Clerk Mains Capsule 2020

RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs

www.raceinstitute.in | www.bankersdaily.in

Clerk Mains

Capsule 2020

Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

MAY 2020 NATIONAL NEWS: Assam State government has announced an Shivraj Singh Chauhan launches Jeevan insurance cover of Rs.50 lakh for the Shakti Yojana in MP: frontline journalists who have been bravely Chief Minister of MP Shivraj Chauhan covering COVID-19 against all odds, risking launched the Jeevan Shakti Yojana. Under their lives. The announcement was passed by this scheme, women in urban areas can earn Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. by making masks at home. The government Gujarat government launches unique will pay Rs 11 per mask. initiative ‘Umbare Aanganwadi’ to help Assam govt launches new medicine children during lockdown: delivery scheme called ‘Dhanwantari’: Gujarat state Government has launched an The Assam state government has launched a unique initiative called Umbare special scheme called ‘Dhanwantari’, under Aanganwadi (means doorstep Aanganwadi) which locally unavailable medicines will be under ICDS (Integrated Child delivered to patients at home by MPWs Development Services) programme to (Multipurpose Health Workers), ASHA reach out to children during the lockdown. (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers. Neyveli Lignite Corporation commences Jagan Mohan Reddy re-launches zero coal production at Talabira-II & III interest loan scheme for Women SHGs: Opencast Coal Mine: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan NLC India has commenced coal production at Mohan Reddy re-launched zero interest loan its Talabira-II and III Opencast Coal Mine scheme for Women Self-Help Groups(SHGs) in Odisha. The Talabira II and III coal mines by releasing a sum of Rs 1, 400 crore to were allotted to this Navratna firm in 2016 8.78 lakh SHGs. to meet the requirement of its existing and Narendra Singh Tomar issued guidelines future coal-fired power plants. for SVAMITVA scheme and SOP for e- Andhra Pradesh launches pharmacy app Gram Swaraj: for surveillance on cold, fever patients: Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Concerned over steady rise in Coronavirus Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar issued positive cases, Andhra Pradesh Government guideline of the SVAMITVA Scheme aimed began tracking patients who could be at providing people residing in Rural parts suffering from cold and fever. It has launched with the right to document their residential a customised mobile application- ‘Covid properties & SOP (Standard Operating Pharma’ for pharmacies across the state. Procedure) regarding the e-Gram Swaraj Andhra Pradesh CM launched Jagananna Yojana. Vidya Deevena Scheme: Assam government announced Rs.50 Andhra Pradesh Cheif Minister YS Jagan lakh insurance cover to journalists: Mohan Reddy launched the Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme, to provide 100% fee reimbursement to all students. The RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 2 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

reimbursed amount will directly be credited for Delhi Police personnel at New Delhi on into the accounts of the mothers of the 30 April. The programme aims to fight against students in four instalments annually. corona through simple and time tested Cheif Minister also announced a helpline Ayurveda immunity-boosting measures. number, 1902. DST launches “YASH” with focus on Kerala Starts 'Ayur Raksha' Clinics At COVID-19: Govt Hospitals: National Council for Science & Technology Kerala government has set up Ayurveda Communication (NCSTC), Department of bodies at the state, regional and district Science & Technology (DST) has launched a levels for a COVID-19 prevention programme programme on health and risk and started 'Ayur Raksha' clinics at communication “Year of Awareness on government hospitals at district and taluk Science & Health (YASH)” with focus on levels. COVID-19. ADB gives $ 346 million loan for power Manipur black rice, Gorakhpur terracotta sector in rural Maharashtra: bagged GI tag: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has Black rice of Manipur, also called the Chak- approved a USD 346 million loan to Indian Hao, Gorakhpur Terracotta and Kadalai government to provide reliable power Mittai of Kovilpatti bagged Geographical connection in rural areas of Maharashtra. Indication tag. Chak-Hao, a scented glutinous The loan will support the state government’s rice cultivated in Manipur over centuries, is high voltage distribution system (HVDS) characterised by its special aroma. program. Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is manufactured in Cauvery Water Management Authority Kovilpatti and adjacent towns and villages in brought under the Jal Shakti Ministry: Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Central government: Tripura govt to launch agri entrepreneur The central government has brought the facilitation desk to boost economy: Cauvery Water Management Authority Tripura government has announced the (CWMA) under the Jal Shakti Ministry, launch of an agro-based entrepreneurship which was earlier under the Ministry of Water facilitation desk in a bid to boost primary Resources, River Development and Ganga sectors, such as agriculture, after Rejuvenation. nationwide lockdown restrictions. For NIP projects, the Centre would invest Ministry of Coal launches Project 39% of the projected expenditure while Monitoring Unit for facilitating early states’ share would be 40%, followed by the operationalisation of coal mines: private sector with 21%. Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi has launched AYURAKSHA programme was organized a Project Monitoring Unit for facilitation of for Delhi Police: early operationalisation of coal mines A programme titled AYURAKSHA "Corona Se allocated by the Government. This is an Jung- Delhi Police Ke Sang" was organized important step forward to promote Ease of

Doing Business as it will support in obtaining (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya timely approval to operationalise the mines. Yojana). National Board for Wildlife Permits Coal Indian Navy launches operation Mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant ‘Samudra Setu’ to return Indians Reserve in Assam: stranded abroad: National Board for Wildlife has Indian Navy announced Operation recommended that part of 59 hectares ‘Samudra Setu’ to repatriate Indian citizens reserve forest land that is a part of Dehing who were stranded overseas because of the Patkai Elephant Reserve be used for global grounding of airlines due to the COVID- opencast coal mining by North-Eastern Coal 19 pandemic. INS Jalashwa and INS Magar Field of Coal India Limited while the rest of are currently enroute to the port of Male. the area may be considered for underground Chief of the Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir coal mining. Singh. Union minister Nitin Gadkari launches West Bengal govt launches exit app for ‘MSME Bank of Ideas, Innovation and stranded people of other states: Research’ portal: West Bengal state Home Secretary, Alapan Union Minister of Road transport & Highways Bandopadhyay announced that the WB & MSME, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari has Government (govt) launched an “exit app” launched ‘MSME Bank of Ideas, for people of other states who are stranded in Innovation and Research’ portal the state due to the lockdown and want to (http://ideas.msme.gov.in/) along with return to their native place. ‘Ayush Entrepreneurship Development Himachal Pradesh to launch Nigah Program’ through Video Conference. Scheme: Through the portal, the registered users can Himachal Pradesh State Government is to upload their ideas and innovations regarding launch the "Nigah" Scheme to properly the micro, small and medium enterprises sensitize and educate family members of (MSME) sector within 5-6 Minutes to raise people coming from other states so that social money (crowd funding) from venture distancing is effectively maintained. The capitalists announcement was made by Chief Minister Maharashtra becomes first state in India Jai Ram Thakur. to provide free & cashless insurance Under Nigah Scheme scheme, a team of cover to its people: ASHA workers, health workers, and Maharashtra announced that all citizens will Anganwadi workers would visit the family be covered under the state government's members of persons arriving from other health scheme, and it will be the first state to states. provide free and cashless insurance Uttar Pradesh launched Ayush Kavach protection to its people. 85% of the state's app to boost immunity through population was covered under MJPJAY Ayurveda:

Uttar Pradesh state government unveiled Chittaranjan Locomotive Works in West the Ayush Kavach app that will provide Bengal is mostly engaged in manufacturing health-related tips and information about of Railway engines. To deal with the Corona ayurvedic medicines amid the COVID-19 threat CLW has produced an automatic pandemic. medical trolley which can reach to patients in Ayush Kavach mobile app will help people hospital without human contact. access prescriptions to strengthen their Madhya Pradesh becomes the first state resistance through the ancient mode of Yoga in country to provide Mid-Day Meal and Ayurveda of India. ration: Uttar Pradesh suspends majority of The Central Government appreciated that labour laws to attract investment: Madhya Pradesh (MP) has become the first Uttar Pradesh government has suspended state in the country to provide a mid-day many labour laws in the state for 3 years with meal ration. a view to attract investment & to help both Manoj Shrivastava, Additional Chief existing & new industrial units. It has also Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development, decided to establish Japanese help desk to informed that this information has been given attract the investment from Japanese in the review meeting conducted by the companies. Central Government Tamil Nadu raises retirement age of Sanjeevani: Unique vehicle developed at government employees from 58 to 59: local level in Madhya Pradesh: In Tamil Nadu, the retirement age of the In Madhya Pradesh, in a first of its kind government staff, teachers and those in initiative, a unique vehicle named public sector units has been raised by a year “Sanjeevani” has been developed at the from 58 to 59. The order comes in the wake local level. With the help of this vehicle, health of reports of loss of revenue due to the workers can investigate any suspected pandemic. patients without coming into the contact of J&K: National Webinar on ‘Education and him. Leadership During A Crisis’ organized to Tripura Chief Minister launches online deal with COVID-19 crisis: portal scholarships.gov.in: A two-day National Webinar on ‘Education In Tripura, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Leadership During A Crisis’, being has launched an online portal organised by School of Education, Central scholarships.gov.in under ‘Mukhyamantri University, Jammu, under Pandit Madan Yuba Yogayog Yojana’. Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers Government will provide Rs. 5, 000 to 14, and Teaching scheme began in Jammu. 608 youths who are in final year in colleges or Chittaranjan Locomotive Works Universities as a grant for Smart Phones. produces automatic medical trolley to India has more internet users in rural serve patients in hospitals without areas than urban: IAMAI report human contact:

Internet users in rural areas surpassed those state. In order to curb the spread of COVID- in urban areas for the first time, according to 19 in every village through community the ‘Digital in India’ report by the Internet surveillance, the government has constituted & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). a Village Supervision Committee or Gram Indian Navys PPE clears certification by Nigrani Samiti. INMAS: Black panther spotted in Goa’s Netravali Indian Navy designed and produced sanctuary: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A Black panther was spotted in Goa’s The PPE was tested and approved by the Netravali sanctuary. While the area is a Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied known habitat of tigers, this is for the first Sciences (INMAS), Delhi which is a DRDO time a Black Panther has been captured in organization tasked with the testing and camera in Netravali sanctuary. Netravali is an certification of PPE. It is certified to be mass- important tributary of River Zuari. produced and used in clinical COVID-19 Giriraj Singh awards Startup India- situations. Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge Gujarat creates a fund of Rs 100 crore for winners: COVID start-ups: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal The Gujarat government has announced to Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh help the start-ups who would join the battle awarded the winners of "Startup India- against Covid-19 with their knowledge and Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge". expertise by creating a fund of Rs 100 crore. The Animal Husbandry Startup Grand As many as 31 such startups are supported Challenge was launched by the Department by this fund. of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in Yogi Adityanath launches ‘Pravasi partnership with Startup India. Raahat Mitra’ app for migrant Workers: Bengaluru launches Pranavayu Chief Minister Of Uttar Pradesh Yogi programme to create awareness on need Adityanath launched the ‘Pravasi Raahat to self-examine respiratory health: Mitra’ mobile application developed by the Prana Vayu programme launched by the city state revenue department in collaboration Corporation in Bengaluru has been creating with United Nation Development Program awareness through advertisements in media to provide support for the migrant workers of about the need to carry out self- Uttar Pradesh in other states to access the examination for early detection of any advantages of the government schemes. ailment that could aggravate the situation if Uttar Pradesh becomes first state to contracted. provide facility of beds with ventilators It is an attempt to help people with low in each district: oxygen level in blood. Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India launches Mission Sagar to assist the country to provide the facility of beds with island nations in Eastern Indian Ocean: ventilators in hospitals of all 75 districts of

India launched Mission Sagar as part of the Education dept with Doordarshan starts government’s outreach initiative towards five online classes for School children: Island nations in the Indian Ocean amidst the Jharkhand ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The State Education Department & Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for Doordarshan started online classes & Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, educational programs to provide education to Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food students of the state through video & Items, COVID related Medicines including thematic lectures. The lectures are designed HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic for students from class 1 to 12. Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams National Gallery of Modern Art launches embarked. a virtual program ‘NGMA Ke Sangrah Se’ Tamil Nadu forms panel under ex RBI to showcase artworks: Governor C Rangarajan to improve fiscal National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) position: New Delhi, has launched a virtual program Tamil Nadu govt set up the high – level called “NGMA KE SANGRAH SE” to committee has 21 members to examine showcase an iconic and rare collection of fiscal challenges facing the state owing to the artifacts from its repository. pandemic and suggest the way forward to The event is based on various weekly/ daily improve its fiscal position he committee, themes & for the current week, the theme is which will also consist of Finance Secretary S ‘Artist by Artists’ and dedicated it to Poet Krishnan as coordinator. Rabindranath Tagore, whose 159th birth MP Home Minister launches country's anniversary was celebrated on 7th May 2020. first ever 'FIR Aapke Dwar' Yojana: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the Central University of Odisha helpline country to launch the scheme. According to 'Bharosa' to help students in distress: the scheme people need not be required to Union HRD Minister launched the Central visit a police station to lodge an FIR. It has University of Odisha Helpline 'Bharosa' to been started as a pilot project in 23 Police relieve distress of student community during Stations. the pandemic. The helpline aims at providing Atal Pension Yojana marks 5 years of Cognitive Emotional Rehabilitation Services to implementation: all University Students of Odisha. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was launched in MSME Ministry launches CHAMPIONS 2015 by PM Modi with an objective of portal: delivering old age income security particularly MSME Ministry has launched CHAMPIONS to the workers in the unorganised sector and portal www.Champions.gov.in, a Government providing a guarantee of technology-driven control room-cum- minimum pension after 60 years of age. management information system. CHAMPIONS (Creation and Harmonious

Application of Modern Processes for The KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Increasing the Output and National Strength). Commission) has come forward to become Consumer Affairs dept partners with 2 “Vocal for Local”. start-ups to power ‘Suraksha Store Narendra Singh Tomar held meeting initiative’: Pesticide Manufacturing Industry Dept of Consumer Affairs partnered with representatives to prevent locust tech start-ups Safejob and Seekify to use attacks: technology to prevent the spread of Covid-19 The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers at the local Kirana stores. The objective is to Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar held a educate store owners about safety guidelines meeting with representatives of the Pesticide & protocols to be followed. The protocols were Manufacturing Industry through video decided by FSSAI & MHA. conferencing to check the strategy to prevent Jitendra Singh addresses Indo- locust attacks on agricultural fields. Bangladesh Virtual Conference Government of India is taking several organised by ASSOCHAM: measures to ensure uninterrupted sowing and Union Development of North Eastern harvesting operations amid lockdown. Region (DoNER) Minister of State Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Independent Charge (I/C) Jitendra Singh Chouhan re-launched Sambal Yojana for addresses the Indo-Bangladesh ‘Virtual dalits tribals and poor: Conference’ organised by Associated Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Chouhan re-launched Sambal Yojana to India(ASSOCHAM). strengthen the lives of the poor and Uttarakhand CM launches ' HOPE', a Scheduled Caste(SC) and Scheduled portal for unemployed youth to get jobs: Tribe(ST) communities by providing them Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra social security cover, right from birth to Singh Rawat launched a portal aimed at death. He transferred Rs 41.33 crores to creating employment avenues for the trained 1903 beneficiaries account. youth as well as offering them skill Kerala launches portal for non-residents development opportunities to increase their to book cabs for home: employability. HOPE stands for Helping Out Kerala Tourism launched an online platform People Everywhere. to enable non-residents Keralites to book KVIC to implement “Vocal for Local” vehicles of tour operators to travel back to the initiative; Issues Guidelines: state. Keralites stranded in other parts of the Prime Minister Modi recently announced country can submit enquiries through the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan”. Under department's website. the scheme, around 20 lakh crore rupees Gujarat CM announces Atma-Nirbhar have been allocated. Along with the scheme, Gujarat Sahay Yojana: the Prime Minister also announced “Vocal for Gujarat announced Atma-Nirbhar Gujarat Local”. Sahay Yojana, a scheme for small shop

keepers and self-employed hit by the MHRD launched e-Governance platform, lockdown. Under the scheme, one lakh rupees SAMARTH: collateral-free loan will be given at two per Department of Higher Education, Ministry of cent for the beneficiaries for three years. Human Resource Development (MHRD) has Over 10 lakh self-employed & shop keepers developed an e-Governance platform, to be benefited. SAMARTH Enterprises Resource Planning Haryana and J&K to provide tap water to (ERP), under the National Mission of every household by Dec 2022: Jal Jeevan Education in Information and Communication Mission: Technology Scheme (NMEICT). Jammu & Kashmir and the state The aim of the e-Governance platform, Government of Haryana have planned to SAMARTH, is to provide quality education to provide tap connection to supply water to all students across all Universities & Higher rural families by December 2022 under the Education Institutions (HEIs). Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). While the national Investment Capacity of India in target has been set for the year 2024-25. renewable sector reached 500-700 West Bengal govt launches Matir Smristi billion USD: scheme: The Institute of Energy Economics and West Bengal government launched Matir Financial Analysis published a study Smristi scheme to utilise 50, 000 acres of according to which India has increased its barren land in six districts for income- potential for renewable energy in solar generating activities like horticulture and power in the country. The Bhadla Solar pisciculture. The scheme will benefit around Park in Rajasthan is the largest solar park 2.5 lakh people in rural Bengal. in the world. Arjun Munda launches ‘Goal’ programme India target to install 175 GW of renewable of MoTA for digital skilling of tribal youth energy by FY2021-22. in partnership with Facebook: Dr Harsh Vardhan dedicates COVID-19 Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda testing machine COBAS 6800 to the launched the “GOAL (Going Online As nation: Leaders)” programme of the Ministry of Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in partnership with and Family Welfare, Government of India, Facebook at a Webinar visited the National Centre for Disease Control 40 gharials released in Ghaghara river in Delhi, and dedicated the COBAS 6800 amid lockdown: COVID-19 testing machine to the nation. It 40 gharials were released in the Ghaghara performs RT-PCR tests for COVID-19. river by Uttar Pradesh forest division, amid Madhya Pradesh launches Charan the nationwide lockdown due to the novel Paduka initiative for migrant labourers: coronavirus disease. They are critically In Madhya Pradesh, in a first of its kind of endangered in the International Union for initiative, Charan Paduka campaign has Conservation of Nature Red List of Species. been started for the migrant labourers

passing through the state. Under this, Union Government has implemented Lt. migrant labourers going barefoot are General D B Shekatkar Committee's providing shoes and slippers to reduce recommendations related to creating border their pain. infrastructure. These were related to road Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: One TV construction leading to socio-economic channel each for Class 1 to 12: development in the border areas along India’s Digital education initiative for students called border with China. PM e-Vidya to be launched which will be an Government of West Bengal announces earmarked TV channel per class from 1 to new schemes- ‘Sneher Porosh’ & 12. Also, top 100 universities to be permitted ‘Prochesta’: to automatically start online courses by 30 The Chief Minister of West Bengal launched May 2020. two schemes ‘Sneher Porosh’ to provide Five-member panel formed to probe support for the migrant workers and Vizag gas leak: Andhra Pradesh: ‘Prochesta’ to help the workers of the Andhra Pradesh government has formed a unorganized sector of Bengal to enable them 5-member high-powered committee led by to earn their living in the lockdown situation. Neerabh Kumar Prasad to probe into the Prochesta Scheme is to provide wages to all causes behind the leakage of styrene gas daily wage workers. from the LG Polymers India Ltd located at RR Karnataka launches incubator for cyber Venkatapuram in Visakhapatnam. The panel security start-ups in India: required to submit its final report within one Karnataka launched its first cyber security- month. specific accelerator programme 'H.A.C.K'. The gas leak had claimed 12 lives and left The programme is implemented by CySecK, more than 200 people ill after they inhaled the which is state’s Centre of Excellence in styrene gas. Cyber Security meant to create a cyber-safe Rajnath Singh approves Rs 400-crore environment for industry collaboration. defence testing infrastructure scheme: Gujarat mandates digital payment for To provide private sector defence and home delivery in Ahmedabad: aerospace companies affordable facilities to Preventing the spread of Covid-19 through test and validate weaponry they are currency notes, Gujarat government has designing, Union Defence Minister Rajnath mandated digital payment for all home Singh approved a Defence Testing delivery services in the worst-hit city of Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) with an Ahmedabad and also issued protocol to be outlay of Rs 400 crore. followed by the delivery persons. Each project to receive 75% of its cost as ''Tatpar'' scheme in Ranchi to transport government funding. migrant workers: Government implements Shekatkar 'Tatpar' programme was launched by the Committee recommendations related to Ranchi district, Jharkhand administration to creating border infrastructure: ease their tiresome journey on foot.

Under the programme, officials collect National Centre of Sports Sciences and information about those walking on national Research (NCSSR). highways or on any other road to provide Cabinet approves Rs 3 lakh cr emergency them transport facilities. credit line for MSME; loans at 9.25% ‘Mee Annapurna’ initiative launched for rate: farmer’s welfare across Maharashtra: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Government of Maharashtra announced a 3 additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore year empanelment of insurance companies at a concessional rate of 9.25 per cent and intermediaries for implementation of crop through the Emergency Credit Line insurance scheme, the Integrated Risk Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for the MSME Insurance Brokers Limited (IRIBL), sector hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. announced ‘Mee Annapurna’ for farmer’s Under the scheme, 100 per cent guarantee welfare across Maharashtra coverage will be provided by National Credit Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) for (PMGSY-III). additional funding of up to Rs 3 lakh crore About 1674 km road will be constructed to eligible MSMEs and interested MUDRA using Coir Geo textiles in 7 states namely- borrowers, in the form of a guaranteed Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, emergency credit line (GECL) facility. Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Centre launches scheme to solarise Telengana with a cost of around Rs.70 entire Konark Temple, Konark town: Crore. The scheme envisages setting up of the 10- Ministry of Defence inks MoU with eGov MW grid connected solar project and various Foundation for online management of solar off-grid applications such as solar trees, Cantonment Boards: solar drinking water kiosks and off-grid solar Ministry of Defence has signed an MoU with power plants with battery storage, with a 100 eGov Foundation for online management of per cent central financial assistance Cantonment Boards. The joint initiative sees (CFA) support of around Rs. 25 crore from Directorate General Defence Estates the Government of India through the MNRE. (DGDE), Ministry of Defence and eGov Chhattisgarh government launches Rajiv Foundation working together to drive e- Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana: governance. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Rajiv Gandhi University to host Central Baghel launched the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Centre of Excellence on Sports Science Nyay Yojana (RGKNY) on the death Education and Research: anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has Gandhi in Raipur .Acc. to the government, selected Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) at about 19 lakh farmers of the state will be Rono Hills, near here, to establish a centre benefitted by this scheme. of excellence on Sports Science Education and Madhya Pradesh Government begins Didi Research under the ministry's scheme of Vehicle Service for rural women:

In the tribal-dominated Jhabua district of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the women of Rural Health and Family Welfare, attended the Livelihood Mission have started Didi Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Health Vehicle Service for rural women for the safe Minister’s meeting on May 20 which took delivery. This vehicle service is completely place through a video conference. free. NAM Health Minister’s virtual meet was AndhraGreens portal to facilitate e- chaired by Ogtay Shiraliyev, Minister of commerce of fruits and vegetables in Health, Republic of Azerbaijan. Andhra Pradesh: Govt extends ‘Pradhan Mantri Vaya Andhra Pradesh government launched a Vandana Yojana’ by 3 yrs till Mar 2023: website to procure & sell fruits online as part The Union Cabinet extended the Pradhan of supporting the horticulture farmers in the Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a state. Through Kalgudi digital platform, social security scheme for senior citizens, for AndhraGreens.com is a farmer-to- three years till March, 2023. The assured consumer e-commerce portal specialized in rate of return for fiscal 2020-21 has been fruits, vegetables & spices. pegged at 7.4 per cent per annum and Union HRD Minister Launches Online thereafter to be reset every year. Masters Programme in Hindi of IGNOU: Chhattisgarh to observe May 25 as Union HRD (Human Resource Development Jhiram tribute day: Minister) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank Chhattisgarh government will observe May launched IGNOU’S (Indira Gandhi National 25 as 'Jhiram Shraddhanjali Diwas' to pay Open University) Online Programme for tribute to Congress leaders who were killed in Master of Arts (MA) in Hindi, through a Maoist attack in Bastar district on this day facebook live session in 2013 as well as other victims of Naxal Rajnath Singh participates in MSMEs E- violence conclave “SIDM MSME Conclave 2020”: Madhya Pradesh CM to inaugurate Defence minister Rajnath Singh said the ‘Everybody will get employment’ lockdown to combat the coronavirus disease scheme: (Covid-19) had hit the manufacturing In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj sector, disrupted supply chains and the Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the defence industry had also been affected due ‘Everybody will get employment’ scheme to the strict confinement measures. through video conferencing. Under this SIDM MSME Conclave 2020 was jointly scheme, MNREGA job cards will be distributed organized by the Society of Indian Defence to the labourers. Manufacturers (SIDM), Confederation of Under ‘Shram Siddhi Abhiyan’, labourers Indian Industry (CII) and the department will be registered under skilled, semi-skilled of defence production. and unskilled categories and work will be Dr. Harsh Vardhan represents India in provided. NAM Health Ministers virtual meet:

Andhra Pradesh CM launches Rs 1, 110 species, conserved, have medicinal crores ‘ReStart’ to revive MSME sector: properties. Andhra Pradesh government launches Tamil Nadu begins work on ReStart to revive MSME sector Andhra implementing Solar Fence Farmland Pradesh(AP)’s Chief Minister(CM) Y.S. Jagan Protection Programme: Mohan Reddy has launched Rs 1, 110 Tamil Nadu government has started crores ‘ReStart’ a new programme to preliminary works for implementing the support & boost the Micro, Small and unique Solar Fence Farmland Protection Medium Enterprise(MSME) sector in the Programme, under the Central Agriculture State. Improvement Scheme. Sports Authority Gujarat sign an MoU TCLL to train 2000 athletes: INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Sports Authority Gujarat signed an MoU Mazumdar-Shaw recognised among with the Times Centre for Learning world's top 20 inspirational leaders in Limited (TCLL) to impart training for Biopharma: personality and skill development for aspiring Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon Chairperson athletes in the state. This will be the first-of- has been recognized as one of the world’s top its-kind training in the State. 20 inspirational leaders in biopharmaceuticals Mizoram cabinet grants industry status in The Medicine Maker ‘Power List 2020’ for to sports: her contribution to the world of medicine as Mizoram becomes the 1st state to give an innovative business leader. industry status to sports. State sports EAM Jaishankar to participate in BRICS minister Robert Romawia Royte said the Foreign Ministers meeting on response cabinet has cleared the proposal by state to COVID-19 pandemic: sports and youth service department to The foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping grant sports an industry status, which discussed measures to combat COVID-19. according to him, was a significant move to External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar take forwards the segment in a more represented India at the meet. The video systematic and sustainable manner. conference was hosted by Russia as it is the Uttarakhand releases report on current rotating head. conservation of endemic, threatened 11th Session of Petersberg Climate floras: Dialogue held via video conferencing: Uttarakhand is the first state to release a The 11th session of Petersberg (Germany) report highlighting its conservation efforts to Climate Dialogue witnessed India along with save over 1, 100 rare plants from extinction. 30 other countries deliberating over ways and Around 1, 145 species are conserved of which means to tackle the challenge of 46 species are endemic & 68 species are rare, reinvigorating economies and societies after endangered or threatened. Around 386 COVID-19. Prakash Javadekar represented India.

Bangladesh gets 500 million-dollar ADB (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) foreign loan to manage COVID-19 impact: minister meet. The meet was attended by The Asian Development Bank (ADB) foreign ministers through video conferencing. approved an additional loan of 500 million The preparation of the SCO Summit in St dollars to Bangladesh to manage the impact Petersburg, Russia was also discussed. It is of Corona virus on its economy and public scheduled to be conducted on June 9-10, health. 1.5 million workers, mostly women, in 2020. export industries will receive salary support. Piyush Goyal participates in virtual ADB had approved $100 million session of G20 trade ministers: concessional loan for Bangladesh. Union Commerce and Industry Minister AIIB grants $500 mn loan to India to Piyush Goyal attended a video conference deal with coronavirus disaster: meeting of commerce ministers of G-20 Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank countries. (AIIB) has approved a loan worth of $500 The meeting was called to discuss ways to million for India’s ‘COVID-19 Emergency minimise disruption to trade and global supply Response and Health Systems chains which have been affected by the Preparedness Project’ to assist nation’s COVID-19 pandemic. efforts to stop the risk posed by coronavirus Israel names street in Tel Aviv after (Covid-19). Rabindranath Tagore on his 159th birth WHO and UN Postal agency release anniversary: commemorative postage stamp on 40th Israel named a street in Tel Aviv after anniversary of eradication of smallpox: Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore on his In May 1980, the 33rd World Health 159th birth anniversary to honor his valuable Assembly issued its official declaration that contributions in the field and to mankind. the world is free from smallpox. It ended Israel: PM Benjamin Netanyahu to after a 10-year global effort that involved Continue 5th Term In Office: thousands of health workers around the world Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin to administer half a billion vaccinations. Netanyahu has secured a historic fifth WHO released first “State of the World’s straight term to form his government, after a Nursing Report – 2020” stating a global controversial power-sharing deal with rival- shortfall of 5.9 million nurses: turned-partner Benny Gantz. Countries facing greatest shortfall of nurses President Reuven Rivlin officially granted are in Africa, South East Asia and the WHO Netanyahu, two-week mandate to form his Eastern Mediterranean region as well as some government, following which, Netanyahu parts of Latin America. announced the formation of his coalition India attends SCO meeting through video government on 17 May 2020. conference: Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan External Affairs Minister of India Shri S participates in 73rd World Health Jaishankar represented India at SCO Assembly online session:

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan BANKING AND ECONOMY: participated in the 73rd World Health Transcorp becomes the 1st non-bank Assembly (WHA) via video conferencing. A company to receive RBI nod to enter into session of the WHA, the decision-making body co-branding arrangements: of the WHO, began its first-ever The Leading forex and payment solutions teleconference due to the ongoing provider Transcorp International Ltd(TIL) coronavirus pandemic. becomes the 1st non-bank company to Saudi Arabia replaced Iraq as top oil receive Reserve Bank of India(RBI) nod to supplier to India in April: enter into co-branding arrangements for Saudi Arabia replaced Iraq as the top oil prepaid Instruments. supplier to India in April after a gap of three It has also launched its multi-wallet RuPay- months as refiners in Asia's third largest powered prepaid cards which allow corporate economy were drawn by deep discounts on houses to pay wages, incentives, Saudi crudes. UAE retained the No.3 spot reimbursements & recurring payments to followed by Nigeria. India's oil imports in their employees or beneficiaries April totalled 4.63 mn. barrels per day. RBI announces Rs 50, 000-crore Special India and Israel join forces to develop Liquidity Facility for mutual funds: rapid testing system to fight RBI decided to open a special liquidity facility Coronavirus: of Rs 50, 000 Cr for mutual funds to ease India and Israel will put in joint research and liquidity pressure on mutual funds. Under the development efforts for rapid testing of SLF-MF, RBI shall conduct repo operations of coronavirus to enable normalisation of life 90 days’ tenor at fixed repo rate. The scheme amid the pandemic. The two sides discussed is available from April 27. joint R&D for rapid diagnosis based on big SIDBI launches special liquidity scheme data and artificial intelligence. for MSMEs: India builds state-of-the-art training Small Industries Development Bank of facility for Ugandan defence forces: India launched a special liquidity scheme for The Indian Association Uganda (IAU), in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through association with the Indian Military Advisory banks including Small Finance Banks, Non- and Training Team there, handed over a Banking Financial Companies including fintech state-of-the-art military training facility to NBFCs and Microfinance Institutions. Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF). Tenor of these loans will be 90 days. The war game centre, named ‘INDIA’, was Ind-Ra cuts India's FY21 GDP growth inaugurated by Gen. further to 1.9%, lowest in 29 years: India Ratings has further slashed its growth expectations for the economy to 1.9% for the ongoing fiscal, down from 3.6% in March. This will be the lowest GDP growth in the last

29 years and assumes that the partial business activities are disrupted on account of lockdown will continue till mid-May. the Covid-19 pandemic. ADB approves 1.5 billion USD for India to RBI extends regulatory benefits under fight COVID-19: SLF-MF scheme to all banks: Asian Development Bank unveiled a $1.5 RBI has initiated a special liquidity facility of billion Covid-19 package for India and is in Rs 50, 000 crore for MFs. The bank claiming discussions with the government on further these extended regulatory benefits will not be aid for specific sectors. Earlier this month, the required to avail back-to-back funding from World Bank had provided a $1 billion the central bank under the SLF-MF scheme. package for the healthcare sector. RBI cancels licence of Mumbai-based The Axis Bank to buy 29% stake in Max Life CKP Co-operative Bank: Insurance for Rs 1, 600 crore: Reserve Bank of India cancelled the licence Axis Bank will acquire an additional 29% of Mumbai-based The CKP Co-operative stake in Max Life Insurance for an estimated Bank Ltd. in view that the financial position price of Rs 1, 592 crore, raising its total of the bank is highly adverse & unsustainable. holding in the life insurer to 30% after the With this process of paying the depositors as completion of the deal. Max Financial Services per DICGC Act, 1961 will happen. Every will hold the remaining 70% in JV. depositor is entitled to repayment of upto, Rs Moody declined India’s growth estimate 5 Lakh. to 0.2% for CY 2020 from 2.5%: SIDBI Launches SME Service Platform To Moody also forecasted India’s growth for 2021 Boost Digitisation, Credit Access: at 6.2%. The projection of GDP of G-20 Small Industries Development Bank of advanced economies as a bloc is also declined India (SIDBI) is launching an SME service by 5.8% in 2020. platform to facilitate the digitisation of India Post delivers cash worth Rs 412 small businesses and make access to credit crore in doorstep banking revolution: easier for those caught in a cash crunch owing India Post has delivered cash worth Rs. 412 to the Covid-19 pandemic. cr. at doorstep delivery. This service is The platform would also include several provided by the department irrespective of features to help micro, small and medium the bank in which the holder has an account enterprises (MSMEs) resume their or a village without a branch.This has been operations remotely. made possible due to AePS facility of IPPB. DBS Bank slashes India’s FY21 GDP KVGB launched ‘Vikas Abhaya’ loan forecast to 1% from 1.5%: scheme: The general government (the Centre and Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB), a States) deficit is likely to rise to 10-10.5% of regional rural bank headquartered in GDP in FY21 vs around 6% of GDP earlier. Dharwad, has launched a loan scheme “Vikas Public debts level to rise from 70% of GDP to Abhaya” to provide relief to borrowers whose 75-80%.

Creation of a special purpose vehicle Public Sector Banks sanction loans worth (SPV) is required to directly purchase Rs 5.66 lakh Cr for more than 4181000 corporate bonds (to arrest widening spreads accounts during March-April: vs government securities and temper PSBs have sanctioned loans worth 5.66 lakh volatility) crore rupees for more than 41 lakhs 81 Nabard disburses Rs 12, 767cr to state thousand accounts during March-April this cooperative banks, RRBs for onlending: year. These borrowers are from MSME, The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Retail, Agriculture & Corporate sectors, Development (NABARD) has disbursed Rs waiting for disbursal soon after lockdown lifts. 12, 767 crore to state cooperative banks and Government raises FDI limit in defence regional rural banks for onlending to production to 74% from 49%: famers.The loans are being offered for one Finance Minister N Sitharaman announced year at an interest rate of 4.8 per cent. raising the Foreign Direct Investment Public Sector Banks sanction loans worth (FDI) limit in the defense sector under the Rs 5.66 lakh Cr for more than 4181000 automatic route from 49% to 74%. Also, accounts during March-April: Ordnance Factory Boards to be corporatised PSBs have sanctioned loans worth 5.66 lakh for better management & eventually get listed crore rupees for more than 41 lakh 81 in stock markets. thousand accounts during March-April this NABARD Sanctions Special Liquidity year. These borrowers are from MSME, Support of Rs.1500 Crore for The Retail, Agriculture & Corporate sectors, Farmers of Punjab: waiting for disbursal soon after lockdown lifts. NABARD has sanctioned Rs 1, 500 crore for India’s unemployment rate shoots up to Punjab to ensure continuous credit flow to 27.11% amid COVID-19 crisis: CMIE: farmers, through state cooperative banks. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian This is part of NABARD's Rs 25, 000 crore Economy (CMIE) the country’s nationwide SLF, made available ensure the unemployment rate rose to 27.11% for the flow of credit to farmers during the pandemic. week ended May 3 due to the COVID-19 Canara Bank launches special gold loan crisis, up from the under 7% level before the business vertical: start of the pandemic in mid-March. Canara Bank, the fourth-largest public Cooperative Banks come under sector lender launched a special business SARFAESI Act: vertical dedicated for gold loans. The Bank's Cooperative Banks established under a gold loan products are aimed at providing a State Law or Multi-State Level Societies come quick, hassle-free experience for customers within the ambit of the SARFAESI, 2002. with low-interest cost till 30 June 2020. The Act prescribes a procedure for faster NABARD disburses Rs 20, 500 crore to recovery of dues. coop banks, RRBs: NABARD has disbursed Rs 20, 500 crore to cooperative banks and RRBs for on-lending

to farmers. The amount is a part of the Rs 25, IRDAI allows Union Bank of India to 000 crore of special refinance facility provided continue 30% holding in IndiaFirst Life by RBI to NABARD for refinancing RRBs, Insurance: cooperative banks and MFIs. Insurance Regulatory and Development Kotak Mahindra Bank becomes first Authority of India (IRDAI) has allowed Indian lender to allow video KYC: Union Bank of India’s proposal to continue Kotak Mahindra Bank has introduced with its 30 percent holding in IndiaFirst video-KYC facility for customers opening Life Insurance with the condition that the savings account on Kotak 811 - the banks lender will hold no control in the management digital banking platform. The private lender is of the insurer. the first Indian bank to offer video based Edelweiss Mutual Fund to launch second "zero-contact" onboarding service. tranche of Bharat Bond ETF: Fino Payments Bank to partner with Edelweiss Asset Management announced NBFCs to source loans in rural areas: the launch of the second tranche of Bharat Fino Payments Bank (FPB) is planning to Bond ETF in July with two new series after partner with two-three non-banking initial series in December last year. finance companies (NBFCs) to source Bharat Bond ETF programme is an initiative loans for them in rural areas. The bank is of the government’s Department of expecting good appetite for loans from rural Investment and Public Asset India, where 80 per cent of its 4-odd lakh Management which has given the mandate touch-points are located. to Edelweiss AMC to design and manage the ICICI Bank launches special FD scheme product. for senior citizens: Canara Bank releases emergency credit Private sector lender ICICI Bank announced facilities for MSMEs: a special fixed deposit scheme for senior Canara Bank has announced ‘CANARA citizens, which offers a higher interest rate. CREDIT SUPPORT’ for all of their borrowers Named ‘ICICI Bank Golden Years FD’, the who have been affected by COVID-19. scheme offers senior citizens an interest rate The bank has sanctioned nearly 6 lakh loans of 55 per annum for deposits up to Rs.2 crore amounting to Rs 4, 300 crore under with tenure of more than five years to 10 agriculture, SHGs and Retail categories. years. HDFC Bank launches special FD scheme ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS: for senior citizens: IIFL Wealth Finance buys L&T Capital Private sector lender, HDFC Bank launched Markets for Rs 230 crore: an FD scheme for seniors called 'Senior L&T Finance Holdings has sold its wholly- Citizen Care FD'. According to this scheme, owned subsidiary L&T Capital Markets (LTCM) the bank is offering an additional 75 basis to IIFL Wealth Finance for Rs 230 crore. As points for deposits with more than 5-year at end-March 2019, LTCM had total income of tenors with investments up to Rs 5 crore.

Rs 124.81 crore while the net worth stood at Coir Board signed MoU with IIT-Madras Rs 82.45 crore. for setting up Centre of Excellence for ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Bharat-22 coir applications: ETF picks shares worth Rs.59 crores in Coir Board signed a Memorandum of NALCO: Understanding (MoU) with the Indian ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Bharat-22 ETF Institute of Technology- Madras (IIT- picked up shares worth nearly Rs 59 Cr in Madras) on 7 May. The aim was to establish National Aluminium Company through an a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the open market transaction. As per the data on application of Coir exclusively or in NSE, over 1.71 Cr shares were purchased at combination with other natural fibres. an average price of Rs 34.43 apiece. Tata Consumer Products ties up with Flipkart partners with Meru to facilitate Domino’s Pizza, Zomato to deliver door-step delivery of essentials: essential goods: Flipkart has partnered with ride-hailing cab Tata Consumer Products (TCPL) has operator Meru to facilitate door-step delivery partnered with food delivery platforms like of essentials to the e-commerce firm’s Domino’s Pizza and Zomato to strengthen customers. The service will be available its direct distribution model and ensure across Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and steady supply of its essential products. They Hyderabad. aim to safeguard people’s health. PNB Housing Finance signs MoU with IIT ICMR partners India Post for delivery of Delhi: COVID-19 testing kits to labs: PNB Housing Finance has signed a MoU India Post has entered into a tie-up with the with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) ICMR for delivery of its COVID-19 testing kits Delhi. The initiative will support critical R&D to 200 additional labs designated for of a unique prototype material to be used in coronavirus testing across the country. ICMR manufacturing sustainable (washable and has set a target of carrying out around 1 lakh reusable) PPE (Personal Protective tests across the country per day. Equipment) surgical gowns and masks. Volvo partners with Luminar for LiDAR Wipro signs MoU with Maharashtra govt tech; plans to sell self-driving cars by to change Pune campus in 450-bed 2022: COVID-19 hospital: Volvo company is partnering with tech firm To help Maharashtra citizens tackle Covid- Luminar to make use of their LiDAR (Light 19 cases, IT-giant Wipro has signed a Detection and Ranging) & perception memorandum of understanding (MoU) with technology for the next generation of Volvo the state's government. Wipro has decided to cars. Next-generation of cars will be built on change its IT campuses in Hinjewadi, Pune, the SPA 2 modular vehicle architecture that to a 450-bed intermediary care COVID-19 goes into production in 2022. hospital. Japan's Nippon Life, AXA eye strategic investment in IndusInd Bank:

Private lender IndusInd Bank Ltd is in offer digital motor insurance policy to discussions with at least three strategic customers of e-commerce major. This investors, including Japan's Nippon Life and enables consumers to purchase the motor- Europe's AXA Group, as the bank plans to insurance policy using the Flipkart mobile raise more than $500 million to shore up its application. balance sheet, said two people aware of the IBM ties up with Intellect Design Arena development. to launch cloud services for banks, Federal Bank and MoneyGram tie up for financial institutions: direct-to-bank account credit service: Banking and insurance products company MoneyGram Payment Systems has tied up Intellect Design Arena Ltd and IBM have with Federal Bank to offer a cost-effective collaborated to launch the Intellect direct-to-bank account credit option for iTurmeric FinCloud on IBM’s public cloud. customers. Through this partnership, Maruti Suzuki ties up with customers can receive deposits directly in Cholamandalam Investment & Finance; their bank accounts without leaving their launches 'Buy-Now-Pay-Later Offer': homes. Maruti Suzuki India partnered with NRAI partners with DotPe to build tech Cholamandalam Investment & Finance platform for online payments: Company Ltd to provide customised auto National Restaurants Association of retail financing solutions to retail buyers. The India (NRAI), the apex body of the F&B new solution 'Buy-Now-Pay-Later Offer' is industry, has partnered with fintech start-up aimed to provide customers with easy DotPe to build its own tech platform that financing options. would enable them with online payments for digital ordering, bill settlements, and SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: contactless dining. IIT-Delhi develops web dashboard to General Atlantic to invest Rs. 6, 598.38 predict coronavirus spread in country: cr. for 1.34% stake in Jio Platforms: IIT Delhi developed a web-based dashboard General Atlantic, a leading global growth for tracking & predicting the spread of COVID- equity firm, has agreed to invest Rs. 19 in India. PRACRITI (Prediction & 6598.38 crores in Jio Platforms Ltd for a Assessment of Corona Infections & 1.34% stake, valuing the company at Rs. 5.16 Transmission in India) dashboard will provide lakh crore. With this Jio Platforms raised Rs. the R0 (Number of people to whom virus 67194.75 crores from leading technology spreads from a single person) values of each investors. district & state in India. Flipkart partners with Bajaj Allianz to SCTIMST develops Chitra Magna, an offer digital motor insurance to its innovative RNA extraction kit: customers: Chitra Magna, an innovative RNA extraction Flipkart partnered with Bajaj Allianz kit, has been developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal General Insurance Company (BAGIC) to Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology,

an Institution under the Department of “Janaushadhi Sugam” a mobile application S&T, as an innovative technology for isolating developed by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of RNA from swabs for COVID 19 tests. India(BPPI) under the Department of IIITM-K developed an AI-based search Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and engine for COVID-19 research: Fertilizers, Government of India for the Indian Institute of Information Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Technology and Management - Kerala has Pariyojana (PMBJP). developed an AI Semantic search engine to IIG develops new simulation code to enable researchers to get deeper insights into study electric field structure in Earth’s scientific studies, especially when they need Magnetosphere”: to find an early solution to the COVID-19. Scientists at the Indian Institute of IIT-Bhubaneswar develops multi- Geomagnetism have developed a surface sanitizer to disinfect devices: generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation IIT-Bhubaneswar has designed multi- code capable of studying a wide spectrum of surface sanitizer using UV light for the coherent electric field structures in near-earth disinfection of devices in the combat against plasma environment or earth’s COVID-19. When the infected object was magnetosphere. placed into the chamber, it gets exposed to IIT Hyderabad to collaborate with Hong UV light & will be disinfected within 15 Kong firm to create venture ecosystem: minutes. IIT-Hyderabad has planned to collaborate IIT Kanpur develops sensor-based covid- with a Hong Kong-based financial firm New 19 sanitisation box: Frontier Capital Management, to establish To help sanitisation of essential commodities a global network for ventures as well as to used at home, the Indian Institute of create a venture ecosystem. Objective is to Technology, Kanpur (IIT-Kanpur) has promote innovation, research & incubation. developed a corona killer box. The box can Firm has a worldwide presence including in sanitise all kinds of vegetables, fruits, sugar, Tokyo and Singapore. milk, pulses, mobiles, and currency. Russia to launch its 1st satellite ‘Arktika- Central University of Punjab(CUPB) M’ to monitor Arctic climate & launches Covid-19 information portal: environment: Central University of Punjab, Bathinda Russia will be launching its 1st Arktika-M has launched a "unique" COVID-19 satellite (Remote-sensing & emergency information portal at CUPB City Campus, on communications satellite) to monitor the which most of the "authentic information & Arctic climate & environment on 2020. sources are available for the references, The second Arktika-M satellite is also under research, & common understanding of the development and its launch is scheduled for phenomenon". 2023. Satellite will be launched using a Janaushadhi Sugam app to access Soyuz-2.1b carrier. generic medicine benefits 325000 users:

BharatPe launches two apps to limit the Medical Association (IMA), was launched by need to touch handsets for checking Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani. transactions: China launches 2 satellites to test space- BharatPe announced 2 additional features on based communications technology: its app for the merchants- “Paisa Bolega & China successfully launched two satellites to BharatPe Balance”. With Paisa Bolega, test the space-based Internet of Things shopkeepers can hear aloud instant (IoT) communications technology. confirmation of all payments received through The satellites, Xingyun-2 01 and 02, were their BharatPe QR, without touching the launched by a Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) carrier phone rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch DRDO lab develops automated UV Centre in northwest China. systems to sanitise electronic gadgets, papers & currency notes: APPOINTMENTS and RESIGNATIONS: Hyderabad based Defence Research and RBI extends Madhavan Menon's term as Development Organisation (DRDO) lab has part-time Chairman of CSB Bank: developed automated Ultraviolet systems, CSB Bank said the Reserve Bank of India has called Defence Research Ultraviolet extended the term of appointment of Sanitiser (DRUVS) to sanitise electronic Madhavan Menon as the part-time gadgets, papers and currency notes. Chairman of the Bank till July 21, 2020. IIT-Delhi startup launches reusable Extension is in terms of Section 10B (1A) (i) antimicrobial mask NSafe: of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. With increasing demand for face masks to US President Donald Trump nominates contain transmission of deadly COVID-19 Indian American as US envoy to OECD: virus, IIT (Indian Institute of US President Donald Trump has nominated Technology)- Delhi startup company senior Indian American diplomat Manisha named Nanosafe solutions has developed Singh as America's next envoy to the and launched an antimicrobial and washable Organisation for Economic Cooperation face mask “NSafe” that can be reused upto and Development. She is currently 50 launderings Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Vijay Rupani Launches India's First PPE Business Affairs. Kit Seam Sealing Machine In Rajkot: Bureaucratic reshuffle in govt, Tarun Macpower CNC Machines Ltd, a Rajkot Bajaj appointed DEA Secretary: (Gujarat) based manufacturer of CNC Rural Development Secretary Rajesh (Computerized Numerical Control), has made Bhushan has been appointed as the Officer India’s 1st indigenous hot air seam sealing on Special Duty (OSD) in the Health and machine used to manufacture personal Family Welfare Department in the rank of protective equipment (PPE) kits. secretary. The make in India machine, manufactured Justice Dipankar Datta sworn in as Chief with the guidance of doctors at Indian Justice of Bombay High Court:

A senior judge of the Calcutta High Court following the early retirement of PNB housing (HC) Justice Dipankar Datta was sworn-in Finance managing Director Sanjaya Gupta as the new Chief Justice of Bombay HC on 28 whose tenure as MD and CEO. April. The oath of office was administered by Former Karnataka batsman J Arunkumar Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh named as USA national team coach: Koshyari at Raj Bhavan. Former Karnataka cricketer J. Arunkumar, Justice Dipankar Datta will replace Justice 45 years old, was appointed as the head Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari coach of the USA (United States of whose term as Chief Justice ended on 27 April America)men’s national team. He was the 2020. successor of interim coach James Pamment. Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar Indian Oil names Shrikant Vaidya as new appointed PESB chief: Chairman: Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar has India’s largest state-run oil refiner & fuel been appointed as the chairperson of the retailer- Indian Oil names Shrikant Public Enterprises Selection Board Madhav Vaidya as Chairman. Currently, he (PESB). The Appointments Committee of the is the director of refineries in the company & Cabinet headed by PM Modi has approved his will succeed Sanjiv Singh, who demits office appointment to the post for a period of 3 on June 30. He is a Chemical Engineer. years. T S Tirumurti appointed India's Suresh N. Patel takes oath as Vigilance Permanent Representative to the United Commissioner: Nations: Suresh N. Patel took oath as Vigilance T S Tirumurti an Indian Foreign Service Commissioner, he was administered the oath officer of 1985 currently serving as the of office by Shri Sanjay Kothari, Central Secretary, Economic Relations in the Ministry Vigilance Commissioner. He was the of External Affairs was appointed as the Managing Director & CEO of Andhra Bank permanent representative of India to the and was an Executive Director in Oriental United Nations at New York, succeeding Bank of Commerce. Syed Akbaruddin following his retirement PNB housing appoints Neeraj Vyas as India appoints new Ambassadors to interim MD & CEO as incumbent Sanjaya Qatar & Bahrain: Gupta steps down: Deepak Mittal has been appointed India's Punjab National Bank (PNB) Housing next Ambassador to Qatar, while Piyush Finance Limited appointed independent Srivastava goes to Bahrain in the same director Neeraj Vyas as the Interim capacity, as per an official release of Ministry Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive of External Affairs. The new appointees are of Officer(CEO) for the period of eight months the 1998 batch of Indian Foreign Service. effective from 28th April. Google ropes in former Axis Bank CEO Neeraj Vyas is currently an independent Shikha Sharma for its payments director in the board of the company, business:

Google Pay, the digital payments arm of tech RBL Bank announced that it has appointed giant Google, has roped in former Axis Bank Deepak Kumar as the Chief Risk Officer CEO Shikha Sharma as an advisor. Google (CRO) of the bank for a period of two years offers UPI based payments in India in who will replace Ramnath Krishnan. Kumar partnership with 4 major banks- HDFC Bank, has served as the Chief General Manager of ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and State Bank of the State Bank of India (SBI). India. Professor Shobhana Narsimhan Elected Yes Bank appoints Neeraj Dhawan as To American Academy Of Arts And chief risk officer with immediate effect: Sciences: Yes Bank has appointed Neeraj Dhawan as Professor Shobhana Narasimhan from the its chief risk officer with immediate effect for Theoretical Sciences Unit (TSU) at the a period of three years. Prior to this, Dhawan Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced was holding the position of chief risk officer Scientific Research (JNCASR), has been for retail and business banking at Yes Bank. elected as an International Honorary Member Yes Bank CEO: Prashant Kumar to the American Academy of Arts and Science. Professor Shobana Narasimhan of Sanjay Kumar Jha assumes charge as JNCASR elected as International Member CMD, Midhani: to American Academy of Arts and Sanjay Kumar Jha, Director (Production & Science: Marketing) of Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd Professor Shobhana Narasimha head of (MIDHANI), assumed charge as its Chairman the Computational Nanoscience group from & Managing Director (CMD) in Hyderabad. the Theoretical Science Unit (TSU), Jha served in Department of Atomic Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Energy (DAE) for more than 27 years. Scientific Research (JNCASR), an Max Bupa Health Insurance appoints autonomous institute under the Department Krishnan Ramachandran as MD & CEO: of Science and Technology of the Government Max Bupa Health Insurance has appointed of India has been elected as an International Krishnan Ramachandran as MD & CEO. Honorary Member to the American Academy Krishnan has 23 years of experience across of Arts and Science health insurance, healthcare & life sciences NTPC appointed Ramesh Babu as industry. Last he served as CEO of Apollo director: Munich Health Insurance. He succeeds State-owned power giant NTPC (National Ashish Mehrotra. Thermal Power Corporation Limited) National Fertilizer appoints new Non- appointed Ramesh Babu V as director Official Independent Director: (operations). He was the successor of State-run National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL) Prakash Tiwari who retired on April 30, announced the appointment of Pandya 2020. Ashwinkumar Balvantray as Non-Official RBL Bank appoints Deepak Kumar as Independent Director on the Board of the Chief Risk Officer:

Company. His appointment will be for three Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reappointed as years. chairperson of Parliament’s public Chairman & Managing Director of NFL is Accounts Committee: Manoj Mishra Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress Leader Standard Chartered Bank appoints Kusal of Lok Sabha was reappointed as Chairperson Roy as head of retail banking: of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Standard Chartered Bank India has appointed Committee(PAC) by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Kusal Roy as its head of retail banking.Prior Birla. PAC is the oldest parliamentary to joining Standard Chartered Bank, he was committee first constituted in 1921. the managing director and chief executive at Mustafa al-Kadhimi sworn in as prime Tata Capital Financial Services Ltd. minister of Iraq: Ajinkya Rahane appointed ELSA Corp Iraq's prime minister-designate Mustafa al- India brand ambassador: Kadhimi was sworn in as the country's new Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya prime minister after weeks of political Rahane has been named as the brand negotiations. Al-Kadhimi, 53, has headed ambassador of ELSA Corp India, a global Edu- the Iraqi Intelligence Service since June 2016. tech company. UNEP extends Dia Mirza's term as He was appointed as ELSA Corp’s brand Goodwill Ambassador till 2022: ambassador for India, Middle East, ANZ and United Nations Environment Programme SAARC. extended environmentalist and actor- IES Officer Negi assumes charge as producer Dia Mirza's term as its National Director General of Labour Bureau: Goodwill Ambassador for another two years D P S Negi, a 1985 batch IES (Indian till the end of 2022. She is also a United Economic Services) officer has assumed Nations Sustainability Development Goals charge as Director General (DG) of Labour Advocate. Bureau in the Ministry of Labour and Narinder Batra’s Term as FIH President Employment by replacing B N Nanda. In Extended to May 2021: addition, he also takes charge as Senior Narinder Batra will remain President of the Labour & Employment Advisor of the ministry. International Hockey Federation (FIH) until DEA Secretary Tarun Bajaj nominated to May 2021. RBI Central Board: The Executive Board (EB) of the Government has nominated Tarun Bajaj, International Hockey Federation (FIH) has Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, decided to postpone the 47th FIH Congress, Ministry of Finance, as a Director on the initially planned on 28 October-1 November Central Board of Reserve Bank of India.He 2020 in New Delhi, to May 2021. replaces Atanu Chakraborty to the position in Kumar Sangakkara set for 2nd term as the RBI. MCC President: Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is set to serve his second term

as the president of Marylebone Cricket Club government observer for the sport between (MCC). 2017 and 2019. He became the first non-British President of Zubair Iqbal appointed MD J-K Bank, the club when he assumed office on October Chibber to continue as chairman: 1 last year. Sangakkara is all set to enter an The Jammu and Kashmir administration elite list of people who have served multiple approved the appointment of senior vice terms. president of HDFC Bank Zubair Iqbal as its Shri Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi assumes new managing director. R K Chibber will charge as Secretary, Ministry of New & continue as the bank's chairman for the next Renewable Energy: three years. Iqbal will have a three-year Shri Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi (IAS) tenure. assumed charge as new Secretary, Ministry of Dilip Oommen is new President of Indian New & Renewable Energy. He succeeded Shri Steel Association: Anand Kumar in the Ministry who earlier Dilip Oommen, CEO, Arcelor Mittal Nippon took charge Secretary, Ministry of Culture. Steel India has taken over as President of the IAS officer Manoj Ahuja appointed new Indian Steel Association (ISA). He is CBSE Chairperson: appointed to the position for the next 2 years. IAS officer Manoj Ahuja has been appointed His appointment comes after the resignation as the Chairperson of the Central Board of of T V Narendran, MD of Tata Steel. Secondary Education (CBSE). He will Moeketsi Majoro sworn in as Lesotho's replace Anita Karwal. new prime minister: V Vidyavathi appointed as chief of Moeketsi Majoro has been sworn in as Archaeological Survey of India: Lesotho's prime minister following the The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) resignation of his embattled predecessor, got a new Director-General with the Thomas Thabane. appointment of IAS officer V. Vidyavathi, Govinda Rajulu Chintala appointed as according to Appointments Committee of the chairman of NABARD: Cabinet. She will be serving in the rank of The Appointments Committee of the Union Additional Secretary to the Government of Cabinet has appointed Govinda Rajulu India. Chintala as the Chairman of National Bank Commonwealth Games gold-medallist for Agriculture and Rural Development boxer Akhil Kumar re-inducted into (NABARD). NADA panel: He is presently serving as the Chief General Former Commonwealth Games gold-winning Manager at NABARD and will remain on the boxer Akhil Kumar has been re-inducted into post till his superannuation in July 2022. the NADA’s Disciplinary Panel. Presently, Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala is The Arjuna award-winning Olympian is serving as the Chairman of NABARD. among the most accomplished names in Indian boxing and has also been the

Shaji K V and P.V.S Suryakumar have been TS Tirumurti, India’s New Permanent appointed as Deputy Managing Directors Representative To UN Presents takes (DMD) of NABARD. charge: Rajesh Goel appointed as director TS Tirumurti, India’s new Permanent general of NAREDCO: Representative to the United Nations, Realtors body National Real Estate presented his credentials virtually as he Development Council (NAREDCO) has assumed charge as the Ambassador amid the appointed Rajesh Goel as director general coronavirus pandemic. (DG) of the association. Jahnabi Phookan appointed as National World Bank appoints financial crises President of FICCI FLO: expert Carmen Reinhart as chief Assam-based entrepreneur Jahnabi economist and Vice President: Phookan has been appointed as the National The World Bank appointed financial crisis President of FICCI Ladies Organization expert Carmen Reinhart as its new vice (FLO), the women wing of the leading president and chief economist, leaning on industry chamber of the country. the expertise of the former International Indian economist Abhas Jha appointed Monetary Fund executive as the Covid-19 as World Bank's Practice Manager for pandemic plunges the global economy into Climate Change in South Asia: the deepest recession since the Great Abhas Jha has been appointed by the World Depression. Bank to a key position on climate change and Former IAS Officer B R Sharma appointed disaster management in South Asia, the as Chairman of J&K PSC: global lender said. Jha's appointment comes J&K Government has appointed B R at a time when Cyclone Amphan has badly Sharma, former IAS Officer, as Chairman hit West Bengal, Odisha in India & Public Service Commission for the UT of J&K. Bangladesh. Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu has appointed B R Sharma as PSC Chairman who AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS: shall hold the position of the Chairman, Public Joe Biden wins Ohio's Presidential Service Commission till he attains the age of Primary: sixty-two years. In United States, Joe Biden won Ohio's Sangita Dhingra Sehgal named president Presidential Primary, clinching a contest of Delhi State Consumer Commission: that was less about the Democratic Delhi High Court judge, Justice Sangita nomination and more about how states can Dhingra Sehgal has tendered her conduct elections in the era of the Corona resignation from the post following her virus. appointment as President of the Delhi State Karnataka tops in total installed Consumer Dispute Redressal renewable capacity: CRISIL Research Commission. The retirement age of a high report: court judge is 62 years.

