Current Affairs 14 November 2023

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 14 November 2023, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2023 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Coal Ministry Amends SHAKTI Policy to Expand Coal Linkage and Promote Market TransparencyThe Ministry of Coal has amended the SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India) Policy, which allows power plants, including private generators without Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), to be granted coal linkage for a minimum of three months to a maximum of one year.
Features of the Amendment:
i.The amendment aims to enhance a more transparent coal allocation mechanism by providing the power generated through coal linkages must be sold through power exchanges or a transparent bidding process on the Discovery of Efficient Energy Price (DEEP) portal.
ii.This amendment is expected to improve the availability and affordability of coal for power generation and enhance the overall efficiency of the sector.
About the SHAKTI Policy:
i.The Ministry of Coal introduced the Coal Linkage Policy known as Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI) in 2017 for the allocation of coal among thermal power plants transparently and objectively.
ii.The Policy provides coal linkages to power plants which lack fuel supply agreements (FSAs) through coal auctions.
 About the Ministry of Coal:
Union Minister – Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State – Danve Raosaheb Dadarao (Jalna, Maharashtra)

MIB Approves Comprehensive “Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023” to Empower CBC

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has approved the Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 to enable and empower the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), the advertising wing of the Government of India (GoI) that operates under the MIB, to conduct campaigns in the Digital Media Space.

• This policy highlights CBC’s mission to disseminate information and create awareness about various schemes, programs, and policies of the GoI.
• Acknowledging the transforming media landscape, the policy aligns with the increasing digitisation of media consumption.

Note: CBC is committed to adapting to the changing media landscape and embracing new technologies to reach a wider audience.
CBC’s Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023:
i.Digital Advertisement Policy 2023, formulated after extensive discussions with multiple stakeholders, outlines the roadmap for enhancing the Digital Outreach of the GoI.
ii.The Policy acknowledges the ever-evolving digital landscape, granting CBC the authority to integrate New and Innovative Communication Platforms in the Digital Space, subject to committee approval.
iii.This introduces competitive bidding for rate discovery, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
iv.Rates discovered through bidding are valid for 3 years and will apply to all eligible agencies.
CBC’s Policy for Digital Media:
i.The policy will enable CBC to collaborate with agencies and organisations in the Over the Top (OTT) and Video on Demand space.
ii.CBC will also recognise the popularity of podcasts and digital audio platforms through the empanelment of digital audio platforms.
iii.Acknowledging the role of social media in public conversations, the policy facilitates CBC in placing government advertisements on these platforms.
iv.The policy also empowers CBC to empanel Digital Media Agencies to enhance its outreach through the various platforms.
v.Apart from rationalising the process of empanelling internet websites, CBC now for the first time will be able to disseminate public service campaign messages through mobile applications.
Digital Consumption:
i.The Digital Universe, exhibiting an expansive subscriber base and technology-enabled messaging through digital advertisements, opens new avenues for effective citizen-centric communication.
ii.Utilising the digital space allows for targeted messaging, enhancing the efficacy of public-oriented campaigns.

• This shift results in significant cost efficiencies, a crucial factor in resource optimisation.

iii.As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators January–March 2023, the internet penetration in India as of March 2023, is over 880 million, and the number of telecom subscribers as of March 2023 is over 1172 million.

India & Bangladesh Navies Undertook 5th CORPAT & Bongosagar 23 in Northern Bay of BengalThe 4th edition of the Bilateral Exercise between the Indian Navy(IN) and Bangladesh Navy(BN), BONGOSAGAR 23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies was conducted from 7th to 9th November 20233 in the Northern Bay of Bengal.

• Regular bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies.
• Bongo Sagar exercise was first conducted in 2019 while 1st edition of IN-BN CORPAT  was held in 2018.

Participants:
IN- Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kuthar, an indigenously built guided-missile Corvette, INS Kiltan, an indigenously built anti-submarine Corvette, and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier
BN– Bangladesh Navy Ship (BNS) Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaidah and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier.
Note: 
INS Kuthar is an indigenously built guided-missile Corvette, whereas INS Kiltan is an indigenously built anti-submarine Corvette.

• Both ships are part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, and function under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

Key Points:
i.Joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) was held between both navies.
ii.There were Communication drills, surface gun-shoots, and tactical maneuvers conducted during the exercises.
iii.CORPAT-23 featured the first-ever Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills between the two navies.
iv.It involved a Search and Rescue scenario at sea, demonstrating joint capabilities in responding to emergencies.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

QS Asia Rankings 2024: India features Highest Number of Universities; China’s Peking University TopsOn November 8, 2023, the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Ranking: Asia 2024 was released, showcasing 148 Indian universities which is 30 more than the last edition. With this, India now holds the highest representation in Asia’s higher education system, surpassing China (133) and Japan (96).

