NATIONAL:
1. NITI Aayog Vision Document
Why in news – As per NITI Aayog draft vision document, India to become a $30-trillion economy by 2047.
Key Points –
• The vision document will outline the institutional and structural reforms needed to become a developed nation by 2047 with a $18,000–20,000 per capita GDP.
• The goal of the national vision plan is to prevent the nation from falling into the middle-income trap.
• The economy must grow by an average of 9% per year between 2030 and 2047.
Middle-Income Trap –
• It describes a situation in which a country reaches a certain level of average income, often referred to as “middle income,” and then struggles to progress further to become a high-income country.
• Challenges - rising production costs and a decline in competitiveness.
• Lower middle-income economy - USD 1,036 and USD 4,045.
• Upper middle-income economy - USD 4,046 and USD 12,535.
2. Panamalai Paintings (Tamil Nadu)
Why in news – 1,300-year-old mural paintings at Talagirishwara temple are fading.
Key Points –
• The painting shows Lord Shiva with eight hands dancing, known as Latathilagabhani, being watched by Goddess Parvathi.
• The paintings bear a close resemblance to paintings in Ajantha and Chithannavasal.
• The temple was constructed by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha.
3. Pichwai Painting
Why in news – Chennai hosts an art exhibit showcasing Pichwai painting.
Key Points –
• It originated (400 years ago) in the town of Nathdwara near Udaipur in Rajasthan.
• The word Pichwai comes from 'pichh' meaning back, and 'wai', meaning textile hanging
• Made on cloth and depicts tales from Lord Krishna's life.
• Themes - Radha, gopis, sestivals such as Sharad Purnima, Raas Leela, Diwali and Holi.
• They are made by members of the Pushti Marg sect, founded by Shri Vallabhacharya in the 16th Century.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Earthquake Swarms
Why in news – Iceland has been hit by more than 5500 small earthquakes.
Key Points –
• These are sequences of many earthquakes that occur in a relatively short period without a specific main shock.
• It can last weeks and produce many thousands of earthquakes within a relatively small volume.
• Iceland is Europe's largest and most active volcanic region due to its presence on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
2. UNGA resolution on Gaza Crises
Why in news – UNGA adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Key Points –
• India along with 45 countries abstained in a UNGA vote on this resolution.
• It was drafted by a group of 22 Arab countries and was proposed by Jordan.
• India’s stand: The Resolution did not include “explicit condemnation” of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)
Why in news – 124 schools under PM-SHRI scheme inaugurated in Haryana.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Education.
• Centrally sponsored scheme (60% by Centre and 40% borne by state or UT).
• Target - to develop more than 14,500 schools across India by strengthening select existing schools.
• Objective - providing high-quality education and making children active participants as per the vision of NEP 2020.
• Period - 2022-23 to 2026-27.
ECONOMY:
1. Reference Fuels
Why in news – Indian Oil Corporation Limited launched India’s first gasoline and diesel Reference Fuel (RF).
Key Points –
• Currently, reference fuels are being imported by India.
• RFs are premium high-value products, used for calibration and testing of vehicles by Auto Original Equipment Manufacturers.
• Specification requirements of RF are more stringent than commercial gasoline and diesel.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Gigabit Internet Service
Why in news – Reliance Jio demonstrated India’s first satellite-based gigabit internet service.
Key Points –
• Gigabit Internet service transmits data up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) — or 1,000 Mbps.
• Jio has partnered with SES (Luxembourg) to provide Medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite internet.
• Usually, satellite internet involves constellations of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as used in Starlink and OneWeb.
• The advantage of using MEO over LEO: can cover a larger area of the globe with much fewer satellites.
2. Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) Project
Why in news – NASA-funded SWIM project (led by the University of Arizona) has released its 4th set of maps.
Key Points –
• It provided a detailed view of Mars' subsurface ice.
• These maps are crucial for future Mars missions as they identify the most likely locations to find Martian ice.
• Mars has both water ice and carbon dioxide ice (dry ice).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Rohini Nayyar Prize 2023
Why in news – Deenanath Rajput from Bastar has won the Rohini Nayyar Prize.
Key Points –
• Reason - for his outstanding work in improving the lives of tribal women in Chhattisgarh.
• It is given annually to recognise an individual’s outstanding contribution to rural development in civil society, government, enterprise or academia.
SECURITY:
1. LCH Prachand
Why in news – Army’s Light Combat Helicopter Prachand successfully carried out inaugural firing.
Key Points –
• LCH Prachand is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter.
• Designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• It is the only attack helicopter in the World to land and take off at high altitudes of 5,000 meters while carrying a significant load of weapons and fuel.
BIHAR:
1. Smart Prepaid Meters
Why in news – CM Nitish Kumar has launched power sector scheme worth Rs 13,934.89 crore in Bihar.
Key Points –
• Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) to install smart prepaid meters in all households across the state by the end of 2024.
• BSPHCL has successfully increased the power supply capacity Bihar from 700 MW to over 7,000 MW.
• Under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Krishi Sambandh Yojana
(a) electricity connections have already been provided to 3.75 lakh farmers and
(b) additional 4.79 lakh would get the connections by the fiscal 2026-27.
POINTERS:
• In which state has the 25T Bollard Pull Tug ‘Mahabali’ been unveiled by the Indian Navy – Gujarat.
• Agartala-Akhaura Railway Project connects India and which country – Bangladesh.
• Which country will host "Beauty World Middle East 2023" – UAE.
• Which country has FATF included in its 'grey list' – Bulgaria.
• Where has the fourth annual conference of the Indian Economics and Allied Sciences Association been organized – Srinagar.
• “Abua Awas Yojana” will be launched by which state government – Jharkhand.
• Who has won the 2023 Mahatma Award for sustainable and impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives - UST (digital transformation solutions company).
• Which country will give $44.7 million to strengthen food security and environmental protection in Uttarakhand under 'Hunger Project'- Norway.
• Who has been named the Ballon d'Or 2023 winner at a ceremony in Paris - Lionel Messi.
• Which bank has roped in veteran cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a brand ambassador - State Bank of India.
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