of international experts, including Adrian
Tordiffe- Veterinary wildlife specialist, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Laurie Marker- Cheetah
Conservation Fund, Namibia; Dr. Andrew John Fraser- Farm Olievenbosch, South Africa; and Vincent van dan
Merwe- Manager of Cheetah Metapopulation Project, The Metapopulation Initiative, South Africa.
Note – In March 2023, cubs were born to a translocated Namibian cheetah at the Kuno National Park in Madhya
Pradesh and current cheetah count at the KNP is 18, including one cub. 3 cheetah cubs born to the Namibian
cheetah allegedly died of dehydration and malnourishment in the past week.
PM Narendra Modi Attended the 3rd Quad Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima & Invited Quad
Leaders to India for Quad Summit in 2024
As a part of his visit to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia from May 19 to 24, 2023 Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi participated in the third in-person Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Leaders’
Summit in Hiroshima, Japan on 20 May 2023, along with Anthony Albanese, PM of Australia, Fumio Kishida,
PM of Japan and Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America (USA).
• Vision Statement: The Quad leaders unveiled a ‘Vision Statement’ titled ‘Enduring Partners for
Indo-Pacific’ expressing their resolve to act as a “force for good” to find common solutions for
region-wide benefit.
• India to Host Quad 2024: At the Quad Leaders’ Summit, PM Narendra Modi stated that India is
willing to host the Quad meeting in 2024 and he also invited Quad Leaders to India for the next Quad
Summit.
• The Quad leaders had a discussion about developments in the Indo-Pacific and affirmed their shared
democratic values and strategic interests.
Initiatives announced by Quad Leaders:
The Quad leaders unveiled a series of initiatives including in areas of clean energy supply chains, undersea
cables and investments in strategic technologies to strengthen the resilience and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
i.Clean Energy Supply Chains Initiative: It would facilitate research and development and support the Indo-
Pacific’s energy transition.
• In addition, the Quad Principles of Clean Energy Supply Chains were also approved to guide
engagement with the region on clean energy supply chain development.
ii.‘Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Programme’: It was the initiative made to support policymakers and
practitioners in the Indo-pacific region to design, build and manage sustainable and viable infrastructure in
their countries.

iii.‘Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience’ to leverage Quad’s collective expertise in the design,
manufacturing, laying and maintenance of undersea cables to secure and diversify these critical networks.
iv.Quad support for a small-scale ORAN deployment in Palau, the first in the Pacific region. They also released
the ORAN Security Report to support industry investment in open, interoperable and secure telecom platforms.
v.Quad Investors’ Network has been launched as a private sector-led platform to facilitate investments in
strategic technologies.
Other Highlights of the Quad Summit:
i.They have reaffirmed their participation under Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-
CHAMP), launched in 2022 to enhance climate and clean energy cooperation as well as promote adaptation and
resilience.
ii.Quad International Standards Cooperation Network and the Quad Principles on Critical and Emerging
Technology Standards were released.
iii.The announcement was made regarding the evolution of the Quad Vaccine Partnership into a broader Quad
health security partnership.
• Through this partnership, the Quad will strengthen coordination and collaboration in support of
health security in the Indo-Pacific.
iv.PM Narendra Modi highlighted how India’s approach to demand-driven development cooperation with the
region was contributing to these efforts.
• He also emphasized the importance of consolidating Quad’s constructive agenda and delivering
tangible outcomes for the region.
Al Mohed Al Hindi 23: 2nd edition of India-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Naval Exercise held in Saudi
Arabia
On May 25 2023, the second edition of India-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Naval Exercise designated as
“Al Mohed Al Hindi 23“, a series of exercises undertaken by the Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force
RSNF on land and at sea concluded.
• The 5 days bilateral naval Exercise between India and Saudi Arabia was held from May 21, 2023 to
May 25, 2023 in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
Aim:
Al Mohed Al Hindi 23 aims to improve maritime security, encourage information exchange, and build improved
interoperability between Indian and Saudi naval forces, ultimately contributing to regional stability in the
Arabian Sea and Gulf region.
Note:
• First-ever edition “Al-Mohed Al-Hind” took place in August 2021 at Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
• The decision on the bilateral exercise was taken during the Riyadh Summit held in 2019.
Indian Participants:
The INS (Indian Navy Ship) TARKASH, the flagship frigate of the Indian Western Naval Fleet, and the INS
SUBHADRA, an offshore patrol vessel, and IN (Indian Navy) Dornier, one maritime patrol aircraft took part in
the naval exercise.

Key Points:
i.As part of the harbour phase of bilateral ex Al Mohed Al Hindi 23, Special Forces interactions from either side,
a pre-sail conference for the upcoming sea phase and a friendly football match were conducted.
ii. As a part of the exercise, the Indian Navy crew visited King Fahad Naval Academy (KFNA).
IEA’s World Energy Investment 2023: Clean Energy Investment Rises Fasten Than Investment
in Fossil Fuels
According to World Energy Investment 2023(WEI 2023), a new report by International Energy Agency (IEA),
clean energy investment has increased 70% higher than the investment in fossil Fuels.
• While comparing IEA’s estimates for 2023 with 2021, the annual clean energy investment has
increased faster than investment in fossil fuels (24% vs 15%).
About WEI 2023:
i.WEI 2023 is the 8th report of the annual series of IEA which provides the global benchmark for tracking
capital flows in the energy sector
ii.The report offers an update on the investment in 2022 and an initial reading of the emerging picture for
2023.
iii.WEI 2023 focuses to track investment and financing trends in 2022 and provide an early indication for 2023.
Investment in Energy:
i.The report states that around USD 2.8 trillion is estimated to be invested in energy in 2023.
ii.More than USD 1.7 trillion of this will be invested in clean energy(renewable power, nuclear, grids, storage,
low-emission fuels, efficiency improvement, and electrification) and the remaining(over USD 1 trillion) will be
spent on fossil fuels.
• 15% of the investment towards fossil fuels will be spent on coal.
iii.For every USD 1 spent on fossil fuels, USD 1.7 will be spent on clean energy. This ratio was at 1:1 in 2018.
Declining investment in Coal:
While the investment in new coal-fired power plants are on a declining trend, the Investment in coal supply,
which is already above pre-pandemic levels, is expected to rise by 10% in 2023,
• In 2022, 40 GW of new coal plants being approved, the highest figure since 2016.
• Almost all of the new coal-fired capacity is expected to be built in China.
Key Points:
i.The Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has accelerated momentum behind the deployment of clean energy
technologies. This momentum has been led by renewable power and electric vehicles (EVs).
ii.The report stated that the consumers are investing in more electrified end uses and the demand for EVs are
increasing with a expected sale increase of more than one third in 2023.
• Following this, the investment in EVs has more than doubled since 2021, reaching USD 130 billion in
2023.
iii.Solar energy has the highest investment and more than USD 1 billion per day (USD 380 billion for the year)
is expected to be invested towards solar investments in 2023.
About International Energy Agency (IEA):

Executive Director– Dr Fatih Birol
Founded in 1974
BANKING & FINANCE

ADB, India signs US$141.12 million Loan Agreement for industrial corridor development in AP
On May 25, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a US$141.12
million loan agreement to support the development of high-quality internal infrastructure such as roads, water
supply systems and electricity distribution network in three industrial clusters in the state of Andhra
Pradesh (AP).
• The US$ 141.12 million will be used for the project to build infrastructure in three industrial clusters
in the Visakhapatnam and Srikalahasthi-Chittoor nodes in AP.
Backdrop:
• The ADB financing of US$ 141.12 million is the second tranche of the US$ 500 million multi-tranche
financing facility (MFF) approved by ADB in 2016 to develop 11 industrial corridors across 17 states
in India.
• In October 2021, ADB has approved the first tranche of US $250 million loan, as part of the MFF, to
support the National Industrial Corridor Development Program (NICDP) of India.
Key Development under ADB Funding:
i.Thus the ADB financing through adopting multi-sectoral approach will support the state by promoting
industrialization, improving competitiveness to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to AP’s gross
domestic product (GDP).
ii.Visakhapatnam node: Industrial infrastructure set to be built in the Visakhapatnam node under the ADB
financing are as follows.
• The development of internal infrastructure in the start-up area of the 160-hectare (ha) Rambilli and
441-ha Nakkapalli industrial clusters.
• Widening of 13.8-kilometer (km) of the Atchuthapuram–Anakapalli road and improvement of 4.4-
km access road to the Nakkapalli cluster.
iii.Srikalahasthi-Chittoor node: The development in Srikalahasthi-Chittoor node via the ADB financing are as
follows
• The development of the start-up area of the 938-ha Chittoor–South industrial cluster.
• Improvement of a 9.5-km access road to the Chittoor-South industrial cluster.
• An 8.7-km access road to the Naidupeta industrial cluster.
iv.Additionally, the project also support in implementing an updated marketing action plan for investment
promotion and enhancing the skills of the population, particularly in vulnerable sections.
v.Guidelines for a green corridor model to enhance industrial cluster resilience to extreme weather conditions
and a disaster risk management plan would be established under the funding.

About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters – Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
Member countries – 68 countries (49 from the Asian and Pacific Region)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

SBI’s Ecowrap Report Projects India’s GDP Growth to 5.5% in Q4 FY23 & 7.1% in FY23
According to the Ecowrap report of the State Bank of India (SBI) released on May 26, 2023, India’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the fourth quarter (Q4) of Financial Year 2022-23 (FY23) is projected to
be 5.5%. India’s growth for FY23 is projected at 7.1% due to growth in manufacturing sector.
Key Points:
i.Comparative Analysis:
• SBI’s projection is in line with the advance estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO)
in January 2023, which projected the growth for the FY23, at 7%.
• RBI has estimated Q4FY23 Real GDP growth to be 5.1%.
ii.As per the report, domestic consumption and investment benefited from stronger prospects for agricultural
and allied activities.
iii.The GDP growht projection by Ecowrap was made SBI’s ANN (Artificial Neural Network) model, based on 30
high-frequency indicators from key sectors which are tuned/trained to project the GDP numbers forecasts.
-India to contribute 16% to global GDP growth: Morgan Stanley
i.According to Morgan Stanley, the Indian economy is a key contributor to Asian economic growth
outperformance and India is expected to contribute 16% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) growth
over 2023-24.
ii.The Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) and manufacturing PMI of India are well above than other economies.
The passenger vehicle sales are at 131% of pre-Covid-19 levels, real goods and services tax collections are 35%
higher than pre-Covid-19 and services exports have risen by 84% since October 2020.
ISA partnered with AISC for Growth and Sustainability in Steel Sector
On May 21 2023, The Indian Steel Association (ISA), the apex steel industry body and ASEAN (Association of
Southeast Asian Nations) Iron and Steel Council (AISC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
to unlock new avenues of growth and sustainability in steel sector.
• The MoU signed for the bilateral cooperation aims to support the strengths, expertise, and resources
of both organisations to unlock new avenues for growth, innovation, and sustainability in the steel
industry.

Signatories:
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dilip Oommen, ISA President and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel AM/NS India, and Purwono Widodo- AISC President and PT
Krakatau Steel President Director, Indonesia in Manila Philippines.
Highlights:
i. Discussions were made regarding the potential for collaboration in areas such as technology exchange,
Research & Development(R&D), trade facilitation and market growth and the importance of producing
environmentally and economically viable steel.
ii. Discussions also focused on decarbonisation efforts, emphasising the importance of defining near-zero
emission steel, establishing measurement standards, and adopting sustainable production technologies and the
importance of technology, innovation, and government support in achieving decarbonisation goals.
About Indian Steel Association (ISA):
Established in August 2014
President– Dilip Oommen

3 Indian peacekeepers honoured with UNs Dag Hammarskjold Medal
On 25th May 2023, 3 Indian peacekeepers, Border Security Force(BSF) personnel Head Constables Sanwala
Ram Vishnoi & Shishupal Singh and civilian peacekeepers (national staff) Shaber Taher Ali, were Posthumously
awarded the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.
• Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Ambassador to the UN, received the medals on behalf of the
Indian Peacekeepers from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Award Ceremony:
The medals were presented during the “Dag Hammarskjold Medal and Military Gender Advocate of the Year
award ceremony” organised ahead of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2023 (29th May
2023) at the UN General Assembly hall, New York, the United States of America (USA).
Note:
2022 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Awarded to Captain Cecilia Erzuah from Ghana who served
with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
About Dag Hammarskjold Medal:
i.Dag Hammarskjöld medal is a posthumous award given by the UN to the UN Peacekeeping Supreme, who
sacrifices their lives during missions with a peacekeeping operation under the operational control and
authority of the UN.
ii.On 22 July 1997, during the occasion of the 50th anniversary of peacekeeping, the UN Security Council
unanimously adopted Resolution 1121 (1997) and established the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal as a
posthumous award to members of peacekeeping operations.

• On 6 October 1998, the first Medal was presented to the family of Dag Hammarskjöld.
Three Indian Peacekeepers:
i.Head constables Shishupal Singh(45) from Rajasthan’s Sikar and Sanwala Ram Vishnoi(45) from Barmer,
Rajasthan were part of the two BSF platoons sent for the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in May 2022.
• They were a part of MONUSCO – the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and were killed during the armed protests in Butembo city, Congo on
26th July 2023.
ii.Shaber Taher Ali who served in a civilian capacity with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was
killed on 17th April 2022
India’s contribution:
India’s contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission started in 1950, and India has deployed more than
275,000 troops, including a significant number of women peacekeepers, in over 51 UN peacekeeping missions.
Click here for the List of Personnel who were Posthumously Awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on 26 May
2023

TVS SCS’s Executive VC R Dinesh elected as President of CII for 2023-24; ITC MD Sanjiv Puri as
President Designate
On May 25 2023, the National Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) elected R Dinesh, executive
vice-chairman of TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS), as the new President of CII for the year 2023-24.
• R.Dinesh succeeds Sanjiv Bajaj, the Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv Limited, who
served as CII President for 2022-2023.
Note: R Dinesh also chairs the CII Institute of Logistics and Chairman of the CII FBN (Family Business Network)
India Chapter Council.
Other office-bearers for 2023-24:
i.Sanjiv Puri, Managing Director of ITC Limited has been named President-designate of CII for 2023-24.
ii.Rajiv Memani, Chairman and Managing Partner, EY(Ernst & Young) India, has been elected as the Vice
President of CII for 2023-24.
• He also serves as the Chairman of Emerging Markets Committee, Ernst & Young LLP.
About R Dinesh:
i. R Dinesh started TVS Supply Chain Solutions (formerly known as TVS Logistics) in 1995.
ii. He is a fourth-generation member of the TVS family and has been engaged with CII for many years at the
state, regional and national level.
iii. He also serves as the Director at TVS Mobility & Ki Mobility Solutions.
About Confederation of Indian Industry (CII):
CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation, works to create and
sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering Industry, Government and civil

society, through advisory and consultative processes.
Founded in– 1895
President– R Dinesh
Director General– Chandrajit Banerjee

CCI approves Multiples Fund III and CPHI-4 investments in Acko Technology
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of additional Series E Compulsorily
Convertible Preference Shares(CCPS)of Acko Technology & Services Private Limited by Multiples Private Equity
Fund III (Multiples Fund III) and CPP Investment Board Private Holdings (4) Inc (CPHI-4).
• The Proposed Transaction is an acquisition of shares and falls under Section 5(a)(i)(A) of the
Competition Act, 2002.
• The proposed transaction relates to the subscription of additional CCPS of Acko Technology &
Services Private Limited by Multiples Fund III and CPHI-4.

MiG-29K makes first-ever Night Landing on INS Vikrant
On May 24, 2023, an Indian Navy (IN) MiG-29K fighter jet landed on the indigenous aircraft carrier Indian
Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant for the first time at night when the ship was sailing in the Arabian Sea.
• This is indicative of IN’s impetus towards Aatmanirbharta (Self-Reliance).

Key Points:
i.A prototype of the naval version of the locally created Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas planes and a MiG-29K
of Russian origin both made day landings on the aircraft carrier in February 2023.
ii.MiG-29K fighter jets use the ski-jump to take-off, and are recovered by arrestor wires or what is known as
STOBAR (short take-off but arrested recovery) in navy parlance.
iii. It is anticipated that twelve MiG-29Ks will be stationed on Vikrant, along with a new deck-based fighter that
the navy is planning to procure as a temporary solution to meet its needs until the indigenous Twin-Engine
Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) becomes available in a few years. Notably, the maiden flight of the first TEDBF
prototype is expected to take place around 2026, with production readiness targeted for 2031.
About INS Vikrant:
Commissioned in September 2022, INS Vikrant is currently sailing in the Arabian Sea.The aircraft carrier is
presently undergoing air certification and flight integration trials with rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft to
achieve combat-ready state
• The 45,000-tonne Vikrant is the first to be built in India and was constructed by the Cochin Shipyard
Limited (CSL) in Kerala at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore.

