Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 20th September 2023

 

National News

1. The first bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' on women's reservation was introduced in the new Parliament House

• In the first major step after shifting to the new Parliament House, the government introduced the Women's Reservation Bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' on 19 September 2023 to provide one- third/33% reservation to women in the Lower House of Parliament, State Assemblies and Delhi Legislature. 
• This bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal under the 128th Amendment Bill of the Constitution-2023. 
• Making the announcement in his maiden speech in the new Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Union Cabinet has approved the women's reservation bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act', a proposal that was pending for decades. 
• The Women's Reservation Bill was discussed for a long time. Women's Reservation Bill was introduced several times during the reign of Atal Bihari Vajpayee but there was not enough majority to pass the bill and due to this the dream remained unfulfilled. 
• The discussion for passing the bill in the House will be held on September 20, 2023. Government sources said the bill will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on September 21, 2023. 

Key facts 

• 33% seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi by amending Article 239AA of the Constitution and 33% seats for SC/ST by amending Article 330A.
• Notably, the Women's Reservation Bill can come into force only after the delimitation process begins in India. This means that this bill cannot be implemented before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 
• As per the existing law, the next delimitation exercise can be done only after the first census to be held after 2026. This effectively means that the bill may not become law until at least 2027. Some reports have suggested that the women's quota may be implemented by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. 
• Once this Bill becomes an Act, 33% of the total seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the House/Assembly will be set aside for women from these communities. 
• Once the Act is made, this law will remain in force for 15 years. Its duration can be extended. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that after the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, the number of women members in the Lok Sabha will increase from the present 82 to 181. 
• The last time a bill to reserve seats for women in the lower house of Parliament, state assemblies and the Delhi Legislative Assembly was introduced over a decade ago, when the Constitution (108 Amendment) Bill, 2008 was passed. However, the Bill lapsed after the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha (2009–14). 

2. Rajya Sabha Chairman sets up a panel of vice-chairpersons with 50% Women MPs 

• Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has reconstituted a panel of vice-chairpersons with 50 percent of women parliamentarians and that the percentage may go higher in future. 
• The eight-member panel will now have four female members, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Kanta Kardam, Sumitra Balmik and Geeta alias Chandraprabha; and Biju Janata Dal’s Mamata Mohanta 
• The announcement was made on the first day of the Special Session of the Parliament. 
• It aims to increase the representation of women MPs in leadership positions.

3. Centre floats new science awards 

• Deciding to cut the annually awarded by its Ministries, the Union government is set to institute the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 56 prizes to felicitate scientists, technologists and innovators. Akin to the prestigious Padma awards, these awards will not include any cash component; instead, they will likely bestow a certificate and a medallion on the awardee, sources told The Hindu. 
• Early a year after deciding to cut the annually awarded by its Ministries, the Union government is set to institute the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 56 prizes to felicitate scientists, technologists and innovators. Akin to the prestigious Padma awards, these awards will not include any cash component; instead, they will likely bestow a certificate and a medallion on the awardee, sources told The Hindu. 
• According to the proposal seen by The Hindu, which is yet to be made public, the RVP will comprise three Vigyan Ratna, 25 Vigyan Shri, 25 Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and three Vigyan Team awards. 
• Multidisciplinary prizes These prizes will be awarded annually for physics, chemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and computer science, earth science, medicine, engineering science, agricultural science, environmental science, technology and innovation, atomic energy, space science and technol- ogy, and a 13th category, simply called "others", 
• "It may be ensured that each domain may be represented. Adequate representation of women may also be ensured," said the proposal forwarded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to the Union Home Ministry.
• The 56 proposed awards are a stark reduction from the almost 300 science prizes that used to be given by Union Ministries. 
• In their previous avatar, the prizes also had a significant cash component. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards, given by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) since 1958, now includes *5 lakh per winner, as well as a salary perk. 
• In fact, the government announced the names of 12 winners of the SSB awards just last week, after a year's delay. The National Technology Awards, given to teams by the Technology Development Board (a DST entity), also include cash prizes worth 25 lakh.
• The new awards will also be open to persons of Indian origin (PIOS), though a maximum of one such may be awarded the Vigyan Ratna, while three PIOS each can be selected for the Vigyan Shri and the VY-SSB.

