WEEKLY

CURRENT
AFFAIRS

AUGUST, 2023
Week-1
1-7 August, 2023

Useful for
CSE, ESE, PSUs, State Services Exams,
SSC and Banking Exams
2 Week-1 01st August - 07th August

The policy suggests necessary changes in nine

   1st AUGUST, 2023
policy areas such as:
• Nurturing Research, Development & Innovation
National Deep Tech Startup Policy
• Strengthening the Intellectual Property Regime
(NDTSP) • Facilitating Access to Funding
• Context: The National Consortium and Working Group • Enabling Shared Infrastructure and Resource Sharing
set up by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, • Creating Conducive Regulations, Standards, and
and Innovation Advisory Council has released the Certifications
Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) for • Attracting Human Resources & Initiating Capacity
public consultation.
Building
• Promoting Procurement & Adoption
Key Highlights:
• Ensuring Policy & Program Interlinkages
• Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) is
• Sustaining Deep Tech Startups.
strategically formulated to stimulate innovation, spur
economic growth and promote societal development
through the effective utilization of deep tech research- Hydrogen Production from Methanol
driven innovations. • Context: Researchers have developed a new process
• Aim of the policy is to address the challenges of producing hydrogen from methanol through a
confronting deep tech startups through definitive catalytic reaction under ambient conditions.
policy interventions to create a conducive ecosystem.
• It is prepared by National Consortium and Working Key Highlights:
Group set up by the Prime Minister’s Science, • Hydrogen is considered one of the cleanest sources
Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM- of energy that can be easily obtained from indigestible
STIAC), biomass or bio-derived alcohols.
• The policy restates the government’s disappointment • Various methods can generate hydrogen but the
with international agreements that it argues have left cost of hydrogen depends on how environmentally
India on the backfoot in terms of manufacturing and friendly and energy efficient the production process
development power. is.
• The policy calls for a more multi-pronged approach • For instance, Water and methane are the main
to protect Indian interests. The need of the hour is sources of hydrogen on Earth but extracting pure
a coordinated, comprehensive push to optimally hydrogen from them consumes a lot of energy
engage with international partners and multilateral through techniques such as natural gas reforming
institutions to push the Indian Deep Tech Ecosystem. electrolysis and water-splitting reactions.
• The policy also suggests resource-intensive policy • Notably, Methanol can serve as a potential candidate
approaches to attract global talent, such as offering for obtaining hydrogen due to its gravimetric hydrogen
networking opportunities to international deep tech
content of 12.6% and its effective conversion to H2
startups and experts interested in relocating and
and CO2 as final products.
contributing to the local ecosystem.
• Researchers have developed a new process of
• This policy complements and adds value to the
producing hydrogen from methanol through a
existing Startup India policies, programmes and
catalytic reaction under ambient conditions.
initiatives, by fostering a conducive ecosystem for
• This method offers a sustainable and green method
deep tech startups to thrive and address their unique
of manufacturing the much-needed Hydrogen fuel.
and complex challenges.
 01st August - 07th August Week-1 3

