NATIONAL:
1. 4th Vande Bharat Express
Why in news - PM Modi on Octo 13 flagged off the inaugural run of the latest Vande Bharat Express train.
Key Points –
• It will travel from Una (HP) to New Delhi.
• Vande Bharat 2.0 trains come fitted with the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) called KAVACH.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Russia’s Annexation
Why in news - India abstained on a vote for a resolution that rejected Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Key Points –
• 143 states voted for the proposal, 35 abstained, while only 4 nations backed Russia.
• Resolution, title - “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine: Defending the Principles of the UN Charter”.
• Russia annexed Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. PM-DEVINE
Why in news - Cabinet approved Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) Scheme.
Key Points –
• It was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to address development gaps in the North Eastern Region (NER).
About PM-DEVINE –
• Central Sector Scheme (100% Central funding).
• Duration - 2022-23 to 2025-26.
• Outlay - Rs.6,600 crore.
• To be implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
SUMMIT & CONFERENCES:
1. 6th CICA Summit 2022
Why in news - The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Key Points –
• Chairman - President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
• It led to adoption of the Astana Declaration to address issues of regional stability and security.
• Kuwait was been granted membership in 2022.
• Meenakshi Lekhi represented India at the summit.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Global Pension Index
Why in news - Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index was released recently.
Key Points –
• Top 3 - Iceland, the Netherlands and Denmark.
• India Rank – 41st.
• Other countries - USA (20th), Mexico (29th), China (36th), Thailand (44th, last).
2. Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII)
Why in news – The report was released recently.
Key Points –
• India’s rank – 123rd in 2022 (129th in 2020).
• Top 3 – Norway (1st), Germany (2nd) and Australia (3rd).
• Prepared by - Oxfam International and Development Finance International (DFI).
• It measures government spending in 3 areas –
• Education
• Health
• Social Protection
3. The World University Rankings 2023
Why in news – The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 has been released.
Key Points –
• Top 3 Univeristy:
A. University of Oxford (UK).
B. University of Harvard (US).
C. University of Cambridge (UK).
• The United States is the most-represented country in the ranking list.
• India is the sixth most represented country in the 2023 with 75 ranked universities.
• Shoolini University (HP) has been ranked Number 1 among private universities.
• 1,799 universities across 104 countries were assessed based on 13 indicators.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Sloth Bear Day
Why in news - The first World Sloth Bear Day was observed on Oct 12, 2022.
Key Points –
• It was proposed by Wildlife SOS India.
• In India, it was celebrated in Agra in collaboration with IUCN and the UP Forest Department.
About Sloth Bear –
• Alternative name - “honey bear”.
• Conservation –
• IUCN: Vulnerable.
• Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix I.
SECURITY:
1. IBSAMAR Maritime Exercise
Why in news - INS Tarkash reached Port Grequhrea (Port Elizabeth), South Africa to participate in the 7th IBSAMAR.
Key Points –
• It is a joint maritime exercise between Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies.
• Previous edition (2018) of IBSAMAR - Simons Town, South Africa.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Param-Kamrupa
Why in news - President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated supercomputer Param-Kamrupa at IIT Guwahati.
Key Points –
• She also inaugurated a high power active and passive component laboratory called SAMEER.
BIHAR:
1. JP Narayan Statue
Why in news - Amit Shah unveiled 14 feet high statue of JP Narayan at Sitab-diara in Saran district.
Key Points –
• JP Narayan ancestral village - Sitabdiara.
• He was awarded Bharat Ratna Award in 1999 (Posthumously).
2. Drought-Hit Villages
Why in news - 7841 villages of 11 districts of Bihar have been declared drought-hit.
Key Points –
• 11 districts - Jehanabad, Gaya, Aurangabad, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Munger, Lakhisarai, Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui and Nalanda.
• In these areas, rainfall deficit of more than 30% and less than 70% of the area under cultivation has been cropped.
• Government will give Rs 3500 as special assistance to each family of the drought-hit village.
• Rs 500 crore has been approved from Bihar Contingency Fund.
POINTERS:
• Recently, which state has announced the “mental health and social care policy” for the first time – Meghalaya.
• Where will the fast-track mechanism be set up to help Indian investors – UAE.
• Who has recently taken charge as a whole-time member of SEBI) - AN Gopalakrishnan.
• Which state will set up horticulture estates in 4 districts – Punjab.
• Who has launched Toyota's first of its kind pilot project on Flexi-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles in India - Nitin Gadkari.
• Which state has ordered Ola, Uber, Rapido to stop auto services from October 12 on charges of overcharging - Karnataka.
• With whom has FIFA launched the “Football for Schools” campaign in India – AIFF.
• Which academician has recently won the UAE's Top Alternative Medicine Award- Wajahat Hussain.
• Which international airport has completely switched to green energy sources for power consumption needs, making it one of the 100% sustainable airports in India - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
• The 2nd United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress held in which city of India – Hyderabad.