1. US and South Korea extends their air exercise in response to North Korea’s ICBM test
Tags: International News
In response to the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic missile (ICBM) by North Korea on 3 November the United States and the South Korea have decided to extend their joint Air Force exercise Vigilant Storm by one more day.
The Vigilant Storm exercise began on 31 October 2022 was to officially end on 4 November 2022. The exercise involves approximately 240 aircraft between the two countries.
North Korea has denounced as “very dangerous” the decision by Washington and South Korea to extend their air drills. North Korea has long condemned joint military drills between the US and South Korea as a rehearsal for invasion and had warned of “powerful follow-up measures”.
North Korea Missile test
In apparent response to the joint Air Force exercise,North Korea on 3 November launched three ballistic missiles, including a suspected ICBM. The launch followed firing of at least 20 missiles, the most in a single day by North Korea on 2 November 2022, including one that landed off South Korea’s coast for the first time.
Conflict in Korean Peninsula
- The Korean peninsula has been under the control of Japan since 1910. After the defeat of Japan in the second world war it was occupied by the Soviet Union and United States .
- They divided the country for administrative purposes at the 38 parallel in 1945.
- The area under Soviet Union control was called North Korea and the area under the United States of America control was known as South Korea.
- Soon a civil war ensued between the communist North Korea and democratic South Korea.
- North Korea with the support of the Soviet Union and China invaded South Korea in 1950.
- The United Nations called for member countries to provide assistance to South Korea and the United States under the United Nations mandate ordered its army to support South Korea.
- The Chinese Army joined the war in 1950 to support the communist North Korean forces.
- On July 27, 1953, military commanders from the United States (representing the United Nations Command), the North Korean’s Korean People's Army, and Chinese People's Volunteer Army signed the Korean Armistice Agreement, ending roughly three years of fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War.
- Since then the border area of North and South K0rea has been turned into a demilitarized zone but till date no peace agreement has been signed between the two. Technically both the countries are still at war.
- The United States has its troops in South Korea and is committed to defend South Korea from North Korea which wants to unify both the Koreans under its rule.
- North Korea is supported by China and Russia.
Two Korean countries at a glance
South Korea | North Korea | |
Official name of the country | Republic of Korea | Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
Capital | Seoul | Pyongyang |
President | Yoon Suk Yeol | Supreme Leader : Kim Jong Un |
Currency | South Korean Won | North Korean Won |
2. Adani New Industries instals India’s largest wind turbine
Tags: National National News
Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) on November 3, 2022 announced that it has installed a wind turbine taller than the world's tallest 'Statue of Unity' at Mundra, Gujarat.
Important facts
This turbine has been installed by Mundra Windtech Limited (MWL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).
The 200 m long wind turbine has a power generation capacity of 5.2 MW and can provide electricity to about 4,000 homes.
It is taller than the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres.
It is the largest wind turbine in terms of power generation and has a rotor diameter of 160 metres.
The hub height of the wind turbine generator is 120 metres, which is equivalent to a 40-storey building.
About Mundra Windtech Limited (MWL)
It has been incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary company for manufacturing wind turbine generators.
It was incorporated on June 7, 2021.
- It is incorporated to do business as manufacturers of wind turbine generators and other subsidiaries.
3. Adani New Industries instals India’s largest wind turbine
Tags: National National News
Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) on November 3, 2022 announced that it has installed a wind turbine taller than the world's tallest 'Statue of Unity' at Mundra, Gujarat.
Important facts
This turbine has been installed by Mundra Windtech Limited (MWL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).
The 200 m long wind turbine has a power generation capacity of 5.2 MW and can provide electricity to about 4,000 homes.
It is taller than the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres.
It is the largest wind turbine in terms of power generation and has a rotor diameter of 160 metres.
The hub height of the wind turbine generator is 120 metres, which is equivalent to a 40-storey building.
About Mundra Windtech Limited (MWL)
It has been incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary company for manufacturing wind turbine generators.
It was incorporated on June 7, 2021.
- It is incorporated to do business as manufacturers of wind turbine generators and other subsidiaries.
4. Union Agriculture Minister chairs steering committee meeting of National Natural Farming Mission
Tags: National National News
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the first steering committee meeting of National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 3 November, 2022 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
Important facts
In the meeting, Tomar launched the NMNF portal.
The portal is developed by the agriculture ministry.
The portal contains all the information about the mission, implementation outline, resources, implementation progress, farmer registration, blog etc., which will be useful for the farmers.
This portal will help in promoting natural farming in the country.
Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja were present in the meeting.
On this occasion, Tomar said that with the cooperation of all, the mission of natural farming would be carried forward in the country.
Jal Shakti Minister Shekhawat said that his ministry has signed MoU with Sahakar Bharti and in the first phase 75 Sahakar Ganga villages have been identified and a roadmap has been prepared and farmers have been trained.
About Natural farming
Natural farming is a traditional indigenous farming method based on livestock.
It does not use any chemical fertilisers or pesticides or organic manures, vermicompost, biofertilizers, bio-pesticides.