4. 14th edition of World Spice Congress (WSC) in Mumbai

• The 14th edition of the World Spice Congress (WSC) was held in Vashi in Navi Mumbai. 
• Theme – VISION 2030: S-P-I-C-E-S 
• The three-day event has been organized by the Spices Board India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in association with various trade bodies and export forums. 
• The event has the presence of policymakers, regulatory authorities, spice trade associations, government officials as well as technical experts from G20 countries, among others.
• An exhibition highlighting the variety of spices and value-added spice products as well as innovative technologies and solutions in the spices industry is also arranged as part of WSC 2023.

5. Dr. RML Hospital Opens India’s First Dedicated OPD for Transgenders 

• Centre-run Dr RML Hospital has inaugurated India’s first dedicated OPD for the transgender community on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
• The initiative was started to alleviate the difficulties encountered by members of the transgender community in accessing healthcare services, largely due to discomfort and fear of discrimination and social apathy. 
• This dedicated OPD service will be available to transgender people every Friday from 2 pm to 4 pm and there will be a separate registration counter for them. 
• The hospital also organized a blood donation camp to mark Prime Minister Modi’s 73rd birthday. 
• In India’s first dedicated OPD for transgender people, they will be provided with an endocrinology facility with hormone analysis and free hormonal treatment, a psychiatry facility with clinical psychological assessment, and plastic surgery. 
• Also, dermatology, urology, and pediatrics services and all related blood investigations will be made available at the OPD, he said, adding that it will have gender-neutral/transgender washroom facilities.

6. Air India starts Project Abhinandan at 16 airports 

• In an attempt to elevate the on-ground experience of passengers, Air India has launched ‘Project Abhinandan’.
• The initiative aims to give the travellers a personalized and hassle-free experience. 
• Under the initiative, it has deployed specially trained service assurance officers at 16 major airports across India to offer on-ground assistance. 
• The airports where these officers have been deployed include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Varanasi and Vishakhapatnam. 
• They will be providing assistance to Air India travellers who need assistance at the check-in area, lounges, near boarding gates, during transit, or at arrival hall 
• The Tata-owned airline has recruited and deployed 100 such officers across the airports. These officers have also been trained to deal with unforeseen issues such as missed flights, delayed baggage delivery and misconnections at airports, among other issues. 
• They will be providing assistance to any Air India guest, irrespective of the cabin class they are booked in. These officers will be available at the airports in addition to other Air India and ground handling agencies’ staff.

7. Soldier, two militants found dead: forces end Anantnag operations 

• Security forces concluded the operations on the Gadool Hill at Kokernag in Anantnag district after a soldier and two militants were found dead on Tuesday. The area is being sanitized, the Jammu and Kashmir police said on Tuesday.
• Four security personnel and two militants were killed in the seven-day operations. Two soldiers were injured. 
• "Uzair Khan [a 'commander' of the Lashkar-e- Taiba] had been killed and the body retrieved. There is another body lying on the ground. We had information about the presence of two or three terrorists in the area," Additional Director-General of Police Vijay Kumar said.
• He said Khan was behind the killing of a Colonel, a Major, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police on the first day of the gunfight on September 13. 
• L-G pays homage The body of Sepoy Pardeep Singh was recovered after he went missing at the encounter site on Sunday. J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha laid a wreath and paid homage to him. "A grateful nation will always remain indebted to his martyrdom. The entire nation stands firmly with his family in this hour of grief," Mr. Sinha said. 
• The police have advised locals "not to go closer to the encounter site as unex ploded grenades or shells may cause harm to them".
• The Gadool operation was one of the longest anti-militancy operations in Kashmir in over a decade. The Army used high-tech gadgets, rocket fire, and heavy mortar shelling to flush out the militants and hit the hideouts on the hill.
• The police established the identity of Uzair Khan following medical tests done on him in a hospital in Srinagar, Officials said a search for the body of the third hiding militant had been on till late Tuesday.

8. NGOS flay APE for allowing NHRC to host meet in Delhi 

• The All India Network of NGOS and Individuals has condemned the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) for acceding to the National Human Rights Commission of India's request to host the 28th biennial conference in New Delhi on September 20 and 21. This hap- pened at a time when the NHRC has recently been deferred its accreditation by the subcommittee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). 
• "This is deeply troubling as the hosting of this prestigious conference by the NHRC will not aid the important cause of human rights protection in India but only provide the NHRC a fig leaf of international legitimacy to cover up its dismal performance," a statement from the Network, working with national and state Human Rights Commission, said. 
• Its members said the NHRC had been silent on the situation of human rights defenders in India. 

