National News

Centre approves 10% reservation for govt school students in medical education

• The Union Home Ministry has approved a groundbreaking 10% horizontal reservation in medical education for students who graduate from government higher secondary schools
• This policy, effective immediately, benefits students who have cleared the NEET examination and completed their education from government schools.
• The collaboration aims to stimulate new research in areas like genomics, particularly relevant to lifestyle diseases and emerging illnesses such as malignant cancer.
• The signing ceremony took place at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh.

International News

Japan launches ‘moon sniper’ lunar lander SLIM into space

• Japan has successfully launched its lunar exploration spacecraft, the "moon sniper," aboard a homegrown H-IIA rocket.
• This achievement paves the way for Japan to become the fifth country to land on the moon early next year. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) revealed that the rocket took off from the Tanegashima Space Center and successfully released the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
• Japan's ambitious mission aims to land SLIM within 100 meters of its target site on the lunar surface, with a mission completion date expected in February.
• This launch comes shortly after India's successful lunar landing with its Chandrayaan-3

Opening of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly

• The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly kicked off with Dennis Francis assuming the role of General Assembly President.
• In his opening remarks, Francis highlighted the urgent need to address the numerous global challenges currently facing the world.
• This session, themed 'Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all,' places a strong emphasis on critical areas including climate change, conflict resolution, and poverty alleviation.
• The session also welcomes initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability, including the UNGA's Security Council veto initiative.

States News

Sanchi Achieves Milestone as India’s First Solar City

• Sanchi, a World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming India's first solar city.
• Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan formally inaugurated the city's solar capacity of 3 megawatts near Sanchi. This initiative is projected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 13,747 tonnes, equivalent to planting over 2,38,000 trees.
• Transitioning to solar energy signifies a significant step towards mitigating the environmental impact of electricity production in Sanchi.

Odisha: GI Tags For Rayagada Shawls And Koraput’s Kala Jeera Rice

• In another development, the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Dongria Kondhs of Rayagada district in Odisha are on the verge of acquiring the prestigious Geographical Indicator (GI) tag for their exquisite handwoven shawls, known as Kapdaganda.
• These shawls, adorned with intricate embroidery, hold deep cultural significance and showcase traditional craftsmanship.
• Similarly, Koraput district's 'Koraput Kalajeera Rice,' known as the 'Prince of Rice,' has obtained Geographical Indications (GI) status. This aromatic rice variety, cherished for its nutritional value, has been cultivated by tribal farmers for generations.

Defence News

Indian Air Force And Drone Federation Of India To Co-Host Bharat Drone Shakti 2023

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is joining forces with the Drone Federation of India to co-host 'Bharat Drone Shakti 2023.
• ' Scheduled for September 25th and 26th, 2023, at the IAF's Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad, this groundbreaking event will feature more than 50 live aerial demonstrations.
• 'Bharat Drone Shakti 2023' will showcase a diverse range of drone applications, including survey drones, agriculture drones, tactical surveillance drones, loitering munition systems, drone swarms, and counter-drone solutions.
• This comprehensive exhibition underscores the innovation and versatility present within the Indian drone industry.

Banking News

SBI Card unveils additional features on its super-premium card ‘AURUM’

• SBI Card, India's largest credit card issuer, has unveiled new features for its super-premium card 'AURUM,' targeting high-net-worth individuals.
• These enhancements enable AURUM cardholders to enjoy benefits worth up to Rs 2 lakh annually based on their spending. The card offers unlimited international lounge access and a one-year Club Marriott membership as a welcome gift. AURUM has become highly coveted in the super-premium segment, catering to the discerning tastes and lifestyles of executives and globetrotters.

SBI Card Launches ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card’ To Provide MSMEs With Short-Term Credit

• In another move to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), SBI Card has introduced the 'SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card.'
• This specialized credit card addresses the short-term credit needs of MSME merchants while providing exclusive benefits.
• The launch, which took place at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, aims to empower the broader MSME sector by offering interest-free short-term credit.

Important Days News

International Literacy Day 2023

• International Literacy Day, celebrated on September 8 every year, promotes literacy's significance for human rights, dignity, and a sustainable society.
• This global celebration has the theme 'Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.' It includes the award ceremony of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, recognizing outstanding literacy programs.
• UNESCO established International Literacy Day in 1966, with the first celebration taking place in 1967.

Schemes News

Prayagraj Police Launches ‘Savera’ Scheme To Assist Senior Citizens

• The Prayagraj police have launched the 'Savera' scheme to assist senior citizens in seven districts within the Prayagraj zone.
• Under this scheme, comprehensive records of individuals aged 60 and above are maintained and accessible through a dedicated helpline number, 112.
• Police personnel conduct regular safety checks at the homes of registered senior citizens to ensure their well-being during health and other emergencies. This proactive step aims to enhance the safety and support of elderly individuals in the community.

Summits and Conferences News

Global Fintech Fest 2023: Unveiling the World’s Premier Fintech Conference

• The Global Fintech Fest (GFF) is set to reclaim its title as the world's largest fintech conference in 2023.
• The conference features a central theme, 'Global Collaboration for a Responsible Financial Ecosystem: Inclusive | Resilient | Sustainable.'
• It was inaugurated by Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Finance, Government of India. GFF 2023 has garnered support and participation from renowned international agencies and countries, promising a spectacular showcase of innovation and collaboration in the fintech industry.

Appointments News

Neeraj Mittal Takes Charge As DoT Secretary

• Neeraj Mittal, a seasoned 1992 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as the Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• He will succeed K Rajaraman, who has been designated as the Chairman of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) in Gujarat.
• Neeraj Mittal has extensive experience, having served as a senior advisor at the World Bank Group and as a joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.S Krishnan, a distinguished 1989 batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Krishnan currently holds the position of industries secretary in the Tamil Nadu state government. His extensive administrative experience makes him well-suited for this role.

Awards News

Indian-American physician Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee in UK’s top non-fiction prize longlist

• Indian-American physician Siddhartha Mukherjee's book, 'The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human,' has been longlisted for the prestigious £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in London.
• The book delves into how cellular research has revolutionized medicine, enabling the treatment of life-altering diseases like Alzheimer's and AIDS.

Miss International India 2023

• Praveena Anjana of Udaipur has been crowned Miss International India 2023.
• She is set to represent India at the Miss International pageant in Japan. Praveena Anjana, a chartered accountant, is passionate about women's empowerment, gender equality, and education. She is also a skilled classical dancer and pianist.

Obituaries News

Hindustani vocalist Malini Rajurkar passes away at 82

• Hindustani classical vocalist Malini Rajurkar, known for her simplicity and depth, has passed away in a Hyderabad hospital at the age of 82.
• She has left a lasting legacy with her performances in major music festivals in India and her command over the Tappa and Tarana genres, as well as lighter music.
• Her contributions to music have been widely appreciated and celebrated.

Miscellaneous News

Tabreed To Invest $200 Million To Set Up Asia’s Largest District Cooling Project

• Abu Dhabi-based cooling-as-a-service provider, Tabreed, has announced a $200 million investment to develop a cutting-edge cooling infrastructure for Hyderabad Pharma City in India.
• This initiative aims to significantly reduce power consumption, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions, making a positive impact on the environment and promoting sustainability.
• The project has the potential to save 6,800 GWh of power and 41,600 mega liters of water over its lifespan.