Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 28th November 2023

 

National News

1. ILO’s needed concern for the workers and laborers across the world: Report 

• Deaths due to work related factors are increasing so ILO(International labor organization)calls a report for the countries that they should concern and strengthen their power related to this serious issue. 
• Around the world about 64% of workers’ deaths are caused by work related to accidents, disease, exposure to fumes, gasses(4.5 lakh deaths) according to the report released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and most of the deaths are reported from the Asia Pacific region. 

2. The report also recommended five categories of "fundamental principles and rights at work” they are as follows

• Freedom of association 
• Elimination of forced labor 
• Abolition of child labour 
• Abolition of discrimination 
• Safe environment 

3. India and European Union signed an MOU in the field of semiconductor ecosystem 

• India and the European Union have packed together and signed an MOU regarding the fostering and sustainable development of the semiconductor ecosystem. 
• Ashwini Vaishnav, minister of communication, electronics and information technology and also the minister of railways, and Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal market have signed the MOU. 
• Some major points about this MOU are to share information, combine best practice, develop and promote skills, identify ideas to collaboration, businesses etc. 

Recently India signed MoUs with others countries 

• India and UAE sign MoU to Strengthen Educational Ties 
• Cabinet approves pact between India & Japan on Semiconductor Supply Chain 
• India and Tanzania agree on 5-year roadmap for defence cooperation 
• India & Saudi Arabia tie up for electrical interconnections, green hydrogen 
• India and Argentina signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA) 

4. Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness center name has been changed 

• Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centers across the country are now known by the name of AYUSHMAN AROGYA MANDIR. 
• A new tagline for Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness center has also been launched. This new tagline is Arogyam Parmam Dhanam. 
• There are a total of 1.61 lacks AB-HWCs functioning across the country. 
• There are some important services provided by these centers like maternal and child care, first level care for emergency cases, free medicines and free diagnosis services. 

5. Ministry of mines is about to launch first ever tranche of strategic minerals auction 

• The Ministry of mines has decided to launch the first ever tranche of strategic and critical minerals auction. This auction will be scheduled on 29th November 2023. 
• Shri Prahlad Joshi, union minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs will launch this auction. 
• This is a significant step taken by the government to enhance the transition of clean energy, boost the country’s economy and it is also a landmark step to foster national security. 
• In August 2023, 24 minerals were proved and notified as critical and strategic minerals as per the amendment in the MMDR act. 

6. Inauguration of Hamfest 2023 in Ahmedabad

• Devusinh Chauhan, union minister of state for communications on 24 November inaugurated the Hamfest 2023 at science City, Ahmedabad. 
• While giving his speech he praised the role of ham radio in helping people during natural calamities like earthquakes and cyclones. 
• He added that the government will take necessary actions to ensure that there is at least one ham radio operator in each village of the country. This first comprises 800 ham radio operators from all over the country. 

International News 

7.New Zealand Abandons Landmark Smoking Ban For Generation To Fund Tax Cuts 

• New Zealand’s recently elected government has decided to abandon its groundbreaking law aimed at banning smoking for future generations. 
• The move is driven by the government’s intention to finance tax cuts, but public health officials are expressing concerns about the potential consequences, foreseeing thousands of lives at risk, especially within Māori communities. 
• The 2022 legislation, considered a world-first, established a progressively increasing smoking age, preventing those born after January 2009 from legally purchasing cigarettes. The primary goal was to curtail smoking-related fatalities and alleviate the strain on the health system. 

8.Indian-Origin Ex-MP Dave Sharma Wins Australian Senate Seat 

• Dave Sharma, the trailblazing Indian-origin politician, has secured a significant political comeback by winning the New South Wales Liberal Senate race. 
• This victory marks a pivotal moment in Sharma’s political career, as he replaces the retired former foreign minister, Marise Payne. 
• Sharma, who initially made history in 2019 as the first Indian-origin lawmaker in Australian Parliament, brings a wealth of diplomatic and foreign policy expertise to the Senate. 

9.UK Detects First Human Case Of H1N2 Pig Virus 

• On Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) disclosed the first human case of H1N2, or the pig virus, discovered through routine national flu surveillance. 
• The affected individual experienced mild illness and fully recovered, raising questions about potential pig-to-human transmission. The H1N2 virus’s discovery in humans prompts reflections on the 2009 swine flu pandemic. 
• The current situation raises awareness of risks associated with zoonotic transmission, where viruses move from animals to humans. The virus in question contains genetic material from various sources, including pigs, birds, and humans. 

