Monthly Current Affairs Capsule August 2018

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the G20’s commitment towards promoting “policies and actions that catalyze digital transformations.  The Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting, held on 23-24 August, was attended by 33 Opening Ceremony Exercise SCO Peace Mission heads of delegation- Ministers, senior 2018 officials and representatives from invited Exercise Shanghai countries and international organizations, Cooperation like EU, UNCTAD, ITU etc. Organization (SCO)  India was represented by Union Minister for Peace Mission Electronics and IT & Law and Justice,Sh. 2018, the latest in Ravi Shankar Prasad. 'Peace Mission' series formally started on 24 August 2018 at India - Kenya Joint Trade Committee meeting Chebarkul, Russia. held in Nairobi  The opening ceremony was conducted with The 8th meeting of India-Kenya Joint Trade military contingents of the all eight SCO Committee was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 22nd – member nations participating in this 25th August, 2018. exercise. .  The meeting was co-chaired by Union  The exercise will provide an opportunity to Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil the armed forces of SCO nations to train in Aviation, Suresh Prabhuand Mr. Peter counter terrorism operations in urban Munya, Cabinet Secretary (Minister) for scenario in a multinational and joint Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, environment. Government of Kenya.  The discussions during the meetings covered Vietnam to host Indian Ocean conference India’s contribution in implementation of The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference is set Kenya’s Big Four Agenda – food security, to begin on August 27 at Hanoi, the capital of affordable housing, universal healthcare and Vietnam. manufacturing.  The theme of the two- day conference will focus on ‘Building Regional Architectures’. 4th BIMSTEC Summit kicks off in Kathmandu  This year’s conference will see 43 countries The 4th Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for as participants while 28 ministers and Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic officials are set to address the event. Cooperation (BIMSTEC) kicked off at Kathmandu, Nepal. G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting  The theme of the summit is “Towards At the G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Peaceful, Prosperous and Sustainable Bay of Salta, in the north-west of Argentina, G20 ministers Bengal Region”. and senior officials issued a declaration that reflects  Current BIMSTEC Chairperson and Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli

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inaugurated the summit in the Nepalese  Exercise KAKADU, which started in 1993, capital. is the premier multilateral regional maritime Points to Remember engagement exercise hosted by the Royal  This sub-regional organisation came into Australian Navy (RAN) and supported by being on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Declaration comprising seven member  The exercise is held biennially in Darwin and states. the Northern Australian Exercise Areas  Five of them -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, (NAXA). Nepal and Sri Lanka -- are from South Asia  Exercise KAKADU derives its name from and two -- Myanmar and Thailand -- from Kakadu National Park, which is a protected Southeast Asia. area in the northern territory of Australia, 171 km south-east of Darwin. 6TH RCEP Ministerial Meeting begins in  KAKADU 2018, the 14th edition of the Singapore exercise, is scheduled from 29 Aug – 15 Sep Union Minister of 18 and would see participation from 23 Commerce& warships, one submarine, 45 aircraft, 250 Industry and Civil marines and approx 52 foreign staff from Aviation, Suresh over 25 different countries. Prabhu,is leading the Indian 24th World Congress of Philosophy held in delegation for the Beijing, China 6th RCEP Trade Ministers’ Meeting which begins in The World Congress of Philosophy is organized Singapore. every five years by the International Federation of  The Minister will participate in the meeting Philosophical Societies (FISP) in collaboration with consisting of 10 ASEAN countries and six one of its member societies. ASEAN FTA partners namely, India, China,  The XXIV World Congress will be held in Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Beijing, China, from August 13 to August  The meeting is being held on 30th-31st 20, 2018, under the auspices of the Chinese August 2018. Organizing Committee.  The complementary aims of the 2018 Indian Naval ship Sahyadri reaches Darwin, Congress include an emphasis on exploring Australia for exercise KAKADU 2018 dimensions of the human and inquiring into fter having been deployed to the South China Sea the challenges facing humanity: and Pacific Ocean for over four months, which  Its theme is “Learning To Be Human” included representing Indian Navy in multinational exercises MALABAR 18 at Guam and RIMPAC 18 World Photography Day: 19 August at Hawaii, INS Sahyadri entered the Port of Darwin, World Photography Day is observed worldwide on Australia on 29 Aug 18 to participate in Exercise 19th of August every year with a lot of zeal and KAKADU 2018. enthusiasm.

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 The day is not only celebrated by the staunch  Indian Air Force had earlier participated in followers of photography, but all the people the exercise as observers and this was for the across the globe irrespective of their first time that IAF participated with air assets professions and interests. in the Exercise Pitch Black (PB-18).  With participation of 16 nations and more 11th World Hindi Conference begins in than 140 aircraft, the current edition was the Mauritius largest Pitch Black ever conducted by The 11th World Hindi Conference, an event aimed Australia. at expanding the reach of the Hindi language at a global level, begins in Mauritius. Sushma Swaraj inaugurates Panini Language lab  Mauritius Prime Minister Praveen Kumar in Mauritius Jagannath inaugurated the conference in Port External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj Louis. inaugurated 'Panini Language Laboratory' at  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) in Mauritius. and other ministers are also in Port Louis to  The lab, gifted by the Indian government, attend the event. will help MGI in teaching Indian languages  This year the theme of the conference is in Mauritius. "Hindi World and Indian Culture".  Education Minister of Mauritius Leela Devi Dookun and other dignitaries were also Tower in Mauritius to be named after late PM present on the occasion. Vajpayee During the World Hindi Conference being held in First-ever IAF-RMAF joint air exercise begins in Mauritius, the Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth Malaysia announced that the cyber tower which Atal Ji had The first-ever contributed to set up in Mauritius will henceforth be joint air exercise named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee tower. involving the  A tribute was also paid to the late PM in the Indian Air Force presence of External Affairs Minister and the the Royal Sushma Swaraj at the conference. Malaysian Air  Around 68 per cent of Mauritius’s Force population of nearly 1.3 million is of Indian commenced at Subang Air Base in Malaysia. descent.  India has been eyeing a foothold at the strategically important Subang Air Base. Conclusion: Exercise Pitch Black 2018  The exercise seeks to deepen defence and Ex Pitch Black a biennial multi-national large force military ties between the two countries. employment warfare exercise was hosted by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 24 Jul 18 to 18 Kempegowda International Airport is world's Aug 18 in Darwin, Australia. second fastest growing airport

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The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA),  The Parker Solar Probe rocket lifted off from Bengaluru has been ranked as the second fastest Cape Canaveral, Florida. growing among top 20 major airports in the world  The probe is set to become the fastest- during the first half of 2018. moving manmade object in history. Its data  The airport recorded 1,58,50,352 passenger promises to crack longstanding mysteries transit from the month of January to June this about the Sun's behaviour. year.  It is the first space craft to be named after a  It is next to Tokyo's Haneda Airport which is living person - astrophysicist Eugene Parker, the world's fastest growing airport. 91, who first described solar wind in 1958.

Joint cycling cum Trekking expedition by Indian International Youth Day: 12 August Army & Royal Bhutan Army International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day A joint Cycling cum Trekking Expedition of Indian designated by the United Nations and celebrated Army and Royal Bhutan Army was conducted to every year on 12 August. commemorate “Fifty years of Establishment of  The purpose of the day is to draw attention Diplomatic Relations between India and Bhutan”. to a given set of cultural and legal issues  The expedition began on 31 July from Haa surrounding youth. Dzong in Bhutan and was flagged-in at  The first IYD was observed on 12 August, Thimpu on 07 August 2018. 2000.  A total of seventeen personnel of both armies  The Theme for International Youth Day participated in the expedition which covered 2018 is “Safe space for Youth”. a total of 384 kms of distance across challenging mountainous terrain in both Vienna ranked as most liveable city in the world India and Bhutan. The Austrian capital, Vienna, has beaten Australia's Melbourne to be named the world's most liveable 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in city. Singapore  It's the first time a European city has topped 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held the rankings of the Economist Intelligence in Singapore. Singapore was the rotating president Unit (EIU) annual survey. of the meeting.  The worldwide league table ranks 140 cities  Negotiations on regional comprehensive on a range of factors, including political and economic partnership agreement was held social stability, crime, education and access between the ASEAN nations. to healthcare.  Next edition will be held next year. Australia recommences its adoption programme Nasa launches mission to 'touch the Sun' with India US space agency Nasa has launched its mission to The Government of Australia has decided to send a satellite closer to the Sun than any before. recommence the Adoption Programme with India,

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as per Hague Convention on Inter-Country  The government of India is formulating a Adoption. strategy for greater coordination with States  The adoptions from India had earlier been as well as trade bodies for global promotion put on hold by the Government of Australia of India’s footwear industry. eight years ago, on the reported charges of trafficking of children for Inter-country Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa wins president election adoption by some of the recognized Indian Mnangagwa received placement agencies (the Adoption agencies 50.8 % of the vote mandated to place children in Inter-country while main opposition adoption at that point of time). challenger Nelson  The regulation of Inter-country adoptions Chamisa received have been made strict by the Government of 44.3 %. India with the enactment of Juvenile Justice  The Act, 2015 and notification of Adoption opposition is almost certain to challenge the Regulations, 2017. results in the courts.  Mr. Mnangagwa called for an “independent India ranks 96th in UN’s E-Government index investigation” into violence, saying those 2018 responsible “should be identified and India ranks 96th in the biannual United Nation’s E- brought to justice.” Government Index 2018 among 193 countries released by UN. Opening Ceremony Indo - Thailand Joint  India has a total score of 0.9551. It has Exercise Maitree 2018 emerged as sub-region leader. Exercise Maitree is a  Denmark ranked first in both E-Government joint military index and E-Participation sub-index. exercise between Indian Army and 4th India International Footwear Fair 2018 Royal Thai Army inaugurated which will be Indian footwear Industry has a huge potential for conducted from 06 to 19 August 2018 in Thailand. export and employment generation said Union  It is a platoon level exercise which comprises Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil of infantry component. Aviation, Suresh Praabhu.  The opening ceremony started with  He was speaking at the inaugural programme familiarization of organisation and display of of the 4th India International Footwear Fair weapons & equipment of both armies. 2018 (IIFF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.  The exercise will emphasize to hone the  India will soon become a global hub for tactical and technical skills in joint counter manufacturing of footwear to cater to insurgency and counter terrorist operations growing demand. in rural and urban scenario under UN mandate.

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 He said this at Youth Parliament organised at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Basohli in Kathua , J&K. The MLA Bani, Shri Jewan 8. India Banking Conclave 2018 held in New Lal Lalhal was also present on the occasion. Delhi India Banking DAC Approves Procurement for Services Conclave (IBC) amounting to Nearly Rs. 46,000 Crores 2018 was held in The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired New Delhi from by Hon’ble Defence Minister Smt Nirmala August 23-24, Sitharaman, met on 25 Aug 2018 and accorded 2018. approval for procurement for the Services  The conclave is being organised by the amounting to approximately Rs. 46,000 crores. Centre for Economic Policy Research  The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in (CEPR) and the government Think Tank a landmark decision, approved procurement NITI Aayog. of 111 Utility Helicopters for the Indian  The programme seen panel discussions on Navy at a cost of over Rs. 21,000 crores. NPAs, development of banks with changing  This is the first project under the MoD’s times, privatisation versus merger and the prestigious Strategic Partnership (SP) Model future of banking, among other issues. that aims at providing significant fillip to the Government’s ‘Make in India’ programme. Pranab Mukherjee launches ‘Neta’ app  In further quest for modernisation of the Former President Pranab Mukherjee has launched Armed forces the DAC also granted approval the National Electoral Transformation or NETA to a few other proposals amounting to mobile application approximately Rs. 24,879.16 crores, which  It is a platform where voters can review and included approval for procurement of 150 rate their elected representatives and hold numbers of Indigenously Designed and them accountable as well. Developed 155 mm Advanced Towed  This app is the brainchild of 27-year-old Artillery Gun Systems for the Indian Army entrepreneur Pratham Mittal. at an approximate cost of Rs 3,364.78 crores.  To enhance the capability of Navy at sea, Youth parliament organised at Basholi, Kathua approval has also been granted for The Union Minister of State for Ministry of procurement of Anti-Submarine capable, 24 Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), MoS in number Multi Role Helicopters. In PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, addition, procurement of 14 Vertically Space and Atomic Energy Dr. Jitender singh said Launched Short Range Missile Systems was that Government is committed to strength the also cleared by the DAC. democratic procedures and institutions by ensuring equality of opportunity to all. 24th Delhi Book Fair opens with free entry

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The 24th Delhi Book Fair opened at the Pragati The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind Maidan but it looked a scaled down affair with the inaugurated the “International Buddhist Conclave stalls occupying just one hall this year. (IBC), 2018”.  Minister of State for Human Resources  The Minister of State (Independent charge), Development Satya Pal Singh inaugurated Shri K.J. Alphons presided over the the event which coincides with the 20th inaugural function. Stationery Fair and 4th Office Automation  The 4 days long Conclave has been and Corporate Gift Fair. organized by the Ministry of Tourism in  The nine-day book fair has been organised collaboration with the State Governments of by the India Trade Promotion Organization Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from and Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP) 23rd – 26th August, 2018 at New Delhi and and will run till September 2. Ajanta (Maharashtra), followed by site visits to Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar) Raje opens country's biggest techno-hub in and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh). Jaipur  The Ministerial level delegation from Rajasthan Chief Minister Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Vasundhara Raje has Lanka are participating in the conclave. inaugurated the Bhamashah Techno Hub NITI Aayog launches 5 Thematic Reports on in Jhalana Industrial Area Sustainable Development in Indian Himalayan of Jaipur. Region  Raje said the country's biggest centre Recognizing the uniqueness of the Himalayas and equipped with the ultra-modern technology the challenges for sustainable development, NITI will help around 700 entrepreneurs to work Aayog had set up 5 Working Groups (WGs) in June under one roof and realise their dreams. 2017 to prepare a roadmap for actions in 5 thematic areas. Japan to be 'Country Partner' for Make in  The themes include: Inventory and Revival Odisha 2018 of Springs in Himalayas for Water Security, The Odisha Government has tied up with Japan for Sustainable Tourism in Indian Himalayan its mega investment Conclave 2018 to take place in Region, Transformative Approach to November this year. Shifting Cultivation, Strengthening Skill &  The state has already identified 600 acres Entrepreneurship Landscape in Himalayas near capital city Bhubaneswar that could and Data/Information for Informed Decision serve as a dedicated industrial park for Making. Japanese investors.  While these thematic areas are quite significant for the Himalayas. Mountain President inaugurates “International Buddhist specificities require specific solutions for Conclave 2018” resilience building that address socio-

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economic and environmental challenges in  Celebrating the Poshan Maah in the form of the mountain setting. a drive will give an early thrust to the Poshan  The reports from the five working groups Abhiyan, Smt Maneka Gandhi explained. discuss the significance, the challenges, the ongoing actions and a future roadmap. Arun Jaitley resumes charge as Minister of  The reports lists challenges in all 5 thematic Finance areas. Nearly 30% of springs crucial to water Union minister Arun security of people are drying and 50% have Jaitley has resumed reported reduced discharge. charge of the  Himalayan Tourism growing annually at ministries of finance 6.8% has crated huge challenge related to and corporate affairs solid waste, water, traffic, loss of bio- after a hiatus of over cultural diversity etc. 100 days, during which he underwent a surgery for kidney ailment. National level workshop for celebrating the  Jaitley met key finance ministry officials, month of September as Rashtriya Poshan Maah finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia, financial The Ministry of Women and Child Development, services secretary Rajeev Kumar, Government of India organized an orientation expenditure secretary A N Jha and corporate workshop for various stakeholders participating in affairs secretary Injeti Srinivas, soon after the Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) being resuming office. celebrated in the month of September.  In his absence, the charge of his ministry was  The workshop was held in New Delhi. It was given to minister for railways and coal addressed by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Piyush Goyal on an interim basis. Minister for Women and Child Development; Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice- 2nd Protocol Amending India – Singapore CECA Chairman NITI Aayog; Shri Rakesh Signed Srivastava, Secretary WCD; Dr. Vinod K India and Singapore have signed the Second Paul, Member , NITI Aayog and officers of Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic partner ministries as well as other Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New Delhi. organizations including UN.  The signing of the Second Protocol,  Addressing the workshop, the WCD amending CECA, will boost bilateral trade Minister, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said between India and Singapore. that there can be a complete turnaround in  The CECA was the first comprehensive the area of malnutrition if the Poshan agreement covering trade in goods, services Mission is taken up on warfooting as was the and investments, which India had signed case in the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao with any of its trading partners. programme.  The CECA was signed on 29th June, 2005 and its first review was concluded on 1st October, 2007.

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 This was a 1000 MW bid for projects to be IBBI inaugurates One-Day Refresher connected on ISTS (Inter State Transmission Programme for Insolvency Professionals System) wherein power generated from one Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) state (renewable resource rich state) could be Chairperson Dr. M. S. Sahoo inaugurated one-day transmitted to other renewable deficient refresher programme for insolvency professionals. states.  This marks the beginning of a series of one-  Mytrah, Inox, Ostro, Green Infa and Adani day class room progrmmes to be delivered were winners of the bid. from various locations across the country  As a part of this bid, M/s Ostro Kutch Wind over the next three months. Private Limited was issued letter of award on  It is one of its kind in the country funded 05.04.2017 for a capacity of 250 MW, with under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana commissioning period of 18 months. (PMKVY).  A part capacity of 126 MW, located in Bhuj  The programme focuses on ethics and (Gujarat) was commissioned by M/s Ostro conduct for IPs and recent developments in on 24.08.2018, ahead of schedule. the insolvency and bankruptcy regime in  The energy generated from this project is India. being purchased by Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and UP. IAF Trans Himalayan Mountain Terrain Biking Expedition (The MTB) TN CM inaugurates India's tallest Film Studio Indian Air Force is celebrating its 86th Anniversary MGR on 08 Oct 2018. To commemorate this event, IAF Centenary has launched a unique event in the form of Trans- Film Studio, Himalayan Mountain Terrain Biking Expedition the tallest such (THE MTB). structure in the  The team for the expedition consists of 18 country, was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Air warriors (12 riders and 06 support staff) Minister K Palaniswami. which also includes two women officers.  The 56 feet tall, 110 metres long and 100 feet  The expedition started on 17 Aug 18 from wide studio was constructed using funds Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in Ladakh for collected by the Federation of Film Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. Employees Union of South India (FEFSI), at Paiyanur. India’s First ISTS connected Wind Power Project Commissioned PM to launch FAME India II on Sept 7 Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the conducted India’s first auction of wind power second phase of the FAME India scheme offering projects in February 2017 in which tariff of Rs. 3.46 incentives for mass adoption of electric vehicles was discovered, which was much lower than feed in with an outlay of Rs 5,500 crore on September 7. tariffs in vogue those days.

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 The prime minister would unveil the scheme CSIR-IIP Dehradun was flagged off from Dehradun at the inaugural session of the 'MOVE', a airport by Uttarakhand CM Shri Trivendra Singh global mobility summit to be organised on Rawat. September 7-8.  The Spicejet flight, featuring a latest  In April, the government had extended the generation Q400 aircraft powered by ,was phase 1 of the FAME India scheme by six received at Delhi airport by Union Ministers months till September-end or till its second Shri Nitin Gadkari, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Shri phase is approved. Dharmendra Pradhan, Shri Suresh Prabhu and Union Minister of State for Civil India to join elite club with first biofuel flight Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha. India would join the elite club of nations who have  Spicejet - as the lead organization for the operated a flight on alternative energy source like demonstration flight - and Chhattisgarh biofuel. Biofuel Development Authority- the supplier  SpiceJet is planning to operate a flight from of the jatropha oil for the flight, received Dehradun to Delhi using biofuel, which considerable policy and regulatory support would be first such experiment in India. from the MOPNG Working Group on  While developed countries like Canada, Biofuels and the Directorate General Civil Australia and US have already conducted Aviation (DGCA) in making this flight these test flights, India would be the first happen. developing nation to experiment that. MoU signed for skill development of Arogya Odisha CM launches programme to identify mitras under the PMJAY young talents A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today signed between the National Skill Development launched a programme aimed at identifying and Corporation (NSDC) and National Health Agency giving recognition to the young achievers of the (NHA), to provide capacity building for Pradhan state. Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(PMJAY) to ensure  The “Mu Hero, Mu Odisha” (I am Hero-I am effective rollout and continued quality Odisha) programme is an initiative of the implementation. state government to be conducted by the Biju  As per the MoU, NSDC will ensure quality Yuva Vahini (BYV) members. training of Arogyamitra through its network  The BYV members are volunteers of the of Skill Development Centres functioning Department of Sports and Youth Affairs of under PMKVY and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal the state government. Kendras(PMKK).  All the currently recruited/ deputed Pradhan India’s first biofuel powered flight undertakes Arogyamitras will be certified by health care maiden voyage sector skill council, the body notified as non- A historic flight powered by indigenously produced statutory body for health sector under the aviation biofuel based on patented technology of aegis of NSDC.

