Rajasthan Specific Current Affairs 2020 August 2020

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www.gradeup.co Rajasthan Specific Current Affairs 2020 August 2020

1. The National Commission on Population under for women it is expected to increase the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 71 to74. (MoHFW) submitted the Report of the Technical 2. Government of Rajasthan Approves 5% group on population projections July 2020, titled Reservation in Judicial Service for More “Population projections for India and States Backward Classes 2011- 2036”. • The Rajasthan government • The report projected that the India’s sex amended the Rajasthan Judicial ratio of the total population (females per Service Rules 2010 through the 1000 males) is expected to be more cabinet of Rajasthan on the feminine in 2036 compared to the initiative of Ashok Gehlot, chief population as of 2011. Minister of Rajasthan to provide • The report has estimated the sex ratio to 5% reservation in the state judicial increase from 943 in 2011 to 957 in2036. service for the More Backward • India’s Infant Mortality Rate Classes(MBC) instead of 1%. (IMR) is reported to be 46 in 2010 • The more backward classes include which is expected to reduce to 30 Gurjars, Raika-Rabari, Gadiya-Lohars, by the end of 2031-2035. Banjara and Gadariya. • Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is expected to decline from 2.34 during 2011-2015 to 3. Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 1.73 during 2031-35. • NITI Aayog in partnership with Institute • The report projects India’s of Competitiveness released the Export population to increase by 25.7% in Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020. 25 years at a rate of 1% annually • Gujarat has topped the ranking, Rajasthan i.e., from 121.1 crore to 151.8 crore stood at 4th rank with a score of 62.59 during2011-36. which is highest in the category of • For men the life expectancy is landlocked states. expected to increase from 66 to 69 and July 2020

1. Rajeeva Swarup appointed as new Chief ensure the purity of milk and other dairy Secretary of Rajasthan products. • Rajasthan Government appointed Rajeeva 3. One-Stop Shop’ Scheme to Fast-Track Swarup the current Additional Chief Investments. Secretary (Home) as the new Chief • Rajasthan Cabinet has approved ‘One-Stop Secretary (CS) of Rajasthan replacing Shop’ Scheme– OSS (earlier known as incumbent D.B. Gupta in the bureaucratic single window clearance system) to fast reshuffle amid COVID-19 pandemic. track investment and capacity expansion 2. “Pure for Sure” Campaign proposals by facilitating time-bound approvals and clearances. This will help

• The week long campaign has been revive industries in the midst of the launched by the Rajasthan government to COVID-19 pandemic.

www.gradeup.co • As per the scheme, entrepreneurs who (MMR) in India has declined to 113 in invest above Rs 10 crore will be able to get 2016-18 from 122 in 2015-17 and 130 in 98 types of clearance under one roof at 2014-2016 and almost 100 deaths lesser OSS under the Bureau of Investment than in the period of 2007-2009. Promotion(BIP) of the State Industries • According to the report the MMR of Department. Rajasthan is 164. • Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): It is 4. Registrar General’s Sample Registration defined as the proportion of maternal System (SRS) deaths per 1,00,000 live births, reported • The “Special Bulletin on Maternal under the SRS. Mortality in India 2016-18” has been 5. Rajasthan is set to open the first plasma bank in released by the Office of the Registrar the state in the city of Jaipur. In india the first General’s Sample Registration System plasma bank was established in New Delhi. (SRS), the Maternal Mortality Ratio June 2020

1. Raj Kaushal Portal teachers and laboratory assistants have already been appointed. • Online Shramik Employment Exchange, • All arrangements will be made for the ‘Raj Kaushal Portal’ developed by the maintenance of classrooms and the department of Information and continuation of the new education system. Technology(IT) and Rajasthan Skill & Livelihoods Development 3. Indira RasoiYojna Corporation(RSLDC) was launched by • A sum of 100 crore has been allotted for Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. this scheme which aims to provide • The purpose of development of the portal nutritious meals to the poors in the state has been to provide employment to twice at a day at highly subsidized rataes. migrant workers and to provide industries facing labour shortage with workers. • District collectors will head the scheme in their respective states. • Rajasthan is the first State to establish a

Mission on Livelihoods. Rajasthan • The previous meal scheme of Rajasthan, Mission on Livelihood (RMoL) was AnnapuranRasoi Yojana was launched in created to address the challenges of December 2016. It was launched by unemployment and ensure gainful and VasundhraRaje, the then Chief Minister of sustainable employment to the youth of the Rajasthan. The food were provided at rates state in September 2004. of Rs 5 and Rs 8 for breakfast and lunch respectively and was expired on March 2. Pact With POWERGRID &EdCIL to Setup 31st 2020. Smart Classrooms in 100 Schools 4. STARS Project • E-content syllabus will be available for students from classes 1 to 12. In each • ‘Strengthening Teaching-Learning and school 4 teachers will be trained to teach Results for States Program (STARS)’ students in smart classrooms. project to improve the quality and governance of school education across six • The priority for establishing the smart states will be implemented with a loan of classrooms will be given to schools 500 million dollar from the World Bank. located in remote areas where computer

www.gradeup.co • The six states that will benefit from the 7. The department of local self-government has program are- Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, announced the formation of 16 new Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, municipalities in Rajasthan. The districts where and Rajasthan. new municipalities have been created are – 5. Jayanti Lal Nanoma passed away at 34 • Jaipur – Bassi&Pavta Municipality • Former international archer and Archery • Alwar – Laxmangarh&Bansur coach of Rajasthan, JayantilalNanoma Municipality passed away at the age of 34 in Geetanjali • Dausa - Mandavari Municipality Hospital, Udaipur due to injuries caused in • Jodhpur – Bhopalgarh Municipality the road accident. • Sirohi - Javal Municipality 6. A ‘meteorite’like object fell from the sky in • Bharatpur – Sikari&Uchhain Municipality Sanchore town of Rajasthan’s Jalore district • Karauli – Sapotara Municipality creating a 2-3 feet deep crater. • Kota – Sultanpur Municipality • Sriganganagar – Lalgarh-Jatan • A meteorite is the term given to a piece of Municipality a comet or asteroid that falls into the • Baran – Ataru Municipality Earth’s atmosphere and survives to hit the • Dholpur – Sirmathura&Basedi surface. Municipality May 2020

1. Employment under MGNREGS for 100 days of employment in every • Chattisgarh has topped among other financial year to adult members of any states in providing employment under rural household who willingly does MGNREGS to over 18 lakh unskilled unskilled manualwork. labourers. 2. Birth Anniversary of Maharana Pratap. • Rajasthan stood at 2nd position by • Maharana Pratap was the 13th king of the providing employment to 10.79 lakh kingdom of Mewar. His birth anniversary workers followed by UP and West is celebrated every year on 9thMay(born Bengal. year 1540). • The data has been released by the Union • Battle of Haldighati was fought by him on Rural Development Ministry. 18th June 1576. • MGNREGS provides a legal guarantee April 2020

1. Rajasthan became the first state to carry out the 2. Partnership of Rajasthan and MedCords Rapid Test for COVID-19. • The Government of Rajasthan has • State’s urban primary health centre of partnered with MedCords, a healthcare TopkhanaDesh (also known as Jaju startup to provide online consultations and Dispensary) in Jaipur started rapid tests for for delivering medicine to the people of corona virus. Rajasthan to control the COVID-19 • This test requires just a drop of blood and pandemic. MedCord will provide the it provides instant results. It is not a requirements of over 68 million people confirmatory test but is utilised for faster throughout Rajasthan through its isolation of positive individuals. 4

www.gradeup.co integrated solution – Aayu and for his significant contribution to arts SehatSathi app. and cinema. • The application “Aayu” – provides a • He also won the National Film Award platform for the patients to consult the and 4 Filmfare awards. doctors, get their history quickly and 4. SMILE Program order their medicines. The app also • SMILE stands for Social Media Interface contains a built-in coronavirus guide for for Learning Engagement. theusers. • Rajasthan School Education Council has established a new program named Smile 3. Irrfan Khan passed away at 53 from 13 april 2020. • Irrfan earned a scholarship to study at • Through this, students of about 65,097 National School of Drama (NSD) while government schools and 82,51,029 pursuing his MA (Master of Arts) students in Rajasthan will be able to degree. study from home. • Irrfan Khan was honoured with Padma Shri by the Government of India (GOI) March 2020

1. Brahmakumaris chief DadiJanki passed away at Chandan Singh Rathore passed away at 95 at his 104. residence in Jaipur. • RajyoginiDadiJanki, founder of About MahaVir Chakra &Vir Chakra BrahmakumarisSansthan (world’s largest • MVR is the 2nd highest decoration award spiritual organization run by women) after Param Vir Chakra for the brave deeds passed away at the age of 104 in Mount performed in the presence of the enemy, Abu, Rajasthan. whether on land, sea or air &Vir Chakra, the 3rd in a row. 2. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched • Biography of Chandan Singh Rathore - “A ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’in Kota, Rajasthan. Cavalier in the Sky” to be released soon. • Suposhit Maa Abhiyan: In the first phase 4. Rajasthan celebrated its statehood day on 30 of the campaign, 1,000 kits of 17 kg march. The state was formed on March 30, 1949. balanced diet each were provided to 1,000 Before this it was called “Rajputana”. pregnant women. • Under the scheme, 1000 women would be 5. According to a report submitted by CAG, given food items for 1 month. At the same Country’s 40% crimes related to environment time, the health of the child, including were reported from Rajasthan. The report has medical examination, blood tests, pointed out that wild life crime control units were medicines, delivery would be covered. not set up in the state. 3. Air Vice Marshal(AVM) retired, MahaVir Chakra recipient (1971) & Group Captain February 2020

1. 4th National Conference on Review of • It was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Implementation of Pradhan Mantri FasalBima • PMFBY provides a comprehensive Yojana (PMFBY) insurance cover to farmers against failure of the crop. 5

www.gradeup.co • The scheme is being implemented by the • The Conference assessed the national e- Ministry of Agriculture with an aim of governance services being delivered by all supporting sustainable production in the states and Union Territories. agriculture. • Delhi, Chandigarh and Daman and Diu emerged as the leaders in delivering e- 2. India FinTech Festival (IFF) 2020 held in governance services among Union Mumbai. Territories. Among the states, Haryana and Rajasthan emerged as leaders.

January 2020

1. Water efficiency survey 2019 under National MahakaviSethia Award for poetry during hydrology project JLF 2020. The award is given in memory of Rajasthani and Hindi poet

• Tamil nadu has topped the survey, KanhaiyalalSethia and carries a cash prize Rajastan held the third rank. of Rs. 1 Lakh • The survey was release by Ministry of Jal Shakti, it is a part of a mid-term review by 3. Sneha Pamneja, a well known Graphic designer the central and state government working based in New Delhi, was awarded Oxford with water to achieve the goal of providing Bookstore Book Cover Prize 2020 at Jaipur piped drinking water connections to every Literature Festival (JLF). household over the next 5 years. • She was given the award for designing the cover of the book ‘Tiffin: Authentic Recipes Celebrating India’s Regional 2. 13th Jaipur Literature Festival Cuisine’. • The 13th edition of the Zee Jaipur 4. NCRB Report 2018 Literature Festival (JLF) began at Diggi Palace Hotel in Jaipur. • The report stated that Uttar Pradesh • Author Ashwin Sanghi launched his book accounted for the maximum number of ‘The Vault of Vishnu’ through economic offences in 2018 with 22,822 SonaliBendreBehl. cases recorded. • The Bloomsbury Anthology of Great • It was followed by Rajasthan, Indian Poems edited by poet-diplomat Maharashtra, Telangana and Bihar in the Abhay K was also launched. It includes 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rank respectively. 200 poems.

• Renowned poet and literary critic Arvind Krishna Mehrotra was awarded 5th

Important News: Other States

August 2020

✓ Madhya Pradesh state government has ✓ Maharashtra government approved MagNet launched a public awareness campaign “Ek project worth Around Rs 1,000 crore to Help Mask-AnekZindagi” from August 1-15. Farmers. Note: This will boost the fruit and vegetable production and will improve processing and

www.gradeup.co minimise the losses in the sector of provide free sanitary napkins to girls and perishables. women of below poverty line (BPL) families. ✓ Andhra Pradesh state government has signed ✓ Haryana state government has launched an MoU with Hindustan Unilever Ltd, P&G “:Mukhya Mantri DoodhUphar Yojana” to and ITC to Support Economic Empowerment provide fortified flavoured skimmed milk of Women. powder to women and children. ✓ Union territories Dadra and Nagar Haveli & ✓ Chhattisgarhgovernment has launched Daman and Diuhas launched E-Gyan Mitra “Shaheed Mahendra Karma mobile application for online education. TendupattaSangrahakSamajik Suraksha Note: Through the app, the students from Yojana” for tendu leaves collectors. primary till the higher secondary can take Note: Used for making bidis (leaf-wrapped online classes along with attempting. The app cigarettes), these are collected by forest will have lectures and quizzes posted by dwellers and from them it is purchased by the teachers along with a system of monitoring in state government.Mahendra Karma was which teachers can monitor students’ progress popularly known as Bastar tiger for his tough ✓ ‘Thenzawl Golf Resort’ project has been stand against Naxals.He was among 29 people, inaugurated in Mizoram. including senior Congress leaders, who were Note: The project will develop Golf Tourism killed in a Naxal attack in Jhiram valley of attracting both national and international Bastar district on May 25, 2013. tourist in the country. It will have an ✓ Maharashtra became the first state in India to international standard of 18 holes Golf Course collaborate with Google India for state-wide with a total cost of Rs 92.25 crore. Designed distribution of G suite for Education and by: Canadian based Golf Course Architect Google Classroom. Firm Graham Cooke & Associates and 30 Eco ✓ The Ministry of Railways has inaugurated a Log Huts. dedicated museum for railways in Hubballi, ✓ ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ awareness programme Karnataka. launched by Andhra Pradesh is related to Note: This is the first of its kind museum in Cybercrime. Northern Karnataka and second in South Note: It is a month-long online campaign that Western Railways after the historic railway will create awareness on Cyber crimes across museum at Mysore, Karnataka.The main the State with slogan ‘Let us make August a objective of the museum is to preserve and month of e-freedom and e-safety. portray the glorious heritage of various ✓ Haryana state government has launched branches of Railways and displays the gradual “ParivarPehchan Patra” to enable the evolution of advanced systems in all spheres citizens to get the benefits of various central of Railway. and state government schemes. ✓ Gujarat state government has launched Note: PPP each family will be considered as a Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojana. single unit and will be allotted a 8 digit unique Note: The yojana has been announced for the identification number. The 8-digit number will current Kharif season and all farmers of the enable seamless delivery of state government state will be covered under this scheme. services. Farmers would not have to pay any premium ✓ Uttarakhand state is set develop India’s first or registration process for the scheme. Snow Leopard Conservation centre. ✓ Assamstate government has started Note: The main aim of the centre is to “Orunodoi Scheme” for women’s conserve and restore Himalayan ecosystems. It empowerment. also aims to conserve elusive snow leopards Note: Under the “Orunodoi” scheme, Rs 830 and other endangered Himalayan species. A per month aid would mean an additional number of snow leopards has been spotted in annual income of Rs 10,000 to the poor the districts of Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi. households to meet their medical, nutritional, ✓ Haryana state government has launched and academic needs besides to meet the “Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana” to additional spending during various festivals,”. 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

✓ Chhattisgarh toppedin providing employment Price, and Procurement)’ to monitor the under the MGNREGS agriculture needs of the farmers in the state. • Note: Chhattisgarh is the first state to ✓ Himachal Pradesh government announced to provide employment to over 18 (18.51) launch the "Nigah" Scheme to properly lakh unskilled labourers, followed by sensitize and educate family members of Rajasthan (2nd) to 10.79 lakh people coming from other states so that social workers &Uttar Pradesh (3rd) to distancing is effectively maintained. around 9.06 lakh workers under the • Note: Under the scheme, a team of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural ASHA workers, health workers, and Employment Guarantee Scheme Anganwadi workers would visit the (MGNREGS). family members of persons arriving ✓ Manipur’s Chak-Hao, the black rice gets from other states. Geographical Indication (GI) tag. ✓ West Bengal government has launched “Exit ✓ Terracotta work of Gorakhpur (UP) has App” for stranded people of other states. been granted with the Geographical • Note: “Exit App” will enable these Indication (GI) tag. people who are willing to go back ✓ Kovilpattikadalaimittai of Kovilpatti, to their native states, by applying Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu) has been granted online on this app. with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. ✓ Himachal Pradesh government has decided ✓ Saffron of Kashmir region has been granted to start the “Mukhya Mantri ShahariRojgar with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag-- Guarantee Yojna”. Kashmir Saffron. • Note: In this Yojana, 120 days ✓ Maharashtra government has announced a assured employment will be free and cashless health insurance scheme to provided to people living in urban all its citizens. areas. It is being launched to revive • Note: Under the Mahatma Jyotiba the coronavirus-hit economy of the Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, people in state. the state can avail of the benefits of ✓ Madhya Pradesh has become the 1st state free and cashless health insurance. in the country to provide mid-day meal ✓ Andhra Pradesh state government has ration. launched a mobile application ‘CMAPP (Comprehensive Monitoring of Agriculture, 12

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

www.gradeup.co • Note: The scheme aims at to reverse migration, specifically providing self-employment entrepreneurs returning to opportunities to youth and a boost Uttarakhand. April 2020

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

www.gradeup.co ✓ Manipur state Government has launched a • Hence, through this new initiative, the new initiative “Food Bank” based on the Himachal Pradesh government will theme ‘Help End Hunger Today’. ensure the facility of health services to ✓ Arunachal Pradesh state government has the people in the wake of COVID-19 launched an app called “COVIDCARE”. Pandemic. • Note: The newly developed ✓ Madhya Pradesh government has launched “COVIDCARE” app is an effort of ‘Chief Minister COVID-19 Yoddha Kalyan the Arunachal Pradesh government Yojana’ to benefit the Anganwadi workers and to combat COVID-19. Assistants of the state. • The “COVIDCARE” app has been • Note: Under the scheme, the state launched for the people who are government will provide a special quarantined, asymptomatic or health insurance cover of Rs 50 lakhs. COVID-19 patients, facilitating • The benefit of this scheme will be them various facilities through the given to the warriors under the Pradhan app. Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana ✓ Goa becomes the first state to integrate (PMGKY), which was launched by the allopathy and Ayurveda to treat COVID-19 central Government to cover only the patients. field staff of health, police and other ✓ Rajasthan becomes the first state in the departments working day and night to country to carry out Rapid Testing for Covid prevent the spread of coronavirus 19. (COVID-19). • Note: State’s urban primary health ✓ Rajasthan government has partnered with centre of TopkhanaDesh (also known MedCords to provide online consultations and as Jaju Dispensary) in Jaipur started to deliver medicine to the people of the state. rapid tests at 5 p.m where 52 persons • Note: MedCord will provide the were tested and all were found requirements of over 68 million people COVID-19 negative. throughout Rajasthan through its ✓ Border Roads Organisation has constructed integrated solution – Aayu and 430 feet long bailey “DaporijoBridge” in SehatSathi app. Arunachal Pradesh. • MedCord is fully adopted in 7 districts • Note: The bridge was inaugurated by of Rajasthan (Kota, Udaipur, Sri Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Ganganagar, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pali Pema Khandu over video and Jaipur). conferencing. ✓ Delhi government has launched “Assess Koro • The bridge is built over Subansiri Na” app for door-to-door survey in COVID-19 River the largest tributary of containment zones. Brahamputra. • With this app, the data collected can be • The new bridge will provide adequate uploaded on the servers in real-time movement of supplies for 451 villages and immediate analysis. and approximately 3,000 security force ✓ Gujarat government has approved the 3rd personnel deployed along the India- edition of his government’s ‘SujalamSufalam China border. Jal Sanchay Abhiyan’ (SSJA). ✓ Himachal Pradesh state government has • Note: The scheme will continue till rolled out “e-sanjeevani-opd” for free online June 10, 2020 with a focus on medical consultation to sick people. deepening of lakes, check dams and • Note: The “e-sanjeevani-opd” has rivers by removing silt. It will be done been launched to provide free online with people’s participation as well as medical consultation to sick people at under Mahatma Gandhi National their residence throughout the state. Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). 15

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

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

www.gradeup.co money and alcohol in the upcoming local complaints registered in the police body elections. stations. ✓ Maharashtra government has approved ✓ Gujarat state Police becomes first in the implementation of “happy hours” for India to introduce taser guns. auto rickshaws, reducing 15% of fare • Note: The Gujarat Police is prices from 12 pm to 4 pm. equipped with taser guns in order ✓ Karnataka government has launched to ensure safety and security of the ‘Namaste over Handshake’ campaign to public. prevent from COVID-19. • The Gujarat Police is equipped ✓ Phool Dei festival was celebrated in with taser guns to ensure safety Uttarakhand. and security of the public. • Note: The festival also showcases • By introducing the taser guns as the inner bonding between the part of police weapons, Gujarat communities who all are residing becomes the first state in India. in the hills. ✓ Goa has become the 1st Indian state to • It is the harvest festival of launch assessment tool for COVID-19. Uttarakhand that is celebrated in • Note: Goa health minister the month of Chaitra (March- Vishwajit Rane launched Test April) in the Hindu Calendar. Yourself Goa, a self-assessment • The term ‘Dei’ refers to tool for COVID-19 to help people ceremonial pudding which is the identify if they are infected by the key food in the festival that is made virus without visiting a doctor or from jaggery, Whiteflour& curd, hospital. are offered to everyone. ✓ Amidst Coronavirus outbreak which ✓ Jharkhand becomes the third state in becomes the 1st state to impose curfew India to launch its “Star Rating Program”. after lockdown fails -- Punjab. • Note: The state government of • Note: With this, it becomes the 1st Jharkhand will launch its “Star state in the country to take drastic Rating Program” on June 5, measure to stop the spread of 2020, to rate industries based on coronavirus (COVID-19). the amount of pollutants generated ✓ Justice Bhushan P Dharmadhikari has by them. been appointed as the Chief Justice of • With this, it became the 3rd state Bombay High Court. in India to launch this system for ✓ Jharkhand state government has launched industries after Maharashtra & a mobile app PRAGYAAM to issue e- Odisha. passes. ✓ Himachal Pradesh state government has • The app aims to issue e-passes to launched Police Station Visitor Survey everyone associated with the System and e-Night Beat Checking delivery of essential services System. during the nationwide lockdown to • Note: Himachal Pradesh Chief curb the spread of COVID-19. Minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur ✓ Andhra Pradesh government has set up launched Police Station Visitor “Mobile Hand-wash facilities” for the Survey System and e-Night Beat benefit of Slum Dwellers amidst lockdown Checking System for Himachal in the state. police in Shimla. ✓ Nagaland state government has launched • These systems help the Police the Self Declaration COVID19 App. Department to provide an • Note: The app will be mandatory immediate response to the for any person who entered Nagaland after March 6. 17

www.gradeup.co ✓ Odisha government has launched ‘Mo of COVID-19 pandemic. Jeeban programme’ for the containment February 2020

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

www.gradeup.co • Note: The event has been organized to • Note: Losar festival is celebrated on further promote and popularise Tripura the 1st day of the lunisolar Tibetan tea alongside India tea and to boost the calendar and is also called Tibetan tea industry in the state. New Year. ✓ “Yodhav” (Warrior) mobile app has been • Itis a festival related to Tibetan launched by Kerala. Buddhism and marks the Ladakhi • Through this app, the public can New Year. inform police about drug abuse and its ✓ Madhya Pradesh state became the 1st state to distribution. introduce the unified registration card. ✓ Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan ✓ ‘Vasantosav’ Cultural festival is organised Mohan Reddy has launched a scheme by Gujarat Government. JaganannaVasthiDeevana. • The theme of “Vasantotsav” 2020 • Note: The 'JaganannaVasathiDeevena' was “EkBhaartShreshth Bharat”. scheme will aid students pursuing ✓ Indian city Mumbai has launched world’s various post-intermediate courses and largest airport-based temperature-controlled are from low-income households with facility. hostel and mess fees and ensure that • Facility known as the ‘Export Cold they get Rs 20,000 per year. Zone’ for processing and storage of ✓ Losar festival is being celebrated in agro and pharma products. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. January 2020

✓ The Andhra Pradesh government is • Note: The taxis are operated by planning to introduce door-delivery of sand women drivers and the services are from 2nd January 2020. provided only to women or men with • The AP government will deliver sand family. at doorsteps and collect transportation • The cab had been installed with GPS charges from the customers. (Global Positioning System) and panic ✓ ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative launched by button to help the women drivers & the Maharashtra Government. women passengers. • Note: Maharashtra Government has ✓ Indian Railways launches integrated helpline launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ number for passengers -- 139. initiative to ensure that women and • Note: The Indian Railways has children do not fall prey to these cyber- integrated its helpline numbers into a criminal activities. single number 139 for quick grievance ✓ Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports redressal and enquiries by passengers Kiren Rijiju flag off ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ in during their train journeys. Panaji, Goa. ✓ ISRO to set up Human Space Flight Centre in • This event is organized with the aim to Challakere, Karnataka. get the people involved in outdoor ✓ The Gujarat govt. has announced to set up activities and starting a cycling culture Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center in the state. (VSCIC) in Gandhinagar. ✓ Women with Wheels’ cab service has been • It will identify, nurture and promote started at Indira Gandhi International Airport children’s innovation in the state. (IGIA), New Delhi by ‘Sakha cabs’ for the ✓ The fourth 'Buxa Bird Festival' has begun in safety of women. Buxa National Park in Alipurduar, West Bengal. 19

www.gradeup.co ✓ The famous chariot festival of the ✓ Five-day-long festival of ‘Lai Haraoba’ held SuchindramThanumalayan Temple is being in Agartala, Tripura. held in Tamil Nadu. • Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral ✓ ChapcharKut, the biggest and most literature, music, dance, and rituals. important festival of the state will be ✓ 1st virtual police station has been launched in celebrated in Mizoram. Odisha state. • ChapcharKut is a spring festival • This will facilitate online registration celebrated usually in March after of FIR (first information report) in completion of the Jhum cultivation. unknown motor vehicle theft cases. • Jhum cultivation, also known as the ✓ Maharashtra government has made reading slash and burn agriculture, is the Preamble of the Constitution mandatory in process of growing crops by first schools. clearing the land of trees and • The above decision will be vegetation and burning them thereafter. implemented from 26 January 2020 • Zo Kutpui Festival celebrated in through a programme “Sovereignty of Mizoram. Constitution, the public interest of ✓ A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was all”. signed with International Union for ✓ City will host the 14th Global Healthcare Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) to red Summit 2021 -- Visakhapatnam. listing of orchids by Arunachal Pradesh. • The focus of the Global Health • Arunachal Pradesh has become the 1st Summit is an Indian-centric approach, state in the country to initiate the with special events such as global International Union for Conservation impact and India’s contribution in of Nature’s (IUCN) ‘red listing’ at the providing cost-effective medicines and state level. addressing the shortage of healthcare ✓ The famous Parshuram Kund Mela was professionals. organized in Arunachal Pradesh. ✓ HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has ✓ Magh Bihu, an auspicious harvest festival is inaugurated the 28th edition of annual New being celebrated in Assam. Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan in • Note: Magh Bihu, an auspicious New Delhi. harvest festival is being celebrated in • Note: As part of Mahatma Gandhiji's Assam. Magh Bihu falls in the local 150 birth anniversary celebrations, the month of ‘Magh’ during mid-january. theme of this year is Gandhi:The • It is also called ‘Bhogali Bihu’ or Writers' Writer. Eminent Gandhian ‘Maghor Bihu’ as it is celebrated with scholar Girishwar Mishra is the chief community feasts after the annual guest on the occasion. harvest takes place. ✓ The book fair organised by National Book ✓ The 1st edition of the Krishi Manthan 2020 Trust (NBT). which is a Food, Agri-business and Rural ✓ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Development Summit of Asia was held in the National Traders Convention in New Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Delhi. ✓ NagobaJatara tribal festival was celebrated • Note: The convention has been in the state of Telangana. organized by the Confederation of All

www.gradeup.co India Traders and will deliberate upon development of eastern India through various issues concerning traders. integrated steel hub -- Mission Purvodaya. ✓ Third international symposium on marine • Note: Under the mission, the ecosystems – challenges and opportunities government will enhance capacity (MECOS-3) is to be held in Kochi through easing the setup of greenfield • Note: Eminent marine scientists, steel plants, develop steel clusters near oceanographers, fisheries researchers, integrated steel plants as well as and marine biotechnologists from demand centers. across the globe are expected to ✓ Narendra Modi has announced to rename the participate in it. Kolkata Port Trust after -- Shyama Prasad ✓ Khadi and Village Industries Commission Mukherjee. (KVIC) has inaugurated the first silk ✓ ‘Wings India 2020’ to be held at Begumpet processing plant at SurendranagarinGujarat. Airport Hyderabad in March 2020 • Note: This would help cut down the • The theme of the exhibition is “Flying cost of production of silk yarn for all”. drastically and increase the sale and ✓ India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier availability of raw material for “Vikrant” likely to be commissioned by Gujarati 'Patola' sarees locally. 2021. ✓ Indian Navy has launched an expedition, to ✓ The 27th edition of South Asian Trade and promote the maritime heritage of India in the Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) 2020 was Naval Dockyard – Mumbai, Maharashtra. held at India Expo Mart Greater Noida – • Note: The expedition extends from Delhi NCR. Arnala fort, Northernmost fort of ✓ 12th National Tribal Youth Exchange Maharashtra to Sindhudurg fort, the Programme was held in Puducherry. southernmost fort of Maharashtra, ✓ Union Culture and Tourism covering more than 555 km. MinisterPrahlad Singh Patel launched an ✓ Union Home Minister Amit Shah has exhibition titled “Indian Heritage in Digital released a book on the life of Prime Minister Space” in New Delhi. Narendra Modi -- KarmayoddhaGranth. ✓ The 2nd edition of NIC Tech Conclave- ✓ Global Investors Meet ‘ASCEND 2020’ will 2020 held in New Delhi. be held in -- Kochi, Kerala. • This conclave will contribute ✓ The 31st International Kite Festival was immensely to the capacity building of inaugurated at Sabarmati Riverfront, Government officers across the country Ahmedabad. and help in delivering high-quality ✓ Note: As a part of the official celebration of citizen-centric services. This year 'Uttarayan' or 'Makar Sankranti', conclave theme is “Technologies for Ahmedabad has been hosting the Next-Gen Governance”. International Kite Festival since 1989. ✓ PM Narendra Modi and Nepalese PM Khadga ✓ The fifth edition of the Pulses Conclave will Prasad Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated the 2nd be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra from -- 12- Integrated Check Post atJogbani (Bihar, 14 February 2020. India) – Biratnagar (Nepal) ✓ Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan • Jogbani – Biratnagar acts as an has launched a mission to accelerated important trade point between the two

www.gradeup.co nations and is equipped with modern • The report stresses to improve the facilities. present training infrastructure, content, ✓ ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme will training methodology & to create be implemented across the country by June 1, linkages with world-famous 2020. international institutes and undertake ✓ Panel to create tougher law against sexual applied research & related works. harassment at work will be headed by Amit ✓ The Assam Rifles (military unit) has Shah. constructed a war memorial “Veer ✓ Union Minister of Law and Justice Samriti” in Nagaland. (MoL&J) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad ✓ 1st ever Innovation festival was organized at inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Arunachal Pradesh. Blockchain Technology in Bengaluru, ✓ India’s 1st Super Fab Lab facility was Karnataka. inaugurated in Kerala. ✓ 1st Session of India-Norway ✓ The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga Dialogue of DialogueonTrade& Investment held in New Civilizations 2020 was held in New Delhi. Delhi. • Note: The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga ✓ World’s largest meditation centre was Dialogue of Civilizations 2020 based inaugurated in Hyderabad, Telangana. on the theme “Connectivity”, between ✓ Indian Railways has commissioned India’s India & Russia was held in New Delhi. 1st governmental waste-to-energy plant in ✓ France will be the guest of honour at New Bhubaneswar. Delhi World Book Fair for the year 2022. ✓ A festival to celebrate the spirit of India ✓ The Department of Biotechnology has “Bharat Parv 2020” was celebrated in Red organized a 2-day long International Fort, New Delhi. Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing • The objective of Bharat Parv is to the Future: New Skylines” in New Delhi. encourage people to visit different • The aim of the summit is to increase tourist places of the country and to the participation of women in STEM inculcate the spirit of ‘Dekho Apna (science, technology, engineering and Desh’. math) field for development of ✓ India’s first Mahatma Gandhi convention scientific career. centre opens in Niger. ✓ India’s first e-waste clinic was opened in ✓ The Central Government has aimed to Bhopal. achieve objective of Housing for all by 2022. ✓ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) • Note: The Central Government has has decided to observe 2020 as the “Year of aimed to achieve objective of Housing Mobility” for the welfare of the troops. for all by 2022 (which coincides with ✓ India's flagship global conference on 75 years of Indian independence) geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina under Pradhan Mantri Awas Dialogue held in New Delhi. Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) • Raisina Dialogue (fifth edition) scheme. jointly organized by the Ministry of ✓ Committee on Indian Academy of Highway External Affairs and the Observer Engineers (IAHE) headed by Yudhvir Singh Research Foundation. Malik. Important News: India 22

www.gradeup.co August 2020 ✓ Union Minister of Education Ramesh ✓ Recently, the Atal Innovation Mission PokhriyalNishank has laid the foundation (AIM) has launched an incubator capabilities stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) enhancement program ‘AIM-iCREST’ in Sirmaur at Dhaula Kuan in Himachal collaboration with Bill &Melinda Gates Pradesh. Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation. ✓ A New initiative by the National Cooperative ✓ 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting Development Corporation (NCDC) the was held under the presidency of Russia. SahakarCooptube NCDC Channel has been Note: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of launched by Narendra Singh Tomar. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Note:The channel is a new initiative by (MoEF&CC) participated in the meeting.The National Cooperative Development BRICS nations called the initiative to improve Corporation (NCDC).During the launch event, the environment and promote the circular the minister also rolled out guidance videos economy in national plans for economic made by NCDC on ‘Formation and recovery after COVID-19 Registration of A Cooperative’ for 18- ✓ Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways different states in Hindi and regional and MSMEs, Nitin Gadkari upstream languages. carriageway of Mahatma Gandhi bridge in ✓ Pradip Shah is the head of the 7-member Bihar. committee formed by International Financial Note: Over 5.5 km, this four lane bridge at Services Centre Authority for developing NH-19 between Patna and Hajipur is being plans on international retail business. renovated to replace its existing concrete ✓ DD Assamhas been launched by Minister of superstructure by new steel deck Information and Broadcasting Prakash superstructure, consisting of about 6600 metric Javadekar recently. steel. ✓ India's first Kisan Special Parcel Train or ✓ Narendra Singh Tomarreleased a booklet on Kisan Rail was from flagged off between two ‘Best Practices in Digital India Land Records stationsDevlali to Danapur. Modernization Programme (DILRMP). ✓ The Government of India has extended Line of Note: The booklet is prepared by Department Credit of worth 18 million USD to Maldivesto of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural expand fishing facilities. Development. It is based on the presentations ✓ The Ministry of Education organized the made by states during regional and national “Conclave on Transformational Reforms in workshops since inception of the programme. Higher Education under National Education ✓ CREDAI Awaas App has been launched by Policy(NEP)” in association withUniversity Housing minister Hardeep Puri to market Grants Commission(UGC). residential properties. ✓ National Skill Development Corporation ✓ As per the recommendation by the (NSDC) joined hands with Global digital Parliamentary Committee on Labour, the skills training provider to support the minimum eligibility period for gratuity continuity of digital skilling of the Indian payable to an employee on termination of his workforce – Simplilearn. employment-- One year. ✓ A new Platform, “Technical Platform on the ✓ Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched “Vidyarthi Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Vigyan Manthan 2020-21”, a national level Waste” to support the global reduction of food programme for popularizing science among loss and waste has been launched by FAO. school students of class sixth to Eleventh. Note:The official launch of the platform will Note: It is India’s largest Science talent search be on the first International Day of Awareness examination for New India using Digital of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) which Devices. will be observed on 29th September 2020.

www.gradeup.co ✓ Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ✓ In a push for 'Make-in-India',Rajnath Singh (FSSAI) has signed an agreement with has launched 'AtmaNirbhar Bharat Saptah' to Council of Scientific and Industrial focus more on the vision of the government to Research (CSIR)for collaborative research shift to local manufacturing. and information dissemination in the area of Note: The main idea behind this is to food and nutrition. emphasize the importance of domestic defence Note: The collaboration between these two production in the country. The ministry is premier institutions of India will contribute in pushing for domestic manufacturing of fulfilling the vision of New Food System defence items very aggressively. 2050. ✓ National portal SURAKHSYA is being ✓ The global conference on “Reimagining and launched by the Ministry of Environment and Transforming the University: Confluence of Forest on Human-Elephant conflict to collect Ideas during and Beyond the COVID-19 real-time information and will also manage Disruption” was hosted by Indian university conflicts on a real-time basis. O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU). Note: He will also launch portal on Human Note: The conference provided a platform to Elephant Conflict on the eve of World discuss to reimagine and transform the idea of Elephant Day, 2020.The World Elephant Day university that will impact the lives of the is observed every year on 12th August to students, academics and nations all across the spread awareness about the animal. globe. ✓ Mumbai become the first city in India to have ✓ The Khadi and Village Industries Commission women symbols on traffic signals and signage. (KVIC) will open the Silk Training cum ✓ 121Police personnel have been awarded the Production Center in Arunachal Pradesh. “Union Home Minister’s Medal for ✓ Website portal My Handloom has been Excellence in Investigation” for the year 2020. launched by the Union Minister of Textiles ✓ Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)has and Women & Child Development, Smt organized the “India@75 Summit – Mission Smriti Zubin Irani, for the individual weavers 2022”. and organization. Note: The summit was focused on Note: The Union Minister of Textiles and ‘reinventing technology in India’. The MSME Women & Child Development, Smt Smriti Ministry and Industries should be made import Zubin Irani launched a website portal, ‘My substitutes, cost-effective, pollution-free and Handloom’ for the individual weavers and indigenous. organization on the occasion of the 6th ✓ Niti Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) National Handloom Day on 7th August, 2020, has rolled out second edition of Student virtually. Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP 2.0) in ✓ Delhi International Airport Limitedhas collaboration with Dell Technologies. developed AIR SUVIDHA, a first-of-its-kind ✓ Festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal portal allowing international arriving Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) of passengers to fill a mandatory self-declaration Goahas obtained Geographical Indication (GI) form and eligible passengers to apply for tag from the Geographical Indications exemption from compulsory institutional Registry. quarantine for coronavirus. Note: The Bicholim based All-Goa Khaje Note: It will make passengers’ journey more Producers Association (AGKPA) applied for convenient and comfortable in a contactless the GI tag of Khaje through the department of way as they won’t have to fill the physical science and technology in 2019. Myndoli copies of the forms on arrival.The online Banana Growers Association, Ibrampur, forms have been developed in collaboration Pernem applied for the GI tag of Moira with various state governments, Ministry of bananas. Civil Aviation, Ministry of Health and Family ✓ Krishi Megh is the data recovery centre of Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of External ICAR organization. Affairs (MEA). 24

www.gradeup.co Note: KrishiMegh is the data recovery centre ✓ Quality Control Lab has been set up by the of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Marine Products Export Development Research).The data recovery centre has been Authority (MPEDA) in Porbandar, Gujarat. set up at National Academy of Agricultural ✓ The Central Water Commission (CWC) of Research Management (NAARM), India has launched the flood forecasting Hyderabad. initiatives across India in association with tech ✓ Tribal freedom fighter museums are under giant Google. development by ministry of tribal affairs -- 9. ✓ With the vision of going one step further Note: The nine museums are being developed towards self-reliance or “AtmaNirbhar Bharat” in Gujarat (Rajpipla), Jharkhand(Ranchi), Ministry of Electronics and Information Andhra Pradesh(Lambasingi), Technologyhas launched ‘Swadeshi Chhattisgarh(Raipur), Kerala (Kozhikode), Microprocessor Challenge’. Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara), Telangana ✓ Delhi Police has signed an MoU with All (Hyderabad), Manipur (Senapati) and India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) for Mizoram (Kelsi). extending ayurvedic mode of preventive and ✓ Swacch Bharat Mission Academy is an IVR promotive health services in the residential based mobile online learning course launched colonies of the force. by Union Jal Shakti Ministry. ✓ The Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla attended ✓ Indian Railways is constructing the world’s the virtual mode of Fifth World Conference of tallest pier bridge across river Lajai in Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP) organized Manipur. jointly by International Parliamentary Union ✓ NASSCOM Association with organization and the Parliament of Austria. ‘Atal Innovation Mission’ has launched ✓ Central government departments has launched Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Step-up its new official logo displaying three goals of module for school students. the department, Accuracy, Validity, and ✓ As per the draft plan prepared by the Ministry Reliability-- Labour Bureau. of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the ✓ To improve the production and productivity of “One Sun, One World, One Grid” raw Jute in the country Jute Corporation of (OSOWOG) initiative will 140 India (JCI) signed a Memorandum of countriesthrough a common grid that will be Understanding (MoU) with National Seeds used to transfer solar power. Corporation (NSC). Note: “The vision behind the OSOWOG ✓ The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) signed mantra is “the Sun never sets” and is a with an MoU with IIT Roorkee for constant at some geographical location, collaboration in areas of Standardization and globally, at any given point of time. Conformity Assessment based on equality and ✓ IIT Bombay has secured top position in the reciprocity. ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation ✓ India’s rank in the 2nd edition of global Achievements,’ (ARIIA) 2020 for being the research “Digital Quality of Life (DQL) best centrally funded institution in India. Index 2020” released by online privacy Note:The top five centrally funded institutions solutions provider SurfShark-- 57th. in the list are 1. IIT Madras; 2. IIT Bombay; 3. ✓ TL Alameluwill head the ten-member IIT Delhi; 4. IISc Bengaluru; 5. IIT committee set up by IRDAI to recommend Kharagpur.The ARIIA ranking was launched setting up loss prevention entities for non-life in 2019 by the Innovation Cell of the Ministry insurers. of Education. The objective of ARIIA is to ✓ Tata Steel has launched the FerroHaat App, a rank higher education institutions and first-of-its-kind mobile application (App) in universities in India as per Innovation, the world to source steel scrap from the Entrepreneurship, Startup, and Development traders. amongst faculty and students. ✓ Nitin Gadkarihas launched the mobile app named ‘Harit Path’ to monitor plantation along national highways. 25

www.gradeup.co The minister launched ‘Harit Path’, a mobile Note: The Mobile Training App will support app to monitor the plantations through geo- in conducting countrywide online training of tagging and web-based GIS-enabled NCC cadets as it has been affected adversely monitoring tools. due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. ✓ Ministry of Social Justice and The DGNCC Mobile Training App seeks to Empowerment has constituted the National offer entire training material to the NCC Council for Transgender Persons, a cadets on one platform. requirement under the Transgender Persons ✓ National e-Governance Division (NeGD) is (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. working under MeitYthat signed an MoU with ✓ The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Common Service Center e-Governance Munda has e-inaugurated “Tribes India Services India Limited to facilitate delivery of Showroom” in Mumbai. UMANG app services to citizens. ✓ Ministry of Tourism has signed an MoU with ✓ Piyush Goyal has launched the National GIS Travel Agents Association of India (Geographic Information System)-enabled (TAAI)and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Land Bank system. with primary objective of women ✓ Mahindra &Mahindrahas partnered with empowerment. Israel’s REE Automotive to develop ✓ APEDA functions under Ministry of commercial EVs. Commerce and Industry has signed two ✓ ValipeRamagopal Rao will chair the 5- MoUs with AFC India Limited and National member committee constituted by DRDO to Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) for review charter of duties of 57 DRDO labs on working together in the interest of agriculture the basis of current and futuristic defence and and allied sectors. battlefield needs. ✓ Ramesh Chand will head the task force ✓ Three-member committee headed by DB constituted by the NITI Aayog that Shekatkarhas been to review the effective recommended linking of Sugarcane prices to utilisation of the Armed Forces Headquarters sugar rate. Civil Services (AFHQ CS) cadre. ✓ IT majors Tech Mahindra joined hands with ✓ In partnership with UNDP, Department of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Economic Affairs (DEA) has launched the Platform (WEP) to support Indian women Sustainable Finance Collaborative (SFC) to entrepreneurs. Promote Sustainable Finance in India. ✓ ReNew Power signed a partnership agreement ✓ Next-generation startup Challenge contest has with UNEP to promote increased access to been launched by the Union Minister of renewable energy and improved energy Electronics and Information Technology efficiency. (MeitY), Ravi Shankar Prasad-- Chunauti. ✓ National Highways Authority of India ✓ Piyush Goyal represented India in the virtual (NHAI) has developed the ‘Vendor 8th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Performance Evaluation System’ to Meeting (EAS-EMM) chaired by Vietnam. establish a transparent and comprehensive ✓ The Union Government is planning to come performance rating system for its consultants, up with Mega Bamboo Industrial Park in contractors and concessionaires. Ghati. ✓ Rajnath Singh has launched the Directorate General National Cadet Corps (DGNCC) Mobile Training App. July 2020

