NATIONAL:
1. Arjun Ram Meghwal
Why in news - Arjun Ram Meghwal took over the law and justice ministry.
Key Points –
• He replaced Kiren Rijiju has been assigned charge of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Meghwal currently served as the minister of state for parliamentary affairs and culture.
• Rijiju took on the judiciary on several issues from the appointment of judges and accountability to court vacations.
• A Union minister is appointed by the President of India on the advice of Prime Minister.
2. The Wealth Report 2023
Why in news - Real estate consultant Knight Frank’s on Wednesday released ‘The Wealth Report 2023’.
Key Points –
• India’s billionaire population rose to 161 in 2022 from 145 in 2021 and is estimated to rise to 195 individuals by 2027.
• India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) with net worth over USD 30 million is estimated to rise by 58.4% from 12,069 in 2022 to 19,119 individuals in 2027.
• The Indian high-net-worth individual (HNI) population, with an asset value of USD 1 million and more, increased to 7,97,714 in 2022 from 7,63,674 in 2021.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Production Linked Incentive Scheme – 2.0
Why in news - The Union Cabinet approved the Production Linked Incentive Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware.
Key Points –
• Budgetary Outlay - Rs. 17,000 crores.
• Tenure of this scheme - 6 years.
• Coverage - Laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers and ultra small form factor devices.
• Expected incremental production - Rs. 3.35 Lakh crore
• Expected incremental investment - Rs. 2,430 crore
• Expected incremental direct employment - 75,000.
Value Addition –
• Electronics manufacturing in India has witnessed consistent growth with 17% CAGR in last 8 years. (2023 production – 105 billion USD, about Rs 9 lakh crore).
• India has become the world’s 2nd largest manufacturer of mobile phones. (2023 Exports - USD 11 billion, about Rs 90000 crore).
2. "75/25" Plan
Why in news - The Union Health Ministry has launched an ambitious "75/25" plan.
Key Points –
• Aim – to bring 75 million hypertensive and diabetic populations under standard care by 2025.
• It is the largest such exercise in the world against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
• It would be conducted through the Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
• National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases - 2023-2030.
Value Addition -
• India has 200 million hypertensive people, and one in every ten adults has diabetes.
• NCDs are responsible for 63% of deaths in India of which 55% is premature.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur
Why in news - Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran was conferred with France's highest civilian honour- "Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur".
Key Points –
• In April, Ratan Tata was conferred with the highest civilian award of Australia-Order of Honour-by Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell.
• Chandrasekaran was appointed the chairman of Tata Sons in 2017.
SECURITY:
1. Exercise Jal Rahat
Why in news - Gajraj Corps of the Indian Army conducted a joint flood relief in Assam.
Key Points –
• Venue - Hagrama Bridge on Manas River.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World AIDS Vaccine Day 2023
Why in news - May 18 is celebrated as World AIDS Vaccine Day every year.
Key Points –
• It is also known as HIV Vaccine Knowledge Day.
• Aim - to raise awareness about the need for HIV/AIDS vaccine.
• There is still no vaccine available or drug to treat HIV.
• This campaign led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), a part of the United States National Institutions of Health (NIH).
• First international AIDS Vaccine trial (trial name - RV144) which took place in 1997 in Thailand.
About HIV –
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body.
• HIV attacks CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system.
• Spread - Sharing a needle, blood, and unprotected intercourse.
• 0.7% adults of aged 15-49 years worldwide are suffering from HIV.
• Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) - Suppress HIV replication.
2. 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Why in news – It is celebrated on the 3rd Thursday of May every year (2023 - May 18).
Key Points –
• In India, it was celebrated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (M/o Social Justice & Empowerment).
• Vision - to build an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities.
Initiatives for empowerment of disables –
• Unique Disability Identification Portal
• DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances
• National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities
About Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Dec 3, 2015) –
• Aim - to serve the differently-able community of the country.
• Under - Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 which provides non-discrimination in Transport to Persons with Disabilities.
• It is in line with Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which India is a signatory since 2007.
3. World Hypertension Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed on May 17 to raise awareness about hypertension.
Key Points –
• Theme - Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.
• It is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it typically has no noticeable symptoms until it progresses to an advanced stage.
• A person affected by hypertension has high blood pressure and this condition forces the heart to work harder to pump blood.
4. World Sustainable Transport Day
Why in news – The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution to designate November 26 as World Sustainable Transport Day.
Key Points –
• Aim - Promoting environmentally friendly transportation, developing socially inclusive transport etc.
STATES/UTs:
1. 5G Technology Training Program
Why in news – Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch a 5G technology training program under the Skill Development Mission for the youth.
Key Points –
• Aim - to make the youth skilled in new and future employable technologies.
• 1,000 candidates, or more have to be trained and given jobs under this program in 8 months.
• 3 courses can be conducted under this program –
(a) Telecom Rigger – 5G and Legacy Networks
(b) Technician 5G – Active Network Installation
(c) Project Engineer – 5G Networks.
• To be started soon in any 5 out of 8 districts, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Moradabad, Agra, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj.
POINTERS:
• Who became the first Indian to score an ODI, Test, T20I, and IPL century in the same calendar year - Shubman Gill.
• Who has been elected next director General of the International Organization for Migration - Amy E. Pope.
• Who has been appointed as Chairperson of Competition Commission of India - Ravneet Kaur.
• Who was announced as the winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize 2023 for his debut book 'God's Children Are Little Broken Things' - Arinze Ifeakandu.
• Who won the International Glamour Project Mrs. India 2023 - Sanika Lahane.
• Which film won the “Best Long Documentary Award'” at South Asian Film Festival of Montreal - Gauri.
• Which company has partnered with SpaceX to launch first private space station in 2025 - Vast Space.
• How many crore rural families have been linked under Jal Jeevan Mission - 12 crore.
• Which portal has been launched by the Department of Telecom to block and track lost or stolen mobile phones - Sanchar Saathi Portal.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized at least 2,500 kg drugs, suspected to be methamphetamine and estimated to be around ₹12,000 crore under which project - Operation Samudragupt.