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

National News

1.IndiGo Becomes First Indian Airline To Carry 100 Million Passengers a Year 

• IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian airline to transport 100 million passengers in a single calendar year. 
• This accomplishment places IndiGo in an elite global club of carriers operating such a massive scale, solidifying its position among the world’s top-10 airlines by passenger traffic. 
• IndiGo’s success is further underscored by its substantial backlog of close to 1,000 planes, set to be delivered over the next decade. The airline’s aggressive approach to fleet expansion positions it for sustained growth and increased market share in the highly competitive aviation industry 

2.Indian Government Alerts Public On Smishing Threats 

• The Indian government has issued a warning regarding a new and sophisticated scam known as “Smishing,” a malicious practice that exploits text messages to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information. 
• Fraudulent messages may impersonate banks, government agencies, or well-known brands, creating a false sense of urgency that compels recipients to take immediate action. The ultimate goal is to trick individuals into revealing sensitive personal information. 
• In the unfortunate event of falling victim to a smishing attack, individuals can take immediate action by dialing 1930 to report online financial fraud. Additionally, any instances of cybercrime can be reported at cybercrime.gov.in. Timely reporting is crucial to mitigating the impact of such scams and preventing further harm. 

3.India Sees 112 Deaths In 2022 Due To Tiger Attacks

• Tiger attacks on humans have been a concerning issue in India, with the Centre recently providing information on the extent of this problem. In 2022 alone, a total of 112 deaths occurred in the country due to tiger attacks. 
• The Union Minister for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Bhupinder Yadav, shared these statistics in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, shedding light on the gravity of the situation. 
• The data revealed that Maharashtra witnessed the highest number of deaths, with 85 reported cases in 2022. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for addressing the human-tiger conflict in the state. 
• Uttar Pradesh also faced the brunt of tiger attacks, recording 11 deaths in the same period. The Minister disclosed that over the past five years, a total of 302 people lost their lives in incidents involving tiger attacks. 

4.Khelo India Games-2023 will start in Tamil Nadu from next month 

• Khelo India Games will be held in Tamil Nadu next month from 19 to 31 January 2024. According to the state government, these games will be organized in the capital Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy. More than five and a half thousand players and more than 1600 coaches are likely to participate in these games. 
• There will be 27 types of competitions in Khelo India Games in which more than one thousand referees and 1200 volunteers will participate. For the first time, Squash has been included in the Khelo India Games. 
• This year, Khelo India Youth Games 2022 was organized in Madhya Pradesh in February 2023. Maharashtra emerged champion at the Khelo India Youth Games - 2022, securing a total of 161 medals, including 56 gold. Haryana is at second place and Madhya Pradesh is at third place. 
• The Khelo India Youth Games – 2022 was the fifth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), which were first held in the capital New Delhi in 2018. Canoe slalom, kayaking, canoeing and rowing water sports were included for the first time in Khelo India Youth Games-2022. 

5.PM Modi inaugurates second Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the second Vande Bharat Express on the Delhi-Varanasi route. 
• The train will depart from Varanasi at 6 am, reaching New Delhi at 2:05 pm every Wednesday to Monday. For its return journey to Varanasi, it will start from New Delhi at 3 pm and reach its destination at 11:05 pm on all days except Tuesday. 
• Enhancing passenger comfort with innovative features the Vande Bharat Express offers superior passenger amenities, including onboard Wi-Fi infotainment, a GPS-based passenger information system, plush interiors, bio-vacuum toilets with touch-free conveniences, diffused LED lighting, charging points beneath every seat, individual touch-based reading lights, and concealed roller blinds. 
• The train will also have improved heat ventilation and air-conditioning system, which includes a UV lamp for germ-free air supply. The auto-climate air-conditioning system adjusts cooling based on climate conditions and occupancy. 
• Starting its journey from the spiritual city of Varanasi, the train will pass through Prayagraj, Kanpur, and reach the national capital, New Delhi. 