• India has 118 universities in 2023 ranking.
• This is the 16th edition of the QS World University Ranking in this category.

Peking University, Beijing, China has retained the 1st position in the QS Asia Ranking 2024, while, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) in Mumbai, Maharashtra grabbed the top spot in India with 40th position in the Asia Ranking.
About Quacquarelli Symonds (QS):
Chief Executive Officer– Jessica Turner
Headquarters– London, United Kingdom (UK)
>> Read Full News

India Ranked 117th among 129 nations in Inclusiveness Index by OBI; New Zealand TopsAccording to the Inclusiveness Index published by the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) at California University, United States of America(USA), India was ranked 117th out of 129 countries with an overall score of 49.24.

• India was ranked 129th  in religion inclusiveness, 121st in gender, 108th in disability, 87th in race, 40th in the general population, and 39th in LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or questioning, Intersex, Asexual).
• The index was topped by New Zealand for the second consecutive year with an overall score of 82.08.
• It is followed by 2nd place at Portugal (77.6), and the Netherlands (76.98) in the 3rd place.

About Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI):
Director– John A. Powell
Headquarters– Berkeley, California, US
>> Read Full News

WHO Unveils a New Operational Framework for Building Climate-resilient & low-carbon Health Systems The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new Operational framework for building climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems to tackle the challenges posed by a rapidly changing climate.

• The Framework is designed to enhance health systems’ resilience while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help safeguard health communities worldwide.
• It aims to contribute to the design of transformative health systems that can provide safe and quality care in a changing climate.

Note: The Framework was unveiled ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) scheduled from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
About the Framework:
i.The Framework was developed following the request for the World Health Organisation (WHO) support by Ministers of Health from over 75 countries.
ii.Key insights into this framework emerged during the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UK) and Northern Ireland’s Presidency of COP26 to the UNFCCC in November 2021, where over 75 countries enlisted in the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH).
iii.Notably, the UK and WHO formally inaugurated ATACH in June 2022, solidifying their commitment to advancing this ambitious agenda.
Objectives:

• To guide health sector professionals in addressing climate-related health risks through collaboration;
• To strengthen health system functions for climate resilience and low-carbon health approaches;
• To support the development of specific interventions for climate risk reduction and emissions reduction; and
• To define roles and responsibilities for health decision-makers in climate resilience.

Significance:
i.This comprehensive document serves not only as a roadmap for health organizations and authorities but also as an invaluable resource for decision-makers in health-determining sectors.
ii.This framework is a valuable resource for public health agencies, policymakers, and specialized institutions.
iii.The framework is a part of a blueprint for a future-proof and sustainable health sector.
Note: COP-28 will feature a dedicated Health Day, which underscores the importance of integrating public health into climate discussions.
Key Points:
i.WHO’s Framework is dedicated to protecting and improving population health in the face of climate instability.
ii.The health sector, responsible for nearly 5% of global emissions, is urged to reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining high-quality care standards.
iii.It provides different pathways for health systems to strengthen their climate resilience and decarbonize based on performance, GHG emissions, and climate change and health capacity.

• Low-income countries, focused on energy access and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), play a vital role in global efforts.

About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director–General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established on– 7 April 1948

BANKING & FINANCE

ADB & GEF Introduce Natural Capital Fund to Foster Environmental Conservation
On November 10, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) jointly introduced the Natural Capital Fund (NCF), a concessional fund aimed at backing projects in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs).

• The GEF has committed a USD15 million investment to support the NCF’s initiatives focused on improving food security and safeguarding natural capital.
• The announcement for the same was made during the Asia-Pacific Natural Capital Forum held on 7­–9 November 2023, co-hosted by ADB and Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project.

Key Points:
i.It is a funding vehicle that accepts and administers contributions from multiple funding sources, including bilateral and multilateral organizations.
ii.NCF plans to co-finance projects alongside ADB and other partners. Financing will be secured through future incremental income, eco-compensation rewards, and additional operating cash flows of the projects.
About Asian Development Bank:
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters – Manila, Philippines
Establishment– 1966

ICICI Bank gets RBI nod to make ICICI Securities wholly-owned subsidiary
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved ICICI Bank‘s request to make ICICI Securities a wholly-owned subsidiary. Following this, ICICI Securities will be delisted and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of its parent company, ICICI Bank.