This farming is done with the aim of reducing the cost of cultivation and thus provides benefits mostly to the small and marginal farmers.
Natural farming in India is being promoted under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in the form of Indian Natural Farming System Program (BPKP).
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana has received 4.2 times (as compared to the previous year) allocation of Rs 10,433 crore in the budget for the year 2022-23, which will earmark funds for on-the-ground implementation of chemical-free farming.
Sikkim is the first organic state in India.
5. Union Agriculture Minister chairs steering committee meeting of National Natural Farming Mission
Tags: National National News
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the first steering committee meeting of National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 3 November, 2022 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
Important facts
In the meeting, Tomar launched the NMNF portal.
The portal is developed by the agriculture ministry.
The portal contains all the information about the mission, implementation outline, resources, implementation progress, farmer registration, blog etc., which will be useful for the farmers.
This portal will help in promoting natural farming in the country.
Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja were present in the meeting.
On this occasion, Tomar said that with the cooperation of all, the mission of natural farming would be carried forward in the country.
Jal Shakti Minister Shekhawat said that his ministry has signed MoU with Sahakar Bharti and in the first phase 75 Sahakar Ganga villages have been identified and a roadmap has been prepared and farmers have been trained.
About Natural farming
Natural farming is a traditional indigenous farming method based on livestock.
It does not use any chemical fertilisers or pesticides or organic manures, vermicompost, biofertilizers, bio-pesticides.
This farming is done with the aim of reducing the cost of cultivation and thus provides benefits mostly to the small and marginal farmers.
Natural farming in India is being promoted under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in the form of Indian Natural Farming System Program (BPKP).
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana has received 4.2 times (as compared to the previous year) allocation of Rs 10,433 crore in the budget for the year 2022-23, which will earmark funds for on-the-ground implementation of chemical-free farming.
Sikkim is the first organic state in India.
6. CBDT unveils single ITR form for all taxpayers
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 1 November has proposed a single income tax return (ITR) form for all taxpayers.
Important facts
All taxpayers, except trusts and non-profit organisations, can file returns with the proposed new common ITR form, on which the CBDT has invited stakeholder comments by 15 December.
Currently, taxpayers are required to furnish their income tax returns in ITR-1 to ITR-7, depending on the category.
What is Income Tax Return (ITR)?
ITR is a form which a person is supposed to submit to the Income Tax Department of India.
It contains information about the income of the individual during the year and the taxes to be paid on it.
Kinds of ITR forms
There are seven types of ITR forms, which are used by different categories of taxpayers.
ITR Form 1 - ALSO called ‘Sahaj’, is for small and medium taxpayers. Sahaj forms can be filed by individuals who have an income up to Rs 50 lakh, with earnings from salary, one house property/ other sources (interest etc).
ITR-2 - It is filed by people with income from residential property.
ITR-3 - It is intended for people who have income as profits from business/ profession.
ITR-4 (Sugam) - It is, like ITR-1 (Sahaj), a simple form, and can be filed by individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and firms with total income up to Rs 50 lakh from businesses and professions.
ITR-5 and 6 - These are for limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and businesses respectively.
ITR-7 - It is filed by trusts and non-profit organisations.
The changes that has been proposed
As per the proposal, all taxpayers, except trusts and non-profit organisations (ITR-7), will use a single ITR form, which will include a separate head for disclosure of income from virtual digital assets.
The current ITR-1 and ITR-4 will continue.
The purpose of the draft form is to make return filing easier, and save the time of individuals and non-business-type taxpayers.
7. Union Minister kishan reddy inaugurated the Ganga Utsav 2022 in New Delhi
Tags: Festivals National National News
The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the Ganga Utsav 2022 on 4 November, 2022 in New Delhi.
Important facts
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is organising Ganga Utsav.
It is organised on 4th November, 2022 at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi in two sessions.
G. Kishan Reddy was the Chief Guest in the morning session in the presence of the Minister for State, Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the evening session.
NMCG will take Ganga Utsav - Nadi Mahotsav 2022 to new heights through active participation of multiple stakeholders.
Objective of Ganga Utsav 2022
The main objective of Ganga Utsav 2022 is to celebrate our rivers and spread awareness on the importance of river rejuvenation across river basins in India.
It aims to organise similar events at more than 75 locations in different states to celebrate the Festival of Rivers of India.
Various activities of Ganga Utsav will take place on both physical and virtual platforms at the Centre, State and District level.
Background of the Ganga Utsav
Initially this festival was organised in the year 2017 as 'Ek Sham Ganga Ke Naam' involving limited stakeholders.
With the help of an international consortium like Indo-German cooperation, the event later evolved into 'Bal Ganga Mela' in the year 2018.
Bal Ganga Mela 2018 was organised in association with HCL Foundation.
In the year 2019, the event progressed into a carnival, which saw the participation of school students and youth.
The third edition of Ganga Utsav 2020 was organised through a three-day virtual medium.