6.Reliance biggest wealth creator: Motilal Oswal study 

• Reliance Industries Ltd was the biggest wealth creator during the five-year period from 2018 to 2023 while Adani Enterprises Ltd was the top all-around wealth creator, according to a study by Motilal Oswal Financial Services 
• The study, based on the stock market performance of companies, said for the fifth time in succession, Reliance emerged as the largest wealth creator, adding ₹9,63,800 crore wealth over 2018-23. 
• It was followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (₹6,77,400 crore wealth addition), ICICI Bank (₹4,15,500 crore), Infosys (₹3,61,800 crore) and Bharti Airtel (₹2,80,800 crore). 
• A low-profile company, Lloyds Metals, has emerged the fastest wealth creator with 2018-23 price CAGR of 79 percent. Adani Enterprises Ltd, the flagship incubator firm of the Adani Group, is a close second with a CAGR of 78 percent. 
• Capri Global is the most consistent wealth creator, outperforming the BSE Sensex in all the last five years with the highest price CAGR of 50 percent.
• Adani Enterprises has emerged as 9th biggest wealth creator, second fastest, and fifth most consistent. 
• It is followed by Varun Beverages, Adani Power, Tube Investments, and ICICI Bank. Reliance is ranked at No.10 on this list. 
• Reliance emerging as the largest wealth creator for the fifth time in succession has taken the company’s overall No.1 tally to 10 in the last 17 five-year study periods. TCS and Infosys continuously remain among the top 5 wealth creators. 
• HDFC Bank does not feature in the top 10 list of wealth creators for the first time in several years. 
• PSUs’ (public sector undertakings) wealth creation performance during 2018-23 is a significant improvement over the last two studies: 7 PSUs account for 6 percent of wealth created. 
• Two key factors have driven PSU wealth creation, turnaround by two banks (SBI and Bank of Maharashtra) and growth in the defense sector (Bharat Dynamics, Bharat Electronics and Hindustan Aeronautics) 

7.VP Dhankhar inaugurated Atal Health Fair in Lucknow 

• Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the two-day-long Atal Health Fair in memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the PNT Ground in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. 
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee led Lucknow and the country for a long time. 
• Dhankhar advised youth to prioritize health for performance and success, emphasizing a nation-first approach. 
• The fair is hosting medical camps, conducted by 48 govt and private hospitals. 

8.As Lok Sabha election draws near, Modi launches survey on NaMo app 

• In a move similar to one in 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched the "Jan Man Survey" on the NaMo app with exhaustive questions about the performance of his government and that of local representatives.
• According to sources in the government, after the BJP's loss in the Assembly elections in the three big Hindi- speaking States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh in 2018, a survey resulted in the launch of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, an income support scheme for farmers; reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) among the general category; and other campaign ideas. 
• The Constitution 103rd (Amendment) Bill for EWS quota was cleared in January 2019 and implemented that year, a move that consolidated the support of communities under the general category behind the BJP. 

9.Netanyahu calls Modi H to discuss maritime threat in Red Sea 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone discussion on the escalating threats to maritime security in the Red Sea because of the actions of Houthi militants of Yemen. The conversation came soon after the Pentagon announced an international mission to counter the growing number of attacks against Israel-bound international traffic. 
• "Had a productive exchange of views with PM Netanyahu on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including shared concerns on the safety of maritime traffic. Highlighted India's consistent stand in favor of early restoration of peace and stability in the region with continued humanitarian assistance for the affected," Mr. Modi said in a message. A statement from the Prime minister's Office said that the Israeli side had initiated the telephone conversation. Mr. Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held multiple rounds of conversations with regional stakeholders since the conflict began in October. 
• The situation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has been worrying shipping companies after several attacks by Houthi rebels on container ships. These attacks have prompted several major international companies to stop ships from venturing in the strait that separates Yemen from Africa. eastern "This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore, today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative," U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said after the launch of the coalition that includes the U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the Seychelles, apart from the U.S. The United States has called upon the UN Security Council to act against militants. the Houthi Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra had earlier said that India was "constantly monitoring" the situation concerning security of the shipping containers 