• ICICI Securities has four lines of business: Broking, Distribution of financial products, Wealth management, and Investment banking
• The acquisition is likely to be completed in the next 12-15 months, subject to regulatory approvals from ICICI Bank and the company’s shareholders’ and creditors, RBI, National Company Law Tribunal, stock exchanges and other regulatory and statutory authorities.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Moody’s retains India’s GDP growth at 6.7% for 2023Global credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service (MIS) has retained India’s economic growth projection at  6.7%  for financial year 2023-24(FY23-24) in its “Global Macro Outlook 2024-25 (November 2023 Update)”.

• The report also projected that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow at 6.1% in FY24-25 and 6.3% in FY25-26.
• This is slightly higher than the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)‘s projection of 6.5% for 2023-24.

Quarter Analysis:
India’s GDP grew by 7.8% in the first quarter(Q1) of the FY23-24, up from 6.1% in the fourth quarter(Q4) of FY22-23.
i.This was driven by higher government spending, increased private investment, and strong growth in the services sector.
ii.A strong domestic demand, and manufacturing and services activity aided growth during the quarter.
Inference:
i.The rating agency warns that rural demand remains vulnerable to uneven monsoons.
ii.The report also says that India’s exports to remain weak against the backdrop of an unfavourable global economy.
iii.The rating agency also expects growth in advanced Group 20 (G20) economies to slow to 1% in 2024 from 1.7% in 2023, before rising to 1.8% in 2025.
iv.The report suggests that inflation to fall back to target in most G-20 economies by year-end 2025.
v.However, the rating agency warns that climate or geopolitical events could inject volatility from spikes in energy and food prices.

Hindustan Aeronautics incorporates JV With Safran for Helicopter EnginesHindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France based Safran Helicopter Engines have decided to set up a new 50/50 joint venture (JV) company in Bengaluru, Karnataka to design, develop, produce, sell, and support helicopter engines.

• This joint venture will be the first engine design and manufacturing house in India.
• The JV was formed with an aim to develop the adequate propulsion system for the Indian Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) future 13-ton Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and its naval version, the Deck Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH).

Background:
i.The establishment of the JV is based on the Memorandum of Understanding which was (MoU) which was signed in 2022 and an agreement on workshare reached between the two partners during Aero India 2023.
ii.In October 2023, the firms announced that they will also manufacture ring forgings for commercial aircraft engines to power the Airbus A320Neo family and the Boeing 737 Max single-aisle airliners.
Present JV:
i.JV is a testament to the strong and growing relationship between the Indian and French aerospace industries.
ii.It aims to promote cooperation in research, development, production, and maintenance of aerospace platforms and systems.
iii.JV is expected to engage and harness the Indian Defence manufacturing ecosystem, thereby contributing to the realisation of the government’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.
Earlier Partnership:
i.These two firms have already collaborated to produce more than 500  Shakti Engines.
ii.This engine is used in HAL-produced helicopters such as

• Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH- DHRUV)
• Rudra (Weaponized version of Dhruv)
• Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand

Additional Info:
i.The JV also enables Airbus to support HAL in tapping into the growing demand for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.
ii.Airbus will also offer HAL access to AirbusWorld, a digital platform that offers support, technical data and training solutions.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):
Chairman and Managing Director(CMD) – R Madhavan
Headquarters – Bengaluru,Karnataka
Established in – 1940
About Safran Helicopter Engines:
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Cédric Goubet
Headquarters – Bordes, France
Established in – 1938

HAL & Airbus Signs Contract to Establish MRO facility for A-320 Aircraft
On November 9, 2023, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Airbus, the largest European aircraft manufacturer, signed a contract to establish a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the A-320 family of aircraft at Nashik, Maharashtra.

• Airbus will provide tools and consulting services, with the facility set to be operational by November 2024.
• The collaboration aims to meet the rising demand for MRO services in India.
• The facility will be available for the entire Asian region after obtaining European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval in partnership with Airbus.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Apolinaris D’Souza Honored With The 19th ‘Kalakar Puraskar’ AwardApolinaris D’Souza, a prominent Konkani singer, lyricist, and composer, was honored with the 19th edition of the ‘Kalakar Puraskar‘ award in appreciation of his immense contributions to the field of music for over 5 decades.

