Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 2nd September 2023

National News

1. ASI Launches “Adopt a Heritage 2.0 program” Indian Heritage app and e-permission portal 

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to launch its innovative Adopt a Heritage 2.0 program on September 4, 2023, at the Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi. As per the reports, this aims to safeguard India's diverse cultural heritage by inviting corporate stakeholders to enhance the amenities at more than 3,600 monuments spread across the country. 
• These monuments are known for not only showcasing India's rich cultural history but are also known for contributing significantly to economic growth. 
• Under the Adopt a Heritage 2.0 program, ASI will be reaching out to corporate partners to utilize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to enhance the amenities at these historical sites. Interested stakeholders will be able to adopt a monument or specific amenities through a dedicated web portal at www.indianheritage.gov.in, which will provide them with comprehensive details about the monuments that are available for adoption, including gap analysis, and estimated financial requirements. 

2. Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates Utkela Airport in Odisha

• Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia on 31 August, 2023 inaugurated Utkela airport in Odisha, which has been developed as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme. 
• The Utkela-Bhubaneswar-Utkela flight route is set to improve regional air connectivity and spur economic growth within the area. The distance will be covered in just one hour and twenty minutes and the economic activities will open up employment prospects, as infomed by the Minister.
• The flights will be facilitated by nine-seater Cessna C-208 aircraft. Utkela airport has a runway of length 917 mtrs. (2,995 ft.) with a width of 30 mtrs.
• With the addition of Utkela Airport, Odisha will now have five airports. The connection between Kalahandi and Bhubaneswar, along with other cities in the state would lead to enhanced development.
• Approx. Rs 31 crore was invested by the Central government in the redevelopment of the Utkela airport. 

3. Proposed BNSS 2023: Changes to Mercy Petitions in Death Sentence Cases

• The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, aimed at replacing the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), introduces modifications to the mercy petition process in death sentence cases. These changes encompass crucial aspects such as justiciability, time limits, and the gap between rejection and execution. 
• Unlike earlier guidelines, the BNSS provision does not necessitate the President to align with council of ministers’ advice in death sentence cases. The provision allows convicts to file mercy petitions before the President or State Governor within 30 days of certain triggers.
• The Central Government reviews these petitions, making recommendations to the President within 60 days. However, the BNSS doesn’t impose a time frame for the President’s decision, raising concerns.
• The provision also bars judicial review of the President’s decision, contrasting existing legal precedent. Notably, the proposed BNSS lacks a specific time window between rejection and execution, a safeguard endorsed in prior rulings.

International News

4. Georgia Declares October as ‘Hindu Heritage Month’

• It aims to celebrate Hindu heritage while emphasizing the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of India. 
• It recognizes and appreciates the valuable contributions made by the Hindu-American community in the state of Georgia. 
• Hinduism is accepted as the third largest religion globally, with one billion followers worldwide and about three million followers in the United States. 
• Throughout October 2023, the Hindu community in Georgia will collectively celebrate its heritage by focusing on the culture and diverse spiritual traditions of India. 
• In April 2023, Georgia passed a historic resolution condemning Hinduphobia, making it the first US state to do so.
• The resolution condemns Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu prejudice, emphasizing the widespread and ancient nature of Hinduism, with more than 1.2 billion adherents in more than 100 countries. 
• It outlines the diverse traditions and belief systems within Hinduism, all based on the principles of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace.
• According to the Hindu American Foundation, Hindu Heritage Month (HHM) serves as a global effort to highlight the longstanding tradition of Hinduism and its significant contributions to humanity.

5. Tharman Shanmugaratnam Wins Singapore Presidential Election

• In a significant political development, Indian-origin economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam has emerged victorious in Singapore’s presidential election. This victory is especially noteworthy as it comes after a gap of ten years, marking the country’s first contested presidential polls since 2011. 
• Tharman Shanmugaratnam secured a substantial majority in the presidential elections, receiving a resounding 70.4 percent of the votes. His victory was achieved against two other contenders of Chinese origin, Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian, who garnered 15.7 percent and 13.88 percent of the votes, respectively.

6. Indo-US Task Force Aims to Boost Electronics Trade to $100 Billion by 2033 

• In a remarkable endeavor to strengthen trade relations between India and the United States within the electronics sector, the Indian Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) has established a dedicated task force to elevate the current Indo-US electronics trade, currently at $8 billion, to an ambitious $100 billion within the next decade. 
• ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo emphasized that achieving this monumental goal would significantly bolster India’s aspirations to become a global hub for innovation and manufacturing in the electronics sector. 
• The Indo-US partnership encompasses policy and regulatory adaptations aimed at encouraging greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between the two countries’ industries. 