According to a CRISIL Research report, for a model to predict forest growth in a Karnataka retained its 1st position in terms changing climate. Satellite imagery offers the of total installed renewable capacity in FY20 possibility to scale up the model to show how followed by Tamil Nadu(2nd) & environmental conditions affect the forests. Gujarat(3rd). Indian-origin girl Vaneeza names NASA’s The top 3 states in overall solar energy 1st Mars helicopter as ‘Ingenuity’: capacity addition are- Rajasthan, Tamil A 17-year old Indian-origin girl Vaneeza Nadu and Karnataka & in wind energy- Rupani has named the 1st helicopter to be Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. built for Mars as ‘Ingenuity’ after she Manipuri doctor Thangjam Dhabali Singh submitted her essay in NASA’s (National conferred ‘Order of Rising Sun’ by Japan: Aeronautics and Space Administration) ‘Name Thangjam Dhabali Singh, Manipuri the Rover’ competition. allopathic doctor, was conferred with “Order Padma Shri awardee Thalappil Pradeep of Rising Sun- Gold and Silver Rays” by named for 25th Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 the Japan government for promoting a better in S&T: understanding of Japan in India and IIT-Madras Professor & Padma Shri awardee deepening ties between 2 countries. Thalappil Pradeep named for 25th Nikkei Nikkei Asia Prize 2020 to IIT Madras prof Asia Prizes 2020 in S&T. for work on water filters: The prize includes a cash component of 3 Prof. T. Pradeep of IIT Madras has been Million Yen and an award certificate and is honoured with the Nikkei Asia Prizes scheduled to be awarded in Tokyo, Japan later (NAP) 2020 in the science and technology 2020. category. Vladimir Putin awards commemorative NAP are awarded annually in three areas- World War II medal to North Korean Economic and Business Innovation, leader Kim Jong-un: Science and Technology and Culture and Russian embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea Community. announced that the Russian President Richard Hadlee Medal goes to Ross Vladimir Putin has awarded North Korean Taylor, Southee bags Test prize: Leader Kim Jong-un a commemorative war New Zealand Batsman Ross Taylor was medal marking the 75th anniversary of the honoured with Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for victory over Nazi Germany. the third time for excelling across formats. Professor Saurabh Lodha received 2020 Tim Southee bagged the top Test prize. Young Career Award in Nano Science and Kim Cotton was named the Umpire of the Technology: Year. Professor Saurabh Lodha from Electrical Marcus Wallenberg Prize 2020: 'Nobel Engineering, IIT Bombay, received the Young Prize of Forest Research': Career Award in Nano Science & Technology Joseph J Landsberg, Richard H Waring & for the year 2020. The award is instituted by Nicholas C Coops share the 2020 MW Prize

the Department of Science and Hiranandani Memorial Rolling Award for Technology (DST), Government of India. the year 2020. The trophy was instituted in Danseuse Leela Samson to head JCB the year 2013. Prize for Literature 2020 jury: India's Chief Hydrographer Vice Admiral Noted Bharatanatyam dancer, former Vinay Badhwar wins UK award: chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi and Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar, the National author Leela Samson will head the five- Hydrographer to the government of India, member jury for the Rs. 25 lakh JCB Prize has been honoured with the 2019 Alexander for Literature 2020. Dalrymple Award in recognition of his Sania Mirza Becomes First Indian to Win outstanding contribution to Indian the Fed Cup Heart Award: hydrography and across the wider Indian Sania Mirza played an integral role in India Ocean region. securing a first-ever place in the Fed Cup Tom Hanks, 'Game of Thrones, ' Cardi B, playoffs. She won the doubles match & helped LeBron James Among Winners: Webby secure a win over Indonesia. She also Awards: received $ 2, 000 which she donated to the Jimmy Fallon, Greta Thunberg, Malala relief fund. Yousafzai, Tom Hanks, Cardi B, LeBron Journalist Siddharth Varadarajan among James, Lil Nas X, Dolly Parton, Ronan Farrow, recipients of Deutsche Welle Freedom of Game of Thrones and Celine Dion are among Speech Award: the winners of the 24th annual Webby Indian journalist Siddharth Varadarajan Awards, which honor the best of the web. was one of 17 recipients of the Freedom of United Nations: India’s KHUDOL declared Speech Award presented by German public one of Top 10 Global Initiatives to fight news outlet Deutsche Welle, for showing COVID-19: “outstanding commitment to human United Nations listed the KHUDOL initiative rights and freedom of expression in the of Manipur as one of the top 10 global media”. The announcement came on World initiatives to fight against COVID-19. Press Freedom Day. KHUDOL is an initiative of a NGO called Ya Anunta won VMware 2020 Regional All. Under the initiative, the NGO provides Partner of the Year Award: food, hygiene and health of LGBTQ Anunta received the VMware 2020 Regional community, daily wage workers, people with Partner of the Year Award for the Services AIDS. Excellence category. Vice Admiral GM Hiranandani Memorial RANKING: Rolling Trophy 2020: IIT Kharagpur ranked 57th in THE’s 2nd Lieutenant commander Akshay Kumar of edition of Impact Rankings 2020: Anti-Submarine Warfare School of Southern IIT Kharagpur has been ranked 57th in the Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi was Times Higher Education’s (THE) global list awarded the coveted Vice Admiral GM that ranks institutes of higher education in

terms of their social and political impact Statistics and Indicators 2019- says that India framed around the United Nations’ 17 ranks 3rd globally in the scientific publication. sustainable development goals (SDG). USA and China occupied the first two ranks. The list includes 766 universities across 89 Bengaluru airport voted as best regional countries. airport in India & Central Asia: India is world’s 3rd largest military The Kempegowda International Airport, spender; expense rose by 6.8% in 2019: Bengaluru has won this year’s SKYTRAX The US, China and India were the world’s Award for Best Regional Airport in India and three biggest military spenders in 2019, Central Asia. It was voted as the best followed by Russia and Saudi Arabia. The two Regional Airport for the third time in four Asian countries made it to the top three for years at the 2020 World Airport Awards. the first time, the Stockholm International Singapore Changi Airport crowned the Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) . "World's Best Airport": Total global spending rose to almost $2 For the eighth consecutive year, trillion in 2019. Singapore's Changi Airport has been India ranks 53rd in budget transparency, named the world's best at the awards run by accountability in IBP survey: research firm Skytrax. Asian airports India has been placed at 53rd spot among dominated the top 10, with Japan's 4 of the 117 nations in terms of budget transparency country's airports nominated for the top & accountability, according to the Open award. Budget Survey conducted by International India Moves Up at 74th Rank in Global Budget Partnership. India's Budget process Energy Transition Index: bagged a transparency score of 49 out of 100. India has moved up two positions to rank 74th Chhattisgarh tops among other states in on a global “Energy Transition Index” with providing employment under MGNREGS: improvements on all key parameters of Chhattisgarh has topped the list of states in economic growth, energy security and providing employment to over 18 lakhs environmental sustainability. Sweden has unskilled labourers under the Mahatma topped the Index for the third consecutive Gandhi National Rural Employment year. Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Around Naomi Osaka becomes world’s highest- 77.85 lakh people are engaged in work paid female athlete: under the MGNREGS scheme. Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has Chhattisgarh provided employment to 18.51 become the highest-paid female athlete in lakh workers. the world, topping American great Serena India is placed 3rd among countries in Williams. Osaka earned $37.4 million in the scientific publication: NSTMIS Survey: last twelve months from prize money and The National Science and Technology endorsements, $1.4 million more than Management Information (NSTMIS) Williams. survey on Research and Development

BOOKS AND AUTHORS: occasion of centenary year (100th birthday) Uma Balasubramaniam Newest Book on of the great archaeologist Professor Braj Basi India’s Unsung Hero: Sayajirao Gaekwad Lal. III: The Maharaja of Baroda A book titled as Vijyant at Kargil: The Life Uma Balasubramaniam’s book titled of a Kargil War Hero authored by Colonel “Sayajirao Gaekwad III: Maharaja of VN Thapar and Neha Dwivedi: Baroda”, a historic epic published by Rupa The book titled as ‘Vijyant at Kargil: The publication. Life of a Kargil Hero’ authored by Vijyant’s About how a Maratha farmer’s 13-year-old father Colonel VN Thapar and writer Neha boy becomes the King of Baroda and also Dwivedi, a martyr’s daughter. Its e-book will how the fate twists for the favourite son of the be released on May 15. It is published by British empire gets himself to the brink of Penguin Random House being deposed by the British. Vadhan’s new book “Fear of God” deals A book titled “The Room Where It with corruption vigilantism law: Happened: A White House Memoir” The story of “Fear of God” weaves law, authored by John Bolton: corruption, vigilantism and courtroom drama A book titled “The Room Where It to follow the three central characters who are Happened: A White House Memoir” looking to achieve the same thing but through authored by John Bolton. The date of the different means. book release has been pushed back from May It is written by Vadhan, whose real name is 12, 2020 to June 23, 2020, on Amazon.com Bommadevara Sai Chandravadhan and and Barnes & Noble bookseller company. The published by TreeShade Books book was published by an American This is Vadhan’s third novel after “Agniputr: publishing company Simon & Schuster. When Agni First Spoke” and “Shatru”. A new book “Shivaji in South Block: The Ruskin Bond’s new book ‘Hop On: My Unwritten History of a Proud People”: Adventures on Boats, Trains and Planes’ A New book named “Shivaji in South Block: released on his 86th birthday: The Unwritten History of a Proud People” The book is titled Hop On: My Adventures written by journalist Girish Kuber talks on Boats, Trains and Planes authored by about Maharashtra’s evolution from the past Ruskin Bond. He turned 86 and he to the modern times and its contribution to celebrated it by releasing a new book which the tapestry of the country’s culture, politics, takes the audience through his adventures on history and society. boats, trains and planes. Union Culture Minister released e-book In this book, Ruskin Bond narrates the most ‘Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered’ to memorable travel adventures from his mark the centenary year of Prof B. B. Lal: childhood. The illustrations are made by Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Culture Samrat Halder and published by Speaking Minister, released an e-book ‘Prof. B. B. Lal- Tiger’s children’s imprint Talking Cub. India Rediscovered’ in New Delhi, on the

OBITUARY NEWS: to Mumbai last year.The actor's last Senior Congress leader Badruddin Bollywood film was the 2018 film 102 Not Out. Sheikh passes away following COVID19 Former Liverpool striker Michael infection: Robinson passed away at 61: Senior Congress leader and councillor in The former Brighton & Liverpool striker Amdavad Municipal Corporation Badruddin Michael Robinson, who finished his career Sheikh passed away late last night following at Osasuna, has died aged 61. Robinson was COVID19 infection. He had also served as part of the Liverpool squad who won a league, State Congress spokesperson and Leader of League Cup & European Cup treble in 1984. opposition in AMC in past. He won 24 Republic of Ireland caps. Former Governor, Veteran Congress Indian football legend and former Leader Devanand Konwar Passes Away captain Chuni Goswami dies aged 82: in Guwahati: Former India football captain Chuni Former Governor of Bihar and Tripura and Goswami, who led India to the 1962 Asian veteran Congress leader Devanand Konwar Games gold, passed away in Kolkata. died of old age ailments at his Guwahati Goswami played 50 matches for India as a residence. He was 86. He had also served as footballer from 1956 to 1964. India finished governor (additional charge) of West Bengal runners-up in 1964 Asian Cup under his from December 2009 to January 2010. leadership. Ex-NASA administrator James Beggs Freedom fighter Padma Shri Gandhian passes away: Hema Bharali passed away at 101: Former NASA administrator James M. Freedom fighter and Padma Shri Gandhian Beggs, passed away. He led the agency Hema Bharali well known as Freedom during the early years of the space shuttle Activist, social worker, Sarvodaya leader program and resigned after the Challenger passed away on 29th April 2020, due to disaster killed seven astronauts in 1986. prolonged illness at her home in Guwahati, Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan dies at 54: Assam at the age of 101. She was born in Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan passed away at Assam on 19th February 1919. the age of 54 years. He went on to deliver Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passed away memorable performances in films such as The due to COVID-19 disease: Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, The Mighty Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi, former Chief Heart and Jurassic World. His last film was Justice of Chhattisgarh HC, died after Angrezi Medium. suffering cardiac arrest at AIIMS in Delhi. He Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor had also served as an Additional Advocate passes away at 67 General in Bihar. Later, he was elevated as Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor Additional Judge of the Patna High Court. passed away at 67.The actor, known for his Noted playwright Bijay Mishra passed work in films like Bobby and Chandni, was away at 83: treated in New York for cancer and returned

Noted playwright, dramatist, scriptwriter and Bengaluru, Karnataka. He had represented film director Bijay Mishra of Odisha passed the Raichur constituency, Karnataka, & was away at the age of 83 due to age-related elected in the Lok Sabha elections held in ailments in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. 1996. Kannada poet KS Nissar Ahmed passes PK actor Sai Gundewar passes away: away: Bollywood actor Sai Gundewar, who has Renowned Kannada poet KS Nissar Ahmed worked in a couple of movies including Aamir passed away. Nisaar had won several awards Khan-starrer PK, Saif Ali Khan’s Bazaar and including Rajyotsava Award in 1981, Padma Rock On, passed away after a prolonged Shri in 2008. battle with brain cancer. Former Union Minister Dalit Ezhilmalai Veteran Bengali author, Sahitya Akademi passed away at 74: winner Debesh Roy passes away at 84: Former Union Minister of State for Health Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy, who Dalit Ezhilmalai was passed away at 74 in was conferred the Sahitya Akademi award for his residence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu due to his novel 'Teesta Parer Brittanto', died at a cardiac arrest he did not have any obvious private hospital. He won the Sahitya Akademi illness. award for his novel ‘Tista Parer Brittanto’ in Former Greek health minister, 1990. cardiologist Kremastinos passes away: Padma Bhushan Awardee and Greece’s former health minister, cardiologist Bangladesh's National Professor, and university professor Dimitris Anisuzzaman, Passes Away: Kremastinos, has passed away because of Padma Bhushan recipient and Bangladesh’s the new coronavirus. He was 78. National Professor Anisuzzaman passed Kremastinos, who was currently serving as away at the age of 83 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. parliament vice-president and was a member He was born on February 18, 1937, in of the center-left KINAL party. Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India and Professional sumo wrestler Shobushi shifted to Bangladesh soon after the partition dies at 28 after contracting Covid-19: in 1947. Japan Sumo Association (JSA) confirmed Little Richard, rock’n’roll pioneer, passed the death of wrestler as Shobushi, whose away at 87: real name was Kiyotaka Suetake. He is Little Richard, architect of rock ‘n’ roll, has reported to have been the first sumo wrestler passed away at the age of 87 years in to die from the virus, and the first person in Tullahoma, Tennessee due to bone cancer, his 20s to die in Japan from Covid-19. who was a Grammy Award winner and an Former JDS MP Raja Rangappa Nayak inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in passes away at 61: 1986. Former JDS (Janata Dal [Secular]) MP Former Miss America, sportscasting (Member of Parliament), Raja Rangappa pioneer Phyllis Ann George has passed Nayak, passed away at the age of 61 in away:

Phyllis George, a broadcast television career and guided seven teams and pioneer who became the first female co- promotions from Serie B to the Italian anchor of the football pregame show "The topflight. NFL Today, " has died. She was 70. She had been crowned the 50th Miss America in 1971. SPORTS NEWS: Former Tamil Nadu football player and Former Pakistan skipper Sana Mir coach R Shanmugam passes away: announces retirement from international Former Tamil Nadu football player and coach cricket: R Shanmugam passed away due to age- Former Pakistan women’s skipper Sana Mir related illness. Shanmugam had also played announced her retirement from international for Mohun Bagan in 1968. cricket, ending a 15 year long illustrious Eight-time Grand Slam winner Ashley career. Mir featured in 226 international Cooper dies at 83: matches for Pakistan, including 137 as 8-time Grand Slam-winning Australian tennis captain from 2009 to 2017. player Ashley Cooper has died. The Pakistan’s Umar Akmal gets three-year Australian, Wimbledon and U.S. singles ban for match-fixing approach: titleholder, was part of the golden era of Controversial Pakistani batsman Umar Australian men’s tennis in 1950s winning four Akmal was banned from all forms of cricket Grand Slams singles titles and four in doubles. for 3 years after pleading guilty to failing to Renowned vocalist Shyamala G Bhave report match-fixing approaches. The passes away at 79: batsman’s ban is effective from February 20, Renowned vocalist Shyamala G Bhave, who when he was provisionally suspended by had an equal command over Hindustani and Pakistan Cricket Board. Carnatic music, passed away. She was 79. AIBA moves 2021 world boxing Her mother Lakshmi Bhave was also a championships to Belgrade: classical vocalist. The 2021 Men's World Boxing Former Uttar Pradesh minister Naipal Championships have been moved to Singh passes away: Belgrade from New Delhi, the International Former Uttar Pradesh minister Naipal Singh Boxing Association (AIBA) said. AIBA said it passed away.Mr. Singh had served in the had terminated India's contract after it did not State cabinet headed by Kalyan Singh and pay an agreed host fee. Rajnath Singh.In 2014, he became a member of parliament from Rampur Lok Sabha seat. India among 5 teams seals direct Former Inter coach Gigi Simoni passes qualification for Women’s World Cup away at 81: 2021: Former Inter head coach Gigi Simoni, who The International Cricket Council(ICC) has led a Ronaldo-inspired team to UEFA Cup announced that India, New Zealand, glory in 1998, has passed away at the age of Australia, England and South Africa have 81. Simoni had a well-travelled coaching sealed a direct berth for the quadrennial 50-

over Women World Cup 2021 to be held in Integrity Unit for flunking a dope test, nearly New Zealand and scheduled from February two years after her sample was deemed clean 6 to March 7 in 2021. by the NDTL (National Dope Testing BWF postpones World Championship Laboratory). 2020 to November 2021: TIU bans Egyptian tennis player Youssef Badminton World Federation (BWF) Hossam for life in match-fixing cases: postponed Badminton World Championship Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) has banned 2020 to the November 29 to December 5, Egyptian tennis player Youssef Hossam 2021. which is traditionally held in August (21) for life after being involved in a number and other Qualifiers for the Olympics are of match-fixing and corruption cases. rescheduled. The tournament will take place SAI forms 6-member panel to prepare at the Caroline Marin Stadium, Huelva, SOP for phased resumption of training: Spain. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has formed CGF postpones 7th season of 2021 a six-member committee to prepare a Commonwealth Youth Games to 2023: Standard Operating Procedure for a Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) phased resumption of training across sporting has postponed the 7th season of disciplines at all the centres once the Commonwealth Youth Games 2021, coronavirus-forced national lockdown is lifted. scheduled to take place from August 1 – 7 Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik 2021 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and announces retirement: Tobago, to the year 2023 following a clash Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik with Tokyo Olympic 2020 dates postponed by announced her retirement to hold her post as a year due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) the President of the Paralympic Committee epidemic. of India in accordance with the National FINA postpones 2021 Fukuoka world Sports Code. championships to May 2022: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India The 2021 World Aquatics Championships in to be held from Feb 17 to Mar 7 in 2021: Japan will now be held in 2022, the sport's The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which governing body FINA (International was originally scheduled to be held later this Swimming Federation) said. It was initially year in India, has been moved back to early scheduled for the summer of 2021 from July 2021. Five venues – Ahmedabad, 16 to August 1 in the Japanese city of Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Kolkata and Fukuoka. Navi Mumbai – had already been finalised. Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari banned French cyclist Remy Di Gregorio banned for 4 years by WADA after testing by UCI for 4 years following ‘super-EPO’ positive for methenolone: positive test: Discus thrower Sandeep Kumari has been Remy Di Gregorio, a French road bicycle slapped with a four-year ban by WADA's racer, has been banned for 4 years by the (World Anti-Doping Agency) Athletics International Cycling Union (UCI) for

using a form of banned blood-boosting National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) hormone EPO (Erythropoietin) during a long- provisionally suspended powerlifters Savita distance trip from Paris to Nice during a Kumari and Ankit Shisodia for violating doping test on March 8, 2018. anti-doping rules. Athletes were given an Anil Kumble-led ICC Committee calls for opportunity to present themselves before the ban on saliva to shine ball: Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) Anil Kumble-led panel ICC Cricket and explain their cases on the date and time Committee recommended banning the use of fixed by the panel for a hearing. saliva to shine the ball among several other Spanish Striker Aritz Aduriz Announces changes to ICC regulations to mitigate the Retirement from Football: risks posed by the COVID-19 virus. Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz The committee also recommended that two announced retirement from football. He non-neutral umpires (both from the host played for Spanish clubs Valladolid, Mallorca nation) should be appointed for a short period and Valencia, and is club's sixth-highest of time. scorer with 172 goals. He was a member of NADA provisionally suspends Savita Spain's squad at the 2016 European Kumari, Ankit Shishodia for violating Championship. anti-doping rules:

IMPORTANT DAYS: DATE DAYS THEME

May 01 International Labour Day - May 02 International Astronomy Day - May 03 World Press Freedom Day "Journalism without Fear or Favour”. May 04 International Fire-fighter’s Day - May 05 World Asthma Day “Enough Asthma Deaths”. May 05 International Day of the Midwife “Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our time is now”. May 05 World Hand Hygiene Day “SAVE LIVES: Clean your hands” May 06 International No Diet Day - May 07 World Athletics Day - May 08 World Red Cross day - May 08 World Thalassemia Day “The dawning of a new era for thalassaemia: Time for a global effort to make novel therapies accessible and affordable to patients”. May 09 World Migratory Bird Day "Birds Connect Our World." May 10 International Mother’s Day - May 11 National Technology Day “Focusing on Rebooting the economy through Science and Technology”.

May 12 International Nurses Day “A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health”. May 15 International Day of Families “Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing + 25”. May 15 National Endangered Species - Day May 16 Armed Forces Day - May 16 National dengue day - May 16 International Day of Living - Together in Peace May 17 World Telecommunication and “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Information Society Day Goals (SDGs)”. May 17 World Hypertension Day “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer” May 18 International Museum Day “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”. May 20 World Bee Day "Save the Bees". May 20 World Metrology Day “Measurements for Global Trade”. May 21 International Tea Day - May 21 National Anti-Terrorism Day - May 23 International Day to End "End gender inequality! End health inequities! End Fistula Obstetric Fistula now!" May 23 World Turtle Day - May 24 National Commonwealth Day - May 25 International Missing Children’s - Day May 25 World Thyroid Day May 28 International Day of Action for “Each for Equal” Women’s Health May 29 World Digestive Health Day "Gut Microbiome: A Global Perspective" May 29 International Day of United “Women in Peacekeeping – A Key to Peace” Nations Peacekeepers May 31 Anti-Tobacco Day or World No “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and Tobacco Day preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use”.

JUNE 2020 NATIONAL NEWS: companies would invest over Rs 15000 Power Finance Corporation signs MoU crore. The Government also signed MoUs for with NBPCL to fund hydro-electric renewable energy projects. projects in Madhya Pradesh: Nirmala Sitharaman launches free Power Finance Corporation, under Ministry instant PAN card facility through of Power entered into an agreement with Aadhaar: Narmada Basin Projects Company Ltd., a Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman company of Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, to fund formally launched the facility for instant projects worth Rs. 22, 000 crore for 225 allotment of PAN card using Aadhaar- MW hydro-electric projects & multipurpose based e-KYC. The facility is now available for projects. all those Permanent Account Number Uttarakhand’s Char Dham Project to get (PAN) applicants who possess a valid a boost with 450 m tunnel built beneath Aadhaar number and have a mobile number Chamba Town: registered in the UIDAI database. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has Andhra Pradesh government launches completed construction of a 440 m long web portal for educational institutes to tunnel below the busy Chamba town on the upload details: Rishikesh-Dharasu road Highway (NH 94). Andhra Pradesh has launched a web portal Indian Union Minister of Road Transport and on schools and colleges will have to upload Highways Nitin Gadkari lauded and details regarding their infrastructure and congratulated the team for achieving this other facilities. Student’s parents may visit feat. the institutes and complain if the facilities Karnataka governmentt to launch a provided do not match the information project to maintain health database of all provided. citizens: Decided during the ‘Our Governance, Your Karnataka governmentt to soon launch Suggestion’ session. project to maintain the health database of all Himachal to launch portal for its citizens undertaking a survey of all 6.5 registration of returnees who lost jobs: Crore people. A first of its kind initiative The cabinet headed by Chief Minister Jai Ram State Health Register will be robust and Thakur launched of a portal for registration standardized health repository of all citizens. of people who returned to the state due to Tamil Nadu signs MoUs worth over Rs 15, job-loss and are either in need of employment 000 crore to generate 47, 000 jobs or upgrade of skills and decided to formulate Tamil Nadu signed 17 memorandums of a scheme for working capital requirements. understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 15, 128 Uttar Pradesh government to develop crore to generate 47, 150 jobs in the state. 800 km roads as Herbal roads: Daimler India, Salcomp and other Uttar Pradesh government will develop 800 km roads as Herbal roads in the state. These RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 38 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

herbal roads will have medicinal and herbal the protocols of social distancing and trees on both sides. Standard Operating Prcedures. Deputy Chief Minister and state PWD minister Uttarakhand launches Mukhyamantri of state Keshav Prasad Maurya stated that Swarozgar Yojana for returnee migrants: these herbal roads will have trees like like Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Peepal, Neem, Sehjan along with other herb Singh Rawat inaugurated the Mukhyamantri varieties like brahmi, ashvagandha and Swarozgar Yojana. The scheme will offer jatrofa. credit facility through nationalised banks, ‘Hunar Haat’ to restart from Sept 2020 scheduled commercial banks and with theme “Local to Global”: cooperative banks. Flagship programme of Ministry of Minority Madhya Pradesh Government creates Affairs ‘Hunar Haat’ will restart with the ‘Rojgar Setu Yojana’ to employ migrant theme of “Local to Global” from September workers: 2020. State Government has created ‘Rojgar Setu It is a platform for artisans and craftsmen Yojana’ to employ migrant workers, who from various parts of the country to showcase have come back to the State from other states their art and craft and provides employment amid coronavirus-induced lockdown, stated and employment opportunities to more than Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh five lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, Chouhan. culinary experts and other people Madhya Pradesh Government is associated with them in the last five years. preparing database under ‘Swamitva’ ADB and India sign $177 million loan to scheme: upgrade roads in Maharashtra: Madhya Pradesh Government is preparing a Asian Development Bank and the Government database under the “Swamitva scheme” of India signed a $177 million loan to launched on a pilot basis by Prime Minister upgrade 450 kilometres of state highways Narendra Modi on 24th April. The scheme and major district roads in the state of aims to provide land ownership rights to Maharashtra. This could improve the people in rural areas. connectivity between rural areas and urban On the basis of the database prepared under centres. this scheme, land rights records and Kargil’s first Solar Lift Irrigation Plant property registers of rural settlements will inaugurated in Ladakh: also be prepared at the panchayat level. In Ladakh, Director of Animal, Sheep Piyush Goyal attend Digital Summit on Husbandry and Fisheries Dr Mohammad Exports organized by CII: Raza inaugurated the first Solar Lift Irrigation Minister for Commerce & Industry & Railways Plant of Kargil with five KW Solar Plant and Piyush Goyal participated in the Digital three HP Submersible Pump (Kargil Summit on Exports organized by the Renewable Energy Agency-KREDA) at Yak Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Breeding Farm, Bodh Kharboo keeping in view which has completed 125 years. EXIM Bank

of India was the Institutional Partner for the cooperation in this regard aiming at building Summit. a global ecosystem of interconnected NASSCOM is targeting for $500 billion renewable energy resources that can be export in next five years. seamlessly shared. Government approves Rs 445 cr for Public Sector Banks sanction collateral Chhattisgarh under Jal Jeevan Mission: free loans worth 3, 200 crore rupees in a Union Government has approved Rs 445 single day under Aatmanirbhar Bharat crore for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Abhiyan: Mission in Chhattisgarh during 2020-21. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Chhattisgarh has planned to have 100 per informed that largely the Micro, Small and cent Functional Tap Water Connection Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) located in (FHTC) by 2023-24. Out of 45 lakh over three thousand TIER-2 towns were households in the state, it has planned to covered on the first day of sanctions of the provide tap connections to 20 lakh collateral free loans. households. The amount 3, 200 crore sanctioned will help Kerala to launch free internet project K- the MSMEs to meet the expenses towards FON in December: payment of salaries, rent and restocking of Kerala State government has announced the goods. Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) Centre launches PM SVANIDHI scheme project will be commissioned by December for street vendors to get loans of up to 2020. The project aims to provide free Rs. 10, 000: internet access to the poor in the State. Chief Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the (MoHUA) has inked Memorandum of decision after a meeting with the heads of Understanding (MoU) with Small Industries companies of the consortium. Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has Jitendra Singh launched e-booklet on launched “PM SVANIDHI” -Pradhan Mantri DARPG achievements: Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi - a Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public special micro-credit facility scheme for Grievances and Pensions Dr.Jitendra Singh providing affordable loan to street vendors. It has launched the e-booklet on Department of is aimed at enabling the street vendors to Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances resume their livelihood. (DARPG) achievements for the period 30 The scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh May 2019 to 30 May 2020. street vendors. ‘One Sun One World One Grid’: India Odisha, Sikkim, Mizoram join ‘One initiates talks on West to SE Asia solar Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme: Ram grid: Vilas Paswan: India has come up with a ‘One Sun One Odisha, Sikkim and Mizoram are the three World One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative to more states that have been included under set up a framework for facilitating global the “One Nation One Ration Card”

scheme. Consumer Affairs Minister Modern Processes for Increasing the Output announced the inclusion of these states in the & National Strength. scheme on Integrated Management of Public Government approves to rename Kolkata Distribution System. The facility is enabled in Port Trust as Syama Prasad Mookerjee 17 States and UTs so far. Port Trust: PM Modi announces “My Life My Yoga” Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the Video Blogging contest in Man Ki Baat: announcement of renaming Kolkata Port Trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust one and all to participate in the “My Life – after Jan Sangh Founder while addressing the My Yoga” (also called “Jeevan Yoga”) 150th-anniversary programme of Kolkata Video Blogging Contest, a joint effort by the Port Trust. Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Council Government launches SWADES to for Cultural Relations (ICCR), during the conduct skill mapping of citizens course of his monthly Mann Ki Baat address returning under Vande Bharat Mission: to the nation. The Union Government has launched a new The contest focuses on the transformative initiative SWADES- Skilled Workers Arrival impact of Yoga on the lives of individuals, and Database for Employment Support to conduct comes as one of the activities related to the a skill mapping exercise of the returning observation of the sixth International Day citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission. of Yoga (IDY) coming up on 21st June 2020. Telangana Chief Minister inaugurates The contest has gone live on the social media Kondapochamma Reservoir in Siddipet: handles of the Ministry of AYUSH. Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao Nitin Gadkari announces development of inaugurated a pump house in Siddipet new Greenfield expressway to Amritsar: district to lift Godavari water to a reservoir The centre has announced the development which is at a height of 618 meters from the of a new Greenfield connectivity to source—Godavari river. This is to facilitate Amritsar City from Nakodar via Sultanpur areas which did not have irrigation facilities. Lodhi, Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib as part Centre launches TULIP portal to provide of Delhi-Amritsar Expressway. The road benefit to all stakeholders: from Amritsar to Gurdaspur to be made signal Human Resources Development Minister free. First phase of project to have an Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank & Urban Affairs investment of Rs 25, 000 cr. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched a Prime Minister Modi launches joint initiative, TULIP- ‘The Urban Learning CHAMPIONS portal to empower MSMEs: Internship Programme’ aimed at providing Prime Minister launched the tech platform internships to engineering students in the “Champions” to help the smaller MSMEs by country. It has been conceived under solving their grievances, encouraging and Budget’s theme ‘Aspirational India’. supporting them. ‘Champions’ stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of

Chhattisgarh government launches Prime Minister Modi and his Australian ‘Spandan Campaign’ to check suicide and counterpart PM Scott Morrison are taking fratricide: part in the first-ever virtual bilateral summit. Chhattisgarh Police have launched a special The event signifies “The strengthening of campaign titled “Spandan” to check mental ties with Australia and its upward stress and depression among their personnel trajectory”. by conducting interactive programmes and Cabinet approves MoU between India arranging counseling sessions, music and and Bhutan on cooperation in the areas yoga therapies. of environment: The motive of the campaign is preventing the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister force from depression and stress pushing Narendra Modi gave its approval for signing them to take extreme steps. the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Nitin Gadkari announces development of with the Royal Government of Bhutan on new Greenfield expressway to Amritsar: Cooperation in the areas of the environment. Centre announced the development of a new This Memorandum of Understanding shall Greenfield connectivity to Amritsar City enter into force on the date of signature and from Nakodar via Sultanpur Lodhi, Goindwal shall continue to remain in force for a period Sahib, Khadoor Sahib as part of Delhi- of 10 years. Amritsar Expressway. Prakash Javadekar launches urban forest Minister for Road Transport & Highways and scheme to develop 200 “Nagar Van” in 5 MSMEs Nitin Gadkari stated, the road from years: Amritsar to Gurdaspur will also be fully Union Forest, Environment and Climate developed and made completely signal free. Change Minister Prakash Javadekar, Prime Minister Addresses the virtual launched the “Urban Forest programme” Global Vaccine Summit 2020: on the occasion of World Environment Day India pledged $15 million to Gavi, the and reiterated that India is able to preserve international vaccine alliance, with Prime its biodiversity.Government announced Minister Narendra Modi making the implementation of the Nagar van scheme to announcement during the virtual Global develop 200 Urban Forests across the Vaccine Summit hosted by UK Prime country in next 5 years with a renewed focus Minister Boris Johnson. on people’s participation & collaboration More than 50 countries are including between Forest Department, Municipal business leaders, UN agencies, civil society, bodies, NGOs, Corporates. ministers and Heads of State and participated Nitin Gadkari launches campaign on in the summit. ‘Prevention of Human and Animal PM Modi’s first-ever virtual bilateral Mortality on Highways’: summit with Australian PM Scott Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Morrison: and MSME, Nitin Gadkari launched the UNDP and MoRTH national awareness campaign on

‘Prevention of Human and Animal Welfare Directorate on World Environment Mortality on Highways’ through a video Day (June 5). conference. As per the instruction from Commissioner Uttar Pradesh introduces a MoU Renu Tiwari, a variety of plants such as Monitoring Mechanism for efficient Neem, Guava, Mango, Moonlight, Parijat and implementation of investment Tulsi were planted with a plate in the name of proposals: each employee’s mother. Uttar Pradesh has introduced a ''Bande Utkala Janani'' gets state anthem Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) status in Odisha: Monitoring Mechanism in a move that aims Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram at better implementation of investment Keshari Arukh said that the Cabinet headed proposals through handholding interested by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accorded investors and better tracking of the MoUs state anthem status to ''Bande Utkala signed. Janani''. J&K Lieutenant Governor launches 'Mera This patriotic poem was written by Kantakabi Vetan' app: Laxmikanta Mohapatra in 1912. It was the Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu launched opening song of Utkal Sammilani during the JK Employees Salary Tracker Mobile App- fight for the formation of a separate province. “Mera Vetan”. With this, employees Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot especially posted in remote & rural areas, who launches Raj Kaushal Portal: do not have access to the DDOs will easily Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the access their salary & other details anytime. Raj Kaushal portal and online shramik PETA hails India’s first online waste employment exchange, developed by the exchange platform launched by Andhra department of Information and Pradesh: Technology (IT) and RSLDC, to ensure The Indian wing of the People for the giving jobs to the migrant workers who have Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has returned from other states and those who praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS have been rendered jobless. Jagan Mohan Reddy for launching an Madhya Pradesh tops wheat online waste exchange platform which will procurement in country with 1.27 crore help the authorities monitor the movement of tones: hazardous waste real-time using the tools Madhya Pradesh has reached the first incorporated in the platform. position in the country in the procurement of Plantation drive named "Thank Mom" wheat on support price, chief minister started in Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In Madhya Pradesh, a plantation drive Wheat procurement in Madhya Pradesh has named "Thank Mom" has been started on the increased by 74 per cent as compared last premises of Social Justice and Disabled year. It is almost equal to the 33 per cent of total wheat procured in the country.

World Bank lends Rs. 1, 950 crore loans Government Hikes Import Duty On to West Bengal Govt for tackling COVID Bamboo from 10 To 25 Percent: situation: Union Government has hiked Customs duty West Bengal has given Rs. 1, 950 Cr loans on Bamboo imports by Agarbatti to the West Bengal for tackling COVID manufacturers from 10 per cent to 25 per situation & developmental work in the State. cent with immediate effect. The decision has Out of it, Rs. 1, 100 Cr will be spent for been taken to encourage use of domestic creating Industrial infrastructures, remaining bamboo under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rs. 850 crores are for the Social-Welfare scheme. schemes. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister launches Uttar Pradesh govt amends 65 years old "Jagananna Chedodu" scheme, cow slaughter act of state: disburses Rs. 10, 000 to beneficiaries: Uttar Pradesh government has amended the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan 65 years old cow slaughter act of state Mohan Reddy, who has been implementing and made stringent provisions in a new welfare schemes for the betterment of the ordinance to stop cow slaughter in the state. poor, has embarked on another scheme The State Cabinet has approved Cow- named Jagananna Chedodu scheme. Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) A scheme to provide financial assistance to Ordinance, 2020. barbers, dhobis (washermen) and tailors Gairsain declared summer capital of in the state Uttarakhand: FM Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 40th GST Gairsain in Chamoli district was declared council meeting: as the summer capital of Uttarakhand. It is Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expected that the declaration of a summer chaired the 40th GST council meeting capital in the region will expedite through video conferencing. Finance Minister development of the hilly areas. Dehradun is said that no late fee will be charged from the existing temporary capital of small taxpayers who have not filed their Uttarakhand. GST returns between July 2017 and January Distinct colour band for number plate 2020. sticker for BS-6 four-wheel vehicles: Government approves revised estimate Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of Rs 124 crore for ship repair facilities has issued an order mandating a strip of in Andaman & Nicobar: green colour of 1 cm width on top of the Due to increased ship movements, the ship existing sticker carrying details of registration repair facilities at Port Blair are being for BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type that is for augmented by the shipping ministry and the petrol or CNG which have a light blue existing dock length will be extended by 90 colour sticker and a diesel vehicle which is meters under “Make In India” initiative. of Orange colour. Shipping ministry has approved a revised cost estimate of Rs 123.95 crore.

Indian Navy inaugurates Deep Aim of the yojana– To educate orphans and Submergence Rescue Vehicle Complex at worker’s children or child labourers & Visakhapatnam: ensure their healthy life. DSRV Complex is designed to accommodate NHAI becomes first construction sector the newly inducted Submarine Rescue organization to go ‘Fully Digital’: System with state of the art facilities to store National Highway Authority of India the DSRV assets in a Rescue-Ready state. (NHAI) has gone “Fully Digital”, with the The DSRV system can be rapidly mobilized by launch of cloud-based and Artificial air or road to facilitate submarine rescue Intelligence-powered Big Data Analytics operations even at distant locations. platform – Data Lake and Project Railways Creates World Record; Management Software in view of the deadly Successfully Runs First Double Stack coronavirus pandemic. Container Train in Electrified Territory: Maharashtra renames its environment Indian Railways created a world record by ministry as ‘Environment & Climate commissioning the first high rise Over Head Change Ministry’: Equipment (OHE) and successfully running A week after being hit by Cyclone Nisarga, double stack containers in electrified territory Maharashtra has renamed its Environment on the Western Railway from Palanpur and Ministry as Environment and Climate Botad stations in Gujarat. Change Ministry. The department which is Odisha becomes 1st state in India to handle by Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya receive ISO certification for tribal Thackeray. hostels: 'STREE' Launched In Hyderabad To Odisha became the first State in India to Support And Empower Women Against receive prestigious ISO (International Domestic Violence: Organization for Standardization) 9001:2015 Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC) certification for its 44 tribal hostels of in association with Hyderabad City Police has Keonjhar (32 hostels) and Sambalpur (12 launched a programme “STREE” to support hostels) districts improving their overall women against domestic violence. The name infrastructure and standards under Mission reflects the vision - "She Triumphs through Suvidya. Respect, Equality, and Empowerment" UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (STREE). launches ‘Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana’ Punjab CM launches 'Ghar Ghar Nigrani' through video conference: app for COVID-19 house-to-house Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi surveillance: Adityanath launched “Bal Shramik Vidya Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Yojana” for 8-18 years old children, who are Singh launched a mobile-based app “Ghar child labourers instead of being in school, Ghar Nigrani” to undertake house-to-house through video conference. surveillance in the state to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maharashtra government signs Rs 16, by Uttar Pradesh State Industrial 000-crore investment pacts with 12 Development Authority (UPSIDA). firms: West Bengal Government launches Maharashtra government has announced “Karmo Bhumi” a job portal to help IT the signing of memoranda of understanding professionals: (MoUs) with 12 domestic and foreign West Bengal government has launched a job companies for Rs 16, 000 crore investments portal “KarmoBhumi” for IT professionals in the oil, chemicals, auto, electric who have returned to the state amid the mobility and logistics sectors. COVID-19 pandemic. IT professionals can 500-Year-Old Odisha Temple Submerged use the portal ‘Karmo Bhumi’ to connect with Under Mahanadi River Reappears: companies based in the state. IT professionals A 500-year-old ancient temple of Lord now connect to IT companies of Bengal Vishnu that was submerged in Odisha’s through karmabhumi.nltr.org. Mahanadi river sometime in 19th century Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh due to change of course of the river, has inaugurates three projects undertaken resurfaced after 15 years. by PHED An archaeological survey team from the Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural inaugurated three projects undertaken by Heritage that visited the village in Nayagarh State Public Health Engineering district, said the top of the Gopinath Dev Department (PHED) through video temple was visible due to the reduction in the conferencing from Imphal. water-level of the river. New Development Bank has sanctioned First estimation exercise of Indian gaur Rs. 3000 crore to provide potable water to in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu: every household of the State. The first population estimation exercise of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Customs launches “e-Office” application: Division in recent years. World Wildlife Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Fund (WWF) for Nature India assisted the Customs Chairman M. Ajit Kumar has exercise and highlighted that there are launched the e-Office application in over 500 estimated 2, 000 Indian gaurs across the CGST and Customs offices pan India. Over division. 50, 000 officers and staff will use this Uttar Pradesh govt decides to adopt application, making CBIC one of the largest scheme of Flatted Factory Model: Government departments to automate its Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to internal office procedures. adopt the scheme of Flatted Factory Model Sports Ministry to establish Khelo India which will ensure easy availability of land for Centres of Excellence: industries, and in turn, generate employment Minister of Sports Kiren Rijiju has now also. In a high level meeting, it was decided decided to set up Khelo India State Centers of Excellence (KISCE) under Khelo India.

First phase of the scheme will see eight Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot state-owned facilities being upgraded. The announced that his government will soon eight have been selected on the basis of launch the “Indira Rasoi Yojna” for the facilities available in priority sports, poor to ensure that "no one sleeps hungry" infrastructure and past champions. in the state. UP becomes top state in country to Under this scheme, pure and nutritious food provide employment to workers under on concessional rates will be provided to the MGNREGA: needy twice a day, the chief minister said. He Uttar Pradesh has become the top state in said the state government will spend Rs 100 the country to provide employment to the crore every year on the Indira Rasoi Yojna workers under the Mahatma Gandhi (Indira Kitchen Scheme). National Rural Employment Guarantee Union Cabinet approves proposal to Scheme (MGNREGA). Uttar Pradesh grant international airport status to UP's provided employment to more than 57 lakh Kushinagar Airport: workers under MGNREGA. Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Narendra Modi approved declaration of Launches India's First Mobile Laboratory Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an For Coronavirus Testing: International Airport. Union minister Harsh Vardhan launched a Government provides 2% interest mobile lab for coronavirus testing which can subsidy to 'Shishu' borrowers under be deployed in rural areas and help in Mudra Yojana: promoting last-mile testing. The mobile lab, The government decided to provide 2 also called I-Lab or Infectious Diseases percent interest subvention to borrowers Diagnostic Lab can run 50 RT-PCR tests in a under the 'Shishu' category of the flagship day. It can also conduct up to 200 ELISA tests Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) in a day. for a period of 12 months. Union HRD Minister virtually launches Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates India's YUKTI 2.0 platform for Higher Education one of India's largest & first Virtual Institutes: Healthcare & Hygiene EXPO 2020: Union Minister of Human Resource Union State Minister for Chemicals and Development Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated launched the initiative “YUKTI 2.0” to help one of India's largest and first Virtual systematically assimilate technologies having Healthcare and Hygiene EXPO 2020. The commercial potential and information related Expo has been organised by Federation of to incubated startups in higher education Indian Chambers of Commerce and institutions. Industry (FICCI). Rajasthan Government to Launch Indira MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launches Rasoi Yojna to ensure 'No One Sleeps Credit Guarantee Scheme for Sub- Hungry': Ordinate Debt:

MSME, Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the The MoU signed between the Ministry of Credit Guarantee Scheme for Sub-Ordinate Power and the Ministry for Energy, Utilities Debt (CGSSD). Under the scheme, and Climate, Government of Denmark, is to Promoters of the MSMEs will be given credit develop a strong, deep and long-term co- equal to 15 percent of their stake or 75 lakh operation between two countries in the power rupees whichever is lower. sector on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Apple becomes the first US company to India becomes world’s second-largest hit $1.5 trillion market cap: manufacturer of PPE body coveralls in Apple has become the first US Company to two months: cross $1.5 trillion-mark in market cap as its India has become the world’s second largest valuation hit $1.53 trillion at over $352 per manufacturer of personal protective share. While Microsoft briefly hit $1.5 trillion equipment (PPE) body coveralls within a m-cap, its valuation declined to $1.49 short time span of two months. trillion. China is the world’s leading producer of PPE Exim Bank extends $216 million credit body coveralls, crucial to safeguard against line to Malawi government: the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) World Economic Forum Davos summit to has extended a line of credit (LOC) worth focus on 'The Great Reset' in 2021: $215.68 million to the Malawi government World Economic Forum (WEF) will adopt a for drinking water supply schemes and other new twin-summit format for its next annual development projects includes supply of Davos meeting in January 2021 with a irrigation network, tobacco threshing theme of 'The Great Reset'. plant, cotton processing facilities and On Menstrual Hygiene Day Former Miss construction of a new water supply system World Manushi Chhillar joins UNICEF’s from Likhubula river in Mulanje to Blantyre. “Red Dot Challenge”: India Elected for 8th Term as Non- On Menstrual Hygiene Day, 28th May 2020, Permanent UNSC Member: 23-year-old, former Miss World Manushi India formally elected as Non-Permanent Chhillar collaborated in the global initiative of Member of the powerful UN Security the United Nations Children’s Fund Council for a two-year term after winning (UNICEF), the “Red Dot Challenge” to 184 votes in the 193-member General create awareness and to educate the girls Assembly. Along with India, Ireland, about menstrual hygiene and construction of Mexico, and Norway also won the UN sanitation facilities and access to hygiene Security Council elections. India will be products. United Nations Security Council President for India and Denmark signed an MoU for August, 2021 developing cooperation in the power sector:

India pledges USD 10million to UN for BSE StAR Mutual Fund has launched BSE Palestine refugees amid COVID-19 eKYC services based on Aadhaar and Video pandemic: KYC. Open for onboarding mutual fund India has announced to contribute 10 investors initially, it will be opened to stock million US dollar to the United Nation's brokers and other approved intermediaries. (UN) Relief and Works Agency for It will soon issue APIs for stock brokers and Palestine Refugees in the Near East other intermediaries to connect their IT (UNRWA) over the coming two years. systems to BSE’s eKYC system. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic NPCI launches AI virtual assistant PAi to declares landslide win in controversial create product awareness: parliamentary vote: National Payments Corporation of India Serbia's president declared a landslide (NPCI), as an initiative to improve digital victory for his right-wing party, in a financial inclusion, launched an Artificial controversial parliamentary election held Intelligence (AI) based chatbot, PAi, to amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic create awareness around its products like and a boycott by much of the opposition. His FASTag, RuPay, UPI, AePS on a real-time party won 190 seats in the total of 250. basis. PAi is developed by Bengaluru based 36th ASEAN Summit to be held in startup CoRover Pvt Ltd. Vietnam via video conference: RBI slaps penalty on Bank Of India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that Karnataka Bank & Saraswat Bank: the 36th ASEAN (Association of Southeast RBI imposed the penalty of Rs. 5 cr on Bank Asian Nations (ASEAN)) Summit will be the of India, Rs. 30 lakh on Saraswat Co- first ever to take place via teleconference, operative Bank Ltd and Rs. 1.20 cr on with Vietnam to host the remote gathering, Karnataka Bank. The RBI has imposed the set to focus on handling regional public health penalty on the ground of non-compliance with issues and funding to cope with COVID-19. certain provisions of the directions issued by RBI. BANKING AND ECONOMY: NABARD sanctions Rs 1, 050 crore credit LIC launches revamped PMVVY for senior support to West Bengal: citizens: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Extension of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Development (NABARD) has sanctioned credit Vandana Yojana up to 31 st March 2023 of Rs 1, 050 crore in the current fiscal so far by the government, LIC has launched a to West Bengal for benefit of farmers and poor modified non-linked, non-participating, people in rural areas. pension plan. The policy term is 10 years and The credit support under Special Liquidity the assured rate of interest is 7.4%. Facility (SLF) will be extended to state BSE launches eKYC services on StAR MF cooperative banks, regional rural banks and platform: micro-finance institutions (MFIs).

Yes Bank partners with Chalo launch PhonePe launches Domestic Trip contactless card for bus passengers: Insurance with ICICI Lombard as India Yes Bank has partnered with Chalo to launch starts opening-up: of a co-branded contactless travel card in PhonePe, India’s leading digital payments Mangalore and Udupi, which would enable platform announced the launch of a users to load money on the card to make ‘tap comprehensive, industry-first domestic multi- to pay’ payments across buses. trip insurance cover in a strategic partnership RBI Sets up Payments Infrastructure with ICICI Lombard, India’s largest non-life Development Fund to Boost Digitisation: insurance company. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said they are The cost of the insurance is Rs 499/year. It setting up a Payment Infrastructure provides 365-day stress-free travel Development Fund (PIDF) of Rs 500 crore. experience, protection & covers all modes It will make an initial contribution of Rs 250 (road, rail and air within the country) of crore covering half the fund. The remaining transport. will come from the card-issuing banks and RBI proposes upper age limit of 70 years card networks operating in the country. for bank CEOs and whole-time directors: SEBI rearranges its Commodity RBI has proposed an upper age limit of 70 derivatives advisory committee: years for CEOs and whole-time directors Securities and Exchange Board of India of banks and a maximum term of 10 years (SEBI) rearranged the Commodity derivatives for those belonging to the promoter group, as advisory committee and appointed Ashok part of the exercise to improve governance in Dalwani, Retired IAS officer as the chairman the banking sector. and Aliasgar S Mithwani, Chief General SBI relaunches online ‘Insta Saving Bank Manager of SEBI as Secretary of the 17- Account’ through YONO: member committee. State Bank of India has re-launched “SBI NABARD provides Rs 270 crore to Assam Insta Saving Bank Account” an Aadhaar- Gramin Vikash Bank: based instant digital savings account for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural customers who would like to open an account Development (NABARD) has made available online through bank’s integrated banking and a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF) of Rs 270 lifestyle platform – YONO. which will offer a crore to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank for complete paperless and instant digital supporting the agricultural activities of the savings account opening with just PAN and farmers. Aadhaar number. NABARD has provided Rs 25, 000 crore ICICI Bank launches ‘Insta Flexicash’ nationwide for providing liquidity support to paperless overdraft facility for salary Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks accounts: and Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) Private lender ICICI Bank has unveiled a during 2020-21. paperless facility that will enable its salary

account customers to get approvals for ICICI Home Finance has launched a special Overdraft (OD) instantaneously. Affordable Housing Loan scheme, with Titled as ‘Insta Flexicash’, the end-to-end special rates for women, lower and middle- fully digital service can be used on the income groups. Called SARAL, it aims to lender’s internet banking platform. The fund homes in urban and rural areas. SARAL facility can get the approval immediately offers affordable housing loans up to Rs. 35 while customers can start using the okayed lakh. The interest rate starts from 7.98% limit within 48 hours. onwards. PNB extends credit line of Rs 750 cr for RBI Proposes New Norms for Housing Gorakhpur Link Expressway: Finance Companies: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has extended RBI proposed to double the minimum Net a credit line of Rs 750 crore for the Owned Fund (NOF) requirement for housing Gorakhpur Link Expressway, estimated to finance companies to Rs 20 crore. cost Rs 5, 876 crore. The 91-km expressway Classifying HFCs as systemically important will connect Gorakhpur district, the pocket (asset size of Rs 500 crore and above) and borough of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath non-systemically important (asset size with another expressway project, the 340-km less than Rs 500 crore). Purvanchal Expressway. EXIM Bank provides USD 20 mn credit Airtel Payments Bank launches Suraksha line to Nicaragua for rebuilding hospital: Salary account for MSMEs: Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) Airtel Payments Bank launched a new will provide a line of credit of USD 20.10 salary account for Micro, Small and million (about Rs 153.27 crore) for Medium Enterprises named Suraksha reconstruction of hospital building in Salary account, it will enable MSMEs and Nicaragua. Exim Bank has extended 4 (four) other organizations to make cashless Lines of Credit to Nicaragua, on behalf of payments and provide a financial security the Indian government. blanket to their employees. Yes Bank partners Affordplan to launch The account has No Minimum balance co-branded cashless healthcare card: condition. It offers no charges on cash Yes Bank has partnered with fintech withdrawals of upto Rs 50, 000 and deposits startup Afford plan to launch a co-branded of upto Rs 20, 000 in one month. health card “Swasth Card” to address EPFO launches multi location claims healthcare needs. The co-branded healthcare settlement facility: card will enable families plan and manage Retirement fund body Employees Provident their finances for their healthcare needs. Fund Organization (EPFO) on Monday said Karnataka Bank launches new loan it has launched a multi-location claim product ‘KBL Micro Mitra’ for small firms: settlement facility to expedite member claims Private sector lender Karnataka Bank ICICI Home Finance launches affordable launched “KBL Micro Mitra” to offer financial housing loan scheme “SARAL”: assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh to micro

manufacturing & service enterprises Vakrangee ties up with LIC for micro either to meet their working capital needs for insurance products: investment purposes. Vakrangee Ltd has tied up with Life RBI extends Rs 50, 000-crore special Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to liquidity facility to Yes Bank for 3 more distribute micro insurance products in months: unserved and underserved areas through its Private sector lender Yes Bank still facing centres across the country. capital woes, the Reserve Bank of India BEML-MELCO sign MoU for (RBI) has agreed to extend Rs 50, 000-crore manufacturing of Railway propulsion: Special Liquidity Facility for the lender for The leading PSU of Government of India, another three months. BEML Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mitshubishi ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS: Electric Co. (MELCO) to study and decide on Airtel Payments Bank & Mastercard the possibility of setting up a Joint Venture Team Up to Provide Financial Solutions (JV) Company for manufacturing of certain for Farmers, SMEs: propulsion systems and other railways Airtel Payments Bank (APBL) has electrical equipment in India. partnered with Mastercard to develop DBS Bank partners with TCIL for real customized products catering to customers time payments to truck drivers: across the under banked spectrum including DBS commitment to support lives and farmers, small and medium enterprises and livelihoods, the bank has partnered with TCIL retail customers. for empowering truck drivers by facilitating Maruti Suzuki partners ICICI Bank to real-time payments through the DBS RAPID offer customized EMI financing schemes (Real Time APIs by DBS) solution, thereby to customers: enabling them to receive payments instantly. Maruti Suzuki India joined hands with South Africa and NASA collaborate to ICICI Bank to offer retail financing schemes support human missions to Moon, Mars to its customers. Accordingly, the bank is and beyond: offering Flexi EMI scheme which enables South African National Space Agency customers to pay low starts from Rs. 899 on (SANSA) has partnered with National loan of Rs 1 lakh for first 3 months. Aeronautics and Space Administration NCLT approves IL&FS stake sale in GIFT (NASA) to host a deep-space ground station, City to Gujarat government: which will support human spaceflight missions The Principal Bench of National Company to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the stake Facebook strikes global licensing deal sale of IL&FS in Gujarat International with Indian music label Saregama: Finance Tec-City Company Limited Facebook has entered into a global deal with (GIFTCL) to the Government of Gujarat. Saregama one of India’s oldest and largest music labels, to license its music for video and

other social experiences across its collaborative research, testing and validation eponymous service and Instagram. of different products through ICAR institutes Saregama claims to offer songs in over and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). 25 languages. Mother Dairy ties up with Zomato to GAIL (India) and Energy Efficiency home deliver fruit, vegetables in Delhi- Services Ltd (EESL) sign MoU for NCR: development of Trigeneration projects in Safal the Fruits and vegetables arm of India: Mother Dairy has partnered with restaurant GAIL (India) and Energy Efficiency aggregator and food Delivery Company Services Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Zomato home deliver fruit and vegetables in Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi for select locations of the National Capital cooperation in development of Region (NCR). Trigeneration projects in India. 50:50 joint Maruti Suzuki partners with Karur Vysya venture between GAIL & EESL will be Bank for flexible financing schemes: incorporated for undertaking Trigeneration Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has partnered projects. with Karur Vysya Bank to offer simpler and Empays Payment Systems partners flexible financing schemes for new Mastercard to enable contact-free ATM customers. Karur Vysya Bank offers cash withdrawals: customers in-principle loan sanction in 15 Empays Payment Systems India Pvt Ltd, minutes. which built and runs the IMT Payment System Facebook acquires Sweden’s Mapillary announced a partnership with Mastercard to for unknown sum to take on Google enable contact-free ATM cash withdrawals Maps: in India. Facebook has acquired Swedish startup EPaisa Joins Hand With First Alliance Mapillary, that is building a detailed, Bank Zambia Ltd To Promote MPOS accurate, and up to date global street-level Solution In Africa: imagery platform, for an undisclosed sum. ePaisa, a point of sale (POS) solution Atal Innovation Mission partners with provider in India’s has entered into a Coal India Ltd to boost its Innovation & partnership with First Alliance Bank (Z) Ltd Entrepreneurship initiatives: in Zambia, Africa to provide mobile point of Coal India Limited (CIL) has agreed to sale (mPOS) solution to the SME’s and other partner with Atal Innovation Mission businesses in the country. (AIM), NITI Aayog to support proactively IFFCO signs MoU with ICAR for joint the flagship mission’s innovation and research, testing, validation of products: entrepreneurship initiatives across the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative country. A Statement of Intent (SoI) of a Ltd (IFFCO) signed a MoU (Memorandum of strategic partnership between AIM and Coal Understanding) with The Indian Council of India Limited was signed and exchanged in a Agricultural Research (ICAR) for virtual e-summit.

