NATIONAL:
1. DNA Database of Unidentified Bodies
Why in news - Himachal Pradesh has become the “first state” to create a DNA database of unidentified bodies.
Key Points –
• Earlier, AIIMS Delhi, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), had started a pilot project called UMID (unidentified bodies and missing persons’ identification and DNA database).
• UMID created a database of over 400 unidentified/missing persons.
• The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) is an Indian biotechnology research centre, located in Hyderabad, India.
About DNA Finger Printing –
• It was invented in 1984 by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys.
• Use - to determine the probable identity of a person based on the nucleotide sequences of certain regions of human DNA.
• Repetitive DNA - Nucleotide sequences of specific human DNA segments. It is used as the basis for DNA fingerprinting.
• Minisatellites – They are short sequences (10-60 base pairs long) of repetitive DNA that show greater variation from one person to the next than other parts of the genome.
• Lalji Singh is the father of DNA fingerprinting in India.
• In 1989, DNA fingerprinting was first used in a case by Kerala Police.
2. Largest Indoor Stadium in NE
Why in news - The largest multipurpose indoor stadium in the northeastern region is being constructed in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Key Points –
• Facilities - Basketball, squash, badminton, table tennis, volleyball among others.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. PTP-NER Scheme
Why in news - Arjun Munda launched “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North Eastern Region (PTP-NER)”.
Key Points –
• It was launched in Manipur on April 18, 2023.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme.
• By - Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Vision - to strengthen livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans of North East through increased efficiency in procurement, logistics and marketing of tribal products.
• Budget - Rs. 143 Crores.
• States covered - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. India Digital Payments Annual Report 2022
Why in news - Worldline has published the “India Digital Payments Annual Report” for 2022.
Key Points –
• In 2022, payment modes like UPI, Debit and Credit cards, Prepaid Payment Instruments – Mobile and Prepaid cards processed 87.92 billion transactions worth Rs 149.5 trillion.
• Most preferred payment modes - UPI (84%).
• Highest digital transactions (city) – Bengaluru > New Delhi > Mumbai > Pune > Chennai.
• Highest digital transactions (state & UT) – Kerala > Maharashtra > Tamil Nadu > Karnataka > Uttar Pradesh.
2. Global Unicorn Index 2023
Why in news – The report was released by Hurun Research Institute.
Key Points –
• Highest number of unicorns - US > China > India.
• India ranked 5th in the list of the most valuable non-state-controlled businesses globally.
• The number of Indian unicorns established outside India is higher than those located within India.
• India has a total of 138 unicorns, out of which 70 have their headquarters located outside India, while 68 are based in India.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Global Buddhist Summit
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural session of the 2-day summit on April 20, 2023 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Hosted by - Ministry of Culture and International Buddhist Confederation.
• Theme - “Responses to Contemporary Challenges : Philosophy to Praxis”.
• Aim – To engage the global Buddhist scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and to come up with policy inputs to address them collectively.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Civil Services Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed every year on April 21.
Key Points –
• Theme - "Viksit Bharat - Empowering citizens and reaching the last mile."
• On April 21, 1947, Sardar Patel addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf House in Delhi.
• Patel referred to public workers as the “steel frame of India.”
• The first such event took place on April 21, 2006, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Santokbaa Humanitarian Award
Why in news - The prestigious award was conferred to Sonam Wangchuk.
Key Points –
• Sonam Wangchuk is founder of Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL).
• Wangchuk is the inventor of the Ice Stupa technique.
• It creates artificial glaciers used for storing winter water in the form of a cone-shaped ice heap and addresses the water crisis faced in Ladakh.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Book “Sachin @50”
Why in news - Boria Majumdar authored a new book titled “Sachin@50 – Celebrating A Maestro”.
Key Points –
• Publisher - Simon & Schuster.
• It covers Tendulkar’s journey to success, starting from his teenage debut where he became globally recognized after his bloodied nose incident in Pakistan in 1989.
SPORTS:
1. Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2023
Why in news - The Indian duo of Harmanpreet Kaur and Suryakumar Yadav were the only players that found the roll of honour in the 2023 edition.
Key Points –
• Harmanpreet Kaur - Only woman to be bestowed with the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
• Leading T20I cricketer - Suryakumar Yadav.
• Leading Cricketers in the World - Ben Stokes (England, men) and Beth Mooney (Australia, women).
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year - Harmanpreet Kaur, Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell (both New Zealand), Ben Foakes and Matthew Potts (both England).
BIHAR:
1. Hooch Deaths
Why in news - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Bihar government over the recent deaths from spurious liquor.
Key Points –
• Bihar government and the state’s director general of police were asked for a report within six weeks.
• NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report on the matter dated April 16, 2023.
• As of now, 31 people from East Champaran district have reportedly died in the hooch tragedy.
• In December 2022 (Saran hooch tragedy), NHRC sent its own team for an on-the-spot investigation into the matter.
• Bihar imposed complete prohibition in the state in April 2016, drawing its inspiration from Article 47 of the Indian Constitution.
POINTERS:
• Who has attended the first National Conference of Heads of Anti-Narcotics Task Force of States and Union Territories as the Chief Guest - Amit Shah.
• Which ministry has launched the Sathi (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal and mobile app - Ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare minister.
• Ministry of Steel has organized India Steel 2023, a conference and International Exhibition on the Steel Industry, in which city - Mumbai.
• Who has released a Consultation Paper (CP) on “Issues Related to Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting” - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
• India's first Mangrove Pitta Birds Census conducted in which state – Odisha.
• Which plasma waves have been identified by Scientists in the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri - Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves.
• Valparai tea region of Tamil Nadu saw production fall from 30 million kg in 2009-10 to 16.73 million kg in 2021-22 due to which pest – Tea mosquito bug.
• Which Indian-origin academic has been named among five co-chairs of an Association of American Universities (AAU) task force focused on expanding research and academic partnerships between higher educational institutions in the US and India - Neeli Bendapudi.
• Which state has got the approval to set up its first medical college 60 years after becoming a state – Nagaland.
• Uttar Pradesh government has set a target to replace all vehicles used by respective state departments with electric vehicles by which year – 2030.