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Important News: Rajasthan Special Special

September 2020 epidemic relief and mitigating natural and man-made calamities. ➢ Niti Ayog has estimated that India has • 50% of the cess shall be reserved for the around 30000 tonnes of silver reserves, out original purpose which was the of which 98% are located in the state of conservation of cows and goshalas. Rajasthan. This unutilised reserve of • Rajasthan is the first state in the country to silver has a potential of taking India have a dedicated Gopalan department. among the leaders of Silver producing ➢ Discovery of new butterfly species Nations. • Experts have discovered two new species Note: Rajasthan Government has recently of butterfly in the Ranthambore tiger formed Rajasthan State Mineral reserve in sawai madhopur. Exploration trust. • The newly discovered species are-

Dakhan tricolor pied flat (coladenia ➢ Rajasthan finance ministry has brought indra indra) and Desert spotted small flat tourism sector under its Rajasthan (sarangesa purendra sati) Investment Promotion Scheme thus ➢ State’s first underground train route extending the benefits under the scheme to • CM of Rajasthan recently inaugurated the tourism sector. first underground metro train of the state in Note: Now the tourism projects that have the capital city of Jaipur. an investment over 5 crores • The train will run from Chandpore to ➢ MoU between SIDBI and Rajasthan Bandi Chaupar, covering a distance of 2.12 km underground. • SIDBI has signed an MoU with Industries

department of Rajasthan to develop a ➢ Vastra 2020 to be held Virtually “Project Management Unit” to facilitate various financial benefits and services to • “Vastra” is an international textile fair the MSMEs in the state. which provides opportunity to the apparel manufacturers of Rajasthan to market their ➢ Road Accident Statistics report products in the international market. this year the event will be held on an online • NCRB has released the “Road Accidents platform and will be attended by 500 Statistics in 2019” report. buyers and over 80 exhibiters. • Rajasthan has been placed at 4th rank by • 80% of the exhibiters are from Rajasthan the report in terms of the number of deaths and the rest are from other states. due to all kinds of accidents. ➢ Export Preparedness Index • State’s share in deaths is 6.8% compared • Rajasthan has been placed at 4th position in to its percentage in country’s population is the country in overall rankings in export 5.9%. preparedness index 2020 which is released • 50% of the accidents have occurred on the by NITI Ayog. national highways which form 3-4% of the • Gujarat has emerged the top performer in total roads in the state. both coastal states category and overall ranking. • Rajasthan has been ranked 1st in the ➢ Use of Cow cess for epidemics category of “Landlocked” category of • Rajasthan state government has states. promulgated an ordinance Rajasthan ➢ Water resource Department of Stamp (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. Rajasthan won the National Innovation • The Ordinance will legalise the use of cow Award cess imposed on stamp duty to be used for • Water resource department and Indira Gandhi canal of the Rajasthan have been 2 www.gradeup.co

awarded the national innovation award for cost effectiveness of the projects by the efforts taken to increase the efficiency technological advancements. of water bodies and improving the overall August 2020 1. The National Commission on Population under expected to increase from 66 to 69 and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for women it is expected to increase (MoHFW) submitted the Report of the Technical from 71 to74. group on population projections July 2020, titled 2. Government of Rajasthan Approves 5% “Population projections for India and States Reservation in Judicial Service for More 2011- 2036”. Backward Classes • The report projected that the India’s sex • The Rajasthan government ratio of the total population (females per amended the Rajasthan Judicial 1000 males) is expected to be more Service Rules 2010 through the feminine in 2036 compared to the cabinet of Rajasthan on the population as of 2011. initiative of Ashok Gehlot, chief • The report has estimated the sex ratio to Minister of Rajasthan to provide increase from 943 in 2011 to 957 in2036. 5% reservation in the state judicial • India’s Infant Mortality Rate service for the More Backward (IMR) is reported to be 46 in 2010 Classes(MBC) instead of 1%. which is expected to reduce to 30 • The more backward classes include by the end of 2031-2035. Gurjars, Raika-Rabari, Gadiya-Lohars, • Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is expected to Banjara and Gadariya. decline from 2.34 during 2011-2015 to 3. Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 1.73 during 2031-35. • The report projects India’s • NITI Aayog in partnership with Institute population to increase by 25.7% in of Competitiveness released the Export 25 years at a rate of 1% annually Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020. • Gujarat has topped the ranking, Rajasthan i.e., from 121.1 crore to 151.8 crore th during2011-36. stood at 4 rank with a score of 62.59 which is highest in the category of • For men the life expectancy is landlocked states. July 2020 1. Rajeeva Swarup appointed as new Chief • Rajasthan Cabinet has approved ‘One-Stop Secretary of Rajasthan Shop’ Scheme– OSS (earlier known as single window clearance system) to fast • Rajasthan Government appointed Rajeeva track investment and capacity expansion Swarup the current Additional Chief proposals by facilitating time-bound Secretary (Home) as the new Chief approvals and clearances. This will help Secretary (CS) of Rajasthan replacing revive industries in the midst of the incumbent D.B. Gupta in the bureaucratic COVID-19 pandemic. reshuffle amid COVID-19 pandemic. • As per the scheme, entrepreneurs who 2. “Pure for Sure” Campaign invest above Rs 10 crore will be able to get 98 types of clearance under one roof at • The week long campaign has been OSS under the Bureau of Investment launched by the Rajasthan government to Promotion(BIP) of the State Industries ensure the purity of milk and other dairy Department. products. 4. Registrar General’s Sample Registration 3. One-Stop Shop’ Scheme to Fast-Track System (SRS) Investments. 3 www.gradeup.co

• The “Special Bulletin on Maternal • According to the report the MMR of Mortality in India 2016-18” has been Rajasthan is 164. released by the Office of the Registrar • Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): It is General’s Sample Registration System defined as the proportion of maternal (SRS), the Maternal Mortality Ratio deaths per 1,00,000 live births, reported (MMR) in India has declined to 113 in under the SRS. 2016-18 from 122 in 2015-17 and 130 in 2014-2016 and almost 100 deaths lesser 5. Rajasthan is set to open the first plasma bank in than in the period of 2007-2009. the state in the city of Jaipur. In india the first plasma bank was established in New Delhi. June 2020 1. Raj Kaushal Portal nutritious meals to the poors in the state twice at a day at highly subsidized rataes. • Online Shramik Employment Exchange, • District collectors will head the scheme in ‘Raj Kaushal Portal’ developed by the their respective states. department of Information and • The previous meal scheme of Rajasthan, Technology(IT) and Rajasthan Skill & AnnapuranRasoi Yojana was launched in Livelihoods Development December 2016. It was launched by Corporation(RSLDC) was launched by VasundhraRaje, the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. Rajasthan. The food were provided at rates • The purpose of development of the portal of Rs 5 and Rs 8 for breakfast and lunch has been to provide employment to respectively and was expired on March migrant workers and to provide industries 31st 2020. facing labour shortage with workers. • Rajasthan is the first State to establish a 4. STARS Project Mission on Livelihoods. Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood (RMoL) was • ‘Strengthening Teaching-Learning and created to address the challenges of Results for States Program (STARS)’ unemployment and ensure gainful and project to improve the quality and sustainable employment to the youth of the governance of school education across six state in September 2004. states will be implemented with a loan of 500 million dollar from the World Bank. 2. Pact With POWERGRID &EdCIL to Setup • The six states that will benefit from the Smart Classrooms in 100 Schools program are- Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, • E-content syllabus will be available for and Rajasthan. students from classes 1 to 12. In each school 4 teachers will be trained to teach 5. Jayanti Lal Nanoma passed away at 34 students in smart classrooms. • The priority for establishing the smart • Former international archer and Archery classrooms will be given to schools coach of Rajasthan, JayantilalNanoma located in remote areas where computer passed away at the age of 34 in Geetanjali teachers and laboratory assistants have Hospital, Udaipur due to injuries caused in already been appointed. the road accident. • All arrangements will be made for the 6. A ‘meteorite’like object fell from the sky in maintenance of classrooms and the Sanchore town of Rajasthan’s Jalore district continuation of the new education system. creating a 2-3 feet deep crater. 3. Indira RasoiYojna • A meteorite is the term given to a piece of a comet or asteroid that falls into the • A sum of 100 crore has been allotted for Earth’s atmosphere and survives to hit the this scheme which aims to provide surface. 4 www.gradeup.co

7. The department of local self-government has • Sirohi - Javal Municipality announced the formation of 16 new • Bharatpur – Sikari&Uchhain Municipality municipalities in Rajasthan. The districts where • Karauli – Sapotara Municipality new municipalities have been created are – • Kota – Sultanpur Municipality • Sriganganagar – Lalgarh-Jatan • Jaipur – Bassi&Pavta Municipality Municipality • Alwar – Laxmangarh&Bansur • Baran – Ataru Municipality Municipality • Dholpur – Sirmathura&Basedi • Dausa - Mandavari Municipality Municipality • Jodhpur – Bhopalgarh Municipality May 2020 1. Employment under MGNREGS for 100 days of employment in every • Chattisgarh has topped among other financial year to adult members of any states in providing employment under rural household who willingly does MGNREGS to over 18 lakh unskilled unskilled manualwork. labourers. 2. Birth Anniversary of Maharana Pratap. • Rajasthan stood at 2nd position by • Maharana Pratap was the 13th king of the providing employment to 10.79 lakh kingdom of Mewar. His birth anniversary workers followed by UP and West is celebrated every year on 9thMay(born Bengal. year 1540). • The data has been released by the Union • Battle of Haldighati was fought by him on Rural Development Ministry. 18th June 1576. • MGNREGS provides a legal guarantee April 2020 1. Rajasthan became the first state to carry out the doctors, get their history quickly and Rapid Test for COVID-19. order their medicines. The app also contains a built-in coronavirus guide for • State’s urban primary health centre of theusers. TopkhanaDesh (also known as Jaju Dispensary) in Jaipur started rapid tests for 3. Irrfan Khan passed away at 53 corona virus. • Irrfan earned a scholarship to study at • This test requires just a drop of blood and National School of Drama (NSD) while it provides instant results. It is not a pursuing his MA (Master of Arts) confirmatory test but is utilised for faster degree. isolation of positive individuals. • Irrfan Khan was honoured with Padma 2. Partnership of Rajasthan and MedCords Shri by the Government of India (GOI) for his significant contribution to arts • The Government of Rajasthan has and cinema. partnered with MedCords, a healthcare • He also won the National Film Award startup to provide online consultations and and 4 Filmfare awards. for delivering medicine to the people of 4. SMILE Program Rajasthan to control the COVID-19 • SMILE stands for Social Media Interface pandemic. MedCord will provide the for Learning Engagement. requirements of over 68 million people • Rajasthan School Education Council has throughout Rajasthan through its established a new program named Smile integrated solution – Aayu and from 13 april 2020. SehatSathi app. • Through this, students of about 65,097 • The application “Aayu” – provides a government schools and 82,51,029 platform for the patients to consult the students in Rajasthan will be able to 5 www.gradeup.co

study from home. March 2020 1. Brahmakumaris chief DadiJanki passed away at Chandan Singh Rathore passed away at 95 at his 104. residence in Jaipur. • RajyoginiDadiJanki, founder of About MahaVir Chakra &Vir Chakra BrahmakumarisSansthan (world’s largest • MVR is the 2nd highest decoration award spiritual organization run by women) after Param Vir Chakra for the brave deeds passed away at the age of 104 in Mount performed in the presence of the enemy, Abu, Rajasthan. whether on land, sea or air &Vir Chakra, the 3rd in a row. 2. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched • Biography of Chandan Singh Rathore - “A ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’in Kota, Rajasthan. Cavalier in the Sky” to be released soon. • Suposhit Maa Abhiyan: In the first phase 4. Rajasthan celebrated its statehood day on 30 of the campaign, 1,000 kits of 17 kg march. The state was formed on March 30, 1949. balanced diet each were provided to 1,000 Before this it was called “Rajputana”. pregnant women. • Under the scheme, 1000 women would be 5. According to a report submitted by CAG, given food items for 1 month. At the same Country’s 40% crimes related to environment time, the health of the child, including were reported from Rajasthan. The report has medical examination, blood tests, pointed out that wild life crime control units were medicines, delivery would be covered. not set up in the state. 3. Air Vice Marshal(AVM) retired, MahaVir Chakra recipient (1971) & Group Captain February 2020 1. 4th National Conference on Review of 2. India FinTech Festival (IFF) 2020 held in Implementation of Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Mumbai. Yojana (PMFBY) • The Conference assessed the national e- • It was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. governance services being delivered by all • PMFBY provides a comprehensive the states and Union Territories. insurance cover to farmers against failure • Delhi, Chandigarh and Daman and Diu of the crop. emerged as the leaders in delivering e- • The scheme is being implemented by the governance services among Union Ministry of Agriculture with an aim of Territories. Among the states, Haryana and supporting sustainable production in Rajasthan emerged as leaders. agriculture. January 2020 1. Water efficiency survey 2019 under National hydrology project 2. 13th Jaipur Literature Festival • Tamil nadu has topped the survey, Rajastan held the third rank. • The 13th edition of the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) began at Diggi • The survey was release by Ministry of Jal Palace Hotel in Jaipur. Shakti, it is a part of a mid-term review by the central and state government working • Author Ashwin Sanghi launched his book with water to achieve the goal of providing ‘The Vault of Vishnu’ through piped drinking water connections to every SonaliBendreBehl. household over the next 5 years. 6 www.gradeup.co

• The Bloomsbury Anthology of Great • She was given the award for designing the Indian Poems edited by poet-diplomat cover of the book ‘Tiffin: Authentic Abhay K was also launched. It includes Recipes Celebrating India’s Regional 200 poems. Cuisine’. • Renowned poet and literary critic Arvind 4. NCRB Report 2018 Krishna Mehrotra was awarded 5th MahakaviSethia Award for poetry during • The report stated that Uttar Pradesh JLF 2020. The award is given in memory accounted for the maximum number of of Rajasthani and Hindi poet economic offences in 2018 with 22,822 KanhaiyalalSethia and carries a cash prize cases recorded. of Rs. 1 Lakh • It was followed by Rajasthan, 3. Sneha Pamneja, a well known Graphic designer Maharashtra, Telangana and Bihar in the based in New Delhi, was awarded Oxford 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rank respectively. Bookstore Book Cover Prize 2020 at Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF).

Important News: Other States

September 2020 labourers and workers. It is a rural public works scheme which was launched on • Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal June 20, 2020. announced 'Paryatan Sanjeevani Scheme' • Uttar Pradesh Government launches U- • Note: Paryatan Sanjeevani scheme will Rise portal help the tourism entrepreneurs of the state in regaining their business. Under this • UP government launched a unified portal scheme, an interested entrepreneur can get called U-Rise (Unified Re-imagined a loan from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 20 lakhs. The Innovation for Students Empowerment scheme is for the registered stakeholders with the Department of Technical like the hoteliers, resort owners, tour Education, Department, Training, operators, tourist guide, jeep safari, Employment and the Skill Development elephant safari and others engaged in the Mission along with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam sector. Technical University, Lucknow, UP. • Note: U-Rise portal would benefit and • UP government bags 8 awards in Garib empower students by providing all Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan possible information from online exams, • Uttar Pradesh government has bagged 8 digital content, digital assessment, digital awards in Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan examination papers, webinars, internship, (GKRA) launched by the Department of e-library, recorded video content to Drinking Water and Sanitation under the employment. In the first phase Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The State polytechnics, vocational and skill has also got overall second rank in development and in the second phase, a implementation of Gandagi Mukt Bharat target has been set to link all the scheme. Uttar Pradesh has got overall first engineering universities of the state. position in the Garib Kalyan Rozgar • Kerala wins United Nations award for Abhiyan. "outstanding contribution" for prevention, • Note: Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan: The control of non-communicable diseases Government of India has launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan initiative to • Note: The UN Interagency Task Force tackle the impact of COVID-19 on (UNIATF) award this year on prevention

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and control of non-communicable diseases • Under this scheme, additional financial was announced by the World Health assistance of Rs. 4,000 will be given to the Organization (WHO). eligible beneficiaries of Prime Minister • NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) are Kisan Samman Nidhi. About 80 lakh a non-infectious health condition that farmers of Madhya Pradesh will be cannot be spread from person to person. benefited. Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Now they This is also known as a chronic disease will be able to get annual assistance of Rs. including heart disease, stroke, cancer, 10,000. diabetes and chronic lung disease, are • Note: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sammann collectively responsible for almost 70% of Nidhi is an initiative by the government of all deaths worldwide. India in which all farmers will get up to ₹6,000 per year as minimum income • Rajasthan Government launches ''Moksha support. The initiative was to be Kalash Yojana-2020'' announced in 2019. • This scheme is to allow free bus travel to • Madhya Pradesh targets household tap two persons of a family to immerse ashes connections in all rural areas under Jal of their loved ones in the Ganga in Jeevan Mission by 2023 Haridwar. The state road transport corporation would be the nodal agency to • Public Health Engineering Department is run this scheme. constructing water infrastructure so that rural families of Madhya Pradesh can be • Assam Government launches provided with clean drinking water Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan through tap connection. The target for Achoni completion of this scheme in the rural • Under this scheme, the government areas of the entire state is by the year 2023 distributed vehicles to beneficiaries to under the Jal Jivan Mission. improve rural connectivity and generate • Note: Jal Jeevan Mission-Government of employment in the villages. Light Motor India has restructured and subsumed the Vehicle Service to be launched in the ongoing National Rural Drinking Water villages of the state and one vehicle per Programme(NRDWP) into Jal Jeevan village would be provided to one Mission(JJM) to provide Functional beneficiary. Under the scheme, the eligible Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to entrepreneurs will be assisted financially every rural household i.e., Har Ghar Nal with 25 per cent of the cost of the vehicle Se Jal (HGNSJ) by 2024. by the state government or Rs 1 lakh, • PM Modi launches optical fiber for whichever is less. internet services in Bihar

• Plan to set up a ‘Film City’ in Uttar • It aims to connect all 45,945 villages in the Pradesh eastern state through the internet and • Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath provide digital services such as e- announced to set up a “film city” in education, e-agriculture, telemedicine and Gautam Budh Nagar by the Yamuna tele-law. Expressway Industrial Development • Note: Optical fiber is the medium and the Authority (YEIDA). technology associated with the • Note: Film City is an integrated film studio transmission of information as light pulses complex. along with a glass or plastic strand or fiber. • ‘Mukhymantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana’ to be • MP celebrates 'Gharib Kalyan Week' as ' started by Chief Minister, Mr Shivraj Vanadhikar Diwas': Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh • In Madhya Pradesh, Gharib Kalyan Week is being organized from 16th to 23rd 8 www.gradeup.co

September to mark the birthday of Prime should take responsibility for their Minister Narendra Modi. villages. • On the fourth day of the week, ‘Vanadhikar Diwas' was celebrated in the • PM Narendra Modi launches various State. And more than 23,000 forest rights projects under 'Namami Gange' & pattas were distributed in 47 districts of the 'AMRUT' schemes in Bihar: State. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh • Prime Minister Narendra Modi Chouhan in Bhopal and Ministers, as well inaugurated and laid the foundation stones as public representatives, has distributed for seven projects related to urban forest right pattas to the beneficiaries in infrastructure in Bihar under 'Namami other districts. Gange' and 'AMRUT' schemes through • Gujarat government launches video conferencing. Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana: • Among these, two to sewerage treatment and one to riverfront development & four • The scheme will provide interest-free projects are related to the water supply. loans to women’s groups in the state. The total cost of these projects is 541 crore Under the MMUY, 50,000 joint liability rupees. and earning group (JLEG)will be formed in urban areas. • New AIIMS at Darbhanga in Bihar approved by Cabinet: • Manduadih becomes 'Banaras': • The government has approved the proposal • Manduadih railway station has been for a new All India Institute of Medical renamed as 'Banaras' in Uttar Pradesh by Sciences (AIIMS) at Darbhanga, Bihar. The Union Home Ministry. AIIMS will be established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha • Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Yojana (PMSSY) Scheme. Chouhan to inaugurate ‘Poshan Sarkar’ • Note: PMSSY: PMSSY was introduced in programme: 2003 to correct imbalances in the • The month of September is observed every availability of tertiary healthcare services year as the month of nutrition under the and improve the quality of medical Nutrition Campaign. education. The scheme has two • The main objective of the Poshan Sarkar components: (i) setting up of new AIIMS, programme is to eliminate the malnutrition and (ii) up-gradation of selected by helping the Gram Panchayat and the Government Medical College Institutions. Urban Bodies in the nutrition campaign. • Agra’s Mughal Museum to be renamed Under the programme, nutrition resolution after Shivaji: will be passed in all Gram Panchayats/ Nagar Panchayats /Urban Bodies. • Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced the decision to rename the • Maharashtra CM launched 'My Family, under-construction Mughal Museum in My Responsibility' initiative against Agra after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. COVID: • ‘GARIMA’ scheme launched by the • Note: Every family in the State will be Odisha government for sanitation workers: checked on at least twice in the coming month. The health check-up will monitor • ‘GARIMA scheme aims to ensure the family members, senior citizens and social dignity and economic safety of core oxygen levels. In the case of an ailment, sanitation workers in the state. the government health officials will be • GARIMA Scheme will be implemented by informed. This management has to be done the state Housing and Urban Development at the micro-level and so all Sarpanchs department in all the 114 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Odisha. 9 www.gradeup.co

• Around 20 thousand core sanitation • the force will constitute of 9,919 workers and their families with about 1 personnel. Five battalions will be lakh population will benefit from the constituted in the first phase and it will be scheme. headed by an ADG-ranked officer. • The Core Sanitation workers and their Expenses estimated in the first phase will family members will be covered under the be around 1,747 crore rupees. health insurance scheme with regular health check-ups, housing, educational • Air ambulance service support, mobility support and mobile • Karnataka CM recently inaugurated the air support. ambulance services in Bengaluru. • This is the first integrated air ambulance • Nine new airports in 15 months in Uttar services in the country. Pradesh: • Also, it happens to be the first air ambulance based out of South India, • Union minister for civil aviation Ashok providing services for medical Gajapathi Raju said Uttar Pradesh would emergencies. get nine more airports in next 15 months. • Authority involved: Air ambulance firm • “Nine airports will come up in Allahabad, International Critical Air Transfer Team Bareilly, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Moradabad, (ICATT) and aviation technology firm Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Myurpur (Sonbhadra), Kyathi from the HAL airport in Bengaluru. and Shravasti”. • Veer Savarkar flyover • PM Narendra Modi to dedicate to the Nation 3 key projects in Bihar related to • Inaugurated by Karnataka CM Petroleum sector: • Veer Savarkar: Commonly known as Swatantryaveer Savarkar or simply Veer • The projects include the two LPG Bottling Savarkar in Marathi language. Plants in East Champaran and Banka and • He was an Indian independence activist Durgapur-Banka section of the Paradip- and politician who formulated the Hindu Haldia-Durgapur Pipeline Augmentation nationalist philosophy of Hindutva. Project and • He was a leading figure in the Hindu • e-office system of Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Mahasabha. Vitran Company • He opposed the Quit India movement in 1942. • Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company • Book: The History of the War of Indian Bhopal is the first power distribution Independence company in the country, in which the e- • 'Barrister Savarkar' was the first biography office system is being operated from the of Savarkar under the pen name corporate office to local circle level Chitragupta and the second edition by the offices. Veer Savarkar Prakashan. • There is no physical movement of the file and Corona infection is also being avoided • Government of Andhra Pradesh and as human contact is minimum. Lawrencedale Agro Processing India (LEAF) • Special force to be constituted in UP • Andhra Pradesh government signed 8 • To provide security to the high court, pacts with reputed global and domestic district courts, administrative offices and players. buildings, Metro rail, airports, banks, • These MOUs will help the food processing financial institutions, educational sector of various agricultural products, institutions and industrial units UP including bananas, tomatoes, mangoes, government has taken the decision to sugar, chillies, vegetables, and aqua constitute a fresh special force. products. 10 www.gradeup.co

• Lawrencedale Agro Processing is India's • The medicine prepared from this plant can leading end-to-end supply chain specialist be utilised even for export to other in fresh produce. countries. • With this expertise in post-harvest • A few other projects are also being set up management, we are pioneering India's through the Council of Scientific and most trusted fresh produce brand - 'LEAF'. Industrial Research (CSIR). • The brand 'LEAF' stands for safe & hygienic fresh produce. • Assam promotes nutritious food • Electronic Hardware Manufacturing • Promoted through Kitchen Garden as part Policy-2020 of PoshanMaah. • As a part of the PoshanMaah, the Social • The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Welfare Department in Assam has taken Palaniswamy released the state’s steps to promote nutritious food through Electronic Hardware Manufacturing Kitchen Garden. Policy-2020. • Kitchen Garden or Nutri garden will be set • Target: The manufacturing of electronic up at Anganwadi Centres and Government goods worth 100-billion US Dollars by the Primary Schools across the state. year 2025. • The aim is to plant locally available • It envisages making the state contribute 25 nutritional food and vegetables. per cent of the country's total electronic hardware export. • Karnataka approves new IT policy • It aims at attracting semiconductor • The Karnataka cabinet recently approved a fabrication units to the state. new Information Technology (IT) policy • Mobile phones, LED’s, fabless chips, to help the state increase its contribution printed circuit boards, solar photovoltaic towards the goal of a trillion-dollar digital cells and medical and automobile and create six million jobs during the electronics are some of the areas that are policy period. being given focus in the new policy. • The new policy from 2020-25, the • Himachal Pradesh and World Bank government said, would help in Karnataka retaining and leveraging its position in • The government of Himachal Pradesh and the World Bank signed $82 million loans technology and innovations. for the implementation of Himachal • The policy outlines its goal to enable “the Pradesh State Roads Transformation State’s IT industry to contribute 30% to Project which will strengthen transport and India’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar road safety institutions of Himachal digital economy". Pradesh by improving the condition, • The new policy also aims to boost IT safety, resilience, and engineering penetration & innovation, enable a remote, standards of the state road network. distributed labour force beyond Bengaluru and evolve a Cyber Security policy, the government said in a statement. • Cannabis medicine project • Delhi govt’s anti-dengue campaign

• The first-ever cannabis medicine project ✓ The Delhi government’s 10-week anti- will be set up in Jammu with Canadian dengue campaign commenced. collaboration. ✓ The ‘10 Hafte 10 Baje 10 Minute’ • It is a joint project set up with the campaign seeks to build awareness about collaboration of Canada at the Indian the prevention of vector-borne diseases. Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in ✓ Citing numbers, he said that last year, Jammu. there were only 1,400-1,500 dengue cases in Delhi, which was a “big achievement

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for us because this number was around 14,000-15,000 a few years back”. August 2020

✓ Madhya Pradesh state government has ✓ Uttarakhand state is set develop India’s first launched a public awareness campaign “Ek Snow Leopard Conservation centre. Mask-AnekZindagi” from August 1-15. Note: The main aim of the centre is to ✓ Maharashtra government approved MagNet conserve and restore Himalayan ecosystems. It project worth Around Rs 1,000 crore to Help also aims to conserve elusive snow leopards Farmers. and other endangered Himalayan species. A Note: This will boost the fruit and vegetable number of snow leopards has been spotted in production and will improve processing and the districts of Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi. minimise the losses in the sector of ✓ Haryana state government has launched perishables. “Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana” to ✓ Andhra Pradesh state government has signed provide free sanitary napkins to girls and an MoU with Hindustan Unilever Ltd, P&G women of below poverty line (BPL) families. and ITC to Support Economic Empowerment ✓ Haryana state government has launched of Women. “:Mukhya Mantri DoodhUphar Yojana” to ✓ Union territories Dadra and Nagar Haveli & provide fortified flavoured skimmed milk Daman and Diuhas launched E-Gyan Mitra powder to women and children. mobile application for online education. ✓ Chhattisgarhgovernment has launched Note: Through the app, the students from “Shaheed Mahendra Karma primary till the higher secondary can take TendupattaSangrahakSamajik Suraksha online classes along with attempting. The app Yojana” for tendu leaves collectors. will have lectures and quizzes posted by Note: Used for making bidis (leaf-wrapped teachers along with a system of monitoring in cigarettes), these are collected by forest which teachers can monitor students’ progress dwellers and from them it is purchased by the ✓ ‘Thenzawl Golf Resort’ project has been state government.Mahendra Karma was inaugurated in Mizoram. popularly known as Bastar tiger for his tough Note: The project will develop Golf Tourism stand against Naxals.He was among 29 people, attracting both national and international including senior Congress leaders, who were tourist in the country. It will have an killed in a Naxal attack in Jhiram valley of international standard of 18 holes Golf Course Bastar district on May 25, 2013. with a total cost of Rs 92.25 crore. Designed ✓ Maharashtra became the first state in India to by: Canadian based Golf Course Architect collaborate with Google India for state-wide Firm Graham Cooke & Associates and 30 Eco distribution of G suite for Education and Log Huts. Google Classroom. ✓ ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ awareness programme ✓ The Ministry of Railways has inaugurated a launched by Andhra Pradesh is related to dedicated museum for railways in Hubballi, Cybercrime. Karnataka. Note: It is a month-long online campaign that Note: This is the first of its kind museum in will create awareness on Cyber crimes across Northern Karnataka and second in South the State with slogan ‘Let us make August a Western Railways after the historic railway month of e-freedom and e-safety. museum at Mysore, Karnataka.The main ✓ Haryana state government has launched objective of the museum is to preserve and “ParivarPehchan Patra” to enable the portray the glorious heritage of various citizens to get the benefits of various central branches of Railways and displays the gradual and state government schemes. evolution of advanced systems in all spheres Note: PPP each family will be considered as a of Railway. single unit and will be allotted a 8 digit unique ✓ Gujarat state government has launched identification number. The 8-digit number will Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojana. enable seamless delivery of state government Note: The yojana has been announced for the services. current Kharif season and all farmers of the 12 www.gradeup.co

state will be covered under this scheme. the elderly people living alone in homes Farmers would not have to pay any premium during the global pandemic COVID-19. or registration process for the scheme. Note: This unique campaign is proving to be a ✓ Assamstate government has started boon for the Elderly People living alone in “Orunodoi Scheme” for women’s homes during the global pandemic COVID- empowerment. 19. Note: Under the “Orunodoi” scheme, Rs 830 ✓ Madhya Pradesh has launched the ‘Ek per month aid would mean an additional Sankalp – Bujurgoke naam’ campaign for annual income of Rs 10,000 to the poor the elderly people living alone in homes households to meet their medical, nutritional, during the global pandemic COVID-19. and academic needs besides to meet the Note: In this campaign, the police are taking additional spending during various festivals,”. care of the elderly people from the food to ✓ The Madhya Pradesh state government has their health. Renowned social activist Anna announced to name Gwalior-Chambal Hazare has also praised this initiative of Expressway after Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Chhatarpur Police. Note: The Gwalior Chambal Expressway is a ✓ Delhi state government has launched the 6 lane expressway connecting Madhya Niraman Mazdoor Registration Abhiyan Pradesh with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, for construction workers from August 24 to through the ravines of Chambal region. The September 11. expressway will go parallel to the Chambal Note: Special camps would be set up for River via Shivpuri, Bhind, Morena to Kota construction workers to register themselves (Rajasthan). and take advantage of nearly 18 different ✓ Nagaland state government has launched assistance schemes. Delhi government will set “YellowChain” centralized e-commerce up camps at 70 schools—one each in all the 70 platform. assembly constituencies of Delhi—to help Note: Yellow Chain will act as an integrated workers who are not tech-savvy. platform for the people of the state, where any ✓ Odisha government is working on a mobile- Seller/Service Provider/Individual/Group can based application to enable farmers to upload register themselves and upload their products, picture of grievances such as water availability trades, skills, services etc. to enable the in canals and their redressal in a fixed citizens/buyers to have access to their Service timeframe. or Product. ✓ Kerala is to host the first-ever State ✓ Chhattisgarh state government has launched Dragonfly Festival 2020. a student centric scheme named as Note: The festival has been christened as “PadhaiTuhar Para”. Thumbimahotsavam 2020. ‘Pantalu’ is the Note: The scheme will enable the school official mascot of the festival. students to study with the help of community ✓ The longest river ropeway of India has been in their localities and villages, in view of the inaugurated in Assam. suspension of classes due to coronavirus Note: The ropeway will be operated from outbreak. Kachari Ghat in Guwahati to Dol Govinda ✓ Madhya Pradesh state top in implementing temple in North Guwahati. The new ropeway PM SVANidhi Scheme. service empowered with state-of-the-art Note: Madhya Pradesh is the leading state in technology will decrease the travel time implementing the Pradhan Mantri Street between Guwahati and North Guwahati. Vendors Atma-Nirbhar Scheme (PM ✓ Odisha has launched a new scheme for SVANidhi). The state has sanctioned interest promoting intensive aquaculture through free loans of Rs 10000 to more than 58000 Biofloc technology in fisheries. street vendors, so far. Identity cards are ✓ Kerala state will establish the first distributed to the registered vendors. international women’s trade centre (IWTC) ✓ Madhya Pradesh has launched the ‘Ek of India. Sankalp – Bujurgoke naam’ campaign for Note: The IWTC seeks to accelerate the women entrepreneurship and secure gender 13 www.gradeup.co

parity. It will also offer a safe place away from or expand, and get their products marketed home to women to start new businesses, set up globally. July 2020

✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched ✓ Haryana government has decided to bring an “HamaraGhar-Hamara Vidyalaya” campaign ordinance under which 75 percent of the jobs to take care of academic regularity of the with a salary of less than Rs 50,000 per month students during the Lockdown due to COVID- will be reserved for the locals of the state.. 19 pandemic. ✓ ‘Self Scan’ mobile application has been Note: The scheme will start on 6th July 2020. launched by West Bengal government as an Under the scheme, the school bells are going alternative for the much popular Chinese to be heard within the student’s house and the document scanning application- Cam Scanner. teachers will begin the class of the students ✓ Maharashtra government has launched after the bell. The scheme provides a school- ‘Maha Jobs’ portal that will will bridge the like environment for the children taught at gap between the Industrial Units/Employers their home through online classes. and the Workers. ✓ Karnataka government has launched a portal, ✓ Karnataka government has launched ‘Nekar ‘Skill Connect Forum’ to connect job seekers Samman Yojane’ for the weaver’s community and employers on a common platform. in the state. ✓ The UK India Business Council signed a ✓ Assam’s DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary is Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with being upgraded to a National Park is located in Maharshtrafor Sustainable Business which state of India. Relation. Note: It is located within the larger Note: MIDC is the premier industrial DehingPatkai Elephant Reserve, spreading infrastructure development agency of the across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper Government of Maharashtra. This business Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Sivasagar). framework between the UKIBC and After upgradation, DehingPatkai will be the Government of Maharashtra will help the State 6th national park in Assam. The other five are to proactively better its business environment Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Orang and Dibru- and strengthen its collaboration with British Saikhowa. business. ✓ Odisha becomes the first state in India to use ✓ Delhi State government has launched an e- Space Technology & Artificial Intelligence for learning portal — LEAD for schoolchildren. safeguarding government lands. Note: The portals will give students access to Note: The Bhubaneswar Land Use textbooks, study material and course content Intelligence System is a geo-tagged repository as per the syllabus of the CBSE, NCERT and that would monitor and detect all government Delhi government’s curriculum online. It will lands in Bhubaneswar. This will be done by include digital QR coded textbooks, using high-resolution satellite imagery. explanatory videos, practice questions and ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched evaluation. 'Roko -Toko' campaign for those who do not ✓ World’s largest, 10,000 bed Sardar Patel wear masks. COVID Care Centre and Hospital (SPCCCH) Note: In Madhya Pradesh, the government was inaugurated in Delhi. will now run a Roko -Toko means stop and ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched a campaign for those who do not wear masks. social media campaign, ‘IntzaarAap Ka’ to ✓ India’s first e-Lok Adalat to ensure the attract tourists in the state. administration of justice and to solve the ✓ Odisha state government has launched financial crisis of the parties and lawyers amid ‘Balaram Yojana’ to provide crop loans to COVID-19 pandemic was organized in landless farmers. Chhattisgarh. Note: Under the new scheme, the landless ✓ Jharkhand government has signed an MoU cultivators will get loans through joint liability with HDFC Bank to provide digital payment groups (JLGs). solutions to the state’s transport department. 14 www.gradeup.co

✓ Madhya Pradesh state has topped among the ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the other states in the implementation of PM foundation stone for the ₹3,054-crore “Water Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM Supply Project” in North Eastern state SVANidhi). Manipur. Note: The scheme is presently benefiting the Note: The project outlay is Rs 3054.58 crore, beneficiaries of 378 urban bodies of the state. with a loan component funded by the New Till now 8,70,330 street vendors have Development Bank. registered under the scheme, out of which ✓ Mizoram becomes the first state in the 1,76,000 street vendors have been issued the country to implement the Green-Agriculture identity cards and vending certificates. (Green-Ag) project funded by the Global ✓ Telangana Govt. has launched ‘CybHER’, a Environment Facility (GEF). month-long virtual awareness campaign to ✓ The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) make cyberspace safe for women and children. signed a memorandum of Understanding ✓ Poba Reserve Forest would be upgraded to a (MoU) with which state government to speed wildlife sanctuary in Assam. up the business and industrial development in ✓ Andhra Pradesh government has announced Gujarat. Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020, which ✓ Haryana government has employed the aerial permits the sale of power to the other states of seeding technique to improve green cover in India. the Aravalli area of the state. ✓ Delhi state government has approved ✓ Kerala government has announced a new ‘Mukhya Mantri GharGhar Ration Yojana’, Entrepreneurship Development Programme to which will be launched in six to seven months. address the issues of shortage of working Note: It will be linked to Centre’s ‘one nation, capital. one ration card’ scheme. The scheme will help Note: The programme will be implemented the beneficiaries get ration delivered at home. through the Kerala Financial Corporation ✓ Chhattisgarh state government has launched (KFC), which will provide loans up to 90 “GodhanNyayYojna” for cattle ranchers. percent of the project cost subject to a Note: Under the ‘GodhanNyay Yojana’ maximum of Rs 50 lakh at 10 percent interest. Chhattisgarh government will purchase cow The government will give 3% interest as dung at the rate of Rs 2 per kg. subsidy thereby; the net interest rate will be 7%. June 2020

✓ Kerala becomes the first state to declare (NIC) – J&K State Centre on the the internet as a fundamental right of Android Platform to provide end to the citizen. end computerization of JK ✓ Rajasthan state occupied the first rank in Payment System (JKPaySys) the COVID 19 Management Index application. analyzed for 10 states by the Ministry of ✓ Chhattisgarh has launched a special Home Affairs, GoI. campaign “Spandan” to check mental ✓ Jammu & Kashmir has launched a stress and depression among its police salary tracker mobile app ‘MeraVetan’ personnel. for government employees. ✓ Gujarat Govt. occupied top position in • Note: With the launch of the ‘Food Safety Index 2019-20 released MeraVetan App (V-1),the by the Food Safety and Standards employees especially posted in Authority of India (FSSAI)’ among the remote & rural areas who don’t larger state. have access to the DDO will easily • Note: Gujarat is followed by access their salary and other details Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. anytime. The Food Safety and Standards • This application developed by the Authority of India (FSSAI) National Informatics Centre released the results of the second 15 www.gradeup.co

'State Food Safety Index' to which was launched by ST&SC celebrate the World Food Safety Welfare Department to provide all Day during a webinar. the tribal hostels of the state ✓ The colour of water in Lonar lake has uniform standards of infrastructure, changed to pink due to salinity and amenities and human resources presence of algae in the water body. The earlier. lake is located in Maharashtra. ✓ Kerala governments implemented ‘Food • Note: The lake was formed after a forest’ project in tribal belts of the state. meteorite hit the Earth some • Note: As part of the ‘Tribal 50,000 years ago. Located around Comprehensive Development 500 km from Mumbai, the Lonar Programme in Kerala the "food lake is in Buldhana district of forest" projectis being Maharshtra. implemented in cooperation with ✓ Himachal Pradesh government has the launched ‘Panchvati Yojana’ for the senior MahilaKissanSashaktheekaranP citizens of rural areas of the state. ariyojana of the Central • Note: Under the yojana parks & Government. gardens will be established in every • The project aims to provide food development block with mandatory security to 192 tribal villages in facilities under Mahatma Gandhi Attapadi. Employment Guarantee Act ✓ West Bengal government has launched (MNREGA) 2005, Scheme of Karmo Bhumi, a job portal to help IT Rural Development Department. professionals who have lost their jobs after ✓ Maharashtra government has decided to the outbreak of COVID-19 and returned to rename the state’s Environment Ministry the state. as ‘Environment and Climate Change ✓ Tripura state government has decided to Ministry’. start ‘EktuKhelo, EktuPadho’ –meaning • Maharashtra is one among a few ‘Play Little, Study Little’ scheme. states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, • Note: The scheme will be Haryana in India which have a implemented via SMS or dedicated department to address WhatsApp. For students, those who climate change. have access to smartphones of their ✓ Financial assistance Rs 10,000 will be parents will be able to access the provided tailors, barbers and dhobis under scheme through WhatsApp. ‘JaganannaChedodu’ scheme launched ✓ Rajasthan state government is going to by Andhra Pradesh state government. launch Indira Rasoi Yojana for the poor. ✓ Punjab government has launched • Note: Under this scheme, pure and ‘GharGharNigrani’ app for house-to-house nutritious food on concessional surveillance to contain the spread of rates is going to be provided to the COVID-19. needy twice each day. • With the help of the application, • The State government will spend the Punjab Government is to cover ₹100 crores every year on the all the persons that are below the scheme. age of 30 years. The survey will ✓ Jharkhand state government is to launch cover persons that have influenza a job guarantee scheme to provide 100-day like illness. work guarantee to the unskilled workers ✓ Odisha has become the first state in the living in the urban areas of the state. country to receive ISO certification for • Note: The scheme aimed to hostels meant for tribal students. enhance the livelihood security for • Note: This feat has been achieved the urban poor will be named due to 'Mission Suvidya' project

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Mukhyamantri SHRAMIK (Shahri ✓ World’s Largest Plasma Therapy Trial Rozgar Manjuri For Kamgar). under Project ‘Platina’ was launched in • Ayyankali Urban Employment Maharashtra state. Guarantee Scheme (AUEGS) is the ✓ The forest department of Uttarakhand 100-day employment guarantee state has developed India’s first lichen scheme of the Kerala Government park. for urban poor. • Note: Lichens are found in the ✓ Himachal Pradesh state’s Panchayati Raj Himalayas up to 5000 metres are Department won the 1st prize under e- important species as they are the Panchayat Puraskar-2020. best bioindicators of the pollution ✓ Tripura state government has launched levels. MukhyamantriMatru Pushti Uphaar • Uttarakhand has more than 600 scheme to provide nutrition kits to species of lichens followed by pregnant and lactating women. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and • Note: The scheme is a part of the Kashmir with 503 and 386 species state’s efforts to fight malnutrition respectively. and maternal mortality. May 2020

✓ Chhattisgarh toppedin providing employment Price, and Procurement)’ to monitor the under the MGNREGS agriculture needs of the farmers in the state. • Note: Chhattisgarh is the first state to ✓ Himachal Pradesh government announced to provide employment to over 18 (18.51) launch the "Nigah" Scheme to properly lakh unskilled labourers, followed by sensitize and educate family members of Rajasthan (2nd) to 10.79 lakh people coming from other states so that social workers &Uttar Pradesh (3rd) to distancing is effectively maintained. around 9.06 lakh workers under the • Note: Under the scheme, a team of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural ASHA workers, health workers, and Employment Guarantee Scheme Anganwadi workers would visit the (MGNREGS). family members of persons arriving ✓ Manipur’s Chak-Hao, the black rice gets from other states. Geographical Indication (GI) tag. ✓ West Bengal government has launched “Exit ✓ Terracotta work of Gorakhpur (UP) has App” for stranded people of other states. been granted with the Geographical • Note: “Exit App” will enable these Indication (GI) tag. people who are willing to go back ✓ Kovilpattikadalaimittai of Kovilpatti, to their native states, by applying Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu) has been granted online on this app. with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. ✓ Himachal Pradesh government has decided ✓ Saffron of Kashmir region has been granted to start the “Mukhya Mantri ShahariRojgar with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag-- Guarantee Yojna”. Kashmir Saffron. • Note: In this Yojana, 120 days ✓ Maharashtra government has announced a assured employment will be free and cashless health insurance scheme to provided to people living in urban all its citizens. areas. It is being launched to revive • Note: Under the Mahatma Jyotiba the coronavirus-hit economy of the Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, people in state. the state can avail of the benefits of ✓ Madhya Pradesh has become the 1st state free and cashless health insurance. in the country to provide mid-day meal ✓ Andhra Pradesh state government has ration. launched a mobile application ‘CMAPP • Note: Distribution of the mid-day (Comprehensive Monitoring of Agriculture, Meal ration with the help of

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Anganwadi workers, Panchayat ✓ Jammu & Kashmir (UTs), the Department of representatives and local teachers was Information and Public Relations has started taken in sending ration to the students an initiative “SUKOON – COVID-19 Beat at their home after the school closing the Stress” program. in April. ✓ “Mee Annapurna” initiative has been ✓ Tripura government has launched launched by an IRDA licensed insurance ‘Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana’. intermediary Integrated Risk Insurance • The Scheme aims to provide grants Brokers Limited (IRIBL) in Maharashtra. for the purchase of smartphones to • This initiative is based on three the students of final year to empower commandments namely: them digitally& help them leverage Expertise, Engagement and the advantages of an interconnected Entitlement. world. ✓ Chhattisgarh government has launched ✓ Madhya Pradsh government has launched “Rajiv Gandhi KisanNyay Yojana” on the country's first ever ‘FIR AapkeDwar occasion of death anniversary of former Prime Yojana’ to lodge FIR. Minister Rajiv Gandhi. • Note: Madhya Pradesh is the first state ✓ Uttar Pradesh government has set up a in the country to implement such an ‘Start-up Fund’ under its Information innovative scheme under which now TechnologyandStart-up Policy 2017. people would not be required to visit • Note: An MoU has been signed police station to lodge a FIR. between the Uttar Pradesh ✓ Tamil Nadu government has constituted a 24- government and the Small member high-level committee headed by C Industries Development Bank of Rangarajan to assess the immediate and India (SIDBI) and the fund will be medium-term impact of the COVID-19 managed by SIDBI. pandemic on various sectors of the State’s ✓ Madhya Pradesh hasstarted Didi Vehicle economy. Service for rural women for the safe delivery ✓ Uttarakhand government has launched and other emergency services, under the “HOPE” (Helping Out People Everywhere) women Rural Livelihood Mission. portal to help unemployed youth to get jobs • Note: The mission has been started in opportunities. tribal-dominated Jhabua district of ✓ West Bengal government has launched Madhya Pradesh (MP). ‘MatirSmristi’ scheme to utilise 50,000 acres ✓ Uttarakhand become the first state to release of barren land in 6 districts. report on conservation of endemic, threatened • Note: This scheme helps to floras. generate income activities in ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched horticulture and pisciculture ‘Rozgar Setu Yojana’ for skilled migrant involving the locals. workers who returned to the state. ✓ Rajasthan government has levied2% • Note: The government of Madhya Krishak Kalyan fees on agricultural produce Pradesh launched a portal ‘MP brought or bought or sold in mandis. RojgarSetu Portal’ for the unemployed ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched migrants to register and find jobs in the Charan Paduka campaign, first of its kind field related to their skills. initiative for migrant labourers passing ✓ Uttarakhand state government has launched through the state. “MukhyamantriSwarozgar Yojana” to retain ✓ Karnataka state has launched its first cyber the migrants who have returned to the state security-specific accelerator programme during the lockdown. 'H.A.C.K' for start-ups recently. • Note: The scheme aims at • It is housed at Indian Institute of providing self-employment Science, Bengaluru. opportunities to youth and a boost to reverse migration, specifically

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entrepreneurs returning to Uttarakhand. April 2020

✓ Tamil Nadu state topped in the all-India level • The ‘V Safe Tunnel’ aims to for micro-irrigation (MI), under Pradhan minimize the local transmission of Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Coronavirus in the state by providing • Note: Tamil Nadu topped with maximum protection to people coverage of 2,06,853.25 ha for the passing through the tunnel in around year financial year 2019-20. 20 seconds. • The state is followed by ✓ As per the report published by Comptroller Karnataka and Gujarat with and Auditor General (CAG) for the year 1,41,103.56 Ha and 1,08,322.00 ended March 31, 2018 Rajasthan state Ha of coverage respectively. commits highest crime related to the ✓ A ‘Modi Kitchen’ has been set up in Tamil environment in the country. Nadu. ✓ Kerala becomes the first state to commence ✓ Karnataka state government has launched a clinical trial plasma therapy treatment. mobile application ‘Corona Watch’. ✓ UT Delhi has announced a 5T plan which • Note: The mobile application aims includes- Testing, Tracing, Treatment, to track the movement history of Teamwork and Trackingand monitoring to persons tested positive, before their control the spread of COVID-19 in the state. detection in order to take ✓ Delhi government has launched “Operation precautions and to contain the SHIELD” in identified Containment Areas of coronavirus outbreak. the state to control the spread of the • The app will also provide the date coronavirus pandemic. and time of visit to spots by the • Note: It deals with sealing, home patients. ‘Corona Watch’ app also quarantine, isolation & tracking, comprises a list of government essential supply of commodities, designated first response hospitals local sanitisation and door-to-door for COVID-19 where citizen with health checkups. symptoms can visit. o S– Sealing of the ✓ Odisha state govt has celebrated its immediate formation day on April 1, 2020. area/surroundings after • Note: Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) geographical marking. is celebrated every year on 1st o H– Home quarantine of all April all over Odisha. the people living in the ✓ Andhra Pradesh state government has started area. distributing pensions at the doorstep to its o I– Isolation and tracing of 58,44,240 beneficiaries. people who have been first • Note: They are using its 2.5 lakh and second contacts. volunteer eliminating the need for o E– Essential supply of pensioners to step out of their commodities is ensured. homes. o L– Local sanitization of the • The aim is to encourage area by authorities. beneficiaries to stay at home and o D– Door-to-door health avoid stepping out. checks of everyone living ✓ The Odisha government has launched an in the area. online cultural competition “Mo Prativa” in ✓ Manipur state Government has launched a collaboration with the UNICEF. new initiative “Food Bank” based on the ✓ Telangana state has been installed ‘V Safe theme ‘Help End Hunger Today’. Tunnel’ to sanitize people. ✓ Arunachal Pradesh state government has launched an app called “COVIDCARE”.

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• Note: The newly developed Yojana’ to benefit the Anganwadi workers and “COVIDCARE” app is an effort of Assistants of the state. the Arunachal Pradesh government • Note: Under the scheme, the state to combat COVID-19. government will provide a special • The “COVIDCARE” app has been health insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs. launched for the people who are • The benefit of this scheme will be quarantined, asymptomatic or given to the warriors under the Pradhan COVID-19 patients, facilitating Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana them various facilities through the (PMGKY), which was launched by the app. central Government to cover only the ✓ Goa becomes the first state to integrate field staff of health, police and other allopathy and Ayurveda to treat COVID-19 departments working day and night to patients. prevent the spread of coronavirus ✓ Rajasthan becomes the first state in the (COVID-19). country to carry out Rapid Testing for Covid ✓ Rajasthan government has partnered with 19. MedCords to provide online consultations and • Note: State’s urban primary health to deliver medicine to the people of the state. centre of TopkhanaDesh (also known • Note: MedCord will provide the as Jaju Dispensary) in Jaipur started requirements of over 68 million people rapid tests at 5 p.m where 52 persons throughout Rajasthan through its were tested and all were found integrated solution – Aayu and COVID-19 negative. SehatSathi app. ✓ Border Roads Organisation has constructed • MedCord is fully adopted in 7 districts 430 feet long bailey “Daporijo Bridge” in of Rajasthan (Kota, Udaipur, Sri Arunachal Pradesh. Ganganagar, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pali • Note: The bridge was inaugurated by and Jaipur). Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister ✓ Delhi government has launched “Assess Koro Pema Khandu over video Na” app for door-to-door survey in COVID-19 conferencing. containment zones. • The bridge is built over Subansiri • With this app, the data collected can be River the largest tributary of uploaded on the servers in real-time Brahamputra. and immediate analysis. • The new bridge will provide adequate ✓ Gujarat government has approved the 3rd movement of supplies for 451 villages edition of his government’s ‘SujalamSufalam and approximately 3,000 security force Jal Sanchay Abhiyan’ (SSJA). personnel deployed along the India- • Note: The scheme will continue till China border. June 10, 2020 with a focus on ✓ Himachal Pradesh state government has deepening of lakes, check dams and rolled out “e-sanjeevani-opd” for free online rivers by removing silt. It will be done medical consultation to sick people. with people’s participation as well as • Note: The “e-sanjeevani-opd” has under Mahatma Gandhi National been launched to provide free online Rural Employment Guarantee Act medical consultation to sick people at (MNREGA). their residence throughout the state. ✓ Himachal Pradesh state government has • Hence, through this new initiative, the started to use eSanjeevaniOPD through which Himachal Pradesh government will free online medical consultation & general ensure the facility of health services to health advice will be provided to the people the people in the wake of COVID-19 at their residence. Pandemic. ✓ Karnataka state government has launched ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched “Apthamitra” helpline toll free number and an ‘Chief Minister COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan 20 www.gradeup.co

application to empower the people to fight ✓ Andhra Pradesh government has launched against coronavirus pandemic. zero interest loan scheme for Women Self- • The helpline is to reach out to people Help Groups (SHGs). in the corona hotspot areas and to • Note: Each SHG will receive a sum identify the Influenza Like illness ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory towards the interest component on Infection (SERI) and the corona like their loans. symptoms. ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched ✓ Assam state government has launched a Jeevan Shakti Yojana to enable women in special scheme called ‘Dhanwantari’, under urban areas to earn by making masks at home. which locally unavailable medicines will be ✓ Gujarat state government has launched a delivered to patients at home. unique initiative called • Note: This medicine is free up to 200 ‘UmbareAanganwadi under Integrated rupees. If the required medicine is not Child Development Services programme to available at a distance of 10 km from reach out to children during the lockdown. the house, the government will provide ✓ Andhra Pradesh state government has the medicine at home. This facility can launched ‘Covid Pharma’ app to keep a be availed by calling 104. track of people buying medicines over the counter (OTC) for cough, cold and fever from medical stores across the state. March 2020

✓ Punjab state government has prohibited forest and it is proposed to be Online Food Supply Aggregators constructed from Chitrakoot to (OFSAs) related to those Food Business Amarkantak. Operators (FBOs) who are not possessing • State chief secretary will be the hygiene rating. member of the trust. ✓ The historic City Chowk, which was a ✓ Kerala. state government will be launched commercial centre in Old Jammu, has digital literacy drive named “I am also been renamed as ‘Bharat Mata Chowk’. digital”. ✓ Tripura state government the Airport ✓ Punjab government has launched a mobile Authority of India (AAI) has signed a app to spread awareness and precautions to Memorandum of Understanding be taken against coronavirus. (MoU) equipment hiring centres. • Note: The Punjab Government • Note: The project has been taken launched “Cova Punjab” mobile by the AAI as part of its application to spread awareness Corporate Social Responsibility and precautions to be taken against (CSR) scheme and the project will coronavirus. benefit 6000 families. ✓ Andhra Pradesh state govt. has launched • The equipment hiring centers NIGHA application to curb the use of consists of equipment related to money and alcohol in the upcoming local agriculture, animal husbandry & body elections. fisheries and the equipment will be ✓ Maharashtra government has approved rented to the needy farmers, Self the implementation of “happy hours” for Help Groups (SHG)& to other auto rickshaws, reducing 15% of fare needy at a minimal cost. prices from 12 pm to 4 pm. ✓ Madhya Pradesh state cabinet approved ✓ Karnataka government has launched to form trust for ‘Ram Van Gaman Path’ ‘Namaste over Handshake’ campaign to project. prevent from COVID-19. • The project seeks to retrace the ✓ Phool Dei festival was celebrated in route believed to have been taken Uttarakhand. by Lord Ram during his life in 21 www.gradeup.co

• Note: The festival also showcases • The Gujarat Police is equipped the inner bonding between the with taser guns to ensure safety communities who all are residing and security of the public. in the hills. • By introducing the taser guns as • It is the harvest festival of part of police weapons, Gujarat Uttarakhand that is celebrated in becomes the first state in India. the month of Chaitra (March- ✓ Goa has become the 1st Indian state to April) in the Hindu Calendar. launch assessment tool for COVID-19. • The term ‘Dei’ refers to • Note: Goa health minister ceremonial pudding which is the Vishwajit Rane launched Test key food in the festival that is made Yourself Goa, a self-assessment from jaggery, Whiteflour& curd, tool for COVID-19 to help people are offered to everyone. identify if they are infected by the ✓ Jharkhand becomes the third state in virus without visiting a doctor or India to launch its “Star Rating Program”. hospital. • Note: The state government of ✓ Amidst Coronavirus outbreak which Jharkhand will launch its “Star becomes the 1st state to impose curfew Rating Program” on June 5, after lockdown fails -- Punjab. 2020, to rate industries based on • Note: With this, it becomes the 1st the amount of pollutants generated state in the country to take drastic by them. measure to stop the spread of • With this, it became the 3rd state coronavirus (COVID-19). in India to launch this system for ✓ Justice Bhushan P Dharmadhikari has industries after Maharashtra & been appointed as the Chief Justice of Odisha. Bombay High Court. ✓ Himachal Pradesh state government has ✓ Jharkhand state government has launched launched Police Station Visitor Survey a mobile app PRAGYAAM to issue e- System and e-Night Beat Checking passes. System. • The app aims to issue e-passes to • Note: Himachal Pradesh Chief everyone associated with the Minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur delivery of essential services launched Police Station Visitor during the nationwide lockdown to Survey System and e-Night Beat curb the spread of COVID-19. Checking System for Himachal ✓ Andhra Pradesh government has set up police in Shimla. “Mobile Hand-wash facilities” for the • These systems help the Police benefit of Slum Dwellers amidst lockdown Department to provide an in the state. immediate response to the ✓ Nagaland state government has launched complaints registered in the police the Self Declaration COVID19 App. stations. • Note: The app will be mandatory ✓ Gujarat state Police becomes first in for any person who entered India to introduce taser guns. Nagaland after March 6. • Note: The Gujarat Police is ✓ Odisha government has launched ‘Mo equipped with taser guns in order Jeeban programme’ for the containment to ensure safety and security of the of COVID-19 pandemic. public. February 2020

✓ Andhra Pradesh (AP) has launched a ✓ Sale of all types of online lottery schemes has doorstep pension delivery scheme named been launched by the state of Punjab. ‘YSR Pension Kanuka’.

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✓ 34th edition of Surajkund International ✓ First Helicopter Services under UDAN Crafts Mela was held in Haryana. Scheme has been launched by Uttarakhand. • The main motto of this mela is to ✓ To inculcate reading habits among students promote handicrafts, rural crafts, arts ‘Reading Mission’ has been launched by and the culture of the country and also Haryana. to bring our country’s heritage among ✓ Name the region Tamil Nadu to be declared as new generations. Protected Agricultural Zone-- Cauvery ✓ The Amarkantak Narmada Mahotsa 2020 Delta Region. was conducted by Madhya Pradesh. • Only Agro-based Industries are ✓ The Janasevaka scheme is launched by allowed in the Protected Zone. Karnataka state. ✓ With an aim to promote the practice of • to provide home delivery of various planting trees in the state `Pyaar ka Paudha` government services like ration cards, drive under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali senior citizen identity and health cards, campaign has been launched by Bihar. etc. • Note: The state Government of Bihar’s ✓ The first of its kind in the country, glass floor Department of Environment and Forest suspension bridge is being built in in Patna has launched `Pyaar ka Uttarakhand. Paudha` campaign. ✓ For the first time Madhya Pradesh ✓ Manipur government has launched government has decided to use drones for “AnganphouHunba” (Sowing of First Crop mapping villages. Paddy) programme. ✓ The highest number (33,964) of women who ✓ Haryana government has renamed Ambala go missing in India are from Maharashtra. city bus stand after Sushma Swaraj. • Note: This is as per the report titled ✓ To modernise all government hospitals Nadu- ‘missing women and children in India’ Nedu scheme has been launched by Andhra released by National Crime Records Pradesh. Bureau (NCRB). ✓ Atal Kisan – Majdoor canteens has been ✓ The MukyamantriParivarSamridhi Yojana launched by Haryana. scheme has been launched by Haryana • Note: These canteens provide Government. affordable and cheap meals to farmers • The scheme is about providing and labourers at a concessional rate of financial assistance of Rs.6000 to the 10 rupees per plate in all mandis and families below the poverty line and the sugar mills. 25 such canteens will be amount will be transferred through established this year. DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to Bank ✓ Tea Board of India has organized “Run for accounts. India Tea” in collaboration with Tripura Tea ✓ Kerala state unveiled an initiative of setting Development Corporation (TTDC). up 1,000 ‘Kudumbashree’ hotels to provide • Note: The event has been organized to subsidised meals at Rs 25. further promote and popularise Tripura ✓ The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh tea alongside India tea and to boost the YeduguriSandintiJaganmohan Reddy has tea industry in the state. launched the 1st Disha Police Station in the ✓ “Yodhav” (Warrior) mobile app has been State at Rajamahendravaram. launched by Kerala. • Note: The Disha Police station has • Through this app, the public can been established to provide speedy inform police about drug abuse and its justice to female victims of sexual distribution. assaults and other heinous crimes ✓ Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan under the Protection of Children Mohan Reddy has launched a scheme from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, JaganannaVasthiDeevana. 2012. • Note: The 'JaganannaVasathiDeevena' scheme will aid students pursuing

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various post-intermediate courses and ✓ Madhya Pradesh state became the 1st state to are from low-income households with introduce the unified registration card. hostel and mess fees and ensure that ✓ ‘Vasantosav’ Cultural festival is organised they get Rs 20,000 per year. by Gujarat Government. ✓ Losar festival is being celebrated in • The theme of “Vasantotsav” 2020 Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. was “EkBhaartShreshth Bharat”. • Note: Losar festival is celebrated on ✓ Indian city Mumbai has launched world’s the 1st day of the lunisolar Tibetan largest airport-based temperature-controlled calendar and is also called Tibetan facility. New Year. • Facility known as the ‘Export Cold • Itis a festival related to Tibetan Zone’ for processing and storage of Buddhism and marks the Ladakhi agro and pharma products. New Year. January 2020

✓ The Andhra Pradesh government is ✓ Indian Railways launches integrated helpline planning to introduce door-delivery of sand number for passengers -- 139. from 2nd January 2020. • Note: The Indian Railways has • The AP government will deliver sand integrated its helpline numbers into a at doorsteps and collect transportation single number 139 for quick grievance charges from the customers. redressal and enquiries by passengers ✓ ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative launched by during their train journeys. the Maharashtra Government. ✓ ISRO to set up Human Space Flight Centre in • Note: Maharashtra Government has Challakere, Karnataka. launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ ✓ The Gujarat govt. has announced to set up initiative to ensure that women and Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center children do not fall prey to these cyber- (VSCIC) in Gandhinagar. criminal activities. • It will identify, nurture and promote ✓ Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports children’s innovation in the state. Kiren Rijiju flag off ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ in ✓ The fourth 'Buxa Bird Festival' has begun in Panaji, Goa. Buxa National Park in Alipurduar, West • This event is organized with the aim to Bengal. get the people involved in outdoor ✓ The famous chariot festival of the activities and starting a cycling culture SuchindramThanumalayan Temple is being in the state. held in Tamil Nadu. ✓ Women with Wheels’ cab service has been ✓ ChapcharKut, the biggest and most started at Indira Gandhi International Airport important festival of the state will be (IGIA), New Delhi by ‘Sakha cabs’ for the celebrated in Mizoram. safety of women. • ChapcharKut is a spring festival • Note: The taxis are operated by celebrated usually in March after women drivers and the services are completion of the Jhum cultivation. provided only to women or men with • Jhum cultivation, also known as the family. slash and burn agriculture, is the • The cab had been installed with GPS process of growing crops by first (Global Positioning System) and panic clearing the land of trees and button to help the women drivers & vegetation and burning them thereafter. women passengers. 24 www.gradeup.co

• Zo Kutpui Festival celebrated in Constitution, the public interest of Mizoram. all”. ✓ A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was ✓ City will host the 14th Global Healthcare signed with International Union for Summit 2021 -- Visakhapatnam. Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) to red • The focus of the Global Health listing of orchids by Arunachal Pradesh. Summit is an Indian-centric approach, • Arunachal Pradesh has become the 1st with special events such as global state in the country to initiate the impact and India’s contribution in International Union for Conservation providing cost-effective medicines and of Nature’s (IUCN) ‘red listing’ at the addressing the shortage of healthcare state level. professionals. ✓ The famous Parshuram Kund Mela was ✓ HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has organized in Arunachal Pradesh. inaugurated the 28th edition of annual New ✓ Magh Bihu, an auspicious harvest festival is Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan in being celebrated in Assam. New Delhi. • Note: Magh Bihu, an auspicious • Note: As part of Mahatma Gandhiji's harvest festival is being celebrated in 150 birth anniversary celebrations, the Assam. Magh Bihu falls in the local theme of this year is Gandhi:The month of ‘Magh’ during mid-january. Writers' Writer. Eminent Gandhian • It is also called ‘Bhogali Bihu’ or scholar Girishwar Mishra is the chief ‘Maghor Bihu’ as it is celebrated with guest on the occasion. community feasts after the annual ✓ The book fair organised by National Book harvest takes place. Trust (NBT). ✓ The 1st edition of the Krishi Manthan 2020 ✓ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated which is a Food, Agri-business and Rural the National Traders Convention in New Development Summit of Asia was held in Delhi. Ahmedabad, Gujarat. • Note: The convention has been ✓ NagobaJatara tribal festival was celebrated organized by the Confederation of All in the state of Telangana. India Traders and will deliberate upon ✓ Five-day-long festival of ‘Lai Haraoba’ held various issues concerning traders. in Agartala, Tripura. ✓ Third international symposium on marine • Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral ecosystems – challenges and opportunities literature, music, dance, and rituals. (MECOS-3) is to be held in Kochi ✓ 1st virtual police station has been launched in • Note: Eminent marine scientists, Odisha state. oceanographers, fisheries researchers, • This will facilitate online registration and marine biotechnologists from of FIR (first information report) in across the globe are expected to unknown motor vehicle theft cases. participate in it. ✓ Maharashtra government has made reading ✓ Khadi and Village Industries Commission Preamble of the Constitution mandatory in (KVIC) has inaugurated the first silk schools. processing plant at Surendranagarin • The above decision will be Gujarat. implemented from 26 January 2020 • Note: This would help cut down the through a programme “Sovereignty of cost of production of silk yarn drastically and increase the sale and 25 www.gradeup.co

availability of raw material for ✓ The 27th edition of South Asian Trade and Gujarati 'Patola' sarees locally. Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) 2020 was ✓ Indian Navy has launched an expedition, to held at India Expo Mart Greater Noida – promote the maritime heritage of India in the Delhi NCR. Naval Dockyard – Mumbai, Maharashtra. ✓ 12th National Tribal Youth Exchange • Note: The expedition extends from Programme was held in Puducherry. Arnala fort, Northernmost fort of ✓ Union Culture and Tourism Maharashtra to Sindhudurg fort, the MinisterPrahlad Singh Patel launched an southernmost fort of Maharashtra, exhibition titled “Indian Heritage in Digital covering more than 555 km. Space” in New Delhi. ✓ Union Home Minister Amit Shah has ✓ The 2nd edition of NIC Tech Conclave- released a book on the life of Prime Minister 2020 held in New Delhi. Narendra Modi -- KarmayoddhaGranth. • This conclave will contribute ✓ Global Investors Meet ‘ASCEND 2020’ will immensely to the capacity building of be held in -- Kochi, Kerala. Government officers across the country ✓ The 31st International Kite Festival was and help in delivering high-quality inaugurated at Sabarmati Riverfront, citizen-centric services. This year Ahmedabad. conclave theme is “Technologies for ✓ Note: As a part of the official celebration of Next-Gen Governance”. 'Uttarayan' or 'Makar Sankranti', ✓ PM Narendra Modi and Nepalese PM Khadga Ahmedabad has been hosting the Prasad Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated the 2nd International Kite Festival since 1989. Integrated Check Post at Jogbani (Bihar, ✓ The fifth edition of the Pulses Conclave will India) – Biratnagar (Nepal) be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra from -- 12- • Jogbani – Biratnagar acts as an 14 February 2020. important trade point between the two ✓ Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan nations and is equipped with modern has launched a mission to accelerated facilities. development of eastern India through ✓ ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme will integrated steel hub -- Mission Purvodaya. be implemented across the country by June 1, • Note: Under the mission, the 2020. government will enhance capacity ✓ Panel to create tougher law against sexual through easing the setup of greenfield harassment at work will be headed by Amit steel plants, develop steel clusters near Shah. integrated steel plants as well as ✓ Union Minister of Law and Justice demand centers. (MoL&J) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad ✓ Narendra Modi has announced to rename the inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Kolkata Port Trust after -- Shyama Prasad Blockchain Technology in Bengaluru, Mukherjee. Karnataka. ✓ ‘Wings India 2020’ to be held at Begumpet ✓ 1st Session of India-Norway Airport Hyderabad in March 2020 DialogueonTrade & Investment held in New • The theme of the exhibition is “Flying Delhi. for all”. ✓ World’s largest meditation centre was ✓ India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier inaugurated in Hyderabad, Telangana. “Vikrant” likely to be commissioned by 2021. 26 www.gradeup.co

✓ Indian Railways has commissioned India’s ✓ 1st ever Innovation festival was organized at 1st governmental waste-to-energy plant in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhubaneswar. ✓ India’s 1st Super Fab Lab facility was ✓ A festival to celebrate the spirit of India inaugurated in Kerala. “Bharat Parv 2020” was celebrated in Red ✓ The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga Dialogue of Fort, New Delhi. Civilizations 2020 was held in New Delhi. • The objective of Bharat Parv is to • Note: The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga encourage people to visit different Dialogue of Civilizations 2020 based tourist places of the country and to on the theme “Connectivity”, between inculcate the spirit of ‘Dekho Apna India & Russia was held in New Delhi. Desh’. ✓ France will be the guest of honour at New ✓ India’s first Mahatma Gandhi convention Delhi World Book Fair for the year 2022. centre opens in Niger. ✓ The Department of Biotechnology has ✓ The Central Government has aimed to organized a 2-day long International achieve objective of Housing for all by 2022. Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing • Note: The Central Government has the Future: New Skylines” in New Delhi. aimed to achieve objective of Housing • The aim of the summit is to increase for all by 2022 (which coincides with the participation of women in STEM 75 years of Indian independence) (science, technology, engineering and under Pradhan Mantri Awas math) field for development of Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) scientific career. scheme. ✓ India’s first e-waste clinic was opened in ✓ Committee on Indian Academy of Highway Bhopal. Engineers (IAHE) headed by Yudhvir Singh ✓ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Malik. has decided to observe 2020 as the “Year of • The report stresses to improve the Mobility” for the welfare of the troops. present training infrastructure, content, ✓ India's flagship global conference on training methodology & to create geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina linkages with world-famous Dialogue held in New Delhi. international institutes and undertake • Raisina Dialogue (fifth edition) applied research & related works. jointly organized by the Ministry of ✓ The Assam Rifles (military unit) has External Affairs and the Observer constructed a war memorial “Veer Research Foundation. Samriti” in Nagaland. Important News: India to specific needs and demands at different stages of growth until the time they reach September 2020 adulthood. ✓ SAMVEDNA - A Toll-Free Helpline • Note: SAMVEDNA(Sensitizing Action on number for children Mental Health Vulnerability through Emotional Development and Necessary • The apex child rights body NCPCR has Acceptance) Toll-Free Tele counselling launched a toll-free tele-counselling number (18001212830) will be able to helpline number for children affected address the fear, stress, anxiety and other during COVID-19 for providing issues among children. counselling and psycho-social support. • Note: NCPCR (The National Commission The Commission acknowledges that all for Protection of Child Rights) is a children have unique vulnerabilities owing 27 www.gradeup.co

constitutional body established by an Act • The 82-km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut of Parliament, the Commission for corridor is the first RRTS corridor being Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. The implemented in India, will be operational Commission works under the Ministry of in 2023 and the entire corridor will be Women and Child Development. The operational in 2025. Commission began operational on 5th • Note: RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit March 2007. System) trains: The air-conditioned aerodynamic RRTS trains will be ✓ ‘Doodh Duronto Specials’ transported lightweight with radiating stainless-steel three crore litres of milk from Andhra outer body. Each coach will have 6 plug-in Pradesh to Delhi type sliding doors, 3 on each side for ease • Doodh Duronto Special introduced during of access and exit. lockdown period from Renigunta to Hazrat ✓ More than 15 lakh loan applications Nizamuddin to supply milk to the people received so far under PM SVANidhi of the national capital is being operated on scheme regular basis and the total milk transportation crossed three crore litres • Note: PM SVANidhi scheme was mark today. launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, on June 01, 2020. It aims to ✓ Home Ministry sanctions three new NIA provide affordable working capital loans to branches at Imphal, Chennai, Ranchi street vendors to resume their livelihoods • The opening of new branches will help in that have been affected due to the ensuring a quick response to any emergent coronavirus lockdown. situation in the concerned states by the ✓ Parliament passes three labour code Bills premier anti-terror investigation agency. • These historic bills will have far-reaching The decision will also strengthen the NIA's effects on the interests of the workers by capability in the investigation of terrorism- creating a time-bound grievance resolution related cases and other national security- mechanism and for the welfare and related matters. protection of the workers. • Note: The National Investigation Agency The Occupational Safety, Health and is a central agency established by the Working Conditions Code 2020 seeks to Indian Government to combat terror in amend the laws regulating the India. Agency acts as the Central Counter- occupational safety, health and working Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency. The conditions of the persons employed in an agency deals with terror-related crimes establishment. across states without special permission • The Industrial Relations Code 2020 aims from the states. at amending the laws relating to Trade ✓ First RRTS train for Delhi-Ghaziabad- Unions, conditions of employment in Meerut corridor unveiled industrial establishment or undertaking, investigation and settlement of industrial • High-speed commuter trains Regional disputes. Rapid Transit System (RRTS) are entirely • The Code on Social Security 2020 seeks to being manufactured under the amend the laws relating to the social government’s Make in India policy. These security of the employees in the country. trains are the environment friendly, ✓ Parliament passes Jammu & Kashmir energy-efficient and accelerating economic Official Languages Bill, 2020 growth and creating economic opportunities. It will also reduce air • The bill makes Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, pollution, carbon footprint, congestion and English and Urdu as the official language accidents. of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

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✓ A global multi-stakeholder platform, in conjunction with applied behavioural YuWaah, Generation Unlimited (GenU) in science studies, law, criminology and other India. allied areas.