7. Elevating Indo-US Electronics Trade, ICEA’s Ambitious Venture

• In a significant move to fortify trade relations between India and the United States in the electronics sector, the Indian Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) has established a dedicated task force. Their overarching goal is to elevate the existing Indo-US electronics trade, currently valued at $8 billion, to a more ambitious target of $100 billion over the next decade.
• This initiative reflects the commitment of both nations to enhance their economic partnership, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to the United States.
• ICEA envisions a transformation of the Indo-US electronics trade landscape, with Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo emphasizing the potential for India to become a global hub for innovation and electronics manufacturing. As the apex industry body, ICEA represents the entire electronics ecosystem in India, spanning components, subassemblies, Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), and finished products across diverse Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) verticals. 
• The establishment of the Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) element, focusing on domains like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space exploration, semiconductors, and defense technology, serves as a pivotal pillar of this initiative. 
• It aims to foster collaboration and reshape industries. Policy and regulatory adaptations, key to the Indo-US partnership, are set to create an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration, paving the way for a transformative shift in technology ecosystems. 
• These adaptations are expected to have a lasting and enduring impact on India’s technology landscape, nurturing a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Beyond economic implications, the partnership holds the potential to generate new employment opportunities and avenues for Indian businesses and startups, contributing to both economic growth and technological progress, strengthening the global relationship between the two nations.

Appointment and Resignation

8. Manish Desai Takes Charge of Press Information Bureau (PIB)

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has made significant appointments, including the transfer of Manish Desai, the Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) chief, to lead the Press Information Bureau (PIB). 
• Manish Desai, a distinguished officer of the Indian Information Service (IIS) since 1989, has taken on several critical roles in his career. He held the position of CBC chief, overseeing the government’s advertising and public communication arm. His responsibilities encompassed a broad spectrum of communication activities across various media platforms, including print, electronic, outdoor, transit, and new media.

9. R Madhavan Nominated as President of FTII Pune

• Renowned actor R Madhavan has been nominated as the new President of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
• Additionally, he will serve as the Chairman of the governing council of FTII. Madhavan’s nomination follows the recent success of his film, ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,’ which earned national recognition. The film secured the prestigious Best Feature Film award during the 69th National Film Awards. 

10. MS Dhoni becomes brand ambassador of Swaraj Tractors 

• Industrialist Anand Mahindra appointed Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the Brand Ambassador of Swaraj Tractors, a company of Mahindra & Mahindra.
• Swaraj Tractors is an Indian tractor manufacturing company headquartered in Mohali, Punjab, and a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra.
• Established in 1974, its mission was to be self-reliant and develop India's first indigenous tractor. 
• Presently Swaraj Tractors is one of the leading tractor manufacturers in India with a market share of over 10%.
• The company manufactures a diverse range of tractors ranging from 15 HP to 65 HP, which are known for their fuel efficiency, durability, and performance. 
• With a strong presence in rural India, the company operates a network of over 1,000 dealerships and service centers across the country and exports its products to over 30 countries.

Important day

11. World Coconut Day 2023

• Every year, World Coconut Day is celebrated on September 2. The day is celebrated to understand the benefits of this fruit and promote awareness. In India, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh are the main states that grow coconuts.
• World Coconut Day is celebrated by the farmers and the stakeholders in the coconut growing business. World Coconut Day is an important opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of coconuts and to promote sustainable coconut farming practices.
• In 2009, Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) started the initiative of celebrating World Coconut Day on September 2 every year.

Award News

12. Shanta Thoutam honoured with World Innovation Award at BRICS Innovation Forum

• Telangana’s Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) Shanta Thoutam has been presented with the World Innovation Award at the first BRICS Innovation Forum hosted at Moscow from August 27 to 29. 
• The award is given for outstanding contribution to the Sustainable Development Goal-4 that ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong opportunities for all. There were representations from more than 30 countries at the forum. 
• The other two nominees in the category were Fernando Padula Novaes, Municipal Minister of Education of Sao Paulo in Brazil and Saif Al-Hiddabi, Undersecretary of Research and Innovation at Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation in Oman. 

13. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Rated ‘A+’ In Global Finance Central Banker Report 2023 

• In a recent announcement that has garnered international attention, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been awarded an ‘A+’ rating in the prestigious Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023. This commendation places him at the pinnacle of central bank governors worldwide. The announcement was made by the RBI through its official communication channel on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter).
• This recognition has placed Shaktikanta Das at the top of the list of three central bank governors who have been rated ‘A’. Joining Shaktikanta Das in the elite category of central bank governors who earned an ‘A+’ grade in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023 are Thomas J. Jordan from Switzerland and Nguyen Thi Hong from Vietnam. This recognition solidifies Governor Das’s standing as one of the most influential and effective central bank leaders in the world.

Business News

14. Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Gets Navratna Status

• The Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) conferred ‘Navratna Status ‘upon Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF). Navratnas constitute a group of public sector firms endowed with the financial independence to invest up to Rs 1000 crore without necessitating approval from the central government. Prior to this, the company had attained ‘Miniratna Status ‘from the Department of Public Enterprise.
• Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) is an Indian government-owned enterprise headquartered in Mumbai, primarily engaged in the production of chemicals and fertilizers. It operates under the ownership of the Government of India and falls under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Chairman & MD of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) is S. C. Mudgerikar. CCI Clears Air India-Vistara Merger 
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently given the green light to the merger of Tata SIA Airlines, which operates under the Vistara brand, with Air India, a subsidiary of Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. 
• This landmark merger also involves Singapore Airlines (SIA) and entails the acquisition of shares in the merged entity, Air India, subject to certain voluntary commitments. TSAL (Tata SIA Airlines Limited) is a joint venture between the Tata Group and the Singapore Airlines with the former holding 51% and the latter 49%. 

Economy News

15. Moody’s Upgrades India’s 2023 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.7% 

• Global rating agency Moody’s Investor Service has revised its economic growth projection for India, providing a positive outlook for the year 2023. The agency has increased its forecast for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 6.7 percent, up from the previous estimate of 5.5 percent. 
• This adjustment is attributed to the notable performance in the second quarter, driven by robust expansion in services and capital expenditures, resulting in a 7.8 percent real GDP growth compared to the previous year. India’s August GST Collection Surges to ₹1.59 Trillion 
• In August, India witnessed a notable surge in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection, amounting to ₹1.59 trillion, signifying an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. This impressive growth can be attributed to enhanced compliance and anti-evasion measures put in place. 
• The moderation in collection is primarily attributed to subdued growth in integrated GST (IGST) and the cess on imports, which increased by only 3% in August. Importantly, both imports and IGST collections have experienced fluctuations in recent months. 
• Several major states reported robust growth rates in GST collection. Maharashtra recorded a remarkable 23% increase at ₹23,282 crore, Karnataka’s collection surged by 16% to ₹11,116 crore, and Gujarat’s collection increased by 12% to ₹9,765 crore, as per official data. 

Sports

16. WR Chess team won the first “FIDE World Rapid Team Championship”

• With only two draws and ten wins in 12 matches, Team WR Chess won the first edition of the 'FIDE World Rapid Team Championship with 22 match points. The World Rapid Team Championships 2023 held in Düsseldorf, Germany from 25- 29 August 2023.Team Freedom finished second with 20 match points, while Team MGD1 India finished third with 18 match points.
• The champion was decided in the 11th round when WR Chess won their match, and the second place Freedom was drawn. The first-place finisher in the event also receives a cup, a medal, and a prize of 100,000 euros.
• Freedom, who finished second, received 60,000 euros, while MGD1 received 40,000 euros. The energetic team of Columbus Energy Kings of Chess from Krakow won €12,500 as the best-performing team with a rating below 2400. Eleven-year-old Christian Glockler from Hesse won the special prize for the best game. 

17. Teams have won the Asia Cup the most times

• The 2023 Asia Cup has started. The 16th edition of the tournament is being co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Teams from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal are participating in it.
• Nepal's team is participating in this tournament for the first time. The tournament started in 1984 in the ODI format, although there has been a shift between the ODI and T20I formats in recent editions. 
• This time the edition is being held in ODI (50-over) format. During the Asia Cup 2023, 30 matches will be played between August 17 and September 13. 

18. The 07 best javelin throws of Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra

• India's star javelin thrower and golden boy Neeraj Chopra has won the gold medal in the World Athletics Championships 2023. He won gold in the Javelin Throw at World Athletics Final held in Budapest, Hungary.
• With this, Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships. The gold medallist of the Tokyo Olympics has once again made the country proud. The other two Indian javelin throwers Kishore Jena and DP Manu also performed well but did not manage to win medals. 

