Daily Current Affairs For BPSC as on 18.04.2023

NATIONAL:

1. Cumbum Grapes

Why in news – Cumbum grapes from Tamil Nadu received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Key Points –

• Famously known as Cumbum Panneer Thratchai.

• This variety is also known as Muscat Hamburg.

• Cumbum valley (Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats) - "Grapes City of South India" and grows the Panneer Thratchai.

• A French monk brought the Panneer grapes to Tamil Nadu in 1832.

2. National Panchayat Awards Week

Why in news – The Ministry of Panchayati Raj would be celebrating National Panchayat Awards Week during April 17 – 21, 2023.

Key Points –

• It is in the run-up to the National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April, 2023).

• Theme - “Panchayaton ke Sankalpon ki Siddhi ka Utsav”.

• Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) - Creation of self-reliant Panchayats to meet the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was started on March 12, 2021.

• GS NIRNAY app was launched.

GS NIRNAY App:

• By - Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

• Gram Sabha - National Initiative for Rural India to Navigate, InnovAte and Resolve PanchaYat.

• Purpose - to record and upload Gram Sabha proceedings open for public view.

3. Rural Mental Health Program “NAMAN”

Why in news – NIMHANS and NGO Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT) signed an MoU to test the feasibility of “NAMAN”.

Key Points –

• NAMAN - NIMHANS-AHT Comprehensive Mental-Health Action Program for Rural Communities.

• It would be tested in two taluks before rolling it out across the country.

Selected Taluks –

(a) Munsiyari (Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand).

(b) Belur (Hassan district of Karnataka).

• NAMAN would be implemented over 3 years in 4 different phases.

• NIMHANS would develop and implement the overall road map of the program.

NIMHANS (Established - 1925):

• Full form - National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

• Location – Bengaluru.

• Apex center for Mental Health and Neuro Science education in the Country.

INTERNATIONAL:

1. IASA Program

Why in news – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) retained the "Category 1" status of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India.

Key Points –

• FAA, under its IASA program, conducted an audit of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India from 25th to 29th October 2021.

• Areas covered - Aircraft operations, airworthiness and personnel licensing.

• IASA - International Aviation Safety Assessment.

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in USA.

• Chicago Convention (1944) – It established rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety, security and sustainability.

ECONOMY:

1. WTO IT Tariffs Dispute

Why in news – WTO panel ruled against India in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan and Taiwan over import duties on IT products.

Key Points –

• In 2019, the EU, Japan and Taiwan challenged India’s introduction of import duties of 7.5% to 20% for a wide range of IT products.

• India decided to appeal against the ruling.

• WTO's appellate body - Final authority on such trade disputes.

• Appellate body of the WTO is not functioning because USA has been blocking the appointment of the members.

2. “Amrit Kalash” Fixed Deposit Scheme

Why in news – The State Bank of India reintroduced its 400 days fixed deposit scheme ‘Amrit Kalash’ till the end of June 30, 2023.

Key Points –

• It was introduced first in FY22-23, from February 15, 2023 to March 31, 2023.

SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:

1. Global Conference on Compressed Biogas (CBG)

Why in news – The 2-day conference was held on April 17-18, 2023 in New Delhi.

Key Points –

• Theme - “Towards Progressive Policy Framework for a Robust CBG Foundation and Growth”.

• Organized by - IFGE- CBG Producers Forum.

• Supported by - Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas.

• “SATAT” scheme on CBG - It encourages entrepreneurs to set up CBG plants, produce & supply CBG to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

• SATAT Scheme - Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation.

• Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) - It is an umbrella organization that represents the interests of the national renewable energy sector in its totality including bio-energy, solar, wind, mini hydel, tidal, geo-thermal etc.

About CBG (Renewable Fuel) –

• Produced by - Anaerobic decomposition of biomass.

• Produced from - Bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, sewage treatment plant waste, etc.

• Main Constitutent - Methane (>90%).

• CBG has higher calorific value and can replace CNG as green renewable automotive fuel.

ENVIRONMENT:

1. International Big Cats Alliance

Why in news – Nepal became the founding member of International Big Cats Alliance.

Key Points –

• Nepal has achieved its goal of doubling the tiger population by 2022 as per its commitment made during the first tiger summit in 2010 in St Petersburg.

• Nepal had 335 tigers in 2022.

St. Petersburg Declaration (2010) –

• Tiger Range countries had resolved to double tiger numbers across their global range by 2022.

• Decided to celebrate 29th July as Global Tiger Day.

• 13 tiger range countries - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.

IMPORTANT DAYS:

1. World Heritage Day 2023

Why in news – It is celebrated on April 18 to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage.

Key Points –

• Theme - Heritage Changes.

• There are 40 World Heritage Sites in India. Cultural – 32, Natural – 7 and Mixed – 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park).

• 2 latest addition (2021) - Ramappan Temple (Telangana) and Dholavira (Gujarat).

• Only China, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France have more locations on the list than India.

STATES/UTs:

1. Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana

Why in news – Chhattisgarh CM launched the “Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana”.

Key Points –

• Provision - Grant by the State Government to the Gram Panchayats for the dignified organization of tribal festivals.

POINTERS:

• The National Panchayat Award has been presented in New Delhi by whom - President Draupadi Murmu.

• Which bank has signed a Master Inter Bank Credit Agreement with Export Import Bank of Korea - HDFC Bank.

• In which country the Indian High Commission has opened the 16th Visa Application Centre – Bangladesh.

• Which space agency has released the picture of “Crab Nebula” – NASA.

• In which country was the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' meeting held - Sapporo city of Japan.

• In which city was the 2nd India-Peru Joint Commission meeting held - New Delhi.

• In which city is the second meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group being held – Hyderabad.

• Who became the first-ever female umpire to stand in a men's international match between two ICC Full Member countries - Kim Cotton.

• Which country sent equipment for Kudankulam nuclear power project – Russia.

• An estimated 1.5 million working-age people in Japan are living in isolation. What is this phenomenon called – Hikikomori. 

 

Click here to download Current Affairs English PDF

Click here to download Current Affairs Hindi PDF

Enquiry Us