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Current Affairs Year Book 2018 PDF

Dear readers,

This PDF is a complete docket of important Current Affairs news and events that occurred in the year 2018. This file is important and relevant for all competitive exams like, SSC, Railways, IB, and other Govt. Exams.

Schemes Launched by Union/State Govt.

December

1. SC introduced Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 in pilgrimage every year, the expenses for which will be borne by the government. • The Supreme Court (SC) introduced a witness 3. Jammu & Kashmir Govt. launches AB-PMJAY Scheme protection regime in the country noting that one • Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik of the main reasons for witnesses turning hostile launched the ambitious “Ayushman Bharat- is that they are not given security by the State. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)” • It also announced that the Witness Protection scheme which would benefit over 31 lakh Scheme, 2018 will come into effect immediately residents in the state. across all States. • The governor distributed golden cards among 10 • This scheme is aimed at enabling a witness to eligible beneficiaries for availing the annual depose fearlessly and truthfully, would be the health cover facility, marking the launch of the law of the land till Parliament enacted suitable scheme in the state. legislation. 4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana • The Witness Protection Scheme 2018 was • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a framed by the Central government based on the conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant inputs received from 18 States/Union and lactating women of 19 years of age or above. Territories, 5 States Legal Services Authorities • The scheme is launched by the Ministry of and open sources including civil society, three Women and Child Development Government of High Courts and police personnel, as well. India. 2. Govt. launches Free Pilgrimage Scheme for • The programme, which became applicable from Senior Citizens January 1, 2017 provides a cash incentive of Rs • Delhi Chief Minister launched 5,000 in three instalments to pregnant women the 'Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana' which and lactating mothers for the first child through offers free travel packages for senior citizens Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT). from Delhi to five religious circuits. 5. PRASAD Scheme of Ministry of Tourism • Under this free pilgrimage scheme, a Delhi • The Centre has included Gangotri and Yamunotri resident above 60 years will be eligible to take in Uttrarakhand, Amarkantak in free pilgrimage along with his or her spouse. and Parasnath in under a central • 1100 senior citizens from each Assembly scheme to develop pilgrimage and heritage Constituency would now undertake free destinations in the country.

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• With the new additions, the number of sites • Under the scheme ‘Prasad’, the Ministry of under the PRASAD scheme has now become 41 Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance in 25 states. (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory • The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Administrations for development and Tourism in 2014-15. beautification of the identified pilgrimage • PRASAD stands for -Pilgrimage Rejuvenation destinations. and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive.

November

1. Ministry of HRD launches faculty development • The objective is to prepare second tier academic programmes - LEAP & ARPIT heads who are potentially likely to assume • A unique initiative of online professional leadership roles in the future. development of 15 lakh higher education faculty About ARPIT programme using the MOOCs platform SWAYAM, Annual • ARPIT is a 40-hour module with 20 hours of Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT) video content offered in a highly flexible format was launched on 13th Nov. and can be done at one’s own pace and time. • The ministry of human resource development • There are built-in assessment exercises and also launched Leadership for Academicians activities as part of the academic progression in Programme (LEAP) which will be implemented the course. through 15 top institutions like IITs, TISS, DU, • At the end of the course, they will be a terminal JNU and IISERs and also include a week training assessment which can be either online or a in a foreign campus of the likes of Harvard written examination. University, Oxford University, Purdue University • All faculties who have successfully completed the and NTU Singapore, among others. online refresher course will be certified. 2. Eight States achieve 100% household electrification About LEAP programme under Saubhagya scheme • LEAP is a three-week flagship leadership • 8 States which achieved 100% household development training programme (two-weeks electrification under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli domestic and one-week foreign training for Har Ghar Yojana - Saubhagya scheme are Madhya second level academic functionaries in public Pradesh, , Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, funded higher education institutions. Mizoram, , and . • LEAP programme will be offered by 15 NIRF top • With this, total 15 States in India have 100 per ranked Indian Institutions namely, IIT Roorkee, cent household electrification. IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, Indian Institute of • Prime Minister launched Rs Science Education and Research (IISER) , 16320-Crore ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har University, University of Delhi, Ghar Yojana'- Saubhagya on September 25, 2017 IIT Bombay and TISS , among others. to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. • The scheme aims to achieve the goal of universal Objective of LEAP household electrification in the country by March 31, 2019.

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3. tops in implementing Ayushman Bharat (CSIF)’ created by the National Cooperative • Gujarat has emerged as the top performer of the Development Corporation (NCDC). Centre’s ambitious health financing scheme - 7. CCEA approves ACROSS scheme Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya • Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired Cabinet Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which was launched on Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) has September 23, promises health coverage of Rs 5 approved continuation of nine sub-schemes of lakh per family to over 10 crore poor families. umbrella scheme “Atmosphere & Climate • Over 3.4 lakh beneficiaries have been treated Research-Modelling Observing Systems & under the scheme since its launch until Services (ACROSS)” during 2017-2020. November 24, according to the National Health • The scheme aims at improving skill of weather Agency. and climate forecast through sustained • ranked second at 54,273 hospital observations, intensive Research & and Chattisgarh third at 53,180. Development. • The scheme refers to the atmospheric science 4. Health Ministry launches Integrated Disease programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences Surveillance Programme (IDSP) (MoES). • Ms. Preeti Sudan, Union Health Secretary did 8. Government Launches Bhasha Sangam initiative - soft-launch of the Integrated Disease • The government has launched a unique initiative Surveillance Programme (IDSP) segment of the called Bhasha Sangam to introduce school Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) in students to 22 Indian languages. seven states. • The initiative, under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, • The path-breaking initiative will provide near- was active for the period between 22nd real-time data to policymakers for detecting November 2018 – 21st December 2018. outbreaks, reducing the morbidity and mortality • Bhasha Sangam is a programme for schools and and lessening disease burden in the populations educational institutions to provide multilingual and better health systems. exposure to students in Indian languages. 5. Gau Samridhi Scheme launched by govt. 9. UP Govt launches Women empowerment resolution • Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched campaign – the ‘Cow Samridhi Plus Scheme’ to provide • Government launched the Women insurance coverage to dairy farmers in the state. Empowerment Resolution Campaign to develop • The government subsidized scheme, as abilities in women for leadership and rights. proposed, will give insurance coverage to dairy • The purpose of this campaign is to ensure the farmers at low premium rates. empowerment of women through different 6. Yuva Sahakar Scheme launched by Agriculture programs in the state. Ministry • It was launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister • Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ in on November 20, Welfare, launched the ‘Yuva 2018. Sahakar-Cooperative Enterprise Support and 10. Union HRD Minister launches ‘Institution’s Innovation Scheme. Innovation Council (IIC)’Program • Aim - The schemes aim for attracting youth to • Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar launched cooperative business ventures. the ‘Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) • The scheme will be linked to Rs 1000 crore program under Innovation cell in . ‘Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund

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• HRD Ministry has established Innovation cell at • Out of the 25 percent procurement mandated AICTE with purpose to systematically foster from MSMEs, 3 percent must now be reserved culture of Innovation in all Higher Education for women entrepreneurs. Institutions (HEIs) across the country. 11. PM launches Support and Outreach Programme for 12. Saura Jalnidhi scheme launched by the Odisha Govt. MSME Sector • This scheme has been launched by the Odisha • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Micro, Government only for Former for their filed Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Support irrigation. and Outreach Programme. Key points • As part of this programme, PM unveiled 12 key • Under this scheme, farmers will be given 90% initiatives which will help the growth, expansion subsidy and 5,000 solar pumps. and facilitation of MSMEs across the country. • This scheme is only for those who have farmer • There are five key aspects for facilitating the identical and minimum land should be 0.5 acres. MSME sector which include - access to credit, 13. Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Two North East Circuit access to market, technology upgradation, ease Projects inaugurated in of doing business, and sense of security for • Union Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated two employees. important projects as part of Development of Aim - It aims to boost MSME sector it is one of important North East Circuit under Swadesh Darshan sector for major generations of employment Scheme in Arunachal Pradesh. opportunities. Swadesh Darshan scheme • It was launched by Union Tourism Ministry in Key points 2015 with objective to develop theme-based • It will for 100 days covering 100 Districts tourist circuits in the country. throughout the country. • These tourist circuits developed will be • Under Access to Credit aspect of this porgramme, developed under on principles of high tourist Government will launch 59 minute loan portal value, competitiveness and sustainability in to enable easy access to credit for MSMEs. integrated manner. • Loans upto Rs. 1 crore will be granted in- 14. Govt hikes outlay for first phase of FAME India principle approval through this portal, in just 59 scheme to Rs 895 crore minutes. • The government has increased the outlay by Rs • Government will give 2% interest subvention 100 crore to Rs 895 crore for the first phase of for all GST registered MSMEs, on fresh or the FAME India scheme to promote mass incremental loans. adoption of electric vehicles, having extended the • For exporters who receive loans in pre-shipment scheme four times, according to an official and post-shipment period will get increase in notification. interest rebate ranging from 3% to 5%. • The phase-I of the Faster Adoption and • All MSMEs or companies with turnover more Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles than Rs. 500 crore will now be compulsorily (FAME India) scheme was supposed to be brought on Trade Receivables e-Discounting implemented over a two-year period System (TReDS). commencing from April 1, 2015. • Public sector companies have now been asked to compulsorily procure 25 percent, instead of 20 percent of their total purchases, from MSMEs.

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October

• The partner institution shall be in the top-500 of 1. SPARC’ scheme - The Union Minister of Human Q5 World University Rankings or in the top-200 Resource Development Prakash Javadekar launched the of Q5 World University Rankings by subject. ‘SPARC’ scheme. 2. IMPRESS’ scheme launched • The objective of the scheme is to boost India • With an aim to promote policy research in social specific research in social and pure sciences. science areas Union HRD Minister Prakash • Here ‘SPARC’ stands for - 'Scheme for promotion Javadekar launched ‘IMPRESS’ scheme in the of Academic and Research Collaboration'. country. "SPARC will focus on joint research projects in focus • ‘IMPRESS’ stands for - Impactful Policy Research areas, including technology, science and social sciences, in Social Sciences. which are of relevance to India. Key points: Aim of the SPARC scheme - • The scheme will provide an opportunity for • SPARC scheme aims at improving the research social science researchers in any institution in ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by the country which includes all universities facilitating academic and research collaborations (central and state). between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in • Budget Outlay - The scheme will be the world. implemented at a total cost of Rs. 414 crores till Key points of the Scheme: March 2021. • The SPARC scheme envisages supporting around • Implementing Agency – The scheme will be 600 proposals for a total outlay of Rs 418 Crores implemented by the Indian Council of Social over two years. Science and Research (ICSSR). Budget Outlay - Human Resource Development (HRD) • The IMPRESS scheme will open up new avenues Ministry announced a budget of Rs 418 crore from 2018- in Research aiming at visible impact on 20 on collaborative research between Indian and foreign Technology, Economy, Society, Culture - B.B. institutes. Kumar (ICSSR Chairman) Collaboration with foreign countries: • Under IMPRESS, 1,500 research projects will • SPARK scheme will facilitate academic and be awarded for two years to support social research collaborations between Indian science research in the higher educational Institutions the best institutions in the world institutions. from 28 selected nations. Objective of IMPRESS Scheme - The objective of the scheme National Coordinating Institute is as follows • Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur is the • To identify and fund research proposals in social National Coordinating Institute to implement the sciences with maximum impact on the SPARC programme. governance and society. Eligibility • To ensure selection of projects through a • All Indian Institutions ranked in the overall top- transparent, competitive process on online 100 or category-wise top-100 in the India mode. Rankings (NIRF) are eligible to apply. • To provide opportunity for social science • Only such private institutions which are falling in researchers in any institution in the country, including all Universities (Central and State), the above category, and also recognised under Section 12(8) of UGC Act are eligible.

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private institutions with 12(B) status conferred • Under this scheme, sovereign gold bonds will be by UGC. issued every month from October 2018 to The identified domains under IMPRESS are as: February 2019. • State and Democracy • This bond will be sold through Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited, Post Office, Stock • Urban Transformation Exchange (NSE and BSE). • Media, Culture and Society Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme • Employment Skills and Rural Transformation • It is aimed at providing alternative to buying physical • Governance, Innovation and Public Policy gold. • Growth, Macro Trade and Economic Policy • Under it, bonds are denominated in units of one gram of gold and multiples thereof. • Agriculture and Rural Development • These gold denominated bonds are restricted for sale • Health and Environment to resident Indian entities, including individuals, • Science and Education Hindu undivided families (HUF), trusts, universities • Social Media and Technology and charitable institutions. • The minimum subscription for individual and HUF is • Politics, Law and Economics 1 gram and maximum is 4 kg. 3. Govt. launches Youth Road Safety Learners Licence

Programme • For trusts and similar entities, maximum subscription is 20 kg per fiscal. • Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

has launched Youth Road Safety Learners • RBI has notified rate of interest of 2.50% per Licence programme in New Delhi. annum on SGB bonds is payable on half yearly basis. 6. Digi Yatra: Govt. releases policy on biometric based • It is Public–private (PPP) initiative digital processing of passengers at airports in collaboration with Diageo India and Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE). • Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has released policy on biometric based digital processing of • This programme will help Government to passengers at airports called Digi Yatra. achieve its target of reducing road accidents by 50% by 2020. • The initiative seeks to promote paperless and 4. Delhi Government launches Chief Minister’s Urban hassle-free air travel. Leaders Fellowship Programme: Delhi government has • It will be operational by end of February, 2019 at launched Chief Minister’s Urban Leaders Fellowship Bengaluru and airports. Programme that seeks to attract young leaders across • In later phase, Airports Authority of India (AAI) the country to work with it on addressing some of the will roll out this initiative at Kolkata, Varanasi, most pressing urban challenges. It was announced by and airports by April 2019. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Key points: • The fellows will be paid remuneration of Rs 1.25 • Under Digi Yatra, there will be one-time verification lakh per month and Rs 75,000 per month to at departure airport while travelling for first time Associate Fellows. using ID. 5. Government opens new series of sovereign gold • After successful verification, facial recognition bonds scheme for subscription - Union Government biometric will be captured and stored in Digi Yatra has opened new series of sovereign gold bonds scheme ID. for subscription. • With this initiative, ticket booking, airport entry and boarding pass security check-in will be made digital.

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• For this system, passengers will be registered • The children of construction workers would get through centralized system and will be given Digi financial assistance for their education in Travel ID. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 7. Udyam Abhilasha: SIDBI launches national level polytechnics. entrepreneurship awareness campaign • While an ITI student will be entitled to get • Small Industries Development Bank of India financial assistance of Rs. 23,600, a diploma (SIDBI) has launched Udyam Abhilasha a student to get Rs. 26,300 per annum. national level entrepreneurship awareness • A total of 1,878 students will get benefit from the campaign. programme. • It was launched in 115 Aspirational Districts 9. Odisha govt. launch Food Security Scheme - Odisha identified by NITI Aayog in 28 States. government launched the State’s own food security Objectives of Udyam Abhilasha scheme to cover the poor people. • To inspire rural youth in aspirational districts to • As per the provisions of the scheme, 25 lakh poor be entrepreneurs by assisting them to set up people left out from the benefits of the National their own enterprise. Food Security Act, will get rice of 5 kg per month • To impart trainings through digital medium for one rupee. across the country, 10. Wage Compensation Scheme for pregnant women: • To create business opportunities for CSC-VLEs. Government has become the first Indian state to • To focus on women aspirants in aspirational offer a Wage Compensation Scheme for pregnant women districts to encourage women entrepreneurship. working in the tea gardens of the state. • To assist participants to become bankable and Key points avail credit facility from banks to set up their • Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 12,000 will own enterprise. be given to the pregnant women so that they can 8. Odisha govt. launched 'Nirman Kusuma' scheme – take care of themselves and the unborn baby. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Nirman • The compensation of wages to pregnant women Kusuma' programme for providing financial assistance to will be given in 4 instalments - Rs 2,000 in the the children of the construction workers for their first trimester, Rs 4,000 in the second trimester, technical education in the state. Rs 3,000 for institutional and Rs 3,000 Key points: for registration of the child's birth.

September

1. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna: The Employees’ State • The eligibility for availing Super Specialty Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved a new treatment for dependents of Insured Person has scheme- Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna for Insured now been relaxed to insurable employment of Persons covered under the Employees’ State Insurance one year with 156 days of contributions. Act. • The ESIC also approved the proposal for Key points: increasing the funeral expenses from existing 10 • This scheme is a relief payable in cash directly to thousand rupees to 15 thousand rupees being their Bank Account in case of unemployment and paid on the death of Insured Person. while they search for new engagement.

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2. Swayangsiddha scheme - In an attempt to combat • It is touted as world’s largest healthcare scheme human trafficking, the West Bengal government rolled that will serve beneficiary population that equals out a scheme, Swayangsiddha, in different districts of the 27-28 European countries and almost equal to State. As the per the NCRB data, West Bengal has highest population of Canada, Mexico and US put recorded case of trafficking among the States. together. Aim of the scheme – • The scheme will become operational from • The scheme aims to empower young boys and September 25, 2018 i.e. on birth anniversary of girls to make informed choices so that they are Deendayal Upadhyay. less vulnerable to trafficking and child marriage. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) • Swayangsiddha means self-reliance and it will be • PMJAY is government-sponsored health insurance executed by the West Bengal Police. scheme, that will provide free coverage of up to Rs 5 3. Petroleum Minister to launch ‘SATAT’ initiative - lakh per family per year in any government or • Pradhan, Union Minister of empanelled private hospitals all over India. Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development • It will cover beneficiaries families identified on the and Entrepreneurship launched SATAT initiative basis of Socio Economic Caste Survey (SECC) 2011 in to promote Compressed Bio-Gas as an 444 districts of 30 states/Union Territories. alternative, green transport fuel. 6. Tamil Nadu Government announces scheme for • Titled SATAT, the initiative is aimed at providing protection of exotic Neela Kurinji plants a Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable • Tamil Nadu government has announced Scheme Transportation (SATAT) as a developmental for protection of exotic Neela kurinji effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as (Strobilanthus kunthianus) plants that flower well as farmers and entrepreneurs. only once in 12 years. 4. Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) • This scheme comes following complaints that scheme - Union Government has approved Rs 8,606 these rare and ecologically unique flowers are crore for 60 projects being implemented under umbrella being packaged and sold on the commercial scheme of Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM). basis. • The projects are being implemented in 111 Neelakurinji plant border districts in 17 states having the • Neelakurinji is a tropical plant species. It is international borders with , China, native to Shola forests in Western Ghats. , Bhutan, Myanmar and . • It is also seen in Shevroys Hills in Eastern Ghats, • The scheme include construction of roads, Anamalai hills and Agali hills in Kerala and schools, primary health centres, promotion of Sanduru hills in . rural tourism, border tourism, cleanliness 7. Delhi Government launches India’s first scheme for mission, promotion of sports activities, supply of doorstep delivery of essential government services drinking water, protection of heritage sites, • Delhi Government has launched scheme for community centres, connectivity, drainage, to doorstep delivery of 40 essential government enable sustainable living in border areas. services like caste and marriage certificates, 5. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: driving license and new water connections. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched • It is fist home delivery scheme of various ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana essential government services in the country. (PMJAY), under Ayushman Bharat umbrella at • It will help to deal with corruption in delivery of Ranchi, Jharkhand. essential government services and promote • The scheme aims to provide annual health transparent governance. insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to 10.74 crore beneficiary families i.e. over 50 crore beneficiaries across India.

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8. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan facility has been doubled from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. (PM-AASHA) - The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime 10,000 under the Yojana. Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a new • Age limit increased - The age limit has been Umbrella Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay revised to 18 to 65 years from the earlier 18 to SanraksHan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA). The Scheme is aimed 60 years. at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their • Accidental insurance cover raised - The produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018. accidental insurance cover has been raised from • Aim – The scheme aimed at ensuring Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh. remunerative prices to the farmers for their 10. Govt. revised Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana produce. (PMJDY) – The government has revised the PMJDY • Objective – To empower farmers and strengthen scheme, to further incentivize people’s participation in the Agriculture sector. the scheme. • Allocation - The Cabinet has sanctioned Rs Key points 15,053 crore to implement the PM-AASHA in • Overdraft facility doubled - The Finance the next two financial years, of which Rs 6,250 Minister stated that the overdraft crore will be spent this year. facility has been doubled from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. Components of PM-AASHA: Under the PM-AASHA, states 10,000 under the Yojana. would be allowed to choose from three schemes – • Age limit increased - The age limit for availing • Price Support Scheme (PSS), overdraft facility under it has also been revised • Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) to 18 to 65 years from the earlier 18 to 60 years. • Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme • Accidental insurance cover raised - The (PPPS). accidental insurance cover for new RuPay 9. Govt. extends Atal Pension Yojana indefinitely - Union Cardholders has been raised from Rs. one lakh to Cabinet decided to indefinitely extended Atal Pension Rs. two lakh. Scheme, which had lapsed in August 2018. To further 11. Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Tourism Ministry sanctions incentivize people’s participation in the scheme. Rs. 80.37 crore for developing cruise tourism in Kerala. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) – Note: • It is a social security scheme launched by the • The scheme was launched by Union Tourism government in 2015 to provide a defined Ministry with an objective to develop theme- pension between Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. based tourist circuits in the country. • It had replaced earlier government-backed • The first project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme pension Swavalamban scheme. ‘North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom’ was Key features of the schemes: inaugurated in . • Overdraft facility doubled - The Finance • The project covers two sites i.e. Kangla Fort and Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the overdraft Khongjom in Manipur.

August

1. O-SMART’ scheme – The scheme is launched by the • O-SMART scheme encompasses 16 sub-projects Ministry of Earth Sciences related to ocean development activities and Key points – science for implementation during 2017-18 and • (O-SMART) stands for - Ocean Services, 2019-20. Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling • The CCEA approved the scheme for and Science. implementation during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 at an overall cost of Rs 1623 crore.

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2. HRD Ministry launches Innovation Cell at AICTE - • PMS-OBC is flagship scheme of Ministry of Social Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has Justice & Empowerment, in operation since established Innovation Cell at AICTE premises in New 1998-99. Delhi. • It is fully centrally sponsored scheme that aims Aim - It aims to systematically foster culture of to provide financial assistance to OBC students innovation in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary across the country. stage to enable them to complete their education. 3. Government launches third edition of Smart India • Under revised PMS-OBC, annual parental income Hackathon 2019 - Union Ministry of Human Resource ceiling has been increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. Development (HRD) has third edition of Smart India 1.5 lakh. Hackathon 2019 (SIH-2019). • Now onwards, 30% of funds will be earmarked • Smart India Hackathon is world’s biggest open for girl students and 5% for students with innovation model which aims to provide disabilities. students with platform to solve some of pressing 6. CCEA approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri problems faced by people in their daily lives. Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – The scheme was 4. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) – Govt. launched on 25 December 2000. has appointed senior bureaucrat Ashish Kumar Bhutani • It aims to provide single all-weather road as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pradhan Mantri Fasal connectivity to all eligible unconnected Bima Yojana (PMFBY). habitations in rural areas. Key points • Union Ministry of Rural Development is nodal • It is farmers’ welfare scheme launched in 2016 to ministry for implementation of Scheme. ensure faster insurance services or reliefs to 7. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) - farmers. Union Government, NABARD and National Water • It aims to reduce the premium burden on Development Agency (NWDA) have signed revised farmers and ensure early settlement of crop Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for funding of central assurance claim for the full insured sum. share of 99 prioritized irrigation projects under Pradhan • Under this scheme, farmers need to pay uniform Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) through Long premium of only 2% for all Kharif crops and Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF). 1.5% for all Rabi crops. Key points: • In case of annual commercial and horticultural • PMKSY was launched in July 2015 with crops, farmers have to pay premium of only 5%. overarching vision to ensure access to some • The premium rates to be paid by farmers are means of protective irrigation for all agricultural very low and balance premium will be paid by farms in the country and to produce ‘per drop Government. more crop’, thus bringing much desired rural • Moreover, there is no upper limit on Government prosperity. subsidy, so farmers will get claim against full • It is implemented by Ministries of Agriculture, sum insured without any reduction. Water Resources and Rural Development. 5. PMS-OBC scheme - Cabinet Committee on Economic • It has outlay of Rs 50000 crore with Affairs (CCEA) approved continuation and revision of implementation period of over five-year till April Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship 2020. for Other Backward Classes Students for studying in Note: India (PMS-OBC) till 2020. • The government has approved a corpus of Rs 5,000 Key points crore for the setting up of a dedicated micro

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irrigation fund (MIF) under the National Bank for various health hazards associated with indoor air Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard). pollution and bringing in qualitative charges in living standards. 8. Govt. approves 122 new research projects under • PMUY is implemented by Ministry of Petroleum IMPRINT scheme: Union Ministry of Hume Resource and Natural Gas. Development (MHRD) has approved 122 new research • Considering its huge success, government had project proposals worth Rs 112 crore for funding under revised target to 8 crores with budgetary its IMPRINT-II (Impacting Research Innovation and allocation of Rs. 12,800 crore. Technology) scheme. Note: Uttar Pradesh has got the maximum number of LPG Note: connections (87 lakh) followed by West Bengal (67 lakh) and • IMPRINT is first of its kind MHRD supported scheme Bihar (61 lakh). to address major science and engineering challenges 10. Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam: and boost original scientific and technological Government has approved Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam, research in 10 technology identified domains in the an unemployment allowance scheme to provide Rs 1000 country. per month unemployed youth in state. • It was launched in November 2015 with an aim to • The allowance will directly credited in bank develop new engineering education policy and create accounts of selected beneficiary through road map to pursue engineering challenges. biometric authentication in transparent manner. 9. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Government achieves It will not be applicable to those paying 5 crore Free LPG Connections Target. provident fund. • Union Government has announced that it has 11. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) – NITI reached target of providing 5 crore free LPG Aayog identified 117 Districts as Aspirational Districts connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala for RUSA Scheme. Yojana (PMUY) almost eight months ahead of • During the second phase of the Centrally schedule (i.e. in 27 months instead of 35 Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar months). Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), central assistance is • World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided for opening of new Model Degree recognised PMUY as one of decisive intervention Colleges(MDCs) in ‘Aspirational Districts’ by Government to address indoor air pollution identified by NITI Aayog and in unserved & which accounts for nearly 10 lakh deaths in year underserved districts in North Eastern and the in the country. Himalayan States. Key points: • Note: RUSA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme • Union Government launched PMUY in May, 2016 (CSS), launched in 2013 aims at providing with tagline of ‘Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan.’ strategic funding to eligible state higher • It aims at providing clean-cooking fuel to poor educational institutions. households, who are otherwise vulnerable to

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July 1. Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme: The Union Government (SPC) Programme was launched nationally in Gurugram, has reduced the minimum annual deposit requirement . for accounts under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana from Rs • It was launched by Union Home Minister Rajnath 1000 to Rs 250. Singh in the presence of Union Human Resources • The minimum initial deposit to open the account Minister Prakash Javadekar. has also been reduced to Rs 250. • The programme aims to build bridge between • The move is aimed at enabling more people to Police and larger community through school take advantage of the girl child savings scheme. students by inculcating values and ethics in them Key points: through classes in school and outside. • Aim - The scheme aims to provide financial security 4. Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018: Union Ministry of to a girl till the time that she gets married. Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) has launched • Age limit - The Sukanya Samriddhi Account scheme Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) in New is meant for girl children below the age of 10 Delhi. years. 5. It is a rural cleanliness survey to rank all states and • The account matures in 21 years before which it is districts on basis of qualitative and quantitative in a lock-in period where funds cannot be evaluation. withdrawn. 6. Govt. selects 734 athletes for Khelo-India • Also, the interest rate for the July-September quarter scholarships - Sports Authority of India (SAI) under is 8.1%. Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has cleared • Flexible deposit amounts: The account can be 734 athletes for the scholarship under the Khelo India opened with a minimum deposit of Rs.250 and in Talent Development Scheme. multiples of Rs.100 thereafter. • They will be provided with annual stipend of Rs. • A maximum of Rs.1.5 lakhs can be deposited per 1,20,000 on quarterly basis to meet their out of account every year. pocket expenses, treatment of injuries and other 2. MP Government launched Subsidised Power Scheme expenses. ‘Sambal’: The Madhya Pradesh State Government Khelo India Talent Development Scheme launched an outstanding power bill waiver scheme and • The scheme was introduced by Ministry of subsidised power scheme called ‘Sambal’ for labourers Sports and Youth affairs to revive sports culture and poor families. in India at grass-root level. • Under Sambal Yojana, the Below Poverty Line • Its objective is to build strong framework for all (BPL) families would be provided electricity at a sports played in our country and establish India cost of Rs 200 per month. as great sporting nation. 3. Govt. launches Student Police Cadet Programme: • It aims to help scout young talent from schools in Ministry of Home Affairs sponsored Student Police Cadet various disciplines and groom them as future sports champions

June 1. Solar Charkha Mission: President Ram Nath Kovind thousands of artisans, generating employment in rural launched Solar Charkha Mission under which areas. Government will disburse subsidy of Rs 550 crore to • It was launched during the event of Udyam Sangam (National MSME Conclave) on the

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occasion of World MSME Day (observed on 27 • Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation June). launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational 2. Suryashakti Kisan Yojana' for Farmers: The Gujarat districts of India to provide clean drinking water. government launched a solar power scheme for farmers- • It will involve outlay of Rs. 700 crores through Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) enabling them to flexi-funds under existing National Rural generate electricity for their captive consumption as well Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget. as sell the surplus power to the grid and earn an extra 5. Bijli Bill Mafi Yojana 2018 for laborers and poor buck. families: The Madhya Pradesh government announced 3. Seva Bhoj Yojna, Union Ministry of Culture launched a an outstanding power bill waiver scheme Bijli Bill Mafi new scheme to provide financial assistance on purchase Yojana 2018 for laborers and poor families. of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions • Laborers falling under the unorganized sector in (CRIs) for free distribution among people. Madhya Pradesh will get power supply at a • The Union Ministry of Culture has launched Seva subsidized rate. Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide financial • The state cabinet also approved Mukhyamantri assistance on purchase of specific food items by Jan Kalyan (Sambal) Yojana 2018 (a scheme to Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free provide subsidized power) in the meeting. distribution among people. 6. Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana a • Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central Health Insurance Scheme for Journalists: Gopabandhu Goods and Services Tax (CGST) charged on the Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana is a new Health raw food materials purchased by the religious Insurance Scheme for the journalists launched by the institutions will be refunded. state government in Odisha. • The scheme has been launched for financial • This scheme provides Rs. 2 Lakh per annum years 2018-19 and 2019-20 with a total outlay of health insurance cover to all working journalists Rs. 325.00 crores. of the state. 4. Swajal Scheme launched in 115 Aspirational districts of India to provide clean drinking water.

May

2. Union Ministry of Power launched the PRAAPTI App to 1. Samagra Shiksha scheme: The Union Ministry of bring transparency in electricity payments to Generators. Human Resource Development (HRD) launched Samagra Note: Shiksha scheme to improve quality of school education. • The Union Ministry of Power launched web Note: portal (www.praapti.in) and app namely • The Union Ministry of Human Resource PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification And Analysis in Development (HRD) launched Samagra Shiksha Power procurement for bringing Transparency scheme to improve quality of school education. in Invoicing of generators). • The scheme aims at improving quality of • The webportal and app aims to bring education, enhancing learning outcomes and transparency in power purchase transactions using technology to empower children and between Generators and Discoms. teachers.

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3. IP Nani - The union minister Shri Key points - launched the Intellectual Property (IP) mascot IP Nani at • Under this scheme, 25 interns will be inducted the conference in New Delhi. for a period of three months, paid a stipend of 10 • Mascot IP Nani is a tech-savvy grandmother who thousand rupees per month. helps the government and enforcement agencies • The internship is an opportunity for a student to in combating IP crimes with the help of her secure first hand and practical work experience grandson “Chhotu” aka Aditya. under the guidance of qualified and experienced • The IP mascot will spread awareness about the Supervisor and Mentor. importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) • It also aims at active participation in the learning among people, especially children, in an process through experimentation and putting into practice the knowledge acquired in the interesting manner. classrooms. 4. Gujarat govt. launch free treatment scheme for the road 7. Rythu Bandhu scheme - The Telangana government accident victims. launched Rythu Bandhu (friend of farmers) scheme at Note: ➢ Under this scheme, the state govt. will bear Dharmarajupalle-Indiranagar village in Karimnagar medical expenses of up to 50,000 rupees for each district on May 10, 2018. victim of road accident in the state for the first • The scheme is a first-of-its-kind initiative 48 hours. providing investment support to farmers, who ➢ Free treatment includes dressing of wounds, X- own land. ray, blood transfusion, treatment in ICU and MRI, 8. ‘SWAYAM’ - Human Resource Development Ministry has and all other treatment available in a hospital. 5. National Wind-solar Hybrid Policy - Ministry of New launched an initiative ‘SWAYAM’ to train teachers using and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched National Wind- digital platform. solar Hybrid Policy to promote new projects as well as • The government will use the Massive Open hybridization of the existing ones. Online Courses platform SWAYAM aims to Note: update the teaching technique of 1.5 million ➢ The objective of the policy is to provide a higher education faculty with focus on new and framework for the promotion of large grid emerging trends. connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for • To achieve this, in the first phase, 75 discipline- efficient utilization of transmission specific National Resource Centres (NRCs) have infrastructure and land. been identified to prepare online training ➢ These projects can be set up anywhere across the material and keep the teachers well-informed of country depending on feasibility and land latest developments in their disciplines through availability with bidders. the online refresher course. ➢ The MNRE is also in the process of launching a • Several institutions such as Central, State and scheme for new hybrid projects under this Open Universities, National Institutes for policy. Technical Teachers Training, IITs, IIITs, NITs and 6. Digital India Internship Scheme - In May 2018, Union other have been notified as NRCs in this regard. Minister Shankar Prasad launched the website of Digital India Internship Scheme in New Delhi.

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April

1. ‘Project Dhoop’ - In order to address rising incidence of Innovation Mission (AIM) with an aim to bring-in Vitamin 'D'Deficiencies, particularly amongst the young innovations and technologies relevant to the people. people, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has Key points – launched a unique initiative, 'Project Dhoop' in • Grant - Under the Atal Innovation Mission grants association with NCERT, NDMC and North MCD Schools. of up to Rs 1 crore will be provided to the • This unique initiative urges schools to shift their applicants showing capability, intent, and morning assembly to noon time mainly between potential to productize technologies. • Objective - The objective of this initiative is to 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to ensure maximum solve problems in different 17 areas, which absorption of Vitamin D in students through would have direct impact on improving lives of natural sunlight. citizens and also generate employment.

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India • Partnership - Under this new initiative, Atal is an autonomous body established under the Innovation Mission has partnered with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministries of Road Transport and Highways, . Housing and Urban Affairs, Agriculture and • Current Union Minister of Shri Jagat Prakash Family Welfare, Drinking Water & Sanitation and Nadda. the Railway Board. • He is a member of from Himachal 5. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan - The Ministry of Human Pradesh. Resource Development (HRD) launched the second 2. UTTAM App - for Coal Quality Monitoring. edition of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan in New Delhi. • The Union Minister for Railways and Coal Shri • The objective of this mission is to students from launched UTTAM App for Coal 750 colleges and universities across the country Quality Monitoring. will adopt the nearby villages and visit them to • UTTAM stands for – Unlocking Transparency by get familiar with the life of the village people and Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal the problems faced by them in the day to day life. • UTTAM App ensures accountability, 6. Study in India - In April 18, the Government of India transparency, effectiveness and efficiency in coal (GoI) has launched its flagship ‘Study in India’ ecosystem. programme to attract international students to study in India. • It provides a platform for monitoring of sampling and coal dispatches. • It was jointly launched by External Affairs 3. ‘Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ - Prime Minister Minister and Minister of State for Narendra Modi launched the ‘Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Human Resources Development Satya Pal Singh Abhiyan’ at Ram Nagar in Mandla district of Madhya in New Delhi. Pradesh. 7. 'Rupshree Yojana' - West Bengal introduced 'Rupshree • The objective of the scheme is to enhance Yojana' for marriage of poor girls of the state capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and • In this scheme, there is a proposal to extend the the Gram Sabhas. financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to the girl's family, 4. Atal New India Challenge - On 26th April 2018, NITI whose annual income is Rs 1.5 lakh. Aayog launched Atal New India Challenge under Atal

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• The State Government of West Bengal had earlier 9. Ganga Haritmala Scheme (Ganga Hariyali Yojana) - initiated a scheme called Kanyashree Scheme to promote started by the state of Uttar Pradesh. education among women. • The main objective of this scheme is to increase the 8. ‘Atal Amrit Abhiyan’ - Vice-President green cover in the catchment areas of Ganga river and to launched an ambitious health assurance scheme ‘Atal control the erosion of land. Amrit Abhiyan’ in Assam state. 10. DARPAN-PLI App - Minister of Communications • The scheme will offer free medical care of up to 2 launched the DARPAN-PLI App in New lakh rupees for every individual from Below Delhi. Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line • The DARPAN-PLI App will help in the collection (APL) families. of a premium for PLI and RPLI policies at Branch • The scheme will cover 92% of the state's Post Offices anywhere in India. population with annual income below 5 lakh • DARPAN stands for - Digital Advancement of rupees. Rural Post Office for a New India. • The Assam govt. earmarked 400 crore rupees for the scheme in the financial year 2018-19.

March

1. Ama Gaon, Ama Vikas (Our Village, our development)” • It is an initiative launched by the NITI Aayog. programme - Odisha state launched ‘Ama Gaon, Ama 5. ‘Saubhagya’ scheme – Ministry of Skill Development Vikas’ programme - & Entrepreneurship union ministry partnered with the • Aim - to reach out to the people in rural areas Ministry of Power to support household electrification and involve themselves in the developmental scheme ‘Saubhagya’. activities. • The Union Ministry of Power has partnered with 2. KHUSHI’ Scheme” - Odisha government launched the Ministry of Skill Development & KHUSHI scheme to provide free sanitary napkins to Entrepreneurship to train the manpower in six school girls across the state. states – Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, 3. Udyam Sakhi Portal - Ministry of Micro, Small and Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh – for Medium Enterprises launched the Udyam Sakhi Portal speedy implementation of its household for women entrepreneurs of India. electrification scheme ‘SAUBHAGYA’. 4. “SATH-E” project - to introduce system-wide Governance Transformation in school education. • The purpose of the SAUBHAGYA (Pradhan • The expand form of “SATH-E” is Sustainable Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna) scheme is to Action for Transforming Human Capital in achieve universal household electrification in all Education. parts of the country in a time bound manner.

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Schemes launched in Union Budget 2018

February

1. KUSUM scheme 2018 - Kisan Urja Suraksha evam • Objective - to double the income of farmers by Utthaan Mahaabhiyan scheme announced in the Union the end of 2022. Budget 2018. 4. National Bamboo Mission (NBM) – Terming Bamboo as • Objective: to encourage farmers for solar ‘Green Gold’, the Union Finance Minister launched farming across the country. announced the scheme in the Union Budget 2018. It is a • Budget allocation - Rs. 48,000 crore wholly-sponsored central scheme. • Benefits – Govt. will provide Solar Agricultural • Objective - to promote the bamboo sector in the Pumps to the farmers. country. This will help the people of rural and • Target – Doubling farmers income by 2022. tribal areas. 2. Ayushman Bharat Scheme – In the Union Budget 2018 • Budget Allocation - Rs 1,290 crore two major initiatives in health sector as part of 5. Gobar Dhan Yojana - Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Ayushman Bharat programme announced by the Union Resource Fund Scheme - In Union Budget 2018, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has announced the new (i) Health and Wellness Centre - Under this 1.5 lakh scheme for the villagers. centres will bring health care system closer to the homes Objective - To make the villages open defecation free of people. These centres will also provide free essential and improving the lives of villagers. drugs and diagnostic services. Key points Budget - The Budget has allocated Rs.1200 crore for • Under this scheme the solid waste and cattle this flagship programme. dung will be composed into useful elements such as Bio-CNG and Bio-Gas that are needed in (ii) National Health Protection Scheme - National agricultural sector. Health Protection Scheme will cover over 10 crore poor 6. Affordable Housing Fund (.Kifayati Aawas yojna )– In and vulnerable families. It will have 50 crore Union Budget 2018, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has beneficiaries. This scheme will be world’s largest announced the new scheme to provide homes at low government funded health care programme. cost. 3. Operation Green – On the lines of ‘‘Operation Flood’’ a Objective – To boost demand and supply of low-cost new Scheme ‘‘Operation Greens’ is announced in the homes. Union Budget 2018. Key points – • Aim – The aim of Operation Green scheme is to • Government will establish a dedicated Affordable promote farmer producers organisations, agri- Housing Fund (AHF) in National Housing Bank, logistics, processing facilities and professional funded from priority sector lending shortfall and management. fully serviced bonds authorized by the • It is a price fixation scheme that aims to ensure Government of India. farmers are given the right price for their 7. Ekalavya Model Residential School – In the Union produce. Budget 2018, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitely has • The operation aims to aid farmers and help announced the scheme to educate children from the control and limit the erratic fluctuations in the Tribal Community. prices of onions, potatoes and tomatoes. Objective – To bring major revolutions in the education • Budget Allocation – Rs. 500 crore sector.

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Key points • Objective - To step up investments in research • Under this mission, it has been decided that by and related infrastructure in premier educational the year 2022, every block with more than 50% institutions, including health institutions. Scheduled Tribes (ST) population and at least • Agency - Higher Education Financing Agency 20,000 tribal persons, will have an Ekalavya (HEFA) would be suitably structured for funding Model Residential School. this initiative. • “Ekalavya schools will be on a par with Navodaya • Budget allocation - a total investment of ₹1 Vidyalayas and will have special facilities for lakh crore in the next four years. preserving local art and culture, besides 9. Prime Minister Fellowship Scheme – A ‘Prime Minister providing training in sports and skill Fellowship Scheme’ was announced for top 1,000 BTech development.” students in the country to provide opportunity to the students to pursue a PhD in IITs and Indian Institute of 8. Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education Science (IISc). (RISE) - To make India produce better research and make its institutions climb up in global rankings.

January

1. Govt relaxes norms for Atal Pension Yojana - The 3. Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative - The Ministry of Union Finance Ministry has relaxed norms of Atal Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has Pension Yojana (APY) to allow small finance banks and launched Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative. payment banks to offer APY distribution. The move is Objective - to strengthen cybersecurity ecosystem in expected to help expand coverage of the scheme. India in line Government’s vision for a ‘Digital India’. Key features of the APY – Key points • It is a social security scheme. • It was launched in association with National e- • It replaced earlier Swavalamban scheme. Governance Division (NeGD) and industry • Age limit – 18 – 40 years partners. • Pension - Under scheme, subscriber will receive a • Cyber Surakshit Bharat is first public-private minimum guaranteed pension of Rs. 1000 to Rs. partnership of its kind. 5000 per month, depending on his contribution, • It will leverage the expertise of the IT industry in from age of 60 years. cybersecurity. • There is no exit to the scheme before the age of 60. • The founding partners include leading IT Note: Uttar Pradesh with 11.41 lakh subscriber (APY companies such as Microsoft, Intel, WIPRO, accounts) is highest contributing state of the scheme Redhat and Dimension Data. followed by Bihar (8.87 lakh subscribers) and Tamil 4. Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Yojna - Nadu (6.60 lakh). state government launched the Yojna. 2. Sarbat Vikas Yojana (MGSVY) – Objective – To promote climate-resilient agriculture in government launched the 'Mahatma Gandhi the state. Sarbat Vikas Yojana' (MGSVY) aimed at the inclusive Total budget - Rs.4,000-crore. growth of the distressed sections of the society. Note: • The yojna will be roll out in 2018-19 and continue till 2023-24.

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• The Scheme has been named after social activist Note: Nanaji Deshmukh who has worked in fields of • The government has decided to give Rs 1,200 per education, health, and rural self-reliance, and has month as artist assistance. been honoured with Padma Vibhushan. • As per new eligibility criteria, a male artist can 5. Swasth Bachche, Swasth Bharat’ launched by HRD get assistance under after attaining the age of 50 Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar in Kochi, Kerala. years (earlier it was 60 years) and female artist • The programme is an initiative of Kendriya can get it at age of 40 years (earlier it was 50 Vidyalaya Sangathan to prepare a physical years). Health and Fitness Profile Card for more than 12 7. National Programme for Control of Viral Hepatitis lakhs of Kendriya Vidyalaya students. scheme – The scheme will be roll out by the Union 6. 'Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana' – Odisha Ministry of Health and Family Welfare state government launched the yojana assistance scheme Objective - The focus will be on anti-viral treatment of for Artists in the state. Hepatitis C which will be provided free at all government Objective – To provide financial assistance to the artists health set-ups. of the state. Budget - Rs 600 crore for the next three years.

Summits & Conference

December

1. G – 20 Summit 2018 - Buenos Aires, Argentina France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, • The theme of the G20 summit is ‘Building Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Consensus for a Fair and Sustainable Korea, Turkey, the UK and the U.S. Development.’ • Collectively, the G-20 economies account for 2. G – 20 Summit 2019 – Osaka, Japan nearly 90% of the gross world product, 80% of • The 2019 G20 summit will be held on 28–29 June world trade, two-thirds of the world population, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. and approximately half of the world land area. • Japan will host its first ever G20 Summit. • Spain is a permanent guest invitee. 3. G – 20 Summit 2020 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia • In 2008, the first G20 Leaders’ Summit was held • The 2020 G20 summit will be held in Riyadh, in Washington DC, US. Saudi Arabia. 6. Climate Change Conference 2018 held in Poland 4. G – 20 Summit 2021 – Italy • The Climate Change Conference 2018 was held in • The 2021 G20 summit will be held in Italy. Katowice, Poland. 5. G – 20 Summit 2022 – New Delhi, India • Previously, Poland hosted them twice – in 2008, • India will host the G-20 summit in 2022. in Poznań and in 2013, in Warsaw. About G-20 Note: • The G-20 is a grouping of the world’s 20 major • The UN climate summits, i.e. so-called COP economies. (Conference of the Parties) are global conferences, in • G-20 members comprise Argentina, , the course of which action for climate policy is Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, negotiated.

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7. Global Agriculture & Food Summit 2018 held in 10. Government holds Workshop on Developing ‘Ganga Jharkhand Museum’ • The Global Agriculture & Food Summit 2018 was • The National Mission for Clean Ganga organised held in Ranchi, Jharkhand. workshop on ‘Developing a Ganga Museum • Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh Concept: Exchanging Experiences and Ideas inaugurated the summit. between India and Europe’ in Delhi. • The aim of the Summit is to promote Jharkhand as a 11. 13th Edition of CII Agro Tech India – 2018 key player to attract investment in the agriculture inaugurated in Chandigarh sector. • The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, 8. First India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit held in New inaugurated the 13th edition of CII Agro Tech Delhi India-2018 in Chandigarh. • The first India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit was 12. Asia Pacific Summit-2018 held in held in New Delhi. • The Asia Pacific Summit-2018 held in • It was organized by Federation of Indian Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in • The theme of two-day Summit is “Addressing the association with Department of Science & Critical Challenges of Our Time: Technology (DST) and Ministry of External Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity, and Affairs. Universal Values”. 9. India Water Impact Summit-2018 held in New Delhi 13. 12th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission • The India Water Impact Summit-2018 was held Meeting held in Abu Dhabi. in New Delhi. • The 12th session of the India-UAE Joint • Union Minister for Water Resources, River Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Cooperation with UAE Foreign Minister was held Gadkari inaugurated the summit. in Abu Dhabi. • The discussions this year will be on rejuvenation • External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited of the Ganga River Basin. United Arab Emirates to co-chair the meeting. • The spotlight is on the 5 states, , Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, and Bihar.

November

1. India to Chair Kimberley Process from January 2019 • India will chair the Kimberley Process (KP), a global Note: initiative to remove conflict diamonds from the • Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint initiative of global supply chain, from January next year. different countries, industry and civil societies to • The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) control flow of conflict diamonds, which are used by Plenary 2018, was held in Brussels, Belgium. rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate • EU handed over the Chairmanship of KPCS to India governments in the world. from 1st January, 2019. • India is the founding member of Kimberley Process • Botswana and the Russian Federation will serve as Certification Scheme (KPCS) and is actively involved Vice-Chair during the period of 2019-2020.

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in KP activities to ensure that almost 99 per cent of • The 26th meeting of the General Conference on the diamond trade in the world is conflict free. Weights and Measures (CGPM) was held at • Since August 2013, the KP has 54 participants, Versailles (Paris), France. representing 81 countries. • The members have voted for the redefinition of 2. The 2nd International Ambedkar Conclave 130 years old “Le grand K – the SI unit of kg” in inaugurated in New Delhi terms of the fundamental Planck’s constant(h). • The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, • The new definitions will come into force on 20 inaugurated the 2nd International Ambedkar May 2019. Conclave in New Delhi as part of the 8. 49th International Film Festival of India concludes in commemoration of Constitution Day. 3. 12th World Congress on Mountain Medicine held in 9. Sustainable Blue Economy Conference held in Kathmandu Nairobi, Kenya • The 12th World Congress on Mountain Medicine 10. 7th International Tourism Mart 2018 being started in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. organised in Agartala • The theme of the 4-day congress is “Mountain 11. 9th Annual Defence and Security Dialogue between Medicine in the Heart of the Himalayas”. India and China held in Beijing • The event is hosted by Mountain Medicine 12. Regional meeting of World Customs Organisation Society of Nepal (MMSN). being held in Jaipur 4. Sushma Swaraj Co-Chairs 9th Meeting of India-Lao 13. 6th Indian Social Work Congress in New Delhi PDR Joint Commission 14. 10th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Seminar held in • External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj co- Kochi chaired the 9th Meeting of India-Lao PDR Joint 15. Indo-Japan Business Council’s Business Festival held Commission on Bilateral Co-operation with her in Pune counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith in Vientiane, • Indo-Japan Business Council’s Business Festival Capital of Laos. was held in Pune. 5. India to host 50th Union World Conference on Lung • The Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC), hosted Health in 2019 KONNICHI WA PUNE – a first of its kind business • The 50th Union World Conference on Lung festival in Pune. Health will be held in Hyderabad. • The festival was aimed to boost investment, 6. 27th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change promote businesses and cultural exchange held in New Delhi between India and Japan. • The 27th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate 16. South Asia Youth Peace Conference held in New Delhi Change was held in New Delhi, India. • The three-day South Asia Regional Youth Peace • The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr Harsh Conference was held in New Delhi as part 150th Vardhan, Minister of Environment, Forest and birth anniversary celebrations of father of nation Climate Change of India. Mahatma Gandhi. • The BASIC countries comprise Brazil, South • It was organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Africa, India and China. Samiti, UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of • Brazil will host the next meeting of BASIC in Education for Peace and Sustainable 2019. Development (MGIEP) and STEP (Standing 7. General Conference on Weights and Measures Together to Enable Peace). (CGPM) held in France • It was inaugurated by G Kulkarni, great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

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17. APEC Summit 2018 held in - Papua New Guinea • Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 13th • The summit was held in Port Moresby, Papua East Asia Summit. New Guinean capital. • It was Prime Minister Modi's 5th East Asia • This is the first time Papua New Guinea (PNG), Summit. has hosted the summit. • India has been participating in the East Asia • APEC stands for - Asia-Pacific Economic Summit since its very inception in 2005. Cooperation. • The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is an Malaysia on 14 December 2005. inter-governmental forum for 21 Pacific Rim 23. 2nd Regional Comprehensive Economic Summit, member economies that promotes free trade (RCEP) held in Singapore throughout the Asia-Pacific region. • PM Modi attended the second RCEP Summit in 18. 9th Session of India-Kyrgyz IGC held in New Delhi Singapore with 16-member states. • The 9th Session of the India-Kyrgyz Inter- 24. ASEAN-India Breakfast Summit held in Singapore Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, • Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IK- the ASEAN-India Breakfast Summit in Singapore IGC) was held in New Delhi. 25. The 17th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council • The IK-IGC was co-chaired by The Union Minister Meeting was held in Singapore for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, • The meeting was attended by the ASEAN Suresh Prabhu, and Mr. Kosmosbek Economic Ministers and AEC Ministers. Cholponbaev, Minister of Health, Government of 26. The second edition of ‘INSPIRE 2018’ held in New the Kyrgyz Republic. Delhi 19. 34th ASEAN Summit 2019 – Thailand • The second edition of INSPIRE was inaugurated • In 2019, the 34th edition of the ASEAN Summit in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Shri R K will be held in Thailand. Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and • The official theme for the ASEAN chairmanship New & Renewable Energy. next year will be “Advancing Partnership for • INSPIRE stands for - International Symposium to Sustainability”. Promote Innovation & Research in Energy 20. 33rd ASEAN Summit 2018 held in Singapore Efficiency. • Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong • It was jointly organized by Energy Efficiency hosted the summit. Services Limited (EESL) and the World Bank. • The theme of the Summit was “Resilience” and 27. 26th Conference of Central and State Organizations “Innovation”. held In • This is the second ASEAN summit of this year as • The 26th edition of Central and State Statistical the 32nd edition of the ASEAN Summit 2018 was Organizations(COCSSO) Conference was held in Singapore from 27-28 April 2018. organized by the Ministry of Statistics and • The ASEAN members are - Indonesia, Thailand, Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, collaboration with Directorate of Economics and Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos. Statistics, Government of Himachal Pradesh at 21. FinTech Festival held in Singapore Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first • The theme of the 26th Conference was “Quality head of a country who has been invited to give Assurance in Official Statistics”. the keynote address. 28. 1st WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and 22. 13th East Asia Summit 2018 held in Singapore Health held in Geneva

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• The First WHO Global Conference on Air 31. Netherland to be partner Country for 25th DST-CII Pollution and Health took place at WHO Technology Summit 2019 headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. • The Kingdom of Netherlands will be the Partner 29. First-ever India-US Dialogue on Intellectual Property Country 25th DST – CII Technology Summit to be held in New Delhi organized in 2019, announced Dr. Harsh • The first ever India-US Dialogue on Intellectual Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Property was held in Delhi to deepen bilateral Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forest strategic cooperation on IP policy. and Climate Change. • The dialogue was launched by US Chamber of 32. 4th NITI Aayog- DRC Dialogue Held in Mumbai Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center • The Fourth Dialogue of the NITI Aayog – (GIPC) and FICCI in partnership with the US- Development Research Centre (DRC) of the State India Business Council. Council, Peoples’ Republic of China was held in 30. India Mobile Congress held in New Delhi Mumbai. • India Mobile Congress is one of the biggest 33. World Tolerance Summit held in Dubai, UAE marquee Mobile, Internet, and Technology event • The theme of the Summit was ‘Prospering from for South-East Asia organized by COAI and DoT. Pluralism: Embracing Diversity through • IMC 2018 was held in Aerocity, New Delhi. Innovation and Collaboration’. • The congress was held under the theme of NEW DIGITAL HORIZONS.