• Launched by Ministry of Youth Affairs & ✓ Direct cargo ferry service between India & Sports and United Nations Children Fund Maldives jointly e- launched (UNICEF). The main objectives of this project are to support young people by • During its maiden voyage, a vessel with a providing entrepreneurial skills, upskilling capacity of 200 TEU and 3000 MT of of young people on 21st-century skills, life breakbulk cargo will sail from Tuticorin to skills, digital skills, self-learning for their Kochi, from where it will proceed to productive lives and the future of work, Kulhudhuffushi port in North Maldives create linkages with aspirational economic and then to Male port. opportunities, employment opportunities. • Note: It is a merchant vessel used to carry passengers, and sometimes cargo and ✓ Interim Extension of Rashtriya Uchchatar vehicles, across a body of water. Shiksha Abhiyan ✓ Union Minister Jitendra Singh unveils the • Interim extension of this scheme beyond Logo and song for festival “Destination 31st March 2020 till 31st March 2021 or North East-2020 till the date the recommendations of 15th Finance Commission come into effect, • “Destination North East 2020” is also an whichever is earlier. effort to make everyone explore the Local Destinations rather than going anywhere • Note: Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a holistic scheme of abroad. The Minister said that people development for higher education in India should take a pledge to Visit Local, Travel initiated in 2013 by the Ministry of Human Local and Explore Local thus giving a Resource Development, Government of boost to the local Tourism and Hospitality India. The centrally sponsored scheme industry. aims at providing strategic funding to ✓ Udit Singhal named in UN’s 2020 list of higher education institutions throughout Young Leaders: the country. • Indian teenager Udit Singhal has been ✓ Nrityanjali – an online film festival on named in the 2020 Class of 17 Young Indian Classical Dance and Maestros by Leaders for the Sustainable Development Films Division Goals (SDGs). • Films Division, Ministry of Information & • Udit Singhal is the founder of Glass2Sand, Broadcasting has come up with yet another an initiative that is based on a zero-waste fiesta, ‘Nrityanjali’, an online film festival ecosystem to tackle the challenge of glass on Indian Classical Dance and Maestros waste in Delhi. This initiative has from 23rdto 25th September 2020. The prevented empty glass bottles of getting first part of ‘Nrityanjali’ will showcase 10 dumped into landfills and turned it into films on the life and works of India’s sands, making it commercially viable. leading classical dancers. ✓ Union civil aviation minister Hardeep ✓ Lok Sabha passes National Forensic Singh Puri inaugurated India’s first general Science University Bill 2020 aviation terminal for private jets at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport: • Note: The Bill establishes National Forensic Science University as an institute • India’s first general aviation terminal for of national importance. The proposed private jets which promises faster university would facilitate and promote turnaround of business jets and chartered studies and research and help achieve planes, shielding them from the clutter of excellence in the field of forensic science general passenger terminals where they 29 www.gradeup.co

now compete for taxiing slots with • The time duration of the project is likely to commercial flights. be completed in 5 years with estimated completion cost 5,617 crore rupees. ✓ Sewa Saptah being organized to mark PM Modi's birthday across the country: ✓ Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020: • Different welfare events were organized across the country to mark Prime Minister • Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, Narendra Modi's birthday, who turned 70 2020 passed by Lok Sabha. The Bill aims today. Bharatiya Janata Party has to replace the Essential Commodities organized a 1 week long Seva Saptah to (Amendment) Ordinance which was celebrate PM's mark the occasion. Various promulgated on 5th June 2020. programmes related to social service, • The Bill seeks to amend the Essential cleanliness, distribution of sanitary pads Commodities Act, 1955 and empowers the and wheelchairs are being organized from central government in terms of 14th to 20th of this month. distribution, trade, the commerce of certain commodities and its production and ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate supply. The bill aims to liberalise the the historic Kosi Rail Mahasetu to the regulatory system while protecting the Nation: interests of consumers. • The Kosi Mega Bridge line project was sanctioned by the Central government ✓ Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020: during 2003-04. The construction cost is Rs. 516 Crore and the Kosi Rail Mahasetu • Rajya Sabha has passed the Aircraft is 1.9 KM long and This Bridge is of (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Lok Sabha strategic importance along the India-Nepal passed this bill already. It seeks to amend border. the Aircraft Act, 1934. • Bill aims to convert 3 existing bodies ✓ Government sets up a committee under under the Ministry of Civil Aviation into cybersecurity head to probe China statutory bodies. Watching: • These three authorities are the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the Directorate • The expert committee, led by Lt. Gen. General of Civil Aviation, and the Aircraft Rajesh Pant, India’s chief coordinator on Accidents Investigation Bureau. Under the cybersecurity will evaluate the bill, each of these three bodies will be “implications” of the digital surveillance headed by a Director-General who will be by Data Information Technology Co. appointed by the centre. Limited and “assess any violations of law and submit its recommendations within 30 ✓ Banning the Export of all Varieties of days.” Onion:

✓ Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Project • Government of India has released a from Palwal to Sonipat via Sohna- notification banning the export of all Manesar-Kharkhauda: varieties of onions. The ban has been imposed three months after the central • Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs government made changes in the Essential approved, This Rail Line will start from Commodities Act, 1955. Palwal and end at the existing Harsana • Note: The Essential Commodities Act is Kalan station on Delhi-Ambala section. an act, 1955, Parliament of India which This will also give connectivity en route to was established to ensure the delivery of existing Sultanpur station on Garhi certain commodities or products, the Harsaru-Farukhnagar Line, Patli Station on supply of which if obstructed owing to Delhi-Rewari line, and Asaudha Station on hoarding or black-marketing would affect Delhi Rohtak Line. the normal life of the people. 30 www.gradeup.co

✓ Five Star Villages Scheme: ✓ Kisan Rail

• Five Star Villages scheme was launched • Union Minister of Agriculture and CM of by the Department of Posts to ensure Andhra Pradesh inaugurated Kisan Rail universal coverage of flagship postal second in the country. schemes in all rural areas of the country. • It is South India's first Kisan Rail flags off • Five Star scheme include: from Anantapur. 1. Sukanya Samridhi Accounts/ PPF • India’s first Kisan rail runs between Accounts. Devlali (near Nakis) to Danapur near 2. SB accounts, Recurrent Deposit Accounts, Patna. NSC / KVP certificates. • Why Anantapur? 3. Postal Life Insurance Policy/Rural Postal • Anantapur is fast becoming the fruit bowl Life Insurance Policy. of Andhra Pradesh. More than 80% of the 4. Funded Post Office Savings Account 58 lakh tonne of fruits and vegetables in linked India Post Payments Bank the district is marketed out of the state, Accounts. particularly to the north Indian states 5. PM Suraksha Bima Yojana Account / including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Haryana. Earlier this was being transported Account. by road transport. • The scheme is being launched in Maharashtra on a pilot basis. ✓ PM Modi to digitally launch Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana & e- ✓ Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana, Gopala App e-Gopala mobile app • The PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development in • Prime Minister digitally launched the the fisheries sector with an estimated Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana investment of Rs. 20,050 crores. This (PMMSY) and inaugurated the e-Gopala investment under PMMSY is the highest app that will provide farmers marketplace ever in the fisheries sector. The PMMSY for livestock. aims to enhance fish production by an • Other initiatives in the fisheries and animal additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25, husbandry sectors in Bihar. thereby increasing fisheries export Advantage of PMMSY: earnings to one lakh crore rupees by 2024- 25, in turn, doubling of incomes of • Address critical gaps in the fisheries fishermen and fish farmers. sector. • Infuse the sector with the latest • The project envisages investment of Rs. technology, focus on value addition. 1,390 crore in Bihar. • Upgradation of critical infrastructure. • A fish brood bank at Sitamarhi and an Boost the welfare of those associated with aquatic disease referral laboratory at fishing. Kishanganj will also be established. • About PMMSY: It is a flagship scheme for • The Prime Minister will also inaugurate focused and sustainable development of one-unit fish feed mill at Madhepura and fisheries sector in the country with an two units of 'Fish on Wheels' at Patna estimated investment of ₹20,050 crore for under 'blue revolution'. its implementation during 2020-21 to • A comprehensive fish production 2024-25 as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat technology centre at Dr Rajendra Prasad package. Central Agricultural University in Pusa, • e-Gopala app: The e-Gopala app is a Bihar will also be inaugurated. comprehensive breed improvement ✓ E-Gopala App is an information portal to marketplace and information portal for be directly used by farmers. direct use of farmers.

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Note: The app is a detailed breed improvement • Kerala has once again emerged as the most e-market. The e-Gopala App will send alerts literate state in the country with 96.2% on the due date for vaccination, pregnancy literacy. diagnosis and inform the farmers about • Andhra Pradesh featured at the bottom various government schemes and campaigns with a rate of 66.4 per cent. in their nearby areas. • Kerala, Delhi has the best literacy rate at 88.7%, followed by Uttarkhand’s 87.6%, ✓ Bamboo Clusters announced in 9 states Himachal Pradesh’s 86.6%, and Assam’s • Introducing a cluster-based approach, 22 at 85.9%. new bamboo clusters have been announced • On the other hand, Rajasthan is the by the government in 9 states namely second-worst performer with a literacy rate Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, at 69.7%, followed by Bihar at 70.9%, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Telangana at 72.8%, Uttar Pradesh at 73%, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. Each of them and Madhya Pradesh at 73.7%. will manufacture separate bamboo products to cater to the need of domestic as ✓ Mental rehabilitation helpline KIRAN well as international markets. • A 24x7 toll-free mental health • Note: Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended by the government in 1927 to rehabilitation helpline “KIRAN” was remove bamboo from the category of trees launched by Social Justice and to facilitate the cultivation and push the Empowerment Minister. commercialisation of bamboo products. • The helpline was launched in view of the growing incidence of Mental Illness, ✓ SvanidhiSamvaad particularly in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold • The helpline is being coordinated by the ‘SvanidhiSamvaad’ with street vendors National Institute for the Empowerment of from Madhya Pradesh. Persons with Multiple Disabilities • As many as 5 lakh street vendors were (NIEPMD), Chennai and National Institute registered under the scheme in Madhya of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR). Pradesh. • Madhya Pradesh stands first in the number ✓ Patrika Gate of total applications accepted under the scheme • Prime minister inaugurates the Patrika Gate in Jaipur. • The PM SVANidhi Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Housing & Urban • The iconic gate is built by the Patrika Affairs under the ambit of ‘AtmaNirbhar Group of Newspapers on the Jawaharlal Bharat Abhiyan’. Nehru Marg in Jaipur. • It aims at facilitating collateral-free ✓ Water Heroes' contest working capital loans up to Rs 10,000 of • Jal Shakti Ministry has launched the Water 1-year tenure, to about 50 lakh street Heroes - Share Your Stories Contest with vendors in the urban areas, including those an aim to reach out to people on the from the surrounding peri-urban/ rural important subject of water conservation areas, to resume their businesses post and management. Every month from COVID-19 lockdown. September, this year entries will be invited ✓ National Statistical Office for consideration of awards. • • According to a study by the National Every month a maximum of 10 entries can Statistical Office conducted between July be considered for the awards. All selected 2017 and June 2018, the literacy rate of entries will be awarded a cash prize of Rs males (84.7%) is higher than that of 10,000 each and a certificate. females (70.3%) in India. • To take part in the contest, the participants will have to post their success stories on 32 www.gradeup.co

water conservation through a specially transforming human resource management made video of one to five minutes. They in the country. have to also send a write-up of up to 300 • This scheme for bringing post-recruitment words and some photographs depicting the reforms in civil services. efforts and significant contributions to • The move will help officers and conserve and manage water resources. government employees get an opportunity • The participants can share their videos on to improve their performance. the MyGov portal. • NPCSCB has been carefully designed to lay the foundations for capacity building ✓ 118 Chinese apps banned in India for Civil Servants so that they remain • The Ministry of Information and entrenched in Indian Culture and Technology bans more Chinese apps sensibilities and remain connected, with including popular PUBG Mobile in the their roots, while they learn from the best country. institutions and practices across the world. Reason ✓ Ladakh, Lakshadweep join existing • The IT Ministry stated in an official press national portability cluster of One Nation release that the Chinese apps have been One Ration Card. “banned under the section 69A of the Ladakh and Lakshadweep have been integrated in Information Technology Act read with the the existing national portability cluster of One relevant provisions of the Information Nation One Ration Card. Technology Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to • With this, a total of 26 States and UTs are block 118 mobile apps since in view of the now seamlessly connected with each other information available they are engaged in under the One Nation One Ration Card activities which are prejudicial to plan. sovereignty and integrity of India, defence • migratory PDS beneficiaries in these 26 of India, the security of the state and States and UTs can access their subsidised public order. foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop of • Many complaints from various sources their choice. about the misuse of some mobile apps • A total of more than 65 Crore beneficiaries available on Android and iOS platforms are now enabled with an option to lift their for stealing and surreptitiously subsidised foodgrains through One Nation transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized One Ration Card system. manner to servers that have locations • The remaining States and UTs are targeted outside India. to be integrated in national portability by • This is the second time the government of March next year. India has banned Chinese apps in the country. The first set of apps banned in • The One Nation One Ration Card plan is India included 59 of them followed by an ambitious endeavour of the more 47 China-based applications. Government to ensure the delivery of food security entitlements to all beneficiaries ✓ The Union Cabinet today approved irrespective of their physical location Mission Karamyogi anywhere in the country. Through this system, the migratory beneficiaries who • It aims at building future-ready civil frequently change their place of dwelling service with the right attitude, skills & in search of employment are now enabled knowledge, aligned to the vision of New with an option to lift their entitled quota of India. foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop in the • Karmayogi mission is Officially called - country using their same ration card. "National Programme for Civil Services ✓ India Post Capacity Building" which aims at

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• India Post is in all praises for its efforts to collaboration with Bill & Melinda Gates deliver goods and monetary relief to Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation. people during the coronavirus-induced ✓ 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting lockdowns. India Post can become the was held under the presidency of Russia. supply chain partner of the toy Note: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of manufacturing sector. Environment, Forest and Climate Change • The post has played an important role in (MoEF&CC) participated in the meeting. The doorstep delivery through Aadhaar enabled BRICS nations called the initiative to improve payments system during the lockdown. the environment and promote the circular o Now on, the postal service to play economy in national plans for economic a part in delivering indigenous and recovery after COVID-19 popular products like Madhubani ✓ Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways paintings across the country. and MSMEs, Nitin Gadkari upstream o Madhubani painting is a popular art carriageway of Mahatma Gandhi bridge in form in Bihar while people are also Bihar. engaged in the button making Note: Over 5.5 km, this four-lane bridge at business. NH-19 between Patna and Hajipur is being o Note: The MPs, MLAs, and MLCs renovated to replace its existing concrete to provide the list of popular superstructure by new steel deck products of their respective superstructure, consisting of about 6600 metric regions. steel. o Small artists, entrepreneurs and ✓ Narendra Singh Tomar released a booklet on small manufacturing units would ‘Best Practices in Digital India Land Records get a boost as the postal department Modernization Programme (DILRMP). would provide them with a Note: The booklet is prepared by Department platform to promote and transport of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural their products across the country. Development. It is based on the presentations made by states during regional and national Highlights workshops since inception of the programme. • India has 260 all-women post offices, ✓ CREDAI Awaas App has been launched by including one in Patna and even one in Housing minister Hardeep Puri to market Srinagar. residential properties. • In 2020, new all-women post offices ✓ As per the recommendation by the opened in several cities like Trichy, Parliamentary Committee on Labour, the Kalaburgi, and Mumbai which opened its minimum eligibility period for gratuity second all-women post office in Mahim payable to an employee on termination of his Bazaar. employment-- One year. • India’s first-ever all-women post office ✓ Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched “Vidyarthi was opened in Delhi on International Vigyan Manthan 2020-21”, a national level Women’s Day, March 8, 2013. programme for popularizing science among • The first all-women post office in Patna school students of class sixth to Eleventh. christened ‘Mahila Dak Ghar’ was also Note: It is India’s largest Science talent search inaugurated by the Patna born minister examination for New India using Digital Ravi Shankar Prasad in September 2019. Devices. ✓ Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has laid the foundation August 2020 stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur at Dhaula Kuan in Himachal ✓ Recently, the Atal Innovation Mission Pradesh. (AIM) has launched an incubator capabilities ✓ A New initiative by the National Cooperative enhancement program ‘AIM-iCREST’ in Development Corporation (NCDC) the

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Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel has been ✓ The global conference on “Reimagining and launched by Narendra Singh Tomar. Transforming the University: Confluence of Note:The channel is a new initiative by Ideas during and Beyond the COVID-19 National Cooperative Development Disruption” was hosted by Indian university Corporation (NCDC).During the launch event, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU). the minister also rolled out guidance videos Note: The conference provided a platform to made by NCDC on ‘Formation and discuss to reimagine and transform the idea of Registration of A Cooperative’ for 18- university that will impact the lives of the different states in Hindi and regional students, academics and nations all across the languages. globe. ✓ Pradip Shah is the head of the 7-member ✓ The Khadi and Village Industries Commission committee formed by International Financial (KVIC) will open the Silk Training cum Services Centre Authority for developing Production Center in Arunachal Pradesh. plans on international retail business. ✓ Website portal My Handloom has been ✓ DD Assamhas been launched by Minister of launched by the Union Minister of Textiles Information and Broadcasting Prakash and Women & Child Development, Smt Javadekar recently. Smriti Zubin Irani, for the individual weavers ✓ India's first Kisan Special Parcel Train or and organization. Kisan Rail was from flagged off between two Note: The Union Minister of Textiles and stations Devlali to Danapur. Women & Child Development, Smt Smriti ✓ The Government of India has extended Line of Zubin Irani launched a website portal, ‘My Credit of worth 18 million USD to Maldivesto Handloom’ for the individual weavers and expand fishing facilities. organization on the occasion of the 6th ✓ The Ministry of Education organized the National Handloom Day on 7th August, 2020, “Conclave on Transformational Reforms in virtually. Higher Education under National Education ✓ Delhi International Airport Limitedhas Policy(NEP)” in association withUniversity developed AIR SUVIDHA, a first-of-its-kind Grants Commission(UGC). portal allowing international arriving ✓ National Skill Development Corporation passengers to fill a mandatory self-declaration (NSDC) joined hands with Global digital form and eligible passengers to apply for skills training provider to support the exemption from compulsory institutional continuity of digital skilling of the Indian quarantine for coronavirus. workforce – Simplilearn. Note: It will make passengers’ journey more ✓ A new Platform, “Technical Platform on the convenient and comfortable in a contactless Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and way as they won’t have to fill the physical Waste” to support the global reduction of food copies of the forms on arrival.The online loss and waste has been launched by FAO. forms have been developed in collaboration Note:The official launch of the platform will with various state governments, Ministry of be on the first International Day of Awareness Civil Aviation, Ministry of Health and Family of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) which Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of External will be observed on 29th September 2020. Affairs (MEA). ✓ Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ✓ In a push for 'Make-in-India',Rajnath Singh (FSSAI) has signed an agreement with has launched 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat Saptah' to Council of Scientific and Industrial focus more on the vision of the government to Research (CSIR)for collaborative research shift to local manufacturing. and information dissemination in the area of Note: The main idea behind this is to food and nutrition. emphasize the importance of domestic defence Note: The collaboration between these two production in the country. The ministry is premier institutions of India will contribute in pushing for domestic manufacturing of fulfilling the vision of New Food System defence items very aggressively. 2050. ✓ National portal SURAKHSYA is being launched by the Ministry of Environment and 35 www.gradeup.co

Forest on Human-Elephant conflict to collect (Hyderabad), Manipur (Senapati) and real-time information and will also manage Mizoram (Kelsi). conflicts on a real-time basis. ✓ Swacch Bharat Mission Academy is an IVR Note: He will also launch portal on Human based mobile online learning course launched Elephant Conflict on the eve of World by Union Jal Shakti Ministry. Elephant Day, 2020.The World Elephant Day ✓ Indian Railways is constructing the world’s is observed every year on 12th August to tallest pier bridge across river Lajai in spread awareness about the animal. Manipur. ✓ Mumbai become the first city in India to have ✓ NASSCOM Association with organization women symbols on traffic signals and signage. ‘Atal Innovation Mission’ has launched ✓ 121Police personnel have been awarded the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Step-up “Union Home Minister’s Medal for module for school students. Excellence in Investigation” for the year 2020. ✓ As per the draft plan prepared by the Ministry ✓ Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the has organized the “India@75 Summit – “One Sun, One World, One Grid” Mission 2022”. (OSOWOG) initiative will 140 Note: The summit was focused on countriesthrough a common grid that will be ‘reinventing technology in India’. The MSME used to transfer solar power. Ministry and Industries should be made import Note: “The vision behind the OSOWOG substitutes, cost-effective, pollution-free and mantra is “the Sun never sets” and is a indigenous. constant at some geographical location, ✓ Niti Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) globally, at any given point of time. has rolled out second edition of Student ✓ IIT Bombay has secured top position in the Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP 2.0) in ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation collaboration with Dell Technologies. Achievements,’ (ARIIA) 2020 for being the ✓ Festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal best centrally funded institution in India. Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) of Note:The top five centrally funded institutions Goahas obtained Geographical Indication (GI) in the list are 1. IIT Madras; 2. IIT Bombay; 3. tag from the Geographical Indications IIT Delhi; 4. IISc Bengaluru; 5. IIT Registry. Kharagpur.The ARIIA ranking was launched Note: The Bicholim based All-Goa Khaje in 2019 by the Innovation Cell of the Ministry Producers Association (AGKPA) applied for of Education. The objective of ARIIA is to the GI tag of Khaje through the department of rank higher education institutions and science and technology in 2019. Myndoli universities in India as per Innovation, Banana Growers Association, Ibrampur, Entrepreneurship, Startup, and Development Pernem applied for the GI tag of Moira amongst faculty and students. bananas. ✓ Quality Control Lab has been set up by the ✓ Krishi Megh is the data recovery centre of Marine Products Export Development ICAR organization. Authority (MPEDA) in Porbandar, Gujarat. Note: Krishi Megh is the data recovery centre ✓ The Central Water Commission (CWC) of of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural India has launched the flood forecasting Research).The data recovery centre has been initiatives across India in association with tech set up at National Academy of Agricultural giant Google. Research Management (NAARM), ✓ With the vision of going one step further Hyderabad. towards self-reliance or “Atma Nirbhar ✓ Tribal freedom fighter museums are under Bharat” Ministry of Electronics and development by ministry of tribal affairs -- 9. Information Technologyhas launched Note: The nine museums are being developed ‘Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge’. in Gujarat (Rajpipla), Jharkhand (Ranchi), ✓ Delhi Police has signed an MoU with All Andhra Pradesh(Lambasingi), India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) for Chhattisgarh(Raipur), Kerala (Kozhikode), extending ayurvedic mode of preventive and Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara), Telangana 36 www.gradeup.co

promotive health services in the residential with primary objective of women colonies of the force. empowerment. ✓ The Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla attended ✓ APEDA functions under Ministry of the virtual mode of Fifth World Conference of Commerce and Industry has signed two Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP) organized MoUs with AFC India Limited and National jointly by International Parliamentary Union Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) for and the Parliament of Austria. working together in the interest of agriculture ✓ Central government departments has launched and allied sectors. its new official logo displaying three goals of ✓ Ramesh Chand will head the task force the department, Accuracy, Validity, and constituted by the NITI Aayog that Reliability-- Labour Bureau. recommended linking of Sugarcane prices to ✓ To improve the production and productivity of sugar rate. raw Jute in the country Jute Corporation of ✓ IT majors Tech Mahindra joined hands with India (JCI) signed a Memorandum of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Understanding (MoU) with National Seeds Platform (WEP) to support Indian women Corporation (NSC). entrepreneurs. ✓ The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) signed ✓ ReNew Power signed a partnership agreement with an MoU with IIT Roorkee for with UNEP to promote increased access to collaboration in areas of Standardization and renewable energy and improved energy Conformity Assessment based on equality and efficiency. reciprocity. ✓ National Highways Authority of India ✓ India’s rank in the 2nd edition of global (NHAI) has developed the ‘Vendor research “Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Performance Evaluation System’ to Index 2020” released by online privacy establish a transparent and comprehensive solutions provider SurfShark-- 57th. performance rating system for its consultants, ✓ TL Alameluwill head the ten-member contractors and concessionaires. committee set up by IRDAI to recommend ✓ Rajnath Singh has launched the Directorate setting up loss prevention entities for non-life General National Cadet Corps (DGNCC) insurers. Mobile Training App. ✓ Tata Steel has launched the FerroHaat App, a Note: The Mobile Training App will support first-of-its-kind mobile application (App) in in conducting countrywide online training of the world to source steel scrap from the NCC cadets as it has been affected adversely traders. due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. ✓ Nitin Gadkarihas launched the mobile app The DGNCC Mobile Training App seeks to named ‘Harit Path’ to monitor plantation along offer entire training material to the NCC national highways. cadets on one platform. The minister launched ‘Harit Path’, a mobile ✓ National e-Governance Division (NeGD) is app to monitor the plantations through geo- working under MeitY that signed an MoU tagging and web-based GIS-enabled with Common Service Center e-Governance monitoring tools. Services India Limited to facilitate delivery of ✓ Ministry of Social Justice and UMANG app services to citizens. Empowerment has constituted the National ✓ Piyush Goyal has launched the National GIS Council for Transgender Persons, a (Geographic Information System)-enabled requirement under the Transgender Persons Land Bank system. (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. ✓ Mahindra & Mahindrahas partnered with ✓ The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Israel’s REE Automotive to develop Munda has e-inaugurated “Tribes India commercial EVs. Showroom” in Mumbai. ✓ Valipe Ramagopal Rao will chair the 5- ✓ Ministry of Tourism has signed an MoU with member committee constituted by DRDO to Travel Agents Association of India review charter of duties of 57 DRDO labs on (TAAI)and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) the basis of current and futuristic defence and battlefield needs. 37 www.gradeup.co

✓ Three-member committee headed by DB Electronics and Information Technology Shekatkar has been to review the effective (MeitY), Ravi Shankar Prasad-- Chunauti. utilisation of the Armed Forces Headquarters ✓ Piyush Goyal represented India in the virtual Civil Services (AFHQ CS) cadre. 8th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ ✓ In partnership with UNDP, Department of Meeting (EAS-EMM) chaired by Vietnam. Economic Affairs (DEA) has launched the ✓ The Union Government is planning to come Sustainable Finance Collaborative (SFC) to up with Mega Bamboo Industrial Park in Promote Sustainable Finance in India. Ghati. ✓ Next-generation startup Challenge contest has been launched by the Union Minister of July 2020 ✓ Two Maharatna PSUs the South Delhi The prize money for apps is between Rs 20 Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has signed an lakh and Rs 2 lakh depending on the category. MoU for setting up of a Waste to Energy Plant The app will be evaluated on the basis of ease Okhla New Delhi -- Indian Oil Corporation of use, robustness, security features and Ltd. & NTPC Ltd. scalability. ✓ The report titled “Towards a Clean Energy ✓ For the formation of a Joint Venture Economy: Post-Covid-19 Opportunities for Company (JVC) to develop solar and thermal India’s Energy and Mobility Sectors” released power assets to the tune of 5000 MW on pan- jointly by NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain India basis the Coal India Ltd signed an Institute (RMI). agreement with NLC India Ltd. ✓ SheshNaagnamehas been given to the longest ✓ DRDO has developed 1000 bed Sardar 2.8 km long freight train operated Indian Vallabhbhai Patel COVID-19 Hospital in New Railways. Delhi in partnership with Tata Sons Private Note: Indian Railways created another record Limited. by operating the longest freight train. Indian ✓ Indian Railways has setup 1.7 MWp Solar Railways named it as 'SeshNaag'. The rake Power plant project at Bina to directly power had a total of 251 wagons which were pulled the Railway Overhead Line. by four electric locomotives which were fitted Note: This project is unique because, for the in between. first time in the world, the power generated by ✓ According to the report “Annual Marine Fish the solar power plant will be directly fed to the Landings in India for 2019” by Central Marine overhead power lines of the national Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Tamil transporter to power the traction system of the Nadu state grabbed the top in annual fish electric locomotives to run trains. production. ✓ Defence Research and Development ✓ An inter-ministerial scheme called “Accelerate Organisation (DRDO) is going to establish a Vigyan” was launched by SERB which is a research cell at II T-Hyderabad to meet the statutory body functioning under Ministry of future defence technological requirements of Science and Technology. the country. ✓ Under chairmanship Ranbir Singh, the ✓ India’s rank has released “Sustainable Central Committee for reforms in Criminal Development Report (SDR) 2020”, including Law has been constituted by Ministry of the SDG Index and Dashboards by Cambridge Home Affairs (MHA). University Press -- 117th. ✓ The CBSE has partnered with social media Note: The index has been topped by Sweden. platform Facebook to launch a free and ✓ India’s rank in the “INFORM Report 2020: comprehensive training program for teachers Shared evidence for managing crises and and students of its affiliated schools in the first disasters” released by research centre phase. INFORM- 31st. ✓ ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat App Innovation ✓ Under chairmanship of K S Reddy, the Challenge’ was announced by PM Narendra National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Modi is an initiative of Ministry of has set up an 11-member expert committee to Electronics and Information Technology.

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study impact of Covid-19 on human rights of working group with industry representatives as individuals. members.Apart from studying the need for ✓ Ministry of Home Affairs has set up an inter- such as pool; the group will also recommend ministerial committee to coordinate the structure and operating model. investigations related to three Nehru-Gandhi ✓ IIT Hyderabad has tie-up with a family linked trusts, including the Rajiv multinational technology company, NVIDIA Gandhi Foundation (RGF). to establish India’s 1st ‘NVIDIA AI Note: The committee would be headed by Technology Centre’ (NVAITC). special director of the Enforcement ✓ Ministry of Culture released first five Directorate. Congress president Sonia Gandhi volumes of Mongolian Kanjur Manuscript is the chairperson of RGF and its board has recently. among others former PM Manmohan Singh, Note: In the Mongolian language ‘Kanjur’ Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram and Priyanka means ‘Concise Orders’- the words of Lord Gandhi. Buddha in particular. ✓ Asia’s Largest and World’s Second Largest ✓ T-Hub company has partnered with Ministry Uptime Tier IV Designed Data Centre was of Electronics and Information Technology inaugurated in Navi Mumbai. (MeitY) and Digital India to lead the scale up Note: The Data Centre is named ‘Yotta NM1 program of Digital India and Information or NM1’ is located inside the 600-Acre Technology start-ups. Hiranandani Fortune City at Navi Mumbai’s ✓ Kris Gopalakrishnan was the head of the 9- Panvel region. Inside the Hiranandani Fortune member committee to study various issues City, a Data Centre Park named Panvel Data related to non-personal data that called for a Centre Park or Integrated Yotta Data Centre new legislation to regulate such information. Park has been developed, NM1 is located ✓ India’s second VNR 2020 report titled inside the Panvel Data Centre Park. “Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global ✓ India’s rank in the Global Real Estate to Local” was presented by NITI Aayog to the Transparency Index (GRETI) 2020 released UN High-level Political Forum. by the US-based Jones Lang LaSalle ✓ BSE has signed a memorandum of Incorporated (JLL) - 34th. understanding with IIT Alumni Council to ✓ What is the budget outlay of the Central Sector encourage listing of start-ups and develop Scheme “Agriculture Infrastructure Fund” ‘high investor depth’ in its start-up’s platform. which was approved by the Union Cabinet -- ✓ The Ministry of Railways is on a mission Rs 1 lakh crore. mode with the goal of transforming Indian Note: The scheme shall provide a medium - Railways into Green Railways by 2030. long term debt financing facility for ✓ India’s first cable-stayed Indian Railways investment in viable projects for post-harvest bridge namely “Anji Khad Bridge” is being management Infrastructure and community built by Konkan Railway Corporation farming assets through interest subvention and Limited. to connect Katra and Reasi in financial support. Loans will be disbursed in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). four years starting with sanction of Rs. 10,000 ✓ India along with Chile and Food and crore in the current year and Rs. 30,000 crore Agriculture Organization (FAO) has co-hosted each in next three financial years. the official launch of 2021 International Year ✓ The National Skill Development Corporation of Fruits and Vegetables. (NSDC) has joined hands with Microsoft ✓ The Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed India Private Limited Company to enhance an MoU with public sector undertaking the digital skills of the country’s youth. Bharat Electronics Ltd. to collaborate and ✓ Under chairmanship of Suresh Mathur, the support the emerging global opportunities in IRDAI has formed a 9- member working the airport business. group to look into the possibility of setting up ✓ GMR International Airport, Hyderabad ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’. introduced India’s first ever fully contactless Note: Suresh Mathur, Executive Director, airport car parking. Irdai, will be the Chairman for the 9-member 39 www.gradeup.co

✓ The length of the Anji Khad Bridge’ being ✓ India’s rank in the Global Manufacturing built by Konkan Railway Corporation which Risk Index 2020– 3rd. will connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and Note: The annual Global Manufacturing Risk Kashmir (J&K) -- 473.25 metres. Index (MRI) report was released by the US- ✓ According to the special bulletin on Maternal based property consultant Cushman & Mortality in India 2016-18, released by the Wakefield. Office of the Registrar General’s Sample ✓ The biopharmaceutical company that Registration System (SRS) the Maternal announced a global collaboration agreement Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has declined with Voluntis to develop and distribute digital to 113. therapeutics supporting people with diabetes Note: MMR is defined as the number of on biologics therapy -- Biocon Biologics. maternal deaths per 1, 00,000 live births. ✓ RK Singh inaugurated India’s first public ✓ India’s largest commercial shipbuilder Electric Vehicle charging plaza in New Delhi. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has signed a ✓ Manodarpan initiative has been launched by contract to build the world’s first fully the Union Human Resource Development automatic electric vessel for Norway. Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal to provide ✓ India is developing country’s first and Asia’s psychosocial support to students for their leading trans-shipment port Vallarpadam mental health. Terminal as part of Kochi port of India. ✓ The acquisition wing of Ministry of Defence ✓ Central Institute of Petrochemicals has signed a contract with Bharat Earth Engineering and Technology (CIPET) has Movers Limited, BEML for procurement of been accredited by NABL for Testing and 1,512 Mine Plough for Tank T-90 S/SK. Certification of PPE Kit. CIPET works under ✓ The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. partnered with UNICEF to strengthen the Note: The PPE kit includes Gloves, Coverall, youth volunteers in the country to achieve Face Shield, Goggles and Triple Layer AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Medical masks in line with International ✓ India began its trial trans-shipment of goods Standards. from India to the North East through ✓ As per the Railway Ministry private trains are Chittagong, Bangladesh port. slated to run from 2023. ✓ US based Zoom Video Communications ✓ Union Environment and Information & announced to open a new technology center in Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar Bengaluru. hailed the KURMA mobile application related ✓ Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 has reached with Indian Turtles. its criticality; the plant is located in Gujarat. ✓ An e-Portal named “Automobile Solutions Note: This indigenously designed 700 MWe Portal for Industry, Research & Education KAPP-3 reactor is a shining example of Make (ASPIRE)” has been launched by in India. The Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant International Centre for Automotive began its commercial nuclear power Technology (ICAT). production in 1993. Note: The portal has been launched to ✓ Actor SonuSood. has launched an application improve the technological capability of Indian “PravasiRojgar” for migrant worker to find automotive sector with the help of exchange of right job opportunities. knowledge & expertise, to make them self- ✓ International Trade Union Confederation reliant and to enable the growth of automobile (ITUC) published the Global Rights Index sector including overall socio-economic 2020 according to which India became the progress of the country. new entrant in the 10 worst countries for ✓ The Central Board of Secondary Education working people in the world. (CBSE) has integrated a new Artificial ✓ AIIMS Nagpur has designed and developed a Intelligence (AI) course for class XI and XII ‘smart wristband’ for effective tracking and was developed in collaboration with tech giant monitoring of Covid-19 positive and suspect IBM. patients.

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Note: The new device, a wristband is designed of CCTV surveillance cameras installed in a in collaboration with IIT Jodhpur and IIT survey done on most surveilled cities in the Nagpur looks to overcome the limitations of world by the UK-based Comparitech. existing online mobile apps used for tracking ✓ The Cotton Corporation of India decided to and monitoring coronavirus patients. setup set up its own warehouse in Vietnam to ✓ The Indian Navy's largest solar power plant boost cotton exports. has been commissioned atEzhimala, Kerala. ✓ Bureau of Indian Standard’s Mobile App Note: It is a 3 MW Solar Power Plant which “BIS-Care” has been launched using which the has been set-up in line with the Indian authenticity of ISI-marked and hallmarked Government’s initiative of ‘National Solar products can be checked, BIS is working Mission’ which aims to achieve 100GW of under Ministry of Consumer Affairs. solar power by 2022. ✓ On the occasion of “World Hepatitis Day” the ✓ Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Federation of India (TRIFED) has entered into has organised “2nd Empathy e-Conclave”in a partnership with IIT, Delhi for the Unnat collaboration with Airport Authority of Bharat Abhiyan (UBA). India (AAI). Note: Tribal entrepreneurs under TRIFED’s ✓ As per the update report on India’s Tiger Van Dhan Programme will now be able to get Survey from 2018, released by the Union access to the expertise of the entire network of Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate over 2,600 academic and research institutions Change Prakash Javadekar Madhya Pradesh under UBA.w has the highest number of tigers. ✓ Indian Institute of Management (IIM) ✓ Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a Kozhikode has developed a wearable hand Knowledge Resource Centre Network band Known as the “Veli Band” that helps in (KRCNet)” under the Digital India initiative of maintaining social distancing. Government of India. ✓ Indian city Hyderabad ranked 16th among the list of top 20 cities with maximum number June 2020

✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a 76 online Job fairs to reduce the video blogging competition my 'My Life, gap between the employers and job My Yoga' which is a joint by the Indian seekers. Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and • NCS in partnership with HireMee, Ministry of AYUSH. online assessment and hiring • Note: The 'My Life, My Yoga' service provider, offers creation of contest (also called 'Jeevan Yoga) video profiles for job-seekers. is a joint effort by the Ministry of ✓ India’s apex food regulator Food Safety AYUSH and the Indian Council for and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Cultural Relations (ICCR). comes under the purview of Ministry of ✓ Union Ministry of Labour and Health & Family Welfare. Employment in partnership with TCS • Note: The Appointments iON offers free online career skills training Committee of the Cabinet has through the National Career Service (NCS) approved the appointment of Arun project. Singhal as chief executive officer • Note: The Ministry of Labours of India’s apex food regulator Food announced that around 1 crore job Safety and Standards Authority of seekers and 54000 employers have India (FSSAI). registered with this portal and the • Singhal is special secretary, NCS portal has mobilized more department of health and family than 73 lakh vacancies In the welfare. period of lockdown due to COVID- ✓ The Union Govt has announced Minimum 19 the NCS has conducted around Support Price List in which how many 41 www.gradeup.co

Minor Forest produce have been included help discoms plan their power 23. requirements. • Note: Tribal Affairs has notified an • Note: The market will conduct 48 Inclusion of 23 additional Minor auction sessions during the day and Forest Produce (MFP) items and the power will be delivered within stipulation of their Minimum one hour of closure of the bid Support Price (MSP). session. ✓ CHAMPIONS platform has been ✓ The Government has announced that it is launched by the Prime Minister Narendra to provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 1.5 Modi to help the smaller MSMEs by crore Dairy Farmers. solving their grievances, encouraging and • Note: The Department of Animal supporting them to march into the big Husbandry and Dairying in league as national and global companies. association with the Department of • Note: The portal aims to make Financial Services has issued KCC smaller units big by supporting application format to all State Milk them, encouraging, solving their Federation and Milk Unions for grievances, helping and implementing the same on a handholding. It will act as one-stop mission mode.The campaign aims shop solution of all entities of the to provide KCC to 1.5 crore dairy MSME sector. farmers. ✓ PM-SAVNidhi has been launched by the • The campaign is a part of the PM's union government for to provide AtmaNirbhar Bharat package for affordable loans to street vendors. Farmers. • Note: The PM SVANidhi or PM ✓ “Responsible AI for Youth” which will be Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi run jointly by National e-Governance is a credit facility scheme that will Division of Ministry of Electronics and IT help more than 50 lakh urban and and NASSCOM. rural street vendors. The scheme • Note: Union Minister for will help the street vendors restart Electronics and Information their livelihoods. Technology(IT), Law and Justice • Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 of and Communications Ravi Shankar credit is to be provided to street Prasad launched India’s National vendors. The street vendors shall Artificial Intelligence(AI) Portal return the amount as monthly called www.ai.gov.in.He also installments within a year. launched a National Program for ✓ DRDO has developed a disinfection unit the youth, “Responsible AI for called Ultra Swachh. Youth” during the occasion of the • Note: The Ultra Swachh Unit first anniversary of the second houses a catalytic converter that tenure of the government. makes it environment friendly. It ✓ The Expert Committee on Rationalization also holds several safety features of Film Media has submitted its report such as door interlocks, emergency recently, the committee is operating under shut down, delay cycle, dual doors, Ministry of Information and leak monitors, etc. Broadcasting. • The system complies to • Note: The committee has International Standards of suggested for an umbrella Industrial, Personal, Occupations configuration with four broad and Environmental Safety. verticals under which the institutes ✓ Indian Energy Exchange has launched should work. Real Time Electricity Market (RTM) to • This includes festival, production, heritage and knowledge.

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• The verticals are to be headed by Laboratory for Indian Medicine the professionals.The committee and Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia was headed by Bimal Julka. Laboratory. ✓ Nisarga name has been given to the fast- • The two central laboratories were moving depression in the Arabian Sea established at Ghaziabad, Uttar which intensified into a severe cyclone. Pradesh in 1975. ✓ The expert panel constituted by the • The commission is an autonomous Securities and Exchange Board of India body that operates under Ministry (SEBI) under Ishaat Hussain has of AYUSH. It is in operation since recommended to allowNon-profit 2010 Organizations. ✓ TULIPprogmmme has been launched by • Note: Allowing non-profit the union government to provide organisations to directly list internship opportunities to thousands of through issuance of bonds in the fresh graduates and engineers of the form of zero coupon or zero county under the ‘Smart City’ projects. principal bonds. ✓ SWADESH initiative has been launched • Zero-coupon bond is a debt by the Government of India to map the security that does not pay interest skills of workers returning to India from but instead trades at a deep overseas under the ‘Vande Bharat discount, drawing a profit at Mission’. maturity, when the bond is • Note: The full form of SWADESH redeemed for its full face value. is “Skilled Workers Arrival ✓ 25% percent of incentive has been Database for Employment announced on capital expenditure in the Support”. recently launched “Promotion of • The exercise, kick-started under the Manufacturing of Electronic Components Vande Bharat Mission, aims to and Semiconductors (SPECS)” scheme. create a database of qualified • Note: The schemes were approved citizens based on their skillsets and by the Union Cabinet in March experience, which can be tapped 2020.he Scheme for Promotion of into to fulfil demand of Indian and Manufacturing of Electronic foreign companies. Components and Semiconductors ✓ Nagar Van scheme has been launched by (SPECS) will provide incentive of the government to develop urban forests 25% on the capital expenditure. across the country. • This is extended to certain • Note: Stressing on the substance identified lists such as theme of “Biodiversity” by the semiconductor devices, electronic United Nation’s Environment goods, display fabrication units, Programme (UNEP), The Ministry etc. of Environment, Forest and ✓ To foster the inclusion of LGBTQAI+ Climate Change celebrated the day employees of Mahindra Logistics Ltd. by announcing the initiative of has launched a five-year plan which aims urban forests in India. Urban forest at hiring queer people and extending are seemingly the best way to benefits to same-sex partners. bridge the gap of climate change. ✓ The union cabinet has approved to re- ✓ ARCI, Hyderabad institution developed a establish the Pharmacopoeia Commission rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy as that can be effectively used for cancer Subordinate Office under Ministry of treatment. AYUSH. • Note: A magnetocaloric materials • Note: The commission has been set is a substance in which application up by merging Pharmacopoeia and removal of a magnetic field

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causes the materials to become • IISc overtook IIT Delhi to make it warmer or cooler. to the second place, but still ✓ India’s rank in the recently released 12th dropped a rank to 185. edition of the biennial Environment ✓ A Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Performance Index (EPI Index 2020) (DSRV) Complex was inaugurated in released by the Yale University-- 168th. Vishakhapatnam. ✓ Jaya Jaitlywill chair the task force ✓ IIT-BHU has developed an anti-microbial constituted by the Ministry of Women and five-layered face mask that an annihilate Child Development, GoI to work on the pathogenic microorganisms. issues of women and child development. ✓ The National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) • Note: The task force will examine has signed a Memorandum of the matters pertaining to age of Understanding (MoU) with Industrial motherhood, imperatives of Training Institutes (ITI) Nangal. lowering MMR, improvement of • Note: Under the MoU, ITI’s 12 nutritional levels and related issues. trades will be taught in the NFL & ✓ Adani Green Energy Limited has won the theory will be studied at ITI one of world’s largest solar contract from Nangal. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) • The MoU was exchanged between to develop 8 GW of solar projects. Ms Renu R P Singh DGM (HR) ✓ Digital learning platform TCS iONhas I/c, NFL Nangal unit and Sh Lalit partnered with the NSDC to provide its Mohan, Principal of ITI, Nangal. training partners access to the Digital Class ✓ Infosys has announced to launch of Room. 'Summer of Ideas' initiative for university • Note: The partnership will students worldwide, an online learning strengthen NSDC’s online content programme. aggregation platform-- eSkill India- • Note: The global eight-week -through which it enables e- ideathon, powered by Infosys' learning amongst skill seekers and digital learning platform will contribute towards Wingspan, will help the global strengthening the Skill India student and academic community mission. overcome the loss of learning ✓ Defence Institute of Advanced opportunities as a result of the Technology (DIAT) has developed Nano- disruption caused by COVID- Technology based disinfectant spray 19.The initiative will allow ANANYA to fight against COVID-19. students access to Infosys • Note: The spray has been prepared mentorship and specially curated based on Nano-Technology learning materials virtually. assisted formulation. It will not ✓ India’s rank in the recently compiled by only stop COVID-19 from entering Nature Research, a division of the the body but will also kill the virus international scientific publishing that comes in direct contact. company ‘Springer Nature’ -- 12th. ✓ IIT Bombay maintains its position as the • Note: The top five positions have top institution in India in the QS World gone to the United States of University rankings 2021 released America, China, Germany, United recently. Kingdom and Japan. • Note: IIT-Bombay still maintains • The Nature Index is a database of its position as the top institution in author affiliation information India in the QS rankings, but has collated from research articles slipped 20 places from 152 to 172 published in an independently in the global list. selected group of 82 high-quality science journals.

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✓ As per the “26th Annual Cost of Living • This chamber is designed to Survey 2020” released by Mercer Indian sanitise 25 pairs of city Mumbai is the most expensive city in uniforms within 15 minutes. The India. sanitizing chamber has been set up • Note: Mercer released its 26th at Parliament Street Police Station. Annual Cost of Living Survey ✓ Construction company NHAI has become 2020. From India, Mumbai city has the first of its kind in the construction been ranked 60th most expensive sector to go fully digital. city globally and also 19th in Asia. • Note: With the launch of cloud- ✓ IIT Bombay has emerged as the top based and artificial intelligence- institutions in the list of ‘overall ranking’ powered big data analytics category in the 5th NIRF Ranking 2020. platform Data Lake and Project • Note: The rankings are being Management Software, the entire announced for India’s best project management workflow universities and institutions in 10 of NHAI has been transformed categories namely- Overall, from manual to the online portal Universities, Engineering, based. Colleges, Management, Pharmacy, • All project documentation, Medical, Dental Architecture, and contractual decisions and approvals Law. are now being done through the ✓ Name the AI enabled robot launched by portal only. Indian Railway to intensify the screening ✓ IIT Kharagpur has developed an and surveillance of railway passengers and Artificial Intelligence-based cyber- railway staff -- ARJUN. physical system to monitor social • Note: The full form of ARJUN is distancing in public places. ‘Always be Responsible and Just ✓ An Integrated Flood Warning System Use to be Nice’.This innovation (IFLOWS) has been launched for will help Indian Railways to Mumbai. modernise its security measures at • Note: Named as 'Boon' and the time of covid-19. developed for Mumbai it will help ✓ Name the National Healthcare Supply the people in a "big way" as it can Chain Portal launched by the Ministry of predict floods. Health and Family Welfare to provide real- • The system was developed by time availability of critical healthcare the Ministry of Earth supplies _-- Aarogyapath. Sciences and Brihanmumbai • Note: This national healthcare Municipal Corporation (BMC). supply chain portal will remove ✓ According to “Poonam Avlokkan” survey supply chain bottlenecks during the the population of the Asiatic lion at the Gir Covid-19 pandemic. sanctuary grew by approximately 29 per • The vision of this initiative is to set cent. up an information management and • Note: The Gujarat Forest forecasting database platform at Department has recently national level. announced that the number of ✓ DRDO has developed a sanitizing Asiatic lions in the state has gone chamber named ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise up till 674 from 523 that were uniforms of security forces. reported in a Lion Census done • Note: DRDO’s move came after five years ago, which shows almost Delhi Police gave their requirement 29 per cent increase in the for sanitizing their uniforms, canes, population. cane shields, helmets. ✓ The 40th GST council meet was held recently virtually, who is the chairperson

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of the GST council -- Union Finance • Note: Named as 'Boon' and Minister. developed for Mumbai it will help • Note: Union Finance & Corporate the people in a "big way" as it can Affairs Minister Nirmala predict floods. Sitharaman chaired the virtual 40th • The system was developed by the GST Council Meeting. Ministry of Earth Sciences and • The key outcome of this meet was Brihanmumbai Municipal further relief on late fee and Corporation (BMC). The device interest payable on late payments will be very useful, especially if as a part of compliance burden of people need to be evacuated from businesses. This was the first low-lying areas. meeting after COVID-19 breakout ✓ Mumbai Municipal Corporation has in India. launched a mobile application “Air-Venti” ✓ Uday Kotak will chair the advisory to provide information on ICU beds, committee formed by the Insolvency and ventilators. Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) on ✓ Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Liquidation process. Employment of Persons with Disabilities • Note: The new 14-member (PwDs)” has been inaugurated in Ranchi. committee, formed in August 2017, • This is the 21st Composite will be chaired by Uday Kotak, the Regional Centre (CRC) which will Executive Vice Chairman and serve to fulfil the needs of Persons Managing Director of Kotak with Disabilities in Jharkhand. Mahindra Bank. ✓ Amitabh Kant will lead the high-powered • It will suggest and provide committee of top executives of technology professional support on a request companies formed by NITI Aayog to from the IBBI or on its own develop a job platform for migrant labours volition on any matter with respect who lost their job during lock down. to the Corporate Insolvency ✓ India’s first nationwide online delivery- resolution and liquidation dealt based natural gas trading platform, “Indian with by the Board under the Gas Exchange (IGX)” has been launched Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code with headquartered in New Delhi. 2016. ✓ Two Indian StartupsStellapps and ✓ Construction company NHAI has become Zestmoneywere featured in the List of the first of its kind in the construction Technology Pioneers of 2020, released by sector to go fully digital. the World Economic Forum(WEF). ✓ GermiBANdevice launched by Union ✓ Indian Railways’ Central Railway zone Minister of State for Home Affairs G has installed 1st of its kind an Automated Kishan Reddy that kills viruses & other Ticket Checking &Managing Access germs by sterilising, sanitising & (ATMA) machine at Nagpur station. disinfecting in large areas. ✓ Chartered accountancy firm has been ✓ India’s rank in the annual World appointed to audit PM Cares Fund -- Competitiveness Index 2020 compiled by SARC & Associates. Institute for Management Development • Note: The appointment is (IMD) -- 43rd. significant because critics have ✓ According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2020, questioned the rationale for a fund India’s position as nuclear weapons holder other than the Prime Minister’s in the world -- 6th. National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for ✓ Integrated Flood Warning System relief work and have also sought (IFLOWS) has been launched for Mumbai more transparency about the usage City. of monies from the Fund.

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✓ Researchers at IIT Bombay has created a ✓ A behaviour change campaign named chip named ‘Dhruva’ that can be mounted ‘Navigating the New Normal’ has been in smartphones and navigation devices to launched by NITI Aayog in partnership find places and routes within the country. with Melinda Gates Foundation. • Note: The radio frequency receiver ✓ As per the Annual Tuberculosis Report chip was designed in 18 months by 2020 released by Ministry of Health and students and researchers at IIT Family Welfare what is the percentage rise Bombay. in TB patient in 2019 –14%. ✓ For reducing the carbon dioxide emission • Note: It should be noted that the caused due to transportation in the country, sustainable goal of eradicating TB NITI Aayog will launch the project globally is 2030, but the Indian ‘Decarbonising Transport in India’ in government is committed to collaboration with International achieve this target in the country by Transport Forum (ITF). 2025. ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ✓ Kempegowda International Airport, launched ‘Garib Kalyan RojgarAbhiyaan Bengaluru has become the 1st airport in (GKRA)’ via video conference from India to get an indigenously developed Khagariadistrict of Bihar. Aviation Weather Monitoring System ✓ The United Nations World Food (AWMS) at both ends of the runway. Programme (WFP) India has partnered • Note: The technology is developed with IIT Delhi to support state and by Bengaluru-based CSIR- national governments in achieving food National Aerospace Laboratories and nutrition security. (NAL). ✓ The Union Cabinet has approved the ✓ Two Indian Institutes IIT Ropar and IIT declaration of the Kushinagar Airport as an Indore secured their ranks in the top 100 international airport, it is located in Uttar in the “THE Young University Rankings Pradesh. 2020” released by the Times Higher ✓ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Education. Affairs (CCEA) approved additional • Note: The Times Higher Education investment of USD 121.27 million by (THE) released THE Young ONGC Videsh Ltd. in Shwe oil and gas University Rankings 2020 for the project located in Myanmar. universities which are 50 years old ✓ Nitin Gadkari launched the scheme or younger. ‘Distressed Assets Fund- Sub- Ordinate • The Indian Institute of Science Debt for MSMEs’ announced as part of Education and Research (Pune) and AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package by GoI. Indian Institute of Technology • Note: The scheme is also called as Gandhinagar ranked 101-150. Distressed Assets Fund- Sub- ✓ Ministry of Culture is celebrating the Ordinate Debt for MSMEs. “Sankalp Parva” from 28th June to 12 July ✓ As per the data released by the United 2020. States (US) Treasury Department what is • Note: This initiative has been India’s position as a holder of US launched following the call of government securities -- 12th. Prime Minister of India Shri • The country with maximum Narendra Modi to plant at least five exposure to US government trees either in Office campus or securities is Japan at US$1.266 wherever it is possible in order to trillion followed by China and the ensure clean and healthy United Kingdom (UK) at the environment of the country. second and third positions, ✓ Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural respectively at the end of April Gas & Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan 2020. virtually inaugurated Battery Swapping

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Facility Quick Interchange Service (QIS) • The model was initiated to target in Chandigarh. the commercial segment like • Note: The battery swapping electric autos, rickshaws, electric technology provides the best 2W and the electric vehicle, which alternative to slow charging and is factory fitted or retrofitted. enables drivers to optimize the use of the operational hours. May 2020

✓ The central government has brought the Movement (NAM) for the first time since Cauvery Water Management Authority 2014, Azerbaijan presented the group. (CWMA) under Jal Shakti Ministry. ✓ NITI Aayog has launched virtual ‘Surakshit • Note: Earlier it was under the Dada-Dadi& Nana-Nani Abhiyan’ to ensure Ministry of Water Resources, wellbeing of senior citizens during the River Development and Ganga COVID-19 pandemic in association with Rejuvenation. Piramal Foundation. ✓ India secured 53rdrank in the 7th edition of ✓ Operation Samudra Setu has been launched ‘Open Budget Survey 2019’ conducted by by the Indian Navy as a part of a national International Budget Partnership (IBP). effort to repatriate Indian citizens from • Note: In the survey time New overseas. Zealand has been topped the list • Note: The operation aims to with a score of 87. evacuate personnel who repatriate ✓ National Council for Science & Technology Indian citizens from overseas. Communication (NCSTC) has initiated a ✓ According to the Centre for Monitoring programme on health and risk communication Indian Economy (CMIE) the country’s focusing on COVID-19 titled “Year of unemployment rate rose to 27.11%. Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)”. ✓ The Defence Ministry has signed a contract ✓ National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has with Tata Power for Phase-II of permitted the use of 98.59 hectares of land Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure of for opencast coal mining project in 37 airfields for Indian Air Force, Indian DehingPatkai Elephant Reserve in Assam. Navy and Indian Coast Guard. ✓ India’s rank in the in scientific publication ✓ Mission Sagar conducted by the Government in 2018 among the countries -- Third. of India to provide assistance to Eastern • Note: The National Science and Indian Ocean Region Nations amid the Technology Management coronavirus crisis. Information (NSTMIS), • Note: Under the mission, Indian Department of Science and Naval Ship (INS) Kesari Technology (DST), has conducted deployed, carrying on board two a survey on Research and medical assistance teams, essential Development (R&D) Statistics and Food Items and COVID related Indicators 2019-20. Medicines and Special Ayurvedic • The survey included more than Medicines five to Island countries 6800 S&T Institutions spread in the Indian Ocean. across varied sectors like central • The five countries are Maldives, government, state governments, Mauritius, Seychelles, higher education, public sector Madagascar and Comoros. industry, and private sector ✓ Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal industry in the country. ‘Nishank’ has launched “Bharosa” helpline ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated for Central University of Odisha. in the virtual summit of the Non-Aligned • Note: This helpline has been launched with an objective of

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relieving the student community • The child mortality rate has from the distress caused during the dropped by 49% between 2000 troubled time of the COVID-19 and 2017. pandemic. ✓ India’s rank in the recently released Global ✓ Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Energy Transition Index (GET Index) 2020 hasinaugurated 80km strategically crucial by the World Economic Forum (WEF)-- road link connecting Lipulekh pass (China 74th. Border) with Dharchula in Uttarakhand • Sweden has topped the ranking for through video conferencing. the third consecutive year. • Note: The Border Roads • It was followed by Switzerland Organization (BRO) has and Finland. constructed the road that originates ✓ As per the new definition of MSMEs what from Ghatiabagarh and it ends at the maximum investment limit for a micro unit Lipulekh Pass which is a gateway is: 1 crore. to Kailash-Mansarovar. • Note: The GoI has changed the • It will help pilgrims visiting definition of MSMEs. The new Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet as it definition has increased the is around 90 kms from the investment limit upwards. Lipulekh pass. • Previously, an enterprise with • This road, which has an altitude investment up to Rs 25 lakh ranging from 6000 to 17060 feet, was called a micro unit. constructed along the banks of • Under the new definition, a river Kali between India and firm upto investment of Rs 1 Nepal. crore is to be called Micro ✓ India initiated “Mission Sagar” to send unit, of Rs 10 crore is to be medical aid to five Island nations in the called as small unit and Indian Ocean amid COVID-19 pandemic. investment greater than Rs 20 • Note: In this regard, Indian Naval crore will be called as medium Ship (INS) Kesari departed for unit. Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, ✓ Central Government has set up a new body Madagascar, and Comoros, to Rice Export Promotion Forum to give provide Food items, COVID impetus to rice exports under the aegis of related Medicines. APEDA. ✓ Two scientific papers on child survival • Note: Centre set up a new body published by the India State-Level Disease Rice Export Promotion Forum to Burden Initiative stated that the under-5 give impetus to rice exports under Mortality Rate in India has dropped by - 49 the aegis of Agricultural and percent since 2000. Processed Foods Export Promotion • Note: The India State-Level Development Authority (APEDA). Disease Burden Initiative has ✓ ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan announced recently published two scientific by the Prime Minister with an economic papers. stimulus package worth Rs 20 lakh crores • The initiative has given its report which is almost 10% percent of GDP. on district-level trends of child ✓ Flagship social security scheme of the growth and child mortality. Government of India ‘Atal Pension Yojna’ • The findings show there were 1.04 has completed five years of its million under-5 deaths in 2017, implementation in May 2020. down from 2.24 million deaths in • Note: The scheme is being 2000. administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development

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Authority through National smooth movement of stranded Pension System (NPS). persons across States. • Any citizen of India can join the ✓ Landing Craft Utility Ship ‘INLCU L57’ APY scheme. commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair. • The age of the subscriber should be • Note: The “INLCU L57” is the between 18-40 years. seventh LCU Mark IV class • The contribution levels would warship. vary and would be low if a • The primary role of the warship, subscriber joins early and increases being transportation and if she joins late. deployment of main battle tanks, ✓ Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme armored vehicles, troops and approved by the Union Defence minister equipment from ship to shore. Rajnath Singh and allotted Rs 400 crores. • The first ship of the Mark IV LCU • Note: The establishment of defence Vessels INLCU L51 was testing infrastructure will provide commissioned into Indian Navy in easy access and thus meet the March 2017. testing needs of the domestic ✓ Mobile application National Test defence industry. Abhyasdeveloped by the National Testing • The scheme will run for a period of Agency will help the candidates to take mock 5 years & envisages to set up 6 to 8 tests for exams such as JEE Mains, NEET, etc. new test facilities in partnership ✓ Sixcities rated 5 stars in Star Rating of with private industry. Garbage Free Cities, for the assessment year ✓ For multi-mode access to digital/online 2019-2020. education Government of India has decided to • Note: In rating Ambikapur, Rajkot, launch PM-eVIDYA programme. Surat, Mysuru, Indore and Navi • Note: Under the programme the Mumbai were rated 5 Star (6 DIKSHA programme will provide cities). “one nation, one digital • 65 other Cities rated 3 Star and platform” for school education in 70 Cities rated 1 Star out of 141 states/UTs. cities. • It will also include the launch of • He also launched the revised Energized Textbooks for all protocol for the Star Rating of grades. Garbage Free Cities. • One earmarked TV channel will ✓ The Union Cabinet has extended Pradhan be launched for per class from 1 to Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) 12 following the concept of “one till year 2023. class, one channel”. • Note: It is a social security ✓ National Disaster Management Authority scheme for senior citizens for has developed “National Migrant those who are above 60. Information System (NMIS)” to secure • The government has fixed its information regarding the movement of annual rate of return at 7.4% for migrant workers. financial year2020-21. • Note: An online dashboard • Now, Senior citizens will have “National Migrant Information time till March 31, 2023 to invest System (NMIS)” has been in Pradhan Mantri Vaya developed by the National Disaster Vandana Yojana which provides Management Authority (NDMA). higher return than any bank. • The dashboard has been developed ✓ The Ministry of New and Renewable by NDMA to secure information Energy (MNRE) has launched a scheme for regarding the movement of 100% solarization ofKonark city of India migrants and to facilitate the 50 www.gradeup.co

• Note: The scheme has been Dharasu Highway (NH 94) in Uttarakhand launched to develop the historic -- 440 Km. Sun Temple in the town of ✓ Tejas Mk-1 FOC aircraft has been inducted Konark. by the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the • Also, the scheme will develop the recently resurrected No 18 Squadron the town into Surya Nagri. “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur. • The scheme mainly aims at • Note: Tejas Mk-1 FOC is a single promoting solar energy. engine, light weight, highly agile ✓ India’s position in manufacturing personal and all weather multi role fighter protective equipment (PPE) body coveralls - aircraft. - Second. • The aircraft is capable of air-to-air • Note: PPE body coveralls are refueling and hence makes the crucial to safeguard against the Squadron the first in the IAF to coronavirus (COVID-19) induct this platform. pandemic. • China is the world’s leading ✓ Missile Park Agneeprasthabeing established producer of PPE body coveralls, in Eastern Naval Command (ENS) at INS crucial to safeguard against the Kalinga, Visakhapatnam. COVID-19 pandemic. • Note: Agneeprastha aims to ✓ National Health Authority is the nodal capture glimpses of Missile agency for the implementation of Ayushman History of INS Kalinga. Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). • Agneeprastha is to provide a one- stop arena for motivation and • The National Health Authority stimulation of people regarding (NHA) is responsible for the missiles and related implementing the scheme. technologies, from school children ✓ Indian Navy has formed PPE kit with to Naval personnel and their innovative breathable fabric material. families. • Note: This PPE kit provides ✓ Swath Sagar has been given to the plan to comfort to healthcare workers modernize the fisheries sector which is part of working against COVID-19 Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana pandemic wearing multi-layered (PMMSY). coverall PPE treating patients • Note: Also, Government will register within the hot and humid condition “Sagar Mitra” and encourage for quite 12 hours. formation of Fish Farmers Producer • The ability of the material to permit Organizations (FFPOs) to help achieve water vapour to undergo and stop the PMMSY goals by enhancing the water from entering is domestic fish consumption with understood as Breathability. corresponding health benefits. ✓ The length of the tunnel built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Rishikesh- April 2020

✓ As per revised norms of the central Union Territory of Jammu & government the limit for a person reside in Kashmir for at least 15 years or has J&K to become permanent resident of the studied for a period of seven years UT -- 15 Years. in Jammu and Kashmir and • Note: A new definition for appeared in Class 10 or 12 domicile for Jammu and Kashmir examinations will now be eligible was introduced. As per the new to be a permanent resident of the definition a person residing in the UT.

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• This new rule was issued under the inspiratory to expiratory ratio, Section 3A of the Jammu and Tidal volume etc. Kashmir Reorganisation ✓ To fight COVID-19 Civil services Adaptation of State Laws Order associations form an initiative called 2020, under the Jammu and ‘Caruna’. Kashmir civil services • Note: Associations representing decentralisation and recruitment officers of Central Civil Services, Act. including the Indian Administrative ✓ Indian Council for Cultural Relations Service (IAS) and the Indian Police has launched a competition titled “United Service (IPS), have created an Against Corona- Express through Art”. initiative called ‘CARUNA. ✓ Donations for PM-CARES Fund granted • The CARUNA stands for Civil tax exemption of 100%. Services Associations Reach to • Note: the donations made under Support in Natural Disasters. newly-formed Prime Minister’s ✓ ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ launched by the Citizen Assistance and Relief in Indian Air Force (IAF) to air-lifted 6.2 Emergency Situations Fund (PM- tonnes of essential medical supplies to CARES FUND) to provide Maldives via transport aircraft C-130J as assistance to the persons affected assistance in the fight against the virus. by the COVID-19 outbreak, are ✓ To deal with Covid-19 epidemic the made eligible for 100% deduction central government has constituted a 10- under section 80G of the Income member group under the chairmanship of Tax (IT) Act, 1961. Amitabh Kant. • For this, the provisions of the IT ✓ To help India fight against COVID-19 the Act are amended through the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Taxation and other Laws the initiative called “Lifeline UDAN”. (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) • Note: Under Lifeline UDAN Ordinance, 2020. initiative of Ministry of Civil ✓ National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered Aviation, 132 cargo flights have its volunteer cadets to assist the civilian been operated so far across the authorities to fight COVID-19 under country to transport medical cargo ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’. including to remote and hilly areas. • Note: It has issued guidelines for ✓ Department of Science & Technology, the temporary employment of its Government of India has approved to set cadets to enhance the operations of up a rapid response centre -- various organizations involved in “CAWACH”. relief efforts & fighting the • Note: CAWACH stands for Centre pandemic. for Augmenting WAR with ✓ To build a portable and lightweight COVID-19 Health Crisis. Rapid emergency ventilator system Sree Chitra response centre “CAWACH” has Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and been set up at a total cost of Rs 56 Technology (SCTIMST) has partnered Crore at Society for Innovation and with ‘Wipro 3D’. Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT • This ventilator system is essentially Bombay. a hand held device also called as ✓ Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam has AMBU bag or bag-valve-mask designed ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen (BVM) to provide positive pressure Manifold (MOM)’. ventilation to a corona patients • Note: This oxygen manifold is with breathing difficulties with a designed to supply oxygen to controlled rate of expiration, multiple patients at a time, which could prove helpful in a

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contingency created by COVID-19 • Under the “Samadhan” challenge, spread. The preliminary trials were the students and faculty will be conducted at MI Room at NDV, motivated for doing new followed by rapid trials at the experiments and new discoveries Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani, and provide them with a strong where it was successfully installed base leading to a spirit of within 30 minutes. experimentation and discovery. ✓ Name the official COVID-19 tracking app ✓ iGOT e-learning platform has been that has been launched by the Government launched by the government of India for of India -- AarogyaSetu. all front-line workers to equip them with • Note: The “AarogyaSetu” app has the training and updates in coping with been developed by the National e- Pandemic. Governance Division of the ✓ Directorate General of Foreign Trade Ministry of Electronics and (DGFT) has removed export restrictions Information Technology in on 24 pharma ingredients including 12 association with the Ministry of active pharmaceutical ingredients, it Health and Family Welfare. operates under Ministry of Commerce & ✓ To help foreign tourists who are stuck in Industry. various parts of the country the Ministry ✓ Name the mobile doctor booth created by of Tourism has launched a portal the West Central Railway’s Coach ‘Stranded in India’. Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) -- ✓ Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister CHARAK. (PM) Narendra Modi has approved an • A viral barrier chamber has been ordinance to cut in the salaries of all built in the railway compartment Members of Parliament by 30%. itself, through which doctors will • Note: It also provisioned a two- be able to examine patients without year suspension (2020-21 and direct physical contact. 2021-22) of the MP Local Area ✓ The government of India has approved for Development (MPLAD) scheme so the ‘India COVID-19 Emergency that the amount saved can go to the Response and Health System Preparedness Consolidated Fund of India to fight Package -- Rs.15000 crores. COVID-19. • Note: The package is to build • This announcement was made by health infrastructure in states and Prakash Javadkar, Union Minister UTs till March 2024. Of the 15,000 for Information and Broadcasting. crores, Centre would release ✓ National Highways Authority of India Rs.7,774 crore for immediate (NHAI) has achieved the highest ever COVID-19 Emergency Response highway construction feat with an use till June 2020 and the rest will accomplishment of 3,979 km. be set for medium-term support of ✓ The name that has been given to mega 1-4 years. ONLINE innovation challenge launched ✓ The Supreme Court (SC) of India has by the Ministry of Human Resource extended the tenure of chairperson of Development (MHRD) -- SAMADHAN. Telecom Disputes Settlement and • Note: The innovation cell of the Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Justice Ministry of Human Resource Shiva Kirti Singh. Development (MHRD) and All • The bench also expressed concern India Council for Technical over the delay in appointment of Education (AICTE) has launched a administrative and technical mega ONLINE challenge called members of TDSAT and asked “SAMADHAN” to fight against Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to covid19. answer on behalf of Centre.

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✓ To improve the online education fight the coronavirus pandemic at ecosystem of India Union Human the India-initiated video conference Resource Development Ministry has of SAARC leaders on March 15. launched the campaign -- ‘Bharat Padhe ✓ Jim Corbett National Park becomes the Online’ India’s 1st quarantine centre for animals. • Note: The campaign aims to invite • Note: Jim Corbett National Park all the best brains in India to share has become the India’s 1st suggestions or solutions directly quarantine centre for animals with with the HRD Ministry, to symptoms of coronavirus (COVID- overcome the obstacles of online 19). education while promoting the ✓ M S Sahoo Committee submitted its available digital education report on “valuation professionals” and platforms. proposed an institutional framework for ✓ Ahmedabad railway station becomes first valuers by setting up National Institute of station of IR to install sanitizing tunnel. Valuers (NIV). • Note: The Ahmedabad railway ✓ Nirmala Sitharaman attended the Plenary station at Kalupur, Gujarat of Meeting of the International Monetary and Western Railway became the first Financial Committee (IMFC) of the station of Indian Railways (IR) to International Monetary Fund (IMF) install a Walk Through Mass through video conferencing. Sanitizing Tunnel to ensure the • Note: The discussion in the safety of staff and passengers in the meeting is based on IMF view of the COVID-19. Managing Director Kristalina ✓ Exit from the Lockdown report has been Georgieva global policy agenda prepared by CII. titled, “Exceptional Times – • Note: The Confederation of Indian Exceptional Action”. Industry (CII) in its report titled ✓ National Institute of Rural Development “Exit from the Lockdown: A CII and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad is Strategy” has recommended training community leaders online to phase-wise lifting of the lockdown combat COVID-19 in collaboration with based on the incidence of COVID UNICEF. cases. ✓ The ministry of finance has increased the ✓ Fit India in collaboration with CBSE for coverage of lender’s loss in case of loan first-of-a-kind live fitness session under its default under the Credit Guarantee Fund Fit India Active Day programme for for Micro Units (CGFMU) scheme to school children across the country. 75%. ✓ The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) • The lender’s burden under the has announced a training program on scheme has reduced from the first COVID-19 for intergovernmental 5% of the amount in default to 3%. organization SAARC. ✓ Dr. Harsh Vardhan attended G20 Health • Note: It will be carried out by the Ministers Meeting held via video Central Government’s Indian conference to control COVID-19. Technical and Economic • Note: An international forum of Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Health Ministers of G20 countries • It is to take forward the Prime was held on April 19, 2020, via Minister’s (PM) ‘Prepare Not Video Conference. Global Panic’ for ‘SAARC fights Preparedness Monitoring Board Corona’. (GPMB) estimated that, over $8 • PM Narendra Modi has suggested billion is required to combat the that the health professionals of the COVID-19 pandemic. member nations come together to

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✓ Vinod Paul and Krishnaswamy Vijay government organisations etc after Raghavan will head the high-level task registering & nominating force for vaccine and drug testing for themselves. coronavirus disease. • The program will soon be inviting • Note: The objective of the task contributions for Teacher Training force is to catalyse national and material. international efforts towards ✓ Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh vaccine development to treat inaugurated Mobile Virology Research Covid-19. and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL) ✓ Indian Renewable Energy Development which is developed by DRDO. Agency Limited (IREDA) has been ✓ Swamitva Scheme has been launched by appointed as the implementing agency to the PM Narendra Modi on the occasion of handle the Central Public Sector National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th of Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II by April 2020. the Ministry of New and Renewable • Note: On the occasion an Energy (MNRE). integrated e-Gram swaraj Portal & • Note: MNRE will timely review Mobile app for accelerating the the maximum permissible VGF pace of development in India’s amount & villages was also launched. • The CPSU Scheme Phase II aims • The Unified Portal is a new to set up 12,000 MW grid- initiative of Ministry of Panchayati connected solar PV power projects Raj which will provide the Gram under the government producers Panchayats with a single interface with the VGF support for self-use to prepare and implement their or by government entities either Gram Panchayat Development Plan directly or through discoms (GPDP). The scheme provides an ✓ Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the integrated property validation National Biofuel Coordination Committee solution for rural India. (NBCC) meeting approved & allowed ✓ Malini Shankar will head the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to convert reconstituted 16-member National the available surplus rice to ethanol. Shipping Board (NSB). ✓ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) • Note: The Ministry of Shipping Institute of Medical Science and has given its consent for the Research becomes the 1st authorized reconstitution of the 16-member study centre in the country to carry out the National Shipping Board (NSB), plasma research under trial in view of the highest advisory body on COVID 19. matters related to Indian shipping ✓ Ravindra H Dholakia chaired the and its development or other committee formed by the central matters arising out of the Merchant government that suggested a complete Shipping Act, 1958. revamp of how states collect and compile ✓ The premier multilateral air combat data for state-level gross domestic product training Exercise Pitch Black 2020 has (GDP) and other estimates. been cancelled which was to be conducted ✓ To invite e-learning content contributions by the Royal Australian Air Force. Union Human Resource Development • Note: Exercise Pitch Black 2020 Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has scheduled to be held from July 27 launched programme VidyaDaan 2.0. to August 14 2020.The next edition • Note: The contribution can be is scheduled in 2022. made by individuals, teachers, • It is a biennial three-week educationists, subject experts, multinational large force schools, government and non- employment exercise conducted

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primarily from RAAF Base Darwin International University’s Lavale and RAAF Base Tindal. campus with the theme,”Science and ✓ On the occasion of the World Book Day Technology for Sustainable the Union Minister of Human Resource Development with Women and Development (HRD), Ramesh Empowerment”. Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched • Dr Vijay Laxmi Saxena elected as #MyBookMyFriendcampaign. general president of the Indian Science • Note: The World Book Day is Congress, 2020-21 celebrated in the lockdown and he ✓ National Chambal Sanctuary has received asked the students to read books of eco-sensitive zone tag. their interest and share about the ✓ 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) book they are reading with him in Conference -2020 was held in New Delhi. the social media using • The conference, organized by the #MyBookMyFriend. Indian Council of Agricultural ✓ 1st government (govt) hospital in India to Research (ICAR), focused on successfully launch the Convalescent technology-led farming and youth Plasma Therapy (CPT) treatment for the entrepreneurship through agriculture. COVID-19 patients -- The King George ✓ Under the Compensatory Afforestation Medical University (KGMU) Fund Management and Planning Authority March 2020 (CAMPA), a financial assistance of Rs 1.51 crore has been sanctioned to Kaziranga ✓ Indian Air Force signed MoU with National Park. Savitribai Phule Pune University to establish ✓ 35th edition of the International food and a ‘Chair of Excellence’ named “Marshal of the hospitality fair ‘AAHAR 2020’ commences Air Force Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”. in New Delhi. • In order to pay tribute to the ✓ An International Conference and legend and commemorate the Exhibition on Smart Energy and Water centenary birth year of the MIAF India Smart Utility Week 2020 (ISUW) for (Marshal of the Indian Air Smarter Cities was held in New Delhi. Force), IAF has named it as ✓ Maharashtra Government renamed “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Aurangabad Airport as Chhatrapati Singh Chair of Excellence”. Sambhaji Maharaj Airport. ✓ Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched ✓ International Conference on Nano Science ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ in Kota, and Technology 2020 (ICONSAT) was held Rajasthan. in Kolkata, West Bengal. • Note: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla • The conference provides a platform has launched ‘Suposhit Maa for the young researchers & students Abhiyan’ in his constituency Kota, from within the country and abroad, Rajasthan, to provide nutritional with the latest development in the support to pregnant women and emerging areas of Nano Science and adolescent girls. Technology. • The aim of the campaign is to ✓ 5th edition of India Pharma & India preserve & maintain the health of Medical Device 2020 Conference held at our future generations. Gandhinagar, Gujarat. ✓ 108th Indian Science Congress 2021 will be • The conference was organized by the held in Pune, Maharshtra. Department of Pharmaceuticals, • Note: The Indian Science Congress Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers association (ISCA) announced that in association with Federation of Pune will host the annual session of Indian Chambers of Commerce & 108th Indian Science Congress on Industry (FICCI) January 3-7, 2021 at Symbiosis

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✓ The National Water Mission organized the ✓ National Conference on Women in Police inaugural session of the workshop on and CAPFs held in New Delhi. “Increasing Water Use Efficiency in • The Conference was organized by the Industries” in New Delhi. Bureau of Police Research and • Note: The National Water Mission Development (BPR & D). organized the inaugural session of the • Smriti Irani also released a hand-out- workshop on “Increasing Water Use ‘BPR & D Mirror- Gender Bender’ Efficiency in Industries”. and also the book titled “To Greater • The workshop on “Increasing Water Heights”. Use Efficiency in Industries” was • Themes of the Conference 2020: held in New Delhi. ‘Cyber Stalking and Bullying of • The National Water Mission organized Women: Steps for Protection” and the workshop under the initiative ‘Challenges faced by CAPF Women “HarKaamDeshkeNaam”. in Operational Areas”. ✓ Name the mobile app which has been ✓ United Nations Global Compact Network launched by the government for delivery of India has organized the 3rd edition of its diesel at doorsteps of Housing societies, hotels Gender Equality Summit 2020 in New Delhi. and hospitals in the national capital region -- ✓ Andhra Pradesh state ranked 1st in the ‘Fuel Humsafar’. country for overall implementation of ✓ “EKAM Fest” has been organised in New POSHAN Abhiyaan. Delhi to promote Craftsmanship & Products • Note: Andhra Pradesh (AP) ranked of Divyang Artisans and Entrepreneurs. 1st in the country for overall ✓ Indian Coast Guard conducts 9th edition of implementation of POSHAN (Prime rescue exercise ‘SAREX-2020’ in Goa. Minister’s Overarching Scheme for ✓ Two cities are approved by the Government of Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan as India as authorised land immigration check per September 2019 progress report of posts to enter or exit India -- Agartala and NITI Aayog, “Transforming Ghojadanga. Nutrition in India: POSHAN • Agartala and Ghojadanga are located Abhiyaan”. along the Indo-Bangladesh border. • The 2nd anniversary of POSHAN ✓ The Ministry of Women and Child Abhiyaan is recognized by celebrating Development (MWCD) & the World Bank Poshan Pakhwada from 8th-22nd organized a discussion programme on the March 2020. topic “The Future of Work: Women in India’s ✓ Gujarat state ranks first in the list for Workforce” in New Delhi. domestic solar rooftop installations, • Note: The Ministry of Women and throughout the country with 64 percent of Child Development (MWCD) & the domestic solar installations. World Bank organized a discussion ✓ A weeklong Exhibition-cum-Fair, the first programme on the topic “The Future “EKAM Fest” organized by National of Work: Women in India’s Handicapped Finance Development Workforce” at New Delhi. Corporation (NHFDC) in New Delhi. ✓ Odisha becomes the 1st state to own a • EKAM, an acronym for separate department for Self Help Groups Entrepreneurship, Knowledge, named as “Department of Mission Shakti”. Awareness, Marketing, was aimed to ✓ The 6th edition of Economic Times Global showcase products made with extra business summit was held in New Delhi. ordinary determination by the divyang • The theme of the Global Business (differently abled) crafts persons Summit is ‘Collaborate to Create: and entrepreneurs. Sustainable Growth in a Fractured ✓ India post launches India’s 1st digital parcel World’. locker service in Kolkata, West Bengal.

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✓ New Delhi Railway Station to be converted • It also issued a consultation under the as World Class Station. Legal Metrology(LM) Act,2009 that • Note: The committee chaired by Bibek under EC law, after consultations with Debroy has recommended concession manufacturers, states can ask them to of commercial operation of train increase the production capacity of service like Rajdhani/Shatabdi to these products & streamline the supply private parties. chain, while states can ensure the sale ✓ First regional edition of “Divya Kala Shakti of both products under MRP under the Event” was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu LM Act. (TN). ✓ US $10 million amount has been offered by • The event was organised by the India in the proposed COVID-19 Emergency National Institute for Empowerment of Fund for SAARC Nation by PM Narendra Persons with Multiple Disabilities Modi. (NIEPMD), in association with the ✓ As per the Minister of Road Transport & Department of Empowerment of Highways Nitin Gadkari the number of deaths Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) caused due to road accidents have been and Ministry of Social Justice and reduced by 10%. Empowerment. • Note: Minister of Road Transport & • The Divya Kala Shakti event aims to Highways and Minister of Micro, provide a platform for the disabled to Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin exhibit their talents. Gadkari revealed that the number of ✓ The Mumbai Central Station to be renamed deaths caused due to road accidents has after Nana Shankarsheth. been reduced by 10% in India after the • The Bombay Central is designed by Motor Vehicles (Amended) Act 2019. British architect Claude Batley. • From 12 states and union territories, • The first railway in India ran over 21 Tamil Nadu made notable progress in miles from Bombay to Thane. reducing road accidents by 24% which ✓ WINGS INDIA 2020 an international is the maximum anywhere in the exhibition and conference was held in country. Hyderabad. ✓ Government targeted to achieve sales around • Note: The conference was held 70 lakh hybrid & electric vehicles by the end between March 12-15 is a biennial of 2020. event. • Note: The Minister of Environment, • The event was themed as ‘Flying for Forest and Climate Change & All’ is an International Exhibition & Minister of Information & Conference. Broadcasting & Minister of Heavy • The exhibition was organized by industries and Public Enterprises Ministry of Civil Aviation & Prakash Javadekar informed that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) & government has set an ambitious target Federation of Indian Chambers of to achieve sales of around 70 lakh Commerce and Industry (FICCI). hybrid & electric vehicles by the end ✓ The government proposed masks & hand of 2020. sanitizers under Essential Commodities Act • In 2015 as part of the National 1955. Electric Mobility Mission Plan • Note: The government amended (NEMMP) 2020, Department of Essential Commodities (EC) Act, 1955 Heavy Industry formulated the Faster to declare 2 ply & 3 ply surgical Adoption and Manufacturing of masks, N95 masks & hand sanitizers as Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India Essential Commodities up to 30th June (FAME India) scheme. 2020. ✓ As per the New & Renewable Energy, (MNRE) Ministry till March 13, 2020,

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Rooftop solar power plants in India installed at ✓ Agricultural and Processed Food Products 1,922 MW. Export Development Authority (APEDA) • Note: Minister of State Independent signed an MoU with Small Farmers Charge (IC) of, New & Renewable Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). Energy, (MNRE) and Power, • Note: This MoU aims for better Minister of State of Skill synergy with this organization for the Development & Entrepreneurship development of agriculture, allied Raj Kumar(RK) Singh stated till sectors and its exports for bringing March 13, 2020, the rooftop solar better value to the stakeholders. plants contain an aggregate capacity of • This collaboration focuses to reach 1,922 MW are installed in the country. large farmers for improving the • Out of the total capacity, 346 MW is production base of agri products installed in the residential sector. quantitatively and qualitatively. ✓ Banihal to Katra railway link to be ✓ Finance Commission sets up committee to completed by 2022. review the fiscal consolidation road map under • This completion will pave the way for the chairmanship of Nand Kishore Singh. the creation of Indian rail from ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared Kanyakumari to Baramulla. the formulation of COVID-19 Economic • The Katra-Banihal railway track is a Response Task Force led by Nirmala 111-km long stretch which will link Sitharaman. Kashmir Valley with the rest of the ✓ The proposed new “Draft Defence country by train. Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020” will ✓ The central government has included which come into effect from 1st April 2020. two sites in the Iconic Tourist Sites list -- • Note: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Konark Sun Temple & Statue of Unity. Singh has proposed a new “Draft • A total of 17 iconic tourist sites were Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) identified by the government of India 2020”. in 2019. It includes- Taj Mahal and • It will replace DPP 2016 and would Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta remain in force till 31 March 2025. Its and Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s draft has been finalized by a high-level Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar committee headed by Apurva Chandra, (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort Director General (DG) Acquisition, (Rajasthan), Somnath and Dholavira Ministry of Defence that was set up in (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya August 2019. Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), ✓ TRIFED launches ‘Tech for Tribals’ Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), program to bring technology to tribal Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom entrepreneurs. (Kerala) and Mahabodhi Temple • Note:A 30- days long capacity- (Bihar). building program called “Tech for ✓ Indian Railways to electrify all broad-gauge Tribal” has been launched by the routes by December 2023. Tribal Cooperative Marketing • As a target to electrify 4,310 km of Development Federation of India BG route in the year 2023-2024 (till (TRIFED). December 2023), it is planned to • It was launched in association with electrify a total of 28,810 km of BG IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Roorkee, IIM Indore, route. Kalinga Institute of Social Science, • As part of its solar mission, it plans to Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) and SRIJAN, source approximately 1000 megawatt Jaipur (Rajasthan) to provide (MW) of solar power & to source entrepreneurship skills to the tribal around 200 MV of wind power, based people. on the techno-commercial assessment.

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✓ Amidst Coronavirus outbreak India’s 1st AI ✓ 1.70 lakh crores rupees has been provided by summit ‘RAISE 2020’ postponed to October the union government under 2020. PMGaribKalyanYojana for the poor to • Note: The Indian government tackle Corona Virus. announced the postponement of the • Note: The motive behind this is to aid country’s 1st summit on Artificial and support the Poverty-stricken Intelligence (AI), ‘RAISE 2020– people to fight a battle against Corona Responsible Artificial intelligence Virus. (AI) for Social Empowerment’ to • Insurance Cover of Rs 50 Lakh per October 5-6, 2020. healthcare worker workers fighting • It was to be conducted between April COVID-19 in Govt Hospitals & health 11 & 12, 2020 in New Delhi by the centres. Ministry of Electronics and • PM Garib Kalyan Ann (अꅍन )Yojana; Information Technology (MeitY). foodgrain entitlement doubled. • The summit is a drive to India’s vision Farmers to get the first instalment of & roadmap for social empowerment, Rs 2000 under PM KISAN in April inclusion & transformation through AI. 2020 ✓ The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in opened a 360 feet long bailey suspension an extraordinary “Virtual Group of 20 (G20) bridge for traffic over -- Teesta River. Leaders’ Summit” which was hosted by Saudi • Note: The bridge constructed will be Arabia. useful for the people residing in Lahen • Note: It was held to discuss the town, North Sikkim. challenges created by the COVID-19 • The bridge constructed will facilitate and to develop an action plan for the movement of logistics for the globally coordinated response against Armed forces deployed in forward it. areas and also acts as tourist spots. • G20 leaders agreed to inject over USD ✓ IIT Madras is to organize India’s 1st Global 5 trillion into the global economy to Hyperloop Pod Competition. counter the social and economic • Note: The Competition has been impact of COVID-19. named as ‘Indian Hyperloop Pod • Leaders also agreed to contribute to the Competition’. WHO led COVID-19 Solidarity • This is to increase the awareness & Response Fund on a voluntary basis. enthusiasm about Hyperloop in India. ✓ Amid the growing coronavirus pandemic, the The final round to take place in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare IIT-Madras campus in July 2020. (MoHFW) categorizes which medicine as ✓ Indore becomes the first city in India to use schedule H1 drug -- Hydroxychloroquine. drones to sanitize the city. • Note: It means it can’t be sold without ✓ Which Initiative has been launched the the prescription of a registered medical National Book Trust to encourage people to practitioner. read books while at home -- • Now the sale of the drug will be based #StayHomeIndiaWithBooks? on the conditions specified in Schedule • Note: As part of this initiative, it H1 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, provides select and best-selling titles 1945. for FREE Download of 100+ books, in • The Indian Council for Medical PDF format, from the NBT’s its Research (ICMR) recently suggested website. that hydroxychloroquine be used in • The PDFs are read-only, and no high risk cases of coronavirus unauthorized or commercial use is (COVID-19). permitted.

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✓ Operation Namaste. has been given to the ✓ India’s national Investment Promotion & initiative launched by Indian Army to protect Facilitation Agency, the Invest India has 1.3 million strong forces from coronavirus. launched ‘The Invest India Business • Note: Indian Army Chief General Immunity Platform“. Manoj Mukund Naravane launched • Note: The Invest India Business ‘Operation Namaste’ initiative to Immunity Platform has been launched protect 1.3 million strong forces from to assist businesses and investors in coronavirus and provide all possible getting real-time updates on India’s assistance to the government to control active response to COVID-19. the pandemic. • This platform tracks the regular • Under ‘Operation Namaste’, the army developments with respect to the has issued a series of directives to all Coronavirus. its bases to protect the force from the February 2020 coronavirus & the army headquarters issued a number of suggestions to deal ✓ India’s first of its kind fruit train was launched with the situation over the past few by Andhra Pradesh. weeks. • Note: The fruit train was launched ✓ Japanese government funding agency from Tadipatri Railway Station in (JICA) has signs an agreement worth Rs Anantapur district & from Kadapa 15,295 crore with India to provide an Official district of Andhra Pradesh. Development Assistance (ODA) for 3 rail ✓ The first meeting of the Indian National infrastructure projects. Commission for Cooperation with • The project aims to cope up the UNESCO (INCCU) in New Delhi. increasing demand for freight transport ✓ Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal in India by setting up a new dedicated security exercise called, ‘Matla Abhiyaan’ in freight railway line between Delhi and Kolkata, West Bengal. Mumbai. • Indian Navy has carried out 5-day ✓ IIT Madras is organizing India’s first Global coastal security exercise called, ‘Matla Hyperloop Pod Competition named as ‘Indian Abhiyaan’ at Sunderban region in Hyperloop Pod Competition’. Kolkata, West Bengal with the aim to ✓ DRDO has designed a casualty evacuation bag create awareness about the coastal to transport or isolate persons infected with security to the local community & COVID-19. understand the navigational • Note: The bag is water and air-proof complexities in the Sunderban delta and treated to deal with biological waters. agents. DRDO will be procuring an ✓ World Sustainable Development Summit initial lot of 500 such bags. (WSDS) 2020 was held in New Delhi. ✓ The Government of India has launched a • Note: The Union Minister of coronavirus risk-tracking app called ‘Corona Environment, Forest and Climate Kavach.’ Change (MoEF&CC) was inaugurated ✓ To engage students in creative projects during a 3-day long World Sustainable the COVID-19 lockdown ‘Project Isaac’ has Development Summit (WSDS) 2020 been launched by IIT Gandhinagar. based on the theme “Towards 2030 • Note: The project aims to enhance the Goals: Making the Decade Count” at student’s skills while they are confined India Habitat Centre in New Delhi in their homes. from 29-31 January, 2020. • The project is inspired by Sir Isaac • The summit was organized by The Newton, who was similarly sent home Energy and Resources Institute by Trinity College, Cambridge, (TERI), a research institute specializes because of the Great Plague of London in the fields of energy. in 1665.

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✓ The Department of Science and Technology • The theme of this year’s show is “Blue has launched a special scheme for Science and Revolution- Beyond Production to Technology infrastructure in India is called Value Addition”. Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help ✓ The Union Cabinet has given its in-principle Institutes (SATHI)”. approval for setting up a new Major Port at • Note: The aim of the scheme is to Vadhavan. create shared, professionally managed ✓ The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has and strong Science and Technology launched Ease of Living Index (EoLI) 2019 to infrastructure in India. The SATHI assess quality of life of citizens in 100 Smart scheme will enable academia, start- Cities. ups, manufacturing, industry and R&D ✓ Hyderabad Metro Rail Network becomes labs to offer high-end analytical India’s 2nd largest Metro Rail Network of testing. total operational distance of 69.2kms. • This will help to avoid duplication, • It becomes India’s 2nd largest Metro reduce the dependency on foreign Rail Network of total operational sources & also foster a strong culture distance of 69.2kms, only next to Delhi of collaboration between institutions. Metro Rail Network having an ✓ India’s biggest rural technical festival operational distance of 231kms. ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ was held in Telangana. ✓ The 4th edition of East Asia Summit • The festival was held for 3 days from Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation 31st January to February 1,2020. The 2020 was held in Chennai Tamil Nadu. theme for the year 2020 was “Spot ✓ For the first time the Hornbill festival was and encourage rural tech celebrated in Tripura. innovators”. ✓ 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the ✓ The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Enterprises (MSME) implemented a new Species (CMS) of Wild Animals, was hosted scheme named “Scheme of Fund for by India at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. Regeneration of Traditional Industries” • The theme for the CMS COP 13 in (SFURTI). India is, “Migratory species connect • Note: Under this scheme, financial the planet and we welcome them support will be given to set up Home”. traditional industries clusters viz. ✓ The 11th edition of the Biennial Mega Khadi, Coir & Village industries Defence Exhibition “DefExpo 2020” held in clusters. Lucknow. ✓ According to the recent report published by • Note: The 11th edition of DefExpo- German cybersecurity firm Greenbone 2020, organized by Department of Sustainable Resilience Maharshtra state Defence Production, Ministry of topped hit by global medical data leak. Defence with a support of Government ✓ 15-member trust named ‘Sri Ram Janma of Uttar Pradesh (UP) was held in Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust’ for the Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the construction of Ram Mandir led by Kesava first time from 5th to 9th Feb 2020. Iyengar Parasaran. • The main theme was “India: The ✓ 22nd edition of India International Seafood Emerging Defence Manufacturing Show (IISS), 2020 was held in Kochi, Kerala. Hub” with focus on “Digital • Note: The show was organized jointly Transformation of Defence”. This expo by the Marine Products Export is also termed as “Mahakumbh of Development Authority (MPEDA) defence manufacturing companies”. under Ministry of Commerce and The last two days of the expo was Industry & the Seafood Exporters opened for public. Association of India (SEAI).

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✓ The “2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management discussed the water crisis in the state Exercise-2020 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020)” and also making the state a water-rich was held at Bhubaneswar/Puri, Odisha. state. • Note: The themes of the exercise was ✓ The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for “A cultural heritage site that suffers Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic severe damage in the Earthquake” & Cooperation) ‘Conference on Combating Drug “Flooding or Storm”. Trafficking’ was held in New Delhi. • Organized by National Disaster • Note: The Union Minister for Home Response Force (NDRF), on behalf of Affairs, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Government of India, BIMSTEC the two-day long BIMSTEC (Bay of DMEx-2020 was inaugurated by Chief Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Minister Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik. Technical and Economic Cooperation) ✓ The theme of the 20th ‘Hunar Haat’, an ‘Conference on Combating Drug initiative of the Minority Affairs Ministry is Trafficking’, in New Delhi. “Kaushal Ko Kaam”. • It was organized by Narcotics Control • Note: The 20th ‘Hunar Haat’, an Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home initiative of the Minority Affairs Affairs. Ministry, showcases handmade • This conference was held on the lines indigenous products of master artisans of the commitment made by Prime and craftsmen are made available to Minister Narendra Modi during the 4th the people, will be held from February BIMSTEC summit in Nepal’s 13-23, 2020 based on the theme of Kathmandu in 2018. “Kaushal Ko Kaam” at India Gate ✓ The Anti-hijack exercise was conducted at Lawns, Rajpath, New Delhi. Visakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh. ✓ The Government of India decided to rename ✓ The Ministry of External Affairs announced the National Institute of Financial that two Institutions, the Pravasi Bharatiya Management (NIFM), Faridabad, after Kendra and the Foregin Service Institute have Arun Jaitley. been named after Sushma Swaraj. ✓ The “CLIMISHCON” is a Four-day ✓ To give passengers the experience of world International Conference on changes in class facilities the Indian Railways has Hydrological cycle, Ocean ecosystem, planned to prepare 5- Star Hotel on the tracks Fisheries and Food security will be held in in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Kochi, Kerala. ✓ Name the Vice-President of the Socialist • The theme of the conference is Republic of Vietnam who visited India -- ‘Climate Change-Effective Adaptation Mrs. Dang Thai Ngoc Thinh. for a Secure Future’. ✓ ‘Arth Ganga’ project to channelize economic ✓ India’s largest air quality monitoring network activity along Ganga riverbank. will be established at Mumbai. ✓ South Central Railways (SCR) zone • Note: The Brihanmumbai Municipal becomes the first in India to have 13 energy- Corporation (BMC) will develop an air neutral stations. quality monitoring network across 90 ✓ Union minister for Ministry of Micro, Small locations in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Nitin will be the largest network in India. Gadkari flagged off KVIC’s ‘Apiary on • The project will be completed within Wheels’ in New Delhi. next 5 years, funded by BMC and • Note: Apiary on Wheels is a unique private organisations. concept for easy maintenance of ✓ The National Water Conference was held at BeeBox and migration of live colonies, Bhopal. designed by KVIC. In accordance with • The conference is being held to finalize Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s the guidelines of “Right to Water vision, KVIC’s honey mission was Act” or “Water Rights Act” and also launched in 2017 and involves training

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of beekeepers, distribution of bee- ✓ Uttar Pradesh state becomes the first in India keeping boxes and rural-educated. to enforce Performance regulation act 2019 for • Apiary on Wheels is a holistic Power department. approach to meet the challenges faced • Note: In order to provide timely and by beekeepers & also help reduce the hassle-free service to electricity labor cost of maintenance of bee box consumers, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) and living bee colonies across India. state Government has implemented the ✓ To investigate the need for separate Performance Regulation Act 2019 for arrangements for funding defense and internal the power department. security the 15th Finance Commission has set ✓ The Central Government has renamed Institute up a five-member group led by Nand Kishore for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) Singh. after Manohar Parrikar. ✓ Minister of Road Transport and Highways, ✓ India to switch to World’s Cleanest petrol and Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the first inter-city diesel from April 1,2020. electric bus service in Maharashtra. • Note: India to switch to World’s ✓ The National Organic Food festival was cleanest petrol and diesel from April hosted by The Government of India (GOI) in 1,2020, when it proceeds to Bharat New Delhi. Stage (BS-VI) from BS-IV grades at • The theme of the festival was present. ‘Unleashing India’s Organic Market • India will join the select league of Potential’. nations using petrol & diesel which ✓ 3-day long 17th edition of Bio Asia 2020 was contains 10ppm (parts per millions) of held in Hyderabad, Telangana. Sulphur which cuts down vehicular • Note: It is Asia’s largest discharge that is stated to be one of the Biotechnology and Life Sciences reasons for pollution. Forum with the theme of ‘Today for ✓ BioAsia 2020 was held at the life science Tomorrow’. capital of India i.e. in Hyderabad. ✓ Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin • It was the 17th edition of the flagship Rawat has targeted to establish the 1st international convention – BioAsia, integrated tri-service command called “Air whose CEO is Shakthi Nagappan. Defence Command (ADC)” by June 2020. ✓ The northeast frontier railway construction has • The ADC will unify the air defence constructed India’s tallest railway pier bridge and assets of the Army, Air Force and in Manipur. Navy and jointly provide air defence • Note: The northeast frontier railway cover to the nation. construction has constructed India’s ✓ The 4th National Conference on Review of tallest railway pier bridge. Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima • It is built across the Makru river in Yojana (PMFBY) held in Udaipur. the Tamenglong district, near Noney • The first three editions were held in of Manipur Lucknow, Bangalore, and Guwahati ✓ 8th edition of the “Ganga Kayak festival” respectively. was inaugurated in Devprayag, Uttarakhand. ✓ According to the GMR Group which airport • In male sprint category, India’s becomes the the 1st airport in India to be Ayodhya Prasad stood first followed completely free of single-use plastic usage by Nepal’s Man Bahadur Kandel, Indira Gandhi International Airport Rishi Rana of India coming 3rd place. (IGIA). • In the women’s category, Elizabeth • It is in line with India’s target to Health of Australia came in first abolish all single-use plastic from India followed by Ekaterina of Russia and by 2022. Anna of Russia in the 3rd position.

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✓ India and Myanmar signed an MoU for ✓ Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban regular passenger bus service between Imphal Mission (SPMRM) has completed four and Mandalay. years. • Bus service from Mandalay will end at • Under this, rural clusters are identified the border of Tamu from there Indian in rural areas across India, where bus operators will take passengers to increasing signs of urbanization such Moreh town in Manipur. as increasing urban density, high levels ✓ Council of Scientific and Industrial of non-agricultural employment, Research ranked first in the Nature Ranking increasing economic activity and other Index 2020 (CSIR). socio-economic scale are being • Numbers in research output are received. designated by total citations in ✓ World’s largest ‘Export Cold Zone’ to Store numbers and shares which indicates Agro, Pharma Products has been unveiled in the sharing percentage per article. Mumbai International Airport Limited ✓ Union Minister of State for shipping Mansukh (MIAL). Mandaviya, inaugurated the India’s first ✓ 13th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the floating jetty in Goa. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory ✓ The National Organic Food Festival for Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13) was women entrepreneurs was inaugurated at New held in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. Delhi. • Note: The theme of the conference was • It is jointly organized by both the “Migratory species connect the planet ministries with Confederation of and together we welcome them home”. Indian Industry (CII) as the industry • It was inspired by “Kolam”, a partner. traditional art form from southern • The theme of the festival is India. ‘Unleashing India’s Organic Market January 2020 Potential’. ✓ Indian Railway Stations Development ✓ NITI Aayog has released SDG India Index Corporation (IRSDC) has installed a India’s and Dashboard 2019. 1st squat machine at Anand Vihar Railway • The Index comprehensively documents Station in Delhi. the progress made by India’s States • Note: It was installed to promote the and Union Territories towards Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi- achieving the 2030 SDG targets. led “Fit India” initiative. • Kerala achieved the first rank in the ✓ The first-ever 2 days long Bharat-Bangla composite SDG Index with a score of Paryatan Utsav 2020 was held in Agartala, 70, followed by Himachal Pradesh at Tripura. 69. ✓ The International Judicial Conference – • Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil “Judiciary and The Changing World” was Nadu ranked at the third position with held in New Delhi. the score of 67. While Bihar is at the • Note: The theme of the conference was bottom of Niti Aayog’s Sustainable “Gender Just World”. Development Goals (SDG) India • The aim of the conference was to Index. facilitate cross fertilisation of ideas ✓ India's second spaceport for launching small between judges of India and those from satellites will be established in Tamil Nadu's abroad. Thoothukudi district. • The Conference discussed the changes • Note: The country's first spaceport is being introduced by the Government of at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, India to bring Gender Equality in about 90 km northeast of Chennai. recruiting women. • Thoothukudi is about 600 km southeast of Chennai. The new

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location is ideal for launching smaller ✓ Twenty-two tableau proposals (16-states satellites of less than 500 kg in the sun- and 6- Central Ministries) have been short- synchronous orbit. listed for participation in this year's Republic ✓ The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will Day parade. conduct the Asiatic Lion Census in May • The tableaux proposals received are 2020. evaluated in a series of meetings of the ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Expert Committee comprising of 107th edition of Indian Science Congress in eminent persons in the field of art, Bengaluru. culture, painting, sculpture, music, and • Note: The theme of ISC 2020 is architecture. “Science and Technology: Rural • Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to Development”. The event brings be the chief guest at India's Republic together science fraternity across the Day celebrations in 2020. world to discuss scientific innovation ✓ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated and research. the National Traders Convention in New ✓ Labour Ministry to launch a portal for the Delhi. speedy resolution of grievances -- Santusht. ✓ Third international symposium on marine • Note: The labour ministry has ecosystems – challenges and opportunities announced to launch a new portal (MECOS-3) is to be held in Kochi 'Santusht' for the speedy redressal of • Note: Eminent marine scientists, workers as well as employer oceanographers, fisheries researchers, grievances and ensuring effective and marine biotechnologists from implementation of labour laws at the across the globe are expected to grassroots level. participate in it. ✓ City will host the 14th Global Healthcare ✓ 5th Global Drosophila Conference held at Summit 2021 -- Visakhapatnam. Pune. • The focus of the Global Health • Note: The fifth edition of the Asia Summit is an Indian-centric approach, Pacific Drosophila Research with special events such as global Conference (APDRC5) was held in impact and India’s contribution in Pune. providing cost-effective medicines and • The conference was organized in the addressing the shortage of healthcare country for the first time by the Indian professionals. Institute of Science Education and ✓ HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has Research (IISER). inaugurated the 28th edition of annual New ✓ India extends USD 75 mn line of credit for Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan in solar parks in Cuba. New Delhi. ✓ Khadi and Village Industries Commission • Note: As part of Mahatma Gandhiji's (KVIC) has inaugurated the first silk 150 birth anniversary celebrations, the processing plant at Surendranagar in theme of this year is Gandhi:The Gujarat. Writers' Writer. Eminent Gandhian • Note: This would help cut down the scholar Girishwar Mishra is the chief cost of production of silk yarn guest on the occasion. drastically and increase the sale and ✓ Indian Railways launches integrated helpline availability of raw material for number for passengers -- 139. Gujarati 'Patola' sarees locally. • Note: The Indian Railways has ✓ Indian Navy has launched an expedition, to integrated its helpline numbers into a promote the maritime heritage of India in the single number 139 for quick grievance Naval Dockyard – Mumbai, Maharashtra. redressal and enquiries by passengers ✓ Union Home Minister Amit Shah has during their train journeys. released a book on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- Karmayoddha Granth.

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✓ Global Investors Meet ‘ASCEND 2020’ will development of eastern India through be held in -- Kochi, Kerala. integrated steel hub -- Mission Purvodaya. ✓ The 31st International Kite Festival was • Note: Under the mission, the inaugurated at Sabarmati Riverfront, government will enhance capacity Ahmedabad. through easing the setup of greenfield • Note: As a part of the official steel plants, develop steel clusters near celebration of 'Uttarayan' or 'Makar integrated steel plants as well as Sankranti', Ahmedabad has been demand centers. hosting the International Kite Festival ✓ Narendra Modi has announced to rename the since 1989. The festival will continue Kolkata Port Trust after -- Shyama Prasad till January 13 at Sabarmati Riverfront. Mukherjee. ✓ ‘Census India-2021’ will begin on 1st of ✓ ‘Wings India 2020’ to be held at Begumpet April 2020. Airport Hyderabad in March 2020 • Note: It will be conducted through a • Note: Biennial International mobile phone application, moving Exhibition and Conference on Civil away from the traditional pen and Aviation Sector, ‘Wings India 2020’ paper. will be held at Begumpet Airport in ✓ Amit Shah has inaugurated the Indian Cyber Hyderabad, Telangana from March 12- Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and 15, 2020. The theme of the exhibition dedicated National Cyber Crime Reporting is “Flying for all”. Portal – ‘www.cybercrime.gov.in’. ✓ The World Future Energy Summit 2020 • Note: National Cyber Crime Reporting held in Abu Dhabi. Portal is a citizen-centric initiative that • The theme for this year's summit is will enable citizens to report cyber- "Rethinking Global Consumption, crimes online through the portal. Production, and Investment." ✓ Power Minister R K Singh has released the • World Future Energy Summit is the State Energy Efficiency Index 2019. Middle East’s largest future energy • Note: They track the progress of and sustainability event. Energy Efficiency Initiatives in 36 ✓ The Statue of Unity has been included in 8 States and Union Territories. wonders of the Shanghai Cooperation • The index this year incorporates Organization (SCO). qualitative, quantitative and outcome- • Note: The Statue of Unity is the statue based indicators to assess energy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first efficiency initiatives, programs and Home Minister of independent outcomes in five distinct sectors. India. • The index is developed by Bureau of • The 182-meter tall statue is the Energy Efficiency in association with world’s tallest statue that was Alliance for an Energy-Efficient inaugurated by PM Modi on the 143rd Economy. birth anniversary of Sardar ✓ The fifth edition of the Pulses Conclave will Vallabhbhai Patel in October 2018. be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra from -- 12- • The statue was inaugurated on the 14 February 2020. 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar ✓ Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Vallabhbhai Patel in 2018. Thackeray inaugurated 'Advantage ✓ The Henley Passport Index 2020 was Maharashtra Expo 2020' in Aurangabad. released by Henley & Partners. ✓ India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier • Note: The report is being published “Vikrant” likely to be commissioned by every year based on the data obtained 2021. from the International Air Transport ✓ Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Association (IATA). has launched a mission to accelerated • According to the index, Indian passport ranked at the 84th spot among 67 www.gradeup.co

the world’s most powerful passports Prasad will inaugurate this conclave in New list, which is a drop by 2 places as it Delhi. ranked 82nd in 2019. • This year conclave theme is ✓ Vishakhapatnam will host the International “Technologies for Next-Gen naval exercise ‘MILAN’ in March 2020. Governance”. • India has invited 41 navies of different ✓ A Conference of the Chief Secretaries and countries of which 30 navies have Administrator State and Union Territories confirmed their participation in on Census 2021 was held in New Delhi. MILAN 2020. ✓ PM Narendra Modi and Nepalese PM Khadga ✓ The 27th edition of South Asian Trade and Prasad Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated the 2nd Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) 2020 was Integrated Check Post at Jogbani (Bihar, held at India Expo Mart Greater Noida – India) – Biratnagar (Nepal) Delhi NCR. ✓ ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme ✓ 12th National Tribal Youth Exchange will be implemented across the country by Programme was held in Puducherry. June 1, 2020. ✓ Union Minister for Heavy Industries Prakash • Note: ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ Javadekar was inaugurating ELECRAMA scheme will be implemented by June 1, 2020 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. 2020 across the country. • Note: Union Minister for Heavy ✓ Panel to create tougher law against sexual Industries Prakash Javadekar was harassment at work will be headed by Amit inaugurating ELECRAMA 2020 in Shah. Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. ✓ The committee set up by Supreme Court to • ELECRAMA is the flagship showcase firm up draft legislation to give legal sanctity of the Indian electrical industry and a to disputes settled through mediation is headed platform to connect the world with the by Niranjan Bhat. Indian industry in respect of ✓ Seismic Hazard Microzonation project in technology, new trends and innovation major cities of India was launched by The for the future energy transition. Ministry of Earth Science (MoES). ✓ Union Culture and Tourism Minister • Note: The Ministry of Earth Science Prahlad Singh Patel launched an exhibition (MoES) has launched Seismic Hazard titled “Indian Heritage in Digital Space” in Microzonation project in major cities New Delhi. of India. ✓ The 7th Conference of Commonwealth • The project aims to reduce the hazards Parliamentary Association (CPA) India of Seismic activities by taking proper Region was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. measures in major Indian cities and • Note: The 7th Conference of areas falling under high-seismic Zones Commonwealth Parliamentary IV and V. Association (CPA) India Region will ✓ Union Minister of Law and Justice start in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Lok (MoL&J) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in inaugurate the Conference. Blockchain Technology in Bengaluru, • The main theme of the conference is Karnataka. the ROLE OF LEGISLATORS. In the • Note: The Union Minister of Law and Conference, delegates will discuss the Justice (MoL&J) Shri Ravi Shankar Capacity Building of Legislators for Prasad inaugurated the Centre of Scrutinizing Budgetary Proposals and Excellence (CoE) in Blockchain Enhancing Focus of Legislators on Technology set up by the National Legislative Business. Informatics Centre (NIC) in ✓ The 2nd edition of NIC Tech Conclave- Bengaluru, Karnataka. 2020 held. The Union Minister for Electronics • The CoE has been set up with the aim and Information Technology Ravi Shankar of providing blockchain as a service

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and help all stakeholders to benefit second and third spots in the first from shared learning, experiences and quarter in this category. Chandrapur in resources. Maharashtra and Khargone got the ✓ NITI Aayog signed MoU for Development of second and third spots in Quarter 2 in Infrastructure Projects in Ladakh. one to ten lakh population categories. ✓ South Central Zone of the Indian Railways has ✓ The Central Government has aimed to signed an MoU to provide doorstep banking achieve objective of Housing for all by 2022. with State Bank of India. • Note: The Central Government has ✓ 1st Session of India-Norway Dialogue on aimed to achieve objective of Housing Trade & Investment held in New Delhi. for all by 2022 (which coincides with ✓ World’s largest meditation centre was 75 years of Indian independence) inaugurated in Hyderabad, Telangana. under Pradhan Mantri Awas • Note: World’s largest meditation Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) centre was inaugurated at Kanha scheme. Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, ✓ 12th edition of the South Asia Conference Telangana. held in New Delhi. • This centre is built to mark the 75th • The conference deals with issues anniversary of the formation of Shri related to economic cooperation for Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) and development, changing political Heartfulness Institute. context in India’s neighbourhood ✓ Indian Railways has commissioned India’s etc.The theme of the conference was 1st governmental waste-to-energy plant in India’s “Neighbourhood First” Bhubaneswar. Policy: Regional Perceptions. ✓ A festival to celebrate the spirit of India ✓ The Indian Railways has decided to provide “Bharat Parv 2020” was celebrated in Red ‘Content on Demand Service on trains and Fort, New Delhi. railway stations from 2022. • The objective of Bharat Parv is to ✓ The final report submitted by the Committee encourage people to visit different on Indian Academy of Highway Engineers tourist places of the country and to (IAHE) headed by Yudhvir Singh Malik. inculcate the spirit of ‘Dekho Apna ✓ The Assam Rifles (military unit) has Desh’. constructed a war memorial “Veer ✓ India’s first Mahatma Gandhi convention Samriti” in Nagaland. centre opens in Niger. ✓ 1st ever Innovation festival was organized at ✓ Telangana will emerge as Number 1 state in Arunachal Pradesh. the ‘Decent work and economic growth’ • The two days festival aims to category Sustainable Development Goals encourage the cultural innovation (SDG) India index in 2019. among the people and students of ✓ Swachh Survekshan League 2020: Arunachal Pradesh. • Among 10 Lakh plus population ✓ India’s 1st Super Fab Lab facility was category, Indore secured first place in inaugurated in Kerala. both the quarters. Madhya Pradesh ✓ The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga Dialogue of Capital Bhopal got the second and Civilizations 2020 was held in New Delhi. Surat in Gujarat third spot in first • Note: The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga Quarter. Dialogue of Civilizations 2020 based • Rajkot in Gujarat was at the 2nd spot on the theme “Connectivity”, between while Navi Mumbai at third. In one India & Russia was held in New Delhi. Lakh to 10 Lakh population category, ✓ France will be the guest of honour at New Jamshedpur in Jharkhand got the 1st Delhi World Book Fair for the year 2022. spot in both quarters. ✓ The Department of Biotechnology has • New Delhi Municipal Council and organized a 2-day long International Khargone in Madhya Pradesh got the

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Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing ✓ India's flagship global conference on the Future: New Skylines” in New Delhi. geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina • The aim of the summit is to increase Dialogue held in New Delhi. the participation of women in STEM • Raisina Dialogue (fifth edition) (science, technology, engineering and jointly organized by the Ministry of math) field for development of External Affairs and the Observer scientific career. Research Foundation. ✓ India’s first e-waste clinic was opened in Bhopal. ✓ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has decided to observe 2020 as the “Year of Mobility” for the welfare of the troops. Important News-World

September2020

✓ Nagorno-Karabakh region (Territorial exporter to Europe and Central Asia. This dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan) may even lead to higher oil prices globally.

• Nagorno-Karabakh region is mostly ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses mountainous and forested. It is a at the 75th United Nations General landlocked region in the South Caucasus, Assembly (UNGA) session 2020 within the mountainous range of Karabakh, lying between Lower Karabakh • Narendra Modi said that reforms in the and Zangezur, and covering the United Nations are the need of the hour. southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus People of India have been waiting for a Mountains. long time for the UN reform process to get completed. There were several stellar • Reason for Dispute: Nagorno-Karabakh: the border region claimed by both Armenia achievements of the UN over the last 75 and Azerbaijan years, but there were also several instances that point to the need for a serious • Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as part of Azerbaijan but mostly governed by the introspection of the work of the United Republic of Artsakh (formerly named the Nations. Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), a de facto • Note: United Nations General Assembly independent state with an Armenian ethnic (UNGA)established in 1945, as majority established because of the policymaking and representative organ of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the United Nations, comprised of all 193 the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. members, it provides a unique forum for Azerbaijan has no political authority over multilateral discussion on international the region since the advent of the issues. Karabakh movement in 1988. Since the ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi features: end of the Nagorno-Karabakh War in Time Magazine's ‘100 most influential 1994, representatives of the governments people of 2020’ of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE • Other Indians are on the list Google CEO Minsk Group (an Organization for Sundar Pichai, Actor Ayushmann Security and Cooperation in Europe) on Khurrana, HIV research researcher the region's disputed status. Ravinder Gupta and 82-year-old Bilkis, • Economic Impact: This could also disrupt also known as Dadi, Shaheen Bagh. oil and gas exports from the region, since • PM Modi has appeared four times on the Azerbaijan, are a significant oil and gas list since coming to power in 2014. His name has appeared on the list in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020. 70 www.gradeup.co

• Note: Time magazine is an American ✓ Yoshihide Suga elected to the presidency weekly news magazine and news website of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan: published and based in New York City. • He was elected to the presidency of the ✓ 17-year-old Surat girl Khushi Chindaliya Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). appointed as UNEP’s Indian Green • He served as Minister of Internal Affairs Ambassador and Communications during Shinzo Abe's first tenure as Prime Minister from 2006 to • A Green Ambassador as a volunteer leader 2007, and as Chief Cabinet Secretary and commits to motivating others to during Abe's second tenure from 2012 to become more energy-efficient, adopt 2020. environmentally-friendly lifestyles, and use renewable energy. ✓ Bahrain: the latest Arab nation to • Note: the United Nations Environment recognize Israel: Programme (UNEP) is responsible for coordinating the UN's environmental • Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation activities and assisting developing to agree to establish a relationship with countries in implementing environmentally Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push sound policies and practices. by US President Donald Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Israel, ✓ UAE, Israel and Bahrain sign Abraham Jewish State into the Middle East. Accord; Trump says “dawn of new the Middle East”: ✓ India becomes a member of the UN’s women panel; China fails to secure a seat: • According to the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish embassies, exchange • TS Tirumurti, permanent representative of ambassadors, cooperate and work together India to the United Nations, said India with Israel. secured its place as a member of the United Nation`s Commission on Status of ✓ India joins the Djibouti Code of Conduct Women, a body of the Economic and as Observer: Social Council (ECOSOC). • India elected a member of Commission on • Note: DCOC/JA is a grouping on maritime Status of Women (CSW). It’s an matters comprising 18 member states endorsement for the commitment to adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the promote gender equality and women's East coast of Africa and Island countries in empowerment in all our endeavours. India, the IOR. India joins Japan, Norway, the China and Afghanistan contested for the UK and the US as Observers to the elections to reserve a seat in the DCOC/JA. Commission on Status of Women. • The DCOC, established in January 2009, • India will be a member of the United is aimed at the repression of piracy and Nations Commission on Status of Women armed robbery against ships in the Western for four years–2021 to 2025. Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

August 2020

• Great Britain is considering minting a coin to • Barakah Nuclear Plant of UAE has achieved remember Mahatma Gandhi. first criticality and successfully started up is • Former king of Spain Juan Carlos decided to located in which country. leave his country to protect the monarchy after • Russia becomes the first country to officially a barrage of corruption allegations surfaced register a coronavirus vaccine and declare it against him. ready for use. 71 www.gradeup.co

Note: The Russian vaccine will be called Dragon Endeavour spacecraft as it is lifted "Sputnik V" in homage to the world's first onto the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship satellite launched by the Soviet Union. The shortly after landing in the Gulf of Mexico off vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute the coast of Pensacola, Florida, Sunday, Aug. in Moscow uses a different virus -- adenovirus 2, 2020. -- that's been modified to carry genes for the • Israel has successfully tested its advanced "spike" protein that coats the coronavirus, as a missile defence system, “Arrow-2” ballistic way to prime the body to recognise when a missile interceptor. real COVID-19 infection comes along. Note: The Missile test was conducted in the • Indian origin senator Kamala Harris named test site in Central Israel over the as US Vice Presidential candidate for Mediterranean Sea. The Missile Defense Democratic party. Agency (MDA) of the United States of Note: In the United States, Democratic America along with Israeli Air Force and Presidential nominee Joe Biden has named Israel Aerospace Industries conducted the Indian-origin senator Kamala Harris as his testing. Vice-Presidential running mate. Joe Biden • Intergovernmental organization European made history by selecting the first black Unionhas launched project ’Nirmanshree’ for woman to compete on a major party's enhancing the women skill towards housing presidential ticket. Kamala Harris is currently construction sector. the US Senator from California. Former US Note: This is the first-of-its-kind sustainable President Barack Obama has often described housing on a large scale in India with 1- her as a trailblazer. million-euro. The project will be implemented • Reliance Foundation has launched the “W- in Beed and Osmanabad districts of GDP Women Connect Challenge” across India Maharashtra and the Dhenkanal and Jajpur in association with US Agency for districts of Odisha. International Development (USAID). • United Kingdom has launched £3 million Note: The “W-GDP Women Connect “Innovation Challenge Fund” in India to Challenge” has been launched to bridge the support scientists in academic arena and gender divide as well as the digital divide in industry to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and India. The Women’s Global Development and climate change. Prosperity (W-GDP) challenge supports Note: The fund invites tech innovators with private sector-led approaches that close the connections to the AI-Data cluster in gender digital divide, expand business Karnataka and the future mobility cluster in opportunities and empower women. Maharashtra to submit research and • India announced a $500 million package to development proposals for tackling COVID- fund a project in Maldives. 19 or which promote a greener planet. Note: An air connectivity “bubble” for • Recently, India has signed a cultural travel, a direct ferry service, a submarine cable agreement with Israel that outlines a three- for telecom connectivity; and assistance for year programme of cooperation to further the Greater Male Connectivity project strengthen their strategic bilateral relations. (GMCP) to connect Male to three neighboring Note: India and Israel signed a cultural islands. India has sought to regain diplomatic agreement that outlines a three-year influence in the islands after a new programme of cooperation to further administration led by President Ibrahim Solih strengthen their strategic bilateral relations took power following the defeat of the pro- today. It aims to promote greater people-to- China strongman Abdulla Yameen in elections people exchanges. in 2018. • UAE became the first Gulf Arab country to • The Dragon Endeavour is the spacecraft of have active diplomatic ties to Israel. space company SpaceX. Note: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Note: NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Douglas Hurley are aboard the SpaceX Crew Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy

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Supreme Commander of the United Arab satellite named Tiantuo-5 was also launched Emirates, have agreed for the Israel–United via the rocket. Arab Emirates peace agreement, or • Indian Institute of Technology’s (IIT) Alumni the Abraham Accord to establish full Council has signed an agreement with Russia diplomatic ties. It is expected that the peace to build the world’s largest and fastest hybrid accord will be signed in the White House, US quantum computer in India. in early September, 2020. Note: The most promising areas for Indo- • The first meeting of the National Coordination Russian joint projects are Information and Committees for monitoring implementation of Communications Technology, space mutually agreed projects between India and exploration, climate change, quantum Uzbekistan. technology and data security. Note: Both nations reexamined the activities • Global telecom company Ericsson has of bilateral economic and trade cooperation partnered with United Nations Children’s which are in operation or planned for the Fund (UNICEF) to help map school internet future. The Committee was set up under the connectivity in 35 countries by the end of supervision of the Prime Minister of India 2023. Narendra Modi and President of Uzbekistan Note: This joint initiative is a part of the Giga ShavkatMirziyoyev. initiative launched by UNICEF and • Tech giant Google has launched ‘The International Telecommunication Union Anywhere School’ initiative in more than 250 (ITU), in September 2019 to provide internet countries around the world. connection to every school and their Note: Under the initiative, Google will roll out surrounding communities. over 50 new features across products like • Singapore will offer free coronavirus tests to Google Meet, Classroom, G Suite and other community groups such as taxi drivers, food products. Google will launch custom and delivery workers and hawkers as part of blurred backgrounds in Google Meet to efforts to expand the COVID-19 testing provide ‘extra privacy’ to the users. regime. • China has launched its New Optical Remote- Note: Singapore will offer free coronavirus Sensing Satellite “Gaofen-9 05” along with 2 tests to community groups such as taxi drivers, Smaller Payloads. food delivery workers and hawkers as part of Note: The satellite, Gaofen-9 05, was sent into efforts to expand the COVID-19 testing orbit by a Long March-2D carrier rocket.A regime. multifunctional test satellite and another July 2020

✓ According to the US-based news agency the COVID-19 pandemic and is opting to lead Associated Press, China has been running a a virtual summit. number of in-human campaigns to slash the ✓ Uganda became the first African country to birth rates among the minority Muslim submit the results for Reducing Emissions population called ‘Demographic Genocide’. from Deforestation and forest Degradation ✓ India and Japan have conducted Naval (REDD+) to the United Nations Framework Exercise ‘PASSEX’ to promote mutual Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). understanding and for tactical and ✓ Israel has successfully launched a new spy communications training. satellite “Ofek 16” . Note: This was the 15th exercise undertaken Note: Ofek 16 is a small electro-optical by the navies of these two nations in the last imaging satellite, which will capture high- three years. The overall content of this resolution images of the Earth for Israel’s PASSEX was goodwill training and to Ministry of Defence. promote understanding. ✓ Fourth edition of “Ministerial on Climate ✓ New Zealand has cancelled the 2021 Asia- Action (MoCA)” was held virtually for the Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) due to first time in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 73 www.gradeup.co

✓ Sri Lanka and Maldives became the first two ✓ World's first gold-plated hotel was unveiled in countries from the South East Asia Region of Vietnam. WHO to have successfully eliminated both ✓ Russian Gamalei Institute of Epidemiology the Measles and Rubella Virus. and Microbiology’s COVID-19 vaccine ✓ Germany become the first industrialized becomes the first in the world to successfully country to phase out of both coal and nuclear completed the Human Clinical Trials. energy. ✓ According to the data released by the United ✓ India’s rank among 10 Asia-Pacific countries Kingdom, India has become the second in the “Cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific: largest Foreign Direct Investor in the United Progress towards universal cancer control” Kingdom (UK) after the United States in prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit 2019. (EIU)-- eighth. ✓ Iran has dropped India from Chabahar rail ✓ Nepal has imposed a ban on all private Indian project, citing funding delay. news channel. Note: Four years after India and Iran signed an ✓ The rise in mean average global temperature agreement to construct a rail line from in next 5 years as per the report “Global Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2020- with Afghanistan, the Iranian government has 24” released by the WMO - 1.5°C. decided to proceed with the construction on its ✓ World Health Organization (WHO) has own, citing delays from the Indian side in formulated an independent panel for pandemic funding and starting the project. preparedness and response to evaluate the ✓ China has successfully launched “APSTAR- world’s response to the COVID-19 - Helen 6D” telecommunication satellite via a Long Elizabeth Clark & Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. March 3B carrier rocket. Note: The Panel will be co-chaired by former ✓ Elyes Fakhfakh resigned from the post of Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen prime minister of Tunisia. Elizabeth Clark and former President of ✓ UNICEF has partnered with SAP India to Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. improve the employability skills of young ✓ The ADB has entered into a 5-year agreement people in a COVID-19 as well as post with Qatar-based Education Above All COVID-19 era. Foundation to work jointly for project worth ✓ Pakistan and China signed an agreement for of $100 million. the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project Note: It will put at least 3.2 lakh out-of- being built on Jhelum river of Pakistan school children, including refugees and Occupied Kashmir (PoK). internally displaced children into quality ✓ Jordan apex court dissolved the country’s primary education. Initially,10 nations have branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a been selected for projects namely- transnational Islamist movement. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, ✓ The first Arab space mission dubbed as Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New ‘HOPE Probe’ was launched by United Arab Guinea, Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Amirate (UAE) from Japan. ✓ Recently UAE has expressed interest to have ✓ India and Maldives signed an agreement to an Open Sky Agreement with India. establish “Emergency Medical Services” in Note: Open Sky Agreements are bilateral Male. agreements that the two countries negotiate to Note: The Emergency Medical Service is provide rights for airlines to offer international financed by India under grant assistance of 20 passenger and cargo services. It expands million USD for neighbouring countries. This international passenger and cargo flights. will help to increase the collaboration between ✓ Kuwait has approved an Expat Quota Bill. the countries, especially in the areas of health Note: According to the bill, Indians should not care facilities, disaster responses during exceed 15% of the population and if it is critical times, etc. enacted into law, over 8 lakh Indians could be ✓ Saudi Arabia hosted the G20 Digital forced out of Kuwait. Ministers’ Meet 2020.

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✓ 75th session of United Nations General ✓ The World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 is Assembly is to be conducted virtually in 2020 published by United Nations Office on for the first time in its history. Drugs and Crime organization that says that ✓ Nicaragua has become the 87th country to India and Thailand are the main source of join the International Solar Alliance (82%) of illegal shipment of tiger body parts. Framework Agreement, an initiative led by ✓ Kali temple (300 years-old) is being India to promote sustainable energy. reconstructed in Bangladesh with the support ✓ World Trade Organization (WTO) General of India. Council has granted the “Observer” status to ✓ Delhi government has launched a free website Asian country Turkmenistan. ‘Rozgaar Bazaar 2020’, that will connect the ✓ China has successfully launched “Tianwen-1” job seekers and the recruiters on one platform. its first independent mission to Mars. Note: The portal connects the job seekers and Note: China had launched an orbiter destined the recruiters on one platform. The aim of the for Mars on a Russian rocket in 2011, but the portal is to boost the economy and mission failed because the rocket employment in Delhi. In this website, the malfunctioned. Tianwen-1, whose name employers and companies can post their jobs means “Questions to Heaven,” is a combined and vacancies. orbiter, lander and rover that aims to explore ✓ Under the aegis of International Solar Alliance the Martian environment and search for hints (ISA) NTPC Ltd planned to establish solar of life. power plants in Sri Lanka. ✓ India handed over 10 Railway Locomotives to ✓ The polycarbonate facility of SABIC in Spain Bangladesh to bolster its Neighborhood First is set to become the world's first large scale Policy. chemical production plant which will run entirely on renewable energy. June 2020

✓ SpaceX become the first private rocket ✓ India’s rank in the “Countries Global company to send astronauts to space. Ranking of Startup Ecosystem 2020” • Note: SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft report prepared by Zurich based global with two NASA astronauts innovation mapping and research company successfully docked with the StartupBlink -- 23rd. International Space Station last ✓ South African National Space Agency night after a historic launch from (SANSA) has partnered with NASA to the Kennedy Space Center in host a deep-space ground station, which Florida. will support human spaceflight missions to ✓ The United Nations Security Council the Moon, Mars and beyond. (UNSC) has extended the individual ✓ United Kingdom has hosted Virtual sanctions, travel ban and an arms embargo Global Vaccine Summit 2020. on South Sudan country till May 2021. ✓ Australia signed Mutual Logistics • Note: An arms embargo is a Support Agreement (MLSA) with India to restriction or a set of sanctions that increase military inter-operability through applies solely to weaponry. defence exercises between the two ✓ In association with Costa Rica country the countries. World Health Organization has launched ✓ The theme of the 51st WEF annual summit COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C- to be held in January 2021 --- The Great TAP). Reset. • Note: More than 30 countries have ✓ An Unmanned submersible of China to signed up to support this initiative. dived deep down to 10,907 metres to the C-TAP was first proposed by Costa world’s deepest point Mariana Trench, Rican President Carlos Alvarado in ✓ Kathy Sullivan has become the first March 2020. woman and the fifth person in history to descend to the deepest known spot in the 75 www.gradeup.co

world’s oceans called the 'Challenger • Note: The parade will honour the Deep' in the Mariana Trench. heroism and sacrifices made by the • Challenger Deep is the deepest Russian and other friendly people. point in the Earth’s seabed. It is at • Defence Minister of Russia had a depth of 10,902 metres. invited an Indian contingent to take ✓ Massachusetts Institute of Technology part in the Victory Day Parade institute/university maintains its position scheduled to be held on 24th of this as the top institution in world in the QS month. World University Rankings 2021 released ✓ Accordance to the annual report on recently. displacement titled “Global Trends- • Only three educational institutes Forced Displacement in 2019″ released by from India IIT Bombay (172), IISc the United Nations High Commissioner for Bengaluru (185), and IIT Delhi Refugees (UNHCR) with approx 1.0 per (193) featured in the top 200 list. cent of world population faced forced ✓ New Zealand has declared that the nation displacement. has become free from “Coronavirus”. ✓ China has decided to join the multilateral ✓ Bangladesh has launched an initiative Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). named ‘Shohojodha’, an online network to ✓ China has successfully launched the last facilitate plasma exchange between Satellite of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite recovered patients of COVID-19. System (BDS). ✓ United Kingdom has announced ‘Jet ✓ Mt. Merapi an active volcano erupted Zero’ plan to drive down aviation twice in June, 2020 is in Indonesia. emissions and to make carbon-free ✓ As a commemorations of the 6th transatlantic flights possible. International Yoga Day, world’s first Yoga ✓ Western Railway has created a new world University outside India was launched in benchmark by successfully running first Los Angeles United State. Double-Stack Container Train in high-rise • Note: The university will be in Over Head Equipment electrified known by the name- Vivekananda territory on. Yoga University. The University • Note: This achievement is a first of was launched as a part of the its kind in the entire world and will commemorations for the 6th also boost the ambitious mission International Yoga Day. of Green India. ✓ African country Mali granted the Project • The Operations successfully Management Consultancy (PMC) contract commenced on 10th for the development of a 500 MW solar June from Palanpur and Botad stati park to NTPC Limited. ons in Gujarat. ✓ A Tripartite Power Purchase Agreement ✓ India has been elected as a non-permanent was signed for the construction of the 1124 member of the UN Security Council for a MW Kohala Hydro Power Project between two-year term from the Asia-Pacific Pakistan, China, and Azad Kashmir. The category for the 2021-22 term. Project is built on Jhelum river. • Note: Along with India, Ireland, ✓ India become the first country to control Mexico and Norway also won the locusts through drones. Security Council elections held last ✓ According to latest study by OECD’s night. ‘Global Forum on transparency’ and ✓ India will send 75-member Tri-Service exchange of information for tax purposes, contingent to participate in the military which are top three countries as Exchange parade to Russia on the occasion of the of Information partners of Switzerland -- 75th anniversary of the victory in the India, France and Germany. Second World War. ✓ The theme of the ‘36th ASEAN Summit held via video conference under

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chairmanship of Vietnamese Prime and Responsive ASEAN. Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc -- Cohesive May 2020

✓ The geological survey ofUSA has released the among the 88 countries that are to miss global first ever digital, unified, global, geological nutrition targets set for the year 2025. map of the moon namely “Unified Geologic ✓ World Health Organization (WHO) has Map of the Moon”. released the first “The State of the World’s • Note: The scientists from United Nursing 2020” report amid COVID19 States Geological Survey (USGS) pandemic in partnership with Nursing and Astrogeology Science Center, in International Council of Nurses (ICN). collaboration with NASA ✓ Russia hosted the SCO Foreign Ministers (National Aeronautics and Space Meeting via video conferencing on COVID- Administration) and the Lunar 19 which was attended by the External Planetary Institute have virtually Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. released the first ever digital, • India and Pakistan became the unified, global, geological map of members of the SCO in 2017. the moon namely “Unified ✓ Slovenia becomes the first country in Europe Geologic Map of the Moon”. to declare an end to its COVID-19 epidemic. ✓ Russia to launch its first Arktika-M satellite ✓ India hands over war game center named as for monitoring the Arctic climate and “INDIA” to Uganda. environment at the end of the year. • Note: The state-of-the-art military ✓ Iran has decided to change its currency from training facility was handover by Rial to Toman by slashing four zeros from the Indian Association Uganda the rial. (IAU), in association with the ✓ China country has successfully launched a Indian Military Advisory and new rocket named “Long March 5B” into Training Team to the UPDF. space which will pave the way of its Moon ✓ NASA has renamed its next-generation space landing plans. telescope “Wide-Field Infrared Survey • Tiangong is the space station Telescope (WFIRST)”, which is set to launch programme of China. in 2025 in honour of Nancy Grace Roman. ✓ India hold the chair of the World Health Organization in May 2020 after Japan ✓ The World Health Organization (WHO) and completes its tenure. the United Nation (UN) postal agency • Note: India is to hold the chair of released a commemorative postage stamp on the World Health Organization in the 40th anniversary of the eradication of May 2020 after Japan completes its smallpox. tenure. India will continue to hold ✓ As per the World Health Organization’s the chair for the next three years. Global Nutrition Report, 2020 India is one April 2020

✓ As per the UNCTAD report titled the • Note: The conference was planned World will witness recession except India to take place from 9-19 November and China. 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland in the ✓ The World Bank in its Economic Update United Kingdom (UK). for East Asia and Pacific (EAP) titled ✓ USD 2.9 million amounts has been “East Asia and Pacific in the Time of announced by the aid agency USAID to COVID-19” stated that poverty is India to fight against Coronavirus. estimated to increase 11 Million. ✓ China has become the world leader in ✓ United Nation’s COP 26 climate change international patent filings via WIPO’s summit postponed till 2021. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

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• Note: China has filled a total of decisions” by United Nation’s World 58,990 applications surpassing the Food Programme (WFP). United States (US), which was at • The 10 countries faced worst food top spot since the PCT began crisis in 2019 by number of people operations in 1978. in Crisis are Yemen, the ✓ United States has stopped its funding Democratic Republic of the towards World Health Organization Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, (WHO). Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, ✓ South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu Syria, Nigeria and Haiti. affected byHarold cyclone for which UN ✓ Lebanon becomes the 1st Arab nation to releases $ 2.5 million. legalise cannabis (also known as ✓ Special ASEAN Summit and special marijuana) farming for medicinal & ASEAN plus 3 summits held via video industrial use. conferencing was chaired by Nguyen • As per the United Nations (UN), Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam. Lebanon is the 3rd largest ✓ In accordance with the Gartner 2019 supplier of cannabis resin in the Digital Workplace Survey,India world after Morocco and becomes the world’s most digitally Afghanistan. dexterous (skilful) country in the world. ✓ Pakistan hosted the South Asian ✓ South Korea becomes the first country Association for Regional Cooperation to hold national election amidst COVID- (SAARC) health ministers virtual 19 pandemic. conference. ✓ Annual Global Report on Food Crises • India was represented by Rajiv titled “2020 Global Report on Food Garg, the Director General of Crises-Joint Analysis for better Health Services March 2020

✓ To restore peace in Afghanistan the United ✓ India’s rank in the ‘Freedom in the World States and Taliban militants have signed 2020” report released by the Freedom historic peace agreement in Doha, Qatar. House, a U.S (United States) -based • Note: The agreement, signed by the watchdog that conducts research and advocacy US special envoy for Afghanistan on democracy -- 83rd. Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban • Note: According to the ‘Freedom in leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar the World 2020” report, released by in the presence of Michael Richard the Freedom House, a U.S (United Pompeo,United States Secretary of States) -based watchdog that conducts State, would end the 18 years-long research and advocacy on democracy, American war in Afghanistan. India’s India has ranked 83rd in the report Ambassador to Qatar, P. Kumaran along with Timor-Leste and Senegal in attend the US-Taliban peace deal in ‘Free’ category. Doha on behalf of India. • While, Finland topped the list as the • This is the first time India has free democratic country. officially joined any Taliban related ✓ The European Commission has launched a case. new global coalition for biodiversity called ✓ Luxembourg has become the world’s 1st ‘United for Biodiversity’ in Monaco. nation to make all public transport free. • Note: On the occasion of the World • It became the first country in the world Wildlife Day on March 3, 2020, the to do so. However, this free public European Commission has launched a transport system does not include 1st - new global coalition for biodiversity class travel tickets on trains and certain called ‘United for Biodiversity’ in night bus services. Monaco.

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• The coalition consists of national Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit 2020 to be parks, aquariums, botanical gardens, held in _Colombo, Sri Lanka. zoos, science and natural history • Note: This was informed by museums from around the world to BIMSTEC Secretary General (SG) boost public awareness about the Mohammad ShahiduIslam during his nature crisis meeting with Sri Lankan Prime ✓ India joined the Indian Ocean Commission Minister (PM) Mahinda Rajapaksa. as the fifth observer. • The summit will be preceded by the • Note: The other four observers in the 17th Ministerial Meeting and 21st grouping are Malta, China, European Senior Officials Meeting by the end of Union and OIF (International 2020. Organization of La Francophonie). ✓ India has joined Indian Ocean Commission • It is important for India to join as an (IOC) as its 5th observer state. observer at the Commission because, it • Note: India has joined Indian Ocean will help India in expanding its plans Commission (IOC) as its 5th observer in Western Indian Ocean. state to strengthen its Indo-Pacific • The Western Indian Ocean vision and also to boost strategic strategically connects South Eastern partnership with France, and Vanilla Coast of Africa. Islands. ✓ To contain COVID-19, the Corona Virus what • The decision has been taken during the amount will be provided by the Asian meeting of the Commission’s council Development Bank is to its members countries of ministers in Seychell. 4 million USD. ✓ India’s rank in the Inclusive Internet Index • Note: The fund is being allocated for 2020, released by the Economist Intelligence buying emergency supplies, assessing Unit (EIU) -- 46th. health systems, improve resilience and • Note: Economist Intelligence Unit respond to animal human disease (EIU) released the 4th iteration of the outbreaks. Inclusive Internet Index 2020 for 100 • The main objective of fund allocation countries where India is overall ranked is to strengthen immediate response in in 46th place & Sweden in 1st place. China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, • The index aims to measure the extent Myanmar and Vietnam. to which the Internet is not only ✓ According to the United Nations Global accessible & affordable, but also Compact (UNGC) India study female labour- relevant to all, allowing usage that force participation has declined from 34% in enables positive social & economic 2006 to 24.8% in 2020. outcomes at the individual & group • Note: In accordance with the United level. Nations Global Compact (UNGC) ✓ Pakistan ranks first according to the 1st India study, India is the only country edition of ‘Gender Social Norms Index among the 153 surveyed countries (GSNI) 2020’. where the economic gender gap is • Note: According to the 1st edition of larger than the political gap. ‘Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) • If women participation raised in the 2020’, released by the UNDP (United labour force same as men, then it can Nations Development Programme), boost India’s GDP (Gross Domestic about 90 % or 9 in 10 of the world’s Product) by 27%. Globally, 38.7% of population has some bias against employed women are working in women. agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, but • This index studied 75 countries only 13.8% of landholders are women. covering over 80 % of the world’s ✓ The 5th edition of Bay of Bengal Initiative for population & measures social beliefs Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic 79 www.gradeup.co

that obstruct gender equality in areas Channel,has organized its 3rd edition like politics, work, and education. of Global summit 2020 based on the ✓ India’s rank in the Stockholm International theme “Navigating and negotiating Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) annual global imperatives” at The Oberoi, in report titled “Trends in international arms Dubai. transfers, 2019” -- Second. • It saw the participation of global • Note: India is the world’s second leaders to engage in dialogue on a largest arms importer during 2015-19 common global agenda to underscore with its global share of 9.2% after the critical challenges of climate Saudi Arabia, who has topped the change, global governance, economic ranking with global share of 12%. slowdown, and global crisis that • On the other hand, India ranked 23rd in threatens to become the new normal. terms of world’s largest arms exporters ✓ First country to close its financial markets due with global share of 0.2% and its main to the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) outbreak -- clients being Myanmar (46%), Sri Philippines. Lanka (25%), and Mauritius (14%). • Note: It resumed its trading on March United States (US) topped the list in 19, 2020. This measure was taken to this section with a share of 36%. ensure the safety of their employees ✓ In the 2nd edition of global Animal Protection and the people they interact with. Now Index (API) 2020 released by the World the speculations are if other countries Animal Protection India gained --- Grade C. may take similar measures then there is • Note: World Animal Protection a fear of a global recession. released the 2nd edition of global ✓ The 7th World Cities Summit (WCS) is to be Animal Protection Index (API) 2020, held from July 5 to 9, 2020 in Singapore. where India gained C grade with other • Note: It is organized by Singapore’s 8 countries which indicates India is one Centre for Liveable Cities and the of the better-performing countries. Urban Redevelopment Authority. Tragically no country gained A grade. • The theme for WCS 2020 is “Liveable ✓ World Economic Forum (WEF) has initiated and Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a the creation of the COVID Action Platform Disrupted World”. The WCS 2020 is with the support of the World Health held in conjunction with the Singapore Organization (WHO), and Welcome Trust. International Water Week (SIWW) and • Note: The World Economic Forum the Clean Enviro Summit Singapore (WEF) has initiated the creation of the (CESG). COVID Action Platform with the • Singapore Government invited Uttar support of the World Health Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Organization (WHO), and Wellcome Adityanath to the WCS-2020. Trust. ✓ USD 1 million dollars. has been donated by • This first of its kind platform, the WhatsApp to Poynter Institute’s operating globally, is open to all International Fast-Checking Network (IFCN) businesses and industry groups, as well in order to avoid fake information about the as other stakeholders, for integrated disease. and collective business action to ✓ India’s rank in the 8th World Happiness mitigate the risk and impact of Report 2020 released by the United COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Forum Nations (UN) -- 144th. has established a special team to • Note: The survey ranks the countries support the platform’s work. using Gallup World Poll, GDP levels, ✓ 3rd edition of WION Global Summit 2020 life expectancy, generosity, social held in Dubai, UAE. support, and freedom & corruption • Note: WION (World Is One News), income. the India’s first International News

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• This year’s report mainly focuses on and the Urban Redevelopment happiness in the environment Authority. especially in social, urban, rural & • The theme of WCS is Liveable and natural areas and also links happiness Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a & sustainable development. Disrupted World, it was earlier • Finland tops the report for the 3rd time. scheduled from July 5 to 9, 2020. ✓ India’s rank in the 26th annual edition of ✓ Canada has become the first country in the Economic Freedom Index 2020 -- 120th. world to withdraw from Tokyo 2020 • Note: The Heritage Foundation Olympics. published its 26th annual edition of • Note: The decision has been taken in Economic Freedom Index 2020 to view of the coronavirus pandemic. measure the level of economic freedom • The Canadian Olympic Committee in 186 countries. Singapore (89.4) tops announced that holding the Tokyo the index for the 1st time. 2020 Olympics as per schedule would • Hong Kong (89.1) for the 1st time threaten the health of its athletes. secured 2nd rank since the 1st ✓ IMF hasorganization has launched a “Tracker publication in 1995 of Policies Governments are Taking in ✓ Singapore has rescheduled the 7th World Response to COVID-19”. Cities Summit (WCS) 2020 to 20 – 24 June • Note: The policy tracker outlines the 2021. key economic responses taken by the • Note: The summit is organized by government of various countries in Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy tracker has the updated data till March 24, 2020 February 2020

✓ Maldives has once again become a member of (United Kingdom), Sweden, France the Commonwealth family. and Germany. • Note: The Maldives became the 54th ✓ 27-nation International Religious Freedom family member of the Commonwealth Alliance is being launched by the United family. States. ✓ Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists. • Note: The Alliance will try to adopt a • Note: The Government of Bhutan, collective approach in protecting and Thimphu decided to implement a daily preserving religious freedom across the fee of Rs.1200 ($17) for “regional world. tourists” from India, the Maldives, ✓ According to the Global Massive Open Bangladesh from July 2020. Online Course (MOOC) Business School • The fee is called SDF “Sustainable Rankings 2020, the rank of Indian Institute of Development Fees” in order to Management Bengaluru (IIMB) is third. regulate a new tourism policy ✓ Fifth Edition of Joint Military Exercise ✓ In the 8th International Intellectual Ajeya Warrior -2020 is conducted between Property (IP) Index for 2020 India slips to India and United Kingdom (UK). 40th rank. ✓ The World Health Organization (WHO) has • Note: The US Chamber of officially renamed Coronavirus as ‘COVID- Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy 19. Center has released the 8th edition of • Note: “co” stands for “corona”, “vi” International Intellectual Property (IP) for “virus” and “d” for “disease”, while Index for 2020. “19” was for the year, as the outbreak • The index has been topped by the was first originated in China’s Wuhan United States (US) followed by UK area in December 2019.

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✓ The 43rd session of the annual Governing • The index is topped by Finland, Council meeting of the International Fund for followed by Sweden in second place Agricultural Development (IFAD) 2020 was and New Zealand in third place. held in Rome, Italy. ✓ Air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II has been • Note: The theme of this year is launched by Pakistan. “Investing in sustainable food systems ✓ To combat Climate Change, Amazon CEO to end hunger by 2030”. Jeff Bezos has announced the launch of ✓ Astronaut Christina Koch returned to Earth “Bezos Earth Fund” worth $10 billion. after record stay in space. • Note:The Bezos Earth Fund will fund • Note: National Aeronautics and Space the scientists, activists, NGOs to save Administration (NASA)’s astronaut Earth to tackle the issue of climate Christina Koch has returned to Earth change. after her record stay in space. ✓ Ashraf Ghani has won the Presidential • With her 328 days stay in space, she elections of Afghanistan and will become the has surpassed Peggy Whitson’s record President of Afghanistan for the 2nd time. for an American woman on a single ✓ The Paris based Financial Action Task Force spaceflight at 289 days. (FATF) continue to keep Pakistan in Grey ✓ The Mobile World Congress was cancelled List. due to coronavirus fears which was scheduled • Note: Islamabad (Pakistan) continues to be held in Barcelona. to remain on grey list & If it does not ✓ The 26th session of the Conference of the curb the financing of terrorism by June Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC is scheduled 2020, it will be put on the blacklist. to be held in Glasgow UK. ✓ The 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on ✓ UAE becomes the 1st Arab Nation to issue Road Safety was held in Stockholm, Sweden. license to operate a reactor at its Nuclear • The aim of the meet was to chart future power plant. strategic directions for global road ✓ Hindi becomes the 3rd most spoken language safety and to share successes and in the world after English & Mandarin. lessons from implementation of the ✓ The Worldwide Education for The Future Global Plan for the Decade of Action Index (WEFFI) 2019 ranked India in 35th for Road Safety 2011–2020. position. • It should be noted that United Nations • The WEFFI report is created by The (UN) has set a goal under the UN Economist Intelligence unit and Decade of Action of reducing road commissioned by Yidan Prize crashes by 2030. foundation. ✓ 9th Defence and Security Expert Working Group meeting of SCO held in Islamabad, Pakistan. January 2020

✓ Piyush Jaiswal has been awarded the Global • Note: 12th edition of the Indo-Oman Bihar Excellence Award 2019. bilateral naval exercise ''Naseem-Al- • Note: The award was given for Bahr' will be conducted in Goa. contribution towards social welfare, ✓ 50th Annual Meeting of the World women empowerment and introducing Economic Forum (WEF) was held in Davos, new talent in the field of arts and Switzerland. culture. • This year 50th Annual Meeting of the ✓ Indian Army to sign MoU for AK-203 World Economic Forum theme will assault rifles with Russia. be “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and ✓ Naval Exercise 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' will be Sustainable World”. conducted in Goa. 82 www.gradeup.co

✓ Microsoft company has announced that it ✓ As per the 9th edition of Tomtom Traffic would become “carbon negative” by year Index 2019 which city is emerged as the worst 2030. traffic congested cities in the world -- ✓ Robert Abela elected as 14th prime minister Bengaluru. of Malta ✓ Britain has launched a £4 Mn (about Rs 37 ✓ The 10th edition of World Future Energy crore) ‘Innovation Challenge Fund’ in Summit (WFES) 2020 was held at Abu India. Dhabi, UAE. • The fund is focused on 2 main tech • The theme for the year 2020 was platforms including artificial “Rethinking Global Consumption, intelligence (AI) and big data in Production, and Investment”. Karnataka and future mobility in ✓ World Health Organisation (WHO) released Maharashtra. the Global challenges for 2020 and identified ✓ The Pacific nation of Palau has become the health challenges in this decade. first country in the world to ban sunscreen that is harmful to corals and sea life. Important News: Economy

September 2020

✓ . RBI secures cheque payments via 'positive associations, NGOs and companies in the pay' feature country.

• Reserve Bank of India decides to introduce the ✓ Govt increases MSP of six Rabi Crops ‘positive pay system’ for cheque, under which including Wheat, Chana, Masoor, Mustard, re-confirmation of key details may be needed Jowar, Safflower for payments beyond Rs 50,000 from January 1, 2021, in order to check banking fraud. • The MSP of wheat has been increased by Rs. Banks can consider making it compulsory in 50 and now stands at Rs. 1,975 per quintal case of cheques for amounts of Rs 5 lakh and whereas the MSP for Masoor has been hiked above. Under this system, the issuer will be by Rs. 300. Mustard’s MSP has been raised by required to submit electronically, through Rs. 225 while the same for Chana has been SMS, mobile app, internet banking or ATM hiked by Rs. 225. Increase in Jowar's MSP is certain minimum details of that cheque like by Rs. 75 while the same for Safflower has date, name of the beneficiary, payee, and been hiked by Rs. 112 per quintal. amount to the drawee bank. • Note: The (MSP) minimum support price is an • NPCI(The National Payments Corporation of agricultural product price set by the India) will develop the facility of positive pay government of India to purchase directly from in CTS (Cheque Truncation System) and make the farmer. it accessible to participant banks. ✓ IFC to provide two trillion dollars to India:

✓ Parliament passes Foreign Contribution • The International Finance Corporation has said (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 that two trillion dollars will be provided to • Note: The bill ensures that foreign funds are India to develop green buildings, improve not utilized to tamper the social fabric or public transport and to expand renewable disturb the internal security in the country. The sources of energy. legislation will bring transparency in the • Note: International Finance Corporation (IFC) transaction of foreign contributions and their provides advisory, asset-management services usage. The Bill seeks to amend the Foreign and investment to encourage private-sector Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 which development in developing countries. IFC is a regulates the acceptance and utilization of member of the World Bank Group and foreign contribution by individuals, headquartered in Washington, United States.

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✓ Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh and to prohibit utilization and acceptance of Tomar passed two farm sector legislation in foreign contribution and foreign hospitality or the Lok Sabha: any activities detrimental to the national interest. • The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm ✓ Doorstep banking services Services Bill, 2020 • Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce • Finance Minister recently inaugurated (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 Doorstep Banking Services by Public Sector • Note: The Farmers' Produce Trade and Banks. Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, • The services can be availed by customers of 2020 also permits the electronic trading of Public Sector Banks at nominal charges. farmers’ produce and allows setting up of • EASE 2.0 Index: transaction platforms for facilitating their • First Rank: Bank of Baroda direct online buying and selling through • Second Rank: State Bank of India electronic devices and internet. The legislation • Third Rank: Oriental bank of commerce prohibits state governments from levying any • Top improvers category market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, • 1st: Bank of Maharashtra and electronic trading platforms for the trade • 2nd: Central Bank of India of farmers’ produce conducted outside the • 3rd: Corporation Bank State Mandis. • EASE Agenda is aimed at institutionalizing clean and smart banking. It was launched in ✓ Food sectoral committees to tap new markets January 2018. PSBs have shown a healthy and investment announced by TPCI: trajectory in their performance over four quarters since the launch of EASE 2.0 • Three committees are Food & Beverages, Reforms Agenda. Food Processing Technology and Chemical and Allied Products. ✓ EPFO decides to pay 8.5% interest during • Food & Beverages: Chairman- Laxman Singh 2019-20 Rathore The Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar • Food Processing Technology: Chairman- R Gangwar on Wednesday chaired the 227th Meeting of Senguttuvan the Central Board of Trustees of Employees' Provident • Chemical and Allied Products: Chairman- Fund. In view of the exceptional circumstances arising Manish Shah out of Covid-19, the Central Board has recommended • Note: TPCI is an organization of trade and the interest rate of 8.50 per cent to the Central investment promotion notified in the Foreign Government. Trade Policy. TPCI is supported and recognized by the Department. of Commerce, • It would comprise of 8.15 per cent from debt Govt. of India. The TPCI council focuses on income and balance 0.35 per cent capital gain various strategies for intensifying business from the sale of Exchange Traded Funds, internationally, by organizing specialized ETFs subject to their redemption by 31st business events and working with the December this year. Government by providing policy suggestions ✓ . Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) which are essentially based on inputs collated from research and industry stakeholders. • Union Minister of State(IC) of Ministry of Power R K Singh on recently launched the ✓ FCRA registration to Golden temple: Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) for • The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the electricity. registration of Sri Harmandir Sahib under the • A move that will lead to an increase in the FCRA, 2010, allowing it to receive foreign participants in the renewable energy sector. funding. The initiative will also help in achieving the • Note: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) renewable energy(RE) capacity addition Act, 2010 is an act of the Parliament of India, targets of the country. by the 42nd Act of 2010. The FCRA act is to • The introduction of GTAM platform would regulate the acceptance and utilization of lessen the burden on RE-rich states and foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by incentivize them to develop RE capacity any individuals or associations or companies beyond their own RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligation). 84 www.gradeup.co

• This would promote RE merchant capacity should include only the revenue from core addition and help in achieving RE capacity services. addition targets of the country. • The Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) • GTAM will lead to an increase in the number calculation is what the government and of participants in the renewable energy sector telecom majors have had a disagreement over and benefit buyers of RE through competitive since 2005. prices and transparent and flexible • The two sides were locked in a legal battle procurement. over the definition of AGR for more than a • The key features of GTAM include bilateral decade. On October 24, 2019, the top court transaction (of RE) in nature with clear widened the definition of AGR to include the identification of corresponding buyers and government's view. sellers. Thus, there will not be any difficulty in accounting for RPO. ✓ Development Assistance loan sanctioned to • The GTAM contracts will be segregated into India Solar RPO and Non-Solar RPO as RPO targets • Japan has committed an official Development are also segregated. Assistance loan of 3500 crore rupees for the ✓ Telecom Companies granted 10 years to pay COVID-19 Crisis Emergency Response AGR dues: SC Support. • The Notes were exchanged between the two • Supreme Court has given telecom companies countries for a Health sector programme loan 10 years to clear AGR (adjusted gross to fight the COVID-19 crisis. revenue) dues of around 1.43 lakh crore rupees • This programme loan aims to support India’s to the Centre by March 31, 2031 efforts in fighting COVID-19 and to prepare • The companies must pay the dues without the health system to manage future epidemics further review as it granted the firms a 10-year and to improve the resilience of India’s health window to pay the amount in annual systems against infectious diseases. instalments. • Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA • It directed the companies to pay the first is a governmental agency that coordinates instalment of 10% of dues by March 31, 2021. Official Development Assistance for the Government of Japan. Background India-Japan Relations • AGR is a fee-sharing mechanism between government and the telcos who shifted to • India and Japan have had a long and fruitful 'revenue-sharing fee' model in 1999, from the history of bilateral development cooperation 'fixed license fee' model. since 1958. • The dispute between the telcos and the • In the last few years, the economic cooperation government has been mainly on the definition between India and Japan has strengthened and of AGR. grown into a strategic partnership. • While the government says that AGR includes • It further consolidates and strengthens the all revenues from both telecom as well as non- Strategic and Global Partnership between telecom services, the operators suggest that it India and Japan.

August 2020

✓ SIDBI in association with TransUnion knowledge hub with informative articles, CIBIL Limited launched a comprehensive business insights to help entrepreneurs and financial education and one-stop knowledge business owners start or grow businesses. platform for micro, small and medium ✓ The National Digital Conference on “Easing enterprises “MSMESaksham” for MSMEs. Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat” Note: The portal is focused on two key pillars organised by Confederation of Indian of financial knowledge and access to credit. Industry (CII). The portal will have a consolidated list of all ✓ Payment system MobiKwik. has launched the schemes launched by the Centre and state mpay.me, a UPI payment link service that governments for MSMEs. It will be a 85 www.gradeup.co

allows users to send and receive money from Note: In addition to this, IFC has also any UPI payment app. committed an additional USD 10 million for Note: Through mpay.me, users and merchants direct co-investments. The partnership will can set up a personalized link using their provide financial and strategic support to mobile number. The link can be created Endiya portfolio companies, resulting in through the MobiKwik app or the MobiKwik increased access to growth opportunities and website and can be shared anywhere with sustainable scalability. anyone over chat, SMS, email etc. ✓ National Payment Corporation of India ✓ Indian Power Company Reliance Power and (NPCI) has launched ‘nth Rewards’, a Japanese energy major JERA have inked a business intelligence and analytics enabled pact with a group of banks for financing their omni-channel multi-branded loyalty platform. new gas-fired thermal power generation Note: This platform enables users to earn ‘nth’ project in Bangladesh. (denoting infinite possibilities) points through Note: Both partners will develop a new 745 various bank transactions and redeem them MW natural gas combined-cycle power instantly on various products, such as e- project in Meghnaghat in Bangladesh.In vouchers, donations, hotel and flight bookings. September, 2019 Reliance Power inducted The platform aims to become a one stop shop JERA as a partner for the 750 mw-gas based for the bank which will enable them to retain combined cycle power project in Bangladesh and grow their customer base. as a part of its understanding with the country ✓ Paytm has launched India’s 1st Pocket in 2015 to set up a total of 3,000 mw. Android POS (Point of Sale) Device for ✓ As per the revised Securities Contracts contactless ordering and payments in India. (Regulation) Rules, 1957, list entities will get Note: It is an effort to digitise and empower a 3 years to meet criteria of minimum public large number of Small and Medium shareholding of 25 per cent. Enterprises (SMEs). The company aims to Note: listed entities get one more year to issue over 2 lakh devices within the next few comply with the rules of MPS, benefitting months which will generate over 20 million more than three dozen PSUs (public sector transactions per month. undertakings) who have been unable to meet ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched this requirement amid COVID-19. the platform “Honoring the Honest” for ✓ Country’s national bank Bahrain, National Transparent Taxation. Bank of Bahrain (NBB)has decided to adopt Note: In a major reform the Central Board of the Finacle Cash Management Suite of Infosys Direct Taxes (CBDT) has carried out several Finacle to digitally transform its transaction major tax reforms in direct taxes in recent banking business. years. Last year, the Corporate Tax rates were ✓ AI-powered multilingual voice bot AXAA has reduced from 30 per cent to 22 per cent and been launched by Axis Bank to resolve for new manufacturing units, the rates were customer queries. reduced to 15 per cent. Dividend distribution Note: The BOT has been launched in tax was also abolished. collaboration with Bengaluru startup ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has Vernacular.ai, an AI-based SaaS voice announced to introduce a mechanism of automation platform. AXAA will optimise ‘Positive Pay’ feature for all cheques of value voice AI solutions and help automate customer of Rs 50,000 and above. interactions through intelligent human-like Note: This feature helps to avert cheque dialogue. frauds. The limit of Rs 50,000 will cover ✓ Mozambique, Export-Import (EXIM) Bank approximately 20 per cent of transactions by has to improve the power supply quality of the volume and 80 per cent by value.The Reserve country. Bank of India (RBI) has announced to ✓ International Financial Corporation (IFC) introduce a mechanism of ‘Positive Pay’ entities committed to invest Rs 75 crore in feature for all cheques of value Rs 50,000 and Endiya Partners Fund II. above.

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✓ The National Agricultural Higher Education Janssen Pharmaceutica, whose COVID-19 Project (NAHEP) was funded by Government vaccine candidate (Ad26.COV2.S) is of India and World Bank (WB). undergoing clinical trials. Note: The Government of India-World Bank- ✓ Fino Payments Bankhas launched an funded National Agricultural Higher Aadhaar Authentication based digital savings Education Project is designed for account Jan BachatKhata (JBK). strengthening the national agricultural Note: Under the JBK, customers can transact education system in the country.The overall at a Fino branch or merchant point with objective to provide more relevant and high- fingerprint and OTP combination, while at quality education to the agricultural university non-Fino points they need Aadhaar students that are in tune with the New authentication. Earlier, Fino Payments Bank Education Policy – 2020. had introduced Shubh and Bhavishya, ✓ Punjab National Bank has launched subscription-based savings accounts targeted ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’ campaign to at specific customer segments. encourage customers to use digital banking ✓ Asian Development Bank has approved a channels. total of 1 billion USD loan to provide Note: The campaign launched by the bank’s assistance for the construction of modern, Managing Director S SMallikarjuna Rao on high-speed Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid the occasion of Independence Day is till Transit System. March 31, 2021. PNB encourage customers to Note: ADB’S finance will include the use digital channels and participate in the construction of railway tracks, station noble cause of donating to the PM CARES buildings, maintenance facilities, and traction, Fund for COVID-19. and power supply. The project aims at ✓ Reserve Bank of India has decided to transfer smoothening regional connectivity by as dividend Rs 57,128 crore. to the central establishing transit options across the densely government accounting year 2019-20. populated sectors of the National Capital Note: It has decided to maintain a contingency Region connecting Delhi to Meerut in the state risk buffer of 5.5 percent at the minimum of Uttar Pradesh. threshold recommended by the Jalan ✓ Lakshmi Vilas Bankhas launched ‘DigiGo’, committee to review RBI's capital a digital initiative to enable the opening of framework.The central board approved the savings account instantly. dividend at its 584th meeting through video Note: LVB’s new initiative will help people to conferencing to discuss the financial avail the most required banking services operations and the balance sheet for the instantly through the website. As a Lakshmi financial year 2019-20 . DigiGo customer, one can visit the nearest ✓ Multi Commodity Exchange of India LVB Branch and convert his/her “Lakshmi (MCX)exchanges is going to launch India’s DigiGo”, account to a fully-featured regular first bullion index named “Bulldex”. account of choice and avail cheque book, debit Note: Bullions, viz. gold and silver are already card and a host of other facilities. being traded as individual commodities on the ✓ The Asian Development Bank has approved country’s premier commodity exchange. With USD 1 billion package to support the gold and silver as underlying, Bulldex will construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi- have a market lot size of 50 and be cash- Meerut regional rapid transit system, a first of settled futures contract. MCX had tested its kind in India. bullion index futures trade in mock trading Note: The transit system project aims to help exercises in July. decongest the city and improve regional ✓ Indian company Biological E announced the connectivity by establishing transit options acquisition of Akorn India, a subsidiary of through densely populated sections of the U.S. firm Akorn Inc. NCR connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar Note: The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, Pradesh. comes days after BE entered into an ✓ Axis Bank has launched a new initiative agreement with Johnson & Johnson firm named ‘Gig-a-Opportunities’ to attract 87 www.gradeup.co

skilled talent that can work with the bank ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Annual remotely. Report for 2019-20 projected India’s growth at Note: The initiative aims to attract skilled what percent for 2020-21-- minus 4.5%. talent that can work with the bank remotely, Note: It is the Report of the Central Board of from anywhere in the country. This hiring Directors on the working of the Reserve Bank model comprises two working patterns. of India (RBI) for the year ended June 30, ✓ Tata Group has launched “super app”, an e 2020 submitted to the Central Government in commerce app with an aim to take on Amazon terms of Section 53(2) of the Reserve Bank of and Reliance Industries in the country's India Act, 1934. In the report, RBI projected booming e commerce sector. that India’s growth at minus 4.5% for 2020- Note: The app will offer food and grocery 21. ordering, fashion and lifestyle, consumer ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Annual electronics and consumer durables, insurance Report for 2019-20 has decided to dissolve and financial services, education, healthcare Banking Codes and Standards Board of and bill payments. The app will put the India (BCSBI). conglomerate in competition with giants of the Note: It was set up in February 2006 as an region like Reliance Industries and global independent and autonomous body for titans like Amazon. formulating codes of conduct to be adopted by ✓ ICICI Bank becomes the first bank in India to banks voluntarily for ensuring fair treatment of use satellite data to assess the creditworthiness customers.BCSBI, in collaboration with the of farmers. Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), has evolved Note: The satellite data with demographic and two codes – Code of Bank’s Commitment to financial details provides strong information Customers and the Code of Bank’s on the land asset of the farmers. Usage of this Commitment to Micro and Small Enterprises. technology will help farmers with existing ✓ The Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. has credit to expand their eligibility and help new- partnered with Visa to develop an instalment to-credit farmers to get better access to formal platform, which will enable the issuers to credit. extend credit to their cardholders at face-to- ✓ NABARD has introduced, ‘Structured face Point of Sale (PoS) in India. Finance and Partial Guarantee Program Note:Theinstallments platform with the suite for Non-Banking Finance Companies of platform capabilities leveraging (NBFC)-Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Innoviti’suniPAYNEXTplatform and Visa’s Note: It is a dedicated debt and credit APIs, provides shoppers the ability to choose guarantee product to ensure uninterrupted flow how they pay during the purchase. of credit to the last mile in rural areas hit by ✓ Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited has launched ‘Smart Assist’, a 1st of ✓ Axis Bank has ‘Liberty Savings Account’ its kind technology service in the insurance for the Indian Youth, to address the ever- industry. changing lifestyle needs of young and digitally Note: It helps the customers to know about interested Indians. product details while enjoying virtual Note: It offers a complimentary hospital cash assistance and maintaining social distance insurance cover of up to Rs 20,000 per year, protocol. It is the latest in the series of which covers hospital expenses incurred under initiatives by Bajaj Allianz Life to enhance the COVID -19, which makes this a 1st of its kind customer experience by digitizing its savings account to cover the pandemic. operations, making them easy-to-use and completely secure

July 2020

✓ World Bank has approved a USD 750 million support severely impacted MSMEs in India Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises due to COVID-19 crisis. (MSMEs) Emergency Response Program to 88 www.gradeup.co

✓ SAP India has launched the Global Bharat toward a 'green recovery' for members program, designed to enable Indian micro, confronting the harsh economic impact of the small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) COVID-19 pandemic. become globally competitive by equipping Note: This collaboration focuses on enhancing them with digital technologies. the steps to reduce the carbon emission and for ✓ Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has climate-resilient development in Asia-Pacific. released USD 50 million in the first tranche of ABD has offered a support package of USD assistance to L&T Infrastructure Finance Ltd 20 billion for COVID-19. Under the Strategy (LTIF), to fund renewable Energy Projects in 2030, ADB will ensure that 75% of its India. committed projects will support climate ✓ As per the Reserve Bank of India data Indian change mitigation and adaptation by 2030. state Tamil Nadu is at the top in market ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed borrowings in the fiscal 2020-21(FY 21). an agreement with Sri Lanka for extending a ✓ As per the data from the Union Ministry of $400-million currency swap facility till Commerce and Industry, USA remains as the November 2020. top trading partner of India during the Note: This currency swap is used to boost the Financial Year 2019-20. foreign reserves and ensure the financial Note: This is the second consecutive Financial stability of the country, which is badly hit by Year that the United States has become the top the COVID-19 pandemic. The currency swap trading partner of India. arrangement will remain available till ✓ Technology giant google announced to invest November 2022. Rs 75,000 crore in India over the next five to ✓ What per cent of Foreign Direct Investment seven years with a focus on digitizing the (FDI) has been decided by the union economy and building India-first products and government in defence sector -- 74 per cent. services. Note: The second draft of the Defence ✓ In Andaman and Nicobar Islands NABARD Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020, now has launched development projects of Rs 44 renamed as the Defence Acquisition Procedure lakhs to strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat (DAP) 2020, was put out in public domain for through rural entrepreneurship. comments from stakeholders and public. ✓ In the new World Bank country classifications ✓ The Central Government in collaboration with by income level 2020-2021, India remains in World Bank has decided to convert the area the classification of Lower Middle-income of ravines in the region of Gwalior-Chambal economy. belt of Madhya Pradesh into cultivable land. ✓ The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Note: Around 3 lakh hectares land of this (AIIB) would lend $250 million to Pakistan region are non-cultivable, this conversion will to help the country deal with the effects of the improve and support the integrated COVID-19 pandemic. development of the Bihad area in the region of ✓ Amount of rescue package has been Gwalior-Chambal.In addition to the announced by the European Union (EU) to agricultural and environmental development rebuild the bloc’s economies ravaged by this project will also create employment COVID-19 -- €750 billion. opportunities and will support the substantive ✓ Airtel Payments Bank partnered with the development of this region. National Skill Development Corporation ✓ Asian Development Bank has approved USD (NSDC) to train and skill young people in 3 million (Rs 22 crore) grant to India from the rural areas on financial services. Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to ✓ As per the Financial Stability Report, July support India’s battle against COVID-19. 2020 released the Reserve Bank of India what Note: The grant is financed by the Japanese will be the Gross Nonperforming Assets government. It will be used to seek thermal (GNPA) ratio of all scheduled commercial scanners, enhancement of disease surveillance banks (SCBs) by March 2021 -- 12.5 per cent. and early detection, contact tracing, and ✓ Asian Development Bank has agreed to treatment. COVID-19 pandemic response partner with Green Climate Fund (GCF) option (CPRO) was established to provide 89 www.gradeup.co

assistance to the member countries’ pandemic response.

June 2020

✓ Worker population ratio is (35.3%) as per India’s gross domestic product (GDP) the ‘Annual Report of Periodic Labour growth may contract by 1.5 per cent. Force Survey launched by National ✓ The World Bank (WB) has granted loan Statistical Office (NSO). worth of Rs. 1,950 crores to West Bengal ✓ 14 kharif crops the central government has govt. for tackling COVID-19 situation and announced minimum support price (MSP) developmental work. on the recommendation of Commission for ✓ Harsh Vardhan chaired the Committee Agricultural Costs and Prices. on Development of Housing Finance • Note: The Minimum Support Price Securitization Market in India on the of Paddy has been increased by Rs recommendation of which RBI draft 53 per quintal. The MSP of paddy Framework for Securitization of Standard has been fixed at Rs 1,868 per Assets. quintal for the year 2020-21. ✓ Growth of India in FY2020-21 as per • The rates of pulses, oil seeds and World Bank’s Global Economic Prospect cereals have also been increased. (GEP) June 2020 - 3.2 per cent. The MSP of cotton has been ✓ According to World bank’s report, global increased from Rs 5,255 per economy will contract by in 2020 - 5.2 per quintal to Rs 5,515 per quintal. cent. ✓ Grade Baa3 has been given by ratings ✓ PK Mohanty will chair the committee agency Moody’s Investors Service towards formed by the Reserve Bank of India India’s sovereign rating. (RBI) to review the guidelines related to • Note: Baa3 is the lowest ownership, governance and corporate investment grade in Moody’s structure of private sector banks. rating ladder. This means, India is ✓ Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM just one notch above the non- Bank) has provided a line of credit (LOC) investment grade or junk grade. of $215.68 million to Malawi country for ✓ Small Industries Development Bank of Drinking Water Supply Scheme. India (SIDBI) is the technical partner for ✓ As per the new framework of the RBI, the implementation of PM Svanidhi, or National Payment Corporation of India Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s and National Electronic Fund Transfer AtmaNirbhar Nidhi scheme launched by will be treated as Financial Market the Ministry of Housing and Urban Infrastructure (FMI). Affairs. ✓ In accordance with the weekly statistical ✓ GAIL India Limited has signed a data released by the Reserve Bank of India memorandum of understanding (MoU) (RBI), India’s foreign reserves crossed the with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd $500 billion mark. (EESL) for development of” trigeneration” ✓ According to UNCTAD’s World projects in India. Investment Report 2020, the Global • Note: An equal (50:50) joint Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows venture between the two companies are forecast to decrease by up to 40% in will be incorporated for 2020. undertaking trigeneration projects ✓ According to UNCTAD’s World if the studies made by 2 companies Investment Report 2020 what is the are viable. position of India as recipient of the foreign ✓ As per the 64th survey of Professional direct investment in 2019-- 9th largest. Forecasters (SPF) on Macroeconomic ✓ According to the payroll data of EPFO Indicators released by RBI in FY 2021 witnessed 28.6 % increase in formal employment in 2019-20. 90 www.gradeup.co

✓ According to Asian Development interest rate will keep varying Outlook by the Asian Development during the tenure of the scheme. Bank, in FY 2020-21 Indian economy is ✓ The tenure of the Floating Rate Savings projected to contract by 4 per cent. Bonds 2020 (FRSB Bonds) launched by ✓ As per the new Purchasing Power Parities the Government of India in of 7.75% (PPPs) released by the World Bank, Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 -- 7 years. India’s global position as an economy in ✓ World Bank has approved $500 million terms of PPPs - 3rd. to build road connectivity along the ✓ World Bank approved USD 500 million to Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor directly improve the learning outcome and connecting Dhaka in Bangladesh with governance of government schools in six India and Bhutan. Indian states under STARS Programme. • Note: It will also support the • Note: The project, Strengthening Bangladesh government’s plan of Teaching-Learning and Results for developing a 260 km economic States Program (STARS), will be corridor in the western part and implemented through the Samagra benefitting over 20 million masses. Shiksha Abhiyan, the flagship • The Western Economic Corridor central scheme, in Himachal and the Regional Enhancement Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, (WeCARE) Phase I project is the Maharashtra, Odisha and first of a multi-phased $1.4 billion Rajasthan. World Bank program to upgrade ✓ Minimum amount can be invested in the the existing 110 km two-lane newly launched Floating Rate Savings highway, Bhomra-Satkhira- Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) Scheme -- Rs Navaron and Jashore-Jhenaidah, to 1000. a safer and climate-resilient four- • Note: The Floating Rate Savings lane highway in western Bonds 2020 (FRSB Bonds) will Bangladesh. have a tenure of 7 years and the

May 2020

✓ According to Mercom India Research’s ‘India policy for insurance intermediaries that can be Solar Market Leaderboard 2020’ report7.3 issued by all the insurers-- Yegnapriya Giga Watt (GW) solar energy generation Bharat. capacity India has added during calendar year ✓ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has 2019. organized the digital conference, RE-START ✓ Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India – ‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Private Limited has started the production of Technology and Research Translations is Coal for the first time. association with Technology Development ✓ Under chairmanship the Insurance Board (TDB) Regulatory and Development Authority of ✓ World Bank has approved 1 billion USD to India (IRDAI) has set up a committee to increase India’s COVID-19 Social Protection frame standard professional indemnity response Program.

April 2020

✓ Asian Development Bank (ADB) has ✓ Standard & Poor Global Ratings has signed a loan agreement worth of $60 slashed down India’s growth forecast for million with affordable housing loan financial year 2020-21 to 3.5%. providerAavas Financiers Ltd. ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in consultation with the Government of India

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(GoI), has hiked the limit of Ways and ✓ International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Means Advances (WMA) for the first its “World Economic Outlook, April half of the financial year 2020-21 for the 2020” has decreased India’s GDP growth centre to Rs 1.2 lakh crore. rate to 1.9%. ✓ The United Nations (UN) Department of ✓ The Reserve Bank of India has increased Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) the limit for Ways and Means Advances World Economic Forecasting Model (WMA) for Central Government to Rs estimates that the global economy could 2,00,000 crores. shrink by 1%. • Note: RBI has increased the limit for ✓ According to the Fitch Solutions India’s Ways and Means Advances (WMA) by fiscal deficit is expected to go up to what 66% for Central Government to Rs per cent of GDP -- 6.2 %. 2,00,000 crore from Rs 1,20,000 crore ✓ Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its for the remaining part of first half of Asian Development Outlook (ADO) the financial year 2020-21 to tackle the 2020 has forecasted a slowdown in Indian financial crisis arisen due to COVID- economic growth to 4%. 19 pandemic. ✓ The Small Industries Development Bank ✓ World Bank has approved Rs 585 cr for of India (SIDBI) has announced to Himachal Pradesh State Roads provide emergency working capital to Transformation Project. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) up ✓ SIDBI has launched special liquidity to one crore. schemes to support MSMEs due to • Note: The SIDBI Assistance to lockdown. Facilitate Emergency response • Note: The schemes will cover all against coronavirus (SAFE) loan eligible entities with investment-grade limit has been increased to 2 crores ratings irrespective of the entity’s size from Rs 50 lakhs.It is a financial & the quantum of the loans is 90 days. assistance program launched by • Small Industries Development Bank of SIDBI for (Micro, Small & India (SIDBI) has received Rs 15,000 Medium Enterprises) MSMEs that crore from the Reserve Bank of India engage in the manufacturing of (RBI) to provide financial aid to products (hand sanitizers, masks, MSMEs. gloves, head gear, bodysuits, shoe • The central bank provided the capital covers, ventilators, goggles, among through a Special Liquidity Facility others) or offer services to combat (SLF). SIDBI will provide the the novel coronavirus. financing to MSMEs through banks, ✓ According to the United Nations non-banking finance companies Economic and Social Commission for (NBFCs) and micro-finance Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report institutions (MFIs). India’s GDP growth for FY 20-21 is likely ✓ Transcorp International Ltd (TIL) to be declined to 4.8%. becomes the 1st non-bank company to ✓ The rate of interest in the “Sovereign receive Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nod Gold Bond Scheme 2020-21” to be to enter into co-branding arrangements for launched by the RBI on behalf of GoI-- prepaid Instruments. 2.50 per annum. March 2020 92 www.gradeup.co

✓ The Employees Provident Fund ✓ An ‘Innovate for accessible India Organisation (EPFO) has cuts interest rate to campaign’has been launched by Microsoft 8.5%. India and NASSCOM Foundation. • Note: It is a nation-wide innovation • Note: The EPFO has declined interest challenge aimed at empowering people rate on EPF deposits for 2019-20 to with disabilities with the new seven years low by 0.15% or 15 basis technologies required for better points from 8.65% to 8.5%. integration into society and access to • The decision has been taken during the equal opportunities. meeting of EPFO’s apex decision • The campaign was launched in making body, Central Board of partnership with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Trustees (CBT) chaired by Minister of Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of State (MoS) for Labour and Social Justice & Empowerment, Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar Department of Science & Technology in New Delhi. (DST), Ministry of Science and ✓ Name the world’s first Digital Solutions Technology and National Research and Exchange Cloud launched in India -- Education Network (NREN). GOKADDAL. ✓ For Research in Cybersecurity Programs L&T Technology Services has signed with IIT- • Note: GOKADDAL, the World’s first Kanpur. Digital Solutions Exchange in Cloud, • Note: L&T Technology Services was launched in India on March 11, (LTTS) signed a multi-year 2020. www.gokaddal.com, a cloud- Memorandum of Understanding based solution exchange platform (MoU) with the Indian Institute of mainly focuses on 4A’s – Automation, Technology Kanpur (IIT) to collaborate on research industrial and Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and infrastructure cybersecurity. Augmentative Technologies. • The MoU is signed between Dr • It is a Business to Business (B2B), Keshab Panda, Chief Executive Officer Business to Government (B2G), and Managing Director of LTTS and Business to Consumer (B2C) solution Professor Manindra Agarwal, Padma platform which connects solution Shri Awardee, Deputy Director at IIT- providers to solution seekers and an Kanpur. ✓ RBI has injected 30,000 crores rupees innovative platform for Startups and through open market operations (OMOs) in SME companies. the economy. ✓ 39th GST Council meet on ‘Know your Supplier’ was held in New Delhi. • Note: The RBI will purchase • Note: It was headed by Finance government securities under OMOs in Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During two tranches of Rs 15,000 crore each. the summit several decisions have been • OMO is the sale and purchase of taken regarding the GST mechanism government securities and treasury on particular sections. bills by the central bank of the country. • One of the decisions includes calculation of delayed GST payment • Already, RBI infused Rs 10,000 crore on the net tax liability w.e.f. 1st July through open market operations, last 2017, the day the GST came into force. week. • Net cash tax liability is arrived at after • RBI will purchase securities with a deducting the input tax credits coupon rate of 6.84 per cent (maturity available from gross tax liability. December 19, 2022); 7.72 per cent 93 www.gradeup.co

(May 25, 2025); 8.33 per cent (July 9, deal in providing long term growth 2026) and 7.26 per cent (January 14, financing for private sector companies, 2029). social infrastructure development and ✓ Asian Development Bank will invest 100 economic development. million US Dollars in India’s infrastructure ✓ Fitch Ratings Inc has lowered India’s GDP sector through the government-promoted (Gross Domestic Product) growth forecast to - National Investment and Infrastructure Fund - 4.6%. (NIIF). • Note: It cuts the rate due to weak • Note: With this, the National domestic demand and private Investment and Infrastructure Fund has consumption, which put pressure on now received a total of $700 million in the investment amid the coronavirus commitments. (COVID-19) outbreak. • The investment comes at a time when • Earlier on March 2, 2020, Fitch has India’s economy is expected to suffer lowered India’s GDP growth forecast huge losses due to the coronavirus to 4.9% for the fiscal year –FY20 (COVID-19) epidemic. (2019-2020) ending March 31, 2020 • This will help in increasing the capital from 5.1% due to coronavirus and of domestic private equity funds in supply disruptions. India. It will also contribute a great February 2020

✓ Union Cabinet Approves Amendments to “agricultural dominance of the Banking Regulation Act to regulate Urban country”. Co-Operative banks. ✓ “We Think Digital” Programme to provide • These amendments will apply to the digital literacy training to 1 lakh women urban co-operative banks and multi- launched by Facebook. state cooperative banks. ✓ The Government of India (GoI) has signed a $ ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will 450 million (mn) loan agreement to support conducted the “Financial Literacy Week Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) with the World Bank. 2020” from February 10 to February 14, • The main aim of this agreement is to stop 2020. the decreasing level of ground water in • Note: The theme of the Financial India and strengthen the institutions related Literacy Week 2020 is “Micro, Small to ground water. and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)”. ✓ To promote UPI as Easy, Safe, and Instant ✓ As per the notified ‘Printing of One Rupee mode of payment a campaign named “UPI Currency Notes Rules, 2020, the currency Chalega” has been launched by NPCI. • The “UPI Chalega” campaign is aimed to notes of rupees one to have pink green guide users towards the right usage of colour. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and help • The pink green colour note will have a create a habitual change, use of UPI in design of grains, which depicts the their daily life.

January 2020

✓ India may overtake Germany to become the • Note: The report titled 'World fourth-largest economy by 2026. Economic League Table 2020' was released by the UK-based 94 www.gradeup.co

Centre for Economics and Business 2020: Global economic trends and Research (CEBR). their impact on gold”, the Reserve According to the “Global Investment Trend Bank of India (RBI) became the sixth Monitor report 2020” released by United largest buyer when it purchased 25.2 Nations Conference on Trade and Development tonnes in first 10 months of 2019 to (UNCTAD) what is India’s rank in attracting hedge government’s sovereign gold FDI in 2019 -- 8th bond issue. ✓ The Reserve Bank of India has been ranked at ✓ The National Payments Corporation of 6thposition in buying gold abroad among the India (NPCI) has launched a platform to central banks of the world. make payments fast & secure -- “Vajra • Note: According to World Gold Platform”. Council(WGC) report titled “Outlook Awards and Honours

September 2020 award. The State Government of ✓ Sonu Sood receives Special Humanitarian Maharastra started this award in 1992. Action Award by UNDP ✓ Jnanpith Award Presented To Renowned • Actor Sonu Sood receives this prestigious Malayalam Poet Akkitham award for selflessly extending a helping • The prestigious Jnanpith award was hand and sending home lakhs of migrants, conferred on poet Akkitham Achuthan helping thousands of stranded students Namboothiri. Akkitham had been across geographies abroad, providing free announced the winner of the Jnanpith education and medical facilities to young award in November last year but the children and creating free employment presentation was delayed due to the opportunities to the needy in the wake of coronavirus lockdown. the Covid-19 pandemic. • Note: Jnanpith Award is a literary award • Note: This award is given by the UNDP presented annually by the Bharatiya (United Nations Development Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding Programme). UNDP is the United Nations' contribution towards literature". The award global development network to work to is only for Indian writers writing in Indian eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities languages. through the sustainable development of nations. ✓ ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar’ Prize, 2020

✓ Usha Mangeshkar honoured with Lata • 14 scientists awarded: Dr. Bushra Ateeq, Mangeshkar award 2020-21 Dr Ritesh Agarwal, Dr. Jyotirmayee Dash, Dr. Subi Jacob George, Dr. Subhadeep • Government of Maharashtra has Chatterjee, Dr. Vatsala Thirumalai, Dr. announced the Gan Samragni Lata Rajat Subhra Hazra, Dr. U K Mangeshkar award for the year 2020-21 to Anandavardhanan, Dr. Surajit Dhara, Dr. veteran female playback singer Usha Rajesh Ganapathy, Dr. Kinshuk Dasgupta, Mangeshkar. The veteran singer has sung Dr. Amol Arvindrao Kulkarni, Dr. songs in Hindi, Marathi and several other Suryendu Dutta and Dr. Abhijit Indian language films. The award consists Mukherjee. of a cash prize of five lakh rupees, a • Note: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for certificate and a memento. Science and Technology is a science award • Note: Lata Mangeshkar Award is a given annually by the Council of Scientific national-level award in the field of music. and Industrial Research (CSIR) for notable Various state governments present this and outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in biology, chemistry, 95 www.gradeup.co

environmental science, engineering, • This award is given to him for feeding mathematics, medicine and physics. Any millions of people across India in the citizen of India engaged in research in any COVID-19 pandemic through a massive field of science and technology up to the food distribution drive ‘FeedIndia’. age of 45 years is eligible for the prize. • Note: Asia Game Changer Award, a US- based non-profit organization, in 2014 was ✓ President Ram Nath Kovind to confer NSS launched by the Asia Society, to identify Awards for 2018-19 on 24 September and honour true leaders who make a 2020 positive contribution to the future of Asia. • The NSS Award will be given to 42 ✓ Chaitanya Tamhane wins 'International awardees in three different categories like Critics Award' University, NSS Units and their Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers. • Tamhane won the award at the Venice film • Note: NSS (The National Service Scheme) festival for the film 'The Disciple' that is an Indian government-sponsored public portrays three decades of an Indian service program conducted by the Ministry classical music practitioner' journey rooted of Youth Affairs and Sports of the in Guru-Shishya parampara. Government of India launched in 1969 with the primary objective of developing ✓ Indira Gandhi peace prize the personality and character of the student • This year Indira Gandhi peace prize has youth through voluntary community been awarded to Sir David Attenborough service. to recognise his work in improving awareness to protect biodiversity and his ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi Becomes push towards living a sustainable and Second Indian PM to Win Ig Nobel Prize harmonious life.

• Narendra Modi has been awarded the Ig • Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Nobel Prize for 2020 for his contributions Disarmament, and Development was to medical education, alongside the heads instituted in 1986 in the memory of the of the governments of Brazil, the UK, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by a Mexico, Belarus, the US, Turkey, Russia trust in her name. The award consists of a and Turkmenistan. monetary award of Rs.25 lakh along with a • Note: The Ig Nobel Prizes are satirical citation. prizes awarded every year by a magazine named Annals of Improbable Research, ✓ CII-GBC ‘National Energy Leader’ award specialising in humorous coverage and • The Hyderabad International Airport has discussions of scientific developments. won the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Godrej Green Business Centre • The first Indian to win the prize was Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (GBC)'National Energy Leader' and 'Excellent Energy Efficient Unit' award. ✓ Margaret Atwood awarded 2020 Dayton Literary Peace Prize: • The GMR led Hyderabad International Airport was awarded at the 21st National • Margaret Atwood is a prolific writer of Awards for 'Excellence in Energy poetry, fiction, nonfiction, essays and Management" organized by CII and GBC, comic books. In the recent years, she has during the 19th edition of 'Energy drawn a new round of acclaim for “The Efficiency Summit". Handmaid’s Tale”, her bestselling 1985 • According to a release by the GHIAL, it novel of a dystopian future in which has achieved a substantial energy saving of women are subjugated after a theocratic around 4.55 MU in its operations owing to group overthrow the US government. its consistent and sustainable approach towards energy efficiency measures over ✓ Chef Vikas Khanna honoured with Asia the last three years. These have also Game Changer Award 2020: 96 www.gradeup.co

resulted in a significant dip in the emission Accreditation from Airports Council of greenhouse gases. International (ACI) under its Airport • The airport is also a Carbon Neutral Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme. Airport having Level 3 + "Neutrality"

August 2020

✓ Sunil Ydv SS has been conferred with the achieve the honour from the Karmaveer Chakra Award instituted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic United Nations and International Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Confederation of NGO (iCONGO). ✓ The researchers from IIT Kharagpur Note: He received the award for his relentless institutions has won the Gandhian Young contribution to society through his Telegram Technological Innovation (GYTI) Awards channel “SS Motivation.” He addresses social 2020 for developing a mechanism for issues and motivates people every day through generating electricity from wet clothes left his channel. The awards he won last year under sunlight to dry. include RastraPrerna, Iconic Personality of Note: The work has been published in Nano India, Incredible Indian Icon and Letters, a high-impact journal in the field, and Humanitarian Excellence. the innovation has been patented by them. The ✓ Defence Institute of Advanced Technology same award was presented separately to (DIAT) has won the first prize in the Smart another team of the IIT Kharagpur for India Hackathon (SIH) 2020, a national-level addressing the problem of energy conservation digital product building competition. and thermal management in wearable and Note: It was jointly organized by MHRD and flexible electronic devices. All India Council for Technical Education ✓ Nitin Sethihas won the Asian College of (AICTE) at Noida Institute of Engineering & Journalism’s award 2019 for investigative Technology (NIET), Uttar Pradesh. The team journalism. of DIAT named as ‘Age of Ultron’ had six Note:The awards ceremony was conducted members under Dr. Sunita Dhavale . Prize online due to the ongoing COVID-19 Money: Rs 1 Lakh pandemic. Sethi won in the investigative ✓ Moothonfilm has won the Best Film Award in journalism category for his six-part series the 20th edition of New York Indian Film titled "Paisa Politics" published by The Festival (NYIFF) of Indo-American Arts Huffington Post India. Council (IAAC). ✓ Shiv Sahay Singh has won the Asian College Note: It was conducted as a virtual event with of Journalism’s award 2019 the K P Narayana the celebrities of the film industries and award Kumar Memorial Award for social impact winners participating from all across India and journalism. the United States. Nivin Pauly starring film Note: He won the inaugural social impact Mothoon was directed by Geetu Mohandas. journalism award for his story titled "Death by The movies portray the story of a 14-year-old digital exclusion: On faculty public who travel in search of Moothon (elder distribution system in Jharkhand" published in brother) Akbar who left Lakshadweep for The Hindu. Mumbai”. ✓ AkshayKumaris the only Indian actor to be ✓ United Nations Educational, Scientific and listed among the top 10 world’s highest-paid Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognized actors of 2020. Venkatraipur and Noliasahi, villages of Note: Akshay is placed at sixth place in the Odisha as ‘Tsunami Ready’ for their overall list. Most of his income came from product preparedness to face the tsunami. endorsements. The list takes into account the Note: With this recognition, Odisha became earnings between June 1, 2019, and June 1, the first state in the India and India became 2020. The list has been topped by Wrestler- the 1st Country in the Indian Ocean region to turned-movie star Dwayne Johnson, for a

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second straight year, with the total earning of country. A total of 129 awards will be handed $87.5 million. Johnson is also known by his out to the top-performing cities and states. ring name The Rock. ✓ Water technology company VA Tech Wabag ✓ Indian origin physician Ravi Solanki is Ltd. has won the prestigious Global Water among 19 winners of the UK’s Royal Award for its 45 million liters a day Tertiary Academy of Engineering President’s Special Treatment Reverse Osmosis Plant. Awards for Pandemic Service. Note: The plant has won the distinction award Note: Ravi Solanki, a physician working on under the category of ‘wastewater project of neurodegenerative diseases, along with the year’.The plant is one of the largest and Raymond Siems, an engineer working in technologically advanced water treatment machine learning, were awarded for their plants in India. volunteer work to help build a secure and fully ✓ NLCIhas bagged the “Swachhta Hi Seva functioning website for a new National Health award” for transforming Neyveli Township Service (NHS) charity HEROES. into a plastic-free, green campus. ✓ Rohit Sharma, VineshPhogat, Manika Batra Note: The award was conferred to three units and M Thangavelu were recommended for of the PSU - Township administration office Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2020 (First rank), Thermal Power Station -I (second award by the National Sports Awards selection rank) and Mines Sub-stores (third committee. rank).NLCIL implemented the Swachhta Hi Note: Rohit Sharma will be the fourth Seva programme in two phases -- the first cricketer after legendary Sachin Tendulkar, phase from September 11 to November 2, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to be conferred the 2019 and the second phase from October 3 to award. Tendulkar was awarded the Khel Ratna 27, 2019. in 1998, Dhoni got it in 2007 and Kohli ✓ Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash has won the received in 2018.In a first, this year’s National first ever Gold Medal for India in Mental Sports Awards ceremony is likely to be held Calculations World Cup (MCWC). virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: Bhanu Prakash had secured the gold ✓ St Christopher School of Nagalandhas won medal with a score of 167, Lebanese the Gold Award along with cash prize of Rs.1 contender Mohammed El Mir secured the Lakh from the first ever Pallikkutam National Silver Medal with a score 102 and Asmita Pal Award for Innovation in Education instituted from the UAE bagged the Bronze medal with by Rajagiri Media. a score of 100 points. Note: The St Christopher School won the ✓ Tenzin Priyadarshi and Zara Houshmand award for ensuring a seamless class for the has authored the book titled ‘Running toward students with the limited infrastructure and Mystery: The Adventure of an Unconventional resources in the rural area. The Prize money Life’. for Gold Award is Rs.1,00,000.The rural Note: The book provides an account of how school provided a balanced online and offline the Dalai Lama traced his Spiritual Teacher activities for the students over the Khunu Lama in India. Tenzin Priyadarshi is whatsapp.The award was sponsored under the the President and CEO of The Dalai Lama CSR initiative of the Federal Bank Ltd. Center for Ethics and Transformative Values ✓ Indore city became India’s cleanest city for at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology the fourth year in a row in the Swachh (MIT) and Zara Houshmand is an Iranian Survekshan 2020 awards. American author and literary translator. Note: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri ✓ Marieke Lucas Rijneveldhas been adjudged announced the Swachh Survekshan 2020 as the winner of the International Booker Prize result at the Award Ceremony ‘Swachh 2020. Mahotsav’ in the national capital being Note:The book was first published in Dutch in organised by the Ministry of Housing and 2018 and eventually translated into English by Urban Affairs (MoUHA). This is the fifth Michele Hutchison. The £50,000 prize edition of the annual cleanliness survey of the ($66,000) will be split equally between the

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author and translator to give equal recognition 2020. The SBI has been awarded with the to both. global recognition for its HR initiative, ”Nayi ✓ “Nayi Disha” is the HR initiative of SBI bank Disha”. The award winners will be honored at has been awarded with Brandon Human Brandon Hall Group’s annual HCM Capital Management (HCM) Excellence Excellence Conference, January 26-28, 2021 Award 2020. at the Hilton West Palm Beach, Florida. Note: The award is also known as the Academy Awards of Learning & Development July 2020

• Raghuram Rajan has been conferred with the • NTPC Limited has won the prestigious CII- first Prof. P C Mahalanobis Award in Official ITC Sustainability Award 2019, under Statistics for lifetime achievements. Outstanding Accomplishment in Corporate • Ravindra Jadeja has been named as the Excellence Category. India’s ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) of the • Kezang D Thongdok has won the prestigious 21st century by Wisden. Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2020. • Name the Indian-American who were listed Note: Kezang D Thongdok won the 2020 among the 38 immigrants to be honoured as Dada Saheb Phalke Award for his the ‘2020 Great Immigrants’ by the Carnegie documentary “Chi Lupo”. Corporation -- Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee • Edappadi K Palaniswamihas been honored and Prof Raj Chetty. with Paul Harris Fellow recognition. • Government announced to release Note: The recognition is in the honor of commemorative stamp to honour PV Rotary founder, Paul Harris who contributed Narasimha Rao. to The Rotary Foundation. The Paul Harris • Mon District of Nagaland state received 2020 Fellow recognition is conferred to honour the SKOCH awards under three categories in the efficient service of people who provide 65th SKOCH summit 2020. drinking water, sanitation, prevention of • A new category of awards titled ‘PrerakDauur diseases, environment, world peace etc. to its Samman’ has been announced as a part of people. Swachh Survekshan 2021. • Ashok Kumar has been honoured with the Note: The PrerakDauur Samman has a total of Lifetime achievement award by the football five additional subcategories namely, Divya club – Mohun Bagan Athletic Club. (Platinum), Anupam (Gold), Ujjwal (Silver), • Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Udit (Bronze) and Aarohi (Aspiring). In Mukesh Ambani in the Bloomberg Swachh Survekshan 2020, cities are evaluated Billionaires Index as the world’s richest man - on the criteria of ‘population category’ but for - 6th 2021, they will be categorised on the basis of • Parkash Dudeja has been awarded with six select indicator wise performance criteria coveted ‘Infra Business Leader of the Year’ • Freya Thakral has received the 2020 Diana award for 2020. Award for her “Recycler App”. Note: He is the vice chairman of Rail Land • Chhattisgarh state’s Darpan Portal and Development Authority (RLDA). Mobile app, which contains the details of the • N Chandrasekaran has been awarded the schemes of the government received the Elites 2020 USIBC Global Leadership Award along Excellence Awards 2020 by the IT institution with Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet. Elites Technomedia under the Digital India • Amal Clooney has been awarded with the Initiative. Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award 2020. • Sachin Awasthi has been honoured with the • Greta Thunberg has been awarded with the “Top Publicist” award in the Global ‘Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2020’. Humanitarian Awards 2020 held as a webinar • Arnab Chaudhuri has been conferred with over a virtual platform in London. ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the

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Toonz Media Group (TMG) as part of the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020.

June 2020

✓ Virat Kohli has become the only cricketer ✓ Rattan Lal has been conferred with and the only Indian to feature in the prestigious World Food Prize 2020. Forbes’ Top 100 highest paid athletes of ✓ Shobha Sekhar has been chosen for the 2020. ‘Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). ✓ Kritika Pandey is the author of the book ✓ Angad Singh Rana has been adjudged as ‘The Great Indian Tee and Snakes’ for the winner of New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual’ which she bestowed with Commonwealth Chef competition – the ‘Quality NZ short story prize 2020 for Asia region. Culinary Cup’ held in India. ✓ The World Health Organization (WHO) ✓ Deccan Development Society (DDS) has has accorded the “World No Tobacco Day won the Biodiversity award 2020 of Prince Award 2020” to SEEDS NGO. Albert II of Monaco Foundation. ✓ Akshay Kumar is the only Indian ✓ Jammu and Kashmir has been conferred celebrities to find a place in the Forbes 100 with three prestigious DeenDayal list of world's highest paid celebrities Upadhyay SashaktikaranPuraskar for its during June 2019 to May 2020. outstanding contribution to the socio- ✓ Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been named economic development of the Gram as EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Panchayats across the state/UTs. 2020. ✓ Amartya Kumar Sen has been selected ✓ Indian Airport received Platinum for the 2020 Peace Prize of the German Recognition in ACI Asia-Pacific Green Book Trade. Airports recognition 2020 -- Rajiv ✓ Priyanka Chopra and Anurag Kashyap Gandhi International Airport, named among the 50 ambassadors at 45th Hyderabad. edition Toronto International Film Festival ✓ Javed Akhtar becomes the first Indian to (TIFF) 2020. receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins ✓ Beyonce has received the Humanitarian Award for 2020 for critical thinking. Award at 20th edition of annual BET ✓ India’s first solar-powered ferry which has Awards 2020, for her long-standing been shortlisted for the Gustave Trouve philanthropic work, including her recent Award -- Aditya. COVID-19 relief efforts. ✓ Australian player Michal Clarke has been ✓ GulabbaiSangamnerkar has been appointed an officer in the Order of conferred with VithabaiNarayangaokar Australia, an honour for achievement or lifetime achievement award by meritorious service. Maharashtra Government. ✓ The Ramon Magsaysay awards, regarded ✓ Madhuvanti Dandekar has been as Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, have conferred with Annasaheb Kirloskar award been cancelled this year due to the by Maharshtra government. coronavirus pandemic, the award ✓ KK Shailaja has been honoured with foundation is located at Manila, United Nations Awards for her efforts to Philippines. fight the coronavirus pandemic in her ✓ Renjith Kumar has been honoured with state. “NASA Distinguished Service Medal” for his administration to NASA. May 2020

✓ Shobhana Narasimhan has been elected as ✓ Sania Mirza has become the first Indian to an International Honorary Member to the be nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award American Academy of Arts and Science. from the Asia/Oceania zone.

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✓ Kim Jong Un has been honoured with a ✓ Naomi Osaka becomes the highest paid commemorative World War II medal to female athlete in the world. mark the 75th anniversary of victory over ✓ Indian American inventor Rajiv Joshi has Nazi Germany by Russian President bagged the prestigious “Inventor of the Year Vladimir Putin. award” in recognition of his pioneering work ✓ Indian journalist Siddharth Varadarajanhas in advancing the electronic industry and been named for Deutsche Welle Freedom of improving artificial intelligence capabilities. Speech Award 2020. ✓ Suman Gawanihas been selected for the ✓ Indian airport Kempegowda International prestigious United Nations Military Gender Airport, Bengaluru has won this year’s Advocate of the Year Award (2019) along SKYTRAX Award for Best Regional Airport with Brazilian Naval Officer Commander in India and Central Asia. Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo. ✓ Akshay Kumar has been conferred with the ✓ QuarraishaAbdool Karim has been awarded Vice Admiral G.M. Hiranandani Memorial Christophe Merieux Prize 2020 for finding a Rolling Trophy for the year 2020. topical gel could stop many women catching ✓ Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar has been the HIV. awarded the Alexander Dalrymple Award 2019. April 2020

✓ Manufacturing unit of Indian Railway ✓ Female cricketer Ellyse Perry has been Chittaranjan Locomotive Works has set named the Wisden’s Leading Female the Limca Book of Records for producing Cricketer in the World 2020. record 431 locomotives in the financial ✓ Power company Tata Power haswon the year 2019-2020. Edison Award for social innovation. ✓ NGO ‘ARMMAN’ has been awarded the ✓ Algerian NovelistAbdelouahabAissaoui Skoll Award for Social has won the 13th International Prize for Entrepreneurship 2020 in recognition of Arabic Fiction (IPAF) 2020 for his novel its exceptional work in the maternal and ‘The Spartan Court’. child health space in India. ✓ Adam Higginbotham has won the ✓ Naveen Patnaik has been conferred with William E. Colby Award 2020 for his ‘Hero to Animals Award’ by animal rights book “Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold body PETA India. Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear ✓ Ben Stokes has been named as the leading Disaster”. cricketer of the world in 2020 by Wisden. March 2020

• SarbanandaSonowalhas been honoured with Majlis of Maldives Mohamed the Dr.Syama Prasad Mukherjee award for Nasheed. politics. • ‘There Is No Evil’ film won the Golden Bear • Note: Assam’s Chief Minister prize 2020 for the best picture at the Berlin SarbanandaSonowal was honoured International Film Festival 2020. with Swarajya Awards 2020 under the • Note: The 70th edition of Berlin category, Dr.Syama Prasad Mukherjee International Film Festival 2020 was Award for Politics at the 6th India held in Berlin, Germany from 20 Ideas Conclave at Tent City Narmada February–1 March 2020. in Gujarat. • It was the first under the leadership of • The award is instituted by India new Berlin Film Festival heads, Foundation & Indic Academy & business administration director presented by External Affairs Minister Mariette Rissenbeek and artistic S Jaishankar and Speaker of People’s director Carlo Chatrian.

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• The Opening film of the festival was • On August 18, 1978 ICG was ‘My Salinger Year’& the Closing film established by the Coast Guard Act, was ‘There Is No Evil’. 1978 of the Parliament of India as an • Jadav Payenghas been named as the 128th independent armed force of India and Commonwealth Points of Light Award is operated under the Ministry of winner. defence. • Note: Jadav Payeng, an environmental • It is an armed forces and multi-mission activist of Assam also known as the organisation, which conducts real life “Forest man of India” named as 128th operations at sea round the year. winner of Commonwealth Points of • President Ram Nath Kovind honoured ‘Nari Light Award. Shakti Puraskar’ for 2019 to 15 women. • He had spent 30 years of his life for • Note: The award is conferred annually planting trees. He was honored by the to eminent women and institutions in Head of Commonwealth the Queen recognition of their service towards the Elizabeth II for his exceptional cause of women empowerment & volunteer service in environmental social welfare. conservation. • This award is an initiative of the • In the Time Magazine’s ‘100 women of the Ministry of Women and Child year’ to recognize selected women or groups Development(MWCD) to acknowledge to represent each year from 1920 to 2019 the achievements of women for the former prime minister Indira Gandhi will be nation & recognize their contributions honored as ‘Women of the Year’ for 1976. towards society. • Note: TIME Magazine created 100 • The theme of the 4th Edition of the Women New Covers for the Project ‘100 Transforming India (WTI) Awards 2019 -- women of the year’ to recognize Women and Entrepreneurship. selected women or groups to represent • Note: On the occasion of International each year from 1920 to 2019. Women’s Day (March 8, 2020), NITI • India’s freedom fighter Amrit Kaur Aayog in collaboration with United will be honored as ‘Women of the Nations (UN) in India has organized Year’ for 1947 & Former prime the 4th Edition of the Women minister Indira Gandhi for 1976. Transforming India (WTI) Awards • PV Sindhu has been adjudged as the 2019 in New Delhi. Sportsman of the year in the 4th edition of • The theme for WTI awards 2019 was Times of India Sports Awards 2019. “Women and Entrepreneurship”. • Note: The 4th edition of TOISA • The awards were conferred by Defence (Times of India Sports Awards) awards Minister of India (or Raksha Mantri), honoured the best Indian in 2019 Rajnath Singh who was the chief guest sports in New Delhi, India. of an event. • The event was powered by BHIM-UPI • Manpreet Singh Pawar and Rani (Bharat Interface for Money- Unified Rampalhave won the Hockey India Dhruv Payments Interface). Batra Player of the Year Award 2019 for Men • Rohit Sharma was named as the and Women respectively. Cricketer of the year and PV Sindhu • Note: The captain of India men’s was named as the Sportsman of the national field hockey team, Manpreet year as she won gold at the World Singh Pawar (27) & Captain of Indian Championships in Basel, Switzerland. Women Hockey Team, Rani Rampal • Nupur Kulshrestha becomes the 1st woman (25) have won the Hockey India Dhruv to be promoted as Deputy Inspector General Batra Player of the Year Award 2019 (DIG) of Indian Coast Guard. for Men and Women respectively. • Note: She joined Indian Coast Guard • Apart from the trophy, they also in 1999. collected a prize money of Rs 25 lakh 102 www.gradeup.co

each. Harbinder Singh, who was a Asia-Pacific region in “2019 Airport member of the Tokyo Olympics 1964 Service Quality (ASQ) awards”. gold medal winning team, was honored • The award is given by the Airports with Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Council International (ACI). Achievement Award 2019, which • Dr JaimantiBakshi has won Best Citizens of carries prize money of Rs 30 lakh and India Gold medal Award. a trophy. • Note: Dr JaimantiBakshi, Professor & • V Praveen Rao. Has won the 7th edition of Unit Head II, Department of Dr MS Swaminathan Award for the period Otolaryngology and Head Neck 2017- 2019. surgery at PGIMER (Post Graduate • Note: V Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor Institute of Medical Education & (VC) of Professor JayaShankar Research), Chandigarh was awarded Telangana State Agricultural with “Best Citizens of India”. University (PJTSAU), won the 7th • The award was given by “GEPRA” edition of Dr MS Swaminathan Award (Global Economic Progress and for the period 2017- 2019. Research Association) during the • The award will be conferred on him in National Unity conference held in June 2020. The award was constituted Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). by Retired Indian Council of • Indian woman has been included in Agricultural Research Employees ‘Influential Women in Sport’ list for 2020 -- Association (RICAREA) and Nita Ambani. Nuziveedu Seeds Limited (NSL). • Note: Sports business network, • PV Sindu has been named as BBC Indian iSportconnect released the ‘Influential Sportswoman of the year 2019. Women in Sport’ list for 2020, which • Note: Indian Badminton player Pusarla named Nita Ambani, Serena Williams Venkata Sindhu, 24 years old, won & Simone Biles along with 7 other BBC (British Broadcasting women. Corporation) Indian Sportswoman of • Nita Ambani led her Mumbai Indians the year award 2019 and former franchise to become the most sprinter PilavullakandiThekkeparambil successful in IPL history & is in many Usha was awarded with Lifetime sports projects across different sports Achievement award. in the country. • The BBC award ceremony was held in • Tennis player, Serena Williams’s New Delhi. Union Sports Minister overall impact both on the court, (the Shri Kiren Rijiju was the guest of greatest female player of all time), & honour and Tony Hall, BBC Director as a businesswoman. General hosted the awards ceremony • Indian journalistArfa Khanum Sherwani and event. Rohini Mohan have won the “Chameli Devi • Kempegowda International Airport has Jain Award 2019” for outstanding Women been adjudged as best Airport in Airport media persons. Service Quality awards 2019. • Note: Arfa Khanum Sherwani is a • Note: Annual Airport Service Quality senior editor of the news website ‘The (ASQ) Awards recognize and reward Wire’. While Rohini Mohan is the best airports in the world according freelance journalist. to ACI’s ‘ASQ Departure Survey’ and • The annual award recognises social the ‘ASQ Arrivals Survey’. concern, dedication, courage and • 34 key performance indicators under compassion all over India from the eight major categories were assessed print, broadcast and online media during the survey & Indian Airports category. under the Airport Authority of India • Arfa Khanum Sherwani was selected (AAI) have won many awards under for her reporting from conflict 103 www.gradeup.co

situations in Kashmir and Uttar probability & dynamics in group Pradesh (UP). Rohini Mohan has been theory, number theory and chosen for her reportage on NRC combinatorics”. (National Register for Citizens) • They used probabilistic methods & exercise in Assam & set a new random walks techniques to solve deep benchmark for investigative problems in diverse areas of journalism. mathematics. • Prachi Salve and Pradeep Dwivedi has won • Ruchika Tomarhas won the 2020 the won the Road Safety (RS) Media PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, for Fellowship 2019. “A Prayer for Travelers”. • Note: Centre for Media Studies (CMS) • Note: The novel was published on July announced that Prachi Salve of 9, 2019. The Novel states about the IndiaSpend and Pradeep Dwivedi of friendship of 2 women which grows DainikJagran as the first winner of complicated until the relationship Road Safety (RS) Media Fellowship breaks apart and one of the friends 2019, for their work in contribution disappear. towards reporting on road safety. • Ruchika Tomar hails from California • Centre for Media Studies (CMS) & is currently working as a lecturer at supported by the World Health Stanford University. Organization (WHO), conducted a • Zoya Akhtar has been honored with IIFTC three-month program for journalists to Tourism Impact Award 2020. work on road safety issues in 2019. • Note: She has promoted tourism • This program is conducted to through her films like 2011 ‘Zindagi Strengthen the capacities of the Na MilegiDobara’ which was shot in journalists. Spain, and 2015 comedy-drama • Hillel Furstenberg and Gregory Margulis ‘DilDhadakne Do’ shot in Turkey. has been awarded with Abel Prize 2020. • Asia’s largest film tourism event, 8th • Note: The award is given by The India International Film Tourism Norwegian Academy of Science and Conclave (IIFTC) was held in Letters.They are awarded for their Mumbai, Maharashtra. “pioneering use of methods from February 2020

• The Most Promising Brand of the Year • National Kishore Kumar Samman of the Award 2019 was won by Amulya Mica. Madhya Pradesh (MP) government for the • Madhya Pradesh state has won the 1st year 2018 was awarded to Waheeda Rehman. position for its implementation of Pradhan • Transport Minister’s Road Safety Award Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). 2018-19 was awarded to Delhi Transport • Indore (Madhya Pradesh) has also won Corporation (DTC). 1st place for better performance in • The award was given for its lowest PMMVY. accident rate. • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) • Film ‘1917’ won the Best Film award, in the GovernorShaktikanta Das was awarded the 73rd British Academy of Film and Television ‘Central Banker of the Year 2020’, Asia- Arts (BAFTA) Awards 2020 ceremony. Pacific by The Banker magazine. • President of India Shri. Ram Nath Kovind • 1st Mathrubhumi book of the year 2020 award presented the International Gandhi Awards for won by Vinod Shukla. Leprosy to Dr. N.S. Dharmashaktu. • Note: He was awarded for his • 1st Indian to receive International Olympic translated book ‘Blue Is Like Blue’. Committee’s Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award -- Pullela Gopichand.

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• Kaamya Karthikeyan becomes the youngest • 20th edition of Laureus World Sports Awards Girl in the World to climb South America’s 2020 was held in Berlin, Germany. Highest Peak Mt. Aconcagua. • Laureus World Sports Awards is known as • Parasite film has been bestowed with best ‘Oscars of Sport’. original screenplay award at the 92nd • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw won Ernst & Young Academy Awards ceremony 2020. Entrepreneur of the year 2019. • Dr. Vasant Narsimhan has been conferred • PV Sindhu received the ‘sportsperson of the with the Genome Valley Excellence Award of year 2019 female at the ESPN Multi-Sport BioAsia 2020. Annual Awards 2019. • The President of India Ram Nath Kovind • Saurabh Chaudhary received the awarded President’s Colour to INS Shivaji. ‘sportsperson of the year 2019 male at the • The award ranks high among the ESPN Multi-Sport Annual Awards 2019. honour bestowed upon a military unit • Winner of the 2019 Kate Webb Prize by the in recognition of the exceptional Agence France-Presse -- Ahmer Khan. service rendered to the nation, in peace • Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah or war. Naidu presented the Ideal Legislative • Rajendra Indraman Singh has been Assembly Speaker/ Ideal Legislative Council bestowed with Indian Achievers Award (IAA). Chairman Award 2019 to P Ramakrishnan. • Manpreet Singh Pawar has been selected as • Winner of Miss Diva Universe 2020 -- the FIH Men’s Player of the Year 2019. AdlineCastelino. • Note: The captain of India men’s • Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival national field hockey team selected for Awards 2020 announced in Mumbai, the award by the International Hockey Maharashtra. Federation (FIH). • Hrithik Roshan bagged the Best Actor • Film ‘Gully Boy’ has won the best film award award for film “Super 30”. at the 65th edition of Amazon Filmfare Awards • Film editor has entered Limca Book of 2020. Records -- Sreekar Prasad • The 65th edition of Amazon Filmfare Awards • Note: Sreekar Prasad, a veteran film 2020 was held at Indira Gandhi Athletic editor has entered Limca Book of Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. Records for 'films edited in the greatest • Ranveer Singh for Gully Boy won the best number of languages'. Actor award at the 65th edition of Amazon • Jadav Payeng will be awarded with Swami Filmfare Awards 2020. Vivekananda Karmayogi Award 2020. January 2020

✓ Sanjay Gupta has been honoured with ✓ India-born author has bagged a coveted Lokmanya Tilak journalism award. United Kingdom’s Costa Children’s Award • The award is given to recognize the 2019’ -- JasbinderBilan. work of an individual, which he or she • Note: She won the award for her has carried out for the larger good of debut novel ‘Asha and the Spirit the journalistic field. Bird’. ✓ Ministry of Science and Technology has • ''Asha and the Spirit Bird'', aimed awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships to 14 at readers aged nine years and scientists to pursue basic research in frontier above, beat competition from three areas of science and technology. other shortlisted books to be named • A research grant of five lakh rupees the winner of the 2019 Costa for five years is also being Children's Award this week. provided in addition to their salary.

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✓ Indian pacer JaspritBumrahwill receive the • The award was given for her school Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s health program that provides Polly Umrigar Award. healthcare support to children. • Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav will be ✓ Prestigious French honour of ‘Chevalier given the best international dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight cricketer (women) award. of the Order of Arts and Letters) has been ✓ The 29th ‘Saraswati Samman 2019’ conferred to Sanjana Kapoor. conferred to _VasdevMohi. • for her outstanding contribution to the • The literary award is given for his field of theatre. short stories collection- ✓ Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee ‘Chequebook’. The short story talks conferred with honorary Doctor of Letters about the sufferings of the (D.Litt.) by Calcutta University. marginalized sections in society. • Banerjee, who was awarded the Nobel ✓ 17th edition of Crossword Books Awards Prize in 2019 along with two others held in Mumbai the Popular Best Fiction for “their experimental approach to Award was won by -- Twinkle Khanna. alleviating global poverty. • Twinkle Khanna won the Popular ✓ Assam state Tableaux has won the 1st prize at Best Fiction Award for her novel the Republic Day Parade, 2020 among the ‘Pyjamas Are Forgiving’. States/Union Territories. • Krishna Trilok won the Popular • The theme of Assam’s tableau was award in the Biography category for “Land of unique craftsmanship and Notes of a Dream: The Authorized culture”, displaying bamboo and cane Biography of AR Rahman. work and Bhortal Nritya performed ✓ Madhya Pradesh government 2018National by Xattriya dancers. Lata Mangeshkar Award was conferred to -- ✓ Dr N Kumar has been conferred with the Kuldeep Singh. ‘HaritRatna’ Award 2019. • They have been chosen for this award • Note: This award is organised by the for their contribution in the field of All India Agricultural Students music and will be awarded in February Association. 2020 at an event in Indore, Madhya ✓ N Ram has been selected for Kerala National Pradesh. Media Award. ✓ e-Governance Award of Excellence 2019 • sThe award was instituted for fearless was won by --‘cVIGIL’ and ‘Voter Helpline and brilliant journalistic work at a app’. national level. The award carrying a ✓ Australia has conferred its highest civilian cash prize of ₹1 lakh, citation and honour, the Order of Australia honour to sculpture were announced as part of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. the academy’s 40th-anniversary • The award is given to foreign nationals celebration. who have extraordinarily contributed ✓ Priya Prakash has won the Global Citizen to Australia or for humanity. Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award for ✓ Priya Praksah has won the Global citizen 2019. prize: Cisco Youth Leadership award for • The award was given for her school 2019. health program that provides healthcare support to children. The prestigious award honours an 106 www.gradeup.co

individual aged 18 – 30 who is • Highlights:The 77th Golden Globe bringing about a positive change in the Awards, which honor the movies and world by solving some of its biggest American Television were distributed global challenges. The award includes on 6th January 2020 at the Beverly a US $250,000 prize. Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, ✓ Yusuf Jameel has won the 2019-20 PEN California. Gauri Lankesh Award for Democratic • Best film – drama: 1917 Idealism for his outstanding contribution in • Best actress in a film – drama: Renee journalism. Zellweger, Judy ✓ Rani Rampalbecomes the 1st ever hockey • Best actor in a film – drama: Joaquin player to win the 2019 ‘World Games Phoenix, Joker Athlete of the Year’ award. • Best film – musical or comedy: Once ✓ Dubai-based Indian girl who can sing in 120 Upon a Time in Hollywood languages wins Global Child Prodigy Award • Best score – film: Joker -- Sucheta Satish. • Best director – film: Sam Mendes, ✓ Best Motion Picture (Drama) in ‘Golden 1917 Globe Awards 2020’ • Best song – film: I’m Gonna Love Me Again, Rocketman Important Events: Sports

September 2020 Empowerment through video conferencing on 26 September 2020. ✓ Gurpreet, Sanju declared winners of AIFF • At present no training facilities are Player of the Year Awards (2019-20) available in the country for sports person • Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet with disabilities. The proposed Centre will Singh Sandhu is the winner in Men's make available the specialized training Footballer. Indian football team midfielder facilities for Persons with Disabilities. Sanju is the winner in Women's Footballer. ✓ 2020 Italian Open (Tennis) • Note: The All India Football Federation is the governing body of association football • Winners List: in India. Formed in 1937, the federation was one of the founding members of the Category Name of the Sportsperson Asian Football confederation, the overseer Men’s Single Novak Djokovic of football in Asia. The AIFF sanctions and runs all competitive football Women’s Simona Halep tournaments and leagues at a national Single level, namely the Indian Super League, I- League and Super Cup. Men’s Double Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos ✓ Foundation Stone of ‘Centre for Disability Sports at Gwalior’to be Laid on 26 Women’s Hsieh Su-Wei and Barbora September 2020 Double Strýcová

• The foundation stone of ‘Centre for • Note: Italian Open is a tennis tournament Disability Sports at Gwalior, Madhya played on outdoor clay courts at the Foro Pradesh’ will be laid at a function Italico in Rome, Italy. organized by Department of Empowerment of Persons with ✓ Sports Ministry identified sports facilities Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and in eight states to be upgraded to Khelo India State Centre of Excellence: 107 www.gradeup.co

• 8 states that have been approved for setting ✓ Jitendra Singh, Union Minister lays up of KISCEs are Mizoram, Nagaland, foundation stone online of Arun Jaitley Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Manipur, Memorial Sports Complex: Karnataka, Kerala and Odisha. • Paying tributes to the Late Finance • It aims to upgrade with an effort to identify and groom Olympic level talent. Minister of India, Arun Jaitley, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh lays foundation ✓ Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister stone of a multipurpose sports complex at lay foundation stones for various sports Hiranagar, Jammu. facilities in Leh: ✓ World online Chess tournament • Their existing centres will be upgraded India’s GM P. Iniyan won the 48th annual world into Khelo India State Centre of open chess tournament (online) recently. Excellence (KISCE). • Usually held in Philadelphia, the USA, the The six centres include: tournament was conducted online following classical time control. • Assam – State Sports Academy, • Coming after his win over World no. 2 Sarjusajai Sports Complex, Guwahati Fabiano Caruana [on Aug. 4] in online • Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & blitz, this victory will be a big boost for Diu - New Sports Complex, Silvassa the 17-year-old from Erode. • Maharashtra - Sree Shiv Chhatrapati • The event was held with three rounds each Shivaji Sports Complex, Balewadi, day for three days. A total of 122 Pune participants from 16 countries — India, • Madhya Pradesh - MP Academy, USA, UK, Russia, Spain, Georgia, Bhopal Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Poland, Uzbekistan, • Meghalaya - JNS Complex Shillong Belarus, Israel, Bangladesh, Mexico, Peru • Sikkim - Paljor Stadium, Gangtok and Cuba — participated. • US Open Tennis Tournament 2020: ✓ Olympic Flame ✓ Japan’s Naomi Osaka wins US Open title • The Olympic flame is on display in Tokyo, • Japan’s Naomi Osaka defeated Victoria near the new Japan Olympic Museum, and Azarenka of Belarus to clinch the will be on display for at least the next two Women’s Singles title in the 2020 US months. Open Tennis tournament. • The flame arrived in Japan from Greece in • She is now the first Asian player to win March and has been largely hidden away three Grand Slam singles titles. The in Tokyo since the Olympics were victory has moved up Osaka to number 3 postponed until next year because of the in the world rankings. COVID-19 pandemic.

✓ Dominic Thiem wins US Open Men’s • Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo Tennis Olympic organizing committee, and Yasuhiro Yamashita, the president of the • Austria’sDominic Thiem defeated Japanese Olympic Committee unveiled the Alexander Zverev to win the men’s singles flame. title. August 2020

✓ GermanFamous footballer BenediktHowedes times for German National Team from 2011- retired recently. 17.In September 2007, German Football Note: He was one of the 3 players who had Association honored him with the Fritz Walter played every minute for the team in the Medal, under-19 Gold Medal which is given tournament.BenediktHowedes has played 44 to the best youth players.

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✓ The Indian Government has provisionally Note: The Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled granted permission for the 13th edition of to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian Premier League’s (IPL’s) 2020 to be It will be held from July 23 to August 8 in rescheduled in UAE. 2021.As part of the partnership the Group will Note: BCCI has also decided to host a also support team's promotions through its Women’s T20 Challenge to be held from entertainment company -- INOX Leisure November 1 to 10 in UAE.Dubai, Abu Dhabi Limited, which owns a chain of multiplexes in and Sharjah will be the three venues of the the country. tournament. No spectators to be allowed in the ✓ “Fit India Freedom Run” would be organised initial phase of the tournament by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ✓ India has withdrawn from the women’s world from 15th August to 02nd October 2020. team Squash championship scheduled to be Note: The ministry is organising “Fit India held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Freedom Run” to mark the 74th Independence Note: India has withdrawn from the women’s Day of India on August 15 to 151st birth world team Squash championship scheduled anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15th to 20th This would be the largest country-wide run, December, due to lack of preparation, time targeted to encourage fitness among the and match-readiness of its players. Squash masses while following the COVID-19 Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) has protocols. decided to withdraw from the championship. ✓ Max Verstappen has won the 70th ✓ Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix Anniversary Grand Prix. (GP) 2020. Note: His victory ended Mercedes dominant Note: It is officially known as the Formula 1 Formula 1 season. 70th Anniversary Grand Pirelli British Grand Prix 2020. The Prix 2020 was the 5th race of 2020 Formula 1 tournament was held at the Silverstone Circuit season and was held at Silverstone, United in Silverstone, United Kingdom(UK).This is Kingdom his 7th time to win this title. He is the only ✓ Indiawill host the ICC Men’s T20 World cup racer to win most in British GP. 2021. ✓ Sports Authority of India with CISCE and Note: While the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup CBSE, will host an online program for 2020 that was postponed due to Covid-19 will training of Physical Education (PE) Teachers be held in Australia in 2022.Cricket’s on "Khelo India Fitness Assessment of School governing body has also decided to postpone Going Children". the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in Note: The program will target 7500 New Zealand till February – March 2022 participants across 2615 CISCE schools. It because of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic will assess the fitness levels of the school has had on cricket globally. children and identify potential future ✓ Suresh Raina announced his retirement from champions. Khelo India Fitness Cricketsport. Assessment through Khelo India Mobile App Note:He made his international debut against (KIMA) will be done. The session is Sri Lanka in 2005 and represented India in 226 titled ‘Whole School Approach to Fitness’. ODIs, 78 T20Is and 18 Tests in his cricketing ✓ Indian umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan career that spanned over 13 years. He scored has been included in ICC’s international panel 7,787 runs across all the formats in of umpires. international cricket. He also claimed 167 Note: Ananthapadmanabhan played 105 catches in his international career, setting the First-Class and 54 List A games for Kerala, bar high with his athleticism on field.Suresh taking 344 and 87 wickets respectively. Raina is the first Indian batsman who has Ananthapadmanabhan has officiated in all scored a century in all three formats of the major domestic events including the IPL. game. ✓ INOXcompany will be the official sponsor ✓ Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula One Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo Spanish Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Olympic. Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain. 109 www.gradeup.co

Note: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great analyst and will also help anyone to Britain) has won the Formula One Spanish understand the foundations and protocols in Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Barcelona- talent identification, scouting & analysis. Catalunya, Spain. This was his 4th win of the ✓ Football team Sevillahas won the Europa season and the 88th win of his career. Max League for a sixth time. Verstappen (Red Bull–Netherlands) came Note:Italy’s wait for a first European trophy in second followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes- a decade, and Inter’s nine-year trophy drought, Finland) at third. goes on after Lukaku could not stop Carlos’s ✓ The Asian Boxing Championship has been spectacular strike.It is Europe's secondary club postponed to next year owing to the disruption football tournament organised by UEFA, and caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the the 12th season since it was renamed from the tournament was scheduled to be held in India. UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League. Note:India last hosted the men’s Asian meet ✓ Table tennis player Manika Batra has been back in 1980 in Mumbai before conducting the selected for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award women’s event in 2003 in Hisar. The 2020. tournament became a combined event for men Note: The government has announced the and women last year.The COVID-19 National Sports Awards 2020.Rohit pandemic has thrown sporting calendars Sharma(Cricketer), haywire the world over with several big MariyappanThangavelu(Para-Athlete), Manika events, including the Olympics and the T20 Batra (TT player), VineshPhogat (Wrestler) World Cup of cricket, postponed. and Rani Rampal (Hockey) will receive the ✓ Dream 11has bagged the title sponsorship Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. rights of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. ✓ Former cricketer Lisa Sthalekar has been Note: Dream 11 has bagged the rights as inducted into the International Cricket Expression of Interest (EOI) was invited by Council’s Hall of Fame, she held from the Board of Control for Cricket in India Australia. (BCCI) for IPL 2020’s title sponsorship after Note: Former Australian captain Lisa the Chinese mobile phone brand, Vivo, pulled Sthalekar were inducted into the International out of it. The title rights bagged by the fantasy Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in a virtual gaming start-up “Dream 11” are valid ceremony along with Legendary South till December 31, 2020. African all-rounder JaquesKallis and Pakistan ✓ Famous cricketer Laura Marsh of Englandhas batting great Zaheer Abbas.Pune born announced her retirement from all forms of Sthalekar represented Australia in eight Tests, cricket. 125 ODIs and 54 T20s. Sthalekar is the 27th Note: In her international career, Marsh from Australia and the ninth woman player in played 9 Tests, 103 ODIs and 67 T20Is. She the list, which includes five from her country. managed to score 1,588 runs across all formats ✓ Sophia Popovhas won the Women’s British and also registered 217 wickets. The 33-year- Open 2020 title in Golf. old announced her retirement from Note: German Golfer Sophia Popov won the international cricket in December and has now Women’s British Open 2020 title (rebranded decided to call time on her domestic career as as 2020 AIG Women’s Open) by defeating well. Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura by two ✓ All India Football Federation (AIFF)has strokes at Royal Troon in Scotland.Sophia has signed an Memorandum of Understanding now become the first female golfer from (MoU) with International Professional Germany to win the LPGA Tour’s major title. Scouting Organization (IPSO) to conduct ✓ Football club Bayern Munichhas won the online Scouting Workshops throughout India. UEFA Champions League 2019-20 title. Note: Under the agreement, IPSO will Note: Bayern Munich has become the first conduct online workshops which will provide European Cup winners who won all their a number of courses and webinars with matches during the tournament. This is the regards to scouting in India.The workshop will sixth European Champions League title for be a starting point to become a scout or an Bayern Munich. 110 www.gradeup.co

✓ Famous all-rounder Cameron White was Kumble.Anderson, who made his Test debut playing for Australia announced his in 2003 against Zimbabwe, had become the retirement from all forms of professional highest wicket-taker among seamers in 2018 cricket. when he dismissed Mohammed Shami against Note: He represented Australia in 4 Test India at The Oval to go past Glenn McGrath’s matches, 91 ODIs and 47 T20Is. He also led tally of 563 Test wickets. the Australian limited-overs team in 7 ✓ Indiawill host BRICS Games 2021. international games. He amassed 146 runs in Note: This announcement came after Sports tests, 2072 runs in ODIs and 984 runs in Minister Kiren Rijiju attended a meeting of T20Is. Sports Ministers of the BRICS nations (Brazil, ✓ Table Tennis player Poulomi Ghatak Russia, India, China and South Africa). India announced her retirement. will get the chairmanship of the five-nation Note: Poulomi Ghatak belongs to the state of independent international group in 2021. West Bengal. She won three junior national ✓ Brothers pair, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan championships as well as seven senior national have announced their retirement from the championships between 1996 and 2016. sport. They are associated with Tennis sport. ✓ James Anderson became the first-ever fast Note: They are the most successful men’s bowler to take 600 wickets in Test Match doubles pair in tennis history. The brother’s Cricket. pair captured an Open Era record with 119 Note: Overall, he is the 4th bowler to take 600 trophies in 26 seasons which comprises all test wickets after 3 spinners Muttiah four Grand Slams, all nine ATP Masters 1000s Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil as well as the Olympic gold medal.

July 2020

✓ Kiren Rijiju has launched the National Anti- ✓ Australian sportsperson Mile Jedinak is Doping Agency’s first mobile app named as associated with Soccer sports who has “NADA App”. announced his retirement. ✓ G. Akash has become the country’s 66th ✓ The International Olympic Committee has Grandmaster. postponed the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic ✓ Quinton de Kock was named the men’s Games to year 2026 due to COVID 19 ‘cricketer of the year’ at Cricket South Pandemic. Africa’s (CSA) annual awards ceremony. ✓ Sports person Marcus Rashford becomes the ✓ Valtteri Bottashas won the Austrian Grand youngest ever recipient of an honorary degree Prix 2020. from The University of Manchester is ✓ China’s two-times Olympic badminton associated with Football. champion Lin Dan announced his retirement. ✓ Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula-1 ✓ Valtteri Bottas has won the Formula One‘s Hungarian Grand Prix 2020 at Hungaroring, season opening Austrian Grand Prix 2020. Mogyoród, Hungary. ✓ Egyptian Raneem El Welily is associated with ✓ World cup winner famous footballer Andre Squash announced her retirement recently. Schurrle has announced retirement from the ✓ JoshnaChinappa is associated with Squash sport held from Germany. sports who secured 10th position in World ✓ Fabio Quartararo has won the Moto Grand Women’s Ranking 2020. Prix 2020. ✓ Lewis Hamilton has won the Styrian Grand ✓ Football Club Real Madrid has been crowned Prix 2020 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, with the La Liga Champions for the 34th time Austria. after defeating Villarreal 2–1 at Estadio ✓ Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced Alfredo Di Stefano. to postpone the Asia Cup cricket tournament ✓ Due to COVID-19 the ICC Men’s T20 World until June 2021. Cup has formally been postponed to 2022. ✓ Mile Jedinak is associated with soccer sports who has announced his retirement. 111 www.gradeup.co

✓ India’s 2018 Asian Games mixed relay medal ✓ Mohun Bagan became the country’s first-ever upgraded to gold after disqualification of football club to feature on NASDAQ Bahrain. billboards in New York’s Times Square. ✓ Haryana state will host 4th edition of the Note: The billboard announcing “131 years of Khelo India Youth Games after the 2021 unmatched legacy” of the club also reminded Tokyo Olympics. fans about the, “time to start believing, again,” ✓ Jamie Vardy has won the Premier Leagues in an obvious reference to Mohun Bagan’s Golden Boot award after netting 23 goals recent amalgamation with the ISL champion across the 2019/20 season. ATK. ✓ Bangladesh bowler KaziAnik Islam has been ✓ Rajat Bhatia associated with Cricket sports banned for two years by the national cricket has announced his retirement. board for failing a dope test in 2018. June 2020

✓ Cricketer Rohit Sharma has been ✓ Lightweight boxing champion Oleksandr nominated by the BCCI for the Rajiv Gvozdyk also known as “The Nail” Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards 2020. announced his retirement held from ✓ Indian long-distance player Kiranjeet Ukraine. Kaur has been slapped with four year ban ✓ The 4th edition of Asian Youth Para by the World Anti-Doping Agency Games to be held in Bahrain in December (WADA). 2021. ✓ In association with National Sports ✓ ShakhriyarMamedyarov has won the Federations (NSF) the Sports Authority World Stars Sharjah Online International of India (SAI) has launched India’s 1st - Chess Championship 2020. ever national-level open online coaching ✓ Indian tennis player Niki Poonacha has and education programme called “Khelo been elected as a player member to ITF India e-Pathshala”. World Tennis Tour Player Men’s panels. ✓ India will host Asian Football ✓ Football club Liverpool has won the Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup English Premier League 2019-20. 2022. ✓ Wicketkeeper-batswoman Rachel Priest of ✓ The Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) of the New Zealand has announced her World Athletics has imposed a four-year retirement from International Cricket. ban on which Indian player who won the ✓ Indian umpire Nitin Menon has been gold medal in 2019 Asian Athletics inducted into International Cricket Championships -- GomathiMarimuthu. Council’s Elite Panel of Umpires. ✓ The doping charge against Indian ✓ Germany footballer Mario Gomez has sportsperson has been dropped due to announced his retirement from the sport. "non-conformities" in the handling of her ✓ Australia and New Zealand will host the sample -- K SanjitaChanu. FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. ✓ Spain’s sports council has accepted the ✓ Rahul Dravid has been declared as the change in status for the competitions, greatest Indian Test batsman of all time, which will also be valid for men’s and according to a poll conducted by Wisden women’s futsal. India. ✓ Former European high jump champion, ✓ Kiren Rijiju has launched the National Alexander Shustov banned for four years Anti-Doping Agency’s first mobile app by Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), named as “NADA App”. he held from Russia.

May 2020

✓ Sports organization FIFA has launched the tribute to health workers and other campaign “#WeWillWin” to pay a special professionals. 112 www.gradeup.co

✓ The governing body of swimming the ✓ The Bundesliga of Germany becomes the Federation Internationale de Natation world’s first major sports event to resume after (FINA) has postponed the 2021 aquatics COVID-19 lock down. world championships to 2022. The tournament ✓ The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is scheduled to be held in Japan. provisionally suspended Savita Kumari and ✓ Sandeep Kumari has been given a 4-year ban Ankit Shisodia for violating anti-doping rules. by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) They are associated with Powerlifting sports. after failing a drug test, she is associated with ✓ Tennis player Jamie Hampton announced her Discus throw sport. retirement from the professional tennis belong ✓ Tennis player Youssef Hossam awarded to UAS. lifetime ban by the Tennis Integrity Unit ✓ The World Health Organization (WHO) has following his conviction on multiple match partnered with International Olympic fixing and associated corruption charges. Committee (IOC) to work together to ✓ Remy Di Gregorio has been banned for 4 promote health through sport and physical years for using a form of banned blood- activity. boosting hormone EPO (Erythropoietin) is ✓ Sri Lankan cricketer ShehanMadushankahas associated with Cycling. been suspended from all forms of cricket with ✓ China has won the 1st edition of FIDE immediate effect for alleged possession of Chess.com Online Nations Cup. heroin. ✓ India will host the FIFA U-17 Women’s ✓ Indian sprinter Kiranjeet Kaur has been World Cup in 2021 which was postponed due banned for four years by the World Athletics’ COVID 19 pandemics. anti-doping body for testing positive for a ✓ Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee Deepa banned substance. Malik announced her retirement, she is ✓ Spanish Famous footballer Aritz Aduriz has associated with Shot-put. announced his retirement citing medical reasons. April 2020

✓ Grand Slam tournament Wimbledon 2020 participating in weightlifting events at the has been cancelled for the first time since Tokyo Olympics due to multiple doping World War II due to coronavirus offences. pandemic. ✓ India’s rank in the latest FIFA Ranking -- ✓ World Athletics championship shifted to 108th. the year 2022. • While Belgium ranked first and ✓ ‘The Smart Triplets’ will be the mascot world champion France is in 2nd 19th Asian Games. place and Brazil is at 3rd spot. • Note: The Olympic Council of ✓ India will host Asian Boxing Asia has announced the official Championships 2020 in November 2020. mascots of the 19th Asian Games ✓ ‘Fei Fei’ will be the official mascot for 4th to be held in Hangzhou in 2022. Asian Para Games 2022. • The three robots namely • The design inspiration of “Feifei” Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen comes from the motif of the which are collectively known as ‘Divine Bird’ in the Liangzhu “The Smart Triplets” will be the Culture and represent both official mascots of the 19th Asian Hangzhou city’s heritage and its Games. innovation in technology. ✓ Kobe Bryant has been inducted into ✓ According to the International Table Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Ranking Fame. 2020 of senior Indian male players ✓ The International Weightlifting Achanta Sharath Kamal got top rank. Federation (IWF) has banned two ✓ The 11th edition of World Games which countries Malaysia & Thailand from has unveiled an updated logo and title after 113 www.gradeup.co

being delayed a year because of the ✓ Sana Mir announced her retirement from Coronavirus pandemic scheduled to be international cricket held, she held from held in Birmingham, USA. Pakistan. . ✓ MirabaiChanu and Jeremy Lalrinnunga ✓ India lost the hosting rights of 2021 Men’s have been qualified to participate in the World Boxing Championships to Serbia. Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, they are Quadrennial 50-over Women Cricket World Cup associated with Weightlifting sports. 2021 to be held in New Zealand. March 2020

✓ Rafael Nadal has won the Mexico Open The men’s list is topped by Belgium Men’s single title 2020. for the first time with 2481.34 & • Note: It was the 27th edition of men’s women’s list is topped by Netherlands Mexican Open and 20th for the women with 2626.03 points. with a prize money of ATP ✓ Name the player who won the bronze medal in (Association of Tennis Professionals) the Yonex Dutch Junior International 2020 $1,789,445 (USD) & WTA (Women’s competition -- Tasnim Mir & Mansi Singh. Tennis Association) $ 250,000 (USD). • Note: Young Indian badminton players • The tournament was consisted of two Tasnim Mir (14) & Mansi Singh (14) categories ATP 500 & WTA have won historic bronze medal each International. Rafael Nadal (33) in the girls’ singles section of the clinched the 85th ATP Tour title Yonex Dutch Junior International 2020 defeating Taylor Fritz in the final, 6–3, competition held at B.C. Duinwijck, in 6–2. He won the ATP 500 title for the Haarlem, Netherlands from 26 third time and first since the event February 2020 – March 1,2020. changed from clay to hard-court in • This is the first time India has won two 2014. bronze medals in this BWF Junior ✓ 1st Khelo India University Games 2020 was International Grand Prix tournament. held in Bhubaneswar. ✓ Badminton Asia Championships 2020 has • Note: The 1st edition of the 2020 been shifted to Manila, Philippines. Khelo India University Games (KIUG) • Note: Badminton Asia confirmed that was held from February 22 – March 1, Badminton world federation (BWF) 2020 at KIIT University (Kalinga has shifted the Badminton Asia Institute of Industrial Technology Championships 2020 to Manila, University) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Philippines from Wuhan, China. • The tournament, inaugurated by Prime • It will be conducted in Manila from Minister (PM) NarendraModi,held April 21 to 26, 2020.The Badminton with the official mascots of ‘Jay and Asia Championship 2020 event is Bijay’. shifted due to the Novel Coronavirus • Punjab University (PB) emerged as the (COVID-19) outbreak and this winner of Khelo India University championship falls within the Tokyo Games 2020 with 45 medals 2020 Olympic Games Qualification ✓ International Hockey Federation (FIH) World window. Rankings 2020 ranks Indian Hockey men’s • The Philippine Badminton Association team in 4th place. (PBA) successfully hosted the Asia • Note: Fédération Internationale de Team Championships from Feb 11-16 Hockey or International Hockey 2020, in Manila. Federation (FIH) World Rankings ✓ Mumbai city will host the International 2020, ranks Indian Hockey men’s team Olympic Committee (IOC)session 2023 as at 4th position with 2064. recommended by IOC Executive Board. • 14 points for the 1st time & Women’s • Note: Mumbai will host the team is ranked at 9th with 1543 points. International Olympic Committee 114 www.gradeup.co

(IOC) session 2023 as recommended • Note: Wasim Jaffer (42) a former by IOC Executive Board and the Indian opening batsman and a decision will be approved at the 136th domestic cricket giant has announced IOC session in Tokyo in July 2020. his retirement from all forms of • The IOC session was held in 1983 in cricket. He hails from Mumbai, New Delhi and the session is going to Maharashtra. be held in India after 40 years. • He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in • The Evaluation Commission had Indian first-class cricket with 10 Ranji visited Mumbai in October 2019 to trophy titles. study the feasibility of hosting the • Wasim Jaffer is the highest run-scorer session & the board selected Mumbai in the Ranji and Irani Trophy, who due to the quality of the facilities at the became the first player to play 150 Jio World Centre, Mumbai, Ranji trophy matches and the first Maharashtra. batsman to score more than 12,000 ✓ All India Police Athletic Championship runs in Ranji Trophy with 40 centuries 2019 was held in Panchkula Haryana. and 89 half-centuries. • Note: All India Police Athletic ✓ Australia has won the 7th ICC Women’s T20 Championship 2019 has commenced in World Cup tournament. the Panchkula District of Haryana. • Note: Australia women’s cricket team This is the 68th edition of All India defeated the Indian women’s cricket Police Athletic Championship. team by 85 runs and won the title for • The championship aims to enhance the 5th time. India’s performance in the Olympics ✓ Footballer of Malta Andre Schembri has scheduled to be held in 2028. To announced his retirement from professional achieve this feat, the Government of football. India has identified more than 15,000 • Note: Currently Andre Schembri (33 children and has also commenced their years old) playing for Chennaiyin FC’s training. (Football Club) announced that he will • These selected children are receiving retire from professional football after their training in 284 Sports Authority the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) of India (SAI) training centres across final against ATK FC in Goa on March the country. 14, 2020. ✓ Indian runner who has been provisionally • He announced retirement from suspended by the National Anti-Doping international football in November Agency (NADA) failing doping test --Prachi 2018 after 94 appearances for his Choudhary. nation. • Note: Indian 400-meter runner Prachi ✓ The Asian/Oceanian Boxing Olympic Choudhary from Uttar Pradesh was Qualifiers event 2020 was held in Amman, tested out of competition and was Jordan. provisionally suspended by the • Note: A total of 9 Indian boxers National Anti-Doping Agency qualified in this event for Tokyo 2020 (NADA) on March 6,2020, for the Olympics, which is to be held at New presence of anabolic steroid, National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan Oxandrolone. from 24 July 2020 – 9 August 2020. • The provisional suspension starts to ✓ Saurashtra team has won the Ranji Trophy apply from February 20, 2020. title 2019-20. ✓ Former Indian opening batsman and a • Note: JaydevDipakbhai Unadkat led domestic cricket giant has announced his Saurashtra team and won the maiden retirement from all forms of cricket -- Wasim Ranji Trophy title defeating Bengal Jaffer. team at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, Gujarat. 115 www.gradeup.co

• The final of the Ranji trophy is headed 21-13, 21-14 to win the men’s singles towards a draw, then the winner title of All England Championship. Saurashtra is decided on the basis of a • Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei first-innings lead. defeated Chinese Chen Yu Fei by 21- ✓ ATK FC has won the Indian Super League 19, 21-15 to win the women’s singles trophy for the 3rd time. title of All England Championship. • Note: ATK Football Club won the ✓ Two Indian Vrinda Rathi and Janani Indian Super League (ISL) trophy for Narayanan. have been named in the the 3rd time following a 3-1 win International Panel of ICC Development against Chennaiyin FC in the final Umpires. match held at the Jawaharlal Nehru • Note: 100% Cricket is a 12-month Stadium, Margao, Goa. campaign which has been launched to ✓ New Zealand (NZ) all-rounder Andrew build on the momentum of the ICC Malcolm Ellis has announced his retirement Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. from Canterbury cricket. ✓ The International Olympic Committee and • Note: After Ross Taylor he became the Tokyo Olympic organizers agreed to move 2nd player in NZ to play over 100 the Tokyo Games to 2021. games in each format. • Note: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo • He is the only player to be named as Abe and the head of the International Men’s Domestic Player of the Year Olympic Committee agreed to twice by NZ National Cricket Team, in postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a the 2014-15 & 2016-17 seasons. year in an extraordinary move, • The highlight of his career was the unprecedented in peacetime, as the 2016-17 season, as he raised the world battles the coronavirus Plunket Shield & The Ford Trophy in pandemic. his first year as captain. • It will mark the first time in history ✓ Achanta Sharath Kamal has won the ITTF that the start of an Olympics will be Challenger Plus Oman Open men’s singles delayed to another year. title. ✓ Shilpa Shetty has partnered with the • Note: He beat top-seeded Marcos Government of India’s flagship fitness Freitas of Portugal 4-2 in the final movement “Fit India”. played in Muscat. • Note: The tie-up will provide free • It was in 2010, Sharath bagged a title access of the Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s last time when he won the Egypt Open. premium 21-Day Weight Loss Since then he made two semi-final Programme during the 21-day appearances (Morocco Open in 2011 lockdown owing to Covid-19 and India Open in 2017) but couldn’t pandemic. manage to get through it. • Fit India Movement was launched by ✓ Viktor Axelsen and Tai Tzu Ying have won the Indian Prime Minister Narendra the men’s and women’s singles title Modi on the occasion of National respectively at All England Championship. Sports Day. • Note: All England Championship was ✓ Indian shot-putter who has been suspended for held in Birmingham, England. This four years by World athletics body’s -- Navin was the last badminton event before Chikara. the Badminton World Federation’s • Note: He has been banned for use of a suspension of all tournaments due to prohibited substance and his four-year the coronavirus pandemic. suspension starts from July 27, 2018. • Viktor Axelsen of Denmark defeated Chikara won the silver medal in the 2018 Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen by Federation Cup. At the same year, he was runner up in the Inter-State Championship.

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February 2020

✓ Goa 2020National Games unveils official “unifying power of sport”, for the Mascot as Rubigula. upcoming 2020 Olympics to be held in • Note: ‘Rubigula’, Flame-Throated Tokyo, Japan from July 24, 2020 to Bulbul, has been unveiled as the August 9, 2020. official mascot for the Goa 2020 • The official Olympic motto is “Citius, National Games in Panaji, Goa. Altius, Fortius” or “Faster, Higher, • The Flame-Throated Bulbul is the state Stronger”, but each host city chooses bird of Goa. Goa will be hosting the its own motto to accompany that 36th edition of the National Games edition of the Games. from 20th October to 4th November ✓ Badminton Asia championships 2020 was held 2020. in Manila, Philippines. ✓ Novak Djokovic has won the Men’s single ✓ Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 2021 is title at Australian Open 2020. scheduled to be held in India. ✓ Sofia Kenin won the Women’s single title at ✓ AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 is scheduled Australian Open 2020. to be held in India. ✓ 13th edition of 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket ✓ FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2020 World Cup won by Bangladesh. will be held in India. ✓ ICC Women’s Championship trophy 2020 ✓ Indiawill hostCommonwealth Shooting and won by Australia. Archery Championship. • The ICC Women’s Championship has • Note: India will host the given hosts New Zealand and four top Commonwealth Shooting and teams a direct place in the World Cup Archery Championships in January 2021. ✓ Aditya Mehta has won the men’s title in the 2022. Indian National Billiards & Snooker ✓ Five-time Grand Slam winner Tennis player Championship 2020. Maria Sharapova has announced retirement. ✓ Vidya Viswanathan has won the women’s ✓ Kiren Rijiju inaugurated 1stKhelo India Winter title in the Indian National Billiards & Games in Union Territory of Ladakh. Snooker Championship 2020. • Open Ice Hockey Championship, ✓ Virat Kohli retained his top position in the Figure Skating, Speed Skating will be International Cricket Council Men’s test the three winter sports held during the ranking 2020 released on 11th February 2020. winter games. ✓ The 54th All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey ✓ Ross Taylor has become the first player in the Tournament title was won by Indian Navy. cricketing world to play 100 matches in all the ✓ The Tokyo Organising Committee of the three formats of the game. Olympic and Paralympic games revealed the ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 1st official motto, -- “United by Emotion”. Khelo India University Games at Jawaharlal • Note: The Tokyo Organising Nehru Indoor Stadium Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic games revealed the official ✓ India’s Grandmaster D Gukesh has won the motto, “United By Emotion”, which 34th Cannes Open in France. reflects the “universal values” and January 2020

✓ The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India ✓ Bhubaneswar will host the first Edition of (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship - Khelo India University Games. 2020 held in Leh, Ladakh. • Note: The first edition of Khelo India ✓ Magesh Chandran has won the Hastings University Games is scheduled to be International chess title. held at the KIIT University in 117 www.gradeup.co

Bhubaneswar from February 22 to • India is the most successful team in the March 1, 2020. tournament, having won four titles till ✓ Saurabh Chaudhary has won gold medal in date. India is the defending champions men's 10 m air pistol at 63rd National in U19 World Cup 2018. Shooting C'ship. • Total 16 teams are participating in the ✓ Cristiano Ronaldo has won best Men’s tournament, split into four groups of Player of the Year at Dubai Globe Soccer four. Awards 2019. ✓ 1st Indian woman to sign up for foreign ✓ Weightlifter Sarbjeet Kaur has been slapped football club, ‘Rangers FC’ of Scotland --Bala with a four-year ban for doping by the Devi. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). ✓ Christine Margaret Sinclair becomes the all- ✓ Japanese badminton playerKentoMomotahas time top scorer with 185 goals in international won the Malaysia Masters 2020. soccer. ✓ Serbia has won the inaugural 2020 ATP Cup ✓ The 71st edition of International Boxing tennis tournament in Sydney. Tournament “Strandja”2020 was held in Sofia, • Note: Djokovic (World No. 2) claimed Bulgaria. a straight-sets victory over Rafael • The list was topped by Ukraine with 10 Nadal (World No. 1) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in medals (4 Gold, 1 silver, 5 Bronze). singles. ✓ EsowAlben won the gold medal in the men’s ✓ 3rd Khelo India Youth Games started in Keirin individual cycling event of the Six-Day Guwahati. Berlin Tournament. • Khelo India Youth Games event is a • Note: Indian cyclistEsowAlben has National level multidisciplinary games bagged a gold in the men’s Keirin conducted every year. individual event of the Six-Day Berlin ✓ Ladakh has won the 7th National Ice Tournament. Hockey Championship Women trophy. ✓ Maharashtra state top in the medal tally of ✓ The Diplomat Cup Cricket Championship the 3rd season of the Khelo India Youth of 2020 held in Sharjah was won by India. Games 2020. ✓ Indian wrestler who won her first gold medal • Note: The 3rd season of the Khelo of the 2020 season at the Rome Ranking India Youth Games concluded. Series in Rome isVineshPhogat. • Maharashtra retained its reign in the ✓ The Indonesia Badminton Masters Khelo India Youth Games held in 2020 women’s singles title held in Jakarta, Guwahati with 256 medals including Indonesia was won by RatchanokIntanon. 78 gold. ✓ Sania Mirza (India) and NadiiaKichenok • Haryana stood second with a total of (Ukraine) have won the women’s doubles 200 medals. Delhi finished third with title of the WTA International trophy at 122 medals Shivangi Sharma of Hobart, Australia. Assam won five gold and two silver in ✓ ICC Under-19 World Cup Cricket 2020 has swimming. begun in South Africa. ✓ In the 16th edition of International Cricket • Indian team played under the captaincy Council (ICC) Awards who named ODI of Priyam Garg. cricket of the year -- Rohit Sharma. New Appointments

September 2020 118 www.gradeup.co

✓ Shekhar Kapur appointed as the president • Note: National Technical Research of FTII society and chairman of FTII Organization (NTRO) is a technical governing council intelligence agency under the National Security Advisor. The agency deals in • Note: FTII(Film and Television Institute of technology capabilities in remote sensing India) is an autonomous institute under the and aviation, data gathering and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting processing, cryptology systems, of the Government of India in Pune. The cybersecurity, strategic hardware and institute was established in 1960. software development and strategic ✓ PD Vaghela appointed as TRAI Chairman monitoring.

• Note: TRAI (Telecom Regulatory ✓ ADB appoints Takeo Konishi as Country Authority of India) is a statutory body set Director for India: up by the Government of India under the • The Asian Development Bank (ADB)has Telecom Regulatory Authority of India appointed Takeo Konishi as its new Act, 1997. It regulates the Country Director for India. telecommunications sector in India. • Note: The ADB, headquartered in the ✓ Simanchala Dash appointed as Advisor to Philippines, is a regional development IMF Executive Director bank established on 19 December 1966. It maintains thirty-one field offices around • Note: IMF (International Monetary Fund) the world to promote social and economic is an organization of 189 countries, development in Asia with 68 countries. working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, ✓ Harivansh Narayan Singh re-elected as RS facilitate international trade, promote high Deputy Chairman: employment and sustainable economic • NDA candidate Harivansh has been re- growth, and reduce poverty around the elected as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya world. Sabha. BJP President JP Nadda had moved ✓ Shri Manish Chauhan appointed as the the proposal to elect Harivansh as the next Ambassador of India to Portugal: deputy chairman and his motion was adopted. • IFS: 1994, Shri Manish Chauhan, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, ✓ Punjab & Sind Bank has been appointed as the next • The government is likely to appoint S. Ambassador of India to Portugal. Krishnan as managing director and chief ✓ Retd Col Mungali named in AFC task- executive officer of Punjab & Sind Bank. force: • Currently, Krishnan is executive director of Canara Bank. • Colonel Dr Girija Shanker Mungali has • The resignation of the current Managing been appointed as one of the seven Director and Chief Executive Officer S. members of the Asian Football Harisankar has been accepted by the Confederation’s task force for regulating government and a decision on Krishnan's football clubs in Asia and Australia. appointment has been taken. • Note: The Asian Football Confederation • Punjab and Sind bank posted a net loss of (AFC) is the governing body of 1.17 billion rupees for the quarter ending association football in Asia and Australia in June, its sixth consecutive quarterly and is one of the six continental loss, due to higher provisions for stressed confederations within FIFA. assets. For Jan-Mar, it had recorded a loss ✓ Anil Dhasmana appointed as the new chief of 2.36 bn rupees. of NTRO:

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✓ ACC approves appointment of VK Yadav About VK Yadav as Railway Board's first-ever Chairman and CEO • Sri Vinod Kumar Yadav also is known as V.K. Yadav is 1980 batch IRSEE officer. • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of • He is an engineer holding BE in electrical the current chairman of the Railway Board engineering from University of VK Yadav as the CEO, making him the Allahabad's Motilal Nehru Regional first to hold such a post in the railway's Engineering College (now Motilal Nehru history. National Institute of Technology, Allahabad) (1980) who later did an MBA • The Cabinet had earlier approved the restructuring of the Railway Board, whose from Australia’s La Trobe University strength has been cut from eight to five, as (2004) part of large scale reforms initiated by the national transporter.

August 2020

✓ Hamed Bakayoko has been appointed as the Global brand ambassadors of Win Trade Prime Minister of Ivory Coast. Fantasy (WTF) Sports. ✓ Indian economistUrjit Patel has been ✓ Pradeep Kumar Joshihas been appointed as appointed as the additional and independent the Chairman of the Union Public Service director of Great Eastern Shipping Company Commission (UPSC). Ltd. Note:His tenure as the chairman of the UPSC ✓ Perseverancelaunched by NASA to seek will be till April 4, 2022.He succeeds Arvind signs of ancient life and collect first Martian Saxena who retires as the UPSC chairman on rock. 6th August 2020. ✓ Mohamed Irfaan Ali became the President of ✓ Mahinda Rajapaksa took oath as the Prime Guyana. Minister of Sri Lanka. ✓ Mark Anthony Phillips has been sworn in as Note: The 74-year-old Sri Lanka People’s the Prime Minister of Guyana. Party (SLPP) leader has been appointed as the ✓ Manoj Sinha has been appointed as the PM of Sri Lanka. Prior to this, Mahinda Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Rajapaksa was first elected prime minister in Kashmir. 2004 and again appointed for brief periods in 2018 and 2019. Note: He will succeed Girish Chandra ✓ Alexander Lukashenko has won the Murmu, who resigned recently. Manoj Sinha presidential election in Belarus. has represented the parliamentary constituency ✓ Walter Roger Martos Ruiz becomes new of Ghazipur in eastern Uttar Pradesh thrice in Prime Minister of Peru. the Lok Sabha. He also served as ✓ Mohamed Ould Bilal has been appointed as Communication Minister as well as Minister the new Prime Minister of Mauritania. of state for Railways. ✓ Pramod Bhasin has been appointed as the ✓ Girish Chandra Murmu has been appointed new Chairman of Indian Council for Research as the new Comptroller and Auditor General on International Economic Relations (CAG) of India. (ICRIER). ✓ The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet ✓ Rakesh Asthana has been appointed as the (ACC), Government of India (GoI), has Director General of the Border Security Force approved another extension of Ajay Tyagi’s (BSF). term as Chairman of Securities and ✓ Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik has been Exchange Board of India (SEBI). appointed as the new Governor of Meghalaya. ✓ Indian cricketers Suresh Raina &Harmanpreet Kaurwere appointed as

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✓ Recently, Ashok Lavasa has stepped down ✓ Keith Rowleyhas been appointed as the from constitutional postof Election Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad Commissioner of India. and Tobago for a 2nd consecutive 5-year term. Note: Lavasa is set to join the Philippines- ✓ RiteshShuklahas been appointed as the Chief based Asian Development Bank as the vice- Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly president from September 2020. He will launched NPCI International Payments succeed the incumbent vice-president Diwakar Limited (NIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gupta, who is in charge of private sector NPCI. operations, and public-private partnerships. ✓ Luis Rodolfo Abinader has been sworn in as ✓ Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the the President of Dominican Republic. brand ambassador of Sports eyewear ✓ Rajiv Kumarhas been appointed as the “Oakley”. Election Commissioner of India. ✓ Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona has been ✓ Akinwumi Adesina has been re-elected as the sworn in as the 54th President of Dominican President of African Development Bank. Republic. July 2020 ✓ Shyam Srinivasan has been appointed as ✓ Injeti Srinivashas been appointed as the the managing Director and Chief first chairman of the International Executive officer of Federal Bank Limited. Financial Services Centre Authority ✓ GudniJohannesson was re-elected as (IFSCA) for a 3 years term. president of Iceland. ✓ Jayant Krishna has been appointed as the ✓ Indra Mani Pandey has been appointed first India based Chief Executive Officer as the Ambassador and Permanent (CEO) of UKIBC. Representative of India to the United ✓ Sukhbir Singh has been appointed as the Nations and other International brand ambassador of Luxury Ride the Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. multi-brand luxury car showrooms. ✓ Ravinder Bhakar has been appointed as ✓ The term of Rajkiran Rai as Managing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Director and Chief Executive Officer Central Board of Films Certification (CEO) of Union Bank of Indiaas been (CBFC). extended for two years. ✓ Sanjay Dwivedihas been appointed as the ✓ Priyanka Chopra has been appointed as as the Director General of the Indian the ambassador for Toronto IFF. Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). ✓ The Incumbent President of Poland, ✓ Srikant Madhav Vaidya has been Andrzej Duda has secured a victory in the appointed as the new chairman of Indian 2020 Presidential Election. Oil Corporation. ✓ GyanendroNingombam has been ✓ V Suryanarayanan has been appointed as appointed as the new President of Hockey the New Managing Director (MD) of India. Cholamandalam MS General Insurance ✓ Hemang Amin has been appointed as the Company. interim chief executive officer (CEO) of ✓ Jean Castex has been appointed as prime the Board of Control for Cricket in India minister of France. (BCCI). ✓ Injeti Srinivas has been appointed as the ✓ Ashok Lavasa has been appointed as the 1st chairman of the International Financial vice president of Asian Development Bank Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) for a (ADB). period of three years. ✓ Brett Lee has been appointed as the brand ✓ G. Srinivasan has been appointed as the ambassador of SportsAdda, the news and chairman of the nine-member working information website for Cricket, Football Group (WG) set up by IRDAI to study the and Kabaddi. suitability of insurers offering surety bonds ✓ Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi has for contractors. been elected as the President of Suriname.

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✓ Rose Christiane OssoukaRaponda has Executive Officer of Karur Vysya Bank been appointed as the first woman prime (KVB). minister of Gabon. ✓ KulmeetBawa has been appointed as the ✓ Ashwini Kumar Tewari has been President and Managing Director of appointed as the new Managing Director Systems, Applications & Products in Data and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBI Processing (SAP) for Indian Subcontinent. Card. ✓ Alok Misra has been appointed as the ✓ Aditya Puri has become the highest-paid Director and Chief Executive Officer banker for FY20 with Rs.18.92 cr in (CEO) of Microfinance Institutions remuneration. Network (MFIN). ✓ Roshni Nadar Malhotra has been ✓ Riva Ganguly has been appointed as the appointed as the new Chairman of IT secretary of Ministry of External Affairs company, HCL Technologies. (MEA), GoI. ✓ Sahil Seth has been appointed as the ✓ ParthaPratim Sengupta has been honorary adviser of steering committee for appointed as the Managing Director and BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Industry (CCI). Overseas Bank. ✓ Arun Kumar has been nominated as the ✓ Thierry Bollore has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the International Union new chief executive officer of Jaguar Land of Railways (UIC). Rover (JLR). ✓ Prakash Chandra Kandpal has been ✓ N. Sivaraman has been appointed as the appointed as the Managing Director and new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Chief Executive Officer of the Non-life Executive Officer (CEO) of ICRA insurer SBI General Insurance. Limited. ✓ Sumit Deb has been appointed as the ✓ Archana Soreng has been named by UN Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his of National Mineral Development new advisory group comprising young Corporation (NMDC). leaders. ✓ R Narayanaswamy has been appointed as ✓ Hardik Satishchandra Shah has been the Chairman of the Technical Advisory appointed as the Private Secretary (PS) to Committee (TAC) of the National Prime Minister Narendra Modi on co- Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA). terminus basis. ✓ Ramesh Babu Boddu has been appointed as the Managing Director & Chief June 2020

✓ Anita Kotwanihas been appointed as the ✓ Rajnath Singh will chair the committee chief executive officer (CEO) of Media constituted by the PM Narendra Modi to Agency, Carat India. solve the difficulties faced in the ✓ PR Jaishankar has been appointed as the implementation of Rs.3 Lakh crore as the Managing Director (MD) of the collateral-free loan for Micro, Small & India Infrastructure Finance Company Medium Enterprises(MSME). Limited (IIFCL) for 3 years. ✓ Subramanian Sundar has been re- ✓ Arun Singhal has been appointed as the appointed as the Managing Director (MD) chief executive officer of India’s apex food and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of regulator Food Safety and Standards Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB). Authority of India (FSSAI). ✓ Uday Kotak has assumed office as the ✓ TV Mohandas Pai has been appointed as president of the Confederation of Indian the chairman of the advisory committee on Industry (CII) for 2020-21. service providers by the Insolvency and ✓ Krishnendu Majumdar has been named Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). as the new chairman of British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). 122 www.gradeup.co

✓ Virendra Nath Datt has been appointed ✓ Volkan Bozkirhas been elected president as the Chairman & Managing Director of of the 75th session of the UN General National Fertilizers Limited (NFL). Assembly. ✓ Rajeev Topno has been appointed as the ✓ Indian American senior advisor to the World Bank SethuramanPanchanathanhas been Executive Director. appointed as the Director of the National ✓ BrajendraNavnit has been appointed as Science Foundation (NSF) by the US the ambassador to the Permanent Mission senate. for India (PMI) at the WTO in Geneva. ✓ Gaurav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri has ✓ ManushiChhillarhas been appointed as been appointed as the brand ambassador of the brand ambassador of Adidas to join JSW cement. Indian star Batsman Rohit Sharma and ✓ Urjit Patel has been appointed as the sprinter Hima Das. Chairman of the National Institute of ✓ Ashok Dalwanihas been appointed as the Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). chairman of the rearranged Commodity ✓ Nirakar Pradhan has appointed as new as derivatives advisory committee of SEBI. the Chief Executive Officer of the ✓ Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the Professional Risk Managers’ International first ever brand ambassador of the IIFL Association (PRMIA) of its new India Finance. office. ✓ Nethra has been appointed as ‘Goodwill ✓ Natarajan Chandrasekaran has been re- Ambassador to the Poor’ of the United nominated as a Part-Time Non-Official Nations Association for Development And Director on RBI Central board for 2 years. Peace (UNADAP). ✓ Wasim Jaffer has been appointed as head ✓ G Kishan Reddy has been appointed as coach of the Uttarakhand Ranji team for the chairman of the committee for the the upcoming season. welfare of the freedom fighters ✓ T Rabi Sankar has been appointed as the reconstituted by the union ministry of chairman of the Indian Financial home affairs. Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS). ✓ Pankaj Tripathi has been appointed as ✓ Clare Connor has been named as the first the brand ambassador of Patna’s Khadi female president of the Marylebone Mall by the Government of Bihar. Cricket Club (MCC) in its 233 year-old ✓ The Reserve Bank of India has approved history. the re-appointment of KaizadBharucha as ✓ IAS Vini Mahajan becomes 1st woman Executive Director of HDFC Bank for a chief secretary of Punjab state. period of three years. ✓ Micheal Martin has been elected as new ✓ Imtaiyazur Rahman has been appointed Prime Minister of Ireland. as the chief executive officer (CEO) of ✓ UP Governor, Anandiben Patel has taken UTI Asset Management Company (AMC). additional charges as the governor of ✓ Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta has Madhya Pradesh. taken charges as the Chief of Staff of ✓ Lazarus Chakwera was elected as the new Eastern Naval Command (ENC). President of Mali after the annulment of ✓ KubatbekBoronov has been appointed as the results of the 2019 Presidential the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Elections following evidence of ✓ Pralay Mondal has been appointed as the irregularities. President of CSB Bank Limited. May 2020

✓ Atanu Chakraborty chaired the task force on ✓ Ravi Shankar Prasad attended the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Extraordinary Virtual G20 Digital which submitted its Final Report to Finance Economy Ministers meeting was held to Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. discuss the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 123 www.gradeup.co

✓ Raj Kumar Singh unveiled e-book titled “A tech firm ELSA Corp for India, Middle East, Report on Impact of Energy Efficiency Australia, New Zealand and SAARC. Measures” for the year 2018-19. ✓ Narinder Batra’s term has been extended as ✓ Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched the mobile President of FIH until May 2021 by the application 'AYUSH Sanjivani' App and two International Hockey Federation (FIH). AYUSH based studies related to COVID-19 ✓ Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed as situation. the president of Marylebone Cricket Club ✓ Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh (MCC) for a second term. recently approved the abolition of 9,304 posts ✓ Indian sportsperson Akhil Kumar has been in the military engineering services on the re-inducted into the Disciplinary Panel of recommendation of Shekatkar Committee. National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA). ✓ Shikha Sharma has been named advisor to ✓ V. Vidyavathihas been appointed as the Google Pay India. Director-General of Archaeological Survey of ✓ GiridharAramane has been appointed as the India (ASI). ✓ Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport chairman of the Central Board of Secondary and Highways. Education (CBSE). ✓ Arvind Kumar Sharma has been appointed ✓ Roberto Azevedo decides to resign a year as the Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, before his term expires as head of international Small and Medium Enterprises. organization WTO. ✓ Krishnan Ramachandran has been ✓ Zubair Iqbal has been appointed as new appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Managing Director (MD) of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Max Bupa ✓ Benjamin Netanyahu has sworn in as the Health Insurance. prime minister of Israel for the 5th time. ✓ Ashok Michael Pinto has been appointed as ✓ Rajesh Goel has been appointed as the the US representative to World Bank’s lending director-general (DG) of the Realtors body arm International Bank for Reconstruction and National Real Estate Development Council Development (IBRD). (NAREDCO). ✓ Tarun Bajaj has been appointed as the new ✓ Kevin Mayer has been appointed as the chief executive officer of TikTok, the popular video director on Central Board of the Reserve Bank app owned by China's ByteDance Technology of India (RBI). Co . ✓ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been ✓ GovindaRajuluChintala has been appointed appointed as the chairperson of as the chairman of National Bank for theParliament’s Public Accounts Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (PAC). (NABARD). ✓ Carmen Reinhart has been appointed as ✓ Dia Mirza has been appointed as the as the Chief Economist and Vice President of the Goodwill Ambassador of India by UNEP. World Bank. ✓ Manisha Singh has been nominated as an ✓ DilipOommen has been appointed as the envoy to the Organization for Economic President of Indian Steel Association (ISA). Cooperation and Development (OECD) with ✓ Rajesh Bhushan has been appointed as the an Ambassador rank by US President Donald chairman of the11-member committee Trump. constituted by the Ministry of Health to ✓ Mustafa al-Kadhimisworn in as the Iraq’s simplify and expedite” the drug approval 6th Prime Minister. process in India. ✓ Neeraj Dhawan has been appointed as the ✓ Carmen Reinhart has been appointed as the Chief Risk Officer of Yes Bank for a period of new Vice President (VP) and chief economist three years. of World Bank. ✓ Ajinkya Madhukar Rahanehas been ✓ JahnabiPhookan has been appointed as the appointed as the brand ambassador of Edu- 37th National President of Federation of 124 www.gradeup.co

Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ✓ Leo Puri has been appointed as the chairman (FICCI) Ladies Organization (FLO). of JP Morgan South and Southeast Asia after ✓ Abhas Jha has been appointed as World Kalpana Morparia retirement in 2021. Bank’s Practice Manager for Climate Change ✓ Thierry Delaporte has been appointed as the and Disaster Risk Management for South Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Managing Asia. Director(MD) of Wipro. ✓ Marcos Prado Troyjo has been appointed as ✓ Sandip Mukund Pradhan has been given two- the President of the New Development Bank. year extension as Director General (DG) of ✓ Anil Kishora has been appointed as the vice Sports Authority of India (SAI). president of the New Development Bank ✓ Ravinder Singh Dhillon has been appointed (NDB). as the Chairman and Managing Director ✓ Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra has been (CMD) of State-run Power Finance appointed as the member of the Olympic Corporation (PFC). Channel Commission by International ✓ SN Rajeshwari has been appointed as the Olympic Committee (IOC). Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Delhi-based Oriental Insurance Company (OIC). April 2020

✓ D. Lakshminarayanan has been Executive Officer (CEO) of AU Small appointed as the Managing Director of Finance Bank. the Sundaram Home Finance. ✓ Mahabaleshwara M S has been appointed ✓ The government extended the tenure of as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Executive Officer (CEO) of the Karnataka acting President BSV Prakash Kumar. Bank. ✓ The Government has extended the ✓ Sara Ali Khan has been appointed as the appointment of MadhabiPuri Buch as a brand ambassador of the James Bullough whole time member (WTM) of the SEBI. Lansing (JBL)’s campaign –“Live it Real, ✓ UB Pravin Rao has been appointed as the Live it Raw”. Chairman of the National Association of ✓ J Packirisamy has been appointed as Software and Services Companies Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the (NASSCOM). Union Bank of India. ✓ Shafali Verma has been appointed as the ✓ Mrutyunjay Mahapatra has been brand ambassador of PepsiCo for one year. appointed as Officer on Special Duty ✓ Parag Raja has been appointed as the new (OSD) in the Canara Bank. Managing Director (MD) & Chief ✓ MS Dhonihas been appointed as the new Executive Officer (CEO) of Bharti AXA brand ambassador of the PokerStars India. Life Insurance Company. ✓ Ajay Mahajan has been appointed as the ✓ Anamika Roy Rashtrawarhas been MD & CEO of the Credit Analysis and appointed as the Managing Director (MD) Research Limited (CARE) Rating. & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ✓ Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the IFFCO Tokio General Insurance. new brand ambassador of the ✓ Raj Vikash Verma has been appointed as CricKingdom. part-time Chairman of AU Small Finance ✓ Vineet Arora has been appointed as the Bank for the period of one year. MD and CEO of Paytm General Insurance ✓ Sanjay Agarwal has been appointed as Limited. the Managing Director (MD) and Chief ✓ Viswanathan Anand has been appointed as the ambassador of World Wildlife Fund 125 www.gradeup.co

(WWF) India’s environment education ✓ Rakesh Sharma has been appointed as the programme. President of Geneva-based International ✓ N Kamakodi has been appointed as the Motorcycle Manufacturers Association Managing Director and Chief Executive (IMMA). Officer of City Union Bank. ✓ Shiv Das Meena has been appointed as ✓ Noel Quinn has been appointed as the the Chairman and Managing Director of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Housing and Urban Development HSBC Bank. Corporation (HUDCO) ltd. ✓ PV Sindhu has been appointed as the one ✓ Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as the of its ambassadors for the “I am Chairperson of the Public Enterprises badminton” awareness campaign of Selection Board (PESB). BWF. March 2020

✓ Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin has ✓ PV Sindhu. has been appointed as the brand been appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of ambassador for Andhra Pradesh government’s Malaysia. anti-graft helpline or anti-corruption helpline– ✓ PekkaLundmarkhas been appointed as the 14400. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nokia, ✓ Disha Patani and Sanjeev Kapoor has been ✓ Ajay Bhushan Pandey has been appointed as appointed as the brand ambassador in India for the new Finance Secretary of India. the Washington Apple Commission, • Note: Appointments Committee of the ✓ Harbhajan Singh has been appointed as the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime brand ambassador of Indian online leather Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has accessory brand Brune&Bareskin. approved the appointment of Ajay ✓ Amitabh Bachchan has been appointed as the Bhushan Pandey as the new Finance first ever brand ambassador of IDFC Bank. Secretary in Ministry of Finance. ✓ Salman Khan has been appointed as the ✓ Denys Shmygal has been appointed as new brand ambassador of Smartphone brand prime minister of Ukraine, realme. ✓ Daren Tang has been elected as Director ✓ Akshay Kumar has been appointed as the General of World Intellectual Property brand ambassador PepsiCo’s snack brand Organisation (WIPO). Kurkure. ✓ JanezJansa has been elected as the new prime ✓ Virat Kohli has been appointed as the brand minister of Slovenia. ambassador of iQOO (i Quest On and On). ✓ Injeti Srinivas has been appointed as the ✓ Bansi Lal Bhat has been appointed as the chairman of the 12 members committee to officiating Chairperson of the National prepare an investigation manual for the Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). ✓ Adnan al-Zurfihas been appointed as the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). Prime Minister (PM) of Iraq. ✓ Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon has been ✓ Former chief justice of India Ranjan appointed as the Director General, Defence Gogoihas been nominated as the member of Intelligence Agency. Upper House of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha. ✓ Kareena Kapoor Khan has been appointed • Note: He was nominated by President as the brand ambassador of PUMA for a of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, under period of two years. the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read 126 www.gradeup.co

with clause (3) of that article to the corporate governance & will find ways Council of States and to fill the to improve key functions such as risk vacancy caused due to the retirement management and internal audits of one of the nominated members. independent of each other. Ranjan Gogoi will be the successor of K.T.S Tulsi. ✓ V K Paul will chair the 21-member high-level • Gogoi headed a 5-judge bench, who technical committee of public health experts to gave the judgement on the sensitive guide the people in preventive & control Ayodhya land dispute on November 9, activities of COVID-19. 2019. ✓ Shivraj Singh Chouhan.has sworn in as the ✓ Under chairmanship the Insurance Regulation chief minister of Madhya Pradesh after the and Development Authority (IRDAI) Pravin resignation of Kamal Nath. Kutumbeinstituted a 16-member committee. ✓ Bibhu Prasad Kanungo has been reappointed • Note: The committee will further as the Deputy Governor of RBI for a period of strengthen IRDAI guidelines on one year. February 2020

✓ The Ministry of External Affairs, Government ✓ Atul Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the of India (GoI) has appointed as Next High President of the Institute of Chartered Commissioner of India to Canada -- Ajay Accountants (ICAI) for the year 2020-21. Bisaria. ✓ Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai has been elected as ✓ Arvind Krishna has been appointed as the the president of Afghanistan. Chief Executive Officer of International ✓ Supratim Bandyopadhyay has been Business Machines (IBM). appointed as the chairman of the PFRDA ✓ M. Ajit Kumar has been appointed as the ✓ Sanjay Kothari has been appointed as the chairman of the Central Board of Indirect new Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). Taxes and Customs (CBIC). ✓ Bimal Julkahas been appointed as the new ✓ Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi has been Chief Information Commissioner in the appointed as the new Prime Minister of Iraq. Central Information Commission. ✓ Deepa Malik has been appointed as the ✓ Vijay Adani has been appointed as the as a President of the Paralympic Committee of new chairman of the US-India Business India. Council (USIBC). ✓ Albin Kurtihas been appointed as the new • Note:USIBC represents the top global and 4th Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic companies across the United of Kosovo. States,India and Indo-Pacific. ✓ Philip Barton has been appointed as the as ✓ Rajlaxmi Singh has been elected as the Britain’s New High Commissioner to India. President of Rowing Federation of India. ✓ Robin Singh has been appointed as the ✓ The world’s oldest government leader Director of Cricket of the UAE. Mahathir bin Mohamad (94) resigned as Prime ✓ Ajay H. Patel has been elected as the Minister of Malaysia. President of All-India Chess Federation ✓ Faure Gnassingbe has been reelected as the (AICF). President of the Togo. January 2020

✓ VK Yadav has been re-appointed as Railway ✓ The Union government has set up a 7 Board Chairman for a period of one year. members Group of Minister (GoM) to review the crop insurance scheme, “Pradhan 127 www.gradeup.co

Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY) headed ✓ Lt Col Yuvraj Malik has been appointed the by Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister). Director of the National Book Trust (NBT). • The Pradhan Mantri FasalBima ✓ Arjun Munda has been elected as President Yojana (PMFBY) was launched on of the suspended Archery Association of 14th January 2016 to provide financial India (AAI). support to farmers suffering from crop ✓ NripendraMisra has been appointed loss or damage due to an unforeseen chairperson of the executive council of the event. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library ✓ Harjeet Kaur Joshi has been appointed as the (NMML). Chairperson and Managing Director of ✓ Indian lawyer Harish Salve has been Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). appointed into Queen Elizabeth II’s counsel of ✓ Dr. Suresh Chandra Sharma has been Senior Advocate. appointed as Chairman of National Medical ✓ Bipul Behari Sahahas been elected as a Commission. bureau member of the International Union of ✓ Zoran Milanovic has won the presidential Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for the election of Croatia. period 2020-23. ✓ Haitham bin Tariq al-Said took over as ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Sultan of Oman. as member of the Monetary Policy ✓ Tsai Ing-wen won the Taiwan presidential Committee (MPC)-- Janak Raj. election. • The Monetary Policy Committee of ✓ Noted chemist has been elected as a bureau India is responsible for fixing the member (2020-23) of the International Union benchmark interest rate in India. of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) -- ✓ Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed Bipul Behari Saha. as thenew Indian Ambassador to the United ✓ Robert Abela sworn in as the 14th Prime States. Minister of Malta. ✓ Sunil Mehta has been appointed as the Chief ✓ Katerina Sakellaropoulou has been elected Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Banks’ as the first female president of Greece. Association (IBA). ✓ M Nagaraj has been appointed as the ✓ ChallaSreenivasuluSetty has been appointed Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of as the Managing Director of the State Bank of the state-owned Housing and Urban India. Development Corporation (HUDCO).

Obituaries

September 2020 served as Leader of Opposition in the Upper House. ✓ Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh passed away ✓ Singing Legend SP Balasubrahmanyam passed Away • One of the founding members of Bhartiya Janta Party served as Minister of Defence, • He has recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 External Affairs and Finance and also Indian languages and holds the Guinness Deputy Chairman of Planning World Record in this regard. National Film Commission. Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, • He was elected to the Lok Sabha four NTR National Award for his contributions times and to Rajya Sabha five times and to Indian cinema, the Indian Film

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Personality of the Year award. He is a • She was a leading scholar of Indian recipient of civilian awards such as Padma classical dance, art, architecture, and Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2011) history. She was formerly a member of from the Government of India. parliament and also served as Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of ✓ Nuclear Scientist Sekhar Basu dies of Education, where she was responsible for coronavirus the establishment of a large number of • Dr Sekhar Basu, Former chairman of national institutions of higher education. Atomic Energy Commission and veteran ✓ Pranab Mukherjee atomic scientist, conferred with the Indian Nuclear Society Award in 2002 and the • Former President of India and Bharat Padma Shri in 2014. Ratna awardee Pranab Mukherjee passed away at the age of 84 after battling a long ✓ Former Australian Cricketer Dean Jones illness. Dies of Heart Attack • The medical condition of the former • Jones played 52 Tests for Australia and President declined yesterday after he went scored 3631 runs at an average of 46.55 into septic shock due to lung infection. with 11 centuries. He famously hit a Highlights double-century against India in the tied Test of 1986. • Pranab Mukherjee served as 13th President • Jones also played 164 ODIs and scored of India from 2012 to 2017. 6068 runs at 44.61 with seven centuries. • Prior to his election as President, He was part of Australia's 1987 World Mukherjee was Union Finance Minister Cup-winning squad. from 2009 to 2012. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat ✓ Noted Marathi actress Ashalata Ratna in 2019 by the President of India, Wabgaonkar passes away Ram Nath Kovind. • Noted Marathi actress and Bollywood’s • He was regarded as a seasoned Statesman, veteran character artist Ashalata a scholar par excellence, Pranab Wabgaonkar passed away. Mukherjee was admired across the • The actress had worked in many political spectrum and by all sections of Bollywood hits including 'Apne Paraye', society. 'Zanjeer, 'Namak Halal', • He is known to make long-lasting 'Sharaabi', 'Shaukeen' and Marathi movies contributions in key economic and like 'Maherchi Sadi', 'Vahinichi Maya', strategic ministries. 'Umbartha', 'Sutradhar', 'Navari Mile • Note: As a mark of respect to former Navryala'. President Pranab Mukherjee, seven-day ✓ MP Roza Deshpande passes away: state mourning is being observed throughout India till 6th September. • Veteran Communist leader and former Lok During the period of State Mourning, the Sabha Member Roza Deshpande had taken National Flag will fly at half-mast on all part in the Sanyukta Maharashtra buildings throughout India, where it is Movement (the movement for the creation flown regularly and there will be no of the State of Maharashtra) and also taken official entertainment. the Goa liberation struggle. And she was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1974 from the ✓ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Bombay South Central constituency. • The High Commission of India gifted ✓ Arts scholar Dr Kapila Vatsyayan passes books on the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh away: Mujibur Rahman and the liberation war of Bangladesh.

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• The books were gifted to 100 universities • Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is and colleges in the country in places like regarded as the founder of modern Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Bangladesh and one of the most influential Sylhet among others. and courageous leaders of the 20th • The High Commission organized the century. online book gifting session as part of • He laid the foundation of India- Mujib Barsho- the birth centenary year of Bangladesh relations. Bangladesh’s founder president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. August 2020

• Renowned personality Sonam Tshering • Renowned personality Sadia Dehlvi passed Lepcha passed away recently; he was a away recently, she was a veteranWriter and veteran Folk Musician. Activist. Note: He played a major role in reviving and • Renowned personality Mukund Lath passed promoting the Lepcha Culture which is one of away recently, he was a veteran Culture the indigenousculture of Sikkim. Historian. • Lee Teng-hui dubbed as “Mr. Democracy” • Renowned personality Nandi Yellaiah passed passed away recently. He was former away recently, he was a veteran Politician. president of Taiwan. • Famous personality Manitombi Singh passed Note: He was popularly known as “Mr. away, he was a veteran Sportsman. Democracy” for eradicating the dictatorial rule • Renowned personality PK Muthusamy passed in favour of unbiased pluralism in Taiwan. away recently, he was a veteranSongwriter. • Famous personality Anil Murali passed away • Noted personality RahatIndori passed away recently.He was a veteran Malayalam Actor. recently, he was a veteran Urdu Poet. • Former Uttar Pradesh education minister of • Renowned personality GK Menon passed Kamal Rani Varun passed away due to away, recently he was a veteran Journalist. coronavirus. She served as Minister of • ChunnakaraRamankutty passed away recently Technical Education, is the first minister in he was a famous poet and film and drama Uttar Pradesh to die after contracting lyricist of Malayalamlanguage. coronavirus. • Famous sportsperson Chetan Chauhan passed • Writer and Singer VangapanduPrasada Rao away recently, he was associated with passed away recently. Cricket. • Nobel Peace Prize winner, John Hume passed • Noted Carnatic musician Dr B Siva Kumar away. passed away recently, he was proficient in Note: He was a founding member of the Veenamusical instrument. Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) • Renowned personality NishikantKamat passed in 1970 and led the party from 1979 until away, he was a veteran Film Director. 2001. Note: Nishikant had directed some popular • PoliticianRam Pradhan passed away recently. Bollywood movies like Force, Drishyam and Note: He served as the governor of Arunachal Madaari. Pradesh during Rajiv Gandhi government.He • Renowned personality Pandit Jasraj passed was an IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre. away recently, he was a veteran Vocalist. • Renowned politician Shyamal Chakraborty Note: Pandit Jasraj was a recipient of India’s passed away due to COVID-19 infection, he fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri in was a former governor of West Bengal. 1975; Sangeet NatakAkademi Award in 1987 • Renowned personality Shirley Ann Grau and Padma Bhushan in 1999. In the year 2000, passed away recently; she was a veteran the government of India conferred him with Environmentalist. Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country.

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• Legendary sportsperson Angela Buxton passed • Renowned personality Russell A. Kirsch away recently; she was associated with passed away recently, he was a veteran Tennissports. computer scientist.

July 2020

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• Renowned Actor Carl Reiner passed away Award in 1979. He was inducted into the Country recently. Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Note: Legendary comedian, Carl Reiner passed • Renowned personality Nagindas Sanghvi passed away. He was a prolific writer, comedian, away recently, he was a veteran Journalist. director and actor. He had a run as a movie Note: He was 100 and suffering from acute director with such films as “Oh, God!” (1977) asthma. Mr. Sangvi was conferred Padma Shri and “The Jerk” (1979). He won several Emmys award in the year 2019. He was in teaching at awards in writing and producing. Bhavan’s College Andheri from 1951 to 1980. • Renowned personality Saroj Khan passed away Later he moved to Ruparel College, Mahim and recently, she was a veteran Choreographer. Mithibai College, Vile Parle for teaching political Note: In a career spanning over four decades, science. Khan is credited with choreographing more than • Famous footballer Wim Suurbier of The 2,000 songs, including Dola Re Dola from Sanjay Netherlands passed away recently. Leela Bhansali’s Devdas, Ek Do Teen from Note: Suurbier, who won three European Madhuri Dixit-starrer Tezaab and Ye IshqHaaye championships with the legendary Ajax side of from Jab We Met in 2007. the same decade, had been in hospital since • Famous sportsperson Everton Weekes passed suffering a cerebral haemorrhage in away recently he was associated with Cricket April.Suurbier was an attacking full-back whose sports. role epitomised the "Total Football" style Note: Everton Weekes made his first-class debut pioneered by the Ajax and Dutch national sides at 19-year-old and his Test debut in 1948 at 22. during his heyday. His test career spanned between 1948 to 1958, • English sports person Jack Charlton passed away where he played 48 Tests & scored 4455 runs at recently, he was associated with Football sports. an average of 58.62. Note: A member of the England 1966 World-Cup • Name the Hollywood screen writer, film maker, winning team, Jack Charlton passed away. He actor and voice artist passed away recently -- was also an integral part of the great Don Revie- Carl Reiner. managed Leeds United side that won the 1969 Note: Veteran Hollywood and multi-hyphenate League title and the 1972 FA Cup. personality Carl Reiner, a creator and director of • Renowned personality Avad Bin Hassan Jami several Steve Martin films, died at 98 of natural passed away recently, he was a veteran causes at his Beverly Hills home. He has won cartoonist. multiple Emmy Awards, among which 5 awards Note: His cartoons were published in Gujarati were backed by “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in magazine “Abhiyan” for last over two decades. the 1960s. He had also worked in Gujarati • Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri popularly known as newspaper Phhulchhab as a cartoonist. He was a Jagdeep passed away recently, he was a veteran drawing teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jamnagar Actor. and became a full-time cartoonist after Note: Jagdeep appeared in around 400 films but retirement. it is his role as SoormaBhopali in 1975 film • Amadou Gon Coulibaly who passed away "Sholay.Better known by his stage name Jagdeep, recently was prime minister of Ivory Coast. the actor also directed the movie Note: He recently returned from France after "SoormaBhopali" with his character as the receiving medical treatment. He was also chosen protagonist. as the ruling party Rally of Houphouetists for • Renowned personality Charlie Daniels passed Democracy and Peace (RHDP)’s candidate for away recently. October’s presidential election. Note: He was country music and southern rock • First woman election commissioner of icon who entertained fans for decades with songs Maharashtra NeelaSatyanarayan passed away like “Long-Haired Country Boy,” “In America,” recently. and his signature fiddle tune “The Devil Went Note: The 1972 batch officer was admitted at the Down To Georgia”, who won his only Grammy Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai after she was

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diagnosed with COVID-19. NeelaSatyanarayan Rajpal Yadav in 2001's Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya. He retired in 2014. She has penned more than 150 also directed the 2004 film Love In Nepal, which songs. Also, she has composed music for several starred singer Sonu Nigam, Rajpal Yadav and Marathi movies. Flora Saini. • Renowned personality John Lewis passed away • Renowned personality Juan Marse passed away, recently, he was a veteran Civil Rights Activist he was a veteran Novelist. of US. Note: Spanish novelist, Juan Marse passed away. Note: He was also the youngest and last survivor He was one of Spain’s most-respected novelists of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group led by over the past few decades and the winner of the the Reverand Martin Luther King Jr that had the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking greatest impact on the movement. He was best world’s top literary award. His most important known for leading around 600 protesters in the novel was “Úlitmas trades on Teresa” (“Last Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Afternoons with Teresa”) published in 1965. Bridge in Selma, Alabama. • Renowned personality John Saxon passed away • Renowned personality Professor C. S. Seshadri recently, he was a veteran Actor. passed away recently, he was a veteran Note: He was born on 5th August 1936 as Mathematician. Carmine Orrico in Brooklyn, New York, United Note: A leader in the field of algebraic geometry, States of America.He was debuted in 1954 and he made breakthroughs that lie at the base of starred in detective and horror shows like “A many branches of this profound discipline. Nightmare on Elm Street”. Seshadri began his career at the Tata Institute of • Renowned personality P Achyuta Rao passed Fundamental Research as one of the first batches away due to COVID-19, he was a Child Rights of graduate students. He moved to Chennai in Activist. 1984, to the Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Note: He is known to have helped prevent child In 1989, he got an opportunity to start the School marriages, incidents of child sexual abuse, and of Mathematics as part of the SPIC Science child labour. Rao recently filed a petition in Foundation, which has evolved into the Chennai Telangana High Court demanding that mid-day Mathematical Institute (CMI). meal be served to students in government schools • Renowned personality Lalji Tondon passed away since they have not been able to access it due to recently, he was governor of Madhya Pradesh. the pandemic-imposed lockdown. Note: Lal Ji Tandon was the governor of Bihar • Renowned personality Sonam Tshering Lepcha between August 2018 and July 2019 when he passed away passed away recently, he was took over as Madhya Pradesh's Governor. In veteran Folk Musician. 2009, the senior BJP leader and a protege of Note: Lepcha was born in Kalimpong in 1928 former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and started his career as a soldier.He travelled to succeeded him as the Lucknow MP. He began his various parts of Sikkim and complied a wide career from his hometown Lucknow in the 1970s range of Indian folk and traditional Lepcha songs and had also served as a state minister in Uttar and played folk music on All India Radio in Pradesh several times between 1991 and 2003. 1960. • Renowned personality Bijay Mohanty passed • Renowned personality Somendranath Mitra away, recently he was a veteran Actor. passed away recently he was a veteran Politician. Note: His performance in his debut film, Chilika Note: A veteran Congress leader, Somen Mitra as Tire, earned him several accolades including the he was often referred to, took charge of West National Film Award. He is most famous for Bengal Congress in 2018. He played a crucial negative roles in films including Samay Bada role in forging an electoral understanding of Left Balaban, Naga Phasa, SahariBagha, parties and Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha DandaBalunga and Chaka Bhaunri. polls. • Rajat Mukherjee who passed away recently was a • Renowned personality Kumkum passed away famous Film Maker. recently, she was a veteran Actor. Note: Rajat Mukherjee directed Urmila Matondkar, Fardeen Khan, Sonali Kulkarni and 133 www.gradeup.co

Note: Her real name was Zaibunnissa. She has shows “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012” and featured in over 100 Hindi films like Mother “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Superstar”. India, Kohinoor, EkSaperaEkLootera, Naya Daur, ✓ Famous sprinter Bobby Morrow passed away Ujala, Raja AurRunk, Lalkar, Aankhen, Geet, recently. among others. • Note: He is one of the four men (Jesse • Renowned personality Parvej Khan passed away Owens(1936), Carl Lewis(1984), recently, he was a veteran Action Director. Usain Bolt(2012 & 2016)) to win Note: He had been working in the film industry three events at a single game (100m, since 1986. Some of his well-known films 200m and 4x100m relay). He won include Andhadhun, Badlapur, Bullett Raja, three gold medals for 100m, 200m and Fukrey, Ra-One, Johnny Gaddaar, 4x100m relay in the 1956 Olympic in Vishwaroopam, Vishwaroopam 2, Dev. D, Melbourne. Gangster, Sehar, Ab TakChhappan, The Legend ✓ Former Union Minister and three-time Of Bhagat Singh, Soldier, and Mr. And Mrs Congress MP P Namgyal passed away Khiladi. recently in Ladakh. • Renowned personality Olivia de Havilland • Note: Former Union Minister and passed away, she was a veteran Hollywood three-time Congress MP from Ladakh, Actor. P Namgyal passes away. He has Note: She was born on 1st July 1916, in Tokyo, served as the Minister of State for Japan. The actress, who starred in blockbusters Parliamentary Affairs, Surface like Captain Blood (1935), The adventures of Transport and Chemicals and Petro Robin Hood (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), chemicals. The Snakepit, The Heiress. She unchained the ✓ Famous sportsperson turned coach Hollywoods contract system which was later JayantilalNanoma passed away recently, he called as “De Havilland Law”. was ass8ociated with Archery sports. • Renowned personality Amala Shankar passed • Note: Former International Archer away, she was a veteran Choreographer and turned coach JayantilalNanoma passed danseuse. away. He was an Asian Cup and Asian Note: She was honored with the West Bengal Grand Prix medallist in compound government’s Banga Bibhusan award in 2011 for individual and team archery in 2010. her contributions to art. First performance of ✓ Renowned personality Basu Chatterjee passed Amala Shankar was in Kaliya Daman which was away recently, he was a veteran staged in Belgium in 1931. She also acted in the Screenwriter. film “Kalpana” which was released in 1948. • Note: He worked in Hindi & Bengali • Renowned personality Annie Ross passed away, cinema and was a dialogue writer and she was a famous Jazz Singer. produced a few films. Note: he was born Annabelle McCauley Allan • He received the National Film Award Short in Surrey, England, on July 25, 1930. She for Best Film on Family Welfare in was a popular jazz singer in the 1950s before 1992 for his film Durga. He was born crossing over into a successful film career. on January 10, 1930, in Ajmer, British India. June 2020 ✓ Renowned personality Anwar Sagar passed Veteran Music Director Wajid Khan passed away away recently; he was a veteran Song Writer. recently. • Note: He is best remembered for his hit track WaadaRahaSanam from 1992 • Note: Wajid Khan was the brother of Akshay Kumar-starrer Khiladi. The music director Sajid Khan. He was lyricist also has to his credit films like born in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh on Yaarana, Salaami, Aa Gale Lag Jaa July 10, 1977. and Vijaypath among more. • Wajid along with his brother Sajid served as mentors on singing reality 134 www.gradeup.co

✓ Renowned personality Chiranjeevi Sarja • A Cricket Club of India player, he passed away recently, represented Bombay and Baroda.The • Note: He has featured in films such as cricketer-historian was also a founding Samhaara, Aadyaa, Khaki, Sinnga, member of Jolly Cricket Club in Amma I Love You, PremaBaraha, Mumbai. DandamDashagunam and ✓ Former Test cricketer of New Zealand Matt Varadhanayaka among others. He was Poore passed away recently, last seen in the Kannada action-drama • Note: He is remembered for catching Shivarjuna. a stray dog during a match in ✓ Ved Prakash Marwah who passed away Bengaluru in 1955 and subsequently recently is a former governor of the taking 12 anti-rabies injections. Jharkhand, Manipur and Mizoram states. • An all-rounder, Poore had a short but • Note: VedMarwah was an alumnus of colourful 14-Test career between 1953 St. Stephens college.He was the first and 1956 alongside two greats - Bert Secretary of the High Commission of Sutcliffe and John Reid. India, London. ✓ Veteran Urdu poet and freedom fighter ✓ Renowned personality Arjun CharanSethi Anand Mohan Zutshi passed away recently, passed away recently. • Note: Anand Mohan Zutshi ‘Gulzar’ • Note: He was Water Resources Dehlvi was the editor of the 1st Urdu Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee science magazine, Science kiDuniya, Cabinet from 2000 to 2004. He published by the Government of India entered Lok Sabha from Bhadrak on a in 1975. Congress ticket in 1971 and re-elected • He played a prominent role in opening in 1980, also on a Congress ticket. Urdu schools across India & has been ✓ Pierre Nkurunziza passed away recently was a part of a number of mushairas President of Brundi. (Poetic symposium), which includes • Note: He was born on 18th December Jashn-e-Rekhta in 2015 and Jigar Fest 1964 in Ngozi Province.He was a in 2018. sports graduate and assistant lecturer ✓ VeteranActor Sushant Singh Rajput found at the University of Burundi and after dead in his house in Mumbai was a veteran. the Civil War he became the leader of • Note: 34-year-old actor committed Forces for Defence of Democracy suicide & found dead at his home in (FDD) in 2001. Bandra, Mumbai. He was born on ✓ Famous sport person Tony Dunne, passed 16th January 1986 in Patna, Bihar. away recently, he was associated with • He promoted the Women Football sports. Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI • Note: He joined Manchester United at Aayog which was launched on 8th the age of 18 in 1960 and debuted on March 2018. 16th October 1960 against Burnley ✓ Renowned Military personnel Raj Mohan (A) league. He was a part of the Vohra passed away recently due to COVID- winning side of the European Cup in 19. 1968. • Note: MahaVir Chakra awardee Lt ✓ Famous Cricket sportsperson Vasant Raiji Gen (retd) Raj Mohan Vohra passed passed away recently. away due to COVID-19. He was a • Note: A chartered accountant, he was 1971 war hero. Lt Gen Vohra had also a well-known chronicler of received the coveted award in 1972. cricket, having written books on C.K. • The MahaVir Chakra is that the Nayudu, Ranjitsinhji, Duleepsinhji, country’s second-highest gallantry L.P. Jai and Victor Trumper. award. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry within the

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presence of the enemy whether on team).He represented Delhi from 1963 land, at sea or in the air. and in 1973 he moved to Haryana ✓ Renowned Journalist Dinu Ranadive passed ✓ Famous Basketball K Raghunath passed away recently. away recently, he was associated with which • Note: The veteran journalist was born sports. in 1925 at a tribal hamlet at Dahanu • Note: Raghunath represented Indian near Mumbai, he started his All-Star team which toured Sri Lanka journalistic career in 1956. in 1962. He played for Karnataka with ✓ Malayalam Film Director, Scriptwriter, and distinction in 1960s. Producer K.R. Sachidanandan passed away • He was one of the founding members recently, he was associated with which of the still-popular Beagles Basketball language films. Club. Raghunath’s tryst with • Note: Malayalam Film director, basketball began in 1958. scriptwriter, and producer K.R. ✓ Famous sportsperson PournimaZanane passed Sachidanandan passed away. His away recently, she was associated with directorial debut was Anarkali in Shooting sports. 2015. He had co-scripted numerous • Note: She started as a shooter in movies with Sethu and later began Mumbai and represented India in composing solo contents. Sachy was a numerous ISSF World Cups, Asian rehearsing legal advisor at the Kerala Championships, Commonwealth High Court. Championships.She holds a national ✓ Renowned Economist B.P.R. Vithal passes record in the 10 m air rifle event. away recently. • She started coaching shooters in 2012 • Note: He also served as the Secretary, and she was the coach of the shooters Finance and Planning, government of team of Sri Lanka. Andhra Pradesh, from 1972 to 1982. ✓ Renowned Journalist Vishwa Bandhu Gupta • B.P.R. Vithal also worked at the passed away recently. International Monetary Fund as the • Note: He was the chairman and chief fiscal adviser to the governments of editor of the Tej-Bandhu group of Malawi and Sudan. He also played an publications, The Weekly Sun, The instrumental role in the establishment North-East Sun, Treasure monthly and of Centre for Economic and Social Flash newspaper. Studies, Hyderabad. • He was the President of All India ✓ Renowned Army Man Lachhman Singh Lehl Newspaper Editors passed away recently. Conference(AINEC) and one of the • Note: Lachhman Singh Lehl took part founding members of the Press Club within the 1948 war in Jhangar area of of India(PCI). Jammu and Kashmir as a captain and ✓ Noted Kannada novelist Geetha commanded a division within the Nagabhushan passed away. 1971 war. • Note: She was the first woman writer • He received the Vir Chakra, the third to bag Kendra Sahitya Academy and highest gallantry award in India for his Nadoja awards and serve as the role as a forward observer within the chairperson of Karnataka Sahitya 50 Para Brigade. Academy. ✓ Famous sportsperson Rajinder Goel passed • She had presided over 76th Akhil away recently he was associated with Cricket Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, a sports. prestigious literary fest, held at Gadag • Note: He made his ranji debut in in 2020. 1957-58 and began his first class May 2020 careen with Patiala (southern Punjab

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• Renowned personality Chuni Goswami, passed • Note: TV actor Shafique Ansari passed away, he was a famous Sportsperson. away. He was best-known for his • Note: Former India football captain appearance in TV series ‘Crime Patrol’. Subimal Goswami, commonly known • Renowned Writer Ratnakar Matkari passed away. by his nickname Chuni Goswami, • Note: Last week he was tested positive to passed away at the age of 82 in coronavirus. He was born on 17th Kolkata. November 1938 in Mumbai, India. • Renowned personality Bijay Mishra passed away, • He was the director and producer of he was a famous Playwriter. numerous Marathi films and he was a • Note: Noted playwright, dramatist, self-taught artist and writer In the 1970’s scriptwriter and film director Bijay he wrote many columns for multiple Mishra of Odisha passed away at the newspapers and magazines. age of 83 due to age-related ailments • He was known for his acting skills who in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. made his mark in plays like Prem Kahani, • Renowned personality Nissar Ahmed popularly VinashakadunVinashakade, Lokakatha 78 and State Lote. known as K S Nissar Ahmed passed away, he • Former JDS MP Raja Rangappa Nayak passed was a popular Poet and Kannada writer. away recently. • Note: He was the 73rd president of • Note: He had represented the Raichur Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in the year constituency, Karnataka and was elected 2007 held at Shivamogga. in the Lok Sabha elections held in 1996. • He received Rajyotsava in 1981, Padma • Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy passed away Shri in 2008 and Pampa Award in 2017. recently. • Famous personality Dalit Ezhilmalai passed away • Note: Debesh Roy was known as a writer recently, he was a veteran Politician. who broke the set patterns in the fictional world of Bengali literature. • Note: He participated in the Indo-Pak • His famous works includes War of 1971 as an army officer and TistaParerBrittanto, BorisalerJogen received SainikSewa Medal for his Mondal, ManushKhun Kore Keno and meritorious service. SamayAsamayerBrittanto. He won the • Renowned personality Hari Shankar Vasudevan Sahitya Akademi award for his novel passed away recently, he was a famous ‘TistaParerBrittanto’ in 1990. Historian. • Padma Bhushan recipient Bangladeshi professor • Note: He served as the Director of Anisuzzaman passed away recently. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of • Note: He was born on February 18, 1937, Asian Studies under the Ministry of in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British Culture, Government of India India and shifted to Bangladesh soon after the partition in 1947. . • He made an immense contribution to • Famous sportsperson Manmeet Singh Walia, Bangla language & literature through his passed away, he was associated with which sports research and writings. Table Tennis. • Famous sportsperson of Tennis Ashley John • Note: He became the national champion Cooper passed away at the age of 83 in Sydney in 1989 when he beat S Sriram in the • Note: Cooper, the former Ranked No.1 men’s singles final in Hyderabad. player, led Australia’s Davis Cup team to • Renowned personality Shafique Ansari passed victory over the United States to retain the away recently, he was associated with which field title in 1957. Acting. • A right-handed serve-and-volley player, Cooper won 8 Grand Slam titles- 4 Grand 137 www.gradeup.co

Slam singles and 4 Grand Slam doubles • He served as a lecturer at the National titles in the amateur era. Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur and • Famous Hockey sportsperson Balbir Singh was also a successful IAS (Indian Dosanjh, passed away recently. Administrative Service) officer. • Note:Balbir Singh Sr. made his • In 1998, Jogi was elected as a Lok Sabha International debut in May 1947 tour of member from Raigarh, Chhattisgarh and Sri Lanka. became a spokesperson of the Indian • He was appointed as the Captain of Indian National Congress (INC) party. hockey team for the Melbourne Olympics • Famous personality associated with Indian in 1956. cinema passed away recently, he was a veteran • He wrote his biography “The Golden Hat lyricist. Trick: My Hockey Days” in 1977. • Note: Famous Indian Lyricist and writer • Renowned Football Coach Gigi Simoni passed Yogesh Gaur, commonly known as away recently. Yogesh in the film industry passed away • Note: He was an Italian football official, at the age of 77 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. player & manager. • He wrote the lyrics of hit songs • Simoni played as an attacking midfielder “Kahinduur jab din dhal jaye” and for Mantova, Napoli, Torino, Juventus, “Zindagikaisihaipaheli” that defined the Brescia and Genoa. superhit film Anand (1971). • Noted Classical Singer Shyamala G. Bhave April 2020 passed away. ✓ Professor Arjun Dev passed away recently; • Note: Her father, late Govind he was a veteran Historian. VitthalBhave, trained her in Hindustani • Note: He served as a historian at the music, while she was tutored in the National Council of Education Carnatic stream by noted vocalists A Research and Training (NCERT). Subbaraya and B Doreswamy. • Renowned Author Mujtaba Hussain passed away ✓ Nobel Prize- winning physicist who expanded recently. the world’s understanding of magnetism, • Note: Hussain was described as the Mark superconductivity and the structure of matter, Twain of Urdu. He began his literary passed away -- Philip Warren Anderson. career from “Siasat”, a leading Urdu daily ✓ Padma Shri awardee and published from Hyderabad. former “HazooriRaagi” at the Golden • Famous Football R. Shanmugam passed away. Temple, passed away -- Bhai Nirmal Singh • Note: Shanmugam played for Mohun Khalsa. Bagan in 1968, Indian Railways in the 1969 Nowgong senior Nationals, Tamil ✓ World renowned virologist Gita Nadu in the 1970 Jalandhar & ’71 Ramjeepassed away in Johannesburg, South Chennai senior Nationals. Africa. • Famous personality Stanley Ho passed away. • Gita was born on April 8, 1956, in • Note: Stanley Ho is one of the richest Kampala, Uganda. She served as the men in Asia and the head of Sociedade de Clinical Trials Unit Principal Jogos de Macau (SJM) holdings and Investigator and Unit Director of the famously known as the Casino kingpin of Gambling. HIV Prevention Research Unit of the • First chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Pramod South African Medical Research Kumar Jogi passed away. Council (SAMRC) offices in Durban. • Note: Jogi studied Mechanical ✓ Libya’s former Prime Minister Mahmoud Engineering at the Maulana Azad College Jibril el-Warfallypassed away due to of Technology & also won the University Coronavirus. Gold Medal. 138 www.gradeup.co

• Note: He served as the interim Prime Hiranand the Begum Akthar era is Minister (PM) of Libya for almost a formally over. year during the Libyan Civil War in ✓ Legendary sportsperson Sir Stirling Moss 2011, chairing the executive board of passed away recently. National Transitional Council and • Note: Moss was widely regarded as later killed Moammar Gaddafi in the greatest driver never to win the 2011. Formula One drivers’ world ✓ Malayalam Music Composer M.K. Arjunan championship. passed away recently. ✓ Famous sportsperson Peter Bonetti passed • Note: He tuned about 700 songs, away recently. many of them among the biggest hits • Note: He was part of England’s 1966 of all time. World Cup-winning team but was • He was awarded Kerala State award unused throughout the tournament. for the best composer in 2017 for ✓ Renowned Politician M V Rajasekharan Jayaraj’sBhayanakam. passed away recently. ✓ Famous sportsperson Radomir Antic passed • Note: He was former Union Minister away recently. of State of planning and statistics and • Note: Radomir Antic, Serbian football veteran Congress leader. He was also manager and player, the only man to agriculture and rural development have coached Barcelona, Real Madrid consultant. He was born on 12th and Atlético Madrid, passed away at September 1928 in Maralawadi in the age of 71 in Madrid, Spain. Ramanagara District, Karnataka. ✓ Two-time Grammy award winner & ✓ Famous sportsperson Zafar Sarfaraz passed Grammy lifetime achievement award away recently. winner American folk singer John • Note: Former Pakistani first-class Prinepassed away recently. cricketer, Zafar Sarfaraz ,50 years, ✓ Famous Indian American who tested positive to COVID-19 BrahmKanchibotla passed away due to passed away in a hospital at Peshawar, coronavirus. Pakistan. He was born on 30th • Note: In recent years, he has been October 1969 in Peshawar, North writing for two Indian-American West Frontier Province, Pakistan. publications, the Indian Panorama and ✓ Renowned personality Ranjit the South Asia Times. Chowdhrypassed away recently. • During his 28-year career in the US, • Note: He was well known for his he worked for 11 years as a content performance in classic comedies like editor for Merger Markets, a financial Baton Baton Mein as SabhiPerreira publication, and also worked for News and Khubsoorat as JaganGupta.His India-Times Weekly. mother Pearl Padamsee, was a Jewish ✓ Famous Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed away descent and a well-known drama recently. teacher and stage and film actress and • Note: Shanti was trained in thumri, his stepfather AlyquePadmsee, was a dadra and ghazal singing by Begum theatre actor, director and head of an Akthar. With the passing of Shanti advertising company in Mumbai.

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• He started his film career with John Robinson passed away at the age “KhattaMeetha” as RussieMistry. of 61 in Marbella, Spain. ✓ Luis SepúlvedaCalfucura, the best-selling • He was the winner of the 2018 Chilean writer and journalist passed away due Vazquez Montalban International to coronavirus complications. Journalism Award. • Note: He was with Chile’s ✓ Renowned personality Irfan Khan passed Communist Youth and socialists away. working against Pinochet regime and • Note: The actor was admitted to in 1973 he was arrested and Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai after imprisoned for treason for 2 and half suffering from colon infection. years and freed after the intervention • He has acted in several remarkable of Amnesty International. movies like Maqbool, Paan Singh ✓ The former prime minister of Fiji, Laisenia Tomar, The Lunchbox, Haider, Piku, Qarase passed away recently. Hindi Medium, Slumdog Millionaire, • Note: The founder of the Jurassic World, The Amazing SoqosoqoDuavata Ni Lewenivanua Spiderman and Life of Pi. Party & former Fiji Prime Minister • He was honoured with various awards (2000-2006) Laisenia Qarase passed along with Padma Shri which is the away at 79 in Oceania Hospital, Suva fourth highest civilian award of India. due to an illness. ✓ Renowned Actor Rishi Kapoor passed away. ✓ Renowned personality Eugene Merril Deitch • Note: Rishi breathed his last at the Sir passed away recently. HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in • Note: He was one of the directors Mumbai. His wife and actor Neetu behind world’s most popular cartoons Kapoor was by his side. and directed 13 episodes of Tom and • Born in the first family of Hindi Jerry. cinema, Rishi Kapoor was the son of • He also won the ‘Academy Award’ the man India call the showman, Raj for his Best Animated Short Film Kapoor, and grandson of the famous named “Munro” in 1960. Prithviraj Kapoor. ✓ Name the Indian theatre director-actor and • Rishi was the second son of Raj and activist Usha Gangulypassed away recently. the sibling of Randhir, Ritu Nanda, • Note: Usha Ganguly, was an Indian Rima Jain and Rajeev Kapoor. theatre director-actor and activist, March 2020 most known for her work in Hindi theatre in the 1970s and 1980s, passed • Padma Shri awardee Balbir Singh Kullar passed away at the age of 75 in Kolkata, West away, he was associated with Hockey. Bengal. • Dronacharya awardee coach Joginder Singh Saini • She was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan in passed away, he was associated with Athletics. 1945. • Former chairman & CEO of General Electric ✓ Famous sportsperson Michael John passed (GE) Company John Francis Welch Jr passed away recently, he was associated with away at the age of 84. He was also known as Football. “Neutron Jack. • Note: Former Republic of Ireland and • Former UN Chief & Prime Minister of Peru Liverpool forward footballer Michael Javier Perez de Cuellar passed away recently. 140 www.gradeup.co

• Name the Buddhist religious leader in • Padma Shri awardee and renowned Punjabi Bangladesh passed away -- novelist passed away recently isDalip Kaur SuddhanandaMahathero. Tiwana. • Name the famous Swedish Actor Carl Adolf von • Daniel Arap Moi passed away recently; he was Sydowpassed away recently. former President of Kenya. • Santu Mukhopadhyay or Santu Mukherjee passed • Famous cricket journalist and film historian Raju away recently, he was associated with Cinema. Bharatanpassed away recently. • Former Czechoslovak javelin-thrower Dana • He is also the writer for Thehindu and Zatopkovapassed away recently. Sportstar and also a popular radio • Dr Puthussery Ramachandran passed away commentator for India’s cricket matches. recently, he was a veteran Malayalam poet. • Hindi Novelist Giriraj Kishore passed away • Former world champion boxer and trainer Roger recently. Mayweather passed away. • Note: Giriraj Kishore was best known for • Pradip Kumar Banerjee passed away at the age of his novel “PehlaGirmitiya” (for which he 83 in Kolkata, he was associated with Football. • Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan, received Padma Shri in 2007) and popularly known as Visu passed away recently, “DhaiGhar”. he was a veteran Actor. • Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Veteran, • Veteran Actor Kenneth Ray Rogers passed away Orator and Philosophical Author P. recently Parameswaran passed away. • French comic book artist, scriptwriter, the co- • Journalist Nandu R Kulkarani passed away in creator and illustrator of the “Asterix and Obelix” Mumbai, Maharashtra. who passed away -- Alberto AleandroUderzo. • Note: He was the bureau chief of the • Name the former India football player and 1970 Kolkata- based newspaper “The Asian games bronze medallist passed away Statesman” in 1992 & also reported on a recently -- Abdul Latif. wide range of subjects including politics & business. Nandu Kulkarni started his • Nawab Banoo alias Nimmi passed away recently was a famous Bollywood actress. career with “The Indian Express” in 1976 & reported on economic offenses. • Nemai Ghosh passed away recently, was a veteran Photographer. • Renowned personality Wendell Rodrickspassed away in Goa, he was a famous Fashion designer. • RajyoginiDadiJanki passed away recently, she

was chief of which spiritual organization • M.S. Mani who passed away at the age of 79 was BrahmakumarisSansthan. a famous journalist. • Former Lok Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) • ParavaiMuniyamma who passed away recently, and wife of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s was a famous Tamil Folk Singer. February 2020 nephew Sisir Kumar Bose, passed away recently – Krishna Bose. • Noted Social activist, feminist writer and • India Footballer who was a part of India’s journalist passed away –Vidya Bal. bronze-medal winning teams in the Merdeka Cup • Eminent Punjabi writer and Sahitya Akademi in 1965 and 1966, passed away recently – Ashok Awardee Jaswant Singh Kanwal passed away. Chatterjee. • Renowned personality Rabi Singh died recently, • Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak who passed he was a veteran Odia revolutionary poet and away recently was former President of Egypt. freedom fighter. January 2020

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✓ Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader ✓ Veteran player Sunita Chandra passed away in DP Tripathi passed away in New Delhi, her hometown Bhopal, she was associated with ✓ Noted Assamese theatre personality Ratna Ojha Hockey. passed away. ✓ American legendary player Kobe Bean Bryant ✓ Irani Gen Qassem Soleimani killed in US and his daughter dies in a helicopter crash. He airstrike on Baghdad airport. was a veteran player of Basketball. ✓ Former Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi Environment and Ecology News passes away. ✓ The King of Oman Sultan Qaboos bin Said September 2020 passed away due to years-long struggle with an ✓ H-CNG illness. • The Road Transport Ministry has permitted use of ✓ Former Indian cricketer Man Mohan H-CNG (18% mix of hydrogen) in CNG engines. Soodpassed away at 80 years. It is an alternative clean fuel for transportation. ✓ Sunanda Patnaik (85) passed away in Kolkata, The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) has developed specifications (IS 17314:2019) related West Bengal, she was Indian Classical Singer. to Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas • She was famously known as ‘Guruma’ in the (H-CNG) for automotive purposes, as a fuel. classical music circle. She is the daughter of • Note: H-CNG (hydrogen compressed natural gas) renowned Odia poet Baikunthanath Patnaik is essentially Compress Natural Gas which has been blended in with Hydrogen. H-CNG has the and had composed many bhajans (devotional ability to reduce carbon monoxide, methane, and songs) both in Odia and Hindi. hydrocarbon emissions compared to regular CNG ✓ On January 17,2020 being used whether as automotive fuel or in other RameshchandraGangaramBapu Nadkarni applications. passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra, he was a ✓ PM Modi to inaugurate six mega projects under renowned Cricketer. Namami Gange Mission in Uttarakhand ✓ On January 20, 2020 Shamsher Singh • The projects include the construction of Sewage Surjewala passed away after in AIIMS, New Treatment Plant, up-gradation of the existing Delhi, he was a renowned Politician (Congress Sewage Treatment Plant at Jagjeetpur and construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant at Chief of Haryana). Sarai, in Haridwar, Sewage Treatment Plant at ✓ Senior Journalist and former Bharatiya Janata Lakkadghat in Rishikesh, Plant in Chandreshwar, Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Ashwini Sewage Treatment Plant at Chorpani, and two Kumar Chopra passed away at a private hospital plants at Badrinath. • “Ganga Avalokan”, the first museum at Chandi in Gurgaon. Ghat, Haridwar on Ganga dedicated to ✓ Noted Urdu poet Ajmal Sultanpuripassed away showcasing the culture, biodiversity and at the age of 97 in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. was rejuvenation activities done in Ganga River will awarded the “LifeTime Achievement Award” be inaugurated by Prime Minister. • The logo of Jal Jeevan Mission and by Uttar Pradesh (UP) Urdu Academy in March ‘Margdarshika’ will also be unveiled. 2016 for his contribution to Urdu poetry. • Note: Namami Gange Mission, is an Integrated ✓ Famous social worker, environmentalist, Conservation Mission, approved as 'Flagship educationist & writer passed away at 85 years in Programme' by the Union Government in June 2014 with a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 Crore to Kolkata Tushar Kanjilal. accomplish the twin objectives of effective ✓ Jameela Malik passed away recently at 73 years, abatement of pollution, conservation and she was a veteran Actress. rejuvenation of National River Ganga. ✓ Eight Indian beaches for the globally recognized Blue Flag eco-label for the first time

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• The Indian beaches, selected are: • Recently as part of the Indian Railways’ plan to • 1. Golden Beach(Puri), Odisha become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030, • Radhanagar Beach, Andaman Island Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has held a • Rushikonda, Andhra Pradesh meeting with stakeholders in the solar power • Kappad, Kerala sector and discussed innovative solutions for • Kasarkod, Karnataka setting up solar projects along railway tracks. • Padubidri, Karnataka • Aimed at becoming self-reliant and self- • Ghogla, Diu sustenance for all its power needs, Indian • Shivrajpur, Gujarat Railways has solarized more than 960 stations till • Note: The Blue Flag is awarded to beaches, date. marinas, and sustainable boating tourism • Indian Railways is committed to utilize solar operators. For qualifying for the Blue Flag, a energy for meeting its traction power requirement series of stringent environmental, educational, and become a complete 'green mode of safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and transportation'. maintained. There are nearly thirty-three criteria • Indian Railways has a mega plan for installing that must be met to qualify for a Blue Flag solar plants of 20 GW capacity by utilizing its certification, such as the water meets certain vacant land by 2030 and achieve 100 per cent quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, electrification by the year 2023. being disabled-friendly, have first aid equipment etc. Highlights ✓ International Coastal Cleanup Day: • Solar power in India is a fast-developing industry. The country's solar installed capacity was 35,122 • The 35th International Coastal Cleanup Day was MW as of 30 June 2020. celebrated on Sep 19 consecutively for the ninth • India has the lowest capital cost per MW globally year by the Indian Navy today at Visakhapatnam. of installing solar power plants. The event was also aimed to create awareness • Rooftop solar power accounts for 2.1 GW, of among the general public to keep beaches clean which 70% is industrial or commercial. and to support the noble efforts of GVMC in • The International Solar Alliance (ISA), proposed making ‘The City of Destiny – Vizag’ a clean by India as a founder member, is headquartered in city. India. India has also put forward the concept of "One Sun One World One Grid" and "World ✓ Kaziranga National Park in Assam Solar Bank" to harness abundant solar power on a • Home to the Asiatic one-horned rhinos, the global scale. Kaziranga National Park in Assam has been ✓ World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released Living increased by 3,053 hectares. Planet Report 2020: • The government issued a notification approving the seventh, eighth, and ninth additions to the Note: It showed reduction of 68 % in global wildlife World Heritage Site. These include population between 1970 and 2016.75 % of the encroachment-evicted areas and wildlife habitat at Earth’s ice-free land surface has been altered by the riverine islands that were vulnerable to conversion of pristine habitats into agricultural encroachment. systems with 85% loss of wetlands. Highest • As part of the ecosystem, animals, particularly biodiversity loss due to land use change: Europe and elephants and deer, stray out of the park during the flood and move to the KarbiAnglong hills. Central Asia, followed by North America, Latin This is the time when the poachers increase their America and Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Largest activities. The addition of new areas to the park is wildlife population loss: Latin America. India, with expected to ensure the better protection of over 45,000 species of plants in only 2.4 % of the animals. world’s land area, has lost six plant species. This prestigious national park of India is situated in the northeastern part of the country in the district of Golaghat ✓ International Solar Alliance (ISA) organized first and Nagaon in the state of Assam. World Solar Technology Summit Note: ✓ Solarization of Indian Railway stations

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• Aim: Accelerate affordable and sustainable clean green with next generation technologies in solar ✓ National portal SURAKHSYA is being launched by power. the Ministry of Environment and Forest on Human- • Tripartite agreement between India’s Ministry Elephant conflict to collect real-time information and of New and Renewable Energy, World Bank and will also manage conflicts on a real-time basis. ISA inked during the summit Note: He will also launch portal on Human Elephant • The summit observed launching of ISA’s Conflict on the eve of World Elephant Day, 2020. The technology journal, Solar Compass 360. World Elephant Day is observed every year on 12th August to spread awareness about the animal. ✓ The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the ✓ The Central Water Commission (CWC) of India has field of geology and mineral resources with its launched the flood forecasting initiatives across India counterpart of Finland. in association with tech giant Google. Note: The Central Water Commission is the first ✓ The first World Solar Technology Summit 2020 held governmental partner of Google to measure water virtually was attended by 149 countries. levels on an hourly basis using around 1000 stream Note: The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister gauges across India. Under the flood forecasting of India Narendra Modi. The main objective of the initiatives, Google has sent out numerous public alerts summit is to pay attention to state-of-the-art to people in flood-impacted regions of India. technologies and next-generation technologies. ✓ Greenko Energies Private Limited entered into an MoU with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) to ✓ ‘Streets for People’ challenge has been launched by explore renewable energy power supply solution and Union Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) energy storage. Ministry. Note: This comes under the framework of India’s Note: The objective of CSCAF is to provide a clear World largest clean energy programme, a part of roadmap for cities towards combating Climate global climate change commitments, which aims to Change while planning and implementing their have 175 GW of clean energy by 2022. NTPC Vidyut actions, including investments. Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC limited. ✓ Punjab government has launched ‘I Rakhwali’ app for Environment Protection. ✓ Mahindra & Mahindra has partnered with Israel’s Note: With this new initiative, the state govt aims to REE Automotive to develop commercial EVs . safeguard the state forest area by making people a Note: The corner modular architecture of REE stakeholder in this process.The state govt came up integrated with the design, engineering, sourcing, with the concept of the app to encourage people to ecosystem and production capacity of Mahindra will come forward and contribute to the protection of the provide zero emission vehicles, including the environment. autonomous vehicles. This will improve the mahindra’s capabilities in the Electric Vehicle(EV) August 2020 sector.

✓ 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting was held ✓ Uttarakhand state is set develop India’s first Snow under the presidency of Russia. Leopard Conservation centre. Note: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Note: The main aim of the centre is to conserve and Environment, Forest and Climate Change restore Himalayan ecosystems. It also aims to (MoEF&CC) participated in the meeting. The BRICS conserve elusive snow leopards and other endangered nations called the initiative to improve the Himalayan species. A number of snow leopards have environment and promote the circular economy in been spotted in the districts of Pithoragarh and national plans for economic recovery after COVID-19 Uttarkashi. However, the actual figures are unknown.

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So far, the state government has concluded that there the COVID-19 effect that has impacted their demand are 86 snow leopards in the state. and supply.

July 2020 ✓ According to the report “Annual Marine Fish Landings in India for 2019” by Central Marine ✓ Sustainable Development Report 2020: Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Tamil Nadu Note: The report has SDG Index of 166 nations and state grabbed the top in annual fish production. Dashboards for all UN member states.It is published by Cambridge University Press and prepared by ✓ India’s rank in the “INFORM Report 2020:Shared independent experts at Sustainable Development evidence for managing crises and disasters” released Solutions Network (SDSN) and Bertelsmann Stiftung. by research centre INFORM -- 31st. India has been placed at 117th in SDG index 2020. Note: The report ranked the countries based on The index is topped by Sweden followed by Denmark “INFORM Risk Index” which has been topped by and Finland. Somalia with an inform risk of 8.9. The report has analyzed 191 countries.Notably, this report is ✓ India ranked third among ‘Global E-waste produced by the United Nations Office for the Monitor 2020’ report:- Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) Note: United Nations ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2020’ on behalf of all INFORM Partners. report showcased India as the third largest contributor to e-waste in the world in 2019. At world level, 53.6 ✓ Union Environment and Information & Broadcasting million tonnes of e-waste is generated in 2019, out of Minister Prakash Javadekar hailed the KURMA which just 17.4 percent was recycled. China was the mobile application related with Indian Turtles. biggest contributor to e-waste, followed by United States. Together these three countries accounted for ✓ As per the update report on India’s Tiger Survey from nearly 38% of the world’s e-waste in 2019. 2018, released by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar ✓ Two Maharatna PSUs the South Delhi Municipal Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers. Corporation (SDMC) has signed an MoU for setting Note: India has 2,967 tigers, a third more than in up of a Waste to Energy Plant Okhla New Delhi -- 2014, according to results of a census made public on Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. & NTPC Ltd. July 29 last year. The present survey is a more Note: In Delhi, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) granular estimate of these numbers. Management has been a major issue for the local Municipal Authorities, the Waste to Energy Plant will ✓ Uttar Pradesh government has launched a mega help in addressing the issue and also will lead us plantation programme ‘Mission Vriksharopan-2020’. towards a more energy-efficient and greener future. The Plant in Delhi will serve as a demonstrative ✓ Assam’s DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary is being model, the success of which will further help in upgraded to a National Park is located in which state establishing such Plants in other cities of the country. of India. Note: It is located within the larger DehingPatkai ✓ The report titled “Towards a Clean Energy Economy: Elephant Reserve, spreading across the coal- and oil- Post-Covid-19 Opportunities for India’s Energy and rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia Mobility Sectors” released jointly by NITI Aayog and and Sivasagar). After upgradation, DehingPatkai will Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). be the 6th national park in Assam. The other five are Note: The report has recommended specific actions Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Orang and Dibru- and laid down four principles as a framework by Saikhowa. which India can revive two of our economic powerhouses – the transport and power sectors from ✓ Poba Reserve Forest would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary in Assam.

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Note: Assam Chief Minister, SarbanandaSonowal has participated in meet. The meet was co-chaired by announced, Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district European Union (EU), China and Canada. would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary. The announcement was made during a meeting with senior ✓ Germany become the first industrialized country to officials of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts phase out of both coal and nuclear energy. at Jonai. Poba Reserve Forest declared in 1924 with Note: This phase out is a part of Germany’s “energy an area of 10,522 hectares is home to a large number transition” to reduce the use of fossil fuels and to of flora and fauna. support the use of renewable resources. German closed its last coal mine in 2018 and committed to ✓ Andhra Pradesh government has announced close its nuclear power plants by 2022. Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020, which permits the sale of power to the other states of India. ✓ The World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 is published by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ✓ Mizoram becomes the first state in the country to organization that says that India and Thailand are the implement the Green-Agriculture (Green-Ag) project main source of (82%) of illegal shipment of tiger body funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). parts. Note: It was launched by Agriculture minister of Mizoram C Lalrinsanga. Mizoram is first among the 5 ✓ Nicaragua has become the 87th country to join the states where the project is to be implemented. The International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement, other states are Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan an initiative led by India to promote sustainable and Uttarakhand. energy. Note: The ISA is an alliance of 121 countries, most of ✓ Uganda became the first African country to submit them being sunshine countries which lie either the results for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and forest Degradation (REDD+) to the United and the Tropic of Capricorn. Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). ✓ Under the aegis of International Solar Alliance (ISA) Note: Uganda became the first African country to NTPC Ltd planned to establish solar power plants in submit the results for Reducing Emissions from Sri Lanka. Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ✓ The polycarbonate facility of SABIC in Spain is set to Change (UNFCCC), which has opened the way for become the world's first large scale chemical potential results-based payments to Uganda. The production plant which will run entirely on renewable submitted documents will help Uganda to claim the energy. funds through the Green Climate Fund’s forest Note: Once the solar plant is operational, SABIC's conservation scheme. customers including the ones from automotive and constructive sectors will have access to polycarbonate ✓ What will be the rise in mean average global solutions produced with 100 per cent renewable temperature in next 5 years as per the report “Global power. Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2020-24” released by the WMO -- 1.5°C. June ✓ Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2020: ✓ Fourth edition of “Ministerial on Climate Action Note: It is released by Yale, Columbia University (MoCA)” was held virtually for the first time in view along with WEF providing state of sustainability of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. around 180 countries using 32 performance indicators. Note: From India, Union Minister of Environment, India is ranked 168th.The index is topped by Denmark Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar (82.5%), followed by Luxemburg (82.3%) and Switzerland (81.5%).

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among a few states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, ✓ Nisarga has been given to the fast-moving depression Haryana in India which have a dedicated department in the Arabian Sea which intensified into a severe to address climate change. cyclone. Note: As per the India Meteorological Department, ✓ The forest department of Uttarakhand state has the impact of the cyclone is likely to be felt in developed India’s first lichen park. Maharashtra and Gujarat.There is a concern about the Note: Lichens are found in the Himalayas up to 5000 impact of the cyclonic storm on the battle against metres are important species as they are the best Covid-19, as the rain and flooding may set back social bioindicators of the pollution levels. Uttarakhand has distancing and other necessary measures at evacuation more than 600 species of lichens followed by centres, and even at some Covid-19 facilities located Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir with 503 in low-lying areas. and 386 species respectively.

✓ Adani Green Energy Limited has won one of ✓ Western Railway has created a new world world’s largest solar contract from Solar Energy benchmark by successfully running first Double-Stack Corporation of India (SECI) to develop 8 GW of solar Container Train in high-rise in Over Head Equipment projects. electrified territory on. Note: Based on the award agreement the 8 GW of Note: This achievement is a first of its kind in the solar development projects will be implemented over entire world and will also boost the ambitious mission the next five years. The first 2 GW of generation of Green India. The Operations successfully capacity will come online by 2022 and the subsequent commenced on 10th 6 GW capacity will be added in 2 GW annual June from Palanpur and Botad stations in Gujarat. increments through 2025. ✓ India become the first country to control locusts ✓ An Integrated Flood Warning System (IFLOWS) has through drones. been launched for Mumbai. Note: Named as 'Boon' and developed for Mumbai it Jan-May 2020 will help the people in a "big way" as it can predict floods.The system was developed by the Ministry of ✓ StartupBlink's Ecosystem Ranking Report 2020 Earth Sciences and Brihanmumbai Municipal ranked 1,000 cities across 100 countries: Corporation (BMC). Note: As per the report, India has dropped to 23rd rank in 2020 from 17th rank in 2019. US has topped ✓ The colour of water in Lonar lake has changed to pink the report, followed by UK, Israel, Canada, and due to salinity and presence of algae in the water Germany. The ranking is based on Quantity, Quality body. The lake is located in Maharashtra. and Business Environment. Only 4 Indian cities are Note: The lake was formed after a meteorite hit the placed in top 100: Bengaluru (14th rank), Delhi Earth some 50,000 years ago. Located around 500 km (15th), Mumbai (22nd) and Hyderabad (96th) from Mumbai, the Lonar lake is in Buldhana district of Maharshtra. The lake, which is a notified national ✓ World Economic Forum released Global Energy geo-heritage monument, has saline water with pH of Transition Index: 10.5. Note: It is a fact-based ranking to enable policymakers and businesses across the world to plot ✓ Maharashtra government has decided to rename the a successful energy transition. India is ranked 74th. state’s Environment Ministry as ‘Environment and Index is topped by Sweden followed by Switzerland Climate Change Ministry’. and Finland Note: The decision to change the name comes just weeks after the state was hit by a severe cyclonic ✓ NTPC & ONGC to set up JVC for Renewable storm Nisarga on June 3, 2020. Maharashtra is one Energy Business

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Note: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has Note: The clearance was given as part of the Centre’s been signed by NTPC Limited, and Oil and Natural target to reduce 10% imports and the Northeast Vision Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) to set up a Joint 2030.And the commercial production from this area Venture Company for Renewable Energy shall also enable OIL to meet the same centre’s target business. This partnership will enable both the companies to accelerate their mark in the field of ✓ Electric mobility company Ola Electric Mobility has Renewable Energy. acquired Amsterdam-based electric scooter-maker Etergo. ✓ The central government has brought the Cauvery Note: It would leverage Etergo’s design and Water Management Authority (CWMA) under Jal engineering capabilities to build its smart electric two- Shakti Ministry. wheeler for international and Indian markets.Ola Note: Earlier it was under the Ministry of Water Electric aimed to launch its global electric two- Resources, River Development and Ganga wheeler in India in 2021. Rejuvenation. This decision is a formality of business allotment, which means that the authority must report ✓ Uttarakhand become the first state to release report to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The move will have no on conservation of endemic, threatened floras. impact on the independent nature of the functioning of Note: The project aims at Germplasm conservation so the authority. Water management authorities of other that species remain conserved with the forest rivers have also been brought under the ministry, department & also to promote conservation of plant which was earlier under the same ministry as CWMA. species among the general public so as to end plant blindness. The report is one of the largest repositories ✓ According to Mercom India Research’s ‘India Solar of conserved plants & is carried out by the research Market Leaderboard 2020’ report 7.3 Giga Watt wing of the state forest department. (GW) solar energy generation capacity India has added during calendar year 2019. ✓ FAO organization has released Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020. ✓ Name the webinar organized by the National Mission Note: According to the Global Forest Resources for Clean Ganga and National Institute of Urban Assessment(FRA) 2020 released by the United Affairs on theme “The future of River Management” - Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), - IDEAthon. the forest loss rate in 2015-2020 has declined to an estimated 10 million hectares (mha), down from 12 ✓ As per International Energy Agency (IEA) “Global mha in 2010-2015.The world has lost 178 mha of Energy Review 2020 due to COVID 19 India’s energy forest since 1990, an area the size of Libya. demand falls by 30%. Note: It means that with each additional week of lockdown, India’s annual energy demand is reduced ✓ Jim Corbett National Park becomes the India’s 1st by 0.6%. The impact on Q1 2020 energy demand in quarantine centre for animals. India was modest, with demand increasing by 0.3 Note: Jim Corbett National Park has become the relative to Q1 2019.In India, energy demand would India’s 1st quarantine centre for animals with decline for the first time, following on from low symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). It is India’s demand growth in 2019.The report is based on an oldest forested wildlife sanctuary located in the analysis of around 100 days of real-data of2020. Nainital district of Uttarakhand. At least 10 quarantine centers are being set up within the complex to handle ✓ Public sector oil companyOil India Ltd(OIL) will get the corona virus prey animals & Cameras will be the environmental clearance for extension drilling and installed in the park to monitor the cold and cough testing of hydrocarbons at 7 locations inside the symptoms of animals. Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (NP).

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✓ Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency varied forms of wild fauna and flora & raises Limited (IREDA) has been appointed as the awareness for conservation of wildlife.The main implementing agency to handle the Central Public objective of this day is to familiarize the common Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II by the people with the diverse forms of wildlife and flora. At Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). the same time people have to create awareness about Note: MNRE will timely review the maximum the many benefits for their conservation permissible VGF amount & will reduce if the cost ✓ The International Day of Forests (IDF) is observed difference comes down. In Case of the existing clause, annually on 21st March. the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) handled Note: This day is celebrated to raise awareness of the the scheme on behalf of the ministry. The CPSU importance of all types of forests and of trees outside Scheme Phase II aims to set up 12,000 MW grid- forests. The theme of the day this year is “Forests and connected solar PV power projects under the Biodiversity”. government producers with the VGF support for self- use or by government entities either directly or ✓ National Chambal Sanctuary has received eco- through discoms sensitive zone tag. Note: Centre notified 870 sq km around the National ✓ Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the National Biofuel Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh(MP) as eco- Coordination Committee (NBCC) meeting approved sensitive zone (ESZ) to prohibit polluting activities & allowed Food Corporation of India (FCI) to convert like industries, major hydroelectric project,mining, the available surplus rice to ethanol. stone quarrying & big construction within the ‘no-go Note: Recently the government has also allowed area’ for the purpose of conservation of water bodies, sugar companies and distilleries to make hand unique geographical features(ravines), flora & fauna. sanitizers using ethanol. By using the surplus rice for ethanol, it will address about 750 million litres from ✓ Under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund the total capacity of 2 billion litres of grain-based Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), a distillery capacities lying idle financial assistance of Rs 1.51 crore has been sanctioned to Kaziranga National Park. ✓ Tamil Nadu state topped in the all-India level for micro-irrigation (MI), under Pradhan Mantri Krishi ✓ Government targeted to achieve sales around 70 lakh Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). hybrid & electric vehicles by the end of 2020. ✓ Gujarat government has approved the 3rd edition of Note: The Minister of Environment, Forest and his government’s ‘SujalamSufalam Jal Sanchay Climate Change & Minister of Information & Abhiyan’ (SSJA). Broadcasting & Minister of Heavy industries and Note: The scheme will continue till June 10, 2020 Public Enterprises Prakash Javadekar informed that with a focus on deepening of lakes, check dams and the government has set an ambitious target to achieve rivers by removing silt. It will be done with people’s sales of around 70 lakh hybrid & electric vehicles by participation as well as under Mahatma Gandhi the end of 2020. In 2015 as part of the National National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Electric Mobility Mission Plan(NEMMP) 2020, (MNREGA).The scheme will create employment Department of Heavy Industry formulated the Faster opportunities for the rural population amid the Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric lockdown. Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme.

✓ Jharkhand becomes the third state in India to launch ✓ The World Wildlife Day is celebrated around the its “Star Rating Program”. world on 3rd March. Note: The state government of Jharkhand will launch Note: The World Wildlife Day (WWD) has been its “Star Rating Program” on June 5, 2020, to rate celebrated based on the theme “Sustaining all life on industries based on the amount of pollutants generated Earth”. The day aims to celebrate the beautiful and by them. With this, it became the 3rd state in India to

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launch this system for industries after Maharashtra India is, “Migratory species connect the planet and we &Odisha.The program will be implemented by the welcome them Home”. Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) in ✓ India to switch to World’s Cleanest petrol and diesel association with the University of Chicago Trust (UC from April 1,2020. Trust). Note: India to switch to World’s cleanest petrol and diesel from April 1,2020, when it proceeds to Bharat Stage (BS-VI) from BS-IV grades at present. India ✓ The World Wetlands Day was observed on February will join the select league of nations using petrol & 2, 2020. diesel which contains 10ppm (parts per millions) of Note: World Wetlands Day (WWD) was observed to Sulphur which cuts down vehicular discharge that is spread awareness and to conserve the wetlands all stated to be one of the reasons for pollution. over the world. The of this year day is “Wetlands and Biodiversity”. The theme highlights the importance of ✓ In accordance with the “2019 World Air Quality biodiversity conservation, which conveys nearly 40% Report-Region & City PM2.5 Ranking” compiled by of the world’s plant & animal species live or breed on IQAir AirVisual, India’s rank as most polluted wetlands. country -- 5th. Note: Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted ✓ The World Pangolin Day was observed across the country for PM2.5 exposure. world on 15th February (3rd Saturday of Feb). Note: The 9th World Pangolin day was observed on ✓ NTPC has signed an MoU with Central Pollution February 15, 2020. The Madhya Pradesh forest Control Board to provide financial support for department & Wildlife Conservation Trust has radio- installation & commissioning of Continuous Ambient tagged an Indian Pangolin for the first time in order to Air Quality Monitoring Stations. know its ecology and develop an effective conservation plan ✓ To combat Climate Change, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos ✓ World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) has announced the launch of “Bezos Earth Fund” 2020 was held in New Delhi. worth $10 billion. Note: The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) was inaugurated a 3- Important S&T, Defence, Health News day long World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2020 based on the theme “Towards 2030 Science and tech: Goals: Making the Decade Count” at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi from 29-31 January, 2020. The September 2020 summit was organized by The Energy and Resources ✓ IIT Madras develops ‘MOUSHIK’ Institute (TERI), a research institute specializes in the Microprocessor fields of energy. • The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras developed ‘MOUSHIK’, an indigenously-made ✓ 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention microprocessor for the Internet of things (IoT) on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of devices. Wild Animals, was hosted by India at Gandhinagar • Note: IoT (Internet of things) is a part of hardware with a sensor that transmits data from one place to in Gujarat. another over the Internet. Note: It is an Environment Treaty Supported by • The field applications of ‘MOUSHIK’ include United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). smart cards including ID cards, debit cards, credit logo is to Portray Important Migratory Species in cards, travel cards for metros and driving licenses, India like Amur falcon, Humpback Whale and Marine electronic voting machines (EVMs) and office Turtles, the Great Indian Bustard (Gibi) is chosen as management systems including surveillance, official Mascot. The theme for the CMS COP 13 in attendance, cameras and safe locks, personalized health management systems, consumer electronics 150 www.gradeup.co

including but not restricted to washing machines ✓ India's Second Rocket Launching Port to Come and water pump monitoring systems. Up In Tamil Nadu's Kulasekarapattinam

✓ Setting up Plastic Parks to consolidate and • The port will be set up by ISRO and will be synergize the plastic processing industry located in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. • Center’s policy decision of opening up of the • The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals space sector for private players enables them to has approved setting up of 10 Plastic Parks in the develop various space-qualified subsystems and country, out of which 6 parks have been given systems along with the building of satellites and final approval in the States of Assam, Madhya launch vehicles. They are also permitted to Pradesh (two parks), Odisha, Tamil Nadu and establish facilities and provide launch services Jharkhand. and other space-based services. • Note: Plastic Park is an industrial zone devoted to • Note: The first spaceport is located in Thumba, plastic enterprises and its allies industries, the Thiruvananthapuram. whole range of companies required by the plastics • A spaceport (Rocket Launching Port)is a site for processing community from material and launching (or receiving) spacecraft. machinery suppliers, plastics processing companies, plastic recycling companies including ✓ Ocean Services, Modelling, Applications, waste management system. Resources and Technology (O-SMART) SCHEME ✓ ‘Kritagya’ Hackathon by National Agricultural Higher Education Project of ICAR • O-SMART Scheme by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. • In order to promote potential technology solutions • The services will provide economic benefits to a for enhancing farm mechanization with special number of user communities in the coastal and emphasis on women-friendly equipment, a ocean sectors, namely, fisheries, offshore hackathon named “KRITAGYA” has been industry, coastal states, Defence, Shipping, and planned by the Indian Council of Agricultural Ports etc. Research (ICAR) under National Agricultural • It also provides the necessary scientific and Higher Education Project (NAHEP). technological background required for the • Note: (ICAR) The Indian Council of Agricultural implementation of various aspects of Blue Research is an autonomous body responsible for Economy. (Blue economy means all economic co-ordinating agricultural education and research activities related to oceans, seas and coasts.) in India. It reports to the Department of • The State of Art Early Warning Systems Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of established Scheme will help in effectively Agriculture. dealing with ocean disasters like Tsunami, storm • NAHEP has been formulated by ICAR for five surges. years starting from 2017-18. The project aims to • A fleet of research vessels viz., Technology develop resources and mechanism for supporting Demonstration vessel SagarNidhi, Oceanographic infrastructure, faculty and student advancement Research Vessel Sagar Kanya, Fisheries and and providing means for better governance and Oceanographic Research Vessel SagarSampada management of agricultural universities. and Coastal Research Vessel SagarPurvi have ✓ World's largest nuclear icebreaker starts 2-week been acquired to provide required research Arctic journey: Russia support.

• A nuclear-powered icebreaker is the world's ✓ Government of India sets Hydrogen Energy largest and most powerful has embarked on a two- Development Targets week journey to the Arctic. Known as 'Arktika', it • The Government of India has fixed a target to is over 173 metres long and can break ice almost generate 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 three-metres thick. The nuclear icebreaker left St targets which include attaining 100 GW of solar Petersburg and headed for the Arctic port of power energy, 60 GW of wind energy, 10 GW Murmansk. biofuels energy and 5 GW. However, hydrogen • Note: A nuclear-powered icebreaker is a nuclear- has not been included in the renewable energy powered ship purpose-built for use in waters future plan. covered with ice. The only country constructing • Note: Hydrogen energy uses the hydrogen and/or nuclear-powered icebreakers is Russia. hydrogen-containing compounds in order to

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generate energy to be supplied to all practical also to destroy those satellites orbiting around the uses. It has high energy efficiency, environmental Earth aimlessly even after outliving its utility. and social benefits besides the economic competitiveness. ✓ New Indian Brain Templates developed by • The Ministry of New and renewable energy has NIMHANS: also called hydrogen energy as a Future Energy. • A neuroscientist’s team from the National Currently, 48% of hydrogen in India is produced Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences from natural gas, 30% is produced from oil, 10% (NIMHANS) has developed Indian Brain from coal and 4% from the electrolysis of water. Templates (IBT) and a brain atlas. ✓ World Largest Telescope to have IT controls built • Brain Template is basically a gross representation in India to understand the functionality of the brain in diseases conditions. • The square kilometre array also called the SKA, an international initiative building the world’s ✓ New DRDO research lab in Madhya Pradesh largest radio telescope is to have control systems • In Madhya Pradesh, a Research lab of DRDO at a designed and built by Tata Consultancy Services, cost of 2 thousand crore rupees will be opened in an IT company based in India. Several other Kailaras-Jaura region of Morena district for which multiple leading Indian scientific Institutions are around 350 hectares of land has been acquired by also contributing to the project under the the government. leadership of TCS. • Note: Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a next- ✓ DRDO’s Air-breathing Scram jet engine generation radio telescope that will ultimately • DRDO in a technology demonstration flew a have a square kilometre of collecting area, making cruise vehicle at a hypersonic speed of Mach 6 for it the most sensitive radio telescope in the world. 20 seconds. The project to design and build the SKA is an • DRDO has named the vehicle Hypersonic international collaboration, involving 15 Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) countries. Site selection was decided in 2012; which employs indigenously developed air- with one site in Australia, another in South Africa breathing scramjet engine for its propulsion and headquarters in the United Kingdom. • In an air-breathing scramjet engine, air from the ✓ Delhi Metro launches first indigenous signal atmosphere is rammed into the engine’s system: combustion chamber at a supersonic speed of more than Mach two. • The first Made-in-India signalling system. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) developed ✓ Real Mango software an indigenously-built communication-based train • The Railway Protection Force has disrupted the control with the launch of i-ATS. use of illegal software 'Real Mango' • Note: The ATS (Automatic Train Supervision) is • It is used for cornering confirmed train reservation a computer-based system, which manages train during the coronavirus pandemic. operations, including basic functioning such as • The software bypasses captcha, synchronises bank running and halting. By this technology, the i- OTP with the help of a mobile app and feeds it to ATS will reduce the dependence of Indian Metros the requisite form to book tickets automatically. on foreign vendors dealing with such • The software logs in to the IRCTC website technologies. through multiple IRCTC Ids. ✓ Govt launches Postage Stamp commemorating ✓ Hypersonic missile tech Mission Shakti's success: • Launched by DRDO • A customized My Stamp on India’s First Anti • India conducted a successful test flight of the Satellite Missile (A-SAT) was launched on the indigenously developed hypersonic technology occasion of Engineers Day. demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV). • Note: Mission Shakti is a joint programme of the • Joining the elite club of the US, Russia and China Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) & who possess such technology. Defence Research and Development Organization • HSDTV has a range of uses, including missiles (DRDO). for air defence, surveillance and reconnaissance, • It is meant to safeguard our space assets and besides aiding the development of energy- defend the country’s interests in outer space & 152 www.gradeup.co

efficient, low-cost and reusable satellite launch o Perform a limited deep field survey of the vehicles. Universe in the Ultraviolet region ✓ World’s largest solar tree

• It has been developed and installed at Durgapur, ✓ IIT Delhi incubated startup ‘Chakr West Bengal by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI). Innovation’ launches ChakrDeCoV’ to • The installed capacity of the Solar Tree is about decontaminate N95 masks. 11.5 kWp. About ChakrDeCoV: • Annually, this solar tree can generate 12000- • Designed in the shape of cabinet with an 14000 units of clean electricity. • The arms holding the solar panels are adjustable innovative decontamination mechanism using to face the sun during the day, unlike rooftop- penetrability of Ozone gas for cleaning the mounted solar panels which are fixed in place. pores of the N95 mask, ensuring complete decontamination of its intricate layers. ✓ Robot “Spot”: • Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent that can • A Robot called “Spot” will be used to take vital destroys viruses signs like body temperature and breathing rate of ✓ India successfully tested indigenous the suspected Covid-19 patients. • it can take such readings from 2 meters away to Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator reduce infections to health professionals in the Vehicle (HSTDV) pandemic situation. About HSTDV: • The robot looks like a dog and can walk on four legs. it also carries a tablet which can be used by • HSTDV was tested from APJ Abdul Kalam the patients to interact with the doctor without Launch Complex, Odisha coast even being in the same room. • Developed by Defence Research & • It has been developed by MIT, Boston. Development Organisation (DRDO) ✓ 'AstroSat' discovered star galaxy • It is an unmanned scramjet demonstration • India’s first Multi-Wavelength Space Observatory aircraft for hypersonic speed flight 'AstroSat' has detected extreme-UV light from a ✓ 3. SCTIMST developed Deep Vein galaxy located 9.3 billion light-years away from Thrombosis (DVT) prevention device Earth. Note: • Indian astronomers have discovered one of the farthest Star galaxies in the universe in a • DVT: It is a serious condition that occurs landmark achievement. when a blood clot forms in a vein of human • The galaxy called AUDFs01 was discovered by a body resulting in life threatening team of Astronomers at the Inter-University complications. Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune. • The device is cost effective and will facilitate Highlights flow of blood from the veins in the legs • ASTROSAT is India’s first dedicated multi- preventing and giving relief from DVT wavelength space observatory. ✓ CSIR-CMERI developed World’s Largest • This scientific satellite mission endeavours for a more detailed understanding of our universe. Solar Tree to generate 12,000-14,000 units • The scientific objectives of ASTROSAT mission of Clean and Green Power annually in are: Durgapur, West Bengal o To understand high energy processes in binary Note: star systems containing neutron stars and black holes • It ensures maximum exposure of each Solar o Estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars PV Panel to Sunlight. o Study star birth regions and high energy processes • One solar tree comprises of 35 Solar PV in star systems lying beyond our galaxy Panels having a capacity of 330 wp each. o Detect new briefly bright X-ray sources in the sky 153 www.gradeup.co

• It can be used for agricultural activities like Note: High Capacity Pumps, e-Tractors and e- • Pavitrapati: Ayurvedic based Biodegradable Power Tillers. Face Mask which will act as a virus August 2020 neutraliser and will be made available on ✓ NASA launched its Mars 2020 Amazon, Flipkart etc. Perseverance rover aboard a United • Aushada tara: Anti-microbial body suit Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket which comprises of superhydrophobic, Note: breathing, anti-microbial, comfort feeling • It was launched from Space Launch Complex properties. 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in 6. IIT Kanpur develops indigenous seed balls Florida. titled ‘BEEG’ • The rover will land in Mars' Jezero Crater About BEEG: • It is a part of America's Moon to Mars • BEEG (Bio-compost Enriched Eco-friendly exploration and will explore geology and Globule) is developed for the safety of people climate of Mars and seek signs of ancient life and farmers during Corona on the Red Planet. • It comprises of indigenous variety of seeds, compost, and clay that don’t need digging pits ✓ 2. DRDO-lab has developed an automated for planting saplings currency sanitization device titled as • They are to be thrown at aimed places and NOTESCLEAN will germinate after coming into water’s Note: contact • It is a device where one has to just place the July 2020 loose currency notes at the input slot of the ✓ DST-SERB along with INSA launches device, and the device make the currency to photo & film competition pass through UVC lamps for complete Note: disinfection • It is a 1-minute film competition with theme ✓ 3. VSSUT, Odisha became 1st university to “Science through My Eyes” and various sub- set up Space Innovation-cum-Incubation themes like science in the lab, kitchen, sports, Centre with ISRO hospital, etc. Note: • It will help people to understand and ✓ Under this, ISRO will offer technical appreciate science around them fostering and consultancy support and financial assistance promoting the scientific spirit of Rs.50 lakhs for development of • It is open to Indian nationals only without any infrastructure at VSSUT. entry fee ✓ China launches optical remote-sensing ✓ 2. Govt launches Drug Discovery satellites named Gaofen-9 05 Hackathon 2020 Note: Note: • It was launched from Jiuquan Launch Centre, • It is a joint initiative of Council of Scientific Northwest China along with Tiantuo-5 and Industrial Research and All India Council satellite by Long March-2D carrier rocket for Technical Education for developing • They are civilian China High-resolution Earth COVID-19 drug along with students, Observation System (CHEOS). academicians, researchers, and professionals 5. DIAT launches ‘Pavitrapati’ & ‘Aushada tara’ • MyGov portal will be used for participation in fight against COVID-19 and works. 154 www.gradeup.co

✓ 3. Imagineering Laboratory dept of IIT About BlacRock: Kanpur develops Ultraviolet (UV) ✓ It steals data like password and credit card sanitizing device ‘SHUDH’ details from 337 apps including Gmail, About SHUDH: Amazon, Netflix, Uber, etc through • It stands for Smartphone operated Handy ‘Overlays’ technique Ultraviolet Disinfection Helper ✓ It is based on the leaked source code of • It has six UV lights of 15 Watts and can another malware strain ‘Xerxes’ disinfect a 10x10 squared feet room in about ✓ It basically detects when a user interacts with 15 minutes. a legitimate app and places a fake window on • It’s on/off, speed, and location can be top that asks for login and credit card details controlled remotely using available android before the user enters the actual app. application. ✓ IIT Madras startup named ‘Modulus ✓ VNIR Biotech launches fluorescence Housing’ develops Portable Hospital Unit probes & PCR mix for RT-PCR detection ‘MediCAB’ of COVID-19. About MediCAB: Note: • It is foldable and is composed of 4 zones: • It is a fully indigenous molecular probe that doctor’s room, an isolation room, a medical will be used in COVID test kit room/ward, and a twin-bed ICU at negative • PCR based test kit has three critical pressure. components: oligos, enzymes and molecular • It can be installed anywhere within 8 hours by probes. 4 people and is very cost-effective that can ✓ China launches communications satellite work well for far flung areas. APSTAR-6D that will work like GPS ✓ UAE launches its first space mission to system Mars titled as ‘HOPE’ from Japan Note: About HOPE: • It is launched by Long March 3B carrier • It will provide complete picture of the rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. Martian atmosphere • It is a high-power broadband communications • It is an unmanned mission which is launched geostationary satellite into orbit to provide by H2A rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima broadband internet service. Space Center for 7-month journey • It will be operated by APT Mobile SatCom ✓ 10. CSIR-CMERI rolls out COVID Limited to provide services for airborne, Protection System (COPS) for Workplace shipborne, vehicle-borne, and other About COPS: applications for users across Asia-Pacific • It has solar Based Intelligent Mask region. Automated Dispensing Unit cum Thermal ✓ HRD Minister launches COVID-19 Scanner (IntelliMAST) that identifies the Diagnostic Kit ‘Corosure’ body temperature, Face Mask; Touchless Note: Faucet (TouF); 360° Car Flusher • It is developed by IIT, Delhi and has received ✓ 11. Comet NEOWISE approaches closest ICMR and Drug Controller General of India to the Earth (DCGI) approval About NEOWISE: • It is cost-effective and faster covid-19 test kit. • It is the brightest comet that can be seen with ✓ Android malware titled ‘BlackRock’ naked eye in Earth’s night sky and is visible discovered only after 6800 years gap 155 www.gradeup.co

• It was first spotted by NASA's Near-Earth saturation, so that the quarantined person will Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer get a health alarm thus helping them seek (NEOWISE) mission early medical help. ✓ 12. SpaceX launches South Korea's ✓ 16. IIT Kharagpur develops COVID-19 military communication satellite ANASIS- Rapid Test technology II Note: About ANASIS-II: • It can be conducted in an ultra-low-cost • It stands for Army/Navy/Air Force Satellite portable device with test results available in a Information System 2 customized smartphone app within an hour • Launched by Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket at Cape without requiring manual interpretation. Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida • It deploys a disposable simple paper-strip for • It is a secure communications satellite for chemical analysis and visualization of test Defense Development and will supplement results. the Koreasat-5/ANASIS-I satellite, a • It will cost around Rs 400 per test combined civilian and military communications satellite launched in 2006. June 2020 ✓ 13. China successfully launches unmanned ✓ IIT-Bombay develops radio frequency mission to Mars ‘Tianwen-1’ receiver chip ‘Dhruva’ to find locations About Tianwen-1 About Dhruva: • It is the first independent mission of China to • It can be used in smartphones and navigation another planet devices to find locations and routes within the • ‘Tainwen-1’ or ‘Questions to Heaven’ will country in all-weather condition carry several scientific instruments and will • It will receive signals from India’s NAVIC deploy a rover for 90 days navigation satellites (built by ISRO) and GPS ✓ 14. DST launches India-Russia Joint • It can receive signals in multiple frequency Technology Assessment Programme bands and handle weak signals Note: ✓ NASA headquarters to be renamed as • It is being launched by Federation of Indian Mary W. Jackson Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Note: and FASIE of Russian Federation. • Headquarters of NASA at Washington, D.C • It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & will be named after Mary W. Jackson, the Technology led SMEs and Start-ups for joint first African American female engineer at Research and development (R&D) for NASA. technology development and adaptation • It will be now called as Mary W. Jackson ✓ AIIMS Nagpur with IIT Jodhpur, IIIT NASA Headquarters. Nagpur develops smart wristband for • Mary W. Jackson starter her career at NASA tracking COVID-19 in 1951 as a human computer, a Note: mathematician who performed hand • It is fully indigenously device that uses geo- calculations for NASA missions. fencing to provide real time warning on any • She was posthumously awarded with the breach in quarantine zone to local authorities Congressional Gold Medal in 2019 and officials • NASA Administrator: Jim Bridenstine • It provides real data like temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and the oxygen 156 www.gradeup.co

✓ DST unveils official logo for Golden Note: Jubilee Commemoration Year • It is the longest day of the year in the Note: Northern Hemispheren and sun reverses its • It will be printed on stationery items, social, direction on this day. digital, and print documents of DST along • The sun reaches its farthest point north of the with its representation on any conference held celestial equator with maximum tilt in the sky under the banner of DST. on this day. • Department of Science & Technology (DST) • Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight was established on 3rd May 1971 for 24 hours on June 21. ✓ Cabinet approves creation of IN-SPACe ✓ Central Indian Railways launches AI for space sector reform enabled Captain Arjun robot Note: Note: • IN-SPACe: Indian National Space Promotion • Arjun stands for Always be Responsible and and Authorization Centre Just Use to be Nice • It will boost private sector participation in • It is effective for screening and surveillance Indian space infrastructure through various of passengers and staff along with keeping a policies and regulatory environment. watch on anti-social elements. • New Space India Limited will reorient space • It is equipped with motion sensor, one PTZ activities from a “supply driven” model to camera (Pan, Tilt, Zoom Camera) and one demand driven for optimum utilisation of Dome Camera with voice and video mode nation’s space assets. and speaks in local language. ✓ ISRO receives patent for Liquid Cooling • The robot has a floor sanitisation facility with and Heating Garment (LCHG) good battery backup About LCHG: • It is a protective garment made up of ✓ Home Affairs launches GermiBAN device biocompatible fabrics that can be used in About GermiBAN: space, military applications, firefighting, and • It is developed by Atal Incubation Centre & personal cooling-heating purposes shielding Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India for long term without skin irritation Women Entrepreneurs (ALEAP-WE) HUB. • It has a system for circulating temperature • It kills 99.9% of surface and air microbes and controlling fluid into and out of the garments will be useful for quarantine centres and all through tubes inside the garment. general places ✓ India witnessed rare Annual Solar Eclipse ✓ 10. India’s first infectious disease Note: diagnostic lab is all set to start • It is also known as ‘ring of fire’. Note: • It coincides with the summer solstice • It is a rapid response mobile laboratory built • Solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in with the support of Department of between the sun and the earth Biotechnology in a record time of 8 days • In this, Moon is at the farthest point allowing • It has BSL-2 facility with onsite Elisa, rRT- the sun’s disc to be visible while covering the PCR test and Biochemistry analysers. other parts that results in narrow band of light ✓ MoHFW Harsh Vardhan launches India’s causing ‘ring of fire’ visible. first COVID-19 testing mobile lab ✓ June 21 marks Summer solstice in the ‘Infectious Disease Diag Lab (I-LAB)’ Northern Hemisphere Note: 157 www.gradeup.co

• It is developed by Department of • It stands for Continuous Oxygenation & Vital Biotechnology and will be deployed in the Information Detection Biomed ECIL ESIC interior, inaccessible parts of the country. Pod • It has the capability to perform 25 RT-PCR • It is India’s first indigenous, cost effective, and 300 ELISA tests per day. wireless physiological parameters monitoring ✓ 12. DRDO developed sanitizing chamber system for COVID-19 patients. ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise uniforms of • It is developed by ESIC Medical College security forces Hyderabad along with IIT Hyderabad and Note: Department of Atomic Energy. • It has been set up at Parliament Street Police ✓ 17. ISRO signs MoU with ARIES for Space Station. Situational Awareness • It is a dry heat treatment chamber Note: ✓ 13. ISRO to organize online ISRO • The MoU will be helpful in safeguarding Cyberspace Competitions-2020 for young Indian space assets from critical threats from minds space debris. Note: • It will help in tracking, analysis, and space • It involves drawing competition for Class 1 to weather studies paving way for future 3 students, model making competition for establishment of optical telescope Class 4 to 8 and Essay competition for Class observational facilities. 9 and 10th students. ✓ U.K Archaeologists using LiDAR data for • Essay competition is organized with space research amid coronavirus quiz contests in Hindi and English will be Note: organised for class 11 and 12. • Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a ✓ IIT Guwahati develops Flyzy mobile app remote sensing method that works on laser, a Note: scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver • It is developed for seamless and contactless generating 3D information about Earth’s air travel that supports multi-currency shape and its surface payments • The team has found two Roman roads and • It provides contactless boarding, easier around 30 prehistoric large embanked baggage drop, manageable parking, better settlement enclosures and can locate around shopping experience, flight notification, etc 20 prehistoric burial mounds and remains • The app has smart UI assistant for easy access ✓ CSIR-CMERI develops new indigenous to elderly people. ventilator ✓ DIAT develops ANANYA disinfectant Note: spray to combat COVID-19 • It is designed to meet the requirement as per About ANANYA: the patient’s parameter that responds to the • It is a water-based non-toxic 24 hours spray fluctuating variables of a patient that can be used on masks, PPEs, hospital • It will cost around Rs 80,000 to Rs 90,000. linens, and other contaminated surfaces like ✓ SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft landed at medical instruments, elevator buttons, International Space Station along with 2 doorknobs, corridors, and rooms. astronauts • It has shelf life of more than 6 months. Note: ✓ DoNER Minister launches COVID BEEP • It was launched from Kennedy Space Center About COVID BEEP: in Florida with NASA’s astronauts Bob 158 www.gradeup.co

Behnken and Doug Hurley after traveling 19 • It also has catalytic converter for environment hours. friendly exhaust that operates on 15 Ampere, • With this, SpaceX became the first private 220 Volts, 50 Hertz power supply. company to launch people into the orbit. • It also has safety features such as emergency ✓ DRDO develops Ultra Swachh for shutdown, door interlocks, dual door, delay disinfection of materials cycle, and leak monitors, etc. Note: It will disinfect materials like PPEs, electronics items, fabrics, etc that uses double layer Ozonated

Space Technology for disinfection.

January- May 2020 ✓ NASA renames Wide Field Infrared Survey shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories, Telescope (WFIRST) as Nancy Grace Roman offices, etc. Space Telescope • This sanitizer switches off on accidental Note: opening of room or human intervention. • It is a next-generation space telescope set to ✓ NIAB develops portable coronavirus launch in 2025 to investigate long-standing detection kit with saliva astronomical mysteries like universe samples‘eCovSens’ expansion, distant plants, etc. Note: • The renaming is initiated to honor Nancy • It gives results within 30 seconds and Grace Roman (mother of NASA's Hubble consists of carbon electrode and coronavirus Space Telescope) who is the US space antibody. agency's first chief astronomer and paved • It is a portable bio-sensor antibody, which is the way for broader universe space capable of binding with spike protein found telescopes. on the outer layer of the virus and can be ✓ Russia to launch first satellite ‘Arktika- connected via Bluetooth. M’ to monitor Arctic climate this year ✓ China successfully launches Long March- Note: 5B along with a prototype deep-space • The satellite will be launched by Soyuz - spacecraft. 2,1b carrier rocket with frigate booster. Note: • The remote sensing Artika-M will monitor • It took off from Wenchang launch site on the meteorological conditions in the polar the southern island of Hainan. region. • The rocket is a massive vehicle with four ✓ DRDO develops Ultra-Violet Disinfection strap-on boosters that provide extra thrust at Tower ‘UV blaster’ liftoff was a special prototype spacecraft like Note: the deep-space Orion capsule NASA. • It is developed for rapid and chemical free ✓ ICMR-NIV develops indigenous disinfection of high infection prone areas for antibody-based COVID KAVACH high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, ELISA test kit computers and other gadgets Note: • The product is also effective for areas with • It has displayed high sensitivity and large flow of people such as airports, accuracy in the validation tests at different sites. 159 www.gradeup.co

• It can test around 90 samples in surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light approximately two and half hours. switches, countertops, handles, desks, ✓ DRDO develops DRUVS to sanitize phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, electronic gadgets, papers and currency and cardboards. notes ✓ 11. LISA technique for lung treatment of About DRUVS: newborns launched in Jaipur • It will sanitize mobile phones, iPads, About LISA: laptops, currency notes, challans, paper, • Less invasive surfactant administration envelopes and Bundles of currency notes (LISA) technique is protective strategy for • It provides 360-degree exposure of respiratory management and mechanical Ultraviolet to the objects placed inside the ventilation causing damage to the preterm cabinet. lungs of infants. ✓ CSIR-NAL develops Non-Invasive • Its regular application would save the lives Ventilator named as ‘BiPAP’ to treat of premature babies. COVID-19 patients ✓ CSIRO, Australia develops ‘heat Note: resistant’ corals to fight bleaching • It is a microcontroller-based precise closed- Note: loop adaptive control system with “3D • It is built using ‘directed evolution’ will printed manifold & coupler” and Highly manipulate the microalgae, which is a key Efficient Particulate Air Filter. factor in the coral's heat tolerance. • It is cost effective, compact, and configured • This came in the wake of threat over coral with majority of indigenous components. reefs due to global warming. ✓ Delhi Police along with Indian Robotics ✓ CSIR-IIIM & RIL to develop RT-LAMP Solution launches Thermal Corona based test for Coronavirus Combat Headgear Note: Note: • Reverse Transcriptase-Loop Mediated • It will help police personnel and frontline Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) is a warriors to detect temperature of various rapid (45-60 min), accurate and cost- people from 10-15 metres and will sent live effective test that can be done with imagery to centralized control centre. indigenous components with minimal • 'Thermal Corona Combat Drone- expertise and instrumentation. (TCCD)' which is fitted with day-vision as • It is a nucleic acid-based test that will be well as night utility camera and a carried out from nasal or throat swab disinfectant tank is also launched to sanitize sample. an area, loudspeaker and medical box. ✓ CSIR approves project to develop ✓ CSIR-CMERI develops mobile indoor ‘hmAbs’ that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 disinfection sprayer units Note: Note: • It is approved by CSIR through its New • Units are named as Battery Powered Millennium Indian Technology Disinfectant Sprayer (BPDS) and Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) Pneumatically Operated Mobile Indoor programme. Disinfection (POMID). • Aim: To anticipate future adaptation of the • It will be used for cleaning and disinfecting virus and generate hmAbs clones that can pathogenic micro-organism from touched neutralize the mutated virus so that could be 160 www.gradeup.co

readily used for combating future SARS- to visit a dealership. This platform has been CoV infections. launched by (M&M) to offer its customers a • Implemented by: National Centre for Cell transparent, seamless and contactless experience Science (NCCS), IIT-Indore and PredOmix from selection to the delivery of the vehicle. Technologies Pvt. Ltd. with Bharat Biotech Through this platform, a customer can own a International Ltd. (BBIL) Mahindra vehicle in four simple steps, from ✓ National Council for Science & their homes, in few clicks. Technology Communication (NCSTC) has ✓ 18. (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal initiated a programme on health and risk ‘Nishank’ announced various modifications communication focusing on COVID-19 in the Prime Minister’s Research titled “Year of Awareness on Science & Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. Health (YASH)”. Note: The modification will be done to boost Note: Its aim is to convey authentic best research in the country & to enable more practices to the general public to minimize the students to avail the benefit under the scheme. risk of transmission of virus at all levels, in the The scheme is designed to improve the quality absence of vaccines and cure for COVID-19. of research in various higher educational This programme will provide scientific institutions in the country & with attractive awareness and health preparedness to combat fellowships it seeks to attract the best talent into the pandemic scenario like COVID-19 outbreak research through realizing the vision of which has posed concerns and challenges development by innovation. around the globe. ✓ Two scientific papers on child survival ✓ CISF has launched ‘e-karyalay’ an published by the India State-Level Disease electronic office application to enable the Burden Initiative stated that the under-5 movement of files and documents without Mortality Rate in India has dropped by what physical touch. percent since 2000 -- 49 per cent. Note: It is designed by CISF in-house technical Note: The India State-Level Disease Burden team for the usage of the 1.62 lakhs personnel & Initiative has recently published two scientific it resembles each and every function of papers. The initiative has given its report on traditional file movement. It has digital district-level trends of child growth and child signature features to handle various securities mortality. The findings show there were 1.04 related concerns and keep pace with existing million under-5 deaths in 2017, down from 2.24 standards. App’s ‘Dak’ or letters management million deaths in 2000. The child mortality rate section handles all sorts of communication has dropped by 49% between 2000 and 2017. between various levels of functional hierarchy ✓ For the first time the Indian Meteorological & it enables to transfer the dak (snail mail) Department (IMD) has included which directly to the file noting. region of POK in its weather forecast -- ✓ Vehicle manufacture Mahindra & Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad. Mahindra Ltd. has announced the launch of Note: The department taken this decision as it ‘Own-Online’, an end-to-end online vehicle says that it is a part of India and the country ownership solution. always maintains its position that PoK belongs Note: Mahindra Own-Online will be a one-stop to India. The agency has included the regions as available 24X7 where customers can finance, part of its meteorological sub-division of Jammu insure, exchange, accessorise and own a and Kashmir (J&K) in its daily forecast for Mahindra vehicle in four steps, without having ‘north-west India’.

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✓ Indian Institute of Science (IISc), ✓ Name the mobile doctor booth created by Bengaluru has developed a low-cost device the West Central Railway’s Coach to detect the presence of melamine Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) -- (adulterate) in milk and dairy products. CHARAK. Note: The techniques currently used to detect ✓ Uttar Pradesh becomes the 1st state with a the presence of melamine are time-taking and software-based in-house facility of virtual typically require expensive and sophisticated courts. equipment and highly trained personnel. With Note: As per an apex court directive to develop the help of a newly developed fluorometer video conferencing system for hearing cases and device. Researchers were able to detect up to 0.1 also for maintaining social distancing, parts per million (ppm) of melamine in water Allahabad High Court has developed a new and milk, which is much lower than the software by which multiple court proceedings at acceptable limit of 1 ppm. the High Court and district courts across the ✓ The Indian Railways operationalized the state can be conducted through virtual courts first 12,000 HP electric locomotive built in within the court premises without any internet Electric Locomotive Factory, connectivity. Madhepuralocomotive establishment. ✓ China has become the world leader in ✓ The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy international patent filings via WIPO’s (MNRE) has launched a scheme for 100% Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). solarisation of Konark city of India ✓ In accordance with the Gartner 2019 Digital ✓ Indian software company TCS has launched Workplace Survey India becomes the ‘Ignio’ an AI Digital Workspace solution. world’s most digitally dexterous (skilful) ✓ Research Centre Imarat (RCI), country in the world. Hyderabad has developed an AI-based ✓ Note: India has a vast Gen Z workforce who Attendance application (AINA) which are keen to learn new digitally powered allows non-contact-based personnel skills in the workplace. India is followed by verification, using facial features of the the United Kingdom (UK) and United States person in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic (US). It should be noted that Generation Z or ✓ IIT Madras has developed magnesium Gen Z are the ones born between 1995 and alloy to replace steel, aluminium in cars. 2009. Note: There has been an excellent deal of ✓ The international day of human space flight specialising in lowering the carbon footprint of is observed across the world annually on vehicles by using light-weight material in their 12th April. bodies. Lighter vehicles consume less fuel to ✓ The geological survey of USA has released run and are therefore play a strategic role in the first ever digital, unified, global, increasing energy-efficiency. Vehicular geological map of the moon namely emissions alone contribute 27 per cent of total “Unified Geologic Map of the Moon”. CO2 emissions currently. ✓ Russia country will launch its first Arktika- M satellite for monitoring the Arctic climate ✓ iGOT e-learning platform has been and environment at the end of the year. launched by the government of India for all ✓ Chak-Hao, the black rice of which state gets front-line workers to equip them with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag -- training and updates in coping with Manipur. Pandemic.

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✓ Terracotta work of which place has been which is to be funded by Department of Science granted with the Geographical Indication and Technology (DST) (GI) tag -- Gorakhpur (UP). ✓ International Conference on Nano Science and Technology 2020 (ICONSAT) was held in ✓ 108th Indian Science Congress 2021 will be Kolkata, West Bengal. held in Pune, Maharshtra. Note: The event was supported by the Note: The Indian Science Congress association Department of Science and Technology (DST) (ISCA) announced that Pune will host the and organized by S.N. Bose National Centre for annual session of 108th Indian Science Basic Sciences, Kolkata. The conference was Congress on January 3-7, 2021 at Symbiosis held from March 5 to 7, 2020.The conference International University’s Lavale campus with provides a platform for the young researchers & the theme,”Science and Technology for students from within the country and abroad, Sustainable Development with Women with the latest development in the emerging Empowerment”. Dr Vijay Laxmi Saxena elected areas of Nano Science and Technology as general president of the Indian Science ✓ 5th edition of India Pharma & India Medical Congress, 2020-21 Device 2020 Conference held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. ✓ 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Note: The 5th edition of India Pharma 2020 and Conference -2020 was held in New Delhi. India Medical Device 2020 Conference & Note: A 3-day long 11th National Krishi Vigyan Exhibition will be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat Kendra (KVK) Conference -2020 based on the from March 5 to 7, 2020. The conference was theme ‘Empowering Youth for Technology Led organized by the Department of Farming’. It was inaugurated by Union Minister Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Fertilizers in association with Federation of Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry Singh Tomar. The conference, organized by the (FICCI) Indian Council of Agricultural Research ✓ Name the mobile app which has been launched (ICAR),focused on technology-led farming and by the government for delivery of diesel at youth entrepreneurship through agriculture. doorsteps of Housing societies, hotels and ✓ An International Conference and Exhibition on hospitals in the national capital region --‘Fuel Smart Energy and Water India Smart Utility Humsafar’. Week 2020 (ISUW) for Smarter Cities was held ✓ TRIFED launches ‘Tech For Tribals’ program in New Delhi. to bring technology to tribal entrepreneurs. Note: New Delhi based India Smart Grid Forum Note:A 30- days long capacity-building (ISGF)has been organizing India Smart Utility program called “Tech for Tribal” has been Week 2020 (ISUW)as an International launched by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Conference and Exhibition on Smart Energy and Development Federation of India (TRIFED). It Water for Smarter Cities in New Delhi from was launched in association with IIT-Kanpur, March 3-7, 2020.India and European Union IIT-Roorkee, IIM Indore, Kalinga Institute of (EU) called upon the Integrated Local Energy Social Science, Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) and System, in which they will jointly work upon SRIJAN, Jaipur (Rajasthan) to provide clean energy.India and Sweden are also agreed entrepreneurship skills to the tribal people. to jointly work on Smart Grids Programme, ✓ Indore becomes the first city in India to use drones to sanitize the city.

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✓ IIT Madras is organizing India’s first Global ✓ According to the recent report published by Hyperloop Pod Competition named as ‘Indian German cybersecurity firm Greenbone Hyperloop Pod Competition’. Sustainable Resilience Maharashtra state Note: The competition is aimed at increasing topped hit by global medical data leak. awareness and enthusiasm about Hyperloop in Note: The analysis was made after data of India. The competition is open globally and the around 120 million Indian patients were leaked final round will take place in the IIT Madras and made freely available on the internet. campus in July 2020. Team Avishkar from IIT Maharashtra was followed by Karnataka in 2nd Madras was the only team from Asia to qualify place with 1,82,865 data leaks giving access to for the finals of 2019 Hyperloop Pod 1,37,31,001 images. Competition, developing India’s first self- ✓ The “CLIMISHCON” is a Four-day propelled Hyperloop Pod. International Conference on changes in ✓ Gujarat state Police becomes first in India to Hydrological cycle, Ocean ecosystem, introduce taser guns. Fisheries and Food security will be held in ✓ Gujarat state government has signed an MoU Kochi, Kerala. with Dutch Flying car-maker PAL-V. ✓ India’s largest air quality monitoring Note: A Dutch Flying car-maker, PAL-V (Personal network will be established at Mumbai. Air Land Vehicle) will set up a manufacturing plant Note: The Brihanmumbai Municipal in Gujarat. Corporation (BMC) will develop an air quality monitoring network across 90 locations in ✓ The Department of Science and Technology Mumbai, Maharashtra. It will be the largest has launched a special scheme for Science network in India.The project will be completed and Technology infrastructure in India is within next 5 years, funded by BMC and private called Sophisticated Analytical & organisations. Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)”. ✓ The National Water Conference was held at Note: The aim of the scheme is to create shared, Bhopal. professionally managed and strong Science and Note: The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Technology infrastructure in India. The SATHI Shri Kamal Nath has inaugurated the National scheme will enable academia, start-ups, water conference at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. manufacturing, industry and R&D labs to offer The conference is being held to finalize the high-end analytical testing. This will help to guidelines of “Right to Water Act” or “Water avoid duplication, reduce the dependency on Rights Act” and also discussed the water crisis foreign sources & also foster a strong culture of in the state and also making the state a water- collaboration between institutions. rich state. ✓ India’s biggest rural technical festival ✓ 3-day long 17th edition of Bio Asia 2020 ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ was held in was held in Hyderabad, Telangana. Telangana. Note: It is Asia’s largest Biotechnology and Life Note: The festival was inaugurated by M Sciences Forum with the theme of ‘Today for Prashanthi, District Collector of Nirmal, Tomorrow’. Bio Asia 2020 was held at the life Telangana. The festival was held for 3 days science capital of India i.e. in Hyderabad. from 31st January to February 1,2020. The 8. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research theme for the year 2020 was “Spot and ranked first in the Nature Ranking Index 2020 encourage rural tech innovators”. (CSIR).

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Note: All the institutions are ranked on the basis ✓ To launch the artificial intelligence (AI) of total research output from december 01, 2018 based module including AI kits across Atal to 30th November, 2019. Numbers in research Innovation Mission (AIM) has collaborated output are designated by total citations in with NASSCOM. numbers and shares which indicates the sharing percentage per article. Defense: ✓ India’s 1st Artificial intelligence summit, RAISE 2020 will be held in New Delhi. September ✓ India-Japan Maritime bilateral exercise (JIMEX) ✓ Ministry of Defence launches Defence India in the North Arabian Sea Startup Challenge-4 • The fourth edition of exercise is conducted • Ministry launches the Defence India Startup biennially between the Indian Navy and Challenge (DISC 4) during the iDEX event, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) featuring the initiatives aimed at expanding the from 26 to 28 September 2020. horizons of Innovations for Defence Excellence • Note: JIMEX, it focuses on maritime security (iDEX) ecosystem. Ministry also launches the cooperation, High degree of interoperability and iDEX4Fauji initiative and Product Management joint operational skills through the conduct of a Approach (PMA) guidelines. multitude of advanced exercises, across the • iDEX4Fauji is a first initiative, launched to spectrum of maritime operations. Multi-faceted support innovations identified by members of tactical exercises involving weapon firings, cross the Indian Armed Forces and will bolster frugal deck helicopter operations and complex surface, innovation ideas from soldiers and field anti-submarine and air warfare drills will formations. consolidate coordination developed by the two • The purpose of DISC-4 challenge is to promote navies. development and innovation in the country. • Note: iDEX (Innovation for Defence ✓ India conducts night test of indigenously- Excellence)initiative was launched in April developed Prithvi short-range ballistic 2018. iDEX purpose is to achieve self - reliance • DRDO conducted a night test-fire of the nuclear- and foster innovation and technology capable surface-to-surface missile, has a strike development in Defence and Aerospace by range of 350 km, and was carried out from a engaging Industries including MSMEs, start- mobile launcher from complex 3 of the ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and Integrated Test Range at Odisha. academia. ✓ Varanasi’s Shivangi Singh to be Rafale ✓ Rajnath Singh Unveils New Defence Squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s First Acquisition Procedure to Boost Indigenous Woman Fighter Pilot Military Production • Shivangi Singh from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, • The new DAP features steps to turn India into a who is one of IAF’s 10 women fighter pilots, global manufacturing hub of military platforms, joined the air force in 2017. reduce timelines for procurement of defence equipment and allow the purchase of essential • Note: The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft items by the three services through capital able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and budget under a simplified mechanism. a shore base. The fully versatile Rafale is able to • DAP has also included provisions to encourage carry out all combat aviation missions: air foreign direct investment to establish superiority and air defence, close air support, in- manufacturing hubs both for import substitution depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and exports while protecting the interests of the and nuclear deterrence. Indian domestic industry. • DAP-2020 will empower Indian domestic ✓ Indian Navy to Conduct Two-day Passage industry through Make in India initiative Exercise with Royal Australian Navy Finance Minister had approved the constitution • The Indian Navy is scheduled to begin its of Main Review Committee under Chairmanship Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal of Shri Apurva Chandra. 165 www.gradeup.co

Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian • As part of the Indo-US Bilateral Defence Ocean Region (IOR) from Sept 23 to 24. The Cooperation, the 10th Defence Technology and exercise would include Australia’s HMAS Trade Initiative. Hobart and India’s Naval Ships Sahyadri and • Note: DTTI Group Meetings are normally held Karmuk along with Indian MPA and helicopters twice a year, alternating between India and the from both the nations. United States. The aim of the DTTI Group is to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral ✓ Laser-Guided ATGM (Anti Tank Guided defence trade relationship and co-development Missile) Test-fired of defence equipment and create opportunities • The Defence Research and Development for co-production. Organisation test-fired its laser-guided anti-tank ✓ The government puts national security clause in guided missile (ATGM) from the main battle Defence FDI hike to 74 per cent: tank (MBT) Arjun at KK Ranges, Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S), • Under the previous policy, the defence industry Ahmednagar. can bring FDI up to 49 per cent under the • Note: The ATGM defeated a target located at automatic route and above it “under government three kilometres. Laser-guided ATGMs lock and route, wherever it is likely to result in access to track the targets with the help of laser modern technology or for other reasons to be designation to ensure precision hit accuracy. The recorded”. missile employs a tandem HEAT warhead to • The new policy raising the cap of foreign direct defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) investment (FDI) through automatic approval in protected armoured vehicles. It has been the defence sector from 49 per cent to 74 per developed with multiple-platform launch cent now has a ‘National Security’ clause as a capability and is currently undergoing technical condition. evaluation trials from the gun of MBT Arjun. ✓ P-7 Heavy Drop System ✓ Flight test of ABHYAS by DRDO from the Interim Test Range, Balasore in Odisha. • Developed by Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO. • ABHYAS is a high-speed expendable aerial • It is capable of para dropping military stores up target being built by the Aeronautical to seven-tonne weight class from IL- 76 aircraft. Development Establishment of the (DRDO) • It consists of a platform and a specialized Defence Research and Development parachute system. Organisation for the Indian Armed Forces. • The parachute system is a multi-stage system Abhyas has RCS, Visual and IR augmentation comprises of five Main canopies, five Brake systems required for weapon practice chutes, two Auxiliary chutes, one Extractor • DRDO: the Research and Development wing parachute and platform is a metallic structure with a vision to empower India with cutting- made up of Aluminium or steel alloys. edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence ✓ Indian Navy war game named 'INDRA technologies and systems under the Ministry of 2020' conducted Defence, Government of India. Note: ✓ Women officers in helicopter stream of Indian • India conducted 2-day war-game named Navy 'INDRA 2020' with Russia in the southern • Two women officers: Sub Lieutenant (SLt) Bay of Bengal on 4th and 5th September. Kumudini Tyagi and (SLt) Riti Singh have been • It is the 11the edition of `Indra-Navy’ selected to join as “Observers” (Airborne exercise Tacticians) in the helicopter stream. They would in effect, be the first set of women airborne • India was represented by guided-missile combatants who would be operating from destroyer INS Ranvijay, stealth frigate INS warships at a ceremony held on 21 Sep 20 at Sahyadri and fleet tanker Shakti, along with INS Garuda, Kochi. integral helicopters. ✓ 10th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, ✓ Iranian Navy conducted Zolfaghar-99 DTTI Group Meeting held virtually: exercise 166

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Note: • Aim: To devise tactical strategies for • Iranian navy conducted exercise Zolfaghar- safeguarding territorial waters and shipping 99 in Sea of Oman near the strategic Strait lanes. of Hormuz, deploying an array of warships, • Surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise drones and missiles. missiles and rocket-launching systems will be tested August ✓ Rs 2580 Cr contract for Pinaka Missiles to Note: Indian Army • It is developed by Goa Shipyard Limited Note: under ‘Make In India’ to enhance maritime • Ministry of Defence signed Rs 2580 Cr security. contract with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. • It is fitted with Navigation, Communication (BEML), Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) sensor and machinery and is 105 metre in size and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for supplying • It has speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of Six Pinaka Regiments to the Regiment of 6000 Nautical Miles Artillery of Indian Army, designed by DRDO ✓ Naval Innovation and Indigenisation • It comprises of 114 launchers with Automated Organisation (NIIO) Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS), Note: 45 Command Posts, and 330 Vehicles. • Defence Minister launched 3-tiered organisation ‘NIIO’ with apex level headed ✓ India withdraws from Russia’s multilateral by Naval Technology Acceleration Council military exercise Kavkaz 2020 (N-TAC) Note: • It will have structures to interact with • India has withdrawn its participation from the academia and industry fostering innovation multilateral Military Exercise Kavkaz 2020 to and indigenisation for achieving self-reliance be held in Russia between 15th to 26th in defences sector September 2020. • Technology Development Acceleration Cell • The reason for this has been cited as the (TDAC) has also been created COVID-19 Pandemic and consequent • Indian Navy’s Indigenisation perspective difficulties in exercise, including plans titled ‘SWAVLAMBAN’ was also arrangements of logistics. released • Kavkaz 2020 would be held in Astrakhan province of Southern Russia where member ✓ Defence Minister bans import of 101 countries of Shanghai Cooperation defence items Organisation (SCO) and Central Asian Note: countries would be participating. • The banned list was prepared by Department • Other countries that would participate in this of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence exercise are- China, Pakistan, Russia, (MoD) to enhance indigenisation of Defence Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, production in India boosting Aatmanirbhar Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Bharat. Belarus, Turkey, Armenia, Abkhazia, South • Banned Import Items: Artillery guns, Ossetia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, ✓ Indian Coast Guard launches Offshore transport aircraft, light combat helicopters Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’ (LCHs), radars, etc 167 www.gradeup.co

✓ Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launches • It is 27-meter-long boat and has a maximum Interceptor Boat ‘ICGS C-454’ speed of 45 nautical miles (83 kilometres per About ICGS C-454: hour) and has excellent seakeeping, • Built by Larsen and Toubro (L&T). manoeuvrability and endurance range of 500 nautical miles. ✓ Indian Navy conducted Passex exercise July 2020 with US Note: ✓ India and Japan conduct PASSEX naval • It was conducted by Indian Navy ships Rana, exercise towards Malacca Strait in Indian Sahyadri, Shivalik and Kamorta together with Ocean Region (IOR) USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Princeton (CG About PASSEX 59), USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph • It was the 15th passing exercise by the two Johnson (DDG 114). nations in last 3 years • USS Nimitz is a nuclear-powered aircraft • Rajput-class destroyer INS Rana and Kora- carrier. class missile corvette INS Kulish of India JS • It will be deployed in the Gulf region from Shimayuki and JS Kashima of Japan the South China Sea. participated in the exercise • Indian Navy had also recently conducted • It is conducted for the goodwill training and similar joint exercises with Japanese and to promote understanding between two French Navy. nations ✓ India anti-tank guided missile ✓ Israel launches new spy satellite ‘Ofek 16’ ‘Dhruvastra’ developed by DRDO using Shavit-2 rocket Note About Ofek: • ‘Dhruvastra’ or helicopter-launched Nag • It is launched to keep rack on the potential Missile (HELINA) is tested from Integrated threats. Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. • Ofek is an electro-optical reconnaissance • It is a 3rd generation fire and forget class anti- satellite with advanced capabilities that can tank guided missile system mounted on capture high-resolution images of the Earth Advanced Light Helicopter • Developed by Israel’s Ministry of Defence and Israel Aerospace Industries. • Launched from Palmachim air base in central • It has a range of 7 Km and is equipped with Israel into space. four foldable wings and has a length of ✓ ISRO launches Brazil’s Amazonia-1 1.85m, diameter of 0.20m, wingspan of 0.4m satellite and weight of 43kg. About the satellite: ✓ DRDO launches innovation contest ‘Dare • Launched by Polar Satellite Launch vehicle to Dream 2.0’ (PSLV) Note • First satellite for Earth observation designed • Contest launched on the 5th death anniversary for observing and monitoring the of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. deforestation of Amazon Region and will help • It was an open challenge to encourage in the agricultural and vegetation areas. individuals &startups for innovation in • It will not be a hitch-hiking satellite. defence and aerospace technologies

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• The winners will be awarded with prize to individual category. money of Rs 10 lakh for startup and Rs 5 lakh

June 2020 ✓ Defence Minister launches NOC portal for • Designed to accommodate the newly inducted exploration projects Submarine Rescue System with DSRV assets Note: storage in a Rescue-Ready state. • Portal for No Objection Certificate (NOC) • Has Remote Operations Vehicle, Side Scan issue of power projects and Research Survey Sonar, Diver Decompression Chambers, and Exploration Exploitation (RSEE) activities in associated equipment. the Indian Territorial Waters and Exclusive • Mobilized by air or road to facilitate Economic Zone launched submarine rescue operations even at distant • Developed by National e-Governance locations Division (NeGD), Bhaskaracharya Institute ✓ Ministry of Defence cleared Twin Engined for Space Applications and Geo-informatics Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) jet program (BISAG) and NIC. About TEDBF jet program: • Aim: Facilitate the applicants in submitting • Jets will be developed indigenously under their proposals online for seeking Security Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Clearance with effective, speedy and project to operate from the deck of INS transparent mechanism. Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant ✓ Navy Inducts Indigenously Developed • It will include 4 Pre-Production Prototypes Advanced Torpedo Decoy System and will be cheaper. Note: ✓ IAF inducted indigenous Airborne Rescue • Indigenously designed and developed by Pod Isolated Transportation (ARPIT) DRDO labs (NSTL and NPOL). About ARPIT: • Capable of being fired from all frontline • Utilized for the evacuation of critical patients warships. with infectious diseases including COVID-19 • Its induction was jointly done by Indian Navy from high altitude areas, isolated and remote and DRDO. places. ✓ India sent 75 Tri-Service members in • Lightweight transparent and durable isolation Victory Day Parade of World War II in system having life support, monitoring Moscow instruments and other essential kits. • Generates high constant negative pressure Note: that will prevent crew from infection. • The parade was held on June 24, 2020 to ✓ India and Australia signs Mutual Logistics honour the heroism and sacrifices made by Support Agreement the Russian and other countries in World War • Agreement is signed to allow logistics support II. in a virtual bilateral summit to provide • India’s participation will mark tribute and reciprocal access to military logistics solidarity to Russia facilities, allow more complex joint military ✓ Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) exercise, and improve interoperability Complex inaugurated at Vishakhapatnam between two nations. About DSRV Complex:

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• Support the rules-based maritime order in the overall defence cooperation. Indo-Pacific region facilitating scaling up of January- May 2020 1. Western Naval Command develops Ultraviolet converting chemical or electrical energy to Disinfection Facilities radiated energy and focusing it on a target, Note: resulting in physical damage that degrades, • It will be used for decontamination of tools, neutralizes, defeats, or destroys an adversarial clothes, and other items to control the spread capability. of coronavirus at entry/ exit points to prevent 5. India sets up military war game centre for COVID-19 Ugandan People Defence forces (UPDF) • Large common room will be converted into a Note: UV bay by fabrication of aluminium sheets • The war game centre is named as 'INDIA'. electrical arrangements for UV-C lighting. • It is a type of strategic game that simulates 2. Govt invites bid for One Sun One World One warfare realistically, as opposed to abstract Grid (OSOWOG) strategy games such as chess. Note: 6. Indian Navy launches Operation ‘Samudra • It will set up a framework for global Setu’ evacuation programme ecosystem of interconnected renewable Note: energy resources. • Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are • Vision behind OSOWOG is “The Sun Never presently enroute to the port of Malè, Sets" and is constant at some geographical Republic of Maldives to commence location, globally, at any given point of time. evacuation operations. • It will encourage sharing of solar resources • The evacuated personnel will be disembarked among more than 140 countries of West Asia at Kochi, Kerala and entrusted to the care of and South East Asia in the first phase. State authorities. 3. Indian Air Force IAF inducted Tejas Mk-1 • This operation is being progressed in close FOC aircraft coordination with Ministries of Defence, Note: External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and • It is inducted into resurrected No 18 Sqn, the various other agencies of the Government of “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur India and State governments. enhancing the operational capability of the 7. Defence Ministry signs pact with Tata Power to Air Force. modernize 37 Airfields for Indian Air Force, • It is built under ‘Make In India’ initiative. Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard. • Tejas Mk-1 FOC is a single engine, light weight, highly agile, all weather multi role Note: fighter aircraft capable of air-to-air refuelling. • The project will give a boost to over 250 4. US Navy tested laser weapon that can destroy MSMEs that will be directly benefitted under aircraft mid-flight in Pacific Ocean phase II. Note: • It is a turnkey project that includes • Laser weapons system demonstrator (LWSD) installation and commissioning of modern will provide defence against drones or armed airfield equipment like Cat-II Instrument small boats. Landing System (ILS) and Cat II Air Field • Directed Energy Weapons are Lightning System (AFLS) etc. electromagnetic systems capable of 170 www.gradeup.co

8. Defence Minister abolished 9,304 post in supply and replenishment and evacuation military engineering services on the from distant islands. recommendation of Shekatar Committee Note: ✓ Border Roads Organisation has constructed 430 • It will enhance combat capability and feet long bailey “Daporijo bridge” in Arunachal rebalance defence expenditure of the Armed Pradesh. Forces as almost 70% of the budget is used Note: The bridge was inaugurated by Arunachal for payment of salaries and allowances. Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu over video • It will also equip MES with leaner workforce, conferencing.The bridge is built over Subansiri well equipped to handle complex issues in the River the largest tributary of Brahamputra.The emerging scenario in an efficient and cost- new bridge will provide adequate movement of effective manner. supplies for 451 villages and approximately 3,000 9. Indian Army to launch Three Years Short security force personnel deployed along the Service scheme or Tour of Duty (ToD) India-China border. The bridge replaced an older About the scheme: bridge in Daporijo, which was constructed in • 100 officers and 1,000 men will be initially 1992. tested for recruitment and will be a voluntary engagement of civilians catering the shortage 2. North Korea test fired anti-ship cruise missiles of defence personnel as a part of military exercises recently. • Tax-free 3-year period experience and will be Note: The missiles were of short range and test given preference in public sector jobs as well fired into the sea.The missiles were test fired to as post-graduate courses. celebrate the birth anniversary of Kim II Sung. 10. Defence Minister commissioned 105-metre- He was the grand father of the current North long indigenously made Coast Guard ship 'Sachet' Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The missiles were About ICGS Sachet: capable of travelling 150 kilometres. According • It will carry twin-engine helicopter, 4 high to the South Korean officials, multiple missiles speed boats and 1 inflatable boat for swift were test fired. boarding and search & rescue operations and can have a speed of 26 Knots with 6.000 3. National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered its nautical miles endurance volunteer cadets to assist the civilian authorities • It is also capable of carrying limited pollution to fight COVID-19 under ‘Exercise NCC response equipment to undertake oil spill Yogdan’. pollution response at sea. 11.Indigenously developed Utility Ship ‘INLCU 4. ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ launched by the Indian L57’ commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair Air Force (IAF) to air-lifted 6.2 tonnes of Note: essential medical supplies to Maldives via • INLCU L57 is built by the Garden Reach transport aircraft C-130J as assistance in the fight Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited and can against the virus. carry 160 troops and can be used for Note: Medicines including influenza vaccines, transporting and deploying main battle tanks anti-viral drugs such as Lopinavir arid Ritonavir like Arjun, T72, etc. & other useful items were purchased by the • It can also carry out multiple activities like Maldives’ State Trading Organisation (STO) search & rescue, disaster relief operation, from 8 suppliers in India. But due to the 21-day lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19

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epidemic, it could not be possible to take them to of Defense& Strategic Studies at Pune, Maldives by any other means. Maharashtra. In order to pay tribute to the legend and commemorate the centenary birth year of the 5. Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam has designed MIAF (Marshal of the Indian Air Force), IAF has ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)’. named it as “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Note: This oxygen manifold is designed to Singh Chair of Excellence”. supply oxygen to multiple patients at a time, 3) National Conference on Women in Police and which could prove helpful in a contingency CAPFs held in New Delhi. created by COVID-19 spread. The preliminary 4) The proposed new “Draft Defence Procurement trials were conducted at MI Room at NDV, Procedure (DPP) 2020” will come into effect followed by rapid trials at the Naval Hospital from 1st April 2020. INHS Kalyani, where it was successfully 5) Note: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has installed within 30 minutes. The Navy personnel proposed a new “Draft Defence Procurement from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) have Procedure (DPP) 2020”. It will replace DPP developed a ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen 2016 and would remain in force till 31 March Manifold (MOM)’ using a six-way radial header 2025. Its draft has been finalized by a high-level fitted to a single cylinder. committee headed by Apurva Chandra, Director General (DG) Acquisition, Ministry of Defence 6. Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated that was set up in August 2019. Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics 6) The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened a Laboratory (MVRDL) which is developed by 360 feet long bailey suspension bridge for traffic DRDO. over -- Teesta River. Note: This mobile lab has the testing capacity of Note: The bridge constructed will be useful for more than 1000 to 2000 samples daily. The the people residing in Lahen town, North Sikkim. Mobile Viral Research lab is the combination of a The bridge constructed will facilitate the Bio-Safety Level (BSL)-3 and a BSL-2 lab movement of logistics for the Armed forces essential to carry out activities. The Mobile lab deployed in forward areas and also acts as tourist was set up in a record time of 15 days which spots. usually takes about 6 months 7) Operation Namaste. has been given to the initiative launched by Indian Army to protect 1.3 7. The premier multilateral air combat training million strong forces from coronavirus. Exercise Pitch Black 2020 has been cancelled which was to be conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force. 1. Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ in Kolkata, West Bengal. 1) Indian Air Force signed MoU with Savitribai Note: Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal Phule Pune University to establish a ‘Chair of security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ at Excellence’ named “Marshal of the Air Force Sunderban region in Kolkata, West Bengal with Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”. the aim to create awareness about the coastal 2) Note: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Savitribai security to the local community & understand the Phule Pune University (SPPU) signed navigational complexities in the Sunderban delta a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to waters. Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal establish a ‘Chair of Excellence’ at Department security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ at

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Sunderban region in Kolkata, West Bengal with plans and procedures handled by various agencies the aim to create awareness about the coastal during hijack threats. security to the local community & understand the 6. The Central Government has renamed Institute navigational complexities in the Sunderban delta for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) after waters. Manohar Parrikar. 2. The 4th edition of East Asia Summit Conference 7. 5-day long 5th edition of India-UK bilateral air on Maritime Security Cooperation 2020 was held exercise “Indradhanush-V” 2020 was held in Air in Chennai Tamil Nadu. Force Station Hindan in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Note: The conference was jointly organized by 8. Fifth Edition of Joint Military ExerciseAjeya the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Warrior -2020 is conducted between India and 3. The 11th edition of the Biennial Mega Defence United Kingdom (UK). Exhibition “DefExpo 2020” held in Lucknow. 9. Air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II has been Note: The 11th edition of DefExpo-2020, launched by Pakistan. organized by Department of Defence Production, Note: The Ra’ad-II weapon system is equipped Ministry of Defence with a support of with state-of-the-art guidance & navigation Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) was held in systems ensuring of engagement targets with high Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the first time precision. Ra’ad-II missile is planned to be from 5th to 9th Feb 2020. It’s main theme was attached to Mirage aircraft or F-16 fighter jets of “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing the Pakistan Air Force. The cruise missile with a Hub” with focus on “Digital Transformation of range of 600 km significantly enhances air Defence”. This expo is also termed as delivered strategic standoff capability on land and “Mahakumbh of defence manufacturing at sea. companies”. The last two days of the expo was 10. 9th Defence and Security Expert Working Group opened for public. meeting of SCO held in Islamabad, Pakistan. 4. The “2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management Note: The conference was to discuss different Exercise-2020 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020)” was aspects of cooperation between the SCO member held at Bhubaneswar/Puri, Odisha. states and regional security. They have agreed on Note: The themes of the exercise was “A cultural joint training and military exercises. The event heritage site that suffers severe damage in the was hosted by Pakistan as part of the ‘SCO Earthquake” & “Flooding or Storm”.Organized Defence & Security Cooperation Plan – by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), on 2020’.India has attended this meet along with behalf of the Government of India, BIMSTEC China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, DMEx-2020 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus attended the Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik. The first similar meeting as the observer state. kind of exercise took place in 2017. 5. The Anti-hijack exercise was conducted at Visakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh. Note: The Anti-hijack exercise was conducted on Health February 12,2020 by creating a mock situation using a naval Dornier aircraft by INS Dega, (a September 2020

naval air station of the Indian navy) at ✓ COVID-19 vaccine web portal' and the 'National Visakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh and the Clinical Registry for COVID-19' launched by main objective of the exercise was to test the Health Ministry

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• The National Clinical Registry for COVID-19 • Note: The medical device park emphasis on the will collect systematic data on clinical signs and high-risk medical device sector involving medical symptoms, laboratory investigations, management implants and extracorporeal devices. The Park protocols, the clinical course of COVID-19, will provide an enabling support system for disease spectrum and outcomes of patients. Research and Development, testing and • The vaccine web portal is icmr.org.in. This portal evaluation of medical devices, technology provides essential information related to vaccine innovation, manufacturing support and knowledge development, ongoing clinical trials and progress dissemination. made in this area locally and globally. ✓ PM, Narendra Modi launches the Age ✓ The report ‘Health in India’ released by The Appropriate Fitness Protocols on the first Ministry of Statistics and Programme anniversary of the Fit India Movement Implementation • He gave the mantra 'Fitness dose, Half an hour • The main objective was to gather necessary every day' for everyone's health. He said the quantitative information on India’s health sector. Youth Ministry and Health Ministry together According to the report, Religion-based released Fitness protocols. He said that we have classification: envisaged Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols for • The Zoroastrian community was the most three age groups: 5 – 18, 18 – 65 and above 65. vulnerable to ailments. 31.1 % of Zoroastrians • Note: Fit India Movement is a nation-wide reported that they were suffering from an ailment movement to encourage people to remain healthy during the survey. and fit by including sports and physical activities • The number for other communities is: launched by PM Narendra Modi at Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on 29 August 2019. Communities Percentage ✓ New Brucellosis Vaccine by ICAR: Brucella Sikhs 11 % Abortus S19 Delta Per vaccine Jains 11.2 % • Hester Bioscience Ltd has acquired technology from the government’s research body ICAR-IVRI Christians 10.5 % (Indian Council of Agriculture Research - Indian Veterinary Research Institute) to develop a new Muslims 8.1 % generation vaccine for controlling brucellosis disease in cattle that causes huge losses to the Hindus 7.2 % dairy industry. Buddhists 8 % • Note: "Brucella is a disease of economic importance worldwide. Not only does it impact • 5 % of Indian people reported that they suffer cattle, sheep, goat and swine, but it also gets from ailments. In rural only 6.8 % and in Urban transmitted to human beings. Incidentally, there is 9.1 % were suffering from an ailment. no vaccine available to protect humans against Brucella. Sex-based classification: ✓ Health Minister at UN: India targets to end • In rural, 6.1 % of males and 7.6 % of female said tuberculosis by 2025 that they were suffering from ailments. In urban 8.2 % of males and 10 % of females said • While addressing Ministers of Member Nations of that they were sick. WHO, Heads and Representatives of UN • Note: Ailment as any deviation from a person’s Agencies, Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that India state of physical and mental well-being. The has accorded high priority for ending tuberculosis ‘Proportion of Persons who Responded as Ailing’, by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable or PPRA, in a 15 days when the surveyors Development Goals. approached them, were registered as those • Note: Tuberculosis A potentially serious suffering from ailments. infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause TB are spread when ✓ Government to Set up First Medical Device Park an infected person coughs or sneezes. Most MedSpark in Kerala people infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis don't have symptoms.

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• Patients with active symptoms will require a long healthcare service personnel as a cognizable and course of treatment involving multiple antibiotics. non-bailable offence. ✓ eSanjeevani OPD of Health Ministry completes 3 ✓ Parliament passed ‘Institute of Teaching and lakh teleconsultations within six months of launch Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020’:

• Note: eSanjeevani OPDservices have enabled • Parliament has passed the Institute of Teaching patient-to-doctor telemedicine in midst of the and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020. COVID-19 pandemic. This helps in containing • The bill seeks to establish an Institute of Teaching the spread of COVID by ensuring physical and Research in Ayurveda and declare it an distancing and has simultaneously enabled Institute of National importance. provisions for non-COVID essential healthcare. • The bill also has the provision to merge three • eSanjeevaniplatform has enabled two types of Ayurveda institutes situated in Jamnagar, Gujarat telemedicine services viz. Doctor-to-Doctor into one. These institutes are the Shree (eSanjeevani) and Patient-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, the OPD) Tele-consultations. Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Post-Graduate Teaching ✓ Aarogya Manthan 2.0 on 2nd Anniversary of and Research in Ayurveda. The proposed Institute Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya will be situated in the campus of Gujarat Ayurved Yojana University, Jamnagar. • The purpose of the Arogya Manthanis that all- ✓ SCTIMST develops a low-cost device for important stakeholders of PM-JAY meet and prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis discuss the challenges faced in the past year in the implementation of the scheme and to forge new • Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences understanding and pathways towards improving and Technology, Trivandrum (SCTIMST), an implementation. autonomous institute of the Department of • Note: AB PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Science and Technology, has developed a device Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana) is the world’s largest for the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis health assurance scheme which aims to provide a (DVT). health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for • Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over clot in a deep vein, usually occurring in the legs. 10.74 crores poor and vulnerable families • this device will be priced less than Rs. 1 lakh (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) that form compared to the currently available imported the bottom 40% of the Indian population. devices which cost around 2 to 5 lakh rupees. ✓ COVID-19 test 'FELUDA': ✓ National Nutrition Week 2020:

• The Tata Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short • National Nutrition Week 2020 is celebrated on Palindromic Repeats, CRISPR test, powered by September 1st through 7th. During this period, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative initiatives are taken up by the government. These Biology (IGIB) FELUDA has received regulatory initiatives centre around nutrition and the effects approvals from the Drug Controller General of of good food with a healthy body, mind and India for commercial launch. lifestyle. • The test has met high-quality benchmarks with 96 • It was first organized by the Food and Nutrition per cent sensitivity and 98 per cent specificity for Board that operates under the Ministry of Women detecting the Novel Coronavirus. and Child Development. Running since 1982, it puts emphasis on educating people in all states ✓ Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 across India regarding the importance and passed by Rajya Sabha; necessity of good nutrition in diets. • The Bill aims to amends the Epidemic Diseases • The theme for National Nutrition Week 2020 is Act, 1897 to include protections for healthcare ‘Eat Right, Bite by Bite’. personnel combating epidemic diseases and • Awareness generation camps, workshops and expands the powers of the central government to educational programmes inform people on how prevent the spread of such diseases. food helps with immunity, preparing food right to • The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 avoid loss of nutritional value and more. makes injury, harm, hurt or danger to the life of 175 www.gradeup.co

donate masks through NGOs in every • Russia becomes the first country to officially district/urban body. register a coronavirus vaccine and declare it ✓ Madhya Pradesh has launched the ‘Ek Sankalp ready for use. – Bujurgoke naam’ campaign for the elderly Note: The Russian vaccine will be called people living alone in homes during the global "Sputnik V" in homage to the world's first pandemic COVID-19. satellite launched by the Soviet Union.The ✓ India collaborated with Israel country to develop vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds. Moscow uses a different virus -- adenovirus -- that's been modified to carry genes for the "spike" July protein that coats the coronavirus, as a way to 1. India’s rank among 10 Asia-Pacific countries in prime the body to recognise when a real COVID- the “Cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific: 19 infection comes along. Progress towards universal cancer control” • India and Maldives signed an agreement to prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit establish “Emergency Medical Services” in Male. (EIU)-- eighth. • Assam government has launched Kitchen Garden 2. Zimbabwe has signed a Memorandum of to promote nutritious food, as part of the Understanding (MoU) with India on Cooperation PoshanMaah. in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine Note: Kitchen Garden or Nutri garden will be set and Homeopathy. up at Anganwadi Centres and Government 3. Manodarpan initiative has been launched by the Primary Schools across the state. PoshanMaah is Union Human Resource Development Minister, India’s flagship programme, launched in March Ramesh Pokhriyal to provide psychosocial 2018 to improve the nutritional status of children support to students for their mental health. up to 6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers. June • Tamil Nadu government has launched a portal for eye donation. 1. India’s apex food regulator Food Safety and Note: He also pledged to donate his eyes as part Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) comes of the National Eye Donation Fortnight.The under the purview of Ministry of Health & portal will enable persons who wish to pledge to Family Welfare. donate their eyes - www.hmis.tn.gov.in/eye- Note: The Appointments Committee of the donor. Cabinet has approved the appointment of Arun Singhal as chief executive officer of India’s apex August food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Singhal is special ✓ Madhya Pradesh state government has launched secretary, department of health and family a public awareness campaign “Ek Mask- welfare. AnekZindagi” from August 1-15. 2. DRDO has developed a disinfection unit Note: The Scheme will spread awareness about called Ultra Swachh. wearing masks as prevention from Covid-19 3. The union cabinet has approved to re- infection. Establishment of Mask Banks, where establish the Pharmacopoeia Commission for people can donate masks which in turn will be Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy as distributed free to poor people. Citizens can also Subordinate Office under Ministry of AYUSH.

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4. Name the National Healthcare Supply Chain ✓ Bengaluru cities has launched “Pranavayu Portal launched by the Ministry of Health and Programme” to create awareness about the Family Welfare to provide real-time respiratory health of the residents. availability of critical healthcare supplies _-- ✓ To send medical aid to five Island nations in Aarogyapath. the Indian Ocean amid COVID-19 pandemic 5. DRDO has developed a sanitizing chamber India has initiated -- “Mission Sagar”. named ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise uniforms of Note: In this regard, Indian Naval Ship (INS) security forces. Kesari departed for Maldives, Mauritius, 6. A Five-day Virtual Healthcare & Hygiene Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Expo was organized by industry bodies Food items, COVID related Medicines including FICCI. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) Tablets and Special Note: The event is to create a self-reliant Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance ecosystem in the Pharmaceuticals and Health & Teams. For Maldives, 600 tonnes of food items Hygiene Sector by ramping up domestic will also be provided and for Comoros medicines production. In our resolute fight against the related to dengue would be given. This mission is COVID-19 pandemic, this sector has a greater launched in coordination with the Ministry of significance. Defence (MoD) and Ministry of External Affairs 7. Uttar Pradesh becomes the first state in the (MEA), and other agencies of GOI. country to prepare one lakh beds for COVID- ✓ Two scientific papers on child survival 19 patients. published by the India State-Level Disease 8. Chhattisgarh has launched a special Burden Initiative stated that the under-5 campaign “Spandan” to check mental stress Mortality Rate in India has dropped by what and depression among its police personnel. percent since 2000 -- 49 per cent. 9. Gujarat Govt. occupied top position in the Note: The India State-Level Disease Burden ‘Food Safety Index 2019-20 released by the Initiative has recently published two scientific Food Safety and Standards Authority of India papers. The initiative has given its report on (FSSAI) among the larger state. district-level trends of child growth and child mortality.The findings show there were 1.04 Jan-May 2020 million under-5 deaths in 2017, down from 2.24 million deaths in 2000. The child mortality rate ✓ Dr.Harsh Vardhan has launched the mobile has dropped by 49% between 2000 and 2017. application 'AYUSH Sanjivani' App and two ✓ National Health Authority is the nodal AYUSH based studies related to COVID-19 agency for the implementation of Ayushman situation. Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Note: The app was developed by the Ministry of (AB-PMJAY). Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Note: Union Minister of Health and Family and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) and Ministry of Welfare(HFW), Harsh Vardhan to mark 1 crore Electronics and Information Technology treatments(milestone) of the Ayushman Bharat (MEITY). The AYUSH Sanjivani mobile app Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(AB- will help to generate data on acceptance and PMJAY).The National Health Authority(NHA) is usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures responsible for implementing the scheme. among the population and its impact on the ✓ Uttar Pradesh government has launched the prevention of COVID-19. It is expected to reach AyushKavach app that will provide health- out to a target of 50 lakh people.

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related tips and information about ayurvedic ✓ Andhra Pradesh state ranked 1st in the medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. country for overall implementation of ✓ World Health Organization (WHO) has POSHAN Abhiyaan. released the first “The State of the World’s Note: Andhra Pradesh (AP) ranked 1st in the Nursing 2020” report amid COVID19 country for overall implementation of POSHAN ( pandemic in partnership with Nursing and Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for International Council of Nurses (ICN). Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan as per Note: In accordance with the report, there are 28 September 2019 progress report of NITI Aayog, million nurses worldwide but still, there is a “Transforming Nutrition in India: POSHAN global shortfall of 5.9 million. Countries facing Abhiyaan”. The 2nd anniversary of POSHAN the greatest shortfall of nurses are in Africa, Abhiyaan is recognized by celebrating South East Asia and the WHO Eastern PoshanPakhwada from 8th-22nd March 2020. Mediterranean region as well as some parts of ✓ Uttar Pradesh government has set up Latin America. Between 2013 and 2018, nursing “Team-11” comprising of as many inter- numbers increased by 4.7 million. More than departmental committees to fight the 80% of the world’s nurses work in countries that coronavirus spread. are home to half of the world’s population. ✓ First country to close its financial markets due ✓ Italy country has developed ‘iFeel-You’ to the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) outbreak -- bracelet for social distancing. Philippines.

✓ The COVID- 19 National Preparedness Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 districts. Note: The COVID-19 National Preparedness Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 Districts in the Country within 3 working days beginning on March 25, 2020. The survey was conducted with responses from 410 civil servants who are providing field level leadership. ✓ To fight COVID-19 Civil services associations form an initiative called ‘Caruna’. ✓ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has divided the health centres into 3 categories namely- COVID Care Centre, Dedicated COVID Health Centre and Dedicated COVID Hospital. ✓ Name the mobile doctor booth created by the West Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation Workshop (CRWS) -- CHARAK.

✓ Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ in Kota, Rajasthan.

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Important Days

September 2020 • The International Day of Sign Languages provides an opportunity to support and protect ✓ The first-ever observance of the International the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste all sign language users. Reduction celebrated on 29 September. • It is celebrated by World Federation of the • Reducing food losses and waste is essential Deaf (WFD). where the many people affected by hunger has • Note: Sign language is one of the earliest been slowly on the rise since 2014, and tons forms of human communication. In the deaf and tons of edible food are lost and/or wasted community, Sign language is a form of visual daily. Worldwide, around 14 per cent of food language that uses hand gestures and body produced is lost between harvest and retail and language to convey meaning. People significant quantities are also wasted in retail commonly use signs when you wave hello or and at the consumption level. Food loss and point to something you want. waste results in unnecessary pressure on the ✓ World Rhino Day on 22 September natural resource base and on the environment, depleting the natural resource base and • Five species of rhinos around the world is generating greenhouse gases. celebrated on World Rhino Day. These five • Note: In 2019, the 74th United Nations species of rhinos include White, Black, General Assembly designated 29 September as Greater One-horned, Javan and Sumatran. The the International Day of Awareness of Food day raises awareness of the plight of these Loss and Waste, recognizing the fundamental beautiful beasts from a conservation role that sustainable food production plays in perspective. promoting food security and nutrition. ✓ World Rose Day: A Day to Bring Happiness in ✓ World Heart Day on 29 September the Lives of Cancer Patients

• This day informs people around the world that • World Rose Day is observed On September 22 cardiovascular disease, including heart disease in the memory of 12-year-old Melinda Rose and stroke, is the world’s leading cause of from Canada who was diagnosed with Askin's death lives each year. Its objective is to drive Tumour, a rare form of blood cancer. action to educate people that by controlling ✓ International Day of Peace: risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. • The International Day of Peace is celebrated • Note: Cardiovascular disease(CVD) is a on 21 September every year. The main aim of disease that affects the heart or blood vessels. Peace Day is for all humanity to commit to It's usually linked with a build-up of fatty Peace above all differences and to contribute deposits inside the arteries and an increased to building a Culture of Peace. risk of blood clots. • 2020 Peace Day Theme: Shaping Peace Together ✓ September 27, World Tourism Day 2020 ✓ World Alzheimer’s Day: • The theme is "Tourism and Rural Development" by United Nations World • World Alzheimer's Day is the international Tourism Day. The day focuses on the campaign on every 21 September to raise celebration of the unique role played by awareness and challenge the stigma that tourism in job creation in small towns and surrounds dementia. rural areas. It can also advance inclusion and • Note: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive highlight the unique role tourism can play in disorder that causes brain cells to waste away preserving and promoting natural and cultural (degenerate) and dies. The common cause of heritage and curbing urban migration. dementia, a continuous decline in thinking, behavioural and social skills that disrupts a ✓ 23 September, International Day of Sign person's ability to function independently. The Languages symptoms of this disease may be forgetting recent events or conversations. 179 www.gradeup.co

✓ World Patient Safety Day, 17 September: ✓ International Day to protect education from attack • On 17th September, The World Patient Safety • The first-ever International Day to protect Day is observed globally to focus a global education from the attack was celebrated on awareness for patient safety and urge people to 9th September 2020 with the theme “Protect show their commitment to making healthcare Education, Save a Generation”. The day has safer. been established by a unanimous decision of • The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2020: UN General Assembly. UNESCO and Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient UNICEF will facilitate the observance of the Safety. day every year in collaboration with other ✓ The 56th ITEC day was observed online by the partners. High Commission of India in Dhaka: ✓ International Literacy Day 2020

• Note: Indian Technical and Economic • September 8 marks the celebration of Cooperation (ITEC): The ITEC, a flagship International Literacy Day. programme of the Indian government, was • This year Theme: ‘Literacy teaching and instituted in 1964 as part of India’s learning in the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.’ development assistance programme offering • This year’s celebration is going to shed light developing countries the benefit of India’s on “the role of educators and changing development experience. pedagogies. • In 1966, the first-ever International Literacy ✓ Engineer's Day: Day was declared. • This day is celebrated in an effort to combat • Engineer's Day celebrated on September 15 as these problems and to provide a quality National Engineer's Day to appreciate the education for all. contributions of Visvesvaraya. • Introduced by The United Nations • M Visvesvaraya was a pioneer in his field, Educational, Scientific and Cultural credited for inventing the Block System for Organization (UNESCO) dams – the automated doors what shut during an overflow. ✓ International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies • Note: Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha becoming the countries first-ever woman engineer. • The Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on September 7, 2020, chair a ✓ Hindi Diwas webinar on the first-ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. • Hindi Diwas is being celebrated across the • During the webinar, the Union Minister will country today on 14th On this day in 1949 the also review the progress of activities under the constituent assembly adopted Hindi written in National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) which Devanagari script as the official language of was launched in 2019. the country. • Today, Hindi is one of the widely spoken The objective of International Day of Clean languages in the world and the first language Air for Blue Skies: of more than 520 million people. • The day aims at raising public awareness at all ✓ World Suicide Prevention Day levels that clean air is important for productivity, environment, and economy. • World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is • It will also demonstrate the close link of air observed on 10 September every year. quality to other environmental and • The aim is to reinstate our worldwide developmental challenges such as Global commitment and action to prevent suicides, Sustainable Development Goals and Climate with various activities around the world since Change. 2003. • Facilitate solutions that will improve the air • The International Association for Suicide quality by sharing actionable knowledge best Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World practices, success stories, and innovations. Health Organization (WHO) and the World • The international day will bring together Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host international actors who have been working on World Suicide Prevention Day. this topic to form a strategic alliance to gain • Theme: Working together to prevent suicide

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momentum for effective air quality the importance of the fruit in poverty management. reduction. • The aim for this year's World Coconut Day is On December 19, 2019, the General Assembly of the to encourage investments and promote the UN had adopted a resolution to observe the development of the coconut industry in the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on member countries of APCC. September 7 every year, starting from the year 2020. Five uses of coconut for better health ✓ World Coconut Day • Coconut helps in boosting immunity • World Coconut Day is observed on the 2nd of • Coconut for managing blood sugar September, every year. • Coconut oil for hair • It is observed by the Asian and Pacific • Coconut oil for skin healing Coconut Community (APCC) to emphasize on Coconut as an ingredient in food August 2020

✓ World Lung Cancer Day is being observed Note: 7th August was chosen as the National on 1st August to raise awareness about the Handloom Day to commemorate the Swadeshi causes and treatment of lung cancer. Movement which was launched on the same Note:August 1 to raise awareness about the date in the year 1905. The objective is to causes and treatment of lung cancer.The generate awareness about the Handloom campaign was first organized in 2012 by the Industry among the public and its contribution Forum of International Respiratory Societies to socio-economic development. ✓ The theme of the World Breastfeeding ✓ United Nations observes the International Day Weekcelebrated annually in the first week of of the World’s Indigenous Peoples every year Augustfrom 1st to 7th of August-- “Support on 09th August. Breast feeding for a healthier planet”. Note: The day is being observed to raise Note: The day is celebrated to encourage awareness of the needs of indigenous peoples. breastfeeding and improve the babies’ health The theme of International Day of the around the world. The day was commenced World’s Indigenous Peoples 2020 after signing the Innocenti Declaration in is “COVID-19 and indigenous peoples’ August 1990. resilience”. ✓ The World Sanskrit Day was observed ✓ The World Biofuel Day is observed globally annually on Shravan Purnima (3rd August every year on 10th August. 2020). Note:The World Biofuel Day is observed Note: On the occasion Prime Minister every year to aware about the importance of Narendra Modi thanked everyone involved in non-fossil fuels as an alternative to promoting, teaching and using Sanskrit conventional fossil fuels. The day also language. Sanskrit is a beautiful language highlights the various actions taken by the which has made India a repository of Government in the Biofuel sector. knowledge for many years. ✓ International Youth Dayis being celebrated ✓ Annually World Heroshima Day is observed very year on 12th August. every year on 6th August. Note:This day is celebrated to recognize the Note: Annually 6th of August marks the efforts put in by the youth for the betterment anniversary of the atomic bombing of society. The Day aims to promote the ways in Hiroshima during World War II. The to engage the youth and make them more horrific incident took place on August 6, actively involved in their communities through 1945, when the United States dropped an positive contributions. atomic bomb named “Little Boy”, on the town ✓ The theme of the International Youth Day of Hiroshima in Japan. (IYD) 2020 --Youth Engagement for Global ✓ National Handloom Day is being celebrated Action. every year on 7th August. Note: This day is celebrated to recognize the efforts put in by the youth for the betterment

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of society. The Day aims to promote the ways AkshayUrja Day was established in 2004 to to engage the youth and make them more support renewable energy development actively involved in their communities through programs and promote its use instead of positive contributions. traditional sources of energy. The very first ✓ The ‘World Elephant Day’ is observed every event relating to AkshayUrjaDiwas was year across the world on 12th August. organized in New Delhi. Note:The day focuses on bringing the world ✓ Rajiv Gandhi birth anniversary is celebrated together to help elephants and also inform as SadbhavanaDiwas or Harmony Day on 20th people and organisations about the threat that August every year. an elephant faces.On 12 August, 2012, the first Note: This year on 20th August 2020, we are international Elephant Day was celebrated. going to celebrate the 76th birth anniversary of Since then, it is observed annually and this day former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The is dedicated to the huge animal protection and Indian National Congress instituted Rajiv preservation. Gandhi Sadbhavana Award in 1992, a year ✓ The World Organ Donation Day is observed after his death. Every year this day is globally every year on 13th August. celebrated in the memory of the late Rajiv Note: This day is celebrated to raise Gandhi who was the youngest Prime Minister awareness about the importance of organ of India at the age of 40 years. donation and motivate people to donate organs ✓ World Mosquito Day is observed annually on after death. 20th August. ✓ The World Lizard Day is observed every year Note: The Day is celebrated to raise on 14th August. awareness about the Causes and Prevention of Note: Most celebrations of this holiday occur Malaria and to commemorate the discovery at the local level, through events organized by made by British Doctor Sir Ronald Ross in schools, natural history or science museums, 1897 that female Anopheles mosquitoes zoos, national parks, conservation NGOs etc. transmit Malaria between humans. World Lizard Day has not yet been taken up ✓ The World Senior Citizen Day is observed for serious conservation work by international globally every year on21st August. agencies or organizations like the IUCN or Note: This day is celebrated to raise WWF, and is focused on creating awareness of awareness about issues affecting older people, the reptiles, apparently mostly as pets. such as deterioration with age and the abuse of ✓ The World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is the elderly and support, honour and show observed globally every year on 19th August. appreciation to seniors and to recognize their Note:This day is celebrated to pay tribute to achievements. The World Senior Citizen’s humanitarian personnel and those workers Day also recognises and acknowledges the who lost or risked their lives while doing contributions of older people to society. humanitarian service. This year is the 11th ✓ International Day of Remembrance and edition of World Humanitarian Day. Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism observed ✓ The World Photography Day also known as globally every year on21st August. World Photo Day is observed annually on Note: The day is observed to pay tribute to the 19th August. individuals across the globe who have been Note: The Day is celebrated to inspire attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their photographers across the globe to share a lives because of terrorist attacks. This year, the single photo with a purpose of sharing their 3rd commemoration of the day will focus on world to the world. The day celebrates the arts, the response to the pandemic and cancellation crafts, science and history of Photography. of many memorials and commemorations, it is ✓ Indian AkshayUrja Day or Renewable Energy critical to take the time to remember and Day is observed on every year on 20th honour the victims of terrorism. August. ✓ The International Day for the Remembrance of Note: It is significant to promote awareness the Slave Trade and its Abolition observed about renewable resources among people who globally every year on 23 August. are ignorant about the subject. Indian 182 www.gradeup.co

Note: The Day is observed to inscribe the anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand who was tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all the star of hockey team of India. peoples. The day was designated by UNESCO ✓ The International Day against Nuclear Tests is to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade. observed globally on 29th August. ✓ The World Water Week 2020 is observed as Note: The day aims to increase awareness the World Water Week at Home (WWWeek at about the effects of nuclear weapon test Home) from 24th to 28th August 2020. explosions or any other nuclear explosions and Note: The theme for World Water Week 2020 the need for their cessation as one of the at Home is ‘Water and Climate change: means of achieving the goal of a nuclear- Accelerating Action’. weapon-free world. ✓ The Women’s Equality Day is being observed ✓ The International Day of the Victims of in the United States on 26th August. Enforced Disappearances observed every year Note:This was 100th anniversary of the on 29th August. Women’s Equality Day.The day is celebrated Note: The day is being observed to express to commemorate American women getting the deep concern about the rise in enforced or constitutional right to vote. involuntary disappearances in different ✓ The National Sports Day is observed every regions of the world including the incidents of year on 29th August. arrest, detention and abduction. Note: The first National Sports Day was celebrated on 29th August 2012, on the birth July 2020

✓ National Postal Worker Day is observed every ✓ The United Nations celebrates World Malala year on 1st July. Day to honor the young activist, Malala ✓ National Charted Accountants Day is Yousafzai every year on 12th July. celebrated every year on 1st July. ✓ World Youth Skills Day is observed every ✓ The theme of the National Doctor’s Day 2020 year on 15th July. which is celebrated every year in the country ✓ World Day for International Justice is on 1st July-- Lessen the mortality of COVID observed every year on 17th July. 19. ✓ United Nations celebrates World Chess Day Note: The theme for National Doctor’s Day globally every year on 20th July. 2020 is “Lessen the mortality of COVID 19” ✓ To mark the anniversary of man’s first historic and includes awareness about asymptomatic landing on the moon the Space Exploration hypoxia and early aggressive therapy. Day is celebrated every year on 20th July. ✓ World Sports Journalists Day is observed ✓ Nelson Mandela International Day is globally every year on 2nd July. celebrated every year on 18th July by the ✓ The United Nations celebrates the United Nations. International Day of Cooperatives every year ✓ National Broadcasting Day is observed every on the first Saturday of July. year all over India on 23rd July. ✓ International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) ✓ Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on celebrated Dharma Chakra Day on 4th July. 26th July. ✓ World Chocolate Day or International ✓ The theme of the 2020 World Hepatitis Day Chocolate Day is observed every year on 7th (WHD) celebrated every year on 28th July -- July. Hepatitis-Free Future. ✓ World Population Day is observed globally ✓ In a bid to promote conservation, raise every year on 11th July. awareness and encourage sustainability, every Note: This year theme of World Population year World Nature Conservation Day is Day 2020: Putting the brakes on COVID-19: observed on 28th July. Safeguarding the health and rights of women However, this year a global theme has not and girls. been decided due to the pandemic. ✓ International Tiger Day is observed every year on which date across the globe to create 183 www.gradeup.co

awareness about tiger conservation -- 29th – Working on the Frontline to End Human July. Trafficking”. ✓ United Nations observes 30th July every year ✓ The International Day of Friendship is as World Day Against Trafficking in observed every year on 30th July. Persons days. ✓ The International Day for the conservation of Note: The 2020 theme for the World Day Mangrove Ecosystem is observed every year Against Trafficking: “Committed to the Cause on 26th July. June 2020

✓ World Milk Day 2020 observed every ✓ International Albinism Awareness Day is globally on 1st June 2020. observed every year on 13th June. ✓ The theme of the Global Day of Parents • Theme of the 5th anniversary of 2020 celebrated every year on 1st June-- International Albinism Awareness Appreciate all parents throughout the Day is "Made to Shine." world. ✓ The World Blood Donor Day is observed ✓ World Bicycle Day is celebrated every on every on 14th June. year on 3rd June. • This year (2020) the World Blood ✓ International Day of Innocent Children Donor Day is celebrated under the Victims of Aggression is observed theme ‘Safe Blood Saves Lives’. globally every year on 4th June. ✓ Every year, the World Elder Abuse ✓ The theme of the World Environment Day Awareness Day is celebrated on 15th June. 2020, celebrated every year on June 5 -- • The theme of the ‘World Elder Celebrate Biodiversity. Abuse Awareness Day 2020 is • the day was hosted by China under "Lifting up Voices". the theme “Air Pollution”. ✓ World Wind Day or Global Wind is ✓ Every year June 2nd is celebrated as the observed every year on 15th June. International Sex Workers Day. NThe International Day of Family ✓ The International Day for the Fight against Remittances is observed every year on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated 16th June by the United Nations. th Fishing 2020 is celebrated on 5 June. ✓ World Day to Combat Desertification and ✓ World Pest Day or World Pest Awareness Drought 2020 observed every year on 17th th Day is celebrated every year on 6 June. June. The theme of 2020 is Food. ✓ United Nations Russian Language Day is Feed.Fibre. – the links between th celebrated every year on 6 June. consumption and land. ✓ The World Ocean Day is celebrated every ✓ Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed th year on 8 June. globally every year on 18th June. • This year, the World Oceans Day is ✓ World Hydrography Day is observed celebrated under the theme globally every year on 21st June. ‘Innovation for a Sustainable • World Hydrography Day 2020 Ocean’. theme is “Hydrography enabling ✓ World Brain Tumour Day 2020 was th autonomous technologies”. observed on 8 June. ✓ World Music Day is observed globally ✓ 9th June of Every year is celebrated as the every year on 21st June. World Accreditation Day. ✓ The theme of the International Day of • The Theme of World Accreditation Yoga 2020 -- Yoga for Health – Yoga at Day 2020 is “Accreditation: Home. Improving food safety” • The theme of International Day of ✓ The World Day against Child Labour is th Yoga 2020 is “Yoga for Health – observed every year on 12 June. Yoga at Home”. • Note: The theme this year is, ✓ The United Nations Public Service Day is “COVID-19 - Protect children from observed globally every year 23rd June. child labour now, more than ever". 184 www.gradeup.co

✓ The International Widows Day is observed ✓ National Statistics Day 2020’ celebrated globally every year on 23rd June. every year on 29th June. ✓ The theme of Day of the Seafarer, 2020 • "Good Health and Well Being and celebrated every year on 25th June -- Gender Equality", is the theme for Seafarers are Key Workers. National Statistics Day 2020. ✓ The theme of the International Day against ✓ The UN’s International Day of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020 Parliamentarism is observed globally observed every year globally on 26th June every year on 30th June. -- Better Knowledge for Better Care. ✓ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed every year on 26th June. May 2020

✓ International Labours day or May Day is ✓ World Thalassaemia Day is observed celebrated every year on 1st May. globally every year on 8th May. ✓ World Tuna Day is observed globally ✓ World Migratory Bird Day is observed every year on 2nd May. globally every year on 9th May. ✓ World Press Freedom Day is observed • This time the theme of World globally every year on 3rd May. Migratory Bird Day 2020 is “Birds • The theme of World Press Freedom Connect Our World”. Day 2020 is “Journalism without ✓ Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on Fear or Favour”. Second Sunday of May (9th May 2020) ✓ International Firefighters’ Day is observed ✓ National Technology Day is celebrated globally every year on 4th May. every year on 11th May. ✓ International Day of the Midwife is ✓ International Nurse Day is observed observed globally every year on 5th May. globally on every year 12th May. • The theme for 2020 International ✓ Armed Forces Day is observed every year Day of the Midwife is Midwives on ____third Saturday in May (16th May with women: celebrate, 2020). demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our ✓ The International Day of Light is time is NOW! celebrated every year on 16th May. ✓ World Hand Hygiene Day observed ✓ World Telecommunication and globally on 5th May. Information Society Day is observed • The theme of the campaign is globally every year on 17th May. “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your • The theme of World Hands”. Telecommunication and ✓ World Asthma Day is observed every year Information Society Day of 2020: on 1st Tuesday of May. “Connect 2030: ICTs for the • The theme for 2020 is ‘Enough Sustainable Development Goals Asthma Deaths’.World Asthma (SDGs)” Day is annually organized by the ✓ World Hypertension Day is observed Global Initiative for Asthma globally every year on 17th May. (GINA). ✓ International Museum Day is celebrated ✓ The World Athletics Day is observed every year on 18th May. every year on 7th May. • The International Museum Day ✓ To increase awareness about athletics and 2020 was celebrated with the to encourage youth to take up sports World theme “Museums for Equality: Athletics Day is observed every year on Diversity and Inclusion”. 7th May. ✓ World Bee Day is observed globally every ✓ World Red Cross Day is observed globally year on 20th May. every year on 8th May. 185 www.gradeup.co

✓ International Tea Day is observed globally ✓ World Turtle Day is being celebrated every year on 21st May. every year on 23rd May. ✓ World Metrology Day is observed globally ✓ International Missing Children’s Day is every year on 20th May. observed globally every year on 25th ✓ Anti Terrorism Day 2020 is observed May. every year in India on 21st May. ✓ World Thyroid Day is observed globally • Note: The day marks the death every year on 25th May. anniversary of India’s seventh ✓ International Day of UN Peacekeepers is Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 observed globally every year on 29th May. May 1991. • The Theme of day for 2020 is ✓ World Day for Cultural Diversity for “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key Dialogue and Development is celebrated to Peace”. every year on May 21. ✓ International Day of Action for Women’s ✓ The United Nations celebrates Health is observed globally every year on International Day for Biological Diversity 28th May. every year on 22nd May. ✓ World Hunger Day is observed globally ✓ The United Nations observes International every year on 28th May. Day to End Obstetric Fistula every year on ✓ International Everest Day is being 23 May. observed every year on 29th May. • The theme for International Day to ✓ World Health Organization (WHO) End Obstetric Fistula 2020 is “End celebrates World No Tobacco Day every gender inequality! End health year on 31st May. inequities! End Fistula now!”. April 2020

✓ World Autism Awareness Day is • Theme of the day this year 2020 is observed every year on April 2. “Enhancing the scope of • The theme for 2020 is “The Homeopathy in Public Health”. Transition to Adulthood”. ✓ The Play True Day is observed every year ✓ The International Day for Mine on 9th April. Awareness and Assistance in Mine • Note: The World Anti-Doping Action is observed every year on 4th Agency (WADA) celebrated the April. Play True Day 2020. ✓ The 57th Edition of National Maritime • The theme of this year is ‘Play Safe Day (NMD) was celebrated on April 5, on Play True Day 2020’. 2020. ✓ National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) ✓ The International Day of Conscience is celebrated annually on 11th April. (IDC) is observed for the 1st time on 5th ✓ The international day of human space April 2020. flight is observed across the world ✓ The International Day of Sport for annually on 12th April. Development and Peace (IDSP) is ✓ National Pet Day is celebrated every year celebrated every year on 6th April. on 11th April. ✓ The International Romani Day is observed ✓ The World Voice Day (WVD) is every year on 8th April. celebrated every year on 16th April. • Note: The day is observed annually • The Theme of the day for the year to raise awareness of the issues 2020 is “FOCUS ON YOUR faced by Romani people and to VOICE”. celebrate Romani culture. ✓ The International Day of Mathematics ✓ The World Homeopathy Day is (IDM) was celebrated for the first time on celebrated every year on 10th April. March 14, 2020.

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• Theme for the year 2020 is ✓ Every year the United Nation Celebrates “Mathematics is Everywhere”. the UN English Language Day and UN ✓ World Haemophilia Day is celebrated Spanish Language Day on 23rd April. worldwide on 17th April. ✓ The World Day of Laboratory Animals • The theme of the World has been observed annually on 24th April. Haemophilia Day 2020 is ✓ National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) is “Get+involved”. observed annually on 24th April. ✓ The World Art Day is celebrated every ✓ Every year 25th April is celebrated as year on 15th April. World Malaria Day. ✓ World Heritage Dayis celebrated every • The theme of World Malaria Day year on 18th April. 2020 is “Zero Malaria Starts with • Theme for the year 2020 is Me” “Shared Culture, Shared ✓ World Intellectual Property Day Heritage and Shared established by the World Intellectual Responsibility”. Property Organization (WIPO), is ✓ World Liver Day (WLD) is observed celebrated every year on 26th April. every year on 19th April. • The theme of this year is ✓ World Creativity and Innovation Day “Innovate for a Green Future” (WCID) is celebrated all across the world ✓ International Chernobyl Disaster on April 21. Remembrance Day is observed every year ✓ The National Civil Service Day is on 26th April. celebrated every year on 21st April. ✓ 25th April of every year is celebrated as ✓ Mother Earth Day is celebrated every World Penguin Day. year on 22nd April. ✓ The World Day for Safety and Health at • The theme for Earth Day 2020 is Work (WDSHW) is observed every year “Climate Action”. on 28th April. ✓ World Book and Copyright Day is • Theme of the Day for the year celebrated every year on 23rd April. 2020 is Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives. March 2020

✓ The Zero Discrimination Day 2020 was • Note: The World Wildlife Day observed globally on 1st March 2020. (WWD) has been celebrated based on • The theme for 2020 is “Zero the theme “Sustaining all life on Discrimination against Women & Earth”. Girls”. ✓ The World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed ✓ The World Civil Defence Day was observed annually on 3rd March. on 1st March 2020. • Theme of WHD 2020: Hearing for life: • Note: To create awareness on the self- Don’t let hearing loss limit you. The protection & preventive measures to be theme ensures that the people with taken in the event of disasters or hearing loss are able to achieve their accidents and pay tribute to the efforts, full potential. sacrifices of the national services ✓ The National safety day is observed every year responsible for the fight against on 4th March. disasters. • The Theme of National Safety day • Theme of the WCDD 2020: “Civil 2020 is “Enhance Health &Safety Defence and a first aider in every Performance by Use of Advanced home”. Technology“. ✓ The World Wildlife Day is celebrated around ✓ Janaushadhi week was celebrated throughout the world on 3rd March. the country from 1st March to 7th March 2020.

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• Note: The main aim of the week is to ✓ The World Poetry Day is observed every year provide various activities like health on 21st March. checkup Camp, free doctor ✓ The International Day for the Elimination of consultation, free medicine distribution Racial Discrimination is observed annually on is hosted by Jan AushadhiKendras. 21st March. ✓ The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020 ✓ The International Day of Forests (IDF) is was observed globally on March 8, 2020. observed annually on 21st March. • The 2020 theme for IWD was “I am • Note: The theme of the day this year is Generation Equality: Realizing “Forests and Biodiversity”. Women’s Rights”. ✓ The World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is ✓ The Central Industrial Security Force observed annually on 21st March. (CISF) Raising Day is observed every year • Note: The day has been observed on 10th March. based on the theme ‘We Decide’ by ✓ The World Kidney Day is observedglobally on the UN. 12th March. ✓ The World Puppetry Day is observed annually ✓ The World Sleep Day was observed on on 21st March. 13thMarch 2020. • Note: The day was celebrated with the • The theme of the year 2020: “Better aim to raise interest and encourage the Sleep, Better Life, Better Planet”. kids and youngsters towards the ✓ The Pi Day is celebrated every year on 14th comic-art-entertainment form. March. ✓ The International Day of Nowruz was • Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used celebrated on 21st March. in mathematics to represent a constant • Note: The word Nowruz (new day) is and its value up to five decimal places the name of the Iranian new year or 3.14159. Coincidentally, March 14 is Persian new year which is celebrated also Physicist Albert Einstein’s worldwide by various ethnolinguistic birthday. groups. ✓ The World Consumer Day2020 was observed ✓ The World Water Day is observed globally on March 15, 2020. every year on March 22. • The theme of the year 2020 is ‘The • Note: The day is observe to highlight Sustainable Consumer.’ the importance of freshwater.Theme of ✓ National Vaccination Day is observed every the year 2020: “Water and Climate year on 16th March 2020. Change”. ✓ The Global Recycling Day 2020 was observed ✓ The World Meteorological Day (WMD 2020) on 18th March 2020. is observed every year on 23rd March. • The Global Recycling Foundation ✓ The theme of WMD 2020 is “Climate and announces “Recycling Heroes” as the Water”. theme for third Global Recycling Day. ✓ The World Tuberculosis Day is observed The main aim of the day is to turn globally on 24th March. ‘waste’ into a valuable resource. ✓ The International Day of Remembrance of the ✓ World Sparrow Day (2020) is observed every Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave year on March 20. Trade is observed on 25th March. ✓ The theme of the World Sparrow Day 2020 is • Note: The 2020 Theme of the day is I LOVE Sparrows. “Confronting Slavery’s Legacy of ✓ The “International Day of Happiness” is Racism Together”. celebrated worldwide every year on 20th ✓ World Theatre Day (WTD) is celebrated every March. year on 27th March. • The theme this year is “Happiness for • The theme of “Theatre and a Culture All Together”. of Peace”. February 2020

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✓ The World Wetlands Day was observed on Organization (FAO) of the United February 2, 2020. Nations to recognize the importance of • Note: World Wetlands Day (WWD) was pulses (dry beans, lentils, dry peas, observed to spread awareness and to chickpeas, lupins) as global food. conserve the wetlands all over the world. • World Pulses day has been designated The of this year day is “Wetlands and on Feb 10 every year since 2019 by the Biodiversity”. 73rd session of the United Nations (UN) • The theme highlights the importance of General Assembly on December 20, biodiversity conservation, which 2018. conveys nearly 40% of the world’s plant ✓ International Day of Women and Girls in & animal species live or breed on Science was observed on February 11. wetlands. • Note: The day was celebrated to achieve ✓ The World Cancer Day was observed on equal participation & access to women’s February 4. and girls in science. • Note: The World Cancer Day is • The theme of this year is “Investment in organized by the Union for International Women and Girls in Science for Cancer Control (UICC), Geneva, Inclusive Green Growth”. Switzerland, every year on February 4 to • The theme aims to encourage women raise awareness to encourage cancer’s and girls to opt for science. prevention, detection and treatment. ✓ The World Unani Day was celebrated on • The primary goal of World Cancer Day February 11. is to reduce the illness & death caused • Note: The day marks the birthday of by cancer. The theme of WCD from great Unani scholar and social reformer 2019-21 is “I am and I will”. “Hakim Ajmal Khan”. ✓ International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female • Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Genital Mutilation 2020 was observed on was the chief guest of the 4th Unani day February 6, 2020. function organized by AYUSH • Note: The International Day of Zero (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Siddha and Homeopathy) Ministry, New (FGM) was observed. Delhi, India. • It was observed since 2003, as part of ✓ National Productivity Day 2020 was observed the UN’s efforts to eradicate Female on February 12, 2020. Genital Mutilation. • National Productivity Council (NPC) • The day spreads the awareness about comes under the Ministry of Commerce FGM which is a violation of the human & Industry. rights of girls and women. • NPC increases productivity, ✓ The National Deworming Day (NDD) was competitiveness, profits, augments observed across the country on February safety and ensures better quality. 10,2020. ✓ To commemorate the birth anniversary of the • Note: The day was organized by the father of evolutionary biology Darwin Day was Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed on 12th February. (MoHFW). • Note: Darwin Day was celebrated to • This will be followed by the mop-up day commemorate the birth anniversary of on February 17, 2020. The objective of the father of evolutionary biology, the day is to deworm children and Charles Darwin. adolescents to reduce the prevalence of ✓ The World Radio Day (WRD) was observed on parasitic worms in the intestine. February 13. ✓ The World Pulses Day was observed on Feb 10. • Note: World Radio Day (WRD) is • Note: World Pulses day was established celebrated all over the world with the by the Food and Agriculture theme “Radio and Diversity”.

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• In the year 1924, Radio was 1st ✓ The World Thinking Day is celebrated on 22nd introduced to India by Madras February. Presidency Club. • Note: Each year on February 22 Girl ✓ National Women day was observed on Scouts and Girl Guides from 150 February 13. countries celebrate World Thinking Day. • Note: To commemorate the birth • The theme of World Thinking Day 2020 anniversary of independence activist, is “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”. Sarojini Naidu (also named Nightingale ✓ The Central Excise Day is celebrated every year of India), every year India observes on 24th February. February 13 as it is National Women ✓ Right to Protein, a national-level public health day. initiative, has launched India’s 1st Protein Day • It should be noted that the International on 27 February 2020. Women’s Day is observed on 8th March • Note: It is to raise awareness about the annually. health benefits of protein. ✓ The World Pangolin Day was observed across • Theme of the Protein Day 2020: the world on 15th February (3rd Saturday of ProteinMeinKyaHai. The theme aims to Feb). include proteins in our every meal. ✓ Soil Health Card Day was observed across the ✓ World Non-Governmental Organization Day country on 19th February. was observed annually on 27th February. • The scheme aims at issuing soil health • Note: The human Right activists & all cards to farmers every 2 years to individuals celebrated World NGO Day identify the nutritional deficiencies in 2020, to raise awareness about the NGO the soil. sector and to encourage people ✓ World Day of Social Justice is observed worldwide who are involved & annually on 20th February. dedicatedly working for a good cause. • Note: The day creates awareness against ✓ National Science Day (NSD) was observed all social injustice regarding gender, age, over India on February 28, 2020. race, ethnicity, religion, culture or • Note: This day marks the discovery of disability. the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir • Theme of this day this year is “Closing ChandraShekhara Venkata Raman (also the Inequalities Gap to Achieve Social called Sir C V Raman) on 28th February Justice”. 1928 for which he was awarded the • The theme aims to uphold the principles Nobel Prize in 1930. of social justice by promoting gender • In 1986, the Government of India (GOI) equality, or the rights of indigenous declared Feb 28 as National Science people or migrants. Day. Theme of the NSD 2020: “Women ✓ The International Mother Language Day in Science”. (IMLD) is observed annually on 21st February. ✓ Rare Disease Day (RDD) is an observance held • Note: International Mother Language on the last day of February. Day (IMLD) is observed annually on • Note: This year marked the 13th February 21 since 2000 as a worldwide observance of International Rare Disease observance of UNESCO (United Day, which was observed on February Nations, Educational, Scientific and 29, 2020. Cultural Organisation). • The day creates an awareness of rare • The day creates an awareness on diseases and improves access to linguistic, cultural diversity and to treatment and medical representation for promote multilingualism and in India the individuals with rare diseases & their day is observed as ‘MatribhashaDiwas’. families. • Theme of IMLD for the year 2020 is • Slogan of RDD 2020: “Rare is Many. “Languages without Border”. Rare is Strong. Rare is Proud”.

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January 2020 ✓ The 15th raising day of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) observed on 19th The World Braille Day is observed across the January 2020. world every year on 4th January. ✓ National Immunization Day (NID) also • Note: The day marks the birth known as ‘Polio Ravivar’ was observed on 19th anniversary of Louis Braille. He was the January 2020. inventor of Braille script or Braille code. ✓ The National Martyr’s Day is observed ✓ National Youth Day (YuvaDiwas) is annually on 30th January. celebrated in India on 12th January. • This day also marks the 72nd death • The theme of the 23rd National Youth anniversary of India’s Father of the Festival 2020 is “FIT YOUTH FIT nation Mahatma Gandhi who was INDIA”. assassinated on Jan 30, 1948 by ✓ The National Youth Festival will increase the Nathuram Vinayak Godse. EK BHARAT SHRESTHA BHARAT bonding ✓ The National Voters’ Day is celebrated every and it will prove as a The World Hindi day year in India on 25th January. being celebrated across the world every year on • The theme for the 10th edition of 10th January. National Voters’ Day is ‘Electoral • Note: Hindi is the fourth most spoken Literacy for Stronger Democracy’. language in the world. ✓ World Leprosy Day is observed annually on • The first World Hindi Conference was last Sunday of January. organized in Nagpur on 10th January • This year, the day was observed on 1975. January 26, 2020. In India, it is ✓ The National Hindi Divas is being observed on celebrated on January 30 every year to 14th September every year across India. commemorate the death of Mahatma learning platform for everyone. Gandhi who was assassinated on this day ✓ Armed Forces Veterans Day is celebrated in 1948. every year on 14th January. • This year’s theme is “Leprosy isn’t what • Every year, January 14 is marked as you think” Armed Forces Veteran Day as the Field ✓ India celebrates National Girl Child Day every Marshal KM Cariappa, the first year on 24th January. Commander-in-chief of Indian Armed • The day was observed for the first time Forces retired on the day. in 2008 as an initiative by the Ministry ✓ In India, the Indian Army Day is observed of Women and Child Development and every year on 15th January. the Government of India.

Summits & Conference September 2020 ✓ RAISE 2020 – Mega Virtual Summit on Intelligence (AI), RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible Artificial Intelligence to be held from AI for Social Empowerment 2020.’ October 5-9 • Note: RAISE 2020is a first of its kind, a global meeting of minds on Artificial • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Intelligence to drive India's vision and Technology and NITI Aayog will organize a roadmap for social transformation, inclusion Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial and empowerment in areas like Healthcare, 191 www.gradeup.co

Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility, • Note: Climate change includes both the among other sectors. global warming driven by human emissions • AI (Artificial intelligence) means the of greenhouse gases and the resulting large- simulation of human intelligence in scale shifts in weather patterns. machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. ✓ PM Modi to inaugurate VAIBHAV Summit on 2nd October 2020 ✓ Ministerial Meeting of the G4 Countries • Note: The VAIBHAV Summit is a joint • On 23 September 2020, the Foreign initiative of all S&T and Academic Ministers of the G4 countries met virtually Organisations of India (working in during the 75th session of the United Research, Academic and Scientific fields) to Nations General Assembly. enable deliberations on thought processes, • Note: G4 nations are Brazil, India, Germany practices and R&D culture with a problem- and Japan. The G4's primary aim is the solving approach for well-defined permanent member seats on the Security objectives. Council. • Summit aims to give an impetus to the objectives of Atal Innovation Mission by ✓ Informal Meeting of SAARC (South Asian leveraging the collaborative experience and Association for Regional Cooperation) deep expertise of International and Indian Council of Ministers subject experts. • Minister of External Affairs, the Republic of • Vaibhav summit seeks active support and India, Dr S. Jaishankar, participated in the ideation from Indian Diaspora for annual Informal Meeting of the SAARC developing skills of Indian aspirants in Council of Ministers on 24th September alignment with the New Educational Policy. 2020 chaired by Nepal. Dr. Jaishankar called ✓ Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for upon SAARC member states to collectively Health and Family Welfare attended Joint resolve to defeat the scourge of terrorism, G20 Finance and Health Ministers Meeting including the forces that nurture, support through video conference: and encourage an environment of terror and conflict, which impede the objective of • Saudi Arabia bestowed with the Presidency SAARC to realize its full potential for of G20 grouping hosted the session. collective collaboration and prosperity • Note: G20 is the premier forum for across South Asia. international economic cooperation and • Note: SAARC: It promotes the development brings together the leaders of developing of economic and regional integration. The and developed countries. member is Afghanistan, Bhutan, • The representatives of G20 countries gather Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, to talk about financial and socio-economic Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It founded in Dhaka issues. on 8 December 1985. Its secretariat is based • Members represent around 80% of the in Kathmandu, Nepal. world’s economic output, three-quarters of international trade and two-thirds of the ✓ UN, Britain to co-host a global climate global population. summit on Dec 12, 2020 ✓ IBSA Foreign Ministers’ Virtual Meeting: • United Nations and Britain will co-host a global climate summit on December 12, • Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of 2020. UN Secretary-General Antonio India chaired the customary meeting of Guterres and the UK Prime Minister Boris IBSA Foreign Ministers. Johnson will co-host the event to rally much • The Ministers focus on various issues of greater climate action and ambition. global significance including peace, climate change, sustainable development, security,

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countering terrorism, multilateral trading • The new ASEAN-India Plan of Action system, disarmament, non-proliferation works from 2021 to 2025 was adopted at the issues and South-South Cooperation. Meeting. • Note: IBSA is a formal association of India, Brazil and South Africa; all three are large ✓ Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar democracies and major economies from addresses conference on Afghan peace three different continents, facing similar negotiations in Doha, Qatar: challenges. • Addressing the conference virtually, EAM ✓ 10th virtual meeting of BRICS NSAs addressed that the peace process must be chaired by Russia: Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan- controlled. It has been India’s stand for long. • The National Security Advisors of the • EAM also said that the process must respect BRICS nations will deliberate upon the the national sovereignty and territorial issues related to strengthening political integrity of Afghanistan and promote human security and cooperation among the five rights and democracy. EAM stressed that the countries Intra Afghan talks must ensure the interest • Note: BRICS is an organization of 5 major of minorities, women, and the vulnerable Countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and section of society. South Africa. The BRICS aims to deepen and intensify cooperation within the ✓ External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to grouping and among the individual countries attend SCO Foreign Ministers meeting in for more equitable, sustainable and mutually Moscow beneficial development. The BRICS • The Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of members are known for their significant SCO in Moscow will review the present on regional affairs. preparations for the forthcoming SCO Summit and also deliberate on international ✓ Environment Ministerial Meeting of G20 and regional issues. This will be the third countries held through video conferencing: Council of Foreign Ministers meeting that India will be attending in the capacity of a • The Environment Ministerial Meeting of the full member of SCO G20 countries was held through video About SCO: conferencing under the Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. • The SCO has eight members namely India, • Note: The meetings focused on various Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, social and economic issues such as Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and four agriculture, anti-corruption, climate, digital observer states - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran economy, education, employment, energy, and Mongolia. environment, health, tourism, trade and • India and Pakistan joined SCO in 2017. investment. ✓ World Solar Technology Summit ✓ New ASEAN-India Plan of Action adopted for 5 years at Ministerial Meeting: • The first World Solar Technology Summit (WSTS) being organized by the • External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar International Solar Alliance (ISA). co-chaired the ASEAN-India Ministerial • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a Meeting along with his Thailand counterpart joint initiative of France and India, launched Don Pramudwinai. during COP21 with the aim of making an • It reviewed the status of ASEAN-India unprecedented effort to promote solar Strategic Partnership in several areas energy. including connectivity, education, maritime • The ISA is putting in place concrete tools, cooperation and capacity building and capacity-building measures and innovative people-to-people contacts. financial instruments.

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✓ Indo-Pacific Business Forum • APRC 35 focused on regional priorities and issues like COVID 19, state of agriculture, • The third annual Indo-Pacific Business natural resources management, food security Forum is slated to be held in Vietnam's and nutrition. capital Hanoi on October 28 and 29, 2020. • It was first organized in India in 1953 and is • The forum advances a vision for the Indo- held biennial Pacific as a free and open region composed ✓ International Solar Alliance (ISA) of nations that are independent, strong and organized first World Solar Technology prosperous. Summit • Government and business leaders from the Note: US, Vietnam and across the Indo-Pacific will discuss energy and infrastructure, the • Aim: Accelerate affordable and sustainable digital economy, market connectivity, health clean green with next generation and economic recovery from the COVID-19 technologies in solar power. pandemic, and US-Indo-Pacific partnerships • Tripartite agreement between India’s and commercial opportunities. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, World Bank and ISA inked during the ✓ Cycling Federation of India (CFI) to host summit first ever Cycling Summit in 2021 across • The summit observed launching of ISA’s Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru technology journal, Solar Compass 360. About Cycling Summit 2021: ✓ First Trilateral Dialogue held between • It will begin with a cycle ride from the heart India, France, and Australia to enhance of the city to the event venue followed by cooperation in Indo-Pacific. curated workshops, masterclasses, and open Note: interactions with eminent athletes • It was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary • CFI signs MoU with new-age marketing Harsh Vardhan Shringla, France counterpart exploration firm, Contarctica for the François Delattre, and Secretary of summit. Australian Foreign Affairs Frances ✓ Ministry for Tribal Affairs inaugurates Adamson. National Tribal Research Conclave • The meeting observes discussion on Marine Note: Global Commons, regional organisations • It is 2-day conclave held on 3rd and 4th like ASEAN, IORA and challenges & trends September 2020. in regional and global multilateral • It reviewed the progress on the outcome of institutions. various projects being implemented under ✓ Ministry of Education to organise 2-day different partnerships and the best practices conclave under Shikshak Parv to be followed by stakeholders along with Note: road map of National Tribal Research • Title of conclave: ‘School Education in the Institutes 21st Century’ ✓ 35th Food and Agriculture Organization • First day: Addressed by PM Narendra Modi (FAO) Regional Conference for Asia and with focus on Principal and Teacher the Pacific (APRC) held practitioners for implementation of NEP in Note: creative ways. • It was held under the Chairmanship of • Second Day: Discussions by Expert Bhutan. Practitioners to demystify important themes of NEP for school education. August

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✓ 8th East Asia Summit (Economic ✓ Health Minister inaugurated CII Public Ministers’ Meeting) held virtually under Health Conference virtually chairmanship of Vietnam Note: Note: • It is a part of Inaugural of the Healthcare • It will strengthen the regional supply Week chains, becoming resilient during Covid- • Theme of the conference: Strengthening 19 with economic growth. Public health Delivery • Economic ministers from 10 ASEAN • The conference observed the launch of members and other nations including virtual exhibition on Healthcare, CII TB India, US, China, Japan, South Korea, Free Workplaces Campaign and CII Public Russia, Australia and New Zealand Health Report. attended the meeting ✓ PM addresses ‘Conclave on ✓ NCPUL organizes 2 day long World Transformational Reforms in Higher Urdu Conference in New Delhi Education under National Education Note: Policy’ • The conference is organized by National Note: Council for Promotion of Urdu Language • It has been organised by Ministry of (NCPUL) Education (Former MHRD) and • Urdu writers and personalities will be University Grants Commission. honoured at the conference with awards in • The conclave comprised of several the name of Amir Khusrow, Mirza Ghalib, sessions dedicated to important aspects of Agha Hashar, Ram Babu Saxena and Daya education covered under National Shankar Naseem. Education Policy, 2020 like Holistic, ✓ ARIES, Nainital to organise 3-day Multidisciplinary and futuristic education, online International Conference Quality Research, and Equitable use of Note: technology for better reach in Education. • Title of conference ‘Aerosol Air Quality, Climate Change and Impact on Water July 2020 Resources and Livelihoods in the Greater Himalayas’ 36th biannual ASEAN Summit held virtually • It is organised in collaboration with under the chairmanship of Vietnamese Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Note: University. • Its theme was ‘Cohesive and Responsive • The conference will focus on the topics ASEAN’ like rapid increase in the air pollution • The summit focuses on COVID-19 associated with industrialisation, epidemic response, post-pandemic urbanisation, etc recovery and further cooperation with ✓ Defence Minister addressed Naval partners. Commanders' Conference 2020 2. PM delivered the inaugural address at India Note: Global Week 2020 • It is a 3-day biennial conference which About India Global Week 2020: was to be held in April. • It is a 3-day virtual conference including • The agenda of the conference is Navy’s 5000 global participants from 30 nations Modernisation and Security in the Indian by 250 global speakers across 75 sessions Ocean amidst the situation at the LAC in • Theme: ‘BeTheRevival: India and a Ladakh Better New World’ • It will focus on optimising joint planning • It will also feature performance on structures, Tri-Service Synergy, and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by Madhu Nataraj operational readiness, as well as functional and a special 100 birth anniversary concert reorganisation within the Indian Navy to in tribute to the sitar maestro Ravi Shankar improve efficiency. 195 www.gradeup.co

3. 5th edition of Aerospace and Defence linked with the core Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies inaugurated in Development Goal (SDG) principle of Delhi leaving no one behind. Note: 8. PM Modi addresses India Ideas Summit • Theme:‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat 2020 virtually Mission’. Note: • It was organised by Tamil Nadu • Focus: Building global economic Technology Development & Promotion resilience through stronger domestic Centre (TNTDPC), Society of Indian economic capacities Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and • It is being hosted by US-India Business Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Council (USIBC) marking its 45th • Aim: Development of defence and Indian anniversary civil Aviation MRO market to enhance • Theme: ‘Building a Better Future’. Aerospace and Defence industry’s market 9. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to 70 billion Dollar by 2030. inaugurates CII National Digital conference on 4. Second U.S.-India Strategic Energy Ease of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Partnership held Bharat Note: • Focus: Policy simplification and asked for • Aim: Review progress, accomplishments, industry's feedback and cooperation. and new areas for cooperation between • Conference paved the way for a single India and US. window system for industrial approvals • It was co-chaired by Dan Brouillette that will soon be in place along with easier (Energy Minister) and Dharmendra labour law and soft launch of land bank Pradhan (MoPNG) portal • MoU was signed on Strategic Petroleum June Reserves, storing oil, PACE-R and for I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar inaugurates India’s first-ever Solar Decathlon in 2021 Virtual India Pavilion at Cannes Film Market • USAID tied-up with POSOCO to develop 2020 India’s National Open Access Registry Note: (NOAR). • It took place from 22 to 26 June 2020. • Public-private Hydrogen Task Force has • Itfacilitates B2B meetings and linkages also been launched between film makers, media and 6. Ministry of Skill Development and entertainment industries stake holders. Entrepreneurship organises virtual conclave • India will screen two films: MaiGhat marking 5th year of Skill India Mission and (Marathi) and Hellaro (Gujarati). World Youth Skills Day 2. Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers Note: inaugurates India’s first Virtual Healthcare • It was addressed by PM Narendra Modi and Hygiene EXPO 2020 with new mantra for the youth to ‘skill, Note: reskill and upskill’. • It was held from 22nd to 26th June, 2020. • Focus: ASEEM portal, SWADES, Vision • It has been organized by Federation of Report 2025, eskill India Platform, and Indian Chambers of Commerce and other initiative by MSMEs Ministry Industry (FICCI). 7. PM Narendra Modi addressed United 3. DST constitutes Joint Science Nations Economic and Social Council session Communication Forum for coordination Note: amongst public sector science communication • Theme: ‘Multi-lateralism after institutions and agencies. COVID19: What kind of UN do we need Note: at the 75th anniversary’ • It will facilitate easier communication with • India’s developmental motto of ‘Sabka adoption of common policy and practices. Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwas’ was 196 www.gradeup.co

• It is also mandated to formulate 5. PM Modi addresses virtual Global Vaccine countrywide programmes, policies, and Summit 2020 activities in the science communication. Note: 4. World Economic Forum to host 2021 Unique • It was hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Twin Summit Johnson and was attended by business Note: leaders, UN Agencies, civil society of 50 • Theme: 'The Great Reset' countries virtually. • WEF will held the summit both in-person • It witnessed a new era of global health and virtual series ‘The Great Reset cooperation as world leaders show Dialogues’ making it available for overwhelming commitment to equitable everyone across the globe immunisation and health security due to • It will bring together leaders from across COVID-19 pandemic. the globe pushing beyond traditional thinking boundaries.

May 2020 • RE-START: Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology and Research 1. Army Commanders’ Conference Translations inaugurated in New Delhi • The conference was organized on the Note: occasion of National Technology Day. • The 1st phase of the conference was held • It was followed by technical sessions on from 27 May to 29 May 2020 and the ‘Medicines & Medical Technologies’, second phase was held in June 2020. ‘Advanced Materials: New Technology • It is an apex biannual event that takes into Horizons’ and ‘Technology Alliance for consideration operation, administrative, Global Economic Leadership’. logistics, and security issues. 5. ‘Van Dhan Scheme: learnings for post 2. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit 2020 COVID-19’ webinar launched under the chairmanship of Azerbaijani Note: President Ilham Aliyev • It was organised under Know Your Note: Scheme-Lecture Series and hosted by Dept • Theme: “We are together against COVID- of Science and Technology in 19”. collaboration with Trifed, Ministry of 3. Bamboo Conclave held via Video Tribal Affairs. Conferencing • TRIFED has also assure revenue of Rs 20k Note: to 30k per person per year through Van • It featured the participation of Dhan Value addition Scheme’s minimum representatives of Ministry of support price. Development of North Eastern Region • TRIFED is also looking towards launching (DoNER), Union Ministry of Agriculture ‘Tech for Tribals’ initiative for this and various other stakeholders from different sectors. • Conclave discussed the significance of Bamboo that will help India economically post COVID-19 4.Technology Development Board (TDB) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly organized Conference “RE-START”

Conference Note:

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Important Committees and Commissions in India

✓ Committees and commissions are formed for studying a problem/issues and then putting forth recommendations to resolve those issue. The govt can either accept or reject the findings/recommendations of the committee/ commission: Committee/Commission Head Objective

Justice Mukandakam Sharma Justice Mukandakam The aim is to review the draft of the Committee Sharma National Code for Good Governance in sports. General Shekatkar Committee General Shekatkar Committee of Experts on rebalancing defence expenditure. Naresh Chandra Committee Naresh Chandra Report on the Taskforce on National security Prakash Tandon Committee(1994) Prakash Tandon Unification of existing railway service

Rajat Bhargav Committee Rajat Bhargav Panel on petrochemical investment Committee H R Khan Committee H R Khan Committee Code for responsible lending in Micro Credit Tapan Ray Committee Tapan Ray It will review the regulatory guidelines and supervisory framework of Core Investment Companies (CIC) Harsh Vardhan Committee Harsh Vardhan It will examine the existing state of mortgage securitization in India and Development of Housing Finance Securitization Monetary Policy Shaktikanta Das It will accelerate the GDP growth of the Committee/Shaktikanta Das country Committee High-level Committee/Nandan Nandan Nilekani It will suggest measure to strengthen the Nilekani Committee safety and security of digital payments in the country High-level and Bezbaruah M.P. Bezbaruah It will review the implementation of clause Committee 6 of the Assam Accord Expert Committee/UK Sinha UK Shina It will look into the various challenges Committee faced by MSMEs National Implementation Rajnath Singh It will look into the multiple challenges Committee/Rajnath Singh faced by MSMEs Committee Rajiv Kumar Committee Rajiv Kumar It will look at selling as many as 149 small and gas fields of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) to private and foreign companies to boost domestic output.

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Injeti Srinivas High-Level Injeti Srinivas It will review the existing framework and committee guide, and formulate a roadmap for a coherent policy on Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) Ethics Committee /Lal Krishna Lal Krishna Advani It is a Committee of Lok Sabha which Advani examines complaints related to any unethical conduct by members of Lower House of Parliament Bhaskar Ramamurthy Committee Bhaskar Ramamurthy It will suggest changes to JEE(Advanced)in the wake of an inadequate number of candidates qualifying the entrance test. B Sesikeran Committee B Sesikeran To review food labelling standards

High-level Empowered Committee Cabinet Secretary It will suggest measures to address issues of Stressed Thermal Power Projects. Sub-Committee/Dr. Dr NilimaKshrisagar It will evaluate 324 irrational FDCs in NilimaKshrisagar Committee three months Group of Minister(GOM)and High- Rajiv Gauba It will deliberate and make a Level Committee/Rajiv Gauba recommendation for a separate penal provision on incidents of mob violence 13-member Committee/Ravinder H Ravinder H Dholakia. It will review Sub-National Accounts to Dholakia Committee upgrade the norms for the computation of economic data. Sunil Mehta Committee Sunil Mehta It will examine setting up of Asset Reconstruction /Management Company for faster resolution of stressed assets of PSB Minorities Commission and S.C., Mohammed For Minorities and S.C., S.T. S.T. Commission Qamaruddin 14-member panel/Umesh Sinha Umesh Sinha It will study the use of social media and Committee other digital platforms in the voting and give suggestions on how to adapt the Model Code of Conduct to these changes. Manmohan Juneja Committee Manmohan Juneja The panel will revisit "Schedule VII of Companies Act, 2013, based on references received from stakeholders, including ministries and department of centre and states, members of Parliament, member of state legislatures and civil societies". Defense Planning AjitDoval It will suggest measures to reform the Committee(DCP)/AjitDoval process of higher defence planning and Committee national security strategy. Injeti Srinivas Committee Injeti Srinivas It will suggest improvements in the National Sports Development Code and functioning of Sports Federations

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Negotiation Committee A representative from On Mahanadi & its Tributaries Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation Timothy Gonsalves Committee Timothy Gonsalves The committee suggested creating 20% reservation seats for the girl students in IITs Vinod Rai Committee Vinod Rai To manage the Indian cricket board

N.S Kang Committee N.S Kang It will frame uniform rules for the states to avoid delay in the fast implementation and reduce hindrance of the Rights of Person with Disabilities (RPD) Act in the country N.K. Singh Committee N.K. Singh It will review the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management(FRBM) Amitabh Chaudhry Committee Amitabh Chaudhry To analysis the existing framework of IRDA-kinked and non-linked insurance product regulation Afzal Amanullah Committee Afzal Amanullah It suggests ways to improve India's Haj policy. It also looks into the issue of subsidy to the pilgrimage. H. R. Nagendra Committee H. R. Nagendra The objective is to prepare a Yoga Protocol for Diabetes Control Dr Pritam Singh Committee Dr. Pritam Singh The aim is to study the setting up of a Defence procurement organization Meena Hemchandra Committee Meena Hemchandra It reviews the threats inherent in the existing and emerging technology also consider the adoption of various security standards and protocols, interface. Partha Mukhopadhyay Committee Partha Mukhopadhyay It suggests the necessary legal and policy framework protecting the interests of the migrants in the country. Arvind Panagariya Committee Arvind Panagariya It will examine the working of the regulatory bodies Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and Central Council of Homeopathy(CCH) AK Bajaj Committee AK Bajaj It will address issues related to the management of the waters of Krishna River between warring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Lt. Gen. D.B. Shekatkar Committee Lt. Gen. D. B. It will Reform the military and improve Shekatkar financial management. Justice Shri Girdhar Malviya Justice Shri Girdhar To prepare draft Ganga Act Committee Malviya Kewal Kumar Sharma Committee Kewal Kumar Sharma To review the recommendations made by 200 www.gradeup.co

the University Grants Commission (UGC)panel on implementation of the 7th pay commission in educational institutions Mr Ashok Dalwai Committee Mr Ashok Dalwai To establish a regulated wholesale agri- market at a distance of every 80 km Dr R B Barman Committee Dr R B Barman The objective is to lay down technical (Chairman of the standards for the performance of core national statistical services and other services Commission) Arvind Panagariya Committee Arvind Panagariya To compute timely data on the employment situation in the country Madhav Chitale Committee Madhav Chitale The objective is to recommend measures for de-siltation of river Ganga Smt. Rina Mitra Committee Smt. Rina Mitra It examines the rules which allow free Special movement of Indians and Myanmar secretary(internal Citizen. security )in the ministry of Home affairs. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan Krishnaswamy To draft the national education Committee Kasturirangan Uday Kotak Committee Uday Kotak It will suggest improvement in the standards of corporate governance of listed companies Pradeep Kumar Committee Pradeep Kumar It will look at the stressed assets of the banking sector CK Khanna Committee CK Khanna The objective is to support staff of the Indian team and then decide in the contracts that will hand over to the coaches Pradeep Kumar Shina Committee Pradeep Kumar Sinha To select the national anti-profiteering authority Usha Nath Banerjee Committee Usha Nath Banerjee Deal with the players' transfer dispute.'

Justice B N Srikrishna Committee Justice B.N. Srikrishna It is an expert committee to study various issues relating to data protection. Renuka Chowdhury Committee Renuka Chowdhury According to the committee, Genetically modified(G.M.) crop should be introduced only after biosafety, socio-economics evaluation TarunRamadorai Committee TarunRamadorai Rights-based privacy framework in household finance

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India’s Ranking in various Indices

September 2020 5. Ease of doing business

1. India ranked 89th on the WRI 2020 among • It is a joint initiative by the Department for 181 countries promotion of Industries and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and World Bank. • India was ‘poorly prepared’ to deal with • The Initiative aims to improve the overall ‘climate reality’, due to which it was more business environment in the States. vulnerable to extreme natural disasters, • It represents the ease of doing business in the according to the World Risk Index (WRI) State with increased transparency, efficiency 2020. and effectiveness of the government regulatory • Note: World Risk Index (WRI)is part of the functions vis-a-vis the business enterprises. World Risk Report 2020 released September • Andhra Pradesh has topped the country in the 15 by the United Nations University Institute latest ease of doing business rankings. for Environment and Human Security (UNU- EHS) and Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft, in 6. The State of Young Child in India’ report cooperation with the University of Stuttgart in • Kerala, Goa, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Germany. Mizoram are among the top five states for the well-being of children, according to a report 2. India ranked 116 in the Human Capital Index: brought out by non-governmental organisation • In the latest ranking of the World Bank's Mobile Creches and launched by Vice- annual Human Capital Index, India has been President. ranked 116 in the list of 174 countries. • The young child outcomes index measures • According to the Human Capital Index report health, nutrition and cognitive growth with the released by the World Bank, India's score has help of indicators such as infant mortality rate, increased from 0.44 in 2018 to 0.49 in 2020. stunting and net attendance at the primary • Note: Human Capital Index is a report school level. It identifies eight States that have prepared by the World Bank. The Index scores below the country’s average: they are measures which countries are best in Assam, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, mobilizing the economic and professional Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh potential of its citizens. The index identifies and Bihar. how much capital each country loses through • The index is part of the ‘State of the Young lack of health and education. Child’ in India report released the 50-year-old 3. M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated 4th Global NGO, which works in the field of early Ayurveda Summit virtually on the theme childhood care. “Emerging Opportunities for Ayurveda during 7. State Business Reform Action Plan 2019 Pandemic”: • Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana • The objective of the summit is to showcase the top the rankings for states in the State Business Ayurveda immunity model to the global level Reform Action Plan 2019 Ranking. as a solution named ‘Health as One’ and • The top three ranks under the State Reform ‘Immunity through Ayurveda’. Action, 2019: 4. India slips 26 places to 105th Rank in Global I. Rank 1: Andhra Pradesh Economic Freedom index II. Rank 2: Uttar Pradesh III. Rank 3: Telangana • India slipped 26 places to 105 among 162 countries and territories on the index of global • This ranking is based on the implementation of economic freedom, according to the Economic the business reform action plan. Some of the Freedom of the World: 2020 report released by key focus areas are access to information and the Fraser Institute in Canada. technology, the setting up of a single-window • The country ranked 79th in the previous system, construction permit enablers and land edition of this report, which measures the administration. ‘economic freedom.’ • “India’s steadfast commitment to reforms is evident from the steady climb to 63rd rank in 202 www.gradeup.co

2019 in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business • Global Innovation Index 2020 was released by Ranking from 142nd rank in 2014. the World Intellectual Property Organization 1. India ranked in top 50 nations in the Global (WIPO). Innovation Index 2020 • India climbed four spots on the Global Innovation Index 2020 and is now at 48th • Switzerland, Sweden, US, UK and position in the list of top 50 innovative Netherlands are in the top spots of this year's countries. ranking. • The WIPO had also accepted India as one of • The India Innovation Index, which was the leading innovation achievers of 2019 in the released last year by the NITI Aayog, has been central and southern Asian region. widely accepted as the major step in the direction of decentralization of innovation across all the states of India. Top Ranking Indexes Released by India’s Rank Country Human Capital Index Human Capital Index is released by the World 115 Singapore 2019 Bank as a part of The World Development Report. Global Talent It is launched by INSEAD, a partner and sponsor Competition Index, of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development 72 Switzerland 2019 Goals (SDGs), Davos, Switzerland. Norway, The Human Switzerland, United Nations Sustainable Development Development Index 129 Ireland occupied Solutions Network. (HDI),2019 the top three positions UN World Happiness Sustainable Development Solution Network 144 Finland Report, 2020 Ease of Doing Published by World Bank 63 New Zealand Bussiness,2019 Global Gender Gap Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) 112 Iceland Report, 2020 Global Competitive Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) 68 Singapore Report,2019 This year it has analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the world economy. World Economic According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) ---- Outlook, 2020 this report, India’s growth is expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound o7.4% in 2021. Global Peace Released by Australian think tank Institute for 141 Iceland

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Index,2019 Economics & Peace Published by Cornell University, INSEAD and Global Innovation The UN World Intellectual Property Organisation 52 Switzerland Index, 2019 (WIPO) New Delhi Global Liveability Published by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) lowest Rank Vienna (Austria) Index 118 Travel and Tourism India is on the Spain secured Competitiveness World Economic Forum (WEF) 34th place the top spot Index, 2019: Key Points: The world had 2,153 billionaires in 2019 Global Inequality Oxfam international ---- Crisis Report The world’s richest 1% have more than twice as much wealth as 6.9 billion people. World Press Freedom Reporters Sans Frontieres 142 Norway Index Corruption Perception Transparency International 80 Denmark Index, 2019 India 7th worst Global Terrorism Institution of Economic and Peace Terrorism ---- Index, 2020 affected country. Global Hunger Index, Released by Concern Worldwide and Welt 102 ---- 2019 Hunger Hilfe The US, UK, International Germany, Released by US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property 40 France and Innovation Policy Center index, 2020 Sweden are top five economies Global Democracy Released by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) 51 Norway Index, 2019 Worst affected Global Climate Risk country Japan, Germanwatch 5 Index,2019 Philippines and Germany Top 3 spots have Climate Change The CCPI is published by Germanwatch, Climate 9 remained Performance Index, Action Network International and the New unoccupied as 204 www.gradeup.co

2019 Climate Institute. none of the countries assessed is already on a path compatible with Paris Climate Targets. Sweden on 4th Spot International Institute for Management The United World Digital Development (IMD) World Competitiveness 48 States of Competitiveness, 2019 Center America Released by the Department of Administrative Good Governance Reforms and Public Grievances, and the Centre 112 Iceland Index for Good Governance. Global Energy World Economic Forum(WEF) 74 Sweden Transition Index, 2020 The United States remained Asia Power Index Lowy institute 4 to be pre- eminent power in Asia Inclusive Internet Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) 46 Sweden Index,2020 Global Social Mobility 76 out of 82 World Economic Forum(WEF) Denmark Index, 2020 countries India ranked 5th in the most polluted cities in the world, World Air Quality and It is released by IQAir and Greenpeace Report, 2019 Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world.

Military Exercises

Name of Exercise Few Points to Remember Indo–Thai CORPAT • Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy. • IN Dornier arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 5, 2019, for the conference for the 28th cycle of Indo-Thai CORPAT. • The CORPAT is genuinely reflective of the strong desire for the peaceful Indian Ocean safeguarded through good maritime order in the region.

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SITMEX 2019 • Maritime exercise amongst Singapore, Thailand, and India. • It is being held from May 16 to May 22, 2019. It was first initiated in 1993. • The aim is to enhance interoperability, strengthen mutual trust, and build greater synergy to address shared maritime concerns among both navies.

MAITREE-2019 • Joint military exercise between India and Thailand. • India and Thailand conducted the military exercise from 16-29 September at Foreign Training Node, Umroi, in Meghalaya • The contingents of Indian Army and Royal Thailand Army (RTA) comprising of 50 soldiers each will participate in the exercise.

YudhAbhyas 2019 • Joint military exercise between Indian and U.S. armies from 05-18 September 2019. • This will be overall 15th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries • It will result in a higher degree of joint manship that will further facilitate interoperability between forces of both countries to meet any unforeseen situation.

Tiger Triumph • The first-ever tri-service joint exercise between India and the United States. • The exercise is being conducted from 13th-21st November 2019. • The exercise will be conducted off Visakhapatnam and Kakinada coasts in Andhra Pradesh • It aims to develop interoperability for conducting HADR operations.

Malabar 2019 • Maritime exercise between India, Japan, and the United States. • It is the 23rd edition of the Trilateral Maritime Exercise MALABAR. • It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. • Then it got permanently expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.

Counter-Terrorism • First counter-terrorism exercise for "Quad" countries (U.S., India, Japan, and Table-Top Exercise Australia). Between November 21, 2019, and November 22, 2019. (CT-TTX) TSENTR 2019 • Part of the Russian Armed Forces' annual training cycle. • Along with Russia, military contingents from China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan will take part. • The exercise aims at evolving drills of the participating armies and practising them in the fight against international terrorism, thereby ensuring military security in the strategic Central Asian region. • It will comprise two modules. • The first module will include counter-terror operations, repelling airstrikes, reconnaissance operations, and defensive measures, while the second will focus on offensive operations.

Nomadic Elephant • India-Mongolian joint military training exercise. • The 14th edition of India-Mongolia joint military exercise is being held from 5th to October 18 at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. • The Mongolian ArmyArmy is being represented by officers and troops of the elite 084 Airborne-Special Task Battalion while Indian ArmyArmy is being

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represented by a battalion of the RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment • It evolves various tactical drills in counter-terror environments such as Convoy Protection Drill, Room Intervention Drills, Ambush & Counter Ambush Drills.

BIMSTEC-DMEx • The second BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise is a three-day exercise 2020 • It was attended by five out of seven member countries of BIMSTEC • The objective of the exercise is to discuss, standardization of protocol, formulation of policy and guidelines for the protection of heritage sites during a disaster and their conservation post-disaster • National Disaster Response Force Hosted BIMSTEC-DMEx 2020

Exercise SHAKTI • Biennial exercise between armies of India and France. • The edition will be conducted from October 31, 2019, to November 13, 2019, in Rajasthan, India. • The exercise aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the two Armies. • The exercise will focus on Counter-Terrorism operations in a semi-desert terrain under United Nations Mandate. • The exercise will also have a 36 hours long validation, which involves neutralization of terrorists in the village hideout.

Exercise Garuda-VI • Exercise between Indian and French Air Force. • It was hosted by French Air Force (FAF) from 01 to July 12 19 at Mont-de- Marsan France, was successfully completed. • The participating aircraft included four Su-30 MKI fighters besides one IL-78 and two C-17 aircraft. • It fosters a closer relationship between India and France so as to promote interoperability through the exchange of knowledge and experience. • It was unique, fascinating, and timeless learning at the exercise for the IAF contingent.

Exercise Surya • Joint military exercise between India- Nepal. Kiran- XIV • It is conducted in Nepal from 3rd- 16th December 2019. • The 13th edition of the exercise was held in Uttarakhand, India.

Exercise Mitra • Joint military exercise between India-Sri Lanka. Shakti-VII • The 7th edition of India-Sri Lanka joint military training exercise Mitra Shakti– 2019 was conducted in Pune from December 1, 2019, to December 14, 2019. • The exercise aims to build and promote positive relations between armies of India and Sri Lanka for counter-insurgency & counter-terrorism operations in the urban and rural environment under the United Nations mandate. • The Mitra Shakti exercise began in 2013 • The exercise is conducted annually as a part of military diplomacy and interaction between the armies of India and Sri Lanka.

SLINEX 2019 • Maritime exercise between India and Sri Lanka. • It commenced on September 7, 2019, and will go on till September 14. • Sri Lankan Navy has sent two offshore patrol vessels, namely SLNS Sindurala and SLNS Suranimala, to India to participate in the seventh annual

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Joint Indo-Lanka Maritime Fleet Exercise- SLINEX 2019.

Exercise • Military exercise between India and Bangladesh. SAMPRITI-IX • It was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya from 3rd-16th February 2020 • The 8th edition of the exercise was held at Tangail, Bangladesh.

Exercise Za'ir-Al- • Joint maritime exercise between the navies of India and Qatar. Bahr • It was being conducted between November 17 and November 21, 2019. • It was held for the first time. The exercise will include Air defense, Surface action, interdiction operation, maritime surveillance, and anti-terrorism.

Dustlik-2019 • It is a first-ever joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan. • The exercise will be held at Chirchiq Training Area, Uzbekistan, between November 4 and November 13, 2019. From India, a 45-member contingent has been trained for this.

Hand in Hand • Military exercise between India and China. • The 8th India-China joint training exercise Hand-In-Hand 2019 is being conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya, from 7 to December 20, 2019.

Indra • Joint Tri-Services Exercise between India and Russia. • It was conducted in India from 10th-19th December 2019 simultaneously at Babina (near Jhansi), Pune, and Goa.

Exercise • The exercise was conducted between the Indian Air Force and Royal Air Indradhanush - V Force of the United Kingdom. • The 5th edition of India-UK joint Air Force Exercise ‘Indradhanush' began at Air Force Station, Hindan (Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh) on February 24, 2020.

Ajeya Warrior-2020 • Joint Military Exercise between India and the United Kingdom. It was conducted at Salisbury Plains, the United Kingdom from 13th-26th February 2020

IndSpaceEx • India's first-ever simulated space warfare exercise. It was held last week of July 2019.

MILAN 2020 • Multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian navy. • MILAN (11th edition) was held in Visakhapatnam from 18th - 28th March 2020. • More than 40 countries were expected to participate in the exercise in 2020.

Operation Him • Conducted by the Indian Army to test offensive capabilities against China in Vijaya Arunachal Pradesh. • The first phase was held between October 7 and October 10, 2019. The second phase was held between October 20 and October 24, 2019.

Exercise Eastern • The exercise is conducted between the Indian Air force and Royal Air force Bridge of Oman • The Joint exercise was held in Oman

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Sport Events

1. Asian Games - The Asian Games, also known as Asiad is a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF). Note: First Asian games were held in New Delhi, India in 1951.

• Venue of Asian Games 2014 – Incheon, South Korea. • Venue of Asian Games 2018 - Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia. • Venue of Asian Games 2022 – Hangzhou, China. • Venue of Asian Games 2026 – Nagoya, Japan.

2. Commonwealth Games (CWG) - The Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations held every four years. Note: The first Commonwealth Games held in 1911 in London, England.

• Venue of CWG 2010 – New Delhi, India. • Venue of CWG 2014 – Glasgow, Scotland. • Venue of CWG 2018 – Gold Coast, Australia. • Venue of CWG 2022 – Birmingham, England.

Note: The 2022 Commonwealth Games will no longer take place in Durban, South Africa as the South African government failed to give financial guarantees for the event. 3. Olympics Games - The Olympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart. Note: i. The first modern Olympics games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. ii. International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters - Lausanne, Switzerland. iii. IOC President - Thomas Bach. Summer Olympic -

• Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2016 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. • Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2020 – Tokyo, Japan. • Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2024 – Paris, France.

Winter Olympic –

• Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2014 – Sochi, Russia. • Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2018 – Pyeongchang, South Korea. • Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2022 – Beijing, China.

4. ICC World Cup Cricket - The ICC Cricket World Cup is the international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four years. Note: i. The first World Cup was held in England in June 1975. West Indies won the title by defeating Australia in the final.

209 www.gradeup.co ii. India won the first World Cup title in 1983 by defeating West Indies in the final. iii. Australia won the World Cup title in 2015 after defeating New Zealand in the final. iv. Australia has been the most successful team in the World Cup, with 5 titles and 2 runners-up. v. International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarter - Dubai, United Arab Emirates. vi. President of ICC – Zaheer Abbas. vii. Chairman of ICC – Shashank Manohar. viii. CEO – David Richardson.

• Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. • Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – Australia & New Zealand. • Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – England, Wales. • Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – India.

5. ICC World Cup T20 – The ICC World Twenty20 is the international championship of Twenty20 cricket. It is organised the International Cricket Council (ICC). Note: i. The first T20 World Cup was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2007. ii. India won the first T20 world cup title in 2007 after defeating Pakistan in the final. iii. West Indies won the title in 2016 after defeating England in the final. iv. West Indies won the T20 World Cup title two times.

• Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. • Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. • Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia.

6. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup is the oldest and most prestigious international women's cricket tournament. Note: i. The first Women’s World Cup was held in England in 1973, two years before the inaugural men's tournament. England won the title by defeating Australia in the final. ii. England won the Women’s World Cup in 2017 by defeating India in the final. iii. Australia has been the most successful team in the Women’s World Cup, with 6 titles and 3 runners-up.

• Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2013 – India. • Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2017 – England. • Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2021 – New Zealand.

7. ICC Women’s World Cup T20 - The ICC Women’s World Twenty20 is the international championship for Women’s Twenty20 cricket. It is organised the International Cricket Council (ICC). Note: i. The first Women’s T20 World Cup was held in England in 2009. England won the first T20 world cup title after defeating New Zealand in the final. ii. West Indies won the title in 2016 after defeating Australia in the final. iii. Australia has been the most successful team in the Women’s World Cup, with 3 titles and 1 runners-up. 210 www.gradeup.co

• Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. • Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. • Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia.

8. Hockey Men’s World Cup – The Hockey World Cup is an international field hockey competition organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). It is held every four years, bridging the four years between the Summer Olympics. Note: i. The first Men’s Hockey World Cup was held in 1971 Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan won the title after defeating Spain in the final. ii. Australia won the title in 2014 after defeating Netherlands in the final. iii. Pakistan has been the most successful team in the World Cup, with 4 titles from 6 appearances in the final. iv. International Hockey Federation (IHF) headquarters - Lausanne, Switzerland. v. President of IHF - Narinder Batra.

• Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – New Delhi, India. • Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The Hague, Netherlands. • Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – Bhubaneswar, India.

9. Hockey Women’s World Cup - The Women’s Hockey World Cup is an international field hockey competition organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). It is held every four years, bridging the four years between the Summer Olympics. Note: i. The first Women’s Hockey World Cup was held in 1974 in Mandelieu, France. Netherlands won the title after defeating Argentina in the final. ii. Netherlands won the title in 2014 after defeating Australia in the final. iii. Netherlands has been the most successful team in the World Cup, with 7 titles from 11 appearances in the final.

• Venue of Hockey Women’s World Cup 2010 – Rosario, Argentina. • Venue of Hockey Women’s World Cup 2014 – The Hague, Netherlands. • Venue of Hockey Women’s World Cup 2018 – London, England.

10. FIFA (Football) World Cup – The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. Note: i. The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Uruguay won the title after defeating Argentina in the final. ii. Germany won the title in 2014 after defeating Argentina in the final. iii. Brazil has been the most successful team in the World Cup, with 5 titles from 7 appearances in the final. iv. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) headquarter - Zürich, Switzerland. v. President of FIFA - Gianni Infantino.

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• Venue of FIFA World Cup 2014 – Brazil. • Venue of FIFA World Cup 2018 – Russia. • Venue of FIFA World Cup 2022 – Qatar.

11. FIFA Women's World Cup – The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. Note: i. The first FIFA Women’s World Cup was held in 1991 in China. The United States won the title after defeating Norway in the final. ii. The USA won the title in 2015 after defeating Japan in the final. iii. The USA is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, with 3 titles and 1 runners-up.

• Venue of FIFA World Cup 2015 – Canada. • Venue of FIFA World Cup 2019 – France.

12. FIFA (U-17) World Cup – The FIFA U-17 World Cup, founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later changed to its current name in 2007, is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is held every two years. i. The first FIFA (U-17) World Cup was held in 1991 in Italy. Ghana won the title after defeating Spain in the final. ii. Nigeria won the title in 2015 after defeating Mali in the final. iii. Nigeria is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, with five titles and three runners-up.

• Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2015 – Chile. • Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2017 – India.

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Rajasthan Budget 2020-21: Summary

• On February 20, 2020, The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, presented the Budget for the financial year 2020-21.

Constitutional Provision of Budget for State • As per Article 202 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor of a State shall cause to be laid before the House or Houses of the Legislature of the State a statement of the estimated expenditure and receipts of the State for a financial year. Note: Budget is known as the Annual Financial Statement, which estimates the statement of receipt and expenditure for a financial year.

Budget Overview • The (GSDP) Gross State Domestic Product of Rajasthan (2020-21) at current prices is projected to be Rs 11,33,298 crore. It is 11% increment from the revised estimate for 2019-20. • Total expenditure (2020-21) is estimated to be Rs 2,25,731 crore, a 0.4% increase over the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Total receipts (excluding borrowings) (2020-21) are estimated to be around Rs 1,80,483 crore which is an increase of 0.2% as compared to the estimates of 2019-20. • Revenue deficit (2020-21) is targeted at Rs 12,346 crore, or 1.1% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The target for fiscal deficit is Rs 33,923 crore (3% of GSDP). • The highest increase in allocations in 2020-21: the sectors of Sanitation, Water Supply, Housing and Urban Development (20%), Irrigation and Flood Control (16%) and Transport (13%) over the revised estimate of the previous year 2019-20.

New Proposals • For the focus on prevention of diseases, establishment of Nirogi Rajasthan Prabandhan Kosh with an allocation of Rs 100 crore. • Construction of 15 new medical colleges within the next four years with an approximate expenditure of Rs 5,000 crore. • For monitoring of cancer, setup of Cancer Registry System. • Exemption of Stamp duty on registration fees on transfer of sick Micro and Medium Small Enterprises. • For all categories of sub-urban routes, reduction of Motor Vehicle tax by Rs 50 per seat per month. • An amnesty scheme to provide 100% waiver from interest and penalty on stamp duty for depositing stamp duty by June 30, 2020. • The Capacity of nearly 1,500 sub-stations with an expenditure of Rs 2,000 crore. • Rooftop solar systems (300 MW) within the next 5 years. • Solar plants (800 MW) within the premises of Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RVUNL) thermal power plants. • An Ultra-Mega solar park in the state.

Budget Estimates for 2020-21 • The total expenditure is targeted at Rs 2, 25,731 crore (2020-21). From the revised estimates of 2019-20, it is 0.4% higher. • Proposal to meet this expenditure is through borrowings of Rs 45,281 crore and receipts (other than borrowings) of Rs 1, 80,483 crore. • In 2020-21, the total receipts (other than borrowings) are expected to be 0.2% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20. 213 www.gradeup.co

Budget 2020-21: Key figures (in Rs crore) 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 Items Actual Revised Budgeted Total Expenditure 2,04,439 2,24,829 2,25,731 A. Receipts (except borrowings) 1,66,511 1,80,162 1,80,483 B. Borrowings 37,847 44,690 45,281 Total Receipts (A+B) 2,04,358 2,24,851 2,25,765 Revenue Deficit 28,900 28,041 12,346 As % of GSDP 3.07% 2.75% 1.09% Fiscal Deficit 34,473 32,214 33,923 As % of GSDP 3.66% 3.16% 2.99% Primary Deficit 12,778 8,455 8,429 As % of GSDP 1.36% 0.83% 0.74%

Expenditure in 2020-21 • Capital expenditure (2020-21) is proposed to be Rs 39,981 crore, which is a decrease of 0.2% over the revised estimates of 2019-20. • Rajasthan’s capital outlay (2020-21) is estimated to be Rs 21,619 crore, which is 22% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Capital outlay towards the Departments of Health and Family Welfare and Education is estimated to increase by Rs 114% and 58%, respectively in 2020-21, from the revised estimates of 2019-20. • In 2020-21, Revenue expenditure is proposed to be Rs 1,85,750 crore, which is an increase of 0.5% over revised estimates of 2019-20. • Expenditure budget 2020-21 (in Rs crore)

2020-21 Items Budgeted Capital Expenditure 39,981 of which Capital Outlay 21,619 Revenue Expenditure 1,85,750 Total Expenditure 2,25,731 A. Debt Repayment 17,623 B. Interest Payments 25,494 Debt Servicing (A+B) 43,117

Sector wise expenditure in 2020-21 Sector 2020-21 Budgeted Education, Sports, Arts, and Culture 40,017 Energy 18,736 Water Supply, Sanitation, Housing and Urban 16,224 Development Health and Family Welfare 14,700 Rural Development 13,328

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Agriculture and allied activities 11,441 Social Welfare and Nutrition 11,231 Transport 7,182 Police 7,005 Irrigation and Flood Control 5,638 % of total expenditure 70%

Budget allotment for 2020-21 • Rs 1,541 crore allocated for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. • Rs 9,265 crore allocated for Samagra Shiksha Yojana for elementary education. • Rs 14,332 crore allocated for Power Tariff Subsidy. • Rs 403 crore allocated for AMRUT scheme and Rs 400 crore towards Smart City Mission. • Rs 1,439 crore allocated for National Rural Health Mission. • Rs 2,565 crore allocated towards Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin. • Rs 1,989 crore allocated towards the MG-NREGS. • Rs 1,041 crore allocated towards weather-based Crop Insurance Scheme. • Rs 1,719 crore allocated for Chief Minister Samman Widow Pension Yojana. • Rs 1,050 crore allocated for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. • Rs 4,901 crore allocated for District Police. • Rs 866 crore allocated for the Parwan Dam Project.

States’ expenditure on key sectors in 2020-21 • Education: Allocated 19.3% of its total expenditure. • Health: Allocated 7.1% of its total expenditure. • Agriculture and allied activities: Allocated 5.5% of its total expenditure. • Rural development: Allocated 6.4% of its total expenditure. • Police: Allocated 3.4% of its total expenditure. • Roads and bridges: Allocated 3.2% of its total expenditure.

Committed expenditure: • Estimation on committed expenditure is to spend Rs 1,04,835 crore, i.e. payment of salaries, pensions, and interest in 2020-21. It is 8% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20, i.e. (Rs 97,324 crore). Note: Committed expenditure for any state typically includes expenditure on payment of pensions, salaries and interest.

Committed Expenditure in 2020-21 (in Rs crore) Items 2020-21 Budgeted

Salaries 55,938 Pensions 23,404 Interest 25,494 Committed Expenditure 1,04,835

Receipts in 2020-21 • Rs 1,73,404 crore total revenue receipts are estimated for 2020-21. 10.6% increase over the revised estimate of 2019-20.

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• Through state’s own resources, Rs 96,625 crore (56% of the revenue receipts) will be raised, and remaining Rs 76,779 crore (44% of the revenue receipts) will be in the form of central transfers, which means state’s share in central taxes and grants-in-aid from the central government. • In 2020-21, receipts from the state’s share in central taxes are estimated to increase by 30% over the 2019-20 revised estimates. Devolution is estimated to decrease by 19% to Rs 36,049 crore as compared to the budgeted estimate in 2019-20. This may be due to a 19% cut in the union budget for devolution to states, from Rs 8,09,133 crore at the budgeted stage to Rs 6,56,046 crore at the revised stage.

Break up of state government receipts (Rs crore) Items 2020-21 Budgeted State's Own Tax 77,030 State's Own Non-Tax 19,596 Share in Central Taxes 46,886 Grants-in-aid from Centre 29,893 Total Revenue Receipts 1,73,404 Borrowings 45,281 Other receipts 7,079 Total Capital Receipts 52,360 Total Receipts 2,25,765 • Own tax revenue: In 2020-21, total own tax revenue of Rajasthan is estimated to be Rs 77,030 crore (44% of revenue receipts). It is 9.5% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20. • The own tax to GSDP ratio is aimed at 6.8% in 2020-21. It is marginally lower than the revised estimate of 6.9% in 2019-20.

Some of state’s own-tax revenue (in Rs crore) Items 2020-21 % of Revenue Budgeted Receipts in 20-21

State GST 28,250 16.3% Sales Tax and VAT 21,000 12.1% State Excise Duty 12,500 7.2% Stamps Duty and Registration Fees 5,600 3.2% Taxes on Vehicle 6,000 3.5% Taxes and Duties on Electricity 2850 1.6% Land Revenue 519 0.3% GST Compensation Grants 4,800 2.8% • Rs 28,250 crore is expected to generate in 2020-21. 10.3% increment from the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Rajasthan Government is expected to generate Rs 21,000 crore through sales tax/ VAT (on items such as petroleum products) in 2020-21. It is a 5% increase over the revised estimate budget (2019- 20). • The state is expected to generate Rs 12,500 crore from state excise in 2020-21. An increase of 19% over the revised estimate of 2019-20.

Deficits, Debts and FRBM targets for 2020-21 • Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act provides annual targets to progressively reduce the outstanding liabilities, fiscal deficit and revenue deficit of the state government.

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• In 2020-21, the estimation for revenue deficit is Rs 12,346 crore (or 1.1% of GSDP). In 2019-20 revised estimate stage, the revenue deficit has decreased from Rs 28,041 (2.7% of GSDP). Note: The excess of revenue expenditure over revenue receipts is called Revenue deficit. A revenue deficit means that the government needs to borrow in order to finance its expenses which do not create capital assets. • Rs 33,923 crore is estimated fiscal deficit in 2020-21, which is 3% of the GSDP. In 2019-20, Fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs 32,214 crore or 3.16% of GSDP. This limit may be relaxed to a maximum of 3.5% if states are able to contain their debt and interest payments to certain specified levels. Note: Fiscal deficit is the excess of total expenditure over a total receipt. • Outstanding liabilities are the accumulation of borrowings over the years. Outstanding liabilities of state are expected to be 33.1% of the GSDP in 2020-21. • Budget targets for deficits in 2020-21 (% of GSDP) Year Revenue Fiscal Outstanding Deficit (-)/Surplus (+) Deficit (-)/Surplus (+) Liabilities 2018-19 -3.1% -3.7% 33.0% 2019-20 (RE) -2.7% -3.2% 33.4% 2020-21 (BE) -1.1% -3.0% 33.1% Note: RE- Revised Estimate, BE- Budget Estimate

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Rajasthan’s Economy Figure: Growth in GSDP and sectors in Rajasthan at constant

(2011-12) prices GSDP: The growth rate of Rajasthan’s GSDP (at constant prices) is estimated to 11.6% decrease from 6% in 2017-18 to 5% in 2019- 12.0% 20.

Sectors: In 2019-20, agriculture, manufacturing, and services are estimated 10.0% 8.4% to contribute to 25%, 28% and 47% of the GSVA, respectively. These sectors grew by 5.7%, 2% and 6.9%, respectively. 8.0% 7.0% Per capita income: The per capita income 6.9% of Rajasthan in 2019-20 (at current 6.0% prices) is estimated at Rs 1, 18,159 (7% 5.7% 5.0% 6.0% higher than 2018-19). 5.0% 5.0%

Unemployment: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2017- 18), Rajasthan 4.0% had an unemployment rate of 5% as 2.6% compared to the all- India unemployment 2.0% 2.0% rate of 6.1%. 2.0%

0.0%

Agriculture Manufacturing Services GSDP

2017- 2018- 2019- 18 19 20

Sources: Rajasthan Economic Review 2019-20, FRBM document; PRS. Note: All numbers are as per constant prices. Figures for 2019-20 are Second Advanced Estimates.

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Highlights of India’s Union Budget 2020-21 The 2020-21 Union Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister 'Nirmala Sitharaman' in Lok Sabha.

• This is the second budget being presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Union Budget:

• The annual financial statement of a government, the Union budget gives details about the revenue and expenditure of the Centre in the past and estimated spending and projections for the coming year.

Following are the highlights of 'Mrs Sitharaman' Budget speech:

• The themes of this Budget: Aspiration, development, compassion o Aspirational India in which all sections of the society seek a better standard of living o Economic development for all o Caring and compassionate: Ours shall be a caring society:

Sector-wise highlights Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

• The nominal GDP growth for the year 2020-21 estimated at 10%, on the basis of trends available • Accordingly, receipts for 2020-21 estimated at 22.46 lakh crore rupees • Expenditure at 30.42 lakh crore rupees • Revised expenditure estimate at ₹ 26.99 Lakh Cr for FY 21 • Estimate Fiscal deficit at 3.8% vs target of 3.3% of GDP • Corporate tax at 15% lowest in the world • The turnover threshold for audit raised to ₹ 5 Crore from ₹ 1 Crore

Agriculture

• Finance Minister listed a 16-point action plan for farmers, towards the goal of doubling farmers' income by 2022 • Agricultural credit target has been set at Rs 15 lakh crore. NABARD Refinancing Scheme to be further expanded. • Will encourage state governments who implement following model laws: Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act of 2016; Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing Act of 2017; • Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services Promotion and Facilitation Act of 2018 • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) to be expanded to provide 20 lakh farmers in setting up standalone solar pumps • 2.83 lakh crore rupees allocated for agriculture and allied activities, irrigation and rural development • Encourage balanced use of all fertilizers, a necessary step to change the incentive regime which encourages excessive use of chemical fertilizers • Village Storage Scheme run by SHGs, will provide holding capacity for farmers, women in villages can regain their status as Dhaanya Lakshmi • Krishi UDAN will be launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on international and national routes, improving value realization in North East and tribal districts • Milk processing capacity to be doubled by 2025 220 www.gradeup.co

• Indian Railways will set up Kisan Rail through PPP arrangement, for transportation of perishable goods • Fish production to be raised to 200 lakh tonnes by 2022-23

Education

• A medical college to be attached to a district hospital in PPP mode, viability gap funding to be set up for setting up such medical colleges • Rs 3,000 crore for skill development • IND-SAT exam to be held in African and Asian countries, for benchmarking foreign candidates who wish to study in India • Degree-level full-fledged online education programme to be offered by institutes in top 100 in National Institutional Ranking Framework • Government announces Rs 99,300 crore outlay for education sector in 2020-21 • New Education Policy to be announced soon • Urban local bodies across the country to provide internships for young engineers for a period of up to one year • 8,000 crore rupees over five years to be provided for quantum technologies and applications

Health

• The Budget provides an additional Rs 69,000 crore for the health sector. • Proposes to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras in all districts of the country to provide medicines at affordable rates.

Finance

• Deposit Insurance Coverage to be increased from 1 lakh rupees to 5 lakh rupees • Enshrine in the statute a taxpayers' charter. • I would like to reassure taxpayers that we remain committed to taking measures to eliminate tax harassment • To achieve higher export credit, a new scheme being launched which provides higher insurance cover, reduced premium for small exporters and simplified procedure for claim settlements • 27,300 crore rupees for the development of industry and commerce • Investment Clearance Cell to set up through a portal, will provide end-to-end facilitation, support and information on land banks • Amendments to be made to enable NBFCs to extend invoice financing to MSMEs • Government proposes to sell a part of its holding in LIC by initial public offer.

Energy

• All states and UTs to replace conventional energy meters by pre-paid smart meters in 3 years, this will give consumers the freedom to choose supplier and rate as per their requirements. • 22,000 crore rupees to be provided to power and renewable energy sector in 2020-21 • India to provide Rs. 273 billion or promotion of industry and commerce

Infrastructure

• 100 more airports to be developed by 2024 to support the UDAN scheme • 1.7 lakh crore rupees to be provided for transport infrastructure in the coming financial year

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• More Tejas-type trains to connect iconic destinations • Accelerated development of highways will be undertaken. Delhi-Mumbai expressway and two other projects to be completed by 2023. Monetization of 12 lots of highway bundles of over 6,000km before 2024 • National Logistics Policy will soon be released, creating a single-window e-logistics market • Project Preparation Facility to be set up for preparation of infrastructure projects, actively involving young engineers and management graduates • Fibre to Home connections under Bharat Net will be provided to 1 lakh gram panchayats this year itself, 6,000 crore rupees provided for Bharat Net • Soon, policy for the private sector to build Data Centre Parks throughout the country • National Gas Grid to be expanded from 16,200 km to 27,000 km

Women & Nutrition

• Gross Enrolment Ratio is now higher for girls than for boys at all levels under 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' • 28,600 crore rupees provided for programmes which are specific to women • 35,600 crore rupees for nutrition-related programmes in 2020-21 • Over 6 lakh Anganwadi workers have been equipped with smartphones to upload the nutrition status of 10 crore households.

Other Sectors

• 85,000 crore rupees for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes in 2020-21 53,700 crore rupees for Scheduled Tribes Enhanced allocation of 9,500 crore rupees for Senior citizens and Divyangs • Five archaeological sites to be developed as iconic sites • 2,500 crore rupees to be allocated for tourism promotion, in 2020-21 • 3,150 crore rupees to be provided for culture ministry in 2020-21 • Parameters and incentives to be provided to states who take measures for cleaner air in cities above 1 million population - 4,400 crore rupees allocated for this • India will host G20 Presidency in 2022, 100 crore rupees to be allocated for making preparations for this historic occasion, where India will drive global economic agenda

Skill India initiative

• The government proposed ₹3,000 crores for 'Skill India' to provide relevant skill training to the youth in the country, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday. • "There is a huge demand for teachers, paramedical staff and caregivers in foreign countries. However, their skills do not match in accordance to demand by employers. So, my government proposes ₹3,000 crores for skill development," she said during the 90th Budget presentation. • -Government to sell govt stake in IDBI Bank to private investors

Indian Railways

• 4 station redevelopment projects in railways via PPP models • To develop solar capacity in Indian railways • Plan more Tejas like trains to connect tourist locations • Govt to launch Rs. 18,600 crore worth Bengaluru Suburban Transportation project

Ayushman Bharat

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• Union Budget 2020 allocated Rs. 69,000 crore for the healthcare sector. • Out of the total amount, Rs. 6,400 crore will be sanctioned for Ayushman Bharat Yojna. • Ayushman Bharat scheme provides health assurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family and is targeted to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.

Connecting India

• -Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said ₹6,000 crore allocated for BharatNet programme • - Around 1 lakh gram panchayats to be linked with BharatNet this year

To clean air and pollution-free cities

• Power plants with emissions above prescribed limits will be asked to close down. • India's commitment towards tackling climate change made at the Paris conference kick starts from January 1, 2021. • FM said ₹Rs. 4,400 crore has been allocated for states that work towards clean air.

Transport sector:

• Cente to provide 20% equity for Bengaluru Suburban Transportation Raj • 100 more airports to be developed by 2024 to support the Central government's "Udaan" scheme

TAX

• 100% tax exemption on Sovereign Wealth Funds' Indra Investment. • Concessional 5% withholding tax entended to municipal bonds, Nirmala Sitharaman FM Nirmala Sitharaman on the new tax regimes: Lowest, simplest, smoothest • On DDT: Dividend Distribution Tax to be removed, companies will not be required to pay DDT, dividend to be taxed only at the hands of recipients at applicable rates • Propose to bring a personal income tax regime, where income tax rates will be reduced.

The proposed changes in tax slabs are listed in the following table: Taxable Income Slab (Rs.) Existing Tax Rates New Tax Rates 0-2.5 Lakh Exempt Exempt 2.5-5 Lakh 5% 5% 5-7.5 Lakh 20% 10% 7.5-10 Lakh 20% 15% 10-12.5 Lakh 30% 20% 12.5-15 Lakh 30% 25% Above 15 Lakh 30% 30%

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20th Livestock Census Various species of animals (sheep, goat, pig, horse, cattle, buffalo, donkey, camel, Mithun, yak, pony, mule, dog, rabbit and elephant)/poultry birds (duck, fowl and other poultry birds) possessed by the households, non-household enterprise and household enterprises were counted at that site.

• The total Livestock population is 53.6 Crore in the country showing an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census during 2012. • West Bengal observed the highest increase of 23%, followed by Telangana (22%). • The increase is mainly driven by a sharp increase in crossbred cattle and higher female indigenous cattle population. • Uttar Pradesh has a maximum decrease in cattle population.

By comparing to previous Livestock Census, the percentage share of goat and sheep and population has increased whereas the percentage share of Buffalo, Cattle and pig has marginally reduced.

Livestock Population (Top three State):

• Uttar Pradesh • Rajasthan • Madhya Pradesh

Poultry:

• The total poultry population has increased by 16.81% and the total poultry is 851.81 million during 2019. • Top three state in Poultry Population:

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3. Telangana

Cattle:

• The total Cattle Population in the Country is 19.2 Crore in 2019 and increased by 0.8 % over the previous livestock census. • Around 36% of the total Livestock population is contributed by cattle. • Top three state in Cattle Population:

1. West Bengal 2. Uttar Pradesh 3. Madhya Pradesh

Buffalo:

• The total Buffalo population in the country is 109.85 million during 2019. • Top three state in Buffalo Population:

1. Uttar Pradesh 2. Rajasthan 3. Gujarat

Sheep:

• The total Sheep population in the country is 74.26 million during 2019. • Top three state in Sheep Population:

1. Telangana 2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Karnataka

Goat:

• The total Goat Population in the country is 148.88 million during 2019. • Top three state in Goat Population:

1. Rajasthan 2. West Bengal 3. Uttar Pradesh

Pig:

• The total Pig Population in the country is 9.06 million during 2019. • Top three state in Pig Population:

1. Assam 2. Jharkhand 3. Meghalaya

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• The total Camel Population in the country is 0.25 million during 2019. • Top three state in Camel Population:

1. Rajasthan 2. Gujarat 3. Haryana

10th Edition of Agriculture Census 10th Edition of Agriculture Census Data for 2015-16 Released By Ministry of Agriculture. The Agriculture Census in India is conducted at 5 yearly intervals to collect data on structural aspects of operational holdings in the country. The Agriculture Census programme is carried out in 3 phases at five-yearly intervals with the cooperation of States/Union Territories. The first Agriculture Census in the country was conducted with from 1970-71. The current Agriculture Census was conducted in 2015-16 is 10th in the series. Objectives

• It provides statistical data on land utilization, operational holdings, irrigation, the irrigated and unirrigated area under different crops, use of agricultural machinery and implements, agricultural credit, use of fertilizers, seeds etc. • To provide data for formulating new agricultural development programmes and for evaluating their progress. • To provide a basic structure of operational holdings of agriculture land for carrying out future agricultural surveys and for developing an integrated programme for current agricultural statistics.

Definitions Operational Holding:

• All land which is used by person partly or wholly for agricultural production and is operated as one technical unit by one person alone or with others without regard to the title, legal form, size or location.

Technical Unit:

• An area of land which is under the same management and has the same means of production such as machinery, labour force and animals.

Operated area:

• The operated area includes both uncultivated areas, cultivated and provided part of it is put to agricultural production during that period. Consider an operational holding of agriculture land consists of six survey numbers out of which one survey number is put to non-agricultural uses, the total area of the operational holding will be equal to the total geographical area of all the six survey numbers.

Operational holder:

• A person who perform agriculture activity and has the responsibility for the operation of the agricultural holding and who exercises the technical expertise and is responsible for its operation. The operational holder may be Individual/Joint/ Institutional. 226 www.gradeup.co

Individual Operational holder: If the holding is being operated either by one person or by a group of persons who are the members of the same household, such holding will be considered as an individual holding. Joint Operational holder: If two or more persons belonging to different households share jointly as partners in the technical and economic responsibility for the practice of an agricultural holding, such holding will be considered as joint holding. Institutional Operational holder: Holdings such as government farms, farms of sugarcane factories, cooperative farms, lands managed by trusts would be treated as institutional holdings. Size classes and Size groups of Holdings: S.No. Group Group Classes (in Ha.) 1. Below 0.5 ha I Marginal 2. 0.5<1.0 ha II Small 3. 1.0<2.0 ha 4. 2.0<3.0 ha III Semi-Medium 5. 3.0<4.0 ha 6. 4.0<5.0 ha IV Medium 7. 6.0<7.5 ha 8. 7.5<10.0 ha 9. 10.0<20.0 ha V Large 10. and above Highlights

• The highest number of operational holders belonged to Uttar Pradesh followed by Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka and in a total of 146.45 million operational holdings in the country, • Compared to the 1.15-hectare average size of operational holding in 2010-11 has declined to 1.08- hectare in 2015-16. • The share of female operational holders has increased from 12.79% in 2010-11 to 13.96% in 2015-16 • The small and marginal holdings taken together (0.00-2.00 hectare) constituted 86.08% of the total holdings in 2015-16. • As per the latest data, women participation in the farming sector with an overall increase of small and medium land holding farmers and tillers. • Agricultural Census showed a decline of 1.53% of the total operated area to 157.14 million hectares as compared to 159.59 million ha in 2010-11 data & in terms of operated area participation of women increased from previous 10.36% to 11.57% • By the number of people tilling the land, Uttar Pradesh topped the chart followed by Bihar and Maharashtra. • According to Agricultural Census in terms of total operated area: Rajasthan comes first followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

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• The total operational holdings aggregate to over 146 million hectares an increase of 5.33 per cent from 138 million in 2010-11. • Goa has witnessed the sharpest fall and Manipur had the lowest in a number of operational holdings. • In terms of the operated area, 14 states hold for 88.08% of operational holdings. They are West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Kerala. • Comparing this to the farmers holding 10 hectares and more account for just 0.57% and had a share of 9.04 per cent in the operated area. • Semi-medium and medium operational holdings (2-10 ha) in 2015-16 were 13.22 per cent, with 43.61 per cent of the operated area. • The individual, joint and institutional operational holder have shown growth of 5.04%, 7.07% and 10.88%, respectively. • The average size of farm holding was the lowest in Kerala at (0.18 hectare) and the highest in Nagaland at (5.06 hectares).

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Indian State of Forest Report, 2019 (ISFR) The forest survey of India released the India state of forest report for the year 2019. It publishes the India state of forest report biennially. Forest Survey of India is a premier national organization under the Union Ministry of Environment and monitoring of the forest resource of the country. 2019 report is the 16th edition of the India state of forest report. Forest Survey of India published the 1st report in 1987

Indian State of Forest Report, 2019 (ISFR): Terminologies; Key Findings; Points to note for Prelims

Terminologies related to Forest report

• Forest Cover: Forest Cover refers to all lands more than one hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10% irrespective of ownership and legal status. It also includes orchards, bamboo, and palm. • Tree Cover: Tree patches outside the recorded forest areas exclusive of forest cover and less than the minimum mappable area of one hectare. • Open Forest includes lands with forest cover having a canopy density between 10 to 40%. • Dense Forest includes lands with a forest cover having a canopy density of 40% and above. • Moderately dense Forest includes all lands with forest cover having a canopy density between 40- 70% • Very Dense Forest Includes lands with forest cover having a canopy density of 70% and above. • Growing Stock: It is the sum (by number or volume) of all the trees growing/living in the forest or a specified part of it

Key Findings of the report

• The total forest cover in our country is 7,12,249 sq km. • It is 21.67% of the geographical area of the country. • The tree cover of India is approximately 95,027 Km • It is 2.89% of the geographical area. • The total Forest and Tree cover of India is 8,07,276 sq km. • It is 24.56% of the geographical area of the country. In the last assessment, it was 39%. • The current report shows an increase of 3,976sq km of forest cover, 1,212 sq km of tree cover, and 5,188 sq km of forest and tree cover. • Very Dense Forests (VDF), which represents the lushest vegetation and has canopy density above 70%, increased by 1,120 sq km over the assessment of • Forest cover within the Recorded Forest Area (RFA) / Green Wash (GW) has shown a slight decrease of 330 sq km (0.05%), but there is an increase of 4,306 sq km of forest cover outside the RFA/GW when compared with ISFR 2017. • Forest cover in all the hill districts of India is 2,84,006sq km. • It is 40.30% of the total geographical area of all these districts. Overall, there is an increase of 544 sq km (0.19%) in 140 hill districts of the country • There is an increase in the bamboo area as compared to ISFR 2017 • Except for Assam and Tripura, all the states in the northeastern region shows a decrease in the forest area. • In the tribal district, there is a decrease of 741 sq km of forest cover within the RFA/GW and an increase in 1922sq km outside.

POINT TO NOTE FOR PRELIMS

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• States where there is an increase in the forest area in descending order o 1) Karnataka (1025 sq km) 2) Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) 3) Kerala (823 sq km) 4) Jammu & Kashmir (371 sq km) 5) Himachal Pradesh (334 sq km) • States where there is a loss in the forest area in descending order o 1) Manipur (499 sq km) 2) Arunachal Pradesh (276 sq km) 3) Mizoram (180 sq km). • States having forest cover area in descending order o 1) Madhya Pradesh 2) Arunachal Pradesh 3) Chattisgarh 4) Orissa 5) Maharashtra • States having forest cover area as a percentage of the total geographical area in descending order o 1) Mizoram (85.41%) 2) Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%) 3) Meghalaya (76.33%) 4) Manipur(75.46%) 5) Nagaland (75.31%).

Mangrove Cover:

• There has been a net increase of 54 sq km in the mangrove cover of the country as compared to the 2017 assessment. • The mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km, which is 0.15% of the country's total geographical area. • West Bengal has 42.45% of India's mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat 23.66% and A&N Islands 12.39%. • About 40% of the world's Mangrove Cover is in South East Asia and South Asia. India has approximately 3% of the total Mangrove cover in South Asia. • All the coastal states have mangroves cover.

Wetlands:

• Among the big States, Gujarat has the largest area of the wetlands within RFA in the country, followed by West. • Among the smaller States/UTs, Puducherry, followed by Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands, have large areas of wetlands within. • In India, 62,466 wetlands are covering 3.83% of the area within RFA/GW of the country, and nearly 8% of the total number of wetlands is within the RFA/GW.

Forest Fire

• In India, about 21.40% of forest cover of the country is highly prone to extreme fire. • Most of the fire-prone forest areas are in the northeastern region and central part of the country • Most of the forest fires have occurred in open forests followed by moderately dense

Carbon Stock

• India’s total carbon stock was approximately 7,124.6 million. There is an increase of 42.6 million tons from 2017. • India’s NDC goal is to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. • The Soil organic carbon contributes 56% to the total forest carbon stock of India, which is the largest pool of carbon stocks in the forest.

Biodiversity

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• Tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forest of Western Ghats shows maximum Biodiversity. • In terms of states, maximum biodiversity is in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, followed by northeastern states. • In terms of species richness for trees, Karnataka is on the top • In terms of species richness for shrubs, Arunachal Pradesh is on top • In terms of species richness for herbs, Jammu Kashmir is on the top • Combining all the three types of species richness, Arunachal Pradesh is in the first position, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Bamboo Cover

• In India total bamboo bearing area is 1,60,037sq km. • There is an increase of 3,229 sq km as compared to 2017 estimates. • Madhya Pradesh has a maximum bamboo bearing area followed by Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha.

Dependence of fuelwood on forest

• Maharashtra has the highest dependence on fuelwood in the forest. • In terms of fodder, small timber, and bamboo, dependence is highest in Madhya Pradesh.

Growing stocks

• In India, the total growing stock of wood is approximately 5,915.76 million cubic meters. • The average growing stock per hectare in the forest is 55.69 cum.

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List of Important GI Tags • A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. • Here is the list of important Geographical tags that have a high tendency to appear in the latest examination. So far, 363 products have been given GI Tags in India with Terracotta and black rice being the latest ones. List of GI Tags State Kandhamal Haladi Odisha

Kodaikanal Malai Tamil Nadu Poondu-Pawndum Mizoram Ngotekherh Mizoram Hmaram(Handicraft) Mizoram

Gulbarga Tur Dal Karnataka

Khola Chilli Goa

Idu Mishmi (Textile) Arunachal Pradesh

Dindigul Locks Tamil Nadu

Kandangi Saree Tamil Nadu

Srivilliputtur Palkova Tamil Nadu

Kaji Nemu Assam

Palani Panchamirtham Tamil Nadu

Tawlhlohpuan and Mizo Puanchei Mizoram Tirur Betel leaf Kerala

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Palani Panchamirtham (a 'prasadam' or religious Tamil Nadu offering in temples)

Tawlhlohpuan, ( a fine quality fabric) Mizoram

Mizo Puanchei ( a shawl, is considered the most Mizoram colourful textile)

'Odisha rasagola' Odisha Tirur betel vine Kerala

Terracotta Gorakhpur Black Rice or Chak-Hao Manipur

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