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GK Tornado for SBI Clerk Main Exam 2019

Dear Aspirants,

This GK Tornado is a complete docket of important Banking Awareness & Current Affairs news and events that occurred in last 20 days. (11July – 31 July, 2019). This file is important and relevant for all competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC and UPSC Exams.

News related to RBI July 1. B.P. Kanungo to run the monetary policy portfolio - • Call Market: Its timings could be extended till RBI 6 pm. As Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) • Reserve Bank of has assigned deputy system is operational till such time. governor B.P. Kanungo to run the monetary • G-Sec Trading: Currently there have been no policy portfolio and forecasting department. requests from any market participants seeking After the exit of Viral Acharya, Kanungo has extension of market hours for G-sec trading. become the 6th member of the RBI’s Monetary Note: Policy Committee. • Exchange Traded Derivatives (ETD) are traded via • Now, all the three deputy governors N S central exchange with publicly visible prices i.e. on Vishwanathan, B P Kanungo and M K Jain have a centralized exchange. been made responsible for 12 departments • Over the Counter (OTC) derivatives are for each. companies that are not listed on a formal exchange 2. RBI fines Mobikwik & Hip Bar for violating norms – and traded between two parties (bilateral The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty on negotiation) without going through an exchange or two online payment solutions providers Mobikwik any other intermediaries. Systems and Hip Bar for non compliance of regulatory 4. RBI liberalises ECB norms by relaxing end-use guidelines. restrictions • Mobikwik Systems Private Limited has been • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed slapped a fine of Rs 15 lakh while Hip Bar Pvt External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) norms Ltd faced a fine of Rs 10.85 lakh. for corporates, non-banking lenders by 3. RBI’s Working Group recommends extension of relaxing end-use restrictions with regard to market hours- An Internal Working Group of Reserve working capital, general corporate purpose Bank of India (RBI) on Comprehensive Review of and repayment of rupee loans. Market Timings has suggested calibrated extension of • It also allows ECBs to raise with minimum Currency Market (Foreign Exchange Market) hours, average maturity period of 7 years for from 9 am to 9 pm for both Over the Counter (OTC) repayment of rupee loans availed domestically and Exchange Traded. At present the markets close at for capital expenditure. 5 pm. Key Recommendations About External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) • Bond Market: On account of lack of demand • It is instrument used in India to facilitate from participants group recommended that Indian companies to raise money outside the the government bond market timing can be country in foreign currency. retained and the market be closed at 5 pm. • It may be commercial loans which can be in form of bank loans, bonds, securitized instruments, buyers’ and supplier’s credit

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www.gradeup.co availed from non-resident lenders with the highest number of Automated Teller Machine minimum average maturity of 3 years. (ATM) frauds in India for the FY 2018-19. • In India, ECBs availed of by residents are • It was followed by , Tamil Nadu, and governed by Foreign Exchange Management Karnataka. Amounts of less than Rs 1 lakh Act (FEMA), 1999 along with Foreign Exchange were not considered for the data. Management (Borrowing or Lending in • Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and were Foreign Exchange) Regulations, 2000, as the only three states which did not report a amended from time to time. single incident. 5. RBI fines Union Bank, SBI for flouting norms 8. RBI opens third office of Banking Ombudsman in • The Reserve Bank of India has penalised State – The Reserve Bank said it has opened third Bank of India and Union Bank of India for office of the Banking Ombudsman and Ombudsman for violating certain regulatory guidelines. Digital Transactions (ODT) at its New Delhi office. • SBI was fined Rs 7 crore for non-compliance • RBI said the third office has been opened with on Income Recognition and Asset Classification a view to meet the growing demand for norms, code of conduct for opening and resolution under the two schemes. operating current accounts and reporting of • With this, now there are 22 functional banking data on Central Repository of Information on ombudsman offices in the country. Large Credits, and fraud risk management and • These offices were established under Banking classification and reporting of frauds. Ombudsman Scheme, 2006 • The central bank also imposed a Rs 10 lakh Note: fine on Union Bank of India for non compliance • The Banking Ombudsman scheme is an with the directions on the cyber security expeditious and inexpensive forum for bank framework in banks. customers for resolution of complaints relating 6. RBI panel for hike in collateral free lending, to certain services rendered by banks. MUDRA loan limit to Rs 20 lakh – A committee • The scheme is introduced under Section 35 A constituted by the RBI has recommended increase in of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 by RBI the collateral free lending limit to Rs 20 lakh for with effect from 1995. MSMEs and self-help groups. Banking Ombudsman scheme • The committee has also recommended • Banking Ombudsman is a person to whom the revision of loan limit sanctioned under MUDRA customer can approach for redressal of their (Micro Units Development and Refinance grievances. He is appointed by RBI to redress Agency) to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh, Nitin customer complaints against certain deficiency in Gadkari, Union Minister for MSMEs, said in a banking services. written reply to the Lok Sabha. • All Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural • In an another reply to the Lower House, he Banks and Scheduled Primary Co-operative Banks said, 22.83 lakh Micro, Small and Medium are covered under the Banking Ombudsman Enterprises (MSMEs) were registered on Scheme, 2006. Udyog Aadhaar Portal in the country during • One can file a complaint before the Banking March, 2018 to March 2019. Ombudsman if the reply is not received from the • The MSME ministry facilitates access to finance bank within a period of one month after the bank through its schemes / programmes namely concerned has received one's representation, or Prime Minister's Employment Generation the bank rejects the complaint, or if the programme (PMEGP), Credit Guarantee complainant is not satisfied with the reply given by Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises and the bank. Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme. • The Banking Ombudsman does not charge any fee 7. Maharashtra tops in ATM frauds: RBI - According to for filing and resolving customers’ complaints. the data of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), accessed • The appellate authority for the Banking by (TOI), Maharashtra registered Ombudsman Scheme is the Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India.

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Rank of India in different Indexes

• One in every three children (under the age of 1. Global Innovation Index 2019 – On July 24, 2019, 10) and every second child below the age of 18 Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, years is multidimensionally poor in the world. launched the 12th Edition of the Global • About 34% of the world’s children and 17.5% Innovation Index (GII) for the year 2019 in New Delhi. adults covered under MPI survey are • The theme of the 2019 GII is “Creating Healthy multidimensionally poor. Lives – The Future of Medical Innovation”. • One adult in six is multidimensionally poor • Global Index is published annually by Cornell compared with one child in three, hence University, INSEAD (Institut Européen children are more prone to multidimensional d’Administration des Affaires) and the United poverty than adults. Nations World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and GII Knowledge Indian Scenario Partners. • India’s MPI value reduced from 0.283 in 2005-06 • It ranked 129 economies based on 80 to 0.123 in 2015-16. indicators, ranging from intellectual property • India has lifted 271 million people out of poverty filing rates to mobile-application creation, between 2006 and 2016, recording the fastest education spending and scientific and technical reductions in the multidimensional poverty index. publications. • India and Cambodia has reduced their MPI values • The headquarters of World Intellectual the fastest among the 10 selected countries for Property Organisation (WIPO) is in Geneva, which changes over time were analysed. Switzerland. • has reduced the incidence of poverty at a faster pace than other regions (reduced the Ranking incidence of multidimensional poverty from 74.9% • India was ranked 52nd in 2019 with the score in 2005-06 to 46.5% in 2015-16). 36.58 out of 100 from 57th position in 2018. • India (along with Ethiopia and Peru) significantly • Top 3 countries – Switzerland, Sweden and United reduced deprivations in all 10 indicators, namely States of America. nutrition, sanitation, child mortality, drinking 2. World Reputation Rankings 2019: Top 3 Best water, years of schooling, electricity, school Institutes in India are IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras and attendance, housing, cooking fuel and assets. MAHE • MPI reduced from 640 million people (55.1%) in • In the World Reputation Rankings 2019 2005-2006 to 369 million people (27.9%) in 2015- released by the Times Higher Education, 16. among the Indian Institutes, Indian Institute of 4. Taylor Swift tops Forbes list of highest-earning Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Indian Institute of celebs Technology (IIT) Madras and Manipal • According to the Forbes, Pop singer Taylor Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Swift (American Singer) is the world's top- Manipal were awarded the top 3 positions. earning celebrity. 3. Global Multidimensional Poverty Index - • Social media and reality TV star Kylie Jenner • The MPI provides a comprehensive and in- (American) is ranked second on the list. depth picture of global poverty – in all its • American rapper Kanye West ranked third on dimensions – and monitors progress towards the list. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 – to Note: end poverty in all its forms. • Akshay Kumar ranked on 33rd spot is only Indian Key findings on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list for 2019 • Across 101 countries, 1.3 billion people—23.1 percent—are multidimensionally poor. • Two-thirds of multidimensionally poor people live in middle-income countries.

4 www.gradeup.co 5. Singapore tops in Dell Global Women • Least Rankings: Arunachal Pradesh (36), Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019 Nagaland (35) and Meghalaya (34) were the • According to the latest “Women Entrepreneur least performing states. Cities Index 2019”, sponsored by Dell and • Literacy: Kerala had the highest literacy rate conducted by London-based global followed by Lakshadweep and Mizoram. information provider, IHS Markit, San 7. Public Affairs Index 2018: Kerala Best Governed Francisco Bay Area has topped the list with State, Worst 63.7 points followed by New York (62.9 • Kerala is the best governed state in the points) and London(3rd ). country, according to a survey released by a • Singapore tops in Asian city ranked at 21st Bengaluru think-tank, Public Affairs Centre. position, while Indian cities Bengaluru • As per the report, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, (Karnataka) and Delhi were ranked 43rd (7th Karnataka and Gujarat are among the top five in Asia) and 50th (10th in Asia) respectively. states delivering good governance. 6. best performing state in the field of • Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar education in the Performance Grading Index 2017- Pradesh and ranked the lowest on the 18 index, indicating higher social and economic • Ministry of Human Resource Development inequalities. (HRD) informed that in the Performance • Among smaller states – with the population Grading Index 2017-18, Chandigarh was less than two crore – topped ranked best among States and Union the list of states with good governance, territories (UTs) in the field of education. followed by Goa, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura. • The Index ranked the states on the basis of 5 • Meghalaya performed the worst in this list. parameters including learning outcomes and Manipur, Nagaland, Delhi and Jammu and quality, access, infrastructure and facilities, Kashmir were the other poor performers. equity and governance process. 36 States/ UTs • This year’s index also measured how child- were ranked in the Index. friendly each state is. Kerala, Himachal • Other Rankings: Kerala was ranked second Pradesh and Mizoram topped this index. followed by Gujarat (3), (4), Tamil Nadu (5), Punjab (7), Rajasthan (8), Delhi(9).

Economy News

July

1. ADB cuts India’s GDP growth rate from 7.2% to 7% • On July 26, 2019, CARS24, an online marketplace for FY20 – Asian Development Bank lowered India’s GDP for buying and selling used cars has received a growth rate from 7.2% to 7% for the current fiscal year. license of a Non-banking Finance Company • India is expected to grow by 7% in 2019 and (NBFC) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and 7.2% in 2020, slightly slower than projected in will be venturing into the consumer lending April, ADB said in its supplement to the Asian business as a separate entity within the Cars24 Development Outlook 2019. group. 2. IMF lowers India’s growth outlook for FY20 – The 4. Parliament passed Aadhaar and Other Laws International Monetary Fund has lowered its annual (Amendment) Bill, 2019 growth forecast for India from 7.3% to 7% in financial • On July 8, 2019, Parliament passed Aadhaar and year 2019-20. Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which 3. Cars24 gets RBI NBFC license to offer loans against allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as proof of used cars identity for users to open bank accounts and get a mobile phone connection.

5 www.gradeup.co • Aadhaar is a 12 digit individual identification • GST Council is the governing body of GST, chaired by number issued by the Unique Identification the Union Finance Minister and Authority of India on behalf of the Government of assisted by the finance ministers of all the states of India. This number will serve as a proof of India. identity and address, anywhere in India. 8. India’s current account balance deficit shoots up to Key Points: $68 billion in 2018-19: IMF • If private entities violate provisions on Aadhaar • According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), data, they will be imposed Rs 1 crore penalty and India’s current account (CA) balance deficit rose to a jail term. $68 billion in 2018-19 from $49 billion in 2017-18. • The Bill provides the use of Aadhaar number for 9. SIDBI introduced web-based application system for KYC (Know Your Customer) authentication on contribution from FFS voluntary basis under the Telegraph Act, 1885, • The Small Industries Development Bank of India and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, (SIDBI) introduced a web-based application system 2002. for contribution from the Fund of Funds for Startups 5. DCC imposes penalty of Rs.3050 crore on Airtel, (FFS). The objective of the new web-based Vodafone Idea on recommendations by TRAI – The application system is to improve the turnaround Digital Communications Commission (DCC) , on time and increase transparency. recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority 10. Reliance Jio is India’s largest telecom company – of India (TRAI), approved the penalty of Rs.3050 crore to Reliance Jio becomes the largest telecom company of be imposed on Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea for not India with 331.3 million subscribers overtaking providing points of interconnection to Reliance as TRAI Vodafone Idea whose customer base stood at 320 million recommended imposing a total penalty to those network in the quarter ended June 30, 2019. operators for allegedly denying interconnectivity to • Airtel moved to the third position and the state- Reliance Jio in October 2016. owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) • The DCC, which is an apex decision-making body stood at the fourth position. of the Department of Telecom (DoT), last month 11. Centre cuts interest on GPF by 10 bps – Finance approved imposing a penalty. Ministry has cut the rate of General provident fund (GPF) 6. India will be the first recipient of AIIB local currency by 10 basis points from 8% to 7.9%. funding – India will be the first recipient of local • During the year 2019-2020, accumulations at the currency financing by the Asian Infrastructure and credit of subscribers to the GPF and other similar Investment Bank (AIIB). The objective of local currency funds shall carry interest at the rate of 7.9% with financing is to provide more options to borrowers. effect from July 1, 2019 to 30th September 2019. • India is the second-largest shareholder of AIIB 12. LIC offers Rs 1.25 trillion by 2024 for highway with a 7.5% stake. It has received about $2- projects – Life Insurance Corporation of India has billion funding for various projects so far. agreed to offer Rs 1.25 trillion Line of Credit by 2024, to • China holds 20.06% and Russia holds 5.92%. fund highway projects. • Headquarters: Beijing, China • LIC has offered Rs 25,000 crore in a year and Rs 7. 36th Goods & Service Tax (GST) Council Meeting was 1.25 trilion in five years. The borrowings will be held in New Delhi – The GST Council made the following in the form of bonds to be issued by the National changes in the GST rate on supply of goods and services Highways Authority of India. which will be effective from August 1, 2019: • The Line of Credit will be used to fund the ambitious Bharatmala project. • The GST rate on all Electric Vehicles (EVs) was 13. Average Monthly Income per Agricultural Household reduced from 12% to 5%. has estimated Rs. 6426: Agriculture ministry – On • The GST rate on charger or charging stations for July 26, 2019, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers EVs was reduced from 18% to 5%. Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar stated that the average • Hiring of electric buses (of carrying capacity of monthly income per agricultural household from all more than 12 passengers) by local authorities sources is Rs. 6,426 in the country based on the Situation was exempted from GST. Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households Note: conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) during its 70th round (January 2013-December 2013).

6 www.gradeup.co 14. Kerala Govt. to set up Non-Resident Keralites • The ban is announced in a bid to preserve drug’s Investment company – Kerala Government decided to efficacy in humans. form a Non-Resident Keralites Investment company with • Colistin is a valuable, last-resort antibiotic that 74% stake to be held by expatriate (or expat) to saves lives in critical care units. It is effective channelize investments from overseas Keralites for against most Gram-negative bacilli. It is also major infrastructure development in the state. known as polymyxin E. • Decision in this regard was taken at a cabinet 17. Subhash Chandra Garg panel submitted its report on meeting chaired by Kerela Chief Minister Virtual Currencies– Inter-Ministerial Committee on Pinarayi Vijayan. Virtual Currencies headed by finance secretary Subhash 15. Promoters get 90 days to retake company after Chandra Garg has submitted its report to the insolvency proceedings begin: IBBI government. • The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India • The committee set up by Centre has also (IBBI) has notified that the promoters and other proposed a draft bill ‘Banning of Cryptocurrency stakeholders will be given 90 days after the & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, commencement of insolvency proceedings to re- 2019’. take control of the company through agreements Note: with creditors. • All private cryptocurrencies, except any • It was proposed under Section 230 of the cryptocurrency issued by the state, be banned in Companies Act 1956. India. • Limit of 1 year was specified for the liquidation • It has also drafted a law, the ‘Banning of from the date of commencement of insolvency Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official Digital proceeding. Currency Bill, 2019’, which mandates a fine and • Section 230 of the Companies Act 1956 allows imprisonment of up to 10 years for offences. for promoters or any class of creditors of the • Report submitted by group highlights positive company to reach a compromise or arrangement aspect of distributed-ledger technology (DLT). with other stakeholders of the company to take • It suggested various applications for use of DLT control of the company. in India, especially in financial services. 16. Health Ministry bans Colistin in Animal Food • DLT-based systems for instance can be used by Industry – Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare banks or other financial firms for processes like has banned manufacture, sale and distribution of tracking of loan-issuance, fraud detection, claims antibiotic, Colistin as well as its formulations for food management in insurance, collateral producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal management as well as reconciliation systems in feed supplements. securities market.

Banking & Financial Awareness

July

1. Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank to close operations restrict any further credits (add money) from – Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Limited announced to July 26, 2019. close its business on account of "unanticipated • Aditya Birla Payments Bank is promoted by developments" that made its economic model "unviable". Grasim Industries Limited and Vodafone Idea • In less than 18 months after its commencement, Limited with 51 and 49 per cent shareholdings Aditya Birla Payments Bank announced that it respectively. will shut down operations. • According to the filing, ABIPBL incurred a loss of • The bank’s customers have been informed that Rs 24 crore at the end of 2017-18. they can transfer the balance in their accounts to • Total deposits with Aditya Birla Idea Payments any other bank account and that the bank would Bank stand at about Rs 20 crore.

7 www.gradeup.co 2. India Post Payments Bank to be converted into Small • The small finance banks will be required to extend Finance Bank 75 percent of its Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to • The postal department will convert the India the sectors eligible for classification as priority sector Post Payments Bank into a small finance bank, lending (PSL) by the Reserve Bank. enabling it to offer small loans to customers, with an aim to open one crore accounts in the first Payment Banks 100 days. • India Post will partner with Common Service • Payments Bank cannot lend money to the people. Centre to provide a suite of citizen centric • Payments banks can’t accept fixed deposits (FDs), services such as banking, remittance, insurance, term deposits, recurring deposits (RDs) and any non- DBT, bill and tax payments etc at post offices, the resident Indian deposits. statement said. • Payment Banks will provide banking services to Note: migrant labor workforce, low-income households, • India Post Payments Bank headquarters is in New small businesses, other unorganized sector entities Delhi. and other users. • Suresh Sethi (MD & CEO) • Payments banks can open small savings accounts and accept deposits of up to Rs.1 lakh per individual. Other Key guidelines and other conditions to set Small • Payments banks can issue debit cards but they are Finance Bank: not eligible to provide credit card facilities. • Payments Banks are allowed to set up their own • The small bank shall be registered as a public limited ATMs (automated teller machines). company under the Companies Act, 2013. • Capital requirement - The minimum paid-up capital 3. “Sahamati” introduced to Solve Fintech’s Data requirement for small banks is Rs. 100 crore. Problem – Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has • Can provide basic banking activities – The small introduced a new platform “Sahamati” based on a new banks accept deposits as well as can offer loan class of non-banking financial institutions called the products. Small banks can accept fixed deposits account aggregator (NBFC-AA) model. This will work as (FDs), term deposits, recurring deposits (RDs) and consent brokers, which will take users permission to any non-resident Indian deposits. access their financial accounts, aggregate and organize • Promoter's contribution: Promoter contribution all their financial information in one place. would be at least 40 percent for the first five years. 4. NPCI ties up with JCB for global RuPay card – National Excess shareholding should be brought down to 40 Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and JCB percent by the end of the fifth year, to 30 percent by International have launched RuPay JCB Global Cards. the end of 10th year and to 26 percent in 12 years • RuPay JCB Global Cards can be used at all point from the date of commencement of business of sales terminals which accept RuPay cards and • Foreign shareholding: The foreign shareholding in terminals outside India which accept JCB. the small finance bank would be as per the Foreign 5. Deposits in Jan Dhan Yojana accounts crosses Rs 1 Direct Investment (FDI) policy. lakh crore – Deposits in bank accounts opened under • They cannot set up subsidiaries to undertake non- Jan Dhan scheme have crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark. banking financial services activities. As per the latest finance ministry data, the total balance • The maximum loan size and investment limit in over 36.06 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana exposure to single/group borrowers/issuers would accounts was at Rs 1,00,495.94 crore as on July 3. be restricted to 15 percent of total capital funds. • The PMJDY was launched on August 28, 2014, • Loans and advances of up to Rs 25 lakhs, primarily to with an aim to provide universal access to micro enterprises, should constitute at least 50 banking facilities to the people in the country. percent of the loan portfolio. 6. ICICI Bank unveils digital platform InstaBIZ for • For the first three years, 25 percent of branches MSMEs – should be in unbanked rural areas. • ICICI (Industrial Credit and Investment • For the initial three years, prior approval will be Corporation of India) launched a new digital required for branch expansion. platform called ‘InstaBIZ’.

8 www.gradeup.co • It targeted at micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and self-employed 9. ICICI Bank to buy stake in BSE subsidiary INX for Rs customers, enable them to undertake their 31 crore – ICICI Bank said it has entered into an business banking transactions digitally and agreement with the BSE to buy stake in its subsidiary INX instantly. - located at GIFT City Gujarat - for nearly Rs 31 crore. • It is a new comprehensive digital platform for • India International Exchange (INX) - a wholly businesses enables MSMEs to experience the owned subsidiary of the BSE - is India's first convenience of a range of services digitally international exchange at International Financial includes instant overdraft (OD) facility of up to Services Centre (IFSC) in GIFT City. Rs.15 lakh. 10. Amazon launched ‘JEE Ready’ app - Amazon, an e- 7. HDFC Bank, CSC launch credit card for VLEs and commerce and tech giant, launched an Indian Institute of small traders – HDFC Bank and Common Services Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) Centres launched a co-branded ‘Small Business Money preparation app called JEE Ready. It is Amazon’s first Back Credit Card’ for small traders and village-level product in the edtech sector in India. entrepreneurs (VLEs). 11. Andhra Bank rolls-out Al chatbot “ABHi” in • The credit card is specifically designed for VLEs Telangana – A medium-sized public sector bank in India, and VLE-sourced customers. It will give users Andhra Bank launched its AI (Artificial Intelligence) easy access to credit for their day-to-day interactive assistant called “ABHi” at a function in business expenses. Hyderabad, Telangana. 8. HDFC Bank terminated & delisted its GDRs from 12. Repco MFI wins an award from NABARD for SHG Luxembourg Stock Exchange – HDFC Bank has linkage in TN for 2018-19 - Repco Micro Finance, a terminated and de-listed its 22 outstanding global Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)-Micro Finance depository receipts (GDRs) from the Luxembourg Stock Institution (MFI) promoted by Repco Bank, was awarded Exchange. The action has been taken due to low trading for outstanding performance in terms of Self-Help Group volume of GDRs. (SHG) linkage in Tamil Nadu for 2018-19 from National Note: Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). • A global depositary receipt (GDR) is a bank 13. PayPal opens third Global Technology Centre in certificate issued in more than one country for Hyderabad – On July 23, 2019, an online payment shares in a foreign company. The shares are held solutions provider PayPal Holdings, Inc has opened a 3rd by a foreign branch of an international bank. The Global Technology Centre at Western Aqua at Kondapur shares trade as domestic shares but are offered in Hyderabad, Telangana after Bengaluru and . for sale globally through the various bank branches.

Agreement & Deals

July

1. India, UK launch Innovating for Clean Air initiative in • This is first visit by either a head of state or head Bengaluru – India and United Kingdom launched two- of government to three West African countries. year joint initiative- Innovating for Clean Air (IfCA) n Note: Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. • Both countries showed commitment towards • It is aimed at providing unique air quality taking development partnership forward by measurement system by integrating satellite and signing of country agreement for Benin to avail sensor data and support India’s transition to various initiatives by India such as tele-medicine Electric Vehicles (EVs). initiative– e-Arogyabharati and tele-education 2. President Ram Nath Kovind Visit to Benin – President programme– e-Vidyabharati. Ram Nath Kovind visited Benin at Cardinal Bernadine de • India also extended free tele-education courses Cotonou International Airport in Cotonou, the largest city to over 15,000 Beninese students and tele- in the West African country.

9 www.gradeup.co medicine courses to 1,000 doctors and and Senegal governments to finance paramedics in Africa. infrastructure and health care projects. Note: 9. India extends $500,000 assistance to Gambia – • Benin, a French-speaking West African nation During the President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Gambia, • Porto-Novo is the capital of Benin. India has promised to extend an assistance of USD • Franc is the currency of Benin. 500,000 to Gambia. 3. Deputy CM of Tripura, Jishnu Dev Varma announces • The assistance will contribute in supporting the projects worth Rs.1925 crore by ADB - Deputy Chief skill development and cottage industry projects Minister of Tripura, Jishnu Dev Varma announced that in the West African country. Rs.1,925 crore worth of amount is sanctioned by the • The two countries has also signed a MoU on Asian Development Bank (ADB) for power generation Cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of up-gradation and distribution projects in the state. Medicine and Homeopathy. 4. NTPC & BHEL ink pact to set up 800 MW TDP in Sipat, Note: Chhattisgarh – On July 24, 2019, National Thermal • President of: Adama Barrow Power Corporation (NTPC) and Bharat Heavy Electricals • Capital: Banjul. Limited (BHEL) signed a pact, forming a joint venture • The dalasi is the currency of the Gambia. (JV) company, to set up an 800 MW Technology 10. BCC signs MoU with BRICS chamber to promote trade Demonstration Plant (TDP) at NTPC’s existing power – The Bharat Chamber of Commerce and the BRICS plant in Sipat, Chhattisgarh. It will be the world’s most Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi, signed efficient and environment-friendly coal-fired power an MoU for promoting trade and investments between plant. the BRICS countries and the eastern part of India. 5. NITI Aayog and WhatsApp partners to promote Note: women entrepreneurs – A partnership between NITI • BRICS Headquarters: Shanghai, China; President of Aayog and WhatsApp has been announced to support the BRICS: K V Kamath. growth of the ecosystem to promote women • Members of the BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China entrepreneurs in India under the aegis of Women and South Africa. Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP). 11. Byju's replaces Oppo as Team India's official • A coffee table book was launched by WhatsApp sponsor: BCCI in New Delhi named “Gateway To A Billion • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Opportunities” which is a collection of impactful has announced that Bengaluru-based education stories from across India. and learning app Byju’s, which is owned by Think and Learn Private Limited, has replaced 6. WB govt will sign MoU with British Council to Oppo India as the official Team India sponsor. improve the spoken English skills - The technical • The deal period will begin from 5 September, education department of (WB) will sign an 2019 until 31 March, 2022. MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the British • Byju Raveendran, founder and chief executive of Council to improve the English speaking skills of the Byju’s. students studying in Polytechnic Colleges in the state. 12. India hands over pre-fabricated houses to Myanmar - 7. AIIB provides $100 million to L&T Finance arm for India handed over 250 pre-fabricated houses to wind and solar infrastructure projects Myanmar in Maung Daw for use of displaced returnees • The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) from Bangladesh. will provide $100-million loan to L&T(Larsen & • The Indian government had taken up the project Toubro) Infrastructure Finance Company(LTIF) under its Rakhine State Development for wind and solar infrastructure projects. This is Programme for $ 25M for a period of five years. the first time AIIB is extending loan to a non- Note: banking finance company(NBFC). • Capital of Myanmar: Naypyitaw 8. Exim Bank signs Loan Pact worth $124 Mn For Infra, • Currency of Myanmar: Burmese Kyat. Health Projects In Papua New Guinea, Senegal 13. Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti – The aim of Raksha Gyan • The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) Shakti is to inculcate Intellectual Property culture in has signed a loan agreement of providing $124 Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem. million (over Rs 850 crore) to Papua New Guinea

10 www.gradeup.co • Defence Ministry has signed an MOU with the • The Government of Haryana and BSE intend to Intellectual Property Facilitation Cell and facilitate SMEs in raising funds through BSE’s National Research Development Corporation in dedicated platform for SME’s “BSE SME” where connection to the mission Raksha Gyan Shakti. small companies can list and raise productive • The MoU will bridge the capacity shortfall and capital, gain visibility and credibility vis-a-vis provide a major fillip to the ongoing efforts of the large corporates. Defence Ministry towards promoting a culture of 21. Sri Lanka signs agreement with India to upgrade Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights in railway lines – Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with the Defence industry. India to upgrade tracks in a key railway segment 14. Union Ministry signs MoU with Ministries of Ayush, connecting the north and south at a cost of $ 91.26 Defence and Railways – Union Health Ministry has million. signed an MoU with Ministries of Ayush, Defence and • This is the first time in 100 years that the 130 Railways to strengthen the efforts towards a TB-Free km-long-tracks, running from Maho town in the India by 2025. North Western Province to Omanthai in the • Around 28 lakh people contract the disease Northern Province, are being upgraded. every year in the country and four lakh people • The contract agreement for concessional die every year. financing was signed in Colombo between the 15. Prasar Bharati and IIT signed an MoU for Government of Sri Lanka and IRCON research collaboration in newly emerging technologies International Ltd (India). and broadcasting-related areas in New Delhi. The move 22. India, Italy to set up fast-track mechanism – India and is likely to boost research activities in the broadcasting Italy have decided to set up a fast track mechanism to field. facilitate investors and companies. 16. Ebix acquires Yatra Online in $337.8 million – US • The meeting was attended by Ambassador of company, Ebix has announced the acquisition of travel Italy to India, Lorenzo Angeloni and Secretary of portal Yatra Online for $337.8 million. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, 17. L&T Infotech acquires AI firm Lymbyc for Rs 38 crore Ramesh Abhishek. – Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd acquires AI firm Lymbyc 23. OYO Hotels & Homes acquires co-working firm for Rs 38 crore. Innov8 – • Lymbyc is a Bengaluru-headquartered company • OYO Hotels & Homes has formally announced its known for its capabilities in analytics and data acquisition of co-working venture Innov8. OYO sciences space. will operate the firm Innov8 as an independent 18. India signs MoU with Myanmar on defense co- brand, and along-side its existing co-working operation. operations. 19. Kalyani JV gets missile kits order – A joint venture of a 24. Broadband Readiness Index for Indian States and Kalyani group firm and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Systems Union Territories – The Department of Telecom (DoT) has secured a $100 million contract for manufacturing and the Indian Council for Research on International 1,000 Barak-8 MRSAM missile kits. Economic Relations (ICRIER) signed a MoU to develop a • Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems will Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) for Indian States and manufacture the kits at its production facility Union Territories (UT). near Hyderabad and supply them to Bharat • The first estimate will be made in 2019 and Dynamics for further integration. The product subsequently every year until 2022. will be used by the Indian Army and the Air 25. Israel Aerospace signs $50 million deal with Indian Force. navy – Israel Aerospace signs $50 million follow-up deal 20. Haryana govt signs pact with NSE & BSE for growth of with Indian navy. MSMEs – BSE & National Stock Exchange has signed a • Under the deal, Israel Aerospace Industries will pact with the Haryana government to help boost the provide complementary missile systems to the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises sector in Indian navy and India’s MDL Shipyard. the state. As per the MoU: • The agreement also involves a range of • NSE will support the Haryana government in maintenance and other services for sub-systems enhancing the financing opportunities for of Israel Aerospace’s naval medium range MSMEs in the state, through listing on NSE’s SME surface-to-air missile. exchange platform “NSE Emerge”.

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Reports/Survey

1. MSME Pulse Report: Gujarat tops – year in 2019 with the brand value of $19.6 • According to TransUnion Credit Information billion followed by LIC(Life Insurance Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL) – Small Corporation) (2nd )with $7.3 billion and Industries Development Bank of India’s Infosys (3rd )$6.5 billion. (SIDBI) Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises 3. UN Report: Over 820 million people suffering from (MSME) Pulse Report, Gujarat was ranked first hunger – in terms of performance and credit growth • A UN report has said, more than 821 million potential for MSME Corporate Lending in people suffered from hunger worldwide last India. year. It is the third year in a row that the • It has maintained the top position since the number has risen. past 4 years. MSME corporate entities are • The report named, ‘The State of Food borrowers with aggregate credit exposure of Security and Nutrition in the World’, up to Rs 50 crore. The market size of this produced by the UN Food and Agriculture category is Rs 17.6 lakh crore as of March 31, Organization and other UN agencies, including 2019. WHO, was released. • Gujarat was followed by Andhra Pradesh, • The report is part of tracking progress towards Haryana, Karnataka and Delhi. Maharashtra, Sustainable Development Goal to Zero Hunger, one among the most industrialized states, was which aims to end hunger, promote food ranked 9th. security and end all forms of malnutrition by 2. “Tata” becomes India’s most valuable brand for 2030. 2019: Brand Finance India 100 2019 report Number of hungry people in the world in 2018: 821.6 • According to the London-based consultancy million (or 1 in 9 people) Brand Finance annual report , “Brand Finance • Asia: 513.9 million. India 100 2019”, “Tata” has become India’s • Africa: 256.1million. most valuable brand for the second straight • Latin America and the Caribbean: 42.5 million.

