NATIONAL:
1. GI Tag
Why in news - Tamil Nadu’s Jaderi ‘namakatti’, chedibutta saree and Kanniyakumari Matti banana got GI tag.
Key Points –
• Jaderi namakatti are clay sticks that are white in colour, usually available in finger-like shape.
• Matti banana is also called as ‘Crocodile Finger Banana’.
• Chedibutta Saree –
(a) It depicts the Chedibutta design in art silk and cotton mix fabric.
(b) It has iconic “plant and flower” motif woven on the border and pallu (edge of the saree).
(c) saree is woven using art silk thread while the Chedibutta designs are made using brightly coloured cotton threads.
(d) primary weavers - Sowrashtra community (Veeravanallur town, Tirunelveli).
• Geographical Indications Registry – Chennai.
Other GI tags –
• Rajasthan - Nathdwara Pichhwai Painting,
• Kashmir - Mushqbudji rice & Chikri Wood Craft
• Bihar - Marcha Rice
• Goa - Agassaim Brinjal, Sat Shirancho Bhendo (Okra).
2. Hydrogen Fuel-Related Industry
Why in news - Jharkhand gave nod to the nation's first hydrogen fuel-related industry.
Key Points –
• Location – Jamshedpur, East Singhbhum.
• Capacity - Over 4000 Hydrogen IC Engine/Fuel Agnostic Engine and 10,000+ Battery system.
• By - M/s TCPL Green Energy Solutions Private Limited (TGESPL).
ECONOMY:
1. ARCL and CDMDF
Why in news - AMC Repo Clearing Limited (ARCL) and Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) was launched.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Finance.
• CDMDF a permanent institutional framework to enhance secondary market liquidity in the Corporate Bond market during stressed and normal times.
• ARCL is expected to offer better efficiency in collateral and settlement for its members in bond market.
2. Digital Payments Index
Why in news - RBI Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) surged 13.24% YoY as online transactions jump 50%.
Key Points –
• RBI-DPI showed a four-fold increase since 2018.
About RBI-DPI –
• Published by – RBI.
• Base year - March 2018.
• 5 broad parameters (weightage) –
(a) payment enablers (25%).
(b) payment infrastructure demand-side factors (10%).
(c) payment infrastructure supply-side factors (15%)
(d) payment performance (45%)
(e) consumer centricity (5%)
3. WorldCoin
Why in news - A new cryptocurrency project called WorldCoin was launched by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Key Points –
• Uniqueness – Its unique method of sign-up, involving scanning of irises (use of biometrics).
• WorldCoin wants to offer users an account that only “real humans” can get, through what it calls a “World ID”.
• Orb – A place where customers’ irises would be scanned through a ball-like object
• OpenAi was the company behind the AI chatbot ChatGPT.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. STARFIRE Algorithm
Why in news - Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru has developed the STARFIRE Algorithm.
Key Points –
• STARFIRE - Simulation of TerrestriAl Radio Frequency Interference in oRbits around Earth.
• It will help estimate and map the unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) signals in space.
• It estimates the RFI emitted by FM radio stations, WiFi networks, mobile towers, radar, satellites, and communication devices.
• RFI emitted by from the devices installed on Earth hinder the study the early Universe and its evolution by detecting faint and weak strength signals coming from the universe.
• It can also help in designing future space missions, such as India's Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen (PRATUSH).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Lokmanya Tilak National Award
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi was conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune on August 1, 2023.
Key Points –
• PM Modi is the 41st recipient of this award.
• PM donated the cash prize to the Namami Gange Project.
• The Award was constituted by Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust in 1983 to honor the legacy of Lokmanya Tilak.
Value Addition -
• Tilak recommended Shyamji Krishna Varma to run two scholarships in London – Chatrapati Shivaji Scholarship and Maharana Pratap Scholarship.
• Tilak started New English School, Fergusson College and Deccan Education Society in Pune.
• Sardar Patel installed a statue of Lokmanya Tilak in Ahmedabad.
• Tilak wrote Gita Rahasya while he was in prison (1908 to 1914) at Mandalay, Burma.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Puneet Chandok
Why in news – Microsoft has named Puneet Chandok as the corporate vice president to head its India and South Asia operations.
Key Points –
• He will also oversee Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• Microsoft Asia President - Ahmed Mazhari.
SPORTS:
1. Stuart Broad Retired
Why in news – English pacer Stuart Broad announced his retirement from international cricket.
Key Points –
• He is only 5th bowler – after Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, and teammate James Anderson – to take over 600 wickets in Test format.
• In 2007 T20 World Cup, Broad made an infamous record of becoming the first player to concede 6 sixes (India's Yuvraj Singh) in an over in T20Is.
2. 1st Major League Cricket (MLC)
Why in news – MI New York crowned as the champions of the first edition of Major League Cricket.
Key Points –
• MLC is the USA's T20 cricket league.
• They defeated the Seattle Orcas in the final by 7 wickets.
• Venue - Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas.
3. 100th Torneo Del Centenario 2023
Why in news – The Indian women’s hockey team defeated hosts Spain 3-0 to win the title.
Key Points –
• Venue - Terrassa, Barcelona.
• India’s rank in FIH women’s hockey – 8th.
STATES/UTs:
1. Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme
Why in news – Haryana has implemented Haryana Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme.
Key Points –
• Provision - pension of Rs 2500 per year is given for the maintenance of trees that are aged 75 years and above.
• Haryana is state in the country to implement such a scheme.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Caste Survey
Why in news – The Patna high allowed the Bihar government to go ahead with its caste survey.
Key Points –
• Judges involved - Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarthy.
• The court also did not find much merit in the contention of the caste survey incurring an expenditure of Rs 500 crore.
• It said the supplementary budget for caste survey was passed by the Assembly.
2. Religious Tourism Destination of the Year Award
Why in news – Bihar has been awarded the prestigious Religious Tourism Destination of the Year award.
Key Points –
• Venue - India International Travel Mart 2023, Bengaluru.
POINTERS:
• What is the GST tax percent on full face value for online gaming, casinos and horse-racing- 28%.
• Which ministry has launched the e-care portal to ease the process of bringing back mortal remains of Indians from abroad - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The first-ever regional Center for Species Survival (CSS) in South Asia has been established in which country - India.
• Which state assembly has passed a resolution condemning the violence in Manipur - West Bengal.
• Who has become the player with the most header goals in football history - Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Recently, how many lakh houses have been completed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana programme - 75.51.
• Which state has inaugurated the 'Chief Minister's Command Centre' to ensure needy and deserving have access to the benefits of the government schemes and services - Uttar Pradesh.
• Who has been sworn in as Chief Justice of Telangana High Court - Justice Alok Aradhe.
• Who has won the Tour de France title for the second year in a row - Jonas Wingegaard.
• What is India's target of covering entire country with E-20 fuel – 2025.