Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of July 22nd to 31st July 2023. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBI Clerk 2023 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : IMPORTANT DAYS

• Every year on July 22nd World Brain Day is celebrated by people worldwide to prevent brain disabilities and treat and rehabilitate them & the theme is "Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind."
• National Broadcasting Day is observed on July 23 every year in India.
• Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually across the country on July 26th to pay tribute to the bravery and valour of the Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country during the Kargil War in 1999 & this year marks the 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
• On July 28th, World Nature Conservation Day 2023 is celebrated and observed all over the world as an awareness program to conserve Nature & the theme is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”.
• International Tiger Day 2023 is celebrated and observed worldwide as an awareness program on July 29.
• Every year, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 is observed on 30th July to build awareness of the anxiety of human trafficking victims and to promote and protect their rights & the theme is "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind".
• Every year World Ranger Day is celebrated on the 31st of July to commemorate Rangers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty & the theme is '30 by 30'.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : NATIONAL NEWS

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated a National Mega Conclave on the launching of Common Services Centre (CSC) services by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Ayush, in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Mission to ASEAN organized a conference of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on traditional medicines at New Delhi.
• Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Bhagwanth Khuba informed the Lok Sabha that the Centre has approved the Market Development Assistance, MDA of 1500 rupees per metric tonne to promote organic fertilizers.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Aviation Security Control Center (ASCC) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Mahipalpur campus in New Delhi.
• The 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit is to be jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Ltd. and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) 2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh & the event's theme is "Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft".
• The Union government introduced the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha, seeks to provide for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate 'Semicon India 2023' in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The Union Government has implemented various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every stratum, including minorities, especially the economically weaker and lesser privileged sections of society.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated a centralised Aviation Security Control Centre (ASCC) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in New Delhi to meet the current security challenges.
• The Union Government is implementing a Scheme for “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Power Projects” in the country.
• Minister of State for Communication Shri Devusinh Chauhan and Director General, Universal Postal Union (DG UPU) Mr Masahiko Metoki inaugurated the Regional Office of UPU at New Delhi.
• Union Minister for Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal discussed the roadmap to achieve the target of $250 billion in textiles production and $100 billion in exports by 2030.
• NITI Aayog has introduced the Techno-Commercial Readiness and Market Maturity Matrix (TCRM Matrix) framework, an innovative assessment tool aimed at transforming technology evaluation, encouraging innovation, and nurturing entrepreneurship in India.
• Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel inaugurated Heli Summit 2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
• The 164th anniversary of Income Tax Day was observed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all its field offices across India.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Gujarat’s first Greenfield Airport at Hirasar near Rajkot.
• The 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting began in Chennai.
• Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel inaugurated three Flight Training Organizations (FTO) in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
• The Ministry of Textiles, under its flagship scheme National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), organized the 6th National Conclave on Standards & Regulations in association with FICCI and BIS, emphasizing the importance of Standards, Quality regulations & Rationalization of HSN codes for Technical Textiles in India.
• The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organizing the 3rd edition of the Summit on “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India” (GCPMH 2023) in New Delhi.
