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CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched SPARSH mobile app:

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched several digital initiatives of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) during its 275th Annual Day celebrations in New Delhi
• The initiatives include the System for Pension Administration (Raksha) (SPARSH) mobile app; Pay System for Agniveers; International Air Ticket booking module in Defence Travel System (DTS); Defence Accounts Receipts and Payment System (DARPAN); Defence Civilian Pay system and Defence Accounts Human Resource Management System.
• The app will ensure pensioner access and reach to important functionalities of the SPARSH portal through their mobiles.
• Ministry of Defence implemented the portal (https://sparsh.defencepension.gov.in/) for pensioners of the Armed Forces as well as defense civilians.
• DARPAN - The Defence Accounts Receipts and Payment System is a unified solution for third-party bill payment and accounting. Its real-time processing will provide comprehensive insights into various accounting and financial performances.

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched the first Solar-Electric Hybrid High-Speed Ferry and inaugurated a Floating Jetty project:

• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched a Solar-Electric Hybrid High-Speed Ferry and inaugurated a Floating Jetty project at Panaji.
• Both projects are expected to boost tourism in Goa while making transport more environmentally friendly.
• The Minister inaugurated the Jetty project and then proceeded to board the Solar-Electric Hybrid High-Speed Ferry.
• Funded by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, the three jetties commissioned today were built at a project cost of 9.6 Crore.
• The jetties are solid concrete structures that float on water, are easy to install, and have a minimal environmental impact in their construction.
• The Solar-Electric Hybrid High-Speed Ferry project is funded by the Government of Goa at a cost of over 3.9 crores and has a carrying capacity of 60 passengers.
• The Hybrid design allows for the reduction in operating costs by eliminating the dependence on fossil fuels and presents a more environmentally friendly form of transport.

About IWAI

• The Inland Waterways Authority of India is the statutory authority in charge of the waterways in India.
• It was constituted under IWAI Act 1985 by the parliament of India
• Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India participates 6th East Asia Summit Education Minister’s Meeting

• India participated in the 6th East Asia Summit Education Minister’s Meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Ms. Neeta Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Ministry of Education virtually addressed the meeting.
• She informed me about the key initiatives of National Education Policy 2020 and the efforts of India and East Asia Summit countries in the field of education and research.
• She also mentioned the recently-launched PM SHRI scheme under which more than 14,500 schools will be developed across India with all components of NEP 2020 as exemplar schools.
• These schools will offer mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.
• The Central government launched the PM e-Vidya program in 2020 to boost online learning.
• The Government had also launched various e-learning platforms like DIKSHA, SWAYAM MOOCS platform, Virtual Labs, e-PG Pathshala, and National Digital Library.

About NEP 2020 :

• NEP 2020 encourages a holistic, flexible & multidisciplinary approach to education as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and it is based on foundational pillars of access, equality, quality, affordability & accountability & is aligned with SDG 2030 goals.

About EAS :

• The East Asia Summit (EAS) is the Indo-Pacific's premier forum for strategic dialogue.
• It was established in 2005.
• Cambodia is the current chair of the East Asia Summit.

The EAS has 18 members:  

• It comprises the 10 member states of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) which are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with 8 other countries namely Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA.
• It is an ASEAN-centered forum so it can only be chaired by an ASEAN member.
• It is the only leader-led forum at which all key partners meet to discuss political, security, and economic challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.
• The EAS membership represents around 54% of the world’s population and accounts for 58% of the global GDP.
• Six priority areas of regional cooperation within the framework of the EAS

1. Environment and Energy
2. Education
3. Finance
4. Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases
5. Natural Disaster Management
6. ASEAN Connectivity.

