Current Affairs: Last 6 months Round-Up (Jan 2023- Jun 2023)

Hey Learners! We know last-minute preparation can get hectic for you. So, it gets important to accumulate all the information at one place. Therefore, we have decided to provide you with a Round-Up of 6 months of Current Affairs. Of course, one article will not be sufficient to cover everything that has happened in 6 months.

However, we have cherry-picked a few categories and drafted this article. But wait! This doesn't mean we haven't covered the rest. We have a surprise for you waiting in the end. (Hint: a freebie from us 🤫)

Read until the end & download it to see for yourself. 

Half- Yearly (6 Months) Current Affairs Compilation

We have divided the 6 months wrap into categories for easy learning. So, let's begin with Appointments first.

Appointments

1. First ever female Sikh judge in the US

Indian-origin Sikh woman, Manpreet Monica Singh became the first ever female Sikh judge in the US

She was sworn in as a Harris county judge

The state’s first South Asian judge, an Indian-American, was Ravi Sandill.

2. Chairman of BCCI selection committee

Chetan Sharma was reappointed as the chairman of the senior selection committee.

This happened exactly two months after the BCCI disbanded his entire panel.

It is the national governing body of cricket in India

Formed in 1928. It is headquartered in Mumbai

3. Neal Mohan : New CEO of YouTube

YouTube gets its new Chief Executive Officer on 16th Feb 2023

He is of Indian origin Neal Mohan, and he supersedes Susan Wojcicki

Neal Mohan is a Stanford Graduate, and he already served as YouTube’s chief product officer in 2015

4. New NITI Aayog CEO

Former IAS officer BVR Subrahmanyam was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Niti Aayog

He succeeded the former Commerce Secretary takes over from Parameswaran Lyer

Parameswaran Iyer will join World Bank as executive director in Washington DC

NITI Aayog is developing itself as a state-of-the-art resource centre with the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable it to act with speed, promote research and innovation, provide strategic policy vision for the government, and deal with contingent issues

5. New CCI Chairperson

• Ravneet Kaur has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for 5 years.

• She became the first woman to be appointed as a CCI Chairperson, replacing CCI Member Sangeeta Verma.

• NOTE - CCI is a statutory body (within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs) of the GOI under the Competition Act, 2002 for the administration, implementation, and enforcement of the Act. 

National News

1. Green Railway Station Certificate

Visakhapatnam Railway Station was awarded this certificate with the highest platinum rating

IGBC has awarded the certificate for adopting green concepts.

2. India’s 1st female pilot

Avani Chaturvedi, India’s first female combat pilot to pilot the Sukhoi fighter jet

She will be assigned to the Veer Guardian 2023 in Japan

For the first time, female officers would be travelling abroad to represent the nation

3. 30% women reservation bill

Uttarakhand Goverment approved the reservation of 30% horizontal reservation to domicile women of the state in the government jobs bill

The government passed Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal Reservation for women) Bill.

The beneficiaries need to be women with a domicile certificate of Uttarakhand.

According to the Bill, if enough women are not available to fill the reserved seats, they will be filled with qualified male candidates in the order of proficiency.

Horizontal Reservation refers to the equal opportunity provided to other categories of beneficiaries such as women, the transgender community, or individuals with disabilities.

The vertical reservation applies separately for each of the groups specified under the law, the horizontal reservation is always applied separately to each vertical category.

4. First fully digital banking state

Kerala as the first state in the country to go fully digital in its banking service.would boost the state economy.

Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project and will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the 35,000-km-long network for the next seven years

It is a joint venture between the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd (KSITIL), Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the state

K-FON will ensure internet facilities to everyone in the state.

Kerala is the only State in India that has declared ‘the right to the Internet’ as a basic right of its citizens

5. Manipur Violence, Conflict in Manipur between Meitei & Kuki

• The recent violence in Manipur stems from disputes over land and special privileges, which have created divisions between religious and ethnic communities in the state, which resulted in 54 deaths 

• Centre invokes Article 355 in Manipur for ensuring state security

• Article 355 of the Indian Constitution is a part of emergency provisions contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution of India, from Article 352 to 360.

• It encourages the centre to take all necessary steps to protect the state against internal disturbances and external aggression.

IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS - ABOUT Manipur

• Capital - Imphal,   statehood - January 21, 1972

• CM - N Biren Singh governor - Anusuiya Uikey

Sports

1. ICC Women’s U19 T20 WC

India beat England in the first-ever ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final in Potchefstroom, South Africa

This is the first ICC trophy India has won in women’s cricket.

The Indian women’s cricket team has never won a World Cup at any level

2. Hockey World Cup 2023

This was held in Odisha, India

Champions-Germany

Runner up-Belgium

Third- Netherlands recorded biggest win in Hockey World Cup history by defeating Chile’s (14-0)

Overall India stood 9th

3. Sania Mirza announced retirement

The 36-year-old tennis player Sania Mirza announced her retirement from professional tennis

She was the former doubles World No.1 

She announced that the Dubai Tennis Championships in Dubai in February 2023 will be her last match

Her achievements:

• Won six Grand Slam doubles titles

• Won her first grand slam in 2009 by winning the Australian Open Mixed doubles title with Mahesh Bhupathi. 

• First Indian to win a WTA singles title in 2005.

• In 2007, she was ranked among the 30 and also reached her career-high ranking of world number 27(Singles).

• She was ranked India’s No 1 in Singles from 2003 till her retirement from Singles in 2013

4. WPL 2023 Final

In the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 final, held at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, the Mumbai Indians won against the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets.

The Harmapreet Kaur-led side scripted history by becoming the winners of the 2023 edition of the tournament

Meg Lanning was crowned the winner of the WPL 2023 Orange Cap

Hayley Matthews, who plays for Mumbai Indians, was awarded the Purple Cap for her excellent performance in the WPL 2023 final

5. IPL 2023

It was founded by the BCCI – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007

The first Tournament of the Indian Premier League was held in 2008

Indian Premier League is a Twenty – 20 Cricket league held in India annually

The most successful IPL team is Mumbai Indians (five victories to their name and one runner-up position)

Played by both Indian cricketers and overseas cricket players

Vice President Lalit Modi was the mastermind behind introducing IPL.

Chennai Super Kings is the IPL team with the most winning badges.

Awards

1. 71st Miss Universe

USA candidate Bonney Gabriel has crowned Miss Universe 2022

Event was held in New Orleans, Mexico

The crown was presented to her by India's Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu who won the title in 2021

Second runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez. 

Divita Rai of India reached the top 16, but she was unable to advance further.

Only two Indians before Ms. Sandhu had won the title of Miss Universe— actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

2. Gujarat won at 74th Republic Day parade

Gujarat’s state tableau won “People's Choice Award” at this year’s Republic Day

Their topic was “Clean and Green Energy Efficient Gujarat” 

On this year’s Republic Day, total 17 states and 6 Ministries exhibited their separate tableaus

3. 76th BAFTA Awards 2023

The BAFTA awards (British Academy Film Awards) were presented at the Royal Festival Hall in London

Actor Richard E Grant hosted the award

Shaunak Sen’s documentary All That Breathes from India was a nominee for the Best Documentary award, which went to Daniel Roher’s Navalny

BAFTA – is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally

• Best Film - All Quiet on the Western Front

• Leading Actress - Cate Blanchett, Tar

• Leading Actor - Austin Butler, Elvis

• Best Director - Edward Berger, All Quiet on the Western Front

• Best Casting - Elvis

• Best Cinematography - All Quiet on the Western Front

• Adapted Screenplay - All Quiet On The Western Front, Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell

• Editing - Everything Everywhere All At Once, Paul Rogers

• Cinematography - All Quiet On The Western Front, James Friend

• Best Documentary - Navalny (Daniel Roher)

4. Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards

The 2023 winners were revealed by the Directorate of Film Festivals

The award ceremony was conducted in Mumbai

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor won the Best Actor and Best Actress awards at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the country’s highest award in the field of cinema

Best Film - The Kashmir Files

Film Of The Year - RRR

Best Actor - Ranbir Kapoor (Brahmastra Part One: Shiva)

Best Actress - Alia Bhatt (Gangubhai Khatiawadi)

Critics Best Actor - Varun Dhawan (Bhediya)

Critics Best Actress - Vidya Balan (Jalsa)

Best Director - R Balki (Chup)

Best Cinematographer - PS Vinod (Vikram Vedha)

Best Playback Singer (Male) - Sachet Tandon (Maiyya Mainu – Jersey)

Best Playback Singer (Female) - Neeti Mohan (Meri Jaan – Gangubhai Khatiawadi)

Best Web Series - Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness (Hindi)

5. OSCARS 2023

95th Academy Awards were held on March 12, 2023. Hosted in Los Angeles to recognise movies released in 2022 by Jimmy Kimmel

Winners list 2023

Reports and Indexes

1. World Happiness Index

With 7.84 points, Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the 5th year in a row

Finland was followed by Denmark (7.62 points), Switzerland (7.57 points), Iceland (7.55 points)

India is ranked 136th in this list.