• The namesake Vikrant is a tribute to India’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant which was operated by
the navy from 1961 to 1997.
Key Points:
i.INS Vikrant, which has 76% indigenous content, will operate an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft.
• Three MiG29K fighter jets and Advanced Light Helicopters are currently stationed there.
ii.Vikrant is the fourth aircraft carrier to be operated by the Indian Navy — first Vikrant (British origin) from
1961 to 1997, INS Viraat (British origin) from 1987 to 2016 and INS Vikramaditya 2013 onwards.
iii.Vikrant is 262 metres long, has a height of 61 metres (keel to mast) and its flight deck measures 12,500
square metres (equivalent to 10 Olympic-size swimming pools.) It has an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles, a
maximum speed of 28 knots, 2,300 compartments and can carry a crew of 1,600.
About Indian Navy (IN):
Chief of the Naval Staff, (CNS)– Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar
Headquarters– Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, Delhi
South Korea launched NEXTSat-2, 1st commercial-grade satellite, aboard Nuri

On May 25, 2023, South Korea successfully launched ‘Next Generation Small Satellite 2(NEXTSat-2), the
first commercial-grade satellite aboard Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle Two (KSLV-II), nicknamed Nuri, from
the launch pad at Naro Space Centre in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, South of Seoul, South Korea.
• NEXTSat-2 is the main payload of Nuri, whose mission is to deploy a total of 8 satellites (NEXTSat-2
and 7 small-sized cube satellites (CubeSats)) into a solar synchronous orbit circling the earth at an
altitude of 550 kilometres.
• This also marks the 3rd launch of Korea’s domestically developed Nuri rocket.
Mission of NEXTSat-2: To verify radar imaging technology and observe cosmic radiation in a near-Earth orbit.
About NEXTSat-2:
i.The 179.9-kilogram NEXTSat-2 was developed by the Satellite Technology Research Center at KAIST(Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology).
ii.It is equipped with a small-sized synthetic aperture radar that can capture high-resolution images regardless
of weather conditions.
Key Points:
i.The satellite will also assist South Korea’s efforts to develop a space-based surveillance system.
ii.South Korea plans to conduct three more Nuri rocket launches by 2027 and will seek to develop more
advanced launch vehicles.
iii.This launch will also help South Korea accumulate technologies and expertise to operate military spy
satellites and build long-range missiles. It currently relies on the United States (US) spy satellites to monitor
North Korean facilities.
Note: Korea’s King Sejong Station in Antarctica received the first signal from NEXTSAT-2. NEXTSAT-2 also
made two-way communications seven times with the Daejeon station and other overseas posts
About the other payloads:
i.4 microsatellites developed by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute dubbed SNIPE.
ii.3 satellites were developed by domestic private companies: JAC by Justek Inc, LUMIR-T1 by Lumir Inc. and
the KSAT3U by Kairospace Co.
Additional info:
i.In 2022, South Korea became the 10th nation to launch a satellite using its own technology, i.e. Nuri rocket for
this purpose. However, the primary aim of the launch was to test the rocket’s performance.
ii.It should be noted that South Korea, ranking as the world’s 10th largest economy, holds significant expertise
in manufacturing semiconductors, automobiles, and smartphones. However, in space development area, it falls
behind its neighboring counterparts like China, India, and Japan.
About South Korea:
President– Yoon Suk Yeol
Capital– Seoul
Currency– South Korean won
ENVIRONMENT
GCC’s Araku Coffee from Andhra Pradesh gets Organic Certificate
The Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) has received the National Programme for Organic Production
(NPOP) certificate for the coffee and pepper GCC purchases from the tribal coffee farmers of the Chintapalli
division, Andhra Pradesh(AP).
The certificate was granted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).
• This certification would provide scope for the higher price of the coffee and pepper.
• On 2,184.76 acres, 1,900 tribal farmers from the Gondupakalu, Lambasingi, and Kappalu clusters in
the Chintapalli division cultivate coffee.
Note: Girijana Vikasa Swatchanda Samstha, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), assisted in getting the
organic certification for the GCC Araku Valley Coffee.
IMPORTANT DAYS
UNGA declares November 26 as World Sustainable Transport Day
On 16th May 2023, during the 70th plenary meeting of the 77th session of the United Nations General
Assembly(UNGA), the resolution A/RES/77/286 was adopted and proclaimed the 26th November of every
year as the World Sustainable Transport Day.
• The day aims to create awareness and educate the general public about the importance of
international cooperation in addressing issues related to transport sustainability.
• The first ever World Sustainable Transport Day will be observed on 26th November 2023.
• The resolution was initiated by Turkmenistan.

Significance of November 26:
The 26th November was chosen to mark anniversary of the first United Nations(UN) Global Sustainable
Transport Conference,
held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on 26 and 27th November 2016.
Observance:
The resolution invites the UN Department of Economic and Social Affair(UNDESA), in collaboration with
the UN regional economic commissions, to facilitate the observance of World Sustainable Transport Day.
• Note: UN regional economic commissions are ECA: Economic Commission for Africa; ECE:
Economic Commission for Europe; ECLAC: Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean; ESCAP: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; and ESCWA: Economic
and Social Commission for Western Asia.
Objectives:
• To create awareness of the benefits of sustainable transport and mobility.
• To promote the adoption of low-emission modes of transport, the utilization of alternative fuels and
energy-efficient vehicles, and the enhancement of connectivity at regional and global levels.
SDGs & Sustainable Transport:
i.The role of transport in sustainable development was first recognized at the 1992 UN’s Earth Summit and
reinforced in its outcome document – Agenda 21.
ii.The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development mainstreamed the, sustainable transport across several
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets related to food security, health, energy, economic growth,
infrastructure, and cities and human settlements.
World Schizophrenia Awareness Day 2023 – May 24

World Schizophrenia Awareness Day is annually observed across the globe on May 24 to raise awareness of the
mental illness that affects over 20 million people globally.
• Promoting greater knowledge and support for persons who are afflicted by schizophrenia can help
reduce stigma and promote greater understanding.
Background:
World Schizophrenia Awareness Day was created by the National Schizophrenia Foundation in honour of Dr
Philippe Pinel from France, a major figure in the early efforts to provide human care and treatment for mental
illness.
• In 1908 the Swiss Psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler gave the disorder the name ‘schizophrenia’.
Schizophrenia:
i. Schizophrenia is a complex and often stigmatised mental health condition.
• It is a profound, severe, and debilitating brain disorder impacting thoughts, emotions, and actions,
blurring reality, impairing emotional expression, and hindering decision-making
ii. Many people who live with Schizophrenia face social isolation, discrimination, and limited access to
healthcare and support services.
iii. A variety of issues with thinking (cognition), behaviour and emotions are involved in schizophrenia.

iv. Signs and symptoms may vary but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and
reflect an impaired ability to function.
v. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Schizophrenia affects more than 21 million people
worldwide.
DEPwD observes World Schizophrenia Awareness Day:
i. On 25th May 2023, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India (GoI), commemorated
Schizophrenia to raise awareness and to reduce the stigma around mental illness.
• DEPwD conducted various events at more than 30 places across India.
ii. The activities organized in India as a part of World Schizophrenia Day includes :
• Awareness & Sensitization Sessions
• Webinar on Early Intervention in Schizophrenia- A Psychologist & Psychiatrist Perspective
• TLM (Technical License Management) distribution to children with ID.
• Short-Term Training Programme on “Early Symptoms of Schizophrenia and its Management”
• Medical Camp.
Efforts of the Ministry of AYUSH:
The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) has chosen 6
specialities to integrate with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in India, from schizophrenia to
malignancies, haemorrhoids, auto-immune illnesses, depression, and more.
• It is driven by the government’s announcement in February 2023 where it unfolded its plan for
setting up a separate wing for integrative medicine.
Indian Commonwealth Day 2023 – May 24

Commonwealth Day (formerly Empire Day) is annually celebrated across the globe on the 2nd Monday in the
month of March but India and certain other countries observe the day on May 24.
• India celebrated Commonwealth Day 2023 on 24th May 2023.
The day aims to encourage the 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens to honour their shared values and principles,
as well as pursue a collective future centred on stability and peace
the theme of Commonwealth Day 2023 is “Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future”.
• The 1st Commonwealth Day was celebrated in 1902 as “Empire Day” as a way of honouring Queen
Victoria following her demise on 22nd January 1901.
• The date coincides with the birth anniversary of Queen Victoria, who was born on 24th May 1819).
• In 1958, Harold Macmillan, the then-prime minister of the United Kingdom (UK), declared that
Empire Day would be renamed Commonwealth Day in recognition of the changing nature of
relations among the group’s members.
STATE NEWS
Home Minister Amit Shah lays Foundation Stone of NFSU Assam & launches “Assam Police Seva
Setu”
On 25th May 2023, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), laid the foundation stone of
the Guwahati (Assam) campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU).
This will be the world’s 11th NFSU Campus and India’s 10th Campus.
• Amit Shah also launched the web portal “Assam Police Seva Setu” to make the services of the
Assam police more accessible and transparent for the people.
• During the event, he also unveiled a book titled “Analysis on Judicial Approach on Forensic
Evidence” written by Dr J.M Vyas, vice chancellor of NFSU, on the use of forensic science in the
judiciary was also released.

Note: In April 2023, NFSU Established its first overseas campus in Jinja, Uganda.
National Forensic Science University (NFSU):
i. The Assam Government has given 50 acres of land to this Forensic Science University and the Union
government will provide Rs 500 crore on this NFSU for the graduation and post-graduation of 3,500 students.
ii. The campus, which is located in the Changsari suburb of Kamrup’s Molong district, is expected to be
completed in 2 stages.
• The 1st phase is expected to complete by 2026, while the 2nd phase is targeted for 2030.
iii. The campus will provide more than 50 undergraduate, graduate, PhD, and post-doctoral programmes in
various forensic science fields, including wildlife forensics, cyber security, narcotics, digital forensics, drone
forensics, forensic psychology, and forensic justice & law.
• It is estimated that the campus will cost Rs 300 crore.
• NFSU has established Asia’s only Ballistic Research Centre Testing Range, Centre of Excellence in
DNA Forensic Science and International Humanitarian Forensic Centre.
• Drone Forensic Centre and Centre of Excellence in Psychological Forensics have also been
established by NFSU.
Assam Police Seva Setu:
i. Assam Police Seva Setu is an initiative of the Assam government that will serve as a digital interface between
the citizens and law enforcement.
ii. The portal will be available in both Assamese and Bengali languages.
iii. Features of the Portal:
• Instant criminal reporting and grievance submission.
• Senior citizens living alone can register online.
• Verification of candidates for government, public sector, and private sector jobs.
• Tenant, paying guest, and domestic help verification.
• Reporting missing persons, child-related issues, and lost and found items.
• Security clearance for commercial constructions, petrol stations, and more.
• Obtaining permissions or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for fireworks sales, temporary bar
licenses, etc.
• Providing feedback and sharing confidential criminal information.
Goa & Uttarakhand signs MoU to Enhance Tourism

The Government of Goa and the Government of Uttarakhand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to collaborate towards enhancing the tourism landscape of both Goa and Uttarakhand. The MoU was
signed in the presence of Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C, Printing and Stationary of the
Government of Goa, and Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• The MoU aims at promoting bilateral cooperation in the travel and tourism sector and facilitating
travel between the states to increase the number of tourists visiting Goa and Uttarakhand
respectively.

• The MoU also showcases India’s rich cultural diversity to the world, aligned with the ‘Dekho Apna
Desh’ initiative, which aims to encourage people to witness and experience the rich heritage and
vivid culture of India.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Launched National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 &
Other Initiatives
2. PM Modi flags off Uttarakhand’s 1st Vande Bharat train: Dehradun-Delhi
3. MoRD Minister Giriraj Singh launches SAMARTH campaign to Promote Digital Transactions at
Gram Panchayat Level
4. UNICEF/WHO/The World Bank Group’s JME 2023 Report: 18.7% Indian Children were Affected
by Wasting
5. SEBI sets up Intermediary Advisory Committee Chaired by former SEBI ED S Ravindran
6. RBI approves the voluntary amalgamation of Maratha Co-op Bank with Cosmos Co-operative
Bank
7. Indian Bank Empanelled as Clearing & Settlement Bank with ICCL
8. TCS-led Consortium Bags Rs 15,000 crore BSNL Contract for 4G Deployment
9. Princess Sophia Duleep Singh London home honoured with Commemorative Blue Plaque
10. Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma appointed as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank
11. Mukesh Ambani, CMD of Reliance Industries appointed as member of Advisory Committee of
COP28
12. Parminder Chopra to Become 1st Woman CMD of Power Finance Corporation
13. Rocket Lab launches 2nd pair of Sats for NASA’s storm-tracking TROPICS mission; SuperBIT
balloon, NASA’s 1st science mission to complete two revolutions of SH
14. Indian Navy & ISRO Jointly Released ‘Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan’ at WSTF INS Garuda
15. Kannada writer and Sahitya Akademi Awardee, GH Nayak passed away
16. Dr. Vijay Darda’s New Book, ‘RINGSIDE,” to be Released by Shashi Tharoor
17. GoI Appoints Chief Justices of 5 High Courts

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Launched National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 &
Other Initiatives
On May 26, 2023, the Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW),
unveiled the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, and launched the Export Promotion Council for
Medical Devices during the inaugural event of the 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device
Sector in New Delhi, Delhi.
• Mansukh Mandaviya also launched a scheme titled ‘Assistance for Medical Devices clusters
for Common Facilities (AMD-CF)’ to establish and strengthen common infrastructure facilities in the
medical devices clusters and fortify testing facilities for medical devices.
Click here to know more about National Medical Devices Policy 2023
8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector:
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the 8 International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device
Sector on May 26, 2023.
• The conference was organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and
Fertilizers, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
for 2 days on May 26 and 27 2023 to promote India as a manufacturing hub of quality medical
products in the pharmaceutical and Medical Device Sector.
Theme:
• 26th May 2023 was dedicated for India Medical Device sector on the theme ‘Sustainable MedTech
5.0: Scaling and Innovating Indian MedTech’
• 27th May 2023 was dedicated for the Pharmaceutical sector on the theme “Indian pharma industry:
Delivering Value through Innovation.
Highlights:
i.Following the conference’s inauguration, Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
roundtable and discussed the avenues for growth and existing issues of the medical sector with stakeholders.
ii.He had an in-depth consultation with the stakeholders and urged the participants to brainstorm ideas on
various fronts – policy, economics, research and innovation.
iii.The conference was also attended by N Yuvaraj, Joint Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals,
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Srikar Reddy, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Commerce, Dr. Rajeev
Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India ( DCGI), Kamlesh Pant, Chairman, National Pharmaceutical
Pricing Authority (NPPA), Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI, and various industry stakeholders and
representatives.
Additional info:
• Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India emphasized the fact that
the Medical Device sector is undergoing a metamorphosis phase.

• Mansukh Mandaviya stated the Indian pharmaceutical industry’s robust, resilient and responsive
nature and due to that, India has met its own demand during the pandemic and supplied medicines
to 150 countries.
On September 25-26, 2022, National Health Authority (NHA) organized Arogya Manthan 2022 at The Ashok,
New Delhi (Delhi) to mark the double anniversaries of Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(AB PM-JAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:
Union Minister – Mansukh Mandaviya (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar
PM Modi flags off Uttarakhand’s 1st Vande Bharat train: Dehradun-Delhi

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually flagged off Uttarakhand’s 1st semi-high-speed Vande Bharat
Train connecting Dehradun with Delhi.
The inaugural run of the train connects Dehradun to Delhi’s Anand Vihar terminal.
• This will be the 6th Vande Bharat train connecting Delhi from a different state.
• This also marks the 18th Vande Bharat train in India.
Note: At present, Delhi is connected via Vande Bharat train with Ajmer(Rajasthan), Varanasi(Uttar Pradesh),
Katra(Jammu and Kashmir), Bhopal(Madhya Pradesh), and Amb Andaura(Himachal Pradesh).
Key People:
Pushkar Singh Dhami Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand and Ashwini Vaishnaw Union Minister of Railways
were present during the flagging-off ceremony at Dehradun railway station, Uttarakhand.
Key Points:
i.This Vande Bharat Train, equipped with world-class amenities, was indigenously manufactured.
ii.It is also equipped with advanced safety features, including the Kavach technology.
iii.The regular operations for the Delhi-Dehradun Vande Bharat Express will start on 29 May.
iv.The train will operate on all days of the week, except Wednesdays.
v.This will reduce the journey time between Dehradun and Delhi to 4 hours 30 min. At present, the Shatabdi
Express takes 6 hours and 10 minutes to complete the journey.
Other Highlights:
PM Modi also dedicate the newly electrified rail line sections in Uttarakhand. with this Uttarakhand will have its
entire rail route 100% electrified.
• The trains on electrified sections will result in an increase in the speed of trains and enhance
haulage capacity.