Infrastructure and Energy

19. World's first 'electrified flex fuel' car launched. 

• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari launched the world's first electrified flex fuel car at an event held in New Delhi. The prototype of this car has just been launched. 
• This car is based on the latest emission standard BS-6 technology. It has been launched by Toyota Motors India. This car emits 20% less hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide than petrol and diesel, due to which pollution will also be reduced. 

Miscellaneous News

20. Nobel Laureates Advocate for Muhammad Yunus Amidst Legal Proceedings 

• Over 100 Nobel Prize winners and global figures, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, have called upon Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to halt legal proceedings against economist Muhammad Yunus. This petition follows previous concerns regarding Yunus’s safety and contributions to poverty eradication.
• Muhammad Yunus, renowned for his work in microfinance, co-founded the Grameen Bank to provide collateral-free micro-credit to the impoverished. Despite international recognition, Yunus has faced legal challenges from the Bangladesh government. 
• The allegations range from aggressive loan collection to misappropriation of funds. These charges coincide with political changes and shifts in Grameen Bank’s management. Despite ongoing legal battles, Yunus’s microfinance model has gained global prominence as a strategy for addressing poverty. 
• Muhammad Yunus’s brief involvement in politics led to tension with the government. The government initiated a review of Grameen Bank’s activities and fired Yunus as managing director, claiming violations of retirement regulations and exceeding the age limit companies he created, including Grameen Telecom, part of Bangladesh’s largest mobile phone company. 

Science and Technology News

21. ISRO Aditya L1 Mission Launched 

• ISRO Aditya L1 mission was launched successfully on September 2, 2023, at 11:50 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Srihari Kota, India. The mission is India’s first dedicated solar mission and will study the Sun’s atmosphere, including the chromosphere and corona. It will also study the solar wind and its interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere. 
• The Aditya L1 spacecraft is a 1.5-ton satellite that is equipped with seven payloads. The payloads will study the Sun’s atmosphere using a variety of methods, including remote sensing and in-situ measurements. The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is located about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
• The Aditya L1 mission is expected to last for five years. During this time, it will collect valuable data about the Sun that will help scientists to better understand its behavior and its impact on Earth. 

India launches its first solar mission Aditya L1 

• India has also successfully launched the Surya Mission Aditya L1 mission. ISRO made history by successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander on the south pole of the moon. 
• Aditya L1 will reach the Lagrangian point after about 125 days. It was launched from a PSLV-C57 rocket. This was the 59th flight of the PSLV rocket.
• The purpose of this mission is to study the outer atmosphere of the Sun. It will be installed in a halo orbit near the Sun-Earth system. Isro created history by successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander on the south pole of the moon. Along with this, this historic day of August 23 has also been announced to be celebrated as 'National Space Day'. 

Who is the 'Vyommitra' robot that ISRO will send on the Gaganyaan mission? 

• After the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, ISRO is now focusing on its next missions. These include Surya Mission Aditya-L1 and India's first manned mission Gaganyaan. 
• While ISRO is preparing to send the Aditya-L1 mission in the first week of September, a spacecraft will be sent to space under the Gaganyaan mission in the first or second week of October. 
• It is being sent as a rehearsal for India's first manned mission, it will follow the same route from which the first human mission will return to Earth. 

ISRO Successfully Launches Aditya L1 Sun Observatory.

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching the Aditya L1 spacecraft, an observatory designed to study the Sun from a distance of 1.5 million kilometers.
• The launch utilized the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and the mission involved complex maneuvers, including firing the PSLV’s fourth stage twice, to position the spacecraft precisely in its elliptical orbit.
• Aditya L1 will gradually ascend through a series of maneuvers to reach its final destination—a halo orbit around the L1 point, 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth.
• The mission aims to provide unique data on the Sun’s outer atmosphere, radiation, particles, and magnetic fields, contributing to a deeper understanding of our closest star and its impact on Earth. 

Ranks & Reports News

21. All-India House Price Index Surges 5.1% in Q1FY24: RBI’s Latest Data. 

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has unveiled its latest data, revealing a significant upswing in the All-India House Price Index (HPI). In the April-June quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24, the HPI recorded a robust growth rate of 5.1%. This marks a noteworthy increase compared to the 3.4% growth observed during the same period in the previous year. 
• The RBI’s quarterly HPI report draws upon transaction-level data sourced from registration authorities in ten major cities across India. These cities include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumba. Among the cities, Delhi stands out with an impressive annual HPI growth rate of 14.9%. This substantial increase underscores the city’s robust real estate market.