Last year, India’s ranking was 139th in the list

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network releases WHI to the United Nations

The Gallup World Poll served as the main source for this study

It rates 150 countries and the factors to judge are GDP, life expectancy and other indicators for quality life

Total 6 elements are taken into account to analyse

1. Dystopia

2. Citizen’s perception

3. Generosity

4. Freedom to make life decisions

5. Healthy life expectancy

6. Social support

7. GDP of a nation

World Happiness Index 2023 will mark its 10th anniversary with this year’s Globe Happiness Reflect

2. Not Delhi, but Mumbai is the most polluted city in India

According to the Swiss air tracking index IQAir, Mumbai has been ranked as the most-polluted city in India and second most polluted city globally within a week between January 29 and February 8

Swiss air tracking index IQAir is a real-time air quality monitor

It collaborates with UNEP and Greenpeace and measures air quality in India using data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

It categorizes the cities into ‘healthy’, unhealthy’, and ‘hazardous’ as per US air quality index (AQI) standards

Mumbai was also the third most unhealthy city worldwide for air quality worldwide

Top 10 most-polluted cities worldwide:

• Lahore (Pakistan)
• Mumbai (India)
• Kabul (Afghanistan)
• Kaohsiung (Taiwan)
• Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
• Accra (Ghana)
• Krakow (Poland)
• Doha (Qatar)
• Astana (Kazakhstan)
• Santiago (Chile)

3. Cleanest Airport

Delhi airport has been adjudged as one of the best airports as well as the cleanest airport in the Asia Pacific region by international grouping ACI

From India IGI airport was ranked the best

Overally Beijing airport was ranked the best.

4. Literacy rate in India

According to the data the Ministry of Education shared, Bihar (61.8 %) has the lowest literacy and Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India at 94%.

Bihar, which is the lowest is followed by Arunachal Pradesh (65.3 %) and Rajasthan (66.1 %)

Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India at 94%, followed by Lakshadweep at 91.85% and Mizoram at 91.33%

The literacy rate in rural India is 67.77 per cent as compared to 84.11 per cent in urban India

The Samagra Shiksha Scheme aims to provide universal access and retention in education

5. World Press Freedom Index

• Released by Reporters Without Borders

• India’s rank- 161/180 countries.

• In 2022, India was ranked at 150.

• Top Country: Norway followed by Ireland, Denmark & Sweden

Books

1. The Banker To Every Indian

It is launched by The State Bank of India (SBI)

It is called the launch of its coffee table book titled “The Banker to Every Indian”

It was on the occasion of SBI celebrating 75 years of Indian independence and the 200-year history of SBI, which was established in 1955.

The book details the Bank’s history ever since its independence

2. Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Autobiography ‘Azaad’

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Minister, has written an honest and forthright autobiography

Published by Rupa Publications India, ‘Azaad’ is a candid account of Azad’s life and career, including his interactions with influential leaders in India and around the world

In his autobiography “Azaad”, Ghulam Nabi Azad presents a fascinating account of his interactions with various political leaders, including members of the Gandhi family, former Prime Ministers like Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and P V Narasimha Rao, as well as present Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

3. The Best of Satyajit Ray

Penguin Random House India publishes the book

This book gives a glimpse into the fiction and non-fiction writings of the legendary filmmaker and polymath Satyajit Ray

It also portrays his short stories as well as writings on filmmaking, and his thoughts on world and Indian cinema

4. Breaking Barriers

Authored by former IAS officer Kaki Madhava Rao.

The full name of the book is “Breaking Barriers: the Story of a Dalit Chief Secretary”.

Emesco Books Private Limited publishes the book.

The book addresses the details about the dynamics of civil services at the ground level and also fills the gap in the knowledge about micro policies and governance.

5. Ambedkar: A Life

Shashi Tharoor wrote and launched the book which is based on Ambedkar’s story

Here the story is depicted very lucidly, insightfully and with great admiration

Conclusion

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