October

• The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation 1. India Mobile Congress 2018 held in New Delhi has organised a seminar on Gandhian thoughts • The second edition of India Mobile Congress and Swachhta to make India a Swacch Bharat by (IMC-2018) was held New Delhi. 2019 -150 the birthday celebration of Mahatma • It was organised by Department of Gandhi. Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular • It was being organized in the Wardha district of Operators Association of India (COAI). The theme Maharastra with a focus on achievement of the was “New Digital Horizons. Connect. Create. objectives of sanitation and Gandhian thoughts Innovate”. via Swacch Bharat Mission. 2. 25th DST – CII Technology Summit 2019 About Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) • The Kingdom of Netherlands will be the Partner • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) was launched on 2 Country 25th DST – CII Technology Summit to be October 2014 with two submissions, SBA organized in . (gramin) and SBA (urban). 3. 5th National Summit on Public Health Care held at • The mission is jointly managed Ministry of Kaziranga in Assam. Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) (for 4. The 22nd National Level Meeting between India and gramin) and the Ministry of Urban Development Myanmar was held in New Delhi. (for urban). 5. Gandhian Thought and Swachhata Seminar 6. North East Festival and Experiencing the North East Organized in Wardha held in New Delhi

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• The sixth edition of North East festival is • WETEX is organized by Dubai Electricity and organized in New Delhi and the 15th edition of Water Authority (DEWA) every year. Indian International Centre festival is also held in • WETEX 2018 is the largest edition in the 20 year- New Delhi. history of WETEX. • The festival is organised by Indian International 12. India hosts the highest number of outward Centre as 15th anniversary of its annual festivals. international migrants in 2017 • The theme for this year is “Experiencing the • The Asian Economic Integration Report 2018 North East”. was presented by Asian Development Bank. 7. 7th Meeting of Education Ministers of SCO Member • The report is an annual publication of ADB with a States held in Astana, Kazakhstan focus on progress in cooperation and migration. 8. 12th ASEM Summit held in - Brussels, Belgium • The report revealed that India hosts the highest • The theme of summit was ‘Global Partners for number of outward international migrants in Global Challenges’. 2017.It was followed by China and Bangladesh. • It was chaired by European Council President • About one third of international migrants were Donald Tusk. from Asia in 2017. • The summit was attended by heads of state of 51 13. 2018 UN Day Concert Held in New York European and Asian countries, representatives of • The 2018 United Nations Day Concert was held European Union and Secretary General of in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Headquarters in New York. • India was represented by Vice President M. • The theme of this year’s concert is “Traditions of Venkaiah Naidu. Peace and Non-violence”. 9. 13th India-Japan Annual Summit – Tokyo, Japan 14. 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting and 5th • The annual bilateral summit of India –Japan held ADMM-Plus – Singapore on 28, 29 October 2018 in Japan. • The 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting • The Indian prime minister visited Japan to attend (ADMM) and 5th ADMM-Plus was held on the summit. October 19 and 20, 2018 Singapore. • Japan-India Investment Promotion Roadmap • The conferences were attended by defence enhanced the contribution of Japan in India’s ministers from India, Australia, China, Japan, Make in India initiative with establishment of New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and US. India Business Support Centre in . was represented by Defence Minister Nirmala 10. 2nd International Conference on Primary Health Sitharaman. Care, Kazakhstan • This was second time Singapore has chaired • The second conference on PHC inaugurated on ADMM since its establishment in 2006 and first 25 October 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan. time to chair ADMM-Plus since its establishment • The conference is a collective initiative of in 2010. Government of Kazakhstan, WHO and UNICEF. 15. PM Modi Inaugurated Krishi Kumbha in Lucknow • From India J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a and Family Welfare addressed the conference. farmers’ conclave ‘Krishi Kumbh 2018’ in 11. 20th Edition of WETEX 2018 held in Dubai Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. • The 20th Water, Energy, Technology, and • The Kumbh witnessed two of the world’s top Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2018 was held economies, Israel and Japan, as official partners at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition while Haryana and Jharkhand as partner states. Centre, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 16. 10th Nuclear Energy Conclave held in New Delhi

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• The Union Minister of State (Independent Bachelet, former President of Chile is the chair of Charge) for Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. PMNCH. Jitendra Singh inaugurates 10th Nuclear Energy 21. 12th Asia Europe Meeting Summit held in Brussels Conclave in New Delhi. • Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu attended the • The theme: ‘Nuclear Power- Towards a Clean & 12th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit Base Load Energy’. Brussels, Belgium. 17. Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 held in • Mr Naidu lead the Indian delegation at the New Delhi Summit. • The Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 • The theme of this year’s ASEM Summit is “Global held in New Delhi. Partners for Global Challenges”. • The theme of the 2-day summit is, ‘Connecting 22. 6th Meeting of UAE-India High-Level Joint Task Force Farmers to Market’. held in Mumbai • The summit was inaugurated by the Secretary 23. 6th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting (IMM) – Agriculture and Co-operation, Sanjay Agrawal. Singapore 18. 1st Trilateral meeting among India, Afghanistan & Note: The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and held in Tehran Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution C. R. • The first trilateral meeting among India, Chaudhary, attended the event. Afghanistan and Iran of the Coordination Council 24. The 46th edition of world’s largest IHGF-Delhi Fair was of the Chabahar Agreement took place in Tehran, held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. Iran. • It was inaugurated by Union Minister of State • The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (MoS) for Textiles Ajay Tamta. (Economic Relations) TS Tirumurti. 25. 17th Council of Heads of Government, CHG, meeting of 19. 27th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference held in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization - Dushanbe, Gandhinagar, Gujarat Tajikistan • The 27th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 26. 2nd World Conference on Access to Medical Products – 2018) was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. New Delhi • The Chair of the Board of IAEA for 2018-2019 is 27. India–West Africa Conclave held in - Abuja, Nigeria. Ambassador Leena Al-Hadid of Jordan. 28. India International Science Festival (IISF-2018) - 20. India to host 4th Edition of Global Partners' Forum in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. December 2018 • Theme - “Science for Transformation” • India will host the fourth edition of Global 29. First Uttarakhand Investors Summit – , Uttar Partners' Forum in December 2018 in New Delhi. Pradesh. • The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child 30. 10th Biennial International Exhibition & Conference held Health (PMNCH) will unite over 100 countries' in - Mumbai representatives to discuss issues, strategies and 31. First Regional Conference on 'Women in Detention and solutions to women's, children's and adolescents' Access to Justice – Shimla, Himachal Pradesh health. • It will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and PMNCH. Dr Michelle

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September

1. Conference on Academic Leadership on Education for • The summit was organised by NITI Aayog. Resurgence - New Delhi • The main focus of the summit is to make cities of 2. High Level Meeting on Tuberculosis at 73rd session of India pollution free. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at New York’. • The Summit includes three designated 3. India-Morocco Tourism Bilateral Meeting held in New components – The Conclave, Digital Exhibition, Delhi and Featured Events. 4. 23rd Meeting of India-Russia Intergovernmental 11. 87th Izmir International tradeshow – Izmir, Turkey. Commission held in Moscow Note: India is the partner country in the tradeshow. 5. The Global Climate Action Summit 2018 was held at San 12. Defence & Homeland Security Expo & Conference – Francisco, California, United States New Delhi. 6. G-20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting held in 13. India and the US hold the first edition of the two-plus- Argentina. two talks in New Delhi. 7. The Jaipur Literature Festival held in Houston at the Asia 14. International Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2018 - Society of Texas. Kathmandu, Nepal. 8. 4th World Summit on Accreditation (WOSA-2018): Note: The theme is “Equality begins with Economic New Delhi Empowerment”. Note: WOSA is a biennial Summit organised by National 15. International Aviation Summit - New Delhi, India. Board of Accreditation (NBA). 16. 6th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting - 9. World Hindu Congress - Chicago, the USA Singapore Note: The theme of World Hindu Congress is 'think 17. 15th India-ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting - collectively, achieve valiantly'. Singapore 10. India's first Global Mobility summit 'MOVE' - New 18. 4th International Ayurveda Congress - Netherlands Delhi. Note: Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik Note: inaugurated the event. • It was inaugurated Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

August 1. 4th BIMSTEC Summit - Kathmandu, Nepal Note: The theme of the meeting was 'Building consensus Note: for fair and sustainable development'. • The theme of the summit is 'Towards a peaceful, 5. The 8th meeting of India-Kenya Joint Trade prosperous and sustainable Bay of Bengal region' Committee - Nairobi, Kenya. • Sri Lanka has become the new chair of the BIMSTEC. 6. Fourth Asian electoral stakeholder’s forum (AESF-IV) Hence, Sri Lanka will host the fifth summit of the – Colombo, Sri Lanka BIMSTEC. 7. India Banking Conclave 2018 - New Delhi. 2. International Buddhist Conclave 2020 - India will host Note: The India Banking Conclave 2018 was organized by the Conclave in August 2020. Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) 3. First SAARC Agri Cooperative Business Forum Begins 8. International Buddhist Conclave 2018 – New Delhi, – Kathmandu, Nepal India 4. G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting - Salta, Note: Argentina.

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• The theme of the conclave is 'Buddha Path – The Note: Living Heritage' • Uttar Pradesh contributes around 44% in the • This year Japan is the partnering country for the total handicraft exports of the country. Buddhist conclave. • Under the ‘One District One Product’ scheme, the 9. 11th World Conference - Port Louis, Mauritius. state government has set a goal of providing Note: Theme – ‘Vaishvik Hindi Aur Bharatiy Sanskriti’ employment to 25 lakh people in five years 10. The 24th World Congress of Philosophy (WCP) - through the financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 Beijing, China. crores. Note: Theme was “Learning To Be Human”. 12. 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting - Singapore 11. ‘One District One Product’ Summit - The President of 13. Indo-US Military Cooperation Meeting – New Delhi, India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the ‘One District India One Product’ Summit in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

July

1. 1st Nepal-India Think Summit – Kathmandu, Note: The theme was “Liveable & Sustainable Cities: Nepal. Embracing the Future through Innovation and 2. 10th BRICS Summit 2018 - Johannesburg, South Collaboration“ Africa. 10. India to host International Union of Food Science Note: and Technology 2018 – India to host 19th edition of • The theme of BRICS Summit 2018 was ‘BRICS in its prestigious global event to be held in Navi Africa: Collaboration for inclusive growth and Mumbai, India in October 2018. shared prosperity in the 4th Industrial 11. 17th World Sanskrit Conference held in Canada: Revolution'. Human Resource Development Minister Prakash • 11th BRICS Summit 2019 - Brazil Javadekar inaugurated the 17th World Sanskrit 3. The 6th India-UK Science & Innovation Council (SIC) Conference held at Vancouver, Canada. meeting - New Delhi, India. 12. 6th edition of biennial World Cities Summit held 4. Global Disability Summit 2018 – London, UK in Singapore: The sixth edition of biennial World 5. The 8th BRICS Health Ministers’ meeting - , Cities Summit was held in Singapore from July 8 to South Africa. 12, 2018. Its theme was “Liveable & Sustainable 6. India and Japan fourth round of Maritime Affairs Cities: Embracing the Future through Innovation and Dialogue - New Delhi, India Collaboration“. 7. 8th India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting - 13. The 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Muscat Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional ministerial 8. 17th World Sanskrit Conference - Vancouver, meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan. It was first RCEP Canada. ministerial gathering to be held outside ASEAN 9. 6th edition of biennial World Cities Summit – countries. Singapore.

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June

1. Haryana to host World Union of Wholesale Markets • The SCO is consisting of China, Russia, Conference. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, • Haryana Government is going to host 2018 India and Pakistan. World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) 5. 44th G7 Summit 2018 – Canada Conference at Gurugram in 10-13 October 2018. • The 44th G7 summit was held on June 8–9, 2. World Environment Day 2018: India 2018, in Quebec, Canada. • India hosted 2018 World Environment Day on • This was the sixth time since 1981 that Canada June 5, 2018. has hosted the meetings. • With “Beat Plastic Pollution” as the theme for • The 45th G7 summit or next G7 summit will be this year’s edition, the world is coming together held in 2019 in France. to combat single-use plastic pollution. • The Group of Seven (G7) is a group consisting of • India ranks at 177 positions out of 180 in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Environmental Performance Index 2018. Kingdom, and the United States. 3. The 11th edition of Geo-Intelligence Asia 2018 – New 6. An International Conference on Information and Delhi. Communication Technology (ICT) - Kathmandu, Nepal • The 11th edition of Geo-Intelligence Asia 2018 Explanation: was held at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, • The International Conference on Information and India. Communication Technology (ICT) was held in • The aim of the event was to provide platform to Kathmandu, Nepal. showcase innovative applications of Geospatial • The Theme of the two-day conference is technologies. “Sustainable Development Goals for Smart th 4. 18 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Society”. summit 2018 - China • The conference is organised by the Federation of • The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Computer Association Nepal (CAN). (SCO-2018) was hosted by China in the city of 7. 11th World Hindi Conference - Mauritius Qingdao in June 2018. • The 11th World Hindi Conference will be held in • 17th SCO summit 2017, was held in Astana, Mauritius in August 2018 with an aim to increase Kazakhstan in June 2017. the popularity of Hindi globally. • Kyrgyzstan has taken over the SCO rotating • The main theme of the Conference is ‘Hindi presidency, and the 19th SCO summit will be Vishwa Aur Bharatiy Sanskriti’. held in Kyrgyzstan next year.

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May

1. Global Wind Summit 2018: Hamburg, Germany. • The third edition of ‘United Nations • The first edition of the Global Wind Summit will Peacekeeping course for African be held in Hamburg, Germany in September Partners(UNPCAP)’ was held in New Delhi. 2018. 7. 15th Asia Media Summit 2018 - India • The conference on wind is the largest and most • India hosted 15th Asia Media Summit 2018 in important meeting of the wind industry New Delhi. worldwide. • India is fourth largest country, after China, the US • The theme of this summit is “Telling our Stories and Germany, in terms of wind energy Asia and More”. installation capacity. • The AMS 2018, an annual summit of the Asia- 2. 9th edition of ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development - Tehri, Uttarakhand. (AIBD) Kuala Lumpur, is a prestigious summit in • Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ was held to the Asia Pacific Region and India hosted the promote India’s rich cultural Heritage which was event for the first time. organised by the Ministry of Culture. 8. 2018 World Robot Conference (WRC) – China • Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of Culture - • China will host the 2018 World Robot Minister of State (Independent Charge) 3. The 71st World Health Assembly was held in: Geneva, Conference (WRC) in August 2018. Switzerland. • The theme of the conference is - Creating new • The Union Health Minister Mr. J P Nadda led the intelligent power and sharing the new Indian Delegation at World Health Assembly. opening-up era. • The Event was held under the theme "Health for • It will offer a venue where academic thoughts All: Commit To Universal Health Coverage". can be exchanged at high levels and the latest 4. The 3rd Mission Innovation Ministerial meeting was held achievements demonstrated. at -Malmo, Sweden. 9. 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tourism Ministers’ conference - China • The Indian delegation was led by Dr Harsh • China hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Vardhan, Union Minister for Science, Technology Organization (SCO) Tourism Ministers’ and Earth Sciences. conference in Wuhan, on 9th May 2018. • The ‘Mission Innovation’ is a global platform of • From India, the Minister of State (Independent 23 countries and European Union aimed at Charge) for Tourism and Minister of State for accelerating clean energy innovations through Electronics and Information Technology, K. J. enhanced Government funding, greater public- Alphons attended the conference. private sector partnership and enhanced global • It was the first meeting of SCO tourism ministers cooperation. since the organization was established in 2001 in 5. Climate summit 2019 – New York Shanghai. • Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced 10. First meeting of the BIMSTEC Working Group on to hold a climate summit in September 2019 in Customs Cooperation - India New York to review the commitments of the • The first meeting of the BIMSTEC Working Group 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. on Customs Cooperation was held in New Delhi, 6. The third edition of ‘United Nations Peacekeeping India on 10-11 May 2018. course for African Partners(UNPCAP)’ - New Delhi

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• Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral • The tag line of the India- South Africa Business Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit is – United by Legacy, Unified for is an international organization involving a Prosperity. group of countries in the South Asia and South- 14. The 4th Regional Conference on ‘Futuristic, Resilient and East Asia namely, Myanmar, India, Bangladesh, Digital Infrastructure’ 2018 was held in - Bengaluru Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal & Sri Lanka. • The conference was organised by the Ministry of • BIMSTEC was established on 6 June 1997 Finance. through the Bangkok Declaration. It is • The conference was held to discuss three broad headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh. areas which include - 11. 2018 Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral • the Challenges as well as Opportunities in the Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) context of need for Futuristic, summit – Nepal • Resilient and Digital Infrastructure, • Nepal will host the 2018 Bay of Bengal Initiative • Resource Mobilisation and Emerging Challenges for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic among others. Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit. 15. The 12th informal meeting of SAARC Finance Ministers

12. First-ever joint conference of Indian Customs and 2018 was held in Manila. Department of India Posts - New Delhi Note:

• The first-ever joint conference of Indian Customs • The twelfth informal meeting of SAARC Finance and Department of India Posts at Vigyan Bhavan Ministers was held in Manila, the capital of in New Delhi to deliberate on streamlining of Philippines. imports and exports by post. 13. India- South Africa Business Summit 2018 was held in - • Finance Minister of Nepal Yuba Raj Khatiwada Johannesburg chaired the meeting. • India- South Africa Business Summit 2018 was • The meeting was held on the side-lines of the held in Johannesburg. 51st Annual Meeting of Asian Development Bank • Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and (ADB). Finance Ministers/Heads of Delegations Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu attended the event. from the SAARC member states attended the meeting.

April 2. The India Mobile Congress will be held from 25th – 27th 1. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 - Varanasi October 2018 in New Delhi Explanation: • The theme of the 2018 India Mobile Congress is - • The next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held on “NEW DIGITAL HORIZONS: Connect. Create. 21-23 January 2019, in the holy city of Innovate,”. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. 3. The first ‘Happy Cities’ Summit - Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh • The theme of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is 4. 7th edition of Home Expo India 2018 - Greater Noida “Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New 5. The 10th edition of “DefExpo India- 2018” - Tamil Nadu India”. • The theme of the expo is “India: The Emerging • Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth Defence Manufacturing Hub”. will be the Chief Guest at Pravasi Bharatiya 6. The World Expo 2020 - Dubai Divas 2019.

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7. First International conference on ‘Water, Environment 11. The 2018 Global Malaria Summit - United Kingdom and Climate Change: Knowledge Sharing and • The 2018 Global Malaria Summit was held Partnership’ - Nepal alongside the 25th Commonwealth Heads of 8. The 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Mid-Term Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, Ministerial conference - Baku, Azerbaijan United Kingdom. • The theme of the conference is - “Promoting 12. 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting International Peace and Security for (CHOGM) 2018 - United Kingdom Sustainable Development”. • The 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government • External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Meeting (CHOGM) 2018 is being hosted by attended the meeting. United Kingdom from 16-20 April 2018. 9. International Buddhist Conference 2018 Lumbini, Nepal • The theme of the CHOGM 2018 is "Towards a 10. First meeting of BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Common Future". Bank Governors - Washington D.C. • Rwanda has been selected as host of the next • Ministry of Finance, Government of India was Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting represented in the meeting by Shri Subhash (CHOGM), to be held in 2020. Chandra Garg , Secretary , Department of Economic Affairs (EA).

March

1. The first G20 meeting of finance ministers and central Note: bank governors held in ___Buenos Aires, Argentina • The event will be from January 3-7, 2019 at Note: Barkatullah University Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. • The 2018 G20 summit will be the 13th meeting • The theme for 2019 ISC will be “Future India: of Group of Twenty (G20). Science & Technology”. • The summit will be held on 30 Nov – 1 Dec 2018 • 105th Indian Science Congress was held at in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Manipur University, Imphal. • It will be the first-ever G20 summit to be hosted • The theme for 2018 ISC is “Reaching the in South America. Unreached Through Science & Technology”. • G 20 Summit in 2017 was held in Hamburg, • 104th Indian Science Congress 2017 was held Germany. in Tirupati (S. V. University), Andhra Pradesh. 2. 106th edition of the Indian Science Congress will be • 103rd Indian Science Congress 2016 was held held in ____Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. in Mysore.

February

1. Global Investment Summit held in - Assam 3. 7th Asia Steel International Conference – Bhubaneswar, 2. 7th India Energy Congress – New Delhi Odisha. • The theme of the summit is 'Energy 4.0: Energy 4. International Bird Festival will be held at the Dudhwa Transition Towards 2030'. National Park, Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh in February 2018.

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January 1. 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic ASEAN INDIA meeting will be held in New Delhi in April 2018. Partnership. 2. World Economic Forum Summit held in – Davos, • The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated Switzerland every year on January 9 to mark the contribution 3. India-ASEAN business and investment conference held of Overseas Indian community in the in New Delhi. development of India.

Note: 8. 7th International Coffee festival – Bengaluru. 9. World Future Energy Summit held in - Abu Dhabi. • The theme of the conference was “Shared Values, 10. India-Israel Business Summit held in Mumbai. Common Destiny”. 11. India for the first time took part in a meeting of the • The conference was held to celebrate the 25th international military cooperation departments of the anniversary of the establishment of sectoral Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Beijing, dialogue between two sides. China. 4. The first International Dam Safety Conference-2018 12. 3rd edition of the Geo-Political conference, 'Raisina was held in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). Dialogue' held in New Delhi. 5. India has announced to host informal Ministerial meeting • This year's topic of Raisina Dialogue is 'Managing of World Trade Organisation (WTO) in March 2018 in Disruptive Transitions - Ideas, Institutions and New Delhi to muster support for issues and help to multi- Idioms.' lateral process. • 6. The 10th edition of Global Forum for Food & Agriculture The conference was inaugurated Israeli Prime was held in Berlin, Germany. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 13. International Workshop on Disaster Resilient • The theme of this year’s event is “Shaping the Infrastructure (IWDRI) held in New Delhi. future of livestock – sustainably, responsibly, 14. 4th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture & efficiently”. Forestry held in New Delhi. 7. The first-ever Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) 15. 5th Bilateral Technical Meeting on cooperation in the Parliamentary Conference was held in the Pravasi field of Traditional Systems of Medicine India and Bharatiya Kendra (PBK) in New Delhi on the occasion of Malaysia held in New Delhi. Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD). 16. 4th International Dharma Dhamma Conference held in Note: Rajgir in Bihar. • This year’s PBD celebrated ASEAN-Indian 17. The 105th Indian Science Congress (ISC) will be held partnership and was themed Ancient Route, New from March 16 to 20 at Manipur University in Imphal.

Books & Author

1. A book ‘Radio Kashmir in Times of Peace & War’ 5. Book titled '281 and Beyond' - VVS Laxman (veteran written by Dr Rajesh Bhat. cricketer) autobiography 2. A book ‘Yoga And Mindfulness’ - Mansi Gulati 6. Book titled ‘No Spin’ - (veteran 3. Book titled 'The Rule Breakers' - Preeti Shenoy cricketer) autobiography 4. Book titled ‘Atal Ji Ne Kaha’ - Brijendra Rehi

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7. Book titled "Gandhi: The years that changed the world 14. Author of 'Smart Cities Unbundle' book - Dr. Samir (1914-1948)" - . Sharma 8. Novel ''Warlight'' - Michael Ondaatje (named in Man 15. Author of 'My Journey from Marxism-Leninism to Booker Prize list) Nehruvian Socialism' book - C. H. Hanumantha Rao 9. Novel 'The English Patient' - Michael Ondaatje (winner 16. Authored of the book “India’s Heritage of Music: of Golden Man Booker International prize 2018) Pandits of ” - Meeta Pandit 10. Book titled 'Winning Like Sourav: Think & Succeed Like 17. Book titled ‘Paramveer Parwane’ authored by - Ganguly' - Abhirup Bhattacharya Prabhakiran Jain. 18. Book titled ‘Exam Warriors' authored by – Prime 11. The book ‘Straight Talk’ authored by___ Abhishek Manu Minister of India Narendra Modi Singhvi 19. Book titled “A Century is Not Enough “autobiography of 12. Author of the book “Across the Bench – Insight into the – . Indian Military Judicial System” - Gyan Bhushan 20. Book titled ‘Imperfect’ autobiography of – Sanjay 13. Book ‘Calling Sehmat’ authored by - Harinder S. Sikka Manjrekar (cricketer-turned-commentator)

May 1. The book ‘Straight Talk’ authored by___ Abhishek Manu 2. Author of the book “Across the Bench – Insight into the Singhvi Indian Military Judicial System” - Gyan Bhushan 3. Book ‘Calling Sehmat’ authored by - Harinder S. Sikka

April 1. Author of 'Smart Cities Unbundle' book - Dr. Samir • The book was released by former Prime Minister Sharma . 2. Author of 'My Journey from Marxism-Leninism to 3. Authored of the book “India’s Heritage of Gharana Music: Nehruvian Socialism' book - C. H. Hanumantha Rao Pandits of Gwalior” - Meeta Pandit • He is a former Planning Commission and member of the Finance Commission. March 1. Book titled ‘Paramveer Parwane’ authored by - Prabhakiran Jain Feb 1. Book titled ‘Exam Warriors' authored by – Prime 2. Book titled “A Century is Not Enough “autobiography of Minister of India Narendra Modi – Sourav Ganguly.

Jan 1. Book titled ‘Imperfect’ autobiography of – Sanjay 2. Book titled “Citizen Delhi: My Times, My Life" Manjrekar (cricketer-turned-commentator) autobiography of - Former Delhi Chief Minister .

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3. Book titled “Indian Instincts” authored by – Dr. Miniya 5. Book titled "The Widows of Malabar Hill" authored by - Chatterji Sujata Massey 4. Book titled "The Diary of a Domestic Diva” authored by - Shilpa Shetty.

Books launched in 2017

1. Novel ‘Two’ authored by - (Veteran lyricist) Pradipkumar Singh hailing from Manipur, who was 2. Book titled “The Coalition Years” authored by – Pranab diagnosed HIV-positive.) Mukherjee (Former President of India) 13. Book titled “Cryptocurrency for Beginners” authored by 3. Book titled “The Golden House” authored by – Salman – Amit Bhardwaj. Rushdie. 14. Book titled “Making of a legend” authored by – 4. Book titled “India 2017 Yearbook” authored by – Rajiv Bindeshawr Pathak. Mehrishi 15. Book titled “Dalhousie Through My Eyes” authored by – 5. Book titled “I Do What I Do” authored by – Raghuram Kiran Chadha. Rajan (former RBI Governor) 16. Book titled “Playing With Fire” authored by – Katie Price. 6. Book titled “Immortal India” authored by – Amish 17. Book titled “Future of Indian Universities: Comparative Tripathi. and International Perspectives” authored by – C. Raj 7. Book titled “A Horse Walks into a Bar” authored by - Kumar. David Grossman (Winner - Man Booker International 18. Book titled “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” Prize 2017) authored by – Arundhati Roy. 8. Book titled “How India Sees the World” – . 19. Book titled “The Crisis Within” authored by – Ganesh 9. Book titled “Hit Refresh” – Satya Nadella. Devy. 10. Book titled “Unstoppable: My Life So far” authored by – 20. Book titled “ – A life in Nature” authored Maria Sharapova. by – Jairam Ramesh. 11. Book titled “The Shershah of Kargil” authored by - 21. Book titled “Beren And Luthien” authored by – J.R.R. Deepak Surana (Biography of Kargil war hero – Late Tolkien. Vikram Batra) 22. Book titled “Yug Purush, Bharat Ratna, Atal Ji” authored 12. Book titled “I am HIV positive, so what?” authored by – by – “Nishank”. Jayanta Kalita (The book is based on the life of an 23. Book titled “Matoshree” authored by - Speaker international bodybuilding champion Khundrakpam Sumitra Mahajan

Obituaries

December 1. Mastanamma - One of the world's oldest YouTubers, 2. George HW Bush - Former US President 107-year-old Mastanamma from southern India, passed 3. Mohammed Aziz – Veteran Singer away.

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November

1. Ustad Imrat Khan - Noted Indian Classical Musician 8. Stan Lee - American comic-book writer and Marvel 2. Sandeep Michael - Former Indian Hockey Player Comics co-creator 3. William Goldman - Oscar-winning screenwriter and 9. Lalan Sarang - Veteran theatre and Marathi film actor best-selling author 10. - Union Minister for Parliamentary 4. Saint Narayan Das - Padma Shri awardee and revered Affairs, and Chemicals and Fertilizers H.N. Ananth Kumar saint Narayan Das Maharaj of Triveni dham near Jaipur passed away. passed away. 11. Qazi Abdussattar - a noted writer and former head 5. TS Kanaka - Asia’s 1st Woman Neurosurgeon of Aligarh Muslim University’s 6. Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri - Hero of 1971 12. Ntozake Shange - Playwright, poet and author India-Pakistan war 13. M.P. Awati - 1971 War Hero, former Vice-Admiral 7. - Popular ad filmmaker and theatre personality

October 1. Narayan Datt Tiwari - Former Uttar Pradesh and 3. Khurana - Former Delhi Chief minister. He Uttarakhand Chief Minister. was appointed the governor of in 2004. Note: 4. Osamu Shimomura - Japanese-born Marine biologist • He was three-time CM of Uttar Pradesh and was and the winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. first elected CM of Uttarakhand as well. 5. G D Agarwal - Environmentalist G.D. Agarwal, who was • He was Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2002 on a fast for the last 111 days demanding a clean Ganga, to 2007. died after a heart attack in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. • He also had served as Governor of Andhra 6. Paul Allen - Microsoft Co-Founder Pradesh from 2007 to 2009. 7. Annapurna Devi - Legendary musician. (She was married 2. Qazi Abdussattar - Padma Shri awardee and noted Urdu to sitar maestro ) writer. He was the former head of Aligarh Muslim 8. MN Paloor - Well-known poet University's Urdu department. 9. Natwar Thakkar - Eminent Gandhian Natwar Thakkar, popularly known as Nagaland's Gandhi. Pandit - Renowned harmonium player

September 1. Biswanath Dutt - Former BCCI president 7. Vijay Shankar Vyas - Renowned agricultural economist 2. Kalpana Lajmi - Renowned filmmaker and former PM's Economic Advisory Committee member. 3. Tran Dai Quang – former President of Vietnam 8. Bhagwati Kumar Sharma - Noted Gujarati author and 4. Anna Rajam Malhotra - India’s first woman IAS officer poet 5. Dolagobinda Pradhan - Noted freedom fighter and 9. Jain Muni Tarun Sagar - The monk, who was known for former Odisha Minister his lecture series 'Kadve Pravachan passed away. 6. Satya Prakash Malviya - Former Union petroleum minister

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August 1. John McCain - US Senator • He was awarded with the Bharat Ratna Award 2. - Veteran Journalist the highest civilian award in 2015. 3. Uri Avnery - Israeli journalist and peace activist and one 6. - Former India captain of the first to openly advocate for a Palestinian state 7. Balramji Das Tandon - Governor passed away at the age of 94. 8. Somnath Chatterjee - Former Lok Sabha speaker 4. Kofi Annan - Former United Nations Secretary-General 9. V.S. Naipaul - Nobel Prize-winning British author V S 5. - Former prime minister of India. Naipaul. Note: Note: He wrote more than 30 books and won the Nobel • He was three times Prime Minister of India. First Literature Prize in 2001. Term: May 1996, Second Term: 1998-1999 and 10. M Karunanidhi - Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Third Term: 1999-2004. chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

July 1. Ramapada Chowdhury - Noted Bengali writer Note: He was conferred with Padma Shri in 1991 and 2. Swapan Sarkar - Veteran Sports Journalist in 2007. 3. Ramchandra Singhdeo - Former and first Finance 5. Rita Bhaduri - Veteran actor Minister of Chhattisgarh 6. M.N. Vyasa Rao - Poet 4. Gopal Das Neeraj – Renowned Hindi poet & lyrics 7. Dada Vaswani - Spiritual leader

June 1. Adiraju Venkateswara Rao - Veteran Journalist • Timothy Pereira, former football international who • Senior journalist and writer Adiraju represented Tata FC, passed away in Mumbai. Venkateswara Rao passed away. 4. Pappu Karki - Kumaoni folk singer 2. Nerella Venumadhav - renowned mimicry artiste • Karki was famous for singing Kumaoni folk. • Noted mimicry artiste Nerella Venumadhav • Karki is originally from Thal in Pithoragarh district passed away after a brief illness in Warangal city. of Uttarakhand. He was 85. 5. Rasaraj' Narayan Prasad Singh – lyricist. • He has conferred scores of awards, including the • Odisha's most popular lyricist, Narayan Prasad Padma Shri in 2001. Singh was popularly known as 'Rasaraj' passed 3. Timothy Pereira - former football player away at his residence in Bhubaneswar. Singh was 86.

May 2. Alan Bean - fourth man to walk on the moon. 1. Urmila Singh - former Governor of Himachal Pradesh 3. Dr Hemu Adhikari - veteran film and theatre actor • She was appointed as the governor of Himachal • He was known for his cameo in Hirani's Pradesh in 2010. 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' (2006).

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7. Geeta Kapoor - veteran actor • He had represented the country in one Test • Geeta acted in around 100 films such as in Kamal match, against (then known as MCC) Amrohi’s "" and "Razia Sultan". during the 1963-64 series at the Brabourne 4. E.C. G Sudarshan - Eminent Indian-American theoretical Stadium in Mumbai. physicist 11. Idris Hasan Latif - Former Air Chief Marshal ➢ Dr. Ennackal Chandy George Sudarshan 12. P.P. Lakshmanan - Sports (Professor at the Texas University) specialized in • He was a former President of the All India Quantum Optics and linked Vedanta with Football Federation (AIFF). modern physics. • He was the first Indian to be chosen as the ➢ In 2007, the Indian government recognised and member of FIFA's appeal committee (Germany awarded the physicist with the second highest 2006 and South Africa 2010 editions). civilian award, Padma Vibhushan. 13. Ravinder Sharma - renowned artist. 5. Anita Das - Popular Odia film and veteran TV actress • Renowned artist-philosopher Ravinder 6. Jivya Soma Mashe - Noted artist Sharma (also called as Guruji) passed away due Note: to cancer at Kala Ashram in Adilabad, Telangana. ➢ He had received the Padma Shri in 2011 for his 14. Ashok Mitra - former Finance Minister of West Bengal contribution towards the Warli painting. • Ashok Mitra was an eminent economist, scholar ➢ In 1976, he had got the National Award for the and first Finance Minister in the Left Front Tribal Art. government in West Bengal. He was 90. 7. Nandram Das Bairagi - Hindi film lyricist • He worked for the World Bank, taught at the • Noted Hindi film lyricist, Nandram Das Delhi School of Economics and Indian Institute of Bairagi, popularly known as Balkavi Bairagi, Management Calcutta. passed away in Madhya Pradesh. • He was the Chief Economic Adviser to the • Bairagi, a Lok Sabha member between 1984 and government of India from 1970 to 1972 when 1989 and also a former Rajya Sabha MP, was 87. Indira Gandhi was the prime minister. 8. Kalasala’ Babu – noted actor (Malayalam) 15. Kottayam Pushpanath - the renowned detective 9. Ankit Chadha – Storyteller novelist • Renowned storyteller Ankit Chadha (30-years) • Pushpanathan Pillai, better known by the passed away in a tragic accident occurred at pseudonym Kottayam Pushpanath, was a prolific Malayali author most noted for his detective Uksan Lake near Kamshet (60 kilo meters away) novels in Malayalam language. from Pune. 16. Keyur Bhushan - well-known Gandhian & freedom • Chadha was known for his unique style of fighter storytelling in Urdu. • Keyur Bhushan (90), the well-known Gandhian, 10. Rajinder Pal – Cricketer freedom fighter and writer, passed away in • Former Delhi cricketer Rajinder Pal (80), Raipur, Chhattisgarh. passed away in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on May • He took part in the 1942 Quit India movement as 9, 2018. a student in Raipur and was incarcerated.

April

1. T V R Shenoy – Journalist (Karnataka) 3. Justice Rajinder Sachar - former Chief Justice Delhi 2. MS Ravi – Journalist (Kerala) High Court

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4. Bhimsain Khurana – Animator • He played the role of one of the prisoners in • He was known for his animation shots in films -directed “Sholay”. like - Gharaonda’ (got Film fare Awards) ”Ek 9. Munin Barua - noted film-maker (Assam) Anek Ekta’ (won him a National Award ) with the 10. Niranjan Thomas Alva - renowned lawyer. • Niranjan Thomas Alva (78), a Supreme Court unforgettable “ Ek Chidiya akek chidiya” song. lawyer and husband of Congress leader , passed away. 5. S Nihal Singh - Veteran journalist 11. Balantrapu Rajanikantha Rao – noted poet (Andhra • Veteran journalist S Nihal Singh was passed Pradesh) away due to illness on April 2018. He was the 12. Amita Udgata veteran TV Actor founding editor of The Indian Post. • She became a household name after playing the 6. Ram Kumar - noted painter role of ‘Amma’ in Star Plus’ popular social drama • Ram Kumar was a noted painter was honored Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya. with Padma Shri award in 1972 and 13. Tony Daniel - Athletics • Kalidas Samman by the Madhya Pradesh • Tony Daniel (66) is the technical committee government in 1986. chairman of the Athletics Federation of India 7. E N Rammohan - former Director General of Border (AFI) and the executive vice-president of Kerala Security Force State Athletics Association (KSAA). 8. Raj Kishore – Actor

February

1. Hukum Singh passed away - BJP senior leader and Lok Sabha MP from Kairana (U.P.)

January 1. passed away - Noted agricultural 8. Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta passed away - Sarod scientist and pioneer of India’s Green Revolution maestro. 2. passed away - Veteran Bengali film actress 9. Baldev Raj passed away - a renowned administrator of & Padmashri awardee nuclear power technologies & director of the National 3. Chandi Lahiri passed away - Eminent cartoonist & writer Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) 4. Raghunath Jha passed away - Former Union Minister & Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal leader 10. Saksham Yadav passed away - World powerlifting 5. Dr N K Trikha passed away - Veteran journalist & author champion 6. Charu Rohatgi passed away - TV actress known for her 11. Doodhnath Singh passed away - Famous Hindi story roles in serials like 'Uttaran' writer 7. Gnani Sankaran passed away - Veteran Tamil writer, 12. Anwar Jalalpuri passed away - Noted Urdu poet journalist and theatre personality

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Appointments

National

December

1. New Chief Economic Advisor - Krishnamurthy • Mr. Singh also holds the post of the Joint Subramanian Secretary General of the National Rifle • He is currently working as an Associate Professor at Association of India (NRAI). the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. 4. 1st Indian to Be Elected ISSF’s Vice-president - 2. New Finance Secretary – AN Jha Raninder Singh • Ajay Narayan Jha has been appointed as new • Raninder Singh has become the first Indian to be Finance Secretary. elected one of the four vice-presidents of the • He replaced Hasmukh Adhia. International Shooting Sport Federation. 3. First Indian To Be Elected in ISSF’s Judges Committee 5. New MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra - AS Rajeev • Pawan Singh has become the first Indian to be 6. New CEO of Axis Capital - Dharmesh Mehta elected one of seven member’s of the Judges 7. SBI appointed Swapna Barman as Brand Ambassador Committee of the International Shooting Sports for YONO Federation (ISSF). • State Bank of India has roped in Asian Games gold medalist Swapna Barman as brand ambassador for its digital app YONO.

November

1. New Chief Election Commissioner of India - Sunil • He replaced Hasmukh Adhia. Arora 5. New IWAI Chairman - Jalaj Srivastava • Sunil Arora has been appointed as the new Chief • Jalaj Srivastava, has been appointed the Election Commissioner of India. chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of • He succeeds Rawat. India (IWAI). 2. New Chairman of Union Public Service Commission • The headquarter of IWAI is in Noida. (UPSC) – Arvind Saxena 6. New ED Chief - 3. First UNICEF ‘Youth Advocate’ of Northeastern • Sanjay Mishra was appointed as the new Region Enforcement Directorate Director (ED). • Popular singer Nahid Afrin of Assam has been 7. India’s 1st Ever Youth Ambassador – Hima Das appointed as the first ‘Youth Advocate’ of the • The United Nations Children’s Fund-India northeastern region by the UNICEF to fight for child (UNICEF) has appointed Hima Das as India’s first rights. ever Youth Ambassador. 4. New Revenue Secretary - Ajay Bhushan Pandey • Hima Das is the first Indian athlete to win the • Ajay Bhushan Pandey CEO of Unique India’s first international gold in track events. Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has 8. New WhatsApp India Head - Abhijit Bose been appointed as the new revenue secretary.

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9. Justices Hemant Gupta, R Subhash Reddy, MR Shah and 14. Binny Bansal resigns as CEO of Flipkart Group Ajay Rastogi sworn-in as Supreme Court Judges • Co-founder Binny Bansal has resigned as CEO of 10. Re-Appointment of Aditya Puri as HDFC Bank CEO Flipkart Group. • RBI had approved the re-appointment of Aditya 15. DV Sadananda Gowda got the additional charge of the Puri as MD and CEO of the bank for another two Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers years. • Currently, DV Sadananda Gowda holds the • Aditya Puri will now serve the office from portfolio of Statistics and Programme November 1, 2018, to October 26, 2020. Implementation. 11. New MD & CEO of UCO Bank - Atul Goel 16. Narendra Singh Tomar got the additional charge of • He replaces R K Takkar. the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs 12. New CCI Chairperson - Gupta • At present, Narendra Singh is Minister of Rural • Ashok Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the Development, Panchayati Raj and Mines. Chairman of the Competition Commission of 17. Sanjay Kumar Seth takes oath as chief justice of MP India (CCI). high court • He replaces Sudhir Mittal. • Justice Sanjay Kumar Seth sworn in as the 24th 13. New DG of ITBP - S. S. Deswal Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. • S. S. Deswal appointed as the Director General, 18. Yes Bank Chairman Ashok Chawla resigned Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). 19. Yes Bank Director R. Chandrashekhar resigned

October

1. Resigns as FTII Chairman - Actor 5. New Chief Statistician of India - Pravin Srivastava Anupam Kher has resigned as the chairman of the Film 6. New MD & CEO of ICICI Bank - Sandeep Bakhshi and Television Institute of India citing commitments to 7. Chairman of the National Financial Reporting Authority an international TV show for which he has to be (NFRA) - Rangachari Sridharan stationed in the U.S. 8. New MD & CEO of IDBI Bank - Rakesh Sharma 2. New MD & CEO of Paytm Payments Bank - Satish 9. New Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Kumar Gupta Child Rights (NCPCR) - Priyank Kanoongo 3. New Interim Director of CBI - M Nageshwar Rao 10. New Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India 4. New Solicitor General of India - Tushar Mehta (AMFI) - Nimesh Shah

September

1. India's Next Ambassador to China - Vikram Misri 4. New Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at SBI - Prashant 2. New Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission - Kumar Renowned scientist Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas 5. New Ambassadors of Skill India Campaign - Varun 3. New Chairman and Managing Director of National Dhawan & Anushka Sharma Insurance Company Limited (NICL) - Tajinder Mukherjee 6. New Chief Justice of India - Justice Ranjan Gogoi (46th CJI)

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Note: He will assume office of Chief Justice on 3rd 8. New Managing Director of the SBI - Anshula Kant October, 2018 after retirement of incumbent Chief Note: With this appointment, SBI now has four MDs - PK Justice, Justice Dipak Misra. Gupta, DK Khara and Arijit Basu. 7. New MD & CEO of Axis Bank - Amitabh Chaudhry 9. New Brand Ambassador of BSNL - Note: He will replace Shikha Sharma who will step down 10. New Secretary (Ministry of Steel) - Binoy Kumar on December 31, 2018.

August

1. First CEO of Vodafone Idea - Balesh Sharma 5. New Independent Director of Indiabulls Housing 2. New DRDO Chairman - G. Satheesh Reddy Finance – S.S. Mundra (former Deputy Governor of the 3. New Secretary General of Assocham - Uday Kumar RBI) Varma 6. New head Coach of the women’s National team - Note: Sandeep Jajodia is the present President of (Former India spinner) Assocham. 7. New Chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity 4. Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister - Union Minister - Justice Manjula Chellur Arun Jaitley is back as the Finance Minister after a three- 8. New Chief Justice of Delhi High Court - Justice month interval to recuperate from a kidney transplant Rajendra Menon surgery. 9. New Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha - Harivansh Narayan Singh 10. New CEO of HSBC India - Surendra Rosha

New Governor Appointed

1. New Governor of Uttarakhand –Baby Rani Maurya • Note: He replaced Tathagata Roy. • Note: He replaced K K Paul. 5. New Governor of Sikkim - Ganga Prasad 2. New Governor of Haryana –Satyadev Narayan Arya • Note: He replaced Shriniwas Patil. • Note: He replaced Kaptan Singh Solanki. 6. New Governor of Meghalaya - Tathagata Roy 3. New Governor of Bihar - Lalji Tandon • Note: He replaced Ganga Prasad. • Note: He replaced Satya Pal Malik. 7. New Governor of Jammu & Kashmir - Satya Pal Malik 4. New Governor of Tripura – Kaptan Singh Solanki • Note: He replaced NN Vohra.

July

1. International Kabaddi Federation Chief: Janardan Singh Gehlot 2. New Director & GM of United India Insurance: Vijay Srinivas 3. New CMD of SAIL - Saraswati Prasad 4. New Chairman of Payments Council of India (PCI): Vishwas Patel New Chairman of National Green Tribunal (NGT): Justice Adarsh Kumar

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July

5. International Kabaddi Federation Chief: Janardan Singh 8. New Chairman of Payments Council of India (PCI): Gehlot Vishwas Patel 6. New Director & GM of United India Insurance: Vijay 9. New Chairman of National Green Tribunal (NGT): Justice Srinivas Adarsh Kumar 7. New CMD of SAIL - Saraswati Prasad

June

1. New Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and superannuation of Shri Narendra Kumar Sinha, Customs - S Ramesh IAS. • He succeeded Vanaja N Sarna. 7. West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi gets 2. New RBI Deputy Governor – Mahesh Kumar Jain additional charge of Tripura state Governor. • The Centre appointed Mahesh Kumar Jain, • President Ram Nath Kovind gave West Bengal Managing Director, and CEO of IDBI Bank, as the Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi additional RBI’s Deputy Governor. charge of Tripura Governor, during the absence 3. New MD & CEO of IDBI Bank - B Sriram on leave of Tathagata Roy. 4. New Managing Director of SBI - Arijit Basu 8. New vigilance commissioner in the Central Vigilance 5. New COO of ICICI Bank - Sandeep Bakhshi Commission (CVC) - Sharad Kumar 6. New Secretary in the Ministry of Information & 9. Acting Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission Broadcasting - Amit Khare (UPSC) - Arvind Saxena • Amit Khare, IAS assumed charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on • He replaced incumbent Vinay Mittal.

May

1. New chief minister of Karnataka: HD Kumaraswamy 5. Get the additional charge of the DRDO Chief - Sanjay • Congress Leader G. Parameshwara was sworn in Mitra as Deputy Chief Minister. • Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra was given 2. First-ever Chief Financial officer (CFO) of the Reserve additional charge of the Chairman of Defense Bank of India (RBI) - Sudha Balakrishnan Research and Development Organization (DRDO) • Sudha Balakrishnan has been appointed the first- 6. New deputy National Security Advisor of India - Pankaj ever chief financial officer (CFO) of the Reserve Saran Bank of India (RBI). 7. New Governor of Odisha - Ganeshi Lal • Earlier, she holds the post of vice president of 8. New Governor of Mizoram - Kummanam Rajasekharan National Securities Depository Ltd. 9. In a cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister given the additional 3. New MD & CEO of Airtel Payments Bank - Anubrata charge of Finance Ministry to Piyush Goyal. Biswas Note: 4. New chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI) - C K ➢ Rajvardhan Rathore: Information and Prasad Broadcasting Ministry (Independent charge) ➢ SS Ahluwalia: Electronics Ministry

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➢ KJ Alphons: Tourism Ministry • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet ➢ : Textiles Ministry (ACC), headed by PM Narendra Modi approved 10. New Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi - Uttam the extension of Cabinet secretary Pradeep Pacharne. Kumar Sinha (1977 batch IAS officer of UP cadre) ➢ Eminent artist and sculptor Pacharne succeeds for another one year (till June 12, 2019). ML Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Akademies). 17. Chairman of the 22-member Public Accounts 11. New Chief Justice of Manipur High Court - Justice Committee (PAC) - Mallikarjun Kharge Ramalingam Sudhakar. Note: 12. New Head of U.S India Business Council - Ambika • Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has been re- Sharma. appointed chairman of the 22-member Public 13. New CMD of Coal India Limited - Anil Kumar Jha. Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. 14. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appointed as 'eminent • Kharge, an MP from Gulbarga (Karnataka), is the jurist' in the high-profile Lokpal selection committee led leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha. by the Prime Minister. • About PAC – It is the oldest parliamentary committee that examines the accounts showing the ➢ In May 2014, Rohatgi was appointed the appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for Attorney General of India and resigned from the expenditure of Government of India and such other post in June 2017. accounts of autonomous and semi-autonomous 15. Chairman of IRDAI - Subhash Chandra Khuntia bodies. • He replaced TS Vijayan’s whose tenure ended on • The PAC consists 22 members -- 15 from Lok Sabha 21st February this year. and 7 from Rajya Sabha. • The Insurance Regulatory and Development 18. Ashok Lahiri appointed as full-time member of - 15th Authority of India (IRDAI) is an autonomous, Finance Commission statutory body which regulates insurance and Note: reinsurance industries in India. • Ashok Lahiri appointed as full-time member of • IRDAI is a 10-member body including the chairman, 15th Finance Commission. five full-time and four part-time members appointed • Ashok Lahiri is the former Chief Economic by the government of India. Adviser of India. • IRDAI headquarter is in Hyderabad. • The head of the 15th Finance Commission is N K 16. Current Cabinet secretary of India - Singh. Sinha

April

1. New Chairman of Banks Board Bureau - Bhanu Pratap 3. New Director General (DG) of Central Industrial Security Sharma Force (CISF) - Rajesh Ranjan • He replaced who retires on 31 March 4. New Director General of the Indian Council of Medical 2018. Research (ICMR) - Balram Bhargava 2. New Chairman of NASSCOM for 2018-19 - Rishad 5. New President of NASSCOM - Debjani Ghosh: Premji • She has replaced R. Chandrashekhar.

