VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE - tnpscgatewayy.comtnpscgatewayy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/August-Monthy-CA-Eng.pdfAug 09, 2020 · VETRII'S CURRENT AFFAIRS, U - 2020 VETRII IAS TUDS

VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLETNPSC

Current AffAirs

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AUGUST - 2020

My Dear Aspirants, Greetings to all of you! “What we think we become” Gautama Buddha. We all have dreams. To make dreams come into reality it takes a lot of determination, dedication, self discipline and continuous effort.

We at VETRII IAS Study Circle are committed to provide the right guidance, quality coaching and help every aspirants to achieve his or her life’s cherished goal of becoming a civil servant.

The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study Circle is meticulously planned to equip the aspirants with all the relevant facts and fundamentals of the subjects. Further the VETRII IAS Study Circle Study materials aim to support the candidate by providing the most relevant study material in a comprehensive manner.

Wishing You All The Very Best !!

DIRECTOR

(M.Shunmugam) Vetrii IAS Study Circle.

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INDEX

01 - 28 HISTORY

Important Days Defence National Security and

Terrorism World Organisations – Pacts and Summits

Eminent Persons Sports and Games Books & Authors

Awards & Honours Cultural Panaroma India & its

Neighbours Appointments – Who is who?

29 - 32 POLITICAL SCIENCE

India’s Foreign Policy Latest Court Verdicts Govt

– Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility

33 - 34 GEOGRAPHY

Policy on Environment and Ecology Natural Disasters

– Safeguard Measures

35 - 38 ECONOMICS

New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector Current Socio

- Economic Problems

33

29

01

35

39 - 53 SCIENCE Latest Inventions in Science & Technology

Latest Discoveries on Health Science

Mass Media & Communication

54 NATIONAL – DIARY OF

EVENTS

85 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

92 TAMIL NADU AFFAIRS

95 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

39

54

85

92

95

Vetrii's Current AffAirs, July - 2020

Vetrii iAs study CirCle 1

History1.1 Important Days

Date Day Theme / Remark

August 1India celebrates 1st August as Muslim Women’s Rights Day

On the occasion of the first anniversary of law-making Triple Talaq a criminal offence which got Presidential nod last year after getting approval from the Parliament, the day is declared as the Muslim Women’s Rights Day across the country. Triple Talaq Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on 25th July 2019 with 79% of MP voting in favour and 21% voting against it. Further, it was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 30th July 2019 with 54% votes in favour and 46% voting against it. Finally, after getting the Presidential nod it became a law in the country.

World Breastfeeding Week 2020

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually during the first week of August (1st – 7th Aug) in over 120 countries around the world

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.

Important Days

Vetrii iAS Study CirCle2

Vetrii's Current AffAirs, July - 2020Important Days

August 3 Sanskrit Diwas

The only Sanskrit newspaper in the world is called ‘Sudharma‘. The newspaper has been published since 1970 from Mysuru in Karnataka

World Sanskrit Day or Sanskrit Diwas was the first time celebrated in 1969. It is celebrated to spread awareness, promote and revive the ancient India Language. It attributes the rich culture of India.

The Sanskrit language is also termed as Dev Vani means God’s language. The Sanskrit language is traced back to the 2nd millennium BCE when the Rig Veda a collection of hymns is assumed to have been written.

August 6 Hiroshima Day

Annually 6th of August marks the anniversary of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima during World War II.

The horrific incident took place on August 6, 1945, when the United States dropped an atomic bomb named “Little Boy”, on the town of Hiroshima in Japan.

This bomb attack was done in the motive to end the Second World War in 1945.

This day is remembered to promote peace and spread awareness about the danger of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.

August 7 National Handloom Day

August 9 World Tribal Day Theme: COVID-19 and indigenous people

resilience.

August 12 International Youth Day The theme of International Youth Day

2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.

August 12World Elephant Day 2020



August 19 World Humanitarian Day

August 19World Photography Day 2020

August 20 Sadbhavana Diwas

Every year on 20th August, the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi is celebrated as Sadbhavana Diwas or Harmony Day.

This year on 20th August 2020, we are going to celebrate the 76th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The Indian National Congress instituted Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award in 1992, a year after his death.

August 20 Indian Akshay Urja Day

Indian Akshay Urja Day or Renewable Energy Day is observed on 20th August every year.

Indian Akshay Urja Day was established in 2004 to support renewable energy development programs and promote its use instead of traditional sources of energy. The very first event relating to Akshay Urja Diwas was organized in New Delhi.

August 21World Senior Citizen’s Day 2020

August 24 World Water Week 2020 The theme of WWWeek at Home 2020 is

‘Water and Climate change: Accelerating Action’.

August 29 National Sports Day

Important Days



1.2 Defence, National Security and TerrorismIndia to participate in Kavkaz 2020 exercise in Russia

In a resumption of bilateral and multilateral military exercises which were deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19), India will take part in the Russian Kavkaz 2020 strategic command-post exercise next month. The invitees for the exercise also include China and Pakistan apart from other member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Defence Minister to launch Atmanirbhar Bharat Saptah

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will launch the Atmanirbhar Bharat Saptah. The special week will promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to create a self-reliant India with an increased focus on local manufacturing and production.

