NOVEMBER 2019 Current Affairs Monthly

2020 - 21 CURRENT AFFAIRS STRAIGHTZERO

President of India hosts President of SriLanka 8 Contents No Pegasus spyware is used for UA interception ...... 8

International Affairs 1 Guru Ghasidas Park now a tiger reserve ...... 8

Pakistan introduced vaccine to combat typhoid Logo, motto introduced for Lokpal ...... 9 ...... 1 47th All India Police Science Congress began 9 Indra Nooyi's portrait in the NPF ...... 1 IFFI concluded at Panaji in Goa...... 9 Dhaka International Folk Festival inaugurated . 1 National Tribal Craft Mela 2019 ...... 10 Match fixing a crime: Sri Lanka ...... 1 Devi Ahilya University gets A grade from NAAC FIFA banned three football officials for life ...... 2 ...... 10

Sumatran rhinoceros are extinct in Malaysia ... 2 UP to set up state's 1st vulture conservation . 10

Ocean Dance Festival 2019 began in Amaravati included in India's political map .... 10 Bangladesh ...... 2 3-day Commonwealth Youth Parliament began Climate Emergency: Word of the Year ...... 3 ...... 11

2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders begun Awards & Honours 12 ...... 3 ‘Particles’ wins the Golden Peacock Award 2019 The 2nd edition of the Paris Peace Forum held ...... 12 ...... 3 Ekalavya award 2019 for Jhilli Dalabehera .... 12 Second Ebola vaccine to be offered in Congo . 3 Ranjana wins National Award for Journalism 12 Facebook removed 5.4 billion fake accounts ... 4 Malayali poet Akkitham wins 55th Jnanpith Iran discovered new oil field ...... 4 award...... 12

Dhaka Global Dialogue begun...... 4 IFFI 2019 Award winners ...... 13

Mauritius PM claimed victory ...... 4 ‘Rwanda’ won the ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal ...... 13 30th year of the Fall of the Berlin Wall ...... 5 Indian journalist Neha Dixit won award ...... 13 50th WEF Annual Meeting to be held in Davos 5 Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2019 13 Scientists declared a climate emergency ...... 5 Sir David Attenborough to receive award ...... 14 China launched Sudan’s first ever satellite ...... 5 Virat Kohli named Person of the Year ...... 14 Guyana to be fastest growing country ...... 6 Delhi Metro won 2 awards ...... 14 China approved drug to cure Alzheimer's ...... 6 China launched new Earth observation satellite Floating school project in Bangladesh awarded ...... 14 ...... 6 First blockchain-based carbon trading exchange Marathon man Kipchoge won Athlete of the Year ...... 15 ...... 6 Manisha Kulshreshtha won award ...... 15 Russia’s Submarine test fired Missile ...... 7 Bajrang Punia honored in Dubai ...... 15 Spain offered to host COP Climate Summit ..... 7 Greta Thunberg received Peace Prize ...... 16 National Affairs 8 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw conferred with award 16 President to Visit UP from Nov 30 to Dec 1 ..... 8 Winners of Gandhian Challenge announced . 16

Sridevi and Rekha conferred with award ...... 16 Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Award instituted ...... 24

Rejoice National Ayush Awards presented .... 17 Rajnikanth to receive Special Icon award ...... 24

Rezwana Choudhury Bannya got award ...... 17 Days & Events 25

Movie “Bhonsle” won awards ...... 17 IR First electric loco shed 91st anniversary: 28 November ...... 25 Tobacco Board of India won Award ...... 17 National Milk Day: 26 November ...... 25 PCI's journalism award presented ...... 18 11th anniversary of 26/11: November 26 ...... 25 Robert De Niro to be conferred with award .... 18 Constitution Day celebrated on 26 November 25 Dr. Cyrus conferred with the ABLF Award ..... 18 Day for the Elimination of Violence: 25 Amit Panghal conferred Haryana Gaurav award November ...... 26 ...... 18 NCC celebrated its 71st Raising Day on 24 Nov Avneet Sidhu honored with award ...... 19 2019 ...... 26 Indian scholar won BRICS-Young Innovator Indian Army celebrated Poonch Link Up Day on Prize ...... 19 23 November ...... 26 Munin Barkotoki Literary Award announced ... 19 World COPD Day: 20 November ...... 27 Shanta Gokhale awarded ...... 19 World Philosophy Day: 21 November ...... 27 Wildlife biologist K. Ullas Karanth won award 20 World Television Day: 21 November ...... 27 Golden Jubilee of IFFI starts on November 20 World Fisheries Day: 21 November ...... 27 ...... 20 World Children’s Day: 20 November...... 28 National Entrepreneurship Awards conferred 20 Africa Industrialization Day: 20 November ..... 28 Punjab CM conferred achievers award ...... 20 Kumar Mangalam Birla conferred with an award World Toilet Day: 19 November ...... 28 ...... 21 Day for remembering road traffic victims on 17 November ...... 28 Infosys Prize 2019 for science and research . 21 Abhishek Sarkar wins award at Dhaka Lit-fest National Epilepsy Day: 17 November ...... 29 ...... 21 UK observed the 101st Armistice Day on 11 November ...... 29 Kothari to get Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award .. 21 International Day for Tolerance: 16 November Sara Damnjanovic won Miss Asia Global title 22 ...... 29 Neeraj Sharma won award ...... 22 National Press Day: 16 November...... 29 Sudarshan Pattnaik selected for an Award .... 22 World Kindness Day: November 13 ...... 30 Madhuri Vijay’s debut novel won prize ...... 22 World Pneumonia Day: November 12 ...... 30 Documentary on Real Kashmir FC bagged World Diabetes Day on 14 November ...... 30 awards ...... 23 Children’s Day: 14th November ...... 30 Writer Anand selected for Ezhuthachan award ...... 23 Public Service Broadcasting Day ...... 30

Nawazuddin Siddiqui wins Golden Dragon 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji 31 Award ...... 23 World Science Day for Peace and Development PepsiCo India wins US award for saving water ...... 31 ...... 23 National Education Day: 11 November ...... 31

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Legal Services Day: 9th November ...... 31 Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan re-elected ...... 39 International Day of Radiology: 8 November .. 32 Amitabh's six films to be screened at IFFI ..... 39 National Cancer Awareness Day...... 32 FICCI & Chairman of Modi Enterprises K.K. 2nd ‘No money for terror conference 2019' .... 32 Modi passed away ...... 39 International Day celebrated on 6 ...... 33 Dhanlaxmi Bank MD, CEO T. Latha resigns . 40 World Tsunami Awareness Day: 5 November Government Policies & Schemes 41 ...... 33 End Impunity for Crimes against Journalist Day Subsidy Services Awas Portal launched ...... 41 ...... 33 UP govt launched immunisation campaign .... 41

Books & Authors 34 Andhra Pradesh govt launched a scheme ..... 41 Assamese version of 'Courts of India' released J&K achieves highest road length under ...... 34 PMGSY ...... 41 Three books on Guru Nanak Dev Ji launched Assam govt released the new Land Policy 2019 ...... 34 ...... 42

‘The True Meaning of Yoga’ book unveiled .... 34 J&K to launch Back to Village programme .... 42

Book on Hemant Karkare released ...... 34 87 lakh homes completed under PMAY-G so far ...... 42 UNICEF released a booklet ...... 35 1 Tola Gold to Brides free of cost ...... 42 Personalities in News 36 SAANS campaign launched in Gujarat ...... 43 Chairman of the Zee Entertainment Subhash Chandra has stepped down ...... 36 DARPG holds meetings with J&K Higher officials ...... 43 Lieutenant Shivangi: 1st woman pilot for Navy ...... 36 Diamond Quadrilateral Bullet Train NW Project ...... 43 Devendra Fadnavis has taken oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister ...... 36 Mandatory BIS hallmark for jewelry from 2021 ...... 44 Billie Eilish: Billboard’s Woman of the Year .... 36 FASTag implementation postponed to Dec 15 Suman Billa will join the UNWTO ...... 37 ...... 44 Mahinda Rajapaksa: New PM of Sri Lanka .... 37 Labour Code on IR Bill introduced in Lok Sabha Lieutenant Colonel Jyoti Sharma has been ...... 44 appointed ...... 37 UP buses accept credit cards to buy tickets .. 44 Anil Ambani resigned from Reliance Comm. .. 37 Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh announced .... 45 Laishram Sarita Devi of Manipur elected as Delhi CM launched a new scheme ...... 45 members of AIBA Athletes Commission ...... 37 Assam government announced new schemes Senior journalist Rajat Sharma resigned ...... 38 ...... 45 Nita Ambani on MET board ...... 38 Andhra Pradesh govt launched Nadu-Nedu Dutee Chand on TIME 100 Next list ...... 38 scheme ...... 45 President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, has resigned 11.35 lakh Golden Cards issued under AB- ...... 38 PMJAY ...... 46

Four Indian-Americans won elections in US .. 39 Mission Indradhanush 2.0 portal launched .... 46

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Science & Technology 47 IIT Delhi and ISRO to set up space cell ...... 53

ISRO launched satellite Cartosat-3 ...... 47 Business & Economy 54

Aquatic environment with no life form found .. 47 MG Motor to use recycled Li-ion batteries ..... 54

Rising surface temperature causes El Nino ... 47 IBBI amends the IPRCP Regulations, 2016 .. 54

Indian scientists identified a protein ...... 48 RIL market cap hit ₹9.5 lakh crore ...... 54

Potential Diarrhea vaccine developed in Authorised capital of FCI enhanced ...... 54 Sweden ...... 48 Promotion of e-agriculture in full swing ...... 55 ISRO to launch Cartosat-3 on Nov 25 ...... 48 Jammu-Srinagar metro operations starts by Pakistan introduced vaccine to combat typhoid 2024 ...... 55 ...... 48 Sept. quarter falls to 4.5%, lowest in 25 qtr. .. 55 Breaking carbon dioxide is faster and cheaper SEBI slapped Rs 40.5 lakh fine on 7 firms .... 55 ...... 49 RBI expanded the scope of SNRR account ... 56 Bizongo tops in the Fast 50 India programme...... 49 Sale of govt stake in five CPSEs ...... 56 Cybersecurity COE, Hyd signs MoU with IIAAT NCAER forecasts India’s GDP growth at 4.9% ...... 49 ...... 56

IIT Researchers to Create 'Gandhipedia' ...... 50 Moody lowers India’s GDP growth forecast ... 56

Government has launched new Aadhaar app 50 India: Favored place for energy investments . 57 Cybersecurity Tech program by IIT-Kanpur & TS RBI increased household income limits ...... 57 ...... 50 RBI imposes Rs 5 lakh fine on Oxigen Services Schneider Electric FTY to launch in Bengaluru ...... 57 ...... 50 RBI issued compensation norms ...... 58

Vietnamese mouse deer sighted after 30 years Sports 59 ...... 51 Lakshya Sen won Scottish Open title ...... 59 IBM to launch a new weather forecasting system Rafael Nadal clinched sixth Davis Cup title ... 59 ...... 51 13th edition of the Hero I-League launched ... 59 New signal fish discovered off Kerala coast ... 51 Vijender Singh claimed 12th successive win . 59 Japanese spacecraft started journey to home ...... 51 IAAF officially changed its name ...... 60 NASA detects huge X-ray burst from outer Brazil lifted U-17 World Cup title ...... 60 space ...... 52 Chitharesh Natesan crowned Mr. Universe 2019 Spider species named after Sachin Tendulkar ...... 60 ...... 52 Jemimah Rodrigues in top 5 of T20 ICC rankings NASA unveiled its first electric airplane ...... 52 ...... 61

China launched Sudan’s first ever satellite .... 52 ISSF World Cup: Manu Bhaker won gold medal ...... 61 US university to collaborate with AIIMS ...... 53 Max Verstappen won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix The 3rd Women Scientists Conclave to be held ...... 61 ...... 53 India-Pakistan Davis Cup tie shifted ...... 61 Vigyan Samagam inaugurated ...... 53

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Bhubaneswar to host Hockey Pro League Official emblem unveiled for FIFA U-17 2020 69 matches ...... 62 India won 3-match series against West Indies Shreyasi Singh won gold medal ...... 62 ...... 69

CFG acquired majority stake of Mumbai City FC Deepak Kumar secured 10th Olympic quota . 70 ...... 62 Rafael Nadal secured No 1 spot for eighth time Abhishek-Jyothi claimed gold in Archery ...... 62 ...... 70

Mayank Agarwal made maiden entry in top 10 Shahbaz helped India B lift Deodhar Trophy . 70 ...... 63 Indian Hockey teams qualify for 2020 Olympics Indian archers clinched 3 bronze medals ...... 63 ...... 70 5% reservation to sportspersons in jobs in MP India bagged bronze in Dragon Boat World Cup ...... 63 ...... 71

Indian archers bagged bronze ...... 64 Lewis Hamilton won sixth F1 world championship ...... 71 Sangram, Varsha won double trap national title ...... 64 Novak Djokovic won Paris Masters 2019 title 71

Marathon man Kipchoge won Athlete of the Year Ashleigh Barty claimed the 2019 WTA Finals 72 ...... 64 Lakshya Sen won SaarLorLux Badminton India won 28 medals in U-15 Wrestling C’ships tournament...... 72 ...... 64 Maisnam won boys' singles U-19 title ...... 72 Harmeet Desai claimed Indonesia Open ...... 65 South Africa won Rugby World Cup ...... 72 India recorded best-ever 9 medal hauls ...... 65 India dropped to 106th in FIFA Men’s rankings 63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship ...... 73 Competitions 2019 ...... 65 Rahul Dravid asked to depose again ...... 73 UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament ...... 65 Prithvi Sekhar won gold in Deaf Championship Stefanos Tsitsipas won ATP Finals title ...... 65 ...... 73

Indian women clinched five gold medals ...... 66 Pooja Gehlot Bags Silver ...... 73

Sharad Kumar won a silver ...... 66 Kareena Kapoor unveils World T20 trophies . 74

India set to host World Kabaddi cup 2019 ...... 66 Mary Kom to represent Asian bloc ...... 74

Wushu C'ship winners felicitated ...... 67 Shiva Thapa, Pooja Rani clinched gold ...... 74

IOA met CGF officials ...... 67 Defence 75

Virat maintained top position in ODI ranking .. 67 India, France to jointly patrol IOR ...... 75

Sundar Singh won gold ...... 67 Night trial of Agni-II conducted successfully .. 75

Saurabh Chaudhary won silver medal ...... 68 Exercise TIGER TRIUMPH ...... 75

Sports Ranking News ...... 68 The 58th ISAM Annual Conference to be held ...... 76 India secured 15 quota places for Olympics .. 68 IAF to sign contract to procure 83 LCAs ...... 76 Kento Momota beat Tien Chen to win China Open ...... 68 Exercise Indra 2019 to be held in December . 76

India to host 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup . 69 Defence innovations conference held ...... 76