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• Debjani is the first woman President of 7. New Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir - NASSCOM. Kavinder Gupta 6. New president of Badminton Association of India (BAI) - 8. New Director General of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) - PP Malhotra

March

1. New Deputy Election Commissioner of India - Chandra 5. New Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to Government of Bhushan Kumar India (GoI) - K Vijay Raghavan Note: 6. New Director General of the Press Information Bureau • The Election Commission of India formed in 25 (PIB) - Sitanshu Ranjan Kar January 1950 is an autonomous constitutional • He also took over as the 27th Principal authority responsible for administering election Spokesperson of the Government of India. processes in India. 7. Suresh Prabhu given the additional charge of - Ministry • Election Commission headquarters is in New Delhi of Civil Aviation. • The current Chief Election Commissioner of India is 8. First woman officer to be inducted as the first direct- Om Prakash Rawat. entry combat officer in Indo-Tibetan Border Police • Under Chief Election Commissioner, there are two (ITBP) - Prakriti Election Commissioner which include - Sunil Arora 9. New Chief Minister of Tripura - and Ashok Lavasa. • He became the 10th Chief Minister of Tripura. 2. New chairman of the central panel of the 65th National • He replaced Manik Sarkar. Film Awards (NFA) - 10. New Chief Minister of Meghalaya - Conrad Sangma 3. New Director General Border Roads (DGBR) - Harpal • Conrad Sangma, the President of National Singh People’s Party (NPP) & currently a Member of Note: Parliament (MP) from Tura Lok Sabha • The Border Roads Organisation develops and constituency. maintains road networks in India's border areas • He is the son of former Lok Sabha Speaker late and friendly neighbouring countries. 4. New CEO Of Ayushman Bharat Mission - Indu Bhushan PA Sangma. 11. New Chief Minister of Nagaland - Neiphiu Rio

February

1. Indian Chef-de-Mission for the Commonwealth Games 2. New Director-General of Sports Authority of India - 2018 - Vikram Singh Sisodia. Neelam Kapur. • Vikram Singh Sisodia is the president of 3. New Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Chhattisgarh State Tennis Association. the Indian Army - Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan

January 1. New Foreign Secretary of India - Vijay Keshav Gokhale • He succeeded S Jaishankar.

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2. New Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation 9. New Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Security (ISRO) - K Sivan. Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) - • He succeeded A.S. Kiran Kumar. S Selvakumar 3. New Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre - S 10. New Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command - Vice Somanath Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh • He succeeded K Sivan. 11. New MD & CEO of National Commodity & Derivatives • K Sivan appointed new ISRO Chairman. Exchange Limited (NCDEX) – Vijay Kumar 4. New Director General of FICCI - Dilip Chenoy 12. First woman lawyer to be directly appointed as a Judge • FICCI stands for - Federation of Indian Chambers of the - Indu Malhotra of Commerce & Industry. 13. 'Chef De Mission' For Winter Olympics 2018 - Harjinder 5. New Director General of National Security Guard (NSG) - Singh Sudeep Lakhtakia • 23rd Winter Olympic Games to be held in 6. New Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) - Om Prakash Pyeongchang, South Korea in February 2018. Rawat 14. New MD & CEO of National Payments Corporation of • He became the 22nd CEC of India. India (NPCI) - Dilip Asbe • He succeeded Achal Kumar Joti. 15. Brand ambassador of Sikkim state - A R Rahman (Music 7. New Election Commissioner - Ashok Lawasa (Former composer) Finance secretary) 16. New Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) - Rajinder 8. New Governor of Madhya Pradesh - Khanna (Former Gujarat Chief Minister)

Appointment International

December International 1. New President of Mexico - Andres Manuel Lopez 2. New CEO of IAAF - Jon Ridgeon • The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced the appointment of Jon Ridgeon as its new CEO.

November 1. First female President of Georgia - Salom ever goodwill ambassador of United Nations Zurichishvili children’s agency UNICEF. 2. New PM of Fiji - Voreqe Bainimarama • UNICEF Headquarters: New York. 3. Youngest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador - Millie 4. New Interpol President - Kim Jong Yang Bobby • South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang has been elected as • Millie Bobby Brown, the star of hit series Interpol’s next president. “Stranger Things”, appointed as the youngest • Interpol Headquarters: Lyon, France 5. Acting Executive Director of UNEP - Joyce Msuya

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• Tanzanian national Joyce Msuya was appointed • The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) as acting Executive Director of United Nations announced Siddharth Tiwari joining as the Chief Environment Programme (UNEP). Representative for Asia and the Pacific. • UNEP headquarter - Nairobi, Kenya. • He succeeds Eli Remolona. 6. New President of AIBA - Gafur Rakhimov 8. New head of Google Cloud - Thomas Kurian • Uzbekistan’s businessman Gafur Rakhimov was • Oracle’s ex-product chief Thomas Kurian will elected president of the International Boxing head Google’s cloud division. He will replace Association (AIBA) Diane Greene. 7. BIS names Siddharth Tiwari as Chief Representative 9. UN Environment Chief Erik Solheim resigns for Asia

October

1. First Female President of Ethiopia - Sahle-Work Zewde 7. Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund became the first-ever female President Ethiopia. (IMF) - Gita Gopinath (India-born Harvard University 2. New Prime Minister of Sri Lanka - Mahinda Rajapaksha professor) 3. Re-elected President of Ireland – Michael D Higgins 8. India’s permanent representative to the United Nations 4. New President of Brazil - Jair Bolsonaro Conference on Disarmament (UNCD) - Pankaj Sharma 5. Sajjan Jindal Elected as Treasurer Of World Steel 9. India’s Ambassador to Spain - Sanjay Verma Association 10. Chairman of the working committee at World Federation 6. New President of Iraq - Barham Salih of Exchanges (WFE) - Vikram Limaye

September

1. New Prime Minister of Sudan - Moutaz Mousa Abdallah 6. Regional Director WHO South-East Asia - Dr Poonam 2. Chief Privacy Officer at Google - Keith Enright Khetrapal Singh unanimously re-elected as Regional 3. New President of Pakistan - Arif Alvi Director for another five-year term beginning February Note: He was elected as the 13th President of Pakistan. 2019. 4. New Chief Justice of Nepal - Justice Om Prakash Mishra 7. New CEO & Executive Director (ED) of WPP Plc (the 5. New Chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd - Daniel world’s largest communication services group) – Mark Zhang Read. Note: Daniel Zhang will replace Jack Ma on Sept 10, 2019.

August 1. New Prime Minister of Pakistan - Imran Khan becomes Note: He replaced Malcolm Turnbull. the 22nd PM of Pakistan. He is the chairman of Pakistan 3. Re-Elected Mali President - Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). 4. New President of Paraguay - Mario Abdo Benitez 2. New Prime Minister of Australia - Treasurer Scott 5. New UN Human Rights Chief - Michelle Bachelet Morrison 6. New President of Colombia - Ivan Duque

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7. 1st Indian to become member at Internet Note: He will replace who will step down in Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers October. (ICANN) - Ajay Data (Founder & CEO of Data XGen Plus) 9. New President of Zimbabwe - Emmerson Mnangagwa 8. New CEO of PepsiCo - Ramon Laguarta 10. Pakistan 1st Woman Chief Justice of High Court - Justice Tahira Safdar June

1. New President of Turkey - Tayyip Erdogan • Paraguay gets first interim woman President 2. New President of Colombia - Ivan Duque Alicia Pucheta for the first time in its history • He will replace Juan Manuel Santos. after outgoing leader Horacio Cartes stepped 3. New Prime Minister of Spain - Pedro Sanchez down ahead of schedule. 4. New Prime Minister of Italy - Giuseppe Conte 6. New Prime Minister of Jordan - Omar al-Razzaz 5. First interim woman President of Paraguay - Alicia • Former World Bank Economist Omar al-Razzaz Pucheta was sworn in as Jordan's Prime Minister.

May

1. New President of Venezuela - Nicolas Maduro 8. New Prime Minister of Armenia - Nikol Pashinyan 2. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has named its first • He replaced Serzh Sargsyan who was earlier female chief - Stacey Cunningham Prime Minister of the country. 3. Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan - Justice Nasir ul 9. New President of Costa Rica - Carlos Alvarado Mulk • Carlos Alvarado sworn in as the 48th President • Justice Nasir ul Mulk was the former Chief of Costa Rica. Alvarado is the country's youngest Justice of Pakistan. president in modern history. 4. First female director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) • The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose and Colon is - Gina Haspel. the currency. 5. Re-elected ICC Chairman - Shashank Manohar. 10. New Prime Minister of Malaysia - Mahathir bin 6. New Vice-President of Badminton Asia Confederation Mohamad (BAC) - Himanta Biswa Sarma. Explanation: 7. Veteran female actor and social activist • Mahathir bin Mohamad became the new Prime nominated as the Global Leadership Ambassador for Minister of Malaysia. With this, 92-year old Women in Public Service Project (WPSP) at Wilson Mahathir became the oldest living Prime Centre, USA. Minister of Malaysia and the world’s oldest • The Women in Public Service Project (WPSP) is head of government. co-founded by Hillary Clinton which aimed at empowering the next generation of women around the world.

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April 1. New Chief of NASA - Jim Bridenstine • He elected as a PM of Hungary for the third 2. New US Secretary of State - Mike Pompeo consecutive term. 3. New President of Cuba - Miguel Diaz-Canel 7. New President of Sierra Leone - Julius Maada Bio 4. New ‘Head of the Commonwealth’ - Prince Charles 8. Next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Serbia - 5. New Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) - Ban Ki- Subrata Bhattacharjee moon 9. New President of Paraguay - Mario Abdo Benitez 6. New Prime Minister of Hungary -Viktor Orban

March

1. New Prime Minister of Ethiopia - Abiye Ahmed 7. New Ambassador of India to the Republic of Belarus - 2. First female Chief of the UN Political Affairs - Rosemary Sangeeta Bahadur DiCarlo 8. New president of Republic of Armenia - Armen Vardani 3. New President of Egypt - Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Sarkissian 4. New President of Myanmar - Win Myint 9. New President of Peru- Martin Vizcarra 5. India’s representative to the Executive Board (EXB) of • He replaced Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. UNESCO - J S Rajput 10. New National Security Advisor of the United States - Note: John Bolton • Prof. J S Rajput is the former Director National • He replaced H. R. McMaster. Council of Educational Research and Training 11. Next Ambassador of India to the Democratic People’s (NCERT). Republic of Korea -Atul M. Gotsurve. • The executive board is one of the constitutional 12. New Vice-President of Nepal - Bahadur Pun organs of UNESCO. 13. New Governor of the Central Bank of China “People's 6. New President of Nepal - Bidya Devi Bhandari Bank of China” - Yi Gang • Bidya Devi Bhandari has been re-elected as • Yi Gang replaced Zhou Xiaochuan. President of Nepal for second term.

February 1. 16th Chairman of the Federal Reserve - Jerome H • Federal Reserve headquarter is in Washington, Powell D.C., United States. • He succeeded Janet Yellen. 2. New Chief Justice of Bangladesh - Syed Mahmud Hossain • The Federal Reserve is the Central Bank of the 3. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades re-elected for the United States. second term.

January 1. New UNICEF Chief - Henrietta Holsman Fore. • She replaced Anthony Lake 2. New Liberia's president - George Weah (Ex-football superstar).

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• He replaced Ellen Sirleaf.

Honours & Awards National

December

1. Imran Hussain Gets PETA ‘Hero to Animals’ Award • Delhi Minister of Food Supplies, Environment and Forest and Elections Imran Hussain was awarded by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)-India for banning the Chinese Manjha, or the glass-coated kite strings, across Delhi.

November

1. Ustad conferred with Lifetime 5. Airport awarded for 100% Grievance Achievement Award in Delhi Redressal • Sarod masters, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan conferred • The Union Minister of Civil Aviation and with the ‘Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Commerce & Industry, Suresh Prabhu, and Achievement’ at the Kamani Auditorium, New Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha Delhi, for his “immense contribution to the presented the champion award to Chennai enrichment and promotion of the Indian classical airport which saw 100% timely closure of music”. grievances in one year. 2. Veteran Journalist N Ram received Raja 6. Swati Chaturvedi won Press Freedom Award for Roy Award Courage in UK • Eminent journalist and Chairman of • Freelance journalist Swati Chaturvedi has bagged Publishing Group, N Ram has been selected the 2018 London Press Freedom Award for under prestigious award category of Raja Ram Courage for her book ‘I am a Troll: Inside the Mohan Roy award. Secret World of the BJP’s Digital Army’. 3. CSE Wins Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 7. Dr Debabhuson Borah Gets Munin Barkotoki Literary • Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has Award won this year’s Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, • Munin Barkotoki Literary Award 2018 in Assam Disarmament and Development, an award has been given to young writer-critic Dr conferred by Indira Gandhi Trust each year on Debabhuson Borah for his book on literary the late Prime Minister’s birth anniversary. criticism titled ‘Nirbochon’. 4. receives Sayaji Ratna Award 8. Dr. Martha Farrell Receives Lifetime Achievement • Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was Award awarded the third Sayaji Ratna Award, • Late Dr. Martha Farrell has been honoured with established in the memory of erstwhile Baroda the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 6th ruler Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Indian Social Work Congress in New Delhi.

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• Dr. Farrell was recognized for her lifelong work empowerment and prevention of sexual towards gender equality, women’s harassment at workplace. 9. Six professors win Infosys Prize 2018 for science and research • Six eminent professors have been awarded the Infosys Prize 2018 across different categories of science and research, the software major’s science foundation announced on 13th Nov 2018. The list of winners are – Category Name of the winner contribution 1. Engineering and Computer Science Navakanta Bhat Awarded for his work on the design of novel biosensors based on his (Professor, Indian Institute of Science, research in biochemistry and gaseous ) sensors that push the performance limits of existing metal-oxide sensors. 2. Humanities Kavita Singh Awarded for her study of Mughal, Rajput and Deccan art. (Professor and Dean, School of Arts & Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi) 3. Life Sciences Roop Mallik Awarded for his work on molecular motor proteins, which are crucial for (Associate Professor, Department of the functioning of living cells. Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai) 4. Mathematical Sciences Nalini Anantharaman Awarded the prize in Mathematical Sciences for her work related to (Professor and Chair of Mathematics, “Quantum Chaos”. Institute for Advanced Study, University of Strasbourg, France) 5. Physical Sciences S.K. Satheesh Awarded for his pioneering scientific (Professor, Centre for Atmospheric & work in the field of climate change. Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) 6. Social Sciences Sendhil Mullainathan For his path-breaking work in (Professor of Computation and behavioural economics. Behavioral Science, the University of Chicago in the U.S.)

• “The Infosys Prize seeks to honour the efforts of some of the brightest scientists and researchers and highlight the country’s ongoing quest for science excellence.

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• The annual award includes a pure gold medal, a citation and a prize purse worth $100,000 (or its equivalent in Indian rupees), the Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) said in a statement.

October

1. First World Agriculture Prize – Prof. M.S. • He is also receipient of Padma Bhushan and Swaminathan Padma Shri. • M.S. Swaminathan won the first World For 2015 - Chhayanaut. Agriculture Prize. • It is cultural organization of Bangladesh established • This prize instituted by the Indian Council of in 1961. Food and Agriculture (ICFA) was presented by • It has played leading role in promoting Tagore’s Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu at Vigyan works in Bengali culture, music and literature not Bhawan in New Delhi. only within Bangladesh, but all across the world. • Prof. Swaminathan is known as Father of Green For 2014 - . Revolution in India. • He is doyen of Manipuri dance. He is also teacher, 2. Narendra Modi wins Seoul Peace Prize performer and choreographer. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been 5. INSA Teachers Award-2018 conferred with the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for • Prof Ashis Mukherjee, a senior faculty member of the his contribution to international cooperation and prestigious Tezpur University was awarded the fostering global economic growth. prestigious Indian National Science Academy (INSA) • The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to Teachers Award (2018). commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic 6. 19th National Award for Games held in Seoul. Excellence in Public Administration - 3. BEML Received Top Challengers’ & Best Mining • Eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman (89) was awarded Equipment Seller Award 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for • Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a Mini Excellence in Public Administration. Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, under the • He was presented the award by Vice President Ministry of Defence, received the prestigious Venkaiah Naidu at a function held in New Delhi. ‘Top Challengers Award 2018’ for the excellent 7. Sikkim Wins FAO's Future Policy Award 2018 performance during the financial year 2017-18. • The North-eastern state Sikkim won the UN Food 4. Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) Future • Union Government (Ministry of Culture) has Policy Award 2018 for being the world's first announced winners of Tagore Award for Cultural 100% organic state. Harmony for year 2014, 2015 and 2016. • Future Policy Award 2018, also known as “Oscar Winners are – for Best Policies”. For 2016 - Ram Vanji Sutar. 8. Carnot Prize for Rural Electrification Effort • He is renowned sculptor. • Union Minister Piyush Goyal will receive the • His first notable work was the 45-feet Chambal prestigious Carnot Prize from the Ivy League monument at the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya University of Pennsylvania in recognition of his Pradesh.

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work for rural electrification while he held the 12. Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2018 - Prime power and renewable energy portfolios. Minister Narendra Modi gave awards to top Ranked • The Carnot Prize is given "for distinguished State, District and State with maximum citizen contributions to energy policy". participation based on the National Swachh Survekshan 9. Hridaynath Award for Lifetime Achievement - Grameen 2018 commissioned by Ministry of Drinking Veteran composer, lyricist, writer and music director Water and Sanitation. Hashmi, famously known as • Haryana was ranked as the best State while Khayya was 2018 Hridaynath Award for Lifetime Satara District of Maharashtra was ranked as the Achievement. best district as per the ranking undertaken by Note: The award will be conferred by Maharashtra Chief Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018. Minister in Mumbai. Overall Ranking: 10. India Social Entrepreneur of The Year 2018 - Prema • Top 3 States- Haryana, Gujarat & Maharashtra. Gopalan, founder of Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) was • Top 3 Districts- Satara, Maharashtra, Rewari, awarded with the 8th Social Entrepreneur of the Year Haryana, Pedapalli, Telangana. award, 2018, for her work in promoting women’s • States with maximum citizen participation- Uttar entrepreneurship at the grassroots and ensuring rural Pradesh, Gujarat & Maharashtra. livelihood. • Districts with maximum citizens’ participation- 11. India's 1st Miss Trans Queen - Veena Sendre from Nashik, Maharashtra, Solapur, Maharashtra & Chhattisgarh has been chosen as India's first 'Miss Trans Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Queen'

September

1. National Tourism Awards 2016-17 - Andhra Pradesh 5. PNB Wins Hindi Implementation Award - State-run bagged the first prize in state category for Punjab National Bank (PNB) bagged the "Rajbhasha comprehensive development of tourism. Kirti" award for outstanding performance in 2. UN’s Highest Environmental Honour - Prime Minister implementing the Official Language Policy during 2017- Narendra Modi has been awarded with the UN’s highest 18. environmental honour. 6. 39th Sarala Puraskar - Noted Odia poet Satrughna 3. Award - Anushka Sharma received the Smita Pandav will be honoured with the prestigious 'Sarala Patil award for best actor. Puraskar' for his poetry collection 'Misra Dhrupad'. 4. Tenzing Norgay Award - All-women crew of INSV Tarini 7. 2018 Dr B.C. Roy National Award - Dr B.K. Misra was has bagged the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National named for prestigious Dr B.C. Roy National Award for Adventure award for beating the odds in water with their year 2018 as Eminent Medical Person of the Year. enduring skills and sailing across the world for eight long Note: It is the highest medical honour of India. months.

National Sports Awards 2018 • Ms. S. Mirabai Chanu – Weightlifting 1. Khel Ratna 2018 - It is India’s highest • – Cricket sporting award given for the spectacular and most 2. Dronacharya Awards 2018 - It bestowed upon coaches outstanding performance in the field of sports by a for producing medal winners at prestigious international sportsperson over a period of four years. sports events.

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• Subedar Chenanda Achaiah Kuttappa – Boxing • Manpreet Singh (Hockey), • – Weightlifting • Savita (Hockey), • A. Srinivasa Rao - Table Tennis • Ravi Rathore (Polo), • Sukhdev Singh Pannu – Athletics • Rahi Sarnobat (Shooting), • Clarence Lobo - Hockey (Life Time) • Ankur Mittal (Shooting), • - Cricket (Life Time) • Shreyasi Singh (Shooting), • Jiwan Kumar Sharma - Judo (Life Time) • Manika Batra (Table Tennis), • V.R. Beedu - Athletics (Life Time) • G. Sathiyan (Table Tennis), • Rohan Bopanna (Tennis), • Sumit (Wrestling), 3. Arjuna Award 2018 - It is India’s second highest sporting • Pooja Kadian (Wushu), award bestowed upon sportsperson for consistently • Ankur Dhama (Para-Athletics) and outstanding performance for four years. • Manoj Sarkar (Para-Badminton). • Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), 4. Dhyan Chand Award 2018 - It is bestowed upon • Jinson Johnson (Athletics), sportspersons for life time contribution to sports • Hima Das (Athletics), development. • Nelakurthi Sikki Reddy (Badminton), • Satyadev Prasad – Archery • Satish Kumar (Boxing), • Bharat Kumar Chetri – Hockey • (Cricket), • Bobby Aloysius – Athletics • Shubhankar Sharma (Golf), Chougale Dadu Dattatray - Wrestling

August

1. ‘Legion of Merit’ 2018 - The United States government • Bhartruhari Mahtab (for year 2017) has awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) • Dinesh Trivedi (for year 2016) to General Dalbir Singh Suhag (Retired), of the Indian • Ghulam Nabi Azad (for year 2015) Army. • Hukum Dev Narayan (for year 2014) 2. Chakra - Rifleman Aurangzeb and Major Aditya • Dr Najma Heptullah (for year 2013) Kumar of Indian Army will be conferred the Shaurya 4. 24th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award - Chakra. Gopalkrishna Gandhi has been chosen for the 24th Rajiv 3. Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards - President Ram Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for his contribution Nath Kovind presented the Outstanding Parliamentarian in promoting communal harmony, peace and goodwill. Award for the years 2013-2017, in New Delhi. The list of winners is:

July 1. Mohun Bagan ‘Ratna’ – Pradip Chowdhury (former Mohun Bagan captain)

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2. Kalidas Samman: Noted artist had received the National Kalidas Samman in Delhi for visual arts from the Madhya Pradesh government. • Beside her, Artist A. Ramachandran was also conferred with the Kalidas Award. June 1. Award: Virat Kohli • Vishwas Mandalik from Nasik and the Yoga • Indian captain Virat Kohli received the Polly Institute in Mumbai have been selected as Umrigar Award for being the best international recipients of the Prime Minister’s award for cricketer for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons outstanding contribution for promotion and at the annual BCCI awards. development of yoga for the year 2018. 2. Miss India 2018 - Anukreethy Vas 7. ‘City Award’ Under India Smart Cities Award 2018 – • Anukreethy Vas, a 19-year-old Tamil Nadu Surat college student, has been crowned Femina Miss • Under ‘India Smart Cities Award' 2018, Surat has India 2018. been awarded for showcasing "great 3. Best Actor award at IIFA Awards 2018 - Irfan Khan momentum" in the implementation of projects • Irfan Khan has been bagged as the Best Actor under the Smart Cities Mission, according to the award at IIFA Awards 2018 for Hindi Medium Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) Ministry. movie. • Bhopal and Ahmedabad were selected in the • Here's the complete list of winners: ‘Innovative Idea' category for their • Best Actor in a leading role (Female) - "transformative approach towards sustainable (MOM) integrated development". 8. SKOCH Award for ‘Best performing Social Sector • Best Director - Saket Chaudhary (Hindi Medium) Ministry’ award - Ministry of Women & Child • Outstanding Achievement by an Actor in Indian Development Cinema - Anupam Kher • SKOCH Group has conferred the ‘Best performing 4. ‘Chief Minister of the Year’ award for her remarkable Social Sector Ministry’ award on the Ministry of work in e-governance - Women and Child Development for the • Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was achievements in delivering the promises made conferred the ‘Chief Minister of the Year’ award and for its significant achievements and for her remarkable work in e-governance. initiatives from the last 4 years. • The award was given at the 52nd Skoch Summit 9. 'Santokbaa Humanitarian Award' - Kailash Satyarthi & held in New Delhi. A S Kiran Kumar 5. India’s first Tribal Queen -- Pallavi Durua • President Ram Nath Kovind presented the • Pallavi Durua, who belongs to Odisha's Koraput 'Santokbaa Humanitarian Award' to Child rights district, was crowned as the first Tribal Queen at activist and Noble Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and the Adi Rani Kalinga Tribal Queen competition space scientist A S Kiran Kumar, former held at Utkal Mandap. Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation 6. Prime Minister’s award for outstanding contribution for (ISRO) in Surat, Gujarat. promotion and development of yoga for the year 2018 –

Vishwas Mandalik from Nasik and the Yoga Institute in Mumbai May Other CEAT Cricket Ratings awards Presented are: 1. International Cricketer of the Year at the CEAT Cricket • International Batsman of the Year Award: Ratings awards - Virat Kohli (India).

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• International Bowler of the Year Award: Trent this year’s RedInk award for lifetime Boult (New Zealand). achievement in journalism. • T20 Bowler of the Year Award: • The award, a part of the National RedInk (Afghanistan). Awards for Excellence in Journalism, has been • Outstanding Innings of the Year Award: instituted by the Mumbai Press Club. (India). 5. 11th KISS Humanitarian Award 2018 - Muhammad • Lifetime Achievement Award: Yunus (India). • Nobel laureate and noted economist • T20 Batsman of the Year Award: Colin Munro Muhammad Yunus conferred with the KISS (New Zealand). Humanitarian Award 2018. • Domestic Player of the Year Award: Mayank • He is second Nobel laureate to be conferred the Agarwal (India). award. Last year it was presented to the 14th • U19 Player of the Year award: Dalai Lama. (India). • Yunus, is the founder of Grameen Bank and • Popular Choice Award: Chris Gayle (West Indies). known as the Father of Microfinance. 2. Nari Shakti Puraskar 2017 presented to the members of • KISS Humanitarian Award is an international INSV Tarini team award given to someone who has made • The Six-member all-women team led by exceptional contribution to the society in various Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi have fields relating to social issues. received the Puraskar from the Minister. 6. Swara Mauli Award - • The crew of the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel • Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar was honoured 'Tarini' is a part of the Indian Navy’s unique with the Swara Mauli title by Shankarcharya project 'Navika SagarParikrama', an all-women Vidyanarsimha Bharati Swami in Mumbai. team circumnavigating the globe, promoting 7. T.K. Ramanathan Award For 2017-18 – Prajnesh ocean sailing activities in the Navy and depicting Gunneswaran (Tennis player) Government of India'scommitment towards • Prajnesh Gunneswaran won the prestigious T.K. Ramanathan award for the year 2017-18 at the women empowerment. Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA). 3. Red Ink Award for ‘Journalist of the Year’ - Faye 8. Dadasaheb Phalke award - won the D’Souza best actor awards at the Dadasaheb Phalke award for • The RedInk Award for ‘Journalist of the Year’ has film Padman (Jury) and for Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. been awarded to Faye D’Souza, executive editor • won the best actress award of Mirror Now channel, for her coverage of issues that touch the lives of common people. for the film ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’. 4. Red Ink award for lifetime achievement in • Veteran director & actor Rakesh had journalism – Sir William been awarded with the lifetime achievement • Veteran British journalist and former BBC India award for his contribution to the industry as an correspondent Sir William Mark Tully chosen for actor, producer, and a director.

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April 65th for 2017 - The central panel of the 65th National Film Awards (NFA) is headed by Shekhar Kapur. List of winners - ➢ Dada Saheb Phalke Award - ➢ Best Director - for Bhayanakam (Malayalam) ➢ Best Feature Fim - Village Rockstars (Assamese) (Director – Rima Das) ➢ Best Hindi Film – Newton (Director – Amit V Masurkar) ➢ Best Actress - Sri Devi posthumously for her role in the film ‘Mom’. ➢ Best Actor (Male) - Riddhi Sen for his role in Bengali film ‘’. ➢ Best Popular Film – Baahubali 2

Other Awards

1. Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award 2018 - Anushka Shah also selected for Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Sharma Achievement award. • Ranveer Singh selected for 2018 Dadasaheb 4. 2018 National Intellectual Property award - Council of Phalke Excellence Award as Best Actor for his Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) movie ‘Padmaavat’. 5. Lifetime Achievement award - Dharmendra 2. Saraswati Samman for 2017 - Sitanshu Yashaschandra • On the other hand, Director has • Eminent Gujarati poet and playwright ‘Sitanshu been selected for the Raj Kapoor Special Yashaschandra’ is the winner of the 2017 Contributions Award.

Saraswati Samman. • Veteran Marathi actor Vijay Chavhan has been selected for the prestigious V Shantaram Lifetime • He won the Saraswati Samman for his collection Achievement award at the 55th Maharashtra of verses titled ‘Vakhar’ (published in 2009). State Marathi Film Festival. • The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by • Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement award is the K. K. Birla Foundation. instituted by the Maharashtra state government. 3. Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award - Pankaj 6. The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) Roy (posthumous) & recommended Manika Batra for the prestigious Arjuna • Former Indian batsman and two-time national Award coach Anshuman Gaekwad and former opener, • Manika Batra created history by winning the the late , have been recommended Gold medal in the women’s singles Table Tennis for the prestigious Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime at the 21st Commonwealth Games. Achievement award. • She became the first Indian woman to win gold in • Former India women's team captain Diana the TT women's singles event at the Commonwealth Games. Edulji, and former India batter and coach Sudha

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February

1. Times Power Woman 2017 Award - Shabnam Asthana 3. Sahitya Akademi's Bhasha Samman - Magahi writer 2. V. Shantaram lifetime achievement Award - Shyam Shesh Anand Madhukar Benegal (Veteran film producer and director) January 1. Bharat Bharti Award - Eminent writer Anand Prakash 3. Shri Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Field – Sports Cricket. Dixit was awarded the Bharat Bharti Award, the highest State – Jharkhand. literary award given by the Uttar Pradesh government. 4. Shri (Foreigner/Posthumous) • Mr Dixit was awarded by UP government for his – Filed – Public Affairs. Country – Russia research paper published in 1960 ‘Ras 5. Shri Ramachandran Nagaswamy – Field - Others- Sidhhant’. Archaeology. State - Tamil Nadu 2. Five MPs Chosen for Outstanding Parliamentarian 6. Shri Ved Prakash Nanda (OCI) – Field - Literature Award - The Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) headed and Education – Country – USA by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced that 7. Shri – Field - Art-Painting – State – Goa five members of parliament (MPs) selected for the 8. Shri – Field - Art-Music -State - Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards. Maharashtra This includes 9. Ms. – Field - Art-Music. State - Bihar (i) Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad (2015) (ii) Trinamool Congress’ Dinesh Trivedi (2016), Padma Shri – List of some sports personalities (iii) Manipur’s governor Najma A Heptulla (2013) 1. Ms. –Weightlifting. State – (iv) BJP’s Lok Sabha member Hukumdev Narayan Yadav Manipur (2014) and 2. Shri –Tennis. State - Tripura (v) five-time Rajya Sabha member Bhartruhari Mahatab 3. Shri – Swimming. State – of the Lok Biju Janata Dal (BJD) (2017). Maharashtra 3. Memorial Award 2018 - 4. Shri Kidambi Srikanth –-Badminton. State - Andhra (Bollywood playback singer) Pradesh 4. Padma Awards 2018 – This year the President of India 5. Shri Murlikant Petkar –Swimming. State - Maharashtra

has approved conferment of 85 Padma Awards. 5. 63rd Jio Awards 2018 held in Mumbai. The list comprises 3 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Here is the list of important awards – Bhushan and 73 Padma Shri Awards. • Best Film - 'Hindi Medium' (Director – Saket Padma Vibhushan Chaudhary) 1. Shri Illaiyaraja – Field – Art-Music. State – Tamil Nadu

2. Shri Ghulam Mustafa Khan - Field – Art-Music. State – • Best Actor in A Leading Role (Female) - Maharashtra for 'Tumhari Sulu' (Director – Suresh Triveni) 3. Shri Parameswaran Parameswaran - Literature and • Best Actor in A Leading Role (Male)- Education. State – Kerala for 'Hindi Medium' • Best Director - Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for 'Bareilly Ki Padma Bhushan Barfi' 1. Shri Pankaj Advani – Field - Sports- • Best Actor in A Supporting Role (Male) - Billiards/Snooker. State – Karnataka. for 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' 2. Shri Philipose Mar Chrysostom – Field - Others- • Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) - Meher Spiritualism. State – Kerala. Vij for 'Secret Superstar'

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• People's Choice Award for Best Short Film 'Anahut' • Best Short Film (Fiction) - 'Juice'. 6. Janakavi P Sawlaram Award - Sudhir Dalvi (Actor) • Best Short Film (Non-Fiction) - 'Invisible Wings' • Lifetime Achievement Award - &

International

December 1. Luka Modric Wins Ballon d’Or 2018 • Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won Ballon d’Or 2018 in Paris. • He broke the decade-long duopoly over the award held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. • The last player to win the award outside of Ronaldo and Messi was Brazilian great Kaka in 2007. 2. Myanmar Leader Suu Kyi To Be Stripped Of Freedom Of Paris Award • Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi of her honorary freedom of the Paris award over her failure to speak out against a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. • She has already been stripped of her honorary Canadian citizenship and her Amnesty International’s “Ambassador of Conscience Award”. 3. conferred with shooting’s highest honour by ISSF • Abhinav Bindra, who remains India's lone individual Olympic gold medallist, has been bestowed with the Blue Cross, the ISSF's highest award. • He has been conferred the sport’s highest honour for his outstanding services as the chairman of the International Shooting Sport Federation’s Athletes Committee. • Bindra created history by winning the 10m air rifle gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

November

1. Anupam Kher gets ‘Distinguished Fellow’ Award 3. Jawahar Lal Sarin Conferred with France’s Highest • Veteran actor Anupam Kher was honoured as a Civilian Honour ‘Distinguished Fellow’ by IndiaGlobal – a leading • Jawahar Lal Sarin was conferred with France’s US think-tank that works on issues concerning highest civilian honor by French Ambassador to non-resident Indians. India Alexandre Ziegler. 2. gets Honorary Doctorate in the UK • France’s highest civilian honor ‘Knight of the • Arunima Sinha has been awarded an honorary Legion of Honour’ was bestowed on Sarin in doctorate by a prestigious UK university for her recognition of his outstanding contribution to inspirational achievements. enhancing Indo-French cultural cooperation and • She is the Indian mountaineer who became the promoting the French language. world’s first woman amputee to climb Mount 4. Donbass wins the Golden Peacock at IFFI 2018 Everest in 2013.

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• Donbass’ has won the coveted Golden Peacock • He was awarded for his outstanding contribution Award at the 49th International Film Festival of to developing information technology industry in India (IFFI). India. Note: 9. Conferred Forbes India Leadership • Lijo Jose Pellissery won the Best Director Award Awards 2018 for his 2018 film ‘Ee.Ma.Yau’. • Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro, has won Forbes • The Best Actor (Male) Award has gone to India Leadership Awards 2018, Lifetime Chemban Vinod for his portrayal in Ee.Ma.Yau . Achievement. • The Best Actor (Female) Award has gone to 10. India gets UN Environment Award for Combating Anastasiia Pustovit for her portrayal of a Transboundary Environmental Crime ‘Larysa’, a teenage girl in the Ukrainian film • United Nation Environment has awarded ‘When the Trees Fall’. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Ministry 5. UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards 2018 Announced for of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Cultural Heritage Conservation Government of India with Asia Environment • The renewal of the early 20th-century ‘Shijo-cho Enforcement Awards, 2018 for excellent work Ofune-hoko Float Machiya’ has received the done by the Bureau in combating transboundary Award of Excellence in this year’s UNESCO Asia- environmental crime. Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage • WCCB has adopted innovative enforcement Conservation. techniques that have dramatically increased Other awards enforcement of transboundary environmental Award of Distinction: The LAMO Center, Ladakh, India. crimes in India. Honorable Mention: 11. Prof SP Ganguly Awarded Mexican Order of Aztec • Rajabai Clock Tower & University of Mumbai Eagle Library Building, Mumbai, India. • Indian academic, Professor S.P. Ganguly, a well- • Ruttonsee Muljee Jetha Fountain, Mumbai, India. known Hispanist who headed the Centre for Spanish and Latin American Studies at the 6. Shubhankar Sharma, 1st Indian to Win European Jawaharlal Nehru University, has been awarded Tour ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle, the • Young golfer Shubhankar Sharma capped a highest civilian honour given to a foreigner dream season on the European Tour by by Mexico. becoming the first Indian to win the tour’s ‘Sir • The award was in recognition of his "outstanding Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year’ award. work in the study and dissemination of the 7. MAHE Wins International Green Apple Silver Award Spanish language and Mexican culture". • Manipal Academy of Higher Education won silver 12. Asia Pacific 2018 – in the International Green Apple Award for • Asia Pacific Screen Award (APSA) 2018 for Best Environmental best practice 2018. Performance by an Actor (Male) went to 8. Wipro Chairman Azim Premji conferred with highest for Manto. French Civilian Honour • , director of the movie herself • Azim Premji was bestowed with highest French received the prestigious International Federation civilian distinction Chevalier de la Legion of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) Award d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour). for achievement in film in the Asia Pacific region.

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October 1. 2018 Gleitsman Award - Malala Yousafzai • Asma Jahangir – Pakistan’s late human rights • Malala Yousafzai will be honored by Harvard activist University for her work promoting girls' • Rebeca Gyumi – A Tanzanian human rights education. activist • Harvard's Kennedy School stated that Yousafzai • Joenia Wapichana – Brazil’s first indigenous will be conferred with the 2018 Gleitsman Award lawyer at a ceremony on 6th December. • Front Line Defenders – A human rights 2. 2018 Man Booker Prize - Anna Burns organisation of Ireland • Northern Irish author Anna Burns has won the 6. Roopam Sharma Wins World Health Summit Startup 2018 Man Booker Prize for her novel 'Milkman'. • Roopam Sharma, a 23-year old Indian scientist, 3. Shakti Bhatt Prize 2018 - Sujatha Gidla won the World Health Summit Startup award, • US-based Dalit writer Sujatha Gidla (55) has won 2018 for his invention, Manovue – the world’s 2018 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize for her debut first intelligent personal assisting system for the book “Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable visually impaired. Family and the Making of Modern India”. 7. India wins CAPM Award, 2018 Note: • India has won Commonwealth Association for Public • The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize is funded by Administration and Management (CAPAM) Award, the Shakti Bhatt Foundation. 2018. The award was announced at Annual General • It was set up in 2008 in memory of young writer Members Meet held at Georgetown, Guyana. and editor Shakti Bhatti. 8. Invest India wins UN Investment Promotion Award • It honours first-time writers from Indian sub- • The ‘Invest India’ initiative of the Union Government continent for their outstanding work of fiction or won the top United Nations Investment Promotion non-fiction. Award in recognition of its efforts to boost 4. Miss Grand International 2018 - Clara Sosa investments in the renewable energy sector in India. • Miss Paraguay Clara Sosa won the Miss Grand 9. Minal Patel Davis won the US' Presidential Medal International 2018 title at the 6th edition of the • Minal Patel Davis won the US' Presidential Medal for beauty pageant in Yangon, Myanmar. her work against sex slavery and labor exploitation • India’s, FBB Colors Femina Miss Grand India at a White House ceremony attended by President 2018 Meenakshi Chaudhary was named 1st Donald Trump. runner-up. • Davis is Special Adviser on Human Trafficking to 5. Winners of United Nations Human Rights Prize – Houston Mayor. 2018 10. Wildlife Photographer of The Year 2018 - Marsel Van • The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Oosten Rights (UN Human Rights Prize) was announced • The powerful image of a pair of golden snub- recently by María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, nosed monkeys seated in contemplation amid President of the 73rd Session of United Nations iridescent foliage has been awarded one of the General Assembly. most prestigious prizes in photography, the The winners of 2018 award are: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018. • The image, called "The Golden Couple," was captured by Dutch photographer Marsel van

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Oosten in the Qinling Mountains of southwestern Note: China – the endangered monkeys’ only habitat. • Indus Towers is only the 29th Indian company to 11. Arshdeep Singh Wins Top Wildlife Photo Award in win this coveted award, with other notable Junior Category names including Tata Steel, Ashok Leyland, • Arshdeep Singh, a 10-year-old boy from Punjab, Mahindra and Mahindra, and NBC Bearings, etc. has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 14. ESIC Wins ‘ISSA GOOD Practice Award, Asia & The award in 10 Years and Under category given by Pacific 2018’ - The Employees’ State Insurance UK's Natural History Museum. Corporation (ESIC) has won the ‘ISSA Good Practice 12. UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) Future Award’ for Administrative Solution for Coverage Policy Award 2018 - The North-eastern state Sikkim Extension at the “Regional Social Security Forum for Asia won the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) and the Pacific” held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Future Policy Award 2018 for being the world's first 15. Richie Benaud named Sport Australia Hall of Fame 100% organic state. Note: Legend - Sport Australia Hall of Fame has announced • Sikkim defeated 51 nominated policies from 25 cricketing great Richie Benaud, who died in April, 2015, countries, winning the Gold Prize of the Future will become the 40th Legend of Australian Sport. He is Policy Award 2018, also known as “Oscar for only the third cricketer behind Sir Donald Bradman and Best Policies”. Keith Miller to be given Legend status. 13. Deming Prize for 2018 - Indus Towers, world's largest 16. UNEP Champions of The Earth Award - Prime Minister telecom tower company (outside China), won the Narendra Modi was honoured with United Nations' Deming Prize for 2018, being the first Indian company in highest environmental award- UNEP Champions of the the service sector and the fifth in the world to achieve Earth, along with French President Emmanuel Macron in this. New Delhi.

Nobel Prize Winners 2018 1. Physiology or Medicine – James P. Allison (USA), Tasuku • Field - For their efforts to end the use of sexual Honjo (Japan) violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. • Field - For their discovery of cancer therapy by 5. Economic Sciences – William Nordhaus (US), Paul Romer inhibition of negative immune regulation (US) 2. Physics - Gérard Mourou (France), Arthur Ashkin (USA), • Field - For work on climate change, and the Donna Strickland (Canada) endogenous growth theory. • Field - For their method of generating high- 6. Alternative Nobel Literature Prize - Maryse Conde intensity, ultra-short optical pulses in the field of Note: laser physics. • Maryse Conde, one of the Caribbean's most 3. Chemistry - George Smith (USA), Frances Arnold (USA), renowned authors, has won an award created to Greg Winter (UK) replace this year's Nobel Prize for Literature. • Field - For control of evolution and used it for • The Nobel Prize for Literature was suspended purposes that bring the greatest benefit to after a crisis over its handling of allegations humankind. against Frenchman Jean-Claude Arnault, the 4. Peace - Denis Mukwege (Democratic Republic of the husband of one of the academy's members. Congo), Nadia Murad (Germany)

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September

1. 'UEFA Men's Player of The Year Award' - Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has been named UEFA Men's Player of the Year for 2017/18.

August

1. Game Changer of The Year - PepsiCo's India-born CEO 4. WHO World No Tobacco Day 2017 Award - SK Arora Indra Nooyi will be honoured with the Game Changer of was awarded prestigious World Health Organization the Year award by a global cultural organisation Asia (WHO) World No Tobacco Day 2017 Award for his Society. extraordinary contribution towards tobacco control. 2. International Arbitration Award - Reliance Power has 5. 2018 Albany Medical Center Prize Award - Three US announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Reliance scientists James Allison, Carl June and Steven Rosenberg Power Netherlands BV has won an international were declared winners 2018 Albany Medical Center arbitration award of $56 million (Rs 390 crore) against Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research. Prestige Capital Holdings (a Seychelles-based company) 6. International Geography Bee World Championship - and Kokos Jiang. Avi Goel (Indian-American high school student) 3. 2018 UEFA President's Award - David Beckham 7. Nobel prize for math: Akshay Venkatesh, a renowned Note: David Beckham will become the third Englishman Indian-Australian mathematician, is one of four winners to receive the UEFA President's Award. of mathematics’ prestigious Fields medal, known as the Nobel prize for math.

July

1. 3rd BRICS Film Festival – The 3rd BRICS Film Festival • Sonam Wangchuk - won the award for his took place in Durban, South Africa, along with the contribution in harnessing nature, culture and International Durban Film Festival (DIFF). education for community progress. Awards won by Indian films: Other winners are – • Best Actress: Bhanita Das, Village Rockstars • Youk Chhang – Cambodia • Best Film: Newton by Amit Masurkar • Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz - East Timor • Special Jury Award: Village Rockstars by Rima Das. • Howard Dee – Philippines 2. Ramon Magsaysay Award Winners 2018 - Magsaysay • Vo Thi Hoang Yen - Vietnam Awards are regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel 3. Golden Man Booker Prize: Michael Ondaatje’s Prize. bestselling novel 'The English Patient' was announced Indians as the winner of the Golden Man Booker Prize at the • Bharat Vatwani - was awarded for leading the Southbank Centre in London. rescue of thousands of mentally ill street paupers • The prize was instituted as part of celebrations to treat and reunite them with their families. to mark the Booker’s having completed 50 years.

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June 1. 2018 World Food Prize - Lawrence Haddad & Dr David • Kendrick Lamar received the Pulitzer Prize in Nabarro music for his album “Damn.” • Lawrence Haddad, who is a British economist • Lamar is the first rapper in history to be given and food policy researcher, and Dr David the award. Nabarro, who has worked with the World Health 3. During his 3-nation visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Organization and United Nations on health and handed over the Padma Shri award, one of India's hunger issues, were named the 2018 World Food highest civilian awards, to former Singaporean diplomat Prize recipients in a ceremony at the U.S. ___ Tommy Koh Department of Agriculture in Washington. • Koh was among 10 ASEAN (Association of 2. Pulitzer Prize in music for his album “Damn - Kendrick Southeast Asian Nations) receipts of the Lamar prestigious award this year.

May

1. Man Booker International Prize 2018 - Polish author • She is the first Polish writer to win the award. Olga Tokarczuk 2. 2018 Nikkei Asia Prize - Dr. Bindeshar Pathak • Polish author Olga Tokarczuk has won the Man • The founder of Sulabh International, Dr Booker International Prize for her novel Bindeshwar Pathak, has been honoured with the ‘Flights’. Nikkei Asia Prize in Japan for his contribution to • The novel, translated by Jennifer Croft, Asia's development, interweaves narratives of travel with explorations of the human body.

April

1. 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction - Andrew Sean Greer • The 2017 Pulitzer Prize awarded to Colson • Andrew Sean Greer won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize Whitehead for his novel ‘The Underground for his novel ‘Less’. Railroad’. • He is an American novelist and short story • Pulitzer Prize was established in 1917 in United writer. States by Joseph Pulitzer. The list of other winners of– • Pulitzer Prize awarded for excellence in • Martyna Majok won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for newspaper, journalism, literary, achievements, Drama for ‘Cost of Living’. musical composition. • Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for 2. 2018 UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize - Mahmoud music for his album ‘Damn’. Abu Zeid • Frank Bidart won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for • Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, Poetry for his collected poems ‘Half-light’. known as Shawkan, won the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

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3. President Kovind conferred with Order of the Lion award by Swaziland country.

March

1. Abel Prize 2018 - Robert Langlands • He is the first Indian architect to be selected for • Robert Langlands is a Canadian mathematician the 2018 Pritzker Architecture Prize. won the Abel Prize for 2018 “for his visionary 3. International Kochon Prize 2017 - Indian Council of programme connecting representation Medical Research (ICMR) theory to number theory”. Note: 2. Pritzker Architecture Prize 2018 - Balkrishna Doshi • ICMR awarded for its contribution to the national • Balkrishna Doshi is an Indian architect & urban programme in Tuberculosis research. planner. • The headquarter of ICMR is in New Delhi.

Oscar Awards 2018 List of Winners – ➢ Best Picture - The Shape of Water ➢ Best Director - Guillermo del Toro (For the movie "The Shape of Water) ➢ Best Actor - Gary Oldman (For acted in movie ‘Darkest Hour’) ➢ Best Actress - Frances McDormand (For acted in the movie ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’) ➢ Best Animated Feature Film – Coco ➢ Best Foreign Language Film - A Fantastic Woman (Chile) (Spanish)

January

1. Grammy Awards 2018 - The 60th Annual Grammy • Best Music Film: The Defiant Ones Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in New • Best Children's Album: Feel What U Feel, Lisa Loeb York City, the USA. • Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: La La Here is the complete list of winners Land • Album of The Year: Bruno Mars • Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost • Song of the Year: Bruno Mars', That's What I Like 2. World Economic Forum 24th Crystal Award - Shah • Record of The Year: Bruno Mars, 24K Magic Rukh Khan (Bollywood actor) th • Best Pop Solo Performance: Ed Sheeran, Shape of 3. Golden Globe Awards 2018 - The 75 Golden Globe You Award ceremony was held in Los Angeles, the USA.

• Best Pop Vocal Album: Ed Sheeran, Divide Here is the list of important Awards - • Best Dance Recording: LCD Soundsystem, Tonite

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• Best Picture - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, • Best television series, drama: The Handmaid’s Tale, Missouri. Hulu • Best motion picture, musical or comedy: Lady Bird. 4. Best Central Bank Governor in Asia – Pacific - Ravi • Best Director - Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Menon Water”. • The Managing Director of the Monetary • Best Actress - Frances McDormand. Authority of Singapore (MAS), Ravi Menon, has • Best Actor - Gary Oldman. been named the best central bank governor in • Best motion picture, animated: Coco Asia-Pacific for 2018 by UK-based magazine, The • Best motion picture, foreign language: In the Fade Banker.

List of Nobel Prize 2017

1. Nobel Prize in Peace ● Michael W. Young – He is from Miami, Florida, ● Winner - International Campaign to Abolish US and Professor at Rockefeller University, Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University ● Field - ICAN for its work to draw attention to the School of Medicine. catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any 5. Nobel Prize in Physics use of nuclear weapons and for its ground- ● Winner - Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish and Kip S. breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based Thorne. prohibition of such weapons. ● Field - Their decisive contributions to the LIGO ● ICAN headquarter at – Geneva, Switzerland. (Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave ● ICAN Executive Director - Beatrice Fihn Observatory) detector and the observation of 2. Nobel Prize in Literature gravitational waves. ● Winner - Kazuo Ishiguro. ● Rainer Weiss born in Berlin, Germany. He is a ● He is a British author and best known for his novel Professor at Massachusetts Institute of “The Remains of the Day”. Technology. ● He was born in Nagasaki, Japan. ● Barry C. Barish born in Nebraska, U.S. He is a 3. Nobel Prize in Economics professor at California Institute of Technology. ● Winner - Richard Thaler ● Kip S. Thorne born in Utah, U.S. He is a professor ● Field – for his work in behavioral economics. at California Institute of Technology. Richard Thaler born in New Jersey, United States. ● 6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry He is a professor of behavioural sciences and

economics at University of Chicago. ● Winner - Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and 4. Nobel Prize in Medicine Richard Henderson. ● Winner - Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and ● Field - They developed cryo-electron microscopy Michael W. Young for the high-resolution structure determination ● Field - for their discoveries on how plants, of biomolecules in solution. It’s a method of animals and humans adapt their biological simplifying and improving the imaging of rhythm so that it is synchronized with the Earth's biomolecules. revolutions. ● Jeffrey C. Hall – He is from New York, US and ● Jacques Dubochet born in Aigle, Switzerland. He currently Professor at Brandeis University. is a professor at University of Lausanne. ● Michael Rosbash – He is from Missouri, US and ● Joachim Frank born in Siegen, Germany. He is a currently Professor at Brandeis University. professor at Columbia University.

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● Richard Henderson born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is a professor at Laboratory of Molecular Biology.

