• In a significant development, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given the green light to several capital acquisition proposals, including the indigenous Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missile. This precision-guided weapon is designed for deployment on the indigenously built DHRUV MK-IV helicopters and is poised to elevate India’s combat capabilities against enemy tanks and armored vehicles significantly.
• The approval of the Dhruvastra missile system by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) marks a substantial enhancement in India’s military capabilities. This advanced missile system, originally named Helina and developed as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a formidable addition to India’s array of military assets.

• India's leading airline, IndiGo, has announced new direct flights connecting Hyderabad and Colombo from November this year. The development marks a significant milestone as IndiGo becomes the first Indian carrier to establish direct connectivity between the two vibrant cities.
•  Local news portals and papers reported Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, Vinay Malhotra’s statement stressing on his company’s focus towards delivering exceptional services and meeting the evolving needs of customers.He added that this connectivity would serve as a catalyst for further enhancing business ties, trade, as well as tourism between India and Sri Lanka.

• India has temporarily suspended visa services in Canada including E-visa. Addressing media in New Delhi  External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed that the decision was taken due to the incitement of violence and inaction of Canadian authority and creating an environment that disrupts the functions of the Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada.
•  He also stated that Canadian citizens in a third country will not be able to apply for an Indian visa. However, the spokesperson informed that anyone with a valid visa or other documents can travel to India. Replying to a query on the number of Canadian Diplomats in India, Mr. Bagchi stated that there will be a reduction of Diplomats from the Canadian side as India has called for parity in strength in the mutual diplomatic presence.

• Union Health Ministry officials  reducing the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2023 to zero will increase the pool of qualifying candidates but not dilute the merit system for admission to PG medical courses. Only those scoring the highest marks will get admission to PG medical courses.
• The admission will be done through a transparent counselling process and will do away with alleged backdoor entry that was offered by some private colleges.They dismissed as imaginary the speculation that students with zero percentile can also become specialist doctors. The reality is that students with the highest marks will be  eligible for admission to their choice of courses and colleges.There are 68,142 PG medical seats in the country.

• President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida . The trade show will be held from September 21 to 25. Governor of state Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of UP Yogi Adityanath and Industrial Minister Nand Gopal Nandi will also be present on the inaugural function.
• State government departments and institutions, along with Mumbai Dabbawala, will conduct informative sessions on various business activities. Additionally, 108 new startups will also participate in the show.More than five lakh visitors, including international attendees, are anticipated to attend the trade show.

• This is the last meeting of the Infrastructure Working Group under the Indian G20 Presidency. It has brought together more than 54 delegates from the G20 member countries, guest countries, and international organizations invited by India. The forum is deliberating on the key issues in continuation of the discussions held during the previous three IWG meetings.
• The meeting is being hosted and chaired by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India along with Australia and Brazil as co-chairs.In the various sessions of the meeting, the challenges faced in mobilizing financial resources along with promoting private investment in urban infrastructure were discussed.

• The Ministry of Finance approved a series of welfare measures for the benefit of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) agents and employees. The welfare measures include the amendments of the Enhancement of Gratuity Limit, Uniform Rate of Family Pension, and LIC (Agents) Regulations, 2017, among others.
• Enabling reappointed agents to be eligible for renewal commission, thereby providing them with increased financial stability, as currently LIC agents are not eligible for renewal commission on any business. The families of deceased agents will significantly benefit from this improvement in term insurance because it will provide them with a more substantial welfare benefit.

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) lowered India's gross domestic product (GDP) projection by one percentage point for fiscal 2022-2023 to 6.3 per cent from 6.4 per cent. The economic growth estimate was revised down on account of slowing exports and the likely impact of erratic rainfall on agriculture output.
• The GDP projection for current fiscal (2023-2024) however, was retained at 6.7 per cent, when rising private investment and industrial output are expected to drive growth. Indian growth in the rest of this fiscal year and next will be propelled by robust domestic consumption as consumer confidence improves, and by investment, including large increases in government capital expenditure, according to the Asian Development Outlook September 2023.

• The national capital will host over 30 countries for the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference from September 25 to 27. The event is aimed at exchanging views and developing mutual understanding among the Indo-Pacific partners. Representatives from over 30 participating countries will discuss issues of mutual interest at the meeting, the Army informed further.
• The conference will be a platform to exchange ideas and views on security, promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and develop mutual understanding and dialogue amongst the Indo-Pacific partners.

• Young Indian wrestler Antim Panghal secured a bronze medal in the women's 53 kg category at the ongoing World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia .He also secured Paris Olympics 2024 quota for India. 19-year-old Antim beat two-time European Champion Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren in the bronze medal bout by 16-6.
• This is India's first medal at the ongoing edition of the tournament. Antim has captured India's 23rd medal in the World Championships till date, which includes one gold, five silver and 17 bronze medals.Earlier, Antim Panghal had upset 2022 world champion Dominique Olivia Parrish of the USA 3-2 in the opening round. The Indian grappler then sealed a win over Poland’s Roksana Marta Zasina in the round of 16 before winning 9-6 against Russia’s Natalia Malysheva in the quarter-finals.

Download Daily GK PDF of 24 September 2023