According to the “Landslide Atlas of India” report prepared by the Hyderabad (Telangana)-based National
Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag
(1st) and Tehri Garhwal (2nd) are the most landslide-prone districts in India.
About Uttarakhand:
Chief Minister– Pushkar Singh Dhami
Governor– Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh
UNESCO Heritage Site– Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Festival– Kanwar Yatra; Bissu Mela
MoRD Minister Giriraj Singh launches SAMARTH campaign to Promote Digital Transactions at
Gram Panchayat Level
On May 25, 2023, a Campaign on Promoting Digital Transactions in 50000 Gram Panchayats
namely ‘SAMARTH’ under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was launched in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) by the
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) & Panchayati Raj.
• This campaign was already initiated on February 1, 2023, by the MoRD to promote digital
transactions at the Gram Panchayat level in rural areas, and will continue till 15 August 2023.
• The event was addressed by the UP Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath.
The key thrust of the campaign is to promote Digital Transactions in rural areas, particularly among women.
Key Points:
i.The Non-Performing Assets (NPA) of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) has decreased from 9.58% in 2013 to below 2%
presently.
ii.The BC (Banking Correspondent) Sakhis in UP brought digital transformation to the tune of 5 Crore 57 lakh
transactions.
• They helped rural masses encash over Rs 75,000 Crore of Government DBT (Direct Benefit
Transfer).
iii.During the event, Biometric PoS (Point of Sale) machines and Certificate of On-boarding were distributed to
newly selected BC Sakhis.
What is BC Sakhi?
In May 2020, the BC Sakhi Yojana was launched by the CM of UP to benefit the women residents of the state by
providing employment possibilities through this scheme.
• Under the scheme, the state govt deploys BC Sakhi in rural regions to eliminate the need for rural
residents to travel to the bank as Sakhi delivers the money to their doorstep.
Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, has briefed about the milestones which are
set as well as being achieved under the campaign SAMARTH by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna- National Rural
Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
A compendium of 75 Inspirational Tales of BC Sakhis along with live testimonies of transformations in the lives
of BC Sakhis was released during the event.

About Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD):
Union Minister– Giriraj Singh (Constituency- Begusarai, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS)– Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Faggan Singh Kulaste
UNICEF/WHO/The World Bank Group’s JME 2023 Report: 18.7% Indian Children were Affected
by Wasting
According to report ‘ Levels and trends in child malnutrition: United Nations Children’s Fund/World Health
Organization/International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, The World Bank Group: the Joint Child
Malnutrition Estimates’s (UNICEF/WHO/The World Bank Group: JME) key findings of the 2023 edition’
released on May 23, 2023, 18.7% of Indian children were affected by wasting in 2020 due to poor nutrient
intake and/or recurrent illnesses.
• In 2022, globally, 148.1 million children under the age of 5 years were stunted, 45 million wasted,
and 37 million overweight.

Backdrop: The UNICEF/WHO/The World Bank: JME , the United Nation’s inter-agency team, was created in
2011 to address the call for harmonized child malnutrition estimates and the team releases annually estimates
for child stunting, overweight, underweight, wasting and severe wasting.
Key Findings of the report 2023:
a.Wasting and Severe wasting:
Southern Asia has the highest wasting prevalence of any sub-region in the world.Southern Asia refers to a
specific geographic sub-region encompassing countries located in the southern part of the Asian continent. It
includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others.
i.India is the largest country in southern Asia, which has half of all children with wasting in the world live.
ii.In 2022, an estimated 45 million children under five (6.8%) were affected by wasting globally, of which 13.6
million (2.1%) were suffering from severe wasting.
iii.More than three quarters of all children with severe wasting live in Asia and another 22% live in Africa.
b.Stunting:
i.India had a stunting rate of 31.7% in 2022, compared to 41.6 % in 2012, a decade ago.
ii.Global:
• 148.1 million, or 22.3% of children under age 5 worldwide, were affected by stunting in 2022.
• Nearly all children affected lived in Asia (52% of the global share) and Africa (43% of the global
share).
c.Overweight:
i.India had an overweight percentage of 2.8% in 2022, compared to 2.2% in 2012.
ii.Global:There are around 37 million children under 5 who are overweight globally, an increase of nearly four
million since 2000.
• One out of every five children are affected by overweight in Australia and New Zealand.
Other Findings of the report:
i.The key findings in the 2023 Edition include global and regional trends for all for the child malnutrition
indicators of stunting, wasting, overweight and underweight
ii.Insufficient Progress: The JME 2023 reveals insufficient progress to reach the 2025 World Health Assembly
(WHA) global nutrition targets and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 2.2.
• Only about one third of all countries are ‘on track’ to halve the number of children affected by
stunting by 2030.
• Only fewer countries are expected to achieve the 2030 target of 3% prevalence for overweight, with
just one in six countries currently ‘on track’.
• An assessment of progress towards the wasting target is not possible for nearly half of countries.
iii.As per the report, more intensive efforts are required if the world is to achieve the global target of reducing
the number of children with stunting to 89 million by 2030.
• With current progress, the 2030 target will be missed by 39.5 million children, with more than 80%
of these ‘missed’ children living in Africa.
About Wasting, Stunting and Overweight:
Wasting:
• It is defined as low weight-for-height. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss and it usually
occurs when a person has not had food of adequate quality and quantity and/or they have had
frequent or prolonged illnesses.
• Children suffering from wasting have weakened immunity, and are associated with a higher risk of
death if not treated properly.
Stunting:
• It is defined as low height-for-age. It is the result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually
associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate
feeding and care in early life.
• Stunting prevents children from reaching their physical and cognitive potential.

Overweight:
• Childhood overweight occurs when children’s calorie intake from food and beverages exceeds their
energy requirements.
• This form of malnutrition is driven by failing food systems characterised by poor affordability as
well as access to nutritious foods.
• BMI: The most commonly used measure for overweight and obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI) –
a simple index to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as the weight in kilograms
divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2).
According to the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) report ‘Bridging The Gender Digital Divide:
Challenges and an Urgent Call for Action for Equitable Digital Skills Development’ , 90% (9 out of 10) of
adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in low-income countries are offline (no access to the
internet) compared to 78% of adolescent boys and young men of the same age who do not use the internet.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director – Catherine M. Russell
BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI sets up Intermediary Advisory Committee Chaired by former SEBI ED S Ravindran
On May 25, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constituted a 21-member Intermediary
Advisory Committee chaired by the former SEBI executive director(ED) S Ravindran.
• The committee will advise SEBI on changes in legal framework and increasing transparency in the
functioning of market intermediaries like stock exchanges, depository participants, clearing
corporations, among others.
Note: S Ravindran handled the charge of SEBI’s Corporation Finance Department. He had also headed
departments related to investment management, and foreign institutional investors and custodians.
Members:
i.The committee has representation from the broking community, legal, and financial institutions which
include Ashish Chauhan, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Stock
Exchange (NSE); Sundararaman Ramamurthy, MD & CEO of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE); Vijay Mehta,
President of brokers’ body Association Of National Exchanges Members Of India (ANMI).
ii.Member-Secretary – Jeevan Sonparote, Chief General Manager, SEBI.
Click here for the full list of 21 Members
Responsibilities of Committee:
i.To provide guidance to SEBI on matters relating to regulation of stock brokers, depository participants,
clearing members, non-mutual fund Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs), Investments Advisors (IAs),
Research Analysts (RAs), and KYC Registration Agency (KRAs)
ii.To suggest measures for improving market safety, efficiency, transparency and integrity
iii.To observe new market development and suggest measures
iv.To advise on greater adoption of technology and cyber security by intermediaries, including in respect of
compliances
v.Any other matter that the Committee considers relevant
SEBI follows a recommendation process of the committee before introducing the proposals for stakeholder
comments through a consultation process.

About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
SEBI was constituted as a non-statutory body in 1988 and later it was established as a statutory body in the
1992.
Chairperson– Madhabi Puri Buch
RBI approves the voluntary amalgamation of Maratha Co-op Bank with Cosmos Co-operative
Bank
On May 26, 2023, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sanctioned the merging of the voluntary Scheme of
Amalgamation of Maratha Sahakari Bank Ltd., Mumbai (Maharashtra) with the Cosmos Co-operative
Bank Ltd, Pune (Maharashtra), the second largest urban cooperative bank of India through Voluntary scheme
of amalgamation from May 29, 2023, in exercise of its powers conferred under Sub-Section (4) of Section 44A
read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949.
• In accordance with the scheme, all the 7 branches of Maratha Sahakari Bank Ltd., will function as
branches of The Cosmos Co-operative Bank Limited.
• Voluntary scheme of amalgamation: A voluntary scheme of amalgamation refers to a merger or
consolidation of two or more companies based on their mutual agreement and voluntary decision.
The Companies Act, 2013, governs the process and regulations related to amalgamations and
mergers in India.
Key Points:
i.Maratha Sahakari Bank was founded in 1946 and has seven branches in Mumbai. RBI had placed Maratha
Sahakari Bank under Directions under Section 35 of the BR Act, 1949, on August 31, 2016. The Directions were
extended from time to time and the final extension was made on February 28, 2023, till March 31, 2023.
• The bank earned a net profit of Rs 3.81 crore in FY22 and had accumulated losses of Rs 52.43 crore
as on 31st March 2022.
ii. By the end of March 2022, the Cosmos Co-operative Bank, operating as a multi-state urban co-operative bank
with a network of 140 branches across seven states, recorded deposits totalling Rs 16,522 crore and advances
amounting to Rs 12,293 crore.
Establishment– 1st April 1935
Indian Bank Empanelled as Clearing & Settlement Bank with ICCL

On May 27, 2023, Indian Bank signed an agreement with Indian Clearing Corporation Limited (ICCL) as its
clearing and settlement bank. Indian Bank will now facilitate banking services to members of BSE (formerly
Bombay Stock Exchange) for clearing and settlement operations.

• Mahesh Kumar Bajaj, executive director of Indian Bank, exchanged the agreement with Devika
Shah, MD and CEO of ICCL.
• Clearing members can open settlement accounts with the Indian Bank for fund settlement under the
equity derivatives segment.
• The Indian Bank also launched the electronic term deposit receipt (e-TDR) product for online
transmission of fixed term receipts (FDR) and margin with ICCL on behalf of the clearing members
with its dedicated Fort Mumbai branch.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

TCS-led Consortium Bags Rs 15,000 crore BSNL Contract for 4G Deployment
The Tata Consultancy Service Limited (TCS)-led consortium has received an advance purchase order worth Rs
15,000 crore from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), a central public sector undertaking (PSU) under the
Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, for the deployment of a 4G network across
India.
• The consortium, consisting of Tejas Network Ltd., the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-
DOT), and the central PSU, ITI Ltd. (formerly known as Indian Telephone Industries Limited), has
won the bid for BSNL’s pan-India 4G project. Around 75% of the deal value will go to TCS.
• Tejas Networks, Tata Group’s domestic gear company, will supply and service RAN equipment.
Note: The deadline fixed by the union government to BSNL for rolling out 4G services is August 2023, and the
deadline for 5G services is the end of 2023.

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh London home honoured with Commemorative Blue Plaque
On May 26 2023, the London home of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, a suffragette Indian princess, Red Cross
nurse, and critic of British rule in India, was honoured with the English Heritage’s commemorative Blue
Plaque in London, the United Kingdom (UK).
• The blue plaque is erected at Faraday House, 37 Hampton Court Road, Richmond, London, where
Princess Sophia Duleep Singh lived for over five decades.
• Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was a member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the
militant group led by Emmeline Pankhurst, a British political activist who organised the UK
suffragette movement.
• Faraday House, was granted to Princess Sophia and her sisters as a grace and favour apartment in
Hampton Court Palace southwest of London by Queen Victoria.
Note: Faraday House is named after another former resident, the eminent English physicist Michael
Faraday (1791–1867).

About London’s Blue Plaque:
i.London’s Blue Plaque scheme, run by the English Heritage charity, celebrates the links between the historical
figures of the past with the buildings of the present. It was started in 1866 it has inspired many similar schemes
in the UK and around the world.
ii.The blue plaque recipients are recognised across several fields, including the arts, music, social reform and
activism.
Note: In 2022, the London home of Dadabhai Naoroji got a Blue Plaque.
About Sophia Duleep Singh:
i.Sophia Duleep Singh was Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s granddaughter and the daughter of Maharaja
Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh empire and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria.
ii. From 1909 she was active in the WSPU Richmond and Kingston district branches in the UK.
iii. In 1910, she was also a part of the action on “Black Friday”, where more than 300 Suffragettes marched on
Parliament.
• Suffragette is a woman seeking the right to vote through organized protest.
iv. She supported the Indian Women’s Education Association in London (UK) and nursed Indian soldiers during
World War I and housed refugees during World War II.
v.Sophia Duleep Singh, the last princess of the Sikh Empire died in August 1948.

Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma appointed as MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank
On May 26 2023, Karnataka Bank, one of the leading South Indian Private sector banks,
appointed Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
for a period of 3 years with effect from the date of his assuming charge.
He succeeds Sekhar Rao, who has been serving as the Interim MD and CEO of Karnataka Bank since April
2023.
• Following the approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the board of directors has appointed
Sarma as an additional director to take up the role as MD & CEO.
• As per SEBI (LODR) (Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements)) Regulations, 2015, appointment is subject to approval of shareholders at the Annual
General Meeting or within three months from the date of assuming charge.
About Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma:
i.Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma has nearly four decades of experience spread across Commercial, Retail, and
Transactional Banking, Technology and Payments.
ii.Prior to joining Karnataka Bank, he has served at various key positions at HDFC Bank Limited, Yes Bank
Limited and Jio Payments Bank Limited.
• At HDFC bank, he was part of the founding management team for over nine years and as the country
head.

• He served as the Executive Director and a member of the Board at Yes Bank Limited.
• He served as the MD & CEO of Jio Payments Bank Limited and was responsible for the application
and coordination for approval of licence with the RBI, Incorporation of the company, formation of
the board, strategic direction, and commencement of operations in 2018.
About Karnataka Bank:
Incorporated in– 18 February 1924 (Commenced Business on 23-05-1924)
Chairman– P Pradeep Kumar (Part time)
Headquarters– Mangaluru, Karnataka
Mukesh Ambani, CMD of Reliance Industries appointed as member of Advisory Committee of

COP28
On May 26 2023, Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Reliance Industries has
been appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee to the President of the 28th Session of the
Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Mukesh Ambani is the only Indian, other than Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science
and Environment, on the Advisory Committee to the President of COP28.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the COP28 Advisory Committee from November 30 to
December 12, 2023 in Dubai, UAE that brings together the climate expertise of thought leaders from
countries across 6 continents.
Committee board:
i.Mukesh Ambani joined other significant global leaders on the COP28 Advisory Council such as: Larry Fink,
Chairman and CEO of BlackRock; Olafur Grimsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle (Former President of Iceland);
Laurent Fabius, President of COP21 / Paris Agreement, Former Prime Minister of France; Francesco La Camera,
Director General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Bob Dudley, Chair of the Oil and Gas
Climate Initiative (OGCI), former CEO of BP (The British Petroleum Company Public Limited).
• In January 2023, the UNFCCC Secretariat announced the appointment of Sultan Ahmed Al
Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change,
as President-Designate of COP 28.
ii.The 31 members of the Committee representing: Policy, Industry, Energy, Finance, Civil Society, Youth, and
Humanitarian action, of which 65% are from the Global South, and they will provide guidance and counsel to
the COP Presidency in the run-up to COP28 and beyond.
iii.The panel will inspire collaborative and transformative action across adaptation, mitigation, finance, loss
and damage, food and agriculture, and nature-based solutions.
The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference:
The United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conferences are yearly conferences held in the framework of the
UNFCCC. They serve as the formal meeting of the UNFCCC parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with
climate change.
• The COP Presidency rotates among the five recognized UN regions – that is, Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe

The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference which will convene from November 30 to December 12, 2023 will
comprise the following events.
• The 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28);
• The 5th meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 5);
• The 18th meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18);
• The 59th meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 59); and
• The 59th meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 59).
Note – COP28 drives global transformation towards a low-emission and climate-resilient world, promotes
ambitious climate action and facilitates implementation, including the related support.
Parminder Chopra to Become 1st Woman CMD of Power Finance Corporation

Parminder Chopra is set to become the first woman Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Power
Finance Corporation (PFC), India’s largest non-banking financial company (NBFC) and a Central Public Sector
Undertaking(PSU) under the Ministry of Power.
• The Public Sector Enterprise Board (PESB) has recommended Parminder Chopra for the role of CMD
of PFC.
• She will succeed Ravinder Singh Dhillon, who is set to retire on 31st May 2023.
Chopra has over 35 years of experience in the power sector, including at the National Hydroelectric Power
Corporation of India (NHPC) and the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL).
• She has been serving as a Director (Finance) of PFC since July 2020.

