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1 www.gradeup.co Yearly Current Affairs 2019

Rank of in different Indexes

1. Cancer Preparedness Index 2019 - India Ranks 19th • Denmark ranked second followed by • India was ranked 19th out of 28 countries in Norway. the Index. • Pakistan ranked 67th, Bhutan 95th, China • Index is released by the Economist 93rd, Bangladesh 125th, and Sri Lanka 130th Intelligence Unit (EIU). while South Sudan ranked last in the World • Top 3 countries are Australia (1st), Happiness Report. Netherlands (2nd) and Germany (3rd). 6. India Ranks 11th in Gold Holding: WGC Report – The • Bottom three are Saudi Arabia (28th), World Gold Council its latest report highlights the Romania (27th) and Egypt (26th). quantum of gold holding by the different countries. 2. Global Startup Ecosystem – India was ranked 17th • India has the 11th largest gold reserve and position among 100 countries. the current holding pegged at 607 tonnes. • It was released by StartupBlink. • The top spot is occupied by US gold reserves • The report ranks countries based on the of 8,133.5 tonnes, followed by Germany with strength of its startup ecosystem. 3,369.7 tonnes. • China was ranked 27th. • International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks • Bangalore, , and were the third on the list with total gold reserves of top cities in the Indian startup ecosystem. 2,814 tonnes. • Top three countries are: United States, • The World Gold Council is the market United Kingdom and Canada. development organisation for the gold 3. India Ranks 140th In World Press Freedom Index – industry and it aims to stimulate and sustain • India ranked 140th out of 180 countries in demand for gold, provide industry the World Press Freedom Index 2019. leadership, and be the global authority on the • Index is released by Reporters Without gold market. Borders. • The members of the World Gold Council • The index is topped by Norway followed by include gold mining companies. Finland and Sweden. 7. India ranks 16th in terms of Highest Number of 4. WEF Global Energy Transition Index – India rank 76th impacted Species in Hotspots – A recent study on a global energy transition index. published in PLOS Biology found that human impacts on • The report stated that India is amongst the species occur across 84% of the earth’s surface and India countries with high pollution levels and has a ranks 16th in such impacts, with 35 species impacted on relatively high CO2 intensity in its energy an average. system. • Malaysia ranks 1st among the countries with • Sweden remains on the top and is followed the highest number of impacted species by Switzerland and Norway in the top three. (125). • The index is compiled by Geneva-based • Southeast Asian tropical forests, including World Economic Forum (WEF). those in India’s Western Ghats, Himalaya, 5. World Happiness Report 2019 – India is ranked and north-east, are among the ‘hotspots’ of 140th out of 156 nations. threatened species. • The World Happiness Report was released • However, these very areas are also ‘cool- by the Sustainable Development Solutions spots’ (the world’s last refuges where high Network for the United Nations. numbers of threatened species still persist). • For the second consecutive year, Finland 8. Inclusive Internet Index 2019 – India has been ranked topped the list. 47th.

2 www.gradeup.co • Sweden has topped the rankings followed by • Last year in 2018, India was ranked at 81st Singapore and the US. position. • The Inclusive Internet Index 2019 was 13. Democracy Index 2019: The Economist Intelligence prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit Unit (EIU) has released the Democracy Index which (EIU) for Facebook. ranks 167 countries by 60 indicators across five broad • The ‘Inclusive Internet’ score was based on categories. the scores of availability, affordability, • Top 3 countries in the list are – Norway, Iceland relevance and readiness categories. and Sweden. 9. International IP index 2019 • Australia and New Zealand are the only “full • India has jumped eight places to 36th position democracies” in the entire Asia-Pacific region on the International Intellectual Property (IP) • India was at the 41st place with a score of Index. 7.23/10 and was placed in the flawed • The US, the UK, Sweden, France and Germany democracies category. remained the top five economies on the 14. India Ranks 79th, Japan Tops List of Most Powerful intellectual property index in 2019 Passports - According to the Henley Passport Index, • In 2018, India was ranked at 44th position. India jumped two positions from 81st in 2018 to 79th in 10. Corruption Perception Index 2018 2019. Japan retained its top spot as the world’s most • India has improved its ranking by 3 points by travel-friendly passport. moving onto 78th position in the Corruption 15. India 6th in GDPR Readiness Index: CISCO - Nearly Perceptions Index 2018 published by 65% of Indian organizations are better prepared for the Transparency International. European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation • China and Pakistan, in a list of 180 countries, (GDPR), making the country the sixth leading nation lagged far behind than India at 87th and 117th globally in the GDPR readiness index, global networking position respectively. leader, according to CISCO. • Somalia has been ranked last with a score of 10 16. World Bank's ease-of-doing-business 2019: India behind South Sudan and Syria. ranked at 77 11. India ranks 54th in 'Bloomberg Innovation Index’ of • India’s jumped 23 places to 77 among 190 60 economies countries in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing • For the first time ever, India has been ranked in Business 2019 index. Bloomberg’s 2019 list of most innovative • The World Bank on October 31, 2018 released countries in the world. the Doing Business Report 2019 titled as ‘Doing • India has grabbed the 54th spot among 60 Business 2019: Training for Reform’, assessing countries in the Bloomberg Innovation Index and ranking countries on the basis of ease of with a score of 47.93 out of 100. doing business in the year 2018. • South Korea has topped the Bloomberg • In its annual 'Doing Business' 2019 report, the Innovation Index for the sixth time in a row with World Bank said India has improved on six of the a total score of 87.38. 10 parameters on starting and doing business in • Germany ranked second, Finland stood on the a country. third spot. • The biggest improvements have been in the 12. Global Talent Competitive Index 2019: indicators related "construction permits" and • India ranked at 80th positions on the Global "trading across borders. Talent Competitive Index (GTCI) 2019. • Last year, India ranked at 100th position. • The index is released by INSEAD business school • The top 3 economies in the ease of doing in partnership with Tata Communications and business rankings are New Zealand, Singapore, Adecco Group. and Denmark. • Switzerland topped the index which is followed 17. IMD World Talent Ranking: India Ranks 53rd by Singapore and the US. • Switzerland has topped the list of the IMD World Talent Ranking 2018 for the fifth year in a row.

3 www.gradeup.co • Among the BRICS countries, South Africa remains in The Top 3 countries in the list are: the middle position (50th) performing better than • Switzerland, Denmark, Norway India (53rd) and Brazil (58th) but lagging behind China (39th) and Russia (46th). 18. Climate Change Performance Index 2019: • As per the WEF’s Global Gender Gap • India ranked at 11th position. Report 2018, Iceland topped the list having • As per the Index, Sweden has topped the closed more than 85.8% of its overall list while India was on 11th position. gender gap. • Saudi Arabia came last, in 60th place, • The Report was published for total 149 partly due to its obstructive role during countries. international climate negotiations. • Norway and Sweden were on 2nd and 3rd 19. WEF Gender Gap Index 2018: position, respectively. • India has been ranked 108th in World Economic Forum (WEF) gender gap index 2018.

Important Committees

1. BP Sharma (retired GOI secretary) - The Union locations for a family comprising of 3.6 Government has constituted an expert committee to consumption units. “revisit the criteria” for determining the “creamy layer” • The Present NMW is Rs. 4,576. for OBCs which was laid down in 1993. 6. Sanjeev Sharma (income tax commissioner) Note: The committee will “revisit the criteria evolved by Committee - to look into the matter of taxation related the Prasad committee” and give recommendations for pain points and submit its final report and “redefining, simplifying and streamlining the concept of recommendations by mid-March. creamy layer” while keeping in view the SC’s 7. Jasmine Shah Committee – The Delhi government observations in Indira Sawhney case. constituted a committee to “reform higher education” in 2. Amitabh Kant (Niti Aayog CEO) committee - National the capital. The committee will be chaired by DDC vice- Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, chairperson Jasmine Shah. which is being set up to promote clean and sustainable 8. CPWD Constitutes 8-member Committee to Chart Out mobility initiatives in the country. Design Policy - The Central Works Public Department 3. Suresh Mathur committee – to review the regulatory (CPWD) has constituted an expert committee to framework on microinsurance and recommend formulate a design policy for building construction and measures to increase the demand for such products. infrastructure development. 4. Bimal Jalan Panel - to suggest how the central bank • The committee has been set up under the should handle its reserves and whether it can transfer its chairmanship of CPWD’s Additional Director surplus to the government. General M K Sharma. 5. Anoop Satpathy Committee - Recommends Rs 9,750 9. Environment Ministry Constitutes Committee to Monthly National Minimum Wage Implement National Clean Air Programme - The Note: Union Environment Ministry has constituted a • submitted its report on “Determining the committee to implement the National Clean Air Methodology for Fixation of the National Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate Minimum Wage” to the Government. matter (PM) pollution by 20%-30% in at least 102 cities • It recommended the fixation of need-based by 2024. National Minimum Wage (NMW) for India at Rs • The committee will be chaired by the Secretary, 375 per day or Rs 9,750 per month irrespective Union Environment Ministry. It would be of sectors, skills, occupations and rural-urban headquartered in New Delhi.

4 www.gradeup.co 10. B V R Mohan Reddy committee - not to allow setting up and regulation of capital markets. The committee is of new Engineering colleges from 2020. headed by Sankar De. Note: 20. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai committee – The • The Panel headed by IIT-Hyderabad chairman B Lokpal Search Committee headed by former Supreme V R Mohan Reddy has suggested All India Council Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai held its first for Technical Education (AICTE) not to allow meeting and discussed modalities related to the setting up of new Engineering colleges from appointments of the chief and members of Lokpal. 2020. 21. SC sets up panel for to suggest reforms for holding 11. Nandan Nilekani committee - to boost digital payments competitive exams - The Supreme Court favoured and enhance financial inclusion. setting up of a three-member high-powered committee 12. U.K. Sinha committee - to suggest long-term solutions comprising Nandan Nilekani, a co-founder of tech giant for the economic and financial sustainability of the MSME Infosys, and renowned computer scientist Vijay P sector. Bhatkar to suggest reforms for conducting of competitive 13. Committee headed by NITI Aayog member (health) - examinations fairly by government bodies. The Union government has constituted a high-power 22. Sudhir Mungantiwar committee ( Finance committee headed by NITI Aayog member (health) to Minister) – to examine uniformity of taxation on lottery monitor the pricing of medicines and healthcare under GST or other issues arising out of it. products. Note: Under GST, state-organized lottery falls under the 14. Government sets up Committee to Explore Prepaid 12% tax slab while state-authorized lottery attracts 28% Payments by Discoms to Generator Companies - On tax. the recommendation of Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, the 23. MS Swaminathan committee - The Delhi government government constituted a committee under the Central has decided to introduce the Minimum Support Price Electricity Authority (CEA) to explore prepaid payments (MSP) for farmers based on the recommendations of the by state electricity distribution companies to power National Commission on Farmers (NCF) headed by MS plants. Swaminathan. 15. Praveen Kutumbe committee - Insurance Regulatory • The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) was Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has set up a constituted on November 18, 2004 under the panel headed by Praveen Kutumbe, to identify chairmanship of Professor M.S. Swaminathan. domestically systematically important insurers (SIIs) and 24. Umesh Sinha committee - The Committee headed an augmented regulatory framework is logically Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha has established in this regard. submitted the report on revisiting the section 126 of the 16. Cherukuri Raghavendra Babu committee - The Representation of the People Act. Madras High Court has set up an expert committee to • The committee had nine officers from the find a solution to root out invasive species of plants from Election Commission and one nominated the Western Ghats. member each from I&B Ministry, Law Ministry, 17. Sushil Modi Committee - Bihar Deputy Chief Minister IT Ministry, National Broadcasters Association Sushil Modi will head the 7-member committee to look and Press Council of India. into revenue shortfall being faced by the states after the 25. Dr Jitendra Nagpal committee - The Union Human GST roll-out and suggest steps for augmenting Resource Development Ministry has constituted a task collections. force to look into the issues of suicides of the students in 18. Nitin Patel committee - The government has Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) residential schools. constituted a seven-member Group of Ministers (GoM) to • The task force has been constituted under the boost the real estate sector under the GST regime. Chairmanship of Psychiatrist, Dr Jitendra Nagpal. Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel is the 26. Akhilesh Ranjan Committee – for drafting New Direct convener of the GoM. Tax Legislation (Law) 19. Sankar De committee - SEBI constituted a “Research 27. Dr. Bibek Debroy (The Economic Advisory Council to Advisory” committee which will assist in formulating the Prime Minister) Committee - to assess key policy to undertake research relevant for development challenges and suggest reforms in logistics development and associated commerce.

5 www.gradeup.co 28. Rajiv Kumar (NITI Aayog Vice Chairman) Committee economic growth, job creation, and skill development in – to look at selling of 149 small and marginal oil and gas the country. fields of state-owned the Oil and Natural Gas Corporatio Note: (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) to private and foreign • The committee is formed by the Internet and companies to boost domestic output. Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). 29. Namrita Mahindro committee - to promote Augmented • IAMAI headquartered is in Mumbai. and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) technology to drive

Agreement & Deals

April 2019

1. Exim Bank funds projects worth USD 267 mn in • Srei Equipment Finance (SEFL) has entered into Rawanda an alliance with Bank of Baroda to offer joint • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said Exim Bank loans for infrastructure equipment under a co- has provided soft loans of USD 266.60 million to lending arrangement. Rawanda for various projects. 5. India, Sweden ink pact to collaborate on solutions for • The funding, done in three separate tranches to smart cities, clean tech Rawanda, is to support agricultural projects, • India and Sweden launched a joint programme that development of special economic zones (SEZs) will work towards addressing a range of challenges and for financing road project in the African around smart cities and clean technologies among nation. others. 2. BoM joins M1Xchange TReDS platform for MSME bill • The programme was co-funded by Indian discounting Department of Science and Technology (DST) and • Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has partnered with Swedish agency Vinnova. M1Xchange Trade Receivables Discounting 6. IIT Madras collaborates with GE to establish India’s System (TReDS) platform for MSME bill first ‘Cold Spray’ SMART lab discounting. • Indian Institute of Technology Madras has Note: established a ‘Cold Spray’ SMART (Surface • Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) Modification and Additive Research Technologies) is a digital platform to support micro, small and Laboratory in collaboration with General Electric medium enterprises (MSMEs) to get their bills (GE). financed at a competitive rate through an auction • This is the first of its kind High-Pressure Cold Spray where multiple registered financiers can (HPCS) facility being installed in any academic participate. institute in India. 3. India to partner with Japan and UAE to set up two 7. TCS, Google partner to build industry-specific cloud projects in Africa solutions • India is joining hands with Japan and the United • Tata Consultancy Services has partnered with Arab Emirates (UAE) to implement two projects Google Cloud to build industry-specific cloud in Africa as it seeks to extend its footprint on the solutions. continent. 8. Microsoft, Tata Trusts tie up to help develop • India will build a cancer hospital in Kenya in handloom clusters collaboration with Japan. • Microsoft India and Tata Trusts have signed an • India will set up an information and agreement to jointly work for the development of communications technology (ICT) centre in handloom clusters in the Eastern and North- Ethiopia in collaboration with UAE. Eastern parts of the country. 4. SEFL partnered with Bank of Baroda to offer joint • The two entities will provide business and loans for infrastructure equipment communication skills, design education and

6 www.gradeup.co digital literacy to handloom weavers in order to have signed a memorandum of understanding improve their business prospects. with Moscow Exchange (MOEX) to connect 9. Indian Government clears procurement of 464 investor community and companies in both Russian tanks under the T-90 Project countries besides allowing a capital formation • The Cabinet Committee of Security has cleared platform. the procurement of 464 Russian tanks from • BSE and India INX are the first Indian exchanges Russia under T-90 project in a deal worth over to enter into the MoU with Moscow exchange. Rs 13,500 crore. Note: 10. CMFRI signs agreement with ISRO to save coastal • The Bombay Stock Exchange is an Indian stock wetlands exchange located at Dalal Street, Mumbai. • The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Established in 1875, the BSE is Asia's first stock (CMFRI) and the Indian Space Research exchange. Organisation (ISRO) have joined hands to map, • The India International Exchange is India's first validate and protect smaller wetlands in coastal international stock exchange, opened in 2017. It is regions. located at the International Financial Services Centre, • The programme is aimed at restoring them GIFT City in Gujarat. through coastal livelihood programmes. • It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bombay Stock Note: Exchange • The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute is 16. Tata Power, Indraprastha Gas ink pact for rooftop one of the largest marine fishery research institutes solar projects in India located in Kochi, India. • Tata Power has signed a pact with Indraprastha 11. BSE, HDFC Bank tie up to strengthen startup platform Gas Limited (IGL) for setting up rooftop solar • The BSE has signed a memorandum of projects in the country. understanding (MoU) with HDFC Bank with an Note: objective to strengthen the BSE Startups • Tata Power is India's largest integrated power utility, platform. IGL is country's largest CNG distribution company. 12. India, Sri Lanka agree to increase cooperation in 17. India and Chile exchange three MoUs for cooperation security and defence spheres • India and Chile signed three MoUs in the fields of • India and Sri Lanka have agreed to increase mining, culture and empowerment of persons with cooperation in security and defence spheres in disabilities. several areas, including regional security, • Chile announces it will allow visa-free entry to curbing drug smuggling and human trafficking. Indians holding valid US Visa. 13. NTPC signs Rs 2,000 cr term loan pact with Canara Note: Bank • The capital of Chile is – Santiago • National Thermal Power Corporation (NPTC) has • The currency of Chile is - Peso inked a term-loan agreement with Canara Bank 18. Bureau of Indian Standards inks an MoU with IIT, to raise Rs 2,000 crore, which would be used to Delhi part finance its capital expenditure. • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has inked a • "A term loan agreement for Rs 2,000 crore was Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the signed with Canara Bank on April 5, 2019. Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi to 14. Karnataka Bank in pact with Bharti AXA collaborate in the field of standardisation and • Karnataka Bank has entered into a memorandum conformity assessment. of understanding with Bharti AXA Life Insurance • BIS and IIT Delhi have also agreed to set up a Company to distribute the latter’s life insurance Centre of Excellence in the field of products. standardization, testing and conformity 15. BSE, India INX become first Indian exchanges to sign assessment. MoU with Moscow Exchange 19. US approves sale of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters • BSE (earlier known as Bombay Stock Exchange) to India for USD 2.6 billion and India International Exchange (India INX)

7 www.gradeup.co • The US has approved the sale of 24 multi-role • The helicopters are designed to operate from MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to India frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft at an estimated cost of USD 2.6 billion. carriers.

March 2019

1. India extends Rs. 35.5 million financial grant to • The agreement aims to ensure that all tax Nepal authorities have access to same information • India has extended a financial grant of 35.5 about MNC’s value chain and resulting tax million Nepalese rupees for the construction of consequences. an educational campus in Nepal under the 6. India-African Union sign MoU on strengthening Development Partnership Programme. cooperation in healthcare sector: MEA • The educational campus was jointly inaugurated • According to the Ministry of External Affairs by District Coordination Committee and Campus (MEA), an agreement has been signed between management committee on 22nd March 2019. India and the African Union to initiate and 2. India & Bolivia sign 8 MoUs in various fields strengthen the cooperation in health sector. including culture, mining, space 7. ICICI Lombard partnered with MobiKwik to provide • India and Bolivia signed eight MoUs in the fields cyber-insurance of culture, Visa waiver arrangement for • ICICI Lombard and digital financial services diplomats, exchange between diplomatic company MobiKwik entered into a partnership academies, mining, space, traditional medicine, to provide cyber insurance cover of Rs. 50000. establishment of Centre of Excellence in IT and • The service will be available through an app at Bi-Oceanic Railway project. Rs. 99 per month along with an insured sum of Note: Rs. 50000. • President Ram Nath Kovind has been conferred with 8. WhatsApp and NASSCOM Foundation collaborated to the highest State honor of Bolivia, “Condor de Los tackle misinformation Andes en el Grado de Gran Collar” during his visit to • WhatsApp has joined hands with NASSCOM Bolivia. Foundation, to tackle the challenge of 3. IIT Kharagpur, Wipro partner for research in 5G & AI misinformation. • Wipro and Indian Institute of Technology • The aim of the partnership is to train 100,000 Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) signed a Indians to spot false information and provide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to tips and tricks to stay safe on WhatsApp. collaborate on high-impact, industry-focused 9. India, US to Sign Pact for Exchange of Country-By- applied research in the areas of 5G and AI. Country Reports 4. Infosys & French Open Team up for Digital • Both India and the US will sign an agreement to Innovation facilitate the exchange of country-by-country (CbC) • Infosys and Roland-Garros Grand Slam tennis reports filed by the ultimate parent corporations tournament, also called the French Open, based in either of the countries. announced a three-year strategic technology 10. ADB to invest $50 million in Solar Power Project partnership. Developer Avaada • The partnership aims to re-imagine the tennis • Asian Development Bank (ADB) has inked an experience for the fans and the players globally. agreement to invest USD 50 million in solar energy 5. India, US ink pact to check tax evasion by MNCs project developer Avaada Energy Pvt Ltd to help the • India and United States (US) signed an company scale up rapidly. agreement for Exchange of Country-by-Country • LEAP is a funding arrangement provided by Japan (CbC) Reports (local filing) to check tax evasion International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which is by Multi National Cooperation’s (MNCs). administered by ADB.

8 www.gradeup.co 11. IBBI and SEBI sign pact for Effective Implementation professionals, and insolvency professional of IBC agencies for the purposes of the Code. • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) 17. Korea Exim Bank Extends Rs 4,100 crore Loan for and Securities and Exchange Board of India Vizag Metro (SEBI) have signed a Memorandum of • Korea Exim Bank has come forward to extend a Understanding (MoU) to assist and co-operate Rs 4,100 crore loan for Visakhapatnam Metro with each other for the effective implementation Rail project. of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. • The Export–Import Bank of Korea, also 12. Maldives sign agreement with Exim Bank to Finance commonly known as the Korea Exim bank, is the Infrastructure Projects official export credit agency of South Korea. • Maldives finance ministry has signed an agreement • The bank headquarters is located in Seoul, South with India’s Export-Import Bank (EXIM) for line of Korea. credit (LOC) of 800 million US dollars to finance the 18. India Extends USD 250 million To Nepal for new government’s infrastructure projects. Reconstruction of Infrastructures 13. SBI signed MoU with Bank of China for Business • India has extended a grant assistance of up to Opportunities USD 250 million to Nepal for the reconstruction • State Bank of India has signed a pact with the Bank of of infrastructures in the areas of housing, China to boost business opportunities. education, health and cultural heritage that was • SBI has signed an MoU to enhance business synergies destroyed during the devastating April 2015 between both the banks. earthquake which saw the death of over 9,000 • SBI has a branch in Shanghai and BOC is opening its people. branch in Mumbai. • Earlier this month, India said that it will 14. India & Afghanistan signed an MoU on digital reconstruct 72 education facilities in Nepal that education initiatives were damaged during the earthquake. • The Ministry of Human Resource Development 19. India, World Bank and Representatives of 5 States (HRD) has signed a memorandum of understanding signed loan agreement for DRIP (MoU) with the Afghanistan government at Indian • The Government of India, the World Bank and Institutes of Technology (IIT) Madras to work on a the representatives of Five States sign the Loan digital education initiative Agreement for Additional Financing of $137 • This collaboration hopes to contribute to bilateral Million for the Dam Rehabilitation and relations and beget mutual benefits for the two Improvement Project (DRIP). countries. • This agreement will help rehabilitate and 15. India and ADB sign $26 Million Loan Agreement for modernize over 220 selected large dams in the Additional Financing to Assam Urban Project States of Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, • The Government of India and the Asian Odisha, Tamil Nadu and . Development Bank (ADB) signed a $26 Million • The $137 Million Loan from the International Loan Agreement to provide additional financing Bank for Reconstruction and Development for improving drainage infrastructure in (IBRD), has a 3-year grace period, and a final Dibrugarh town of Assam under the ongoing maturity of 16 years. Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment 20. World Bank to provide $250 mn to boost rural Program. income 16. IBBI Signs Cooperation Agreement with IFC • World Bank to provide 250 Million dollars for • The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India the National Rural Economic Transformation (IBBI) has signed a Cooperation Agreement with Project (NRETP) to boost Rural Incomes across the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a 13 States in India. member of the World Bank Group (WBG). • An agreement in this regard was signed between • The agreement will enable IFC to assist IBBI to the World Bank and the Government of India. further build the capacity of insolvency

9 www.gradeup.co • Wold Bank said in a statement that the loan will 24. Centre, ADB sign 926 million loan agreement to help women in rural households develop viable operationalize two lines of Mumbai Metro enterprises for farm and non-farm products. • The Centre and the Asian Development Bank 21. India signs loan agreement with World Bank for (ADB) have signed a 926 million dollar loan Uttarakhand Disaster Recovery Project agreement to operationalize two lines of the • India signed a loan agreement with the World Mumbai Metro Rail System. Bank for 96 Million US dollars for additional • It is the single largest infrastructure project loan financing of Uttarakhand Disaster Recovery in ADB history approved by the ADB Board. Project. 25. India signs legal agreements with the World Bank – • World Bank has been supporting the State The Government of India, Government of Himachal Government since 2014 to restore housing and Pradesh (GoHP) and the World Bank signed a $40 Million rural connectivity and to build the resilience of Loan Agreement to help bring clean and reliable drinking communities. water to the citizens of the Greater Shimla area, who 22. India signs loan Agreement with the World Bank for have been facing severe water shortages and water- USD 25.2 Million for Chhattisgarh Public Financial borne epidemics over the last few years. Management and Accountability Program 26. India & Brunei sign pact to exchange information on • The World Bank and the Government of India tax, banking matters has signed a USD 25.2 Million Loan Agreement • India and Brunei signed an agreement for on March 5, 2019 to support Chhattisgarh Public exchange of information in tax matters which Financial Management and Accountability will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance. Program. Note: 23. AIIB to provide USD 455 mn for Andhra rural roads • The capital of Brunei is - Bandar Seri Begawan project • The currency of Brunei is – dollar • The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) • Brunei is a country located in Southeast Asia on the will provide a loan of USD 455 million to finance island of Borneo. the Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads Project.

January & February 2019

1. World Bank, UN Women and SIDBI plan ‘women’s Working Group as well as research institutes and livelihood bond’ to raise ₹300 cr – The World Bank, UN academia between the two countries. Women (a United Nations entity dedicated to gender 3. India and Bangladesh have signed an MOU for training equality and empowerment of women), and Small 1800 Bangladesh Civil Servants at the National Centre for Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have come Good Governance (NCGG) together to launch a five-year tenor ‘women’s livelihood 4. India & Germany join hands on Water and Waste bond’ to raise ₹300 crore. Management - India and Germany have joined hands for • The bonds, which will be raised by SIDBI with cooperation on Water and Waste Management. the support of World Bank and UN Women. 5. IRCTC Partners with Bharti AXA General Insurance • The coupon rate on these bonds will be 3 per • Indian Railway Catering and Tourism cent per annum. Corporation (IRCTC), the Railways’ subsidiary, • SIDBI chairman - Mohammad Mustafa. will offer insurance of up to INR50 lakh for free • SIDBI Hq – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. for air passengers who book their tickets 2. Ministry of Coal signs an MoU with Ministry of through its portal. IRCTC has tied up with Bharti- Energy, Poland - The objective of this MoU is to foster Axa for the offer. relations in the field of coal mining and clean coal 6. India has signed a long-term contract with Uzbekistan technologies through the already established Joint Coal for supply of uranium ore concentrates to widen its source base for the nuclear fuel.

10 www.gradeup.co Note: 8. India and China have signed the protocol for exports of • Uzbekistan is the seventh largest exporter of Indian tobacco leaves to China. uranium in the world. 9. Israel Aerospace industries announces agreement • The Exim Bank signed an agreement with with and Cochin Shipyard – Israel Uzbekistan to extend a 200-million US dollar line Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced entering into of credit for financing housing and social agreements worth $93 million this for providing Naval infrastructure projects. Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems 7. India and Sri Lanka signed an MoU to provide modern to India. infrastructural facilities to Swami Vipulananda Institute 10. India and Japan-India Cooperative Actions (JICA) signed of Aesthetic Studies of Eastern University in Batticaloa the loan agreements under the Japanese Official district of Sri Lanka. Development Assistance Loan Program.

Rank of India in Different Reports/Survey

1. India 4th Biggest Military Spender in 2018: SIPRI birth in 1969 was 47 years, growing to 60 Report – India was the world’s fourth biggest military years in 1994 and 69 years in 2019. spender in 2018 behind the United States, China, and • 27 per cent of India’s population was in the Saudi Arabia, according to new data think tank age bracket of 0-14 years and 10-24 years Stockholm International Peace Research Institute each, while 67 per cent of India’s (SIPRI). population was in the 15-64 age bracket. • India was the fifth largest military spender Six per cent of India’s population was of in 2017. the age 65 and above. • According to the SIPRI data, China was the • United Nations Population Fund second-largest military spender in 2018. headquarters is in New York, U.S. India accounts for 3.7% of the global 3. Mukesh Ambani World’s 8th Richest with Net defence spending. Worth Of $54 bn – With a net worth of $54 billion, 2. State of World Population 2019 – The United Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has Nations Population Fund has released the State of broken into the global top 10 richest billionaire list World Population 2019 report. compiled by Hurun Research. • India’s population grew at an average • The Hurun Global Rich List 2019 is topped annual rate of 1.2 per cent between 2010 by Amazon chief Jeff Bezos for the second and 2019 to 1.36 billion. It was more than year in a row, while the senior Ambani is double the annual growth rate of China. placed 8th with a network of Rs 3.83 • India’s population in 2019 stood at 1.36 trillion. Ambani is the only Asian among billion. The population has grown from the top 10. 942.2 million in 1994 and 541.5 million in 4. Assam’s Hailakandi became the top Aspirational 1969. District – According to the Delta ranking report • Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the released by NITI Aayog, Assam’s Hailakandi has country dropped from 488 deaths per become the top aspirational district among the 112 100,000 live births in 1994 to 174 deaths aspirational districts of the country. per 100,000 live births in 2015. • Hailakandi in Assam has made a giant leap • India has recorded an improvement in life from 52nd position to no. 1 position on the expectancy at birth. The life expectancy at basis of its performance during November- December 2018 and January 2019.

