Daily Current Affairs July 26 2023 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Union Government approves 8.15% as interest rate for Employees’ Provident Fund in FY 2022-23 

• 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.
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has conveyed the approval of the Central Government under para 60(1) of Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 to credit interest@ 8.15 % for the year 2022-23 to the account of each member of the EPF Scheme as per the provision under para 60 of EPF Scheme,1952.
• The order comes after the finance ministry’s concurrence to the EPF rate of interest approved by the EPFO trustees earlier in March, 2023.

Key Highlights :

• In March 2022, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) lowered the interest rate on EPF deposits for the financial year 2021-22 to 8.10%, marking the lowest rate in four decades, down from 8.5% in 2020-21.
• This was the lowest interest rate recorded since 1977-78 when the EPF interest rate was at 8%.

Additional Info :

• The EPF scheme, managed by the EPFO, is an essential social security and retirement benefit program that aims to provide financial security to employees after their retirement.
• Each month, an employee contributes 12% of their earnings to their EPF account, with the entire contribution directed towards the EPF account.
• On the employer’s part, only 3.67% is deposited into the EPF account, while the remaining 8.33% is allocated to the Employees Pension Scheme (EPS).

Recent News :

• In March 2023, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) hiked the interest rate by 0.05% to 8.15% for financial year 2022-23, from 8.10%.

About EPFO :

• Established : 4 March 1952
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) & CEO : Neelam Shami Rao
• The EPFO is one of the two main social security organisations under the Government of India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment and is responsible for regulation and management of provident funds in India, the other being Employees’ State Insurance.
• The EPFO’s top decision-making body is the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), a statutory body established by the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF & MP) Act, 1952.

RBI Includes ‘NongHyup Bank’ In The List Of Scheduled Banks Under Schedule II of RBI Act, 1934

• 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.
• Now, the bank will be covered under the second schedule of the RBI Act.

About Nonghyup Bank :

• Established : 2012
• Headquarters : Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Nonghyup Bank is an agricultural bank.
• NongHyup Bank emerged as a detached entity from its previous ownership and is currently owned by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF).
• Nonghyup Bank entered India in 2016.

About RBI :

• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurates Heli Summit 2023 and UDAN 5.2 in Khajuraho:

• Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel inaugurated Heli Summit 2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
• Shri Scindia also launched RCS UDAN 5.2 and HeliSewa-App during the event.
• The 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit (Heli Summit 2023) was jointly organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in association with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Ltd., and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
• The theme of the event was “Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft“.
• The event format included an inaugural session followed by a technical session.
• The broad objectives of the Summit were:
• Providing a common platform for all industry stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the growth story of the Indian Helicopter and Small Aircraft industry.
• Enhancing the scope of the UDAN Scheme in remote and hilly terrains and expanding the country’s rural-to-urban connectivity.
• Boosting Helicopter & Small Aircraft connectivity to places with existing and potential tourism hotspots by providing uninterrupted services.
• Shri Scindia also launched Heli-Sewa mobile application during the event.
• The HeliSewa Portal is an initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under Digital India to create a common platform to create an ecosystem between the helicopter operators and the district authorities.
• The mobile application will make it more convenient to use in terms of user experience, loading content, and usability of functions.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pawan Hans and Jetserve was signed for advancing the Helicopter and Small Aircraft sector in India.

About MP:

• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Capital: Bhopal
• Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel

Union Finance Minister Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman presides over the 164th Income Tax Day celebrations at New Delhi

• The 164th anniversary of Income Tax Day was observed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all its field offices across India.
• The main function was held at the Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
• Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presided over the event.
• Union Minister of State (Finance) Shri Pankaj Choudhury also graced the occasion with his presence. Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary, Revenue and Shri Nitin Gupta, Chairman, CBDT, were also present on the occasion apart from other officers and officials of the Department.
• Sitharaman also appreciated the contribution made by taxpayers, tax practitioners/professionals and stakeholders for having been instrumental in driving India’s economic growth and prosperity.
• The Finance Minister observed that an increase in tax collection has been achieved in recent years without any increase in tax rates.
• It has been made possible through an increase in the efficiency of the Department.

Recent News

• Draft valuation rules for overseas investments into startups under the ‘angel tax’ regime have been announced. The rules have been issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Gujarat’s first Greenfield Airport at Hirasar

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Gujarat’s first Greenfield Airport at Hirasar near Rajkot.
• The Prime Minister will also address a rally in Rajkot.
• During his two-day visit to Gujarat from 27th July, the prime Minister is scheduled to attend various programmes in the state.
• Built over 1500 acres of area for 1,405 crores, the airport has been renamed Rajkot international airport.
• The greenfield airport at Hirasar is 30 kilometres away from Rajkot City, the commercial capital of the Saurashtra region.
• The airport has a 45-meter-wide runway which can park 14 planes at any given point.
• The passenger terminal at the airport can manage more than 1200 travellers per hour, during peak hours.
• The green filed airport is equipped with a solar power system, a green belt, and a rainwater harvesting system.
• The air connectivity to the international market will boost industrial growth, especially benefit the Ceramic industry in Morbi, and will generate new employment opportunities in the region.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the international airport near Rajkot in 2017.