9. Delayed Census will push back women's quota 

• At the heart of the passage of the women's reservation Bill is the decennial Census exercise that has been de- layed since 2021. 
• The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, or the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will be implemented after the 2026 de- limitation, which will go by the Census to be held be- fore that year. Delimitation means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of constituencies in a country to represent changes in population. The Centre initially attri buted the COVID-19 pandemic for postponing the Census; the last two notifications by the RegistrarGeneral of India have not specified any reason for the delay. 
• As reported by The Hindu, on June 30, an order by the Additional RGI said that the competent authority has decided to further extend the date of freezing of administrative boundaries up to December 31, ruling out the exercise before the 2024 Lok Sabha election in April and May that year. The deadline to freeze the administrative boundaries of districts, tehsils, sub-districts, revenue villages, municipalities, police stations, towns And others have been ex-tended eight times since 2020. 
• "We have made all the preparations, all our systems are ready, it is a political decision," a Home Ministry official said when asked why the Census was being delayed. 
• The national delimitation exercise has, however, raised concerns about the unequal representation of States in the Lok Sabha.
• Southern States point out that the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, along with a smaller share of Central funds to States on the basis of the popula- tion, can be unfair as these States have implemented family planning pro- grammes more effectively than those in North India. 
• According to K. Narayanan Unni, former Deputy RGI, the data being used for government schemes is outdated. 
• "There was a report that 10 crore people have been excluded from Food Security Act because outdated data of 2011 Census is being used to calculate the benef- iciaries. The surveys like NSS or NFHS, being sample surveys, cannot give very reliable estimates for lower geographic levels and one has to depend on census. Only a Census can identify them to formulate programmes," he said while highlighting the impact of the delay on governance. 

10. Admission to vacant GGSIPU seats via CUET gets L-G nod 

• L-G V.K. Saxena has ap- proved the admission of students to vacant BA LLB and BBA LLB seats in Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) on the Combasis of the aggregate mon University Entrance Test (CUET) score in English, Legal Studies and General Test, Raj Niwas officials said on Tuesday
• According to an official, the L-G - who also serves as the Chancellor of GGSIPU - had expressed concern over the university only considering a candidate's Common Law Admission Test score for admission to the BA LLB and BBA LLB programmes.

State News

11. Haryana CM Khattar launches new e-Bhoomi portal 

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has launched a new e-Bhoomi portal that promises to further ease the process of purchasing land for the development of government projects with the consent of landowners. 
• The government aims at purchasing land in a transparent manner with the consent of the landowners. 
• The offer of land on the new portal would be valid for six months. Farmers can offer their land independently or through listed aggregators. A minimum offer of 10 acres has been made mandatory for voluntary offers made by aggregators. 
• Khattar also unveiled the portal for the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana, an initiative aimed at ensuring that every economically weaker section has a roof over their heads. 
• With the launch of this portal, the benefits of this scheme will be readily accessible to those in need, in a transparent and expedited manner.

About Haryana 

• Capital – Chandigarh 
• Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar 
• Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya

12. 'Hoysala Temple Group' of Karnataka becomes 42nd Indian sit in UNESCO's World Heritage List

• Members of the Bengaluru chapter of the Indian National Trust for Culture and Heritage (INTACH) had been continuously working on the dossier since the year 2019 for the nomination for Hoysala sacred groups as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the orders of the Department of the Government of Karnataka. 
• Their efforts bore fruit when the Hoysala temples were officially confirmed as a World Heritage Site, India's 42nd on the UNESCO list. The Sacred Hoysala Ensembles were on the UNESCO tentative list since 2014. 
• On September 14, 2022, Tiong Kian Boon of Malaysia, who was visited by Beluru, Halebidu and Somnathpur as an expert by the International Council on Monuments and Sites. The Hoysala rulers ruled parts of southern India from the 11th century to the 14th century, with their capital at Halebidu (Dwarasamudra)

‘Hoysala Temple Group’ 

