NATIONAL:
1. Homo Naledi
Why in news - Scientists have discovered that the ancient human species Homo naledi buried their dead in southern Africa.
Key Points –
• They had brains, a third of the size of modern humans or homosapiens.
• They not only buried their dead but made engravings deep within a cave system some 300,000 years ago.
• Paleoanthropologist Lee Berger first reported the discovery of Homo naledi in 2013 inside the Rising Star cave (South Africa).
• Homo naledi are species of extinct human.
2. Climate Resilient School
Why in news - Reckitt inaugurated the first Dettol Climate Resilient School in Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) on World Environment Day.
Key Points –
• Launched under - Dettol Banega Swasth India.
• It also urges the nation to come together and take a pledge showcasing their support towards Mission LiFE.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Bima Vahaks
Why in news - Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued draft guidelines for Bima Vahaks (insurance volunteers).
Key Points –
• Aim - to establish the last-mile connect (gram panchayat) while boosting insurance inclusion.
• One objectives is to encourage the onboarding of women as Bima Vahaks to promote distribution and servicing of insurance products.
• 2 types of Bima Vahaks - corporate and individual.
(a) Corporate - legal entities registered under Indian laws and engaged by insurance companies (insurers).
(b) Individual - appointed by an insurer or a corporate Bima Vahak.
• They can work with only a single life, general, and health insurer. Where permitted, they can be associated with the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd.
Value Addition –
• Insurance penetration in India (Economic Survey 2022-23) - 4.2% in 2020 (2.7% in 2000).
• 50% of vehicles are uninsured, and the coverage of property insurance is minuscule.
• IRDAI is a statutory body (Insurance Regulatory Development Authority Act of 1999).
• IRDAI hq – Hyderabad.
• The Insurance Act of 1938 is the primary law controlling India's insurance industry.
• India’s goal - Insurance for All by 2047.
2. Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI
Why in news – PM Modi launched Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI schemes for the conservation of wetlands and mangroves on June 5, 2023.
Key Points –
• It was launched with a thrust on the Mission LiFE.
• As a part of Mission LiFE, 7 themes – save water, save energy, reduce waste, reduce e-waste, reduce single-use plastics, adopt sustainable food systems, and adopt healthy lifestyles, are identified.
MISHTI - Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes.
• Aim - to promote and protect mangroves.
• Announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.
• Coverage (540 sq km) - 9 coastal states and 4 union territories in 5 years (2023-28).
• Benefit - Generate about 22.8 million man-days with an estimated carbon sink of 4.5 million tonnes of carbon.
Amrit Dharohar –
• to promote the unique conservation values of Ramsar sites.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. 5th State Food Safety Index 2022-23
Why in news - Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the 5th State Food Safety Index on World Food Safety Day (June 7, 2023).
Key Points –
• It evaluates the performance of states and UTs across 6 different aspects of food safety.
• Most of the districts with exceptional results were located in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Out of the 260 participating districts, 31 successfully achieved a 75% or higher score.
• Dr. Mandaviya also unveiled Rapid Food Testing Kit (RAFT) portal. All steps, from application processing to certificate issuance and renewal, can be carried out electronically.
2. “State of India's Environment 2023: In Figures”
Why in news - Non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released its annual compendium of data 'State of India's Environment 2023: In Figures’.
Key Points –
• Best performers - Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat.
• It is based on 4 parameters : environment, agriculture, public health and infrastructure.
• Haritha Haaram - Afforestation scheme by Telangana.
ECONOMY:
1. 'Antardrishti' Dashboard
Why in news - RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das launched financial inclusion dashboard “Antardrishti”.
Key Points –
• Aim – to provide the necessary knowledge to evaluate and track the development of financial inclusion by recording relevant data.
Value Addition –
Financial Inclusion (FI) Index (2021) –
• Launched by RBI.
• It includes information on the banking, investments, insurance, postal, and pension sectors.
• Value ranges from 0 to 100.
• 0 - total financial exclusion, 100 - complete financial inclusion.
• 3 parameters –
(a) Access (35%)
(b) Usage (45%)
(c) Quality (20%)
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Michel Batisse Award
Why in news - Bakan Jagdish Sudhakar has been selected for UNESCO’s Michel Batisse Award for effective biosphere reserve management.
Key Points –
• He is Ramanathapuram wildlife warden and Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (BR) director.
• He is the first Indian to receive this honour.
• The award was instituted in 2004.
• Award - $12,000.
• Reason - for his “Development of Sustainable Livelihood and Community Based Biodiversity Conservation and Environment Protection” case study.
• In 2021, Sharon Wright of Australia won the award for her work in Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
About Gulf of Mannar BR (Tamil Nadu) –
• First Marine Biosphere Reserve (1989) in South and South East Asia.
• It was declared a Marine National Park in 1986 by the Government of Tamil Nadu
• One of the four major coral reef areas (others 3 - Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Lakhsadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands).
• 3 distinct coastal ecosystems - coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves.
• Species - Dugong (sea cow, critically endangered), all protected sharks (IWPA, 1972) including whale shark, sea horses, green and hawksbill sea turtles, dolphins and sea cucumbers.
• The swamp near the Kodandaraman Temple gives shelter to a flock of about 10,000 flamingos every year.
2. “Accelerator Program” for Food Startups
Why in news - Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ) has been selected for the “Accelerator Program” by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN.
Key Points –
• FarmersFZ has figured in the list of 12 agri-food startups around the world to develop business.
• It functions under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
• CEO Pradeep P S founded Agri Tech company in 2016.
STATES/UTs:
1. ‘Shakti’ Scheme
Why in news – Karnataka has launched Shakti smart cards to avail the free travel in state run buses.
Key Points –
• The scheme applies to all women in Karnataka, including the transgender community.
2. Nand Baba Milk Mission Scheme
Why in news – Uttar Pradesh government launched Nand Baba Milk Mission scheme.
Key Points –
• Aim - to provide milk producers the facility of selling their milk at a reasonable price in villages through dairy co-operative societies.
• Outlay - Rs 1,000 crore.
• Launched by - Livestock and Dairy Development Department.
• Office of Nand Baba Milk Mission - Kisan Gomtinagar, Lucknow.
BIHAR:
1. Cyber Police Stations
Why in news – 44 new cyber police stations began work in Bihar.
Key Points –
• Location - One in each of the 38 districts in the state, 2 police and 4 rail districts.
• Cybercrime victims can lodge their complaints personally, through email or sent their complaints through postal service.
• If the victim is a woman or a child, police would visit their places to probe the incident. They will not be summoned to the police station.
POINTERS:
• Which organization celebrated the 130th anniversary of Gandhiji's Satyagraha 7th June 2023 - Indian Navy.
• ‘Elder Line' service was started by which state government - Uttar Pradesh.
• Which country test-fired its first hypersonic ballistic missile 'Fattah' – Iran.
• Which body has organized the 'Bonn Climate Change Conference 2023' in Bonn, Germany - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Who has approved the issue of Rupay Prepaid Forex Card for Indians going abroad - Reserve Bank of India.
• Which country plans to ban the black swastika and other Nazi symbols – Australia.
• India and which European country have agreed to have bilateral trade of 1 billion Euros by the end of this decade - Serbia.
• Which state government has launched buses with air purifiers to reduce the pollution level – West Bengal.
• Who has become the first batsman to score a century in World Test Championship final – Travis Head.
• Ved Kumari Ghai has passed away. Who was she - Sanskrit scholar.a