NATIONAL:
1. 22nd Law Commission
Why in news - The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the term of the 22nd Law Commission up to August 31, 2024.
Key Points –
• It was constituted on Nov 7, 2022.
• Headed - Former Karnataka HC Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi.
• Other members - Justice K T Sankaran, M Karunanithi, Anand Paliwal, D P Verma, and Raka Arya.
• The Commission is looking into the feasibility of the UCC and issue of holding simultaneous elections among others.
About Law Commission –
• A non-statutory body that is constituted by a notification of the Government of India.
• Aim - Constituted with definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law.
• It was first constituted in 1955 (Head - M. C. Setalvad, first attorney-general of India).
2. HD-3385
Why in news - Scientists have developed 3 varieties of wheat incorporating genes that are responsible for the mild vernalization requirement.
Key Points –
• “Mild vernalisation requirement” - Need for a certain minimum period of low winter temperatures for initiation of flowering.
• It prevented premature flowering and early heading.
• 3 varieties - HDCSW-18 (2016), HD-3410 (2022) and HD-3385 (2023).
• HD-3385 is least lodging-prone and most amenable for early sowing. It can meet the challenges of climate change and rising heat.
• IARI has registered HD-3385 with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA).
3. Khalistan Movement
Why in news – On February 23 followers of Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan leader, clashed violently with police near Amritsar.
Key Points –
• Amritpal Singh is often dubbed as “Bhindranwale 2.0” in Punjab.
• His organization - ‘Waris Punjab De’ (founder - Deep Sidhu).
Khalistan Movement –
• A fight for a separate, sovereign Sikh state in present-day Punjab (both India and Pakistan).
• It was crushed in India following Operation Blue Star (1984) and Operation Black Thunder (1986 and 1988).
• In 1966, the state of Punjab was reorganized to reflect the Punjabi Suba demand.
• Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973) - A political statement made by Akalis in the wake of their demand for political autonomy.
• Dharam Yudh Morcha (1982) - Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale launched a civil disobedience movement.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. India and Guyana
Why in news – India and Guyana are likely to sign an MoU to boost cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
Key Points –
• Guyana - World’s newest oil power after discovery of crude oil reserves equivalent to more than 11 billion barrels since 2015.
• Stabroeck oil block - Located 120 miles offshore Guyana.
• Indians are the largest ethnic group comprising about 40% of the population as per 2012 census.
• President of Guyana Mohamed Irfaan Ali was the Chief Guest at the 17thPravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023.
• Guyana is located in the northeastern corner of South America.
2. World Bank Aid to Ukraine
Why in news – The World Bank announced $2.5 billion in additional grant financing from USAID to support Ukraine.
Key Points –
• It was given under the World Bank’s Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) project.
• February 24, 2023 marked one year of Putin’s “special military operation” (Ukraine war).
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Debrigarh Tiger Reserve (OD)
Why in news – NTCA has accorded in-principle approval to declare Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve (TR).
Key Points –
• It is the third tiger reserve in Odisha. (Other two - Similipal and Satkosia).
• Other proposed TR - Sunabeda TR (Odisha) and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh).
• Under section 38V (1) of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, "The state government shall on the recommendation of the tiger conservation authority, notify an area as Tiger Reserve". So, it becomes mandatory for the state to accept the recommendation.
About Debrigarh TR –
• Location - Bargarh district of Odisha near Hirakud dam (Mahanadi River).
• It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985.
• Freedom fighter veer Surendra Sai made his base at ‘Barapathara” located within the sanctuary.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 7th Asia Economic Dialogue
Why in news – The 7th edition of the AED was held from February 23-25, 2023 in Pune.
Key Points –
• AED is the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) annual flagship event on Geoeconomics.
• Theme - ‘Asia and the Emerging World Order’.
• According to the IMF, Asia is one of the fast-growing markets in recent days.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. Bandicoot
Why in news – Kerala launched robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, to clean sewages in Guruvayur.
Key Points –
• Kerala became the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes.
• The robotic Tron Unit, major component of Bandicoot, enters the manhole and removes sewage using robotic hands.
• Genrobotics have developed "the world's first robotic scavenger" Bandicoot to eliminate manual scavenging.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Hedgewith Crypto Research
Why in news – It is a new report on countries willing to adopt and legalise the currency to increase its accessibility.
Key Points –
• Top 3 countries –
A. Australia (score of 7.37 out of 10)
B. USA (score - 7.07).
C. Brazil (score of 6.81).
• India emerged as 7th (score – 6.12) biggest nation ready to adopt crypto in 2023.
SECURITY:
1. INS Sindhukesari
Why in news – India has docked its submarine – INS Sindhukesari for the first time in Indonesia from February 22 to 24, 2023.
Key Points –
• The 3,000-tonne conventional diesel-electric submarine reached Jakarta after crossing the nearby Sunda Strait.
• The Natuna Sea which lies in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Indonesia is claimed by China.
• INS Sindhukesari is part of the Russian-made Sindhughosh-class submarines.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. ‘Best International Film’ Award
Why in news – ‘RRR’ has bagged the ‘Best International Film’ award at the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards.
Key Points –
• The film director Rajamouli and actor Ram Charan accepted the award.
• 'RRR' also won three other awards at HCA - 'Best Action Film', 'Best Stunts', and 'Best Original Song'.
• RRR is based on the lives of two Telugu freedom fighters Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. “Modi: Shaping a Global Order in Flux”
Why in news – J P Nadda launched a book titled "Modi: Shaping a Global Order in Flux" in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Editors - Sujan Chinoy, Vijay Chauthaiwala and Uttam Kumar Sinha.
• Foreword – S Jaishankar.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Shelly Oberoi
Why in news – Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Shelly Oberoi was elected as the mayor as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Key Points –
• Aaley Mohammad Iqbal (AAP) was elected as the new deputy mayor of Delhi.
POINTERS:
• By which name the world's first cloud-built demonstration satellite has been successfully launched - JANUS-1.
• India and which country have signed an agreement for cooperation in the agriculture sector – Chile.
• In which country a new species of beetle 'Omorgus Khandesh' has been discovered – India.
• Where will India's first "solid waste to Hydrogen Plant" be set up – Pune's Hadapsar Industrial Estate in Maharashtra.
• An energy-efficient compressed air-based pipeline system for transportation of coal and minerals has been developed by which IIT - IIT Kanpur.
• Which company has launched 'Sapphire Rapids' processor for professional creators – Intel.
• The Chief Minister of which state has launched the sixth phase of Sujalam Suflam Jal Abhiyan – Gujarat.
• In which state the first state level prawn fair has started – Punjab.
• Which AIIMS has done a trial to deliver and pick medicines through drones - AIIMS Rishikesh.
• Which country has topped the recently released "Global Labor Resilience Index 2023” – Denmark.