NATIONAL:
1. Amitabh Kant Panel
Why in news - A 14-member committee chaired by Amitabh Kant submitted its report on August 21.
Key Points –
• It was constituted to examine stalled real estate projects and recommend ways to complete them.
• It was set up in March 2023 by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.
• Amitabh Kant is former NITI Aayog CEO and India’s G20 Sherpa.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Universal Pension Scheme
Why in news - Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina rolled out Universal Pension Scheme.
Key Points –
• Aim - to bring the citizens, aged above 18, under pension coverage.
• Four different packages- Pragati, Surokkha, Samata and Prabashi.
2. BRICS Expansion
Why in news - BRICS expansion is the top agenda of the BRICS nations summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Key Points –
• 23 countries including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran, Argentina, and Ethiopia are interested in joining the bloc.
• Current members - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• For China, anti-Americanism is drawing many countries in the Global South closer to China.
• Russia wants to bring its allies — like Belarus and Venezuela — into the club.
• India and Brazil are not interested in reducing their influence in BRICS.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. BHARAT NCAP
Why in news - Nitin Gadkari launched Bharat New Car Assessment Programme.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
• Commencement date – October 1, 2023.
• Aim –
(a) to improve safety and quality of the vehicles.
(b) provide a tool to customers to make a comparative assessment of crash safety of motor vehicles.
• It is based on Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
• Anchored by - Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Bhosari, Pune.
2. Green Hydrogen Standard
Why in news - India announced definition of Green Hydrogen.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Emission Standard - Not more than 2 kg CO2 equivalent/kg H2.
• Emission thresholds must be met for hydrogen produced to be classified as ‘Green’, i.e., from renewable sources.
• It encompasses both electrolysis-based and biomass-based hydrogen production methods.
• Nodal authority for accreditation of agencies for Green Hydrogen production projects - Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. CPA's 9th India Region Conference
Why in news - Om Birla inaugurated the 9th India Region Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Udaipur (RJ) on August 21, 2023.
Key Points –
• Theme - Strengthening Democracy and Good Governance in the Digital Age.
• India Region comprises 31 legislatures across India and has the 2nd largest number of member branches after the African Region.
• Rajasthan is hosting the conference for the first time.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS)
Why in news - National Green Tribunal (NGT) addressed the issue of mining activities taking place in the eco-sensitive zone of KWS.
Key Points –
• Location – Balasore, Odisha (Chota Nagpur Plateau region).
• It is connected with Simlipal Reserve via Nato and Sukhupada Hill ranges.
• Part of the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.
• Flora - Mixed deciduous forest (dominant - Sal tree).
Value Addition –
• Binay Kumar Dalei & Others vs. State of Odisha & Others - Supreme Court held that mining activities could only be permitted after implementing a comprehensive wildlife management plan and declaring the traditional elephant corridor as a conservation reserve.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Madras Day
Why in news - August 22 is celebrated as Madras Day.
Key Points –
• August 22, 1639 – Foundation stone of Madrasapatnam was laid.
• Founder - Francis Day (grant for the land was given by Damarla Venkatapathy Nayak, the deputy of the Raja of Chandragiri).
• In 1969, the state was renamed Tamil Nadu and in 1996, the capital city of Madras became Chennai.
SPORTS:
1. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Why in news - Spain beat England by a margin of 1-0 in the final.
Key Points –
• The goal was scored by Olga Carmona.
• Venue - Sydney, Australia.
• Spain has won its first Women’s World Cup title.
• With this win, Spain also became only the 2nd nation to clinch both the men’s and the women’s World Cups after Germany.
2. FIDE World Cup 2023
Why in news – Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa became the 1st Indian to reach the finals of chess World Cup after Viswanathan Anand.
Key Points –
• R. Praggnanandhaa defeated Fabiano Caruana (world number 3) in the tiebreaks to reach the final.
• In the final, he has to face Magnus Carlsen (world number 1).
• Final venue - Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Viswanathan Anand had won the first two World Cups back in 2000 and 2002.
STATES/UTs:
1. Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jodaraste Scheme
Why in news – Maharashtra to implement the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jodaraste Scheme.
Key Points –
• Aim - to connect all tribal villages in 17 districts of the state with main roads.
• Estimated cost - Rs 5,000 crore.
• Nearly 6,838 km of roads will be constructed as part of the scheme.
BIHAR:
1. JP Ganga Path
Why in news – The JP Ganga path will be of 90 kilometers.
Key Points –
• Extension –
(a) West - Digha to Koilwar.
(b) East - Didarganj to Bakhtiyarpur (till Karjan).
• One lakh saplings will be planted on 7 kilometer stretch of JP Ganga Path from Digha to Gandhi Maidan.
• Almost 90% of this stretch would be developed as ‘green area while the remaining 10% would be used for developing basic amenities.
2. Mahila ITI
Why in news – The state government has successfully built “Mahila ITI” institutes in 21 districts.
Key Points –
• Aim - to build “Mahila Industrial training institutes” in each district.
• Women empowerment - to give technical training to the women and not let them go outside for such training.
POINTERS:
• Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services has launched which app for seafarers - SAMUDRA (Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories).
• Which state government has decided to provide free 'Onam Kits' – Kerala.
• As per the latest reports submitted by banks the total number of Jan Dhan accounts has crossed how many crores - 50 crores ( August 9, 2023).
• An MoU between India and which country on cooperation in the field of oil has been approved by the cabinet – Australia.
• Center has imposed what percent export duty on onions to check price rise and improve supplies in the domestic market till December 31, 2023 - 40%.
• Which state has announced the “Abua Awas Yojana” – Jharkhand.
• Which Indian athlete has been banned for 4 years for doping - Dutee Chand.
• What is the percentage increase in the consumption of petroleum products in the financial year 2022-23 as compared to the previous financial year - 10%.
• United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from which countries to defend against Russia - Denmark and the Netherlands.
• Who has been honored with the first Udyog Ratna Award by the Maharashtra State Government - Ratan Tata.