Rohit Sharma makes record ...... 69

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MPC for MILAN 2020 concluded at Dharma Guardian' military exercise concludes Visakhapatnam ...... 77 ...... 82

Exercise ReSAREX-2019 conducted ...... 77 Miscellaneous News 83

Bilateral maritime exercise ‘Samudra Shakti' . 77 MP to develop 34 cities on global standards . 83

GRSE delivered ‘Annie Besant’ to ICG ...... 77 President's Colour presented to Naval Academy ...... 83 Indian Army to get 18 Dhanush artillery guns 78 Darjeeling’s green and white teas got GI tag . 83 Commissioning of INAS 314 - “Raptors” ...... 78 250th session of Rajya Sabha commenced .. 83 India to host naval drill Milan 2020 ...... 78 Digital Gurukul partnered with Certif-ID ...... 84 Bipin Rawat to be first Chief of Defence Staff 78 J&K achieves highest road length under Seminar DEFCOM INDIA 2019 began in New PMGSY ...... 84 Delhi ...... 79 Short documentary film on Water Conservation Anti-Tank Guided Missiles inducted in Army .. 79 ...... 84 3rd Military Literature Festival to be held ...... 79 World's biggest Islamic Congregation began. 85 India successfully test fired Prithvi 2 ...... 79 Kolkata installed ‘Third Umpire’ Machines ..... 85 Indian Army celebrated Poonch Link Up Day . 80 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting held 85 US cleared sale of Naval Guns to India ...... 80 Medipally: First child friendly police station .... 85 ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur delivered to ICG ...... 80 National Tribal Festival Aadi Mahotsav began 1st Indo-Qatari joint Naval Exercise began .... 80 ...... 86

India and Singapore to strengthen cooperation India’s first elephant memorial in Mathura ..... 86 ...... 81 BIMSTEC Conclave to be held in Sindhu Sudarshan ex conducted in Rajasthan Visakhapatnam ...... 86 ...... 81 Indian Army to get 18 Dhanush artillery guns 86 India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise began 5th India International Science Fes to be held ...... 81 ...... 87

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International Affairs

Pakistan introduced vaccine to combat typhoid • Pakistan became the 1st country in the world to introduce a new Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV). • The vaccine, approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2018, will initially be used during a two-week immunisation campaign starting from November 18-30, 2019 in the urban areas of Sindh. • Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is a one-dose vaccine, that will be injected intramuscularly.

Indra Nooyi's portrait in the NPF • Indian-American former PepsiCo head Indra Nooyi and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos have been inducted into the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. • They have been inducted for their accomplishments and positive impact on America’s shared history, development and culture. • The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery was founded by Congress in 1962. • It is situated in Washington DC, USA.

Dhaka International Folk Festival inaugurated • The 5th edition of the Dhaka International Folk Festival was inaugurated on 14 Nov 2019 by the Information Minister of Bangladesh Dr Hasan Mahmud. • More than 200 artistes from 6 countries are be performing in the largest folk festival of Asia. • During the 3-day festival a large number of popular artists from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Russia and other countries will perform in Dhaka.

Match fixing a crime: Sri Lanka • Sri Lanka has become the first South Asian nation to bring match-fixing cases to the category of crime as its parliament passed a bill related to ‘Prevention of Offences Related to Sports’. • This new legislation related to match-fixing and corruption will apply to all sports.

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• If a person is found guilty of corruption, he will be punished for up to 10 years and also be required to pay fines.

FIFA banned three football officials for life • FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has banned 3 South American football officials for a lifetime for connection with a 2015 corruption scandal in football. • The three officials who were banned were Former Peru Football Federation Manuel Burga and Argentinian officials Eduardo Deluca and Jose Luis Meiszner. • President of FIFA: Gianni Infantino • HQs: Zürich, Switzerland.

Sumatran rhinoceros are extinct in Malaysia • The Sumatran rhinoceros is now extinct in Malaysia. • The country’s last female rhino, Iman, died of cancer recently. • Iman was captured in March 2014 and was given the very best care and attention after the capture. • Tam, Malaysia’s last male rhino, died in May 2019. • Sumatran rhinoceros also known as Asian two-horned rhinoceros is the smallest rhinoceros.

Ocean Dance Festival 2019 began in Bangladesh • The four-day long Ocean Dance Festival 2019 kicked off in Cox Bazar of Bangladesh on 22 Nov 2019. • Ocean Dance Festival is the largest international dance festival of Bangladesh in which more than 200 dancers, choreographers and scholars from 15 countries are participating. • The theme for the year 2019 is 'Bridging the distance' or Durotter Shetubandhan.

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Climate Emergency: Word of the Year • Oxford Dictionaries has named “climate emergency” as its 2019 Word of the Year. • The use of the term “climate emergency” increased by a hundredfold since 2018, according to data collected in the Oxford Corpus. • Climate emergency is defined as a situation in which urgent action is required to reduce climate change and also to avoid the possible irreversible environmental loss resulting from it.

2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders begun • The 2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders began in Baku, Azerbaijan. • The summit is being held from 14-15 November 2019. • The Summit aims to contribute to the development of inter-religious dialogue, promotion, and evolution of such human values as mutual understanding and human solidarity. • It has brought together religious leaders of 25 traditional religions and movements from 70 countries.

The 2nd edition of the Paris Peace Forum held • The 2nd edition of the Paris Peace Forum was held at La Grande Halle de La Villette in Paris, France. • The event was held from 11-13 November 2019. • The event aimed to encourage international cooperation and collective action for a peaceful world. • It works as an incubator to drive projects and launch new initiatives. • The forum is held to mobilize and bring together all stakeholders.

Second Ebola vaccine to be offered in Congo • A second Ebola vaccine is to be offered to around 50,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of a major clinical trial. • The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be used alongside a one-dose vaccine made by Merck, which has already been given to around 250,000 people. • Merck's jab has now been approved by the World Health Organization.

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Facebook removed 5.4 billion fake accounts • Facebook has stopped 5.4 billion fake accounts so far in 2019, in a sign of a persistent battle on social media against manipulation and disinformation. • A detailed report showed that government demands for user information hit a new high led by the US. • Overall, requests by governments for Facebook user data rose 16 per cent to 128,617 in the first half of 2019.

Iran discovered new oil field • Iran has discovered a new oilfield with 53 billion barrels of crude oil in Khuzestan province, home to Iran’s Khuzestan’s crucial oil industry. • The announcement, however, did not reveal how much oil could be produced from the reservoir. • The new oil field discovered is 2,400 square kilometres (925 square miles), with the deposit some 80 metres (260 feet) deep.

Dhaka Global Dialogue begun • PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first edition of the three- day long Dhaka Global Dialogue on 11 Nov 2019. • The three-day-long programme is being jointly organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). • Over 150 delegates from 50 countries are participating in the conference.

Mauritius PM claimed victory • Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth claimed victory in the Mauritius election. • Roughly three-quarters of the island's almost one million eligible voters turned out to cast their ballots, a bit above the last poll in 2014. • It is the first time in decades that three distinct political blocs vied for power in the legislative elections.

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30th year of the Fall of the Berlin Wall • Google celebrated the 30th year of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a doodle on 9 November 2019. • The doodle created by Berlin-based guest artist Max Guther, shows a man and woman walk over the wall brought down. • It was the moment that signaled the simultaneous end of the Cold War and the beginning of reunification of East and West Germany.

50th WEF Annual Meeting to be held in Davos • The 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting will be held in Davos in January 2020. • Over 100 Indian CEOs, several political leaders and Bollywood stars will be attending it. • The 2020 meeting aims to give a concrete meaning to stakeholder capitalism, assist governments and international institutions in tracking progress towards the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Scientists declared a climate emergency • Scientists have declared a climate emergency across the world. • 11,258 signatories from more than 153 countries, including 69 from India, presented the trends in climate change. • They also provided a set of effective mitigating actions. • The researchers said that climate change has arrived and is accelerating faster than many scientists expected.

China launched Sudan’s first ever satellite • Sudan’s first-ever satellite for conducting research in military, economic and space technology has been launched by China. • Sudan’s remote-sensing satellite (SRSS-1), was developed by the Shenzhen Aerospace Oriental Red Sea Satellite Co. • The satellite was launched aboard China’s Long March-4B rocket along with other Chinese satellites including Gaofen 7, Xiaoxiang-1 08, Whampoa 1.

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Guyana to be fastest growing country • According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Guyana’s GDP is expected to be more at 86% in 2020 after expanding 4.4% in 2019. • Guyana’s economy will grow more than three times within five years. • Guyana’ GDP is to get fourteen times as fast as China’s GDP in 2020. • Guyana is projecting $300 million in petroleum revenue in 2020. • It is a country of South America with 7,80,000 population.

China approved drug to cure Alzheimer's • China approved a home-grown drug to cure Alzheimer's, the first in two decades. • National Medical Products Administration has approved the market launch of the drug, GV-971. • According to Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceutical, patients will be able to buy the drug around China from 29 Dec 2019. • The drug is the only Alzheimer's medicine out of more than 320 developed around the globe.

China launched new Earth observation satellite • China launched a new high-resolution remote sensing satellite capable of providing stereoscopic imagery on 3 Nov 2019. • Gaofen-7, a sub-metre resolution optical satellite, boasts the highest mapping accuracy among domestic peers, and can map China and even the world’s lands stereoscopically with a margin of error of less than a metre.

First blockchain-based carbon trading exchange • Singapore-based AirCarbon Pte launched the worlds’ first blockchain-based carbon trading exchange. • This will allow airlines and other corporate buyers to buy as well sell tokens backed by carbon offset credits approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. • The company targets for the exchange to be fully operational in 2020.

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Russia’s Submarine test fired Missile • Russia’s Knyaz Vladimir submarine of Borei-class vessel, test-fired its most advanced nuclear-powered missile named, Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile. • It precisely hit the target range of 1000 km away in the Russian region of Kamchatka. • The launch was conducted in the white sea of the northwest coast of Russia with a dummy payload.

Spain offered to host COP Climate Summit • The Spanish government confirmed that it has offered to host the COP 25 climate summit after Chile abandoned plans to hold it due to deadly anti- government protests. • Spain is also gearing up for a general election on November 10, 2019, its fourth in as many years. • The Spanish government had made the offer and stated the importance of guaranteeing that COP25 takes place normally

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National Affairs

President to Visit UP from Nov 30 to Dec 1 • The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will visit Uttar Pradesh from November 30 to December 1, 2019. • The President will inaugurate a conference on recent advancements in computer, communication and information technology at PSIT College of Higher Education, Kanpur. • He will also attend the first alumni meet of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur.

President of India hosts President of SriLanka • The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind received His Excellency Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of SL at Rashtrapati Bhavan. • He also hosted a banquet in his honour. • The President said that India has always been keen to strengthen the economic pillar of our bilateral relationship and promote greater trade and investment links between India and SL

No Pegasus spyware is used for UA interception • IT minister Ravi responded to the Oppositions’ queries that the govt didn't negotiate any deal or did any bus transaction with the Israel-based tech firm NSO. • He said that the govt didn't use Pegasus spyware for the unauthorized interception of WhatsApp • He also mentioned that the Centre is conducting cyber auditing, training for officials and skilling of cybersecurity team at CERT-IN

Guru Ghasidas Park now a tiger reserve • The Chhattisgarh government has decided to declare Guru Ghasidas National Park in the state’s Korea district as a tiger reserve.

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• The decision was taken at a meeting of Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. • Presently the state has three tiger reserves, namely Indravati in Bijapur district, Udanti-Sitanadi in Gariaband and Achanakmar in Bilaspur.

Logo, motto introduced for Lokpal • Lokpal Chairman Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose launched the new logo and motto for the apex anti-corruption ombudsman. • A new motto, “Ma Gridhah Kasyasvidhanam (Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth)”, was also adopted. • A logo designed by Prashant Mishra, a resident of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, was finally selected out of 2,236 entries.

47th All India Police Science Congress began • In UP, the 47th All India Police Science Congress (AIPSC) began in Lucknow on 28 Nov 2019. • The two-day event was inaugurated by Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi. • Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be the chief guest at the valedictory function. • It is the second time since the inception of the Annual Mind Churning exercise in 1960 that Lucknow is organizing this event.

IFFI concluded at Panaji in Goa • The International Film Festival of India, IFFI, came to an end at Panaji in Goa on 28 Nov 2019. • The 50th edition of Asia's biggest film festival began on the 20 November 2019. • The theme of the event was Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. • More than 30 Masterclass and In Conversation sessions were conducted this time at IFFI. • Filmmakers like Imtiaz Ali and Priyadarshan held such sessions

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National Tribal Craft Mela 2019 • CM of Odisha Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the National Tribal Craft Mela – 2019 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha recently. • The objective of the Mela is to preserve, promote and popularise traditional tribal art and craft and help the artisans to find better opportunities. • More than 240 tribal artisans from 18 states including Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, etc. are participating in the Mela.

Devi Ahilya University gets A grade from NAAC • The Indore-based Devi Ahilya University has become Madhya Pradesh's first varsity to be accorded A grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). • The Centre of higher learning is now entitled to several other facilities. • It may introduce courses recognised by the University Grants Commission without its permission besides commencing open distance-learning courses.

UP to set up state's 1st vulture conservation • The Uttar Pradesh government will set up state's first vulture conservation and breeding centre in Farenda area of Maharajganj district. • It will be set up on the lines of Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore in Haryana, which is also the first in the country. • There has been a sharp decline in the population of vultures from 40 million to 19,000 in a span of over three decades.

Amaravati included in India's political map • The Survey of India released a new political map of India with Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. • Amaravati was missing from the new map, which was released by the Survey of India on November 2, 2019. • Telangana has Hyderabad as its capital and it is the capital for Andhra Pradesh too for a period of 10 years from the date of bifurcation from 2014.

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3-day Commonwealth Youth Parliament began • Delhi Assembly is hosting a three-day Commonwealth Youth Parliament which began on 25 November 2019. • Around 47 participants from 24 Commonwealth countries will participate in the event along with eleven participants from India. • Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be the Chief Guest of the event. • It is for the first time that an Indian Legislature is hosting the Commonwealth Youth Parliament.

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Awards & Honours

‘Particles’ wins the Golden Peacock Award 2019 • ‘Particles’ directed by Blaise Harrison and produced by Estelle Fialon has won the coveted Golden Peacock Award at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. • Lijo Jose Pellissery conferred Best Director Award for ‘Jallikattu’ • Amin Sidi Boumediene and Marius Olteanu receives Award for ‘Best Debut Feature Film of a Director’ for ‘Abou Leila’ and ‘Monsters’

Ekalavya award 2019 for Jhilli Dalabehera • Odia women weightlifter Jhilli Dalabehera will receive the 27th Ekalavya Award for 2019. • The annual award instituted by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) comprises a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a citation. • She has won two gold, three silver and a bronze medal in different International weightlifting events held between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019.