About the Ministry of Education :

• Cabinet Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan
• Minister of State : Subhas Sarkar, Annapurna Devi Yadav, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh

India & Egypt to collaborate on premier higher educational institutes

• External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar will discuss with the Union Minister for Education, Skill, and Entrepreneurship Shru Dharmendra Pradhan on collaborating with Egypt on premier higher educational institutes, like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
• Notably, premier higher educational institutions in the country are looking to expand their campuses abroad.
• A 16-member government-constituted committee headed by the chairman of the standing committee of the IIT council, K Radhakrishnan has recommended and pitched for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to take the lead on this front.
• The committee was constituted by the Union education ministry after IIT-Delhi submitted a proposal last year for opening centers in Saudi Arabia and

About Egypt :

• President : Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
• Prime Minister: Moustafa Madbouly
• Capital: Cairo
• Currency: Egyptian pound.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Andhra Pradesh: 3-day Kuchipudi dance festival to begin in Vijayawada

• The third World Kuchipudi Natyotsavam would be organized for three days in
• The Kuchipudi dance festival is being organized in commemoration of the 93 rd birth anniversary of world-renowned Kuchipudi dance artiste Vempati China Satyam.
• It is being organized by the Department of Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Kuchipudi Art Academy, and Jayaho Bharateeyam. 

About the Festival :

• Around 3,000 Kuchipudi artistes from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana would take part in the dance festival.
• Two dances choreographed by Chinna Satyam Pedda Vinayaka Kautham and Koluvaitiva would be performed.
• During the festival, Vempati Chinna Satyam Lifetime Achievement Award would be presented to Bala Kondala Rao, and  Kumari Lanka Annapoorna Devi's Lifetime Achievement Award would be given to Vanaja Uday. 
• Padmaja Reddy will receive the Sobha Naidu Lifetime Achievement Award, while Vempati Venkat Seva Puraskar will be presented to Srikant Raghupatruni. 

About Kuchipudi :

• It is one of the eight classical dance styles of India.
• It is the most popular traditional dance form in South India, and its origin is believed to be in Andhra Pradesh.

About AP :

• Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
• Chief minister: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
• Capital: Amaravati
• National Park: Papikonda National Park, Rajiv Gandhi (Rameshwaram) National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary

TN CM Shri MK Stalin launches "Kutti Kavalar" scheme for school students

• Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) Shri MK Stalin launched the "Kutti Kavalar" scheme for school students to make them more responsible when it comes to road safety.
• The scheme is jointly implemented by the State government and "Uyir", an NGO based out of Coimbatore.

About the Scheme :

• Under the scheme, school students will be educated through a well-defined curriculum on road safety to make ambassadors of road safety.
• As the pledge was administered to a large number of students simultaneously, it formed a record under 'The Asia Book of  Records, and the certificate was handed over to the CM.
• Under the scheme, students of government, government-aided, and CBSE schools in the Coimbatore district studying in Classes 3  to 8 will be given training on road safety.
• The CM also released a booklet on road safety training and a guide for teachers.
• Later, Shri Stalin launched fortnightly and monthly magazines for school students and teachers, respectively.
• The magazine named "Oonjal" has been launched for students of Classes 4 and 5 and "Then Chittu" has been for students of Classes 6 to 9.
• In the two magazines, the creative works of students, the information required for them, news, and interesting stories will be presented.
• Similarly, for teachers, Stalin launched "Kanavu Asiriyar" in which the works of teachers, their experience, and special essays will be published

About Tamil Nadu :

• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin
• Capital: Chennai
• Dance : Bharatnatyam, Karakattam
• National Park: Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kalakad Wildlife sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve: Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• Biosphere Reserve: Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

Indian Army signs MoU with 11 banks for Agniveer salary package

• The Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with 11 banks for providing banking facilities to Agniveers on enrolment. 

List of 11 banks :

1. State Bank of India (SBI)
2. Punjab National Bank (PNB)
3. Bank of Baroda (BoB)
4. IDBI Bank
5. ICICI Bank
6. HDFC  Bank
7. Axis Bank
8. Yes Bank
9. Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB)
10. IDFC First Bank
11. Bandhan Bank.