✓ Two Maharatna PSUs the South Delhi ✓ The report titled “Towards a Clean Energy Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has signed an Economy: Post-Covid-19 Opportunities for MoU for setting up of a Waste to Energy Plant India’s Energy and Mobility Sectors” released Okhla New Delhi -- Indian Oil Corporation jointly by NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Ltd. & NTPC Ltd. Institute (RMI). 26

www.gradeup.co ✓ SheshNaagnamehas been given to the longest overhead power lines of the national 2.8 km long freight train operated Indian transporter to power the traction system of the Railways. electric locomotives to run trains. Note: Indian Railways created another record ✓ Defence Research and Development by operating the longest freight train. Indian Organisation (DRDO) is going to establish a Railways named it as 'SeshNaag'. The rake research cell at II T-Hyderabad to meet the had a total of 251 wagons which were pulled future defence technological requirements of by four electric locomotives which were fitted the country. in between. ✓ India’s rank has released “Sustainable ✓ According to the report “Annual Marine Fish Development Report (SDR) 2020”, including Landings in India for 2019” by Central Marine the SDG Index and Dashboards by Cambridge Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Tamil University Press -- 117th. Nadu state grabbed the top in annual fish Note: The index has been topped by Sweden. production. ✓ India’s rank in the “INFORM Report 2020: ✓ An inter-ministerial scheme called “Accelerate Shared evidence for managing crises and Vigyan” was launched by SERB which is a disasters” released by research centre statutory body functioning under Ministry of INFORM- 31st. Science and Technology. ✓ Under chairmanship of K S Reddy, the ✓ Under chairmanship Ranbir Singh, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Central Committee for reforms in Criminal has set up an 11-member expert committee to Law has been constituted by Ministry of study impact of Covid-19 on human rights of Home Affairs (MHA). individuals. ✓ The CBSE has partnered with social media ✓ Ministry of Home Affairs has set up an inter- platform Facebook to launch a free and ministerial committee to coordinate comprehensive training program for teachers investigations related to three Nehru-Gandhi and students of its affiliated schools in the first family linked trusts, including the Rajiv phase. Gandhi Foundation (RGF). ✓ ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat App Innovation Note: The committee would be headed by Challenge’ was announced by PM Narendra special director of the Enforcement Modi is an initiative of Ministry of Directorate. Congress president Sonia Gandhi Electronics and Information Technology. is the chairperson of RGF and its board has The prize money for apps is between Rs 20 among others former PM Manmohan Singh, lakh and Rs 2 lakh depending on the category. Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram and Priyanka The app will be evaluated on the basis of ease Gandhi. of use, robustness, security features and ✓ Asia’s Largest and World’s Second Largest scalability. Uptime Tier IV Designed Data Centre was ✓ For the formation of a Joint Venture inaugurated in Navi Mumbai. Company (JVC) to develop solar and thermal Note: The Data Centre is named ‘Yotta NM1 power assets to the tune of 5000 MW on pan- or NM1’ is located inside the 600-Acre India basis the Coal India Ltd signed an Hiranandani Fortune City at Navi Mumbai’s agreement with NLC India Ltd. Panvel region. Inside the Hiranandani Fortune ✓ DRDO has developed 1000 bed Sardar City, a Data Centre Park named Panvel Data Vallabhbhai Patel COVID-19 Hospital in New Centre Park or Integrated Yotta Data Centre Delhi in partnership with Tata Sons Private Park has been developed, NM1 is located Limited. inside the Panvel Data Centre Park. ✓ Indian Railways has setup 1.7 MWp Solar ✓ India’s rank in the Global Real Estate Power plant project at Bina to directly power Transparency Index (GRETI) 2020 released the Railway Overhead Line. by the US-based Jones Lang LaSalle Note: This project is unique because, for the Incorporated (JLL) - 34th. first time in the world, the power generated by ✓ What is the budget outlay of the Central Sector the solar power plant will be directly fed to the Scheme “Agriculture Infrastructure Fund” 27

www.gradeup.co which was approved by the Union Cabinet -- encourage listing of start-ups and develop Rs 1 lakh crore. ‘high investor depth’ in its start-up’s platform. Note: The scheme shall provide a medium - ✓ The Ministry of Railways is on a mission long term debt financing facility for mode with the goal of transforming Indian investment in viable projects for post-harvest Railways into Green Railways by 2030. management Infrastructure and community ✓ India’s first cable-stayed Indian Railways farming assets through interest subvention and bridge namely “Anji Khad Bridge” is being financial support. Loans will be disbursed in built by Konkan Railway Corporation four years starting with sanction of Rs. 10,000 Limited. to connect Katra and Reasi in crore in the current year and Rs. 30,000 crore Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). each in next three financial years. ✓ India along with Chile and Food and ✓ The National Skill Development Corporation Agriculture Organization (FAO) has co-hosted (NSDC) has joined hands with Microsoft the official launch of 2021 International Year India Private LimitedCompany to enhance of Fruits and Vegetables. the digital skills of the country’s youth. ✓ The Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed ✓ Under chairmanship of Suresh Mathur, the an MoU with public sector undertaking IRDAI has formed a 9- member working Bharat Electronics Ltd. to collaborate and group to look into the possibility of setting up support the emerging global opportunities in ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’. the airport business. Note: Suresh Mathur, Executive Director, ✓ GMR International Airport, Hyderabad Irdai, will be the Chairman for the 9-member introduced India’s first ever fully contactless working group with industry representatives as airport car parking. members.Apart from studying the need for ✓ The length of the Anji Khad Bridge’ being such as pool; the group will also recommend built by Konkan Railway Corporation which the structure and operating model. will connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and ✓ IIT Hyderabad has tie-up with a Kashmir (J&K) -- 473.25 metres. multinational technology company, NVIDIA ✓ According to the special bulletin on Maternal to establish India’s 1st ‘NVIDIA AI Mortality in India 2016-18, released by the Technology Centre’ (NVAITC). Office of the Registrar General’s Sample ✓ Ministry of Culture released first five Registration System (SRS) the Maternal volumes of Mongolian Kanjur Manuscript Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has declined recently. to 113. Note: In the Mongolian language ‘Kanjur’ Note: MMR is defined as the number of means ‘Concise Orders’- the words of Lord maternal deaths per 1, 00,000 live births. Buddha in particular. ✓ India’s largest commercial shipbuilder ✓ T-Hub company has partnered with Ministry Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has signed a of Electronics and Information Technology contract to build the world’s first fully (MeitY) and Digital India to lead the scale up automatic electric vessel for Norway. program of Digital India and Information ✓ India is developing country’s first and Asia’s Technology start-ups. leading trans-shipment port Vallarpadam ✓ Kris Gopalakrishnan was the head of the 9- Terminal as part of Kochi port of India. member committee to study various issues ✓ Central Institute of Petrochemicals related to non-personal data that called for a Engineering and Technology (CIPET) has new legislation to regulate such information. been accredited by NABL for Testing and ✓ India’s second VNR 2020 report titled Certification of PPE Kit. CIPET works under “Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. to Local” was presented by NITI Aayog to the Note: The PPE kit includes Gloves, Coverall, UN High-level Political Forum. Face Shield, Goggles and Triple Layer ✓ BSE has signed a memorandum of Medical masks in line with International understanding with IIT Alumni Council to Standards.

www.gradeup.co ✓ As per the Railway Ministry private trains are ✓ India began its trial trans-shipment of goods slated to run from 2023. from India to the North East through ✓ Union Environment and Information & Chittagong, Bangladesh port. Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar ✓ US based Zoom Video Communications hailed the KURMA mobile application related announced to open a new technology center in with Indian Turtles. Bengaluru. ✓ An e-Portal named “Automobile Solutions ✓ Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 has reached Portal for Industry, Research & Education its criticality; the plant is located in Gujarat. (ASPIRE)” has been launched by Note: This indigenously designed 700 MWe International Centre for Automotive KAPP-3 reactor is a shining example of Make Technology (ICAT). in India. The Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Note: The portal has been launched to began its commercial nuclear power improve the technological capability of Indian production in 1993. automotive sector with the help of exchange of ✓ Actor SonuSood. has launched an application knowledge & expertise, to make them self- “PravasiRojgar” for migrant worker to find reliant and to enable the growth of automobile right job opportunities. sector including overall socio-economic ✓ International Trade Union Confederation progress of the country. (ITUC) published the Global Rights Index ✓ The Central Board of Secondary Education 2020 according to which India became the (CBSE) has integrated a new Artificial new entrant in the 10 worst countries for Intelligence (AI) course for class XI and XII working people in the world. was developed in collaboration with tech giant ✓ AIIMS Nagpur has designed and developed a IBM. ‘smart wristband’ for effective tracking and ✓ India’s rank in the Global Manufacturing monitoring of Covid-19 positive and suspect Risk Index 2020– 3rd. patients. Note: The annual Global Manufacturing Risk Note: The new device, a wristband is designed Index (MRI) report was released by the US- in collaboration with IIT Jodhpur and IIT based property consultant Cushman & Nagpur looks to overcome the limitations of Wakefield. existing online mobile apps used for tracking ✓ The biopharmaceutical company that and monitoring coronavirus patients. announced a global collaboration agreement ✓ The Indian Navy's largest solar power plant with Voluntis to develop and distribute digital has been commissioned atEzhimala, Kerala. therapeutics supporting people with diabetes Note: It is a 3 MW Solar Power Plant which on biologics therapy -- Biocon Biologics. has been set-up in line with the Indian ✓ RK Singh inaugurated India’s first public Government’s initiative of ‘National Solar Electric Vehicle charging plaza in New Delhi. Mission’ which aims to achieve 100GW of ✓ Manodarpan initiative has been launched by solar power by 2022. the Union Human Resource Development ✓ Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal to provide Federation of India (TRIFED) has entered into psychosocial support to students for their a partnership with IIT, Delhi for the Unnat mental health. Bharat Abhiyan (UBA). ✓ The acquisition wing of Ministry of Defence Note: Tribal entrepreneurs under TRIFED’s has signed a contract with Bharat Earth Van Dhan Programme will now be able to get Movers Limited, BEML for procurement of access to the expertise of the entire network of 1,512 Mine Plough for Tank T-90 S/SK. over 2,600 academic and research institutions ✓ The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have under UBA.w partnered with UNICEF to strengthen the ✓ Indian Institute of Management (IIM) youth volunteers in the country to achieve Kozhikode has developed a wearable hand AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. band Known as the “Veli Band” that helps in maintaining social distancing.

www.gradeup.co ✓ Indian city Hyderabad ranked 16th among ✓ On the occasion of “World Hepatitis Day” the the list of top 20 cities with maximum number Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) of CCTV surveillance cameras installed in a has organised “2nd Empathy e-Conclave”in survey done on most surveilled cities in the collaboration with Airport Authority of world by the UK-based Comparitech. India (AAI). ✓ The Cotton Corporation of India decided to ✓ As per the update report on India’s Tiger setup set up its own warehouse in Vietnam to Survey from 2018, released by the Union boost cotton exports. Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate ✓ Bureau of Indian Standard’s Mobile App Change Prakash Javadekar Madhya Pradesh “BIS-Care” has been launched using which the has the highest number of tigers. authenticity of ISI-marked and hallmarked ✓ Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a products can be checked, BIS is working Knowledge Resource Centre Network under Ministry of Consumer Affairs. (KRCNet)” under the Digital India initiative of Government of India. June 2020

✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a • Note: The Appointments video blogging competition my 'My Life, Committee of the Cabinet has My Yoga' which is a joint by the Indian approved the appointment of Arun Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Singhal as chief executive officer Ministry of AYUSH. of India’s apex food regulator Food • Note: The 'My Life, My Yoga' Safety and Standards Authority of contest (also called 'Jeevan Yoga) India (FSSAI). is a joint effort by the Ministry of • Singhal is special secretary, AYUSH and the Indian Council for department of health and family Cultural Relations (ICCR). welfare. ✓ Union Ministry of Labour and ✓ The Union Govt has announced Minimum Employment in partnership with TCS Support Price List in which how many iON offers free online career skills training Minor Forest produce have been included through the National Career Service (NCS) 23. project. • Note: Tribal Affairs has notified an • Note: The Ministry of Labours Inclusion of 23 additional Minor announced that around 1 crore job Forest Produce (MFP) items and seekers and 54000 employers have stipulation of their Minimum registered with this portal and the Support Price (MSP). NCS portal has mobilized more ✓ CHAMPIONS platform has been than 73 lakh vacancies In the launched by the Prime Minister Narendra period of lockdown due to COVID- Modi to help the smaller MSMEs by 19 the NCS has conducted around solving their grievances, encouraging and 76 online Job fairs to reduce the supporting them to march into the big gap between the employers and job league as national and global companies. seekers. • Note: The portal aims to make • NCS in partnership with HireMee, smaller units big by supporting online assessment and hiring them, encouraging, solving their service provider, offers creation of grievances, helping and video profiles for job-seekers. handholding. It will act as one-stop ✓ India’s apex food regulator Food Safety shop solution of all entities of the and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) MSME sector. comes under the purview of Ministry of ✓ PM-SAVNidhihas been launched by the Health & Family Welfare. union government for to provide affordable loans to street vendors. 30

www.gradeup.co • Note: The PM SVANidhi or PM ✓ “Responsible AI for Youth” which will be Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi run jointly by National e-Governance is a credit facility scheme that will Division of Ministry of Electronics and IT help more than 50 lakh urban and and NASSCOM. rural street vendors. The scheme • Note: Union Minister for will help the street vendors restart Electronics and Information their livelihoods. Technology(IT), Law and Justice • Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 of and Communications Ravi Shankar credit is to be provided to street Prasad launched India’s National vendors. The street vendors shall Artificial Intelligence(AI) Portal return the amount as monthly called www.ai.gov.in.He also installments within a year. launched a National Program for ✓ DRDO has developed a disinfection unit the youth, “Responsible AI for called Ultra Swachh. Youth” during the occasion of the • Note: The Ultra Swachh Unit first anniversary of the second houses a catalytic converter that tenure of the government. makes it environment friendly. It ✓ The Expert Committee on Rationalization also holds several safety features of Film Media has submitted its report such as door interlocks, emergency recently, the committee is operating under shut down, delay cycle, dual doors, Ministry of Information and leak monitors, etc. Broadcasting. • The system complies to • Note: The committee has International Standards of suggested for an umbrella Industrial, Personal, Occupations configuration with four broad and Environmental Safety. verticals under which the institutes ✓ Indian Energy Exchange has launched should work. Real Time Electricity Market (RTM) to • This includes festival, production, help discoms plan their power heritage and knowledge. requirements. • The verticals are to be headed by • Note: The market will conduct 48 the professionals.The committee auction sessions during the day and was headed by Bimal Julka. the power will be delivered within ✓ Nisarga name has been given to the fast- one hour of closure of the bid moving depression in the Arabian Sea session. which intensified into a severe cyclone. ✓ The Government has announced that it is ✓ The expert panel constituted by the to provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 1.5 Securities and Exchange Board of India crore Dairy Farmers. (SEBI) under Ishaat Hussain has • Note: The Department of Animal recommended to allowNon-profit Husbandry and Dairying in Organizations. association with the Department of • Note: Allowing non-profit Financial Services has issued KCC organisations to directly list application format to all State Milk through issuance of bonds in the Federation and Milk Unions for form of zero coupon or zero implementing the same on a principal bonds. mission mode.The campaign aims • Zero-coupon bond is a debt to provide KCC to 1.5 crore dairy security that does not pay interest farmers. but instead trades at a deep • The campaign is a part of the PM's discount, drawing a profit at AtmaNirbhar Bharat package for maturity, when the bond is Farmers. redeemed for its full face value. 31

www.gradeup.co ✓ 25% percent of incentive has been • Note: The full form of SWADESH announced on capital expenditure in the is “Skilled Workers Arrival recently launched “Promotion of Database for Employment Manufacturing of Electronic Components Support”. and Semiconductors (SPECS)” scheme. • The exercise, kick-started under the • Note: The schemes were approved Vande Bharat Mission, aims to by the Union Cabinet in March create a database of qualified 2020.he Scheme for Promotion of citizens based on their skillsets and Manufacturing of Electronic experience, which can be tapped Components and Semiconductors into to fulfil demand of Indian and (SPECS) will provide incentive of foreign companies. 25% on the capital expenditure. ✓ Nagar Van scheme has been launched by • This is extended to certain the government to develop urban forests identified lists such as across the country. semiconductor devices, electronic • Note: Stressing on the substance goods, display fabrication units, theme of “Biodiversity” by the etc. United Nation’s Environment ✓ To foster the inclusion of LGBTQAI+ Programme (UNEP), The Ministry employees of Mahindra Logistics Ltd. of Environment, Forest and has launched a five-year plan which aims Climate Change celebrated the day at hiring queer people and extending by announcing the initiative of benefits to same-sex partners. urban forests in India. Urban forest ✓ The union cabinet has approved to re- are seemingly the best way to establish the Pharmacopoeia Commission bridge the gap of climate change. for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy as ✓ ARCI, Hyderabad institution developed a Subordinate Office under Ministry of rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material AYUSH. that can be effectively used for cancer • Note: The commission has been set treatment. up by merging Pharmacopoeia • Note: A magnetocaloric materials Laboratory for Indian Medicine is a substance in which application and Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia and removal of a magnetic field Laboratory. causes the materials to become • The two central laboratories were warmer or cooler. established at Ghaziabad, Uttar ✓ India’s rank in the recently released 12th Pradesh in 1975. edition of the biennial Environment • The commission is an autonomous Performance Index (EPI Index 2020) body that operates under Ministry released by the Yale University-- 168th. of AYUSH. It is in operation since ✓ Jaya Jaitlywill chair the task force 2010 constituted by the Ministry of Women and ✓ TULIPprogmmme has been launched by Child Development, GoI to work on the the union government to provide issues of women and child development. internship opportunities to thousands of • Note: The task force will examine fresh graduates and engineers of the the matters pertaining to age of county under the ‘Smart City’ projects. motherhood, imperatives of ✓ SWADESH initiative has been launched lowering MMR, improvement of by the Government of India to map the nutritional levels and related issues. skills of workers returning to India from ✓ Adani Green Energy Limited has won overseas under the ‘Vande Bharat one of world’s largest solar contract from Mission’. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to develop 8 GW of solar projects.

www.gradeup.co ✓ Digital learning platform TCS iONhas I/c, NFL Nangal unit and Sh Lalit partnered with the NSDC to provide its Mohan, Principal of ITI, Nangal. training partners access to the Digital Class ✓ Infosys has announced to launch of Room. 'Summer of Ideas' initiative for university • Note: The partnership will students worldwide, an online learning strengthen NSDC’s online content programme. aggregation platform-- eSkill India- • Note: The global eight-week -through which it enables e- ideathon, powered by Infosys' learning amongst skill seekers and digital learning platform will contribute towards Wingspan, will help the global strengthening the Skill India student and academic community mission. overcome the loss of learning ✓ Defence Institute of Advanced opportunities as a result of the Technology (DIAT) has developed Nano- disruption caused by COVID- Technology based disinfectant spray 19.The initiative will allow ANANYA to fight against COVID-19. students access to Infosys • Note: The spray has been prepared mentorship and specially curated based on Nano-Technology learning materials virtually. assisted formulation. It will not ✓ India’s rank in the recently compiled by only stop COVID-19 from entering Nature Research, a division of the the body but will also kill the virus international scientific publishing that comes in direct contact. company ‘Springer Nature’ -- 12th. ✓ IIT Bombay maintains its position as the • Note: The top five positions have top institution in India in the QS World gone to the United States of University rankings 2021 released America, China, Germany, United recently. Kingdom and Japan. • Note: IIT-Bombay still maintains • The Nature Index is a database of its position as the top institution in author affiliation information India in the QS rankings, but has collated from research articles slipped 20 places from 152 to 172 published in an independently in the global list. selected group of 82 high-quality • IISc overtook IIT Delhi to make it science journals. to the second place, but still ✓ As per the “26th Annual Cost of Living dropped a rank to 185. Survey 2020” released by Mercer Indian ✓ A Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle city Mumbai is the most expensive city in (DSRV) Complex was inaugurated in India. Vishakhapatnam. • Note: Mercer released its 26th ✓ IIT-BHU has developed an anti-microbial Annual Cost of Living Survey five-layered face mask that an annihilate 2020. From India, Mumbai city has pathogenic microorganisms. been ranked 60th most expensive ✓ The National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) city globally and also 19th in Asia. has signed a Memorandum of ✓ IIT Bombay has emerged as the top Understanding (MoU) with Industrial institutions in the list of ‘overall ranking’ Training Institutes (ITI) Nangal. category in the 5th NIRF Ranking 2020. • Note: Under the MoU, ITI’s 12 • Note: The rankings are being trades will be taught in the NFL & announced for India’s best the theory will be studied at ITI universities and institutions in 10 Nangal. categories namely- Overall, • The MoU was exchanged between Universities, Engineering, Ms Renu R P Singh DGM (HR) Colleges, Management, Pharmacy,

www.gradeup.co Medical, Dental Architecture, and • All project documentation, Law. contractual decisions and approvals ✓ Name the AI enabled robot launched by are now being done through the Indian Railway to intensify the screening portal only. and surveillance of railway passengers and ✓ IIT Kharagpur has developed an railway staff -- ARJUN. Artificial Intelligence-based cyber- • Note: The full form of ARJUN is physical system to monitor social ‘Always be Responsible and Just distancing in public places. Use to be Nice’.This innovation ✓ An Integrated Flood Warning System will help Indian Railways to (IFLOWS) has been launched for modernise its security measures at Mumbai. the time of covid-19. • Note: Named as 'Boon' and ✓ Name the National Healthcare Supply developed for Mumbai it will help Chain Portal launched by the Ministry of the people in a "big way" as it can Health and Family Welfare to provide real- predict floods. time availability of critical healthcare • The system was developed by supplies _-- Aarogyapath. the Ministry of Earth • Note: This national healthcare Sciences and Brihanmumbai supply chain portal will remove Municipal Corporation (BMC). supply chain bottlenecks during the ✓ According to “Poonam Avlokkan” survey Covid-19 pandemic. the population of the Asiatic lion at the Gir • The vision of this initiative is to set sanctuary grew by approximately 29 per up an information management and cent. forecasting database platform at • Note: The Gujarat Forest national level. Department has recently ✓ DRDO has developed a sanitizing announced that the number of chamber named ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise Asiatic lions in the state has gone uniforms of security forces. up till 674 from 523 that were • Note: DRDO’s move came after reported in a Lion Census done Delhi Police gave their requirement five years ago, which shows almost for sanitizing their uniforms, canes, 29 per cent increase in the cane shields, helmets. population. • This chamber is designed to ✓ The 40th GST council meet was held sanitise 25 pairs of recently virtually, who is the chairperson uniforms within 15 minutes. The of the GST council -- Union Finance sanitizing chamber has been set up Minister. at Parliament Street Police Station. • Note: Union Finance & Corporate ✓ Construction company NHAI has become Affairs Minister Nirmala the first of its kind in the construction Sitharaman chaired the virtual 40th sector to go fully digital. GST Council Meeting. • Note: With the launch of cloud- • The key outcome of this meet was based and artificial intelligence- further relief on late fee and powered big data analytics interest payable on late payments platform Data Lake and Project as a part of compliance burden of Management Software, the entire businesses. This was the first project management workflow meeting after COVID-19 breakout of NHAI has been transformed in India. from manual to the online portal ✓ Uday Kotak will chair the advisory based. committee formed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) on

www.gradeup.co Corporate Insolvency Resolution and ✓ Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Liquidation process. Skill Development, Rehabilitation and • Note: The new 14-member Employment of Persons with Disabilities committee, formed in August 2017, (PwDs)” has been inaugurated in Ranchi. will be chaired by Uday Kotak, the • This is the 21st Composite Executive Vice Chairman and Regional Centre (CRC) which will Managing Director of Kotak serve to fulfil the needs of Persons Mahindra Bank. with Disabilities in Jharkhand. • It will suggest and provide ✓ Amitabh Kant will lead the high-powered professional support on a request committee of top executives of technology from the IBBI or on its own companies formed by NITI Aayog to volition on any matter with respect develop a job platform for migrant labours to the Corporate Insolvency who lost their job during lock down. resolution and liquidation dealt ✓ India’s first nationwide online delivery- with by the Board under the based natural gas trading platform, “Indian Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Gas Exchange (IGX)” has been launched 2016. with headquartered in New Delhi. ✓ Construction company NHAI has become ✓ Two Indian StartupsStellapps and the first of its kind in the construction Zestmoneywere featured in the List of sector to go fully digital. Technology Pioneers of 2020, released by ✓ GermiBANdevice launched by Union the World Economic Forum(WEF). Minister of State for Home Affairs G ✓ Indian Railways’ Central Railway zone Kishan Reddy that kills viruses & other has installed 1st of its kind an Automated germs by sterilising, sanitising & Ticket Checking &Managing Access disinfecting in large areas. (ATMA) machine at Nagpur station. ✓ India’s rank in the annual World ✓ Chartered accountancy firm has been Competitiveness Index 2020 compiled by appointed to audit PM Cares Fund -- Institute for Management Development SARC & Associates. (IMD) -- 43rd. • Note: The appointment is ✓ According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2020, significant because critics have India’s position as nuclear weapons holder questioned the rationale for a fund in the world -- 6th. other than the Prime Minister’s ✓ Integrated Flood Warning System National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for (IFLOWS) has been launched for Mumbai relief work and have also sought City. more transparency about the usage • Note: Named as 'Boon' and of monies from the Fund. developed for Mumbai it will help ✓ Researchers at IIT Bombay has created a the people in a "big way" as it can chip named ‘Dhruva’ that can be mounted predict floods. in smartphones and navigation devices to • The system was developed by the find places and routes within the country. Ministry of Earth Sciences and • Note: The radio frequency receiver Brihanmumbai Municipal chip was designed in 18 months by Corporation (BMC). The device students and researchers at IIT will be very useful, especially if Bombay. people need to be evacuated from ✓ For reducing the carbon dioxide emission low-lying areas. caused due to transportation in the country, ✓ Mumbai Municipal Corporation has NITI Aayog will launch the project launched a mobile application “Air-Venti” ‘Decarbonising Transport in India’ in to provide information on ICU beds, collaboration with International ventilators. Transport Forum (ITF).

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

www.gradeup.co 2W and the electric vehicle, which is factory fitted or retrofitted. May 2020

✓ The central government has brought the ✓ Operation Samudra Setu has been launched Cauvery Water Management Authority by the Indian Navy as a part of a national (CWMA) under Jal Shakti Ministry. effort to repatriate Indian citizens from • Note: Earlier it was under the overseas. Ministry of Water Resources, • Note: The operation aims to River Development and Ganga evacuate personnel who repatriate Rejuvenation. Indian citizens from overseas. ✓ India secured 53rdrank in the 7th edition of ✓ According to the Centre for Monitoring ‘Open Budget Survey 2019’ conducted by Indian Economy (CMIE) the country’s International Budget Partnership (IBP). unemployment rate rose to 27.11%. • Note: In the survey time New ✓ The Defence Ministry has signed a contract Zealand has been topped the list with Tata Power for Phase-II of with a score of 87. Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure of ✓ National Council for Science & Technology 37 airfields for Indian Air Force, Indian Communication (NCSTC) has initiated a Navy and Indian Coast Guard. programme on health and risk communication ✓ Mission Sagar conducted by the Government focusing on COVID-19 titled “Year of of India to provide assistance to Eastern Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)”. Indian Ocean Region Nations amid the ✓ National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has coronavirus crisis. permitted the use of 98.59 hectares of land • Note: Under the mission, Indian for opencast coal mining project in Naval Ship (INS) Kesari DehingPatkai Elephant Reserve in Assam. deployed, carrying on board two ✓ India’s rank in the in scientific publication medical assistance teams, essential in 2018 among the countries -- Third. Food Items and COVID related • Note: The National Science and Medicines and Special Ayurvedic Technology Management Medicines five to Island countries Information (NSTMIS), in the Indian Ocean. Department of Science and • The five countries are Maldives, Technology (DST), has conducted Mauritius, Seychelles, a survey on Research and Madagascar and Comoros. Development (R&D) Statistics and ✓ Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Indicators 2019-20. ‘Nishank’ has launched “Bharosa” helpline • The survey included more than for Central University of Odisha. 6800 S&T Institutions spread • Note: This helpline has been across varied sectors like central launched with an objective of government, state governments, relieving the student community higher education, public sector from the distress caused during the industry, and private sector troubled time of the COVID-19 industry in the country. pandemic. ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated ✓ Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the virtual summit of the Non-Aligned hasinaugurated80km strategically crucial Movement (NAM) for the first time since road link connecting Lipulekh pass (China 2014, Azerbaijan presented the group. Border) with Dharchula in Uttarakhand ✓ NITI Aayog has launched virtual ‘Surakshit through video conferencing. Dada-Dadi& Nana-Nani Abhiyan’ to ensure • Note: The Border Roads wellbeing of senior citizens during the Organization (BRO) has COVID-19 pandemic in association with constructed the road that originates Piramal Foundation. 37

www.gradeup.co from Ghatiabagarh and it ends at ✓ As per the new definition of MSMEs what Lipulekh Pass which is a gateway the maximum investment limit for a micro unit to Kailash-Mansarovar. is: 1 crore. • It will help pilgrims visiting • Note: The GoI has changed the Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet as it definition of MSMEs. The new is around 90 kms from the definition has increased the Lipulekh pass. investment limit upwards. • This road, which has an altitude • Previously, an enterprise with ranging from 6000 to 17060 feet, investment up to Rs 25 lakh constructed along the banks of was called a micro unit. river Kali between India and • Under the new definition, a Nepal. firm upto investment of Rs 1 ✓ India initiated “Mission Sagar” to send crore is to be called Micro medical aid to five Island nations in the unit, of Rs 10 crore is to be Indian Ocean amid COVID-19 pandemic. called as small unit and • Note: In this regard, Indian Naval investment greater than Rs 20 Ship (INS) Kesari departed for crore will be called as medium Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, unit. Madagascar, and Comoros, to ✓ Central Government has set up a new body provide Food items, COVID Rice Export Promotion Forum to give related Medicines. impetus to rice exports under the aegis of ✓ Two scientific papers on child survival APEDA. published by the India State-Level Disease • Note: Centre set up a new body Burden Initiative stated that the under-5 Rice Export Promotion Forum to Mortality Rate in India has dropped by - 49 give impetus to rice exports under percent since 2000. the aegis of Agricultural and • Note: The India State-Level Processed Foods Export Promotion Disease Burden Initiative has Development Authority (APEDA). recently published two scientific ✓ ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan announced papers. by the Prime Minister with an economic • The initiative has given its report stimulus package worth Rs 20 lakh crores on district-level trends of child which is almost 10% percent of GDP. growth and child mortality. ✓ Flagship social security scheme of the • The findings show there were 1.04 Government of India ‘Atal Pension Yojna’ million under-5 deaths in 2017, has completed five years of its down from 2.24 million deaths in implementation in May 2020. 2000. • Note: The scheme is being • The child mortality rate has administered by Pension Fund dropped by 49% between 2000 Regulatory and Development and 2017. Authority through National ✓ India’s rank in the recently released Global Pension System (NPS). Energy Transition Index (GET Index) 2020 • Any citizen of India can join the by the World Economic Forum (WEF)-- APY scheme. 74th. • The age of the subscriber should be • Sweden has topped the ranking for between 18-40 years. the third consecutive year. • The contribution levels would • It was followed by Switzerland vary and would be low if a and Finland. subscriber joins early and increases if she joins late.

www.gradeup.co ✓ Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme deployment of main battle tanks, approved by the Union Defence minister armored vehicles, troops and Rajnath Singh and allotted Rs 400 crores. equipment from ship to shore. • Note: The establishment of defence • The first ship of the Mark IV LCU testing infrastructure will provide Vessels INLCU L51 was easy access and thus meet the commissioned into Indian Navy in testing needs of the domestic March 2017. defence industry. ✓ Mobile application National Test • The scheme will run for a period of Abhyasdeveloped by the National Testing 5 years & envisages to set up 6 to 8 Agency will help the candidates to take mock new test facilities in partnership tests for exams such as JEE Mains, NEET, etc. with private industry. ✓ Sixcities rated 5 stars in Star Rating of ✓ For multi-mode access to digital/online Garbage Free Cities, for the assessment year education Government of India has decided to 2019-2020. launch PM-eVIDYA programme. • Note: In rating Ambikapur, Rajkot, • Note: Under the programme the Surat, Mysuru, Indore and Navi DIKSHA programme will provide Mumbai were rated 5 Star (6 “one nation, one digital cities). platform” for school education in • 65 other Cities rated 3 Star and states/UTs. 70 Cities rated 1 Star out of 141 • It will also include the launch of cities. Energized Textbooks for all • He also launched the revised grades. protocol for the Star Rating of • One earmarked TV channel will Garbage Free Cities. be launched for per class from 1 to ✓ The Union Cabinet has extended Pradhan 12 following the concept of “one Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) class, one channel”. till year 2023. ✓ National Disaster Management Authority • Note: It is a social security has developed “National Migrant scheme for senior citizens for Information System (NMIS)” to secure those who are above 60. information regarding the movement of • The government has fixed its migrant workers. annual rate of return at 7.4% for • Note: An online dashboard financial year2020-21. “National Migrant Information • Now, Senior citizens will have System (NMIS)” has been time till March 31, 2023 to invest developed by the National Disaster in Pradhan Mantri Vaya Management Authority (NDMA). Vandana Yojana which provides • The dashboard has been developed higher return than any bank. by NDMA to secure information ✓ The Ministry of New and Renewable regarding the movement of Energy (MNRE) has launched a scheme for migrants and to facilitate the 100% solarization ofKonarkcity of India smooth movement of stranded • Note: The scheme has been persons across States. launched to develop the historic ✓ Landing Craft Utility Ship ‘INLCU L57’ Sun Temple in the town of commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair. Konark. • Note: The “INLCU L57” is the • Also, the scheme will develop the seventh LCU Mark IV class town into Surya Nagri. warship. • The scheme mainly aims at • The primary role of the warship, promoting solar energy. being transportation and 39

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

✓ As per revised norms of the central in Jammu and Kashmir and government the limit for a person reside in appeared in Class 10 or 12 J&K to become permanent resident of the examinations will now be eligible UT -- 15 Years. to be a permanent resident of the • Note: A new definition for UT. domicile for Jammu and Kashmir • This new rule was issued under the was introduced. As per the new Section 3A of the Jammu and definition a person residing in the Kashmir Reorganisation Union Territory of Jammu & Adaptation of State Laws Order Kashmir for at least 15 years or has 2020, under the Jammu and studied for a period of seven years Kashmir civil services

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

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

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

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

www.gradeup.co • It is a biennial three-week • Note: The World Book Day is multinational large force celebrated in the lockdown and he employment exercise conducted asked the students to read books of primarily from RAAF Base Darwin their interest and share about the and RAAF Base Tindal. book they are reading with him in ✓ On the occasion of the World Book Day the social media using the Union Minister of Human Resource #MyBookMyFriend. and Development (HRD), Ramesh ✓ 1st government (govt) hospital in India to Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched successfully launch the Convalescent #MyBookMyFriendcampaign. Plasma Therapy (CPT) treatment for the COVID-19 patients -- The King George Medical University (KGMU) March 2020

✓ Indian Air Force signed MoU with • Dr Vijay Laxmi Saxena elected as Savitribai Phule Pune University to establish general president of the Indian Science a ‘Chair of Excellence’ named “Marshal of the Congress, 2020-21 Air Force Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”. ✓ National Chambal Sanctuary has received • In order to pay tribute to the eco-sensitive zone tag. legend and commemorate the ✓ 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) centenary birth year of the MIAF Conference -2020 was held in New Delhi. (Marshal of the Indian Air • The conference, organized by the Force), IAF has named it as Indian Council of Agricultural “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Research (ICAR), focused on Singh Chair of Excellence”. technology-led farming and youth ✓ Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched entrepreneurship through agriculture. ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ in Kota, ✓ Under the Compensatory Afforestation Rajasthan. Fund Management and Planning Authority • Note: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla (CAMPA), a financial assistance of Rs 1.51 has launched ‘Suposhit Maa crore has been sanctioned to Kaziranga Abhiyan’ in his constituency Kota, National Park. Rajasthan, to provide nutritional ✓ 35th editionof the International food and support to pregnant women and hospitality fair‘AAHAR 2020’ commences adolescent girls. in New Delhi. • The aim of the campaign is to ✓ An International Conference and preserve & maintain the health of Exhibition on Smart Energy and Water our future generations. India Smart Utility Week 2020 (ISUW) for ✓ 108th Indian Science Congress 2021 will be Smarter Cities was held in New Delhi. held in Pune, Maharshtra. ✓ Maharashtra Government renamed • Note: The Indian Science Congress Aurangabad Airport as Chhatrapati association (ISCA) announced that Sambhaji Maharaj Airport. Pune will host the annual session of ✓ International Conference on Nano Science 108th Indian Science Congress on and Technology 2020 (ICONSAT) was held January 3-7, 2021 at Symbiosis in Kolkata, West Bengal. International University’s Lavale • The conference provides a platform campus with the theme,”Science and for the young researchers & students Technology for Sustainable from within the country and abroad, Development with Women with the latest development in the Empowerment”. emerging areas of Nano Science and Technology.

www.gradeup.co ✓ 5th edition of India Pharma & India ✓ Odisha becomes the 1st state to own a Medical Device 2020 Conference held at separate department for Self Help Groups Gandhinagar, Gujarat. named as “Department of Mission Shakti”. • The conference was organized by the ✓ The 6th edition of Economic Times Global Department of Pharmaceuticals, business summit was held in New Delhi. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers • The theme of the Global Business in association with Federation of Summit is ‘Collaborate to Create: Indian Chambers of Commerce & Sustainable Growth in a Fractured Industry (FICCI) World’. ✓ The National Water Mission organized the ✓ National Conference on Women in Police inaugural session of the workshop on and CAPFs held in New Delhi. “Increasing Water Use Efficiency in • The Conference was organized by the Industries” in New Delhi. Bureau of Police Research and • Note: The National Water Mission Development (BPR & D). organized the inaugural session of the • Smriti Irani also released a hand-out- workshop on “Increasing Water Use ‘BPR & D Mirror- Gender Bender’ Efficiency in Industries”. and also the book titled “To Greater • The workshop on “Increasing Water Heights”. Use Efficiency in Industries” was • Themes of the Conference 2020: held in New Delhi. ‘Cyber Stalking and Bullying of • The National Water Mission organized Women: Steps for Protection” and the workshop under the initiative ‘Challenges faced by CAPF Women “HarKaamDeshkeNaam”. in Operational Areas”. ✓ Name the mobile app which has been ✓ United Nations Global Compact Network launched by the government for delivery of India has organized the 3rd edition of its diesel at doorsteps of Housing societies, hotels Gender Equality Summit 2020 in New Delhi. and hospitals in the national capital region -- ✓ Andhra Pradesh state ranked 1st in the ‘Fuel Humsafar’. country for overall implementation of ✓ “EKAM Fest” has been organised in New POSHAN Abhiyaan. Delhi to promote Craftsmanship & Products • Note: Andhra Pradesh (AP) ranked of Divyang Artisans and Entrepreneurs. 1st in the country for overall ✓ Indian Coast Guard conducts9th edition of implementation of POSHAN (Prime rescue exercise ‘SAREX-2020’ in Goa. Minister’s Overarching Scheme for ✓ Two cities are approved by the Government of Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan as India as authorised land immigration check per September 2019 progress report of posts to enter or exit India -- NITI Aayog, “Transforming Agartala andGhojadanga. Nutrition in India: POSHAN • Agartala and Ghojadanga are located Abhiyaan”. along the Indo-Bangladesh border. • The 2nd anniversary of POSHAN ✓ The Ministry of Women and Child Abhiyaan is recognized by celebrating Development (MWCD) & the World Bank PoshanPakhwadafrom 8th-22nd organized a discussion programme on the March 2020. topic “The Future of Work: Women in India’s ✓ Gujarat state ranks first in the list for Workforce” in New Delhi. domestic solar rooftop installations, • Note: The Ministry of Women and throughout the country with 64 percent of Child Development (MWCD) & the domestic solar installations. World Bank organized a discussion ✓ A weeklong Exhibition-cum-Fair, the first programme on the topic “The Future “EKAM Fest” organized by National of Work: Women in India’s Handicapped Finance Development Workforce” at New Delhi. Corporation (NHFDC) in New Delhi.

www.gradeup.co • EKAM, an acronym for Chambers of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Knowledge, Industry (FICCI). Awareness, Marketing, was aimed to ✓ The government proposed masks & hand showcase products made with extra sanitizers under Essential Commodities Act ordinary determination by the divyang 1955. (differently abled) crafts persons • Note: The government amended and entrepreneurs. Essential Commodities (EC) Act, 1955 ✓ India post launches India’s 1st digital parcel to declare 2 ply & 3 ply surgical locker service in Kolkata, West Bengal. masks, N95 masks & hand sanitizers as ✓ New Delhi Railway Station to be converted Essential Commodities up to 30th June as World Class Station. 2020. • Note: The committee chaired by Bibek • It also issued a consultation under the Debroy has recommended concession Legal Metrology(LM) Act,2009 that of commercial operation of train under EC law, after consultations with service like Rajdhani/Shatabdi to manufacturers, states can ask them to private parties. increase the production capacity of ✓ First regional edition of “Divya Kala Shakti these products & streamline the supply Event” was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu chain, while states can ensure the sale (TN). of both products under MRP under the • The event was organised by the LM Act. National Institute for Empowerment of ✓ US $10 million amount has been offered by Persons with Multiple Disabilities India in the proposed COVID-19 Emergency (NIEPMD), in association with the Fund for SAARC Nation by PM Narendra Department of Empowerment of Modi. Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) ✓ As per the Minister of Road Transport & and Ministry of Social Justice and Highways Nitin Gadkari the number of deaths Empowerment. caused due to road accidents have been • The Divya Kala Shakti event aims to reduced by 10%. provide a platform for the disabled to • Note: Minister of Road Transport & exhibit their talents. Highways and Minister of Micro, ✓ The Mumbai Central Station to be renamed Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin after Nana Shankarsheth. Gadkari revealed that the number of • The Bombay Central is designed by deaths caused due to road accidents has British architect Claude Batley. been reduced by 10% in India after the • The first railway in India ran over 21 Motor Vehicles (Amended) Act 2019. miles from Bombay to Thane. • From 12 states and union territories, ✓ WINGS INDIA 2020 an international Tamil Nadu made notable progress in exhibition and conference was held in reducing road accidents by 24% which Hyderabad. is the maximum anywhere in the • Note: The conference was held country. between March 12-15 is a biennial ✓ Government targeted to achieve sales around event. 70 lakh hybrid & electric vehicles by the end • The event was themed as ‘Flying for of 2020. All’ is an International Exhibition & • Note: The Minister of Environment, Conference. Forest and Climate Change & • The exhibition was organized by Minister of Information & Ministry of Civil Aviation & Broadcasting & Minister of Heavy Airports Authority of India industries and Public Enterprises (AAI)&Federation of Indian Prakash Javadekar informed that the government has set an ambitious target

www.gradeup.co to achieve sales of around 70 lakh (Kerala) and Mahabodhi Temple hybrid & electric vehicles by the end (Bihar). of 2020. ✓ Indian Railways to electrify all broad-gauge • In 2015 as part of the National routes by December 2023. Electric Mobility Mission Plan • As a target to electrify 4,310 km of (NEMMP) 2020, Department of BG route in the year 2023-2024 (till Heavy Industry formulated the Faster December 2023), it is planned to Adoption and Manufacturing of electrify a total of 28,810 km of BG Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India route. (FAME India) scheme. • As part of its solar mission, it plans to ✓ As per the New & Renewable Energy, source approximately 1000 megawatt (MNRE) Ministry till March 13, 2020, (MW) of solar power & to source Rooftop solar power plants in India installed at around 200 MV of wind power, based 1,922 MW. on the techno-commercial assessment. • Note: Minister of State Independent ✓ Agricultural and Processed Food Products Charge (IC) of, New & Renewable Export Development Authority (APEDA) Energy, (MNRE) and Power, signed an MoU with Small Farmers Minister of State of Skill Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). Development & Entrepreneurship • Note: This MoU aims for better Raj Kumar(RK) Singh stated till synergy with this organization for the March 13, 2020, the rooftop solar development of agriculture, allied plants contain an aggregate capacity of sectors and its exports for bringing 1,922 MW are installed in the country. better value to the stakeholders. • Out of the total capacity, 346 MW is • This collaboration focuses to reach installed in the residential sector. large farmers for improving the ✓ Banihal to Katra railway link to be production base of agri products completed by 2022. quantitatively and qualitatively. • This completion will pave the way for ✓ Finance Commission sets up committee to the creation of Indian rail from review the fiscal consolidation road map under Kanyakumari to Baramulla. the chairmanship of Nand Kishore Singh. • The Katra-Banihal railway track is a ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared 111-km long stretch which will link the formulation of COVID-19 Economic Kashmir Valley with the rest of the Response Task Force led by Nirmala country by train. Sitharaman. ✓ The central government has included which ✓ The proposed new “Draft Defence two sites in the Iconic Tourist Sites list -- Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020” will Konark Sun Temple & Statue of Unity. come into effect from 1st April 2020. • A total of 17 iconic tourist sites were • Note: Union Defence Minister Rajnath identified by the government of India Singh has proposed a new “Draft in 2019. It includes- Taj Mahal and Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta 2020”. and Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s • It will replace DPP 2016 and would Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar remain in force till 31 March 2025. Its (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort draft has been finalized by a high-level (Rajasthan), Somnath and Dholavira committee headed by Apurva Chandra, (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Director General (DG) Acquisition, Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Ministry of Defence that was set up in Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), August 2019. Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom

www.gradeup.co ✓ TRIFED launches ‘Tech for Tribals’ The final round to take place in the program to bring technology to tribal IIT-Madras campus in July 2020. entrepreneurs. ✓ Indore becomes the first city in India to use • Note:A 30- days long capacity- drones to sanitize the city. building program called “Tech for ✓ Which Initiative has been launched the Tribal” has been launched by the National Book Trust to encourage people to Tribal Cooperative Marketing read books while at home -- Development Federation of India #StayHomeIndiaWithBooks? (TRIFED). • Note: As part of this initiative, it • It was launched in association with provides select and best-selling titles IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Roorkee, IIM Indore, for FREE Download of 100+ books, in Kalinga Institute of Social Science, PDF format, from the NBT’s its Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) and SRIJAN, website. Jaipur (Rajasthan) to provide • The PDFs are read-only, and no entrepreneurship skills to the tribal unauthorized or commercial use is people. permitted. ✓ Amidst Coronavirus outbreak India’s 1st AI ✓ 1.70 lakh crores rupees has been provided by summit ‘RAISE 2020’ postponed to October the union government under 2020. PMGaribKalyanYojana for the poor to • Note: The Indian government tackle Corona Virus. announced the postponement of the • Note: The motive behind this is to aid country’s 1st summit on Artificial and support the Poverty-stricken Intelligence (AI), ‘RAISE 2020– people to fight a battle against Corona Responsible Artificial intelligence Virus. (AI) for Social Empowerment’ to • Insurance Cover of Rs 50 Lakh per October 5-6, 2020. healthcare worker workers fighting • It was to be conducted between April COVID-19 in Govt Hospitals & health 11 & 12, 2020 in New Delhi by the centres. Ministry of Electronics and • PM Garib Kalyan Ann (अꅍन )Yojana; Information Technology (MeitY). foodgrain entitlement doubled. • The summit is a drive to India’s vision Farmers to get the first instalment of & roadmap for social empowerment, Rs 2000 under PM KISAN in April inclusion & transformation through AI. 2020 ✓ The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in opened a 360 feet long bailey suspension an extraordinary “Virtual Group of 20 (G20) bridge for traffic over -- Teesta River. Leaders’ Summit” which was hosted by Saudi • Note: The bridge constructed will be Arabia. useful for the people residing in Lahen • Note: It was held to discuss the town, North Sikkim. challenges created by the COVID-19 • The bridge constructed will facilitate and to develop an action plan for the movement of logistics for the globally coordinated response against Armed forces deployed in forward it. areas and also acts as tourist spots. • G20 leaders agreed to inject over USD ✓ IIT Madras is to organize India’s 1st Global 5 trillion into the global economy to Hyperloop Pod Competition. counter the social and economic • Note: The Competition has been impact of COVID-19. named as ‘Indian Hyperloop Pod • Leaders also agreed to contribute to the Competition’. WHO led COVID-19 Solidarity • This is to increase the awareness & Response Fund on a voluntary basis. enthusiasm about Hyperloop in India. 49

www.gradeup.co ✓ Amid the growing coronavirus pandemic, the in India by setting up a new dedicated Ministry of Health and Family Welfare freight railway line between Delhi and (MoHFW) categorizes which medicine as Mumbai. schedule H1 drug -- Hydroxychloroquine. ✓ IIT Madras is organizing India’s first Global • Note: It means it can’t be sold without Hyperloop Pod Competition named as ‘Indian the prescription of a registered medical Hyperloop Pod Competition’. practitioner. ✓ DRDO has designed a casualty evacuation bag • Now the sale of the drug will be based to transport or isolate persons infected with on the conditions specified in Schedule COVID-19. H1 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, • Note: The bag is water and air-proof 1945. and treated to deal with biological • The Indian Council for Medical agents. DRDO will be procuring an Research (ICMR) recently suggested initial lot of 500 such bags. that hydroxychloroquine be used in ✓ The Government of India has launched a high risk cases of coronavirus coronavirus risk-tracking app called ‘Corona (COVID-19). Kavach.’ ✓ Operation Namaste. has been given to the ✓ To engage students in creative projects during initiative launched by Indian Army to protect the COVID-19 lockdown ‘Project Isaac’ has 1.3 million strong forces from coronavirus. been launched by IIT Gandhinagar. • Note: Indian Army Chief General • Note: The project aims to enhance the Manoj Mukund Naravane launched student’s skills while they are confined ‘Operation Namaste’ initiative to in their homes. protect 1.3 million strong forces from • The project is inspired by Sir Isaac coronavirus and provide all possible Newton, who was similarly sent home assistance to the government to control by Trinity College, Cambridge, the pandemic. because of the Great Plague of London • Under ‘Operation Namaste’, the army in 1665. has issued a series of directives to all ✓ India’s national Investment Promotion & its bases to protect the force from the Facilitation Agency, the Invest India has coronavirus & the army headquarters launched ‘The Invest India Business issued a number of suggestions to deal Immunity Platform“. with the situation over the past few • Note: The Invest India Business weeks. Immunity Platform has been launched ✓ Japanese government funding agency to assist businesses and investors in (JICA) has signs an agreement worth Rs getting real-time updates on India’s 15,295 crore with India to provide an Official active response to COVID-19. Development Assistance (ODA) for 3 rail • This platform tracks the regular infrastructure projects. developments with respect to the • The project aims to cope up the Coronavirus. increasing demand for freight transport February 2020

