NEWS 21-01-2023. News For 23rd-Jan (Monday) *Internationl news* 1. The GOI and Maldives have launched a joint hydrographic survey in Maldives, where surveyors will monitor the seas, dry land, reefs, and lagoons between 19 & 28 Jan '23. 2. India has announced a 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa (53 cr aprox) for community development projects in Maldives. 3. India has surpassed China to become the most populous country in the world. As per World Population Review (WPR), India's population was 141.7 crore as of the end of 2022. That's 50 lakh more than the 141.2 crore declared by China on January 17. *National news* 1. GOI announced a new 'Aarogya Maitri' project under which India will provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disaster or humanitarian crisis and proposed to set up a *'centre of excellence'* to facilitate development solutions to these countries. 2. The National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) has released India's first national assessment regulator, *PARAKH*, which will work on setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards in the country. *Sports news* 1. India has broken a world record for largest win margin by runs, after beating Sri Lanka by 317 runs in the 3rd ODI held between the two nations on 15th of Jan. 2. Indian opening batsman Shubman Gill (Age 23) became the youngest player to smash an ODI double ton. Previous record was held by Ishan Kishan (Age 24) of India. *Defense news* 1. The Indian Air Force (IAF) moved its annual fly-past and parade from Hindon Air Base near Delhi to Chandigarh. 2. Indian Navy's destroyer INS Delhi reached Sri Lanka's Trincomalee Port on Sunday for a formal visit. 3. Exercise *'Veer Guardian-2023'* involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is being conducted in Japan, from January 12 to 26. 4. The long-pending project to manufacture over six lakh AK-203 Kalashnikov rifles at the Korwa ordnance factory in Amethi district of UP has kicked off. < < Back