Important Monthly Current Affairs Capsule – November 2023

S. No Topics Page No

1. IMPORTANT DAYS 03

2. NATIONAL NEWS 08

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS 38

4. STATE NEWS 49

5. BUSINESS NEWS 59

6. BANKING AND ECONOMY 66

7. AWARDS AND HONOURS 106

8. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS 110

9. MOUS AND AGREEMENT 122

10. RANKING AND INDEXES 136

11. DEFENCE NEWS 140

12. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 148

13. ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS 161

14. SPORTS NEWS 165

15. OBITUARIES 172

 IMPORTANT DAYS
World Vegan Day: 1st November
• World Vegan Day 2023 is observed on the 1st of November 2023.
• World Vegan Day 2023 is celebrated on 1st November as it falls between Halloween Day and
Saint’s Day. For this reason, World Vegan Day is more special.
• The World Vegan Society was formed in 1944 by Louise Wallis. But the Name “Vegan” was first
coined by Donald Watson and his wife Dorothy Morgan in the year 1944.
All Saints' Day: 1st November
• All Saints' Day 2023 is observed on the 1st of November 2023.
• All Saints' Day was first celebrate d on May 13th in the year 609 A.D. Pope Boniface IV decided to
celebrate All Saints' Day.
• The last part of the followers has many different celebrations for saints.
• Later Pope Gregory III in 690 A.D. combined all the celebrations into one and made
November 1 All Saints' Day.
World Tsunami Awareness Day: 5th November
• World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023 is observed on the 5th of November 2023.
• World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023 Theme set for this year is “fighting inequality for a resilient
future.”
• On November 5th, 1854, Hiromura a little village which is located in the western part of Japan
started celebrating their Traditional Practice, the Burning of Rice Sheaves.
International Day for Preventing Exploitation of Environment in War and Armed Conflict 2023: 6th
November
• International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
2023 is observed on 6th November 2023.
• The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has found that for over 60 years 40 per
cent of all internal Conflicts have been directly linked to the exploitation of Natural Resources
connecting higher value resources like Diamond, timber, gold, and oil and scarce resources like
fertile land and water.
• On 5th November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared the 6th November of each year as
an International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed
Conflict.
Infant Protection Day: 7th November
 • Infant Protection Day 2023 is observed on the 7th of November 2023.
• Infant protection is a very important task.
• The first three months are the crucial period for Infants. It develops certain skills like Hearing,
Communication, and Vision.
• Infants should be vaccinated as per the Vaccination Chart to prevent them from deadly infectious
diseases. In 1990 nearly 5 million infants died due to a lack of awareness of protecting Infants.
National Cancer Awareness Day: 7th November
• National Cancer Awareness Day 2023 is observed on the 7th of November 2023.
• The National Cancer Awareness Day celebration was first announced by Dr.Harsh Vardhan, the
Indian Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in September 2014.
• In 1975 National Cancer Control Programme was started to arrange treatment facilities for cancer.
• In 1984-85 some changes were made in the National Cancer Control Programme to make the
Cancer treatment process more efficient and available to all.
World Radiography Day: 8th November
• World Radiography Day 2023 is observed on the 8th of November 2023.
• This year, 2023, the World Radiography Day Theme is “Celebrating patient safety”.
• X-Ray was discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen. In his laboratory, he accidentally discovered
a new Electromagnetic wave that is transparent through flesh but won't transfer through metals
and bones
National Legal Services Day: 9th November
• National Legal Services Day 2023 is observed on the 9th of November 2023.
• Every year on November 9th, National Legal Services Day is marked to mark the beginning of
the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which went into effect on that date in 1995.
• State Legal Services Authorities across the nation hold legal awareness events on National Legal
Services Day to inform people about the availability of free legal help.
World Usability Day 10th November
• World 0Usability Day 2023 is observed on the 10th of November 2023.
• The theme for this year's World Usability Day is Collaboration & cooperation and how that fits
into the world of UX.
• The User Experience Professional Association established World Usability Day in the year
November 2005.
• The Association initially comprised of 50 members and it was started in the year 1991.
World Science Day for Peace and Development: 10th November
• World Science Day for Peace and Development 2023 is observed on the 10th of November
2023.
• In 2023, World Science Day focuses on "Building Trust in Science."
• The first World Conference on Science was held in 1999 and was coordinated by UNESCO and
the International Council for Science.
National Education Day: 11th November
• National Education Day 2023 is observed on the 11th of November 2023.
• National Education Day was first observed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development on
November 11, 2008.
• It is observed every year after the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was the
first Educational Minister of Independent India.
• He served as the Educational Minister for over a period of Ten Years.
World Pneumonia Day 2023: 12th November
• World Pneumonia Day 2023 is observed on the 12th of November 2023.
• Pneumonia is one of the oldest and deadliest diseases among the children age group less than 5
and older age group more than 50.
• World Pneumonia Day was first observed on 12 November 2009.
• It was observed under the "Stop Pneumonia" initiatives by the Global Coalition Against Child
Pneumonia, a coalition of various institutions all together to fight child mortality due to respiratory
infection.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial Pneumonia in Children
World Kindness Day: 13th November
• World Kindness Day 2023 is observed on the 13th of November 2023.
• World Kindness Day is celebrated by nearly 27 countries around the world.
• But yet the UN has not officially celebrated this day.
• Some of the countries which celebrate World Kindness Day are India, Brazil, Australia, Canada,
Japan, Italy, etc.
• World Kindness Day was first celebrated in 1998 at the Tokyo Conference.
Children’s Day in India: 14th November
• Children’s Day in India is observed on the 14th of November 2023.
• Jawaharlal Nehru was born to a Kashmiri Brahmans Royal family on November 14th, 1889.
 • Later he moved to Delhi and completed his Scholarship.
• His father's name was Motilal Nehru.
• Jawaharlal was the eldest of four children, two of whom were girls.
• A sister, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, later became the first woman president of the United Nations
General Assembly.
World Diabetes Day: 14th November
• World Diabetes Day 2023 is observed on the 14th of November 2023.
• The theme for World Diabetes Day 2023 is “Access to diabetes care”.
• Diabetes is a disease but till now there is no permanent cure for it.
• World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006.
• World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support
from WHO for the growing concerns about the health and economic threat posed by diabetes.
• The Day is celebrated to honor the First Educational Minister of India and his uncomparable
contribution to the Education system of India.
International Day for Tolerance: 16th November
● International Day for Tolerance 2023 is observed on the 16th of November 2023.
● In 1993, at the initiative of UNESCO, the United Nations proclaimed 1995 as “The Year for
Tolerance”
● One year later in 1996, the UN General Assembly decided 16th of November was the International
Day for Tolerance and it would be celebrated every year.
● The Common Theme is “Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of
our world's cultures, forms of expression, and ways of being human”.
International Students Day: 17th November
● International Students Day 2023 is observed on the 17th of November 2023
● When Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, the Third Reich started aggressive claims over territories
outside Germany’s borders.
● The Nazis first captured Austria in 1938, Hitler’s home country.
● The first observance took place in 1941 at the International Students’ Council in London.
National Epilepsy Day: 17th November
● National Epilepsy Day 2023 is observed on the 17th of November 2023.
● National Epilepsy Day was first observed by the Epilepsy Foundation of India to reduce Epilepsy
conditions in India.
● Epilepsy Foundation in India is a non-profitable charity Organisation.
● Epilepsy Foundation of India was formed by Dr Nirmal Surya located in Mumbai.
World Toilet Day: 19th November
● World Toilet Day 2023 is observed on the 19th of November 2023
● Jack Sim, a philanthropist from Singapore, founded the World Toilet Organization on November 19,
2001, He declared that day as World Toilet Day.
● In 2013, the Government of Singapore and the World Toilet Organization led to Singapore’s first UN
resolution called “Sanitation for All.”
● This resolution decided to take action to end the world sanitation crisis by 2025.
● As a result, World Toilet Day was declared an official UN day, and 122 countries adopted the
resolution at the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
International Men’s Day 2023: 19th November
● International Men’s Day 2023 is observed on the 19th of November 2023
● In 1968, an American journalist named John P. Harris communicated that there was a celebration for
International Women’s Day for female workers but failed to deliver a male counterpart.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims:19th November
● World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2023 is observed on the 19th of November
2023.
● Brigitte Chaudhry MBE was living with his husband and her only son.
● Chaudhry founded RoadPeace, a British charity for road crash victims. RoadPeace operates a 24/7
helpline, providing emotional support and practical advocacy to the people affected by road crashes.
● In 1993, RoadPeace founded The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to give
public recognition to the pain and suffering of millions of people.
Universal Children’s Day: 20th November
● Universal Children’s Day 2023 is observed on the 20th of November 2023.
● Children’s Day was first officially declared a national holiday by the Republic of Turkey in 1920 on
April 23.
● Children’s Day has been celebrated nationally since 1920 by the Turkish government and is
declared as the day for children.
● Though Universal Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954, it wasn’t until
November 20, 1959, that the UN General Assembly adopted an extended form of the Declaration of
the Rights of the Child.
● Originally acquired in 1924 by the League of Nations, the UN adopted this document as its own
statement of children’s rights.
World Television Day: 21st November
● World Television Day 2023 is observed on the 21st of November 2023.
● The theme for the 2023 edition is “Accessibility”.
● In 1927, a 21-year-old inventor by the name of Philo Taylor Farnsworth invented the world’s first
electronic television.
● On November 21 and 22 1996, the United Nations held the first World Television Forum.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: 25th November
● International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023 is observed on the 25th of
November 2023.
● On November 25, 1960, the Mirabal sisters of the Dominican Republic were assassinated by dictator
Rafael Trujillo.
● According to a report by the United Nations, 19 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49
years of age have experienced physical and/or sexual violence “by an intimate partner.”
● In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 25 as the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Constitution Day: 26th November
● Indian Constitution Day 2023 is observed on the 26th of November 2023.
● On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of
India.
● It came into force on January 26, 1950.
● Constitution Day aims to bring awareness about the importance of the Constitution and Dr. B R
Ambedkar.

NATIONAL NEWS
Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates and lays the foundation stone for 26 National Highway Projects worth
Rs.17,500 Crore in Guwahati, Assam
• The Union Minister for Roads Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone for 26 National Highway Projects with an investment of more than Rs. 17,500
Crore in Guwahati, Assam.
 • The Union Minister of State for Roads Transport and Highways, General Shri VK Singh, the Chief
Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, State Cabinet Ministers, Member of Parliaments,
MLAs, and NHIDCL officials were also present on the occasion.
• The Dibrugarh-Tinsukia-Ledo project aims to enhance interstate connectivity between Upper
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, boost strategic presence, and promote trade and tourism.
GeM registers service growth of 1.5 lakh crore rupees in the current financial year 2023-24 till now
• The Government e-marketplace (GeM) has registered a service growth of 47 per cent or 1.5 lakh
crore rupees in the current financial year 2023-24 till now.
• It has provided services to multiple Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Union Ministries,
and State governments.
• Coal India Limited has emerged as the biggest buyer with orders worth more than 24 thousand
crore rupees.
MCA’s big reform mandates dematerialisation for private companies
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has mandated private companies to go for dematerialisation of
their securities.
• All private companies, excluding small and government companies, can issue new securities only
in dematerialised form.
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs said this in its recent amendment to a Rule concerning the
issuance of securities.
• Private companies are required to facilitate the dematerialisation of existing securities.
• The time period to comply with the recent directives is until the end of September 2024.
• After September 30, 2024, no private company will be able to issue or buy back its stocks until all
of the promoters', directors', and key managerial employees' securities have been dematerialized.
PFRDA allows NPS subscribers to withdraw up to 60% of their pension corpus through the SLW facility
• The Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) allows a Systematic Lumpsum
Withdrawal (SLW) facility for NPS subscribers; pensioners can withdraw up to 60% of funds
periodically.
• Subscribers to the NPS now have the option to use the Systematic Lumpsum Withdrawal (SLW)
facility to automatically take 60% of their pension corpus.
• National Pension System (NPS) subscribers can use the SLW facility periodically (monthly,
quarterly, half-yearly or annually) for a period till 75 years of age.
 • Earlier, the lump sum amount could be withdrawn in a single tranche or could be withdrawn
annually.
• In the case of annual withdrawal, the NPS subscriber were required to start the withdrawal each
time and authorised.
About NPS:
• The National Pension System (NPS) is a pension scheme launched by the Pension Fund
Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in India in 2004.
• It is mandatory for government servants who joined the service on or after January 1, 2004.
• For others, it is a voluntary scheme. It allows subscribers to contribute towards their retirement
savings during their working life.
• It is open to all Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 70 years.
PM Modi to inaugurate ‘World Food India 2023’ on 3rd November at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘World Food India 2023’ on November 3rd at
Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
• The three-day event is being organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to showcase
the rich Indian food culture to the world.
• Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries Anita Praveen said over 1200 exhibitors
from 23 states and several countries will participate in the event.
Cayman Islands: Removal from anti-money laundering “grey list”
• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed the Cayman Islands from its grey list.
• It has added Bulgaria to the grey list in its review published on 27 October 2023.
• FATF has also removed Panama, Jordan and Albania from the grey list.
• FATF has added Bulgaria to the grey list.
• The Cayman Islands was added to the grey list in 2021.
• It was in the news during the investigation into charges made by Hindenburg Research against the
Adani Group.
About FATF
• Founded: 1989
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• President: T Raja Kumar
22nd Annual Conference of IASSI to be held
 • The Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) will host the 22nd annual conference of the
Indian Association of Social Science Institutions (IASSI).
• S. Mahendra Dev, distinguished professor, ICFAI Faculty of Social Sciences, IFHE, Hyderabad,
and former director and vice chancellor of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research
(IGIDR) in Mumbai, is the conference president.
• E. Revathi, director, CESS, is the chairperson of the organising committee and Dr B. Suresh
Reddy, associate professor, CESS, organising secretary.
• It brings together over 200 researchers from universities and academic institutions.
• The three main themes are sustainable development, urbanisation and development, and women
empowerment.
Central Railways commissions the BPAC system in the Vasind-Asangaon section
• The Central Railway has commissioned the block proving by axle counter (BPAC) system in the
Vasind-Asangaon section of the Mumbai Division.
• As per a release issued by the Central Railway, the BPAC system plays a pivotal role in
maintaining the utmost safety of train operations.
• Specifically, it meticulously examines the last vehicle of a section, subsequently confirming the
section's clearance before granting authorization for another train to enter.
• Earlier, the BPAC system was exclusively deployed up to Vashind railway station within the
Kalyan-Igatpuri section.
Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates ‘India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru
• The Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the three-day ‘India Manufacturing
Show’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The show has been jointly organised by Laghu Udhyog Bharti & IMS Foundation and supported by
the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
• The central theme of the event is ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.
• Shri Rajnath Singh also referred to the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, which
was launched to invite new ideas in defence manufacturing through start-ups and innovators.
• iDEX Prime was launched to support projects, requiring support beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10
crore, to help the start-ups in the defence sector.
15th Tribal Youth Exchange Program to conclude in Mumbai
• The 15th Tribal Youth Exchange Program is going to conclude in Mumbai.
 • 220 participants from tribal districts of Jharkhand Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
participated in the exchange programme.
• As part of the exchange programme, the participants visited the Raj Bhavan, Mumba.
• The participants also visited the Vidhan Bhawan Mumbai.
• The participants visited the National Museum of Indian Cinema, Gateway of India, Marine Drive,
Juhu Beach, and other famous places in Mumbai.
PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate ‘World Food India 2023’ at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second edition of the Mega food event
‘World Food India 2023’ on 3rd November at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• With the aim to strengthen Self Help Groups, the Prime Minister will disburse Seed Capital
Assistance for over one lakh SHG members.
• This support will help SHGs gain better price realisation in the market through
• The event aims to showcase India as the ‘food basket of the world’ and celebrate 2023 as the
International Year of Millets.
Union Minister of State Sushri Shobha Karandlaje inaugurates the International Workshop on Food
Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region in New Delhi
• International Workshop on 'Food Loss and Waste Prevention in the South Asian Region'
inaugurated in New Delhi.
• It was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Sushri Shobha
Karandlaje.
• It was jointly organized by The Indian Council of Agriculture Research and the Thünen Institute,
Germany.
• Ms. Shobha Karandlaje appreciated the efforts made by ICAR and Thünen Institute of Germany to
solve an important social and economic issue related to farmers and consumers.
ECI launches Integrated Expenditure Monitoring Software to file Expenditure Statement by political
parties
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched Integrated Expenditure Monitoring Software
(IEMS), a new tech-enabled portal to facilitate the online filing of Contribution Reports, Election
Expenditure Statements, and Audited Annual Accounts by political parties.
• This facility will enable the political parties to file statutory and regulatory compliances, reports, and
statements in a smooth manner with greater transparency.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to launch domestic sailing of first International Cruise Liner
‘COSTA SERENA’ in India at Mumbai
• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal will launch the domestic
sailing of the first International Cruise Liner ‘COSTA SERENA’ in India at Mumbai.
• At the recently concluded Global Maritime India Summit 2023 organised by the Ministry,
discussions revolved around reaching the target of 50 million cruise passengers in India by 2047.
• Costa Cruises is expected to carry approximately 45,000 passengers in its next 2 months voyages.
• Such cruise initiatives are part of ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, launched on Prime Minister's appeal to the
middle class to prefer domestic tourism over international.
Shri Sanjay Kumar inaugurates a national-level innovation challenge aimed at motivating young
individuals to create functional prototypes of innovative solutions
• The Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar inaugurated a
national-level innovation challenge aimed at motivating young individuals to create functional
prototypes of innovative solutions.
• The Ministry of Education collaborated with the ATL Marathon program, spearheaded by the Atal
Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, in partnership with UNICEF and YuWaah.
PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina inaugurate key rail link, 2 other India-backed projects
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually
inaugurated a rail link connecting Northeast India with Bangladesh.
• Three Indian-assisted development projects were jointly inaugurated by Prime Ministers of India
and Bangladesh via video conferencing.
• The three projects are the Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link, Port Khulna-Mongla Rail Line,
and Unit-II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
• It has been executed under the Government of India grant assistance of 392.52 crore rupees
extended to Bangladesh.
• The total project cost of the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line is USD 388.92 million.
AI named Collins Dictionary word of the year; Bazball, made famous by English coach Brendon
McCullum, also finds a berth
• The abbreviation of artificial intelligence (AI) has been named the Collins Word of the Year for
2023.
• Lexicographers at Collins Dictionary said the use of the term had "accelerated" and that it had
become the dominant conversation of 2023.
• Other words on Collins's list include "Nepo Baby," "Greedflation," and "Bazball".
 • The word "Permacrisis," defined as "an extended period of instability and insecurity" was the
Collins Word of the Year in 2022.

I&B ministry appoints officers to curb online piracy of movies

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has appointed nodal officers to receive
complaints against piracy.
• These nodal officers have also been appointed to direct the intermediaries to remove pirated
content on digital platforms.
• MIB has taken this step after the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 was passed by the
Parliament in this year’s Monsoon session.
• The Act was last time amended in 1984. It has now been amended after 40 years and provisions
against film piracy, including digital piracy have been incorporated.

India's first 50-year bond fully sold on growing insurer demand

• India’s first 50-year Government Security (G-Sec) fully sold.
• RBI accepted 54 bids worth ₹9,988 cr at the cut-off yield of 7.46%.
• The maiden auction of the 50-year G-Sec was held.
• Investors, especially insurance companies and pension funds have shown enthusiastic bidding.
• Before this auction, the longest available government bond was of 40-year duration.
• The notified amount for the 50-year G-Sec (maturing in 2073) was ₹10,000 crore.
• The investors placed 216 competitive bids aggregating Rs 40,200 crore at the auction.
• France was the first G7 country to issue 50-year bonds in 2005. China issued 50-year bonds in
2009.

UPSC tightens guidelines for appointment of State DGPs

• UPSC amended guidelines for the appointment of the Director General of Police of a State.
• As per the new guidelines, police officers with at least six months of service left before retirement
will be considered for the Director General of Police of a State.
• If the Home Ministry informs the State government that “it will not be possible to relieve the
officers”, the Committee constituted by the UPSC will not consider Indian Police Service (IPS)
officers on central deputation for a State DGP’s post.
 • UPSC first created guidelines for the preparation of a panel for appointment to the post of State
DGPs in 2009.

NMC Will Launch Its One Nation, One Registration Platform For Doctors Across India
• ‘One nation, One registration platform’ for doctors will be launched by the National Medical
Commission.
• The regulatory body for medical education and medical professionals, the National Medical
Commission, has launched “one nation, one registration platform’‘.
• The aim of the platform is to eliminate duplication and allow the public to get information about
any physician working in India.
• In the next six months, NMC will launch the National Medical Register (NMR) on a trial basis.
• “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023”
gazette notification was issued by the government.
• The National Medical Commission has also inked an MoU with the Quality Council of India (QCI)
to give ratings to medical institutions in India.
CDSCO approves India's first CAR-T cell therapy against certain blood cancer
• NexCAR19 is India’s first indigenously-developed CAR-T cell therapy.
• Recently, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) granted market authorisation
for NexCAR19 to ImmunoACT, a company incubated by IIT Bombay.
• This paves the way for the commercial launch of this therapy in India, where it is expected to be
available to cancer patients at a tenth of the cost abroad.
• CAR-T is a revolutionary therapy that modifies immune cells, specifically T-cells, by turning them
into potent cancer fighters known as CAR-T cells.
Union Government may extend the export-boosting textile scheme
• The Union Government is planning to extend the tenure of the Rebate of State and Central Levies
and Taxes (RoSCTL) Scheme till 2025-26.
• It aims to reimburse all embedded State and Central taxes/levies for exports of manufactured
goods and garments.
• The RoSCTL scheme was notified by the Ministry of Textiles in 2019.
• However, the scheme shall be implemented by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• This scheme has been introduced as a replacement for the previous Rebate of State Levies
(RoSL) Scheme, which provided only rebates of state taxes.
Rule allowing Indian companies to list overseas comes into force
• The Union government recently permitted certain Indian companies to directly list on select foreign
stock exchanges.
• The Union Finance Minister had announced that the government had decided to enable listed and
unlisted domestic companies to directly list their equity shares on the International Financial
Services Centre (IFSC), Ahmedabad.
• In a notification issued earlier this week, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) said the provision,
which was announced in the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020, came into effect on October 30.
IIT-Kharagpur Study Reveals Alarming Projected Rise In Indian Surface Temperatures By 2100
• Surface temperatures over India were likely to increase by 1.1 to 5.1 degree Celsius by the year
2100, a new study by IIT-Kharagpur has indicated.
• A study was conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) recently.
• This study, titled ‘Surface Temperature Increase over India during 1980-2020 and Future
Projections: Causal Relationships Between Drivers and Trends,’ was published in the journal
Nature last month.
• The study was conducted in association with Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune.
India extends free ration scheme for 5 years
• PM Modi has announced an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
(PMGKAY) free ration scheme for another five years.
• The scheme was to end in December 2023.
• PMGKAY was introduced in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide free food grains to
beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
• The PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme was to end this December.
• The NFSA, 2013 was notified to provide for food and nutritional security, by ensuring access to
adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry to launch 3-day Women for Water,
Water for Women Campaign
• 3-day Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign launched by the Housing and Urban Affairs
Ministry.
• The Ministry has launched this campaign to celebrate Jal Diwali.
• The Ministry has launched this progressive initiative under its flagship scheme – Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
 • The National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) of the Ministry is also participating in this scheme.
• Odisha Urban Academy is its ‘knowledge partner’.
• The celebration of this “Jal Diwali” campaign will continue till November 9, 2023.
Chile becomes the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance
• Chile has become the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• It handed over the instrument of ISA ratification during the meeting of Ambassador Juan Angulo of
Chile with the Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The meeting was held in New Delhi.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA) was co-founded by India and France.
• India and France jointly launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 30 November 2015 at
COP21 in Paris, France.
• Presently, 116 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.
About ISA
• Founded: 30 November 2015
• President: R. K. Singh
• Founders: Narendra Modi, François Hollande
• ISA is an intergovernmental organization whose headquarters is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

7th Edition of Ganga Utsav Celebrated With Festive Fervor

• The 7th edition of Ganga Utsav was organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga in New
Delhi and was inaugurated by the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development
& Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ms Debashree Mukherjee, in the presence of
Special Secretary and Director General, NMCG, Shri G. Asok Kumar.
• The event also marked the release of the 33rd edition of Namami Gange Magazine, the new
Chacha Chaudhary series and the Voyage of Ganga Booklet, based on Ganga Pustak Parikrama
in collaboration with NBT.
• The 2nd edition of Ganga Pustak Parikrama was also flagged off by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee,
and Mr. G. Asok Kumar.
Fifth India-US 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held in New Delhi
• The fifth India-US 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue will be held in New Delhi.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will welcome US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin III for the Dialogue.
 • The 2 plus 2 will enable a high-level review of progress being made in cross-cutting aspects of
defence and security cooperation, technology value chain collaborations and people-to-people ties.
IIT-Madras campus inaugurated in Zanzibar, first for an IIT abroad
• An IIT-Madras campus was inaugurated in Zanzibar, becoming the first campus of an IIT to be
opened abroad.
• The new campus was inaugurated by Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, in a ceremony
also attended by Tanzanian and Indian officials, as well as academics.
• Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, and is a semi-
autonomous province of Tanzania.

India set to open Seattle consulate, 7 years after it was announced

• After seven years of announcement, India is set to open a new consulate in Seattle in the US.
• Prakash Gupta will be the Consulate-General at the mission in Seattle.
• He is currently serving as a joint secretary at the UNP (United Nations Political) Division at the
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• In 2016, India announced the opening of a consulate in Seattle in the US.
• The United States has also started the process of opening two new consulates in Bengaluru and
Ahmedabad.
• US consulates are currently present in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Central Consumer Protection Authority imposes a penalty of ₹5Lakh on the Khan Study Group (KSG)
Institute for advertising misleading claims
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹ 5lakh for
misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice on Khan Study Group (KSG).
• The decision was taken to safeguard consumer rights across the country.
• In view of the violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA, headed by Chief
Commissioner, Smt. Nidhi Khare, and Commissioner, Shri Anupam Mishra have issued an Order
against Khan Study Group (KSG) for misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice by
advertising misleading claims.

Tata Memorial Hospital to set up Ayurveda-based cancer hospital in Khopoli

• The Tata Memorial Hospital will soon establish the nation’s first-ever hospital dedicated to the
research and treatment of cancer through Ayurveda in Khopoli.
 • The 100-bed hospital and research centre will be established on around 20-acre land in Khopoli.
• This complex will house a research centre dedicated to the exploration of Ayurvedic remedies for
cancer. Anticipated completion for the hospital and research centre is scheduled for March 2026.