✓ India’s first of its kind fruit train was launched ✓ The first meeting of the Indian National by Andhra Pradesh. Commission for Cooperation with • Note: The fruit train was launched UNESCO (INCCU) in New Delhi. from Tadipatri Railway Station in ✓ Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal Anantapur district & from Kadapa security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ in district of Andhra Pradesh. Kolkata, West Bengal. • Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal security exercise called,

www.gradeup.co ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ at Sunderban Regeneration of Traditional Industries” region in Kolkata, West Bengal with (SFURTI). the aim to create awareness about the • Note: Under this scheme, financial coastal security to the local community support will be given to set up & understand the navigational traditional industries clusters viz. complexities in the Sunderban delta Khadi, Coir & Village industries waters. clusters. ✓ World Sustainable Development Summit ✓ According to the recent report published by (WSDS) 2020 was held in New Delhi. German cybersecurity firm Greenbone • Note: The Union Minister of Sustainable Resilience Maharshtrastate Environment, Forest and Climate topped hit by global medical data leak. Change (MoEF&CC) was inaugurated ✓ 15-member trust named ‘Sri Ram Janma a 3-day long World Sustainable Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust’ for the Development Summit (WSDS) 2020 construction of Ram Mandir led by Kesava based on the theme “Towards 2030 Iyengar Parasaran. Goals: Making the Decade Count” at ✓ 22nd edition of India International Seafood India Habitat Centre in New Delhi Show (IISS), 2020 was held in Kochi, Kerala. from 29-31 January, 2020. • Note: The show was organized jointly • The summit was organized by The by the Marine Products Export Energy and Resources Institute Development Authority (MPEDA) (TERI), a research institute specializes under Ministry of Commerce and in the fields of energy. Industry & the Seafood Exporters ✓ The Department of Science and Technology Association of India (SEAI). has launched a special scheme for Science and • The theme of this year’s show is “Blue Technology infrastructure in India is called Revolution- Beyond Production to Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Value Addition”. Institutes (SATHI)”. ✓ The Union Cabinet has given its in-principle • Note: The aim of the scheme is to approval for setting up a new Major Port create shared, professionally managed atVadhavan. and strong Science and Technology ✓ The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has infrastructure in India. The SATHI launched Ease of Living Index (EoLI) 2019 to scheme will enable academia, start- assess quality of life of citizens in 100 Smart ups, manufacturing, industry and R&D Cities. labs to offer high-end analytical ✓ Hyderabad Metro Rail Network becomes testing. India’s 2nd largest Metro Rail Network of • This will help to avoid duplication, total operational distance of 69.2kms. reduce the dependency on foreign • It becomes India’s 2nd largest Metro sources & also foster a strong culture Rail Network of total operational of collaboration between institutions. distance of 69.2kms, only next to Delhi ✓ India’s biggest rural technical festival Metro Rail Network having an ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ was held in Telangana. operational distance of 231kms. • The festival was held for 3 days from ✓ The 4th edition of East Asia Summit 31st January to February 1,2020. The Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation theme for the year 2020 was “Spot 2020 was held in Chennai Tamil Nadu. and encourage rural tech ✓ For the first time the Hornbill festival was innovators”. celebrated in Tripura. ✓ The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium ✓ 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Enterprises (MSME) implemented a new Convention on the Conservation of Migratory scheme named “Scheme of Fund for Species (CMS) of Wild Animals, was hosted by India at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

www.gradeup.co • The theme for the CMS COP 13 in ✓ The “CLIMISHCON” is a Four-day India is, “Migratory species connect International Conference on changes in the planet and we welcome them Hydrological cycle, Ocean ecosystem, Home”. Fisheries and Food security will be held in ✓ The 11th edition of the Biennial Mega Kochi, Kerala. Defence Exhibition “DefExpo 2020” held in • The theme of the conference is Lucknow. ‘Climate Change-Effective Adaptation • Note: The 11th edition of DefExpo- for a Secure Future’. 2020, organized by Department of ✓ India’s largest air quality monitoring network Defence Production, Ministry of will be established at Mumbai. Defence with a support of Government • Note: The Brihanmumbai Municipal of Uttar Pradesh (UP) was held in Corporation (BMC) will develop an air Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the quality monitoring network across 90 first time from 5th to 9th Feb 2020. locations in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It • The main theme was “India: The will be the largest network in India. Emerging Defence Manufacturing • The project will be completed within Hub” with focus on “Digital next 5 years, funded by BMC and Transformation of Defence”. This expo private organisations. is also termed as “Mahakumbh of ✓ The National Water Conference was held at defence manufacturing companies”. Bhopal. The last two days of the expo was • The conference is being held to finalize opened for public. the guidelines of “Right to Water ✓ The “2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management Act” or “Water Rights Act” and also Exercise-2020 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020)” discussed the water crisis in the state was held at Bhubaneswar/Puri, Odisha. and also making the state a water-rich • Note: The themes of the exercise was state. “A cultural heritage site that suffers ✓ The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for severe damage in the Earthquake” & Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic “Flooding or Storm”. Cooperation) ‘Conference on Combating Drug • Organized by National Disaster Trafficking’ was held in New Delhi. Response Force (NDRF), on behalf of • Note: The Union Minister for Home the Government of India, BIMSTEC Affairs, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated DMEx-2020 was inaugurated by Chief the two-day long BIMSTEC (Bay of Minister Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik. Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral ✓ The theme of the 20th ‘HunarHaat’, an Technical and Economic Cooperation) initiative of the Minority Affairs Ministry is ‘Conference on Combating Drug “Kaushal Ko Kaam”. Trafficking’, in New Delhi. • Note: The 20th ‘HunarHaat’, an • It was organized by Narcotics Control initiative of the Minority Affairs Bureau (NCB), Ministry of Home Ministry, showcases handmade Affairs. indigenous products of master artisans • This conference was held on the lines and craftsmen are made available to of the commitment made by Prime the people, will be held from February Minister Narendra Modi during the 4th 13-23, 2020 based on the theme of BIMSTEC summit in Nepal’s “Kaushal Ko Kaam” at India Gate Kathmandu in 2018. Lawns, Rajpath, New Delhi. ✓ The Anti-hijack exercise was conducted at ✓ The Government of India decided to rename Visakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh. the National Institute of Financial ✓ The Ministry of External Affairs announced Management (NIFM), Faridabad, after that two Institutions, the PravasiBharatiya Arun Jaitley.

www.gradeup.co Kendra and the Foregin Service Institute have Forum with the theme of ‘Today for been named after Sushma Swaraj. Tomorrow’. ✓ To give passengers the experience of world ✓ Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin class facilities the Indian Railways has Rawat has targeted to establish the 1st planned to prepare 5- Star Hotel on the tracks integrated tri-service command called “Air in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Defence Command (ADC)” by June 2020. ✓ Name the Vice-President of the Socialist • The ADC will unify the air defence Republic of Vietnam who visited India -- and assets of the Army, Air Force and Mrs. Dang Thai Ngoc Thinh. Navy and jointly provide air defence ✓ ‘Arth Ganga’ project to channelize economic cover to the nation. activity along Ganga riverbank. ✓ The 4th National Conference on Review of ✓ South Central Railways (SCR) zone Implementation of Pradhan Mantri FasalBima becomes the first in India to have 13 energy- Yojana (PMFBY) held in Udaipur. neutral stations. • The first three editions were held in ✓ Union minister for Ministry of Micro, Small Lucknow, Bangalore, and Guwahati and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Nitin respectively. Gadkari flagged off KVIC’s ‘Apiary on ✓ According to the GMR Group which airport Wheels’ in New Delhi. becomes the the 1st airport in India to be • Note: Apiary on Wheels is a unique completely free of single-use plastic usage concept for easy maintenance of Indira Gandhi International Airport BeeBox and migration of live colonies, (IGIA). designed by KVIC. In accordance with • It is in line with India’s target to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s abolish all single-use plastic from India vision, KVIC’s honey mission was by 2022. launched in 2017 and involves training ✓ Uttar Pradesh state becomes the first in India of beekeepers, distribution of bee- to enforce Performance regulation act 2019 for keeping boxes and rural-educated. Power department. • Apiary on Wheels is a holistic • Note: In order to provide timely and approach to meet the challenges faced hassle-free service to electricity by beekeepers & also help reduce the consumers, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) labor cost of maintenance of bee box state Government has implemented the and living bee colonies across India. Performance Regulation Act 2019 for ✓ To investigate the need for separate the power department. arrangements for funding defense and internal ✓ The Central Government has renamed Institute security the 15th Finance Commission has set for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) up a five-member group led by Nand Kishore after Manohar Parrikar. Singh. ✓ India to switch to World’s Cleanest petrol and ✓ Minister of Road Transport and Highways, diesel from April 1,2020. Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the first inter-city • Note: India to switch to World’s electric bus service in Maharashtra. cleanest petrol and diesel from April ✓ The National Organic Food festival was 1,2020, when it proceeds to Bharat hosted by The Government of India (GOI) in Stage (BS-VI) from BS-IV grades at New Delhi. present. • The theme of the festival was • India will join the select league of ‘Unleashing India’s Organic Market nations using petrol & diesel which Potential’. contains 10ppm (parts per millions) of ✓ 3-day long 17th edition of Bio Asia 2020 was Sulphur which cuts down vehicular held in Hyderabad, Telangana. discharge that is stated to be one of the • Note: It is Asia’s largest reasons for pollution. Biotechnology and Life Sciences

www.gradeup.co ✓ BioAsia 2020 was held at the life science • The theme of the festival is capital of India i.e. in Hyderabad. ‘Unleashing India’s Organic Market • It was the 17th edition of the flagship Potential’. international convention – BioAsia, ✓ Indian Railway Stations Development whose CEO is Shakthi Nagappan. Corporation (IRSDC) has installed a India’s ✓ The northeast frontier railway construction has 1st squat machine at Anand Vihar Railway constructed India’s tallest railway pier bridge Station in Delhi. in Manipur. • Note: It was installed to promote the • Note: The northeast frontier railway Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi- construction has constructed India’s led “Fit India” initiative. tallest railway pier bridge. ✓ The first-ever 2 days long Bharat-Bangla • It is built across the Makru river in Paryatan Utsav 2020 was held in Agartala, the Tamenglong district, near Noney Tripura. of Manipur ✓ The International Judicial Conference – ✓ 8th edition of the “Ganga Kayak festival” “Judiciary and The Changing World” was was inaugurated inDevprayag, Uttarakhand. held in New Delhi. • In male sprint category, India’s • Note: The theme of the conference was Ayodhya Prasad stood first followed “Gender Just World”. by Nepal’s Man Bahadur Kandel, • The aim of the conference was to Rishi Rana of India coming 3rd place. facilitate cross fertilisation of ideas • In the women’s category, Elizabeth between judges of India and those from Health of Australia came in first abroad. followed by Ekaterina of Russia and • The Conference discussed the changes Anna of Russia in the 3rd position. being introduced by the Government of ✓ India and Myanmar signed an MoU for India to bring Gender Equality in regular passenger bus service between Imphal recruiting women. and Mandalay. ✓ Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban • Bus service from Mandalay will end at Mission (SPMRM) has completed four the border of Tamu from there Indian years. bus operators will take passengers to • Under this, rural clusters are identified Moreh town in Manipur. in rural areas across India, where ✓ Council of Scientific and Industrial increasing signs of urbanization such Research ranked first in the Nature Ranking as increasing urban density, high levels Index 2020 (CSIR). of non-agricultural employment, • Numbers in research output are increasing economic activity and other designated by total citations in socio-economic scale are being numbers and shares which indicates received. the sharing percentage per article. ✓ World’s largest ‘Export Cold Zone’ to Store ✓ Union Minister of State for shipping Mansukh Agro, Pharma Products has been unveiled Mandaviya, inaugurated the India’s first inMumbai International Airport Limited floating jetty in Goa. (MIAL). ✓ The National Organic Food Festival for ✓ 13th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the women entrepreneurs was inaugurated at New Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Delhi. Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13) was • It is jointly organized by both the held in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. ministries with Confederation of • Note: The theme of the conference was Indian Industry (CII) as the industry “Migratory species connect the planet partner. and together we welcome them home”.

www.gradeup.co • It was inspired by “Kolam”, a India. traditional art form from southern January 2020

✓ NITI Aayog has released SDG India Index implementation of labour laws at the and Dashboard 2019. grassroots level. • The Index comprehensively documents ✓ City will host the 14th Global Healthcare the progress made by India’s States Summit 2021 -- Visakhapatnam. and Union Territories towards • The focus of the Global Health achieving the 2030 SDG targets. Summit is an Indian-centric approach, • Kerala achieved the first rank in the with special events such as global composite SDG Index with a score of impact and India’s contribution in 70, followed by Himachal Pradesh at providing cost-effective medicines and 69. addressing the shortage of healthcare • Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil professionals. Nadu ranked at the third position with ✓ HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has the score of 67. While Bihar is at the inaugurated the 28th edition of annual New bottom of Niti Aayog’s Sustainable Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan in Development Goals (SDG) India New Delhi. Index. • Note: As part of Mahatma Gandhiji's ✓ India's second spaceport for launching small 150 birth anniversary celebrations, the satellites will be established in Tamil Nadu's theme of this year is Gandhi:The Thoothukudi district. Writers' Writer. Eminent Gandhian • Note: The country's first spaceport is scholar Girishwar Mishra is the chief at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, guest on the occasion. about 90 km northeast of Chennai. ✓ Indian Railways launches integrated helpline • Thoothukudi is about 600 km number for passengers -- 139. southeast of Chennai. The new • Note: The Indian Railways has location is ideal for launching smaller integrated its helpline numbers into a satellites of less than 500 kg in the sun- single number 139 for quick grievance synchronous orbit. redressal and enquiries by passengers ✓ The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will during their train journeys. conduct the Asiatic Lion Census in May ✓ Twenty-two tableau proposals (16-states 2020. and 6- Central Ministries) have been short- ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated listed for participation in this year's Republic 107th edition of Indian Science Congress in Day parade. Bengaluru. • The tableaux proposals received are • Note: The theme of ISC 2020 is evaluated in a series of meetings of the “Science and Technology: Rural Expert Committee comprising of Development”. The event brings eminent persons in the field of art, together science fraternity across the culture, painting, sculpture, music, and world to discuss scientific innovation architecture. and research. • Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to ✓ Labour Ministry to launch a portal for the be the chief guest at India's Republic speedy resolution of grievances -- Santusht. Day celebrations in 2020. • Note: The labour ministry has ✓ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated announced to launch a new portal the National Traders Convention in New 'Santusht' for the speedy redressal of Delhi. workers as well as employer grievances and ensuring effective

www.gradeup.co ✓ Third international symposium on marine away from the traditional pen and ecosystems – challenges and opportunities paper. (MECOS-3) is to be held in Kochi ✓ Amit Shah has inaugurated the Indian Cyber • Note: Eminent marine scientists, Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and oceanographers, fisheries researchers, dedicated National Cyber Crime Reporting and marine biotechnologists from Portal – ‘www.cybercrime.gov.in’. across the globe are expected to • Note: National Cyber Crime Reporting participate in it. Portal is a citizen-centric initiative that ✓ 5th Global Drosophila Conference held at will enable citizens to report cyber- Pune. crimes online through the portal. • Note: The fifth edition of the Asia ✓ Power Minister R K Singh has released the Pacific Drosophila Research State Energy Efficiency Index 2019. Conference (APDRC5) was held in • Note: They track the progress of Pune. Energy Efficiency Initiatives in 36 • The conference was organized in the Statesand Union Territories. country for the first time by the Indian • The index this year incorporates Institute of Science Education and qualitative, quantitative and outcome- Research (IISER). based indicators to assess energy ✓ India extends USD 75 mnline of credit for efficiency initiatives, programs and solar parks in Cuba. outcomes in five distinct sectors. ✓ Khadi and Village Industries Commission • The index is developed by Bureau of (KVIC) has inaugurated the first silk Energy Efficiency in association with processing plant at Surendranagarin Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Gujarat. Economy. • Note: This would help cut down the ✓ The fifth edition of the Pulses Conclave will cost of production of silk yarn be held in Lonavala, Maharashtra from -- 12- drastically and increase the sale and 14 February 2020. availability of raw material for ✓ Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Gujarati 'Patola' sarees locally. Thackeray inaugurated 'Advantage ✓ Indian Navy has launched an expedition, to Maharashtra Expo 2020' in Aurangabad. promote the maritime heritage of India in the ✓ India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Naval Dockyard – Mumbai, Maharashtra. “Vikrant” likely to be commissioned by ✓ Union Home Minister Amit Shah has 2021. released a book on the life of Prime Minister ✓ Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Narendra Modi -- KarmayoddhaGranth. has launched a mission to accelerated ✓ Global Investors Meet ‘ASCEND 2020’ will development of eastern India through be held in -- Kochi, Kerala. integrated steel hub -- Mission Purvodaya. ✓ The 31st International Kite Festival was • Note: Under the mission, the inaugurated at Sabarmati Riverfront, government will enhance capacity Ahmedabad. through easing the setup of greenfield • Note: As a part of the official steel plants, develop steel clusters near celebration of 'Uttarayan' or 'Makar integrated steel plants as well as Sankranti', Ahmedabad has been demand centers. hosting the International Kite Festival ✓ Narendra Modi has announced to rename the since 1989. The festival will continue Kolkata Port Trust after -- Shyama Prasad till January 13 at Sabarmati Riverfront. Mukherjee. ✓ ‘Census India-2021’ will begin on 1st of ✓ ‘Wings India 2020’ to be held at Begumpet April 2020. Airport Hyderabad in March 2020 • Note: It will be conducted through a • Note: Biennial International mobile phone application, moving Exhibition and Conference on Civil

www.gradeup.co Aviation Sector, ‘Wings India 2020’ ✓ 12th National Tribal Youth Exchange will be held at Begumpet Airport in Programme was held in Puducherry. Hyderabad, Telangana from March 12- ✓ Union Minister for Heavy Industries Prakash 15, 2020. The theme of the exhibition Javadekar was inaugurating ELECRAMA is “Flying for all”. 2020 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. ✓ The World Future Energy Summit 2020 • Note: Union Minister for Heavy held in Abu Dhabi. Industries Prakash Javadekar was • The theme for this year's summit is inaugurating ELECRAMA 2020 in "Rethinking Global Consumption, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Production, and Investment." • ELECRAMA is the flagship showcase • World Future Energy Summit is the of the Indian electrical industry and a Middle East’s largest future energy platform to connect the world with the and sustainability event. Indian industry in respect of ✓ The Statue of Unity has been included in 8 technology, new trends and innovation wonders of the Shanghai Cooperation for the future energy transition. Organization (SCO). ✓ Union Culture and Tourism • Note: The Statue of Unity is the statue MinisterPrahlad Singh Patel launched an of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first exhibition titled “Indian Heritage in Digital Home Minister of independent Space” in New Delhi. India. ✓ The 7th Conference of Commonwealth • The 182-metertall statue is the Parliamentary Association (CPA) India world’s tallest statue that was Region was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. inaugurated by PM Modi on the 143rd • Note: The 7th Conference of birth anniversary of Sardar Commonwealth Parliamentary Vallabhbhai Patel in October 2018. Association (CPA) India Region will • The statue was inaugurated on the start in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Lok 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Sabha Speaker Om Birla will Vallabhbhai Patel in 2018. inaugurate the Conference. ✓ The Henley Passport Index 2020 was • The main theme of the conference is released by Henley & Partners. the ROLE OF LEGISLATORS. In the • Note: The report is being published Conference, delegates will discuss the every year based on the data obtained Capacity Building of Legislators for from the International Air Transport Scrutinizing Budgetary Proposals and Association (IATA). Enhancing Focus of Legislators on • According to the index, Indian Legislative Business. passport ranked at the 84th spot among ✓ The 2nd edition of NIC Tech Conclave- the world’s most powerful passports 2020 held. The Union Minister for Electronics list, which is a drop by 2 places as it and Information Technology Ravi Shankar ranked 82nd in 2019. Prasad will inaugurate this conclave in New ✓ Vishakhapatnam will host the International Delhi. naval exercise ‘MILAN’ in March 2020. • This year conclave theme is • India has invited 41 navies of different “Technologies for Next-Gen countries of which 30 navies have Governance”. confirmed their participation in ✓ A Conference of the Chief Secretaries and MILAN 2020. Administrator State and Union Territories ✓ The 27th edition of South Asian Trade and on Census 2021 was held in New Delhi. Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) 2020 was ✓ PM Narendra Modi and Nepalese PM Khadga held at India Expo Mart Greater Noida – Prasad Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated the 2nd Delhi NCR. Integrated Check Post atJogbani (Bihar, India) – Biratnagar (Nepal)

www.gradeup.co ✓ ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme ✓ World’s largest meditation centre was will be implemented across the country by inaugurated in Hyderabad, Telangana. June 1, 2020. • Note: World’s largest meditation • Note: ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ centre was inaugurated at Kanha scheme will be implemented by June 1, Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, 2020 across the country. Telangana. ✓ Panel to create tougher law against sexual • This centre is built to mark the 75th harassment at work will be headed by Amit anniversary of the formation of Shri Shah. Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) and ✓ The committee set up by Supreme Court to Heartfulness Institute. firm up draft legislation to give legal sanctity ✓ Indian Railways has commissioned India’s to disputes settled through mediation is headed 1st governmental waste-to-energy plant in by Niranjan Bhat. Bhubaneswar. ✓ Seismic Hazard Microzonation project in ✓ A festival to celebrate the spirit of India major cities of India was launched by The “Bharat Parv 2020” was celebrated in Red Ministry of Earth Science (MoES). Fort, New Delhi. • Note: The Ministry of Earth Science • The objective of Bharat Parv is to (MoES) has launched Seismic Hazard encourage people to visit different Microzonation project in major cities tourist places of the country and to of India. inculcate the spirit of ‘Dekho Apna • The project aims to reduce the hazards Desh’. of Seismic activities by taking proper ✓ India’s first Mahatma Gandhi convention measures in major Indian cities and centre opens in Niger. areas falling under high-seismic Zones ✓ Telangana will emerge as Number 1 state in IV and V. the ‘Decent work and economic growth’ ✓ Union Minister of Law and Justice category Sustainable Development Goals (MoL&J) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad (SDG) India index in 2019. inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in ✓ Swachh Survekshan League 2020: Blockchain Technology in Bengaluru, • Among 10 Lakh plus population Karnataka. category, Indore secured first place in • Note: The Union Minister of Law and both the quarters. Madhya Pradesh Justice (MoL&J) Shri Ravi Shankar Capital Bhopal got the second and Prasad inaugurated the Centre of Surat in Gujarat third spot in first Excellence (CoE) in Blockchain Quarter. Technology set up by the National • Rajkot in Gujarat was at the 2nd spot Informatics Centre (NIC) in while Navi Mumbai at third. In one Bengaluru, Karnataka. Lakh to 10 Lakh population category, • The CoE has been set up with the aim Jamshedpur in Jharkhand got the 1st of providing blockchain as a service spot in both quarters. and help all stakeholders to benefit • New Delhi Municipal Council and from shared learning, experiences and Khargone in Madhya Pradesh got the resources. second and third spots in the first ✓ NITI Aayog signed MoU for Development of quarter in this category. Chandrapur in Infrastructure Projects in Ladakh. Maharashtra and Khargone got the ✓ South Central Zone of the Indian Railways has second and third spots in Quarter 2 in signed an MoU to provide doorstep banking one to ten lakh population categories. with State Bank of India. ✓ The Central Government has aimed to ✓ 1st Session of India-Norway achieve objective of Housing for all by 2022. DialogueonTrade & Investment held in New • Note: The Central Government has Delhi. aimed to achieve objective of Housing 58

www.gradeup.co for all by 2022 (which coincides with • Note: The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga 75 years of Indian independence) Dialogue of Civilizations 2020 based under Pradhan Mantri Awas on the theme “Connectivity”, between Yojana-Grameen (PMAY-G) India & Russia was held in New Delhi. scheme. ✓ France will be the guest of honour at New ✓ 12th edition of the South Asia Conference Delhi World Book Fair for the year 2022. held in New Delhi. ✓ The Department of Biotechnology has • The conference deals with issues organized a 2-day long International related to economic cooperation for Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing development, changing political the Future: New Skylines” in New Delhi. context in India’s neighbourhood • The aim of the summit is to increase etc.The theme of the conference was the participation of women in STEM India’s “Neighbourhood First” (science, technology, engineering and Policy: Regional Perceptions. math) field for development of ✓ The Indian Railways has decided to provide scientific career. ‘Content on Demand Service on trains and ✓ India’s first e-waste clinic was opened in railway stations from 2022. Bhopal. ✓ The final report submitted by the Committee ✓ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Indian Academy of Highway Engineers has decided to observe 2020 as the “Year of (IAHE) headed by Yudhvir Singh Malik. Mobility” for the welfare of the troops. ✓ The Assam Rifles (military unit) has ✓ India's flagship global conference on constructed a war memorial “Veer geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina Samriti” in Nagaland. Dialogue held in New Delhi. ✓ 1st ever Innovation festival was organized at • Raisina Dialogue (fifth edition) Arunachal Pradesh. jointly organized by the Ministry of • The two days festival aims to External Affairs and the Observer encourage the cultural innovation Research Foundation. among the people and students of Arunachal Pradesh. ✓ India’s 1st Super Fab Lab facility was inaugurated in Kerala. ✓ The 1st edition of Ganga-Volga Dialogue of Civilizations 2020 was held in New Delhi. Important News-World

August 2020

• Great Britain is considering minting a coin to satellite launched by the Soviet Union. The remember Mahatma Gandhi. vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute • Former king of Spain Juan Carlos decided to in Moscow uses a different virus -- adenovirus leave his country to protect the monarchy after -- that's been modified to carry genes for the a barrage of corruption allegations surfaced "spike" protein that coats the coronavirus, as a against him. way to prime the body to recognise when a • Barakah Nuclear Plant of UAE has achieved real COVID-19 infection comes along. first criticality and successfully started up is • Indian origin senator Kamala Harris named located in which country. as US Vice Presidential candidate for • Russia becomes the first country to officially Democratic party. register a coronavirus vaccine and declare it Note: In the United States, Democratic ready for use. Presidential nominee Joe Biden has named Note: The Russian vaccine will be called Indian-origin senator Kamala Harris as his "Sputnik V" in homage to the world's first Vice-Presidential running mate. Joe Biden 59

www.gradeup.co made history by selecting the first black • Intergovernmental organization European woman to compete on a major party's Unionhas launched project ’Nirmanshree’ for presidential ticket. Kamala Harris is currently enhancing the women skill towards housing the US Senator from California. Former US construction sector. President Barack Obama has often described Note: This is the first-of-its-kind sustainable her as a trailblazer. housing on a large scale in India with 1- • Reliance Foundation has launched the “W- million-euro. The project will be implemented GDP Women Connect Challenge” across India in Beed and Osmanabad districts of in association with US Agency for Maharashtra and the Dhenkanal and Jajpur International Development (USAID). districts of Odisha. Note: The “W-GDP Women Connect • United Kingdom has launched £3 million Challenge” has been launched to bridge the “Innovation Challenge Fund” in India to gender divide as well as the digital divide in support scientists in academic arena and India. The Women’s Global Development and industry to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and Prosperity (W-GDP) challenge supports climate change. private sector-led approaches that close the Note: The fund invites tech innovators with gender digital divide, expand business connections to the AI-Data cluster in opportunities and empower women. Karnataka and the future mobility cluster in • India announced a $500 million package to Maharashtra to submit research and fund a project in Maldives. development proposals for tackling COVID- Note: An air connectivity “bubble” for 19 or which promote a greener planet. travel, a direct ferry service, a submarine cable • Recently, India has signed a cultural for telecom connectivity; and assistance for agreement with Israel that outlines a three- the Greater Male Connectivity project year programme of cooperation to further (GMCP) to connect Male to three neighboring strengthen their strategic bilateral relations. islands. India has sought to regain diplomatic Note: India and Israel signed a cultural influence in the islands after a new agreement that outlines a three-year administration led by President Ibrahim Solih programme of cooperation to further took power following the defeat of the pro- strengthen their strategic bilateral relations China strongman Abdulla Yameen in elections today. It aims to promote greater people-to- in 2018. people exchanges. • The Dragon Endeavour is the spacecraft of • UAE became the first Gulf Arab country to space company SpaceX. have active diplomatic ties to Israel. Note: NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Note: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Douglas Hurley are aboard the SpaceX Crew Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Dragon Endeavour spacecraft as it is lifted Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy onto the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship Supreme Commander of the United Arab shortly after landing in the Gulf of Mexico off Emirates, have agreed for the Israel–United the coast of Pensacola, Florida, Sunday, Aug. Arab Emirates peace agreement, or 2, 2020. the Abraham Accord to establish full • Israel has successfully tested its advanced diplomatic ties. It is expected that the peace missile defence system, “Arrow-2” ballistic accord will be signed in the White House, US missile interceptor. in early September, 2020. Note: The Missile test was conducted in the • The first meeting of the National Coordination test site in Central Israel over the Committees for monitoring implementation of Mediterranean Sea. The Missile Defense mutually agreed projects between India and Agency (MDA) of the United States of Uzbekistan. America along with Israeli Air Force and Note: Both nations reexamined the activities Israel Aerospace Industries conducted the of bilateral economic and trade cooperation testing. which are in operation or planned for the

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

✓ According to the US-based news agency ✓ Israel has successfully launched a new spy Associated Press, China has been running a satellite “Ofek 16” . number of in-human campaigns to slash the Note: Ofek 16 is a small electro-optical birth rates among the minority Muslim imaging satellite, which will capture high- population called ‘Demographic Genocide’. resolution images of the Earth for Israel’s ✓ India and Japan have conducted Naval Ministry of Defence. Exercise ‘PASSEX’ to promote mutual ✓ Fourth edition of “Ministerial on Climate understanding and for tactical and Action (MoCA)” was held virtually for the communications training. first time in view of the ongoing COVID-19 Note: This was the 15th exercise undertaken pandemic. by the navies of these two nations in the last ✓ Sri Lanka and Maldives became the first two three years. The overall content of this countries from the South East Asia Region of PASSEX was goodwill training and to WHO to have successfully eliminated both promote understanding. the Measles and Rubella Virus. ✓ New Zealand has cancelled the 2021 Asia- ✓ Germany become the first industrialized Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) due to country to phase out of both coal and nuclear the COVID-19 pandemic and is opting to lead energy. a virtual summit. ✓ India’s rank among 10 Asia-Pacific countries ✓ Uganda became the first African country to in the “Cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific: submit the results for Reducing Emissions Progress towards universal cancer control” from Deforestation and forest Degradation prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (REDD+) to the United Nations Framework (EIU)-- eighth. Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 61

www.gradeup.co ✓ Nepal has imposed a ban on all private Indian ✓ Iran has dropped India from Chabahar rail news channel. project, citing funding delay. ✓ The rise in mean average global temperature Note: Four years after India and Iran signed an in next 5 years as per the report “Global agreement to construct a rail line from Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2020- Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border 24” released by the WMO - 1.5°C. with Afghanistan, the Iranian government has ✓ World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to proceed with the construction on its formulated an independent panel for pandemic own, citing delays from the Indian side in preparedness and response to evaluate the funding and starting the project. world’s response to the COVID-19 - Helen ✓ China has successfully launched “APSTAR- Elizabeth Clark & Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. 6D” telecommunication satellite via a Long Note: The Panel will be co-chaired by former March 3B carrier rocket. Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen ✓ Elyes Fakhfakh resigned from the post of Elizabeth Clark and former President of prime minister of Tunisia. Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. ✓ UNICEF has partnered with SAP India to ✓ The ADB has entered into a 5-year agreement improve the employability skills of young with Qatar-based Education Above All people in a COVID-19 as well as post Foundation to work jointly for project worth COVID-19 era. of $100 million. ✓ Pakistan and China signed an agreement for Note: It will put at least 3.2 lakh out-of- the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project school children, including refugees and being built on Jhelum river of Pakistan internally displaced children into quality Occupied Kashmir (PoK). primary education. Initially,10 nations have ✓ Jordan apex court dissolved the country’s been selected for projects namely- branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, transnational Islamist movement. Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New ✓ The first Arab space mission dubbed as Guinea, Philippines, and Sri Lanka. ‘HOPE Probe’ was launched by United Arab ✓ Recently UAE has expressed interest to have Amirate (UAE) from Japan. an Open Sky Agreement with India. ✓ India and Maldives signed an agreement to Note: Open Sky Agreements are bilateral establish “Emergency Medical Services” in agreements that the two countries negotiate to Male. provide rights for airlines to offer international Note: The Emergency Medical Service is passenger and cargo services. It expands financed by India under grant assistance of 20 international passenger and cargo flights. million USD for neighbouring countries. This ✓ Kuwait has approved an Expat Quota Bill. will help to increase the collaboration between Note: According to the bill, Indians should not the countries, especially in the areas of health exceed 15% of the population and if it is care facilities, disaster responses during enacted into law, over 8 lakh Indians could be critical times, etc. forced out of Kuwait. ✓ Saudi Arabia hosted the G20 Digital ✓ World's first gold-plated hotel was unveiled in Ministers’ Meet 2020. Vietnam. ✓ 75th session of United Nations General ✓ Russian Gamalei Institute of Epidemiology Assembly is to be conducted virtually in 2020 and Microbiology’s COVID-19 vaccine for the first time in its history. becomes the first in the world to successfully ✓ Nicaragua has become the 87th country to completed the Human Clinical Trials. join the International Solar Alliance ✓ According to the data released by the United Framework Agreement, an initiative led by Kingdom, India has become the second India to promote sustainable energy. largest Foreign Direct Investor in the United ✓ World Trade Organization (WTO) General Kingdom (UK) after the United States in Council has granted the “Observer” status to 2019. Asian country Turkmenistan.

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

✓ SpaceX become the first private rocket ✓ South African National Space Agency company to send astronauts to space. (SANSA) has partnered with NASA to • Note: SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft host a deep-space ground station, which with two NASA astronauts will support human spaceflight missions to successfully docked with the the Moon, Mars and beyond. International Space Station last ✓ United Kingdom has hosted Virtual night after a historic launch from Global Vaccine Summit 2020. the Kennedy Space Center in ✓ Australia signed Mutual Logistics Florida. Support Agreement (MLSA) with India to ✓ The United Nations Security Council increase military inter-operability through (UNSC) has extended the individual defence exercises between the two sanctions, travel ban and an arms embargo countries. on South Sudan country till May 2021. ✓ The theme of the 51st WEF annual summit • Note: An arms embargo is a to be held in January 2021 --- The Great restriction or a set of sanctions that Reset. applies solely to weaponry. ✓ An Unmanned submersible of China to ✓ In association with Costa Rica country the dived deep down to 10,907 metres to the World Health Organization has launched world’s deepest point Mariana Trench, COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C- ✓ Kathy Sullivan has become the first TAP). woman and the fifth person in history to • Note: More than 30 countries have descend to the deepest known spot in the signed up to support this initiative. world’s oceans called the 'Challenger C-TAP was first proposed by Costa Deep' in the Mariana Trench. Rican President Carlos Alvarado in • Challenger Deep is the deepest March 2020. point in the Earth’s seabed. It is at ✓ India’s rank in the “Countries Global a depth of 10,902 metres. Ranking of Startup Ecosystem 2020” ✓ Massachusetts Institute of Technology report prepared by Zurich based global institute/university maintains its position innovation mapping and research company as the top institution in world in the QS StartupBlink -- 23rd. 63

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

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

✓ As per the UNCTAD report titled the 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland in the World will witness recession except India United Kingdom (UK). and China. ✓ USD 2.9 million amountshas been ✓ The World Bank in its Economic Update announced by the aid agency USAID to for East Asia and Pacific (EAP) titled India to fight against Coronavirus. “East Asia and Pacific in the Time of ✓ China has become the world leader in COVID-19” stated that poverty is international patent filings via WIPO’s estimated to increase 11 Million. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). ✓ United Nation’s COP 26 climate change • Note: China has filled a total of summit postponed till 2021. 58,990 applications surpassing the • Note: The conference was planned United States (US), which was at to take place from 9-19 November top spot since the PCT began operations in 1978. 65

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

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

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

www.gradeup.co • This index studied 75 countries ✓ 3rd edition of WION Global Summit 2020 covering over 80 % of the world’s held in Dubai, UAE. population & measures social beliefs • Note: WION (World Is One News), that obstruct gender equality in areas the India’s first International News like politics, work, and education. Channel,has organized its 3rd edition ✓ India’s rank in the Stockholm International of Global summit 2020 based on the Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) annual theme “Navigating and negotiating report titled “Trends in international arms global imperatives” at The Oberoi, in transfers, 2019” -- Second. Dubai. • Note: India is the world’s second • It saw the participation of global largest arms importer during 2015-19 leaders to engage in dialogue on a with its global share of 9.2% after common global agenda to underscore Saudi Arabia, who has topped the the critical challenges of climate ranking with global share of 12%. change, global governance, economic • On the other hand, India ranked 23rd in slowdown, and global crisis that terms of world’s largest arms exporters threatens to become the new normal. with global share of 0.2% and its main ✓ First country to close its financial markets due clients being Myanmar (46%), Sri to the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) outbreak -- Lanka (25%), and Mauritius (14%). Philippines. United States (US) topped the list in • Note: It resumed its trading on March this section with a share of 36%. 19, 2020. This measure was taken to ✓ In the 2nd edition of global Animal Protection ensure the safety of their employees Index (API) 2020 released by the World and the people they interact with. Now Animal Protection India gained --- Grade C. the speculations are if other countries • Note: World Animal Protection may take similar measures then there is released the 2nd edition of global a fear of a global recession. Animal Protection Index (API) 2020, ✓ The 7th World Cities Summit (WCS) is to be where India gained C grade with other held from July 5 to 9, 2020 in Singapore. 8 countries which indicates India is one • Note: It is organized by Singapore’s of the better-performing countries. Centre for Liveable Cities and the Tragically no country gained A grade. Urban Redevelopment Authority. ✓ World Economic Forum (WEF) has initiated • The theme for WCS 2020 is “Liveable the creation of the COVID Action Platform and Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a with the support of the World Health Disrupted World”. The WCS 2020 is Organization (WHO), and Welcome Trust. held in conjunction with the Singapore • Note: The World Economic Forum International Water Week (SIWW) and (WEF) has initiated the creation of the the Clean Enviro Summit Singapore COVID Action Platform with the (CESG). support of the World Health • Singapore Government invited Uttar Organization (WHO), and Wellcome Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Trust. Adityanath to the WCS-2020. • This first of its kind platform, ✓ USD 1 million dollars. has been donated by operating globally, is open to all the WhatsApp to Poynter Institute’s businesses and industry groups, as well International Fast-Checking Network (IFCN) as other stakeholders, for integrated in order to avoid fake information about the and collective business action to disease. mitigate the risk and impact of ✓ India’s rank in the 8th World Happiness COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Forum Report 2020 released by the United has established a special team to Nations (UN) -- 144th. support the platform’s work.