National Affairs

December

1. Railways Ministry, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum • Bogibeel, India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge sign MoU to foster tourism in Delhi NCR connecting Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in • The National Rail Museum (NRM) of the Arunachal Pradesh, will be inaugurated by Prime Railways Ministry signed a Memorandum of Minister Narendra Modi on December 25. Understanding (MoU) with the Madame • The ceremony to mark the opening of the bridge Tussauds Wax Museum to foster tourism in Delhi coincides with the 94th birth anniversary of the NCR region. former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who • This first time ever public-private museum passed away in August. collaboration will help attract more tourists to • December 25 is marked by the government as both National Rail Museum and Madame Good Governance Day. Tussauds Wax Museum. Key points • Under the MoU, a special discount of 35 percent • The bridge is 4.94 km long and 32 metres above will be offered on ticket prices to National Rail the water level of the Brahmaputra. Museum visitors when they visit Madame • It will be the second largest bridge in Asia with Tussauds Museum, Delhi. three-lane roads on top and a double-line • Similarly, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum railway track below. visitors will be getting discount of 30 percent on Note: combo packages of NRM. • Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda laid the 2. Government Sanctions 254 Projects Under National foundation stone for the Bogibeel bridge in January Mission for Clean Ganga 1997, the work started only in April 2002 when • The government has sanctioned 254 projects former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the worth over 24 thousand crore rupees under construction. National Mission for Clean Ganga. 4. South African President to be Chief Guest at Republic • The Announcement was made at the India Water Day Celebrations 2019 Impact Summit 2018 in New Delhi. • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will • The National Mission for Clean Ganga has be the Chief Guest at the 70th Republic Day approved projects worth Rs 841 crore on celebrations on 26 January 2019. tributaries of River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh and • The announcement comes month after US West Bengal. President Donald Trump declined India’s 3. PM Modi to inaugurate India’s longest bridge invitation to be chief guest. Bogibeel on Dec 25

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November

1. Himachal Pradesh becomes first state to launch 3. Jolly Grant airport renamed After Atal Bihari single emergency number 112 Vajpayee • Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in • The Uttarakhand government has decided to the country to implement Emergency Response rename the Dehradun airport after former prime Support System (ERSS) as Union Home Minister minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. launched ERSS number 112 for the • The proposal to rename the Jolly Grant airport state. after Atal Bihari Vajpayee was approved by the • Under this system, all emergency numbers like state cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief 100 for police, 101 for fire, 102 for ambulance Minister . and disaster response have been integrated into 4. Gender wage gap highest in India, women are paid one number ‘112’. 34% less than men: ILO • This emergency number has been introduced on • According to Global Wage Report 2018-19 basis of US emergency number 911. Gradually published by International Labour Organization this emergency number will be started in other (ILO), women are paid most unequally in India, states of the country. compared to men, when it comes to hourly Note: wages for labour. • The ERSS project was approved by Union Ministry of • This gap in wages, known as gender wage gap is Home Affairs (MHA) based on the recommendations the highest among 73 countries studied in the of the Justice Verma Committee in the backdrop of report. unfortunate incident of Nirbhaya in December 2012 • The findings are based on data from 136 in national capital New Delhi. countries. Highlights of report 2. NPCC conferred Miniratna Category–I status • On average, women are paid 34% less than men in • Union Government has conferred status of Miniratna: India. Category–I to National Projects Construction • Globally, on average, hourly wages of women are Corporation Limited (NPCC). 16% less than those of men. • The empowerment of miniratna status to NPCC will • Inequality is higher in monthly wages, with a gap of help company to take speedy decisions by enhancing 22%. delegation of powers to Board. • Overall, real wages grew just 1.8% globally (136 Note: countries) in 2017. • NPCC is schedule ‘B’ Central Public Sector Enterprise • Women are paid higher hourly wages than men in (CPSE) under administrative control of Ministry of Bangladesh. Water Resources. • Gender wage gap highest in India, women are paid • It incorporated in 1957. 30% less than men. • It is premier construction company having mandate About International Labour Organization with creation of infrastructure to provide impetus for • The ILO is United Nations agency dealing with labour economic development of the country. issues, particularly international labour standards, • At present there are total 8 Maharatna, 16 Navratna, social protection, and work opportunities for all. 60 Miniratna Category-I and 15 Miniratna Category- II CPSEs.

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• It was established in 1919 as an agency of the League • Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib is situated in district of Nations and is headquartered in Geneva, Narowal 4 KM away from Indo Pak border in Switzerland. Pakistan. • India is a founder member of the ILO. • This Gurudwara has a great significance for the • At present, it has 187 members. Sikhs because the first Guru Sh Guru Nanak Dev 5. Casio launches world’s first GST calculator Ji spent the last 18 years of his life there and died • Japanese electronics company ‘CASIO’ has there. launched world’s first Goods and Services Tax • Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore was the (GST) calculator in India for simplify the GST guest of honour. calculations for tax payers. 10. UN Selects Noida, Greater Noida to Participate in • The company has two variants of GST calculators Global Sustainable Cities 2025 Initiative MJ-120GST and MJ-12GST in the Indian market. • The United Nations has selected Uttar Pradesh’s These new GST calculators will provide solutions Noida and Greater Noida to participate in its for GST based invoicing. Global Sustainable Cities 2025 initiative. 6. CSIR To Establish a High-End Skill Development • According to UN, the twin-cities in Gautam Centre in Chandigarh Buddh Nagar district, adjoining the national • India’s premier National Research Laboratory capital, have been selected in the “University CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR- City” category ahead of Mumbai and Bengaluru IMTECH) announced a new partnership with as the only invitee from India. Merck, a leading German science and technology 11. NITI Aayog Constitutes Himalayan State Regional company, to establish a ‘High End Skill Council – Development Centre’ in CSIR-IMTECH, • NITI Aayog has constituted the ‘Himalayan State Chandigarh. Regional Council’ to ensure sustainable 7. ‘HAUSLA-2018’ Inaugurated in New Delhi development of the Indian Himalayan region. • The National Festival for Children of Child Care • The Council will be chaired by the Dr. VK Institutions (CCIs)– “Hausla 2018” of the Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog. Ministry of Women and Child Development • The Council has been constituted to review and (MWCD) was inaugurated by the Secretary, Shri implement identified action points based on the Rakesh Srivastava, in New Delhi. Reports of five Working Groups, which were 8. Aadi Mahotsav” Organized by Tribal Affairs Ministry established along thematic areas to prepare a in Delhi roadmap for action. • The 4th edition of annual “Aadi Mahotsav”, a 12. PM Modi Laid Foundation Stones of City Gas National Tribal Festival organized by Ministry of Distribution Projects Tribal Affairs at Dilli Haat, Shri Aurobindo Marg, • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi the INA, Delhi. Foundation Stones of City Gas Distribution (CGD) • Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram Projects in 65 Geographical Areas (GAs) in 129 inaugurated the event. Districts under the 9th CGD Bidding Round. 9. India to lay Foundation Stone for Kartarpur Corridor • He also launched the tenth round of bidding for Route award of city gas licenses in 124 new districts in • Vice President M Venkiah Naidu laid the 14 states, which have been clubbed into 50 foundation stone of the Dera Baba Nanak Geographical Areas (GAs). Kartarpur Sahib corridor for Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

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Grand Challenge at an event in Lok CGD Network Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. • Government of India has put thrust to promote the • The aims is to make India one of the usage of environment friendly clean fuel i.e. natural easiest places to conduct business in the gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country to move world. towards a gas-based economy. • The Prime Minister said that the aim is to • Accordingly, development of CGD networks has been make India a 5 trillion-dollar economy in focused to increase the availability of cleaner cooking the shortest possible time. He said that fuel (i.e. PNG) and transportation fuel (i.e. CNG) to for this, improvement is necessary in the citizens of the country. every sector of the economy. • The expansion of CGD network will also benefit to Objective - industrial and commercial units by ensuring the • The objective of this challenge is to invite uninterrupted supply of natural gas. innovative ideas based on Artificial • Till September 2018, 96 cities/Districts in different Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data parts of the country were covered for development Analytics, Blockchain and other cutting- of CGD networks. edge technology to reform • About 46.5 lakh households and 32 lakh CNG Government processes. vehicles are availing the benefit of clean fuel through • The platform for the Grand Challenge is existing CGD networks. the Startup India Portal. Share of natural gas Note: • Currently, the share of gas in the India’s energy mix • In the World Bank's Doing Business Report is just over 6 per cent and the aim is to reach the 15 (DBR, 2019) released on 31st October 2018 India per cent figure, while the world average is 24 per has recorded a jump of 23 positions against its cent. rank of 100 in 2017 to be placed at 77th rank • India - in the state of Gujarat itself, it is 25%. among 190 countries assessed by the World Why Natural Gas Bank. • Gas is an environment-friendly fuel which is cheaper • As a of continued efforts by the than not just liquid fuels such as petrol and diesel but Government, India has improved its rank by 53 is also cheaper than subsidised LPG. positions in the last two years and 65 positions • Natural Gas (as CNG) is cheaper by 60% as compared in the last four years. with petrol and 45 % w.r.t. Diesel. 14. launches #PowerOf18 campaign to boost • Similarly, Natural Gas (as PNG) is cheaper by 40 % as youth engagement for 2019 polls compared with market price LPG and price of PNG • Twitter India has launched #PowerOf18 almost matches with that of subsidised LPG (based campaign aimed at encouraging youth to on prices in Delhi). contribute in public debates and participate in • India made a commitment in COP21 Paris civic engagement for the 2019 general elections. Convention in December 2015 that by 2030, it would • The initiative was launched by Twitter CEO Jack reduce carbon emission by 33% of 2005 levels. Dorsey and Maya Hari, Vice-President and 13. Prime Minister Launches Ease of Doing Business Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Twitter during Grand Challenge townhall chat with the students of IIT Delhi. • The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, 15. IIT-Madras develops portable cold storage device launched the Ease of Doing Business • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has developed portable solar-powered cold storage

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device with 500 kg capacity for storing • It is headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High vegetables and fruits, among other items. Court Justice (Retd) G. Rohini. • The device will help farmers store their produce • Its report is expected to recommend earmarking for sufficient time so that it does not get spoilt sub-quotas for the extremely backward classes before it is sold, thereby preventing wastage of within the OBCs. agricultural produce. 22. Bengaluru India’s most-congested city: US study • The first unit of device was deployed at farm in • According to the National bureau of economic Madurantakam in Kancheepuram district in research (NBER) Bengaluru is the country’s most Tamil Nadu. congested and second slowest city. 16. NDMC launches QR-enabled fridge magnets for • Bengaluru tops the index for most congested city digital payment of bills in the country followed by Mumbai, Delhi, • New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has Chennai and Kolkata. launched quick response (QR)-enabled fridge • When it comes to traffic speed, Kolkata is the magnets for digital payment of bills. slowest city, followed by Bengaluru, Hyderabad, • The magnets are personalised, and each Mumbai and Varanasi. customer will have unique QR Code mapped to • The study, conducted by a team of researchers their consumer account number. from the University of California, Berkeley and • It is powered by SignCatch – an IT and services other institutions, used Google Maps and company. analysed 22 million trips in 154 cities in the 17. country. 18. Rajiv Kumar (NITI Aayog Vice Chairman) Committee 23. Satyarup Siddhanta becomes first Indian to climb Mt – to look at selling of 149 small and marginal oil and gas Giluwe in Papua New Guinea fields of state-owned the Oil and Natural Gas Corporatio • Indian mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta became (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) to private and foreign the first Indian to climb Mt Giluwe - the second companies to boost domestic output. highest mountain in Papua New Guinea. 19. Namrita Mahindro committee - to promote Augmented • Satyarup reached the summit of the mountain and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology to drive which is at an elevation of 4,367 metres on economic growth, job creation, and skill development in November 11. the country. • Satya now has scaled 5 of the 7 volcanic summits. Note: • Mt Damavand is the highest peak in Iran and also • The committee is formed by the Internet and a potentially active volcano. Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). 24. India to add 14 lakh IT jobs in New-Age technologies • IAMAI headquartered is in Mumbai. by 2027: Cisco study 20. Rajnath Singh (Union Home Minister) - to • India is likely to add over 1.4 million new IT commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru jobs by 2027 finds a joint study by Cisco and Nanak in the country and abroad. International Data Corporation (IDC). 21. Justice (Retd) G. Rohini committee - to examine the • This represents a 46% growth in jobs sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). primarily driven by emerging technologies Note: like cybersecurity, Internet of things (IoT) • Union Government with approval of President and Big Data, which are the digital had constituted five member Commission under transformation skills that organizations are article 340 of Constitution in October, 2017. seeking.

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• According to the findings, jobs like social Nepalese nationals crossing the border through this media administrator, Machine Learning (ML) stretch. designer and IoT designer are among the 30. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has most in-demand job roles in the country in developed a new technology ‘Impact Based Forecasting the coming years. Approach’ to assess the rise of water level in rivers 25. India's job outlook drops 3% in H2 of FY19: and reservoirs by rain. TeamLease Report 31. The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has launched the India’s first Emergency Response Support System • The overall hiring sentiment for the second half (ERSS) at Mandi (Himachal Pradesh). of this financial year has declined by 3 percent to 26. IIT Madras develops India’s first indigenous 92 percent with persisting currency and oil microprocessor - Shakti pricing concerns in the country, according to a • The researchers from Indian Institute of report. Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have designed • It was 95 percent in the preceding half-year India’s first indigenous microprocessor called (April-September 2018), according to ‘Shakti’. TeamLease Employment Outlook report 2018- • It is aimed at developing industrial-grade 19. microprocessors and other components of the • The report surveyed 750 employers and 2,500 microprocessor ecosystem. employees of small, medium and large 27. IRCTC launches AI chatbot to answer user queries - companies across 19 sectors and 14 cities to Ask Disha understand the hiring sentiment in the country. • Indian Railway Catering and Tourism 26. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) & UN Corporation (IRCTC) has launched Artificial Habitat organize a policy dialogue - Urban Café - ‘River Intelligence (AI) powered chatbot– Ask Disha for Habitat’. ((Digital Interaction to Seek Help Anytime) to 27. The Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘Unreserved help its users answer various queries. Mobile Ticketing’ facility (UTS on Mobile) to enable 28. PM Modi inaugurates Kundli-Manesar Palwal seamless booking of unreserved tickets in all Zonal Western Peripheral Expressway Railways. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated • The facility of booking unreserved tickets, the Kundli-Manesar section of the Western including season tickets and also platform tickets Peripheral Expressway. is available through the ‘UTSONMOBILE’ app, • The Western Peripheral Expressway also known available for Android, IOS and Windows phone as KMP expressway is expected to divert more users. than 50 thousand heavy vehicles away from 28. According to a report by global cybersecurity company, Delhi. ‘Kaspersky Lab’, India is ranked in worldwide when it 29. Growth rate of 8 infrastructure sectors slows down comes to the dangers associated with surfing the web -- to 4.8% in October 2018 12th. • According to index of eight core industries 29. The first passenger train to run on broad gauge between released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Nepal will run from December 2018. growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors Note: The train will run from Jayanagar in Bihar to slowed down to 4.8 per cent in October 2018. Kurtha in Dhanusa district in Janakpur Zone of south- • This was mainly due to contraction in production eastern Nepal. No visa will be required for Indian and of crude oil, natural gas and fertilizer.

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• It had recorded growth rate of 5% in October • The Prime Minister inaugurated first multi- 2017. modal terminal on Ganga river in Varanasi, Uttar • During April-October 2018-19, eight sectors Pradesh. recorded a growth rate of 5.4% against 3.5 per • The Inland Multi-Modal Terminal Port cent in the same period last year. constructed at the cost of 207 crore rupees. 30. Govt to issue Rs 75 coin to mark 75th anniversary of • This is the first of the four Multi-Modal Tricolour hoisting by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Terminals being constructed on National • The government will release a Rs 75 coin to Waterways-I on River Ganga as part of the World commemorate the 75th anniversary of Netaji Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Subhash Chandra Bose hoisting the Tricolour for Waterways Authority of India. the first time at Port Blair. • The other three terminals are under construction • On December 30, 1943, Bose, who raised the at Sahibganj (Jharkhand), Haldia (West Bengal), Indian National Army (INA) to fight against the and Gazipur (Uttar Pradesh). British, had hoisted the Tricolour for the first • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) time at Cellular Jail, Port Blair. is the project implementing agency. • The commemorative Rs 75 coin will be made out of 50 per cent silver, 40 per cent copper, and 5 34. Train 18’- India’s 1st Engineless Train trial run per cent each of nickel and zinc, and will weigh conducted on the Bareilly-Moradabad section 35 grams. • Train 18’- India’s 1st Engineless Train trial run • This coin will bear the portrait of 'Netaji Subhash conducted on the Bareilly-Moradabad section Chandra Bose' saluting the flag on the • “Train 18”, developed by the Integral Coach background of Cellular Jail in Port Blair. Factory (ICF), Chennai. 31. Delhi Police Commissioner launches e-learning • The fully air-conditioned train, built at a cost of portal 'NIPUN' Rs 100 crore in 18 months, can run at a speed of • In consonance with the spirit of digital India, the up to 160 kmph. Delhi Police on 13th November launched an e- • Train 18 is seen as a successor to the prestigious learning portal 'NIPUN' to impart in-service Shatabdi Express which was introduced in 1988. training to its personnel. • It will be first long-distance train without • The e-learning portal aims at imparting online separate locomotive (engine). training and information through specialized 35. Government sets up National Data Repository courses designed by experts. • The Union Government has set up a state of -the- 32. First India-Israel Innovation Centre opens in art National Data Repository. Bengaluru • The Minister said that the repository is a • The country’s first India-Israel Innovation Centre database of all the geo-scientific data of (IIIC), an entrepreneurial technology hub, was hydrocarbon resources in the country. launched in Bengaluru. • He added that it is equipped with cutting-edge • The IIIC is a significant step towards facilitating technology and will provide ready access to penetration of Israeli companies in India and interested companies. aims to forge local partnerships and joint ventures between companies from the two • The main objective is to set up National Data countries. Repository of reliable exploration and 33. PM Modi inaugurates first multi-modal terminal in production data for India with provisions for Varanasi seamless access and online data management. About National Data Repository

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• The National Data Repository (NDR) is an integrated • It is centralised electronic platform for quicker data repository of Exploration and Production (E&P) processing of loans under the Deendayal data of Indian sedimentary basins. Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods • It is hosted at Directorate General of Hydrocarbons Mission (DAY-NULM). (DGH) in Noida. • It aims to connect directly with beneficiaries and • The DGH is a technical arm of the Ministry of ensure there is greater efficiency in the delivery Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). of services. It has been designed and developed Note: by Allahabad Bank, the nodal bank under the • With the introduction of the National Data scheme. Repository, India has joined the league of countries • All 35 States and Union Territories (UTs) & all like UK and Norway which have a National Data scheduled commercial banks, Regional Rural Repository for the upstream sector. Banks (RRBs) and Cooperative Banks are 36. eDrishti software launched to help Railways Minister expected to be on board the PAiSA portal the keep track of punctuality of trains year end. • Indian Railways unveiled ‘eDrishti’ software that will help Union Railway Minister to keep track of Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban punctuality of trains as well as freight and passenger Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) earnings and much more from anywhere in the • It is Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented country. by Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty • The software has been developed by Centre for Alleviation. Railway Information System (CRIS) to help Minister • Its objective is to uplift urban poor folks by keep track of all information related to Indian enhancing sustainable livelihood opportunities Railways, one of the world’s largest rail networks. through skill development. 37. Govt. launches Logo and Brochure of Logix India • It also provides subsidy to urban poor i.e. • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil interest subsidy of 5% – 7% for setting up Aviation Suresh Prabhu launched logo and individual micro-enterprises with loan of up to 2 brochure of Logix India 2019 in New Delhi. lakhs and for group enterprises with loan limit of • Logix India 2019 is scheduled to take place in up to Rs.10 lakhs. New Delhi from 31stJanuary to 2nd February 39. Health Ministry launches health information 2019. platform to monitor public health surveillance • It is being organized by Federation of Indian • Union Ministry Health and Family Welfare has Export Organisations (FIEO). soft-launched Integrated Disease Surveillance • India was ranked 44 in World Bank Logistics Programme (IDSP) segment of Integrated Health Performance Index 2018. Information Platform (IHIP) in seven states. 38. Govt. launches PAISA Portal under Deendayal • The first one-of-its-kind initiative lannched by Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods the Central Government to monitor public health Mission surveillance. • Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs 40. Sashastra Seema Bal to patrol Dudhwa tiger reserve launched ‘PAiSA’ – Portal for Affordable Credit • Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Sashastra and Interest Subvention Access during National Seema Bal have joined hands to provide security Workshop on Municipal Finance and Urban to Dudhwa forests and its rich wildlife. Planning held in New Delhi. About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve PAISA Portal

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• It is protected area in Uttar Pradesh that • According to a report by research firm Canalys, stretches mainly across the Lakhimpur Kheri and India has overtaken the US to become the second Bahraich districts. largest smartphone market in the July- • It comprises Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur September 2018 quarter. Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife • As per the data, India saw a shipment of 40.4 Sanctuary. million units during the third quarter was second 41. 70-feet tall statue of Lord Buddha unveiled at Rajgir to China where 100.6 million smartphones were in Nalanda district shipped. • Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled 70- • Smartphone shipment in the US was at 40 million feet tall statue of Lord Buddha at Rajgir in units in the July-September 2018 period. Nalanda district of state. • The three markets (among the top 10) that • It is second tallest statue of Buddha in the registered growth were Indonesia (13.2% country. increase y-o-y to 8.9 million units), Russia • The statue has been installed above 16 metre (11.5% jump y-o-y to 8.8 million units), and radius pedestal in middle of lake Ghora Katora. Germany (2.4% rise y-o-y to 5.5 million units). 42. Cabinet approves setting up of Medical College at • China’s smartphone shipment declined 15.2% y- Silvassa in UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli o-y, India by 1.1% and the US by 0.4% in the • Under Chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra September 2018 quarter. Modi recently, Union Cabinet approved the 45. PM sets up National Implementation Committee to setting up of a medical college in Silvassa of commemorate 550th birth anniversary of Guru and Nagar Haveli. Nanak • This will increase the availability of doctors and • Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted increase in medical education opportunities. National Implementation Committee (NIC) under • The construction of this medical college will be Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Rajnath done till 2019-20 and in accordance with the Singh to commemorate the 550th birth guidelines of the Medical Council of India and anniversary of Guru Nanak in the country and Central Health and Family Welfare Ministry. abroad. • An amount of Rs. 189 crores has been fixed for • Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister its construction. of State for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma are its 43. IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, ICC sign MoU for Members. energising startup ecosystem in East and Northeast 46. Govt. launches chatbot loaded AirSewa digital India platform for air passengers • IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and Indian • Union Civil Aviation Ministry launched the Chamber of Commerce (ICC) signed upgraded version of AirSewa 2.0 web portal and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mobile app in New Delhi. energising start-up ecosystem in East and • The upgraded version of AirSewa operates Northeast India. through interactive web portal as well as • The MoU will bring incubator and industry through mobile app for both Android and iOS together in more formal way. platforms. • IIM Innovation Park is currently incubating 40 • It will offer passengers convenient and hassle- start-ups with almost half from West Bengal. free air travel experience 44. India overtakes US to become 2nd largest 47. Jashne Bachpan: 14th edition of international smartphone market: Report children’s theatre festival held in New Delhi

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• The 14th edition of JashneBachpan, a theatre seven of 26 weeks of maternity leave for women festival for children was held at the Sammukh, earning more than Rs 15,000 month. Abhimanch, Abhikalp and Little Theatre Group • This decision was taken after WCD Ministry had (LTG) auditorium in New Delhi. talks with Union Labour Ministry that 7 of 26 • It was organised by ’s weeks of maternity leave for all women (NSD) Theatre in Education (TIE) Company. employees in private and government sector 48. AYUSH Ministry observes the first Naturopathy Day getting more than Rs 15,000 a month will be paid on November 18 from that fund. • Union Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, 52. Sri Ramayana Express flagged off from Safdarjung Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) Ministry railway station in Delhi celebrated first Naturopathy Day on 18th • Shri Ramayana Express, a special tourist train to November 2018 with aim of promoting drug-less run on Ramayana circuit to cover major spots system of medicine to prevent diseases by related to Hindu epic was flagged off by Indian altering diet and lifestyle. Railways from Safdarjung Railway Station, New 49. India’s first specialized hospital for elephants Delhi. opened in Mathura • The pilgrimage circuit of Shri Ramayana Yatra • India’s first specialized hospital for elephants will have two travel components — one each in was formally opened Churmura village in India and Sri Lanka. Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. 53. 38th India International Trade Fair (IITF) held at • It is promoted by Wildlife SOS which had Pragati Maidan in New Delhi established first elephant conservation and care • The 38th India International Trade Fair (IITF) centre in 2010 and is currently looking after 20 was held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. elephants requiring specialised treatment. • The 14-day annual event was inaugurated by 50. 2nd Mega Food Park in Maharashtra inaugurated in inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Aurangabad Culture, Mahesh Sharma. • Union Minister for Food Processing Industries • It is organised by India Trade Promotion Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated 2nd Mega Organisation (ITPO). Food Park in Maharashtra, in Wahegaon and 54. Industrial production, measured in terms of IIP Dhangaon village in Paithan taluka of grows 4.5% in September 2018 Aurangabad district. • According to data released by Central Statistics • It was launched under Mega Food Park Scheme Office (CSO), factory output measured in terms of and is promoted by Paithan Mega Food Park Pvt Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 4.5% in Ltd. The first park was inaugurated in Satara September 2018. district in March 2018. • It was slowest pace in four months mainly due to • Third mega foodpark has been sanctioned by poor performance of mining sector and lower Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries in offtake of capital goods. Maharashtra in Wardha district. 55. Pneumonia may kill over 17 lakh children in India by 51. Government to refund employers for seven weeks of 2030: Study maternity leave to employees: WCD Ministry • According to global study released by UK-based • Union Ministry of Women and Child NGO ‘Save the Children’, more than 17 lakh Development (WCD) has announced that children in India are likely to die of pneumonia government will pay employers salaries for first by 2030, despite the infection being easily curable.

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• The study was released on occasion of World 58. Government approves operationalisation strategy Pneumonia Day (observed on November 12). for Operation Greens Key points • Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries • Pneumonia is likely to kill over one crore children (MoFPI) approved operationalisation strategy under five by 2030. Nigeria, India, Pakistan and for Operation Greens. Operation Greens was Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are likely to announced by Union Government in Budget bear highest burden of deaths. 2018-19 to stabilise supply of Tomato, Onion and • The forecasts were based on model developed by Potato (TOP) crops. researchers at Johns Hopkins University, US called • It is aimed at ensuring availability of TOP crops Lives Saved Tool (LiST). throughout the country round the year without 56. Cabinet approves setting up of Central Tribal price volatility. University in Andhra Pradesh Operation Greens • Union Cabinet has approved setting up of Central • It was announced in Union Budget 2018-19 on line of Tribal University in Andhra Pradesh. Operation Flood to promote FPOs, agri-logistics, • The Union Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime processing facilities and professional management. Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. • It aims to promote farmer producers organisations, • It will be set up in Relli village of Vizianagaram processing facilities, agri-logistics and professional District of Andhra Pradesh. management. 57. India elected as Member of International • It also aims to aid farmers and help control and limit Telecommunications Union (ITU) Council erratic fluctuations in the prices of tomatoes, onions • India was elected as member of International and potatoes (TOP) Telecommunications Union (ITU) Council for 59. India and Japan signs loan Agreement for Turga another 4-year term from 2019 to 2022. Hydel Project • The elections to ITU Council were held during • India and Japan signed Loan Agreement worth ongoing ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 at Rs. 1817 crore for construction of Turga Pumped Dubai, UAE. Storage (I)’ Hydel Project. • India got elected to Council from Asia-Australasia • On completion, this project will contribute to region by securing 165 votes and was among 48 Industrial Development and Living Standard countries elected to Council globally. Improvement in the West Bengal. • They were elected by 193 member states of ITU. 60. Cabinet approves renaming of Jharsuguda Airport in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Odisha as Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda • ITU is the UN specialised agency for information and • The Union Cabinet has approved renaming of communication technologies (ICTs). Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha as “Veer Surendra • It has 193 countries as its members and also 800 Sai Airport, Jharsuguda” after Veer Surendra Sai private-sector entities and academic institutions. who is well-known freedom fighter of Odisha. • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

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October National Affairs

1. PM Modi Unveils World's Tallest Statue of Sardar 4. laid the foundation for India’s largest Vallabhbhai Patel Dry Dock at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala - • On 31st October 2018, Prime Minister Narendra • The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport Modi has inaugurated the ‘Statue of Unity’ & Highways, Water Resources, River (world's tallest Statue) on the 143rd birth Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Surat, Gadkari and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Gujarat. Vijayan laid the foundation for India’s largest Dry Tallest statue: Dock at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala. • The Statue of Unity (bronze statue) is the tallest • The Dry Dock will give an impetus to “Make in statue 600 feet (182-metre) in the world, taller India” initiative under Sagarmala and raise than China's Spring Temple Buddha statue (153- India’s share in global shipbuilding to 2%. metre) and almost double the height of the • India currently occupies 0.66 % share in global Statue of Liberty (93 metres) in USA. shipbuilding market. Location: • The new Dry Dock is being constructed at a cost • The statue of unity located on the Sadhu Bet of Rs 1799 Crore. island (near Rajpipla) on the Narmada river, • It is a 310 m long, 75m wide, with a depth of 13 located between the Satpura and the Vindhya m and drought of 9.5m. mountain ranges. 5. India to become world’s third largest aviation Total cost market around 2024: IATA • The project cost was Rs 3,050 crore and fully • According to the global airlines’ body IATA’s 20- funded by the Gujarat government, built within year Air Passenger Forecast, India will become three-and-a-half years from infrastructure major the world’s third largest aviation market around Larsen & Toubro (L&T). 2024 surpassing the United Kingdom. Built by – • It is projected that total air passenger numbers • It was built by Padma Bhushan recipient sculptor to touch 8.2 billion in 2037. Ram V Sutar and intricate bronze cladding work • According to the IATA, China would displace the was done by a Chinese foundry, the Jiangxi United States as the world’s largest aviation Toqine Company (JTQ). market in the mid-2020s. 2. National Unity Day: 31st October • India will take 3rd place after the US, surpassing • National Unity day (also known as Rashtriya Ekta the UK around 2024. Diwas) is celebrated every year on 31st of • Indonesia is forecast to be a standout performer - October by the people all through India. It is climbing from the world’s 10th largest aviation celebrated to commemorate the birth market in 2017 to the 4th largest by 2030. anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 6. No Sale of BS-IV vehicles across country from April 1, 3. Italian PM Giuseppe Conte arrives India on 30th Oct 2020: SC 2018 – This is Giuseppe Conte’s first visit to India after • The Supreme Court ruled that no Bharat Stage-IV taking over as prime minister in June. vehicle shall be sold across the country with • He will also attend the 24th edition of the India- effect from April 1, 2020. Italy Technology Summit.

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• The Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norm • The national flag measured 20x30 feet and stood would come into force from April 1, 2020 across 350 feet above the ground level. the country. 10. India Building World’s Highest Railway Line 7. India’s First Domestic Cruise ‘Angriya’ flagged off • India railways announced its plan to link New from Mumbai Delhi and Ladakh by means of a railway line that • Angriya, India's first domestic luxury cruise line, will run along the India-China Border. has started ferrying tourists between Mumbai • The proposed Bilaspur-Manali-Leh Line would and Goa. be the world’s highest railway line once • Union minister for shipping Nitin Gadkari and launched. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis • The projected cost to construct the 465 km line flagged-off the cruise which will operate between will be Rs 83,360 crore. Mumbai and Goa. 11. Vigilance Awareness Week – 2018 • Angriya will make four trips per week -- except • The Central Vigilance Commission observes the during monsoons -- between Mumbai and Vigilance Awareness Week every year during the Mormugao in Goa. It will not halt at any point week in which birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai during the journey. Patel (31st October) falls. • The 131-metre long and 17-metre wide ship has • The 2018 Vigilance Awareness Week is being been built in Japan and will be used to boost observed from 29th October to 3rd November cruise tourism in India. 2018. • The ship is named after the first Admiral of the • The theme of Vigilance Awareness Week-2018 is Maratha Navy, Kanhoji Angre, popularly known - Eradicate Corruption-Build a New India. as the 'Shivaji of the Indian Sea'. • 8. PM inaugurates National Police Memorial in New 12. QS Asia Rankings 2019: Eight Universities from India Delhi among top 100 • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and • The National University of Singapore is ranked as dedicated National Police Memorial (NPM) to Asia’s best university, followed by University of nation in New Delhi on the occasion of National Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University, Police Commemoration Day (Observed on Tsinghua University and Peking University. October 21). • The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay • The memorial has been built on 6.12-acre land in (IIT-Bombay) has topped the Quacquarelli central Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area. Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings from • This memorial represents all State/UT Police India followed by IIT Delhi and IIT Madras. Forces and Central Police Organisations of the • Eight Indian universities have figured among the country. top 100 in the list of Asia’s top 50 universities. • Its design was conceptualised by Advaita IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Madras, IISC Gadanayak of National Gallery of Modern Art Bangalore, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Kanpur, Delhi (NGMA). University and IIT-Roorkee are the Indian 9. India's highest tricolour unfurled at Haj House in institutions in the top 100. Mumbai 13. India, China sign agreement on security cooperation • Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar • India and China have signed agreement on Abbas Naqvi unfurled India’s highest tricolour on internal security cooperation. It is first such the terrace of the majestic Haj House in Mumbai. agreement to be signed between the two countries.

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14. India, Myanmar sign MoU on operationalisation of Note: Sittwe Port • At present, India’s largest river bridge is Dhola-Sadia • India and Myanmar inked a crucial MoU for the bridge, its length is 9.15 kilometers. appointment of a private operator of the Sittwe 17. Government launches Swasth Bharat Yatra national Port that will boost connectivity and help in campaign for food safety creating local job opportunities. • The Union Government launched national campaign Note: ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’ on occasion of World Food Day • Sittwe port in Myanmar will connect India’s (observed on 16 October) to sensitise people about landlocked north-east region to Bay of Bengal eating safe food and be healthy. through Mizoram. It will also provide alternate • The campaign has been launched in association with route to Kolkata. states and led by Food Safety and Standards Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project Authority of India (FSSAI). • This project aims to connect seaport of Kolkata 18. The government has announced 100 crore rupee award (India) with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea; it for states that would complete the household will then link Sittwe seaport to Lashio in electrification early under the Saubhagaya scheme. Myanmar via Kaladan river boat route and then 19. First India-Israel Innovation Centre opens in from Lashio to Mizoram in India by road Bengaluru - The country’s first India-Israel Innovation transport. Centre (IIIC), an entrepreneurial technology hub, was 15. 75th anniversary of establishment of Azad Hind launched in Bengaluru. government observed on 22 Oct – The 75th 20. Textile Ministry to release Rs 7.8 Cr for construction of anniversary of establishment of Azad Hind government textile tourism complex in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi district of observed October 21, 2018. Meghalaya • On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi 21. Government has allowed foreign tourists to visit hoisted National flag and unveiled plaque at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands without any restrictions. Red Fort, Delhi. • In this regard, Union Ministry of Home Affairs Note: (MHA) has modified its earlier order which made • Azad Hind Government was founded in it mandatory for foreign tourists to register with Singapore on October 21, 1943. Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 24 • It was India’s first independent government hours of their arrival. established by Indian nationalists-in-exile during 22. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) celebrated latter part of WWII in Singapore with monetary, Silver Jubilee (25 years) on October 12, 2018. NHRC was military and political assistance from Imperial set up on October 12, 1993. Japan. 23. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World 16. India’s longest river bridge will be built on Health Organization (WHO) have reiterated India’s status Brahmaputra river in Assam as polio-free country. • India’s longest river bridge with total length of 24. India's cooling energy consumption to grow around 2.2 19.3 kilometers will be built on Brahmaputra times by 2027: Report river in Assam. • The country's cooling energy demand will rise to • This bridge will connect Dhubri of Assam to 2.2 times the existing level by 2027 and Fulbarani of Meghalaya. interventions can help cut it down by 17 per cent • This bridge will have total length will be 19.3 in the next decade, a report said. kilometers and will be four-lane. Its construction • The report, commissioned by the Indo-German will be completed by 2026-27. Energy Forum, on behalf of the Bureau of Energy

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Efficiency, was prepared by the Alliance for an 33. Union Cabinet has approved establishment and Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE). operationalisation of two new permanent campuses of 25. Govt to form national trade portal to cut logistics cost: the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Commerce jt secy (IISER) in Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Behrampur • The union ministry of commerce and industry is (Odisha). in the process of forming a national trade portal 34. Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched to lower logistics cost and link all stakeholders in India for Humanity initiative to commemorate the domestic and import trade, joint secretary to the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and honour ministry Keshawva Chandra has said of his service to humanity. 26. The country's biggest skill competition, India Skills 2018 • It will feature year-long series of artificial limb concluded in New Delhi. fitment camps in a number of countries spanning Note: Some of the winners of the competition will be globe. given additional training, before they represent India at 35. Union Ministry of Skill Development and the 45th World Skills Competition at Kazan, Russia in Entrepreneurship has launched Closing the Skills Gap 2019. Task Force in India in collaboration with World 27. The Centre has assured Karnataka government that Economic Forum (WEF). nearly 450 crore rupees will be reimbursed to it in • It will be co-chaired by Minister of Skill connection with the expenditure incurred for procuring Development and Entrepreneurship cereals and coarse cereals. Dharmendra Pradhan along with Salil Parekh, 28. The 36th National Games will be held in Goa from March Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of 30 to April 14 next year. Infosys. 29. Russian President Vladimir Putin vissited New Delhi on a 36. India ranks 5th in world terms of largest pictorial two-day visit to India. He attended the 19th India-Russia warning on cigarette packs Annual Bilateral Summit in New Delhi. • India was ranked 5th among 206 countries in 30. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the first Cigarette Package Health Warnings: Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in New International Status Report 2018 released by Delhi. Canadian Cancer Society. 31. United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres visited India on • In 2018 report, Timor-Leste has the largest 4th Oct 2018. warnings on cigarette packages in the world with 32. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) launched a Flood 92.5% on front and back, followed by Nepal and Forecasting and Early Warning System (FFEWS) for Vanuatu with 90% and New Zealand at fourth Kolkata City. with 87.5%. • It is also India’s first comprehensive city-level • India secured the fifth rank jointly with Hong FFEWS. It will reduce economic loss and impacts Kong and Thailand for 85% warnings. on livelihood and improve flood awareness and safety at the community level.

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September 1. PM Inaugurates Modern Food Processing Facilities & • The estimated project cost will be Rs 346 crore Pipeline Projects in Gujarat and it will be completed in 30 months time. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated • This will be the first such pipeline through which the state-of-the-art chocolate plant of Amul dairy refined diesel will be supplied to Parbatipur set up with an investment of about 190 crore depot from Numaligarh of Assam in India. rupees at Mogar village in Anand district of 7. Piyush Goyal inaugurates 1st Ever India Tourism Mart Gujarat. 2018 in New Delhi 2. PM Modi Inaugurated Parakram Parv Exhibition in 8. India Gets Its 1st ever dedicated Dog Park in Hyderabad. - Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 9. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched the Parakram Parv exhibition at the military station in ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Movement, to boost nationwide Jodhpur to mark the second anniversary of the surgical public participation in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the LoC. catalyse the fulfilment of ’s dream of a Clean India. 3. Tourism Minister Launches Incredible India Mobile 10. Government launches Rail heritage digitisation project in App - The Union Minister for Tourism (IC), Mr. K.J. collaboration with Google Alphons launched the ‘Incredible India Mobile App’ and 11. 25th September observed as Antyodaya Diwas - 25th the “Incredible India Tourist Facilitators Certification” September was observed as Antyodaya Diwas across the programme. The Minister announced that India will be country to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit the host country for official World Tourism Day Deendayal Upadhyaya. celebrations for the UNWTO, in 2019. 12. Andhra Pradesh tops Ease of Living Index rankings 4. Cabinet Approves National Digital Communications under AMRUT - Andhra Pradesh has topped Ease of Policy - The cabinet has approved the new telecom Living Index rankings under AMRUT (Atal Mission for policy, now named National Digital Communications Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation). Policy (NDCP) 2018, which aims to attract USD 100 • It was followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. billion investment and create 4 million jobs in the sector • The three states were awarded best-performing by 2022. states at National Dissemination Workshop on • According to the draft of the policy, NDCP is Ease of Living Index, 2018 held in New Delhi. focused on increasing high-speed broadband 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of penetration, with use of modern technologies India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) in like 5G and optical fibres across the country at Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi. affordable rates. 14. Govt. approves 100% Electrification of Railways by 5. Vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated Smart City 2021-22 – The Union cabinet approved a proposal for Expo India-2018 in Jaipur. the complete electrification of Indian Railways by 2021- 6. PM Modi, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina jointly launched 22, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuel and Indo-Bangla Pipeline Project saving revenue for the national carrier. India-Bangladesh Friendship Product Pipeline • The move will cost the government Rs12,134 Project: crore. • The 130-kilometre pipeline will connect Siliguri 15. PM Modi launch ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Movement’ - To in West Bengal in India and Parbatipur in mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of • The capacity of the pipeline will be 1 million 'Swachhata Hi Seva Movement'. metric tons per annum. 16. Bus services started between Bihar & Nepal for first time - For the first time, bus services between Bihar and

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Nepal have started. The bus service was flagged off from Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) approved a Patna by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. proposal by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission 17. NRTI, India's 1st Railway Varsity starts operations in (KVIC) to increase the wages of artisans by over 36%. Vadodara - The first of its kind university in the country 21. September: National Nutrition month being in the transport sector, the National Rail and celebrated across country - The National Nutrition Transportation Institute (NRTI), started operations. Month (September) is being celebrated across the • Currently, it is functioning out of the National country to mark the fight against malnutrition. Academy of Indian Railways, Vadodara. 22. India to have ‘One-Nation-One-Card’ policy for 18. NITI Aayog, Intel, and Tata Institute of Fundamental transport soon: NITI Aayog - NITI Aayog Chief Research (TIFR) are collaborating to set up Model Executive Officer Amitabh Kant announced that India will International Center for Transformative Artificial shortly unveil a One Nation-One Card policy for public Intelligence (ICTAI) in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. transport that will entail connectivity between various 19. Homosexuality not a crime in India: SC Abolishes modes of transport. The announcement was made at a Section 377 - The Supreme Court Abolished Section 377 function on Future Mobility Summit-2018 in New Delhi. of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the 1862 law which 23. Krishna Kutir: Government inaugurates home for criminalised homosexuality. 1000 widows in Vrindavan - Union Ministry of Women • The Delhi High Court had decriminalised and Child Development recently had inaugurated homosexuality in 2009, but the decision was widows’ home ‘Krishna Kutir’ at Vrindavan in Mathura, overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013. Uttar Pradesh. • According to Section 377, consensual sexual acts • Krishna Kutir is special home for 1000 widows are also considered unnatural and are set under Swadhar Greh scheme and is the punishable. largest ever facility of its kind created by 20. Govt. approved proposal to increase Wages of government organization. Artisans by over 36% - The Union Ministry of Micro,

August

1. Navlekha: Google launches Project Navlekha for • Navlekha, which means ‘a new way to write’ in bringing offline content online. Sanskrit, will allow local publishers who do not • Understanding the importance of regional have websites to make their offline content fit for languages in India, search giant Google has online publishing in less than a minute. announced a new program that will empower 2. World’s first thermal battery plant to be unveiled in offline newspapers and magazines in India to Andhra Pradesh - The world’s first-ever thermal battery bring their content online. plant owned by Bharat Energy Storage Technology • Announced during the fourth edition of 'Google Private Limited (BEST) was inaugurated in Amravati, for India' event, the Project Navlekha claims to Andhra Pradesh. bring offline content online in just a few clicks. 3. RISECREEK: IIT-Madras develop first indigenous • Project Navlekha — its new initiative to bring microprocessors under Project Shakti - Computer India’s 135,000 Indic language publications scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), online in a hassle-free manner.

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Madras have developed first of family of six industry- 1,100 rupees from its previous 1,700 charged from standard microprocessors under Project Shakti. Indians. • The initial batch of 300 chips have been named 9. Government launches third edition of Smart India RISECREEK and have been fabricated at Intel’s Hackathon 2019 - Union Ministry of Human Resource facility at Oregon, US for free to run Linux Development (HRD) has third edition of Smart India operating system. Hackathon 2019 (SIH-2019). • Project Shakti was started in 2014 as IIT-M • Smart India Hackathon is world’s biggest open initiative and part of it is funded by Ministry of innovation model which aims to provide Electronics and Information Technology. students with platform to solve some of pressing 4. India's first Biofuel-Powered flight lands in Delhi - problems faced by people in their daily lives. India's first biofuel-powered flight landed in Delhi, • It also seeks to inculcate culture of product covering the distance between Dehradun & Delhi. The innovation and mindset of problem-solving biofuel is developed by Indian Institute of Petroleum. The among young children. flight test was successfully completed by SpiceJet. • It will provide students opportunity to work on 5. India’s largest business Incubator Bhamashah challenges faced by public sector organisations Techno Hub launched in Jaipur - In a big step forward and union ministries. to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Rajasthan, the 10. India Elected President of Asia-Pacific Institute for Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje launched India’s largest Broadcasting Development - India has been elected as business incubator the Bhamashah Techno Hub in Jaipur. the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for 6. India’s 1st Genetic Bank for Wildlife Conservation Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for a period of two inaugurated in Hyderabad - National Wildlife Genetic years. Resource Bank (NWGRB) was inaugurated at Centre for • India got elected against Iran during voting Cellular and Molecular Biology’s (CCMB) Laboratory of which took place at the 44th annual gathering of Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) facility AIBD in Colombo, Sri Lanka. in Hyderabad, Telangana. 11. 3rd Indian Ocean Conference held in Hanoi, Vietnam Note: It is India’s first genetic resource bank where the - Its theme was “Building Regional Architectures”. genetic material will be stored for posterity which will 12. India’s first interstate connected wind power project further the cause of conservation of endangered and commissioned in Bhuj - 126 MW wind power capacity, protected animals. part of India’s first inter-state transmission system 7. Santhali becomes India’s 1st Tribal Language to get (ISTS) auction, was commissioned in Bhuj, Gujarat. Wikipedia edition - Santhali (Santali), a tribal language • It was part of India’s first ISTS auction was primarily spoken in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corporation received global recognition when it got a Wikipedia of India Ltd (SECI) in February 2017. edition in its own script. 13. The Union Government has unlocked green funds worth • The language is been spoken by over 6.4 million over Rs 66,000 crore to increase the country’s forest people in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, cover. Odisha and Assam. Note: The fund is an accumulated amount of money, 8. Israel Opens Visa Application Centre in Kolkata - which user agencies have been depositing as Israel has opened a Visa Application Centre in Kolkata for compensation for diverting forest land for non-forest tourists from West Bengal and the northeastern states to purposes, including industries and infrastructure, since encourage more Indian travelers to visit that country. the past 10 years. Israel recently announced a reduction in visa fees to INR 14. TRIBES India Outlets to open at Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Kolkata airports - Airport Authority of India (AAI)

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has allotted space to Tribal Cooperative Marketing Top 3 A category stations (out of 332) - Marwar (1st), Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) for Phulera (2nd), Warangal (3rd). opening of Tribes India outlets at Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Top 3 Zonal Railways Rankings: North Western Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Kolkata (West Bengal) airports. Railway (1st), South Central Railway (2nd), East Coast 15. 35% of cyber-attacks on Indian sites from China: Railway (3rd). CERT-In report - According to recent report by Indian 19. Govt. announces 50% reservation for women in RPF Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), jawans recruitment - Union Government has maximum number of cyber-attacks on official Indian announced 50% reservation for women in upcoming websites are from China, US and Russia. recruitment of 9500-10000 jawans for the Railway • The report was forwarded to National Security Protection Force (RPF). Council Secretariat (NSCS) and other security 20. Government launches Niryat Mitra mobile app - agencies. It had analysed cyber-attacks from Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched April-June 2018. Niryat Mitra mobile application for exporters and 16. Indian scientist-academician N Raghuram became first importers of the country. The app developed by Indian and Asian to get elected as Chair of International Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the Nitrogen Initiative (INI), a global policy making initiative. largest exporters organisation of the country. 17. Pune tops in Ease of Living Index released by 21. Pingali Venkayya: 141st birth anniversary of Housing Ministry - Pune (Maharashtra) ranked first designer of Indian National Flag observed - 141st among 116 cities (with population of 1 million plus) in birth anniversary of freedom fighter and designer Ease of Living Index released by Ministry of Housing and (architect) of Indian National Flag Pingali Venkayya was Urban Affairs (MoHUA). observed on August 2, 2018. Note: Top 10 cities are (rank order) are Pune, Navi • He was born on August 2, 1876 in Krishna Mumbai, Greater Mumbai, Tirupati, Chandigarh, Thane, district of Andhra Pradesh and died in 1963. Raipur, Indore, Vijaywada and Bhopal. 22. Government launches Seva Bhoj Yojna - Union • Rampur in Uttar Pradesh was ranked worst on Ministry of Culture launched Seva Bhoj Yojna, a new the scale and also Kohima and Patna on bottom scheme to provide financial assistance on purchase of two and three ranks while. specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions 18. Jodhpur, Marwar ranked cleanliest rail stations in (CRIs) for free distribution among people. Third Party Survey Report on Station Cleanliness - • Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central • Union Railway Ministry released Third Party Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Interstate Survey Report on Station Cleanliness which GST charged on raw food materials purchased by ranked 407 railway stations including 75 A1 the religious institutions will be refunded. category stations, 332 A category stations on 23. STA-1: India becomes first South Asian country to get basis of cleanliness performance. access to US cutting-edge technology - United States • Jodhpur (Rajasthan) was ranked first in survey has designated India as Strategic Trade Authorization-1 A1 category stations. (STA-1) country that will allow country to buy highly • Marwar (Rajasthan) first in A category stations advanced and cutting-edge sensitive technologies from and America. This coveted status brings India in par with US’s • North Western Railway first among all Zonal closest allies and partners such as NATO. Railways. Note: India is only South Asian country to be on the list. Ranking of Stations Other Asian countries designated as STA-1 are Japan and Top 3 A1 category Stations (out of 75): Jodhpur (1st), South Korea. Jaipur (2nd), Tirupati (3rd).

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July 1. SAFAR: Most advanced System of Air Quality and 5. Myanmar joins International Solar Alliance - Weather Forecasting inuagrated in Delhi - Ministry of Myanmar joined the India-initiated International Solar Earth Sciences has unveiled state-of-the-art Air Quality Alliance (ISA), thus, becoming the 68th signatory to the and Weather Forecast System– SAFAR (System of Air Framework Agreement of the ISA that aims for optimum Quality and Weather Forecasting) at Chandni Chowk in utilisation of solar energy. Delhi. • The International Solar Alliance was launched • It is first of its kind and most advanced system in jointly by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi India. and French President Francois Hollande on the 2. Wings: BSNL launches India’s first internet telephony first day of the COP-21 summit at Paris in 2015. service - State-run telecom firm BSNL through its mobile app ‘Wings’ launched India’s first internet telephony 6. India becomes Vice Chair of Asia Pacific Region of service. World Customs Organisation - India has become the • Through this app, BSNL customers will be able to Vice-Chair (Regional Head) of the Asia Pacific Region of make calls to any phone number, domestic or World Customs Organisation (WCO) for a period of two international. years (from July 2018 to June 2020). • Before this service, phone calls on mobile apps • The underlying Theme of the Inaugural were possible within users of particular app Ceremony is “Customs – Fostering Trade (such as Whatsapp, Duo etc) and not on Facilitation”. telephone numbers. • World Customs Organization headquarters in 3. Indian Railways Launches ‘Mission Satyanishtha’ - Brussels, Belgium. The Indian Railways launched ‘Mission Satyanishtha’ and • Kunio Mikuriya (Japan) is the Secretary-General a programme on Ethics in Public Governance, in a first- of WCO. of-its-kind event, at a day-long function held at National 7. Government to set up Cyclone Warning Centre in Rail Museum, New Delhi. Kerala - Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has announced 4. Permanent campus for NSTI, Women opens in to set up Cyclone Warning Centre in Kerala’s capital - The Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Thiruvananthapuram. Skill Development &Entrepreneurship Dharmendra 8. BSNL launches India’s 1st Internet Telephony Service Pradhan laid the foundation stone for permanent campus to enable Making Calls Without SIM - State-run of National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) for Women at telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Mohali, Punjab. unveiled the country’s first internet telephony service • This is the first NSTI Institute for Punjab and that will allow users to dial any telephone number in only one of its kind in India which is exclusively India through its mobile app. for women. • Now BSNL customers will be able to make calls • The Minister also launched a unique Pradhan using the company’s mobile app “Wings” to any Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) which would phone number in the country. admit differently abled persons as well, also a • Using this service, BSNL customers will be able first of its kind in India at Mohali. to make calls on any network in the country even • He also launched India’s first in-phone guide and by using BSNL wi-fi or any other service mobile application “Go whats That” in provider. Chandigarh.

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9. Six Universities Granted ‘Institute of Eminence’ Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Noida and Status - The Union Government has granted the inaugurated the New Mobile Manufacturing Plant of Institutions of Eminence (IoEs) status to six institutions Samsung at Noida. including 3 from Public Sector and 3 from Private Sector. • Notably, it will be the world's largest mobile factory. Three Public Universities granted the Institutions of 13. South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in New Eminence (IoEs) status: Delhi evening on a four-day visit to India. 1. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay, 14. The country’s first e-waste recycling unit will come up in 2. IIT-Delhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka. 3. IISc Bangalore. 15. Government approves Hike in Minimum Support Price for Kharif Crops: The government has decided to Three Private Universities granted the Institutions of sharply increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Eminence (IoEs) status: Kharif crops, as it responds to concerns about distress in 1. Jio Institute by Reliance Foundation (recommended for the country’s farm economy despite two years of strong a letter of intent), monsoons. 2. BITS Pilani, • The MSP for common variety paddy, the 3. Manipal Academy of Higher Education. most important Kharif crop, will be raised by 10. Western Railway renames Elphinstone Road Station Rs 200 over last year’s Rs 1,550 per quintal. as Prabhadevi - Western Railway renamed Elphinstone That works out a 13%t increase for the Road suburban railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra financial year ended March 2019 compared to Prabhadevi Station. to a 5.4% increase in FY18. • The station code of Prabhadevi station will be 16. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going to set up state- PBHD. of-the-art Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) at • The station was initially named after Lord Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport. Elphinstone, who was Governor of Bombay 17. UNESCO to set up Design University for Gaming in Presidency from 1853 to 1860. Visakhapatnam: The United Nations Educational, • It has now been renamed in honour of local deity Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will set up Prabhadevi. ‘Design University for Gaming’ in Visakhapatnam, Andhra 11. India’s genetically modified crop area fifth largest in Pradesh. world: Report 18. Cabinet approves renaming of Agartala Airport as • According to the International Service for the Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore Airport, Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) Agartala latest ‘Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/ 19. Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay visited GM Crops in 2017’ report, India with 11.4 million India. hectares (mh) has world’s fifth largest area 20. Chief Election Commissioner of India Mr Om Prakash cultivated under genetically modified (GM) crops Rawat launched an Android-based mobile application in 2017. named ‘cVigil’ for citizens to report any violation of the • United States has highest area under transgenic model code of conduct during elections. crops, at 75 mh. It is followed by Brazil (50.2 21. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs mh), Argentina’s (23.6 mh) and Canada (13.1 (CCEA) has approved proposal for expanding the mh). scope of Higher Education Financing Agency 12. PM Modi Inaugurated World's Largest Mobile Factory (HEFA) by enhancing its capital base to Rs. 10,000 in Noida: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South crore and tasking it to mobilise Rs. 1,00,000 crore for

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Revitalizing Infrastructure and Systems in Education or RISE by 2022.