10.Dharavi revamp in turmoil 

• The Dharat Redevelopment Project, an initiative to build Asia's largest sum, has sparked heated contrmsenies and political clashes, primarily due to allegations of favoritism towards the Adani Group the winning bidder for the project, Opposition parties are irregularities in tender processes, pasing concerns about transparency 
• For almost two decades, the Maharashtra government has been struggling to find a perfect bidder, who can take up the challenge of rebuilding a city within a city by relocating all the slum dwellers and their businesses till the redevelopment is finished. 
• Cin 1995, the p-Sena government proposed to redevelop Dharavi. Later in 2004, the Congress government led by the late Vilasrao rao Destimmukh Desert formed the Charant Redevelopment Authority under the Slum Redevelopment Authority (CSRA Intending to make Munibal, a shan free 
• However, the project never got off the ground due to various reasons. According to SHA, 48.35% of Mumbal's population lives in slums which occupy about 20% of the city's area Over several years, global tenders were floated in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2018 and 2022. 
• The number of applicants varied significantly, ranging from 101 Instances 2007 io none in some in Fully in November of last year, Adani Properties Private Limited successfully secured the 250 hectare redevelopment project through competitive bidding. The conglomerate quoted t5,009 crore for the project, while the DLF Group submitted a bid of 2,025 crore in September, the DRP and Adani Properties fortmed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called the bas Redevelopment Project Pet Lad PPL The developer holds so% equity in SPV and the State government will hold the remaining 20% SPV The chaintans chairperson of the will be appointed by the man managing director will be by the Adams Group. Both positions are still vacant 
• Upon assa will be to formulate object he will sean's initial obge the master plan for the redevelopment and conduct 1 a survey The deadline for submitting the stutter plan is set at 150 days. This plan will provide comprehensive information about the designated areas for rehabilitation buildings and free esale ballidings, along with the positioning of public amenities such as schools, hospitals, gardens, and playgrounds. 
• The masterplan and survey reports will be submitted to the government which will take a final call. 
• "The Maharashtra government is highly optimistic about completing the entire process of rehabilitation and redevelopment in seven years starting next year. However, Ho the developer e stated that the period is "insufficient and wage at least 10-12 years for the entire process to be completed, a source said. 

11.'No job quota for people with blood disorders 

• People with blood disorders such as thalassemia, hemophilia and sickle cell disease are not eligible for reservation in government jobs under the Persons with Disabilities category, the Social Justice Ministry told parliament on Tuesday. 
• The three diseases were included on the list of disabilities under the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, which had led activists to believe at the time that benefits such as reservation would follow. Activists say it defeats the entire purpose of having included them on the list. 
• Minister of State for Social Justice Pratima Bhoumik said that under Section 34 of the law, "persons with blood disorders including Thalassemia are not eligible for reservation in jobs in government establishments". 
• The Centre said the 4% quota in government jobs was available for those with no vision and low vision; no hearing and low hearing; locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy; leprosy cured; dwarfism; muscular dystrophy; autism, and intellectual disability; acid attack victims; and others. 

12.House panel doubts Centre's data on lumpy skin disease 

• Questioning the Union Animal Husbandry Ministry's data that more than two lakh cattle and buffaloes had died by lumpy skin disease in 2022 and 2023, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing said there was a gap/mismatch in the number of cattle affected and dead, and the actual realities. 
• The panel said accurate data would have helped in understanding the gravity of the situation, and in controlling and containing the disease. 
• It recommended that the Centre ensure proper compilation of data on the spread of infection and mortality of cattle from the disease. 
• The panel said deaths of cattle had resulted in severe economic hardship to farmers and cattle owners. The Centre did not have any scheme to compensate for cattle losses due to spread of disease, the panel noted. It asked the Centre to make necessary provisions for compensating farmers. 
• The disease was spread in 23 States, and Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka saw the most number of deaths when compared with the rest of the country. A total of 1,85,841 cattle died as of February 2023, while 32,73,762 were infected and 30,30,747 recovered. As many as 8,81,77,649 cattle were vaccinated. In 2023, 22,313 more deaths were reported. 
• The committee noted that Biovet Private Limited, Malur, Bengaluru; Indian Immunological, Hyderabad; and Institute of Veterinary Biological Products, Pune had secured the vaccine technology from the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE), Hisar to manufacture indigenous homologous live attenuated LSD vaccine (LumiPro- Vacind). 