Ranjana wins National Award for Journalism • Dr Mangalam Swaminathan Foundation announced the 'National Award for Excellence in Journalism' 2019 to former UNI journalist Ranjana Narayan for her lifetime achievements. • She worked for UNI and also worked as the commissioning editor with reputed publishing houses • The award consists of a cash prize of Rs one lakh, a memento and a citation in bronze

Malayali poet Akkitham wins 55th Jnanpith award. • Malayalam poet Akkitham was conferred with the 55th Jnanpith award for his outstanding contribution to the Malayalam literature. • Akkitham is the sixth from Kerala to be bestowed with the highest literary honour and he has authored 55 books.

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• Born in 1926, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, popularly known as Akkitham is one of the most revered names in Malayalam poetry.

IFFI 2019 Award winners • IFFI: International Film Festival of India (Goa). • The Best Actor (Male) Award has gone to Seu Jorge for his portrayal of Carlos Marighella in the Brazilian movie ‘Marighella’. • The Best Actor (Female) Award has gone to Usha Jadhav for her portrayal of ‘Prabha Mai’, in the Marathi film ‘Mai Ghatt: Crime No. 103/2005’. • Pema Tseden walked away with the Special Jury Award for his film ‘Balloon’.

‘Rwanda’ won the ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal • Italian film ‘Rwanda’ directed by Riccardo Salvetti won The ICFT –UNESCO Gandhi Medal. • ‘Bahattar Hoorain' the Indian movie directed by Sanjay P. Singh Chauhan earned the special mention under ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi medal category. • The medal bears a portrait of Gandhi engraved by the French artist Pierre- Yves Tremois. Etched underneath is Mahatma’s message: In the midst of darkness light prevails

Indian journalist Neha Dixit won award • Indian journalist Neha Dixit has received 2019 International Press Freedom Awards. • This award was presented by Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non- profit organization whose aim is to enable journalists to work without the fear of reprisal. • She has covered politics, gender, and social justice in print, TV, and online media for more than a decade.

Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2019 • The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019 awards were conferred to top- ranked states, Union Territories, and districts in the various categories on the occasion of World Toilet Day on 19 Nov 2019.

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• The top-ranked state was Tamil Nadu, the top-ranked district was Peddapalli (Telangana), and the state with the maximum citizen participation was Uttar Pradesh.

Sir David Attenborough to receive award • The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2019 will be conferred on renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. • He will be awarded for his tireless work to preserve and protect biodiversity. • This prestigious award, named after former prime minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, is being accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Trust since 1986.

Virat Kohli named Person of the Year • India captain Virat Kohli was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s ‘Person of the Year for 2019’ for his animal advocacy efforts. • The PETA awards are given to people or organisations that take initiative in the welfare of animals and violence against animals. • Past recipients of the award include Shashi Tharoor, Anushka Sharma, R Madhavan, and Jacqueline Fernandez.

Delhi Metro won 2 awards • The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been conferred with two awards for its commendable initiatives in promoting the metro as a green and sustainable mode of transport among the masses. • DMRC was awarded for the ‘Last Mile Connectivity’ project and the ‘Green Metro project. • It was awarded at the 12th Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2019 held from 15-17 Nov, 2019 in Lucknow.

Floating school project in Bangladesh awarded • Floating school project in Bangladesh won Aga Khan Architecture Award.

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• ‘The Arcadia Education Project’ in South Kanarchor of Bangladesh is an innovative concept. • The school also serves as a shelter, a daycare centre and a vocational training centre for the local people. • The project has been lauded for its contribution to improve the lives of rural students coming from poor families.

Marathon man Kipchoge won Athlete of the Year • Eliud Kipchoge, the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours, and 400 metres hurdles world champion Dalilah Muhammad won the World Athlete of the Year awards. • Kipchoge claimed the prize after making history in Oct 2019 when he ran the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres in 1hr 59min 40.2sec. • Muhammad set a world record of 52.20 sec at the US Trials in Iowa in July 2019.

Manisha Kulshreshtha won award • Noted writer from Rajasthan, Manisha Kulshreshtha, was awarded the 28th Bihari Puraskar for 2018 for her novel Swapnapash, on 22 Nov 2019. • The award is presented by the KK Birla Foundation and is for writers of Rajasthani origin. • It is given annually to an outstanding work in Hindi or Rajasthani published in the past 10 years. • It carries a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh, a citation, and plaque.

Bajrang Punia honored in Dubai • Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia was conferred the Indian Personality of the Year Award (Sports) at the Indo Arab Leaders Summit & Awards 2019 in Dubai recently. • World powerlifting champion Mahant Gaurav Sharma was also honored with Visionary Leaders of the Year (Sports) award.

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Greta Thunberg received Peace Prize • Greta Thunberg was awarded an international children's peace prize on 21 Nov 2019, for her work in the struggle against climate change. • Cameroonian peace activist Divina Maloum also received the International Children's Peace Prize. • The award was given by the Dutch Kids Right organisation, which has been handing out the prize since the year 2005.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw conferred with award • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and MD, Biocon, was conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). • She was awarded for her outstanding achievement in healthcare and contribution to the society at large. • Bill Gates, co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, gave away this award to Mazumdar-Shaw in New Delhi recently.

Winners of Gandhian Challenge announced • The NITI Aayog has announced top 30 winners of the Gandhian Challenge, which was organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. • The aim of the challenge was to encourage children to read and understand Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and apply them to come up with innovative solutions for New World challenges. • It saw the participation from more than 3,800 children.

Sridevi and Rekha conferred with award • The veteran actors Sridevi and Rekha were conferred with the Akkineni Nageswara Rao National Award for 2018 and 2019 respectively, on 17 November 2019. • The award was presented by renowned Telugu actor Chiranjeevi. • The award is instituted by the Akkineni International Foundation and honours those who have made a lasting impact on Indian cinema.

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Rejoice National Ayush Awards presented • Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik gave away Rejoice National Ayush Awards to health sector entities. • They were awarded for their significant contribution in providing health services through various programmes. • The awards were initiated by Rejoice Health Foundation, a promoter of mankind health services in the country.

Rezwana Choudhury Bannya got award • Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent from Bangladesh Rezwana Choudhury Bannya was conferred the ICCR distinguished alumni award in Dhaka recently. • She has established a musical school 'Shurer Dhara' in Bangladesh to carry forward the Guru-Shishya tradition as practiced in Shantiniketan. • She is also a recipient of 'Independence Award' which is the highest civilian award of Bangladesh.

Movie “Bhonsle” won awards • The critically acclaimed movie “Bhonsle” has won prestigious awards at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona. • The film has bagged two awards in the ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Director’ categories at the festival. • The film is directed by Devashish Makhija. • The film revolves around a police constable who tries to help in the struggles of migrants and their battles with the local politicians.

Tobacco Board of India won Award • The Tobacco Board of India was awarded the Golden Leaf award 2019 in the ‘Public Service Initiative’ category. • It was awarded for its efforts in undertaking various ecological initiatives towards Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco cultivation in India. • In 2014 too the board won the coveted award for its implementation of an electronic auction system.

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PCI's journalism award presented • Press Council of India announced the names of the winners of National Awards for Excellence in Journalism for the year 2019. • Eminent journalist and Chairman of Rajasthan Patrika Gulab Kothari was awarded Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of journalism. • Shiva Swaroop Awasthi and Anu Abrahim were jointly awarded in the category of Developmental Reporting.

Robert De Niro to be conferred with award • Hollywood veteran and double Oscar winner Robert De Niro will receive the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. • The SAG Life Achievement Award is given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession”. • He will be awarded at the upcoming Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Dr. Cyrus conferred with the ABLF Award • Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, founder and chairman of Serum Institute of India, was conferred with the ABLF Lifetime Achievement Award in Dubai, UAE. • The award was presented by the 12th edition of the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF). • The award recognizes visionary leaders from across Asia, who inspire and set high standards in leadership excellence.

Amit Panghal conferred Haryana Gaurav award • India boxer Amit Panghal was conferred the Haryana Gaurav award for winning the silver medal in the World Boxing Championship. • The award was conferred by the Haryana in UK Association. • The association also honored the International Sports Curator Sunil Yash Kalra. • The Haryana Gaurav award is presented every year to those who have been successful in leaving a mark in the field of sports.

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Avneet Sidhu honored with award • Former international shooter Avneet Sidhu was honored with Guru Nanak Dev Ji Achievers Award at Sultanpur Lodhi. • Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh conferred the award on Avneet during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev for her contribution to the field of sports. • The state govt honored 550 Punjabis who achieved success in their fields.

Indian scholar won BRICS-Young Innovator Prize • Ravi Prakash, an Indian scholar has won the 25,000 US Dollar BRICS- Young Innovator Prize for inventing an affordable indigenous milk chilling unit for smaller and marginal rural dairy farmers. • This technology can be used for chilling milk from the point of production by bringing down the temperature of raw milk from 37°C to 7°C within 30 mins. • It uses nano-fluid based phase change materials.

Munin Barkotoki Literary Award announced • The Munin Barkotoki Memorial Trust has chosen young poet Ankur Ranjan Phukan and short story writer Monoranjan Bori for the Munin Barkotoki Literary Award 2019. • They will be awarded for their manuscripts Khando-ta and Moh-jokh respectively. • This annual award carries a cash prize of 50,000 rupees along with a citation and a plaque.

Shanta Gokhale awarded • The Tata Literature Live! Lifetime Achievement Award for 2019 was conferred on writer, translator and film critic Shanta Gokhale. • She recently published her memoir One Foot on the Ground: A Life Told Through the Body. • She received the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2015. • Poet K Satchidanandan was named the Tata Literature Live! Poet Laureate for 2019.

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Wildlife biologist K. Ullas Karanth won award • Wildlife biologist K. Ullas Karanth, Director, Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bengaluru, was awarded the George Schaller Lifetime Award in Wildlife Conservation Science for his contribution to the field of conservation. • He is the first recipient of the award instituted by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), New York. • He is also a recipient of Padma Shri award (2012).

Golden Jubilee of IFFI starts on November 20 • The Golden Jubilee of International Film Festival of India will start on 20 Nov 2019 in Goa. • It is the first International Film Festival held anywhere in Asia. IFFI began its journey in 1952 by the Films Division with 23 countries entering over 200 films. • The Competition Category was introduced in 1965. • Sri Lankan film Gamperaliya was the 1st recipient of the Golden Peacock Award.

National Entrepreneurship Awards conferred • Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey conferred the National Entrepreneurship Awards 2019 to Enterprises and Ecosystem builders on 9 Nov 2019. • The fourth edition of the award ceremony was organized to mark the completion of 5 years of setting up of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in 2014.

Punjab CM conferred achievers award • On the occasion of 550th Prakash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh conferred achievers award to over 400 eminent Punjabi personalities for their outstanding contribution in various fields. • The awards were presented in the fields of religious and social activities, defence, literature, art, music and culture, and sports.

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Kumar Mangalam Birla conferred with an award • Kumar Mangalam Birla was conferred the ABLF Global Asian Award, for “powerful individual whose business footprint and commitment to excellence have engaged international interest and attention”. • The previous awardees include Dhirubhai Ambani, Lakshmi Mittal, Mohamed Ali Alaber, chairman of Emaar group, and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates.

Infosys Prize 2019 for science and research • The Infosys Prize for 2019 was announced at the Infosys campus in Bengaluru. • The award is given annually to honour outstanding achievements IN six categories: Humanities: Manu V. Deva Devan, Life Sciences: Manjula Reddy, Mathematical Sciences: Siddhartha Mishra, Physical Sciences: G. Mugesh, Social Sciences: Anand Pandian, Engineering and Computer Science: Sunita Sarawagi.

Abhishek Sarkar wins award at Dhaka Lit-fest • At the 9th edition of the Dhaka Literature festival, West Bengal-based writer Abhishek Sarkar and Bangladeshi poet Rofiquzzama Rony were given the Gemcon Young Literature Award and Gemcon Young Poetry Award. • Abhishek and Rofiquzzaman won the awards for their manuscripts, “Nishiddho” and “Dhoashar Tamate Rong,” respectively. • The special focus of this year’s is on Indigenous Languages.

Kothari to get Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award • Rajasthan Patrika group chairman, Gulab Kothari has been chosen for the prestigious Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award 2019. • The award is presented by the Press Council of India. • Sanjay Saini, Correspondent, Dainik Bhaskar, Mandi, and Raj Chengappa, Group Editorial Director, India Today, have been jointly named as winners of the award in the category of ‘Rural Journalism’.

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Sara Damnjanovic won Miss Asia Global title • The 5th Edition of ‘Miss Asia Global Title 2019’ was organized at Gokulam Convention centre in Kochi, Kerala. • Sara Damnjanovic from Serbia has been crowned ‘Miss Asia Global 2019’. • Nguyen Thi Yen Trang from Vietnam was awarded the Miss Asia title given to the winner from the rest of the world. • Samiksha Singh from India won the sub-title of ‘Miss Beautiful Face’ Title.

Neeraj Sharma won award • Indian-origin researcher Neeraj Sharma has been given the ‘Early Career Researcher of the Year award’ by the Australian government. • This award is given for developing next-generation battery systems such as a sodium-ion battery that will leave a minimal environmental impact. • He is a professor at the University of South Wales (UNSW)’s School of Chemistry.

Sudarshan Pattnaik selected for an Award • International acclaimed Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik who belongs to Odisha has been selected for the prestigious Italian Golden Sand Art Award 2019. • He will be felicitated during the International Scorrana Sand Nativity festival in Italy which is to be held from November 13 to 18, 2019. • He was honored by the union government with the fourth highest civilian ‘Padma Shri’ award in 2014.

Madhuri Vijay’s debut novel won prize • U.S. based-Indian author Madhuri Vijay’s debut novel, “The Far Field” bagged this year’s JCB prize for Literature, the most expensive Indian award for writing. • She also received the Rs 25 lakh as the prize money and a sculpture. • JCB prize is an annual Indian literary award instituted in 2018.

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Documentary on Real Kashmir FC bagged awards • A documentary on Real Kashmir Football Club has bagged the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) and Scotland Awards in Glasgow, Scotland. • The documentary narrates the journey of David Robertson as the coach of Real Kashmir FC, which in its first season finished third in the I-League. • The film won in the 'Single Documentary' category.

Writer Anand selected for Ezhuthachan award • Noted writer Anand has been selected for the 27th Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2019. • This award is given by Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and the Government of Kerala. • He was chosen for his overall contributions to Malayalam language and Literature. • His first novel was Alkkoottam. • He is also a recipient of Vayalar Award and Yashpal Award.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui wins Golden Dragon Award • Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been awarded the prestigious Golden Dragon Award for his works in Hindi cinema at the Cardiff International Film Festival 2019. • The festival was held in Wales, United Kingdom. • Veteran Hollywood star-actress Dame Judith Olivia Dench was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony.

PepsiCo India wins US award for saving water • US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo presented the prestigious Award for Corporate Excellence to PepsiCo India. • This award is given for its efforts to save more than 17 billion of litres of water by conducting various community programs and replenished over 5 billion litres of water.

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• This award is given by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Award instituted • Punjab State Cabinet passed a unanimous resolution to institute Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Award. • It will be given for Promotion of Peace and Interfaith Understanding, in commemoration of the 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. • The award would carry a citation and a cash prize of 11 lakh rupees. • This coveted award would be given each year.

Rajnikanth to receive Special Icon award • Actor Rajnikanth will receive the Special Icon award at the Golden Jubilee of International Film Festival of India, IFFI in Goa. • The award will be presented in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema, during the past several decades. • Life Time Achievement Award for a Foreign Artiste will be conferred on French Actress Isabelle Huppert.

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Days & Events

IR First electric loco shed 91st anniversary: 28 November • The electric loco shed at Kalyan is the first electric loco shed of Indian Railways and is maintained by the Central Railway zone. • The electric loco shed was established on 28 November 1928 under the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR). • The electric loco shed at Kalyan during its journey of the last 91 years has maintained nearly 16 different types of electric locomotives.

National Milk Day: 26 November • 26 November National Milk Day is observed every year on 26 November. • India is one of the largest milk-producing countries in the world. • National Milk Day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of India’s White Revolution. • Milk production in India has gone up from 137 million tonnes to 187 million tonnes and farmers have benefited immensely.

11th anniversary of 26/11: November 26 • The Nation remembered the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on its 11th anniversary on 26 Nov 2019. • Various events have been organised in the city. • Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid tributes to the martyrs of the terror attack. • On November 26, 2008 Mumbai was attacked by 10 terrorists of Pakistan- based Lashkar-e-Taiba. • 166 people including 18 police officers had lost their lives.

Constitution Day celebrated on 26 November • Constitution Day or Samvidhan divas was celebrated on 26 Nov 2019 across the country.

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• The day marks the adopting of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. • It came into force on 26th January, 1950, marking the beginning of a new era in the history of Indian Republic. • The government has planned year-long activities to mark 70 years of the adoption of the Constitution.

Day for the Elimination of Violence: 25 November • The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed across the world on 25 November annually. • The theme for 2019 is “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”. • The colour orange in the theme symbolizes a better future without the pervasive human rights violation that affects 1 in 3 women and girls all over the globe.

NCC celebrated its 71st Raising Day on 24 Nov 2019 • The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the world's largest uniformed youth organization, celebrated its 71st Raising Day on 24 Nov 2019. • Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and DG NCC Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra paid homage to the martyrs at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. • The multifaceted activities and varied curriculum of NCC provide unique opportunities to the youth for their development.

Indian Army celebrated Poonch Link Up Day on 23 November • Poonch Link Up Day was celebrated by the Indian Army on 23 November 2019. • The day marks the Operation Easy conducted by Indian Army in 1948 to defend the border district from the invading Pakistani raiders. • The day marks the historic link up carried out by Brigadier Pritam Singh's forces with Brigadier Yadunath's forces from Rajouri at Danna Ka Pir on 21 November 1948.

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World COPD Day: 20 November • The WHO and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) organize World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day on the third Wednesday of November every year. • This year it was observed on 20 Nov 2019. • It was first launched in 1997 by WHO, GOLD and other institutes in the US. • For 2019, the day is marked to create awareness in the Theme: All Together to End COPD.

World Philosophy Day: 21 November • The World Philosophy Day is observed globally on the third Thursday of November every year. • This year it was observed on 21st November 2019. • On this day, UNESCO highlighted the value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and individual. • The 2019 edition aims to highlight the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts.

World Television Day: 21 November • World Television Day is observed on 21 November every year. • The day is observed to acknowledge the role of broadcast media. • On this day, the journalists, writers, bloggers, and others who are associated with the medium promote the role of television in communication and globalization. • On 21 November and 22 November 1996, the U.N. held the first World Television Forum.

World Fisheries Day: 21 November • World Fisheries Day is celebrated every year on 21 November. • The day highlights the importance of maintaining the World's fisheries and the importance of lives of water creatures. • In India, Fisheries Awards were presented to the fish farmers for their exemplary contribution in the sector, on this day.

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• The annual production of fisheries has reached up to 13 million metric tonnes in India.

World Children’s Day: 20 November • World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year. • It promotes international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. • It is also the date when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

Africa Industrialization Day: 20 November • Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on Nov 20 each year. • It is a time when governments and other organizations in many African countries examine ways to stimulate Africa’s industrialization process. • It also draws worldwide media attention to the problems and challenges of industrialization in Africa. • 2019 Theme: “Positioning African Industry to Supply the AfCFTA Market”

World Toilet Day: 19 November • World Toilet Day is celebrated on 19th November every year. • It aims at inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and help achieve Sustainable Development Goal, which promises sanitation for all by 2030. • The day was formally recognized as an official UN day in 2013. • The theme for the year 2019 is Leaving No One Behind.

Day for remembering road traffic victims on 17 November • The UN observes World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on 17 November every year. • The day offers an opportunity for drawing attention to the scale of emotional and economic devastation caused by road crashes

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• The theme for 2019 is based on Pillar 3 of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety – Safer vehicles.

National Epilepsy Day: 17 November • National Epilepsy Day is observed on 17 November every year. • The day aims to create awareness about epilepsy, its causes, and treatment. • Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain. • It is characterized by recurrent seizures or fits. • The seizures are caused as a result of sudden, excessive electrical discharges in the neurons, the brain cells.

UK observed the 101st Armistice Day on 11 November • The UK observed the 101st Armistice Day on 11 Nov. • The day is observed to commemorate those who died in World War I. • It is held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. • A remembrance service was held at the National War Memorial Cenotaph in Cardiff's Cathays Park. • The tradition of a 2-minute silence to remember the dead began exactly a year after the end of World War One.

International Day for Tolerance: 16 November • The United Nations observes “International Day for Tolerance” on 16th November every year. • The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. • In 1995, to mark the UN Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize.

National Press Day: 16 November • National Press Day is observed on 16th November every year and is symbolic of a free and responsible press.

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• It was on this day the Press Council of India started functioning as a moral watchdog to ensure that the press maintains high standards and is not fettered by any influence or threats. • On the occasion, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will confer excellence in journalism awards.

World Kindness Day: November 13 • November 13 is celebrated as the World Kindness Day. The Theme of 2019 for this World Kindness Day 2019 is empathy, encouraging people across the globe to better understand “the pains of others” and touch their lives “positively”.

World Pneumonia Day: November 12 World Pneumonia Day is observed every year on November 12. 2019 marked the 10th anniversary of the day. The theme for the year 2019 is “Healthy lungs for all”.

World Diabetes Day on 14 November • The World Diabetes Day (WDD) is observed globally on 14 November. The theme for diabetes awareness month and World Diabetes Day 2019 “Family and Diabetes”. The day was created in the year 1991.

Children’s Day: 14th November On 14th November, Children’s Day is celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Pandit Nehru had a great love for children.

Public Service Broadcasting Day • Public Service Broadcasting Day was celebrated on 12 Nov 2019. • The day is celebrated every year to commemorate the first and last visit of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi to the studio of All India Radio, Delhi in 1947.

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• The Father of the Nation addressed the displaced people, who had temporarily settled at Kurukshetra in Haryana after partition.

550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji • The 550th birth anniversary of first Sikh guru and founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev is being celebrated on 12 Nov 2019 as Prakash Parv. • President Ramnath Kovind will take part in the festivities at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala, Punjab. • Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent more than 15 years at Sultanpur Lodhi, where he attained enlightenment. • He was born on the full moon day of Kartik month in 1526.

World Science Day for Peace and Development • World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated every year on 10 November. • The theme for 2019 is “Open science, leaving no one behind”. • The day highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. • The day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001.

National Education Day: 11 November • National Education Day is observed on 11th November every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. • He was a freedom fighter, scholar and the first Education Minister of independent India. • Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched SWAYAM 2.0, Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds in New Delhi on the occasion.

Legal Services Day: 9th November • Legal Services Day is celebrated every year on the 9th of November in all the state Authorities.

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• Legal Services Day was first started by the Supreme Court in the year 1995 all across India to offer help and support to the weaker and poor group of sections of people. • The aim is to offer free of charge, proficient, and legal services to the people of weaker sections of society.

International Day of Radiology: 8 November • International Day of Radiology event is organized by the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT). • It is observed on 8th November every year. • The theme of International Radiology Day 2019 is Sports Imaging. • The day marks the discovery of X-Radiation done by Roentgen on 8 November 1895.

National Cancer Awareness Day • 7th November is observed as National Cancer Awareness Day. The day is aimed to create awareness about the prevention and early detection of cancer. • Infant Protection Day is celebrated on 7 November. The day aims to celebrate the day to spread awareness about the safety of infants and protect their lives by taking proper care of infants.

2nd ‘No money for terror conference 2019' • The 2nd ‘No Money for Terror’ 2019 conference was held in Melbourne, Australia. • The conference was organised by Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) of over 100 countries. • It provides FIUs a forum to exchange information to combat money- laundering. • The first “No Money for Terror” conference was held in France in 2018. • India would host the next ‘No Money For Terror’ Conference in 2020.

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International Day celebrated on 6 • The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is an international day observed annually on November 6. • It was established on November 5, 2001, by the United Nations General Assembly. • At the time of war, it affects the ecosystem such as water supply is poisoned, the forest is burnt, animals killed, etc.

World Tsunami Awareness Day: 5 November • World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed globally on 5 November. • The day was observed to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction. • The 2019 World Tsunami Awareness Day focuses on promoting targets on the Sendai Seven Campaign. • It focuses on reducing disaster damage to critical infrastructure and the disruption of basic services

End Impunity for Crimes against Journalist Day • The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is an UN-recognized day observed annually on 2 November. • The day draws attention to the low global conviction rate for violent crimes against journalists and media workers, estimated at only one in every ten cases. • This year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, is focused on local journalists.

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Books & Authors

Assamese version of 'Courts of India' released • Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi released the Assamese version of the book 'Courts of India: Past to Present' in Guwahati on 10 Nov 2019. • The book has been published by the Publication Division and explains the Indian justice system. • The book has captured the historical developments which took place in the history of the nation's courts.

Three books on Guru Nanak Dev Ji launched • On the occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, three books on Guru Nanak Dev Ji were launched at Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College in Delhi on 7 Nov 2019. • The National Book Trust has published three titles - Guru Nanak Bani, Nanak Bani, and Sakhian Guru Nanak Dev-to spread the message of Guru Nanak Dev’s writings among readers of Indian sub-continent.

‘The True Meaning of Yoga’ book unveiled • AiR's new book ‘The True Meaning of Yoga’ was launched. • The book is authored by Atman in Ravi. • Atman in Ravi is a spiritual philosopher, mentor and author. • The book talks about Yoga and its connection to life as most know it.

Book on Hemant Karkare released • On 11th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a book titled “Hemant Karkare -A Daughter’s Memoir” was released in Mumbai, Maharashtra. • The book has been published by The Write Place. • The book portrays former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare’s life as a father to Jui Karkare Navare. • 18 security personnel lost their lives in the 26/11 terror attacks.

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UNICEF released a booklet • UNICEF released a 28-page booklet “From uthappam to sprouted dal parantha”. • It gives recipes of freshly prepared foods and their respective costs of preparation. • The book is based on the findings of the overall National Nutrition Survey 2016-18, according to which 35 % of children under the age of 5 are stunted, 17 % are wasted (low weight for height) and 33 % are underweight.

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Personalities in News

Chairman of the Zee Entertainment Subhash Chandra has stepped down • Four days after selling a stake in India’s largest listed television network, Subhash Chandra has stepped down as chairman of the Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). It was founded in 1992.

Lieutenant Shivangi: 1st woman pilot for Navy • The first woman pilot for Navy Lieutenant Shivangi will join naval operations on completion of operational training on December 2, 2019. • She hails from Muzaffarpur, Bihar. • She was inducted into Indian Navy as SSC (Pilot) as part of 27 NOC course in Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. • She will get authorisation on December 2, 2019, to fly Dornier aircraft.

Devendra Fadnavis has taken oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister • Devendra Fadnavis has taken oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister for the second term on 23 Nov 2019. NCP's Ajit Pawar has become the Deputy Chief Minister.

Billie Eilish: Billboard’s Woman of the Year • Singer Billie Eilish will be honored as Billboard’s 2019 Woman of the Year on December 12, 2019. • Taylor Swift will also be honored at Billboard’s event, receiving the inaugural ‘Woman of the Decade’ award. • Billie has disrupted the entertainment industry through her music and social media platforms, leaving an indelible impact on the global cultural zeitgeist.

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Suman Billa will join the UNWTO • Suman Billa will join the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at its headquarters in Madrid, Spain. He will take charge as Director, Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Development.

Mahinda Rajapaksa: New PM of Sri Lanka • In Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as new Prime Minister on 21 Nov 2019 after Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to resign. • Mr. Rajapaksa served as two-term President from 2005 to 2015 and is the elder brother of current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. • He was barred from contesting Presidential elections because of two-term limit and will be staging a political comeback as Prime Minister.

Lieutenant Colonel Jyoti Sharma has been appointed • Lieutenant Colonel Jyoti Sharma has been appointed as Indian Army’s first female Judge Advocate General officer to be deployed on a foreign mission. She will serve the government of the East African country of Seychelles as a legal expert.

Anil Ambani resigned from Reliance Comm. • Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani along with four directors have resigned from the company, which is going through the insolvency process. • The development comes a day after RCom posted a consolidated loss of Rs 30,142 crore for July-September 2019 due to provisioning for liabilities. • This was the second-highest loss posted by any Indian corporate till date.

Laishram Sarita Devi of Manipur elected as members of AIBA Athletes Commission • Laishram Sarita Devi of Manipur is among the six boxers from 5 continents who were elected as members of AIBA Athletes Commission. She is DSP in Manipur Police.

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Senior journalist Rajat Sharma resigned • Senior journalist Rajat Sharma resigned from the post of President of Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA). He cited his inability to continue amidst various pulls and pressures within the organisation.

Nita Ambani on MET board • Nita Ambani was named as an honorary trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 12 November 2019. • The announcement was made by Daniel Brodsky, the chairman of the museum. • She is the first Indian to be honored so. • She was elected at a meeting of the Board. • She was selected for her commitment to The Met, and to preserving and promoting India’s art and culture is truly exceptional.

Dutee Chand on TIME 100 Next list • India sprinter Dutee Chand has been named in the TIME 100 Next, an expansion of the TIME 100 list of the most influential persons in the world. • The list, an initiative of TIME magazine, highlights 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science, activism etc. • Dutee had won two silver medals -- 100m, 200m -- at Jakarta Asian Games.

President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, has resigned • The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, has resigned amid turmoil following his disputed re-election in Oct 2019. He has been in power for nearly 14 years. He left the post after losing the support of the army and the police. • Mohammad Imran has been appointed as the new High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India. He is currently Bangladesh's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

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Four Indian-Americans won elections in US • Four Indian-Americans, including a former White House Technology Policy Adviser, have won state and local elections held in the United States. • Indian-American Ghazala Hashmi, a former community college professor, created history by becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected to the Virginia State Senate. • Suhas Subramanyam has been elected to the Virginia State House of Representative.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan re-elected • The UAE’s Supreme Council of the Union has re-elected His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as its President. • He has been selected for a 4th five-year term, in accordance with the provisions of the UAE Constitution. • He was first elected President on November 3, 2004, following the death of his father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. • Capital of UAE: Abu Dhabi. • Currency: Dirham.

Amitabh's six films to be screened at IFFI • Amitabh Bachchan's six films will be screened at the Film Festival 2019. • The megastar has selected his 6 best movies for the gala event. • These include Sholay, Piku, Black, Deewar, Paa and Badla. • The other big name who will be felicitated at the IFFI is, Rajinikanth. • The actor has ruled the roost for four decades and commands a loyal fan following across the country.

FICCI & Chairman of Modi Enterprises K.K. Modi passed away • Former President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Chairman of Modi Enterprises Krishnan Kumar Modi (K.K. Modi) passed away in Nov 2019.

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• IndusInd Bank appointed its consumer banking head Suman Kathpalia, as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will replace Romesh Sobti, who will be retired in March 2020.

Dhanlaxmi Bank MD, CEO T. Latha resigns • Private sector lender Dhanlaxmi Bank managing director (MD) and Chief Executive officer (CEO) T. Latha has resigned. • She was appointed as MD and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank for three years due to the retirement of former MD and CEO G Sreeram. • Chairman of Dhanlaxmi Bank: Sanjeev Krishnan. • Founded: 1927. • Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala.

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Government Policies & Schemes

Subsidy Services Awas Portal launched • Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri launched Credit- linked Subsidy Services Awas Portal, CLAP, in New Delhi on 25 Nov 2019. • The portal provides a transparent and robust real-time web-based monitoring system for credit-linked Subsidy Services, CLSS beneficiaries. • Using the portal, a beneficiary can track his application status in real-time.

UP govt launched immunisation campaign • UP government launched a massive immunisation campaign against the filariasis or Filaria from 25 Nov 2019. • The Central government has set the year 2021 as the deadline for complete eradication of filaria in the country. • Under this campaign, more than 65 thousand teams of health workers will distribute medicines to around 6.5 crore people till 10 December 2019 in 19 districts.

Andhra Pradesh govt launched a scheme • Andhra Pradesh State government launched YSR Matsyakara Bharosa on 21 November 2019. • Under this, 1,32,332 fishermen in the 21-60 age group will get an enhanced monetary relief of Rs 10,000 each during the marine ban and lean period every year between April and June. • Also, subsidy on diesel has been enhanced under the new scheme from Rs 6.03 to Rs 9 per litre.

J&K achieves highest road length under PMGSY • Jammu and Kashmir have achieved the highest road length in the country in 2019 so far under the centrally-sponsored scheme Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. • The scheme is a mega flagship programme with the main objective of providing connectivity to rural areas.

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• The Union Territory has completed around 11,400 kilometres covering 1,838 habitations.

Assam govt released the new Land Policy 2019 • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal released the new Land Policy 2019 in Guwahati on 21 November 2019. • The Land Policy was approved by Cabinet on 21st October 2019 and it has been prepared by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department after 30 years. • It was last prepared in 1989. • The Policy would remove complications regarding land allotments and settlements.

J&K to launch Back to Village programme • The Jammu and Kashmir administration are all set to launch the second phase of ‘Back to Village programme’ from 25-30 Nov 2019. • The flagship programme is aimed at empowerment and development of Panchayats. • It ensures the functionality of Panchayats in terms of manpower, 100% coverage of beneficiary-oriented schemes and doubling the income of rural people.

87 lakh homes completed under PMAY-G so far • 87 lakh homes have been completed in different parts of the country, under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin, so far. • This was stated by Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in New Delhi on 20 November 2019. • The aim of the scheme is to have 2 crore 95 lakh houses by 2022. • The scheme was launched in the year 2015.

1 Tola Gold to Brides free of cost • Assam Govt approved Arundhati scheme to provide 1 Tola Gold to Brides free of cost.

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• Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal approved this scheme to give 1 tola Gold (11.66 grams) to bride’s parents belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society. • This scheme can be availed by formal registration of the marriage under the Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954 at the time of marriage.

SAANS campaign launched in Gujarat • Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan launched ‘SAANS’ campaign in Gujarat recently. • The aim of SAANS is to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia, which contributes to around 15% of deaths annually of children under the age of five. • SAANS stands for ‘Social Awareness and Action to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully’.

DARPG holds meetings with J&K Higher officials • A delegation led by the Additional Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) held meetings with the senior officials of Govt of J&K. • The officials discussed and firmed up modalities for collaboration between DARPG, National Institute of Financial Management, National Centre for Good Governance and other departments for conducting capacity building programs.

Diamond Quadrilateral Bullet Train NW Project • Government has sanctioned Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project with the technical and financial assistance of the Government of Japan. • A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has been formed to implement this project. • This project is targeted for completion by the year 2023.

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Mandatory BIS hallmark for jewelry from 2021 • Hallmarking of gold jewelry and artefacts will be made mandatory across the country from 15 Jan 2021 to ensure the purity of the precious metal. • BIS is already running a hallmarking scheme for gold jewelry since April 2000 and around 40% of gold jewelry is being hallmarked currently. • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has formulated standards for hallmarking gold jewelry.

FASTag implementation postponed to Dec 15 • Central government has postponed the mandatory implementation of FASTag to 15 December. Earlier the date of implementation was on 1 December. • FASTag is an electronic device installed in the vehicle to enable drivers to pass through toll plazas without halting for paying the toll tax. • The aim is to promote digital payments at toll plaza and decongest national highways.

Labour Code on IR Bill introduced in Lok Sabha • L&E minister Santosh introduced the Labour Code on Industrial Relations Bill in the LS. • The bill was proposed to make it easier for an employer to engage and disengage workers based on the requirement. • The Bill also supports fixed-term employment of any duration across sectors and makes provision for all statutory benefits like social security and wages at par with the regular employee.

UP buses accept credit cards to buy tickets • Passengers will soon be able to use their credit, debit and smart cards to buy tickets in UP buses. • UPSRTC will introduce 15,000 Android electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) on all its buses over the next six months. • The board also approved a policy to offer a “telescopic fare system" to reduce long-distance fare.

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• A new bus station to build at Kamta and acquired LDA land for a 90-year lease.

Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh announced • Union Government announced Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh on 18 November 2019. • It is a repository of diverse crops across 128 agro-climatic zones for better nutritional outcomes. • The Kosh aims at reducing malnutrition through a multi-sectoral results- based framework, including agriculture, among women and children across the country.

Delhi CM launched a new scheme • Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched ‘Mukhyamantri Septic Tank Safai Yojana’ on 15 November 2019. • The scheme is aimed at helping people in waste management and ensuring the safety of sanitation workers. • According to the government, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will deploy 80 trucks along with trained staff to ensure cleaning and maintenance of septic tanks across Delhi.

Assam government announced new schemes • The Assam State Government has allocated Rs 30 crore for the development of Assam's Pathsala town. • The allocated funds will be spent on construction of a flyover, roads and other schemes. • Under the scheme, the state plans to develop roads in order to improve infrastructure in the State. • Under the new initiative, a slew of developmental activities will be carried out in Pathsala.

Andhra Pradesh govt launched Nadu-Nedu scheme • Andhra Pradesh government has launched the ‘Nadu-Nedu’ programme.

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• The programme aims to introduce English medium from classes 1 to 6 in state-run schools. • The scheme will be implemented in 15,715 schools in the first phase. • It will cover all schools in three years’ time with a budget of Rs 12,000 crores. • The decision has been taken to uplift the marginalised section of society.

11.35 lakh Golden Cards issued under AB-PMJAY • In the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, 11.35 lakh Golden Cards have been issued under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) till date, against the target of 31 lakh, which is the highest number in the country. • The scheme aims at making interventions in primary, secondary and tertiary care systems, covering both preventive and promotive health, to address healthcare holistically.

Mission Indradhanush 2.0 portal launched • Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 2.0 portal in New Delhi. • This portal will work from December 2019-March 2020. • The IMI2.0 is a rechristened version of mission Indhradhanush Universal Immunization Programme that aims to achieve 100% immunization. • It was launched during the celebration of silver jubilee of the Pulse Polio Programme.

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Science & Technology

ISRO launched satellite Cartosat-3 • ISRO launched India’s most sophisticated Earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 on 27 Nov 2019. • The third generation, agile and advanced satellite was carried by PSLV-C47 along with 13 other nano-satellites belonging to a US firm. • It was ignited from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. • NVIDIA announced world’s largest supercomputer • NVIDIA has announced a new kind of GPU-accelerated supercomputer in the cloud on Microsoft Azure. • NDv2 supercomputer is designed to handle demanding AI and high- performance computing applications, using up to 800 NVIDIA V100 Tensor Core GPUs. • It enables customers to rent an AI supercomputer on-demand from their desk, and match the capabilities of large-scale on-premises supercomputers.

Aquatic environment with no life form found • Researchers have found an aquatic environment on the Earth with complete absence of any form of life. • The study, published in the journal, Nature Ecology and Evolution, revealed that any form of microbial life was absent in the hot, saline, hyperacid ponds of the Dallol geothermal field in Ethiopia. • The research may lead to an improved understanding of the limits of habitability.

Rising surface temperature causes El Nino • A study shows, rising surface temperature in the tropical Pacific Ocean for prolonged periods leads to a climate process called the El Nino. • El Ninos have become more intense in the industrial age, which stand to worsen storms, drought, and coral bleaching.

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• El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is 25 per cent stronger than in the pre- industrial records.

Indian scientists identified a protein • Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have demonstrated the role of a protein secretagogin (SCGN) in increasing insulin action in obesity-induced diabetes. • SCGN binds to insulin and protects it from various stresses, increases its stability and adds to its action. • The findings have established SCGN as a functional insulin-binding protein.

Potential Diarrhea vaccine developed in Sweden • The researchers of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have developed a potential Diarrhea vaccine. • Science journal, The Lancet, reports that it has been proved safe and effective in an early-stage clinical trial in Bangladesh. • 80-100% of the children aged 2-5 years selected for the study responded to all key immunity generating components of the vaccine.

ISRO to launch Cartosat-3 on Nov 25 • India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into Sun Synchronous orbit from Sriharikota on 25 Nov 2019. • Cartosat-3 satellite is a third-generation agile advanced satellite having high- resolution imaging capability. • PSLV-C47 is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration, that is with 6 solid strap-on motors.

Pakistan introduced vaccine to combat typhoid • Pakistan became the 1st country in the world to introduce a new Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV).

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• The vaccine, approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2018, will initially be used during a two-week immunisation campaign starting from November 18-30, 2019 in the urban areas of Sindh. • Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is a one-dose vaccine, that will be injected intramuscularly.

Breaking carbon dioxide is faster and cheaper • Scientists from the University of Connecticut in the US have found a novel catalyst that breaks down carbon dioxide into useful chemicals faster, cheaper, and more efficiently than the standard method. • Carbon dioxide's stability makes this tough. • It is hard to get the molecule to react with anything else. • Many chemists are working on efficient ways to turn CO2 into other useful products.

Bizongo tops in the Fast 50 India programme. • Bizongo (Smart paddle), a company that solves packaging design, development and procurement challenges with a tech-enabled platform. • It has been declared as the overall winner of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 India programme. • The programme conducted by the Deloitte ranks the fastest growing tech companies in India based on their percentage revenue growth over the past three financial years.

Cybersecurity COE, Hyd signs MoU with IIAAT • Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Hyderabad today signed an MoU with IIAAT, Ministry of Science & Education, Govt. of The Russian Federation. • IIAAT is comprehensively engaged in Design, Development and Productization of Next Generation Solutions for Information Security. • IIAAT stands for International Institute for Advanced Aerospace Technologies

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IIT Researchers to Create 'Gandhipedia' • Two IITs (Gandhinagar & Kharagpur) and the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) have joined hands to develop 'Gandhipedia', an online repository of books, letters and speeches written by Mahatma Gandhi. • The entire project will be done with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) • In the first phase, over 40 books written by Mahatma Gandhi will be digitized and indexed.

Government has launched new Aadhaar app • UIDAI has updated its Aadhaar mobile app with a new set of features aiming to enhance overall usability and security of the app and data. • The new Aadhaar app is available on both Android and iOS. • UIDAI claims that the new app adds more functionality and secure than the older app with several new features to users such as the ability to download Aadhaar offline, eKYC authentication, pin lock.

Cybersecurity Tech program by IIT-Kanpur & TS • IIT-Kanpur has announced an Advanced Certification Program in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense in partnership with TalentSprint. • The program is designed for current and aspiring professionals who are keen to explore and exploit the latest trends in cybersecurity technologies. • Its intense practical approach will allow participants to master in-demand skills and build world-class expertise.

Schneider Electric FTY to launch in Bengaluru • Global energy management and automation company Schneider Electric has opened a new factory in Bengaluru. • The factory was launched for the manufacture of industrial uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and variable speed drives that regulate the rotation speed of an electric motor. • This is Schneider's second Smart factory in India, the first unit was launched in Hyderabad in Feb'19.

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Vietnamese mouse deer sighted after 30 years • A very rare species of small, deer-like animal thought to be on the verge of extinction has been spotted in the northwestern jungle of Vietnam for the first time in nearly 30 years. • It is known as the silver-backed chevrotain or mouse deer. • A specimen was last recorded in 1990, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

IBM to launch a new weather forecasting system • IBM will launch a new weather forecasting system. • It will be able to predict conditions up to 12 hours in advance and cover parts of the world which have not had access to such detailed data. • The system, known as IBM GRAF - the Global High-Resolution Atmospheric Forecasting System - will run on a supercomputer and provide more detailed and higher quality forecasts.

New signal fish discovered off Kerala coast • The new signal fish was found in Lakshadweep sea off Kerala coast, which is the home for unusual species like fish with a unique color. • The name of the species is “Pteropsaron Indicum” and was collected by trawlers at a depth of 70 meters during a marine biodiversity survey. • Scientists have described the discovery as the first one of the genera recorded in Indian waters.

Japanese spacecraft started journey to home • After departing from a distant asteroid, Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft started its year-long journey home. • It successfully completed its mission to bring back soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system. • The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth in late 2020 and drop a capsule containing the precious samples in the Australian desert.

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NASA detects huge X-ray burst from outer space • NASA has detected a massive thermonuclear explosion coming from outer space, caused by a massive thermonuclear flash on the surface of a pulsar. • The explosion released as much energy in 20 seconds as the Sun does in nearly 10 days. • The X-ray burst, the brightest seen by NICER so far, came from an object named “J1808”.

Spider species named after Sachin Tendulkar • Dhruv Prajapati, a research scholar from the Gujarat Ecological Education & Research (GEER) Foundation, has discovered two new spider species found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. • One spider species was named after Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as “Marengo Sachin Tendulkar” while the other was named as “Indomarengo chavarapater” after Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara.

NASA unveiled its first electric airplane • NASA showcased an early version of its first all-electric experimental aircraft, the X-57 "Maxwell," on 8 Nov 2019. • It has been adapted from an Italian-made Tecnam P2006T twin-engine propeller plane. • The Maxwell will be the agency's first crewed X-plane to be developed in two decades. • NASA also showed off a newly built simulator with it.

China launched Sudan’s first ever satellite • Sudan’s first-ever satellite for conducting research in military, economic and space technology has been launched by China. • Sudan’s remote-sensing satellite (SRSS-1), was developed by the Shenzhen Aerospace Oriental Red Sea Satellite Co. • The satellite was launched aboard China’s Long March-4B rocket along with other Chinese satellites including Gaofen 7, Xiaoxiang-1 08, Whampoa 1.

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US university to collaborate with AIIMS • A top American university will expand genetic testing in India in partnership with the AIIMS in Delhi and the Kasturba Medical College in Manipal. • A 2.3 million US dollar grant from the National Institute of Health over five years will help the University of Michigan and Indian geneticists identify and confirm genetic changes that are the basis of developmental disorders.

The 3rd Women Scientists Conclave to be held • The third edition of women scientists’ and Entrepreneurs’ conclave will be organized at the India International Science Festival (IISF). • IISF will be held in Kolkata on 7-8 November 2019. • It is an effort to inspire young women to take up careers in Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship and help them get exposed to opportunities in the field.

Vigyan Samagam inaugurated • Union Minister of Science & Technology and Minister of Earth Science has inaugurated India’s 1-ever multi-venue Mega science exhibition, ‘Vigyan Samagam 2019’, in Kolkata, West Bengal. • The exhibition is organized by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM). It will be open till December 31, 2019, for public display.

IIT Delhi and ISRO to set up space cell • The IIT Delhi will set up a space technology cell in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). • This collaboration is to contribute to the space technology research areas such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), nanotechnology, functional textiles, smart manufacturing at its campus. • It is also proposed that IIT, Delhi as an Institute becomes an academic partner of ISRO.

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Business & Economy

MG Motor to use recycled Li-ion batteries • MG Motor India announced its partnership with Umicore, a lithium battery recycling solutions provider, for effective life cycle management of the lithium-ion batteries. • MG Motors had also collaborated with Exicom, to ensure effective re-usage of lithium batteries to be used in its electric vehicles. • MG Motor is a subsidiary of SAIC Motor a Shanghai-based Chinese state- owned automotive.

IBBI amends the IPRCP Regulations, 2016 • The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) amends the Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons (3rd Amendment) Regulations. • Regulation 25A has been inserted. • The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) envisages CIRP for reorganisation and insolvency resolution of corporate debtors.

RIL market cap hit ₹9.5 lakh crore • Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is the first Indian company to cross Rs.9.5 lakh in market capitalization (m-cap). • On 26 Nov 2019, its m-cap touched Rs 9,99,045 crore nearing the Rs 10 lakh crore mark. • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), RIL’s closest rival in market capital had a share price of Rs.2,110, 2% lower on BSE and m-cap of Rs.7,71,996.87 crore.

Authorised capital of FCI enhanced • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved to increase the authorized capital of Food Corporation of India (FCI) from the existing Rs 3,500 crore to Rs 10,000 crore. • With this, additional equity capital can be infused in the FCI through the Union Budget, to fund the food grains stock, perpetually held by FCI.

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• This will reduce the borrowings of FCI and save its interest cost.

Promotion of e-agriculture in full swing • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a network of 715 Krishi Vigyan Kendras to mandated with Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development (TADA–CD). • To update the knowledge and skills in modern agricultural technologies, 47,000 training courses on various technologies were organized benefitting as many as 13.51 lakh farmers.

Jammu-Srinagar metro operations starts by 2024 • The J&K govt has set a Sept. 2024 deadline to start operations on the ₹9,590 crore metro project for twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar. • The Light Metro Elevated Corridor in Jammu will connect Bantalab to Bari Brahmana Railway Station (Corridor-1) with a total length of 23 kM in phase- I • Exhibition Ground to Udheywala (Corridor-1) and Exhibition Ground to Satwari Chowk (Corridor-2) in Phase-II

Sept. quarter falls to 4.5%, lowest in 25 qtr. • The Ind economy in the Sept. quarter falls to 4.5% lowest in 25 quarters, from 5% in the preceding quarter as manufacturing output contracted. • During the 2nd qtr., only govt expenditure supported growth by growing at 11.6%, while the financial services sect grew 5.8%. • China’s GDP growth slowed to 6% in the Sept. qtr. the weakest quarterly growth rate since 1992 down from 6.2% in the previous qtr.

SEBI slapped Rs 40.5 lakh fine on 7 firms • SEBI imposed a total fine of Rs 40.5 lakh on 7 companies for indulging in fraudulent trading in the illiquid stock options segment on the BSE. • Rs 10.5 lakh was levied on Green Venture Securities Management Pvt Ltd while Morgan Financial Services, Niranjan Housing, Navrang Tradelink’s,

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Niranjan Metallic, Nishu Leasing and Finance and Midpoint Tradelink faced a fine of Rs 5 lakh each.

RBI expanded the scope of SNRR account • RBI has enhanced the scope of Special Non-resident Rupee (SNRR) by allowing persons residing outside India to open such accounts for purposes like trade credit in INR. • Any person residing outside India, having a business interest in India can open a non-interest SNRR account with a bank for bona fide transactions in rupees. • The restriction on the tenure of SNRR account has also been removed.

Sale of govt stake in five CPSEs • The government has approved sale of its stake in five Central Public Sector Enterprises, CPSEs, including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). • The government will sell its 53.29 per cent stake in BPCL. • CCEA approved strategic disinvestment of Government's shareholding of 63.75 per cent in Shipping Corporation of India and 30.8% in Container Corporation of India.

NCAER forecasts India’s GDP growth at 4.9% • The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) forecasted India’s GDP growth for 2019-20 at 4.9% as against 6.8 % in 2018 (or FY- 19). • It is the lowest among the recent forecasts by rating agencies, multilateral institutions, research firms, and government institutions. • Earlier, Moody’s cut its calendar year 2019 GDP forecast for India to 5.6 per cent from 6.2 per cent.

Moody lowers India’s GDP growth forecast • Moody’s Investors Service has slashed India’s economic growth forecast to 5.6% for the fiscal year 2019.

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• It stated that the government measures do not address the widespread weakness in consumption demand, as a reason for lowering the growth forecast. • It also stated that the economic activity in India will pick up in 2020 and 2021 to 6.6 % and 6.7 % respectively.

India: Favored place for energy investments • In the last 5-6 years, India has become the most favored destination for energy investments. • India received 286 US dollars billion FDI in the last 5 years. • This is almost half of the total FDI in India in the last 20 years. • India presently being the 3rd largest energy consumer in the world is poised to drive the global energy demand in the coming decades.

RBI increased household income limits • The RBI has increased the household income limits for borrowers of Non- Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) from 1 lakh to 1.25 lakh rupees. • The move is aimed at strengthening credit to those at the bottom of the economic pyramid in rural areas. • Similarly, the limit has been increased from 1.6 lakh for urban or semi-urban areas to 2 lakh rupees.

RBI imposes Rs 5 lakh fine on Oxigen Services • The RBI has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on prepaid payment instrument Oxigen Services. • The move was taken in exercise of powers vested under Section 30 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for noncompliance of regulatory guidelines. • The fine comes through a speaking order dated September 17, 2019. • Oxigen Services facilitates payment processing and money transfer services.

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RBI issued compensation norms • The RBI has issued compensation guidelines for whole-time directors and chief executives of foreign, private, small finance, payments banks and local area banks. • If the variable pay is up to 200 per cent of the fixed pay, at least 50 percent of it should be in non-cash. • If the variable pay is above 200 per cent, 67 per cent of it should be paid via non-cash instruments.

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Sports

Lakshya Sen won Scottish Open title • In badminton, India's Lakshya Sen has won the Scottish Open men's single title, defeating Brazilian Ygor Coelho to seal his fourth title in three months. • He registered an 18-21, 21-18, 21-19 win in 56 minutes to claim the title in Glasgow. • He also the Belgian International in September 2019. • He won BWF Super 100 title at the Dutch Open and the SaarLorLux Open in Germany.

Rafael Nadal clinched sixth Davis Cup title • In tennis, world number one Rafael Nadal clinched sixth Davis Cup title for Spain after beating Denis Shapovalov of Canada in Madrid. • Nadal defeated Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) to clinch Spain’s 2-0 win against Canada. • In 2010 Nadal won three majors, and in 2019, he won the French Open and the US Open, made till the Australian Open final and also reached the Wimbledon semifinals.

13th edition of the Hero I-League launched • The 13th edition of the Hero I-League was officially launched at a ceremony in New Delhi on 21 November 2019. • The League will kick off on November 30, 2019. • The league will feature 11 teams this season, with the induction of TRAU FC, winners of the Hero Second division last season. • The first match will be played between Mohun Bagan and Aizawl FC in Aizawl.

Vijender Singh claimed 12th successive win • Vijender Singh defeated Ghana’s former Commonwealth champion Charles Adamu to claim his 12th successive win on 22 November 2019.

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• The former Olympic bronze-medalist prevailed unanimously in an eight- round super middleweight contest against Charles. • This was Virender’s second win of 2019. • His previous win was in August 2019 in which he beat Mike Snider via a fourth-round TKO.

IAAF officially changed its name • The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has officially changed its name and will now be known as “World Athletics”. • The name has been changed in a bid to make the sport more accessible. • The IAAF was founded in 1912 as the International Amateur Athletic Federation and changed its name to the “International Association of Athletics Federations” in 2001.

Brazil lifted U-17 World Cup title • The Brazilian football team defeated the football team of Mexico in the finals for 2-1, to win the 18th edition of the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) under 17 World Cup trophy held in Brasilia, Brazil recently. • The victory added to Brazil’s successes in 1997, 1999 and 2003 as it moved within one of Nigeria’s record of five championships.

Chitharesh Natesan crowned Mr. Universe 2019 • Chitharesh Natesan became the first Indian to win ‘Mr. Universe (Pro) 2019’ in 90 kg category at the 11th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship (WBPF) in South Korea. • He is a hockey player turned bodybuilder also known as the ‘Indian Monster’ by bodybuilding circles. • India secured the second position in the team championship category behind Thailand.

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Jemimah Rodrigues in top 5 of T20 ICC rankings • India's Jemimah Rodrigues jumped to the fourth position in the batting chart as per the latest rankings issued by ICC. • Slow left-arm spinner Radha Yadav is placed second among bowlers in the latest Women's T20 International Player Rankings. • Shefali Verma gained 57 slots to reach 30th position. • There are now 3 Indian bowlers in the top 5 as Radha Yadav has moved up to the second spot.

ISSF World Cup: Manu Bhaker won gold medal • In Shooting, India's Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan and Divyansh Panwar clinched gold medals in their events in the ISSF World Cup Finals in Putian, China on 21 November 2019. • Elavenil claimed gold in the women's 10 metres air rifle competition. • India is currently top of the table with three gold medals, followed by China's two gold, one silver, one bronze.

Max Verstappen won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix • Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) won F1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos in São Paulo, Brazil. • Verstappen was followed by Pierre Gasly (France) and Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro (Spain) in the second and third place respectively. • This marked Verstappen's third win this season, following victories in Austria and Germany.

India-Pakistan Davis Cup tie shifted • India will travel to Nur-Sultan to take on Pakistan in the upcoming Davis Cup tie. • The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has nominated the Kazakhstan capital to host the matches. • The Davis Cup tie will take place on 29-30 Nov 2019 in Nur-Sultan, formerly Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

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• The tie was pushed to this date after India expressed concerns about the safety of their players.

Bhubaneswar to host Hockey Pro League matches • Bhubaneswar will host India's home matches during the 2020 Hockey Pro League. • The second edition of the Hockey Pro League will be played between 11th of January and 28th of June 2020. • Bhubaneswar has become a hockey hub in India and has been hosting a majority of tournaments, the most recent being the Olympic qualifiers. • The Pro League will feature 144 matches in the coming season.

Shreyasi Singh won gold medal • Shreyasi Singh won the women's Trap Gold at the ongoing 63rd National Shooting Championship for shotgun events in New Delhi on 18 Nov 2019. • Rajeshwari from Punjab managed 38 hits to settle for silver. • Pragati Dubey of Madhya Pradesh won bronze with a finals score of 31. • This was Shreyasi's fourth individual career National title but her first in Women's Trap.

CFG acquired majority stake of Mumbai City FC • Manchester City's parent company City Football Group acquired a majority 65 per cent stake in Indian Super League franchise Mumbai City FC. • It is the first time ever; a European club will be acquiring a majority stake in an Indian club. • Ferran Soriano is the CEO of City Football Group and the Nita Ambani is the chairperson of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and Reliance Foundation,

Abhishek-Jyothi claimed gold in Archery • Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam claimed the gold in compound mixed pair event at the 21st Asian Archery Championships.

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• The Indians defeated Chinese Taipei opponents Yi-Hsuan Chen and Chieh- Luh Chen 158-151 in the final clash. • India picked up seven medals including one gold, two silver and four bronze medals in the event.

Mayank Agarwal made maiden entry in top 10 • Opener Mayank Agarwal made his maiden entry into the top 10 in the ICC Test rankings issued on 26 Nov 2019. • Virat Kohli with 928 rating points, reduced the gap from 25 to three points with Australian Smith 931 to retain the second spot. • Mayank jumped one place to 10th with 700 points. • He is the fourth Indian batsmen in the top 10 list.

Indian archers clinched 3 bronze medals • Indian archers bagged 3 bronze medals on 27 Nov 2019 and also ensured three silver medals, at the ongoing Asian Championship at Bangkok. • The Indian archers are competing in the tournament as neutral athletes under the World Archery flag due to the suspension of the national federation, Archery Association of India. • Atanu Das first clinched a bronze in the men's recurve individual event.

5% reservation to sportspersons in jobs in MP • MP government has announced 5% reservation to national and international medalists’ sportspersons in state government jobs • The announcement was made by MP Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Jitu Patwari while inaugurating the Regional Olympic Games at Kampoo sports complex in Gwalior. • He also announced that under-16 zonal Olympics will be held in MP to facilitate talented children.

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Indian archers bagged bronze • The embattled Indian archers Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari won bronze medal in the recurve mixed pair event of the Asian Archery Championships on 25 Nov 2019. • They competed under a neutral flag due to the suspension of Indian federation. • They defeated Yichai Zheng and Shaoxuan Wei of China 6-2 in the event.