• Chhattisgarh-based Coal India subsidiary, South Eastern Coalfields (SECL), will invest Rs. 169 crores on a plantation in its operating States of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh during the next five years.
• The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will launch a unique initiative ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated it to the nation's various development projects in Sikar, Rajasthan.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023 (02 of 2023) dated July 25, 2023, to repeal the Regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001) with effect from the date of its notification in Official Gazette.
• Army Postal Service Corps inaugurated the first Permanent Aadhaar Enrolment Centre-PAEC at Central Base Post Office in New Delh
• The Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) is set to be launched at the side event during the 4th Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology will organize a one-day Chintan Shivir to strengthen the interaction between Common Research and Technology Development Hubs-CRTDHs and MSMEs at the Indian Institute of Technology-IIT, Kharagpur.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing ‘Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu KalyanYojana (PMVKY)’ which includes many schemes for the development and welfare of tribal communities.
• To boost the trading of carbon credits in the country, the Ministry of Power has notified the Carbon Credit Market Schem
• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched a campaign to transform 75 historic Lighthouses into Tourism Spots when he inaugurated three revamped lighthouses in Dwarka, Gopnath & Veraval that were transformed as tourist destinations at Dwarka,
• The Centre had announced plans to set up seven mega textile parks under PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) scheme.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new International Airport in Rajkot, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, and other dignitaries.
• The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 3rd Edition of the Summit on “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India" (GCPMH 2023) in New Delhi.
• NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s institution for policy planning together with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, and the Global Development Network (GDN), New Delhi, is convening a two-day international policy workshop of around 40 leading thinkers to examine prospects and challenges for green and sustainable growth globally.
• The Lok Sabha passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 amid the din & the Bill amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 which regulates the mining sector.
• The Lok Sabha passed the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 amid the din, seeks to provide for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals.
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of 30 lakh rupees on Indigo Airlines for certain systemic deficiencies in documentation about operations, training procedures, and engineering procedures.
• India’s tiger population is estimated to be 3 thousand 925 with an annual growth rate of 6.1%per annum.
• Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the 7th Meeting of the Central Institute Body (CIB) of AIIMS and Chintan Shivir at the National Institute for Health and Family Welfare.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah released the 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die' book in Rameshwaram.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune informed that Algeriahas applied to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of BRICS Bank with an amount of $1.5 billion.
• India and the United States (US) jointly launched a call for collaborative proposals on “Critical and Emerging Technology: Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming Lives".
• Japan has become the second Quad partner after the United States (US) to sign an agreement with India for the joint development of the semiconductor ecosystem.
• Tata Sons announced its plan to establish a global battery cell gigafactory in the United Kingdom (UK) with a capacity to produce 40 Gigawatt (GW) of cells annually, at an investment of over £4 billion.
• India has presented its candidature under Category-B to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council Elections for the Biennium 2024-25 at its Assembly in London.
• Twitter owner Elon Musk has launched a new logo – the single letter “X” to replace the social media service’s famous blue bird as part of a broader rebranding effort.
• In a significant move, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Unified Payments System (UPI) in France.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi has been elected as the chair of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) that will be held in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February 2024.
• The 10th meeting of the Sub Committee on Military Cooperation between India and Malaysia was held in New Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