International News 

13.EU Expresses Disappointment As India Rejects Interim Arbitration In WTO Dispute 

• The European Union (EU) has conveyed disappointment at India’s refusal to engage in interim arbitration for resolving the ongoing dispute concerning import duties on specific Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products, such as smartphones and components. 
• India defends its stance, asserting that interim agreements undermine the right to appeal to a permanent standing body and emphasizes the need to restore the functioning of the WTO appellate body. India defends its decision at the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement body meeting. 
• Background: In April 2019, the EU lodged a complaint against India’s import tariffs on certain ICT products, alleging a breach of India’s WTO commitments. Disputed products include mobile phones, components, base stations, integrated circuits, and optical instruments. 

Defence News 

14.MoU between Indian Navy and IIT Kanpur 

• The Indian Navy and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, symbolizing their commitment to promote technology development, innovative solutions and joint R&D.
• The structured collaboration focuses on joint research and development initiatives involving teams from INS Shivaji, Lonavala and the Center of Excellence (Marine Engineering) at IIT Kanpur. 
• This strategic alignment marks a step towards a symbolic relationship between academia and the armed forces, promoting an environment conducive to innovation and knowledge exchange. 

Business News 

15.India’s Thermal Coal Imports From The US Reach Over Two-Year High In November

• In November, India experienced a notable surge in long-haul thermal coal imports, with shipments from the United States peaking at 1.40 million tonnes (MT), marking the highest level in over a year. 
• The information comes from energy intelligence firm Kpler, which reported that India’s total thermal coal imports for the month amounted to 17.51 MT, slightly lower than the 15-month high of 18.66 MT recorded in October 2023. 
• In 2022, Indonesia emerged as India’s largest overseas supplier of thermal coal. Despite this, the US maintained its position as India’s second-largest supplier of coking coal after Australia, as of October 2023. Russia secured the third position in coking coal supplies. 

16.Razorpay, Cashfree Secure RBI Approval To Operate As Payment Aggregators 

• Payment processing giants Razorpay and Cashfree have received the final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as Payment Aggregators (PAs). 
• Payment Aggregators (PAs) are entities that facilitate e-commerce sites and merchants in accepting various payment instruments from customers, streamlining the payment process without requiring merchants to create their systems. 
• In July 2022, Pine Labs, Razorpay, and American payments player Stripe were among the first to receive in-principle approval for the PA license. 

Economy News 

17.Govt Reports A Decline In Agriculture’s GDP Share To 15% In FY23 

• India’s economic landscape has witnessed a significant transformation over the past few decades, marked by a notable decline in the share of agriculture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 
• According to recent government data, the share of agriculture in India’s GDP dropped from 35% in the fiscal year 1990-91 to 15% in 2022-23. 
• Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, emphasized that the decrease in the share of agriculture in the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the economy is not a result of a reduction in agricultural GVA but rather stems from the remarkable expansion of the industrial and service sector GVAs. 
• Despite the declining share in GDP, the agricultural and allied sector has demonstrated resilience, registering an average annual growth of 4% over the last five years. This indicates that while agriculture’s contribution to the overall economy may be diminishing proportionately, the sector is still experiencing positive growth. 

Appointment News 

18.Senior IPS Officer Maheshwar Dayal Takes Over As Director General Of Prisons 

• Senior IPS officer Maheshwar Dayal officially assumed the role of Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services on Monday, December 18. 
• With a distinguished career marked by various leadership roles across multiple districts and specialized units, Dayal brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Let’s delve into his illustrious journey through the ranks of law enforcement. 
• Maheshwar Dayal’s journey in law enforcement began as a Superintendent of Police (SP) in Virudhunagar, where he quickly demonstrated his dedication and leadership skills. His proficiency led to subsequent appointments as SP in The Nilgiris and Nagapattinam districts, showcasing his ability to adapt to diverse operational environments. 

Banking News 

19.UPI transactions rose by 147 percent in 5 years: Govt to Lok Sabha 

• The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions have grown from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 to 8,375 crore in FY 2022-23 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 147 percent in terms of volume. 
• Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat K Karad, in a written reply to Lok Sabha. 
• The UPI transactions have achieved 8,572 crore transactions during the current financial year till December 11. 
• The value of UPI transactions has grown from Rs 1 lakh crore in FY 2017-18 to Rs 139 lakh crore in FY 2022-23 at a CAGR of 168 percent. 
• UPI has been the major driving force in the overall growth of digital payment transactions in the country, accounting for 62 percent of digital payment transactions in FY 2022-23. The Year-on-Year growth in the value of banknotes in circulation has decreased from 9.9 percent in FY 2021-22 to 7.8 percent in FY 2022-23. 
• UPI facilitates transactions by linking savings or current accounts through users’ debit cards. 

