Current Affairs search results for tag: national
By admin: Jan. 5, 2023

1. PM to chair second National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi

Tags: Summits National News

PM to chair second National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 2nd National Conference of Chief Secretaries on January 6 and 7, 2023 in Delhi.

An overview of the news

  • This will be an important step towards further enhancing the partnership between the Central and State Governments.

  • The first conference of Chief Secretaries was to be held in Dharamshala in June 2022.

  • The conference will focus on achieving rapid and sustained economic growth in partnership with the states.

  • It will see participation from representatives of the Central Government, Chief Secretaries and senior officers from all States/UTs and more than 200 domain experts.

  • The conference will lay the groundwork for achieving a developed India with emphasis on growth and employment generation and inclusive human development.

  • The best practices of the States/UTs under each theme will also be presented in the conference so that the States can learn from each other.

Six identified themes of the conference

  • Thrust on MSMEs 

  • Infrastructure and Investments 

  • Minimising Compliances

  • Women's Empowerment

  • Health and Nutrition

  • Skill Development

Three special sessions

  • Viksit Bharat: Reaching the Last Mile

  • Five Years of Goods and Services Tax (GST) – Learnings and Experiences

  • Global Geopolitical Challenges and India’s Response

  • Besides, focused deliberations would be held on four topics, viz Vocal for Local, International Year of Millets, G20: Role of States and Emerging Technologies. 


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

2. NGEL, HPCL sign an agreement to develop green energy projects

Tags: National Economy/Finance

NGEL, HPCL sign an agreement to develop green energy projects

NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has signed an agreement with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) for the development of renewable energy-based power projects for HPCL Refineries and other Business Units.

The agreement was signed on 3 January 2023 in New Delhi by Mr Neeraj Sharma, Head of Finance, NGEL and Shri Shuvendu Gupta, Executive Director- BioFuels & Renewables, HPCL.

Under the agreement NGEL which is a subsidiary of NTPC will supply 400 MW renewable power to the HPCL 

This MoU marks the first step for NGEL and HPCL to collaborate and cooperate in the field of development of Renewable Energy projects which shall help HPCL in meeting its Clean Energy Commitments.


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

3. Union Cabinet approves naming of Mopa airport in Goa after Manohar Parrikar

Tags: place in news National State News

Union Cabinet approves naming of Mopa airport in Goa after Manohar Parrikar

The Union cabinet in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 January 2023 has given ex-post facto approval for naming the Greenfield International Airport at Goa's Mopa as Manohar International Airport, after former defence minister and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating the first phase of the international airport at Mopa  in north Goa on 11 December 2022 had announced that the airport will be named after the late Goa Chief Minister and former Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister of Goa from 2000 to 2005, 2012 to 2014 and from 14 March 2017 until his death in March 2019.

Manohar Parrikar was also the Union Defence Minister from October 2014-March 2017.

He was awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously in January 2020.

 Manohar International Airport is the second airport in Goa after Dabolim airport.


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

4. President Murmu inaugurates the 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Rajasthan

Tags: place in news National Summits

President Murmu inaugurates the 18th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides in Rajasthan

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the Pali district of Rajasthan on 4 January 2023.  The President was on a two day (3 and 4 January) visit to the state. The 7 day event is being hosted by Rajasthan after 66 years. Over 35,000 scouts and guides from all over the country are participating in the event.

The first National Scout and Guide Jamboree was held in Andhra Pradesh in 1951. The 17th Jamboree was held in Mysuru, Karnataka in December 2016 -January 2017. 

Theme of the Jamboree 2023

Theme of the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree: Progress with Peace 

What is a Jamboree?

The Jamboree is a National level gathering of the Scouts and Guides conducted once in 4 years or to mark special occasions. The Jamboree gives the Scouts and Guides an opportunity to interact with the youth from different states of India and from abroad. The young people share their customs, food habits, handicrafts, religious practices, culture etc with one another. They live under the canvas for a week and participate in various activities.

For the 18th National Scout and Guides Jamboree over 3500 tents have been erected at the Nimblee village.

Founder of the Scout and Guides movement 

The Boy Scout movement was started by Major General Baden Powel of the British Army in 1907. 

The girl’s guide’s movement was started by Major General Powel sister’s Agnes Baden Powel in 1910.

Bharat Scouts and Guides Movement 

After Independence the Bharat Scouts and Guides was set up in 1950 as a registered society under Societies Registrations Act 1860.

It is a totally voluntary, non-political and secular organisation.  

The purpose of the Movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of the local, national and International communities.

Its Headquarters is in New Delhi.


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

5. Union Government approves the National Green Hydrogen Mission

Tags: National Government Schemes

Union Government approves the National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 January 2023 approved the National Green Hydrogen Policy which aims to make India a Global Hub for the production, utilisation and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

Green Hydrogen refers to the breaking down of the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable sources of energy.

Outlay for the Scheme  

The initial outlay for the Mission is Rs.19, 744 crore, including an outlay of Rs.17, 490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT), Rs.1, 466 crore for pilot projects, Rs.400 crore for Research and Development, and Rs. 388 crore towards other Mission components. 

Main Objective of the National Green Hydrogen Mission

  • The aim of the National Hydrogen Mission is to enable India to meet its climate change target of net zero carbon emission by 2070 and make India a production and export hub of hydrogen fuel. 
  • Achieve the capacity to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030  ,
  • Capacity addition of 125 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
  • Reduction in carbon dioxide emission of nearly 50 Million Metric Tonne per annum by 2030.
  • Reduction in fossil fuel imports worth Rs 1 lakh crore by 2030.
  • To attract investment over Rs.8 lakh crore in the sector.
  • Target of creation of over 6 lakh jobs in the sector by 2030.


