NATIONAL:
1. PM SVANidhi
Why in news - In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Hardeep Singh Puri praised PM SVANidhi scheme.
Key Points –
• A total of 42.7 lakh loans amounting to Rs 5,152.37 crore have been disbursed to street vendors.
• Out of it, 3.98 lakhs (9.3%) were given to hawkers from the minority communities.
About PM SVANidhi scheme (June 2020) –
• PM SVANidhi - Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi.
• Central Sector Scheme i.e., fully funded by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• It is a micro-credit facility.
• It offers a collateral-free loans of Rs 10,000 with subsequent loans of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 with a 7% interest subsidy.
2. Diamond Jubilee of CBI
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the diamond jubilee celebrations of the CBI on April 3, 2023 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Central Bureau of Investigation was established by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs dated April 1, 1963.
• CBI has completed a journey of 60 years.
• PM also inaugurated the newly constructed office complexes of CBI at Shillong, Pune and Nagpur.
About CBI (1963) –
• Established on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee.
• It is not a statutory body.
• It derives its power from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• Works under - Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (which in turn operated under PMO).
• For investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, CBI vests superintendence to the Central Vigilance Commission.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Ofek-13 Spy Satellite
Why in news - Israel put a new version of its Ofek spy satellite into orbit.
Key Points –
• Manufactured by - Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) ltd.
• It was first put into orbit in 1988.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Contribution to Warming
Why in news - Researchers from Europe and the United States calculated national contributions to warming due to greenhouse gases since 1850s.
Key Points –
• Overall, India ranked 5th among the top 10 contributors to warming
• India is responsible for 0.08OC (4.8%) of warming from the 1850s through 2021.
• India’s emissions (1851-2021) –
(a) Carbon dioxide (CO2) - 0.04°C.
(b) Methane (CH4) - 0.03°C.
(c) Nitrous oxide (N2O) - 0.006°C.
• Top Contributors –
(a) USA - 0.28°C (17.3%).
(b) China - 0.20°C (12.3%).
(c) Russia - 0.10°C (6.1%).
• Primary GHGs - Water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3).
• Cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere can reduce the global warming.
SECURITY:
1. Trilateral Anti-Submarine Exercise
Why in news - South Korea, USA and Japan embarked on a joint anti-submarine exercise in East China Sea.
Key Points –
• Aim - to strengthen deterrence against growing threats from North Korea.
• Location – Near South Korea's Jeju Island.
• Freedom Shield - Joint exercise between South Korean and USA.
2. India - Romania Defence Agreement
Why in news - India and Romania have signed a defence agreement in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• It is the first Defence Cooperation Agreement between India and Romania.
• Romania is a NATO and EU member country.
SCIENCE – TECHNOLOGY:
1. Space Design Lab
Why in news - India has unveiled a state-of-the-art space design lab in Ahmedabad.
Key Points –
• Aim - to enable space sector start-ups to transform their innovative ideas into implementable models at a faster pace.
• By - Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).
• India aims to enhance the scale of the space economy from the present 2% to 10% of the global economy by 2030.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. 60th National Maritime Day
Why in news – It is celebrated on April 5 across India.
Key Points –
• Theme for National Maritime Week 2023 - ‘Amrit Kaal in Shipping’.
• Aim - to commemorate the sailing of the first Indian commercial vessel SS Loyalty from Mumbai to London (1919).
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways started this day in 1964.
• The Sagar Samman Varuna Award is given for outstanding contribution to the maritime sector.
• ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ (November 2020) –
(a) 10-year blueprint for the development of the Indian maritime sector.
(b) It aims to replace the Sagarmala project (2015).
STATES/UTs:
1. School Chalo Abhiyan
Why in news – UP CM Yogi Adityanath launched the “School Chalo Abhiyan” here April 1, 2023.
Key Points –
• Aim - To ensure 100% enrolment in primary and upper primary schools.
• Under - Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council.
BIHAR:
1. Patna Metro Project
Why in news - An agreement was signed between India and Japan on March 29, 2023.
Key Points –
• Purpose - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to give Rs 5,509 crore for Patna metro rail project.
• Loan period - 10 years with a grace period of 30 years.
About Patna Metro –
• Estimated cost - Rs.13365.77 crore.
• Two corridors –
(i) Danapur to Mithapur
(ii) Patna Railway Station to New ISBT
• Danapur to Mithapur corridor - 16.94 km (mostly underground - 11.20 km), 11 Stations.
• Patna Station to New ISBT corridor - 14.45 km (mostly elevated - 9.9 km), 12 stations.
• To be commissioned by - 2028.
• Depot - Bairia, Sampatchak near Patliputra Bus Terminal.
2. 'Marcha' Rice
Why in news - Marcha (Mircha) rice of Bihar's West Champaran has been awarded the GI tag.
Key Points –
• Its cultivation is done on a large scale in few villages of Narkatiaganj, Gaunaha, Sikta and Manatand, Ramnagar block of West Champaran.
• The size and shape of the grain appear like that of black pepper.
• The rice is famous for its aroma, palatability and its aromatic chura (rice flakes) making qualities.
• An application for GI tag was submitted on behalf of Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh in 2021.
• Earlier, Jardalu Mango, Katarni rice, Shahi Litchi, Magahi Paan and Mithila Makhana of Bihar have got GI tag.
POINTERS:
• Which country launched the commercial arms transfer (CAT) policy that places greater emphasis on human rights in its arms export policy – USA.
• Which country fired supersonic anti-ship missile on mock target in Sea of Japan - Russia.
• Which state has been given the GI tag for Sundaraja mangoes - Madhya Pradesh.
• After whom the rugby stadium in the state of Odisha will be named - Rahul Bose.
• Who won the Swiss Open Super 300 Badminton men's doubles title - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
• Which country made the record of scoring the most runs in a T20I innings - South Africa.
• Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from which sports – Football.
• Which country celebrated Ghode Jatra festival – Nepal.
• Who has been named the most popular musician globally by Guinness World Records - The Weeknd (real name - Abel Makkonen Tesfaye).
• What is the theme of World Meteorological Day 2023 - The future of weather, climate and water with generations.