NATIONAL:
1. Matadata Junction
Why in news – CEC Rajiv Kumar launched voter awareness program “Matadata Junction”.
Key Points –
• It is a 52-episode radio series produced by ECI in collaboration with All India Radio.
• National Icon for the Election Commission of India - Pankaj Tripathi.
2. 5G Services in India
Why in news – PM Modi launched India's 5G services at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) held at New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Services have been rolled out for 13 cities.
• 13 cities - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jamnagar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune.
• IMC was jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
3. 15th International Sufi Rang Festival 2022
Why in news – It was held in Ajmer, Rajasthan from Oct 1 to 7, 2022.
Key Points –
• It is a commemorative festival in honour of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
• Moinuddin Chishti started preaching in Ajmer in the year 1192 AD.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. YUVA 2.0
Why in news – M/o Education launched the YUVA 2.0 scheme on Oct 2.
Key Points –
• YUVA - Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors.
• Aim - Author mentorship program to train young and aspiring writers (under 30 years old) to advance Indian literature internationally.
• Theme - Democracy (institutions, events, people, constitutional values – past, present, future).
SECURITY:
1. LCH Prachand
Why in news – Indian Air formally inducted the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
Key Points –
• Inducted at the Jodhpur Air Force Station.
• Designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. SASTRA Ramanujan Prize 2022
Why in news – It would be awarded to Yunqing Tang, Asst Prof at the University of California, USA.
Key Points –
• The Award was instituted by the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) in 2005.
• It is given to persons aged 32 and below who made an outstanding contribution to mathematics.
2. Changemaker Award
Why in news – Srishti Bakshi won “Changemaker” award at UN SDG Action Awards ceremony.
Key Points –
• Ceremony held in Bonn, Germany.
• She is women’s rights activist and founder of the CrossBow Miles movement.
3. Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022
Why in news – President Murmu presented the awards at a function held in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Prepared by M/o Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Cleanest City overall - Indore (6th time in a row).
• Best Ganga Town – Haridwar (1st), Varanasi (2nd) and Rishikesh (3rd).
• Fast Mover City Award – Shivamogga, Karnataka.
• Best performing states –
A. Larger - Madhya Pradesh (1st), Chhattisgarh (2nd) and Maharashtra (3rd).
B. Smaller - Tripura (1st), Jharkhand (2nd) and Uttarakhand (3rd).
• Best city award in Safai Mitra Suraksha category – Tirupati.
SCIENCE–TECH:
1. Space Economy
Why in news - The Indian space economy is set to reach $13 billion by 2025.
Key Points –
• CAGR - 13%
• Report prepared by EY and the Indian Space Association (ISpA).
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Ajay Bhadoo
Why in news - Appointment Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Ajay Bhadoo as Dy Election Commissioner of ECI.
2. Anil Kumar
Why in news – ISRO’s senior scientist Anil Kumar has been elected as the Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
SPORTS:
1. Basketball World Cup 2022
Why in news - USA defeated China by 83-61 to win its 4th consecutive title.
Key Points –
• Venue - Sydney Superdome, Australia.
• With this, USA also secured a place in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
2. Road Safety World Series 2022
Why in news - Indian Legends clinched their 2nd consecutive trophy after beating Sri Lanka Legend.
Key Points –
• Venue - Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur.
• Player of the Series - Tillakaratne Dilshan.
• Player of the Match (final) - Naman Ojha.
• Indian captain - Sachin Tendulkar.
3. 11,000 runs in T20s
Why in news - Virat Kohli became first Indian to complete 11,000 runs (354 matches) in T20 history.
Key Points –
• He achieved this feat during the 2nd T20I against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
STATES/UTs:
1. Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Park Scheme
Why in news - Chhattisgarh launched the scheme to develop ‘gauthans’ (cow shelters) as rural industrial parks.
Key Points –
• 300 gauthan cum industrial parks would be set up.
• Total budget - ₹600 crore.
• Suraji Gaon Yojna (village good governance scheme) - Chhattisgarh has set up gauthans in over 8,000 villages.
2. Peace and Non-Violence Department
Why in news – It would be set up in Rajasthan.
3. Aasara Pension Scheme
Why in news - Telangana has launched the scheme with an aim to protect the most vulnerable sections of the society, especially the old and infirm, widows etc.
POINTERS:
• Recently, Cheetah Task Force was constituted by which ministry - Union Environment Ministry.
• Recently, Telecom company Optus came under cyber-attack, it is based in which country – Australia.
• When is World Cotton Day celebrated every year – Oct 7.
• After the death of 66 children in which country, WHO has issued an alert against India-made cough syrup - Gambia.
• Which state's governor has approved an ordinance to regulate online gambling - Tamil Nadu.
• Who has been appointed by Gulf Oil as its brand ambassador - Smriti Mandhana.
• India and which country has announced a new task force under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) – USA.
• World's tallest 351 feet Shiva statue will be installed in which city of Rajasthan – Nathdwara.
• Recently, the government has increased the emergency loan guarantee scheme from Rs400 crores to how many crores – Rs 1500 crores.
• Recently, NTPC has tied up with which company to decarbonize power generation in the country – GE Gas Power.