Hyundai Motor India ties up with HDFC Research Laboratory, have developed a Bank for vehicle finance: magnesium alloy with significantly Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has improved properties, that can replace steel partnered with HDFC Bank to offer and aluminium in automotive and aerospace customized financing solutions for those components. buying cars through its online automotive Facebook Launches New App Called retail platform 'Click to Buy'. 'CatchUp' to Facilitate Group Phone Mastercard acquires Finicity to advance Chats: Open Banking strategy: Facebook has come up with another calling Mastercard has entered into an agreement application called “Catch-Up”. The idea to acquire Finicity for $825 million, with behind the new app is to coordinate call existing shareholders given the potential to timings with friends and family members. The earn up to an additional $160 million if new app is developed by the company’s New performance targets are met. Product Experimentation team. Irrawaddy Dolphin population at Odisha SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: ‘s Chilika lake increased with the help of Switzerland launched the world's first IIT Madras’ dredging methodology: app based on Google and Apple's A research project undertaken by the Indian contact-tracing tech: Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, has Switzerland is the first country to launch a helped triple the number of Irrawaddy contact-tracing app "SwissCovid" using the dolphins in Odisha’s Chilika lake, asia’s specialized contact-tracing tech released by largest natural water reservoir. Google and Apple. The project involved the excavation Google and Apple released their "exposure (loosening or dislodging) of unwanted notification" API earlier this month, and said substances from the foothills without 22 health authorities around the world have damaging the lake’s ecosystem, removing the asked permission to use it. loosened material to the dredge vessel & Ola Electric acquires Etergo, looks to transportation of the material to the launch electric scooters in India by 2021: placement area. Ola Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd, electric Hyundai Introduces Upgraded End-to- vehicle arm of Ola acquired Amsterdam- End Online Platform 'Click to Buy' For based Etergo BV, manufacturer of electric Customers: scooters. With this acquisition, Ola Electric Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) introduced its will enter the premium electric two-wheeler upgraded online end-to-end automotive retail market and manufacture these scooters. platform “Click to Buy” with an investment IIT Madras develops light-weight alloy to of around $ 1 million (around 7.5 crores) replace steel, aluminium in cars: curated to provide future retail experience to Researchers at the IIT Madras, along with customers in the wake pandemic. the University of North Texas and US Army

DRDO develops device to keep PPE named 'Planet KOI-456.04', the wearers comfortable: unconfirmed exoplanet is thought to be Defence Research Development Organisation similar to Earth for several reasons. It (DRDO) has developed a device SUMERU- receives 93% as much light as Earth gets PACS that helps wearers of Personal from the Sun. Protective Equipment (PPE) comfortable China’s unmanned submersible ‘Haidou- without sweating. 1’ reaches world’s deepest ocean point: The DRDO officials found out, on the basis of China’s unmanned submersible ‘Haidou-1’ the feedback received from doctors and has dived to a depth of 10, 907 meters at medical staff, that the PPE wearers feel the world’s deepest ocean point. Haidou-1 uncomfortable after wearing PPE for more sets a new record for the country during than 30 to 45 minutes and start sweating which high-definition images of the which makes the situation worse. geological environment and samples from the 23-yer-old Maharashtra boy makes Deep Sea were collected. world’s first ‘Internet-controlled’ robot India becomes founding member of to help Covid-19 patients: Global Partnership for Artificial Designed and created by Pratik Tirodkar, Intelligence: founder of a start-up PNT Solutions, India joined the league of leading economies Dombivali, recently, the first ‘Coro-bot’ including USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, independently dispenses food, water, France & others to launch the Global beverages, medicines – and even some good Partnership on Artificial Intelligence advice – to Coronavirus patients without the (GPAI). India will actively participate in the needs for nurses, ward staff or other care- global development of Artificial Intelligence. givers. Defence Institute of Advanced IIT Guwahati Student’s Startup Flyzy Technology develops Ayurvedic face Develops Mobile Application For Safe And mask ‘Pavitrapati’: Contactless Air Travel: Defence Institute of Advanced Students of Indian Institute of Technology Technology (DIAT) has developed Guwahati have developed a mobile biodegradable face mask based on application, called ‘Flyzy’, to provide a Nanofibres of Ayurvedic products which seamless air travelling experience to acts a virus neutraliser and resist the bacteria passengers during the pandemic. The and has named it “Pavitrapati”. application has been developed by Deepak Central Railway sets up Body Screening Meena, Hansraj Patel, and Arjit Singh. Facility ‘FebriEye’ In Mumbai’s CSMT, LTT ‘Mirror Image’ of the Earth and Sun Stations: discovered 3000 light-years away: Central Railway has set up a body screening Astronomers may have discovered an Earth- facility called This is yet another effort like exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star, a little towards passenger safety after Automated over 3, 000 light-years away. The planet

Ticket Checking and Managing Access IIT-Madras and General Electric tie-up to (ATMA) machine and Always Be Responsible, build a next-gen combustor for small “FebriEye thermal cameras” have been set aircraft and helicopter engines: up at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj IIT Madras and General Electric India Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Technology Centre (GEITC) are jointly in Mumbai, Maharashtra. developing a 3D printed combustor aimed Indian Railways installs first ‘Automated at reducing weight and improving fuel Ticket Checking & Managing Access’ efficiency in small aircraft and helicopter machine under NFR scheme: engines. Indian Railway’s Central Railway zone has Reliance Industries becomes India's first first time installed a newly innovated firm to hit Rs. 11 trillion market cap: Automated Ticket Checking & Managing Reliance Industries Ltd became the first Access machine (ATMA) at Nagpur railway Indian company to reach a market station. capitalisation of Rs. 11 trillion as its shares The machine has been introduced at the doubled since mid-March. The stock rallied to station under New, Innovative Non-Fare hit a record high of Rs. 1, 738.95 on the BSE, Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS) policy up about 5%. to prevent Covid19 transmission to generate China successfully launches last satellite Non-Fare Revenue for the Central Railway BeiDou Navigation Satellite System: zone. China successfully launched the last satellite Students in West Bengal Have Built of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System ‘Ayurvedic Sanitisation Tunnel’ for Their (BDS), touted to be a competitor to the School: Global Positioning System (GPS) of the Students of a private school in East Burdwan US, taking another step to becoming a major district of West Bengal have built an space power. “Ayurvedic Sanitisation Tunnel” to The satellite, carried by a Long March-3B disinfect people entering the educational carrier rocket, is the 30th BDS-3 satellite and institute. Twelve people can be disinfected the 55th of the whole BeiDou satellite family. inside the tunnel at a time. IIT-Bombay develops chip Dhruva to be Mumbai gets ‘Air-Venti’ app for real-time used in smartphones and navigation information on ICU beds, ventilators: devices to find locations: In Maharashtra, the Municipal Corporation IIT-Bombay has developed a homegrown of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has launched a receiver chip “Dhruva” that can be used in mobile app "Air-Venti" to help residents in smart phones and navigation devices to find the city to know about the availability of the locations and routes within the country. ICU beds and Ventilators in both Dhruva will receive signals from India’s government and private hospitals. NAVIC group of navigation satellites as well as the US Global Positioning System-based

satellites to determine these accurately under joined National Highways Authority of all weather conditions. India (NHAI) as Financial Advisor. Banks Board Bureau selects SN APPOINTMENTS: Rajeswari as CMD of Oriental Insurance Periasamy Kumaran takes over as the Company: High Commissioner of India to SN Rajeswari general manager of New Singapore: India Assurance(NIA), has been selected Periasamy Kumaran has been appointed as by the Banks Board Bureau (BBB), as the the next High Commissioner of India to The CMD of the Delhi based Oriental Insurance Republic of Singapore. Company(OIC). Brazil's Marcos Troyjo to succeed KV Power Finance Corporation board clears Kamath as NDB President: RS Dhillon's appointment as CMD: Brazil’s Marcos Troyjo will succeed India’s State-run Power Finance Corporation KV Kamath as president of the New (PFC) under the Ministry of Power announced Development Bank (NDB). Elections for the the appointment of Ravinder Singh Dhillon, post were held during a special meeting of the currently its Director, as Chairman and bank’s Board of Governors. Managing Director from June 1 following India’s Anil Kishora will be the bank’s vice- superannuation of Rajeev Sharma this month. president and chief risk officer. S Gopalakrishnan appointed as Tsai ing-wen begins second term as additional secretary in PMO: Taiwan's President: S Gopalakrishnan a senior Tamil Nadu Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen took the cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as oath for her second four-year term, buoyed additional secretary in the Prime Minister’s by popularity as the country continues its Office. Gopalakrishnan’s appointment was successful response to the pandemic. She cleared by the Appointments Committee of pledged to engage in dialogue with Beijing the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra provided it respects Taiwan’s sovereignty. Modi. He is currently serving at the Ministry R Sreelekha to Become Kerala's First of Electronics. Woman DGP: Arun Singhal appointed as CEO Food Kerala Police gets its first woman Director Safety and Standards Authority of India: General, R. Sreelekha and will head Kerala Cabinet approved the appointment of Arun Fire and Rescue Services. Presently an Singhal as chief executive officer of the apex Additional Director General of Police, she food regulator Food Safety and Standards heads the Jail Department. She became the Authority of India. He will succeed GSG first woman Superintendent of Police in 1991. Ayyangar who was briefly appointed as the IRDAI member Nilesh Sathe appointed CEO. NHAI finance advisor: BBB recommends Ashwini Bhatia for post Nilesh Sathe former IRDAI member and of SBI MD: veteran Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has

The Banks Board Bureau headed by B P to the United Kingdom (UK). Ms Kumar Sharma. Recommended names of Ashwini succeeds Ruchi Ghanashyam. At present, Bhatia, M V Rao and P P Sengupta for the post Ms Kumar is serving as Indian Ambassador to of managing director of three state-owned Belgium, Luxembourg and the European lenders - State Bank of India, Central Bank of Union (EU). India and Indian Overseas Bank, respectively. BAFTA Appoints Emmy-winning Pradip Kumar Tripathi Assumes Charge Krishnendu Majumdar as Chairperson: as Secretary in Ministry of Steel: The British Academy of Film and Shri Pradip Kumar Tripathi has assumed Television Arts (BAFTA) appointed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Steel and Krishnendu Majumdar as chairperson, Government of India on 1 June 2020. He took making him the first person of colour assigned over as Secretary upon the superannuation of for the role in 73 years, and the youngest in present incumbent Binoy Kumar. 35 years. He succeeds Pippa Harris. Mohandas Pai to chair IBBI advisory Uday Kotak appointed as new president committee on service providers: of Confederation of Indian Industry: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of Veteran banker Uday Kotak, managing India reconstituted its advisory committee on director and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank service providers and is to be chaired by T V Limited has assumed office as the president Mohandas Pai. The 12-member panel of the Confederation of Indian Industry would advise and provide professional (CII) for 2020-21. support on regulation and development of the Virendra Nath Datt becomes new CMD of service providers dealt with by the IBBI. National Fertilizers Limited: Sibi George appointed India’s next National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) Ambassador to Kuwait: Marketing Director, Virendra Nath Datt has Sibi George, an Indian Foreign Service officer taken additional charge of Chairman & of 1993 batch, has been appointed India’s Managing Director of the Company. He will next Ambassador to Kuwait. He is at present replace Manoj Mishra. India’s Ambassador in Switzerland. Sushil Kumar Singhal appointed India's Harsha Bangari takes charges as Exim next High Commissioner to Papua New Bank Deputy Managing Director: Guinea: Harsha Bangari took charge as Deputy Sushil Kumar Singhal has been appointed Managing Director at Export-Import Bank as the next Indian High Commissioner to of India (EXIM Bank). Prior to this, Bangari Papua New Guinea. He is presently serving was the Chief General Manager and Chief as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Financial Officer of the bank. External Affairs (MEA). Gaitri Kumar Appointed India's Next Raveesh Kumar becomes new High Commissioner to UK: Ambassador of India to Finland: Seasoned diplomat Gaitri Kumar has been Raveesh Kumar has been appointed as the appointed as India's next High Commissioner next Ambassador of India to Finland. He is

presently serving as the Joint Secretary in the President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Ministry. He is an IFS officer of 1995 batch. senior Kashmiri lawyer Javed Iqbal Wani as He will replace Vani Rao as the next a Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Ambassador of India to Finland. Court. He also served as additional advocate Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar general of Jammu and Kashmir High Court for joins Rohit, Hima as Adidas brand nearly 11 months in 2019. ambassador: Monika Kapil Mohta appointed India's Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar joined next Ambassador to Switzerland: the likes of star batsman Rohit Sharma, Diplomat Monika Kapil Mohta has been sprint sensation Hima Das and Bollywood appointed as the next Ambassador of India to actor Ranveer Singh as brand ambassador Switzerland, the Ministry of External Affairs of footwear giant Adidas in its campaign to (MEA) announced. Presently, Mohta, an inspire more women to embrace fitness. Indian Foreign Service officer of 1985 batch, IIFL Finance signs Rohit Sharma as its is India's Ambassador to Sweden. first-ever brand ambassador: Lakshmi Vilas Bank appoints B K Non-Banking finance company IIFL Finance Manjunath as non-exec, independent has signed up India’s superstar cricketer director: Rohit Sharma as its first-ever brand Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has appointed B K ambassador. Manjunath as its non-executive and Sharad Mathur is the new MD and CEO of independent director. Manjunath is a member Universal Sompo General Insurance: of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Universal Sompo, a joint venture between of India and practising as a chartered Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, accountant. Karnataka Bank, Dabur Investments Shambhu S. Kumaran has been Corporation & Sompo Japan Insurance appointed as the next Ambassador of has appointed Sharad Mathur as Managing India to the Republic of Philippines: Director & CEO. Sharad was associated with Diplomat Shambhu S Kumaran has been SBI General Insurance. appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Tamil Nadu: 13-year-old Madurai girl the Philippines, the Ministry of External Affairs appointed Goodwill Ambassador of (MEA) said. Kumaran is presently UNADAP: Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Tamil Nadu, a thirteen-year old Madurai girl Morocco. Nethra has been appointed the Goodwill Actor Sonu Sood appointed as brand Ambassador of the United Nations ambassador of Gargo International: Association for Development and Peace, the Gargo International, the delhi based UNADAP. lubricant company under the RG group Lawyer Javed Iqbal Wani appointed J&K appoints Sonu Sood as the brand High Court Judge: ambassador in January 2020 & praised him now for his support works for the migrants

and went live with their TVC starring Sonu (SIDBI). He will be succeeding Ram Mohan Sood. Mishra. RBI approves re-appointment of Kaizad Cricket Australia appoints Nick Hockley Bharucha as Executive Director of HDFC as the interim CEO: Bank: Cricket Australia has a new man at the helm Reserve Bank of India has approved the re- in Nick Hockley after former CEO Kevin appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as Roberts resigned. Hockley, who is the Chief Executive Director of HDFC Bank for a period executive of the T20 World cup, will fill the of three years with effect from June 13, position in an interim role. The decision was 2020. announced by Cricket Australia chairman, Recently the central bank had put on hold the Earl Eddings appointments of Shashidhar Jagdishan as PayU India appoints Shantanu Preetam an additional director and Bhavesh Zaveri as as Chief Technology Officer: a whole-time director. India’s leading online payment solutions Santosh Jha appointed as next provider PayU announced the appointment of Ambassador of India to Belgium: Shantanu Preetam to the India leadership Santosh Jha presently Ambassador of India team as Chief Technology Officer. to the Republic of Uzbekistan, appointed as Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev resigns: of Belgium. The 1993-batch IFS officer will Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, also be accredited as Ambassador of India to Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev has resigned the European Union. from the post. He resigned due to citing an Attorney General K K Venugopa to get 1- ongoing criminal investigation into the year extension: assignment of national radio frequencies. Attorney General K K Venugopal has agreed Evariste Ndayishimiye to be sworn in as for extension of one more year as a top law Burundi’s new president: officer of the country. Venugopal is a leading Evariste Ndayishimiye will be sworn in as lawyer of the country was appointed as Burundi's newly elected president after the Attorney General and had succeeded Mukul sudden death of the incumbent, Pierre Rohatgi on June 30, 2017. Nkurunziza. Ndayishimiye, 52, is a former Devendra Kumar Singh appointed as the army general and Hutu rebel like his new Director of SIDBI: predecessor. Ministry of Finance notified the appointment Former RBI governor Urjit Patel of Devendra Kumar Singh, Additional appointed as chairman of NIPFP: Secretary & Development Commissioner, Former Governor of Reserve Bank of India Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Urjit Patel who resigned from his post in Dec Enterprises, as Central Government Nominee 2018 has been appointed as the chairman of Director on the Board of Directors of Small the New Delhi Based economic think tank Industries Development Bank of India National Institute of Public Finance and

Policy (NIPFP) for a period of four years. been appointed as India's next Ambassador to He replaces Dr Vijay Laxman Kelkar. Zimbabwe. Axis Bank's Pralay Mondal to join RBI re-nominates Natarajan Catholic Syrian Bank: Chandrasekaran as Director of its Central Pralay Mondal, who recently resigned as board: executive director and head of retail banking “The Central Government has re-nominated at Axis Bank, is likely to soon join private Natarajan Chandrasekaran as a part-time sector lender CSB Bank (Catholic Syrian non-official Director on the Central Board Bank) at a senior position. of Reserve Bank of India, for a further period JSW Cement unveils “Leader’s Choice” of two years beyond March 3, 2020, or until campaign with Sourav Ganguly and Sunil further orders, whichever is earlier.” Chhetri as brand ambassadors: Standard Chartered appoints Gaurav JSW Cement has brought on board former Maheshwari as CFO-India: Indian cricket captain & current President of Standard Chartered Bank, India has the Board of Control for Cricket in India appointed Gaurav Maheshwari as its new (BCCI) Sourav Ganguly and Captain of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective June India’s National Football Team & Bengaluru 22, 2020. Maheshwari has taken over from FC, Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors. Subhradeep Mohanty, who was promoted Nirakar Pradhan takes over as as the CFO for the Africa & Middle East Professional Risk Managers (AME) region. International Association chief: Wasim Jaffer Appointed Head Coach Of The Professional Risk Managers' International Uttarakhand Cricket Team: Association has appointed Dr Nirakar Former India opener and domestic stalwart Pradhan, CFA, as the Chief Executive Officer Wasim Jaffer has been appointed head of its new India office. Pradhan has led teams coach of the Uttarakhand Cricket Team for at State Bank of India. the upcoming domestic season. RBI approves re-appointment of Prakash Chandra as non-exec Chairman of RBL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: Bank: Indian Army Major Suman Gawani First Reserve Bank of India has approved the re- Indian Peacekeeper to Win UN Military appointment of Prakash Chandra, Gender Award: Independent Director, as Non-Executive Woman peacekeeper and Indian Army officer, (Part-Time) Chairman of Private sector lender Major Suman Gawani is selected for the RBL Bank till July 23, 2021. United Nations Military Gender Advocate of Vijay Khanduja appointed India's next the Year Award. Recognized for her work her envoy to Zimbabwe: campaign against sexual violence, she is the Vijay Khanduja, presently Director in the first Indian Peacekeeper to win the award. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has

Indian American Scientist Rajiv Joshi BFI has nominated world bronze-winning trio Wins ‘Inventor of The Year’ Award In of Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Simranjit New York: Kaur (64kg) and Manish Kaushik (63kg) for Prolific Indian American inventor Rajiv Joshi, the Arjuna awards. with more than 250 patented inventions, has Indian writer Kritika Pandey wins bagged the prestigious Inventor of the Year regional award for Asia in 2020 award for his pioneering work in advancing Commonwealth Short Story Prize: the electronic industry and improving Artificial The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is Intelligence capabilities. awarded for the best unpublished short Anish Kapoor tops list of ''Most fiction. Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and Successful Indian Artists Alive Today above are eligible for it. 2020'': Kritika Pandey, a writer from Ranchi as the London-based Anish Kapoor, 66, has topped regional winner for Asia in the 2020 the Hurun India Art List 2020 for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. second year. New Delhi-based painter Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw wins EY World Rameshwar Broota 79, shot up 9 places to Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 Award: second place with sales of Rs 11.89 crores, Biocon Ltd announced that its Executive followed by modernist painter Krishen Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has Khanna, 95, in third place with Rs 6.87 crores. been named the EY World Entrepreneur of Virat Kohli only cricketer in Forbes’ 2020 the Year 2020 (WEOY). list of world's highest paid athletes: Mazumdar-Shaw is the First Woman India Skipper Virat Kohli is the only cricketer entrepreneur from India and the third Indian to feature in Forbes' list of the top 100 to win it. She is the second woman worldwide highest paid athletes in the world for the to hold this title following Olivia Lum of year 2020. Kohli is ranked at number 66 with Hyflux Limited from Singapore in 2011. estimated earnings of $26 million. Forbes highest-paid celebrities: Kylie Rohit Sharma nominated for Rajiv Jenner tops, Akshay Kumar only Indian Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: on the list: BCCI has nominated Rohit Sharma for the Kylie Jenner and Kanye West topped the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India's annual Forbes list of the highest paid highest sporting honour. The board has also celebrities, but sports stars, including Roger nominated India fast bowler Ishant Sharma, Federer and Lionel Messi, dominated the top opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan and 10. India woman all-rounder Deepti Sharma for Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar ranked the Arjuna Award. 52nd with an estimated earnings of USD 48.5 World silver-medallist Amit Panghal and the million(M) & is the only indian featured on the seasoned Vikas Krishan were nominated for list. the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award by the Javed Akhtar becomes only Indian to win Boxing Federation of India. prestigious Richard Dawkins award:

Lyricist Javed Akhtar becomes only Indian to conserves natural resources and mitigates win prestigious Richard Dawkins award. He climate change. is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist Shobha Sekhar conferred with “Medal of & author. the Order of Australia”: Cricketer Michael Clarke, Lyn Larsen Indian Musician & founder of Kalakruthi receive Order of Australia honours: music organization in Australia, Shobha Michael Clarke has been honored in the Sekhar will be conferred the “Medal of the Queen’s Birthday list for Australia with the Order of Australia”. The Montreal-based former cricket captain recognized for both his artiste and lecturerm University of sporting career and community work. Melbourne, figures in the Queen’s Birthday Larsen, the former Australia Women 2020 Honours List. allrounder, was honoured "for significant Former India football captain IM Vijayan service to cricket as a player, selector, recommended for Padma Shri by AIFF: manager and coach at the elite level". All India Football Federation (AIFF) has Astronaut Kathy Sullivan Becomes First recommended legendary former skipper Woman to Reach deepest point of ocean: Inivalappil Mani Vijayan for Padma Shri, Kathy Sullivan, America’s first female the country's fourth highest civilian spacewalker, also became the first woman award. to reach the deepest known point of the The 51-year-old former India striker, who ocean. Sullivan dove to the bottom of the scored 40 goals in 79 matches for India since Challenger Deep and safely returned in her making his debut in early 90s, was bestowed submersible vessel. the Arjuna award in 2003. Indian Entrepreneur Renjith Kumar Nobel-laureate Indian economist honoured with ‘NASA Distinguished Amartya Sen wins 2020 Peace Prize of Public Service Medal’: the German Book Trade: Renjith Kumar has bagged the NASA’s Harvard professor & Nobel-laureate highest form of recognition for a non- Indian economist Amartya Sen has won the governmental individual ‘NASA prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Distinguished Public Service Medal’ for Trade for his decades-long work on his service through executive leadership, "Questions of Global Justice". engineering contribution, technical Nita Ambani recognised among world's excellence, and customer satisfaction. top philanthropists in 2020 by leading US Indian-American soil scientist Rattan Lal magazine Town & Country: gets 2020 World Food Prize: Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Eminent Indian-American soil scientist Ambani has been recognized among the Rattan Lal has been named this year's world’s top philanthropists in 2020 by recipient of the World Food Prize for Town & Country magazine’s top global developing and mainstreaming a soil-centric philanthropists of 2020. She is the only approach to increasing food production that Indian in the list.

Folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar & most dangerous was ranked at 200th Madhuvanti Dandekar to get Lifetime position. Achievement Award: NIRF Ranking 2020 released, IIT Madras Maharashtra government announced the tops the overall list: Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ achievement award to folk artist Gulabbai announces the National Institutional Ranking Sangamnerkar. Framework (NIRF) India Rankings 2020. Sangeetacharya Annasaheb Kirloskar The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) award will be conferred upon veteran theatre Madras (Tamil Nadu) has topped the list of actress-singer Madhuvanti Dandekar. ‘overall ranking’ category with a score of 85.31 followed by Indian Institute of RANKINGS: Science, Bengaluru and Indian Institute of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra top Technology Delhi. in FSSAI food safety index for 2019-20: QS World University Rankings 2021: 3 Gujarat have topped an index that ranked Indian Universities Reach Top 200 List: states ensuring food safety in 2019-20. The QS World University Rankings is actually an smaller states, Goa came first followed by annual publication of the university rankings Manipur and Meghalaya. Among Union from all over the world by the publisher Territories, Chandigarh, Delhi and Andaman Quacquarelli Symonds. Islands secured top ranks, FSSAI. The Three institutes are IIT’s where IIT Mumbai most expensive Indian city for Bombay is ranked at 172nd position; IISc expats, 19th most expensive in Asia: Bangalore is at 185th position while IIT Survey: Delhi is at the 193rd position. Top 3 According to Mercer's ‘2020 Cost of Living universities in the World ranking list is Survey’, Mumbai is the 60th most expensive Massachusetts Institute of Technology city for expatriates globally, while it ranks (MIT), Stanford University, Harvard 19th in Asia. Mumbai is followed by New University. Delhi (101st globally) and Chennai (143rd India ranked 43rd on IMD's World globally), Bengaluru (171) & Kolkata (185) Competitiveness Index; Singapore on are the least expensive cities. top: Switzerland safest country in the world India continues to remain ranked 43rd on an on COVID-19 safety assessment; India annual World Competitiveness Index ranks 56th: compiled by Institute for Management India has been ranked 56th out of 200 Development (IMD). Singapore has countries in a comprehensive report on safety retained its top position on the 63-nation list. nd and risk assessment of nations tackling Denmark has moved up to the 2 position Covid-19. Switzerland is the safest country (from 8th last year), Switzerland has gained rd in the world for Covid-19, followed by one place to rank 3 and Venezuela is at the Germany and Israel. South Sudan is the bottom.

India ranked 6th as nuclear weapons Nobel winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s new increased since 2019: novel ‘Klara and the Sun’ out in March According to “SIPRI Yearbook 2020- 2021: Armaments, Disarmament and Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro International Security” of Swedish think will come out with his new novel “Klara and tank, Stockholm International Peace the Sun”. It will be published by Faber & Research Institute (SIPRI). USA tops in the Faber in the United Kingdom, Alfred A. Knopf list followed by Russia and UK respectively. in the United States and Knopf in Canada on India Ranked 6th. March 2, 2021. India 9th largest recipient of FDI in Megha Majumdar's 'A Burning' is blazing 2019: UNCTAD: up the bestseller list and emerging as the India became the world’s 9th largest must-read novel of the summer: recipient of the foreign direct investment in A Book name titled “A Burning” Authored by 2019 scoring deals worth $51 billion, Megha Majumdar. The Penguin Hamish according to a report by the United Nations' Hamilton released the debut novel of Megha trade body, the UN Conference on Trade Majumdar. The 32-year-old New York’s writer and Development (UNCTAD). Megha Majumdar was born and raised in India ranks 3rd largest economy in Kolkata. Purchasing Power Parity: World Bank: Author Amish Tripathi launches new India has retained its position as the 3rd- book 'Legend of Suheldev': largest economy in the world in terms of Amish Tripathi launched his new book - a purchasing power parity, even as it is way story about the adventures of the warrior king behind the US & China. India accounts for Suheldev, titled, ‘Legend of Suheldev: The 6.7% ($ 8, 051-b) out of the world's total of King who Saved India’. Book is set in 11th $119, 547 billion of GDP in terms of PPP century India, when Mahmud of Ghazni (Purchasing Power Parity). destroyed the Somnath temple.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS: OBITUARY NEWS: JK Rowling unveils 'The Ickabog', a new Former Tamil Nadu footballer book for children: Shanmugam passes away: JK Rowling announced a brand new Former Tamil Nadu footballer and coach R. children's book, which she is publishing in Shanmugam passed away aged 77. He daily instalments on her website for free. The attended the FIFA Coca Cola coaching Ickabog is her 1st children's story not to be course in 1978 & '91, and the Olympic linked to Harry Potter. Chapters of The solidarity course in 1996. He has coached ICF, Ickabog are being published daily until 10 Tamil Nadu and Indian Railways for the July. Santosh trophy. Ajit Jogi, First Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dies At 74:

Ajit Jogi, the former Congress leader, who took 116 wickets in 43 first-class matches was became the first Chief Minister of at one time considered for national selection. Chhattisgarh when the state was born in Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passes away 2000, has passed away after being at 93: hospitalized for three weeks. He was a Filmmaker-screenwriter Basu Chatterjee, Veteran Indian Police Service and Indian best known for directing films like Choti Si Administrative Service. Baat, Rajnigandha, Baaton Baaton Mein, Ek Former Olympic sprint champion Bobby Ruka Hua Faisla and Chameli Ki Shaadi Morrow dies aged 84: among more, passed away on Thursday in American sprinter Bobby Morrow, who won Mumbai, following age-related ailments. three gold medals at the 1956 Olympic Bollywood lyricist Anwar Sagar passes Games in Melbourne, died on Saturday at the away: age of 84. Veteran lyricist Anwar Sagar passed away. He was named Sports Illustrated's He was 70. Among his notable hits is “Waada "Sportsman of the Year" in 1956 and set Raha Sanam” in Abbas-Mustan”s 1992 11 ratified world records during his career. release, “Khiladi”, starring Akshay Kumar, Arjun Award winner and Archery coach and “Yeh dua hai mere rab se” in the 1992 Jayantilal Nanoma passed away at 34: release, “Sapne Saajan Ke”. A former international archer-turned-coach Senior BJP leader Chandrakanta Goyal Jayantilal Nanoma died in a road mishap in died in Mumbai: Rajasthan. Nanoma has many gold and Senior BJP leader Chandrakanta Goyal, silver medals to his credit in national and mother of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, international tournaments. Nanoma also won died at her residence in Mumbai due to old Arjun Award, Maharana Pratap Award, age. She was 88. She represented the BJP etc., from the Matunga Assembly constituency in BJP Tamil Nadu former president KN Mumbai for three terms. Lakshmanan passes away: Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja passes KN Lakshmanan was appointed the party’s away at 39: State president and held the post from 1984- Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja passed 89. He also held the post from 1996 to 2000. away at 39 due to a cardiac arrest at a private In 2001, he was elected to the State hospital in Bengaluru. He is the grandson of Assembly from the Mylapore constituency in Kannada late actor Shakti Prasad & the Chennai. nephew of multilingual actor Arjun Sarja. Former Pakistani cricketer Riaz Sheikh Tamil Nadu lawmaker and DMK MLA J dies at 51: Anbazhagan dies due to Covid-19: Former Pakistan first-class cricketer Riaz DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan from Chepauk Sheikh became the second professional became the first VIP victim of coronavirus player in the country to die because of from Tamil Nadu when he died at the age of suspected coronavirus. A leg-spinner who 62. A three-time MLA, Anbazhagan was

elected to the assembly in 2001, 2011 and here last night, a company. Srivastava 2016. assumed charge as Director (Personnel) of Former Union Water Resources minister SAIL on March 12, 2018. Arjun Charan Sethi passed away at 79: Veteran Urdu poet Gulzar Dehlvi passes Former Union minister Arjun Charan Sethi away at 93: passed away at the age of 79. An eight-time Veteran Urdu poet Anand Mohan Zutshi Madhya Pradesh from Bhadrak Lok Sabha ‘Gulzar’ Dehlvi passed away . He was 93. He constituency, Sethi was the Union Water was the freedom fighter and a premier Resources Minister in the Atal Bihari ‘inquilabi’ poet. Vajpayee-led NDA government from 2000 to India’s oldest first-class cricketer Vasant 2004. Raiji passes away at 100: Former TN footballer Balasamy passes India’s oldest first-class cricketer Vasant away: Raiji passed away at his residence in Mumbai. Balasamy former Vice President of Chennai The right-handed batsman played nine first- Football Association and assistant secretary of class matches for Mumbai and Baroda in the Madras United Club passed away. Balasamy 1940s, scoring 277 runs with 68 being his first played for Don Bosco Oratoryin the MFA highest score in his decade-long career. league. Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza dies passes away at 34: of ‘cardiac arrest’ at 55: Noted Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza, Rajput committed suicide. The actor was 34 aged 55, has died after suffering a cardiac years old. Sushant made his film debut in the arrest. After 15 years in power, Mr Nkurunziza buddy drama Kai Po Che! in 2013, for which was due to step down in August. In 2015, the he received a nomination for the Filmfare announcement that he would run for a third Award for Best Male Debut. term plunged the country into chaos. Former Bangladesh Minister Mohammad Manchester United legend Tony Dunne Nasim passes away at 72: dies aged 78: Former Bangladesh Minister and Awami Tony Dunne, who was part of the League Presidium member Mohammad Manchester United side who won the Nasim passed away in Dhaka. European Cup in 1968, has died at the age of Lyricist and painter Padmaja 78. Red Devils from Shelbourne in 1960 and Radhakrishnan passes away: went on to play in 535 games, a number that Lyricist and painter Padmaja sees him sit eighth on the club's all-time Radhakrishnan (68), wife of the late music appearances list. director MG Radhakrishnan passed away. Senior SAIL director Atul Srivastava dies Besides penning lyrics for a 2013 Malayalam of cardiac arrest: movie ‘Mr Bean’, she had also written a Senior Steel Authority of India Limited official, number of songs which were composed by her Atul Srivastava, has died of cardiac arrest husband.

1971 war hero and Maha Vir Chakra Former international kabaddi player awardee Lt Gen Raj Mohan Vohra passed Ilaiah passes away at 65: away at 88 due to COVID-19: M Ilaiah Yadav, a former international Lieutenant General (retd) Raj Mohan Vohra kabaddi player and captain of the state who was a 1971 war hero and a Maha Vir team, breathed his last after battling it hard. Chakra awardee, has died due to COVID-19. Ilaiah, who was undergoing treatment at the He was born in 1932 in Shimla. Yashoda Hospital in Malakpet for lung Malayalam Director K R Sachidanandan infection, was 65 years old. Passes Away: Former India shooter Pournima Zanane Film director, script writer & producer K R passes away at 42: Sachidanandan popularly known as Sachy, Former Indian Air Rifle Shooter Pournima died. He passed away after suffering a cardiac Zanane, an International Shooting Sport arrest. He was on ventilator sport. He gave a Federation (ISSF)-licensed coach who recent hit movie named Ayyappanum suffered from cancer for the past 2 years Koshiyum which starred Prithviraj-Biju passed away at the age of 42 in Pune, Menon. Maharashtra. She was born in Nanded, Veteran Journalist & Freedom Fighter Maharashtra. Dinu Ranadive passed away at 95: Veteran journalist and freedom fighter SPORTS NEWS: Dinu Ranadive passed away at 95 in his Long-distance runner Kiranjeet Kaur residency in Dadar, Maharashtra due to a banned for 4 years by World Athletics’ short illness. He was born in 1925 in Dahanu anti-doping body: tehsil of adjoining Palghar district, Long – Distance runner Kiranjeet Kaur, who Maharashtra. won the tata Steel Kolkata 25K among the Iraqi football legend Ahmad Radhi Indians last year, has been handed a four- passes away after battling COVID-19: year ban by World Athletics’ anti-doping body Iraqi football legend Ahmed Radhi has (WADA) for returning positive for a banned passed away after diagnosed with COVID-19. substance in a test conducted in Doha. Radhi, a striker, led Iraq to victory in the Gulf SAI to launch Khelo India e-Pathshala, Cups of 1984 and 1988, when he was voted an online coaching programme for Asian footballer of the year. grassroot level: Legendary Indian left-arm spinner Sports Authority of India (SAI) is all set to Rajinder Goel passes away at 77: launch Khelo India e-Pathshala in India’s finest left-arm spinners, Rajinder association with National Sports Goel passed away aged 77 after battling Federations (NSF) with an aim to provide long-term illness. In 2017, the Board of first-ever national-level open online coaching Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and education programme for grassroot- honoured Rajinder Goel with the CK Nayudu level athletes. Lifetime Achievement Award.

India to host AFC Women's Asian Cup in was born on 15th April 1987 in Kharkiv, 2022: Ukraine. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has Gvozdyk won the WBC title in December granted All India Football Federation (AIFF) 2018 when he knocked out Adonis Stevenson, the rights to host the AFC Women`s Asian who had held the belt for five years. Cup 2022 final. India will host the premier Belgium on Top, India Remain at 108 in tournament for the second time after staging Latest FIFA Rankings: it in Kozhikode in 1980. India has maintained their 108th spot in the World Archery Field Championships latest FIFA world rankings revealed for the postponed to 2022: month of June. Belgium remains at the 2020 World Archery Field Championships summit ahead of France and Brazil, who in Yankton, USA, have been postponed until complete the podium, while England and 2022 which was due to take place in Uruguay continue to fourth and fifth September this year at the NFAA Easton respectively. Yankton Archery Centre, the world’s largest Fourth edition of Asian Youth Para dedicated archery facility. Games to be held in Bahrain in December India’s 800m runner Gomathi handed 2021: four-year ban for doping, to lose Asian Asian Paralympics Committee (APC) Championships gold: announced that Bahrain will host the fourth India’s Gomathi Marimuthu will be stripped edition of the Asian Youth Para Games from off her 2019 Asian Athletics December 1 to 10 next year. An estimated Championships gold medal after she was 800 athletes under 20 years of age are handed a four-year ban by the Athletics expected to compete in nine sports including Integrity Unit for testing positive for a athletics, badminton, powerlifting, banned substance. She is from Tamil Nadu. swimming and table tennis. Former European High Jump Champion Bayern Munich clinched their eighth Alexander Shustov Cops Doping Ban: straight Bundesliga title: Former European high jump champion Bayern Munich secured its eighth Alexander Shustov has been banned for 4 successive German Bundesliga title with years for doping in the latest case from two games to spare after beating Werder previous years to hit the Russian team, the Bremen 1-0 with a goal from Robert Court of Arbitration for Sport said. He won Lewandowski. the gold medal at the European Napoli beat Juventus 4-2 on penalties to championships- 2010. win sixth Italian Cup: Former world champion boxer Oleksandr Napoli stunned Juventus 4-2 on penalties Gvozdyk retires: after a 0-0 draw to claim the Coppa Italia 33-year-old Ukrainian lightweight boxing and bring their fiery coach Gennaro Gattuso champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk also known the first major trophy of his managerial as “The Nail” announced his retirement. He career.

IMPORTANT DAYS:

DATE IMPORTANT DAY THEME

June 1 World Milk Day “20th Anniversary of World Milk Day” June 1 Global Day for Parents “Appreciate all parents throughout the world” June 3 World Bicycle Day “The uniqueness, longevity, and versatility of Bicycles” June 5 World Environment Day “Celebrating biodiversity” June 5 World Day Against Speciesism - June 6 International Day of Innocent Children - Victims of Aggression June 7 World Food Safety Day "Food safety, everyone’s business" June 8 World Ocean Day “Innovation for a sustainable ocean” June 8 World Brain Tumor Day - June 9 World Accreditation Day “Accreditation: Improving food safety” June 12 World Day Against Child Labour ”COVID-19: Protect Children from Child Labour, now more than ever” June 13 International Albinism Awareness Day “Made to Shine” June 14 World Blood Donor Day Theme: “Safe blood saves lives” Slogan: ‘Give blood & make the world a healthier place’ June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day “Building Strong Supports for Elders” June 15 World Wind Day - June 16 International Day of Family Remittances “Remittances are a lifeline” June 17 World Day to Combat Desertification & “Food. Feed. Fibre” Drought June 18 International Picnic Day - June 18 Autistic Pride Day - June 19 International Day for the Elimination of - Sexual Violence in Conflict June 19 World Sickle Cell Day - June 19 National Reading Day June 20 World Refugee Day “Every Action Counts” June 21 World Hydrography Day “Hydrography – enabling autonomous technologies” June 21 International Yoga Day “Yoga for Health - Yoga at Home” June 21 International Day of the Celebration of the - Solstice June 21 International Father’s Day (Third Sunday - Of June) RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 70 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

June 21 World Music Day - June 22 World Rainforest Day - June 23 United Nations Public Service Day - June 23 International Olympic Day - June 23 International Widow’s Day “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights” June 26 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking "Better Knowledge for Better Care." June 26 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture - June 30 World Asteroid Day -

JULY 2020 NATIONAL NEWS: World's First Gold-backed Digital Gold Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh Currency Launched in India: inaugurates Devika and Puneja Bridges US Gold Currency (USG) is world's first in Udhampur & Doda Districts: digital asset represented by American Eagle Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) One Ounce Gold Coin minted by the US Development of North Eastern Region Federal Agency MINT. Customers can (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public redeem US Gold tokens at any time in US Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Dollars or American Eagle one ounce gold Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated two coins worldwide important Bridges Devika and Puneja in Andhra Pradesh launches YSR Kapu Udhampur and Doda districts respectively Nestham, to provide Rs 15, 000 for in Jammu and Kashmir through virtual eligible women: platform. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan India becomes 1st country to develops Mohan Reddy launched 'YSR Kapu vehicle-mounted ULV sprayer for locust Nestham' at his camp office for the welfare control: of the women from Kapu community. Under India had developed an indigenous vehicle- the scheme, the government will provide Rs mounted Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) sprayer 15, 000 per year for all the eligible women for locust control, and approvals for its aged between 45 and 60 years for a period commercial launch are underway. of five years. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Tripura government to launch Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW) has initiated to “Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar” develop a vehicle mounted ultra-low volume scheme: (ULV) sprayer for locust control to reduce the Tripura government has announced an limitations of importing equipment. ambitious scheme “Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar”. The scheme aims to

provide nutrition kits to pregnant and scheme aims to make Animal Husbandry lactating women in order to combat infant and commercially profitable, prevent open grazing maternal mortality and malnutrition. The by cattle and solve the problem of stray scheme is expected to benefit 40, 000 animals on roads and for environment women in the state. conservation. Maharashtra Announced “Maha Madhya Pradesh launches ‘Hamara Ghar- Parwana” to Attract Fresh Industrial Hamara Vidyalaya’ campaign: Investment: In order to maintain the academic regularity The government of Maharashtra announced of students during the Corona crisis, the State the “Maha Parwana” to attract fresh Education Center has prepared a Hamara investment in industries, for project Ghar-Hamara Vidyalaya means My Home- execution, this plan will offer incentives and a My school scheme, in which children will be single window clearance system. taught at home in a school-like environment. Union Minister Shripad Naik Inaugurates Beta version of Street Vendor’s Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat: AtmaNirbhar Nidhi 'PM SVANidhi' portal Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad launched: Naik inaugurated two-day Defence Conclave Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, 2020 Gujarat via video conferencing and said Housing & Urban Affairs launched the Beta that strong defence capabilities would help version of PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar the nation safeguarding the prosperity Nidhi "PM SVANidhi" Portal. Leveraging on "Generated In The Last Few Decades". the digital technology solutions, the portal The conclave was jointly organized by provides for an integrated end to end IT Confederation of Indian Industry(CII), interface to users for availing benefits under Gujarat and Society of Indian Defence the scheme. Manufacturers(SIDM). India’s ‘first’ lichen park in Uttarakhand Madhya Pradesh: Door-To-Door Survey to conserve Jurassic era plant: Under "Kill Corona" Drive From July 1: Uttarakhand Forest Department has Madhya Pradesh government will launch a developed India's “First Lichen Park” in "Kill Corona" campaign from July 1 to Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district of the control the spread of COVID-19 in the state. state. The state has over 600 species of Under the campaign, door-to-door survey will lichens of which around 150 are found in be conducted and tests would also be done on Munsiyari. The park is spread across 1.5 citizens for other diseases. acres and its development began in 2019. Chhattisgarh launches Godhan Nyay World Bank signs $250mn loan Yojana and becomes first Indian state to agreement for 1st TN Housing Sector buy cow dung from cattle owners: Strengthening Programme: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel World Bank has signed agreements worth announced the launch of 'Godhan Nyay $250 million to promote private sector role Yojana' in the state on June 25, 2020. The in developing affordable housing in Tamil

Nadu. There are two projects- $200 million Vitthal) from different parts of the state on 1st Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening their feet to travel hundreds of kilometres to Programme and $50 million Tamil Nadu reach temple town Pandharpur in Solapur Housing and Habitat Development Project. district. Kiren Rijiju launches NADA app to help Private Train Operations Likely To Begin athletes stay updated about banned By April 2023: substances: Private train operations in the country will Sports minister Kiren Rijiju unveiled begin by April 2023, and the ticket fares in National Anti-Doping Agency's first mobile these trains will be competitive with airfares app to provide information about prohibited on similar routes. substances and their inadvertent use, calling The improvement in technology will also the initiative an important step towards dope- mean that the coaches that now require free sports. maintenance after running 4, 000 km, will Union HRD Minister and Union Health need maintenance after every 40, 000-km, Minister jointly launch the Drug that is either once or twice a month. Discovery Hackathon 2020: Odisha Government Announces Balaram Human Resources and Development Minister Scheme to Empower Over Seven Lakh Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Health Landless Farmers: Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan jointly launched The Odisha government has launched a the Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020. It is scheme ‘Balaram’ to provide agricultural an online competition and anybody from credit of Rs 1, 040 crore to landless farmers, anywhere in the country or world can who are facing hardships due to the participate. coronavirus outbreak, Goa government allots land to MSME The decision in this regard was taken at a consortium to set up India's first high-level meeting presided over by chief Maritime Cluster: secretary A K Tripathy The scheme was Goa government allotted land to the designed in collaboration with the National consortium of 49 Goan MSME units for Bank for Agriculture and Rural setting up Goa Maritime Cluster to create Development (NABARD). facilities for shipbuilding. The project, which Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is first Maritime Cluster of India, is has launched Dhanvantri Rath to take Non- supported by shipping ministry, DG of COVID healthcare services to peoples’ Shipping, and MSMEs. doorsteps amid the ongoing COVID-19 Festival of Ashadhi Ekadashi was pandemic. The aim is to ensure that non- celebrated in Maharashtra: COVID essential services related to diabetes, Ashadhi Ekadashi is one of the most blood pressure, heart ailment, etc. significant festivals in Maharashtra which India’s Vice President launches social also marks the culmination of the pilgrimage media super app 'Elyments': undertaken by the Warkaris (devotees of Lord

Indian Vice President Shri M Venkaiah Assam government to upgrade Dehing Naidu starts the first ever Indian Social Media Patkai wildlife sanctuary to national Super App namely “Elyments”. this app was park: created by over 1000 IT professionals jointly Assam government decided to upgrade and it becomes first indigenous app. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a The main purpose of this Elyments app was to National Park. The announcement comes keep the user’s privacy in mind and just months after the National Board of considered as a primary concern. Wildlife’s (NBWL) conditional clearance to a PM Modi to unveil Asia’s largest solar coal mining project by Coal India Limited plant in Madhya Pradesh: (CIL) in the Dehing Patkai Elephant PM Narendra Modi will open Asia’s largest Reserve. 750MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Plant in Himachal Pradesh becomes first state to Madhya Pradesh via video conferencing. It 100 per cent households have LPG gas is established in the Rewa district of Vindhya connections: region of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the Himachal Pradesh has become the first largest single-site solar plants in Asia. Noor state in the country where 100 per cent Complex is World’s largest concentrated households have LPG connections said by solar power plant. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Madhya Pradesh Tourism board launches Interacting with the beneficiaries of “Intzaar Aap Ka” campaign: ''Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana'' Madhya Pradesh Tourism board has through video conferencing, Thakur said launched a campaign “Intzaar Aap Ka“. The cooking food on traditional ''chulha'' was not campaign has been launched on social media only cumbersome, but also had adverse platforms to attract tourists to the tourist effects on the health of the women. places of the state. West Bengal Govt launches ‘Self Scan Through the campaign “Intzaar Aap Ka”, app’ to scan documents: the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has been West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata inviting tourists by describing about each Banerjee has launched a new mobile tourist destination in an attractive way. application called “SelfScan”. This New NHRC forms expert panel to study COVID Application was developed by the state’s impact on human rights: information technology department, to scan National Human Rights Commission has documents after camscan Banned. constituted an 11-member expert Yotta Infrastructure Inaugurates India’s committee to study impact of Covid-19 on Largest Data Center Facility: human rights and future response of the Maharashtra CM e-inaugurated Asia’s government. largest certified tier IV data centre near The expert panel would be headed by Dr K S Mumbai. The Yotta NM1 data centre Reddy, president of Public Health Foundation building, is the largest of its kind in India, as of India. well as the second-largest in the world. The

private facility is owned by Hiranandani Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Group. Thakur congratulated the state police after Tamil Nadu tops market borrowings the Nadaun police station was declared as among States so far, in 2020-21: one of the best in the country. Certificate of Tamil Nadu has raised Rs. 30, 500 crores in Excellence was provided to this Police Station the fiscal 2020-21 and topped market by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. borrowings among States in India. Tamil Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu Nadu has accounted for 17% of the presented this Certificate of Excellence borrowings done through the issue of bonds, received by him from Union Home Minister to known as state development loans, according the Chief Minister in Shimla. to data from RBI. Maharashtra and SBI to set up stress IRDAI Constitutes 9-member Working fund for stuck slum rehabilitation Group Headed by Suresh Mathur: projects: Insurance Regulatory and Development Government of Maharashtra along with the Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed a 9- State Bank of India is setting up a stress member working group under the fund to restart stuck slum rehabilitation chairmanship of Suresh Mathur, Executive projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Director of Irdai to look into the possibility of Region (MMR) and other urban areas of the setting up ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’ to deal with state. the various risks arising out of a pandemic - “The government will infuse Rs 700 crore to like health emergencies & recommend the Rs 1, 000 crore in this fund aimed at structure and operating model for the Pool providing financial support to revive such within 8 weeks. projects. PM Modi inaugurates Asia’s largest solar Jharkhand govt signs MoU with HDFC energy project in MP’s Rewa: Bank for digital payment solutions Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Jharkhand government has signed a solar energy is going to be a major source of memorandum of understanding with private energy needs not only today but in the 21st lender HDFC Bank to offer digital payment century as well, because solar energy is solutions to traffic violators. The bank will Sure, Pure and Secure. provide digital payment solutions to the While inaugurating through video conference transport department of Jharkhand. Asia’s largest solar energy project in Madhya Pradesh emerges on top in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa, the Prime implementing PM Svanidhi scheme: Minister stated that Rewa has really created Madhya Pradesh has emerged on top in history. Rewa has been identified as Ma implementing the Pradhan Mantri Street Narmada and a white tiger. Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi-PM Swa Himachal Pradesh's Nadaun police Nidhi scheme. The scheme is being station among best in India: implemented in the state to help the street vendors to continue their business.

Apart from urban street vendors, a scheme NABARD extends grant assistance of Rs to provide interest free assistance of Rs. 10, 221.89 cr to support 298 watershed 000 is being implemented also for the street projects in Karnataka: vendors of rural areas in the state. NABARD observing its 39th Foundation Day, Madhya Pradesh government to run has extended grant assistance of 221.89 'Roko -Toko' campaign for those who do crore rupees to support 298 watershed not wear masks: projects in over three lakh hectares Madhya Pradesh government to run Roko - benefitting 66, 500 families in Karnataka. Toko (stop and campaign) for those who do The State has about 75 per cent of rainfed not wear masks as the use of masks is area. mandatory. Selected voluntary organizations Tamil Nadu launches television-based to provide masks for people who didn’t wear learning programme for 10th standard and will charge an amount of Rs 20/mask. students: Madhya Pradesh government begins Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi ‘Mera Ghar Mera Vidyalaya’ scheme to Palaniswamy launched a television-based facilitate students: learning programme for 10th standard Madhya Pradesh government has started students. The Kalvi channel will air two- Mera Ghar Mera Vidyalaya Scheme. Under and-a-half hours of teaching programmes the Mera Ghar-Mera Vidyalaya Scheme, during weekdays. It is aimed to help students children can now sit for classes in their to continue their studies through an homes. alternative method. The scheme aims to provide students with a Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji to be school-like atmosphere at home. After the Upgraded to Wildlife Sanctuary: launch of the scheme, several teachers and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal staffers of the schools were seen delivering announced that the Poba Reserve Forest in books and study material to the children. Dhemaji district in Assam would be Government aims to increase public upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary. health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by Poba Reserve Forest, declared in 1924 with 2025: an area of 10, 522 hectares, is home to large Union Health Ministry has pushed for an number of flora and fauna. increased expenditure on public health. In a Indian Railways’ 1st cable-stayed rail meeting with the 15th Finance bridge, to connect Katra and Reasi in Commission, the Union Health Minister J&K: Harsh Vardhan, highlighted that the Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal, has government aims at gradually increasing the announced that the India’s first cable-stayed public health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of Indian Railways bridge namely “Anji Khad the nation’s GDP by the year 2025. Bridge” being developed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), a Government of India undertaking, is all set to

connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and embankments under Rural Infrastructure Kashmir. Development Fund (RIDF). The cable-stayed railway bridge is a part of NABARD launches development projects the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail in Andaman & Nicobar Islands worth Rs. Link (USBRL) project, which passes through 44 lakhs: the Young Himalayas. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Indian Railways on mission mode of Development (NABARD) has launched becoming ‘Green Railway’ by 2030: development projects in Andaman & Ministry of Railways is on a mission mode Nicobar Islands worth Rs. 44 lakhs. with the goal of transforming Indian Railways These projects aim at strengthening the into Green Railways by 2030 and has taken concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat through a number of major initiatives towards rural entrepreneurship. The projects by mitigation of global warming and combating NABARD will include the formation and climate change. development of Self-Help Groups (SHG). Telangana Police Launch 'CybHER' Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat Campaign To Tackle Cybercrime Against Inaugurated ‘Smriti Van’ on Harela Wome and Children: festival: Telangana Police launched a month-long Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra virtual awareness campaign 'CybHER' in the Singh Rawat inaugurated ‘Smriti Van’ at wake of cybercrime against the women and Asthal village of Dehradun district in children in the state. memory of late Jeet Singh Negi, famous folk Swati Lakra, Additional DGP Incharge of singer of the state on the occasion of Harela Women Safety including 'SHE Teams' and festival. 'Bharosa' for Telangana, "Women Safety Prakash Javadekar hails KURMA mobile Wing, Telangana Police has launched app towards conservation of Indian 'CybHER' campaign today, to make turtles: cyberspace safe for women and children." Union Environment Minister Prakash NABARD Approves Rs 795 Crore To Javadekar hailed the KURMA mobile Rebuild Infrastructure Damaged By application as a unique tool for tracking and Amphan In West Bengal: reporting Indian turtles. It was launched on National Bank for Agriculture and Rural 23rd May this year on occasion of World Turtle Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs Day It aims to conserve turtles and tortoises. 795 crore for reconstructing infrastructure It was developed by Indian Turtle damaged by Cyclone Amphan that ripped Conservation Action Network. through West Bengal in May, an official from North East state capitals to be connected the agency. via rail network by 2023: Railway Board: The state government had sought Rs 1, 028 Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said that crore from NABARD for repairing impaired all the capitals of North-Eastern states will be connected to the rail network by 2023.

Capitals of Assam, Tripura & AP are already Statement of Intent signed for connected. In Manipur, Mizoram, partnership with UNICEF India, YuWaah Nagaland & Meghalaya the work is in India, UN in India: progress. Katra-Banihal rail link project is to Youth Affairs Secretary Usha Sharma signed be completed by Dec 2022. a Statement of Intent with UNICEF India, HRD Minister to launch Manodarpan YuWaah India & UN in India to work together initiative to provide psychosocial support with young people for empowering them and to students: to make them changemakers with access to Union Human Resource Development aspirational socio-economic opportunities. Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal will launch the Yogi Adityanath launches employment Manodarpan initiative of the HRD Ministry. scheme launched ‘Navin Rojgar Chhatri The initiative under Atma- Nirbhar Bharat Yojana" for Scheduled Castes: Abhiyan, aims to provide psychosocial Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi support to students for their mental health & Adityanath launched ‘Navin Rojgar well-being. Chhatri Yojana’ for an all round Maharashtra becomes the first State to development of the Scheduled Castes. use drones to inspect power lines: He transferred a financial assistance of 17.42 Maharashtra became the first State in the crore online to 3, 484 people under the country to get the go-ahead to use drones ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swarojgar for aerial surveillance and inspection of Yojana’ and interacted with some extra-high voltage (EHV) power beneficiaries from Rae Bareli, Gorakhpur, transmission lines and towers. MHA and the Basti, Meerut, Azamgarh and Moradabad Director-General of Civil Aviation have districts. permitted this. Dr Harsh Vardhan launches PNB’s Odisha government to give monthly nation-wide CSR campaign to fight pension to transgenders: against COVID-19: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare a proposal to cover the members of the Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched Punjab community under the Madhu Babu Pension National Bank’s (PNB) campaign to Yojana (MBPY) which aims at providing distribute face masks and sanitizers to financial assistance to the destitute elderly, prevent the spread of COVID-19 in New Delhi. differently-abled persons and widows. MD and CEO of PNB SS Mallikarjuna Rao Around 5, 000 transgenders will get a and other senior officials of PNB were also monthly pension in between Rs 500 and Rs present. PNB’s 22 zonal offices across the 900 depending on their age, Social Security nation also participated through video and Empowerment of Persons with conferencing. Disabilities (SSEPD). Haryana CM Manohar Khattar launches portal for online appointments with CM:

Haryana CM Manohar Khattar launched e- colonies, offices & other suitable areas of Sachivalaya portal a digital platform Coal/Lignite PSUs & seedlings to be facilitating people to take online distributed in nearby areas to promote appointments for virtual meetings with CM, plantation. Deputy CM, Ministers & Heads of Depts. Punjab government signs MoU with IIT Haryana Udhyam Memorandum portal Ropar for skill development: launched to facilitate MSMEs. Punjab government has signed a MoU with Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone Gets the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Green Nod: Ropar, in the area of skill development. It Union Environment Ministry headed by provides for the IIT’s technical education Prakash Javadekar approved the Zonal department to become an academic mentor Master Plan (ZMP) based on watershed for the state’s engineering colleges. approach for the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive India holds first-ever Ind-SAT exam zone notification that stretches from under 'Study in India' programme: Gaumukh to Uttarkashi covering an area of Ministry of Human Resource 4179.59 sq. km. Development (HRD) conducted the first- Indian Navy hold PASSEX with World’s ever Indian Scholastic Assessment (Ind-SAT) largest aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in Test 2020 under its 'Study in India' Indian Ocean Region: programme. It was conducted in proctored Indian naval ships conducted a Passage Internet mode by National Testing Agency Exercise (PASSEX) with the United States & designed to gauge the scholastic capability Navy’s USS Nimitz carrier strike group near of students applying to study in India. the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) islands as it is transiting the Indian Ocean. It comes INTERNATIONAL NEWS: amidst high alert by the Navy in the IOR. World Bank approves USD 500 Million to Employees' Welfare Scheme Launched In improve quality of education system in Arun Jaitley's Name In Rajya Sabha: six Indian states: Rajya Sabha Secretariat launched “Arun World Bank said its Board of Executive Jaitley Financial Assistance for Group C Directors has approved USD 500 million Employees”, an Employees Welfare Scheme (about Rs 3, 700 crore) loan to improve in the name of former Union Minister of quality and governance of school education in Finance, Arun Jaitley .The Scheme will be six Indian states. The board approved a funded by the pension his family receives as loan for Strengthening Teaching-Learning he has been a member of the upper house. and Results for States Program (STARS). Union Home Minister Amit Shah to "Some 250 million students (between the launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan: age of 6 and 17) in 1.5 million schools and Vriksharopan Abhiyan will be organized by over 10 million teachers will benefit from the Ministry of Coal during which large scale program. plantation would be carried out in mines,

IMF approves 356 million dollar to Uganda has become the first African Myanmar as COVID-19 emergency country to submit results for Reducing funding: emissions from deforestation and forest IMF has been approved under the Rapid degradation (REDD+) to the United Nations Credit Facility and Rapid Financing Framework Convention on Climate Change Instrument to meet the urgent balance of (UNFCCC). payment and fiscal needs of Myanmar. It will REDD+ is a mechanism developed by the also support the government’s plans to boost parties to the UNFCCC to reduce emissions spending especially on health and social from deforestation and forest degradation. safety nets. Germany to Become First Major Economy World Bank approves $750 million fund To Phase Out Coal And Nuclear Power: to support COVID hit MSMEs in India: Germany has decided to phase-out of coal as World Bank announced a $750 million an energy source. Bills approved by both MSME Emergency Response program to houses of parliament envision shutting down support increased flow of finance to MSMEs, the last coal-fired power plant by 2038 & severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. spend 40 billion euros for transition. It also This will address the immediate liquidity and commits phase out nuclear power by 2022. credit needs of some 1.5 million viable Global Tourism Set To Lose $1.2 Trillion MSMEs. Due To Coronavirus: UNCTAD: Vladimir Putin wins Russia vote that The world's tourism sector could lose at least could let him rule until 2036: 1.2 trillion dollars or 1.5 per cent of the President Vladimir Putin has won a global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) resounding victory in his bid to stay in power having been placed at a standstill for nearly until the middle of the next decade- 2036, as four months due to the coronavirus pandemic, Russians voted overwhelmingly to endorse according to a new report by UNCTAD. the country's political status quo, according to The UN's trade and development body warned preliminary results. that the loss could rise to 2.2 trillion dollars New Zealand cancels 2021 APEC summit, or 2.8 per cent of the world's GDP if the will lead it virtually: break in international tourism lasts for eight New Zealand cancelled its plans to host months, in line with the expected decline in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum tourism as projected by the UN World in Auckland on 2021 because of the Tourism Organization (UNWTO). coronavirus, opting instead to lead a virtual World Bank to provide 400 million dollars summit. 21 APEC members include US, China, to enhance support for rejuvenating Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, & River Ganga: Hong Kong. World Bank has provide $ 400 mn to enhance Uganda becomes first African country to support for rejuvenating the Ganga. The submit REDD+ results, paves way for Second National Ganga River Basin Project payments: will help stem pollution in the river &

strengthen the management of the river basin India has established individual bilateral which is home to more than 500 million bubbles with France, Germany and the US people. that will allow airlines of each country in the Maldives and Sri Lanka eliminate pact to operate flights. An Air Bubble with measles & rubella ahead of 2023 target: the UK to also soon to be permitted. India – Sri Lanka & Maldives became the first two UAE bubble was recently permitted. countries in the World Health Organization’s India lifted record 273 million out of South-East Asia region to eliminate poverty in 10 years: UNDP report: measles & rubella ahead of 2023 target. About 273 mn Indians moved out of Since 2017, nearly 500 million children in multidimensional poverty b/w 2005-6 and the region have been vaccinated for the 2015-16, as per UNDP & OPHI study. diseases. Multidimensional poverty encompasses the Google announces $10bn investment in various deprivations experienced such as poor 'digital India': health, lack of education, inadequate living Google will invest $10bn in India in the next standards etc. 5 to 7 yrs. The investment will be made World Trade Organisation General through the Google for India Digitization Council Grants Turkmenistan Observer Fund & for building products and services for Status: India, help businesses go digital, and use Turkmenistan became the last former technology "For Social Good". Soviet republic to establish formal ties with India in partnership with Chile & UN’s the trade body. Turkmenistan has been FAO Co-Hosted Event, “On the road to granted Observer status by the World Trade the International Year of Fruits and Organization (WTO) General Council, Vegetables 2021: WTO’s highest-level decision-making body. India partnered with Chile & Food and Nicaragua becomes 87th country to sign Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United International Solar Alliance Framework Nations (UN) co-hosted the “On the road to Agreement: the International Year of Fruits and Nicaragua has become the most recent Vegetables 2021: Highlighting health and country to join the International Solar nutritional benefits through sustainable Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, an production and consumption of fruits and initiative led by India to promote sustainable vegetables”, side event of 2020 High-level energy. Political forum. The agreement on behalf of the Central Chile had championed to declare the year American country Nicaragua was signed by 2021 as an International Year of Fruits and the Permanent Representative to the United Vegetables’ by UN General Assembly in 2019. Nations Jaime Hermida Castillo at the India establishes air travel bubbles with Permanent Mission of India to the United US, France, Germany: Nations in New York on 22, July 2020.

ADB and GCF join hands towards ‘green Reserve Bank of India has decided to recovery’ on the impacts of COVID-19 extend the enhanced borrowing facility disease: provided to the banks to meet their liquidity Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the shortages till September 30. RBI, as a Green Climate Fund (GCF) agreed to temporary measure, had increased the partner toward the “Green Recovery”. This borrowing limit of scheduled banks under MSF is to help hands for the people who are facing from 2% to 3% of NDTL. the harsh economic impact due to COVID-19 SBI working on setting up e-commerce pandemic. portal “Bharat Craft” for MSMEs: State Bank of India is working on setting up BANKING AND ECONOMY: an e-commerce portal for advertising of Yes Bank Patners with UDMA merchandise manufactured by Micro, Small Technologies launches digital wallet And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within “Yuva Pay”: the nation. Yes Bank announced the launch of “Yuva The portal referred to as Bharat Craft can be Pay” a digital wallet, in partnership with collectively run by the financial institution and UDMA Technologies to enable contactless the federal government. payments. where the data securely will be HDFC Bank unveils ‘e-Kisaan Dhan’ App sent to the banks on a real time basis. for farmers in rural India: PhonePe partners with ICICI Bank on Private lender HDFC Bank Ltd. launched its UPI Multi-Bank: ‘e-Kisaan Dhan‘ app for farmers across Flipkart-owned digital payments platform, India in a bid to access a bouquet of PhonePe announced it has partnered with agricultural and banking services on their ICICI Bank on UPI multi-bank model, giving mobile. its users the option to create and use multiple The app acts as a repository of knowledge and UPI IDs with ICICI Bank’s “@ibl” handle and information for any individual engaged in YES Bank’s ‘@ybl’ handle on the PhonePe agricultural activities and assist them in app. meeting the needs of the rural ecosystem. SBI sanctions Rs 20, 000 crore loans to Government launches Special Liquidity MSMEs under credit guarantee scheme: Scheme of Rs 30, 000 Cr to improve SBI has sanctioned loans worth Rs 20, 000 liquidity for NBFCs and HFCs: crore to over 4, 00, 000 micro, small and Government launched the Special Liquidity medium enterprise (MSME) accounts under Scheme of Rs 30, 000 Cr to improve the the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee liquidity position for Non-Banking Finance Scheme (ECLGS). It is part of the Rs 20 Companies- NBFCs and Housing Finance trillion package crafted to revive the economy Companies- HFCs. RBI extends enhanced borrowing limit to The scheme was launched through a Special banks under MSF till Sept 30: Purpose Vehicle set up by SBICAP (SBI Capital Markets Limited).

ICICI Bank launches instant loan against financial support upon hospitalisation or on mutual fund units: COVID-19 diagnosis. ICICI Bank launched ‘Insta Loans against SBM Bank India partners with Mutual Funds’, a facility in partnership with Mastercard to facilitate cross-border Computer Age Management Services(CAMS). transactions, remittances: The facility is an extension of the Insta Loan Government of Mauritius-promoted SBM Against Shares(LAS). Bank India and global payments technology The facility enables the retail customers to major Mastercard have joined hands to avail loans upto Rs 1 crore instantly by facilitate cross-border payments and pledging their holdings in both debt and remittances services, Using ‘Master Send’ equity Mutual Funds(MFs). SBM India can make business to consumer ADB becomes observer of Network for transactions quickly Greening the Financial System: YES Bank launches ‘Loan in Seconds’ for Asian Development Bank (ADB) has instant loan disbursement: joined the Central Banks and supervisors YES Bank has launched a digital solution, Network for Greening the Financial “Loan in Seconds” for instant disbursement System (NGFS) as an observer. "NGFS is a of retail loans. The account holders identified valuable network to share ADB's approaches by the bank can avail this quick loan and experience in addressing climate risk disbursal facility without any document. management in the financial sector, " said Fino Payments Bank launches ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada. 'Bhavishya' savings account for minors: HDFC Bank to offer ZipDrive Instant Auto Fino Payments Bank Limited announced Loans across 1, 000 cities in India: the launch of a savings account scheme for HDFC Bank announced its plans to offer minors aged between 10-18 years. “ZipDrive” Instant Auto Loans to 'Bhavishya', a subscription-based savings customers across 1, 000 cities across India. account, can be opened by paying a nominal ZipDrive is HDFC Bank’s instant auto loan amount. It is initially introduced in Uttar disbursal product, exclusively for bank Pradesh, Bihar & Madhya Pradesh. customers with a pre-approved offer. Karur Vysya Bank ties up with Star IndiaFirst Life to Offer Exclusive COVID- Health Insurance: 19 and Hospital Cash Cover to Bank of Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) has entered into an Baroda Credit Cardholders: arrangement with Star Health Insurance to IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company offer a wide range of health insurance options Limited (IndiaFirst Life), promoted by Bank to its customers. The tie-up will help the bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India, has provide cost-effective insurance products associated with BOB Financial Services and quick settlement of claims. Limited (BOB Financial), a wholly owned Liberty General Insurance launches subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, to offer a unique ‘Liberty Assure’, an industry 1st service: group insurance covering that provides

Liberty General Insurance launches to introduce its Native Token XDC to the ‘Liberty Assure’ an Industry first service. Indian market. The auto insurance customers who avail this XinFin chose BuyUcoin as their partner service, are not required to pay the because of their vision and reliability, to ‘Compulsory Deductible’ cost for every expand its user-base in India. XinFin has claim. committed itself to play a major role in the L&T Infra Finance gets USD 50 mn from mass adoption of blockchain technology in AIIB for renewable energy funding: the Indian economy. Larsen & Toubro Infrastructure Finance Bank of Baroda rolls out ‘Insta Click Company Ltd. (LTIF), a wholly-owned Savings Account’: subsidiary of L&T Finance Holdings Ltd., The self-assisted online savings account can received the first tranche of $50 million of the be activated in real-time and offers customers total $100 million ECB loan from Asian a wide range of digital channels. Bank of Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Baroda (BoB) stated it has launched ‘Insta Mastercard to invest Rs 250 crore to help Click Savings Account’, a 100 percent Indian SMEs amid COVID-19 crisis: paperless digital self-assisted online Global leader in payment technology savings account. Mastercard announced an additional Rs LIC ties up with Union Bank of India for 250-crore investment to help small Corporate Agency: businesses in the country, amid the COVID- Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India 19 pandemic. It is focused on helping the and Union Bank of India, after its small businesses go digital and support amalgamation with Andhra Bank and women entrepreneurs. Corporation Bank, have announced a Karur Vysya Bank partners with Tata Corporate Agency Tie-up by which LIC policies Motors to offer car loans at attractive will be distributed through the bank. terms: FamPay launches India’s first Karur Vysya Bank has entered into an numberless card for teenagers: arrangement with Tata Motors to fund A mobile bank for teenagers FamPay brings buyers of Tata passenger vehicles. The cashless convenience to millions of teens Bank informed the exchanges that both and their parents, has announced the launch existing and new customers will be eligible to of India’s first numberless card - avail loans from KVB. FamCard. BuyUcoin Becomes The First Indian It claims FamCard is just like a debit card that Cryptocurrency Exchange To List XinFin teenagers can use to make payments Utility Token: independently, relieving parents of the Singapore based Hybrid Blockchain firm trouble of giving them physical cash or their XinFin has partnered with BuyUcoin, one of debit/credit card. India’s leading crypto currency exchanges,

ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS: in the country over the next one year. NITI Aayog and ITF Launch Microsoft will collaborate with NSDC’s eSkill Decarbonizing Transport Project in India portal to provide free access to India: learning resources. NITI Aayog and the International EESL inks agreement with NOIDA to Transport Forum (ITF) of OECD jointly promote electric vehicles & install launched the ‘Decarbonizing Transport in charging stations: Emerging Economies’ (DTEE) project in Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) India. signed an agreement with the New Okhla ITF Secretary General Young Tae Kim and Industrial Development Authority NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant in the (NOIDA) to promote electric vehicles, install presence of Ministry of Housing and Urban charging stations and related infrastructure. Affairs(MoHUA) Secretary D.S. Mishra, as EESL is the world’s largest energy service well as Ministry of Road Transport and company. HighwaysJoint Secretary Priyank Bharti. T-Hub partners with MeitY and Digital CBSE partners with Facebook to launch India to lead program for hardware free training program for teachers, startups: students: T-Hub has announced its partnership with the Central Board of Secondary Education Ministry of Electronics and Information (CBSE) has partnered with Facebook to Technology (MeitY) and Digital India to launch a free and comprehensive training provide scale-up opportunities to the start- program for teachers and students of its ups and make them ready in terms of product, affiliated schools in the first phase from investment and new market access. August to November 2020 in virtual mode. ADB and IEA Renew Collaborative Google Cloud and Deutsche Bank Agree Agreement on Energy Sector on Multi-Year Strategic Partnership: Sustainability: Deutsche Bank agreed a strategic, multi- Asian Development Bank announced that it year partnership with Google Cloud to give has renewed an MOU with the International it access to cloud services and drive Energy Agency (IEA) to scale up innovation in tech-based financial products collaboration and advance progress on for clients. It focuses on redefining how the sustainability with an increased focus on bank develops and offers its financial energy sector resilience in Asia and the services. Pacific. NSDC and Microsoft join hands to provide Visa Partners With Federal Bank For digital skills to over 1 lakh youth: Rolling Out Visa Secure For E-Commerce: National Skill Development Corporation Visa has announced its partnership with (NSDC) and Microsoft on Wednesday Federal Bank to roll out Visa Secure to the announced a strategic partnership aimed at bank’s cardholders. Visa Secure is a global providing digital skills to over 1 lakh youth authentication program that uses the latest

standards of the EMV 3DS (3D Secure) Airtel Payments Bank and the National protocol. Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) UNICEF INDIA announced its announced a partnership to skill the youth in partnership with FICCI for #Reimagine rural India and enable them to find Campaign: employment opportunities in the financial UNICEF INDIA announced its partnership services sector. with Federation of Indian Chambers of The partnership will leverage NSDC's Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI), Socio- experience, training infrastructure and wide Economic Development Foundation network with Airtel Payment Bank's industry (SEDF) to jointly develop UNICEF’s insights, to design and conduct targeted skill #Reimagine Campaign to support the most development programmes for rural youth. vulnerable populations and children during Amazon Pay joins hands with Acko to the COVID-19 response and its after-math in offer auto insurance: India. Amazon Pay, the payments arm of e- UNICEF India partners with SAP India to commerce giant Amazon India, has partnered improve the employability of young Acko General Insurance Ltd to offer people: insurance for two- as well as four-wheelers. UNICEF India announced partnership with Insurance claims will involve zero paperwork, SAP India to provide career counseling to 3-day assured claim servicing & one-hour young people in India to improve their pick-up. employability skills in a COVID & post COVID era. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: UNICEF will collaborate with YuWaah Russia plans to take first tourist on space (Generation Unlimited) under this initiative. walk in 2023: The main Goal is to Impact one million Russia's Energia space corporation will young people by the end of 2022. take the first tourist on a space walk in 2023, L&T Tech Services to Acquire 100% under the terms of a new contract with a US Stake in Orchestra Tech for about Rs 187 partner. Roscosmos and RSC Energia in Crore: collaboration with Space Adventures took 8 L&T Technology Services (LTTS), the tourists to ISS between 2001 and 2009. engineering services arm of Larsen and IISc team building indigenous ventilator Toubro Group, informed that it will acquire a prototype ‘Project Praana’ for COVID-19 100 % stake in Texas-based Orchestra patients: Technology. Researchers at the Indian Institute of The acquisition is an all cash deal of USD 25 Science (IISc), has successfully completed million (Rs 187 crores). the prototyping of an Intensive Care Unit NSDC and Airtel Payments Bank join (ICU) grade ventilator which is now in the hands to skill rural youth for financial process of being commercialised. Code- services sector jobs:

named ‘Project Praana’, the product is a “COPAL-19” to track real-time COVID-19 technology patients in the hospital, who can become IIT Madras launches world's first online potential plasma donors 28 days after BSc degree in Programming and Data recovery along with those who have been Science: discharged. IIT Madras launched an online BSc degree IIT Gandhinagar develops AI based tool course on Programming & Data Science which to detect Covid-19 from chest X-ray: is the world’s first such programme. The Researchers at the Indian Institute of Programming and Data Science course was Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) have launched by HRD Minister Ramesh developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Pokhriyal Data Science is one of the fastest- deep learning tool for detection of Covid-19 growing sectors. from Chest X-ray images. Bharat Biotech Announces India’s First IIT Kanpur develops virtual classroom COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate ‘COVAXIN’ system 'Mobile Masterjee': With DCGI Approval For Human Clinical Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Trials: Kanpur has developed an innovative virtual Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech classroom aid titled ‘Mobile Masterjee’. announced that it has successfully developed The classroom-to-home teaching setup is Covaxin, India’s first vaccine candidate for designed to record the lectures/instructions Covid-19, in collaboration with the Indian by the teachers while using smartphones. Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and ‘Mobile Masterjee’ can capture the videos in National Institute of Virology (NIV). horizontal (table) and vertical SERB launches ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ (blackboard) positions. Scheme To Strengthen Scientific India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) Research Mechanism: Captured the Image of Mars Moon Science and Engineering Research Board Phobos: has launched a new scheme called ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Missions (MOM) has ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ to provide a single taken some images of Phobos, biggest and platform for research internships, capacity closest moon of Mars. Mars Orbiter Mission building programs and workshops across the (Mars Colour Camera) took image from the country. distance of 7, 200 km from Mars and just 4, AV has already called for applications under 200 km from Phobos. its ‘ABHYAAS’ component for the Winter IIT Roorkee researchers develops Season. SERB is also planning to launch an disinfection box “Unisaviour”: app for this in the coming 2 months. A disinfection box “Unisaviour” has been AIIMS partners IIT-Delhi to launch app developed by the researchers at IIT for patients needing plasma therapy: Roorkee. The disinfection box “Unisaviour” AIIMS with the help of IIT-Delhi students can be used to sterilize personal belongings, have developed a mobile application named

apparels, PPE, medical equipment among developed an Ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing others form the COVID-19. product named “SHUDH”. Indian Railways to transform itself as Initial testing has proved that the device at its 'Net Zero' Carbon Emission Mass full operation can disinfect a 10x10 squared Transportation Network by 2030: feet room in about 15 minutes. The Indian Railways is taking decisive steps IIT Kanpur-incubated startups develop to transform itself as a 'Net Zero' Carbon device to monitor water quality india: Emission Mass Transportation Network by IIT Kanpur Incubated Start-ups i.e Earth- 2030. It is endeavoring to be self-reliant for face Analytics Pvt Ltd and Kritsnam its energy needs by utilising its vacant land Technologies Pvt Ltd have built up a for renewable energy projects. gadget, for dissecting and observing water DRDO to establish a research cell at IIT- quality through simple to utilize colorimetric H to meet the future defence test-strip, in view of advanced mobile technological requirements: phone innovation that screens numerous Defence Research and Development significant water quality boundaries in less Organisation(DRDO) will establish a than two minutes. research cell at Indian Institute of India and Israel join hands to develop Technology Hyderabad(IIT-H), ‘DRDO – rapid testing for Covid-19 in under 30 IIT-H Research Cell’ to meet the future seconds: defence technological requirements of the Israel and India will work together to country. develop a new generation set of Covid-19 ISRO to launch Brazil’s Amazonia-1 tests that aim to bring the entire testing satellite onboard PSLV in August 2020: process down to a few seconds, be widely Indian Space Research Organization available, and ultimately help to open (ISRO) is all set to launch Brazil’s economies. Using artificial intelligence and Amazonia-1 satellite in August 2020 machine learning, these breakthrough onboard The Polar Satellite Launch vehicle technologies will be tested in India, and if (PSLV). Amazonia -1 is Brazil’s first successful, be manufactured in India, and satellite for Earth observation – designed, marketed jointly by Israel and India to the assembled and tested in Brazil. world. IIT Kanpur develops UV sanitizing device 'SHUDDH' to make your room COVID APPOINTMENTS and RESIGNATIONS: free: Priyanka Chopra, Anurag Kashyap Due to Covid Pandemic People are nowadays named among ambassadors at TIFF afraid of touching anything around, 2020: specifically in the areas where masses have to Actor Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker come. To solve this problem Imagineering Anurag Kashyap are among the Toronto Laboratory department of IIT Kanpur has International Film Festival (TIFF) ambassadors for 2020.

TIFF is one of the largest publicly attended years. Senior advocate K.K. Venugopal has film festivals in the world and has gathered a also been reappointed to the post of Attorney reputation for generating "Oscar buzz" for General for India for a period of 1 year. its pick of films. Nitin Menon becomes third Indian Lazarus Chakwera sworn in as Malawi umpire to be inducted in ICC Elite Panel: president: India's Nitin Menon has been included in the Malawi's opposition leader Lazarus International Cricket Council's Elite Panel of Chakwera has won the country's rerun Umpires for the upcoming 2020-21 season, presidential vote. He defeated incumbent replacing England's Nigel Llong. He has Peter Mutharika with 58.57% of the vote. officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 It is the 2nd African nation to annul a T20Is. Srinivas Venkatraghavan & Sundaram presidential election over irregularities after Ravi were previous inductees. Kenya in 2017. Gudni Johannesson Re-elected as Micheál Martin elected as Ireland’s new President of Iceland: prime minister: Gudni Th. Johannesson has been re- Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin was elected as the President of Iceland. He has elected as the new (Taoiseach) Prime Minister won his second four-year term as the of Ireland and he will take over the office president of Iceland in the presidential from Leo Varadkar. elections held recently. Micheál Martin, will lead the government for He won the presidential elections with 92% the first two and a half years (until of the popular vote which the second-largest December 2022); the second half of the 5 win in Icelandic presidential elections against year team will be led by Leo Varadkar, Gudmundur Franklín Jónsson. Indian Origin Leader of Fine Gael. Government extends Union Bank of India Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel CEO Rajkiran Rai's term by another 2 given additional charge of Madhya years: Pradesh: Government extends the term of Rajkiran President Ram Nath Kovind has assigned Rai G as the Managing Director (MD) and Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Union Bank additional charge of Madhya Pradesh during of India(UBI) by 2 years till May 31, 2022. the absence on leave of Governor Lalji The 3 year term of Rajkiran Rai G as MD & Tandon. CEO of UBI was to end on June 30, 2020. He KK Venugopal re-appointed as Attorney took charge of UBI on July 1, 2017. General of India for a year and Tushar Ravinder Bhakar appointed as CEO of Mehta re-named Solicitor General for Central Board of Films Certification: three years: Mr Ravinder Bhakar assumes charge as Appointments Committee has approved the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central re-appointment of senior advocate Tushar Board of Films Certification(CBFC). He is Mehta as Solicitor General for a period of 3 a Indian Railway Stores Service(IRSS) officer

from 1999 batch. He has taken place of Jean Castex Appointed as New Prime Anurag Srivastava. Minister of France: Lakshmi Vilas Bank appoints K Hariharan French President Emmanuel Macron named as Chief Financial Officer: Jean Castex, who coordinated France’s virus Lakshmi Vilas Bank said in the stock reopening strategy, as the country’s new exchanges that the Audit Committee of the prime minister replacing Edouard Philippe. Board has appointed Hariharan K as Chief Castex, 55, is a career public servant who has Financial Officer (CFO). He has 29 years of worked with multiple governments. experience in Banking and Finance Industry UK India Business Council appoints and before joining Lakshmi Vilas Bank has Indian-origin Jayant Krishna as new served in various capacities with State Bank CEO: of India, IDBI Bank and Karur Vysya The UK India Business Council has Bank. announced that Jayant Krishna has V Suryanarayanan appointed as new MD accepted the invitation of the Board to of Chola MS General Insurance: become its new Group Chief Executive Officer. Cholamandalam MS General Insurance He will be 1st UKIBC Group CEO to be based Company has announced the appointment of in India, will be replacing Richard Heald. V Suryanarayanan as its new managing Luxury Ride signs Sukhbir Singh as brand director. Suryanarayanan succeeds S S ambassador: Gopalarathnam, who retired on Tuesday Luxury Ride, chain of used, multi-brand after serving the company for over 41 years. luxury car showrooms, signed singer Sukhbir Nigar Johar Becomes Pakistan Army’s Singh as brand ambassador. With this, he will First Female Lieutenant General: be seen in a full-fledged marketing campaign Pakistan Army has appointed a Nigar Johar across the upcoming brand and product as lieutenant general for the first time. Major communication initiatives by Luxury Ride. General Nigar Johar, who got the coveted post M K Saggar to take over as ED in charge of a three-star general, has also been of RBI's monetary policy department: appointed as the First Female Surgeon M K Saggar will take over as the executive general of the Pakistan Army. director (ED) in charge of Reserve Bank of NHAI chairman Sukhbir Singh Sandhu India's monetary policy department, after gets six months extension: the retirement of Janak Raj. He will also be Senior bureaucrat Sukhbir Singh Sandhu included in the 6-member Monetary Policy was given six months extension, till mid Committee as an internal RBI member. January next year, as the chairman of Priyanka Chopra Chosen Ambassador for National Highways Authority of India, a Toronto International Film Festival: Personnel Ministry order said. Sandhu, a 1988 Priyanka Chopra announced that she has batch IAS officer of Uttarakhand cadre, took been invited to be an ambassador to the 2020 charge of the post in October last year. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). PeeCee, who starred in the American

television show Quantico and Hollywood flicks Last week, the apex body of cricket in India like Baywatch and Isn’t it Romantic. had accepted the resignation of its CEO, Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has Rahul Johri. also been chosen for TIFF 2020. Asian Development Bank appoints Gyanendro Ningombam replaces Mohd Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa as Mushtaque Ahmad as new Hockey India new vice-president: president: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who is Hockey India has appointed Manipur's known for his dissenting views in the poll Gyanendro Ningombam as its new panel, is all set to join Asian Development officiating president after Mohd Mushtaque Bank at Manila in Philippines, as the Ahmad stepped down from his post owing to multilateral financial agency has appointed his personal reasons and family him its vice-president to look after private commitments. sector operations and Public-Private Andrzej Duda wins Polish presidential Partnerships (PPPs). Election: He will succeed Diwakar Gupta, whose term Andrzej Duda, Poland's conservative, will end on 31 August, 2020. populist incumbent, has narrowly won the Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee Presidential Election. Duda who is backed named brand ambassador of by the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party SportsAdda: (PiS), won 51.21 percent of the vote, liberal SportsAdda has onboarded Australian Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, got cricket legend Brett Lee as it's brand 48.79%. ambassador as he swaps the cricket field for Vidhu P. Nair appointed India's next the digital playground. He took over 700 Ambassador to Turkmenistan: wickets during his international career and Dr. Vidhu P. Nair has been appointed as the retired from international cricket in 2013. next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan. Ashwini Kumar Tewari appointed as the Dr Nair is presently Director in the External new SBI Cards MD & CEO: Affairs Ministry. H H Kotalwar has been SBI cards and Payment Services has named appointed as next Abassador of India to the Ashwini Kumar Tewari as its new Managing Czech Republic. Director and chief executive officer. He was BCCI appoints Hemang Amin as interim nominated by parent State Bank of India for CEO: the position and his appointment will come Board of Control for Cricket in India into effect from August 1, 2020. The new (BCCI) has appointed IPL chief operating appointment will be valid for two years. officer Hemang Amin as the interim chief Gabon Appoints Ossouka Raponda As Its executive officer (CEO). “Hemang Amin has First Woman Prime Minister: been given the interim charge of CEO of BCCI Former Defense Minister Rose Christiane (Board of Control for Cricket in India), ” Ossouka Raponda has been promoted to Prime Minister, making her the First

Woman to hold the role in Gabon's history. Customs. He is a 2011 batch Indian She will succeeding Julien Nkoghe Bekale, Revenue Service Officer. On 16 July 2020. She is the sixth Indian Overseas Bank appoints SBI’s PrimeMinister under Bongo’s Presidency Partha Pratim Sengupta as MD and CEO: since 2009. Indian Overseas Bank has appointed State RBI approves reappointment of Shyam Bank of India’s deputy managing director, Srinivasan as Federal Bank MD & CEO: Partha Pratim Sengupta, as its managing Reserve Bank of India approved the director and chief executive officer (CEO). reappointment of Shyam Srinivasan as the Sengupta will be replacing Karnam Sekar, managing Director and Chief Executive officer who retired on June 30. of Federal bank Limited with effect from September 23, 2020 till September 22, 2021. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: Prakash Chandra Kandpal appointed MD IIT-Ropar best in country, two Indian & CEO of SBI General Insurance: institutes in global top 100; THE Young Non-life insurer SBI General Insurance University Ranking 2020 announced the appointment of Prakash Times Higher Education (THE) has Chandra Kandpal as its new managing released the world’s young university ranking director and chief executive officer, effective for the relatively newer generation of July 20. He has been with SBI General universities, which are 50 years old or Insurance as the deputy CEO since June younger. IIT-Ropar best in India. 2019 The 2020 ranking includes 414 universities, Karur Vysya Bank appoints Ramesh Babu up from 351 in 2019. As many as two Indian Boddu as MD & CEO: universities made it into the top 100, while Karur Vysya Bank’s (KVB) Board of Directors none could enter the ’50 under 50′ category. has co-opted Ramesh Babu Boddu as an Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu to Get Arjuna Additional Director and appointed him Award After Dope Charges Dropped: Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal for three years. He retired as Deputy winning weightlifter K. Sanjita Chanu, who Managing Director in State Bank of India in was recently exonerated from doping April 2020. charges, will get the Arjuna award for 2018, Sahil Seth appointed as honorary adviser Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) to BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Secretary Sahdev Yadav. Industry: P. Harikrishna becomes the 1st Indian to Sahil Seth has been appointed an honorary join the USD 150, 000 Chessable adviser to the steering committee for the Masters: BRICS Chamber of Commerce (CCI) Indian Grandmaster P Harikrishna bowed young leaders for the period of 2020-2023. out of contention for a quarterfinal spot in the He is a deputy Commissioner of Mumbai USD 150, 000 Chessable Masters online tournament, with a defeat at the hands of

Alexander Grischuk of Russia in the 10th Commonwealth Short Story Prize, for her and final round. story “The Great Indian Tee and Snakes”. Former RBI governor Rangarajan gets The Commonwealth Foundation announced lifetime achievement award on Statistics Pandey’s award in an online ceremony. Day: Mon District Administration received 3 Former Reserve Bank of India governor C SKOCH Awards in 65th SKOCH Summit: Rangarajan was conferred with the lifetime District Administration of Mon, Nagaland achievement award for his contribution to received 2020 SKOCH awards under three statistics on the occasion of Statistics Day. categories viz SKOCH Crucible Award 2020, Chief statistician Pravin Srivastava stated SKOCH order of Merit 2020, SKOCH the government will launch e-Sigma that will Honourable mention 2020 in the 65th SKOCH capture data using mobile devices. summit from Chairman of SKOCH group Ravindra Jadeja rated India’s most Sameer Kochar. valuable Test player in 21st century by 13 Year Old Girl Freya Thakral From Delhi Wisden: Receives Award in Memory of Princess All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been Diana: named as India’s most valuable Test player Freya Thakral, a student from The British in the 21st century by the Wisden School, New Delhi, has been bestowed with magazine. the highest accolade a young person can With an MVP rating of 97.3, the 31-year-old achieve for social action or humanitarian Jadeja was also rated as the second-most efforts – The Diana Award. She has been valuable Test player worldwide, behind Sri added to the roll of honours on Princess Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan. Diana’s birthday – July 1, 2020. India’s AI enabled MyGov Corona Hockey stalwart Ashok Kumar to receive Helpdesk wins two global awards: Mohun Bagan Lifetime Achievement India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Award: MyGov Corona Helpdesk has bagged two Ashok Kumar, a key member of India's awards at the Global Leadership Summit 1975 World Cup winning hockey team, will and Festival of AI and Emerging Technology, be conferred with the Lifetime Achievement CogX 2020. Award by the city's iconic club Mohun Bagan AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk bagged on the occasion of its foundation day. Mohun two awards under categories of Best Bagan Day is celebrated every year on July Innovation for Covid-19 – Society and 29. He is Son of hockey wizard Dhyan People’s Choice Covid-19 Overall Winner. Chand. Indian author Kritika Pandey declared Gurbux Singh, Palash Nandi to be overall winner of 2020 Commonwealth honoured with Mohun Bagan Ratna: Short Story Prize: Hockey legend Gurbux Singh and former Indian author Kritika Pandey was declared first-class cricketer Palash Nandi will receive the overall winner of the 2020 this year’s Mohun Bagan Ratna. The club

has decided not to hold the customary is authored by CA V Pattabhi Ram, a Public ‘Mohun Bagan Day’ function on July 29. Speaker, author and Teacher. The Virtual Marianna Vardinoyannis & Morissana event was hosted by ICT Academy. Kouyaté win 2020 United Nations Nelson Former RBI governor Urjit Patel pens Rolihlahla Mandela Prize: book on dealing with NPA issue: Ms. Vardinoyannis is the founder and Titled 'Overdraft: Saving the Indian president of two foundations dedicated to Saver', the book focuses on the non- children, in the fight against child cancer. performing assets issue that has afflicted Morissanda Kouyate, is a leading figure in Indian banking in recent years, its causes and efforts to end violence against women in Patel's efforts as the RBI Governor in dealing Africa, including Female Genital Mutilation. with it. It will be published by HarperCollins. Environmental activist Greta Thunberg Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava wins first Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity: pens book “Getting Competitive: A Young Swedish environmental activist Practitioner’s Guide for India”: Greta Thunberg was awarded the first Maruti Suzuki chairman R C Bhargava Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. The award penned a book “Getting Competitive: A carries a €1, 000, 000 prize and the entire Practitioner’s Guide for India”. amount would be donated by Thunberg to The book is published by Harper Collins project and organizations fighting for a India, Bhargava draws upon his experience sustainable world. of more than 60 years as a policymaker and National Award for Excellence in Forestry industry leader to give practical suggestions. awarded to Kannan C S Warrier: A book on Dalai Lama's biography to Senior principal of Institute of Forest release in 2020: Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) A book titled 'His Holiness the Fourteenth scientist Kannan C S Warrier has received Dalai Lama: An Illustrated Biography' will the National Award of Excellence for be released in 2020. The book is published by Outstanding Research in Forestry for the year Roli Books. The book is authored by one of 2019. the Dalai Lama's closest aides and advisor of The award was conferred on him by the over 40 years, Tenzin Geyche Tethong. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and biography is a memorable portrait of the 14th Education (ICFRE) Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. AP CM Pema Khandu releases book ” The BOOKS AND AUTHORS: Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study Of A book titled “The Future of Higher The Critically Endangered Group of Education” released by M Venkaiah Arunachal Pradesh”: Naidu: The book titled ‘The Tangams: An Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu Ethnolinguistic Study Of The Critically virtually released a book, “Future of Higher Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh’ Education – Nine Mega Trends“. The book

was released by Arunachal Chief Minister writer has recently written a novel named Pema Khandu. “The Endgame”.It was published by the The book is based on the Tangams, a HarperCollins India.The book speaks about critically endangered speech community of the politics, betrayal, and unimaginable Arunachal Pradesh domiciled at Kugging terror. village, Upper Siang district of Arunachal RANKINGS: Pradesh. India ranks 77th in terms of Money A book titled ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ on deposits in Swiss banks: Udham Singh by Akademi awardee India has slipped three places to 77th in Baldev Singh Sadaknama: terms of deposits of Indian citizens and Sahitya Akademi Award winner Baldev companies in Swiss banks. This information Singh Sadaknama has written another book has been found in the latest data from the shedding light on historic perspectives named central bank of Switzerland. Britain holds ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (Sun Never the first place in this list. Last year, India was Dies). It is on the life of Udham Singh whose ranked 74th on this list. 80th death anniversary will fall on July 31. Britain ranks first on the list. The US is A book titled “The Pandemic Century”, by followed by the second, West Indies third, British Medical Historian Mark France fourth and Hong Kong fifth. The top Honigsbaum: five countries account for more than 50 “The Pandemic Century, A History of Global percent of the total money deposited in Swiss Contagion from the Spanish Flu to Covid-19”, banks. by the british medical historian Mark India stands third largest contributor to Honigsbaum covers 10 outbreaks in the past e-waste in 2019, China tops 100 years, dating from the Spanish Flu (1918) A United Nations-led report found India is the to the present day Coronavirus (2019). The third-largest contributor to e-waste in the book is published by Penguin Publishers. world in 2019. As per the report titled ‘Global The Pandemic Century by Mark E-waste Monitor 2020’, the world dumped Honigsbaum: 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste in 2019. “The Pandemic Century”, the book by India with 3.2 million tonnes, was third. British medical historian Mark Honigsbaum China topped the list followed by USA. combines science history, medical sociology India Ranked 117th in SDG Index 2020, and front-line reportage to tell the history of Sweden Tops: global contagion dating from the Spanish Flu As per SDG index 2020, India has got 117th (1918) to the present day coronavirus rank with a score of 61.92. it shows that India pandemic. is facing a lot of major challenges in 10 of the A book titled “The Endgame” authored by 17 SDGs such as zero hunger, good health, Hussain Zaidi: gender inequality and so on. A new novel The Endgame by Hussain However, Sweden country has got thr first ZaidiS Hussain Zaidi, a well known crime place in the indexing which scores 84.72. 166

UN Member States were included to study 48 Tests across a 10-year career, scoring under SDG index 2020. 4455 runs and 15 centuries. Indian direct selling industry ranked Veteran journalist Bishnu Prasad Kumar 15th after recording $2.47billion sales in passes away: 2019: Veteran journalist Bishnu Prasad Kumar, The Indian direct selling industry has reported who had covered the Bangladesh Liberation a growth of 12.1% to $2.47 billion in 2019, War and the turbulent Naxalite movement in a World Federation of Direct Selling the 70s, passed away. Associations report said. The ranking of the Ennio Morricone: Oscar-winning Italian direct selling industry improved from 19th a film composer died at 91: year before to 15th. Ennio Morricone, the Italian composer The US has topped the list, contributing 20% whose credits include the "spaghetti" of the global direct selling industry with sales Westerns that made Clint Eastwood a star, of $35.21 billion. has died in Rome aged 91. He also wrote India’s maternal mortality ratio dips to music for Once Upon a Time in America, The 113 in 2016-18, Assam has highest and Untouchables and Cinema Paradiso. He was Kerala lowest: known as ‘Maestro’ and won Oscars in 2007 India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has & 2016. dropped by 7.4 per cent in 2016-18, but it is Broadway star Nick Cordero dies of still almost double the Sustainable COVID-19 complications: Development Goal target set by World Tony Award-nominated actor Nick Health Organization (WHO). Cordero, who specialized in playing tough At 215, Assam had the highest MMR in the guys on Broadway in such shows as Waitress, country, followed by Uttar Pradesh and A Bronx Tale and Bullets Over Broadway, has Madhya Pradesh with MMR of 197 and 173, died in Los Angeles after suffering severe respectively. medical complications after contracting the Kerala reported the lowest MMR of 43, coronavirus. He was 41. followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu with Ivory Coast's Prime Minister Amadou MMR of 46 and 60, respectively. Gon Coulibaly dies: India’s MMR in 2016-18 has been 113, which Ivory Coast's prime minister and the was 122 in 2015-17, according to the Sample governing party's candidate Amadou Gon Registration System’s (SRS) estimate Coulibaly for an October presidential released by the Registrar General of India. election, died just days after returning from two months of medical treatment in France. OBITUARY NEWS: He was considered as an ex-rebel leader. Legendary West Indies batsman Sir Renowned cartoonist Avad Bin Hassan Everton Weekes dies aged 95: Jami passes away: Legendary West Indies batsman Sir Everton Renowned Gujarati cartoonist, Avad Bin Weekes has died at the age of 95. He played Hassan Jami passed away. He was popularly

known as “Jami”. His cartoons were in Mumbai. She was diagnosed with COVID- published in Gujarati magazine “Abhiyan” 19. She had penned several books. for last over two decades. He had also worked Former Para-badminton player Ramesh in Gujarati newspaper Phhulchhab as a Tikaram dies at 51: cartoonist. He was a drawing teacher at Arjuna awardee, para athlete and para- Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jamnagar and became a badminton player, Ramesh Tikaram full-time cartoonist after retirement. passed away at 51 due to coronavirus in a Dutch Football Legend Wim Suurbier Bengaluru hospital. He organized the World Passed Away at 75: Cup for Para badminton in Bengaluru in 2002. Netherlands and Ajax defender Wim He was the 1st Indian Para Badminton Suurbier, a key member of the 1970s Dutch Arjuna Awardee. squad who played in two World Cup finals, Eminent mathematician C S Seshadri died at the age of 75. He won three European passes away: championships with the legendary Ajax side Eminent Indian mathematician of the post- of the same decade. Independence era, Professor C S Seshadri Actor-Singer Divya Chouksey Dies Due to has passed away. He was the founder and Cancer at 28: Director-Emeritus of the Chennai Actor and Singer Divya Chouksey passed Mathematical Institute, an institute for the away due to cancer. She did an acting course study of mathematics in India. from London and went on to feature in a Madhya Pradesh Governor Lal Ji Tandon couple of films and serials. She also rose to Died At 85: fame as a singer. Divya had participated in Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon the Miss Universe India pageant in the year passed away after a prolonged illness. Tandon 2011. served in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative council Former Goa health minister Suresh for two terms from 1978 to 1984 as an MLA Amonkar passed away at 68: in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for Former Goa health minister Suresh Amonka three terms and governor of Bihar. passed away at 68 due to COVID-19 infection, while undergoing treatment at ESI hospital in SPORTS NEWS: Margao. He was born on May 15, 1952 in Australia and New Zealand Will Host Amona, Goa. FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup: Maharashtra's first woman Election Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Commissioner Neela Satyanarayan Women’s World Cup in 2023, with the passes away at 72: following edition possibly set to take place Former IAS officer and Maharashtra's first just two years later. FIFA’s decision means woman Election Commissioner Neela South America is still waiting to host its first Satyanarayan passed away. The 72-year- Women’s World Cup, a tournament that was old breathed her last at Seven Hills Hospital first played in 1991.

Liverpool Win English Premier League To Africa Cup of Nations postponed from End 30-Year Title Drought: January next year to 2022: Liverpool were crowned Premier League Next January's Africa Cup of Nations finals champions without kicking a ball as in Cameroon have been postponed by one Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester City year and will now take place in 2022, decided ended the Reds' 30-year wait to win the by Confederation of African Football. And English title. also, Argentina Luka Romero of Mallorca • 2021 Africa Cup of Nations postponed becomes youngest La Liga player in to 2022 history: • 2020 CHAN postponed to 2021 Luka Romero made La Liga history as he • 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations became the youngest player to play when he CANCELLED was substituted on for Mallorca. Sports News: Romero, born on 18 November 2004, was China's 2-time Olympic Champion and substitute on for Mallorca in their 2-0 defeat Badminton Legend Lin Dan Announces against Real Madrid. He became the youngest Retirement: player ever at 15 years, 219 days to play in China's two-time Olympic champion Lin La Liga. Dan, arguably the greatest badminton player Rahul Dravid beats Sachin Tendulkar to of all time, took to social media to announce emerge as India's greatest Test batsman his retirement. in Wisden poll: Lt Col Bharat Pannu Becomes First Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has Indian To Secure Podium Position In emerged as the country's greatest batsman in International Ultracycling Race: the longest format of the game after beating Lt Col Bharat Pannu, a serving Indian legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in a Army Officer has created history by poll conducted by Wisden India on social successfully securing a podium place at the media recently. first edition of the Virtual Race Across Sumit Nagal Becomes First Indian Tennis America (vRAAM) 2020. He has become the Player To Win PSD Bank Nord Open In first Indian ever to win a podium place at Germany: an international ultra-cycling race. India's leading singles player Sumit Nagal Jaipur to have the world’s 3rd largest achieved a a first of sorts as he become the cricket stadium with capacity of 75000: first Indian to win an international Rajasthan Cricket Association; tournament amid the COVID-19 era after he World’s 3rd largest cricket stadium shall clinched the Men's Singles Title at the Psd have modern grand pavilion stands, corporate Bank Nord Open, a locally organized clay boxes, plush sports field, modern club house court tournament in Germany. and many other world class features for He defeated German Daniel Masur in indoor games and sports training facilities, straight sets. spread across over 100 acres of land. It is

to come up in Chonp village, 25 km from Senegal and the International Olympic Jaipur. Committee (IOC) have mutually agreed to Lewis Hamilton wins Styrian Grand Prix postpone the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic in Spielberg, Austria: Games (YOG) to 2026 due to the ongoing Lewis Hamilton won the Styrian Grand coronavirus pandemic. Prix from pole position to clinch an 85th Lewis Hamilton wins 8th Hungarian career win and move within six of Michael Grand Prix: Schumacher's Formula One record. He Lewis Hamilton claimed his second race finished a sizeable 13.7 seconds ahead of victory of the 2020 season, leading the Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. Hungarian Grand Prix from start to finish Former Australia and Crystal Palace taking control of the drivers’ championship. captain Mile Jedinak announces The six-time world champion claimed pole in retirement from football: Saturday qualifying and had no trouble in Former Australia captain and Crystal Palace converting that into a race victory, with Max stalwart Mile Jedinak announced his Verstappen finishing second to prevent a retirement and saying it was "Time For A second consecutive Mercedes one-two. New Chapter". Other Grand Prixs recently held and winners IOC Postpones Dakar 2022 Youth are Olympic Games To 2026 Due To COVID- Austria: Valtteri Bottas, MERCEDES 19 Pandemic: Styria: Lewis Hamilton, MERCEDES Hungary: Lewis Hamilton, MERCEDES

IMPORTANT DAYS:

DATE DAY THEME July 1 National Doctor's Day “Lessen the Mortality of COVID-19” July 2 World UFO (Unidentified Flying - Object) Day July 2 World Sports Journalists Day - July 3 International Plastic Bag Free - Day July 4 International Day of “Cooperatives For Climate Action” Cooperatives July 6 World Zoonoses Day - July 7 World Chocolate Day - July 11 World Population Day “How to safeguard the health & rights of women & girls now” July 12 National Simplicity Day - July 12 Malala Day - RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 99 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

July 15 World Youth Skills Day “Skills for a Resilient Youth” July 17 World Day for International - Justice July 18 International Nelson Mandela - Day July 20 World Chess Day - July 22 Pi Approximation Day - July 23 National Refreshment Day - July 23 National Broadcasting Day - July 24 National Thermal Engineer Day - July 26 Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory - Day) July 26 National Parents Day “Appreciate all parents throughout the world” July 28 World Hepatitis Day - July 28 World Nature Conservation Day - July 29 International Tiger Day -

AUGUST 2020 NATIONAL NEWS: Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan releases the Financial Management attends Shanghai Cooperation Index for Rural Development: Organisation Health Ministers’ meeting: Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan MinisterNarendra Singh Tomar released a attended the Shanghai Cooperation "Financial Management Index for Rural Organisation (SCO) Health Ministers’ Development Programmes" to rank the meeting and highlighted India’s efforts to performance of the States. It would promote combat the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. the spirit of competitive, cooperative Haryana to host the 4th edition of Khelo federalism amongst States. India Youth Games in 2021: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, launched a free Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports website portal named ‘Rozgaar Bazaar’ Kiren Rijiju and Haryana Chief Minister for job seekers, employers: Manohar Lal Khattar announced Haryana as Delhi chief ministerArvind Kejriwal the host state for the fourth edition of Khelo launched a free website India Youth Games (KIYG), which is http://jobs.delhi.gov.in named ‘Rozgaar currently scheduled to take place after Tokyo Bazaar 2020’ via video conference. The Olympics.The Games will be held at portal connects the job seekers and the Panchkula in Haryana. recruiters on one platform.

Ministry of Earth Sciences announces the (Bihar) has been ranked fourth and Moga National Awards for excellence in Earth (Punjab) is at the fifth place. System Science: NamamiGange project included in ‘Prime Ministry of Earth Sciences has announced Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the National Awards for excellence in Earth Public Administration’: System Science. The Ministry has awarded NamamiGange project has been included in the Lifetime Excellence Award 2020 to the prestigious ‘Prime Minister’s Awards ProfessorAshok Sahni for his major for Excellence in Public Administration’. contribution in the field of Biostratigraphy, National Mission for Clean Ganga, NMCG, DG Geology and Vertebrate Paleontology. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra instructed District Cabinet Approves New National Magistrates and other officials associated with Education Policy, HRD Ministry Renamed the District Ganga Committees to submit their As Education Ministry: nominations for this year’s prestigious award. A panel led by former Indian Space Agartala ranks no. 1 among 10 smart Research Organisation chief K cities of Northeast India: Kasturirangan had submitted the draft of Tripura's capital city Agartala has been the new NEP to Union Human Resource ranked first amongst the ten smart cities in Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal the North Eastern Region after it scaled up 'Nishank'.The existing NEP was framed in from 76 to 54 in the national rankings of the 1986 and revised in 1992. 100 smart cities of India. First five Rafale jets land at Ambala air Telangana launches iMASQ mobile covid- force station; India welcomes the 19 testing centers: 'Golden Arrows': Telangana government rolled out mobile The first batch of five Rafale jets landed in covid-19 testing centers in containment zones Ambala. It was a historic moment as they and low-income group residential areas were greeted with water cannon salute at across the state. Buses are built with Ambala Air Forcebase. Rafale jets were 'Intelligent Monitoring Analysis Services escorted by two Sukhoi 30 MKI supersonic Quarantine’(iMASQ) technology by Vera fighters as they entered Indian airspace. Smart Healthcare. Chhattisgarh's Bijapur Tops Niti Aayog's Piyush Goyal Inaugurates CII National Aspirational Districts Ranking for Feb- Digital Conference on “Easing Doing June 2020: Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat”: Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh has topped Union Minister of Commerce and the list of aspirational districts ranked by IndustryPiyush Goyal has inaugurated the government think-tank Niti Aayog for the National Digital Conference on “Easing February-June 2020 period. Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat” Ri-Bhoi (Meghalaya) and Bahraich (Uttar organized by the Confederation of Indian Pradesh) have been placed at the second and Industry (CII) with the Department for third positions respectively and Nawada Promotion of Investment and Internal

Trade (DPIIT) to improve the business Central Railway designs robot ‘Rakshak’ environment of India. for health assistant: Kerala plans to provide tap connections Mumbai Division of Central Railway (CR) to all rural households by 2023: has designed a health assistant robot Kerala government has planned to provide ‘Rakshak’ who can remotely communicate tap connections to every rural household by between doctor and patient. 2023. Out of total 67.15 lakh rural Andhra Pradesh CM Y. S. Jaganmohan households, the state is making efforts to Reddy launched cybercrime awareness achieve the target of 21.42 lakh FHTCs in programme ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’: 2020-21. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Nitin Gadkari inaugurates upstream Jaganmohan Reddy launched a one-month carriageway of Mahatma Gandhi bridge long virtual cybercrime awareness in Bihar: programme‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ in Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways Amaravati. The Aim of the Programme is to and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated create awareness among women, youth and the upstream carriageway of Mahatma children on Cyber Crimes across the state. Gandhi bridge over river Ganga through Ministry of Tourism holds its 44th video conference in Bihar. This over 5.5 km webinar on "Heritage Tourism in four-lane bridge lies at NH-19 between Patna Gujarat" under Dekho Apna Desh series: and Hajipur. It is being constructed at a cost The state encompasses some sites of the of Rs 1742 crore. ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, such as Madhya Pradesh to begin ‘Ek Mask- Lothal, Dholavira and GolaDhoro. Lothal is AnekZindagi’ public awareness believed to be one of the world's first campaign: seaports. Gujarat's coastal cities, chiefly A public awareness campaign called ‘Ek Bharuch and Khambhat, served as ports. Mask-AnekZindagi’ means one mask-many Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh lives will be conducted till August 15 in many Patel virtually inaugurates Mizoram’s districts of Madhya Pradesh. first golf resort: Northern Railway runs first-ever Vyapar Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel Mala Express train: virtually inaugurated Mizoram’s first golf Northern Railway ran first-ever Vyapar course and resort at Thenzawl in Serchhip Mala Express train to help small traders in district, about 90 km from Aizawl. moving their cargo via Railways in a short Defence Ministry signs MoU with IIT- time, cost-effective, convenient & Kanpur, DARPG for AI-based public environment-friendly mode of transportation. grievance redressal: Railways earned more than Rs. 94 Lakhs Defence Ministry said it signed a tripartite from this. It will cover a distance of 2, 673 km MOU with the Indian Institute of from Punjab to Tripura. Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Department of Administrative Reforms

and Public Grievances (DARPG) to develop Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed officials artificial intelligence and machine learning to start the Indira Rasoi Yojana in urban techniques to conduct predictive analysis of areas of Rajasthan from August 20.The public grievances. scheme, named after former Prime Minister Uttar Pradesh government to set up Indira Gandhi.The state government would MSME industrial parks: spend Rs 100 crore per year on it. The poor Uttar Pradesh government will set up would get quality nutritious food for just Rs industrial parks for Micro, Small And 8. Medium Enterprises (MSME) in six of its Uttarakhand to develop India’s first most industrialized districts, including snow leopard conservation centre in Varanasi and Kanpur, and has invited Uttarkashi district: proposals from consultants for it. Uttarakhand is all set to develop India’s The state government has also started work first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre on a detailed project report (DPR) for the near Bhaironghati bridge in Uttarkashi proposed 601km-long Ganga Expressway district.Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh between Meerut andPrayagraj. Rawat, along with state forest minister and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chairs 1st officials had a meeting regarding the General Council meeting of Khelo India conservation centre. Scheme: According to the officials, the centre will be Kiren Rijijuurged the states to organize developed by the Uttarakhand forest State-level Khelo India Games annually department along with United Nations with an effort to identify a larger number of Development Programme (UNDP). grassroots-level & spoke of the 5 zonal talent CDSL gets UIDAI nod for e-KYC Aadhaar scouting committees that are being planned authentication: for East, West, North, South & North East Central Depository Services Ltd has India. received clearance from UIDAI to carry out Haryana Minister Anil Vij Launches e-KYC authentication using Aadhaar & act as “Works Management System” Web a local Authentication User Agency or e-KYC Portal to its ULBs: User Agency. Once registered as KUA, they Haryana’s Urban local bodies and Home can open accounts using Aadhaar-based e- Minister Anil Vij launched the first of its kind KYC. “Works Management System” a web- India’s first ‘Kisan Rail’ flagged off from based, paperless and centralized web portal Devlali Railway Station of Maharashtra: for the management and monitoring of the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers development works in the Urban Local Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar flagged off Bodies(ULB) in Haryana. the country's first 'Kisan Rail' train from Indira Rasoi Yojana to start in Rajasthan Deolali in Nashik to Danapurin Bihar, from August 20: through video-conferencing.