• In one of the largest fundraising by the Adani Group from Indian banks since the allegations by Hindenburg Research, a State Bank of India (SBI)-led consortium of banks has agreed to finance a significant part of the Adani Group’s ₹34,000-crore polyvinyl chloride (PVC) project in Mundra.
• The Universal Postal Union (UPU)has announced plans to evaluate the integration of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI)with cross-border remittances using the global postal network.
• ESAF Small Finance Bank has achieved a high score of 71 in an Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) assessment conducted by CareEdge Research.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) retained India's economic growth forecast at 6.4% for the current financial year (FY2023) and 6.7% for the next financial year (FY2024).
• In a push to asset monetisation of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), the Centre has empanelled 11 firms to provide consultancy services &the firms include SBI Capital Markets Limited, CBRE South Asia Private Limited, Ernst &Young LLP, Cushman Wakefield India Private Limited, KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, Colliers International (India) Property Services Private Limited, Anarock Property Consultants Private Limited, Jones Lang La Salle Property Consultant (India) Private Limited, Darashaw & Company Private Limited and Rites Limited, an order by National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC)
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed asset management companies (AMCs) to launch funds under 6 new strategies under the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) thematic category.
• The Centre has exempted Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from the purview of the merger control regime of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that India's forex reserves have swelled by USD 12.743 billion to USD 609.022 billion in July 14,2023 making it one of the strongest weekly surges in the kitty.
• Private sector lender, Karnataka Bank hosted the first edition of ‘KBL - FinOne’, a fintech partnership programme, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• India's 7th largest Public Sector Bank, Indian Bank launched Resources Acquisition Centre (RAC).
• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has upgraded its technology platform to promote digital transactions and provide most offerings on a self-service platform.
• India's Federal Bank has raised 9.59 billion Indian rupees ($116.92 million) via preferential issues of shares to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
• Reliance General Insurance will soon receive an equity infusion of Rs 200 crore from its parent Reliance Capital which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
• Gujarat is set to witness a new phase of expansion in the urban cooperative banking sector, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted permission for urban cooperative banks to open new branches without its approval.
• Public sector bank Canara Bankwill be signing a ₹3,000 crore IT transformation deal to revamp and enhance its tech infrastructure.
• State-owned Bank of India (BoI) is exploring the possibility of share sale to investors over the next one year to meet the minimum public holding requirement of 25%.
• According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India’s outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) declined to $11.12 billion in January-June (H1 2023) from $23.57 billion in the same period last year, indicative of the slowdown in the global economy.
• The Union government approved the interest rate of 8.15% recommended by the Central Board of Trustees of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for its over 6 crore subscribers for the financial year 2022-23.
• In the exercise of the powers conferred under section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934, the RBI has directed the inclusion of the NongHyup Bank in the list of Scheduled Banks.
• The Union minister of State for finance, Shri Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad announced that Indian banks have received ₹5,729 crores from the “Depositor Education and Awareness" (DEA) Fund to facilitate the refund of unclaimed deposits in the last 5-years.
• PhonePe, a digital payments platform, has partnered with PayMate, a leading digital Business-to-business (B2B) payments and service provider, to allow users to pay their income tax on the PhonePe app called “Income Tax Payment”.
• HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), investment manager to HDFC Mutual Fund (HDFC MF), has launched the HDFC Charity Fund for Cancer Cure in partnership with the Indian Cancer Society (ICS).
• Canara Bank topped the list of public sector banks (PSBs) with the highest lending to corporations and public sector undertakings (PSUs) of States and Union Territories (UTs) for the 5th year in a row.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted 20 banks operating in the country to open 92 Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of partner banks from 22 countries as part of efforts to promote bilateral trade in local currencies.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed limitations on The National Cooperative Bank Limited, one of Bengaluru's oldest institutions, due to its deteriorating financial status.
• On the occasion of the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Federal Bankhas launched a unique NR savings account plan designed exclusively for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women.
• Indian public sector bank Union Bank of India (UBI) has partnered with technology company IBM India Private limited to co-create a state-of-the-art Digital Business Platform.
• Bajaj Finserv Asset Management launched its first equity scheme, the Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund, an open-ended equity scheme with an aim to invest in equity and equity-related instruments across market capitalization for long-term capital appreciation.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) came out with a consultation paper on boosting the cyber security framework for entities regulated by it.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) signed an agreement for a $295 million loan to upgrade around 265 kilometre state highways with climate and disaster-resilient design, and road safety elements in Bihar.
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has introduced Jeevan Kiran, a new plan that offers life cover with the return of premium.
• ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched ICICI Pru Protect N Gain, a unique product which offers a comprehensive life insurance cover, protection against accidental death and permanent disability due to an accident and market-linked returns to build long-term wealth and achieve financial goals.
• Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (KGFS), a Chennai-based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), has entered into a co-lending partnership with HDFC Bank to provide capital to micro business units operating primarily in the unorganised sector.
• The World Bank has officially approved the Bank of Israel’s membership in the prestigious International Committee on Credit Reporting (ICCR).
• Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) came out with an exhaustive framework for the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF).
• Liberty General Insurance, one of the leading non-life insurance companies in India, has been appointed as the “Lead Insurer” for Delhi by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has participated as an anchor investor in Promising Lenders Fund (PLF) managed by Vivriti Asset Managementwith an aggregate target corpus of ₹700 crore in two tranches.
• Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) fined Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) with ₹10 lakh over investor complaint probe.
• Regulations for delisting of shares are being reviewed by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