June 1. NITI Aayog releases First Delta Ranking of • These beaches of Odisha, Maharashtra and other Aspirational Districts. coastal states will be the first in not just India, but in Asia, to get the Blue Flag certification. • The NITI Aayog has released first Delta ranking • Maharashtra’s Chiwla and Bhogave beaches are for 108 aspirational districts to measure their being made a part of this initiative, along with incremental progress across five developmental one beach each from Puducherry, Goa, Daman areas during two-month period of April and May and Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman and 2018. Nicobar Islands. • Most improved aspirational districts: Dahod • There is not a single Blue Flag beach in Asia. (Gujarat, rank: 1st), West Sikkim district (Sikkim, 2nd). Ramanathapuram district (Tamil Nadu, • The Blue Flag beach standards were established 3rd) and Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh, 4th) by Copenhagen-based Foundation for and YSR Kadapa district (Andhra Pradesh, 5th). Environmental Education (FEE) in 1985. • Least improved aspirational districts: • The Blue Flag programme, which requires 33 Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir), Begusarai standards in four areas to be met to make (Bihar), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Simdega beaches environment-friendly, first started from (Jharkhand) and Khagaria( Bihar) were listed as Paris. first to fifth aspirational districts, respectively, in 4. The Union government has announced a package of more least improved states. than Rs 8,000 crore aimed to provide relief to sugarcane 2. India’s first advanced forensic lab dedicated for crimes farmers. related to women for timely deliver justice is set up in • The Union government has announced a package Chandigarh. of more than Rs 8,000 crore aimed to provide • It is India’s first advanced forensic lab dedicated relief to sugarcane farmers and to clear their for crimes related to women for timely deliver dues. justice. 5. India is the second highest sender of foreign students in the US? • Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi laid the • The United States is the top destination for foundation stone of India's first advanced DNA foreign students worldwide and the number of forensic laboratory in Chandigarh as part efforts Indian students in the US has more than doubled to reduce the backlog of cases needing advanced in the last 10 years. forensic analysis. • Currently, around one lakh eighty-six thousand 3. Asia’s first 13 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches to be developed in students are studying in various institutions and India. Universities in the United States. • Asia’s first 13 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches to be developed 6. India’s first national police museum to be established in in India Chanakyapuri, Delhi.

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• The museum is expected to be inaugurated on 10. The Union Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Police Commemoration Day (21st October). Prakash Javadekar launched the new digital initiative of • The items will include brass insignia, ceremonial HRD Ministry ‘National Digital Library of India’ on the and operational head gears and uniforms, batons, occasion of National Reading Day in New Delhi. belts, distinctive photographs of dog squads, 11. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, visited India mounted columns, and old copies of the Indian recently on 27th June 2018. Police Act. 12. President of India, Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Udyam Sangam-2018 in New Delhi. Integrated Command and Control Centre set up at Naya • It is a step forward towards consolidating the Raipur (Chhattisgarh). convergence and synergy of all the government • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the initiatives relating to MSME Sector. Integrated Command and Control Centre set up • The President of India launched the Solar at Naya Raipur - the upcoming capital city of Charkha Mission which will cover 50 clusters Chhattisgarh. and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 • The centre will control and monitor online water artisans. and power supply, sanitation, traffic movement, • The Mission has been approved by the integrated building management, city Government of India for which the MSME connectivity and Internet infrastructure (data Ministry will disburse subsidy of Rs. 550 crores centre), under one roof. to the artisans. 8. The Union Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation 13. Government launches 5000 Wi-Fi Choupals in selected 10 iconic sites under Phase III of Swachh Iconic partnership with Common Service Centers (CSC). Places (SIP) of . • The Union Ministry of Electronics & Information • The third phase of SIP was launched at Mana Technology (MeITY) launched 5000 Wi-Fi village which is situated close to Badrinath Choupals in villages in partnership with common temple in Uttarakhand. service centres (CSCs). • These 10 new sites under Phase III have joined • It was jointly inaugurated by Union Electronics 20 other iconic places selected under Phase I & II and IT Minister and Railway where special sanitation work is already Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi. underway. 10 new iconic sites are: Raghavendra • The aim of Wi-Fi Choupals is to transform rural Swamy Temple (Andhra Pradesh), Hazarduari Internet connectivity through BharatNet. Palace (West Bengal), Brahma Sarovar Temple 14. NITI Aayog launch Water Management Index as useful (Haryana), Vidur Kuti (Uttar Pradesh), Mana tool to assess and improve performance in efficient village (Uttarakhand), Pangong Lake (J&K), management of water resources in the country. Nagvasuki Temple (UP), Ima Keithal market • The NITI (National Institution for Transforming (Manipur), Sabarimala Temple (Kerala) and India) Aayog launched Composite Water Kanvashram (Uttarakhand). Management Index as useful tool to assess and 9. India Meteorological Department (IMD) will use flash improve performance in efficient management of flood guidance system for the first time in the country water resources. to forecast floods. Currently, the Central Water Commission issues flood warnings.

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• The index aims to inspire States/UTs towards Union (EU) and embassies of EU Member States efficient and optimal utilization of water and in various city film club. recycling thereof with sense of urgency. 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved setting up 15. India will host 23rd European Union Film Festival of committee to lay down standards for metro rail (EUFF). systems in the country. The committee will be headed by • India is going to host 23rd European Union Film E Sreedharan. Festival (EUFF) on 18th to 24th June, 2018 at Siri • The committee will be headed by E Sreedharan Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. (famously known as metro man of India) who is • It is organized by Directorate of Film Festivals, credited for changing face of public transport in Ministry of Information and Broadcasting India with his leadership in building Konkan partnering with the Delegation of European Railway and Delhi Metro.

May

• The index was released as part of Global Burden 1. Baba Ramdev’s ‘Patanjali’ launched Swadeshi of Disease study released by Lancet, one of the Samriddhi SIM card in alliance with Bharat Sanchar world’s oldest and best-known peer-reviewed Nigam Limited (BSNL). general medical journal. • Initially, only the employees and office bearers • Top 3 countries with highest levels of of Patanjali will be able to avail the benefits of healthcare access and quality in 2016 are the SIM card. Iceland, Norway and Netherlands. 4. Union Cabinet has approved Ministry of Home Affairs’ • After its full-fledged launch, people will get (MHA’s) proposal of setting up 4,072 mobile towers to discount of 10% on Patanjali products with this improve telecom connectivity network in Left Wing card. Extremism (LWE) Areas. • The card also comes with the medical and life • This network would be used by security insurance covers of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, personnel deployed in LWE affected areas. respectively (in the case of road accident). • It will give impetus to e-Governance activities in 2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated backward and LWE affected area with construction of Rs 6,809 crore Zojila tunnel project in availability of digital mobile connectivity. Jammu and Kashmir’s Leh 5. ASEAN India Film Festival was held in New Delhi • It will be India’s and Asia’s longest and strategic • ASEAN India Film Festival was held in New bi-directional road tunnel, which will provide Delhi from May 25 to 30, 2018. all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. • It was organised by Ministry of External Affairs (ASEAN Multilateral Division) as part of the • It will be situated at altitude of 11,578 feet on series of events to commemorate 25 years of Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway (NH-1A). ASEAN and India relations. 3. India ranked 145th among 195 countries in terms of Healthcare access and quality (HAQ) index in the year • The film festival was non-competitive and its 2016, behind its neighbours like China, Bangladesh, Sri tagline was ‘Friendship through Films’. Lanka and Bhutan. 6. National Informatics Centre (NIC) set up cloud-enabled National Data Centre in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

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• It will offer round-the-clock operations with • Around 2352 solar modules with a capacity of secure hosting for e-governance applications of generating 700 kwp has been set up over the ministries and departments. roof of the Guwahati railway station. • It is fourth cloud-enabled National Data Centre • Solar panels have been installed at the roof-top of NIC after Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune. solar power plant. 7. UNICEF organization launches data visualisation app on 11. According to new United Nations estimates, Delhi city is education scenario in India. projected to become the most populous city in the • The UNICEF (United Nations Children’s world around 2028. Emergency Fund) launched Data Visualisation Note: App to provide user-friendly visual ➢ India is expected to add the largest number of representation of complex analytics of urban dwellers by 2050. education scenario in India. ➢ 68% of the world population is projected to live • It was developed with technical inputs from the in urban areas by 2050. UNICEF, in collaboration with National Council ➢ Currently, 55% of the world's population lives for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in urban areas. and National Institute of Education Planning ➢ The 2018 Revision of World Urbanization and Administration (NIEPA). Prospects produced by the Population Division 8. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) & India of the UN Department of Economic and Social Meteorological Department (IMD) teamed up to send Affairs (UN DESA). extreme weather warnings (alerts) to people. 12. International Rail Coach Expo (IRCE) - Chennai, Tamil • BSNL and IMD will send area-specific alerts to Nadu. users if they happen to be at place likely to Note: experience extreme weather conditions, even if ➢ Many reputed rail car and equipment builders their phone numbers do not belong to that are showing their technology and products. particular telecom circle. ➢ It will be a unique platform to bring different 9. PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for first phase suppliers under one roof and create synergy for (2400MW) of NTPC’s coal based Patratu Super Thermal “Make in India”. power project Jharkhand. ➢ The expo is being hosted by Integral Coach • Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation Factory (ICF), under the Ministry of Railways, in stone for first phase (2400MW) of NTPC’s coal coordination with CII (Confederation of Indian based Patratu Super Thermal Power Project in Industries) and RITES Ltd. Jharkhand. 13. Commission for Scientific and Technical • The project is 74: 26 Joint Venture between Terminology adopted the word ‘AYUSH’ in Hindi and Government of Jharkhand (GoJ) and Patratu English languages for scientific and technical purposes. Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd. (PVUN), a subsidiary ➢ The “AYUSH” has become popular as the company of NTPC. acronym for five traditional and complementary 10. Guwahati now India's first railway station run by systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga & solar power. Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) • The project of installing solar panels was and successfully used in all Government commissioned last year in April 2017. communications.

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➢ The decision follows a proposal from the • Arun-3 Project is the largest capacity project in Ministry of AYUSH in this regard. the history of hydroelectricity of Nepal, 14. Shivangi Pathak become India’s youngest women to scheduled to be constructed within next five scale Mt Everest from Nepal side. years on Arun river. Note: • Nepal Govt. granted power generation license to ➢ She remains the youngest Indian woman to Indian government-owned subsidiary Satluj Jal scale Everest (considering all routes). Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) for Arun-3 15. India is the largest remittance-receiving country in the Hydropower Project located in Nepal. world in 2017, as per report ‘RemitSCOPE – Remittance 19. IIM-Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation, Incubation markets and opportunities – Asia and the Pacific’. and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) has launched the Bharat • According to the report ‘RemitSCOPE – Inclusion Initiative, with a commitment of $25 million Remittance markets and opportunities – Asia from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Omidyar and the Pacific’, India is the largest remittance- Network and Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. receiving country in the world in 2017, with • The initiative will focus on incubating and backing migrant workers from the country sending startups that work in areas such as financial home 69 billion US dollars. inclusion, livelihood, education and health. • The remittances to the Asia-Pacific region 20. Patanjali Ayurved Limited is India's most trusted amounted to 256 billion dollars last year. Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brand in the • In 2017, India with $69 billion, China with $64 TRA's Brand Trust Report 2018. billion and the Philippines with $33 billion are 21. The 15th Finance Commission constituted Arvind the three largest remittance-receiving countries Virmani Advisory Council to advise and assist the in the world. Commission? 16. US-based retail giant Walmart has confirmed that it will • The 15th Finance Commission constituted an buy 77% stake in India's largest e-commerce startup advisory council to advise and assist the Flipkart for $16 billion. commission. • The acquisition, which is the largest e- • The 6-member council will be headed by the commerce deal in the world, will value the President of Forum for Strategic Initiatives, homegrown startup at a reported amount of Arvind Virmani. $20.8 billion. • The role and functions of the council will be to 17. BJP MP Murali Manohar Joshi will be the head of the advise the commission on any issue or subject parliamentary panel which is constituted to study the related to the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the recovery of black money and performance of public Commission. sector banks among a host of subjects. 22. The IIT Kharagpur has suggested setting up a critical • As per the memorandum of the committee, the science institute with French collaboration. panel will look into the import of uranium for • The critical science approach helps one probe nuclear plants, mining activities and beneath the surface meanings of words and symbols environment, upgrading of India Post offices to comprehend root causes of problems instead of and the drought situation in the country among always treating the symptoms from a technical, other matters. quick-fix perspective. 18. Arun-3 Hydropower project being constructed in 23. The bilateral trade between India and China through Nepal. Nathu La border resumed in May 2018. Nathu La

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connects which Sikkim state with China's Tibet (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005 Autonomous Region. (PMLA), Note: • Among other things, the market regulator made • Nathu La connects the Indian Sikkim state with it clear that non-resident Indians (NRIs), China's Tibet Autonomous Region overseas citizens of India (OCI) and resident • Nathu La is one of the three open trading border Indians cannot be beneficial owners of FPIs. (Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh & Lipulekh at • NRIs and OCIs can only obtain an FPI licence on the trisection point of Uttarakhand India & condition that they limit their roles to Nepal) posts between China and India. investment advisors and do not invest their 24. SEBI tightened Know Your Customer (KYC) rules for money. foreign investors. 25. According to the WHO report, 14 Indian cities figured in • According to the new rules, in foreign portfolio a list of 20 most polluted cities in the world in terms of investor (FPI) structured as a company, a PM2.5 levels in 2016. person owning 25 percent stake would be Note: considered the beneficial owner (BO). • According to the WHO report, 14 Indian cities Note: figured in a list of 20 most polluted cities in the • If structured as trust or partnership entity, the world in terms of PM2.5 levels in 2016. threshold is 15 per cent. • In terms of PM10 levels, 13 cities in India • If the fund originates from a high-risk authority, figured among the 20 most-polluted cities of the any person owning 10 per cent stake or more world in 2016. in an FPI would be considered a beneficial • The most polluted city in India is Kanpur with a owner (BO). PM 2.5 concentration of 173 micrograms per • Beneficial Owner is the natural person(s) cubic metre, followed by Faridabad, Varanasi who ultimately owns or controls an FPI and and Gaya. should be identified in accordance with Rule 9 • The PM2.5 includes pollutants like sulphate, of the Prevention of Money laundering nitrate and black carbon, which pose the greatest risk to human health.

April

1. India’s first 5G radio laboratory installed by IIT Delhi • The National Institutional Ranking Framework • This will be the first such lab in India. (NIRF), 'India Rankings', India's own top • It will reduce effects of exposure and radiation university rankings under 9 different compared to the 3G/4G systems. categories is being released by Human 2. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Resources Development (HRD) Minister Prakash • As per the ranking released by the national Javadekar. institutional ranking framework (NIRF), the IISc • The premier healthcare institute All India stood first in the university category, followed Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi was by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and ranked number one institute under medical Banaras Hindu University (BHU). college category.

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• Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT- • Norway topped the World Press Freedom Index M) has been adjudged the best engineering 2018. college. • Sweden and Netherlands stood on the second • Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad and the third rank respectively. (IIM-A) the best management institution. • The Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of 3. The Union Government constituted a Narendra Kumar countries published by Reporters Without Sinha committee to frame regulations for online news Borders. portals. 9. India is the highest recipient of remittances in 2017, as 4. Jio Payments Bank Limited recently started its operation. per World Bank (WB)’s latest report “Migration and Jio Payments Bank is a joint venture between Reliance Development Brief”. Industries and SBI. • As per the Migration and Development report of • Jio Payments Bank is a joint venture between World Bank, India has retained top position as Reliance Industries and the country's biggest recipient of remittances with about $69 billion in lender, State Bank of India. 2017. • China with ($64 billion) stood on the second • Airtel Payments Bank Ltd is the first payments positions followed by Philippines ($33 billion), bank in India. Mexico ($31 billion), Nigeria ($22 billion) and 5. Rank of India in the world in terms of risk of cyber Egypt ($20 billion). threats in 2017 - 3rd • Remittances means a sum of money sent in • As per latest report by security solutions payment or as a gift by a foreigner to an provider ‘Symantec’ India ranked at the 3rd individual in his/her home country. positions in most vulnerable country in terms of 10. Diu smart city became the first city in India, that runs on risk of cyber threats, such as malware, spam and 100% renewable energy during the daytime. ransomware, in 2017. • According to Urban Affairs Ministry, Diu smart • The list is topped by U.S., followed by China. city developed a 9-MW solar park which spread 6. Multi Modal Logistic Park launched in Goa over 50 hectares rocky barren land. • Multi Modal Logistics Park launched at Balli • Diu is a town in Diu district in the union territory station near Madgaon in Goa. of Daman and Diu, India. • The park is setup as per the agreement made • Daman and Diu is an union territory in Western between Konkan Railway & Container India which was established in 30 May 1987. Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR). • Daman is the capital of Daman and Diu. • It is located on Konkan Railway route. 11. Pawan Chamling became the longest serving Chief 7. Mangaluru International Airport named as the India’s Minister of India. cleanest airport, as per latest survey conducted by the • Sikkim Chief Minister ‘Pawan Chamling’(68- Airports Authority of India (AAI). year) is the longest-serving Chief Minister in 8. Rank of India in World Press Freedom Index 2018 - 138 India after India's independence. • India ranked at 138 positions in World Press • The tenure of his service is 23 years 4 months 19 Freedom Index 2018. days. • Last year in 2017 India stood at 136th in the • He governed the Sikkim state for five successive index. terms (1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014) since 12th December 1994.

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• He surpassed the record of Mr. Jyoti Basu. • According to the Ministry of Panchayati • Mr. Jyoti Basu was the chief minister of West Digambarpur Gram Panchayat at Patharpratima Bengal for five consecutive terms from June 21, block in South 24-Parganas in West Bengal state 1977, to November 6, 2000. stood best GP out of 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in 12. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) became the first listed the country. Indian IT firm to hit $100 billion market capitalisation 15. The Union Home Ministry totally removed Armed (m-cap). Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from all areas of • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) created history Meghalaya state. by becoming the first listed Indian IT company to • AFSPA stands for - Armed Forces Special Powers hit the $100 billion market capitalisation (m-cap) Act. mark. • In April 2018, the Union Home Ministry totally • On April 23, 2018, the market value of the removed AFSPA from all areas of Meghalaya company stood at Rs 6.53 lakh crore. TCS state and from eight out of 16 police stations in breached the Rs 3,500 ($52.87) per share mark Arunachal Pradesh. for the first time, reaching $100 billion in market • In 2015, the Tripura government had lifted capitalisation. AFSPA from the state after 18 years. • Reliance with a market capitalization of • Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA), ₹5,92,428 crore and HDFC Bank (₹5,01,644 are Acts of the that grant special powers to the in crore) is at second and third position what each act terms "disturbed areas. respectively. 16. India ranked at 10th positions in the 2018 13. The Haryana state government appointed Gauri Sheoran Commonwealth Innovation Index (CII- 2018). an Indian shooter as the brand ambassador of Measles • The index was launched as part of a new and Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign. 14. West Bengal state Gram Panchayat (GP) won the Commonwealth Innovation Hub on the sidelines Centre's award for the best Gram Panchayat in the of the 25th Commonwealth Heads of country. Government Meeting (CHOGM 2018). • West Bengal once again topped in the country 17. Ajit Doval Committee - The Union Government with Digambarpur Gram Panchayat (GP) constituted Defence Planning Committee (DPC) to bagged the Centre’s award for the best GP in the facilitate comprehensive planning for the defence forces. country. It will be chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

March

1. According to the Niti Aayog baseline ranking for the country, while Mewat in Haryana is the aspirational districts Vizianagaram district is the best most backward district. performing district of the country. • While Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon and Note: Maharashtra’s Osmanabad lie second and third • According to the Niti Aayog, Andhra Pradesh’s on the top of the table. Vizianagaram is the best-performing district of

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• Mewat is preceded by Madhya Pradesh’s • Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Singrauli and Telangana’s Asifabad at the Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananthkumar bottom of the list. announced that the Government of India has • Niti Aayog released the baseline ranking for 101 approved the setting up of a Plastic Park in aspirational districts based on 49 indicators Deoghar District, Jharkhand. across five sectors that includes health and 8. The biggest solar power plant of Uttar Pradesh was set nutrition, education, agriculture, and water up in Mirzapur districts. resources, financial inclusion and skill Note: • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French development and basic infrastructure. President Emmanuel Macron have jointly 2. India is the world top almond importer. inaugurated the 75MW solar power plant at Note: Dadar Kalan village in Mirzapur district of • According to Almond Board of California data, Uttar Pradesh. Almond imports into India rose 7 per cent to • The largest solar power plant in Uttar Pradesh has worth $600 million (about ₹3,900 crore) in been built in collaboration with French solar 2017 against $560 million (₹3,640 crore) in power giant Engie under the International Solar 2016. Alliance (ISA) programme. 9. India’s first helicopter-taxi service has launched in • India surpass China and Spain to emerge as the Bengaluru. world’s largest consumer of the nut in recent 10. Rank of India in the World Economic Forum (WEF) times. Transition Index 2018 - 78th 3. Chandigarh city became the first city in North India to • India ranked at 78th positions among 114 install Automatic Speed Gun Cameras with digital countries on the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s displays for traffic management. Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2018. 4. World longest Sandstone Cave discovered in • Top 3 countries in the list are - Sweden, followed Meghalaya. by Norway and Switzerland. Note: 11. India’s first cloned Assamese buffalo male calf ‘Sach- • The world’s longest sandstone cave named Gaurav’ born in Hisar, Haryana. Krem Puri was discovered near Laitsohum 12. Diu Union territory became the India’s first Union village in Mawsynram area in East Khasi Hills territory to run completely on solar power. district of Meghalaya. Note: 5. Govt decided to declare 2018 as National Year of • Diu became the India’s first Union Territory (UT) Millets. to run 100% on solar power energy. 6. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched • Diu has a total area of 42 square kilometers and India’s first Sign Language Dictionary of 3000. the installation of the solar power plants has • The dictionary is developed by Indian Sign been done in over 50 acres. Language Research & Training Centre 13. Country’s first national coastal policing academy will be (ISLR&TC) under Department of Empowerment set up in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). Note: • ‘Thaawar Chand Gehlot’ is a Union Minister of • This is the country’s first national coastal policing Social Justice and Empowerment. academy which will be set up to train police 7. Plastic park in India will be set up in Deoghar, forces in effectively safeguarding the Indian Jharkhand. shoreline.

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February

1. Development of Solar Cities” scheme launched by the • In case of failed transaction, it will be able to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). alert toll operator to collect payment manually • MNRE has sanctioned development of 60 Solar and not open the gate. Cities including 13 Pilot and 5 Model Cities up to 3. Google & NCERT signed agreement to teach students 12th Five-year Plan period (2012–2017). digital safety. - Google and National Council of Aim – reducing minimum 10% in projected demand of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has signed conventional energy at end of five years, through an agreement to integrate a course on ‘Digital Citizenship combination of enhancing supply from renewable energy and Safety’ in information and communication sources in city and energy efficiency measures. technology (ICT) curriculum. Objective - Enable and empower Urban Local Aim - to bring awareness amongst the young generation Governments (ULBs) to address energy challenges at of India to make Internet a Safe space. City-level. 4. Three tools to rank states and union territories - The 2. Pay as You Use Tolling – National Highways Authority Commerce and Industry Ministry (DIPP) has launched of India (NHAI) will launch a pilot project “Pay as You three tools to rank states and union territories based on Use Tolling” on the Delhi - Mumbai national highway. measures taken by them to promote budding Objective - to study implement ability of system in the entrepreneurs. country. These tools will help promote the start-up drive - Note: (i) start-up-India ranking framework, • The proposed tolling system will work on (ii) compendium of good practices for promoting combination of mobile telecommunications startups in India and technology (GSM) and satellite-based Global (iii) Startup India Kit. Positioning System (GPS). • It will be able to deduct money from vehicle account, credit money to concessionaire within one day and open toll gate. January

4. Rapid Reporting System (RRS) launched by the Union 1. GeM 3.0 – (Government e-Marketplace) - The Ministry Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD). of Commerce & Industry has launched third version of • Rapid Reporting System is a web based on line the Government e-Marketplace (GeM 3.0). monitoring for Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG). Aim - to transform the way in which procurement of 5. Management Information System (MIS) portal goods and services is done by the Government launched by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Ministries/Departments, PSUs, autonomous bodies etc. Development (WCD) has launched for Anganwadi 2. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) will be Services Training Programme. set up in New Delhi. It will be set up by the Union Home 6. ‘Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities’ Ministry. launched in Goa by the Union Ministry of Housing and 3. India-Japan Smart Grid Pilot Project launched in Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Panipat, Haryana. • It has been developed under Swachh Bharat Mission Objective – to solve the various complications faced by – Urban for rating cities on 7-star rating system the power distribution sector.

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based on multiple cleanliness indicators for solid • The fund was announced by Minister of Power and waste management. New and Renewable Energy R K Singh at first ever ISA 7. “Bharat Ke Veer” an official anthem launched by the outreach programmes ‘International Solar Alliance Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Forum’ held in Abu Dhabi’s World Future Energy • The song is composed by the singer . Summit (WFES) 2018. • ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ is an initiative with corpus fund • International Solar Alliance (ISA) headquarter is in to help the families of paramilitary troopers killed in Gurugram, Haryana, India. the line of duty. So far, it has raised Rs. 12.93 crore 13. ‘iCREATE’ facility launched at Deo Dholera Village in for kin of paramilitary personnel killed in the line of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. duty. • It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister • Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has been Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart appointed as brand ambassador of ‘Bharat Ke Veer’ Benjamin Netanyahu initiative. • iCreate aims to develop an ecosystem in India to 8. ‘Liveability index’ launched by the Union Ministry of generate quality entrepreneurs. Housing and Urban affairs (MoHUA) to rate 116 Indian 14. The NITI Aayog has launched first course on Sustainable cities. Urban planning using remote sensing and Geographic Note: Information System (GIS) at IIT Kanpur’s outreach centre • Liveability index is tool that aims to measure in Noida. quality of life in 99 smart cities, capital cities and About Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) those with a population of over one million. • GIAN in Higher Education is scheme of HRD Ministry • It will be funded by the World Bank and ranking that aims to boost the quality of the country’s higher of these cities is expected to be ready by June education through international collaboration. 2018. 15. Operation Digital Board launched by the Central 9. 2018 as National Year of Millets - Government has Advisory Board of Education (CABE). approved 2018 as National Year of Millets to boost Objective - to improve quality of education. production of the nutrient-rich millets and the sunrise Key points agri industry involved in it. • Govt plans to install digital boards in all schools in 10. India became the 43rd member of the Australia Group. next five years. • Australia Group is an informal bloc (group) of • Under it, students will be empowered with 360 countries that keeps a tight control over exports degree information with interesting learning of substances used in making of chemical experience and increase teacher accountability. weapons. • It will be undertaken jointly by Centre, State, 11. India’s first automatic Early Warning Dissemination Corporate Social Responsibility and community. System (EWDS) will be commissioned by March 2018 in 16. The International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Odisha. Infrastructure (IWDRI) was held in New Delhi. It was • It will provide Odhisa’s entire population residing on inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. 480 km length coastline a pre-warning siren in event 17. ‘Teen Murti Chowk’ in central New Delhi was renamed of occurrence of natural disasters like tsunami or as ‘Teen Murti-Haifa’ after Israeli City Haifa. cyclone. 18. Delhi is the richest state in India - National Family and 12. Solar Development Fund of $350 million will be set up Health Survey (NFHS-4). for financing solar projects under the International Solar Note: Alliance (ISA). • Bihar is the poorest state.

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• Punjab is the other state that is featured at top in • SFOORTI stands for - Smart Freight Operation the list in terms of richest states of the country. Optimisation & Real Time Information. • Delhi is the richest states with 60% of their • Objective - to monitor and manage freight households in the top wealth quintile. business using Geographic Information System • Bihar is the poorest state having more than 50% (GIS) views and dashboard. 22. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has households in the bottom wealth quintile. introduced two-tier security feature viz. Virtual • The survey was conducted on more than 6 lakh ID and Limited KYC to address privacy concerns. households of country. Aim - to strengthen security and privacy of Aadhaar data. • According to report, 29% of the rural population Virtual ID - The Virtual ID will be random 16-digit is poor, whereas the percentage of poor people in number that can be generated from UIDA’s website and urban areas is just 3.3%. give for various purposes, wherever Aadhaar number is • Among religious communities, Jains are the necessary to provide. richest with more than 70% of their population Limited KYC - It was introduced to address issue of in the top quintile. storage of Aadhaar number within various databases. It • Survey conducted by the Union Ministry of will only provide need-based or limited details of user to Health and Family Welfare. authorised agency that is providing particular service. It • Objective - To collect essential data on health and will evaluate Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) and family welfare needed for policy and programme split them into two categories: Global AUAs and Local purpose. AUAs. 19. Saksham 2018 (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) 23. First digital Online Oncology Tutorial – launched by launched by the Petroleum Conservation Research the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Ministry of • It was designed by the Tata Memorial Centre. Petroleum & Natural Gas Aim - to train the doctors across the country to educate • Saksham is annual flagship event of PCRA with them in early detection, prevention, palliation, active involvement of Oil & Gas PSUs along with rehabilitation and treatment of various cancers. other stakeholders like State Governments. 24. Asia's longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel - The 20. NITI Aayog to rank 115 backward (aspirational) districts by April 2018. government approved the Rs. 6,809-crore strategic • It will be ranked on 10 socio-economic Zojila pass tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir. parameters which will include nutrition, Objective - To provide all-weather connectivity between education and health. Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the • It was announced at ‘Transformation of rest of the world during winters due to heavy snowfall. Aspirational Districts’ conference. 25. India and Vietnam country released the first-ever • The Union Government had selected 115 Memorial Stamps to mark the long-term friendly backward districts for rapid transformation by bilateral relationships between the two countries. 2022 in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s • The two set of stamps released carry picture of vision to create a “New India” over the next five Sanchi Stupa and Thien Mu Pagoda. years. 26. Mumbai Matunga Railway station figured in the • These 115 backward districts include 35 districts ‘Limca Book of Records 2018’ for having an all-woman affected by Left Wing Extremists (LWE) violence, staff. 55 districts just affected by LWE and another 15

including districts in Jammu and Kashmir and • The achievement comes six months after northeast affected by terrorism. ‘Matunga’ became the first railway station in the 21. SFOORTI app launched by the Ministry of Railways. country to be run by an all-woman staff.

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27. ‘Swachh Aadat, Swachh Bharat’ a new campaign • Another set of train, named as Train 20, likely launched by the Hindustan Unilever Limited. to be launched in 2020. These will also be • Objective - to promote simple hygiene habits equipped with world class facilities to replace among children. another elite train, Rajdhani Express, used in • Film actress Devgan appointed ambassador overnight travel. for the initiative. • Both Train 18 and Train 20, a “Make in India” 28. Railways will roll out a 'first of its kind' semi-high project by ICF will be manufactured at a price speed, self-propelled train – ‘Train 18’ & ‘Train 20’ half than the cost of imported train sets. • The Chennai-based Railways’ Integral Coach • Both train can travel at speeds of up to 160 Factory (ICF) has designed the train sets and will kmph. manufacture the first with 16 fully air- conditioned coaches by June 2018. • Touted as Train 18, it will have ‘world-class’ 29. India’s second largest rooftop solar power plant passenger amenities such as on-board Wi-fi and commissioned at Pata in Uttar Pradesh. infotainment, GPSbased passenger information • It was commissioned by GAIL India Ltd. system and plush interiors with diffused LED • It is 5.76 MWp (Mega Watt peak) solar plant. lighting.

State Affairs

December

1. Odisha’s Kandhamal Haldi to get GI tag • The launch coincided with the state’s • Odisha’s Kandhamal Haldi (turmeric) will soon formation day and the inaugural day of the get Geographical Indications (GI) tag. 2018 edition of the Hornbill Festival. • Kandhamal Haldi is famous for its healing 3. PEETHA scheme launched in Odisha to reinforce properties. It is main cash crop of tribal people brand Naveen in Kandhamal. • Odisha government launched PEETHA scheme • Apart from domestic use, it is also used for which aimed at creating awareness about various cosmetic and medicinal purposes. schemes and improving transparency in 2. Nagaland becomes first north-eastern state to distribution of individual and social benefits. launch single emergency number ‘112’ • PEETHA stands for - Peoples Empowerment • The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Enabling Transparency and Accountability of December 1, 2018 launched the single Odisha Initiatives (PEETHA). emergency number ‘112’ under 4. Rajnath Singh inaugurated 19th Hornbill Festival Response Support System (ERSS) for the state in Nagaland of Nagaland. • Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 19th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland on 55th Nagaland Statehood Day.

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• In 1963, Nagaland attains its statehood and was declared as the 16th state of the India.

November

1. Himachal Pradesh Approves Sashakt Mahila Yojna on different domains simultaneously, it was • The Himachal Pradesh government launched decided to launch KOOL. the Sashakt Mahila Yojna in the state. • KOOL has been designed in a MOOC (Massive • The objective is to empower rural women by Open Online Course) model. providing them an interface for organization 5. Nongkrem Dance festival celebrated in Meghalaya and socio-economic development. • Nongkrem dance festival, celebrated in 2. UP Cabinet approves renaming of Faizabad as Meghalaya. Ayodhya, Allahabad as Prayagraj • It is an annual event during which prayers are • The Uttar Pradesh government has approved offered for good harvest, peace, and prosperity renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions of the community. as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively. 6. Sangai tourism festival held in Manipur • The decision was taken at a meeting of the • The annual Sangai Festival was celebrated in state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister north-eastern state of Manipur. Yogi Adityanath. • It is grandest festival of state named after state • Earlier, the government renamed the animal, Sangai, the critically endangered brow- Mughalsarai Railway station, another historic antlered deer found only in Manipur. spot, as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction. • The festival aims to promote Manipur as world 3. India’s First Justice City to set up in Andhra class tourism destination. It was inaugurated Pradesh by Union Defence Minister Nirmala • Andhra Pradesh is building a world-class and Sitharaman. India’s first ‘Justice City’ within its new capital • Sangai Deer (Rucervus eldii) also called the Amaravati with the vision to provide a state- Dancing Deer. of-the-art ecosystem built on latest technology • It is the state animal of Manipur. for supporting the judicial system in the state. 7. Titli’, the severe cyclonic storm that devastated Odisha 4. Kerala Introduces New Open Online Learning in October 2018 as ‘rarest cyclone’. Programme: ‘KOOL’ 8. Andhra Pradesh Government launches Bhuseva • The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for and Bhudaar web portal Education (KITE) has rolled out– KOOL, its • Andhra Pradesh Government has launched Online Open Learning training platform. Bhuseva and Bhudaar web portal through • The platform can be used to train teachers, which people can view land records online. students and the general public. • People can get land record records online • With the state’s schools going Hi-Tech, through these portals using Aadhaar card. requiring teachers and students to be trained Bhudaar security policy was also launched to provide security to the land records of farmers.

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Bhudaar • The Odisha government announced a new • It is 11 digit unique identification code to be Biotechnology Policy 2018 to attract assigned to each agriculture land holding and investments in the sector at the concluding day rural and urban property. of the Make in Odisha Conclave, held in • It will allow people to get land details on their Bhubaneswar. mobile phones. 13. India International Cherry Blossom Festival held in • It will help to transparency in land records. It Meghalaya provides information related to all • The third edition of the India International transactions of particular land or property in Cherry Blossom Festival 2018 was held in single source. Shillong. 9. West Bengal Assembly passes Bill to give land • It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister rights to enclave dwellers in north Bengal Conrad K Sangma in the presence of Japanese • West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu. West Bengal Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 14. Khasi fest Seng Kut Snem celebrated in Meghalaya 2018 to give land rights to enclave dwellers in • The annual Seng Kut Snem festival is north Bengal. celebrated to commemorate the Seng Khasi • The bill will end era of uncertain future for the Movement to preserve, protect and uphold people residing in those enclaves as it will help indigenous Khasi religion and culture. them to get full-fledged status as citizens of • This year the festivities marked the 119th India, along with all civic amenities and rights. anniversary of the Seng Khasi Movement. • It will also help in distribution of land rights 15. Wangala Festival held in Meghalaya documents people of enclaves in border • Wangala Festival of Meghalaya is a most district of Cooch Behar. popular festival among the Garos of 10. Jharkhand to provide free mobile phones to 28 Meghalaya, India. lakh farmers, says CM • Also known as a 100 drums festival, Wangala • Jharkhand Chief Minister Festival is the occasion when the tribals offer announced that the government will provide sacrifices to please their main deity Saljong - free mobile phones to 28 lakh farmers and a the Sun God. separate electric feeder for them for 16. Meghalaya announces Rs 378-cr investment in agriculture purpose by 2019/2021. Aqua Mission 2.0 11. Signature Bridge inaugurated in Delhi • The Meghalaya Government announced Rs378 • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal crore investment in the second phase of the inaugurated the Delhi's Signature Bridge, over State’s flagship aquaculture mission aimed at river ‘Yamuna’. cutting down fish imports into the hill State. • It is the first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge • The mission — Meghalaya State Aqua Mission in India. 2.0 — was announced by Fisheries Minister • The bridge was constructed by the Delhi Comingone Ymbon at the 5th state aqua Tourism and Transport Development festival held in Shillong. Corporation (DTTDC) at an expenditure of Rs 17. Lucknow’s Ekana cricket stadium renamed after 1,518.37 crore. Atal Bihari Vajpayee 12. Odisha Government Announced New • Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to Biotechnology Policy rename newly-built Ekana International

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Stadium in capital city Lucknow after former • A total of 2,26,367 households (Out of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 3,57,405) were already proposed under the • The stadium with a seating capacity of around ongoing Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti 50,000 will now be known as ‘Bharat Ratna Yojana -(DDUGJY)' and other allied schemes. Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket 23. INS Viraat to be turned into maritime museum Stadium’. • The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the • Note: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesg Yogi conversion of decommissioned carrier INS Adityanath also renamed Allahabad as Viraat into a floating museum. Prayagraj and Mughalsarai as Pt. Deen Dayal • It will make the new generation familiar with Upadhyaya Nagar. the glorious history of INS Viraat. 18. Shut down of Sterlite Copper plant in Tamil Nadu • The carrier will be housed on a concrete • A National Green Tribunal (NGT) Committee foundation near Nivati Rocks in Sindhudurg in ruled that the closure of the Sterlite copper Konkan region of the state. plant in Tamil Nadu is not sustainable and is 24. Mo Bus services launched in Odisha against the natural justice, thus, the closure is • The Odisha government has launched Mo Bus not justified. services for the residents of Bhubaneswar, 19. Punjab becomes 3rd state to ban hookah bars or Cuttack and Puri. lounges 25. New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has • Punjab becomes third state in the country after launched quick response (QR)-enabled fridge Maharashtra and Gujarat to ban hookah bars magnets for digital payment of bills. or lounges. • The magnets are personalized, and each 20. Cyclone Gaja strike in Tamil Nadu customer will have unique QR Code mapped to • Parts of coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry their consumer account number. get widespread rainfall as Cyclone Gaja comes • It is powered by an IT and services company closer to the Tamil Nadu coast. ‘SignCatch’. It is a two-dimensional (matrix) 21. Jharkhand celebrates 18th foundation day on 15th machine-readable bar code made up of black November and white square. • Jharkhand state celebrated its 18th • This code can be read by the camera of a foundation day on 15th November 2018. smartphone. • The Jharkhand state was carved out of the 26. The West Bengal Govt. has decided to observe southern part of Bihar on 15 November “Rosogulla Day” on - 14th November. 2000. • The day commemorate the first anniversary of 22. J&K Governor Mr Satya Pal Malik flagged off Bengal’s Rosogolla getting the Geographical ‘SAUBHAGYA RATH’ Indication (GI) tag at the ‘Mishti hub’. • ‘SAUBHAGYA RATH’ comprising 20 vehicles 27. The Kerala Government has launched the ‘Cow each for one District of Kashmir and Jammu Samridhi Plus Scheme’ to provide insurance coverage divisions from _Raj Bhawan, Jammu. to dairy farmers in the state. • The SAUBHAGYA RATH under ‘Pradhan Mantri 28. The fifteen days Aadi Mahotsav festival has begun in Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ - SAUBHAGYA Delhi. shall move in each district for one month, to 29. The Gujarat government has launched a Rs 351-crore rule out the possibility of any household project for the conservation of the Gir lions. remaining un-electrified. Note: The project is launched in the backdrop of the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) outbreak that claimed

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23 Asiatic lion lives in their only dwelling Gir National 31. Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rajat Kumar park in Saurashtra. inaugurated five-day exhibition on -- Our Vote- Our 30. The first edition of ‘Arunachal Literature Festival’ Future. is being organized in Itanagar. 32. To increase transparency and build transport Note: The theme of the Arunachal Literature Festival is solutions, the transport department of the Delhi ‘building bridges through literature’. The festival government has launched the Open Transit Data organized by the State Information and Public Relation platform. Department ((IPR).

October

1. Bihar’s Shahi litchi gets Geographical Indication cannisters based and India's first "Methanol tag Cooking Fuel Program". • Shahi Litchi from Bihar has received • The program was inaugurated by Dr V K Geographical Indication (GI) tag from Chennai Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and Chairman based Geographical Indication Registry and at Namrup. Intellectual Property India. 5. Alphonso mango from 5 districts of Maharashtra • The GI registration was done in name of gets Geographical Indication tag - Chennai based Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual of Bihar. Property India has granted Alphonso mango from 5 2. Gujarat’s First Mega Food Park Inaugurated in districts of Maharashtra gets Geographical Indication Surat (GI) tag. • Union Minister for Food Processing Industries • These five districts Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated the Palghar, Thane and Raigad are from western first Mega Food Park in Gujarat. Konkan coastal region of State. • It is located at Village Shah and Vasravi, Taluka • With this recognition, Alphonso has joined list Mangrol, District Surat. of 325 products from India with GI tag. • A 2nd Mega Food Park has been sanctioned by 6. BPCL To Set Up Country's 1st Biofuel Plant in the Ministry in Mehsana District of Gujarat. Odisha - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) 3. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves renaming of will complete commissioning of its second generation Allahabad to Prayagraj - Uttar Pradesh Cabinet led by (2G) ethanol bio-refinery at Baulsingha village in CM Yogi Adityanath has approved the proposal to Bargarh district of Odisha by 2020. rename Allahabad, which will be called Prayagraj with 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated modern immediate effect. food processing facilities, including Amul's ultra- • The new name derives from a place in the city modern Chocolate Plant in Anand. called Prayag, where three rivers flowing 8. PM inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi Museum in across the state meet. Rajkot. 4. India's 1st 'Methanol Cooking Fuel Program' 9. PM inaugurated the Mundra LNG terminal, the Anjar- launched in Assam Mundra Pipeline Project and the Palanpur-Pali-Barmer • Northeast and Assam Petro-chemicals, a state- pipeline project, at Anjar. owned company for launched Asia's first

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10. Niwari announced as 52nd district of Madya 52nd district of the state and came into effect from Pradesh - Madhya Pradesh Government has October 1, 2018. announced creation of new district Niwari. It will be

September

1. cricket ground gets world's new Cyber University dedicated to mitigating cyber largest solar rooftop - The World's largest solar threats. rooftop installed on Braboune stadium, at Cricket Club • It will train 3,000 professionals to fight online of India, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. space cyber-attacks, internet crimes and • Tata Power' has commissioned 820.8kWp for conduct cyber forensics. the installation of the solar rooftop project. 8. Country’s first Tribal Tourism circuit launched in • It will help to generate over 1.12 million Chhattisgarh - Union minister K J Alphons, the electricity per year, which will thus lead to Minister of State for Tourism, inaugurated the 25% of savings in the power consumption cost. country's first tribal circuit project connecting 13 2. PM Modi Inaugurated Sikkim's First Airport in tourism sites in Chhattisgarh. Pakyong - Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated • This project was sanctioned by the Ministry of the Pakyong Airport in Sikkim, nine years after the Tourism in February 2016 for Rs. 99.21 Crores. foundation stone was laid. • The project was implemented under the • Pakyong airport is India’s 100th functional Tourism Ministry's Swadesh Darshan scheme airport and one of the country’s five highest launched in 2014-15 for development of airports. thematic circuits in the country in a planned • The airport is located around 60 km from the and prioritized manner. Indo-China border. 9. Rajasthan govt. to Provide free mobile Phones to 3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a new Women of BPL families - In a bid to boost Prime airport at Jharsuguda in Odisha. Minister Narendra Modi's flagship 'Digital India' 4. Festival of Nuakhai Being Celebrated in Odisha - campaign, Rajasthan government will soon distribute The festival of Nuakhai is being celebrated in Odisha. mobile phones to women under the Bhamashah During this harvest festival of western Odisha. Yojana. 5. Indian Culinary Institute inaugurated in Tirupati, 10. India’s first insect museum opened in Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh • India’s first insect museum with state-of-the- 6. Uttarakhand Assembly adopts resolution to art amenities was unveiled at Tamil Nadu declare cow rashtra mata - Uttarakhand Assembly Agricultural University campus in Coimbatore, has unanimously passed resolution seeking status of Tamil Nadu. “rashtra mata — mother of the nation” for cow. 11. Tamil Nadu Government bans manufacture and sale of 7. Maharashtra Government to set up new Cyber e-cigarettes with immediate effect in the state. University - Maharashtra Government is setting up

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August

1. Chhattisgarh announces renaming of Naya Raipur Manufactured by the Bharat Energy Storage to Atal Nagar - In a tribute to the late former prime Technology Private Limited (BEST). minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet 5. Khangchendzonga becomes 11th Biosphere approved the proposal to rename Naya Raipur as 'Atal Reserve included in WNBR - The Khangchendzonga Nagar'. Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim, surrounding the world’s 2. Chhattisgarh, first State to provide Right to Skills’ third highest peak Mount Khangchendzonga, has been Development to Youth - Chhattisgarh Chief Minister added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere announced that Chhattisgarh is the first Reserves, making it the 11th biosphere in India to be among the 28 other states in the country to provide included in the network. Right to Skills’ Development to the youth. Note: The core zone of Khangchendzonga National 3. Goa Tourism’s App-Based Taxi Service Flagged Off - Park already has been designated World Heritage Site Goa Chief Minister and Tourism in 2016 under ‘mixed’ category (first from India in this Minister flagged off the Goa category). Tourism Development Corporation’s app-based taxi 6. Rajasthan first State to implement Biofuel Policy - service called ‘GOAMILES’ in Panaji. Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to 4. World’s first Thermal Battery plant inaugurated in implement the national policy on biofuels unveiled by Andhra Pradesh - The world's first-ever thermal the Centre this year. battery plant was unveiled in Andhra Pradesh by the Note: The policy on biofuels seeks to help farmers state’s Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. dispose of their surplus stock in an economic manner and reduce the country’s oil import dependence.

July 1. Odisha to get country’s 1st Skill Training Centre – Industries Group on the campus of Shriram Rayons in Union Minister for Skill Development and Kota, Rajasthan. Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan announced 4. Regional Rail Training Institute inaugurated at that the Centre is planning to set up one National Skill Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh - Indian Railways Training Institute (NSTI) in every State to meet the inaugurated Regional Rail Training Institute (RRTI) at rising demand for skilled manpower in the country. He Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh in a bid to strengthen laid the foundation stone of country’s first such skill expertise and capabilities of the employees of North- training institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Eastern Railways. 2. PM Modi dedicates Bansagar Canal Project to 5. NABARD launches South East Asia’s first ever Nation in Mirzapur, UP - The Prime Minister Centre for Climate Change in Lucknow - National Narendra Modi dedicated the Bansagar Canal Project Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to the Nation in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. This project (NABARD) has launched Centre for Climate Change in will provide a big boost to irrigation in the region, and Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. will be greatly beneficial for the farmers of Mirzapur • It is first of its kind centre in South East Asia. and Allahabad districts of Uttar Pradesh. • It aims at accelerating concerted climate action 3. India’s 1st private UAV factory to come up in Kota - by various stakeholders in government, India’s first private sector unit for manufacturing private, financial and non -government sectors. Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) and light bullet proof 6. Chhattisgarh CM launch mobile distribution vehicles (LBPV) will be set up by DCM Shriram Scheme 'Mobile Tihar' - Actress and

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Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh launched a smartphone Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar ranked distribution scheme called 'Mobile Tihar' under the lowest, indicating higher social and Sanchar Kranti Yojna. economic inequalities in the states. Note: Smaller states (with population less than two crore): • The scheme includes distribution of • Himachal Pradesh topped the list followed by smartphones to 45 lakh women and 5 lakh Goa, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura. Nagaland, children, and setting up of 556 new mobile Manipur and Meghalaya were ranked at towers. bottom of the index among small states. • The Chhattisgarh government is working 10. Animals Declared As ‘Legal Persons’ in towards improving network connectivity and Uttarakhand - In a first, the Uttarakhand High Court empowering youth with smartphones. accorded the status of ‘legal person or entity’ to the 7. Rajasthan signs MoU for the 1st Cow Sanctuary in animals in the state. The HC stated that "they have a State - Rajasthan Government signed an MoU with a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and private trust Sohanlalji Buladeviji Ojha Gaushala Samiti liabilities of a living person." to build its first 'Cow Sanctuary', a shelter for 10000 11. Gujarat Government has granted religious cows. This will be the first cow sanctuary in Rajasthan minority status to Jews living in the state. and will be situated in Bikaner’s Napasar. • Gujarat is third state in India to grant religious 8. Himachal Pradesh launches Shaur Nahin mobile minority status to Jews after West Bengal and application - Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Maharashtra. Thakur launched ‘horn not ok’ awareness campaign 12. Jharkhand To Set Up Country's 1st Khadi Mall: and ‘shaur nahin’ (no noise) mobile application in state Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced capital Shimla. that the first 'Khadi Mall' of the country will be opened 9. Public Affairs Index 2018: Kerala tops list of best in Jharkhand. governed States for third time - According to Public 13. Behdienkhlam Festival concludes in Meghalaya: The Affairs Index (PAI) 2018, Kerala tops the list as best- famous 4-day Meghalaya Annual Cultural Festival, governed state in the country followed by Tamil Nadu. "Behdienkhlam", held every year at the small • The index was released by the think tank peripheral town of Jowai, Meghalaya. Public Affairs Centre (PAC). 14. Animals Declared As ‘Legal Persons’ in • Kerala has topped PAI as the best-governed Uttarakhand: In a first, the Uttarakhand High Court state for the third consecutive year since 2016 accorded the status of ‘legal person or entity’ to the among large states animals in the state. The HC stated that "they have a Large States: distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and • Kerala has topped the list, followed by Tamil liabilities of a living person." Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka and Gujarat.

June

1. Madhya Pradesh was awarded by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for reducing maternal mortality under Prime Minister’s Safe Motherhood Campaign (Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan-PMSMA). • The state was awarded for registering unprecedented 48-digit decline in maternal deaths from 2014 to 2016 as per report of Registrar General of India (RGI).

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2. Governor’s Rule imposed in which state -Jammu and Kashmir. • Governor’s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir. • This is the eighth time in the last four decades J&K was put under Governor’s rule and third time under J&K Governor N N Vohra tenure. 3. Punjab state launched “Business First Portal" a major step to give a big push towards the ease of doing business in the state. • In a major step to give a big push towards the ease of doing business in Punjab, the state government has launched a "Business First Portal". 4. Neem and black buck have been declared as the state tree and animal respectively of Andhra Pradesh state. • Neem and black buck have been declared as the state tree and animal respectively of Andhra Pradesh. • Rose-ringed parakeet will be the state bird while jasmine will be the state flower. 5. In Uttarakhand, Polythene will be completely prohibited from 31st July in the state. All the polythene vendors have been asked to finish the polyethylene stock before 31st July. 6. Following directions from Supreme Court, the Central Government has constituted the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CMA) to address the dispute over sharing of river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. 7. The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to do away with semester system in undergraduate (UG) courses and revert to annual examination system. • HP Govt had set up a review committee headed by former vice-chancellor to review RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) and it has recommended reverting back to annual examination system. 8. Queen' Pineapple fruit declared as official fruit of Tripura state. • President Ram Nath Kovind announced that the "queen" variety of pineapple would be Tripura's state fruit. • Tripura exported its first consignment of one tonne pineapples to Dubai earlier this month. • Tripura is one of the largest pineapple growing states in country.