IndiGo Parent InterGlobe To Operate Electric Air Taxis In India

• InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo, has announced its intention to introduce an
all-electric air taxi service in India by 2026.
• In connection with its plans to operate the air taxi service, IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Archer Aviation - a company that deals in electric aircrafts, air taxis.
• Once launched, the InterGlobe-Archer flight will carry passengers from Connaught Place in the
national capital to Gurugram in Haryana in approximately 7 minutes whereas by road, the 27-
kilometre-long trip will take 60-90 minutes.
I&B Ministry Releases Draft Broadcasting Services Bill for Public Consultation
● The government has released the draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.
Objective of the Bill :
● The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2023 is designed to establish a regulatory framework
for broadcasting services.
● The new bill aims to replace the existing Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and
other related policy guidelines.
● The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 has been in effect for the past 30 years.
● The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2023 will streamline regulatory processes and will
cover the Over-the-Top (OTT) content and digital news.
About Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Ministry of I&B) :
● Union Minister : Anurag Thakur
● Minister of State : L. Murugan
Wood Mackenzie Report Predicts India's Rise as the Second-Largest Solar Module Manufacturer by
2025
● According to the Wood Mackenzie report, India would become the world's 2nd largest solar module
manufacturer by 2025.
● In its latest report, Wood Mackenzie has forecasted that India will overtake Southeast Asia as the
second-largest module production region by 2025.
● India's ascent is attributed to the strong incentives provided under the Production-Linked Incentive
 (PLI) scheme.
● India and the United States have jointly announced plans for more than 200 gigawatts (GW) of
module capacity since 2022.
● The world’s fastest-growing renewable energy market is offering around USD 2.5 billion in
subsidies under the PLI scheme for expanding solar PV module manufacturing capacity.
● Under Tranche-I of the PLI scheme, with an outlay of Rs 4,500 crore, Letters of Award (LoA)
have been issued for setting up of 8,737 megawatts (MW) of fully integrated solar PV module
manufacturing units (manufacturing of Polysilicon, Wafers, Cells and Modules).
● Under Tranche-II, with an outlay of Rs 19,500 crore, the LoAs have been issued for setting up of
39,600 MW of fully/ partially integrated solar PV module manufacturing units, through which 12
GW of polysilicon capacity, 28.8 GW of ingot-wafer capacity, 36.2 GW of cell capacity and 39.6
GW of module capacity is envisaged.
● The capex outlay for setting up these integrated module capacities is estimated to exceed Rs 1
lakh crore.
● The top 5 countries in solar manufacturing are China (80% of the global market), Vietnam (5%),
India (3%), Malaysia (3%), and Thailand (2%).
● Wood Mackenzie is a global consultancy firm specializing in renewables, energy, and natural
resources.
Union Minister Anupriya Patel inaugurates the 42nd edition of India International Trade Fair 2023 in
New Delhi
● The 42nd edition of the India International Trade Fair -2023 was inaugurated at Pragati Maidan in
New Delhi.
● The fair will continue till 27th November.
● India is the most attractive destination for investment and the country is set to become the 3rd
largest economy in the coming times.
● The theme of the fourteen-day fair is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which emphasizes the significance
of interconnectedness and cooperation in trade for achieving sustainable growth and well-being.
Ministry of Coal to Launch 8th Round of Commercial Coal Mines Auctions
● The Ministry of Coal will launch the 8th Round of Commercial Coal Mines Auctions.
● A total of 39 Mines of five states are to be offered in this round of auction.
● These States are Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal.
● The Coal sector opened for Commercial Coal Mining in 2020, with the first-ever successful auctions
 of Commercial Mining launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June, 2020.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Viksit Bharat Yatra from Khunti, Jharkhand to ensure
saturation of flagship government schemes
● Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the 15th instalment of over Rs 18,000 crore under the
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Khunti, Jharkhand.
● This significant release aims to provide financial support to farmers across the country.
● The instalment was released on the birthday of the ‘father of the land’ Shri Bhagwan Birsa Munda,
which is celebrated as the JanJaatiya Gaurav Divas every year.
● On the occasion, PM Modi launched the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, an initiative with a
budget of Rs 24,000 crore, aimed at ensuring holistic development of tribal groups.
India's Red Sanders removed from the CITES trade review
● The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed that India has been
removed from Review of Significant Trade (RST) for Red Sanders, under the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
● India has been under the Review of Significant Trade (RST) process for Red Sanders since 2004.
● The decision was taken at the 77th meeting of the Standing Committee of Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) held in Geneva from
November 6 to 10.
About CITES
● CITES is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration
organizations adhere voluntarily.
● It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The
World Conservation Union).
● It entered into force in July 1975.
● Aim: To ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten
the survival of the species.
● The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP and is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
● The Conference of the Parties to CITES is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention and
comprises all its parties.
● India has been a party to CITES since 1976.
7 changes in Senior Citizens Savings Scheme rules: More people can invest, more time for retirees,
stricter penalty
● The Finance Ministry has introduced changes to the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme in a notification
dated 7 November.
● The Centre has allowed the spouses of the deceased government employees to open Senior Citizen
Saving Scheme (SCSS) accounts.
● Earlier, the spouses of deceased government employees were not allowed to open SCSS accounts.
● Through the Budget, the maximum deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme was increased
from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
● Increased maximum deposit limit has been made effective from April 1, 2023.
About SCSS:
● Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) is a savings scheme supported by the government.
● It is available to individuals aged 60 years or older, or those who have retired at the age of 55 years
or above.
● Under this scheme, accounts can be opened with a minimum amount of ₹1,000 and a maximum of
₹30 lakh.
● The SCSS offers 8.2 % per annum interest rate. The tenure of the scheme is five years. It can be
extended.
Union Minister Narayan Rane inaugurates Khadi Theme Pavillion at IITF 2023 in New Delhi
● The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister, Narayan Rane inaugurated the Khadi Theme
Pavillion at the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
● Some of the key attractions of the pavillion include spinning wheel-charkha, khadi garments,
handicrafts, wooden toys, and ayurvedic cosmetics.
● This time more than 85% stalls were allocated to first-time participants.
● 64 MSEs represented aspirational districts of the country.
● 66 % of stalls were allocated to women entrepreneurs and 55% to enterprises from SC/ST
categories free of cost.
● The pavilion had representation from 29 States/UTs.
9th India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 to be held at Faridabad, Haryana from January
17th-20th, 2024
● The 9th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 will be held at Faridabad,
Haryana from January 17th-20th, 2024.
● India’s mega Science Fair will be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and
Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of the Department of
 Biotechnology in Faridabad.
● The theme of the present edition is 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal'.
● Since 2015, the IISF has hosted eight editions in different geographical regions of India and
expanded as a mega science festival.
● In 2021, the Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy became an integral part of
IISF.
Centre approves digital ad policy, aims to leverage new-age platforms for information dissemination
● The Union government has approved a new policy allowing its advertising wing, the Central Bureau
of Communication (CBC), to undertake advertisement campaigns on social media, OTT platforms
and other digital media.
● The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting approved the "Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 to
enable and empower the Central Bureau of Communication to undertake campaigns in the Digital
Media Space.
● The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) is a unit of the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting.
● The CBC has the mandate of providing 360-degree communication solutions to Ministries,
Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and autonomous bodies.
● It was set up in 2017 by the integration of the erstwhile Directorate of Advertising and Visual
Publicity (DAVP), Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), and Song & Drama Division (S&DD).
‘AAINA Dashboard for Cities’ portal launched
● The ‘AAINA Dashboard for Cities’ portal www.aaina.gov.in has been made live by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) where Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country can
participate in this pioneering initiative to voluntarily submit their key data on a regular basis, through
a simple, easy-to-fill, data entry form on the portal.
● The primary objectives of the AAINA Dashboard are to help cities to (i) see how they are faring vis-à-
vis other cities, (ii) inspire them by pointing to possibilities and areas of improvement and (iii)
providing opportunity to learn and engage with frontrunners.
● The Dashboard will present the data submitted by the ULBs on the basis of indicators across five
broad pillars namely, (i) Political & Administrative Structure, (ii) Finance, (iii) Planning, (iv) Citizen
Centric Governance and (v) Delivery of Basic Services.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan leads Education Ministers’ Session of 2nd Voice of Global South Summit
● The Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra
 Pradhan, chaired the Education Ministers’ Session at 2nd Voice of Global South Summit held in
New Delhi.
● The summit, operating under the theme 'Together for everyone's growth, with everyone's trust,'
addressed critical issues, particularly in education.
● The Education Ministers deliberated on the theme of ‘Making human resources future-ready’.
● The Summit, with the theme ‘Together, for Everyone’s Growth, with Everyone’s Trust’ would focus
on sharing with countries of the Global South the key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings
over the course of India’s Presidency.
India hosts the 33rd Conference of the WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific at New
Delhi
● India hosted the 33rd Conference of the WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health) Regional
Commission for Asia and the Pacific from November 13 to 16, 2023.
● This 4-day event was organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, MOFAHD at
New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate International Conference-cum-Exhibition on ‘Aerospace and
Aviation in 2047’ tomorrow
● President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a two-day International Conference-cum-Exhibition on
‘Aerospace and Aviation in 2047’ in New Delhi.
● The Aeronautical Society of India, AeSI is organising the event to commemorate 75 years of
excellence of the AeSI.
● The inaugural session will include the release of a Compendium on 75 years of aerospace and
aviation journey in India as well as Vision Document 2047.
● The event will focus on India’s journey in the field over the last 75 years, showcasing the
achievements, technological advancements, and the role of great visionaries.
PM Modi launches Rs 24,000 crore project for development of vulnerable tribal groups
● The Prime Minister of India launched a Rs 24,000-crore project for vulnerable tribal groups on the
148th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda (‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ - Nov 15) from
Jharkhand’s Khunti district.
● The PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan is meant to ensure last-mile welfare scheme delivery
and protection for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
● PVTGs were recognised as a separate category based on the findings of the 1961 Dhebar
Commission.
● Data from the MoTA and the 2011 Census shows that Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs
at 8.66 lakh, followed by MP at 6.09 lakh and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) at 5.39 lakh.
Union Fisheries Minister Shri ParshottamRupala will inaugurate Global Fisheries Conference India 2023
● The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala will
inaugurate the Global Fisheries Conference India 2023, a two-day mega event, at Gujarat Science
City, Ahmedabad.
● Under the theme ‘Celebrating Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth’, the conference aims to bring
together key stakeholders on one platform for fruitful discussions, market insights and networking.
International Round Table led by Union Minister
● One of the major highlights of the conference is an International Round Table Conference chaired by
Union Minister Shri. ParshottamRupala.
● This high-level dialogue, attended by different nations and representatives of various international
agencies, will focus on international collaborative efforts to sustain the sector amid a range of critical
challenges, including the climate crisis.
● The conference covers over 210 national and international exhibitors, including start-ups, exporters,
fisheries associations, and processing industries. It will showcase their products, technology,
success stories, and innovative solutions. This will offer a unique opportunity to the enterprises,
startups, associations, co-operatives, Self Help Groups (SHGs) and small-medium fisheries
enterprises to come together on one platform and showcase their range of products and services in
the fisheries.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced around Rs 3,000 cr to be invested in IT hardware sector
under (PLI) Scheme 2.0
● The Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that
around 3 thousand crore rupees will be invested by 27 companies in the IT hardware sector under
the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2.0. Briefing the media in New Delhi, Mr. Vaishnaw
said that out of these companies, 23 will start the production of servers, laptops, and tablets
immediately and the rest will do so within the next 90 days.
FSSAI launches food safety compliance system portal in 4 regional languages
● Food safety regulator FSSAI has launched the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal in
four regional languages, apart from Hindi and English, in order to enhance user experience and
accessibility.
● The portal is now available in Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi, apart from Hindi and English.
● The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also plans to launch the portal in
Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam, Assamese, Bengali and Odia soon.
About FSSAI
● Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
● FSS Act, of 2006 consolidated various acts & orders that had earlier handled food-related issues in
various Ministries and Departments.
● Nodal ministry:Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
GAIL does the world’s 1st ship-to-ship LNG transfer
● India's top gas firm GAIL has done the world's first ship-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) transfer
to save on shipping costs and cut emissions as the state-owned entity looks at innovative ways as a
pivot to boost business.
● GAIL has contracted 5.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG (natural gas super-cooled to liquid form)
from the US.
● The ship typically travels a distance of about 19,554 nautical miles for a round trip to transport LNG
from Sabine Pass in the US to India via the Suez Canal and Gibraltar.
● This journey takes approximately 54 days and emits about 15,600 tonnes of CO2.
● This is the world's first STS between a large conventional LNG vessel and a Q-Flex LNG Vessel.
● This innovation plus the installation of the first floating CNG station helped GAIL win the 'Innovation
Award - India and Midstream Project of the Year' at the Asian Oil and Gas Awards.
Ministry of Tourism organising International Tourism Mart at Shillong
● The Ministry of Tourism is organising the International Tourism Mart at Shillong in Meghalaya to
create awareness about the tourism potential of the North East Region.
● The event is scheduled to be inaugurated by Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy and attended by
Tourism Ministers of North Eastern states.
● The three-day event will provide a platform for North Eastern stakeholders to interact with their
counterparts from the country and overseas markets.
● At present, there are more than 16 airports providing accessibility to tourist destinations in the
NorthEast Region.
Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala to inaugurate ‘Global Fisheries Conference India 2023’ on 21st
November at Ahmedabad, Gujarat
● Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala will inaugurate
 Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 at Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad.
● The concept has thus taken the shape of a two-day conference from 21st to 22nd November 2023
on the occasion of World Fisheries Day being celebrated globally.
● The Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 was conceptualised by the Department of Fisheries
with the aim of devising a way forward for the Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture sector in conjunction
with the stakeholders from the fisheries’ value chain.
● The event will kick-start with the inauguration of the Exhibition by Union Minister Shri Parshottam
Rupala and followed by the Inaugural session, Press Conference, International Round table and
parallel Technical Sessions, Industry Connect Sessions and G2G/G2B and B2B Bilaterals.
Indian patent filings grow faster than others globally
● Global patenting activity soared to new records in 2022, fuelled by Indian and Chinese innovators
and powered by increased levels of innovation, entrepreneurship and digitalisation in these
countries.
● Patent filings by Indian applicants grew by 31.6% in 2022, extending an 11-year run of growth
unmatched by any other country among the top 10 filers, according to WIPO's (World Intellectual
Property Organisation) annual World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) report.
● Overall, China, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Germany were the countries with the
highest numbers of patent filings in 2022.
● The largest rise in filings was reported from India.
● Switzerland (6.1%), China (3.1%), Austria (2.5%) and the UK (2.5%) also reported robust growth in
filings.
About WIPO
● The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves the
world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve
lives everywhere.
● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
● Founded: 14 July 1967
● Head: Daren Tang; Director General
UGC notifies regulations for foreign universities to set up campuses in India
● The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued regulations for foreign universities to establish and
operate campuses in India.
● As per the regulations, foreign universities can collaborate to set up campuses in India, if they meet
 eligibility criteria individually.
● They should have secured a position within the top 500 in global rankings.
● Also, the final rules have increased the time period for the standing committee to process
applications from 45 days to 60 days.
● The recommendations of the committee should be placed before the UGC in 60 days, as opposed to
45 days in the draft regulations.
CCRAS launches Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative for physicians practising in Ayurveda
● The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of Ayush
launched the Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) for physicians practising in the field of
Ayurveda in New Delhi.
● The initiative aims to promote research for mainstreaming pragmatic Ayurveda practices through
scientific validation and evidence-based appraisal.
● The Ministry of Ayush, that interested Ayurveda Practitioners can email their interest to
[email protected] till 15th December.
HP, Dell and Lenovo among 27 firms granted approval to manufacture tech hardware in India under the
incentive scheme
● The Indian government has approved investments by 27 companies including Dell, HP and Foxconn
under its $2 billion incentive scheme to manufacture IT hardware domestically.
● Information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the companies are expected to invest 30
billion Indian rupees ($360 million) collectively while creating 50,000 jobs in the sector.
● The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had approved the PLI Scheme – 2.0
for IT hardware.
● The scheme is key to India's ambitions to become a powerhouse in the global electronics supply
chain, with the country targeting an annual output worth $300 billion by 2026.
● The PLI Scheme for IT Hardware, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and notified on May
29, 2023, with a budgetary outlay of ₹17,000 crores, aims to enhance the IT hardware
manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
World Coal Association rebrands as FutureCoal, seeks tech intervention for reliable, affordable energy
● Thirty-eight years into existence, the World Coal Association (WCA) has renamed itself FutureCoal-
The Global Alliance for Sustainable Coal as part of its transformative branding.
● FutureCoal Global Alliance describes itself as the world’s only multi-lateral, neutral and progressive
organisation representing the entire coal value chain which is dedicated to raising awareness of the
 significant total contribution of coal.
● FutureCoal Global Alliance describes itself as the world’s only multi-lateral, neutral and progressive
organisation representing the entire coal value chain which is dedicated to raising awareness of the
significant total contribution of coal.
About The World Coal Association
● The World Coal Association is an international non-profit, non-governmental association based in
London, United Kingdom. It was created to represent the global coal industry.
● The association was formerly called the World Coal Institute but changed its name in November
2010.
● FutureCoal CEO – Michelle Manook
Union Government Will Announce a New Policy For Foreign Production Houses
● The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag, the International Film Festival of India
(IFFI) in Goa that the government is going to announce a new filmmaking policy.
● Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur
said that India will increase the incentive for foreign film production in the country to 40 % of the
expenses incurred with an increased cap limit of Rs.30 crore (exceeding 3.5 million US Dollars).
● Earlier, the per project cap for the incentives was only Rs 2.5 Crore.
● An additional 5% percent bonus for Significant Indian Content (SIC), in his inaugural address at the
54th International Film Festival of India at Panaji, Goa.
● The Union Minister also announced a recruitment drive for the young minds who were selected in
the '75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow,' opening up doors to limitless opportunities for their blossoming
talents and career trajectories.
● The '75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow,' now in its 3rd edition, was born in 2021 from the Prime
Minister's vision to provide the youth with a platform to showcase their creative expression through
the medium of cinema.
● The Minister also announced a new category of awards - Best Web Series (OTT) Category - being
introduced in this edition of IFFI.
Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates the 8th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) in New Delhi
● Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, inaugurated the 8th
Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New
Delhi.
● The summit, organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Center for Ganga
 River Basin Management and Studies (Ganga), spans three days from November 22 to 24, 2023.
● The theme of IWIS 2023 is 'Development vis-à-vis Land, Water and Rivers,' aimed at uniting
scientific experts, stakeholders, and government representatives to address dynamic challenges and
opportunities in India's water sector.
● International Water Innovation Summit 2023 (IWIS) and the 1st CITIS Summit, a special session
titled "River Cities Alliance - A Global Step Forward (GRCA) was also held and was attended by
delegates from Ethiopia, Denmark, Mexico, the Federal Republic of Germany, Bhutan, United
Kingdom, Nepal and Japan.
MoRD and MoA&FW launched the training of Krishi Sakhis for the promotion of Natural Farming
● The Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare jointly
launched the training of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–
NRLM)’s Krishi Sakhis for promotion of Natural Farming.
● The initiative aimed to train and certify 50,000 Krishi Sakhis in a phased manner by the National
Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), a subordinate office of the MoA&FW as the
Nodal institution.
● For the 5-day training course, training modules have been prepared by NCONF and sent to the
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) for the final review.
Ministry of Rural Development organised 4th Consultative Workshop in collaboration with Tamil Nadu
SRLM on “Women’s Economic Empowerment through Promotion of Producer Collectives”
● The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of
Rural Development, Government of India organised the fourth consultative workshop, in
collaboration with Tamil Nadu state mission of DAY-NRLM on the theme of "Women's Economic
Empowerment through Promotion of Producer Collectives”.
● Participants from seven states- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana and Karnataka along with some eminent stakeholders from government, private and
social sector organizations joined the workshop.
● Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods, Shri Charanjit Singh reiterated the commitment of DAY-
NRLM to partner with State SRLMs (State Rural Livelihoods Mission) in the spirit of convergence
and whole of government approach
Food Subsidy Budget Estimate to Reach Rs 2.3 Trillion for FY25
● India’s food subsidy is likely to be Rs 2.3 trillion for FY25.
● The central government food subsidy outlay will likely be Rs 2.3 trillion for FY25.
● India’s revised estimate of food subsidy for FY24 has increased by Rs 17000 crores to Rs 2.14
trillion.
● The revised food subsidy has increased due to an increase in the minimum support prices (MSP) for
key crops.
● The food subsidy budget estimate for FY25 is likely to be around 7% more than the FY24 revised
estimate.
● The increase in the food subsidy in the current financial year will not affect the government's aims of
containing the fiscal deficit at 5.9% of GDP.
● Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), the government is providing free
grains to the NFSA beneficiaries.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated ‘Samajik
Adhikarita Shivir’
● Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated ‘Samajik
Adhikarita Shivir’ for the distribution of aids and assistive devices to persons with disabilities
(Divyangjan) at Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha District of Gujarat, in the presence of Shri Dipsinh
Rathod, Member of Parliament, Sabarkantha, Smt. Ramila Ben Bara, Member of Parliament
(Rajyasabha) local public representatives and senior officials from district administration.
● The distribution camps were organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (Divyangjan) (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of
India through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) a PSU under the
administrative control of DEPwD in association respective districts administration.
MoS, Communications Devusinh Chauhan inaugurates Hamfest India 2023 in Ahmedabad
● Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, inaugurated Hamfest India 2023 at
Vigyan Bhawan, Science City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
● This two-day national convention commenced.
● Hamfest India 2023 brings together a diverse community of amateur radio operators, showcasing
the latest innovations, communication techniques, and technological advancements.
● Hamfest India holds a significant place in the history of amateur radio in India, dating back to its
inception in 1991.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri inaugurates floating re-fueling (CNG station for boats at Ravidas Ghat
● In a significant step towards a pollution-free Varanasi, the city’s second floating Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG) Mobile Refueling Unit (MRU) station at Ravidas Ghat was inaugurated by Minister of
 Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri.
● This is the country’s second such station built to fill CNG in boats, after the Namo Ghat CNG station
here.
● Both the stations have been developed by GAIL (India) Limited, a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry
of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
● GAIL Chairman & Managing Director Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Director (Human Resources) Shri
Ayush Gupta, Director (Marketing) Shri Sanjay Kumar and a host of dignitaries were present on the
occasion.
● The floating stations have been developed by GAIL at a cost of approx. Rs 17.5 crore.
World’s first 3D printed temple comes up in Telangana's Siddipet
● The world’s first 3D-printed temple has been unveiled by Telangana.
● The world's first 3D-printed temple is a ground-breaking structure located at Burugupally in Siddipet
district.
● The innovative construction, achieved through a three-month 3D printing process, is a significant
technological milestone.
● Spread over 4,000 square feet and situated at a height of 35.5 feet, this temple has three different
parts.
Survey of India, Genesys tie up for 3D digital twin-mapping programme in India
● Survey of India (SoI) and Genesys International, a leading Indian mapping company, announced a
strategic tie-up for a three-dimensional (3D) digital twin-mapping programme in India.
● It is a virtual depiction of a real-world entity, be it a product, process, person or location, capable of
comprehending and gauging its tangible counterparts.
● The twin digital copy will also help policymakers understand how infrastructure will function in
different situations, such as high-footprint events, an increase in population, or natural disasters.
● The Genesys constellation of sensors and SOI's recently launched Continuously Operating
Reference Stations (CORS) network allow for real-time high-precision positioning data.
India, Australia discuss defence ties at 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Australian Deputy
Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong as part of
the second India Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
● The 2 + 2 is a unique ministerial dialogue that brings senior ministers together in a bilateral setting.
● India maintains Ministerial Dialogue format only with a few key partners like Australia, the United
 States, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom.
● This will be only the second 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue round with India’s Quad partner Australia after
the first round was held in 2021.
● India and Australia are presently engaged in superior negotiations for a complete economic
cooperation settlement (CECA) as a way to construct the Economic Cooperation and Trade
Agreement (ECTA) signed in April 2022.
Government takes apex cyber security agency out of public’s right to know
● THE CENTRE has exempted the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the
national nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing, from the purview
of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
● The Centre has used its powers given under sub-section (2) of Section 24 of the RTI Act to exempt
CERT-In from the purview of the transparency law.
● Using those powers, the Centre has included CERT-In at serial number 27 in the Second Schedule
of the RTI Act.
● The CERT-In comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
● These 26 intelligence and security organisations are: Intelligence Bureau; Research and Analysis
Wing including its technical wing namely, the Aviation Research Centre of the Cabinet Secretariat;
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence; Central Economic Intelligence Bureau; Directorate of
Enforcement; Narcotics Control Bureau; Special Frontier Force; Border Security Force; Central
Reserve Police Force; Indo-Tibetan Border Police; Central Industrial Security Force; National
Security Guards; Assam Rifles; Sashtra Seema Bal; Directorate General of Income-tax
(Investigation); National Technical Research Organisation; Financial Intelligence Unit, India; Special
Protection Group; Defence Research and Development Organisation; Border Road Development
Board; National Security Council Secretariat; Central Bureau of Investigation; National investigation
Agency; National Intelligence Grid; and Strategic Forces Command.
● Under Section 24 of the RTI Act, certain organisations are exempted from the law.
● The RTI law empowers the Central Government to amend the Second Schedule by including therein
any other intelligence or security organisation established by it or omitting therefrom any
organisation already specified therein.
54th International Film Festival of India in collaboration with UNICEF screens five films
● The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in collaboration with UNICEF is screening five
films that deal with child rights.
● Out of five films, two are from India, while three are from Iran and Sri Lanka.
● Two Indian films include the national award-winning Bengali film Damu, directed by Raja Sen.
● The second Indian film is the Manish Saini-directed Gujarati movie ‘Gandhi & Co.’
● This year, UNICEF and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the organizer of IFFI,
have partnered to focus the attention of the film industry and audiences on child rights.
● NFDC’s partnership with UNICEF at IFFI underscores the efforts to create more awareness on the
issues and generate wider discourses on child rights.
The 42nd India International Trade Fair concluded in New Delhi
● The 42nd India International Trade Fair concluded in New Delhi.
● 10 lakh domestic and foreign visitors and business persons participated in this 14-day fair.
● The theme of the fair this year was based on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
● Bihar and Kerala were the partner states of the fair and Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand,
Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh were the focus states.
● In the States and Union Territories category, Odisha won the Gold Medal, while the Silver Medal
was presented to Assam and the Bronze Medal to Rajasthan.
● Madhya Pradesh won the Gold Medal in the Thematic Presentation by the States Category.
● Tripura bagged Silver Medal and Andhra Pradesh Bronze in the same category.
Ministry of Education asks States to encourage use of online coaching platform SATHEE
● The Ministry of Education asks States to encourage use of online coaching platform SATHEE.
● SATHEE is an open learning platform available to students at no cost.
● It has launched a 45-day crash course for aspirants to test their level of preparation.
● The platform hosts live and recorded lectures, expertly designed curriculum and doubt-clearing
sessions for students to brush up their knowledge.
● It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to interact with students, and can be customised to each student’s
pace of learning.
● Pan India mock tests are conducted every weekend on SATHEE, with the same look and feel
adopted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for conducting the JEE.
About SATHEE
● SATHEE mitras (friends) are being involved to increase rural coverage of students appearing for
entrance tests, including the JEE and NEET.
● The portal intends to provide lectures and live courses on all National Council of Educational
Research and Training (NCERT) syllabus topics.
Centre renames Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres as Ayushman Arogya Mandir
● The Central Government changed the name of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-
HWCs) to ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir.’
● Its tagline is “Arogyam Paramam Dhanam.”
● It is underlined that the logo of the National Health Mission (NHM) will be retained in the rebranded
centres.
● The amount required to rename existing facilities has been proposed to be ₹3,000 per facility.
● There are currently over 1.6 lakh AB-HWCs in India.
IndiGo to be first airline to start flights from Noida International Airport
● IndiGo will be the first airline to start flights from Noida International Airport, which is scheduled to
be operational by the end of 2024.
● Noida International Airport (NIA) formally entered into an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with IndiGo, the largest airline in the country, designating IndiGo as the launch carrier for the
airport.
● Under the agreement, signed in Delhi, NIA and IndiGo will work together towards developing and
strengthening air connectivity in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
● Noida International Airport is a greenfield airport situated in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh
Nagar district in western Uttar Pradesh, approximately 75 km from Delhi.
● Once operational, Noida International Airport will be the second international airport and the third
commercial airport overall in the National Capital Region (NCR).
About IndiGo :
● Headquarters : Gurgaon, Haryana, India
● CEO : Pieter Elbers.
● InterGlobe Aviation Limited, doing business as IndiGo, is an Indian low-cost airline.
Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups:
● The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Central
Sector Scheme for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), with an outlay of Rs.
1261 Crore for the period from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
● The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs from 2023-24 to 2025-2026 to
provide rental services to farmers for agriculture.
● Aligning to the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the scheme seeks to empower
women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and bring new technologies through drone services in the
 agriculture sector.
Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
● The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved Pradhan Mantri
Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with total outlay of Rs.24,104 crore (Central
Share:Rs.15,336 crore and State Share: Rs.8,768 crore) to focus on 11 critical interventions through
9 line Ministries.
● The Prime Minister announced the Abhiyan on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas from Khunti.
● As announced in the Budget Speech 2023-24, “to improve socio-economic conditions of the
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Pradhan Mantri PVTG of Development Mission will
be launched.
Cabinet approves Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission
● The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Terms of
Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
● The Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission will be notified in due course of time.
● The 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations, upon acceptance by the government, would
cover the period of five (5) years commencing April 1, 2026.
● Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays down that the modalities for setting up of a Finance
Commission to make recommendations on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the
Union and the States, allocation between the States of respective shares of such proceeds; grants-
in-aid and the revenues of the States and measures needed to supplement the resources of the
Panchayats during the award period.
● The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted on November 27, 2017.
Cabinet approves continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts for further
three years
● The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of
Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) as, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) from 01.04.2023 to
31.03.2026 with financial implication of Rs. 1952.23 crore (Rs. 1207.24 crore as Central Share and
Rs. 744.99 crore as State share). Central Share is to be funded from Nirbhaya Fund.
● The government's unwavering priority towards ensuring the safety and security of women and
children is evident through several initiatives, such as the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' programme.
● Consequently, the Central Government enacted the "The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. 2018,"
which included stringent punishment, including the death penalty for rape offenders, leading to the
 creation of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
● FTSCs, designed as dedicated courts, are expected to ensure swift dispensation of justice, offering
quick relief to victims while strengthening the deterrence framework
Free Foodgrains for 81.35 crore beneficiaries for five years: Cabinet Decision
● The Cabinet led by Prime Minister has decided that the Central government will provide free food
grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
(PMGKAY) for a period of five years with effect from 1st January, 2024.
● This is a historic decision that places PMGKAY amongst the World’s biggest social welfare schemes
aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security for 81.35 crore persons, at an estimated cost of Rs.
11.80 lakh crore over a 5 year period.
● Free food grains (rice , wheat and coarse grains/millets) under PMGKAY for 5 years from 1.1.2024
will strengthen food security and mitigate any financial hardship of the poor and vulnerable sections
of the population.
Union WCD Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani launches ‘Guide on Gender-Inclusive Communication’ at a
National event held in New Delhi
● Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development (MWCD) launched a ‘Guide on
Gender-Inclusive Communication’ in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
● The guide, titled “Gender-Inclusive Communication”, was prepared by the Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in collaboration with UN WOMEN and Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation.
● The guide covers the use of language in English, Hindi, and other Regional languages, based on
the “Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes' ' by Supreme Court of India and other national
and global best practices customized to suit the requirements of the Indian citizens.
Union WCD Minister launches ‘Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children’ at National Outreach Program
in New Delhi
● The Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children was launched by the Union Minister for Women and
Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in the presence of Dr Munjpara
Mahendrabhai, MoS MWCD and AYUSH, Shri Indevar Pandey, Secretary, MoWCD, Shri Rajesh
Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, and Dr K K Tripathy, Economic Advisor, MoHFW at a national
outreach programme organized on 28th November 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan.
● The event was organised to realize the commitment to strengthening Divyang children’s overall
access to improved well-being.
● The event was attended by senior officers from MoWCD, MoHFW, DEPwD, State WCD Officers,
CDPOs, Lady Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers and ASHA workers from across the country and
experts from key organizations such as NIMHANS.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
CCI becomes a member of the International Competition Network's steering group
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has become a part of the prestigious 18-member
steering committee of the International Competition Network (ICN) at the ICN Annual Conference
2023 in Barcelona, Spain after consistent efforts.
• The ICN was officially established in October 2001 and includes officials from 15 competition
agencies worldwide.
• The concept for the ICN originated from recommendations made by the International Competition
Policy Advisory Committee (ICPAC), a group formed in 1997.
• The steering committee serves as the apex body of the ICN, guiding its policies and activities.
About CCI :
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• CCI is a statutory body of the Government of India and was established in March 2009 under the
Competition Act, 2002.
• It became fully functional in 2009.
• The goal of CCI is to create and sustain fair competition in the economy that will provide a ‘level
playing field’ to the producers and make the markets work for the welfare of consumers.
15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue held in New Delhi
• The 15th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue took place in New Delhi.
• The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane from India.
• The co-chair from Singapore was Mr. Chan Heng Kee, who serves as the Permanent Secretary
(Defence).
• During the meeting, both sides reviewed the existing defence cooperation between India and
Singapore.
• They agreed to enhance collaboration in Service-to-Service interactions and bilateral exercises.
About Singapore :
• President : Tharman Shanmugaratnam
• Prime Minister : Lee Hsien Loong
 • Currency : Singapore dollar

Gwalior, Kozhikode join UNESCO's list of creative cities

• Two Indian cities, Gwalior and Kozhikode, have been added to the prestigious list of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network
(UCCN).
• The cities featured among 55 new cities from around the world and were added to the list on World
Cities Day, which was observed on Oct 31.
• Madhya Pradesh’s (MP) Gwalior made the cut in the ‘Music’ category, while Kerala’s Kozhikode
has earned its place in the list in the ‘Literature’ category.
• These cities were acknowledged for "their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity
as part of their development strategies, and displaying innovative practices in human-centred
urban planning".
About UNESCO :
• Established : 1945
• Headquarters : Paris, France
• Director General : Audrey Azoulay
• UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and
security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.
Bangladesh to Construct Memorial Honouring Indian Heroes of 1971 War
• A memorial to honour the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War of
Bangladesh in 1971 at Ashuganj in Bangladesh is in the advanced stages of completion.
• This will be the first memorial in Bangladesh to exclusively honour Indian soldiers from the 1971
war.
• The foundation stone for the memorial at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria was laid by Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March 2021.
• The project aims to raise awareness of the 1971 Liberation War among the youth and will include
facilities for children’s recreation on the premises.
About Bangladesh :
• President : Mohammed Shahabuddin
• Prime Minister : Sheikh Hasina
• Capital : Dhaka
 • Currency : Taka
Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Holds Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in
New Delhi
• Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited India and held a bilateral meeting with
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
• The meeting is of significant geostrategic importance, considering the growing concerns about
China's efforts to strengthen its ties with Bhutan.
• India and Bhutan agreed to upgrade border and immigration posts to enhance security and ease of
movement across their shared border.
• Both countries discussed new routes for regional connectivity, which can promote economic and
trade ties in the region.
About Bhutan :
• Capital : Thimphu
• Currency : Ngultrum (Nu)
Western Sydney University to set up campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Western Sydney University (WSU), which is ranked 375th globally, is poised to become the third
Australian university to set up a campus in India, following in the footsteps of Deakin University
and the University of Wollongong.
• Australian Education Minister Jason Clare, currently visiting India with a delegation of 6 vice-
chancellors, confirmed this development.
• WSU is keen on establishing its independent campus in Bengaluru by 2025.
• Deakin University and the University of Wollongong had applied to the International Financial
Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) for permission to establish an international branch campus in
GIFT City, Gujarat.
Norway to Support India's 'Hunger Project' for Women Leaders, Environmental Protection, and Food
Security in Uttarakhand
• Norway commits to providing financial support for India's 'Hunger Project' aimed at strengthening
women leaders, environmental protection, and promoting food security in Uttarakhand.
• The duration of the project would be 3 years, until September 2026 with a budget of ₹44.7 million.
• The hunger project organises capacity-building training for elected women representatives (EWRs)
and federations, focusing on strengthening van panchayats (forest councils) which in turn will
ensure food security and livelihood opportunities for marginalised households.
United Kingdom to Add India to its List of Safe Countries
● The United Kingdom (UK) has decided to include India in its list of safe states.
● Apart from India, Georgia has also been included in the list of safe states of the UK.
● Other nations deemed safe by the UK include Albania, Switzerland along with European Union
(EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) states.
About UK :
● Prime Minister: Rishi Sunak
● Capital: London
● Currency: Pound sterling
First India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) Investors Meet held in Delhi
ahead of 2 plus 2 Indo-US Ministerial Dialogue
● The first India-US Defence Acceleration Eco-System (INDUS X) Investor Meet concluded in Delhi.
● It was organized by Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Department of Defence
Production and the US Department of Defence in New Delhi.
● This meeting was organized Ahead of the 2+2 India-US ministerial dialogue.
● The event was coordinated by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), IndusTech and
MACH33.AERO (Social Alpha).
54th International Film Festival of India Scheduled for November 20th to 28th in Goa
● The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is scheduled to take place in Goa from
November 20 to 28,2023 as announced by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri
Anurag Thakur.
● The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India through National Film
Development Corporation (NFDC), jointly with the State Government of Goa through its
Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), is organizing 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)’
from 20 to 28 Nov, 2023 at Goa.
● This year, a new category has been introduced for the Best Web Series (OTT) Award, receiving 32
entries from 15 OTT platforms in 10 languages. The winner will be awarded a certificate and a
cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
33rd Conference of WOAH Regional Commission explores ways to fight infectious animal disease
● The 33rd Conference of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Commission for
Asia and Pacific started in New Delhi.
● Delegates from 36 countries are participating in the conference.
● It is scheduled to be organized from November 13 to 16, 2023.
● As per the World Organisation for Animal Health, 69 % of the human infections originate from the
animals.
● This contributes to 1% of the national GDP and 5.37 % of Agri GDP.
About WOAH
● WOAH is an intergovernmental organization located in Paris, France, that was founded in 1924 to
fulfil six main missions: To ensure transparency on global animal diseases.
● To collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information. To encourage international
solidarity in the control of animal diseases.
● Headquarters: Paris
APEDA Facilitates Inaugural Shipment of Fresh Bananas to Netherlands
● In a significant boost to the prospects of fresh fruit exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the export of the first trial
shipment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands via a sea route.
● The trial shipment of bananas to Europe was carried out by the APEDA-registered 'INI Farms - a
top exporter of fruits and vegetables from India.
● Despite being the world's largest banana producer, India's export share is currently only one
percent in the global market.
● India accounts for 26.45% of the world's banana production at 35.36 million metric tonnes (MMT).
● Andhra Pradesh is the largest banana-producing state in India, followed by Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
● These five states collectively contribute around 67% to India's banana production in the fiscal
year 2022-23.
About APEDA :
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● Chairman : Dr.Abhisek Dev
● APEDA was established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry under the Agriculture and
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, passed by Parliament in December
1985.
● The Act came into effect on February 13, 1986.
● APEDA replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
Russia Agrees to Supply Igla Anti-Aircraft Missiles to India and Allows Local Production
 ● Russia has signed a deal to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India.
● As part of the deal, Russia will also allow production of the Igla in India under licence.
● Igla-S is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) designed to be fired by an individual or
crew to target and bring down enemy aircraft.
● Russia remains India’s biggest weapons supplier.
● France accounted for 29% of India's arms imports between 2018 and 2022.
● The United States accounted for 11% of India’s arms imports between 2018 and 2022.
About Russia :
● President : Vladimir Putin
● Prime Minister : Mikhail Mishustin
● Capital : Moscow
● Currency : Ruble
Japan gets a new island after undersea volcano erupts
● Japan, known for its volcanic activity and numerous islands, has witnessed the emergence of a
new island near the Ogasawara island chain.
● A new island has now emerged within the vicinity of Japan's Ogasawara island chain, after the
eruption of an underwater volcano in late October 2023.
● A phreatomagmatic eruption built a new island near Japan's Ogasawara Island group.
● The Ogasawara island chain, also known as the Bonin Islands, constitutes a volcanic arc
comprising over 30 islands and islets, some of which remain volcanically active.
● The Ogasawara Islands are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan.
About Japan :
● Prime Minister: Fumio Kishida
● Capital: Tokyo
● Currency: Japanese yen
Public Concern Arises as One of the World's Most Active Volcanoes, Mount Etna, Begins Eruption
● Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes located in Italy, erupted, causing public
concern.
● Mount Etna is Europe's most active volcano, among the largest globally, and holds the status of
the most active stratovolcano in the world.
● The eruptive column from Mount Etna's recent eruption is estimated to be more than 14,700 feet
above sea level.
 ● Mount Etna stands at an elevation of about 3,326 metres, making it the highest peak in Italy
south of the Alps.
● Volcanoes are defined as openings or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt
onto the Earth's surface, occurring both on land and in the ocean.
● A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, has a conical shape formed by layers of
volcanic material deposited during successive eruptions.
Israel Admits Deploying Advanced Arrow 3 Missile Interceptor in Confrontation with Iran-Backed Houthi
Rebels
● Israel has confirmed the use of its advanced Arrow 3 missile interceptor against Iran-backed
Houthi rebels.
● This marks the first deployment of the Arrow-3 missile system since its introduction.
● Arrow-3 Missile Defence System is an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile defence system for
long-range threat engagement.
● The missile was jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and the Missile Defence
Agency in the United States (US).
● Initially deployed in 2017, Arrow-3 is the top layer of Israel's sophisticated air-defense network.
About Israel :
● President : Isaac Herzog
● Prime Minister : Benjamin Netanyahu
● Capital : Jerusalem
● Currency : New shekel
Indian Meteorological Department Announces the Formation of Cyclone Midhili in the Northwest Bay of
Bengal
● The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially declared the development of Cyclone
Midhili in the northwest Bay of Bengal.
● Under the influence of Cyclone Midhili, heavy rainfall is forecasted in coastal regions, specifically
in Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
● Wind speeds associated with the cyclone are expected to range between 40 kmph and 70 kmph
in the affected areas.
● The name 'Midhili' for the cyclone was given by the Maldives, following the established practice
of naming cyclones in the region.
● The next cyclone in the sequence will be named 'Michaung,' a name provided by Myanmar as
 part of the regional collaboration in cyclone nomenclature.
● A cyclone is defined as a rapid inward air circulation in and around a low-pressure (LP) area.
● Cyclones are limited to the atmosphere between 30° N and 30° S latitudes.
● Cyclones in India : Tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region develop during the pre-
monsoon (April to June) and post-monsoon (October to December) periods.
Types of Cyclones :
● Tropical Cyclones : Characterised by winds exceeding 74 mph and heavy rainfall.
● Severe Cyclonic Storms : More intense than tropical cyclones, with stronger winds and potential
for storm surges.
● Very Severe Cyclonic Storms : Even more powerful, leading to extreme wind speeds and
torrential rainfall.
● Super Cyclones : The most intense and destructive cyclones with wind speeds exceeding 131
mph, causing widespread devastation.
About IMD :
● Established : 15 January 1875
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● Director General : Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
● The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the
Government of India.
● It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and
seismology.
South Africa Introduces Tax Incentives to Encourage Conservation of Lions and Rhinos
● South Africa has implemented its first-ever tax incentives to encourage the preservation of
endangered species.
● The South African Environment Ministry has entered into Biodiversity Management Agreements
(BMAs) with three landowners in Limpopo province.
● These agreements aim to secure the protection of privately-owned lions and rhinos.
● The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment collaborated with the Sustainable
Finance Coalition and Wilderness Foundations Africa in developing these biodiversity
management agreements.
● In order to activate the agreements applicants have to sign a management plan of at least a five-
year duration with the department.
 ● The incentive falls under the category of Threatened Species and Other Effective Area-based
Conservation Measures (OECMs).
About South Africa :
● President : Cyril Ramaphosa
● Capital : Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
● Currency : South African rand
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Stamps & First Day Envelopes Released
● For the first time in over two decades, the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) are collaborating on a new collection coming to the stamp counter.
● The United Nations Postal Administration will issue a definitive set of Marie Sklodowska-Curie
stamps and first-day envelopes adorned with a new IAEA distinctive cachet on 7 November
2023.
● The collection commemorates the anniversary of Marie Sklodowska-Curie's birth and recognizes
her significant contributions to nuclear science.
● To this day, she is also the only person ever to receive two Nobel Prizes in different fields of
science, one in physics in 1903 and one in chemistry in 1911.
● The special envelope also pays tribute to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme
(MSCFP), which upholds the IAEA's commitment to promoting diversity and empowering women
in nuclear science by aiming to increase the number of women in the field.
About IAEA :
● Founded: 29 July 1957
● Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
● Director General : Rafael Mariano Grossi.
● The International Atomic Energy Agency is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to
promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose,
including nuclear weapons.
UAE Unveils World's Largest Single-Site Solar Power Plant in Anticipation of COP28
● The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has inaugurated the world's largest single-site solar power plant
ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
● The 2-gigawatt Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Project (IPP) is located 35
kilometres from Abu Dhabi city and will generate enough electricity to power almost 200,000
homes.
 ● The plant is expected to displace 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
● The project was inaugurated by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi,
and in the presence of Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of the Interior.
● The project was developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and its partners Abu
Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewables and JinkoPower.
● The country will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference from November 30th to
December 12, 2023.
About UAE :
● President : Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
● Prime Minister : Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
● Capital : Abu Dhabi
● Currency : UAE dirham
Indian Mission to ASEAN Hosting ASEAN-India Millet Festival in Jakarta
● The Indian Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with the
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is hosting the ASEAN-India Millet Festival in
Indonesia’s capital Jakarta from November 22-26, 2023, as part of the 'International Year of
Millets 2023'.
● The food festival started by showcasing culinary skills through innovative millet dishes and
featuring participation from Millet-based Food Producer Organisations, and start-ups.
● The 5-day festival is strategically organized in alignment with the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’
Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition.
● The joint statement was adopted at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta on September 7,
2023.
About ASEAN :
● Headquarters : Jakarta, Indonesia
● The ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 Southeast Asian
countries.
● It was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
● Members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar,
Cambodia and Vietnam.
● The first summit meeting of the ASEAN union was hosted in 1976 on Indonesia’s most prominent
 island Bali.
4th Cyclonic Storm of the Year, 'Michaung,' Anticipated to Impact Bay of Bengal
● A cyclonic storm named 'Michaung' is predicted to occur in the Bay of Bengal basin.
● 'Michaung' marks the 4th cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal for the year and the 6th in Indian
water bodies in the current year.
● The cyclonic storm is expected to affect regions in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
● Cyclonic storm 'Michaung' originated in the Gulf of Thailand, contributing to its development.
What is a Cyclone?
● A cyclone is defined as a rapid inward air circulation in and around a low-pressure (LP) area.
● Cyclones are limited to the atmosphere between 30° N and 30° S latitudes.
● Cyclones usually form in the months between April and December.
● A pre-monsoon spike in cyclonic conditions occurs in May while a post-monsoon peak takes p
November.
● Cyclones in India : Tropical cyclones in the North Indian Ocean region develop during the pre-
monsoon (April to June) and post-monsoon (October to December) periods.
Types of Cyclones :
● Tropical Cyclones : Characterised by winds exceeding 74 mph and heavy rainfall.
● Severe Cyclonic Storms : More intense than tropical cyclones, with stronger winds and potential
for storm surges.
● Very Severe Cyclonic Storms : Even more powerful, leading to extreme wind speeds and
torrential rainfall.
● Super Cyclones : The most intense and destructive cyclones with wind speeds exceeding 131
mph, causing widespread devastation.
Antarctica Releases World's Largest Iceberg in Over Three Decades, Larger Than New York, Moving
Towards South Georgia
● The colossal iceberg A23a, recognized as the world's largest, has broken free after being lodged
in the Antarctic's Weddell Sea for more than three decades since its origin in 1986.
● Spanning an expansive 4,000 sq km (1,500 sq miles), A23a is more than double the size of
Greater London, making it the largest iceberg in the world.
● Although grounded since 1986, the recent acceleration in A23a's movement is prompting
inquiries into the factors contributing to its newfound mobility.
● In 2020, another giant iceberg, A68, stirred fears that it would collide with South Georgia,
 crushing marine life on the seafloor and cutting off food access.