Rocket Lab launches 2nd pair of CubeSats for NASA’s TROPICS mission; NASA Completes 1st
Globetrotting SuperBIT Balloon Flight to SH
On May 25, 2023, the Rocket Lab USA Inc.’s Electron two-stage rocket launched the second and final pair of
shoebox-sized weather-tracking satellites called CubeSats for NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration) TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a
Constellation of Smallsats) mission from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand.
• The CubeSats were launched to low Earth orbit to collect tropical storm data more frequently than
other weather satellites and improve tropical cyclone forecasts.
• The launch was named ‘Coming To A Storm Near You’.
• The current launch was Rocket Lab’s 37th Electron launch overall. It brings the total number of
satellites launched into orbit by Rocket Lab to 163.
Key Points:
i.The current launch marks the second TROPICS launch for NASA, following Rocket Lab’s first pair of CubeSats
namely ‘Rocket Like A Hurricane’ was launched on May 7, 2023, from Mahia by Electron Rocket.

• TROPICS, NASA’s mission will study tropical cyclones and improve forecasting for hurricanes and
typhoons.
ii.The four CubeSats are a part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program which require launch to a
specific orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometres and inclination of about 30 degrees.
What will TROPICS do?
TROPICS will monitor the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, and will provide
near-hourly data updates on storm intensity. It will observe temperature, precipitation, water vapour, and
cloud ice more often. This information will help scientists understand the processes that affect these high-
impact storms which led to improved modeling and prediction.
SuperBIT balloon became 1st science mission of NASA to complete two full revolutions of the Southern
Hemisphere
On May 25, 2023, NASA’s globetrotting SuperBIT balloon carrying the Super Pressure Balloon Imaging
Telescope (SuperBIT) successfully completed a flight test after returning to Earth. With this, it became the first
science mission of NASA to complete two full revolutions of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) floating at mid-
latitudes.
• The mission was completed in 39 days and 14 hours began on April 16 from New Zealand’s Wānaka
Airport and was completed on May 25.
• It was an 18.8-million-cubic-foot (532,000-cubic-meter) balloon.
Objective:
To capture images of galaxies in the visible-to-near ultraviolet light spectrum, with a goal to map dark matter
around galaxy clusters
Key Points:
i.The balloon completed five full circuits about the Southern Hemisphere during its journey while floating at
mid-latitudes.
ii.The next mission for NASA’s balloon program is a science mission launching from it’s Columbia scientific
balloon facility in July 2023.
iii.The scientific balloon flight program is controlled by the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and conducts
around 10 to 15 flights each year from launch sites worldwide.
iv.Peraton, which operates NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) in Texas, provides mission
planning, engineering services, and field operations for NASA’s scientific balloon program.
v.The CSBF team has launched more than 1,700 scientific balloons over some 40 years of operations. NASA’s
balloons are fabricated by Aerostar.
i.On 8th March 2023, NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) (NISAR), an Earth-observation satellite, was
handed over to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) from National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California, United States of America(USA).
ii.On 2nd March 2023, SpaceX launched its Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) with 4
astronauts on board reusable SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from the NASA(National
Aeronautics and Space Administration)’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States of America(USA).
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
NASA is an independent agency of the government of the United States of America(USA) which is responsible
for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
Administrator– Bill Nelson
Headquarters– Washington, D.C., USA
Indian Navy & ISRO Jointly Released ‘Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan’ at WSTF INS Garuda
On May 24, 2023, the Indian Navy along with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released
a ‘Gaganyaan Recovery Training Plan’ at the state-of-the-art Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF)
at INS (Indian Naval Ship) Garuda, Kochi, Kerala.

• The training document was jointly released by Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Director General of Naval
Operations, Indian Navy, Dr Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), and
Dr Umamaheshwaran R, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO.
Key Points:
i. The document provides a Training plan for the recovery of the crew module for the Gaganyan mission.
ii.The document also defines overall requirements with respect to training of various teams participating in
recovery operations such as Marine Commandos(MARCOS), parajumpers, medical specialists, technicians etc.
iii.The Recovery training is planned in incremental phases starting from unmanned recovery to manned
recovery training in harbour and open sea conditions.
iv.The overall recovery operations of the crew module are being led by the Indian Navy in coordination with
other maritime agencies.
v.The Gaganyaan recovery teams are set to be trained and familiarized with the use of mass and shape-
simulated mock-up.
• WSTF is equipped with its state-of-the-art facility in the new avatar with a team of highly qualified
divers all set to assist ISRO by undertaking a series of trials and fine-tuning of Standard Operating
Procedures to train the crew and recovery team of Gaganyaan.
Note – Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to space for the first time to low earth orbit (LEO) for
a week and they will be on board a spacecraft `Gaganyaan’.
About Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO):
Chairman – S. Somanath
OBITUARY
Kannada Writer & Sahitya Akademi Awardee, GH Nayak Passed Away
On May 26 2023, noted Kannada writer, critic and Sahitya Akademi award winner Govindaray H Nayak,
popularly known as GH Nayak passed away at his residence in Mysuru, Karnataka at the age of 88.
• He was born in Surve village near Ankola taluk of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka in 1935.
Career:
i. GH Nayak started his career as a Kannada lecturer at the University of Mysore, Karnataka and retired as a
Professor.
ii. He also served as a Visiting Faculty of Hampi Kannada University and Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies,
Manasagangothri, Karnataka.
Notable works:
Some of his notable works includes Samakaleena, Anivarya, and Uttarardha.

Awards and honours:
i.Department of Kannada and Culture, Karnataka Government, honoured him with the Pampa Prashasti for
literature for 2010. He had also been the recipient of the prestigious Pampa Award.
ii. In 2014, he was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award for the compilation of his essays on literary
criticism titled “Uttaraardha” (Kannada).
iii. He has also won the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, V M Inamdhar Memorial Award, Karnataka State
Award, G.S. Shivarudrappa Award, and Shivaram Karanth Award.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Dr. Vijay Darda’s New Book, ‘RINGSIDE,” to be Released by Shashi Tharoor
“RINGSIDE – Up, Close, and Personal on India and Beyond”, a new book written by former member of
parliament (MP) Dr Vijay Darda, Chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Media Group, is set to be released
by renowned author and Congress MP Dr Shashi Tharoor on 30th May 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The book is a compilation of Darda’s weekly articles, which were published in the Lokmat Media
Group newspapers and other prominent national and regional dailies of the country between 2011
and 2016.
• This book is a reflection of contemporary political, social, cultural, and other significant happenings
and developments.
Darda served as an active member of the Rajya Sabha for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2016.
• “Straight Thoughts,” Dadra’s previous book, is a collection of articles from 2004 to 2011.
STATE NEWS
GoI Appoints Chief Justices of 5 High Courts
On 27th May 2023, the Government of India (GoI) appointed chief justices to five High Courts: Bombay, Madras,
Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Rajasthan. These appointments were recommended by the Supreme Court
Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on 19th April 2023.

Note:
The appointments were made by the President of India, in exercise of the power conferred by clause (1)
of Article 217 of the Constitution of India.
Details of the Appointment:
High Court(HC) New CJ Previous CJ/Acting CJ
Justice Sanjay V Gangapurwala (ACJ of
Bombay HC Justice Ramesh Deokinandan Dhanuka Bombay HC)
Madras HC Justice Sanjay Vijaykumar Gangapurwala Justice S Vaidyanathan (ACJ of Madras HC)
Himachal Pradesh Justice Mamidanna Satya Ratna Sri Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan(ACJ of Himachal
HC Ramachandra Rao Pradesh HC)
Kerala HC Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti Justice S. Manikumar
Manindra Mohan Shrivastava (Acting CJ of
Rajasthan HC Justice Augustine George Masih Rajasthan HC)
Key Points:
Bombay HC:
On 27th May 2023, Justice Ramesh D Dhanuka took oath as the Chief Justice(CJ) of Bombay HC succeeding
Justice Sanjay V Gangapurwala, Acting Chief Justice(ACJ) of Bombay HC.
• Justice Ramesh D Dhanuka, who is set to retire on 30th May 2023, will have the shortest tenure as CJ
of the Bombay HC.
• Justice Dhanuka is the 2nd senior-most judge at the Bombay HC after Justice Gangapurwala.
Madras HC:
Justice Sanjay V Gangapurwala is appointed as the CJ of Madras HC succeeding Justice S Vaidyanathan, who
was appointed as the ACJ of Madras HC on 25th May 2023.
• The position of CJ of Madras HC has been vacant since the superannuation of Justice
Munishwar Nath Bhandari in September 2022.
Himachal Pradesh HC:
Justice M S Ramachandra Rao, a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana HC has been appointed as the CJ of the
Himachal Pradesh HC.
• He succeeds Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan who has been serving as the ACJ of Himachal Pradesh
since April 2023.
Kerala HC:
Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti (SV Bhatti), the senior-most puisne Judge acting CJ of the Kerala HC,
has been appointed as the CJ of Kerala HC.
• Justice SV Bhatti has been serving as the ACJ of Kerala HC following the retirement of CJ S Mani
Kumar.
Rajasthan HC:
Justice Augustine George Masih, senior most puisne judge of Punjab and Haryana HC, has been appointed as
the CJ of the Rajasthan HC.
• The post has been vacant since the elevation of earlier CJ Justice Pankaj Mithal from the Rajasthan
HC to the Supreme Court of India.
Note:
The retirement age of a High Court & Supreme Court Judge is 62 years and 65 years respectively.

AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated New Parliament House; Installed Sengol; Unveiled a

commemorative stamp & Rs 75 Coin
2. Atal Bhujal Yojana Water Scheme extended for another 2 years, beyond 2025
3. Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23
4. Goldman Sachs hikes India’s 2023 GDP forecast to 6.3%
5. Uber partners with GeM portal to offer taxi services to govt offices, agencies, PSUs at fixed price
6. 76th Cannes Film Festival: Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or
7. IIFA 2023: Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt won the Best Actor awards
8. Praveen Kumar Srivastava appointed as Central Vigilance Commissioner
9. Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as the New President of Nigeria; Kashim Shettima as VP
10. ICICI Bank To Raise Stake In ICICI Lombard General Insurance By Up To 4%
11. ISRO’s GSLV-F12 successfully places navigation satellite NVS-01 into Orbit
12. SpaceX launched a telecommunication Satellite named Arabsat BADR-8, into the Orbit
13. Miniopetrus Srinii: New Bat Species discovered in Karnataka
14. Malaysia Masters 2023: HS Prannoy won Men’s Singles title & 1st World Tour Title
15. Formula 1: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins Grand Prix De Monaco 2023
16. Ambati Rayudu announces retirement from IPL
17. World Hunger Day 2023 – May 28
18. World Menstrual Hygiene Day – May 28 2023

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated New Parliament House; Installed Sengol; Unveiled a
commemorative stamp & Rs 75 Coin
On May 28, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the new building of Parliament House and
dedicated it to the nation and installed the Sengol with Nandi at the top facing East-West direction in the new
Parliament House.
• PM stated the Parliament House as a witness to the development of Aatmnirbhar Bharat and the
realization of a Viksit Bharat.
• PM Narendra Modi placed the historic sceptre ‘Sengol’ near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair in the
newly built Parliament building. PM decided to adopt it as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal.
• PM unveiled a commemorative stamp and a special Rs.75 coin during the inauguration of the new
Parliament building.
Features of New Parliament Building:
i.The new parliament building includes the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Central Lounge, Central Hall for joint
session, Constitutional hall, open courtyard and Offices.
• The new building is 4- storey triangular shaped and it is a part of a 20,000-crore central vista project
built by TATA Group.
ii.Seating Capcity:
• The new Lok Sabha has a seating capacity of 888 members, almost thrice the number compared to
the current chamber of 552 seats.
• The new Rajya Sabha complex have a seating capacity of 384 members compared to 245 seats of the
current chamber.
iii.The Parliament premises have the national tree Banyan. The interiors of Lok Sabha are themed on the
national bird peacock and Rajya Sabha on the national flower lotus.
iv.The building features the Ashoka Chakra on the exterior and inside the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha
chambers.
v.The new Parliament Building is a platinum-rated green building which aims to showcase India’s commitment
towards sustainable development.
vi.It is also equipped with the latest technology and the halls are also sunlit. The building is also accessible by
physically challenged people.
Additional info:
i.60,000 shramiks (worker) were given employment during the construction of the Parliament and a new
gallery has been put up in the house highlighting their contributions.
• It is the first time that the contributions of Shramiks have been immortalized in the new Parliament.
ii.PM stated the new Parliament Building as a reflection of the aspirations and dreams of 140 crore Indians. He
also stated the new building as an example of the coexistence of ancient and modern.

Present Parliament House:
India’s present Parliament House is a colonial-era building, Originally called the Council House, was designed
by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, and it took six years to construct (1921-1927).
After the new Parliament House becomes operational the old parliament building will be converted into a
‘Museum of Democracy’.
Key Highlights of Sengol:
i.The name of the historical sceptre, ‘Sengol’ was derived from the Tamil word ‘semmai,’ meaning
‘righteousness/full of wealth’.
• Note – Sceptre is the Symbolic ornamental staff or wand held in the hand by a ruling monarch.
ii.Features:
• The sceptre Sengol,which is Constructed by Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar, is made of
gold and silver and is decorated with many precious stones.
• The sceptre measures 5 feet in length and carries a golden orb at the top. The orb has a carving of
Nandi, the bull (that is precious to Lord Shiva) symbolising justice.
iii.Background:
• In the ancient South Indian kingdom, the great Chola empire, the Sengol holds great significance and
it was seen as a symbol of power, authority, the path of service duty and nation.
• It was claimed that Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam,a Saivite mutt based in the town of
Thiruvaduthurai in Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu gifted the ‘Sengol’ to Jawaharlal Nehru in
August 14, 1947 during India’s Independence.
iv.Now, the head priest of Madurai Adheenam (mutt) presented the same sceptre ‘Sengol’ to PM Narendra
Modi. PM stated the Sengol as the sacred symbol of the transfer of power.
• Note – In Tamil, Adheenam is the oldest Saivite adheenam (also known as a matha or mutt), a form
of Hindu monastery, in South India.
v.The ‘Sengol’, which was Previously housed in the Nehru Gallery of the Allahabad Museum ( Prayagraj, Uttar
Pradesh), has now been transported to Delhi and installed in the newly constructed Parliament building.
vi.Significant Reference:
• The Tamil literary work ‘Thirukkural’ devotes an entire chapter to the importance of the ‘Sengol’,
referred to as “sengonmai”, which highlights the significance accorded to the sceptre in Tamil
culture.
• The Tamil epic ‘Silapathikaram’ also mentions the symbolic value of the ‘Sengol’.
Features of the Rs 75 Coin:

i.The weight of the coin would be around 34.65-35.35 grams. and it will bear the inscription of the Parliament
complex and have the image of the new Parliament building.
• The year ‘2023’ will be engraved beneath the picture of the Parliament building.
• The parliament complex will be depicted on the coin’s reverse. The words ‘Sansad Sankul’ will be
written in the Devanagari script on the upper peripheral, and on the lower periphery, “Parliament
Complex” will be written in English.
ii.The coin is made from a four-part alloy, comprising 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel and 5% zinc.
iii.The coin will be Circular in shape with a diameter of 44 mm and have 200 serrations along its edges.
iv.The Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar and the phrase ‘Satyamev Jayate’ will appear on one side of the coin.
v.‘Bharat’ and ‘India’ will be written in English (left) and Devanagari script (Right), respectively.
vi.The rupee symbol and the denomination value of 75 will be written on the coin beneath the Lion Capital. The
value of 75 in international numerals will also be written below.
Atal Bhujal Yojana Water Scheme extended for another 2 years, beyond 2025
On May 26 2023, the National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) at its fourth meeting held in New Delhi, Delhi
has made a decision for the continuation of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), India’s Central Sector water
conservation Scheme for an additional two years beyond its original 2025 end date.
• The 2 year extension aims to compensate for implementation delays due to covid-19 and to further
community behaviour change towards conservation and smart water management.
• The Atal Bhujal Yojana Scheme is facilitating sustainable ground water management since April
2020, as a Central Sector Scheme under the Department of Water Resources (DoWR), River
Development (RD) and Ganga Rejuvenation (GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Note: Atal Jal is active across 8,220 water-stressed Gram Panchayats within 80 districts of seven Indian
states Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Atal Bhujal Yojana scheme:
i. The goal of Atal BhujalYojana is to demonstrate community-led sustainable groundwater management by
implementing appropriate investments/management actions led by the community through convergence of
various ongoing /new central and state schemes.
Note: The scheme has already seen the adoption of various successful practices across the participating states,
focusing on groundwater recharge and demand-side interventions.
Scheme Outlay:
The scheme facilitating sustainable ground water management with an outlay of Rs.6000 crores. Out of this,
Rs.3000 crores will be as loan from the World Bank (financing will be done under a new lending instrument,
that is, Program for Results (PforR)) and Rs.3000 crores as matching contribution from the Government of
India (GoI).

