31 May 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 31 May 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

So, here is the Top News of the Day for 31 May 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 31 May 2023

World No Tobacco Day 2023 Observed On 31st May

World No Tobacco Day 2023

World No Tobacco Day is an annual event conducted on May 31 that is organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and advocate for tobacco-reduction measures. The primary goal of this initiative is to educate the public about the health hazards associated with tobacco use, encompassing both smoking and smokeless tobacco products. It emphasizes the significance of quitting tobacco and urges governments, organizations, and individuals to actively combat tobacco use.

World Tabacco Day 2023- Theme

World No Tobacco Day has the subject “We Need Food, Not Tobacco” this year. The global campaign 2023 intends to create awareness among tobacco farmers about alternative crop production and selling prospects, as well as to urge them to grow sustainable, nutritional crops. It will also aim to expose the tobacco industry’s efforts to interfere with attempts to substitute tobacco growing with sustainable crops, thereby contributing to the global food crisis.

World Tabacco Day 2023- Significance

On this day, various activities and campaigns are organized worldwide to promote tobacco control. These initiatives include public awareness campaigns, educational programs in schools and communities, health screenings, and policy advocacy. The emphasis is on educating individuals about the dangers of tobacco use, supporting cessation efforts, and preventing youth from being addicted to tobacco.

Anti-Tobacco Day serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of tobacco on individuals, families, and communities. It aims to encourage smokers to quit and to prevent young people from starting the habit. Anti-Tobacco Day plays an important role in lowering the burden of tobacco-related diseases and building a healthy society by increasing awareness and advocating tobacco control measures.

Individuals can contribute to the cause by pledging to quit tobacco, supporting tobacco control policies and spreading awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco among their friends, family and communities.

World Tabacco Day 2023- History

The Member States of the WHO created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be “a world no-smoking day.” In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May.

Sachin Tendulkar Now ‘Smile Ambassador’ For Maharashtra Govt

Sachin Tendulkar now ‘smile ambassador’ for Maharashtra govt 

The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government of Eknath Shinde appointed cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as Maharashtra’s ‘Smile Ambassador’ under the state’s ‘Swachh Mukh Abhiyan’ to raise awareness about oral health and hygiene throughout the state. The batting legend will be the face of the state medical education and drug department’s Swachh Mukh Abhiyan (SMA) and has offered his association free of cost, and for the entire duration the government wishes to run the programme.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sachin Tendulkar. The former Indian cricketer will be the campaign’s brand ambassador for the next five years.

About the SMA campaign

• The SMA campaign was developed in collaboration with the Indian Dental Association (IDA) to promote oral hygiene. By raising awareness about the need of excellent dental hygiene, the SMA hopes to educate people.
  The IDA is hoping that this campaign is able to lead India to optimal oral health and pave the way for a new model of oral health care. This can be achieved if dentists collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders from across different fields.
• The Swachh Mukh Abhiyan mission will certainly change lives by preventing and controlling oral diseases by increasing oral health literacy. One of the key objectives of the mission is to promote healthy oral hygiene practices among the deprived section of society.
• Sachin Tendulkar is not the first person to be involved with a health initiative. Tendulkar was named Savlon’s first ‘Hand Ambassador’ for the Savlon Swasth India Mission in March. This campaign aims to highlight the importance of hand hygiene for a healthier nation.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Maharashtra Governor: Ramesh Bais;
• Maharashtra Chief minister: Eknath Shinde;
• Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai.

Health Index Report Of Covid Year: Kerala And Tamil Nadu Top Performers

Kerala and Tamil Nadu Top Performers in Health Index Report 

In the NITI Aayog’s annual health index for the fiscal year 2020-21, the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana emerged as the top achievers among the larger states. Among the smaller states, Tripura ranked the highest, while Delhi ranked at the bottom among the Union territories.

Health Index Report by NITI Aayog: Key Points

• The NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry and World Bank, launched the annual health index in 2017.
• The performance of states and union territories is assessed using a weighted composite score based on 24 health performance factors.
• Although the fifth health index report for 2020-21 was scheduled to be released by December 2022, it has not been made public yet.
• The NITI Aayog is said to have shared the report, titled “Healthy States Progressive India Report on the Ranks of States and Union Territories,” with the Health Ministry.
• The health index ranks states and UTs based on two criteria: year-over-year progress and overall performance. The states and UTs are divided into three categories: “larger states,” “smaller states,” and “UTs,” and then rated based on their scores.
• Among the 19 ‘larger states’, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have emerged as the top three performers in terms of overall performance, securing first, second, and third positions respectively. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the list, ranked 19th, 18th, and 17th, respectively.
• Regarding incremental performance, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Odisha have shown the greatest improvement in 2020-21 compared to their performance in 2019-20, making them the top three performers in this category.