Ganga Utsav 2021- Nadi Mahotsav was celebrated as part of the celebration of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
8. Union Minister kishan reddy inaugurated the Ganga Utsav 2022 in New Delhi
Tags: Festivals National National News
The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the Ganga Utsav 2022 on 4 November, 2022 in New Delhi.
Important facts
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is organising Ganga Utsav.
It is organised on 4th November, 2022 at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi in two sessions.
G. Kishan Reddy was the Chief Guest in the morning session in the presence of the Minister for State, Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the evening session.
NMCG will take Ganga Utsav - Nadi Mahotsav 2022 to new heights through active participation of multiple stakeholders.
Objective of Ganga Utsav 2022
The main objective of Ganga Utsav 2022 is to celebrate our rivers and spread awareness on the importance of river rejuvenation across river basins in India.
It aims to organise similar events at more than 75 locations in different states to celebrate the Festival of Rivers of India.
Various activities of Ganga Utsav will take place on both physical and virtual platforms at the Centre, State and District level.
Background of the Ganga Utsav
Initially this festival was organised in the year 2017 as 'Ek Sham Ganga Ke Naam' involving limited stakeholders.
With the help of an international consortium like Indo-German cooperation, the event later evolved into 'Bal Ganga Mela' in the year 2018.
Bal Ganga Mela 2018 was organised in association with HCL Foundation.
In the year 2019, the event progressed into a carnival, which saw the participation of school students and youth.
The third edition of Ganga Utsav 2020 was organised through a three-day virtual medium.
Ganga Utsav 2021- Nadi Mahotsav was celebrated as part of the celebration of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
9. Bank of England makes biggest interest rate hike in 33 years to cool rampant inflation
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The central bank of the United Kingdom, Bank of England (BoE) raised its interest rates by the most since 1989 on 3 November 2022. It joins the US Federal Reserve and other central banks worldwide in rapid hikes as it tries to beat back high inflation fuelled by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The BoE increased the Bank Rate to 3% from 2.25% and warned that the British economy might not grow for another two years.
The BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said that “High energy, food and other bills are hitting people hard. Households have less to spend on other things. This has meant that the size of the UK economy has started to fall,”
The BoE said it now expects inflation will hit a 40-year high of around 11% during the current quarter, more than five times its 2% target. But it also thinks the economy has entered a recession.
When there is a negative growth in the economy for the two consecutive quarters then the economy is in recession.
Problem of Gas in Europe
Europe has been particularly hard hit by a jump in natural gas prices as Russia responded to Western sanctions and support for Ukraine by curtailing shipments of the fuel used to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry and European nations competed for alternative supplies on global markets.
Important Central Banks in the world
Country | Central Bank | Central Bank Head |
India | Reserve Bank of India | Shaktikanta Das |
United States of America | Federal Reserve | Jerome Powel |
Japan | Bank of Japan | Haruhiko Kuroda |
China | People’s Bank of China | Yi Gang |
United Kingdom | Bank of England | Andrew Bailey |
European Euro Zone | European Central Bank | Christine Lagarde |
European Central Bank (ECB)
It is the Central Bank of the 19 European Union countries which have adopted Euro as their common currency.
Member countries of Eurozone: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland, Slovenia , Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Estonia , Latvia, Lithuania.
10. NCST Gives Nod To Include Pahari Community In ST List
Tags: National State News National News
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) on 4 November, 2022 approved inclusion of Pahari Ethnic Group, Paddari Tribe, Koli and Gadda Brahmans in the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Important facts
The proposal to include these groups in the list of STs was placed before the Commission on 7 October by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The Commission studied and approved the proposal in its meetings.
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs will now submit a memorandum to the cabinet to approve the reservation for Pahari ethnic group, Paddari tribe, Kolis and Gadda Brahmins under the ST category.
After the cabinet approval, the ministry will introduce a bill in the Parliament to amend the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1989 to include these communities in the STs.
When approved by the Parliament, the President shall notify the revised schedule of the ST list under Article 342 of the Constitution of India.
On October 4 and 5, 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah had announced ST status for Pahari based on the recommendations of the GD Sharma panel.
About Pahari Community
Pahari people is a term used for several heterogeneous communities settled in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Pahari is a term used to describe the various northern Indo-Aryan languages spoken by the people, most of them found in the lower Himalayas.
In 1989, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had set up an advisory board for the development of the Pahari speaking people and the welfare of the Pahari people.
Four tribes to the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST)
The Hatti tribe in the Trans-Giri area in Himachal Pradesh.
The Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran hill tribes of Tamil Nadu.
The Binjhia tribe in Chhattisgarh.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal to bring the Gond community of Uttar Pradesh under the ST list.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
It has been established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Indian Constitution through the 89th Amendment Act.
It is a constitutional body.
It consists of a chairman, a vice-chairman and three whole-time members (including a woman member).
Its term is for 3 years and the chairman is appointed by the President.
It investigates and monitors matters relating to Safeguards provided for STs.
Chairman - Harsha Chauhan
- Union Minister of Tribal Affairs - Arjun Munda