Signatories :

• The MoUs were signed by Lt General V Sreehari, DG (Manpower Planning and Personnel Services) and the senior officials of banks in a ceremony presided over by Lt General C Bansi Ponappa, the Adjutant General of the Indian Army.
• The first batch of Agniveers under the 'Agnipath Scheme' will be joining Training Centres by January 2023.

About 'Agnipath Scheme' :

• The Agnipath scheme entails recruitment for individuals below the rank of commissioned officer for 4 years.
• After 4 years, they will receive ₹71 lakh as part of the Seva Nidhi Package, which will be exempted from Income Tax.
• The scheme provides for the recruitment of youths between ages 17-and-half years and 21 years for four years with a provision to retain 25% of them for 15 more years.
• The scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for four years & soldiers who are recruited under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.
• It has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces and provide a fresh lease of 'Josh' and 'Jazba' whilst at the same time bringing about a transformational shift towards a more tech-savvy Armed Forces which is indeed the need of the hour.
• Agniveers will be paid ₹33,000 in the second year, ₹36,500 in the third year, and ₹40,000 in the
• They will also be provided with a non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of 48 lakh for the period of their service in the Armed  Forces.
• The Indian navy will enroll women, and sailors, for the first time under the Agnipath Scheme.

About MoD :

• Union Minister: Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State: Ajay Bhatt
• Defence Secretary: Dr. Ajay Kumar

RBI intervening in the NDF market, monitoring rupee positions

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been selling dollars in the non-deliverable forward (NDF) market via local banks based in India's GIFT City International Financial Services Center, as it seeks to support the sliding rupee.
• The rupee has repeatedly hit record lows in recent sessions as the likelihood of more super-sized rate hikes from the U.S. Federal Reserve piles pressure on emerging market currencies.
• The intervention by the RBI in the onshore NDF market was confirmed by Treasury officials at two large private sector banks present in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in western India.
• For the RBI, the GIFT route is the easiest in terms of accessibility to the NDF market.
• In finance, a non-deliverable forward is an outright forward or futures contract in which counterparties settle the difference between the contracted NDF price or rate and the prevailing spot price or rate on an agreed notional amount.

About RBI :

• Established: 1 April 1935
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy governors: Mahesh Kumar Jain, Rajeshwar Rao, Michael Patra, and T. Rabi Shankar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

India has achieved merchandise export of USD 32.62 billion in September 2022:

• India achieved a monthly value of merchandise export in September 2022 amounting to USD 32.62 billion.
• India’s merchandise export in April -September 2022-23 was USD 229.05 billion.
• India’s merchandise import in September 2022 was USD 59.35 billion.
• India’s merchandise imports in April -September 2022-23 was USD 378.53 billion.
• The trade deficit in September 2022 was USD 26.72 billion, while it was 149.47 billion USD during April -September 2022-23.

SafeGold has introduced the world's first platform named “Gains”:

• Homegrown digital gold platform SafeGold launched a new leasing offering called ‘Gains’ which will allow consumers to lease individually owned gold.
• It will allow over 100 million retail gold consumers in the country to change their perspective on the precious metal, giving it a larger purpose of income generation rather than mere accumulation.
• Not only this, but the new feature will also empower India’s underserved MSME jewelry industry.
• MSME jewelers will be able to list their leases on the SafeGold platform once the jeweler has been thoroughly vetted for creditworthiness and KYC verified.
• Jewellers listing their lease choose the yield rate and tenure they wish to offer and provide a bank guarantee covering at least 105 percent of the value of the gold to be leased.
• SafeGold Founder and MD Gaurav Mathur.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

AIIA and AIST, Japan have signed an MoU for academic establishment:

• The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the apex institute of Ayurveda in India under the Ministry of AYUSH, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan have signed an MoU for academic establishment.
• AIST is a reputed and one of the largest public research organizations in Japan, focusing on technologies and on “bridging” the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialization.
• AIIA already has MoUs with the European Academy of Ayurveda, Bernstein, Germany; Western Sydney University, Australia; Graz Medical University, Austria; College of Medical, UK; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

About Japan:

• Capital: Tokyo
• Currency: Japanese yen
• Prime minister: Fumio Kishida.