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

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

www.gradeup.co • Note: “co” stands for “corona”, “vi” commissioned by Yidan Prize for “virus” and “d” for “disease”, while foundation. “19” was for the year, as the outbreak • The index is topped by Finland, was first originated in China’s Wuhan followed by Sweden in second place area in December 2019. and New Zealand in third place. ✓ The 43rd session of the annual Governing ✓ Air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II has been Council meeting of the International Fund for launched by Pakistan. Agricultural Development (IFAD) 2020 was ✓ To combat Climate Change, Amazon CEO held in Rome, Italy. Jeff Bezos has announced the launch of • Note: The theme of this year is “Bezos Earth Fund” worth $10 billion. “Investing in sustainable food systems • Note:The Bezos Earth Fund will fund to end hunger by 2030”. the scientists, activists, NGOs to save ✓ Astronaut Christina Koch returned to Earth Earth to tackle the issue of climate after record stay in space. change. • Note: National Aeronautics and Space ✓ Ashraf Ghani has won the Presidential Administration (NASA)’s astronaut elections of Afghanistan and will become the Christina Koch has returned to Earth President of Afghanistan for the 2nd time. after her record stay in space. ✓ The Paris based Financial Action Task Force • With her 328 days stay in space, she (FATF) continue to keep Pakistan in Grey has surpassed Peggy Whitson’s record List. for an American woman on a single • Note: Islamabad (Pakistan) continues spaceflight at 289 days. to remain on grey list & If it does not ✓ The Mobile World Congress was cancelled curb the financing of terrorism by June due to coronavirus fears which was scheduled 2020, it will be put on the blacklist. to be held in Barcelona. ✓ The 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on ✓ The 26th session of the Conference of the Road Safety was held in Stockholm, Sweden. Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC is scheduled • The aim of the meet was to chart future to be held in Glasgow UK. strategic directions for global road ✓ UAE becomes the 1st Arab Nation to issue safety and to share successes and license to operate a reactor at its Nuclear lessons from implementation of the power plant. Global Plan for the Decade of Action ✓ Hindi becomes the 3rd most spoken language for Road Safety 2011–2020. in the world after English & Mandarin. • It should be noted that United Nations ✓ The Worldwide Education for The Future (UN) has set a goal under the UN Index (WEFFI) 2019 ranked India in 35th Decade of Action of reducing road position. crashes by 2030. • The WEFFI report is created by The ✓ 9th Defence and Security Expert Working Economist Intelligence unit and Group meeting of SCO held in Islamabad, Pakistan. January 2020

✓ Piyush Jaiswal has been awarded the Global ✓ Indian Army to sign MoU for AK-203 Bihar Excellence Award 2019. assault rifles with Russia. • Note: The award was given for ✓ Naval Exercise 'Naseem-Al-Bahr' will be contribution towards social welfare, conducted in Goa. women empowerment and introducing • Note: 12th edition of the Indo-Oman new talent in the field of arts and bilateral naval exercise ''Naseem-Al- culture. Bahr' will be conducted in Goa.

www.gradeup.co ✓ 50th Annual Meeting of the World ✓ World Health Organisation (WHO) released Economic Forum (WEF) was held in Davos, the Global challenges for 2020 and identified Switzerland. health challenges in this decade. • This year 50th Annual Meeting of the ✓ As per the 9th edition of Tomtom Traffic World Economic Forum theme will Index 2019 which city is emerged as the worst be “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and traffic congested cities in the world -- Sustainable World”. Bengaluru. ✓ Microsoft company has announced that it ✓ Britain has launched a £4 Mn (about Rs 37 would become “carbon negative” by year crore) ‘Innovation Challenge Fund’ in 2030. India. ✓ Robert Abela elected as 14th prime minister • The fund is focused on 2 main tech of Malta platforms including artificial ✓ The 10th edition of World Future Energy intelligence (AI) and big data in Summit (WFES) 2020 was held at Abu Karnataka and future mobility in Dhabi, UAE. Maharashtra. • The theme for the year 2020 was ✓ The Pacific nation of Palau has become the “Rethinking Global Consumption, first country in the world to ban sunscreen that Production, and Investment”. is harmful to corals and sea life. Important News: Economy

August 2020

✓ SIDBI in association with TransUnion website and can be shared anywhere with CIBIL Limited launched a comprehensive anyone over chat, SMS, email etc. financial education and one-stop knowledge ✓ Indian Power Company Reliance Power and platform for micro, small and medium Japanese energy major JERA have inked a enterprises “MSMESaksham” for MSMEs. pact with a group of banks for financing their Note: The portal is focused on two key pillars new gas-fired thermal power generation of financial knowledge and access to credit. project in Bangladesh. The portal will have a consolidated list of all Note: Both partners will develop a new 745 the schemes launched by the Centre and state MW natural gas combined-cycle power governments for MSMEs. It will be a project in Meghnaghat in Bangladesh.In knowledge hub with informative articles, September, 2019 Reliance Power inducted business insights to help entrepreneurs and JERA as a partner for the 750 mw-gas based business owners start or grow businesses. combined cycle power project in Bangladesh ✓ The National Digital Conference on “Easing as a part of its understanding with the country Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat” in 2015 to set up a total of 3,000 mw. organised by Confederation of Indian ✓ As per the revised Securities Contracts Industry (CII). (Regulation) Rules, 1957, list entities will get ✓ Payment system MobiKwik. has launched 3 years to meet criteria of minimum public mpay.me, a UPI payment link service that shareholding of 25 per cent. allows users to send and receive money from Note: listed entities get one more year to any UPI payment app. comply with the rules of MPS, benefitting Note: Through mpay.me, users and merchants more than three dozen PSUs (public sector can set up a personalized link using their undertakings) who have been unable to meet mobile number. The link can be created this requirement amid COVID-19. through the MobiKwik app or the MobiKwik ✓ Country’s national bank Bahrain, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB)has decided to adopt 71

www.gradeup.co the Finacle Cash Management Suite of Infosys Note: In a major reform the Central Board of Finacle to digitally transform its transaction Direct Taxes (CBDT) has carried out several banking business. major tax reforms in direct taxes in recent ✓ AI-powered multilingual voice bot AXAA has years. Last year, the Corporate Tax rates were been launched by Axis Bank to resolve reduced from 30 per cent to 22 per cent and customer queries. for new manufacturing units, the rates were Note: The BOT has been launched in reduced to 15 per cent. Dividend distribution collaboration with Bengaluru startup tax was also abolished. Vernacular.ai, an AI-based SaaS voice ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has automation platform. AXAA will optimise announced to introduce a mechanism of voice AI solutions and help automate customer ‘Positive Pay’ feature for all cheques of value interactions through intelligent human-like of Rs 50,000 and above. dialogue. Note: This feature helps to avert cheque ✓ Mozambique, Export-Import (EXIM) Bank frauds. The limit of Rs 50,000 will cover has to improve the power supply quality of the approximately 20 per cent of transactions by country. volume and 80 per cent by value.The Reserve ✓ International Financial Corporation (IFC) Bank of India (RBI) has announced to entities committed to invest Rs 75 crore in introduce a mechanism of ‘Positive Pay’ Endiya Partners Fund II. feature for all cheques of value Rs 50,000 and Note: In addition to this, IFC has also above. committed an additional USD 10 million for ✓ The National Agricultural Higher Education direct co-investments. The partnership will Project (NAHEP) was funded by Government provide financial and strategic support to of India and World Bank (WB). Endiya portfolio companies, resulting in Note: The Government of India-World Bank- increased access to growth opportunities and funded National Agricultural Higher sustainable scalability. Education Project is designed for ✓ National Payment Corporation of India strengthening the national agricultural (NPCI) has launched ‘nth Rewards’, a education system in the country.The overall business intelligence and analytics enabled objective to provide more relevant and high- omni-channel multi-branded loyalty platform. quality education to the agricultural university Note: This platform enables users to earn ‘nth’ students that are in tune with the New (denoting infinite possibilities) points through Education Policy – 2020. various bank transactions and redeem them ✓ Punjab National Bank has launched instantly on various products, such as e- ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’ campaign to vouchers, donations, hotel and flight bookings. encourage customers to use digital banking The platform aims to become a one stop shop channels. for the bank which will enable them to retain Note: The campaign launched by the bank’s and grow their customer base. Managing Director S SMallikarjuna Rao on ✓ Paytm has launched India’s 1st Pocket the occasion of Independence Day is till Android POS (Point of Sale) Device for March 31, 2021. PNB encourage customers to contactless ordering and payments in India. use digital channels and participate in the Note: It is an effort to digitise and empower a noble cause of donating to the PM CARES large number of Small and Medium Fund for COVID-19. Enterprises (SMEs). The company aims to ✓ Reserve Bank of India has decided to transfer issue over 2 lakh devices within the next few as dividend Rs 57,128 crore. to the central months which will generate over 20 million government accounting year 2019-20. transactions per month. Note: It has decided to maintain a contingency ✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched risk buffer of 5.5 percent at the minimum the platform “Honoring the Honest” for threshold recommended by the Jalan Transparent Taxation. committee to review RBI's capital framework.The central board approved the 72

www.gradeup.co dividend at its 584th meeting through video ✓ Lakshmi Vilas Bankhas launched ‘DigiGo’, conferencing to discuss the financial a digital initiative to enable the opening of operations and the balance sheet for the savings account instantly. financial year 2019-20 . Note: LVB’s new initiative will help people to ✓ Multi Commodity Exchange of India avail the most required banking services (MCX)exchanges is going to launch India’s instantly through the website. As a Lakshmi first bullion index named “Bulldex”. DigiGo customer, one can visit the nearest Note: Bullions, viz. gold and silver are already LVB Branch and convert his/her “Lakshmi being traded as individual commodities on the DigiGo”, account to a fully-featured regular country’s premier commodity exchange. With account of choice and avail cheque book, debit gold and silver as underlying, Bulldex will card and a host of other facilities. have a market lot size of 50 and be cash- ✓ The Asian Development Bank has approved settled futures contract. MCX had tested USD 1 billion package to support the bullion index futures trade in mock trading construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi- exercises in July. Meerut regional rapid transit system, a first of ✓ Indian company Biological E announced the its kind in India. acquisition of Akorn India, a subsidiary of Note: The transit system project aims to help U.S. firm Akorn Inc. decongest the city and improve regional Note: The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, connectivity by establishing transit options comes days after BE entered into an through densely populated sections of the agreement with Johnson & Johnson firm NCR connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar Janssen Pharmaceutica, whose COVID-19 Pradesh. vaccine candidate (Ad26.COV2.S) is ✓ Axis Bank has launched a new initiative undergoing clinical trials. named ‘Gig-a-Opportunities’ to attract ✓ Fino Payments Bankhas launched an skilled talent that can work with the bank Aadhaar Authentication based digital savings remotely. account Jan BachatKhata (JBK). Note: The initiative aims to attract skilled Note: Under the JBK, customers can transact talent that can work with the bank remotely, at a Fino branch or merchant point with from anywhere in the country. This hiring fingerprint and OTP combination, while at model comprises two working patterns. non-Fino points they need Aadhaar ✓ Tata Group has launched “super app”, an e authentication. Earlier, Fino Payments Bank commerce app with an aim to take on Amazon had introduced Shubh and Bhavishya, and Reliance Industries in the country's subscription-based savings accounts targeted booming e commerce sector. at specific customer segments. Note: The app will offer food and grocery ✓ Asian Development Bank has approved a ordering, fashion and lifestyle, consumer total of 1 billion USD loan to provide electronics and consumer durables, insurance assistance for the construction of modern, and financial services, education, healthcare high-speed Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid and bill payments. The app will put the Transit System. conglomerate in competition with giants of the Note: ADB’S finance will include the region like Reliance Industries and global construction of railway tracks, station titans like Amazon. buildings, maintenance facilities, and traction, ✓ ICICI Bank becomes the first bank in India to and power supply. The project aims at use satellite data to assess the creditworthiness smoothening regional connectivity by of farmers. establishing transit options across the densely Note: The satellite data with demographic and populated sectors of the National Capital financial details provides strong information Region connecting Delhi to Meerut in the state on the land asset of the farmers. Usage of this of Uttar Pradesh. technology will help farmers with existing credit to expand their eligibility and help new-

www.gradeup.co to-credit farmers to get better access to formal Banking Codes and Standards Board of credit. India (BCSBI). ✓ NABARD has introduced, ‘Structured Note: It was set up in February 2006 as an Finance and Partial Guarantee Program independent and autonomous body for for Non-Banking Finance Companies formulating codes of conduct to be adopted by (NBFC)-Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). banks voluntarily for ensuring fair treatment of Note: It is a dedicated debt and credit customers.BCSBI, in collaboration with the guarantee product to ensure uninterrupted flow Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), has evolved of credit to the last mile in rural areas hit by two codes – Code of Bank’s Commitment to the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers and the Code of Bank’s ✓ Axis Bank has ‘Liberty Savings Account’ Commitment to Micro and Small Enterprises. for the Indian Youth, to address the ever- ✓ The Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. has changing lifestyle needs of young and digitally partnered with Visa to develop an instalment interested Indians. platform, which will enable the issuers to Note: It offers a complimentary hospital cash extend credit to their cardholders at face-to- insurance cover of up to Rs 20,000 per year, face Point of Sale (PoS) in India. which covers hospital expenses incurred under Note:Theinstallments platform with the suite COVID -19, which makes this a 1st of its kind of platform capabilities leveraging savings account to cover the pandemic. Innoviti’suniPAYNEXTplatform and Visa’s ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Annual APIs, provides shoppers the ability to choose Report for 2019-20 projected India’s growth at how they pay during the purchase. what percent for 2020-21-- minus 4.5%. ✓ Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Note: It is the Report of the Central Board of Limited has launched ‘Smart Assist’, a 1st of Directors on the working of the Reserve Bank its kind technology service in the insurance of India (RBI) for the year ended June 30, industry. 2020 submitted to the Central Government in Note: It helps the customers to know about terms of Section 53(2) of the Reserve Bank of product details while enjoying virtual India Act, 1934. In the report, RBI projected assistance and maintaining social distance that India’s growth at minus 4.5% for 2020- protocol. It is the latest in the series of 21. initiatives by Bajaj Allianz Life to enhance the ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Annual customer experience by digitizing its Report for 2019-20 has decided to dissolve operations, making them easy-to-use and completely secure

July 2020

✓ World Bank has approved a USD 750 million ✓ As per the Reserve Bank of India data Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises state Tamil Nadu is at the top in market (MSMEs) Emergency Response Program to borrowings in the fiscal 2020-21(FY 21). support severely impacted MSMEs in India ✓ As per the data from the Union Ministry of due to COVID-19 crisis. Commerce and Industry, USA remains as the ✓ SAP India has launched the Global Bharat top trading partner of India during the program, designed to enable Indian micro, Financial Year 2019-20. small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Note: This is the second consecutive Financial become globally competitive by equipping Year that the United States has become the top them with digital technologies. trading partner of India. ✓ Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has ✓ Technology giant google announced to invest released USD 50 million in the first tranche of Rs 75,000 crore in India over the next five to assistance to L&T Infrastructure Finance Ltd seven years with a focus on digitizing the (LTIF), to fund renewable Energy Projects in economy and building India-first products and India. services. 74

www.gradeup.co ✓ In Andaman and Nicobar Islands NABARD $400-million currency swap facility till has launched development projects of Rs 44 November 2020. lakhs to strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat Note: This currency swap is used to boost the through rural entrepreneurship. foreign reserves and ensure the financial ✓ In the new World Bank country classifications stability of the country, which is badly hit by by income level 2020-2021, India remains in the COVID-19 pandemic. The currency swap the classification of Lower Middle-income arrangement will remain available till economy. November 2022. ✓ The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ✓ What per cent of Foreign Direct Investment (AIIB) would lend $250 million to Pakistan (FDI) has been decided by the union to help the country deal with the effects of the government in defence sector -- 74 per cent. COVID-19 pandemic. Note: The second draft of the Defence ✓ Amount of rescue package has been Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2020, now announced by the European Union (EU) to renamed as the Defence Acquisition Procedure rebuild the bloc’s economies ravaged by (DAP) 2020, was put out in public domain for COVID-19 -- €750 billion. comments from stakeholders and public. ✓ Airtel Payments Bank partnered with the ✓ The Central Government in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation World Bank has decided to convert the area (NSDC) to train and skill young people in of ravines in the region of Gwalior-Chambal rural areas on financial services. belt of Madhya Pradesh into cultivable land. ✓ As per the Financial Stability Report, July Note: Around 3 lakh hectares land of this 2020 released the Reserve Bank of India what region are non-cultivable, this conversion will will be the Gross Nonperforming Assets improve and support the integrated (GNPA) ratio of all scheduled commercial development of the Bihad area in the region of banks (SCBs) by March 2021 -- 12.5 per cent. Gwalior-Chambal.In addition to the ✓ Asian Development Bank has agreed to agricultural and environmental development partner with Green Climate Fund (GCF) this project will also create employment toward a 'green recovery' for members opportunities and will support the substantive confronting the harsh economic impact of the development of this region. COVID-19 pandemic. ✓ Asian Development Bank has approved USD Note: This collaboration focuses on enhancing 3 million (Rs 22 crore) grant to India from the the steps to reduce the carbon emission and for Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to climate-resilient development in Asia-Pacific. support India’s battle against COVID-19. ABD has offered a support package of USD Note: The grant is financed by the Japanese 20 billion for COVID-19. Under the Strategy government. It will be used to seek thermal 2030, ADB will ensure that 75% of its scanners, enhancement of disease surveillance committed projects will support climate and early detection, contact tracing, and change mitigation and adaptation by 2030. treatment. COVID-19 pandemic response ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed option (CPRO) was established to provide an agreement with Sri Lanka for extending a assistance to the member countries’ pandemic response.

June 2020

✓ Worker population ratio is (35.3%) as per on the recommendation of Commission for the ‘Annual Report of Periodic Labour Agricultural Costs and Prices. Force Survey launched by National • Note: The Minimum Support Price Statistical Office (NSO). of Paddy has been increased by Rs ✓ 14 kharif crops the central government has 53 per quintal. The MSP of paddy announced minimum support price (MSP) has been fixed at Rs 1,868 per quintal for the year 2020-21. 75

www.gradeup.co • The rates of pulses, oil seeds and ✓ According to World bank’s report, global cereals have also been increased. economy will contract by in 2020 - 5.2 per The MSP of cotton has been cent. increased from Rs 5,255 per ✓ PK Mohanty will chair the committee quintal to Rs 5,515 per quintal. formed by the Reserve Bank of India ✓ Grade Baa3 has been given by ratings (RBI) to review the guidelines related to agency Moody’s Investors Service towards ownership, governance and corporate India’s sovereign rating. structure of private sector banks. • Note: Baa3 is the lowest ✓ Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM investment grade in Moody’s Bank) has provided a line of credit (LOC) rating ladder. This means, India is of $215.68 million to Malawi country for just one notch above the non- Drinking Water Supply Scheme. investment grade or junk grade. ✓ As per the new framework of the RBI, the ✓ Small Industries Development Bank of National Payment Corporation of India India (SIDBI) is the technical partner for and National Electronic Fund Transfer implementation of PM Svanidhi, or will be treated as Financial Market Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s Infrastructure (FMI). AtmaNirbhar Nidhi scheme launched by ✓ In accordance with the weekly statistical the Ministry of Housing and Urban data released by the Reserve Bank of India Affairs. (RBI), India’s foreign reserves crossed the ✓ GAIL India Limited has signed a $500 billion mark. memorandum of understanding (MoU) ✓ According to UNCTAD’s World with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd Investment Report 2020, the Global (EESL) for development of” trigeneration” Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows projects in India. are forecast to decrease by up to 40% in • Note: An equal (50:50) joint 2020. venture between the two companies ✓ According to UNCTAD’s World will be incorporated for Investment Report 2020 what is the undertaking trigeneration projects position of India as recipient of the foreign if the studies made by 2 companies direct investment in 2019-- 9th largest. are viable. ✓ According to the payroll data of EPFO ✓ As per the 64th survey of Professional witnessed 28.6 % increase in formal Forecasters (SPF) on Macroeconomic employment in 2019-20. Indicators released by RBI in FY 2021 ✓ According to Asian Development India’s gross domestic product (GDP) Outlook by the Asian Development growth may contract by 1.5 per cent. Bank, in FY 2020-21 Indian economy is ✓ The World Bank (WB) has granted loan projected to contract by 4 per cent. worth of Rs. 1,950 crores to West Bengal ✓ As per the new Purchasing Power Parities govt. for tackling COVID-19 situation and (PPPs) released by the World Bank, developmental work. India’s global position as an economy in ✓ Harsh Vardhan chaired the Committee terms of PPPs - 3rd. on Development of Housing Finance ✓ World Bank approved USD 500 million to Securitization Market in India on the improve the learning outcome and recommendation of which RBI draft governance of government schools in six Framework for Securitization of Standard Indian states under STARS Programme. Assets. • Note: The project, Strengthening ✓ Growth of India in FY2020-21 as per Teaching-Learning and Results for World Bank’s Global Economic Prospect States Program (STARS), will be (GEP) June 2020 - 3.2 per cent. implemented through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, the flagship central scheme, in Himachal 76

www.gradeup.co Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, connecting Dhaka in Bangladesh with Maharashtra, Odisha and India and Bhutan. Rajasthan. • Note: It will also support the ✓ Minimum amount can be invested in the Bangladesh government’s plan of newly launched Floating Rate Savings developing a 260 km economic Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) Scheme -- Rs corridor in the western part and 1000. benefitting over 20 million masses. • Note: The Floating Rate Savings • The Western Economic Corridor Bonds 2020 (FRSB Bonds) will and the Regional Enhancement have a tenure of 7 years and the (WeCARE) Phase I project is the interest rate will keep varying first of a multi-phased $1.4 billion during the tenure of the scheme. World Bank program to upgrade ✓ The tenure of the Floating Rate Savings the existing 110 km two-lane Bonds 2020 (FRSB Bonds) launched by highway, Bhomra-Satkhira- the Government of India in of 7.75% Navaron and Jashore-Jhenaidah, to Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 -- 7 years. a safer and climate-resilient four- ✓ World Bank has approved $500 million lane highway in western to build road connectivity along the Bangladesh. Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor directly

May 2020

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

April 2020

✓ Asian Development Bank (ADB) has half of the financial year 2020-21 for the signed a loan agreement worth of $60 centre to Rs 1.2 lakh crore. million with affordable housing loan ✓ The United Nations (UN) Department of providerAavas Financiers Ltd. Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) ✓ Standard & Poor Global Ratings has World Economic Forecasting Model slashed down India’s growth forecast for estimates that the global economy could financial year 2020-21 to 3.5%. shrink by 1%. ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in ✓ According to the Fitch Solutions India’s consultation with the Government of India fiscal deficit is expected to go up to what (GoI), has hiked the limit of Ways and per cent of GDP -- 6.2 %. Means Advances (WMA) for the first ✓ Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO)

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

✓ The Employees Provident Fund seven years low by 0.15% or 15 basis Organisation (EPFO) has cuts interest rate to points from 8.65% to 8.5%. 8.5%. • The decision has been taken during the • Note: The EPFO has declined interest meeting of EPFO’s apex decision rate on EPF deposits for 2019-20 to making body, Central Board of

www.gradeup.co Trustees (CBT) chaired by Minister of Empowerment of Persons with State (MoS) for Labour and Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Science & Technology in New Delhi. (DST), Ministry of Science and ✓ Name the world’s first Digital Solutions Technology and National Research and Exchange Cloud launched in India -- Education Network (NREN). GOKADDAL. ✓ For Research in Cybersecurity Programs L&T • Note: GOKADDAL, the World’s first Technology Services has signed with IIT- Digital Solutions Exchange in Cloud, Kanpur. was launched in India on March 11, • Note: L&T Technology Services (LTTS) signed a multi-year 2020. www.gokaddal.com, a cloud- Memorandum of Understanding based solution exchange platform (MoU) with the Indian Institute of mainly focuses on 4A’s – Automation, Technology Kanpur (IIT) to Artificial Intelligence, Analytics and collaborate on research industrial and Augmentative Technologies. infrastructure cybersecurity. • It is a Business to Business (B2B), • The MoU is signed between Dr Business to Government (B2G), Keshab Panda, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of LTTS and Business to Consumer (B2C) solution Professor Manindra Agarwal, Padma platform which connects solution Shri Awardee, Deputy Director at IIT- providers to solution seekers and an Kanpur. innovative platform for Startups and ✓ RBI has injected 30,000 crores rupees SME companies. through open market operations (OMOs) in ✓ 39th GST Council meet on ‘Know your the economy. Supplier’ was held in New Delhi. • Note: The RBI will purchase • Note: It was headed by Finance government securities under OMOs in Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During two tranches of Rs 15,000 crore each. the summit several decisions have been taken regarding the GST mechanism • OMO is the sale and purchase of on particular sections. government securities and treasury • One of the decisions includes bills by the central bank of the country. calculation of delayed GST payment • Already, RBI infused Rs 10,000 crore on the net tax liability w.e.f. 1st July through open market operations, last 2017, the day the GST came into force. week. • Net cash tax liability is arrived at after

deducting the input tax credits • RBI will purchase securities with a available from gross tax liability. coupon rate of 6.84 per cent (maturity ✓ An ‘Innovate for accessible India December 19, 2022); 7.72 per cent campaign’has been launched by Microsoft (May 25, 2025); 8.33 per cent (July 9, India and NASSCOM Foundation. 2026) and 7.26 per cent (January 14, • Note: It is a nation-wide innovation 2029). challenge aimed at empowering people ✓ Asian Development Bank will invest 100 with disabilities with the new million US Dollars in India’s infrastructure technologies required for better integration into society and access to sector through the government-promoted equal opportunities. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund • The campaign was launched in (NIIF). partnership with the Department of 79

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

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

January 2020

✓ India may overtake Germany to become the Centre for Economics and Business fourth-largest economy by 2026. Research (CEBR). • Note: The report titled 'World According to the “Global Investment Trend Economic League Table 2020' Monitor report 2020” released by United was released by the UK-based Nations Conference on Trade and Development

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

August 2020

✓ Sunil Ydv SS has been conferred with the ✓ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Karmaveer Chakra Award instituted by the Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognized United Nations and International Venkatraipur and Noliasahi, villages of Confederation of NGO (iCONGO). Odisha as ‘Tsunami Ready’ for their overall Note: He received the award for his relentless preparedness to face the tsunami. contribution to society through his Telegram Note: With this recognition, Odisha became channel “SS Motivation.” He addresses social the first state in the India and India became issues and motivates people every day through the 1st Country in the Indian Ocean region to his channel. The awards he won last year achieve the honour from the include RastraPrerna, Iconic Personality of Intergovernmental Oceanographic India, Incredible Indian Icon and Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Humanitarian Excellence. ✓ The researchers from IIT Kharagpur ✓ Defence Institute of Advanced Technology institutions has won the Gandhian Young (DIAT) has won the first prize in the Smart Technological Innovation (GYTI) Awards India Hackathon (SIH) 2020, a national-level 2020 for developing a mechanism for digital product building competition. generating electricity from wet clothes left Note: It was jointly organized by MHRD and under sunlight to dry. All India Council for Technical Education Note: The work has been published in Nano (AICTE) at Noida Institute of Engineering & Letters, a high-impact journal in the field, and Technology (NIET), Uttar Pradesh. The team the innovation has been patented by them. The of DIAT named as ‘Age of Ultron’ had six same award was presented separately to members under Dr. Sunita Dhavale . Prize another team of the IIT Kharagpur for Money: Rs 1 Lakh addressing the problem of energy conservation ✓ Moothonfilm has won the Best Film Award in and thermal management in wearable and the 20th edition of New York Indian Film flexible electronic devices. Festival (NYIFF) of Indo-American Arts ✓ Nitin Sethihas won the Asian College of Council (IAAC). Journalism’s award 2019 for investigative Note: It was conducted as a virtual event with journalism. the celebrities of the film industries and award Note:The awards ceremony was conducted winners participating from all across India and online due to the ongoing COVID-19 the United States. Nivin Pauly starring film pandemic. Sethi won in the investigative Mothoon was directed by Geetu Mohandas. journalism category for his six-part series The movies portray the story of a 14-year-old titled "Paisa Politics" published by The who travel in search of Moothon (elder Huffington Post India. brother) Akbar who left Lakshadweep for ✓ Shiv Sahay Singh has won the Asian College Mumbai”. of Journalism’s award 2019 the K P Narayana 81

www.gradeup.co Kumar Memorial Award for social impact resources in the rural area. The Prize money journalism. for Gold Award is Rs.1,00,000.The rural Note: He won the inaugural social impact school provided a balanced online and offline journalism award for his story titled "Death by activities for the students over the digital exclusion: On faculty public whatsapp.The award was sponsored under the distribution system in Jharkhand" published in CSR initiative of the Federal Bank Ltd. The Hindu. ✓ Indore city became India’s cleanest city for ✓ AkshayKumaris the only Indian actor to be the fourth year in a row in the Swachh listed among the top 10 world’s highest-paid Survekshan 2020 awards. actors of 2020. Note: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Note: Akshay is placed at sixth place in the announced the Swachh Survekshan 2020 list. Most of his income came from product result at the Award Ceremony ‘Swachh endorsements. The list takes into account the Mahotsav’ in the national capital being earnings between June 1, 2019, and June 1, organised by the Ministry of Housing and 2020. The list has been topped by Wrestler- Urban Affairs (MoUHA). This is the fifth turned-movie star Dwayne Johnson, for a edition of the annual cleanliness survey of the second straight year, with the total earning of country. A total of 129 awards will be handed $87.5 million. Johnson is also known by his out to the top-performing cities and states. ring name The Rock. ✓ Water technology company VA Tech Wabag ✓ Indian origin physician Ravi Solanki is Ltd. has won the prestigious Global Water among 19 winners of the UK’s Royal Award for its 45 million liters a day Tertiary Academy of Engineering President’s Special Treatment Reverse Osmosis Plant. Awards for Pandemic Service. Note: The plant has won the distinction award Note: Ravi Solanki, a physician working on under the category of ‘wastewater project of neurodegenerative diseases, along with the year’.The plant is one of the largest and Raymond Siems, an engineer working in technologically advanced water treatment machine learning, were awarded for their plants in India. volunteer work to help build a secure and fully ✓ NLCIhas bagged the “Swachhta Hi Seva functioning website for a new National Health award” for transforming Neyveli Township Service (NHS) charity HEROES. into a plastic-free, green campus. ✓ Rohit Sharma, VineshPhogat, Manika Batra Note: The award was conferred to three units and M Thangavelu were recommended for of the PSU - Township administration office Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2020 (First rank), Thermal Power Station -I (second award by the National Sports Awards selection rank) and Mines Sub-stores (third committee. rank).NLCIL implemented the Swachhta Hi Note: Rohit Sharma will be the fourth Seva programme in two phases -- the first cricketer after legendary Sachin Tendulkar, phase from September 11 to November 2, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to be conferred the 2019 and the second phase from October 3 to award. Tendulkar was awarded the Khel Ratna 27, 2019. in 1998, Dhoni got it in 2007 and Kohli ✓ Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash has won the received in 2018.In a first, this year’s National first ever Gold Medal for India in Mental Sports Awards ceremony is likely to be held Calculations World Cup (MCWC). virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: Bhanu Prakash had secured the gold ✓ St Christopher School of Nagalandhas won medal with a score of 167, Lebanese the Gold Award along with cash prize of Rs.1 contender Mohammed El Mir secured the Lakh from the first ever Pallikkutam National Silver Medal with a score 102 and Asmita Pal Award for Innovation in Education instituted from the UAE bagged the Bronze medal with by Rajagiri Media. a score of 100 points. Note: The St Christopher School won the ✓ Tenzin Priyadarshi and Zara Houshmand award for ensuring a seamless class for the has authored the book titled ‘Running toward students with the limited infrastructure and 82

www.gradeup.co Mystery: The Adventure of an Unconventional ($66,000) will be split equally between the Life’. author and translator to give equal recognition Note: The book provides an account of how to both. the Dalai Lama traced his Spiritual Teacher ✓ “Nayi Disha” is the HR initiative of SBI bank Khunu Lama in India. Tenzin Priyadarshi is has been awarded with Brandon Human the President and CEO of The Dalai Lama Capital Management (HCM) Excellence Center for Ethics and Transformative Values Award 2020. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Note: The award is also known as the (MIT) and Zara Houshmand is an Iranian Academy Awards of Learning & Development American author and literary translator. 2020. The SBI has been awarded with the ✓ Marieke Lucas Rijneveldhas been adjudged global recognition for its HR initiative, ”Nayi as the winner of the International Booker Prize Disha”. The award winners will be honored at 2020. Brandon Hall Group’s annual HCM Note:The book was first published in Dutch in Excellence Conference, January 26-28, 2021 2018 and eventually translated into English by at the Hilton West Palm Beach, Florida. Michele Hutchison. The £50,000 prize July 2020

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

www.gradeup.co Billionaires Index as the world’s richest man - • Amal Clooney has been awarded with the - 6th Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award 2020. • Parkash Dudeja has been awarded with • Greta Thunberg has been awarded with the coveted ‘Infra Business Leader of the Year’ ‘Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2020’. award for 2020. • Arnab Chaudhuri has been conferred with Note: He is the vice chairman of Rail Land ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the Development Authority (RLDA). Toonz Media Group (TMG) as part of the • N Chandrasekaran has been awarded the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020. 2020 USIBC Global Leadership Award along with Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet.

June 2020

✓ Virat Kohli has become the only cricketer foundation is located at Manila, and the only Indian to feature in the Philippines. Forbes’ Top 100 highest paid athletes of ✓ Renjith Kumar has been honoured with 2020. “NASA Distinguished Service Medal” for ✓ Kritika Pandey is the author of the book his administration to NASA. ‘The Great Indian Tee and Snakes’ for ✓ Rattan Lal has been conferred with which she bestowed with Commonwealth prestigious World Food Prize 2020. short story prize 2020 for Asia region. ✓ Shobha Sekhar has been chosen for the ✓ The World Health Organization (WHO) ‘Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). has accorded the “World No Tobacco Day ✓ Angad Singh Rana has been adjudged as Award 2020” to SEEDS NGO. the winner of New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual’ ✓ Akshay Kumar is the only Indian Chef competition – the ‘Quality NZ celebrities to find a place in the Forbes 100 Culinary Cup’ held in India. list of world's highest paid celebrities ✓ Deccan Development Society (DDS) has during June 2019 to May 2020. won the Biodiversity award 2020 of Prince ✓ Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been named Albert II of Monaco Foundation. as EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year ✓ Jammu and Kashmir has been conferred 2020. with three prestigious DeenDayal ✓ Indian Airport received Platinum Upadhyay SashaktikaranPuraskar for its Recognition in ACI Asia-Pacific Green outstanding contribution to the socio- Airports recognition 2020 -- Rajiv economic development of the Gram Gandhi International Airport, Panchayats across the state/UTs. Hyderabad. ✓ Amartya Kumar Sen has been selected ✓ Javed Akhtar becomes the first Indian to for the 2020 Peace Prize of the German receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins Book Trade. Award for 2020 for critical thinking. ✓ Priyanka Chopra and Anurag Kashyap ✓ India’s first solar-powered ferry which has named among the 50 ambassadors at 45th been shortlisted for the Gustave Trouve edition Toronto International Film Festival Award -- Aditya. (TIFF) 2020. ✓ Australian player Michal Clarke has been ✓ Beyonce has received the Humanitarian appointed an officer in the Order of Award at 20th edition of annual BET Australia, an honour for achievement or Awards 2020, for her long-standing meritorious service. philanthropic work, including her recent ✓ The Ramon Magsaysay awards, regarded COVID-19 relief efforts. as Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, have ✓ GulabbaiSangamnerkar has been been cancelled this year due to the conferred with VithabaiNarayangaokar coronavirus pandemic, the award lifetime achievement award by Maharashtra Government. 84

www.gradeup.co ✓ Madhuvanti Dandekar has been ✓ KK Shailaja has been honoured with conferred with Annasaheb Kirloskar award United Nations Awards for her efforts to by Maharshtra government. fight the coronavirus pandemic in her state. May 2020

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

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

• SarbanandaSonowalhas been honoured with with Swarajya Awards 2020 under the the Dr.Syama Prasad Mukherjee award for category, Dr.Syama Prasad Mukherjee politics. Award for Politics at the 6th India • Note: Assam’s Chief Minister Ideas Conclave at Tent City Narmada SarbanandaSonowal was honoured in Gujarat.

www.gradeup.co • The award is instituted by India • PV Sindhu has been adjudged as the Foundation & Indic Academy & Sportsman of the year in the 4th edition of presented by External Affairs Minister Times of India Sports Awards 2019. S Jaishankar and Speaker of People’s • Note: The 4th edition of TOISA Majlis of Maldives Mohamed (Times of India Sports Awards) awards Nasheed. honoured the best Indian in 2019 • ‘There Is No Evil’ film won the Golden Bear sports in New Delhi, India. prize 2020 for the best picture at the Berlin • The event was powered by BHIM-UPI International Film Festival 2020. (Bharat Interface for Money- Unified • Note: The 70th edition of Berlin Payments Interface). International Film Festival 2020 was • Rohit Sharma was named as the held in Berlin, Germany from 20 Cricketer of the year and PV Sindhu February–1 March 2020. was named as the Sportsman of the • It was the first under the leadership of year as she won gold at the World new Berlin Film Festival heads, Championships in Basel, Switzerland. business administration director • Nupur Kulshrestha becomes the 1st woman Mariette Rissenbeek and artistic to be promoted as Deputy Inspector General director Carlo Chatrian. (DIG) of Indian Coast Guard. • The Opening film of the festival was • Note: She joined Indian Coast Guard ‘My Salinger Year’& the Closing film in 1999. was ‘There Is No Evil’. • On August 18, 1978 ICG was • Jadav Payenghas been named as the 128th established by the Coast Guard Act, Commonwealth Points of Light Award 1978 of the Parliament of India as an winner. independent armed force of India and • Note: Jadav Payeng, an environmental is operated under the Ministry of activist of Assam also known as the defence. “Forest man of India” named as 128th • It is an armed forces and multi-mission winner of Commonwealth Points of organisation, which conducts real life Light Award. operations at sea round the year. • He had spent 30 years of his life for • President Ram Nath Kovind honoured ‘Nari planting trees. He was honored by the Shakti Puraskar’ for 2019 to 15 women. Head of Commonwealth the Queen • Note: The award is conferred annually Elizabeth II for his exceptional to eminent women and institutions in volunteer service in environmental recognition of their service towards the conservation. cause of women empowerment & • In the Time Magazine’s ‘100 women of the social welfare. year’ to recognize selected women or groups • This award is an initiative of the to represent each year from 1920 to 2019 Ministry of Women and Child former prime minister Indira Gandhi will be Development(MWCD) to acknowledge honored as ‘Women of the Year’ for 1976. the achievements of women for the • Note: TIME Magazine created 100 nation & recognize their contributions New Covers for the Project ‘100 towards society. women of the year’ to recognize • The theme of the 4th Edition of the Women selected women or groups to represent Transforming India (WTI) Awards 2019 -- each year from 1920 to 2019. Women and Entrepreneurship. • India’s freedom fighter Amrit Kaur • Note: On the occasion of International will be honored as ‘Women of the Women’s Day (March 8, 2020), NITI Year’ for 1947 & Former prime Aayog in collaboration with United minister Indira Gandhi for 1976. Nations (UN) in India has organized the 4th Edition of the Women 86

www.gradeup.co Transforming India (WTI) Awards sprinter PilavullakandiThekkeparambil 2019 in New Delhi. Usha was awarded with Lifetime • The theme for WTI awards 2019 was Achievement award. “Women and Entrepreneurship”. • The BBC award ceremony was held in • The awards were conferred by Defence New Delhi. Union Sports Minister Minister of India (or Raksha Mantri), Shri Kiren Rijiju was the guest of Rajnath Singh who was the chief guest honour and Tony Hall, BBC Director of an event. General hosted the awards ceremony • Manpreet Singh Pawar and Rani event. Rampalhave won the Hockey India Dhruv • Kempegowda International Airport has Batra Player of the Year Award 2019 for Men been adjudged as best Airport in Airport and Women respectively. Service Quality awards 2019. • Note: The captain of India men’s • Note: Annual Airport Service Quality national field hockey team, Manpreet (ASQ) Awards recognize and reward Singh Pawar (27) & Captain of Indian the best airports in the world according Women Hockey Team, Rani Rampal to ACI’s ‘ASQ Departure Survey’ and (25) have won the Hockey India Dhruv the ‘ASQ Arrivals Survey’. Batra Player of the Year Award 2019 • 34 key performance indicators under for Men and Women respectively. eight major categories were assessed • Apart from the trophy, they also during the survey & Indian Airports collected a prize money of Rs 25 lakh under the Airport Authority of India each. Harbinder Singh, who was a (AAI) have won many awards under member of the Tokyo Olympics 1964 Asia-Pacific region in “2019 Airport gold medal winning team, was honored Service Quality (ASQ) awards”. with Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime • The award is given by the Airports Achievement Award 2019, which Council International (ACI). carries prize money of Rs 30 lakh and • Dr JaimantiBakshi has won Best Citizens of a trophy. India Gold medal Award. • V Praveen Rao. Has won the 7th edition of • Note: Dr JaimantiBakshi, Professor & Dr MS Swaminathan Award for the period Unit Head II, Department of 2017- 2019. Otolaryngology and Head Neck • Note: V Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor surgery at PGIMER (Post Graduate (VC) of Professor JayaShankar Institute of Medical Education & Telangana State Agricultural Research), Chandigarh was awarded University (PJTSAU), won the 7th with “Best Citizens of India”. edition of Dr MS Swaminathan Award • The award was given by “GEPRA” for the period 2017- 2019. (Global Economic Progress and • The award will be conferred on him in Research Association) during the June 2020. The award was constituted National Unity conference held in by Retired Indian Council of Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). Agricultural Research Employees • Indian woman has been included in Association (RICAREA) and ‘Influential Women in Sport’ list for 2020 -- Nuziveedu Seeds Limited (NSL). Nita Ambani. • PV Sindu has been named as BBC Indian • Note: Sports business network, Sportswoman of the year 2019. iSportconnect released the ‘Influential • Note: Indian Badminton player Pusarla Women in Sport’ list for 2020, which Venkata Sindhu, 24 years old, won named Nita Ambani, Serena Williams BBC (British Broadcasting & Simone Biles along with 7 other Corporation) Indian Sportswoman of women. the year award 2019 and former 87

www.gradeup.co • Nita Ambani led her Mumbai Indians Organization (WHO), conducted a franchise to become the most three-month program for journalists to successful in IPL history & is in many work on road safety issues in 2019. sports projects across different sports • This program is conducted to in the country. Strengthen the capacities of the • Tennis player, Serena Williams’s journalists. overall impact both on the court, (the • Hillel Furstenberg and Gregory Margulis greatest female player of all time), & has been awarded with Abel Prize 2020. as a businesswoman. • Note: The award is given by The • Indian journalistArfa Khanum Sherwani and Norwegian Academy of Science and Rohini Mohan have won the “Chameli Devi Letters.They are awarded for their Jain Award 2019” for outstanding Women “pioneering use of methods from media persons. probability & dynamics in group • Note: Arfa Khanum Sherwani is a theory, number theory and senior editor of the news website ‘The combinatorics”. Wire’. While Rohini Mohan is • They used probabilistic methods & freelance journalist. random walks techniques to solve deep • The annual award recognises social problems in diverse areas of concern, dedication, courage and mathematics. compassion all over India from the • Ruchika Tomarhas won the 2020 print, broadcast and online media PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, for category. “A Prayer for Travelers”. • Arfa Khanum Sherwani was selected • Note: The novel was published on July for her reporting from conflict 9, 2019. The Novel states about the situations in Kashmir and Uttar friendship of 2 women which grows Pradesh (UP). Rohini Mohan has been complicated until the relationship chosen for her reportage on NRC breaks apart and one of the friends (National Register for Citizens) disappear. exercise in Assam & set a new • Ruchika Tomar hails from California benchmark for investigative & is currently working as a lecturer at journalism. Stanford University. • Prachi Salve and Pradeep Dwivedi has won • Zoya Akhtar has been honored with IIFTC the won the Road Safety (RS) Media Tourism Impact Award 2020. Fellowship 2019. • Note: She has promoted tourism • Note: Centre for Media Studies (CMS) through her films like 2011 ‘Zindagi announced that Prachi Salve of Na MilegiDobara’ which was shot in IndiaSpend and Pradeep Dwivedi of Spain, and 2015 comedy-drama DainikJagran as the first winner of ‘DilDhadakne Do’ shot in Turkey. Road Safety (RS) Media Fellowship • Asia’s largest film tourism event, 8th 2019, for their work in contribution India International Film Tourism towards reporting on road safety. Conclave (IIFTC) was held in • Centre for Media Studies (CMS) Mumbai, Maharashtra. supported by the World Health February 2020

• The Most Promising Brand of the Year • Indore (Madhya Pradesh) has also won Award 2019 was won by Amulya Mica. 1st place for better performance in • Madhya Pradesh state has won the 1st PMMVY. position for its implementation of Pradhan • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). GovernorShaktikanta Das was awarded the 88

www.gradeup.co ‘Central Banker of the Year 2020’, Asia- the award by the International Hockey Pacific by The Banker magazine. Federation (FIH). • 1st Mathrubhumi book of the year 2020 award • Film ‘Gully Boy’ has won the best film award won by Vinod Shukla. at the 65th edition of Amazon Filmfare Awards • Note: He was awarded for his 2020. translated book ‘Blue Is Like Blue’. • The 65th edition of Amazon Filmfare Awards • National Kishore Kumar Samman of the 2020 was held at Indira Gandhi Athletic Madhya Pradesh (MP) government for the Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. year 2018 was awarded to Waheeda Rehman. • Ranveer Singh for Gully Boy won the best • Transport Minister’s Road Safety Award Actor award at the 65th edition of Amazon 2018-19 was awarded to Delhi Transport Filmfare Awards 2020. Corporation (DTC). • 20th edition of Laureus World Sports Awards • The award was given for its lowest 2020 was held in Berlin, Germany. accident rate. • Laureus World Sports Awards is known as • Film ‘1917’ won the Best Film award, in the ‘Oscars of Sport’. 73rd British Academy of Film and Television • Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw won Ernst & Young Arts (BAFTA) Awards 2020 ceremony. Entrepreneur of the year 2019. • President of India Shri. Ram Nath Kovind • PV Sindhu received the ‘sportsperson of the presented the International Gandhi Awards for year 2019 female at the ESPN Multi-Sport Leprosy to Dr. N.S. Dharmashaktu. Annual Awards 2019. • 1st Indian to receive International Olympic • Saurabh Chaudhary received the Committee’s Coaches Lifetime Achievement ‘sportsperson of the year 2019 male at the Award -- Pullela Gopichand. ESPN Multi-Sport Annual Awards 2019. • Kaamya Karthikeyan becomes the youngest • Winner of the 2019 Kate Webb Prize by the Girl in the World to climb South America’s Agence France-Presse -- Ahmer Khan. Highest Peak Mt. Aconcagua. • Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah • Parasite film has been bestowed with best Naidu presented the Ideal Legislative original screenplay award at the 92nd Assembly Speaker/ Ideal Legislative Council Academy Awards ceremony 2020. Chairman Award 2019 to P Ramakrishnan. • Dr. Vasant Narsimhan has been conferred • Winner of Miss Diva Universe 2020 -- with the Genome Valley Excellence Award of AdlineCastelino. BioAsia 2020. • Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival • The President of India Ram Nath Kovind Awards 2020 announced in Mumbai, awarded President’s Colour to INS Shivaji. Maharashtra. • The award ranks high among the • Hrithik Roshan bagged the Best Actor honour bestowed upon a military unit award for film “Super 30”. in recognition of the exceptional • Film editor has entered Limca Book of service rendered to the nation, in peace Records -- Sreekar Prasad or war. • Note: Sreekar Prasad, a veteran film • Rajendra Indraman Singh has been editor has entered Limca Book of bestowed with Indian Achievers Award (IAA). Records for 'films edited in the greatest • Manpreet Singh Pawar has been selected as number of languages'. the FIH Men’s Player of the Year 2019. • Jadav Payeng will be awarded with Swami • Note: The captain of India men’s Vivekananda Karmayogi Award 2020. national field hockey team selected for January 2020

✓ Sanjay Gupta has been honoured with • The award is given to recognize the Lokmanya Tilak journalism award. work of an individual, which he or she

www.gradeup.co has carried out for the larger good of ✓ Madhya Pradesh government 2018National the journalistic field. Lata Mangeshkar Award was conferred to -- ✓ Ministry of Science and Technology has Kuldeep Singh. awarded Swarna Jayanti Fellowships to 14 • They have been chosen for this award scientists to pursue basic research in frontier for their contribution in the field of areas of science and technology. music and will be awarded in February • A research grant of five lakh rupees 2020 at an event in Indore, Madhya for five years is also being Pradesh. provided in addition to their salary. ✓ e-Governance Award of Excellence 2019 ✓ India-born author has bagged a coveted was won by --‘cVIGIL’ and ‘Voter Helpline United Kingdom’s Costa Children’s Award app’. 2019’ -- JasbinderBilan. ✓ Australia has conferred its highest civilian • Note: She won the award for her honour, the Order of Australia honour to debut novel ‘Asha and the Spirit Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Bird’. • The award is given to foreign nationals • ''Asha and the Spirit Bird'', aimed who have extraordinarily contributed at readers aged nine years and to Australia or for humanity. above, beat competition from three ✓ Priya Praksah has won the Global citizen other shortlisted books to be named prize: Cisco Youth Leadership award for the winner of the 2019 Costa 2019. Children's Award this week. • The award was given for her school ✓ Indian pacer JaspritBumrahwill receive the health program that provides Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s healthcare support to children. Polly Umrigar Award. ✓ Prestigious French honour of ‘Chevalier • Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav will be dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight given the best international of the Order of Arts and Letters) has been cricketer (women) award. conferred to Sanjana Kapoor. ✓ The 29th ‘Saraswati Samman 2019’ • for her outstanding contribution to the conferred to _VasdevMohi. field of theatre. • The literary award is given for his ✓ Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee short stories collection- conferred with honorary Doctor of Letters ‘Chequebook’. The short story talks (D.Litt.) by Calcutta University. about the sufferings of the • Banerjee, who was awarded the Nobel marginalized sections in society. Prize in 2019 along with two others ✓ 17th edition of Crossword Books Awards for “their experimental approach to held in Mumbai the Popular Best Fiction alleviating global poverty. Award was won by -- Twinkle Khanna. ✓ Assam state Tableaux has won the 1st prize at • Twinkle Khanna won the Popular the Republic Day Parade, 2020 among the Best Fiction Award for her novel States/Union Territories. ‘Pyjamas Are Forgiving’. • The theme of Assam’s tableau was • Krishna Trilok won the Popular “Land of unique craftsmanship and award in the Biography category for culture”, displaying bamboo and cane Notes of a Dream: The Authorized work and Bhortal Nritya performed Biography of AR Rahman. by Xattriya dancers. 90

www.gradeup.co ✓ Dr N Kumar has been conferred with the Idealism for his outstanding contribution in ‘HaritRatna’ Award 2019. journalism. • Note: This award is organised by the ✓ Rani Rampalbecomes the 1st ever hockey All India Agricultural Students player to win the 2019 ‘World Games Association. Athlete of the Year’ award. ✓ N Ram has been selected for Kerala National ✓ Dubai-based Indian girl who can sing in 120 Media Award. languages wins Global Child Prodigy Award • sThe award was instituted for fearless -- Sucheta Satish. and brilliant journalistic work at a ✓ Best Motion Picture (Drama) in ‘Golden national level. The award carrying a Globe Awards 2020’ cash prize of ₹1 lakh, citation and • Highlights:The 77th Golden Globe sculpture were announced as part of Awards, which honor the movies and the academy’s 40th-anniversary American Television were distributed celebration. on 6th January 2020 at the Beverly ✓ Priya Prakash has won the Global Citizen Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award for California. 2019. • Best film – drama: 1917 • The award was given for her school • Best actress in a film – drama: Renee health program that provides Zellweger, Judy healthcare support to children. The • Best actor in a film – drama: Joaquin prestigious award honours an Phoenix, Joker individual aged 18 – 30 who is • Best film – musical or comedy: Once bringing about a positive change in the Upon a Time in Hollywood world by solving some of its biggest • Best score – film: Joker global challenges. The award includes • Best director – film: Sam Mendes, a US $250,000 prize. 1917 ✓ Yusuf Jameel has won the 2019-20 PEN • Best song – film: I’m Gonna Love Me Gauri Lankesh Award for Democratic Again, Rocketman Important Events: Sports