About Gujarat

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• NP: Gir National Park, Marine National Park, Velavadar National Park, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Vansda National Park, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary

Recent News

• The Government of India is building the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at the historic Indus Valley civilization region of Lothal (Gujarat) under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• As part of India’s G20 presidency, the third Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting began in Kevadia,
• Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) Shri Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan, launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Nadia of Kheda district in Gujarat.
• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Bayer inaugurated a one-of-a-kind industrial visit project called Atal Tinkering Labs at Bayer’s production site in Vapi, Gujarat.

The Union government introduces the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023

• The Union government introduced the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill seeks to provide for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals.
• The Bill was introduced by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.
• The Minister also introduced The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill is intended to regulate the profession of dentistry in the country.
• It also aimed at providing quality and affordable dental education.
• The two Bills were introduced amid continuous protests by opposition parties over the Manipur violence issue.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Government of Rajasthan introduces India’s first gig workers rights bill 2023

• 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.
• The provisions of the bill prescribe heavy monetary penalties if the aggregator fails to comply.
• The bill will provide gig workers with the unique id which will be uniform across all the platforms.

Who are Gig workers?

• Gig workers are those who work temporary jobs, typically in the service sector as an independent contractor or freelancer.
• Delivery partners for food aggregators such as Swiggy or Zomato are gig workers.

Key Highlights :

• The Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers Welfare Board’ will be established in Rajasthan where the gig workers of the state will be registered with all the aggregators of Rajasthan.

Aim :

• To set up a welfare fee deduction mechanism that will be integrated with the aggregator app.
• In case an aggregator fails to comply with the provisions of the act, the bill mentions ₹5 lakhs penalty for the first offence and ₹50 lakh penalty for the subsequent offence.
• The government envisions establishing a monitoring mechanism to make sure that the aggregator is complying with the provisions of the bill and verify that the welfare fee is deducted regularly for the gig workers.
• The bill says that part of the welfare fee will be contributed by the aggregator on a transactional basis or on instructions of the Rajasthan government.
• The unique Identity Document (ID) provided will grant these workers the opportunity to utilize both broad and targeted social security programs.
• The ID will enable such workers to access general and specific social security schemes, heard in case there is a complaint, and participate in all decisions taken for their welfare through representation in the board.

Recent News :

• In July 2023, The Rajasthan Government announced the minimum income guarantee to provide social security to citizens of Rajasthan.
• In June 2023, The Medical, Health & Family Welfare Department of the Rajasthan Government launched the Pregnancy, Child Tracking & Health Services Management System (PCTS) app which enables online tracking, reporting and monitoring of the health of pregnant women, obstetricians and infants.

About Rajasthan :

• Governor : Kalraj Mishra
• Chief Minister : Ashok Gehlot
• Capital : Jaipur
• National Park : Keoladeo National Park, Ranthambore National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Kerala gets India’s first Construction Innovation Hub in Kochi

• Kerala got 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.

Key Highlights :

• Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) will be responsible for the CIH’s overall programme management, including the identification and recruitment of the nascent companies as well as providing them housing-related technical mentorship and connections, besides program design and facilitation.
• It is set up in association with Habitat for Humanity India (HFHI), which is an American non-profit organisation building homes and providing housing-related services to low-income families, the CIH is set to be based in Kochi, Kerala.
• KSUM and the 1976-founded HFHI, which is based at Americus in Georgia State and functions in 70 countries, will focus on shelter technology while going ahead with CIH.

Advantages of the Hub :

• The hub, which will be accessible to startups across India and is envisaged to initially function virtually, gives KSUM a decisive role in setting up a secretariat at the nodal agency to handle its administrative tasks and identify a full-time point to contact person for the CIH.
• The facility will enable the KSUM to realise startup space at KTIZ in Kochi, promote events, marketing, publicity and reach out to target audience.
• It will help provide a digital platform for KSUM’s innovation lab, liaise with different government departments and industries to identify pilot projects related to low-income housing as well as construction skills, its finance and other connections to startups/scaleups as needed.
• KSUM will have the power to call for applications of startups/students/MSMEs and evaluate their initial screening.
• It can hold road-shows and reverse pitch sessions for the participants to get the best startups nationally.
• With the launch of the hub, KSUM is set to form an advisory council comprising pertinent stakeholders, with early-stage innovators reaching out to college students and conducting challenges and knowledge sessions to promote shelter in the first year.