CIL signed an MOU with Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited for developing a solar power project of 1190 MW:

• As part of its diversification programme for clean coal energy, Coal India Limited (CIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL), for developing a solar power project of 1190 MW in Jaipur in presence of Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs and Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan
• The proposed project, for which the MoU was inked, will come up in Rajasthan’s upcoming solar park cleared under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks.

About CIL:

• Coal India Limited is an Indian central public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Coal, Government of India.
• It is headquartered in Kolkata.
• Founded: November 1975.

Indian Navy and IIM Nagpur signed an MoU to explore Opportunities to train, up-skill, and re-skill Armed Forces Personnel:

• Indian Navy and IIM Nagpur signed an MoU to explore Opportunities to train, up-skill, and re-skill Armed Forces Personnel, Indian Navy personnel in particular, in emerging areas of Business Management, Financial Management, Block Chain, Project Management, Strategic Management, Digital Marketing, Supply chain, Logistic management, and research.
• This will facilitate career enhancement/ progression of Serving Personnel and up-skill retiring officers to meet industry requirements.

About the Indian Navy:

• The Indian Navy is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
• The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy.
• Founded: 26 January 1950, Motto(s): शं नो वरुणः (Sanskrit), Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) - Admiral R. Hari Kumar.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

Union Minister has launched Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2022 survey report:

• Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, and Textiles recently launched Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2022 survey report.
• The LEADS is an indigenous data-driven index to assess logistics infrastructure, services, and human resources across all 36 States and UTs.
• The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth.
• The index aims at enhancing the focus on improving logistics performance across states which is essential for improving the country's trade and reducing transaction costs.
• LEADS 2022 has adopted a classification-based grading, states have been now classified under four categories viz coastal states, hinterland/landlocked states, north-eastern states, and Union Territories.
• Three performance categories namely,
• Achievers: States/UTs achieving 90% or more percentage,
• Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Gujarat are among the 15 States and UTs categorized as achievers.
• Fast Movers: States/UTs achieving percentage scores between 80% to 90%,
• Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim, and Tripura are the other States categorized as fast movers.
• Aspirers: States/UTs achieving percentage scores below 80% have been made.
• The 15 States and UTs ranked in the aspirers category include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The LEADS 2022 survey report would assist PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) and National Logistics Policy (NLP).
• The first logistics report was released in 2018.
• No ranking was released last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The government is already aiming to reduce the country’s logistics costs to 8% of its GDP in the next five years from 13-14% now.

CRII: India has moved up six places to rank 123 out of 161 countries

• India has moved up six places to rank 123 out of 161 countries for reducing inequality but continues to be among the lowest performers in health spending, according to the latest Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII).
• The 2022 CRII looks at government policies and actions in 161 countries to fight inequality during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Norway leads the CRII followed by Germany and Australia.
• India's overall rank has improved by six points from 129 in 2020 to 123 in 2022.
• It has moved up 12 places to rank 129 for reducing inequality through progressive spending.
• The country ranks 16 for progressive taxation, up by three.
• The Index which is prepared by Oxfam International and Development Finance International (DFI) measures government policies and actions in three areas proven to have a major impact on reducing inequality.
• The three areas are public services (health, education, and social protection), taxation, and workers’ rights.
• The Oxfam report based on the index said India features among the lowest performers in health spending again.
• The index showed that it has dropped a further two places in the rankings, to 157th, the 5th lowest in the world.
• India has dropped a further two places in the rankings, to 157th (or 5th lowest in the world).
• India’s health spending is 3.64 percent of total spending.
• This is the lowest out of all BRICS and neighboring countries, the report said.
• While China and Russia are spending 10 percent, Brazil is at 7.7 percent and South Africa is highest at 12.9 percent.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOUR

Karine Aigner was named this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year