August 2020

✓ GermanFamous footballer BenediktHowedes Note: BCCI has also decided to host a retired recently. Women’s T20 Challenge to be held from Note:He was one of the 3 players who had November 1 to 10 in UAE.Dubai, Abu Dhabi played every minute for the team in the and Sharjah will be the three venues of the tournament.BenediktHowedes has played 44 tournament. No spectators to be allowed in the times for German National Team from 2011- initial phase of the tournament 17.In September 2007, German Football ✓ India has withdrawn from the women’s world Association honored him with the Fritz Walter team Squash championship scheduled to be Medal, under-19 Gold Medal which is given held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. to the best youth players. Note: India has withdrawn from the women’s ✓ The Indian Government has provisionally world team Squash championship scheduled granted permission for the 13th edition of in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15th to 20th Indian Premier League’s (IPL’s) 2020 to be December, due to lack of preparation, time rescheduled in UAE. and match-readiness of its players. Squash

www.gradeup.co Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) has masses while following the COVID-19 decided to withdraw from the championship. protocols. ✓ Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix ✓ Max Verstappen has won the 70th (GP) 2020. Anniversary Grand Prix. Note: It is officially known as the Formula 1 Note: His victory ended Mercedes dominant Pirelli British Grand Prix 2020. The Formula 1 season. 70th Anniversary Grand tournament was held at the Silverstone Circuit Prix 2020 was the 5th race of 2020 Formula 1 in Silverstone, United Kingdom(UK).This is season and was held at Silverstone, United his 7th time to win this title. He is the only Kingdom racer to win most in British GP. ✓ Indiawill host the ICC Men’s T20 World cup ✓ Sports Authority of India with CISCE and 2021. CBSE, will host an online program for Note: While the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup training of Physical Education (PE) Teachers 2020 that was postponed due to Covid-19 will on "Khelo India Fitness Assessment of School be held in Australia in 2022.Cricket’s Going Children". governing body has also decided to postpone Note: The program will target 7500 the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in participants across 2615 CISCE schools. It New Zealand till February – March 2022 will assess the fitness levels of the school because of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic children and identify potential future has had on cricket globally. champions. Khelo India Fitness ✓ Suresh Raina announced his retirement from Assessment through Khelo India Mobile App Cricketsport. (KIMA) will be done. The session is Note:He made his international debut against titled ‘Whole School Approach to Fitness’. Sri Lanka in 2005 and represented India in 226 ✓ Indian umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan ODIs, 78 T20Is and 18 Tests in his cricketing has been included in ICC’s international panel career that spanned over 13 years. He scored of umpires. 7,787 runs across all the formats in Note: Ananthapadmanabhan played 105 international cricket. He also claimed 167 First-Class and 54 List A games for Kerala, catches in his international career, setting the taking 344 and 87 wickets respectively. bar high with his athleticism on field.Suresh Ananthapadmanabhan has officiated in all Raina is the first Indian batsman who has major domestic events including the IPL. scored a century in all three formats of the ✓ INOXcompany will be the official sponsor game. Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo ✓ Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula One Olympic. Spanish Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Note: The Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain. to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great It will be held from July 23 to August 8 in Britain) has won the Formula One Spanish 2021.As part of the partnership the Group will Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Barcelona- also support team's promotions through its Catalunya, Spain. This was his 4th win of the entertainment company -- INOX Leisure season and the 88th win of his career. Max Limited, which owns a chain of multiplexes in Verstappen (Red Bull–Netherlands) came the country. second followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes- ✓ “Fit India Freedom Run” would be organised Finland) at third. by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ✓ The Asian Boxing Championship has been from 15th August to 02nd October 2020. postponed to next year owing to the disruption Note: The ministry is organising “Fit India caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freedom Run” to mark the 74th Independence tournament was scheduled to be held in India. Day of India on August 15 to 151st birth Note:India last hosted the men’s Asian meet anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. back in 1980 in Mumbai before conducting the This would be the largest country-wide run, women’s event in 2003 in Hisar. The targeted to encourage fitness among the tournament became a combined event for men 92

www.gradeup.co and women last year.The COVID-19 Note: The government has announced the pandemic has thrown sporting calendars National Sports Awards 2020.Rohit haywire the world over with several big Sharma(Cricketer), events, including the Olympics and the T20 MariyappanThangavelu(Para-Athlete), World Cup of cricket, postponed. ManikaBatra (TT player), VineshPhogat ✓ Dream 11has bagged the title sponsorship (Wrestler) and Rani Rampal (Hockey) will rights of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Note: Dream 11 has bagged the rights as ✓ Former cricketer Lisa Sthalekar has been Expression of Interest (EOI) was invited by inducted into the International Cricket the Board of Control for Cricket in India Council’s Hall of Fame, she held from (BCCI) for IPL 2020’s title sponsorship after Australia. the Chinese mobile phone brand, Vivo, pulled Note: Former Australian captain Lisa out of it. The title rights bagged by the fantasy Sthalekar were inducted into the International gaming start-up “Dream 11” are valid Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in a virtual till December 31, 2020. ceremony along with Legendary South ✓ Famous cricketer Laura Marsh of Englandhas African all-rounder JaquesKallis and Pakistan announced her retirement from all forms of batting great Zaheer Abbas.Pune born cricket. Sthalekar represented Australia in eight Tests, Note: In her international career, Marsh 125 ODIs and 54 T20s. Sthalekar is the 27th played 9 Tests, 103 ODIs and 67 T20Is. She from Australia and the ninth woman player in managed to score 1,588 runs across all formats the list, which includes five from her country. and also registered 217 wickets. The 33-year- ✓ Sophia Popovhas won the Women’s British old announced her retirement from Open 2020 title in Golf. international cricket in December and has now Note: German Golfer Sophia Popov won the decided to call time on her domestic career as Women’s British Open 2020 title (rebranded well. as 2020 AIG Women’s Open) by defeating ✓ All India Football Federation (AIFF)has Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura by two signed an Memorandum of Understanding strokes at Royal Troon in Scotland.Sophia has (MoU) with International Professional now become the first female golfer from Scouting Organization (IPSO) to conduct Germany to win the LPGA Tour’s major title. online Scouting Workshops throughout India. ✓ Football club Bayern Munichhas won the Note: Under the agreement, IPSO will UEFA Champions League 2019-20 title. conduct online workshops which will provide Note: Bayern Munich has become the first a number of courses and webinars with European Cup winners who won all their regards to scouting in India.The workshop will matches during the tournament. This is the be a starting point to become a scout or an sixth European Champions League title for analyst and will also help anyone to Bayern Munich. understand the foundations and protocols in ✓ Famous all-rounder Cameron White was talent identification, scouting & analysis. playing for Australia announced his ✓ Football team Sevillahas won the Europa retirement from all forms of professional League for a sixth time. cricket. Note:Italy’s wait for a first European trophy in Note: He represented Australia in 4 Test a decade, and Inter’s nine-year trophy drought, matches, 91 ODIs and 47 T20Is. He also led goes on after Lukaku could not stop Carlos’s the Australian limited-overs team in 7 spectacular strike.It is Europe's secondary club international games. He amassed 146 runs in football tournament organised by UEFA, and tests, 2072 runs in ODIs and 984 runs in the 12th season since it was renamed from the T20Is. UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League. ✓ Table Tennis player Poulomi Ghatak ✓ Table tennis player Manika Batra has been announced her retirement. selected for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Note: Poulomi Ghatak belongs to the state of 2020. West Bengal. She won three junior national 93

www.gradeup.co championships as well as seven senior national Note: This announcement came after Sports championships between 1996 and 2016. Minister Kiren Rijiju attended a meeting of ✓ James Anderson became the first-ever fast Sports Ministers of the BRICS nations (Brazil, bowler to take 600 wickets in Test Match Russia, India, China and South Africa). India Cricket. will get the chairmanship of the five-nation Note: Overall, he is the 4th bowler to take 600 independent international group in 2021. test wickets after 3 spinners Muttiah ✓ Brothers pair, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil have announced their retirement from the Kumble.Anderson, who made his Test debut sport. They are associated with Tennis sport. in 2003 against Zimbabwe, had become the Note: They are the most successful men’s highest wicket-taker among seamers in 2018 doubles pair in tennis history. The brother’s when he dismissed Mohammed Shami against pair captured an Open Era record with 119 India at The Oval to go past Glenn McGrath’s trophies in 26 seasons which comprises all tally of 563 Test wickets. four Grand Slams, all nine ATP Masters 1000s ✓ Indiawill host BRICS Games 2021. as well as the Olympic gold medal.

July 2020

✓ Kiren Rijiju has launched the National Anti- Games to year 2026 due to COVID 19 Doping Agency’s first mobile app named as Pandemic. “NADA App”. ✓ Sports person Marcus Rashford becomes the ✓ G. Akash has become the country’s 66th youngest ever recipient of an honorary degree Grandmaster. from The University of Manchester is ✓ Quinton de Kock was named the men’s associated with Football. ‘cricketer of the year’ at Cricket South ✓ Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula-1 Africa’s (CSA) annual awards ceremony. Hungarian Grand Prix 2020 at Hungaroring, ✓ Valtteri Bottashas won the Austrian Grand Mogyoród, Hungary. Prix 2020. ✓ World cup winner famous footballer Andre ✓ China’s two-times Olympic badminton Schurrle has announced retirement from the champion Lin Dan announced his retirement. sport held from Germany. ✓ Valtteri Bottas has won the Formula One‘s ✓ Fabio Quartararo has won the Moto Grand season opening Austrian Grand Prix 2020. Prix 2020. ✓ Egyptian Raneem El Welily is associated with ✓ Football Club Real Madrid has been crowned Squash announced her retirement recently. with the La Liga Champions for the 34th time ✓ JoshnaChinappa is associated with Squash after defeating Villarreal 2–1 at Estadio sports who secured 10th position in World Alfredo Di Stefano. Women’s Ranking 2020. ✓ Due to COVID-19 the ICC Men’s T20 World ✓ Lewis Hamilton has won the Styrian Grand Cup has formally been postponed to 2022. Prix 2020 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, ✓ India’s 2018 Asian Games mixed relay medal Austria. upgraded to gold after disqualification of ✓ Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced Bahrain. to postpone the Asia Cup cricket tournament ✓ Haryana state will host 4th edition of the until June 2021. Khelo India Youth Games after the 2021 ✓ Mile Jedinak is associated with soccer sports Tokyo Olympics. who has announced his retirement. ✓ Jamie Vardy has won the Premier Leagues ✓ Australian sportsperson Mile Jedinak is Golden Boot award after netting 23 goals associated with Soccer sports who has across the 2019/20 season. announced his retirement. ✓ Bangladesh bowler KaziAnik Islam has been ✓ The International Olympic Committee has banned for two years by the national cricket postponed the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic board for failing a dope test in 2018.

www.gradeup.co ✓ Mohun Bagan became the country’s first-ever in an obvious reference to Mohun Bagan’s football club to feature on NASDAQ recent amalgamation with the ISL champion billboards in New York’s Times Square. ATK. Note: The billboard announcing “131 years of ✓ Rajat Bhatia associated with Cricket sports unmatched legacy” of the club also reminded has announced his retirement. fans about the, “time to start believing, again,” June 2020

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

May 2020

✓ Sports organization FIFA has launched the world championships to 2022. The tournament campaign “#WeWillWin” to pay a special is scheduled to be held in Japan. tribute to health workers and other ✓ Sandeep Kumari has been given a 4-year ban professionals. by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ✓ The governing body of swimming the after failing a drug test, she is associated with Federation Internationale de Natation Discus throw sport. (FINA) has postponed the 2021 aquatics 95

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

✓ Grand Slam tournament Wimbledon 2020 ✓ India’s rank in the latest FIFA Ranking -- has been cancelled for the first time since 108th. World War II due to coronavirus • While Belgium ranked first and pandemic. world champion France is in 2nd ✓ World Athletics championship shifted to place and Brazil is at 3rd spot. the year 2022. ✓ India will host Asian Boxing ✓ ‘The Smart Triplets’ will be the mascot Championships 2020 in November 2020. 19th Asian Games. ✓ ‘Fei Fei’ will be the official mascot for 4th • Note: The Olympic Council of Asian Para Games 2022. Asia has announced the official • The design inspiration of “Feifei” mascots of the 19th Asian Games comes from the motif of the to be held in Hangzhou in 2022. ‘Divine Bird’ in the Liangzhu • The three robots namely Culture and represent both Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen Hangzhou city’s heritage and its which are collectively known as innovation in technology. “The Smart Triplets” will be the ✓ According to the International Table official mascots of the 19th Asian Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Ranking Games. 2020 of senior Indian male players ✓ Kobe Bryant has been inducted into Achanta Sharath Kamal got top rank. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of ✓ The 11th edition of World Games which Fame. has unveiled an updated logo and title after ✓ The International Weightlifting being delayed a year because of the Federation (IWF) has banned two Coronavirus pandemic scheduled to be countries Malaysia & Thailand from held in Birmingham, USA. participating in weightlifting events at the ✓ MirabaiChanu and Jeremy Lalrinnunga Tokyo Olympics due to multiple doping have been qualified to participate in the offences. Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, they are associated with Weightlifting sports. 96

www.gradeup.co ✓ Sana Mir announced her retirement from ✓ India lost the hosting rights of 2021 Men’s international cricket held, she held from World Boxing Championships to Serbia. Pakistan. . Quadrennial 50-over Women Cricket World Cup 2021 to be held in New Zealand. March 2020

✓ Rafael Nadal has won the Mexico Open women’s list is topped by Netherlands Men’s single title 2020. with 2626.03 points. • Note: It was the 27th edition of men’s ✓ Name the player who won the bronze medal in Mexican Open and 20th for the women the Yonex Dutch Junior International 2020 with a prize money of ATP competition -- Tasnim Mir & Mansi Singh. (Association of Tennis Professionals) • Note: Young Indian badminton players $1,789,445 (USD) & WTA (Women’s Tasnim Mir (14) & Mansi Singh (14) Tennis Association) $ 250,000 (USD). have won historic bronze medal each • The tournament was consisted of two in the girls’ singles section of the categories ATP 500 & WTA Yonex Dutch Junior International 2020 International. Rafael Nadal (33) competition held at B.C. Duinwijck, in clinched the 85th ATP Tour title Haarlem, Netherlands from 26 defeating Taylor Fritz in the final, 6–3, February 2020 – March 1,2020. 6–2. He won the ATP 500 title for the • This is the first time India has won two third time and first since the event bronze medals in this BWF Junior changed from clay to hard-court in International Grand Prix tournament. 2014. ✓ Badminton Asia Championships 2020 has ✓ 1st Khelo India University Games 2020 was been shifted to Manila, Philippines. held in Bhubaneswar. • Note: Badminton Asia confirmed that • Note: The 1st edition of the 2020 Badminton world federation (BWF) Khelo India University Games (KIUG) has shifted the Badminton Asia was held from February 22 – March 1, Championships 2020 to Manila, 2020 at KIIT University (Kalinga Philippines from Wuhan, China. Institute of Industrial Technology • It will be conducted in Manila from University) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. April 21 to 26, 2020.The Badminton • The tournament, inaugurated by Prime Asia Championship 2020 event is Minister (PM) NarendraModi,held shifted due to the Novel Coronavirus with the official mascots of ‘Jay and (COVID-19) outbreak and this Bijay’. championship falls within the Tokyo • Punjab University (PB) emerged as the 2020 Olympic Games Qualification winner of Khelo India University window. Games 2020 with 45 medals • The Philippine Badminton Association ✓ International Hockey Federation (FIH) World (PBA) successfully hosted the Asia Rankings 2020 ranks Indian Hockey men’s Team Championships from Feb 11-16 team in 4th place. 2020, in Manila. • Note: Fédération Internationale de ✓ Mumbai city will host the International Hockey or International Hockey Olympic Committee (IOC)session 2023 as Federation (FIH) World Rankings recommended by IOC Executive Board. 2020, ranks Indian Hockey men’s team • Note: Mumbai will host the at 4th position with 2064. International Olympic Committee • 14 points for the 1st time & Women’s (IOC) session 2023 as recommended team is ranked at 9th with 1543 points. by IOC Executive Board and the The men’s list is topped by Belgium decision will be approved at the 136th for the first time with 2481.34 & IOC session in Tokyo in July 2020. 97

www.gradeup.co • The IOC session was held in 1983 in cricket. He hails from Mumbai, New Delhi and the session is going to Maharashtra. be held in India after 40 years. • He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in • The Evaluation Commission had Indian first-class cricket with 10 Ranji visited Mumbai in October 2019 to trophy titles. study the feasibility of hosting the • Wasim Jaffer is the highest run-scorer session & the board selected Mumbai in the Ranji and Irani Trophy, who due to the quality of the facilities at the became the first player to play 150 Jio World Centre, Mumbai, Ranji trophy matches and the first Maharashtra. batsman to score more than 12,000 ✓ All India Police Athletic Championship runs in Ranji Trophy with 40 centuries 2019 was held in Panchkula Haryana. and 89 half-centuries. • Note: All India Police Athletic ✓ Australia has won the 7th ICC Women’s T20 Championship 2019 has commenced in World Cup tournament. the Panchkula District of Haryana. • Note: Australia women’s cricket team This is the 68th edition of All India defeated the Indian women’s cricket Police Athletic Championship. team by 85 runs and won the title for • The championship aims to enhance the 5th time. India’s performance in the Olympics ✓ Footballer of Malta Andre Schembri has scheduled to be held in 2028. To announced his retirement from professional achieve this feat, the Government of football. India has identified more than 15,000 • Note: Currently Andre Schembri (33 children and has also commenced their years old) playing for Chennaiyin FC’s training. (Football Club) announced that he will • These selected children are receiving retire from professional football after their training in 284 Sports Authority the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) of India (SAI) training centres across final against ATK FC in Goa on March the country. 14, 2020. ✓ Indian runner who has been provisionally • He announced retirement from suspended by the National Anti-Doping international football in November Agency (NADA) failing doping test --Prachi 2018 after 94 appearances for his Choudhary. nation. • Note: Indian 400-meter runner Prachi ✓ The Asian/Oceanian Boxing Olympic Choudhary from Uttar Pradesh was Qualifiers event 2020 was held in Amman, tested out of competition and was Jordan. provisionally suspended by the • Note: A total of 9 Indian boxers National Anti-Doping Agency qualified in this event for Tokyo 2020 (NADA) on March 6,2020, for the Olympics, which is to be held at New presence of anabolic steroid, National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan Oxandrolone. from 24 July 2020 – 9 August 2020. • The provisional suspension starts to ✓ Saurashtra team has won the Ranji Trophy apply from February 20, 2020. title 2019-20. ✓ Former Indian opening batsman and a • Note: JaydevDipakbhai Unadkat led domestic cricket giant has announced his Saurashtra team and won the maiden retirement from all forms of cricket -- Wasim Ranji Trophy title defeating Bengal Jaffer. team at the Saurashtra Cricket • Note: Wasim Jaffer (42) a former Association Stadium, Rajkot, Gujarat. Indian opening batsman and a • The final of the Ranji trophy is headed domestic cricket giant has announced towards a draw, then the winner his retirement from all forms of 98

www.gradeup.co Saurashtra is decided on the basis of a • Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei first-innings lead. defeated Chinese Chen Yu Fei by 21- ✓ ATK FC has won the Indian Super League 19, 21-15 to win the women’s singles trophy for the 3rd time. title of All England Championship. • Note: ATK Football Club won the ✓ Two Indian Vrinda Rathi and Janani Indian Super League (ISL) trophy for Narayanan. have been named in the the 3rd time following a 3-1 win International Panel of ICC Development against Chennaiyin FC in the final Umpires. match held at the Jawaharlal Nehru • Note: 100% Cricket is a 12-month Stadium, Margao, Goa. campaign which has been launched to ✓ New Zealand (NZ) all-rounder Andrew build on the momentum of the ICC Malcolm Ellis has announced his retirement Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. from Canterbury cricket. ✓ The International Olympic Committee and • Note: After Ross Taylor he became the Tokyo Olympic organizers agreed to move 2nd player in NZ to play over 100 the Tokyo Games to 2021. games in each format. • Note: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo • He is the only player to be named as Abe and the head of the International Men’s Domestic Player of the Year Olympic Committee agreed to twice by NZ National Cricket Team, in postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a the 2014-15 & 2016-17 seasons. year in an extraordinary move, • The highlight of his career was the unprecedented in peacetime, as the 2016-17 season, as he raised the world battles the coronavirus Plunket Shield & The Ford Trophy in pandemic. his first year as captain. • It will mark the first time in history ✓ Achanta Sharath Kamal has won the ITTF that the start of an Olympics will be Challenger Plus Oman Open men’s singles delayed to another year. title. ✓ Shilpa Shetty has partnered with the • Note: He beat top-seeded Marcos Government of India’s flagship fitness Freitas of Portugal 4-2 in the final movement “Fit India”. played in Muscat. • Note: The tie-up will provide free • It was in 2010, Sharath bagged a title access of the Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s last time when he won the Egypt Open. premium 21-Day Weight Loss Since then he made two semi-final Programme during the 21-day appearances (Morocco Open in 2011 lockdown owing to Covid-19 and India Open in 2017) but couldn’t pandemic. manage to get through it. • Fit India Movement was launched by ✓ Viktor Axelsen and Tai Tzu Ying have won the Indian Prime Minister Narendra the men’s and women’s singles title Modi on the occasion of National respectively at All England Championship. Sports Day. • Note: All England Championship was ✓ Indian shot-putter who has been suspended for held in Birmingham, England. This four years by World athletics body’s -- Navin was the last badminton event before Chikara. the Badminton World Federation’s • Note: He has been banned for use of a suspension of all tournaments due to prohibited substance and his four-year the coronavirus pandemic. suspension starts from July 27, 2018. • Viktor Axelsen of Denmark defeated Chikara won the silver medal in the 2018 Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien-chen by Federation Cup. At the same year, he was runner 21-13, 21-14 to win the men’s singles up in the Inter-State Championship. title of All England Championship. February 2020 99

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

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

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

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✓ Hamed Bakayoko has been appointed as the Rajapaksa was first elected prime minister in Prime Minister of Ivory Coast. 2004 and again appointed for brief periods in ✓ Indian economistUrjit Patel has been 2018 and 2019. appointed as the additional and independent ✓ Alexander Lukashenko has won the director of Great Eastern Shipping Company presidential election in Belarus. Ltd. ✓ Walter Roger Martos Ruiz becomes new ✓ Perseverancelaunched by NASA to seek Prime Minister of Peru. signs of ancient life and collect first Martian ✓ Mohamed Ould Bilal has been appointed as rock. the new Prime Minister of Mauritania. ✓ Mohamed Irfaan Ali became the President of ✓ Pramod Bhasin has been appointed as the Guyana. new Chairman of Indian Council for Research ✓ Mark Anthony Phillips has been sworn in as on International Economic Relations the Prime Minister of Guyana. (ICRIER). ✓ Manoj Sinha has been appointed as the ✓ Rakesh Asthana has been appointed as the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Director General of the Border Security Force Kashmir. (BSF). ✓ Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik has been Note: He will succeed Girish Chandra appointed as the new Governor of Meghalaya. Murmu, who resigned recently. Manoj Sinha ✓ Recently, Ashok Lavasa has stepped down has represented the parliamentary constituency from constitutional postof Election of Ghazipur in eastern Uttar Pradesh thrice in Commissioner of India. the Lok Sabha. He also served as Note: Lavasa is set to join the Philippines- Communication Minister as well as Minister based Asian Development Bank as the vice- of state for Railways. president from September 2020. He will ✓ Girish Chandra Murmu has been appointed succeed the incumbent vice-president Diwakar as the new Comptroller and Auditor General Gupta, who is in charge of private sector (CAG) of India. operations, and public-private partnerships. ✓ The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet ✓ Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the (ACC), Government of India (GoI), has brand ambassador of Sports eyewear approved another extension of Ajay Tyagi’s “Oakley”. term as Chairman of Securities and ✓ Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona has been Exchange Board of India (SEBI). sworn in as the 54th President of Dominican ✓ Indian cricketers Suresh Raina Republic. &HarmanpreetKaurwere appointed as ✓ Keith Rowleyhas been appointed as the Global brand ambassadors of Win Trade Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad Fantasy (WTF) Sports. and Tobago for a 2nd consecutive 5-year term. ✓ Pradeep Kumar Joshihas been appointed as ✓ RiteshShuklahas been appointed as the Chief the Chairman of the Union Public Service Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly Commission (UPSC). launched NPCI International Payments Note:His tenure as the chairman of the UPSC Limited (NIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of will be till April 4, 2022.He succeeds Arvind NPCI. Saxena who retires as the UPSC chairman on ✓ Luis Rodolfo Abinader has been sworn in as 6th August 2020. the President of Dominican Republic. ✓ Mahinda Rajapaksa took oath as the Prime ✓ Rajiv Kumarhas been appointed as the Minister of Sri Lanka. Election Commissioner of India. Note: The 74-year-old Sri Lanka People’s ✓ Akinwumi Adesina has been re-elected as the Party (SLPP) leader has been appointed as the President of African Development Bank. PM of Sri Lanka. Prior to this, Mahinda July 2020 102

www.gradeup.co ✓ Shyam Srinivasan has been appointed as ✓ The Incumbent President of Poland, the managing Director and Chief Andrzej Duda has secured a victory in the Executive officer of Federal Bank Limited. 2020 Presidential Election. ✓ GudniJohannesson was re-elected as ✓ GyanendroNingombam has been president of Iceland. appointed as the new President of Hockey ✓ Indra Mani Pandey has been appointed India. as the Ambassador and Permanent ✓ Hemang Amin has been appointed as the Representative of India to the United interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Nations and other International the Board of Control for Cricket in India Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. (BCCI). ✓ Ravinder Bhakar has been appointed as ✓ Ashok Lavasa has been appointed as the the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of vice president of Asian Development Bank Central Board of Films Certification (ADB). (CBFC). ✓ Brett Lee has been appointed as the brand ✓ Sanjay Dwivedihas been appointed as the ambassador of SportsAdda, the news and as the Director General of the Indian information website for Cricket, Football Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). and Kabaddi. ✓ Srikant Madhav Vaidya has been ✓ Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi has appointed as the new chairman of Indian been elected as the President of Suriname. Oil Corporation. ✓ Rose Christiane OssoukaRaponda has ✓ V Suryanarayanan has been appointed as been appointed as the first woman prime the New Managing Director (MD) of minister of Gabon. Cholamandalam MS General Insurance ✓ Ashwini Kumar Tewari has been Company. appointed as the new Managing Director ✓ Jean Castex has been appointed as prime and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBI minister of France. Card. ✓ Injeti Srinivas has been appointed as the ✓ Aditya Puri has become the highest-paid 1st chairman of the International Financial banker for FY20 with Rs.18.92 cr in Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) for a remuneration. period of three years. ✓ Roshni Nadar Malhotra has been ✓ G. Srinivasan has been appointed as the appointed as the new Chairman of IT chairman of the nine-member working company, HCL Technologies. Group (WG) set up by IRDAI to study the ✓ Sahil Seth has been appointed as the suitability of insurers offering surety bonds honorary adviser of steering committee for for contractors. BRICS Chamber of Commerce and ✓ InjetiSrinivashas been appointed as the Industry (CCI). first chairman of the International ✓ Arun Kumar has been nominated as the Financial Services Centre Authority Vice-Chairman of the International Union (IFSCA) for a 3 years term. of Railways (UIC). ✓ Jayant Krishna has been appointed as the ✓ Prakash Chandra Kandpal has been first India based Chief Executive Officer appointed as the Managing Director and (CEO) of UKIBC. Chief Executive Officer of the Non-life ✓ Sukhbir Singh has been appointed as the insurer SBI General Insurance. brand ambassador of Luxury Ride the ✓ Sumit Deb has been appointed as the multi-brand luxury car showrooms. Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) ✓ The term of Rajkiran Rai as Managing of National Mineral Development Director and Chief Executive Officer Corporation (NMDC). (CEO) of Union Bank of Indiaas been ✓ R Narayanaswamy has been appointed as extended for two years. the Chairman of the Technical Advisory ✓ Priyanka Chopra has been appointed as Committee (TAC) of the National the ambassador for Toronto IFF. Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA). 103

www.gradeup.co ✓ Ramesh Babu Boddu has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Indian as the Managing Director & Chief Overseas Bank. Executive Officer of Karur Vysya Bank ✓ Thierry Bollore has been appointed as the (KVB). new chief executive officer of Jaguar Land ✓ KulmeetBawa has been appointed as the Rover (JLR). President and Managing Director of ✓ N. Sivaraman has been appointed as the Systems, Applications & Products in Data new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Processing (SAP) for Indian Subcontinent. Executive Officer (CEO) of ICRA ✓ Alok Misra has been appointed as the Limited. Director and Chief Executive Officer ✓ Archana Soreng has been named by UN (CEO) of Microfinance Institutions Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his Network (MFIN). new advisory group comprising young ✓ Riva Ganguly has been appointed as the leaders. secretary of Ministry of External Affairs ✓ Hardik Satishchandra Shah has been (MEA), GoI. appointed as the Private Secretary (PS) to ✓ ParthaPratim Sengupta has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi on co- appointed as the Managing Director and terminus basis. June 2020

✓ Anita Kotwanihas been appointed as the ✓ Virendra Nath Datt has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Media as the Chairman & Managing Director of Agency, Carat India. National Fertilizers Limited (NFL). ✓ PR Jaishankar has been appointed as the ✓ Rajeev Topno has been appointed as the as the Managing Director (MD) of the senior advisor to the World Bank India Infrastructure Finance Company Executive Director. Limited (IIFCL) for 3 years. ✓ BrajendraNavnit has been appointed as ✓ Arun Singhal has been appointed as the the ambassador to the Permanent Mission chief executive officer of India’s apex food for India (PMI) at the WTO in Geneva. regulator Food Safety and Standards ✓ ManushiChhillarhas been appointed as Authority of India (FSSAI). the brand ambassador of Adidas to join ✓ TV Mohandas Pai has been appointed as Indian star Batsman Rohit Sharma and the chairman of the advisory committee on sprinter Hima Das. service providers by the Insolvency and ✓ Ashok Dalwanihas been appointed as the Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). chairman of the rearranged Commodity ✓ Rajnath Singh will chair the committee derivatives advisory committee of SEBI. constituted by the PM Narendra Modi to ✓ Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the solve the difficulties faced in the first ever brand ambassador of the IIFL implementation of Rs.3 Lakh crore Finance. collateral-free loan for Micro, Small & ✓ Nethra has been appointed as ‘Goodwill Medium Enterprises(MSME). Ambassador to the Poor’ of the United ✓ Subramanian Sundar has been re- Nations Association for Development And appointed as the Managing Director (MD) Peace (UNADAP). and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ✓ G Kishan Reddy has been appointed as Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB). the chairman of the committee for the ✓ Uday Kotak has assumed office as the welfare of the freedom fighters president of the Confederation of Indian reconstituted by the union ministry of Industry (CII) for 2020-21. home affairs. ✓ Krishnendu Majumdar has been named ✓ Pankaj Tripathi has been appointed as as the new chairman of British Academy the brand ambassador of Patna’s Khadi of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Mall by the Government of Bihar.

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www.gradeup.co ✓ The Reserve Bank of India has approved Professional Risk Managers’ International the re-appointment of KaizadBharucha as Association (PRMIA) of its new India Executive Director of HDFC Bank for a office. period of three years. ✓ Natarajan Chandrasekaran has been re- ✓ Imtaiyazur Rahman has been appointed nominated as a Part-Time Non-Official as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Director on RBI Central board for 2 years. UTI Asset Management Company (AMC). ✓ Wasim Jaffer has been appointed as head ✓ Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta has coach of the Uttarakhand Ranji team for taken charges as the Chief of Staff of the upcoming season. Eastern Naval Command (ENC). ✓ T Rabi Sankar has been appointed as the ✓ KubatbekBoronov has been appointed as chairman of the Indian Financial the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS). ✓ Pralay Mondal has been appointed as the ✓ Clare Connor has been named as the first President of CSB Bank Limited. female president of the Marylebone ✓ Volkan Bozkirhas been elected president Cricket Club (MCC) in its 233 year-old of the 75th session of the UN General history. Assembly. ✓ IAS Vini Mahajan becomes 1st woman ✓ Indian American chief secretary of Punjab state. SethuramanPanchanathanhas been ✓ Micheal Martin has been elected as new appointed as the Director of the National Prime Minister of Ireland. Science Foundation (NSF) by the US ✓ UP Governor, Anandiben Patel has taken senate. additional charges as the governor of ✓ Gaurav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri has Madhya Pradesh. been appointed as the brand ambassador of ✓ Lazarus Chakwera was elected as the new JSW cement. President of Mali after the annulment of ✓ Urjit Patel has been appointed as the the results of the 2019 Presidential Chairman of the National Institute of Elections following evidence of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). irregularities. ✓ Nirakar Pradhan has appointed as new as the Chief Executive Officer of the May 2020

✓ Atanu Chakraborty chaired the task force on in the military engineering services on the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) recommendation of Shekatkar Committee. which submitted its Final Report to Finance ✓ Shikha Sharma has been named advisor to Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Google Pay India. ✓ Ravi Shankar Prasad attended the ✓ GiridharAramane has been appointed as the Extraordinary Virtual G20 Digital Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport Economy Ministers meeting was held to discuss the challenges posed by the outbreak and Highways. of the COVID-19 pandemic. ✓ Arvind Kumar Sharma has been appointed ✓ Raj Kumar Singh unveiled e-book titled “A as the Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Report on Impact of Energy Efficiency Small and Medium Enterprises. Measures” for the year 2018-19. ✓ Krishnan Ramachandran has been ✓ Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched the mobile appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and application 'AYUSH Sanjivani' App and two Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Max Bupa AYUSH based studies related to COVID-19 situation. Health Insurance. ✓ Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh ✓ Ashok Michael Pinto has been appointed as recently approved the abolition of 9,304 posts the US representative to World Bank’s lending

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www.gradeup.co arm International Bank for Reconstruction and ✓ Rajesh Goel has been appointed as the Development (IBRD). director-general (DG) of the Realtors body ✓ Tarun Bajaj has been appointed as the new National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO). director on Central Board of the Reserve Bank ✓ Kevin Mayer has been appointed as the chief of India (RBI). executive officer of TikTok, the popular video ✓ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has been app owned by China's ByteDance Technology appointed as the chairperson of Co . theParliament’s Public Accounts ✓ GovindaRajuluChintala has been appointed Committee (PAC). as the chairman of National Bank for ✓ Dia Mirza has been appointed as the as the Agriculture and Rural Development Goodwill Ambassador of India by UNEP. (NABARD). ✓ Manisha Singh has been nominated as an ✓ Carmen Reinhart has been appointed as envoy to the Organization for Economic Chief Economist and Vice President of the Cooperation and Development (OECD) with World Bank. an Ambassador rank by US President Donald ✓ DilipOommen has been appointed as the Trump. President of Indian Steel Association (ISA). ✓ Mustafa al-Kadhimisworn in as the Iraq’s ✓ Rajesh Bhushan has been appointed as the 6th Prime Minister. chairman of the11-member committee ✓ Neeraj Dhawan has been appointed as the constituted by the Ministry of Health to Chief Risk Officer of Yes Bank for a period of simplify and expedite” the drug approval three years. process in India. ✓ Ajinkya Madhukar Rahanehas been ✓ Carmen Reinhart has been appointed as the appointed as the brand ambassador of Edu- new Vice President (VP) and chief economist tech firm ELSA Corp for India, Middle East, of World Bank. Australia, New Zealand and SAARC. ✓ JahnabiPhookan has been appointed as the ✓ Narinder Batra’s term has been extended as 37th National President of Federation of President of FIH until May 2021 by the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry International Hockey Federation (FIH). (FICCI) Ladies Organization (FLO). ✓ Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed as ✓ Abhas Jha has been appointed as World the president of Marylebone Cricket Club Bank’s Practice Manager for Climate Change (MCC) for a second term. and Disaster Risk Management for South ✓ Indian sportsperson Akhil Kumar has been Asia. re-inducted into the Disciplinary Panel of ✓ Marcos Prado Troyjo has been appointed as National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA). the President of the New Development Bank. ✓ V. Vidyavathihas been appointed as the ✓ Anil Kishora has been appointed as the vice Director-General of Archaeological Survey of president of the New Development Bank India (ASI). (NDB). ✓ Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the new ✓ Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra has been chairman of the Central Board of Secondary appointed as the member of the Olympic Education (CBSE). Channel Commission by International ✓ Roberto Azevedo decides to resign a year Olympic Committee (IOC). before his term expires as head of international ✓ Leo Puri has been appointed as the chairman organization WTO. of JP Morgan South and Southeast Asia after ✓ Zubair Iqbal has been appointed as new Kalpana Morparia retirement in 2021. Managing Director (MD) of Jammu and ✓ Thierry Delaporte has been appointed as the Kashmir Bank. Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Managing ✓ Benjamin Netanyahu has sworn in as the Director(MD) of Wipro. prime minister of Israel for the 5th time. ✓ Sandip Mukund Pradhan has been given two- year extension as Director General (DG) of Sports Authority of India (SAI). 106

www.gradeup.co ✓ Ravinder Singh Dhillon has been appointed ✓ SN Rajeshwari has been appointed as the as the Chairman and Managing Director Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of (CMD) of State-run Power Finance Delhi-based Oriental Insurance Company Corporation (PFC). (OIC). April 2020

✓ D. Lakshminarayanan has been ✓ J Packirisamy has been appointed as appointed as the Managing Director of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the the Sundaram Home Finance. Union Bank of India. ✓ The government extended the tenure of ✓ Mrutyunjay Mahapatra has been National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) appointed as Officer on Special Duty acting President BSV Prakash Kumar. (OSD) in the Canara Bank. ✓ The Government has extended the ✓ MS Dhonihas been appointed as the new appointment of MadhabiPuri Buch as a brand ambassador of the PokerStars India. whole time member (WTM) of the SEBI. ✓ Ajay Mahajan has been appointed as the ✓ UB Pravin Rao has been appointed as the MD & CEO of the Credit Analysis and Chairman of the National Association of Research Limited (CARE) Rating. Software and Services Companies ✓ Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the (NASSCOM). new brand ambassador of the ✓ Shafali Verma has been appointed as the CricKingdom. brand ambassador of PepsiCo for one year. ✓ Vineet Arora has been appointed as the ✓ Parag Raja has been appointed as the new MD and CEO of Paytm General Insurance Managing Director (MD) & Chief Limited. Executive Officer (CEO) of Bharti AXA ✓ Viswanathan Anand has been appointed Life Insurance Company. as the ambassador of World Wildlife Fund ✓ Anamika Roy Rashtrawarhas been (WWF) India’s environment education appointed as the Managing Director (MD) programme. & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ✓ N Kamakodi has been appointed as the IFFCO Tokio General Insurance. Managing Director and Chief Executive ✓ Raj Vikash Verma has been appointed as Officer of City Union Bank. part-time Chairman of AU Small Finance ✓ Noel Quinn has been appointed as the Bank for the period of one year. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ✓ Sanjay Agarwal has been appointed as HSBC Bank. the Managing Director (MD) and Chief ✓ PV Sindhu has been appointed as the one Executive Officer (CEO) of AU Small of its ambassadors for the “I am Finance Bank. badminton” awareness campaign of ✓ Mahabaleshwara M S has been appointed BWF. as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief ✓ Rakesh Sharma has been appointed as the Executive Officer (CEO) of the Karnataka President of Geneva-based International Bank. Motorcycle Manufacturers Association ✓ Sara Ali Khan has been appointed as the (IMMA). brand ambassador of the James Bullough ✓ Shiv Das Meena has been appointed as Lansing (JBL)’s campaign –“Live it Real, the Chairman and Managing Director of Live it Raw”. Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) ltd. 107

www.gradeup.co ✓ Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as the Selection Board (PESB). Chairperson of the Public Enterprises March 2020

✓ Muhyiddin bin Haji Muhammad Yassin has ✓ Amitabh Bachchan has been appointed as the been appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of first ever brand ambassador of IDFC Bank. Malaysia. ✓ Salman Khan has been appointed as the ✓ PekkaLundmarkhas been appointed as the brand ambassador of Smartphone brand Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nokia, realme. ✓ Ajay Bhushan Pandey has been appointed as ✓ Akshay Kumar has been appointed as the the new Finance Secretary of India. brand ambassador PepsiCo’s snack brand • Note: Appointments Committee of the Kurkure. Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime ✓ Virat Kohli has been appointed as the brand Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has ambassador of iQOO (i Quest On and On). approved the appointment of Ajay ✓ Bansi Lal Bhat has been appointed as the Bhushan Pandey as the new Finance officiating Chairperson of the National Secretary in Ministry of Finance. Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). ✓ Adnan al-Zurfihas been appointed as the ✓ Denys Shmygal has been appointed as new Prime Minister (PM) of Iraq. prime minister of Ukraine, ✓ Former chief justice of India Ranjan ✓ Daren Tang has been elected as Director Gogoihas been nominated as the member of General of World Intellectual Property Upper House of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha. Organisation (WIPO). • Note: He was nominated by President ✓ JanezJansa has been elected as the new prime of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, under minister of Slovenia. the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article ✓ Injeti Srinivas has been appointed as the 80 of the Constitution of India, read chairman of the 12 members committee to with clause (3) of that article to the prepare an investigation manual for the Council of States and to fill the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). vacancy caused due to the retirement ✓ Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon has been of one of the nominated members. appointed as the Director General, Defence Ranjan Gogoi will be the successor of Intelligence Agency. K.T.S Tulsi. • Gogoi headed a 5-judge bench, who ✓ Kareena Kapoor Khan has been appointed gave the judgement on the sensitive as the brand ambassador of PUMA for a Ayodhya land dispute on November 9, period of two years. 2019. ✓ PV Sindhu. has been appointed as the brand ✓ Under chairmanship the Insurance Regulation ambassador for Andhra Pradesh government’s and Development Authority (IRDAI) Pravin anti-graft helpline or anti-corruption helpline– Kutumbeinstituted a 16-member committee. 14400. • Note: The committee will further ✓ Disha Patani and Sanjeev Kapoor has been strengthen IRDAI guidelines on appointed as the brand ambassador in India for corporate governance & will find ways the Washington Apple Commission, to improve key functions such as risk ✓ Harbhajan Singh has been appointed as the management and internal audits brand ambassador of Indian online leather independent of each other. accessory brand Brune&Bareskin.

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www.gradeup.co ✓ V K Paul will chair the 21-member high-level ✓ Shivraj Singh Chouhan.has sworn in as the technical committee of public health experts to chief minister of Madhya Pradesh after the guide the people in preventive & control resignation of Kamal Nath. activities of COVID-19. ✓ Bibhu Prasad Kanungo has been reappointed as the Deputy Governor of RBI for a period of one year. February 2020

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

✓ VK Yadav has been re-appointed as Railway support to farmers suffering from crop Board Chairman for a period of one year. loss or damage due to an unforeseen ✓ The Union government has set up a 7 event. members Group of Minister (GoM) to ✓ Harjeet Kaur Joshi has been appointed as the review the crop insurance scheme, “Pradhan Chairperson and Managing Director of Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY) headed Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). by Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister). ✓ Dr. Suresh Chandra Sharma has been • The Pradhan Mantri FasalBima appointed as Chairman of National Medical Yojana (PMFBY) was launched on Commission. 14th January 2016 to provide financial 109

www.gradeup.co ✓ Zoran Milanovic has won the presidential Nehru Memorial Museum and Library election of Croatia. (NMML). ✓ Haitham bin Tariq al-Said took over as ✓ Indian lawyer Harish Salve has been Sultan of Oman. appointed into Queen Elizabeth II’s counsel of ✓ Tsai Ing-wen won the Taiwan presidential Senior Advocate. election. ✓ Bipul Behari Sahahas been elected as a ✓ Noted chemist has been elected as a bureau bureau member of the International Union of member (2020-23) of the International Union Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for the of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) -- period 2020-23. Bipul Behari Saha. ✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed ✓ Robert Abela sworn in as the 14th Prime as member of the Monetary Policy Minister of Malta. Committee (MPC)-- Janak Raj. ✓ Katerina Sakellaropoulou has been elected • The Monetary Policy Committee of as the first female president of Greece. India is responsible for fixing the ✓ M Nagaraj has been appointed as the benchmark interest rate in India. Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of ✓ Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed the state-owned Housing and Urban as thenew Indian Ambassador to the United Development Corporation (HUDCO). States. ✓ Lt Col Yuvraj Malik has been appointed the ✓ Sunil Mehta has been appointed as the Chief Director of the National Book Trust (NBT). Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Banks’ ✓ Arjun Munda has been elected as President Association (IBA). of the suspended Archery Association of ✓ ChallaSreenivasuluSetty has been appointed India (AAI). as the Managing Director of the State Bank of ✓ NripendraMisra has been appointed India. chairperson of the executive council of the

Obituaries

August 2020

• Renowned personality Sonam Tshering coronavirus. She served as Minister of Lepcha passed away recently; he was a Technical Education, is the first minister in veteran Folk Musician. Uttar Pradesh to die after contracting Note: He played a major role in reviving and coronavirus. promoting the Lepcha Culture which is one of • Writer and Singer VangapanduPrasada Rao the indigenousculture of Sikkim. passed away recently. • Lee Teng-hui dubbed as “Mr. Democracy” • Nobel Peace Prize winner, John Hume passed passed away recently. He was former away. president of Taiwan. Note: He was a founding member of the Note: He was popularly known as “Mr. Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Democracy” for eradicating the dictatorial rule in 1970 and led the party from 1979 until in favour of unbiased pluralism in Taiwan. 2001. • Famous personality Anil Murali passed away • PoliticianRam Pradhan passed away recently. recently.He was a veteran Malayalam Actor. • Former Uttar Pradesh education minister of Kamal Rani Varun passed away due to 110

www.gradeup.co Note: He served as the governor of Arunachal • Famous sportsperson Chetan Chauhan passed Pradesh during Rajiv Gandhi government.He away recently, he was associated with was an IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre. Cricket. • Renowned politician Shyamal Chakraborty • Noted Carnatic musician Dr B Siva Kumar passed away due to COVID-19 infection, he passed away recently, he was proficient in was a former governor of West Bengal. Veenamusical instrument. • Renowned personality Shirley Ann Grau • Renowned personality NishikantKamat passed passed away recently; she was a veteran away, he was a veteran Film Director. Environmentalist. Note: Nishikant had directed some popular • Renowned personality Sadia Dehlvi passed Bollywood movies like Force, Drishyam and away recently, she was a veteranWriter and Madaari. Activist. • Renowned personality Pandit Jasraj passed • Renowned personality Mukund Lath passed away recently, he was a veteran Vocalist. away recently, he was a veteran Culture Note: Pandit Jasraj was a recipient of India’s Historian. fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri in • Renowned personality Nandi Yellaiah passed 1975; Sangeet NatakAkademi Award in 1987 away recently, he was a veteran Politician. and Padma Bhushan in 1999. In the year 2000, • Famous personality Manitombi Singh passed the government of India conferred him with away, he was a veteran Sportsman. Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian • Renowned personality PK Muthusamy passed honour in the country. away recently, he was a veteranSongwriter. • Legendary sportsperson Angela Buxton passed • Noted personality RahatIndori passed away away recently; she was associated with recently, he was a veteran Urdu Poet. Tennissports. • Renowned personality GK Menon passed • Renowned personality Russell A. Kirsch away, recently he was a veteran Journalist. passed away recently, he was a veteran computer scientist. • ChunnakaraRamankutty passed away recently he was a famous poet and film and drama lyricist of Malayalamlanguage.