   2nd AUGUST, 2023 Government of National Capital Territory

of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Recently Granted G.I. Tags from Tamil • Context: The Lok Sabha passed the Government of
National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Nadu
• Context: The Geographical Indications Registry has
Key Highlights:
granted the GI tag to three famous products from
• The Bill establishes the National Capital Civil Services
Tamil Nadu, namely Jaderi Namakatti, Chedibutta
Authority (NCCSA) which consists of the Chief
Saree and Kanniyakumari Matti Banana.
Minister, Chief Secretary of Delhi, Principal Home
Secretary of Delhi.
Key Highlights:
• The Authority will make recommendations to the
Jaderi Namakatti: Lieutenant Governor (LG) regarding transfers and
• These are clay sticks that are white in colour. They are postings of officials and disciplinary matters.
usually available in finger-like shape with a smooth • The Bill empowers the LG to exercise his sole discretion
texture. on several matters including those recommended by
• They are used to adorn the foreheads of idols, men the National Capital Civil Services Authority and the
and temple elephants. summoning, prorogation and dissolution of the Delhi
• The namakatti is made up of the rich deposit of Legislative Assembly.
• It authorizes department secretaries to bring to the
hydrous silicate minerals that form fine grain particles
notice of the LG, the Chief Minister and the Chief
of clay The clay is processed and shaped in a finger-
Secretary any matter that may bring Delhi Government
like structure.
into controversy with the Central Government.
• The production of namakatti depends on the climatic
condition as it needs a lot of sunlight to dry.
India’s Vision of $5 Trillion Economy
Chedibutta Saree: • Context: Government has informed the Lok Sabha
• It is a handloom saree which depicts the Chedibutta about the steps taken to make India a $5 trillion
design in art silk and cotton mix fabric. economy.
• The name ‘Chedibutta’ is a combination of two Tamil
words- ‘Chedi’ (plant) and ‘Butta’ (repeated motif or Key Highlights:
design). • Government’s roadmap to achieve a $5 trillion
• The iconic ‘plant and flower’ motif is woven on the economy involves focusing on macro-level growth
border and pallu (edge of the saree). while ensuring comprehensive welfare at the micro
• The Sowrashtra community are the primary weavers. level.
• The roadmap also includes promoting digital economy
Kanniyakumari Matti Banana:
and fintech, technology-enabled development,
• Matti banana is a traditional table banana cultivar of
energy transition, climate action, and relying on a
medicinal value.
virtuous cycle of investment and growth.
• The fruit is highly fragrant, sweet with sub-acid
• The major reforms include Goods and Services Tax
flavour, firm texture and powdery nature.
(GST), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), a
• The Matti banana fruit looks like the mouth of a
significant reduction in the corporate tax rate, Make
crocodile hence it is also called ‘Crocodile Finger
in India and Start-up India strategies and Production
Banana’.
Linked Incentive Schemes.
4 Week-1 01st August - 07th August

• Government has focused on a capex-led growth amount awarded or upheld by the court. For arbitral
strategy to support economic growth and attract orders passed on or before 1 January 2023, the
investment from the private sector by increasing its settlement amount offered is up to 65 percent of the
capital investment outlay substantially during the last net amount awarded.
three years. • Eligible claims will be processed only through the
• The Central Government’s capital expenditure has government e-marketplace.
increased from 2.15% of GDP in 2020-21 to 2.7% of
GDP in 2022-23. Himalayan Vulture
• Union Budget 2023-24 has taken steps to sustain • Context: Himalayan vultures have not only survived
the high growth of India’s economy. These include a in the hot and humid weather but also contributed
substantial increase in capital investment outlay for to India’s first captive breeding success story of
the third year in a row by 33% to ₹10 lakh crore (3.3% Himalayan vultures at Assam State Zoo in Guwahati.
of GDP). Direct capital investment by the Centre is
also complemented by Grants-in-Aid to States for the Key Highlights:
creation of capital assets. • Himalayan Griffon vulture or Himalayan Vulture
inhabits the higher regions of the Himalayas and the
   3 AUGUST, 2023
rd
Tibetan Plateau.
• This species is distributed from western China,
Contractual Dispute Settlement Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,

Scheme Afghanistan and Pakistan, east through the Himalayan

mountain range in India, Nepal and Bhutan, to central
• Context: Government of India has launched the
China and Mongolia.
Vivad se Vishwas-II scheme for settling contractual
• They can fly at an elevation of up to 5,500 metre with
disputes involving the government and government-
help of their wide and powerful wings.
undertakings.
• Its IUCN Status is Near Threatened.

Key Highlights: • In India, a total of nine species of vultures are found.