11 www.gradeup.co • For securing the first rank as an • The list is prepared by Apolitical, a peer to aspirational district, Hailakandi will be peer learning platform for governments. given an allocation of Rs. 10 crore. The list has been topped by Alexandria 5. Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2019 – Ocasio-Cortez (Congresswoman, US • Singapore is the world’s most expensive Congress). city in the Worldwide followed by Hong 9. India highest Recipient of remittances at $79 Kong and Paris. billion in 2018: World Bank – As per the World Bank • Zurich in Switzerland stood at the fourth Report, India retained its position as the world’s top position followed by Japan’s Osaka which recipient of remittances with its diaspora sending a shared fifth place with Geneva, also in whopping USD 79 billion back home in 2018. Switzerland. • India was followed by China (USD 67 • The Economist Intelligence Unit has billion) and Mexico (USD 36 billion). released the report. • The Report was titled as ‘World Bank’s 6. IGI Airport Delhi becomes the 12th busiest Airport Migration and Development Brief’. Over in the World – Indira Gandhi International Airport the last three years, India has registered a (IGIA) of New Delhi has ranked at 12th spot in terms of significant flow of remittances from USD the busiest airport. 62.7 billion in 2016 to USD 65.3 billion • World airport traffic rankings for 2018 2017. released by Airports Council International 10. UN Releases Global Environment Outlook 2019 (ACI). Report – The United Nation Environment Program • The list of world’s busiest airports by (UNEP) has released the sixth edition of the Global passenger traffic ranking has been topped Environment Outlook (2019) titled ‘Healthy Planet, by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Healthy People’. International Airport (US) followed by 11. Tata, Reliance & Airtel Emerge best Indian Brands Beijing Capital International Airport of 2019 - Tata, Reliance, and Airtel emerged as the top (China) and Dubai International Airport three Indian brands of 2019, according to a report (UAE). published by Interbrand, part of the Omnicom Media 7. Dhanbad tops 4G Availability Chart in India – A Group. report by OpenSignal, which is named as ‘OpenSignal’s • Tata continued to hold the top position in Hottest city for 4G Availability’ reveals the 4G the best Indian Brands ranking as its brand Availability in India’s 50 largest cities. value grew by 6%, mainly due to Tata • Out of the 50 cities, Dhanbad, which is Consultancy Services (TCS). also known as the coal capital of India has • Knocking Airtel off from the 2nd spot, the highest 4G availability of 95.3%, Reliance’s brand value grew by 12%, followed by Ranchi which has 95% of 4G bolstered by the success of Jio. Airtel stood Availability. at number 3. • Notably, both Ranchi and Dhanbad are two 12. World Employment and Social Outlook Trends cities in Jharkhand and they are the only 2019’ report released by ILO – The International two cities to have over 95% of 4G Labour Organization released World Employment and coverage. Social Outlook Trends 2019 report. • Interestingly, Srinagar, which is one of the • As per the report, unemployment rates will remote areas in the country stood third on fall to 4.9% in 2019 and remains steady in the list with 4G Availability score of 94.9%. 2020. 8. 7 Indians Marked in “World’s 100 Most Influential • Among the age group 15-24 the global People in Climate Policy for 2019” – The “100 Most unemployment stood at 11.8% which is Influential People in Climate Policy” list is comprised of much higher than it is among other age seven Indian names including Union Ministers Piyush groups. Goyal and Dr Harsh Vardhan, who took important • In the global labor market, 2 billion out of measures to combat climate change. 3.3 billion people worked keeping their

12 www.gradeup.co economic security at risk in informal • Himachal Pradesh and Kerala have employment. emerged as top performing states in Niti 13. Raipur airport tops in Customer Satisfaction Aayog’s SDG India index 2018, which Survey: AAI evaluates progress in social, economic and • According to the Airport Authority of India, environmental terms. Swami Vivekananda Airport of Raipur has • Himachal Pradesh ranks high on been adjudged on top rank in the country in providing clean water & sanitation, in Customer Satisfaction Survey round two for reducing inequalities & preserving consecutive fourth time in a row, airport mountain ecosystem. officials confirmed. • Kerala’s top rank is attributed to its 14. Russia Emerges as World’s No. 2 Arms Producer: superior performance in providing good SIPRI Report health, reducing hunger, achieving gender • A Swedish think tank Stockholm equality & providing quality education. International Peace Research Institute • Chandigarh leads because of its (SIPRI) announced that Russia has exemplary performance in providing clean emerged as the world’s second-largest water & sanitation, affordable & clean arms producer after the United States. energy, generating decent work & • Russia surpassed Britain, which had held economic growth, & providing quality that spot since 2002 and remains Western education. Europe’s No. 1 arms maker. • The NITI Aayog released the Baseline 15. Gujarat Emerges as best performing State in Start- Report of the Sustainable Development Up Ranking 2018 Goals (SDG) India Index, which • Gujarat has emerged as the best- comprehensively documents the progress performing state in the Startup Ranking made by India’s States and Union 2018. Territories towards implementing the • The National Report on States’ Startup 2030 SDG targets. Ranking was unveiled by Department of 17. 4 Indian-Origin Women in Forbes US Top 50 Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry Females in Tech of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. • Four Indian-origin technology executives have • Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and Rajasthan, made it to the Forbes’ list of America’s 50 with a score of more than 85 percentile, women in technology space in 2018. have been adjudged the top performers. • The list includes Neha Narkhede, chief • Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, technology officer and co-founder of streaming Madhya Pradesh and Telangana have been platform Confluent; Kamakshi recognised as Leaders. Sivaramakrishnan, CEO, and founder of • 27 states and 3 union territories identity-management company Drawbridge; participated in the ranking process. Padmasree Warrior, former chief technology 16. Himachal Pradesh, Kerala tops NITI Aayog SDG officer (CTO) of Cisco, and Komal Mangtani, India Index: Baseline Report 2018 senior director at Uber. 18. India Skills Report 2019: Andhra Tops in • However, the employability levels of MBA and Employability Rate, Talent Quality polytechnic stand low between 47.18% and • Andhra Pradesh has topped the list of states with 45.90%. the highest employability followed by Rajasthan • The survey was conducted jointly by Wheebox, and Haryana, as per the India Skills Report 2019. People Strong, Confederation of Indian Industry • The employability levels of B.Tech/B.E have (CII). increased across all the sectors, touching a new 19. Malaria Cases Declined by 24% in India: WHO Report high of 63.11%, which remained at 42.08 last • The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a year. report stated that India is the only country to have recorded a substantial decline in malaria

13 www.gradeup.co cases in 2017 out of the 11 highest burden home to approximately 40 percent of all malaria countries worldwide. cases in the country. • India registered a 24% reduction in cases over According to the report, India accounted for 4% of global 2016, largely due to substantial declines of the malaria cases in 2017. disease in the highly malarious state of Odisha,

Schemes launched by Union/State Govt.

April 2019

1. Utkarsh Bangla and Sabooj Sathi Schemes of West • Sabooj Sathi is a scheme of West Bengal Bengal gets Global Recognition – government for distribution of bicycles to the • The schemes of the West Bengal government students of class IX to XII studying in Govt. run ‘Utkarsh Bangla’ (skill training of youth) and and Govt. aided Schools and Madrashas.The ‘Sabooj Sathi’ (cycles for students) won the scheme was launched in September 2015. World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) – The Union awards of UN. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Note: Pradhan handed over the Seven Croreth LPG connection • Utkarsh Bangla got the topmost award and under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). emerged as a winner in the Capacity Building Key points category and the Sabooj Sathi was ranked in the • The PMUY was launched by the Prime Minister first five as a champion project under ICT Narendra Modi on 1st May 2016. application: E-Government category. • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to Utkarsh Bangla safeguard the health of women & children by • Utkarsh Bangla Scheme is aimed at providing providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG. vocational training to school dropouts. The • Under this scheme, LPG connections will be beneficiaries of the scheme will be trained in provided to BPL families with a support of driving, tailoring, repairing television and other Rs.1600 per connection. electronic equipment’s, beautician courses etc. • The connection is provided in the name of the Sabooj Sathi adult women of the family.

March 2019 1. Government brings transport scheme to boost • The scheme would be applicable for a period as agriculture exports specified from time to time. Presently, it would • The government has introduced a scheme for be available for exports effected from March 1 providing financial assistance for transport and this year to March 2020. marketing of agriculture products with a view to 2. Gram Samridhi Yojana – Gram Samridhi Yojana, a Rs boosting export of farm commodities to certain 3,000 crore scheme funded by the World Bank and the countries in Europe and North America. Government of India, is being worked upon by the • Under the Transport and Marketing Ministry of Food Processing Industries in order to Assistance (TMA) scheme, the government strengthen the unorganised food processing sector would reimburse a certain portion of freight concentrated in rural areas. charges and provide assistance for marketing of Key points agricultural produce. • World Bank will be giving Rs 1,500 crore, Rs • The scheme covers freight and marketing 1,000 crore will be borne by the Centre while assistance for export by air as well as by sea state governments will put in Rs 500 crore. (both normal and refrigerated cargo). • The scheme will be run in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab for a 5-year

14 www.gradeup.co period in the initial phase and thereafter in other Electric vehicles and also by way of establishing states of the country. a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric 3. Textiles Minister launches scheme for development vehicles. of Knitwear Sector – Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti • FAME II emphasizes on electrification of the Zubin Irani launched a comprehensive scheme for the public transportation that includes shared development of knitting and knitwear sector under transport. PowerTex India in New Delhi. Apart from financial • The Scheme would provide incentives on incentives, the two key elements are Yarn Bank and operational expenditure model for electric buses financial assistance for the solar energy scheme. which will be delivered through State/city 4. Notun Disha’ initiated by Tripura Government – The transport corporation (STUs). government of Tripura announced ‘Notun Disha’ (New 7. Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana – The Direction) for assessing the academic level of students in government of Uttarakhand has launched the classes III-VIII and then improving their current level. It Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana to provide milk at was launched by state Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath. the Anganwadi Centres. 5. CCEA approves Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana – The Note: Under the Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved government would provide 100 ml milk twice a week for the “Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran 2.5 lakh children at 20,000 Anganwadi Centres in the Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana” under the state. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. 8. Jalamrutha Scheme of Karnataka – The government of Objective – Karnataka has launched the water conservation scheme • To create 2G Ethanol capacity in the country and Jalamrutha. attract investments in this new sector. Note: • To provide financial support to Integrated • The scheme focuses on drought-proofing Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass measures, including protection and rejuvenation and other renewable feedstock. of water bodies. 6. CCEA Approves Phase 2 of FAME Scheme – The 9. Yuvashree Arpan Scheme of West Bengal – The Chief Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has unveiled a approved Rs 10,000 crore package over three years till new scheme Yuvashree Plan II or Yuvashree Arpan to 2022 for the second phase of Faster Adoption & encourage entrepreneurship among youth. Manufacturing of Electric (and hybrid) vehicles Note: Under the Yuvashree Arpan Scheme around fifty (FAME) scheme. thousand Youths who have passed out of ITI or other Note: polytechnic institutes will be eligible to get financial • The FAME scheme is aimed at encouraging faster support of Rs One Lakh from the state MSME department adoption of Electric and hybrid vehicle by way of to set up their own business initiatives. offering an upfront incentive on the purchase of

February 2019

1. HRD Ministry launches SHREYAS Programme – The Development and Entrepreneurship, and the Union Minister of Human Resources and Development Ministry of Labour and Employment. Prakash Javadekar launched the SHREYAS programme to 2. Odisha launched ‘Khushi’ scheme - The Odisha Cabinet provide industry-specific apprenticeship opportunities approved the ‘Khushi‘ scheme to provide free sanitary to fresh graduates. napkins to school girls across the state. Note: • The scheme will benefit nearly 17.25 lakh school • SHREYAS stands for - Scheme for Higher girls from Class VI to XII studying in government Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills. and government-aided schools. • It is a programme basket comprising of three initiatives of the HRD, Ministry of Skill

15 www.gradeup.co • The state government will spend INR 466 crore • The youth would get Rs 4,000 stipend per month over a period of 5 years to implement the and total Rs 13,500 for the 100 days period scheme. would be provided. 3. CCEA approves launch of KUSUM scheme - The • During this period, they would be given skill Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has development training, so that they become approved the launch of KUSUM, Kisan Urja Suraksha independent. evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme. 8. Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan – The • The scheme aims to provide financial and water government of Gujarat has launched the second edition security to farmers through harnessing solar of the water conservation scheme Sujalam Sufalam Jal energy capacities of 25.75 gigawatts (GW) by Sanchay Abhiyan. 2022. • The scheme aims to deepen water bodies in the 4. Minister of Textiles inaugurates two Silk Projects in state before monsoon to increase storage of Assam – The Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani rainwater to be used during times of scarcity. inaugurated two silk projects Soil to Silk Project and Eri 9. Odisha government launches KALIA Chhatra Bruti Spun Silk Mill in Assam. scholarship for Farmers Children – Note: • The government of Odisha has launched the • The Eri Silk Development Project aims to utilize KALIA Chhatra Bruti scholarship for the children tapioca plantation for dual purpose i.e. the tuber of farmers. for food and the leaves for Eri silkworm. • The Scholarship is under the KALIA, Krushak 5. UNICEF Head lauds Poshan Abhiyaan – POSHAN Assistance for Livelihood and Income Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is a flagship Augmentation, a scheme for financing farmers in programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Odisha. Development. Key points • Poshan Abhiyaan has got global recognition for • Under the Scheme, Odisha would spend Rs 10,180 its effort to eradicate malnutrition. crore over three years until 2020-21 in providing • The Mission is aimed at improving the financial assistance to cultivators and landless nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, agricultural labourers. Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating • The government would provide Rs 10,000 per family Mothers in a time bound manner during the next as assistance for cultivation, Rs 5,000 each in the three years. Kharif and Rabi seasons, for five cropping seasons 6. Assam launches PRANAM Commission to protect between 2018-19 and 2021-22. parents of govt employees – The Chief Minister of 10. UP CM launches Scheme for Adolescent Girls – In Assam Sarbananda Sonowal has announced a PRANAM Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Commission to look after the issues related to the Scheme for Adolescent girls (SAG). The scheme focuses Parents Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and on girls aged between 11 to 14 years who have left Monitoring (PRANAM) Bill. studies and will take steps for proper nutrition and Note: The bill proposes that if any complaints related to special care for them. ignorance towards parents or unmarried differently 11. Mega Pension Yojana - Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi abled siblings, then 10 or 15 per cent of the employee’s Mandhan – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 05, salary will be deducted by the government and paid to 2019 launched the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan the parents or differently abled siblings. (PM-SYM) Yojana at Vastral in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 7. MP launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swabhiman Key points of the scheme Yojana - The government of Madhya Pradesh has • Aim – to provide an assured monthly launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swabhiman Yojana to pension provided to workers in the provide employment for youth. unorganised sector. Key points Benefits of the Scheme • The scheme guarantees 100 days of employment • Under the scheme, an assured monthly every year to urban youths from economically pension of Rs 3,000 per month will be weaker sections (EWS).

16 www.gradeup.co provided to workers in the unorganised • 2 per cent interest subvention to farmers pursuing sector after 60 years of age. animal husbandry and fisheries. Age limitation: Minimum age to invest in the scheme is 18 • All farmers severely affected by severe natural years and maximum age is 40 years. calamities will get 2% interest subvention who avail Fund allocation loan through Kisan Credit Card and additional 3% • A sum of Rs. 500 crores have been allocated interest subvention upon timely repayment of crop for the Scheme. loans. Monthly contribution Fund allocation • To avail of the scheme, workers will have to • The government has allocated Rs 75,000 crore contribute a minimal Rs 100 month per towards the scheme for financial year 2020. month. First Installment to be paid by 31 March 2019 • This new pension scheme will run alongside • The first instalment to eligible beneficiaries during the existing Atal Pension Yojana, which this financial year 2018-19 shall be for the period guarantees returns post-retirement. from 01 December 2018 to 31 March 2019 • The scheme is touted as to become the 13. Mukhyamantri Vridhajan Pension Yojna launched in world’s biggest pension scheme for the Bihar- Bihar government has announced a universal old unorganised sector in five years. age pension scheme - Mukhyamantri Vridhajan Pension 12. Pradhan Mantri kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Yojna for all people above 60 years of age (except retired (PMKSNY) - Finance Minister Piyush Goyal announced senior citizens of govt. service). this scheme while presenting the Interim Budget 2019- • All eligible person will get RS. 400 monthly 20 on February 01, 2019. Pension irrespective of caste, religion or Key points of the scheme community. • Aim - to provide to provide income support • The Scheme will come into force from the 1st to all small and Marginal landholding farmer. of April 2019. • The scheme is particularly focused to those • The Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also group of farmers (low and marginal income) announced a pension of Rs. 6,000 for who hold very less substantial area for journalists above 60 years of age. cultivation of their crops. 14. Arundhati Scheme launched in Assam - The Objective - The main objective of the government to launch government of Assam has announced a new scheme this scheme is the development of farmers by the provision called Arundhati to provide gold at free of cost to the of financial assistance which can utilize by the farmer to brides. increase the crop production every year. Note: Benefits of the Scheme • Under the scheme, the government of Assam aims to provide 1 Tola Gold, at about Rs 38K • As per government norms, the farmers who hold as on today, to brides belonging to all such land up-to 2 hectares will get the benefit of Direct communities of Assam where it is customary Income support of Rs. 6,000 per year (500 Rs per to provide gold at the time of the wedding. month) • The government has set aside Rs 300 cr has • This fund will be transferred directly into the bank been for the implementation of the accounts of beneficiary farmers through 3 equal Arundhati Scheme. instalments of Rs. 2000 every four months into the

Aadhar ceded bank accounts of eligible landholding SMFs families.

January 2019

1. Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, • The country achieved yet another milestone Saubhagya scheme – 100% Houses in 25 States in the power sector with the completion of Electrified Under Saubhagya Yojana.

17 www.gradeup.co electrification in 100% households in 25 wholesale rate and give the yarn at a states at year end. reasonable price to the small weavers. • Now, only about 10.48 lakh households are • To avoid middleman and local supplier’s left to be electrified in 4 states – Assam, brokerage charge on sales of yarn. Rajasthan, Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh. • Under the scheme, an interest-free corpus • The central government launched ‘Pradhan fund up to Rs.2.00 crore would be provided Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ to the Special Purpose Vehicle (Saubhagya) in September 2017 to achieve (SPV)/Consortium formed by power loom the goal of universal household weavers. electrification in the country by 31 March, 5. Madya Pradesh launched Employment Scheme “Yuva 2019. Swabhiman Yojana” for Urban Youth - Madhya 2. Samwad with Students - Indian Space Research Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath announced the Organisation (Isro) has launched an outreach launch of the ‘Yuva Swabhiman Yojana’ for youths from programme called Samwad with Students (SwS) in the economically weaker sections in urban areas. Bengaluru. • Under this scheme, 100 days of employment • Through the SwS initiative, ISRO aims to will be provided to youths from economically constantly engage youngsters across India to weaker sections in urban areas. They will capture their scientific temperament. also be given skill training. 3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, (PMAY) - The Minister 6. Kerala to launch ‘Pravasi Dividend Pension Scheme’ - for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri The Kerala government has floated a ‘Pravasi Dividend announced that the loan subsidy for the middle-income Pension Scheme’ to provide regular pension to Non- group under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, (PMAY) has Resident Keralites on a one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh. been extended till 31st March 2020. 7. Odisha Announces Jiban Sampark Project – Odisha Note: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced “Jiban • The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) is a Sampark” project in partnership with UNICEF India to component under the PMAY-Urban. generate awareness about the development and welfare • Under the scheme, the central government provides initiatives of state government among the Particularly interest subsidy or Vulnerable Tribal Groups of the state. purchase/construction/extension/improvement of a 8. Atal Solar Krishi Pump Yojana of Maharashtra – house to cater Economical Weaker Section Aim - to reduce losses due to non-payment of (EWS)/Lower Income Group (LIG)/Middle Income electricity bills and also promote solar energy. Groups (MIG). Key points • The CLSS is being implemented by two central nodal • The government of Maharashtra has decided agencies in India, namely Housing Urban to give two LED bulbs, a DC fan and a mobile Development Corp and National Housing Bank. charging socket as freebies to farmers • For MIG-I, an interest subsidy of 4% has been enrolling under the Atal Solar Krishi Pump provided for loan amounts up to Rs.9 lakh. Yojana. • For MIG-II, an interest subsidy of 3% has been • The government would provide solar pumps provided for loan amount up to Rs.12 lakh. at subsidised rates for the farmers. • Housing loans beyond Rs. 9 lakh and Rs. 12 lakhs will • Under the Scheme, farmers with less than be at non-subsidized rates. five acres will have to pay 5 per cent of the 4. Yarn Bank Scheme: The Ministry of Textiles, cost of a 3 HP solar pump while farmers with Government of India had launched a Yarn Bank Scheme more than five acres will get a 5 HP solar as one of the components of PowerTex India scheme pump for Rs 30000. with an aim to avoid fluctuation in yarn price. 9. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) - The objectives of the Yarn Bank Scheme are: • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) • To provide interest-free corpus fund to is the government-sponsored crop insurance Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or Consortium scheme that integrates multiple stakeholders to enable them to purchase yarn at a on a single platform.

18 www.gradeup.co • Under the scheme, there is a uniform Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban premium of 2% to be paid by farmers for all Transformation (AMRUT) Kharif crops, 1.5% for all Rabi crops and 5% • Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban in case of annual commercial and Transformation (AMRUT) launched in 2015 horticultural crops. aims to establish an infrastructure that could 10. Rashtriya Gokul Mission: The Ministry of Agriculture & ensure adequate robust sewage networks Farmers Welfare is implementing the scheme of and water supply for urban transformation. Rashtriya Gokul Mission to conserve and develop • The mission period is up to March 2020. indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner. 14. Sikkim CM launched ‘one family, one job’ scheme - Key points Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling launched • The scheme comprises of two components the ‘One Family One Job’ scheme in Gangtok. namely National Programme for Bovine • Now, Sikkim has become the first state in the Breeding (NPBB) and National Mission on country to carry out such a programme for Bovine Productivity (NMBP). the people entitling them to state 11. PM launches Gangajal Project - The Prime Minister government employee benefits. Narendra Modi inaugurated the Gangajal Project. The • Under this Scheme, every family one Prime Minister launched civic projects worth Rs 2,980 government job has been allotted. crore in Agra. 15. Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) – The Odisha Key points Government has announced a hike of Rs 200 per month • The Gangajal project aims to provide a better in the social security pension under Madhu Babu Pension supply of drinking water which will benefit Yojana (MBPY). the residents as well as tourists. • The Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) is a • The Gangajal project aims to bring 140 pension scheme under the Department of cusecs of Ganga water to Agra to help in Social Security and Empowerment of meeting the drinking water demands in the Persons with Disabilities for the disabled, old city. age persons in the state of Odisha. 12. Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana – Prime Minister 16. Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana Narendra Modi launched the Pravasi Teerth Darshan (PMKKKY) - Yojana. • Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan • Under the scheme, a group of Indian Yojana (PMKKKY) is aimed at the welfare of diaspora will be taken on a government- areas and people affected by mining-related sponsored tour of religious places in India operations, using the funds generated by twice a year. District Mineral Foundations (DMFs). • The Scheme accords first preference to 17. MP launched 'Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana' - Madhya people from Girmitiya countries such as Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has launched the Rs Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad 50,000-crore farm debt-waiver scheme named 'Jai Kisan and Tobago, and Jamaica. Rin Mukti Yojana'. It would benefit 55 lakh small and 13. AMRUT Scheme: Only 20% of Projects completed - The marginal farmers. data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has 18. Dharmendra Pradhan launches Ujjwala sanitary revealed that - napkin initiative - The Union Petroleum Minister • With only a year to the deadline, only 20 per Dharmendra Pradhan has launched the Ujjwala Sanitary cent of the total projects were completed Napkin initiative in Bhubaneswar (Odisha). utilising 3 per cent of the total funds 19. West Bengal Govt. announced two Initiatives for approved. farmers – • States like Bihar and Assam were not able to • The West Bengal government has announced complete even a single project. two welfare initiatives for farmers, part of • Tamil Nadu topped the list by completing the ‘Krishi Krishak Bondhu’ scheme. 378 projects. • The first of the two initiatives will provide Rs 2 lakh to the family of a deceased farmer.

19 www.gradeup.co • Under the second initiative, farmers would get Rs 2,500 twice a year for growing a single crop on one acre of land.

September

1. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna: The Employees’ State • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved a new ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme- Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna for Insured (PMJAY), under Ayushman Bharat umbrella at Persons covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Ranchi, Jharkhand. Act. • The scheme aims to provide annual health Key points: insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to 10.74 crore • This scheme is a relief payable in cash directly to beneficiary families i.e. over 50 crore their Bank Account in case of unemployment and beneficiaries across India. while they search for new engagement. • It is touted as world’s largest healthcare scheme • The eligibility for availing Super Specialty that will serve beneficiary population that equals treatment for dependents of Insured Person has 27-28 European countries and almost equal to now been relaxed to insurable employment of population of Canada, Mexico and US put one year with 156 days of contributions. together. • The ESIC also approved the proposal for • The scheme will become operational from increasing the funeral expenses from existing 10 September 25, 2018 i.e. on birth anniversary of thousand rupees to 15 thousand rupees being Deendayal Upadhyay. paid on the death of Insured Person. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) 2. Swayangsiddha scheme - In an attempt to combat • PMJAY is government-sponsored health insurance human trafficking, the West Bengal government rolled scheme, that will provide free coverage of up to Rs 5 out a scheme, Swayangsiddha, in different districts of the lakh per family per year in any government or State. As the per the NCRB data, West Bengal has highest empanelled private hospitals all over India. recorded case of trafficking among the States. • It will cover beneficiaries families identified on the Aim of the scheme – basis of Socio Economic Caste Survey (SECC) 2011 in • The scheme aims to empower young boys and 444 districts of 30 states/Union Territories. girls to make informed choices so that they are 5. Delhi Government launches India’s first scheme for less vulnerable to trafficking and child marriage. doorstep delivery of essential government services • Swayangsiddha means self-reliance and it will be • Delhi Government has launched scheme for executed by the West Bengal Police. doorstep delivery of 40 essential government 3. Petroleum Minister to launch ‘SATAT’ initiative - services like caste and marriage certificates, • Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of driving license and new water connections. Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development 6. Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan and Entrepreneurship launched SATAT initiative (PM-AASHA) - The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime to promote Compressed Bio-Gas as an Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a new alternative, green transport fuel. Umbrella Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay • Titled SATAT, the initiative is aimed at providing SanraksHan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA). The Scheme is aimed a Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their Transportation (SATAT) as a developmental produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018. effort that would benefit both vehicle-users as • Aim – The scheme aimed at ensuring well as farmers and entrepreneurs. remunerative prices to the farmers for their 4. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: produce.

20 www.gradeup.co • Objective – To empower farmers and strengthen facility has been doubled from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. the Agriculture sector. 10,000 under the Yojana. • Allocation - The Cabinet has sanctioned Rs • Age limit increased - The age limit for availing 15,053 crore to implement the PM-AASHA in overdraft facility under it has also been revised the next two financial years, of which Rs 6,250 to 18 to 65 years from the earlier 18 to 60 years. crore will be spent this year. • Accidental insurance cover raised - The Components of PM-AASHA: Under the PM-AASHA, states accidental insurance cover for new RuPay would be allowed to choose from three schemes – Cardholders has been raised from Rs. one lakh to • Price Support Scheme (PSS), Rs. two lakh. • Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) 8. Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Tourism Ministry sanctions • Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme Rs. 80.37 crore for developing cruise tourism in Kerala. (PPPS). Note: 7. Govt. revised Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana • The scheme was launched by Union Tourism (PMJDY) – The government has revised the PMJDY Ministry with an objective to develop theme- scheme, to further incentivize people’s participation in based tourist circuits in the country. the scheme. • The first project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme Key points ‘North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom’ was • Overdraft facility doubled - The Finance inaugurated in Manipur. Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the overdraft • The project covers two sites i.e. Kangla Fort and Khongjom in Manipur.

Summits & Conference

May 2019

1. WTO Ministerial meeting of developing countries 4. The 16th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation meeting held in – New Delhi, India Dialogue (ACD) was held in - Doha, Qatar. 2. Regional heads of Customs Administration of Asia Pacific Note: The theme of the meeting was “Partners in Region of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) held in Progress”. Kochi 5. The G7’s (Group of Seven) Environment Ministers meet 3. 15th Finance Commission’s meeting with RBI held in - to discuss Climate crisis held in - Metz, France Mumbai, Maharashtra Note: The G-7 groups together the US, Britain, France, Italy, Canada, Japan, and Germany.

April 2019

1. Saudi Arabia to host G20 Summit in 2020 • India will host the G20 Summit in 2022 when the Note: country celebrates its 75th year of • Saudi Arabia (first G20 meeting in the Arab Independence. world) will host the G20 summit on 21-22 About G-20 November 2020 in its capital Riyadh. • The G20 (Group of Twenty) is an international • First-ever ‘Japan’ will host this year's G20 forum for the governments and central bank summit in Osaka (28-29 June 2019). governors from 19 countries and the European • Italy will host the G20 Summit in 2021. Union.