July 2020

• Renowned Actor Carl Reiner passed away • Famous sportsperson Everton Weekes passed recently. away recently he was associated with Cricket Note:Legendary comedian, Carl Reiner passed sports. away. He was a prolific writer, comedian, Note: Everton Weekes made his first-class director and actor. He had a run as a movie debut at 19-year-old and his Test debut in director with such films as “Oh, God!” (1977) 1948 at 22. His test career spanned between and “The Jerk” (1979). He won several 1948 to 1958, where he played 48 Tests & Emmys awards in writing and producing. scored 4455 runs at an average of 58.62. • Renowned personality Saroj Khan passed • Name the Hollywood screen writer, film away recently, she was a veteran maker, actor and voice artist passed away Choreographer. recently -- Carl Reiner. Note: In a career spanning over four decades, Note: Veteran Hollywood and multi- Khan is credited with choreographing more hyphenate personality Carl Reiner, a creator than 2,000 songs, including Dola Re Dola and director of several Steve Martin films, from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas, Ek Do died at 98 of natural causes at his Beverly Teen from Madhuri Dixit-starrer Tezaab and Hills home. He has won multiple Emmy Ye IshqHaaye from Jab We Met in 2007. Awards, among which 5 awards were backed by “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in the 1960s.

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www.gradeup.co • Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jafri popularly known as • Renowned personality Avad Bin Hassan Jami Jagdeep passed away recently, he was a passed away recently, he was a veteran veteran Actor. cartoonist. Note: Jagdeep appeared in around 400 films Note: His cartoons were published in Gujarati but it is his role as SoormaBhopali in 1975 magazine “Abhiyan” for last over two film "Sholay.Better known by his stage name decades. He had also worked in Gujarati Jagdeep, the actor also directed the movie newspaper Phhulchhab as a cartoonist. He "SoormaBhopali" with his character as the was a drawing teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya, protagonist. Jamnagar and became a full-time cartoonist • Renowned personality Charlie Daniels passed after retirement. away recently. • Amadou Gon Coulibaly who passed away Note: He was country music and southern recently was prime minister of Ivory Coast. rock icon who entertained fans for decades Note: He recently returned from France after with songs like “Long-Haired Country Boy,” receiving medical treatment. He was also “In America,” and his signature fiddle tune chosen as the ruling party Rally of “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”, who Houphouetists for Democracy and won his only Grammy Award in 1979. He was Peace (RHDP)’s candidate for October’s inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame presidential election. in 2016. • First woman election commissioner of • Renowned personality Nagindas Sanghvi Maharashtra NeelaSatyanarayan passed passed away recently, he was a veteran away recently. Journalist. Note: The 1972 batch officer was admitted at Note: He was 100 and suffering from acute the Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai after she asthma. Mr. Sangvi was conferred Padma Shri was diagnosed with COVID-19. award in the year 2019. He was in teaching at NeelaSatyanarayan retired in 2014. She has Bhavan’s College Andheri from 1951 to 1980. penned more than 150 songs. Also, she has Later he moved to Ruparel College, Mahim composed music for several Marathi movies. and Mithibai College, Vile Parle for teaching • Renowned personality John Lewis passed political science. away recently, he was a veteran Civil Rights • Famous footballer Wim Suurbier of The Activist of US. Netherlands passed away recently. Note: He was also the youngest and last Note: Suurbier, who won three European survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, a championships with the legendary Ajax side of group led by the Reverand Martin Luther King the same decade, had been in hospital since Jr that had the greatest impact on the suffering a cerebral haemorrhage in movement. He was best known for leading April.Suurbier was an attacking full-back around 600 protesters in the Bloody Sunday whose role epitomised the "Total Football" march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in style pioneered by the Ajax and Dutch Selma, Alabama. national sides during his heyday. • Renowned personality Professor C. S. • English sports person Jack Charlton passed Seshadri passed away recently, he was a away recently, he was associated with veteran Mathematician. Football sports. Note: A leader in the field of algebraic Note: A member of the England 1966 World- geometry, he made breakthroughs that lie at Cup winning team, Jack Charlton passed the base of many branches of this profound away. He was also an integral part of the great discipline. Seshadri began his career at the Don Revie-managed Leeds United side that Tata Institute of Fundamental Research as one won the 1969 League title and the 1972 FA of the first batches of graduate students. He Cup. moved to Chennai in 1984, to the Institute of Mathematical Sciences. In 1989, he got an opportunity to start the School of Mathematics

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www.gradeup.co as part of the SPIC Science Foundation, which • Renowned personality P Achyuta Rao passed has evolved into the Chennai Mathematical away due to COVID-19, he was a Child Institute (CMI). Rights Activist. • Renowned personality Lalji Tondon passed Note: He is known to have helped prevent away recently, he was governor of Madhya child marriages, incidents of child sexual Pradesh. abuse, and child labour. Rao recently filed a Note: Lal Ji Tandon was the governor of Bihar petition in Telangana High Court demanding between August 2018 and July 2019 when he that mid-day meal be served to students in took over as Madhya Pradesh's Governor. In government schools since they have not been 2009, the senior BJP leader and a protege of able to access it due to the pandemic-imposed former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, lockdown. succeeded him as the Lucknow MP. He began • Renowned personality Sonam Tshering his career from his hometown Lucknow in the Lepcha passed away passed away recently, he 1970s and had also served as a state minister was veteran Folk Musician. in Uttar Pradesh several times between 1991 Note: Lepcha was born in Kalimpong in 1928 and 2003. and started his career as a soldier.He travelled • Renowned personality Bijay Mohanty passed to various parts of Sikkim and complied a away, recently he was a veteran Actor. wide range of Indian folk and traditional Note: His performance in his debut film, Lepcha songs and played folk music on All Chilika Tire, earned him several accolades India Radio in 1960. including the National Film Award. He is • Renowned personality Somendranath Mitra most famous for negative roles in films passed away recently he was a veteran including Samay Bada Balaban, Naga Phasa, Politician. SahariBagha, DandaBalunga and Chaka Note: A veteran Congress leader, Somen Bhaunri. Mitra as he was often referred to, took charge • Rajat Mukherjee who passed away recently of West Bengal Congress in 2018. He played a was a famous Film Maker. crucial role in forging an electoral Note: Rajat Mukherjee directed Urmila understanding of Left parties and Congress in Matondkar, Fardeen Khan, Sonali Kulkarni the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. and Rajpal Yadav in 2001's Pyaar Tune Kya • Renowned personality Kumkum passed away Kiya. He also directed the 2004 film Love In recently, she was a veteran Actor. Nepal, which starred singer Sonu Nigam, Note: Her real name was Zaibunnissa. She has Rajpal Yadav and Flora Saini. featured in over 100 Hindi films like Mother • Renowned personality Juan Marse passed India, Kohinoor, EkSaperaEkLootera, Naya away, he was a veteran Novelist. Daur, Ujala, Raja AurRunk, Lalkar, Aankhen, Note: Spanish novelist, Juan Marse passed Geet, among others. away. He was one of Spain’s most-respected • Renowned personality Parvej Khan passed novelists over the past few decades and the away recently, he was a veteran Action winner of the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Director. Spanish-speaking world’s top literary award. Note: He had been working in the film His most important novel was “Úlitmas trades industry since 1986. Some of his well-known on Teresa” (“Last Afternoons with Teresa”) films include Andhadhun, Badlapur, Bullett published in 1965. Raja, Fukrey, Ra-One, Johnny Gaddaar, • Renowned personality John Saxon passed Vishwaroopam, Vishwaroopam 2, Dev. D, away recently, he was a veteran Actor. Gangster, Sehar, Ab TakChhappan, The Note: He was born on 5th August 1936 as Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Soldier, and Mr. Carmine Orrico in Brooklyn, New York, And Mrs Khiladi. United States of America.He was debuted in • Renowned personality Olivia de Havilland 1954 and starred in detective and horror shows passed away, she was a veteran Hollywood like “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. Actor.

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www.gradeup.co Note: She was born on 1st July 1916, in for her contributions to art. First performance Tokyo, Japan. The actress, who starred in of Amala Shankar was in Kaliya Daman blockbusters like Captain Blood (1935), The which was staged in Belgium in 1931. She adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Gone with also acted in the film “Kalpana” which was the Wind (1939), The Snakepit, The Heiress. released in 1948. She unchained the Hollywoods contract • Renowned personality Annie Ross passed system which was later called as “De away, she was a famous Jazz Singer. Havilland Law”. Note: he was born Annabelle McCauley Allan • Renowned personality Amala Shankar passed Short in Surrey, England, on July 25, away, she was a veteran Choreographer and 1930. She was a popular jazz singer in danseuse. the 1950s before crossing over into Note: She was honored with the West Bengal a successful film career. government’s Banga Bibhusan award in 2011 June 2020

✓ Veteran Music Director Wajid Khan • Note: Former International Archer passed away recently. turned coach JayantilalNanoma • Note: Wajid Khan was the brother passed away. He was an Asian Cup of music director Sajid Khan. He and Asian Grand Prix medallist in was born in Saharanpur, Uttar compound individual and team Pradesh on July 10, 1977. archery in 2010. • Wajid along with his brother Sajid ✓ Renowned personality Basu Chatterjee served as mentors on singing passed away recently, he was a veteran reality shows “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Screenwriter. 2012” and “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa • Note: He worked in Hindi & Superstar”. Bengali cinema and was a dialogue ✓ Famous sprinter Bobby Morrow passed writer and produced a few films. away recently. • He received the National Film • Note: He is one of the four men Award for Best Film on Family (Jesse Owens(1936), Carl Welfare in 1992 for his film Durga. Lewis(1984), Usain Bolt(2012 & He was born on January 10, 1930, 2016)) to win three events at a in Ajmer, British India. single game (100m, 200m and ✓ Renowned personality Anwar Sagar 4x100m relay). He won three gold passed away recently; he was a veteran medals for 100m, 200m and Song Writer. 4x100m relay in the 1956 Olympic • Note: He is best remembered for in Melbourne. his hit track WaadaRahaSanam ✓ Former Union Minister and three-time from 1992 Akshay Kumar-starrer Congress MP P Namgyal passed away Khiladi. The lyricist also has to his recently in Ladakh. credit films like Yaarana, Salaami, • Note: Former Union Minister and Aa Gale Lag Jaa and Vijaypath three-time Congress MP from among more. Ladakh, P Namgyal passes away. ✓ Renowned personality Chiranjeevi Sarja He has served as the Minister of passed away recently, State for Parliamentary Affairs, • Note: He has featured in films such Surface Transport and Chemicals as Samhaara, Aadyaa, Khaki, and Petro chemicals. Sinnga, Amma I Love You, ✓ Famous sportsperson turned coach PremaBaraha, JayantilalNanoma passed away recently, DandamDashagunam and he was ass8ociated with Archery sports. Varadhanayaka among others. He

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

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

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www.gradeup.co ✓ Noted Kannada novelist Geetha serve as the chairperson of Nagabhushan passed away. Karnataka Sahitya Academy. • Note: She was the first woman • She had presided over 76th Akhil writer to bag Kendra Sahitya Bharat Kannada Sahitya Academy and Nadoja awards and Sammelan, a prestigious literary fest, held at Gadag in 2020. May 2020

• Renowned personality Chuni Goswami, • Famous sportsperson Manmeet Singh Walia, passed away, he was a famous Sportsperson. passed away, he was associated with which • Note: Former India football captain sports Table Tennis. Subimal Goswami, commonly • Note: He became the national champion in 1989 when he beat S known by his nickname Chuni Sriram in the men’s singles final in Goswami, passed away at the age Hyderabad. of 82 in Kolkata. • Renowned personality Shafique Ansari passed • Renowned personality Bijay Mishra passed away recently, he was associated with which away, he was a famous Playwriter. field Acting. • Note: Noted playwright, dramatist, • Note: TV actor Shafique Ansari passed scriptwriter and film director Bijay away. He was best-known for his Mishra of Odisha passed away at appearance in TV series ‘Crime the age of 83 due to age-related Patrol’. ailments in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. • Renowned Writer Ratnakar Matkari passed • Renowned personality Nissar Ahmed away. • Note: Last week he was tested positive popularly known as K S Nissar Ahmed passed to coronavirus. He was born on 17th away, he was a popular Poet and Kannada November 1938 in Mumbai, India. writer. • He was the director and producer of • Note: He was the 73rd president of numerous Marathi films and he was a Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in the self-taught artist and writer In the year 2007 held at Shivamogga. 1970’s he wrote many columns for • He received Rajyotsava in 1981, multiple newspapers and magazines. Padma Shri in 2008 and Pampa Award • He was known for his acting skills who in 2017. made his mark in plays like Prem Kahani, VinashakadunVinashakade, • Famous personality Dalit Ezhilmalai passed Lokakatha 78 and State Lote. away recently, he was a veteran Politician. • Former JDS MP Raja Rangappa Nayak • Note: He participated in the Indo-Pak passed away recently. War of 1971 as an army officer and • Note: He had represented the Raichur received SainikSewa Medal for his constituency, Karnataka and was meritorious service. elected in the Lok Sabha elections held • Renowned personality Hari Shankar in 1996. Vasudevan passed away recently, he was a • Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy passed famous Historian. away recently. • Note: He served as the Director of • Note: Debesh Roy was known as a Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of writer who broke the set patterns in the Asian Studies under the Ministry of fictional world of Bengali literature. Culture, Government of India. • His famous works includes TistaParerBrittanto, BorisalerJogen Mondal, ManushKhun Kore Keno and 117

www.gradeup.co SamayAsamayerBrittanto. He won the Carnatic stream by noted vocalists A Sahitya Akademi award for his novel Subbaraya and B Doreswamy. ‘TistaParerBrittanto’ in 1990. • Renowned Author Mujtaba Hussain passed • Padma Bhushan recipient Bangladeshi away recently. professor Anisuzzaman passed away recently. • Note: Hussain was described as the • Note: He was born on February 18, Mark Twain of Urdu. He began his 1937, in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, literary career from “Siasat”, a leading British India and shifted to Bangladesh Urdu daily published from Hyderabad. soon after the partition in 1947. • Famous Football R. Shanmugam passed • He made an immense contribution to away. Bangla language & literature through • Note: Shanmugam played for Mohun his research and writings. Bagan in 1968, Indian Railways in the • Famous sportsperson of Tennis Ashley John 1969 Nowgong senior Nationals, Cooper passed away at the age of 83 in Tamil Nadu in the 1970 Jalandhar & Sydney ’71 Chennai senior Nationals. • Note: Cooper, the former Ranked No.1 • Famous personality Stanley Ho passed away. player, led Australia’s Davis Cup team • Note: Stanley Ho is one of the richest to victory over the United States to men in Asia and the head of Sociedade retain the title in 1957. de Jogos de Macau (SJM) holdings and • A right-handed serve-and-volley famously known as the Casino kingpin player, Cooper won 8 Grand Slam of Gambling. titles- 4 Grand Slam singles and 4 • First chief minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Grand Slam doubles titles in the Pramod Kumar Jogi passed away. amateur era. • Note: Jogi studied Mechanical • Famous Hockey sportsperson Balbir Singh Engineering at the Maulana Azad Dosanjh, passed away recently. College of Technology & also won the • Note:Balbir Singh Sr. made his University Gold Medal. International debut in May 1947 tour • He served as a lecturer at the National of Sri Lanka. Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur • He was appointed as the Captain of and was also a successful IAS (Indian Indian hockey team for the Melbourne Administrative Service) officer. Olympics in 1956. • In 1998, Jogi was elected as a Lok • He wrote his biography “The Golden Sabha member from Raigarh, Hat Trick: My Hockey Days” in 1977. Chhattisgarh and became a • Renowned Football Coach Gigi Simoni spokesperson of the Indian National passed away recently. Congress (INC) party. • Note: He was an Italian football • Famous personality associated with Indian official, player & manager. cinema passed away recently, he was a veteran • Simoni played as an attacking lyricist. midfielder for Mantova, Napoli, • Note: Famous Indian Lyricist and Torino, Juventus, Brescia and Genoa. writer Yogesh Gaur, commonly known • Noted Classical Singer Shyamala G. Bhave as Yogesh in the film industry passed passed away. away at the age of 77 in Mumbai, • Note: Her father, late Govind Maharashtra. VitthalBhave, trained her in Hindustani • He wrote the lyrics of hit songs music, while she was tutored in the “Kahinduur jab din dhal jaye” and “Zindagikaisihaipaheli” that defined the superhit film Anand (1971).

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www.gradeup.co ✓ Professor Arjun Dev passed away ✓ Famous sportsperson Radomir Antic recently; he was a veteran Historian. passed away recently. • Note: He served as a historian at • Note: Radomir Antic, Serbian the National Council of Education football manager and player, the Research and Training (NCERT). only man to have coached ✓ Nobel Prize- winning physicist who Barcelona, Real Madrid and expanded the world’s understanding of Atlético Madrid, passed away at magnetism, superconductivity and the the age of 71 in Madrid, Spain. structure of matter, passed away -- Philip ✓ Two-time Grammy award winner & Warren Anderson. Grammy lifetime achievement award ✓ Padma Shri awardee and winner American folk singer John former “HazooriRaagi” at the Golden Prinepassed away recently. Temple, passed away -- Bhai Nirmal ✓ Famous Indian American Singh Khalsa. BrahmKanchibotla passed away due to ✓ World renowned virologist Gita coronavirus. Ramjeepassed away in Johannesburg, • Note: In recent years, he has been South Africa. writing for two Indian-American • Gita was born on April 8, 1956, in publications, the Indian Panorama Kampala, Uganda. She served as and the South Asia Times. the Clinical Trials Unit Principal • During his 28-year career in the Investigator and Unit Director of US, he worked for 11 years as a the HIV Prevention Research Unit content editor for Merger Markets, of the South African Medical a financial publication, and also Research Council (SAMRC) worked for News India-Times offices in Durban. Weekly. ✓ Libya’s former Prime Minister Mahmoud ✓ Famous Shanti Hiranand Chawla passed Jibril el-Warfallypassed away due to away recently. Coronavirus. • Note: Shanti was trained in thumri, • Note: He served as the interim dadra and ghazal singing by Prime Minister (PM) of Libya for Begum Akthar. With the passing of almost a year during the Libyan Shanti Hiranand the Begum Akthar Civil War in 2011, chairing the era is formally over. executive board of National ✓ Legendary sportsperson Sir Stirling Moss Transitional Council and later passed away recently. killed Moammar Gaddafi in 2011. • Note: Moss was widely regarded ✓ Malayalam Music Composer M.K. as the greatest driver never to win Arjunan passed away recently. the Formula One drivers’ world • Note: He tuned about 700 songs, championship. many of them among the biggest ✓ Famous sportsperson Peter Bonetti passed hits of all time. away recently. • He was awarded Kerala State • Note: He was part of England’s award for the best composer in 1966 World Cup-winning team but 2017 for Jayaraj’sBhayanakam. was unused throughout the tournament. 119

www.gradeup.co ✓ Renowned Politician M V Rajasekharan half years and freed after the passed away recently. intervention of Amnesty • Note: He was former Union International. Minister of State of planning and ✓ The former prime minister of Fiji, statistics and veteran Congress Laisenia Qarase passed away recently. leader. He was also agriculture and • Note: The founder of the rural development consultant. He SoqosoqoDuavata Ni Lewenivanua was born on 12th September 1928 Party & former Fiji Prime Minister in Maralawadi in Ramanagara (2000-2006) Laisenia Qarase District, Karnataka. passed away at 79 in Oceania ✓ Famous sportsperson Zafar Sarfaraz Hospital, Suva due to an illness. passed away recently. ✓ Renowned personality Eugene Merril • Note: Former Pakistani first-class Deitch passed away recently. cricketer, Zafar Sarfaraz ,50 years, • Note: He was one of the directors who tested positive to COVID-19 behind world’s most popular passed away in a hospital at cartoons and directed 13 episodes Peshawar, Pakistan. He was born of Tom and Jerry. on 30th October 1969 in Peshawar, • He also won the ‘Academy Award’ North West Frontier Province, for his Best Animated Short Film Pakistan. named “Munro” in 1960. ✓ Renowned personality Ranjit ✓ Name the Indian theatre director-actor and Chowdhrypassed away recently. activist Usha Gangulypassed away • Note: He was well known for his recently. performance in classic comedies • Note: Usha Ganguly, was an like Baton Baton Mein as Indian theatre director-actor and SabhiPerreiraand Khubsoorat as activist, most known for her work JaganGupta.His mother Pearl in Hindi theatre in the 1970s and Padamsee, was a Jewish descent 1980s, passed away at the age of 75 and a well-known drama teacher in Kolkata, West Bengal. and stage and film actress and his • She was born in Jodhpur, stepfather AlyquePadmsee, was a Rajasthan in 1945. theatre actor, director and head of ✓ Famous sportsperson Michael John an advertising company in passed away recently, he was associated Mumbai. with Football. • He started his film career with • Note: Former Republic of Ireland “KhattaMeetha” as RussieMistry. and Liverpool forward footballer ✓ Luis SepúlvedaCalfucura, the best- Michael John Robinson passed selling Chilean writer and journalist passed away at the age of 61 in Marbella, away due to coronavirus complications. Spain. • Note: He was with Chile’s • He was the winner of the 2018 Communist Youth and socialists Vazquez Montalban International working against Pinochet regime Journalism Award. and in 1973 he was arrested and ✓ Renowned personality Irfan Khan passed imprisoned for treason for 2 and away. 120

www.gradeup.co • Note: The actor was admitted to • Note: Rishi breathed his last at the Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai Sir HN Reliance Foundation after suffering from colon Hospital in Mumbai. His wife and infection. actor Neetu Kapoor was by his • He has acted in several remarkable side. movies like Maqbool, Paan Singh • Born in the first family of Hindi Tomar, The Lunchbox, Haider, cinema, Rishi Kapoor was the son Piku, Hindi Medium, Slumdog of the man India call the showman, Millionaire, Jurassic World, The Raj Kapoor, and grandson of the Amazing Spiderman and Life of Pi. famous Prithviraj Kapoor. • He was honoured with various • Rishi was the second son of Raj awards along with Padma Shri and the sibling of Randhir, Ritu which is the fourth highest civilian Nanda, Rima Jain and Rajeev award of India. Kapoor. ✓ Renowned Actor Rishi Kapoor passed away. March 2020

• Padma Shri awardee Balbir Singh Kullar • Pradip Kumar Banerjee passed away at the age passed away, he was associated with Hockey. of 83 in Kolkata, he was associated with • Dronacharya awardee coach Joginder Singh Football. • Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan, Saini passed away, he was associated with popularly known as Visu passed away Athletics. recently, he was a veteran Actor. • Former chairman & CEO of General Electric • Veteran Actor Kenneth Ray Rogers passed (GE) Company John Francis Welch Jr away recently passed away at the age of 84. He was also known as “Neutron Jack. • French comic book artist, scriptwriter, the co- creator and illustrator of the “Asterix and • Former UN Chief & Prime Minister of Peru Obelix” who passed away -- Alberto Javier Perez de Cuellar passed away AleandroUderzo. recently. • Name the former India football player and • Name the Buddhist religious leader in 1970 Asian games bronze medallist passed Bangladesh passed away -- away recently -- Abdul Latif. SuddhanandaMahathero. • Nawab Banoo alias Nimmi passed away • Name the famous Swedish Actor Carl Adolf recently was a famous Bollywood actress. von Sydowpassed away recently. • Nemai Ghosh passed away recently, was a • Santu Mukhopadhyay or Santu Mukherjee veteran Photographer. passed away recently, he was associated with Cinema. • RajyoginiDadiJanki passed away recently, she was chief of which spiritual organization • Former Czechoslovak javelin-thrower Dana BrahmakumarisSansthan. Zatopkovapassed away recently. • ParavaiMuniyamma who passed away • Dr Puthussery Ramachandran passed away recently, he was a veteran Malayalam poet. recently, was a famous Tamil Folk Singer. • Former world champion boxer and trainer Roger Mayweather passed away.

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www.gradeup.co February 2020

• Noted Social activist, feminist writer and • Journalist Nandu R Kulkarani passed away in journalist passed away –Vidya Bal. Mumbai, Maharashtra. • Eminent Punjabi writer and Sahitya Akademi • Note: He was the bureau chief of the Awardee Jaswant Singh Kanwal passed Kolkata- based newspaper “The away. Statesman” in 1992 & also reported on • Renowned personality Rabi Singh died a wide range of subjects including recently, he was a veteran Odia revolutionary politics & business. Nandu Kulkarni poet and freedom fighter. started his career with “The Indian • Padma Shri awardee and renowned Punjabi Express” in 1976 & reported on novelist passed away recently isDalip Kaur economic offenses. Tiwana. • Renowned personality Wendell • Daniel Arap Moi passed away recently; he Rodrickspassed away in Goa, he was a was former President of Kenya. famous Fashion designer. • Famous cricket journalist and film historian • M.S. Mani who passed away at the age of 79 Raju Bharatanpassed away recently. was a famous journalist. • He is also the writer for Thehindu and • Former Lok Sabha MP (Member of Sportstar and also a popular radio Parliament) and wife of Netaji Subhas commentator for India’s cricket Chandra Bose’s nephew Sisir Kumar Bose, matches. passed away recently – Krishna Bose. • Hindi Novelist Giriraj Kishore passed away • India Footballer who was a part of India’s recently. bronze-medal winning teams in the Merdeka • Note: Giriraj Kishore was best known Cup in 1965 and 1966, passed away recently – for his novel “PehlaGirmitiya” (for Ashok Chatterjee. which he received Padma Shri in 2007) • Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak who and “DhaiGhar”. passed away recently was former President of • Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Egypt. Veteran, Orator and Philosophical Author P. Parameswaran passed away. January 2020

✓ Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ✓ Former Indian cricketer Man Mohan leader DP Tripathi passed away in New Soodpassed away at 80 years. Delhi, ✓ Sunanda Patnaik (85) passed away in ✓ Noted Assamese theatre personality Ratna Kolkata, West Bengal, she was Indian Ojha passed away. Classical Singer. ✓ Irani Gen Qassem Soleimani killed in US • She was famously known as ‘Guruma’ in airstrike on Baghdad airport. the classical music circle. She is the ✓ Former Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi daughter of renowned Odia poet passes away. Baikunthanath Patnaik and had composed ✓ The King of Oman Sultan Qaboos bin Said many bhajans (devotional songs) both in passed away due to years-long struggle with Odia and Hindi. an illness.

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www.gradeup.co ✓ On January 17,2020 Urdu Academy in March 2016 for his RameshchandraGangaramBapu Nadkarni contribution to Urdu poetry. passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra, he was ✓ Famous social worker, environmentalist, a renowned Cricketer. educationist & writer passed away at 85 years ✓ On January 20, 2020 Shamsher Singh in Kolkata Tushar Kanjilal. Surjewala passed away after in AIIMS, New ✓ Jameela Malik passed away recently at 73 Delhi, he was a renowned Politician years, she was a veteran Actress. (Congress Chief of Haryana). ✓ Veteran player Sunita Chandra passed away in ✓ Senior Journalist and former Bharatiya Janata her hometown Bhopal, she was associated Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) with Hockey. Ashwini Kumar Chopra passed away at a ✓ American legendary player Kobe Bean private hospital in Gurgaon. Bryant and his daughter dies in a helicopter ✓ Noted Urdu poet Ajmal Sultanpuripassed crash. He was a veteran player of Basketball. away at the age of 97 in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. was awarded the “LifeTime Achievement Award” by Uttar Pradesh (UP)

Environment and Ecology News

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www.gradeup.co September 6. Punjab government has launched ‘I Rakhwali’ app for Environment Protection. 1. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released Living Note: With this new initiative, the state govt aims to Planet Report 2020: safeguard the state forest area by making people a Note: It showed reduction of 68 % in global wildlife stakeholder in this process.The state govt came up population between 1970 and 2016.75 % of the with the concept of the app to encourage people to Earth’s ice-free land surface has been altered by the come forward and contribute to the protection of the conversion of pristine habitats into agricultural environment. systems with 85% loss of wetlands. Highest biodiversity loss due to land use change: Europe and August Central Asia, followed by North America, Latin America and Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Largest 1. 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting was held wildlife population loss: Latin America. India, with under the presidency of Russia. over 45,000 species of plants in only 2.4 % of the Note: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of world’s land area, has lost six plant species. Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) participated in the meeting. The BRICS 2. International Solar Alliance (ISA) organized first nations called the initiative to improve the World Solar Technology Summit environment and promote the circular economy in Note: national plans for economic recovery after COVID-19 • Aim: Accelerate affordable and sustainable clean green with next generation technologies in solar 2. National portal SURAKHSYA is being launched by power. the Ministry of Environment and Forest on Human- • Tripartite agreement between India’s Ministry Elephant conflict to collect real-time information and of New and Renewable Energy, World Bank and will also manage conflicts on a real-time basis. ISA inked during the summit Note: He will also launch portal on Human Elephant • The summit observed launching of ISA’s Conflict on the eve of World Elephant Day, 2020. The technology journal, Solar Compass 360. World Elephant Day is observed every year on 12th August to spread awareness about the animal. 3. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the 3. The Central Water Commission (CWC) of India has field of geology and mineral resources with its launched the flood forecasting initiatives across India counterpart of Finland. in association with tech giant Google. Note: The Central Water Commission is the first 4. The first World Solar Technology Summit 2020 held governmental partner of Google to measure water virtually was attended by 149 countries. levels on an hourly basis using around 1000 stream Note: The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister gauges across India. Under the flood forecasting of India Narendra Modi. The main objective of the initiatives, Google has sent out numerous public alerts summit is to pay attention to state-of-the-art to people in flood-impacted regions of India. technologies and next-generation technologies. 4. Greenko Energies Private Limited entered into an MoU with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) to 5. ‘Streets for People’ challenge has been launched by explore renewable energy power supply solution and Union Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) energy storage. Ministry. Note: This comes under the framework of India’s Note: The objective of CSCAF is to provide a clear World largest clean energy programme, a part of roadmap for cities towards combating Climate global climate change commitments, which aims to Change while planning and implementing their have 175 GW of clean energy by 2022. NTPC Vidyut actions, including investments.

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www.gradeup.co VyaparNigam (NVVN) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC limited. 3. Two Maharatna PSUs the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has signed an MoU for setting 5. Mahindra & Mahindra has partnered with Israel’s up of a Waste to Energy Plant Okhla New Delhi -- REE Automotive to develop commercial EVs . Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. & NTPC Ltd. Note: The corner modular architecture of REE Note: In Delhi, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) integrated with the design, engineering, sourcing, Management has been a major issue for the local ecosystem and production capacity of Mahindra will Municipal Authorities, the Waste to Energy Plant will provide zero emission vehicles, including the help in addressing the issue and also will lead us autonomous vehicles. This will improve the towards a more energy-efficient and greener future. mahindra’s capabilities in the Electric Vehicle(EV) The Plant in Delhi will serve as a demonstrative sector. model, the success of which will further help in establishing such Plants in other cities of the country. 6. Uttarakhand state is set develop India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation centre. 4. The report titled “Towards a Clean Energy Economy: Note: The main aim of the centre is to conserve and Post-Covid-19 Opportunities for India’s Energy and restore Himalayan ecosystems. It also aims to Mobility Sectors” released jointly by NITI Aayog and conserve elusive snow leopards and other endangered Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Himalayan species. A number of snow leopards have Note: The report has recommended specific actions been spotted in the districts of Pithoragarh and and laid down four principles as a framework by Uttarkashi. However, the actual figures are unknown. which India can revive two of our economic So far, the state government has concluded that there powerhouses – the transport and power sectors from are 86 snow leopards in the state. the COVID-19 effect that has impacted their demand and supply.

July 5. According to the report “Annual Marine Fish Landings in India for 2019” by Central Marine 1. Sustainable Development Report 2020: Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Tamil Nadu Note: The report has SDG Index of 166 nations and state grabbed the top in annual fish production. Dashboards for all UN member states.It is published by Cambridge University Press and prepared by 6. India’s rank in the “INFORM Report 2020:Shared independent experts at Sustainable Development evidence for managing crises and disasters” released Solutions Network (SDSN) and Bertelsmann Stiftung. by research centre INFORM -- 31st. India has been placed at 117th in SDG index 2020. Note: The report ranked the countries based on The index is topped by Sweden followed by Denmark “INFORM Risk Index” which has been topped by and Finland. Somalia with an inform risk of 8.9. The report has analyzed 191 countries.Notably, this report is 2. India ranked third among ‘Global E-waste produced by the United Nations Office for the Monitor 2020’ report:- Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) Note: United Nations ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2020’ on behalf of all INFORM Partners. report showcased India as the third largest contributor to e-waste in the world in 2019. At world level, 53.6 7. Union Environment and Information & Broadcasting million tonnes of e-waste is generated in 2019, out of Minister Prakash Javadekar hailed the KURMA which just 17.4 percent was recycled. China was the mobile application related with Indian Turtles. biggest contributor to e-waste, followed by United States. Together these three countries accounted for 8. As per the update report on India’s Tiger Survey from nearly 38% of the world’s e-waste in 2019. 2018, released by the Union Minister of Environment,

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www.gradeup.co Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar and forest Degradation (REDD+) to the United Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers. Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Note: India has 2,967 tigers, a third more than in (UNFCCC). 2014, according to results of a census made public on Note: Uganda became the first African country to July 29 last year. The present survey is a more submit the results for Reducing Emissions from granular estimate of these numbers. Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 9. Uttar Pradesh government has launched a mega Change (UNFCCC), which has opened the way for plantation programme ‘Mission Vriksharopan-2020’. potential results-based payments to Uganda. The submitted documents will help Uganda to claim the 10. Assam’s DehingPatkai Wildlife Sanctuary is being funds through the Green Climate Fund’s forest upgraded to a National Park is located in which state conservation scheme. of India. Note: It is located within the larger DehingPatkai 15. What will be the rise in mean average global Elephant Reserve, spreading across the coal- and oil- temperature in next 5 years as per the report “Global rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2020-24” and Sivasagar). After upgradation, DehingPatkai will released by the WMO -- 1.5°C. be the 6th national park in Assam. The other five are Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Orang and Dibru- 16. Fourth edition of “Ministerial on Climate Action Saikhowa. (MoCA)” was held virtually for the first time in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 11. Poba Reserve Forest would be upgraded to a wildlife Note: From India, Union Minister of Environment, sanctuary in Assam. Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar Note: Assam Chief Minister, SarbanandaSonowal has participated in meet. The meet was co-chaired by announced, Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district European Union (EU), China and Canada. would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary. The announcement was made during a meeting with senior 17. Germany become the first industrialized country to officials of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts phase out of both coal and nuclear energy. at Jonai. Poba Reserve Forest declared in 1924 with Note: This phase out is a part of Germany’s “energy an area of 10,522 hectares is home to a large number transition” to reduce the use of fossil fuels and to of flora and fauna. support the use of renewable resources. German closed its last coal mine in 2018 and committed to 12. Andhra Pradesh government has announced close its nuclear power plants by 2022. Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020, which permits the sale of power to the other states of India. 18. The World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 is published by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 13. Mizoram becomes the first state in the country to organization that says that India and Thailand are the implement the Green-Agriculture (Green-Ag) project main source of (82%) of illegal shipment of tiger body funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). parts. Note: It was launched by Agriculture minister of Mizoram C Lalrinsanga. Mizoram is first among the 5 19. Nicaragua has become the 87th country to join the states where the project is to be implemented. The International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement, other states are Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan an initiative led by India to promote sustainable and Uttarakhand. energy. Note: The ISA is an alliance of 121 countries, most of 14. Uganda became the first African country to submit them being sunshine countries which lie either the results for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation

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www.gradeup.co completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer 6 GW capacity will be added in 2 GW annual and the Tropic of Capricorn. increments through 2025.

20. Under the aegis of International Solar Alliance (ISA) 4. An Integrated Flood Warning System (IFLOWS) has NTPC Ltd planned to establish solar power plants in been launched for Mumbai. Sri Lanka. Note: Named as 'Boon' and developed for Mumbai it will help the people in a "big way" as it can predict 21. The polycarbonate facility of SABIC in Spain is set to floods.The system was developed by the Ministry of become the world's first large scale chemical Earth Sciences and Brihanmumbai Municipal production plant which will run entirely on renewable Corporation (BMC). energy. Note: Once the solar plant is operational, SABIC's 5. The colour of water in Lonar lake has changed to pink customers including the ones from automotive and due to salinity and presence of algae in the water constructive sectors will have access to polycarbonate body. The lake is located in Maharashtra. solutions produced with 100 per cent renewable Note: The lake was formed after a meteorite hit the power. Earth some 50,000 years ago. Located around 500 km from Mumbai, the Lonar lake is in Buldhana district June of Maharshtra. The lake, which is a notified national 1. Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2020: geo-heritage monument, has saline water with pH of Note: It is released by Yale, Columbia University 10.5. along with WEF providing state of sustainability around 180 countries using 32 performance indicators. 6. Maharashtra government has decided to rename the India is ranked 168th.The index is topped by Denmark state’s Environment Ministry as ‘Environment and (82.5%), followed by Luxemburg (82.3%) and Climate Change Ministry’. Switzerland (81.5%). Note: The decision to change the name comes just weeks after the state was hit by a severe cyclonic 2. Nisarga has been given to the fast-moving depression storm Nisarga on June 3, 2020. Maharashtra is one in the Arabian Sea which intensified into a severe among a few states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, cyclone. Haryana in India which have a dedicated department Note: As per the India Meteorological Department, to address climate change. the impact of the cyclone is likely to be felt in Maharashtra and Gujarat.There is a concern about the 7. The forest department of Uttarakhand state has impact of the cyclonic storm on the battle against developed India’s first lichen park. Covid-19, as the rain and flooding may set back social Note: Lichens are found in the Himalayas up to 5000 distancing and other necessary measures at evacuation metres are important species as they are the best centres, and even at some Covid-19 facilities located bioindicators of the pollution levels. Uttarakhand has in low-lying areas. more than 600 species of lichens followed by Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir with 503 3. Adani Green Energy Limited has won one of and 386 species respectively. world’s largest solar contract from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to develop 8 GW of solar 8. Western Railway has created a new world projects. benchmark by successfully running first Double-Stack Note: Based on the award agreement the 8 GW of Container Train in high-rise in Over Head Equipment solar development projects will be implemented over electrified territory on. the next five years. The first 2 GW of generation Note: This achievement is a first of its kind in the capacity will come online by 2022 and the subsequent entire world and will also boost the ambitious mission of Green India. The Operations successfully

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www.gradeup.co commenced on 10th rivers have also been brought under the ministry, June from Palanpur and Botad stations in Gujarat. which was earlier under the same ministry as CWMA.

9. India become the first country to control locusts 5. According to Mercom India Research’s ‘India Solar through drones. Market Leaderboard 2020’ report 7.3 Giga Watt (GW) solar energy generation capacity India has Jan-May added during calendar year 2019.

1. StartupBlink's Ecosystem Ranking Report 2020 6. Name the webinar organized by the National Mission ranked 1,000 cities across 100 countries: for Clean Ganga and National Institute of Urban Note: As per the report, India has dropped to 23rd Affairs on theme “The future of River Management” - rank in 2020 from 17th rank in 2019. US has topped - IDEAthon. the report, followed by UK, Israel, Canada, and Germany. The ranking is based on Quantity, Quality 7. As per International Energy Agency (IEA) “Global and Business Environment. Only 4 Indian cities are Energy Review 2020 due to COVID 19 India’s energy placed in top 100: Bengaluru (14th rank), Delhi demand falls by 30%. (15th), Mumbai (22nd) and Hyderabad (96th) Note: It means that with each additional week of lockdown, India’s annual energy demand is reduced 2. World Economic Forum released Global Energy by 0.6%. The impact on Q1 2020 energy demand in Transition Index: India was modest, with demand increasing by 0.3 Note: It is a fact-based ranking to enable relative to Q1 2019.In India, energy demand would policymakers and businesses across the world to plot decline for the first time, following on from low a successful energy transition. India is ranked 74th. demand growth in 2019.The report is based on an Index is topped by Sweden followed by Switzerland analysis of around 100 days of real-data of2020. and Finland 8. Public sector oil companyOil India Ltd(OIL) will get 3. NTPC & ONGC to set up JVC for Renewable the environmental clearance for extension drilling and Energy Business testing of hydrocarbons at 7 locations inside the Note: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (NP). been signed by NTPC Limited, and Oil and Natural Note: The clearance was given as part of the Centre’s Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) to set up a Joint target to reduce 10% imports and the Northeast Vision Venture Company for Renewable Energy 2030.And the commercial production from this area business. This partnership will enable both the shall also enable OIL to meet the same centre’s target companies to accelerate their mark in the field of Renewable Energy. 9. Electric mobility company Ola Electric Mobility has acquired Amsterdam-based electric scooter-maker 4. The central government has brought the Cauvery Etergo. Water Management Authority (CWMA) under Jal Note: It would leverage Etergo’s design and Shakti Ministry. engineering capabilities to build its smart electric two- Note: Earlier it was under the Ministry of Water wheeler for international and Indian markets.Ola Resources, River Development and Ganga Electric aimed to launch its global electric two- Rejuvenation. This decision is a formality of business wheeler in India in 2021. allotment, which means that the authority must report to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The move will have no 10. Uttarakhand become the first state to release report impact on the independent nature of the functioning of on conservation of endemic, threatened floras. the authority. Water management authorities of other Note: The project aims at Germplasm conservation so that species remain conserved with the forest

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www.gradeup.co department & also to promote conservation of plant 3. Dharmendra Pradhan chaired the National Biofuel species among the general public so as to end plant Coordination Committee (NBCC) meeting approved blindness. The report is one of the largest repositories & allowed Food Corporation of India (FCI) to convert of conserved plants & is carried out by the research the available surplus rice to ethanol. wing of the state forest department. Note: Recently the government has also allowed sugar companies and distilleries to make hand 11. FAO organization has released Global Forest sanitizers using ethanol. By using the surplus rice for Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020. ethanol, it will address about 750 million litres from Note: According to the Global Forest Resources the total capacity of 2 billion litres of grain-based Assessment(FRA) 2020 released by the United distillery capacities lying idle Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the forest loss rate in 2015-2020 has declined to an 4. Tamil Nadu state topped in the all-India level for estimated 10 million hectares (mha), down from 12 micro-irrigation (MI), under Pradhan Mantri Krishi mha in 2010-2015.The world has lost 178 mha of Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). forest since 1990, an area the size of Libya. 5. Gujarat government has approved the 3rd edition of his government’s ‘SujalamSufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan’ (SSJA). Note: The scheme will continue till June 10, 2020 1. Jim Corbett National Park becomes the India’s 1st with a focus on deepening of lakes, check dams and quarantine centre for animals. rivers by removing silt. It will be done with people’s Note: Jim Corbett National Park has become the participation as well as under Mahatma Gandhi India’s 1st quarantine centre for animals with National Rural Employment Guarantee Act symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). It is India’s (MNREGA).The scheme will create employment oldest forested wildlife sanctuary located in the opportunities for the rural population amid the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. At least 10 quarantine lockdown. centers are being set up within the complex to handle the corona virus prey animals & Cameras will be installed in the park to monitor the cold and cough symptoms of animals. 1. The World Wildlife Day is celebrated around the world on 3rd March. 2. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Note: The World Wildlife Day (WWD) has been Limited (IREDA) has been appointed as the celebrated based on the theme “Sustaining all life on implementing agency to handle the Central Public Earth”. The day aims to celebrate the beautiful and Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II by the varied forms of wild fauna and flora & raises Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). awareness for conservation of wildlife.The main Note: MNRE will timely review the maximum objective of this day is to familiarize the common permissible VGF amount & will reduce if the cost people with the diverse forms of wildlife and flora. At difference comes down. In Case of the existing clause, the same time people have to create awareness about the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) handled the many benefits for their conservation the scheme on behalf of the ministry. The CPSU 2. The International Day of Forests (IDF) is observed Scheme Phase II aims to set up 12,000 MW grid- annually on 21st March. connected solar PV power projects under the Note: This day is celebrated to raise awareness of the government producers with the VGF support for self- importance of all types of forests and of trees outside use or by government entities either directly or forests. The theme of the day this year is “Forests and through discoms Biodiversity”.