PM Modi inaugurates Meghalaya approved Policy on Reservation RashtriyaSwachhata Kendra in Delhi's of seats for Women in Village Employment Raj Ghat: Councils (VECs). It brought policy of PM Modi inaugurated the reserving at least 50% seats for women in RashtriyaSwachhata Kendra, an grassroots VECs which are apolitical interactive experience centre on Swachh organizations formed for implementation of Bharat Mission&"GandagiMukt Bharat" MGNREGA works. (dirt-free India) campaign on the occasion of PM Modi to launch submarine cable centenary celebrations of Gandhiji's connectivity for Andaman & Nicobar: Champaran Satyagraha, at Raj Ghat. Prime Minister Modi inaugurates the KVIC set to open first Silk Training cum submarine Optical Fibre Cable Production Center in Arunachal Pradesh: (OFC)connecting betweenChennai and Port Khadi and Village Industries Commission Blair. (KVIC) is set to open the first-of-its-kind Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani training-cum-production centre of silk in a launches Mobile App and backend far-flung tribal village of Chullyu in Website for Handloom Mark Scheme: Arunachal Pradesh in the first week of Union Textile MinisterSmriti Irani launched September. It is a first of its kind in the state. mobile app & backend website for Handloom Delhi Airport Develops Online Portal ‘Air Mark Scheme (HLM). She also inaugurated Suvidha’ For International Passengers: the ‘My Handloom’ portal for individual Delhi International Airport Limited has weavers and organizations for applying for developed an online portal‘Air Suvidha’ will various benefits, handloom marketing allow international passengers to fill a assistance & awards. mandatory self-declaration form. Eligible Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur becomes passengers can apply for exemption from country's first municipal corporation to compulsory institutional quarantine for provide forestland right certificates to coronavirus. people of urban area: Railway Museum Inaugurated Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur became the First InHubballi, Karnataka: Municipal Corporation in India where Railways Minister Piyush Goyal& Coal people of an urban area have been provided Minister Pralhad Joshi dedicated Railway forest land right certificates. Jagdalpur is Museum at Hubballi in North Karnataka. among the few municipal corporations, This Rail Museum is first of its kind in North jurisdiction areas of which includes Karnataka and second in South Western forestlands. Railway after historic Mysuru Rail Museum at Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel Mysuru. Launches Indira Van Mitan Yojana: Meghalaya Cabinet approves 50 percent Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh reservation for women in Village Baghel announced about the launch of Employment Councils: “Indira Van Mitan Yojana” on the eve of

International Day of World Indigenous Minister for Environment and Forest Prakash People. It is an initiative to support forest Javadekar released a document on Best dwellers of Chhattisgarh and achieve self- Practices and launched a portal on Human- reliance. Elephant Conflict named SURAKHSYA for IIT Delhi and Bihar Pollution Control World Elephant Day 2020. The world Elephant Board signsMoA for GIS based Air Quality Day is observed on 12th August every year. Management: Gujarat Government Launches New IT Delhi and Bihar Pollution Control Scheme “Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Board(BPCB) have joined hands in Yojana” to Compensate Farmers For Crop introducing GIS(Geographical Information Loss: System) based platform aiming at the Gujarat government launched a management of air quality across the state of scheme‘Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Bihar. Yojana’ under which farmers facing crop Haryana CM launches anti-bullying losses due to drought, excess rain or rain to campaign of Faridabad Police: get compensation without the collection of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal any premium from them. It replaces PM Khattar launched the anti-bullying FasalBima Yojana. campaign by unveiling Instagram, Facebook Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh and Twitter page of Faridabad Police to flag Tomar launches ICAR's data recovery the problem of bullying in home, centre 'Krishi Megh': neighbourhood, schools, colleges and Agriculture MinisterNarendra Singh Tomar workplace and implement targeted programs launched ICAR's data recovery centre - to counter the menace. Krishi Megh. It is aimed at protecting the Finance Minister launches an Online data of Indian Council of Agricultural Dashboard for the National Research. It has been set up at National Infrastructure Pipeline: Academy of Agricultural Research Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad. Affairs Ms Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated Tribal Affairs Ministry develops nine the National Infrastructure Pipeline ‘Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums: (NIP) Online Dashboard here today through Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing "Tribal video conferencing. It will be a one-stop Freedom FightersMuseums” dedicated to solution for all stakeholders looking for the contributions of the tribal people in India information on infrastructure projects in to the freedom struggle. Out of the nine, two India. It is being hosted on the India are under near completion. All museums set Investment Grid. to come into existence by 2022. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh launches “SURAKHSYA” portal on Human Shekhawat launches Swachh Bharat Elephant Conflict on World Elephant Day: Mission Academy:

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Rajasthan government and SIDBI to ink Shekhawat launched the Swachh Bharat MoU for cluster-based development of Mission(SBM) Academy, an Interactive MSMEs: Voice Response (IVR) based free mobile Rajasthan government and the Small online training course with modules on the Industrial Development Bank of India Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus (SIDBI) will soon ink an agreement to create programme at an event in New Delhi. newer avenues and growth opportunities for Assam government to roll out Arunodoi MSME units in the State. scheme to provide financial assistance Corporate Affairs Minister Rajesh Verma from October 2: Released Report of the Committee on Assam government is all set to roll out Business Responsibility Reporting: Arunodoi Scheme from October 2, 2020, An expert panel set up by the ministry of with an aim to provide financial assistance to corporate affairs has proposed a new around 17 lakh families in the state. reporting framework called as “Business Goa signs MoU with NSDC for setting up Responsibility and Sustainability Report World-Class Skill Development Institute: (BRSR)” for businesses to report how Goa government signed a memorandum of sustainable and responsible they are in understanding (MoU) with the National Skill addition to being compliant with the law. Development Development Corporation The panel led by Gyaneshwar Kumar (NSDC) for setting up an institute to provide Singh, a joint secretary in the ministry advanced skills training. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches Union Minister for Skill Development and Naval Innovation and Entrepreneurship Mahendra Nath Pandey IndigenisationOrganisation: and Goa Skill Development Minister Defence Minister launched Naval Vishwajit Rane were present for the Innovation and ceremony to sign the MoU, which was IndigenisationOrganisation (NIIO). It executed online. puts in place dedicated structures for the end- Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur users to interact with academia and industry launches nutritional immunity boosting towards fostering innovation and Him HaldiDudh: indigenisation for self-reliance in defence. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Launches Nutritional Immunity Boosting ‘Him Welfare Sheme 'YSR Cheyutha' for Poor HaldiDudh(Turmeric Latte)’ manufactured Women: by MILKFED and also distributed incentive to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan the Milk Producers of Mandi, Shimla and Mohan Reddy launched the YSR Cheyutha Kullu district under the National scheme which gives financial assistance and Programme for Diary Development and livelihood to poor women of SC, ST, OBC and also interacted with them through video other minority communities in the age group conference from Shimla.

of 45 to 60 years.It aims to benefit 23 Lakh (Moira Banana) has obtained Geographical women. Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Delhi-Katra Express Road Corridor To Be Indications Registry. Completed By 2023; Union Minister A GI tag protects the produce from being Jitendra Singh: illegally used, and ensures benefits to the Union Minister for Development of North local growers’ community. Eastern Region (M-DoNER)Jitendra Singh Telangana Government ties up with WEF informed that work has started on the first- for Artificial intelligence-led innovation of-its-kind Katra (Jammu and Kashmir)- in agriculture: Delhi Express Road Corridor which will be Telangana government launched the ready by 2023.The express Corridor is Artificial intelligence for Agricultural expected to reduce the travel time between Innovation (AI4AI) programme, in Katra and Delhi to around six and half collaboration with the Centre for the Fourth hours, the total outlay of the project isRs. Industrial Revolution, India (C4IR), and 35, 000 crores. World Economic Forum.The government of Sports Ministry to organize ‘Fit India Telangana has declared 2020 as the Year of Freedom Run’ from August 15: AI to accelerate AI readiness Sports Ministry organizes the largest country- West Bengal Government Launches wide run, Fit India Freedom Run from ‘Karma SathiPrakalpa’ scheme to Provide August 15 till 2nd of October. The Soft Loans and Subsidies to Youth: government has decided to encourage West Bengal chief minister Mamata participants of the event to run at their own Banerjee said that the state government will pace - anywhere and at any time of their provide soft loans and subsidies to make the convenience. youth self-reliant. Supreme Court gives equal inheritance It also launched ‘MatirSmristi’ scheme to right to daughters from 1956: utilise50, 000 acres of barren land in 6 Three judges Bench of Supreme Court districts for income-generating activities like (SC) headed by Justice Arun Mishra and horticulture and pisciculture involving the comprised of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and locals. MukeshkumarRasikbhaiShah, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches daughters will have equal inheritance rights SRIJAN portal for Indigenization in as of sons in the properties of fathers, Defence Sector: grandfathers and great-grandfathers right Defence Minister has launched a portal from the codification of the law in 1956. “SRIJAN” which is a one-stop-shop online portal that provides access to the vendors to Goa’s ‘Khaje’, ‘HarmalChilli’ and ‘Moira take up items for indigenization. This is to banana’ get GI tag: help industry partners to play an active role Goa’s traditional festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, towards self-reliance in defence sector. spicy HarmalChilli and Myndoli Banana

Odisha retains top spot in effective crore'Punjab Smart Connect Scheme' by implementation of AMRUT Scheme: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who Odisha has retained the top rank in the handed over smartphones to six Class XII country in the effective implementation of students in a symbolic gesture. Atal Mission for Rejuvenationand Urban Punjab achieved 1st rank in Transformation (AMRUT) scheme this operationalisation of Health & Wellness yearall-India ranking released by the Union Centers (HWCs): Ministry of Housing and Urban Punjab has achieved 1st rank in Affairs.Odisha has topped the list by operationalisation of Health & Wellness securing 85.67 per cent of Centers (HWCs) as per the latest ranking of marks.Chandigarh and Telangana have states released by the Government of India. secured second and third positions with 75.08 This scheme was launched in the state in the and 74.04 per cent respectively. year 2019. National Health Authority board India aims to have zero road fatalities by Approves to integrate central health 2030: schemes with Ayushman Bharat: Union Minister for Road Transport and Governing board of National Health Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari while Authority (NHA) approved a proposal to addressing the Indo-Australian Chamber integrate existing health schemes of Central of Commerce and Womennovator on Ministries and public sector undertakings with Trade Investment and collaborations in Road Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan infrastructure has underlined India’s Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) chaired by initiatives to achieve Zero Road Fatalities Union heath Minister Harsha Vardhan. by 2030. Two over bridges of Ahmedabad named President approves 84 gallantry awards after late Arun Jaitley and Sushma for Defence personnel: Swaraj: President Ram Nath Kovind has approved In Gujarat, two over bridges of Ahmedabad 84 gallantry awards for Defence personnel, city have been named after late Arun Jaitley including nine Shaurya Chakra. The Kirti and Sushma Swaraj.The Railway over the Chakra has been posthumously awarded to bridge in Ranip area of the city will be known Abdul Rashid Kalas, Head Constable, as Atmanirbhar Gujarat Railway Flyover. Jammu and Kashmir Police. The newly built flyover at the Income Tax The awards include Kirti Chakra, Shaurya circle will be known as Arun Jaitley flyover, Chakras, Bar to Sena Medals, Sena while another flyover at Anjali crossroad will Medals, Nao Sena Medals & Vayu Sena be known as Sushma Swaraj Bridge. Medals. Punjab CM launches 'Smart Connect Indian Railways constructing world’s Scheme' gives smartphones to students: tallest pier bridge across river Ijai in Punjab government took a major digital leap Manipur: forward with the statewide launch of its Rs 92

North East Frontier Railway zone has Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa constructed the world's tallest pier bridge has vowed to build a ‘Kalyana Rajya’ a in the North-Eastern state of Manipur to Welfare state with the avowed principle of provide connectivity. It is constructed across ‘development’ as the only mantra.Chief River Ijai. Its tallest pier height will be of Minister B S Yediyurappa informed that the 141 meters. The total length of the bridge government has come to the rescue of will be 703 meters. farmers in distress by buying Rs 3, 175 crore Nagaland CM launches e-commerce worth of farm products such as green gram, platform ‘Yellowchain’: tur dal, groundnut, chickpea and copra under Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio the minimum support price programme from launched an e-commerce platform 5.82 lakh farmers. ‘Yellowchain’ during the State level PM Modi to inaugurate First World Solar celebration of India’s Independence Day at Technology Summit to be held on Sept 8: Secretariat Plaza, Kohima. The First World Solar Technology Summit will European Union launches Project be organized by International Solar Nirmanshree to empower 3000 women- Alliance on 8th of September virtually. Nobel led households in Odisha and Laureate Dr M. Stanley Whittingham will Maharashtra: present the Key-note Address during the With an aim to enhance women’s inaugural ceremony. entrepreneurial skills in low-cost and green Andhra Pradesh teams up with NPCI and housing related services, and to strengthen Canara Bank for digital payments in the delivery of such services through Rural Areas: government and private sector in India, Andhra Pradesh government has Habitat for Humanity India launched Project announced teaming up with the National Nirmanshree, funded by the European Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and Union. Canara Bank to empower over 15, 000 Government aims to create five crore village and ward secretariats with digital jobs in MSME sector: Nitin Gadkari: payments in the rural areas. Speaking at SWAVALAMBAN E-Summit Chhattisgarh CM announces fund for 2020 organized by “Lets Endorse contribution towards Ram Van Gaman Development” NGO in Delhi, MSME Minister project: said that government will increase MSME Chhattisgarh will create a dedicated fund for exports to 60% from 48%& create 5 crore contributions from people towards the jobs in next 5 years. According to him 11 development of the state government’s crore jobs were created so far. ambitious ‘Ram Van Gaman Tourist Circuit’ project.Nine sites have been selected Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa vows to in the first phase of the project build a ‘Kalyana Rajya’:

Chhattisgarh Government Launched Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launches ‘PadhaiTuhar Para’ scheme for school farm-to-fork service portal students: VedKrishi.com: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Baghel announced the launch of a special Enterprises (MSME), Nitin Gadkari has scheme “PadhaiTuhar Para” under which launched an online farm-to-fork service school students will be able to learn in their platform called VedKrishi.com. The platform respective localities in view of the suspension will connect farmers to the consumers. of classes due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Uttar Pradesh’s Manduadih railway Ministry of Tribal Affairs launches Tribal station to be renamed as Banaras: Health & Nutrition Portal ‘Swasthya’: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved Tribal Affairs MinisterArjun Munda launched the renaming of Manduadih Railway e-portal on tribal health & nutrition, Station in Uttar Pradeshas ‘Banaras’. In “Swasthya”. It provides all health-related 2019, Former Union Minister ManojSinha had information of the tribal population on a single written to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath platform. requesting the change in name of the The ministry partnered with Facebook for Manduadih Railway Station. Going Online As Leaders ‘DhanwantariRath’ to bring ayurveda at (GOAL)programme.An e-newsletter on doorsteps of Delhi Police families: health and nutrition “ALEKH” was also A MoU was signed between the All India launched. Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and the Gwalior-Chambal Expressway to be Delhi Police for extending Ayurvedic Mode named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee: of preventive and promotive health services Gwalior toChambal Expressway is to be in the residential colonies of the force. named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal. Supported by the AYUSH ministry, these The announcement was made by Madhya services will be provided by AIIA through a Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh mobile unit named ‘DhanwantariRath’ and Chouhan while paying tribute to the former Police Wellness Centres. Prime Minister on his second death Madhya Pradesh government to provide anniversary. poor people Rs. one per kg wheat, rice, Indian Railways Deploys Ninja Drones salt from Sept 1: For Better Security And Surveillance Of Madhya Pradesh CM announced Rs 1 per Railway Assets: kg wheat, rice & salt for as many as 37 lakh Indian Railways has started deploying such poor people across the state not covered drones for better security and surveillance of under the national food security scheme. its assets including station premises, track Apart from this 5 kg per person free ration to sections, yards and workshops. be provided to poor families by November. Uttar Pradesh govt introduces new electronics manufacturing policy:

Government of Uttar Pradesh has unveiled Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atma- a new electronics manufacturing policy to Nirbhar Scheme-PM Swa-Nidhi. PM Swa- become a global electronics hub and attract Nidhi is a Central Sector Scheme to facilitate international investors looking to shift their street vendors to access affordable working base to India.PM’s vision of achieving ZERO capital loan for resuming their livelihoods imports of electronics goods. activities. The policy aims at inviting investments of Rs Tribal Affairs Minister launches “Trifood 40, 000 crore in five years and creating four Project” in Raigad, Jagdalpur: lakh direct jobs. The tertiary processing centres of “Trifood Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla participates Project” of TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 5th World Conference of Speakers of has been virtually launched by the Union Parliament: Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda. The The two day conference was organized Trifood project has been launched in Raigad, virtually for the first time due to COVID- Maharashtra and Jagdalpur, 19.The event was organized by the Inter- Chhattisgarh. This project is expected to Parliamentary Union (IPU), Geneva, help in encouraging the tribal jointly with the Parliament of Austria and entrepreneurship. with the support of the United Nations Andhra Pradesh inks pact with Reliance, (UN). Allana group for empowering women: The theme of the conference was Andhra Pradesh government has signed “Parliamentary leadership for more MoUs with Reliance Retail, Jio and Allana effective multilateralism that delivers group to collaborate in the YSR Cheyutha, peace and sustainable development for a scheme for empowering women. the people and planet”. Uttar Pradesh Govt Inks Deal with Israel Jharkhand government launches new for Bundelkhand water crisis solution: state emblem: Government of Uttar Pradesh has signed a Jharkhand unveiled a new logo which is ‘Plan Of Cooperation’ with the Government circular in size with the Emblem of India of Israel for the management of water representing cooperative federalism placed at resources in Bundelkhand region of the the centre. Logo is encircled with green state, which faces potable water shortage in colour, which depicts the greenery of the summers. state and symbolizes happiness and National Cancer Registry Programme prosperity. Report 2020: Madhya Pradesh emerges as leading National Cancer RegistryProgramme state in implementation of Pradhan Report 2020 released by Indian Council of Mantri Street Vendors Atma-Nirbhar Medical Research (ICMR) &National Scheme: Centre for Disease Informatics & Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the Research (NCDIR) predicts 13.9 lakh leading state in the implementation of

cases of cancer in India in 2020 and is likely Thumbipuranam for the first-ever State to rise to 15.7 lakh by 2025 Dragonfly Festival in Kerala, christened Government announces Tax exemptions Thumbi Mahotsavam2020. Dragonfly for businesses with annual turnover of backyard watch is announced to enhance the up to Rs 40 lakh: participation of people. Pantalu is the According to the Ministry of Finance MASCOT of the festival. businesses with an annual turnover of up to 3 dayNuakhai festival celebrated in Rs 40 Lakh are GST exempt. Initially, this western parts of Odisha: limit was Rs 20 Lakh. Additionally, those with Nuakhai is a festival observed in Odisha to a turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore can opt for the celebrate the reaping of new crops. Nuakhai Composition Scheme and pay only 1% tax. is celebrated in western Odisha and some Central Government constitutes National parts of Chhattisgarh as a harvest festival. Council for Transgender Persons: Under section 16 of Transgender Persons INTERNATIONAL NEWS: (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, National India announces 400-million-dollar Council for Transgender Persons is currency swap for Sri Lanka: constituted. Social Justice and Empowerment Reserve Bank of India has signed Minister to be the ex-officio Chairperson & necessary documents for extending a 400- Minister of State to be ex-officio million-dollar currency swap facility with the ViceChairperson. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. This currency India's Longest River Ropeway Over swap arrangement will remain available till Brahmaputra Opens In Guwahati: November 2022. India's longest river ropeway connecting India and EU renew Agreement on north and south banks of Brahmaputra river Scientific and Technological Cooperation was inaugurated in Guwahati. The 2-km long till 2025: ropeway built at a cost of Rs 56 crore is for India and European Union have renewed its the first time ropeway towers were made Agreement on Scientific and Technological deep inside the bed of India’s major river. Cooperation for the next five years till 2025. Delhi government launches campaign for The Agreement was initially signed on 23rd registration of construction workers: November in 2001 and renewed two times in Delhi government launched Niraman 2007 and 2015. Mazdoor Registration Abhiyan, under Reliance Industries overtakes Exxon to which a mega registration campaign will be become world’s No. 2 energy company: held for construction workers from August Reliance Industries Ltd controlled by Asia’s 24 to September 11. richest man, toppled ExxonMobil Corp. to Kerala's first-ever Dragonfly Festival to become the world’s largest energy company. be held soon: Ambani’s dealmaking has lured investments WWF-India State unit joined hands with from Google to Facebook Inc. into his digital Society for Odonate Studies (SOS) and platform in recent months. RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 112 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

India extends medical assistance worth the Republic of Zimbabwe on cooperation about USD 1 million to North Korea: in the field of traditional system of Medicine India has extended medical assistance worth and Hompeopathy. about USD 1 million to North Korea in ADB sanctions $3 million to India to fight response to a request received from the World against Covid-19: Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Asian Development Bank (ADB) has External Affairs stated. announced that it approved $3 million to FM Sitharaman attends 5th Annual Indian government to combat Covid-19. The Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB: fund has been granted out of its Asia Pacific Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) which attended the 5th Annual Meeting of the Board will provide helping hands to the of Governors of Asian Infrastructure government’s emergency. Investment Bank (AIIB) through a video India, Mauritius PMs To Inaugurate New conference in New Delhi. Supreme Court Building in Port Louis, Theme:“AIIB 2030-Supporting Asia’s Mauritius: Development over the Next Decade”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his India hands over 10 broad gauge Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth locomotives to Bangladesh: will jointly inaugurate Mauritius' new India provided 10 railway locomotives to Supreme Court building which has been Bangladesh as grant assistance, with the constructed with Indian assistance. leadership of the two sides committing SABIC chemical plant to become first of themselves to more connectivity and its kind to operate on 100% renewable infrastructure initiatives to boost trade and power: create new supply chains. Polycarbonate facility of SABIC in Spain, is India to set up Solar Power Plant in Sri set to become the World’s first large scale Lanka: industry to completely run on renewable India plans to build a solar power park in Sri power on signing a major agreement with Lanka as part of a strategy to project its Iberdrola, an electricity utility company to presence in the Indian Ocean Region secure power from solar power projects. (IOR) amid Chinese attempts to lure nations Prakash Javadekar participates in 6th into its ‘Belt and Road’ initiative aware of BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting: the development. Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Cabinet approves MoU between India Climate Change Prakash Javadekar and Zimbabwe in the field of traditional participated in the6th BRICSEnvironment system of medicine and Homoeopathy: Ministers Meeting under the presidency of Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Russia along with the Environment minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa over approval to Memorandum of Understanding a virtual platform from New Delhi. India will signed between the Republic of India and assume the BRICS Presidency in 2021.

UAE launches Arab world's first nuclear India contributes over $15 mn to India- power plant: UN Development Partnership Fund: United Arab Emirates (UAE) had India has contributed USD 15.46 million to successfully opened a nuclear power plant, the India-UN Development Partnership becoming the first Arab country to produce Fund, underscoring the country’s nuclear energy.The $22.4 billion (€19 commitment to supporting developing nations billion) Barakah plant on the Gulf coast west in its developmental priorities across all the of Abu Dhabi is being developed by a Sustainable Development Goals. consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Exim Bank extends $250 million line of Corporation. credit to Mozambique: Bangladesh Receives $202 million from Export-Import Bank of India has extended World Bank to Increase Food Security: a $250-million (about Rs. 1, 870 crore) line World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors of credit to Mozambique for improving today approved $202 million in additional power supply quality in the country. Exim financing for the Modern Food Storage Bank till date has extended 14 LOCs to Facilities Project to increase the storage Mozambique, taking their total value to capacity of Bangladesh’s national strategic $772.44 million grain reserves by 535, 500 tons for 4.5 million India extends assistance of USD 1 million households. to Antigua and Barbuda to combat ADB signs Dollar 200 million financing COVID-19 pandemic: deal with Reliance for power plant in Indian government has extended an Bangladesh: assistance of USD 1 million to Antigua and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a Barbuda to combat the ongoing COVID-19 $200 million financing deal with Reliance pandemic. The provided assistance is aimed Bangladesh LNG and Power Limited at improving health capacities and (RBLPL) to build and operate a 718- infrastructure in the Caribbean country. megawatt combined-cycle gas-fired power India and Nigeria sign MoU on space plant in Bangladesh. It is to ease ongoing cooperation: energy shortages. Government of India signed a Memorandum UK to issue coin in honour of Mahatma of Understanding (MoU) on Space Gandhi to mark 150th birth anniversary: Cooperation with the Federal government of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s Republic of Nigeria at the Federal Ministry office confirmed that Mahatma Gandhi’s of Science and Technology headquarters in image on a coin is being considered as part of Abuja, Nigeria. efforts to celebrate achievements of non- ADB approves $1 billion loan for Delhi- white individuals such as Indian-origin British Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System spy Noor Inayat Khan and Jamaican British construction: nurse Mary Seacole. Phillipines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $1 billion loan for

construction of the modern, high-speed India, Israel sign cultural agreement to Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System further boost people-to-people ties: (RRTS) in India. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi The 82-kilometre Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut and India’s Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev RRTS will be implemented in phases between Singla signed the agreement. Programme of the cities. It will be implemented in four cooperation between the 2 countries for the tranches between August 2020 and May years 2020-23 is based on the cultural 2025. agreement signed between them on 18 May India Post Issued Stamps on UNESCO 1993. World Heritage Sites in India: AIIB and India sign agreement of USD India Post has released a set of five 500 million for Mumbai Urban Transport commemorative postage stamps and a Project-III: miniature sheet on UNESCO World Heritage Maharashtra government and Mumbai Sites in India on 15th August 2020 on the Railway Vikas Corporation has signed a occasion of 74th Independence Day. This is loan agreement of USD 500 million dollars the third part of the series. with the Asian Infrastructure Investment The stamps depicts following fivecultural sites bank (AIIB) for Mumbai Urban Transport of India-Historic City of Ahmedabad, Project-III. Churchesand Convents of Goa, Group ofMonumentsat Pattadakal, Khajuraho BANKING AND ECONOMY: Group ofMonuments, Qutub Minar. RBI estimates gross NPA of banks may Apple Becomes First U.S. Company to rise to 12.5% by March 2021: reach $2 Trillion Market Cap: Reserve Bank of India released the Apple Inc. has become the first publicly Financial Stability Report (FSR) that traded U.S. Company to reach a market "reflects the collective assessment of the sub- capitalization of over $2 trillion, after its committee of the Financial Stability and share price climbed above $467.77 on 19 Development Council (FSDC) on risks to August 2020.Apple is also the world’s only financial stability”. second company to hit $2 trillion in market Gross non-performing assets (GNPA) cap. ratio of the country's scheduled commercial 41 lakh young Indians lost jobs due to banks (SCBs) may increase from 8.5 percent COVID-19 crisis: ILO-ADB Report in March 2020 to 12.5 percent by2021. As many as 41 lakh youth in the country lost SBI Funds Management gets RBI nod to jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic while buy up to 10 pc in CSB Bank: construction and farm sector workers account Reserve Bank of Indiahas given approval to for the majority of job losses, according to a SBI Funds Management PvtLtd to acquire joint report by the International Labour shares up to 10 per cent of the paid-up Organization (ILO) and the Asian capital of CSB Bank through various schemes Development Bank (ADB). of the SBI Mutual Fund.SBI Mutual Fund

currently holds 4.734 per cent in the paid-up ‘BohotZaroori Hai’ - for farmers in capital. Maharashtra and Karnataka to encourage Bank of Maharashtra joins hands with them about their crop protection and financial Uniken for Omni-channel security: security. One of the leading cyber security companies SBI Card and IRCTC launch co-branded in India - Uniken has been chosen by the contactless credit card on RuPay state-owned Bank of Maharashtra for its platform: innovative and unique REL-ID technology to SBI Card and Indian Railway Catering secure not just their internet banking and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) channels but also mobile, card, call centres, launched the IRCTC SBI Card on RuPay ATM etc. using REL-ID's Omni-channel platform.The card is equipped with Near verification mechanism. Field Communication (NFC) technology. Banks sanctions about Rs 90, 000 crore Customers can simply tap their cards at a concessional credit to 1.1 crore Kisan secure reader for convenient, secure and Credit Card holders: faster transactions. Banks have sanctioned Rs 89, 810 crore to SBI providing USD 16 million liquidity about 1.1 crore Kisan Credit Card (KCC) support for local businesses in Maldives: holders to help farmers meet finances for State Bank of India (SBI) is providing kharif sowing and allied activities.This marks liquidity support of USD 16.20 million for an increase of Rs 26, 940 crore over Rs 62, local businesses and deferred loan repayment 870 crore sanctioned. for over 200 retail accounts, the Indian High Tata AIA Life Insurance launches Commission in the Maldives. “Express Claims” Service That Promises Axis Bank launches AI-powered Payouts In 4 Hours: conversational voice BOT for IVR: Private sector Tata AIA Life Insurance has Private sector lender Axis Bank unveiled as announced a new facility that promises to Automated Voice Assistant ‘AXAA’, which process life insurance claim pay-outs within is an artificial intelligence-powered four hours of registering them.“Tata AIA Life’s conversational voice BOT. Express Claims within four hours is the Sundaram Mutual Fund launches ‘Any- fastest claims pay-out by any life insurer in day SIP’: the country”. Sundaram Mutual has given investors the Bharti AXA Insurance launches freedom to select a date on which their 'BohotZaroori Hai' campaign for crop systematic investment plan (SIP) needs insurance: to be deducted from bank account rather than Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture choosing from the six different dates usually between Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s fixed by the fund houses. leading business groups, and AXA, one of the SIDBI and TransUnion CIBIL launch world’s largest insurance companies, has knowledge platform MSMESaksham: launched its crop insurance campaign -

Small Industries Development Bank of Bandhan Bank holding firm sells 20.95% India (SIDBI) in association with stake to meet RBI norms: TransUnion CIBIL has launched Bandhan Bank has met the promoter MSMESaksham, to support the revival of holding norms of the Reserve Bank of India India’s economy and strengthen Micro, Small (RBI) after its holding company Bandhan and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It is a Financial Holdings Ltd (BFHL) sold comprehensive financial education and 20.95% stake in the bank to at least seven knowledge platform for MSMEs. investors. GIC is an existing shareholder of Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches ‘Kona Bandhan Bank. KonaUmeed’ a Two-Month Campaign Bank of Baroda Credit Card offers EMIs with Offers and Discounts: on PoS Terminals in partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank has launched a Innoviti: special two-month campaign, ‘Kona Bank of Baroda Credit Card customers get KonaUmeed’ with offers and discounts another unique offering in terms of across its suite of products to make banking convenient and affordable EMI options, as and shopping more rewarding for the BOB Financial Solutions Limited ties up with customers so as to boost consumer demand Innoviti Payment Solutions.Bank of and lift people’s enthusiasm during this Baroda credit cardholders pan India can pandemic situation. receive the service from over 70, 000 Craft Silicon and PayU announce Innoviti POS terminals across more than 1, strategic tie-up to advance digital loan 000 cities. repayment: Listed entities get 3 years to meet A global financial software solution provider criteria of minimum 25% public Craft Silicon has entered into a strategic shareholding: partnership with PayU, India’s online Government has notified changes in the payment solutions provider to innovate and Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, accelerate the digital loan repayment 1957, providing more time to listed entities to solutions for small finance banks, micro- meet criteria of minimum public shareholding lending institutions and Non Banking of 25 per cent. Financial Company (NBFC). "In the Securities Contracts (Regulation) MobiKwik launches personal UPI Rules, 1957, in rule 19A, in sub-rule (1), in payment link mpay.me: the proviso, for the words 'Two Years' the Digital wallet company, MobiKwik has words 'Three Years'shall be substituted". launched “mpay.me” UPI link service that Canara Bank ties up with three insurers allows users to send and receive money from to provide Corona Kavach policies: any UPI payment app. This single link created Canara Bank said it has tied-up with three using mpay.me can be shared anywhere to insurance companies to sell short-term send and receive money and will work Corona Kavach policy to cover COVID-19 seamlessly on mobile as well as desktop. related health expenses.

The bank has tied up with New India Paytm launched an Android-based pocket- Assurance Company Ltd, Bajaj Allianz sized point of sale (POS) device named General Insurance Co Ltd and HDFC ERGO 'Paytm All-in-One Portable Android Health Insurance as part of social Smart POS’ that is enabled with integrated commitment to indemnify the unprecedented billing software, camera for QR scanning and expenses of common man. supports 4G SIM cards Wi-Fi and Bluetooth National Bank of Bahrain Selects Infosys connectivity.It is available for an introductory Finacle to Digitally Transform its monthly rental of Rs. 499. Transaction Banking Business: BSE join hands with bullion trade National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) the associations to deepen commodity Kingdom’s leading provider of retail and derivatives market: commercial banking services, and Infosys Leading Stock Exchange BSE signed an MoU Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly- with Akola Sarafa Association and Akola owned subsidiary of Infosys announced the SarafaVaSuvarnakarYuva Sangh, two bullion bank’s decision to adopt the Finacle Cash trade associations for deepening commodity Management Suite to digitally transform its derivatives market. They represent members transaction banking business. engaged in retail sale and trade of bullion. NPCI launches omni-channel loyalty RBI announces ‘positive pay’ feature to platform ‘nth Rewards’: enhance safety of cheque payments: National Payment Corporation of India Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to (NPCI) has launched its own business introduce a mechanism of ‘Positive Pay’ for intelligence and analytics enabled omni- all cheques of value Rs 50, 000 and above. channel multi-branded loyalty platform, ‘nth The limit of Rs 50, 000 will cover Rewards’. approximately 20 per cent of transactions by The loyalty rewards platform allows users to volume and 80 per cent by value. earn ‘nth’ points through various bank RBI to implement system-based asset transactions and redeem them faster on classification in urban co-operative various exciting products, e-vouchers, banks: donations, hotel and flight bookings. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to South India Bank gets RBI nod for implement system-based asset classification setting up non-financial subsidiary: in urban co-operative banks (UCBs), Private sector lender South Indian Bank prescribing a timeline based on their asset (SIB) said the RBI has given an in-principle size. approval for setting up a wholly owned non- UCBs having total assets of Rs. 2, 000 crore financial subsidiary. or above as on March 31, 2020, have to Paytm launches ‘India’s first Pocket implement system-based asset classification Android PoS device for easy and with effect from June 30, 2021. contactless payments:

Federal Bank and Fiserv partner to State-owned Punjab National launch their First Independent Credit Banklaunched“Digital Apnayen”campaign Card ‘Federal Bank Credit Card’: to encourage customers to use digital banking Federal Bank, private sector bank in India, channels. has teamed-up with Fiserv, Inc., global Under the campaign 'DIGITAL APNAYEN', the provider of payments and financial services bank will contribute Rs 5 towards the PM technology solutions, in a bid to support the CARES Fund on behalf of each customer launch of the “Federal Bank credit card”. conducting the first financial transaction to This initiative is also taken to enable the activate their RuPay Debit card either on digitization of the bank’s end-to-end card point of sale (PoS) or e-commerce issuance and processing cycle. platform. HDFC Bank launches Shaurya KGC card Multi Commodity Exchange of India to for armed forces: launch India’s first bullion index, HDFC Bank has launched the “Shaurya KGC Bulldex: card” for the armed forces. The product is Multi Commodity Exchange of India based on KISAN CREDIT CARD guidelines (MCX) will launch India’s first bullion index by the government and will provide armed named Bulldex.The Bulldex will have a market forces personnel with finance for agricultural lot size of 50 andgold and silver will be requirements like production of the crop, etc., underlying. It will be a cash-settled futures RBI Board approves transfer of Rs 57, contract. 128 crore as surplus to government: RBI unveils framework for umbrella RBI Board approved the transfer of Rs 57, entity to manage payment systems: 128 crore as surplus to the government for RBI unveiled the framework to set up a Pan- the accounting year 2019-20 while India Umbrella Entity with a maintaining the Contingency Risk Buffer at Minimumcapital of Rs 500 crore, which will 5.5%. This was decided at the 584th meeting set up, manage and operate new payment of the Central Board of RBI chaired by the systems in the retail payment space & invited Governor. applications from eligible companies by Feb SBI introduces Kisan Credit Card review 26, 2021. feature on YONO Krishi: Minimum net-worth of Rs 300 crore to be SBI added a new feature called Kisan Credit maintained at all time. The umbrella entity Card Review on YONO Krishi to make the shall be a Company authorized by Reserve lives of farmer customers easier by offering Bank of India (RBI) under Section 4 of the them technology-backed solutions. With this, PSS Act, 2007. farmers need not visit a bank branch to apply RBL Bank partners with Accenture for for a revision in their KCC limit. Digital Transformation Journey: Punjab National Bank launches “Digital Mumbai based RBL Bank has signed on Apnayen”campaign to promote digital information technology (IT) services and banking: consultancy firm Accenture for its digital

transformation initiatives. Accenture will help new service called ‘Swift Insta Personal RBL bank to upgrade its IT systems to Loans’ (SIPL) on WhatsApp.The chatbot improve operational efficiency. was recently launched on WhatsApp as a Government modifies partial credit service platform to facilitate customer guarantee scheme 2.0, extends it by requests including queries on EMI details or three months: updating customer records. Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) YES Bank launches unique facility ‘Loan 2.0 was launched by Central against Securities’: Government.Purpose of Partial Credit ‘Loan against Securities’ is an unique Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) 2.0 to provide digital solution launched by the YES Bank Portfolio Guarantee for purchase of Bonds or under its loan in seconds platform. “Loan Commercial Papers (CPs) with a rating of against Securities” will enable customers to AA and below issued by NBFCs/HFCs/ MFIs by avail loan facility against the securities that Public Sector Banks (PSBs). they hold. The customers are required only to At the portfolio level, AA and AA- investment pledge the securities and not selling them. sub-portfolio under the Scheme should not Edelweiss Tokio Life partners with exceed 50% (instead of 25% stipulated Element AI for AI transformation earlier) of the total portfolio of Bonds/ CPs journey: purchased by PSBs under the Scheme. Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Company Lakshmi Vilas Bank launches“LVB Limited has partnered with Element AI, a DigiGo” instant account opening facility: global developer of AI (Artificial Intelligence)- Lakshmi Vilas Bank launched “LVB powered solutions and products, to develop, DigiGo” a digital initiative to enable opening design and implement a strategic AI roadmap of savings account instantly to help people to for the new age insurer and prioritise their avail the most required banking services investments into AI. through website. It can be converted to a NPCI launches its subsidiary firm – NPCI fully-featured account, upon visiting a branch. International Payments Ltd (NIPL): Fino Payments Bank launches Aadhaar National Payments Corporation of India authentication based digital savings (NPCI) has launched its wholly-owned account “Jan BachatKhata”: subsidiary firm named NPCI International Fino Payments Bank has launched Jan Payments Limited (NIPL).Ritesh Shukla has BachatKhata (JBK)an Aadhaar been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer authentication based digital savings account (CEO) of NIPL. that it said would bring neo-banking experience to consumers. RBI Releases National Strategy for Tata Capital launches ‘Swift Insta Financial Education 2020-2025: Personal Loans’ on WhatsApp: National Strategy for Financial Education Tata Capital, the financial services arm of (NSFE: 2013-2018) the revised NSFE (2020- the Tata Group announced the launch of its 2025) has been prepared and the document

for the same was released by Mahesh announced the launch of first-of-its-kind Kumar Jain, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank offering, ‘Shagun – Gift an Insurance”, a of India (RBI) on August 20, 2020. unique gift of Personal Accident policy. The document recommends adoption of a ‘5 Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank and SBI C’ approach viz. Content, Capacity, General Insurance Co Ltd Signed MoU to Community, Communication and Sell General Insurance Products: Collaboration. Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) HSBC India Becomes 1st Foreign Bank in and SBI General Insurance Co Ltd have India to launch a ‘Green Deposit signed a Memorandum of Understanding Programme’ for Corporate Clients to (MoU) in Dharwad, Karnataka to sell Finance Green Initiatives: general insurance products through the HSBC has announced the launch of its Green branches of KVGB. Deposit programme in India for its ICICI Lombard and Bharti AXA ink corporate clients. The first-of-its-kind product agreement to combine their non-life for the Indian market, the Green Deposit will insurance business: enable the bank’s clients to support greener ICICI Lombard andBharti AXAis to more sustainable projects. combine their non-life insurance business Digit Insurance Launches SME Buddy to portfolio. The proposed transaction will make Simplify Insurance for SMEs and it as third largest among non-life insurers, Startups on World Entrepreneurs' Day: take it total Rs 164.47 billion annual premium On world’s entrepreneur day, technology- with a combined market share 8.7%. driven general insurance company Digit ESIC extends unemployment benefit Insurance has launched an exclusive do-it- scheme ‘Atal BimitVyakti Kalyan Yojna’ yourself (DIY) advisory tool for Small And up to June 30, 2021: Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and startups, Atal BimitVyakti Kalyan Yojana is being SME Buddy.Digit recently won ‘Insurance implemented by Employee State Insurance Start-up of the Year-India’ Awards by Corporation, approved under the Employees Insurance Asia. State Insurance Act, 1948. The scheme Religare Health Insurance to be renamed provides 25% of average per day earning in as Care Health Insurance: the previous four contribution periods. Religare Health Insurance is an Indian SBI Partners with AddaCorner to Launch health insurance firm established by Religare ‘Online Home Carnival’: enterprise limited, Union Bank of India and State Bank of India (SBI) has partnered Corporation Bank. The company is with India’s First Real-Time Group Negotiation headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. E-Platform, AddaCorner to launch ‘Online SBI General Insurance launches ‘Shagun Home Carnival’, which will help in boosting – Gift insurance’ policy: the Real Estate market in Bangalore. Along SBI General Insurance, one of the leading with the launch of ‘Online Home Carnival’, general insurance companies in India, today AddaCorner was also launched.

NABARD launches credit guarantee its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for NBFC-MFIs: to IIT-Kanpur. NABARD introduced dedicated debt & credit Gujarat and UK India Business Council guarantee product to ensure flow of credit. signs MoU to strengthen state's Product Structured Finance&Partial industrial growth: Guarantee Programme to NBFC-MFIs United Kingdom India Business Council provides partial guarantee on pooled loans signed a Memorandum of Understanding extended to small & mid-sized micro finance (MoU) with Industrial Extension Bureau institutions. (iNDEXTb), Industries and Mines Paytm Payments Bank enables banking Department, Government of Gujarat. It will services through Aadhaar cards: help to boost business and industrial Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) enabled development in the state of Gujarat. banking services through Aadhaar by Atal Innovation Mission launches 'AIM- integrating with AePS. Customers can access iCREST', in partnership with Bill & to basic banking services such as cash Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani withdrawal, balance enquiry, etc., via Foundation: business correspondent of any banking & NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission financial institution. (AIM), has launched AIM iCREST – an Incubator Capabilities enhancement program ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS: for a Robust Ecosystem focused on creating TRIFED Signs MoU With IIT Delhi Under high performing Start-ups. This is a first of its Govt’s Flagship ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’: kind initiative for advancing innovation at Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development scale in India. Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Praj Signed MoU with ARAI to jointly Ministry of Tribal Affairs entered into a develop application technology for green partnership with IIT Delhi under the HRD fuels: Ministry’s flagship ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ Reliance Power and JERA sign loan deed (UBA) to increase livelihood opportunities for full financing of gas-fired thermal and income generation for tribal communities. power project in Bangladesh: PFC Signs Agreement With IIT-Kanpur Reliance Power has now signed a loan For Smart Grid Technology: agreement for full financing totaling $642 A Government-owned NBFC Power Finance million with a group of banks that includes Corporation (PFC) has signed a the Japan Bank for International memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Cooperation (JBIC). The project company Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur agreed an EPC contract with Samsung C&T in (IIT-K) for training, research, and July 2020. entrepreneurship development in smart grid Flipkart signs MoU with UP government's technology. Under the MoA, PFC will provide one District, One Product scheme: financial assistance of Rs.2.38 crore under

E-commerce marketplace Flipkart has signed Indian Railways constructing world's an MoU with the One District One Product first electrified tunnel to run double- (ODOP) scheme of the Uttar Pradesh stack containers: government to bring artisans, weavers and Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation craftsmen into mainstream business under of India Ltd (DFCCIL) has conducted a the initiative named ‘Flipkart Samparth’. tunnel-breaking ceremony was held on the CSIR and FSSAI signs MoU for completion of caving work for the one- collaborative research on food and kilometre long tunnel of Western nutrition: Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) An agreement was signed between CSIR and through Aravalli mountain range, near Sohna FSSAI for collaborative research & in Haryana.The tunnel connects Mewat & information dissemination in the area of food Gurugram district of Haryana. and nutrition. The collaboration between the IMD launches weather app for real-time two institutions of India is to contribute updates and warnings across India: fulfilling the vision of New Food System Earth Sciences Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan 2050. announced a weather app that aims to Atal Innovation Mission partners India- provide weather forecasts and warnings in Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre: India. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI “Mausam” (weather) developed by India Aayog & Business Sweden on behalf of Meteorological Department India Sweden Healthcare Innovation (IMD)launched as part of the 14th Centre are collaborating to promote the Foundation Day celebrations of Union Ministry disruptive potential of Indian entrepreneurs. of Earth Sciences on Android and iOS. It will It aims to boost the vibrant start-up give real-time updates and warnings across ecosystems across India. 450 cities across the country DRDO launches ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’ SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: contest to promote innovators on 5th India’s first NABL-accredited honey death anniversary of Kalam: testing lab inaugurated: DRDO launched a contest to promote Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh innovators in the fields of defence and Tomar inaugurated India’s first National emerging technologies in India to mark the Accreditation Board for Testing & fifth death anniversary of former President A Calibration Lab (NABL) honey testing lab P J Abdul Kalam. set up by National Dairy Development Defence Ministry said the winners of “Dare to Board (NDDB) at Anand, Gujarat. The new Dream 2.0” contest would be decided after lab will test honey as per the norms specified due evaluation by an expert committee. by the food safety regulator FSSAI. Guwahati gets “BANDICOOT” the first manhole cleaning robot in Northeast:

Guwahati Development Department Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya Vessel (OPV) 'Sarthak' launched: inaugurated city's first manhole cleaning An offshore patrol vessel for Indian Coast robot to ensure minimal human involvement Guard was launched and rechristened as to clean the sewers. Guwahati is the first city ‘Sarthak’. It is the 4th in the series of five in the entire Northeast region to get a OPVs deployed by the Coast Guard to enhance manhole cleaning robot. Named maritime security. The launching ceremony 'BANDICOOT', the automatic sewer cleaning was held at Goa Shipyard. device has been procured by the Guwahati ISRO and IISc Bengaluru develop Municipal. sustainable process to make “Space Iran Launched the Underground Ballistic Bricks” on Lunar Surface: Missiles During ‘Great Prophet 14’ Indian Space Research Organisation and Military Exercise: the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has developed a sustainable process to make (IRGC), a paramilitary force, launched the space bricks on the lunar surface. The process underground ballistic missiles from the depths enables making load bearing bricks by using of the Earth in a completely camouflaged way lunar soil, bacteria and guar beans. during the last day of ‘Great Prophet 14’ ISRO shares image of moon crater (code name- “Payambar e Azam 14”) captured by Chandrayaan-2, names it military exercise near Gulf waters. 'Vikram Sarabhai': Russia launches world’s first registered Indian Space Research Organisation COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V': announced that Chandryaan-2 captured Russian President Vladimir Putin images of the Moon & named one of the announced approval of a coronavirus vaccine craters after Vikram Sarabhai. Sarabhai for use, claiming it as a world first. Developed Crater is around 250 to 300 kilometres east by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute, of the crater where the Apollo 17 and Luna 21 it has been named “Sputnik-V” a reference Missions landed. to the world’s first satellite by Soviet Union. DRDO Successfully Test Fires First Hyderabad Based Startup Skyroot Pinaka Rockets Produced by Economic Aerospace Becomes First Private Explosives Ltd (EEL): Company To Test Upper Stage Rocket Indian Army successfully test-fired the first Engine: ever privately manufactured Pinaka rockets Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot recently from the firing range in Pokharan, Aerospace successfully tested an Upper- which achieved the desired results by Stage Rocket Engine becoming the first accurately hitting targets. Indian private company to build a homegrown The rockets have been manufactured by rocket engine.The 3-D printed rocket engine Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) and are the has been named Raman. first ammunition of its kind made by the private sector in India.

DRDO lab develops ‘NOTESCLEAN’ Croatian parliament approves new sanitization device: government led by incumbent Prime Hyderabad based, DRDO lab has developed Minister Andrej Plenkovic: ‘NOTESCLEAN’ sanitization device, where Croatian parliament approved the new one has to place the loose currency notes at government led by Prime Minister Andrej the input slot of the device. It picks the notes Plenkovic whose Croatian Democratic Union one by one and makes them pass through a (HDZ) party won the most parliamentary series of UVC lamps for complete seats in the general election held on July 5, disinfection. 2020. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Commissions Andrej Plenkovic was the prime minister of Indian Coast Guard Ship C-449: the previous government that was also led by Indian Coast Guard Ship C-449 was his HDZ. commissioned in Chennai by Tamil Nadu Indian-origin Politician Pritam Singh Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam. The ship is Becomes First Leader of Opposition in the Forty Ninth Interceptor Boat of the series, Parliament: which are indigenously built and designed by Indian-origin politician Pritam Singh was M/s Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Hazira (Surat). designated as the Leader of the Opposition in Singapore, the first such appointment in the APPOINTMENTS and RESIGNATIONS: history of the city-state. Mr Singh who is also Air Marshal VR Chaudhary appointed new a lawyer is the Secretary-General of Workers' chief of Western Air Command: Party. Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhary has Paytm Money appoints Varun Sridhar as been named as the new head of Western Air CEO and Amit Kapoor as VP and CFO: Command of Indian Air Force, which looks Paytm Money announced the appointment after the country’s defence in North India, of Varun Sridhar, as the new Chief Executive including Ladakh region. He will take over Officer of Paytm Money. He will lead the from Air Marshal B Suresh. launch & development of the equity brokerage Tunisia Appoints Interior Minister other than growing the already successful Hichem Mechichi As The New Prime mutual funds, NPS and Gold services. Minister: JinLiqun re-elected Asian Infrastructure Tunisia's Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi Investment Bank President: has been appointed to form the next Board of governors of Asian Infrastructure government, the president's office said, amid Investment Bank (AIIB), elected JinLiqun political tensions among major parties in the for a second term as President. His second North African country. The 46-year-old lawyer five-year term will begin on January 16, succeeds Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned as 2021. prime minister earlier this month. Liqun was re-elected as President during the 2020 AIIB Annual Meeting. The board of governors also approved the United Arab

Emirates to host the 2021 AIIB Annual Sashidhar Jagdishan will be the new CEO of Meeting, which will take place October 27-28, HDFC Bank to replace the private lender’s 2021, in Dubai. long-serving leader Aditya Puri. Jagdishan S N Rajeswari appointed CMD of Oriental was one of three candidates shortlisted for Insurance: approval by the Reserve Bank of India. S N Rajeswari has been appointed the IFSCA Set Up Expert Committee headed Chairman-cum-Managing Director of by Pradip Shah to Suggest Ways to Oriental Insurance Company Limited Develop of International Retail (OICL), according to a Personnel Ministry Businesses: order.She is currently General Manager of The committee will recommend a roadmap for New India Assurance Company Limited. the future growth of international retail Ivory Coast defence minister Hamed business in IFSC.The committee, headed by Bakayoko Appointed as new prime Indasia Fund Advisors Pvt Ltd Chairman minister: Pradip Shah, may invite industry experts as Republic of Ivory Coast President Alassane special invitees on need basis. Ouattara has appointed Defence Minister Former Union Minister Manoj Sinha Hamed Bakayokoas Prime Minister(PM)after Appointed New J&K Lieutenant Governor acting as an interim PM since the sudden After G C Murmu Resigns: death of Amadou Gon Coulibaly.Hamed Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Bakayoko will also hold his position as Girish Chandra Murmu has resigned from Defence Minister. his post and will now be replaced by former Great Eastern Shipping appoints former minister of state for Railways Manoj Sinha. RBI Governor Urjit Patel as additional GC Murmu was the first Lieutenant Governor director: of Jammu and Kashmir. Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd has SEBI Chairman Ajay Tyagi Gets 18 Month appointed former RBI Governor Urjit Patel as Extension till February 2022: an additional and independent director for a Chairman of Securities and Exchange term of five years. Patel served as the 24th Board of India (SEBI) Ajay Tyagi has been governor of the Reserve Bank of India from granted an extension for next 18 months. September 2016 to December 2018. Earlier, in February this year, he was given six Mohamed Irfaan Ali elected as President months extension. of Guyana: Capital India Finance limited appoints Former Guyanese housing minister former NABARD chairman Harsh Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been named as the Bhanwala as Executive Chairman: President of the Guyana. He is a member of NBFC, Capital India Finance has appointed the opposition People’s Progressive Party Dr Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, former (PPP). He succeeds David Arthur Granger. NABARD chairman as Executive Chairman of Sashidhar Jagdishan to succeed Aditya the Board. Formerly he was the MD of Delhi Puri as HDFC Bank CEO:

State Cooperative Bank from 1999-2005 and Belarusan President Lukashenko wins as chairman and at NABARD. sixth term: Educationist Pradeep Kumar Joshi Belarusian President Alexander appointed UPSC Chairman: Lukashenko won his sixth term with 80.23 Educationist Pradeep Kumar Joshi was per cent of the vote. Lukashenko garnered appointed the chairman of the Union Public 80.23 per cent of the vote, while opposition Service Commission (UPSC), which candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya his conducts the civil services examination to main rival, won nearly 9.9 per cent. select the country's bureaucrats and Walter Martos sworn in as new Prime diplomats. He served as Director of the Minister of Peru: National Institute of Educational President of Peru Martin Vizcarra appointed Planning and Administration. Walter Roger Martos Ruiz, the former Former J&K lieutenant governor G C defence minister and retired army general, as Murmu appointed new CAG: the country’s new Prime Minister. He Former Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant succeeds Pedro Álvaro Cateriano Bellido. governor Girish Chandra Murmu has been Mohamed Ould Bilal Appointed as Prime appointed the new Comptroller and Auditor Minister of Islamic Republic of General (CAG) of India. He succeeds Rajiv Mauritania: Mehrishi who completes his term on August Mohamed Ould Bilal has been appointed as 8, 2020 as he attains the age of 65. the new Prime Minister of Mauritania. The PNB Housing Finance appoints Former appointment was made by the Mauritanian SBI Card Head Hardayal Prasad as New President Mohamed OuldGhazouani. MD and CEO: Public Enterprises Selection Board PNB Housing Finance announced that selects Soma Mondal as the next Hardayal Prasad, the former SBI Card head chairman of SAIL: who left the card issuer company last month, Soma Mondal has been selected by the has been appointed as its new MD and Public Enterprises Selection Board as the next CEO.Prasad will take over from Neeraj Vyas, chairman of public sector steel major Steel the current interim CEO of PNB housing Authority of India Limited.Apart from being finance on 10th August 2020. the first woman chairperson of SAIL, she will Government Forms Panel Under RoDTEP also be the first woman to head a major Scheme for Exporters to be Headed by G steel company in the world. K Pillai: Startup eBikeGO ropes in cricketer Government of India has set up a three- Harbhajan Singh as brand ambassador: member committee for determination of Electric mobility startup eBikeGO has roped ceiling rates under Remission of Duties and in Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh as its Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) brand ambassador. It is aiming to build mass scheme. appeal, positive voice and widespread adoption for electric mobility thereby looking

to capture 10% of electric two wheeler Bharat Abhiyan Campaign at National and market share by 2022. International level. Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumes IPS officer Rakesh Asthana takes charge charge as Director-General Naval as the 27th Director-General of Border Operations: Security Force: Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, an alumnus Rakesh Asthana is appointed as the of National Defence Academy Director-General of Border Security Force, Khadakwasla, has assumed charge as BSF. He is presently working as the Director- Director General Naval Operations General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, (DGNO). He has commanded INS Vinash, BCAS. He will continue to hold the additional INS Kirch and INS Trishul and he has also charge of DG, Narcotics Control Bureau. been awarded the Thimmaiya Medal. Central bank of India appoints Ashwini Former RBI deputy governor S S Mundra Kumar Shukla as Chief Risk Officer: appointed as non-executive chairman of Central bank of India has appointed Mr. India bulls Housing: Ashwini Kumar Shukla as Chief Risk India bulls Housing Finance Ltd stated Officer. As part of reform agenda announced that former deputy RBI governor Subhash by Ministry of Finance last year August 2019, Sheoratan Mundra has been appointed as the Central bank of India is first one to non-executive chairman of the company with appoint a CRO from market. immediate effect. Mundra had joined the Satya Pal Malik appointed as Meghalaya board of Indiabulls Housing Finance in Governor: 2018 as an independent director. He succeeds Satya Pal Malik has been transferred as the Sameer Gehlaut. Governor of Meghalaya, replacing Diplomat Vikram Kumar Doraiswami Tathagata Roy who completed his five-year appointed India’s next envoy to tenure on the post in the northeastern state, Bangladesh: from Goa. Bhagat Singh Koshyari who is a Indian Foreign Service officer Vikram Kumar Governor of Maharashtra state has been Doraiswami has been appointed as the next provided additional charge of Goa. High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Ashok Lavasa resigns as Election according to a statement from the Ministry of Commissioner to join ADB as Vice- External Affairs (MEA). President: Singer Shahzan Mujeeb Signed As First Ashok Lavasa who was expected to take Ever National Brand Ambassador Of over the poll body from Sunil Arora next year Aligarh Municipal Corporation: resigned and would be soon joining the Aligarh Municipal Corporation (AMC) has Philippines based Asian Development Bank recently roped in Indian Idol Season 11 as its Vice-President. He has worked as Finalist and Oscar Nominated Playback Secretary in the Union Finance Ministry. Singer Shahzan Mujeeb as its First-Ever Luis Rodolfo Abinader sworn in as National Brand Ambassador for Swachh President of Dominican Republic:

Luis Rodolfo Abinader has been sworn in as Dubai-based Indian-origin author Avni Doshi 54th President of the Dominican is among the 13 authors longlisted for the Republic.The 53-year-old economist and prestigious 2020 Booker Prize for her debut businessman Abinader succeeds Danilo novel “Burnt Sugar”, alongside double Medina, who served the country from 2012 Booker winner Hilary Mantel for The Mirror to 2020. and The Light. Keith Rowley Becomes Prime Minister of A version of the same novel has been Trinidad and Tobago for a 2nd published in India under the title “Girl in Consecutive Term: White Cotton”. Keith Christopher Rowley sworn in as India’s First Solar-Powered Ferry Aditya Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad Wins Global Honour: and Tobago for a 2nd consecutive 5 year Aditya, India's first solar-powered ferry that term at the President’s House, following commenced operations in 2017 in Kerala's victory in general elections held recently. Vembanad backwaters, has won the Ashwani Bhatia appointed as managing prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for director of State Bank of India: Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. Ashwani Bhatia has been appointed as the The ferry was adjudged the world’s best managing director up to the date of his electric boat in the category of ferries superannuation that is May 31, 2022, the designed for paid passenger service. order stated. Bhatia will be appointed in place Virender Sehwag and Sardar Singh in 12- of P K Gupta who superannuated on March member selection panel for National 31. Sports Awards: Bhatia is currently working as the managing Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag director and chief executive officer at SBI and hockey stalwart Sardar Singh were Mutual Fund. included in a 12-member committee constituted by the sports ministry to select AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: this year's National Sports Awards winners. Jamie Vardy wins Premier League’s Dalmia Bharat Group wins FICCI CSR 'Golden Boot': Award for Environment Sustainability: Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy won the Dalmia Bharat Group has won an award for Premier League’s Golden Boot after most Environment Sustainability at 18th FICCI number of goals in the 2019-20 seasons. At CSR award ceremony, organized by FICCI. 33, Vardy is the oldest player to win the The award recognizes efforts of companies in Golden Boot award and the first from integrating and internalizing Corporate Social Leicester City. Vardy finished the season with Responsibility. 23 goals. Ministry of Tribal Affairs received SKOCH Indian Origin Author Avni Doshi’s ‘Burnt Gold Award for Empowerment of Tribals Sugar’ on 2020 Booker Prize: through IT-enabled Scholarship Schemes:

Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) was awarded The Defence Ministry said DIAT's team of six the SKOCH Gold Award for its members provided a solution titled “Empowerment of Tribals through IT- "DRISHTI" to recognise face, expression and enabled Scholarship Schemes”. It is the gesture using artificial intelligence (AI). project of the Scholarship Divison of the Mumbai becomes the first city to have Ministry. MoTA chose to participate in Digital female icons on traffic signals: India & E-Governance-2020 Competition. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation The theme of the 66th SKOCH 2020 (BMC) installed traffic signals that display Competition was “INDIA RESPONDS TO female icons sporting triangular frock, a shift COVID THROUGH DIGITAL from default representation of men. Mumbai GOVERNANCE.” has become the first city in India to do so. UNESCO Recognizes two Odisha villages Cristiano Ronaldo wins Juventus MVP of Venkatraipur & Noliasahi as ‘Tsunami the Year award for record 37 goals in Ready’: single season: Odisha has become the first state in the Cristiano Ronaldo was named as country to get two of its coastal villages Juventus'Most Valuable Player of the “Venkatraipur and Noliasahi” recognised Year' for the championship that lasted for as "Tsunami Ready" from the almost 11 months. He ended the 2019-20 Intergovernmental Oceanographic season with 37 goals, broke the record for Commission (IOC) of UNESCO (United scoring most goals in a single season across Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural competitions. Organisation) after taking into accounts their Akshay Kumar only Bollywood star on overall preparedness to face the calamity. Forbes list of highest-paid actors: Rockefeller Foundation picks Naandi Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has yet Foundation for Food Vision 2050 prize: again made it to the Forbes list of highest- Rockefeller Foundation has selected paid male actors, scoring the 6th spot, slipping Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad-based non- two places since 2019. With estimated net profit, as one of the ‘Top 10 Visionaries’ in worth of $48.5 million, this is Kumar’s fifth the world for the Food Vision 2050 Prize, consecutive year of being featured on the list. announced in New York. The recognition Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson fetches Naandi a prize money of $200, 000. tops the list for the second year in a row with Pune’s Defence Institute of Advanced the estimated net worth of 87.5 million. Technology wins first prize; Smart India Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, with a net Hackathon 2020: worth of $71.5 million. Third, fourth and fifth Pune-based Defence Institute of spots have gone to actors Mark Wahlberg Advanced Technology (DIAT) has won the ($58 million), Ben Affleck ($55 million) and first prize in the Smart India Hackathon Vin Diesel ($54 million), respectively. (SIH) 2020, a national-level digital product building competition.

Vertex Global Services CEO Gagan Arora Abbas is the only Asian batsman to hit 100 wins "CEO of the Year" Award by 'Indian first-class centuries. Achievers' 2020: NLCIL bags “Swachhta Hi Seva award” Gagan Arora was recently named as “CEO for transforming Neyveli Township: of the Year – 2020” by Indian Achievers Government of India Navratna, NLC India Forum India. He is the CEO & Strategic Limited (NLCIL) has bagged the award for Growth Leader of Vertex Global Services. making an extremely valuable contribution in Swachh Survekshan 2020: Indore the implementation of the “Swachhta Hi cleanest city for the fourth time: SevaProgramme”. Indore emerged as the cleanest Indian city Rakesh Kumar, CMD of NLCIL hailing the fourth time in a row in the Swachh efforts of NLCIL in transforming the entire Survekshan 2020 conducted by the Ministry Neyveli into a plastic-free, clean and green of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The campus, and announcing the “Swachhta Hi second and the third position was taken by Seva 2019” Award. Surat and Navi Mumbai, respectively.Varanasi was adjudged the best BOOKS AND AUTHORS: ‘Ganga Town’ in the survey. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Rohit Sharma, MariappanThangavelu, unveils new book on India’s 'struggle VineshPhogat, Rani Rampal&Manika gaining influence in foreign policy': Batra: to be honoured with Khel Ratna “The India Way: Strategies for an Award: Uncertain World” a book authored by Rohit Sharma, Manika Batra, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, VineshPhogat, MariyappanThangavelu, argues about the standards of India in the Rani Rampal will be awarded Rajiv Gandhi global order. Khel Ratna award. Rohit Sharma is among The book was published under the Harper five recipients who will be awarded India's Collins India publications. The book highest sporting honour — the Rajiv Gandhi centers about the three burdens that India’s Khel Ratna Award for 2020. foreign policy carries. Another 29 were selected for the Arjuna RBI deputy governor Viral V. Acharya award by the sports ministry's selection authored a new book titled “Quest for committee. Restoring Financial Stability in India”: Jacques Kallis, Zaheer Abbas & Lisa The book titled “Quest for Restoring Sthalekar inducted into ICC Hall of Fame: Financial Stability in India”authored by Jacques Kallis is one of South Africa’s former Reserve Bank of India(RBI) deputy highest run-getter in Tests & ODIs. He is also governor Viral V. Acharya. The book a great all-rounder.Lisa Sthalekar is a portrays his quest to restore financial stability former Australian cricketer and became a in India and offers a concrete plan for World Cup winner in 2005 and 2013. Zaheer sustained improvement. The book is

published by SAGE Publications India Pvt author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy to Ltd. mark her 70th birthday. Oscar Winner Matthew Mcconaughey to A Book Titled ‘One Arranged Murder’ Publish His First Book named Authored by Chetan Bhagat to be ‘Greenlights’: released: ‘Greenlights’ the debut book authored by A Book Titled ‘One Arranged Murder’ Oscar-winning actor Matthew authored by Chetan Bhagat will be released McConaughey published by Crown worldwide on September 28, 2020. The fiction Publishing Group is set to be released on book portrays a murder mystery in the 20th October 2020. The book was described backdrop of an arranged marriage. The book as “not a traditional memoir but a playbook” will be published by Westland Publications based on the adventures and life experiences Ltd. It is the author’s 9th novel and 11th of McConaughey. book overall. Biography of India’s youngest Basketball Book titled “Who painted my lust red?” captain "Vishesh: Code To Win" set to authored by SreeIyer launched: release: A book titled “Who painted my lust red?” A new book on the inspirational story of that has been authored by SreeIyer has been Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, India’s youngest launched. This is the second book in this basketball team captain, will hit stands on series of SreeIyer’s Money Trilogy series. August 29, the National Sports Day, The first book was “Who painted my money announced publishing house Blue rose. It is white?”. written by sportswoman-turned-author Garuda Prakashan to publish book on Nirupama Yadav. “Delhi riots: The Untold Story” authored A Book titled “Our Only Home: A Climate by Monika Arora Appeal to the World” authored by Dalai Garuda Prakashan will publish “Delhi Riots Lama: 2020: The Untold Story”, a day after The Tibetan spiritual leaderDalai Lama Bloomsbury India announced withdrawing the will release a new book on climate change upcoming book following outrage over a with German environmental journalist Franz virtual pre-publication launch event featuring Alt in. The book has been titled “Our Only BJP leader Kapil Mishra. Home: A Climate Appeal to the World”. Penguin announces Sudha Murthy’s next RANKINGS: book ‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’ on India Ranks 3rd among top 10 countries her 70th birthday: gaining forest area in the world: FAO: The new book titled ‘Grandparents’ Bag of India has been ranked third among the top Stories’ aims at entertaining children 10 countries that have gained in forest areas featuring 20 stories. Penguin Random in the last decade (2010-2020) as per the House announced a new children’s book by latest Global Forest Resources Assessment

(FRA) released by the United Nations Food organic farming, Ministry of Agriculture & and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Farmers Welfare. Top 5 countries which recorded the maximum ''Sikkim became the first State in the world average annual net gains in forest area during to become fully organic and other States 2010-2020 are China, Australia, India, including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set Chile and Vietnam. similar targets. Hyderabad Ranked 16th in World’s most Surveilled Cities 2020 &Taiyuan, China OBITUARY NEWS: tops: Noted dancer-choreographer Amala Hyderabad with over three lakh surveillance Shankar passes away: cameras has been ranked 16th among the Amala Shankar, the renowned dancer died top 20 most surveilled cities in the world, in Kolkata at the age of 101. She was awarded according to an annual report published by Banga Vibhushan by the West Bengal the UK-based Comparitech, a firm that government in 2011 for her contributions in reviews technology services like VPN, anti- the field of art. Not only dance, she was a virus and apps. The List was topped by painter and writer as well. Taiyuan, China. Olivia de Havilland, Golden Age of Chennai(21st rank) and Delhi (33rd rank) Hollywood star, dies at 104: made into the top 50 list. Delhi ranked 2nd & Olivia de Havilland, a two-time Oscar Tokyo tops in the 20 most populated cities winner and for decades the last surviving star in the world. of "Gone With the Wind" has died at the IIT Madras Tops Atal Rankings (ARIIA) age of 104. Olivia Mary de Havilland was born 2020 for second straight year: July 1, 1916, in Tokyo to British parents. Indian Institute of Technology, Madras Padma Shri awardee Sonam Tshering has retained the top position in the ‘Atal Lepcha dies at 92: Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Folk Musician, composer, Lyricist and Achievements, ’ (ARIIA) 2020 for being Padmashree awardee Sonam Tshering the best centrally funded institution in India. Lepcha passed away at the age 92, at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IISc Bengaluru and IIT Kalimpong, West Bengal due to old age Kharagpur are the among the top five ailments. He was born on 3rd January, 1928 centrally funded institutions in the list at Bong Busty, Kalimpong, West Bengal. respectively. Malayalam Actor Anil Murali passed away st India ranks 1 in number of organic at 51: th farmers and 9 in terms of area under Veteran Malayalam actor Anil Muralihas organic farming; Ministry of Agriculture acted in more than 200 movies in Tamil, and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW): Malayalam and Telugu, passed away at the India ranks first in number of organic age of 51 at the hospital in Kochi, Kerala farmers and ninth in terms of area under where he was admitted due to liver ailments

on 22nd July 2020. He hails from Hume passed away at 83 in a Londonderry Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. nursing home due to a long period of illness. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Kamal He was born on January 8, 1937 in Derry Rani Varun passes away: Northern Ireland (a part of the United UP's Cabinet minister for Technical Education Kingdom- UK). Kamal Rani Varun succumbed to COVID-19. Co-creator of computer mouse William Currently, Kamal Rani was MLA from English passes away aged 91: Ghatampur in Kanpur. In the past, she was William English, the engineer behind the also a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha modern computer mouse first twice. demonstrated in 1968, has died at 91.He built Sahitya Akademi Awardee Sa. the first mouse in 1963, with the help of the Kandasamy passed away at 81: sketches made by Doug Engelbart while they Famous writer and documentary Filmmaker were working on early computing. Sa. Kandasamy passed away at the age 81, Padma Shri awardee author Giriraj in Chennai, Tamil Nadu due to heart Kishore passes away at 82: ailments. He was born in 1940, Veteran writer and academician Giriraj Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. He won Kishore passed away at his residence here the Sahitya Akademi award for his Novel following a prolonged illness. He was 82- ‘Visaranai Commission.’ years-old.A Padma Shri awardee, Giriraj had Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh passes written 'PahlaGirmitiya'. away at 64: Former MP Nandi Yellaiah passes away: Rajya Sabha MP and former Samajwadi Veteran Congress leader Nandi Yellaiah was Party leader Amar Singh passed away. elected to Lok Sabha six times & Rajya Sabha Singh’s political career was known for his twice died. He began his political career as a contacts across sectors, his managerial skills corporator of Hyderabad Municipal and fund-raising capabilities. He was once Corporation. He was a close associate of called ‘Corporate Thakur’ by a rival leader. former Chief Minister Marri Channa Reddy. Theatre maestro Ebrahim Alkazi passes Computer scientist and Digital imaging away: inventor Russell Kirsch dead at 91: Considered the father of modern Indian Russell Kirsch research from the 50’s theatre Ebrahim Alkazi the first Director of underlies the entire field of digital imaging, National School of Drama (NSD) passed died. His famous accomplishment is the first away. He was 94. Also an art connoisseur, scanned digital image – decades before the collector and gallery owner, he founded Art first digital camera. Kirsch continued to work Heritage Gallery in New Delhi. on early AI until retirement. Nobel Peace Prize Winner John Hume Passed Away at 83: Nobel Peace Prizewinner(1998) and prominent Northern Ireland politician John

SPORTS NEWS: ICC Include Indian Umpire KN Anantha Hamilton wins British GP to close in on padmanabhan In Panel Of International Schumacher's record: Umpires: Lewis Hamilton held on to win the British Indian umpire Nitin Menon was promoted by Grand Prix despite a puncture on the last lap the ICC to the elite panel of umpires, his to clinch an 87th career win and move within fellow compatriot KN Anantha four of Michael Schumacher's Formula One padmanabhan has been included in the record. Hamilton set a track record & secured panel of international umpires of the ICC. a record-extending 91st career pole. Max Verstappen Wins F1 70th India withdraws from Women’s World Anniversary Grand Prix 2020: Team Squash Championship 2020: Max Emilian Verstappen from Netherland Squash Rackets Federation of India had won F1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at (SRFI) has withdrawn from the Women’s the Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, United World Team Squash Championship 2020, Kingdom and became the first non- due to lack of preparation, time and match- Mercedes driver to win a race in the 2020. readiness of athletes, which is scheduled in Mercedes Lewis Hamilton won F1 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from December 15 Spanish Grand Prix 2020: to 20, 2020. Mercedes-Great Britain’s Formula One Racer India retains T20 World Cup in 2021; Lewis Hamilton has received the Formula Australia to host in 2022: One Spanish Grand Prix 2020. the race was India has retained the rights to host the held at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, th 2021 men's T20 World Cup while Australia Spain. this was his 4 win during this season will host the 2022 edition. ICC also and he achieved 88th win. postponed the 2021 women's ODI World Dream11 is new IPL 2020 title sponsor Cup which was scheduled in New Zealand. with winning bid of Rs 222 crore: 2021 event will be hosted in India between Dream11 have made a three-year winning October-November. bid to bag the Indian Premier League Punjab Cricket Association names (IPL) title rights. The fantasy sports platform Mullanpur stadium after Patiala’s last – a start-up pioneered by two Indian ruler Maharaja Yadavindra Singh: entrepreneurs have made a bid for three Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) has years, subject to Vivo’s return next year. decided to name its Mullanpur INOX Group to sponsor Indian team for International Cricket Stadium after the Tokyo Olympics: IOA last ruler of Patiala, late Maharaja INOX group will be the official sponsor of the Yadavindra Singh, who had played a test Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo match for India in 1934. He is the father of Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association Punjab CM Amarinder Singh. (IOA).The Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled to next year due to the COVID-

19 pandemic. It will be held from July 23 to when she won the Women’s British Open by August 8 in 2021. two strokes. Ranked No. 304, Popov had Ronnie O'Sullivan wins sixth World never won a senior professional event. This Snooker Championship after defeating was just Popov’s fourth appearance at a Kyren Wilson”: major. English Professional Snooker Player Ronnie Australian all-rounder Cameron White O’Sullivan won the World Snooker announces retirement from all Championship for the 6th time by winning professional cricket: the 2020 World Snooker Championship at Australian all-rounder Cameron White has Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England. He announced his retirement from all forms of defeated England’s Kyren Wilson(18-8) in professional cricket.The 37 year-old the final of the Betfred World Snooker Australian player will however, continue to Championship. play at the Premier Cricket level as the First female golfer from Germany Sophia captain of the Melbourne Cricket Club. Popov wins Women’s British Open: Sophia Popov became the first female golfer from Germany to capture a major title

IMPORTANT DAYS:

DATE IMPORTANT DAY THEME

August 1 World Lung Cancer Day - August (1-7) World Breastfeeding Week “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet” August 3 World Sanskrit Day - August 6 Hiroshima Day - August 9 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples/ “COVID-19 and indigenous World Tribal Day peoples’ resilience” August 9 Quit India Movement Day - August 10 World Lion Day - August 10 World Biofuel Day “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat” August 12 International Youth Day “Youth Engagement for Global Action” August 12 World Elephant Day - August 13 International Lefthanders Days - August 13 World Organ Donation Day - August (13- Organ Donation Week - 20) RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 136 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

August 15 Indian Independence Day - August 16 Bennington Battle Day August 19 World Humanitarian Day #RealLifeHeroes. August 19 World Photography Day - August 20 World Mosquito Day - August 20 AkshayUrjaDiwas (Renewable Energy Day) - August 21 World Senior Citizen Day - August 21 International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the - Victims of Terrorism August 21 World Entrepreneurs Day - August 23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave - Trade and its Abolition August 23 European Day of Remembrance for Victims of - Stalinism and Nazism/ Black Ribbon Day August 26 Women's Equality Day - August 29 National Sports Day - August 30 Small Industry Day - August 31 Hari Merdeka (Malaysia National Day) -

SEPTEMBER 2020 NATIONAL NEWS: Bengal and Karnataka are at 2nd and 3rd Gujarat tops Niti Aayog's first ever place. Export Preparedness Index 2020, Andhra Pradesh sets up entity to finance followed by Maharashtra and TN: social economic development projects: Gujarat has topped the Niti Aayog's Export Andhra Pradesh government established Preparedness Index 2020 followed by the Andhra Pradesh State Development Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in the second Corporation (APSDC), a new avenue to and third place respectively, according to the borrow more money and channelize donations government think tank's report. from different sources. The new entity will be Niti Aayog in partnership with the Institute a 100 percent state-owned Public Limited of Competitiveness released the first Export Company. Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020. Defence minister launches app for online Tamil Nadu women top the list of MUDRA training of National Cadet Corps cadets loan scheme beneficiaries: The mobile app, called "DGNCC", aims at Women of Tamil Nadu have topped the list providing NCC cadets all training materials, of women borrowers under the Pradhan including syllabus, training videos, and Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) since its frequently asked questions, on one platform. inception. Tamil Nadu followed by West The NCC imparts values of unity, discipline, service to the nation.

Union Minister of State Som Parkash Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala addresses 5th virtual BRICS Industry Sitharaman reiterated the importance of this Minister’s Meeting: biggest financial inclusion initiative in the The Industry Ministers of BRICS (Brazil, world. Russia, India, China and South Africa) The Slogan of PMJDY: “Mera Khata – countries held a meeting through video mode Bhagya Vidhaata.” on 24 August 2020 to discuss ways to boost First newspaper for kids 'The Young cooperation in areas including 5G and Minds' launched in Assam: Artificial Intelligence. Two Guwahati-based women entrepreneurs From India, the Union Minister of State for have launched a newspaper specifically Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, designed for kids, to promote creative participated in the 5th edition of the Industry thinking among children and inculcate in them Ministers’ meeting. the habit to read and write. It is the brainchild Ministry of Social Justice launches of Neelam Sethia and Neha Bajaj. The Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline Young Minds, will cater to kids of 4-14 years ‘KIRAN’: of age. Department of Empowerment of Persons Assam Government to set up Skill with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the University worth Rs 900 Crore at Darrang Ministry of Social Justice and district: Empowerment has launched a 24×7 Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline Skill Development University Bill which number under the name ‘Kiran’ to assist allows for setting up a state-of-the-art skill people to cope with mental health issues, University at Mangaldoi in Darrang district particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. of Assam. The University at Mangaldoi will be First marine ambulance boat the Centre of Excellence and first ever Skill ‘PRATHEEKSHA’ commissioned in Kerala: University in north eastern states of the Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan country. inaugurated the first ever marine ambulance Union Education Minister addresses named ‘PRATHEEKSHA’. Pratheeksha is first inaugural session of World Urdu in the series of 3 fully equipped marine Conference organized by NCPUL: ambulance boat built by Cochin Shipyard Education Minister made an important Limited (CSL), for the Department of announcement and said that Urdu writers Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala. and literators will be honoured with awards Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana and honours in the name of important (PMJDY) Completed Six Years of personalities of Urdu like Amir Khusrow, Successful Implementation: Mirza Ghalib, Agha Hashar, Ram Babu 6th anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Saxena, etc. It was organized by National Yojna (PMJDY) was observed which was Council for Promotion of Urdu Language launched. On this occasion, Union Minister for (NCPUL).

51st International Film Festival India to between Bengaluru (Nelamangala) to be held in Goa from Nov 20: Solapur (Maharashtra) through video 51st IFFI will be held in Goa, from November conferencing. CM Yediyurappa flagged off the 20th to 28th. This film festival being a hybrid RO-RO train from Nelamagala station on the film festival due to Covid 19, would screen outskirts of Bengaluru at 9.15 am. films on official digital platform along with the Odisha CM launched “Ama Sahar” and theatrical screenings. The festival is an annual “Swachha Sahar Odisha” Mobile app on event since 1975. Local Self Government Day: Indian Railways has developed a remote- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik controlled medical trolley named launched two citizen-centric mobile phone ‘MEDBOT’ to help deliver food and applications- AMA SAHAR and SWACHHA medicines to COVID-19 patients: SAHAR ODISHA at the Lok Seva Bhawan Indian Railways has developed a remote- here on the occasion of Local Self Government controlled medical trolley named ‘MEDBOT’ Day. to help deliver food and medicines to COVI- Uttar Pradesh government decides to set 19 patients. It is providing service in the up exclusive anti-electricity theft police Central Hospital of the Diesel Rail Engine stations in every district: Factory of Indian Railways. Uttar Pradesh government decided to set up Kerala to set up India’s first exclusive Anti-Electricity Theft police International Women’s Trade Centre: stations in every district of state to address Kerala will set up India’s first International the problem of frequent cases of power theft. Women’s Trade Centre (IWTC), in One police station dedicated to deal with the consonance with the United Nations issue of power theft to be opened. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Union Cabinet approves ‘Mission Andhra Pradesh Government to launch Karmayogi’ for Civil Servants: two schemes for pregnant women on Union Cabinet has approved “Mission September 1: Karmayogi” for civil servants across the Andhra Padesh Chief Minister YS Jagan country to help them meet the challenges in Mohan Reddy will launch two new schemes the society. A council headed by PM having for pregnant women. The schemes, “YSR CMs as members will approve the civil Sampoorna Poshana” and “YSR services capacity building plans under the Sampoorna Poshana Plus” to be launched scheme. on September 1, 2020 aim at providing Madhya Pradesh government launches nutritious food for pregnant women and ‘Gandagi Bharat Chhodo’ campaign: lactating mothers along with children. Madhya Pradesh government has launched Karnataka CM flags off RO-RO train a 15-day campaign named ‘Gandagi Bharat service between Bengaluru and Solapur: Chhodo’. Under the campaign awareness Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa programmes were organized in seven flagged off Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO-RO) train thousand 178 settlements. About 35 lakh

people from 378 urban bodies in Madhya Festival Pang Lhabsol Celebrated In Pradesh took part in the campaign. Sikkim: Lakshadweep and Ladakh joined One Pang Lhabsol is one of the most historically Nation-One Ration Card scheme: significant festivals celebrated in Sikkim. Two more UTs Ladakh and Lakshadweep Pang Lhabsol is a unique festival of Sikkim have decided to join the ‘One Nation-One and commemorates the consecration of Ration Card’ scheme. now, 26 States /UTs Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian have joined this scheme and this Yojana will deity of Sikkim. give benefits to almost 70 crore citizens. Tripura receives first ever inland Sadananda Gowda launches 8 shipping cargo from Bangladesh: Nutraceutical-immunity boosting The Daukandi (Bangladesh) – Sonamura products under PMBJP for sale through (Tripura) Inland Waterway Protocol route Janaushadhi Kendras: was operationalised marking a milestone in Government is also providing one-time grant India-Bangladesh relations. of Rs 2.00 lakh for store set-up to persons Andhra Pradesh tops Business Reform belonging to SC, ST, women & divyang Action Plan (BRAP) ranking of states category and to any applicant opening store 2019: in North-Eastern States, aspirational Andhra Pradesh has topped the 4th edition districts & Himalayan states under Pradhan of the Business Reform Action Plan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Priyojana (BRAP) ranking of states for 2018-19. It is (PMBJP). also known as The Ease of Doing Business India’s First Regional Voters’ Awareness rankings. The ranking was announced by Centre to Come Up in Jaipur: Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister Election Commission of India (ECI) will set of Finance and Corporate Affairs. up the country’s first regional voters’ Uttar Pradesh is ranked second and awareness centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It Telangana is ranked third in the ranking. Till will cater to four states — Rajasthan, date, State Rankings have been released for Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. the years 2015, 2016 and 2017-18. The latest Punjab Govt launches 'I Rakhwali' app to one is the fourth edition for 2018-19. make citizens 'Greenery Saviours': Andhra Pradesh to float India’ largest Punjab State Forest Department launched solar tender for 10 GW capacities: 'I Rakhwali' application to help netizens to Andhra Pradesh government to float India’s become 'Greenery Saviours'. Launching the largest solar tender for setting up 10 GW application, Punjab Forest Minister Sadhu capacity. AP has around 7.7 GW of solar and Singh Dharamsot said that the application wind projects & has India’s second-largest has been developed to ensure greenery and installed capacity of clean energy. AP Green to protect the environment in Punjab, and its Energy Corporation Ltd (APGECL) to be main aim is to inspire people to plant more the nodal agency. This mega solar bid aims to trees. entail a Rs. 35, 000 crore investment.

Assam re-launches self-employment being of children according to a report by NGO scheme SVAYEM worth Rs 1, 000 crore: Mobile Creches. The index was constructed The state government of Assam re-launched for 2 time periods - 2005–2006 and 2015– an old scheme titled ‘Swami Vivekananda 2016. India spent Rs. 1, 723 per child in Assam Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM)’ 2018–2019. which aims to provide self-employment to Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu around 2 lakh youths of the state. selected as fully Digital Economy district: First-ever cannabis medicine project to Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, come up in Jammu: which houses a large number of small and Union minister Jitendra Singh announced medium enterprises, especially in the that the first-ever cannabis medicine project firecrackers and allied sectors, has been will soon be set up in Jammu. The cannabis selected by the Central Government as the medicine project will be set up with the state's first Fully Digital Economy collaboration of Canada at the Indian district. Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) These include widespread use of ATM debit in Jammu. cards, increased usage of internet banking, J-K LG Launches SPARROW System For J- widespread use of QR codes etc. K Administrative Service Officers: Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched signs MoU with Northeast Small Finance Smart Performance Appraisal Report Bank: Recording Online Window (SPARROW) Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission system for Jammu and Kashmir (ASRLM) signed a Memorandum of Administrative Service officers, at Raj Understanding (MoU) with North East Small Bhavan. Finance Bank (NESFB) on Saturday to work Karnataka approves Rs. 600-cr in cohesion in support of Bank Linkage of the watershed project ‘REWARD’ with World Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Producer Bank assistance: Groups/ Enterprises under ASRLM. Karnataka Cabinet has approved a project Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Relaunches '10 titled ‘Rejuvenating Watersheds for Hafte 10 Baje 10 Minute' Anti-dengue Agriculture Resilience through Campaign: Innovative Development’ (REWARD). The Delhi's Chief Minister Arwind Kejriwal will REWARD project is designed to ensure soil kicked-off the second edition of the 10-week and water conservation in 20 taluks with low long anti-dengue campaign. The aim of this groundwater levels in Karnataka. campaign is to create awareness on State of Young Child in India Report prevention of vector-borne diseases like released by Vice President Venkaiah dengue among the people of Delhi, said the Naidu: officials. Last year, the '10 Hafte 10 Baje 10 Kerala, Goa, Tripura, Tamil Nadu & Minute' campaign received support from Mizoram are among the top 5 States for well-

many celebrities as well as government undertake cultivation and business in officials. bamboo. Gujarat will be first to implement Haryana CM Launches 1st of its Kind National Education Policy 2020: Educational Chatbot “Apka Mitra” & Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said his Online Admission Platform for UG government aims to become the first to courses: implement the National Education Policy Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal (NEP) 2020 and will soon form a task force Khattar virtually launched an online platform to create a road map for the same. It for admission to undergraduate courses in comprises of 15 politicians, administrative government-aided and self-financed colleges. officials and academicians. It is to study NEP- Fruits & vegetables in J&K covered under 2020 and take implementation measures. ‘Operation Green’s TOP to TOTAL’ Tamil Nadu CM releases state’s scheme: Electronic Hardware Manufacturing Centre has brought majority of fruits and Policy-2020 vegetables grown in Jammu under a fresh Tamil Nadu government announced a new initiative of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. electronics & hardware manufacturing All the fruits and vegetables in J&K will be policy to increase the State's electronics covered under the ‘Operation Green’s TOP industry output to $100 billion by 2025. It to TOTAL’ scheme. Kerala tops literacy hopes to contribute 25 per cent of India’s rate chart with 96.2%; Andhra Pradesh total electronic exports to the world by 2025. worst performer at 66.4%: Report by It undertakes skill training for more than NSO: 1Lakh people by 2024. Kerala has once again emerged as the most Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot literate state in the country with 96.2 per cent launched ‘24×7 toll-free Mental Health literacy while Andhra Pradesh featured at Rehabilitation Helpline ‘KIRAN’: the bottom with a rate of 66.4 per cent, Union Minister for Social Justice and showed a report based on National Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot Statistical Office (NSO) survey. virtually launched the 24×7 Toll-Free Mental Second Kisan train to transport Agri Health Rehabilitation Helpline “KIRAN” products from Andhra Pradesh to New (1800-500-0019). The aim is to provide relief Delhi, linking farmers directly to and support to persons with Mental Illness. markets: Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates 22 India’s second and South India’s first bamboo clusters in nine states: Kisan Train was flagged off to provide a Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar seamless supply of perishable produce. The inaugurated 22 bamboo clusters in nine first Kisan Rail flagged off between states by virtual mode. Indian Forest Act 1927 Maharashtra and Bihar. It aims to help in was amended in 2017 to remove bamboo for doubling farmers’ income by 2022. the category of trees so that anyone can

PM Modi digitally launches Pradhan Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and e- launched portal for Eye Donation: Gopala App: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami PM Matsya Sampada Yojana is a flagship launched the website hmis.tn.gov.in/eye- scheme for focused and sustainable donor designed by the National Health development of the fisheries sector in India Mission Tamil Nadu to help donors. He has with an estimated investment of Rs 20, 050 pledged to donate his eyes during National crores for its implementation from FY20- Eye Donation Fortnight in Tamil Nadu. FY25. E-Gopala is a breed improvement India Post launches Five Star Villages marketplace. Scheme to ensure 100% rural coverage Karnataka CM Launches India's First of postal schemes: Integrated Air Ambulance Service with Department of Posts has launched a ICATT: scheme called Five Star Villages, to ensure Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa unveiled universal coverage of flagship postal India’s first integrated air ambulance service schemes in rural areas of the country. The jointly launched by the International scheme seeks to bridge the gaps in public Critical Air Transfer Team (ICATT) and the awareness and reach of postal products and Kyathi in the city. The ambulance is equipped services, especially in interior villages. with state-of-the-art German Isolation Pod. Madhya Pradesh reintroduces Deendayal Education Ministry to organise 2 -day Rasoi Scheme for meals at Rs 10: conclave on School Education in 21st Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Scheme to Century under Shikshak Parv: provide meals at a subsidized rate to Shikshak Parv is celebrated from 8th underprivileged people was re-introduced in September- 25th September, to felicitate the Madhya Pradesh. Now the rate per thali has Teachers and to take New Education Policy been increased to Rs 10 from Rs 5, said an 2020 which was approved and forward. officer from the urban development and Education Ministry is to organize a two-day housing department. conclave on School Education in 21st Century. Five Petroleum and Gas sector PSUs to Mumbai International airport put in place join International Solar Alliance: QR code-enabled check-in mechanism: Five Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Mumbai International airport has put in under Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will place a QR code-enabled contactless be joining International Solar Alliance check-in mechanism for the passengers. (ISA)'s Coalition for Sustainable Climate Mumbai International Airport Limited stated Action (ISA-CSCA) as Corporate Partners and that the touch less technology solution is a will be contributing to ISA's Corpus Fund, said vital step in reducing passenger contact with Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. kiosk surfaces and is in full compliance with Hubballi railway station to be renamed the civil aviation ministry’s passenger after Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji: processing guidelines.

Hubballi railway station headquarters of Mizoram, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar South Western Railway is being changed Islands Top List; India Happiness Report for the second time in last 5 years. It was 2020: changed in 2015 from Hubli to Hubballi. It is India Happiness Report 2020 has been being renamed after Shree Siddharoodha released and it covers all States and Union Swamiji who was a Hindu Guru and Territories in India. The survey was conducted Philosopher. and covered 16, 950 people between March India's 'largest piggery mission' 2020 and July 2020. Maharashtra, Delhi launched in Meghalaya: and Haryana have shown the worst possible Meghalaya has launched India’s Biggest impact of COVID-19 on happiness. “Piggery Mission” with an outlay of Rs 209 Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Crores. It is being launched under the aegis Airportopens India's First and Exclusive of Meghalaya Livestock Enterprises Private Jet Terminal: Advancement Society (MLEADS) and Delhi international airport has opened an funded by the National Cooperative exclusive terminal for private airplanes. Development Corporation (NCDC). This is India's first terminal for private jets to The main objective of the Piggery Mission is cater to the high and mighty rich population. to reduce the annual import of Pork worth Rs Gujarat government launches 150 Crore and make Meghalaya self- Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana sufficient (“Aatma Nirbhar”) in pork (MMUY) to Give Interest Free Loans To production over the next 3 years. Women’s Groups: Odisha Government Launches "GARIMA" Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani has Welfare Scheme for Sanitation Workers: launched a scheme named Mukhyamantri Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched Mahila Utkarsh Yojana (MMUY) that will “GARIMA” a new Scheme to ensure Safety provide interest-free loans to women’s and Dignity of Core Sanitation Workers of the groups in the state. State. Under this scheme, about 20, 000 Government forms Expert Committee core sanitation workers and their families Headed by Rajesh Pant to probe reports covering one lakh population are likely to be of snooping by Chinese firm: benefitted. Government of India formed an Expert Maharashtra CM announces ‘My Family- Committee led by National Cyber Security My Responsibility’ campaign to fight Coordinator (NCSC) Rajesh Pant, India’s Covid-19: Chief Coordinator on Cyber Security to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav examine the reports of digital surveillance on Thackeray announced the launch of 'My Prominent Indian Nationals including family-My responsibility' from September President, Army Chief by Chinese firm 15 to fight the pandemic. Shenzhen Zhenhua Data Information Technology Company Ltd.

Maharashtra government approves Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina to set up accidental insurance scheme named cricket academy in Jammu and Kashmir: after Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Former India cricketer Suresh Raina would Thackeray: set up a cricket academy in Jammu and Maharashtra has launched a new accidental Kashmir to train aspiring cricketers, insurance scheme in the state that will particularly youngsters from remote areas of provide free treatment up to Rs 30, 000 to the union territory. any person injured in a road accident. Around Lt Governor Manoj Sinha agreed to set up 74 types of treatment that are needed in five schools in Kashmir division and an case of road accidents have been included in equal number in Jammu division to train the scheme. aspiring cricketers. Eight Indian Beaches recommended for Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal launches “Blue Flag” International Eco-Label: “Mukhyamantrir Grammya Paribahan Blue Flag certification is a globally Achoni” to improve rural connectivity: recognized eco-label accorded by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal international agency 'Foundation for launched the “Mukhyamantrir Grammya Environment Education, Denmark' based Paribahan Achoni” and distributed vehicles on 33 stringent criteria in 4 major heads. under the scheme to beneficiaries at a International Coastal Clean-Up Day is programme held at Assam Administrative observed on 19th September. Staff College by transport department. Tamil Nadu becomes first state in India Union Minister S Jaishankar attends to launch ethical AI, blockchain, Special Ministerial Meeting of Foreign cybersecurity policies: Ministers of CICA: Tamilnadu has become the first State in the Union Minister of External Affairs S country to launch Safe and Ethical Artificial Jaishankar participated in the Special Intelligence (AI), Blockchain and Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Cybersecurity policies. The policies were ‘Conference on Interaction & Confidence unveiled by Chief Minister Edapaddi K Building Measures in Asia’ (CICA). CICA is Palaniswami during the valedictory session an inter-governmental forum for enhancing of the 19th edition of Connect 2020. cooperation towards promoting peace, India’s first Coast Guard academy to security and stability in Asia. come up at Mangaluru: Union HRD Minister Harsh Vardhan India’s first Coast Guard academy will be chairs ‘Aarogya Manthan’ 2.0: established at Mangaluru, Defence Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Spokesperson (PRO) Bengaluru. Around 158 chaired ‘Aarogya Manthan’ 2.0 celebrating acres Karnataka Industrial Area its 2nd Anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Development Board (KIADB) land has been Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB- taken over for setting up ICG Academy. PMJAY). He also presented awards to the winners of the AB-PMJAY Start-up Grand

Challenge to support the implementation of 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana. Dialogue (DPD) held with focus on West Bengal Transport Corporation maritime security cooperation: Introduces India’s First ‘Tram’ Library in The 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Kolkata: Dialogue (DPD) was held virtually to further West Bengal Transport Corporation boost the defence and security partnership (WBTC) introduced a tram library in the city's between the two countries, with a special iconic College street area. Tram Library is a focus on the maritime sphere. special tram with books & magazines that can India withdraws from multilateral be read while travelling. In addition to books, military exercise Kavkaz 2020 in Russia: free Wifi will be provided to passengers to India has announced that it is withdrawing read online. from multilateral Military Exercise Kavkaz 2020 to be held in Russia. In view of INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Pandemic & consequent difficulties in Germany to issue 'Green Bonds' worth up exercise, including arrangements of logistics, to $13B: India has decided not to send a contingent. German government plans to generate up to ‘Agriota’ e-market platform launched to 11 billion euros for clean transportation and bridge the gap between Indian farmers renewable energy projects this year by and UAE food industry: issuing so-called “Green Bond”. Each green The UAE has launched Agriota (developed bond will mirror a regular debt issuance by with India’s CropData Technology) a new the German government, known as as technology-driven agri-commodity trading "bunds". and sourcing e-market platform that will India and Nepal to expand energy bridge the gap between millions of rural cooperation, explore new pipeline: farmers in India and the Gulf nation's food India and Nepal are exploring to see if state- industry. It was launched by the Dubai Multi owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) could Commodities Centre (DMCC). look at another petroleum pipeline that runs First ''historic'' direct flight between into the northern and eastern parts of India. Israel and UAE lands in Abu Dhabi: Nepal is aiming to meet its rising fuel A chartered El Al airliner carrying Israeli and demands by extending cooperation. American diplomats landed in the United World Health Organization declares Arab Emirates, completing a symbolic first Africa free of polio: direct flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. World Health Organization has declared Indian Navy to hold mega exercise with Africa free of polio, a landmark in a decades- Russia near the Andaman and Nicobar long campaign to eradicate the notorious Islands: disease around the world. This was India and Russia will hold bilateral naval announced by WHO Regional Director of exercise INDRA 2020 in Andaman Sea, Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti. close to strategic Strait of Malacca, while

the Indian Navy is on high operational alert of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) due to the standoff with China in Ladakh. 3 with focus on new Technologies and Russian Naval ships will take part in this. Innovations in the field of Solar. India to host summit of SCO council of The World Solar Technology Summit heads of government: (WSTS) was organized by ISA and FICCI. India will host a summit of the council of India is to achieve its ambitious target of heads of government of the SCO on having 100 GW of solar energy by 2022. November 30 with a focus on contributing to U.S. spacecraft named after late Indian- the trade and economic agenda of the American astronaut Kalpana Chawla: influential grouping said by Ministry of Northrop Grumman’s commercial cargo External Affairs (MEA). spacecraft, NG-14 Cygnus bound for the China boasts world’s largest navy: International Space Station has been named US Department of defence has released its after fallen NASA astronaut Kalpana ‘2020 China Military Power Report’ Chawla, the first India-born woman to enter showing that the People’s Republic of space, for her key contributions to human China has the largest navy in the world, spaceflight. surpassing the US Navy. China was on course Apple’s first ‘floating’ store to be to expand its fleet to 360 vessels by the end launched in Singapore: of 2020. Technology giant Apple Inc. has announced India-Russia finalise AK-47 203 rifles that it is going to open it’s first ever manufacturing deal, will boost Make in “Floating” store, in Singapore. The floating India: Apple Store will be located at Singapore’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ongoing posh Marina Bay Sands resort. It will be the visit, India and Russia have finalised a major third retail store of Apple in Singapore. deal for manufacturing AK-47 203 rifles in India and Angola hold 1st joint India, Russia. commission meet, agree to diversify Donald Trump announces Wilmington as trade ties: first World War II Heritage City: India and Angola held the first Joint US President Donald Trump announced Commission Meeting during which the two Wilmington in southern US state North sides agreed to diversify their trade Carolina as the first World War II Heritage relationship and discussed cooperation in City at a ceremony held to mark the 75th health, pharmaceuticals, defense, anniversary of the end of World War II. agriculture, food processing, digitization First World Solar Technology Summit of and telecom. the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Liberia declares rape a national held Virtually: emergency after spike in cases: Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Liberian President George Weah has virtually inaugurated the first edition of the declared rape a national emergency and World Solar Technology Summit (WSTS) ordered new measures to tackle the problem

after a recent spike of cases in the West India and Nepal begin joint security African state. The nation would install a patrol along border in Kapilvastu, Nepal: special prosecutor for rape as well as set up a Security personnel of India and Nepal have national sex offender registry. started joint security patrol of the border India is second-fastest-growing between the two countries in Nepal's freelance market in the world: Kapilvastu district to check illegal Cross- India is the second-fastest-growing Border Activities and control the spread of freelance market in the world with a massive corona virus.The Krishnanagar increase in the number of freelancers this Municipality of the Kapilvastu district is a year, according to a report on ‘Freelancing major point of transit along the Nepal-India in 2020: An Abundance of Opportunities’ Border. by Payoneer. India and United Kingdom sign MoU on Mexico issues world’s first sovereign Water Partnership via video bond linked to UN sustainable goals: conferencing: Mexico has become the first country in the India and the United Kingdom held a virtual world to issue a Sovereign Bond linked to Water Partnership meeting to discuss ways the sustainable development goals set by the to work together on issues pertaining to water United Nations. It has raised EUR 750 conservation and building better water million ($890 million) by such bonds. infrastructure. India Extends $250 Million in Financial Support To Maldives To Overcome BANKING AND ECONOMY: Impact Of Covid-19: ICICI Bank becomes first bank in India India has provided financial assistance of to use satellite data to assess credit 250mn dollars as budgetary support to the worthiness of farmers: Maldives. The assistance is being routed Private lender ICICI Bank has become the through SBI, Male for which sovereign first ever bank in India to make use of satellite guarantee has been provided by Government data, imagery from Earth observation of India. Soft loan has a tenor of 10 years & satellites, to assess credit worthiness of minimal interest rate. farmers. First-ever Direct Cargo ferry service Axis Bank introduced ‘Liberty Savings “MCP Linz” unveiled between India and Account’ for the Indian Youth: Maldives: Axis Bank has introduced ‘Liberty Savings India and the Maldives have launched the Account’ for the Indian Youth, to address the first ever Direct Cargo Ferry Service to ever-changing lifestyle needs of young and boost trade between the two countries. The digitally interested Indians. It offers a cargo ferry service will connect the Indian complimentary hospital cash insurance cover ports of Tuticorin and Cochin ports with of up to Rs 20, 000 per year. Kulhudhuhfushi and Male ports in the HDFC Bank partners with Adobe to Maldives. enhance digital customer experiences:

HDFC Bank announced a strategic two equal tranches of Rs 10, 000 crore on partnership with Adobe to enhance the digital August 27, 2020 and September 03, 2020 on experience journey of its customers. Powered account of current and evolving liquidity and by Adobe Experience Cloud solutions, this market conditions. partnership will enable HDFC Bank to deliver SBI integrates YONO Krishi with personalised digital experiences to existing Government’s Online Seed Portal ICAR as well as new customers, at anytime and IIHR: anywhere. YONO (You Only Need One) Krishi HSBC India Launched Omni Collect, a platform has integrated with government’s One Stop Solution for multiple payment online seed portal Indian Council of options: Agriculture Research (ICAR) & Indian HSBC India has launched Omni Collect, a Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) one-stop solution in India. It supports to serve the agricultural needs of the farmers, businesses to offer multiple payment right from sowing till harvesting. options on a single platform. It is designed for Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance launches businesses to easily collect payments through ‘Smart Assist’, a real-time assistance various digital methods, thereby allowing service: them to easily adapt to the changes in Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, one of India’s consumer spending. leading Indian private life insurers launched a RBI Annual Report 2019-20: Economy to first-of-its-kind revolutionary technology Grow, Inflation to Ease: service in the insurance industry ‘Smart Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Assist’. The service will enable buyers to Annual Report for 2019-20. It is Report of connect with the Company, through a secure the Central Board of Directors on the working screen sharing feature, to avail real-time of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the assistance on completion of their buy journey, year ended June 30, 2020 submitted to the anywhere. Central Government in terms of Section Canara HSBC OBC Life Insurance & 53(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank Entered In the report, RBI projected that India’s into a Strategic Partnership to Offer Life growth at minus 4.5% for 2020-21. It will Insurance: be (-) 3.7% in the single hit scenario and (-) Tie up with the bank will provide an 7.3% in the double hit scenario in FY 20-21. opportunity & onus to create awareness in the RBI announces special OMO worth of Rs rural market about the need of having life 20, 000 crore in 2 tranches: insurance, health insurance and pension Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a plans. The distribution tie up is for selling simultaneous purchase and sale of Life insurance, health and pension Government Securities (G-Secs) under products. Open Market Operations (OMO) for an State Bank of India gets global aggregate amount of Rs 20, 000 crore in recognition for HR initiative 'Nayi Disha':

State Bank of India to receive Brandon access to credit across online and offline Human Capital Management (HCM) platforms. LazyUPI is 1st digital credit card Excellence Award (also known as the that is combined with UPI. Academy Awards of Learning & Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank ceased Development)2020 a global recognition for its to be a banking company: RBI HR initiative, “Nayi Disha”. SBI has won the Reserve Bank of India has issued a award in The HCM Spring Program under notification to all banks stating that “Aditya ‘Excellence in Learning and Birla Idea Payments Bank Limited” has Development’ in 3 categories. ceased to be a banking company within the India’s GDP contracts by 23.9% in Q1 of meaning of the Banking Regulation Act, FY21: NSO data 1949. “Westpac Banking Corporation” As per the official data released by the also ceases to be a banking company as National Statistics Office (NSO), India’s announced by RBI. GDP has contracted by 23.9% in the first RBL Bank launches cardless cash quarter (April-June 2020) for FY21. withdrawal facility through ATMs via ICICI Prudential Life Insurance MoBank app: introduces AI-powered voice chatbot RBL Bank has partnered with Empays “LiGo” on Google Assistant: Payment Systems to launch a cardless ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launched cash withdrawal facility from ATMs by an AI-powered voice chatbot, “LiGo” on leveraging the Instant Money Transfer Google Assistant as part of its customer (IMT) system. service initiative. This new option will enable RBI constituted KV Kamath committee the policyholders to have their queries names 26 sectors for restructuring: addressed by simple voice commands. RBI released the report a five-member ICICI Bank launches ‘Home Utsav’, a committee that the central bank formed virtual property exhibition: under the chairmanship of former ICICI ICICI Bank thas launched a virtual property Bank CEO KV Kamath for recommending exhibition under the name ‘Home Utsav’. parameters for loan restructuring. The exhibition will digitally showcase real Bank of India launches ‘Signature Visa estate projects by renowned developers, Debit Card’ for High Net Worth across India. The exhibition can be accessed Individuals: by both customers and non-customers of Bank of India (BoI) launched “Signature ICICI Bank. Visa Debit Card” for the affluent/high net LazyPay introduces LazyUPI digital worth individuals maintaining an average credit cards in India: quarterly balance of Rs 10 lakhs and above. Indian online instant credit app LazyPay has BOI virtually inaugurated new buildings of launched a digital credit card to offer easy Rural Self Employment Training access to credit across online and offline Institutes (RSETI) at Barabanki, platforms. LazyUPI will help to provide easy

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Giridih Goldman Sachs predicts India’s GDP for (Jharkhand). FY21 at -14.8%: Fitch Ratings Projects Indian economy to Goldman Sachs has predicted India’s GDP contract 10.5% in FY21: for FY21 at -14.8%. For Calendar Year 2020 US-based Fitch Ratings Global Economic it has projected a contraction of 11.1%. For Outlook (GEO) has sharply lowered the FY22, Goldman Sachs predicts India’s GDP to forecast for the gross domestic product (GDP) grow at 15.7% and for Calendar Year 2021 growth of India for the current fiscal 2020-21 at 9.9%. (FY21) and now expects the GDP to contract ICICI Bank launches iStartup 2.0, 10.5 percent. dedicated offering for start-ups: India GDP to contract 11.8 growth to ICICI Bank has launched iStartup 2.0, for rebound to 9.9 in FY22; India Ratings start-ups with improved features. Under this, Domestic rating agency India Ratings and ICICI customers to get a current account in Research revised downward the country's three variants that will offer additional FY21 GDP growth forecast to (-) 11.8 per services, salary accounts for employees, cent, lowest in Indian history, from an earlier dedicated relationship manager, etc., estimate of (-) 5.3 per cent. The rating CRISIL projects India’s GDP for FY21 at - agency also expects India’s GDP to rebound 9%; For FY22 at 10%: and grow at 9.9% year-on-year in FY22 CRISIL has projected India’s GDP rate for primarily due to the weak base of FY21. 2020-21 (FY21) at -9% For FY22, Crisil has FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches projected India’s GDP to grow at 10%. For Doorstep Banking Services For Public the next three years, between fiscals 2023 Sector Banks and EASE 2.0 Index results: and 2025, CRISIL projects the Indian GDP to Public sector banks will now provide average a growth of 6.2% annually. Doorstep Banking Service that will bring Capital India Finance gets forex business convenience of banking services to the licence from RBI: customers at their homes through the Capital India Finance Ltd (CIFL) received universal touch points of the call centre, web Authorised Dealer Category II licence from portal or mobile app. RBI for conducting forex business, the first SBI to launch loan product ‘SAFAL’ for listed NBFC in India to receive a licence. It is organic cotton growers: now authorised to build and do forex business SBI managing director C S Setty has under the brand name RapiMoney. announced that State Bank of India will RIL becomes first Indian company to launch a loan product, SAFAL, for organic cross $200 billion in market valuation: cotton growers who don’t have any credit The market valuation of Reliance Industries history. It stands for Safe and Fast (RIL) hit another milestone by becoming the Agriculture Loan (SAFAL). SBI will use first Indian firm to cross $ 200 billion. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Apple Inc is the world's most-valued company Learning (ML) for this purpose.

with a market value of $2 trillion followed by The partnership will provide the Bank's Saudi Aramco at $1.9 trillion. diverse customer base access to the Union Cabinet gives approval to increase insurer's portfolio and make insurance FDI limit from 49% to 74%: more accessible to its customers across India. The new policy raising the cap of foreign S&P Global Ratings Projects India’s GDP direct investment through automatic approval at -9% in FY21 & 6% in FY22: in the defence sector from 49 per cent to 74 S&P Global Ratings has projected the GDP per cent now has a ‘National Security’ of India to contract by 9% in the fiscal year clause as a condition. 2020-21 (FY21), as against its previous Moody’s forecasts India’s GDP at -11.5% estimate of a 5% contraction, due to the for FY21 and 10.6% for FY22: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the Ratings agency Moody’s has projected the FY-22 (2021-22), S&P expects GDP growth GDP growth rate for India to contract 11.5 of 6%. For the FY-23 (2022-23), GDP is percent in the fiscal 2020-21 (FY21) due to projected at 6.2%. the coronavirus pandemic. For 2021-22 SBI General Insurance signs corporate (FY22), Moody’s projected the economy of agency agreement with YES BANK to India to grow at 10.6 percent. make non-life insurance solutions PNB launches festival offer ‘Festival accessible to customers: Bonanza Offer’ waives processing SBI General Insurance Company and Yes charges on some loans: Bank signed a Corporate Agency State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) Agreement for the distribution of retail launched ‘Festival Bonanza Offer’ for its products of SBI General Insurance Company customers to give a push to subdued loan for its corporate and retail customers. The demand due to the COVID-19 crisis. products of SBI General Insurance Company CARE Ratings projects India’s GDP to will be offered to YES BANK’s customers contact between 8 and 8.2% in FY21: across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Domestic rating agency CARE Ratings said Indian economy to shrink by 9% in FY21; the country's economy is likely to see a Asian Development Bank: sharper contraction of 8-8.2 per cent in the According to ADB’s Asian Development current financial year 2020-21 (FY21) Outlook (ADO) 2020 Update, India's compared to a decline of 6.4 per cent it had economy is expected to contract by 9% this projected earlier. The forecast for GVA growth year worse than the 4% contraction it had in FY21 is -7.7%. forecast three months ago. However, it ICICI Lombard announces expects India to bounce back with 8% growth bancassurance tie-up with Yes Bank: FY22. India's leading private sector non-life OECD projects India’s GDP at -10.2% in insurance company ICICI Lombard General FY21 & 10.7% in FY22, Global GDP at - Insurance Company Limited has entered 4.5% in 2020: into a Bancassurance tie-up with Yes Bank.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation SBM Bank India Partners with and Development (OECD) expects the Mastercard to Debut ‘Premium’ Debit Indian economy to contract by 10.2% in Card: FY21 (2020-21) as compared to its previous Mumbai-based lender SBM Bank India and estimate of 16.7% in June. India’s gross Mastercard have introduced a Premium domestic product (GDP) to grow at 10.7 % Debit Card for high-net-worth customers. For FY22 (2021-22), The SBM World Debit Card will club niche India's GDP to contract by 8.6% in FY21; banking solutions and carefully curated UBS Securities: lifestyle privileges including some of the Swiss brokerage UBS Securities said it finest shopping and dining opportunities. forecasts a GDP contraction of 8.6 per cent ICICI Home Finance launched “Apna (Earlier it was -5.8%) in FY21 as against its Ghar Dreamz” Home Loan Scheme: earlier prediction of 5.8 per cent, citing factors ICICI Home Finance launched “Apna Ghar including the “modest” government response Dreamz”, its new home loan scheme for to the crisis for its estimate. UBS Securities skilled laborers like electricians, mechanics, projects India’s GDP to grow by 10% for painters, grocery store owners etc in the FY22. informal sector of Delhi. The credit amount of State Bank of India Extends OTP-Based this loan ranges from Rs 2 lakh to 50 lakhs. ATM Withdrawal Facility: KVGB launches special gold loan scheme To safeguard customers from frauds and to “Vikas Laghu Suvarna” for pandemic: minimize unauthorised transactions OTP- Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) based withdrawals of Rs 10, 000 and has launched a special gold loan scheme above will be available 24x7 at SBI’s ATMs “Vikas Laghu Suvarna” with a reduced with effect from September 18. SBI which interest rate of 7.25%. The rate has been introduced this for 12 hours on Jan 1 is reduced considering the pandemic and also to extended now. provide easy and affordable credit to SBI Partners with Titan to launch India’s customers at a cheaper cost. first contactless payment watch “Titan HDFC Bank ranked as India's most Pay”: valued brand for 5th year in a row; State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest BrandZ report: public sector lender, and Titan Company HDFC Bank was ranked as India’s top brand have partnered to launch contactless for the seventh consecutive year in a row payment services through watches, called in the 2020 BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable “Titan Pay”. With this SBI account holders Indian Brands rankings. It has a total brand can tap their Titan Pay watch on contactless value of more than $20.2 billion. LIC is payment POS machine without swiping or ranked second while Tata Consulting inserting SBI bank card. Services has been ranked at no.3.

SBI starts “Mahila Atmanirbharshil regulatory filing. JSC Tengri Bank has nine Aachani” (Women Self-Reliance branches in Kazakhstan. programme) in Assam: HDFC Life enters into partnership with State Bank of India has launched a YES Bank to sell insurance policies: programme named “Mahila HDFC Life and YES Bank Limited entered Atmanirbharshil Aachani” (meaning- into a Corporate Agency (CA) arrangement. Women Self-Reliance programme) in order to It will enable customers of YES Bank to avail accelerate Self Help Group (SHG) finance in HDFC Life's wide range of life insurance the Bank. products, which include solutions for SBI Life Insurance and YES Bank sign protection, savings and investment, bancassurance Agreement: retirement and critical illness. State Bank of India (SBI) Life Insurance India’s GDP is forecast to contract 5.9% signed a bancassurance agreement with YES in 2020 and recover to 3.9% in 2021; Bank to provide a range of insurance UNCTAD: solutions to the customers of YES Bank across BOB Financial Solutions Limited partners the nation. YES Bank aims to provide Signzy to unveil its ‘Video KYC’: financial security to its customers and BOB Financial Solutions Ltd (BFSL) has reduce the protection gap in india. selected RegTech firm Signzy, to digitize its SBI Card collaborates with Google to customer verification through ‘Video KYC’. It enable cardholders to make payments will enable BFSL a quick, zero-contact & “Tap-to-pay” through Google Pay: paperless KYC that omits the requisite for SBI Credit Cards to make card payments physical submission of documents. using the Google Pay app on their Android Bajaj Finserv Launched “Bajaj Finserv smartphones, SBI Card (legally- SBI Cards Health Ltd (BFHL)”, Health Tech and Payment Services Limited) has Solutions Business: collaborated with Google. It will enable users Pune based Bajaj Finserv has recently to safely transact with their cards and use announced the launch of its fully owned Tap-to-pay feature on Near-Field subsidiary Bajaj Finserv Health Limited Communication (NFC)-enabled Point Of (BFHL), a health-tech solutions business, Sale (POS) terminals and online merchants. aimed at improving the health outcomes of Kazakhstan Financial Regulator Cancels Indian consumers through smarter, Licence of PNB Subsidiary: connected and holistic care plans. State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) IDFC First Bank to launch contactless stated the financial regulator of Kazakhstan debit card payment facility “SafePay”: has revoked licence of its associate for failure IDFC First Bank will launch a contactless to meet prudential standards and other debit card-based payment facility, mandatory norms. PNB holds 41.64 per cent “SafePay”. It will allow transactions up to Rs in JSC Tengri Bank, the bank stated in a 20, 000 per day. Per transaction limit will be Rs 2000 under this payment facility of

SafePay. It will allow payments by simply extend credit to their cardholders at Face- waving one's smartphone against a Near To-Face point-of-sale (In India). Field Communication (NFC)-enabled PoS It provides shoppers the ability to choose how terminal. they pay during the purchase with the introduction of a suite of platform capabilities ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS: leveraging Innoviti’s uniPAY Next platform ISRO Signs MoU with VSSUT to Set up and Visa’s APIs. First of Its Kind Innovation cum Vedanta ties up with SBI for long-term Incubation Centre to Promote Space syndicated loan of Rs 10, 000 crore: Research: Vedanta tied up with State Bank of India Indian Space Research Organisation for long-term syndicated loan facility worth (ISRO) signed a Memorandum of Rs 10, 000 crore. A syndicated loan is Understanding (MoU) with Veer Surendra offered by a group of lenders who work Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), together to provide credit to a large borrower. Burla, Odisha, a technical institute, to set up SBI has committed Rs 5000 crores as a the first of its kind innovation cum incubation lender. centre, VSSUT Space Innovation Tata Power and Tata Motors collaborate Centre(VSSSIC) in India to promote space to set up India’s largest solar carport: research. The solar carport set up by signing Power Ericsson and UNICEF in partnership to Purchase Agreement (PPA) will have a map school Internet connectivity in 35 capacity of 6.2 MWp and is expected to help countries: the automaker cut down 1.6 lakh ton of Swedish telecom company Ericsson and the carbon emissions in its lifetime. It is expected United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to generate 96 lakh units per year. announced a global partnership Wednesday Atal Innovation Mission partners with to help map school Internet connectivity in 35 Freshworks to empower AIM start-ups: countries by the end of 2023. To provide robust support to innovators and Mapping the Internet connectivity entrepreneurs, Atal Innovation Mission of landscape for schools and their surrounding NITI Aayog has partnered with Freshworks communities is a critical first step toward to increase the efficacy of the institutions and providing every child with access to digital start-ups in the AIM portfolio and foster learning opportunities, said UNICEF in a press innovation among innovators. release. NSDC and Linkedin Partner to Accelerate Innoviti partners with Visa to develop Digital Skills Training for Youth: installments platform for face-to-face National Skill Development Corporation transactions: (NSDC) and LinkedIn announced a Innoviti had entered a partnership with partnership to provide access to free learning Visa, the leader in payments technology to resources for digital skills that are in develop a platform that will enable issuers to demand. According to LinkedIn data, Indian

professionals with digital skills were 20 per finance for a Volvo car of their choice. Loans cent more in demand than professionals can be availed for upto 7 years. There is also without digital skills in 2020. an option to finance insurance, extended HCL Technologies joins NVIDIA partner warranty, service package and accessories. network will pursue opportunities in AI space: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global IIT Madras and Stuttgart University technology company announced it has joined develop method to dispose pharma NVIDIA Partner Network (NPN), the US- waste: based technology company’s partner Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), program, with plans to pursue expanded Madras along with German researchers have opportunities in the Artificial Intelligence developed ‘Co-Composting’ methods that (AI) space. can be used to safely dispose of toxic Microsoft and Nasscom FutureSkills pharmaceutical wastewater and sludge. launch AI classroom series to prepare Their method converts the waste into India's AI workforce by 2021: compost of high quality and within just 20 Microsoft joined hands with Nasscom days. FutureSkills to launch a nation-wide Researchers from Andhra University find initiative that aims to skill 10 lakh students in rare fish ‘Mahseer’ in Sileru river: Artificial Intelligence by 2021. Partnership A team of researchers from the Department is an ext. of Microsoft's global skilling initiative of Zoology, Andhra University has spotted to help 25 mn people to acquire new digital a species of rare fish called Mahseer skills. (scientific name Tor) on 24 August 2020, from WhatsApp partners with Common the upper part of Sileru river, in Andhra Services Center to deliver Digital Literacy Pradesh. Services via Chatbot: CISF launches 'Pension Corner' app for WhatsApp announced that it has partnered its retired personnel: with Common Services Centers (CSC). With the help of this new digital initiative, With this partnership, the Facebook-owned pensioners will get connected to the Central platform launched a chatbot that will enable Industrial Security Force (CISF) units citizens to receive digital literacy services and spread across the country, and receive resources. It also aims to “bridge the digital invitations, over SMS, on important occasions divide and spur rural entrepreneurship”. in the nearest unit. Volvo Car India Partnered with HDFC IIT Guwahati collaborates with Bank to Launch Volvo Car Financial university in Czech Republic for data Services: protection project: Volvo Car India has introduced Volvo Car A team of researchers from Indian Institute Financial Services in collaboration with of Technology Guwahati, in collaboration HDFC Bank to enable buyers to receive easy with scientists from the University of

Pardubice, Czech Republic, is working Repeats) COVID-19 test, the Council of towards developing indigenous algorithms Scientific and Industrial Research that can protect the Nation’s digital data from (CSIR). cyber-attacks by advanced computers. IIIT-Bhubaneswar Students Make DRDO successfully flight tests Ventilation Device “Swasner” To Ease Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Mild Breathing Issues Among COVID-19 Vehicle (HSTDV): Patients: A product of the Defence Research and IIIT Bhubaneswar students developed a Development Organisation (DRDO), the new low-cost device to aid COVID-19 vehicle supposedly utilizes air-breathing patients. They have designed a hyperbaric scramjet technology to propel it to chamber, first of its kind ventilation device to hypersonic speeds. The cruise vehicle ease breathing. Device ‘Swasner’ to let attained 6 times the speed of sound. India patients breathe more conveniently. has now joined a group of nations including ‘Kritagya’ Hackathon Launched by the US, Russia & China that have National Agricultural Higher Education demonstrated hypersonic technology. Project of ICAR: IIT Guwahati in Collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research Workspace Metal Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (ICAR) under the National Agricultural Develops a First-of-its-kind Self-Check Higher Education Project (NAHEP) has Kiosk: launched a hackathon named “KRITAGYA”. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati The aim is to promote potential technology in collaboration with Workspace Metal solutions to enhance farm mechanization with Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Udaipur, has developed special emphasis on women-friendly a first-of-its-kind self-check kiosk. The small equipment. structure helps by streamlining the flow of IIT Madras develops AI model to process people through the kiosk. text in 11 Indian languages: Byju’s launches ‘Education for All’ to The Indian Institute of Technology empower 5 mn children by 2025: Madras (IIT-M) faculty and AI4Bharat have Bengaluru based edtech company Byju’s developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) has launched a social initiative ‘Education models and datasets to process texts in 11 for All’. Objective: To empower 5 million Indian languages. children from underserved communities by Indigenously Developed Prithvi-II 2025. Missile Successfully Test Fired from Drug Controller Approves Commercial Chandipur, Odisha: Launch of Low Cost Covid Test "Feluda": India conducted a successful night testfire of Drugs Controller General of India has its indigenously developed nuclear capable approved the commercial launch of surface-to-surface Prithvi-II missile as part "Feluda", the Tata CRISPR (Clustered of a user trial by the Army from a base in Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Odisha.

The state-of-the-art missile was testfired Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has announced his from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at resignation for health reasons. The 65-year- Chandipur near here in darkness and the old has suffered for many years from trial was successful in meeting all the ulcerative colitis. Last year, he became parameters Japan's longest serving prime minister. His current period in office began in 2012. His APPOINTMENTS and RESIGNATIONS: aggressive economic policy is known as DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy gets two- "Abenomics". year extension till August 2022: Mustapha Adib set to be become Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has Lebanon's new Prime Minister: approved the extension of the tenure of Lebanon's Ambassador to Germany, renowned scientist G Satheesh Reddy as the Mustapha Adib is set to become the Chairman of Defence Research and country's next Prime Minister. Adib was Development Organisation (DRDO), and named by four former Lebanon Prime as the Secretary of the Department of Ministers as their choice for the post. His Defence Research & Development for a period designation will come on the eve of French of two years. He was appointed as the chief in President Emmanuel Macron's second trip August 2018 for two years. to Lebanon in under a month. Vinay Tonse appointed as MD and CEO of Tamil Nadu Appoints India’s First-ever SBI Mutual Fund: Woman Ambulance Driver: Vinay Tonse has been appointed as the M Veeralakshmi was appointed driver of one managing director and chief executive officer of the newly launched ‘108’ ambulances in of SBI Mutual Fund (MF). He has replaced Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has appointed Ashwani Bhatia, who has been now India’s first-ever woman ambulance driver appointed as the managing director (MD) of under a new initiative by CM Palani swami. State Bank of India. Aveek Sarkar elected new Chairman of Banks Board Bureau recommends Dinesh Press Trust of India: Khara as next SBI chairman: Aveek Sarkar has been elected as the Banks Board Bureau recommended Dinesh Chairman of the Press Trust of India. He Kumar Khara for the post of chairman of the replaces Vijay Kumar Chopra, Chief Editor State Bank of India (SBI). The board of the Punjab Kesari Group of newspapers. further said that Challa Sreenivasulu Setty Aveek Sarkar is the Vice Chairman of the will be in the reserve list for vacancy. Dinesh Ananda Bazar Group of Publications. He was Kumar Khara and Challa Sreenivasulu Setty also the founding Managing Director of are both managing directors of SBI. Penguin India. Japan's longest-serving PM and a Central Board of Direct Taxes Chairman champion of economic reforms Shinzo Pramod Chandra Mody Gets 6-Month Abe resigns for health reasons: Extension:

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved extension in the re- (ACC) has approved the appointment of S appointment of Pramod Chandra Mody as Krishnan as the Managing Director and Chief Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes Executive Officer of Punjab & Sind Bank. He (CBDT) for a period of six months. The will replace S Harishankar. CBDT is headed by a chairman and can have Dwayne Bravo becomes first cricket a maximum of six members. It frames policy ambassador for “SBOTOP” sportsbook for the Income-Tax Department. brand: Usha Padhee becomes 1st woman DG of West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo has Bureau of Civil Aviation Security: been chosen as an ambassador for Joint secretary in the Ministry of Civil “SBOTOP” sportsbook brand. due to this, he Aviation, Usha Padhee has been given becomes the first cricketer. Isle of Man additional charge as Director-General of the betting group Celton Manx has made an Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). announcement for his appointment for its She succeeds Rakesh Asthana (IPS) who flagship sportsbook. was appointed as the Director-General of Bajaj Allianz Life ropes in Ayushmann Border Security Force (BSF). Khurrana as brand ambassador: Bureaucrat Kshatrapati Shivaji Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company appointed as Secretary in Ministry of Limited has appointed bollywood actor Statistics and Programme Ayushmann Khurrana as its brand Implementation: ambassador. As the brand ambassador of the Government of India appointed life insurer, actor will be promoting the Kshatrapati Shivaji, a 1986-batch products as well as the digital services of the Maharashtra cadre IAS officer as the Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited. secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Maruti Suzuki India MD & CEO Kenichi Programme Implementation. Secretary at Ayukawa appointed as SIAM President: this ministry is by design, known as the chief Society of Indian Automobile statistician of India. Manufacturers (SIAM) elected Maruti Murali Ramakrishnan appointed as MD Suzuki India Managing Director and Chief and CEO of South Indian Bank: Executive Officer Kenichi Ayukawa as its Murali Ramakrishnan will take over as the new President. new Managing Director & CEO of Kerala- SEBI’s Manoj Kumar joins GIFT City’s based South India Bank. He retired from regulatory body: ICICI Bank as Senior General Manager at Manoj Kumar, Chief General Manager at Strategic Project Group. He will succeed SEBI, has moved to Gujarat International incumbent VG Mathew. Finance Tech (GIFT) City. He has joined as S Krishnan becomes new MD & CEO of an Executive Director (ED) with the Punjab & Sind Bank: International Finance Services Centres

Authority (IFSCA), which regulates GIFT City UNICEF India announced popular Indian film institutions and exchange trading. actor and thought-leader, Ayushmann Raj Srivastava appointed as India’s Khurrana, as its celebrity advocate for Ambassador to Republic of Croatia: promoting rights #ForEveryChild. Raj Kumar Srivastava has been appointed Ayushmann Khurrana will support UNICEF as the next Ambassador of India to the towards its work around ending violence Republic of Croatia. He is an IFS officer of against children. 1997 batch and is presently serving as the Haryana IAS officer Rajesh Khullar Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of appointed executive director of World India, Tokyo. Bank: R Masakui Appointed as Next High Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Manohar Commissioner of India to Jamaica: Lal Khattar and Senior Haryana IAS officer Diplomat R Masakui has been appointed as Rajesh Khullar has been appointed the next High Commissioner of India to executive director of the World Bank in Jamaica. Masakui is presently Ambassador of Washington DC for three years. As executive India to the Republic of Zimbabwe. He has director, Khullar will represent India, also served as Director in the Ministry of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka in the External Affairs. World Bank. Anil Jain becomes new President of All Sameer Kumar Khare appointed India Tennis Association: Executive Director at Asian Development All India Tennis Association (AITA) has Bank: elected Anil Jain as its new president, while Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Anil Dhupar was chosen as its secretary- (ACC) has approved the appointment of general. India’s Davis Cup captain Rohit Sameer Kumar Khare as new Executive Rajpal was elected as the treasurer for a four- Director of Asian Development Bank year term till 2024. (ADB), Manila. World's 2nd largest miner's CEO Jean Harivansh Narayan Singh re-elected as Sébastien Jacques quits after Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha: destruction of 46, 000-yr-old caves: NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh Jean Sébastien Jacques, CEO of world's has been re-elected as the Deputy 2nd largest mining firm Rio Tinto, has Chairman of Rajya Sabha. This would be resigned after criticism over the decision to Harivansh’s second innings as the Deputy legally blow up two 46, 000-year-old Chairman of the Upper House. Aboriginal rock shelters in Australia. It Paytm First Games announces Sachin enabled Rio to access $135 mn of high-grade Tendulkar as brand ambassador: iron ore. India's homegrown digital financial service UNICEF India and Indian youth icon platform Paytm announced that its Ayushmann Khurrana join hands to subsidiary Paytm First Games (PFG) has advocate for Child Rights: roped in global sporting legend Sachin

Tendulkar as the brand ambassador. The vertical named “Emerging Entrepreneurs firm in partnership with Tendulkar will Business (EEB)” to focus on small increase its reach in smaller cities and businesses. towns. ICICI Bank to seek approval to appoint Virat Kohli roped in as Brand Sandeep Batra as whole-time director: Ambassador by EdTech major Great ICICI Bank will resume seeking approval Learning: from RBI for the appointment of Sandeep One of India’s leading Edtech companies for Batra as a whole-time director (designated as professional and higher education, Great Executive Director) of the Bank. Learning announced the appointment of Simanchala Dash Appointed As Advisor Virat Kohli, as its brand ambassador. The To IMF Executive Director: captain of the Indian cricket team and the Appointments Committee of Cabinet has world’s No.1 batsman. approved the proposal to appoint Asian Development Bank appoints Takeo Simanchala Dash as an advisor to Executive Konishi as Country Director for India: Director, International Monetary Fund Asian Development Bank (ADB) has (IMF), in Washington. He has been appointed Takeo Konishi as its new Country appointed for a period of three years. Director for India. Konishi will replace Former PM HD Deve Gowda Takes Oath Kenichi Yokoyama who has taken over as as Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka: Director-General of ADB’s South Asia Former Prime Minister of India, Shri H D Department. India is the fourth-largest Deve Gowda took oath as a member of the shareholder of ADB and has been its largest Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. The 87-year- borrower since 2010. old President of the Janata Dal (Secular) party Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina appointed was elected to the Rajya Sabha in June 2020. as brand ambassador of online poker Retired IAS Officer Raghvendra Singh platform 9stacks: Appointed India’s Culture Secretary: Online poker platform 9stacks has signed Raghvendra Singh was appointed as the Suresh Raina as its brand ambassador. A Culture Secretary in place of Anand left-handed batsman and a spin bowler, Raina Kumar, who has shifted as the secretary of will anchor the brand and help in creating a the National Commission for Backward higher brand recall amongst the key target Classes. Singh, at present, is the CEO, audience. Development of Museums & Cultural Spaces. Bandhan Bank appoints Kumar Ashish to Rajesh Verma gets One-year extension head Emerging Entrepreneurs Business as head of Company Law Committee: vertical: Ministry of Corporate Affairs has extended Kumar Ashish has been appointed as the the tenure of the Company Law Committee by head of Emerging Entrepreneurs Business one year until September 2021. Corporate (EEB). He is a former executive of ICICI affairs secretary Rajesh Verma is the Bank. Bandhan Bank has launched a new present chairperson of the committee.

Mohamed Hussein Roble appointed as Fastest Human Calculator’ after winning Somalia Prime Minister: first-ever gold for India in Mental Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Calculation World Championship at Mind Farmaji has appointment the replacement of Sports Olympiad (MSO). The championship former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire was held in London. who was impeached by parliament. The He has created a new All Time Record and has president appointed Mohamed Hussein beaten the records of Math Maestros like Roble, a humanitarian, as the country’s new Shakuntala Devi and Scott Flansburg. prime minister. India’s Aryan Shukla finished fourth with a Former Rebel Leader Ishmael Toroama score of 96. elected as president of Bougainville: Noor Inayat Khan Becomes First Indian- President John Momis elected Former rebel Origin Woman to Be Honoured with Blue military commander Ishmael Toroama as Plaque: president of Bougainville, an autonomous Noor Inayat Khan was an undercover radio region of Papua New Guinea. operator in Nazi-captured France in 1943 Belarus president Aleksandr Lukashenko working for Britain’s Special Operations sworn in for a sixth term: Executive (SOE). The memorial plaque will President Alexander Lukashenko of be installed at her family home in central Belarus was sworn his sixth term in office at London, 4 Taviton Street at Bloomsbury an inaugural ceremony that was not where she lived. announced in advance amid weeks of huge Panjab University wins prestigious protests of the authoritarian leader’s Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for 2nd reelection. consecutive year: Bollywood actor Sonu Sood appointed as The Panjab University has been conferred Brand Ambassador of Acer India: with the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Acer India appointed actor Sonu Sood as its (MAKA) Trophy for the year 2019. This is the brand ambassador. As the brand ambassador second consecutive year in a row that Panjab of Acer India, Sonu Sood will support the University has won this coveted trophy, which range of innovative products of Acer over the is given to overall top performing University social media and campaign on the in Inter-University Tournaments. commitment of Acers in improving the lives Para swimmer Satyendra Singh 1st of the people through technology. Divyang sportsperson of country to get prestigious Adventure Award: AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: Satyendra Singh Lohia of Madhya Delhi University student Neelakanta Pradesh is the 1st Divyanga Indian Bhanu Prakash wins ‘World’s Fastest sportsperson of the country, to be awarded Human Calculator’ title at age 21: with Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award. He is st Neelakanta Bhanu Prakash, a 21-year-old also the 1 Asian Divyang swimmer to cross boy of Hyderabad has won the title ‘World’s

the 42-km Catalina Channel in US in just 11 Isha Ambani Piramal and Akash Ambani hours 34 mins. in Fortune global 40-under-40 Amul (16th) becomes first Indian dairy technology list: company to be in Rabobank’s Global Top Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh 20 list; Top- Nestle: Ambani is the most successful businessman Amul, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing in the country. With a net worth of $80.5 Federation (GCMMF) has been ranked 16th in billion, Ambani is currently the 8th richest the Rabobank’s Global Top 20 Dairy person in the world and the only Indian in the Companies list. Amul has achieved an annual top 10. turnover of $5.5 billion. Switzerland’s USA President Donald Trump named for Nestle topped the list with a turnover of US 2021 Nobel Peace Prize: $22.1 billion. USA President Donald Trump has been Hyderabad International Airport wins named for Nobel Peace Prize 2021. he CII-GBC 'National Energy Leader' award: played an important role as broker peace The GMR led Hyderabad International between nations Israel and the United Arab Airport was awarded at the 21st National Emirates (UAE). Awards for Excellence in Energy DBS Rated as World's Best Bank; management organized by CII and GBC Reported by New York-based financial during the 19th edition of Energy Efficiency publication: Summit, Virtual Conference and Exposition on Southeast Asia’s biggest lender DBS has Energy Efficiency. been recognized as the world’s best bank by Air Force Sports Control Board Conferred New York-based financial publication Global with ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar Finance. DBS latest global best bank accolade 2020’: comes from the New York-based financial Air Force Sports Control Board, apex body publication Global Finance, which named DBS for planning and conduct of sports activities, Best Bank in the World’ for the second time was conferred with ‘Rashtriya Khel in three years in its World’s Best Global Protsahan Puruskar 2020’ for outstanding Banks 2020 Awards. contribution in helping sportsperson to excel Indian filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane's & implement robust sports welfare measures. film “The Disciple” wins Best Screenplay Deep Grace and Jayanti Behera get Biju award; Venice Film Festival 2020: Patnaik awards on National Sports Day: Mumbai-based filmmaker Chaitanya Indian women’s hockey team defender Deep Tamhane's Marathi language feature film Grace Ekka and para-athlete Jayanti “The Disciple” has bagged the prestigious Behera received the Biju Patnaik sports award for Best Screenplay at the 77th annual award for outstanding performance from Venice International Film Festival 2020. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through Lionel Messi Remains Ahead of Cristiano video conference on the occasion of the Ronaldo as World's Richest Footballer: National Sports Day.

According to a list compiled by Forbes, Time Magazine has released the TIME 100 Messi's total earnings this year are 126 Most Influential People List 2020. Prime million dollars. Cristiano Ronaldo comes in Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi is the second although earnings of 117 million only politician on the list. He has been named dollars will soften the blow for the Juventus in this for the fourth time since coming in forward. Neymar comes in third on the power in 2014. Forbes list (96 million dollars) with his Paris Lieutenant Shivangi Singh set to become St Germain team mate, 21-year-old Kylian India’s first woman fighter pilot to fly Mbappe, up in fourth spot (42 million Rafale: dollars). Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh is set to Fiumicino International Airport in Rome become the first woman fighter pilot of India becomes World’s First Airport to earn to fly the Rafale combat aircraft. Shivangi “COVID-19 5-star airport rating” from Singh, who hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Skytrax: Varanasi, was commissioned into the Indian Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) in Air Force (IAF) in the year 2017 as part of the Rome, Italy has become the first airport in second batch of women fighter pilots. the world to be certified with “COVID-19 5- star airport rating” from Skytrax, a U.K.- BOOKS AND AUTHORS: based airport and airline review firm. Karan Johar writes his first children's Indian Teenager Udit Singhal, named in book “The Big Thoughts of Little Luv”: UN’s 2020 list of Young Leaders for Bollywood Filmmaker Karan Johar authored Sustainable Goals: a children’s picture book titled “The Big An 18-year-old Indian boy Udit Singhal has Thoughts of Little Luv” inspired by his been included by the United Nations (UN) in Twins Yash and Roohi. The book will be the 2020 Class of 17 Young Leaders for the published by Juggernaut Books. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Author Radha Nair on her book 'Breaking Udit is the founder of Glass2Sand, a zero- The Cocoon @ 40': waste ecosystem that addresses the growing Radha Nair’s 'Breaking The Cocoon @ 40' menace of glass waste in Delhi. is a delightful collection of select events from PM Narendra Modi awarded Ig Nobel her life, which also holds a mirror to the time Prize 2020 for medical education: the incidents are set in. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi won A Promised Land”: First Volume of the Medical Education Prize of Ig Nobel Former US President Barack Obama’s Prize 2020 at the 30th First Nobel Prize Memoir: Ceremony over virtual platform. The first volume of former President Barack Prime Minister Modi named in Time Obama's memoir is coming out November Magazines 100 Most Influential People 17, two weeks after Election Day. It's called 2020 List: "A Promised Land" and will cover his swift and historic rise to the White House and his

first term in office. It will have published by in the list of 157 countries. The country of Penguin Random House. Singapore topped the score with 0.88 followed by Hong Kong at 0.81 and Japan at RANKINGS: 0.80. th India ranks 48th in Global Innovation Hyderabad Placed 85 Position in IMD’s Index; Switzerland Tops: Global Smart City Index 2020; Singapore India has joined the group of top 50 countries Tops: in the Global Innovation Index for the first Institute for Management Development time, moving up four places to the 48th rank in collaboration with Singapore University for and keeping the top position among the Technology and Design, has released the nations in central and southern Asia. 2020 Smart City Index. The index has been Switzerland, Sweden, the US, the UK and topped by Singapore followed by Helsinki the Netherlands lead the innovation and Zurich as top three smart cities. ranking, and the top 10 positions are Hyderabad was placed at the 85th position dominated by high-income countries, WIPO. (down from 67 in 2019), New Delhi at 86th IISc Bangalore among top 350; THE rank (down from 68 in 2019), Mumbai was World University Ranking 2021: at 93rd place (in 2019 it was at 78) and India records it’s highest ever number of Bengaluru at 95th (79 in 2019). universities to qualify for the Times Higher Education (THE) World University OBITUARY NEWS: Ranking (WUR) 2021. A total of 63 Former Republic of Congo president universities from India qualified for the Pascal Lissouba dies at 88: ranking, however, none could make it to the Former President of the Republic of Congo, top 300. Pascal Lissouba passed away. He became India ranked 105th in Global Economic the minister of agriculture in 1960 after Congo Freedom Index 2020; Topped by Hong became an independent country. He served Kong: as the president from 1992 to 1997. He India has been ranked 105th in the Global served as the Prime minister under the Economic Freedom Index 2020 released by Presidency of Alphonse Massamba Debat. the Fraser Institute, Canada. HongKong 'Black Panther' star Chadwick Boseman has topped the ranking followed by passes away at 43: Singapore at the second spot. Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons India ranked 116 in the World Bank's Jackie Robinson and James Brown before Human Capital Index: Singapore Tops; finding fame as Black Panther in the Marvel World Bank released the report titled “The cinematic universe, died of cancer. Human Capital Index 2020 Update: ‘Scooby Doo’ Co-Creator Joe Ruby Passes Human Capital in the Time of COVID-19”. Away at 87: India has been ranked 116 in the list of 174 Joe Ruby who helped invigorate children’s countries. Last year, India was ranked 115 television as the co-creator of Scooby-Doo,

the long-running animated franchise about a known as the “Snow Leopard” for his group of teenage private eyes and their climbing skills. chicken-hearted, snack-guzzling Great Dane, Former Canadian Prime Minister John died. He was 87. Turner Passed Away at 91: Former President Pranab Mukherjee Canada’s 17th Prime Minister John Turner passes away at 84: has died at the age of 91. He served as the Former President of India Pranab Prime Minister for just 79 days in 1984, the Mukherjee passed away. The Coalition 2nd shortest term in the office recorded in Years, Turbulent Years, The Dramatic Decade the history of Canada. are some of the books written by him. He was Former Rajasthan minister Zakia Inam awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Passed away at 71: Bharat Ratna by President of India, Ram Former Minister of Rajasthan Zakia Inam Nath Kovind. He was the 13th President of from the Congress Party and three times India. He was from Congress. MLA from Tonk constituency has passed Former England cricket allrounder David away due to coronavirus infection. She was Capel dies at 57: the only woman candidate who became MLA David Capel, the former cricket all- three-time in Rajasthan. rounder who played 15 Tests and 23 one-day Minister of State for Railways Suresh internationals for England from 1987-1990, Angadi passes away at 65: has died after a long illness. He has Union Minister of State for Railways represented England between 1987 and Suresh Angadi has passed away after he 1990. In the first-class career, he played 270 contracted coronavirus disease. He was a matches for Northants between 1981 and four-time Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka’s 1998. Belagavi constituency. He was elected in Former Mumbai cricketer Sachin 2004, 2014 and 2019. He is the first member Deshmukh passes away at 52: of the Union Cabinet to die due to Former Mumbai cricketer Sachin coronavirus. Deshmukh, who played Cooch Behar Renowned Nuclear Scientist Dr. Sekhar Trophy and Ranji trophy, has passed away, Basu passes away at 68: after he developed coronavirus complications. Veteran atomic scientist and former chairman The 52-year-old player was referred to as of Atomic Energy Commission Dr. Sekhar ‘Mini Gavaskar’ in local cricket. Basu succumbed to COVID-19. Dr. Basu was Nepal Mountaineer Ang Rita Sherpa, first the brain behind the designing, construction, Person to climb Mount Everest 10 times, and operation of nuclear recycle plants at passes away at 72: Tarapur and Kalpakkam. Nepal-based Ang Rita Sherpa, the first man to climb Mount Everest 10 times, has passed away suffering brain and liver ailments for a long time. He was 72. He was therefore also

SPORTS NEWS: Arsenal beat Premier League champions James Anderson Becomes First Fast Liverpool by 5–4 on penalties to claim the Bowler to Take 600 Test Wickets: 2020 FA Community Shield after a 1–1 England's James Anderson became the first draw. The annual football match was played fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets. He is between the winners of the previous season’s fourth on the all-time list of Test wicket- Premier League, Liverpool, and the previous takers, behind spinners Muttiah season’s FA Cup, Arsenal at the Wembley Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Stadium in London. Kumble. Glenn McGrath took 563 Test Sumit Nagal is first Indian in seven years wickets. to win main draw match at a Grand Slam: Dwayne Bravo becomes first bowler to Sumit Nagal became the first Indian to win scalp 500 wickets in T20 cricket: a round at a Grand Slam in 7 years when he West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo downed Bradley Klahn in his US Open first became the first bowler to reach the mark of round, setting up a contest against Dominic 500 wickets in T20 cricket. The pacer Thiem. Somdev Devavarman was the last achieved the feat in the ongoing Caribbean Indian to win a main draw match at a major. Premier League (CPL) match between Cycling Federation of India is set to Host Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Zouks. the First Ever Cycling Summit in 2021: India and Russia declared joint winners Cycling Federation of India (CFI) is all set of the Chess Olympiad: to host the first-ever Cycling Summit in India team at the FIDE Online Olympiad 2021, with an aim to promote the culture of created history by winning its first ever gold. cycling in the country. This one-day summit is However, in another first, this was shared designed to promote the culture of cycling with Russia, following an internet failure that and exchange knowledge with budding and affected two games. professional cyclists. Lewis Hamilton wins Belgian Grand Prix Indian Grandmaster P Iniyan clinches to secure 89th victory of career: victory at prestigious World Open online Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton chess tournament: dominated the Belgian Grand Prix to take Indian Grandmaster Paneerselvam Iniyan th his fifth victory in seven races this year and won the 48 edition of the prestigious Annual the 89th of his career. World Open online chess tournament Hamilton headed team-mate Valtteri Bottas held recently. The Tamil Nadu player scored to a Mercedes one-two, from Red Bull's Max 7.5 points from nine games with six victories Verstappen. He is two victories away from and three draws to finish on top. Michael Schumacher's all-time record and Pierre Gasly wins Italian Grand Prix, sets to equal his seven titles. Lewis Hamilton finished seventh after a Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties to time penalty: win 2020 FA Community Shield: France’s Pierre Gasly won an astonishing Italian Grand Prix thriller for Italy-based

AlphaTauri. McLaren's Spaniard Carlos Sainz Cristiano Ronaldo became the first finished a close second. The victory was a first European to score 100 international in F1 for Gasly, the first for a French driver goals. He became the second male since Olivier Panis in 1996. footballer after Ali Daei, to score 100 Mercedes Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Tuscan international goals after scoring against Grand Prix 2020: Sweden in Tuesday's UEFA Nations League Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) match. Ali Daei scored 109 times for Iran. has won the Formula One Tuscan Grand Prix International Tennis Federation 2020. This was his 6th win of the season and Renames Fed Cup as Billie Jean King Cup: 90th F1 win of his career. Valtteri Bottas International Tennis Federation (ITF) has (Mercedes-Finland) came second followed by renamed the Fed Cup, an annual team Alexander Albon (Red Bull – Thailand) at competition in women tennis, as the “Billie third place. Jean King Cup”. Billie Jean King was a Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first pioneer in women’s tennis who helped the European men's footballer to score 100 United States win the inaugural event. international goals:

IMPORTANT DAYS: DATE DAY THEME September 1 World Letter Writing Day - September (1-7) National Nutrition Week - September 2 World Coconut Day “Invest in Coconut to save the world” September 5 National Teachers’ Day International Day of Charity September 7 International Day of Clean Air for blue “Clean Air for All” skies September 8 International Literacy Day “Literacy teaching & learning in Covid-19 crisis and beyond” September 8 World Physical Therapy Day “Rehabilitation After Severe Respiratory Illness” September 9 International Day to Protect Education "Protect Education, Save a Generation" from Attack September 10 World Suicide Prevention Day “Working Together to Prevent Suicide” September 12 United Nations Day for South-South “Pathways toward the SDGs through South- Cooperation South solidarity beyond COVID-19” September 12 World First Aid Day “First Aid Saves Lives” September 14 Hindi Diwas Day - September 15 International Day of Democracy - September 15 National Engineer's Day - September 15 World Lymphoma Awareness Day -

September 16 International Day for the preservation “Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer for Ozone layer (World Ozone Day)- protection” September 17 World Patient Safety Day “Safe health workers, Safe patients” September 18 International Equal Pay Day - September 18 World Bamboo Day “BAMBOO NOW” September 18 World Water Monitoring Day “Solve Water” September 19 International Coastal Clean Up Day “Achieving a trash-free Coastline” 2020 September 21 World Alzheimer's Day “Let’s talk about dementia” September 21 International Day of Peace “Shaping Peace Together” September (21- International Week of the Deaf or Deaf - 27) Awareness Week September 22 World Rose Day “Changing the Way We Look at Cancer” September 22 World Rhino Day “Five Rhino Species Forever” September 23 International Day of Sign Languages “Sign Languages Are for Everyone” September 24 World Maritime Day "Sustainable shipping for a sustainable (Fourth Saturday of September) planet" September 25 World Pharmacist Day “Transforming global health” September 26 World Contraception Day - September 27 World Tourism Day “Tourism and Rural Development” September 27 World Rivers Day (Fourth Sunday of - September) September 28 World Rabies Day “End Rabies: Collaborate, Vaccinate” September 29 World Heart Day - September 30 International Translation Day -

OCTOBER 2020 NATIONAL NEWS: India's one of the first medical devices Assam government to provide loan to park to come up in Kerala: entrepreneurs for venturing in tourism Central government approved the setting up sector under ‘Paryatan Sanjeevani four medical device parks in Andhra Scheme’: Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Assam government announced ‘Paryatan Kerala on the lines of “Make in India” Sanjeevani Scheme’, under which loan, initiative and to provide world-class products amounting from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 20 lakhs at affordable prices for treatment. would be given to interested local youths to ADB approves USD 570 million loans for take up new initiatives so that the tourism urban projects in Rajasthan and Madhya sector gets a fresh lease of life. The advances Pradesh: will be provided for a period of 5 years. RACE Coaching Institute for Banking and Government Jobs Courses Offered : BANK | SSC | RRB | TNPSC |KPSC | 169 Official Website: www.raceinstitute.in| Official Blog: www.bankersdaily.in Chennai RACE Coaching Institute Pvt Ltd

The Manila-headquartered Asian Andhra Government Launches YSR Jala Development Bank (ADB) has approved two Kala Scheme To Facilitate Irrigation to loans totalling USD 570 million (about Rs Farmers: 4,200 crore) for urban sector projects in Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Mohan Reddy launched the 'YSR Jala Kala' ‘Cable Stayed Bridge’ constructed across scheme under which bore wells will be drilled Durgam Cheruvu Lake inaugurated in to benefit small and medium farmers who Hyderabad: have no open source of water for irrigation. Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy The scheme is estimated to bring in five lakh inaugurated the new ‘Cable Stayed Bridge’ acres under cultivation through groundwater constructed across Durgam Cheruvu Lake irrigation. along with four-lane elevated corridor Gujarat government signs MoU with associated with Council of Scientific and Denmark in water sector: Industrial Research (CSIR) connecting it Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board with Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad. has signed the MoU with ‘Danish Water West Bengal Government And UK India Forum’ through an online interactive Business Council Sign MoU To platform. This will help in technology Strengthen The State's Industrial exchange, training, capacity building, Development: knowledge exchange, cooperation in UK India Business Council has signed a water supply, wastewater treatment- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with reuse and water management between the West Bengal Industrial Development two organizations. Corporation (WBIDC), the premier nodal Telangana government to Launch agency of West Bengal's Industry, Commerce 'Dharani' Portal for Online Land and Enterprises Department focused on Registration on Dussehra: accelerating industrial development in west Telangana Chief Minister K. Bengal. Chandrasekhar Rao announced that the Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate 6 'Dharani' portal for online registration of mega projects in Uttarakhand under land properties in the state will be launched “Namami Gange Mission”: on Dussehra. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 6 mega Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal presents projects in Uttarakhand under Namami Anundoram Borooah Award 2020 to Gange Mission through video conference meritorious students: Projects include construction of 68MLD Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), upgradation presented “Anundoram Borooah Award of the existing 27 MLD at Jagjeetpur & 2020” to students who secured 75 per cent construction of 18 MLD STP at Sarai. or above in HSLC examination 2020 at a programme held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.

Uttar Pradesh government bags 8 Union Agriculture Minister Narendra awards for implementation of “Garib Singh Tomar Inaugurates Kerala's First Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan”: Mega Food Park: Uttar Pradesh government has bagged Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar Eight Awards in Garib Kalyan Rozgar inaugurated Kerala’s first mega food park that Abhiyan (GKRA) launched by the will help generate 5,000 direct and indirect Department of Drinking Water and employments. Sanitation under the Union Ministry of Jal Government launches 'Sunidhi' project Shakti. to digitise CMPFO services: Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh join Government announced the launch of an “One Nation One Ration Card” scheme: ambitious information technology project Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh have 'Sunidhi' to digitise all provident fund and been integrated with the existing national pension related activities of the Coal Mines portability cluster of 26 States/UTs under Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO). the One Nation One Ration Card, said CMPFO is a statutory body under the coal Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food ministry, administers different schemes of and Public Distribution. Provident Fund, Pension and Deposit Government to set up panel headed by linked insurance for coal mine workers. Ajay Kumar Bhalla to screen Chinese Jal Shakti Minister launches 100-day Foreign Investments: campaign to provide potable piped water Government is setting up a panel that will be in Schools and Anganwadi Centres: responsible for examining Chinese foreign Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh investment proposals. The panel is headed by Shekhawat launched a 100-day campaign the home secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla and to provide potable piped water supply in secretary of the Department for Promotion Schools and Anganwadi Centres. This of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) mission was envisaged by Prime Minister as a member. The panel will reportedly Narendra Modi on 29th of last month, while examine proposals from the point of view of releasing the ‘Margdarshika’ for Gram ownership, approving only the “Non- Panchayats and Paani Samitis for Controversial” ones. implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Telangana government undertakes door Inaugurates “VAIBHAV” 2020 Summit: to door survey to update non- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated agricultural property details through Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik NAP app: (VAIBHAV) Summit, organised for the Telangana government has deployed teams overseas and resident Indian Researchers of municipal staff to visit every single and Academicians. It has been organised household to gather the property details to celebrate Science and Innovation from through NAP(Non Agricultural Property) India and the World. app to update them on the Dharani portal.

The government has decided to issue Non- West Bengal government launches Agricultural Property Record (NAGPR) to “Pathashree Abhijan” scheme for road the owners as a comprehensive ownership repair: document. West Bengal government has launched the PM Narendra Modi inaugurates nation “Pathashree Abhijan” scheme. It is a road world’s longest high altitude Atal Tunnel repair scheme, where more than 7,000 connecting Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley: stretches of roads comprising 12,000 PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Atal kilometers across the state will be repaired Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass that in a mission mode and in a time-bound connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley in manner. Himachal Pradesh. The 9.02-kilometer- Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar long path that goes under the Rohtang Pass Launched One Stop Digital Platform in the eastern Pir Panjal range at an altitude ‘Gram Darshan’: of 3,000 metres is the world's longest high- Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar digitally altitude road tunnel. It is a horseshoe- launched ‘Gram Darshan’, which will allow shaped, single tube double lane tunnel. accessibility to data of development projects Indian Railways unveils new Tejas of 6,197 gram panchayats of the state. Express locomotives, capable to run at Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala 160 kmph: was also present on this occasion. Indian Railways' electric locomotive Railway Minister virtually inaugurates manufacturing unit Chittaranjan Phoolbagan Station of Kolkata's East Locomotive Works (CLW) has turned out West Metro corridor: first batch of Tejas Express locomotives Railway Minister virtually inaugurated amid COVID-19 scare. These locos are made Phoolbagan Station of Kolkata's East- for “Push-Pull” operations. CLW is one of the West Metro corridor, & flagged off 1st train largest Electric Locomotive manufacturers in from there to Salt Lake Sector-V. Entire the world. stretch of corridor, connecting Sector-V & Union Minister Arjun Munda to launch Howrah Maidan, is likely to be completed by largest market of tribal products ‘Tribes 2021. India E-Marketplace’: Arvind Kejriwal launches mega anti- Tribes India E-Marketplace pollution campaign “Yudh Pradushan Ke (market.tribesindia.com) will be launched on Virudh”: the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (October 2, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal 2020) in the presence of Renuka Singh, launched a mega anti-air pollution campaign Minister of State, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and named "Yudh Pradushan ke Virudh" in Deepak Khandekar, Secretary, Ministry of view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Tribal Affairs. campaign, separate plans have been prepared for each of the 13 pollution hotspots in the city.

Puducherry airport becomes Airports syllabus of higher education to an online Authority of India's first 100% solar- platform and first state to offer online powered airport: training for teachers. Puducherry airport has become the Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal Airports Authority of India's (AAI) first Inaugurates Renaming of Naugarh entirely solar-powered airport in the country Railway Station to Siddharthnagar with the commissioning of 500KWp ground- Virtually: mounted solar power plant at a cost of Rs 2.8 Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal crore. Puducherry airport will be able to meet virtually inaugurates the renaming of its entire power requirement through the Naugarh railway station to solar power plant. Siddharthnagar railway station situated at West Bengal Government sign MoU with Siddharthnagar district in Uttar Pradesh. IIM Calcutta to Set up Technology NABARD to provide India’s first two Development Centre: Organic Spices Seed parks in Gujarat: West Bengal Government has signed an National Bank for Agriculture and Rural agreement with Indian Institute of Development (NABARD) will provide “Grant Management (IIM) Calcutta-run Assistance” to two first-of-its-kind Organic Entrepreneur and Innovation Park to set up a Spices Seed Park Cumin seeds in Patan Technology Development and Adaptation and Fennel seeds in Banaskantha districts Centre (TDAC). The TDAC will build of Gujarat. The parks will encourage capacity technologies which will address need-based, building and help farmers in adoption of best location specific problems. practices in the production of cumin & fennel Gujarat government announces “Digital seeds. Seva Setu” Programme for rural areas: Assam government launches “Kisan Gujarat government has announced “Digital Rath” mobile app to promote buyer seller Seva Setu” Programme for rural areas in network: which citizens will be able to get benefit from Assam government has launched a mobile public welfare services at Panchayat level. app “Kisan Rath” App connects more than It has been initiated under the Bharat Net 10,000 farmers, 50 farmer-producer Project an initiative to connect the Village organizations and 1,000 verified Panchayats through fibre network. agricultural traders on its interface. The Goa government Launches Online E- app has been customized by National Learning Platform “DISHTAVO”: Informatics Centre (NIC) Assam to suit the Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requirements of the state. It is available in 3 launched DISHTAVO (Digital Integrated languages- Assamese, Hindi and English. System for Holistic Teaching and Virtual Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Orientations) an online e-learning platform Launches Indian Bank’s Business that is accessible to all. Goa is the first state Mentoring Programme 'MSME Prerana' in the country to take the entire academic for MSMEs:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman schemes of various state government launched 'MSME Prerana', an online departments and missions. business mentoring programme for MSMEs by Andhra Pradesh CM launches 'Jaganna state-run Indian Bank. The programme to Vidya Kanuka' scheme for students in be made available in local languages, is government schools: aimed at empowering entrepreneurs through Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan skill development and capacity building Mohan Reddy launched 'Jaganna Vidya workshops. Kanuka' scheme for students studying in Meghalaya to partner with Israel in Government Schools. The Scheme would establishing “Centre of Excellence” for help in improving Government schools’ high value vegetables: quality and enrolments and would aid in Meghalaya government has entered into a providing kits to Govt school students who are partnership with Israel to establish a one of enrolled in class 1 to 10 standards. a kind Centre of Excellence (CoE) on high- Goa becomes first 'Har Ghar Jal' state by value vegetables in the state to improve and providing tap water connections in rural promote the livelihoods of farmers. CoE is areas: important for tapping the diverse biodiversity Goa has become the first 'Har Ghar Jal' and available resources in the state in terms state in the country by providing 100% tap of its soil and agro-climatic condition. water connections in rural areas covering Uttar Pradesh government signs 2.30 lakh households, the Jal Shakti agreement with Zurich Airport for Ministry Stated. The Government's Jal development of Jewar Airport: Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped water Noida International Airport Limited to all rural households by 2024. (NIAL) and Zurich Airport International Jammu and Kashmir Police organises AG signed a key agreement to allow the Swiss 'Jashn-E-Dal' festival to boost tourism: developer to begin work at the site of the Jammu and Kashmir Police have organised upcoming Jewar airport. a three-day water sports festival 'Jashn-E- Assam launches "Swa-nirbhar Naari: Dal' with an aim to boost water sports Atmanirbhar Asom" scheme to empower activities and promote tourism in the valley. economically challenged women: The festival was organized by Jammu and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Kashmir Police under civic action launched “Swa-nirbhar Naari: programme in collaboration with water Atmanirbhar Asom” scheme to empower sports association after three years. economically disadvantaged women.The Uttarakhand government Launches scheme aims to create more than 3.72 lakh 'Mukhya Mantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana' sustainable individuals and over 800 to generate self-employment for youth communities. Further, the scheme will also and migrants: benefit around 4 lakh families in the first Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra phase of MGNREGA with the convergence of Singh Rawat launched “Mukhya Mantri

Saur Swarojgar Yojana”. The Yojana aims Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to at creating self-employment for nearly launch Mission Shakti for women in 10,000 youths in the state. Co-operative Navratri: banks will grant loans at interest rate of 8% Uttar Pradesh government will dedicate the p.a. for 15 years to set up the solar plants upcoming Navratri festival to women’s on private land or on land taken on lease. safety, dignity and empowerment by PM Modi launches physical distribution of launching ‘Mission Shakti’. The initiative will property cards under SVAMITVA scheme: begin in ‘Shardiya Navratri’ and will Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the continue for the next six months till the physical distribution of property cards under ‘Chaitra Navratri’ in April. SVAMITVA scheme. It is a central sector Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj will “Sujal Mission” to Provide Quality make rural India “Self-Reliant”. The Drinking Water in Urban Areas: beneficiaries now will have a right, a legal Odisha Chief minister Naveen Patnaik document of owning their houses. The virtually launched the “Drink from the tap country has taken another major step Mission Sujal”, an initiative under the 5T towards an Atma Nirbhar Bharat, as this model of governance, that aimed to ensure scheme helps in making rural India self- 24x7 safe and Quality Drinking Water to reliant. the people in urban areas. PM Narendra Modi releases Odisha government signs agreement commemorative coin of Rs 100 in honour with Rugby India to sponsor national of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia: team for 3 years: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a Odisha government signed an agreement commemorative coin of Rs 100 in Rajmata with Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) Vijaya Raje Scindia's honour. The PM to sponsor the Indian national rugby teams till recalled the legacy of Rajmata Vijaya Raje 2023 and facilitate high-performance training Scindia on her birth centenary. and conditioning of the players. The Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar agreement was signed at the Kalinga launches a Water Testing Lab On Wheels: Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Arvind Kejriwal Launches 'Red Light On, launched a Mobile Water Testing Gaadi Off' campaign to reduce air Laboratory Van equipped with a multi- pollution in Delhi: parameter system containing analysers, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal sensors, probes, and instruments based on launched 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' a new Colorimentric, Electrochemistry. This anti-pollution campaign under people will initiative has been launched under the Jal be encouraged to switch engines of their Jeevan Mission for providing tap water vehicles off while waiting at traffic signals. It connection to every rural household. can reduce PM10 emissions by 1.5 tonnes

a year and PM2.5 emissions by 0.4 tonnes proactive stance on matters related to the a year. MSMEs. This AI transformation has been “SAKHI” One-Stop Service Centre for enabled by Intel over a period of five Women Inaugurated in Ramban District months. of Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi releases Rs 75 coin to Jammu and Kashmir inaugurated "SAKHI" mark 75th year of Food and Agriculture One-Stop Service Centre for women in Organisation: Ramban district. It aims to facilitate access Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a to integrated range of services including commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination medical aid, police assistance, legal aid, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Food psycho-social counselling and temporary and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the support services to women affected by United Nations. violence to women affected by violence. Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation 17 Pinarayi Vijayan launches Kerala's first recently developed biofortified varieties of water taxi service in Alappuzha: eight crops. FAO was founded on 16 October Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan 1945. launched the first water taxi service of the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman State Water Transport Department Virtually Attends 102nd Meeting of the (SWTD) in Alappuzha. A catamaran diesel- World Bank Development Committee powered craft will be used for the water taxi Plenary: service. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Union Education Minister virtually participated in 102nd meeting of the World launches 'KAPILA' Kalam Program for IP Bank Development Committee Plenary Literacy and Awareness Education through video conference. Government has campaign: committed $2.03 billion for the Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh strengthening of health infrastructure in the Pokhriyal 'Nishank' virtually launched the wake of #COVID19 pandemic. 'KAPILA' Kalam Program for Intellectual #Unite2FightCorona #StaySafe" Property Literacy and Awareness Jammu & Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha campaign on the 89th birth anniversary of launches ‘My Town My Pride’ Campaign former President and Scientist Late Dr. APJ to provide doorstep governance in urban Abdul Kalam. areas: MSME Ministry integrates AI and ML on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has its Single Window portal ‘Champions’: announced an initiative called ‘My Town My Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Pride’ to provide governance at the doorstep Enterprises has introduced Artificial in urban areas. This programme is in line with Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning the “Back to Village programme” launched (ML) powered tools on its single window for rural population. system ‘Champions’ in a bid to take a

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari initiates Asian Development Bank (ADB) and India Asia’s Longest Bi-directional Road signed a $177 million loan to upgrade 450 Tunnel ZojiLa Tunnel works: km of state highways and major district roads Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the in the state of Maharashtra. State first blasting for construction related work at government Maharashtra will contribute the 14.15 km Zojila tunnel, one of the $78.99 million equivalent toward the longest in Asia that will provide all-year $255.99 million total cost of the project. connectivity between Srinagar valley and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches Leh. Electricity Consumer Service Portal 'Mo Assam Celebrates “Kati Bihu” Festival: Bidyut' portal and app: Kati Bihu festival is held at this time of the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik year since the granaries of the farmers launched an electricity consumer service usually remain empty and therefore it is portal “Mo Bidyut” and its mobile app to known as Kongali (poor) Bihu. On the provide efficient, time-bound and occasion of Kati Bihu, women, both in transparent online service to the people of Urban and Rural Areas, try to ward off evil the State. and pray for a rich harvest by lighting Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Pate earthen lamps. Launches “Safe City Project” a women’s Telangana government signs MoU with safety campaign in Lucknow: BSE, GlobalLinker to help MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel raising equity funds: inaugurated the ‘Safe City Project’ in Telangana government along with Lucknow. Central has approved a total cost of GlobalLinker has signed a Memorandum of Rs 194 crore. Under this 180-day-long Understanding (MoU) with Bombay Stock campaign, the women police personnel will Exchange (BSE) to help Micro, Small and work towards strengthening security of Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in raising women in public places and inculcate a feeling equity funds. of pride and safety among women in the India takes up first ever cultivation of city. Heeng in Himachal Pradesh: Railway Protection Force (RPF) launches CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative on AP Express: Technology (IHBT), Palampur has started Railway Protection Force (RPF), cultivating heeng for the first time in the Visakhapatnam, started implementing state as well as in the country. The first ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative in AP Express seedling of the spice was planted at a farmer's (Visakhapatnam to New Delhi in order to field in Kwaring village of Lahaul valley in provide proactive security to women Himachal Pradesh. India imports about passengers. The main motto of ‘Meri 1200 tonnes of raw asafoetida annually. Saheli’ is to provide safety and security to ADB and India sign $177 million loan for women passengers travelling in trains road projects in Maharashtra: throughout their journey.