May

1. The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance to set up the 3. Rajasthan state government launched Nidaan software country's first national sports university in – Manipur for disease monitoring and strengthening tele- • It will have its second campus at Uttar medicine services in the government hospitals. Pradesh's capital Lucknow. • The software will help for providing • It will be a specialised University, first of its presumptive diagnosis and monitoring of kind, to promote sports education in the areas seasonal and non-communicable diseases as of sports sciences, sports technology. well as trends of ailments found in specific 2. Chhattisgarh state will get specialised anti-Naxal areas. combat force called Black Panther on the lines of the 4. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation Greyhounds unit of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, stone for the Southern Campus of National Institute of • It was announced by Union Home Minister Disaster Management (NIDM) in Andhra Pradesh. Rajnath Singh after chairing meeting on Left- • NIDM would become a Centre for excellence in Wing Extremism (LWE). the future and save people from cyclones and other disasters.

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5. Goa celebrates its Statehood day on 30th May. 10. The Himachal Pradesh govt. to spend 25 crore rupees • Goa celebrates its Statehood Day on 30th May on renovating and developing the Bantony 1987 and became India’s 25th state. Castle. 17. Manipur state became the first state in the Northeast Note: to have solar toilets. ➢ The castle is one of the historic and • Manipur has become the first state in the monumental buildings located on Mall Road Northeast and the third state in India to have Shimla town and fine example of the Anglo- solar toilets. Gothic architecture. ➢ The Bantony Castle, owned by a business • The solar panel, connected to the toilets, family and housing the state police absorb the heat to generate power and are also headquarters, was acquired by the efficient to transform waste material. government for over 27 crores two years ago. 6. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd state of the 11. Punjab state government along with World Wildlife Indian Union. Fund (WWF) India conducted the first organized 7. Telangana state govt. issued an order to provide 2% census for the conservation of Indus dolphins on reservation in government jobs in the state to their population. meritorious sportspersons. 12. Madhya Pradesh government launched India’s first ➢ The reservation would be applicable to 29 Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC) for its recognized sports disciplines smart cities at the Bhopal Smart City Development ➢ It will not affect the overall percentage of Corporation Ltd. (BSCDCL) facility in the Berkheda reservation in the state. 8. Bihar state govt signed a MoU with NTPC Limited to area. improve the performance of Power Sector in the state. 13. The Sikkim government nominated Bollywood singer ➢ The MoU envisages transfer of Barauni Mohit Chauhan as the Green Ambassador of the state. Thermal Power Station (720 MW) to NTPC. • To promote Sikkim as a Green Destination, ➢ Bihar State Power Generation Company’s nationally and internationally, on voluntary (BSPGCL) equities in Kanti Bijlee Utpadan basis. Nigam Limited (KBUN) & Nabinagar Power • Mohit Chauhan is a playback singer and singer Generating Company (Pvt.) Limited (NPGC) of a band known as ‘Silk Route’. will also be transferred to NTPC. 14. The world’s second oldest rock discovered from ➢ All the three power generation facilities are Kendujhar district of Odisha. envisaged to be transferred to NTPC from the • Scientists discovered the world’s second oldest effective date to be notified by Government of Bihar through a Statutory Transfer Scheme. grain of magnetic zircon from the Singhbhum 9. Cabinet approves setting up of a Central University of rock at the Champua in Kendujhar district of Andhra Pradesh in Andhra Pradesh. Odisha. ➢ The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra • The zircon is a mineral that contains traces of Modi has given in-principle approval for radioactive isotopes. establishing a Central University by the name • It is an estimated that the magnetic zircon in of “Central University of Andhra Pradesh” in the rock is 4, 240 million years old that will Janthaluru Village of Ananthapur District, offer fresh clues about the earth’s origins. Andhra Pradesh. 15. Gujarat and Maharashtra states celebrated their 58th ➢ A provision of funds of Rs. 450 crores have foundation day on 1 May 2018. been approved for the first phase expenditure towards establishment of the new University. • In 1960 that the erstwhile state of Bombay was divided on linguistic basis and two states

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namely Gujarat and Maharashtra came into Note: existence. • Maharashtra became the first state in the • The day is marked with various cultural events country to provide digitally-signed land record and ceremonies highlighting the culture and receipts and accept a digital signature to check traditions of Maharashtra. irregularities and bring in transparency. 16. Maharashtra state became the first state in the country to provide digitally-signed land record receipts.

April

1. India’s first high-speed electric locomotive has been • The Gujarat government launched the Pocket flagged off from Bihar state. Cop project in the state. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged India’s • The objective of the Pocket Cop project is to first high-speed electric locomotive from the provide policemen with smartphones that will Madhepura Electric Locomotive Factory in be pre-loaded with data of people with Bihar on April 10, 2018. criminal past and applications that would help • It has a 12000 horsepower (HP) engine with a the cops in passport verification and find maximum speed of 110 km per hour. missing people and vehicles. • The first big Make-in-India project is 5. The river bridge ‘Ib Setu’ recently opened for public in developed & completed in collaboration with Odisha state. French firm Alstome. • The river bridge ‘Ib Setu’, which is built over 2. Tamil Nadu state government launched ‘Uzhavan’ the Ib river in Sambalpur district opened for mobile app for the farmers of the state. the public by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen • With the help of ‘Uzhavan’ app farmers can get Patnaik.

information on farm subsidies, book farm • The ‘Ib Setu’ is 2.5-km-long bridge, which is the state’s second longest bridge. equipment and related infrastructure and get 6. Chhattisgarh state announced to distribute details on their crop insurance, besides smartphones to over 55 lakh people for free under the receiving weather forecast for the next four Sanchar Kranti Yojana (SKY)? days. 7. Uttar Pradesh state ordered all govt hospitals to 3. Kerala state became the first Indian state to adopt a establish the ' SHISHU SWAGAT KENDRA- PALNA' in Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for determining April 2018, to tackle the problem of abandoning the brain death cases. infant at the roadside? 4. Gujarat state government launched the ‘Pocket Cop’ 8. The 2018 Islands Tourism Festival was celebrated at project with an objective to provide smartphones of Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. pre-loaded data of people with criminal past and other 9. The Shirui Lily Festival 2018 was celebrated in information’s to the policemen? Manipur state.

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March

1. India’s first Insect Museum opened in Tamil Nadu • 'Nabaklebara' is a festival celebrated at a Note: predetermined time according to Hindu • India’s first Insect Museum has inaugurated by calendar in Shri Jagannath temple in Puri. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswamy at 6. Kerala state declared ‘Jackfruit’ as official fruit of state. the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in • The hydroelectric project is located on the Coimbatore. river Kishanganga, a tributary of the Jhelum in Bandipora district, all the three units of the 2. Madhya Pradesh state government raised the 340 MW project will generate 1,350 million retirement age of state government employees to 62 units (MU) of clean electricity annually. years from 60 years. 7. The world’s largest solar park launched in which 3. Surat became the first district in the country to have Karnataka state. 100 percent solar powered Primary Health Centers Note: (PHC). • The Karnataka government launched the Note: world’s largest solar park ‘Shakti Sthalaon’ at • Surat district of Gujarat became the first Pavagada in Tumakuru district, about 180km from Bengaluru. district in the country to have 100 percent 8. The Festival of Democracy was celebrated in Jaipur, solar powered Primary Health Centers (PHC). Rajasthan. • There are a total of 52 PHCs in the district and 9. The center government constituted a tribunal to solve all of them are now powered by solar system. Mahanadi Water dispute between Odisha & 4. “Ugadi” festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh Chhattisgarh. AM Khanwilkar will head the tribunal. . 10. The 5th edition of Nadi Mahotsava celebrated in • Ugadi is the New Year's Day of the harvest of Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states in India. 5. ‘Nabakalebar’ festival celebrated in Odisha.

February 1. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister laid • This year Uttar Pradesh is theme state and the foundation stone for Rhododendron Park in Kyrgyzstan is the partner nation. Tawang. 4. Uttar Pradesh govt. launched the Dastak Campaign 2. ‘Pelican Bird Festival-2018’ was held for first time in Objective - Door to door campaign to eradicate deadly Atapaka Bird Sanctuary at Kolleru lake in Andhra Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanise Pradesh. Encephalitis (JE) disease in the state. • Kolleru is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Association – The campaign was launched in the country. association with UNICEF. 3. 32nd edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela Slogan - 'Darwaja Khatkhatao, AES aur JE ko bhagao'. was held at Faridabad, Haryana.

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January

1. Ghodazari to be a new wildlife sanctuary – • The award was given for the reconstruction Maharashtra activities undertaken in temple without in least affecting its traditional splendour and • The Maharashtra Government approved Vedic rituals. Ghodazari in Chandrapur district as a new

wildlife sanctuary.

• The new sanctuary will include about 159 sq 9. Maharashtra become the first state to enforce the ban km area of Bramhapuri forest. on the sale of tobacco in shops selling FMCG (Fast • The area is home to 10 to 15 tigers and 23 Moving Consumer Goods) items like chocolates, chips leopards. and other edible items. 2. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) project 10. Maharashtra became first state in country to unveil launched by the Himachal Pradesh Government Public Cloud Policy that virtually mandates state Objective - to promote organic farming in the state. government departments to shift their data storage Aim - to increase agriculture produce and the income onto cloud. of farmers by the year 2022. 11. Maharashtra Government has approved 1% 3. India’s first floating market opens in Kolkata reservation for orphans in government jobs d • The floating market is located on lake at Patuli education for orphans in the state under general in South Kolkata which is 400 metres long category. and 60 metres wide. 12. Manipur Government launched the Chief Minister-gi

• The lake has been transformed into the Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT), a health assurance floating market similar to the one in Thailand. scheme for the poor and disabled people. • The market will host at least 114 boats, each 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated HPCL one accommodating two shops. Rajasthan Refinery Ltd (HRRL) project commencement • These shops will sell regular or daily-use items of oil refinery in Rajasthan’s Barmer district. It is first that include vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish and oil refinery to be set up in Rajasthan. meat and poultry. 14. Haryana become first state in the country to launch • Shoppers can approach these boats through High-Risk Pregnancy (HRP) portal. wooden walkways. 15. Arunachal Pradesh was officially declared Open 4. Uttar Pradesh Diwas is observed on 24th of January. Defecation Free (ODF) state. 5. Himachal Pradesh celebrates its 48th Statehood Day on • It is second State from Northeast, after Sikkim 25th January. and overall fifth state after Himachal Pradesh, 6. India's first garbage festival 'Kachra Mahotsav 2018' Kerala and Haryana to be declared ODF state. held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 16. India’s second Film and Television Institute to be set 7. AYUSH Minister Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, laid the up in Arunachal Pradesh. foundation stone for Homeopathy Research Institute • The first Film and Television Institute of India in Jaipur, Rajasthan. (FTII) was set up in Pune. 8. Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple of Tamil Nadu • Anupam Kher is the present chairman of the awarded with the UNESCO Award. Film and Television Institute of India. • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanichamy received the award.

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International Affairs

December

1. Luxembourg to become First Country to Make • OPEC headquarters in Vienna, Capital of Austria. Public Transport Free • HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo is the Secretary • Luxembourg is set to become the first country General of OPEC. in the world to make all public transport free, 4. SpiNNaker: Largest brain-mimicking implementing the move in 2020. supercomputer switched on • The move is aimed at addressing • The world’s largest supercomputer Spiking environmental issues and the problem of Neural Network Architecture (SpiNNaker) traffic congestion. machine designed to work in same way as • Earlier, Luxembourg introduced free transport human brain was switched on for the first for all people under the age of 20. time. 2. Patents granted by India up by 50% in 2017: WIPO • It designed and built at University of • According to World Intellectual Property Manchester in UK. Indicators 2018 report released by United 5. Australia become 1st Country to recognise Nation’s World Intellectual Property ‘Orphanage Trafficking’ as Slavery Organisation (WIPO), number of patents • Australia has become the first country in the granted by India shot up by 50% in 2017. world to recognise ‘orphanage trafficking’ as a World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) form of modern slavery. • It is the global body for promotion and • Children from smaller countries are recruited protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). in orphanages in the West for the purpose of • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. profit through foreign aid. 3. Qatar to leave OPEC from January 2019 • As per estimates, 80% of children living in the • Qatar has announced its decision to leave the world’s orphanages have at least one living Organization of the Petroleum Exporting parent. Countries (OPEC) from January 2019 and focus 6. World Bank Unveils USD 200 billion in Climate more on the production of natural gas. Action Investment for 2021-25 • The announcement was made by Qatar’s new • The World Bank has unveiled 200 billion US energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi. Dollars in climate action investment for 2021 to 2025, adding that this amounts to a About OPEC doubling of its current five-year funding. • • The move coincides with a UN climate summit • The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting in Katowice. Countries is an intergovernmental organisation of 15 nations, founded in 1960 in Baghdad.

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November

1. WCCB wins Asia Environment Enforcement Awards Exchange), a banking technology platform for combating trans-boundary environmental designed to reach nearly two billion people crime worldwide who are still without bank • United Nations Environment Program has accounts. selected Wildlife Crime Control Bureau • Prime Minister Modi became the first leader to (WCCB) and its enforcement officer RS Sharath address the prestigious Fintech Festival in for 2018 Asia Environmental Enforcement Singapore. Awards. Note: • They were selected under organization and • APIX is a banking technology platform designed to individual categories respectively for their reach two billion people worldwide who are still outstanding contributions in combating the without bank accounts. trans-boundary environmental crimes. • Designed by software experts based in Hyderabad, • The 2018 Awards will be given by UNEP with Colombo and London, APIX is a sophisticated UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN technology developed by Boston-headquartered Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL Virtusa, especially for smaller banks, Tier 3 and 4, (UNODC), USAID, Freeland Foundation, and to reach out to people in the remote regions. Government of Sweden. • The APIX will support banks to reach out to those Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) without bank accounts in 23 countries including • WCCB is statutory multi-disciplinary body the 10 ASEAN members as well as major markets under Union Ministry of Environment, Forests such as India, and small nations including Fiji. and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to combat 5. Palau Becomes 1st Country in World to Ban Reef- organized wildlife crime in the country. Killing Sunscreen 2. Bangladesh elected IORA Chairman for 2021-23 • Palau has become the first country to ban reef • Bangladesh was elected as Vice Chairman of toxic sunscreen by 2020 in an attempt to Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the protect its coral reefs after the president of the period of 2019-21 and eventually as IORA country signed a bill into law. Chairman for 2021-23 at 18th IORA Council of • Palau Capital: Ngerulmud, Ministers’ Meeting held in Durban, South • Currency: United States Dollar Africa. 6. Vice President’s visit to 3 South African Countries: • The Current Chair is South Africa and Vice Complete Highlights Chair is UAE. • Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was on a 3. UN World Food Programme, Alibaba Group form seven-day 3-South African nation visit to strategic partnership to eliminate hunger Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. • United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Key highlights and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Botswana have formed strategic partnership to support • Botswana decided to join the International efforts eliminate hunger globally by 2030. Solar Alliance, 4. Prime Minister Modi launches APIX technology in • M. Venkaiah Naidu attended the India- Singapore Botswana CEO Roundtable in Gaborone. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the • Botswana Capital: Gaborone, Botswana APIX (Application Programming Interface Currency: Botswana pula

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Zimbabwe • The new definitions will come into force on 20 • Vice President announced the US$ 310 million May 2019. Line of Credit for up-gradation of Hwange Note: Thermal Power Station. • It is Zimbabwe’s second biggest power plant • The definition of kilogram has been changed from with an installed capacity of 920 MW being the mass of prototype sanctioned by the 1st • Zimbabwe Capital: Harare, Zimbabwe CGPM held in Paris in 1889 and deposited at the Currency: US dollars, South African rand, Euro. BIPM to the Planck constant which is a physical Malawi constant. • Attended the Malawi-India Business Meet, in • Likewise, the definition of meter has been changed Lilongwe, Malawi. to link it to the speed of light. There is a change in • Inaugurated a very unique event, India for the definition of time also. Humanity to commemorate the 150th birth • The CGPM is the highest international body of the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. world for accurate and precise measurements. • Malawi Capital: Lilongwe, Malawi Currency: 10. Nepal Launches Social Security Scheme Malawian kwacha • Nepal government has launched a Social 7. UNSC Lifts Sanctions against Eritrea after 9 Years Security Scheme for formal sector workers of • The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) the country. has unanimously agreed to lift sanctions 11. Ukraine declares Martial Law after Russian Naval against Eritrea after nine years. Attack • An arms embargo, asset freeze, and travel ban • Ukraine’s parliament has imposed martial law were imposed in 2009 amid claims that Eritrea in the country to fight what its president called supported al-Shabab militants in Somalia. “growing aggression” from Moscow after a Note: weekend naval confrontation off the disputed • Eritrea Capital: Asmara Crimean Peninsula in which Russia fired on • Currency: Eritrean nakfa. and seized three Ukrainian vessels amid 8. Morocco unveils Africa’s First Ever High-Speed renewed tensions between the neighbors. Train Line 12. World leaders mark 100 years since end of First • French President Emmanuel Macron and World War Morocco’s King Mohammed VI have • World leaders gathered in Paris on November inaugurated Morocco’s first high-speed rail 11, 2018 to lead the global commemorations to line, the first ever such line in Africa. mark 100 years since the end of the first World 9. World’s Standard Definition of Kilogram, Second & War. Metre Redefined • The occasion saw around 70 leaders come • The 26th meeting of the General Conference on together including US President Donald Trump Weights and Measures (CGPM) was held at and Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark Versailles(Paris), France. the centenary of the 1918 Armistice in the • The members have voted for the redefinition French capital. of 130 years old “Le grand K – the SI unit of kg” 13. France unveils bronze statue commemorating role in terms of the fundamental Planck’s of Indian soldiers in World War I constant(h). • A statue commemorating the role of Indian soldiers in World War I was unveiled on November 11, 2018 in the town of Laventie,

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France to mark the end of the First World War Award recipient when she was still under in 1918. house arrest for her opposition to Myanmar's • Another memorial was inaugurated by Vice oppressive military junta. President Venkaiah Naidu at Villers Guislain in 16. India to top US as second-largest carbon spewer France on November 10, 2018. from power: IEA • The main motif of the Indian War Memorial at • India will overtake the US to become the Villers Guislain is the Indian national emblem world’s second-biggest emitter of carbon that has four Ashoka lions. dioxide from the power sector before 2030 as 14. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu represents India at the nation’s electricity demand skyrockets, the centenary of WW-1 Armistice International Energy Agency said in its latest Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is on a three- World Energy Outlook. day visit to Paris, represented India at the Armistice of • Carbon dioxide emissions from India’s power World War I centenary commemoration. sector are expected to rise nearly 80 percent 15. Amnesty strips Aung San Suu Kyi of highest honour by 2040 as power use almost triples, driven in • Amnesty International has withdrawn a part by air conditioning, the Paris-based IEA prestigious human rights award from said in the report. Myanmar Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi, • China will remain the biggest emitter. accusing her of perpetuating human rights 17. EU aims to be First Carbon Neutral Economy by abuses by not speaking out about violence 2050 against the Rohingya Muslim minority. • The European Commission is the first major • The international human rights group named economy to set its sight on achieving climate Suu Kyi as its 2009 Ambassador of Conscience neutrality by 2050.

October

1. Seychelles launches World’s First Sovereign Blue 2. Vice President Embarks on 3-Nation Africa visit – Bond • The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu • The Republic of Seychelles has launched the embarked on his first Africa visit. world’s first sovereign blue bond—a • In his weeklong visit, he will visit Botswana, pioneering financial instrument designed to Zimbabwe and Malawi where he is scheduled support sustainable marine and fisheries to interact with heads of state of the three projects. nations, business fora and address Indian • The Seychelles blue bond is partially Community. guaranteed by a US$5 million guarantee from Note; the World Bank (IBRD) and further supported • The capital of Botswana is – Botswana, Currency is by a US$5 million concessional loan from the – pula GEF which will partially cover interest • The capital of Zimbabwe – Harare, payments for the bond. • The capital of Malawi – Lilongwe, Currency is - • Victoria is the capital of Seychelles and kwacha Seychellois rupee is the currency.

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3. World's largest airport 'under one roof' opened in of Chabahar Agreement was held in Tehran, Istanbul capital city of Iran. • The world's largest airport terminal "under • India, Iran and Afghanistan in May 2016, had one roof" with a capacity to serve 90 million signed agreement which entailed passengers opened on October 29 in Istanbul, establishment of transit and transport corridor Turkey. among three countries using Chabahar Port as • The new airport is located near the Black Sea one of regional hubs. coast on the Europe side of Istanbul. 8. China Successfully Tests 'World's Largest' Cargo 4. Angela Merkel to step down as German chancellor Drone ‘Feihong-98 (FH-98)’ in 2021 • A Chinese company has tested the 'world's • Germany's Angela Merkel has said she will step largest' cargo drone Feihong-98 (FH-98) which down as chancellor in 2021, following recent can carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes (1,500kg). election setbacks. 9. Canada Becomes 2nd Country to Legalize • She also said she would not seek re-election as Recreational Cannabis: Canada has become the leader of the centre-right CDU party in second country after Uruguay to legalize possession December. She has held the post since 2000. and use of recreational cannabis. 5. India donates 3 lakh dollars for United Nations' 10. Global Hunger Index 2018: Key Findings peacekeeping initiative • India has been ranked at the 103rd position • India has donated three lakh dollars for a among 119 countries. peacekeeping initiative at the United Nations. • The 2018 global hunger index is prepared by • India's Permanent Representative at the UN, Welthungerhilfe together with Concern Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin. Worldwide. • The UN Department of Field Support 11. US to pull out of Intermediate Range Nuclear announced that the Indian government Forces (INF) treaty signed with Russia donated the amount for the 'Pipeline to • United States (US) President Donald Trump Peacekeeping Command Programme' with a has announced that US will unilaterally pull specific focus on issues of conduct and out of three-decade-old Intermediate-Range discipline among the peacekeeping personnel. Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty signed with Russia 6. China opens world’s longest sea bridge linking during Cold War. Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai 12. India wins election to UN Human Rights Council • China inaugurated Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau • India was elected to the United Nations’ top Bridge, world’s longest sea bridge with total human rights body for a period of three years length of 55 km. beginning January 1, 2019. • The new sea bridge will connect the east and • India got total188 votes, the highest number of west sides of Pearl River Delta of the South votes among all candidates in the Asia-Pacific China Sea, connecting two Special category. Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and • The 18 new members were elected by absolute Macau with Zhuhai i.e. mainland China. majority through a secret ballot. Countries 7. India, Iran, Afghanistan hold first trilateral on needed a minimum of 97 votes to get elected Chabahar port project to the Council. • The first trilateral meeting between India, • In the Asia Pacific category, India got 188 votes Afghanistan and Iran of Coordination Council followed by Fiji with 187 votes, Bangladesh 178, Bahrain and Philippines 165 each.

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13. International Day of Rural Women: October 15 citizenship for her role in gross human rights • The International Day of Rural Women is violations against the Rohingya people. observed every year on October 15 to 19. Ministry of AYUSH has set up an AYUSH Information recognize the crucial role and contribution of Cell at the premises of the Indian Embassy in Romania rural women. to disseminate authentic information about AYUSH • The 2018 theme of the day was “Sustainable system of medicine and encourage Ayurveda practice infrastructure, services and social protection in Romania. for gender equality and the empowerment of 20. Stanford University named World’s Most rural women and girls”. Innovative University: Reuters 14. Liberty to acquire European assets of ArcelorMittal • Stanford University was named as World’s • Liberty is set to acquire European assets of Most Innovative University by Reuters news ArcelorMittal, as it pushes for expansion on the agency rankings. European mainland following a rapid build-up • No Indian was able to make it to the list. in the U.K. • Top 3 - Stanford University, US, Massachusetts 15. Alibaba's Jack Ma to open institute for tech Institute of Technology (MIT), US, Harvard entrepreneurs in Indonesia University, US • Jack Ma, executive chairman of China's Alibaba 21. World Obesity Day: 11 October - The World Obesity Group Holding, he plans to open an institute to Day is observed globally every year on 11 October to train thousands of tech entrepreneurs in promote practical solutions to end the global obesity Indonesia, where he is already an adviser to crisis. the government on e-commerce. • The theme for this year is “It’s time to End 16. India, China launched 1st Joint Programme for Weight Stigma!”. Afghanistan to Train Diplomats 22. World Post Day: October 9 17. Malaysian Government Abolishes Capital • The 2018 theme is: “Imagine you are a letter Punishment - In Malaysia, the cabinet decided to travelling through time. What message do you abolish the death penalty. wish to convey to your readers?”. 18. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi became the first 23. International Coffee Day: October 1 person to be stripped of the honorary Canadian

September

1. India, Japan sign Loan Agreement for Bullet Train around Rs 5,500 crore as tranche 1 for Funds Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project • India has signed two loan agreement with Rs.1619 crore for tranche 3 Kolkata East-West Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Metro Project. for construction of Mumbai-Ahmedabad High 2. Argentina gets biggest Loan in IMF's History at $57 Speed Rail Project and Kolkata East West Billion - Argentina has received $57.1 billion from the Metro Project. International Monetary Fund (IMF), the biggest loan • Under these agreements, Japan will provide package ever from the global body aimed at boosting Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of the country's struggling economy.

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3. Germany launched World's first Hydrogen-Powered 6. G-20 Trade & Investment Ministerial meeting held Train. in Argentina - Commerce and Industry Minister 4. United Nation declared Nelson Mandela Decade of Suresh Prabhu participated in G-20 trade and Peace 2019-2028. investment ministerial meeting at Mar del Plata in 5. Nepal refuses to participate in first BIMSTEC joint Argentina. military exercise - Nepal has refused to participate in 7. Pakistan could become world’s 5th largest nuclear inaugural joint military exercise of Bay of Bengal weapons state: Report - According to recent report, Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Pakistan could become world’s 5th largest nuclear Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries scheduled to be held weapons state after Russia, United States, France and in Pune, Maharashtra. China in terms of possession of total nuclear warheads. Note: • Pakistan currently has 140 to 150 nuclear • The first BIMSTEC field training exercise will warheads and its stockpile is expected to be conducted at Foreign Training Node at increase to 220 to 250 by 2025 (surpassing Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra from September United Kingdom) if its current proliferation 10 and 16, 2018. trend continues.

August

1. Facebook launches Digital Literacy Library: Social 4. China successfully launched Gaofen-11, an optical networking giant Facebook has launched “Digital remote sensing satellite, as part of the country’s high- Literacy Library” to help young people build skills they resolution Earth observation project. need to safely enjoy online technology. • Gaofen-11 is sub-meter resolution optical • The lessons can be found on Facebook’s Safety satellite. It was developed by China Academy Center as well as on Berkman Klein’s Digital of Space Technology (CAST). Literacy Resource Platform. 5. Bondi: World Bank launches world’s first 2. Tokyo 2020: First Olympics to deploy facial blockchain bond - The World Bank launched world’s recognition technology to increase security first public blockchain bond named bond-i created, • Tokyo 2020 will be first Olympics to use facial allocated, transferred and managed by using recognition technology to increase security blockchain technology. around all venues. • Bond-i is an acronym standing for Blockchain • For this, games organisers have partnered with Offered New Debt Instrument and also refers Japanese telecommunications and information to tourist famous Bondi Beach in , technology giant NEC to develop the first Australia. system of this kind to be implemented at an Note: Olympics games. • Bond-I is Ethereum blockchain bond 3. Chinese researchers create world’s first single denominated in Australian dollars, making it chromosome yeast - Researchers from China’s Centre Kangaroo bond (referring to foreign bonds for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences have issued in Australia in local currency). claimed to have created the world’s first single- • World Bank had chosen Commonwealth Bank chromosome yeast while not affecting the majority of of Australia (largest bank in Austria) was its functions. chosen as sole arranger for this bond. 6. US extends $39 million military finance to Sri Lanka to boost maritime security - United States has

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announced to grant $39 million as part its foreign dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers and military financing to Sri Lanka to boost maritime lavishly decorated elephants. security. • The US funding for Sri Lanka is part of its $300 9. Sushma Swaraj Inaugurate 'Panini Language million set aside for South and Southeast Asia Laboratory' in Mauritius - External Affairs Minister to ensure free, open, and rules-based order in Sushma Swaraj inaugurated 'Panini Language the Indo-Pacific region. Laboratory' at Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) at Port 7. 2018 Global Liveability Index: Vienna named Louis in Mauritius. world’s most liveable city - Austrian capital Vienna • She called on Prime Minister of Mauritius was ranked as world’s most liveable city among 140 Pravind Kumar Jagnauth and discussed further major cities in 2018 Global Liveability Index released deepening of the special ties between the two by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). nations. • It is first time that European city has topped 10. Japan pips China to become World's 2nd largest rankings of EIU annual survey. Stock Market - Japan has pipped China as the world's • Top 3 countries - Vienna, Austria, Melbourne, number two stock market, according to a Bloomberg Australia and Osaka, Japan. report. 8. Historic Esala Maha Perehera Festival held in Sri Note: Both markets are ranked after the US which is Lanka – In Sri Lanka, the ten-day festival of the the world's largest at just over $31 trillion. China lost historic Esala Maha Perehera held in Kandy, Sri Lanka. to Japan after Chinese stocks and currency fell this year Note: The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and amid a trade spat with the US. grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring

July

1. UNEP partners with Google for Monitoring Impact to the public in Tokyo, Japan allowing patrons to step of Human Activity on Ecosystem - UN Environment all the way into the artworks. Programme (UNEP) has entered into a partnership 4. Asia's 1st Patent Arbitration Centre to open in with search engine giant Google to monitor the impacts Tokyo: Asia's first arbitration centre specialised in of human activity on global ecosystems by using intellectual property is slated to open in Tokyo in sophisticated online tools. September 2018 to resolve the growing number of Note: UN Environment Programme (UNEP) head office disputes in the region. is in Nairobi, Kenya. 5. World's 1st Digital Art Museum Opens in Tokyo: 2. Integrated Indian visa application Centre The world’s first digital art museum opened its doors inaugurated in Bangladesh - A new integrated state- to the public in Tokyo, Japan allowing patrons to step of-the-art integrated Indian Visa Application Centre all the way into the artworks. (IVAC) was jointly inaugurated by Home Minister 6. India to Operate 'World’s Emptiest Airport' in Sri Rajnath Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Lanka: The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport Asaduzzaman Khan at Dhaka's Jamuna Future Park. (MRIA) would be operated as a Sri Lanka-India joint 3. World's first Digital Art Museum opens in Tokyo - venture. The $210 million facility, 241km south-east of The world’s first digital art museum opened its doors Colombo, is dubbed the “world’s emptiest airport” due to a lack of flights.

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June 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three Indian Council (UNHRC) terming it hypocritical and digital payment systems - RuPay, BHIM app and UPI by self-serving. SBI at the 'Business, Innovation and Community Event' • The United Nations Human Rights Council is a in Singapore. United Nations body whose mission is to • With the launch, India's RuPay digital promote and protect human rights around the payments system was linked up with world. Singapore's 33-year old Network for • United Nations Human Rights Council Electronic Transfers (NETS). (UNHRC) headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland. • The move will enable RuPay users to make 7. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) plenary meeting payments at all of NETS acceptance points took place on in Jurmala, Latvia across Singapore. • Latvia assumed chairmanship of NSG for 2. India has signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement 2018-19. (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore. • With this, Latvia became first Baltic state to • This is the first MRA being signed by India with chair the NSG. any of our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 8. The headquarter of Organisation for the Prohibition of partners Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is in The Hague, 3. World's Most Experienced Spacewoman Peggy Netherlands Whitson retired after a 22-year-long career. Whitson, • The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical who joined NASA as a researcher in 1986. Weapons is an intergovernmental organisation and • The 58-year-old is the oldest woman to go into the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons space and also the most experienced female Convention, which entered into force on 29 April spacewalker, with 10 missions. 1997. 4. Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced his resignation. He was 9. US country unveiled the world's most powerful and the Prime Minister of Georgia. smartest scientific supercomputer named 'Summit’. 5. Raksha Mantri, inaugurated the • US scientists have unveiled the world's most first Representative Office of Navratna Defence PSU powerful and smartest scientific supercomputer Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Hanoi, Vietnam. named 'Summit' that can complete over 200,000 • The Representative Office will aim to promote trillion calculations per second. BEL’s exports in areas such as Weapon 10. Home Minister Rajnath Singh lays foundation stone for Systems, Radar Systems, Naval Systems, refinery project in Mongolian Refinery. Military Communication Systems, etc. • This refinery project has been financed by the 6. US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council? Government of India through a Line of Credit of • The United States under President Donald One Billion USD. Trump administration has announced its • Mongolia Capital- Ulaanbaatar, withdrawal from United Nations Human Rights • Currency- Mongolian togrog.

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May 5. Guatemala inaugurated its Israel embassy in 1. Colombia recently, joined North Atlantic Treaty Jerusalem and became the first country to follow in the Organization (NATO) as global partner. footsteps of the United States. • Colombia joined North Atlantic Treaty Note: Organization (NATO) as global partner. ➢ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu • It makes it first Latin American to join NATO. and Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales • NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance attended an inauguration ceremony. between 29 North American and European ➢ The US and Guatemalan moves break with countries based on the North Atlantic Treaty. decades of international consensus. • Headquarter of NATO is in Brussels, Belgium. 6. Russia unveiled the world's first floating nuclear 2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) power station. Nepal became first country in south-east Asia Region ➢ It will be primarily used to power oil rigs as to defeat trachoma, world’s leading infectious cause of Russia pushes further north into the Arctic to blindness. drill for oil and gas and needs electricity in far- • The eye disease was second leading cause of flung locations. preventable blindness in Nepal in 1980s. ➢ The Akademik Lomonosov arrived in 3. Narendra Modi among top 10 most powerful Murmansk where it was moored in the port people in the world: Forbes and presented to the media. • Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi ranked ➢ The ship (144 by 30 metre) holds two reactors among the top 10 most powerful people in the with two 35 megawatt nuclear reactors that world by Forbes. are similar to those used to power icebreaker • The list is topped by Chinese President Xi ships. Jinping. 7. US President announces US withdrawal from 2015 • Modi ranks 9th on the Forbes 2018 list of 75 of landmark nuclear deal with Iran. the World’s Most Powerful People who make • The historic nuclear deal was reached in the world turn. Vienna in July 2015 between Iran and the five • Russian President Vladimir Putin on second permanent members of the UN Security rank. Council along with Germany and the European • Donald Trump on the third spot, followed by Union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (4) and • The P5+1 refers to the UN Security Council's Amazon chief Jeff Bezos (5). five permanent members (the P5); namely 4. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched an China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, initiative ‘REPLACE’ to provide a guidance for all countries on how to remove artificial trans fats from and the United States; plus, Germany. their foods supply by 2023. • It is a group of six world powers which, in Note: 2006, joined together in diplomatic efforts ➢ REPLACE stands for review dietary sources, with Iran with regard to its nuclear program. promote use of healthier fats, legislate, assess 8. The British marketing analytics firm, Cambridge changes, create awareness, and enforce. Analytica announced to shut down all its business ➢ This initiative is meant to lead countries in operations in Britain and the United States. establishing legislation to eliminate the trans • fats. The company has been accused of using the ➢ Artificial trans fats are made when vegetable personal data of 87 million Facebook users to oil hardens in a process called hydrogenation. control the result of the US 2016 presidential election.

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9. The Swedish Academy postponed 2018 Nobel Awards 2018 in parallel with the naming of the 2019 of Literature categories in the wake of a sexual and laureate. financial scandal. 10. According to the Airports Council International (ACI) Note: traffic forecast - India has been projected to be the • Due to assault allegations made against (Jean- second fastest growing country in the world for air Claude Arnault) husband of former member of passenger traffic. the Swedish Academy, the Swedish Academy • As per the ACI forecast Vietnam at the top postponed 2018 Nobel Literature Prize for position with an 8.5% growth rate, followed by the first time in almost 70 years. India at 7.5% and Iran at 7.3%. • The Swedish Academy intends to decide on • China has been placed at the 8th position with and announce the Nobel Prize in Literature for 5.9% growth rate.

April 1. Indian-origin scientist Veena Sahajwalla launched the • The name "Swaziland", the King said, had world’s first micro-factory to help tackle e-waste caused confusion. "Whenever we go abroad, hazard. people refer to us as Switzerland. • An Indian-origin scientist in Australia launched 4. ‘Road Safety Trust Fund’ - In April 2018, United the world’s first microfactory that can Nations (UN) launched the ‘Road Safety Trust Fund’ transform the components from electronic to improve road safety worldwide. waste items such as smartphones and laptops • The initiative was launched by the Deputy into valuable materials for re-use. Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. • Veena Sahajwalla, a professor at the University • As per the UN data, more than 1.3 million of New South Wales. drivers, passengers, and pedestrians die each year on the roads. 2. India’s neighbour Bangladesh decided to end 5. France announced to contribute $61.9 million reservation in Government jobs humanitarian aid for Syria. • According to the Bangladesh government’s • French President Emmanuel Macron existing quota system, 56% of jobs in the announced that France will contribute 50 public sector are reserved for children of million euros ($61.9 million) toward urgent freedom fighters, women, ethnic minorities, humanitarian aid for Syria. people with disabilities and citizens of some 6. The famous ‘Bisket Jatra’ festival marks the beginning backward districts. of a Nepali new year. 3. Swaziland country officially changed its name to the • The festival ‘Bisket Jatra’ is being celebrated in ‘Kingdom of eSwatini’? Bhaktapur and the other parts of Kathmandu • The king of Swaziland King Mswati III valley in Nepal. changed the name of his country to the • The main attraction of Bisket Jatra is chariot "Kingdom of eSwatini" to mark the 50th procession of Lord Bhairavanath. anniversary of independence -- and to avoid confusion with Switzerland.

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March

1. Vienna city topped the World’s Most Liveable City Note: report 2018. • The cultural festival ‘India by the Nile’ was Note: held in Cairo, Egypt. • Vienna the capital Austria has been rated the • The festival, which is organised by the world’s most liveable city for the ninth Embassy of India in Egypt. consecutive year by Mercer in its annual • The Nile river is a longest river in the world Quality of Living survey. 5. India signed a tripartite Memorandum of • It was followed by Switzerland’s Zurich, while Understanding (MoU) with Russia & Bangladesh for New Zealand’s Auckland and Germany’s civil nuclear cooperation. Munich tied for third place. Note: • Hyderabad and Pune have been rated India’s • For the first time, India has signed a tripartite most liveable cities as they have tied for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 142nd place foreign partners — Russia & Bangladesh — • Iraq’s capital city Baghdad has been rated for civil nuclear cooperation. the least liveable city for the tenth consecutive • The MoU will be helpful for cooperation in year. construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power 2. According to the Worldwide Cost of Living report 2018 Plant in Pabna, Bangladesh. Singapore city is the most expensive city in the world. • This will be first ever nuclear power plant in Note: Bangladesh. • Top 3 Expensive cities on the list are- 1. 6. Marshall Islands became the first country in the Singapore, 2. Paris and 3. Zurich. world to recognize cryptocurrency as its legal tender. • Damascus, the capital of Syria, is the cheapest • Marshall Islands is in Pacific Ocean. city for living in the world. • The parliament of island has passed law to • In the cheapest cities list – Bangalore create the digital currency called “Sovereign” ranked at 5th and New Delhi at the 10th with symbol SOV to raise some hard cash to position. pay bills and boost economy. 3. India became the 69th member of the European Bank • The Marshall Islands is partnering with Israeli for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). fintech startup Neema to launch its SOV. Note: • Marshall Islands currency - Dollar • EBRD headquarter is in – London, United • Marshall Islands Capital – Majuro Kingdom. 7. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the World • President – Suma Chakrabarti Hindi Secretariat in Mauritius. 4. The 2018 cultural festival ‘India by the Nile’ was held in Egypt.

February

1. Dubai International Airport is the World’s Busiest 3. Falcon Heavy, world's most powerful rocket, launched International Airport in 2017. by SpaceX. 2. Bermuda has become the first country in the world to legalise and then repeal same-sex marriage.

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• SpaceX successfully launched its first Falcon (JAXA) has successfully launched the world's smallest Heavy, the most powerful rocket in operation rocket ‘SS-520’ to carry a ‘TRICOM-1R’ satellite into anywhere in the world. orbit. • SpaceX is an Aerospace company of United 6. UAE launches World's longest Zip Line - The United States. Arab Emirates has made a record by opening the 4. Sweden has singed Strategic Partnership Agreement world's longest zip line, measuring 2.83 km in length. with United Nations for committing record $370 7. Rwanda has become the first poor country to provide million dollars to UN World Food Programme. universal eye care for its 12 million population. • The contribution is for next four years i.e. 8. Maldives declares state of emergency as political 2018-2021. It is the biggest ever contribution crisis worsens - The Maldives president, Abdulla made by donor within a WFP Strategic Yameen, has declared a state of emergency in the Partnership Agreement. country as heavily armed troops stormed the country’s 5. Japan launches world's tiniest ‘SS-520’ rocket into top court and a former president Chief Justice Abdulla orbit - The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency Saeed was arrested in a deepening political crisis.

January

1. The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched new 4. China became Nepal’s second internet service Global Centre for Cybersecurity in Geneva, provider – Nepal country has started internet from Switzerland. It will become operational from March China. 2018. • China Telecom Global (CTG) has teamed up Objective - to safeguard world from hackers and with Nepal Telecom to provide alternate growing data breaches — especially from nation- cyber-connectivity to Nepal. states. • So far, Nepal had been linked to the global 2. Valletta becomes Europe's Capital of Culture - Valletta, internet network through Indian telecom the capital of Malta, was officially named European operators. Capital of Culture 2018. 5. World’s largest Ice Festival Held in China - World’s • Valletta will share the title with Leeuwarden, a largest Ice Festival 'International Ice and Snow city in the Netherlands. Festival' was held in Harbin, China. • Valletta is the smallest capital of the European 6. Iceland has become the first country in the world to Union. It is located in a fort and is a UNESCO legalise equal pay between men and women. World Heritage Site. 7. Six countries enter UN Security Council – Equatorial 3. North and South Korea have agreed to march together Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and the under a single unified Korea flag at Winter Olympics Netherlands formally joined the ranks of the non- 2018. permanent members of the United Nations Security • Winter Olympics Games will be held in Council. February 2018 in Pyeongchang in South Korea. Note:

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• The UN Security Council has 15 members, including 8. Saudi Arabia, UAE introduce VAT for first time - five with permanent seats who have the power to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) became veto resolutions - Britain, China, France, Russia and first countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the United States. introduce Value Added Tax (VAT) for the first time to • The six countries who left the UN Security Council increase their revenue away from oil reserves. on December 31 are Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay.

Sports

December

1. Pune International Marathon 2018 • Ullas Narayan won the bronze medal in the • Atlawim Debebe of Ethiopia won the Pune 2018 International Association of Ultra International Marathon 2018 Running (IAU) 24 Hour Asia & Oceania • Atlawim Debebe won the Marathon with Championships in Taipei. the timing of 2 hours 17 minutes 17 seconds. • With this he became the first ever Indian • Teshome Getachew claimed second and individual medal winner in an international Bekele Asefa third position. Both of them are ultra-running event. also from Ethiopia. 4. Announces Retirement from All • In women’s Full Marathon Pascalia Forms of Cricket Chepkogei from Kenya stood first with the • Gautam Gambhir has announced his timing of 2 hour 50 minutes 27 seconds. retirement from all forms of Cricket. 2. Senior Women’s National Championship • The 37-year-old announced his retirement • Vinesh Phogat won the Gold at 57 kg on social media. category in wrestling in the Tata Motors • A 12-year international career fetched over Senior Women’s National Championship. 10,000 runs for the country; 4,154 in 58 • won the Gold at 62 kg category Tests, 5,238 in 147 ODIs and 932 in 37 T20Is. in wrestling in the Tata Motors Senior 5. Delhi Daredevils renamed as Women’s National Championship. • Delhi Daredevils was renamed as 'Delhi • The event was hosted by Uttar Pradesh. Capitals' after a track record over the past 11 3. Ullas Narayan Wins India’s 1st International IPL seasons. Medal in Ultra Running • will continue to lead the team.

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November

1. Magnus Carlsen wins the World Chess 6. Women’s Skeet National Crown - Rajasthan’s Championship 2018 Maheshwari Chauhan, retained her Women’s Skeet • Current World champion Norwegian Magnus National crown at the 62nd National Shooting Carlsen (26-year-old) beat American Fabiano Championship Competitions (NSCC), shotgun events. Caruana 3-0 and regain his World Chess 7. Mr Raninder Singh elected as Vice President of ISSF Championship title-2018 in London, England. – Note: • Mr Raninder Singh President NRAI has been • The World Chess Championship 2018 elected as ISSF Vice President during the organised by the FIDE (commercial partner- elections held at Munich, Germany. Agon) at The College in Holborn, London. • It’s for the first time in Shooting Sport that • The headquarter of FIDE is in Athens, Greece. any Indian has been elected for this coveted 2. Harmanpreet Kaur named captain of Women's post of Vice President in ISSF. World T20 XI 8. Mr Pawan Singh first Indian to be Elected as • India's star Harmanpreet Kaur was member of ISSF Judges Committee named captain of the ICC Women's World • Pawan Singh (former coach of the Indian Twenty20 XI. shooting team) has become the first Indian to 3. India's Bhavani Devi (first Indian) has won the gold be elected one of seven members of the medal in the Sabre event in the Senior Commonwealth Judges Committee of the International Fencing Championship 2018 in Canberra, Australia. Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF). 4. MCG to host both men's, women's World T20 finals 9. Khelo India Youth Games 2019 – Pune in 2020 • Khelo India Youth Games 2019 will be held at • Australia's biggest stadium Melbourne Balewadi Shooting Ranges, Pune, Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the final Maharashtra from 9th to 16th January 2019. match of both the men's and women's World 10. Government to set up National Sports Stadium for Twenty20 cricket in 2020. differently-abled in Meghalaya • The women's World T20 will run from 21st • Union Minister for Social Justice and February to 8th March 2020. Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot • The men's tournament will be held from 18th announced the construction of an October to 15th November 2020 in Australia. international standard sports stadium for the 5. 62nd National Shooting Championship held at differently-abled in Shillong Meghalaya. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala • The stadium, to cost Rs 200 crore, is one of • India’s 13-year-old shooter Esha Singh won five such facilities that the government the Women’s, Youth Women’s and Junior proposes to establish in five states, including Women’s 10m Air Pistol competitions. Meghalaya. • She beat Manu Bhaker and Heena Sidhu to • The stadium should come up before the 2022 win three gold medals. National Games to be held in Meghalaya. • Adarsh Singh Wins Men’s 25m Rapid Fire 11. Meghalaya to host 2022 National Games Pistol National Title - Haryana’s Adarsh • The 2022 National Games will coincide Singh clinched the Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Meghalaya’s 50 years of statehood. Pistol national title. 12. BCCI announces two-year ban for age fraud

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• The Board of Control for • This is Australia’s 4th title win at Women’s announced that a cricketer guilty of age fraud World T20. will be barred from all its recognised • Earlier, Australia won the trophy in 2010, tournaments for a period of two years. 2012 and 2014. 13. Karen Khachanov lifts Paris Masters Men's Singles • ICC Women’s t20 World Cup 2020 – Australia title 17. Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain of Indian squad at ICC • Russian Karen Khachanov (22-year old) has Women’s t20 World Cup 2018 lifted the Paris Masters Men's Singles Tennis 18. 10th World Boxing Championship title with a stunning win over Novak • Venue – New Delhi, India Djokovic. • MC Mary Kom was the brand ambassador of 14. Sri Lanka's bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa suspended the 10th edition of the Women’s World by ICC Championship in New Delhi. • According to an ICC release, Sri Lanka's Mary Kom has created the history – bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa has been • She becomes the first female boxer to win 6 suspended with immediate effect by the Gold medals at World Boxing Championships. International Cricket Council (ICC) and • She defeated Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota in charged with match-fixing. Women’s 48 kg boxing final to clinch her 6th 15. Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 World title. • Venue - Odisha • She previously clinched the World • The opening ceremony of Men’s Hockey World Championship gold on five occasions -- 2002, Cup took place at Kalinga Stadium, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010. Bhubaneswar on 27th Nov 2018. • With this win, she also became the first female • It is the 14th edition of the Men's Hockey World boxer to win a medal in seven world boxing Cup tournament. championships. • India is hosting the FIH Hockey World Cup for • Now, Mary Kom matched Cuba's Felix Savon as the third time. Earlier in 1982 in Mumbai and the joint most successful boxer (men and in 2010 in New Delhi. women) in the World Championships history. • Total 16 teams participating in the event. • Before Mary Kom, Katy Taylor of Ireland • India Captain - Manpreet Singh made five gold medals in the 60 kg category • Tata Steel named Official Partner of FIH Men’s from 2006 to 2016. She also won a bronze Hockey World Cup 2018. medal. Note: Silver for 21-year-old Sonia Chahal • India won their only World Cup in 1975 under Ajit • Sonia Chahal settles for silver after losing to Pal Singh’s captaincy. Wahner Ornella Gabriele of Germany in the 57 kg • Men’s Hockey World Cup held every four years. final. • In 2014 Netherlands, hosted the Men’s Hockey Note: World Cup and Australia won the title. • Indian boxers secured total 4 medals which 16. ICC Women’s t20 World Cup 2018 includes – 1 Gold, 1 Silver & 2 Bronze medal at the • Venue – West Indies 10th World Boxing Championship in New Delhi. • Winner – Australia – Australia beat England by Name Category Medal 8 in final to lift the title. MC Mary Kom 48 kg Gold • Runner-up – England (Manipur)

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Sonia Chahal 57 kg Silver • The Vidharbha batsman achieved the milestone (Haryana) during the third-round match against Baroda in Simranjit Kaur 64 kg Bronze at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) (Punjab) Stadium, Nagpur, Maharashtra. Lovlina Borgohain 69 kg Bronze 25. Senior Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali announced his (Assam) retirement from . 26. Brazilian Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

won the Brazilian Grand Prix tournament.

27. John Hastings retires from International Cricket - 19. Mary Kom named the best boxer of AIBA Women's Former Australia all-rounder John Hastings has retired World Boxing Championships from all cricket, citing the risks posed by a bleeding • India's legendary boxer MC Mary Kom was lung condition. adjudged the best boxer of the 10th AIBA Women's 28. Former England and Chelsea Football midfielder Joe World Boxing Championship held in New Delhi. Cole has retired at the age of 37. He played at 2002, 20. India to host the first Men’s World Boxing 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Championship in 2021 29. Lakshya Sen wins Bronze at World Junior • As the host nation, India would be hosting Badminton Championship – India’s top junior the Men’s World Boxing Championship in 2021. shuttler Lakshya Sen (17 years old) won bronze medal 21. Syed Modi International Championships (Badminton) at Li Ning BWF World Junior Badminton • Men’s single title – Sameer Verma defeated China’s Championships 2018 held at Markham, Canada. Guangzu Lu to win the title. 30. Alexander Zverev Won ATP World Tour Finals in • Women’s Single title - lost to Han London – Alexander Zverev has won ATP World Tour Yue of China in women’s singles summit clash and finals in London. won silver. Note: • The Syed Modi International Badminton • Alexander Zverev defeated world number one Championships is an international badminton Novak Djokovic in straight sets to claim the tournament, which is held annually in Lucknow, season-ending ATP Finals and earn the biggest India. victory of his career. 22. Monaco to host 2019 Laureus Awards in February - • Zverev also became the first player to beat both The 19th edition of the prestigious Laureus World Djokovic and Federer in the same ATP Finals. Sports Awards will be held in Monaco on February 31. Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba announced his 2019. retirement from Football. • Considered the ‘Oscars of sports’, the Laureus 32. Barcelona star Lionel Messi was named La Liga Player World Sports Awards celebrate global sporting of the Year. achievements across the calendar year. 33. Lucknow Stadium renamed After Atal Bihari 23. Subroto Cup Football Tournament - Bangladesh Vajpayee – Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) won the 59th • The newly-built Ekana International Stadium of edition of the junior boys Subroto Cup International Lucknow was renamed after former Prime Football Tournament beating Amini School, Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Afghanistan by a solitary goal at the Ambedkar • The stadium will now be known as ‘Bharat Ratna Stadium in New Delhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket 24. became the first Indian batsman to touch Stadium’. the 11,000-run figure in the . 34. SaarLorLux Open Badminton Tournament

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• Subhankar Dey has won the SaarLorLux Open • Nineteen-time world champion Pankaj Advani has at Saarbrucken in Germany. won the second leg of the Asian Snooker Tour in • He defeated Rajiv Ouseph of Britain. Jinan, China. 35. becomes Number 1 in World in 65kg 37. World Corporate Games in 2019 – Qatar category – • Qatar will host the 23rd edition of the World • Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia touched a Corporate Games 2019. new high in his career by achieving the • This is the first time the World Corporate Games number one rank in the world in the 65kg will be held in the Middle East. category. 38. Simone Biles sets World record, Wins 13th World • He has won five medals this season, including Championship Gold CWG and Asian Games golds and a silver at the • Simone Biles made history by picking up her World Championships. record 13th career gold medal at the world • He was placed atop the ranking table with 96 gymnastics championships in Doha, Qatar. points in the United World Wrestling list. • Simone Biles became the first ever gymnast to 36. Pankaj Advani became First Indian to Win Asian win 13 world championship gold medals. She Snooker Tour Title – hails from the USA. •

October

1. World Wrestling Championships – 2018 • Swiss tennis star Roger Federer won his 99th • The 2018 World Wrestling Championships career title after winning the Basel Open for were fifteenth edition of World Wrestling the ninth time in his career. Championships of combined events and were • Federer is now just 10 titles short of the all- held from October 20 to 28 in Budapest, time record holder Jimmy Connors, who leads Hungary. with 109. Key points: 3. Simona Halep becomes 1st Recipient of Chris Evert • In the 2018 event, Japan won the most medals WTA World No.1 Trophy with 5 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze. Russia • World number one Simona Halep has become comes second with 8 medals. the first recipient of the Chris Evert Women's • India is at the 17th place with 2 medals – 1 Tennis Association (WTA) World No.1 Trophy, silver and 1 bronze. named after WTA's first-ever world number • Bajrang Punia bagged the silver medal. one, Chris Evert. • Pooja Dhanda won Bronze medal and became • The 27-year-old had lifted her maiden Grand fourth Indian woman to win a medal at the Slam title at the Roland Garros and claimed the World Wrestling Championship. WTA Year-End world number one singles 2. Roger Federer won 99th Career Title in his award for the second consecutive year. Hometown 4. Indian table tennis player Ayhika Mukherjee has won a silver medal in the under-21 women’s singles category of the ITTF Challenge Belgium Open.