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www.gradeup.co 3. National Chambal Sanctuary has received eco- over the world. The of this year day is “Wetlands and sensitive zone tag. Biodiversity”. The theme highlights the importance of Note: Centre notified 870 sq km around the National biodiversity conservation, which conveys nearly 40% Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh(MP) as eco- of the world’s plant & animal species live or breed on sensitive zone (ESZ) to prohibit polluting activities wetlands. like industries, major hydroelectric project,mining, stone quarrying & big construction within the ‘no-go 2. The World Pangolin Day was observed across the area’ for the purpose of conservation of water bodies, world on 15th February (3rd Saturday of Feb). unique geographical features(ravines), flora & fauna. Note: The 9th World Pangolin day was observed on February 15, 2020. The Madhya Pradesh forest 4. Under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund department & Wildlife Conservation Trust has radio- Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), a tagged an Indian Pangolin for the first time in order to financial assistance of Rs 1.51 crore has been know its ecology and develop an effective sanctioned to Kaziranga National Park. conservation plan

5. Government targeted to achieve sales around 70 lakh 3. World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) hybrid & electric vehicles by the end of 2020. 2020 was held in New Delhi. Note: The Minister of Environment, Forest and Note: The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Minister of Information & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) was inaugurated a 3- Broadcasting & Minister of Heavy industries and day long World Sustainable Development Summit Public Enterprises Prakash Javadekar informed that (WSDS) 2020 based on the theme “Towards 2030 the government has set an ambitious target to achieve Goals: Making the Decade Count” at India Habitat sales of around 70 lakh hybrid & electric vehicles by Centre in New Delhi from 29-31 January, 2020. The the end of 2020. In 2015 as part of the National summit was organized by The Energy and Resources Electric Mobility Mission Plan(NEMMP) 2020, Institute (TERI), a research institute specializes in the Department of Heavy Industry formulated the Faster fields of energy. Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. 4. 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of 6. Jharkhand becomes the third state in India to launch Wild Animals, was hosted by India at Gandhinagar its “Star Rating Program”. in Gujarat. Note: The state government of Jharkhand will launch Note: It is an Environment Treaty Supported by its “Star Rating Program” on June 5, 2020, to rate United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). industries based on the amount of pollutants generated logo is to Portray Important Migratory Species in by them. With this, it became the 3rd state in India to India like Amur falcon, Humpback Whale and Marine launch this system for industries after Maharashtra Turtles, the Great Indian Bustard (Gibi) is chosen as &Odisha.The program will be implemented by the official Mascot. The theme for the CMS COP 13 in Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) in India is, “Migratory species connect the planet and we association with the University of Chicago Trust (UC welcome them Home”. Trust). 5. India to switch to World’s Cleanest petrol and diesel from April 1,2020. Note: India to switch to World’s cleanest petrol and diesel from April 1,2020, when it proceeds to Bharat 1. The World Wetlands Day was observed on February Stage (BS-VI) from BS-IV grades at present. India 2, 2020. will join the select league of nations using petrol & Note: World Wetlands Day (WWD) was observed to diesel which contains 10ppm (parts per millions) of spread awareness and to conserve the wetlands all

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www.gradeup.co Sulphur which cuts down vehicular discharge that is 7. NTPC has signed an MoU with Central Pollution stated to be one of the reasons for pollution. Control Board to provide financial support for installation & commissioning of Continuous Ambient 6. In accordance with the “2019 World Air Quality Air Quality Monitoring Stations. Report-Region & City PM2.5 Ranking” compiled by IQAir AirVisual, India’s rank as most polluted country -- 5th. 8. To combat Climate Change, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Note: Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted has announced the launch of “Bezos Earth Fund” country for PM2.5 exposure. worth $10 billion.

Important S&T, Defence, Health News

Science and tech:

September 3. SCTIMST developed Deep Vein Thrombosis 1. IIT Delhi incubated startup ‘Chakr (DVT) prevention device Innovation’ launches ChakrDeCoV’ to Note: decontaminate N95 masks. • DVT: It is a serious condition that occurs About ChakrDeCoV: when a blood clot forms in a vein of human • Designed in the shape of cabinet with an body resulting in life threatening innovative decontamination mechanism using complications. penetrability of Ozone gas for cleaning the • The device is cost effective and will facilitate pores of the N95 mask, ensuring complete flow of blood from the veins in the legs decontamination of its intricate layers. preventing and giving relief from DVT • Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent that can 4. CSIR-CMERI developed World’s Largest Solar destroys viruses Tree to generate 12,000-14,000 units of Clean and 2.India successfully tested indigenous Hypersonic Green Power annually in Durgapur, West Bengal Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) Note: About HSTDV: • It ensures maximum exposure of each Solar • HSTDV was tested from APJ Abdul Kalam PV Panel to Sunlight. Launch Complex, Odisha coast • One solar tree comprises of 35 Solar PV • Developed by Defence Research & Panels having a capacity of 330 wp each. Development Organisation (DRDO) • It can be used for agricultural activities like • It is an unmanned scramjet demonstration High Capacity Pumps, e-Tractors and e- aircraft for hypersonic speed flight Power Tillers.

August 1. NASA launched its Mars 2020 Perseverance • The rover will land in Mars' Jezero Crater rover aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas • It is a part of America's Moon to Mars V rocket exploration and will explore geology and Note: climate of Mars and seek signs of ancient life • It was launched from Space Launch Complex on the Red Planet. 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

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www.gradeup.co 2. DRDO-lab has developed an automated 5. DIAT launches ‘Pavitrapati’ & ‘Aushada tara’ currency sanitization device titled as in fight against COVID-19 NOTESCLEAN Note: Note: • Pavitrapati: Ayurvedic based Biodegradable • It is a device where one has to just place the Face Mask which will act as a virus loose currency notes at the input slot of the neutraliser and will be made available on device, and the device make the currency to Amazon, Flipkart etc. pass through UVC lamps for complete • Aushada tara: Anti-microbial body suit disinfection which comprises of superhydrophobic, 3. VSSUT, Odisha became 1st university to set up breathing, anti-microbial, comfort feeling Space Innovation-cum-Incubation Centre with properties. ISRO 6. IIT Kanpur develops indigenous seed balls Note: titled ‘BEEG’ • Under this, ISRO will offer technical About BEEG: consultancy support and financial assistance • BEEG (Bio-compost Enriched Eco-friendly of Rs.50 lakhs for development of Globule) is developed for the safety of people infrastructure at VSSUT. and farmers during Corona 4. China launches optical remote-sensing satellites • It comprises of indigenous variety of seeds, named Gaofen-9 05 compost, and clay that don’t need digging pits Note: for planting saplings • It was launched from Jiuquan Launch Centre, • They are to be thrown at aimed places and Northwest China along with Tiantuo-5 will germinate after coming into water’s satellite by Long March-2D carrier rocket contact • They are civilian China High-resolution Earth Observation System (CHEOS). July

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www.gradeup.co 1. DST-SERB along with INSA launches photo & Note: film competition • It is launched by Long March 3B carrier Note: rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. • It is a 1-minute film competition with theme • It is a high-power broadband communications “Science through My Eyes” and various sub- geostationary satellite into orbit to provide themes like science in the lab, kitchen, sports, broadband internet service. hospital, etc. • It will be operated by APT Mobile SatCom • It will help people to understand and Limited to provide services for airborne, appreciate science around them fostering and shipborne, vehicle-borne, and other promoting the scientific spirit applications for users across Asia-Pacific • It is open to Indian nationals only without any region. entry fee 6. HRD Minister launches COVID-19 Diagnostic 2. Govt launches Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020 Kit ‘Corosure’ Note: Note: • It is a joint initiative of Council of Scientific • It is developed by IIT, Delhi and has received and Industrial Research and All India Council ICMR and Drug Controller General of India for Technical Education for developing (DCGI) approval COVID-19 drug along with students, • It is cost-effective and faster covid-19 test kit. academicians, researchers, and professionals 7. Android malware titled ‘BlackRock’ discovered • MyGov portal will be used for participation About BlacRock: and works. • It steals data like password and credit card 3. Imagineering Laboratory dept of IIT Kanpur details from 337 apps including Gmail, develops Ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing device Amazon, Netflix, Uber, etc through ‘SHUDH’ ‘Overlays’ technique About SHUDH: • It is based on the leaked source code of • It stands for Smartphone operated Handy another malware strain ‘Xerxes’ Ultraviolet Disinfection Helper • It basically detects when a user interacts with • It has six UV lights of 15 Watts and can a legitimate app and places a fake window on disinfect a 10x10 squared feet room in about top that asks for login and credit card details 15 minutes. before the user enters the actual app. • It’s on/off, speed, and location can be 8. IIT Madras startup named ‘Modulus Housing’ controlled remotely using available android develops Portable Hospital Unit ‘MediCAB’ application. About MediCAB: 4. VNIR Biotech launches fluorescence probes & • It is foldable and is composed of 4 zones: PCR mix for RT-PCR detection of COVID-19. doctor’s room, an isolation room, a medical Note: room/ward, and a twin-bed ICU at negative • It is a fully indigenous molecular probe that pressure. will be used in COVID test kit • It can be installed anywhere within 8 hours by • PCR based test kit has three critical 4 people and is very cost-effective that can components: oligos, enzymes and molecular work well for far flung areas. probes. 9. UAE launches its first space mission to Mars 5. China launches communications satellite titled as ‘HOPE’ from Japan APSTAR-6D that will work like GPS system About HOPE: 133

www.gradeup.co • It will provide complete picture of the 14. DST launches India-Russia Joint Technology Martian atmosphere Assessment Programme • It is an unmanned mission which is launched Note: by H2A rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima • It is being launched by Federation of Indian Space Center for 7-month journey Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) 10. CSIR-CMERI rolls out COVID Protection and FASIE of Russian Federation. System (COPS) for Workplace • It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & About COPS: Technology led SMEs and Start-ups for joint • It has solar Based Intelligent Mask Research and development (R&D) for Automated Dispensing Unit cum Thermal technology development and adaptation Scanner (IntelliMAST) that identifies the 15. AIIMS Nagpur with IIT Jodhpur, IIIT body temperature, Face Mask; Touchless Nagpur develops smart wristband for tracking Faucet (TouF); 360° Car Flusher COVID-19 11. Comet NEOWISE approaches closest to the Note: Earth • It is fully indigenously device that uses geo- About NEOWISE: fencing to provide real time warning on any • It is the brightest comet that can be seen with breach in quarantine zone to local authorities naked eye in Earth’s night sky and is visible and officials only after 6800 years gap • It provides real data like temperature, pulse • It was first spotted by NASA's Near-Earth rate, respiratory rate and the oxygen Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer saturation, so that the quarantined person will (NEOWISE) mission get a health alarm thus helping them seek 12. SpaceX launches South Korea's military early medical help. communication satellite ANASIS-II 16. IIT Kharagpur develops COVID-19 Rapid About ANASIS-II: Test technology • It stands for Army/Navy/Air Force Satellite Note: Information System 2 • It can be conducted in an ultra-low-cost • Launched by Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket at Cape portable device with test results available in a Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida customized smartphone app within an hour • It is a secure communications satellite for without requiring manual interpretation. Defense Development and will supplement • It deploys a disposable simple paper-strip for the Koreasat-5/ANASIS-I satellite, a chemical analysis and visualization of test combined civilian and military results. communications satellite launched in 2006. • It will cost around Rs 400 per test 13. China successfully launches unmanned mission to Mars ‘Tianwen-1’ About Tianwen-1 June • It is the first independent mission of China to IIT-Bombay develops radio frequency receiver another planet chip ‘Dhruva’ to find locations • ‘Tainwen-1’ or ‘Questions to Heaven’ will About Dhruva: carry several scientific instruments and will • It can be used in smartphones and navigation deploy a rover for 90 days devices to find locations and routes within the country in all-weather condition 134

www.gradeup.co • It will receive signals from India’s NAVIC 5. ISRO receives patent for Liquid Cooling and navigation satellites (built by ISRO) and GPS Heating Garment (LCHG) • It can receive signals in multiple frequency About LCHG: bands and handle weak signals • It is a protective garment made up of 2. NASA headquarters to be renamed as Mary W. biocompatible fabrics that can be used in Jackson space, military applications, firefighting, and Note: personal cooling-heating purposes shielding • Headquarters of NASA at Washington, D.C for long term without skin irritation will be named after Mary W. Jackson, the • It has a system for circulating temperature first African American female engineer at controlling fluid into and out of the garments NASA. through tubes inside the garment. • It will be now called as Mary W. Jackson 6. India witnessed rare Annual Solar Eclipse NASA Headquarters. Note: • Mary W. Jackson starter her career at NASA • It is also known as ‘ring of fire’. in 1951 as a human computer, a • It coincides with the summer solstice mathematician who performed hand • Solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in calculations for NASA missions. between the sun and the earth • She was posthumously awarded with the • In this, Moon is at the farthest point allowing Congressional Gold Medal in 2019 the sun’s disc to be visible while covering the • NASA Administrator: Jim Bridenstine other parts that results in narrow band of light causing ‘ring of fire’ visible. 3. DST unveils official logo for Golden Jubilee 7. June 21 marks Summer solstice in the Northern Commemoration Year Hemisphere Note: Note: • It will be printed on stationery items, social, • It is the longest day of the year in the digital, and print documents of DST along Northern Hemispheren and sun reverses its with its representation on any conference held direction on this day. under the banner of DST. • The sun reaches its farthest point north of the • Department of Science & Technology (DST) celestial equator with maximum tilt in the sky was established on 3rd May 1971 on this day. 4. Cabinet approves creation of IN-SPACe for • Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight space sector reform for 24 hours on June 21. Note: 8. Central Indian Railways launches AI enabled • IN-SPACe: Indian National Space Promotion Captain Arjun robot and Authorization Centre Note: • It will boost private sector participation in • Arjun stands for Always be Responsible and Indian space infrastructure through various Just Use to be Nice policies and regulatory environment. • It is effective for screening and surveillance • New Space India Limited will reorient space of passengers and staff along with keeping a activities from a “supply driven” model to watch on anti-social elements. demand driven for optimum utilisation of • It is equipped with motion sensor, one PTZ nation’s space assets. camera (Pan, Tilt, Zoom Camera) and one

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www.gradeup.co Dome Camera with voice and video mode Class 4 to 8 and Essay competition for Class and speaks in local language. 9 and 10th students. • The robot has a floor sanitisation facility with • Essay competition is organized with space good battery backup quiz contests in Hindi and English will be organised for class 11 and 12. 9. Home Affairs launches GermiBAN device 14. IIT Guwahati develops Flyzy mobile app About GermiBAN: Note: • It is developed by Atal Incubation Centre & • It is developed for seamless and contactless Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India air travel that supports multi-currency Women Entrepreneurs (ALEAP-WE) HUB. payments • It kills 99.9% of surface and air microbes and • It provides contactless boarding, easier will be useful for quarantine centres and all baggage drop, manageable parking, better general places shopping experience, flight notification, etc 10. India’s first infectious disease diagnostic lab is • The app has smart UI assistant for easy access all set to start to elderly people. Note: 15. DIAT develops ANANYA disinfectant spray to • It is a rapid response mobile laboratory built combat COVID-19 with the support of Department of About ANANYA: Biotechnology in a record time of 8 days • It is a water-based non-toxic 24 hours spray • It has BSL-2 facility with onsite Elisa, rRT- that can be used on masks, PPEs, hospital PCR test and Biochemistry analysers. linens, and other contaminated surfaces like 11. MoHFW Harsh Vardhan launches India’s medical instruments, elevator buttons, first COVID-19 testing mobile lab ‘Infectious doorknobs, corridors, and rooms. Disease Diag Lab (I-LAB)’ • It has shelf life of more than 6 months. Note: 16. DoNER Minister launches COVID BEEP • It is developed by Department of About COVID BEEP: Biotechnology and will be deployed in the • It stands for Continuous Oxygenation & Vital interior, inaccessible parts of the country. Information Detection Biomed ECIL ESIC • It has the capability to perform 25 RT-PCR Pod and 300 ELISA tests per day. • It is India’s first indigenous, cost effective, 12. DRDO developed sanitizing chamber wireless physiological parameters monitoring ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise uniforms of security system for COVID-19 patients. forces • It is developed by ESIC Medical College Note: Hyderabad along with IIT Hyderabad and • It has been set up at Parliament Street Police Department of Atomic Energy. Station. 17. ISRO signs MoU with ARIES for Space • It is a dry heat treatment chamber Situational Awareness 13. ISRO to organize online ISRO Cyberspace Note: Competitions-2020 for young minds • The MoU will be helpful in safeguarding Note: Indian space assets from critical threats from • It involves drawing competition for Class 1 to space debris. 3 students, model making competition for • It will help in tracking, analysis, and space weather studies paving way for future 136

www.gradeup.co establishment of optical telescope 20. SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft landed at observational facilities. International Space Station along with 2 18. U.K Archaeologists using LiDAR data for astronauts research amid coronavirus Note: Note: • It was launched from Kennedy Space Center • Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a in Florida with NASA’s astronauts Bob remote sensing method that works on laser, a Behnken and Doug Hurley after traveling 19 scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver hours. generating 3D information about Earth’s • With this, SpaceX became the first private shape and its surface company to launch people into the orbit. • The team has found two Roman roads and 21. DRDO develops Ultra Swachh for disinfection around 30 prehistoric large embanked of materials settlement enclosures and can locate around Note: It will disinfect materials like PPEs, electronics 20 prehistoric burial mounds and remains items, fabrics, etc that uses double layer Ozonated 19.CSIR-CMERI develops new indigenous Space Technology for disinfection. ventilator • It also has catalytic converter for environment Note: friendly exhaust that operates on 15 Ampere, • It is designed to meet the requirement as per 220 Volts, 50 Hertz power supply. the patient’s parameter that responds to the • It also has safety features such as emergency fluctuating variables of a patient shutdown, door interlocks, dual door, delay • It will cost around Rs 80,000 to Rs 90,000. cycle, and leak monitors, etc. January- May 1. NASA renames Wide Field Infrared Survey 3. DRDO develops Ultra-Violet Disinfection Telescope (WFIRST) as Nancy Grace Roman Tower ‘UV blaster’ Space Telescope Note: Note: • It is developed for rapid and chemical free • It is a next-generation space telescope set to disinfection of high infection prone areas for launch in 2025 to investigate long-standing high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, astronomical mysteries like universe computers and other gadgets expansion, distant plants, etc. • The product is also effective for areas with • The renaming is initiated to honor Nancy large flow of people such as airports, Grace Roman (mother of NASA's Hubble shopping malls, metros, hotels, factories, Space Telescope) who is the US space offices, etc. agency's first chief astronomer and paved the • This sanitizer switches off on accidental way for broader universe space telescopes. opening of room or human intervention. 2. Russia to launch first satellite ‘Arktika-M’ to 4. NIAB develops portable coronavirus detection monitor Arctic climate this year kit with saliva samples‘eCovSens’ Note: Note: • The satellite will be launched by Soyuz -2,1b • It gives results within 30 seconds and consists carrier rocket with frigate booster. of carbon electrode and coronavirus antibody. • The remote sensing Artika-M will monitor the • It is a portable bio-sensor antibody, which is meteorological conditions in the polar region. capable of binding with spike protein found

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www.gradeup.co on the outer layer of the virus and can be people from 10-15 metres and will sent live connected via Bluetooth. imagery to centralized control centre. 5.China successfully launches Long March-5B • 'Thermal Corona Combat Drone-(TCCD)' along with a prototype deep-space spacecraft. which is fitted with day-vision as well as Note: night utility camera and a disinfectant tank is • It took off from Wenchang launch site on the also launched to sanitize an area, loudspeaker southern island of Hainan. and medical box. • The rocket is a massive vehicle with four 10. CSIR-CMERI develops mobile indoor strap-on boosters that provide extra thrust at disinfection sprayer units liftoff was a special prototype spacecraft like Note: the deep-space Orion capsule NASA. • Units are named as Battery Powered 6. ICMR-NIV develops indigenous antibody-based Disinfectant Sprayer (BPDS) and COVID KAVACH ELISA test kit Pneumatically Operated Mobile Indoor Note: Disinfection (POMID). • It has displayed high sensitivity and • It will be used for cleaning and disinfecting accuracy in the validation tests at different pathogenic micro-organism from touched sites. surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light • It can test around 90 samples in switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, approximately two and half hours. keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, and 7. DRDO develops DRUVS to sanitize electronic cardboards. gadgets, papers and currency notes 11. LISA technique for lung treatment of About DRUVS: newborns launched in Jaipur • It will sanitize mobile phones, iPads, laptops, About LISA: currency notes, challans, paper, envelopes and • Less invasive surfactant administration Bundles of currency notes (LISA) technique is protective strategy for • It provides 360-degree exposure of respiratory management and mechanical Ultraviolet to the objects placed inside the ventilation causing damage to the preterm cabinet. lungs of infants. 8. CSIR-NAL develops Non-Invasive Ventilator • Its regular application would save the lives of named as ‘BiPAP’ to treat COVID-19 patients premature babies. Note: 12. CSIRO, Australia develops ‘heat resistant’ • It is a microcontroller-based precise closed- corals to fight bleaching loop adaptive control system with “3D printed Note: manifold & coupler” and Highly Efficient • It is built using ‘directed evolution’ will Particulate Air Filter. manipulate the microalgae, which is a key • It is cost effective, compact, and configured factor in the coral's heat tolerance. with majority of indigenous components. • This came in the wake of threat over coral 9. Delhi Police along with Indian Robotics reefs due to global warming. Solution launches Thermal Corona Combat 13. CSIR-IIIM & RIL to develop RT-LAMP Headgear based test for Coronavirus Note: Note: • It will help police personnel and frontline • Reverse Transcriptase-Loop Mediated warriors to detect temperature of various Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) is a 138

www.gradeup.co rapid (45-60 min), accurate and cost-effective App’s ‘Dak’ or letters management section test that can be done with indigenous handles all sorts of communication between components with minimal expertise and various levels of functional hierarchy & it enables instrumentation. to transfer the dak (snail mail) directly to the file • It is a nucleic acid-based test that will be noting. carried out from nasal or throat swab sample. 17. Vehicle manufacture Mahindra & Mahindra 14. CSIR approves project to develop ‘hmAbs’ Ltd. has announced the launch of ‘Own-Online’, an that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 end-to-end online vehicle ownership solution. Note: Note: Mahindra Own-Online will be a one-stop • It is approved by CSIR through its New available 24X7 where customers can finance, Millennium Indian Technology Leadership insure, exchange, accessorise and own a Initiative (NMITLI) programme. Mahindra vehicle in four steps, without having to • Aim: To anticipate future adaptation of the visit a dealership.This platform has been virus and generate hmAbs clones that can launched by (M&M) to offer its customers a neutralize the mutated virus so that could be transparent, seamless and contactless experience readily used for combating future SARS-CoV from selection to the delivery of the vehicle. infections. Through this platform, a customer can own a • Implemented by: National Centre for Cell Mahindra vehicle in four simple steps, from their Science (NCCS), IIT-Indore and PredOmix homes, in few clicks. Technologies Pvt. Ltd. with Bharat Biotech 18. (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ International Ltd. (BBIL) announced various modifications in the Prime 15.National Council for Science & Technology Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. Communication (NCSTC) has initiated a Note: The modification will be done to boost programme on health and risk communication research in the country & to enable more students focusing on COVID-19 titled “Year of Awareness on to avail the benefit under the scheme. The scheme Science & Health (YASH)”. is designed to improve the quality of research in Note: Its aim is to convey authentic best practices various higher educational institutions in the to the general public to minimize the risk of country & with attractive fellowships it seeks to transmission of virus at all levels, in the absence attract the best talent into research through of vaccines and cure for COVID-19. This realizing the vision of development by programme will provide scientific awareness and innovation. health preparedness to combat the pandemic 19. Two scientific papers on child survival published scenario like COVID-19 outbreak which has by the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative posed concerns and challenges around the globe. stated that the under-5 Mortality Rate in India has 16.CISF has launched ‘e-karyalay’ an electronic dropped by what percent since 2000 -- 49 per cent. office application to enable the movement of files Note: The India State-Level Disease Burden and documents without physical touch. Initiative has recently published two scientific Note: It is designed by CISF in-house technical papers. The initiative has given its report on team for the usage of the 1.62 lakhs personnel & district-level trends of child growth and child it resembles each and every function of mortality. The findings show there were 1.04 traditional file movement. It has digital signature million under-5 deaths in 2017, down from 2.24 features to handle various securities related million deaths in 2000. The child mortality rate concerns and keep pace with existing standards. has dropped by 49% between 2000 and 2017.

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www.gradeup.co 20. For the first time the Indian Meteorological bodies. Lighter vehicles consume less fuel to run Department (IMD) has included which region of and are therefore play a strategic role in POK in its weather forecast -- Gilgit-Baltistan and increasing energy-efficiency. Vehicular emissions Muzaffarabad. alone contribute 27 per cent of total CO2 Note: The department taken this decision as it emissions currently. says that it is a part of India and the country always maintains its position that PoK belongs to 1.iGOT e-learning platform has been launched by India. The agency has included the regions as part the government of India for all front-line workers to of its meteorological sub-division of Jammu and equip them with the training and updates in coping Kashmir (J&K) in its daily forecast for ‘north- with Pandemic. west India’. 2.Name the mobile doctor booth created by the West 21.Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation Workshop has developed a low-cost device to detect the (CRWS) -- CHARAK. presence of melamine (adulterate) in milk and dairy 3. Uttar Pradesh becomes the 1st state with a products. software-based in-house facility of virtual courts. Note: The techniques currently used to detect the Note: As per an apex court directive to develop presence of melamine are time-taking and video conferencing system for hearing cases and typically require expensive and sophisticated also for maintaining social distancing, Allahabad equipment and highly trained personnel. With the High Court has developed a new software by help of a newly developed fluorometer device. which multiple court proceedings at the High Researchers were able to detect up to 0.1 parts Court and district courts across the state can be per million (ppm) of melamine in water and milk, conducted through virtual courts within the court which is much lower than the acceptable limit of premises without any internet connectivity. 1 ppm. 4.China has become the world leader in international 22.The Indian Railways operationalized the first patent filings via WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty 12,000 HP electric locomotive built in Electric (PCT). Locomotive Factory, Madhepuralocomotive 5. In accordance with the Gartner 2019 Digital establishment. Workplace Survey India becomes the world’s most 23. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy digitally dexterous (skilful) country in the world. (MNRE) has launched a scheme for 100% Note: India has a vast Gen Z workforce who are solarisation of Konark city of India keen to learn new digitally powered skills in the 24. Indian software company TCS has launched workplace. India is followed by the United ‘Ignio’ an AI Digital Workspace solution. Kingdom (UK) and United States (US). It should 25. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad has be noted that Generation Z or Gen Z are the ones developed an AI-based Attendance application born between 1995 and 2009. (AINA) which allows non-contact-based personnel 6.The international day of human space flight is verification, using facial features of the person in the observed across the world annually on 12th April. wake of COVID-19 pandemic 7. The geological survey of USA has released the 26.IIT Madras has developed magnesium alloy to first ever digital, unified, global, geological map of replace steel, aluminium in cars. the moon namely “Unified Geologic Map of the Note: There has been an excellent deal of Moon”. specialising in lowering the carbon footprint of vehicles by using light-weight material in their

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www.gradeup.co 8.Russia country will launch its first Arktika-M called upon the Integrated Local Energy System, satellite for monitoring the Arctic climate and in which they will jointly work upon clean environment at the end of the year. energy.India and Sweden are also agreed to 9. Chak-Hao, the black rice of which state gets jointly work on Smart Grids Programme, which is Geographical Indication (GI) tag -- Manipur. to be funded by Department of Science and 10. Terracotta work of which place has been granted Technology (DST) with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag -- ✓ International Conference on Nano Science and Gorakhpur (UP). Technology 2020 (ICONSAT) was held in Kolkata, West Bengal. ✓ 108th Indian Science Congress 2021 will be held Note: The event was supported by the in Pune, Maharshtra. Department of Science and Technology (DST) Note: The Indian Science Congress association and organized by S.N. Bose National Centre for (ISCA) announced that Pune will host the annual Basic Sciences, Kolkata. The conference was session of 108th Indian Science Congress on held from March 5 to 7, 2020.The conference January 3-7, 2021 at Symbiosis International provides a platform for the young researchers & University’s Lavale campus with the students from within the country and abroad, with theme,”Science and Technology for Sustainable the latest development in the emerging areas of Development with Women Empowerment”. Dr Nano Science and Technology Vijay Laxmi Saxena elected as general president ✓ 5th edition of India Pharma & India Medical of the Indian Science Congress, 2020-21 Device 2020 Conference held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. ✓ 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Note: The 5th edition of India Pharma 2020 and Conference -2020 was held in New Delhi. India Medical Device 2020 Conference & Note: A 3-day long 11th National Krishi Vigyan Exhibition will be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat Kendra (KVK) Conference -2020 based on the from March 5 to 7, 2020. The conference was theme ‘Empowering Youth for Technology Led organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Farming’. It was inaugurated by Union Minister Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural association with Federation of Indian Chambers Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Singh Tomar. The conference, organized by the ✓ Name the mobile app which has been launched Indian Council of Agricultural Research by the government for delivery of diesel at (ICAR),focused on technology-led farming and doorsteps of Housing societies, hotels and youth entrepreneurship through agriculture. hospitals in the national capital region --‘Fuel ✓ An International Conference and Exhibition on Humsafar’. Smart Energy and Water India Smart Utility ✓ TRIFED launches ‘Tech ForTribals’ program to Week 2020 (ISUW) for Smarter Cities was held bring technology to tribal entrepreneurs. in New Delhi. Note:A 30- days long capacity-building program Note: New Delhi based India Smart Grid Forum called “Tech for Tribal” has been launched by the (ISGF)has been organizing India Smart Utility Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Week 2020 (ISUW)as an International Federation of India (TRIFED). It was launched in Conference and Exhibition on Smart Energy and association with IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Roorkee, IIM Water for Smarter Cities in New Delhi from Indore, Kalinga Institute of Social Science, March 3-7, 2020.India and European Union (EU) Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) and SRIJAN, Jaipur

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www.gradeup.co (Rajasthan) to provide entrepreneurship skills to 31st January to February 1,2020. The theme for the tribal people. the year 2020 was “Spot and encourage rural ✓ Indore becomes the first city in India to use tech innovators”. drones to sanitize the city. 3. According to the recent report published by ✓ IIT Madras is organizing India’s first Global German cybersecurity firm Greenbone Sustainable Hyperloop Pod Competition named as ‘Indian Resilience Maharashtra state topped hit by global Hyperloop Pod Competition’. medical data leak. Note: The competition is aimed at increasing Note: The analysis was made after data of around awareness and enthusiasm about Hyperloop in 120 million Indian patients were leaked and made India. The competition is open globally and the freely available on the internet. Maharashtra was final round will take place in the IIT Madras followed by Karnataka in 2nd place with campus in July 2020. Team Avishkar from IIT 1,82,865 data leaks giving access to 1,37,31,001 Madras was the only team from Asia to qualify images. for the finals of 2019 Hyperloop Pod 4. The “CLIMISHCON” is a Four-day International Competition, developing India’s first self- Conference on changes in Hydrological cycle, Ocean propelled Hyperloop Pod. ecosystem, Fisheries and Food security will be held 10. Gujarat state Police becomes first in India to in Kochi, Kerala. introduce taser guns. 5. India’s largest air quality monitoring network will 11. Gujarat state government has signed an MoU be established at Mumbai. with Dutch Flying car-maker PAL-V. Note: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Note: A Dutch Flying car-maker, PAL-V (Personal (BMC) will develop an air quality monitoring Air Land Vehicle) will set up a manufacturing plant network across 90 locations in Mumbai, in Gujarat. Maharashtra. It will be the largest network in India.The project will be completed within next 5 1. The Department of Science and Technology has years, funded by BMC and private organisations. launched a special scheme for Science and 6. The National Water Conference was held at Technology infrastructure in India is called Bhopal. Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Note: The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Institutes (SATHI)”. Shri Kamal Nath has inaugurated the National Note: The aim of the scheme is to create shared, water conference at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. professionally managed and strong Science and The conference is being held to finalize the Technology infrastructure in India. The SATHI guidelines of “Right to Water Act” or “Water scheme will enable academia, start-ups, Rights Act” and also discussed the water crisis in manufacturing, industry and R&D labs to offer the state and also making the state a water-rich high-end analytical testing. This will help to state. avoid duplication, reduce the dependency on 7. 3-day long 17th edition of Bio Asia 2020 was held foreign sources & also foster a strong culture of in Hyderabad, Telangana. collaboration between institutions. Note: It is Asia’s largest Biotechnology and Life 2. India’s biggest rural technical festival Sciences Forum with the theme of ‘Today for ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ was held in Telangana. Tomorrow’.BioAsia 2020 was held at the life science Note: The festival was inaugurated by M capital of India i.e. in Hyderabad. Prashanthi, District Collector of Nirmal, Telangana. The festival was held for 3 days from

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www.gradeup.co 8. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research 9. India’s 1st Artificial intelligence summit, RAISE ranked first in the Nature Ranking Index 2020 2020 will be held in New Delhi. (CSIR). 10. To launch the artificial intelligence (AI) based Note: All the institutions are ranked on the basis module including AI kits across Atal Innovation of total research output from december 01, 2018 Mission (AIM) has collaborated with NASSCOM. to 30th November , 2019. Numbers in research output are designated by total citations in numbers and shares which indicates the sharing percentage per article. Defense:

September 1. Indian Navy war game named 'INDRA 2020' 2. Iranian Navy conducted Zolfaghar-99 exercise conducted Note: Note: • Iranian navy conducted exercise Zolfaghar-99 • India conducted 2-day war-game named in Sea of Oman near the strategic Strait of 'INDRA 2020' with Russia in the southern Hormuz, deploying an array of warships, Bay of Bengal on 4th and 5th September. drones and missiles. • It is the 11the edition of `Indra-Navy’ • Aim: To devise tactical strategies for exercise safeguarding territorial waters and shipping • India was represented by guided-missile lanes. destroyer INS Ranvijay, stealth frigate INS • Surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise Sahyadri and fleet tanker Shakti, along with missiles and rocket-launching systems will be integral helicopters. tested August 1. Rs 2580 Cr contract for Pinaka Missiles to be held in Russia between 15th to 26th Indian Army September 2020. Note: • The reason for this has been cited as the • Ministry of Defence signed Rs 2580 Cr COVID-19 Pandemic and consequent contract with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. difficulties in exercise, including (BEML), Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) arrangements of logistics. and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for supplying • Kavkaz 2020 would be held in Astrakhan Six Pinaka Regiments to the Regiment of province of Southern Russia where member Artillery of Indian Army, designed by DRDO countries of Shanghai Cooperation • It comprises of 114 launchers with Automated Organisation (SCO) and Central Asian Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS), countries would be participating. 45 Command Posts, and 330 Vehicles. • Other countries that would participate in this exercise are- China, Pakistan, Russia, 2. India withdraws from Russia’s multilateral Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, military exercise Kavkaz 2020 Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Note: Belarus, Turkey, Armenia, Abkhazia, South • India has withdrawn its participation from the Ossetia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. multilateral Military Exercise Kavkaz 2020 to 143

www.gradeup.co 3. Indian Coast Guard launches Offshore Patrol • Indian Navy’s Indigenisation perspective Vessel ‘Sarthak’ plans titled ‘SWAVLAMBAN’ was also Note: released • It is developed by Goa Shipyard Limited 5. Defence Minister bans import of 101 defence under ‘Make In India’ to enhance maritime items security. Note: • It is fitted with Navigation, Communication • The banned list was prepared by Department sensor and machinery and is 105 metre in size of Military Affairs, Ministry of • It has speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of Defence(MoD) to enhance indigenisation of 6000 Nautical Miles Defence production in India boosting 4. Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Organisation (NIIO) • Banned Import Items: Artillery guns, Note: assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, • Defence Minister launched 3-tiered transport aircraft, light combat helicopters organisation ‘NIIO’ with apex level headed (LCHs), radars, etc by Naval Technology Acceleration Council 6. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launches Interceptor (N-TAC) Boat ‘ICGS C-454’ • It will have structures to interact with About ICGS C-454: academia and industry fostering innovation • Built by Larsen and Toubro (L&T). and indigenisation for achieving self-reliance • It is 27-meter-long boat and has a maximum in defences sector speed of 45 nautical miles (83 kilometres per • Technology Development Acceleration Cell hour) and has excellent seakeeping, (TDAC) has also been created manoeuvrability and endurance range of 500 nautical miles. July • It is launched to keep rack on the potential threats. 1. India and Japan conduct PASSEX naval • Ofek is an electro-optical reconnaissance exercise towards Malacca Strait in Indian satellite with advanced capabilities that can Ocean Region (IOR) capture high-resolution images of the Earth About PASSEX • Developed by Israel’s Ministry of Defence • It was the 15th passing exercise by the two and Israel Aerospace Industries. nations in last 3 years • Launched from Palmachim air base in central • Rajput-class destroyer INS Rana and Kora- Israel into space. class missile corvette INS Kulish of India JS 3. ISRO launches Brazil’s Amazonia-1 satellite Shimayuki and JS Kashima of Japan About the satellite: participated in the exercise • Launched by Polar Satellite Launch vehicle • It is conducted for the goodwill training and (PSLV) to promote understanding between two • First satellite for Earth observation designed nations for observing and monitoring the 2. Israel launches new spy satellite ‘Ofek 16’ using deforestation of Amazon Region and will help Shavit-2 rocket in the agricultural and vegetation areas. About Ofek: • It will not be a hitch-hiking satellite. 4. Indian Navy conducted Passex exercise with US 144

www.gradeup.co Note: • It is a 3rd generation fire and forget class anti- • It was conducted by Indian Navy ships Rana, tank guided missile system mounted on Sahyadri, Shivalik and Kamorta together with Advanced Light Helicopter USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Princeton (CG • It has a range of 7 Km and is equipped with 59), USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph four foldable wings and has a length of Johnson (DDG 114). 1.85m, diameter of 0.20m, wingspan of 0.4m • USS Nimitz is a nuclear-powered aircraft and weight of 43kg. carrier. 6. DRDO launches innovation contest ‘Dare to • It will be deployed in the Gulf region from Dream 2.0’ the South China Sea. Note • Indian Navy had also recently conducted • Contest launched on the 5th death anniversary similar joint exercises with Japanese and of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. French Navy. • It was an open challenge to encourage 5. India anti-tank guided missile ‘Dhruvastra’ individuals &startups for innovation in developed by DRDO defence and aerospace technologies Note • The winners will be awarded with prize • ‘Dhruvastra’ or helicopter-launched Nag money of Rs 10 lakh for startup and Rs 5 lakh Missile (HELINA) is tested from Integrated to individual category. Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.

June 1. Defence Minister launches NOC portal for • Capable of being fired from all frontline exploration projects warships. Note: • Its induction was jointly done by Indian Navy • Portal for No Objection Certificate (NOC) and DRDO. issue of power projects and Research Survey 3. India sent 75 Tri-Service members in Victory Exploration Exploitation (RSEE) activities in Day Parade of World War II in Moscow the Indian Territorial Waters and Exclusive Note: Economic Zone launched • The parade was held on June 24, 2020 to • Developed by National e-Governance honour the heroism and sacrifices made by Division (NeGD), Bhaskaracharya Institute the Russian and other countries in World War for Space Applications and Geo-informatics II. (BISAG) and NIC. • India’s participation will mark tribute and • Aim: Facilitate the applicants in submitting solidarity to Russia their proposals online for seeking Security 4. Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Clearance with effective, speedy and Complex inaugurated at Vishakhapatnam transparent mechanism. About DSRV Complex: 2. Navy Inducts Indigenously Developed • Designed to accommodate the newly inducted Advanced Torpedo Decoy System Submarine Rescue System with DSRV assets Note: storage in a Rescue-Ready state. • Indigenously designed and developed by • Has Remote Operations Vehicle, Side Scan DRDO labs (NSTL and NPOL). Sonar, Diver Decompression Chambers, and associated equipment. 145

www.gradeup.co • Mobilized by air or road to facilitate from high altitude areas, isolated and remote submarine rescue operations even at distant places. locations • Lightweight transparent and durable isolation 5. Ministry of Defence cleared Twin Engined Deck system having life support, monitoring Based Fighter (TEDBF) jet program instruments and other essential kits. About TEDBF jet program: • Generates high constant negative pressure • Jets will be developed indigenously under that will prevent crew from infection. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) 6. India and Australia signs Mutual Logistics project to operate from the deck of INS Support Agreement Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant • Agreement is signed to allow logistics support • It will include 4 Pre-Production Prototypes in a virtual bilateral summit to provide and will be cheaper. reciprocal access to military logistics 5. IAF inducted indigenous Airborne Rescue Pod facilities, allow more complex joint military Isolated Transportation (ARPIT) exercise, and improve interoperability About ARPIT: between two nations. • Utilized for the evacuation of critical patients • Support the rules-based maritime order in the with infectious diseases including COVID-19 Indo-Pacific region facilitating scaling up of overall defence cooperation. January- May 1. Western Naval Command develops Ultraviolet Note: Disinfection Facilities • It is inducted into resurrected No 18 Sqn, the Note: “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur • It will be used for decontamination of tools, enhancing the operational capability of the clothes, and other items to control the spread Air Force. of coronavirus at entry/ exit points to prevent • It is built under ‘Make In India’ initiative. COVID-19 • Tejas Mk-1 FOC is a single engine, light • Large common room will be converted into a weight, highly agile, all weather multi role UV bay by fabrication of aluminium sheets fighter aircraft capable of air-to-air refuelling. electrical arrangements for UV-C lighting. 4. US Navy tested laser weapon that can destroy 2. Govt invites bid for One Sun One World One aircraft mid-flight in Pacific Ocean Grid (OSOWOG) Note: Note: • Laser weapons system demonstrator (LWSD) • It will set up a framework for global will provide defence against drones or armed ecosystem of interconnected renewable small boats. energy resources. • Directed Energy Weapons are • Vision behind OSOWOG is “The Sun Never electromagnetic systems capable of Sets" and is constant at some geographical converting chemical or electrical energy to location, globally, at any given point of time. radiated energy and focusing it on a target, • It will encourage sharing of solar resources resulting in physical damage that degrades, among more than 140 countries of West Asia neutralizes, defeats, or destroys an adversarial and South East Asia in the first phase. capability. 3. Indian Air Force IAF inducted Tejas Mk-1 5. India sets up military war game centre for FOC aircraft Ugandan People Defence forces (UPDF) 146

www.gradeup.co Note: emerging scenario in an efficient and cost- • The war game centre is named as 'INDIA'. effective manner. • It is a type of strategic game that simulates 9. Indian Army to launch Three Years Short warfare realistically, as opposed to abstract Service scheme or Tour of Duty (ToD) strategy games such as chess. About the scheme: 6. Indian Navy launches Operation ‘Samudra • 100 officers and 1,000 men will be initially Setu’ evacuation programme tested for recruitment and will be a voluntary Note: engagement of civilians catering the shortage • Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are of defence personnel presently enroute to the port of Malè, • Tax-free 3-year period experience and will be Republic of Maldives to commence given preference in public sector jobs as well evacuation operations. as post-graduate courses. • The evacuated personnel will be disembarked 10. Defence Minister commissioned 105-metre- at Kochi, Kerala and entrusted to the care of long indigenously made Coast Guard ship 'Sachet' State authorities. About ICGS Sachet: • This operation is being progressed in close • It will carry twin-engine helicopter, 4 high coordination with Ministries of Defence, speed boats and 1 inflatable boat for swift External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and boarding and search & rescue operations and various other agencies of the Government of can have a speed of 26 Knots with 6.000 India and State governments. nautical miles endurance 7. Defence Ministry signs pact with Tata Power to • It is also capable of carrying limited pollution modernize 37 Airfields for Indian Air Force, response equipment to undertake oil spill Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard. pollution response at sea. Note: 11.Indigenously developed Utility Ship ‘INLCU • The project will give a boost to over 250 L57’ commissioned into Indian Navy in Port Blair MSMEs that will be directly benefitted under Note: phase II. • INLCU L57 is built by the Garden Reach • It is a turnkey project that includes Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited and can installation and commissioning of modern carry 160 troops and can be used for airfield equipment like Cat-II Instrument transporting and deploying main battle tanks Landing System (ILS) and Cat II Air Field like Arjun, T72, etc. Lightning System (AFLS) etc. • It can also carry out multiple activities like 8. Defence Minister abolished 9,304 post in search & rescue, disaster relief operation, military engineering services on the supply and replenishment and evacuation recommendation of Shekatar Committee from distant islands. Note: • It will enhance combat capability and ✓ Border Roads Organisation has constructed 430 rebalance defence expenditure of the Armed feet long bailey “Daporijo bridge” in Arunachal Forces as almost 70% of the budget is used Pradesh. for payment of salaries and allowances. Note: The bridge was inaugurated by Arunachal • It will also equip MES with leaner workforce, Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu over video well equipped to handle complex issues in the conferencing.The bridge is built over Subansiri River the largest tributary of Brahamputra.The 147

www.gradeup.co new bridge will provide adequate movement of trials were conducted at MI Room at NDV, supplies for 451 villages and approximately 3,000 followed by rapid trials at the Naval Hospital security force personnel deployed along the INHS Kalyani, where it was successfully India-China border. The bridge replaced an older installed within 30 minutes. The Navy personnel bridge in Daporijo, which was constructed in from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) have 1992. developed a ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)’ using a six-way radial header 2. North Korea test fired anti-ship cruise missiles fitted to a single cylinder. as a part of military exercises recently. Note: The missiles were of short range and test 6. Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated fired into the sea.The missiles were test fired to Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics celebrate the birth anniversary of Kim II Sung. Laboratory (MVRDL) which is developed by He was the grand father of the current North DRDO. Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The missiles were Note: This mobile lab has the testing capacity of capable of travelling 150 kilometres. According more than 1000 to 2000 samples daily. The to the South Korean officials, multiple missiles Mobile Viral Research lab is the combination of a were test fired. Bio-Safety Level (BSL)-3 and a BSL-2 lab essential to carry out activities. The Mobile lab 3. National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered its was set up in a record time of 15 days which volunteer cadets to assist the civilian authorities usually takes about 6 months to fight COVID-19 under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’. 7. The premier multilateral air combat training Exercise Pitch Black 2020 has been cancelled 4. ‘Operation Sanjeevani’ launched by the Indian which was to be conducted by the Royal Air Force (IAF) to air-lifted 6.2 tonnes of Australian Air Force. essential medical supplies to Maldives via transport aircraft C-130J as assistance in the fight against the virus. 1) Indian Air Force signed MoU with Savitribai Note: Medicines including influenza vaccines, Phule Pune University to establish a ‘Chair of anti-viral drugs such as Lopinavir arid Ritonavir Excellence’ named “Marshal of the Air Force & other useful items were purchased by the Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”. Maldives’ State Trading Organisation (STO) 2) Note: Indian Air Force (IAF) and Savitribai from 8 suppliers in India. But due to the 21-day Phule Pune University (SPPU) signed lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to epidemic, it could not be possible to take them to establish a ‘Chair of Excellence’ at Department Maldives by any other means. of Defense& Strategic Studies at Pune, Maharashtra. In order to pay tribute to the legend 5. Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam has designed and commemorate the centenary birth year of the ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold (MOM)’. MIAF (Marshal of the Indian Air Force), IAF has Note: This oxygen manifold is designed to named it as “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan supply oxygen to multiple patients at a time, Singh Chair of Excellence”. which could prove helpful in a contingency 3) National Conference on Women in Police and created by COVID-19 spread. The preliminary CAPFs held in New Delhi.

