Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the policy rate unchanged at 6.5% in the recent monetary policy committee meeting.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das retained FY24 GDP growth projections at 6.5%, but raised the CPI inflation forecast for FY24 to 5.4%.

Notes:
India is the largest source of Human Hair (raw material) in the world: Centre, as per the information provided by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel.
India had exported 169.23 million dollar in value of Human Hair during last fiscal. PLEX Council is working with the government to provide training to Indian exporters to start producing high-value goods such as wigs.

Notes:
Recently, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy provided financial aid to qualified individuals under the ‘YSR Kalyanamasthu and YSR Shaadi Tohfa’ programs.
The financial assistance is provided to parents from poor financial backgrounds to help them perform their children’s marriage after their education. The YSR Kalyanamasthu is meant for the girls belonging to SC, ST, BC and Minorities, disabled, construction worker families, while the YSR Shaadi Tohfa is for the Muslim girls.

Notes:
Based on the FY23 revised budget estimates, Maharashtra tops the ranking in overall fiscal health scorecard, followed by Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Telangana and Jharkhand.
Based on the FY24 first budget estimates, the top three states are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, shows a report on the fiscal health of the key 17 states. It is based on the 4 fiscal parameters–fiscal deficit; own tax revenue, state debt levels (as a percentage of their individual gross state domestic product) and the interest payment to revenue receipts.

Notes:
The Odisha government released guidelines permitting only certified snake handlers to rescue snakes from human areas, with violations leading to penalties under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Rescues are limited to situations where snakes pose threats to humans, and with snakebites accounting for 40% of disaster deaths in the state, the need for trained professionals is paramount.

Notes:
Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha.
It proposes the setting up of a 3-member committee led by the Prime Minister for appointing future chief election commissioners and election commissioners.

Notes:
Recently, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, launched the second phase of the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program for Lymphatic Filariasis.
Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical parasitic disease spread by infected mosquitoes that affects the lymph nodes and vessels.

Notes:
The former DRDO Director General Dr.V S Arunachalam, passed away recently in the USA, at the age of 87 years. He was the head of DRDO and was the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister from 1982-92.
In 2015, Dr.Arunachalam was conferred with DRDO’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of scientific research and technology.

Notes:
The BRICS group of major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is holding its 15th heads of state and government summit in Johannesburg between August 22 and August 24.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also invited the leaders of 67 countries to the summit, including 53 other African Countries, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Indonesia and Iran.

Notes:
Ministry of Tourism unveiled an ambitious campaign aimed at showcasing India as a premier wedding destination on the global stage.
This campaign seeks to explore avenues of great potential, for scaling tourism in India to new heights. The campaign seeks to expand India’s wedding industry, by enticing couples from around the world to celebrate their special day in India.