Implementation:
At the central level, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the MoWR, RD&GR will steer ‘Atal Bhujal
Yojana’ project both at the National and State / District levels in respect of both Institutional Strengthening &
Capacity Building as well as Incentive Component.
Two components of Atal Bhujal Yojana scheme:
i. Incentive Component for incentivising the States for various measures in improved groundwater
management practices.
ii. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component.
Benefits:
i. The scheme encourages innovative irrigation techniques to enhance water efficiency.
ii. It seeks to unite various line departments working on water issues to maximise resource utilisation in
implementing the Water Security Plans (WSPs).
iii. The scheme plans to bring 4.5 lakh hectares of irrigated area under efficient water techniques like drip
irrigation and crop diversification etc.
The project’s performances will be measured through pre-set targets called Disbursement Linked Indicators
(DILs) and forms the basis of incentive disbursement to States, wherein states performing well can be eligible
for additional funding incentives.
The NLSC Meeting was followed by Workshop on Best Practices on Sustainable Ground Water Management
wherein all 7 States presented the best practices on ground water recharge, efficient water use, innovative
technologies under irrigation, public disclosure of data etc. followed under Atal Bhujal Yojana in their
respective State.

BANKING & FINANCE
Bank of Maharashtra top performer in NPA management during FY23
As per the data of banks, Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has emerged as the best bank as far as management of
bad loans is concerned with its net Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) decreased to 0.25% during FY23.
• This is the lowest ratio among all banks having total business above Rs 3 lakh crore including both
Private Sectors Banks and Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
• With respect to NPAs, BoM is followed by the HDFC Bank with net NPA falling to 0.27% at 2nd spot
and Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) at 3rd spot with 0.37% of net advances.
• On the PSB side, BoM was followed by the State Bank of India (SBI) with net NPAs falling to 0.67%
and Bank of Baroda (BoB) at 0.89% at the end of March 2023.
Note: All the 12 PSBs together recorded 57% jump in net profit at Rs 1,04,649 crore in FY23, according to
published yearly numbers of PSBs.
Highlights:
i.BoM recorded highest growth in profitability with bottom-line growing almost 126% to Rs 2,602 crore
during FY23.
ii.BoM also retained the top position in terms of garnering low-cost Current Account and Savings Account
(CASA) deposits with 53.38%.
• It is followed by IDBI Bank with 53.02% and KMB at 52.83%.
iii.Total business growth of BoM was also the highest at 21.2% at Rs 4,09,202 crore.
• It is followed by BoB at 14.3% (Rs 18,42,935 crore) at the end of FY23.
iv.In terms of Retail-Agriculture-MSME (RAM) loans, BoM again registered the highest growth of 24.06%.
• It is followed by Punjab National Bank (PNB) at 20.85% and Punjab & Sind Bank at 20.70% on an
annual basis.
v.BoM has the highest Provision Coverage Ratio at 98.28% followed by UCO Bank at 94.50% and Indian Bank
at 93.82%.
vi.With regard to Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), BoM has the highest CAR of 18.14% among PSBs followed by
Punjab & Sind Bank at 17.10% and Canara Bank at 16.68% as on March 31, 2023.
vii.In terms of percentage increase in gross advances or loan growth, BoM recorded 29.4% increase on an
annual basis in loans at Rs 1,75,120 crore as of March 2023.
• It was followed by Indian Overseas Bank and UCO Bank with 21.2% and 20.6% growth, respectively.
• In absolute terms, SBI was 15.38% higher at Rs 27,76,802 crore.
viii.With regard to deposit growth, BoM witnessed 15.7% rise and mobilized Rs 2,34,083 crore at the end of
March 2023.
• It is followed by Bank of Baroda at 2nd position with 13% growth in deposits (Rs 10,47,375 crore)
while Punjab National Bank (PNB) recorded 11.26% increase at Rs 12,51,708 crore.
ix.With regards to deposits growth rate, HDFC Bank was at 1st spot with 20.80%, followed by Federal Bank
with 17% rise and KMB with 16.49% rise.

i.BoM has formed a strategic partnership with Experian India to improve digital security and provide an
extensive portfolio of services such as credit risk, advanced analytics, and fraud prevention.
ii.As per the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended March 2021 – Union
government (Economic & Service Ministries – Civil) No. 1 of 2023 (Compliance Audit Observations), the
Department of Financial Services (DFS) infused Rs 831 crore into the BoM in FY20 against the bank’s demand
of Rs 798 crore to avoid the surrender of funds amounting to Rs 33 crore.
About Bank of Maharashtra (BoM):
MD & CEO– A S Rajeev
Headquarters– Pune, Maharashtra
Tagline– Ek Parivaar, Ek Bank (One Family One Bank)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Goldman Sachs hikes India’s 2023 GDP forecast to 6.3%
Goldman Sachs increased the Indian economic growth forecast by 30 basis points to 6.3% year-on-year (y-o-
y) for calendar year 2023 from its earlier forecast of 6%, citing a boost in net exports.
• It has pegged GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth for the Jan-March 2023 quarter at 4.9%, 6.5%
for April-June 2023, 5.9% for July-September 2023 and 8.1% for October-December 2023.
Key Points:
i.There will be pick-up in government expenditure in the second half of FY24 before the general elections in
2024.
ii.Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) clocked a 13-year high of 62, domestic air passenger traffic
exceeded pre-pandemic levels and services exports have increased despite a slowdown in global growth.
iii.There will be a strong trend in services exports, while the trend of lower merchandise imports is likely to
continue.
iv.Real exports may grow above 4% y-o-y, while flat real import growth may be seen in 2023.
v.India’s investment growth forecast lowered to 7.9% y-o-y in the calendar year 2023, compared to 9% year-
on-year earlier.
Uber partners with GeM portal to offer taxi services to govt offices, agencies, PSUs at fixed price
Uber has joined hands with public procurement portal Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to provide taxi
services to Govt offices, Govt agencies, and Public Sector Units (PSUs) on a pilot basis.
• Under this, Uber will provide thecab service at a fixed price with zero cancellation charges and no
surge pricing.

Reason behind this Collaboration:
The demand for taxi services is on the rise within the government, leading to substantial expenditures.
However, utilizing this service can result in significant savings for government departments.
• Cab and taxi services is the second highest category of services at the GeM portal, which are in
demand by the government department and ministries.
Key Points:
i.An authorised person in each ministry or department can add riders/officials, who will be allowed to book the
service through the Uber app from their mobiles. After availing the service, the bill will directly go to the
department
• Authorised official can add or delete the name of riders as per the requirements.
ii.It will be a cashless/cardless ride of the officials; additional vehicle categories for government riders have
been added — GeM Yatraa Hatch, GeM Yatraa Sedan; and there will be hourly rental for multiple-stops.
About GeM:
i.GeM was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce for buying goods and services by central ministries
and departments with a view to bringing transparency in government procurement.
• GeM has over 63,000 government buyer organisations, over 62 lakh sellers and service providers
offering a wide range of products and services.
ii.Currently, government departments, ministries, PSUs, state governments, and Central Armed Police Forces
(CAPF) are allowed to carry out transactions through this portal.
• The portal provides a wide range of products from office stationery to vehicles.
iii.Among central government ministries, the power ministry was the top buyer in 2022-23 from the platform
as it procured goods and services worth Rs 30,572.9 crore.
• It was followed by the Ministry of Defence (Rs 28,741.2 crore), and Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas (Rs 28,157.2 crore).

76th Cannes Film Festival: Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or
The 76th annual Cannes International Film Festival was held from May 16 to 27 2023 in Cannes, France.
French film director Justine Triet’s French courtroom thriller ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ has won the top award of
the 2023 – ‘Palme d’Or’ for best feature film.
• Justine Triet is the third woman director to win Cannes’ top honour (the second in three years),
following Julia Ducournau, who received the Palme d’Or award for Titane in 2021. Jane Campion was
the first-ever female Palme d’Or winner in 1993 for ‘The Piano’.

Other winners:
i.The Grand Prix, the Cannes film festival’s runner-up award, was given to ‘The Zone of Interest’, a German-
language historical drama film, Directed by English film director Jonathan Glazer. The movie was based on the
novel of the same title written by Martin Amis.
ii.Japanese actor, Koji Yakusho won the best actor prize at the 2023 Cannes Festival, for his role in “Perfect
Days” directed by Wim Wenders, a German filmmaker.
iii.Hungarian filmmaker Flóra Anna Buda’s animated short film “27” won the Palme D’Or for Best Short
Film.
About The Cannes Film Festival:
i.Cannes film festival, official name Festival de Cannes, film festival held annually in Cannes, France.
• The 1st annual Cannes Film Festival was held in 1946.
ii.It is now the world’s most prestigious film gathering, as well as its most widely publicised cultural event. It
previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world.
Awards & Categories:
The Cannes Film Festival awards are given under different categories of Feature Films, Short Films, Un Certain
Regard, La Cinef, Caméra D’or, The Higher Technical Commission For Sound And Images, and L’œil D’or – Year
Of The Documentary.
About Palme D’or: The Palme d’Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It was introduced
in 1955 by the festival’s organizing committee. it is awarded to the director of the Best Feature Film of the
Official Competition.
Feature Films 2023 winners’ list:
Award Category Winner
Palme D’or Anatomie D’une Chute (Anatomy Of A Fall) Directed By Justine Triet
Grand Prix The Zone Of Interest Directed By Jonathan Glazer
Best Director Tran Anh Hùng For La Passion De Dodin Bouffant (The Pot-Au-Feu)
Best Performance By An Merve Dizdar For Kuru Otlar Ustune (About Dry Grasses) Directed By Nuri
Actress Bilge Ceylan
Best Performance By An
Actor Koji Yakusho For Perfect Days Directed By Wim Wenders
Best Screenplay Sakamoto Yuji For Kaibutsu (Monster) Directed By Kore-Eda Hirokazu
Jury Prize Kuolleet Lehdet (Fallen Leaves) Directed By Aki Kaurismäki
Click here to know the full list of winners

On 27th April 2023, the 68th edition of the Hyundai Filmfare Awards (Filmfare Awards 2023) took place at the
Jio World Conventional Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Filmfare Awards 2023 were presented in
collaboration with the Maharashtra Tourism, Government of Maharashtra.
IIFA 2023: Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt won the Best Actor awards
The 23rd edition of NEXA International Indian Film Academy (IIFA 2023) Awards was held on 26th & 27th
May 2023 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan won Best Actor in a Leading Role (male) for his performance in
Vikram Vedha and Alia Bhatt won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) for her role in
Gangubai Kathiawadi.
• On behalf of Alia Bhatt, Jayantilal Gada, producer of Gangubai Kathiawadi, received the award.
• The hosts of Nexa IIFA Awards 2023 are the Bollywood actors Abishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal.
Highlights of IIFA 2023:
i. Veteran actor and Padma Shri Awardee Kamal Haasan was conferred the Outstanding Achievement in Indian
Cinema award.
ii. Riteish Deshmuk and Genelia D’Souza, Ved were honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Regional
Cinema.
iii. Manish Malhotra was honoured with Outstanding Achievement for Fashion in Cinema.
iv. The movie Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva won many awards including:
• Best Playback Singer (Female) – Shreya Ghoshal for “Rasiya”; Best Playback Singer (Male) – Arijit
Singh for “Kesariya”; Best Supporting Actor (Female) – Mouni Roy; Best Music – Pritam
Chakraborty; and Best Lyrics – Amitabh Bhattacharya for “Kesariya” and Best Special Effects
(Visual).
v. Actor and producer R. Madhavan won the Best Director award for his directorial debut film “Rocketry: The
Nambi Effect.”
vi. Drishyam 2 starring Ajay Devgan and Tabu won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing and
Best Film.
About International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA):
i. The International Indian Film Academy Awards, popularly known as IIFA, is an annual awards ceremony for
Bollywood. Produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd, a Mumbai (Maharashtra) headquartered
global experiential marketing company.
ii. The winners of the awards are decided by fans, who vote online for their favourite actors from the Hindi film
industry and the ceremony is held in different countries around the world every year.
• IIFA awards were first instituted in 2000 at London, the United Kingdom (UK).

Praveen Kumar Srivastava appointed as Central Vigilance Commissioner
Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava (PK Srivastava) was appointed as the Central Vigilance
Commissioner, chief of the anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
• On 29th May,2023, President of India, Droupadi Murmu, administered the oath of office to PK
Srivastava as Central Vigilance Commissioner at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi.
• He has been serving as the Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner after Suresh N. Patel completed
his term as chief of CVC on 24th December 2022.
The tenure of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and the vigilance commissioner is of 4 years or till the
incumbent attains the age of 65 years.
Note:
• CVC consists of a Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson and not more than two Vigilance
Commissioners as Members.
• At present, Former Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), Arvinda Kumar is serving as the Vigilance
Commissioner.
About Praveen Kumar Srivastava:
i.PK Srivastava is a former IAS officer of 1988 batch Assam-Meghalaya Cadre. He retired as the
Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat in the Government of India (GoI) on 21st January 2023.
ii.He assisted the Government of India in key negotiations related to trade in services under the World Trade
Organisation as Director/deputy secretary in the Department of Commerce.
iii. He also served as Chief Vigilance Officer in Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Ltd as joint
secretary and Mission Director in Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
iv.He handled offices related to cadre management of the Indian Police Service, personnel and general
management of Central Armed Police Forces and Union Territories.
About Central Vigilance Commission (CVC):
The Central Vigilance Commission acts on complaints of corruption in Central Government Ministries, Bodies
and Departments.
Central Vigilance Commissioner– Praveen Kumar Srivastava
Established in February 1964.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in as the New President of Nigeria; Kashim Shettima as VP
On May 29 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 71, the former governor of Lagos (Nigeria), was sworn in as the 16th
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
• Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of Nigeria, administered the oath of office to Bola Ahmed Tinubu
at a ceremony held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

• He succeeds Muhammadu Buhari, who was ineligible to run again after 2 four-year terms that began
in 2015.
• He is also the 5th President of Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999.
Other Appointment:
Kashim Shettima, a Nigerian Politician, has been appointed as the Vice-President of Nigeria.
Elections:
In February 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the Presidential election as a candidate of All Progressives Congress
and was declared the president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
About Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
i. In 1991, Bola Ahmed Tinubu began his political career by joining the Social Democratic Party and in 1992, he
was elected to the Senate, representing the Lagos West constituency in the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic.
ii. He served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
iii. In 2013, he played a significant role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress.
Books:
He has authored 2 books: “Financialism: Water from an Empty Well”, which was co-written with Briane Brown;
and “Common Sense Revolution”,
About Nigeria:
Capital– Abuja
President– Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Currency– Nigerian Naira

ICICI Bank To Raise Stake In ICICI Lombard General Insurance By Up To 4%
The board of directors of the ICICI Bank has decided to raise its stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance
Company (ILGIC) by an additional 4% in the next 16 months and make ILGIC as a subsidiary of ICICI Bank.
• ICICI Bank already holds a 48.02% stake in ICICI Lombard and plans to acquire at least 2.5% before
9th September 2024.
• The board of ICICI Bank approved an increase in shareholding of ILGIC, as permissible under
applicable law, to ensure compliance with Section 19(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 make
the ILGIC, a subsidiary of the ICICI Bank, subject to receipt of necessary regulatory approval.
Note: In March 2023, the Reserve Bank of India directed ICICI Bank to bring down its shareholding to less than
30% in ICICI Lombard by 9th September 2024.