• The American National History Museum announced the winners of their prestigious annual Wildlife Photographer Awards in an awards ceremony in London.
• From the 19 category winners that highlight the natural world in all its wonder and diversity, American photographer Karine Aigner bagged this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year for her remarkable image titled, 'The big buzz'.
• Karine is just the fifth woman in the competition’s 58-year history
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the NHM, London.
• The exhibition opens at the museum, before embarking on the UK and international tour.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Mr. Partha Satpathy appointed India’s new envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Partha Satpathy has been appointed as India’s next ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Meanwhile, Adarsh Swaika, joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been appointed India’s next Ambassador to Kuwait.
• Avtar Singh, a Director in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea.

About Mr. Partha Satpathy :

• He served as the Head of the Division in the Ministry of External Affairs.
• He is currently the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Hungary.

About Bosnia and Herzegovina :

• Capital: Sarajevo
• Currency: Convertible mark

Paytm Payments Bank appoints Mr. Deependra Singh Rathore as Interim CEO

• Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) has appointed Deependra Singh Rathore as the interim chief executive officer (CEO), in addition to his role as chief product & technology officer (CPTO).
• He will replace Satish Gupta, who was the bank’s CEO and is set to retire in October 2022.

Other Appointments :

• The Bank also appointed Sunil Chander Sharma, a former IRS officer as a chief operating officer (COO) to oversee the functions of customer support, retail operations, legal and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA), and Human Resources and Administration.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched 75 digital banking units across states and this means the more banking units the country has, the more transactions will take place.

About Paytm Payments Bank :

• Founded: August 2010
• Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Chairman & CEO: Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Yubi appoints Mr Atanu Chakraborty as chairman

• Yubi (formerly CredAvenue) has appointed Atanu Chakraborty as the Independent Chairman of the Yubi board.  

About Mr. Atanu Chakraborty :

• He is a 1985 batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service, of the Gujarat cadre.
• He has served as the Economic Affairs Secretary of India till his retirement in April 2020.
• He was also appointed to the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India.
• He also served as the Secretary of Expenditure as well as the Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).
• Atanu Chakraborty is also currently the Chairman of the Board of HDFC Bank. 

About Yubi :

• Founded: 2020
• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Founder & CEO: Gaurav Kumar

Ms. Apoorva Srivastava appointed as India’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic

• A diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service, Ms. Apoorva Srivastava has been appointed to serve as India’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. 

About Ms Apoorva Srivastava :

• She served in various positions in the Ministry of External Affairs and has been posted in Kathmandu and Paris, among other locations.
• Currently, she serves as Consul-General at the Consulate of India in

About the Slovak Republic :

• President : Zuzana Čaputová
• Prime Minister : Eduard Heger
• Capital: Bratislava
• Currency: Euro

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

NATO Neptune Strike military exercise starts in the Mediterranean Sea

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Naval Striking and Support Forces announced the launch of the Neptune Strike (NEST 22-2), a multi-domain exercise in the Mediterranean Sea and are expected to be completed by October 28, 2022.

About NEST 22-2 :

• NEST 22-2 highlights the natural evolution of NATO’s ability to integrate maritime warfare capabilities of a carrier strike group to support Allied defense.
• Neptune Strike is the third phase of NATO’s long-planned Project Neptune series, which was elaborated in 2020.
• Two previous military exercises under this project were conducted in February and May 2022.

