UPSC GK Capsule: It is important to remain well-versed on global happenings, such as numerous events, incidents, and national and international announcements. General Knowledge queries are crucial in virtually all examinations, including UPSC civil services, bank exams, and SSC recruitment exams, as well as college admissions and group discussions.
UPSC GK Capsule: Major Events
Here is a list of noteworthy news events to help candidates prepare for their impending exams:
Fear of Nipah Virus In Kerala
On September 15, a second individual in the city of Kozhikode, Kerala, tested positive for the Nipah Virus. This increases the total number of infected people in the state to 6.The virus has infected Kerala for the fourth time, prompting the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to request 20 additional doses of the Australian-made antibody vaccination. It has also been asserted that the mortality rate of the virus among infected individuals is exceptionally high (between 40% and 70%) compared to the COVID mortality rate of 2% to 3%.
Protests erupt across Odisha as NSUI calls for student union elections to resume
Teachers in Odisha on Mass Strike
On September 13, an estimated 1.30 lakh teachers from over 56,000 primary and upper primary schools in Odisha went on strike to protest the state’s contractual appointment system, grade pay increases from Rs 2,200 to Rs 4,200, and the reinstatement of the previous pension system. The six-day-long indefinite strike by teachers has prevented nearly 40 lakh students from attending state-run institutions. Several schools and their students have suffered significantly due to the protest. Teachers united under the umbrella of the All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation (AUPTF) began a demonstration on September 8 to get their demands met, despite the Odisha government’s request that they terminate their strike.
India-UK FTA Discussions
According to a senior official, negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom are advancing and “good progress” is being made on issues such as rules of origin and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). “Many things are progressing extremely quickly. As with principles of origin and bilateral investment treaties, there has been significant development. Negotiations are taking place… Recently, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters that difficult issues must be resolved near the conclusion of a deal, which requires additional time and deliberation.
IRS Officer Rahul Navin Appointed As In-Charge Director of the ED
As Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure as Director of the ED comes to a close, the government on September 15 appointed IRS officer Rahul Navin as the Enforcement Directorate’s acting director. The Supreme Court ruled in July that the ED director’s extension was unlawful and that Sanjay Mishra could continue to lead the ED until July 31 of this year. The Supreme Court extended Mishra’s appointment until September 15, 2023. Mishra received an extension of one year in November 2022. This November, his term as ED Director was scheduled to expire.
The Centre Will Introduce National Cooperative Database
In the near future, India will have a centralised database of cooperative societies. This groundbreaking record, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, will not only map all cooperative societies and their ecosystems within the country, but it will also serve as a valuable tool for bridging geographical gaps and identifying unexplored regions and industries ripe for cooperative expansion. Given that India is home to more than 8.5 million of the 30 million cooperative societies in the world (or more than 25 percent of the total), a database like this was essential for keeping track of their operations, finances, and membership numbers.