STATE NEWS
Manipur Celebrates Annual festival - Mera Houchongba
• In Manipur, the annual festival - Mera Houchongba will be celebrated at Kangla in Imphal.
• The festival is held to foster and consolidate relations among hill tribes and valley people of
Manipur.
• Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh along with the titular king of Manipur and Member of Rajya
Sabha Leishemba Sanajaoba will inaugurate the festival at Kangla, the erstwhile royal palace of
Manipur.
• The festival is traditionally observed and celebrated during the month of 'Mera,' which typically falls
in either September or October.
• The term 'Houchongba' itself translates to 'intermingling' or 'amalgamation.'
• The festival is designed to symbolize and promote the concept of bringing people together and
fostering unity among different communities in Manipur.
About Manipur :
• Governor : Anusuiya Uikey
• Chief Minister : N. Biren Singh
• Capital : Imphal

Karnataka Forest Department Introduces HAWK for Monitoring Criminal Activities

• The Karnataka Forest Department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, introduced the
Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) system.
• Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) system is Cloud-based Information Management System
designed to manage interlinked databases of wildlife crime, wildlife criminals, and wildlife mortality.
• Aim : To enable officials to analyze information and generate actionable intelligence for preventing
wildlife crimes and combating Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT).
• The system connects the entire state forest department in real time and provides restricted access
through access levels.
About Karnataka :
• Governor : Thawar Chand Gehlot
• Chief Minister : Siddaramaiah
 • Capital : Bangalore
• National Park : Bandipur National Park, Anshi National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary,

Kasaragod in India Becomes the First District to Officially Declare Tree, Flower, Bird, and Species
• Kasaragod district of Kerala has achieved the distinction of becoming the first district in India to
officially declare its own tree, flower, bird, and species.
• This recognition reflects the region's unique biodiversity and natural heritage.
• The official tree of Kasaragod district is the 'Kanjiram' (Strychnos nux-vomica Linn).
• The tree derives its name from 'kasara,' meaning wormwood, which is linked to the origin of the
district's name.
• This declaration aims to contribute to the conservation of these trees and prevent their
unnecessary felling.
About Kerala:
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
• National Parks: Periyar National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam National Park,
Silent Valley National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Introduces Affordable Bus Service in Gajapati District
• Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Shri Naveen Patnaik launched the affordable bus service under the
Location Accessible Multimodal Initiative (LAccMI) scheme in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri
district.
• Alongside the LAccMI scheme, the Chief Minister also inaugurated projects with a total worth of
Rs 793 crore for the Malkangiri district.
• These projects are aimed at enhancing infrastructure and services in the region.
• The state government will operate at least 1,000 buses in rural areas with an allocated budget of
Rs 3,178 crore under the scheme.
About Odisha :
• Governor : Raghubar Das
• Chief Minister : Naveen Patnaik
 • Capital : Bhubaneswar
• National Park : Bhitarkanika National Park, Simlipal National Park
Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves Establishment of Rajaji Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation
• The Uttarakhand government has made a decision to establish the Rajaji Tiger Reserve
Conservation Foundation to promote ecological, economic, social, and cultural development in the
areas surrounding the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
• The decision to create the Rajaji Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation was taken during a
meeting of the state Cabinet.
• The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with Chief Secretary S S
Sandhu.
About Uttarakhand:
• Capital: Dehradun
• Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor: Gurmit Singh
• National Parks: Govind National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Gangotri National Park, Rajaji
National Park, Jim Corbett National Park
Kerala To Introduce Multilingual Sites To Boost Religious Tourism
• The Kerala government has undertaken an initiative to launch multilingual microsites to promote
religious tourism in the state.
• These microsites are aimed at promoting and boosting pilgrimage tourism in Kerala.
• One of the microsites will specifically focus on the renowned Sabarimala shrine, catering to
audiences in various languages, including Hindi, English, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu.
• The main objective is to enhance the pilgrimage experience and provide assistance to visitors.
• The Kerala Tourism Department has allocated Rs 61.36 lakh for the development and
maintenance of the Sabarimala microsite.
About Kerala:
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
• National Parks: Periyar National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Silent
Valley National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park
J&K police becomes 1st in India to use GPS tracker anklets for terror-accused on bail
 • In a first, Jammu and Kashmir Police have introduced GPS tracker anklets to monitor the terror-
accused people on bail in the union territory.
• With this, the J&K police department became the first in India to be using GPS tracker anklets.
• The GPS tracker anklet is a wearable device affixed around the ankle of the person to be
monitored and track their movement.
• The device is already being used in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK),
South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to track the movement of accused persons on bail, parole
and house arrest and accordingly de-congests prisons to a large extent.
About J&K :
• Lieutenant Governor : Manoj Sinha
• Capitals : Srinagar, Jammu
Kerala Government Establishes Organic Farming Mission to Enhance Climate-Smart Agriculture
Initiatives
• The Kerala Government established the Organic Farming Mission to promote sustainable organic
and climate-smart farming practices in the state.
• To expand organic farming to 5,000 hectares in Kerala over the next 5 years, with an annual target
of 1,000 hectares.
• Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad stated that the government had formally issued orders related
to the mission on October 26, 2023.
About Kerala:
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
• National Parks: Periyar National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Silent
Valley National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park
Bihar Assembly Unanimously Passes Resolution to Raise Reservation Quota from 50% to 65% for
Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Backward Classes
• The Bihar Legislative Council unanimously passed the amendment bill related to increasing
reservation quotas in state government jobs.
• The proposed increase is from the existing 50% to 65% for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled
Tribes (ST), Extremely Backward Caste (EBC), and other Backward Castes.
About Bihar :
 • Governor : Rajendra Arlekar
• Chief Minister : Nitish Kumar
• Capital : Patna
• National Parks : Valmiki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries : Bhimbandh Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Dam Bird
Sanctuary
Data from Caste Survey Reveals 94 Lakh Bihar Households Living on Rs 6,000 per Month
● 9.4 million families in Bihar, representing 34.13% of the state's total households, earn less than
₹6,000 per month according to Bihar's caste survey report.
● The Social, economic and educational data of the caste-based survey report has been tabled in
the Bihar Assembly.
● Parliamentary Affairs Department Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary presented the data.
Caste Disparities :
❖ Scheduled Castes (SCs): 42.93% earn less than ₹6,000 a month.
❖ Scheduled Tribes (STs): 42.7% face economic challenges.
❖ Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs): 33.58% are in the low-income bracket.
❖ Backward Castes: 33.16% experience poverty.
❖ General Categories: 25.09% struggle financially, with the highest poverty rate among Bhumihars
(27.58%).
About Bihar :
● Governor : Rajendra Arlekar
● Chief Minister : Nitish Kumar
● Capital : Patna
● National Parks : Valmiki National Park
● Wildlife Sanctuaries : Bhimbandh Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Dam Bird
Sanctuary
Uttarakhand is set to become the first state to implement a Uniform Civil Code
● Uttarakhand is set to become the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
● The state government is likely to convene a special session of the legislative assembly for this
purpose.
● The Uttarakhand government had on May 27, 2022, set up the expert committee for the
implementation of the UCC and to check all relevant laws that control personal citizen matters for
 people living in the state.
● The five-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana Prakash
Desai, is expected to hand over its report to the government soon.
● The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is mentioned in Article 44 of the Constitution.
● Gujarat is also planning to implement the Uniform Civil Code before the 2024 Lok Sabha
elections.
About Uttarakhand:
● Capital: Dehradun
● Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
● Governor: Gurmit Singh
● National Parks: Govind National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Gangotri National Park, Rajaji
National Park, Jim Corbett National Park
Rescue Operations Initiated for Trapped Labourers in Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse
● About 40 workers are trapped inside a tunnel after the under-construction tunnel structure
collapsed in Uttarakhand.
● The affected tunnel is part of the Char Dham all-weather road project, which began in 2016.
● The total length of the tunnel, which is meant to connect Silkyara to Dandal gaon in Uttarkashi
district, is 4.5 km.
● The double-lane tunnel is pegged as one of the longest tunnels under the Char Dham all-weather
road project and aims to reduce the journey from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri Dham by 26
kilometres.
9th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 Scheduled for January 17th-20th, 2024, in
Faridabad, Haryana
● The 9th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 is scheduled to take place
in Faridabad, Haryana, from January 17th to 20th, 2024.
● The event will be hosted at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute
(THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of the Department of Biotechnology in
Faridabad.
● The theme for IISF 2023 is 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal.'
● IISF 2023 aims to provide a platform for inspiring the public at large and individuals with diverse
levels of interests, like students, educators, scientists, researchers, industry professionals,
entrepreneurs, and science communicators.
 ● It is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences in
association with Vijnana Bharati.
● Since 2015, the IISF has hosted eight editions in different geographical regions of India and
expanded as a mega science festival.
● The 8th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) was inaugurated at the Maulana
Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, on January 21, 2023 & the theme of the
four-day festival is Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board Launches Inaugural Tehri Acro Festival
● In a bid to catapult Tehri onto the global tourism stage, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development
Board (UTDB) announced the maiden edition of Tehri Acro Festival, slated from November 24 to
28, 2023.
● Tehri Acro Festival is billed as India's premier International Aerial Acrobatic Show, set to feature
over 150 paragliders, including 35 international athletes, making it a prominent event in the field
of paragliding.
● The festival will showcase an array of aerial acrobatics.
About Uttarakhand:
● Capital: Dehradun
● Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
● Governor: Gurmit Singh
● National Parks: Govind National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Gangotri National Park, Rajaji
National Park, Jim Corbett National Park
Kerala State Authorities Undertake Initiatives to Expand Cultivation of GI-Tagged Onattukara Sesame
● Kerala state authorities are actively working to expand the cultivation of Geographical Indication
(GI)-tagged Onattukara sesame.
● Mavelikara Thekkekara grama panchayat president K. Mohankumar announced a financial
assistance program providing ₹40 for a cent of land to farmers cultivating sesame.
● The cultivation project is a collaborative effort involving various entities, including the local Krishi
Bhavan, Onattukara Vikasana Agency (OVA), Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station
(ORARS), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kayamkulam, and Mavelikara Thekkekara panchayat.
About GI Tag :
● A GI, a kind of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), is primarily an agricultural, natural or
manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical
 territory.
● A GI is a label that is applied to products that have a specific geographical origin and that have
characteristics related to a particular location.
● The tag is valid for a period of 10 years after which it is renewed.
● The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide
for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India
About Kerala:
● Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
● Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
● Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
● National Parks: Periyar National Park, Mathikettan National Park, Eravikulam National Park,
Silent Valley National Park, Indira Gandhi National Park
Uttar Pradesh Government Prohibits Halal Branding on Food Products
● The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a ban on halal-branded food items.
● The State Food Commissioner's office has banned halal-labelled food items such as dairy
products, sugar, bakery items, peppermint oil, savouries and edible oil.
● The State Food Commissioner's office issued an order, citing that halal labelling contradicts
legislation passed in 2006 aimed at ensuring product quality.
● Reasons for Ban : Halal labelling is considered to create confusion among consumers and is
deemed contrary to the principles of the state government's law on the quality of edible products.
What is meant by Halal Certification?
● Halal certification serves as a guarantee that the product is prepared in accordance with Islamic
law and is free from adulteration.
● It is typically issued by a third-party body.
About UP :
● Governor : Anandiben Patel
● Chief Minister : Yogi Adityanath
● Capital : Lucknow
● National Park : Dudhwa National ParkWildlife Sanctuary : Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary,
Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
Uttarakhand Products Secure Geographical Indication (GI) Tags
● From a local brick tea to textiles made from a Himalayan plant, over 15 products from
 Uttarakhand have been given the coveted GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry.
● Uttarakhand’s Berinag tea, highly sought-after by London tea houses and tea blenders, is made
from the leaves of a plant that grows wild in the Himalayas, which are then compressed into a
solid mass.
● Bichhubuti fabrics, made from Himalayan nettle fibres, was also on the list of products that
bagged the GI tag. As the plant’s fibres are hollow, they have the unique ability to accumulate air
inside, thus creating a natural insulation and making an ideal clothing material for both winters
and summers.
● The Uttarakhand mandua, a finger millet grown in Garhwal and Kumaon that is part of the staple
diet in many parts of the State, was among the products granted GI tags.
● Similarly, jhangora, a home grown millet commonly cultivated in the rain-fed areas of the
Himalayas in Uttarakhand, got a tag.
● Gahat is one of the most important pulses growing in the dry regions of the State, whose
medicinal uses have been known to Ayurveda and traditional physicians for centuries.
● Uttarakhand lal chawal, a red rice organically grown in the Purola region, was also on the list.
Bengaluru Becomes India's Top Destination for Women-Led Startups with 1,783 Enterprises
● According to data from startup data platform Tracxn, Bengaluru (Karnataka) has the highest
number (1,783) of women-led startups in India.
● It is followed by Mumbai and Delhi with 1,480 and 1,195 women-led startups respectively.
● Noida, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad are ranked at the 8th,9th, and 10th places with 324, 184, and
181 women-led startups respectively.
● Karnataka is the first state in India to provide a grant-in-aid of Rs 50 lakh to encourage
innovators.
● There are currently 14 women-led unicorns in India.
● With more than 61,400 startups, India’s startup ecosystem has added more firepower to become
the third-largest hub globally after the US and China.
Vijayawada Railway Station gets Platinum Certification
● Vijayawada Railway Station has been given Platinum Certification- The Highest Standard IGBC
(Indian Green Building Council) Rating at the Green Building Congress held at Chennai Trade
Centre.
● Senior officers of the Railways received the certification for Vijayawada Railway Station.
● Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division, Narendra A. Patil termed it as “Historic &
 Prestigious Moment” for Vijayawada Division.
Gujarat gets a state fish: Why ghol, the ‘fisherman’s lottery’, was chosen
● The black-spotted croaker, or the ghol fish — considered a fisherman’s lottery — was declared the
state fish of Gujarat.
● The Gujarat government chose the ghol because of its economic value and its uniqueness.
● The fish is usually found in the Indo-Pacific region that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific
Ocean.
● The declaration will enable Gujarat to be a part of its conservation efforts.
● Ribbon fish, pomfret, and Bombay Duck were the other species that were considered for designation
as state fish
● Ghol fish is one of the largest fish found in India. It is found in the marine areas of Gujarat and
Maharashtra in a golden-brown colour.
Geographical Indications Registry Awards GI Tag to Saffron from Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir
● Saffron from the mountainous Kishtwar district has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI)
tag by the Geographical Indications Registry.
● The saffron is cultivated in the highlands of Jammu and Kashmir.
● The saffron-growing area of Kishtwar is locally called Mandal.
Uttar Pradesh Government To Transform Bundelkhand Expressway Into Solar Expressway & Targeting
550 MW Of Solar Power Generation
● The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government is planning to install solar plants spanning 1700 hectares
along the Bundelkhand Expressway.
● The solar plants are expected to collectively generate 550 MW of solar power, contributing
significantly to the state's renewable energy capacity.
● The Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) will be responsible
for executing this ambitious solar power project.
● The Due Diligence Study for the project has been successfully completed, and the Expression of
Interest (EOI) phase concluded in August 2023.
● Bundelkhand Expressway traverses 7 districts, namely Chitrakoot, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur,
Jalaun, Auraiya, and Etawah, enhancing the reach and impact of the solar power initiative.
● The Bundelkhand Expressway is a 296 km long four-lane expressway, constructed at a cost of
approximately Rs 14,850 crores.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Inaugurates Shivaji Maharaj Statue in Jammu & Kashmir's
Kupwara
● Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Shri Eknath Shinde inaugurated an equestrian statue of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Jammu & Kashmir's Kupwara.
● The equestrian statue of the Maratha king was installed at the Rashtriya Rifles 41 Maratha Light
Infantry Regiment in Kupwara, which borders Pakistan.
● The statue was installed in Kupwara in a collaboration with Amhi Punekar organization, and 41
Rashtriya Rifle Maratha Battalion.
● The statue was sent to Kupwara from Maharashtra on October 20 and was handed over to the
RR41MLI Regiment for the installation.
● Previously, two other statues of Chhatrapati Maharaj were unveiled by the Maratha Regiment in
Jammu and Kashmir in January 2022.
About Maharashtra :
● Governor: Ramesh Bais
● Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
● Capital: Mumbai
● National Park: Tadoba National Park, Navegaon National Park
● Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife
Sanctuary
● UNESCO Heritage Sites: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, The Victorian and Art Deco
Ensemble of Mumbai, Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves
NHPC conferred 2nd prize under 'Annual Report' category of 'PRSI National Awards 2023'
● NHPC Limited, India’s premier hydropower company, has won the 2nd prize under the 'Annual
Report' category of 'PRSI National Awards 2023'.
● The award was presented during the International Public Relations Festival organized by the Public
Relations Society of India (PRSI) from 25th to 27th November 2023 in New Delhi.
● The award recognizes the overall high-quality, layout and design of NHPC Annual Report 2022-23.

BUSINESS NEWS
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates State Bank of India's branch in Trincomalee, Sri
Lanka
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the State Bank of India's branch in Trincomalee,
Sri Lanka.
 • Governor of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka Senthil Thondaman, High Commissioner of India to Sri
Lanka Gopal Baglay, and SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara graced the event.
• Recognizing SBI's 159-year-long presence, Mrs. Sitharaman praised its commitment to growth at
home and abroad, especially during the Sri Lankan economic crisis.
• SBI's endeavours facilitated the smooth extension of a Line of Credit worth 1 billion dollars by the
Government of India to Sri Lanka.
Govt authorises SBI to issue and encash Electoral Bonds with effect from November 6 to 20
• The Government of India has authorised the State Bank of India SBI, in the 29th Phase of sale,
to issue and encash Electoral Bonds through its 29 Authorised Branches with effect from the 6th
to 20th of this month.
• The Electoral Bonds shall be valid for 15 calendar days from the date of issue and no payment
shall be made to any payee Political Party if the Electoral Bond is deposited after the expiry of
the validity period.
• The Electoral Bond deposited by an eligible Political Party in its account shall be credited on the
same day.
About SBI
• Founded: 1 July 1955
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara
• CFO: Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti

Fiscal deficit in H1 hits 39% of BE; Railways, Roads, Fertilizer Ministries lead spending
• Fiscal deficit in the first half (April–September period) of the current fiscal year reached over 39%
of the Budget Estimate (BE).
• Fiscal deficit for April–September period of FY24 was higher than 37% for the corresponding
period of the last fiscal.
• Railways, fertiliser, and road ministries led the government spending during the first half of the
current fiscal as per the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) data released on 31 October
2023.
• The ministries that need to increase spending in the coming six months to achieve the budget
target include Petroleum & Natural Gas and Co-operation.
• Fiscal deficit is the difference between expenditure and income.
 • Net tax revenues for the April-September period were ₹11-lakh crore (49.8% of annual estimate).

GST collections rose to ₹1.72 lakh crore in October

• GST collections increased to ₹1.72 lakh crores in October.
• This is the second-highest-ever level, next only to April 2023.
• GST collection for October is 13% higher compared to a year ago.
• In October 2022, the collection stood at Rs 1.52 lakh crore.
• The highest-ever Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue was recorded in April 2023 at Rs 1.87
lakh crore.
• The average gross monthly collection of GST in the FY24 is Rs 1.66 lakh crore.
• This is 11% higher than the year-ago period.

The government clears 110 applications for imports of laptops, other IT hardware products worth about
USD 10 billion
• The government has cleared 110 of the total 111 applications, including those of Apple, Dell and
Lenovo, that sought permission for imports of IT hardware products like laptops and computers on
the first day of implementation of the new system.
• Other companies that received import approvals include HP India Sales Pvt Ltd, ASUS India, IBM
India, Samsung India Electronics, Xiaomi Technology India, Cisco Commerce India, Microsoft
Corporation (India), Siemens Ltd, Bosch Ltd, Redington Ltd, Ingram Micro India, and Oracle India.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has made some changes to the rules.
• Now, IT hardware made in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can be brought into the Domestic
Tariff Area (DTA) without needing special permission.
• The authorisation for these imports is valid until September 2024.
Fitch raises India’s mid-term potential growth rate to 6.2%
• India's mid-term GDP growth forecast upgraded by Fitch to 6.2% from 5.5%.
• Rating agency Fitch raised India's gross domestic product (GDP) medium-term growth forecast by
70 basis points to 6.2%, from 5.5% earlier.
• This cut is mainly due to a large reduction in the estimate of China's supply-side growth potential
by 0.7 percentage points.
• The agency said in its report that the potential growth of the emerging market has weakened due
to China's slow pace.
6th India-Korea Business Partnership Forum starts in New Delhi
• The 6th India-Korea Business Partnership Forum started in New Delhi, celebrating 50 years of
diplomatic ties with South Korea.
• Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Rajesh Kumar Singh
highlighted the nation’s deep cultural and business ties with South Korea.
• South Korea has always been a trusted trade partner despite the geo-political instabilities around
the world.
• Korean companies have invested more than 5.6 billion dollars since April 2020 and this is expected
to grow to 50 billion dollars by 2030.
Ashok Leyland delivers India’s first LNG-powered haulage truck – AVTR 1922
• Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and India’s leading commercial vehicle
manufacturer, commenced the delivery of India’s first liquefied natural gas-powered haulage truck,
AVTR 1922, to Mahanagar Gas in Hosur.
• This is a significant step from Ashok Leyland towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future for the
Indian transportation industry.
• With this, Ashok Leyland becomes the first Indian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to
unveil an in-house LNG engine compliant with BS VI Stage II emission standards.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 To Be Launched In India

• Royal Enfield has revealed the launch date for the new Himalayan 450 and it is set for 24
November at the Motoverse 2023 in Goa.
• That’s just a few weeks away from now but the official specifications have already been out for a
few days now.
• There are three variants of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Base, Pass, and Summit.

About Royal Enfield

• Royal Enfield is an Indian multinational motorcycle manufacturing company headquartered in
Gurgaon.
• The company operates manufacturing plants in Chennai in India.
• CEO: B. Govindarajan.
India's IIP Grows By 5.8 Per Cent In September 2023
 • The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on the 12th of every month
with a six-week lag and compiled with data received from source agencies, which in turn receive
the data from the producing factories/ establishments.
• For the month of September 2023, the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with
base 2011-12 stands at 141.6.
• The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the
month of September 2023 stand at 111.5, 140.6 and 205.9 respectively.
• These Quick Estimates will undergo revision in subsequent releases as per the revision policy of
IIP.
Moody's retains India 2023 growth at 6.7% on strong domestic demand
• Moody's Investor Services retained India's economic growth at 6.7% for 2023, citing the country's
remarkable resilience amid a global slowdown buoyed by solid domestic demand.
• The rating agency, in its Global Macro Outlook 2024-25 report, India along with other emerging
market economies like Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia are well-positioned to capture a greater share
of global trade flows due to the push from the West to diversify supply chains away from China
amid geopolitical tensions.
• Moody's expects India's GDP (gross domestic product) to grow 6.7% in 2023, 6.1% in 2024 and
6.3% in 2025.
India’s overall exports in October 2023 were estimated at USD 62.26 Billion; an increase of 9.43
percent over USD 56.90 Billion in October 2022.
● India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in October 2023 are estimated to be
USD 62.26 Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 9.43 per cent over October 2022.
● Overall imports in October 2023* is estimated to be USD 79.35 Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of
11.10 per cent over October 2022.
Trade during October 2023
October 2023 October 2022
(USD Billion) (USD Billion)
Merchandise Exports 33.57 31.60

Imports 65.03 57.91

Services* Exports 28.70 25.30

Imports 14.32 13.51

Overall Trade Exports 62.26 56.90
(Merchandise Imports 79.35 71.42
+Services) *
Trade Balance -17.08 -14.52

● India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-October 2023* are estimated
to be USD 437.54 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 1.61 per cent over April-October 2022.
OneWeb, and Jio Satellite get a permit to provide internet services
● Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, backed by Bharti Enterprises, have received licenses
from the government to provide broadband internet services to end-users using satellite.
● Both companies now have pan-India Internet Service Provider (ISP) licenses, which are essential for
delivering internet connectivity through satellite or mobile networks.
● The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has already granted OneWeb and Jio Satellite the
global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licence that is required to offer
satellite-based broadband services in India.
● Four of the remotest locations in India have already been connected with JioSpaceFiber including
Gir (Gujarat), Korba (Chattisgarh), Nabrangpur (Odissa), and ONGC (Jorhat, Assam).
● Notably, Jeff Bezos-led Amazon and Elon Musk’s Starlink are also eyeing the satellite
communications space in India, and have sought a GMPCS license.
‘Femme à la Montre’ Becomes Second Most Expensive Picasso Ever Sold
● Pablo Picasso’s 1932 painting “Femme à la montre” sold for more than $139 million at a Sotheby’s
New York auction, making it the most valuable work of art sold globally at an auction this year.
● The nine-digit price made it the second-most-expensive Picasso painting to sell at auction, behind
“Les femmes d'Alger (Version 'O'),” which fetched $179.3 million, including a buyer’s premium, at
Christie’s in 2015.
● “Femme à la montre,” which translates from French to “Woman with a Watch,” is a portrait of the
artist’s lover Marie-Thérèse Walter seated in a throne-like chair against a blue background.
● “Femme a la Montre” is dated to 1932 and was previously part of the collection belonging to art
collector and philanthropist Fisher Landau.
Titan tops Rs 3 lakh crore market-capitalisation
● Titan crossed ₹3 lakh crore in market value in a glittering testimony to the local consumer's swift
ascent along the luxury gradient.
● Titan became only the second company from the Tata Group to cross a valuation threshold earlier
breached by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
● Titan is also the second company in the retail sector, after DMart's parent Avenue Supermart, to
surpass this benchmark.
About Titan
● Titan Company Limited is an Indian company that mainly manufactures luxury fashion accessories
such as jewellery, watches and eyewear.
● Owner: Tata Sons. Headquarters: Bengaluru.
● Titan Company's MD CK Venkataraman
Standard and Poors Global predicts India’s economic growth at 6.4 per cent for fiscal year 2024-25
● India’s economic growth is likely to rise at 6.4 percent for fiscal year 2024-25, according to Standard
& Poors (S&P) Global.
● In its Economic Outlook for Asia Pacific, growth this year and the next is on track to be the strongest
in emerging market economies with higher domestic demand.
● This projection is in line with many agencies, though lower than the government and RBI projection
of 6.5 percent.
New Investor Risk Reduction Access platform
● The Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) is a platform that will act as a ‘safety net’ for investors in
case of technical glitches faced by a trading member or a stock broker registered with SEBI.
● It will provide investors an opportunity to close open positions and cancel pending orders in case of
disruption at the stock brokers’ end.
● India's stock exchanges, including BSE and NSE, have jointly developed the IRRA platform to
reduce risks faced by investors due to certain technical glitches.
● IRRA is a platform that will act as a safety net for investors in case of technical glitches faced by a
trading member or a stock broker registered with SEBI.
● Jointly developed by BSE, NSE, NCDEX, MCX and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) &
Launched by SEBI.
What is the IRRA platform?
● IRRA platform has been developed to reduce risks faced by investors in the eventuality of technical
glitches at the trading member’s end at both the primary site and disaster recovery site. Its purpose
is to provide investors with an opportunity to square off/close their open positions and cancel
pending orders using the IRRA platform in case of technical glitches or unforeseen outages that
 render the trading member’s site inaccessible.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI Permits District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) to Close Branches Without Prior Notice to the
Central Bank
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted permission to District Central Cooperative Banks
(DCCBs) to close unprofitable branches without the need for prior approval from the central bank.
• However, DCCBs must obtain approval from the Registrar of Cooperative Societies of the
concerned state before closing branches.
About RBI :
• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors : Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi
Sankar

Mahindra Finance Collaborates with State Bank of India for Co-Lending Partnership
• Mahindra Finance, a prominent Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) within the Mahindra
Group, has entered into a strategic co-lending partnership with State Bank of India (SBI), India's
largest public sector bank.
• To provide affordable financial solutions to NBFC customers.
• Notably, this collaboration marks Mahindra Finance's first co-lending tie-up with a bank.
• The co-lending model is designed to leverage the distribution strength of NBFCs and the cost-
efficient capital of banks.
About Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) :
• Founded : 1991
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MMFSL is an Indian rural non-banking financial company.

