NATIONAL:
1. ‘Sub-Categorisation’ of OBCs
Why in news - Rohini panel submitted the report on ‘sub-categorization’ of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to President Draupadi Murmu.
Key Points –
• The 4-member commission was appointed on October 2, 2017.
• It was set up in recognition of the perceived distortions in the affirmative action policy.
• It led to a situation in which a few castes cornered the bulk of benefits available under the 27% quota for OBCs.
• The contents of the report have not been made public as yet.
Value Addition -
• E V Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh 2005 - Supreme Court ruled that no special sub-quota can be introduced within the quota for SCs and STs for the benefit of
castes or tribes that were more backward than the others on these lists.
• State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh 2020 - Supreme Court examined the validity of a 2006 Punjab law that created sub-classification within the SCs, and sought to
reserve half the SC quota for certain identified castes.
2. Overhauling Criminal Justice Laws
Why in news - Amit Shah introduced 3 new bills in the Lok Sabha on August 11 to replace major sections of criminal laws.
Key Points –
• 3 bills are –
(a) The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 (to replace Indian Penal Code)
(b) The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 (to replace The Indian Evidence Act, 1872)
(c) The Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 (to replace The Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973).
• The bills have been sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs for detailed scrutiny.
• In total, 313 changes have been proposed in the 3 criminal laws.
Value Addition -
• The IPC was first enacted in 1860, the CrPC in 1882 and the Evidence Act in 1872.
• IPC 1860 came into force on January 1, 1862. It is the longest surviving code in the common law world.
• IPC was drafted by the first Law Commission chaired by Thomas Babington Macaulay.
3. National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC)
Why in news - NCERT has unveiled its 19-member NSTC.
Key Points –
• Chairman - MC Pant, the chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).
• Co-Chairperson - Prof. Manjul Bhargava, Princeton University.
• Aim - overhauling NCERT textbooks in accordance with the new curriculum.
• It includes luminaries like Sudha Murthy and Shankar Mahadevan.
4. ‘SuSwagatam’ Initiative
Why in news - The Supreme Court launched “SuSwagatam” initiative to generate entry passes online.
Key Points –
• Aim - to help those who need to visit the court premises for official or case-related purposes.
• It was used as a pilot project since July 25, 2023.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Luna-25 Moon Mission
Why in news - Russia launched the Luna-25 moon mission on August 11.
Key Points –
• Luna-25 aims to be the first spacecraft ever to land on the South Pole of Moon around August 21-23, 2023.
• Rocket used - Soyuz 2.1b.
• Landing target - Boguslawsky crater.
• Luna-25 is the first Russian Moon mission in 47 years (last - 1976).
• India's Chandrayaan-3 is expected to land on Moon on August 23-24, 2023.
• Artemis-III (NASA's crewed mission) would also land on the South Pole.
• The South Pole of the Moon is known to have ice and that's why all agencies are focussed on that unexplored part of the Moon.
2. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
Why in news - Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has been named as caretaker premier Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Key Points –
• PM Shehbaz Sharif dissolved the country’s Parliament on August 9.
• Under Pakistan’s constitution, a neutral caretaker government oversees the national elections.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. New Spaceport
Why in news - The government has approved the establishment of India's 2nd spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam.
Key Points –
• Aim - for carrying out the launches of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) developed by ISRO.
• Kulasekarapattinam – Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.
• It would be ready for launch by 2024 or 2025.
• SSLV is meant for launching 500kg satellites.
• India's current spaceport – Sriharikota (2 launch pads).
• Dogleg manoeuvre - To avoid overflying Sri Lanka, PSLV has to veer left soon after it blasts-off from Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
• Dogleg manoeuvre will not be required in Kulasekarapattinam.
Value Addition -
• Indian Space Policy 2023 provides for the utilization of spaceports for carrying out launch activities by Non-Government Entities (NGEs).
• The Government has set up the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as a single-window agency for the promotion and authorization of space activities.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Youth Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed on August 12.
Key Points –
• Theme - Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.
• UN General Assembly officially declared August 12 as Youth Day in 1999.
• National Youth Day is celebrated on January 12 on the birthday anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
STATES/UTs:
1. Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana
Why in news – Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot launched the free smartphone scheme for women.
Key Points –
• The government would transfer Rs 6,800 to the e-wallet of a beneficiary.
BIHAR:
1. Medal for Excellence in Investigation-2023 Award
Why in news – 4 Bihar police officers have been selected for Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation-2023 award.
Key Points –
• The officials include 3 IPS officers and 1 BPS officer.
• Awardees - Jayant Kant, Santosh Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Kartikeya Sharma.
POINTERS:
• Which port has achieved a major milestone by clocking record cargo throughput of 50.16 MMT Cargo on 8th August, 2023 - Paradip Port.
• NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) has granted approval for the merger of which two companies for $10 billion - Zee Entertainment Enterprises with Sony Pictures Networks India.
• Who has released a report on 'Assessment of Employment Potential of Jal Jeevan Mission' - IIM Bangalore.
• Who has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RICS South Asia Awards - Subhash Runwal.
• Which city has hosted the second edition of the India Startup Festival (ISF) 2023 – Bengaluru.
• According to an interim report on Asian Elephant population and demography estimates — 2023, what is the number of elephants in Karnataka - 6,395.
• What is the new logo of Air India - The Vista.
• India's first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agricultural Data Management Framework (ADMF) has been launched in which city – Hyderabad.
• Which ministry will establish Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras at railway stations across the country - Railways Ministry.
• Which ministry has inaugurated the national media campaign 'Samvad Bhoomi Ka-Samvad Desh Ka' in New Delhi - Ministry of Rural Development.