ISRO’s GSLV-F12 successfully places navigation satellite NVS-01 into Orbit
On May 29, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV-F12/NVS-01
mission and placed a second-generation Navigation Satellite, NVS-01, into geosynchronous transfer orbit
(GTO).
• The satellite was carried through a 51.7-metre-tall, 3-stage Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
(GSLV) rocket with a cryogenic upper stage and lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space
Center(SDSC)-Sriharikota Range(SHAR), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh(AP).
• ISRO launched NVS-01 to augment the continuity of Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)
services with the launch of the satellite.
Key Points:
i.GSLV rocket deployed the 2,232 kg satellite into the intended GTO at an altitude of about 251 km. NVS-01
carries navigation payloads L1, L5, and S bands.
ii.The satellite is powered by two solar arrays, capable of generating power up to 2.4kW and a lithium-ion
battery supporting payload and bus load during the eclipse.
iii.For the first time, the second-generation satellite also carried an indigenously developed rubidium atomic
clock, which was developed by the Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre. Earlier scientists at ISRO had
used an imported atomic clock.
iv.The signals from NavIC are designed to provide user position accuracy to better than 20 metres and timing
accuracy better than 50 nanoseconds.
v.NVS-01 is the first in the series of five satellites. The mission life of NVS-01 is expected to be about 12
years. The four more satellite launches are NVS-02 to NVS-05 and the NavIC 2.0 is expected to have around 11
to 12 satellites.
About NavIC System:
i.India has a functional navigational system called the IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System), the
operational name was NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
• It was developed by ISRO to meet the positioning, navigation, and timing requirements of the
country, particularly with regard to civil aviation and military requirements over India and the
region extending approximately 1500km around the Indian mainland.
ii.The fully deployed NavIC will consist of seven satellite-regional navigation constellations in
Geosynchronous/inclined geosynchronous orbits.
iii.Two services such as Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic
users will be offered by it.
iv.NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with the US global navigation satellite system signals, GPS (Global
Positioning System), Glonass from Russia, Galileo (European Union), and BeiDou, China.

Note –
This marks the 15th flight of India’s GSLV and the 9th flight with the indigenous Cryo stage. The current
launch is the sixth operational flight of the GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic stage.
Click here for more details
On 22nd April 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched PSLV-C55 with two Singaporean
satellites – TeLEOS-2 as the primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite, as a part of the PSLV-
C55/TeLEOS-2 mission, from Satish Dhawan Space Center(SDSC)-Sriharikota Range(SHAR), Sriharikota,
Andhra Pradesh.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman– S Somanath
SpaceX launched a telecommunication Satellite Arabsat BADR-8, into Orbit

On May 27 2023, SpaceX (The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation) launched a big
telecommunications satellite named Arabsat BADR-8, Saudi Arabia’s leading satellite service provider from
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the United States of America (USA) into Earth’s orbit.
• SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off with the BADR-8 communications satellite for Arabsat.
• BADR-8 satellite weighs approximately 9,900 pounds (4,500 kilograms), will provide television
broadcast services, video relay, and data services across the Middle East and North Africa, Europe,
and Central Asia.
Note:
• This mission marked the 195th successful landing for overall SpaceX between both Falcon 9 and
Falcon Heavy rockets.
• The mission supported by Falcon 9 first-stage booster was already used in 14 other flights, and the
current SpaceX record is 15.
About BADR-8 of Arabsat:
i. The BADR-8 of the Arabsat satellite is bound for geostationary orbit, about 22,200 miles (35,700 kilometres)
above Earth.
ii. It would nearly take four to five months for the BADR-8 satellite to reach its operational orbit.
iii. Once the satellite is up the BADR-8 will beam TV broadcasting and other telecom services to central Africa,
Europe, and the Middle East
iv. The investment in the BADR-8 program totals about USD 300 million, including the spacecraft
manufacturing contract with Airbus, the launch agreement with SpaceX, insurance, and ground infrastructure.
• France headquartered, Airbus is a global pioneer in the aerospace industry, operating in the
commercial aircraft, helicopters, in defence and space sectors.
ENVIRONMENT
Miniopetrus Srinii: New Bat Species discovered in Karnataka
Dr Bhargavi Srinivasulu, zoologist from Osmania University(OU)(Hyderabad, Telangana), along with her
son, Aditya Srinivasulu, discovered a new species of bat named “Miniopetrus Srinii” or Srini’s Bent-winged
Bat, from a subterranean cave(in Western Ghats) at Makuta in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
• The new species is named in honour of Dr Bhargavi’s husband, Prof C Srinivasulu, a bat biologist at
OU.
• The discovery is published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal “Zootaxa”.
• The new species is identified as the Small Bent-winged Bat, which have long wings, which are two
and half times their body length, these long wings tend to fold over when bats rest.

• With the discovery, the number of bent-winged bats in India has increased from 4 to 5.
• The Small Bent-winged Bat is reported from the Nicobar Islands, peninsular India, Nepal and
Northeast India.
• These small sized bats, found in southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australia, New Caledonia
and Vanuatu, live in large colonies in caves.
SPORTS
Malaysia Masters 2023: HS Prannoy won Men’s Singles title & 1st World Tour Title
Indian Shutler Prannoy Haseena Sunil Kumar (HS Prannoy) (World no 9) won the Men’s Singles Title at
the Perodua Malaysia Masters 2023 by defeating China’s Weng Hong Yang.
• This mark’s his maiden Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Title.
Malaysia Masters 2023, 14th edition of the tournament, was held from 23rd to 28th May 2023 in Axiata Arena
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
About Malaysia Masters 2023:
i.Malaysia Masters 2023, presented by Daihatsu, is a BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament.
ii.The event was organised by the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
iii.The Tournament offered a prize pool of USD 420,000.
iv.The 2023 Malaysia Masters was the 10th tournament in the 2023 BWF World Tour calendar and the second
Super 500 event of the season.
v.Malaysia Masters (formerly Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold) has been held since 2009.
Note:
Malaysia Masters 2023 is the first event for the Road to Paris – the qualifying cycle for Paris 2024 Olympics.
Highlights:
i.Akane Yamaguchi, two-time world champion and current world No.1 defeated Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska
Tungjung to win the Women’s Singles title at Malaysia Masters 2023.
• This marks her second victory of 2022 in Kuala Lumpur. She won the Malaysia Open 2023 held in
January 2023 in Kuala Lumpur.
ii.Baek Ha Na and Lee So He of South Korea defeated Pearly and Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia to win the
women’s doubles title, while Seo Seung Jae and Kang Min Hyuk of South Korea claimed the men’s doubles title
by defeating Malaysia’s Man Wei Chong and Kai Wun Tee
iii.Thailand’s pair Dechapol Puavaranukro and Sapsiree Taerattanachai won their mixed doubles title by
defeating China’s Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping.
Winners of Malaysia Masters 2023:
Championship Winner Runner
Men’s Singles Prannoy HS (India) Weng Hong Yang (China)
Women’s Singles Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (Indonesia)

Man Wei Chong & Kai Wun Tee
Men’s Doubles Seo Seung-jae & Kang Min-hyuk (South Korea) (Malaysia)
Women’s Tan Pearly & Thinaah Muralitharan
Doubles Baek Ha Na & Lee So Hee (South Korea) (Malaysia)
Dechapol Puavaranukroh & Sapsiree Taerattanachai Huang Dong Ping & Feng Yan Zhe
Mixed Doubles (Thailand) (China)
Note:
• This marks Prannoy HS’s 1st singles title after 6 years. His last singles title came in 2017 US Open
Grand Prix Gold held in California, United States of America.
• Arjuna Awardee (2020) HS Pronnoy was also a part of the Indian Team, which won the Thomas Cup
2022 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Formula 1: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins Grand Prix De Monaco 2023
On May 28 2023, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a Dutch-Belgian racer, won the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix (GP) held
at Circuit de Monaco in Monaco. This mark’s his 2nd ever Monaco GP title, he previously won the title in 2021.
• Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso (Spain) finished 2nd and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (France) finished
3rd in Monaco GP 2023.
• 2023 Monaco GP is Max Verstappen’s fourth victory of 2023 season
• Max Verstappen also became the 2nd Red Bull driver to become a multiple Monaco GP winner after
Mark Webber, who won the title twice in 2010 and 2012.
Note:
• 2023 is the 74th season of the F1 world championship.
• Round 8 will be held in Spain on June 4 2023.
Top 3 drivers of Monaco GP 2023:
Position Driver Team Points
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull 25
2 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 18
3 Esteban Ocon Alpine 15
Key Points:
i. After winning the GP Monaco 2023, Max Verstappen led the World Drivers’ Championship 2023 with 144
points, 39 points ahead of his teammate Sergio Pérez, who stood 2nd with 105 points and Fernando Alonso in
3rd with 93 points.
ii. With this win, Max Verstappen has achieved 39 victories and 23 pole positions.
About Monaco Grand Prix:
i. The Monaco GP is a Formula One motor racing event held annually at the Circuit de Monaco in the Principality
of Monaco.
• Circuit de Monaco is a street circuit laid out on the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine,
Monaco.

ii. The Monaco GP is the slowest and the most difficult of all circuits in the formula 1 world championship.
Number of laps: 78
Circuit length: 3.337 kilometres(km)
Race Distance: 260.286 km
Ambati Rayudu announces retirement from IPL

On 28th May 2023, Former Indian Cricketer Ambati Rayudu who plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the
Indian Premier League (IPL), announced his retirement from IPL. The final of the 2023 IPL against Gujarat
Titans will be his last match in IPL.
• Ambati Rayudu, hailing from Andhra Pradesh(AP), has been part of the CSK since 2018. He
represented Mumbai Indians in IPL from 2010 to 2017.
• He was a part of the MI team that won the IPL title in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and was part of the CSK
team that won the title in 2018 and 2021.
• He had played 203 IPL games and has made 4329 runs with 22 half-centuries and one century.
Note: He retired from International cricket in 2019. During his international career, He represented India in 55
One Day Internationals (ODIs), scored 1694 runs at an average of over 47, including 3 centuries and 10 half-
centuries.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Hunger Day 2023 – May 28
World Hunger Day is annually observed across the globe on 28th May to create awareness about the
significance of ending hunger. The day also highlights the significance of the Global Food Crisis, towards finding
a sustainable solution towards a hunger-free planet.
The theme of World Hunger Day 2023 observed on 28th May 2023 is “Celebrating sustainable solutions to
hunger and poverty”.
Significance: The observance is dedicated to focusing special attention on the global food crisis and its impacts
on youth.
Background:
World Hunger Day is an international initiative, established in 2011 by ‘The Hunger Project’, A Global, Non-
Profit, Strategic Organisation which runs programmes across 12 countries in Africa, Latin America and South
Asia.
• The first-ever World Hunger Day was observed on 28th May 2011.
Key Points:
i.According to FAO, around 828 million people across the globe (10% of the world’s population) were affected
by hunger in 2021, 46 million more than the 2020 and 150 million more from 2019.
ii.The United Nations(UN)’s Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 2 aims to achieve “zero hunger” and seeks
sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030.

Global Report on Food Crises 2023:
i.The Global Report on Food Crises 2023 states that the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity
and requiring urgent food and livelihood assistance is on the rise.
ii.In 2022, around 258 million people across 58 countries and territories experienced acute food insecurity at
crisis or worse levels ( Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 3-5), up from 193 million
people in 53 countries and territories in 2021.
• The report aims to inform humanitarian and development activities by providing independent and
consensus-based evidence and analysis.
• The report is published by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) in support of the Global
Network against Food Crises (GNAFC),
Global Hunger Index 2022:
According to the 2022 Global Hunger Index (GHI) rankings, India has slipped 6 places and ranked 107, out of
121 countries. With a score of 29.1, India has a level of hunger that is serious.
• Yemen is the country with the highest GHI score in 2022, ranked at 121. With a score of 45.1, Yemen
has a level of hunger that is alarming.
About The Hunger Project:
Chair- Sheree S. Stomberg
Headquarters-New York, The United States of America
Founded in 1977
World Menstrual Hygiene Day – May 28 2023

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is annually observed across the globe on 28th May to end period poverty (the
inability to afford menstrual products) and highlight the issues faced by menstruating girls and women.
The theme of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023 observed on 28th May 2023 is “Making menstruation a
normal fact of life by 2030”.
Background:
Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) was initiated in 2013 by WASH United, a German non-profit organisation.
• WASH United is the overall global coordinator of MH Day and acts as its international secretariat.
Note: The observance also coincides with the “International Day of Action for Women’s Health” commemorated
by women ‘s health advocates across the globe on 28th May since1987.
Why May 28?
The day is observed on 28th day of the fifth month (May) of the year as menstrual cycles average 28 days in
length and people menstruate an average of five days each month.
Importance of menstrual hygiene:
i.According to UNICEF(United Nations Children’s Fund), around 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate
every month that includes girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons.

ii.It is estimated that around 500 million people lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for
menstrual health.

Daily Current Affairs
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AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY
1. PM Narendra Modi flags off Northeast’s first Vande Bharat Express

2. Unemployment declines further to 6.8% in Q4FY23: 18th Quarterly PLFS by NSO
3. Turbo UPI: Razorpay unveils India’s fastest One-Step Payments Solution
4. SEBI Reconstitutes Intermediary Advisory Committee Chaired by S Ravindran
5. Equitas SFB collaborates with IBM Consulting to Modernize its Banking Platform
6. Yes Bank unveils new logo; launched ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’ campaign tagline
7. India & 13 IPEF Partner Nations Concluded the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement
8. FDI equity inflows dip 22% to $46.03 billion in FY23: DPIIT Data
9. CAG Murmu re-elected as external auditor of WHO for 2024-2027
10. Sandeep Batra reappointed as ED of ICICI Bank for 2 years
11. China launches Shenzhou-16: First civilian astronaut joins space station mission for 5 months
12. Balubhau Dhanorkar, Congress MP from Maharashtra, Passed Away at 47
13. New Book ‘NTR: A Political Biography’ by Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla
14. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2023 – 29th May
15. International Everest Day 2023 – May 29
16. World Digestive Health Day 2023 – May 29
17. International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2023 – May 28
18. World Vape Day 2023- May 30
19. Odisha Cabinet led by Naveen Patnaik approved various Proposals including ‘Mo Ghara’ Scheme
20. Goa Raj Bhavan launches first books under Governor’s scheme to boost local literary talent

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Narendra Modi flags off Assam’s & Northeast’s first Vande Bharat Express
On May 29, 2023, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually flagged off
the Northeast region’s first Vande Bharat Express which will connect Guwahati (Assam) with New
Jalpaiguri (West Bengal).
• This is also the first “Made in India” Vande Bharat Express of Assam and the 3rd Vande Bharat
Express connecting West Bengal.
• Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed train built with indigenously developed technology.
• It would cover Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri a distance of approximately 411 kilometres within a
span of 5 hours and 30 minutes. Earlier, the fastest train on the same route took 6 hours and 30
minutes to cover the distance.
Key People: Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Assam,
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways, and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of
Ports, Shipping and Waterways, also attended the flagging-off ceremony of Vande Bharat Express which held at
Guwahati Railway Station.
Key Features of Vande Bharat Express:
i.The state-of-the-art train is fitted with the modern train collision avoidance system (TCAS), also known as
Kavach, and has numerous facilities such as bio-vacuum toilets and others.
ii.The train is designed to provide an experience similar to that of air-travel to the passengers.
iii.It will provide connectivity to Maa Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga, Manas National Park, and Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary and also will enhance travel and tourism in Shillong, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya and Tawang and
Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
iv.As per the statement of PM, before 2014, the average Railway budget for the northeast was about Rs 2,500
crore, and it has increased four-fold to more than Rs 10,000 crore in FY24.
Dedicated newly electrified sections:
PM dedicated the New Bongaigaon-Dudhnoi-Mendipather and Guwahati-Chaparmukh newly-electrified
sections to the nation. Around 425 kilometres of railway tracks in Assam & Meghalaya have been electrified.
i.In a step towards developing rail infrastructure & enhancing connectivity in North East, PM dedicated to the
nation the newly electrified 199-kilometre stretch of railway tracks connecting the New Bongaigaon-Dudhnoi-
Mendipathar section in Meghalaya at the cost of Rs 212.70 crores.
• It will facilitate the seamless entry of trains on electric traction into Meghalaya.
ii.To make a sustainable and efficient rail travel PM also dedicated a newly electrified 238-kilometre stretch of
railway tracks between Guwahati and Chaparmukh section in Assam at the cost of Rs 310 crore.
Inauguration of DEMU:
PM also inaugurated the newly constructed Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) and Mainline Electric Multiple
Unit (MEMU) shed at Lumding in Hojai (Assam), which will be used in maintaining DEMU rakes, leading to

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better operational feasibility.
Note – The DEMUs and MEMUs are diesel multiple units (DMUs) and electric multiple units (EMUs) that serve
short and medium-distance routes in India, as compared to normal EMU trains that connect urban and
suburban areas.
Unemployment declines further to 6.8% in Q4FY23: 18th Quarterly PLFS by NSO

On May 29, 2023, the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI) released its 18th quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) bulletin for January-March 2023
(Q4FY23).
• As per it, India’s urban unemployment rate (UR) in Current Weekly Status (CWS) terms for
persons aged 15 years and above declined to 6.8% during Q4FY23 from 7.2% in Q3FY23.
• The unemployment rate was 8.2% during January-March 2022.
Assessment:
A total number of 5,726 FSUs- First Stage Unit (UFS- Urban Frame Survey blocks) have been surveyed during
Q4FY23. The number of urban households surveyed was 44,982 and number of persons surveyed was 1,72,089
in urban areas.
Key Figures representing Persons of 15 years and above in Urban Areas in Q4FY23:
i.UR in CWS among the male population in urban areas declined to 6% as compared to 6.5% in Q3FY23.
• UR in CWS among females also saw a decline during Q4FY23 to 9.2% from 9.6% in Q3FY23.
• The rate was 10.1% during January-March 2022.
ii.For all age groups, the highest UR was seen in Himachal Pradesh (HP) which stood at 15.2%.
• It is followed by Chhattisgarh at 12.5% in 2nd place, and Jammu and Kashmir-J&K (12.4%) at 3rd
place.
iii.The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in CWS for males was 73.5% from 73.3% in
Q3FY23.
• LFPR in CWS for females increased to 22.7% from 22.3% in Q3FY23.
• At all India levels, LFPR in CWS is increased to 48.5% from 48.2 in Q3FY23.
iv.The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in % in CWS for males increased to 69.1% as compared to 68.6%
Q3FY23.
• WPR in % in CWS for females also increased slightly to 20.6% from 20.2% in Q3FY23.
• At all India levels, WPR in % in CWS increased to 45.2% from 44.7% in Q3FY23.
Click Here for Official PDF
Static Info:
About Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS):
It was launched in 2017 by NSO to serve the following two purposes:
• To estimate the key employment and unemployment indicators (viz. Worker Population Ratio,
Labour Force Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate) in the short time interval of three months
(quarterly) for the urban areas only in the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).