Government Schemes

July

1. Over 30 lakh persons enrolled under “PM Shram Yogi 2. Under PMKSNY, more than 7 crore 32 lakh farmer Maandhan Scheme” - Under “Pradhan Mantri Shram families received first two instalments of Rs 2000 Yogi Maandhan Scheme”, total 30,85,205 persons have each been enrolled. • Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi • This voluntary and contributory pension scheme Yojana (PMKSNY), more than 7 crores 32 lakh is benefited for unorganized workers. Under this farmer families across India received the first scheme assures the minimum monthly pension and second installments of Rs 2000 each of 3000 rupees to the beneficiaries after amounting to 14 thousand 646 crore rupees. attaining the age of 60 years. • The list was topped by with over two crores twenty lakh farmer families followed

12 www.gradeup.co by Andhra Pradesh with 72 lakh and Maharastra rural India named “Internet Saathi”. This initiative will be 50 lakh farmers. expanded to villages in Punjab and Odisha. 3. HRD Ministry launches new UGC Scheme • This programme has now reached 2.6 lakh “Paramarsh” For Higher Education - On July 19, 2019, villages in 20 states. In Punjab, the programme ‘Nishank’, Union Minister for Human will cover around 5,000 villages. In Odisha, it will Resource Development (HRD) launched a Scheme called cover over 16,000 villages. “Paramarsh” of University Grants Commission (UGC) in 8. Bangla Abas Yojana - The West Bengal Government has New Delhi. decided to construct 8 lakh 30 thousand houses under • This scheme aims at mentoring National Bangla Abas Yojana for the people belonging to Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) Economically Weaker Section. accreditation aspirant institutions to develop • Under the scheme, the Rural Development quality assurance in Higher Education. Department has constructed more than 14 lakh • Under the scheme, the prime Mentoring houses. institutions will provide regular mentoring to 9. Health Ministry launches Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan in New colleges to help achieve high-quality standards. Delhi – Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare For mentoring they will get the financial (MoHFW) have launched a 3 day special campaign called assistance & also the option of appointing an Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan in New Delhi. expert, who can be paid a fellowship amount of 10. UDAN Scheme: 8 more air routes added – Civil Rs 31,000 per month. Aviation Ministry announced addition of 8 more air 4. India to give scholarships to heirs of Muktijodhas – routes under UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik), the Government of India will provide 10,000 scholarships for regional air connectivity scheme. These air routes have heirs of the liberation war fighters of Bangladesh called become functional and started operations. ‘Muktijodhas’ over the next five years under the Nutan • With the addition of 8 new routes the total UDAN India-Bangladesh Maitree Muktijodha Sontan routes that are now operational in country has Scholarship Scheme. increased to 194. 5. UKIERI Mobility Programme: Study in India – India About UDAN and UK have joined hands together for UKIERI Mobility • UDAN or Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik is a regional Programme: Study in India which will allow UK students connectivity scheme (RCS). It was scheme on 21 to visit India for higher studies. October 2016 to stimulate regional air • The British Council of India and Universities UK connectivity and make air travel affordable to International have joined hands together for the masses. launch of UKIERI Mobility Programme. • It aims to make flying affordable besides • It aims to generate up to 200 opportunities for connecting underserved and unserved airports undergraduate students at UK universities to across India. visit India by March 2021. 11. PENCIL Portal – Union Minister for Labour & • The programme will be funded by the UK and Employment informed Lok Sabha that 361 Complaints of Indian governments as part of Phase 3 of the UK- Child Labour have been resolved via PENCIL (Platform India Education Research Initiative (UKEIRI). for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour) Portal 6. Union HRD Minister lauches “Deeksharambh” – Union (pencil.gov.in). Minister of Human Resource Development released UGC About PENCIL Portal Guide to Student Induction Programme “Deeksharambh” • It is a separate online portal Platform for in New Delhi. Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour • The guide to Student Induction Programme is to (PENCIL) launched on 26 September 2017 to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in ensure effective enforcement of provisions of the new environment, inculcate in them the Child Labour Act and smooth implementation of ethos and culture of the institution, help them National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme. build bonds with other students and faculty 12. YouTube Introduces ‘Learning Playlists’ for members, and expose them to a sense of larger Educational Videos – YouTube is bringing a new purpose and self-exploration. education feature “Learning Playlists” with dedicated 7. Internet Saathi’ programme to be expanded to landing pages for educational videos on topics like math, Punjab, Odisha – Google India and Tata Trusts initiative science, music and language. is aimed at facilitating digital literacy among women in

13 www.gradeup.co • YouTube was investing $20 million to fund 15. Kaushal Yuva Samwaad” – To commemorate World resources for educational creators and Youth Skills Day (July 15) and celebrate the 4th organisations through a Learning Fund initiative. Anniversary of the Skill India Mission, the Union Ministry 13. PM-LVMY Yojana launched by Labour ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) • Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-Dhan launched ‘Kaushal Yuva Samwaad’ (A Youth Dialogue) in Yojana (PM-LVMY) was launched by the Union New Delhi. labour and Employment ministry for retailers • It aimed at creating an open dialogue with youth and small traders. across all skill training centres to hear their • This scheme provides a minimum monthly views, ideas, opportunities, and pension of Rs 3000/month to small shopkeepers, recommendations help the Ministry of Skill retail traders, and the self-employed people after Development scaling up existing programs and they attain 60years of age. improve the overall efficiency of the on-going • It is an extension of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi projects. Maan-dhan (PM-SYM). 16. WCD implements a Scheme for Women in Difficult Eligibility Circumstances called “Swadhar Greh” • Self-employed people, small shopkeepers and • The Ministry of Women and Child retail traders aged between 18-40 years and Development(WCD), Government of India is with Goods and Service Tax (GST) turnover implementing the Swadhar Greh Scheme for the below Rs 1.5 crore can avail the scheme. rehabilitation of women in difficult 14. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – On July 23,2019, Union circumstances so that they could lead their life Minister for Rural Development, Narendra Singh Tomar with dignity. stated that the ministry is implementing Deendayal 17. Govt signs MoU with NATHEALTH to streamline Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission delivery of services under PMJAY – National Health (DAY-NRLM) across the country. Authority (NHA) implementing agency of Ayushman • The aim of the schme is to organized the rural Bharat, Centre’s flagship healthcare scheme has signed poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Healthcare continuously supporting them to take economic Federation of India (NATHEALTH) to streamline delivery activities till they come out of poverty and reach of services under Ayushman Bharat. an good-level of increase in income to improve About Ayushman Bharat their quality of life. • Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Rashtriya Aajeevika Mission Scheme (AB-NHPS) launched by PM Shri • It is a poverty alleviation scheme launched in on Independence Day 2018. 2011 as National Rural Livelihood Mission • The scheme is renamed as PM Jan Arogya Yojana (NRLM) and was succeeded by Deen Dayal • The aim of the scheme is to provide cashless Antyodaya Yojana in 2016. hospitalisation for 1,354 procedures to 10 crore poor families for Rs 5 lakh per family per year. • It covers both preventive and promotive health.

14 www.gradeup.co Summits & Conference

July

1. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial meeting was • The main theme of DefExpo India-2020 will be held in Caracas, Venezuela “India: the emerging defence manufacturing hub” • India’s Permanent Representative to the UN 5. The International Police Expo 2019 was held at Pragati Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin represented India Maidan in New Delhi. in the meeting. • Theme ‘Challenges to strengthen peace and • The movement had 125 members and 25 security’ observer countries. 6. The 19th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers • The headquarters of NAM is in Central Jakarta, meeting was held in London, UK. Indonesia • India External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar 2. BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting 2019 held in Rio De attended the meeting. Janeiro, Brazil 7. 14th conference of Parties to be hosted by India - • India was represented by Gen. (retd) VK Singh India will host the 14th conference of the parties from who is the Union Minister of State for Road September 02 to 13, 2019 in Greater Noida, Uttar Transport and Highways. Pradesh. • BRICS member countries - Brazil, Russia, India, • Three crucial issues in this conference are China and South Africa desertification, land degradation and drought. 3. 44th session of the World Heritage Committee in 8. First Global Conference for Media Freedom was held in 2020 London. • The city of Fuzhou (China) will host the 44th • The conference was co-hosted by the UK and session of the World Heritage Committee in 2020 Canada. • In the event of 43rd session of the World 9. The US India Strategic and Partnership Forum 2nd Heritage Committee meeting 2019 in Baku, annual leadership summit held in Washington, US. Azerbaijan( June 30 to July 10,2019), the 10. India-Nepal Logistics Summit organised in UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific Kathmandu – India-Nepal Logistics Summit was and Cultural Organization) announced that the organised in Kathmandu, Nepal on 28 July 2019. It was Chinese city of Fuzhou will host the 44th session inaugurated by Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli. of the World Heritage Committee in 2020. Theme for Summit was: Transforming Logistics 4. to host DefExpo 2020 Landscape. • Lucknow will host the 11th biennial edition of DefExpo from February 5 to 8, 2020. • The focus of the Expo will be on “Digital transformation of defence”.

Books & Author

1. PM Modi releases book on former PM Chandra 3. The coffee table book titled ‘Fire and Fury Corps – Shekhar – PM Narendra Modi releases book “Chandra Saga of Valour, Fortitude and Sacrifice’, was released Shekhar – The Last Icon of Ideological Politics” is by Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General written by Deputy Chairman in the Rajya Sabha, Ranbir Singh. Harivansh and Ravi Dutt Bajpai in New Delhi. Note: This book showcases the courage and bravery of 2. Book ‘Who Stole My Job’ authored by Sunil Mishra the Fire and Fury Warriors and portrays the rich heritage and ethos of the Indian Army.

15 www.gradeup.co Obituaries

July

1. Sheila Dikshit – Three-time Delhi Chief Minister and • He was the younger brother of Union minister senior Congress leader Shiela Dixit passed away in New and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan. Delhi. 6. S. Jaipal Reddy – Former Union Minister and senior 2. Subir Gokarn - Former RBI Deputy Governor and Noted Congress leader economist Subir Vithal Gokarn passed away. 7. Donkupar Roy – Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and • He had the distinction of being the youngest RBI former Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy passed Governor at the time. away. He was head of the United Democratic Party 3. Lt Gen Joginder Singh Gharaya - Retired Lt Gen (UDP). Joginder Singh Gharaya, who was awarded the Maha Vir 8. Mukesh Goud - Former Andhra Pradesh state Minister Chakra in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and Kirti Chakra in the 9. Fernando Corbató - American computer scientist, 1947 Hyderabad operations, passed away. known for computer passwords 4. M. K. Seetharam Kulal - Veteran poet and lyricist and 10. Yukiya Amano – Chief of International Atomic Energy former president of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Agency. He was extensively involved in negotiations over 5. Ram Chandra Paswan – Lok Janshakti Party MP from Iran’s nuclear program. Bihar’s Samastipur Ram Chandra Paswan passed away. 11. Attoor Ravi Varma - Renowned Malayalam poet, translator

National Appointments July

1. New Finance Secretary - Rajiv Kumar. He replaces Purwar who was recently appointed chairman and Subhash Chandra Garg. managing Director of BSNL. 2. New Home Secretary - Ajay Kumar Bhalla 8. Vikas Swarup appointed as Secretary of Overseas Indian 3. New PAC Chairman - The leader of the Congress party in Affairs Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was appointed as 9. New Deputy Chief Minister of Goa - Chandrakant the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Kavlekar 4. New BSF Director General - V.K. Johri 10. Kiran More (former India wicket keeper-batsman) 5. New chairman of the “Estimates Committee” - Girish appointed USA cricket team’s interim coach Bapat 11. Vivek Kumar appointed as private secretary to Prime 6. New Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Minister Narendra Modi. the Indian Army - Lt Gen Paramjit Singh 12. Joint Secretary to the President - Ajay Bhadoo 7. New MTNL Chief - Sunil Kumar 13. Next Vice-Chief of Army Staff - M.M. Naravane Note: He is currently Director (Human Resources and 14. New India’s table tennis coach - Dejan Papic (Canadian) Enterprise Business) at MTNL and takes over from P K

New Governor Appointed

15. New Governor of West Bengal - Jagdeep Dhankar 20. New Governor of Madhya Pradesh: Lalji Tandon 16. New Governor of Himachal Pradesh - 21. New Governor of Uttar Pradesh: 17. New Governor of Gujarat - Acharya Devvrat 22. New Governor of Bihar - Phagu Chuhan 18. New Governor of Chhattisgarh - Anusuiya Uikey 23. New Governor of Nagaland: R.N. Ravi 19. New Governor of Andhra Pradesh - Biswa Bhusan 24. New Governor of Tripura: Ramesh Bais Harichandan

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International Appointment

July

1. New Britain’s Home Secretary - Priti Patel has been 4. Supreme Court judge, Justice AK Sikri, has been appointed as Britain’s Home Secretary in the newly- appointed as an international judge of the Singapore unveiled Boris Johnson Cabinet. International Commercial court (SICC). • She has become the Britain’s first Indian-origin 5. New India’s Ambassador to Israel - Sanjeev Kumar Home Secretary. Singla 2. New US Secretary of Defence - Mark Esper 6. India’s next Ambassador to Panama - Upender Singh 3. Anshula Kant appointed World Bank Group Managing Rawat Director and Chief Financial Officer 7. New chief of ICC committee - Ehsan Mani ( • She is currently a Managing Director of the State Cricket Board’s chairman) Bank of India (SBI). • She will be the first woman CFO of the Bank.

Honours & Awards

July

6. CSR Journal Excellence Awards – The 3rd Edition of the 1. Arjuna Award – to tennis player Rohan Bopanna and CSR Journal Excellence Awards honoured 6 firms for the Women cricketer Smriti Mandhana. best practices in Corporate Social Responsibility. The • Bopanna who won the Gold medal in tennis theme of the event was ‘India First’. men’s double category in Asian Games 2018 and The winners of the awards are: Mandhana was the ICC women’s player of the • YES Bank Ltd. won in the category “Health & year 2018. Sanitation”. 2. Sachin Tendulkar 6th Indian to be inducted into ICC • Aditya Birla Capital Ltd. won in the category Hall of Fame – International Cricket Council has “Sports”. inducted India’s batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, South • Tata Power won in the category “Education & African pace legend Allan Donald and two-times World Skill Training”. Cup-winning Australian woman cricketer Cathryn • ReNew Power won in the category “Women Fitzpatrick into the ICC’s Hall of Fame. Empowerment & Child Welfare”. • Other Indians on the list are Bishan Singh Bedi, • Mahindra & Mahindra won in the category Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Rahul “Environment”. Dravid. • Hindustan Zinc won in the category “Agriculture 3. Sudarsan Pattnaik wins People’s Choice Award in U.S. & Rural Development”. – Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has 7. Miss Deaf World 2019 title – Vidisha Baliyan, a 21- won People’s Choice Award at a prestigious sand year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar city, sculpting festival in United States (US). was crowned the Miss Deaf World 2019 title. • 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting • The international beauty pageant was held in Festival was held in Boston. Mbombela, South Africa. 4. Mohun Bagan Ratna Award - Keshav Dutt, Prasun • She is a former international tennis player who Banerjee to be honoured with Mohun Bagan Ratna represented India in the Deaflympics and also 5. P T Usha nominated for IAAF Veteran Pin – Former won a silver medal. Olympic track and field athlete P T Usha has been 8. Pata Gold Award 2019 – Union Tourism Ministry’s nominated for the International Association of Athletics Incredible India ‘Find the Incredible You’ campaign has Federations Veteran Pin for her ‘long and meritorious won PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award service to the cause of World Athletics’. 2019.

17 www.gradeup.co • It won the award in ‘Marketing – Primary • Special Jury Award for Direction and Story– Government Destination’ category. Walking With the Wind, by Praveen Morchhale 9. Indian Woman of Influence’ award – Eminent About SAARC Film Festival fashionista, social entrepreneur and philanthropist Priya • The 9th edition of SAARC film fest took place in Priyadarshini Jain has been felicitated with the Colombo, Sri Lanka. prestigious ‘Indian Woman of Influence’ award at the 13. Isha Kanth bags ICJ internship programme – Indian House of Lords, the United Kingdom Parliament, London. girl, Isha Kanth is one of the two persons in the world to • Priyadarshini Jain for it also marked the grand have bagged an internship programme at the launch of coffee table book on ’50 most International Court of Justice. influential Indian women worldwide’ featuring • She has earlier worked in rural Bihar spreading her as one of the most prominent personalities awareness on the right to education and women from India. empowerment among children belonging to the 10. 2019 Sangita Kalanidhi award – Noted Carnatic marginalised sections. vocalist S. Sowmya won the 2019 Sangita Kalanidhi 14. Shah Rukh Khan to be conferred with an Honorary award of Music Academy. Doctorate by Melbourne’s La Trobe University 11. Tribute Actor award – Veteran actor Meryl Streep • Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood actor, will be (American) will be honoured with Tribute Actor award felicitated with an Honorary Degree, Doctor of at 2019 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Letters (honoris causa) from Melbourne-based La 12. Nagarkirtan’ wins Best Feature Film’ at SAARC film Trobe University at the 10th edition of Indian Film fest –Bengali film ‘Nagarkirtan’, has won 4 awards in Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) at Bundoora, Australia. SAARC film festival. 15. IOC Sportsperson of the Year – Sharath Kamal was • The movie was honoured with ‘Best Feature voted the Sportsperson of the Year in the annual Indian Film’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Oil Sports Conclave. Original Score’ awards. • Sharath Kamal is a professional table tennis player • The movie was directed by Kaushik Ganguly. from Tamil Nadu, India. • Best Short Film’ award– Na Bole Wo Haram, a 20-minute film by debutant director Nitish Patan

National Affairs

July

1. Gujarat tops in solar rooftop installations – Gujarat 3. Reliance become highest-ranked Indian firm on has emerged as the state with the most rooftop solar Fortune Global 500 list – Reliance Industries has panels installed. jumped 42 places to become the highest-ranking Indian • According to data tabled in Rajya Sabha, Gujarat firm on the Fortune Global 500 list. has an installed rooftop solar power capacity of • Reliance Industries (RIL) ranked at 106 spots. 261.97MW, against 1,700.54MW for all of India. • IOC ranked at (117). • Gujarat is followed by Maharashtra (198.52MW) • ONGC has moved up 37 places to 160th rank on and Tamil Nadu (151.62MW) in terms of the global list, while SBI lost 20 places to 236th installed rooftop capacity. rank. Tata Motors slipped 33 places to 265th 2. Govt to Install Solar projects of 40,000 MW by 2022 – position. BPCL rose 39 places to rank 275th spot, The government has set a target for the installation of while Rajesh Exports slipped 90 places to rank Rooftop Solar projects of 40,000 MegaWatt by 2022 in 495th. the country. • Top 3 companies - Walmart of US, Chinese • The projects include installation of solar panels state-owned oil and gas company Sinopec Group, on the rooftop of houses. It is estimated that 1.5 Dutch company Royal Dutch Shell was ranked million units per MegaWatt per year are third followed by China National Petroleum and generated from solar rooftop plants. State Grid.

18 www.gradeup.co 4. completes trial run from New Irani and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Delhi to Katra – The of Indian and Human Resource Development Minister, Railway successfully conducted trial run of Vande Bharat Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. Express, known to be India’s fastest . • The trial run was conducted from New Delhi to 8. E-postal ballot registered 60.14% turnout in 2019 Katra small town in Jammu and Kashmir. Lok Sabha elections - Using the Electronically • It is also known as Train 18. It can run at a speed Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), out of the of 160 -180 km per hour. 18,02,646 service electors, 10,84,266 e-postal ballots • It is designed and developed by Chennai-based were received indicating 60.14% turnout in Lok Sabha Railways Production unit . elections 2019. Only 4% was registered in 2014. 5. All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018 released – As 9. IEA praised PMUY for providing free cooking gas per the All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018 India has connection to poor - The International Energy Agency 2,967 tigers, a third more than in 2014. (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Biro praised Pradhan • The Tiger census made public on occasion of Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for providing free cooking Global Tiger Day (29 July) by Prime Minister gas connection to poor. Narendra Modi. Note: • Top 5 Performing States: Madhya Pradesh saw • The International Energy Agency (IAE) is a highest number at 526, followed by Karnataka Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental (524), (442), Maharashtra (312) organization. and Tamil Nadu (264). PMUY: • States that saw Decline in Tiger Population: • It was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. While all other States Modi on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. saw a Positive increase. • It aims to safeguard the health of women and • Highest Number of Tigers: found in Pench Tiger children by providing free cooking gas- Liquefied Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Petroleum Gas (LPG) connection to poor families. • Maximum Improvement in Tiger Population since 2014: recoded in Sathyamangalam Tiger 10. will head ministerial panel on Air India Reserve in Tamil Nadu. sale - On July 18, 2019, Union Government reconstituted 6. India is home to 1,256 species of orchid: survey – the Group of Ministers (GoM) called the Air India Specific According to the first comprehensive census of orchids of Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) on Air India India titled ‘Orchids of India: A Pictorial Guide’, India is disinvestment. The group is headed by Home minister home to 1,256 species of orchid. Amit Shah. • The census containing photographs of 775 11. Central Govt approves Rs 206.8 crore for species is published recently by the Botanical Implementation of Agriculture Export Policy Scheme Survey of India (BSI) was unveiled in early July - On July 18, 2019, the central government has approved 2019 Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and a sum of Rs 206.8 crore for a Central Sector Scheme Climate Change (MoEFCC). called ‘Implementation of Agriculture Export Policy’, • In the light of importance of orchids in which aims at double farmers’ income by the year 2022. floriculture, this publication by BSI, which has 12. India’s first ‘Garbage Cafe’ for Ragpickers – The photographs of 60% of all species, is 1st municipal officials of Chhattisgarh have launched a authentic inventory and thus will be useful for unique garbage cafe scheme in Ambikapur of Surguja researchers, growers, nature lovers and people district which has become India’s first ‘Garbage Cafe’ for with different backgrounds. Ragpickers. 7. Amit Shah to chair panel on sexual harassment at • The ragpickers and the homeless will collect workplace – On July 24, 2019, the Union Government plastic waste, and in return, the municipal has reconstituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine corporation will offer them food. The fund frameworks for dealing with matters of sexual allocated for this scheme is Rs. 5.5 lakh. harassment of women at the workplace with Home Minister Amit Shah. 13. Under Bharat Net, more than 1.28 Lakh Gram • The other members of the new panel include Panchayats linked with optical fibre Women and Child Development Minister Smriti • Union Panchayat Raj Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed that under Bharat Net

19 www.gradeup.co programme, more than 1.28 Lakh Gram 18. All lanes at toll plazas to be ‘FASTag lanes’ from 1st Panchayats were linked with optical fibre. Dec – Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways • The programme has uploaded the photographic (MoRTH) has decided to declare all lanes in all toll fee evidence of the works taken up by them and plazas on National Highways across country as dedicated assistance given to beneficiaries. ‘FASTag lanes‘ from 1 December 2019. About Bharat Net Programme: FASTag • It is also known as Bharat Broadband Network • It is an electronic toll connection device which is Limited. installed in vehicle (mostly attached to • It is a telecom infrastructure provider, set up by windscreen) to help drivers to drive through toll the Government of India under the Department plazas without having to stop. of Telecommunications for the establishment, • FASTag uses radio frequency identification management, and operation of the National Optic (RFID) technology to enable direct toll payments Fibre Network to provide a minimum of 100 while vehicle is moving. The toll fare is deducted Mbit/s broadband connectivity to all 250,000 directly from prepaid of saving bank account Gram Panchayats in the country, to improve linked to FASTag. telecommunications in India and reach the 19. Iwai Ship Carrying Bhutanese Cargo flagged off from campaign goal of Digital India. Assam to Bangladesh - In a first ever movement of its 14. ‘Pink coaches’ introduced by the Northest frontier kind, IWAI (Inland Waterways Authority of India) ship railway – ‘Northeast Frontier Railway carrying Bhutanese cargo was flagged off from Dhubri in zone’ has started a unique initiative to earmark a special Assam to Narayanganj in Bangladesh over Brahmaputra portion of the SLR coach with pink colour. This is done to River and the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route. specially help the women passengers with better safety • This is for the 1st time ever, an Indian waterway and security. is being used for transport of cargo between two • Headquarter of Northeast Frontier Railway zone: countries, using India for transit. Maligaon, Guwahati. 15. Cabinet approves to 2,880MW hydel project in 20. National Data Quality Forum: launched by ICMR – Dibang – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affair Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR’s) National gave the approval to the 2,880 megawatts Dibang Institute for Medical Statistics have launched National hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh, approving a Data Quality Forum (NDQF) to improve quality of health Rs 1,600 crore pre-investment and clearance and demographic data in India. expenditure for the Rs 28,080.35 crore strategic project. 21. Atal Community Innovation Centre launched in New • The Dibang river is a tributary river of the Delhi – Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Brahmaputra that originated and flows through Dharmendra Pradhan launched Atal Community the Mishmi Hills & from the state Innovation Centre in New Delhi. It aims to encourage of Arunachal Pradesh. spirit of innovation at community level. 16. Infosys launches Cyber Defence Center in Romania – Note: Infosys announced the launch of its state-of-the-art • The Atal Community Innovation Centre initiative Cyber Defence Center in Bucharest, Romania. has been launched under Atal Innovation Mission • The Defence Center is an expansion of services (AIM), a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog. delivered through the Infosys Digital Innovation • NITI Aayog is tasked upon to open innovation Center. Centres in all Gram Panchayats of country to • The Romanian leu is the currency of Romania. promote local innovation. • Bucharest is the capital of Romania. 22. 5,645 electric buses sanctioned for 65 cities: NITI 17. Panel to prevent extinction of Great Indian Bustard Aayog and the Lesser Florican – The Supreme Court of India • According to NITI (National Institution for has constituted a high powered committee to urgently Transforming India) Aayog an Inter-Ministerial frame and implement an emergency response plan for Panel has sanctioned 5645 electric buses for the protection of two Indian birds- Great Indian Bustard operations in 65 cities and for inter-city and the Lesser Florican. operations to 8 state transport undertakings. • The 3 member panel constitutes Dr Deepak Apte, • The announcement in this regard was made by Dr Asad R Rahmani and Dr Dhananjai Mohan. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.

20 www.gradeup.co • The move will give huge impetus to automobile • According to the Survey, the count of tigers in sector, clean up cities & drive India rose to 2967 in 2018. India has achieved intiative. its 2022 target of doubling tiger population four • Niti Aayog has also proposed that all two- years before the deadline. wheelers below capacity of 150cc sold in country 28. India becomes second- growing gas market fastest– after March 31, 2025, should be electric only India has become the second-fastest growing natural gas while three-wheelers sold in country after March market globally with $30 billion for production, import 31, 2023 should be electric ones. and distribution infrastructure. 23. Phase-II DBT in fertilizer subsidy launched – Union • China is the fastest growing natural gas market. Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadananda 29. “Operation Thirst” launched by RPF – RPF launched Gowda has launched the Phase-II of the Direct Benefit “Operation Thirst” to crack down selling of unauthorised Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy. Packaged Drinking Water in the railway premises. • DBT in fertilizer subsidy is a step in the direction 30. 12 Indian beaches in the race to crest the ‘Blue Flag’ of bringing ease of living in the lives of farmers challenge – The Union Environment Ministry has through use of modern technology and plugging selected 12 beaches in India to vie for a ‘Blue Flag’ leakages, pilferages and black marketing. certification, an international recognition conferred on 24. Agri-Business Incubation Centre set up in beaches that meet certain criteria of cleanliness and Chhattisgarh – Union Agriculture Ministry has set up an environmental propriety. Agri Business Incubation Centre in Chhattisgarh. • These beaches are at Shivrajpur (Gujarat), • The centre has been set up by Agriculture Bhogave (Maharashtra), Ghoghla (Diu), Miramar Ministry in Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (Goa), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), of Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Kappad (Kerala), Eden (Puducherry), Note: Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Rushikonda • Agri Business Incubation Centre is set up under (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha), and National Agriculture Development Scheme- Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands). RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for • The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation). marinas is run by the international, non- • It is established to focus on innovations, skill governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the building and entrepreneurs development in Foundation for Environmental Education). agriculture and allied sectors. 31. Kaiga Atomic Energy station sets a World record – 25. Defence minister ’s visit to Kaiga Atomic Energy station (Karnataka) sets a World Mozambique – Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh Record in continuous operation of 962 days by Unit-1 of visited Mozambique from july 28-30 2019.This is the Kaiga Generating Station (KGS-1) among nuclear power first official visit of Rajnath Singh as a Defence Minister plants of all technologies. to the African country as well as it is the first time ever a • KGS-1 (220 MW) in an indigenous Pressurised defence minister of India has visited Mozambique. Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) fuelled by • Mozambique Capital- Maputo domestic fuel which started commercial • Mozambique Currency- Metical operation on November 16, 2000. 26. DD News received “Champions of Empathy Award” 32. 7th Economic Census begins from Tripura –The for spreading awareness about hepatitis – DD News Government of India begins the 7th Economic Census (Doordarshan), has been awarded with “Champions of from Tripura. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Empathy Award” for spreading awareness about Implementation (MoSPI) will conduct the census. It will hepatitis. be conducted after a gap of 5 years. • Mayank Agrawal, Director General of DD News • The fieldwork is expected to be completed by has received the Award from Lok Sabha Speaker December and the results at the national level is Om Birla. expected to be available by March 2020 Previous Economic Censuses 27. World Tiger Day 2019 observed on July 29 – Prime • Six Economic Censuses, (EC) have been Minister Narendra Modi released the results of the 4th conducted by the Union Ministry of Statistics and cycle of All India Tiger Estimation 2018, at Lok Kalyan Program Implementation. till date. Marg in New Delhi.

21 www.gradeup.co • The first Economic Census was undertaken in 37. Under Khelo India Scheme Over 2000 sporting 1977. talents identified – A total number of 2437 sporting • The Second EC was carried out in 1980 followed talents have been identified under the Khelo India by the Third EC in 1990. Scheme. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju informed. • The fourth edition took place in 1998 while the • Under the scheme, the government provides fifth EC was held in 2005. financial assistance of about Rs 5,00,000 per • The Sixth edition of Economic Census was annum for a period of 8 years. conducted in 2013. 38. Govt to increase coal production to one billion tone 33. Cabinet approves merger of NIMH with ICMR-NIOH – by 2022-23 – The government has plan to increase the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi total production of coal in the country to 1 billion tone by has approved to dissolve National Institute of Miners’ 2022-23. Health (NIMH), an autonomous Institute under Union • Coal minister said that the gap between demand Ministry of Mines (MoM) and merge it with ICMR-NIOH and supply of coal cannot be bridged completely (Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of as there is insufficient domestic availability of Occupational Health), Ahmedabad, under Union Ministry coking coal. of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) with all assets and liabilities. 39. Cabinet approves setting up of NMC – The Union 34. Government waives duty on products imported for Cabinet has approved National Medical Commission Bill, nuclear plants – The government has waived off basic 2019. The bill provides for setting up of a National customs duty (BCD) on products imported for nuclear Medical Commission in place of Medical Council of India plants. and repeal the Indian Medical Council Act 1956. • “All goods for use in generation of nuclear • The features of the bill include, the Common final power” and “all forms of uranium ores and year MBBS Exams will be know as National Exit concentrates for generation of nuclear power” Test (NEXT) which would serve as Licentiate will now have to pay no basic customs duty. Exam, for entrance to Post Graduate medical 35. Scientists from IIT Hyderabad developed an eco- course and as screening test of foreign medical friendly solar cell using kumkum dye- DSSC – graduates. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) 40. Culture Minister inaugurates architectural Hyderabad developed low-cost, environment-friendly illumination of Safdarjung Tomb – Culture Minister solar cells named Dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) by has inaugurated the architectural illumination of the employing an off-the-shelf dye used to make kumkum or historic Safdarjung Tomb in New Delhi. vermilion. • A total of 213 technologically advanced LED 36. Govt sets 100% Digitization target of all Waqf lights have been used to highlight the 17th properties in 100 days – On July 29,2019, Union century monument. The consumption of LED Minister of Minority Affairs, stated lights is approximately 62 percent less than that the Centre government has set a target to achieve conventional light fixtures. “100% Digitization of Waqf properties across country in 41. First printing press heritage gallery opened by its 1st 100 days” at the National Conference of State and Railway’s – The Western Railway General Stores Depot Union Territories Waqf Boards organized by the Central (GSD) has become the first in Indian Railways to opened Waqf Council, held in New Delhi. a heritage gallery of the printing and allied machines • GIS/GPS: Geographic Information System (GIS)/ used in the Western Railway Printing Press since (1948) Global Positioning System(GPS) mapping are at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai. being used on a war footing with the help of IIT Roorkee and the Aligarh Muslim University to achieve the target. • This is the 1st time the Government providing 100 % funding to develop various educational and developmental programs on waqf land

under Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram (PMJVK).

22 www.gradeup.co State Affairs

July

1. Uttarakhand holds 1st Himalayan conclave – ambitious central government scheme Pradhanamntri Conclave of Himalayan States was held on at Mussoorie Suraksha Beema Yojna. in Uttarakhand to discuss priorities of Indian • Totally 1.95 crores people have been given Himalayan Region (IHR) in 15th Finance Commission insurance cover under the scheme till 31 (XV FC). march 2019 in the state. • The conclave was initiated by government of About Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana: Uttarakhand with Integrated Mountain • It is a government-backed Life insurance Initiative (IMI) as its knowledge partner. The scheme launched on 9 May 2015. chief guest of conclave was Union Finance • It is available to people between 18 and 50 Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. years of age with bank accounts get an 2. Odisha renews effort to revive Gharial population – accidental insurance cover of rupees 2 lakh by Odisha has renewed its effort to revive population of paying an annual premium of 330 rupees. gharials in their natural habitat by releasing 5 reptiles, 7. Haryana cabinet permitted to set up Sports fitted with radio transmitters, into Satkosia gorge of University at Rai –, The Cabinet of Haryana under the Mahanadi which is the southernmost limit of gharials’ chairmanship of chief minister home range in India. approved the setting up of Haryana Sports University • Satkosia Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve at Rai, Sonepat. located in the Angul district of Odisha. 8. Meghalaya becomes 1st state to ensure water 3. Western Railways first printing press heritage conservation – Meghalaya became the first state in gallery opened at Mahalaxmi, Mumbai India to ensure the conservation of water and have • Western Railways (WR) opened its first own water policy following a nod given by the State printing press heritage gallery named Western Cabinet. Railway Mahalaxmi General Stores Depot • The draft policy was approved by the State (GSD) at Mahalaxmi in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Meghalaya It was inaugurated by V P Pathak, Member Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. (Materials Management) of the Railway Board. • It is historic for Meghalaya as the state has 4. World Bank decides not to fund for Andhra’s become the first state in the country to have a ambitious Amaravati capital city project - After the State Water Policy. central government dropped support, The World Bank 9. India’s first dragon blood-oozing tree – Researchers had withdrawn $300 million of fund for Amaravati discover Dracaena cambodiana, a dragon tree species Capital City project in Andhra Pradesh, the ambitious in the Dongka Sarpo area of West Karbi Anglong project of former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. district in Assam. 5. Tamil Nadu to be the first state to manufacture • This is for the first time that a dragon tree electric cars: Minister species has been reported from India. Dragon • M C Sampath, minister for industries stated tree species whose sap turns bright red after that South Korean multinational automotive coming in contact with air. manufacturer Hyundai plans to launch its 10. Odisha gets GI tag for its sweet version of Rasagola electric car for India and the global market – The Registrar of Geographical Indications(GI), from Chennai facility will help make Tamil Chennai has awarded a GI certificate registering the Nadu the first state in India to manufacture sweetmeat as ”Odisha Rasagola” to the state of Odisha electric cars. which will be valid till Feb 22, 2028. 6. Uttar Pradesh becomes No.1 in implementation of • In 2017, West Bengal had secured the GI tag Pradhanamntri Suraksha Beema Yojna in the for ”Banglar Rosogolla” after a tug of war with country -The State Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Odisha since 2015 over the origin of the sweet. has become number one in implementation of 11. B S Yeddyurappa sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka - State BJP President B.S. Yediyurappa (76)

23 www.gradeup.co took oath as 31st Chief Minister of Karnataka by 18. TN celebrates ‘Hospital Day’ on July 30, 2019 - On Governor . July 30, 2019, Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu 12. MP gets its 1st international flight with Air India’s (TN) celebrated its first ‘Hospital Day’ on the Indore-Dubai service – Indore, the commercial commemoration of the birth anniversary capital of Madhya Pradesh recently made it to Muthulakshmi Reddy. international aviation map with national carrier Air • She was one of India’s prominent successful India launching its flight service to Dubai from MP woman doctors in the early 20th century and Airport. TN’s first woman legislator. • Air India Flight AI903 took wings from 19. Maharashtra Govt. raises Financial Aid for Martyrs’ Indore’s Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Kin to Rs.1 crore – The Maharashtra government has International Airport with 150 passengers approved an increase in financial assistance given to on. This was the 1st international commercial families of martyred and disabled soldiers hailing from flight from Madhya Pradesh. state who lay down their life in the line of duty. 13. Andhra Pradesh first state to reserve 75% private • The approved four-time increase in jobs for locals – Andhra Pradesh has become the first compensation from Rs 25 lakh to Rs.1 crore for state in the country to reserve jobs for locals. The Kin of martyred soldiers will be implemented Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed the Andhra Pradesh from January 1, 2019. Employment of Local Candidates in 20. J&K District Administration launched Industries/Factories Act, 2019. helpline “Jeene Do” – Under the Centrally sponsored 14. Nepal invited as a partner country for Gita Jayanti Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, Jammu and Kashmir Mahotsav 2019 – Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal (J&K) District Administration Udhampur launched a Khattar has invited Nepal to be the partner country for helpline, “Jeene Do” with an objective to improve sex this year’s ‘Gita Jayanti Mahotsav 2019’ scheduled to ratio and deal with defaulters of Pre-Conception and be held at Kurukshetra. Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994. • He extended the invitation to Ambassador of 21. Telangana Government and WEF to launch Drone Nepal to India Nilamber Acharya. Delivery Project – 15. Chengalpet, Tenkasi to be new districts in Tamil • The State Government of Telangana and World Nadu – The number of districts in Tamil Nadu will go Economic Forum’s (WEF) Centre for Fourth up to 35 as the government announced its decision to Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network carve out Tenkasi district from Tirunelveli district and announced the launch of drone-delivery Chengalpet district from Kancheepuram district will project called ‘Medicine from the Sky’. become the 34th and 35th districts of Tamil Nadu. • The Telangana government, World Economic Forum and Health Net Global signed an 16. West Bengal CM launches ‘Didi Ke Bolo’ campaign – agreement for project to be supervised and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee managed by leaders in field of medicine, launched a unique initiative called ‘Didi Ke Bolo’ (Tell technology and research. your sister) campaign to reach out to people of State. 17. Rajghat coal plant to be turned into solar park – The Delhi government has announced that the Rajghat thermal power plant will be officially shut and turned

into a solar park. A 5,000 KW of solar power will be

produced at the 45 acre plant site.

• The coal-based plant, whose current units were commissioned in 1989, has been lying in a shutdown mode from 2014.

24 www.gradeup.co

Arts & Culture July 1. Pakistan opens historic Hindu temple in Punjab – 4. Baba Guru Nanak University Foundation stone laid Pakistan has opened a 1,000 year old Hindu temple in in Pakistan – Pakistan Punjab’s chief minister laid the eastern city Sialkot for worship for the first time since foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University at partition on the demand of the local Hindu community. Nanakana Sahib. • The Shawala Teja Singh temple, located in • The University was dedicated to Guru Nanak city’s congested Dhaarowal locality, some 100 Dev at his birth place. This university would be km from Lahore, is more than 1,000 years old, spread over 10 acres. according to the book ‘History of Sialkot’ by 5. Nishagandhi Monsoon Ragas Music Fest the late Rashid Niaz. • Kerala Tourism organized a 5-day annual 2. Prakash Javadekar inaugurates 10th Jagran Film Nishagandhi Monsoon Ragas Music Fest 2019 Festival – Union Minister of Information and in Kanakakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram. It was Broadcasting inaugurated the 10th Jagran Film Festival held from July 20-24, 2019. It was inaugurated in an event held at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. by the Governor of Kerala, P Sathasivam at 3. IFFI’s Golden Jubilee Edition to be celebrated in Nishagandhi Auditorium in Kanakakkunnu Goa – The Golden Jubilee Edition of International Film 6. SAARC Film Festival 2019 held at the National Film Festival of India, will be held from 20th Nov till 28th Corporation Cinema Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka November 2019 in Panaji, Goa. • The 9th Edition of South Asian Association for • President of Oscar Academy John Bailey and Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Film Festival other eminent cinematographers and for the year 2019 was held at the National Film producers have been invited for the event. Corporation Cinema Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka Russia will be IFFI partner in this edition. from July 2-7, 2019.

. International Affairs

July 1. Boris Johnson announced as Britain’s next prime and Population Dr. Surendra Kumar Yadav in Nepal’s minister - Boris Johnson replaces Theresa May as Capital of Kathmandu. Britain’s next Prime Minister. • It has been founded by Swami Vigyananand. 2. International arbitration court imposes $5 billion 5. France to impose green tax on plane tickets from penalty Pakistan – International Arbitration Court 2020 – France will impose green tax up to €18 on has imposed over $5 billion penalty on Pakistan for plane tickets from 2020. The move aims to fund less- unlawful denial of a mining lease to a company called polluting transportation projects. Tethyan Copper Company for Reko Diq project in 6. Gafa Tax: France to levy 3% tax on Internet giants – 2011. This penalty on cash-strapped Pakistan is one of The French parliament approved a law dubbed as Gafa the biggest in its history. Tax (an acronym for Google, Apple, Facebook and 3. Australia-India finalize a new veterinary health Amazon), the legislation will impose a 3% levy on sales protocol - Australia and India recently finalized a new generated in the country by non-tax paying online veterinary health protocol for the export of Australian giants. breeder sheep to India 7. Palau becomes 76th nation to join International 4. World Hindu Economic Forum launches its Nepal Solar Alliance – Palau, an archipelago of more than Chapter in Kathmandu – World Hindu Economic 500 islands in Oceania, has become 76th signatory Forum (WHEF) has launched its Nepal Chapter which country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA). was inaugurated by Nepal’s Minister of State for Health About International Solar Alliance

25 www.gradeup.co • ISA is a group of 121 solar resource-rich • It is a 69 kilometre-long pipeline that will run nations. It was jointly launched by India and from Motihari in Bihar to Amelkhgunj in Nepal. France on November 2015 on side lines of • It has been constructed by India in just 15 COP21 UN Climate Change Conference held at months, which is half of its 30 months Paris. deadline. • It is headquartered at campus of National • The prestigious project is the 1st oil pipeline in Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, Nepal, 1st transnational petroleum pipeline India. from India as well as 1st South Asian oil 8. WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DRC as a Global pipeline corridor. Health Emergency – World Health Organization 12. Sri Lanka eliminates measles – Sri Lanka has become (WHO) has declared deadly Ebola outbreak in fifth country in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as ‘Public Health Southeast Asia region to eliminate measles. Emergency of International Concern’. This • The other countries in the region which have announcement comes after Ebola virus spread to a city achieved this feat are Bhutan, Maldives, DPR of 2 million people. Korea and Timor-Leste. • Kinshasa is the capital of Democratic Republic 13. Tropical Storm Barry hits Louisiana in US. - In the of Congo. United States, Tropical Storm Barry has devastated • Congolese franc is the currency of Democratic Louisiana. President Donald Trump has declared a Republic of Congo. state of emergency in Louisiana. About Ebola Virus 14. U.S. sets $5 bn fine for Facebook – U.S.’s Federal • It is highly contagious. It has an average Trade Commission have approved a $5 billion penalty fatality rate of around 50%. to be levied on Facebook. The penalty have been • Transmission: It is transmitted to humans approved to settle a probe into the social network’s from wild animals and spreads among people privacy and data protection lapses. via close contact with blood, body fluids, 15. Plastic-like Jute material developed in Bangladesh secretions or organs of an infected person. – Scientists in Bangladesh have developed a method to 9. Jordan has unveiled its 1st Underwater Military convert Jute fibre into low cost bio-degradable Museum on the bed of Red Sea off the coast of Aqaba. cellulose sheets named “Sonali”. Red Sea - It is a narrow strip of water inlet of Indian • The Eco-friendly jute poly bags made up of Ocean. It extends southeastward from Suez in Egypt, to Sonali can be used in garments and food Bab el-Mandeb Strait (it connects Red Sea to Gulf of packaging work and they are not harmful for Aden). human health. 10. Ukraine inaugurates world’s largest Metal Dome – 16. The UK’s new £50 pound note features Ukraine has inaugurated the world’s largest movable codebreaker Alan Turing - According to the Bank of metal dome encasing the destroyed reactor at the England, Alan Turing, a crack code-breaker and infamous Chernobyl plant. It is a 108-meter high dome visionary mathematician who set the foundations for which weighs 36,000 tonnes. artificial intelligence (AI) will feature on Britain’s new 11. Motihari-Amlekhgunj Oil Pipeline ready for £50 banknote. commercial operation – The landmark Motihari- • The new note is expected to enter circulation Amlekhgunj Petroleum Products Pipeline between by the end of 2021. India and Nepal is now completed and is ready for 17. Padma Shri awardee Raghu Ram receives FRCS of commercial operation. Thailand • The testing transfer of the pipeline was • Popular breast surgeon and Padma Shri successfully completed by Indian Oil awardee P.Raghu Ram has been conferred the Corporation (IOC) and Nepal Oil Corporation Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of (NOC). As part of trial, diesel was released Surgeons (FRCS) of Thailand at the 44th from Motihari which reached Amlekhgunj. annual congress of the Royal College in Pattaya • It is expected to be inaugurated soon by Prime themed “ASEAN collaboration in value-based Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese surgery”. counterpart K P Sharma Oli.

26 www.gradeup.co 18. Ukraine inaugurates gigantic dome worth $1.7 chipmaker Qualcomm $271 million, accusing it of billion over destroyed Chernobyl reactor “predatory pricing” to drive a competitor out of the • Ukraine and its European partners have market. inaugurated the world’s largest new metal dome encasing the destroyed reactor at the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power station. Note: • Ukraine: Capital: Kyiv or Kiev • Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia

19. European Union fines chipmaker Qualcomm $271 million – European Union has fined US based

Sports

July

• Women’s Doubles 1. ICC World Cup title 2019 – Winner - S W. Hsieh (Taiwan) and B. Strycova • England lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup (Czech Republic) Trophy 2019 at the Lord’s cricket stadium in Runner up - G. Dabrowski (Canada) and Y. Xu London. (China) • England defeated New Zealand with more • Men’s Doubles number of boundaries in the Super Over Winner - Juan Sebastian Cabal (Colombia) and thriller in the grand finale of ICC Cricket World Robert Farah (Colombia) Cup Trophy 2019. Runner up - Nicolas Mahut (France) and Note: Edouard Roger Vasselin (France) • Player of the tournament: Kane Williamson (New 3. Ellyse Perry becomes first cricketer to reach 1000 Zealand). runs, 100 wickets in T20Is – Australia all-rounder • Player of the Match Award: Ben Stokes (England). Ellyse Perry became the first cricketer of either gender • Highest run scorer of the tournament: Rohit to reach the rare milestone of scoring 1000 runs and Sharma (India). taking 100 wickets in the T20 format. • Highest wicket taker of the tournament: Mitchell 4. ‘Robot umpires’ debut in U.S. baseball league – The Starc (Australia). Independent Atlantic League became the first Note: American professional baseball league to let a • The 13th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup will be computer call balls and strikes. held in India from February 9 to March 26, 2023. • The umpires have the ability to override the 2. Wimbledon 2019 – computer, which considers a pitch a strike • Simona Halep (Romanian) beats Serena when the ball bounces and then crosses the Williams to win first Wimbledon title. zone.

• Novak Djokovic (Serbian) won his fifth 5. FIFA rankings: India drops two places to 103 – On Wimbledon title after defeating Swiss tennis 25th July 2019, Federation Internationale de Football ace Roger Federer. Association(FIFA) has released its ranking for the year 2019. Belgium leads the overall FIFA rankings, • This is Djokovic’s 16th Grand Slam and 5th followed by Brazil, France, England, and Uruguay. Wimbledon title. He is now level with Bjorn • Borg as a five-time Wimbledon winner. Indian football team slipped two places to 103rd in the recent FIFA rankings with 1214 • Mixed Doubles – ranking points. Winner - Dodig (Croatia) and L. Chan (Taiwan) 6. Nuwan Kulasekara, Sri Lanka pacer retires from Runner up - R. Lindstedt (Sweden) and J. international cricket - Sri Lanka pacer, Kulasekara Ostapenko (Latvia)

27 www.gradeup.co Mudiyanselage Dinesh Nuwan Kulasekara aged 37 • ICC funding has been withdrawn and the announced retirement from international cricket. He country will be barred from participating at hails from Nittambuwa, Sri Lanka. ICC events. Zimbabwe’s Test status was 7. India will host ISSF World Cup 2020 – International suspended by the ICC in June 2004. Shooting Sport Federation approved India’s 14. North Korea wins Intercontinental Cup title – North application to host the ISSF World Cup stages. Korea wins the 2nd edition of Intercontinental Cup • World Cup will be held in New Delhi from football tournament. North Korea beats Tajikistan in March 15 to 26 ,2020. the finals held in Ahmedabad. • The last edition of ISSF World Cup was held in 15. British Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton Munich, Germany. 16. Mexico wins CONCACAF Gold Cup final - Mexico 8. Khelo India Youth Games 2020 to be held in defeated USA to claim their eighth CONCACAF Gold Guwahati – The 3rd edition of Khelo India Youth Cup title. Jonathan Dos Santos scored the winning goal Games 2020 will be held in Guwahati. in 73rd min for Mexico in the thrilling final. • Khelo India programme’s inaugural edition 17. Vinesh Phogat wins gold at Yasar Dogu was held in New Delhi in 2018. International in Istanbul. • The 2nd edition of ‘Khelo India Youth Games’ • Phogat beat her Russian opponent Ekaterina was held in 2019 in Pune, Maharashtra. Poleshchuk in the final match to bag the gold • In the second edition of Khelo India Youth medal. Games (2nd edition), Maharashtra topped with 18. 2019 Croatia Grand Chess Tour title - Magnus Carlsen 228 medals (85 gold, 62 silver and 81 bronze). won the 2019 Croatia Grand Chess Tour title. • Haryana was second with total 178 medals (62 19. 21st Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship held gold, 56 silver and 60 bronze) while Delhi was in Cuttack, Odisha. third with total 136 medals (48 gold, 37 silver • India women defeated Singapore to clinch and 51 bronze) for a total of 136 medals. their first-ever Commonwealth Table Tennis 9. Mary Kom wins gold in President’s Cup – Six times title World Champion MC Mary Kom (36) claimed gold • India men pipped England 3-2 in the final in medal at 23rd President’s Cup held in Labuan Bajo, Cuttack Indonesia. She defeated April Franks of Australia with 20. Hima Das wins gold in “Tabor Athletics” - Star 5-0 Indian sprinter Hima Das clinched gold in a 200m race 10. German Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in 23.25 seconds creditable timing in the Tabor 11. Chandigarh gets BCCI affiliation – Chandigarh Athletics Meet in Czech Republic. received affiliation from the Board of Control for 21. Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Cricket in India(BCCI) after nearly four decades. Championships – 4 gold medals for India • After getting BCCI affiliation, Chandigarh • Mirabai Chanu wins gold in the senior Cricket Association-Punjab had recently women’s 49 kg event. decided to merge with Union Territory Cricket • Jhilli Dalabehra wins gold in the senior Association, thus paving way for the Union women’s 45 kg event. Territory to be recognised as a separate entity. • Soroikhaibam Bindyarani Devi wins gold while 12. ICC launched the World Test Championship – The Matsa Santoshi wins the silver medal in the WTC will see the top nine Test teams in the world – senior women’s 55kg event. Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, • Rishikanta Singh grabbed the gold in the Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. senior men’s 55kg event. • Compete in 71 Test matches across 27 series, 22. Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships – played over two years. India have won 4 gold medals in Commonwealth • The top 2 teams at the end will compete in the Weightlifting Championships held in Apia, Samoa. The ICC World Test Championship Final in the UK Indian medallists are: in June 2021. • Men (Elite and junior): Achinta Sheuli has won 13. ICC suspends Zimbabwe Cricket - International 2 gold medals in 73kg event. Cricket Council has suspended Zimbabwe for failing to • Junior: Gulam Navi has won gold medal in ensure there is no government interference in its 67kg event. running of the sport.

