NATIONAL:
1. Drone Testing Center
Why in news - India’s first common testing centre for drones to be set up in Tamil Nadu.
Key Points –
• Location - SIPCOT industrial park, Vallam Vadagal near Sriperumbudur.
• It would be set up under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS).
2. Night Street Racing
Why in news - Tamil Nadu launched India's first-ever night street racing circuit in Chennai.
Key Points –
• It is the first-ever street circuit in India and South Asia that will be hosting a night race.
• Tamil Nadu has partnered with Racing Promotions Private Limited (RRPL) for the project.
3. 'Digi Yatra' Facility
Why in news - 'Digi Yatra' facility has been launched for the first time in the northeast.
Key Points –
• It was launched at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati.
• ‘Digi Yatra’ app allows entry into the airport by scanning their faces (contactless and seamless movement).
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Bubonic Plague
Why in news - China's inner Mongolia recorded two cases of bubonic plague.
Key Points –
• Bubonic plague infection is spread mostly by fleas on rodents (bacteria - Yersinia pestis).
• It is the most common form of plague.
• It gets its name from the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) caused by the disease.
• On 23 September 1896, the first “official" case of the bubonic plague in India was reported in Bombay Presidency.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. 'Lakhpati Didi' Scheme
Why in news – Union government is planning skill development training for two crore women under the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme.
Key Points –
• Aim - to encourage women to start micro-enterprises.
• The scheme has been in place in some states.
• Women would be provided skill training so that they can earn over Rs 1 lakh per year.
• Women would be trained in skills like plumbing, LED bulb making and operating and repairing drones among others.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Pibot
Why in news - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) is developing a humanoid robot named Pibot.
Key Points –
• The group of researchers led by Professor Shim Hyun-Chul.
• Pibot can fly aircraft without needing to modify the cockpit.
• It is the world’s first humanoid pilot.
• The humanoid robot can also communicate with air traffic controllers and humans in the cockpit using voice synthesis.
• The project is expected to be completely developed in 2026.
2. Wipro Center of Excellence (CoE)
Why in news – Wipro launched CoE on generative AI on the premises of the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence at IIT Delhi.
Key Points –
• It is part of the company’s $1 billion commitment to accelerating AI-led innovation as part of the Wipro ai360 ecosystem.
• Chief Technology Officer at Wipro Limited - Subha Tatavarti.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Desalination Plant
Why in news – Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin laid foundation stone for 400 MLD desalination plant in Perur.
Key Points –
• It is claimed to be the biggest in Southeast Asia.
• The Rs 4,276.44 crore plant is to be set up with assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
• It is expected to be completed by 2026.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. George Ledley Award
Why in news – Indian-American Economist Rajchetty has been honored by Harvard University.
Key Points –
• It recognizes the use of big data to address the barriers and illusions that prevent the American dream from becoming a reality.
STATES/UTs:
1. Butter Festival
Why in news – The Butter Festival (Anduri Utsav) was celebrated at Dayara Bugyal of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
Key Points –
• Villagers played ‘Holi’ by applying milk and butter instead of Gulal on each other.
• Bugyal means a meadow or pasture.
• Dayara Bugyal is a pristine meadow in Uttarakhand.
• During summer months, Bhotiya tribes go to bugyals with their animals.
2. Maternal Mental Health Program
Why in news – Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 40.5-million loan for Meghalaya.
Key Points –
• It is sanctioned for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health program in Meghalaya.
• The project will strengthen home-based childcare and center-based childcare through daycare (Anganwadi) centers in Meghalaya.
3. Continued Learning Access Project (CLAP)
Why in news – Uttarakhand inaugurated the Continued Learning Access Project (CLAP).
Key Points –
• Under it, children will be able to access the latest knowledge through e-learning vehicle.
4. Amrit Briksha Andolan Campaign
Why in news – Assam launched Amrit Briksha Andolan campaign.
Key Points –
• Under it, one crore saplings of commercial trees will be planted within three hours on September 17, 2023.
• Assam is aiming to grow 6 crore saplings in the government nurseries from next year.
BIHAR:
1. Bahumanjila Aavasan Yojana
Why in news – The Urban Development and Housing Department has sent a detailed guide regarding the scheme to district authorities.
Key Points –
• Aim - Bihar State Housing Board will construct a multi-story building for the urban poor.
• It is a part of saat nischay-2 of self-reliant Bihar.
• Priority will be given to the eligible beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes displaced by the anti-encroachments campaign.
• Such families will be provided houses with carpet area up to 30 square metres.
• The houses built under the scheme will first be made available on rent to the beneficiaries on an agreement for 11 months.
2. Jeevika ki Rasoi
Why in news – For the first time in Bihar, 5 Jeevika Didi's kitchen was ISO certified.
Key Points –
• These include Didi's Kitchen, which operates in two other districts of Bihar, including three in Patna.
• They have met all the standards of food safety.
• They have got the certification with help of Project Concern International India.
3. Vimanika Aerospace
Why in news – Vimanika Aerospace is preparing a prototype of flying taxi with the help of IIT Patna.
Key Points –
• Founder of Vimanika Aerospace - Manish Dixit.
• The startup was established in November 2022. The value of the company has gone up to Rs 100 crore.
• The founder has given credit to the startup policy of the state government.
• In November 2022, Manish Dixit received a fund of Rs 10 lakh under the state startup scheme for drone startup.
• The company is providing drone related services in 8 states outside Bihar. These include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh.