Current affairs 14 August 2023

NPCI launches UPI Chalega 3.0 campaign to promote easy digital payments.

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the 3rd edition of the UPI Safety Awareness Campaign, UPI Chalega in August 2023.
• Aim: To promote UPI’s brand awareness, amplify understanding of its features, and encourage wider adoption among new users.
• It also educates users about various features such as UPI LITE, which enables swift low-value transactions; UPI AUTOPAY, which allows secure and convenient recurring payments using any UPI application.

Odisha launched scheme to improve banking penetration in 4,373 panchayats.

• The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved to open banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats at a cost of Rs 500 crore in Aug 2023.
• Aim: To improve financial inclusion, will be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks in a phased manner.
• The scheme will be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks - State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India.

Gross Direct tax collections rise 16 % to Rs 6.53 lakh crore in FY 2023.

• The gross direct tax collection has registered a growth of around 16% to RS 653,000 crore compared to the same period in 2022 in Aug 2023.
• Net direct tax collection, after adjusting refunds, stands at RS 584,000 crore, which is over 17 % higher than the net collections for the same period 2022.
• The collection is over 32% of the total Budget estimates of Direct Taxes for 2023-24.
• Refunds amounting to Rs 69,000 crore has issued, which is 3.73% more compared to year 2022

Indian Men's Hockey Team for bagged Asian hockey Championship trophy 2023.

• The Indian hockey team defeated Malaysia and won for the fourth time at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 final at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
• With four Asian Champions Trophy titles, India is in the first spot in the history of the tournament.

Indian Navy participated in bilateral naval exercise 2023 with UAE Navy.

• Two Indian Naval Ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated in a bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise with the UAE Navy at Port Rashid, Dubai in Aug 2023.
• Aim: To enhance the interoperability and synergy between the two navies by cross-training on tactics, techniques, and procedures while developing stronger professional bonds.
• Objective: To jointly tackle the common challenges of piracy, smuggling, and human trafficking and enhance maritime security.