Sangram, Varsha won double trap national title • Sangram Dahiya and Varsha Varma clinched double trap titles, winning gold at the 63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship in New Delhi 25 Nov 2019. • Sangram, from Haryana, shot 142 out of 150 targets to leave behind former world champion Ankur Mittal. • Varsha, from MP, in the women's category, clinched the gold ahead of state- mate Manisha Keer, who won a Silver.

Marathon man Kipchoge won Athlete of the Year • Eliud Kipchoge, the first man to run a marathon in less than two hours, and 400 metres hurdles world champion Dalilah Muhammad won the World Athlete of the Year awards. • Kipchoge claimed the prize after making history in Oct 2019 when he ran the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres in 1hr59min 40.2sec. • Muhammad set a world record of 52.20 sec at the US Trials in Iowa in July 2019.

India won 28 medals in U-15 Wrestling C’ships • In wrestling, India concluded its campaign at the Under-15 Asian Championships with 28 medals, including 13 gold, 14 silver and a bronze. • Deepak Chahal won the gold in 75kg, Vishal in 62kg, Sagar Jaglan in 68kg and Jatin in 85kg. • For the first time, India finished on top of the team rankings in freestyle category with 225 points as all 10 wrestlers finished on the podium.

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Harmeet Desai claimed Indonesia Open • Indian paddler Harmeet Desai won men’s singles title at International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Challenge Indonesia Open 2019 held at Batam, Indonesia on 17 Nov 2019. • Harmeet defeated compatriot Amalraj Anthony by 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 10- 12, 11-9 score. • This is Harmeet's second International title of 2019, after the Commonwealth championship in July in Cuttack.

India recorded best-ever 9 medal hauls • India has recorded the best-ever nine medals haul at the World Para Athletics Championship in Dubai. • With two gold, two silver and five bronze, India secured 13 qualifying spots at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. • Javelin thrower Sandeep Chaudhary in F64 category won the Gold for India. • Another gold came from Sundar Singh Gurjar who won it in men's javelin F46 category.

63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship Competitions 2019 • The 63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship Competitions 2019 began in New Delhi on 17 Nov 2019. The competition will close on 30 November 2019.

UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament • England has qualified for the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament and also became the top scorer with 38 goals in 2019. This is England's second- highest number ever and the highest since achieving the same total in 1966.

Stefanos Tsitsipas won ATP Finals title • Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas won the ATP Finals on 17 Nov 2019 beating Austria's Dominic Thiem 6-7, 6-2, 7-6.

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• This was the debut of Tsisipas in ATP Finals. • The match, which was held at the O2 Arena in London, lasted for 2 hours and 36 minutes. • Tsitsipas had qualified for the finals after defeating six-time champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals on 16 Nov 2019.

Indian women clinched five gold medals • Indian women have clinched five gold, while men bagged two silver at Asian Youth Boxing Championship in Mongolia on 17 Nov 2019. • All five women finalists, Naorem Chanu (51kg), Vinka (64kg) Sanamacha Chanu (75kg), Poonam (54kg) and Sushma (81kg) won Gold for the country. • Among the men, Selay Soy (49kg) and Ankit Narwal (60kg) settled for silver. • India won a total of 12 medals in the event.

Sharad Kumar won a silver • Para high-jumpers Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu qualified for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. • They claimed the silver and the bronze medal respectively in the World Para- Athletics Championships in Dubai. • Two-time Asian Para Games champion Sharad Kumar cleared the bar with season’s best effort of 1.83 metres, while Mariyappan with a season’s best performance of 1.80 metres.

India set to host World Kabaddi cup 2019 • The 2019 World Kabaddi Cup will take place from December 1-9, 2019 and will be organised by the Punjab government in Punjab. • This year’s tournament will be dedicated to the 550th birth anniversary of Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. • Nine teams: India, USA, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan and Canada are expected to take part in the tournament.

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Wushu C'ship winners felicitated • India's Wushu World Championships medal winners Praveen, Yumnam Sanathoi Devi, Poonam Khatri and Vikrant Baliyan were felicitated by Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi. • India had won four medals - a gold, two silvers and a bronze - in the World Championships held in Shanghai, China, in October 2019. • Praveen, who had won a gold, was handed a cheque of 20 lakh rupees

IOA met CGF officials • The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) met top officials of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in New Delhi on 14 Nov 2019 to bring Shooting back on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games roster. • For the first time since 1974, Shooting has been excluded from the Games roster. • Shooting has always been one of India's top medal contributors in the CWG.

Virat maintained top position in ODI ranking • In Cricket, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have maintained their top spots in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings. • Kohli is at the top of the rankings for batsmen, followed by Rohit Sharma. • In the bowlers' rankings, Bumrah maintained his top spot followed by New Zealand's pacer Trent Boult. • Hardik Pandya is the only Indian to feature in the top 10 among all-rounders.

Sundar Singh won gold • Javelin thrower Sundar Singh Gurjar has won India's second gold defending his World Para Athletics Championships title in the men's F46 javelin throw event in Dubai. • With this, India has secured three Tokyo Paralympic Games quota, along with the bronze winner Ajeet Singh and Rinku. • Yogesh Kathuniya won a silver for India in men's discus throw F56 event with a best throw of 42.05 m.

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Saurabh Chaudhary won silver medal • Saurabh Chaudhary claimed the silver medal in men's 10m air pistol event to continue India's surge at the 14th Asian Championship in Doha on 12 Nov 2019. • He shot 244.5 to finish second behind North Korea's Kim Song Guk, who won the top prize with a world record 246.5. • Shreya Agrawal and Dhanush Srikanth won the gold medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team junior competition.

Sports Ranking News • India fast bowler Deepak Chahar has moved up 88 slots to 42nd in the latest ICC T20 rankings for bowlers. Rohit Sharma continued to remain India's top- ranked batsman at the seventh position. • Sumit Nagpal moved two places up in men's singles rankings and achieved his career-best 127th spot in the latest Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) rankings. Nagpal currently has 433 points.

India secured 15 quota places for Olympics • Angad Vir Singh Bajwa secured gold and Mairaj Ahmad Khan won silver at the 14th Asian Shooting Championship at Doha on 10 Nov 2019. • Their medals ensured India secured an unprecedented 15 quota places for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. • India won three quotas on 10 Nov 2019 including teenager Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar's bronze in men's 50m rifle 3 positions.

Kento Momota beat Tien Chen to win China Open • Kento Momota won his 10th title as he defeated Tien-chen to retain his Fuzhou China Open Badminton crown on 10 Nov 2019. • Momota defeated Chou by 21-15, 17-21, 21-18 at Fuzhou. • Home hope Chen Yufei similarly successfully defended the women's title with a victory over Japan's Nozomi Okuhara. • Chen lifted the Fuzhou title for the second year in a row.

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India to host 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup • India will host the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup from 13th to 29th of January 2023 • Spain and the Netherlands have been named as the co-hosts of the 2022 Women's World Cup scheduled to be held from 1st to 22nd of July 2022. • The decisions were made during FIH's Executive Board Meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland on 9 Nov 2019.

Rohit Sharma makes record • Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma became the first Indian male cricketer and second in world cricket to complete 100 T20 Internationals. • This feat was achieved during the second match against Bangladesh at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. • Shoaib Malik (111 games) from Pakistan is the only player to have played more than 100 T20 Internationals.

Official emblem unveiled for FIFA U-17 2020 • The official emblem of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the year 2020 which is to be conducted in India was unveiled. • The emblem was unveiled by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and Local Organising Committee (LOC) at the launch event in the gateway of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra. • The colour and style of the emblem are inspired by Bandhani textiles.

India won 3-match series against West Indies • In Women's Cricket, India won the 3-match series 2-1 beating the West Indies by 6 wickets in the 3rd and final ODI match in North Sound, Antigua on 6 Nov 19. • Indian women achieved the victory target of 195 runs comfortably with 47 balls to spare. • For India, Smriti Mandhana was the highest scorer with 74 off 63 balls. • Earlier, the hosts were all out at 194 in 50 overs after electing to bat.

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Deepak Kumar secured 10th Olympic quota • Deepak Kumar secured India's 10th Olympic quota in shooting while Manu Bhaker claimed the women's 10 metres air pistol gold medal in the 14th Asian Championship in Doha on 5 Nov 2019. • Deepak won a bronze medal in men's 10 metres air rifle. • Deepak is the second Indian shooter to earn an Olympic quota in the men's 10 metres air rifle event after Divyansh Singh Panwar.

Rafael Nadal secured No 1 spot for eighth time • Rafael Nadal is back to the world No. 1 for the eighth time in his career in the ATP rankings released on 4 Nov 2019. • He overtook Novak Djokovic. • Djokovic slipped down the rankings because he lost the points that he won a year ago in London when Nadal was absent.

Shahbaz helped India B lift Deodhar Trophy • Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem claimed four wickets as India B lifted the Deodhar Trophy with a comprehensive 51-run win over India C in the final in Ranchi. • India elected to bat and made 283 runs for 7 wickets. • Jadhav scored 50 runs, Yashasvi Jaiswal 54 and Vijay Shankar 45 runs.

Indian Hockey teams qualify for 2020 Olympics • In Men's Hockey, eight-time champions India qualified for next year's Tokyo Olympic after mauling Russia 7-1 in the second game of the two-legged FIH Qualifiers for men in Bhubaneswar. • The Indian men, ranked fifth in the world defeated world number 22 Russia 4-2 in the first-leg. • The Indian women also sealed their place after beating the US on aggregate despite losing the second match 1-4.

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India bagged bronze in Dragon Boat World Cup • The Indian dragon boat team has created history by winning a bronze medal in the ongoing International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Cup being held in Ningbo, China. • India got the bronze in the mixed team event in the 500m race. • The gold medal was won by Chinese Taipei, while the hosts China had to settle for a silver. • A total of 37 teams from 29 countries had participated.

Lewis Hamilton won sixth F1 world championship • Lewis Hamilton sealed his sixth world drivers' title with second place in the United States Grand Prix. • The result means Hamilton becomes the second most successful F1 driver of all time - moving him to within one championship of all-time record-holder Michael Schumacher, whose tally of seven is now within his reach. • He has secured the championship with 10 victories out of the 19 races. • Wesley So won Fischer Random World C'ship • Wesley So has won the first FIDE-sanctioned Fischer Random World Chess Championship, sweeping aside Magnus Carlsen in the final. • So, needed just two fast-rapid games to dispatch Carlsen and become the first official Fischer Random chess world champion. • In the bronze final, Ian Nepomniachtchi demonstrated a continued return to form with a convincing performance against Fabiano Caruana.

Novak Djokovic won Paris Masters 2019 title • Novak Djokovic won the Paris Masters 2019 title. He won the title for the fifth time. • He sealed his 34th Master's title and fifth overall ATP victory of the year 2019. • He defeated Canada's Denis Shapovalov and secured 6-3 6-4 to win the title. • His success adds to his previous Paris Masters titles from 2009 and 2013- 2015.

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Ashleigh Barty claimed the 2019 WTA Finals • Australian tennis player and world number one Ashleigh Barty claimed the 2019 WTA Finals in China. • She defeated Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and smashed the title. • She has claimed the record-breaking prize money of $4.42 million. • The prize money is considered as the biggest ever amount in men's or women's tennis. • She secured 6-4, 6-3, to claim the prestigious 2019 WTA Finals title.

Lakshya Sen won SaarLorLux Badminton tournament. • India's Lakshya Sen has won the SaarLorLux Open badminton tournament at Saarbrücken in Germany. • He defeated Sen Weng Hong Yang of China in an exciting final on 3 Nov 2019. • World number 51 Lakshya took 59 minutes to overcome Weng in the summit clash. • The 18-year-old from Uttarakhand had entered the final beating Kiran George in an all-Indian semifinal.

Maisnam won boys' singles U-19 title • Maisnam Meiraba Luwang clinched the boys' singles U-19 title at the Woncheon Yonex Korea Junior Open Badminton International Challenge 2019 in Miryang, Korea. • Meanwhile Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, who had bowed out to Luwang 16- 21, 22-24 in the semi-final claimed bronze in the same category. • It is Luwang's third international title in 2019.

South Africa won Rugby World Cup • South Africa galloped by England to win the Rugby World Cup in Japan. • The Springboks claimed the Cup for the first time since 2007. • It was a rematch of the final game of 2007. • Both teams scored only penalty kicks in the first half.

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• The final score was 32-12. • The Springboks became the second team after New Zealand to win three World Cup titles.

India dropped to 106th in FIFA Men’s rankings • The Indian football team dropped two places to 106th position in the latest FIFA rankings. • The downward slid came following the Blue Tigers’ 1-1 draw against lower- ranked Bangladesh in the FIFA World Cup qualifier earlier this month. • Bangladesh jumped three rungs to 184th spot. • Belgium has managed to hold on to the top spot, followed by France and Brazil.

Rahul Dravid asked to depose again • The BCCI Ethics Officer D K Jain has asked Rahul Dravid to appear in person for the second time, on November 12. • A conflict of interest issue arising as him being the head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) and his role with India Cements which also owns IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. • Rahul Dravid is the head of the National Cricket Academy.

Prithvi Sekhar won gold in Deaf Championship • India’s unseeded Prithvi Sekhar beat 3rd seeded Jaroslav Smedek of the Czech Republic by 6-4, 6-3 points and clinched the men’s singles title in World Deaf Tennis Championships 2019. • The 2nd Edition of World Deaf Tennis Championships 2019 was held in Antalya, Turkey. • He had also won the men’s doubles bronze medal with Prashanth Dasharath Harsambhavi.

Pooja Gehlot Bags Silver • Pooja Gehlot (53kg) won India's second silver medal from the UWW Under- 23 World Championships 2019 in Budapest, Hungary.

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• She was defeated by Japan's 2017 world champion Haruna Okuno. • Gehlot emulated freestyle expert Ravinder (61kg)'s feat, who also won a silver medal earlier. • Pooja became the junior national champion in 2015.

Kareena Kapoor unveils World T20 trophies • Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan unveiled the trophies of the T20 World Cups in Melbourne. • The Women’s T20 World Cup will kick-off on February 21, 2020, followed by the Men’s edition, which is slated to begin from October 18 in the same year in Australia. • Windies had won the competition in 2016, held in India, after beating England in the final in dramatic fashion.

Mary Kom to represent Asian bloc • M C Mary Kom has been included in a 10-strong athlete ambassadors group to represent boxers in the build-up to 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games by the IOC's Task Force for the sport. • Mary Kom will represent the Asian bloc in the group, which also comprises two-time Olympic gold-medalist Vasyl Lamachenko and five-time world champion and 2016 Olympic gold-winner Julio Cesar La Cruz among others.