Health Index Report by NITI Aayog: Performance of Small States and UTs

• Out of the eight smaller states, Tripura has achieved the highest overall performance, followed by Sikkim and Goa.
• On the other hand, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur have the lowest rankings, standing at the sixth, seventh, and eighth positions respectively.
• Regarding the eight Union Territories, Lakshadweep has been identified as the top performer in terms of overall performance, while Delhi has obtained the lowest rank.
• In the previous health index report for 2019-20, which was released on December 27, 2021, Kerala and Tamil Nadu were recognized as the leading performers among the larger states.
• Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam were the top three states in terms of annual incremental performance.

Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim rated first and second among minor states in terms of overall performance in 2019-20, while Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland ranked last. Among the Union Territories (UTs), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu ranked at the top, while Andaman & Nicobar Islands ranked last.

Health Index Report by NITI Aayog as a Tool for Evaluation

As per a statement released by the NITI Aayog on December 27, 2021, the health index serves as an annual tool to evaluate the performance of states and UTs. It is a composite index that considers 24 indicators divided into three categories: ‘health outcomes,’ ‘governance and information,’ and ‘important inputs/processes.’ Each domain is assigned a weight based on its importance, with greater emphasis on outcome indicators.

The ‘health outcomes’ domain comprises indicators such as neonatal mortality rate, total fertility rate, sex ratio at birth, immunization coverage, proportion of institutional deliveries, total case notification rate of tuberculosis, and proportion of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.

Goa Statehood Day 2023 Observed On 30th May

Goa Statehood Day 2023

Goa, India’s smallest state by area, is known for its beaches and historical artefacts. It became a state on May 30, 1987. It had been a Portuguese province since Alfonso de Albuquerque seized it in 1510 by conquering the region’s ruler, Adil Shah of Bijapur. 400 years later, India took back Goa from the Portuguese. This year Goa celebrates its 36th anniversary of  statehood.

May 30 is the day when Goa was declared a state separate from Daman and Diu. This took place in the year 1987 and since the, the day is observed as ‘Goa Statehood Day.’ After it received its statehood, Panaji was given the status of the capital of Goa and Konkani language became the official language.

History of Goa

Goa is the smallest state in India by area and is famous all over the world for its beautiful beaches and famous architecture. Before 1961, Goa was a colony of Portugal who rule the region for about 450 years. Following India’s independence in 1947, the Portuguese were asked to depart Goa area. The Portuguese, on the other hand, refused. In 1961, India launched Operation Vijay and annexed Goa and Daman and Diu with the Indian mainland.

When Goa became a full state, elections were later held in Goa and on 20 December 1962, Shri Dayanand Bhandarkar became the first elected Chief Minister of Goa. There was also talk of merger of Goa with Maharashtra, because Goa was located in the neighborhood of Maharashtra. In the year 1967 there was a referendum and the people of Goa chose to remain as a union territory. Later on May 30, 1987, Goa was given full statehood and thus Goa became the 25th state of the Republic of India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Goa Capital: Panaji;
• Goa  Chief minister: Pramod Sawant;
• Goa  Official sport: Football;
• Goa  Official animal: Gaur;
• Goa  Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.

Mukesh Ambani Joins Cop28 Advisory Committee To Address Climate Crisis

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and CEO of Reliance Industries, has been named to the Advisory Committee to the President of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP28). Alongside esteemed global leaders, Ambani will play a crucial role in shaping the agenda and providing guidance in addressing the urgent climate crisis.

This article highlights the significance of his appointment and the upcoming COP28 conference in Dubai.

COP28 and the UNFCCC

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the highest decision-making body of the UNFCCC, established to combat the escalating threat of climate change. The COP28 conference will be held in Dubai Expo City from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The host country for this edition is the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ambani’s Appointment to COP28 Advisory Committee

Mukesh Ambani’s selection to serve on the Advisory Committee to the President of COP28 is a significant milestone. As the only Indian representative alongside Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment, Ambani’s expertise will contribute to the committee’s efforts to address climate change challenges.

Global Leaders on the COP28 Advisory Council

Larry Fink (Chairman and CEO of BlackRock), Olafur Grimsson (Chairman of the Arctic Circle), Laurent Fabius (President of COP21/Paris Agreement, Former Prime Minister of France), Francesco La Camera (Director General of IRENA), and Bob Dudley (Chair of OGCI, Former CEO of BP) are among the COP28 Advisory Council members.