10. Malaysia also joined others in granting visa free entry for Indians.

• Now Indians who are planning for a trip to Malaysia can visit without a Visa as on 25 November Malaysia’s Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that they will facilitate Visa free entry to Indians from 1 December onwards. Now Indians could visit 30 countries including Malaysia without Visa.

The countries are as follows- 

• Albania 
• Mauritius 
• Barbados 
• Montserrat 
• Bhutan 
• Nepal 
• British Virgin Islands 
• Niue 
• Cook Islands 
• Oman 
• Dominica 
• Qatar 
• El Salvador 
• Senegal 
• Fiji 
• Saint Kitts 
• Grenada 
• Saint Vincent 
• Haiti 
• Sri Lanka 
• Jamaica 
• Trinidad 
• Kazakhstan 
• Tunisia 
• Macao 
• Thailand 
• Micronesia 
• Vanuatu 
• Vietnam 
• Malaysia 

11. 8 Wonders of the World, Name and Location 

• Great Wall of China-China 
• Chichen Itza-Ma’an,Jordan 
• Petra-Rio de Janeiro,Brazil 
• Machu Picchu– Urubamba Province, Peru 
• Christ the Redeemer-Yucatan, Mexico 
• Colosseum-Rome, Italy 
• Taj Mahal-Agra, India 
• Angkor Wat-Cambodia 

State News

12. Second floating CNG station inaugurated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

• Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the city's second floating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mobile Refueling Unit (MRU) station at Ravidas Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 
• Earlier, the state's first Mobile Refueling Unit (MRU) station was launched at Namo Ghat in Varanasi in December 2021. 
• The Namo Ghat and Ravidas Ghat floating CNG stations were developed by GAIL (India) Limited, a Maharatna PSU, worth approximately Rs 17.5 crore. 
• The Namo Ghat floating CNG station, operational since December 2021, has a compression capacity of approximately 15,000 kg/day, filling approximately 1,000 - 1,500 boats per day. 
• The new station at Ravidas Ghat is a CNG mobile refueling unit (MRU) with a capacity of 4,000 kg/day, supplying 300 to 400 boats per day. 
• CNG is a more efficient and cost- effective fuel than diesel, providing 35-40% more mileage to sailors. Switching to CNG brings savings to sailors, reduces pollution in the Ganga and the environment. 
• GAIL has invested over Rs 350 crore in creating City Gas Distribution (CGD) infrastructure in Varanasi. The Varanasi CGD project is part of the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018.

Defence News 

13.NATPOLREX-IX: Indian Coast Guard’s Pollution Response Exercise 

• The 9th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-IX) was carried out by the Indian Coast Guard on November 25, 2023, off Vadinar, Gujarat. 
• This event aimed to assess the readiness and coordination of various agencies in responding to a marine oil spill, as per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). 
• The exercise saw participation from representatives of central and coastal state governments, ports, oil handling agencies, and more than 31 foreign observers and 80 delegates.

14. Indian Coast Guard conducts 9th National Pollution Response Exercise ‘NATPOLREX’ in Gujarat 

• The 9th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-IX) was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard on 24-25 November 2023 at Vadinar, Gujarat. DG Rakesh Pal, Director General, Indian Coast Guard and Chairman, NOSDCP reviewed the preparedness of all agencies during the exercise. 
• The exercise was participated by representatives of various ministries and departments of the Central and Coastal State Governments, ports, oil management agencies and other stakeholders. Over 31 foreign observers and 80 delegates participated in the exercise. 
• NATPOLREX-IX fulfilled its objective of testing the level of preparedness and coordination among various resource agencies to respond to marine oil spills using the provisions of the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. 
• The ICG also deployed surface as well as air platforms including pollution response vessels (PRVs), offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), indigenous advanced light helicopters Mk-III and Dornier aircraft configured for marine pollution response. 
• The Indian Coast Guard took over the responsibilities for protecting the marine environment in the maritime areas of India on 07 March 1986, when these responsibilities were transferred from the Ministry of Shipping. The Coast Guard has set up four pollution response centers in Mumbai, Chennai, Port Blair and Vadinar. 

15. Indigenous tank Zorawar will begin trials soon

• Tackling with the mighty Chinese front India will begin trials of the Zorawar light tank developed by DRDO and Larsen and Toubro. 
• First the testing will be done in the desert sector before taking them to high altitudes of Ladakh. 
• DRDO is working with L&T to develop a 25 tonne light tank which would be efficient in moving fast in the high mountainous regions. 
• This project is under the make in India initiative.An advanced protection system has been installed to tackle with anti-tank guided missiles. 