21 www.gradeup.co • It was founded in 1999 with the aim to discuss • The theme of the two-day summit was “Media policy pertaining to the promotion of Solutions for Sustainable Future: Saving Lives, international financial stability. Building Resilient Communities”. 2. Global Water Summit 2019 – London, United Kingdom 5. World’s foremost Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit – 3. The second edition of Belt and Road Forum (BRF) was Dubai, UAE held in Beijing, China Note: The aim of the inaugural ‘AI Everything (AIE)’ is to Note: The theme of this event was “Belt and Road empower global dialogue on the future of government, Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future”. business and society. 4. 5th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Media Summit 6. The Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2019 Congress on Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness held in held in – New Delhi Kathmandu, Nepal 7. 17th Middle East and North Africa (MENA) World Note: Economic Forum held in – Jordan

March 2019 1. FinTech Conclave held in - New Delhi 3. 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Note: Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) – Abu Dhabi, • NITI Aayog has organized FinTech Conclave at UAE Dr. Ambedkar International Center, New Delhi. Note: • The Conclave was inaugurated by RBI Governor • The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had Shaktikanta Das. been invited by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al 2. The first BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the United Arab Africa) Sherpa meeting held in – Curitiba, Brazil Emirates as the “Guest of Honour” to address the Note: Inaugural Plenary. • 11th BRICS Summit 2019 will be held in Brazil 4. 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project the capital city Brasilia. Partnerships held in – New Delhi • In 2020, Russia will host the 12th BRICS Summit. 5. International Digital Health Symposium held in – New • BRICS member countries include - Brazil, Russia, Delhi India, China and South Africa. Note: Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, inaugurated the event.

February 2019

1. The 16th edition of BioAsia 2019 Asia’s largest Note: biotechnology and life-sciences forum was conducted in- • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Hyderabad, Telangana. Network-18 Rising India Summit, held in New Note: Delhi and laid out his vision for a ‘New India ‘. • The theme of the conference was ‘Life Sciences • The theme of the summit was, ‘Beyond Politics: 4.0 – Disrupt the Disruption’. Defining National Priorities’. • It was inaugurated by the Governor of Telangana 4. 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit held in – E.S.L Narasimhan. New Delhi 2. ‘Aviation Conclave 2019’ – New Delhi Note: Note: • The summit was hosted by the Ministry of Health • The Ministry of Civil Aviation organized the and Family Welfare in collaboration with the conclave. World Health Organization (WHO) and the • Theme -''flying for all''. Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). 3. Rising India Summit 2019 – New Delhi 5. Conference on Future of Indian Banking – New Delhi

22 www.gradeup.co Note: 13. 7th World Government Summit held in Dubai - The • Niti Ayog had hosted the conference in seventh session of the World Government Summit held association with the Foundation for Economic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Growth and Welfare (EGROW Foundation). 14. 1st LAWASIA Human Rights Conference 2019 held in 6. International Vision Zero Conference - Mumbai, New Delhi – LAWASIA, in association with the Bar Maharashtra Association of India, hosted its 1st LAWASIA Human 7. 8th World CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Rights Conference in New Delhi. Congress 2019 – Mumbai, Maharashtra • The theme of the conference was “State Note: The theme of the year 2019 is ‘Sustainable Power, Business and Human Rights: Development Goals (SDGs)’ to focus on corporate Contemporary Challenges”. strategies, innovation, and strategic alliances. Dr. 15. 2019 Asia LPG Summit was held in New Delhi - Mr. Soumitro Chakraborty won ‘CEO of the year’ award. Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for petroleum and 8. 4th India-ASEAN Expo and Summit – New Delhi natural gas, inaugurated the 2019 Asia LPG summit in 9. 4th Agri Leadership Summit 2019 - Sonipat, Haryana New Delhi. Note: Note: India is the 2nd largest consumer of liquified • Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer’s natural gas (LPG) in the world after China. Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, inaugurated the 16. India to host 13th Conference of Parties of Summit Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species – • The theme of the summit was “Entrepreneurship The conference will be held from 15th to 22nd February & Agri-Business; Agri Allied – A Promising Sector 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. and Agri Service- Direct Marketing”. Note: 10. World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2019 • Union Environment Minister, Dr. Harsh held in - New Delhi Vardhan, announced the Great Indian Note: Bustard (GIB) as the mascot for the 13th • The theme of WSDS 2019 was ‘Attaining the Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN 2030 Agenda: delivering on our promise’. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory • Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji was Species (CMS) to be held in Gujarat in 2020. honoured with the Sustainable Development • He also revealed that the bird has been Leadership Award 2019 for his outstanding fondly named by the ministry as ‘Gibi‘. contributions towards sustainable development 17. The 5th International Dam Safety Conference held in in Fiji. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. • The Energy and Resources Institute’ (TERI) Note: Globally India ranks third after China and organized the summit. the USA in terms of the number of large dams with • Summit was inaugurated by Vice President Shri 5264 large dams in operation and 437 large dams M. Venkaiah Naidu. under construction. 11. Early Ed Asia 2019, the two-day event, which is Asia’s 18. CREDAI’s Event ‘YouthCon-19’ held in New Delhi - largest conference on Early Childhood, was held in Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the CREDAI Jaipur, Rajasthan. The motto of the event was ‘Our YouthCon -19 in New Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium. Children. Our Future’. • The event is organized by the Confederation 12. India-U.S. Commercial Dialogue and India-U.S. CEO of Real Estate Developers’ Association of Forum held in - New Delhi India, CREDAI. Note: Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil • The theme for this YouthCon is ‘Next Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, chaired the meeting. Generation’.

January 2019

1. 2nd World Integrated Medicine Forum 2019 held • Union Minister of State (Independent in Charge) for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, inaugurated the event.

23 www.gradeup.co • The theme for the forum is ‘Regulation of • The theme of the Conference is ‘Paints Pe Homeopathic Medical Products; Advancing Charcha – Naye Aayaam’. global collaboration’. 10. First ‘National Consultation on Child Protection’ for 2. BRICS Summit 2019 - Brazil 2019 was held in New Delhi. 3. Global Investors Meet 2019 held in . 11. First Global Aviation Summit held in Mumbai 4. International Conference on ‘Making our Elections • The theme of the summit is “Flying for all”. Inclusive and Accessible’ held in New Delhi • It was organized by the Ministry of Civil • The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Aviation (MoCA) in collaboration with FICCI. Shri Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner 12. 4th edition of Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi Shri Ashok Lavasa inaugurated the event. • The Theme of the Dialogue was “A World • The event was held on the occasion of 9th Reorder: New Geometries; Fluid National Voters Day which is observed on Partnerships; Uncertain Outcomes”. 25th January every year. • It was organized by Ministry of External 5. 10th edition of the India Rubber Expo - 2019 (Asia's Affairs in partnership with Observer largest rubber expo) was held in Mumbai. Research Foundation. 6. World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meet held in 13. 106th Session of Indian Science Congress Davos, Switzerland. Concludes in Jalandhar • The theme of the event is ‘Globalization 4.0: • It was concluded in Lovely Professional Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of University, Jalandhar on 07 January 2019. the Fourth Industrial Revolution’. • It was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime 7. 9th International Micro Irrigation conference held in Minister Shri Narendra Modi and attended Aurangabad, Maharashtra. by Union Science & Technology Minister Dr. • The conference focused on the theme of Harsh Vardhanon. “Micro Irrigation and Modern • As a part of the Indian Science Congress, Agriculture”. Women’s Science Congress was held which 8. 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas held in Varanasi, was inaugurated by Union Minister for Uttar Pradesh Textiles & Industry Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani. • The theme of PBD convention 2019 is “Role • The Children’s Science Congress was of Diaspora in Building New India”. inaugurated by the Nobel Laureates Avram 9. 29th Indian Paint Conference 2019 held in Agra, Hershko from Israel and F. Duncan M. Uttar Pradesh Haldane from USA.

Books & Author

1. Book titled “Game Changer” autobiography of - Shahid 5. Book titled ‘Every Vote Counts: The Story of India's Afridi (Pakistan’s former Cricket team ). The book Elections’ authored by - former Chief Election is co-authored by Afridi and journalist Wajahat S Khan. Commissioner Navin Chawla. Former Vice-President 2. Book titled “Indian Fiscal Federalism” authored by - Dr. Hamid Ansari launched the book. Y. V. Reddy, former Governor of RBI and Chairman of the 6. Book titled “India Positive” authored by - Chetan Bhagat 14th Finance Commission of India (The Chairman of 15th 7. Book titled ‘Simplicity & Wisdom’ authored by - Mr. Finance Commission of India, N.K. Singh launched the Dinesh Shahra book) 8. Book titled ‘ Khooni Vaisakhi’ authored by -- Nanak Singh 3. Book titled ‘Saffron Swords’ authored by - Manoshi Sinha (Jallianwala Bagh survivor) Rawal Note: A poem on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, ‘Khooni 4. Book titled “The Third Pillar - How Markets and the State Vaisakhi’, by Punjabi writer Nanak Singh has now been leave the Community Behind” authored by –Raghuram translated into English. Rajan (Former Governor of RBI)

24 www.gradeup.co • It was banned by the British in 1920. Singh was 17. A book titled ‘Blue Water Ahoy!’ written by – Vice present at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, Anup Singh and was 22 years old at the time. 18. A book ‘Radio Kashmir in Times of Peace & War’ • A book containing English translation of the 100- written by Dr Rajesh Bhat. year-old classic Punjabi poem about Jallianwala 19. A book ‘Yoga And Mindfulness’ - Mansi Gulati Bagh massacre, ‘Khooni Vaisakhi’ has been 20. Book titled 'The Rule Breakers' - Preeti Shenoy released in Abu Dhabi. 21. Book titled ‘Atal Ji Ne Kaha’ - Brijendra Rehi • India’s Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh 22. Book titled '281 and Beyond' - VVS Laxman (veteran Suri commended the launch of the book. cricketer) autobiography • It will be published by Harper Collins India in 23. Book titled ‘No Spin’ - Shane Warne (veteran March to mark the centenary of the Jallianwala cricketer) autobiography Bagh. 24. Book titled "Gandhi: The years that changed the world 9. Book titled “Quality, Accreditation & Ranking” authored (1914-1948)" - Ramachandra Guha. by - Dr. H Chaturvedi 25. Novel ''Warlight'' - Michael Ondaatje (named in Man 10. Book titled ‘Mann Ki Baat – A Social Revolution on Radio’ Booker Prize list) 11. Arun Jaitley releases book titled ‘Mann Ki Baat – A Social 26. Novel 'The English Patient' - Michael Ondaatje (winner Revolution on Radio’ authored by - BlueKraft Digital of Golden Man Booker International prize 2018) Foundation 27. Book titled 'Winning Like Sourav: Think & Succeed Like 12. Book titled ‘Moving On, Moving Forward: A year in Ganguly' - Abhirup Bhattacharya Office’ - Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu 28. The book ‘Straight Talk’ authored by___ Abhishek Manu 13. Book titled “Undaunted: Saving the Idea of India” Singhvi authored by - P Chidambaram (former Finance 29. Book ‘Calling Sehmat’ authored by - Harinder S. Sikka Minister) 30. Author of 'Smart Cities Unbundle' book - Dr. Samir 14. Book titled 'We are Displaced' authored by - Malala Sharma Yousafzai 31. Book titled “A Century is Not Enough “autobiography 15. A book titled ‘Changing India’ written by – Former PM of – Sourav Ganguly. Manmohan Singh 32. Book titled ‘Imperfect’ autobiography of – Sanjay 16. A book titled ‘Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors Manjrekar (cricketer-turned-commentator) and Where We Came From’ written by Tony Joseph

Obituaries

May 2019

1. NR Madhava Menon - an educationist, scholar, the 4. Derek Sippy - Former Billiards Player pioneering spirit behind modern legal education in India 5. Maramraju Satyanarayana Rao - Prominent writer and 2. Prof. Kirpal Singh - the first chronicler of Partition, who academician started building an archive in 1954 6. Baidyanath Mishra - Renowned economist 3. Master Hirannaiah - Noted Kannada theatre personality, satirist and TV actor

April 2019

1. J. Mahendran - Noted Tamil Director Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. (He was an 2. Kartik Chandra Rath - veteran dramatist, theatre alumnus of Oxford University and was born in South organiser, and Economics teacher Africa) 3. Sydney Brenner - Biologist Sydney Brenner who helped 4. Pradeep Choubey - Renowned Hindi poet decipher the genetic code and jointly won the 2002

25 www.gradeup.co 5. SK Shivakumar - Renowned Space Scientist and Former presenting the State Budget 13 times as Finance Director of Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Minister) Centre (ISAC). 13. Bhima Mandavi - BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi killed in a 6. Jerrie Cobb - America’s first female astronaut candidate, massive Maoist attack at Dantewada district in pilot Chhattisgarh. 7. Amar Paul - Eminent Bengali folk singer 14. V G Patel (Viharidas Gopaldas Patel) - Noted 8. S Muthiah - Chennai’s famed chronicler, cartographer, economist (He was the founder director of the and journalist Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India) 9. Rama Sengupta - Veteran lady mountaineer 15. Navtej Hundal - Bollywood actor (The actor was last 10. Pungam Kannan - Former India footballer seen in Vicky Kaushal starrer ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ 11. Negasso Gidada - former Ethiopian president which released in January this year. He played the role of 12. K M Mani - Former Kerala Finance Minister and Kerala the Home Minister in the movie) Congress veteran (He is credited with the record of

March 2019

1. Manohar Parrikar - Goa Chief Minister and former 7. Alan Krueger – Former White House economist and defence minister. He was an IIT Mumbai graduate in Princeton University professor (He served as chief metallurgical engineering and among the first members economist at the Department of Labor under President of BJP in Goa. Bill Clinton and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers 2. Darryl D’Monte - Senior journalist and environmental from 2011 to 2013 under former President Barack activist Obama.) 3. Anasuya Devi - Folk Artiste and Radio Commentator 8. Chinmoy Roy - Veteran Bengali actor 4. Ashita Passes - Malayalam Writer & Poet 9. Bharat Mohan Adhikari - Former Deputy Prime 5. Prafulla Rajguru - Veteran journalist and academician Minister of Nepal 6. Vinod Kashyap - Veteran Hindi Newsreader

January & February 2019

1. Hiten Bhaya - Former Planning Commission member 9. Raghbir Bhola - Former Indian hockey player and ex-director of Indian Institute of Mass 10. Masazo Nonaka - The world’s oldest man, Masazo Communication (IIMC) Nonaka of Japan, has died at the age of 113. 2. Mahesh Anand - Noted actor Mahesh Anand, best • Nonaka, who was officially recognized as the known for playing the villain in several Bollywood films oldest male in the world by Guinness World in the late 1980s and 1990s has passed away Records in April 2018. 3. Ramesh Bhatkar - Veteran Marathi actor 11. Mary Oliver - the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet 4. John Dingell - John Dingell, the longest-serving 12. Lenin Rajendran - Malayalam director and screenwriter congressman in US history 13. Sir Michael Atiyah - a British mathematician who 5. George Fernandes - Former Defence Minister received the 1966 Fields Medal, also known as the ‘Nobel 6. Krishna Sobti - Eminent Hindi author. She was a for Mathematics,’ passed away at the age of 89 recipient of many coveted awards like Sahitya Akademi, 14. Dibyendu Palit - Renowned Bengali writer and Sahitya Jnanpith awards. Akademi awardee 7. Russell Baker - the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and 15. CH Loknath - Veteran Kannada actor Columnist for The New York Times 16. Ramakant Achrekar - Veteran cricket coach Ramakant 8. Atin Bandyopadhyay - Sahitya Akademi award winning Achrekar, who trained Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar Bengali writer and Vinod Kambli, among others, passed away.

26 www.gradeup.co

National Appointments

May 2019

1. Coach of Indian men’s national Volleyball Team - Dragan 4. Flipkart-owned fashion e-commerce platform Myntra Mihailovic (Serbia) announced that it had appointed celebrity couple Virat 2. BSE appoints First Independent Woman Director Kohli and Anushka Sharma as its first brand Jayshree Vyas to board ambassadors. 3. Senior IAS officer Dilip Kumar was appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the office of Lokpal. April 2019

1. First woman vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia - 8. Twitter India MD - Manish Maheshwari Professor Najma Akhtar 9. New Google India head - Mayuri Kango 2. Secretary of Defence Finance - Gargi Kaul 10. New Chief Justice of Bombay High Court - Justice Pradeep 3. First Chief Justice of newly constituted Andhra Pradesh Nandrajog High Court - Justice Vikram Nath 11. One of the power brands of Emami Limited ‘Navratna’ 4. New MD & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank - Karnam Sekar has appointed Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan as Brand 5. New president of International Chamber of Commerce Ambassador (ICC) – India - Vikramjit Singh Sahney 12. New Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of National 6. Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) - Shiv Das (LIC) - Vipin Anand Meena 7. Deutsche Bank India CEO - Kaushik Shaparia (He succeed 13. Uday Kumar Varma resigned from the post of The Ravneet Gill) Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry Note: Deutsche Bank AG is a German multinational (Assocham) Secretary-General. investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany.

March 2019

1. New MD & CEO of ICICI Securities - Vijay Chandok 9. New Chairman of the National Commission for Backward 2. New Chief of Naval Staff - Admiral Karambir Singh (He Classes - Bhagwan Lal Sahni replaced Admiral Sunil Lanba) 10. 15th Finance Commission Member - Ajay Narayan Jha 3. First Lokpal or anti-corruption ombudsman of India - (He replaces Shaktikanta Das). Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (former Supreme Court 11. Non-executive chairman of Bank of Baroda - Hasmukh judge) Adhia (Former Finance Secretary) 4. New Chief Minister of Goa - Pramod Sawant (He became 12. First Chairman of the newly constituted Lokayukta in the 11th Chief Minister of Goa) Mizoram - C Lalsawta 5. New Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) - MR 13. Kummanam Rajasekharan resigns as Mizoram Governor Kumar Note: Jagdish Mukhi, the Governor of Assam has been 6. Non-Executive Chairman of Axis Bank - Rakesh Makhija given additional charge of the post of Governor of 7. New Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mizoram. - Scientist Ajit Kumar Mohanty 14. India’s 1st Transgender Election Ambassador - The 8. New Finance Secretary - Subhash Chandra Garg (He Election Commission of India has appointed transgender replaces Ajay Narayan Jha) social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12 election

27 www.gradeup.co ambassadors from Maharashtra. She is the first 16. New Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat - transgender election ambassadors. Hasmukh Adhia 15. PhonePe (UPI based payment app company) has 17. Supreme Court (SC) has appointed senior advocate as a appointed Bollywood actor Aamir Khan as its Brand mediator for resolving various disputes related to cricket Ambassador. administration in the country -- P S Narasimha 18. Naresh Goyal steps down from Jet Airways Board

February 2019

1. First BCCI Ombudsman – Justice D.K. Jain (former 4. New Election Commissioner - Sushil Chandra Supreme Court Judge) Note: Chief Election Commissioner – Sunil Arora 2. Non-Executive Chairman of IDBI - Hemant Bhargava 5. New chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - 3. New Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) - Rishi Kumar Shukla Pramod Chandra Mody 6. New Civil Aviation Secretary - Pradeep Singh Kharola

January 2019

1. New Director General of NCC - Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra 12. New Chairman of LIC - Hemant Bhargava. He replaced 2. New Chairman of Federal Bank - Dilip Sadarangani VK Sharma. 3. New CEO & MD of IDFC First Bank - V Vaidyanathan 13. New MD & CEO of Axis Bank - Amitabh Chaudhry 4. New MD & CEO of Yes Bank - Ravneet Gill 14. New Chief Information Commissioner - Sudhir 5. New Interim Finance Minister - Piyush Goyal Bhargava 6. New MD, CEO of IDFC First Bank - V Vaidyanathan 15. Additional Solicitor Generals of India - Sanjay Jain and 7. New Director General (Investigation) of National K M Nataraj Human Rights Commission - Prabhat Singh 16. New Railway Board Chairman - V K Yadav. He replaced 8. New chief coach Boxing Women’s Team Coach - Ashwani Lohani Mohammed Ali Qamar 17. Ashok Chawla resigned as chairman of the National Stock 9. New Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) - Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) Rajesh Chandra 18. New CEO of IndiGo - Ronojoy Dutta 10. New Chairman of Ordnance Factory Board - Saurabh 19. New Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Kumar Authority (NALSA) - Justice AK Sikri 11. 1st Chief Justice of Telangana High Court - Justice TBN Radhakrishnan

International Appointment

May 2019

1. Next President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) - Kumar Sangakkara (Former Sri Lankan Cricket team captain) 2. India’s Jagjit Pavadia has been re-elected with the highest number of votes by the UN Economic and Social Council to a five-year term on International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), while China’s candidate Hao Wei lost.

April 2019

1. India’s Ambassador to Seychelles - General (Retd.) Dalbir Note: General Suhag was the 26th Army Chief of the Singh Suhag Indian Army from July 2014 to December 2016. 2. New President of Ukraine - Volodymyr Zelensky

28 www.gradeup.co 3. New Prime Minister of Palestine - Mohammed Ishtayeh 9. AIIFF President Praful Patel has become the first Indian (He succeed Rami Hamdallah) to be elected as member of FIFA Executive Council. 4. New Prime Minister of Haiti - Jean Michel Lapin 10. First Indian to be appointed Chair of the International 5. New Prime Minister of Israel - Benjamin Netanyahu re- Hockey Federation (FIH) Health and Safety Committee by elected for the fifth term in office the world governing body -- Col (Dr.) Bibhu Kalyan 6. New President of Algeria - Abdelkader Bensalah Nayak. 7. New President of World Bank - David Malpass 11. India’s Ambassador to South Africa - Jaideep Sarkar (appointed as 13th President of World Bank) (He 12. India’s Ambassador to Lebanon - Suhel Ajaz Khan replaced Jim Yong Kim) 8. Chicago has created history by electing Lori Lightfoot an African American woman as its mayor for the first time.

March 2019

1. First female President of Slovakia - Zuzana Caputova 6. Chief Scientist at WHO - Soumya Swaminathan, a Deputy 2. New Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Director-General of the World Health Organisation has Cricket Council (ICC) - Manu Sawhney been named Chief Scientist of the WHO. 3. Nursultan Nazarbayev President of Kazakhstan resigned 7. India’s Ambassador to Vietnam - Pranay Kumar Verma after nearly 30 years in power. 8. India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia - Dr. Ausaf Sayeed 4. New Prime Minister of Palestinian - Mohammad 9. UNDP appoints Padma Lakshmi as Goodwill Shtayyeh Ambassador 5. India’s Ambassador to The Republic of Uzbekistan - Note: Padma Lakshmi is an Indian American television Santosh Jha personality and food expert

February 2019

1. New Chairman of African Union - Egypt’s President 3. New Nepal Ambassador to India - Nilambar Acharya Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi 4. New Ambassador of India to The Republic of 2. New Ambassador of India to The Republic of Argentina - Dinesh Bhatia Colombia - Sanjiv Ranjan 5. New Ambassador of India to Bhutan - Ruchira Kamboj

January 2019

1. First Ever Female Hindu Civil Judge in Pakistan - Suman 4. New Prime Minister of Taiwan - Su Tseng-chang Kumari has become the first Hindu woman to have been 5. New President of Venezuela - Nicolás Maduro appointed as a civil judge in Pakistan. 6. New President of Brazil - Jair Bolsonaro 2. Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia - Poonam 7. New CEO of International Cricket Council (ICC) - Manu Khetrapal Singh (re-appointed) Sawhney 3. New Malaysian King - Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah

Honours & Awards

May 2019

29 www.gradeup.co 1. France’s Highest Civilian Honour - Former ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar was conferred with France’s highest civilian honour, Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Legion d’Honneur, for his contribution to India-France space cooperation. 2. V K Krishna Menon Award - GD ‘Robert’ Govender, an Indian-origin journalist in South Africa, has been honoured in the UK with 2019 V K Krishna Menon award for his outstanding contribution as a pioneer of decolonised journalism.

April 2019

1. Pulitzer Prize 2019 – • The “Utkarsh Bangla” project aims at creating a • For Fiction - “The Overstory” by Richard Powers pool of skilled candidates who are industry • For Drama - “Fairview” by Jackie Sibblies Drury ready, • For Poetry - “Be With” by Forrest Gander • While under the “Sabooj Sathi” scheme, bicycles • For Music - Prism, by Ellen Reid are distributed to students between class IX and About Pulitzer Prize XII studying in government run and government • The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in aided schools and madrashas of the state. newspaper, magazine and online journalism, 5. Indian Oil Bags AIMA Managing India Award for literature, and musical composition in the United outstanding PSU – Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has States. bagged the prestigious ‘AIMA Managing India Award • It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of 2019 for outstanding PSU of the year.’ The award was American (Hungarian-born) Joseph Pulitzer who had presented by former President Pranab Mukherjee to made his fortune as a newspaper publisher and is Sanjiv Singh, Chairman, Indian Oil. administered by Columbia University in New York 6. PM Modi awarded Russia’s highest state honour - City. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded with Order 2. World Press Photo Award 2019 - John Moore of St Andrew the Apostle – the highest state decoration of Note: Russia, for exceptional services in promoting special and • An image of a little girl crying, as she and her privileged strategic partnership between the two mother have been taken into custody by US countries. border officials in Texas won the prestigious • This is the seventh international award that PM World Press Photo of the Year. Modi has been honoured with. • Veteran Getty photographer John Moore took the 7. Namami Gange Gets Global recognition at World picture in the Rio Grande Valley in June 2018. Summit – The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) • Dutch-Swedish photographer Pieter Ten Hoopen was awarded the distinction of “Public Water Agency of won the “World Press Photo Story of the Year the Year” by Global Water Intelligence at the Global Award” for the image of 2018 mass-migrant Water Summit in London. caravan to the US border. • The Global Water Awards are presented at the 3. Saraswati Samman 2018 - Telugu poet K Siva Reddy Global Water Summit, the major business has been selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman, conference for the water industry worldwide. 2018 for his collection of poetry titled Pakkaki 8. Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2019 – The prestigious Ottigilite. Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2019 was Note: The award, instituted by the KK Birla Foundation awarded to National Award-winning filmmaker Madhur in 1991. Bhandarkar, popular scriptwriter Salim Khan and 4. Two West Bengal Government schemes win UN dancing diva Helen. Awards - Two schemes of the West Bengal government • Lifetime Award – Salim Khan. for skill development- “Utkarsh Bangla” and distribution • Special Award for the contribution to Indian of bicycles to students “Sabooj Sathi” have won the cinema – Madhur Bhandarkar. prestigious World Summit on the Information Society • Special Award – Helen. (WSIS) awards of the United Nations. 9. 2019 Tagore Literary Prize - Rana Dasgupta Note: Note: The second edition of Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize was awarded to author Rana Dasgupta

30 www.gradeup.co for his 2010 novel “Solo“, a tale of estrangement and the • The Next Billion Edtech Prize 2019, run by UK- ultimate failure of material existence. based Varkey Foundation, recognizes the most 10. Freedom of the City of London - Alice G. Vaidyan, innovative technology destined to have a radical Chairman and Managing Director of the General impact on education in low income and emerging Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India, India’s reinsurance world countries. major, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of 20. Celent Model Bank 2019 Award - Fincare Small London in recognition of her work to promote insurance Finance Bank (SFB) has been awarded the prestigious ties between India and the UK. Celent Model Bank 2019 Award in the category of 11. Ikhamanga Award 2019 - Ex-South Africa all-rounder Financial Inclusion, for ‘Redesigning Lending to Reach Jacques Kallis has been honoured with the Order of Small Businesses’. Ikhamanga in the Silver Division. 21. World Press Freedom Prize 2019- Reuters journalists, Note: The national honour is bestowed by the President Kyaw Soe Oo, and Wa Lone selected for the award of South Africa on citizens who have made significant Note: contributions to arts, literature, music, journalism, • The World Press Freedom Prize also known as culture, and sports. UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom 12. National Intellectual Property Award, 2019 – Dr. Prize Benny Antony has been honoured with the National • Currently, they are serving 7-year prison Intellectual Property Award, 2019 in the category of Top sentences in Myanmar. Individual for Patents and Commercialization. 22. Best Athletic Coach in Asia 2019 - Indonesian Eni 13. Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Indian Nuraeni was named by Asian Athletic Association (AAA) American scientist and social activist Sree Sreenath has as the best athletic coach in Asia for the short-haul run been inducted into the prestigious Cleveland category in 2019. International Hall of fame for his contribution in 23. Virat Kohli Named Wisden’s Leading Cricketer - Team applications in systems biology, global issues, and India captain Virat Kohli has been named as the Wisden sustainable development. Almanack’s ‘Leading Cricketer of the Year’ for the third 14. National IP Award 2019 - The Intellectual Property straight time. Rights Cell (IPR Cell) of Kerala Agricultural University 24. Smriti Mandhana named Wisden’s Leading Women’s (KAU) has been selected for the National Intellectual Cricketer of The Year - Team India opener Smriti Property Award 2019. Mandhana has been named as the Wisden Almanack’s 15. World Press Freedom Hero - Dawn editor and ‘Leading Women’s Cricketer of the Year’. Columnist Cyril Almeida from Pakistan has won the IPI’s 25. Global Slag Company of The Year Award - Tata Steel (International Press Institute) World Press Freedom has been named as the ‘Global Slag Company of the Year’ Hero award in 2019. 26. UAE honours PM Modi with highest Civilian award Note: He won this award for his “critical” and “tenacious Zayed Medal - PM Narendra Modi coverage” of the civil-military relations in Pakistan. Note: 16. UN Medal of Honour - A total of 150 Indian • The UAE honoured PM Narendra Modi with peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South the prestigious Zayed Medal for giving a “big Sudan (UNMISS) have received medals of honour for boost’ to bilateral strategic ties. their dedicated service and sacrifice. • President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al 17. UK Royal Society Honour - Cipla Chairman Yusuf Nahyan conferred PM Modi with the award, the Hamied highest decoration awarded to kings, presidents, 18. Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Award - Sunil Kumar and heads of states. Gautam, Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) 27. Global Health Award - Vikram Patel was honoured with ‘Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Award‘ • Prof Patel has been awarded 2019, John Dirks, for his book titled ‘Samvidhan Kavya‘ Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for his 19. Global Tech Prize - India’s education technology startup world-leading research in global mental health. ‘Dost Education’ won a $25,000 tech prize along with 28. Dr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, the world’s two other winners from Tanzania and Egypt. largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, was Note:

31 www.gradeup.co felicitated by the Asian Tour with a Special Achievement Award for his contributions to Asian Golf.