SBI and LIC should be recognised as Maharatnas

 • In the fiscal year 2022-23, only one Maharatna company, ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation), is included in the list of the top ten profit-making companies in India, according to a
special report by the State Bank of India's Economic Research Department (ERD).
• The State Bank of India (SBI) and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) are two public sector financial
institutions that have made it to the list of the top 10 most profitable companies.
• Notably, SBI and LIC are not part of the list of Maharatna companies, even though they have a
strong presence in the top profit-making companies.
About LIC :
• Established : 1956
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Slogan : Yogakshemam Vahamyaham” meaning “Your welfare is our responsibility
• The Government of India completely (100%) owns LIC.
About ONGC :
• Established : 1956.
• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Chairman & CEO : Arun Kumar Singh
• It comes under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation is a subsidiary of ONGC.
•
HSBC introduces e-Bank Guarantees to digitise trade finance
• The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, India (HSBC India) has introduced
Electronic Bank Guarantee (E-BG) services to facilitate the digitization of trade finance.
• HSBC is the first foreign bank in the country to offer this facility which is made possible through a
collaboration with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL), a digital solutions provider.
• The E-BG platform simplifies and expedites the guarantee issuance process by introducing
electronic stamping (E-stamping) and electronic signing (E-signing), effectively eliminating the
need for paper documentation.
About HSBC India :
• Established : 1853
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• CEO : Hitendra Dave
About NeSL :
 • Established : 2016
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO : Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri
• NeSL, under the aegis of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 serves as a repository of
legal evidence holding the information about any debt/claim, as submitted by the financial or
operational creditor and verified and authenticated by the parties to the debt.

RBI's Global Hackathon 2023: Indian FinTechs dominate winners with innovative apps
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the results of its Global Hackathon 2023, which
focused on innovative FinTech solutions.
• The hackathon aimed to address various challenges, from inclusive digital services to
compliance and CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) transactions.
• The second edition of RBI's global hackathon, named "HARBINGER 2023 – Innovation for
Transformation," had the theme of 'Inclusive Digital Services.'
• This theme emphasized creating financial services that are accessible and beneficial to a wide
range of users.
• The hackathon received a significant response, with 154 proposals submitted by teams from both
within India and 28 participating teams/entities from various countries, including Australia,
Canada, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US).
EscrowPay Achieves India's First IFSCA Digital Escrow Authorization
• EscrowPay, a digital escrow platform, has received the first digital escrow regulatory fintech
authorization from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in Gujarat
International Finance Tec-City (Gift City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat marking a major milestone in its
commitment to compliance and innovation in digital payments.
• The digital escrow regulatory authorisation is a testament to Escrowpay's dedication to providing
secure and efficient financial solutions to 70 million Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) in
India.
About Escrow Pay :
• Founded : 2015
• Headquarters : Gurugram, Haryana
• Managing Director : Ashwin Chawwla
RBI Grants Approval to SBI Mutual Fund for Acquisition of 9.99% Paid-Up Share Capital in IndusInd
Bank
• SBI Mutual Fund has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to acquire a stake of
up to 9.99% in IndusInd Bank, a private sector lender.
• The approval is conditional on compliance with RBI regulations, as well as foreign exchange and
capital market regulations.
• As per RBI guidance, SBI MF will acquire the shareholding in IndusInd Bank within a period of one
year, i.e., by Oct. 10, 2024.
• SBI MF must ensure that the aggregate holding in the bank does not exceed 9.99% of the paid-up
share capital or voting rights of the bank at all times.
About SBI Mutual Fund :
• Founded : 1987
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Shamsher Singh
• SBIFMPL is a joint venture between the State Bank of India (SBI), an Indian public sector bank,
and Amundi, a European asset management company.
• SBI currently holds a 63% stake in SBIFMPL and the 37% stake is held by AMUNDI Asset
Management through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Amundi India Holding.
About IndusInd Bank :
• Founded : April 1994
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Sumant Kathpalia.
• Tagline : We Make You Feel Richer
RBI to directly regulate entities facilitating cross-border payment transactions
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expanded its regulatory oversight to directly cover all entities
involved in facilitating cross-border payment transactions for the import and export of goods and
services.
• These entities will be designated as Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) under the new
regulation.
About RBI :
• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
 • Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors : Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar

RBI Sets Guidelines for the Closure of District Central Cooperative Bank Branches
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made an important announcement regarding District Central
Co-operative Banks (DCCBs).
• These banks are now permitted to close their unremunerative branches without seeking prior
permission from the central bank, although they will require approval from the Registrar of
Cooperative Societies of the respective state.
• This decision is aimed at streamlining the functioning of DCCBs and ensuring that the process of
branch closure is conducted responsibly and transparently.
About DCCB :
• A DCCB is a rural cooperative bank operating at the district level in various parts of India.
• It was established to provide banking to the rural hinterland for the agricultural sector with the
branches primarily established in rural and semi-urban areas.

SBI Card Collaborates with Reliance Retail to Introduce 'Reliance SBI Card
• SBI Card and Reliance Retail have announced their collaboration to introduce the 'Reliance SBI
Card.'
• This would be a collaboration between SBI Card and Reliance Retail's co-branded credit card,
which will enable cardholders to shop at various Reliance retail outlets.
• The card is lifestyle-focused and provides a range of services with many advantages to
cardholders with varied spending needs, right from mass to premium.
• The card is available in two variants: 'Reliance SBI Card' and 'Reliance SBI Card PRIME,' each
offering specific benefits and rewards.
About SBI Card :
• Founded : May 1998
• Headquarters : Gurgaon, Haryana
• MD & CEO : Abhijit Chakravorty
• SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited, previously known as SBI Cards & Payment Services
Private Limited, is a credit card company and payment provider in India.
Paysharp Private Limited Attains ISO 27001 Certification for Payment Aggregation
• Paysharp Private Limited, an RBI in-principle approved payment aggregator based in Chennai, has
achieved ISO / IEC 27001: 2022 certification, an internationally recognised standard for
information security management systems.
• Paysharp primarily facilitates non-card-based payments, such as UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
payments.
• Paysharp is an existing payment aggregator that has received in-principle approval from the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to onboard merchants onto its platform.
About Paysharp :
• Paysharp is a 4-year-old Company that closed two rounds of funding.
• The last funding was in March 2023 with a 200 crore valuation.
• The company provides various UPI collection solutions for business-to-business (B2B) and
business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses.
India's Pioneering Bad Bank, the Stressed Asset Stabilization Fund (SASF), Nears Conclusion of its
Two-Decade Journey
• India's first bad bank, the stressed asset stabilisation fund (SASF), a special purpose vehicle for
housing bad loans that was created two decades ago is being wound down as it approaches the
end of its life cycle.
• The Stressed Asset Stabilization Fund (SASF) was established as a trust by the Government of
India in September 2004.
• Its primary purpose was to isolate bad loans of IDBI Bank and create a separate entity to help the
bank achieve a cleaner balance sheet.
• SASF was set up with a defined life cycle of 20 years.
• A process has been initiated to evaluate about 400 non-performing loans that were transferred to
the trust, and these loans have continued to remain non-performing.
• NARCL's purpose is to segregate and manage bad loans from multiple banks.
UPI Transactions Through voice command from April 2024
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a circular directing banks, payment
service providers, and other stakeholders to enable the 'Hello! UPI' feature in their apps by March
31.
• Starting from April, individuals will have the capability to make UPI transactions through voice
commands.
 • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das had previously announced the launch of
several new products, including 'Hello! UPI,' by the NPCI during the Global Fintech Festival in
September.
About NPCI :
• Founded : 2008
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Dilip Asbe
• The NPCI is an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in
India.
• It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the
provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to create a robust Payment &
Settlement Infrastructure in India.

SBI raises ₹10,000 crore via tier 2 bonds at a 7.8% coupon rate
• India's largest public sector lender State Bank of India (SBI) announced that it
has raised ₹10,000 crore at a coupon rate of 7.81% through its first Basel III
compliant Tier 2 Bond for the current financial year – FY 2023-34.
• They have a tenor of 15 years, with the first call option available after 10 years.
• SBI's Tier 2 Bond issuance received an overwhelming response from investors.
• It attracted bids worth ₹15,907 crore, which is nearly 4 times the base issue size of ₹4,000 crore.
• There were a total of 98 bids for the bonds.
• It is to be known that this is the first Tier 2 Bond issuance by the Bank in the current financial year.
About SBI :
• Established : 1 July 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
• CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti

IRDAI Establishes Committee to Boost Banks' Involvement in Insurance Product Sales

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has established a high-level
panel with an objective to recommend measures to enhance the involvement of banks in making
insurance products more readily accessible across India.
 • Despite the extensive branch network of banks covering various regions of the country, their
contribution as corporate agents in the insurance sector remains relatively low.
• In the year 2022-23, banks accounted for only 5.93% of non-life insurance premiums and 17.44%
of new business premiums for life insurance.
About IRDAI :
• Established : 1999
• Headquarters : Hyderabad, Telangana
• Chairperson : Debasish Panda
• The IRDAI is a statutory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Government
of India (GoI) and is tasked with regulating and licensing the insurance and reinsurance industries
in India.

Paytm Becomes Official Sponsor For 37th National Games

• Paytm has been designated as the official sponsor for the 37th National Games held in Goa.
• The 37th National Games were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Jawaharlal
Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
• This marks the first time that the National Games are being organized in the state of Goa.
• The event is scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 9, 2023.
About Paytm :
• Headquarters: Noida
• Founder and CEO: Vijay Shekhar Sharma.
• Paytm Parent organization: One97 Communications
IRDAI Establishes 12-Member Committee for Streamlining Insurance Policy Wordings
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has established a 12-
member committee with the specific purpose of simplifying insurance policy wordings.
• The committee will be chaired by L Viswanathan, who is a member of the Insurance Advisory
Committee (IAC).
• The committee's composition includes the Secretary Generals of the Life Insurance and General
Insurance Council, the president of the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI), and the
Principal Officer of the State Bank of India (Corporate Agent).
About IRDAI :
• Established : 1999
 • Headquarters : Hyderabad, Telangana
• Chairperson : Debasish Panda
• The IRDAI is a statutory body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Government
of India (GoI) and is tasked with regulating and licensing the insurance and reinsurance industries
in India.
RBI imposes monetary penalty on four co-operative banks, one NBFC
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on 4 co-operative banks and a
non-banking financial company (NBFC) for deficiencies in regulatory compliance.
• Shree Lodra Nagarik Sahakari Bank Limited, located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, received a
monetary penalty of ₹4.00 lakh.
• Malpur Nagarik Sahakari Bank Limited, located in Aravalli, Gujarat, received a monetary penalty of
₹3.50 lakh.
• Jolarpet Co-operative Urban Bank Limited in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, received a monetary penalty of
₹50,000.
• Limbasi Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., situated in Kheda, Gujarat, received a monetary penalty of
₹25,000.
• Early Salary Services Private Limited, based in Pune, was penalized with a monetary penalty of
₹3.20 lakh.
About RBI :
• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors : Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar

Max Life Improves Customer Experience Through AI-Enabled WhatsApp Chatbot 'Mili'
• Max Life Insurance Company Limited has undertaken a significant enhancement of its WhatsApp
chatbot, 'Mili,' with the aim of providing customers with highly interactive and real-time services.
• The chatbot offers multilingual support and is available in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali,
Telugu and Tamil making it accessible to a broad spectrum of customers in a language that they
are comfortable with.
• To engage with the chatbot, customers can simply initiate a conversation by saying 'Hi' on Max
Life's dedicated WhatsApp number, which is +91 7428396005.
 • The bot offers self-service capabilities, and if customers are unable to find solutions to their
queries, they will be seamlessly directed to chat with the Max Life customer support team without
having to leave the WhatsApp platform.
About Max Life :
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• MD & CEO : Prashant Tripathy
• Max Life is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited ('MFSL') and Axis Bank
Limited.
• Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions, through
its multi-channel distribution including agency and third-party distribution partners.
Cooperative Banks Must Approach RBI's Department of Supervision for Name Change
• Cooperative banks wishing to change their names are required to contact the Department of
Supervision (DoS) at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• The name change requests of cooperative banks cannot be approved by the Central Registrar of
Cooperative Societies (CRCS) or the Registrar of Cooperative
Societies (RCS).
• The RBI has issued a directive to urban co-operative banks, state co-operative banks, and district
central co-operative banks regarding the "Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 2020 - Change in
Name of Co-operative Banks."
RBI Releases Comprehensive Guidelines for IT Governance in Banks and NBFCs
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued comprehensive guidelines on information technology
(IT) governance and controls for banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).
❖ Strategic alignment: Ensuring that IT strategies align with the business goals.
❖ Risk management: Managing IT-related risks, including cybersecurity risks.
❖ Resource management: Efficient allocation and management of IT resources.
❖ Performance management: Monitoring and improving IT system performance.
❖ Business continuity/disaster recovery management: Ensuring the resilience of IT systems and
infrastructure.
• These guidelines are outlined in the final document titled "Reserve Bank of India (Information
Technology Governance, Risk, Controls, and Assurance Practices) Directions, 2023."
• The directions will become effective from April 1, 2024.
About RBI :
 • Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors : Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar
IndusInd Bank Introduces 'Platinum RuPay Credit Card' Featuring UPI Integration
• IndusInd Bank has introduced the "IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card" in partnership with
the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• This credit card enables customers to make online and offline transactions through the RuPay
network.
• UPI Integration: A distinctive feature of this credit card is its integration with the Unified Payments
Interface (UPI).
• Customers can link their credit cards to UPI-enabled apps, simplifying payment processes.
About IndusInd Bank :
• Founded : April 1994
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Sumant Kathpalia.
• Tagline : We Make You Feel Richer
About NPCI :
• Founded : 2008
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Dilip Asbe
• The NPCI is an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in
India.
• It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the
provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for creating a robust Payment &
Settlement Infrastructure in India.

HDFC Bank to Foster Innovation in the Food Processing Sector Through Support for NIFTEM
• The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli,
and HDFC Bank have signed a statement of intent to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in
food processing and allied sectors.
 • The program will be executed by NIFTEM Technology Innovation and Business Incubation
Foundation (NTIBIF), a section 8 company technology business incubator (TBI) established by
NIFTEM to foster entrepreneurship in the food processing sector.
About HDFC Bank :
• Founded : 1st July 2023 (via the merger between HDFC-HDFC bank)
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Sashidhar Jagdishan
• Tagline : We Understand Your World
About NIFTEM :
• Director : Harinder Singh Oberoi

Bank of Maharashtra Leads Among PSU Lenders in Loan and Deposit Growth in Q2
• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) secured the top position among Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
lenders in terms of loan growth in percentage terms during Q2 of the current financial year.
• BoM also achieved the top position among PSU lenders in deposit growth in percentage terms for
the same quarter.
• BoM maintained its top position in obtaining low-cost Current Account and Savings Account
(CASA) deposits.
About BoM :
• Established : 16 September 1935
• Headquarters : Pune, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO : A. S. Rajeev
• Tagline : One Family One Bank

IndiaFirst Life Becomes the First Indian Life Insurance Company to Attain GIFT City IFSC Registration
• IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd (IndiaFirst Life), one of the fastest growing private life
insurers of the country, became the first Indian life insurance company to get the Gujarat
International Finance Tec (GIFT) City’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
Registration.
• IndiaFirst Life received registration from the International Financial Services Centre Authority
(IFSCA) in September 2023.
 • The registration approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
(IRDAI) was granted in August 2023.
About IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd (IndiaFirst Life) :
• Founded : Nov 2009
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO : RM Vishakha
• India First Life Insurance is a three-way venture with Bank of Baroda having 65% stake, Union
Bank of India (9%) and private equity major Warburg Pincus (26%).
SBI Expands Dollar Bond Issue to $1 Billion in Response to Declining US Yields
• The State Bank of India (SBI) has increased its dollar bond issue size to $1 billion from $750
million, with plans to secure the funds in the first week of December.
• SBI is making its second foray into international markets this financial year, with $750 million
underwritten by global banks and an additional $250 million available through a green shoe option
arranged by banks such as HSBC and JP Morgan.
• The bonds issued by SBI will be benchmarked against 5-year US Treasury bonds, likely priced at a
spread of approximately 120 basis points above the benchmark, with a tenor of 5 years.
About SBI :
• Established : 1 July 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
• CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti

Walmart-owned PhonePe crossed 500 million lifetime registered users in 7 years

• PhonePe, a fintech firm owned by Walmart, achieved a significant milestone with over 500 million
registered users on its platform.
• This milestone translates to 1 in 3 Indians being users of PhonePe, marking a substantial presence
in the country.·
• PhonePe stands out as the first Indian internet company to achieve such a large user base on a
global scale.
About PhonePe :
• Founded : 2015
• Headquarters : Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
 • Co Founder & CEO : Sameer Nigam
• The fintech major is currently used by over 37 million merchants, covering over 99% of the postal
codes across India.
• PhonePe has now expanded into financial services insurance, mutual funds, stock broking, and
lending as well as adjacent tech-enabled businesses such as Pincode and Indus App Store.

India's first 50-year bond fully sold on growing insurer demand

• India's first 50-year Government Security (G-Sec) was fully subscribed in an auction held.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accepted 54 bids for a total of ₹9,988 crore at a cut-off yield of
7.46%.
• The auction witnessed strong demand from investors, particularly insurance companies and
pension funds.
• Prior to this auction, the longest available government bond in India had a duration of 40 years.

NPCI's Bharat BillPay Teams Up with MyJio and Arzooo to Enter the business-to-business Sector
• NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI), has launched a new set of services under the business-to-business (B2B) payments
category.
• NPCI Bharat BillPay will provide customized B2B services that include features like flexible invoice
presentation, complaint management, and Management Information System (MIS) capabilities,
among others.
• The category is going live for the first time on the MyJio app for the Biller Arzooo with Axis Bank as
the Biller Operating Unit (BOU).
Axis Bank Collaborates with Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to Establish Chair for
Financial Inclusion
• Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), to establish the Axis
Bank Chair for Financial Inclusion at IRMA.
• The Chair is constituted for a period of 5 years, emphasizing a commitment to sustained efforts in
the domain of financial inclusion.
About Axis Bank :
 • Established : 1993
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry
• Tagline : Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi ("Progress is the Name of Life")
About Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) :
• IRMA is an autonomous institution and a premier business school situated in Anand, Gujarat,
India.
• Mandate: Contributing to the professional management of rural organizations.
NHAI Accepts First Insurance Surety Bond as Bid Security for NHAI TOT Bid for Monetization
● To boost liquidity and capacity of bidders, National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) has
accepted Insurance Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate
Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14.
● This will be the first time this innovative instrument is being utilised as a Bank Guarantee (BG) in
the road infrastructure sector for monetization of bids.
● Cost and Savings : The Insurance Surety Bond for TOT Bundle 14 has been issued at a rate of
0.25% by the insurer without requiring any margin money.
About Ministry of Road Transport & Highways :
• Cabinet Minister ; Nitin Gadkari
• Minister of State : General V. K. Singh

Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning Unveils Inaugural India Finance Report (IFR)
Centered on Non-Bank Financial Companies (NBFCs) Sector
• The Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL), an independent body
established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), releases the first edition of the India Finance
Report (IFR) focusing on the non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) sector.
• The report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the NBFC sector, commonly known as the
shadow banking sector, highlighting ongoing improvements and identifying emerging risks.
About CAFRAL :
• CAFRAL, a not-for-profit organisation, was set up in 2011 as an independent body by the RBI to
promote research and learning in banking and finance.

Jocata Unveils "Sumpoorn": India's Inaugural MSME Economic Activity Index in Partnership with SIDBI
 • Jocata, a financial advisory and technology company, collaborates with the principal financial
institution for MSME development, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to
introduce the MSME Economic Activity Index called "Sumpoorn."
• This MSME-specific high-frequency indicator will capture the state of India's growth engine, its
MSMEs, which contribute more than a quarter of the country's overall Gross Value Added (GVA)
and more than 40% of its total exports.
About Jocata :
• Founded : 2010
• MD & CEO : Prashant Muddu
• Jocata, a subsidiary of online payment gateway company BillDesk, specializes in digital lending
using credit automation, smart decisioning, and intelligent monitoring.
About SIDBI :
• Established : 2 April 1990
• Headquarters : Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Chairman & MD : Sivasubramanian Ramann
• The SIDBI is the apex regulatory body for overall licensing and regulation of micro, small and
medium enterprise finance companies in India.
• It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance , Government of India (GoI).

IMF Executive Board Greenlights 50% Quota Expansion to Bolster Resource Strength
• The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a proposal to make a 50%
increase in the quota allocated to members in proportion to their current quotas.
• The proposal will now be considered and made effective by the board of governors as part of
concluding the 16th general review of quotas.
• The proposal follows the guidance from the International Monetary and Financial Committee at the
2023 annual meetings.
About IMF :
• Established : 27 December 1945
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C., United States
• Managing Director : Kristalina Georgieva
• Membership : 190 countries (189 UN countries and Kosovo)
 • Purpose : To Promote international monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, foster
sustainable economic growth, make resources available to members experiencing balance of
payments difficulties, prevent and assist with recovery from international financial crises.

SBI opens its branch at Shri Kedarnath Dham at 11,755 feet height
• State Bank of India (SBI) achieved a significant milestone by inaugurating its highest-altitude non-
motorable branch at Shri Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand Foundation Day (09.11.2023).
• The new branch is located at an elevation of 11,755 feet above sea level.
• Purpose of the Branch : The branch aims to provide banking services to both esteemed customers
and pilgrims visiting Shri Kedarnath.
• The objective is to ensure a smooth and hassle-free banking experience for individuals in the
region.
About Kedarnath temple :
• Kedarnath temple is a sacred pilgrimage centre in Northern India, situated on the bank of the
Mandakini river.
• The temple is located at an altitude of 3584 metres above sea level.
• The region is historically known as "Kedar Khand."
• Kedarnath temple is a crucial part of Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand.
• It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India, adding to its religious and cultural significance.
About SBI :
• Established : 1 July 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
• CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti
Punjab National Bank Launches Digital Gold Loan for Convenient Credit Access
● Public sector bank Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched the PNB Digital Gold Loan scheme.
● The digital lending solution was introduced during the bank's Digital Mahotsav event.
Aim of the Scheme :
● To provide hassle-free credit to customers to quickly meet their personal as well as agriculture
credit requirements by using gold jewellery and/or ornaments as collaterals.
● Two schemes have been introduced :
1. PNB Gold Loan: Targeting the retail segment.
 2. PNB Swarnim: Catering to the agriculture segment.
● Loan Amount and Collaterals : The PNB Digital Gold Loan scheme allows individuals to borrow
amounts ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakh for personal needs.
● Eligibility for Agriculture Loans : Borrowers seeking short-term production and/or investment
credit for agriculture activities are eligible.
● Loan Range for Agriculture Activities : Eligible borrowers can avail loans ranging from a minimum
of Rs 10,000 to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh for agricultural purposes.
About PNB :
● Founded : 19 May 1894
● Headquarters : Dwarka, Delhi, India
● MD & CEO : Atul Kumar Goel
● Tagline : You Can Bank Upon
PayGlocal Receives Regulatory Approval from RBI for Payment Aggregator License
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval to PayGlocal for a payment aggregator
license.
● It has received in-principle approval from RBI for Payment Aggregator (PA) license
● After completion of the process, PayGlocal will be able to onboard merchants onto its platform for
online payment processing.
● PayGlocal has garnered support from prominent investors, including PeakXV (formerly known as
Sequoia Capital India) and Tiger Global, through successful capital raising.
What is a Payment Aggregator (PA)?
● A Payment Aggregator, also referred to as a merchant aggregator, is a third-party service
provider enabling merchants to accept payments from customers by integrating payment options
into their websites or applications.
● Payment Aggregators in India are incorporated under the Companies Act 2013, highlighting the
regulatory framework and legal structure governing their operations.
About PayGlocal :
● Founded : 2021
● Founders : Prachi Dharani, Rohit Sukhija and Yogesh Lokhande.
● PayGlocal is a cross-border focused payments platform provider.
Deloitte Report Highlights Indian Banks Outperforming Global Peers in Digital Maturity Scores
● As per a survey-based report by Deloitte India called "Digital Banking Maturity (DBM)” In terms of
 digital maturity score, Indian banks are outperforming their international counterparts relative to
the global average.
● The report indicates that Indian banks not only outperform global averages but also have the
opportunity for further growth, positioning them to become "Digital Champions."
● Digital Transformation Categories: Banks were categorized as "Digital Champions," "Digital
Smart Followers," "Digital Adopters," and "Digital Latecomers" based on their digital maturity
scores.
● Performance in Mobile and Internet Banking: Indian banks scored 3% higher than the global
average in mobile banking and 1% higher in internet banking, showcasing their strength in these
digital domains.
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka lead mutual fund investments in India
● Gujarat and Karnataka have surpassed Delhi to secure the second and third positions,
respectively, in holding the highest equity mutual fund assets during the September quarter.
● Gujarat's equity asset increased to ₹2.21 lakh crore, Karnataka's to ₹1.99 lakh crore, while Delhi's
equity asset dropped to ₹1.94 lakh crore.
● According to the study conducted by Geojit Insight, based on Association of Mutual Funds in
India (AMFI) data, Maharashtra accounted for the lion’s share of ₹7.47 lakh crore of the overall
industry equity asset of ₹25.85 lakh crore.
● Gujarat and Karnataka contribute 8.5% and 7.7%, respectively, to the overall equity assets, while
Delhi's share is at 7.5%.
● Similarly, Uttar Pradesh had toppled West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to occupy the 5th position.
● Gujarat accounts for 7% of SIP inflows, amounting to around ₹1200 crore.
● On the debt side, Delhi retains its second position with assets worth ₹2.02 lakh crore, while
Gujarat and Karnataka have debt assets of ₹1.06 lakh crore and ₹1.22 lakh crore, respectively
RBI Report Indicates Forex Reserves Import Cover at 10.2 Months as of June-end 2023
● India’s forex reserves cover of imports on balance of payments basis has grown to 10.2 months as
at June-end 2023.
● India’s forex reserves cover of imports was at 9.6 months at end-March 2023.
● Correlation with Forex Reserves Increase: The growth in import cover is correlated with the rise in
India's forex reserves, which reached $595.051 billion at the end of June 2023 compared to
$578.449 billion at the end of March 2023.
● Trade-Based Indicator - Import Cover: Import cover, serving as a trade-based indicator, reflects the
 adequacy of reserves to cover the country's imports.
● RBI's Gold Holding : According to RBI’s Half Yearly Report on Management of Foreign Exchange
Reserves: April - September 2023, RBI’s gold holding increased to 800.79 tonnes of gold as of
end-September 2023.
● Debt-to-Reserves Ratio Improvement : The ratio of short-term debt (original maturity) to reserves
decreased to 20.8% at the end of June 2023, showing improvement from 22.2% at the end of
March 2023.
About RBI :
● Established : 1 April 1935
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Governor : Shaktikanta Das
● Deputy Governors : Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi Sankar
LIC reports highest ever Half Yearly Profit After Tax at Rs 17,469 crore
● The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) achieved its highest-ever half-yearly profit in the first half of
FY24, reporting a net profit of ₹17,469 crore.
● This is its highest ever half-yearly profit.
● This was primarily due to the transfer of ₹13,768 crore from non-participating policyholders' fund to
shareholders' account, which related to accretion on available solvency margin.
About LIC :
● Established : September 1956.
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
● Chairman : Siddharth Mohanty
● Slogan : Yogakshemam Vahamyaham (Your welfare is our responsibility)
● The Government of India owns LIC.
TATA AIG General Insurance Partners with Air India to Improve Passenger Travel Experience
● Tata AIG General Insurance has partnered with Air India to offer travel insurance to both domestic
and international travellers.
● Passengers can purchase comprehensive coverage while booking their flights through Air India's
various platforms.
About TATA AIG General Insurance Company :
● Founded : 2001
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
 ● MD & CEO : Neelesh Garg
● Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited is an Indian general insurance company and a joint
venture between the Tata Group and American International Group (AIG).
● Tata Group holds a 74% stake in the insurance venture with AIG holding the balance of 26%.
About Air India :
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● Chairman : N. Chandrasekaran
● MD & CEO : Campbell Wilson
Government of India (GoI) and Asian Development Bank Ink $400 Million Loan Agreement to Enhance
Urban Services through Improved Infrastructure, Service Delivery, and Governance Systems
● India signed a $400 million policy-based loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) to create high-quality urban infrastructure, improve service delivery, and promote efficient
governance systems.
● Sub-programme 1, approved in 2021 with $350 million financing, focused on establishing
national-level policies and guidelines to improve urban services.
● Sub-programme 2 supports investment planning and reform actions at the state and urban local
body (ULB) levels.
● The loan agreement for sub-programme 2 was signed between Juhi Mukherjee, joint secretary,
department of economic affairs, ministry of finance, and Takeo Konishi, country director of ADB’s
India resident mission.
About ADB :
● Established : 1966
● Headquarters : Manila, Philippines
● President : Masatsugu Asakawa
● Membership : 68 members, including 49 regional members (countries in Asia and the Pacific)
and 19 non-regional members (countries outside the region)
About Ministry of Finance :
● Cabinet Minister : Nirmala Sitharaman
● Minister of State : Bhagwat Karad, Pankaj Choudhar
US International Development Finance Corporation Commits $553 Million Funding for Adani Group’s
Port Terminal Project
● The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has committed $553
 million (around Rs 4,600 crore) for the development of the Adani Group's deepwater shipping
container terminal in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
● The West Container Terminal in the Port of Colombo is being developed by a consortium
comprising Adani Ports and SEZ, John Keells Holdings, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
● Adani Ports holds a 51% stake in the container terminal of the port, which also has a terminal run
by China Merchants Port Holdings Co Ltd.
● China Merchants Holdings Co Ltd and Sri Lanka Ports Authority are jointly developing Colombo’s
South Container Terminal, the first terminal under expansion in the Colombo port.
● The consortium will develop Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) on a build, operate
and transfer (BOT) basis for a period of 35 years.
● When commissioned, CWIT will be the largest and deepest container terminal in Sri Lanka.
About United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) :
● Established : December 20, 2019
● Headquarters : Washington, D.C, United States
● CEO : Scott A. Nathan
● The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is a development
finance institution and agency of the United States federal government.
● DFC invests in development projects primarily in lower and middle-income countries.
Deendayal AntyodayaYojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission and SIDBI Sign MOU Signifying a
Milestone in Advancing Women-Led Enterprises
● DeendayalAntyodayaYojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry
of Rural Development and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) signed a
historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that marks a significant milestone in the journey
of women-led enterprises in India.
● The MOU is set to span 2 years.
● The National Rural Livelihood Mission was launched in June 2011 and is now known as the
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) in honour of
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a noted philosopher and politician.
About Small Industries Development Bank of India :
● Established : 2 April 1990
● Headquarters : Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
● Chairman & MD : Sivasubramanian Ramann
 ● The SIDBI is the apex regulatory body for overall licensing and regulation of micro, small and
medium enterprise finance companies in India.
● It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance , Government of India (GoI).
RBI Instructs Bajaj Finance to Halt Lending Through 'eCOM' and 'Insta EMI Card' Produ
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under section 45L(1)(b) of the Reserve Bank of India Act,
1934, has directed Bajaj Finance Limited to cease the sanction and disbursal of loans under its
'eCOM' and 'Insta EMI Card' products.
● The directive is effective immediately, requiring Bajaj Finance to stop the sanction and disbursal
of loans under the specified products.
● In December 2020, the RBI had directed private sector banking heavyweight HDFC Bank to
cease new activities aimed at building digital businesses and told it to stop taking on new credit
card customers after the lender faced multiple data centre glitches.
● The central bank had lifted all the restrictions placed on HDFC Bank in March 2022.
● In March 2022, Paytm Payments Bank was barred from adding new customers by the RBI due to
likely gaps in its technology systems.
About Bajaj Finance Limited :
● Founded : 25 March 1987
● Headquarters : Pune, Maharashtra
● CEO : Rajeev Jain
● Bajaj Finance Limited a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, is an Indian non-banking financial company.
● As per the 2023 list of NBFCs issued by the Reserve Bank of India, Bajaj Finance Limited holds
the 2nd position in the upper layer based on scale-based regulation guidelines.
RBI Directs 25% Increase in Risk Weights for Commercial Banks' Consumer Credit Exposure to 125%
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked institutions to increase the risk weights with respect
to consumer credit exposure of commercial banks by 25% to 125%, merely a month after
flagging the high growth in certain components of consumer credit and asking NBFCS, banks to
strengthen internal surveillance mechanisms.
● The 25% risk weight increase applies to personal loans but excludes certain categories such as
housing loans, education loans, vehicle loans, and loans secured by gold and gold jewellery.
● RBI has also decided that the consumer credit exposure of NBFCs, which are categorised as
retail loans, will now attract a risk weight of 125%, up from 100% before.
● This excludes housing loans, educational loans, vehicle loans and loans against gold jewellery
 and microfinance/SHG loans.
● The increase in risk weights will only be applicable if the NBFCs are in the AAA, AA or A
categories where the risk weights are lower than 100%.
● The deadline for implementing the board-approved limits is set for February 29, 2024.
RBI Levies ₹90.92 Lakh Penalty on Axis Bank and ₹42.78 Lakh Fine on Manappuram Finance for
Regulatory Non-Compliance
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹90.92 lakh on Axis Bank
Limited.
● The penalty is a result of non-compliance with certain directions issued by the RBI on various
aspects, including 'Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016', 'Loans
and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions', 'Guidelines on Managing Risks and Code of
Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks', and 'Code of Conduct for Opening and
Operating Current Accounts'.
● The penalty has been imposed under the powers vested in the RBI, as conferred by the
provisions of Section 47 A (1) (c) read with Section 46 (4) (i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
● Penalty on Manappuram Finance : Manappuram Finance Limited, Thrissur, has been penalized
₹42.78 lakh for non-compliance with certain provisions of the “Non-Banking Financial Company -
Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve
Bank) Directions, 2016".
● Penalty on Anand Rathi Global Finance : Anand Rathi Global Finance Limited, Mumbai, faces a
monetary penalty of ₹20 lakh for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Reserve Bank of
India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016.
Federal Bank's New Ad Film, 'Karo Bachaane Ki Shuruaat Bachpan Se,' Portrays a Child's Innocent
Promises for a Grand Diwali
● Federal Bank's latest ad film, titled 'Karo Bachaane Ki Shuruaat Bachpan Se,' focuses on a child,
Ishaan, making innocent promises to enhance the next Diwali for the entire family.
● The campaign promotes Federal Bank's financial products, including Savings Accounts,
Recurring and Fixed Deposits, as well as Credit and Debit Cards, presenting them as
instruments for saving and availing various offers.
About Federal Bank :
● Established : 23 April 1931
● Headquarters : Aluva, Kochi, Kerala, India
 ● MD & CEO : Shyam Srinivasan
● Tagline : Your Perfect Banking Partner
Federal Bank Adopts UPI Lite for Streamlined Digital Transactions
● Federal Bank has launched the UPI (Unified Payment Interface) Lite functionality for small-value
digital payments.
● UPI Lite allows an individual to store money in their UPI Lite on-device wallet and make offline
payments to merchants.
● NPCI introduced UPI Lite - a simplified version of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system to
cater to the growing demand for faster and more efficient small-value payments.
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had launched the UPI Lite functionality in September 2022
during its Monetary Policy Meet (MPC).
● According to the Federal Bank press release, the transaction limits for UPI Lite are as follows :
❖ Per transaction limit: up to Rs 500
❖ Maximum cumulative usage per day: Rs 4,000
❖ Maximum balance in UPI Lite account at any point in time: Rs 2,000
RBI Allows Qualified Jewellers to Import Silver Through India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Ltd
(IIBX)
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a notification permitting qualified jewellers to import
silver through India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Limited (IIBX) in the same way that gold
imports are permitted.
● Import banks have been directed by the RBI to permit qualified jewellers importing silver to remit
advance payment for 11 days.
● Eligibility Criteria for Qualified Jewellers : Qualified Jewellers eligible for importing silver are those
as notified by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
S&P Global Forecasts Reduction in Indian Banks' NPAs to 3.5% and Net Interest Margin to 2.9% by
FY25
● S&P Global projects a decrease in Indian banks' non-performing assets (NPAs) to 4.5% by the
end of Fiscal Year 2023-24 and a further reduction to 3.5% by the end of Fiscal Year 2024-25.
● S&P Global does not anticipate a significant rise in interest rates in the near future.
● Non-performing assets (NPAs) are loan accounts where the principal or interest is due for a
period of three months or more.
● S&P Global Ratings' report is titled 'Forewarned is Forearmed' and is part of the Global Banks’
 Country-By-Country Outlook 2024
About S&P Global Inc. :
● Founded : 1917
● Headquarters : Manhattan, New York City, United States
● President & CEO : Douglas L. Peterson
● S&P Global Inc. is an American publicly traded corporation.
IREDA Unveils ₹2,150-Crore IPO with a Price Band of ₹30-32
● State-run Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has fixed a price band of
₹30-32 per share for its initial public offer (IPO).
● Investors can bid for a minimum of 460 shares in the IPO.
● This marks the first IPO by a government-run company since LIC's entry into the market in May
of the preceding year.
● IREDA is a mini-ratna under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
● It holds the status of a systemically important non-deposit-taking non-banking finance firm
(NBFC-ND-SI) and operates as an infrastructure finance company (IFC).
● An Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves the sale of securities to the public in the primary market.
● The primary market deals with new securities being issued for the first time and is known as the
new issues market.
Eligibility Criteria for IPO :
● Companies willing to float an IPO must have tangible assets of at least Rs 3 crore.
● Eligible companies must exhibit average operating profits of Rs 15 crore in the preceding three
years with no operating losses in any one of those years.
● The company should have a net worth of Rs 1 crore in each of the three preceding years.
About IREDA :
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● Chairman and Managing director : Pradip Kumar Das
● Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) was formed in 1987 as a Mini
Ratna (Category – I) Government of India Enterprise under the Government of India and
administratively controlled by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
● Currently fully owned by the government, post issue government holding in the company will
reduce to 75%.
Fedbank Financial IPO Set to Open on November 22 with a Price Band of Rs 133 to Rs 140
 ● Fedbank Financial Services, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), will open its initial
public offering (IPO) of equity shares on November 22, 2023, and close on November 24, 2023.
● The price band for the IPO has been set at Rs 133 to Rs 140 per equity share, with a face value
of Rs 10 each.
● The company aims to raise approximately Rs 1,092 crore from the IPO.
UCO Bank Suspends Online IMPS Transfers Due to Flawed Payments Emergence
● The government-owned UCO Bank has suspended online Immediate Payment System (IMPS)
transfers temporarily.
● The suspension was initiated after a technical issue was identified from November 10 to 13,
2023.
● During this period, funds from transactions initiated by customers of other banks were
erroneously credited to UCO Bank account holders, while the bank did not actually receive the
money.
● UCO Bank has taken a precautionary measure by making the IMPS channel offline.
What does IMPS mean?
● IMPS, is an electronic fund transfer process through which money is sent to the
payee/beneficiary account instantly and in real-time.
● The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) offers this service.
What are the services available under IMPS?
● IMPS offer an instant,24*7 interbank electronic fund transfer service capable of processing
person-to-person, person to account and person to merchant remittances via mobile, internet and
ATMs.
What is the Daily Transaction Limit of IMPS?