Economy News 

16.S&P Global Ratings Revises India’s Growth Projections 

• S&P Global Ratings has upgraded its GDP growth projection for India in the financial year 2024 to 6.4%, up from the previous estimate of 6%. 
• This upward revision is attributed to the resilience of domestic economic forces, effectively counterbalancing challenges posed by elevated food inflation and weakened export performance. 
• However, the optimism for India’s economic performance takes a hit in the financial year 2025, with the GDP growth projection being revised downward to 6.4% from the earlier forecast of 6.9%.

17.India’s Engineering Exports Experience Divergent Trends Across Global Markets In October 

• After facing a challenging first half of the year, India’s engineering exports showcased notable positive growth in key markets such as the US, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE during October. 
• United States: Engineering exports to the US surged by 2.2% year-on-year, reaching $1.39 billion in October. 
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Shipments to the UAE experienced a growth of 2.9%, totaling $348.6 million. 
• Despite a 1.6% contraction in cumulative growth during the first seven months of the current financial year (2023-24), October marked the third consecutive month of positive year-on-year growth for India’s engineering exports, registering a robust 7.2% increase. 

Business News 

18.HDFC Securities Launches Mobile Trading App HDFC SKY On AWS Cloud 

• HDFC Securities, a leading investment service provider in India, has successfully launched its mobile trading app, HDFC SKY, on Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. 
• HDFC Securities is set to achieve a significant cost reduction of up to 50% by leveraging AWS cloud services, demonstrating the cost efficiency and scalability of cloud infrastructure. 
• HDFC Securities, with AWS as its preferred cloud provider, ensures a secure and low-latency trading experience for the growing base of tech-savvy retail investors who prefer mobile trading. 

19.IndiGo Unveils AI-Powered Chat Assistant “6Eskai” After Air India 

• IndiGo, India’s largest airline, announced on Monday the launch of its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chat assistant named “6Eskai.” 
• This innovative tool is designed to cater to customer inquiries in a diverse range of languages, marking a significant step forward in enhancing customer service in the aviation industry. 
• IndiGo’s move comes in the wake of Air India’s introduction of its own AI-powered chat assistant, “Maharaja,” on November 10. 
• While Maharaja utilizes Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI service, 6Eskai is powered by the advanced technology of Microsoft’s GPT-4, demonstrating the rapid evolution and adoption of AI in the aviation sector. 

20.SEBI Plans To Introduce Same Day Trade Settlement By March 2024 

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionize the settlement process in the country’s financial markets. 
• In a recent announcement, SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri revealed that the regulatory body is actively working on a roadmap to implement same-day settlement of trades by March 2024. 
• Additionally, there are plans for the introduction of an optional parallel system for instantaneous settlement. 
• The regulatory body aims to achieve same-day settlement by the end of March 2024, marking a significant leap from the existing T+0 settlement cycle. 

Appointments News 

21.Col Sunita BS Appointed First Female Commanding Officer At Armed Forces Transfusion Centre 

• In a historic moment on November 21, 2023, Colonel Sunita BS, an officer in the Army Medical Corps, etched her name in history by becoming the first woman to assume the role of Commanding Officer at the Armed Forces Transfusion Centre (AFTC) in Delhi Cantt. 
• A proud graduate of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Rohtak, Col Sunita holds a Post Graduate degree (MD & DNB) in Pathology. 
• Before her historic appointment at AFTC, Col Sunita served in the challenging position of Commanding Officer at a strategically important Field Hospital in Arunachal Pradesh. 1

22.Rajat Kumar Jain Xerox India And Walt Disney India’s Ex-MD Appointed As Fino Payments Bank Chairman 

• Mumbai-based Fino Payments Bank has recently received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the appointment of Rajat Kumar Jain as Part-time Chairman. 
• The approval is effective from November 24, 2023, until November 01, 2025, signifying a crucial development for the bank. 
• Rajat Kumar Jain, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, boasts an impressive background with over three decades of strategic leadership experience. 
• Currently serving as a non-executive director on various boards, including those of Aditya Birla and Mahindra conglomerates, Jain’s extensive knowledge is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Fino Payments Bank’s future trajectory. 

23.HDFC Bank Appoints Former NABARD Chairman Harsh Kumar Bhanwala As Director 

• HDFC Bank’s Board of Directors has greenlit the nomination of Harsh Kumar Bhanwala as the Additional Independent Director. The tenure for this position is set for three years, commencing from January 25, 2024. 
• His Past roles include Chairman & Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company, Senior Vice President at IL&FS Water, and Managing Director of the Delhi State Cooperative Bank. 
• Simultaneously, the HDFC Bank Board has given the nod for the appointment of V Srinivasa Rangan as the new Executive Director (whole-time Director). This three-year term is effective from November 23, 2023. 