March 2019

1. Pravasi Bhartiya Samman - Swiss-based NRI scientist • Born in Dhangal village in Tehri Garhwal, Dr Rajendra Joshi has been conferred with the Pravasi Uttarakhand, Mr. Jagudi was awarded the Padma Bhartiya Samman Award by the President of India Ram Shri in 2004 Nath Kovind. 7. Abel Prize 2019 - University of Texas professor Karen 2. Oxford University’s Bodley Award - Nobel Prize- Uhlenbeck has become the first woman to win the Abel winning economist Amartya Sen awarded with the Prize prestigious Bodley Medal, the highest honor granted by Note: the University of Oxford’s world-famous Bodleian • It is a Norwegian prize awarded annually by the Libraries. King of Norway to one or more outstanding 3. Croatia’s Highest Award - President Ram Nath mathematicians. Kovind has been awarded the Grand Order of King • The prize is named after the 19th century Tomislav with Sash and Grand Star by the President of Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel. Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic for his exceptional 8. Swachh Survekhshan-2019 Awards - President Ram contribution to the advancement of overall relations and Nath Kovind has presented Swachh Survekhshan-2019 development of mutual cooperation between India and Awards in New Delhi. Croatia. List of awards – Note: Croatia Capital: Zagreb, Currency: Croatian kuna. • India’s cleanest city– Indore (MP) bagged 4. Global Teacher Prize For 2019 - Peter Tabichi, a award for the for third straight year member of the Franciscan religious order has been Note: The second and third positions were conferred with the prestigious Global Teacher Prize for clinched by Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh and 2019 at a ceremony in Dubai. Mysore in Karnataka. Note: • Cleanest big city - Ahmedabad has been named • Peter Tabichi gives away 80% of his monthly the cleanest big city with a population of more income to the poor. than ten lakh. • The award recognises ‘exceptional’ teacher’s • Cleanest medium city - Ujjain has been commitment to pupils in a remote part of awarded cleanest medium city having a Kenya’s Rift Valley. population between 3 lakh to 10 lakh. 5. 64th Filmfare Awards - Winners of the 64th Filmfare • Cleanest Small city - New Delhi Municipal Awards were announced at Jio Garden, BKC, Mumbai. Council area was given the “Cleanest Small City” List of winners is as follows: award. • Best Film – Raazi directed by Meghna Gulzar • Best Ganga Town - Uttarakhand’s Gauchar was • Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) - Alia Bhatt adjudged the “Best Ganga Town”. for film ‘Raazi’ • Cleanest capital - Bhopal has been named the • Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) - Ranbir cleanest capital. Kapoor for film ‘Sanju’ • Fastest Moving big city - Raipur won the • Best Director - Meghna Gulzar for film Raazi ‘Fastest Moving Big City’. • Critics' Award for Best Film: AndhaDhun • Fastest Moving medium city - Mathura- • Best Short Film (Fiction): Rogan Josh Vrindavan won the tag of Fastest Moving • Best Short Film (Non-Fiction): The Soccer City Medium City. 6. Vyas Samman 2018 - Hindi writer Leeladhar Jagudi • Chhattisgarh has bagged the top spot in the honoured with Vyas Samman 2018 for his collection of category of best performing states. poems “Jitne Log Utne Prem” published in 2013. • Jharkhand is at the second spot while • The award carries an amount of Rs. 4 lakhs and it Maharashtra is at the third. was started by K K Birla foundation in 1991. Note:

32 www.gradeup.co • Swachh Survekshan Awards are given by the Union 17. Golden Peacock Award 2019 for innovative product - Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs based on the ACKO General Insurance a new-age digital insurance survey which covered all urban local bodies in the company was awarded the coveted Golden Peacock country Innovative Product Award – 2019, for their contextual 9. Yashwantrao Chavan National Award - Raghuram micro insurance product –“Ola Ride Insurance” Rajan, former governor of RBI has been chosen for the 18. India bags 1st prize at International ‘Golden City Gate ‘Yashwantrao Chavan National Award 2018’ by Tourism Awards 2019’ in Berlin Yashwantrao Chavan Prathisthan for his contribution to 19. Young Global Leaders 2019 – The Forum of Young economic development. Global Leaders, the World Economic Forum’s foundation 10. University for Peace Confers Honorary Doctorate on for remarkable leaders under 40 has released the list of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu - Vice President Individuals with grit, foresight and potential to improve Venkaiah Naidu was conferred Honorary Doctorate from the state of the world for the year 2019. the UN established University of Peace. The university • Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh, BJP has stated that the degree of “Doctor Honoris Causa”( MP Poonam Mahajan, Xiaomi India head Manu Doctor of Philosophy) was conferred on the Indian Vice Kumar Jain, Telangana government’s Chief President recognising his contribution to the Rule of Law, Innovation Officer Phanindra Sama, SaveLife democracy and sustainable development in India. Foundation’s Piyush Tewari and Kaleidofin’s co- 11. New Zealand PM’s Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship - Founder Sucharita Mukherjee are the Indians Rio Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was named featuring in the list of Young Global Leaders as the recipient of the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Sir 2019. Edmund Hillary Fellowship for 2019 in recognition of her 20. Commonwealth Youth Award for the Asian Region - A inspiring achievements. social entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu, Padmanaban 12. Shri. Venkaiah Naidu is the first Indian to receive an Gopalan (founder of No Food Waste) honorary doctorate from the University of Peace. 21. International Sustainability ‘Green Era’ Award - TVS 13. Chameli Devi Jain Award – The bilingual correspondent Motor Company with the BBC Priyanka Dubey has been named for the 22. Best Bank Award from the State Government of Chameli Devi Jain Award for an Outstanding Woman Tamil Nadu – Indian Bank a Public Sector Bank (PSB), Journalist for the year 2018. headquartered at Chennai, Tamil Nadu has been awarded Note: The Chameli Devi Jain Award awards women the Best Bank Award by the Tamil Nadu government. journalists for their exceptional contribution to the 23. 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies - Tata Steel cause of journalism upholding standards of excellence 24. ‘Non-Life Insurer of the Year Award 2019’ - Bharti AXA through a sustained body of work. General Insurance 14. Pritzker Prize 2019 - Japanese Architect Arata Isozaki 25. Missile Systems Award - Satheesh Reddy, the Secretary has received the Pritzker Prize 2019. of India’s Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of Note: the Defence Research and Development Organisation • He is the 46th laureate and eighth architect from (DRDO) has been chosen by the American Institute of Japan to win the Pritzker Prize. Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) as the co-winner of • Pritzker Prize is an annual award to honour a living the 2019 Missile Systems Award. architect or architects whose built work 26. Best Domestic Water Purifier 2019 - Kent RO Systems demonstrates a combination of those qualities. Pvt. Ltd. has received the Best Domestic Water Purifier • The award constituted by Pritzker family of Chicago Award 2018-19 through their Hyatt Foundation in 1979. 27. SKOCH Award, 2018 - The Odisha State Disaster 15. Templeton Prize 2019 - Brazilian physicist and Management Authority (OSDMA) has bagged the SKOCH astronomer Marcelo Gleiser has been awarded the 2019 Award, 2018 for its remarkable achievements in the field Templeton Prize of disaster management. 16. Windham-Campbell Prize - An Indian journalist, author Note: The award was presented at the 56th SKOTCH and chief of The Wire, ‘Raghu Karnad’ received the Summit held at New Delhi. prestigious Windham-Campbell prize 28. Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Puraskar - Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been

33 www.gradeup.co chosen for the first Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Puraskar constituted by the Akhil Bharatiya Digambar Jain Mahasamiti.

February 2019

1. Oscar Awards 2019 announced: The 91st Academy • For 2018: Japan’s Yohei Sasakawa for his Awards (Oscars) has been announced at the Dolby contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and Theatre in Hollywood, the USA. across the world. Complete list of winners 3. META Lifetime Achievement Award - Eminent Indian • Best Picture - Green Book, directed by - Peter playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar has been chosen for this Farrelly year’s META Lifetime Achievement Award. • Best Actress in a Leading Role - Olivia Colman for 4. AHF’s Player of The Year - Asian Hockey Federation has film - The Favourite honored Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh with the • Best Actor in a Leading Role - Rami Malek for 2018 Player of the Year award. film - Bohemian Rhapsody • Women team’s striker Lalremsiami has bagged • Best Director - Alfonso Cuarón for Roma the Rising Player of The Year prize. • Best Foreign Language – Roma (Alfonso Cuaron's 5. National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 awards - Roma from Mexico has won Best Foreign The National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 awards language) were given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan • Best Documentary Short film - Period. End of Bhawan, New Delhi. Sentence Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton The winners from the national level competition are: Note: • 1st position– Shweta Umre from Maharashtra. • India-based Period End of Sentence has won • 2nd position– Anjanakshi M.S from Karnataka. Documentary Short at 91stOscars Academy • 3rd position– Mamta Kumari from Bihar. Awards. Note: • The film talks about the stigma of menstruation • The “Khelo India” app, which has been developed by in India. Sports Authority of India was also launched at the • It is directed by Rakya Zehtabchi. event. 2. Gandhi Peace Prize - President Ram Nath Kovind 6. Future for Nature Award - Divya Karnad became the conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015, 16, 17 and 18 First Indian Woman to be honoured with the ‘Future for at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Nature Award’ for her work on marine conservation. List of awards – • She is the second Indian to receive this award • For 2015: Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari after Dr. Charudutt Mishra. was given the award for its contribution in Rural • It is a prestigious international award that Development, Education and Development of celebrates achievements in protecting wild natural resources. animals and plant species. • For 2016: Jointly to Akshaya Patra Foundation 7. National Water Awards 2018 – Maharashtra topped for its contribution in providing mid-day meals the chart among the states for efforts in water to millions of children across India and Sulabh conservation. International for its contribution in improving • Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory the condition of sanitation in India and Authority (MWRRA), Pune, was adjudged the emancipation of manual scavengers. best water regulatory body in India. • For 2017: Ekal Abhiyan Trust for its • Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were given second contribution in providing Education for Rural and third National Water Awards respectively in and Tribal Children in remote areas pan India, best state category. Rural Empowerment, Gender, and Social • The awards were presented by Nitin Gadkari, Equality. Union Minister for Road Transport and Water

34 www.gradeup.co Resources, River Development and Ganga 12. Seoul Peace Prize 2019 - Prime Minister Narendra Rejuvenation in New Delhi. Modi has been honoured with the Seoul Peace Prize. 8. Maharashtra State Government’s Shiv Chhatrapati Note: Award - Mallakhamb coach, Uday Deshpande, and • The South Korean government has awarded the batswoman, Smriti Mandhana Seoul Peace Prize for PM Modi in recognition of 9. International Human Rights Prize - Abdul Aziz his service to international cooperation, global Muhamat (Sudanese refugee) growth and human development. 10. Football Ratna Award - Sunil Chhetri, the all-time • PM Modi is the 14th recipient of the award. leading scorer for India in international football, has 13. Swachhata Excellence Awards 2019 - The Raigarh been conferred the first ever Football Ratna honour by Municipal Corporation of Chhattisgarh has won the Football Delhi, the association governing the sport in “Swachhata Excellence awards 2019”. Delhi. Note: Swachhata Excellence Awards were instituted by 11. Laureus World Sports Awards 2019 – The Laureus Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2017. Sport for Good Award honours the achievements of those 14. EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 – India - The CEO and who have demonstrated a tremendous contribution to Managing director of Eicher Motors, Siddhartha Lal has the sport or to society through sport. been named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year for 2018 List of awards is as follows: 15. ‘Freedom of the City of London’ - The State Bank of • Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic, (Serbia) India’s UK head Sanjiv Chadha has been honoured with Tennis. the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ award in recognition • Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles (USA) of his contribution to promoting the bilateral relations. Gymnastics. 16. Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award - Azim • Comeback of the Year: Tiger Woods (USA) Golf. Premji Chairman of Wipro Ltd will be felicitated with the • Breakthrough of the Year: Naomi Osaka (Japan) Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award. Tennis. Note: Ernst & Young, famously known as EY is a • Team of the Year: France World Cup Team multinational professional services firm and is one of the (France) Football “Big Four” accounting firms. • Lifetime Achievement Award: Arsène Wenger, 17. Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta will be given the France. Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of • Sport for Good Award: NGO Yuwa (India). Canadian Cinema and Television. NGO Yuwa 18. Indian Historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam wins Israel’s • The NGO Yuwa has been awarded the Laureus Dan David Prize 2019 - Noted Indian historian Sanjay Sport for Good Award for the year 2019. Subrahmanyam has won Israel's prestigious Dan David • NGO Yuwa works specifically with girls from Prize 2019 for his work on inter-cultural encounters impoverished families in rural Jharkhand. between Asians, Europeans and people of North and • The NGO uses team sports and education to build South America during the early modern era. character, confidence, and courage. 19. National Film Development Corporation of India has • NGO Yuwa was founded in 2009 when American been declared winner under the Miniratna Category Franz Gastler moved to Jharkhand from Delhi. (Category II) by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

January 2019

1. Bharat Ratna Award 2019 • Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and • Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhupen founder of Banaras Hindu University Madan Hazarika awarded Bharat Ratna. Mohan Malviya were given the award by the • Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhupen Hazarika were government in 2015. conferred the award posthumously. About Nanaji Deshmukh • The Bharat Ratna has been conferred after a gap • Nanaji Deshmukh was born in 1916 in a Marathi of four years. family in Parbhani, Maharashtra. As a child, he

35 www.gradeup.co was inspired by freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar • Bhupen Hazarika, popularly known as the Tilak. 'Bard of Brahmaputra',. • Nanaji established India's first Saraswati Sishu • In May 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Mandir at Gorakhpur in 1950. inaugurated India’s longest bridge (9.15 • Nanaji Deshmukh had won in the 1977 Lok kms), which runs over the Lohit river in Sabha election from Balrampur. Assam. Modi named the Dhola-Sadia bridge About Bhupen Hazarika after Bhupen Hazarika. • Bhupen Hazarika was born on September 8, About Pranab Mukherjee 1926 in Sadiya, Assam. • Pranab Mukherjee was born in Mirati in Birbhum • He was also one of the leading author-poets District of West Bengal on December 11, 1935 to of Assam with more than 1,000 lyrics and freedom fighters. several short stories, essays and travelogues • He served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to his credit. until 2017. 2. Padma Awards 2019 • The government on 25th January 2019 announced names of the Padma awardees 2019 on the eve of the 70th Republic Day. • This year 112 recipients have been selected for the prestigious awards. This includes 4 Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri awards. • The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

Here's the complete list of Padma awardees 2019:

Padma Vibhushan:

Name Field & State Teejan Bai Art-Vocals-Folk (Chhattisgarh) Ismail Omar Guelleh (Foreigner) Public Affairs (Djibouti) Anilkumar Manibhai Naik Trade & Industry-Infrastructure (Maharashtra) Balwant Moreshwar Purandare Art-Acting-Theatre (Maharashtra)

• About Teejan Bai- She is an exponent of a traditional performing art form, Pandavani, from Chhattisgarh. She was born in Ganiyari village, Chhattisgarh. She has been awarded. • About Ismail Omar Guelleh (Foreigner) - He is the President of Djibouti since 1999. He was re-elected in 2005, 2011 and again in 2016. • Anilkumar Manibhai Naik- He is the Group Executive Chairman of Larsen & Toubro Limited. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award on 25 January 2019. • About Balwant Moreshwar Purandare – Balwant Moreshwar Purandare popularly known as Babasaheb Purandare was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan Award 2019.

36 www.gradeup.co Padma Bhushan:

NAME FIELD STATE/COUNTRY 1. John Chambers (Foreigner) Trade & Industry Technology USA 2. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Public affairs Punjab 3. Pravin Gordhan (Foreigner) Public affairs South Africa 4. Mahashay Dharam Pal Gulati Trade & Industry- Food Processing Delhi

5. Darshan Lal Jain Social Work Haryana 6. Ashok LaxmanraoKukade Medicine- Affordable Healthcare Maharashtra

7. Kariya Munda Public Affair Jharkhand 8. Budhaditya Mukherjee Art-Music-Sitar West Bengal

9. Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair Art-Acting-Film Kerala

10. S Nambi Narayan Science & Engineering-Space Kerala

11. Kuldip Nayar (Posthumous) Literature & Education (Journalism) Delhi 12. Bachendri Pal Sports (Mountaineering) Uttarakhand 13. V K Shunglu Civil Service Delhi 14. Hukumdev Narayan Yadav Public Affairs Bihar

Padma Shri:

NAME FIELD STATE/COUNTRY Rajeshwar Acharya Art-Vocal-Hindustani Uttar Pradesh BangaruAdigalar Spiritualism Tamil Nadu Illias Ali Medicine-Surgery Assam Manoj Bajpayee Art-Acting-Films Maharashtra Uddhab Kumar Bharali Science & Engineering- Assam Grassroots Innovation Omesh Kumar Bharti Medicine (Rabies) Himachal Pradesh Pritam Bhartwan Art-Vocals-Folk Uttarakhand Jyoti Bhatt Art-Painting Gujarat Dilip Chakravarty Archaeology Delhi Mammen Chandy Medicine (Hematology) West Bengal Swapan Chaudhuri Art-Music-Tabla West Bengal Kanwal Singh Chauhan Agriculture Haryana Sunil Chhetri Sports (Football) Telangana Dinyar Contractor Art-Acting-Theatre Maharashtra Muktaben Pankaj Kumar Dagli Social Work (Divyang Welfare) Gujarat Babulal Dahiya Agriculture Madhya Pradesh ThangaDarlong Art-Music-Flute Tripura Prabhu Deva Art-Dance Karnataka Rajkumari Devi Agriculture Bihar Bhagirathi Devi Public Affairs Bihar Baldev Singh Dhillon Science and Engineering Punjab (Agriculture)

37 www.gradeup.co Harika Dronavalli Sports (Chess) Andhra Pradesh Godawari Dutta Art-Painting Bihar Gautam Gambhir Sports (Cricket) Delhi

3. Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskaar at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of • The government has instituted an annual award Management, Professor Philip Kotler. titled Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan • The award was conferred by Dr Jagdish Sheth of Puraskar. EMORY University on behalf of Kotler, who is • It will be announced every year on 23rd January, currently unwell. the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra 5. D N Chakraborty Gets Assam Republic Day Bose. Journalism Award • The Award carries a certificate and a cash prize • Assam government has conferred the Republic of 51 lakh rupees. Day Journalism Award 2019 to veteran journalist • This year, 8th Battalion of National Disaster and former editor Dhirendra Nath Chakraborty. Response Force located at Ghaziabad has been • Chakraborty has been honored for his lifelong selected for the Award for its commendable contribution to journalism in the state. work in disaster management. 6. India Bags The Award of Excellence for ‘Best in Show’ • The award has been instituted to acknowledge At NYTTS 2019 the contribution and selfless service of • India received the Award of Excellence for ‘Best organisations and individuals to humanity in the in Show’ at the New York Times Travel Show aftermath of any disaster. 2019, the largest travel show in North America. India was honoured during the Closing Bell Note: Ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. • The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India • This year, 8th Battalion of National Disaster participated as the ‘Presenting Partner’ in the Response Force located at Ghaziabad has been New York Times Travel Show (NYTTS 2019) selected for the Award for its commendable organised at Jacob K Javits Centre, New York. work in disaster management. 7. Namita Gokhale wins Sushila Devi Literature Award 4. PM Narendra Modi honoured with first-ever Philip • Writer Namita Gokhale has won the Sushila Devi Kotler Presidential award Literature Award for her novel “Things to Leave • Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Behind”. recipient of the prestigious Philip Kotler • She was awarded in the ‘Best Book of Fiction Presidential award. Written by a Woman Author’ category at the • According to the citation of the award, Modi was inaugural edition of Bhopal Literature and Art selected for his “outstanding leadership for the Festival (BLF). nation”. 8. Nritya Shiromani award • The citation mentions initiatives such as Make in • Kathak exponent Anindita Neogy Anaam has India, Startup India, Digital India, and Swachh been honoured with the prestigious National Bharat have positioned India as one of the most Nritya Shiromani award for her contribution lucrative manufacturing and business towards preserving and promoting the dance destinations in the world. form across the world. • “The award focuses on the triple bottom-line of 9. Dr. Rattan Lal Honoured with 2019 Japan Prize ‘People, Profit and Planet’ which will be offered • India born, Dr. Rattan Lal, honoured with the annually to the leader of a nation. 2019 Japan Prize for his contributions in the field Note: of “Biological Production, Ecology”. • He is a Distinguished University Professor of Soil • The Philip Kotler Awards are bestowed in the Science at The Ohio State University in name of world renowned Professor of Marketing Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.

38 www.gradeup.co 10. Sheikh Saud International Prize for Materials • India captain becomes the first player to win all Research awarded to C N R Rao three of top awards after being named captain of • The first Sheikh Saud International Prize for the Test and ODI teams. Materials Research has been awarded to C N R • A right-handed top order batsman, Kohli has Rao. made 64 centuries in international cricket—25 • The award will be presented to Rao by Sheikh in Test cricket and 39 in One Day Internationals Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (ODI)—as of January 2019. emirate during the International Workshop on 15. President confers Ashoka Chakra on Lance Naik Advanced Materials at Ras Al Khaimah on Nazir Wani February 25. • India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour, 11. MP Anurag Thakur Honoured with Sansad Ratna Ashoka Chakra was awarded to Lance Naik Award Nazir Wani posthumously. • Anurag Thakur, member of Parliament (MP) • Lance Naik Nazir Wani also holds the distinction from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh has been of being the first Kashmiri to be conferred the bestowed with Sansad Ratna Award for his Ashoka Chakra. distinguished performance as a parliamentarian 16. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2019 under Jury Committee Special Award category. • President Ram Nath Kovind conferred Pravasi • He became the first BJP MP to receive the Jury Bharatiya Samman Awards 2019 to 30 awardees. Committee award. • The awards were conferred during the Pravasi • The Sansad Ratna Award was set up & launched Bharatiya Divas being held at Varanasi. in 2010 by Former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The winner of this prestigious award includes:

• Gita Gopinath chief economist of IMF 12. Woman’s Voice Award • Nihal Singh Agar, founding president of VHP • US-based Indian poet Ranjani Murali received in Australia and the ‘Woman’s Voice Award’ at the Apeejay • Ramesh Chotai, former president of Hindu Literary Festival (AKLF). The award Mandir and Cultural Centre in Canada. carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh apart from a • citation. Girish Pant, a social worker has been instrumental in rescuing several Indian 13. ‘No Presents Please’ novel wins DSC Prize for South sailors stranded in UAE waters. Asian Literature 2018 • Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of the • ‘No Presents Please’ is an English Novel Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple, translated from Kannada Work of Jayant is a philanthropist, businessman and a long- Kaikini. term Dubai resident. • The novel was translated to English by Tejaswini • Dr Zulekha, founder and chairperson of Niranjana. Zulekha Healthcare Group, who came to the • The award was presented by eminent writer UAE in 1964, is believed to be the first female Ruskin Bond to Jayant Kaikini and translator practicing doctor in the country. Tejaswini Niranjana. 17. Saraswati Samman 2017 • For the first time the award was being given to a • Noted Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashashchandra translated work and the jury wanted to recognise has been awarded Saraswati Samman, 2017, for the outstanding contribution of Tejaswini his poetry collection in Gujarati named “Vakhar”. Niranjana, the translator. • 14. 2018 ICC Awards: Virat Kohli Takes 3 Major Honours This is the 27th edition of the prestigious award instituted by K.K.Birla foundation. • Virat Kohli has become the first player in history • The award is given every year to an outstanding to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC work of an Indian citizen published during the Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s Test last 10 years in any of the languages mentioned Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of in Schedule 8 of the constitution. the Year awards.

39 www.gradeup.co 18. Indian-American Gurinder Singh Khalsa Presented and Tribal Children in remote areas pan India, with Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award Rural Empowerment, Gender and Social Equality. • The Indian-American Sikh Gurinder Singh • For 2018: Shri Yohei Sasakawa for his Khalsa, who lives in Fishers of Indiana, US was contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and presented with the prestigious 2019 Rosa Park across the world. Trailblazer award after being selected for 22. The Hindu Literary Prize 2018 champions of the diversity by the Indiana • The Hindu Prize 2018 for Fiction - English Minority Business Magazine. writer Neelum Saran Gour, author of Requiem in Raga Janki. • The Hindu Prize 2018 for non-fiction - Activist 19. Adi Godrej Conferred ICSI Lifetime Award Manoranjan Byapari, author of Interrogating • Industrialist and Godrej Group Chairman Adi my Chandal Life: An Autobiography of a Dalit. Godrej was conferred the ICSIs Lifetime Achievement Award for ‘Translating Excellence Other awards: in Corporate Governance into Reality’. • The Hindu Young World-Goodbooks Award for Best • The awards were instituted by The Institute of Book Fiction to Venita Coelho for Boy No: 32. Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). • A Brush with Indian Art of Mamta Nainy received 20. Andhra Pradesh bags CBIP award for Polavaram The Hindu Young World-Goodbooks Award for Best project Book Non-Fiction. • Andhra Pradesh was conferred with CBIP’s “Best • Vinayak Varma’s Angry Akku received The Hindu Implementation of Water Resources Project” for Young World-Goodbooks Award for Best Picture better planning, implementation, monitoring and Book: Story. speedy execution of Polavaram multipurpose • Rajiv Eipe’s Ammachi’s Amazing Machines received project on the Godavari River. The Hindu Young World-Goodbooks Award for Best Polavaram Multipurpose project Picture Book: Illustration. • Under the Polavaram Multipurpose project, a 23. Mohamed Salah Named African Footballer of The dam is constructed across the Godavari River in Year West Godavari District and East Godavari District • Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been named as of Andhra Pradesh. the 2018 Confederation of African Football • The reservoir of the dam also spreads to parts of Player of the Year. Chhattisgarh and Orissa States. • For the second consecutive year he has won the 21. Gandhi Peace Prize Conferred for Last 4 Years: The award. Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and • Houston Dash and South Africa forward Thembi 2018 has been conferred on the following: Kgatlana was named Women’s Player of the Year. • For 2015: Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari • for their contribution in Rural Development, Mohamed Salah is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier Education , Development of natural resources. League club Liverpool and the Egypt national • For 2016: Jointly to Akshaya Patra team. Foundation for its contribution in providing 24. Vinesh Phogat becomes First Indian Athlete to mid-day meals to millions of children across nominated in Laureus World Comeback of Year India and Sulabh International for its Award contribution in improving the condition of • Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat became sanitation in India and emancipation of manual the first Indian to be nominated for the scavengers. prestigious Laureus World Sports Award. • For 2017: Ekal Abhiyan Trust for their • She has been nominated in “Laureus World contribution in providing Education for Rural Sporting Comeback” category for the year 2019

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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)

National Affairs

May 2019

1. Iraq remains India’s top supplier of Crude Oil in 2019 Vedanta Desika – On 2 May 2019, Vice President Shri M. – According to data released by Directorate General of Venkaiah Naidu released postage stamp in New Delhi to Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), Iraq commemorate 750th birth anniversary of Sri Vedanta remains India’s top crude oil supplier for second year in Desikan and his great philosopher’s life and highly a row followed by Saudi Arabia & Iran. valued work. Note: 4. Cyclone FANI: 1.2 mn Evacuated as Powerful Storm • India is world’s third largest importer of crude oil hits Odisha (7% of total crude oil imports) after China (world’s • The severe cyclonic storm named Cyclone Fani largest importer with 20.2% of total crude oil had recently made a landfall impact on May 3, imports) and USA (13.8%). 2019 in Puri on Odisha coast. • India’s crude oil imports meets 80 % its oil needs. • Cyclone Fani, with wind speed of about 175 2. Konkan Railways signs agreement with Nepal kilometres per hour, was the second-most Railways – India and Nepal have inked a deal on powerful cyclone to have hit Odisha after 1999. procurement of demo train that operates on diesel. • The government, however, earned international • The contract agreement was signed between praise for its efforts to reduce casualty by India’s Konkan Railways Corporation Ltd and shifting away more than 11 lakh people. Nepal’s Department of Railways to supply two • Central Food Technological Research Institute 1600 HP Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) (CFTRI), has prepared nearly one lakh meals for train sets. distribution in cyclone Fani hit areas of Odisha. • The trains will be manufactured by Integrated Note: Coach Factory (owned and operated by Indian • Central Food Technological Research Institute Railways) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (CFTRI) is a premier food research laboratory under 3. Vice president issued Postage Stamp to Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), commemorate 750th Birth Anniversary of Sri Government of India.

