NATIONAL:
1. Indigenous-Automatic Train Supervision(i-ATS)
Why in news – India launched the first ever indigenously developed Train Control and Supervision System named i-ATS.
Key Points –
• It was launched by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on its first corridor i.e., Red line (from Rithala to Shaheed Sthal).
• Jointly developed by DMRC and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• With this, India becomes the 6th country which has its own ATS products. (Others - France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and China).
• The ATS is a computer-based system that manages train operations
• CBTC – Communication-Based Train Control.
2. Operations Support Systems (OSS)
Why in news – Telefónica Germany has selected Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to transform its end-to-end service assurance applications.
Key Points –
• Telefónica Germany is a major integrated telecommunications provider in Germany.
• Earlier in Feb 2023, TCS won its largest deal in the current financial year ($700 mn) from Phoenix Group, an insurance company of UK.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Gulfood 2023
Why in news – APEDA participated in the 28th edition of Gulfood 2023 held in UAE.
Key Points –
• The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras.
• India ranks 8th (share - 2.33%) in the global agri exports.
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established in 1985 under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. Ban on Diesel Cars
Why in news – European Parliament has approved the law to ban the sale of new gas and diesel cars in the EU from 2035.
Key Points –
• Aim - to reduce CO2 emissions produced by new cars and vans by 100% compared to 2021.
• EU would present a methodology to assess and report data on CO2 emissions throughout the full life-cycle of cars and vans sold on the EU market by 2025.
• EU aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
3. Bird Flu Outbreak in Peru
Why in news – 585 sea lions and 55,000 wild birds have died of the H5N1 bird flu virus in Peru.
Key Points –
• It is rare that bird flu jumps over into mammals and rarer still that humans catch the potentially deadly virus.
• H5N1 has not been shown to spread directly between humans.
• India was declared free from Avian Influenza (H5N1) in 2019.
• World Organization for Animal Health (Headquarter - Paris) - Intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) –
• Highly contagious viral disease.
• Only type A is known to infect animals and is zoonotic, it can also infect humans.
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus occurs mainly in birds.
ECONOMY:
1. UAE India Business Council-UAE Chapter(UIBC-UC)
Why in news – India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently launched the UIBC-UC in Dubai.
Key Points –
• Its India Chapter was set-up in 2016.
• UIBC was launched during the 11th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting in September 2015 in New Delhi.
2. Ban on Frozen Seafood Lifted
Why in news – Qatar lifted its temporary ban on the import of frozen seafood from India.
Key Points –
• The ban was imposed in November 2022 following alleged detection of Vibrio cholera from a few consignments from India.
SCIENCE- TECH:
1. Semiconductor Manufacturing
Why in news – Vedanta and Foxconn have finalized the Dholera Special Investment Region (Gujarat) for setting up their semiconductor manufacturing facility.
Key Points –
• In September 2022, both signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to invest Rs 1,54,000 crore to set up the country’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility.
• It is independent India’s biggest-ever corporate investment so far.
• Gujarat is the first state to have a dedicated semiconductor policy. i.e., ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-27’.
• Vedanta Limited – Indian. Foxconn – Taiwanese company.
2. mRNA Vaccine Hub
Why in news – The World Health Organisation would set up mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine hub in Hyderabad.
Key Points –
About mRNA (Messenger RNA) –
• mRNA transfers the genetic material into the ribosomes and passes the instructions about the type of proteins, required by the body cells.
• mRNA plays a vital role in the process of transcription or during the protein synthesis process.
SECURITY:
1. Maritime Security
Why in news – Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region (IFC-IOR, India) and Seychelles signed pact on information sharing in maritime security.
Key Points –
• IFC-IOR was established at Gurugram on Dec 22, 2018 to enhance collaborative maritime safety and security.
• Aim - to counter non-traditional maritime security threats such as piracy and armed robbery, human and contraband trafficking etc.
2. Malabar Naval Exercise
Why in news – Australia (Perth) would host the Malabar multilateral naval exercise for the first time in August 2023.
Key Points –
• Malabar naval exercise countries - India, Australia, Japan and the United States.
• Australia was admitted as a permanent member of Ex Malabar in 2020.
• Malabar's last edition - Japan (Nov 2022).
About Malabar Ex –
• Started in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US navy.
• Japan and Australia first participated in 2007.
• Japan joined in 2015.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Ayushmann Khurrana
Why in news – UNICEF India appointed Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana as its National Ambassador.
Key Points –
• Ayushmann Khurrana has been Unicef’s celebrity advocate over the last two years.
• Regional Ambassador for UNICEF South Asia - Sachin Tendulkar.
2. UNESCO International Mother Language Award 2023
Why in news – Dr. Mahendra Kumar Mishra was conferred the award by Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka.
Key Points –
• Dr. Mishra is an Indian educationist and social worker who worked on the language, culture and education of the marginalized languages of Odisha.
• Dr. Mishra is the first Indian to receive this award.
• The award was instituted in 2021 by UNESCO.
• International Mother Tongue Institute - Dhaka, Bangladesh.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Scaling Up Nutrition Movement
Why in news – Indo-Canadian Afshan Khan was appointed as the coordinator of the 'Scaling Up Nutrition Movement' (SUN Movement).
Key Points –
• SUN Movement is a country-driven initiative led by 65 nations and 4 Indian states to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.
• Afshan Khan would succeed Gerda Verburg of the Netherlands.
• Currently, she is serving as the UNICEF regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
SPORTS:
1. Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023
Why in news – India has won the bronze medal in the championship 2023 held in Dubai, UAE.
Key Points –
• It was India's first medal at the championships.
• The P.V. Sindhu-led team faced a 2-3 defeat against China in the semi-finals and settled for the bronze medal.
BIHAR:
1. Integrated Land Record Management System
Why in news – Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Alok Kumar Mehta launched the initiative on Feb 22, 2023.
Key Points –
• Facility - Any farmer or ryot can download a digitally signed copy of revenue records from the website by paying only Rs 10 online.
• Aim – To prevent land dispute.
• National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP), was launched in 2008.
POINTERS:
• In which city the 23rd edition of India International “Seafood Show” will be held – Kolkata.
• According to International Energy Agency (IEA), which continent will use half of the world's electricity by 2025 – Asia.
• Which start-up has built the Swarm drone system inducted into the Indian Army - NewSpace Research.
• Dorin Recean has been elected as the new Prime Minister of which country – Moldova.
• Which drone startup in India has launched solar-powered drone 'SURAJ' - Garuda Aerospace.
• Uttar Pradesh government has signed an MoU with which country to promote economic cooperation- Singapore.
• Which Arab country changed the name of one of its cities to Hind City - United Arab Emirates.
• Which country has banned Wikipedia over alleged blasphemous content – Pakistan.
• Which former Indian player and hero of 2007 T20 has retired from all forms of cricket - Joginder Sharma.
• According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, what percent of India's GDP growth is estimated - 6.5%.