Limit on Limit amount

Minimum
INR 1
transfer limit

Maximum
INR 5,00,000
transfer limit

Transaction The smallest transaction cost is INR 5. The most expensive cost is
fee INR 25. However, taxes could also be imposed on the transactions.
About UCO Bank :
● Established : 1943.
● Headquarters : Kolkata, West Bengal
● Founder : G D Birla.
● MD & CEO : Ashwani Kumar
● UCO Bank (formerly United Commercial Bank) is a central public sector bank under the
ownership of the Ministry of Finance.
Chennai Metro Rail Collaborates with PhonePe to Facilitate Digital Ticket Purchases
● Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has partnered with PhonePe to introduce digital QR-based
ticketing for metro travellers.
● Metro passengers in Chennai now have the option to bypass long queues at metro stations and
ticket counters by opting for seamless digital QR-based tickets.
● Passengers can book digital QR-based tickets through the PhonePe Switch platform, which also
offers the existing 20% discount on the services.
About PhonePe
● Founders: Sameer Nigam, Burzin Engineer, Rahul Chari
● CEO: Sameer Nigam
● Headquarters: Maharashtra
● Founded: 2015
About CMRL :
● Managing Director : M A Siddique
● The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a joint venture between the Government of India and
the Government of Tamil Nadu built and operates the Chennai Metro.
● The Chennai Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
● It is the 4th longest metro system in India.
State Bank of India (SBI) Expands Yono Global App to the United States and Singapore
● The State Bank of India (SBI) is set to launch the Yono Global app in Singapore and the United
States (US).
● The expansion aims to offer digitised remittance and other financial services to SBI customers in
these regions.
● Vidya Krishnan, Deputy MD (IT) of SBI, engaged in discussions with Singapore-based digital
platform enablers, local regulators, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for the app's
 launch.
● Presently, SBI offers Yono Global services in 9 countries.
● In September 2019, it started with the UK operations.
● SBI is continuing to invest in Yono Global to offer the best services available, SBI’s deputy MD
(IT) Vidya Krishnan stated at the three-day Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF).
About SBI :
● Established : 1 July 1955
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
● CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti
IDBI Bank Enlists EY to Identify Buyers for Rs 4000 Crore Debt
● IDBI Bank has appointed EY India as the process adviser to facilitate the sale of its ₹4,000 crore
distressed debt portfolio under the Stressed Assets Stabilisation Fund (SASF).
● The bank has set a timeline of six and a half months for EY to complete the sale of the distressed
debt portfolio.
● SASF, a special-purpose vehicle, was established two decades ago following the merger of term-
lending institution IDBI Ltd with its subsidiary IDBI Bank to form a commercial bank.
● In 2004, the government permitted IDBI to transfer its distressed loans to IDBI Trust, managing
₹9,000 crore of distressed loans acquired under SASF from IDBI.
● The fund is undergoing winding down as it completes its 20-year life cycle.
● Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is serving as the legal adviser to EY in this distressed asset portfolio
sale.
● Sunil Mehta, CEO of the Indian Banks Association, is a trustee, and two deputy managing
directors, Suresh Khatanhar and Jayakumar Pillai, also serve as trustees.
About IDBI Bank :
● Founded : 1 July 1964
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● MD & CEO : Rakesh Sharma
Madhya Pradesh Records the Lowest Daily Wages for Rural Agricultural Workers - RBI Data
Compilation
● According to the data compiled by Reserve bank of India (RBI), the daily wages of rural
agricultural workers in Madhya Pradesh are the lowest in the country.
 ● Comparison of Male Agricultural Worker Wages : As per the data the daily wage of male
agricultural workers in rural areas in MP is just Rs 229.2 in the year ended March 2023.
● The daily wage of male agricultural workers in rural areas in Gujarat is Rs 241.9 in the year
ended March 2023.
● National Average and State Disparities : The national average daily wage for agricultural workers
is Rs 345.7.
● Kerala pays the highest at Rs 764.3, while Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra pay Rs 309.3 and Rs
303.5, respectively.
● Average wages of farm workers in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are
Rs 550.4, Rs 473.3 and Rs 470 per person, respectively.
● Kerala again leads in non-agricultural workers’ daily wages with Rs 696.6 per person.
ADB and GEF Collaborate to Launch Asia and the Pacific Natural Capital Fund
● The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have announced
the establishment of the Natural Capital Fund (NCF), which is a concessional fund designed to
support projects that enhance food security while also protecting and restoring natural capital in
ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs).
● GEF is supporting the NCF with an investment of $15 million.
● The announcement was made at the Asia-Pacific Natural Capital Forum held on 7­–9 November
2023, co-hosted by ADB and Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project.
About ADB :
● Established : 1966
● Headquarters : Manila, Philippines
● President : Masatsugu Asakawa
● Membership : 68 members, including 49 regional members (countries in Asia and the Pacific)
and 19 non-regional members (countries outside the region)
About GEF :
● CEO : Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
● The Global Environment Facility is a multilateral environmental fund that provides grants and
blended finance for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land
degradation.
State Bank of India (SBI) Unveils the Financial Results for July-September Quarter
● India's largest commercial bank, State Bank of India (SBI) released its July-September quarter
 results.
● Net Profit: SBI recorded an 8% year-on-year increase in net profit, rising from ₹13,264.5 crore in
Q2FY23 to ₹14,330 crore.
● Net Interest Income (NII): The bank's NII witnessed a substantial growth of 12.3% compared to
the same period last year, reaching ₹39,500 crore.
● Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA): SBI's GNPA showed improvement, declining by 97 basis
points year-on-year to 2.55%.
● Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA): The Net NPA improved by 16 basis points to 0.64%.
● During the quarter ending September 2023, the Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) stood at
75.45%, down 248 bps YoY.
● The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at the end of Q2FY24 improved by 77 bps YoY and stood at
14.28%.
About SBI :
● Established : 1 July 1955
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
● CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti
● SBI is an Indian multinational public sector bank and financial services statutory body.
● The Union government holds 57.5 percent stake in the country's largest lender State Bank of
India (SBI).
● This is the lowest stake the government holds in any PSU banks.
Federal Bank Enters Exclusive Collaboration with Shuttler H S Prannoy
● Federal Bank collaborated with India's Top Seeded Shuttler, H.S. Prannoy.
● H.S. Prannoy is currently world number 8 and a recipient of the men's singles bronze medal in
the recent Asian Games.
● H.S. Prannoy's bronze medal at the Asian Games is significant, marking the first time in 41 years
since Syed Modi won a bronze in men's singles at the Asian Games.
About Federal Bank :
● Headquarters : Aluva, Kochi, Kerala, India
● MD & CEO :Shyam Srinivasan
● Tagline : your perfect banking partner.
RBI Grants Approval for Hinduja Group Directors to Join Board of Bankrupt Reliance Capital
 ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants approval for Hinduja Group's resolution plan for Reliance
Capital (RCap), paving the way for the group's takeover of RCap.
● RBI approves Hinduja Group to appoint 5 directors on the board of RCap, contingent upon the
National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT) approval of the resolution plan.
● The 5 directors approved by RBI from the Hinduja Group are Amar Chintopanth, Shardchandra V
Zaregaonkar, Moses Newling Harding John, Bhumika Batra, and Arun Tiwari.
● Reliance Capital is the third large non-banking financial company (NBFC) against which the
central bank has initiated bankruptcy proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
(IBC).
● The other two were Srei Group NBFC and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL).
About RBI :
● Established : 1 April 1935
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Governor : Shaktikanta Das
● Deputy Governors : Swaminathan Janakiraman, Michael Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, T Rabi
Sankar
Karnataka Bank Shares Gain Attention Following HDFC Life Collaboration on Insurance Products
● Karnataka Bank has entered into a strategic corporate tie-up with HDFC Life to offer life
insurance products to its customers.
● The partnership is a testament to the stated commitment to offer customers a range of innovative
and customer-centric financial solutions.
About HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited :
● Founded : 14 August 2000
● Headquarters : Mumbai,Maharashtra
● HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited is a long-term life insurance provider offering individual
and group insurance services.
About Karnataka Bank :
● Established : 18 February 1924
● Headquarters : Mangalore, Karnataka, India
● MD & CEO : Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma
First Tranche of Sovereign Gold Bond Investors Anticipate Golden Harvest
● Investors in the inaugural tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGBs), who have held onto their
 investments until maturity, are poised to receive significant returns as gold prices have more than
doubled in the last 8 years.
● Issuance and Redemption Price : The first tranche of SGB was issued by the RBI in November
2015 at ₹2,684 per gram.
● Interest Rate and Earnings : In addition to price appreciation, SGB investors receive an annual
interest payment at the rate of 2.75%.
● Maturity and Early Redemption : The maiden tranche of SGB will finally mature on November 30,
2023.
● Issuance Details and Subscriptions : RBI issued only two SGBs this fiscal at the prices of ₹5,923
and ₹5,926 per gram.
● A total of 62,169 applications had been accepted for a total subscription of 915.953 kg in the first
tranche of SGB.
● While the bonds issued in 2015 bear an interest rate of 2.75% per annum, it was brought down
subsequently to 2.5% per annum.
SGB Features :
● Issuance - Issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Government of India.
● Eligibility - SGBs will be restricted for sale to resident individuals, HUFs (Hindu Undivided
Family), Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.
● Tenor- The tenor of the SGB will be for a period of eight years with an option of premature
redemption after 5th year.
● Minimum size- Minimum permissible investment will be One gram of gold.
● Maximum limit- The maximum limit of subscription shall be 4 Kg for individuals, 4 Kg for HUF and
20 Kg for trusts and similar entities per fiscal year (April-March) notified by the Government from
time to time.
● Joint holder - In case of joint holding, the investment limit of 4 Kg will be applied to the first
applicant only.
FDI shrinks 7.8% in second quarter of FY24
● FDI equity inflows contracted 7.7% to $9.5 billion in the July-September quarter of FY24.
● Data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) showed this
contraction in FDI inflow.
● Foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflows stood at $10.3 billion a year ago.
● Total FDI into India declined 7.8% on-year to $15.3 billion in the July-September quarter of FY24
 from $16.6 billion a year ago.
● The total FDI includes equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital.
● According to the data, the equity inflows declined 24% on-year in H1 of FY24 at $20.4 billion.
● Singapore was the top source of equity inflows.
● It was followed by Mauritius,US, UK,UAE.
● Among the states, Maharashtra got the highest inflow of $7.9 billion in April-September 2023-24.
Karnataka followed Maharashtra.
ADB’s USD 125 million loan to L&T Finance aims at empowering women, farmers and MSMEs in India
● Non-banking financial company L&T Finance has signed a USD 125 million loan pact with the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) to support financing in rural and peri-urban areas in India, particularly for
women borrowers.
● The funding comprises a loan of up to USD 125 million from ADB, and an agreement to syndicate an
additional USD 125 million co-financing from other development partners.
● At least 40 per cent of the proceeds is allocated for women borrowers, while the rest will support
farmers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and loans to purchase new two-
wheelers, among others.
RBI Imposes Cumulative Penalties of ₹10.34 Crore on Citibank, Bank of Baroda, and Indian Overseas
Bank for Non-Compliance
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties amounting to ₹10.34 crore on Citibank,
Bank of Baroda (BoB, and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for contravention of various regulatory
norms.
● RBI imposed a fine of ₹1 crore on Indian Overseas Bank for non-compliance with certain
directions issued by it on ‘loans and advances – statutory and other restrictions’.
● Citibank is fined ₹5 crore for non-compliance with various directions, including 'operational
guidelines, managing risks and code of conduct in outsourcing of financial services by banks,'
and 'the depositor education and awareness fund scheme, 2014.'
● A monetary penalty of ₹4.34 crore has been imposed by the RBI on the Bank of Baroda for non-
compliance related to ‘loans and advances – statutory and other restrictions’, and ‘Reserve Bank
of India (interest rate on deposits) directions, 2016’.
HSBC India Collaborates with UK Export Finance to Aid Indian MSMEs
● The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, India (HSBC India) and UK Export
Finance (UKEF), the United Kingdom’s export credit agency, intend to establish a financing
 programme of up to £100 million to support Indian Micro, Small and Medium enterprises
(MSMEs) and corporates for financing their imports from the UK.
● This partnership is expected to enhance the availability of credit for Indian MSMEs and boost
trade ties between the two countries.
● HSBC India and UKEF signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to enable them to work together on
opportunities relating to UKEF’s guarantee-backed structures.
● India was UK’s 12th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, accounting
for 2.1% of total UK trade.
About HSBC India :
● Established : 1853
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
● CEO : Hitendra Dave
About UK Export Finance :
● Founded : 1919
● Headquarters : London
● CEO : Tim Reid
● UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the operating name of the Export Credits Guarantee Department
(ECGD) which is the United Kingdom's export credit agency and a ministerial department of His
Majesty's Government.
Karnataka Bank Enters Partnership with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance for Life Insurance Product
Distribution
● Karnataka Bank has announced a strategic corporate tie-up with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co
Ltd, one of India’s leading private life insurers to distribute life insurance products to its
customers.
● This collaboration is designed to leverage the strength of BALIC’s product capabilities and
Karnataka Bank’s large customer base with wide distribution of over 900+ branches across India.
About Karnataka Bank :
● Founded : 18 February 1924
● Headquarters : Mangalore, Karnataka, India
● MD & CEO : Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Takes Control of Mumbai's Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank, Disbands Board
for a period of 12 Months
 ● In yet another instance of the regulator taking action against a bank due to governance-related
concerns, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had superseded the board of Abhyudaya Cooperative
Bank for a period of 12 months.
● Satya Prakash Pathak, former Chief General Manager of State Bank of India, has been
appointed as the Administrator to manage the affairs of Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank during this
period.
● Legal Basis for RBI Intervention : The RBI invoked its powers under Section 36 AAA, in
conjunction with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, specifically applicable to
cooperative societies.
● In addition to the Administrator, the RBI has appointed a "Committee of Advisors" to assist in
discharging duties.
● The committee members include Venkatesh Hegde (former General Manager, SBI), Mahendra
Chhajed (Chartered Accountant), and Suhas Gokhale (former MD, COSMOS Co-operative Bank
Limited).
About Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank :
● Founded : June 1967
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Managing Director : Sitaram C. Ghandat
Mastercard Collaborates with U GRO Capital to Provide Loans to Dealers, Distributors, Last-Mile
Retailers, and Other Businesses
● Payments company Mastercard announced a partnership with MSME lender U GRO Capital to
offer short-term loans as a digital supply chain financing solution to dealers/distributors and last-
mile retailers, among other small merchants and women entrepreneurs.
● The collaboration with U GRO Capital aligns with Mastercard’s earlier announcement to get 1
billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses, including 25 million female
entrepreneurs into the digital economy by 2025.
● U GRO Capital secured approximately Rs 240 crore in July from the Investment Fund for
Developing Countries (IFU), a Danish development finance institution.
About Mastercard :
● Founded : 1966
● Headquarters : New York, U.S
● CEO : Michael Miebach
World Bank and Bangladesh Ink 5 Financing Deals Exceeding $1.1 Billion
● The World Bank and Bangladesh have signed 5 financing agreements amounting to over $1.1
billion to support the country in achieving resilient and inclusive growth.
● The 5 projects cover diverse areas, including
1. Early childhood development
2. Urban primary health
3. Secondary education
4. Riverbank protection and navigability,
5. Gas distribution efficiency.
● The agreements were formally signed in Dhaka by Sharifa Khan, Senior Secretary of the
Bangladesh Government, and Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and
Bhutan.
● For IDA concessional loans, the maturity period is 30 years with 5 5-year grace period; the
interest rate is 1.25% and the service charge is 0.75%
About World Bank :
● Established : July 7, 1944
● Headquarters : Washington, D.C., United States
● President : Ajay Banga (14th President)
● The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the
governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
About Bangladesh :
● President : Mohammed Shahabuddin
● Prime Minister : Sheikh Hasina
● Capital : Dhaka
● Currency : Taka
SEBI Chairperson Launches Investor Risk Reduction Access Platform to Enhance Investor Risk
Reduction
● The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially launched the Investor Risk
Reduction Access (IRRA) platform at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
● Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) have played a key role in conceptualising and
implementing the innovative IRRA platform.
● The platform aims to revolutionize the investor experience by addressing potential risks arising
 from technical glitches at the trading member level, providing an additional layer of protection.
● The IRRA platform underwent a soft launch on October 3, 2023, followed by its official launch on
November 20, 2023.
What is the IRRA platform?
● IRRA platform has been developed to reduce risks faced by investors in the eventuality of
technical glitches at the trading member’s end at both the primary site and disaster recovery site.
● Purpose : To provide investors with an opportunity to square off/close their open positions and
cancel pending orders using the IRRA platform in case of technical glitches or unforeseen
outages that render the trading member’s site inaccessible.
● IRRA has been jointly developed by all the stock exchanges – BSE, NSE, NCDEX, MCX and
Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) and was launched by Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.
About SEBI :
● Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January
1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
● Chairman : Madhabi Puri Buch (first woman to lead the SEBI)
● SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of
the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.
Sorin Startup Fund to Receive Backing from Small Industries Development Bank of India and National
Small Industries Corporation Subsidiary
● Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the National Small Industries
Corporation (NSIC) will support Sorin Investments, the startup fund led by Sanjay Nayar,
signalling confidence in the experienced banker and deal maker.
● SIDBI and the ₹10,000-crore Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund, a part of NSIC Venture Capital Fund
(NVCFL), will collectively invest around ₹300 crore into Sorin Investments.
● The fresh investments from SIDBI and NSIC will contribute to Sorin Investments' maiden fund,
helping it reach a total size of ₹1,300 crore.
State Bank of India's Stake in Jio Payments Bank Drops to 23% in FY23
● State Bank of India’s (SBI) shareholding in Jio Payments Bank fell to 23% in FY23 from the 30%
that it has maintained since inception, indicating its disinterest in the payments bank business
model.
 ● The fall below 25% also means SBI will no longer be able to block special resolutions at its 7-
year-old joint venture (JV).
● Meanwhile, Reliance Industries (RIL), SBI's JV partner, acquired 10 million shares on November
29 and 70 million shares on January 23.
● In the previous fiscal year (FY22), SBI invested ₹9.48 crore in the joint venture.
● Reliance Industries (RIL) was among the 11 applicants approved by RBI to establish payments
banks in August 2015.
● The bank commenced operations in November 2016 in collaboration with SBI.
● The joint venture was established when Arundhati Bhattacharya was leading SBI.
● Bhattacharya is currently the chairperson and chief executive of Salesforce India.
About SBI :
● Established : 1 July 1955
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
● CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti
Razorpay Introduces 'Returnship' Program to Facilitate Women Rejoining the Workforce After Career
Break

● Fintech unicorn Razorpay has initiated a 'returnship' program designed for female professionals
who have taken a career break and are seeking to re-enter the workforce.
● Last month, Razorpay introduced 'Resume with Razorpay,' offering a six-month internship to
female professionals as part of their efforts to facilitate the return of women to the workforce.
● Eligibility Criteria for Women : The returnship program is available to women who have taken a
break of two or more years from their professional careers.
● Over 1,300 women have reportedly applied for the program.
About Razorpay :
● Established : 2014
● Headquarters : Bangalore, Karnataka
● Co Founder & CEO : CEO: Harshil Mathur
● Co Founder & Managing Director : Shashank Kumar
Axis Bank Concentrates on Establishing a Completely Digital Bank Through Mobile App 'Axis Open'
with Minimal Human Assistance
 ● Axis Bank is actively working towards establishing a fully digital bank, emphasizing the role of its
mobile application "Axis Open."
● The bank aims to eliminate the need for human assistance in its digital banking operations,
emphasizing a seamless and automated customer experience.
● The decision to focus on building a digital bank is driven by the prospect of higher yields and
improved fee income.
About Axis Bank :
● Established : 3 December 1993
● Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● MD & CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry
● Tagline : Badhti Ka Naam Zindagi
SEBI to Implement Regulatory Framework for Index Providers
● Markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved providing flexibility
to Not for Profit Organisations (NPOs) in raising funds through the social stock exchange and
also decided to introduce a regulatory framework for index providers.
● SEBI will provide flexibility for fundraising by NPOs through the social stock exchange.
● In this regard, the minimum issue size in case of public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal
Instruments (ZCZP) for NPOs on the social stock exchange will be reduced to Rs 50 lakh from
Rs 1 crore.
● Starting from September 2024, all fresh investments made by Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs)
will be required to be held in dematerialized (demat) form.
● These platforms will be registered under the framework for small and medium Real Estate
Investment Trusts (REITs).
Indian Private Banks Record Largest Single-Day Government Bond Purchase in 7 Years
● Indian private sector banks executed the most significant government bond acquisition in a single
session in 7 years, involving a substantial investment on behalf of a corporate entity, according to
traders.
● These banks collectively acquired government bonds amounting to a net value of 83.43 billion
rupees ($1 billion), marking the most substantial purchase since November 15, 2016, as reported
by Clearing Corp of India data.
● This surge propelled November’s overall buying above 200 billion rupees, following net sales of
101 billion rupees in October.
 ● An influx of approximately 1.7 trillion rupees is expected over the next month as specific papers,
including the 8.83% 2023, 4.56% 2023, and 7.68% 2023, reach maturity.
Indraprastha Gas Limited and IndusInd Bank Collaborate to Facilitate Digital Rupee Transactions in
Delhi NCR
● IndusInd Bank has partnered with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to introduce digital rupee
transactions in Delhi NCR.
● The collaboration enables customers at selected IGL stations to make payments using the Digital
Rupee, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
in 2022.
● The Digital Rupee solution is available on both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring a user-
friendly experience.
● It offers various features such as peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) payments with
complete UPI QR interoperability.
About IndusInd Bank :
● Founded : April 1994
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● MD & CEO : Sumant Kathpalia.
● Tagline : We Make You Feel Richer
About IGL :
● Founded : 1998
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
● Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) is an Indian natural gas distribution company that supplies
natural gas as cooking and vehicular fuel.
● It is a joint venture between GAIL, Bharat Petroleum, and the Government of Delhi.

AWARDS AND HONOUR

10-year-old Bangalore kid wins prestigious ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ award
• A 10 year-old-Bangalore kid, Vihaan Talya Vikas, won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year
(WPY) competition in the under-10 category.
• Vihaan's photograph captured a spider in an intriguing position with a sculpture of Lord Krishna,
nestled on the outskirts of Banglore.
• This photograph has been selected among the 50,000 entries from 95 countries.
 • Vihaan's photograph will become part of the prestigious WPY59 collection and will be showcased
in the upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Natural History Museum.
• Karine Aigner from the USA had won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022.

Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal” for this year awarded to four Special Operations
• This year's “Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal” has been awarded for four Special
Operations.
• Several officers and personnel from CRPF, NIA, NCB and different States, and organizations have
been selected for the award.
• According to the Home Ministry, the award will be conferred for Special Operations in the areas
such as counter-terrorism, border action, arms control, prevention of narcotics smuggling and
rescue operations.
Tata Motors wins, entitled to recover ₹ 766 crore from West Bengal
• Tata Motors has won a significant arbitration award of ₹766 crore from the West Bengal Industrial
Development Corp. Ltd (WBIDC) after a long-standing dispute related to the shutdown of its Singur
plant in 2008.
• The Singur plant was built to manufacture the Nano car, which was touted as the world's most
affordable car at the time.
• Tata Motors shut down its Singur plant in 2008 due to protests against land acquisition.
• The plant was intended to produce the Nano model.
Rohini Nayyar prize: Social worker’s contribution in Bastar recognised with award
• Deenanath Rajput, a former engineer who transitioned into social work, received the prestigious
Second Rohini Nayyar Prize for his exceptional dedication to rural development.
• Deenanath Rajput received the Second Rohini Nayyar Prize for his remarkable work in
empowering tribal women in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
• The prize was presented by N K Singh, Chairman of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
• The jury panel included Dr. Ashok Khosla, Dr. Rajesh Tandon, Renana Jhabvala, and Professor
Seeta Prabhu.
British film 'Catching Dust' to be open at 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to be held in
Goa
• British film 'Catching Dust' will be opening at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to
be held in Goa from November 20 to 28.
 • The American film 'The Featherweight' will be the closing movie, whereas Turkish film About Dry
Grasses will be the midfest movie.
• This was disclosed by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur at the curtain
raiser press conference of IFFI 2023 in New Delhi.
• Hollywood star Michael Douglas will be honored with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
at IFFI this year
Public screening of 69th National Film Award-winning films of 2021 to take place in Delhi
• The public screening of the 69th National Film Award-winning films of 2021 will take place in
Delhi from the 14th to the 25th of November.
• A total of 30 Feature Films and 27 Non-Feature Films from 18 Languages will be screened during
the 12-day screening at Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium.
• Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Kashmir Files, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Eikhogi Yum are amongst
the various films that will be screened.
• The entry of the public to the screening will be free of cost on a first come first serve basis.
• All the films will carry English subtitles.
Serena Williams becomes the first athlete to receive CFDA Fashion Icon Award
● Serena Williams, popularly known as the G.O.A.T in the world of sports, has been honoured with
the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Icon Award at the 2023 CFDA
Fashion Awards.
● She became the first athlete to receive this prestigious award.
● The award was presented to her by Kim Kardashian, a CFDA honoree last year.
● 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards presented by Amazon Fashion.
● It took place on November 6, 2023, at the American Museum of Natural History, hosted by Sarah
Jessica Parker.
● The honor puts Serena Williams in the group of previous CFDA Fashion Icon Award winners like
Zendaya, Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé and Rihanna.
About CFDA :
● Chairman : Thom Browne
● The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) was established in 1962.
Dvara E-Registry Announced As Winner In World Economic Forum's Smarter Climate Farmers
Challenge
● Dvara E-Registry has been adjudged as one of the winners of the ‘Smarter Climate Farmers
 Challenge’, organised by UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum.
● The Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge’ by UpLink was initiated to combat the pressing agricultural
challenges of the time, seeking innovative solutions in the realms of knowledge enhancement,
resource efficiency and sustainability, inclusive technology and innovative financing.
Tamil writer Perumal Murugan wins 2023 JCB Literary Prize for Fire Bird
● The 2023 JCB Literary Prize was given to Tamil writer Perumal Murugan for FireBird.
● The winner was announced in New Delhi on 18 November.
● The novel ‘Fire Bird’ was translated into English by Janani Kannan.
● Penguin Random House India published the novel ‘Fire Bird’.
● The JCB Literary Award awards Rs 25 lakh to the author and an additional Rs 10 lakh to the
translator.
REC was Honoured with ‘Best Employer in Diversity & Inclusion’ Award by Assocham
● REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSE under Ministry of Power, received the “Best Employer for Policies
in Diversity & Inclusion” Award at the 4th Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards and Conclave
organised by Assocham.
● Shri TSC Bosh, Executive Director, REC, graciously accepted the award on behalf of REC.
● The award ceremony witnessed REC's unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion
being acknowledged on a national platform.
● The ‘Best Employer for Policies in Diversity & Inclusion’ award highlights REC's commitment to
creating a workplace that celebrates differences, fosters innovation, and promotes equal
opportunities for all employees.
● Recently, REC was recognized for its exceptional performance in risk management with the
esteemed ‘Golden Peacock Award’.
● The award was presented by the Institute of Directors (IOD).
Vir Das wins maiden International Emmy Award for best comedy
● Renowned comedian Vir Das won the 51st International Emmy Award for Comedy.
● At the International Emmy Awards 2023, Vir Das and Derry Girls Season 3 won the International
Emmy for Comedy.
● Vir Das received the award for his Netflix comedy special titled Vir Das: Landing.
● It is Vir’s second International Emmy nomination. He is one of the pioneers in India’s modern stand-
up comedy scene.
● UK actor Martin Freeman won the Best Actor award while Mexico’s Karla Souza received the Best
 Performance by an Actress award.
● ‘Mariupol: The People’s Story’ has been named as the best documentary at the International Emmy
Awards.
● ‘The Empress’ has been acknowledged as the Best Drama series.
● Ektaa Kapoor received the International Emmy Directorate Award.
● The International Emmy Award is presented by the International Academy of Television Arts &
Sciences (IATAS). It was first presented in 2007.
NHPC conferred with ‘The Economic Times HR World Exceptional Employee Experience Award 2023’
● NHPC has won the prestigious ‘The Economic Times HR World Exceptional Employee Experience
Award 2023 (ET HR WORLD EX Awards) in ‘Large Scale Enterprise’ category.
● The award was presented in a glittering ceremony organized by ET HR World at Bengaluru.
● The Award has been conferred to NHPC in recognition to its wide range of Employees Centric HR
initiatives which are not limited to employees only but also extended to their families.
● It is also a recognition of NHPC's organizational culture, which despite tough geographic and
climatic challenges, is not only nurturing the employees during their service but also extending good
care & support after their superannuation.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Rohit Rishi Takes Office as Executive Director of the Bank of Maharashtra
• Rohit Rishi has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Bank of Maharashtra (BoM).
• He takes over the role from A B Vijayakumar, who retired from the position on October 31, 2023.
• Rohit Rishi's professional journey began in 1995 when he joined Indian Bank as an Industrial
Development Officer.
• His roles have included serving as an Industrial Development Officer, AGM MSME/Corporate
Office in Chennai, Head of the bank's flagship branch in New Delhi, DGM (Corporate Branch, New
Delhi), and Field General Manager (FGM) at locations such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.
• Before assuming the role of Executive Director at Bank of Maharashtra, Rishi served as the Field
General Manager (FGM) in Delhi with Indian Bank.
About BoM :
• Established : 16 September 1935
• Headquarters : Pune, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO : A. S. Rajeev
 • Tagline : One Family One Bank
Swarup Mohanty Becomes the First Non-Korean Vice Chairman of Mirae Asset Financial Group
• Mirae Asset Financial Group of South Korea has promoted Swarup Mohanty to the position of
Vice Chairman.
• This is a historic milestone as Mohanty becomes the first individual of non-Korean descent to
occupy this prestigious role within the financial conglomerate.
• As part of this shuffle, Choi Hyun Man, the co-CEO and Chairman of Mirae Asset Financial
Group, is stepping down from his position.
• This development comes as part of a larger organisational shuffle at Mirae Asset Financial
Group.
• The reshuffle aims to turbocharge global growth and address generational change.
About Mirae Asset Financial Group :
• Founded : 1997
• Headquarters : Seoul, South Korea.
• Founder : Park Hyeon-Joo

Lay’s ropes in MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador

• PepsiCo India has chosen MS Dhoni as the brand ambassador for its potato chips brand Lay's.
• This strategic move is capitalizing on the excitement generated by the ongoing World Cup and
the concurrent festival season.
• Dhoni has been associated with the brand in the past too.
• Lay’s has reintroduced MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador in its new campaign.
• It is a global campaign associated with sports tournaments, purposely displayed to the Indian
audience during the ongoing ICC cricket World Cup.
• It has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of PepsiCo since 1965.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) Names Koppu Sadashiv Murthy as Chairman and Managing
Director
• Koppu Sadashiv Murthy has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
• He will succeed Nalin Shinghal, who served as the CMD of BHEL from July 8, 2019.
 • Before this appointment, Koppu Sadashiv Murthy held the position of Executive Director of the
Corporate Operations Management group at BHEL.
• While at BHEL, he also held an additional charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of
Bharat Pumps and Compressors Limited (BPCL).
About BHEL :
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• It is under the ownership of the Government of India and administrative control of the Ministry of
Heavy Industries (MHI).