41 www.gradeup.co • It was established in 1950 and is headquartered in • The decision was taken during the 11th Arctic Mysore, Karnataka. Council ministerial meeting at Rovaniemi, 5. India and Bangladesh to co-produce movie on Sheikh Finland. Mujibur Rahman – India and Bangladesh will jointly • The Council also appointed the International produce a feature movie on life and works of Maritime Organisation (IMO) as a new Observer. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (founding father • India successfully got the Observer status in of People’s Republic of Bangladesh) and also a 2013 during the Kiruna Ministerial meeting held documentary on Bangladesh Liberation War (1971). in Sweden. India’s state broadcaster Prasar Bharati will co-produce • India has its Arctic research station ‘Himadri’ in the film. Svalbard, Norway since 2008. 6. India Re-Elected as Observer to ‘Arctic Council’ – • The Arctic Council is formed of eight circumploar India was re-elected as Observer to the Arctic Council, an countries- Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, intergovernmental forum. Denmark, Canada, US and Russia.

April 2019

1. National Institutional Ranking Framework 2019 – • The Santacruz railway station in Mumbai became The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) the 1600th station to become a RailWire Wi-Fi rankings have been released by the Ministry of Human zone. Resource Development. The rankings list the best Note: institutions and universities of India. • RailWire is a retail Broadband initiative of the Ranking is as follows RailTel. • Overall rankings - The Indian Institute of • RailTel is working to establish bringing fast and free Technology (IIT), Madras has topped the Wi-Fi at all stations (except the halt stations) within overall rankings of higher education institutions a year. and is followed by IISc Bangalore and IIT-Delhi 3. India’s first foreign interactive bird park launched in ranked second and third in the overall rankings. Mumbai – India’s first rain forest-themed foreign • Best University - In the University Category, IISc interactive bird park was launched in Gorai, Mumbai, Bangalore has been ranked one followed by Maharashtra. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the • It is home to over 500 exotic birds from more Banaras Hindu University (BHU). than 60 species. • Engineering institutions - IIT-Madras topped the • It was launched by EsselWorld Leisure Pvt. Ltd, ranking followed by IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay. the entertainment arm of $6-billion Essel Group. • Management schools - IIM Bangalore topped the 4. Gagandeep Kang becomes First Indian Female FRS – ranking followed by IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Professor Gagandeep Kang has become the first Indian Calcutta female scientist to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal • Jamia Hamdard has been announced as the top Society (FRS) in the UK fellowship’s 358-year-history. varsity for Pharmacy. • The 56-year-old is the Executive Director of • All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Translational Health Science and Technology has been adjudged as the best medical college. Institute at Faridabad. • National Law School of India University, 5. Ratnagiri refinery may now come up in Bengaluru, have been adjudged as the best Maharashtra's Raigad - The proposed $44 billion medical college law school. refinery and petrochemicals project at Ratnagiri in 2. RailTel turns 1600 railway stations into RailWire Wi- Maharashtra may be shifted to neighbouring Raigad Fi zone district. • RailWire Wi-Fi by RailTel is now live at 1600 Note: railway stations across the country. • Raigad is located in the Konkan region of the state.

42 www.gradeup.co • Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis upgraded in 2015. Thus, the station’s certificate said that the state government has decided to reads ISO 14001: 2015. relocate the proposed Ratnagiri refinery 7. Centre allocates Rs 59 crore for Asiatic Lion following the protests by farmers and local conservation in Gujarat’s Gir - In a bid to protect and landowners, who feared the project may damage conserve lions, identified as one of the endangered flora and fauna in the region, and affect Alphonso species by the government, the Ministry of Environment mango and cashew plantations. launched a three-year Asiatic Lion Conservation Project • The Ratnagiri refinery project, which was in collaboration with the state of Gujarat, which is the announced in December 2015, was to be last habitat of the big cat. commissioned by 2022, but delays in land • The Rs 98-crore project, for which the Ministry acquisition have pushed the deadline to 2025. of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Note: (MoEFCC) has allocated Rs 59 crores, spans three • The Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd years -- 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 -- will (RRPCL), which is implementing the project is a joint focus on better management of the lion habitat, venture between three state-run oil marketing disease control and veterinary care for them. companies—Indian Oil Corp. (IOCL), Hindustan 8. ICMR launches Malaria Elimination research alliance Petroleum Corp. (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp. – The Indian Council of Medical Research has launched (BPCL). the ‘Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India • Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. which is a conglomeration of partners working on (Adnoc) will jointly own 50% of the Ratnagiri malaria control in order to eliminate the disease from refinery, with the remaining 50% owned by the India by 2030. Indian oil companies. • The National Vector Borne Diseases Control 6. Guwahati railway station 1st to Get ISO Certification Program (NVBDCP) of India has also developed a in India – The Guwahati Railway Station in Assam has comprehensive framework to achieve the target become the first ever railway station in the Indian of “Malaria free India by 2030”. Railways to get an ISO certification from the National • The Indian Council of Medical Research, the apex Green Tribunal (NGT) for “providing passenger body in India for the formulation, coordination amenities in a clean and green environment.” and promotion of biomedical research, is one of Note: the oldest and largest medical research bodies in • Many types of ISO certification exist and the one the world received by Guwahati Railway Station is ISO- • ICMR headquarters is in New Delhi. 14001, which is for Environment Management System as per international norms which were

March 2019

1. Adani becomes first Indian port operator to record • WhatsApp and NASSCOM Foundation will train 200 MMT cargo movement – Adani Ports and Special nearly 1,00,000 Indians to spot false information Economic Zone (APSEZ) announced that it has recorded and provide tips and tricks to stay safe on cargo movement of more than 200 million metric tonnes WhatsApp. (MMT) at nine ports along the east and west coasts, 3. India becomes Elite Space Power –PM Modi announced becoming the first Indian port operator to achieve the that India has entered its name as an elite space power. milestone. • An Anti-Satellite Weapon (A-SAT) successfully 2. WhatsApp to Work with Nasscom to Impart Digital targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit. Literacy – WhatsApp and National Association of • The name of this mission was ‘Mission Shakti’. Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) have • After the US, Russia, and China, India is the decided to work together to impart digital literacy for fourth country to acquire this space capability. curbing the menace of fake news before the general • Defence Research and Development Organisation elections. (DRDO), on 27th March 2019 successfully

43 www.gradeup.co conducted an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile test, 7. CISF Creates New Guinness World Record – The under Mission Shakti from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) created a new Island in Odisha. Guinness World Record for the longest single moving line • A DRDO-developed Ballistic Missile, Defence bicycle parade at the Yamuna Expressway. Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Note: Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit • The world record was attempted to (LEO) in a Hit to Kill mode. commemorate the 50 years of the paramilitary 4. Integral Coach Factory becomes World’s Largest Rail force CISF. Coach Manufacturer - Indian Railways’ Chennai based • For creating the World Record the personnel of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) became world’s largest rail the central force rode 1,327 bicycles non-stop coach manufacturer after surpassing top Chinese with a uniform distance between bicycles in a manufacturers. single line. Note: 8. Government announces new Rs 20 coin - The Centre • ICF had manufactured 2,919 coaches from April has announced a new Rs 20 coin which will come in 12- 2018 to February 2019 as compared to 2,600 edged polygon (dodecagon) shape. The government is coaches by Chinese manufacturers. also planning to release new coins of Re 1, Rs 2, Rs 5 and • The number of coaches manufactured were 40% Rs 10. higher than those manufactured previous year in Note: same time period. • The Finance Ministry stated that the new Rs 20 Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coin will be made in copper, zinc and nickel. It • ICF is rail coach’s manufacturer located in Chennai, will be 27mm (millimeters) and weigh 8.54 Tamil Nadu. grams. • It was inaugurated by first Prime Minister of India Pt. • The Lion Capitol symbol of Ashoka Pillar with the Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955. legend “Satyamev Jayate” below it will be • It is owned and operated by Central Government inscribed on its front side. (Union Ministry of Railways) through Indian • The words “Bharat” in Hindi and “INDIA” in Railways. English will be there on the right and left-hand • It primarily manufactures rolling stock for Indian side of the symbol respectively. Railways. 9. One Nation One Card – On 4th March 2019, Prime • It manufactures range of coaches, including Linke- Minister Narendra Modi launched the indigenously Hofmann-Busch (LHB), self-propelled train sets developed National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) (SPTs) such as electrical multiple units (EMU). while inaugurating the first phase of the Ahmedabad • It also exports railway coaches to other countries metro train service. including Zambia, Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda, Objective – Nigeria, Thailand, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam, • To enable people to seamless payment for Mozambique, Bangladesh, Angola and Sri Lanka. multiple transport system charges. • It is one of three coach manufacturing facilities of Key points Indian Railways with the other two being Rail Coach • The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) Factory, Kapurthala and Modern Coach Factory, program was envisaged by Ministry of Housing & Raebareli. Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 5. Prime Minister of Guinea Dr. Ibrahima Kassory Fofana • The Gate & Reader prototype for this card has visited India. been made by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) • Guinea Capital: Conakry, Currency: Guinean under Make in India initiative. franc. • The technology for this system is supported by 6. India extends USD 250 million to Nepal for indigenously developed payment ecosystem Reconstruction of Infrastructures – India has extended Automatic Fare Collection Gate (AFCG) namely a grant assistance of up to USD 250 million to Nepal for Swagat and an Open Loop Automatic Fare the reconstruction of infrastructures in the areas of Collection (OLAFC) system called Sweekar. housing, education, health and cultural heritage.

44 www.gradeup.co • Single card can be used across the country - • The manufacturing unit is a joint venture You can use one single card i.e. One Nation between India and Russia to produce a One Card for payments across all segments modernised version of AK-47 rifles. like - bus travel, metro, toll, parking, retail • One of the most advanced rifles in world, AK- shopping and even withdraw money. 203 will be made in Amethi. AK-203 is the latest • This card runs as on RuPay card, which has been derivative of the legendary AK-47 rifle. merged with the mobility card. So, people can 14. Department of Empowerment of Persons with also withdraw money apart from using this Disabilities sets World Record – The Department of Common Mobility Card for paying bills and fare. Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the 10. New Visa Agreement between India, Maldives Comes Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has set a into Effect – The new visa agreement between India and new world record. Maldives came into force. The new policy provides a • The department had undertaken the Modern liberal visa policy for Maldivian citizens seeking medical Artificial Limbs (Legs) implantation in Gujarat’s treatment as well as education and business Bharuch. opportunities in India. • The implantation was carried out for 260 people 11. India launches third IT corridor in China – India has in record eight hours. This was the seventh launched its third IT corridor in China. The corridor will world record set by the Department of facilitate partnerships between Indian and Chinese Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. companies. 15. Hardeep S Puri launches e-Dharti App – Housing and • National Association of Software and Services Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri has launched e- Companies (NASSCOM) entered into a Dharti app where all the three modules- Conversion, partnership with China’s Xuzhou city from Substitution and Mutation related to properties have Jiangsu Province in China to help develop the been made online. IT corridor. • This enables the public to submit their • The earlier two corridors launched at Dalian and applications online by visiting the L&DO website. Guiyang cities. This absolves the need to visit the office for 12. United States to set up six Nuclear Power Plants in submission of them and for follow up of their India – The United States and India agreed to strengthen applications. security and civil nuclear cooperation, including building 16. Azaadi Ke Diwane’ museum inaugurated at Red Fort six U.S. nuclear power plants in India. – Union Minister Mahesh Sharma has inaugurated 13. PM Modi lays Foundation stone of AK-203 Assault ‘Azaadi Ke Diwane’ museum, dedicated to the unsung Rifle Manufacturing Unit in Amethi – Prime Minister heroes of the country’s freedom struggle, on the Red Fort Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of a premises in New Delhi. manufacturing unit for AK-203 assault rifles at the Note: Ordnance Factory Board factory in Amethi, Uttar • The ‘AzaadikeDiwane’ museum talks about the Pradesh. sacrifices of great freedom fighters. It pays Note: tribute to the selfless sacrifices of the • Amethi is the parliamentary constituency of revolutionaries, brave female freedom fighters Congress President Rahul Gandhi. and valiant children. • It is built by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

February 2019

1. e-Aushadhi Portal – Minister of State for AYUSH, Shri • The new e-portal, e-Aushadhi is an acronym for Shripad Yesso Naik launched the e-Aushadhi portal for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Automated Drug Help Initiative. Homoeopathy drugs. 2. Dera Baba Nanak Land Post Designated as Immigration Centre for visiting Kartarpur Sahib –

45 www.gradeup.co The notification issued by the Union Home ministry has 8. Operation Digital Board launched by HRD Ministry – designated Dera Baba Nanak land post located in The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry Punjab’s Gurdaspur district as an authorised launched Operation Digital Board on the lines of immigration checkpoint to exit and enter for visiting Operation Blackboard to provide better digital education Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. in school. Note: • Operation Digital Board has been launched on • The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor connects the lines of Operation Blackboard to provide Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan with Dera Baba better digital education in schools. Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district. • Under Operation Digital Board seven lakh • The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located on the classrooms of 9th, 10th and 11th standards and banks of the Ravi River, about three-four km two lakh classrooms of colleges and Universities from the border in Pakistan. will be equipped with digital boards in the next 3. Union Textiles Minister Inaugurates Titanwala three years. Museum in Rajasthan – Union Minister for Textiles • The initiative is aimed at improving the quality of Smriti Irani inaugurated the ‘Titanwala Museum’ in education and offer new opportunities and new Bagru that showcases the Chhipa community’s Bagru ways of teaching and learning. hand-block printing. 9. Rajnath Singh launches Pan-India Number 112 for Note: Bagru printing is one of the traditional techniques Women Safety – of printing with natural colour followed by the chippas of • Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister for Rajasthan. The Bagru hand-block printing has a history Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi of over 1000 years. launched a range of citizen safety initiatives in 4. PM Modi inaugurates National War Memorial in New New Delhi. Delhi - Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated a new • Persons in distress can dial a pan-India number: National War Memorial, situated in the India Gate 112. complex in New Delhi, to the nation. Note: 5. LADIS Portal Launched – The Inland Waterways • The 112 helpline which was earlier launched in Authority of India (IWAI) launched a new portal LADIS – Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland was launched in 16 Least Available Depth to aid in ensuring of optimum use states and UTs by Union Home Minister Rajnath of National Waterways. Singh under the Emergency Response Support • LADIS will better facilitate the day to day System (ERSS). operations of inland vessels plying on National 10. Saudi Becomes 73rd Nation to Sign International Waterways and avoids any hindrance in service Solar Alliance – Saudi Arabia became the 73rd nation to and operation. sign the International Solar Alliance. 6. Virtual Experiential Museum inaugurated in • ISA was unveiled by PM Narendra Modi and Varanasi by PM Modi – Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra former French President Francois Hollande in Modi inaugurated the Virtual Experiential Museum 2015. (VEM) in Varanasi, established by the National Council of • Headquarters is in Gwal Pahari, Gurugram, Science Museum (NCSM). India. • The museum is set up inside the centrally 11. India Withdraws Most Favoured Nation Status to protected monument observatory of Man Mahal Pakistan – situated on the bank of the Ganges near holy • Following the attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Dashashwamedh Ghat at Varanasi. Pulwama that left 44 CRPF personnel dead, India 7. PM Modi Flagged Off 1st ever diesel to Electric has withdrawn the MFN (Most Favoured Nation) Conversion Locomotive – Under ‘Make in India’ status that it had granted to Pakistan. initiative, Indian Railways has created history by • India granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, converting a diesel locomotive into electric locomotive just a year after the formation of the WTO. for the first time in the world. This all new converted Note: energy-efficient electric locomotive has been flagged off • Most Favoured Nation status is given to an by PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi. international trade partner to ensure non-

46 www.gradeup.co discriminatory trade between all partner key statistics and parameters to every citizen of countries of the World Trade Organisation the country. (WTO). 16. Sanskrit becomes second official language of • A country which provides MFN status to another Himachal Pradesh – Himachal Pradesh Assembly country has to provide concessions, privileges, passed Official Language Amendment Bill 2019 to make and immunity in trade agreements. Sanskrit as second official of the state without discussion. • It is the first clause in the General Agreement on • With clearance of bill Himachal Pradesh became Tariffs and Trade (GATT). second state in the in the country after 12. India’s 1st Aqua Mega Food Park commissioned in Uttrakhand to adopt such bill. Andhra Pradesh 17. President unveils a life-size portrait of Atal Bihari • Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Vajpayee at Central Hall of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal commissioned Godavari • President Ram Nath Kovind unveiled the life-size Mega Aqua Food Park at Tundurru Village in portrait of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bhimavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, Vajpayee at the Central Hall of Parliament. Andhra Pradesh. 18. 12th February: National Productivity Day • It will be the first Mega Aqua Food Park 19. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates PETROTECH-2019 operationalised exclusively for fish and marine • Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day products processing in the state of Andhra International Oil and Gas Conference Pradesh. ‘PETROTECH-2019’ (13th) at India Expo Mart in 13. Kareena Kapoor Khan appointed ambassador of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Swasth Immunised India campaign – Actress Kareena • The ‘PETROTECH-2019’ is being organised under Kapoor Khan has been appointed as an ambassador of the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Swasth Immunised India campaign. The Swasth Gas, Government of India. Immunised India campaign has been launched by Serum • India is the 3rd largest consumer of crude oil and Institute of India (SII) and Network 18. petroleum products. 14. Deloitte launches WorldClass Initiative in India - 20. Dera Baba Nanak land check post designated as an Deloitte has announced the launch of its global initiative immigration centre – The Union Government ‘WorldClass’ in India for the empowerment of women. designated Dera Baba Nanak land Check post in The initiative was launched by Deloitte’s Global CEO, Gurdaspur district of Punjab as an authorised Punit Renjen in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, immigration checkpoint to exit and entry for visiting Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. Development and Entrepreneurship. 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Note: CREDAI YouthCon -19 at Talkatora Stadium in New • WorldClass programme in India will focus on Delhi. improving girls retention rate in school, higher • The theme for this YouthCon is Next Generation. educational outcomes, and skills development 22. AYUSH Minister launches e-AUSHADHI portal - for women to access employment. Shripad Yesso Naik (Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH) has • In India, the initiative aims to support 10 million launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of girls and women by 2030 through education and Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and skills development. related matters at New Delhi. 15. Railway Minister launches Rail Drishti Dashboard – 23. India and Norway launched an initiative to Combat The Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal has Marine Pollution - The Ministry of Environment, launched Rail Drishti dashboard. Forests and Climate Change signed a Letter of Intent • It encompasses all the digitisation efforts in establishing the India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative Indian Railways and promotes transparency and together with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. accountability. 24. The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for • The dashboard brings information from various Extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai sources on a single platform and gives access to Karmacharis (NCSK) beyond 31st of March 2019 for three years.

47 www.gradeup.co 25. After China, India is world’s 2nd largest LPG 27. The Textile Minister Smriti Irani has launched the India consumer & importer Size project (first-of-its-kind project in the history of the • After achieving the target of distributing 8 crore country) in Mumbai. cooking gas connections under its flagship • The objective of the India Size to arrive at a Pradhan India became the second largest standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear consumer of LPG in the world. clothing industry. • According to the Petroleum Minister 28. Cabinet approves the establishment of Rashtriya Dharmendra Pradhan, imports of LPG grew 12.5 Kamdhenu Aayog - The Union Cabinet has approved the percent over the past five years to 12 million proposal for the establishment of Rashtriya Kamdhenu metric tons (13 million tons) in 2018-19, Aayog for conservation, protection and development of surpassing Japan and putting India in second cows and their progeny. place behind China. Note: • India imports LPG mainly from Saudi Arabia, • The Aayog will work in collaboration with Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Veterinary, Animal Sciences or Agriculture Iran. University or departments or organizations of 26. India's tourism sector registers 19% growth in 2018 the Central or State Government engaged in the - According to Union Minister K J Alphons, the country's task of research in the field of breeding and tourism sector fetched 234 billion US Dollar revenue last rearing of the cow, organic manure, biogas etc. year, registering a growth of over 19%. • Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog was announced in the interim budget on the 1st Feb 2019.

January 2019

14. Cabinet Approves 10% Job Quota for ‘Economically provide for the advancement of the Weaker’ Upper Castes - The Union Cabinet approved a “economically weaker sections” of the society. 10% reservation for ‘economically backward’ upper • The amendment aims to fulfil the commitments castes in government jobs. of the directive principles of state policy under Note: Article 46, to promote the educational and • On January 10, 2019 Parliament passed the economic interests of the weaker sections of the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill 2019 to society. provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and 17. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion educational institutions to economically backward (DIPP) has been renamed as the Department for section in the general category. Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. It will • Under the new amendment to the constitution, work under the Union Ministry of Commerce. people with an annual income below Rs. 8 lakh and 18. Coins to commemorate MGR’s 102nd birth owning ‘ fewer than five acres of land would be anniversary - Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K eligible for the reservation. Palaniswami released two commemorative coins in the Note denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 5 to mark the 102nd 15. Gujarat became first state to implement 10% quota for birth anniversary of DR M G Ramachandran. economically weak in general category. Note: 16. President Ramnath Kovind has given the assent to the • DR M G Ramachandran popularly known as M. G. 124th constitutional Amendment Bill (which is now R is an actor, filmmaker and politician who Constitution 103rd amendment Act) providing 10 per served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for cent reservation for economically weaker sections.The ten years between 1977 and 1987. Important components of the 103rd constitutional 19. National Museum of Indian Cinema Inaugurated - The Amendment are: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the • The amendment changed two fundamental National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) at Films rights, Article 15 and 16. The amendments Division of India premises in Mumbai.

48 www.gradeup.co 20. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum - Prime • The memorial encapsulates the ideals of Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Subhash Mahatma Gandhi- Agrah for Swadeshi, Chandra Bose museum at Red Fort in New Delhi to mark Swatchagrah and Satyagraha. the Netaji’s 122nd birth anniversary. 25. IIT Hyderabad launches B.Tech course in Artificial • The museum in the Red Fort complex is also Intelligence important for the fact that INA trails were held • IIT Hyderabad has announced the launch of a within the Red Fort complex. full-fledged bachelor’s programme in Artificial Another Museum inaugurated at Red Fort in New Delhi is Intelligence (AI) technology. as follows • IIT Hyderabad has become the first institute in • The Yaad-e-Jallian Museum provides an the country to launch full-fledged Bachelor’s authentic account of Jallianwala Bagh massacre programme in AI technology. happened on April 13, 1919. • IIT Hyderabad will be the third institute to • The Drishyakala-Museum on Indian Art globally to offer the B.Tech course in AI. showcases Indian art works from 16th century 26. Republic Day 26th January – India celebrates 70th till India’s independence. Republic Day • The Museum on 1857- India’s first war of • President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa was Independence portrays the historical narrative of the chief guest for this year's Republic Day 1857 war of independence, showcasing the valor parade. and sacrifices made by Indians during the period. • The theme of the 70th Republic Day parade is 21. The word Nari Shakti is chosen as the word of the 'life of Gandhi' which is a tribute to the father of Year 2018 by the Oxford dictionaries. The the nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth announcement regarding this was made in the Jaipur anniversary. Literature Festival (JLF). • Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani of Jammu and 22. Vande Bharat Express - India’s fastest indigenous train, Kashmir was posthumously conferred with the Train 18 named as Vande Bharat Express will run Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime between Delhi and Varanasi. gallantry award by President of India. • Train 18 is an indigenously developed world- • The all-women Assam Rifles contingent created class train under Make in India. history this year by participating for the first • The 16-coach train has been built completely in time in a Republic Day (26th January) parade. India by Indian engineers in a span of 18 months • The ICAR tableau in the Republic Day Parade has at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. won the first prize for its Kisan Gandhi theme. 23. Sanrakshan Kshmata Mahotsav (SAKSHAM) was • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research flagged off by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural tableau with the theme "Mishrit Kheti, Gas Dharmendra Pradhan to promote and create Khushiyon Ki Kheti" portrayed Gandhi with goats awareness among people on the need of oil and gas and a cow and Kasturba engaged with charkha conservation for the future and the methods to do it. and caring animals. • Sanrakshan Kshmata Mahotsav (SAKSHAM) is an 27. JNPT becomes only Indian port to be listed amongst annual flagship event of Petroleum Conservation world’s top 30 Container Ports - The Jawaharlal Nehru Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Port Trust (JNPT), India’s premier container port got Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of listed amongst the top 30 container ports globally, as per India. the latest Lloyds Report. 24. National Salt Satyagraha Memorial inaugurated at • JNPT notched up five spots, to be 28th on the list, Dandi - In commemoration of the 150th Birth compared to its previous ranking. Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister • Jawaharlal Nehru Port also known as Nhava Narendra Modi on January 30, 2019 dedicated the Sheva, is the largest container port in India. National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Navsari • It is located at east of Mumbai in Navi Mumbai, district, Gujarat to the nation. Maharashtra. 28. State of Talent Acquisition 2019 Report: The report is released by the Mercer-Mettl’s

49 www.gradeup.co Key points 32. Election Commission wants ban on all party E-ads 48 • India Companies are expected to raise their hrs before polls hiring budgets by 34 per cent and volumes by 31 • The Election Commission has sought an per cent in 2019. amendment to the law to prevent social • Due to this increase in hiring the companies are media and other digital platforms from expected to raise their hiring budgets by at least carrying political advertisements in the final 34 per cent compared to 20 per cent of 48 hours before elections. companies in 2018. • While Section 126 of the Representation of • The report notes that technology is employed People Act prevents electronic media from extensively in sourcing (88 per cent) candidates, airing political advertisements in the ‘silent while it is used the least when-boarding (49 per period’ before elections. cent), candidates. 33. ECI renew MoU with Election Commission of Bhutan 29. Shehri Samridhi Utsav - The Union Ministry of Housing • On the sidelines of the international and Urban Affairs is organising a fortnight of events conference, the Election Commission of India named Shehri Samridhi Utsav all over the country with renew Memorandum of Understanding an aim to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya (MOU) for cooperation in the field of election Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY- management with the Election Commission NULM) to the poorest of poor and the most vulnerable. of Bhutan. 30. TRAI releases Tele-density data of India: 34. Ministry of Textiles and Government of India launched Key facts are listed below: Artisan Speak at Elephanta Caves (UNESCO heritage site) • The total number of mobile phone subscribers in to strengthen the handlooms and textiles sector of India. India by the end of November was 117.18 crore 35. Union Cabinet approves setting up of 3 New AIIMS - The with a net addition of 17.39 lakh customers Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the month. has approved the setting up of three new AIIMS • The private access service providers held 89.99 institutions. per cent market share of the wireless subscribers • The three new institutions would come up at whereas BSNL and MTNL, the two PSU access Vijaynagar at Samba of Jammu Region, service providers, had a market share of only Awantipora in Pulwama of Kashmir 10.01 per cent as on November 2018. Region and Rajkot in Gujarat under the • Reliance Jio led the subscription race in Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha yojana. November 2018 adding around 88.01 lakh 36. UGC to set up ‘CARE’ to Strengthen Research subscribers across the country. Publication - The University Grants Commission (UGC) • State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has decided to establish a Consortium for Academic and added around 3.78 lakh subscribers in Research Ethics (CARE). November, taking its total tally to 11.38 crore. • The Consortium for Academic and Research • Airtel added around 1.02 lakh new customers in Ethics (CARE) is tasked to scrutinise and November, taking its total tally to 34.18 crores. then compile a list of journals for social • On the other hand, Vodafone Idea lost around sciences, humanities, language, arts, culture, 65.26 lakh subscribers. Indian Knowledge system etc. 31. Centre launches 5-yr Plan to Combat pollution in 102 • UGC has constituted a Committee under the cities - The Environment Ministry launched the National Chairmanship of Prof. P. Balram, to review Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aimed at reducing toxic its quality mandate relating to promotion of particulate matter in 102 Indian cities by 2024. Research and to review the existing M.Phil/ Note: Ph.D Regulations. • The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year plan with 37. Six monuments declared as National Importance in 2018 2019 as the first year, while 2017 will be the by ASI - base year for comparison of concentration. • The Ministry of Culture announced that • An amount of INR300 crore has been sanctioned Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declared for this purpose. 6 monuments as ‘protected and of national

50 www.gradeup.co importance’ under the Ancient Monuments • The Bill seeks to amend the Right to and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, Education (RTE) Act to abolish the “no- 1958, in 2018. detention” policy in schools. These sites are: • Under the current provisions of the Act, no • 125-year-old Old High Court Building in student can be detained up to class VIII Nagpur, Maharashtra, (8th). • The Group of Temples in Ranipur Jharail in • As per the amendment, it would be left to the Bolangir district of Odisha, states to decide whether to continue the no- • 2 Mughal era monuments in Agra- Haveli of detention policy. Agha Khan and Hathi Khana, • Now, states can choose to hold a regular • The Neemrana Baori in Alwar district of examination either at the end of Classes 5 Rajasthan, and 8, or both. • The Vishnu Temple in Kotali, Pithoragarh • If a student fails, the amendment bill grants a district in Uttarakhand. provision to give her or him additional 38. GST on Haj reduced from 18% To 5% - Union Minister opportunity to take a re-examination within for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stated that GST two months. on Haj has been reduced from 18% to 5%. • If the students still do not pass the exam, the 39. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg visited India. state government may decide to detain them. • The fourth edition of the Raisina Dialogue • was held in New Delhi. Right to Education (RTE) Act • Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg • The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory delivered an inaugural address in presence Education Act, 2009 (the Act) provides for free and of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and compulsory education to all children of the age of six External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. to fourteen years. 40. The Southern Railway has bagged the number one • The Section 16 of the Act provides that no child position for cleanliness in all the 17 railway zones in the admitted in a school shall be held back in any class or country. expelled from school till the completion of • This achievement was under the category of elementary education. other than Premium Category trains in the recent 44. India’s Satyarup becomes world’s youngest Trains Cleanliness Survey conducted by IRCTC mountaineer to climb 7 peaks, 7 volcano summits – on all India level. Mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta conquered Antartica's 41. The Union Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu has highest point, Mount Sidley. inaugurated country’s first Geographical Indication (GI) • With this feat, he became the first Indian and Store at International Airport at Dabolim, Goa. youngest man (35 years and 262 days) to climb 42. Sakhi Centres - Sakhi centre or One Stop Centre (OSC) is the seven highest peaks and volcanic summits a fully sponsored scheme of Central Government. across all continents. • These centres are set up through the Nirbhaya 45. Arunima Sinha has become the World's 1st woman Fund under the National Mission for amputee to climb Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Empowerment of women by the Ministry of Antarctica. Women and Child Development. Note: 43. President gives assent to Right of Children to Free and • Arunima Sinha (born 20 July 1988) is the first female Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2019 - The amputee to climb Mount Everest. Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education 46. Centre Approves renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj (Amendment) Act, 2019 which was passed by the - The Union Home Ministry has approved the Uttar Parliament on January 3, 2019 received the assent of the Pradesh government’s proposal to rename Allahabad as President of India on January 10, 2019. Prayagraj. Key points: Note:

51 www.gradeup.co • Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay renamed as 'Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari ranked at 27th position. Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium'. • IIT Roorkee ranked at 35th position • Jolly Grant () airport renamed after • IIT Kanpur ranked at 46th position and IIT former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kharagpur at 55th rank. • Agartala Airport renamed as Maharaja Bir Note: Bikram Manikya Kishore Airport. • China remained the most represented nation in the • British-era railway station Robertsgang annual listing, with 72 institutions in total. The renamed as Sonbhadra. nation claimed four of the table’s top-five positions. • Mughalsarai junction renamed after Deen • Tsinghua University surpassed Peking University as Dayal Upadhyay. this year’s top institution overall. • Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in 51. IRDAI Raises Minimum Driver Insurance Cover to Rs Mumbai renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji 15 Lakh – The regulator directed all general insurers to ‘Maharaj’ International Airport. provide a minimum CSl of Rs 15 lakh under Compulsory 47. Government sets up Export Promotion Cell for MSMEs - Personal Accident (CPA) cover for owner-driver under • The MSME ministry has established an Liability Only to all classes of vehicles at the premium export promotion cell to create a sustainable rate of Rs 750 per annum for annual policy. ecosystem for micro, small and medium • Currently, the capital sum insured (CSI) under enterprises (MSMEs). this section for motorised two-wheelers and 48. Go Green Initiatives in Indian Railways: Railways have private cars/commercial vehicles is Rs 1 lakh undertaken some major initiatives to Go Green. and Rs 2 lakh, respectively. • Ministry of Railways has planned to set up 52. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a 350-rupee 1000 Mega Watt (MW) solar power by 2020- commemorative coin as part of the 352nd birth 21 which would help Railways to source anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh in New about 10% of its electrical energy from Delhi. The renewable source. 53. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the 49. Indian Forest Service to be renamed as Indian Forest Nation Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP), at and Tribal Service - The Ministry of Personnel, Public Jharsugudaand in Odisha. The Multi-Modal Logistics Park Grievances and Pensions has initiated an inter- (MMLP) at Jharsuguda is built at a cost of Rs 100 Crores. ministerial consultation note to rename the Indian Forest 54. Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates ISRO's UNNATI Service as Indian Forest and Tribal Service. programme in Bengaluru - The Union Minister Dr. 50. Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the UNNATI- (Unispace University Rankings 2019 Nanosatellite Assembly & Training) programme • The London-based Times Higher Education organized by ISRO in Bengaluru. (THE), a global organisation that produces data, • ISRO will train 90 officials from 45 countries in analysis and expertise on higher education has three batches. released the Emerging Economies University 55. National Health Authority gets Cabinet nod Rankings 2019. • The Union Cabinet has cleared the constitution of • The 2019 ranking comprises of 450 universities a National Health Authority (NHA) through an from 43 countries, across four continents. executive order, thus taking the Pradhan Mantri • India has increased its representation in the Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) out of the ambit of latest Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging the Ministry of Health. Economies University Rankings 2019, with 49 • Now, the ministry’s role will be limited to acting institutes making it to the list as compared to 42 as the nodal ministry for NHA in parliamentary last year. matters, like the presentation of annual reports. The standings of Indian universities are as follows • The NHA’s governing board will be chaired by • The Indian Institute of Science - Bangalore the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, while (IISc) has topped the rankings among its members will include NITI Aayog CEO and Indian institutes with 14th rank NHA CEO.