• The Government of Maharashtra has approved the Adani group’s proposal to rehabilitate residents of Mumbai’s 590-acre Dharavi locality, home to over 900,000 Indians, almost 8 months after the conglomerate won a tender to develop India’s largest slum.
• The Assam government has decided to ban packaged drinking water bottles of less than one litre from October 2, 2023.
• The Madhya Pradesh (MP) government and the United Nations Population Fund, formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) launched an Artificial Intelligence-enabled chatbot to address the critical need for accurate and accessible information on social issues and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among adolescents and young adults.
• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Shri Bhupesh Baghel launched an ambitious rural housing scheme named Gramin Awas Nyay Yojana with an aim to provide affordable and quality housing to the marginalised sections of society in Chhattisgarh.
• The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government launched the subsidy portal, upevsubsidy.in, paving the way for people to apply online for the subsidy available on purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) in UP.
• The government of Himachal Pradesh (HP) has launched “Sashakt Mahila Rin Yojana”, a collateral-free loan scheme for women that will empower them.
• In a bid to become India's first state to guarantee social security to gig workers, Rajasthan tabled the Rajasthan Platform Based GIG Workers (registration and welfare) Bill, 2023.
• Keralagot the country’s first Construction Innovation Hub (CIH) that seeks to promote affordable and sustainable building facilities so as to foster collaboration, innovation and knowledge-sharing among the stakeholders.
• The 4th and final Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting under India’s G20 or Group of 20 Presidency was held in Goa .
• In a significant step towards empowering women and ensuring their safety and security, the Ladakh Police Department inaugurated the first-ever Women Police Station in Kargil district.
• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $200 million loan as additional financing for the ongoing Rajasthan Secondary Towns Development Sector Project to expand water supply and sanitation systems and enhance urban resilience and heritage living in selected towns.
• In Jammu and Kashmir, the farmers in various districts also received the 14th instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi yojna in their bank accounts.
• Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Shri Naveen Patnaik became second longest-serving chief minister (CM) of a state in India with a tenure of 23 years and 139 days by breaking the record of former West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Jyoti Basu.
• Often hailed as India’s Silicon Valley and recognized as the country’s fastest-growing metropolis, Bengaluru, Karnataka has become the first Indian city to become part of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) a global network of cities that share research and intelligence, and explore the role of culture in future prosperity.
• The Chhattisgarh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 1,188.36 crore with Indian multinational product engineering company, Tata Technologies Limited to transform 36 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into an Industry 4.0 Technology Hub.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• The Union government has appointed Haryana cadre 1988 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Manoj Yadava as next Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) & he will replace incumbent Sanjay Chander.
• Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced he was quitting politics after nearly 13 years in power, in a shock end to his time as the longest-serving leader in the history of the Netherlands.
• Renowned scientist, clinician and researcher, Vincent Rajkumar, has been appointed as chairman-elect of the Board of Directors of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) & he takes over from the current chairman, Brian G.M. Durie.
• The President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed Chief justices of 4 new High Courts Ie. Justice Sunita Agarwal became the new Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, Justice Alok Aradhe is the new Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Subhasis Talapatra has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, Justice Ashish Jitendra Desai would take over as the new Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court
• Nivruti Rai, the former Intel India head, joined Invest India as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Invest India.
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a unit of Indian automaker Tata Motors, has appointed interim boss Adrian Mardell as chief executive officer (CEO) for a three-year term.
• City-based Cost & Management Accountant (CMA) Neeraj Joshi has been elected as the Central Council Member (CCM) of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) and CMA Chaitanya Moharir elected as the Western India Regional Council Member (RCM).
• Pan Gongsheng was named China’s central bank governor in the widely anticipated final major appointment of the ruling Communist Party’s once-a-decade change of power.
• The President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya from the Allahabad High Court (HC) as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
• Based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Tata Steel has reappointed TV Narendran as Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a further period of 5 years effective September 19, 2023 through September 18, 2028.
• BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB) has elected Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director of International Financial Relations and Organizations Department at the UAE Ministry of Finance, as a member of its Board of Directors and a Constituency Director.
• The Ministry of Steel (MoS) has extended the tenure of Amitava Mukherjee's additional charge as Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of NMDC Limited, formerly National Mineral Development Corporation and NMDC Steel Limited for a period of 3 months with effect from September 01, 2023 to November 19, 2023.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given its approval for the appointment of N S Vishwanathan as the non-executive (part-time) chairman of the bank for a 3-year term.
• The Supreme Court (SC) extended the tenure of Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra till September 15, 2023.
• Indian multinationalpaint company, Asian Paints has appointed R Seshasayee as the Chairman of the board of directors of the company with effect from October 1, 2023, and he will continue in this position until the end of his tenure on January 22, 2027.
• 2005-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, Ritesh Chauhan (IAS) has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED).
• India’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Ruchira Kamboj has assumed the chair of the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD) and stressed its crucial role in addressing social challenges.
• United Kingdom (UK) Professor Jim Skea has been elected as the new chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the globally authoritative United Nations (UN) body on climate change science.
• Justice Alok Aradhe was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court at Raj Bhavan, Telangana & he succeeded Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, who was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

