Today's Current Affairs 15th November 2023

NATIONAL

India’s Strategic Move: Auctioning 20 Critical Mineral Blocks for Economic and Energy Transition

• The Indian government is set to invite bids for 20 critical mineral blocks, including lithium and graphite, within the next two weeks.
• Rajnath Singh to Participate in 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Jakarta.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to attend the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

 Govt Introduces PM Kisan Bhai to Break Traders’ Monopoly

• The Indian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture Introduces PM Kisan Bhai to Break Traders’ Monopoly.
• The scheme is set to undergo a pilot phase in seven states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

Ministry of Power presents initiatives of power sector at IITF 2023, Union Power and NRE Minister R. K. Singh inaugurates Power Pavilion

• The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh today inaugurated a Power Pavilion set up by the Ministry of Power, Government of India at the ongoing India International Trade Fair 2023, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

 AATMANIRBHAR AIR ARM OF INDIAN NAVY SEMINAR-2023

• The Southern Naval Command, Kochi, is hosting a two day seminar, themed 'AatmaNirbhar Air Arm of the Indian Navy 2023', from 13-14 Nov 23. The event is being conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Naval Aviation. Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff presided over the seminar as Chief Guest.

 SPORTS

Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s Record for Most Centuries in An ODI

• Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain, achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first batter in the world to score 50 One Day International (ODI) centuries.
• He surpassed the iconic Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries.

 SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

NASA, ISRO complete key tests ahead of NISAR’s launch early next year

• NASA has handed over the NISAR satellite to ISRO, a US Airforce C-17 aircraft transported the payload from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California to Bengaluru.

OBITURY

Sahara Group Founder Subrata Roy Passes Away at 75 after Prolonged Illness

• Sahara Group’s visionary founder and chairman, Subrata Roy, passed away at the age of 75.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Former Indian defence secretary joins as advisor to USISPF Board

• Former Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has joined as an advisor to the Board at the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum, a media announcement said. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Jharkhand Foundation Day 2023

• Jharkhand is the 28th state of India. It was formed on November 15, 2000 after a long-standing tribal movement for statehood.
• Jharkhand was earlier a part of Bihar, more precisely it was then South Bihar.
• 15th November is the birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda who was a part of the tribal movement against the British in the 1870s.

India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Records Seventh Consecutive Month of Deflation in October

• India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation rate continued its downward trend, reaching a three-month low of -0.52% in October.