52 www.gradeup.co 56. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of • The Union Government has approved the 100 crore rupees on Meghalaya government for its additional assistance of over 1146 crore rupees failure to curb illegal coal mining in the state. to Tamil Nadu (affected by the cyclone - Gaja) 57. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep from National Disaster Response Fund. Singh Puri has launched the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2019. • The approval was given by a High-Level • The Swachh Survekshan 2019 aims to evaluate Committee chaired by Home Minister Rajnath the achievements in the cleanliness level in Singh in New Delhi. urban areas of the country. 58. Govt approves additional assistance of over Rs 1,146 cr to Tamil Nadu

State Affairs

May 2019

1. Zero Pendency Courts Project – Zero Pendency • Scientific Name: Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Courts Project is the pilot project of the Delhi High (N. sahyadrensis). Court. The pilot project was undertaken in certain • It is also known as Maveli frog or Pignose Frog. subordinate courts of Delhi to identify benchmarks for 3. Gujarat Assembly Passes Act to Allow Shops & different types of cases timelines, number of judges Businesses Remain Open 24X7 – ‘Gujarat Shops and required, case flow management rules and a host of Establishments (Regulation of Employment and other relevant factors. Conditions of Service) Act, 2019’ passed by Gujarat 2. Purple Frog to be crowned Kerala’s state Assembly which came into force from May 1, 2019. The amphibian – Purple frog could be soon designated as Act will allow the shops and other businesses in the Kerala’s state amphibian. state to operate 24×7. • The proposal for this is being mooted by 4. Chhattisgarh Deploys 1st Anti-Naxal Women Kerela’s leading Herpetologists (a specialist in Commando Unit – The Chhattisgarh police for the first study of reptiles and amphibians). time has inducted women commandos in the District • The odd-looking species is endemic to Western Reserve Guard (DRG), its frontline anti-Naxal force. Ghats. The title would help in protecting species fragile habitat.

April 2019

1. Himachal Pradesh Celebrates 72nd State Day – • The Battle of Kohima was fought in three Himachal Pradesh celebrated 72nd Himachal Day on stages from 3 April to 22 June 1944 around the 15th April with gaiety and fervour. Himachal Day is town of Kohima in Nagaland in northeast India. celebrated to commemorate its creation. 3. Rongali Bihu Festival celebrated in Assam – 2. Nagaland observes 75th anniversary of Battle of Assam’s most awaited festival – the Rongali Bihu, also Kohima – Nagaland observed the 75th Anniversary of known as ‘Bohaag Bihu’ which marks the beginning of the Battle of Kohima. the new Assamese calendar year started. Assam • The event was attended by the representatives celebrates major agricultural events as the festival of from the UK and Japan who spoke on the Bihu. theme of ‘Remembrance, Reconciliation and Rebirth’.

53 www.gradeup.co Note: In Assam, three Bihu festivals are celebrated in a • Periyar river is the longest river and with the year called as Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu, Bhugali largest discharge potential in the Indian state (Magh Bihu) and Kangali (Kati Bihu). of Kerala. 4. Kandhamal Haldi Gets Geographical Indications 6. Telangana tops in eLearning training for Field Staff Tag – ‘Kandhamal Haldi’, a variety of turmeric – For the second year in succession, Telangana ranks indigenous to southern Odisha, has earned the number 1 in the e-Learning training program of the Geographical indication (GI) tag from Intellectual Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Property India, an organization functioning under the Government India. auspices of the Union ministry of commerce & 7. Bengaluru's Bellandur Lake begins to froth once industry. again – Bellandur Lake, which is one of the largest of Note: Kandhamal in Odisha’s southern hinterland is the 262 lakes in Bengaluru, has spilt toxic foam many famous for its turmeric cultivation, a spice that enjoys times in the recent past. its pride of place in an array of cuisines. • Taking cognizance of it, the National Green 5. Decolourisation of River Periyar – The River Periyar Tribunal took the matter suo motu. Earlier in in Kerala is again witnessing the decolourisation. April, it had directed immediate and complete Note: shutdown of 76 polluting industries around • Periyar River of Kerala has turned black near the lake. The directive came after a mound of the Pathalam Regulator cum Bridge. garbage was set on fire in February causing • Discolouration of Periyar and killing of fishes massive pollution in the area. have been a serious issue for the last couple of 8. Karnataka Government has decided to declare 2019 as years. About hundred Indian anchovies the ‘Year of Water’ to emphasise the importance of (Kozhuva) fishes were found dead along the water becoming a scarce commodity and the need to banks of the Muttar river, a tributary of the conserve it. Periyar. 9. The state of Odisha celebrates Odisha Divas or Utkala • According to the Pollution Control Board Divas every year on April 1st to commemorate the (PCB), the discolouration was due to the poor state formation day. quality of water as a result of eutrophication.

March 2019

1. Rajasthan Day is celebrated every year on March 30 to reservation quota for the Other Backward Classes commemorate the day on which the state of Rajasthan (OBC) to 27% from the current 14%. came into existence. 4. Ancient tribal language Gondi to be taught in tribal 2. Vastradan Campaign sets Guinness World record - districts of MP – In Madhya Pradesh, ancient tribal Vastradan Campaign initiated by the erstwhile royal language Gondi will be taught in tribal districts. family of Udaipur has set the Guinness World Record • Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath for the largest collection of clothes for donation. The has decided to include Gondi in the primary campaign had collected more than 3 lakh items of education curriculum of the state’s tribal- clothing. dominated districts. 3. Madhya Pradesh Government increases 5. New Railway Zone Announced for Andhra Pradesh reservation Quota of OBCs to 27% - The Madhya – Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced a Pradesh government issued an ordinance increasing new railway zone for Andhra Pradesh, that is the Southern Coast Railway.

54 www.gradeup.co Note: 7. ‘Rice Knowledge Bank- Assam’ - Rice Knowledge • It will be headquartered in Visakhapatnam. It Bank-Assam, is an agriculture web portal. It was will be the 18th zone in the country. launched under the World Bank funded project – Agri- 6. Bihar Diwas was celebrated on March 22nd across the business and Rural Transformation (APART). state to commemorate the day when Bihar was carved Note: It is dedicated to magnifying knowledge on rice out of the Bengal Presidency in the year 1912. March production technologies and techniques. 22nd 2019 was the 107th foundation day of the state.

February 2019

1. 100 years of jallianwala bagh massacre – On April Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, inaugurated the 13, 2019 nation commemorates the 100th anniversary North Karnataka Agromet Forecasting and Research of the massacre of hundreds of innocent Indians by Centre (NKAFC), India’s first agromet forecast centre, British forces at the Jallianwala Bagh. at University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Note: On April 13, 1919, at Jallianwala Bagh, the Dharwad, Karnataka. British armed forces under the command of General 8. Indus River dolphin declared as state aquatic animal Dyer opened 1,650 rounds of fire at the people of Punjab. gathered for a peaceful protest, killing hundreds of Note: men, women and children trapped inside the garden • In Punjab, the Indus River Dolphins are found 2. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate mainly in the Sutlej and Beas rivers. Statehood Day – The North-Eastern States of • Already, Punjab has Black Buck as its state Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate Statehood animal, and Baaj, also known as northern Day celebrated statehood day on February 20. goshawk (accipiter gentilis), as the official Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the 32nd state bird and 47th Statehood Day respectively. 9. Shehri Samridhi Utsav launched across the country. It 3. Tamil Nadu became the first state in the country to get is an initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs a second Coast Guard district headquarters – (MoHUA). Thoothukudi. The first district headquarters is 10. Himachal’s first mega food park inaugurated in Chennai. Una - The Union Minister of Food Processing 4. Bihar has become the first state to deploy specially- Harsimrat Kaur Badal has inaugurated the mega food trained dogs to check smuggling of liquor which park at Village Singha in Una District, Himachal continues to take place inspite of the total ban imposed Pradesh. in the state for the last 3 years. 11. Meghalaya Govt. to rename Dikkibandi stadium 5. First Mega Food Park of Tripura inaugurated in after P A Sangma - The Meghalaya state Cabinet Agartala – Tripura’s first mega food park named presided over by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has Sikaria Mega Food Park Pvt Ltd at Village Tulakona in decided to rename the Dikkibandi Stadium in Tura Agartala. town after P. A. Sangma (former Lok Sabha Speaker & 6. India’s first district Cooling System to be built in CM Meghalaya). Amravati – India’s First District cooling system will • The Dikkibandi Stadium was formerly known come up in Amravati, capital of the Andhra Pradesh. as MP stadium. • The government of Andhra Pradesh has 12. Rajasthan passes 5% quota bill for Gujjars, four entered into a 30-year concession with UAE- other communities – Rajasthan government has based international cooling provider, The passed a Backward Classes, Amendment Bill, 2019 to agreement between the National Central provide 5% quota in jobs and educational institutions Cooling Company (Tabreed) for the District to ‘Gurjars’ and four other communities. Cooling System at Amaravati. • The state government has also decided to 7. India’s first Agromet Forecast Centre inaugurated increase the ceiling of creamy layer from Rs. in Karnataka – Union Minister for Science & 2.5 lacks to Rs. 8 lacks. Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forest and

55 www.gradeup.co 13. The Telangana government has declared 2nd February would be established at Manethi village in Haryana’s as 'appointing day' for the newly elected Sarpanches of Rewari district. the Gram Panchayats in the state. 23. J&K Govt. grants divisional status to Ladakh Region 14. Kerala has become the first Indian State to set up a – The Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the Price Monitoring and Research Unit (PMRU) to track creation of a separate administrative division for violation of prices of essential drugs and medical Ladakh region. devices under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO). Note: 15. Himalayan Cloud Observatory has been set up in • The State of Jammu and Kashmir had two Tehri district, Uttarakhand – The Observatory has administrative divisions of Jammu and been established in the SRT campus Badshahithaul and Kashmir earlier. Ladakh would be the third is currently in the testing period. administrative division 16. The 33rd edition of the Surajkund International 24. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation Crafts Mela (33rd) inaugurated at Faridabad the 1.33 million metric ton capacity Visakhapatnam (Haryana). Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility at Guntur in • This year Maharashtra is the theme state and Andhra Pradesh. Thailand is the Partner Nation. 25. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a dedicated • 24×7 Satellite channel, ‘DD Arunprabha’ for 17. Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ held in New Delhi. It is the Arunachal Pradesh. international theatre festival of India, Organized by 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Film and National School of Drama (NSD). Television Institute in Jote, for Arunachal Pradesh - 18. India’s largest multi-cultural street festival ‘Kala Ghoda The permanent campus of Film and Television Arts Festival’(KGAF) was held in South Mumbai, Institute would be established at Jollang-Rakap (Jote), Maharashtra. Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh. • The theme of KGAF 2019 is retrospection. • It would be the third Film and Television 19. Arunachal Pradesh tribes celebrated Boori Boot Yollo Institute of Ministry of I&B (the other two are: festival - The Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is FTII Pune and SRFTI Kolkata) and first in the celebrated its Boori Boot Yollo festival (52nd) to North-East. welcome spring and a successful harvest. 27. PM Narendra Modi lays the foundation for Sela • Boori Boot Yollo is observed every year in the Tunnel – month of February. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the 20. Krishi Kumbh was organised in Motihari, Bihar. This is foundation stone for the strategically the largest Krishi Kumbh of Eastern India. important Sela Tunnel Project (costing - Rs 21. Kerala has become the first State to set up a Price 687 crore) in Arunachal Pradesh. Monitoring and Research Unit (PMRU) to track 28. Sarthi Sandesh Vahini flagged off by Uttar Pradesh violation of prices of essential drugs and medical Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath - The Uttar Pradesh devices under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO). state family welfare department has initiated the 22. The 22nd AIIMS will set up in Haryana. During the Sarthi Sandesh Vahini mission to spread awareness Interim Budget 2019, Piyush Goyal made the regarding family planning in urban and rural areas. announcement to set up AIIMS in Haryana. The AIIMS

January 2019

1. Andaman to be First Island to operate Seaplanes 2. India’s longest single lane Steel Cable bridge Under UDAN-3 – According to the Ministry of Civil opened in Arunachal Pradesh - The Chief Minister of Aviation, islands in Andaman will soon be connected Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu inaugurated India’s by seaplanes that can land on or take-off from the longest single-lane steel cable suspension bridge over water under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Siang River in Upper Siang district of Arunachal scheme.

56 www.gradeup.co Pradesh. The bridge is 300-metre-long and is also • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs known as byorung bridge. has given its approval for the capacity About river Siang expansion project of Numaligarh Refinery from • The Siang River is considered as lifeline of 3 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonne Per Annum) Arunachal Pradesh. The river is also called as to 9 MMTPA. Dihang in the plain regions. • Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) was set up 3. Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang District achieves at Numaligarh in the district of Golaghat 100% electrification (Assam) in accordance with the provisions • East Siang District (in Arunachal Pradesh) has made in the historic Assam Accord. achieved 100% electrification under the • The promoters of the NRL are Bharat Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana- Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Oil India Ltd & Saubhagya Scheme. Government of Assam (GoA). 4. Diffo Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh dedicated to the Note: nation - Union Minister of Defence Nirmala • Numaligarh Refineries receives 'Best Miniratna Sitharaman inaugurated the 426 mtr long pre-stressed PSU' award - Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) concrete box girder type bridge over Diffo river on has been awarded the best Strategic Roing-Koron-Paya road in Arunachal Pradesh. Performance (Financial Category) at the sixth • The bridge which has been constructed by the edition of Governance Now PSU Awards. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) 10. The Union Minister for Tourism K J Alphons 5. Arunachal Government declares Pakke Hornbill inaugurated the First Swadesh Darshan “Development fest as ‘State Festival’ of North East Circuit” in Gangtok. • The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh ‘Pema 11. World Book Fair held in New Delhi. The theme of this Khandu’ has declared Pakke Paga Hornbill year is ‘Readers with Special Needs’. Festival (PPHF) as the ‘State Festival’ at Seijosa • The UAE’s third largest emirate Sharjah is the in East Kameng district at Arunachal Pradesh. guest of honour for the New Delhi World Book • Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) is only Fair. conservation festival of Arunachal Pradesh. 12. Women’s wall for Gender Equality in Kerala - 6. Telangana to set up ‘Save Tiger Protection Force’ - Around 30 lakh women stood shoulder to shoulder to The Telangana government has decided to form a form Vanitha Mathil, “women’s wall” that ran across ‘State Tiger Protection Force’ to save the Big Cat the length of Kerala. The event was organised by the population in the State. The 112-member-armed STPF with the support of several will be headed by an Assistant Conservator of Forests political, religious and social groups. to protect the tiger population in Amarabad and Kawal 13. Indian Panorama Film Festival was held in New Delhi. Tiger Reserves. 14. National Health Agency to be restructured as 7. India’s largest Startup Ecosystem Inaugurated in National Health Authority - The Union Cabinet Kerala - India got its largest startup ecosystem when headed by Prime Minister Modi has approved the Kerala Chief Minister inaugurated a restructuring of existing National Health Agency as 1.8-lakh-square-feet facility housing incubation set-ups National Health Authority. across a string of segments in modern technology. • The existing society, “National Health Agency” 8. PM Dedicates Kollam Bypass in Kerala to Nation - has been dissolved and it is now restructured PM Narendra Modi has dedicated the Kollam Bypass as an Authority to effectively the implement on the National Highway-66 to the nation. Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). • It reduces travel time between Alappuzha and 15. J&K: Nitin Gadkari dedicates to nation Kerrian . Gandyal bridge in Kathua - Union Minister for Road • This is the first National Highway project in the Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on January 22, country taken up on a 50:50 Centre-State 2019 dedicated to the nation Kerrian Gandyal bridge in partnership. Kathua district of Jammu. 9. Union Cabinet approves expansion of Numaligarh refinery in Assam

57 www.gradeup.co • The bridge has been constructed over river • A 148 m-high rock-filled dam would be Ravi in Kathua district in a record time of over constructed across the river Giri. three years. Note: • This will reduce the distance between the two • Along with the Renukaji dam multipurpose cities from 45 kms to 8.6 kms, which will save project other two projects are planned in the on both time and fuel cost. Yamuna river basin, Lakhwar Project on the 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation River Yamuna in Uttarakhand, Kisau Project on stone for the Mandal Dam Project on the North Koel the River Tons in Uttarakhand and Himachal River. The Mandal Dam Project would be boon for the for the effective utilisation of the water states of Jharkhand and Bihar. resource. 17. India’s second Tulip garden to come up in 23. For the first time, Antonov-32 AN-32 transport aircraft Uttarakhand - Uttarakhand Government has obtained of the Indian Air Force carried out a successful landing the permission to develop the Tulip garden in at Sikkim’s Pakyong, one of the highest airfields in the Pithoragarh district. country. • It will be the second Tulip garden (first in Note: Pakyong Airport is a Greenfield airport near Srinagar, J&K) in the country. Gangtok, the capital of the state of Sikkim. It is the first 18. Sikkim to Introduce Universal Basic Income - The greenfield airport to be constructed in the ruling party of Sikkim, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Northeastern Region of India. has assured the implementation of the universal basic 24. RPF Women Squad ‘JOYMATI BAHINI’ launched in income in Sikkim by 2022. If things go as per plan, Guwahati - In Assam, Railway Protection Force (RPF) Sikkim would become the first state in the country to of Lumding Division has formally launched ‘JOYMATI implement the Universal Basic Income (UBI). BAHINI’, comprising women sub-inspector and Universal Basic Income (UBI) constables of the RPF at Kamkhaya Railway Station in • Universal Basic Income (UBI) refers to a Guwahati. programme wherein the people are provided 25. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation with a fixed amount of money irrespective of stones of 6 Namami Gange projects in Agra and their income, resources or employment status. Mathura. 19. Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has • The projects in Agra include comprehensive announced to ban the production, sale and use of Sewerage Scheme for the city with ‘One-City- single-use plastic products in the Union Territory from One-Operator’ approach on Hybrid Annuity 1st March 2019. Mode. 20. The states of Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya 26. Uttar Pradesh celebrates its 69th foundation day celebrated their 47th Statehood Day on 21st January. on 24th January The states of Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya became 27. Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair full-fledged states on January 21, 1972. declared as an authorized Immigration Check post 21. Cyclone Pabuk - The India Meteorological Department • Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for the Andaman Blair has been declared as an authorized Islands as cyclonic Pabuk moves towards the island. Immigration Check post for entry into/exit 22. Agreement for Renukaji dam multipurpose project from India with valid travel documents for all Signed - The Agreement for the construction of classes of passengers. Renukaji Dam Multi-Purpose Project was signed by six • This decision of the Union Government will states, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, open up the Port Blair Airport for direct Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in the presence of international flight and immigration facilities. Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari. 28. Himachal Pradesh celebrates 49th Statehood Day on The important features of the project are: 25th January. • Renukaji Dam Multi-Purpose Project is a 29. Union Minister Gadkari inaugurates Atal Setu in storage project on the Giri river which is Goa tributary of the Yamuna at Sirmour district of • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated Himachal. four-lane ‘Atal Setu’ (5.1-kilometer long) the

58 www.gradeup.co third Cable bridge across river Mandovi in Key points Panaji, Goa. This is the third bridge across • In the latest ranking of Asia Competitiveness Mandovi River. Institute's (ACI) EDB index, Andhra Pradesh 30. Andhra Pradesh No 1 in Ease of Doing Business bagged the top rank in 2018. 2018 - The Asia competitiveness institute (ACI) has • Maharashtra and Delhi came in second and released the Ease of Doing Business Rankings for third place respectively. Indian states.

Arts & Culture

1. Kashi Vishwanath Corridor – Prime Minister 6. Baisakhi - Baisakhi is the Punjabi New Year celebrated Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for the in the month of April by performing their folk dance, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Bhangra and Gidda and feasting. • The project envisions a massive makeover of 7. Puthandu - Puthandu is the Tamil New Year celebrated the holy shrine and its surrounding areas. in the month of April by preparing Manga Pachadi a • This massive makeover is the first after the traditional food to ring in their new year. 1780 AD when the Maratha queen Ahilyabai 8. Bohag Bihu - Bohag Bihu is the Assamese New year Holkar of Indore renovated the temple and the celebrated by performing the folk dance Bihu and a area surrounding it. grand buffet. • The proposed 50-feet corridor will directly 9. Pohela Boishakh - Pohela Boishakh is the Bengali New connect Ganga’s Manikarnika and Lalita Ghat Year celebrated with making many sweetmeats. to the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple. 10. Bestu Varas - Bestu Varas is celebrated in Gujarat on • The total cost of the project is pegged at Rs 600 the day after Deepavali. Marwaris in Rajasthan also crore. celebrate their new year during Deepavali. • The Kashi Vishwanath temple located on the 11. Vishu - Vishu is the Malayali New Year celebrated in left bank of the holy river Ganga. the state of Kerala in the month of April. 2. Parsis Celebrate Navroz – Navroz is the Iranian New 12. Losoong - Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year and falls Year celebrated by several ethnolinguistic in December at the end of harvesting. It is celebrated communities around the world irrespective of their by performing Chham dance. religious background. 13. Navreh - Navreh is the Kashmiri New Year celebrated • In India Parsis who follow Zoroastrianism in the Hindu month of Chaitra. celebrate Navroz. Navroz was celebrated on 14. Prayagraj Kumbha Mela 2019 makes it to the March 21st. Guinness World Records – The Prayagraj Kumbh 3. New Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Mela 2019 has made into Guinness World Records in Archaeology Inaugurated – Prime Minister Narendra the following three sectors: Modi has inaugurated the new Pandit Deendayal • Largest traffic and crowd management plan. Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology at Greater Noida • Biggest painting exercise of public sites under in Uttar Pradesh. paint my city scheme. • On the occasion, he also unveiled the statue of • Biggest sanitation and waste disposal Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya at the campus mechanism. and visited the Deendayal Museum in the Note: Institute campus. • Kumbh Mela, the festival of the sacred pitcher 4. Ugadi/Yugadi - Ugadi festival celebrated in Karnataka, is the largest public gathering and collective Telangana and Andhra Pradesh act of faith, anywhere in the world. 5. Gudi Padwa - Gudi Padwa is celebrated in the state of • This Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela is Maharashtra. celebrated four times over a course of 12 years over four locations in India. The site of Kumbh Mela keeps rotating between one of the four

59 www.gradeup.co pilgrimages on four sacred rivers as listed • Ghumot is an indigenous earthen drum below: fashioned as a designed clay pot, with the skin • Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand of the monitor lizard stretched taut across the • Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh pot’s mouth, forming a drumhead. • Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra • Ghumot is a percussion instrument widely • Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the played during Ganesh Chaturthi Aarties. Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar 16. ‘Festival of India’ Begins in Kathmandu - A month- Pradesh. long ‘Festival of India’ began in Kathmandu, Nepal, to • The Kumbh Mela has been inscribed on the list familiarise the new generation of the country about the of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” similarities between the two countries. by UNESCO in 2017. 17. Foundation stone laid for Hastshilp complex in 15. Ghumot to be declared Goa’s heritage musical New Delhi – The Union Minister for Textiles, Smriti instrument – The Art and Culture Minister of Goa, Zubin Irani laid the foundation stone of a Hastshilp Govind Gaude has announced that Ghumot, an Complex in New Delhi. The complex would be named indigenous earthen drum will soon be notified as a after Deendayal Upadhyaya as Deen Dayal heritage instrument of Goa. Antarashtriya Hastshilp Bhawan.

International Affairs

May 2019 1. Iran announces Partial Withdrawal from JCPOA - • It also calls for the government to work Iran announced it will pull out of some commitments towards carbon neutrality before 2050 and for under 2015 international nuclear agreement signed ministers to draft proposals within the next 6 with world powers, called Joint Comprehensive Plan Of months to restore the country’s environment Action (JCPOA). and create a “zero waste economy.” 2. UK Parliament 1st in World to Declare Climate 3. Ireland becomes 2nd country to declare Climate Emergency – The UK parliament became the first Emergency - Ireland has declared a climate national legislative body in the world to declare a emergency in their country, to be the second country climate change emergency. after Britain to do so.

April 2019

1. Vienna named the world's most liveable city – • The capital of India, New Delhi ranked at 162 Vienna tops the Mercer’s index of most liveable cities in Mercer’s Quality Of Living Index. for the 10th year in a row. 2. Skytrax World Airport Awards 2019 – Skytrax • Vienna was closely followed by Zurich in World Airport Awards which lists the Best 100 Switzerland. Auckland, Munich, and Vancouver Airports of the World was released by the UK-based came in joint third. Skytrax, a consultancy firm which runs an airline and • The Quality of Living Index 2019 was released airport review and ranking site. by the Consulting Agency Mercer. Key points Indian Cities in the List • Singapore’s Changi Airport has been • Hyderabad and Pune topped the list among the crowned the world’s best aviation hub for the Indian cities with a rank of 143. seventh time in a row. Singapore Changi • Bengaluru was the second best with the Airport is well known for its rooftop swimming ranking of 149. pool, two 24-hour movie theatres and • Mumbai with the ranking of 154 stood third shopping spots. among Indian cities. • Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), up one place from 2018 stood at the second place.