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www.gradeup.co 4) The proposed new “Draft Defence Procurement 2. The 4th edition of East Asia Summit Conference Procedure (DPP) 2020” will come into effect on Maritime Security Cooperation 2020 was held from 1st April 2020. in Chennai Tamil Nadu. 5) Note: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has Note: The conference was jointly organized by proposed a new “Draft Defence Procurement the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Procedure (DPP) 2020”. It will replace DPP 3. The 11th edition of the Biennial Mega Defence 2016 and would remain in force till 31 March Exhibition “DefExpo 2020” held in Lucknow. 2025. Its draft has been finalized by a high-level Note: The 11th edition of DefExpo-2020, committee headed by Apurva Chandra, Director organized by Department of Defence Production, General (DG) Acquisition, Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence with a support of that was set up in August 2019. Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) was held in 6) The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened a Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the first time 360 feet long bailey suspension bridge for traffic from 5th to 9th Feb 2020. It’s main theme was over -- Teesta River. “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Note: The bridge constructed will be useful for Hub” with focus on “Digital Transformation of the people residing in Lahen town, North Sikkim. Defence”. This expo is also termed as The bridge constructed will facilitate the “Mahakumbh of defence manufacturing movement of logistics for the Armed forces companies”. The last two days of the expo was deployed in forward areas and also acts as tourist opened for public. spots. 4. The “2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management 7) Operation Namaste. has been given to the Exercise-2020 (BIMSTEC DMEx-2020)” was initiative launched by Indian Army to protect 1.3 held at Bhubaneswar/Puri, Odisha. million strong forces from coronavirus. Note: The themes of the exercise was “A cultural heritage site that suffers severe damage in the Earthquake” & “Flooding or Storm”.Organized 1. Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), on security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ in behalf of the Government of India, BIMSTEC Kolkata, West Bengal. DMEx-2020 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Note: Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik. The first similar security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ at kind of exercise took place in 2017. Sunderban region in Kolkata, West Bengal with 5. The Anti-hijack exercise was conducted at the aim to create awareness about the coastal Visakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh. security to the local community & understand the Note: The Anti-hijack exercise was conducted on navigational complexities in the Sunderban delta February 12,2020 by creating a mock situation waters. Indian Navy has carried out 5-day coastal using a naval Dornier aircraft by INS Dega, (a security exercise called, ‘MatlaAbhiyaan’ at naval air station of the Indian navy) at Sunderban region in Kolkata, West Bengal with Visakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh and the the aim to create awareness about the coastal main objective of the exercise was to test the security to the local community & understand the plans and procedures handled by various agencies navigational complexities in the Sunderban delta during hijack threats. waters. 6. The Central Government has renamed Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) after Manohar Parrikar.

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www.gradeup.co 7. 5-day long 5th edition of India-UK bilateral air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and exercise “Indradhanush-V” 2020 was held in Air at sea. Force Station Hindan in Uttar Pradesh (UP). 10. 9th Defence and Security Expert Working Group 8. Fifth Edition of Joint Military ExerciseAjeya meeting of SCO held in Islamabad, Pakistan. Warrior -2020 is conducted between India and Note: The conference was to discuss different United Kingdom (UK). aspects of cooperation between the SCO member 9. Air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II has been states and regional security. They have agreed on launched by Pakistan. joint training and military exercises. The event Note: The Ra’ad-II weapon system is equipped was hosted by Pakistan as part of the ‘SCO with state-of-the-art guidance & navigation Defence & Security Cooperation Plan – systems ensuring of engagement targets with high 2020’.India has attended this meet along with precision. Ra’ad-II missile is planned to be China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, attached to Mirage aircraft or F-16 fighter jets of Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus attended the the Pakistan Air Force. The cruise missile with a meeting as the observer state. range of 600 km significantly enhances air

Health up to 6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women September and lactating mothers. • Tamil Nadu government has launched a portal • Russia becomes the first country to officially for eye donation. register a coronavirus vaccine and declare it Note: He also pledged to donate his eyes as part ready for use. of the National Eye Donation Fortnight.The Note: The Russian vaccine will be called portal will enable persons who wish to pledge to "Sputnik V" in homage to the world's first donate their eyes - www.hmis.tn.gov.in/eye- satellite launched by the Soviet Union.The donor. vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow uses a different virus -- adenovirus -- August that's been modified to carry genes for the "spike" protein that coats the coronavirus, as a way to ✓ Madhya Pradesh state government has launched prime the body to recognise when a real COVID- a public awareness campaign “Ek Mask- 19 infection comes along. AnekZindagi” from August 1-15. • India and Maldives signed an agreement to Note: The Scheme will spread awareness about establish “Emergency Medical Services” in Male. wearing masks as prevention from Covid-19 • Assam government has launched Kitchen Garden infection. Establishment of Mask Banks, where to promote nutritious food, as part of the people can donate masks which in turn will be PoshanMaah. distributed free to poor people. Citizens can also Note: Kitchen Garden or Nutri garden will be set donate masks through NGOs in every up at Anganwadi Centres and Government district/urban body. Primary Schools across the state. PoshanMaah is ✓ Madhya Pradesh has launched the ‘Ek Sankalp India’s flagship programme, launched in March – Bujurgoke naam’ campaign for the elderly 2018 to improve the nutritional status of children people living alone in homes during the global pandemic COVID-19. 150

www.gradeup.co ✓ India collaborated with Israel country to develop 5. DRDO has developed a sanitizing chamber rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds. named ‘GermiKlean’ to sanitise uniforms of security forces. July 6. A Five-day Virtual Healthcare & Hygiene 1. India’s rank among 10 Asia-Pacific countries in Expo was organized by industry bodies the “Cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific: FICCI. Progress towards universal cancer control” Note: The event is to create a self-reliant prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit ecosystem in the Pharmaceuticals and Health & (EIU)-- eighth. Hygiene Sector by ramping up domestic 2. Zimbabwe has signed a Memorandum of production. In our resolute fight against the Understanding (MoU) with India on Cooperation COVID-19 pandemic, this sector has a greater in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine significance. and Homeopathy. 7. Uttar Pradesh becomes the first state in the 3. Manodarpan initiative has been launched by the country to prepare one lakh beds for COVID- Union Human Resource Development Minister, 19 patients. Ramesh Pokhriyal to provide psychosocial 8. Chhattisgarh has launched a special support to students for their mental health. campaign “Spandan” to check mental stress and depression among its police personnel. June 9. Gujarat Govt. occupied top position in the ‘Food Safety Index 2019-20 released by the 1. India’s apex food regulator Food Safety and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) comes (FSSAI) among the larger state. under the purview of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Jan-May Note: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Arun 1. Dr.Harsh Vardhan has launched the mobile Singhal as chief executive officer of India’s apex application 'AYUSH Sanjivani' App and two food regulator Food Safety and Standards AYUSH based studies related to COVID-19 Authority of India (FSSAI). Singhal is special situation. secretary, department of health and family Note: The app was developed by the Ministry of welfare. Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, 2. DRDO has developed a disinfection unit and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) and Ministry of called Ultra Swachh. Electronics and Information Technology 3. The union cabinet has approved to re- (MEITY). The AYUSH Sanjivani mobile app establish the Pharmacopoeia Commission for will help to generate data on acceptance and Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy as usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures Subordinate Office under Ministry of among the population and its impact on the AYUSH. prevention of COVID-19. It is expected to reach 4. Name the National Healthcare Supply Chain out to a target of 50 lakh people. Portal launched by the Ministry of Health and 2. Bengaluru cities has launched “Pranavayu Family Welfare to provide real-time Programme” to create awareness about the availability of critical healthcare supplies _-- respiratory health of the residents. Aarogyapath.

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www.gradeup.co 3. To send medical aid to five Island nations in 7. World Health Organization (WHO) has the Indian Ocean amid COVID-19 pandemic released the first “The State of the World’s India has initiated -- “Mission Sagar”. Nursing 2020” report amid COVID19 Note: In this regard, Indian Naval Ship (INS) pandemic in partnership with Nursing and Kesari departed for Maldives, Mauritius, International Council of Nurses (ICN). Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Note: In accordance with the report, there are 28 Food items, COVID related Medicines including million nurses worldwide but still, there is a Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) Tablets and Special global shortfall of 5.9 million. Countries facing Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance the greatest shortfall of nurses are in Africa, Teams. For Maldives, 600 tonnes of food items South East Asia and the WHO Eastern will also be provided and for Comoros medicines Mediterranean region as well as some parts of related to dengue would be given. This mission is Latin America. Between 2013 and 2018, nursing launched in coordination with the Ministry of numbers increased by 4.7 million. More than Defence (MoD) and Ministry of External Affairs 80% of the world’s nurses work in countries that (MEA), and other agencies of GOI. are home to half of the world’s population. 4. Two scientific papers on child survival 8. Italy country has developed ‘iFeel-You’ published by the India State-Level Disease bracelet for social distancing. Burden Initiative stated that the under-5 Mortality Rate in India has dropped by what percent since 2000 -- 49 per cent. Note: The India State-Level Disease Burden 1. The COVID- 19 National Preparedness Initiative has recently published two scientific Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 districts. papers. The initiative has given its report on Note: The COVID-19 National Preparedness district-level trends of child growth and child Survey 2020 was conducted in 410 Districts in mortality.The findings show there were 1.04 the Country within 3 working days beginning on million under-5 deaths in 2017, down from 2.24 March 25, 2020. The survey was conducted with million deaths in 2000. The child mortality rate responses from 410 civil servants who are has dropped by 49% between 2000 and 2017. providing field level leadership. 5. National Health Authority is the nodal 2. To fight COVID-19 Civil services agency for the implementation of Ayushman associations form an initiative called Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ‘Caruna’. (AB-PMJAY). 3. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has Note: Union Minister of Health and Family divided the health centres into 3 categories Welfare(HFW), Harsh Vardhan to mark 1 crore namely- COVID Care Centre, Dedicated treatments(milestone) of the Ayushman Bharat COVID Health Centre and Dedicated COVID Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(AB- Hospital. PMJAY).The National Health Authority(NHA) is 4. Name the mobile doctor booth created by the responsible for implementing the scheme. West Central Railway’s Coach Rehabilitation 6. Uttar Pradesh government has launched the Workshop (CRWS) -- CHARAK. AyushKavach app that will provide health- related tips and information about ayurvedic 1. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ in Kota, Rajasthan.

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www.gradeup.co 2. Andhra Pradesh state ranked 1st in the country for overall implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan. Note: Andhra Pradesh (AP) ranked 1st in the country for overall implementation of POSHAN ( Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan as per September 2019 progress report of NITI Aayog, “Transforming Nutrition in India: POSHAN Abhiyaan”. The 2nd anniversary of POSHAN Abhiyaan is recognized by celebrating PoshanPakhwadafrom 8th-22nd March 2020. 3. Uttar Pradesh government has set up “Team-11” comprising of as many inter- departmental committees to fight the coronavirus spread. 4. First country to close its financial markets due to the COVID 19 (Coronavirus) outbreak -- Philippines.

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Important Days

August 2020

✓ World Lung Cancer Day is being observed Note: The day is being observed to raise on 1st August to raise awareness about the awareness of the needs of indigenous peoples. causes and treatment of lung cancer. The theme of International Day of the Note:August 1 to raise awareness about the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2020 causes and treatment of lung cancer.The is “COVID-19 and indigenous peoples’ campaign was first organized in 2012 by the resilience”. Forum of International Respiratory Societies ✓ The World Biofuel Day is observed globally ✓ The theme of the World Breastfeeding every year on 10th August. Weekcelebrated annually in the first week of Note:The World Biofuel Day is observed Augustfrom 1st to 7th of August-- “Support every year to aware about the importance of Breast feeding for a healthier planet”. non-fossil fuels as an alternative to Note: The day is celebrated to encourage conventional fossil fuels. The day also breastfeeding and improve the babies’ health highlights the various actions taken by the around the world. The day was commenced Government in the Biofuel sector. after signing the Innocenti Declaration in ✓ International Youth Dayis being celebrated August 1990. very year on 12th August. ✓ The World Sanskrit Day was observed Note:This day is celebrated to recognize the annually on Shravan Purnima (3rd August efforts put in by the youth for the betterment 2020). of society. The Day aims to promote the ways Note: On the occasion Prime Minister to engage the youth and make them more Narendra Modi thanked everyone involved in actively involved in their communities through promoting, teaching and using Sanskrit positive contributions. language. Sanskrit is a beautiful language ✓ The theme of the International Youth Day which has made India a repository of (IYD) 2020 --Youth Engagement for Global knowledge for many years. Action. ✓ Annually World Heroshima Day is observed Note: This day is celebrated to recognize the every year on 6th August. efforts put in by the youth for the betterment Note: Annually 6th of August marks the of society. The Day aims to promote the ways anniversary of the atomic bombing to engage the youth and make them more in Hiroshima during World War II. The actively involved in their communities through horrific incident took place on August 6, positive contributions. 1945, when the United States dropped an ✓ The ‘World Elephant Day’ is observed every atomic bomb named “Little Boy”, on the town year across the world on 12th August. of Hiroshima in Japan. Note:The day focuses on bringing the world ✓ National Handloom Day is being celebrated together to help elephants and also inform every year on 7th August. people and organisations about the threat that Note: 7th August was chosen as the National an elephant faces.On 12 August, 2012, the first Handloom Day to commemorate the Swadeshi international Elephant Day was celebrated. Movement which was launched on the same Since then, it is observed annually and this day date in the year 1905. The objective is to is dedicated to the huge animal protection and generate awareness about the Handloom preservation. Industry among the public and its contribution ✓ The World Organ Donation Day is observed to socio-economic development. globally every year on 13th August. ✓ United Nations observes the International Day Note: This day is celebrated to raise of the World’s Indigenous Peoples every year awareness about the importance of organ on 09th August. 154

www.gradeup.co donation and motivate people to donate organs Gandhi who was the youngest Prime Minister after death. of India at the age of 40 years. ✓ The World Lizard Day is observed every year ✓ World Mosquito Day is observed annually on on 14th August. 20th August. Note: Most celebrations of this holiday occur Note: The Day is celebrated to raise at the local level, through events organized by awareness about the Causes and Prevention of schools, natural history or science museums, Malaria and to commemorate the discovery zoos, national parks, conservation NGOs etc. made by British Doctor Sir Ronald Ross in World Lizard Day has not yet been taken up 1897 that female Anopheles mosquitoes for serious conservation work by international transmit Malaria between humans. agencies or organizations like the IUCN or ✓ The World Senior Citizen Day is observed WWF, and is focused on creating awareness of globally every year on21st August. the reptiles, apparently mostly as pets. Note: This day is celebrated to raise ✓ The World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is awareness about issues affecting older people, observed globally every year on 19th August. such as deterioration with age and the abuse of Note:This day is celebrated to pay tribute to the elderly and support, honour and show humanitarian personnel and those workers appreciation to seniors and to recognize their who lost or risked their lives while doing achievements. The World Senior Citizen’s humanitarian service. This year is the 11th Day also recognises and acknowledges the edition of World Humanitarian Day. contributions of older people to society. ✓ The World Photography Day also known as ✓ International Day of Remembrance and World Photo Day is observed annually on Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism observed 19th August. globally every year on21st August. Note: The Day is celebrated to inspire Note: The day is observed to pay tribute to the photographers across the globe to share a individuals across the globe who have been single photo with a purpose of sharing their attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their world to the world. The day celebrates the arts, lives because of terrorist attacks. This year, the crafts, science and history of Photography. 3rd commemoration of the day will focus on ✓ Indian AkshayUrja Day or Renewable Energy the response to the pandemic and cancellation Day is observed on every year on 20th of many memorials and commemorations, it is August. critical to take the time to remember and Note: It is significant to promote awareness honour the victims of terrorism. about renewable resources among people who ✓ The International Day for the Remembrance of are ignorant about the subject. Indian the Slave Trade and its Abolition observed AkshayUrja Day was established in 2004 to globally every year on 23 August. support renewable energy development Note: The Day is observed to inscribe the programs and promote its use instead of tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all traditional sources of energy. The very first peoples. The day was designated by UNESCO event relating to AkshayUrjaDiwas was to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade. organized in New Delhi. ✓ The World Water Week 2020 is observed as ✓ Rajiv Gandhi birth anniversary is celebrated the World Water Week at Home (WWWeek at as SadbhavanaDiwas or Harmony Day on 20th Home) from 24th to 28th August 2020. August every year. Note: The theme for World Water Week 2020 Note: This year on 20th August 2020, we are at Home is ‘Water and Climate change: going to celebrate the 76th birth anniversary of Accelerating Action’. former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The ✓ The Women’s Equality Day is being observed Indian National Congress instituted Rajiv in the United States on 26th August. Gandhi Sadbhavana Award in 1992, a year Note:This was 100th anniversary of the after his death. Every year this day is Women’s Equality Day.The day is celebrated celebrated in the memory of the late Rajiv to commemorate American women getting the constitutional right to vote. 155

www.gradeup.co ✓ The National Sports Day is observed every the need for their cessation as one of the year on 29th August. means of achieving the goal of a nuclear- Note: The first National Sports Day was weapon-free world. celebrated on 29th August 2012, on the birth ✓ The International Day of the Victims of anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand who was Enforced Disappearances observed every year the star of hockey team of India. on 29th August. ✓ The International Day against Nuclear Tests is Note: The day is being observed to express observed globally on 29th August. deep concern about the rise in enforced or Note: The day aims to increase awareness involuntary disappearances in different about the effects of nuclear weapon test regions of the world including the incidents of explosions or any other nuclear explosions and arrest, detention and abduction. July 2020

✓ National Postal Worker Day is observed every ✓ To mark the anniversary of man’s first historic year on 1st July. landing on the moon the Space Exploration ✓ National Charted Accountants Day is Day is celebrated every year on 20th July. celebrated every year on 1st July. ✓ Nelson Mandela International Day is ✓ The theme of the National Doctor’s Day 2020 celebrated every year on 18th July by the which is celebrated every year in the country United Nations. on 1st July-- Lessen the mortality of COVID ✓ National Broadcasting Day is observed every 19. year all over India on 23rd July. Note: The theme for National Doctor’s Day ✓ Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on 2020 is “Lessen the mortality of COVID 19” 26th July. and includes awareness about asymptomatic ✓ The theme of the 2020 World Hepatitis Day hypoxia and early aggressive therapy. (WHD) celebrated every year on 28th July -- ✓ World Sports Journalists Day is observed Hepatitis-Free Future. globally every year on 2nd July. ✓ In a bid to promote conservation, raise ✓ The United Nations celebrates the awareness and encourage sustainability, every International Day of Cooperatives every year year World Nature Conservation Day is on the first Saturday of July. observed on 28th July. ✓ International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) However, this year a global theme has not celebrated Dharma Chakra Day on 4th July. been decided due to the pandemic. ✓ World Chocolate Day or International ✓ International Tiger Day is observed every year Chocolate Day is observed every year on 7th on which date across the globe to create July. awareness about tiger conservation -- 29th ✓ World Population Day is observed globally July. every year on 11th July. ✓ United Nations observes 30th July every year Note: This year theme of World Population as World Day Against Trafficking in Day 2020: Putting the brakes on COVID-19: Persons days. Safeguarding the health and rights of women Note: The 2020 theme for the World Day and girls. Against Trafficking: “Committed to the Cause ✓ The United Nations celebrates World Malala – Working on the Frontline to End Human Day to honor the young activist, Malala Trafficking”. Yousafzai every year on 12th July. ✓ The International Day of Friendship is ✓ World Youth Skills Day is observed every observed every year on 30th July. year on 15th July. ✓ The International Day for the conservation of ✓ World Day for International Justice is Mangrove Ecosystem is observed every year observed every year on 17th July. on 26th July. ✓ United Nations celebrates World Chess Day globally every year on 20th July. June 2020 156

www.gradeup.co ✓ World Milk Day 2020 observed every • This year (2020) the World Blood globally on 1st June 2020. Donor Day is celebrated under the ✓ The theme of the Global Day of Parents theme ‘Safe Blood Saves Lives’. 2020 celebrated every year on 1st June-- ✓ Every year, the World Elder Abuse Appreciate all parents throughout the Awareness Day is celebrated on 15th June. world. • The theme of the ‘World Elder ✓ World Bicycle Day is celebrated every Abuse Awareness Day 2020 is year on 3rd June. "Lifting up Voices". ✓ International Day of Innocent Children ✓ World Wind Day or Global Wind is Victims of Aggression is observed observed every year on 15th June. globally every year on 4th June. NThe International Day of Family ✓ The theme of the World Environment Day Remittances is observed every year on 2020, celebrated every year on June 5 -- 16th June by the United Nations. Celebrate Biodiversity. ✓ World Day to Combat Desertification and • the day was hosted by China under Drought 2020 observed every year on 17th the theme “Air Pollution”. June. The theme of 2020 is Food. ✓ Every year June 2nd is celebrated as the Feed.Fibre. – the links between International Sex Workers Day. consumption and land. ✓ The International Day for the Fight against ✓ Sustainable Gastronomy Day is observed Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated globally every year on 18th June. th Fishing 2020 is celebrated on 5 June. ✓ World Hydrography Day is observed ✓ World Pest Day or World Pest Awareness globally every year on 21st June. th Day is celebrated every year on 6 June. • World Hydrography Day 2020 ✓ United Nations Russian Language Day is theme is “Hydrography enabling th celebrated every year on 6 June. autonomous technologies”. ✓ The World Ocean Day is celebrated every ✓ World Music Day is observed globally th year on 8 June. every year on 21st June. • This year, the World Oceans Day is ✓ The theme of the International Day of celebrated under the theme Yoga 2020 -- Yoga for Health – Yoga at ‘Innovation for a Sustainable Home. Ocean’. • The theme of International Day of ✓ World Brain Tumour Day 2020 was Yoga 2020 is “Yoga for Health – th observed on 8 June. Yoga at Home”. ✓ 9th June of Every year is celebrated as the ✓ The United Nations Public Service Day is World Accreditation Day. observed globally every year 23rd June. • The Theme of World Accreditation ✓ The International Widows Day is observed Day 2020 is “Accreditation: globally every year on 23rd June. Improving food safety” ✓ The theme of Day of the Seafarer, 2020 ✓ The World Day against Child Labour is celebrated every year on 25th June -- th observed every year on 12 June. Seafarers are Key Workers. • Note: The theme this year is, ✓ The theme of the International Day against “COVID-19 - Protect children from Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020 child labour now, more than ever". observed every year globally on 26th June ✓ International Albinism Awareness Day is -- Better Knowledge for Better Care. observed every year on 13th June. ✓ International Day in Support of Victims of • Theme of the 5th anniversary of Torture is observed every year on 26th International Albinism Awareness June. Day is "Made to Shine." ✓ National Statistics Day 2020’ celebrated ✓ The World Blood Donor Day is observed every year on 29th June. on every on 14th June.

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www.gradeup.co • "Good Health and Well Being and ✓ The UN’s International Day of Gender Equality", is the theme for Parliamentarism is observed globally National Statistics Day 2020. every year on 30th June. May 2020

✓ International Labours day or May Day is ✓ Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on celebrated every year on 1st May. Second Sunday of May (9th May 2020) ✓ World Tuna Day is observed globally ✓ National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 2nd May. every year on 11th May. ✓ World Press Freedom Day is observed ✓ International Nurse Day is observed globally every year on 3rd May. globally on every year 12th May. • The theme of World Press Freedom ✓ Armed Forces Day is observed every year Day 2020 is “Journalism without on ____third Saturday in May (16th May Fear or Favour”. 2020). ✓ International Firefighters’ Day is observed ✓ The International Day of Light is globally every year on 4th May. celebrated every year on 16th May. ✓ International Day of the Midwife is ✓ World Telecommunication and observed globally every year on 5th May. Information Society Day is observed • The theme for 2020 International globally every year on 17th May. Day of the Midwife is Midwives • The theme of World with women: celebrate, Telecommunication and demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our Information Society Day of 2020: time is NOW! “Connect 2030: ICTs for the ✓ World Hand Hygiene Day observed Sustainable Development Goals globally on 5th May. (SDGs)” • The theme of the campaign is ✓ World Hypertension Day is observed “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your globally every year on 17th May. Hands”. ✓ International Museum Day is celebrated ✓ World Asthma Day is observed every year every year on 18th May. on 1st Tuesday of May. • The International Museum Day • The theme for 2020 is ‘Enough 2020 was celebrated with the Asthma Deaths’.World Asthma theme “Museums for Equality: Day is annually organized by the Diversity and Inclusion”. Global Initiative for Asthma ✓ World Bee Day is observed globally every (GINA). year on 20th May. ✓ The World Athletics Day is observed ✓ International Tea Day is observed globally every year on 7th May. every year on 21st May. ✓ To increase awareness about athletics and ✓ World Metrology Day is observed globally to encourage youth to take up sports World every year on 20th May. Athletics Day is observed every year on ✓ Anti Terrorism Day 2020 is observed 7th May. every year in India on 21st May. ✓ World Red Cross Day is observed globally • Note: The day marks the death every year on 8th May. anniversary of India’s seventh ✓ World Thalassaemia Day is observed Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 globally every year on 8th May. May 1991. ✓ World Migratory Bird Day is observed ✓ World Day for Cultural Diversity for globally every year on 9th May. Dialogue and Development is celebrated • This time the theme of World every year on May 21. Migratory Bird Day 2020 is “Birds ✓ The United Nations celebrates Connect Our World”. International Day for Biological Diversity every year on 22nd May. 158

www.gradeup.co ✓ The United Nations observes International ✓ International Day of UN Peacekeepers is Day to End Obstetric Fistula every year on observed globally every year on 29th May. 23 May. • The Theme of day for 2020 is • The theme for International Day to “Women in Peacekeeping: A Key End Obstetric Fistula 2020 is “End to Peace”. gender inequality! End health ✓ International Day of Action for Women’s inequities! End Fistula now!”. Health is observed globally every year on ✓ World Turtle Day is being celebrated 28th May. every year on 23rd May. ✓ World Hunger Day is observed globally ✓ International Missing Children’s Day is every year on 28th May. observed globally every year on 25th ✓ International Everest Day is being May. observed every year on 29th May. ✓ World Thyroid Day is observed globally ✓ World Health Organization (WHO) every year on 25th May. celebrates World No Tobacco Day every year on 31st May. April 2020

✓ World Autism Awareness Day is • The theme of this year is ‘Play Safe observed every year on April 2. on Play True Day 2020’. • The theme for 2020 is “The ✓ National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) Transition to Adulthood”. is celebrated annually on 11th April. ✓ The International Day for Mine ✓ The international day of human space Awareness and Assistance in Mine flight is observed across the world Action is observed every year on 4th annually on 12th April. April. ✓ National Pet Day is celebrated every year ✓ The 57th Edition of National Maritime on 11th April. Day (NMD) was celebrated on April 5, ✓ The World Voice Day (WVD) is 2020. celebrated every year on 16th April. ✓ The International Day of Conscience • The Theme of the day for the year (IDC) is observed for the 1st time on 5th 2020 is “FOCUS ON YOUR April 2020. VOICE”. ✓ The International Day of Sport for ✓ The International Day of Mathematics Development and Peace (IDSP) is (IDM) was celebrated for the first time on celebrated every year on 6th April. March 14, 2020. ✓ The International Romani Day is observed • Theme for the year 2020 is every year on 8th April. “Mathematics is Everywhere”. • Note: The day is observed annually ✓ World Haemophilia Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the issues worldwide on 17th April. faced by Romani people and to • The theme of the World celebrate Romani culture. Haemophilia Day 2020 is ✓ The World Homeopathy Day is “Get+involved”. celebrated every year on 10th April. ✓ The World Art Day is celebrated every • Theme of the day this year 2020 is year on 15th April. “Enhancing the scope of ✓ World Heritage Dayis celebrated every Homeopathy in Public Health”. year on 18th April. ✓ The Play True Day is observed every year • Theme for the year 2020 is on 9th April. “Shared Culture, Shared • Note: The World Anti-Doping Heritage and Shared Agency (WADA) celebrated the Responsibility”. Play True Day 2020.

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

✓ The Zero Discrimination Day 2020 was • Theme of WHD 2020: Hearing for life: observed globally on 1st March 2020. Don’t let hearing loss limit you. The • The theme for 2020 is “Zero theme ensures that the people with Discrimination against Women & hearing loss are able to achieve their Girls”. full potential. ✓ The World Civil Defence Day was observed ✓ The National safety day is observed every year on 1st March 2020. on 4th March. • Note: To create awareness on the self- • The Theme of National Safety day protection & preventive measures to be 2020 is “Enhance Health &Safety taken in the event of disasters or Performance by Use of Advanced accidents and pay tribute to the efforts, Technology“. sacrifices of the national services ✓ Janaushadhi week was celebrated throughout responsible for the fight against the country from 1st March to 7th March disasters. 2020. • Theme of the WCDD 2020: “Civil • Note: The main aim of the week is to Defence and a first aider in every provide various activities like health home”. checkup Camp, free doctor ✓ The World Wildlife Day is celebrated around consultation, free medicine distribution the world on 3rd March. is hosted by Jan AushadhiKendras. • Note: The World Wildlife Day ✓ The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020 (WWD) has been celebrated based on was observed globally on March 8, 2020. the theme “Sustaining all life on • The 2020 theme for IWD was “I am Earth”. Generation Equality: Realizing ✓ The World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed Women’s Rights”. annually on 3rd March.

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

✓ The World Wetlands Day was observed on to conserve the wetlands all over the February 2, 2020. world. The of this year day is • Note: World Wetlands Day (WWD) “Wetlands and Biodiversity”. was observed to spread awareness and

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

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

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www.gradeup.co • The day creates an awareness of rare for individuals with rare diseases & diseases and improves access to their families. treatment and medical representation • Slogan of RDD 2020: “Rare is Many. Rare is Strong. Rare is Proud”. January 2020

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

Important Committees and Commissions in India

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

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

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

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

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

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www.gradeup.co functioning of Sports Federations

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

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

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

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

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www.gradeup.co TarunRamadorai Committee TarunRamadorai Rights-based privacy framework in household finance

India’s Ranking in various Indices

Top Ranking Indexes Released by India’s Rank Country Human Capital Index Human Capital Index is released by the World 115 Singapore 2019 Bank as a part of The World Development Report. Global Talent It is launched by INSEAD, a partner and sponsor Competition Index, of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development 72 Switzerland 2019 Goals (SDGs), Davos, Switzerland. Norway, The Human Switzerland, United Nations Sustainable Development Development Index 129 Ireland occupied Solutions Network. (HDI),2019 the top three positions UN World Happiness Sustainable Development Solution Network 144 Finland Report, 2020 Ease of Doing Published by World Bank 63 New Zealand Bussiness,2019 Global Gender Gap Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) 112 Iceland Report, 2020 Global Competitive Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) 68 Singapore Report,2019 This year it has analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the world economy. World Economic According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) ---- Outlook, 2020 this report, India’s growth is expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound o7.4% in 2021. Global Peace Released by Australian think tank Institute for 141 Iceland Index,2019 Economics & Peace Published by Cornell University, INSEAD and Global Innovation The UN World Intellectual Property Organisation 52 Switzerland Index, 2019 (WIPO)

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www.gradeup.co New Delhi Global Liveability Published by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) lowest Rank Vienna (Austria) Index 118 Travel and Tourism India is on the Spain secured Competitiveness World Economic Forum (WEF) 34th place the top spot Index, 2019: Key Points: The world had 2,153 billionaires in 2019 Global Inequality Oxfam international ---- Crisis Report The world’s richest 1% have more than twice as much wealth as 6.9 billion people. World Press Freedom Reporters Sans Frontieres 142 Norway Index Corruption Perception Transparency International 80 Denmark Index, 2019 India 7th worst Global Terrorism Institution of Economic and Peace Terrorism ---- Index, 2020 affected country. Global Hunger Index, Released by Concern Worldwide and Welt 102 ---- 2019 Hunger Hilfe The US, UK, International Germany, Released by US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property 40 France and Innovation Policy Center index, 2020 Sweden are top five economies Global Democracy Released by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) 51 Norway Index, 2019 Worst affected Global Climate Risk country Japan, Germanwatch 5 Index,2019 Philippines and Germany Top 3 spots have remained Climate Change The CCPI is published by Germanwatch, Climate unoccupied as Performance Index, Action Network International and the New 9 none of the 2019 Climate Institute. countries assessed is already on a 170

www.gradeup.co path compatible with Paris Climate Targets. Sweden on 4th Spot International Institute for Management The United World Digital Development (IMD) World Competitiveness 48 States of Competitiveness, 2019 Center America Released by the Department of Administrative Good Governance Reforms and Public Grievances, and the Centre 112 Iceland Index for Good Governance. Global Energy World Economic Forum(WEF) 74 Sweden Transition Index, 2020 The United States remained Asia Power Index Lowy institute 4 to be pre- eminent power in Asia Inclusive Internet Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) 46 Sweden Index,2020 Global Social Mobility 76 out of 82 World Economic Forum(WEF) Denmark Index, 2020 countries India ranked 5th in the most polluted cities in the world, World Air Quality and It is released by IQAir and Greenpeace Report, 2019 Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world.

Military Exercises

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

SITMEX 2019 • Maritime exercise amongst Singapore, Thailand, and India. • It is being held from May 16 to May 22, 2019. It was first initiated in 1993. • The aim is to enhance interoperability, strengthen mutual trust, and build

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www.gradeup.co greater synergy to address shared maritime concerns among both navies.

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

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

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

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

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

Nomadic Elephant • India-Mongolian joint military training exercise. • The 14th edition of India-Mongolia joint military exercise is being held from 5th to October 18 at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. • The Mongolian ArmyArmy is being represented by officers and troops of the elite 084 Airborne-Special Task Battalion while Indian ArmyArmy is being represented by a battalion of the RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment • It evolves various tactical drills in counter-terror environments such as

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www.gradeup.co Convoy Protection Drill, Room Intervention Drills, Ambush & Counter Ambush Drills.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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www.gradeup.co Joint Indo-Lanka Maritime Fleet Exercise- SLINEX 2019.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sport Events

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winter Olympic –

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

4. ICC World Cup Cricket - The ICC Cricket World Cup is the international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four years. Note:

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www.gradeup.co i. The first World Cup was held in England in June 1975. West Indies won the title by defeating Australia in the final. ii. India won the first World Cup title in 1983 by defeating West Indies in the final. iii. Australia won the World Cup title in 2015 after defeating New Zealand in the final. iv. Australia has been the most successful team in the World Cup, with 5 titles and 2 runners-up. v. International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarter - Dubai, United Arab Emirates. vi. President of ICC – Zaheer Abbas. vii. Chairman of ICC – Shashank Manohar. viii. CEO – David Richardson.

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

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

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

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

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

7. ICC Women’s World Cup T20 - The ICC Women’s World Twenty20 is the international championship for Women’s Twenty20 cricket. It is organised the International Cricket Council (ICC). Note:

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www.gradeup.co i. The first Women’s T20 World Cup was held in England in 2009. England won the first T20 world cup title after defeating New Zealand in the final. ii. West Indies won the title in 2016 after defeating Australia in the final. iii. Australia has been the most successful team in the Women’s World Cup, with 3 titles and 1 runners-up.

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

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

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

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

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

10. FIFA (Football) World Cup – The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA). It is held every four years. Note: i. The first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay. Uruguay won the title after defeating Argentina in the final. 177

www.gradeup.co ii. Germany won the title in 2014 after defeating Argentina in the final. iii. Brazil has been the most successful team in the World Cup, with 5 titles from 7 appearances in the final. iv. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) headquarter - Zürich, Switzerland. v. President of FIFA - Gianni Infantino.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Union Budget:

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

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

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

Sector-wise highlights Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

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

Agriculture

• Finance Minister listed a 16-point action plan for farmers, towards the goal of doubling farmers' income by 2022 • Agricultural credit target has been set at Rs 15 lakh crore. NABARD Refinancing Scheme to be further expanded. • Will encourage state governments who implement following model laws: Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act of 2016; Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing Act of 2017; • Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services Promotion and Facilitation Act of 2018 • Pradhan Mantri KisanUrja Suraksha evemUtthanMahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) to be expanded to provide 20 lakh farmers in setting up standalone solar pumps • 2.83 lakh crore rupees allocated for agriculture and allied activities, irrigation and rural development • Encourage balanced use of all fertilizers, a necessary step to change the incentive regime which encourages excessive use of chemical fertilizers • Village Storage Scheme run by SHGs, will provide holding capacity for farmers, women in villages can regain their status as Dhaanya Lakshmi • Krishi UDAN will be launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on international and national routes, improving value realization in North East and tribal districts 179

www.gradeup.co • Milk processing capacity to be doubled by 2025 • Indian Railways will set up Kisan Rail through PPP arrangement, for transportation of perishable goods • Fish production to be raised to 200 lakh tonnes by 2022-23

Education

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

Health

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

Finance

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

Energy

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

Infrastructure

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www.gradeup.co • 100 more airports to be developed by 2024 to support the UDAN scheme • 1.7 lakh crore rupees to be provided for transport infrastructure in the coming financial year • More Tejas-type trains to connect iconic destinations • Accelerated development of highways will be undertaken. Delhi-Mumbai expressway and two other projects to be completed by 2023. Monetization of 12 lots of highway bundles of over 6,000km before 2024 • National Logistics Policy will soon be released, creating a single-window e-logistics market • Project Preparation Facility to be set up for preparation of infrastructure projects, actively involving young engineers and management graduates • Fibre to Home connections under Bharat Net will be provided to 1 lakh gram panchayats this year itself, 6,000 crore rupees provided for Bharat Net • Soon, policy for the private sector to build Data Centre Parks throughout the country • National Gas Grid to be expanded from 16,200 km to 27,000 km

Women & Nutrition

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

Other Sectors

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

Skill India initiative

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

Indian Railways

• 4 station redevelopment projects in railways via PPP models • To develop solar capacity in Indian railways • Plan more Tejas like trains to connect tourist locations

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www.gradeup.co • Govt to launch Rs. 18,600 crore worth Bengaluru Suburban Transportation project

Ayushman Bharat

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

Connecting India

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

To clean air and pollution-free cities

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

Transport sector:

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

TAX

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

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

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www.gradeup.co Rajasthan Budget 2020-21: Summary

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

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

Budget Overview • The (GSDP)Gross State Domestic Product of Rajasthan (2020-21) at current prices is projected to be Rs 11,33,298 crore. It is 11% increment from the revised estimate for2019-20. • Total expenditure (2020-21) is estimated to be Rs 2,25,731 crore, a 0.4% increase over the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Total receipts (excluding borrowings) (2020-21) are estimated to be around Rs 1,80,483 crore which is an increase of 0.2% as compared to theestimates of 2019-20. • Revenue deficit (2020-21) is targeted at Rs 12,346 crore, or 1.1% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The target for fiscal deficit is Rs 33,923 crore (3% ofGSDP). • The highest increase in allocations in 2020-21: the sectors of Sanitation, Water Supply, Housing and Urban Development (20%), Irrigation and Flood Control (16%) and Transport (13%) over the revised estimate of the previousyear 2019-20.

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

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

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www.gradeup.co • In 2020-21, the total receipts (other than borrowings) are expected to be 0.2% higher than the revised estimate of2019-20.

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

Expenditure in 2020-21 • Capital expenditure (2020-21) is proposed to be Rs 39,981 crore, which is a decrease of 0.2% over the revised estimates of2019-20. • Rajasthan’s capital outlay (2020-21) is estimated to be Rs 21,619 crore, which is 22% higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Capital outlay towards the Departments of Health and Family Welfare and Education is estimated to increase by Rs 114% and 58%, respectively in 2020-21, from the revised estimates of2019-20. • In 2020-21, Revenue expenditureis proposed to be Rs 1,85,750 crore, which is an increase of 0.5% over revised estimates of 2019-20. • Expenditure budget 2020-21 (in Rs crore)

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

Sector wise expenditure in 2020-21 Sector 2020-21 Budgeted Education, Sports, Arts, and Culture 40,017 Energy 18,736 Water Supply, Sanitation, Housing and Urban 16,224 Development

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www.gradeup.co Health and Family Welfare 14,700 Rural Development 13,328 Agriculture and allied activities 11,441 Social Welfare and Nutrition 11,231 Transport 7,182 Police 7,005 Irrigation and Flood Control 5,638 % of total expenditure 70%

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

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

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

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

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

Receipts in 2020-21

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www.gradeup.co • Rs 1,73,404 crore total revenue receipts are estimated for 2020-21. 10.6% increase over the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Through state’s own resources, Rs 96,625 crore (56% of the revenue receipts) will beraised, and remaining Rs 76,779 crore (44% of the revenue receipts) will be in the form of central transfers, which means state’s share in central taxes and grants-in-aid from the central government. • In 2020-21, receipts from the state’s share in central taxes are estimated to increase by 30% over the 2019-20 revised estimates. Devolution is estimated to decrease by 19% to Rs 36,049 crore as compared to the budgeted estimate in 2019-20. This may be due to a 19% cut in the union budget for devolution to states, from Rs 8,09,133 crore at the budgeted stage to Rs 6,56,046 crore at the revised stage.

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

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

State GST 28,250 16.3% Sales Tax and VAT 21,000 12.1% State Excise Duty 12,500 7.2% Stamps Duty and Registration Fees 5,600 3.2% Taxes on Vehicle 6,000 3.5% Taxes and Duties on Electricity 2850 1.6% Land Revenue 519 0.3% GST Compensation Grants 4,800 2.8% • Rs 28,250 crore is expected to generate in2020-21. 10.3% increment from the revised estimate of 2019-20. • Rajasthan Government is expected to generateRs 21,000 crore through sales tax/ VAT (on items such as petroleum products) in 2020-21. It is a 5% increase over the revised estimate budget (2019- 20). • The state is expected to generateRs 12,500 crore from state excise in 2020-21. An increase of 19% over the revised estimate of2019-20.

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

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

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

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

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

0.0%

Agriculture Manufacturing Services GSDP

2017- 2018- 2019- 18 19 20

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

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

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

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

Livestock Population (Top three State):

• Uttar Pradesh • Rajasthan • Madhya Pradesh

Poultry:

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

1. Tamil Nadu 2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Telangana

Cattle:

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

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

Buffalo:

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

1. Uttar Pradesh 2. Rajasthan 3. Gujarat

Sheep:

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

1. Telangana 2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Karnataka

Goat:

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

1. Rajasthan 2. West Bengal 3. Uttar Pradesh

Pig:

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

1. Assam 2. Jharkhand 3. Meghalaya

Camel:

• The total Camel Population in the country is 0.25 million during 2019. 191

www.gradeup.co • Top three state in Camel Population:

1. Rajasthan 2. Gujarat 3. Haryana 10th Edition of Agriculture Census 10th Edition of Agriculture Census Data for 2015-16 Released By Ministry of Agriculture. The Agriculture Census in India is conducted at 5 yearly intervals to collect data on structural aspects of operational holdings in the country. The Agriculture Census programme is carried out in 3 phases at five-yearly intervals with the cooperation of States/Union Territories. The first Agriculture Census in the country was conducted with from 1970-71. The current Agriculture Census was conducted in 2015-16 is 10th in the series. Objectives

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

Definitions Operational Holding:

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

Technical Unit:

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

Operated area:

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

Operational holder:

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

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

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

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www.gradeup.co • The total operational holdings aggregate to over 146 million hectares an increase of 5.33 per cent from 138 million in 2010-11. • Goa has witnessed the sharpest fall and Manipur had the lowest in a number of operational holdings. • In terms of the operated area, 14 states hold for 88.08% of operational holdings. They are West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Kerala. • Comparing this to the farmers holding 10 hectares and more account for just 0.57% and had a share of 9.04 per cent in the operated area. • Semi-medium and medium operational holdings (2-10 ha) in 2015-16 were 13.22 per cent, with 43.61 per cent of the operated area. • The individual, joint and institutional operational holder have shown growth of 5.04%, 7.07% and 10.88%, respectively. • The average size of farm holding was the lowest in Kerala at (0.18 hectare) and the highest in Nagaland at (5.06 hectares). Indian State of Forest Report, 2019 (ISFR) The forest survey of India released the India state of forest report for the year 2019. It publishes the India state of forest report biennially. Forest Survey of India is a premier national organization under the Union Ministry of Environment and monitoring of the forest resource of the country. 2019 report is the 16th edition of the India state of forest report. Forest Survey of India published the 1st report in 1987

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

Terminologies related to Forest report

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

Key Findings of the report

• The total forest cover in our country is 7,12,249 sq km. • It is 21.67% of the geographical area of the country. • The tree cover of India is approximately 95,027 Km • It is 2.89% of the geographical area. • The total Forest and Tree cover of India is 8,07,276 sq km. • It is 24.56% of the geographical area of the country. In the last assessment, it was 39%. • The current report shows an increase of 3,976sq km of forest cover, 1,212 sq km of tree cover, and 5,188 sq km of forest and tree cover.

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www.gradeup.co • Very Dense Forests (VDF), which represents the lushest vegetation and has canopy density above 70%, increased by 1,120 sq km over the assessment of • Forest cover within the Recorded Forest Area (RFA) / Green Wash (GW) has shown a slight decrease of 330 sq km (0.05%), but there is an increase of 4,306 sq km of forest cover outside the RFA/GW when compared with ISFR 2017. • Forest cover in all the hill districts of India is 2,84,006sq km. • It is 40.30% of the total geographical area of all these districts. Overall, there is an increase of 544 sq km (0.19%) in 140 hill districts of the country • There is an increase in the bamboo area as compared to ISFR 2017 • Except for Assam and Tripura, all the states in the northeastern region shows a decrease in the forest area. • In the tribal district, there is a decrease of 741 sq km of forest cover within the RFA/GW and an increase in 1922sq km outside.

POINT TO NOTE

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

Mangrove Cover:

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

Wetlands:

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

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www.gradeup.co Forest Fire

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

Carbon Stock

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

Biodiversity

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

Bamboo Cover

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

Dependence of fuelwood on forest

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

Growing stocks

• In India, the total growing stock of wood is approximately 5,915.76 million cubic meters. • The average growing stock per hectare in the forest is 55.69 cum. List of Important GI Tags • A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

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www.gradeup.co • Here is the list of important Geographical tags that have a high tendency to appear in the latest examination. So far, 363 products have been given GI Tags in India with Terracotta and black rice being the latest ones. List of GI Tags State KandhamalHaladi Odisha

KodaikanalMalai Tamil Nadu Poondu-Pawndum Mizoram Ngotekherh Mizoram Hmaram(Handicraft) Mizoram

Gulbarga Tur Dal Karnataka

KholaChilli Goa

Idu Mishmi (Textile) Arunachal Pradesh

Dindigul Locks Tamil Nadu

Kandangi Saree Tamil Nadu

SrivilliputturPalkova Tamil Nadu

KajiNemu Assam

Palani Panchamirtham Tamil Nadu

Tawlhlohpuan and Mizo Puanchei Mizoram Tirur Betel leaf Kerala

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

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Tawlhlohpuan, ( a fine quality fabric) Mizoram

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

'Odisha rasagola' Odisha Tirur betel vine Kerala

Terracotta Gorakhpur Black Rice or Chak-Hao Manipur

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