• Karnataka's newest heritage sites include three temples of the 12th- 13th century that best represent the unique temple architecture and artistry of the Hoysala dynasty, namely the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebidu and the Kesava Temple at Somnathpur. 
• The 'Sacred Enclaves of the Hoysalas', often described globally as 'poetry carved in stone', has been recommended by the Centre's Culture Ministry as India's latest nomination for consideration as a World Heritage Site for the year 2022-23. 
• The Hoysala era was considered an important period in the development of South Indian art, architecture and religion. There are more than 100 surviving temples scattered across Karnataka till date. 
• Earlier, two other groups of monuments in Karnataka, Hampi (1986) and Pattadakal (1987), as well as the ecological hotspot Western Ghats (2012), had received iconic status.

13. Haryana to give Rs 50,000 for daughters of industrial workers 

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced, the granting of Rs 50,000 to the daughters of industrial workers who are pursuing higher education to buy electric twowheelers. 
• The financial support to buy e-scooters will enhance mobility for college-going girls. 
• Apart from this, the Chief Minister also announced an increase in the scholarship amount for the children of industrial workers. 
• These scholarship amounts will range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 21,000 which will be available for students from Class 9 to those pursuing graduate and postgraduate programmes. 
• Previously, the scholarship amount was between Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 for the students of Classes 9 and 10, while Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,000 for the degree students. 

About Haryana 

• Capital – Chandigarh 
• Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar
• Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya

14. CM Pramod Sawant Launches Griha Adhar Scheme To Empower Goan Homemakers 

• In a significant move aimed at bolstering the financial independence and well-being of homemakers in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant distributed Griha Adhar sanction orders to a multitude of beneficiaries across the state. 
• The Griha Adhar initiative, orchestrated by the Directorate of Women and Child Development, represents a significant stride towards women’s empowerment. By providing financial support to homemakers, this initiative aspires to make them selfreliant and enhance their overall quality of life. 
• In addition to the Griha Adhar initiative, Chief Minister Sawant unveiled another transformative program – the Chavath-e-Bazaar. This digital endeavor, launched under the Swayampura Goa Programme, is designed to empower Goan entrepreneurs and selfhelp groups. By harnessing the potential of e-commerce, Chavath-e-Bazaar aims to provide a platform for local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a wider audience. 

15. Nuakhai Juhar 2023

• Today, on the 20th of September, people in Odisha enthusiastically celebrated the Nuakhai festival. Nuakhai is an annual harvest celebration in the state, marking the arrival of the new rice season. It is observed with great fervor, typically falling a day after Ganesh Chaturthi, and holds special significance in Western Odisha and the neighboring areas of Simdega in Jharkhand. 
• The word ‘nua‘ translates to new and ‘khai‘ means food – the name of the festival signifies the possession of new rice in granaries, an event that calls for revelry. 
• On the day of Nuakhai, the family head collects paddy from the field after offering milk and flowers to the crop and mother earth. It is then offered to the deity revered by the family or the village. While the festival draws people back to their hometowns for traditional greetings and urban feasts, rural areas continue the festivities throughout the entire month, featuring prayers, community dances, and lavish feasts as integral components. 

International News

16. India expelled Canada's senior diplomat 

• Amid rising tensions between India and Canada over the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, India has expelled a senior Canadian diplomat on 19 September 2023. After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home after attending the G-20 conference, 
• Canadian Commerce Minister Mary Ng said that Canada has stopped negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. After this, Canada expelled the Indian diplomat on 18 September 2023. 
• During the G-20 summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly had a heated exchange over the 'movement' of Sikh separatists and incidents inciting violence against Indian diplomats. 
• The Ministry of External Affairs has said in a statement that the concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within 5 days. The ministry summoned Canada's High Commissioner to India Cameron McCay to South Block in New Delhi.

Dispute 

• Trudeau had earlier said Canadian security gencies were investigating credible allegations of a possible connection between the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June and Indian government agents. 
• India has rejected the statements of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister regarding the involvement of the Indian government in violent incidents in Canada. 
• The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that allegations of Indian government's involvement in any incident of violence in Canada are absurd and baseless. The ministry said such baseless allegations are an attempt to divert attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who have been granted sanctuary in Canada and pose a threat to India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 
• The Government of Canada's inaction on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. The ministry said the open sympathy of Canadian leaders towards such elements remains a matter of deep concern.