• SoftBank has sold an additional 2% stake in One 97 Communications, the parent of fintech major Paytm, generating proceeds of $250 million to $300 million.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted approval to the proposed combination involving acquisition of shareholding up to 59.38% of Unichem Laboratories Limited (Target)by Ipca Laboratories Limited (Acquirer).
• Diversified business conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) has picked up a 3.53% stake in private sector lender RBL Bank formerly known as Ratnakar Bank, for Rs. 417 crore.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : AWARDS & HONOURS

• Shri Anurag Thakur confers the 8th and 9th Community Radio Awards; inaugurates Regional Community Radio Sammelan.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BUSINESS NEWS

• India’s coal sector achieved a remarkable milestone in the first quarter of FY 2023-24, by recording the highest-ever coal production at 223.36 million tonnes (MT), representing a substantial growth of 8.55% compared to the production of 205.76 MT during the same period during  FY 2022-23.
• The index of mineral production of the mining and quarrying sector for the month of April 2023 (Base: 2011-12=100) at 122.5, is 5.1% higher as compared to the level during the month of April 2022.
• Adani group to build world's largest 20 GW hybrid renewable energy park in Gujarat.
• Noida-based HCL Technology (HCLTech) has joined the XR Startup Programme, an initiative between Meta and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Startup Hub to discover, nurture, and accelerate extended reality (XR) technology start-ups in India.
• India’s outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) nosedived to $11.12 billion in January-June (H1 2023) from $23.57 billion in the same period last year, indicative of the slowdown in the global economy, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Tata Consultancy Services has won a multi-year deal from The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to transform its finance and payroll functions and manage the underlying application estate for greater agility and resilience.
• The all-India Coal Production in the year 2022-23 stood at 893.19 Million tonnes (MT) in comparison to 565.77 MT in the year 2013-14 with a growth of about 58%.
• The Ministry of Mines stated that overall Mineral Production has increased by 6.4 per cent in May this year as compared to May last year.
• The Indian Pharmaceuticals Industry turnover has increased from 2.26 lakh crore rupees in 2017-2018 to over 3.44 lakh crore rupees in 2021-22.
• In May 2023, the National Coal Index (NCI) dropped significantly by 33.8%, reaching 157.7 points.
• Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) and initiated the muhurat trading on Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation mechanism called AMC Repo Clearing Limited (ARCL), in Mumbai.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : MOUS & AGREEMENTS