60 www.gradeup.co • Incheon International Airport, ranked at 8. US Withdraws from UN Arms Trade Treaty – US number three spot. President Donald Trump stated that his administration • Indira Gandhi International Airport of New is withdrawing the U.S. signature from the U.N. Arms Delhi stood at rank 59. Trade Treaty, in response to concerns from gun rights • Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj activists that it could impinge on Americans’ right to International Airport stood at 64 bear arms. • Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport • Former US President Barack Obama signed the stood at 66 treaty in 2013 and sent the treaty to the Senate • Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International for ratification. Airport at 69 9. Qatar to abolish Exit Visa system by 2019 – UN’s 3. India to set up agriculture institute in Malawi – The International Labour Organization (ILO) announced Ministry of External Affairs has signed an MoU with that Qatar will officially abolish its Exit Visa system for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development all foreign workers by the end of 2019. Consultancy Service (NABCONS) for setting up India- • Amnesty International (human rights group) Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development report accused that Qatar, which will be (IAIARD) in Malawi. hosting 2022 World Cup was failing to 4. Global Cooling Coalition – The Global Cooling implement reforms and stop widespread Coalition was launched at the first Global Conference labour abuse. on Synergies between the 2030 Agenda and Paris • As a result Qatar revived its pledge to reform Agreement held at Copenhagen, Denmark. labour section, and introduced a minimum • The Global Cooling Coalition is supported by monthly minimum of 750 riyals ($206) and the UN, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the also agreed to work closely with ILO. Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program and 10. Sri Lankan President bans On Face-Covering in Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). Public – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena 5. World Immunization Week 2019 - World used his emergency powers to issue an order to ban Immunization Week 2019 is being observed from 24- burqa, veil or covering of face in public places in any 30 April with the theme Protected Together: Vaccines manner which prevents anyone from being identified. Work. World Immunisation Week 2019 celebrates • It is placed to ensure national security, Vaccine Heroes from around the world from parents establish peaceful and cohesive society and not and community members to health workers and aimed at inconvenience to any community innovators who help ensure we are all protected, at all people. ages, through the power of vaccines. 11. Beirut, Lebanon sets a New Guinness World Record 6. Indonesia releases Special Stamp on Theme of – Lebanon’s capital Beirut has set a new Guinness Ramayana – Indonesia has released a special World Record for most number of national flags commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana to displayed in one city for 24 hours. mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its 12. Lose to Win Programme – The government of UAE diplomatic ties with India. has launched the Lose to Win Programme to assist the overweight employees in shedding extra kilos and 7. US declares Iran Force as Foreign Terrorist adopt a healthy lifestyle. Organisation – The US designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist 13. Pakistan Approves Plan to Open Sharda Peeth organisation. Corridor – Pakistan government has approved a • It is the first time that the US has designated an proposal to establish a corridor which would allow entity of another government as a terrorist Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Sharda Peeth in the organization, placing a group with vast region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). economic resources that answer only to Iran’s • Sharda Peeth Corridor will be the second supreme leader in the same category as al- corridor to be established after the Kartarpur Qaida and the Islamic State. Corridor which provides access to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan.

61 www.gradeup.co 14. Iran, Pakistan to Set up Border ‘Reaction Force’ – asocial networking option different from Facebook and Iran and Pakistan have agreed to set up a joint border Twitter. “reaction force” to combat the attacks by militant • Google has revealed that the consumer version groups on both sides their frontier. Both the nations of the service will shut down on April 2, 2019. have decided to collaborate to form the joint quick • The company decided to shut down the service reaction force by increasing cooperation between after the discovery of a privacy bug which border forces and intelligence agencies. impacted 52.5 million users. 15. World’s 1st Malaria Vaccine launched in Africa – 18. Google’s Wing launches its 1st drone delivery The world’s first-ever malaria vaccine was launched in Service in Australia – Wing, the drone delivery a pilot project in Africa’s Malawi. The country is the company owned by Google’s parent company first of three in Africa in which the vaccine, known as Alphabet, is launch its first public drone delivery RTS,S, will be made available to children up to 2 years service in Canberra, Australia of age. • Alphabet made its first delivery in Canberra • Ghana and Kenya will introduce the vaccine after getting approval from the country’s civil soon. About 93% of the world’s malaria- aviation authority. related deaths in 2017 occurred in Africa. 19. London becomes 1st city to use pollution charge 16. Russia Successfully Tests World’s First Floating Zone - London is the first city in the world to Nuclear Power Plant – Russia has successfully tested implement a 24-hour, seven day a week Ultra Low the world’s first floating nuclear power plant (NPP), Emission Zone (ULEZ), inside which vehicles will have Akademik Lomonosov, a subsidiary of Rosatom to meet tough emissions standards or face a charge. nuclear corporation stated. • Introduction of the ULEZ aims to reduce toxic • Reactors of the floating atomic block were air pollution and protect public health. launched in November 2018. 20. India is Guest of Honour country at ADIBF 2019 – 17. Google company has announced to shut down its The UAE has announced that India is the Guest of Google + service – Google is to shut down, its Google Honour country at the Abu Dhabi International Book Plus platform, which had originally conceived as Fair, ADIBF 2019.

March 2019 1. Saudi Arabia replaces India as world’s largest arms 50p coin. The coin has references to the late physicist’s importer - According to the premier Stockholm pioneering work on black holes. International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Saudi • The coin was designed by British engraver and Arabia has replaced India to become the largest printmaker Edwina Ellis. importer of arms in the world. • The Black Hole coin is a tribute to Hawking’s • In its report on ‘Trends in International Arms research into black holes and his ability to Transfers 2018’ released, the institute make science accessible for all. identified Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia 3. Oman signs agreement allowing United States and Algeria as the five top arms importing Military to Use its Ports – Oman has signed an countries. agreement with the United States of America that allow • Five top arms exporting nations - United American ships and warplanes to take advantage of his States, Russia, France, Germany and China. ports and airports. • The US, Russia, France, Germany and China • The framework agreement is aimed at together accounted for 75 per cent of the total bolstering Omani-American military relations. volume of arms exports in 2014–18. 4. President Kovind visit Croatia, Bolivia & Chile – 2. UK Issues New Black Hole Coin in Honour of President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on a state visit Stephen Hawking – The United Kingdom has to Croatia, Bolivia and Chile to hold talks with the commemorated professor Stephen Hawking in a new leaders of these countries and strengthen ties in trade, investment and renewable energy.

62 www.gradeup.co • Croatia Capital: Zagreb, Currency: kuna. • The 21-year-old founded and owns Kylie • Bolivia Capital: Sucre, Currency: boliviano. Cosmetics, the three-year-old beauty business • Chile Capital: Santiago, Currency: peso. that generated an estimated $360m in sales 5. World’s first Wireless Electric Car charging station last year. introduced by Norway – Oslo, the capital city of • She reached the milestone earlier than Norway will become the world’s first city to install Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg who wireless, induction-based charging stations for its fleet became a billionaire aged 23. of electric taxis with an aim to have a zero-emission 11. Malaysia joins International Criminal Court – cab system by the year 2023 according to a report by Malaysia has become a member of the International Reuters. Criminal Court. • Norway wants all new cars to be zero emission • The ICC is the world’s only permanent war by 2025 whereas other nations, like Britain crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst and France, have similar goals for 2040. abuses when national courts are unable or 6. New Zealand bans Assault Weapons – Prime unwilling. Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern has imposed • Malaysia becomes the 124th member of the an immediate ban on assault weapons following the court since its establishment in 2002. Christchurch massacre that claimed the lives of 50 12. Cyclone Idai Hits Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe mosque-goers. – Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have been hit by 7. World’s Largest e-waste R=recycling hub opened at a vicious cyclone ‘IDAI’ that has killed nearly 150 the Dubai Industrial Park – The world’s largest e- people. waste recycling plant has been opened in Dubai • Cyclone Idai has affected more than 1.5 million Industrial Park, Dubai by ‘Enviroserve’ company with a people in the three southern African countries, total cost of $5 million. according to the UN and government officials. • It will recycle Waste Electrical and Electronic 13. Vice President’s visit to Paraguay & Costa Rica – Equipment (WEEE), IT asset disposition The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu visited (ITAD), refrigerant gas and specialized waste. the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of Costa 8. In a 1st, UN Council passes resolution to Combat Rica. terrorist financing – The UN Security Council has • This was the first high-level visit from India to unanimously passed the first-ever resolution ordering both these countries. members to enforce laws against terror financing. • The Vice President was also conferred an • UNSC resolution demands all states “ensure Honorary Doctorate by the University for that their domestic laws and regulations Peace founded by the United Nations. establish serious criminal offenses” to collect • Paraguay Capital: Asunción, Currency: guaraní. funds or financial resources to terrorist groups • Costa Rica Capital: San José, Currency: colón. or individual criminals. 14. Kazakhstan renames its Capital Astana to 9. Japan unveils name of its new Imperial Era ‘Reiwa’ Nursultan – Kazakhstan has renamed its capital – Japan has announced that the name of its new Astana to Nursultan to honor outgoing leader imperial era, set to begin on 1 May, will be ‘Reiwa’, Nursultan Nazarbayev. signifying order and harmony. The country’s current • Mr. Nazarbayev, 78, served nearly 30 years as era, Heisei, will end in April. president of the nation. 10. Kylie Jenner becomes world’s youngest self-made • The change was announced after Kassym- billionaire – According to Forbes billionaires' list, Jomart Tokayev was sworn in as president, Kylie Jenner has become the world's youngest self- promising to seek his predecessor’s opinion on made billionaire. key decisions.

February 2019

1. Kelly Knight Craft is the new US ambassador to the nomination of Kelly Knight Craft as the new US UN – US President Donald Trump has announced the ambassador to the UN.

63 www.gradeup.co • The post of the US ambassador to the UN was currency, the bond note, which was officially vacant due to the resignation of Nikki Haley. pegged at parity with the US dollar. 2. Afghanistan launches New Export Route to India • The new currency replaces electronic bank through Chabahar Port – Afghanistan has launched a savings called digital dollars and the bond new export route to India through the through the notes and was named after the real-time gross Chabahar Port of Iran. settlement system that banks use to transfer • Chabahar port is seen as a testimony of healthy money between each other. cooperation between India, Iran and 7. J P Morgan became first US Bank with Afghanistan this will ensure economic growth. Cryptocurrency – JP Morgan rolled out the first US 3. IOC Suspends India from Hosting Global Sporting bank cryptocurrency. Events – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) • The currency is designed to be decentralized has suspended all discussions with India regarding so that no one has control over transactions hosting of global sporting events in the backdrop of being sent over the network. denial of visas to the two Pakistani Shooters. • Cryptocurrencies are used successfully to • The Pakistani shooters were supposed to move money between the bank and a client participate in the 25m rapid fire pistol event in which usually runs on a blockchain technology. the ISSF World Cup. • The cryptocurrency, called “JPM Coin”. 4. FATF keeps Pakistan in Grey List for Failing to Stop 8. The first-ever World Pulses Day was celebrated on Terror Financing – The Financial Action Task Force 10th February 2019. (FATF) condemning the Pulwama Terror Attack has 9. Abu Dhabi declared Hindi as an official language in decided to continue the ‘Grey’ listing of Pakistan for its courts – Abu Dhabi (capital of the United Arab failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as Jaish- Emirates) declared Hindi as the third official language e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat-ud-Dawa. (Arabic and English) in its courts to make the justice • Grey list will endanger Pakistan’s handful of delivery system simple. remaining banking links to the outside world. 10. Dubai Airport retains the top position as World’s This would cause real financial pain to the busiest airport in 2018 – fragile economy of Pakistan. • Dubai International Airport (DXB) retained its About FATF - position as the world’s busiest airport for • The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an international customer numbers for the fifth inter-governmental body established in 1989 consecutive year. by the Member of G7. 11. The International Year of the Periodic Table – The • The FATF has developed a series of United Nations has announced, 2019 as the Recommendations that are recognised as the International Year of the Periodic Table of the international standard for combating of money Chemical Elements to highlight its first publication in laundering and the financing of terrorism and 1869. proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 12. Women with four children to get life tax exemption • Group of 7 (G7) is a group consisting of in Hungary - According to Hungarian Prime Minister Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Viktor Orban, women in the country with four children United Kingdom, and the United States. or more will be exempted for life from paying income 5. State of Emergency declared in Sudan – Sudanese tax. President Omar al-Bashir has declared a year-long 13. The government of Thailand has approved the state of emergency, dissolving his cabinet and local proposal to name Siamese fighting fish as the governments throughout the country. National Aquatic Animal. 6. Zimbabwe starts trading New Currency RTGS 14. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (58-years) step dollar – Zimbabwe started to trade its new currency, down from his position on 1st February 2019, much the RTGS dollar. before the end of his term in 2022. • The bank unveiled a foreign exchange trading • Kristalina Georgieva (World Bank CEO) system that effectively devalued its quasi- assume the role of interim President (from 1st of Feb 2019).

64 www.gradeup.co 15. Macedonia signs accord to join NATO - Macedonia member states from North America and signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th Europe. member of the US-led alliance. • It was established at the signing of the North Note: Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949. • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is • NATO headquarter is in Brussels, Belgium. an international alliance that consists of 29-

January 2019 1. Qatar withdraw its membership from OPEC 4. Turkmenistan has launched its first messaging app • Qatar had decided to withdraw its ‘BizBarde’ membership from Organisation of the • BizBarde app will allow the exchange of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) messages, files, photos and videos. effective from January 2019. 5. Macedonia renamed as ‘The Republic of Northern • Qatar left OPEC on 1 January 2019, after Macedonia’ - The Parliament of Macedonia has passed joining the organization in 1961, to focus on the resolution to amend the constitution of the country natural gas production, of which it is the to rename as the ‘Republic of Northern Macedonia’. world's largest exporter in the form of liquified • North Macedonia Capital: Skopje, Currency: natural gas (LNG). Denar Note: 6. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took oath as the 26th Chief • As of January 2019, now OPEC has 14- Justice of Pakistan. member countries: Algeria, Angola, Congo, 7. Rio de Janeiro will be World Capital of Architecture Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, for 2020: UNESCO Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, • According to UNESCO (United Nations UAE and Venezuela. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural • The headquarter of OPEC is in Vienna, Organization), the Brazilian city of Rio de Austria. Janeiro will be the World Capital of 2. US and Israel quit UNESCO citing bias Architecture for 2020. • The United States (US) and Israel officially quit • The city will host the World Congress of UIA, in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and July 2020, an event that occurs every three Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the close years. of 2018. 8. Venezuela breaks all diplomatic ties with the US - Note: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that • UNESCO headquarter is in Paris, France. the country has cut off diplomatic relations with the 3. Five nations assume charge as Non-Permanent United States. Members of UN Security Council • The capital of Venezuela is Caracas and the • Five nations (Belgium, Dominican Republic, currency is Venezuelan bolívar. Germany, Indonesia and South Africa) 9. Sugarcane juice declared as ‘national drink’ of assumed the charge as the Non-Permanent Pakistan. Members of the United Nations Security 10. France introduced GAFA Tax on Global Internet, Council (UNSC). Technology Firm - The finance minister of France Note: Bruno Le Maire announced that France will introduce • The U.N. Security Council has 15 members five its own tax on large internet and technology of which (China, France, Russia, Britain, and companies from January 1. the United States) hold permanent • France has been pushing hard for a new so- membership and veto power. called “GAFA tax” — named after Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon — to ensure the

65 www.gradeup.co global giants pay a fair share of taxes on their • It will help in implementing the goals of the massive business operations in Europe. UN’s 2030 Agenda and the landmark 2015 11. Palestine takes over chairmanship of G77 - Paris Climate Agreement to stop depending on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to fossil fuel and cap global warming. protect the interests of all 134 countries in the UN’s 13. China is the largest producer of crude steel - World Group of 77, as Palestine took the chairmanship of the Steel Association Report group from Egypt for 2019. • China is the largest producer of crude steel and 12. Italy, UN, launch Africa Centre for Climate and it accounts for more than 51 per cent of global Sustainable Development - Italian Prime Minister production. Giuseppe Conte along with UN representative has • India has replaced Japan as the world’s second- launched Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable largest steel producing country. development. • United States, at the 4th position, South Korea • The new centre is located near the Food and is at 5th place), Russia is a 6th place. Agriculture Organization headquarters in 14. The United Nations observed the first official World Rome. Braille Day on 4th January to create awareness about • The major objective is boosting the the importance of Braille for approximately 1.3 billion agricultural sectors and promoting rural people living with some form of distance or near vision development in Africa. impairment.

Sports

May 2019

1. 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 – • Rahul Chahar (MI): Gamechanger of the season Mumbai beat Chennai by 1 run to win the 4th IPL title 2. Amul to sponsor Afghanistan in 2019 World Cup - • Mumbai Indian Captain – Rohit Sharma Amul has been announced as the principal sponsor of • Man of the Match - Jasprit Bumrah the Afghanistan cricket team for the upcoming World • Earlier, Mumbai won the IPL title in 2013, Cup, slated to be held in England and Wales from May 2015, 2017 30. Cap holders • The logo of brand Amul will appear on the • Orange Cap: David Warner (SRH) - 692 runs leading arm of the Afghanistan team playing • Purple Cap: Imran Tahir (CSK) - 26 wickets jerseys as well as on the training kits • MVP: Andre Russell (KKR) - 510 runs and 11 throughout the showpiece event. wickets 3. Indian shooting ace Apurvi Chandela has been ranked Other awards the world number one in the women’s 10 metres air • Subhman Gill (KKR): Emerging player of the rifle event. year 4. Asian Youth Women Handball Championship - • Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Playing in right Jaipur will host the 8th Asian Youth Women Handball spirit award Championship in August 2019. • Hardik Pandya (MI): Fastest fifty of the season Note: The previous edition in 2017 was held at Jakarta (50 runs in 17 balls) in Indonesia. 5. Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has • Andre Russell (KKR): Super striker of the announced that he will retire from professional season football at the end of the current season. • KL Rahul (KXIP) : Stylish player of the season

66 www.gradeup.co 6. Sri Lanka’s former captain Kumar Sangakkara will become first Non-British president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

April 2019

1. Azlan Shah Hockey Cup 2019 - South Korea defeated 13. Chief Coach of India Men’s Hockey Team - Graham India in the final of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019. Reid (Australian) • The final match was held at Azlan Shah 14. India Open 2019 (Badminton) Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia. • Men’s Singles - Viktor 2. Santosh Trophy 2019 - Services' has won the 73rd Axelsen(Denmark)defeated Srikanth Kidambi edition of premier domestic football tournament (India) ‘Santosh Trophy’ by defeating Punjab 1-0 in the final at • Women’s Singles - Ratchanok Ludhiana, Punjab. Intanon(Thailand) defeated He Bingjiao Note: The trophy is named after the late Maharaja Sir (China) Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh (now in 15. Boxing World Cup 2019 - India bagged a Gold and Bangladesh). two Silver medals at the Boxing World Cup at Cologne 3. Barcelona Open 2019 - Dominic Thiem (Austria) won in Germany. the Barcelona Open 2019 after defeating Daniil • Meena Kumari Maisnam (from Manipur) Medvedev (Russia). claimed the Gold medal in the 54 kg category. 4. Miami Open 2019 – 16. Shuttler Harsheel Dani clinched dutch • Men’s Singles – Roger Federer (Switzerland) International Badminton title - Former junior defeated John Isner (United States) national champion Harsheel Dani defeated Mads • Women’s Singles - Ashleigh Barty (Australia) Christophersen of Denmark to clinch the Dutch defeated Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) International badminton title in The Hague, 7. First Indian to be elected as a member of FIFA Netherlands. Executive Council - Praful Patel, president of All India 17. Lewis Hamilton wins Formula One’s 1,000th Race Football Federation (AIFF), has become the first Indian 18. Chinese Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) won to be elected as a member of FIFA Executive Council. the Chinese Grand Prix for a record sixth time. 8. First Female Umpire in Men’s ODI - Australia’s 19. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has signed an Claire Polosak will become the first female umpire to MoU with Serbian Tennis Federation (STF) to train officiate in a men’s one-day international at the ICC Indian junior players under world-renowned Serbian World Cricket League Division coaches. 9. Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2019 - Mercedes’ driver 20. Paris Marathon - Ethiopian athletes Gelete Burka Valtteri Bottas beat his English teammate Lewis (women’s race) and Abrha Milaw (men’s race) won the Hamilton 43rd edition of the Paris Marathon. 10. Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 - Lewis Hamilton 21. Tiger Woods wins 2019 Masters to claim 15th 11. Sam Curran Claims First Hat-Trick Of IPL 2019 – Major in Golf - Famous Golfer Tiger Woods completed Sam Curran bagged the first hat-trick of Indian Premier one of the sport’s great all-time comebacks to end an League (IPL) 2019 during Kings XI Punjab's clash 11-year major title drought at the Masters by claiming against Delhi Capitals. a fifth Green Jacket. • The English all-rounder bagged the wickets of 22. Bajrang regains top Spot in World Wrestling rankings - Harshal Patel in the final delivery of the 18th Bajrang Punia has regained the world number one over which was followed by two unplayable spot in the men’s 65-kilogram freestyle category yorkers to get rid of Kagiso Rabada and rankings. Sandeep Lamichhane respectively. 23. Fabio Fognini became the first Italian to win an ATP 12. Saurav Ghosal became the first Indian male squash Masters 1000 title at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. player to enter the top 10 in latest Professional Squash He defeated Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) Association (PSA) world rankings.

67 www.gradeup.co 24. Asian Athletics Championships 2019 held at Doha • China on second spot – 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 in Qatar - India ended at the fourth spot in the medals Bronze tally with 3 Gold, 7 Silver and 7 Bronze. • Japan on third spot – 4 Gold, 7 Silver, 6 • Bahrain topped the table with 11 Gold, 7 Silver Bronze and 4 Bronze. • India on 8th spot – 1 Gold, 6 Silver, 9 Bronze • China was second with 9 Gold, 13 Silver, and 7 28. All India Football Federation (AIFF) recommended Bronze. names of National team footballers Gurpreet Singh • Japan was third with 5 Gold, 4 Silver, and 9 Sandhu and Jeje Lalpekhlua for the prestigious Arjuna Bronze. Award 2019. 25. Pankaj Advani wins Asian Snooker Tour title 29. Cricketer Mithali Raj has been named as the goodwill 26. Stuttgart’s Porsche Grand Prix 2019 - Tennis player ambassador of the Indian team for the Street Child Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) beat Anett Kontaveit Cricket World Cup. (Estonia) to win Stuttgart’s Porsche Grand Prix for her 30. Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year for 2018 – second title of the year. • The Wisden has named Virat Kohli as the 27. Asian Wrestling Championship 2019 – Iran topped Leading Cricketer of the Year for 2018. the medal tally • Indian player Smriti Mandhana bagged the Note: Women’s Leading Cricketer of the Year. • Iran topped the medal tally with – 11 Gold, • Rashid Khan of Afghanistan bagged the 0 Sliver, 6 Bronze Leading T20 Cricketer of the Year.

March 2019

1. Suresh Raina 1st Cricketer to score 5,000 Runs in 4. Indian Super League (football) title - Bengaluru FC IPL – Chennai Super Kings’ Suresh Raina has become clinched their maiden title after beating FC Goa, in the the first ever cricketer to reach 5,000 runs in Indian final. Premier League. 5. Australian F1 Grand Prix 2019 - Mercedes’ Valtteri • The 32-year-old left-handed batsman achieved Bottas the feat after scoring 15 runs in the IPL 2019 6. U-17 Women’s Football World Cup in 2020 - India opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore. will host the Under-17 Women’s Football World Cup in 2. SAFF Women’s Championship – India defeated Nepal 2020. in the final by 3-1 in Biratnagar, Nepal. Note: • India has lifted South Asian Football • This will be the second FIFA tournament India Federation SAFF Women’s Championship fifth will be hosting, after the U-17 Men’s World time in a row. Cup in 2017. • India has clinched all five editions of SAFF • England won the U-17 World Cup for the first championship. time after beating Spain 5–2 in the final. 3. Asian Youth Championship 2019 held in Hong Kong - 7. Special Olympics World Games 2019 – UAE India finishes 2nd, China Tops Note: Note: • Special Olympics World Games 2019 which • Indian youth team finish second in the overall was held from March 14 to March 21 in the medals tally with a total of 26 medals including UAE has made history by welcoming a record- 8 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze medals. breaking 200 nations ahead of the Games. • China topped the overall medals tally with 31 • The next Special Olympic Games are set to take medals that included 12 gold, 11 silver and place in Sweden in 2021. eight bronze medals and • India won total 368 medals (85 gold, 154 Japan finished third with 20 medals that Silver, and 129 Bronze) at the Special Olympics included 6 Gold, 8 Silver and 6 bronze. World Summer Games, held at Abu Dhabi, UAE.

68 www.gradeup.co 8. South African all-rounder JP Duminy announced that career after beating 20-year-old Greek Stefanos he would retire from ODIs after the ICC World Cup in Tsitsipas in the final of the Dubai Tennis England. Championships. 9. Chris Gayle becomes first player to smash 500 12. The Supreme Court appointed senior advocate PS Sixes in International Cricket - West Indies opener Narasimha as a mediator for resolving various disputes Chris Gayle has become the first batsman ever to related to cricket administration within the cricket smash 500 or more sixes in international cricket. body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 10. Makran Cup - National Boxing champion Deepak 13. Cricket to be re-introduced in Asian Games - The Singh (49kg) was the only Indian boxer to notch up the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has decided to gold medal in the Makran Cup held in Chabahar, Iran. reintroduce Cricket in the 2022 Asian Games to be held 11. Roger Federer claims 100th ATP title of his career - at Hangzhou, China. Roger Federer has claimed the 100th ATP title of his

February 2019

1. Afghanistan scores highest ever T20 International 8. Sri Lanka cricket team became the first Asian side to score - Afghanistan scored 278 for the loss of three win a Test series in South Africa after winning the wickets from their allotted 20 overs, to register the series by 2-0. highest-ever total in T20s at the Rajiv Gandhi Note: International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, • Before Sri Lanka, only Australia and England Uttarakhand against Ireland. have defeated South Africa in a Test series at Note: They toppled Australia’s record score of 263/3 home. which they achieved back in 2016 against Sri Lanka. 9. Ranji Trophy – Vidarbha defeated Saurashtra by 78 2. Irani Cup title 2018-19 - Vidarbha beat Rest of India runs in the final. to retain 2018–19 Irani Cup title in Nagpur. Note: Note: Vidarbha has now become the third team after • The defending champions Vidarbha won Mumbai and Karnataka to clinch two Irani Cup titles in the 85th Ranji Trophy title. a row. • Aditya Sarwate of was Vidarbha was 3. West Indian batsman Chris Gayle has announced that declared man of the match. he will retire from One-day Internationals after the • Vidarbha became the sixth team to forthcoming World Cup. successfully defend their title. 4. ‘Clouded Leopard’ to be Mascot for National Games • Mumbai (Bombay) have won the 2022 - The Sports and Youth Ministry in the meeting tournament the most number of times of Executive Committee of the National Games 2022 with 41 wins. has chosen the Smiling Clouded Leopard to be the • Ranji Trophy is named after Ranjitsinhji Mascot for the National Games 2022. Vibhaji Jadeja, who was famously referred Note: Meghalaya will host the 2022 National Games, to as ‘Ranji’. which is coinciding with its 50 years of statehood. 10. India's Rohit Sharma becomes highest run-scorer 5. Qatar Open title - Elise Merten, world number 21 in T20 cricket – India's Rohit Sharma (31-year) has from Belgium beat world number 3, Simona Halep to become the highest run scorer in the Twenty20 win the Qatar Open held in Doha, Qatar. International history while playing against New 6. Malaysia’s Nicol David most successful squash Zealand in Auckland. players of all time announced the retirement • Rohit Sharma (India) scored 2288 runs in 7. Cannes International Open Trophy - Indian 92 matches. Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta lifted the Cannes • He also became first Indian and the third International Open trophy. overall player to smash 100 sixes in T20 cricket.

69 www.gradeup.co 11. Smriti Mandhana becomes World No.1 Women’s 15. The 83rd edition of Senior National Badminton ODI batter - Indian women’s cricket team opener Championships has begun in Guwahati. Smriti Mandhana has become the top-ranked batter in 16. Jamie Chadwick from England made history by women’s ODI cricket, as per the latest rankings becoming the first female driver to win the MRF released by the ICC. challenge title after scoring a triple win in the final 12. Smriti Mandhana Scores India’s fastest-ever T20I round in Chennai. Fifty - Indian opener Smriti Mandhana hammered the 17. France’s Corentin Moutet has clinched the Chennai fastest fifty for India in Women’s T20Is in just 24 balls Open ATP Challenger tournament title after beating against New Zealand. Andrew Harris of Australia in the singles final. 13. Mithali Raj became First Woman to play 200 ODIs - 18. Golfer Vani Kapoor has become the first Indian to grab India captain Mithali Raj has become the first woman Australian Ladies PGA Tour (LPGA). cricketer to play 200 ODIs. 19. South Korean Footballer Ki Sung-yueng Announces • She is also the highest run-scorer in ODIs retirement. with 6622 runs at an average of 51.33, 20. The INS Dronacharya team won the Regatta trophy in including 7 hundred. the Kochi Area Pulling Regatta 2019 of the Southern 14. Ricky Ponting appointed as Assistant Coach of Naval Command (SNC) held in the Ernakulam Channel. Australia for 2019 World Cup. The main coach for the Australian Cricket team is Justin Langer.

January 2019

1. Australian Open 2019: List of Winners Note: • Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in the final to win the Australian Open 2019 title. • With this he won a record seventh Australian Open title and a third successive Grand Slam. • Novak Djokovic won the 15th Grand Slam title of his career. • Naomi Osaka was the winner of the Women's Singles in 2019. It was her 2nd Grand Slam singles title.