28 www.gradeup.co • Junior and youth: L. Sadananda Singh has won of 52.09 seconds in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. She is Bronze & Gold medals in 73kg event. fondly called the ‘Dhing Express’. • Women (Elite): Manpreet Kaur has won silver 35. BCCI approves Indian Cricketers Association - The medal in 76kg event. BCCI has approved the Indian Cricketers Association • Junior: R. Arockiya Alish has won silver medal (ICA). The ICA is not affiliated to Federation of in 76kg event. International Cricketers’ Association (FICA) and is only 23. Tamil Nadu girl wins gold medal in World Deaf title open to former men and women cricketers. – Tamil Nadu girl Jerlin Anika has won the gold medal • Former India cricketers Kapil Dev, Ajit Agarkar in the World Deaf Youth Badminton Championships and Shantha Rangaswamy are the directors at held in Taipei. 15-year-old Anika bagged four medals ICA. in the championship, including the gold, two silver and 36. First Indian boxer to win gold at President’s Cup - one bronze. Shiva Thapa became India’s first gold-medallist at the 24. In Table Tennis, Indian pair G. Sathiyan and Anthony President’s Cup boxing tournament after getting a Amalraj won the bronze at the World Tour Platinum walkover in the finals in Astana, Kazakhstan. Australian Open. They defeat Korean pair of Jeoung 37. Ravinder Malik clinches Mr South Asia title - Indian Youngsik and Lee Sangsu. bodybuilder Ravinder Kumar Malik has clinched Mr. 25. Boxer Vijender Singh wins 11th consecutive pro South Asia title. He has crowned the overall champion bout – He defeated Mike Snider on his debut in the US at 12th South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports professional circuit at Newark in the US. Championship in Kathmandu. 26. M. Sreeshankar has won the long jump gold at the 38. Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi wins Indonesia Open - Tatyana Kolpakova International athletics. The Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi wins Indonesia Open BWF tournament was held in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). Tour Super 1000 tournament held in Jakarta, 27. Amir Khan (British professional) wins WBC Indonesia. She defeated India’s P.V. Sindhu. international welterweight title. He defeated 39. WBA welterweight title - Filipino legend Manny Australian Billy Dib in the fourth round of his bout in Pacquiao claimed the WBA welterweight the inaugural Super Boxing League held in Jeddah, championship after scoring a split-decision win Saudi Arabia. against Keith Thurman. 28. Vijayveer wins his 3rd gold at ISSF Junior Shooting 40. Shane Lowry wins British Open - Irishman Shane World Cup – Vijayveer Sidhu picked up his third gold Lowry wins British Open to claim his first major medal of the ongoing ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, golfing title at Royal Portrush. Germany, combining with Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu 41. John Isner wins Hall of Fame Tennis and Adarsh Singh to clinch the men’s 25m pistol. Championships - American tennis player John Isner 29. Anish Bhanwala claims gold medal in ISSF Junior wins Hall of Fame Tennis Championships title in World Cup - Shooter Anish Bhanwala claimed gold in Newport, Rhode Island. 25m rapid fire pistol competition to continue India’s 42. Adam Peaty breaks 57 seconds barrier & 100m dominance in the tournament in Suhl, Germany. breaststroke world record – The Britain swimmer 30. Sarabjot Singh wins gold medal in ISSF Junior World Adam Peaty has break the world record in the men’s Cup tournament in Suhl, Germany. 100 metre breaststroke at the World Championships in 31. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has launched the All India Gwangju, South Korea. He smashed the previous Football Federation’s Golden Baby Leagues handbook record of 57.10 seconds. 2019-20. 43. Abhay, Tanvi win Bengal Open squash titles – 32. Collin Morikawa wins the US PGA title – American Abhay Singh of Tamil Nadu and Tanvi Khanna clinched Collin Morikawa has won the US PGA title at the the men’s and women’s titles respectively in the sixth Barracuda Championship. This was his 1st win in the Bengal Open squash tournament. US PGA title. • Earlier under-15 category witnessed a thrilling 33. Former France and Manchester United defender battle between fifth seeded Tamil Nadu girl Patrice Evra has announced his retirement. Shameena Riaz upsetting top seed Soniya Bajaj 34. Hima Das returns to 400m run, grabs 5th gold - from Maharashtra. Indian sprinter Hima Das extended her sensational run 44. Kristof Milak breaks the Phelps record in 200m by claiming her fifth gold of the month as she returned butterfly stroke – Kristof Milak shattered Michael to her pet 400m competition with a season-best time Phelps’ long-standing world record in the 200 metres

29 www.gradeup.co butterfly at the World Aquatics Championships in 48. Dalilah Muhammad shatters 400m hurdles World Gwangju. record – Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad • Hungarian teenager Milak won the final in shattered one of the longest standing records in 1:50.73, breaking the previous record of women’s athletics with a superb display to clinch 1:51.51, set by Phelps in 2009. victory in the 400m hurdles at US Championships. 45. Nikoloz Basilashvili wins the German Tennis 49. Sniper Frontier Competition: 2019 – A 9 member Championships. He defeated Andrey Rublev to Indian Army team has left for Belarus to compete in successfully defend his title at the German Tennis the Sniper Frontier Competition as part of the Championships. International Army Games scheduled on 03 Aug to 17 • With the win, he has become first player to win Aug 2019. the event in successive years since Roger 50. 2020 Tokyo Olympics will feature Table Tennis Federer in 2004-2005. Mixed Doubles event - For the first time in the 46. Dressel breaks the Phelps record in 100m butterfly Olympic Games’ history, Table Tennis Mixed Doubles stroke – American star Caeleb Dressel destroyed event added in a new Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games. Michael Phelps’s World record in the 100 metres 51. Prithvi Shaw suspended by BCCI for doping butterfly at the World Aquatics Championships 2019 in violation – Prithvi Shaw has been suspended by Board Gwangju (South Korea). of Control for Cricket in India for 8 months for a doping • Caeleb Dressel take 49.50 seconds in the semi- violation. Shaw was charged with the commission of an final event and breaking the old record of Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under the BCCI 49.82 seconds set by Michael Phelps. Anti-Doping Rules. 47. Egan Bernal claims Colombia’s 1st Tour de France title – Egan Bernal became the 1st Colombian to win the Tour de France which finished in Paris, France. He beat the defending champion Geraint Thomas of Britain by 1 minute 11 seconds.

Science & Defense

Military Exercise

July 1. Hand-in-Hand - The annual Joint Military Exercise ‘Hand-in-Hand’ between India and China will be held at Umroi, near Shillong, Meghalaya in December 2019. 2. IndSpaceEx” – The three armed forces of India (Army, Navy, and Air Force) conducted 1st ever simulated space warfare exercise called “IndSpaceEx” on July 25, 26, 2019. It was started in New Delhi.

Science & Technology

July 1. Chandrayaan 2 mission –India’s second moon • India became the fourth country after Russia, mission launched the US and China to pull off a soft landing on • On July 22, 2019, India’s 2nd moon mission the moon. (after Chandrayaan-1, 2008) was successfully • It is the world’s first mission to Moon’s South launched by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Pole. Vehicle - GSLV-MkIII-M1 from Second Launch • ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan. Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Key points Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. • Chandrayaan-2 is India's second mission to the moon.

30 www.gradeup.co • It comprises a fully indigenous Orbiter, Lander • NASA has marked the 50th anniversary of the (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). historic first Moon landing. • The Rover Pragyan is housed inside Vikram lander. 6. U.S. celebrates 50 years of the Apollo 11 mission – • The mission objective of Chandrayaan-2 is to U.S. celebrates the Apollo 11 mission’s 50th year develop and demonstrate the key technologies for anniversary. July 20, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary end-to-end lunar mission capability, including soft- of Apollo 11 mission. landing and roving on the lunar surface. Note: • Besides being India’s 2nd mission to the moon it is • On July 20, 1969, 600 million people watched 1st-ever mission to be spearheaded by two with anxious excitement as Neil A. Armstrong women. and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. and and Michael • Chandrayaan-2 is led by Muthayya Vanitha and Collins took their first steps on the moon's Ritu Karidhal, the project director and mission surface. director, respectively. • The mission, dubbed Apollo 11, was the climax • ‘Bahubali’ is the nicknamed of Geosynchronous of the Apollo program, which pushed human Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mk-III. spaceflight forward faster than ever before. • Chandrayaan-2 will be the first spacecraft to land 7. Pakistan will send its first man to space in 2022 - near the South Pole of the moon and the landing Pakistan informed that it will send its first astronaut to will be attempted on September 7, 2019. space in 2022 using China’s satellite launching • It is an Rs 978-crore project. facilities. • The first spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1, launched in 8. CARE4U app: for elderly people developed by IIT 2008 and orbited the moon without landing on it. Kharagpur team – To help geriatric care, students of The new mission will attempt to do what the first IIT Kharagpur have developed an application called could not. CARE4U that connect the caregiver to the elderly 2. Cabinet approves ISRO Technical Liaison Unit at person. It will inform the caregiver when elderly Moscow – Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister person falls down with exact location. Narendra Modi has approved setting up of Indian 9. ISRO to launch India’s 1st solar mission Aditya-L1 Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Technical Liaison in the first half of 2020 - On July 23, 2019, The Indian Unit (ITLU) at Moscow, Russia. Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced • It is mandated to collaborate with Space that it will launch its first solar mission Aditya-L1 in agencies and industries in Russia and the first half of 2020. It will be the first dedicated neighbouring countries for mutually scientific mission to study Sun’s corona. synergetic outcomes. 10. India’s first space tech park to come up in 3. NASA’s discover TOI 270 - NASA’s Transiting Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) recently 11. First-ever image of quantum entanglement “Bell discovered new dwarf star and planetary system entanglement” unveiled by the physicists of named as TOI 270. It is located about 73 light years Glasgow University away from Earth, and in the constellation Pictor. • A team of physicists from the University of 4. Centre plans to combat vehicle theft with Microdot Glasgow has taken a photo of a strong form of Patches – Union Ministry of Road Transport & quantum entanglement called Bell Highways (MoRTH) has issued a Draft Notification GSR entanglement. It has captured visual evidence 521(E) that seeks to amend Central Motor Vehicle of an elusive phenomenon which a baffled Rules and allows motor vehicles and their parts, Albert Einstein once called “spooky action at a components, assemblies, sub-assemblies to be affixed distance”. with Microdot Patches. 12. JATAN: special software for Digitization of • Application: Use of this technology will help Archaeological Museum – The Minister of State (I/c) check theft of vehicles and also use of fake of Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel spare parts. informed Lok Sabha about JATAN: Virtual Museum 5. NASA to send “first woman and next man” on Moon software. JATAN has been developed by Human in 2024 – U.S. space agency NASA prepares to send Centres Design and Computing Group, C-DAC, Pune, “first woman and next man” on Moon as part of its Maharashtra. ambitious Artemis programme in 2024. About JATAN

31 www.gradeup.co • JATAN is used for creating digital collections in National Portal and Digital Repository for various museums and digital archival tools Indian Museums. that are used in background for managing

Defense News

July 1. Rs.1500 crore deal signed by India and Russia to 6. Israel and the US successfully tested Arrow-3 Anti- acquire Russia’s R-27 Ballistic Missile System - On July 28, 2019, Israel’s • India signed a contract with Russia for the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Benjamin acquisition of R-27air-to-air missile which Netanyahu informed that Israel and the United States gives the additional capability to target enemy (US) successfully conducted tests of the advanced anti- aircraft at long Ranges. ballistic missile system “Arrow-3″. • These missiles are to be equipped on the Su- 7. Russia launched Soyuz Carrier Rocket with 33 30MKI combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force satellites – Russia successfully launched Soyuz-2.1a (IAF) carrier rocket with a hydrometeorological satellite and • R-27 missile - It is a medium-to-long-range air- 32 small satellites. to-air missile developed by Russia for its MIG 8. China has gifted warship ‘P625’ to Sri Lanka. It will and Sukhoi fighter jets. be mainly used for offshore patrol, environment 2. Indian Army successfully conducts Summer User monitoring and anti-piracy combats. Trials of Nag Missile – Indian Army has successfully conducted summer user trials of NAG, 3rd Generation 9. AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack helicopters Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). The test was carried arrived India – The 1st batch of Boeing AH-64E out at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. Apache Guardian Attack helicopters arrived at Indian Note: Air Force’s (IAF’s) Hindon airbase in , Uttar • NAG missile Developed by: Defence Research and Pradesh. Development Organisation (DRDO), a government • The 1st batch consists of 4 out of 22 choppers agency responsible for military’s research and ordered by India from United States. development. 10. Project Sampark: Defence Minister inaugurates Ujh • Range: Minimum-500 metres and Maximum- 4 and Basantar Bridges in J&K – Union Minister of kilometres Defence Rajnath Singh inaugurated 1 km long Ujh 3. India and Russia bilateral co-operation to the next bridge in Kathua district and 617.40 m long Basantar level in the field of space, including assistance in bridge in Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir. India’s maiden human space flight mission • Both of these bridges have been constructed ‘Gaganyaan’. by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under 69 4. INS Sagardhwani embarks on mission Sagar Maitri RCC/13 BRTF of Project Sampark. – INS Sagardhwani embarked on a two-month-long 11. Bhabha Kavach: India’s 1st Lightest, Indigenous Sagar Maitri Mission-2 from Southern Naval Command Bullet Proof Jacket gets MHA nod in Kochi. INS Sagardhwani is an oceanographic • Indigenously produced lightweight bullet research vessel of the Defence Research and proof jacket Bhabha Kavach was launched at Development Organisation (DRDO). International Police Expo 2019 held at Pragati • Sagar Maitri is a unique initiative of the DRDO Maidan, New Delhi. The jacket which is a major to promote closer cooperation in socio- breakthrough for Paramilitary Forces and economic aspects as well as greater scientific Indian armed forces got nod from Union interaction, especially in ocean research Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries. • India’s Lightest Bullet Proof Jacket ‘Bhabha 5. Indian Navy Ship LCU L-56, the sixth of the Landing Kavach’ by was launched at the International Craft Utility (LCU) MK IV class ships, was Police Expo 2019. commissioned into the Indian Navy.

32 www.gradeup.co • It is powered with nano technology from kilometres (186 miles). The rocket is capable Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). of carrying satellites into orbit. 12. Japan’s Hayabusa2 Probe makes 2nd touchdown 14. Iran test-launched Shahab-3, a Medium-Range on asteroid Ryugu – Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe has Ballistic Missile inside its borders. made a perfect touchdown on a distant asteroid named 15. US not to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey for buying Ryugu, some 300 million kilometres from Earth. It Russian S-400 - Donald Trump, President of United collected samples from beneath surface in an States of America has announced that US would not unprecedented mission that could shed light on origins sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a major NATO ally after of solar system. Ankara purchased S-400 missile defence system from 13. China launches first private rocket capable of sanctions-hit Russia. carrying satellites – “Interstellar Glory Space Note: Turkey, a member of North Atlantic Treaty Technology” also known as iSpace successfully Organization (NATO) is denied purchase of F-35 launched the china’s first commercial rocket. fighter jets after it received the 1st batch of Russian • The 20 m (66-foot) rocket designed by iSpace missile defence system despite repeated warnings named Hyperbola-1 reached an altitude of 300 from US against the purchase.