Shiva Thapa, Pooja Rani clinched gold • Shiva Thapa and Pooja Rani clinched gold medals, while Ashish settled for a silver, as India ended with a decent haul of seven medals at the Olympic Test Event for Boxing in Tokyo, Japan on 31 October 2019. • The other four medals, all bronze was bagged by Nikhat Zareen, Simranjeet Kaur, Sumit Sangwan and Vahlimpuia in their respective weight categories.

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Defence

India, France to jointly patrol IOR • The navies of India and France will carry out joint patrolling in the Indian Ocean region in 2020. • This was announced by French Navy Chief Admiral Christophe Prazuck on 18 November 2019. • The joint patrolling could be carried out in the northwestern or southern Indian ocean around the island administered by France.

Night trial of Agni-II conducted successfully • India has successfully conducted the first night trial of Agni-II, its versatile surface-to-surface medium-range nuclear-capable missile from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast on 16 Nov 2019. • Agni-II, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), has already been inducted into the armed forces. • This was the first time that the sophisticated missile was test-fired at night.

Exercise TIGER TRIUMPH • The maiden India US joint Tri services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise named ‘TIGER TRIUMPH’ is scheduled from 13 to 21 Nov 19 at Visakhapatnam. • Indian Naval ships Jalashwa, Airavat and Sandhayak would be participating in the exercise. • The Exercise is aimed to developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations. • Workshop with Academia in Defence R&D by DRDO • The workshop titled ‘DRDO-Academia Interaction for Achieving Leadership in Future Technologies’ was held in Delhi. • The workshop was aimed to leverage the academic expertise available in the country and increase the synergy with Academia. • DRDO has established eight Centers of Technology in various universities.

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The 58th ISAM Annual Conference to be held • Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria will inaugurate the 58th Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM) Annual Conference on 14 Nov 2019 in Bengaluru. • It aims to address contemporary issues and applications in the subject of aerospace medicine. • The theme for the conference for 2019 is 'Changing Paradigms in Aerospace Healthcare'.

IAF to sign contract to procure 83 LCAs • The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to procure the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas (LCA) Mark-1A and Mark-2 and 114 new fighter jets in• the next decade. • IAF also announced that it is expecting to receive 5-6 LCAs in the Final Operational Configuration (FOC) by March 2020. • The contract for 83 LCA Mark-1A by IAF is expected to be signed in the financial year 2019-2020.

Exercise Indra 2019 to be held in December • The first-ever joint tri-service exercise between India and Russia code named INDRA 2019 will be conducted from December 10- 19. • Company-sized mechanized contingents, fighter and transport aircraft as well as ships of respective Armies, Air Forces and Navies will participate in this 10-days exercise. • It is aimed at enhancing interoperability between both the national armed forces.

Defence innovations conference held • Defence ministry organised Def-Connect in New Delhi on 11 November 2019 to showcase the accomplishments of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. • Launch of iDEX Portal and launch of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC)-III were some of the major activities planned during this day-long event.

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• Defence minister Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest of the event.

MPC for MILAN 2020 concluded at Visakhapatnam • The Mid Planning Conference (MPC) for MILAN exercise concluded at HQENC Visakhapatnam 08 Nov 19. • The three-day conference was attended by 29 delegates from 17 friendly Foreign Navies. • The scope of exercise planned during the harbor and sea phase of MILAN 2020 was discussed in detail. • MILAN, series of biennial multilateral naval exercise commenced in 1995.

Exercise ReSAREX-2019 conducted • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the Regional Level Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise 2019 (ReSAREX- 19) off the Goa coast recently. • It was conducted to check the preparedness and response measures for search and rescue at sea in a coordinated manner. • 5 ships of ICG, 2 Chetak helicopters were used for the workshop.

Bilateral maritime exercise ‘Samudra Shakti' • India is jointly exercising its anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kamorta along with Indonesian warship KRI Usman Harun, a multi-role corvette, in the Bay of Bengal as part of an ongoing bilateral exercise “Samudra Shakti”. • The aim of the exercise is to strengthen bilateral relations, expand maritime co-operation, enhance interoperability and exchange best practices.

GRSE delivered ‘Annie Besant’ to ICG • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS Annie Besant, the second in the series of five such ships, to the Indian Coast Guard. • The FPV is capable of operations in the maritime zones of the country. • ICGS Annie Besant is designed for a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles.

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Indian Army to get 18 Dhanush artillery guns • The Indian Army will receive its first batch of indigenously built Dhanush artillery guns, often referred to as the ‘Desi Bofors’. • Five guns from the total order for 114 are likely to be handed over by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to the army’s Central Ordnance Depot in Jabalpur on March 26, 2019. • By the end of 2019, the army will induct a Dhanush regiment, consisting of 18 guns.

Commissioning of INAS 314 - “Raptors” • Indian Naval Air Squadron 314, the sixth Dornier aircraft squadron was commissioned at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Air Enclave, Porbandar. • INAS 314 derives its name Raptors from the Bird of Prey family. The insignia of the squadron depicts a ‘Raptor bird’ searching over the vast blue expanse of the sea. • The Dornier aircraft with twin turboprop engine manufactured by HAL Kanpur.

India to host naval drill Milan 2020 • The Indian Navy will host military drill 'Milan 2020' in March 2022 which will witness the participation of several countries. • The drill will be held in Visakhapatnam. • MILAN denotes Multilateral Naval Exercise. • MILAN series of biennial exercises commenced in 1995. • It was held at Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) for the first time.

Bipin Rawat to be first Chief of Defence Staff • General Bipin Rawat will end his tenure as the Army Chief in December 2019. • He will take over as the first Chief of Defence Staff – a four-star position being created as part of a defence management overhaul. • He will get a term of 2 years as the CDS.

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• He took over as the 27th Chief of Army Staff on 31 December 2016 after General Dalbir Singh retired.

Seminar DEFCOM INDIA 2019 began in New Delhi • A two-day seminar "DEFCOM INDIA 2019" is being held in New Delhi. • The theme for it is “Communications: A Decisive Catalyst for Jointness”. • The seminar began on 26 Nov 2019. • It is devoted to the seminal theme of leveraging communications for achieving jointness between the three services. • Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik inaugurated and addressed the event.

Anti-Tank Guided Missiles inducted in Army • The Indian Army has inducted Israel made Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Spike along the LoC in the northern command theatre in Jammu and Kashmir. • It will strengthen defence along the border with Pakistan. • Known as the "fire and forget" missiles, Spike are portable by men and are powerful enough to destroy tanks and bust bunkers within four kilometres.

3rd Military Literature Festival to be held • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the three-day long Military Literature Festival (MLF) on 13 December 2019 at Chandigarh. • The event would present an international level forum to foster and preserve the exchange of knowledge related to military literature and associated works. • The ten books of noted defence and literary authors would also be released on occasion.

India successfully test fired Prithvi 2 • India successfully test fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-2 missile from a test range off Odisha coast. • Two Prithvi-2 missiles were test-fired consecutively and both tests met all parameters.

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• Prithvi-2 is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kg of warheads and is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines.

Indian Army celebrated Poonch Link Up Day • Poonch Link Up Day was celebrated by the Indian Army on 23 November 2019. • The day marks the Operation Easy conducted by Indian Army in 1948 to defend the border district from the invading Pakistani raiders. • The day marks the historic link up carried out by Brigadier Pritam Singh's forces with Brigadier Yadunath's forces from Rajouri at Danna Ka Pir on 21 November 1948.

US cleared sale of Naval Guns to India • The US State Department cleared the sale of sophisticated MK-45 naval guns worth $1 billion to India. • The MK-45 guns will enhance India’s naval capabilities, particularly in the Arabian Sea. • The Gun System will provide the capability to conduct anti-surface warfare and anti-air defence missions while enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allied forces.

ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur delivered to ICG • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) delivered its 102nd warship, ICGS Amrit Kaur, to the Indian Coast Guard. • ICGS ‘Amrit Kaur’ is a 50-metre-long and 7.5-metre- wide medium-range surface vessel, with a displacement of around 308 tonnes. • It is capable of performing rescue, patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti- poaching operations in the maritime zones of the country.

1st Indo-Qatari joint Naval Exercise began • Navies of India and Qatar have started a 5-day bilateral maritime exercise “Za’ir-Al-Bahr”. • The exercise began in Doha, Qatar and is being held from 17-21 Nov 2019.

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• Indian Navy Ship (INS) Trikand captained by Vishal Bishnoi, Patrol Aircraft P8-I is participating in the inaugural edition of the exercise. • The exercise will include a three-day ‘harbor phase’ and two-day ‘sea phase’.

India and Singapore to strengthen cooperation • India and Singapore agreed to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and taking it to greater heights. • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed satisfaction at the increasing engagement of the Armed Forces of both the countries in conducting joint exercises. • The Defence Minister will co-chair the 4th India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue today before concluding his two-day visit.

Sindhu Sudarshan ex conducted in Rajasthan • The Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Indian Army conducted ‘Sindhu Sudarshan’ exercise in Barmer, Rajasthan on 16 Nov 2019. • Around 40,000 jawans of the Indian Army are participating in it. • It will continue till 5 Dec 2019. • The aim of the exercise is to evaluate the capability and battle readiness of the defence forces in an integrated air-land battle in a semi-developed terrain of the desert.

India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise began • The first-ever India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise - Dustlik-2019 began at Chirchiq Training Area near Tashkent on 4 Nov 2019. • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Uzbekistan counterpart Major General Bakhodir Nizamovich Kurbanov presided over the• Curtain Raiser of the military drill on 3 Nov 2019. • The exercise, which will focus on counter-terrorism, will continue till November 13. '

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Dharma Guardian' military exercise concludes • The second edition of the annual joint military exercise, named as Dharma Guardian between Indian and Japanese Army ended. • It was held at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School Vairengte in Mizoram. • The primary focus of this fortnight-long joint military exercise was to train and equip the contingents in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain.

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Miscellaneous News

MP to develop 34 cities on global standards • MP govt is planning to develop 34 cities in the state on the lines of the seven best-planned cities in the world. • 28 per cent of the total population of the state lives in cities which the government wants to develop into world-class cities. • The government is also planning to operate intra state rapid rail, faster than Metro trains between Indore- Ujjain, Indore Pithampur

President's Colour presented to Naval Academy • President Ram Nath Kovind presented the prestigious President's Colour to the Indian Naval Academy at Kannur in Kerala on 20 November 2019. • President's Colour is a visible symbol of excellence and is earned through worthy contribution both during war and peace. • A special parade was also held at INA honoring the President • Later, Mr. Kovind held talks with the officers in the academy.

Darjeeling’s green and white teas got GI tag • The green tea and white tea of Darjeeling have been registered as a geographical indication (GI) products in the country. • These two varieties of Darjeeling tea have been registered under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999, with effect from October 2019. • This will strengthen the protection of the intellectual property rights of the Darjeeling tea.

250th session of Rajya Sabha commenced • 250th session of Rajya sabha commenced on 18 November 2019. • The historic 250th session of the House was marked with a change in the uniform of its marshals.

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• The two marshals, who stand next to the Chair, were seen in military-style uniform on the first day of winter session. • The new uniform will be worn by the four marshals in the House as and when they are on duty.

Digital Gurukul partnered with Certif-ID • Digital Gurukul, awarded Asia's best digital marketing institute from Indore partnered with Germany based company - Certif-ID to issue blockchain- powered Certificates to its students. • It has become India's first institute to do so. • All students graduating from Digital Gurukul will now be able to share the credential of their diplomas with future employers around the world without any hassle.

J&K achieves highest road length under PMGSY • Jammu and Kashmir have achieved the highest road length in the country in 2019 so far under the centrally-sponsored scheme Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. • The scheme is a mega flagship programme with the main objective of providing connectivity to rural areas. • The Union Territory has completed around 11,400 kilometres covering 1,838 habitations.

Short documentary film on Water Conservation • Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released a short documentary film on Water Conservation named 'SHIKHAR SE PUKAR' in New Delhi on 22 Nov 2019. • The film has been made to promote 'Jalshakti Abhiyan' and is based on the Journey of an IAS Officer Ravindra Kumar. • It gives a glimpse of the significance of Himalaya as the main source of water needs of India through rivers.

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World's biggest Islamic Congregation began • In Madhya Pradesh, the four-day Alami Tablighi Ijtima, world's biggest Islamic Congregation began in Bhopal on 22 Nov 2019. • More than one million people from 54 countries are expected to attend the congregation which will continue till 25th November. • The first Alami Tablighi Ijtima took place in Bhopal in 1944 and only 14 people attended it then.

Kolkata installed ‘Third Umpire’ Machines • The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has installed first of its kind high- end reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines in India. • These are for quick detection of diseases like dengue, tuberculosis and swine flu. • These machines are to serve as a ‘third umpire’ in situations when medical reports and blood tests reveal contradictory results.

6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting held • The 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18 Nov 2019. • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with 17 other Defence Ministers of ADMM-Plus countries attended the meeting. • On the sidelines of ADMM-Plus, Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings on 17 Nov 2019 with his counterparts including US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper.

Medipally: First child friendly police station • Medipally police station in Rachakonda, Hyderabad, has become the first child-friendly police station in Telangana. • The inauguration programme was held on Children's Day 14 November 2019. • The state's first child-friendly police station was launched by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) and Telangana police department.

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• It aims to ensure that every child has proper and timely access to justice.

National Tribal Festival Aadi Mahotsav began • Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Tribal Festival "Aadi Mahotsav" in New Delhi on 16 Nov 2019. • The theme of the 15-day Mahotsav being held at Dilli Haat in INA, is celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Craft, Cuisine and Commerce. • The tribal textiles manufactured by master tribal craftsmen from Jammu & Kashmir in the North will be the main attractions.

India’s first elephant memorial in Mathura • India-based conservation charity Wildlife SOS unveiled the country’s first elephant memorial in Mathura. • The memorial symbolizes the sacrifice of these gentle giants who lost their lives while suffering brutality at the hands of humans. • The memorial, 20 miles from Taj Mahal, was inaugurated by additional principal chief conservator of forests, UP K Praveen Rao.

BIMSTEC Conclave to be held in Visakhapatnam • The 2-day BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal initiative multi-sector technical and economic cooperation) Conclave will be held on 7-8th November 2019 at Visakhapatnam. • Vizag port trust is hosting the conclave first time ever since the formation of BIMSTEC in 1997. • Seven-member countries that includes Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Srilanka, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan are participating in the conference.

Indian Army to get 18 Dhanush artillery guns • The Indian Army will receive its first batch of indigenously built Dhanush artillery guns, often referred to as the ‘Desi Bofors’. • Five guns from the total order for 114 are likely to be handed over by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to the army’s Central Ordnance Depot in Jabalpur on March 26, 2019.

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• By the end of 2019, the army will induct a Dhanush regiment, consisting of 18 guns.

5th India International Science Fes to be held • PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Fifth India International Science Festival by addressing the audience at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kolkata through video conference on 5 November 2019. • The festival will continue till 8th November 2019. • The prime objective of the festival is to instill scientific temper among the masses.

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