• Vivad se Vishwas-II Scheme was announced in the Out of these six species are resident (white–rumped

Union Budget 2023-24. vulture, Indian vulture, slender-billed vulture, red-

• Its aim is to resolve the government’s contractual headed vulture, bearded vulture and Egyptian

disputes with private parties, clear the backlog of vulture) and three species are migratory (cinereous

litigation and improve the ease of doing business. vulture, griffon vulture and Himalayan vulture).

• The scheme will apply to all domestic contractual

disputes where one of the parties is either the    4th AUGUST, 2023
Government of India or an organization operating
under its control. Harmonised System of Nomenclature
• The scheme will cover cases where the court order (HSN)
was passed by 30 April 2023, and the arbitral order • Context: The Government of India had imposed
given by 30 January 2023. restrictions on imports of laptops, all-in-one personal
• Under the scheme, for court orders passed on or computers and tablets under HSN Code 8471.
before 30 April 2023, the settlement amount offered Though, the restrictions have been lifted and will be
to the contractor will be up to 85 per cent of the net implemented from November 1, 2023.
 01st August - 07th August Week-1 5

Key Highlights: • It was launched in 2016.

• The restrictions had been imposed under HSN Code • Its aim is to promote S&T based entrepreneurship
8471 on seven categories of electronic gadgets. and startup ecosystem across the county and to
• The Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) nurture start-ups through scouting, supporting and
code is a classification system used to identify scaling of innovations.
products for taxation purposes. • The components of NIDHI are designed to support
• HSN Code 8471 is used to identify devices that are ideas and innovators since their early startup journey
designed to perform data processing tasks. and link them to the entire market value chain.
• With the curbing imports of these devices, the • NIDHI-Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Inspiring
government aims to reduce reliance on foreign graduating students to take entrepreneurship by
markets and encourage the growth of local providing fellowship
manufacturing capabilities. • NIDHI-Promotion and Acceleration of Young and
• This move will give a direct boost to the Center’s Aspiring Technology Entrepreneurs (PRAYAS)
Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT
Supports innovators and startups technically and
hardware.
financially from Idea to Prototype stage.
• The highest share of imports is in the category of
• NIDHI – Inclusive-Technology Business Incubator
personal computers including laptops, and palmtops,
(iTBI) Programme has been rolled out to increase
under which imports from China stood at $558.36
outreach of incubation programs in terms of
million in April-May this year as against $618.26
geographies, gender etc.
million in the year-ago period. China accounts for
roughly 70-80 per cent of the share of India’s imports
of personal computers, laptops. Mediation Bill, 2021
• People who travel abroad can bring along one laptop, • Context: Rajya Sabha has passed the Mediation Bill,
tablet, all-in-one personal computer, or ultra-small 2021.
form factor computer in their baggage without import
restrictions when returning to India. The exemption Key Highlights:
applies to items bought from e-commerce platforms • Mediation is a type of ADR (alternative dispute
and shipped via post or courier. resolution), where a dispute is referred to a neutral
• An exemption is also provided for up to 20 items per person, who engages with the warring parties and
shipment, particularly for research, testing, evaluation, tries to find a solution agreeable to both.
repair, re-export, and product development. The • Courts have regularly been ordering mediation to
imports are permitted under the condition that they are settle civil, commercial, and family disputes among
used solely for their stated purposes and not sold. others.
• Persons can try to settle civil or commercial disputes
NIDHI Programme through mediation before approaching any court
• Context: The Union Minister of Science & Technology or tribunal. However, the pre-litigation mediation is
(DST) has informed Lok Sabha about the NIDHI voluntary and not mandatory.
Programme. • A party may withdraw from mediation after two
mediation sessions.
Key Highlights: • Mediation process must be completed within 180
• Its nodal department is Department of Science & days, which may be extended by another 180 days
Technology (DST). by the parties.
6 Week-1 01st August - 07th August