Important Days

Important Days (March) 1. Zero Discrimination Day is an annual day celebrated by Note: The theme for this year is ‘Kidney Health for the UN and other international organizations on 1st Everyone Everywhere’. The day is observed to create March. awareness on the importance of the kidneys and 2. The World Wildlife Day has been observed across the reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease. world on 3rd March. 7. The World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated globally Note: The theme of World Wildlife Day 2019 is “Life on 15th March. Below Water: For people and planet”. Note: The theme for this year is ‘Trusted Smart 3. International Women's Day (IWD) is being celebrated Products’.The first World Consumer Rights Day was every year on 8th March. observed in 1983 and become an important occasion for The UN Women’s theme for 2019 is “Think Equal, Build mobilizing citizen action. Smart, Innovate for Change”.Women's Day was first 8. The world sleep day 2019 observed on 15th March. observed on 28th February 1909 in New York, USA. Note: The day celebrate healthy sleep and draw 4. Govt. to celebrate ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ across the attention towards its related issues including medicine, Country from 8th to 22nd March 2019. education and social aspects.The theme for this year is Note: The Minister for Women & Child Development has 'Healthy Sleep, Healthy Aging'.The day is observed been celebrating the first anniversary of POSHAN annually on the Friday before the March Equinox on the Abhiyaan (from 8th-22nd March 2019).During the Earth. Poshan Pakhwada it is also planned to organise 9. The 'International Day of Happiness' is celebrated workshop on Agri-Nutrition on 15th March 2019.The throughout the world on 20th March. Ministry of Women & Child Development is the nodal Note: The day was founded by United Nations adviser ministry for coordinating activities during the month. ‘Jayme Illien’ on June 28, 2012. 5. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has celebrated 10. The United Nations General Assembly designated the its 34th Inception Day. International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise Note: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) formed in awareness of the importance of all types of forests --21st 1986 mandated to empower the Indian Police with March. Information Technology. Bureau is implementing & Note: This global celebration of forests provides a monitoring agency for implementation of Crime & platform to raise awareness of the importance of all Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS), a Mission types of woodlands, trees, and celebrate the ways in Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan of which they sustain and protect us. Government of India. 11. The World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), (Schrage Day), 6. World Kidney Day is being observed annually on the is celebrated on 21st March. 14th March(2nd Thursday).

33 www.gradeup.co Note: The day raise public awareness for the rights, Note:Bihar Diwas (Bihar Day) is observed every year on inclusion and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome. March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar.It 12. The World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21st was on this day when the British carved out the state March. from Bengal Presidency in 1912. Note: The day promote the reading, writing, publishing, 17. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of and teaching of poetry throughout the world.A decision Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed to proclaim 21st March as World Poetry Day was every year on 25th March. adopted during UNESCO’s 30th session held in Paris in Note: The theme of 2019 is “Remember Slavery: The 1999. Power of the Arts for Justice”. 13. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial 18. The United Nations' (UN) World Meteorological Day is Discrimination is observed annually on 21st March. annually held on 23rd March. Note: The theme of 2019 is Mitigating and countering Note: The theme of WMD 2019 is ‘The Sun, the Earth and rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist the Weather’. ideologies.The United Nations General Assembly called 19. The "World Tuberculosis Day" observed every year on for the day in 1966 to encourage people to remember 24th March. their obligation and determination to combat racial Note: The theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2019 is " discrimination. It's time". Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease 14. The World Water Day is observed every year on 22nd caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis March. (MTB). Note: The theme of this year is ‘Leaving no one 20. The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and behind’.This is an adaptation of the central promise of Missing Staff Members is marked each year on 25th the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as March. sustainable development progresses, everyone must Note: The International Day of Solidarity with Detained benefit. and Missing Staff Members has taken on even greater 15. Parsis in India & abroad celebrated their New year's with importance in recent years, as attacks against the United great enthusiasm -- Navroz. Nations intensify. Note:Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox and marks 21. The World Theatre Day (WTD) is observed globally every the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.It year on 27th March. marks the first day of the first month (Farvardin) in the Note: World Theatre Day was created in 1961 by an Iranian calendar. international non-governmental organization 16. The Bihar state has celebrated 107th foundation day on International Theatre Institute (ITI), France.ITI was 22nd March. founded in 1948 by UNESCO and the international theatre community.

Important Days April

1. Odisha has celebrated 84th foundation day on 1st April Note: The Theme for IMAD 2019 is “United Nations 2019 also known as -- Utkal Divas. Promotes SDGs – Safe Ground – Safe Home”.On 8 Note: Odisha is the 9th largest state by area and the December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 11th largest by population. To commemorate the April of each year shall be observed as the sacrifices of people for the formation of Odisha International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance province in 1936, programmes are being organised at in Mine Action. various places across the State. In 1936, Odisha was 4. National Maritime Day of India is being organized the first State to be formed on linguistic basis across the county on 5th April. 2. The ‘World Autism Awareness Day’ has been Note: This day, the country renews its abiding faith in observed across the world on 2nd April. the importance of maritime zone as well as sea route Note: The day raise awareness about people with for all-round development of the nation. The theme of autism throughout the world. The 2019 theme for the the National Maritime Day 2019 (56th edition) is day is "Assistive Technologies, Active “Indian Ocean-An Ocean of opportunity”. Participation". 5. Traditional new year festivities (Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, 3. International Mine Awareness Day (IMAD) is being Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu organized across the world on 4th April. Cheiraoba) are being celebrated in several parts of the country on 6th April.

34 www.gradeup.co Note: In Telangana, people are celebrating Ugaadi 12. The birth anniversary of 24th and last Jain ‘Tirthankar across two Telugu states, Telangana and Andhra Bhagwan Mahavir’ is being celebrated across the Pradesh to mark the beginning of the Hindu Lunar country -- 17th April 2019. calendar. In Maharashtra, Gudi Padwa signifies the Note: It is one of the most sacred days for Jain people. welcoming of spring. The day marks the beginning of The followers of Lord Mahavir celebrate this festival by Chaitra Navratri, that lead up to Ram Navami. chanting prayers, offering Prasad and participating in 6. The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport chariot processions. Lord Mahaveer was born in for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed across Ikshvaku dynasty as the son of King Siddhartha of the world on 6th April. Kundagrama and Queen Trishala. Note: The day recognize the power of sport in 13. The World Haemophilia Day is being observed promoting peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide on 17th April. worldwide. The day has been celebrated each year Note: The day increase awareness of haemophilia and since 2014.The date commemorates the inauguration other inherited bleeding disorders. The theme of WHD of the first Olympic games of the modern era, in Athens 2019 is ‘Reaching out - connect to your community’. (Greece) in 1896. World Haemophilia Day was started in 1989 by the 7. The 'World Health Day’ is a global health awareness World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) which chose to day celebrated every year on -- 7th April. bring the community together on 17th April in honour Note: The day provides with a unique opportunity to of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday. mobilize action around a specific health topic of 14. The historic Mujibnagar day is being observed in concern to people all over the world. The tagline for Bangladesh. this year's World Health Day is "Universal Health Note: The day marks the oath-taking ceremony of Coverage: everyone, everywhere". The World Health Bangladesh's first government in 1971 at Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the Baidyanathtala in Meherpur. The day is being observed United Nations that is concerned with international by political parties and social and cultural public health. organisations through various programs across 8. President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to the Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, senior leaders of the martyrs of police at National Police Memorial in New liberation movement of Bangladesh had assembled at Delhi. Baidyanathtala to form the provisional government of Note: It was 54th Valour Day of Central Reserve independent Bangladesh. Police Force (CRPF). Mr. Kovind also presented 15. The 'World Heritage Day' is being observed across the Gallantry medals to six Jawans posthumously. The globe every year on 18th April. President also launched the App - Veer Parivar for Note: The theme of this year is ‘Rural Landscapes’. assistance to next of kin of Martyrs of CRPF personnel. The day aims to spread awareness of the importance 9. The World Homoeopathy Day 2019 is being of protecting and preserving various sites around the observed across the world on 10th April. world that have achieved world heritage status. There Note: The day commemorate the birth anniversary are over 1000 World Heritage Sites (man-made and (264th) of the founder of Homoeopathy (Dr Christian natural) recognized by UNESCO. Fredrich Samuel Hahnemann). On this occasion, The 16. The World Liver day is observed every year on 19th Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) April. has organized a two-day convention at Dr. Ambedkar Note: The theme of World Liver Day 2019 is 'Love International Centre in New Delhi.Homeopathy as Your Liver and Live Longer’. Liver diseases can be system of medicine (second most widely used system) caused by hepatitis A, B, C, alcohol, and drugs. was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in Germany According to WHO (World Health Organization), liver in 1796. diseases are the 10th most common cause of death in 10. Ram Navami is being celebrated with religious fervour India. and enthusiasm in different parts of the country -- 13th 17. The ‘UN Chinese Language Day’ is observed every year April. on 20th April. Note: The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the Note: The day promote the use of Chinese language in seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. President Ram United Nation (UN). The day was chosen as the date for Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have the Chinese language to pay tribute to Cang Jie, a greeted people on the occasion. mythical figure who is presumed to have invented 11. The festival of harvest Baisakhi has been celebrated Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago. with traditional enthusiasm in the northern part of the 18. The World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) has country. been celebrated on 21st April. Note: Baisakhi is celebrated with much fanfare in Note: On this day the world is invited to embrace the Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.People are taking a idea that innovation is essential for harnessing the dip at the holy sarovars, canals and rivers before economic potential of nations. The Day is a part of the joining the Mela celebrations. Traditional folk dances United Nations resolution entitled “Transforming our are performed on this day. world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

35 www.gradeup.co 19. The civil services day is celebrated every year on 21st Note: This day marks the passing of the Constitution April. (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with Note: The civil services day is not being observed this effect from 24 April 1993. year due to the general elections. It was on this day 24. The ‘World Malaria Day. being observed every year that Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, addressed the first across the world on 25th April. batch of civil servants in Independent India at the Note: This year’s global theme for World Malaria Day Metcalf House where he referred to civil servants as is " Zero malaria starts with me ". Malaria caused by the 'steel frame of India'. the falciparum parasite is the most serious and can 20. The International Mother Earth Day has been lead to breathing problems, liver failure, and eventual celebrated every year around the world on 22nd death. April. 25. Anzac Day is being observed every year on 25th April. Note: The Day (the largest secular world event) Note: ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in provides an opportunity to raise public awareness Australia and New Zealand that commemorates all around the world to the challenges regarding the well- Australians and New Zealanders who served and died being of the planet and all the life it supports. The in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. On theme for 2019 International Mother Earth Day is " 25 April 2019 a wreath ‘laying ceremony’ was held for Protect our species", which aims to draw attention to the first time in the Commonwealth War Graves the rapid extinction of species across the world. Cemetery, . 21. The ‘World Book and Copyright Day’ (WBCD) is 26. The 'World Intellectual Property Day' is observed being observed every year on 23rd April. annually on 26th April. Note: The day raise awareness about the importance Note: The Day is organized by World Intellectual of reading and promote publishing and the protection Property Organization (WIPO). This year's theme of of copyright around the globe.UNESCO at its General the day is ‘Reach for Gold: IP and Sports’. Conference held in Paris chose 23rd of April to 27. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work to celebrate World Book Day as it is a highly symbolic promote the prevention of occupational accidents and date for world literature in 1995. diseases globally observed every year on 28th April. 22. The United Nations English Language Day is being Note: The theme for the 2019 is: “Safety and Health observed annually across the world on 23 April. and the Future of Work”. The day is observed mainly Note: It is the date traditionally observed as both the by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as an birthday and date of death of the greatest writer ever awareness-raising campaign to raise awareness of known in the English language ‘William safety in the workplace. Shakespeare’.English has an official or special status 28. International Dance Day is being observed globally on in at least 75 countries that have a total population of 29th April. over two billion. The day was established in 2010 by Note: The day strives to encourage participation and the Department of Public Information, as a result of its education in dance through events and festivals held efforts to establish language days for each of United on the date all over the world. The event takes place Nation’s six official languages. every year on 29th April on the anniversary of the 23. The ‘National Panchayati Raj Diwas’ being observed birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), the every year across India on 24th April. creator of modern ballet. Important Days May 1. The 'International Labour Day' is being celebrated issues a notification declaring the 1st of May to be a every year on 1st May. public holiday to be celebrated as Maharashtra Day. Note: The day marks the victory of the workers' 3. The ‘World Press Freedom Day’ is being observed movement for eight hours of work. It also aims to pay every year across the world on 3rd May. tribute to workers sacrifices in achieving economic and Note: The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2019 is social rights all over the world. The theme of ‘Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in International Labour Day 2019 is “Sustainable Pension Times of Disinformation’. It discusses current for all: The Role of Social Partners". Labour Day is challenges faced by media in elections, along with the known as Kamgar Din (Hindi), Karmikara Dinacharane media’s potential in supporting peace and (Kannada), Kamgar Divas (Marathi), Uzhaipalar dhinam reconciliation processes. World Press Freedom Day (Tamil), and Thozhilaali Dinam (Malayalam). was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2. Two states Gujarat &Maharashtra has been December 1993, following the recommendation of celebrated 60th foundation day on 1st May 2019. UNESCO's General Conference. Note: In 1960, two western states Gujarat and 4. The World Laughter Day is being observed worldwide Maharashtra were formed from erstwhile Bombay state every year on the first Sunday of May. on this day. Every year the Government of Maharashtra Note: It is a day to raise awareness about laughter and its many healing benefits. The first time this day was

36 www.gradeup.co celebrated on May 10, 1998, by Dr. Madan Kataria 11. The International Nurses Day (IND) is an (founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement) international day celebrated around the world on 12th in Mumbai. May. 5. The World Asthma Day is being celebrated every year Note: Florence Nightingale (the foundational on the first Tuesday of May. philosopher of the modern nursing) was born on 12th Note: Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs which of May in 1820. The theme of 2019 is “Nurses – A Voice causes breathing problems. Asthma usually appears to Lead – Health for All." through symptoms like coughing, tightness in the chest, 12. Mother’s Day is celebrated on 12th May 2019_-- second breathlessness. The theme for this year World Asthma Sunday of May. Day is ‘Stop for Asthma’. In 1998, The first World Note: It is believed that the bond between a mother Asthma Day was celebrated in more than 35 countries and her child is the strongest, and Mother’s Day in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting appreciates the same. held in Barcelona, Spain. 13. The International Day of Families is observed every 6. The ‘World Red Cross Day’ is observed annually on 8th year on 15th May. May. Note: The day provide an opportunity to promote Note: Henry Dunant was the founder of the Red Cross awareness of issues relating to families and to increase as well as the founder of International Committee of the the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic Red Cross (ICRC). This day is dedicated to the people processes affecting families. The theme of this year is who suffer from food shortage, natural calamities, war “Families and Climate Action: Focus on SDG13”. as well as disease of the Epidemic. The theme for World 14. The Government of India (GoI) has declared National Red Cross Day 2019 is “#love” or simply "love". Dengue Day to mark the toll from the deadly disease 7. The 158th.birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindra ‘Dengue’ -- 16th May. Nath Tagore is being celebrated all over West Bengal. Note: The day has been taking in terms of lives and to Note: Rabindra Nath Tagore reshaped Bengali reaffirm nationwide efforts to tackle the scourge by literature and music, as well as Indian artwith using both education and medical intervention. Dengue Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th is a viral disease which includes symptoms such as centuries. The West Bengal Government has organised high-grade fever 2 to 7 days and headache, vomiting, a special musical programme in Kolkata to pay tributes muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. to Gurudev Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore was the 15. The World Telecommunication and Information Author of the "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful Society Day (WTISD) is observed every year on 17th verse" of Gitanjali. May. 8. Fifth United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week is Note: The 2019 theme of WTISD is “Bridging the being held from 6 to 12 May 2019. standardization gap”. The WTISD raise awareness of Note: The theme for the weekly event in 2019 is the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other “Leadership for road safety”. The UN Global Road Safety information and communication technologies (ICT) can Weeks and its’ campaigns are coordinated by United bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to Nations Road Safety Collaboration, chaired by the bridge the digital divide. World Health Organization (WHO). 16. Anti-Terrorism Day being observed on 21st May. 9. The ‘National Technology Day’ is observed every Note: On 21st May, the UAE is celebrating World Day year in India on 11th May. for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development to Note: On May 11, 1998, India successfully test fired the highlight its efforts in promoting tolerance and cultural Shakti-I nuclear missile at the Indian Army's Pokhran diversity. Test Range (in Rajasthan) in an operation led by 17. The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue aerospace engineer and late President Dr APJ Abdul and Development is observed on 21st May. Kalam. India conducted five underground nuclear tests Note: The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue at Pokhran test range in Rajasthan, on 11th and 13th of and Development", is an opportunity to help May in 1998. The first nuclear test Pokhran with a communities understand the value of cultural diversity codenamed as ‘Smiling Buddha’ was carried out in May and learn how to live together in harmony. The United 1974. Nations General Assembly proclaimed this holiday due 10. The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is being to UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural observed across the world on the 11th May (second Diversity in November 2001.This day was created as a weekend in May). result of the destruction of the Buddha statues of Note: The day raise awareness and highlight the need Bamiyan in Afghanistan in 2001. for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. 18. The International Day for Biological Diversity’ (IDB) to This year, WMBD is being observed on 11th May. It has increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise issues -- 22nd May. global awareness of the threats faced by migratory Note: The theme of 2019 is ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, birds, their ecological importance, and the need for Our Health’. The International Day for Biological international cooperation to conserve them.