Awards News

24.Ministry Of Power Honored With Medal For Excellence At IITF 2023 

• The Ministry of Power, Government of India, has been recognized and honored with the Special Appreciation Medal for Excellence in Display at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2023. 
• The prestigious award was bestowed upon the Ministry for its outstanding contribution to the 42nd edition of the IITF, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2023. 
• The Ministry received this accolade for the remarkable Power Pavilion it set up at the trade fair. The Pavilion was inaugurated with grandeur on November 14, 2023, by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh. 
• The Special Appreciation Medal was received by Shri Ajay Agarwal, Director at the Ministry of Power, and Shri Harjit Singh, Chief General Manager (Corporate Communications) at NTPC. 

Sports News 

25.Vidya Pillai Clinches 6-Red Snooker World Title 

• Seasoned cueist Vidya Pillai achieved a monumental milestone in her illustrious career as she secured the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Championship title in Doha, Qatar, just days before her 46th birthday. 
• The Bengalurean showcased a stellar performance, dominating her opponents throughout the championship, with a standout victory of 4-1 against compatriot Anupama Ramachandran in the title clash. 
• In the semifinal clash against Bai Yulu, Vidya showcased her expertise with a notable run of 33 in the second frame and an impressive clearance of 63 in the fourth. 
• Notably, in 2017, she made history as the first Indian woman to reach the finals of the WLBSA World Women’s Snooker Championship. 

26.Italy Defeat Australia To Win Davis Cup For First Time Since 1976 

• Italy fulfilled their potential as one of the most promising tennis nations in the world by defeating Australia 2-0 to become Davis Cup champions for the first time since 1976. 
• The world number four clinched victory in the second singles rubber after Matteo Arnaldi dug deep to beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in the opening clash. 
• Italy had booked their place in the final of Davis Cup 2023 on Saturday after defeating Novak Djokovic’s Serbia, and Matteo Arnaldi again showed the country’s determination as he opened the final, which was held in the Spanish city of Malaga, with a tense 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Alexei Popyrin, reports Xinhua. 

27.Odisha to Host Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 from December 24, 2023 

• Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) is all set to enthrall audiences with its grand second edition, scheduled to commence on December 24, 2023 and conclude on January 13, 2024. 
• The Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha, will play host to this high-octane sporting event, promising excitement and entertainment to the millions of fans eagerly anticipating its return. 
• The upcoming season will feature India’s top 145 players, showcasing the best talent in the country. Notably, 33 young talents aged between 16 to 18 will add a youthful vigor to the competition. 
• Six franchises, including defending champions Odisha Juggernauts, Chennai Quick Guns, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Khiladis, Rajasthan Warriors and Telugu Yoddhas, will compete for the coveted crown. 

Obituaries News 

28.C.K. Gopinathan, A Director On The Board Of Dhanlaxmi Bank Passed Away 

• The banking community and shareholders of Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank mourned the sudden demise of Mr. C.K. Gopinathan, a director on the bank’s board and a significant shareholder. 
• Appointed to the board of Dhanlaxmi Bank in August 2016, Gopinathan brought his extensive knowledge and insights to the table. As one of the major shareholders, holding a 7.5 percent stake as of September 2023, he played a crucial role in the bank’s strategic decisions. 
• Beyond his role in the banking sector, Gopinathan wore multiple hats. He served as a Director of C.K.G Supermarket Limited and held the position of Managing Director at C.K.G Securities and Investments Limited. 

Miscellaneous News 

29.Merriam-Webster: Word Of The Year For 2023 Is ‘Authentic

• With controversies surrounding ‘deepfake’ videos making headlines, Merriam-Webster Dictionary recently disclosed some of the most searched words of the year 2023. 
• Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.”. The term often revolves around identity, whether national or personal, influencing discussions on cuisine, self, voice, and more. 
• Merriam-Webster, an American company renowned for its publication of reference books, particularly dictionaries, holds the distinction of being the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States. Merriam-Webster’s citation file encompasses over 16 million entries, capturing individual instances of word usage. 

30.Indian Immunologicals Unveils Measles And Rubella Vaccine For Children 

• A live-attenuated MR vaccine named Mabella was launched in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu, as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Human Biologicals Institute (HBI), a division of the Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL). 
• Developed through an exclusive partnership with the Polyvac Institute of Vietnam, Mabella promises to be a crucial tool in the global fight against deadly measles and rubella. 
• The vaccine’s launch addresses the pressing need to control these infectious diseases, which claim approximately one lakh lives of children worldwide. 
• The significance of Mabella extends beyond its immediate impact on public health, marking a significant stride in the continuous efforts to combat preventable diseases. 