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• To estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both ‘Usual Status’ (ps+ss) and CWS in
both rural and urban areas annually.
Key Definitions:
UR: It is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labour force.
LFPR: It is defined as the percentage of persons in the labour force (i.e. working or seeking or available for
work) in the population.
WPR: It is defined as the percentage of employed persons in the population.
CWS: The activity status determined on the basis of a reference period of the last 7 days preceding the date of
the survey is known as the current weekly status (CWS) of the person.
BANKING & FINANCE

Turbo UPI: Razorpay unveils India’s fastest One-Step Payments Solution
Razorpay has launched India’s fastest one-step UPI (Unified Payments Interface) payment solution
namely ‘Turbo UPI’ allowing customers of online merchants to make UPI payments directly without getting
redirected to a third-party UPI app during checkout.
• This Solution was developed in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
and Axis Bank.
• Through this app, the payment steps are reduced from 5 to 1.
Aim:
i.To deliver a 5X faster payment experience.
ii.To support the businesses to achieve an increase in the success rate of UPI payments by 10%.
Key Points:
i.It streamlines the payment process and eliminates any redirection to external apps.
ii.It also offers granular insights into the end-users drop-off pattern and enables merchants to control the
entire payment experience of their customers, end-to-end.
iii.UPI has become the common and preferred mode of payment for end users. It is projected to reach 1 billion
transactions per day and capture a 90% share of retail digital payments by 2026-27.
About Razorpay:
Co-Founder and Managing Director– Shashank Kumar
Founded in 2014
SEBI Reconstitutes Intermediary Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of S Ravindran

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reconstituted its intermediary advisory committee, which
would suggest it on matters related to changes in the legal framework and enhancing transparency in systems
and procedures of market intermediaries including stock brokers, depository participants, and clearing
members.

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• The 21-member intermediary advisory committee would continue to be chaired by S Ravindran,

former executive director at SEBI.
Members of the Committee:
i.The new members of the committee include Nithin Kamath, Founder & CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Zerodha
Broking Limited, and Lalit Keshre, Co-Founder & CEO, Nextbillion Technology Pvt. Limited (Groww).
ii.Other members include Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO, National Stock Exchange, Sundararaman Ramamurthy,
MD & CEO, Bombay Stock Exchange, Vijay Mehta, president of brokers’ body Association Of National Exchanges
Members Of India (ANMI), Aditya Bagree, MD & Head of Markets, Citigroup, Narinder Wadhwa, President,
Commodity Participants Association of India (CPAI), Lalit Mundra- chairman of Bombay Brokers Forum, among
others.
Click here to know the 21-member list
Terms of reference of the Committee:
i.The committee will advise SEBI on matters relating to the regulation of stock brokers, depository participants,
clearing members, non-mutual fund Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs), Investments Advisors (IAs),
Research Analysts (RAs), and KYC Registration Agency (KRAs).
ii.It will also suggest measures for improving market safety, efficiency, transparency and integrity.
iii.Would analyse the new market development which may have taken place between two consecutive
meetings of the committee and suggest measures over that.
iv.Would advise SEBI on matters required to be taken up for changes in legal framework to introduce
simplification and transparency in systems and procedures with regard to market intermediaries.
v.They also would advise on greater adoption of technology and cyber security by intermediaries, including in
respect of compliances.
Equitas SFB collaborates with IBM Consulting to Modernize its Banking Platform
On May 26, 2023, Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited (SFB) collaborated with IBM Consulting, the
professional services and consulting arm of IBM (International Business Machines Corporation), to design and
build a digital banking platform that delivers a modern and highly secure experience to the bank’s customers
and partners.

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• Objective: The collaboration was made to boost the digital products offered by Equitas as well as its
service offerings and
• IBM Consulting became the consulting partner and technology collaborator of Equitas SFB to
simplify and transform the banking experience of customers.
Key Points:
i.Equitas is working together with IBM Consulting to adopt a cloud-native platform architecture to run its
digital channels and applications securely across any technology environment.
ii.Equitas SFB intends to boost the operational efficiency of the bank and enhance adherence to industry
regulatory compliance requirements while enforcing higher levels of security.
iii.Under the partnership, IBM Consulting will develop and deploy modern web and admin portals for Retail
Banking and Corporate Banking as well as multi-device banking apps for Retail Banking.
iv.Narayanan Easwaran, Chief Information Officer, Equitas SFB, stated the partnership with IBM as the first
step towards engaging customers.
About Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited (SFB):
MD&CEO – Vasudevan Pathangi Narasimhan
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Commenced business as SFB in 2016
Tagline – Here, Your money works towards better society
Yes Bank unveils new logo; launched ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’ campaign tagline
Yes Bank, headquartered in Mumbai(Maharashtra) has unveiled a new logo and brand identity. The new
identity is designed to resonate with the evolving needs and aspirations of customers and enable people to live
each day to the fullest.
• The tick has been transformed into a soaring bird, representing the Bank’s current position of
‘soaring’.
• the red and blue have been given an electric tone, representing the high energy and innovation of
the bank.
The bank also launched an integrated campaign with the tagline – ‘Life Ko Banao Rich’ which represents its
core focus of being a complete solution provider.
• The campaign will be promoted across social and digital media, OTT(over-the-top) networks and
television.
• The tagline reflects its objective to encourage customers to spend time and make memories with
their loved ones.

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ECONOMY & BUSINESS
India & 13 IPEF Partner Nations Concluded the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement
On May 27, 2023, India and the 13 other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity (IPEF), the Economic initiative led by the United States, announced the substantial conclusion of the
negotiations of a first-of-its-kind international ‘IPEF Supply Chain Agreement’ at the IPEF Ministerial Meeting
which was held in Detroit, Michigan, United States of America(USA).
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the IPEF discussions
virtually.
• Objective: The agreement over Supply Chain (Pillar II) aims to increase the resilience, efficiency,
productivity, sustainability, transparency, diversification, security, fairness, and inclusivity of the 14
partner nations’ supply chains through both collaborative activities and individual actions taken by
each IPEF partner.
• The 14 IPEF partner nations include India, the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji,
Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
and Vietnam.
Key Points:
i.Under the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement, the IPEF partners seek to improve crisis coordination and response
to supply chain disruptions.
ii.The proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement considers the establishment of 3 new IPEF Supply Chain bodies
such as IPEF Supply Chain Council, IPEF Supply Chain Crisis Response Network, and IPEF Labor Rights
Advisory Board, to facilitate cooperation among the IPEF partners on supply chain issues.
iii.IPEF partners also released summaries of the ministerial meeting for Pillars I (Trade), III (Clean Economy),
and IV (Fair Economy).
• The member countries have made an international agreement on a wide variety of issues or ‘pillars’,
which include Trade, Supply Chains, Clean Economy, and Fair Economy. India is the only partner
out of the 14 nations that is not a part of the Trade pillar.
iv.The 14 partner countries of IPEF represent about USD 38 trillion in economic output and the IPEF members
are among the biggest trading partners of US.
About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
i.IPEF is an economic initiative launched by President of the United States Joe Biden on May 23, 2022. The
framework launched with a total of 14 participating founding member nations in the Indo-Pacific region with
an open invitation for other countries to join.
ii.Through this initiative, the IPEF partners aim to contribute to cooperation, stability, prosperity, development,
and peace within the region.
iii.The 14 IPEF partners represent 40% of global GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.

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On November 22, 2022, the Parliament of Australia approved the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and
Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) by passing Ind-Aus ECTA Bill and the DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreement).
About United States (US):
President – Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
Capital – Washington, D.C.
Currency – United States dollar (USD)
FDI Equity Inflows Declined by 22% to USD 46.03 billion in FY23: DPIIT Data
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) data, the Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) into India declined by 22% to USD (United States Dollar) 46.03 billion in FY23 as compared
to USD 58.77 billion during FY22.
Top Investor in FY23:

Singapore emerged as the top investor with USD 17.2 billion in FDI. It was followed by Mauritius (USD 6.13
billion), the US (USD 6 billion), the United Arab Emirates (USD 3.35 billion), the Netherlands (USD 2.5 billion),
Japan (USD 1.8 billion), United Kingdom (USD 1.73 billion), Cyprus (USD 1.27 billion), Cayman island (USD 772
million), and Germany (USD 547 million)
• The FDI inflows have contracted in FY23 from Mauritius, the United States (US), the Netherlands, the
Cayman Islands, and Germany.
Top Investing State:
i.Maharashtra continued to be the most favoured destination for investors.
• It received USD 14.8 billion worth of investments, although inflows declined from USD 15.44 billion
in FY22.
ii.It is followed by Karnataka at 2nd with around USD 10.43 billion in FY23, up from USD 22.01 billion in FY22.
iii.Delhi is at 3rd rank. Its FDI inflows declined to USD 7.53 billion, from USD 8.18 billion in FY22.
iv.FDI in Gujarat has increased to USD 4.71 billion in FY23 as against USD 2.7 billion in FY22.
Key Points:
i.The overseas inflows during the March 2023 quarter (Q4 FY23) increased by 40.55% to USD 9.28 billion.
ii.Total FDI inflows, which include equity inflows, re-invested earnings and other capital, declined by 16% year-
on-year (y-o-y) to USD 70.97 billion in FY23.
iii.The FDI equity inflows declined in January, February, and March in FY23 to USD 4.05 billion, USD 2.85
billion, and USD 2.38 billion, respectively as against USD 6.4 billion in January 2022, USD 4.61 billion in
February 2022, and USD 4.6 billion in March of FY22.
iv.Computer software and hardware sector attracted the highest inflows of USD 9.4 billion during FY23,
however, these inflows are down as compared to USD 14.5 billion in FY22.
v.FDI in the automobile industry dipped 72% to USD 1.9 billion in FY23 as compared to about USD 7 billion in
FY22.

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vi.The services sector including financial, banking, insurance, research and development, and courier services
has seen USD 8.71 billion worth of FDI but contracted 41% y-o-y.

CAG Murmu re-elected as external auditor of WHO for 2024-2027
On May 29, 2023, Comptroller and Auditor General of India Girish Chandra Murmu was re-
elected as the external auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO) for a four-year term from 2024 to
2027.
• He has been serving as the external auditor of WHO since 2020.

• The election was held on May 29, 2023 in the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, He got a
majority (114 out of 156 votes) against Tanzania (42 votes). Seventy-nine votes were required for
the majority.
About WHO’s External Auditor:
The WHO External Auditor is the Auditor-General of a Member State appointed by and reporting to the Health
Assembly.
• Auditor General of India was appointed as the WHO’s External Auditor from 2020 to 2023
succeeding Auditor General of the Republic of the Philippines who served 2 terms from 2012- 2019.
Term: The term of office is 4 years, and it can be extended once, by the World Health Assembly, for an
additional 4 years.
Role: The External Auditor obtains assurance to express an opinion on the annual Audited Financial
Statements and issues an annual report on their review and findings to the Health Assembly.
About Girish Chandra Murmu:
i.Girish Chandra Murmu, a1985 Batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Gujarat Cadre, assumed
office as the 14th Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on 8th August 2020.
ii.He served as the first Lieutenant (Lt) Governor of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from
2019-2020 after the bifurcation of the state into two UTs.
iii.Girish Chandra Murmu is currently the external auditor of the Food and Agriculture Organization (2020-
2025), the International Atomic Energy Agency (2022-2027), the International Labour Organisation (2024-
2027) and the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2021-2023).
iv.GC Murmu is a Member of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors. He is also a member of the
Governing Boards of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI)and The Asian
Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI).
About World Health Organisation (WHO):
Director General – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland

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Sandeep Batra reappointed as ED of ICICI Bank for 2 years
The board of directors of ICICI Bank has approved the re-appointment of Sandeep Batra as Executive
Director(ED) of ICICI Bank for 2 years with effect from 23rd December 2023 to 22nd December 2025.
• The current tenure of Sandeep Batra as ED is set to end on 22nd December 2023.
• In December 2020, Reserve Bank of India approved the appointment of Batra as the ED of ICICI Bank
for a period of 3 years.
The Board noted that this renewed term of two years is within the five years term as previously approved by
the shareholders.
Note: The board of directors has also reappointed Hari Mundra, B. Sriram and S. Madhavan as Independent
Directors for a 2nd term, subject to the approval of the shareholders.

China launches Shenzhou-16: First civilian astronaut joins space station mission for 5 months
On May 30, 2023, China successfully launched the Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship, sending three astronauts,
including the first civilian to its Tiangong space station for 5-month mission. It was launched onboard Long
March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gobi Desert in northwest China.
• For the first time, China has included a civilian in its rotating crew for the space station.
• The launch also marks the 475th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.
• China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) is an agency of the People’s Republic of China responsible for
the administration of China Manned Space Program.
Men Onboard:
i.First Chinese Civilian travel to Space: Gui Haichao, a professor at Beihang University in Beijing.
ii.Mission’s commander: Jing Haipeng, who is also making history by becoming the first Chinese astronaut to
go into space for a record fourth time.
iii.The third is astronaut flight engineer Zhu Yangzhu who is also making his first journey into space.
Key Points:
i.These astronauts will conduct large-scale in-orbit tests and experiments in various fields, and make high-level
scientific achievements in the study of novel quantum phenomena, high-precision space-time-frequency
systems, the verification of general relativity, and the origin of life.
ii.The Shenzhou-16 will be the first crew mission after China’s space station programme entered the stage of
application and development
iii.Once ready, China will be the only country to own a space station as the International Space Station (ISS) of
Russia is a collaborative project of several countries.
• The ISS station is also set to be decommissioned by 2030.
iv.The notable feature of China’s space station is its two robotic arms, especially the long one which has the
ability to grab objects, including satellites from space.

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About China:
President– Xi Jinping
Capital– Beijing
Currency– Chinese Yuan
OBITUARY
Balubhau Dhanorkar, Congress MP from Maharashtra, Passed Away at 47
On 30th May 2023, Balubhau Narayanrao (Alias Suresh) Dhanorkar, a member of the Indian National
Congress(INC) and Member of Parliament(MP – Lok Sabha) from Chandrapur constituency, Maharashtra,
passed away at the age of 47 in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born on 4th May 1975, in Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
• He began his political career with Shiv Sena and served as MLA (Maharashtra) from 2014 to 2019.
• In 2019, he joined INC and was elected to the lok sabha from Chandrapur constituency.
• He was the only candidate for INC to be elected as MP from Maharashtra.
Note: His wife, Pratibha Dhanorkar, is a Member of the Legislative Assembly(MLA) of Maharashtra.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

New Book ‘NTR: A Political Biography’ by Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla
Journalist, editor and writer, Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla, has authored a new book titled “NTR-A
Political Biography” which presents a realistic picture of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), the star figure
in the discourse on cinema and politics in the two Telugu States (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).
• The book, published by HarperCollins India, commemorates the centenary year of NTR.
• The book uncovers many facets of, NTR’s life and his impact on Politics at the state and national
level.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2023 – 29th May
International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers is annually observed across the globe on 29th
May to pay tribute to the UN Peacekeepers, the uniformed and civilian personnel, who protect civilians, actively
prevent conflict, reduce violence, strengthen security and empower national authorities to assume these
responsibilities.
• 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, which began in 1948 when the UN
Security Council (UNSC) authorized the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East.