17. Indonesia Kicks Off ASEAN Joint Military Drills Amid South China Sea Tension 

• Units from the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently embarked on their inaugural joint military exercises in Indonesia’s South Natuna Sea. These drills come at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions between major global powers and rising concerns over China’s activities in the South China Sea. 
• The five-day military operation, taking place in the South Natuna Sea, primarily focuses on enhancing military skills. These skills encompass areas such as maritime security, patrols, and the distribution of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. According to the Indonesian military, this exercise aims to promote regional stability and cooperation among ASEAN members. 
• All ten member nations of ASEAN, including prospective member East Timor, are participating in these joint military drills. The decision to hold this collaborative exercise underscores the commitment of ASEAN countries to maintain regional stability and enhance their collective security.

18. African Union To Launch Own Credit Ratings Agency 

• The African Union is set to launch its own credit ratings agency in the coming year as a direct response to concerns regarding what it perceives as biased credit assessments given to African nations. This move aims to provide a more balanced evaluation of lending risks associated with African countries and bolster investment in the continent.
• The African credit rating agency will primarily function within the African continent and will be financially self-sustaining. Its core objective is to offer a supplementary perspective for investors when making decisions regarding African bonds or extending private loans to African nations, according to the African Union. 
• Credit ratings fundamentally assess the likelihood of a borrower defaulting on their obligations and significantly influence the terms under which banks and other financial entities provide loans. 

19. Gandhi Walk Resumed In Johannesburg, South Africa After Covid-19 Pandemic 

• The 35th edition of the annual Gandhi Walk, a cherished event in the predominantly Indian suburb of Lenasia in Johannesburg, finally returned after being postponed for three long years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over two thousand people who embraced the new format—a delightful six-kilometre walk, accompanied by an array of entertainment. This year’s walk was a departure from the traditional format, emphasizing enjoyment over competition. 
• A noteworthy presence at this year’s walk was Harivardan Pitamber, a striking look-alike of Mahatma Gandhi. Pitamber has been an integral part of the Gandhi Walk for many years. Pitamber’s involvement adds an authentic touch and a deep connection to Mahatma Gandhi himself, enhancing the experience for all participants. 

20. India-Canada Relations Strained Over Allegations Of Sikh Separatist Involvement 

• Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that there was “credible” information linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia. The announcement marks a significant worsening of bilateral ties. 
• Recently, there was a tragic incident where Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Nijjar had been advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh nation called Khalistan within India’s Punjab state. He was wanted by Indian authorities and was officially labeled as a “terrorist” in July 2020. Nijjar held a prominent position as the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, an organization that India has designated as a terrorist group. 
• This incident has given rise to discussions on social media regarding potential connections between Indian intelligence agencies and these overseas deaths, including those that occurred on Canadian soil. 

21. G77+China Summit Concludes With Emphasis On Empowering Global South 

• The two-day Summit of the G77+China recently concluded, marking a significant moment for the Global South’s aspirations in the international governance system. This summit brought together delegations from over 100 nations, including more than 30 heads of state and government. 
• One significant development at the summit was the declaration by developing countries of September 16 as the annual “Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the South.” This initiative aims to rally support from the world, the UN system, and global financial institutions to bolster the efforts of Southern nations in advancing their national science and innovation systems. 
• The Group of 77 (G77), established in 1964, consists of over 130 member nations, with its leadership rotating among member nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Notably, G77 member countries collectively represent over 80 percent of the world’s population and comprise more than two-thirds of UN member nations.

Miscellaneous News

22. Andhra Pradesh's 'Atreyapuram Pootharekulu' sweet gets GI tag 

• ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’ sweet of Andhra Pradesh has got GI tag. This Geographical Indication (GI) registered certificate was handed over to Sir Arthur Cotton ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’ Producers Welfare Association at an event organized at Damodaram Sanjeevayya National Law University.
• Atreyapuram's Pootharekulu, a wafer-stuffed sweet, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Sir Arthur Cotton Atreyapuram Pootharekula Manufacturers Welfare Association had applied for GI tag for the sweets in 2021. 
• Pootharekulu, also known as 'Pepper Sweet', has been in practice for about 300 years. It was first built three centuries ago in Atreyapuram, a small village in Konaseema district. 
• It's a melt-in-your-mouth dessert literally coating a sheet. It consists of a smooth, butter paper-like layer of rice starch/gram flour filled with dry fruits, nuts, jaggery or sugar. About 500 families from Atreyapuram epend on Pootharekulu for livelihood. 
• 17 products from Andhra Pradesh including Tirupati laddu have got GI tag. Along with this, the process of obtaining GI tag for Madugula Halwa has been started. This recipe is more than 130 years old. 

