National News

1. PM Modi's Participation in the 'International Lawyers Conference'

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'International Lawyers' Conference 2023' held at New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan.
• Organized by the Bar Council of India, this groundbreaking conference has convened legal experts from around the world to discuss 'Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System.'
• This event, which took place on September 23 and 24, marks a historic moment in India and serves as a platform for meaningful dialogues on pressing legal matters of national and international significance.
• The conference aims to foster the exchange of ideas among legal professionals and strengthen international cooperation on a wide range of legal topics.

2. PM Modi Launches 9 Vande Bharat Express Trains

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat Express trains on September 24th.
• These trains, configured with eight coaches, will enhance rail connectivity across India, with a focus on West Bengal's Howrah, Tamil Nadu's Chennai, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana, Gujarat, and the state of Rajasthan.
• The introduction of these semi-high-speed trains is expected to significantly improve the country's transportation network.

3. PM Modi's Vision for an International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi

• During his visit to Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for an international cricket stadium in Ganjari, Rajatalab.
• This stadium, with a budget of approximately Rs 450 crore, boasts a thematic architecture inspired by Lord Shiva.
• It incorporates design elements such as crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped floodlights, and ghat steps-based seating arrangements.
• This project aligns with Prime Minister Modi's vision to develop modern and world-class sports infrastructure in India.

International News

4. China and Syria Establish a Strategic Partnership

• China and Syria have formally announced a strategic partnership during a meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar Assad in Hangzhou, China.
• This partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between the two nations in a global context and uphold international fairness and justice.
• China's commitment to supporting Syria underscores its strategy to counterbalance the U.S.-led international order.

5. I2U2 Group Announces Joint Space Venture

• The I2U2 group, consisting of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States, has unveiled an ambitious joint space venture.
• This collaboration aims to create a space-based tool with broad applications for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs.
• The project revolves around harnessing the space-based observation data and capabilities of the four partner nations to develop a unique and versatile tool with applications across multiple domains.

State News

6. Biswanath Ghat in Assam Named Best Tourism Village in India

• Biswanath Ghat in Assam has been declared the Best Tourism Village of India for 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism.
• This recognition follows a rigorous selection process that considered 791 applications from 31 states and union territories.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed pride in the government's efforts to promote rural tourism in the state.
• Biswanath Ghat, often referred to as 'Gupta Kashi,' is known for its picturesque setting and collection of temples, including a Shiva temple at the confluence of the Bridhaganga River and the Brahmaputra.

Defence News

7. Indigenous Dhruvastra Missile Approved by Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• The Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has officially approved the indigenous Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missile.
• This precision-guided weapon is designed for deployment on the indigenously built DHRUV MK-IV helicopters and significantly enhances India's combat capabilities against enemy tanks and armored vehicles.
• With a range spanning from 500 meters to 7 kilometers, Dhruvastra can engage targets across a wide spectrum, ensuring enhanced defense capabilities.

8. Israel Unveils Cutting-Edge Main Battle Tank, the Merkava Mark 5

• Israel has unveiled its cutting-edge main battle tank, the Merkava Mark 5, known as "Barak."
• This technologically advanced tank represents a significant leap in military capability and incorporates innovations from Israeli defense companies.
• Equipped with a network of sensors for target detection and sharing data with other military units, the Barak tank exemplifies Israel's commitment to advancing its defense capabilities.

Banking News

9. Axis Bank Launches 'NEO for Business' Banking Platform for MSMEs

• Axis Bank has introduced 'NEO for Business,' a groundbreaking Transaction Banking platform designed to meet the real-time needs of Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• This digital offering provides a comprehensive set of products and services, transforming the landscape of business banking in India.
• With a contemporary UI/UX and bank-grade security features, 'NEO for Business' aims to address the evolving needs of MSMEs effectively.

10. Finance Ministry Predicts 6.5% Real GDP Growth for India in FY24

• The Union Ministry of Finance has projected a 6.5 percent real GDP growth for India in the fiscal year 2024, with balanced risks.
• The report highlights India's robust economic growth in the first quarter of FY24, driven by improved corporate profitability, increased private capital formation, and a surge in bank credit growth.
• The government's effective measures to control inflation have also contributed to economic stability.

Business News

11. Gautam Adani's Vision for Dharavi Transformation

• Gautam Adani has expressed his commitment to transforming Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, into a modern city hub.
• His vision includes supporting small industries, creating job opportunities, and establishing training and research centers.
• The redevelopment plan also envisions an organized marketplace in line with India's Open Network for Digital Commerce.

Important Days News

12. International Day of Sign Languages 2023

• The United Nations General Assembly has designated September 23rd as the International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness of the essential role sign language plays in upholding the human rights of individuals who are deaf.
• This day emphasizes the unifying power of sign languages and promotes the linguistic and cultural heritage of the deaf community.

Summits and Conferences News

13. Quad Foreign Ministers Meet at UNGA

• Foreign Ministers from the Quad nations—India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.—convened on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly's 78th session to discuss important issues.
• They reaffirmed their commitment to a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region and advocated for comprehensive UN reform, including expanding representation on the UN Security Council.

Schemes News

14. AI Chatbot for PM-Kisan Scheme

• The Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched an AI Chatbot for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme.
• This Chatbot aims to provide timely and accurate responses to beneficiaries' inquiries related to the scheme.
• It will empower farmers by offering information about their application status, payment details, and other scheme-related updates in multiple languages.

Agreements News

15. TCS Partners with BankID BankAxept for Norway's Financial Infrastructure

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has collaborated with Norway's national payment and electronic identity system, BankID BankAxept, to strengthen Norway's financial infrastructure.
• TCS will establish an operations command center in Oslo to respond swiftly to disruptions in services and security incidents.

Sports News

16. India Achieves No. 1 Ranking in All Cricket Formats

• After a 5-wicket victory over Australia, India has become the number 1 ranked team in all three formats of cricket: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
• This achievement reflects India's dominance in international cricket, with impressive ratings and rankings across the board.

Miscellaneous News

17. Northeast's Mithun Recognized as a 'Food Animal'

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recognized the Mithun as a 'food animal,' allowing for its commercial use.
• This recognition opens economic opportunities for farmers and tribal communities, as Mithun meat is regarded as a potential premium product due to its low-fat content.