20.SBI invests ₹49.99 crore in Canpac Trends 

• State Bank of India has executed transaction documents to purchase 3,70,644 shares (6.35 percent) of Ahmedabad-based Canpac Trends Private Limited at ₹1,349 per share, aggregating ₹49.99 crore. 
• The investment in Canpac Trends, which is in the paper packaging industry, is being made with the objective of capital appreciation. 
• The indicative period for completion of the acquisition is three months from the date of the transaction documents execution. 
• In the year ended March 2023, the company, which was incorporated in 2004, reported total income and net profit of Rs 389.72 crore and Rs 9.82 crore, respectively. 
• The company provides paper-based packaging solutions such as folding cartons, corrugated cartons, flexible packaging, paper bags and luxury boxes. 

21.India is contributing more than 16% of global growth: IMF report 

• India is expected to contribute over 16 percent of global growth as economic reforms in key sectors like infrastructure and digitalization have made India a “star performer” among countries, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 
• It’s one of the fastest-growing large emerging markets and it’s contributing, in our current projections, more than 16 percent of global growth this year. 
• A “strong push” by the government in logistics and infrastructure could navigate the economy through global headwinds 

Important Day News 

22.International Human Solidarity Day 2023 

• International Human Solidarity Day 2023 is a significant observance held annually on December 20th. Recognized by the UN General Assembly, this day emphasizes the importance of solidarity in fostering global unity and diversity.
• As of now, the specific theme for International Human Solidarity Day 2023 has not been released. Once unveiled, it will be updates on the dedicated International Human Solidarity Day 2023 Theme Page. 
• International Human Solidarity Day holds immense significance, serving as a platform for nations to reaffirm their commitment to various international agreements. On this day, discussions and events revolve around fostering solidarity, addressing issues such as land mine usage, disaster relief, universal education, poverty eradication and more. 

Award News 

23.Gaja Capital Business Book Prize ‘Against All Odds’, ‘Winning Middle India’ Declared Joint Winners 

• The Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, a prestigious annual recognition, has crowned two exceptional narratives in its 2023 edition. Against All Odds: The IT Story of India and Winning Middle India: The Story of India’s New-Age Entrepreneurs emerged as joint winners, capturing the essence of India’s dynamic business landscape. 
• Authorized by Kris Gopalkrishnan, N Dayasindhu and Krishnan Narayanan, Against All Odds meticulously weaves together the firsthand accounts of over fly distinguished individuals who have played pivotal role in shaping IT industry. The jury commended the book for its detailed exploration of the challenges, triumphs and transformative moments that have defined the trajectory of the IT sector in India. 

24.Israeli Film ‘Children of Nobody’ Wins Golden Bengal Tiger Award

• The 29th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) concluded with a momentous highlight as the Israeli film ‘Children of Nobody‘ secured the prestigious Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film. 
• Inspired by a true story, this compassionate Israeli drama sheds light on the often unnoticed and uncared-for individuals on the periphery of society. 
• The movie, written and directed by Erez-Tadmor from Tel-Aviv, unfolds the compelling journey of troubled boys compelled to unite to save a shelter for at-risk youth, providing them refuge from the streets 
• The film not only earned critical acclaim but also received the highest cash award given by any film festival globally—a remarkable Rs 51 lakh along with the trophy. This accolade not only underscores the film’s excellence but also showcases the international recognition garnered by Israeli cinema. 

25.Reliance Nippon Life Insurance won National Energy Conservation Awards 

• Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, India’s leading private life insurer, has been recognized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Government of India, Ministry of Power) at the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023. 
• This prestigious award comes in recognition of the company’s efforts towards institutionalizing climate-friendly operations and driving sustainable business growth. 
• This recognition highlights the company’s investment in environmentally conscious technologies that aid in optimizing resource utilization and energy efficiency. 
• The company’s scale of operations allows it to harness these advantages for benefits at large scale and pass on operating efficiencies to customers through its new line of products. 