ISB Professor Sarang Deo Named to WHO's TB Advisory Group

• Professor Sarang Deo, Professor of Operations Management; Deputy Dean of Faculty and
Research; and Executive Director of Max Institute of Healthcare Management at the Indian School
of Business (ISB) has been appointed as a member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group
(STAG) for Tuberculosis by World Health Organisation (WHO).
• Professor Deo will be part of a 15-member group of global experts who will provide WHO's
Director-General with an independent evaluation of the strategic, scientific, and technical aspects
of the organisation’s work on eradicating TB.

State Bank of India (SBI) Appoints Cricket Icon MS Dhoni as Brand Ambassador
• The State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, has appointed cricketing legend
Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its official Brand Ambassador.
• Aim of the Appointment: To strengthen SBI's connection, particularly with the younger population.
• Role : As the brand ambassador of SBI, Dhoni will play a pivotal role in various marketing and
promotional campaigns for the bank.
• Among public sector banks, other notable sports figures serving as brand ambassadors include
badminton players PV Sindhu and K Srikanth, as well as cricketer Shafali Verma, who are brand
ambassadors for Bank of Baroda.
About SBI :
• Established : 1955
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
 • MD : Ashwini Kumar Tewari
• Tagline : The Banker to Every Indian
Bangladesh PM's Daughter Saima Wazed Appointed as Head of WHO's South-East Asia Region
• Saima Wazed, the daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been nominated to
become the next Regional Director for the World Health Organization's (WHO) South-East Asia
region.
• She secured the nomination after a vote during the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee
for the South-East Asia Region.
• Saima Wazed received 8 votes, defeating the other candidate, Shambu Prasad Acharya from
Nepal, who secured 2 votes.

RBI appoints Manoranjan Mishra as new Executive Director

• Manoranjan Mishra has been appointed as an Executive Director (ED) of the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI).
• Roles and Responsibilities: In his new role as Executive Director, he will be responsible for
overseeing three key departments:
o Enforcement Department: This department is responsible for enforcing regulatory compliance
within the banking and financial sectors.
o Risk Monitoring Department: It is responsible for monitoring and managing risks in the banking and
financial systems.
o Department of External Investments & Operations: This department deals with external
investments and operations, likely related to foreign exchange and international financial activities.
Deepesh Nanda appointed as President-Renewables and CEO & MD of Tata Power renewable energy
• Deepesh Nanda has been appointed as the President-Renewables and Chief Executive Officer
and Managing Director (CEO & MD) of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a
subsidiary of Tata Power.
• In his new role, Nanda will be responsible for driving the growth and profitability of Tata Power's
renewable energy portfolio. This portfolio encompasses various sectors, including solar, wind,
hybrid, and business-to-consumer (B2C) green energy solutions.
• He will also lead innovation and digital transformation initiatives in the renewable energy sector.

Henry Harvin Education appoints Chetan Bhagat as its Brand Ambassador

 • Henry Harvin Education, an ed-tech platform specialising in upskilling and reskilling programmes
for young professionals, has onboarded Chetan Bhagat as its brand ambassador.
• HHE claims to have a portfolio of more than 800 upskilling and reskilling training programmes
spanning more than 27 categories.
• Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist and YouTuber.
• His Notable Works : Five Point Someone, 2 States: The Story of My Marriage, The 3 Mistakes of
My Life
About HHE :
• Headquarters : Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Founder & CEO : Kounal Gupta
Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner
• Heeralal Samariya, an Information Commissioner, was sworn in as the Chief Information
Commissioner (CIC) by President Droupadi Murmu.
• Heeralal Samariya became India's 1st Dalit Chief Information Commissioner.
• The top position of the Central Information Commission (CIC) had been vacant after the
completion of Y.K. Sinha's tenure on October 3, 2023.
• The oath of office was administered to Heeralal Samariya at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati
Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu officiating the event.
About CIC :
• The Central Information Commission was established in October 2005 under the Right to
Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act).
• The Commission is headed by the Chief Information Commissioner and can have a maximum of
10 Information Commissioners.

IPS officer Pravin Madhukar Pawar appointed as Joint Director of CBI for 5 years
• Pravin Madhukar Pawar, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has been appointed as the Joint
Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a duration of 5 years from the date of
assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
• The appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• Prior to this appointment, Praveen Sood served as the director of the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) for a two-year term.
About CBI :
 • CBI is a premier investigating agency in India, responsible for handling cases of national
importance.
• It was established on April 1, 1963, through a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It was established on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee.
Association of Mutual Funds in India appoints Venkat Nageswar Chalasani as chief executive
• Industry body Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has appointed Venkat Nageswar
Chalasani, former deputy managing director of State Bank of India, as its new chief executive.
• This announcement followed the end of NS Venkatesh's tenure, who served two consecutive terms
of three years each.
• He has previously held various board positions and has been a part of committees established by
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Finance.
• He has also been the Chairman of the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of
India (FIMMDA) and the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India (FEDAI).
About AMFI :
• Established : August 22, 1995
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Navneet Munot
• The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) is a non-profit organization representing all SEBI-
registered mutual fund asset management companies in India.
• As of now, 45 Asset Management Companies that are registered with SEBI, are its members.

Rawat and Sood Appointed as Deputy Managing Directors of NABARD

• The central government has appointed Goverdhan Singh Rawat and Ajay Kumar Sood as Deputy
Managing Directors (DMDs) of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(NABARD).
• Rawat’s appointment is for 5 years from taking charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier,
as per a Department of Financial Services (DFS) notification.
• Sood's appointment is effective from taking charge until his superannuation on August 31, 2027, or
until further orders, according to the DFS notification.
About NABARD :
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Shri Shaji K V
 • NABARD was established on the recommendations of B. Sivaraman Committee (by Act 61, 1981
of Parliament) on 12 July 1982 to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development Act 1981.
• It is an apex regulatory body for overall regulation of regional rural banks and apex cooperative
banks in India.
• It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
About SIDBI :
• Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India,
• Chairman & MD : Sivasubramanian Ramann
• Small Industries Development Bank of India is the apex regulatory body for overall licensing and
regulation of micro, small and medium enterprise finance companies in India.
• It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance , Government of India (GoI).

'Mika' Becomes World's First AI Human-Like Robot CEO

● Dictador, a Colombian spirit brand based in Cartagena, has gained attention for appointing Mika as
its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
● Mika is a humanoid robot, and Dictador has declared it the world's first robotic CEO.
● Mika is a collaborative research project between Hanson Robotics and Dictador.
● Dictador is identified as a Colombian rum brand.
Acko Appoints Actor R Madhavan as the 'Voice of the Customer
● Acko, the insuretech company, has introduced actor R Madhavan as its latest collaborator and
ambassador.
● Madhavan's role at Acko goes beyond being a recognizable face; he is designated as the 'voice
of the customer' in the insurance domain.
About Acko General Insurance :
● Founded : November 2016
● Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
● Founder : Varun Dua
● Acko General Insurance is a private sector general insurance company in India.
● The company received its license from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India in September 2017.
Spanish Lower House Votes to Re-elect Pedro Sánchez as Prime Minister for Another Term
 ● The lower house of the Spanish Parliament voted to re-elect Pedro Sánchez as Prime Minister
for another term.
● Pedro Sánchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) secured support through separate
agreements with various regional parties.
● Pedro Sánchez won a majority of the vote, securing the support of 179 members out of Spain's
350-member parliament.
● Pedro Sánchez was first elected as Prime Minister in 2018.
About Spain :
● Prime Minister : Pedro Sánche
● Capital : Madrid
● Currency : Euro
P Vasudevan Takes Over as the New Head of RBI's Fintech Department
● P Vasudevan was appointed as the new head of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) fintech
department earlier this month(November 2023).
● With this, Vasudevan has become the second top official of the department since its formation in
early 2022.
● Vasudevan takes over from the outgoing chief, Ajay Kumar Choudhary, who reportedly retired
from the position.
Amit S Telang Appointed as Indian Ambassador to the Caribbean Community
● Amit S Telang has been appointed as the Indian Ambassador to the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) and concurrently as the High Commissioner to the Federation of Saint Kitts and
Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda.
● Presently, Dr Amit S Telang is the High Commissioner of India to the Cooperative Republic of
Guyana.
● In addition, Anil Kumar Rai, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed
Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
● The Government of India provided funding of US$1.166 million to support information technology
and communications infrastructure, computer software, and community studios at the CARICOM
Secretariat in 2005–2006.
About Caribbean Community :
● Established : 1973
● Headquarters : Georgetown, Guyana
 ● Chairman : Roosevelt Skerrit
● Secretary General : Carla Natalie Barnett
● The Caribbean Community (CARICOM or CC) is an intergovernmental organisation that is a
political and economic union of 15 member states (14 nation-states and one dependency)
throughout the Americas and Atlantic Ocean.
Government Appoints Vinay Tonse as Managing Director of SBI for a 2-Year Term
● The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
appointed deputy managing director Vinay Tonse as one of State Bank of India's (SBI) managing
directors for 2 years till November 30, 2025.
● The post fell vacant after Swaminathan Janakiraman was appointed as the Deputy Governor of
the Reserve Bank of India.
● Before the appointment, Tonse was serving as the Deputy Managing Director at the PSU bank.
● The Deputy Manager of the state-owned bank was recommended b y the Financial Services
Institutions Bureau (FSIB) for the senior post at SBI in September, 2023.
● The State Bank of India is operated by four managing directors and one chairman.
About FSIB :
● The Central Government has established the Financial Services Institutions Bureau with effect
from July 1, 2022.
● The FSIB will serve the purpose of recommending persons for appointment as full-time directors
and non-executive chairpersons on the Boards of financial services institutions.
● FSIB is responsible for recommending directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions.
● FSIB is headed by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, former secretary in the Department of Personnel and
Training (DoPT).
● Other members of the headhunter are Animesh Chauhan, former chairman and MD of erstwhile
Oriental Bank of Commerce, RBI's ex-executive director Deepak Singhal, and Shailendra
Bhandari, former MD of erstwhile ING Vysya Bank.
Former Finance Minister Frieden Assumes Role of Luxembourg's New Prime Minister
● Luc Frieden, the former finance minister of Luxembourg, has assumed the position of the new
Prime Minister of the country.
● Luc Frieden leads a government coalition that includes his Christian Social People's Party and
the liberal party of former Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.
Other Appointments :
 ● Xavier Bettel, the former Prime Minister, assumes the role of Foreign Affairs Minister in the new
government.
● Gilles Roth is appointed as the new Finance Minister.
About Luxembourg :
● Capital : Luxembourg
● Currency : Euro
● Luxembourg is a landlocked country in Western Europe.
● It borders Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south.
Argentina Elects Right-Wing Populist Javier Milei in Presidential Runoff Election
● Right-wing libertarian Javier Milei emerged victorious in Argentina's presidential election.
● In the election, Javier Miley got 55.8% votes and Economy Minister Sergio Massa got 44.2%
votes.
About Argentina :
● Capital : Buenos Aires
● Currency : Argentina peso
● Argentina is the 3rd largest economy in Latin America and is struggling with the problems of
inflation, increasing recession, and increasing poverty.
Indian diplomat Surendra Adhana re-elected to serve on UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and
Budgetary Questions
● Senior Indian diplomat Surendra Adhana has been re-elected to serve on the Advisory
Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) at the UN for the term 2024-26.
● The Advisory Committee is an expert Committee of 21 Members elected by the General
Assembly for a period of 3 years, on the basis of a broad geographical representation.
About United Nations :
● Established : 24 October 1945
● Headquarters: New York,United States
● President : Dennis Francis
● Secretary general: António Guterres.
● The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to
maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve
international cooperation, and serve as a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
Bandhan Bank board approves re-appointment of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh as its MD for 3 years
 ● Bandhan Bank's board has approved the reappointment of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh as the
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) for a period of 3 years.
● The reappointment is subject to approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
● If approved, the reappointment will be effective from July 10, 2024.
● Chandra Shekhar Ghosh's current tenure as MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank is set to expire on July
09, 2024.
● Regulatory provisions require the submission of the application for reappointment to the RBI at
least 6 months before the expiry of the current term.
About Bandhan Bank :
● Founded : 2015
● Headquarters : Kolkata, West Bengal, India
● MD & CEO : Chandra Shekhar Ghosh
● Tagline : aap ka bhala, sab ki bhalai
Anish Shah Elected as FICCI President for the Term 2023-24
● Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the country’s oldest and
largest industry body, has a President-Elect in Anish Shah.
● The announcement took place during a recent FICCI National Executive Committee Meeting.
● He would succeed Subhrakant Panda as President of the apex Chamber at the conclusion of the
96th Annual General Meeting to be held on December 8-9 in the capital.
About FICCI :
● Founded : 1927
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● FICCI is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group based in India.
Lakshmi Ramakrishna Srinivas Appointed as Additional Director of South Indian Bank
● Renowned banking expert Lakshmi Ramakrishna Srinivas has been appointed as Additional
Director of the South Indian Bank.
● She will be the non-executive independent director for 3 years from 20 November 2023.
About South Indian Bank :
● Founded : 1929
● Headquarters : Thrissur, Kerala.
● MD & CEO : P R Seshadri
● Tagline : Experience Next Generation Banking
Comptroller and Auditor General Girish Chandra Murmu elected as Vice-Chair of UN Panel of Auditors
● Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu has been elected as the
Vice-Chair of the UN Panel of Auditors for the year 2024.
● Murmu actively participated in the 63rd session of the Panel of External Auditors, which took
place in New York, the United States of America (USA) on 20-21 November 2023.
● The Panel of External Auditors consists of the heads of 12 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from
around the world.
● The 63rd session of the Panel, chaired by Isma Yatun, Chair of the Audit Board of the Republic
of Indonesia, was conducted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 20-21
November 2023.
● The Panel elected Pierre Moscovici, President of the French Supreme Audit Institutions, as its
Chair for 2024 and decided that the next session of the Panel would take place in Paris on 9-10
December 2024.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Announces Sourav Ganguly As ‘Brand Ambassador Of
Bengal’
● Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the brand
ambassador of West Bengal.
● Sourav Ganguly replaces Shah Rukh Khan in this role.
● Mamata Banerjee made this announcement at the Bengal Global Business Summit.
● Bengal Global Business Summit 2023 has been inaugurated in Kolkata.
Dr. Mohamed Muizzu Takes Oath as the 8th President of the Maldives
● Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took the oath as the 8th President of the Republic of Maldives in a
ceremony held at the Republic Square in the capital, Male’.
● Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef also took the oath of office during the ceremony, with
the oath administered by Chief Justice of the Maldives, Ahmed Muthasim Adnan.
● Dr. Muizzu had defeated outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the runoff elections held
in September.
About Maldives :
● Capital : Malé
● Currency : Maldivian rufiyaa
 MOUS AND AGREEMENT
New Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding Strengthening Ties Between India and
UAE
• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the primary aim of enhancing cooperation within their respective educational institutions.
• This agreement seeks to foster a stronger relationship by promoting various forms of collaboration,
such as student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, curriculum design, and active
participation in educational events.
• The MoU, which signifies a milestone in the education sector for both nations, will enable the
facilitation of academic mobility by encouraging students and faculty to engage in enriching
experiences across borders.
India and UAE Strengthen Educational Ties with Landmark MoU
• India's Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister and Minister of
Education for the United Arab Emirates signed the MoU in Abu Dhabi.
• The MoU signed by Dharmendra Pradhan and Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi on 01 November 2023 aims
to fortify educational cooperation between the two countries.
• The primary aim of this MoU is to facilitate student and faculty mobility.
• The Ministers reviewed their bilateral engagements in education and skill development.
• They particularly focused on the progress achieved after their previous meeting on the sidelines
of the 4th Education Working Group (EdWG) as part of the G20 framework.

Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement signed between India and Italy to facilitate movement of
workers, students and professionals
• External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held a comprehensive and productive meeting with
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani in Rome.
• They conversed about deepening the India-Italy strategic partnership.
• After the talks, they signed the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement and the Cultural
Exchange Programme to enable seamless movement of workers, students and professionals and
also address the challenges of illegal migration.
• Senators Giulio Terzi Roberto Menia co-chaired the interaction.
• The External Affairs Minister appreciated the warm sentiments for India across party lines
NSDCI and EFS Facilities Services Group Ink MOU for Skilled Workforce Mobility
 • National Skill Development Corporation of India and EFS Facilities Services Group (EFS), a
Facilities Management Firm based in the UAE, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to promote Skilled International Workforce Mobility (IWM) for Indian nationals, with a
specific focus on the GCC countries.
• The MoU outlines the collaborative efforts of these two entities to structure a principle framework
for achieving the common objective of promoting skilled workforce mobility.
• The partnership also aims to develop co-branded skilling institutions to equip Indian nationals with
the skills needed for international and local employment, and to create access to approximately
5000 overseas jobs for skilled Indian nationals over the next three years.
ECI signs MoU with the Ministry of Education to bring Electoral Literacy to Classrooms across the
country
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on electoral literacy was signed between the Election
Commission of India (ECI) and the Ministry of Education.
• The MoU underscores the development of an institutional framework that seeks to incorporate
electoral literacy formally into the school and college education system.
• This includes structured curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities, all of which will help
in preparing future and new voters for greater electoral participation and in effect strengthening
democracy.
• Systematically integrating voter education and electoral literacy into the curriculum, starting from
classes 6 to 12 in all schools.
GAIL signs Rs 63,000-cr deal to source petrochemical feedstock from BPCL
• State-run oil and gas majors Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Gas Authority of India
(GAIL) have signed a 15-year contract for the supply of propane, a critical petrochemical
feedstock.
• The 15-year supply contract, estimated at a value of over Rs 63,000 crore, will see BPCL providing
GAIL with 600 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA) of propane from its LPG import facility at Uran.
• The propane will be supplied to GAIL’s propane dehydrogenation (PDH)-polypropylene (PP)
project in Usar, Maharashtra.
• GAIL’s Usar PDH-PP project represents the inception of India’s inaugural PDH plant, which is set
to commence operations in 2025.
COLORS joins forces with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to support the ‘Beti Bachao,
Beti Padhao’ initiative to bring societal change
 • COLORS, India’s leading Hindi GEC, announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Women and
Child Development’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, to address the issue of girl child
abandonment, through the launch of its new fiction show Doree.
• Television as a medium has played a huge role in holding a mirror to society and led to many
women becoming agents of change.
• With an aim to bring societal change and address the gender bias against girl child, through this
association COLORS aims to raise awareness about the social evil of girl child abandonment.
• In addition to launching a primetime show on the subject, as part of this association, COLORS will
promote the 24-hour emergency toll-free Child helpline number (1098) for those seeking
assistance for any abandoned girl child across the nation.
About COLORS
• ‘COLORS’ is Viacom18’s flagship brand in the entertainment space in India. A combination of
‘emotions’ and ‘variety’, COLORS, launched on 21st July 2008, offers an entire spectrum of
emotions to its viewers.
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and FSR Global sign MoU to promote collaboration in
academia and research on regulatory issues of the energy sector
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Institute of Corporate
Affairs (IICA) and the FSR Global at the IICA Campus in Manesar, Gurugram.
• The MoU was signed by Prof. (Dr.) Naveen Sirohi, representing IICA, and Ms. Swetha Ravi
Kumar, representing FSR Global.
• IICA and FSR Global aim to foster collaborative efforts and explore pragmatic approaches for
establishing mutually beneficial partnerships.
• The primary focus of this partnership is to enhance operational capabilities within the regulatory
landscape of the energy sector, both in India and worldwide.
• The MoU solidifies the collaboration between IICA and FSR Global, underscoring their formal
dedication to the exploration of innovative strategies in the realm of energy regulation and power
management.
About IICA
• The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) is an institution established by the Ministry of
Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India as an autonomous body to act as a think-tank and a
centre of excellence to support the growth of the corporate sector in India through an integrated
and multi-disciplinary approach.
About FSR Global
• The FSR Global is an independent and neutral regulatory hub of excellence focused on the Global
South.
• FSR Global fosters collaborations with energy stakeholders from around the world to improve the
quality of infrastructure regulation and policy by co-creating knowledge that is accessible and
actionable.
India and the Netherlands sign a Memorandum of Intent to cooperate on medical product regulation and
enhancing the quality of medical products
• India and Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to cooperate on medical
product regulation and enhance the quality of medical products and healthcare services for both
countries at Hague, Netherlands.
• The MoI was signed during a meeting of Shri Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for
Chemicals and Fertilizers with Mr. Ernst Kuipers Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports of the
Kingdom of Netherlands.
• An Indian delegation led by Shri Khuba is in the Netherlands to participate in the second World
Local Production Forum (WLPF) meeting being held in The Hague from 6 to 8 November 2023.
About Netherland
• Capital: Amsterdam
• Prime minister: Mark Rutte
6th India-Australia Joint Working Group Meeting on Cooperation in Water Resources Held
• The 6th India-Australia Joint Working Group Meeting on Water Cooperation between the Ministry
of Jal Shakti, Government of India and the Department of Climate Change, Energy and Water,
Government of Australia was held.
• The event brought together representatives from both Indian and Australian Governments for a
productive discussion on enhancing cooperation in the water sector and charting the way forward
with respect to various ongoing and proposed activities.

REC signs MoU with RailTel, to Finance Infrastructure Projects in Telecom, IT and Railway Signalling
• REC Limited signed an MoU with RailTel to extend financial assistance upto Rs. 30,000 Crore for
Infrastructure Projects to be executed by RailTel in the next 5 years.
 • These projects encompass a wide range of areas, including Data Center products and services,
Telecom & IT products and services, Railways and metro projects, and the KAVACH Train
Collision Prevention System.
Additionally, the MoU extends to the possibility of financing overseas ventures related to High-Speed
Rail, metro, IT network, and the Upgradation of Railway Network, as part of bilateral country discussions
and Infrastructure Projects in Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa where RailTel is currently focusing.
REC to provide ₹ 10 crores assistance to ALIMCO, for distribution of aids and assistive devices to more
than 5,000 Divyang Jan
• REC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of REC Limited, has signed a
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India
(ALIMCO), under which REC will provide assistance of ₹10.00 crores for a project for "Distribution
of Aids and Assistive Devices to Persons with Disabilities" in 25 locations across the country.
• More than 5,000 people belonging to disadvantaged sections of society are expected to benefit
from the project.
• The project aims to empower the Divyang Jan, restore their confidence and improve their
functional abilities.
About REC
• REC Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise established in 1969 under the
Ministry of Power. It is a Non-Banking Finance Company focusing on Power Sector Financing and
Development across India. It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state
governments, central and state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric
cooperatives and private sector utilities. Its business activities involve financing projects in the
complete power sector value chain; for various types of projects including Generation,
Transmission, Distribution and Renewable Energy.
About ALIMCO
• Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is a Schedule ‘C’ Miniratna Category
II Central Public Sector Enterprise, under the administrative control of Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment,
Government of India. It is 100% owned by the Govt. of India.
6th India-Australia Joint Working Group Meeting on Cooperation in Water Resources Held
 • The 6th India-Australia Joint Working Group Meeting on Water Cooperation between Ministry of
Jal Shakti, Government of India and Department of Climate Change, Energy and Water,
Government of Australia was held.
• The event brought together representatives from both Indian and Australian Governments for a
productive discussion on enhancing cooperation in water sector and charting the way forward with
respect to various ongoing and proposed activities.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Australia was signed on 10th
November, 2009 and renewed on 5th September 2014.
• Subsequently, a fresh MoU was signed between Government of India and Government of Australia
on 20th May, 2020 effective for a period of five years for Cooperation in the field of Water
Resources Management.
Air India enters into interline partnership with Alaska Airlines for 32 destinations in US, Mexico, Canada
• Air India has recently established an interline partnership with Alaska Airlines.
• This collaboration will enable Air India’s customers to access “seamless connections” from various
gateways, including New York JFK, Newark-New Jersey, Washington DC, Chicago, San
Francisco, and Vancouver, to 32 destinations across the USA, Mexico, and Canada within Alaska
Airlines’ network.
• An interline arrangement means an agreement to issue and accept tickets for flights operated by
the partnering airline. When interline tickets are sold, the flight numbers of the operating airlines
are used.
• The partnership between Air India and Alaska Airlines encompasses bilateral interlining, allowing
both airlines to sell tickets on each other’s networks.
Icrisat joins hands with Assam Millet Mission
• The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) and the Government of
Assam have joined hands to collaborate on climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food
systems through the Assam Millet Mission.
• The collaboration would focus on the State’s target to boost the cultivation, production and
consumption of three native millet crops – finger millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet.
• Presently, millets are only cultivated across 6,000 hectares in 15 districts of the northeastern State
, contributing 97 per cent of the State’s millet production.
About AMM :
 • The Assam Millet Mission (AMM) is part of the World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural
Transformation Project (APART).
• The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society is overseeing the
project, while Icrisat is providing technical consultancy services to support AMM under APART for
about 18 months.
About ICRISAT :
• Established : 1972
• Headquarters : Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• Director : Jacqueline d'Arros Hughes
• The ICRISAT is an international organisation which conducts agricultural research for rural
development.
MoU between India and USA to Enhance Innovation Ecosystems through an Innovation Handshake
under the framework of India – U.S. Commercial Dialogue
● A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “Enhancing Innovation Ecosystems through an
Innovation Handshake” under the framework of India – U.S. Commercial Dialogue was signed
between the two countries on the 14th of November 2023 in San Francisco.
● The leaders’ Joint Statement during the historic official State Visit of the Prime Minister in June 2023
announced the establishment of the “Innovation Handshake”.
● The MoU was signed at the kick-off industry roundtable titled, “Decoding the “Innovation
Handshake”: U.S. – India Entrepreneurship Partnership” in San Francisco.
● The MoU is signed with the objective to connect the two sides’ dynamic startup ecosystems, address
specific regulatory hurdles to cooperation, share information and best practices for startup
fundraising and promote innovation and job growth, particularly in critical and emerging technologies
(CET) as identified under India -U.S. initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Supply Chain Agreement signed by the 14
IPEF Partners
● The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) recently signed an agreement to
strengthen its supply chain and ensure adherence to labour rules.
● This is a first-of-its-kind international agreement that will fortify and strengthen global supply chains,
foster adaptability, stability and sustainability.
● Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)is a regional arrangement to build
cooperation and economic integration in the Indo-Pacific region.
● It was launched by United States President Joe Biden on May 23, 2022.
● IPEF currently includes 14 partner countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia,
Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United
States, and Vietnam.
● The economic framework broadly rests on four pillars:
1. Trade
2. Supply chain resilience
3. Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Infrastructure
4. Taxes and anti-corruption measures.
National Health Authority (NHA) organises Accelerator Workshops on ABDM Integration and NHCX
Adoption in association with IRDAI
● The National Health Authority (NHA) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India (IRDAI) have joined hands to operationalize the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX).
● National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX) is a digital health claims platform developed by the
National Health Authority.
● To encourage adoption of digital health transactions and digitization of patient health records in the
country, NHA has also announced financial incentives under the Digital Health Incentive Scheme
(DHIS) from Jan 2023.
● Under the DHIS, to encourage efficiency in insurance claim processing, there is a provision that for
every insurance claim transaction through NHCX, financial incentives of Rs 500 per claim or 10% of
the claim amount, whichever is lower would be provided for the hospitals.
● National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs signs MoU with Lean Campus Startups (Trust) & WEICI India to
empower corporate and women entrepreneurs through various training programmes
● Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and Lean Campus Startups (Trust) & WEICI India signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Manesar, Gurugram.
● The signatories to the MoU were Dr. Lata Suresh, representing IICA, and Mr. Umesh Rathod,
representing Lean Campus Startups (Founder).
● The collaborative objective of IICA and Lean Campus Startups & WEICI India is to empower both
corporate and women entrepreneurs, augmenting their knowledge, skills, and competencies in the
effective establishment and management of a diverse workforce.
MoU signed between Inland Waterways Authority of India and Amazon
● A Sarbananda Sonowal memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Inland
Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited (Amazon) in New
Delhi.
● The MoU aims to promote cargo movement and transportation of customer shipments and products
via inland waterways using the river Ganga (National Waterway.
● Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the MoU marks another important
leaf in the growth story of India’s waterways.
● This partnership would be an important step towards enhancing the movement of e-commerce cargo
through our Inland Waterways.
WHO & Ayush Ministry project collaboration to boost medical tourism
● Traditional and Complementary Medicine 'Project Collaboration Agreement' has been signed by the
Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO).
● This agreement aims to standardize Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems, integrate
their quality and safety aspects into the National Health System, and disseminate them at the
international level.
● The objective of this cooperation agreement is also to connect Traditional and Complementary
Medical Systems with the mainstream of the National Health System.
● To fulfill this objective, WHO will prepare Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 with the
support of the Ministry of Ayush.
● The first agreement was signed in 2016 to take Traditional Medical systems like Yoga, Ayurveda,
Unani, and Panchakarma to the global level.
● The second contract was signed in 2017 to strengthen the system of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha.
Commerce Ministry to collaborate with e-commerce companies to promote exports from districts
● In a significant move to enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and boost e-
commerce exports from the country, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Government of India is collaborating with the various e-commerce players
to leverage the Districts as Export Hubs initiative and promote e-commerce exports from the country.
● In the first such collaboration with different e-commerce platforms, DGFT has signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amazon India.
● The collaboration aims to enable exporters/MSMEs to sell their 'Made in India' products to
customers internationally.
● The core objective of this collaboration is to leverage e-commerce platforms to support local
exporters, manufacturers, and MSMEs in reaching potential international buyers.
● The partnership aligns with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, which identifies e-commerce as a focus
area for amplifying India's exports.
Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff & Council of Scientific and Industrial Research ink MoU on joint
research and development in field of Defence Technology
● A Memorandum of Understanding between the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff and the
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was signed in New Delhi for technical
collaboration and joint research and development in the field of Defence Technology.
● The MoU was signed by Lt General JP Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman
Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Dr. N Kalaiselvi, Director General,
CSIR & Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science &
Technology (MoST).
● The MoU between the HQ IDS and CSIR aims to provide an umbrella framework for initiating
collaborative interaction between CSIR Labs, HQ IDS and Armed Forces, namely Indian Army,
Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, for enhancing scientific understanding of technologies related to
defence and undertaking joint research and development in dual use technologies.
● The HQ IDS and CSIR both share a common interest to undertake joint research and development
in defence technologies for mutual benefit, in the true spirit of ‘scientific cooperation in support of
Indian Armed Forces’.
● This partnership will also accelerate the indigenisation efforts of Armed Forces for achieving ‘Atma
Nirbhar Bharat’.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) - MoU signed between Department of Social Justice &
Empowerment and International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
● The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment signed a MoU with the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in the presence of
Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virender Kumar, senior officers of the
Department and senior members of the ISKCON in New Delhi
● The Ministry has initiated ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) currently operational in all
the districts of the country with an aim to create awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse
among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools
and reaching out into the community and garnering community involvement and ownership of the
 Abhiyaan.
● Till now, more than 10.71 crore people including more than 3.37 crore youth, more than 2.26 crore
women and more than 3.27 lakh educational institutions have become part of the Drug Free India
Campaign.
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (Divyangjan), Dehradun,
signed MOU with National Book Trust
● The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (Divyangjan) took
significant strides towards inclusivity through two groundbreaking Memoranda of Understanding
(MOUs) signed
● MOU with National Book Trust, New Delhi Under the mentorship of the Secretary, Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, NIEPVD and the National Book Trust, New Delhi,
formalized their commitment to fostering collaboration.
● The MOU paves the way for the establishment of a Universal Design Center for Reading in
Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
● The collaboration aims to make reading materials more accessible to individuals with visual
disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities for learning and education.
● These strategic partnerships underscore NIEPVD's dedication to breaking barriers and creating an
inclusive environment for persons with disabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of
knowledge and education.
Technology Development Board and Small Industries Development Bank of India forge strategic
alliance to boost MSMEs through Technology-Focused Financing
● To bolster the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in India, the Technology
Development Board (TDB) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have
formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
● Through this MoU, TDB and SIDBI have entered into a credit alliance, wherein TDB and SIDBI
shall refer additional funding needs of companies they have previously funded to each other.
About TDB
● Technology Development Board is a statutory body constituted under the Technology
Development Board Act, 1995.
● It aims to promote the development and commercialization of indigenous technology and the
adaptation of imported technology for wider application.
● The board consists of 11 Board members.
About SIDBI
● Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) was established under an Act of Parliament
in 1990.
● It is the Principal Financial Institution engaged in the promotion, financing & development of the
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector and the coordination of the functions of
the various institutions engaged in similar activities.
National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) and National Academy of Direct
Taxes (NADT) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for sharing of resources
● The National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) and the National
Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for sharing
resources, such as best practices, expert faculty, training materials and innovative technologies.
● The MoU was signed by Shri Jayant Diddi, Principal Director General (Trg.), NADT, and Dr. K.N.
Raghavan, Director General, NACIN.
● NADT Nagpur is the apex training Institute established to train the Officer Trainees of Indian
Revenue Service (Income Tax) and number of in-service courses for the middle to senior
management level officials of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
NIDM, TERI sign strategic partnership in disaster risk reduction
● The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to forge a strategic partnership in disaster
risk reduction.
● The MOU will serve as a platform to formalise the strategic partnership and facilitate research,
capacity building, and training.
● According to NIDM, currently 260 universities and institutions are part of the disaster risk reduction
programme.
Reliance General Insurance Company And Animal Digital Identification System (ADIS) Join Forces To
Introduce Revolutionary Animal Identity Cards
● Reliance General Insurance Company Limited (RGICL), India’s leading general insurance company,
has partnered with the Animal Digital Identification System (ADIS) to introduce unique Animal
Identity Cards.
● This initiative promises to bring immense benefits to farmers, insurance providers, and, most
importantly, the welfare of the animals themselves.
● The introduction of Animal Identity Cards represents a significant leap towards enhancing
 accountability in the animal husbandry sector.
● The partnership between RGICL and ADIS to introduce Animal Identity Cards for cattle and livestock
marks a major milestone in animal husbandry and welfare.
About ADIS
● ADIS(Animal Digital Information Systems) is an app for Animal management used to digitally
manage the animals based on animal biometrics
● Mr. Rakesh Jain, CEO of Reliance General Insurance Company Limited.
Blue Dart, India Post enters into strategic partnership, introduces automated digital parcel lockers
● Blue Dart Express Limited announced that it has entered into a partnership with India Post.
● With this collaboration, Blue Dart is introducing automated digital parcel lockers at selected post
offices, offering customers an additional delivery method.
● Blue Dart has teamed up with Podrones, a last-mile technology and parcel locker company, to power
this initiative.
● Fusing Forces, India Post’s Smart Parcel delivery system (ANVIT) teams up with Blue Dart‘s
expertise to harness the potential of Smart Parcel technology for redefining the landscape of efficient
and reliable logistics solutions.
AIFF signs MoU with Odisha Government on FIFA-AIFF Academy in presence of Arsene Wenger
● The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Government of Odisha in the presence of Mr
Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to set up the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy at the Odisha Football Academy in
Bhubaneswar.
● The MoU between the two was signed by the AIFF President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey and Mr. R Vineel
Krishna, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of
Odisha. Mr. Tushar Kanti Behera, Sports Minister of Odisha was present.
● The AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy is the first of its kind in India, which is a testament to Odisha's
rapidly growing standards as a global sports hub.
● Spain’s Sergi Amezcua Fontrodona will be the head coach for two years.
NIDM, TERI sign strategic partnership in disaster risk reduction
● The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to forge a strategic partnership in disaster
risk reduction.
● The MOU will serve as a platform to formalise the strategic partnership and facilitate research,
 capacity building, and training.
● According to NIDM, currently 260 universities and institutions are part of the disaster risk reduction
programme.
MoU signed between Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and Shri Ramchandra Mission
under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)
● As per the report of first comprehensive National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in
India conducted by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment through the National Drug
Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi, Alcohol is the most common
psychoactive substance used by Indians followed by Cannabis and Opioids.
● To curb the menace of drug demand, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E),
Government of India has been implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction
(NAPDDR), an umbrella scheme under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/
Union Territories (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation,
Capacity Building, Skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts
etc.
● Since 2020, the Ministry is implementing the ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all
districts of the country with an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among
the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools and
reaching out into the community and garnering community involvement and ownership of the
Abhiyaan.
Amazon India, AICTE join for skill development of women tech students
● Amazon India has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All-India Council
for Technical Education (AICTE) to extend its initiative Amazon WoW (Women of the World).
● The Amazon WoW is a programme that is designed to empower and equip women students enrolled
in engineering colleges across India with essential skills to thrive in the technology industry.
● The eligible candidates are any women student who is currently pursuing a 4-year BTech/BE or 2-
year MCA, M.Tech/ME programme or 5 year dual degree.

