Current Affairs 2023

U Raja Babu appointed DG, Missiles & Strategic Systems [31 May 2023]

Hyderabad Distinguished Scientist and Director, RCI, Hyderabad, Ummalaneni Raja Babu has been appointed Director General, Missiles & Strategic Systems, DRDO, Hyderabad. This is with effect from June 1, 2023 consequent to the superannuation of BHVS Narayanamurthy. U Raja Babu is a graduate of mechanical engineering from Andhra University. He obtained his Master’s from IIT Kharagpur and MBA from JNTU. He started his career with the India Air Force in 1988 and joined DRDO in 1995.

Shri Praveen Sood takes over as the Director of CBI [25 May 2023]

Shri Praveen Sood, an IPS officer of 1986 Batch (Karnataka Cadre) today took over as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation. Before joining, he was serving as Director General of Police, in Karnataka. Shri Sood has served in various important positions during his long tenure of about 37 years in the IPS. These include SP of Bellary & Raichur; Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Bengaluru City; Commissioner of Police, Mysuru City & Bengaluru City; ADGP; Principal Secretary (Home); DGP (Internal Security) and DGP (CID). He has worked as an advisor to the Government of Mauritius. He has supervised the investigation of high-profile cases involving high net-worth individuals and cases having inter-state & international ramifications and also the investigation & detection of crime including Cyber Crime, Information Technology, etc. Specifically, he worked for the strengthening of CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems) & ICJS (Interoperable Criminal Justice System) networks in the Karnataka State along with the judiciary. Shri Praveen Sood is a graduate (B. Tech) in Civil Engineering from IIT, Delhi; Post Graduation in Public Policy & Management from IIM, Bengaluru, and Maxwell School of Governance, Syracuse University, New York.

PM inaugurates Development Projects worth Rs. 2450 core in Gujarat [12 May 2023]

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth over Rs. 2450 crore in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The projects include the augmentation of ulti-village drinking water supply schemes in Basankantha district and Gandhinagar district, a river overbridge in Ahmedabad, a drainage collection network at Naroda GIDC, sewage treatment plants in Mehsana and Ahmedabad, an auditorium in Dahegam, buk pipeline projects in Junagadh district, flyover bridges, new water distribution station, and various town planning roads.

India Clinches Men's Doubles Title at Badminton Asia Championships [11 May 2023]

In a remarkable feat at the Badminton Asia Championship 2023, Indian duo Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy secure the men's doubles title by defeating Malaysian pair Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin in the final. The Indian pair displayed their exceptional skills, beating their opponents with a score of 16-21, 21-17 and 21-19. This is a significant achievement for the premier Indian men's doubles team as they become the first pair to clinch the Badminton Asia Championships title since Dinesh Khanna in 1965.

Y20 Consultation: Discussions held on Climate Protection & Sustainable development [10 May 2023]

India hosted the Youth 20(Y20) groups Y20 Consultation at the University of Kashmir from 10-11 May 2023, as part of its G20 presidency. The event aimed to counsel the youth of the country on ideas for a better tomorrow and draft a plan for action on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a Way of Life, which is one of the five themes of the Y20 group of G20. The two-day event swirled around youth participation in tackling some of the most pressing global issues like threats of climate change, promotion of sustainable development, and green energy.

India Overtakes Australia to claim top spot in Latest ICC Test Rankings [08 May 2023]

The International Cricket Council has announced that India has surpassed Australia to become the number-one Test team in the latest rankings. Australia's 15th-month reign at the top has come to an end, with India taking over as the top-ranked team ahead of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final. India Currently holds 121 points, while Australia stands in the second spot with 116 points. The Indian team's impressive performance in the Border Gavaskar trophy earlier this year, where they beat Australia 2-1, has played a vital role in securing the top spot.

SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Goa [05 May 2023]

The two-day Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) was held on 5th May, with the member countries discussing a range of issues such as startups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, Buddhist heritage, and Science and Technology. The theme of India's Chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is SECURE-SCO. India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic, and people-to-people interactions in the region.

India launches "Operation Kaveri" to Bring back citizens stranded in Sudan [28 Apr 2023]

The Indian Government has scrambled warships and planes to bring back citizens stranded in Sudan which is experiencing high volatility due to the ongoing conflict. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has spoken to his counterparts in the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and the UK for cooperation in the evacuation operation. Under Operation Kaveri, the first flight carrying 360 Indian Nationals arrived in New Delhi on 26th April, and another 246 Indians arrived in Mumbai on 27th April. According to Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay Mohan Kwatra, Sudan hosts around 3500 Indians and 1000 persons of Indian Origins. To efficiently manage the evacuation, the Indian government has established communication networks within Sudan for Indians to pass on information about the situation and advised them to register online.

Cabinet approves Rs.6003.65 Cr National Quantum Mission [25 Apr 2023]

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at a cost of Rs. 6003.65 core. The Mission is set to run from 2023-24 to 2030-32 and will focus on seeding, nurturing, and scaling up scientific and industrial R & D, helping India to leverage itself as a leading nation in the area of quantum technology. The Mission would greatly benefit communication, health, financial and energy sectors as well as drug design and space applications. It will provide a huge boost to national priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Antim Panghal Clinches Silver at Asian Wrestling Championships [25 Apr 2023]

Antim Panghal won silver at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 53kg category title clash in Astana, Kazakhstan. She lost to Japan's Akari Fujinami, the reigning world champion, who successfully defended her Asian crown. Four other Indian wrestlers including Anshu Malik (57 kg), Sonam Malik (62 kg), Manisha (65 kg), and Reetika (72 kg) added to India's medal tally by winning their bronze medal.