International Intellectual Property (IP) 

• Index 2023 India has been ranked 42nd among 55 major global economies in the International Intellectual Property (IP) Index 2023 released by the US Chambers of Commerce, which is topped by the US, followed by the United Kingdom and France. 

World Intellectual Property Organization 

• It was formed in 1967 to encourage creative activities and promote intellectual property protection in the world. WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated every year on 26 April.

Banking and Financial News

23. Yes Bank partners with Juspay to offer merchant in-app UPI payments 

• Juspay, India’s largest payments firm, has collaborated with YES Bank to introduce HyperUPI, the NPCI plug-in SDK that enables in-app UPI payments in merchant apps. 
• Without becoming an approved UPI app, merchants can now offer easy “1-click UPI experiences” via their Android and iOS apps.
• Customers will no longer need to rely on another app to complete UPI transactions because these payments may now be completed on the merchant’s app. 
• This plugin SDK is based on one of the most reputable cloud UPI systems in the country, and it supports UPI payments for top UPI merchant and consumer applications. 

About Yes Bank 

• Founded – 2004 
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO – Prashant Kumar
• Chairman – Sunil Mehta
• Tagline – Experience our Expertise 

Recent MoU in the Banking Sector

• IIT Kanpur partners with ICICI Bank to foster startup innovation
• SIDBI partners with Tata Power for MSME solar rooftop financing 
• BriskPe introduce BriskPe A2A with Yes Bank to enable seamless cross-border payment NABARD partners with UNDP to boost data-driven innovations 
• IREDA signed MoU with the Union Bank of India and Bank of Baroda to co-finance renewable energy (RE) projects.
• Mastercard partners with KredX to Make B2B Payments Rewarding for Vendors

24. ACKO Launches “Health Insurance Ki Subah Ho Gayi Mamu” Campaign For Platinum Health Plan

• ACKO, a leading insurance company, has unveiled its latest health insurance offering called the “ACKO Platinum Health Plan.” This comprehensive plan boasts several notable features, including 100% bill payment, no room rent capping, and zero waiting periods. 
• To promote this new product, ACKO has reintroduced the beloved characters of Munna Bhai and Circuit from the iconic Bollywood movie series. The campaign is aptly titled “Health Insurance ki Subah ho Gayi Mamu” and has been directed by renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi reprise their original roles in the campaign.
• The campaign highlights the plan’s unique feature of zero waiting periods, ensuring immediate coverage for policyholders. ACKO emphasizes its commitment to covering 100% of the medical bills, alleviating financial burdens during health crises. The campaign encourages policyholders to provide full disclosures of their ailments. This transparency simplifies the claims process, leading to a stress-free experience.

Economy News

25. OECD Raises India’s Growth Forecast For FY24 To 6.3 Percent

• The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has revised its GDP growth projection for India in the fiscal year 2024, forecasting a growth rate of 6.3%. This upward revision represents a notable increase from the previous estimate of 6%. The OECD attributes India’s positive growth surprises to favorable agricultural outcomes driven by favorable weather conditions. 
• The OECD has also revised India’s inflation projection, anticipating it to be 5.3%, an increase from the previous estimate of 4.8% made in June. The report points out that while headline inflation has decreased in many countries due to declining food and energy prices in the first half of 2023, core inflation has not experienced a significant slowdown. 
• The OECD report also suggests room for modest policy easing in several major economies, including India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa, over the next year. However, it advises a cautious approach to monetary policy until clear signs of lasting relief from inflationary pressures emerge.