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5. Panasonic Open India Title 12. Trophy 2018 • Indian golfer Khalin Joshi clinched the • Mumbai has defeated Delhi by four wickets to Panasonic Open India title at the Delhi Golf win their third Vijay Hazare Trophy title at M Club. With this win, Joshi became the seventh Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Indian to win the Panasonic Open India title in 13. Professional Boxer Canelo Alvarez has signed the the last eight editions of the tournament. largest contract in the history of sports, agreeing a five- 6. Hockey Asian Champions Trophy year, 11-fight deal worth at least $365 million with • In Men’s Hockey, India and Pakistan were streaming service DAZN. declared joint winners of the Asian Champions 14. Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2018: Trophy at Muscat in Oman. • Venue - Buenos Aires, Argentina. 7. World Billiards Championship • It is the first Summer Youth Olympic Games to • India’s Sourav Kothari defeated Peter Gilchrist be held outside of Asia. of Singapore 1134-944 to clinch the 2018 WBL • Motto - Feel the future World Billiards Championship title. • Mascot - Pandi 8. Dwayne Bravo Retires from International Cricket • Summer Youth Olympics 2022 - Dakar, • All-rounder West Indies player Dwayne Bravo Senegal, the first IOC event to be held in Africa. announced his retirement from international • Winter Youth Olympic Games 2020 - cricket. Lausanne, Switzerland will host the next 9. Kohli becomes fastest player to reach 10,000 Runs winter version of YOG in 2020. in History of ODI Cricket India at YOG 2018 • India captain Virat Kohli has become the • Flag bearer - Manu Bhaker is the flag-bearer fastest batsman to score 10,000 runs in the of the Indian contingent for the games. history of ODI cricket, achieving the feat in his • Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga has become 205th innings, against Windies. India's first-ever gold medallist in the history • The 29-year-old overtook , of Youth Olympic Games (YOG). who had reached 10,000 ODI runs in his 259th • Sixteen-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker has innings, against Australia in 2001. become the first-ever Indian woman to win 10. DANISA Denmark Open 2018: gold at Youth Olympics. Men’s Single – • Suraj Panwar won India's first medal in • Winner - Kento Momota (Japan) athletics. He won the silver medal in in the • Runner-up - Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei) men's 5000m race walk. Women’s Single • 16 Year old Thangjam Tababi Devi became • Winner - Tai Tzu-ying (Chinese Taipei) India's first judo medallist at the Olympic level. • Runner-up - Saina Nehwal (India) She won the silver medal. • Pistol shooter Saurabh Chaudhary has bagged 11. Retires from all forms of Cricket the Gold Medal in the 10-meter air pistol event. • Former India fast bowler Praveen Kumar has • Malik became India’s first silver- retired from all forms of international cricket. medallist in archery at the Youth Olympic Praveen last played for India in 2012 and Games. represented India in 84 international matches. 15. Asian Para Games 2018 – • Venue - Jakarta, Indonesia

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• Mascot - The official mascot of the 2018 Asian Para Games is a Bondol eagle named MOMO, which was chosen to represent motivation and mobility. • India recorded its best-ever medal haul at the Asian Para Games by ending the 2018 edition with 72 medals (15 gold, 24 silver, and 33 bronze medals). • Hangzhou in China will host the fourth edition of Asian Para Games in 2022.

Medal Tally

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total 1. China 172 88 59 319 2. South Korea 53 45 46 144 3. Iran 51 42 43 136 9. India 15 24 33 72

16. Sultan Johar Cup Junior Hockey 2018 - Great Britain 20. Richie Benaud named Sport Australia Hall Of Fame lifted the 2018 Sultan of Johor Cup Legend - Sport Australia Hall of Fame has announced • Great Britain defeated India in the final. cricketing great Richie Benaud, who died in April, • Final was played at Johor Bahru, Malaysia. 2015, will become the 40th Legend of Australian Sport. 17. Santo Domingo Open Trophy - has won 21. India’s Keerthana Pandian has won the girls’ title in the his second Challenger-level title of the season, lifting IBSF World Under-16 Snooker Championships. In the the Santo Domingo Open trophy with partner Miguel final in St Petersburg, Russia. Angel Reyyes-Varela. 22. Former England batsman Nick Compton announced his 18. Former Pakistan left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who retirement from cricket. along with teammate Saeed Ajmal famously stunned 23. 18-Year-Old Shaw Youngest Indian to Score England during a 3-0 defeat in 2012, announced his Century on Test Debut - has become the retirement from international cricket. youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut, 19. U-19 Title - Indian under-19 cricket team achieving the feat aged 18 years and 329 days against has defeated Sri Lanka by 144 runs in the summit clash Windies in Rajkot, Gujarat. of the 2018 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in Dhaka, 24. Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak and Russian Bangladesh. goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev announced retirement from • The victory gave India their sixth title in the international football. continental tournament.

September US Open 2018 Men's Singles title – • It was Djokovic’s third US Open title and • Winner - Novak Djokovic (Serbia) overall 14th Grand Slam title. • Runner-up - Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) • With this win, he equalled Pete Sampras’ haul Note: of 14 Grand Slams.

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Women's Singles title – Note: • Winner - Naomi Osaka (Japan) • Naomi Osaka became the first Japanese woman to • Runner-up - Serena Williams (USA) win a Grand Slam title.

Asian Games 2018

• Venue - Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia. (It is for the first time that the sporting extravaganza is being co-hosted by two cities.) • Mascot - Bhin Bhin, Kaka, and Atung • Motto - Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Energy of Asia) • Asian Games 2022 - Hangzhou, China. • Most Valuable Player (MVP) - Japanese swimmer Ikee Rikako named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of 18th edition of the Asian Games. Note: The 18-year-old, who bagged six gold and two silver medals in the tournament, became the first female athlete to win the MVP title. Medal Tally

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 China 132 92 65 289 2 Japan 75 56 74 205 3 Republic of Korea 49 58 70 177 8 India 15 24 30 69

India at Asian Games 2018 • Opening Ceremony (Flag Bearer) – Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw) • Closing Ceremony (Flag Bearer) - (Hockey) First in Asian Games: • First medal in Sepak Takraw - The bronze was • First medal in 20 years in women's 100m dash India's first medal in the event. event - Indian sprinter Dutee Chand clinched a • First Gold medal - Bajrang Punia (Wrestling) won silver in women's 100m dash in the 18th Asian 1st Gold Medal for India in men's freestyle 65 kg Games to win the country's first medal in 20 years category. in this event. • First Indian woman to win gold in wrestling in • First Indian female shooter to win Gold at the Asian Games - Vinesh Phogat became 1st Indian Asian Games - Rahi Sarnobat, the first Indian woman to win gold in wrestling (50kg category) in female shooter to win Gold medal at the Asian Asian Games. Games. She won the gold in the 25m pistol event. • First Gold in heptathlon event - Swapna Barman • First women’s singles medals in badminton - became 1st Indian to win an Asiad gold in the P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal won India's first women's heptathlon event. ever medal in the women's singles event in • First Gold in Javelin throw event - Neeraj Chopra badminton claiming Silver and Bronze Medal became 1st Indian javelin thrower to win an Asiad respectively. gold.

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• India's 1st ever Bridge Gold - India's 60-year-old • First gold medal in 1500m after 56 years - Pranab Bardhan and 56-year-old Shibnath Sarkar Jinson Johnson won the gold in 1500 metres in the won the men's pair bridge event to bag the men's competition in Asian Games after 56 years. country's first-ever gold in bridge at the Asian • Youngest Indian to win the gold medal in Asian Games. Games 2018 - 16-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary • Vikas Krishan Yadav becomes the first Indian won gold at the 10m air pistol event in Asia Games boxer to clinch a medal in three consecutive Asian 2018 and became India’s youngest-ever gold games. medallist

Other Gold medal winners – • India won gold in the women's 4X400 metre event. • Sprinter Manjit Singh won the gold medal in the The Indian quartet of Hima Das, Raju Poovamma, men's 800m event. Saritaben Laxmanbhai Gayakwad and Vismaya • Tejinder Pal Singh Toor won the Gold medal in Koroth. Men's Shot-Put final. • Amit Panghal (Boxing) - India's 22-year-old • Indian rowers Sawarn Singh, Dattu Bhokanal, Om boxer Amit Panghal defeated 2016 Olympic Prakash and Sukhmeet Singh won the men's champion Hasanboy Dusmatov in the men's 49kg Quadruple Sculls to win India's fifth gold medal at final to bag gold at the Asian Games 2018. the Asian Games 2018. • Arpinder Singh (triple jump) - Arpinder Singh • Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan won the maiden won the gold medal in triple jump at the Asian men’s tennis doubles gold medal at the Asian Games with an effort of 16.77m. Games 2018.

Other Sports news

1. Asia Cup 2018 - India defeated Bangladesh to win the 5. Asian Team Snooker Championship - India settled Unimoni Asia Cup Title 2018. for the silver medal after losing to Pakistan 2-3 in the • Overall, this was India's seventh Asia Cup final of the Asian Team Snooker Championship. triumph. 6. India to host Women’s Boxing World • Liton Das was the Player of The Match Championships in November 15-24, 2018, in New • Shikhar Dhawan was declared as the Player of Delhi The Series. 7. Singapore Grand Prix 2018 - Lewis Hamilton 2. Asian Junior Squash Title: Yuvraj Wadhwani has 8. Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge set a new marathon world won the 25th Asian junior individual squash record in Berlin (Germany), smashing the previous championship title. He defeated Anas Ali Shah of best as he clocked 2 hours 1 minute 39 second. Pakistan by 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10 in the final in 9. 2018 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup – Chennai. Maldives defeated India in the final. 3. The 8th Asian Yoga Sports Championship organised by 10. Former Indian Hockey Captain Sardar Singh Asian Yoga Federation held in Thiruvananthapuram, announced his retirement from international hockey. Kerala. 11. 2018 - India Blue defeated defending 4. FIFA's Best Player of The Year Award - Croatia's champion India Red in the final to win the 57th Luka Modric Won FIFA's Best Player of The Year Duleep Trophy at NPR College ground, in , Award Tamil Nadu.

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12. Triple jumper Arpinder Singh created history by 14. Indian Pacer RP Singh announced his retirement from becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the IAAF International Cricket. Continental Cup. 15. England’s highest Test run-scorer 13. Hima Das appointed as Sports Ambassador of Assam announced his retirement from International cricket. Note: 16. Anjum Moudgil and Apurvi Chandela have become • She was the first Indian athlete to win gold the first set of Indian shooters to secure quota places medal in track event at IAAF World U20 for the 2020 Olympics. Championships held in Tampere, Finland. • In 2018 Asian Games (Jakarta), she had won silver medal in 400 m final to win a silver medal.

ISSF World Championship 2018 • Indian shooter Hriday Hazarika win the gold medal in the 10 m air rifle junior men's event. • Saurabh Chaudhary clinched gold medal at the 10 metres Air Pistol event. • Ankur Mittal claimed the men’s double trap gold medal in the ISSF World Championship.

August 1. North Korean to host 2019 Asian Youth and Junior 8. International Master Nihal Sarin became the 53rd Weightlifting Championships. Grandmaster of India. 2. FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2018 - Japan 9. Former India spinner Ramesh Powar was named head Women's National Team defeated Spain Women's coach of the women’s national team. National Team in the final to win the title for the first 10. Indian golfer Viraj Madappa became the youngest time in Japanese football history. Indian to win on the Asian Tour, as he won his first 3. announces retirement - Indian title on the Asian Tour at Take Solutions Masters in women’s team fast bowler Jhulan Goswami announced Bengaluru. her retirement from T20 Cricket Internationals. 11. Rafael Nadal lifts Rogers Cup 2018: Rafael Nadal clinched his fourth Canadian master’s 1000 title at the 4. Western & Southern Open 2018 - Novak Djokovic Rogers Cup in Toronto. He defeated Greek teenager (Serbia) beat Roger Federer (Switzerland) to win the Stefanos Tsitsipas. title. 12. Veteran German striker Mario Gomez announced his Note: With this win, Djokovic became the first men's retirement from international football. tennis player in history to win all nine Masters 1,000 13. U-20 Football title - India’s under-20 team won over tournaments Argentina under-20 in the final group stage match of 5. Australian cricketer announced the the COTIF Cup held in Valencia’s Els Arcs Stadium. retirement from all forms of cricket. 14. U-16 Football title - India defeated under-16 6. India defeated Bangladesh in the final of the South champions team of Iraq by 1-0 in the West Asian Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-15 Women’s Football Federation Cup in Amman, Jordon. Championship in Thimpu, Bhutan. 15. Asian Nations Cup Chess Tourney - Indian women 7. became fourth Indian -keeper to chess team at the Asian Nations Cup 2018 clinched the take five catches on Test debut during the second day gold in the Blitz event held in Iran. of the third Test against England.

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16. Indian Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar grabbed his maiden • Men’s Individual – Winner - Mostafa Asal European Tour title at the Fiji International in (Egypt) – Runner-up - Marwan Tarek (Egypt) Natadola Bay. • Women’s Individual - Winner - Rowan Elaraby 17. Women's Hockey World Cup 2018: Netherlands (Egypt)- Runner-up - Hania El defeated Ireland in the final to win the title for a Hammamy(Egypt) record eighth time. • Men’s Team - Winner – Egypt – Runner-up - Note: India finished the tournament at the 8th spot. England 18. World Badminton Championships 2018: P V 20. Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton Sindhu won the silver medal. She was defeated by (Mercedes) Carolina Marin. 19. World Junior Squash Championships 2018: World Junior Squash Championships 2018 was held in Chennai, India.

July

FIFA World Cup 2018 • Venue – Russia • Winner – France (France won the match 4–2 to claim their second World Cup title after 1998) • Runner-up - Croatia • Venue of FIFA 2022 – Qatar (It will be the first Arab country to host World Cup and it will also for first time it will be held in Middle East region.) • Venue of FIFA 2026 - Canada, Mexico, United States

Important points: • Official Match Ball - Telstar 18 • Official Song – “Live It Up", with vocals from Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi • Mascot - Zabivaka (an anthropomorphic wolf) • Man of the Match in Final: Antoine Griezmann (France). • FIFA President - Gianni Infantino • France Captain - Hugo Lloris • Golden Ball Award: Croatian captain Luka Modric • Golden Glove Award: Belgium's Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper. • Golden Boot Award: England captain Harry Kane won the World Cup Golden Boot. He was the top scorer with six goals. • Young Player Award: France's Kylian Mbappe won the Young Player award. He scored the game’s finest goal and became the first teenager to register in the final since Pele in 1958. • Fair play Award: Spain was awarded the Fair play Award for being the most disciplined team in the tournament. • For the first time video assistant referee (VAR) system was used in the FIFA World Cup. • Iceland and Panama made their first appearances at a FIFA World Cup 2018.

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Wimbledon Championships 2018 1. Men's Singles • Winner - Novak Djokovic (Serbia) • Runner- up - Kevin Anderson (South Africa) 2. Women's Singles • Winner - Angelique Kerber (Germany) • Runner-up - Serena Williams (USA)

Other sports news

1. Russian Open Badminton Trophy - Ace Indian shuttler Sourabh Verma lifted the Russian Open Badminton trophy at Vladivostok. He defeated Japan’s Koki Watanabe. 2. German Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 3. Olympic 2020 – Tokyo, Japan Mascot – ‘Miraitowa’ – It is derived from a combination of the Japanese words for future and eternity and seeks to "promote a future full of eternal hope in the hearts of people all over the world". 4. Fakhar Zaman became quickest player to reach 1000 runs in 1-Day Internationals. • He became the first player from Pakistan to score a double century in a one-day international. • He scored a double century for Pakistan against Zimbabwe. • Fakhar Zaman has broken the record of West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards. • Fakhar Zaman took 18 innings to reach the 1000 mark. Vivian Richards had achieved this mark in 21 matches. 5. Lakshya Sen wins Badminton Asian Junior Championships Title after defeating Indonesia’s Kunlavut Vitidsaran in the final match. 6. World's Most Expensive Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker of Brazil has become the World's most expensive goalkeeper while transferring clubs from Italy's Roma to England's Liverpool for a world record £56 million. 7. Thailand Open 2018: Nozomi Okuhara defeated PV Sindhu to win Maiden Title 8. announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket. 9. created history by becoming first Indian gymnast to win gold medal in the vault event of FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at Mersin, Turkey. 10. Satyarup Siddhanta has become second Indian mountaineer after Malli Mastan Babu to climb Mt Ojos del Salado (6893 m), the highest volcano in the world on Argentina-Chile border.

21st Commonwealth Games 2018

• Host Country – Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Note: • It is for the 5th time Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games. • Earlier Australia hosted Commonwealth Games in -1938, 1962, 1982, 2006. • Motto - "Share the Dream". • Mascot - Borobi • Next Commonwealth Games 2022 - Birmingham, England. • Shooting game excluded from 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Birmingham Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games decided not to pick shooting game for 2022 Games.

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Medal Tally Top 3 countries at Commonwealth Games 2018

Country Gold Silver Bronze Total 1. Australia 80 59 59 198 2. England 45 45 46 136 3. India 26 20 20 66

India at Commonwealth Games 2018 –

Flag bearer • Opening – P.V. Sindhu led Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 21st Commonwealth Games 2018. • Closing - Mary Kom led Indian contingent at the closing ceremony of the 21st Commonwealth Games 2018. • Pistol shooter Vijay Kumar was the flag-bearer in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. • 2014 Commonwealth Games was held in Glasgow, Scotland

First Gold Medal list - • Manika Batra created history by becoming the 1. First medal for India in CWG 2018 first Indian woman table tennis player to win • P Gururaja won the first medal for India. a singles gold at the Commonwealth Games • He won the silver medal in the men’s 56kg 2018. weightlifting event. • She defeated Yu Mengyu of Singapore. 2. First gold medal for India in CWG 2018 • Mirabai Chanu, won the first gold medal for 7. First Indian javelin thrower to win a gold medal India in the women’s 48 kg category • Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian javelin Weightlifting event. thrower to win a gold medal at the 2018 3. India’s youngest-ever gold medalist Commonwealth Games. • Anish Bhanwala (15 years old) won the gold medal 8. India’s first wrestling gold medal in CWG 2018 in the shooting game in men’s 25m rapid fire pistol • Wrestler Rahul Aware wins country's first event. gold in the 57-kilogram category of the • Anish Bhanwala is a native of Karnal, Haryana. men's freestyle competition. 4. First Indian Woman Boxer to win Gold medal 9. First ever gold medal in table tennis team • Mary Kom became the first Indian woman boxer to • India women's table tennis team scripted win a gold medal at Commonwealth Games 2018. history as they clinched their first ever gold She won the won the gold medal in the 48-kg medal at the Commonwealth Games. category. • They registered a 3- 1 victory over 5. First-ever gold in badminton mixed-team - Singapore in the final to clinch the gold • India clinched its first-ever gold in badminton medal. mixed-team event by defeating Malaysia. • Players – Manika Batra, , 6. First Indian woman table tennis player to win a singles Madhurika Patkar, Pooja Sahasrabudhe, gold Sutirtha Mukherjee 10. India's first medal in Shooting in CWG 2018

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• Manu Bhaker wins India's first medal in • Heena Sidhu won the silver medal in Shooting in women's 10m Air Pistol Shooting in women's 10m Air Pistol event event. • She is a native of Haryana. • Mehuli Ghosh won the silver medal in Shooting in women's 10m air rifle event.

Other player who won the Gold medal

Weightlifting 10. Shreyasi Singh won the gold medal in Shooting in the Women’s Double Trap event. 1. Sanjita Chanu won the second gold medal for India 11. won the gold medal for India in 10m air pistol in 53kg category weightlifting event. men’s Shooting event. 2. Sathish Kumar Sivalingam clinch the gold medal for India in men's 77 kg category weightlifting event 3. Venkat Rahul Ragala claimed India’s fourth Gold Badminton medal in 85-kg category at 21st Commonwealth Games 12. Indian mixed badminton team won the maiden Gold with a total lift of 338 Kg. medal and create history by wining maiden gold medal 4. Punam Yadav won the gold medal for India in the in CWG. women’s 69kg category Weightlifting event. • They defeated Malaysia in the final. • She is a native of Varanasi, Uttar 13. Saina Nehwal won the Gold medal in women’s single Pradesh. Badminton. • In the final she defeated P.V. Sindhu. Wrestling 5. clinched gold in the 74 kg category in Table Tennis Wrestling. 14. India men’s table tennis team won the gold medal at 6. Bajrang Punia won gold in 65 kg men’s freestyle 2018 Commonwealth Games. wrestling category. • They defeated Nigeria by 3-0 in the final. 7. Sumit Malik won the gold medal in the men’s freestyle • Players – G. Sathiyan, , 125 kg Harmeet Desai, Sanil Shetty, Amalraj 8. Vinesh Phogat won gold in the women’s 50 kilogram Anthony Arputharaj wrestling competition. Boxing Shooting 15. Boxer Gaurav Solanki won a gold medal for India in 9. Heena Sidhu gold medal in the Shooting - 25-metre the 52kg weight class. pistol 16. Boxer Vikas Krishan won the gold medal in 75 kg • she also won the silver medal in the 10- category. metre air pistol event.

Note: Robert Pitcairn became the oldest athlete to debut in Commonwealth Games history. • Robert Pitcairn is a 79-year-old full-bore shooter from Canada.

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Cricket July

1. Australian captain Aaron Finch slammed 172 (76) against Zimbabwe to register the highest-ever individual score in T20Is, overtaking his own record of 156 runs. 2. inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame 2018: Former captains Rahul Dravid of India, of Australia and retired England Women wicketkeeper-batter were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame 2018 during a glittering ceremony in Dublin, Ireland. • Former Team India captain Rahul Dravid has become the fifth Indian cricketer after , , and to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

June 1. : Virat Kohli • She has a decent average of 38.01 with the • India captain Virat Kohli received the Polly highest score of 76 . Umrigar Award for being the best 3. wins South Africa's Cricketer of The international cricketer for the 2016-17 and Year Award. 2017-18 seasons at the annual BCCI awards. • Kagiso Rabada, the world's number one Test bowler, was named South Africa's Cricketer of • Anshuman Gaekwad and the Year. received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award. • Rabada collected a total of six awards, 2. became the first batsman from the country including Test cricketer of the year, one-day to score 2000 runs in T20I cricket. international player of the year and players' • Mithali has now scored 2015 runs in 74 T20Is player of the year. with the help of 14 half-centuries.

May • Rishabh Pant bagged the Emerging Player 1. won the 11th edition of Indian award. Premier League (IPL) 2018. 2. AB de Villiers announced his decision to retire from • Chennai Super Kings beat international cricket. by 8 wickets in the final of the 2018 Indian • South African batsman AB de Villiers has Premier League at the in announced his decision to retire from Mumbai. international cricket with immediate effect. In • bagged the man of the match his 14-year career, he played 114 Tests, 228 award. One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 78 T20 Internationals.

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3. New Head coach of Australia cricket team - Justin tampering episode in March 2018 against Langer South Africa team. • replaced , who resigned after the embarrassing ball- April 1. India will host 2021Champions Trophy. Trophy into a World T20 event scheduled in • According to ICC Chief Executive Dave India. Richardson, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to convert the 2021 Champions

March Note: 1. 45th edition of the Deodhar Trophy 2018 - India – B. • Vidarbha beat Rest of India to clinch the title. Note: • Also, Vidarbha won the Ranji Trophy 2017. • India B has won the 45th edition of the Deodhar 5. West Indies qualified for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Trophy 2018 by defeating Karnataka in the Cup after defeating Scotland. final by 6 wickets at the Himachal Pradesh Note: Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. • West Indies defeated Scotland in the World 2. Rashid Khan became the youngest cricketer captain of Cup Qualifier to qualify for the 2019 ICC the International Cricket team Afghanistan. . 3. England player officially announced • ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 will be played in his retirement from the International cricket. England and Wales. 4. 2018 - Vidarbha

February 1. Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 – India defeated Australia in the final. • The final was played at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand. • India has won the World Cup title for fourth times. • India captain – Prithvi Shaw. • Man, of the match - Manjot Kalra • Player of the Tournament - Shubman Gill • Anukul Roy join Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmad and Canada’s Faisal Jamkhandi in the list of the Highest wicket taker in the tournament. They took 14 wickets in the tournament.

January 1. Australia will host the ICC World Cup T20 in 2020. 2. Sandeep Lamichhane becomes first Nepal player to • Both men’s & women’s event will be held in get IPL contract. Australia. • He was picked by Delhi Daredevils. • Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the final of 3. West Indies will host 2018 Women’s World T20. both the men’s and women’s World T20.

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• ICC has decided not to host the Men’s World • ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year - T20 in 2018. Hasan Ali (Pakistan) • West Indies won the both men’s & women’s • ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year - World T20 title in 2016. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) 4. Blind Cricket World Cup 2018 – India defeated • ICC Men’s T20I Performance of the Year - Pakistan in the final. Yuzvendra Chahal (6-25 v England) (India) • The final match was played at Sharjah Cricket • David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Stadium, the UAE. Year – Marais Erasmus • India Captain - Ajay Kumar Reddy • ICC Spirit of Cricket - Anya Shrubsole • Man of the match - Sunil Ramesh (England) 5. Virat Kohli named Captain of ICC’s Test & ODI Teams • ICC Fans Moment of the Year - Pakistan stuns of The Year India to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. 6. ICC Award 2017 – Here is the list of the winners 7. Ranji Trophy 2017 – Vidarbha defeated Delhi in the • ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year - Steve final. Smith (Australia) • For the first Vidarbha lifted the Ranji Trophy. • Sir Trophy for ICC Men’s • Final match was played at in Cricketer of the Year - Virat Kohli (India) Indore. • ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year - Virat • Rajneesh Gurbani was declared player of the Kohli (India) Match.

Football

June

1. 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in - US, Mexico and Canada • The United States, Mexico and Canada won the right to host the 2026 World Cup after beating Morocco in a vote by FIFA member nations. 2. India has lifted the Intercontinental Cup football title. In the summit clash in Mumbai, they defeated Kenya 2-nil.

May 1. The Indian U-16 football team pumped in as many as three goals in the first 10 minutes of the match to outplay Tajikistan 4-2 and emerge champions in the four-nation Under-16 Tournament held in Serbia. April 1. FIFA World Cup 2018 – Russia is hosting 2018 FIFA • Kerala defeated West Bengal in the final to win the World Cup. from It is scheduled to take place 14 June 2018 Santosh Trophy. to 15 July 2018. • With this win, Kerala won the Santosh Trophy for • Wolf chosen as 2018 FIFA World Cup Official sixth time. Mascot and named Zabivaka™ which means • West Bengal won the 2017 Santosh Trophy. “the one who scores” in Russian. • Santosh Trophy is an annual Indian football 2. Santosh Trophy 2018 - Kerala tournament started in 1941.

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3. Bengaluru FC won the Super Cup football tournament • They defeated Kolkata football giants East 2018 Bengal by a convincing margin of 4-1. • Bengaluru FC won the inaugural edition of the Super Cup football tournament at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. January 1. Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho Gaúcho has ➢ Jeakson Singh (Manipur) creates history by announced his retirement from football. scoring India’s first ever goal in FIFA U-17 2. Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona. World Cup against Colombia. • Team Liverpool sold Brazilian football player ➢ FIFA U-17 WC in India becomes most attended Philippe Coutinho to Team Barcelona for 160 in event’s history for the first time. million Euros ($192 million). ➢ USA-Based Namit Deshpande becomes the • With this, transfer of Philippe Coutinho has First NRI to Play for India’s U17 World Cup become the 2nd Most Expensive transfer in Team. ➢ Esther Staubli (Switzerland) became the first World Soccer History. female football referee to officiate a match. 3. FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 – For the first time, India ➢ The official Mascot for the FIFA U-17 World hosted the 17th edition of FIFA U-17 World. Nicolai Cup 2017 was clouded leopard named ‘Kheleo’. Adam is the coach of Indian team. Amarjit Singh Kiyam ➢ The official ball for Under-17 football World Cup (Manipur) is the captain of U-17 FIFA Indian team. is called ‘Krasava’. Key Facts – ➢ The final match of the event was held in Salt ➢ Winner – England won the title by defeating Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Spain by 5-2 in the final. 4. Bangladesh won SAFF U-15 Women's ➢ Best Player Award - Phil Foden of England has Championships title – Bangladesh defeated India in been adjudged tournament’s best player and has the final to won the SAFF Under-15 Women's been awarded ‘Golden Ball’. Championships. ➢ Golden Glove’ Award - Gabriel Brazao the • This is the first South Asian title for goalkeeper of Brazil’s national football team has Bangladesh in women's football. won the ‘Golden Glove’. • India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan ➢ Brazil has won the Fair Play Award. participated in this South Asian Football Federation tournament.

Hockey July 1. Australia wins Hockey Champions Trophy Final 2018: Australia defeated India in the final. It was Australia's record 15th Champions Trophy title.

June 1. Rani Rampal became the Captain of Indian Women’s Hockey Team.

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• Forward Rani Rampal was named as the captain of India’s 18-member squad for the women’s hockey World Cup to be played in London in July 2018.

May 1. Winner of 5th Asian Champions Trophy 2018 - South 2. New chief coach of the Indian men's Hockey team- Korea. Harendra Singh Note: Note: ➢ The Indian women's Hockey team lost to hosts • He replaced Sjoerd Marijne. South Korea (0-1) in the summit clash and • Earlier, Harendra Singh is the chief coach of the failed to defend its crown at the fifth Asian Indian women's Hockey team. Champions Trophy at Donghae City. • Harendra Singh coached the Indian men's team ➢ Indian striker Vandana Katariya was declared player of the tournament while youngster earlier from 2009 to 2011. Lalremsiami was named as the upcoming • Sjoerd Marijne became new chief coach of the player of the tournament. Indian women's Hockey team.

March 1. 27th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah cup 2018 - 1. 8th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship Australia 2018 - Punjab • Australia defeated England in the final to win the Note: 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah cup. • Hockey Punjab won the 8th Hockey India th • With this win, Australia lifted title for the 10 Senior Men National Championship title by time. defeating Petroleum Sports Promotion Board in the final.

Badminton

May 1. China team won the Thomas Cup 2018. • Japan's women clinched the Uber Cup, after • China beat Japan to win the Thomas Cup 2018. defeating Thailand 3-0 in the final. • The Thomas Cup, sometimes called the World • Japan won the tournament after 37-year. Men's Team Championships, is an • The Uber Cup, sometimes called the World international badminton competition among Team Championships for Women, is a major teams representing member nations of the international badminton competition Badminton World Federation, the sport's contested by women's national badminton global governing body. teams. 2. Japan team won the Uber Cup 2018.

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March 1. Women’s Single U-19 Badminton title 2018 - Purva • She defeated Anastasiia Pustinskaia in the final Barve held in Israel. Note:

Lawn Tennis June 1. 2018 French Open Women’s single title: • Winner - Simona Halep • She defeated Sloane Stephens of America. • Simona Halep became the second Romanian woman to win a Grand Slam singles trophy after Virginia Ruzici. 2. 2018 French Open Men’s single title: • Winner - Rafael Nadal • Rafael Nadal won his 11th French Open title by beating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets. • With this win he won 17th Grand Slam title of his career.

May

1. Winner of Italian Open 2018 - Rafa Nadal. ➢ Nadal beat defending champion Alexander 3. Women’s single Madrid Open title 2018 - Petra Zverev 6-1 1-6 6-3 Kvitova ➢ By winning the title, Nadal regained the ATP • Petra Kvitova defeated Kiki Bertens in the no. 1 singles ranking from Roger Federer. final to become the first woman to win three 2. Men’s single Madrid Open title 2018 - Alexander Madrid Open titles. Zverev • She hails from Czech Republic.

• Alexander Zverev won Madrid Open title by • Petra Kvitova claims the 24th singles title of beating Dominic Thiem in the final. Alexander her career - and her fourth tournament win Zverev hails from Germany. this year. • He becomes only the fifth active player to win • The Czech adds to her 2011 and 2015 at least three Masters 1000 titles. triumphs in the Spanish capital.

April 3. 2018 French Open Wild Card tournament - Siddhant 1. Miami Open women’s single trophy - Sloane Stephens Banthia • Sloane Stephens (USA) defeated Jelena • Siddhant Banthia won the 2018 French Open Ostapenko(Latvia) to win the Miami Open Wild Card tournament. He defeated Mann women’s single trophy. Maulik Shah by 6-4, 2-6, 7-6. 2. Miami Open men’s single trophy - John Isner (US) • Siddhant Banthia is a native of Pune city. • John Isner(USA) defeated Alexander Zverev(Germany) in the final.

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4. Monte Carlo Masters Tennis tournament - Men's • With this win, Nadal lifted his 11th Barcelona Singles title - Rafael Nadal Open tennis title. • Rafael Nadal defeated Kei Nishikori (Japan) 6. Yuki Bhambri won the 2018 Santaizi ATP Challenger by 6-3, 6-2 in the final. tournament in Taipei. • With this win Nadal became the first man to • Yuki Bhambri from India has won the 2018 win the Monte Carlo title 11 times. Santaizi ATP Challenger tennis tournament by 5. 2018 Barcelona Open tennis title - Rafael Nadal defeating his compatriot Ramkumar • Rafael Nadal won the 2018 Barcelona Open Ramanathan in the final of the event by 6-3 6-4 in Taipei, Taiwan tennis title. He defeated Greek teenager

Stefanos Tsitsipas by 6-2 6-1 in the final.

January 1. Australia Open 2018 Tournament held in Melbourne 2. Tata Open Maharashtra Tennis trophy - Gilles Simon Park, Australia. of France won the trophy. • Men’s Single Title - Roger Federer • He defeated Kevin Anderson (French) in the (Switzerland) defeated Marin Cilic (Croatia) in final. the final. 3. Hopman Cup – Switzerland won the tournament. • It was Federer's 20th Grand Slam title and • Switzerland won their third Hopman Cup as sixth Australia Open title. Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic beat • Women’s Sigle Title - Caroline Wozniacki Germany's Alexander Zverev and Angelique defeated Simona Halep (Romania) in the final. Kerber in the final. • She became the first player of the Denmark to 4. International - Elina Svitolina beat win the Grand Slam title. Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the final.

Formula 1

1. Austrian Grand Prix 2018: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen 5. Spanish Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton 2. French Grand Prix 2018 - Lewis Hamilton 6. Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton 3. Monaco Grand Prix 2018 - Daniel Ricciardo 7. Chinese Grand Prix - Daniel Riccardo 4. Formula Junior Racing Series 2018 Championship - - 8. Bahrain Grand Prix - Sebastian Vettel Bala Prasath 9. Australian Grand Prix 2018 - Sebastian Vettel • Bala Prasath Wins Formula Junior Racing Series 2018 Championship in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Chess June

1. World’s 2nd Youngest Chess Grand Master- R Praggnanandhaa. • India’s R Praggnanandhaa has become the country’s youngest and the world’s second youngest Grand Master at the age of 12 years, 10 months and 13 days after reaching the final round of the ongoing Grendine Open in Italy.

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• Ukraine’s Sergey Karjakin remains the youngest ever GM, having achieved the feat at the age of 12 years and seven months in 2002.

Other Sports news June

1. 2nd US Open Golf Title 2018 - Brooks Koepka Explanation: • American golfer Brooks Koepka became the first player in 29 years to win back-to-back US Open titles at Shinnecock Hills in New York.

May • Rohini S Mohite and Tababi Devi Thanjam won 1. who recently announced his retirement gold medals while Harish settled for a bronze from sports. on the opening day of the Asian Cadet Judo • Vikas Gowda is associated with Discus throw. Championships, being held in Lebanon. • He became the first and only Indian male to 4. The sports initiative ‘Star Khel Mahakumbh’ was win Commonwealth Games medal in the launched by BJP MP and cricket legend discipline. Sachin Tendulkar at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh 2. India’s rank sixth in the list of doping violations, as per in the presence of 1,500 athletes. latest report of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). • The athletes will compete in volleyball, • India maintained their dubious record of being basketball, cricket, football, kabaddi and among top 10 nations with regards to doping athletics. violations being joint sixth as World Anti- • The initiative has been designed in a manner Doping Agency (WADA) published its report as as to attract participation of at least one lakh per samples collected in 2016. youth from across 5000 villages and 800 • Italy topped the rankings of drug cases in panchayats. 2016, followed by France (86), United States (76), Australia (75), Belgium (73). 3. The 2018 Asian Cadet Judo Championships was held in Lebanon

April 1. C A Bhavani Devi won the silver medal in the sabre FIBA Basketball World Cup for men's national event of the Tournoi World Cup Satellite Fencing basketball teams. Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland. • The Mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2. The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in 2019 is 'Son of Dreams'. China. • The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup was held • China will host the2019 FIBA Basketball in Spain. World Cup. It will be the18th edition of the

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• United States men's national basketball team 4. Nepal hosted 8th South Asian Judo Championship was the champion in 2014 FIBA Basketball 2018. World Cup. • India won total 10 gold medals at 8th South 3. Shahzar Rizvi claimed India's first medal at the Asian Judo Championship 2018. International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) at • The 8th South Asian Judo Championship was Changwon, South Korea. He won the silver medal in held in Lalitpur, Nepal. the 10-meter air pistol event.

March 1. 2018 Asian Billiards Championships - Pankaj Advani • India Under-16 team won the 2018 U-17 Note: Jockey Cup International Youth Invitational • Pankaj Advani defended his Asian Billiards Football tournament by defeating hosts Hong Championships title. Kong in the final by 4-2. • In the final he defeated B Bhaskar 6-1 at 3. won the gold medal in the F-53/54 Yangon in Myanmar. category javelin event at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. • With this he won the11th gold medal at the • With this, she has secured the No. 1 rank in Asia Asian level. in F53 Javelin category. 2. U-17 Jockey Cup International Youth Invitational Football Tournament 2018 - India

February 1. Khelo India School Games held in Delhi. Key points - • Anu Kumar of Uttarakhand grabbed the first gold medal winning the 1,500m race at the Khelo India School Games. • Haryana emerged as the overall champions, finishing with 102 medals, which included 38 gold, 26 silver and 38 bronze medals. • Maharashtra with 111 medals, but due to their lower gold medal count (36), they had to contend with the second spot. • Delhi finished the Games at the third position with 94 medals, which included 25 gold, 29 silver and 40 bronze.

January 1. Khelo India, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Aim - to bridge the gap between sports at the school level and professional sports. • PM Narendra Modi on January 31, kicked off KISG at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. 2. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed Harjinder Singh as the Chef De Mission for the 23rd Winter Olympic Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea in February 2018. • Harjinder Singh is at present the General Secretary in the Ice Hockey Association of India. 3. 39th National Games in 2022 will be held in Meghalaya. 4. Indian golfer Shiv Kapur won the Royal Cup at Pattaya.

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List of Upcoming Sports Venue 1. Asian Games - The Asian Games, also known as Asiad ● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2024 – Paris, is a Pancontinental multi-sport event held every four France years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games Winter Olympic – were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF). ● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2014 – Sochi, Note: First Asian games were held in New Delhi, India Russia. in 1951. ● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2018 – ● Venue of Asian Games 2014 – Incheon, South Pyeongchang, South Korea. Korea. ● Venue of Winter Olympic Games 2022 – Beijing, ● Venue of Asian Games 2018 - Jakarta-Palembang, China. Indonesia. 4. ICC World Cup Cricket - The ICC Cricket World Cup is ● Venue of Asian Games 2022 – Hangzhou, China. the international championship of One Day ● Venue of Asian Games 2026 – Nagoya, Japan. International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by 2. Commonwealth Games (CWG) - The Commonwealth the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four Games is an international multi-sport event involving years. athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations held every Note: The first World Cup was held in England in June four years. 1975. West Indies won the title by defeating Australia Note: The first Commonwealth Games held in 1911 in in the final. London, England. Australia has been the most successful team in the ● Venue of CWG Games 2010 – New Delhi, India. World Cup, with 5 titles and 2 runners up. ● Venue of CWG Games 2014 – Glasgow, Scotland. India won the first World Cup title in 1983 by ● Venue of CWG Games 2018 – Gold Coast, defeating West Indies in the final. Australia. Australia won the World Cup title in 2015 after ● Venue of CWG Games 2022 – Birmingham, defeating New Zealand in the final. England. ● International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarter - Note: The 2022 Commonwealth Games will no Dubai, United Arab Emirates. longer take place in Durban, South Africa as the ● President of ICC – . South African government failed to give financial ● Chairman of ICC – Shashank Manohar. guarantees for the event. ● CEO – David Richardson. 3. Olympics Games - The Olympic Games are held every ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 – India, Sri four years, with the Summer and Winter Games Lanka, Bangladesh. alternating by occurring every four years but two ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – Australia & years apart. New Zealand. Note: ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – England, ● The first modern Olympics games were held in Wales. Athens, Greece, in 1896. ● Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – India. ● International Olympic Committee (IOC) 5. ICC World Cup T20 – The ICC World Twenty20 is the headquarter - Lausanne, Switzerland. international championship of Twenty20 cricket. It is ● IOC President - Thomas Bach organised the International Cricket Council (ICC). Summer Olympic - Note: ● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2016 – Rio de ● The first T20 World Cup was held in Johannesburg, Janeiro, Brazil South Africa in 2007. ● Venue of Summer Olympic Games 2020 – Tokyo, ● India won the first T20 world cup title after Japan defeating Pakistan in the final.

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● West Indies won the T20 World Cup title two every four years, bridging the four years between the times. Summer Olympics. West Indies wont the title in 2016 after defeating Note: The first Men’s Hockey World Cup was held in England in the final. 1971 Barcelona, Spain. Pakistan won the title after ● Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. defeating Spain in the final. ● Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. Pakistan has been the most successful team in the ● Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia. World Cup, with 4 titles from 6 appearances in the final. 6. ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – The ICC Women's Australia won the title in 2014 after defeating Cricket World Cup is the oldest and most prestigious Netherlands in the final. international women's cricket tournament. Note: Note: ● International Hockey Federation (IHF) The first Women’s World Cup was held in England in headquarter - Lausanne, Switzerland. 1973, two years before the inaugural men's ● President of IHF - Narinder Batra. tournament. England won the title by defeating ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – New Australia in the final. Delhi, India. Australia has been the most successful team in the ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The Women’s World Cup, with 6 titles and 3 runners up. Hague, Netherlands. England won the Women’s World Cup in 2017 by ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – defeating India in the final. Bhubaneswar, India. ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2013 – 9. Hockey Women’s World Cup - The Women’s Hockey India. World Cup is an international field hockey competition ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2017 – organised by the International Hockey Federation England. (FIH). It is held every four years, bridging the four ● Venue of ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2021 – years between the Summer Olympics. New Zealand. Note: The first Women’s Hockey World Cup was held 7. ICC Women’s World Cup T20 - The ICC Women’s in 1974 in Mandelieu, France. Netherlands won the World Twenty20 is the international championship for title after defeating Argentina in the final. Women’s Twenty20 cricket. It is organised the Netherlands has been the most successful team in the International Cricket Council (ICC). World Cup, with 7 titles from 11 appearances in the Note: final. ● The first Women’s T20 World Cup was held in Netherlands won the title in 2014 after defeating England in 2009. Australia in the final. ● England won the first T20 world cup title after ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2010 – Rosario, defeating New Zealand in the final. Argentina. ● Australia has been the most successful team in the ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2014 – The Women’s World Cup, with 3 titles and 1 runners Hague, Netherlands. up. ● West Indies won the title in 2016 after defeating ● Venue of Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 – London, Australia in the final. England. ● Venue of World Cup 2014 – Bangladesh. 10. FIFA (Football) World Cup – The FIFA World Cup is ● Venue of World Cup T20 2016– India. an international association football competition ● Venue of World Cup T20 2018– West Indies contested by the senior men's national teams of the ● Venue of World Cup 2020 – Australia. members of Fédération Internationale de Football 8. Hockey Men’s World Cup – The Hockey World Cup is Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. an international field hockey competition organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). It is held

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Note: The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in USA won the title in 2015 after defeating Japan in the Uruguay. Uruguay won the title after defeating final. Argentina in the final. ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2015 – Canada. Brazil has been the most successful team in the World ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2019 – France. Cup, with 5 titles from 7 appearances in the final. 12. FIFA (U-17) World Cup – The FIFA U-17 World Cup, Germany won the title in 2014 after defeating founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later Argentina in the final. changed to its current name in 2007, is the world Note: championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Fédération ● Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) headquarter - Zürich, Switzerland. Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is held every two years. ● President of FIFA - Gianni Infantino. Note: The first FIFA (U-17) World Cup was held in ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2014 – Brazil. ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2018 – Russia. 1991 in Italy. Ghana won the title after defeating Spain ● Venue of FIFA World Cup 2022 – Qatar. in the final. 11. FIFA Women's World Cup – The FIFA Women's Nigeria is the most successful nation in the World Cup is an international football competition tournament's history, with five titles and three runners contested by the senior women's national teams of the up. members of Fédération Internationale de Football Nigeria won the title in 2015 after defeating Mali in the Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. final. Note: The first FIFA Women’s World Cup was held in ● Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2015 – Chile. 1991 in China. United States won the title after ● Venue of FIFA (U-17) World Cup 2017 – India. defeating Norway in the final. USA is the most successful nation in the tournament's history, with 3 titles and 1 runners up.

Science & Defense Military Exercise

December 1. SHINYUU -18 - Air Exercise between India & • Air forces of the United States and India are set Japan. to participate in a 12-day joint exercise ‘Cope • The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) India 2019’ at two air force stations in West held a bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 Bengal. with at A F Station Agra • The exercise will be held from December 3 to 2. Cope India 2019 – Trilateral Air Exercise between 14, at Air Station Kalaikunda and Air Station India & US. Arjan Singh (Panagarh). November 1. KONKAN-18 - Naval exercise between India and the 2. ‘Vajra Prahar’ - Indo-US joint Military Exercise held in United Kingdom was held in Goa. Jaipur.

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3. SIMBEX - Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral 7. Samudra Shakti - Bilateral Naval Exercise between Exercise India & Indonesia held at the port of Surabaya, • The 25th edition of Singapore-India Maritime Indonesia. Bilateral Exercise was held in Andaman Sea Note: and Bay of Bengal. • Indian Navy’s Rajput class destroyer INS Rana 4. Hand in Hand - joint military exercise between India entered Surabaya port in Indonesia to & China will be held in southwest China’s Chengdu. participate in the inaugural edition of Indian 5. Dharma Guardian - India-Japan military exercise Navy – Indonesian Navy exercise “Samudra • India and Japan concluded their first land- Shakti”. based joint military exercise in Mizoram. • Indian naval ship INS Sumitra on July 11, 2018 6. INDRA 2018 - joint military exercise between Indian became the first-ever warship to enter port of and Russia held in Jhansi, UP. Sabang in Indonesia.

October

1. ‘Druzhba-III’ - Joint Military exercise between Pakistan 4. 'IBSAMAR-VI' - a joint Multi-National Maritime & Russia. exercise between the Indian, Brazilian and South 2. ‘JIMEX 18’ - Maritime exercise between Japan & India African Navies, is held at Simons Town, South Africa. was held at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 5. Iron Magic 19: joint military exercise between US & 3. Sahyog HOP TAC-2018 - Coast Guards of India, UAE held in Dubai. Vietnam hold joint exercise

September

1. Sagarmatha Friendship-2018 - Nepal-China joint 7. ‘SLINEX-2018’ - India & Sri Lanka conducts joint naval military exercise exercise at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. 2. Aviaindra 18 - India and Russia joint air exercise was 8. 'KAZIND 2018' - Indo-Kazakhstan joint Army exercise held in Lipetsk, Russia. conducted in Otar region, Kazakhstan. 3. Vostok-2018' - Russia has launched its biggest 9. ‘IOWave18’ - India along with 23 other nations will be military exercise named "Vostok-2018", involving participating in major Indian ocean-wide tsunami about 300,000 service personnel, in eastern Siberia. mock exercise known as IOWave18. 4. 'Yudh Abhyas 2018' - Indo-US joint military training Note: The exercise is being organized by exercise to be conducted at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) 5. ‘MILEX-18’ - First military exercise of BIMSTEC of UNESCO. countries held in Pune. 10. ‘Rapid Trident’ - Ukraine has launched annual joint 6. 'Nomadic Elephant 2018' - India-Mongolia joint military exercise named Rapid Trident with the United exercise held at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. States and other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries.

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August 1. Exercise KAKADU 2018 - INS Sahyadri entered the 3. ‘Exercise Maitree 2018’ - Indian and Thailand's Port of Darwin, Australia to participate in Exercise conducts joint military exercise in Jammu & Kashmir’s KAKADU 2018. Srinagar. • Exercise KAKADU, which started in 1993, is 4. 1st Ever IAF-RMAF - The first-ever joint air exercise the premier multilateral regional maritime involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal engagement exercise hosted by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commenced at Subang Air Australian Navy (RAN) and supported by the Base in Malaysia. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). 5. Pitch Black – 18 (PB-18) – A biennia multinational air 2. SCO Peace Mission 2018: The Shanghai Cooperation exercise hosted by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Organization (SCO) counter-terror military exercise concluded recently Darwin, Australia. held in Chebarkul, Russia.

June

1. Passage Exercise (PASSEX) 2018: naval exercise 3. Trilateral Naval Exercise Malabar 2018: India, Japan between India and Indonesia. and United States. 2. Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) as an annual exercise: 4. Indra-2018 is a tri-service joint military exercise: India & Bangladesh. India & Russia.

May • The theme this year is "Capable, Adaptive, Partners. 1. World’s largest International Maritime exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) was held at Hawaiian 2. SURYA KIRAN-XIII - a joint military exercise between Islands and Southern California. India and Nepal conducted at Pithoragarh, • As many as 26 countries, including India Uttarakhand. participated in the exercise. 3. ‘Vijay Prahar' exercise 2018 concluded in - • It is known as the world's largest international Rajasthan maritime exercise, RIMPAC this year involves • The exercise is aimed to orchestrate wide 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national spectrum of threats which are planned to be land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and tackled through high tempo joint air and land 25,000 personnel. operation. • Four countries -- Brazil, Israel, Sri Lanka and 4. The ‘Varuna Naval Exercise’ 2018 - India & France

Vietnam -- are participating in RIMPAC for the • The ‘Varuna Naval Exercise’ 2018 was held first time. between India and France in Reunion Island in Indian Ocean Region. April

1. “Desert Tiger 5” - joint military exercise between 3. ‘Chakravath 2018’ - The joint Humanitarian United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise 2. ‘SAHYOG- -HYEOBLYEOG 2018’ is a joint exercise ‘Chakravath 2018’ is organized between Indian Navy between India and South Korea. and Kerala state government.