• Mediation Council of India will be set up. Its functions • The app integrates its services with various bank
include registering mediators, and recognising portals, making it convenient for users to recharge
mediation service providers and mediation institutes their FASTags, avail monthly passes, and access
(which train and certify mediators). other FASTag-related banking services – all within a
• Mediations are ordered by the courts and when a single platform.
dispute is thus settled, the settlement agreement is
converted into a decree by the court, thus making it Net Zero Emissions Target
binding on the parties. However, the Mediation bill • Context: Union Minister of State for Environment,
puts a mediated settlement agreement on par with a Forest and Climate Change has informed Lok Sabha
court judgment without the need for any further court about India’s net zero emissions target and the
sanction. measures it has taken to address the rapidly growing
• Mediation agreements can only be challenged on environmental problems in the country.
grounds of fraud, corruption, impersonation, or
relating to disputes not fit for mediation. Key Highlights:
• India is an emerging economy whose priority is to
   5 AUGUST, 2023
th
achieve development and poverty eradication goals.
Due to this, Greenhouse emissions are bound to
‘Rajmargyatra’ App increase.
• Context: The National Highways Authority of India • However, it is to be noted that India’s historical
(NHAI) has launched the ‘Rajmargyatra’ app. cumulative emissions from 1850 to 2019 amount to
less than 4 percent of cumulative carbon dioxide
Key Highlights: emissions of the world from the pre-industrial era,
• Rajmargyatra is a citizen-centric unified mobile despite being home to 17% of the world’s population.
application. It empowers travelers with comprehensive • Hence, India’s responsibility for global warming
information on Indian National Highways while also thus far has been minimal and even today its annual
offering an efficient complaint redressal system. per capita emissions are only about one-third of the
• Its aim is to create a seamless, user-friendly global average.
experience for highway users, fostering a safer and • At COP 26 in November 2021, India has committed to
more enjoyable journey on Indian National Highways. achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
• The app serves as a one-stop repository of essential • India’s long-term low-carbon development strategy
information for National Highway users. Get real-time submitted to the UN is guided by principles of
weather conditions, timely broadcast notifications, equity, climate justice, and the idea of Common
and access to details about nearby toll plazas, and but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective
other essential services that ensure a seamless and Capabilities.
safe journey on National Highways.
• The app comes equipped with an inbuilt complaint The strategy rests on seven key transitions to
redressal and escalation mechanism. Users can low-carbon development pathways:
easily report highway-related issues, attaching geo- 1. Low-carbon development of electricity systems
tagged videos or photos for better clarity. Users can consistent with development
also track the status of their grievances for complete 2. Develop an integrated, efficient and inclusive
transparency. transport system
 01st August - 07th August Week-1 7