• The award was presented by Mandd Sobhann, in association with ‘Carval Ghorane’.
• The award was presented during the 263rd Monthly Theatre at Kalaangann, Shakthinagar, Karnataka.

About Apolinaris D’Souza:
i.Apolinaris D’Souza has made immense contributions to Konkani music in Oman and in Mangaluru, Karnataka.

• He has served as the choir master at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi in Oman for nearly 20 years, and has judged many music competitions.

ii.He has produced 9 audio albums of songs and hymns, 2 books of songs and music, and over 250 videos of Konkani and English hymns for his YouTube channel.
iii.He is also known for his popular hymns, such as ‘Mondirant Bhitor Sorun‘, ‘Orgam Tuka Somiya‘, ‘Ye Ye Jezu Mogala‘, ‘Undya Vayna Sovem‘, ‘Vetam Vetam Somiyam‘, and ‘Sasnnacho Vishev’.
iv.He was the first person to organize Konkani Program in Muscat, Omen (in 1976).

• He has also Organized ‘Apoli Night’ in Muscat.

About Kalakar Puraskar‘ award:
i.The ‘Kalakar Puraskar’ award was institutionalized in 2004 by linguist Pratap Naik under the name of his Carvalho (Carval) family.
ii.It is presented every year to a Konkani individual of the Karnataka region in recognition of his/her achievements in the field of music, dance, drama, or folklore.
iii.The award consists of a Rs 50,000 Cash prize, a Citation of Honour and a Memento.
Mandd Sobhann:
i.Mandd Sobhann, founded in 1986, is a premier Konkani cultural organization based in Mangalore, Karnataka.
ii.It was  to promote and preserve Konkani culture and language through music, dance, drama, and other art forms.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Ashok Leyland is the First OEM to Manufacture LNG Engines Ashok Leyland becomes the first Indian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to unveil an in-house Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) engine named as ‘AVTR 1922’ .

• Ashok Leyland has delivered first batch of 12 LNG-powered haulage trucks to Mahanagar Gas Limited in Hosur, Tamil Nadu(TN).

About AVTR 1922:
i.The AVTR 1922 is a customizable engine powered by a 6-cylinder H-series ‘Hino’ engine.
ii.The engine is compliant with Bharat Stage Six (BSVI) Stage II emission standards.
ii.It is also built on the AVTR platform, which is India’s first and only fully modular truck platform.

• The engine shares many components with Ashok Leyland’s current diesel trucks engines.

iii.It meets all safety standards and has a full metal front end for added safety and easier repairs.
About Ashok Leyland:
Ashok Leyland is an Indian multinational commercial vehicle manufacturer; It is owned by the Hinduja Group Limited.
Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Shenu Agarwal
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Established in – 1948(Established as Ashok Motors; Became Ashok Leyland in 1955)

SPORTS

India Finishes Asian Archery Championships 2023 with 7 MedalsThe Indian contingent finished second in the medal tally with 7 medals (3 Gold, 1 silver and 3 Bronze) in the Asian Archery Championships 2023 held in Bangkok, Thailand from 3rd to 10th November 2023.

• South Korea secured first place in the medal tally with 11 medals(6 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze) while Kazakhstan in the third plce with 3 mrdals(1 Gold and 2 Silver) in the 23rd edition of the Asian Archery Championship.

Medal Tally:

Indian Medal Winners:

Highlights:
i.India’s Parneet Kaur won two gold medals in the Asian Championships include women’s compound and women’s compound team.

• In the women’s compound team, she won the gold medal along with Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Aditi Swami.
• In the women’s compound individual event she performed better than India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam who won the silver medal in the event.

ii.The Indian mixed compound team comprised of 17-year-old Aditi Swami and Priyansh wont the gold medal.
iii.Abhishek Verma, the Asian Games 2018 champion and silver medallist at Hangzhou 2022, won the Bronze medal in the men’s compound event.
Note:
The Asian individual Olympic qualifiers for archery also to be held from 9th to 12th November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Education Day 2023- November 11 National Education Day is annually observed across India on 11 November to mark the birth anniversary of ‘Bharat Ratna’ Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India.

• His immense contribution to the field of education in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day across India.

This day serves to raise awareness about the fundamental right to education and underscore its supreme importance.

• 11 November 2023 marks the 135th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was born on 11 November 1888, in Mecca (Saudi Arabia).

Background:
i.In 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education (MoE)) declared 11 November, the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as National Education Day.
ii.The first-ever National Education Day was observed on 11 November 2008.
>> Read Full News

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