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4. Gaganshakti 2018 is one of the biggest combat which will take place under the framework of exercises conducted by Indian Air Force Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). 5. ‘HARIMAU SHAKTI” 2018 is a joint military exercise • It will be for the first time since Independence between India and Malaysia that India and Pakistan will both be part of a 6. “Peace Mission 2018” - multi-nation counter- military exercise. terrorism exercise will be held in Russia 7. ‘Sagar Kavach’ - The Coastal security exercise was • The multi-nation counter-terrorism exercise held in Kerala “Peace Mission” will be held at the Ural mountains of Russia in September 2018,

March

1. ‘KHANJAR V’ is a joint training exercise between India • The maritime exercise held at the Mormugao & Kyrgyzstan. Port Trust (MPT) in Vasco, Goa. Note: 3. The Gulf Shield first military exercise of 23 countries • The joint training exercise was held in Counter including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states was held in ___. Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia Insurgency Jungle Warfare School, Vairengte 4. Paschim Leher (XPL -18)’ a tri-Services maritime Mizoram. exercise in the Arabian Sea conducted by Western 2. ‘VARUNA-18’ is a bilateral maritime exercise between Naval Command. India and France. 5. First -ever multi-nation naval exercise conducted in Note: the Andaman Sea is MILES – 18.

January 1. VINBAX - ‘VINBAX’ is the first military exercise between India & Vietnam. It was conducted in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. 2. ‘Iron Fist’ – Joint military exercise between US & Japan held in California, US. 3. ‘National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise’ – Joint Naval exercise between India & Japan was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in Bay of Bengal.

Science & Defense Other News

December

1. ISRO's successfully launched heaviest satellite GSAT-11 • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India's heaviest satellite GSAT-11 (weighing 5,854 kg) by Ariane-5 VA246 rocket from Kourou Launch Zone, French Guiana in South America. About GSAT-11 • The GSAT-11 also called -Big Bird.

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• The GSAT-11 is the next generation high throughput communication satellite that will play a vital role in providing broadband services across the country. • The satellite is expected to have a lifespan of 15 years.

November

1. ISRO launches India's first hyperspectral imaging • K9 Vajra guns: It is a 155-mm, 52-calibre self- satellite propelled gun with maximum range of 40 km. It will be imported from South Korea. • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has • Common Gun Tower: It is 6×6 field successfully launched country’s first advance tractor is indigenously developed by Ashok earth observation satellite Hyper Spectral Leyland. Imaging Satellite (HysIS). 6. Raksha Mantri launches ‘Mission Raksha Gyan • The satellite was launched on board of ISRO’s Shakti’ workhorse PSLV-C43 from Satish Dhawan • Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota in Andhra launched ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’, in New Pradesh. Delhi to boost Intellectual Property Right (IPR) 2. India signs $950 million contract with Russia to culture in indigenous defence industry. buy two Stealth Frigates 7. NASA's InSight spacecraft successfully lands on • India has signed a $950 million contract with Mars after a six-month journey Russia for two upgraded Krivak III-class • NASA's robotic InSight lander successfully stealth frigates. landed on Red Planet Mars after the six-month 3. India and Russia sealed a USD 500 million deal for journey. construction of two missile frigates in Goa for the • The spacecraft has been designed to dig deep Indian Navy. into the rocky surface of the Mars to reveal its 4. INS Arihant successfully completes its first secrets. deterrence patrol 8. Indian Coast Guard launches new Offshore patrol • India's first indigenous nuclear submarine INS vessel - ICGS Varaha Arihant, or the "annihilator of enemies", has • Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launches new successfully completed its first deterrence Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha at patrol. L&T Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, Tamil 5. Indian Army inducts three artillery guns, including Nadu. US' M777 howitzers 9. India successfully conducted night trial of -I • Indian army inducted three major artillery gun systems, including the M777 American Ultra • India has successfully carried out night user Light Howitzers and the K-9 Vajra and trial of Agni-I short-range nuclear-capable 'Composite Gun Towing Vehicle' into the Army. ballistic missile. Note: • The test flight was conducted by Indian Army’s • M777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzers : It is Strategic Forces Command off Abdul Kalam 155mm, 39 Calibre ULHs towed artillery gun, Island in Bay of Bengal, off the coast of the with maximum range of 24-30km procured Indian state of Odisha. from United States. 10. IAF launches MedWatch mobile health app

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• Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched • The rocket took 15 years to complete. ‘MedWatch’ mobile health app to provide • Each launch of GSLV-Mk III costs upwards of Rs health information to users, including first-aid 300 crores to the space organisation. and other health and nutritional topics. Note: • It is first of its kind mobile health app built by • According to the ISRO, 'Chandrayaan-2' is any of the three armed forces. scheduled to be launched in January 2019. 11. Mohammed VI-B: Morocco launches its second • Whereas, ISRO has set a ‘target’ of achieving the earth observation satellite country’s ambitious manned mission to space by • Morocco successfully launched its second 2021, with the first unmanned programme of earth observation satellite named Mohammed ‘Gaganyaan’ planned for December 2020. VI-B. • GSLV-MkIII-D2, the launch vehicle will be used to 12. ISRO successfully launches communication carry an Indian astronaut to space. satellite GSAT-29 • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and • On 14th November 2018, ISRO successfully Russia’s federal space agency Roscosmos State launched the communication satellite GSAT-29 Corporation for Space Activities (ROSCOSMOS) through its most powerful and heavy lift have agreed to worked together for first manned "rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch space mission Gaganyaan. Vehicle Mark III (GSLV MkIII-D2). 13. NASA retires Kepler space telescope • The satellite was launched from the Satish • NASA has retired Kepler space telescope after Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra it ran out of fuel needed for further science Pradesh. operations. Key points of GSAT-29 satellite • This brings end of nine-and-a-half year mission • GSAT-29 satellite which weighs 3,423 kg is the of Kepler space telescope. heaviest satellite launched from India. Kepler space telescope • GSAT-29 carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput • The unmanned space telescope was launched in communication transponders designed to improve 2009 on 3.5-year mission (from 2009 until telecommunication and internet services under the November 2012), but operated for 9 years. ‘Digital India’ program in J&K and Northeast. • It was NASA’s first planet-hunting mission. • GSAT-29 is a multibeam, multiband • It was named after German mathematician and communication satellite. astronomer Johannes Kepler. Key points of GSLV Mk III – Bahubali of Indian rockets 14. ISRO to set up Space Science Centre in J&K • India’s Bahubali rocket Geo-Synchronous Satellite • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (GSLV Mk-III) weighs 641 signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) tons, which is equal to the weight of five fully with Central University of Jammu (CUJ) in loaded passenger planes. Jammu for setting up of Satish Dhawan Center • The height of the rocket is 43 meters which is for Space Science in University. higher than the 13-storey building. • It will be first of its kind institute coming up in • The interesting fact is that 'Bahubali' rocket is the Jammu and Kashmir. heaviest of all operational launch vehicles in India, also the shortest in size.

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October

1. Reliance-Built Coast Guard Training Ship ICGS supply LRSAM air and missile defence systems Varuna launched to seven ships in the Indian navy. • ICGS Varuna, an indigenously-designed 3. Clear Sky 2018 - Ukraine launched Air Exercises training vessel built by Reliance Naval and with NATO Countries Engineering Limited for the Indian Coast 4. Ghauri ballistic missile - Pakistan has successfully Guard, was launched in Pipavav. test-fired Ghauri ballistic missile capable of carrying 2. India Signs $777 Million Deal for Israeli Missile both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a Defence Systems distance of 1,300 kilometres. • State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) 5. India & Kazakhstan agree to boost Defence & has won an additional $777 million contract to Military-Technical Cooperation

September 1. Indian Air Force successfully test fired the 7. Dataset Search: Google launches new search indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to- engine for scientific community - Search engine Air Missile from a Su-30 aircraft. giant Google has launched Dataset Search, a new 2. Defence Research and Development Organisation search engine for scientific community that will help (DRDO) successfully flight tested the indigenously them make sense of millions of datasets present developed surface-to-surface tactical missile ‘Prahar’, online. from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Balasore, Odisha. 8. BARC recommissions upgraded version of India’s 3. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by oldest research reactor ‘Apsara’- Bhabha Atomic Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman accorded Research Centre (BARC), Trombay has approval for the procurement of equipment for the recommissioned India’s oldest nuclear research Defence Forces valued at over Rs 9,100 crores. reactor named ‘Apsara’, which was shut down 4. India’s first ‘smart fence’ pilot project was permanently in 2009 for repair. inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh • The refurbished version of this reactor has along the Indo-Pak border at the BSF Headquarters in been named as ‘Apsara-upgraded’ (Apsara-U) Ploura, Jammu. and also has double capacity compared to its 5. Indigenously developed weapon system Man earlier version. Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), was • It is located within India’s nuclear weapons successfully flight tested for the second time from the facility at BARC’s Trombay campus Ahmednagar range, Maharashtra. (Maharashtra). 6. Japan to conduct world’s first test of space 9. Bengaluru to host Aero India in February 2019: elevator - Japanese researchers from Shizuoka Defence Ministry University will conduct world’s first experiment to • The next edition of Aero India will be held in test small prototype of space elevator in space by Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 20 to 24, using two mini satellites. 2019, Defence Ministry announced. • The test equipment will be launched by Japan’s • This five-day event will combine a major trade space agency on board of H-2B rocket from exhibition for the aerospace and defence southern island of Tanegashima. industries with public air shows.

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August 1. Iran unveiled its first domestic fighter jet named 15 to 25 kms was launched against multiple ''. simulated targets of 1500 km class ballistic 2. India successfully tests anti-tank guided missile missile. ‘HELINA’ - India successfully flight tested the 8. Operation Madad and Operation Sahyog launched to indigenously developed helicopter launched Anti-Tank rescue people in flood-hit Kerala - Indian Navy has Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ from Pokhran in Rajasthan. launched Operation Madad, major rescue and relief 3. India’s 1st Women SWAT team inducted in Delhi operation in flood-hit Kerala. Indian Army also has Police - The Delhi Police inducted an all-woman launched Operation Sahyog to rescue people in flood- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, consisting hit Kerala. of 36 commandos – the first ever by any police force in 9. Xingkong-2: China successfully tests first India – for anti-terrorist operations. hypersonic aircraft - China successfully tested its first 4. missile - Israeli Navy has announced to cutting-edge hypersonic “waverider” flight vehicle procure multi-purpose Barak 8 missile defence system, (aircraft) Xingkong-2 (Starry Sky-2). jointly developed by India and Israel. 10. India’s first biofuel flight was powered by jatropha • Barak-8 (Lightning 8 in Hebrew), also seeds - India’s first first-ever environment friendly known as also known as LR-SAM or as MR- biofuel powered flight between Dehradun and Delhi SAM is an operational air and missile defense was propelled by blend of oil from jatropha seeds and system used by Israeli Navy as well as by aviation turbine fuel. Indian Navy and air forces. 11. European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully 5. Defence Industrial Corridor launched in Aligarh, launched wind-sensing satellite named Aeolus into UP - Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Uttar orbit on board of Vega rocket from French Guyana. Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a 12. ISRO postpones launch of Chandrayaan-2 mission - defence industrial corridor in Aligarh, Uttar Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has Pradesh. postponed Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to 6. Fateh Mobin (Bright Conqueror) - Iran has unveiled moon to January 2019. Fateh Mobin (Bright Conqueror) next generation 13. India to launch first manned space mission by short-range ballistic missile capable of striking targets 2022: PM on land and sea. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of his 7. Ballistic Missile Interceptor AAD successfully flight 72nd Independence Day speech vowed to put tested - Defence Research & Development Indian in space by 2022 under manned space Organisation (DRDO) conducted the successful test of mission on board ‘Gaganyaan’. the Ballistic Missile Interceptor Advanced Area • Former Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Rakesh Defence (AAD) from Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. Sharma was first Indian to travel to space. • The endo-atmospheric missile, capable of intercepting incoming targets at an altitude of

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July

1. First Defence incubators will come up in 3. 19th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas observed - Hyderabad - Country’s first Defence incubators will The 19th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was come up in Hyderabad, which is India’s missile celebrated across India on 26 July 2018 to development centre and fast emerging the hub for commemorate the success of Operation Vijay and aerospace industries. The incubator will be housed at remember brave sacrifice of Indian soldiers during T-Hub. 1999 India-Pakistan Kargil War. 2. Indian Army has awarded Rs. 100-crore contract for 81 4. India’s 1st private UAV factory to set up in Kota - high mobility 10×10 vehicles to India’s leading vehicle India’s first private sector unit for manufacturing manufacturer Ashok Leyland. This is for first time Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) and light bullet proof Indian vehicle manufacturer will deliver heavy duty, vehicles (LBPV) will be set up by DCM Shriram high mobility vehicles for the launchers. Industries Group on the campus of Shriram Rayons in Kota, Rajasthan.

June 1. Operation NISTAR - Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayana • The missile was launched from Dr Abdul successfully evacuated 38 Indian Nationals from Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. cyclone-hit Socotra island in Yemen under swift • Agni missile is a surface to surface missile Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operation (HADR) which has a range of 5000 km. code named Operation NISTAR. 4. Indian Army is observing year 2018 as “Year of • A severe cyclonic storm Mekenu crossed the Disabled Soldiers in Line of Duty” Yemeni Island of Socotra on 24 May, leaving 38 • Indian Army is observing year 2018 as “Year of Indians stranded on the island with limited Disabled Soldiers in Line of Duty” to honour food and water. soldiers who have been disabled in line of 2. China launched a new Earth observation satellite 'the duty. Gaofen-6' which will be mainly used in agricultural • The primary focus of this initiative is to resources research and disaster monitoring. alleviate sufferings of these soldiers, who have 3. India successfully test fired its indigenously developed done their duty with utmost dedication to Agni- 5 missile on 3rd June. nation and have been disabled for the life.

May • At present, US Pacific Command is responsible 1. India and Russia deal to procure S-400 Triumf air for all US military activity in greater Pacific defence missile systems for Indian Air Force (IAF). region. S-400 Triumf air defence missile • It has about 375,000 civilian and military 2. United States renamed its oldest and largest stragically personnel assigned to its area of responsibility, important military command US Pacific Command which also includes India. (PACOM) to Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). • Now renamed INDOPACOM will now extend its reach from Pacific Ocean to Indian Ocean Region.

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3. NASA is planning to send the first unmanned Force Station in Florida and is expected to helicopter to Mars in its mission scheduled to launch reach Mars in February 2021. in 2020, to test the viability and potential of heavier- 4. China launched APSTAR-6C satellite via the Long than-air vehicles on the red planet. March 3B launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch • Mars 2020 will launch on a United Launch Center at Sichuan province. Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Space • APSTAR-6C satellite will “enhance Asia-Pacific Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air satellite communications, broadcasting services capabilities”.

April 1. On April 2018, ISRO successfully launched the 3. First commercial satellite of Bangladesh - navigation satellite IRNSS-1I into the orbit with the Bangabandhu-1 help of PSLV-C41 launch vehicle from the Satish • Bangladesh's first commerical satellite Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota in Andhra “Bangabandhu-1” to be launched on 7th May Pradesh. 2018. • The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is a constellation of seven • The satellite will be launched from Florida's satellites that provides indigenously developed Cape Canaveral (US). regional GPS services called NavIC. • The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 (BS-1), will be 2. National Aeronautics and Space Administration the first Bangladeshi geostationary (NASA) has announced to launch Transiting communications satellite operated by Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) which aims to Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company expand mankind's search for planets beyond the solar Limited (BCSCL). system.

March 3. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned 1. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched interceptor boat ICGS C-437 at Porbandar, Gujarat its latest communication satellite - GSAT-6A. as part of its efforts to strengthen coastal security. • ISRO successfully launched GSAT-6A satellite 4. NASA launched the first-ever mission dedicated to from GSLV-F08 rocket vehicle. exploring the deep interior of Mars planet. • GSAT-6A is a high-power S-band Note: communication satellite. • NASA is all set to send the first-ever mission • It will be India's second predominantly S-band dedicated to exploring the deep interior of communications satellite - first being the Mars. GSAT-6. • The name of the mission is - “InSight”. • According to the ISRO, the life span of the 5. Andaman & Nicobar Naval Command hosted the GSAT-6A mission will be around 10 years. multinational mega event ‘Milan 2018’ at Port Blair. • The overall size of the GSAT-6A satellite is • The Andaman Nicobar naval command is 1.53m X 1.65 m X 2.4 m. organizing multinational mega event “Milan 2018” with theme ‘Friendship Across the 2. Indian Navy decommissioned INS Ganga warship in Seas’ at Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Mumbai. islands.

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February 1. Agni-1 missile successfully test-fired - Nuclear 2. First foreign military chief to fly Tejas aircraft - The capable ballistic Agni-1 successfully test-fired from the Chief of US Air Force, General David L Goldfein flew Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) off the Odisha. indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the • Agni-1 is indigenously developed intermediate Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. range surface-to-surface, single-stage • With this he became first foreign military chief missile. to fly Tejas aircraft. • It has strike range of over 700 km.

January 1. INS Karanj: Third submarine of Scorpene class 4. INS Vikramaditya formally Affiliated to Bihar regiment - Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya, the Indian launched - Indian Navy has launched Scorpene Navy's largest ship and its sole aircraft carrier was submarine INS Karanj at the Mazagon Dock formally affiliated to the Indian Army's highly- Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, Maharashtra. decorated and battle-hardened Bihar Regiment and the • It is the third Scorpene class submarine built Indian Air Force's No 6 Squadron. by MDL under ambitious Project 75 of the 5. Agni-5 ballistic missile successfully test-fired - Indian Navy. Indigenously developed long-range surface-to-surface • The first submarine INS Kalwari of this Agni-5 ballistic missile was successfully test fired category was launched on December 14 last successfully from Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island, Odisha. year. • It has strike range of over 5,000 kilometres • The other submarine INS Khanderai has and can carry nuclear warhead of more than already been launched. one tonne. 2. Alpha Design Technologies to supply simulators to 6. China commissioned new missile frigate ‘Rizhao’ - Indian Army - Alpha Design Technologies Ltd. has It is China’s indigenous missile frigate named after signed Rs. 45-crore deal with Ministry of Defence to Rizhao city in Shandong Province of China. supply indigenous simulators for gunnery and missile 7. Indian Navy decommissions INS Nirbhik and INS firing from BMP II vehicles to Indian Army. Nirghat warships - Indian Navy has decommissioned • The BMP II is a Soviet-origin amphibious INS Nirbhik and INS Nirghat warships at Naval infantry fighting vehicle. The simulators will be Dockyard, Mumbai (Maharashtra), after a glorious 30 used to train missile firing personnel. and 28 years respectively in the service of the nation. 3. Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) named ‘Vijaya’ 8. Charlie-435: Indian Coast Guard commissions launched – The second indigenously built offshore patrol vessel - The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has patrol vessel (OPV) named Vijaya built by Larsen and commissioned Charlie-435, a state-of-the-art patrol Toubro (L&T) Shipyard for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) vessel at Karaikal in the Union Territory of was launched at Kattupalli Shipyard, Tamil Nadu. Puducherry.

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Important Dates

December 1. Armed Forces Flag Day: 07 December hurt Pakistani operations in the western 2. World Soil Day - 5 December coast. • The Theme for year 2018 is ‘Be the 4. International Day for the Abolition of Slavery: 2 Solution to Soil Pollution’. December 3. Indian Navy Day: 4 December 5. International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 3 • Navy Day is being celebrated in India on December 4th December. • The theme for this year’s IDPD is • The day is celebrated in honour of the “Empowering persons with disabilities and maritime force’s role during the war with ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. Pakistan in 1971 when Indian warships 6. World AIDS Day: 1 December attacked Karachi port and successfully • The theme for the World AIDS Day 2018 is “Know Your Status”.

November

1. MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju Inaugurates 14th dairy entrepreneur Dr. Varghese Kurien, Formation Day of NDMA on 27th Nov the founder of dairy firm Amul. • The Minister of State for Home Affairs 5. Indian Constitution Day: 26 November Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated the 14th • 26 November is celebrated as Indian Formation Day of National Disaster Constitution Day. Management Authority (NDMA) on 27th • On this day in 1949, the constitution was November 2018 in New Delhi. adopted which came into force on January • The theme of this year’s Formation Day is 26, 1950, marking the beginning of a new ‘Early Warning for Disasters’. era in the history of India. 2. Indian Organ Donation Day: 27 November • On 19th November 2015, during the year- 3. NCC Day: 4th Sunday of November long celebration of the 125th birth • National Cadets Corps (NCC) day is anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar, celebrated every year on the fourth Government of India declared November Sunday in the month of November. 26th as the Constitution Day. • The NCC in India was formed by the 6. International Day for the Elimination of Violence National Cadet Corps Act of 1948 on 15th against Women: 25 November July 1948. 7. Universal Children’s Day: 20 November • The motto for the NCC is “Unity and 8. Africa Industrialization Day: 20 November Discipline”. 9. Qaumi Ekta Week Observed Across Country 4. National Milk Day: 26 November • Qaumi Ekta Week observed across the • National Milk Day is celebrated on country from November 19th-25th to November 26 to mark the birth foster and reinforce the spirit of communal anniversary of India’s most successful harmony and national integration. 10. World Toilet Day: 19 November

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• The theme for WTD 2018 is ‘When Nature • The theme for World Diabetes Day 2018 Calls’. and 2019 is ‘The Family and Diabetes’. • United Nations’ Sustainable Development 14. Public Service Broadcasting Day: 12 November Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure availability 15. World Pneumonia Day: 12 November and sustainable management of sanitation 16. National Education Day: 11 November and water for all by 2030. 17. World Science Day for Peace and Development: 10 11. International Day for Tolerance: 16 November November • UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the • The theme for 2018 is “Science, a Human Promotion of Tolerance and Non- Right” Violence: 18. National Legal Services Day: 9 November • The 2018 winners are social entrepreneur 19. World Tsunami Awareness Day: 5 November and filmmaker Manon Barbeau (Canada) 20. National Ayurveda Day: 5 November and the Coexist Initiative, a non-profit • Ministry of AYUSH observes Ayurveda Day organization working to end violence every year on Dhanawantari Jayanti against women (Kenya). (Dhanteras). 12. National Press Day: 16 November • The theme of 2018 Ayurveda Day was: 13. World Diabetes Day: 14 November “Ayurveda for Public health”.

October 1. International Day for the Elderly - October 1 • The theme - 'Young People and Mental Health • Theme - Celebrating Older Human Rights in a Changing World' champions”. 11. International Day of The Girl Child: 11 October 2. International Coffee Day: October 1 • Theme - 'With Her: A Skilled Girl Force'. 3. Gandhi Jayanthi; International Day of Non-Violence - 12. World Obesity Day: 11 October October 2 13. World Sight Day - October 2nd Thursday 4. World Habitat Day (first Monday of October of every 14. UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction - year) – 1st Oct 2018 October 13 • The theme – ‘Municipal Solid Waste • Theme - Reducing Disaster Economic Losses Management’ 15. World Standards Day - October 14 5. World Animal Welfare Day - October 4 16. World Students Day - October 15 6. World Teachers' Day: 5 October 17. International Day Of Rural Women: 15 October 7. Indian Air Force Day - October 8 18. Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas: 15 October 8. World Post Office Day - October 9 19. World White Cane Day (guiding the blind) - October 15 • The 2018 theme is: “Imagine you are a letter 20. World Food Day - October 16 travelling through time. What message do you • The theme - "Our Actions Are Our Future". wish to convey to your readers?”. 21. UN Day - October 24 9. National Post Day - October 10 22. World Development Information Day - October 24 10. World Mental Health Day - October 10 23. World Thrift Day - October 30

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September 1. Hindi Diwas – 14th September 5. World Alzheimer's Day - 21 September 2. International Literacy Day - 8 September 6. International Day of Peace - 21 September • This year’s theme is ‘Literacy and skills 7. World Tourism Day - 27th September development.’ • This year’s theme is - Tourism & Cultural 3. National Engineers Day - 15 September Protection. 4. World Ozone Day - 16 September 8. World Rabies Day: 28 September • This year’s theme is – ‘Keep cool and carry 9. World Heart Day - 29th September on’ 10. International Translation Day: 30 September

August

1. The National Handloom Day - 7th August. 8. The World Photography Day being observed on -- 19th 2. The nation celebrated the 76th anniversary of the Quit August. India Movement -- 8th August 9. The 2018 World Mosquito Day (WMD) - 20th August. 3. The International Day of the World's Indigenous 10. The first-ever International Day of Remembrance and People - 9th August. tribute to the Victims of Terrorism - 21st August. Note: The theme of this year is - ‘Indigenous peoples’ 11. World Senior Citizens Day: 21 August migration and movement’. 11. International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave 4. The World Biofuel Day - 10th August. Trade and its Abolition is observed on -- 23rd August. 5. The International Youth Day (IYD) - 12th August. 12. The Sanskrit Divas - Shravan Purnima (26th August). Note: The theme for International Youth Day 2018 is 13. International Day against Nuclear Tests (IDANT) - “Safe space for Youth”. 29th August. 6. The World Elephant Day (WED) - 12th August. 14. The National Sports day - 29th August. 7. The World Humanitarian Day (WHD) - 19th August. 15. International Day of the Victims of Enforced Note: The 2018 World Humanitarian Day campaign: Disappearances - 30 August #NotATarget.

July 1. National Doctors Day – 1 July • Theme 2018: Test. Treat. Hepatitis. 2. World Population Day - 11 July 8. World Nature Conservation Day – 28 July 3. World Malala Day – 12 July 9. International Tiger Day – 29 July 4. World Day for International Justice – 17 July 10. World Day against Trafficking in Persons – 30 July • Theme 2018: Workers on the move: the quest • Theme 2018: Responding to the trafficking of for social justice children and young people. 5. Nelson Mandela International Day - 18 July 11. World Ranger Day - 31 July 6. Kargil Vijay Diwas - 26 July 7. World Hepatitis Day - 28 July

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June

1. The Global Day of Parents is observed every year on 13. The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual ___1st June. Violence in Conflict is observed every year on ___ 19th 2. The World Milk Day being observed every year on June. ____1st June. Note: Note: • The 2018 theme is “The Plight and Rights of • The World Milk Day is a day established by the Children Born of War”. United Nations Food and Agriculture 14. World Refugee Day is held every year on ____20th Organization (FAO) to recognise the June. importance of milk as a global food. Note: 3. The first World Bicycle Day (WBD) is observed by • The theme for World Refugee Day 2018 is United Nations (UN) on ____3rd June 2018 ‘Now More Than Ever, We Need to Stand Note: with Refugees’. • The WBD was approved on 12th April 2018 as 15. The World Music Day is celebrated across the world on an official United Nations day of awareness ___21 June. about the multiple societal benefits of using Note: the bicycle for transport and leisure. • This Day was first celebrated on 21st June 4. The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of 1982. Aggression is a United Nations (UN) observance each 16. The International Yoga Day is being celebrated across year on___ 4th June. the globe on ___21st of June. 5. The World Environment Day (WED) observed every Note: year across the world on___ 5th June. • The theme for Yoga Day 2018 is "Yoga for Note: Peace". • The theme for World Environment Day 2018 is 17. The International Olympic Day (IOD) is observed every " Beat Plastic Pollution". year on ___23rd June. • India is the global host nation for the 43rd Note: edition of this event. ➢ The three pillars of Olympic Day are ‘move’, 6. World Ocean Day observed on ___8th June ‘learn’ and ‘discover’. 7. World Day Against Child Labour: 12th June 2018 18. The International Widows day (IWD) is observed 8. World Blood Donors Day: 14 June every year on ___23rd June. • The theme of the World Blood Donors Day Note: 2018 is ‘Be there for someone else. Give ➢ International Widows Day was established by blood. Share life’. The Loomba Foundation. 9. The International Domestic Workers Day (IDWD) is 19. The United Nations Public Service Day is observed observed on ____16th June. every year on ___23rd June. 10. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 20. The Day of the Seafarer (DotS) was observed by the is observed on ___17th June. International Maritime Organization (IMO) on ____25 11. The Goa Revolution Day (GRD) has celebrated on June. ____18th June 2018. Note: 12. The World Sustainable Gastronomy Day (WSGD) is ➢ The theme of the 2018 Day of the Seafarer observed every year on___ 18th June. theme was ‘Seafarers' wellbeing’. Note: 21. The United Nations’ (UN) International Day Against • The day reaffirms that all cultures and Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every civilizations are contributors and crucial year on ___26th June. enablers of sustainable development.

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22. The “Statistics Day” is being observed every year in Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics, India on ____29th June. statistical system and economic planning. Note: ➢ The 2018 theme is “Quality Assurance in ➢ The day acknowledges the notable Official Statistics”. contribution of Late Professor Prasanta

May 1. International Labour Day – 1 May • This year theme - Nurses A Voice to Lead – • Theme of the 2018 International Labour Day? Health is a Human right. Uniting Workers for Social and Economic 9. The International Day of Families - 15th May. Advancement 10. National Dengue Day - 16th May. 2. World Press Freedom Day - 3rd May 11. The World Telecommunication and Information • The theme of the 2018 World Press Freedom Society Day (WTISD) - 17th May. Day is Keeping Power in Check: Media, Note: Justice and the Rule of Law. ➢ The 2018 theme “Enabling the positive use of 3. The World Cartoonist’s Day - 5 May Artificial Intelligence for All”. 4. World Thalassemia Day - 8th May 12. The Anti -Terrorism Day - 21st May. • The theme for the day this year is Note: “Thalassaemia past, present and future: ➢ On 21 May,1991 the seventh Prime Minister Documenting progress and patients’ needs Rajiv Gandhi was killed in Tamil Nadu in a worldwide”. campaign by the terrorist and then, V.P. Singh • Thalassemia, a blood disorder, is caused by the government has decided to observe 21st May weakening and destruction of blood cells. as Anti-Terrorism Day. 5. The ‘World Red Cross Day’ - 8th May 13. The International Bio-diversity Day - 22nd May. • The theme of the 2018 World Red Cross Day is • The theme of this year is, 'Celebrating 25 “Memorable smiles from around the Years of Action for Biodiversity'. world”. 14. Nepal celebrated its 11th Republic Day - 28th May 6. The 2018 National Technology Day (NTD) - May 11 • On May 28, 2008, the Constituent Assembly of • The National Technology Day (NTD) is the Himalayan nation declared Nepal the celebrated every year in India on May 11. Federal Democratic Republic, abolishing the • On this day in 1998, India successfully tested 240-year-old monarchy. its nuclear bombs in Pokhran, Rajasthan. 15. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers - May 29 7. World Migratory Bird Day - 12 May 16. World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) - 31st May. • In 2018, the theme of the World Migratory Bird • The theme for world No Tobacco Day 2018 is Day is "Unifying our Voices for Bird ‘Tobacco and heart disease’. Conservation”. 8. International Nurses Day - 12 May

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April 1. The World Earth Day (WED) - 22 April • Olympics Games in 2016 was held in – Rio de • The theme of the 2018 World Earth Day Janeiro, Brazil. (WED) is End Plastic Pollution 13. World Health Day - 7th April 2. The World Creativity and Innovation Day - 21 April • The theme for this year's World Health Day is • The first official World Creativity and "Universal Health Coverage: everyone, Innovation Day (WCID) was celebrated on everywhere". April 21, 2018. 14. The World Book & Copyright Day - 23rd April 3. The Civil Service Day - 21 April • The capital of Greece ‘Athens’ has been chosen 4. The UN Chinese Language Day - 20 April ‘World Book Capital 2018’, for the quality of 5. The World Liver Day - 19th April its activities, supported by the entire book • The theme of the World Liver Day 2018 is - industry. Riding New Waves in Liver Diagnosis, 15. The United Nations English Language Day - 23rd April Staging & Treatment. 16. National Panchayati Raj Diwas - 24th April 6. World Heritage Day – 18 April 17. World Malaria Day - 25th April. • The theme of the World Heritage Day 2018 is • The theme of the World Malaria Day 2018 is ‘Heritage for Generations’. ‘Ready to beat malaria’. 7. World Haemophilia Day 2018 – 17 April • The 2018 Global Malaria Summit was held in • The theme of the World Haemophilia Day London, United Kingdom. 2018 is “Sharing Knowledge Makes Us 18. World Intellectual Property Day - 26th April. Stronger”. • The theme of the 2018 World Intellectual 8. The National Safe Motherhood (NSMD) day - 11 April Property Day is ‘Powering Change: Women • Theme - Respectful Maternity Care in Innovation and Creativity’. 9. The World Homoeopathy Day (WHD) - 10 April 19. World Day for Safety and Health at Work - 28th April nd 10. World Autism Awareness Day - 2 April • The theme of this year is ‘Occupational safety • The 2018 theme for the day is " Empowering health (OSH) vulnerability of young workers’ Women and Girls with Autism". 20. The 2018 Ayushman Bharat Diwas - 29 April th 11. National Maritime Day - 5 April 21. The 2018 International Dance day - 29th April • The 2018 theme -“Indian Shipping – An Ocean of opportunity”. 12. United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace - 6th April • Olympics Games in 2020 will be held in – Tokyo, Japan. March 1. The Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) - March 1 • The Pi Day is observed every year on March 14 • This year (2018), the Zero Discrimination Day (3/14) across the world. campaign invites people to ask themselves • It is an annual celebration of the mathematical “What if”. constant π (pi). 2. World Wildlife Day - March 3. 4. World Consumer Rights Day - March 15 • 2018 Theme - Big cats: predators under • 2018 theme - Making Digital Marketplaces threat Fairer 3. Pi Day - 14th March

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Note: 5. World Happiness Day - March 20 Note: • The theme of this year is “What I Bring To My • Theme of the World Happiness Day 2018 is Community” “Share Happiness”. 9. International Day of Forests - March 21 • India ranked at 133rd position on World Note: Happiness Index 2018. • The theme of 2018 is ‘Forests and Sustainable • India stood at 122nd rank in World Happiness Cities’. Index 2017. 10. World Water Day - March 22 • Finland is the happiest country in the world, • The theme of 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’ with Norway, Denmark. 11. World Meteorological Day - March 23 6. World Sparrow Day - March 20 • The theme of WMD 2018 is ‘Weather-ready, Note: climate-smart’. • The theme for 2018 WSD is ‘I Love Sparrows’. • The first World Sparrow Day was observed on 12. World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) - March 24 this day in 2010 across the globe. • The theme of World TB Day 2018 is “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world”. 7. World Poetry Day - March 21 13. World Theatre Day - 27 March 8. The World Down syndrome Day (WDSD) - March 21.

February

1. The world cancer day is being observed on -- 4th 6. The United Nations' (UN) World Day of Social Justice is February. annually observed on -- 20th February 2. Sri Lanka celebrates 70th Independence Day -- 4th Note: The theme for 2018 is " Workers on the Move: February. The Quest for Social Justice”. 3. International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital 7. International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a Mutilation -- 6th February. worldwide annual observance held on --21st 4. The National Productivity Day is observed every year February. on --12th February. 8. India celebrates National Science Day every year on -- 5. The World Radio Day (WRD) is celebrated every year 28th February. on -- 13th February. • The theme for the year 2018 is “Science and Note: The theme for this year is "Radio and Sports". Technology for a sustainable future”.

January

1. National Youth Day - 12th January 4. The 2018 National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is celebrated Note: The Theme of the Festival is Sankalp Se Siddhi. in India -- 24th January. 2. The Army Day 2018 15th January 5. The National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed every year 3. The National Disaster Response Force has been by India on -- 25th January. celebrating its 13th Raising Day on --19th January.

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6. The International Custom Day has been observed 8. Anti-Leprosy Day being observed on -- 30th January. across the world -- 26th January. Note: The day, observed every year on the Martyrdom intergovernmental organization. Day of Mahatma Gandhi, remembers his selfless efforts 7. The International Holocaust Remembrance Day has and care for the people affected by leprosy. been observed all over the world on -- 27th January. Note: The theme of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is “Holocaust Remembrance and Education: Our Shared Responsibility”.

Rank of India in Different Indexes October 1. L&T Ranks 22 in Forbes' Best Global Employer • In 2017, India was ranked at the 100th • Engineering and construction major Larsen & position. Toubro is the only domestic firm to be featured • The index indicates that the level of hunger among the top 25 companies in the Forbes' and undernutrition worldwide falls into the global 2000 best employers list. serious category, at a value of 20.9, down from • L&T is ranked 22, there are only four domestic 29.2 in 2000. firms in the top 100 list which include • The Global Hunger Index 2018 report was Mahindra & Mahindra at 55, Grasim Industries prepared jointly by global NGOs namely, at 59 and HDFC at 91. Concern Worldwide (Ireland) and • The Top 3 companies in the List are: Alphabet, Welthungerhilfe (Germany). Microsoft, Apple. • Top 3 countries – Belarus, Cuba, Estonia 2. Global Competitiveness Report 2018: India Ranks 4. World Bank’s Human Capital Index: India Ranks 58th 115th • India has been ranked as the 58th most • India has been ranked at the 115th position competitive economy on the World Economic among 157 countries on the World Bank’s Forum's global competitiveness index for Human Capital Index. 2018. • The theme of the World Development Report • The US topped the list which is followed by (WDR) this year is “The Changing Nature of Singapore and Germany at the second and the Work”. third positions respectively. • The Index was released at the World Bank-IMF • India's rank rose by five places from 2017, the Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia. largest gain among G20 economies. • Singapore topped the poll which is followed by 3. Global Hunger Index 2018: India Ranks 103rd South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Finland. • India has been ranked at the 103rd position 5. Oxfam World Inequality Index 2018: India Ranks among 119 countries on the Global Hunger 147th Index. • India has been ranked at the 147th position • According to the report, India is among the 45 among 157 countries on the World Inequality countries that have "serious levels of hunger". Index.

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• Ranking at 11th, Japan became the topper • The Top 3 Countries include: Denmark, among the Asian countries. Germany, Finland.

September 1. ‘Human Capital’ Score, India Ranked 158th • India ranks 158th in the world for its investments in education and health care, according to the first-ever scientific study ranking countries for their levels of human capital. • The nation is placed behind Sudan (ranked 157th) and ahead of Namibia (ranked 159th) in the list. • The Lancet, says that India is ranked at 158 out of 195 countries, an improvement from its position of 162 in 1990. • The U.S. is ranked 27th, while China is at 44th and Pakistan at 164th. • Finland topped the list, followed by Iceland and Denmark. 2. India Ranks 3rd on Family-Owned Business List: CSRI Report • India ranks third globally in terms of number of family-owned businesses with 111 companies having a total market capitalisation of $839 billion. • India closely follows China with 159 firms and the US with 121 firms, according to the ‘Credit Suisse Family 1000 in 2018’ study, published by the Credit Suisse Research Institute (CSRI).

August 1. UN E-Government Index: India Ranks 96th, • Greater Mumbai, Denmark Tops • Tirupati, • India has jumped 22 places to 96th rank to • Chandigarh. break into the top 100 of the United Nation’s E- Government Development Index (EGDI) 2018. • The E-Government survey is released by the Bottom 3 Cities in the list are: United Nations in every two years. 1. Rampur (111th), Top 3 countries in the list are: 2. Kohima (110th), • Denmark, 3. Patna (109th). • Australia, 3. Global Liveability Index 2018: Delhi Stands 112th • Republic of Korea. • Delhi was ranked at 112th position and 2. Ease of Living Index 2018: Pune Tops Mumbai fetched 117th spot. • The Ease of Living Index 2018 was released by • Austria’s capital Vienna has been ranked as Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri with few the world’s most liveable city, displacing most prominent cities failing to make a cut in Australian city of Melbourne. the top 10. • The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released • Of total 111 cities ranked under the index, the Global Liveability Index 2018. Pune has been ranked first while Navi The Top three cities on the list are: Mumbai has surfaced as the second 1. Vienna, preferred spot in terms of 'liveability'. 2. Melbourne, Top 5 cities in the list are: 3. Osaka. • Pune, • Navi Mumbai,

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July

1. Public Affairs Index 2018: Kerala best governed 2. Global Innovation Index 2018: State, Bihar worst • The Global Innovation Index (GII) has ranked • According to the Public Affairs Index 2018, India as the 57th most innovative nation in the Kerala is the best-governed state in the world. country, released by a Bengaluru think-tank, • The country has improved its ranking from Public Affairs Centre. 60th position in 2017. • As per the report, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, • The GII is being developed jointly by Cornell Karnataka and Gujarat are among the top five University, the Paris-based business school states delivering good governance. Insead and the World Intellectual Property • Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. Pradesh and Odisha ranked the lowest on the • The Top 3 Countries in Global Innovation index, indicating higher social and economic Index are: Switzerland, The Netherlands and inequalities. Sweden.

June

1. Global Environment Performance Index 2018: • According to a Save the Children’s "End of • India stands 177th at the bottom of the Global Childhood Index 2018”, India ranks 113 Environment Performance Index (EPI) among 175 countries with regards to where rankings. In 2016, the country had ranked 141 childhood is threatened as a result of poor out of 180 countries. health, malnutrition, exclusion from education, • In 2018, according to the State of India’s child labour, and child marriage. Environment (SoE) 2018 in Figures, it has • Singapore and Slovenia are placed at the top slipped to the 177th position. India scored 5.75 sharing the first place in the index and Niger out of 100 in air quality. figures at the end of the list at 175. • The Top 3 countries on the list are: 4. Global Peace Index 2018: Switzerland, France, and Denmark. • India ranked at 136th position among 163 2. Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2018: countries in the 2018 Global Peace Index. • India was ranked 35th among 100 countries • The index was prepared by an Australian (countries) in recently released Global Real international think-tank Institute for Estate Transparency Index (GRETI). Economics and Peace (IEP). • The index was released by realty consultant • Iceland topped the index followed by New JLL. Zealand (ranked 2nd), Austria (3rd), Portugal • Top 3 countries are: United Kingdom (1st), (4th), Denmark (5th). Australia (2nd), United States (3rd). • Syria remains the least peaceful country in the 3. End of Childhood Index 2018”: world, a position it has held for the past five years.

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May

1. IMD's competitiveness rankings 2018: • With a score of 89, India is at the sixth place in • India has been ranked at 44th positions in the index. terms of competitiveness in the annual • The top five nations are Austria, Finland, rankings compiled by International Institute Indonesia, the Netherlands and the US. for Management Development (IMD). 3. FDI Confidence Index 2018 • The US topped the list and became the most • India ranked at 11th positions in the 2018 FDI competitive economy globally driven by its Confidence Index. strength in economic performance and • Last in 2017, India was at 8th position in the infrastructure. FDI Confidence Index. • Hong Kong is at 2nd place and Singapore is at • Global consultancy firm A T Kearney 3rd place in the list. publishes the report. 2. Business optimism index 2018 • Top 3 countries in the index – United States, • India slipped to the 6th position globally in Canada and Germany. the business optimism index for the first quarter of this year, says a survey.

Rank of India in Different Reports/Survey

October 1. India Ranked 9th Most Valuable Nation Brand • The Indian passport has secured the 81st rank • India has secured ninth rank out of top 50 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 60 valuable national brands, according to a report destinations. titled ‘Nation Brands 2018’ released by Brand • Top 3 on Henley Passport Index Power Finance. Ranking 2018: Japan, Singapore, Germany. • India was ranked 8th in last year's report but 3. India ranked at 28th rank in govt e-payment slipped by a spot to the 9th rank, despite its adoption: Survey brand value rose by 5%. • According to the survey, India's overall • The US topped the list with a brand value of ranking on the government's adoption of e- $25,899 billion which rose by 23% from last payments has moved up to 28th in 2018, from year. 36th in 2011. • China is at the second spot with a brand value • Norway leads the pack in the 73-country of $12,779 billion. ranking, followed by France and Denmark.

• China's brand value saw an increase of 25% 4. Maharashtra Tops List of States with maximum from last year. average AUM: AMFI 2. Japanese passport named World's Most Powerful, • According to Association of Mutual Funds of India 81st India’s (AMFI) statistics, Maharashtra tops the

• Japan's passport has been named the most chart for state with the maximum penetration powerful in the world, overtaking Singapore, and Assets Under Management (AUM). according to the Henley Passport Index 2018.

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• For Maharashtra, it touched Rs 10.35 lakh • It is followed by Delhi having Rs 2.35 lakh crore, about 41.1% of the all-India total. crore and Karnataka having Rs 1.76 lakh crore.

Sept/Aug

1. Jodhpur is the cleanest railway station in A1 • Only Tokyo's Haneda International has category: Cleanliness report bettered KIA's growth. The report was Minister of Railways, Coal, Finance & Corporate Affairs, published by RoutesOnline, a company Piyush Goyal has released a report on Station focussing on the quality and standards of Cleanliness conducted by Quality Council of India aviation globally. (QCI). • New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International A1 category stations (out of 75): Airport is placed sixth while Hyderabad is • 1st: Jodhpur/North-Western Railway placed 17th in terms of actual growth of • 2nd: Jaipur/North-Western Railway passengers. • 3rd: Tirupati/South-Central Railway. 4. Fortune 500 list of World's largest companies A category stations (out of a total of 332): released • 1st: Marwar/North Western Railway • Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is the highest • 2nd: Phulera/North -Western Railway ranked company from India followed by • 3rd: Warangal/South-Central Railway. Reliance Industries Limited. Zonal Railway rankings are: • The US-based retail company, Walmart has • 1st: North Western Railway topped the list. • 2nd: South Central Railway The Top 3 companies on the list are: 1. Walmart (the USA), • 3rd: East Coast Railway. 2. State Grid (China), 2. SBI is India’s Most Patriotic Brand: Survey 3. Sinopec Group (China). • Country’s largest lender State Bank of India 3. Karnataka tops in Renewable Energy: IEEFA Report (SBI) is considered to be the most patriotic • According to the US-based Institute for Energy brand, according to a survey conducted by UK- Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) based online market research and data report, Karnataka is the new national leader in analytics firm YouGov. renewable energy generation. • SBI is followed by Tata Motors, Patanjali, • It has surpassed Tamil Nadu that had for quite Reliance Jio and BSNL. some time been India's best renewable market. • In the financial sector, SBI lead the chart with 4. Haryana top State in Per Capita revenue collection 47% respondents considering it to be the most under GST patriotic brand, followed by LIC with 16%. • Haryana has topped other states in per capita 3. Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) 2nd revenue collection under GST and is also the fastest growing Airport in the World: The fourth highest generator of e-way bills in the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has emerged country. as the second fastest growing airport in the world in 5. India ranks third on family-owned business list: the first half of 2018 in terms of actual growth in the CSRI report number of passengers. • India ranks third globally in terms of number • It has recorded 1,58,50,352 flyers during the of family-owned businesses with 111 six-month period.

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companies having a total market capitalisation • The report is published by the Credit Suisse of $839 billion. Research Institute (CSRI). Note: • India closely follows China with 159 firms and the US with 121 firms.

July/June

1. Andhra Pradesh Tops Ease of Doing Business 4. India ranks fourth in Asia-Pacific on power index Rankings: • India ranked at 4th positions among 25 nations • Andhra Pradesh has been ranked as the easiest in the Asia-Pacific region on an index. Indian state to do business in, according to a • The index is published by an Australian think survey. tank firm the Lowy Institute of. • Ease of Doing Business that was released by • Top three countries in the index are – US, the Department of Industrial Policy and China & Japan. Promotion and Ministry of Commerce and 5. India among top five defence spenders in the Industry in Delhi. world: SIPRI • Telangana came second followed by Haryana, • According to the Stockholm International Jharkhand and Gujarat. The north-eastern Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, India state of Meghalaya was ranked lowest at 36th. is among world’s five biggest military spenders 2. India Becomes World’s 6th Largest Economy: in 2017. World Bank • Indian government boosted the operational • India has become the world's sixth-biggest capability of its armed forces in the face of economy, pushing France into seventh place, tensions with China and Pakistan. according to updated World Bank figures for • India was in the 5th spot, after the US, China, 2017. Saudi Arabia and Russia, and they together • India's gross domestic product (GDP) accounted for 60% of global military spending. amounted to $2.597 trillion at the end of 2017, • China spends far more on its military than any against $2.582 trillion for France. other power in Asia. • The world's top 3 economies are: The United 6. India highest recipient of Remittances in 2017: States, China, Japan. World Bank 3. India 145th in Healthcare Access, Quality: Lancet • As per the Migration and Development report Report of World Bank, India has retained top position • India ranks 145th among 195 countries in as recipient of remittances with about $69 terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare, billion in 2017. according to a Lancet study. • China with ($64 billion) stood on the second • In 2016, India’s healthcare access and quality positions followed by Philippines ($33 billion), scored at 41.2 (up from 24.7 in 1990). India Mexico ($31 billion), Nigeria ($22 billion) and lags behind China (48), Sri Lanka (71), Egypt ($20 billion). Bangladesh ( 133) and Bhutan (134). 7. India becomes second largest manufacturer of • The top 3 countries with the highest levels of crude steel healthcare access and quality in 2016: Iceland, • According to Steel Users Federation of India Norway and The Netherlands. (SUFI), India has overtaken Japan to become

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world’s second largest producer of crude steel • Earlier in 2017, India had overtaken US to in February 2018. become third largest producer of crude steel. • China is the largest producer of crude steel in the world.

Important Committees October 1. Injeti Srinivas committee - The Union Government constituted a Competition Law Review Committee to review the Competition Act, 2002. Sept/Aug 1. Sushil Modi panel - The Government constituted a 6. Bimal Jalan (Former RBI Governor) panel – to select seven-member ministerial panel headed by Bihar India’s next chief economic advisor (CEA). Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi to examine 7. Amitabh Kant ( CEO – NITI Aayog) committee - to modalities for revenue mobilisation in case of natural look into all issues including foreign direct investment calamities and disasters. norms pertaining to the fast growing e-commerce 2. Justice Amitava Roy committee - The Supreme Court industry in the country. constituted a three-member committee to look into the 8. P.J. Joseph committee - to examine motor third party problems of jails in India and suggest reform measures. insurance pricing aspects. 3. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai committee - The 9. Pradeep Kumar Sinha (Cabinet Secretary) Union Government constituted the Lokpal Search committee - to address issues of stressed Thermal Committee under the chairmanship of former Supreme Power Projects Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai for 10. Rajiv Gauba (Home Secretary) committee - to check recommending names for Lokpal. mob lynching issues in the country. 4. K Vijay Raghavan (principal scientific adviser to 11. Anil Swarup (Education Secretary) committee - to the Union Government) - to advise Prime Minister suggest measures to strengthen National Cadet Corps Narendra Modi on matters related to science, (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS). technology and innovations. 12. Injeti Srinivas (Corporate Affairs Secretary) 5. Bhaskar Ramamurthy (IIT-Madras director) committee - to review offences under Companies Act, committee - to suggest changes to JEE (Advanced) in 2013. the wake of an inadequate number of candidates qualifying entrance test this year. July/June

1. panel - A ministerial panel zone (SEZ) policy compatible with WTO rules after the formed by the Goods and Services Tax Council US challenged India’s export subsidy programme at the recommended that there shall be no additional tax multilateral trade body. incentives for digital transactions for a year, citing 3. Ravindra Dholakia committee: to upgrade the norms revenue considerations. for computation of economic data at states and 2. committee - The commerce ministry districts level in the backdrop of plans to revise the has set up a committee headed by Bharat Forge base year for National Accounts or GDP calculation. chairman Baba Kalyani to make its special economic

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4. Suresh Mathur committee - The Insurance 12. BR Sharma committee - to frame guidelines on Regulatory and Development Authority of India playing national anthem in cinemas and other public (IRDAI) has formed a panel to review the regulations places. pertaining to insurance marketing firms. 13. Amitabh Kant Committee - to address the problem 5. Justice BN Srikrishna: to probe charges against ICICI of Non-performing assets (NPAs) or stressed assets in Bank CEO India’s power sector. • Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice BN 14. YM Deosthalee Committee – task force on Public Srikrishna will head the investigation Credit Registry (PCR). The committee will review the initiated by the board of ICICI Bank on current availability of information on credit in India. allegations of corporate misconduct and quid 15. B C Khanduri Committee - parliamentary standing pro quo against its Managing Director and CEO, committee on defense. The committee will examine the . operational preparedness of armed forces and review 6. Jayant Sinha panel - for fast-tracking the roll-out of accidents involving strategic defence assets and also (UAV) technology. assess the procurement policy relating to defence 7. Subhash Chandra Garg Committee - to consider equipment. various issues related to Fintech for making 16. Arun Jaitley Committee - The union govt. has regulations more flexible and promoting financial constituted a ministerial panel headed by Finance inclusion in the country. Minister Arun Jaitley to oversee merger proposals of 8. Y H Malegam committee - to investigate issues state-owned banks. related to classification of bad loans, rising incidents of 17. Dr Hasmukh Adhia Committee - The Union frauds and effectiveness of audits. government has constituted a GST Committee on 9. Vinay Sheel Oberoi committee - to monitor and Exports headed by Dr Hasmukh Adhia. expedite capital acquisition projects for the 18. Dr V. Kamakoti Committee - The Union Government modernisation of the armed forces. constituted a task force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) 10. N Chandrasekaran (Tata Sons Chairman) for the country's Economic Transformation. The 18- committee - to study use and application of artificial member panel, headed by Dr V. Kamakoti of IIT intelligence (AI) in military. Madras. 11. Dinesh Sharma committee – to look into issues 19. K Kasturirangan Committee - to prepare National relating to cryptocurrencies. Education Policy

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