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

6. Union cabinet approves Rs 2,614.51 crore investment in the 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project

Tags: National State News

Union cabinet approves Rs 2,614.51 crore investment in the 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 January 2023 approved the investment of Rs 2,614.51 crore for the 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project by state-owned SJVN Ltd in Himachal Pradesh. 

The 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project is being developed by Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (SJVN) on Sutlej river in the Shimla and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh.  The project on completion is expected to generate 1,382 million units of electricity annually.

This project would help in reduction of 11 lakh tons of carbon dioxide from the environment annually and Himachal Pradesh would benefit with around Rs 2,587 crore worth of free power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually laid the foundation stone of the 382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh on 27 December 2021. He also laid the foundation stone of 210 MW Luhri Stage-1 on river Sutlej and  66 MW Dhaulasidh project being built on Beas river .All the projects are being developed by SJVN.

Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN)

It is a Mini Ratna Category-I Central public Sector Enterprises Company under the Union Ministry of Power.

The company is a joint venture of the Government of India and Himachal Pradesh government with the government of India holding the majority shares. It was set up in 1988 for hydroelectric power generation and transmission.

SJVN is presently implementing or operating power projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Odisha, Mizoram and Madhya Pradesh in India besides neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan.

Chairman and Managing Director: N L Sharma


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

7. 1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water

Tags: Summits National News

1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water

1st All India Annual State Ministers Conference on Water to be held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on 5th & 6th January, 2023.

Important facts

  • The Government is deliberating on the preparation of the Action Plan and Vision Document of India@2047.

  • Water Vision@2047 is part of PM’s India@2047 plan. 

  • Thematic sessions will be organised at the conference to focus on water security, water use efficiency, water governance, water infrastructure and water quality.

  • Ministers of State for Water Resources, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Irrigation of all States/Union Territories of the country will participate.

  • The participants will have to prepare a blueprint of Water Vision @ 2047 and prepare a road map to overcome the water problems of the country.

Objectives of the conference

  • To collect inputs for India@2047 and 5P vision from various water stakeholders of the states as water is a state subject.

  • Improving engagement and partnership with states and sharing of initiatives and schemes of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

5 thematic sessions of the conference

  • Water Security in Water Deficit, Water Surplus and Hilly Regions

  • Water Use Efficiency including Reuse of Waste Water/ Grey Water

  • Water Governance

  • Climate Change Resilient Water Infrastructure, and

  • Water Quality

Union Minister of Jal Shakti - Gajendra Singh Shekhawat


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

8. PM Modi presides over annual general meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library society

Tags: National National News

PM Modi presides over annual general meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library society

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd January chaired the Annual General Meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society in New Delhi.

Important facts

  • He underlined the need to widen the scope of research on modern Indian history by involving individuals and institutions to create awareness about the country's past.

  • He stressed the need for institutions in the country to record research work for the benefit of present and future generations.

  • He also expressed satisfaction over the design and contents of the Prime Minister's Museum and described the museum as truly nation-centric and not individual-centric.

  • The Prime Minister's Museum is a tribute to every Prime Minister of India since independence.

  • It is a descriptive record of the contribution made by each PM to the development of the country in the last 75 years.

  • The PM mentioned that the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, is in 2024.

About Nehru Memorial Museum and Library

  • It was established in 1964 in the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964).

  • It is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

  • It is located in Teen Murti House, the official residence of the first Prime Minister of India.

  • It has four major components, a Memorial Museum, a Library on Modern India, a Center for Contemporary Studies and the Nehru Planetarium.

  • It is a specialised library designed and developed as an exclusive research and reference centre on colonial and post-colonial India. It has a rich manuscript section.


By admin: Jan. 4, 2023

9. PM Modi presides over annual general meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library society

Tags: National National News

PM Modi presides over annual general meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library society

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd January chaired the Annual General Meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society in New Delhi.

Important facts

  • He underlined the need to widen the scope of research on modern Indian history by involving individuals and institutions to create awareness about the country's past.

  • He stressed the need for institutions in the country to record research work for the benefit of present and future generations.

  • He also expressed satisfaction over the design and contents of the Prime Minister's Museum and described the museum as truly nation-centric and not individual-centric.

  • The Prime Minister's Museum is a tribute to every Prime Minister of India since independence.

  • It is a descriptive record of the contribution made by each PM to the development of the country in the last 75 years.

  • The PM mentioned that the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, is in 2024.

About Nehru Memorial Museum and Library

  • It was established in 1964 in the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964).

  • It is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

  • It is located in Teen Murti House, the official residence of the first Prime Minister of India.

  • It has four major components, a Memorial Museum, a Library on Modern India, a Center for Contemporary Studies and the Nehru Planetarium.

  • It is a specialised library designed and developed as an exclusive research and reference centre on colonial and post-colonial India. It has a rich manuscript section.


By admin: Jan. 3, 2023

10. Govt exempts public sector companies from minimum public float rules

Tags: National Economy/Finance

The government of India has exempted public sector entities from the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norm which mandates at least 25 per cent public float for all listed companies.

The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2022 was notified by the government on 2 January 2023. 

According to the notification “any listed entity in which the Central Government or State Government or public sector company, either individually or in any combination with others, holds directly or indirectly, majority of the shares or voting rights or control of such listed entity, are exempted from any or all of the provisions of this rule”. 

Rule 19 A of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules prescribes that a listed entity must have at least 25 percent of public shareholding. Public shareholding means an investor who is not the promoter of the company. The investor could be either an individual or an institution.

Listed Company means that the capital instrument of the company (shares, debenture or bonds etc) is listed on any stock exchange and it can be bought and sold in the market.