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Gadkari to Sign MOU With CMs of divided between the States of Haryana - Uttarakhand, UP, HP, Rajasthan, Haryana and Rs.123.29 crore (47.82%), Uttar Pradesh/ Delhi Uttarakhand -Rs. 86.75 crore (33.65%), Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Water Rajasthan-Rs. 24.08 crore (9.34%), NCT Resources, River Development and Ganga Delhi -Rs. 15.58 crores (6.04%) and Rejuvenation, Shipping and Road Transport & Himachal Pradesh -Rs. 8.13 crore (3.15%). Highways will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chief Ministers of National Sports Day: 29 August Uttar Pradesh -Shri Yogi Adityanath, Rajasthan - The National Smt Vasundhara Raje , Uttarakhand -Shri Trivendra Sports Day in Singh Rawat, Haryana- Shri Manohar Lal, Delhi - India is Shri Arvind Kejriwal, and Himachal Pradesh - Shri celebrated on Jai Ram Thakur in New Delhi for the construction 29 August of the Rs. 3966.51 crore Lakhwar Multi-Purpose each year. project in the Upper Yamuna Basin.  This day marks the birthday of Dhyan Chand  The Lakhwar project envisages construction Singh, the hockey player who won gold of a 204 m high concrete dam across river medals in Olympics for India in the years Yamuna near Lohari village in Dehradun 1928, 1934 and 1936. district of Uttarakhand with a live storage  He scored over 400 goals in his career, from capacity of 330.66 MCM. 1926 to 1948.  This storage will provide irrigation for 33,780 hectares land and availability of ISRO to send first Indian into Space by 2022 78.83 MCM water for domestic, drinking As announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra and industrial use in the six basin states. Modi during his Independence Day address, India’s  The project will also generate 300 MW of first Indian human mission will be launched by power. The project is to be executed by M/s Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited 2022. (UJVL).  This was stated by the Union Minister of  Out of the total project cost of Rs. 3966.51 State (Independent Charge) Development of crore, the power component of Rs. 1388.28 North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, crore will be borne totally by the Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Uttarakhand government. Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra  Uttarakhand will also get the benefit of total Singh. power generation once the project is  The ISRO Chairman, Dr. K. Sivan said that complete. ISRO has the capabilities to accomplish this  Out of the remaining cost of Rs. 2578.23 task by the given timeframe. crore which form the irrigation and drinking  The programme will make India the fourth water components, 90% will be borne by the nation in the world to launch a Human Centre (Rs. 2320.41 crore) and 10% will be Spaceflight Mission.

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 So far, only the USA, Russia and China have  He also emphasised on smart planning, smart launched human spaceflight missions. project implementation being put into effect holistically in Railways. Charging Stations for e-Vehicles Inaugurated in Udyog Bhawan Cabinet approves Umbrella scheme O-SMART Union Minister of Heavy Industries & Public of Ministry of Earth Sciences Enterprises,Anant G. Geete inaugurated two The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, charging stations, one for fast charging (DC) and the chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi other for slow charging (AC), in Udyog Bhawan, has given its approval for the umbrella scheme New Delhi. “Ocean Services, Technology, Observations,  This is part of the Swachhta Pakhwada Resources Modelling and Science (O-SMART)”, for celebrations of the Department of Heavy implementation during the period from 2017-18 to Industry. 2019-20 at an overall cost of Rs.1623 crore.  Eight charging stations have been installed in  The scheme encompasses a total of 16 sub- the premises of Udyog Bhawan for projects addressing ocean development facilitating charging of e-vehicles. activities such as Services, Technology,  Of the eight charging stations, two fast Resources, Observations and Science. charging stations have been installed by  The services rendered under the O-SMART BHEL and six slow charging stations have will provide economic benefits to a number been installed by Energy Efficiency Services of user communities in the coastal and ocean Limited (EESL). sectors, namely, fisheries, offshore industry,  AC charger consists of 3 outlets, charging 3 coastal states, Defence, Shipping, Ports etc. cars at the same time with the charging time  Currently, five lakhs fishermen community from 6-8 hours. are receiving this information daily through  DC charger consists of single outlet, mobile which includes allocation of fish charging one car at a time with the charging potential and local weather conditions in the time of 1.5 hours. coastal waters. This will help in reducing the search time for fishermen resulting savings Piyush Goyal inaugurates Smart Railway in the fuel cost. Conclave organised by FICCI, in New Delhi Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways & Coal, NHAI Closes Its First Toll-Operate-Transfer inaugurates Smart Railway Conclave organised by Project FICCI, in New Delhi. National Highways Authority of India did a financial  In his opening remarks, he reiterated closure of its first Toll-Operate-Transfer project Government’s commitment to ensure a smart with the India chief of Macquarie handing over a Railway and a smart nation so that every cheque for Rs 9,681.5 crore to Shri Nitin Gadkari, citizen of India gets a better future. Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation at an event in New Delhi.

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 This closure is the first for an asset recycling  Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said initiative by any government in India. that in this new edition of SIH-2019 over 1  NHAI has also called bids for second bundle Lakh+ students from around 3000 of T-O-T for 586.55 km in Gujarat, institutions will have the opportunity to work Rajasthan, West Bengal and Bihar. on challenges faced within the Public Sector Organizations and the Union Ministries. INS Teg Lends Assistance to MV Vela in the Gulf  And for the 1st time, it will also include of Aden problem statements from industry as well as On 25 Aug 18, whilst patrolling in the piracy NGOs. infested waters of Gulf of Aden, INS Teg, a warship of the Western Naval Command, received a call AFSPA extended for 6 months in Assam from a Combined Task Force aircraft for providing The Assam government has extended application of assistance to MV Vela, a Norwegian owned ship the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) with an all Indian crew. Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the state for six more months  INS Teg quickly dispatched a specialist team with immediate effect. to carry out an assessment of the situation  The Act gives special rights and immunity to and provided assistance for recovery of the security forces in carrying out various anchor and cable. operations in "disturbed" areas.  Concerted efforts over three days finally  "As per powers conferred under Section 3 of resulted in the successful recovery of the the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, anchor along with the entire 330 m of cable. 1958, the Governor of Assam has declared the entire State of Assam as 'Disturbed Area' Union HRD Minister launches the 3rd edition of upto 6 months. ‘Smart India Hackathon- 2019’ The third edition of World’s Biggest Open Chandrayaan-2 to be launched in Jan 2019 Innovation Model - Smart India Hackathon 2019 Chandrayaan-2, ISRO's "most complex mission", is was launched by the Union Minister for Human scheduled to be launched in January next year after Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar in experts suggested changes to avert failure, its chief New Delhi. K Sivan said.  MHRD, AICTE, Persistent Systems and i4c  He said the project was reviewed by eminent have joined hands to make a hat trick with experts who suggested some changes in their highly popular and innovative Smart entering the orbit and in landing the rover. India Hackathon initiative (SIH).  The window period to launch the mission  SIH-2019 is a nationwide initiative to starts on January 3, 2019 and ends on provide students a platform to solve some of February 16, 2019. pressing problems we face in our daily lives, and thus inculcate a culture of product ICAR organizes two-day conference on innovation and a mindset of problem Motivating & Attracting Youth in Agriculture solving.

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In order to meet the challenge of providing registration drive with special focus on sustainable livelihoods for a rapidly growing MSMEs. population and to motivate and attract youth in agriculture, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary No free rail insurance from Sep 1 (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), inaugurated a The Indian Railways will not provide free travel two-day conference at NASC, New Delhi from 30- insurance to its passengers starting September 1. 31 August, 2018 on Motivating and Attracting  Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Youth in Agriculture (MAYA). Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to stop  He urged to create a “Mission for Youth in free travel insurance starting September 1 Agriculture” and “Regional Platform for and “the free insurance will be optional”. Youth in Agriculture” with neighboring  Travellers while booking tickets through its countries as partners and said that we need to website or mobile application will have to attract youth in agriculture by providing choose from two options: to opt-in or opt-out them lucrative alternatives. of travel insurance.

Launch of National Mission on GeM 'Gold' first Bollywood film to release in Saudi National Mission on Government e Marketplace Arabia (GeM) will be launched on 5th September 2018 to Akshay Kumar- accelerate the adoption and use of GeM by major fronted "Gold" has central Ministries, State Governments and their become the first agencies. Bollywood film  The aim of the National Mission is to ever to release in promote inclusiveness, transparency and Saudi Arabia. efficiency in public procurement and achieve  The Reema Kagti-directed sports film is only cashless, contactless and paperless the second movie after Rajinikanth's hit transaction. social drama, "Kaala" to hit the theatres in  This will increase overall efficiency and lead the Gulf country. to cost saving on government expenditure in  Saudi Arabia has recently lifted the ban on procurement. Movie theatres.  During the 6 weeks’ special drive beginning from 6th September up to 15th October 2018, First genetic bank for rare species inaugurated in the mission will be launched at state Hyderabad headquarters by Chief Ministers and will National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank cover important sectors and flagship (NWGRB) was inaugurated at Centre for Cellular programmes, launch of IEC campaign along and Molecular Biology’s (CCMB) Laboratory of with training on usage of GeM for buyers Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) and sellers, buyer registration drive to on facility in Hyderabad, Telangana. board government agencies and vendor

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 The genetic bank will cryopreserve living BSNL launches VOIP based phone service – cell lines, gametes and embryos of WINGS endangered wild animal species in India. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has launched BSNL WINGS a VOIP based service. CJI launches mobile apps for e-filing of cases  In WINGS, there is no SIM or cable wiring Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra inaugurated three as is a VOIP service through an app. apps along with Union Law and Justice Minister  The WINGS service offers unlimited free Ravi Shankar Prasad and Justices Madan B. Lokur audio/video calling for one year. Calls can be and A.M. Khanwilkar made using any data connection such as  Chief Justice Misra said the services wired broadband, Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G network provided by the apps include e-filing along of any operator. with user manual, e-payment options,  WINGS can also be used over Internet National Service and Tracking of Electronic Leased Lines. WINGS also supports video Processes (NTSEP). calls, but is restricted between WINGS.

FSSAI launches RUCO initiative to collect, Rajasthan to observe September as 'month of convert used cooking oil into biofuel nutrition' The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Rajasthan will (FSSAI) on Friday launched RUCO (Repurpose observe Used Cooking Oil), an initiative that will enable September as collection and conversion of used cooking oil to bio- the “month of diesel. nutrition” to  FSSAI may also look at introducing create regulations to ensure that companies that use awareness among people living in the state, Chief large quantities of cooking oil hand it over to Minister Vasundhara Raje said. registered collecting agencies to convert it  The government had introduced a scheme to into biofuel. provide milk to students in government  Under this initiative, 64 companies at 101 schools thrice a week last month. locations have been identified to enable  From September, the students will get milk collection of used cooking oil. on a daily basis for which additional funds of  CEO OF FSSAI : Pawan Agarwal Rs 203 crore will be allocated, she said.

Scarlett Johansson is the highest paid actress International Conference on Recent Advances in with USD 40.5 million: Forbes Food Processing Technology Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson has become the International Conference on Recent Advances in best-paid actress in the world, according to Forbes Food Processing Technology (iCRAFPT) got magazine. underway at Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Thanjavur in Tamilnadu.

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 The conference was inaugurated by Sh. awareness among public about the opulent heritage Jagadish Prasad Meena, Secretary, MoFPI, of Indian Railways. Sh. Bijaya Kumar Behera, Economic  Being initiated on a pilot basis, the project Advisor, MoFPI and was later joined by the aims at showcasing the legacy of Indian Guest of Honour Sh. K. Parasuraman, Railways through one to two minute-long Member of Parliament, from Thanjavur movie clips. Constituency. Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan,  The short films will showcase heritage Director IIFPT also presided over the buildings, locomotives and much more to inaugural session. make people aware of the rich heritage of  The Secretary, MoFPI in his inaugural Indian Railways. address highlighted that the bumper production and diversification of agriculture SSAI sets up panel to review red-labelling draft has brought in new challenges for everybody Bill for red-labelling of in view of the large scale food wastage on packaged products containing one hand and seasonal & regional demand & fat, sugar and salt has been there supply issues of many commodities. halted by the government as per FSSAI’s report. Agriculture minister proposes UNFAO to declare  Additionally, a group of experts from health an upcoming year as “International Year of and nutrition background has been set up to Millets” look into the issue of labeling. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’  The group is headed by B Sesikeran, former Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has written to Mr. director of National Institute of Nutrition Jose Graziano da Silva, Director General, United (NIN). Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and proposed the declaration of an upcoming year as Successful Flight Tests of Smart Anti Airfield “International Year of Millets”. Weapon  The Union Agriculture Minister stated that Indigenously designed and developed guided bombs India is celebrating 2018 as the National Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) were Year of Millets and is promoting cultivation successfully flight tested from IAF aircraft at by amending cropping pattern of areas which Chandan range. are especially susceptible to climate change.  The weapon system was integrated with live warhead and has destroyed the targets with Ministry of Railways launches “Digital Screens” high precision. In the wake of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for  The telemetry and tracking systems captured creating digital museums at stations using QR code, all the mission events. Ministry of Railway has made “digital screens”  This weapon is capable of destroying variety operational at 22 stations on this Independence Day of ground targets using precision navigation. as an innovative low cost solution to spread  A total of three tests with different release conditions were conducted during 16 to 18

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August 2018 and all the mission objectives Madhya Pradesh Government will name three have been achieved. awards after the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a tribute. Successful Flight Test of ATGM ‘HELINA’  “One will be for poets, second will be for Indigenously developed Helicopter launched Anti- outstanding contribution in the field of Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ has been journalism, and third for good work in successfully flight tested from Army Helicopter in administration”, said Madhya Pradesh Chief the ranges of Pokhran. Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.  The weapon system has been tested for its full range. INS Khanjar visits Yangon, Myanmar  The ‘HELINA’ weapon system released INS Khanjar a Missile Corvette of Indian Navy was smoothly from the launch platform has on a three-day visit to Yangon, Myanmar to tracked the target all through its course and undertake operational turn around (OTR) and as part hit the target with high precision. of goodwill visit from 18 to 20 Aug 18.  All the parameters have been monitored by  On arrival at Yangon, the Commanding the telemetry stations, tracking systems and Officer called-on Captain Tet Lwin Run, the Helicopters. Fleet Commander 1st Fleet and the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Shri Vikram Closing Ceremony: Indo – Thailand Joint Misri. Exercise Maitree 2018  A joint Yoga Session for IN and Myanmar Exercise Maitree 2018, a two week long platoon Naval personnel was also organised in level joint military exercise between Indian Army addition to the cross visits between Indian and Royal Thai Army culminated on 19 August Navy and Myanmar Naval personnel. 2018.  The Exercise Maitree is an annual event India-Japan Annual Defence Ministerial designed to strengthen the partnership Dialogue between Royal Thai Army and Indian Army The Defence and the exercise commenced on 06 August Minister of 2018 in Thailand. Japan Mr.  The exercise began with a cross training Itsunori period involving familiarization training Onodera is on between two armies to evolve drills and a bilateral visit to India at the invitation of the procedures involved in counter insurgency & Defence Minister of India Smt Nirmala Sitharaman counter terrorist operations in urban, rural from 19 to 20 August 2018. and jungle terrain under UN mandate.  The two Ministers held the annual Defence Ministerial Meeting on 20 August 2018 in MP Government to name three awards after late Delhi. Minister Onodera also called on former PM Vajpayee Prime Minister of India the same day.

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President to inaugurate “International Buddhist With several incidents of tropical cyclones and Conclave 2018” severe weather events striking over Kerala and The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind will Karnataka coasts in the recent times, the Union inaugurate the “International Buddhist Conclave Ministry of Earth Sciences is proposing to set up a (IBC), 2018” in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 23rd Cyclone Warning Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. August, 2018.  The Ministry is planning to set up the Centre  The Minister of State (Independent charge), in another one month. Shri K.J. Alphons will preside over the  At present, IMD has cyclone warning centres inaugural function. only at Chennai, Vishakhapatnam,  The Conclave is being organized by the Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Mumbai. the State Governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from 23rd – 26th UAE offers Rs 700 crore to aid relief efforts in August, 2018 at New Delhi and Ajanta Kerala (Maharashtra), followed by site visits to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar) and that the UAE has offered assistance of Rs 700 crore Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh). ($100 million) to aid relief efforts in the state ravaged worst monsoon in close to a century. Centre releases Rs.600 crore assistance to flood-  Vijayan informed the media about the UAE's affected Kerala overture and thanked them for their "timely" Central assistance of Rs.500 crore, as announced by help. the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and Rs.100  Last week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid crore, announced by the Union Home Minister Shri Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and the vice Rajnath Singh, for flood affected Kerala has been president of the UAE, took to Twitter to released to the Government of Kerala. announce the formation of a committee to  The National Crisis Management Committee extend emergency help to the state. (NCMC) met for the sixth time in a row to review the rescue & relief operations in the Chhattisgarh to rename its new capital Atal state. Nagar  Cabinet Secretary Shri PK Sinha, chaired the Chhattisgarh’s new capital, Naya Raipur, will be meeting. The Chief Secretary of Kerala renamed “Atal Nagar” after late former Prime participated in the meeting via video Minister Atal Behari Vajapyee. conference and informed that the situation is  The decision was taken at a meeting of now improving by and large though there are Chhattisgarh Cabinet chaired by chief some isolated pockets still with water. Water minister Raman Singh in Raipur. levels are receding fast.  Naya Raipur is India’s sixth planned city after Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Bhubaneswar Cyclone Warning Centre to be set up in (Odisha), Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat), Thiruvananthapuram

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Chandigarh (Punjab and Haryana), and Navi  It provides a unified approach where citizens Mumbai (Maharashtra). can install one application to avail multiple government services. Atal Bihari Vajpayee memorial to be built in  From now onwards, TRAI’s Mobile Apps Mumbai namely DND 2.0 &MyCall shall also be The Maharashtra available on Umang Platform. government would build a memorial for Niti Aayog to organise Government and Business former prime Partnership Conclave minister Atal Bihari With a view to exploring the roles and contributions Vajpayee in Mumbai, of the business sector in the implementation of Chief Minister SDGs in India, NITI Aayog, United Nations in India Devendra Fadnavis said. and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) are  Fadnavis also distributed urns containing jointly organizing a Government and Business ashes of the former prime minister to BJP Partnership Conclave on 8th August 2018 at Pravasi leaders for immersion in 14 rivers in the Bharatiya Kendra, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. state.  The conclave will focus on the interrelated  Vajpayee, 93, passed away in Delhi on sectors of water, energy and green industry. August 16. Objectives of the Conclave are as follows:  Facilitate deliberation on key thematic areas TRAI launches integration & availability of and issues around Water, Energy and Green TRAI Mobile Apps on UMANG platform Industry in the Indian context; Policy initiatives of TRAI, over the years, have been  Generate clarity about the responsibilities to protect the interests of the consumers. and contributions of businesses and Recognizing the importance of reaching out to the industries towards implementation of SDGs, consumers and to safeguard their interests, TRAI has particularly in the context of selected theme now integrated its Mobile Apps namely DND 2.0 & areas and sustainability issues involved; MyCall with UMANG Platform.  Highlight best practices from businesses and  UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for industries, and explore strategies and ways New-age Governance) is developed by forward to achieve the related SDG targets; National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information APY Strategy cum Review Meeting for FY 2018- Technology (MeitY). UMANG provides a 19 for South Based Banks held at Bengaluru single platform for all Indian Citizens to Pension Fund Regulatory and Development access pan India e-Gov services ranging Authority (PFRDA) organised a Regional Atal from Central to Local Government bodies Pension Yojana (APY) Strategy cum Review and other citizen centric services. Meeting for FY 2018-19 at Bengaluru yesterday for South Based Banks (Karnataka and Kerala) and DOP-Circles with an objective to discuss the target

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allocated for FY 2018-19 and the strategies adopted Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Included by the banks to achieve the same. in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves  More than 10 lacs accounts have been The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve has mobilized during FY 2018-19 and become the 11th Biosphere Reserve from India that cumulative APY Subscriber Base is 1.09 cr. has been included in the UNESCO designated World  It is empahised that PFRDA has enabled Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). several online features to facilitate  The decision to include Khangchendzonga subscribers to access their Account without Biosphere Reserve in WNBR was taken at visiting the Bank/Post Branch. the 30th Session of International Coordinating Council (ICC) of Man and Nitish Kumar launches 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO Utthan Yojana' held at Palembang, Indonesia, from July 23- Bihar Chief Minister 27, 2018. Nitish Kumar has  India has 18 Biosphere Reserves and with the launched an inclusion of Khangchendzonga, the number ambitious scheme of internationally designated WNBR has which promises to become 11, with 7 Biosphere Reserves being provide Rs 54,100 domestic Biosphere Reserves. from the birth of a girl child till she graduates.  Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in  Kumar launched the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Sikkim is one of the highest ecosystems in Utthan Yojana' and expressed his the world, reaching elevations of 1, 220 government's resolve for empowerment of metres above sea-level. women.  On the occasion, the chief minister also made Commerce & Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu several other announcements like increasing launches Mobile App Niryat Mitra the amount under the 'Bicycle Yojna' from Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Rs 2500 to Rs 3000. Aviation Suresh Prabhu launched Niryat Mitra – mobile App in New Delhi. Suresh Prabhu to inaugurate rubber meet on  The app developed by the Federation of Aug 30 at Kochi Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce and available both on Android and on IOS Industry, will inaugurate the fourth edition of the platforms. India Rubber Meet (IRM 2018) in Kochi on August  It provides wide range of information 30. required to undertake international trade  Jointly organised by the Rubber Board and right from the policy provisions for export the stakeholder associations in rubber and and import, applicable GST rate, available allied sectors, the two-day meet will be a export incentives, tariff, preferential tariff, forum to evolve new strategies to confront market access requirements – SPS and TBT the present challenges of the rubber industry. measures.

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Hardeep Puri to launch Swachh Survekshan The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will attend 2019 an event to mark World Biofuel Day, at Vigyan Shri Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Bhawan in New Delhi on August 10, 2018. Housing & Urban Affairs will launch the Swachh  He will address a diverse gathering, Survekshan 2019 on 10th August 2018 in New Delhi. consisting of farmers, scientists,  Parallelly, a slew of new initiatives under the entrepreneurs, students, government Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) as well as officials, and legislators. the Ease of Living Index will also be  Biofuels can help reduce import dependency launched. on crude oil. They can contribute to a cleaner  Swachh Survey-2011 will be organized from environment, generate additional income for January 4 to January 31, 2009. This will be farmers, and generate employment in rural the ranking of all cities under Clean India areas. Mission (Urban).  Therefore, biofuels have synergies with various Government initiatives, including NITI Aayog and CII Launch Partnership on enhancing farmers’ incomes, and Swachh SDGs Bharat. Union Minister Shri Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of State (IC), Power and New & Renewable Energy, Cabinet approves joint issue of postage stamp Government of India, mentioned that business and between India and South Africa government must partner for sustainable The Union Cabinet development of India. chaired by the  He was speaking at the launch of NITI Prime Minister Aayog and CII Partnership on SDGs, at the Shri Narendra Government and Business Partnership Modi was apprised Conclave in New Delhi on 8 August 2018, of joint issue of organised by NITI Aayog, Confederation of Postage Stamps on Indian Industry and UN. India-South Africa on the theme, "20 Years of  The Minister said that in sustainable Strategic Partnership between India and South development three things matter the most: Africa". energy, water and circular economy/green  The joint stamps were released in June 2018. industry.  The Commemorative Postage Stamps on  To action his 2022 agenda, he expressed India-South Africa: Joint Issue depicts image confidence that India will achieve its clean of Deendayal Upadhyaya and Oliver energy goals even earlier than 2022 and Reginald Tambo of South Africa. urged everyone to be conscious and  An MoU was signed to this effect between responsible towards the environment. India and South Africa in May 2018.

PM to attend event to mark World Biofuel Day NITI Aayog will host Investors’ Conference 2018

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NITI Aayog will host an Investors’ Conference on  These enterprises are engines of inclusive August 10, 2018 at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra for the development. After the agricultural sector, Holistic Development of Islands. most people find employment in this sector.  The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri.  This sector generates more employment Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. opportunities at a lower cost of capital.  It will attract investment for the sustainable  And the most important thing about this development of eco-tourism projects in sector is that it creates jobs in rural and Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep backward areas. islands. Operation 'Madad' by Southern Naval PRATIBANDHIT SAHITYA MEIN Command SWATANTRATA SANGRAM inaugurated by Operation Dr. Mahesh Sharma “Madad” has The Minister of State for Culture (Independent been launched Charge) and Minister of State for Environment by the Southern Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma Naval Command inaugurated an exhibition entitled ‘Prathibandhit (SNC) at Kochi Sahitya mein Swatantrata Sangram’ (Freedom since 09 Aug Movement through Proscribed Literature) in the 2018 for premises of National Archives of India, in New assisting the state administration and undertaking Delhi. disaster relief operations due to the unprecedented  The Exhibition is based on the unique flooding experienced in many parts of Kerala, owing collection of proscribed literature in its to incessant rainfall and release of excess water from possession. Idukki and other dams.  This exhibition of proscribed literature is  Based on a request received from Deputy from vast collection of poetry and prose that Collector, Wayanad, one diving team with portrays the nationalistic fervour prevalent in Gemini inflatable boat was airlifted and sent the days of freedom struggle. to Kalpetta at 10:00 pm on 09 Aug to undertake rescue operations due to floods President of India inaugurates ‘One District one and landslides. Product’ Summit  “Operation Madad” continued on 10 Aug 18 The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, with all resources available with SNC. inaugurated the ‘One District One Product’ Summit on August 10, 2018 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Curtain Raiser: Exercise SCO Peace Mission  Speaking on the occasion, the President said 2018 that micro, small and medium enterprises are As part of Shanghai Cooperation Organization called the backbone of our economy. (SCO) initiatives, SCO Peace Mission Exercise is conducted biennially for SCO member states.

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 The joint exercise for the year 2018 will be Schools supported by MoTA in the country using the conducted by Central Military Commission existing infrastructure of MoTA in the states. of Russia from 22 August to 29 August 2018  The MoU covers various activities including at Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk, Russia. extending all aspects of the School Health  This will be a historic occasion due to the Program viz., providing weekly Iron and maiden participation of India post becoming Folic Acid Supplementation, biannual de- a full member of the SCO in June 2017. worming, basic first aid and health  This exercise marks a major milestone in the promotion activities through teachers multilateral relations of SCO member designated as Health and Wellness nations. Ambassadors at the school level in all  The exercise will involve tactical level functional EMRSs, Ashram Schools and operations in an international counter other Schools supported by MoTA in the insurgency or counter terrorism environment states. under SCO Charter. Israel opens visa centre in Kolkata “PARIVESH” – an environmental single window In a bid to encourage more Indian travellers to visit hub launched Israel, the Middle East nation has opened a Visa The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, launched Application Centre in Kolkata that would cater to PARIVESH (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation West Bengal and seven northeastern states. by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-  Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, window Hub) on the occasion of World Biofuel Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura Day. would come under the purview of the centre,  PARIVESH is a Single-Window Integrated which can also accept visa applications in Environmental Management System, jurisdiction under the New Delhi centre. developed in pursuance of the spirit of  The visa application categories include B1 ‘Digital India’ initiated by the Prime for employment, B2 for business, tourism Minister and capturing the essence of and meeting or conference, and A2 for Minimum Government and Maximum students. Governance. Centre sets up GoM headed by Suresh Prabhu to MoHFW and Ministry of Tribal Affairs sign an decide on RCEP talks MoU The government has set up a four-member group of A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been ministers (GoM) headed by trade minister Suresh signed between Ministry of Health & Family Prabhu to advise prime minister Narendra Modi on Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs whether to continue with or withdraw from the 16- (MoTA), Government of India for cooperation member Regional Comprehensive Economic between the two Ministries for sensitizing the Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. principals and training to teachers each of all  The GoM also includes finance and power functional EMRSs, Ashram Schools and other minister Piyush Goyal, defence minister

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Nirmala Sitharaman and housing and urban aegis of National Institute of Technology affairs minister Hardeep Puri. (NIT) Agartala.  The GoM will also help India fine tune its  This was disclosed on the occasion of the strategy for the upcoming RCEP ministerial beginning of year-long "Sarabhai meet on 30 and 31 August in Singapore. Centenary" programmes of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), that is, the Environment Ministry Celebrates World 99th birth anniversary of Dr Vikram Elephant Day Sarabhai, the first Chairman of ISRO and the Strongly emphasizing the need to address the root founding father of India's Space Programme. cause behind the man-animal conflict, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Mr. Suresh Pune best city to live in, Bengaluru ranked 58th Prabhu pointed out that the man-animal conflict is Bengaluru does not figure even in the top 25 Indian an existential crisis not for the animals, but for cities in the Ease of Living Index, which rates Pune human beings. as the best city to live in.  Addressing a gathering to celebrate World  Bengaluru was rated 58th among major cities Elephant Day on 12 August at Indira Gandhi surveyed to assess living conditions of urban Centre for National Arts, Mr. Prabhu said areas in the country. that there is an urgent need to explain this  Navi Mumbai bagged the second place existential crisis to the human population. followed by Greater Mumbai. Temple town  He underlined the fact that protection of Tirupati was ranked fourth in the country. wilderness and forests is a must to protect  The survey was commissioned by the Union any wildlife species. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 111 major cities. 'Sarabhai Centenary' programmes begin The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Santhali becomes India’s first tribal language to for Development of North Eastern Region get own Wikipedia edition (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Atomic Energy Santhali has become the first Indian tribal language and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that Jammu to get a Wikipedia edition in its own script after the will be the first city in North India to get a full- Santhali Wikipedia went live earlier this month. fledged Space Technology Research Centre,  Wikipedia contributors from India, devoted to research, academics and post-graduation Bangladesh and Nepal generated the content study. to make this page possible.  The Centre will function under the aegis of  It presently has content of about 70,000 the Central University Jammu. words.  In addition to Jammu, the other town selected for opening a Space Technology Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition to MT Research Centre is in the Northeast in Kamet Tripura, where it would function under the In pursuit of achieving greater heights in the field of mountaineering, Indian Army is planning to attempt

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Mt Makalu (8485M), the fifth highest mountain  3rd: East Coast Railway peak in the world in 2019.  As a precursor to it, an expedition to Mount ‘North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom’ in Kamet (7756M), Joshimath District Manipur will be inaugurated Chamoli, Uttarakhand is being conducted Dr. Najma A. Heptulla, Hon’ble Governor of under the aegis of Army Adventure Wing in Manipur will be inaugurating the project August-September 2018. “Development of North East Circuit: Imphal &  The expedition was flagged off from Delhi Khongjom” implemented under the Swadesh by Director General of Military Training on Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, 13 August 2018. Government of India.  Mt Kamet is the 3rd highest peak of India  The above project is the first project under after Kanchanjanga & Nandadevi and is the the Swadesh Darshan Scheme being only highest peak available to climb within inaugurated in the country. the country.  Swadesh Darshan scheme was launched in 2014 -15 and as on date the Ministry has Piyush Goyal Releases the Third Party Survey sanctioned 70 projects for Rs.5708.88 Crore Report on Station Cleanliness to 29 States and UTs under the Scheme. Minister of Railways, Coal, Finance & Corporate Affairs, Shri Piyush Goyal has released a report on Shri Piyush Goyal Participates in India-Us Station Cleanliness conducted by Quality Council of Roundtable Discussion India (QCI). Minister for Railways, The third report of Third Party Audit-cum-Survey of Coal, Finance & ranking of cleanliness covers 407 stations which Corporate Affairs, Shri includes 75 station in A1 and 332 station in A Piyush Goyal, Chairman category stations. The top scorers are as under: Railway Board, Shri A1 category stations (out of 75) Ashwani Lohani, other Railway Board Members  1st: Jodhpur/North-Western and senior officials participated in the India-US Railway Roundtable discussion.  2nd: Jaipur/North-Western  The roundtable discussion with a high-level Railway delegation of leading US companies working  3rd: Tirupati/South-Central in the area of railway construction, Railway maintenance and Information Technology A category stations (out of a total of 332) was held in the Ministry of Railways on  1st: Marwar/North Western Railway 13th August, 2018.  2nd: Phulera/North -Western Railway  The US delegation comprising 13 companies  3rd: Warangal/South-Central Railway was led by US Ambassador to India H.E. Zonal Railway rankings are: Kenneth I. Juster. High-ranking US Embassy  1st: North Western Railway officials from US Commerce Services and  2nd: South Central Railway

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US Trade Development Agency (USTDA) performance in Swachhta Pakhwada, also participated. rankings were finalized by a Committee.  ONGC emerged as the winner; IOCL stood NITI Aayog launches “Pitch to MOVE” second and HPCL came third. NITI Aayog has launched “Pitch to MOVE” - a  Additionally, our attached office PPAC has mobility pitch competition that aims to provide been adjudged in the highly recommended budding entrepreneurs of India a unique opportunity category. to pitch their business ideas to a distinguished jury.  Startups working in the various fields of Startup India Yatra begins in Chhattisgarh mobility can pitch their ideas to industry The Startup India Yatra was launched on July 30th in leaders and Venture Capitalists for raising Raipur. Students queued up in large numbers to investments. register for the first boot camp at Raipur.  Winners of the event will be felicitated by  The yatra will travel to Bilaspur for the Hon’ble PM during the Global Mobility second boot camp at the Government Summit. Engineering College in Bilaspur.  “Pitch to MOVE” is organised by NITI  The Startup India van will also travel to other Aayog in collaboration with Invest India and cities of Chhattisgarh like Korba, Koria, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers Surguja, Jashpur, Raigarh, Balodabazar, (SIAM) as a part of a series of engaging Durg, Rajnandgaon, Balod, Dhamtari, featured events in the run up to the main Kanker, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur and event. Dantewada and hold boot camps in the  The Summit is scheduled to be held on 7th Government Engineering colleges and and 8th Sep 2018 at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Polytechnic Institutes. Delhi and is being inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The Walled City of Jaipur is the next proposed site for UNESCO World Heritage recognition Swachhta Pakhwada celebrated successfully by The site namely “The Walled City of Jaipur, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Rajasthan, India” has been proposed for World Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), its Heritage. attached offices and Oil & Gas CPSEs under the  As per Operation Guidelines 2017, only one administrative control of MoPNG celebrated site can be nominated by the state party each Swachhta Pakhwada fortnight with full zeal and year. enthusiasm from 01stto15th July, 2018.  The recognition of World Heritage is a  The main theme of MoPNG initiatives in this matter of great pride. It impacts the local Pakhwada were “Innovation” and economy by giving a boost to domestic and “Sustainability”. international tourism leading to increased  A maiden initiative of Swachhata ranking of employment Generation, creation of World Oil & Gas CPSEs/ attached offices was class infrastructure and augmentation of sale undertaken, wherein, based on their

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of local handicrafts, handlooms and heritage occasion, Department of Sports has taken two major memorabilia. initiatives.  Besides, it adds to the prestige of the country  First initiative will be for making all five SAI as well as prescribed site. Stadia namely Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,  There are a total of 37 World Heritage sites Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in India at Present. Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range and Dr. SPM Health Ministry signs MoU with Ministry of Swimming Pool Complex as “Plastic Free Electronics and Information Technology Zone”. National  This initiative will start on the 1st August, Health 2018 and by the 2nd October, 2018, these Agency five Stadia will strengthen its internal (NHA) under organizational set up like availability of Ministry of drinking water facilities at appropriate place, Health and alternative to disposable plastic materials, Family Welfare, the apex body for the suitable arrangements of waste disposal, implementation of Ayushman Bharat-National proper sensitization of user and staff of the Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM), and Stadia, etc. towards implementation of Common Service Centres (CSC) scheme under the plastic free zone. Digital India Programme, have signed an MoU to  Second initiative will be for giving Swachhta provide information and eligibility validation Rank to these Stadia namely Jawaharlal services to beneficiaries, especially in remote areas. Nehru Stadium, Major Dhyan Chand  Shri J P Nadda, Minister of Health and National Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium Family Welfare and Shri Ravi Shankar Complex, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range Prasad, Union Minister for Law and Justice and Dr. SPM Swimming Pool Complex on & Information Technology presided over the the implementation of Swachhta activities MoU signing ceremony. carried out during the Swachhta Pakhwada.  As the benefits under AB-NHPM are based on entitlement and not on enrolment, over 3 Solar Charkhas to Generate Direct Employment lakh CSCs spread across the rural India can to One Lakh Persons become the key point of information for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises potential beneficiaries and help in validating (MSME) has launched the Mission Solar Charkha their entitlement. for implementation of 50 Solar Charkha Clusters across the country with a budget of Rs.550 crore for Declaring SAI Stadia as “Plastic Free Zones” the year 2018-19 and 2019-20. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports are celebrating  The scheme will generate direct employment Swachhta Pakhwada from 1st to 15th August, 2018 to nearly one lakh persons. Minister of State under the Swachh Bharat Mission Programme of (I/C) for Micro, Small and Medium Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation. On this

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Enterprises Shri Giriraj Singh informed this participation under suitable risk-sharing in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. model and through open-competitive  Solar Charkha Units have been classified as bidding. village industries.  NITI Aayog, along with the respective UT  The Mission was launched by the President Administration is organizing an Investors’ of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, on 27th Conference on 10th August, 2018, with June, 2018 on the occasion of UN SME Day. stakeholders.

Nationwide ‘State Energy Efficiency Rajasthan becomes the first Indian state to Preparedness Index’ released implement biofuel policy As part of its commitment to create awareness about Rajasthan became the first Indian state to implement energy efficiency as a resource and also to develop the national policy on biofuels unveiled by the centre an action plan for energy conservation initiatives, in May this year. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Alliance for  High-power Biofuel Authority approved this an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), released the implementation. Soon, the State Government ‘State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index’, will release Biofuel Rules, 2018. which assesses state policies and programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency across various Cabinet approves Extension of Concessional sectors. Financing Scheme (CFS)  The nationwide Index is a joint effort of the he Union Cabinet NITI Aayog and BEE. chaired by Prime  The ‘Front Runner’ states in the inaugural Minister Shri edition of the Index are: Andhra Pradesh, Narendra Modi has Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Rajasthan approved the first based on available data. extension of Concessional Financing Scheme(CFS) to support NITI Aayog to host Investors’ Conference for the Indian Entities bidding for strategically important Holistic Development of Islands infrastructure projects abroad. NITI Aayog will host an Investors’ Conference on  Under the CFS, the Govt. of India has been August 10, 2018 at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra for the supporting Indian Entities bidding for Holistic Development of Islands. The Conference strategically important infrastructure will be inaugurated by Shri. Amitabh Kant, CEO, projects abroad since 2015-16. NITI Aayog.  Since the objectives of the Scheme continue  It will attract investment for the sustainable to be relevant, it is proposed to extend the development of eco-tourism projects in Scheme for another five years from 2018 to Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep 2023. islands.  The 11 anchor tourism projects are proposed to be implemented with private sector

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Cabinet approves Re-structuring of the from time to time) or registered under the Agricultural Scientists' Recruitment Board provisions of section 12AA of the Income (ASRB) Tax Act, 1961, for The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Religious / Charitable purposes, or a Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for company formed and registered under the restructuring of Agricultural Scientists'Recruitment provisions of section 8 of the Companies Board (ASRB). Act, 2013 or section 25 of the Companies  The ASRB will now be a 4 Member body Act, 1956, as the case may be, for instead of 3 Members. It will have a Religious / Charitable Ipurposes, or a Chairperson and 3 Members. Public Trust registered as such for  ASRB would be for a period of three years charitable/religious purposes under any Law or till attainment of 65 years of age, for the time being in force, or a society whichever is earlier. registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, for Government launches the scheme Seva Bhoj Religious / Charitable purposes shall be Yojna eligible for grant under the scheme. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has launched the new scheme namely ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ Integrate to Innovate Programme for energy starting 01.08.2018, with a total outlay of Rs. 325.00 Startups Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20. Invest India has joined hands with energy sector  The scheme envisages to reimburse the companies to offer a unique lab-to-market Central Government share of Central Goods opportunity for Indian startups through the Integrate and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated to Innovate Programme. Goods and Service Tax (IGST)so as to lessen  Integrate to Innovate is a 3-month corporate the financial burden of such as acceleration programme for energy startups Religious / Charitable Institutions who housed at the corporate premises. provide Food/Prasad/Langar (Community  The application for the programme is hosted Kitchen)/Bhandara free of cost without any on Startup India Hub – an online platform discrimination to Public/Devotees. bringing together all stakeholders of the  The Religious / Charitable Institutions Indian startup ecosystem. such as Temples, Gurudwara, Mosque,  The programme provides an opportunity for Church, Dharmik Ashram, Dargah, Matth, collaboration and conversation around Monasteries etc. which have been in valuable energy transitions, offering startups existence for at least Three years before an opportunity to bring their ideas to life with applying for financial assistance/grant and the guidance and support from corporates. who serve free food to at least 5000 people in a month and such institutions covered Ballistic Missile Interceptor AAD Successfully under the provisions of section 10 (23BBA) Flight Tested of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (as amended

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DRDO conducted the successful test of the Ballistic Industries) in order to sustain and accelerate the Missile Interceptor Advanced Area Defence (AAD) adoption of energy efficient textile technologies in at from Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. thepowerloom sector and cost savings due to use of  The endo-atmospheric missile, capable of such technology. intercepting incoming targets at an altitude  Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), of 15 to 25 kms was launched against a Public Sector entity under the multiple simulated targets of 1500 km class administrative control of Ministry of Power, ballistic missile. will replace old inefficient electric motors  One target among simultaneously incoming with energy efficient IE3 motors which will multiple targets was selected on real time, result in energy and cost saving up to 10- the weapon system radars tracked the target 15% in the first phase. and the missile locked on to it and intercepted the target with a high degree of NITI Aayog launches Move Hack, global accuracy. mobility hackathon NITI Aayog has launched Move Hack, a global North East Venture Fund for North Eastern mobility hackathon to crowdsource solutions aimed region at the future of mobility in India. Envisaged to be North Eastern one of the largest hackathons globally, Move Hack Development is focused on 10 themes and structured over three Finance Corporation legs: online, followed by Singapore leg, and the Ltd. (NEDFi) under finals in New Delhi. the Ministry of  Transportation and mobility are emerging as Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has potential drivers of innovation and economic set up the North East Venture Fund (NEVF) for growth of the 21st century. North East Region.  Rapidly evolving technologies and business  The capital commitment to the fund is models for delivering mobility services have Rs.100.00 crore with an initial contribution dramatic potential to transform the global of Rs.75.00 crore consisting of Rs.45.00 transportation sector. crore from Ministry of DoNER and Rs.30.00  Mobility that ranges from pedestrian and crore from NEDFi. personal transport to public transit and  The balance fund of Rs.25.00 crore has been freight movement is extremely critical and committed by Small Industries Development impacts rural and urban daily lives. Bank of India (SIDBI) in-principle. NHAI to Sign MoU with SBI for a Long Term, SAATHI Initiative Launched unsecured Loan of Rs 25,000 Crore Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Power have National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is joined hands under the initiative getting an unsecured loan of Rs 25,000 crore from SAATHI(Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of State Bank of India for 10 years with 3 years of efficient Textile technologies to Help Small moratorium on repayments.

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 This is the largest amount of loan to have  The workshop was aimed at familiarising the been sanctioned to NHAI in one stroke by Assistant Secretaries with all facets of any institution. Electoral Management before they are  This is also the largest long term unsecured required to handle crucial assignments in loan sanctioned by SBI at a time to any conducting Elections in their field postings entity. soon.  An MoU in this regard will be signed between the two organizations in the Bermuda Triangle mystery 'solved,' scientists presence of Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of claim Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, British scientists believe 100ft ‘rogue’ waves could Water Resources, River Development & be the reason why so many boats have been sunk in Ganga Rejuvenation in New Delhi. the mysterious Bermuda Triangle (Also known as the Devil’s Triangle). Paryatan Parv’ to be organized nationwide from  Rogue waves – which only last for a few 16th to 27th September, 2018 minutes - were first observed by satellites in The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in 1997 off the coast of South Africa. collaboration with other Central Ministries, State Governments and Stakeholders is organizing a Delhi replaces Gujarat to top 'most investor- “Paryatan Parv” across the country from the 16th to friendly' destination list 27th September 2018. Delhi has toppled  The Parv is being organized with the Gujarat from the objective of drawing focus on the benefits of top spot in a list of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of 21 states and union the country and reinforcing the principle of territories with the “Tourism for All”. most investment  The Paryatan Parv will start with the India potential, according to a report by economic think- Tourism Mart 2018 (16th – 18th September tank NCAER. 2018), which will further ensure wide  The national capital is followed by Tamil participation from outside the country. The Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Paryatan Parv shall conclude with the World Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tourism Day celebrations on 27th Karnataka and West Bengal. September 2018.  The ranking of 20 states and one Union Territory of Delhi was based on six pillars -- Election Commission of India Conducts First land, labour, infrastructure, economic Ever Orientation Workshop on Election climate, governance and political stability Management for IAS Asstt Secretaries and business perceptions. The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a day-long Orientation Workshop for IAS officers of “No Horn” campaign launched in Shimla, the 2016 Batch in New Delhi today. Manali

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur  “Out of 2145 proposals, 122 best proposals has launched an awareness campaign named “Horn were selected for funding under IMPRINT- Not Ok” along with a statewide mobile app “Shoor II, advancing cutting edge level technology,” Nahin”. Union HRD Minister PrakashJavadekar said  The Chief Minister said “the state is known in a statement. for its salubrious climate and peaceful  “Of the 122 new IMPRINT projects environment. sanctioned, 81 are sponsored by industry.  He said blowing horns is not only causing  This industry-academic collaboration will unnecessary noise pollution but it is also bring excellence in research,” Mr Javadekar harmful for health. said adding that the knowledge portal for monitoring the progress of research projects Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Achieves 5 and to disseminate findings will be launched Crore Mark in October 2018. Loksabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has handed over 5 croreth LPG connection under Pradhan Gadkari will inaugurate Bidder Information Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the Parliament Management System (BIMS) House. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (M/o  The Government launched Pradhan Mantri RT&H) has developed the Bidder Information Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on 1st May, 2016 Management System (BIMS) to streamline the and it is implemented by Ministry of process of pre-qualification of bidders for EPC Petroleum and Natural Gas through its Oil Mode of contracts for all National Highway works Marketing Companies i.e., IOC, BPCL and with enhanced transparency and objectivity. HPCL through their network of distributors  BIMS would work as a data base comprising across the country. bidder wise information covering basic  Through PMUY, initially, 5 crore BPL details, civil works experience, cash accruals households were targeted for providing and network, annual turnover etc. deposit free LPG connections to BPL  Ministry of Road Transport and Highways households by 31st March,2019. Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the system.

122 New Research Project proposals at a cost of Rajya Sabha Passes Bill To Grant Constitutional Rs 112 Crore selected for funding under Status To OBC Commission IMPRINT-2 A key bill to provide constitutional status to the For advancing research in the high education National Commission for Backward Classes institutions, the government under the leadership of (NCBC) secured Parliament's approval with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved Rajya Sabha passing the measure that will give the 122 new research projects at a cost of Rs 112 crore panel full powers to safeguard the rights and under IMPRINT-2 covering Energy, Security, interests of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Healthcare, Advanced Materials, ICT and  The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill Security/Defence domains. 2017 was passed after a spirited debate

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during which several members urged the NITI Aayog’s International Conference on Centre to make public the findings of the “Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling: caste census and implement reservation Policy Prescriptions” was inaugurated by the Union accordingly. Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Ganga  It was cleared by the Lok Sabha on August 2 Rejuvenation, Shri. Nitin Gadkari at Pravasi superseding the amendments earlier carried Bharatiya Kendra in the capital. out by the Rajya Sabha.  Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog Shri. Rajiv Kumar, CEO, NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant Gurugram India’s most polluted city and renowned experts from all over the Gurugram, which world in material recycling took part in the has been NCR’s deliberations at the conference. most polluted for the  The day long conference brings together a past three days, was host of experts for identifying policy declared the most prescriptions for the development and polluted among 62 cities in the country surveyed by growth of material recycling in India towards the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with creating more jobs, reduce dependence on air quality index (AQI) crossing the 300 mark. exports, protect the environment and take  With AQI hovering between ‘poor’ and steps towards adopting circular economy ‘very poor’ categories, Gurugram is concepts. witnessing air quality this poor after a month. President of India inaugurates ‘Festival of Hardeep S Puri Launches official Trailer Of Film Democracy’ in Thiruvananthapuram “Halkaa” Under the Aegis Swachh Bharat The President of Mission India, Shri Ram Shri Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State (I/C) for Nath Kovind, Housing and Urban Affairs launched the official inaugurated the trailer, music and poster of Bollywood film ‘Festival of “Halkaa” under the aegis of the Swachh Bharat Democracy’ in Mission (Urban), in partnership with the New Delhi Thiruvananthapuram on August 6, 2018 to mark the Municipal Council. conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the  “Halkaa” (Relief) is the story of an 8-year- Kerala legislative assembly. old boy Pichku who aspires for a better  Speaking on the occasion, the President said quality of life. that politics, public life and the quality of  The boy refuses to be part of the age-old democracy are a reflection of the essential practice of open defecation. ethos of a society.  As such, the Kerala assembly and its debates International Conference on Sustainable Growth and discussions, the humanistic values that it through Material Recycling has historically advocated and legislated on, are a mirror to the traditions of this state.

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Global Finance names DBS world's best bank DBS Bank has become the first Punjab National Bank gets top rank in digital Singaporean transaction and Asian Punjab National Bank has said that a Department of winner of Financial Services report has rated it as number one Global Finance Magazine's Best Bank in the World state-owned bank in terms of digital transactions. Award, unseating last year's winner ING.  The Nirav Modi scam-hit bank is also rated  This came after DBS was named Asia's top as the sixth overall amongst all banks in bank in May, replacing 2017 winner ICBC, India for digital performance. in the magazine's annual World's Best Bank  The bank is rated as 'Good' by the awards. government with a score of 71 which is the

highest category of performance. India and the World Bank sign $300 Million

Agreement for India’s Energy Efficiency RIL first Indian firm to hit Rs 8 trillion market Program cap Reliance Industries (RIL) has became the first Indian company to cross Rs 8 trillion in market capitalisation.  The stock gained 1.9 per cent to close at Rs 1,270, valuing the Mukesh Ambani-led firm at Rs 8.05 trillion.  Tata group flagship Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) also is nearing the same milestone. The Government of India and the World Bank  Currently, the technology giant is valued at signed a $220 million Loan Agreement and a $80 Rs 7.8 trillion. million Guarantee Agreement for the India Energy Efficiency Scale-Up Program. Prasar Bharati & Mizzima Media of Myanmar  The Program, to be implemented by the ink an MoU Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Prasar Bharati and Mizzima Media of Myanmar will help scale-up the deployment of energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding. saving measures in residential and public  This will boost centuries old ties between sectors, strengthen EESL’s institutional India and Myanmar. It will also strengthen capacity, and enhance its access to India's soft power in its neighbourhood. commercial financing.  The Agreement will realize cooperation and  The investments under the Program are collaboration in various fields of expected to avoid lifetime greenhouse gas broadcasting.

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emissions of 170 million tons of CO2, and finance improvement of over 400 kilometers of state contribute to avoiding an estimated 10 GW highways that will enhance connectivity and access of additional generation capacity. to economic centers across 12 districts in Karnataka.  An ongoing road improvement project India, Government of Rajasthan and World financed by ADB with a loan of $315 million Bank sign a $250 Million Agreement is under implementation, which involves The Government of India, the Government of upgradation of about 615 kilometers of state Rajasthan and the World Bank signed a $250 million roads. Development Policy Loan (DPL) to support the Points to Remember Government of Rajasthan in improving the  The Asian Development Bank is a regional performance of its Electricity Distribution Sector development bank established on 19 under the State’s 24x7 Power for All program. December 1966.  The Second Programmatic Electricity  It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Distribution Reform Development Policy  Takehiko Nakao is the President of the Asian Loan for Rajasthan is the second in the series Development Bank. of two operations planned for a  It has 67 member countries. comprehensive turnaround of Rajasthan’s electricity distribution sector. India and ADB Sign $375 Million Loan to  The First Loan closed in March 2017. Improve Irrigation Efficiency in MP Government Cabinet approves additional funding of Rs 635 of India and crore for IPPB the Asian The Union Cabinet has approved additional funding Development of Rs 635 crore for India Post Payments Bank Bank (ADB) (IPPB), which is set to be launched on September 1 signed a $375 to provide financial services to those living in rural million loan areas. agreement to  It will take the total outlay for IPPB to Rs contribute to double farming incomes in Madhya 1,435 crore. Pradesh by expanding irrigation networks and  The bank, which is fully owned by the system efficiency. government, will provide savings and  The Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Efficiency current accounts, remittances, money Improvement Project will develop 125,000 transfers, bill and utility payments and hectares of new, highly efficient and climate enterprise and merchant payments. resilient irrigation networks and improve water use efficiency in more than 400 India and ADB Sign $346 Million Loan to villages, benefiting over 800,000 people in Improve State Highways in Karnataka Madhya Pradesh. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $346 million loan to

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HDFC Bank to adopt 30 villages in flood-hit Tata Consultancy Services has pipped Reliance Kerala Industries Limited (RIL) to regain the crown of HDFC Bank has announced that it will adopt 30 India's most valued company in terms of market villages in flood-hit Kerala as part of its long-term capitalisation. relief and rehabilitation efforts.  Over the past few days, TCS and RIL have  This initiative is aimed at helping people in been locked in a tussle to grab the top spot in the worst-hit parts of the State recover. market rankings.  The bank will set up medical camps and  The m-cap figure of companies changes rebuild affected health centres; support the daily with stock price movement. renovation/reconstruction of local schools; and impart skills training to families to Infosys CFO Ranganath resigns restore livelihoods as part of the initiative. Infosys Chief Financial Officer LVB ties up with HDFC Ergo to offer general MD Ranganath, a insurance products veteran of nearly Lakshmi Vilas Bank(LVB) announced its tie-up two decades at with HDFC Ergo general insurance company. India’s second-  The tie-up will enable HDFC ERGO to sell largest software its general insurance products across 560+ services company, has abruptly stepped down from branches and 7 extension counters spread his position. across eighteen states and a Union Territory  Jayesh Sanghrajka, deputy CFO at Infosys, in the country. is likely to replace Ranganath as the  The partnership will help LVB to offer company’s next finance chief. comprehensive financial solutions to their customers under one roof. NPCI launches UPI 2.0 with overdraft facility The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) REC inks pact with German bank for 200 mn has launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) 2.0, euro loan which among others allows customers to link their State run Rural Electrification Corporation said it overdraft account to UPI. has inked a loan agreement with German bank KfW  UPI is a system that powers multiple bank for EUR 200 million facility that would be used to accounts into a single mobile application. finance clean energy projects in India.  NPCI is an umbrella organization for all  This is REC's fourth line of credit under retail payments in India. UPI version 1 was Indo-German development cooperation launched in April 2016. which REC will utilise to finance renewable energy projects in India. HAL becomes first PSU to transact on TReDS The Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL) said TCS overtakes RIL to become most valued Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has become the first Indian company

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public sector enterprise to make a transaction on the Andhra Pradesh government has signed a "TReDS platform". memorandum of understanding (MoU) with  TReDS is an online electronic institutional electronics giant, Holytech. mechanism for facilitating the financing of  Under the terms of the agreement, Holytech trade receivables of micro, small and will set up its plant in 75 acres land in medium enterprises (MSME) through Tirupati and Chittoor districts, against an multiple financiers. investment of Rs. 1400 crores.

Finance Commission of India holds second Nearby technologies to start bill payments consultation with economists through BBPS with Yes Bank Finance Commission held its second consultation Fintech startup Nearby Technologies in partnership with the leading economists at YASHDA, Pune on with Yes Bank has gone live with Bharat Bill 21st August 2018. Payments, the telecom bill payments ecosystem  16 eminent economists and domain experts managed by National Payments Corp of India. including Dr. Vijay Kelkar attended the meet  Registered as an agent institution for Bharat and enlightened the Commission with their Bill Payment System powered by Yes Bank, views. Nearby Technologies enables lakhs of  Chairman Sh. N.K.Singh highlighted the retailers and merchants to offer bill payment changed economic scenario post abolition of service to their customers on the PayNearby Planning Commission which has altered the app. traditional system of resource allocation and  The PayNearby app has more than 1 lakh consequently abolition of distinction retail stores across India and they in turn between Plan and Non-Plan funds. have the potential to serve more than 2.2 crore customers. ICICI Bank announces partnership with Manchester United Bajaj Allianz General, Vijaya Bank enter ICICI Bank, India’s private sector bank, has agreed bancassurance tie-up to a multi-year partnership with Manchester United, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has entered into a bringing a range of competitive co-branded credit bancassurance deal with Vijaya Bank. and debit card to the club’s 35 million Indian  This corporate agency agreement will enable followers. distribution of Bajaj Allianz General  The Bank will be offering fans of the club Insurance products through the bank’s two types of credit card – Manchester United network of 2,129 branches across the Platinum Credit Card and Signature Credit country. Card.  Under this strategic tie-up, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will offer personal lines of Andhra govt, Holytech sign MoU insurance products such as health, personal accident, home, motor and travel along with a commercial line of insurance products.

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PSU banks’ NPAs decline by Rs 1.29 lakh crore  This agreement will take effect immediately, in FY18 with new experiences available to customers Public sector banks' non-performing assets declined that are designed to drive incremental digital by Rs 1,28,229 crore in FY18 due to write-offs, spend. including compromise settlement.  This is about 60 per cent higher vis-a-vis the BLS acquires SBI business correspondent Starfin year ago period. India  This was stated by Shiv Pratap Shukla, BLS E-Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BLS Minister of State for Finance in a written International Services, has acquired Delhi-based reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. banking business correspondent Starfin India for an undisclosed sum. SBI in top 53 banks in the world  Starfin India, a business correspondent (BC) Public sector State Bank of India (SBI) has reached to State Bank of India (SBI), has more than 53rd position in the category of world’s top banks. 1,500 active customer service centres across  Finance Minister Piyush Goyal gave this 11 States. information in response to a supplementary  It also holds a national licence for the BC question in the Lok Sabha. business.  He said that according to SBI, this information was given in the July edition of HDFC Bank Dy MD Paresh Sukthankar resigns 'The Banker' published by International Private sector HDFC Bank’s Deputy Managing Financial Affairs Publications. Director Paresh Sukthankar has resigned amid  He said that SBI's associate State Bank of speculation that he may be joining as the chief of Hyderabad, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank another lender. of Jaipur and Bikaner etc. were merged with  Sukthankar was widely perceived as a it, after the merger of 6950 branches in the potential successor to HDFC Bank’s CEO bank. and Managing Director Aditya Puri, who is likely to retire by October 2020. PayPal enters into pact with HDFC Bank Global technology UAE top source of inward remittances in 2016- platform and digital 17: RBI payments leader, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as PayPal, and HDFC the top source of inward remittances, while Kerala Bank, the largest credit card issuer in India, have has received the maximum funds sent from abroad, entered into a partnership. according to the Reserve Bank of India’s survey of  It will result in a safer, faster and more inward remittances for 2016-17. convenient payment experience for HDFC  UAE’s share in total remittances was 26.9%, Bank cardholders and help drive incremental followed by the United States (22.9%), Saudi digital spend. Arabia (11.6%), Qatar (6.5%) and Kuwait (5.5%).

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 According to the survey, 82% of the total PNB scam: Govt dismisses Usha remittances received by India originated Ananthasubramanian from service from eight countries — UAE, the U.S., Saudi Nearly three months after Allahabad Bank divested Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United its MD & CEO Usha Ananthasubramanian from all Kingdom and Malaysia. functional responsibilities, the government has  Among destinations, Kerala has the highest dismissed her from service. share with 19%, followed by Maharashtra  Ananthasubramanian is the former CEO & (16.7%), Karnataka (15%), Tamil Nadu managing director of scam hit Punjab (8%) and Delhi (5.9%). National Bank.  Ananthasubramanian was named in a CBI Blockchain: Exim Bank signs MoU with BRICS charge-sheet in the Rs 14,000 crore PNB development banks fraud. Exim Bank of India has signed a multilateral  She was to superannuate on 13 August but cooperation agreement with member development has been dismissed from the service. banks of BRICS to undertake “collaborative research” in distributed ledger/blockchain IRDA constitutes working group to review technology. surveyors norms  The MoU was an outcome of the discussions Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority the member development banks had during of India (IRDAI) constituted a 7 member working their annual meeting. group for norms regarding insurance surveyors.  The BRICS grouping comprises Brazil,  The group will be headed by Yegna Priya Russia, India, China and South Africa. Bharat, Chief General Manager (Nonlife), IRDAI. Amazon inks MoU with UP govt to boost MSME  The group will work in the areas pertaining entrepreneurs to licensing, renewal and others as per the E-commerce major existing regulatory framework for Surveyors Amazon India has and Loss Assessors. signed an MoU with  It will submit its report with the Uttar Pradesh recommendations within six weeks. government to support MSME entrepreneurs across nine districts as a part Digital payments set to become a trillion-dollar of the state's One District One Product (ODOP) market in next five years scheme. The digital payments market In India is expected to  Amazon India through its Kala Haat grow to US $ 1 trillion by 2023 led by growth in programme will help traditional industries. mobile payments, presenting huge business  Under the programme, a wide range of opportunities for players in the digital space. Mobile benefits will be offered to 300 MSME sellers payments are slated to rise from $ 10 billion in 2017- registered under UP government's ODOP 18 to $ 190 billion by 2023. scheme.

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 These estimates are based on a study of adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 6.5 Credit Suisse and have been mentioned in a per cent. booklet titled ‘Digital Payment: Trends,  Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the Issues and Opportunities’, launched by Mr. LAF stands adjusted to 6.25 per cent, and the Ratan P. Watal, Principal Advisor, NITI marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Aayog and Member Secretary, EACPM, at a Bank Rate to 6.75 per cent. conference organised by FICCI and NITI Aayog. TRAI calls for zero telecom equipment imports  This is the 2nd annual edition of the booklet by 2022 on Digital Payments which was published in The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) July 2017. recommended the setting up of a Rs. 1,000 crore fund for promoting research and innovation in the Indo-German Government to Government communication sector. Umbrella Agreements The Government to Government Umbrella Cabinet okay 51% stake for LIC in IDBI Agreement on Financial Cooperation and Technical The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval Cooperation 2017 under the Indo-German Bilateral to the government’s decision to reduce its stake in Development Cooperation were signed in New IDBI Bank below 50%, with Life Insurance Delhi. Corporation raising stake in the bank to 51%.  Government to Government Umbrella  The boards of IDBI Bank and LIC have both Agreement on Financial Cooperation was given their approval for the deal. signed to formalise an amount of up to Euro  The Union Cabinet has approved conveying 610 million Reduced Interest Loan (RIL) and of no objection to reduction in Government Euro 5.5 million Financial grant and the of India shareholding in IDBI Bank Limited Government to Government Umbrella to below 50% by dilution,” Agreement on Technical Cooperation was signed to formalise an amount of up to Euro Telangana, Tech Mahindra ink MoU for India’s 38.20 million Technical grant for various first Blockchain district projects mainly in the field of Energy, Tech Mahindra and the Telangana government Environment and Urban Development. signed an agreement to establish the Blockchain  Hence, the total amount formalized through district, a first-of-its-kind Centre of Excellence for Umbrella Agreements is Euro 653.7 million Blockchain. (approx. Rs. 5253 crore).  Blockchain is the fledgling technology that promises to change the way people and RBI hikes Repo rate by 25 base points businesses transact, providing convenience On the basis of an assessment of the current and and security. evolving macroeconomic situation at its meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to RBI bars Fino Payments Bank from enroling new increase the policy repo rate under the liquidity customers

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Fino Payments Bank, one of India’s first payments respective State federations will take the banks, has been barred by the Reserve Bank of India lead. from adding new customers since the end of May.  Gujarat is the first State in the country to  The central bank in its auditing of payments have an UO for the UCB sector. banks in May found Fino Payments non- compliant with the operational guidelines Apple Inc became the first $1 trillion publicly laid down by it. listed U.S. company  According to RBI’s operating guidelines for Apple Inc became the first $1 trillion publicly listed payments banks, a customer can make U.S. company, crowning a decade-long rise fueled deposits of up to Rs 1 lakh per account in a by its ubiquitous iPhone. year.  The tech company's stock jumped 2.8  Such banks cannot accept deposits beyond percent to as high as $207.05. this limit.   Started in the garage of co-founder Steve France’s IDEMIA gets NPCI stamp for RuPay Jobs in 1976, Apple has pushed its revenue cards beyond the economic outputs of Portugal, French company IDEMIA, a global leader in New Zealand and other countries. augmented identity, said it has become the first company to be given the certification to manufacture Japan pips China to become world's second- and personalise RuPay chip contact and contactless largest stock market cards on the qSPARC v2 platform. Japan has  The qSPARC is a dual interface open loop pipped China payment specification, with the option of as the world's loading multiple payment applications on a number two single card. stock market, a Bloomberg report said.  The certification is issued by the National  Now, the Chinese market was worth $6.09 Payments Corporation of India, after testing trillion next to Japan's $6.17 trillion. all payment scenarios.  Both markets are ranked after the US which is the world's largest at just over $31 trillion. ‘Umbrella Organisation’ to revive Urban Co-op  China lost to Japan after Chinese stocks and Banking currency fell this year amid a trade spat with India’s co-operative banking sector is set to undergo the US. a transformation with the concept of Umbrella Organisation (UO) of Urban Co-operative Banks PM Modi to launch India Post Payments Bank on (UCBs) seen as an answer to issues plaguing the Aug 21 sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 21 will  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launch long-awaited India Post Payments Bank allowed non-fund-based umbrella (IPPB) that will have at least one branch in every organisations at State levels, where district and focus on financial services in rural areas.

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 IPPB will leverage reach of 1.55 lakh post Scott Morrison is new Australian PM office branches to provide banking and Scott Morrison has become Australia's new prime financial service to people in rural area. minister after Malcolm Turnbull was forced out by  Last week, IPPB CEO Suresh Sethi said that party rivals in a bruising leadership contest. IPPB will go live with 650 branches in  Mr Morrison, the treasurer, won an internal addition to 3,250 access points co-located at ballot 45-40 over former Home Affairs post offices and around 11,000 postmen both Minister Peter Dutton - who had been Mr in rural and urban area will provide doorstep Turnbull's most vocal threat. banking services.  Mr Turnbull is the fourth Australian PM in a decade to be ousted by colleagues. Indra Nooyi ends 12-year run as PepsiCo’s CEO Indra Nooyi is stepping down as chief executive U K Varma appointed Assocham Secretary officer (CEO) of food and beverage giant PepsiCo. General  Nooyi, 62, will leave the role in October and Industry chamber Assocham has appointed former remain chairman until early 2019. bureaucrat Uday Kumar Varma as its new Secretary  Ramon Laguarta, 54, who has been a General. candidate to take over since a promotion last  He succeeds DS Rawat who held the position year to president, will be just the sixth CEO for nearly 14 years, Assocham said in a in the 53-year history of the company. statement.  Varma was retired from the position of Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India on June 30, 2013.

Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy appointed DRDO Chief Ganga Prasad sworn in as Sikkim Governor The Government has Ganga Prasad has sworn in as the 16th Governor of appointed eminent Sikkim at a function held at Raj Bhawan. scientist Dr. G. Satheesh  Justice Meenakshi M Rai, Acting Chief Reddy as the Chairman of Justice of High Court of Sikkim, the Defence Research and administered the oath of office to Prasad. Development  Ganga Prasad has served as a Member of Organisation (DRDO). Legislative Council of Bihar for 18 years.  The top post of the DRDO had been vacant  Ganga Prasad succeeds Shriniwas Patil as since May after the then Chief Dr. S. the 16th Governor of Sikkim. Christopher stepped down.

 A missile scientist, Dr. Reddy was holding Maurya sworn in as new U'khand governor charge as the Scientific Advisor to the Baby Rani Maurya was sworn in as the new Defence Minister and also as Director governor of Uttarakhand. General of the strategic missiles division.

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 The oath of office and secrecy was Ramesh Powar Appointed Head Coach Of Indian administered to Maurya by the acting Chief Women's Team Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court Rajiv Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar was Sharma. officially appointed head coach of the India women's  Maurya, a former mayor of Agra, was team, until ICC World Twenty20. nominated as governor of Uttarakhand on  The 40-year-old Powar was initially August 21. appointed interim coach last month.  She replaces Krishna Kant Paul whose five-  Powar carries the experience of figuring in 2 year tenure ended recently. Tests and 31 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for India. Satya Tripathi appointed Assistant Secretary- General & Head of New York Office of UNEP Ashish Kumar Bhutani appointed CEO of PM UN Secretary General António Guterres has crop insurance scheme appointed veteran Indian development economist Senior bureaucrat Satya S Tripathi as Assistant Secretary-General and Ashish Kumar Head of the New York Office of the United Nations Bhutani has been Environment Programme (UNEP). appointed Chief  Tripathi, who will succeed Elliott Harris of Executive Officer Trinidad and Tobago, has since 2017 served (CEO) of Pradhan as Senior Adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Mantri Fasal Sustainable Development at UNEP. Bima Yojana  Tripathi has worked for the United Nations (PMFBY). since 1998 in Europe, Asia and Africa on  Bhutani, a 1992 batch IAS officer of Assam- strategic assignments. Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed to the post till May 9, 2020. Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as new  Launched in 2016, the PMFBY is in line with Zimbabwe President one nation – one scheme theme. Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken the oath as Zimbabwe's president, after winning last month's D Bala Venkatesh Varma appointed Ambassador bitterly contested election that marked the country's to Russia first vote since Robert Mugabe was removed from Senior diplomat D Bala Venkatesh Varma was power. appointed as India's next ambassador to Russia.  Mnangagwa pledged to “protect and  Varma, a 1988 batch Indian Foreign Service promote the rights of Zimbabweans” in his officer, is currently serving as Indian envoy oath. in Spain.  He took the oath before Chief Justice Luke  He will succeed Pankaj Saran who has been Malaba. appointed deputy National Security Advisor.

Imran Khan to take oath as Pakistan's 22nd PM

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 Accordingly, T.N. Manoharan will continue Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan will today to be non-executive chairman of Canara take oath as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan.The Bank for a period of 2 years and G. oath-taking ceremony will begin at around 9.15 am Padmanabhan will continue at Bank of India (local time). for a similar period.  Khan won a simple majority in Pakistan's National Assembly with 176 votes, beating Seven states get new governors, Malik replaces his rival Shahbaz Sharif who got 96 votes. Vohra in J&K  A member of the National Assembly needs President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed seven 172 votes to become prime minister-elect. new governors, the most significant of which was the appointment of Bihar’s governor Satya Pal Malik Mario Abdo Benitez sworn in as the 50th as the new governor of Jammu and Kashmir. President of Paraguay The appointment is crucial for the state as it is under Mario Abdo Benitez took office as Paraguay's 50th President’s rule. president, four months after playing down close The other appointments include: family ties with the South American country's late  Lalji Tandon: Bihar dictator to win a tight election race.  Satyadev Narayan Arya: Haryana  The 46-year-old conservative took the oath  Baby Rani Maurya: Uttarakhand. of office at a ceremony in the capital  Ganga Prasad: Sikkim Asuncion, attended by hundreds of  Tathagata Roy: Meghalaya dignitaries including seven heads of state.  Kaptan Singh Solanki: Tripura.

Keita re-elected Mali president Govt appoints S Gurumurthy on RBI board Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been The government has re-elected for a five-year term after winning appointed Chartered election. Accountant Swaminathan  The elections have been closely watched Gurumurthy, who is abroad, as Mali is a linchpin state in the associated with the jihadist insurgency raging in the Sahel. Rashtriya Swayamsevak  Keita picked up 67.17% of the vote against Sangh affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch, on the 32.83% for former finance minister board of the Reserve Bank of India. Soumaila Cisse.  The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment as non-official Chairmen of Canara Bank, Bank of India get director on the central board of the RBI for a extension period of four years. The government has extended the terms of office of  He is also the editor of Tamil magazine non-executive chairmen of 2 public sector banks – Thuglak. Canara Bank and Bank of India.

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NDA’s Harivansh Narayan Singh elected as  He has been appointed for a period of three Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman years, or until on attaining the age of 60 NDA candidate and JD(U) leader Harivansh years, or until further orders, wherever is the Narayan Singh was elected as the Deputy Chairman earlier. of the Rajya Sabha.  Harivansh got 125 votes as against Jammu and Kashmir gets first woman Chief opposition’s BK Hariprasad who polled 105 Justice in the House with a majority mark of 119. Justice Gita Mittal took oath as the first woman  The election was necessitated after former Chief Justice of Jammu And Kashmir High Court. Deputy Chairperson and Congress leader PJ  The ceremony was administered by Kurien retired from the House on July 1. Governor Narinder Nath Vohra at Srinagar.  Mittal had been previously appointed as the Rekha Sharma appointed chairperson of NCW Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on NCW member Rekha Sharma, who recently stoked April 14, 2017, after the retirement of Chief a controversy by suggesting abolition of confessions Justice Gorla Rohini. in churches, has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Commission for Women. Justice M R Shah sworn in as Chief Justice of  Sharma, 54, was earlier a member of the Patna HC Commission and was holding the additional Justice Mukesh R Shah was t sworn in as the Chief charge of chairperson after Lalitha Justice of Patna High Court in Patna. Kumaramangalam demitted office in  Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik September last year. administered the oath of office to Justice Shah at the Raj Bhavan. TRAI chairman gets two year extension  Justice Shah was a judge of the Gujarat High The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has Court before his appointment as the Chief extended the term of Telecom Regulatory Authority Justice of Patna High Court. (TRAI) Chairman R.S. Sharma till September 2020.  His term was to end this week. New Chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for  Sharma was appointed TRAI chief for three Electricity years in July 2015. Before that he was Smt. Justice Manjula Secretary to the Department of Electronics Chellur took Oath as and Information Technology. Chairperson, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Dr. R. G Anand appointed Member, National Ministry of Power. Commission for Protection of Child Rights  Prior to this, The Government of India has appointed Dr. R. G Smt. Justice Anand as Member, National Commission for Manjula Chellur Protection of Child Rights with effect from 13th July was Chief Justice of Bombay High Court. 2018.

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 She was the first woman Chief Justice of approved the appointment of Mr. Birla and Calcutta High Court. Mr. Deveshwar as non-official independent directors in Air India for a period of three Akshay Kumar Becomes Brand Ambassador for years. Road Safety Campaigns Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, GST Council sets up committee to look at MSME Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and grievances Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari launched To address the issues, challenges and concerns of the three short films for generating public awareness Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the towards road safety. apex decision making body of GST Council in its  Film actor Shri Akshay Kumar has featured 29th meeting has decided to create a sub-committee in these films, which are directed by Shri headed by MoS Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla to look R.Balki. into various issues and submit a report.  In a function attended by MoS Shri Mansukh  The committee will consist of Manish L Mandavia in New Delhi, Shri Gadkari Sisodia, Sushil Modi, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced the appointment of Shri Akshay Thomas Isaac and Manpreet Badal. Kumar as Road Safety Brand Ambassador.  The issues discussed today would be taken up in detail and presented before the full Anandiben Patel given additional charge as GST Council at a later date. governor of Chhattisgarh President Ram Nath Kovind today gave Madhya India elected president of Asia-Pacific Institute Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel additional for Broadcasting Development charge of Chhattisgarh following the demise of India has been Balramji Dass Tandon. elected as the  Patel will discharge the additional duties President of the until the regular arrangements for the office Asia-Pacific of governor of Chhattisgarh are made. Institute for Broadcasting Development Kumar Mangalam Birla, Y.C. Deveshwar (AIBD) for a period of two years. appointed non-official directors in Air India  India got elected against Iran during voting Renowned industrialists Kumar Mangalam Birla which took place at the 44th annual gathering and Y.C. Deveshwar were appointed as non-official of AIBD in Colombo. independent directors in Air India.  Director General of All India Radio F.  It is perhaps for the first time that big Sheheryar was re-elected as chair of the industrialists like them have been named on executive board while Sri Lanka was elected the board of a public sector enterprise. as vice-chair.  The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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course of medical research, and is one of the largest prizes in medicine and science in the U.S. It was founded by the late philanthropist Indra Nooyi to be honored with Asia Society’s Morris "Marty" Silverman. Game Changer of the Year 2018 award PepsiCo’s India- Delhi government official wins WHO award on born CEO Indra tobacco control initiative Nooyi will be An official of the Delhi government's health honoured with the department has been awarded the prestigious WHO Game Changer of World No Tobacco Day 2018 Award for his the Year award by a extraordinary contribution towards tobacco control. global cultural organisation in recognition of her  Additional Director of Health, SK Arora was business achievements, humanitarian record and presented the award by Henk Bekedam, advocacy for women and girls around the world. WHO India Country Head at a gathering on  The 2018 Asia Game Changer Awards will August 16. be given in October to individuals and  According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey- institutions who have broken barriers and in 2 (GATS 2, 2016-17), the prevalence of inspired their fellow citizens of the world. tobacco use has reduced by 27 per cent in  Nooyi has this month announced she would Delhi as compared to 17 per cent for the rest be stepping down as CEO of PepsiCo after of India on an average. 12 years at the helm. General Suhag awarded US ‘Legion of Merit’ 2018 Albany Medical Center Prize awarded to The United States government has awarded the James Allison, Carl June and Steven Rosenberg Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) to General Three scientists whose work in the fledgling field of Dalbir Singh Suhag (Retired), of the Indian Army, immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment for exceptionally meritorious service as chief of the are the recipients of this year's Albany Medical Army staff, Indian Army. Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research.  The award was presented to General Suhag  The 2018 awardees hail from around the on August 17, 2018, at Pentagon, nation: James P. Allison, of the University of Washington DC. Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in  The Legion of Merit to General Dalbir Singh Houston; Carl June, of the University at was announced by the US Government in Pennsylvania's Perelman School of March 2016. Medicine in Philadelphia; and Steven A. Rosenberg, of the National Institutes of Gopal Krishna Gandhi to get Rajiv Gandhi Health's National Cancer Institute in Sadbhavana Award Maryland. Former West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna  The $500,000 award has been given annually Gandhi has been selected for this year's Rajiv since 2001 to those who have altered the Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award.

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 It was decided in the meeting held on July 28 Kambaku won the Governor’s Cup that the 24th Rajiv Gandhi National The winner is owned Goodwill Award will be given to by Rajagiri Rubber & Gopalakrishna Gandhi for the contributions Produce Co. Ltd rep by. made to promote communal unity, peace and Mr. Dilip Thomas and harmony. trained by Arjun  Rajiv Gandhi National Goodwill Award is Mangalorkar. given on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

President of India Presents Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for the years 2013-2017 Jhulan Goswami announces retirement from The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, T20I presented the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award Veteran Indian for the years 2013-2017 in New Delhi. women's team Speaking on the occasion, the President pacer Jhulan congratulated all those being conferred with the Goswami has Outstanding Parliamentarian Award. announced her  Smt Najma Heptulla: 2013 retirement from  Shri Hukmdev Narayan Yadav: 2014 T20 Internationals, effectively ruling her out for the  Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad: 2015 ICC World T20 in West Indies in November.  Shri Dinesh Trivedi: 2016  She played 68 T20 Internationals and took 56  Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab: 2017 wickets at an economy rate of 5.45.  The 35-year-old will only play ODIs, in Indian-origin mathematician Akshay Venkatesh which format she is the world's highest gets prestigious Fields Medal wicket-taker with 200 scalps from 169 Akshay Venkatesh, a renowned Indian-Australian games. mathematician, is one of four winners of mathematics’ prestigious Fields medal, known as Neeraj Chopra wins India's first javelin gold the Nobel Prize for math. medal in Asian Games history  New Delhi-born Venkatesh, 36, who is Neeraj Chopra continued his impressive run in 2018 currently teaching at Stanford University, as he bagged gold in men's javelin throw at the 2018 has won the Fields Medal for his profound Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang. contributions to an exceptionally broad  Chopra managed a personal best throw of range of subjects in mathematics. 88.06 to win the top prize in javelin throw.  The Fields medals are awarded every four  This was also India's first-ever gold medal in years to the most promising mathematicians javelin throw at the Asian Games and the under the age of 40. first medal in the sport since 1982, where India bagged bronze.

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Nihal Sarin becomes India’s 53rd Grandmaster capital of Jakarta and Palembang, the capital Nihal Sarin of the South Sumatra province. became India’s  Also for the first time, eSports and canoe 53rd polo will be contested as demonstration Grandmaster sports. after attaining  Motto of the games is “Energy of Asia”. his third and  There will be 465 events in 40 sports. final GM-norm in the Abu Dhabi Masters.  Having already reached the stipulated rating Asian Games 2018: Wrestler Bajrang Punia of 2500, Sarin has now met the requirements Wins Gold to be a Grandmaster. ajrang Punia opened India's gold medal account at the 2018 Asian Games, bringing smiles and relief to Pakistan Cricketer Nasir Jamshed Banned For the Indian camp which was jolted by the early exit 10 Years For Spot-Fixing of star wrestler Sushil Kumar. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handed a 10-  An in-form Bajrang won his maiden Asian year ban to Nasir Jamshed on 17 August. Games gold in the 65kg category.  The ban was imposed by the board's Anti-  In the final, he was tested by Japan's Corruption Tribunal for his involvement in Takatani Daichi but Bajrang held his nerves the spot-fixing row during the Pakistan to prevail 11-8 in an exciting battle. Super League (PSL) 2016-17 season.  The ban means Jamshed will be out from any India Win SAFF Under-15 Women’s Football form of cricket during the aforementioned Championship period. The Indian women’s team were crowned champions  Jamshed was banned for the second time in of the SAFF U-15 Championship after defeating the last two years. defending champions Bangladesh by a solitary goal.  Sunita Munda’s strike in the 67th minute 2018 Asian Games to be inaugurated on 18 made all the difference between the two August teams. The 2018 Asian  The final was played at the Changlimithang Games, officially Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan. known as the 18th Asian Games and also Novak Djokovic wins Cincinnati Masters with known as Jakarta over Roger Federer Palembang 2018, is a Former world number one Novak Djokovic became pan-Asian multi-sport event scheduled to be held the first player to win all nine Masters 1,000 from 18 August to 2 September 2018 in the tournaments with victory over Roger Federer in Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang. Cincinnati.  For the first time, the Asian Games are being co-hosted in two cities; the Indonesian

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 The 31-year-old Serb, a five-time runner-up Neeraj Chopra to be India’s flag-bearer at Asian at the event, beat seven-time champion Games opening ceremony Federer 6-4 6-4. Javelin thrower  Wimbledon champion Djokovic had lost the star Neeraj Cincinnati final to the Swiss on three Chopra will be previous occasions. India’s flag bearer in the opening Asian Games 2018: Vinesh Phogat Wins Gold ceremony of the Vinesh Phogat won the gold medal and the country's upcoming Asian fifth medal at the ongoing 2018 Asian Games. Games 2018.  Vinesh Phogat beat Japan's Yuki Irie in  Chopra, who won the gold medal in Women's Freestyle 50 kg gold medal match. Commonwealth Games 2018 event in Gold  She is also the first female gold medal Coast earlier this year, will lead India’s winner of India at the Asiad. contingent in the multi-sport event.  The announcement was made by Indian Saurabh Chaudhary becomes India's youngest Olympic Association (IOA) president Asian Games gold medallist Narinder Batra during the send-off ceremony Saurabh Chaudhary, all of 16, became the youngest organised for the Indian contingent. Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal as he trumped a field comprising multiple world and Gerard Pique announces retirement from Spain Olympic champions in the 10m air pistol finals. national team  Chaudhary aggregated 240.7 to finish at the Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed that top and become the fifth Indian shooter to he is stepping down from international football win an Asian Games gold. following a disappointing World Cup for Spain.  The seasoned Sanjeev Rajput then won the  Pique has accumulated 102 caps for his silver in the 50m rifle 3 positions. national team.  Among the centre-back's international PV Sindhu 7th highest paid female athlete in the honours are the 2010 World Cup and a Euro world: Forbes 2012 winner's medal. PV Sindhu broke into the top 10 paid female athletes list in the world, according to an annual list Nadal downs Tsitsipas to win Toronto Masters published by Forbes. Rafael Nadal held off a late surge from Stefanos  Sindhu, at 7th, is the only Indian female Tsitsipas to claim the 80th title of his career with athlete in the top 10 list, that is victory at the Toronto Masters. predominantly dominant by tennis players.  Nadal overcame a second set fightback from  The list is headed by Serena Williams for the Greek youngster Tsitsipas to claim a 6-2, 7- third consecutive year. 6 (7/4) victory in just under 1hr 45mins.

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 The win gave the 32-year-old Spaniard a record-extending 33rd trophy at the elite Masters level as well as his 80th title. Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar passes away Gaganjeet Bhullar claims his first European Veteran journalist Tour title and former Rajya Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar fired a sizzling six- Sabha member under 66 in the final round to claim the Fiji Kuldip Nayar International title, his first win on the European passed away after Tour. a brief illness. He  Bhullar, 30, thus became the most successful was 95. Indian player on Asian Tour and the first  Mr. Nayar Indian to win on Australasia Tour. was known for his stand against the Indira  This was his ninth Asian Tour and 10th Gandhi government during the Emergency international title. as the Editor of The Statesman.  He was arrested for his vocal protest during Badminton World C’ships: Carolina Marin the time. Beats PV Sindhu in Final Carolina Marin has Noted Malayalam film director Haridas passes beaten PV Sindhu 21- away 19, 21-10 in the Noted Malayalam film director K K Haridas passed women’s singles final away following some heart related ailments. He was at the Badminton 55. World  Haridas, born in Mailapra in Pathanamthitta Championships. district, had directed about 20 movies,giving  Marin is the first women’s player to win more importance to comedy. three World Championship golds.  This is Sindhu’s second silver medal in two Former cricketer Gopal Bose passes away years after she lost the final in 2017 as well. Former Bengal cricketer Gopal Bose who also played a single ODI for India has passed away in Teenage Saudi gamer wins FIFA eWorld Cup London. He was 71. An 18-year old Saudi national has been crowned  Gopal Bose, known for his ability to play champion of the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final, long innings played 78 first class matches taking home the competition’s $250,000 prize. with an average of 30.79.  The gamer, Mosaad Aldossary, won 4-0 on  He also took 72 wickets in first class cricket. aggregate against Belgium’s Stefano Pinna  For India, he played a lone ODI against in the two-legged final. England in Oval where he scored 13 runs.

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South Indian actor-politician Harikrishna dies in A man of masses, veteran leader and Former Prime car crash Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed Actor-politician Nandamuri Harikrishna, son of away in New Delhi. The 93-year-old veteran leader Telugu cinema giant and thrice chief minister of breathed his last at 5.05 PM at AIIMS where he was undivided Andhra Pradesh N T Ramarao, died in a admitted for treatment. car crash in Telengana's Nalgonda district. He was  Atal Bihari Vajpayee's legacy as Prime 62. Minister is a rich one that will be  He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from remembered and cherished even a decades undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2008 but later. It included the Pokhran-2 nuclear tests, resigned in 2013 to protest the state's astute and forward-looking economic bifurcation and creation of Telangana. policies, massive infrastructure projects like the development of national highways are Former India Test captain Ajit Wadekar some of them. passes away  He became the prime minister for the first Former India Test captain Ajit Wadekar, who led the time in 1996. country to its first win in England in 1971, passed  He took over as the Prime Minister of India away at 77 after a prolonged illness. for the second time in March 1998 but lost a  Wadekar made his debut in 1966 against the trust vote in October 1999. West Indies and went on to represent India in  Under his leadership, the BJP-led NDA won 37 Tests and two one-day internationals. the elections in 1999 and he was sworn in as  He was one of the few cricketers to represent the prime minister for the third term. the country as a Test player, captain, coach and also went on to become the chairman of Aretha Franklin, 'Queen of Soul', dies aged 76 selectors. Aretha Franklin, the “queen of soul” known for hits  Wadekar was honoured with the Padma Shri like Respect and Think, has died in Detroit at the age in 1972. of 76.  Franklin won 18 Grammys, and had 17 Top Asian Games gold medallist Hakam Singh passes Ten US chart hits over a music career away spanning seven decades. Asian Games gold medallist athlete Hakam Singh Former UN chief Kofi Annan passes away at 80 passed away at a private hospital in Sangrur, Punjab. Former United Nations chief and Nobel Peace Prize He was 64. laureate General Kofi Annan passed away at the age  Singh won gold in 20 km race walk event of 80, following a short illness. during the 1978 Asiad at Bangkok.  Annan, a Ghanaian national, died in hospital  The Dhyan Chand awardee had also served in Bern, Switzerland. as Havaldar in the 6 Sikh regiment.  Annan was the first black African to assume the office of world’s top diplomat, serving Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away at two terms as secretary-general from January 93 1, 1997 to December 31, 2006.

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 He later also served as the UN special envoy Anant Bajaj, business magnate and the only son of for conflict-ridden Syria. Bajaj Electricals Chairman Shekhar Bajaj passed  In 2001, Annan and the UN were jointly away. awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  According to reports, Bajaj, who was 41 years of age, suffered a cardiac arrest around Former MP Chennupati Vidya dies of heart in Mumbai. attack  Bajaj was the managing director of Bajaj Former member of Lok Electricals and was appointed on the post Sabha, Chennupati two months ago. Vidya died of heart attack due to age-related Nobel Laurate VS Naipaul passes away ailments. Nobel Laureate writer VS Naipaul has passed away  Vidya (84) was on August 11 at the age of 85. elected to the  He was a Trinidadian by birth, an Indian by Parliament as a Congress candidate from descent and in terms of citizenship he was Vijayawada constituency in 1980 and in British. 1989.  Some of his notable books are A House for Mr Biswas, Guerrillas, The Middle Passage Senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat dies etc. at 63 Gurudas Kamat, former Union minister and senior Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee Congress leader, passed away after suffering a passes away cardiac arrest. He was 63. Former Lok Sabha Speaker and veteran communist  He served in the UPA 2 government as MoS leader Somnath Chatterjee passed away at the age of Ministry of Home Affairs and MoS Ministry eighty-nine in Kolkata. of Communications and Information  A 10-time Lok Sabha MP, Chatterjee was a Technology. central committee member of the CPI(M), which he had joined in 1968. DMK chief M Karunanidhi passes away  He was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from DMK chief Karunanidhi passed away at the age of 2004 to 2009 during the UPA-I regime. 94 after battling a prolonged illness at the Kauvery hospital. Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon  Following the demise of former Tamil Nadu passes away chief minister M Karunanidhi, the state Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon passed government has declared a public holiday on away after suffering a heart attack in Dr B R August 8. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur. He was 90.  Tandon was one of the founding members of Anant Bajaj of Bajaj Electricals passes away at the Jan Sangh which later became the BJP. 41

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 He became the governor of Chhattisgarh in Videshi Mind Set in Modern India', written July 2014 and had served on various other by Prof. Rama Krishna Rao, in posts including the Deputy Chief Minister of Vishakhapattanam, Andhra Pradesh. Punjab.  The Vice President said that the book highlights the distinct difference or Veteran screenwriter Jalees Sherwani disconnect between native Indian ethos and passes away present state. Jalees Sherwani, who had penned Atal Ji Ne Kaha: A book on Vajpayee launched lyrics for several “Atal Ji Ne Kaha” is the films like Dabangg, latest of the books on Wanted and Tere former Prime Minister Naam, passed Atal Bihari Vajpayee away. He was 70. launched with a  Apart from writing dialogues for Sangam message by Prime and Loafer, Sherwani also penned lyrics for Minister Narendra films like Partner, Hello, Garv and Hello Modi, who says the life Brother. of the stalwart from Jana Sangh days to “sanyas” from politics in 2007 is Escorts Group chairman Rajan Nanda dead a golden document, dedicated to the nation. Escorts Group chairman Rajan Nanda passed away  Authored and compiled by Brijendra Rehi, at the age of 76 on 5 August. noted Doordarshan producer, senior  Escorts Group is an Indian engineering journalist and then advisor to the former company that operates in the sectors of agri- Highways Minister C P Joshi, the 320-page machinery, construction and material book is a rich repository of the former Prime handling equipment, and railway equipment. Minister’s select speeches and photographs besides having three interviews by the author.

RK Singh releases book on “Weather Information Portal for Indian Power System” Vice President Releases Book 'Colonial Shri R K Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and Syndrome: The Videshi Mind Set in Modern New & Renewable Energy visited Power System India' Operation Corporation limited (POSOCO), and The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah released a book on “Weather Information Portal for Naidu has said that Share and Care is the core Indian Power System”. philosophy of our nation.  This reference document has been developed  He was addressing the gathering after by POSOCO in collaboration with IMD to releasing the Book 'Colonial Syndrome: The

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facilitate enhanced utilization of Weather Dr. Mahesh Sharma releases 3 books at IGNCA, Portal in all spheres of Power Sector. New Delhi Minister of state for Shane Warne to come out with autobiography in Culture (I/C), Dr. Mahesh October Sharma released 3 books Spin legend Shane Warne will talk about his ‘Jewellery’ by Dr. Gulab extraordinary cricketing career and his life off the Kothari, ‘Ghats of pitch besides unveiling several unknown facts in his Banaras’ by Dr. Sachidanand Joshi and ‘Untold autobiography which will be published this October. Story of Broadcasting’ by Dr. Gautam Chatterjee at  Warne’s memoir “No Spin” will have a IGNCA, New Delhi. global release on October 4.  Speaking on the occassion, he congratulated  “No Spin” is the true story behind the IGNCA for its efforts to take art and culture headlines, in Warne’s own voice, and through the release of these books. challenges some of the enduring myths and untruths that surround him.

VVS Laxman pens autobiography Veteran cricketer VVS Laxman, known for the Current Affairs Quiz suppleness of his wrists, will now write his tell-all book, which will hit the stands on November 20. Q:1 Where is the headquarters of Asian  Westland Publications announced the release of the former Indian cricketer’s Infrastructure Investment Bank? autobiography titled, “281 and Beyond”. New Delhi  The title has been borrowed from Laxman’s Beijing fabulous series-turning innings of 281 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in Shanghai 2001. Manila

Vice President releases the Book ‘Bebak Baat’ Chennai authored by Shri Vijay Goyal Q:2 Which of the following is not included in The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah UNESCO World Heritage Site? Naidu has said that continuous communication Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary between public representatives and the public is crucial for development of our nation. Qutb Minar  He was addressing the gathering after Great Himalayan National Park releasing the Book ‘Bebak Baat’, authored Prem Mandir by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Statistics & Programme Ajanta Caves Implementation, Shri Vijay Goel.

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Q:3 What is the rank of India in United Nation’s E- Telangana Government Index 2018? Q:7 The site namely “The Walled City of Jaipur, 42 Rajasthan, India” has been proposed for World Heritage. The total number of World Heritage sites 67 in India at Present is— 89 34 96 35 105 37 Q:4 Which country has topped in United Nation’s E-Government Index 2018? 39 Norway 33 Q:8 Recently Government has decided that is will Denmark declare SAI Stadia as “Plastic Free Zones”. Which Finland one of the following does not comes under SAI Iceland Stadia group? Switzerland Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium Q:5 On July 31, 2018, Ministry of Petroleum & Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Natural Gas, Oil & Gas CPSEs and its offices Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex celebrated Swachhta Pakhwada from 1st to 15th July, 2018. The theme of Ministry of Petroleum & Green Park Stadium Natural Gas initiatives in this Pakhwada was? Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range Innovation and Sustainability Q:9 The digital payments market In India is expected to grow to US $ 1 trillion by which year? Innovation and Development 2019 Development and Technology 2020 Swachhta: Hamara Dhyeya 2021 Swachhta se Seva Q:6 Recently in which state the Startup India Yatra 2022 was launched? 2023 Bihar Q:10 Who will be awarded with the 24th Rajiv Gandhi National Goodwill Award? Uttar Pradesh Sushmita Sen Kerala Gopal Krishna Gandhi Chhattisgarh Kapil Dev

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Rajat Sharma Ministry of Tourism Ravi Teja NITI Aayog Q:11 “Seva Bhoj Yojna” is related to which of the Ministry of Railways following? Q:15 Which of the following has become the first GST Indian state to implement the national policy on biofuels? Nuclear Energy Rajasthan Agriculture Reforms Goa Grants for states Manipur Solar Mission Q:12 Which Ministry has launched the Mission Jharkhand Solar Charkha? Karnataka Ministry of Home Affairs Q:16 Which Ministry of Indian Government has launched the “Seva Bhoj Yojna” scheme? Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry of Human Resource Development Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Enterprises Ministry of Culture Ministry of Skill Development and Ministry of Railways Entrepreneurship Q:17 How many members are there in RBI’s Q:13 Which state has topped in the State Energy Monetary Policy Committee? Efficiency Preparedness Index, 2018? 4 Rajasthan 6 Kerala 12 Punjab 9 Uttar Pradesh 7 Andhra Pradesh Q:18 Which of the following has been awarded by Q:14 Who will host Investors’ Conference for the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for 2017? Holistic Development of Islands? Hukmdev Narayan Yadav Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ghulam Nabi Azad Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Dinesh Trivedi

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Bhartruhari Mahtab SBI Najma Heptulla HDFC Q:19 The State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Q:23 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Index is released by which of the following? a Public Sector entity comes under which of the following Ministry? Energy Efficiency Services Limited Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Bureau of Energy Efficiency Enterprises Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Both B and C Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate None of these Change Q:20 Recently Cabinet has approved Extension of Ministry of Power Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS) for which tenure? Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Q:24 4th India International Footwear Fair 2018 is 2018 – 2020 being held in which of the following city? 2018 – 2021 Bangalore 2018 – 2022 Hyderabad 2018 – 2023 New Delhi 2018 – 2019 Kanpur Q:21 Wheeler Island is also known as – Kolkata APJ Abdul Kalam Island Q:25 Recently Union Government has set up the Rajendra Prasad Island North East Venture Fund (NEVF) for North East Vikram Sarabhai Island Region. What is the capital commitment to the fund? Jawaharlal Nehru Island 25 crore Lal Ji Singh Island 50 crore Q:22 Recently Union Government has set up the 1000 crore North East Venture Fund (NEVF) for North East 100 crore Region. Which of the following is giving financial assistance to this fund? 200 crore Q:26 Recently which of the following ministry has NABARD launched “SAATHI” initiative? SIDBI Ministry of Human Resource Development RBI Ministry of Power

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Ministry of Textiles Scientist Both B and C Screenplay writer Ministry of Culture Politician Q:27 Recently National Highways Authority of Psychologist India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Q:31 Recently Emmerson Mnangagwa has been Understanding with which bank for a Long Term, elected as President of which country? unsecured Loan of Rs 25,000 Crore? Angola HDFC Namibia SBI Zimbabwe ICICI Libya PNB Argentina OBC Q:32 World Tourism Day is celebrated on which of Q:28 Recently Indian-origin mathematician the following date? Akshay Venkatesh got prestigious Fields Medal. In which field this award is given? 25 July Physics 27 September Chemistry 12 August Mathematics 28 July Literature 20 May Q:33 Election Commission of India Conducted Medical Orientation Workshop on Election Management for Q:29 How often are these prizes (Fields Medal) IAS Assistant Secretaries in which city? awarded? Hyderabad Once in a year Bangalore Once in two years New Delhi Once in four years Lucknow Twice in a year Ahmedabad Once in five years Q:34 Recently article 35 –A was in the news. This Q:30 Recently Jalees Sherwani passed away. He article is related to which of the following state? was a— Punjab Football player Assam

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Haryana Jet Airways Q:39 Recently Kambaku has won the Governor’s Telangana Cup held in Bangalore. This Cup is related to which Jammu and Kashmir of the following field? Q:35 Which state has received GI tag for Horse riding Kadaknath chicken? Hockey Madhya Pradesh Chess Chhattisgarh Badminton Jharkhand Golf Odisha Q:40 Recently Bermuda Triangle was in the news. Telangana Where is it located? Q:36 What is the name of capital of Zimbabwe? In Indian Ocean Harare In Pacific Ocean Kigali In Atlantic Ocean Nairobi In Arctic Ocean Addis Ababa In Antarctica Region Rhome Q:41 Which of the following state/UT has top 'most Q:37 Recently Union Cabinet has approved 51% investor-friendly' destination list? stake in IDBI for which of the following company? Gujarat Life Insurance Corporation of India Delhi Max Life Insurance Tamil Nadu Kotak Life Insurance Maharashtra Exide Life Insurance Kerala HDFC Life Q:42 Which of the following city has launched an Q:38 Recently Kumar Mangalam Birla, Y.C. awareness campaign named “Horn Not Ok” along Deveshwar has been appointed as non-official with a statewide mobile app “Shoor Nahin”? directors in which of the following? Delhi Air India Mumbai IndiGo Chandigarh Vistara Shimla AirAsia

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Gandhinagar Gujarat Q:43 Which of the following state government has Maharashtra signed an agreement to establish the Blockchain district, a first-of-its-kind Centre of Excellence for Goa Blockchain with Tech Mahindra? Rajasthan Kerala Q:47 To address the issues, challenges and concerns of the Micro, Small and Medium Gujarat Enterprises (MSME), the apex decision making Andhra Pradesh body of GST Council in its 29th meeting has decided to create a sub-committee to look into various issues Telangana and submit a report. Who is the chairman of this sub- Maharashtra committee? Q:44 Reserve Bank of India has barred which of the Piyush Goyal following Payment bank from adding new customers since the end of May? Arun Jaitely Fino Payments Bank Shiv Pratap Shukla India Post Amitabh Kant Vodafone M-Pesa Sushil Kumar Modi Q:48 Which of the following country has been Paytm elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute Tech Mahindra for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for a period Q:45 Which country's IDEMIA Company has of two years? become the first company to achieve the certification Japan to manufacture and personalise RuPay chip contact and contactless cards on the qSPARC v2 platform? China Germany Malaysia Japan India South Korea Singapore Q:49 Where is the capital of France? USA Paris France Q:46 Which of the following is the first State in the Manila country to have an Umbrella Organisation (UO) for Bern the Urban Co-operative Banks sector? Tokyo Kerala Rome

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Q:50 Who is the governor of Telangana? Q:54 Which company became the first $1 trillion publicly listed U.S. company? E.S.L. Narasimhan Apple inc Keshari Nath Tripathi Walgreen V P Singh Badnore Walmart Padmanabha Acharya Citigroup Jagdish Mukhi Q:51 Recently, Government of India achieved MetLife target of which scheme? Q:55 Which country pips China to become world's second-largest stock market? Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Russia Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Germany Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Japan Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana US Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Q:52 How many new research projects For UK advancing research in the high education Q:56 When will PM Modi launch “India Post institutions, the government under the leadership of Payments Bank” on ? Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved? 28 august 112 21 august 113 12 september 122 21 september 120 18 october 132 Q:57 Recently, which Indian golfer claims his first Q:53 Who will inaugurate “Bidder Information European Tour title ? Management System (BIMS)”? Gaganjeet Bhullar Raj nath singh Pawan kumar Sushma swaraj Sudhir sharma Arun jaitely Udayan mane Nitin Jairam Gadkari Veer ahlawat Suresh prabhu

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Q:58 Who has beaten PV Sindhu in the ‘women’s Maitree singles’ final at the Badminton World Q:62 Which of the following city has been declared Championships? the most polluted among 62 cities in the country Chen Yufei surveyed by the Central Pollution Control Board? Carolina Marin Kanpur Nozomi Okuhara Patna Zhang Beiwen Lucknow Michelle Li Gurugram Q:59 Which country hosted “World badminton Ajmer championship 2018” ? Q:63 International Conference on “Sustainable Japan Growth through Material Recycling: Policy Prescriptions” was held in which of the following China city? Philippines Chennai India New Delhi Australia Mumbai Q:60 Who has handed over 5th crore LPG connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Pune (PMUY) in the Parliament House? Gandhinagar Sumitra Mahajan Q:64 ‘Festival of Democracy’ to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Arun Jaitely Kerala legislative assembly has been held in which Nitin Jairam Gadkari of the following city? Suresh Prabhu Thiruvananthapuram Narendra Modi Kochi Q:61 What is the name of the joint military exercise Kozhikode between Indian Army and Royal Thai Army which is being conducted from 06 to 19 August 2018 in Kumarakom Thailand? Poovar Yudh Abyas Q:65 Who is the new chief executive officer (CEO) of food and beverage giant PepsiCo? Shatrujeet Ramon Laguarta Hind Shakti Salil Parekh Sampriti

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Satya Nadella Halkaa Doug McMillon Andhadhun Rajesh Gopinathan Gold Q:66 Who is the winner of the FIFA eWorld Cup Satyameva Jayate 2018? Helicopter Eela Stefano Pinna Q:70 Who is the Union Minister of Road Transport, Mosaad Aldossary Highways & Ganga Rejuvenation? Ivan Lapanje Hardeep S Puri Philipp Schermer Nitin Gadkari Marvin Hintz Suresh Prabhu Q:67 Recently Rajan Nanda passed away.He was Uma Bharati belonged to which of the following field? Dr. Harsh Vardhan Science Q:71 With which country a joint Cycling cum Literature Trekking Expedition of Indian Army was conducted to commemorate Fifty years of Establishment of Sports Diplomatic Relations between them? Business China Politics Nepal Q:68 Rajya Sabha has Passed Bill to Grant Constitutional Status to OBC Commission. Which Bhutan of the following constitutional amendment belongs Bangladesh to this bill? Japan 121th Q:72 Pension Fund Regulatory and Development 118th Authority (PFRDA) organised a Regional Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Strategy cum Review 123rd Meeting for FY 2018-19 at which of the following 130th place for South Based Banks with an objective to 115th discuss the target allocated for FY 2018-19 and the Q:69 Shri Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State (I/C) strategies adopted by the banks to achieve the same? for Housing and Urban Affairs haslaunched the Chennai official trailer, music and poster of which Kochi Bollywood film under the aegis of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)? Bengaluru

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Hyderabad AIADMK Mysore DMDK Q:73 Which of the following company has signed DMK an MoU with Andhra Pradesh government to set up its plant in 75 acres land in Tirupati and Chittoor INLD districts ? CPI Samsung Q:77 Where is the headquarters of Vijaya Bank? Apple Bengaluru Infosys Chennai Holytech Kolkata IBM Mumbai Q:74 Fintech startup Nearby Technologies in Hyderabad partnership with which bank has gone live with Q:78 Recently In which of the following city Niti Bharat Bill Payments, the telecom bill payments Aayog has organised a Government and Business ecosystem managed by National Payments Corp of Partnership Conclave? India? Mumbai Yes Bank New Delhi HDFC Bank Pune ICICI Bank Chennai SBI Jaipur PNB Q:79 Which of the following app provides a single Q:75 Bajaj Allianz General Insurance has entered platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India into a bancassurance deal with which of the e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local following Bank? Government bodies and other citizen centric Yes Bank services? HDFC Bank BHIM ICICI Bank UMANG SBI MySeva Vijaya Bank MyGov Q:76 Recently Veteran Politician M Karunanidhi None of these passed away. He was belonged to which of the Q:80 Who is the chairman of NITI Aayog? following party?

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Rajiv Kumar Rajnath Singh Amitabh Kant Piyush Goyal Arun Jaitley Nirmala Sitharaman Narendra Modi Prakash Javadekar Arvind Subramanian Suresh Prabhu Q:81 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held Q:85 Who will launch Swachh Survekshan 2019 on in which of the following country? 10th August 2018 in New Delhi? Singapore Suresh Prabhu Vietnam Hardeep Puri Malaysia Nitin Gadkari Indonesia Nirmala Sitharaman Laos Uma Bharati Q:82 Recently which of the following state has Q:86 Recently who has been appointed on RBI launched the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana'? board by government of India? Kerala Kaushik Basu Rajasthan S Gurumurthy Madhya Pradesh Arvind Subramanian Bihar Avinash Dixit Assam Vijay Kelkar Q:83 Which of the following Biosphere Reserve Q:87 Public sector banks' non-performing assets has become the 11th Biosphere Reserve from India declined by ...... in FY18 due to write-offs, that has been included in the UNESCO designated including compromise settlement. World Network of Biosphere Reserves? Rs 2,48,229 crore Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Rs 1,68,229 crore Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Rs 2,78,229 crore Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Rs 1,58,229 crore Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Rs 1,28,229 crore Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Q:88 Who is the governor of Bihar? Q:84 Who launched the Niryat Mitra – mobile App Jagdish Mukhi in New Delhi? Balram Das Tandon

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Satya Pal Malik Hamid Ansari Q:93 Who has been appointed as the chairperson of Om Prakash Kohli the National Commission for Women? Anandiben Patel Suman Sharma Q:89 Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in which of the following state? Lalitha Kumaramangalam Himachal Pradesh Rekha Sharma Sikkim Alka Lamba Assam Najma Heptulla Q:94 Who is the chairman of Telecom Regulatory Manipur Authority of India? Tamil Nadu Nripendra Misra Q:90 Who is the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry? Pradeep Kumar Sinha Narendra Singh Tomar Dr. Inderjit Singh Chaudhary Birender Singh R.S. Sharma D. V. Sadananda Gowda Rajeev Kapoor Q:95 Who has been appointed as Member of Suresh Prabhu National Commission for Protection of Child Ravi Shankar Prasad Rights? Q:91 World Biofuel Day is observed on which of Dr. Hasmukh Adhia the following date? Dr. R. G Anand 10 August Preeti Sudan 12 August Anil Swarup 10 July Dinesh Singh 12 July Q:96 Who is the author of the book "Bebak Baat"? 18 August Vijay Goel Q:92 Who has been elected as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman? Dr. Mahesh Sharma B K Hariprasad Dr. Gulab Kothari Venkaiah Naidu Dr. Gautam Chatterjee Nitin Gadkari Dr. Sachidanand Joshi Harivansh Narayan Singh

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Q:97 The Commemorative Postage Stamps on Q:101 Who inaugurated an exhibition entitled India-South Africa: Joint Issue depicts image of “Prathibandhit Sahitya mein Swatantrata Sangram” ...... and Oliver Reginald Tambo of South Africa. (Freedom Movement through Proscribed Literature) in the premises of National Archives of India, in Mahatma Gandhi New Delhi? Bhagat Singh Dr. Mahesh Sharma Deendayal Upadhyaya Narendra Singh Lal Bahadur Shastri Dr. Harshvardhan Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Piyush Goyal Q:98 Who is the CEO of NITI Aayog? Dr. Jitendra Singh Rajeev Kumar Q:102 Where did the President of India, Shri Ram Amitabh Kant Nath Kovind, inaugurate the ‘One District One Rajiv Yadav Product’ Summit ? Narendra Kumar Sinha Kanpur Subhash Chandra Garg Bhopal Q:99 Where is the headquarters of Telecom Lucknow Regulatory Authority of India? Raipur Mumbai Ajmer Pune Q:103 Which Operation has been launched by the New Delhi Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi since 09 Aug 2018 due to the unprecedented flooding Bengaluru experienced in many parts of Kerala? Chennai Operation rahat Q:100 Who is the author of the book Ghats of Banaras? Operation madad Dr. Gulab Kothari Operation sahayta Dr. Gautam Chatterjee Operation star Dr. Sachidanand Joshi Operation flood Q:104 By which country “Exercise SCO Peace Dr. Mahesh Sharma Mission 2018” will be conducted from 22 August to M. Venkaiah Naidu 29 August 2018? France Russia

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Japan Boxing Germany Cycling Operation flood Javelin throwing Q:105 Which environmental single window hub Shooting was launched by The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Q:109 When did the President of India, Shri Ram Modi on World biofuel day? Nath Kovind, inaugurate the ‘One District One Paryavaran Product’ Summit? Paridhi 10 August Parivesh 1 august Parihar 10 July Parvekshak 22 July Q:106 On which position of world’s top banks 20 June Public sector bank ‘State Bank of India (SBI)’ has Q:110 Dr. Mahesh Sharma belongs to which reached? ministry of govt. of India? 53 State for Environment Forest and Climate 51 Change 57 Ministry of ayush 63 Ministry of commerce and industry 58 Ministry of electronics and information Q:107 Who will be India’s flag-bearer at Asian technology Games 2018 opening ceremony? Ministry of Labour and employment Ravindra Jadeja Q:111 Recently Israel has opened a visa centre in which of the following city? Pinky rani Chennai Pranav Chopra Kolkata Amrit pal Singh Mumbai Neeraj Chopra Q:108 In which game Neeraj Chopra won the gold Gandhinagar medal in Commonwealth Games 2018 event in Gold Pune Coast? Q:112 The government has set up a four-member Athletics group of ministers (GoM) to advise Prime Minister Narendra Modi on whether to continue with or

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withdraw from the 16-member Regional PNB Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Q:116 Which of the following country has emerged negotiations. Who is the head of this group? as the top source of inward remittances according to Piyush Goyal the Reserve Bank of India’s survey of inward remittances for 2016-17? Arun Jaitely Saudi Arabia Rajnath Singh Qatar Suresh Prabhu Kuwait Sushma Swaraj Q:113 Which of the following bank has entered into The United Arab Emirates a pact with Global technology platform and digital USA payments leader PayPal? Q:117 Who is the first woman Chief Justice of ICICI Bank Jammu and Kashmir? HDFC Bank Justice Gita Mittal Axis Bank Justice Leila Seth Yes Bank Justice Indu Malhotra SBI Justice R. Banumathi Q:114 BLS E-Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary Justice Indira Banerjee of BLS International Services, has acquired which Q:118 Recently Anant Bajaj passed away. He was of the following Delhi-based banking business belonged to which of the following field? correspondent? Sports Starfin India Business Indepay Networks Private Limited Literature Fino Payments Bank Science EbixCash Card Limited Direction None of these Q:119 Which of the following state has received the Q:115 Recently which bank's Deputy Managing maximum funds sent from abroad, according to the Director Paresh Sukthankar has resigned? Reserve Bank of India’s survey of inward ICICI Bank remittances for 2016-17? HDFC Bank Maharashtra Axis Bank Kerala Yes Bank New Delhi

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Q:124 Which Bank of India has signed a Karnataka multilateral cooperation agreement with member Gujarat development banks of BRICS to undertake Q:120 Who is the governor of Jammu and “collaborative research” in distributed Kashmir? ledger/blockchain technology? V. P. Singh Badnore Exim bank Anil Baijal Federal bank Vajubhai Vala Yes bank Dr. S. C. Jamir Axis bank N. N. Vohra UCO bank Q:121 Which mission has been launched by US Q:125 Which E-commerce company has signed an space agency NASA to send a satellite closer to the MoU with the Uttar Pradesh government to support Sun than any before? MSME entrepreneurs across nine districts as a part Touch the sun of the state's ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) scheme? Reach the sun Shop clues See the sun Amazon India Close to sun Flipkart March to sun Snapdeal Q:122 What is the theme of ‘international youth day’ 2018? Paytm Q:126 Recently, Justice Mukesh R Shah swore in Youth building peace as the Chief Justice of which High Court? Safe space for youth Patna Youth: the future of earth Guwahati The road to 2030 Chandigarh Youth: strength of era Jodhpur Q:123 When ‘World elephant day’ is celebrated? Calcutta 1 august Q:127 Recently which football player announced 13 july retirement from Spain national team? 20 july Sergio Remos 3 june Andres Iniesta 12 august Diego Costa

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Gerard Pique Pune Q:132 Recently which language has become the David Silva first Indian tribal language to get a Wikipedia edition Q:128 V.S. Naipal won nobel prize in which year? in its own script? 2000 Santhali 2011 Majhi 1997 Mahali 2001 Koro 1992 Sidi Q:129 By whom is ‘The middle passage’ novel Q:133 Mount Kamet is located in which of the written? following Indian state? Salman Rushdie Himachal Pradesh V.S. Naipal Kerala Vikram Seth Assam Chetan Bhagat Uttarakhand Jhumpa Lahiri Manipur Q:130 Which will be the first city in North India to Q:134 Recently who has been dismissed from the get a full-fledged Space Technology Research service as MD & CEO of Allahabad Bank? Centre, devoted to research, academics and post- graduation study under 'Sarabhai Centenary'? Usha Ananthasubramanian Dehradun Chanda Kochhar Shri Nagar Shyam Srinivasan Jammu Rakesh Sethi Shimla Rajiv Lall Q:135 Who did take Oath as Chairperson, Punjab Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Ministry of Q:131 Which is the best Indian city in the Ease of Power? Living Index? Justice Vikramajit Sen Navi Mumbai Justice Manjula Chellur Bengaluru Justice Amitava Roy Greater Mumbai Justice K. M. Joseph Chandigarh

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Justice Kurian Joseph Jaipur Q:136 Who won the Toronto Masters 2018? Q:140 Which A category station is the top scorer in Station Cleanliness report conducted by Quality Stefanos Tsitsipas Council of India? Andy Murray Marwar Roger Federer Phulera Rafael Nadal Warangal Novak Djokovic Ajmer Q:137 Former Lok Sabha Speaker and veteran communist leader Somnath Chatterjee passed away Chandigarh at the age of eighty-nine in Kolkata. In which time Q:141 Which is the most liveable city in the world? duration he was the Lok Sabha Speaker? Pune 2000- 2005 Melbourne 2005- 2010 Vienna 2004- 2009 Paris 2003- 2008 London 2002- 2007 Q:142 Which of the following country has recently Q:138 Rafael Nadal belongs to which of the recommenced its adoption programme with India? following country? England Spain USA Switzerland Japan England Germany Serbia Australia Argentina Q:143 Which of the following institution / ministry Q:139 Which A1 category station is the top scorer has launched “Pitch to MOVE” - a mobility pitch in Station Cleanliness report conducted by Quality competition that aims to provide budding Council of India? entrepreneurs of India a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a distinguished jury? Tirupati Ministry of Commerce and Industry Pune Ministry of Earth Sciences Warangal NITI Aayog Jodhpur

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Ministry of Corporate Affairs Gujarat Reserve Bank of India Chhattisgarh Q:144 Insurance Regulatory and Development Q:148 Who is the Water Resources, River Authority of India (IRDAI) constituted a 7 member Development and Ganga Rejuvenation minister? working group for norms regarding insurance Uma Bharati surveyors. Who is the head of this group? Nitin Gadkari B. Chandrakala Ravi Shankar Prasad Yegna Priya Bharat Harsimrat Kaur Badal Armstrong Pame Manoj Sinha S.S. Ahluwalia Q:149 Where is the headquarters of Insurance Vishnu Deo Sai Regulatory and Development Authority of India? Q:145 Who is the Brand Ambassador for Road New Delhi Safety Campaigns? Mumbai Priyanka Chopra Pune Amitabh Bachchan Hyderabad Akshay Kumar Chennai Kajol Q:150 Who is the Chairman of Railway Board of Aamir Khan India? Q:146 Whom has been given additional charge as Subhash Chandra Khuntia governor of Chhattisgarh? Ajay Tyagi Satya Pal Malik Ashwani Lohani Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala Ashish Chauhan Ganga Prasad Vikram Limaye Anandiben Patel Q:151 Where did First genetic bank for rare species Banwarilal Purohit inaugurate? Q:147 Recently Balram Das Tandon passed away. Hyderabad He was the governor of which of the following state? Bhopal Tamil Nadu Dehradun Nagaland Nainital Karnataka Raipur

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Q:152 For What CJI Deepak Mishra Q:156 Recently who is appointed Ambassador of recently launched a mobile app? Russia from India? E reporting K. r. krishnmoorti E filing V. balaswami E complaining M. k. ayyar E application D Bala Venkatesh Varma E registration Vishvendra singh Q:153 With which bank did REC ink pact to Q:157 In which year did Former Indian Test captain finance clean energy projects in India? Ajit Wadekar win padamshree? UK bank 1988 Japan bank 1962 German bank 1985 US bank 1997 Australian bank 1972 Q:154 Who is Appointed Head Coach Of Indian Q:158 To which game does Asian Games gold Women's Team? medallist Hakam Singh belong to? Vijay Kulkarni Racing Mahesh kumawat Swimming Manish rajawat Shooting Ramesh powar Hockey Anil khurana Boxing Q:155 Who is appointed CEO of PM crop insurance Q:19 For how much loan did REC ink pact with scheme? German bank? Nirmal Saraswat 220 mn Euro Aashish Bhootani 122 mn Euro Sanjiv Parashar 200 mnEuro Suresh Kumawat 150 mn Euro Ajay Shrivastav 100 mn Euro Q:160 Who is the Governor of Telangana state? E.S.L. Narasimhan

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S.M. Venktesh Geeta Pujara B.L. Swami Prakash Sharma Q:165 By whom, hits like ‘Respect and Think’ V.K. Rao were given? K. Chandrashekar Rao Aretha Franklin Q:161 In which year did Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee become first time PM? Vera lynn 1996 Doris day 1995 Kay starr 1998 Ralph Stanley Q:166 Who has become the highest paid actress 1994 with USD 40.5 million according to Forbes? 1993 Emma stone Q:162 Where did 24th World Congress of Philosophy held? Megan fox Manila Jessica alba Delhi Scarlett Johansson Beijing Angelina Jolie Q:167 Who has become India’s 53rd Grandmaster? Tokyo Nihal sarin Peris Q:163 Who are awarded with 2018 Albany Medical Mohit jamwal Center Prize? Jitendra roy James Allison Nilesh saini Carl June Ravi kumar Steven Rosenberg Q:168 Which company launches VOIP based phone service – WINGS? All of the above Airtel None of the above Q:164 Who is CEO of FSSAI? Vodafone Ajay Shukla BSNL Pawan Agrawal Idea Raman Mehta Reliance JIO Q:169 What is the capital of United Arab Emirates?