Recent News :

• In June 2023, Kerala Tourism will soon come out with a mobile app to strengthen the country’s first ‘women-friendly tourism’ initiative launched by the State Government to turn the State’s tourism sector gender inclusive.

About Kerala :

• Governor : Arif Mohammad Khan
• Chief Minister : Pinarayi Vijayan
• Capital : Thiruvananthapuram
• National Park : Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

G20 India – 4th & Final Energy Transitions Working Group to strengthen global cooperation in clean energy transitions held in Goa 

• The 4th and final Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting under India’s G20 or Group of 20 Presidency was held in Goa .
• The two-day meeting witnessed proactive engagement from over 115 delegates representing G20 member countries and 9 invitee countries.
• The 4th ETWG Meeting will be chaired by Pawan Agarwal, who serves as the ETWG chair and secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy secretary Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Ministry of Mines secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, Ministry of Coal secretary Amrit Lal Meena will also be part of the meeting and participate in the deliberations.

Key Highlights :

• There are 6 priority areas outlined under India’s G20 Presidency.
• These priority areas reflect India’s focus on various aspects of energy transition and building global cooperation toward sustainable and clean energy development.
• The six priority areas are
  (i) Energy transitions through addressing technology gaps

(ii) Low-cost financing for energy transitions
(iii) Energy security and diversified supply chains

(iv) Energy efficiency, industrial low carbon transitions, and responsible consumption,

(v) Fuels for Future (3F) and
(vi) Universal access to clean energy and just, affordable, and inclusive energy transition pathways.

• The discussions in the 4th ETWG meeting in Goa will follow-on the build up on the first three meetings in Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, and Mumbai respectively, to identify and promote best practices, policies, and innovative approaches that support a just and inclusive energy transition.
• The key highlight of the 4th ETWG meeting will be the detailed discussions on the draft Ministerial Communique, which is currently under discussion and will be further firmed up.
• Furthermore, there would be several events on the sidelines of the ETWG, such as – ‘Enabling policies to accelerate e-mobility’, ‘Promoting solar energy for universal energy access’, ‘DRE applications for achieving SDG7 goals’, ‘Drive for advancing knowledge and solutions through aggregation in energy efficiency’, and ‘Powering progress in Global South – accessible and affordable clean energy for all.’

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Overall Mineral Production increases by 6.4 % in May this year(2023) as compared to May last year(2022)

• Ministry of Mines said that overall Mineral Production has increased by 6.4 per cent in May this year as compared to May last year.
• As per the provisional figures of the Indian Bureau of Mines, the cumulative growth for the period April-May, 2022-23 over the corresponding period of the previous year is 5.8 per cent.
• Production level of important minerals in May 2023 were: coal 762 lakh tonnes, lignite 35 lacks, petroleum (crude) 25 lakh, iron ore 253 lacks, limestone 387 lakh tonnes each, natural gas (utilized) 2838 million cubic metres, bauxite 23 lakh 86 thousand, chromite three lakh 72 thousand, copper conc. nine thousand, lead 33 thousand, manganese ore three lakh 29 thousand, zinc one lakh 33 thousand, phosphorite one lakh 40 thousand and magnesite 11000 tonnes and gold 97 kg.

Indian Pharmaceuticals Industry turnover increases from Rs 2.26 lakh cr in 2017-2018 to over Rs 3.44 lakh cr in 2021-22

• 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.
• This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Bhagwanth Khuba in the Rajya Sabha.
• The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is the third largest by volume and 13th largest by value in the world.
• Indian Pharmaceuticals produce more than 60,000 generic drugs across 60 therapeutic categories.
• Mr Khuba said to encourage domestic manufacturing of pharmaceutical drugs including generic medicines; the government has launched two Production Linked Incentive schemes.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India and Argentina have agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture

• India and Argentina have agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.
• This was stated here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh when the Governor of Santa Fe province of Argentina, Omar Angel Perotti called on him, accompanied by a high-level delegation.
• The two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of Science & Technology and Biotechnology, said the Minister.
• Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that a new Indo-Argentina call for joint proposals was launched on February 7, 2023, in the research areas of Energy Transition and Biotechnology jointly during his meeting with Argentina’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Daniel Filmus in New Delhi.
• A total of 82 joint proposals were received under the said call. These are under the evaluation process.
• India and Argentina have an Inter-governmental Agreement to promote technical and scientific cooperation signed in 1985.
• The objective of this programme is to strengthen and expand relations between scientific communities, making possible the exchanges between Indian and Argentine research groups, in the framework of joint scientific and technological projects, selected by the parties.
• India is the 4th largest trading partner of Argentina, with bilateral trade touching a historic peak of USD 6.4 billion in the year 2022, recording a growth rate of 12% over 2021.
• Exports from India to Argentina were worth USD 1.84 billion (31% growth rate) while India’s imports from Argentina were worth USD 4.55 billion.
• As per DGFT, India-Argentina bilateral trade during the fiscal year 2022-23 was USD 4.16 billion, with India’s exports to Argentina valued at USD 961 million and Argentina’s exports to India valued at USD 3.20 billion.