West Bengal Government Launches participation of HMAS Hobart from the Campaign to Curb Elephant Deaths Due Australian side and Indian Naval Ships to Electrocution: Sahyadri and Karmuk. West Bengal government launched a World Bank Approves $200 mn loan for campaign in areas adjoining elephant Bangladesh to ensure safe water in rural habitats in the northern part of the state. areas: This campaign has been launched to prevent World Bank has approved $200 million to electrocution deaths of elephants. The help Bangladesh improve access to safe campaign will focus on areas adjoining Buxa water and sanitation services in rural areas. Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara and Gorumara The Bangladesh Rural Water, Sanitation national parks. and Hygiene (WASH) for Human Capital Surat’s BRTS becomes Longest BRTS Development Project will help about 600,000 Network in country with a coverage of people avail safe and clean water through 108 kms: large and small piped water schemes in rural Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani areas. inaugurated the newly expanded Bus Rapid India and Australia Strengthens their Transit System (BRTS) route from Partnership on Skilling Agenda: Kumbhariya to Kadodara, Surat virtually Union Ministry of Skill Development and from Gandhinagar. With the opening of this Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the High BRTS corridor, Surat became the only city in Commission of Australia conducted meeting the country to have Longest BRTS network for Cooperation in Vocational Education with 108 kms. and Training. The aim is to support Vocational Education and Training (VET) in INTERNATIONAL NEWS: India and Australia. 3-day naval exercise held betwen India Foreign ministers of India, Japan, US and and Japan in Arabian Sea: Australia attend QUAD meeting in Tokyo: 4th edition of India and Japan Maritime Foreign ministers of all four Quad countries bilateral exercise “JIMEX” is conducted – the United States, Japan, India and biennially between the Indian Navy and Australia in Tokyo, Japan to hold bilateral Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force discussions over “Free and Open Indo- (JMSDF) is being held in the North Arabian Pacific” (FOIP) initiative amid coronavirus Sea in a ‘Non-Contact At-Sea-Only Format’. pandemic. Passage Exercise (PASSEX) Between Foreign ministers of all four Quad countries th Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy in are were Secretary of State 12 Virtual East Indian Ocean Region: BRICS Summit to be held on 17 Indian Navy is scheduled to undertake a November 2020: Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal India's First Business-To-Business (B2B) Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian Crypto Exchange 'DigitX' Launched: Ocean Region. The exercise would involve

DigitX is India’s first Business-to-Business Union Minister of Law and Justice Ravi (B2B) Crypto trading exchange has Shankar Prasad will host the seventh commenced its trading operations. In a highly meeting of Ministers of Justice of the potential yet challenging market, DigitX aims Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to deliver transparency and security with (SCO). India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyz its Platform armed with features to bring Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan about a much-needed trust and confidence for and Uzbekistan will participate in the the investors and traders of Crypto. meeting. Chqbook launches India's first 'Financial 16-year-old Aava Murto assumes Control Center' on mobile to empower 60 Finland's PM post for a day Under 'Girls million small business owners: Takeover' Programme: Chqbook is India's first Neobank for small A 16-year-old girl ceremoniously assumed the business owners like kiranas, merchants, post of Finnish prime minister for one day for chemists, and others running proprietorships the “Girls Takeover” program — part of the announced the launch of its new mobile United Nations International Day of the platform 'Financial Control Center'. With Girl to raise more awareness of gender this launch, Chqbook brings world-class equality. financial services to a massive underserved 18-year-old Indian girl Chaitanya segment. Venkateswaran becomes British High India to surpass Japan to become the Commissioner for a day: third largest economy by 2050: Delhi girl Chaitanya Venkateswaran Indian economy is set to become the third became the British high commissioner to largest in the world behind China and the US India for a day. The 18-year-old won the by 2050 and retain the same position in ‘High Commissioner for the Day’ contest 2100, a study published in the medical organised by the mission in the run-up to the journal Lancet found by translating working International Day of the Girl Child (October age population of countries into scenarios for 11). total GDP. Exim Bank provides USD 310 million line Argentina Becomes First Country to of credit to Zimbabwe for thermal and Approve Genetically Modified Wheat: river projects: Argentina became the first country in the Exim Bank has provided USD 42.5 million world to approve the use of drought-resistant (about Rs 310 crore) line of credit (LOC) to Genetically Modified (GMO) Wheat, Zimbabwe for upgradation of a thermal prompting fierce criticism by the country’s power plant and river project. Under the massive export agriculture industry. LOCs, the terminal utilization period is 60 Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad months after the scheduled completion date Virtually Host SCO Meeting of Law and of the project. Justice Ministers:

Exim Bank extends USD 400 million soft India has been designated the Vice-Chair of loan to Maldives for financing Good Laboratory Practice, GLP Working connectivity project: Group of the Organisation for Economic Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) Co-operation and Development (OECD), on behalf of the Government of India has recognising the contribution of the Indian GLP extended a USD 400 million (about Rs 2,932 programme. crore) soft loan to Maldives through the Exim Indian and Sri Lankan navies to conduct Bank to finance a connectivity project in the maritime exercise SLINEX-20: nation of islands. The 8th edition of the annual bilateral World Economic Forum shifts annual maritime exercise SLINEX-20 between the meeting 2021 from Davos to Lucerne: Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy is World Economic Forum (WEF) will hold its scheduled off Trincomalee in Sri Lanka. It Annual Meeting 2021 in Lucerne- aims to enhance inter-operability & improve Burgenstock, Switzerland, from May 18 to mutual understanding for multi-faceted 21, as against the traditional venue of ski maritime operations. resort town Davos in January 2021. The Singapore Becomes First Country to Use theme “The Great Reset”, it will be held Facial Recognition to Pay Taxes: both in physical and digital modes. Singapore became the World’s First India and France re-elected as President Country to attach Facial verification in the and Co-President of International Solar National Identification Database. This Alliance: technology is being rolled out to the city- India and France were re-elected as the state's SingPass digital identity scheme, President and Co-President of the offering access to no less than 400 online International Solar Alliance (ISA), for a services, including tax declarations and term of two years at the virtual meeting of the public housing applications. Facial Third Assembly, informed the Ministry of recognition is also increasingly being used to New and Renewable Energy. access other online services India provides USD 1 million dollars to Israeli Embassy to Have 'Water Attache' UNRWA for Palestinian refugees: in India from January: India contributed USD one million to the Israel Embassy will have a separate 'Water United Nations Relief and Works Agency Attache' from January 2021 to help share for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the their country's best practices and Near East to support Palestinian refugees technologies for advancements in India's who have been facing extreme challenges due water management and agriculture to the COVID-19 pandemic, a move hailed by sectors stated by Israeli Ambassador to the UN body as "Timely Help". India Ron Malka. India designated as Vice-Chair of OECD 6th India International Science Festival Working Group on Good Laboratory to be held in Virtual format from Practice (GLP): December 2020:

The 6th edition of India International Time Liabilities (NDTL) with effect from Science Festival (IISF) 2020 will be held March 27, 2020. from 22nd to 25th December, 2020. The RBI to launch “Positive Pay System” for Union Minister for Science & Technology, Cheque Truncation System from January, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, 2021: Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced this at a Reserve Bank of India has announced that review meeting in New Delhi. it will launch “Positive Pay System” for Cheque Truncation System from 01st BANKING AND ECONOMY: January, 2021.The “Positive Pay System” will Fino Payments Bank with Fintech be developed by the National Payments Partners Introduced NFC-based Corporation of India (NPCI) and make it Contactless Payments Solution for Mass available to participant banks. Transport: India’s GDP to contract 11% in FY21: Fino Payments Bank along with fintech ICRA partners has introduced NFC-based Rating Agency ICRA has revised its FY21 contactless payments solution for mass forecast for the contraction in India’s GDP transit systems, especially state bus downwards to 11 per cent from its earlier Transport Services in India. It was projection of 9.5 per cent due to fresh Covid- developed by Fino Payments Bank in 19 infections remaining elevated at the end of partnership with fintech firms like City Cash. Q2 (July-September) FY21. RBI approves 3-member committee of HDFC Bank launches India’s first directors Headed by Meeta Makhan to Warehouse Commodity Finance App: manage Lakshmi Vilas Bank: HDFC Bank launched a Warehouse Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Commodity Finance App. This will enable a three-member committee of directors to customers in drawing down and managing the run the day-to-day functioning of cash loan against pledge of commodities online strapped Lakshmi Vilas Bank. RBI approved without physical intervention or multiple visits 3 independent directors namely, Meeta to a Bank branch. Makhan, Chairperson of the CoD, Shakti IDBI Bank becomes first bank to enable Sinha, Member and Satish Kumar Kalra, document embedding feature on SFMS: Member. Meeta Makhan is the head of this IDBI Bank has become the first lender to Committee of Directors (CoD). enable document embedding feature on a RBI extends enhanced borrowing limit Structured Financial Messaging System for banks under MSF till March 31, 2021: (SFMS) managed by Indian Financial RBI had increased the borrowing limit for Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS). scheduled banks under the Marginal This new feature of “Document Standing Facility (MSF) scheme from 2 per Embedding” provides banks with the cent to 3 per cent of their Net Demand and functionality of transmitting a “PDF” document up to 1MB size along with the

Letter of Credit (LC) / Bank Guarantee channel partners, provides UPI based (BG) messages. payment solutions & PoS terminals to RBI Sets Centre's Ways and Means retailers & distributors. advances limit at Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Government keeps interest rates second half of FY 2020-21: unchanged on PPF, NSC and other small Reserve Bank of India (RBI) set the Ways savings schemes for Third quarter: and Means Advances (WMAS) limit at Rs Government kept the interest rates on Small 1.25 lakh crore for the central government Savings Schemes, including PPF and NSC, for the second half of the fiscal year. WMAs unchanged for third quarter (October- are temporary advances given by the RBI to December) amid moderating bank deposit the government to tide over any mismatch in rates. Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Receipts and Payments. National Savings Certificate (NSC) will Indian Bank launched Green-Tech continue to carry an annual interest rate of Initiative “IB-eNote”: 7.1 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively. Indian Bank has launched a green initiative Five-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme named “IB-eNote” to enable a total (SCSS) has been retained at 7.4 per cent. Paperless Working Environment. This tool The interest on the senior citizen scheme is enables processing and tracking of notes put paid quarterly. Interest rate on Savings up by various offices digitally. Deposits has been retained at 4 per cent RBI excludes six public sector banks annually. from Second Schedule of RBI Act: The girl child savings scheme Sukanya Reserve Bank of India has excluded six Samriddhi Yojana(SSY) will offer 7.6 per public sector banks from the Second cent rate during the third quarter of the Schedule of the RBI Act following their current fiscal. The annual interest rate on merger with other banks. The six banks are Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) has been retained Syndicate Bank, Oriental Bank of at 6.9 per cent. Commerce, United Bank of India, Andhra Indian Bank launches Rupay Kisan credit Bank, Corporation Bank, and Allahabad card scheme for Tamil Nadu fishermen: Bank. Indian Bank has launched Rupay Kisan State Bank of India joins hands with HUL credit card scheme for Tamil Nadu to offer digital payment solutions to fishermen, where working capital loan up to retailers and distributors: Rs 2 lakh can be availed at 7% interest State Bank of India (SBI) and Hindustan under MUDRA Scheme. Interest subvention Unilever Ltd (HUL) have signed a of 3% would be provided for Repayment of memorandum of understanding (MoU), under Loan within a year. The fishermen can submit which the bank will provide its digital their loan applications through the payment and financing solutions to the Department of Fisheries. FMCG company’s retailers and distributors. It also aims to make availing of credit easy for

Punjab National Bank launches financial a maximum daily transaction limit of Rs. 3 inclusion initiative “Gram Sampark lakhs each for POS and online Abhiyan”: transactions. State-owned Punjab National Bank BFSL partners with ICSI to launch co- launched a financial inclusion and literacy branded credit card for Company initiative 'Gram Sampark Abhiyan' to Secretaries: commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of BOB Financial Solutions Ltd (BFSL), a Mahatma Gandhi. SEBI Introduces ‘Very wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda High Risk Category’ in Mutual Fund (BoB) partners with Institute of Company Schemes: Secretaries of India (ICSI) to launch an Axis Bank and Vistara strengthen exclusive co-branded credit card for partnership to launch a co-branded forex Company Secretaries (CS). card: The BoB-ICSI Diamond credit card will India’s third largest private sector bank bring exclusive benefits and conveniences to Axis Bank strengthens partnership with Company Secretaries, who are influencers Vistara to launch a co-branded forex card – and opinion leaders in their own right, and are ‘Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card’. This contributing in building a modern and is also the first-ever collaboration by a bank Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) India. and an Indian airline for a co-branded forex RBI Monetary Policy: Repo rate card. unchanged at 4%; GDP to contract by Indian Bank launches its first Customer 9.5% in current FY21: Acquisition and Processing Centre in Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to Chennai: keep key lending rate unchanged in its Chennai-headquartered public sector lender October policy review meeting. The six- Indian Bank opened its first centralised member monetary policy committee (MPC), Customer Acquisition & Processing headed by RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, Centre (CAPC) in Chennai. Tamil Nadu and kept Repo Rate untouched at 4 per cent; Puducherry branches will be brought under and Reverse Repo rate at 3.35 per cent CAPC before December 2020 and other while maintaining accommodative stance. branches across the country will be brought Shaktikanta also stated that real GDP under the CAPCs in a phased manner. expected to contract by 9.5 per cent in the ICICI becomes the first Bank to offer current fiscal (2020-21). RBI will extend the debit card to customers availing Loan scheme for co-lending to all NBFC, HFC. Against Securities (LAS): RBI extends interest subvention scheme ICICI Bank partnership with Visa to for MSMEs till 31st March 2021: introduced a Debit Card facility for Reserve Bank of India stated that the two customers availing the Loan Against per cent interest subvention scheme for Securities (LAS) from the Bank. The card is Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises available on the Visa platform. The card offers (MSMES) on loans offered by co-operative

banks has been extended till 31st of March LIC Housing launches ‘Project RED’ to 2021. improve efficiencies: World Bank expects India’s GDP to LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHFL) contract by 9.6% For FY21: launched “Project RED” (Reimagining World Bank expects India's GDP is Excellence through Digital expected to contract by 9.6 percent this transformation) to improve efficiencies at fiscal which is reflective of the national every level of the organisation. Project RED lockdown and the income shock experienced aims to create value across the entire by households and firms due to the COVID-19 spectrum of stakeholders that includes pandemic, noting that the country's economic employees, shareholders, business situation is much worse than ever seen associates, existing and potential customers before. of LICHFL, as per the housing finance HDFC Bank and Apollo Hospitals join company’s statement. hands to provide access to quality RBI to move Next Generation Treasury healthcare and easy finance at scale: Application (NGTA) to manage Forex and HDFC Bank and Apollo Hospitals have Gold Reserves: joined hands to launch The Healthy Life RBI has decided to move towards the Next Programme, a holistic healthcare solution Generation Treasury Application (NGTA). which makes healthy life accessible and This decision has been taken by the Reserve affordable on Apollo’s digital platform, Apollo Bank of India for managing the country’s 24/7. The programme is created exclusively Foreign Exchange and Gold Reserves. The for HDFC customers who will get round the Next Generation Treasury Application (NGTA) clock access to emergency Apollo Doctor at application will help improve the functioning No Cost on Apollo 24/7 along with a plethora of the RBI. of benefits such as choice of payment International Monetary Fund projects options and ease of finance for treatments at India’s GDP to contract 10.3% in 2020: Apollo Hospitals. International Monetary Fund (IMF) RTGS payment system will be available projected India’s gross domestic product 24x7 from December 2020: (GDP) to plunge in FY21 by 10.3%, from its Reserve Bank of India Governor earlier prediction of 4.5% drop, reflecting a Shaktikanta Das announced that Real Time severe-than-anticipated contraction in Gross Settlement (RTGS) payment system economic activities in the first quarter as a will be available round the clock from result of the nationwide lockdown as well as December 2020 to make online fund the rapidly spreading pandemic. transfer smooth. As of now, RTGS is not a IMF estimates the GDP of India to grow at 8.8 24x7 system. The RTGS service window for per cent in 2021-22, as compared to 6 per customer transactions is available to banks cent predicted earlier. from 7am to 6pm on a working day, for settlement at the RBI end.

RBI Increases Banks Aggregate Jana Small Finance Bank Becomes First Exposure Limit for Small Businesses to SFB to Go Live Under Sponsor Bank Rs 7.5 crore: Program: Reserve Bank (RBI) has raised the banks’ Jana Small Finance Bank has joined hands maximum aggregate retail exposure limit to with Ashoknagar Co-operative Bank entities with turnover up to Rs 50 crore to Limited under the Bank Sponsorship Rs 7.5 crore. Earlier this limit was Rs 5 Program. Jana Bank becomes the first Small crore. Finance Bank to go live under this Program. Axis Bank collaborates with Google Pay Bank of Baroda inks pact with Mahindra and Visa to launch a new ACE Credit card: & Mahindra for tractor finance: Axis Bank launches ACE Credit Card in State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) has India in collaboration with Google Pay and entered into a pact with Mahindra and Visa. The card meant to help with digital Mahindra for tractor finance business. The payments. From application to issuance, lender, through its over 5,000 rural and with the entire user journey for the credit card semi-urban branch network, will provide application will be done digitally. Tractor Loan Facility to customers of Indian Bank inks MoU with SIDBI and Mahindra and Mahindra. Housing Ministry for street vendors: Indian Bank partners with IIT Madras to Indian Bank has signed a memorandum of launch credit scheme “IND Spring understanding (MoU) with the Union Board” for start-ups: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Indian Bank has collaborated with IIT Small Industries Development Bank of Madras Incubation cell to launch 'IND India (SIDBI) for payment of subsidy to Spring Board', an initiative for funding start- street vendors under SVANidhi Scheme. ups. The Bank will extend loans of up to Rs Government introduced the Prime Minister 50 crore to these start-ups for their working Street Vendor's Atmanirbhar Nidhi capital requirements or purchase of (SVANidhi Scheme) to provide loans to machinery and equipment. vendors and hawkers, among others. IRDAI to offer a standard term life policy, ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS: 'Saral Jeevan Bima' from January 2021: Power Finance Corporation signs MoU Insurance Regulatory and Development with Ministry of Power detailing targets Authority of India (IRDAI) has come out for FY 2020-21: with a standard, individual term life insurance Power Finance Corporation Ltd has signed product called “Saral Jeevan Bima”. This a performance-based MoU with the Ministry will be mandatorily offered by all life of Power detailing various targets to be insurance companies from January 1, 2021, achieved by PFC during FY 2020-21. The onwards. Insurers have to file the product MoU was signed by Power Secretary Sanjiv with the regulator latest by December 1. Nandan Sahai and CMD of PFC R.S. Dhillon.

Bombay Stock Exchange joins hands EarlySalary Launches ''Salary Card'' a with Yes Bank to Empower SMEs: Zero-Touch Digital card Powered by Leading stock exchange BSE (Bombay Stock RuPay: Exchange) has signed a pact with private India’s largest consumer lending platform sector lender Yes Bank to empower the EarlySalary launches ‘Salary Card’ a zero- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) touch digital card that provides instant listed on the platform. The pact aims at access for salaried professionals, enabling empowering the SME segment through them to make instant purchases across awareness and knowledge-sharing thousands of merchants across India. programmes. Gujarat government partnered with Bangalore Metro Rail Corp Ltd inks MoUs Hindustan Zinc to set up world’s biggest with corporate companies to develop Zinc Smelter project in Dosawada: metro stations: Vedanta Group firm Hindustan Zinc Ltd Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (HZL) has signed a pact with Gujarat Limited (BMRCL) has signed MoUs with the government to set up a greenfield zinc corporate companies to develop upcoming smelter in the state. The project will entail metro stations under their CSR funds. The an investment of up to Rs 10,000 crore. proposed metro line between Electronic city Flipkart-owned PhonePe Partners with and Bangalore International airport will Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to now get CSR funds for the development and Launch Car and Bike Insurance Products: maintenance of metro stations. Flipkart-owned PhonePe launched Car and Amazon Pay join hands with Uber to push Bike Insurance products on its platform in digital payment service system in India: association with Bajaj Allianz General Amazon Pay and Uber technology Insurance. announced a partnership that will integrate With this launch, over 230 million registered the digital payment platform as a payment PhonePe users to insure their vehicles under option on the ride hailing service app. This 2 minutes, without the need for any partnership with Uber will allow customers to documents to be uploaded before the complete their transaction in a contactless purchase, and also view their policy manner, especially during the pandemic. documents instantly on the app. Mastercard partners with Indian start-up Tata Motors partners with HDFC to Signzy for global rollout of Video KYC: provide financing offers for passenger Mastercard, a global technology company in vehicles: the payments industry, has partnered with Tata Motors has partnered with HDFC Bank Signzy, a RegTech startup based in India, for for financing of its passenger vehicles. global rollout of Signzy’s video-based KYC Through the partnership Tata has introduced (Know Your Customer) solution for its two new schemes 'Gradual Step Up banking customers. Scheme' and 'TML Flexi Drive Scheme' with an eye on making its products more

accessible and driving up sales in the festive it has been introduced in three trains season. Howrah-Yeshvantpur Duronto Special, Bank of Baroda Partners with Toyota Howrah- Ahmedabad Special and Howrah- Kirloskar Motor for easy auto finance: Mumbai Special. State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) India successfully test fires over 400 km announced a tie up with Toyota Kirloskar strike range “BrahMos” supersonic Motor (TKM) to enable finance options for cruise missile in Odisha: the automaker's customers and dealers. India successfully test fired a new version of BoB will be one of the preferred financiers for the surface to surface supersonic cruise the entire range of vehicles sold by TKM. missile “BrahMos” having a range of around RBL Bank Join Hands with Zenpay to 400 km from an integrated test range at Digitalize Salary Accounts for SMEs and Balasore in Odisha. MSMEs: ISRO to carry first ever French payload Zenpay Solutions is one of the fastest abroad Venus mission scheduled for growing Fintech company in the digital 2025: banking industry announced partnership ISRO is scheduled to launch its Venus mission with RBL bank and YAP to drive financial in 2025 and French space agency CNES inclusion to issue salary cards to its (National Centre for Space Studies) will customers across India. participate in it. The VIRAL (Venus Infrared Atmospheric Gases Linker) instrument co- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: developed with the Russian federal space IIT Madras Developed an Indigenous agency Roscosmos and the LATMOS Microprocessor “MOUSHIK” For IoT atmospheres, environments and space Devices: observations laboratory attached to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras French national scientific research centre Researchers have developed an indigenously Centre National de la Recherche Microprocessor ‘MOUSHIK’ can cater to the Scientifique (CNRS)has been selected by rapidly-growing IoT devices, an integral part the ISRO. of Smart Cities of a Digital India. The Indian Coast Guard Fast Patrol Vessel processor can be used in smart cards, ICGS 'Kanaklata Barua' commissioned in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Kolkata: office management systems. Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS 'Kanaklata South Eastern Railway launches Barua' of the Indian Coast Guard was 'Operation My Saheli' to enhance commissioned at the Garden Reach security of women passengers: Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) South Eastern Railway has launched a Limited. The commissioning was done project “Operation My Saheli” (friend) to through video conferencing by Jiwesh boost the security of women passengers Nandan, additional secretary, Ministry of from the originating point to the destination. Defence and was attended by Indian Coast

Guard and GRSE including its chairman and having to go to hospitals or clinics. The managing director Rear Admiral V K Saxena system has been conceptualized and (retd). designed by researchers at IIT Kharagpur’s India successfully test fires new version Department of Computer Science and of nuclear capable “Shaurya Missile”: Engineering. India successfully test-fired a new version of Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Nuclear Capable “Shaurya missile” offs the Vessel 'Vigraha' launched to enhance coast of Odisha. The Nuclear Capable coastal security: missile can strike targets at around 800 The seventh offshore patrol vessel of the kms. It would be lighter and easier to Indian Coast Guard (ICG), 'Vigraha' was operate in comparison with the existing formally unveiled at Kattupalli, Chennai. The missile. vessel was designed and built exclusively for DRDO successfully flight tests the Coast Guard by Larsen and Toubro ‘Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of (L&T) Shipbuilding as a part of the ‘Make in Torpedo’ (SMART) Off Odisha Coast: India’ initiative. India successfully flight tested the IIT Delhi-incubated Startup Launches Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Antimicrobial Water Storage Containers Torpedo (SMART) from Wheeler Island off ‘AqCure’: the coast of Odisha. SMART is a missile IIT Delhi-incubated startup Nanosafe assisted release of lightweight Anti- Solutions has developed a range of Submarine Torpedo System for Anti- antimicrobial mixing traditional science Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations for with nanotechnology i.e. antiviral, far beyond torpedo range. Earlier, this antibacterial and antifungal water storage month DRDO had successfully tested Laser- containers and launched it as “AqCure”, Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile. which is based on the inherent antimicrobial Indian Institute of Management (IIM) properties of copper. Kozhikode to launch e-learning hub for IIT Kharagpur Develops Robotic Solution villagers: for Plant Disease Identification and Indian Institute of Management, Pesticide Use: Kozhikode will launch an e-learning hub IIT Kharagpur has designed robotic system and library as a pilot project for villagers in capable of identifying plant diseases through Mavoor. Mavoor village is one of the five camera-captured image analysis & villages that has been adopted by the institute spraying pesticide. It is a tracked mobile under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA). manipulator aims to achieve conflicting IIT Kharagpur Launches Telemedicine objectives of increased productivity, Technology IMedX for Homecare: improved quality. IIT Kharagpur researchers have launched a India successfully test-fires DRDO's telemedicine system ‘iMediX’ to help patients 'Rudram-1' Anti-Radiation Missile from a receive assistance from doctors without Sukhoi-30:

India successfully test fired its first tactical India Meteorological Department anti-radiation missile “Rudram 1”. The Launches Impact-Based Cyclone supersonic-capable missile can be launched at Warning System: speeds ranging from 0.6 mach to 2 mach, India Meteorological Department (IMD) i.e., twice the speed of sound. IT can be has launched a dynamic, impact-based launched from a height of 500m to 15 km. cyclone warning system aimed at Rudram-1 is India’s first indigenous anti- minimising economic losses and damage radiation missile. to property from cyclones that hit the Defence Research and Development country's coasts every year. The system will Organisation launches Nirbhay Cruise help minimise economic losses and damages Missile into Sea: due to property in the intense weather Defence Research and Development system. Organisation (DRDO) launched 800-km India to deliver kilo-class submarine INS range Nirbhay cruise missile from Odisha’s Sindhuvir to Myanmar for training test facility but aborted eight minutes later. purpose: Nirbhay is a subsonic missile, which can fly at India will deliver INS Sindhuvir to a speed of 0.7 Mach, with capabilities to stay Myanmar as part of defence cooperation. under enemy radar to avoid detection. This will be 1st submarine of Myanmar Navy. Rare day-flying moth “Achelura It is in accordance with India's vision of Bifasciata” sighted in Uttarakhand after SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in over 125 years: the Region) and in line with build capacities A rare day-flying moth “Achelura and self-reliance in neighbouring countries. bifasciata” was spotted in Uttarakhand’s Japan Coast Guard Tests Unmanned Garhwal Himalayas. There are old records Aircraft “SeaGuardian”: of the insect to have been spotted in Nainital Japan Coast Guard began test flights of an by GF Hampson, a Britisher, who had unmanned aerial vehicle “SeaGuardian” compiled a book on moths in 1893. The to learn whether it can be utilised to carry out experts also spotted a rare butterfly called the coast guard’s key duties, including search “Tawny Rajah”. and rescue and maritime surveillance. IIT Madras researchers develop SeaGuardian will be based at the Maritime sustainable antimicrobial food wrapper: Self-Defence Force’s base in Aomori IIT Madras claims to have developed a Prefecture, northern Japan. Sustainable Antimicrobial Wrapping India Conducts Successful Night Trial of Material that can prevent packaged food Nuclear-Capable Prithvi-2 Missile from contamination by bacteria and is Odisha Coast: biodegradable. The wrapper’s anti-bacterial India successfully conducted the night trial of compound has been approved by authorities its nuclear-capable Prithvi-2 missile as part and doesn’t cause any toxicity. of a user trial by the Army from Integrated

Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near humans return there and establish lunar Balasore, off Odisha coast. settlements. The state-of-the-art missile is India’s first Indian Navy's indigenously built ASW indigenous Surface-To-Surface strategic stealth corvette INS Kavaratti missile, developed by DRDO under the commissioned: Integrated Guided Missile Development Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane Programme. The 9-metre tall liquid- commissioned the Anti-Submarine Warfare propelled Prithvi-2 has a range of 250 km stealth corvette INS Kavaratti into the and can carry a 1 tonne warhead. Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard. INS India successfully test-fires SANT Kavaratti is the last of the four indigenously- missile with ‘Lock-on After Launch’ & built ASW stealth corvettes under Project ‘Lock-on Before Launch’ capabilities: 28 (Kamorta class) and has been designed India test-fired the Stand-off Anti-tank by the Directorate of Naval Design, the (SANT) missile off the coast of Odisha. Indian Navy's in-house wing. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing the APPOINTMENTS and RESIGNATIONS: missile for the Indian Air Force and it will Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh have both “Lock-on After Launch” and appointed as brand ambassador of “Lock-on Before Launch” capabilities. Aakash Educational Services: The missile hit the target with Pin-Point Aakash Educational Services Limited Accuracy and also performed "Extremely (AESL), which provides comprehensive test Complex" manoeuvres. preparatory services, has announced the IIT Kharagpur's Covid-19 Test Kit appointment of cricketer Yuvraj Singh as its 'COVIRAP' Gets ICMR Certification to brand ambassador. He will lead the “Success Cost Less Than Rs 500: is waiting”, a multi-channel campaign of Indian Council of Medical Research Aakash Digital. (ICMR) has validated the efficacy of Former India cricketer Neetu David 'COVIRAP', a diagnostic machine developed appointed as the head of BCCI’s All-India by IIT Kharagpur researchers to detect Women's Selection Committee: coronavirus within one hour. With ICMR’s Board of Control for Cricket in India approval, several business houses have (BCCI) announced the appointment of former approached the institute for technology India Women’s cricketer Neetu David as the licensing. head of the new All-India Women's Nokia Selected by NASA to Build 4G LTE Selection Committee. The women’s Mobile Network on the Moon: selection committee will comprise of 5 Nokia has been selected by NASA to build members. the first cellular network on the moon. US Reserve Bank ropes in Amitabh space agency plans for a future where Bachchan for customer awareness campaign:

RBI has roped in Bollywood megastar Dhanlaxmi Bank for 2 years. In February Amitabh Bachchan for the client 2020, G Jagan Mohan, General Manager, consciousness marketing campaign to RBI, Bengaluru Regional Office, was forestall gullible account holders from being appointed as Additional Director on the board duped by fraudsters. As a part of the general of the bank for a period of two years. public consciousness initiative of RBI, the Bandhan Bank appointed Former Bajaj regulator retains informing about do’s and Capital CEO Rahul Parikh as digital head: don’ts that should be adopted by clients to Bandhan Bank has appointed former Bajaj transact safely and securely. Capital chief executive Rahul Parikh as the Kerala startup Entri signs up Robin Bank's Digital Head as the bank broadens Uthappa as brand ambassador: its digital presence to improve customer A local language learning app Entri has services. Parikh will be responsible for the signed up Rajasthan Royals cricketer Robin digital banking business and for building a Uthappa as its brand ambassador and has strong digital backbone to support the bank's also partnered with Hotstar torun ad growth. campaigns in five different languages ITBP chief S S Deswal takes additional throughout the IPL 2020. charge of National Security Guard Mali’s Former Foreign Minister Moctar Director General: Ouane appointed as new Prime Minister: ITBP Director General S S Deswal has been Mali's transitional president has appointed given the additional charge of counter- former minister of foreign affairs, Moctar terrorism force National Security Guard Ouane, as the West African nation's prime (NSG) as its incumbent chief A K Singh is minister days after being sworn into office. He going to retire, according to a government served as foreign minister between 2004 and order. Anup Kumar Singh, a 1985-batch 2011 during Amadou Toumani Toure’s Indian Police Service officer of the Gujarat presidency. cadre, was appointed the NSG Director Senior bureaucrat PD Vaghela appointed General in October 2019. new TRAI chairman: KVIC appoints Fashion Design Council Government has appointed PD Vaghela, Chairman Sunil Sethi as advisor: secretary, department of pharmaceuticals, as Khadi and Village Industries Commission the new TRAI chairman for a period of three have appointed Sunil Sethi as its Advisor. years or until he attains the age of 65 years, Sunil Sethi is the Chairman of the Fashion whichever is earlier. Vaghela is an IAS officer Design Council of India. He has been of 1986 batch from Gujarat cadre. appointed for a period of one year. He will RBI appoints D K Kashyap Additional succeed fashion designer Ritu Beri. Director on Dhanlaxmi Bank board: S Aparna IAS takes charge as new Union Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Pharma Secretary: D K Kashyap from its Bengaluru Regional S Aparna IAS (Gujarat 1988), has assumed Office as Additional Director on the board of charge as Secretary in the Department of

Pharmaceuticals Ministry of Chemicals and Inputs and Complaints received through C- Fertilizers, Government of India. Ms Aparna VIGIL. They will supervise and monitor the has replaced Dr PD Vaghela who work being done by the electoral superannuated on 30 September 2020. machinery. IAS officer Apurva Chandra takes charge Government extends appointment of as Secretary at Ministry of Labour and Madhabi Puri Buch as a Whole Time Employment: Member of SEBI: Apurva Chandra (IAS) has assumed charge Government has extended the appointment of as new Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Madhabi Puri Buch as a whole time and Employment. Chandra is a 1988 batch member (WTM) of the Securities and Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer of Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by a Maharashtra cadre. Prior to this, he was period of one year. Puri Buch, the only serving as Special Director General, Defence female board member at SEBI, oversees Acquisition and Ministry of Defence. portfolios such as surveillance, collective IFS Officer Devyani Khobragade investment schemes and investment Appointed India's Next Ambassador to management. An alumna of Indian Institute Cambodia: of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. Indian Foreign Service officer Devyani Arvind Hali appointed as new MD and Uttam Khobragade has been appointed as CEO of Motilal Oswal Home Finance: India's next ambassador to Cambodia. Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd Khobragade, a 1999-batch Indian Foreign (MOFSL) has appointed Arvind Hali as the Service officer, is currently serving as a joint new Managing Director & Chief Executive secretary in the ministry at its headquarters Officer of its housing finance company Motilal in Delhi. Khobragade has served in Indian Oswal Home Finance Limited (MOHFL). It missions in Berlin, Islamabad, Rome, and has also appointed Amar Bahl as the Deputy New York. Managing Director & COO of the company. Election Commission appoints Madhu Government appoints Ashima Goyal, Mahajan and B. R Balakrishnan as Jayanth Varma and Shashanka Bhide as Special Expenditure Observers: Monetary Policy Committee members: Election Commission has appointed two Government has appointed three external former Indian Revenue Service officers members Ashima Goyal, member of Madhu Mahajan and B. R Balakrishnan as Economic Advisory Council of Prime Minister, special expenditure observers for the Bihar Shashanka Bhide, senior advisor at Assembly polls to oversee efforts by the National Council for Applied Economic enforcement machinery to check attempts to Research and Jayanth Varma who is a induce voters with cash, liquor and professor in Indian Institute of Management, freebies. Ahmedabad to the central bank’s panel that They will ensure stringent and effective decides interest rates. enforcement action based on Intelligence

Sports tech start-up HUDLE ropes in end on October 7. Khara was appointed as Ajinkya Rahane as brand ambassador managing director of SBI in August 2016 for and advisor: a three-year term. Delhi based sports tech & events startup Nilesh Shah re-elected as chairman of HUDLE has announced the appointment of Association of Mutual Funds in India: current Indian Test cricket vice-captain Nilesh Shah has been re-elected as the Ajinkya Rahane as brand ambassador & Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds advisor. Rahane will also be able to guide the in India (AMFI), at the recently concluded team with strategic inputs through his wealth Board Meeting of AMFI. He was the AMFI of experience in professional sport. chairman in 2019-20. Shah would also M Rajeshwar Rao appointed as RBI continue as the ex-officio Chairman of AMFI Deputy Governor: Financial Literacy Committee. Government of India has appointed Reserve RBI extends CMD R. K. Chhibber's tenure Bank of India’s (RBI) executive director M by further six months at Jammu & Rajeshwar Rao as the Deputy Governor of Kashmir Bank: the central bank. The position had been lying RBI has extended term of R. K. Chhibber, vacant for more than six months after N.S. Chairman and MD of Bank by a further period Vishwanathan retired on March 31. of 6 months w.e.f. 10th Oct 2020 or till J Venkatramu appointed as MD and CEO appointment of MD & CEO, whichever is of India Post Payments Bank: earlier. In June 2019, RBI had appointed J Venkatramu has been appointed the Chhibber as interim CMD on removal of managing director and chief executive officer Parvez Ahmed. of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) for a CWG medallist shuttler Chetan Anand period of three years. He is presently named brand ambassador of homegrown working as the chief digital officer in Equitas brand 'Transform': Small Finance Bank. India Post Payments Commonwealth Games medallist shuttler Bank was launched by Prime Minister Chetan Anand, a former world no.10 and the Narendra Modi in 2018 under Section 22 men's singles bronze medal winner at the (1) of Banking Regulation Act, 1949. 2006 Melbourne CWG, was roped in as the Government appoints Dinesh Kumar face of the homegrown equipment brand Khara as SBI chairman for 3 years: 'Transform' along with his academy in Government appoints Dinesh Kumar Khara Hyderabad. He was honoured with the as chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) Arjuna Award in 2006. for a period of three years with effect from Union Minister Piyush Goyal gets the date of his taking over charge of the post additional charge of Ministry of on or after October 7, 2020 or until further Consumer Affairs: orders, whichever is earlier. Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been Khara will replace SBI Chairman Rajnish assigned the additional charge of Ministry Kumar, whose three-year term comes to an of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public

Distribution on 9th October 2020 in addition Private Sector lender Karnataka Bank to his existing portfolios, following the death Limited has appointed Mrs. Uma Shankar of union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Goyal as Additional Director (Non-Executive, is currently serving as the Union Minister of Independent) and the appointment will be Railways and Minister of Commerce and effective from November 1, 2020. She is a Industry. former Executive Director of Reserve BharatPe Launches Brand Campaign with Bank of India. Record 11 Cricket Stars as Brand Government extends the tenure of NTPC, Ambassadors: CMD Gurdeep Singh till July 2025: BharatPe has announced the launch of its Government of India has extended the high impact TV campaign starring ‘Team tenure of Shri Gurdeep Singh, Chief BharatPe’ with 11 Cricket stars as its brand Managing Director (CMD) of NTPC till July ambassadors. Campaign communicates the 2025. The extension will be effective from message ‘Hum Hai Team BharatPe – Jo Feb 4, 2021. Gurdeep Singh completed Desh Ke Har Dukandaar Ke Saath Hai mechanical engineer from NIT Kurukshetra Khade’. and has undergone Management Education Suresh Sethi appointed as MD and CEO of Program from IIM Ahmedabad (India). NSDL e-Governance Infra Ltd: Vishal Sharma appointed as India’s Former founder CEO and MD of India Post Permanent Representative to UNESCO: Payments Bank Suresh Sethi is appointed Shri Vishal V. Sharma has been appointed as MD & CEO designate of NSDL e- as the next Permanent Representative of Governance Infrastructure Ltd. Suresh India to the Permanent Delegation of India to Sethi will succeed Gagan Rai. Prior to India UNESCO, Paris. Sharma has succeeded Post Payments Bank, he was associated with Jawed Ashraf. He will be 3rd political Citigroup, Yes Bank, Vodafone M-Pesa appointee among Indian ambassadors (across India, Kenya, UK, Argentina and around the world. USA). International Weightlifting Federation East Bengal appoint Liverpool legend appoint Michael Irani as interim Robbie Fowler as head coach: president: Former England and Liverpool legend International Weightlifting Federation Robbie Fowler has been appointed the head announced the appointment of Michael Irani coach of East Bengal for the next two as its interim president. Irani is chair of the years. He has been the third-highest goal IWF Medical Committee and a former chair of scorer for the Reds where he played till 2001 the IWF Anti-Doping Commission. Britain's before switching allegiance to arch-rivals Michael Irani taking over from Thailand's Leeds United and then Manchester City. Intarat Yodbangtoey. Karnataka Bank appoints former RBI Jacinda Ardern wins second term as New Executive Director Uma Shankar as Zealand’s Prime Minister: additional director:

Jacinda Ardern has won a second Government extends Union home consecutive three-years term in office after secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s tenure till her rival conceded in New Zealand's general August 22, 2021: election. Ardern’s centre-left Labour Party Government approved extension in service of won 49.2% of the total 83.7% votes counted home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in the in the 120-member parliament. same post beyond the date of his Union Bank of India CEO Rajkiran Rai is superannuation on November 30, 2020 new chairman of Indian Banks until August 22, 2021. He is a 1984 batch Association: IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was Indian Banks' Association (IBA) Union appointed as Home Secretary in August Bank of India's MD and CEO Rajkiran Rai G 2019. has been elected as the association's IRDAI Sets Up Panel to Examine Need for chairman for the term 2020-21. Rai succeeds Standard Cyber Insurance Product Rajnish Kumar as the IBA Chairman after headed by P Umesh: Kumar recently retired as SBI Chief. Insurance Regulatory and Development State Bank of India's Chairman Dinesh Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up 9- Kumar Khara has been elected as the member panel headed by P Umesh to Deputy Chairman of the association. explore possibility of a basic standard product RBI appoints Sashidhar Jagdishan as structure to provide insurance cover for HDFC new MD and CEO: individuals and establishments to manage Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved cyber risks. the appointment of Sashidhar Jagdishan as Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Bank. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: The appointment is for a period of 3 years Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sanju Yadav beginning October 27, 2020 and is subject Receive AIFF Player of the Year Awards: to the approval of the Bank's board and Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet shareholders. Singh Sandhu and midfielder of the women’s F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton national team Sanju Yadav have been appointed as global Brand ambassador awarded the AIFF (All India Football for LG SIGNATURE: Federation) Wen’s Footballer of the Year and LG Electronics (LG) announced that Six- Women’s Footballer of the Year Award Time Formula One World Champion Lewis respectively for 2019-20 season. Sandhu Hamilton has been signed to be the global became the second goalkeeper after ambassador for its LG SIGNATURE. Subrata Paul to be receiving the prestigious Hamilton will initially star in a new campaign award. to communicate the brand’s philosophy, “Art Usha Mangeshkar Gets Lata Mangeshkar Inspires Technology, Technology Award for 2020-21 by Maharashtra Completes Art.” Government:

Maharashtra announced the Gan Samragni The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Lata Mangeshkar award for the year 2020- has jointly been awarded to Harvey J. Alter, 21 to veteran female playback singer Usha Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for Mangeshkar. Award is given by cultural dept the discovery of “Hepatitis C virus”. They of the state government She has sung songs made decisive contribution to the fight in Marathi, Hindi & several Indian language against blood-borne hepatitis, a major Global films. Health Problem that causes cirrhosis and 'Messiah of Migrants' Sonu Sood liver cancer in people around the world. honoured with Special Humanitarian Two female Scientists Emmanuelle Action Award by UNDP: Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna wins Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has been Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 for conferred the prestigious SDG Special Genome Editing Discovery: Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded Nations Development Programme to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer (UNDP) during a virtual ceremony. He has A Doudna for their 2012 work on CRISPR- been dubbed a “Messiah Of Migrants” for CAS9, a method to edit DNA. Jennifer A. his philanthropic work during the pandemic- Doudna is a Professor at the University of induced lockdown. California, Berkeley, USA and Investigator, HDFC Bank's Ravi Santhanam in Forbes Howard Hughes Medical Institute. list of world's most influential CMOs: Emmanuelle Charpentier is a Director of CMO of HDFC Bank Ravi Santhanam has the Max Planck Unit for the Science of been recognized in the Forbes list of 'The Pathogens, Berlin, Germany. World's Most Influential CMOs'. Ranked at Andrea Ghez, Roger Penrose and No. 39, he is the only CMO of an Indian Reinhard Genzel Won Nobel Prize 2020 in company to be featured in the illustrious list Physics for their Discoveries about Black which includes marketing heads of Apple, Holes: BMW, etc. Andrea Ghez, Roger Penrose and Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Reinhard Genzel have been awarded the presents lifetime achievement award to 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for their Ratan Tata: pioneering work on space involving the Black Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Holes and the Milky Way's darkest secret. (IACC) has presented the lifetime Roger Penrose (United Kingdom) won half achievement award to business icon Ratan of prize for discovery that Black Hole Tata as part of its recent global leadership Formation is robust prediction of general awards. theory of relativity, Reinhard Genzel Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded to (German) and Andrea Ghez (America) Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton & received second half of prize for discovery of Charles M. Rice for Discovery of Hepatitis supermassive compact object at Center of C Virus: Our Galaxy.

American poet Louise Gluck awarded Attenborough to launch a new 2020 Nobel Literature prize: environmental award, “Earthshot Prize”, Louise Gluck has won 2020 Nobel Prize in which has grand ambitions to incentivize Literature for her “Unmistakable Poetic change and help to repair our planet over the Voice” that with austere beauty makes next 10 years. The prize comprises 5 prizes individual existence universal. Prof at Yale of 1 million pounds each. University, Glück made her debut in 1968 India becomes first nation to be awarded with her collection titled 'Firstborn'. Blue Flag certification for 8 beaches in a They include “The Wild Iris,” for which she single attempt: won a Pulitzer Prize in 1993, and “Faithful India received the prestigious 'Blue Flag' and Virtuous Night,” about mortality and certification for all its eight beaches that it grief, from 2014. She was named the United recommended. India is now in the league of States’ poet laureate in 2003. 50 ‘BLUE FLAG’ countries. World Food Programme awarded 2020 Eight of India’s beaches including Shivrajpur Nobel Peace Prize for 'combating (Dwarka-Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), hunger': Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Nobel Committee has awarded 2020 Nobel Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (AP), Peace Prize to World Food Programme for Golden Beach (Odisha) and Radhanagar its efforts to combat hunger, contribution (A&N Islands) got the eco-label of Blue Flag to bettering conditions for peace in in a row. conflict-affected areas & for efforts to prevent TCS surpasses Accenture to Become use of hunger as weapon of war & conflict. Most Valuable IT services Firm Globally: Paul R. Milgrom and Robert B. Wilson Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) became Wins Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic the most-valuable information technology Sciences for their work on auction (IT) company globally, surpassing rival theory: Accenture for the first time. At the last closing U.S. economists Paul Milgrom and Robert price of Rs 2,825, TCS was valued at Wilson won the Nobel Economics Prize for $144.73 billion (Rs 10.6 trillion). Accenture work on commercial auctions, including for is currently valued at $142.4 billion, while goods and services difficult to sell in IBM’s market cap is $110.5 billion. traditional ways such as radio frequencies. Bank of Ghana Named Central Bank of The winners were announced in Stockholm the Year 2020: by Goran Hansson, secretary-general of the Bank of Ghana has been recognised by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Central Banking Awards as the Central Prince William and Sir David Bank of the Year 2020 following measures Attenborough Launched “Earthshot it pursued in a bid to ensure a strong financial Prize” to Support Climate Change: sector via a raft of reforms implemented over Prince William has joined with renowned the past two years. Bank of Ghana takes over British broadcaster and Naturalist David

from the Monetary Authority of Singapore 14-year-old Indian American Anika (MAS) which was last year's overall winner. Chebrolu wins America’s Young Scientist And also, Governor of the Bank of England Challenge: Mark Carney has won the Governor of the A 14-year-old Indian-American teen Anika year at the Central bank of the year award Chebrolu from Texas has been awarded the 2020. 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge, Indian-origin philanthropist Harish regarded as the US premier middle school Kotecha wins lifetime achievement science competition, and a $25,000 prize award in US: for her research that could provide a potential Indian-origin philanthropist Harish Kotecha therapy to the novel coronavirus pandemic. has been awarded the prestigious Sandra Uttar Pradesh emerged as top Neese Lifetime Achievement Award in destination in 2019 attracting over 53 recognition of his work in the US for meeting crore tourists: the needs of children and youth Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top experiencing homelessness. destination for attracting the highest Seema Gupta wins 2020 STEVIE Awards number of Domestic Tourists in 2019. The for Women in Business: Indian Tourism Statistics has announced that Power Grid Corporation Director Seema as many as 53.6 crore domestic tourists Gupta has been named winner of GOLD visited Uttar Pradesh (23.1%) in 2019. Stevie Award in Lifetime Achievement- Tamil Nadu (21.3%) came second followed Business category in 17th annual Stevie by Andhra Pradesh (10.2%). Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards Rakayet Ul Karim Rakim of Bangladesh have been hailed as the world’s premier wins the Greenstorm International business awards. Nature Photography Contest: Aishwarya Sridhar becomes first Indian Rakayet Ul Karim Rakim native of woman to win at Wildlife Photographer Chittagong, Bangladesh, has won the 12th of the Year awards: edition of the Greenstorm International Aishwarya Sridhar's photo titled 'Lights of Nature Photography Contest conducted in Passion' has won the 'Highly Commended' association with UNEP in connection with the award at the Wildlife Photographer of the World Environment Day. Year 2020. She became the first Indian Managing Director of TRIFED Pravir Woman to win this award. The Krishna bags CEO of the year and announcement was made in 56th year of the visionary leadership award: prestigious award at the Natural History Pravir Krishna (IAS) Managing Director of Museum in London. She won among Tribal Cooperative Marketing 50,000 entries from over 80 countries Development Federation of India across the world. (TRIFED) has been awarded CEO of the Year and Visionary Leadership Award in

National Awards for Excellence in PSU for Author and MP Shashi Tharoor is set to Investment in Start-UPS. release his book titled “The Battle of Belonging”. It is published by Aleph Book BOOKS AND AUTHORS: Company. The book appears to be an Manish Sisodia Launches Book “Bapu - extension of his book “Why I Am a Hindu”. The Unforgettable” On Gandhi Jayanti: He is the longest-serving member of the Lok Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sabha from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Sisodia launched a coffee-table book "Bapu since 2009. - The unforgettable" on the occasion of the Autobiography of Finance Commissioner 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. N K Singh “Portraits of Power: Half a The book can certainly make us think, give us Century of Being at Ringside”: ideas, give us a glimpse of his philosophy. Veteran Economist and bureaucrat N K There are several untouched aspects of (Nand Kishore) Singh released his history in this book, a lot of photographs, autobiography titled “Portraits of Power: epigraphs and several other details about Half a Century of Being at Ringside”. The Delhi which we usually do not get to see. book portrays the life of NK Singh who played 'Baahubali' author Anand Neelakantan an active role in the development of the pens debut kids' book titled “The Very, Indian economy. He is currently serving as Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for the Chairman of the 15th Finance Kids”: Commission. The book is published by Rupa "Baahubali" series author Anand Publications India. Neelakantan has written his debut book in the children's space which tells some of the RANKINGS: most hilarious stories about child asuras and India ranked 89th among 181 countries their antics. Puffin has published "The Very, in World Risk Report 2020; Vanuatu Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Tops: Kids", which has full-colour illustrations According to the World Risk Index (WRI) accompanying the narrative. 2020, India has been ranked at the 89th spot PM Narendra Modi releases a Book titled among 181 Countries. India was ‘poorly ‘Deh Vechava Karani’ autobiography of prepared’ to deal with ‘climate reality’, due Balasaheb Vikhe Patil: to which it was more vulnerable to extreme Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the natural disasters. It is calculated by the autobiography of late multiple terms Lok United Nations University Institute for Sabha MP Dr Balasaheb Vikhe Patil. The Environment and Human Security (UNU- autobiography is titled ‘Deh Vechava EHS). Karani’ means dedicating one’s life for a India Ranks 129 in Oxfam’s CRI Index noble cause. 2020; Norway Topped: A New Book Titled “The Battle of India has been ranked 129 among 158 Belonging” authored by Shashi Tharoor: countries in Commitment to Reducing

Inequality (CRI) Index 2020. The 3rd India has acquired the second rank in terms edition of the index focuses on Fighting of number of migrants going to the Inequality in the time of COVID-19. The index Organisation for Economic Co-operation was topped by Norway followed by and Development (OECD) countries and Denmark and Germany 2nd and 3rd Place acquiring the citizenship of those countries. respectively. South Sudan is the lowest The data was released by the OECD in its ranking country in the index at 158th 2020 edition of the annual International position. Migration Outlook report, which analyses India ranks 58th in Global Passport the recent developments in migration Index report by Arton Capital’s Passport movements and policies in its countries. This Index; New Zealand Topped: is the 44th edition of the annual report. India has been ranked 58th in the list of China top the list, while Romania stood at World’s Most Powerful Passports by 3rd place. Arton Capital’s Passport Index. New Zealand was the strongest passport in the OBITUARY NEWS: world followed by Japan, Germany, Legendary singer SP Balasubramanyam Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, passes away at 74: Ireland, South Korea and Australia. The Legendary singer SP Balasubramanyam US passport ranked 21. has passed away. He is known to have India ranks 94 among 107 Countries in recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 Indian Global Hunger Index 2020: languages including Tamil, Telugu, India has been ranked at 94 among 107 Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam and holds countries in the Global Hunger Index the Guinness World Record for recording the (GHI) 2020 report released. With a score of highest number of songs by a singer. 27.2, India has been placed in the “Serious” Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh category in the GHI scale. Passes Away at 82: th India 4 most powerful country in Asia Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh has Power Index 2020; US Topped: passed away after a prolonged illness. He had India has been ranked at 4th position (39.7 served as the external affairs minister, out of 100) in Asia Power Index 2020, defense minister and finance minister of released by the Sydney-based Lowy India, during the then Prime Minister Atal Institute. Bihari Vajpayee’s Cabinet. The United States has retained its position Padma Bhushan awardee and Economist as the most powerful country influencing the Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia passed away Asia-Pacific with a score of 81.6. It is followed at 74: by China (76.1) and Japan (41) at second Renowned economist and Padma Bhushan and third spot respectively. awardee Isher Judge Ahluwalia passed India Ranked World No. 2 in Migrations away. She had served on several national and to OECD nations; China Topped: international committees and boards over her

career, including as chairperson of the board Bollywood actress Mishti Mukherjee, who of trustees of IFPRI and ICRIER. has featured in many Hindi, Bengali and Veteran Lyricist Abhilash passes away at Telugu films, and music videos has passed 74: away due to kidney failure. He was only 27 Veteran songwriter Abhilash, who penned years old. down the song 'Itni shakti hame dena Afghanistan cricketer Najeeb Tarakai daata' from the 1986 film 'Ankush' passed Passed away at 29: away at 74 due to stomach illness. He had Afghanistan’s top-order batsman Najeeb ghazals and stories published under this name Tarakai has died from injuries sustained in a before starting his career in the music road accident. Tarakai played 12 Twenty20 industry. Internationals (T20Is) for Afghanistan, after Noted writer and Sahitya Akademi making his international debut in the 2014 awardee Dr GS Amur passes away at 95: T20 World Cup. He played his only one-day Veteran critic and versatile writer Dr G S international against Ireland in 2017. Amur died due to age-related ailments. The Mexican Scientist and Nobel winner literateur, known for his proficiency in both Mario Molina Passed away at 77: Kannada and English, was a recipient of Mario Molina, only Mexican scientist to be several prestigious honours, including the honored with Nobel Prize in chemistry, Sahitya Akademi Award, Rajyotsava 1995 passed away. He won prize along with Award and Bharatiya Bhasha Award. F.S. Rowland of US & P. Crutzen of the Assam’s only woman CM Syeda Anwara Netherlands for their research into climate Taimur passes away at 84: change. Syeda Anwara Taimur, the only woman to Veteran Marathi actor Avinash have become the Chief Minister of Assam till Kharshikar passes away: now, passed away in Australia. Taimur had Veteran Marathi actor Avinash Kharshikar been the Chief Minister of Assam from died. He was a well-known for his comic December 6, 1980 to June 30, 1981. She acting in the Marathi industry and he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from worked with other well-known names in the Congress in 1988. Marathi industry like Ashok Saraf and the late Veteran social activist and scholar Laxmikanth Berde. Pushpa Bhave passed away at 81: Renowned Indian-origin South African Veteran social activist, scholar, human rights lawyer Priscilla Jana rationalist, and a stalwart of Marathi passes away at 76: literature and theatre Pushpa Bhave passed Renowned Indian-origin South African away. She had taken part in the Samyukta human rights lawyer Priscilla Jana who Maharashtra movement and the Goa represented many anti-apartheid political liberation movement. leaders, including Nelson Mandela, has Bollywood Actress Mishti Mukherjee passed away. He had played a significant role passes away at 27: against apartheid, was the Deputy

Chairperson of the South African Human an encyclopaedia of the game, is best Rights Commission (SAHRC). remembered for being on air during the tied Former New Zealand all-rounder John R Test of 1986 between India and Australia in Reid passes away at 92: Chepauk. He had received a lifetime John Richard Reid, former New Zealand achievement award for his decades long great and their oldest surviving Test contribution in the fields of media and player, has died at the age of 92 in commentary in 2013. Auckland. he scored 3428 runs in 58 Test Renowned Malayalam poet Akkitham matches with an average of 33.28, hitting Achuthan Namboothiri passes away at 22 half-centuries and six centuries in a career 94: that spanned over 16 years. His maiden Test Padma Shri awardee Akkitham Achuthan century, a knock of 135, came against South Namboothiri is also known for his critical Africa in Cape Town in 1954. essays, short stories and other literary Padma Shri awardee and renowned works. His works have been translated into Kuchipudi dancer Shobha Naidu passes multiple languages. He is a recipient of away at 64: Jnanpith Award (2019), India’s highest Padma Shri awardee and renowned literary honour and Padma Shri (2017). Kuchipudi dancer Shobha Naidu passes Veteran Bengali Vocal Artiste Pradip away due to prolonged illness. She Ghosh passes away at 78: extensively toured the US, UK, Dubai, Turley, Noted Bengali elocutionist Pradip Ghosh Hongkong, Mexico, Venezuela and Cuba to has passed away at his residence in Kolkata. give stage performances of Kuchipudi dance. He tested coronavirus positive, in a swab test She won Padma Shri in 2001 and Sangeet which was taken after his death. Ghosh was Natak Akademi in 1991. a prominent recitor and renowned vocal India’s First Oscar winning costume artist, who was well-known for his inimitable designer Bhanu Athaiya passes away at style of recitation. 91: First Woman Officer of Indian Air Force Bhanu Athaiya, the costume designer who Vijayalakshmi Ramanan Passes Away at became the first Indian to win an Oscar, 96: for Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi” First woman officer of Indian Air Force, (1982), died at her home in Mumbai after a Wing Commander (retd) Dr Vijaylakshmi prolonged illness. She also designed Ramanan passed away at 96. Also a costumes for over 100 Bollywood movies. renowned gynaecologist, Dr Vijaylakshmi Veteran cricket journalist and Ramanan had served in the Army Medical commentator Kishore Bhimani passes Corps in 1955. She was awarded the away at 80: Vishisht Seva Medal in 1977. Veteran cricket journalist and Renowned economist Dr Jayanta Madhab commentator Kishore Bhimani passed passes away away on at the age of 80. He was considered

Renowned economist from Assam, Dr Indian teenager Nihal Sarin Wins Junior Jayanta Madhab passed away. He worked Speed Chess Championship: as financial adviser to Calcutta Indian teenager created history by winning Metropolitan Development Corporation the Chess.com’s 2020 Junior Speed and has served as director at the ADB. He was Online Chess Championship, defeating the founder chairman of North Eastern Russia’s Alexey Sarana 18-7 in the final. He Development Finance Corporation Ltd. also qualified for the 2020 Speed Chess Championship Final. SPORTS NEWS: Lewis Hamilton equals Michael Valtteri Bottas wins Russian GP after Schumacher's 91 race wins at Eifel F1 Lewis Hamilton is handed 10-second Grand Prix: penalty: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) won his has won the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, held at second Formula One race of the 2020 season. the Nürburgring in Nürburg, Germany. Max Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) came came second followed by the 6-time world second followed by Daniel Ricciardo champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great (Renault, Australia) at third position. This is Britain), who stood third because of two Hamilton’s 7th win of the season and 91st separate five-second penalties. career race victory, which was till now Visnu Shivaraj Pandian wins 10-meter achieved only by Michael Schumacher. air rifle gold at 5th International Online Nozomi Okuhara clinches Women's Shooting Championship: Singles title at Denmark Open: India’s 16-year-old Visnu Shivaraj Pandian Former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara has won the 10m air rifle event at the fifth clinched the Denmark Open title beating edition of the International Online three-time world champion Carolina Marin Shooting Championship. Visnu win the title in women's singles. The Japanese star took 56 by a clear margin of two points. minutes to get the better of the Olympic gold Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to medallist Spaniard in two games 21-19, 21- win his 13th French Open Men's Singles 17, at Odense. title and claims his 20th Grand Slam title: In the Men's Singles Final, world number Rafael Nadal’s 100th match win at the seven Anders Antonsen of Denmark French Open earned him his 20th Grand defeated his compatriot Rasmus Gemke by Slam title and rival Roger Federer for the 18-21, 21-19, 21-12. men’s singles record. To add even more of a Indian Shooters Elavenil and Shahu shine to the achievement, the victory was Mane wins’ gold, silver in Sheikh Russel perhaps one of Nadal’s best efforts 6-0, 6-2, International Air Rifle Championship: 7-5 drubbing of Novak Djokovic played under World number one Indian Elavenil Valarivan the brand-new roof on Court Philippe won a gold medal and Shahu Tushar Mane Chatrier. bagged a silver in the Sheikh Russel

International Air Rifle Championship, organised by Bangladesh Shooting Sport held virtually. The championship was Federation (BSSF).

IMPORTANT DAYS:

DATE DAY THEME

October 1 World Vegetarian Day - October 1 International Day of Older “Leave No One Behind” Persons October 2 International Day of Non- “Shaping Peace Together” Violence October 2 World Day for Farmed Animals - October Wildlife Week “RoaR (Roar and Revive) – Exploring Human-Animal (2-8) Relationships” October World Space Week “Satellites Improve Life” (4-10) October 5 World Teachers’ Day “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future” October 5 World Habitat Day “Housing For All — A Better Urban Future” October 7 World Cotton Day “Cotton: The Fibre that Moves Me”

October 8 Air Force Day - October 8 World Sight Day “Hope In Sight” October 9 World Post Day “We Have Always Delivered”

October 9 World Egg Day(second Friday of “Eat Your Egg Today And Every Day” October) October World Mental Health Day “Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater” 10 October World Migratory Bird Day “Birds Connect Our World” 10 October International Day of the Girl “My Voice, Our Equal Future” 11 Child October World Arthritis Day “Time2Work” 12 October International Day for Disaster “Disaster Risk Governance” 13 Reduction October World Standards Day “Protecting the planet with standards” 14

October International E-Waste Day - 14 October World Students Day “Learning for People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace” 15 October International Day of Rural “Rural women and girls building resilience” 15 Women October Global Handwashing Day “Hand Hygiene for All” 15 October World Food Day “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Our actions are our 16 future”

October International Day for the “Acting together to achieve social and environmental 17 Eradication of Poverty justice for all”

October World Osteoporosis Day “THAT’S OSTEOPOROSIS” 20 October World Statistics Day “Connecting the world with data we can trust” 20 October International Chefs Day ‘Healthy Food for the Future!’ 20 October Police Commemoration Day - 21 October World Iodine Deficiency Day - 21 October International Stuttering “Journey of Words – Resilience and Bouncing Back” 22 Awareness Day October International Snow Leopard - 23 Day October United Nations Day “The Future We Want, the UN We Need: Reaffirming our 24 Collective Commitment to Multilateralism” October World Development - 24 Information Day October 30 World Thrift Day - October 31 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or - National Unity Day