Daily Current Affairs and GK | 18 August 2023

Topic: National News

1. The government has made biometric verification of mobile sim card dealers mandatory.

• It has discontinued bulk connection mechanisms.
• Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that registration of all SIM card dealers would also be mandatory.
• The government has taken these steps to check the practice of cyber fraud, fraudulent calls and protect the users.
• He talked about the Sanchar Sathi Portal and informed that 52 lakh fraudulent connections have been detected and deactivated.
• He also informed that 67 thousand SIM card dealers have been banned.
• If a Point of Sale engages in illegal activity, it will be closed and blacklisted for three years.
• Scanning of QR code of Aadhaar has been made mandatory to prevent misuse of Aadhaar.

Topic: Sports

2. Priya Malik won a Gold medal at the 2023 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Jordan.

• She became the 2nd Indian woman wrestler to win the U20 world championship.
• Last year, Antim Panghal became the first Indian woman to win a junior world title in wrestling in Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Priya is from Haryana. She defeated Laura Celine Kuehn of Germany in the women's 76kg freestyle wrestling final.
• Priya has now won both the U17 2021, and 2022 and U20 world titles.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. Central Water Commission launched the mobile app ‘Floodwatch’.

• Central Water Commission Chairman Kushvendra Vohra launched the mobile app "Floodwatch".
• It will help in providing information related to the flood situation and forecasts for up to 7 days on a real-time basis.
• This user-friendly app has readable and audio broadcast and information is available in two languages i.e. Hindi and English.
• The app uses real-time river flow data from various sources. It also provides flood forecasts at the nearest location.
• Forecast with Interactive Map is one of the key features of the App.
• Users can check the CWC Flood Forecast (up to 24 hours) or Flood Advisory (up to 7 days) either by directly selecting the station from the map or can also search for the name of the station in the search box.
• The app is available for download on Android devices, providing widespread accessibility to users globally.
• This app uses advanced technologies such as satellite data analysis, mathematical modelling, and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts.
• The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Indian Economy

4. Andhra Pradesh emerged as the top-performing State in capex spending in the first quarter of FY 23-24.

• Andhra Pradesh has spent ₹12,669 crore as capital expenditure in the April-June period.
• It accounts for 41 per cent of the State’s capex budget of ₹31,061 crore for FY24.
• Andhra Pradesh had spent only ₹6,917 crore or 23 per cent of its budgeted capex in FY23. It was the worst performer in FY 23.
• Telangana’s capital expenditure also reached 27 per cent of its FY24 budget.
• Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan capex spending achieved over 20 per cent of its annual target in Q1.
• Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh together accounted for 56.4 per cent of the aggregate capex in the first quarter.
• Till the first quarter, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh achieved less than 10 per cent of their annual capex target.
• In 2023, Karnataka was the top performer state in capital expenditure.

Topic: Science and Technology

5. Indian scientists developed a new method to improve the accuracy and precision of nanomechanical testing technology.

• A new method to test the nanomechanical properties of materials has been developed by an Indian scientist in collaboration with two international institutions.
• This method will test the properties of materials with high precision and accuracy.
• This method will not only improve the precision and accuracy of the nanoindentation technique or testing of mechanical strength but also enables testing at much higher rates.
• Conventional testing methods are not always feasible at nanoscales.
• The nanoindentation technique was invented by Dr Warren Oliver (KLA Corp) and Dr John Pethica (Oxford University) in the 80s.
• It is mainly used to measure the strength of semiconductor devices and structural materials. It has been used for identifying cancerous cells to find out how meteorites are formed in deep space.
• Dr Sudharshan Phani of the Advanced Nanomechanical Characterization (ANC) Centre, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, collaborated with Dr Warren Oliver at KLA and Prof. George Pharr of Texas A & M University for developing this new method.
• This technique involved a combination of extensive modeling and simulation to understand material response during indentation testing, and subsequent optimization of the methodology to improve accuracy and precision.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. INCOIS has launched a new mobile application for seafarers and the fishing community.

• The mobile application ‘SAMUDRA’ (Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories) offers comprehensive information on all ocean-related services.
• The mobile app disseminates Potential Fishing Zone advisories which will guide fishers to the probable fish aggregation locations.
• It empowers users with alerts on oceanic disasters such as tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and swell surge alerts. It also empowers users with real-time updates.
• It is currently available in English. It will soon be available in eight coastal languages also.
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Topic: Space and IT

7. Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander successfully gets separated from spacecraft.

• Vikram is expected to reach the lunar South Pole on 23 August. It will release the rover Pragyan for further exploration.
• ISRO announced that Lander Module (LM) of Chandrayaan-3 Mission is successfully separated from the Propulsion Module (PM).
• The 26-kg rover is equipped with solar panels. It will move at the speed of 1 cm/sec.
• Both Vikram and Pragyan will function for one lunar day or 14 earth days.
• After that, the mission will lose power due to the lack of sunlight.
• The Vikram lander carried several payloads. Some of them are given below.
  • Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature
  • Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) to measure seismic activities around the landing site
  • Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate the moon’s surface plasma density and its variations
• A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will carry out lunar laser ranging studies.
• The propulsion module carries the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload.
• It will orbit the moon for several months and look for signs of potentially habitable exoplanets.
• Chandrayaan-3 was launched on 14 July, 2023. Chandrayaan-1 was launched in 2008. It successfully identified the signatures of water on the lunar surface.
• Chandrayaan-2 was launched in 2019. It failed to soft-land on moon.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. India has signed MoU with Trinidad and Tobago on sharing of India Stack.