COP28 UAE Advisory Committee

The COP28 UAE Advisory Committee consists of 31 members representing policy, business, energy, finance, civil society, youth, and humanitarian action. With 65 percent of its members hailing from the Global South, the committee ensures diverse perspectives and expertise from across six continents.

Revised Guidelines For SPG: Special Force Safeguarding PM to be Led by ADG

Special Force Safeguarding PM to be Led by ADG

The Prime Minister’s security, which is now handled by the Special Protection Group (SPG), will henceforth be controlled by an official of the Indian Police Service with at least the rank of additional director general (ADG). Junior officials will be appointed on deputation for a six-year period.

The Ministry of Home Affairs recently issued new rules, outlined in a gazette notification under the Special Protection Group Act of 1988 (34 of 1988), establishing these criteria. As per the notification, officers from the All India Services will be selected for deputation to the SPG by the central government, under the same terms and conditions applicable to officers of corresponding ranks in the central government.

Revised Guidelines for SPG: Key Points

• The SPG’s headquarters will stay in New Delhi, as before, and the director will be appointed by the federal government, who must possess a rank no lower than that of an assistant director general of police from the Indian Police Service, according to the notification.
• Previously, the SPG was led by an officer with the rank of inspector general, and occasionally the post was elevated to the rank of additional director general.
• However, no specific rules regarding this had been issued until now.
• Other members of the SPG would be appointed on deputation for an initial period of six years, in addition to officers from the All India services, as mentioned in the notification.
• The appointment for a second term may be made with the prior approval of the central government, and reasons for the decision must be recorded, the notification stated.
• The director will be in charge of the SPG’s overall supervision, control, and administration, including training, discipline, and implementation of assigned functions under the Act, as well as any extra duties, orders, or instructions issued by the central government.
• The central government will establish standard operating procedures to specify the manner in which assistance is to be provided to the director or members of the SPG, as outlined in the Act.

Govt Approves Digital Communication Framework Between Banks And CEIB

Digital Communication Between Banks and CEIB Approved for Loan Defaults

The government has approved a new digital reporting and communication system to address loan defaults exceeding Rs 50 crore. Instead of relying on paper-based communication, the Union government has introduced a digital mechanism. Under this system, the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) will send digital reports to public sector banks within 15 days of a loan request at the pre-approval stage.

Digital Communication Between Banks and CEIB Approved: Key Points

• These reports will provide information about borrowers seeking loans of Rs 50 crore or more and their default status.
• Currently, it is mandatory for government-owned banks to acquire a report from CEIB on loan applicants with loan amounts over Rs 50 crore and any ongoing defaults before processing their loans.
• The Union finance minister approved the new system after consulting all the relevant parties involved.
• The government has implemented a digital system to streamline communication between banks and the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB).
• Under the new system, banks are required to submit their requests to CEIB through dedicated emails using a specific format.
• In return, CEIB will exclusively send reports to banks via email, maintaining a record of the timeline and actions taken by the banks.
• According to reports, the number of requests for borrowers made by banks to CEIB surged dramatically during the fiscal year 2022-23, with roughly 6,000 requests compared to 1,300 the previous year.

With the new digital mechanism in place, it is expected that these numbers will continue to rise. This system will make the process smoother and faster for banks, as they can now simply submit a request to CEIB online and receive final reports within 15 days.

Goa Raj Bhavan Launches First Books Under Governor’s Scheme

Five books published under the Raj Bhavan’s scheme for new writers titled ‘Nayi Pahal’ were released by Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai in a function at Raj Bhavan.

The five books released were authored by Sanjay Ramesh Salelkar (Konkani), Pallavi Polekar (Marathi), Manohar Adpaikar (Marathi), and Pachu Menon (two books in English).

The five titles are the first of 100 odd books that the Raj Bhavan plans on publishing in 22 different languages through its innovative scheme.

FDI Equity Inflows Dip 22% To $46 Billion In 2022-23: Dpiit Data

According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade data, the Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India has declined by 22% to $46 billion in 2022-23.

Reason: Lower inflows in computer hardware and software, and the automobile industry

The FDI inflows stood at $58.77 billion during 2021-22.

Top Investors (April-March 2022-23): Singapore ($17.2 billion), Mauritius, US, and UAE

State-wise, Maharashtra received the highest inflows of $14.8 billion.

Naveen Patnaik Launches ‘Odisha For Ai, And Ai For Youth’ Initiative

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched the ‘Odisha for AI’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence for Youth’ initiatives.

Odisha for AI: A free 4-hour course on AI by Intel on its app/site.

In the first phase, the initiative will be implemented in Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack.

AI for youth: It is for students (below 18) of 2000 5T schools of phase 1 and Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas

Aim: To create an ecosystem fostering research, innovation, and application across sectors