About NATO :

• Founded: 4 April 1949
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Secretary General: Jens Stoltenberg
• Chair of the NATO Military Committee: Lt. Admiral Rob Bauer
• Membership: 30 member states (28 European and 2 North American)

LT Gen PS Bhagat Memorial Chair of Excellence Instituted at the United Service Institution of India

• On the 103rd birth anniversary of late Lt Gen PS Bhagat, ex-Colonel Commandant of the Bombay Sappers and SIKH LI Regiment, the Indian Army has dedicated a Chair of Excellence in his memory at the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, Delhi.
• The announcement was made by Gen Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff, at a solemn ceremony organized at the USI of India, Delhi in the presence of former Army Chiefs Gen V P Malik (Retd) and Gen M M Naravane (Retd).
• During the ceremony, a Rs 5 lakhs honorarium to the nominated Chair of Excellence was handed over to Maj Gen BK Sharma (retd), Director, USI.
• Late Lt Gen PS Bhagat who served as the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the re-raised Northern Command was an outstanding professional and a prolific writer.
• The inaugural Chair of Excellence is being awarded to Maj Gen SG Pitre (Retd) to author a book on the “Legacy of Lt Gen Prem Bhagat: A visionary and Strategic Leader”.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO proposes dedicated satellites for the agricultural sector

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed dedicated satellites for supporting the country’s agriculture sector.
• In this regard, recently, ISRO held discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Government of India, on the proposed 'Bharat Krishi Satellite' program. 

About 'Bharat Krishi Satellite :

• ‘Bharat Krishi Satellite Programme is a proposal put forward by ISRO to the Government of India.
• The ISRO proposes that at least two dedicated satellites will be needed to make sure that all of the country’s agricultural land is covered well.
• They will help with a wide range of farming tasks, such as crop forecasting, the use of pesticides, irrigation, soil data, and the collection of important data about drought.
• The satellites will be owned by the Department of Agriculture and not by ISRO.
• The ISRO will provide technical support.

About IRS :

• Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) are a series of Earth observation satellites, built, launched, and maintained by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 
• IRS data is used for the observation and management of the country's natural resources applications in agriculture, hydrology, geology, drought and flood monitoring, snow studies, and land use.

Currently used satellites for agriculture :

• Resources at (for crop production forecast)
• Cartosat (topographic mapping)
• RISAT (weather imaging)
• To overcome the current shortcomings in earth observation capability and data utilization, the ISRO chairman has proposed the establishment of an 'Earth Observation Council.'

About Earth Observation Council :

• Earth Observation Council was created for addressing the current deficiencies in earth observation capabilities and data utilization.

About Agricultural census :

• The agricultural census in India is conducted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. 
• This is an exercise carried out every five years to collect farm-economy data critical for policy making.
• The agricultural census is the main source of information on a variety of indicators, including the nature of operational land holdings, their size, distribution by class, land-use statistics, tenancy, and cropping patterns.
• The latest census i.e., the 11th census was launched by the Ministry in July 2022.
• During the 11th census, for the first time, data collection for the agricultural census will be conducted on smartphones and tablets.

ISRO’s LVM3 to make commercial foray with launch of 36 OneWeb satellites on October 23

• The Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) heaviest rocket LVM3 will launch British start-up OneWeb’s 36 broadband satellites from the country's only spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on October 23, 2022.
• LVM3 was earlier called GSLV Mk III.

About LVM3 :

• LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage, and a cryogenic stage.
• It is capable of launching a four-tonne class of satellites into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Key Highlights :

• With this launch, the GSLV MKIII will enter the global commercial launch service market. 
• As part of the contract, 36 communication satellites will be placed into orbit by one LVM3 - ISRO’s heaviest launcher, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, under the OneWeb India-1 Mission. 
• It will be the first LVM3 dedicated commercial launch 
• This will be the second flight of the GSLV MKIII since it carried India’s second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2. 
• Also, this will be the first time a rocket other than India’s workhorse - PSLV, is being used to carry out a commercial launch.
• Since its first operational flight, the PSLV has launched at least 345 foreign satellites from 36 countries (PSLV-C37 - the most notable, that put 104 satellites (of which 101 were foreign commercial satellites) in orbit in 2017).
• India currently has three operational launch vehicles - the PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mk III.
• GSLV can put a heavier payload (up to 5,000 kg up to 37,000 km) in orbit than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV can carry up to 2000 kg into space up to 600-900 km).
• PSLV is designed mainly to deliver earth observation or remote sensing satellites, whereas GSLV has been designed for launching communication satellites. 