3. Promote adaptation in urban design, energy and • In this case, Earth, the lensing galaxy and the quasar
material efficiency in buildings have aligned to perfectly duplicate the quasar’s light,
4. Promoting economy-wide decoupling of growth from arranging them along a so-called Einstein ring.
emissions and development of an efficient, innovative
low emission industrial system Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS)
5. Development of carbon dioxide removal and related • Context: The National Health Authority (NHA) has
engineering solutions announced the extension of its Digital Health Incentives
6. Enhancing forest and vegetation cover Scheme (DHIS) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital
7. Economic and financial needs of low-carbon Mission (ABDM) till 31st December 2023.
development.
Key Highlights:
   6 AUGUST, 2023
th
• It was launched on 1st January, 2023 as part of the
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Einstein Cross • Its aim is to give a further boost to digital health
transactions in the country under the Ayushman
• Context: Astronomers have discovered a stunning,
Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
rare example of an “Einstein Cross” splitting and
• Under the scheme, the eligible health facilities and
magnifying light from the far depths of the universe.
digital solutions companies shall be able to earn
financial incentives of up to Rs. 4 crores based on
Key Highlights:
the number of digital health records created and
• A foreground elliptical galaxy located about 6
linked to ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account)
billion light-years away from Earth has warped
numbers of the patients.
and quadrisected a bright beam of light from a
• This incentive can be availed by the health facilities
background galaxy approximately 11 billion light-
(hospitals, diagnostic labs) and Digital Solution
years away.
Companies registered with ABDM’s Health Facility
• It is a rare arrangement that astronomers will study to
Registry (HFR).
get a better understanding of the universe.
• This scheme has proven to be a significant catalyst in
• The background light emitted by a quasar, which is promoting the adoption of digital health technologies
a young galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its and practices in healthcare delivery across the country.
center.
• It consumes immense amounts of matter and blasts
   7th AUGUST, 2023
out enough radiation to shine more than a trillion
times more brightly than the brightest stars
Manas National Park
• Einstein’s theory of general relativity describes the
• Context: The All-India Tiger Estimation 2022 has
way massive objects warp the fabric of the universe,
indicated that Assam’s Manas National Park and
called space-time.
Tiger Reserve is moving from a low to high-tiger-
• Einstein discovered that gravity is not an unseen force density area.
but rather a consequence of space-time curving and
distorting in the presence of matter and energy. Key Highlights:
• Light, though usually traveling in a straight line, • Manas National Park is located in Assam. It is a
bends when passing through highly curved regions UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a tiger reserve
of space-time creating a halo-like effect. and a biosphere reserve.
8 Week-1 01st August - 07th August

• Manas is located at the foothills of the Eastern • As stated by the ministry, the ‘ISO Bill-2023’
Himalayas. is essentially an ‘enabling Act’ and it does not
• The name of the park originated from the Manas River. propose any change in the existing Service Acts/
The Manas River is a major tributary of Brahmaputra Rules/Regulations which are time-tested and have
River, which passes through the heart of the national withstood judicial scrutiny over the last six decades
park. or more.
• It shares a common border with the Royal Manas • The Bill would also pave the way for much greater
National Park of Bhutan. integration and jointness amongst the three Services.
• The monsoon forests of Manas lie in the Brahmaputra
Valley semi-evergreen forests ecoregion.
Study in India Portal
• The combination of Sub-Himalayan Bhabar Terai
• Context: Recently, the Study in India (SII) Portal was
region with riverine succession leading up to the
launched to re-establishing India as a global hub of
Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests makes it one
education.
of the richest biodiversity areas in the world.
• The Park is home to many endangered species like
Assam roofed turtle, golden Langur, hispid hare,
Key Highlights:
and pygmy hog. It is also famous for its wild water • Study in India Portal is a dedicated website that will
buffaloes. provide comprehensive information about the Indian
• There is only one forest village, Pagrang, in the core Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
of the national park. Apart from this village 56 more • The website will illustrate academic programs i.e.
villages surround the park. undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), Doctoral
• Manas National Park faces threats such as level programs as well as courses in Indian
encroachment (for farm activity), impact from Knowledge System like Yoga, Ayurveda, classical
upstream hydroelectric projects in Bhutan, improper arts etc.
protection and management of grasslands, invasive • The website-portal will present information about the
plants as well as some amount of poaching. academic facilities, research support, and related
information. The website will have the provision for
Inter-Services Organisation (Command, students to apply in more than one institute/course of
Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023 their choice.
• Context: The Lok Sabha recently passed the Inter- • The portal will provide an integrated one-stop solution
Services Organisation (Command, Control and for student registration and visa application process.
Discipline) Bill, 2023. • Portal will help in making India a preferred destination
for higher education.
Key Highlights: • SII will establish a strong international footprint of
• The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, brand ‘India’ in the education sphere.
Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023 seeks to empower • The presence of international students will also
Commander-in-Chief and Officer-in Command of Inter- benefit the domestic students by connecting them
Services Organisations (ISOs) with all disciplinary more closely to the globalizing world and preparing
and administrative powers in respect of the personnel
them better from the global workplace.
serving in or attached to such organisations.