Schemes and Committees News

26. Union Education Minister Launches ‘Skills On Wheels’ Initiative To Empower Rural Youth 

• Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, alongside Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, inaugurated the groundbreaking ‘Skills on Wheels’ initiative. 
• The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance the employability of rural youth and prepare them for the challenges of the future job market. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and IndusInd Bank. 
• Over a span of five years, the ‘Skills on Wheels’ initiative aims to empower and upskill a staggering 60,000 rural youth. The ultimate goal is to enhance the livelihoods of rural households by equipping their youth with the necessary skills. One of the core objectives of this initiative is to impart essential digital skills to rural youth, with a special focus on women.

27. Government Launches Three Transformative Initiatives For Farmers 

• The government has announced the launch of three game-changing initiatives. These initiatives, which focus on agri-credit and crop insurance, were unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar.
• The initiatives are set to amplify financial inclusion, harness technology, and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
• These three initiatives are: 

1. Kisan Rin Portal (KRP): A Digital Leap in Agri-Credit. 
2. Door to Door KCC Campaign: Ensuring Universal Financial Inclusion and 
3. Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) Manual: Data-Driven Insights for Farmers.

Agreements News

28. IREDA Signs MoUs With Bank Of Maharashtra For Green Financing 

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has joined forces with Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in the field of renewable energy sector. 
• The central objective of this collaboration is to promote and facilitate co-lending and loan syndication for a diverse spectrum of renewable energy projects across India. This initiative aligns with India’s ambitious goals of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to clean and sustainable energy sources. 
• This collaboration emphasizes the significance of financial institutions and government bodies working in tandem, aligning with India’s ambitious aim to attain Net Zero emissions by 2070, as directed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. 

Appointment and Resignation News

29. HDFC Bank’s Jagdishan Gets 3-Year Extension

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently given its stamp of approval for the reappointment of Sashidhar Jagdishan as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HDFC Bank. 
• This tenure extension will see Jagdishan at the helm of the bank for an additional three years, extending his leadership until October 26, 2026. This regulatory decision comes as a significant endorsement of his leadership and strategic vision for one of India’s largest and most influential banking institutions. 
• Jagdishan’s contract extension comes several months following the merger of HDFC Ltd, the parent company, with HDFC Bank. This merger resulted in the formation of the second-largest bank in India, trailing only behind the State Bank of India in terms of size and scope. The merger officially took effect on July 1, 2023, leading to the dissolution of the long-standing institution, HDFC Ltd, which had been in operation for 44 years. 

Sports News

30. Cricketer Deepak Chahar Launches New Brand ‘DNINE Sports’ 

• Cricketer Deepak Chahar, known for his stellar performances on the cricket field, has ventured into the world of sports equipment with the launch of DNINE Sports. 
• With an investment of ₹2.5 crore, this sports line promises to revolutionize athletic gear, offering a wide range of products catering to the needs of athletes, including professional cricketers.
• DNINE Sports adopts a multi-pronged approach to distribution, both online and offline. It discusses the company’s strategy for reaching consumers through various channels and the importance of word-of-mouth marketing in building brand awareness.

31. Adidas Revealed Team India Jersey For ICC World Cup 2023 

• Adidas has revealed Team India’s jersey for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. The upcoming tournament is a historic one for India as they will be hosting the ODI World Cup alone for the very first time.
• With just over two weeks remaining before the ICC World Cup 2023 gets underway, Adidas, Team India’s official kit sponsor, has unveiled the jersey for the Men in Blue. On Wednesday (September 20), Adidas posted a video on their social media platforms to release the jersey. 
• In a notable departure from previous designs, the iconic three white stripes on the shoulders of the jersey have been replaced with vibrant tricolor stripes. This bold move serves as a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage and national pride. The jersey also features two stars above the BCCI logo, symbolizing India’s two triumphs in the ODI World Cup – in 1983 and 2011. These stars are a proud reminder of India’s cricketing achievements on the world stage

Indian polity

32.Cong. launches Jan Aakrosh Yatra' in election-bound M.P. 

• The Congress on Tuesday launched its 'Jan Aakrosh Yatras', a pan-State outreach programme through which it aims to challenge the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government in Madhya Pradesh that's due for election later this year. State party president Kamal Nath wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "The purpose of these yatras is to express the pain and suffering of the oppressed people due to the misrule of Shivraj government for 18 years." Between them, the seven yatras led by party veterans will cover a distance of 11,400 km, spanning all the 230 Assembly segments.In his post, Mr. Nath wrote that there was public outrage against inflation, corruption, reducing incomes for farmers, and lack of women safety.