Recent News

• Celeste Saulo of Argentina has been appointed as the first female Secretary-General (SG) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• In Hockey, India beat Argentina 2-1 in its final FIH Pro League 2022-23 match in Eindhoven, the Netherlands

About Argentina

• Capital: Buenos Aires
• Currency: Argentine Peso
• President: Alberto Fernández

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds talks with Argentinian counterpart -strengthening bilateral defence ties

• Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• They announced the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries and a Specific Agreement on Academic Cooperation for peacekeeping.
• Tri-service Guard of Honour was also presented to the visiting dignitary before the meetings.
• Jorge Enrique Taiana arrived in New Delhi on July 17, 2023 on a four-day visit to India.
• Jorge Taiana also invited Rajnath Singh to the 2nd Latin American Conference of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (ALCONU) to be held in Argentina on 12 September, 2023.
• During the meeting, issues related to defence cooperation and exchange in areas of training and training of officers and cadets were discussed.
• India-Argentina relations were elevated to the level of strategic partnership in 2019.
• India and Argentina are working together to make defense ties an important aspect of their strategic partnership.

About Argentina :

• President : Alberto Fernández
• Capital : Buenos Aires
• Currency : Argentine peso

About Ministry of Defence : 

• Defence Minister :  Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ajay Bhatt
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

ISSF Junior Shooting World Championship: India’s Kamaljeet Clinches Gold Medal in Men’s Individual 50 metre Pistol Event

• 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.
• India went in with a strong contingent of 90 shooters in the tournament and bagged 17 medals including 6 Golds, 6 Silvers and 5 Bronzes.
• Over 550 shooters from 44 countries participated in the Championships.

Recent News

• In shooting, India shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman bagged the bronze medal in the men’s trap event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup Lonato 2023 in Italy.
• In shooting, India bagged one silver to stay in the second position of the medal tally on Day 4 of the ISSF Junior World Championships, in Changwon, Korea.

About ISSF:

• The International Shooting Sport Federation is the governing body of the Olympic shooting events. It also regulates several non-Olympic shooting sports events.
• President: Luciano Rossi
• Founded: 1907
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany
• Membership: 150 regions

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Ex-Australian wicket keeper Brian Taber Passed away

• Former Australia and New South Wales (NSW) keeper-batter Brian Taber passed away at the age of 83.

About  Brian Taber :

• Brian Taber born on 29 April 1940 in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
• He played 16 Test matches for Australia between 1966 and 1970.
• In his domestic career, he played more than 100 games for New South Wales and is a member of the state’s Hall of Fame.
• He made his Test debut in Johannesburg against South Africa, where he took 7 catches and a stumping.
• He also played against England, India, and West Indies
• His highest Test score of 48 was achieved against West Indies at Sydney in 1969, in a match won by Australia with a 382-run margin.
• He also served as a selector for New South Wales for 24 years periodically until 2010-11, as well as several years as Chairman.
• He often managed the Australian Under 19 men’s team, and the winner of the player of the tournament award at the under-19 national championships is awarded the Brian Taber Medal.
• He was elected to the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2021, and had a reputation as one of the nice guys of Australian cricket.
• A book about Taber’s life was published in 2014, in which former Test captain Brian Booth called him a “wonderful team man”.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023- July 26

• 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.
• The day commemorates the victory of Operation Vijay, which was a significant military victory over Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999.
• The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir where the Indian Army recaptured the famous ‘Tiger Hill’ and other important posts around under ‘Operation Vijay’ by evicting the Pakistani troops.
• The war was one of the major military conflicts between the two South Asian neighbours and resulted in a significant loss of life and resources.
• It was the last war that happened between India and Pakistan.

Daily CA One-Liner: July 26

• The 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.
• 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 government introduced the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha.
• The Ministry of Mines said 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.
• India and Argentina have agreed to a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.
• 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.
• 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.
• Kerala got 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 .
• Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Former Australia and New South Wales (NSW) keeper-batter Brian Taber passed away at the age of 83.
• 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.