Notes:
The average days of employment provided per household under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is at a five-year low, this financial year.
As of January, the average days of employment provided per household is 42 days while it was 50 days in 2021-22, 52 days in 2020-21, 48 days in 2019-20 and 51 days in 2018-19. There has been a decline in demand for jobs under the scheme this financial year.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh came into existence on January 24, 1950, when the governor-general of India passed United Provinces Order 1950, renaming United Provinces as Uttar Pradesh.
This is the 74th foundation day of Uttar Pradesh and it is being celebrated as ‘UP Day’. On the occasion, several schemes including Chief Minister Handicraft Pension Scheme, Handicraft Marketing Promotion Scheme, and exemption in stamp duty were launched. People were also awarded with ‘Rani Laxmi Bai Puraskar’ and ‘Laxman Puraskar’.

Notes:
Indian veteran architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, also known as B V Doshi, passed away at the age of 95.
He won the gold medal awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2022, joining a select league of international architects. Indian architect BV Doshi has passed away, at the age of 95. Trained under Le Corbusier, he was the only Indian to have been awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Notes:
Amazon India announced the launch of Amazon Air, a dedicated air cargo service in India to speed up deliveries.
India is the third market, after the United States and Europe, where the company has launched Amazon Air. The company operates a network of over 110 jets that fly to over 70 locations worldwide. Amazon has tied up with Quikjet Cargo Airline Private, a Bengaluru-based freight carrier.

Notes:
Purse Seine Fishing is a method where a vertical net attached to a vessel is targeted at dense group of fish in open water in curtain formation the bottom of which is drawn together to enclose the fish.
The Supreme Court conditionally allowed Purse Seine Fishing beyond the territorial waters of the state of Tamil Nadu, but within the exclusive economic zone.

Notes:
A white card was shown for the first time in a women’s cup quarter-final match between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
The card was initiated by Portugal to try and improve ethical value in the sport. It is in contrast with yellow and red cards which are used to discipline players for misconduct. The exact purpose and consequence of the card are yet to be announced. When a fan fell ill in the stands, the medical teams from both the teams rushed to the spot and the card was shown as an appreciation to the medical teams for their spirit.

Notes:
As per United Nations (UN) World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023 report, India’s growth is likely to remain strong at 5.8 per cent.
The growth estimation was slightly lower than the estimated 6.4 per cent in 2022, due to higher interest rates and effect of global slowdown on investment and exports. UN also predicted a worsening outlook in most developing regions amid the fear of a possible recession.

Notes:
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) decided to off load 30 LMT wheat from the Central pool stock to the market, through various routes under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).
Offloading of 30 LMT wheat within a span of two months through multiple channels will have immediate impact on the rising Wheat and Atta prices. Wheat will be offered to the Flour millers, Bulk Buyers etc through e-auction, and to State Governments/UTs for their schemes without e-auction.

Notes:
Jharkhand Migration Survey is a part of the State’s Safe and Responsible Migration Initiative (SRMI) launched by the end of 2021.
The objective is to prepare a database of migrant workers that can be used when the government is formulating policies. Two-month exercise involves 24 districts, 60 enumerators and 11,000 households.

Notes:
Canada has appointed its first special representative on combatting Islamophobia as the government seeks to tackle hatred after a series of attacks targeting members of Muslim communities in the country in recent years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that human rights advocate Amira Elghawaby would hold the post, to offer advice on government policies, legislation and other programmes.