NSE, West Bengal government sign an MoU to facilitate fundraising for SMEs
● The National Stock Exchange of India and the West Bengal government have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate fundraising for small and medium enterprises
(SMEs) through the capital market.
● As part of the MoU, NSE with the support of the state government, will conduct awareness drives
through seminars, knowledge sessions, road shows, and workshops to guide corporates in
fundraising on the NSE Emerge platform.
● The platform has 16 companies listed from West Bengal on the SME Emerge platform, who have
collectively raised Rs 224.43 crore.
About NSE:
● National Stock Exchange of India Limited is one of the leading stock exchanges in India, based in
Mumbai.
● Girish Chandr Chaturvedi; (Chairperson);
● Ashishkumar Chauhan; (MD & CEO).

RANKING AND INDEX

IEA World Energy Outlook 2023: Fossil fuel demand to peak by 2030, urgent investment shift needed
• According to the World Energy Outlook 2023, Fossil fuel demand would reach its peak by 2030.
• Under existing policies of governments, Global emissions are on track to raise temperatures by 2.4
degrees Celsius.
• Oil and natural gas demand will reach its peak before 2030.
• The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is contributing to the shift from fossil fuels.
• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand in 2050 will be 15 per cent lower than projected earlier.
• At present, investments in clean energy and infrastructure are around $1.8 trillion as compared to
$1 trillion in fossil fuels.
About IEA:
• Founded: November 1974
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Executive Director: Fatih Birol
Mumbai jumps to fourth rank in Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index; Delhi secures 10th spot
• Prime Global Cities Index Q3 2023 has been released by real estate consultant Knight Frank
India.
• Mumbai has got fourth place among 46 cities globally in terms of price rise of luxury homes.
• Mumbai was ranked at 22nd place in Q3 2022.
• So, its rank improved by 18 places.
 • National Capital Region (NCR) moved to 10th rank in July-September of 2023 from 36th rank in
the year-ago period.
• Manila is in the top spot of ranking with a 21.2% annual rise in prices.

BigBasket tops, Ola, Porter, Uber, among worst platforms for gig workers: Fairwork India report
• According to the Fairwork India 2023 report, BigBasket is the best organisation for gig workers in
India.
• The report ranks Zomato, Swiggy, Urban Company and BluSmart, all in second place.
• Porter and Ola came in last in the ranking.
• Professors Balaji Parthasarathy and Janaki Srinivasan were the Principal Investigators of the
report.
• In the report, each company is judged on the basis of five factors.
• These factors are Fair Pay, Fair Contract, Fair Management, Fair Representation, and Fair
Conditions.
Indians 6th most hard working globally at 48 hours a week: ILO
• According to the latest International Labour Organisation (ILO) data on working hours, Indians are
already the sixth most hardworking out of 163 countries in the world.
• The ranking is based on taking the average number of hours per week for each employed person
in India, which works out to 47.7 hours.
• This figure shows that Indians work longer than workers in China (46.1 hours), Vietnam (41.5
hours), Malaysia (43.2 hours), the Philippines (39.2 hours), Japan (36.6 hours), the United States
(36.4 hours) and the United Kingdom (35.9 hours).
• However, India's working hours are shorter than those in smaller nations like Bhutan, the Congo,
Lesotho, and Gambia.
About ILO:
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations agency for the world of work.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Adaptation Gap Report 2023: Funding to developing nations declines 15% despite international pledges
and rising costs
• Climate adaptation funding declined by 15% to developing countries: Adaptation Gap Report 2023.
• According to the 2023 Adaptation Gap Report, Climate adaptation funding from the World Bank
and bilateral sources has declined by 15 per cent to around $21 billion in 2021.
 • Climate adaptation funding has declined despite the pledge to double the funding to $40 billion per
year by 2025 at the 26th COP of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in
Glasgow.
Asia Rankings 2024: India surpasses China with highest number of universities
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, continues to retain its top ranking in India, with
China retaining its top-most position in QS World University Rankings: Asia 2024.
• With 148 universities in the ranking list, India also becomes the country in Asia with the highest
number of universities being featured surpassing China with 133 and Japan with 96 universities.
• This shows 37 new entries from India compared to last year’s report, which is significantly more
than only seven new entries from China (mainland).
• The UK-based ranking agency, QS Quacquarelli Symonds declared its Asia ranking for the year
2024.
Fintech firm InCred becomes 2nd unicorn in 2023 after Zepto
• InCred Holdings, the parent of InCred Financial Services, has turned a unicorn (valued at over $1
billion) after it raised Rs 500 crore from a clutch of investors including a global PE fund, corporate
treasuries, family offices, and ultra-high net-worth individuals (UHNIs).
• Incred (112th overall) is the second startup to enter the Indian unicorn club in 2023 after quick
commerce platform Zepto (August fund-raise).
• The funding would be deployed across InCred’s core business verticals: consumer loans, student
loans, and MSME lending.
About InCred
• InCred Financial Services was formed by the merger of KKR India Financial Services Ltd and the
erstwhile InCred Financial.
• InCred is a new-age lender offering online and offline loans to consumers, small businesses and
for education.
• Bhupinder Singh, founder and group CEO of InCred.
India ranked 117th among 129 nations in the inclusiveness index by the US varsity
● India is ranked 117th in the list of 129 countries in the world in the inclusiveness index published by
the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) at California University, United States.
● Smaller countries like Bangladesh (106) and Israel (115) were placed better than India.
● The index examines inclusivity in terms of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and
the general population using several measures.
● India was ranked last (129) in religion inclusiveness, 121st in gender, 108th in disability, 87th in
race, 40th in the general population, and 39th in LGBTQ.
● New Zealand finished first in the index for the second consecutive year.
● Portugal recorded its best showing by securing second place (up from 5th place in 2022) followed by
the Netherlands in third place.
● Iran was placed at the bottom of the global list. Yemen, which has been devastated by the Saudi-led
invasion, performed poorly followed by the Comoros Islands, a former French colony located off the
southeastern coast of Africa.
India is likely to become the second largest solar module manufacturer by 2025: Wood Mackenzie.
● In its latest report, Wood Mackenzie has forecasted that India will overtake Southeast Asia as the
second-largest module production region by 2025.
● Wood Mackenzie said this will be driven by India’s strong PLI incentives.
● It added India and the US have announced over 200 gigawatts (GW) of planned module capacity
since 2022.
● Earlier, ICRA said India’s solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing capacity to increase to more
than 60 GW by 2025 from the current level of around 37 GW.
● The International Energy Agency (IEA) in a report last month said that India’s domestic production
capacity can surpass 70 GW by 2027.
● India accounts for 3% of the global solar manufacturing market.

WHO declares loneliness as a pressing global health threat

● The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness a pressing global health threat.
● An international commission on this problem has also been launched by WHO under the leadership
of US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
● The commission will run for three years.
● The new Commission on Social Connectivity aims to address loneliness as a serious health threat,
promote social connection as a priority, and accelerate the scale-up of solutions across all income
countries.
Eight Indians, PIOs, including World Bank's Ajay Banga and Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal, in Time 100
Climate list
● Eight individuals of Indian origin, including World Bank President Ajay Banga and Ola Electric co-
founder Bhavish Aggarwal, have been recognized in Time magazine's inaugural 'Time 100 Climate'
 list.
● This list highlights influential leaders driving real climate action in various fields.
● The Time 100 Climate list features global CEOs, founders, philanthropists, musicians, policymakers,
and government officials, coinciding with the upcoming 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in the
United Arab Emirates.
● World Bank President Ajay Banga, who began his term in June, is focusing on eradicating poverty
while addressing climate change, emphasizing the importance of clean air and water.
● Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder of Ola Electric, is leading efforts to electrify India's predominantly
moped and scooter-based transportation, with the recent launch of an affordable electric scooter.
● Rajiv Shah's The Rockefeller Foundation collaborates on initiatives such as the Coal to Clean Credit
Initiative, aiming to transition from coal-fired power plants to renewable energy.
● Geeta Aiyer's Boston Common Asset Management, a sustainable investment firm, prioritizes climate
change mitigation through shareholder engagement.
● Amit Kumar Sinha, CEO of Mahindra Lifespaces, ensures sustainable development in real estate,
focusing on water efficiency, passive energy design, and renewables.
● Manoj Sinha's Husk Power Systems, operating minigrids across Asia and Africa, achieved
profitability in India and Nigeria.
● Seema Wadhwa, leading environmental stewardship for Kaiser Permanente, aims for net-zero
emissions by 2050, with the company's Santa Rosa facility recognized as the US's first net-zero
medical facility.
● Jigar Shah, director of the US Department of Energy Loan Programmes Office, oversees significant
investments in clean infrastructure and energy projects.

DEFENCE NEWS
Indian Army and Indian Air Force Contingent Departs for India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise
KAZIND-2023
• The Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, comprising 120 personnel, departed to
take part in the Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ which will be conducted at Otar,
Kazakhstan, from October 30th to November 11th, 2023.
• It is the 7th edition of the Kazind exercise.
• Indian Army contingent comprises 90 personnel led by a Battalion from the DOGRA Regiment.
 • The Kazakhstan contingent is mainly represented by personnel from Regional Command South of
Kazakh Ground Forces.
• 30 personnel of the Air Force from both sides will also participate in the current edition of the
Exercise alongside the Army contingents.
About Ministry of Defence :
• Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ministry of Defence
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane
IAF fighter squadron converts from MiG-21 to SU-30 MKI
• The Number 4 Squadron (Oorials) of the Indian Air Force, based at Air Force Station Uttarlai
(Barmer), has undergone a significant transition from the MiG-21 to the Su-30 MKI.
• This transition marks a watershed moment in the history of the squadron, as they had been
operating the MiG-21 since 1966.
• The MiG-21 was the first supersonic fighter in service of the IAF, inducted in 1963, and played a
significant role in various conflicts.
• The conversion of the squadron reflects the Indian Air Force's commitment to modernize its fleet
while ensuring the protection of the nation's airspace.
About IAF :
• Established : 1932
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chief of the Air Staff : Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
About Ministry of Defence :
• Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ministry of Defence
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

Indian Navy Unveils 25T Bollard Pull Tug 'MAHABALI' in Gujarat

• Commodore Sunil Kaushik, launched the 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug named ‘Mahabali,’ at M/s
Shoft Shipyard Private Limited in Bharuch, Gujarat.
• 'Mahabali' is a proud flag bearer of the "Make in India" initiative of the Ministry of Defence.
• 'Mahabali' is a 25-ton Bollard Pull (BP) Tug.
 • This vessel, a creation of Shoft Shipyard located in Bharuch, Gujarat, is one of three such tugs
commissioned as part of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Defence and the Shipyard.
• The tug has been constructed in accordance with the classification rules set forth by the Indian
Register of Shipping (IRS).
About Indian Navy:
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chief: Admiral R Hari Kumar (25th Chief of the Indian Navy)

Sweden's Saab secures India's first 100% FDI in defence project

• Swedish defence company Saab’s has reportedly become the first foreign company that has
bagged 100% FDI in India's defence projects.
• Sweden's Saab will set up a new facility in the country that will manufacture shoulder-fired
rockets.
• The FDI proposal, valued under Rs 500 crore, was cleared in October, 2023.
• Currently, India allows only 74% FDI in the defence sector under the automatic route.
• Beyond that, clearance can be obtained on a case-by-case basis.
About Saab :
• Founded : 1937
• Headquarters : Stockholm, Sweden
• Chairman : Marcus Wallenberg
• President & CEO : Micael Johansson
Indian Navy Retires IL-38 SD Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft
• The Indian Navy bid farewell to its Ilyushin-38 Sea Dragon long-range maritime patrol aircraft after
46 years of distinguished service.
• The decommissioning ceremony for the IL-38 SD aircraft took place at INS Hansa, Dabolim in
Goa.
• INAS 315 was commissioned on October 1, 1977.
• The induction of IL-38 aircraft marked a significant milestone, ushering in a modern era of airborne
long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the Indian Navy.
About Indian Navy :
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
 • Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan
• Chief of the Naval Staff : Admiral R. Hari Kumar
Indian Navy conducts security exercise 'Prasthan' in Andhra's Kakinada
• The Offshore Security Exercise, ‘Prasthan’ in the Offshore Development Area (ODA) off Kakinada
was conducted by Eastern Naval Command, Indian Navy in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• The exercise was conducted on the Rig ship Platinum Explorer of ONGC and RG Fixed Oil
Platform of Vedanta Ltd.
• Rehearsing responses in handling contingencies and checking the efficacy of security mechanisms
at Offshore Development Area (ODA).
About Indian Navy :
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan
• Chief of the Naval Staff : Admiral R. Hari Kumar
Visakhapatnam Hosts the 4th Edition of BONGOSAGAR-23 and 5th Edition of CORPAT Between
Indian and Bangladesh Navies
● The 4th edition of Bilateral Exercise between Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy, BONGOSAGAR-
23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies was conducted in the
Northern Bay of Bengal.
● Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime
Boundary Line (IMBL), and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance
interoperability.
Participating Naval Assets :
● Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier took part in the
exercise.
● Bangladesh Navy Ships Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah and MPA also took part in the exercise.
● CORPAT-23 also included the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills
carried out between the two navies.
About Ministry of Defence :
● Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
● Minister of State : Ministry of Defence
● Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane
Indian Air Force to organize air show on Nov 23-24 at Air Force Station in Ambala Cantonment
● Indian Air Force will organize an air show on November 23-24 at Air Force Station in Ambala
Cantonment.
● Surya Kiran and Akashganga teams will showcase their skills in the sky alongside the aircrafts of the
Indian Air Force.
● Regarding security, he said that orders have already been issued under Section 144 to prohibit the
flying of drones near the Air Force station.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to attend 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Jakarta
● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus
(ADMM plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 16th of November to 17th of November, the Ministry of
Defence.
● On the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' meet, Singh will also have bilateral meetings with
the Defence Ministers of participating countries.
● Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to bolster cooperation between
ASEAN and the Plus countries.
● Indonesia is hosting the meeting as it is the chair of ADMM-Plus.
Highly Awaited Joint Exercise 'Trishakti Prahar' Commences Near Western Border in Rajasthan's
Jaisalmer
● The much-anticipated joint military exercise 'Trishakti Prahar' has commenced near the western
border of Rajasthan in Jaisalmer.
● It is a joint military exercise involving the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force
(IAF).
● It aims to enhance mutual coordination and operational efficiency.
● It seeks to create new strategies and assess operational capabilities in the context of modern
warfare.
Indian Armed Forces to Induct Nirbhay Long-Range Attack Cruise Missile for Targets Beyond 1,000 km
● The Indian armed forces will be inducting the long-range attack cruise missile Nirbhay into their
inventory to strike targets at ranges over 1,000 km.
● Nirbhay Cruise Missile is a long-range sub-sonic cruise missile.
● It is India’s first indigenously-produced cruise missile.
● The missile was developed by the Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment, a
lab under India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Indian Navy Unveils 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft, Named 'Amini'
 ● ‘Amini’, an Arnala class of ship for the Indian Navy, was launched at L&T Shipbuilding’s facility in
Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.
● 'Amini' is the fourth ship of the 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) project initiated by the
state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE).
● The ship is designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low-
intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and mine-laying operations.
● The launch ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel.
● The ship has been named Amini to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the
island of Amini at Lakshadweep, located about 400 km west of Kochi.
● The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) and Kolkata -based GRSE on April 29, 2019.
● The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in early 2024.
● The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale
defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and
capability enhancement within the country.
About Indian Navy :
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan
● Chief of the Naval Staff : Admiral R. Hari Kumar
About GRSE :
● Headquarters : Kolkata, West Bengal
● Chairman & MD : Commodore (Retd) PR Hari
Indian Army and BRO Set Record with Completion of Bailey Bridge in North Sikkim
● The Indian Army's Trishakti Corps, in collaboration with the Border Roads Organization (BRO),
successfully completed the construction of the Bailey Bridge over the Teesta River at
Chungthang in North Sikkim.
● Mr. Samdup Lepcha, Minister of Roads and Bridges, Government of Sikkim, inaugurated the
Bailey Bridge.
● The bridge's completion reestablished connectivity to flood-affected areas in North Sikkim, which
had been cut off since the night of October 3, 2023.

India and Nepal Kick Off the 17th Iteration of Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN
 ● The Nepal Army contingent, consisting of 334 personnel, has arrived in India for the 17th edition
of the Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN.
● This annual event takes place alternatively in India and Nepal, and this year, it will be conducted
in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, from 24th November to 7th December 2023.
● The Indian Army contingent, led by a Battalion from the KUMAON Regiment, comprises 354
personnel.
● On the other side, the Nepal Army contingent is represented by the Tara Dal Battalion.
● The primary aim of SURYA KIRAN is to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-
terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
under the United Nations Charter for peacekeeping operations.
Indian Armed Forces Contingent Embarks on Joint Military Exercise "AUSTRAHIND-23"
● The 2nd edition of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 is being conducted between the
Indian and Australian army contingents.
● On 22 November 2023 the Indian Armed Forces contingent of 81 personnel arrived in Australia
for exercises.
● The exercise is being conducted in Perth, Australia from 22 November to 06 December 2023.
Participating Contingents :
● The Indian Army team includes 60 soldiers from a battalion of Gorkha Rifles.
● The Australian Army contingent of 60 personnel is from the 13th Brigade.
● From the Indian side, an officer of the Indian Navy and 20 personnel of the Indian Air Force are
also participating in it.
● The Australian contingent includes 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and the
Royal Australian Air Force.
● In 2022, the exercise AUSTRAHIND was launched, and the first edition was held in Mahajan,
Rajasthan.
Other Exercises between India and Australia :
● Exercise AUSINDEX: It is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and
Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
● The first edition of the exercise took place in 2015.
● Exercise Pitch Black: It is a biennial multilateral air combat exercise hosted by the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) since 1981.
● The Indian Air Force had taken part in the exercise for the first time in 2018.
About Ministry of Defence :
● Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
● Minister of State : Ministry of Defence
● Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane
Indian Navy & DRDO test indigenously developed naval anti-ship missile
● Indian Navy in association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
successfully conducted the Guided Flight Trials of the first indigenously developed Naval Anti-
Ship Missile from Sea King 42B helicopter.
● It is an important step towards achieving self-reliance in niche missile technology.
● Earlier in October,2023 the reports arrived that DRDO is all set to test the much-anticipated long-
range anti-ship missile (LRASM), that would enhance the Navy’s capabilities, especially in the
realm of ship-based missile systems with extended range.
● This missile has a range of around 500 kilometres, which is more than the range of 350-400
kilometres of the Russian cruise missile BrahMos.
● Even in May 2022, India tested its first indigenously built anti-ship missile falling in the short-
range category weighing around 380 kilograms with a range of 55 kilometres.
● Named ‘Naval Anti-ship Missile-short range’ (NASM-SR), they can be launched from attack
helicopters.
About Indian Navy :
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan
● Chief of the Naval Staff : Admiral R. Hari Kumar
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Boards Indigenous Twin-Seater Fighter Aircraft LCA Tejas,
Designed, Developed, and Manufactured in India
● Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi achieved a historic milestone by flying a sortie in the
indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured Tejas Twin-Seat Light Combat Fighter
aircraft in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
● He became the first Prime Minister to fly the Tejas on a sortie.
● The aircraft took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Airport) in Bengaluru.
● Light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency
(ADA) in collaboration with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
 ● During the flight, the capabilities of the Tejas fighter aircraft were demonstrated to the Prime
Minister, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has flown a fighter aircraft sortie.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China approves the world’s first passenger-carrying flying taxi Ehang’s EH216-S
• Ehang, a Chinese drone manufacturer, has received regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation
Administration of China (CAAC) for its autonomous air taxi, the EH216-S AAV.
• This marks the first instance of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being certified to carry
passengers in China.
• Ehang claims to be the first company globally to have achieved regulatory approval for an
autonomous passenger-carrying UAV, indicating its pioneering role in the field.
About China :
• President: Xi Jinping
• Capital: Beijing
• Currency : Renminbi

NASA Launches Sounding Rocket for INFUSE Mission

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched a sounding rocket as part of
its Integral Field Ultraviolet Spectroscopy Experiment (INFUSE) mission.
• The INFUSE was launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
• It was launched to study the Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant.
• The INFUSE mission is expected to collect information about the Cygnus Loop for a few minutes.
• The observations are made from a height of 150 miles (240 km) above Earth's surface.
About NASA :
• Established : July 29, 1958
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C, United States of America
• Administrator : Bill Nelson
ECI Develops 'ENCORE' In-House Software for Comprehensive Candidate and Election Management
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has developed an in-house software known as
ENCORE, which stands for "Enabling Communications On Real-Time Environment."
• This software is designed to facilitate complete candidate and election management.
 • ENCORE provides a seamless facility for Returning Officers to manage candidate nominations,
affidavits, voter turnout, counting, results, and data management in a real-time environment.

About Election Commission of India :

• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Chief Election Commissioner of India : Rajiv Kumar
• Election Commissioner of India : Anup Chandra Pandey
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body.
• It was established by the Constitution of India to conduct and regulate elections in the country.
• The ECI comprises a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners
(ECs).
• According to Article 324(2), the President appoints the CEC and other ECs.

Pakistan successfully conducts training launch of Ghauri Weapon System

• Pakistan successfully conducted a training launch of the Ghauri Weapon System.
• This test comes shortly after another significant missile test, demonstrating the country's
commitment to enhancing its missile capabilities.
• Prior to the Ghauri Weapon System test, Pakistan conducted a flight test of the Ababeel Weapon
System.
• The primary objective of this test was to strengthen Pakistan's deterrence capabilities.
• In 2021, Pakistan successfully conducted a test flight of the locally developed Fatah-1 Guided
Multi-Launch Rocket System.
• This rocket system has a range of 140 kilometers, contributing to Pakistan's overall missile
capabilities.
About Pakistan:
• Capital: Islamabad
• Currency: Rupee
• President: Arif Alvi

NASA Plans 2027 Launch of Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope for Milky Way Observation
 • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is in the process of preparing for the
launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to take place by the year 2027 to
observe the Milky Way galaxy.
• The Roman Space Telescope is a NASA observatory with the primary goal of addressing
fundamental questions in the fields of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.
• The Roman Space Telescope is designed as a long-term monitoring system, representing "time-
domain astronomy."
• This field focuses on the study of how the universe changes over time, capturing dynamic celestial
events.
About NASA :
• Founded : July 29, 1958
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C, United States
• Administrator : Bill Nelson

Google to assemble Pixel phones in India from 2024

• Google, Inc. set a 2024 target to assemble its Pixel line of smartphones in India.
• The flagship device will feature the latest iteration of the Tensor chip, which was designed in India
for global use.
• The Tensor chips were first introduced in 2021, coinciding with the launch of the Google Pixel 6.
• While these ‘system-on-chip’ processors were conceptualised by the company in 2016, they took
five years to develop for use.
• The latest is the 3rd generation of the Tensor chip.
About Google :
• Founded : September 4, 1998
• Headquarters : California, United States
• CEO : Sundar Pichai
Russia Successfully Tests Bulava Ballistic Missile Designed for Nuclear Warheads
• Russia conducted a successful test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, which is designed to
carry nuclear warheads.
• The Bulava ballistic missile is a newly developed Russian submarine-launched Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
• Development of the Bulava missile began in 1998.
 • The first powered flight test of the Bulava missile occurred in September 2005, followed by its first
submerged test launch in December.
• The Bulava missile was designed to be deployed on Russia's Borey-class ballistic missile
submarines (SSBNs).
• It was designed to be the backbone of Moscow's nuclear triad and has a range of over 8,000
kilometres (close to 5,000 miles).
• It is 12-13.5 m in length and has a diameter of approximately 2.0 m.
• Launch Weight: 36,800 kg It is a three-stage solid-fuel missile.
About Russia :
• President : Vladimir Putin
• Prime Minister : Mikhail Mishustin
• Capital : Moscow
• Currency : Ruble
Government Launches 'Krishi 24/7,' India's First AI-Powered Agricultural News Monitoring and Analysis
Solution
• The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) collaborated with the Wadhwani
Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI) to develop Krishi 24/7.
• Krishi 24/7 is India's first AI-powered solution designed for automated agricultural news monitoring
and analysis.
• The development of Krishi 24/7 received support from Google.org, which helped facilitate the
project.
About Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence :
• Established : 2018
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• CEO : Sameer Garde
• Aim : To build AI-based innovations and solutions for underserved communities in developing
countries, for a wide range of domains including agriculture, education, financial inclusion,
healthcare, and infrastructure.
About Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare :
• Cabinet Minister : Narendra Singh Tomar
• Minister of State : Shobha Karandlaje, Kailash Choudhary
Government Issues Advisory to Social Media Intermediaries Regarding Deepfakes
• The government has issued an advisory to major social media platforms, directing them to remove
any deepfake content reported by users within 36 hours.
• Failure to comply with the removal of deepfake content within the specified timeframe will result in
the loss of "safe harbor immunity" for these platforms.
• This means they will be liable to criminal and judicial proceedings under Indian laws.
• The advisory emphasizes the importance of exercising due diligence and making reasonable
efforts to identify misinformation and deepfakes, particularly content that violates rules, regulations,
and user agreements.
• Social media intermediaries are urged to take action well within the timeframes stipulated under
the IT Rules of 2021.

National Medical Commission to Introduce 'One Nation, One Registration Platform' for Doctors
• The National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulatory body for medical education and medical
professionals, has introduced the "One Nation, One Registration Platform."
• To eliminate duplication and provide the public with access to information about any physician
practicing in India.
• Over the next six months, the NMC is set to launch the National Medical Register (NMR) on a trial
basis.
• This register will be a key component of the 'One Nation, One Registration' initiative.
• The government has issued the "Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice
Medicine Regulations, 2023" through a gazette notification.
About NMC :
• Established : 25 September 2020
• Headquarters : new Delhi, Delhi, India

Euclid Mission: A Crucial Endeavor in ESA's Cosmic Vision Programme Exploring the Universe's Origin
and Laws
• Euclid is a crucial component of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Cosmic Vision programme,
designed to explore the universe's origin, components, and fundamental laws.
• The primary objective of the Euclid mission is to delve into the "dark side" of the universe, with a
specific emphasis on investigating dark matter and dark energy.
About Euclid :
• Euclid was successfully launched on July 1, 2023 from Cape Canaveral in Florida using a SpaceX
Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
• The mission is named after the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, who pioneered
the subject of geometry around 300 BC.
• Euclid aims to create a comprehensive 3D map of the universe, incorporating time as the third
dimension, by observing billions of galaxies across more than a third of the sky, reaching up to 10
billion light-years.

Intel partners with EMS and ODMs to boost laptop manufacturing in India
• Intel, an American technology company, has partnered with 8 Indian Electronics Manufacturing
Services (EMS) companies and Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs) to enhance laptop
manufacturing in India.
• This collaboration demonstrates Intel's commitment to the Indian electronics market.
• The 8 Indian companies collaborating with Intel for laptop manufacturing in India include Bhagwati
Products, Dixon Technologies India, Kaynes Technology India, Optiemus Electronics, Panache
Digilife, Smile Electronics, Syrma SGS Technology, and VVDN Technologies.
About Intel :
• Established : July 18, 1968
• Headquarters : Santa Clara, California, United States
• Intel Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company.
ICMR Introduces DISHA Portal for Geo-Mapping Diagnostic Labs Across India
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched the Diagnostic Services in
Healthcare (DISHA) portal to help the public in accessing nearest diagnostic healthcare facilities
towards ensuring early detection and proactive management.
• DISHA will empower the consumer or patient with the knowledge to make informed decisions
regarding the type of facility, the distance, test availability, test cost and turn-around time.
About ICMR :
• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• Director General : Rajiv Bahl
 • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body in India for the formulation,
coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest and largest medical
research bodies in the world.

Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace becomes first ever entity to secure DGCA Type certification for
indigenous unmanned aircraft technology
• Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace has become India’s first-ever private firm to secure a
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) type certification for indigenous unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) technology.
• Flying Wedge's achievement is noteworthy as it signifies the development and certification of
indigenous UAV technology, distinguishing it from Indian firms that have relied on technology
imports, especially from China.
• Under the DGCA’s regulatory framework, no drone, aircraft, or aeroplane can operate in India
without DGCA-type certification.
This stringent certification process is regarded as a vital step in ensuring the safety and reliability of
unmanned aircraft within the country
FDA Grants Approval for the First Vaccine Preventing Chikungunya Virus-Induced Disease
• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world's inaugural vaccine
targeting chikungunya, a virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
• The FDA's decision to approve the vaccine highlights its recognition of chikungunya as an
emerging global health threat.
•

About Food and Drug Administration :

• Established : June 30, 1906
• Headquarters : Maryland, United States
• The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the
Department of Health and Human Services.

India successfully test-fires 'Pralay' missile off Odisha coast

• India achieves a successful test-firing of its surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM)
named 'Pralay' from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
 • The missile is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),
emphasising its indigenous origin.
About 'Pralay' :
• 'Pralay' is designed to meet India's defence requirements along its borders with neighbouring
China and Pakistan, underscoring its strategic importance.
• Pralay' is a 350-500 km short-range, surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-
1,000 kg.
• The missile is characterised by its use of solid fuel and its designation as a battlefield missile.
• It is based on the Prithvi Defence Vehicle, showcasing its technological lineage.
• 'Pralay' has been specifically developed for deployment along critical areas such as the Line of
Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).

