National and International Current Affairs - September 2023

May 31, 2024

National and International Current Affairs - September 2023

National Current Affairs

NCRT Granted Deemed University Status

  • The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCRT) has been granted Deemed University status.
  • Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced this during the 63rd Foundation Day Celebrations of NCRT in Delhi.
  • Balbavan will be merged with NCRT Zone.

SEBI Reconstitutes Panel on Alternative Investment Policy

  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reconstituted its Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee to include 25 members.
  • The committee advises on issues affecting the development of the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Space.
  • Chaired by Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayanamurthy, includes members from SEBI, the Ministry of Finance, and industry associations.

India Launches First Mission to the Sun

  • India launched its first Sun observation mission called Aditya L1.
  • Mission will travel 1.5 million km from Earth, taking 4 months to reach its destination.
  • Named after Surya, the Hindu god of the Sun.
  • Spacecraft will orbit the Sun at the same rate as Earth.

CCI Approves Merger of Vistara into Air India

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the merger of Tata SIA Airlines (Vistara) into Air India with certain conditions.
  • Merger positions Air India as the largest international carrier in India and the second-largest domestic carrier.
  • Singapore Airlines to invest Rs. 259 crore in Air India.
  • Post-consolidation, Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1% share in Air India.

International Convention Center to be Built

  • The International Convention Center in Valmiki Nagar will offer a panoramic view of the mountains and greenery.
  • Tourists will be able to view the Gandak River from inside the center.
  • Bihar CM Nitish Kumar likely to inaugurate the center on December 22, 2023.

President Gives Assent to Women's Reservation Bill

  • President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Women's Reservation Bill.
  • The bill was passed by both houses during a special session of Parliament.
  • Known as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the legislation is now law.

Ministry of Mines Concludes Special Campaign 2.0

  • The campaign ran from November 2022 to August 2023.
  • Focused on environmental sustainability and cleanliness.
  • Notable achievements include the implementation of rainwater harvesting structures in ministry buildings.

International Current Affairs

Iran-India Joint Chamber Signs MOU

  • An MOU was signed between the Iran-India Joint Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Indian Export Organization.
  • Aimed at strengthening trade and investment, and cooperation in fields of investment and technology.

Supreme Courts of India and Singapore Sign MOU

  • Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud met Singaporean counterpart Sundaresh Menon.
  • The MOU focuses on judicial cooperation between the two countries.

ADB Approves USD 30 Million Loan to Bhutan

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 30 million loan to improve Bhutan's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system.
  • Project aims to enhance skills and employability of Bhutan’s youth.

Birmingham Declares Itself Bankrupt

  • UK's Birmingham declared itself effectively bankrupt due to budget shortfalls.
  • Local authorities prioritize maintaining vital services.

Japan Launches XRISM Research Satellite

  • Japan successfully launched a new research satellite XRISM to study the evolution of the universe and space-time.
  • The satellite was launched by the H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Space Center.

Singapore Overtakes Hong Kong as World's Freest Economy

  • According to the Fraser Institute report 2023, Singapore is now the world's freest economy, replacing Hong Kong.
  • India slipped from 86th to 87th position out of 165 countries in the economic freedom index.
  • Venezuela ranked last.

Israel Unveils AI-Powered Battle Tank Barak

  • Israel unveiled its advanced AI-powered battle tank named Barak, also known as Merkava Mark 5.
  • Features the advanced Windbreaker missile defense system.
  • Offers 360-degree scanning and real-time target identification using artificial intelligence.