31.Angkor Wat Becomes The 8th Wonder Of The World 

• Angkor Wat, located in the heart of Cambodia, has recently earned the prestigious title of the 8th wonder of the world, surpassing Italy’s Pompeii. 
• This UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only the largest religious structure in the world but also a testament to architectural brilliance and cultural significance. 
• Angkor Wat is an expansive temple complex that spans approximately 500 acres and serves as the largest religious monument in the world. 
• Originally constructed in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, the temple was dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. Over time, it transformed into a major Buddhist temple, reflecting the transition from Hinduism to Buddhism. 

32.Barda Wildlife Sanctuary Is Set To Become The Second Home For Asiatic Lions 

• After Gir National Park and Sanctuary, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS) is set to become the second home to Asiatic lions. 
• The Gujarat Forest Department presented its proposal to make BWLS the second home to the lions as part of “Project Lion @ 2047”. 
• Project Lion is an initiative launched by the Government of India in 2021 to conserve and protect the Asiatic Lion and its habitat. 
• The project aims to address the threats faced by the Asiatic lion population in India, which is found only in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in Gujarat. 

33. Kerala's Onattukara sesame gets GI tag 

• Onattukara sesame of Kerala has got GI tag. Onatukara Development Agency plans to increase the area under sesame cultivation from 600 hectares to 2,000 hectares. Its oil is famous for its unique health benefits.
• The relatively high antioxidant content present in Onatukara sesame helps fight free radicals that destroy the body's cells. The high amount of unsaturated fat in it makes it beneficial for heart patients.
• Grown in the region, this sesame seed also contains high levels of Vitamin E and oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, etc., which help in maintaining good health. 
• Apart from this, abundance of unsaturated fats makes it beneficial for heart patients. 
• Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners in the region have been using Onatukara sesame oil since the 18th century to treat rheumatism (an umbrella term that refers to arthritis and many other conditions affecting the joints, tendons and muscles) and to protect the skin. Have been doing. 
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. This GI tag is valid for 10 years after which it can be renewed. 

Banking and Finance 

34. RBI added 19 more to its unauthorized forex trading platforms 

• RBI has recently updated the unauthorized forex trading list ‘alert list’ by adding 19 more unauthorized forex trading platforms. 
• After adding 19 more entities, now there are 75 numbers of unauthorized forex trading platforms in the list provided by RBI. 
• This Alert list contains those trading platforms which are unauthorized under the Foreign exchange management act 1999 and Electronic trading platforms RBI directions 2018. 

Note-About RBI 

• Governor: Shaktikanta Das 
• Founded: 1 April 1935, 
• Headquarters: Mumbai 

Important Day 

35. 26 November-National Milk Day 

• India celebrates National Milk Day every year on November 26 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the ‘Father of the White Revolution in India’, Dr. Verghese Kurien also known as the Milkman of India. 
• Verghese Kurien was born on November 26, 1921 in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was a pioneer in transforming India’s milk industry. 
• The White Revolution, also known as Operation Flood was a landmark initiative launched by Dr. Kurien in the 1970s. 

36. 26 November- Samvidhan Divas 

• On November 26, India commemorates a day of profound significance – Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas. 
• This momentous occasion marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution, a beacon of democracy that enshrines the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens 
• After India’s independence, the Constituent Assembly adopted the present-day Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. 

Scheme News

37. Government of India unveiled 'Natural Gas-Biogas' blending scheme 

• The Center on November 24, 2023 announced a roadmap for mandatory blending of compressed biogas (CBG) in the city gas distribution (CGD) sector, transportation and domestic sectors in a phased manner. 
• The National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) gave its approval for mandatory blending of CBG with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) from 2025-26 (FY26). 
• CBO will remain voluntary till FY 2024-2025 and mandatory blending obligation will start from FY 2025- 26. The Central Reserve Body (CRB) will monitor and implement the blending mandate based on operational guidelines approved by the PNG Minister. 
• The total CNG/PNG mix for FY 2025- 26, 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29 will be kept at 1%, 3%, 4% and 5% respectively. 
• Apart from biogas blending, the government is pushing for inclusion of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in aircraft turbine fuel. The target is to achieve 1% SAF in aviation fuel by 2027, doubling to 2% in 2028. 
• India, by implementing the biogas blending initiative, the government aims to reduce import costs and increase energy self-reliance. The initiative aims to boost domestic demand, reduce dependence on natural gas imports and contribute to India's commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.