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The theme of the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping/International Day of UN Peacekeepers is ‘Peace begins
with me’.
Background:
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/57/129 in 2002 and proclaimed
the 29th May of every year as the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers”.
• The first-ever International Day of UN Peacekeepers was observed on 29th May 2003.
Why May 29?
The date marks the start of the first UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision
Organization (UNTSO), in Palestine in 1948.
UN Peacekeeping:
i.UN peacekeepers, including soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel, are often referred to as Blue
Berets or Blue Helmets
ii.Since 1948, more than 2 million peacekeepers have served in 71 missions, helping countries navigate the
difficult path from war to peace.
iii.At present, more than 87,000 peacekeepers from 125 countries serve in 12 operations in Europe, Africa, Asia
and the Middle East.
iv.Since 1948, around 3,900 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace.
Awards:
UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal:
In 1997, the UNSC adopted resolution 1121 and established the UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal as a posthumous
award to members of peacekeeping operations who lost their lives during service with a peacekeeping
operation under the operational control and authority of the United Nations.
Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage:
In 2014, the UNSC adopted resolution 2154 and created “the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional
Courage” to recognise military, police, civilian UN personnel and associated personnel who demonstrate
exceptional courage during extreme danger.
Indian Army celebrates 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping:
On the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023, the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping,
the Indian Army paid homage to the fallen comrades at the National War Memorial, New Delhi
• Chief of the Army Staff, Vice Chief of Army Staff and representatives from the Navy and Air Force,
Ministry of External Affairs and the UN paid homage during the event.
India & UN Peacekeeping:
i.India is one of the largest contributors of troops to UN Peacekeeping. So far, India has contributed more than
2,75,000 troops to peacekeeping missions.
159 Indian Army soldiers have sacrificed their lives to ensure peace across the globe.
ii.To fulfil the need for women peacekeepers in conflict areas under UN mandate, India has deployed Female
Engagement Teams (FETs) in MONUSCO( United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo) and UNISFA (United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei). This is the 2nd largest
women contingent after Liberia.
International Everest Day 2023 – May 29

International Everest Day is annually celebrated on 29th May to commemorate the first-ever summit of Mount
Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal on 29th May 1953.
Background:
On 29th May 1953, New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay
reached the 29,035-foot summit of Mt Everest and became the first people to summit the world’s highest
mountain.
• This marked a significant achievement in the field of mountaineering and opened up new
possibilities for future expeditions.

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Significance:
i.The day also highlights the unique opportunity to promote Nepal’s tourism.
ii.The day also promotes awareness about the need for responsible mountaineering and environmental
conservation in the region.
iii.The day also offers a time to remember the dangers of climbing the mountain and to pay tribute to those
who have lost their lives in the attempt
About Mt Everest:
i.Mount Everest is a peak in the Himalayan mountain range, which signifies that Mt. Everest is a fold mountain.
ii.It is located between Nepal and Tibet, an autonomous region of China.
At 8,848.86 meters (29,031 Feet), it is considered the tallest point on Earth.
Name of Mt Everest:
i.In the 19th century, the mountain was named after George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India.
ii.The Tibetan name of the peak is Chomolungma, which means “Mother Goddess of the World”.
iii.In Nepal, the peak is known as “Sagarmatha” which means “Goddess of the Sky”.
Details of first Mt Everest Summit:
Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary scaled Mt Everest as a part of the 9th British expedition to Everest, led
by John Hunt.
Edmund Hillary and Jonh Hunt were knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and Norgay was honoured with the George
Medal, a civilian medal of bravery.
Tenzing Norgay was also honoured with the Nepal Government’s Order of the Star of Nepal, 1st Class
(Supradipta-Manyabara-Nepal-Tara), one of the most prestigious medals awarded by the government.
Noted Mt Everest Records:
i.First woman to summit – Junko Tabei of Japan 1975
ii.First Indian Woman to Summit – Bachendri Pal – 1984
iii.First Indian Man to Summit Twice- Nawang Gombu (1963 & 1965)
iv.First Indian Woman to Summit Twice – Santosh Yadav (1992 and 1993)
v.Youngest Indian & Youngest female to summit – Malavath Poorna (2014) (13 years & 11 months old)
World Digestive Health Day 2023 – May 29

World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is annually observed on May 29th all over the world to raise awareness
and underline the significance of digestive disorders and emphasise the importance of timely diagnosis,
prevention and treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases or disorders including cancer.
• The day also creates better understanding and support for the patients experiencing digestive
diseases by the general public.
• WDHD on 29th May 2023 marks the 64th anniversary of the World Gastroenterology
Organisation (WGO) foundation.
The theme of World Digestive Health Day 2023 is “Your Digestive Health: A Healthy Gut From the Start“.
• The theme of 2023 focuses mainly about understanding the normal functions of GI tract and the
importance of dietary needs in GI health.
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Background:
i. World Digestive Health Day was officially established in 2004 to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the
World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) foundation, which was established in May 29th 1958.
• The first ever World Digestive Health Day was observed on 29th May 2004.
ii. From 2005, the Member Societies and members of the WGO all over the world were invited to start the
World Digestive Health Day activities.
History of WGO:
The “Organisation Mondiale de Gastro-entérologie” (OMGE) was constituted on 29th May 1958 in Washington,
DC, the United States of Amercia (USA).
• OMGE was officially renamed the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) in May 2007.
Gastroenterology:
i. Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the
gastrointestinal tract and related organs(mouth, pharynx (throat), oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, rectum, and anus).
ii. Some common disorders of the gastrointestinal system include heartburn, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome,
and lactose intolerance
iii. The GI tract serves to provide nutrients to the body and enhance the immune response, house the
Intestinal/Gut Microbiota (consists of a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms
present in the human digestive tract) from birth.
About World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO):
President– Professor Guilherme Macedo (Portugal)
Headquarters– Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the United States of America (USA)
International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2023 – May 28

International Day of Action for Women’s Health also known as International Women’s Health Day is
observed across the globe annually on 28th May to raise awareness about Women’s health and well-being, and
is dedicated by highlighting the demands for the fulfilment of Women’s Right to health.

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The theme of International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2023 is “Our Voices, Our
Actions, Our Demand: Uphold Women’s Health and Rights Now.”
Significance:
i. The day also aims to fight against the social and gender disparities that violate women’s rights.
ii. The observance also provides information about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
iii. May 28 is also a time to celebrate and take encouragement from the hard-fought gains in health and SRHR
won by social movements worldwide.
Background:
i. OnMay 28th 1987, during the International Women’s Health Meeting in Costa Rica, the Latin American and
Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN) proposed to celebrate May 28 annually as the International
Day of Action for Women’s Health.
ii. LACWHN, being the leading regional network, took the responsibility of promoting and coordinating the
regional actions of the day across Latin America.
iii. While Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), the global network has been requested
to front line the May 28 campaign globally.
• Since then, the Women’s health activists, advocates and their communities all over the world have
commemorated May 28th as International Day of Action for Women’s Health.
What is SRHR?
i. SRHR encompasses the different human rights related to sexuality and reproduction, such as sexual health,
sexual rights, reproductive health, and reproductive rights. Everyone, including children and adolescents, is
entitled to SRHR.
ii. It’s an essential part of universal health coverage, which not only includes the absence of disease or
dysfunction, but also ensures physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being.
Note: World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as a joint initiative
established the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Universal health Coverage Learning by Sharing
Portal (SRHR-UHC LSP).
iii. The following rights are included in the SRHR:
• Receive sexuality-related information
• Essential Sexuality education
• Pick their partner
• Take the decision to be engaged in sexual activity or not
• Make use of modern contraception.
• Access to Maternity care
• An abortion that is both safe and effective, as well as post-abortion care.
• Understand how to avoid, care for, and treat sexually transmitted illnesses and infections.
About Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR):
Founded in– 1984
Executive Director– Marevic Parcon
Headquarters– Manila, Philippines
World Vape Day 2023- May 30

World Vape day is annually observed on May 30th across the globe to raise awareness about the alternatives to
the tobacco products and highlight the safety of E-Cigarettes and their potential as harm reduction and smoking
cessation tools.
• World Vape day on May 30 falls just a day before the World No Tobacco Day (May 31) of the World
Health Organisation (WHO).
Note: Vaping is the inhaling of a vapour created by an electronic cigarette (E-cigarette).

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Background:
World vape day was initiated by the World Vapers Alliance (WVA), which was established to defend vaping by
providing a unified platform that makes vapers’ voices heard around the world.
• The World Vapers’ Alliance was first launched as an independent 501(c) (3) organisation, and now
funded in part by the consumer advocacy group, Consumer Choice Centre.
E- Cigarette:
i. In 2003, Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist invented the modern electronic cigarettes or E-Cigarettes as an
alternative to conventional smoking.
ii. The different types of E- Cigarettes include vape pens, vaporizers, e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookahs and e-cigars,
which are all classified as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Electronic non Nicotine Delivery Systems,
or (EN&NNDS).
• EN&NNDS are a heterogeneous class of products that use an electrically powered coil to heat and
turn a liquid into an aerosol, which is inhaled by the user.
iii. The main substances in the aerosol that raise health concern are metals such as chromium, nickel, and lead,
and carbonyls, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein and glyoxal, which are potentially hazardous to
users.
iv. Other substances in the aerosol of possible health concern are particulatematter and some flavourings such
as diacetyl, cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde.
Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR)
i. Tobacco harm reduction involves providing tobacco users who are unwilling or unable to quit using nicotine
products with less harmful nicotine-containing products for continued use.
ii. THR does not focus on the elimination of products or behaviours but highlights the use of less harmful
nicotine products and provides various choices to the people who want to switch away from Smoking.
STATE NEWS
Odisha Cabinet led by Naveen Patnaik approved various Proposals including ‘Mo Ghara‘
Scheme
On May 29 2023, the Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik approved 18 important
proposals, including the new ‘Mo Ghara’ Scheme, (Government Housing Assistance in Rural Area)’.
About Mo Ghara Scheme:

Aim:
The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to meet the aspiration of the lower and lower-middle-income
households of rural Odisha.
Implementing Agency: ‘Mo Ghara’ will be implemented through the Panchayati Raj (PR) and Drinking Water
Department, Government of Odisha.

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Features:
i. The scheme will cover all such families previously excluded from housing schemes due to stringent eligibility
criteria or insufficient allocation and also those who had received smaller housing assistance in the past and
now wish to expand their houses.
ii. The financial implication of the ‘Mo Ghara’ scheme for approximately 4 lakh beneficiaries is expected to be
Rs.2150 crore over a period of two years.
iii. The scheme is a credit-linked housing programme with capital subsidy fully funded from the State Budget.
Benefits:
i. Under this scheme, a beneficiary can avail housing loan of up to Rs. 3 lakh which can be repaid in 10 years
excluding 1 year moratorium period in easy instal
ii. Scheduled caste(SC), scheduled tribe(ST), or a person with disabilities (PwD) will get up to Rs 40,000
financial assistance for every Rs 1 lakh loan to build or expand their house while others can get up to Rs 30,000
financial assistance.
Eligibility:
i.The beneficiary should be living in a kutcha house or one pucca room with RCC roof and the monthly income
of the family should not be more than Rs 25,000.
ii. They should not have availed of any government housing scheme of more than Rs.70,000.
iii. The monthly family income should be below Rs. 25,000.
iv. The family should not own a non-commercial motorized four-wheeler for personal use.
v. The family should not include a regular government/Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employee or
pensioner.
vi. The family owns less than 5 acres of irrigated land or less than 15 acres of non-irrigated land.
Konark Temple Complex:
i. The Cabinet decided to develop the Konark Temple Complex as a part of the Konark Heritage Area
Development Project (KHADP) under the Integrated Development of Heritage & Monuments and Tourist
Destination Scheme on a turnkey basis.
• Around Rs 209 crore will be spent for the development of the Complex.
ii. It will transform the physical infrastructure in and around the temple complex and upgrade the visitors’
experience.
Other approved Schemes:
i. The Odisha Cabinet also approved the establishment and incorporation of a University as an affiliate
university in the name of “Odisha University of Health Sciences”, this University aims to achieve excellence in
the field of Medical and Allied Health Education and Research.
ii. Cabinet approved a proposal to implement an institutional development plan with an outlay of Rs 2,000
crore for the transformation of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, Odisha.
iii. Amendment of Odisha (Non-Government Colleges, Junior Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools) Grant-In-
Aid Order, 2008.
iv. Cadre restructuring of Women and Child Development Department and creation of new posts.
v. Remission of Stamp Duty and Registration fee on lease deed of Ac. 02.00 dec land in Mouza-Chandihata in the
district of Khordha (Odisha), to be executed in favour of Shri Shankar Cancer Centre and Research Institute at
Bhubaneswar.
vi. Amendment of the Odisha Consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act, 1972
(Odisha Act 21 of 1972).
Odisha for AI, and AI for Youth’ initiative:
The Artificial Intelligence (AI), a technology-driven transformation, which is one of the key components of the
Odisha Government’s 5-T (Team work, Technology, Transparency, Transformation and Time limit) initiative
for Higher Education Department, to ensure better service delivery to the public in the Higher Education sector.

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Features:
i.The initiative will increase the digital literacy of the masses and make them familiar with the next-generation
cutting-edge technology.
ii. It will also create an ecosystem fostering research, innovation, and application across sectors.
iii. The Odisha Government has tied in with Intel, an International technology company for the first phase of the
initiative.
• Odisha for AI is a free 4-hour course on AI by Intel on its app/site will be open to all for free in
Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri and soon will be open to all in Odisha subsequently.
Eligibility:
AI for youth is eligible for students (below 18) of 2000 5T schools of phase 1 and Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas.
About Odisha:
Dance– Ghumura Dance and Ranapa Dance (Folk type)
Goa Raj Bhavan launches first books under Governor’s scheme to boost local literary talent
On May 29th 2023, Governor of Goa, P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, unveiled the 5 books, published by Raj Bhavan in
Goa under ‘Nai Pahal’ scheme, in the presence of Goan writer & Jnanpith Award winner Damodar Mauzo.
• The 5 books were authored by Sanjay Ramesh Salelkar (Konkani), Pallavi Polekar (Marathi),
Advocate Manohar Adpaikar (Marathi) and two book by Pachu Menon in English
About Nai Pahal:
i.The Nai Pahal scheme was launched by the government of Goa in February 2023 to promote and sponsor
young writers and support them to publish their first book.
ii.The writers were offered to chose from 7 genres ranging from fiction, non-fiction, poems, autobiography or
anthology of stories.
iii.The scheme proposed to publish 60 books among (25 in Konkani; 25 in Marathi and 10 in Hindi and
Sanskrit).

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AFFAIRSCLOUD TODAY

Current Affairs 1 & 2 May 2023 : Headlines

1. MoA&FW and NAFED launched First ever Millets Experience Centre

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BANKING & FINANCE

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APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

IOA sets up a two member ad-hoc committee to manage WFI

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Shantanu Roy to be the Next CMD of BEML Limited

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BOOKS & AUTHORS

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World Veterinary Day 2023 – April 29

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GA Questions Asked in Exams

• Affairscloud’s Self Analysis for General Awareness Section

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BANKING & FINANCE

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IFSCA inks MoU with IHub-Data, IIIT Hyderabad to support FinTech

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ECONOMY & BUSINESS

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ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

BOOKS & AUTHORS

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World Asthma Day 2023 is observed on 2nd May 2023.

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World Tuna Day 2023 – May 2

• World Tuna Day 2023 was observed on 2nd May 2023.

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International Workers’ Day 2023 – May 1

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International Jazz Day 2023 – April 30

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Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2023 – April 30

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GA Questions Asked in Exams

• Affairscloud’s Self Analysis for General Awareness Section

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• This collaboration will showcase a proof-of-concept model through coordinated initiatives in

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-India-UK ‘Net Zero’ Innovation Virtual Centre

Details of his visit:

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