37 www.gradeup.co Diversity falls within the scope of the UN Post-2015 21. Goa celebrates its Statehood Day -- 30th May. Development Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals. Note: On 30th May 1987, Goa became India's 25th state 19. Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's and Daman & Diu were separated from Goa and (popularly - Veer Savarkar) birth anniversary is being continue to be administered as a union territory. celebrated on -- 28th May 2019. Earlier, Goa was a union territory (namely, Goa, Daman, Note: Savarkar was a revolutionary who fought against and Diu) for all administrative and governance the British Government. On the occasion, a function to considerations. pay floral tributes to him held in the Central Hall of 22. The World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed Parliament House and Prime Minister paid tributes to V every year across the world on -- 31st May. D Savarkar. Savarkar was born on 28th May in 1883 Note: This day highlights the health risks associated near Nasik in Maharashtra. with consumption of all forms of tobacco and 20. The ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers’ advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco is being observed on 29th May. consumption. The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 Note: The theme for the 2019 International Day of UN is on "tobacco and lung health." In 1988, WHO’s World Peacekeepers is “Protecting Civilians, Protecting Health Assembly had passed a resolution calling for the Peace.” International days are occasions to educate the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will 31st May. and resources to address global problems and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

Important Days June

1. World Milk Day is celebrated every year on 1st Note: Financial Literacy Week is an initiative of RBI June. to promote awareness on key topics every year Note: The theme for World Milk Day 2019 in India is through a focused campaign. The theme this year is - "Drink Milk: Today & Everyday”. World Milk Day is 'Farmers and how they benefit by being a part of the a day established by the United Nations Food and formal banking system'. Agriculture Organization (FAO) to recognize the 6. The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of importance of milk as a global food. Aggression is a United Nations (UN) observance 2. The Global Day of Parents is observed every year on every year on 4th June. 1st June. Note: The day was established on 19th August 1982. Note: The Global Day provides an opportunity to Its purpose expanded to acknowledge the pain appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for suffered by children throughout the world who are their selfless commitment to children and their the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship. 7. World Environment Day (WED) observed every The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly year across the world on 5th June to encourage in 2012 with resolution A/RES/66/292 and honors awareness and action for the protection of the parents throughout the world. environment. 3. Telangana celebrates its fifth formation day' on 2nd Note: The theme for World Environment Day 2019 is June 2019. " Beat Air Pollution ". China is the global host nation Note: Telangana was formed on 2nd June in 2014 for the 44th edition of this event. World Environment following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Day is a platform for encouraging awareness and Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao propagating the need for protecting the environment. hoisted the tri colour at a ceremonial programme 8. Maharana Pratap Jayanti (479th birth) is being held on the lawns of Jubilee Hall at Public Gardens in observed every year on 6th June. Hyderabad. Telangana is bordered by the states of Note: Maharana Pratap was the 13th Rajput king of Maharashtra to the north and northwest, Mewar, a province in modern-day Rajasthan. He Chhattisgarh, Karnataka to the west and Andhra became ruler of Mewar in 1572, after the death of Pradesh to the east and south. Udai Singh. He was the eldest son of Maharana Udai 4. The World Bicycle Day (WBD) is observed by Singh and Maharani Jaiwanta Bai. on 18 June 1576, United Nations (UN) every year on 3rd June. the famous Battle of Haldighati was fought between Note: The WBD was approved on 12th April 2018 as Maharana Pratap and Akbar’s forces led by Man an official United Nations day of awareness about the Singh I of Amer. multiple societal benefits of using the bicycle for 9. The World Food Safety Day (WFSD) observed every transport and leisure. year across the world on 7th June. 5. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will observe Note: The theme for World Food Safety Day (WFSD) ‘Financial Literacy Week’ across the country from 2019 is " Food Safety, everyone's business". Food _____3rd to 9th June. safety is key to achieving several UN Sustainable

38 www.gradeup.co Development Goals and is a shared responsibility Note: The day honour the journey of fatherhood between governments, producers and consumers. and the role that father's play in the family structure 10. The World Oceans Day (WOD) is being observed and society. This year, it is be celebrated on 16th June every year on 8th June. in India. It complements similar celebrations Note: The theme of World Oceans Day- 2019 is honouring family members, such as Mother's Day, "Gender and Oceans". The main action focus is to Siblings Day and Grandparents' Day. prevent plastic pollution and encourage solutions for 17. The World Day to Combat Desertification and a healthy ocean. The Ocean Project has promoted and Drought observed across the world every year on coordinated World Oceans Day globally since 2002. 17th June. 11. The World Day Against Child Labour held every year Note: The World Day to Combat Desertification 2019 on 12th June. marks the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention to Note: This year, the World Day Against Child Labour Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The theme of 2019 and the World Day for Safety and Health at Work World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is shine a spotlight on the global need to improve the “Let’s Grow the Future Together”. safety and health of young workers and end child 18. The World Sickle Cell Day observed every year on labour. 19th June. 12. The International Albinism Awareness Day is Note: It is observed each year to raise public being observed on 13th June. awareness about the sickle cell disease and its Note: The theme of the 2019 International Albinism treatment methods. Sickle cell disease is an inherited Awareness Day is ‘Still Standing Strong’. Albinism is a form of Anaemia in which red blood cells are not able rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. present at birth, and it is still profoundly Government has organized several campaigns for the misunderstood, socially and medically. proper treatment and cure of those suffering from 13. The World Blood Donor Day is being observed the disease. across the globe every year on 14th June. 19. The World Refugee Day is observed every year on Note: The day raise awareness of the need for 20th June. regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety Note: The World Refugee Day raise awareness about and availability of blood and blood products for the conditions and problems that refugee faces in patients in need. This year the theme is ‘Blood their lives.The theme for World Refugee Day 2019 Donation and Universal Access to Safe Blood is 'Step with Refugees — Take A Step on World Transfusion’, as a component of achieving universal Refugee Day’. Millions of people are forced to move health coverage. World Blood Donor Day is one of from their homes every year to keep safe from war, eight official global public health campaigns marked persecution or natural disaster. by the World Health Organization (WHO). 20. The fifth International Yoga Day is being celebrated 14. The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is being on 21st June. observed across the globe every year on 15th June. Note: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation Note: It represents the one day in the year when the in celebrating yoga day from Ranchi in Jharkhand.The entire world voices its opposition to the abuse and word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join suffering inflicted to some of our older generations. or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the consciousness. This year, the International Yoga health and human rights of millions of older persons Day's theme is "Climate Action" and it will be around the world. Around 1 in 6 older people celebrated at the UN on 20 June as "Yoga with Gurus," experience some form of abuse, a figure higher than followed by a panel discussion on 21 June. previously estimated and predicted to rise as 21. The World Music Day is observed every year on populations age worldwide. 21st June. 15. The International Day of Family Remittances Note: On Music Day, the citizens of a city or country (IDFR) is being celebrated every year on16th June. are allowed and urged to play music in their neighbor Note: The day recognizes the contribution of over hoods or in public spaces. World Music Day has its 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 origins in France, but soon got adopted by over 120 million family members back home, and to create a nations across the world, including India.In France, it future of hope for their children. The day is a is known as ‘Fête de la Musique’ meaning “festival of universally- recognized observance adopted by the music” to honour both amateur and professional United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/72/281). musicians. The first World Music Day took place on 16. The Father's Day is celebrated every year on the June 21, 1982. Third Sunday of June. 22. The World Hydrography Day (WHD) is being observed annually on 21st June.

39 www.gradeup.co Note: The theme of this year is “Hydrographic problems. It is an initiative to increase support for information driving marine knowledge”. It was prevention of drug use that is based on science and is adopted by the International Hydrographic thus an effective investment in the well-being of Organization as an annual celebration to publicise the children and youth, their families and their work of hydrographers and the importance of communities. hydrography. 28. The UN Micro, Small and Medium-sized 23. The International Olympic Day (IOD) is observed Enterprises (MSME) Day is observed every year on every year on 23rd June. 27th June. Note: The day promote participation in sport across Note: The day recognize the importance of MSME in the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. achieving sustainable development goals and in The three pillars of Olympic Day are ‘move’, ‘learn’ promoting innovation, creativity and sustainable and ‘discover’. work for all. The Government of India (GoI) has also Move: Can refer to all sorts of physical activity for organized a National Conclave (Udyam Sangam) to people of all ages and abilities. encourage dialogue and partnership among various Learn: Olympic Day is a wonderful opportunity to stakeholders of the MSME ecosystem. International look at the contribution of sport to global social Trade Center, United Nations (UN) will launch its issues that can affect your community flagship report: “The SME Competitiveness Outlook Discover: All about inviting and encouraging people 2019: Big money for small businesses”. to try new sports and activities that they have never 29. The “National Statistics Day” is being observed done before. every year in India on 29th June. The ‘Olympic Day’ was introduced in 1948 to Note: The day create public awareness about the commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic importance of statistics in socio-economic planning Games on 23rd June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. and policy formulation. The theme of Statistics Day, 24. The International Widows day (IWD) is observed 2019 is “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. every year on 23rd June. The theme has been chosen for intensive and focused Note: The day raise awareness of the issue of discussions towards filling the data gaps and widowhood. The day addresses the poverty and improvement of timelines/quality in SDGs. injustice faced by millions of widows and their 30. The World Social Media Day is observed annually dependents in many countries. International Widows on 30th June. Day was established by The Loomba Foundation. Note: The recognize the important role it plays in 25. The United Nations Public Service Day is observed our society and to celebrate the way it has connected every year on 23rd June. us. The Day was founded in 2010 by Mashable. With Note: The day recognize the work of public servants the launch of Friendster (in 2002) and MySpace (in and to encourage young people to pursue careers in 2003), social media became mainstream. Then 2004 the public sector. The day seeks to mark the brought the founding of the king of social media, invaluable contributions of public servants and Facebook. administrators to build a better world for all. 31. The United Nation’s (UN) International Day of 26. The Day of the Seafarer is being observed by the Parliamentarism is held on 30th June. International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Note: The United Nation’s (UN) International Day of 25th June. Parliamentarism is held on 30th June to celebrate Note: The theme of the 2019 Day of the Seafarer is parliaments and the ways in which parliamentary ‘Get on board with gender equality’. The theme systems of government improve the day-to-day lives supports the achievement of the Sustainable of people the world over. The day celebrates Development goals, specifically SDG 5. The Day was parliaments, as the cornerstone of democracy and as proclaimed with an aim to recognize the unique institutions designed to improve the lives of the contribution made by seafarers from all over the people they represent. The 2019 event is the second world to international seaborne trade and civil edition of the celebration. society as whole. 32. The International Asteroid Day (known as Asteroid 27. The United Nations’ (UN) International Day Day) is a United Nations proclaimed day observed Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being on 30th June. observed every year on 26th June. Note: The objective of the Asteroid Day to raise Note: The day raise awareness about the major awareness about asteroids and what can be done to problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This protect the Earth, its families, communities, and year the theme is Health for Justice, Justice for Health, future generations from a catastrophic event. The which highlights that justice and health are two sides event marks the anniversary of the Siberian of the same coin when it comes to addressing drug Tunguska event that took place on 30th June,1908.

40 www.gradeup.co Asteroid Day was co-founded by filmmaker Grigorij 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart and Brian May, Richters, B612 Foundation COO Danica Remy, Apollo Queen guitarist and astrophysicist.

Important Days July

1. The annual Amarnath Yatra (46-day pilgrimage) was Development Programme recommended 11th July flagged off from both 'Baltal' and 'Pahalgam' routes as World Population Day to draw attention to the in_____ Jammu & Kashmir. urgency and importance of population issues. Note: Governor Satya Pal Malik (Chairman of Shri 6. The French government marked the national day Amarnath Ji Shrine Board) attended traditional on 14th July. "Pratham Pooja" at the cave shrine. Any person Note: The day is also known as Bastille Day. This is below the age of 13 years or above 75 years, the 230th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille pregnant women and medically unfit people are prison which took place in Paris on 14 July barred for taking the pilgrimage in south Kashmir. 1789.Armed forces from France and allied countries 2. The National Doctors’ Day is celebrated every year will march, drive, ride and fly over the central in India on ____1st July. Champs Elysee. Note: The day honors the legendary physician and 7. The World Youth Skills Day is observed globally the 2nd Chief Minister of West Bengal Dr Bidhan every year on 15th July. Chandra Roy. This is a vital day for doctors as it Note: The day raise awareness about the importance provides them with an opportunity to reflect on of investing in youth skills development. On in their career and remind them about practicing the November 2014, The United Nations at its General art and science of Medicine and Surgery in an ethical Assembly declared 15th July as World Youth Skills manner.Dr Roy was honored with the country's Day. WorldSkills is proud to be part of global highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’. recognition and promotion of skills. 3. The World Zoonoses Day is observed every year on 8. The World Day for International Justice (or 6th July. International Criminal Justice Day) is being Note: The day is observed to create awareness on observed globally on __17th July. zoonotic diseases, how to prevent them and what Note: The day (17th - July) was chosen because it is actions to take when exposed. The day has been the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome observed since 1885 to mark the day Louis Pasteur Statute, the treaty that created the International administered his first rabies vaccine.Millions of Criminal Court.On 1 June 2010, at the Review people across the globe every year fall prey to the Conference of the Rome Statute held in Kampala diseases like swine flu, bird flu, cat scratch fever, (Uganda), the Assembly of State Parties decided to rabies, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, cowpox, Ebola, celebrate 17 July as the Day of International Criminal SARS, hantavirus, anthrax, monkeypox, etc. these Justice. diseases are known as zoonotic diseases. 9. Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual 4. The International Day of Cooperatives observed international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, every year on the first Saturday of July. celebrated every year on 18th July. Note: The aim of this celebration is to increase Note: In November 2009, The Mandela day was awareness of cooperatives.2019 theme: COOPS 4 officially declared by the United Nations.Mandela DECENT WORKAccording to a recent estimate, Day honour the legacy of South Africa's former cooperatives around the world employ or are the President Nelson Mandela.Mandela Day is a global main source of income for more than 279 million call to action that celebrates the idea that every people—almost 10% of humanity’s total working individual has the power to transform the world, the population. ability to make an impact. 5. World Population Day is observed across the 10. India celebrates 23rd July every year as the world every year on 11th July. National Broadcasting day. Note: This year's World Population Day calls for Note: On this day in 1927, the first-ever radio global attention to the unfinished business of the broadcast in the country went on the air from the 1994 International Conference on Population and Bombay Station under the Indian Broadcasting Development.The main aim behind having a World Company.On 8th June 1936, the Indian State Population Day is to focus attention on the Broadcasting Service became All India Radio. consequence of population issues and how it affects 11. World Hepatitis Day is being observed every year overall development plans and programs.In 1989, on 28th July. the Governing Council of the United Nations

41 www.gradeup.co Note: The day raise global awareness of Hepatitis Note: According to All India Tiger Estimation 2018, and encourage prevention, diagnosis, and India is one of the safest habitats in the world with treatment.The theme of World Hepatitis Day 2019 is 2967 tigers.Madhya Pradesh saw the highest “Invest in eliminating Hepatitis”.The theme focuses number of tigers at 526, closely followed by on the hepatitis elimination goals by 2030, in the Karnataka at 524 with Uttarakhand at number 3 context of universal health coverage. with 442 tigers.The Tiger Estimation exercise is 12. India has celebrated the anniversary of the victory of believed to be the world’s largest wildlife survey the Indian Armed Forces in ‘Operation Vijay’ effort in terms of coverage, the intensity of sampling against the infiltrating Pakistani troops__20th. and quantum of camera trapping. Note: The day is named after the successful 14. World Hepatitis Day is being observed on 28th July. ‘Operation Vijay’ (in 1999) when India regained the Note: The day raise global awareness of Hepatitis control of the high outposts which had been and encourage prevention, diagnosis, and stealthily taken over by Pakistan.The central theme treatment.The theme of World Hepatitis Day 2019 is of this year's celebrations is ‘Remember, Rejoice and “Invest in eliminating Hepatitis”.The theme focuses Renew’.The Kargil War was an armed conflict on the hepatitis elimination goals by 2030, in the between India and Pakistan that took place between context of universal health coverage.Hepatitis is a May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LOC). C, D, and E. 13. The ‘Global Tiger Day’ is being celebrated across the world 29th July.

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