• They also agreed for cooperate in the areas of digital transformation by means of capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, etc.
• Since June 2013, India has signed MoUs with other countries to share India Stack. These countries are Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Antigua & Barbuda.
• Many countries like Mauritius, Saudi Arabia are at an advanced stage of finalizing cooperation on India Stack.
• Last month, a similar MoU was signed with Papua New Guinea.
• India Stack is a collection of open APIs and digital public goods. These aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
• India Stack is the name given to a collection of different technology products and frameworks. Its components are owned by different agencies.
• Aadhaar products like e-auth and e-KYC are owned by the Unique ID Authority of India.
• Digilocker is owned by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• UPI is owned by the National Payments Corporation of India.

Topic: India and its Neighbour

9. Universal Pension Scheme rolled out by Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.

• On 17 August, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina launched the Universal Pension Scheme, which aims to bring citizens above the age of 18 years under pension coverage.
• She launched the pension scheme by attending a virtual ceremony from his official residence in Dhaka.
• Out of the total six planned packages, four different packages—Pragati, Surokkha, Samta, and Prabashi—were initially introduced under the universal pension scheme.
• The remaining two packages will be launched later.
• The schemes will ensure a lifelong pension facility for the participating citizens.
• The Pragati package will cover private job holders, while the Surokkha is designed for self-employed individuals.
• The Samta package will cover low-income people and the Prabashi package for migrant Bangladeshis.
• Any citizen above the age of 18 years can participate in the Universal Pension Scheme by paying installments till the age of 60 years, to get a pension facility during retirement life.
• A person above the age of 50 years can also join this scheme but the person will have to pay the installments continuously for 10 years.

Topic: Sports

10. The first-ever night street racing circuit has been made in India.

• On 16 August, a new street circuit was launched in Chennai by the Government of Tamil Nadu and RRPL, in which night races will also be held.
• The state government has partnered with Racing Promotion Private Limited (RRPL) for the project.
• RRPL is also the promoter of the Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship.
• Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the circuit.
• As far as the track is concerned, it is 3.5 km long, based around the Island Ground located in the heart of the city.
• It will also become the first street circuit in India and South Asia to host a night race. The track will be extended to Napier Bridge.
• The newly launched track will host a few events like the F4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League on December 9-10.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

11. The expansion of the Digital India program has been approved by the Government with an outlay of Rs 14,903 crore.

• The Digital India program was launched on 1st July 2015 and has made a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor.
• The expansion of the Digital India program will have the following benefits:
• Under the Future Skills Prime program, 6.25 lakh IT professionals will be re-skilled and up-skilled.
• Under the Information Security and Education Awareness Phase (ISEA) program, 2.65 lakh persons will be trained in the field of information security.
• Under the Unified Mobile Application for New Age Governance (UMANG) app/platform, 540 additional services will be available.
• Currently, over 1,700 services are already available on UMANG, the free mobile app of the Government of India.
• 9 more supercomputers will be added under the National Super Computer Mission. This is in addition to the 18 supercomputers already deployed.
• Artificial intelligence-enabled multi-language translation tool (currently available in 10 languages) Bhashini will be launched in all 22 schedules and 8 languages.
• The National Knowledge Network (NKN) will be modernized. 1,787 educational institutions will be added to this.
• A digital document verification facility will be provided under DigiLocker. Now this facility will also be available for micro, small, and medium enterprises and other organizations.
• 1,200 startups will be supported in Tier 2/3 cities.
• New initiatives will be launched in the field of cyber security including the development of tools and integration of over 200 sites with the National Cyber Coordination Centre.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

12. An MoU approved by Cabinet between India and Australia on cooperation in the field of sports.

• An MoU approved on Cooperation in Sports between the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of the Republic of India and the Department of Health and Aged Care of the Government of Australia.
• Bilateral exchange programs in the field of sports between India and Australia, and will help to expand knowledge and expertise in the field of sports science, technology, and infrastructure.
• Under this bilateral exchange program, initiatives such as athlete and coach training and development, sports administration and loyalty, etc. will result in improved performance of our sportspersons in international tournaments.
• This will also strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Australia.
• The benefits arising out of bilateral cooperation in the field of sports with Australia shall be equally applicable to all sportspersons.

Topic: State News/ West Bengal

13. President Droupadi Murmu launched Addiction Free Bengal Campaign in Kolkata.

• President Droupadi Murmu launched the 'My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal' Campaign under the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan'.
• ‘My Bengal, Addiction-Free Bengal’ campaign has been organized by the Brahma Kumaris.
• She said that the central and state governments were working hard on various aspects to curb the problem.
• Droupadi Murmu said that this menace can be stopped through a spiritual awakening, medication, social solidarity and political will.
• She appreciated organisations like Brahma Kumaris for discussing such issues and working to solve them.
• Around 15.8 million children aged between 10 and 17 years are addicted to Drugs substances in India.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in the 272 most vulnerable districts.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

14. Government approved seven Indian Railways projects of Rs 32,500 crores.

• The Union Cabinet has approved seven multi-tracking projects with an investment of Rs 32,500 crore.
• The main objective of these projects is to propel the Indian Railways into a new era of efficiency and capacity expansion.
• These projects will add 2,339 kilometres to the existing rail network. It will increase connectivity and accessibility.
• These projects are spread in 35 districts in states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• These projects will augment freight capacity significantly and 200 million tonnes of additional freight traffic will generate annually.

• The projects are the result of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-model connectivity.
• These routes will foster the transportation of foodgrains, fertilizers, coal, cement, flyash, iron and finished steel, clinkers, crude oil, etc.