Science and technology News

26.Google Announces India-First AI-Powered Experience For Maps 

• Google Maps, a ubiquitous navigation tool, is set to undergo a transformative upgrade in India with a host of new features leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). 
• In a first-of-its-kind initiative for India, Google plans to introduce the Address Descriptor early next year. This innovation aims to simplify location searches by offering a more intuitive experience. 
• By automatically suggesting five landmarks in the vicinity when user drop a pin to share their location, Google enhances the visual mapping experience, moving beyond traditional latitude and longitude coordinates. 

27.Accenture Launches New Generative AI Studio In Bengaluru 

• Accenture, a global leader in professional services, has taken a significant stride in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with the establishment of its Generative AI Studio in Bengaluru, India. 
• This cutting-edge facility is poised to become a central hub for the development and application of generative AI technologies, showcasing Accenture’s commitment to advancing AI solutions for businesses. 
• The primary objective of the Generative AI Studio is to serve as a collaborative space where Accenture’s data and AI team collaborates with clients in the development of solutions based on generative AI. Accenture envisions these solutions as powerful tools to optimize business processes and facilitate the reinvention of enterprises. 

28.MediaTek, Nvidia Unite To Power Artificial Intelligence In Cars 

•  Semiconductor powerhouses MediaTek and Nvidia have recently forged a strategic partnership aimed at bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to the forefront of the automotive industry. 
• This collaboration signifies a bold step towards revolutionizing in-car experiences, shaping the evolution of autonomous driving systems, and establishing a new standard for smart vehicles. 
• One of the primary focuses of this collaboration is the seamless integration of AI into autonomous driving systems.
• Leveraging Nvidia’s deep learning and AI capabilities alongside MediaTek’s advanced system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, the goal is to create a comprehensive platform capable of instantly handling and understanding complex data from cameras, sensors, and other sources. 

Ranks and Reports News

29.Hyderabad ranked 1st in food adulteration cases: NCRB report 

• Hyderabad has ranked first in the country for food adulteration cases, according to the data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). 
• Telangana stands second, closely followed by Andhra Pradesh. 
• In 2022, a total of 291 cases of food adulteration were reported across 19 major cities in India. 
• Surprisingly, out of these cases, a staggering 246 were reported solely in Hyderabad, signalling a concerning trend in food safety within the city. 

Sports News 

30.Amitabh Bachchan Becomes Owner Of Mumbai Team In Indian Street Premier League

• Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan revealed his ownership of the Mumbai team in the upcoming Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). Earlier announcements revealed that actors Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan have taken up ownership of the Srinagar and Bengaluru teams, respectively. This star-studded ownership adds an extra layer of glamour and excitement to the league. 
• The ISPL will feature a total of 19 high-intensity matches during its inaugural edition. The six participating teams are Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Srinagar. Each teams represents a city, providing a diverse and competitive mix of players from various regions. 

31.Sandeep Kumar claimed MRF Formula 2000 crown 

• Sandeep Kumar won the MRF Formula 2000 title in the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023 at the Madras International Circuit. 
• While Chetan Surnineni won the MRF Formula 1600 title 
• Also picking up the National titles in their respective categories were Gurunath Meiyappan (Race Concepts, Indian Touring Cars), Deepak Ravikumar (Performance Racing, Indian Junior Touring Cars) and T.S. Diljith (DTS Racing, Super Stock and Formula LGB 1300). 

Agreement News

32.NSDC and Saudi Arabia government enter into agreement to protect the rights of Indian workers 

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Saudi Arabia, an important step towards protecting the rights of India's skilled workers. 
• The objective of this collaboration is to increase transparency and ensure the well-being of Indian workers working in Saudi Arabia. According to NSDC CEO Ved Mani Tiwari, skilled laborers in India can register themselves with NSDC for free. 
• Through this registration, NSDC aims to keep track of the whereabouts of workers, the nature of their work and the institutions they are associated with. NSDC is currently collaborating with 13 countries under the Skill India Mission. 
• All agents facilitating travel from India to Saudi Arabia must register with NSDC. Ahmed Al Yamani, vice president of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC), revealed that a wage protection system has been implemented in Saudi Arabia. The goal of this electronic system is to guarantee timely payment to all workers. 
• If this system is not followed, the services of the concerned company or organization may be stopped, thereby preventing them from associating with the government.