Event Winner Runner-Up Men’s Singles Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Rafael Nadal (Spain) Women’s Singles Naomi Osaka (Japan) Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) Men’s Doubles Pierre-Hugues Herbert Henri Kontinen (France) and Nicolas Mahut (Finland) and John (France) Peers (Australia) Women’s Doubles Samantha Stosur (Australia) Tímea Babos and Zhang Shuai (China) (Hungary) and Kristina Mladenovic (France)

70 www.gradeup.co Mix Doubles Barbora Krejčíková (Czech Astra Sharma Republic) and Rajeev Ram (Australia) and John- (United States) Patrick Smith (Australia)

2. Indonesia Masters Badminton Title 2019: List of Winners Event Winner Runner-Up Men’s Singles Anders Antonsen Kento Momota (Denmark) (Japan) Women’s Singles Saina Nehwal Carolina Marin (India) (Spain)

3. Former South Africa all-rounder Johan Botha has 8. Rohit Paudel of Nepal became the youngest batsman to announced his immediate retirement from all forms of hit International Half-Century Cricket. 9. West Indies captain Jason Holder has become the first 4. Mohammed Shami became Fastest Indian bowler player from the country in 45 years to top the list of to reach 100 ODI Wickets - Mohammed Shami all-rounders in the International Cricket Council Test became the fastest Indian bowler to claim 100 ODI Player Rankings after slamming an unbeaten double- wickets, during the first one-dayer against New century that helped script a memorable 381-run win Zealand at Napier. Shami reached the milestone in his over England in the first Test in Bridgetown. 56th match. 10. Ankita Raina wins ITF’s Tournament in Singapore – Note: India’s Ankita Raina has won the International Tennis • The Indian record was previously held by Federation’s 25,000-dollar Women’s tournament in Irfan Pathan, who got there in his 59th Singapore. match, against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 11. Kartik Sharma wins New South wales Men’s Amateur 2006. Golf Championship in Australia. • The world record is currently held by 12. Qatar defeated Japan to win First-ever Asian Cup title Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, in Football who needed only 44 games to reach the 13. Chennai’s Gukesh Crowned India’s Youngest mark. Grandmaster - D Gukesh became the 2nd youngest 5. Virat Kohli becomes first Asian captain to win Tests Grand Master in the world and the youngest Indian to in Australia, England and South Africa. achieve the feat at 12 years, 7 months and 17 days. Note: Kohli became the 1st Indian captain to win 14. Stephen Constantine resigns as Coach of Indian the opening Test of a series against Australia in Football Team - Indian football team head coach Australia Stephen Constantine has stepped down after the 6. India become first team to win bilateral series team’s shock 0-1 defeat to Bahrain which led to its exit across formats versus Australia - Virat Kohli-led from the Asian Cup. Indian cricket team became the first visiting team to 15. Shakil Ahmed sets world record in Indoor Rowing - win bilateral series across the three formats against Asian Cup gold medallist Shakil Ahmed has set up a Australia. world record in indoor rowing by completing 1 lakh 7. Rishabh Pant named ICC Emerging Player of The meters in above-40 years category in Kolkata. Year - Rishabh Pant was named the International 16. Bengaluru Raptors won 1st ever PBL Title – Cricket Council’s (ICC) Emerging Player of The Year. Bengaluru Raptors have won their first ever Premier Note: With an unbeaten 159-run knock in the 4th Badminton League, PBL title. Test in Sydney, Rishabh Pant became the first • In the title clash played at Bengaluru, Indian wicket-keeper to score a Test century in Bengaluru edged out Mumbai Rockets, Australia. with a 4-3 win.

71 www.gradeup.co 17. Kartik Singh becomes Youngest Indian to win Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev Junior World title - Gurgaon’s 8-year-old Kartik Singh to win the Hopman Cup for the second has won the under-8 category at the Kids’ Golf World year in a row. Championship. 25. The 80th National Table Tennis Championship was 18. Albie Morkel retires from all forms of Cricket - held at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. South African all-rounder, announced his retirement 26. Jasprit Bumrah becomes Highest International from all forms of cricket. Wicket-Taker in 2018 19. Harendra Singh removed as Indian Men’s Hockey • Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah became Team Coach. the highest international wicket-taker 20. Mary Kom Attains No. 1 position in AIBA Rankings across formats in 2018. – M C Mary Kom has attained number one position in • He took a total of 78 wickets in the the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) latest calendar year. world rankings. 27. Smriti Mandhana named ICC Women’s Cricketer of 21. Egypt to host 2019 African Cup of Nations – Seven- the Year time champions Egypt have won the hosting rights for • India’s opener Smriti Mandhana has been the 2019 edition of the African Cup of Nations. named as the International Cricket Council 22. Sydney & Brisbane to host $15 million ATP Cup in (ICC) Women’s Cricketer of the Year. 2020 - Australian cities Sydney and Brisbane have • She also named as the ICC Women’s ODI been announced as the first two host locations for the Player of the Year. newest team event in men’s tennis for the multi- 28. ICC Awards 2018 – The list of Awards is as follows: million dollar ATP Cup from 2020. • Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC 23. Khelo India Youth Games 2019 – The second edition Cricketer of the Year: Virat Kohli of the Khelo India Youth Games was held from 09 Jan – • ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year: Virat 20 Jan 2019 in Pune, Maharashtra. Kohli Note: • ICC ODI Player of the Year: Virat Kohli • Maharashtra tops medal tally with 228 • ICC Emerging Player of the Year: Rishabh medals. Pant • Haryana stood on the second spot and • ICC Associate Player of the Year: Calum Delhi is on the third spot. MacLeod • The first edition of the Khelo India Youth • T20I Performance of the Year: Aaron Finch Games 2018 was held at New Delhi. • ICC Spirit of Cricket award: Williamson State Gold Silver Bronze Total • Umpire of the Year: Kumar Dharmasena 1.Maharashtra 85 62 81 228 Note: 2. Haryana 62 56 60 178 • Virat Kohli became the first player in history to win the Sir Garfield Sobers 3. Delhi 48 37 51 136 Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year and the

ICC ODI Player of the Year awards. 24. Hopman Cup: Roger Federer & Belinda Bencic • He was also named the captain of the ICC retain title for Switzerland Test and ODI teams of the year for 2018. • Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Belinda

Bencic secured victory over Germany’s

Science & Defense

Military Exercise

72 www.gradeup.co April 2019

1. Varuna 19.1 - naval exercise between India & France. • The first part of the Indo-French joint naval exercise, Varuna 19.1 conducted in Off Goa Coast. • The second part, Varuna 19.2, is scheduled to be held at the end of May in Djibouti. 2. ‘Bold Kurukshetra–2019 - joint military exercise between India & Singapore held in Babina Cantonment in Jhansi. 3. African Lion 2019 - joint military exercise between Morocco and the US held in southern Morocco. 4. IN – VPN BILAT EX - bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Vietnam Peoples’ Navy conducted at/ off Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.

March 2019

1. AUSINDEX - bilateral joint exercise between India and Australia held in held in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 2. Mitra shakti-VI - bilateral joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka. The exercise is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy in Sri Lanka. 3. AFINDEX-19 – Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 for India and African nations held at Aundh Military Station, Pune. 4. Al Nagah 2019 – bilateral joint exercise between India and Oman held at at Jabel Al Akhdar Mountains in Oman. 5. ‘Mainamati Maitree Exercise 2019’ – b/w India & Bangladesh • Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) took part in the ‘Mainamati Maitree Exercise 2019 which was held in held in Agartala, Tripura.

February 2019

1. ‘Sampriti 2019’ – (8th edition) joint military exercise between India & Bangladesh held in at Tangail, Bangladesh. 2. Vayu Shakti’ Exercise - Indian Air Force conducted mega exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ in Pokhran, Rajasthan. 3. Cobra Gold Military Exercises – Thailand and the United States hosted the annual Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand. • Apart from the 2 countries, 7 countries who participated in the exercise were India, Singapore, Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea.

January 2019

1. `Exercise Rahat´ - Joint Humanitarian Assistance and • The annual Exercise Cutlass Express is Disaster Relief Exercise `Exercise Rahat´ concluded in sponsored by U.S. Africa Command Jaipur, Rajasthan. (USAFRICOM) and conducted by Naval 2. ‘Exercise Topchi’ - Indian Army carried out the annual Forces Africa (NAVAF). exercise named ‘Exercise Topchi’ which was held at 5. Disaster Control Exercise: The coast guards of India Deolali Camp near Nashik. and Japan undertook disaster control, search and 3. ‘Aman 19’ - The 5-day multinational maritime exercise rescue exercises off the coast of Yokohama in Japan. ‘AMAN-19’ in which 46 nations participated from all Note: over the world was formally commenced at Pakistan • Ship ICGS Shaunak is Navy Dockyard in Karachi. the main Indian ship took part in the drills. 4. ‘Cutclass Express 2019’ - INS Trikand, the frontline • The ICGS Shaunkak is a 105-metre class warship of the Indian Navy, participated in a multi- Offshore Patrol Vessel and is one of the national training exercise ‘CUTCLASS EXPRESS 2019’. largest ships in the Indian Coast Guard.

73 www.gradeup.co 6. IAFTX 2019: Indian Africa Field Training Exercise 7. IMBEX 2018-19: bilateral army exercise between (IAFTX) will be held at Aundh Military Station and India & Myanmar was held in Chandimandir Military College of Military Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra. Station in Haryana. The joint training exercise is being conducted with 8. ‘Sea Vigil’: Indian Navy commenced the largest coastal more than a dozen African countries & India. defence exercise off the Indian coast.

Science & Technology

April

1. China Launches Its 2nd Generational Data Relay projects dedicated to next-generation Satellite, Tianlian II-01 technology. 2. Astronomers Capture first-ever image of a Black • Note: Accra is the capital and Cedi is the Hole – Astronomers have taken the first-ever image of currency of Ghana. a black hole, which is located in a distant galaxy known 7. South Korea launches World’s First National 5G as ‘Messier 87’ (M87) around 55 million light-years Networks – South Korea launches the world’s first away from Earth. fully-fledged 5G mobile networks. The system will • It was captured by the Event Horizon bring smartphones near-instantaneous connectivity 20 Telescope (EHT), a network of eight linked times faster than the existing 4G allowing users to telescopes. It measures 40 billion km space download entire movies in less than a second. across and has been described by scientists as 8. Nepal launches Its first Satellite from USA - Nepal’s “a monster”. first satellite NepaliSat-1 was launched into space 3. ISRO launches PSLV C-45 carrying EMISAT & 28 from the Virginia-based station of the National Nano Satellites – The Indian Space Research Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the Organisation (ISRO) has launched a Defence US. Intelligence Satellite, EMISAT in its 47th Polar Satellite • NepaliSat-1 will start rotating around the Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission, along with 28 other Earths orbit to collect information about the customer satellites, onboard the advanced PSLV-C45 country’s topography and Earths magnetic Rocket. field. • The PSLV C45 was launched from ISRO’s Satish • The satellite also bears the Nepal flag and logo Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology 4. Tesla Builds its ‘largest Energy Storage System in (NAST). Asia’ – Tesla has developed its ‘largest power storage • The satellite is equipped with a 5MP camera to system in Asia’ at Osaka train station in Japan to capture Nepal’s topography and a reduce energy demand and provide emergency backup magnetometer to collect data related to the power to trains in Japan. Earth’s magnetic field. 5. Google launches new cloud platform Anthos – 9. Sri Lanka’s 1st Satellite ‘Raavana-1’ launched into Google launched Anthos, a new open platform from Space – Sri Lanka’s first satellite Raavana-1 was Google Cloud, that lets users run applications from launched into space from NASA’s Flight Facility on anywhere. Virginia’s east shore. 6. Google has opened its first African artificial • Raavana 1 weights around 1.05 kg and is 1000 intelligence (AI) centre in Ghana – Google has cubic centimetres in size. opened its first African artificial intelligence (AI) • The minimum lifespan of the satellite is around centre in Accra, Ghana. one and a half years and it is expected to be • The research laboratory will host software active for five years. engineers and research scientists to work on

74 www.gradeup.co • Raavana 1 satellite was designed and built at - Beresheet is an Israeli mission. It is the first privately the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan by funded lunar mission. two Sri Lankan research engineers. • Beresheet crashed during landing on lunar • Raavana 1 satellite’s camera mission is to surface. capture images of Sri Lanka and its • It was launched with a partnership between neighbouring countries. non-profit Spacell_ and government owned 10. First privately funded mission to the Moon aerospace company of Israel ‘Beresheet’ spacecraft crashed into the moon’s surface • .

March

1. ISRO launches ‘Yuva Vigyani Karyakram’ for School She has been developed in collaboration with Sogou Children – Indian Space Research Organisation has Inc, a search engine company. launched ‘Yuva VIgyani Karyakram’, a ‘Young Scientist 4. Bandicoot- a drainage cleaning Robot Introduced Programme’ for the School Children to be studying in in Chennai – Bandicoot, a drainage-cleaning robot, has the 9th standard. been introduced for the first time in India at the 2. NASA to launch SPHEREx Mission to Investigate Kumbakonam city corporation as part of efforts to rid Universe – NASA has announced a new space of manual scavenging at the cost of Rs 18 lakh in telescope mission dedicated to understanding the Chennai, Tamil Nadu. origins of life and the universe. 5. First Humanoid Police Robot KP-BOT launched in • It’s called the Spectro-Photometer for the Kerala – Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization inaugurated India’s first Humanoid Police Robot and Ices Explorer or SPHEREx, for short. The named KP-BOT, ranked as Sub-Inspector (SI), at the space agency is aiming for a 2023 launch. Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 3. China’s Xinhua unveils World’s First Female AI • The robot’s gender is declared female keeping News Anchor – Chinese news agency Xinhua unveiled in mind women empowerment and gender the world’s first female AI news anchor Xin Xiaomeng. equality.

January & February 2019

1. BSNL to Offer Data Connectivity Services via SMS in • India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 India launched successfully from Kourou Launch • BSNL has signed a partnership agreement with Base, French Guiana (at Indian time- 2:31 the French company Be-Bound to offer data am). connectivity through SMS in areas where there Note: is no Internet connectivity or signal breaks. • GSAT-31 (India’s 40th communication • The SMS based data connectivity will work satellite) will provide transponder with the help of a technology embedded in a capacity for DTH television and mobile App. connectivity to services like VSATs for • The connectivity is based on SMS sent to and ATMs, stock-exchanges, Digital Satellite fro between the app and the Be-Bound server. News Gathering DSNG and e-governance • This technology was first introduced in France applications. and it is also being tested in some of the • GSAT-31 had a lift-off mass of 2536 kg and African countries. In India, BSNL is in talks operational life of over fifteen years. with some apps to implement the technology. 3. Isro to set up Human Space Flight Centre in 2. ISRO launches GSAT31 from French Guiana Bengaluru Gaganyaan mission - The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is setting up a ‘Human

75 www.gradeup.co Space Flight Centre’ in Bengaluru, which will support part of Isro’s efforts to reach out to the student its quest of making country’s maiden manned space community. mission a success. 7. Samwad with Students Note: • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has • The total fund for the Gaganyaan launched an outreach programme called programme is Rs 10,000 crore. Samwad with Students. 4. ISRO Successfully launched PSLV C44 Carrying • Isro’s outreach programme was aimed at Kalamsat & Microsat R satellite motivating young India and tapping their • The Indian Space Research Organisation scientific potential. successfully launched the PSLV C 44 carrying 8. Pune to soon be first city in country to see a traffic Kalamsat and imaging satellite Microsat R. robot • The satellite was launched from the Sathish • The traffic police authorities of Pune are Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota, Andhra planning to introduce a robot named ‘Roadeo’ Pradesh. which would move around city roads, About Kalamsat functioning as a quasi-traffic policeman and • Kalamsat is a payload developed by students cautioning commuters about traffic rules and and Chennai based Space Kidz India for the offences. first time. • Roadeo consists of 16-inch LED display to • Kalamsat, a 10-CM size cube and weighing 1.2 showcase traffic rules and other important kg said to be the lightest satellite of India. messages such as ‘Wear a helmet’, ‘Do not About Microsat-R (military satellite) jump the signal’ and others. • Microsat-R is an earth observing satellite • It is a first of its kind initiative in the entire manufactured by DRDO and launched by country. Indian Space Research Organisation. • The Robot “Roadeo” is developed by SP • Microsat-R is primarily a dedicated military Robotics Maker Lab, a Pune based laboratory satellite for the 's that trains people to learn about robotics and . build tech themselves. 5. Facebook to set up an Institute for Ethics in 9. First manned mission to space by December 2021: Artificial Intelligence ISRO chief • Facebook grants $7.5 million to set up an • ISRO Chairman Dr. K Sivan has announced Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) that the organization is well prepared to in collaboration with the Technical University meet the targets of launching Gaganyaan of Munich (TUM) in Germany. manned mission to outer space by • The Institute will help to advance the growing December 2021. field of ethical research on new technology and • Under Gaganyaan project, India is will explore fundamental issues affecting the planning to send three astronauts to outer use and impact of AI. space for seven days and bring them back. • The Institute will explore the ethical issues of • The initial training for Gaganyaan will be AI and develop ethical guidelines for the done in India and advanced training might responsible use of technology in society and happen in Russia. the economy. • Women astronauts will be there on the • TUM was ranked 6th in the world for AI team. research by the Times Higher Education magazine in 2018. The salient features of the Gaganyaan Mission are: 6. Young Scientist Programme • The Mission aims to carry three human beings for • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a maximum period of seven days in space with the announced Young Scientist Programme to support of academia, the scientific community, inculcate and nurture space research fervour industry, IAF and Isro (Indian Space Research in young minds. Young Scientist programme is Organisation).

76 www.gradeup.co • India will launch two unmanned missions before • India’s first lunar probe Chandrayaan-1 was the final mission. launched by the ISRO in October 2008 and • The first unmanned test-flight will be launched in operated till August 2009. December 2020. 13. China’s Chang’e 4 probe makes historic touchdown • The second unmanned test will be conducted in • China’s Chang’e 4 probe spacecraft has become the July 2021 and the human space flight will be first spacecraft to land on the far side of the moon. launched in December 2021. • Chang’e 4 is a Chinese lunar exploration mission • A human-rated GSLV Mk-lll will be used to carry that aims to achieve soft-landing on the far side of the orbital module. the Moo Union Cabinet approves budget for Gaganyaan project • The mission aims to deliver samples of Moon rock • The Union Cabinet has approved a budget and soil to Earth. of Rs 10,000 crore for India’s Gaganyaan 14. Japan Launches Satellite for World’s 1st Artificial project. Meteor Shower 10. Govt allocates Rs 10,900 Cr For Development of 40 • Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has Satellite Launch Vehicles launched Tokyo-based startup Star-ALE’s • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mini-satellite aimed to deliver the world’s first Chairman Dr. K Sivan stated that the Union artificial meteor shower. Government has allocated 10,900 crore 15. IIT-M recreates Space Fuel rupees for the development of 40 satellite • The researchers from the Indian Institute of launch vehicles in the next 4 years. Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have recreated 11. Paper Sensor to detect freshness of Milk space fuel by simulating interstellar conditions • Scientists from the Indian Institute of in the laboratory. Technology, Guwahati, have developed a • It is a big breakthrough for India in the paper kit to test the freshness of milk and exploration of cleaner and sustainable determine how well the milk has been alternatives to fossil fuel. pasteurized. 16. NASA Discovers new planet ‘HD 21749b’ 12. Chandrayaan-2 mission launch most likely in Feb: • The National Aeronautics and Space ISRO Administration (NASA) of USA has discovered • Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) a new planet. will most likely launch Chandrayaan-2, the • It is the third new planet discovered by the country’s second mission to the Moon in NASA mission, Transiting Exoplanet Survey the month of February. Satellite (TESS). The features of the Chandrayaan-2 mission are: • The new planet HD 21749b is outside our solar • Chandrayaan-2 mission is a totally system and orbits a dwarf star 53 light years indigenous venture comprising of an away. orbiter, a lander and a rover. • HD 21749b orbits a bright star in the • The rover will observe the lunar surface constellation Reticulum. and send back the data. This data will be • It has the longest orbital period of all the three useful for analysis of the lunar soil. discoveries made by TESS. • The payloads will collect scientific • HD 21749b orbits its star in a relatively information on lunar topography, leisurely 36 days. mineralogy, elemental abundance, lunar • The other two discoveries made by the TESS exosphere and signatures of hydroxyl and probe are Pi Mensae b and LHS 3844b. water-ice. • Pi Mensae b has an orbit of 6.3 days and LHS • The 3,290-kg Chandrayaan-2 will orbit the 3844b has an orbit of just 11 hours. Moon and perform the objectives of 17. IIT-H Launches full-fledged B.Tech in Artificial remote sensing the moon. Intelligence Note: • Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT- H) has announced the launch of a full-fledged

77 www.gradeup.co bachelor’s programme in Artificial Intelligence • The new course will have 20 seats and the (AI) technology from the new academic eligibility is clearing the JEE-Advanced test. session, a first for the country and only the third globally.

Defence News

May 2019

1. Indian Army to commemorate 2019 as ‘Year of the Indian Navy. The cost of the deal would be around next of kin’ – The Indian Army is commemorating this Rs 3,600 crore. year as the ‘Year of Next of Kin’ and plans to reach out 4. Indian Navy launches 4th Scorpene Class to the next of kin of battle casualties, ex-servicemen Submarine INS Vela – The fourth of Indian Navy’s and serving soldiers to inform them of entitled stealth Scorpene class Submarines of Project 75, INS financial benefits, welfare schemes and help resolve Vela was launched at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of pension-related problems. Mazagon Dock Limited at Mumbai in Maharashtra. 2. First AH-64E (I) – Apache Guardian helicopter was formally handed over to the Indian Air Force at Boeing 5. INS Ranjit to be decommissioned – INS Ranjit, an production facility in Arizona, USA. Indian navy destroyer built by erstwhile USSR, is set to • IAF had signed a contract with US Government be decommissioned. The third of the five Kashin-class and M/s Boeing Ltd in Sep 2015 for 22 Apache destroyers, it was commissioned in 1983 and has helicopters. rendered service to the Navy for over 36 years. 3. India to purchase 10 Kamov-31 Choppers from • The ship will be decommissioned at a solemn Russia for INR 3,600 cr – Defence ministry has ceremony at the Naval dockyard in approved the procurement of 10 Kamov Ka-31 Visakhapatnam. Airborne Early Warning and Control helicopters for April 2019

1. Navy Chief launches new guided Missile destroyer sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ from a test range in ‘INS Imphal’ – Indigenously designed ‘INS Imphal’ a Odisha. guided missile destroyer was launched by Navy Chief • The all-weather missile, has a 1,000-kilometre Sunil Lanba at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited strike range. (MDL) in Mumbai. This ship is designed by the Indian • The missile has been developed by Bengaluru- Navy’s Directorate of Naval Designs, New Delhi. based Aeronautical Development 2. INS Kolkata, INS Shakti to participate in IFR in Establishment (ADE), a lab under Defence China – The Indian Navy will participate in Research and Development Organisation International Fleet Review (IFR) that is scheduled to (DRDO). take place in Qingdao, China as part of 70th 4. Indian Army builds Longest Suspension bridge Anniversary celebrations of People’s Liberation Army over River Indus in Leh-Ladakh – The Indian Army Navy (PLA Navy). has successfully built the longest suspension bridge • The Indian Navy would be represented in the ‘Matiri Bridge’ over the Indus River in the Leh-Ladakh IFR by indigenously built stealth guided region. missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet • Built in a record time of 40 days ‘Maitri Bridge’ support ship INS Shakti. is longest Suspension Bridge over Indus River. 3. India successfully test fires Sub-Sonic Cruise 5. India’s 1st Indigenously built Dhanush Howitzer Missile ‘Nirbhay’ - India has successfully test-fired Inducted in Army – In a major boost to India’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range firepower, country’s first indigenously designed and developed Dhanush artillery gun was inducted in the

78 www.gradeup.co Indian Army during a ceremony held at Ordnance Ltd (GRSE) became the ‘first Indian shipyard’ to build Factory in Jabalpur, MP. and deliver 100 warships. • Dhanush 155mm/45 calibre towed gun 7. Coast Guard Patrol Ship Veera Commissioned – system can be deployed in all types of terrains. Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat commissioned • The Dhanush gun system is based on the the Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera at a ceremony held designs of the Bofors howitzer which was at Naval Jetty at the dockyard at Vishakhapatnam, inducted in the Army in the 1980. Andhra Pradesh. 6. GRSE becomes first Indian Shipyard to deliver 100 • Veera, third in the series of offshore patrol Warships – Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers vessels of the Coast Guard, was built by L&T at its shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli in Chennai. March

1. Chinook Helicopters inducted in Indian Air Force – WEAPON rocket system from Pokhran range in The Indian Air Force formally inducted the CH 47 F(I)- Rajasthan. Chinook heavy-lift helicopters into its inventory at Air 4. US Special Operations Forces hold Exercise with Force Station Chandigarh. NSG In Hyderabad – The United States Special Forces • IAF had signed a contract with M/s Boeing Ltd Group stationed in Japan is involved in a joint exercise in September 2015 for 15 Chinook helicopters. with India’s National Security Guard in Hyderabad, 2. The Indian Navy’s state of the art Nuclear, Biological, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces and Chemical Training Facility (NBCTF) was of the two countries. inaugurated by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil 5. ‘Vijit’ becomes 1st Indian Coast Guard Ship to visit Lanba at INS Shivaji, Lonavala. The training facility has Indonesia – Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Vijit’ became the been named ABHEDYA, which means impenetrable in first-ever Coast Guard ship to visit Sabang, Indonesia. Sanskrit. 3. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test fired the PINAKA guided

February 2019

1. Aero India 2019 held in Bengaluru – The 12th edition of international aerospace and defence exhibition, Aero India 2019 was held on February 24, 2019 at air force station Yelahanka in Bengaluru. • It was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. • The Aero India 2019 had tagline “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities” that aims to bolster business in the international aviation sector and provide a platform to showcase India’s aeronautical advancements. 2. India signed deal with US to procure 72,400 Assault Rifles – The Indian Government has signed a deal with the US under Fast Track Procurement (FTP) to avail the Indian Army with 72,400 new ‘Sig Sauer Assault Rifles’ which will overhaul the army’s inventory of frontline rifles. 3. Hina Jaiswal becomes the First Indian Woman Flight Engineer – Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal from Chandigarh, became the First Indian Woman Flight Engineer of the Indian Air Force(IAF). 4. Iran’s First Semi-Heavy Missile-Equipped Submarine Fateh Unveiled – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani unveiled the first Iranian made semi-heavy submarine named ‘Fateh’capable of being fitted with missiles. • It has subsurface-to-surface missiles with a range of about 2,000 km (1,250 miles) and is capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military bases in the region. January 2019

1. Iran announced the successful test flight of Hoveizeh 2. Indian Navy test-fires LRSAM missile off Odisha long-range cruise missile. coast

79 www.gradeup.co • The Indian Navy has successfully test-fired 6. National Conference on Self Reliance in Defence the long-range surface-to-air missile Manufacturing is organised at Hyderabad. The (LRSAM) from warship INS Chennai, off National Conference is being held by Forum for the coast of Odisha. Integrated National Security in association with • It was jointly developed by Defence Indigenous Defence Entrepreneurs Association. Research and Development Organisation 7. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba Commissioned (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries New Naval Air Base ‘INS Kohassa’ (IAI) for the Indian Navy. • Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba • LRSAM is capable of achieving a maximum commissioned the new Naval Air Base ‘INS speed of Mach 2 and has an operational Kohassa’ at Diglipur in Andaman and range of 70km. Nicobar Islands. • LRSAM also known as Barak 8, the missile • It will be the third naval air base in the can counter-attack aircraft, unmanned islands. aerial vehicles (UAVs) and incoming anti- 8. India's second defence innovation hub to come up ship missiles. in Nashik, Maharashtra' 3. Women to get 20% jobs in Military Police • Nashik in Maharashtra will be the site of • The Union Defence Minister Nirmala the country's second defence innovation Sitharaman has announced the decision to hub after Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. induct women in Personnel Below Officer • India's first defence innovation hub will be Rank, PBOR, role in Corps of Military set up in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It will be Police. set up by Coimbatore District Small • The women will be inducted in a graded Industries Association (Codissia). manner to eventually comprise 20% of • In January last year, Sitharaman had total Corps of Military Police. announced a fund of Rs 20 crore to set up 4. Diffo Bridge of Arunachal Pradesh Inaugurated the centre under Codissia in the city. • In Arunachal Pradesh, Defence Minister 9. Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor Nirmala Sitharaman on January 18, inaugurated in Tiruchirapalli inaugurated the Diffo Bridge over Chipu • The Union Defence Minister Nirmala River in Lower Dibang Valley District. Sitharaman inaugurated the Tamil Nadu • The construction of the Bridge was Defence Industrial Corridor in undertaken by the Project Udayak of the Tiruchirapalli, 300 km from Chennai a Border Roads Organisation. total investment of Rs 3,100 crore. 5. PM Modi inaugurates country’s first private • The Defence Industrial Corridor will Howitzer plant include - Chennai, Hosur, Salem and • Prime Minister Narendra Modi Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli as the nodes. inaugurated the Armoured Systems • The Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Complex (ASC), developed by Larsen & Corridor — also called the Tamil Nadu Toubro (L&T) at Hazira near Surat in Defence Production Quad. Gujarat. Note: • This is the country’s first private facility • This is the second Defence Industrial where the K9 Vajra self-propelled Corridor to be inaugurated in the country Howitzer guns will be manufactured. after Uttar Pradesh. L&T had won the Rs 4,500-crore contract • The first defence corridor was launched in to supply 100 units of the K9 Vajra-T 155 Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in August 2018. mm/52 calibre Tracked Self-Propelled gun • Tamil Nadu Aerospace Park opened at systems to the Indian Army in 2017. Sriperumbudur in Chennai.

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