IARI Introduces Pusa-2090 Paddy Variety to Address Stubble Burning, Offering Farmers an Additional
30 Days with Shorter Maturation Period
● The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has successfully developed the Pusa-2090 Paddy
Variety as a strategic measure to address stubble burning issues.
● This variety has a shorter maturation time, which provides farmers with 30 extra days.
● Paddy crop is usually transplanted in June.
● It is usually ready for harvest only in late October.
● Due to this, farmers have very little time to prepare their fields to sow the next wheat crop.
● IARI has developed Pusa-2090, an improved version derived from a cross between Pusa-44 and
CB-501, an early-maturing Japonica rice line.
● It matures in a shorter duration of 120-125 days while maintaining comparable yields, addressing
the core issue of stubble burning.
What is Stubble Burning?
● Stubble burning is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the
last week of September to November.
● Stubble burning is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains,
like paddy, wheat, etc.
● It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop residue
behind.
● The process of burning farm residue is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north
 India, deteriorating the air quality.
About IARI :
● The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) (formed 1905; HQ: Delhi), initially located in Pusa,
Bihar, originated as the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research.
● After being renamed and relocated to Delhi in 1936, it is now administered by the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Samsung Introduces its Generative AI Model, Samsung Gauss
● Samsung has unveiled its first generative AI model, named 'Samsung Gauss,' at the Samsung AI
Forum 2023.
● Samsung Gauss is a large language model designed to understand human language, answer
questions, generate text and images, assist in writing and editing emails, and summarize
documents.
● Samsung Gauss comprises three main tools: Samsung Gauss Language, Samsung Gauss Code,
and Samsung Gauss Image.
● Samsung Gauss Language is capable of understanding human language and answering queries
similar to ChatGPT.
● Samsung Gauss Code works in conjunction with the company's code assistant, 'code.i,' assisting
with code generation and providing support for code description and test case generation through
an interactive interface.
● Google, which is the first major tech company to challenge ChatGPT with its Bard platform,
doubled down on its efforts by introducing generative AI updates across its portfolio, including for
Google Meet, Google Slides and Google Chat.
"Chandigarh Smart City Introduces AI-Powered Chatbot 'BIRBAL' to Enhance 'Ease of Living'

● Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven
interactive chatbot named ‘BIRBAL’ to enhance citizen-centric services.
Objective of the Chatbot :
● To provide efficient and user-friendly citizen services within the local civic body
● 'BIRBAL,' the AI virtual assistant, is developed using CoRover.ai, a generative AI-powered
conversational AI platform.
● The development of 'BIRBAL' aligns with the government's commitment towards 'ease of living'
by leveraging innovative technology solutions.
MKU Limited Introduces the World's First Rifle-Rated Ballistic Helmet, Kavro Doma 360
● Kanpur-based MKU Limited unveiled the world's first rifle-rated ballistic helmet-Kavro Doma 360
at Milipol Paris.
● It was indigenously developed by MKU Limited.
● The world's first uniform rifle protection helmet: It offers uniform protection in all 5 zones of the
head (front, back, left, right, and crown) against threats like the AK-47 MSC, M80 NATO BALL,
and M193 rifle bullets.
● It’s the first rifle-rated helmet that can maintain a resulting Back Face Signature/Trauma of less
than 20 mm, against bullet impact from AK-47 bullets.
About MKU Limited :
● Founded : 1985
● Headquarters : Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
● Managing Director : Neeraj Gupta
IIT Madras Researchers Create App for Inter-City Goods Transportation with Zero Commission
● Faculty members, students, and alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
collaborated to design and develop a mobile application called 'OptRoute' for efficient goods
transportation within cities.
● The 'OptRoute' app connects drivers directly with consumers and operates without charging any
commission or on-boarding fees. Payments from consumers go directly to the driver, eliminating
intermediaries.
● The first version of the app has been developed and commercialised through OptRoute Logistics,
a start-up incubated at IIT Madras. Prof. N.S. Narayanaswamy from the Department of Computer
Science and Engineering co-founded the start-up.
● The basic ideas behind the App were presented during the 2020 Genetic and Evolutionary
Computation Conference (https://doi.org/10.1145/3377930.3389804) held in Cancun, Mexico.
India's Indigenous Light Tank "Zorawar" Nearing Trial Phase
● India's indigenously designed and developed light tank, tentatively named Zorawar, is likely to be
ready for trials soon.
● It is an indigenously designed and developed Light Tank.
● It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in
collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Limited.
● Zorawar was a military general, Zorawar Singh Kahluria, and had served under Jammu’s Raja
 Gulab Singh in the 19th Century.
● He is honoured for his conquests in the Himalayas, including Ladakh, Tibet, Baltistan, and
Skardu.
China claims world’s fastest internet with 1.2 terabit-per-second network
● Huawei Technologies Co. and China Mobile Ltd. have built a 3,000 kilometre (1,860-mile)
internet network linking Beijing to the south, which the country is touting as its latest technological
breakthrough.
● The two firms teamed up with Tsinghua University and research provider Cernet.com Corp. to
build what they claim is the world’s first internet network to achieve a “stable and reliable”
bandwidth of 1.2 terabits per second, several times faster than typical speeds around the world.
● The Chinese firm in August made waves when it released a 5G smartphone with a sophisticated
made-in-China processor, inspiring celebration in the Chinese state and social media.
● The majority of the world's Internet backbone networks typically operate at a speed of just 100
gigabits per second.
● In February, Nokia, a global rival to Huawei, announced achieving 1.2 terabits per second over
"metro distances" of about 118 km on an optical network in Europe.
About China:
● President: Xi Jinping
● Capital: Beijing
● Currency: Renminbi

WHO and the Ministry of Ayush signed the Traditional and Complementary Medicine 'Project
Collaboration Agreement'
● The Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed Traditional and
Complementary Medicine 'Project Collaboration Agreement' in Geneva, Switzerland
● The main objective of this agreement is to standardize Traditional and Complementary Medical
Systems, integrate their quality and safety aspects into the National Health System, and disseminate
them at the international level.
● To fulfil this objective, Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 will be prepared by WHO with
the support of the Ministry of Ayush.
● An International Herbal Pharmacopoeia of herbs found in South-East Asia will be developed by the
Ministry in collaboration with WHO.
About WHO
● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
● Founded: 7 April 1948
Microsoft Introduces AI Chips to Address Growing Demand for Alternatives to Nvidia Among
Developers
● Microsoft has introduced its first custom-designed artificial intelligence (AI) chips for cloud
applications, addressing the demand for alternatives to Nvidia, which currently dominates the AI
processor market.
● Microsoft's AI chip offerings include a general-purpose chip called Cobalt, based on Arm designs,
and a specialized AI "accelerator" named Maia.
● The new processors will support Microsoft's Azure cloud services, including OpenAI and Copilot,
enhancing the capabilities of these services through optimized AI processing.
● 'Project Maia' is described by Microsoft as a deep learning framework that engages in chess
playing to explore the interaction between humans and AI, showcasing a practical application of
AI technology.
● The new AI chips will be integrated into Microsoft's Azure data centers, indicating a strategic
move to enhance AI capabilities within the cloud computing infrastructure.
About Microsoft Corporation :
● Founded : April 4, 1975
● Headquarters : Washington, United States
● Chairman & CEO : Satya Nadella
Jio and OneWeb Acquire Licences for Satellite Internet Services
● Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, backed by Bharti Enterprises, have received licences
from the government to provide broadband internet services to end-users using satellite.
● Both companies now have pan-India Internet Service Provider (ISP) licenses, which are essential
for delivering internet connectivity through satellite or mobile networks.
● The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has already granted OneWeb and Jio Satellite the
global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licence that is required to
offer satellite-based broadband services in India.
● Four of the remotest locations in India have already been connected with JioSpaceFiber
including Gir (Gujarat), Korba (Chattisgarh), Nabrangpur (Odisha), and ONGC (Jorhat, Assam).
● Notably, Jeff Bezos-led Amazon and Elon Musk’s Starlink are also eyeing the satellite
 communications space in India, and have sought a GMPCS license.
Formation of Earth's Mysterious New Layer Linked to Deep Infiltration of Surface Water: Study
● The formation of new enigmatic layer – E prime layer – at the outermost part of Earth's core is a
result of "surface water penetrating deep into the planet," altering the composition of the metallic
liquid core's outermost region, a study by an international team of researchers, including those
from Arizona State University (ASU) revealed.
● Earth comprises 4 primary layers: an inner core at the planet's center, surrounded by the outer
core, mantle, and crust.
● Upon reaching the core-mantle boundary about 1,800 miles below the surface, this water initiates
significant chemical changes, influencing the core's structure.
● This reaction leads to the formation of a hydrogen-rich, silicon-depleted layer at the outer core,
resembling a film-like structure.
OneWeb India Secures Approval to Transform Satellite Broadband Connectivity Landscape in India
● OneWeb India has received the required approvals from IN-SPACe to launch Eutelsat OneWeb’s
commercial satellite broadband services in India, marking a significant milestone as the first
organization granted such authorization.
● IN-SPACe, the Government of India's agency overseeing space activities, is responsible for
regulating and granting authorization for space-related endeavors in the country.
● With the completion of their Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation last year, Eutelsat OneWeb is
well-positioned to deliver high-speed connectivity even to the most remote locations in India.
● This development solidifies Eutelsat OneWeb's presence in the Indian market, with OneWeb
India already holding licenses from the Department of Telecommunications for providing satellite-
based broadband services.·
● OneWeb India has received in-principle approval to establish and operate two gateways in
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, further enhancing its operational infrastructure.
Lenovo Introduces PCs with PMA-Compliant Specifications Featuring Locally Manufactured
Motherboards in India, Expands Manufacturing Operations
● Lenovo, India’s second-largest PC manufacturer, launched PMA-compliant (Government of
India’s Preferential Market Access Policy) PCs with its Made-in-India motherboard.
● Lenovo qualifies for the Class 1 PMA bracket, indicating over 50% of components fulfilled
through local manufacturing for specific products.
● The Class 1 PMA (Preferential Market Access) category refers to a classification system under
 the government's preferential market access policy in India.
● This categorisation denotes the highest level of compliance with the policy's guidelines for
procuring goods or services from domestically manufactured products.
● The PLI Scheme, short for the Production Linked Incentive Scheme, is an initiative introduced by
the Government of India.
● Its primary goal is not only to entice foreign companies to seek a workforce within the country,
thereby fostering employment but also to stimulate local production for the creation of smaller job
opportunities.
North Korea Achieves Successful Launch of Military Spy Satellite on 3rd Attempt in 6 Months
● North Korea has achieved a successful launch of a military spy satellite on its third attempt within
a span of six months.
● The rocket was launched from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, and approximately 12
minutes later, it "accurately put the reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1 on its orbit."
● In a parallel development, South Korea is also gearing up to launch its first spy satellite into orbit.
● This initiative is scheduled to take place later this month and involves utilizing a SpaceX rocket.
About North Korea :
● Capital : Pyongyang
● Currency : Korean People's won

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Yes Bank acquires additional shares in JC Flowers ARC, raises stake to 9.9%
• YES Bank has acquired additional shares in J.C. Flowers Asset Reconstruction (JC Flowers
ARC) to reinstate its stake to 9.9% in the company.
• The bank acquired 24,643,558 equity shares of JC Flowers ARC at Rs 29.68 per equity share,
having face value of Rs 10 at a premium of Rs 19.68 per unit for an amount aggregating to Rs
731,420,804.
• On November 28, 2022, the bank had acquired 9.9% of the equity share capital of JC Flower
ARC, which fell to 5.01% as a result of certain corporate actions in JC Flowers ARC.
• YES Bank reported a 47.4% year-on-year (YoY) growth in net profit for the quarter ended
September to Rs 225 crore.
• Total income from operations increased by 25% on year to Rs 7,921 crore.
About Yes Bank :
 • Established : 2004
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Prashant Kumar
• Tagline : Experience our expertise
About JC Flowers ARC :
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• JC Flowers ARC is a company incorporated on May 6, 2015 under the Companies Act, 1956 and
existing under the Companies Act, 2013 and registered as an asset reconstruction company
pursuant to section 3 of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and
Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002.

Motilal Oswal Alternates Receives Approval from Competition Commission of India (CCI) for Acquisition
of Stake in SK Finance
• Motilal Oswal Alternates, a subsidiary of Motilal Oswal Finance Service Limited (MOFSL), has
obtained regulatory approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for its proposed
acquisition of a stake in SK Finance Limited.
• SK Finance Limited is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) registered with the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI).
• It is primarily involved in providing financing for vehicles (both new and used) and extending loans
to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

AU Small Finance Bank board approves merger with Fincare SFB

• Fincare Small Finance Bank (SFB) is set to merge with AU Small Finance Bank (SFB).
• The merger is scheduled to take effect from February 1, 2024.
• The merger scheme is contingent on approval from the respective shareholders of AU SFB and
Fincare SFB, as well as regulatory bodies including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the
Competition Commission of India (CCI).
About Fincare Small Finance Bank :
• Established : 2017
• Headquarters : Bangalore, Karnataka
• MD & CEO : Rajeev Yadav
About AU Small Finance Bank :
 • Established : 1996
• Headquarters : Jaipur, Rajasthan
• MD & CEO : Sanjay Agarwal
Zurich Insurance set to acquire 51% stake in Kotak General Insurance for Rs 4,051 cr
• Switzerland's Zurich Insurance is set to acquire a 51% stake in Kotak General Insurance for INR
4,051 crore.
• Within 3 years from the initial acquisition, Zurich plans to buy an additional 19% stake in Kotak
General Insurance.
• Zurich’s investment represents the single largest investment by a global strategic insurer in an
Indian non-life insurer.
• The acquisition is expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.
• Zurich will invest INR 1,609 crore in Kotak General Insurance as fresh growth capital to support the
company's operations and expansion.
About Zurich Insurance :
• Headquarters : Zürich, Switzerland
• CEO : Mario Greco
• Zurich Insurance is a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group, which serves people and businesses
in more than 200 countries and territories
• Zurich Insurance Group is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
CCI approves the acquisition of a certain stake of BALIC by BLVPL, from AXA India Holdings and the
acquisition of a certain shareholding of BMSL by BEL from Societe Beaujon
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Bharti Group's acquisition of French insurer
AXA's 49% -stake in life insurance joint venture, taking its total shareholding to 100% in the
company that was jointly run for nearly two decades.
• The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of 49% shareholding of Bharti AXA Life
Insurance Company Limited. (BALIC) by Bharti Life Ventures Private Limited (BLVPL) from AXA
India Holdings (“AXA”) (“Proposed Transaction 1”) taking its total shareholding in BALIC to 100%
and acquisition of BALIC’s sole controL.
About BEL :
• BEL is a public unlisted company incorporated in India.
• It is involved in the provision of management consultancy services."
 • Bharti, which owns India’s No. 2 telecom carrier Bharti Airtel, also operates Bharti Realty and runs
packaged foods company Del Monte Foods Private Limited in India in partnership with Del Monte
Pacific.
About CCI :
• Established : 14 October 2003
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Chairperson : Ravneet Kaur
• The CCI is the chief national competition regulator in India.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) Clears the Acquisition of Additional Stake in Niva Bupa Health
Insurance
● Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of an
additional stake in Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company by Bupa Singapore Holdings Pte.
● Bupa Singapore Holdings is a shareholder of Niva Bupa and a subsidiary of international
healthcare group The British United Provident Association Ltd (Bupa).
● Niva Bupa Health Insurance provides insurance policies in India, while Fettle Tone LLP is a
special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by private equity firm True North Fund.
● In September, True North announced the sale of a 20% holding in Niva Bupa for Rs 2,700 crore.
● The United Kingdom (UK)-headquartered Bupa aims to become a majority shareholder in Niva
Bupa Health Insurance through this deal.
● True North had become the majority shareholder in Niva Bupa in 2019 after acquiring a 51%
stake from Analjit Singh's Max India.
About Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (Niva Bupa) :
● Founded : 2008
● Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
● MD & CEO : Krishnan Ramachandran
● Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Ltd. (formerly known as Max Bupa Health Insurance
Company Limited) is a joint venture between Fettle Tone LLP (an affiliate of True North Fund VI
LLP), an Indian private equity firm, and the UK-based healthcare services expert, Bupa
Singapore Holdings Pte. Limited.
● The company is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
(IRDAI)
Berkshire Hathaway Divests 2.46% Stake in Paytm for Rs 1,371 Crore, Incurring a 31% Loss per Share

● Billionaire Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Inc has sold its entire 2.46% stake in Paytm for
Rs 1,371 crore through an open market transaction at a loss of about 31% per share.
● Berkshire Hathaway initially acquired a 2.6% stake in Paytm at a cost of Rs 1,279.7 per share,
amounting to an aggregate value of Rs 2,179 crore.
● According to the bulk deal data available with the NSE, BH International Holdings offloaded
1,56,23,529 shares, or 2.46% stake, in Noida-based Paytm.
About Berkshire Hathaway Inc :
● Headquarters : Omaha, Nebraska, United States
● Chairman & CEO : Warren Buffett
● Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company.

SPORTS NEWS
Priyanka Goswami of Uttar Pradesh set a new record in the Women’s 20 km Race Walk at the National
Games in Goa
• Priyanka Goswami of Uttar Pradesh has also set a new National Games record in the women’s
20km Race Walk with an impressive time of 1 hour 36 minutes 35 seconds.
• Tejas Ashok Shirse of Maharashtra achieved an incredible feat, setting a new National Games
record in Men's 110M hurdles by finishing it in 13.80 seconds.
• Sportsmanship and camaraderie are on full display at the 37th National Games in Goa.
• Maharashtra is leading the medal table in the National Games 2023 with 114 medals including 47
gold.
• Haryana was in second spot with 50 medals, while defending champion Services Sports Control
Board is placed in third place with 33 medals
Sunil Joliya Jinabhai of Gujarat sets new record in 3000 metre steeplechase at National Games in Goa
• Gujarat's Sunil Joliya Jinabhai made a new national games record in the steeplechase 3000m
with an impressive time of 8 minutes and 37.15 seconds. Sanjana Sood from Haryana won the
Gold Medal in Shotgun Skeet (Female).
• Exhilarating performances from sportspersons across the country were witnessed at The 37th
National Games in Goa.
• Games like hockey, cycling, and lawn tennis are ongoing.
 • In addition to these games the traditional games of India Kabaddi and Kho-Kho began in the
National Games.

Zahid Hussain, hailing from South Kashmir, has won a silver medal at the Asian Shooting
Championship.
• Zahid Hussain, hailing from Kashmir, achieved a remarkable feat by securing the silver medal at
the prestigious Asian Shooting Championship held in South Korea.
• His outstanding performance not only brought joy to his hometown but also marked a significant
step towards representing his nation at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
• Zahid Hussain secured the runner-up position in the men's 50M rifle prone event with a total score
of 624.5 points.
• He finished just 1.1 points behind the gold medalist, Kazakhstan's Malinovskiy Konstantin, who
scored 625.6 points.
• China's Du Linshu claimed the third spot with a total of 624.3 points.
Jyothi Yarraji has clinched the gold medal in the 100m hurdles event:
• Jyothi Yarraji, the Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist, and Tejas Shirse showed their amazing
athletic skills at the 37th National Games, breaking the National Games records in the 100m and
110m hurdles events.
• Jyothi Yarraji, an incredible athlete, managed to break her own record by finishing the 100m
hurdles in just 13.22 seconds.
• Her amazing speed and technique were on full display, leaving the competition far behind.
• Abha Khatua from Maharashtra demonstrated her strength and precision by winning the gold
medal in women’s shot put with an outstanding throw of 17.09m.
Lionel Messi wins eighth Ballon d’Or 2023
• In 2023, Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati were awarded the Ballon d'Or.
• Messi received his eighth Ballon d'Or, which is a new record, due to his crucial role in leading
Argentina to their first World Cup victory since 1986.
• This achievement puts Messi three Ballons d'Or ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who last won
the award in 2017.
Ballon d'Or 2023: All award winners - Complete list
Award Winner
Ballon d'Or Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
 Ballon d'Or Feminin Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona
Femení, Spain)
Kopa Trophy for the best male U-21 player Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid,
England)
Yachine Trophy for the best male goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa,
Argentina)
Gerd Müller Trophy for the highest-scoring Erling Haaland (Manchester City,
male striker Norway)
Sócrates Award to acknowledge Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid, Brazil)
humanitarian work
Club of the Year Manchester City and FC Barcelona
Femení

National Games in Goa: Ancy Sojan of Kerala clinches gold in Women's Long jump event
• In the Women's Long jump, Asian Games silver medallist Ancy Sojan of Kerala bagged the Gold
medal in 37th National Games in Goa.
• The thrill of Lawn Tennis, Hockey, Sepak Takraw, Football, Athletics, and Taekwondo can be seen
in these games.
• Besides these, the Wrestling and Lawn Bowls events began yesterday, while the game of Beach
Football concluded with the victory of Kerala over hosts in the final match
Indian Junior Hockey Team Won Bronze Medal In 11th Sultan Johor Cup 2023
• The junior Indian men's hockey team beat Pakistan 6-5 in a shootout at the Taman Daya Hockey
Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia to win the bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023.
• In the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023, India had topped Pool B to make it to the semi-finals but lost 6-3
to Germany in their final-four match to drop down to the third-place playoff.
• In the final match, Germany emerged as the champion of the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup, securing
the gold medal by defeating Australia 3-1 in a penalty shootout.
ICC Board suspends Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership of ICC with immediate effect

• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been suspended by the ICC with immediate effect because of
extensive government interference in the board's administration.
 • Though the ICC has termed the sanction a "suspension", in reality, it is a warning as the ICC seeks
to prevent further government interference in the running of SLC.
• Sri Lanka's sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe had sacked the SLC board and installed an interim
committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga, but Sri Lanka's courts essentially reinstated the board a
day later by issuing a 14-day stay order on the gazette that dissolved the board.
• When the ICC suspension came, it was the elected SLC board headed by Silva that was running
cricket in the country.
• SLC is the second Full Member to be suspended by ICC in the last four years after Zimbabwe
Cricket was suspended in 2019 for similar reasons.
About ICC
• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Founded: 15 June 1909
• CEO: Geoff Allardice
• Chairman: Greg Barclay
Australia captain Meg Lanning quits international women's cricket after winning 7 World Cup titles
• Australia captain Meg Lanning has announced her retirement from international cricket.
• Lanning declared it is “the right time” to end her 13-year-long stint as an Aussie cricketer.
• Lanning has represented Australia in 241 matches - six Tests, 103 ODIs and 132 T20Is.
• She walks away from the international stage with 8,352 runs in total which includes 17 international
hundreds. She is Australia’s most prolific runscorer in all formats.
• The 31-year-old is a seven-time World Cup winner, five of which she has won as captain.
ICC Hall of Fame welcomes De Silva, Edulji and Sehwag as Class of 2023 inductees
● The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced new names to be included in its Cricket Hall
of Fame.
● The new names announced by the ICC are India's legendary opener Virender Sehwag, former
Indian Women Test skipper Diana Edulji and Sri Lanka's iconic star Aravinda de Silva.
● With these 3 more additions, there will now be 112 cricketers to be on the ICC Hall of Fame list.
● Currently eight Indian cricketers hold the prestigious honour for their stellar achievements.
● They include Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Sachin
Tendulkar, Vinoo Mankad, Diana Edulji, Virendra Sehwag.
Australia lifts ICC Men’s Cricket world cup beating India in Ahmedabad; Virat Kohli awarded "Player of
the tournament" title
● Australia lifted the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup defeating India by six wickets in the final at the
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
● Chasing a modest target of 241 runs, Australia completed the task in 43 overs for the loss of four
wickets with a gritty century knock of Travis Head, after some initial setbacks.
● He made 137 and was declared Player of the Match.
● Earlier, India managed to post 240 runs in the stipulated 50 overs.
● Virat Kohli was awarded with the "player of the tournament" title for his exemplary performance.
The competitive phase of ISSF World Cup Final 2023 begins in Doha, Qatar
● The competitive phase of the ISSF World Cup Final 2023 begins in Doha, Qatar with 10m Air Pistol
Men and women events.
● The competition will witness 13 Indian shooters competing for top honours across various shooting
disciplines.
● The event, kicked off on November 18th, will conclude on 26th this month.
● India currently holds third position in the World Cup medal standings with three gold, one silver and
five bronze medals.
● China is leading the table with seven gold medals while Serbia is in second spot with the same
number of golds as India and an additional silver medal.

Pankaj Advani Clinches 26th World Title at IBSF Billiards Championship 2023 in Doha
● India’s Pankaj Advani has lifted his 26th world title as he won the World IBSF Billiards Championship
2023 in Doha, Qatar.
● Pankaj defeated opponent Sourav Kothari with a 1000-416 margin in the final.
● Advani stormed into the final with a convincing victory over fellow Indian Rupesh Shah.
● He defeated the Gujarat cueist 900-273.
Pankaj Advani won the IBSF Billiards Championship 2023.
● Pankaj Advani won the IBSF World Billiards Championship title in Doha.
● It was his 26th world title.
● He defeated opponent Sourav Kothari with a 1000-416 margin in the final.
● Advani won his first world title in 2003.
● He is the only player to win world titles in all formats of both billiards and snooker.
● IBSF World Billiards Championship is a premier, international, non-professional tournament of
billiards.
ICC Bans Transgender Players From International Women's Cricket
● The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned transgender cricketers from participating in women's
cricket at the highest level in a major policy decision.
● Transgender players who have undergone any form of male puberty will be banned from competing
in international women's sports, whether or not they have undergone surgery or gender transition
treatment.
● The decision came two months after Canada's Danielle McGahey became the first transgender
cricketer to feature in an official international match when she featured in the Women's T20 match
against Brazil.
● Bowling teams in men's ODI and T20Is will be imposed a five-run penalty if the bowler exceeds the
60-second limit of bowling the next over for the third time in an innings,
ICC moves men’s U19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa
● The ICC moved next year's men's U-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa, 11 days after the
world governing body provisionally suspended the island nation's cricket board due to government
interference.
● The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board met in Ahmedabad and "confirmed the terms of the
suspension" of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and also the shifting of the age-group showpiece.
● South Africa hosted the U19 WC in 2020.
About ICC
● The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the
Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England, and South Africa.
● It was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965 and adopted its current name in
1987.
● Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
● CEO: Geoff Allardice, Chairman: Greg Barclay
Anish Bhanwala wins bronze medal in men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event at ISSF World Cup Final 2023
● In Shooting, Indian shooter Anish Bhanwala won the bronze medal in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol
event at the ISSF World Cup Final 2023 in Doha, Qatar.
● Competing at the Lusail Shooting Range, Anish Bhanwala scored 27 out of 35 for third place in the
final.
● It was also the first medal for India in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event in the ISSF World Cup
Final history.
About ISSF
● Headquarters: Munich, Germany
● Founded: 1907
● Membership: 150 regions
Vidya Pillai clinch the World 6 Red Women Championships title at Doha
● In the World 6 Red Women Snooker Championships, Vidya Pillai secured Gold to clinch the title of
World Champion.
● In the final, she defeated compatriot Anupama Ramachandran by 4-1 frames, who settled for Silver.
● Vidya earlier defeated top seed Bai Yulu of China by 4-3 frames in the semi-final round.
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launches mascot, logo, jersey & theme song for Khelo India Para
Games
● Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur launched the mascot, logo, jersey
and theme song for the first-ever Khelo India Para Games at a function in New Delhi.
● Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik was also present on the occasion.
● The first-ever Khelo India Para Games will be held from 10th to 17th of next month.

Novak Djokovic Wins Record 7th ATP Finals Title After Downing Jannik Sinner In Straight Sets
● The top-ranked Djokovic won a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title with a straight-set victory
over home favourite Jannik Sinner.
● He started 2023 with a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and went on to claim his 23rd
Grand Slam singles trophy at the French Open, breaking Rafael Nadal’s mark.

Punjab defeats Haryana to clinch 13th senior men's national hockey championship in thrilling penalty
shootout in Chennai
● Punjab claimed the Gold medal after their penalty shootout triumph over defending Champions
Haryana in the Final of the 13th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship 2023 at the
Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai.
● Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu overcame Karnataka in penalty shootouts to claim the Bronze Medal.
● Punjab defeated Haryana 2-2 (9-8 SO) to clinch the title. Punjab started the match strong, scoring
the first goal in the 13th minute by Harjeet Singh.
 OBITUARIES
Climate change expert Prof. Saleemul Huq passed away
• Eminent climate change expert Professor Saleemul Huq, director of International Centre for
Climate Change and Development, passed away in Dhaka, Bangladesh at the age of 71.
• Professor Saleemul Huq was born on 2 October 1952 in Karachi, Pakistan.
• He served as a Professor at the Independent University Bangladesh (IUB).
• Professor Huq was the Director of the International Centre for Climate Change & Development
(ICCCAD), where he focused on climate change issues.
Renowned Sri Lankan Cricket Team Supporter 'Uncle' Percy Abeysekera Passed away
• Percy Abeysekera, the well-known flag-waving and quick-witted supporter of the Sri Lankan cricket
team, passed away in Colombo at the age of 87.
• He was affectionately known as "Uncle Percy" by both fans and cricketers due to his enduring
presence and support for the Sri Lankan cricket team.
• Percy Abeysekera began his journey as a cricket supporter during the 1979 World Cup and
attended all major cricketing events around the world where Sri Lanka played, except the most
recent World Cup due to declining health.
RSS senior pracharak and idealogue Ranga Hari passed away
• Senior pracharak and ideologue of the Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS) Ranga Hari passed away in
Kochi at the age of 93.
• Hari's association with the RSS began in 1944.
• Ranga Hari was the first RSS leader from Kerala to attain the highest echelons of the organization.
• He served as the Boudhik Pramukh from 1991 to 2005 and remained an active member of the
RSS executive committee.
Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passed away
• Li Keqiang, a Chinese economist and politician who served as the premier of the People's
Republic of China from 2013 to 2023 passed away at the age of 68 in Shanghai,China.
• Li Keqiang was born on July 1, 1955, in Dingyuan County of Hefei, Anhui province, China.
Noted musician and researcher Dr Leela Omchery passed away
• Musician, art researcher, writer and former professor at Delhi University, Dr. Leela Omchery
passed away at the age of 94 in New Delhi.
• Leela Omchery was born on May 31, 1929, in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
 • She was a multifaceted individual with a career as a classical musician, musicologist, art
researcher, writer, and former professor at Delhi University.
• She headed the Music Department in Delhi University, from where she retired in 1994 after
serving 28 years at the prestigious institution.
• Some of her notable books include "Immortals of Indian Music," "Gleanings in Indian Music,"
"Abhinayasangeetham," "Keralathile Laasya Rachanakal," and "Leela Omcheriyude Pathangal."
SBI’s former chairman DN Ghosh Passed away
• State Bank of India’s (SBI) former chairman DN Ghosh Passed away at the age of 95.
About DN Ghosh :
• Ghosh was the 12th chairman of the bank from May 13, 1985 to May 12, 1989.
• He was a bureaucrat, banker, professor and corporate leader.
• He served as the chairman of Peerless General Finance and Investments for over 10 years from
1996 to 2006 and steered the company through turbulence.
• He was also the founder and first chairman of the ICRA Limited.

Former RBI Governor S Venkitaramanan passed away

● S. Venkitaramanan, the 18th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), passed away at the
age of 92 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
● S Venkitaramanan was born on 28 January 1931 in Nagercoil, Padmanabhapuram division,
Travancore, India.
● He served as the finance secretary in the Ministry of Finance from 1985 to 1989 and was also an
advisor to the government of Karnataka.
● He took on key roles as the chairman of Ashok Leyland Investment Services Ltd., New Tirupur
Area Development Corporation Ltd., and Ashok Leyland Finance Ltd.
● He contributed to various corporate boards, including Reliance Industries Limited, SPIC, Piramal
Healthcare Ltd, Tamil Nadu Water Investment Co. Ltd, and Housing Development Finance Corp
Limited.

Sahara Group Founder, Subrata Roy, Passed Away

● The founder of the Sahara Group, Subrata Roy, passed away at the age of 75 in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
● Subrata Roy was born in Araria, Bihar.
 ● He founded the business conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar in 1978.
● In 2003, Sahara started three weeklies: Sahara Time (English), Sahara Samay (Hindi), and
Sahara Aalmi (Urdu).
● In 2004, the Sahara group was termed by Time magazine as "the second largest employer in
India after Indian Railways".
● In 2010, Sahara purchased the iconic Grosvenor House Hotel in London,and then in 2012 the
historic Plaza Hotel and Dream Downtown Hotel in New York City.
● Roy received a Business Icon of the Year award at the Power Brands Hall of Fame Awards in
London in 2011.

Sankara Nethralaya founder Dr SS Badrinath passed away

● Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. SS Badrinath, passed away at the
age of 83.
● Dr. SS Badrinath, born in Triplicane, a suburb of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
● He was the founder of one of India's biggest charitable eye hospitals, Sankara Nethralaya, in
Chennai.
Three key objectives of Sankara Nethralaya :
1. Quality eye care at affordable costs.
2. Teaching and training of ophthalmologists and paramedical personnel.
3. Research in vision sciences to address India-specific ophthalmological problems.
● For providing charitable eye care through decades, Dr SS Badrinath was awarded the Padma
Shri in 1983 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.
Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Rajkumar Kohli, father of actor Armaan Kohli, passed away
● Bollywood's veteran filmmaker and director Rajkumar Kohli, father of actor Armaan Kohli, passed
away at the age of 93.
● He was famous for directing several Bollywood films including the 1966 movie Dulla Bhatti and
the 1970s film Lootera starring Dara Singh.
● His other notable films included films with ensemble casts, such as Nagin (1976), Jaani
Dushman (1979), Badle Ki Aag, Naukar Biwi Ka and Raaj Tilak (1984).
India's Pioneer Female Supreme Court Justice, Justice Fathima Beevi, Passed Away
● Justice M. Fathima Beevi, the first woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of India,
passed away at the age of 96.
 ● M. Fathima Beevi was born on 30 April 1927 in Pathanamthitta in the Kingdom of Travancore,
now in the Indian state of Kerala.
● In 2023, she was honoured with Kerala Prabha Award, the second-highest honour given by the
Government of Kerala.
Former Mr India Nongthombam Maipak passed away
● Nongthombam Maipak, former Mr India title holder and veteran body builder of Manipur popularly
known as Mister Maipak passed away at the age of 88 in Imphal, Manipur.
● Maipak also known as ‘Son of Manipur’.
● He earned the prestigious Mr India title in 1970, marking a significant achievement in the field of
bodybuilding.
Renowned art historian BN Goswamy Passed away
● Renowned art historian and critic Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in Chandigarh at the age
of 90.
● Brijinder Nath Goswamy was born on 15 August 1933 in Sargodha, Punjab Province, British
India.
● B. N. Goswamy was renowned for scholarship on Pahari painting and Indian miniature paintings.
● He published over 20 books on arts and culture, including "Sakti Burman: A Private Universe"
and "Masters of Indian Painting 1100-1900".
● He held the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship from 1969 to 1970 and the Sarabhai Fellowship in
1994.
● He was also a Mellon Senior Fellow of the National Humanities Center, North Carolina.
● The Government of India awarded him the 4th highest civilian award of the Padma Shri in 1998
and followed it up with the third highest honour of the Padma Bhushan in 2008.
● Indian miniature paintings are a class of paintings known for their detailed and sensitive portrayal
of various themes.