Recent News :

• Earlier the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the space agency, had signed two launch service contracts with the UK-based Network Access Associates Limited (OneWeb) for launching OneWeb LEO (low earth orbit) broadband communication satellites on-board ISRO’s LVM3.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing a rocket named Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) to replace the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

About OneWeb :

• OneWeb is a global communications network, powered from space, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities.
• Bharti group-backed OneWeb is implementing a constellation of LEO satellites. 

Center’s push for indigenous navigation system on smartphones worries Samsung, Xiaomi & Apple

• The Union government is pushing tech giants to make smartphones compatible with its home-grown navigation system Navic within months.
• However, companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple fear elevated costs and disruptions as the move will require hardware changes.
• The Government of India (GoI) wants to reduce dependence on foreign systems, including the widely used S. Global Positioning System (GPS) & informed NavIC provides more accurate domestic navigation and that its use would benefit the economy.

About NavIC :

• NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), is also called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). 
• With the launch of the constellation's satellite (IRNSS-1G), IRNSS was renamed NaVIC by India’s Prime Minister.
• It is an independent stand-alone navigation satellite system developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
• Presently, IRNSS consists of 8 satellites, three satellites in geostationary orbit, and five satellites in geosynchronous orbit. 
• NavIC was approved in 2006.
• It was expected to be completed by late 2011, but it only became operational in 2018.
• NavIC covers the whole of India’s landmass and up to 1,500 km from its boundaries.
• It was recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a part of the World Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) for operation in the Indian Ocean Region in 2020.
• IRNSS-1I to replace IRNSS-1A, which was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed & are developed by ISRO.

About GPS :

• The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force.
• The main difference between GPS and NavIC is the serviceable area covered by these systems.
• GPS caters to users across the globe and its satellites circle the earth twice a day, while NavIC is currently for use in India and adjacent areas.
• Like GPS, there are four more navigation systems that have global coverage

1. Galileo from the European Union,
2. QZSS(Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) by Japan,
3. Russia-owned GLONASS
4. Beidou from China.

Why is India promoting NavIC?

• India says NavIC is conceived to remove dependence on foreign satellite systems for navigation service requirements, particularly for “strategic sectors.” 
• Relying on systems like GPS and GLONASS may not always be reliable as those are operated by the defense agencies of respective nations and it is possible that civilian services can be degraded or denied.
• India wants to encourage its ministries to use NavIC applications to promote local industries engaged in developing indigenous NavIC-based solutions.

NASA’s Titan Dragonfly to Land on Saturn Moon's Icy Dunes

• According to a new analysis of radar imagery from the Cassini spacecraft, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dragonfly mission to Saturn's largest moon will touch down on a terrain of dunes and shattered icy bedrock.
• The research was published in The Planetary Science Journal

Key Highlights :

• Dragonfly is a rotorcraft that will launch in 2026 and arrive in 2034 and explore Titan from the
• According to NASA, the range of a wheeled rover is far smaller than that of a Dragonfly, which will be able to go around 10 miles (16 kilometers) on each trip in a half-hour.
• Throughout its two-year mission, it will explore an area with a breadth of hundreds of miles or kilometers.
• However, before taking to the sky on its own, Dragonfly must first arrive on Titan under a parachute, soft-landing on frozen terrain that is hidden from easy viewing by the dense hydrocarbon smog that fills the moon's atmosphere.
• Dragonfly's landing site will be the Shangri-La dune field, close to the 50-mile-wide (80 kilometers) crater, Selk. 
• This region was imaged by NASA's Cassini spacecraft during its mission to Saturn between 2004 and 2017.
• The greatest resolution for the region's radar images taken by Cassini is just 1,000 feet (300 meters) per pixel.
• Dragonfly marks the first time NASA will fly a multirotor vehicle for science on another planet; it has eight rotors and flies like a large drone.

