Supreme Court Rejects Appeal to Legalise Same-Sex Marriage

• Supreme Court dealt a setback to LGBTQ rights as it rejected an appeal to legalize same-sex marriages.
• Bench of Judges clarified that civil marriage or recognition of any such a relationship or such status cannot exist in the absence of a statute.

Acts/Articles related to marriage

• Article 21 of the constitution of India, Marriage is an element of the right to life. It guarantees the right to marry the person of one’s choice.
• Special Marriage Act enables marriage between inter-faith or inter-caste couples without them giving up their religious identity or resorting to conversion.

India to Send 446-Member Contingent to Asian Para Games

• With the participation of 446 members, including 303 athletes, India is ready for significant participation at the fourth Asian Para Games.
• It will be held in Hangzhou, China, from October 22 to 28, showcasing the nation's dedication to para sports.
• The pivotal role played by the Indian Sports Ministry can be seen in its authorization of the participation of 303 athletes, with 191 males and 112 females.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Launched the IndiaSkills 2023-24 

• Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the IndiaSkills 2023-24 and felicitated the World Skills 2022 Winners.
• The event was held at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi.
• India has secured 11^th position in the global competition, the best-ever ranking as of now.

IndiaSkills

• IndiaSkills Competition is held every two years with the support of state governments and industry.
• IndiaSkills is a competition that enables discovery of skilled youth from the remotest pockets of the country and exposes them to global standard of skilling and raises their profile and recognition.

IDFC gets CCI nod for Merger with IDFC First Bank

• Competition Commission of India (CCI) has sanctioned the amalgamation of Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) and IDFC First Bank.
• Mr. V Vaidyanathan is the MD & CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank.
• CCI is the chief national competition regulator in India.

Kati Bihu 2023

• Kati Bihu, celebrated on the first day of the Kati month in the Assamese calendar, typically falls in mid-October.
• This year, it is being celebrated on October 18.
• The festival signifies the transplanting of rice crops and the commencement of the new harvest season. Kati Bihu is a time for reflection, atonement, and an optimistic outlook for the future.
• It is observed throughout the state of Assam.