• An MoU has been signed between the Ministry of Culture and Canara Bank for the disbursal of financial assistance to the selected beneficiaries under the “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists” earlier known as “Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artists”.
• India Chamber of Business and Commerce referred to as the India Chamber and the Indian Council of Medical Research referred to as ICMR has signed an MOA at the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the presence of the Minister of MSME Shri Narayan Rane to promote India as global Hub in healthcare manufacturing and delivery and for creating a global stakeholders platform for the building robust healthcare ecosystem promoting future of health capabilities in India and promoting Investment creation in the field of Healthcare.
• Indian Bank has partnered with TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment) and its wholly owned subsidiary TMTL (TAFE Motors and Tractors Ltd.) for tractor financing.
• An MoU has been signed by the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy with an aim to revive the “ancient stitched shipbuilding method (Tankai method)”.
• India and Argentina have agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.
• Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) announced the exchange of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Lam Research India at the ongoing SemiconIndia in
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of India and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) of Papua New Guinea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share INDIA STACK — a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : PERSON IN NEWS

• An 18-year-old open water swimmer from Navi Mumbai, Anshuman Jhingran, became the youngest person to cross the North Channel.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

• Two frontline Indian Naval ships (INS) Sahyadri and INS Kolkata arrived in Indonesia's Jakarta,Indonesia to participate in the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Indonesian Navy.
• On completing 32 years of illustrious service to the nation, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kirpan has been decommissioned from the Indian Navy and Handed Over to Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) at Cam Ranh, Vietnam.
• Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Remembering the supreme sacrifices by the Indian Soldiers, the Commune of Monotone (in Italy) and Italian Military historians have unveiled “C Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial” at Montone (Perugia, Italy), as a tribute to the Indian troops who fought during Italian Campaign during the Second World War, and to honour Naik Yeshwant Ghadge, Victoria Cross, who was killed in action fighting on the heights of Upper Tiber Valley.
• The 7th edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023, JIMEX 23 (6 day long exercise) hosted by the Indian Navy, is being conducted at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the Germany-based leading naval company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian defencePSU Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the overhaul and modernisation of submarine Indian Navy Ship (INS) Shankush to extend its operational capability.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• The European Space Agency's (ESA) Aeolus wind satellite, after exceeding its planned life in orbit, is making its way back to Earth.
• The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly referred to as SpaceX launched 22 Starlink V2 ‘Mini’ satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the United States of America (USA).
• Agri-drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited has obtained a Type Certificate (TC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its latest drone model, the 'AGRIBOT A6 (2nd drone from IoTechWorld).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : RANKING & INDEX

• The Institute for Economics and Peace has released the 2023 Global Peace Index, which ranks the most peaceful countries in the world & this is the 17th edition of the annual report, which is considered the leading measure of peacefulness worldwide & Since 2008, Iceland has consistently remained the most peaceful country, excelling in domestic and international conflict resolution, societal safety and security, and lack of militarization.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

• Team India batter Virat Kohli created history, becoming the first cricketer to score a hundred in his 500th international game during the second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain in Trinidad.
• Asian Champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated world no. 1 Indonesian duo Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in a thrilling 3-game men’s doubles final 17-21, 21-13, 21-14 to clinch the Korea Open 2023 title in Yeosu, Korea.
• India's Kamaljeet clinched Gold Medal in Men’s individual 50-metre Pistol Event at ISSF Junior Shooting World Championship 2023 at Changwon Shooting Range, Korea.
• The Union government has emphasized that ethical conduct is a key factor in the fair administration of the sporting disciplines and facilitates a safe environment free of harassment and discrimination for all stakeholders.
• India secured the 2nd position on the medals tally at the ISSF Junior Shooting World Championships 2023 held in Changwon, South Korea.
• The Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2023 in Greater Noida.
• India opened its account at the FISU Summer World University Games with three gold medals on the opening day of the medal events in Chengdu, China.
• In Athletics, Indian athletes won four medals with three gold and one silver on the second day at the Sri Lanka Athletics National Championships 2023.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

• Former Australia and New South Wales (NSW) keeper-batter Brian Taber passed away at the age of 83.
• One of the most famous Computer hackers in the history of cybersecurity, Kevin Mitnick passed away at the age of 59.
• Veteran Marathi journalist-author-columnist Shirish Kanekar passed away at the age of 80 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Milan Kundera, Czech-born French writer, best known for his book ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ has passed away at the age of 94 in Paris, France.