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Q:173 Imran Khan, the Prime minister of Pakistan Dubai is belongs to which of the following party? Abu Dhabi Pakistan Muslim League Sharjah Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Tehran Pakistan Peoples Party Bagdad Awami National Party Q:170 Which country does Aretha Franklin belong to? Non of these Q:174 Mario Abdo Benitez has sworn in as the Britten President of which of the following country? America Argentina Canada Paraguay Mexico Belgium Brazil Chile Q:171 Which of the following state will observe September as the “month of nutrition” to create Croatia awareness among people living in the state? Q:175 Who is the president of Mali? New Delhi Serzh Sargsyan Manipur Charles Michel Madhya Pradesh Juan Evo Morales Ayma Rajasthan Paul Biya Gujarat Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Q:172 In which of the following city an Q:176 Cricketer Nasir Jamshed has been Banned International Conference on Recent Advances in For 10 Years For Spot-Fixing. He belongs to which Food Processing Technology has been held? of the following country? Thanjavur Bangladesh Gandhinagar South Africa Surat Pakistan Noida Afghanistan Bhopal Sri Lanka Q:177 2018 Asian Games is being held in which of the following city?

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Palembang 19 September Jakarta 11 August Both A & B 19 August Q:182 Where did 11th ‘World Hindi Conference’ Incheon begin? Guangzhou Malaysia Q:178 How many total events are there in 2018 Asian games? Mauritius 560 Manila 465 Nepal 380 Delhi Q:183 In which country Tower to be named after 285 late ex. PM Vajpayee? 645 India Q:179 Where is the capital of Mali? Nepal Minsk Sri lanka Ottawa Myanmar Bamako Mauritius Bogota Q:184 To review which draft did FSSAI sets up Dublin panel? Q:180 Who is the Union Minister of Agriculture Green labelling draft and Farmers’ Welfare? Quantity of fat D.V. Sadananda Gowda Quality of sugar Radha Mohan Singh Red labelling draft Ramvilas Paswan Yellow labeling draft Ravi Shankar Prasad Q:185 Which company is overtaken by TCS to Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi become most valued Indian company? Q:181 When is ‘World photography day’ Indian oil corporation celebrated? State bank of India 19 July Reliance industries limited 9 August Infosys

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Aditya group San joes Q:186 What is the name of Infosys Chief Financial Q:190 Who is the President of Ghana? Officer, a veteran of nearly two decades who has Nana Akufo Addo abruptly stepped down from his position? John Mahama R.S. Swami John Atta mills N. R. Rangnath John Kufuor K.M. Ayyar Nana Adolf L.K. Krishnmoorti Q:191 Exercise Pitch Black 2018 is hosted by M.D. Rangnath which of the following country? Q:187 Which country does late Former UN chief USA and Nobel peace prize winner Kofi Annan belong to? Japan Kennya Germany Morocco Australia Ghana India Q:192 Which indigenously developed Helicopter Nigeria launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile has been Algeria successfully flight tested from Army Helicopter in Q:188 From which constituency was late the ranges of Pokhran? Chennupati Vidya elected to the Parliament as a KARMA Congress candidate in 1980 and in 1989? HELINA Vijaypur ATAL Shivpuri LAKSHYA Vijayawada None of these Chanderi Q:193 What is the name of Indo – Thailand Joint Sanchi military Exercise? Q:189 What is the capital of Mauritius? Surya-Kiran Kuala Lumpur Lamitye Port Louis Varun Minsk Garud Phnom Pneh Maitree

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Q:194 In Asian Games 2018 who won the first gold Assam medal for India? Q:198 Which of the following PSU has become the Apurvi Chandela first PSU to transact on TReDS? Bajrang Punia Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Saina Nehwal Gas Authority of India Limited Jitu Rai Steel Authority of India Limited Sushil Kumar Indian Oil Corporation Limited Q:195 Which of the following country has won the None of these SAFF Under-15 Women’s Football Championship? Q:199 Joint Military Exercise Maitree 2018 held in Bangladesh which of the following country? India India Germany Japan Japan Seychelles Spain Thailand Q:196 In which of the following country SAFF Sri Lanka Under-15 Women’s Football Championship held? Q:200 Where is the headquarters of World Health Bangladesh Organization? India Paris Bhutan Bern Japan Geneva Russia Tokyo Q:197 An official of which of the following Rome state/UT government's health department has been Q:201 Recently where did Sushma Swaraj awarded the prestigious WHO World No Tobacco inaugurate ‘Panini Language lab’? Day 2018 Award for his extraordinary contribution towards tobacco control? Malesia Punjab Maldives Haryana Manila Delhi Mauritius Maharashtra Madurai

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Q:202 Which Government will name three awards Indian bank after the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a tribute? Punjab national bank Q:206 To Which general of Indian army has The UP government United States government awarded the ‘Legion of Rajasthan govt. Merit’ (Degree of Commander)? Delhi government Dalbir Singh Suhag Bihar government Manjit Singh MP government Dilpreet Suhag Q:203 Which Missile Corvette of Indian Navy was Dijjeet Duggal on a three-day visit to Yangon, Myanmar to undertake operational turn around (OTR) and as part Manpreet singh Suhag of goodwill visit from 18 to 20 Aug 18? Q:207 Who has become the first player to win all nine Masters 1,000 tournaments with victory over INS virat Roger Federer in Cincinnati? INS talwar Rafael Nadal INS khanjar Andy Murray INS kamaan Novak Djokovic INS dhanush Kevin Anderson Q:204 Recently, The Defence Minister of Which country is on a bilateral visit to India at the invitation Milos Raonic of the Defence Minister of India Smt Nirmala Q:208 Who Has Become The First Female Gold Sitharaman from 19 to 20 August 2018? Medal Winner Of India At The Asiad? Germany Kavita Dalal Russia Geeta Phogat France Navjot Kaur Japan Vinesh Phogat Nepal Sakshi Malik Q:205 Recently, Chairmen of which public sector Q:209 Which country does Novak Djokovic belong bank got extension? to? Canara bank Spain Bank of India Serbia Both of the above Switzerland

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Russia Sanjay Mitra Germany PK Sinha Q:210 Who Is Defense Minister Of Japan? Q:214 Recently in which of the following city the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has proposed to Taro Aso set up a Cyclone Warning Centre? Itsunori Onodera Thiruvananthapuram Seiko Noda Vishakhapatnam Ken Saito Chennai Teru Fukui Bhubaneswar Q:211 At which of the following city the first-ever joint air exercise involving the Indian Air Force Mumbai and the Royal Malaysian Air Force has been Q:215 Which of the following country has offered commenced? assistance of Rs 700 crore ($100 million) to aid relief efforts in Kerala? Chennai USA Pithoragarh Japan Subang Germany Pokharan UAE Kuala Lumpur Q:212 Who did inaugurate the “International England Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018” in Vigyan Bhawan, Q:216 Which state will rename its new capital as New Delhi? Atal Nagar? Ram Nath Kovind Madhya Pradesh Narendra Modi Chhattisgarh Rajnath Singh Rajasthan Dalai Lama Assam Venkaiah Naidu Andhra Pradesh Q:213 Who is the Cabinet Secretary to government Q:217 Who is the new governor of Jammu and of India? Kashmir? Sanjay Kothari Lalji Tandon Nripendra Misra Ganga Prasad Dr. Sekhar Basu Satya Pal Malik

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Q:222 Who is the chairman of 15th Finance Kaptan Singh Solanki Commission of India? Satyadev Narayan Arya N.K.Singh Q:218 Saurabh Chaudhary becomes India's youngest Asian Games gold medalist. He belongs to Dr. Vijay Kelkar which of the following sports? Dr. Y. V Reddy Wrestling Rajiv Kumar Shooting Sukumar Sen Tennis Q:223 Which airport has been ranked as the second fastest growing among top 20 major airports in the Badminton world during the first half of 2018? Archery Haneda Airport Q:219 Who is the new governor of Sikkim? Indira Gandhi International Airport Lalji Tandon Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Ganga Prasad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Satya Pal Malik Kempegowda International Airport Kaptan Singh Solanki Q:224 Which of the following Indian bank has Satyadev Narayan Arya agreed to a multi-year partnership with Manchester Q:220 Who is the Chief Minister of Kerala? United, bringing a range of competitive co-branded Tathagata Roy credit and debit card to the club’s 35 million Indian followers? Raman Singh HDFC Bank Pinarayi Vijayan ICICI Bank Sarbananda Sonowal Axis Bank Pema Khandu Q:221 In which of the following city Atal Bihari Yes Bank Vajpayee memorial to be built? BOB New Delhi Q:225 According to Forbes who is the highest paid female athlete in the world? Bhopal Maria Sharapova Lucknow Li Na Mumbai Venus Williams Chennai Serena Williams

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Q:230 Which airport has been ranked as the fastest Allyson Felix growing among top 20 major airports in the world Q:226 "No Spin" is the autobiography of whom? during the first half of 2018? Anil Kumble Haneda Airport Ravichandran Ashwin Indira Gandhi International Airport Shane Warne Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Muttiah Muralitharan Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Daniel Vettori Kempegowda International Airport Q:227 “281 and Beyond” is the autobiography of Q:231 Where has India’s biggest techno hub whom? inaugurated? Brian Lara Jalandhar Ricky Ponting Pune Rahul Dravid Jaipur Virender Sehwag Bengaluru VVS Laxman Delhi Q:228 Recently Gurudas Kamat passed away. He Q:232 With which country the Odisha Government belonged to which of the following field? has tied up for its ‘Mega investment Conclave 2018’ Sports to take place in November this year? Politics Germany Science Poland Literature Russia Journalism Japan Q:229 Kempegowda International Airport is China located in which of the following city? Q:233 Who inaugurated “International Buddhist Chennai Conclave 2018”? Bengaluru Ram nath kovind Mumbai Shri K.J. Alphons Hyderabad Narendra modi Pune Arun jaitely Rajnath Singh

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Q:234 Who was known for his stand against the Q:238 Where did National level workshop held for Indira Gandhi government during the Emergency as celebrating the month of September as ‘Rashtriya the Editor of ‘The Statesman’? Poshan Maah’? Kuldip nayar New Delhi Pawan joshi Hyderabad Navdeep Mehta Punjab Somsh nitharwal Uttar Pradesh V.k. Mishra Gujrat Q:235 Recently, which Veteran Indian women's Q:239 How many working groups Recognizing the team pacer has announced her retirement from T20 uniqueness of the Himalayas and the challenges for Internationals? sustainable development had been set up by NITI Aayog? Mitali raj 7 Jhulan goswami 6 Mansi joshi 4 Harmanpreet kaur 5 Deepti sharma Q:236 Which company has become first Indian 3 firm to hit Rs 8 trillion market cap? Q:240 Who is chief minister of Odisha? Indian oil Corporation Naveen Patnaik Infosys K.C. Rao RIL K.C. Naidu Aditya Birla group Raghubar Das Adani group Prof. Ganeshi Lal Q:237 Who is the finance minister of India? Q:241 On 24 August 2018, where did Exercise ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Rajnath Singh Mission 2018’ formally start in Russia? Amit shah Moscow Narendra modi Saint Petersburg Arun jaitely Chebarkul Sushma swaraj Kazan

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Q:246 Who has been appointed secretary general of Sochi AssoCham? Q:242 With which country India has signed the Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive V.P. shah Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New U.K. Varma Delhi? S.P. Mishra France Nandita Mehta Russia Suresh Prajapati Australia Q:247 Who is author of the Book 'Colonial Sri Lanka Syndrome: The Videshi Mind Set in Modern India'? Singapore Hari Prasad Sharma Q:243 Who is chairperson of ‘Insolvency and Vignesh Chaturvedi Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)’? Rama Krishna Rao V.K. Singh Bhoopendra Singh M.S. Sahoo Krishnmoorti Rao K.R. Saxena Q:248 How many member countries are there in Nirmala Vajpayee ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’? K.C. Naidu 7 Q:244 When is ‘Indian Air force day’ celebrated? 8 8 august 9 18 august 10 8 September 6 28 October Q:249 Which anniversary is being celebrated by ‘Indian air force’? 8 October Q:245 Of which country Scott Morrison has 84 recently become PM? 85 Canada 88 Austria 86 Britain 87 Australia France

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Q:250 When did Solar Energy Corporation of India Q:254 According to Department of Financial Limited (SECI) conduct India’s first auction of wind Services report which state-owned bank has rated as power projects? number one in terms of digital transactions? March, 2017 Allahabad Bank February, 2017 Punjab National Bank February, 2018 State Bank of India April, 2018 UCO Bank August, 2018 Bank of Baroda Q:251 India Banking Conclave 2018 held in which Q:255 Who is the Chairman of the Defence of the following city? Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)? Mumbai Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy Pune Dr. S. Christopher New Delhi Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar Chennai Dr. Swapan Chattopadhyay Kanpur Dr Ravi Chopra Q:252 Who has launched the National Electoral Q:256 Who will be honored with Asia Society’s Transformation or NETA mobile application? Game Changer of the Year 2018 award? Pranab Mukherjee Sonita Alizadeh Ramnath Kovind Anil Agarwal Narendra Modi Indra Nooyi Rajnath Singh Jean Liu Venkaiah Naidu Roshni Nadar Q:253 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) Q:257 Where is the headquarters of Defence approved for procurement for the Services Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)? amounting to approximately...... On 25 Aug 2018. Chennai Rs. 16,000 crores New Delhi Rs. 106,000 crores Pune Rs.26, 000 crores Mumbai Rs. 46,000 crores Bangalore Rs. 34,000 crores

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Q:258 Who is the Minister of State for Human Punjab Resources Development? Maharashtra Ravi Shankar Prasad Tamil Nadu Manoj Sinha Kerala Krishan Pal Karnataka Satya Pal Singh Q:263 Which scheme has been launched by the Ajay Tamta Indian government to offering incentives for mass Q:259 Who is chairman of the Defence Acquisition adoption of electric vehicles? Council (DAC)? FAME India Arun Jaitley Change India Nirmala Sitharaman Go Green Narendra Modi e-India Suresh Prabhu None of these Piyush Goyal Q:264 Recently Prasar Bharati and Mizzima Media Q:260 Recently in which district of J&K Youth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Parliament has been organised? Mizzima Media belongs to which of the following country? Kathua Nepal Kishtwar England Samba Canada Udhampur Bhutan Baramulla Q:261 The third edition of Indian Ocean Myanmar Conference is set to begin in which country? Q:265 Who has sworn in as the 16th Governor of Sikkim? China Baby Rani Maurya Denmark Ram Kripal Yadav Vietnam Ganga Prasad Indonesia Acharya Dev Vrat Lebanon Q:262 In which state India's tallest Film Studio has Banwarilal Purohit been inaugurated?

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Q:266 Who has sworn in as the Governor of Brussels Uttarakhand? Ottawa Baby Rani Maurya Budapest Ram Kripal Yadav Q:271 Recently India - Kenya Joint Trade Ganga Prasad Committee meeting held in which of the following city? Acharya Dev Vrat New Delhi Banwarilal Purohit Q:267 Recently K K Haridas passed away. He was Nairobi belonged to which of the following field? Mumbai Literature Nakuru Journalism Chennai Science Q:272 A historic flight powered by indigenously produced aviation biofuel based on patented Direction technology of CSIR-IIP Dehradun was flagged off Sports from Dehradun airport. Which of the following Q:268 Who is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu? airline related to this flight? Pawan Kumar Chamling Air India Biplab Kumar Deb AirAsia Jai Ram Thakur SpiceJet K Palaniswami Kingfisher Om Prakash Kohli IndiGo Q:269 G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting Q:273 Who has won India's first javelin gold medal held in which of the following city? in Asian Games history? Paris Davinder Singh Bern Neeraj Chopra London Annu Rani Tokyo Saurabh Chaudhary Salta Deepak Kumar Q:270 Where is the capital of Argentina? Q:274 Recently Gopal Bose passed away. He was Gaborone belonged to which of the following field? Buens Aires Literature

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Journalism Sofia Cricket Havana Q:279 Neeraj Chopra belongs to which of the Science following sports? Polity Badminton Q:275 Who is the author of the book “Atal Ji Ne Kaha”? Boxing C P Joshi Tennis Kiran Nagarkar Wushu Anuja Chauhan Javelin throw Q:280 Who is the Union Minister of State for Civil Rashmi Bansal Aviation? Brijendra Rehi Suresh Prabhu Q:276 In which of the following district the Lakhwar project envisages construction of a 204 m Dharmendra Pradhan high concrete dam across river Yamuna? Jayant Sinha Dehradun Dr Harsh Vardhan Shimla Nitin Gadkari Pithoragarh Q:281 When Is ’National Sports Day’ Celebrated? Hamirpur 20 August Bilaspur 29 September Q:277 Who is the Chief Minister of Odisha? 9 February Trivendra Singh Rawat 19 July Naveen Patnaik 29 August Jai Ram Thakur Q:282 By which year India’s first ‘Indian human mission’ will be launched by ‘Indian Space Research Manohar Lal Organisation (ISRO)’? Yogi Adityanath 2023 Q:278 Where is the capital of Kenya? 2020 Nakuru 2025 Baku 2022 Nairobi 2024

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Q:283 Where did Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Jharkhand Railways & Coal inaugurate Smart Railway Conclave organized by FICCI? Madhya Pradesh Mumbai Bihar Q:287 Who has been appointed Assistant Bhubaneswar Secretary-General & Head of New York Office of Chandigarh UNEP? New Delhi Satyendra Chaudhary Jaipur Mahesh Prajapati Q:24 Which Bank has become the first Singaporean Satya Tripathi and Asian winner of Global Finance Magazine's Best Bank in the World Award? Nirmala rana Bank of Singapore Sanjeev Manjrekar Q:288 Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as new OCBC Bank President of which country? DBC Bank Nederland CIMB Bank Australia RHB Bank Zimbabwe Q:25 Of how much amount has India and the World Bank signed Agreement for India’s Energy Mauritius Efficiency Program? Malesia $200 Million Q:289 What is the capital of New Zealand? $250 Million Wellington $300 Million Amsterdam $180 Million Vienna $320 Million Berlin Q:286 To support the Government of which state in Madrid improving the performance of its Electricity Q:290 Where is headquarter of ‘World bank’? Distribution, The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $250 million Development Bern, Switzerland Policy Loan (DPL)? Hague, Nederland Rajasthan Washington D.C. Odisha Paris

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Vienna April, 2020 Q:291 Which scheme has been approved by September, 2020 Cabinet of Ministry of Earth Sciences? Q:296 For how many months, The Assam E Smart Q Smart government has extended application of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, O Smart C Smart 1958 (AFSPA) in the state? P Smart 5 4 Q:292 Who Has Released Book On “Weather Information Portal For Indian Power System”? 8 9 M.L. Sinha 6 Q:297 Where has Union HRD Minister launched Vikrant Singh the 3rd edition of ‘Smart India Hackathon- 2019’? Mahesh Gupta Chennai Raipur R.K. Singh Ranchi Patna Avinash Chaturvedi New Delhi Q:293 Which state does South Indian actor- Q:298 Which Indian warship Helped MV Vela in politician Harikrishna belong to? the Gulf of Aden? Kerala INS Tej INS Vikrant Karnataka INS Teg INS Virat Andhra Pradesh INS Shakti Tamilnadu Q:299 Who Is Cabinet Minister Of Road Transport Goa & Highways? Q:294 Of what amount has Cabinet approved Rajnath Singh additional funding for IPPB? Suresh Prabhu Rs 335 crore Rs 540 crore Nitin Gadkari Rs 612 crore Rs 635 crore Uma Bharati Rs 710 crore Arun Jaitley Q:295 When will ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 mission Q:300 Where Is The Headquarters Of India Post be launched? Payments Bank? December, 2018 Mumbai Chennai January, 2019 Hyderabad New Delhi March, 2019 Surat

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