About NASA :

• Established: July 29, 1958
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C, United States
• Administrator: Bill Nelson

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

India finished fifth at ISSF World Championship Shotgun:

• India finished fifth with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at ISSF World Championship Shotgun.
• Italy, Great Britain, and the USA took the top three spots.
• China was in fourth place.
• It prevailed over India on the medal tally by winning a silver more.
• Both India and China had the same medal haul.
• The USA won the gold in the Women’s Skeet Team competition on the final day (12 October).
• ISSF World Championship Shotgun took place in Osijek, Croatia
• ISSF world championship now moves to Cairo, Egypt for the Rifle and Pistol leg.

About ISSF:

• International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
• It is the governing body of the Olympic shooting events in rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines.

Daily CA on October 19:

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched several digital initiatives of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) during its 275th Annual Day celebrations in New Delhi
• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched a Solar-Electric Hybrid High-Speed Ferry and inaugurated a Floating Jetty project at Panaji.
• India achieved a monthly value of merchandise export in September 2022 amounting to USD 32.62 billion.
• Homegrown digital gold platform SafeGold launched a new leasing offering called ‘Gains’ which will allow consumers to lease individually owned gold.
• The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the apex institute of Ayurveda in India under the Ministry of AYUSH, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan have signed an MoU for academic establishment.
• As part of its diversification programme for clean coal energy, Coal India Limited (CIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL), for developing a solar power project of 1190 MW in Jaipur
• Indian Navy and IIM Nagpur signed an MoU to explore Opportunities to train, up-skill, and re-skill Armed Forces Personnel, Indian Navy personnel in particular
• Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, Public Distribution, and Textiles recently launched Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2022 survey report.
• India has moved up six places to rank 123 out of 161 countries for reducing inequality but continues to be among the lowest performers in health spending, according to the latest Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII).
• The American National History Museum announced the winners of their prestigious annual Wildlife Photographer Awards in an awards ceremony in London.
• India finished fifth with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at ISSF World Championship Shotgun.
• India participated in the 6th East Asia Summit Education Minister’s Meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar will discuss with the Union Minister for Education, Skill, and Entrepreneurship Shru Dharmendra Pradhan on collaborating with Egypt on premier higher educational institutes, like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
• The third World Kuchipudi Natyotsavam would be organized for three days in
• Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) Shri MK Stalin launched the "Kutti Kavalar" scheme for school students to make them more responsible when it comes to road safety. 
• The Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with 11 banks for providing banking facilities to Agniveers on enrolment. 
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been selling dollars in the non-deliverable forward (NDF) market via local banks based in India's GIFT City International Financial Services Center, as it seeks to support the sliding rupee.
• Partha Satpathy has been appointed as India’s next ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) has appointed Deependra Singh Rathore as the interim chief executive officer (CEO), in addition to his role as chief product & technology officer (CPTO).
• Yubi (formerly CredAvenue) has appointed Atanu Chakraborty as the Independent Chairman of the Yubi board.  
• A diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service, Ms. Apoorva Srivastava has been appointed to serve as India’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. 
• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Naval Striking and Support Forces announced the launch of the Neptune Strike (NEST 22-2), a multi-domain exercise in the Mediterranean Sea and are expected to be completed by October 28, 2022.
• On the 103rd birth anniversary of late Lt Gen PS Bhagat, ex-Colonel Commandant of the Bombay Sappers and SIKH LI Regiment, the Indian Army has dedicated a Chair of Excellence in his memory at the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, Delhi.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed dedicated satellites for supporting the country’s agriculture sector.
• The Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) heaviest rocket LVM3 will launch British start-up OneWeb’s 36 broadband satellites from the country's only spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on October 23, 2022.
• The Union government is pushing tech giants to make smartphones compatible with its home-grown navigation system Navic within months.
• According to a new analysis of radar imagery from the Cassini spacecraft, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dragonfly mission to Saturn's largest moon will touch down on a terrain of dunes and shattered icy bedrock.