Rajnath Singh announced on August 9 that India will stop the import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles among others on a staggered basis till 2024.

The main objective behind the move was to boost domestic defence production. The defence minister said that the defence ministry is now ready to encourage indigenous defence manufacturing in line with PM Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Raksha Mantri launches Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation

The Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) has been launched by the Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.

The NIIO, a three-tiered organisation, will enable its end users to interact with academia as well as industry for the promotion of innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence, with the help of its dedicated structures.

The twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation would be brought together by the Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC), which will also offer apex level directives. It also includes a working group under the N-TAC, which will be responsible for the implementation of the projects.

To fulfill the objective of induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame, Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has been established.

ICG’s fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’ launched

An Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard has been launched and re-christened as Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has designed and developed the Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’ which is the 4th in the series of five OPVs.

‘Sarthak’ has been built indigenously and is designed in such a way that it carries

Defence, National Security and Terrorism




a twin-engine helicopter, four high speed boats along with one inflatable boat for swift boarding and Search & Rescue operations.

It will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance, Coastal Security and other duties.

It is 105 metres long and fitted with state-of-the-art Navigation and Communication equipment, sensor and machinery.

It displaces approximately 2350 tons and has been propelled by two 9100 KW diesel engines. It has been designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of 6000 Nautical Miles.

Rajnath Singh launches online portal “SRIJAN” to promote indigenisation in defence production

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched an online portal that provides information about defence equipment and items that can be taken up for indigenisation by private sector companies. Ministry of Defence is observing “Atmanirbhar week” from 7 August to 14 August 2020.

Two memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed between Indian Institutes of Technomogy (IITs) and the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs).

The aforementioned online portal that will promote indigenisation of defence items’ production is called “SRIJAN”.

The DPSUs, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and headquarters of the armed forces (SHQs) can display on SRIJAN those items that are being imported

currently so that the Indian industry can design, develop and manufacture them domestically as per its capability.

L&T Built Interceptor Boat ‘ICGS C-454’ of Indian Coast Guard Launched at Surat

The 27-meter-long Interceptor Boat (IB) ‘ICGS C-454’, built by Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T) was launched into the service of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) by Dr Hiral Patel, wife of Surat district Collector, Dhaval Patel during a ceremony in Surat.

Major Highlights of ICGS C-454 It has a maximum speed of 45 nautical

miles (83 Km/hr- Kilometers per Hour). It has an excellent seakeeping,

maneuverability and endurance range of 500 nautical miles.

Note– Till now, L&T has handed over 51 out of 54 IB’s ordered by the Indian Coast Guard.

Additional Info

L&T-Class Fast Interceptor Craft L&T fast interceptor craft is a series of

high-speed interceptor boats being built by L&T Shipyard for the Indian Coast Guard.

The ships are designed for patrol and rescue operations in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Naval Commanders’ Conference 2020: 19th – 21st August 2020

The Naval Commanders’ Conference 2020, a biennial conference was held in New Delhi, India from August 19 to 21, 2020. Rajnath Singh, Union Defence



Minister addressed the opening session of the conference. This is the 1st Naval Commanders’ Conference since the institution of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

The Conference is the apex level event to interact between the Naval Commanders and also between Naval Commanders with other senior government officials.

Indian Coast Guard Ship C-449 Commissioned in Chennai

Indian Coast Guard Ship C-449 was commissioned in Chennai by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam. The ship is the Forty Ninth Interceptor Boat of the series, which are indigenously built and designed by M/s Larsen and Toubro Ltd, Hazira (Surat).

It will be commanded by Assistant Commandant Ashish Sharma and will be based at Krishnapatnam under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard District Headquarters No.6, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The ship has been inducted as part of the ongoing efforts by Indian Coast Guard to strengthen Maritime and Coastal Security along the East Coast of India.

C-449 will enhance the efforts of Indian Coast Guards in providing coastal security, surveillance and aid to fishermen in distress along the eastern coast in general and Krishnapatnam of Andhra Pradesh coast in particular.

India Pavilion at Army 2020 forum inaugurated in Russia

The India Pavilion at the Army-2020 International Military and Technical Forum was inaugurated by Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar and Indian Ambassador DB Venkatesh Verma at Moscow, Russia.

The forum will also host discussions among global military officials, researchers and defence industry experts about the application of 3D technologies in designing, manufacturing and operating weapons and military equipment.

The forum was organised by the Russian Defence Ministry will be held from August 23-29 at the Patriot Park near Moscow, which has been the venue since 2015.

Army Commanders Discuss Security Situation Along China Border In Eastern Ladakh

The top brass of the Indian Army met in Delhi for two days to discuss the ongoing situation along the northern borders amid the continuing border tensions with China in Eastern Ladakh.

The Indian Army has further bolstered its combat readiness in eastern Ladakh by deploying troops with shoulder-fired missiles in several sensitive areas in the backdrop of increasing activities by Chinese helicopters in the region

These missiles have a range of two to five km and they are capable of bringing down low flying helicopters and aircraft.




Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat, India’s longest serving warship, to be dismantled in Gujarat

INS Viraat, the aircraft carrier that served the Indian Navy for 30 years before being decommissioned three years ago, is likely to be towed from Mumbai to Alang in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district next month to be dismantled and sold as scrap.

The longest serving warship, inducted into the Indian Navy in 1987, was bought by Shree Ram Group for Rs 38.54 crore at an auction conducted by the Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Limited last month.

1.3 World Organisations – Pacts and Summits

Prakash Javadekar represents India in 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting

Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) participated in the 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting under the presidency of Russia along with the Environment minister of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa over a virtual platform from New Delhi.

The BRICS nations called the initiative to improve the environment and promote the circular economy in national plans for economic recovery after COVID-19.

The needs for the BRICS nations to work as a group for the Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework was highlighted in the meeting.

The meeting was preceded by the BRICS working group meeting.

About BRICS: Presidency– Russia (India will assume

the Presidency of BRICS in 2021) Members– Brazil, Russia, India, China

and South Africa Establishment-2009 Theme for 2020- “BRICS Partnership for

Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth”.

UNICEF & ADB funds for Thermal screening at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has received a mass fever screening system to enhance the screening process of passengers. There are two more scanners in the Airport.

About the Scanner:- The thermal scanner is a ceiling mounted

one and is capable of scanning, detecting and tracking persons having fever or showing symptoms of fever and also persons with high skin temperature.

The scanner automatically adapts to the room temperature without any human intervention.

It has dual displays, day camera and infrared system.

FAO Introduce New Platform to Reduce Global Food Loss and Waste

The Food and Agriculture Organisation

World Organisations – Pacts and Summits



control the corona virus. It is estimated that 300 crore people live in their homes without water and soap.

It is estimated that 400 crore people face severe water shortages for at least one month every year. The lack of water and sanitation for millions of people is reported to be the biggest disaster.

India plans to host BRICS Games during Khelo India Games 2021

Union Minister of Youth and Sports Kiren Rijiju announced on August 25, 2020 that India is planning to host BRICS Games 2021 during the same time and at the same venues as of Khelo India Games 2021.

The Sports Minister made the announcement during a video conference between the Sports Ministers of BRICS nations- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The Minister stated that this will give the Indian players the benefit and opportunity of witnessing BRICS Games from close quarters.

The Minister said that the move will be a great morale booster and motivational moment for them. He added saying that India will invite BRICS member countries to showcase their traditional indigenous games during the inaugural or closing ceremony of Khelo India Youth Games 2021.

(FAO) unveiled a new Platform, to support the global reduction of food loss and waste.

The official launch of the platform will be on the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) which will be observed on 29th September 2020.

Platform: The platform will have information

on measurement, reduction policies, alliance, actions and examples of models that were successful in reducing the food loss and wastages in the period of global pandemic.

The related portals from the development patterns will also be provided in this platform.

This will result in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, reduction in pressure on natural resources and increase the global productivity and economic growth.

Platform to reduce food waste and loss: http://www.fao.org/platform-food-loss-waste/en/

About Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO:

Director-General - QU Dongyu Headquarters – Rome, Italy

400 crore people around the world are suffering from water scarcity

The UN estimates that some 400 million people worldwide face water shortages every month.

According to the report, 2 out of 5 people worldwide are facing water scarcity at a time when the world is working to

World Organisations – Pacts and Summits



1.4 Eminent PersonsSa. Kandasamy passed away in Tamil Nadu

The famous writer and d o c u m e n t a r y Filmmaker Sa. Kandasamy passed away at the age 81, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu due to heart ailments. He was born in 1940, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his Novel ‘Visaranai Commission.’

About Sa. Kandasamy Career He started his career in the year 1968 with

the publication of his novel, Chayavanam / Sayavanam later listed by the National Book Trust as a masterpiece in modern Indian Literature.

In his writings, he attributed the style to his deep learning of Sangam literature.

He was granted a fellowship by the Lalit Kala Akademi of the government of Tamil Nadu in 1995 for his contribution toward the development of art.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner John Hume Passed Away at 83

The Nobel Peace Prize winner (1998) and prominent Northern Ireland politician John Hume passed away at 83 in a Londonderry nursing home due to a long period of illness.

He was born on January 8, 1937 in Derry (Londonderry), Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom- UK).

Ebrahim Alkazi, credited for revolutionising theatre in India

Theatre legend Ebrahim Alkazi, 95, passed away. He died of a “massive heart attack” at Escorts Hospital in New Delhi. Alkazi, credited for revolutionising theatre in India, became one of the most prominent theatre artistes in Mumbai during the 1940s and 1950s.

Famous Urdu poet Rahat Indori passes away

Noted Urdu poet and lyricist Rahat Indori, who tested positive for COVID -19, died of a heart attack at a hospital in Indore in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.

Indori had composed lyrics for some popular Bollywood songs like “M Bole toh” from Munnabhai MBBS (2003), Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili from Kareeb (1998), Koi jaye to le aye from Ghatak (1996), and “Neend Churai Meri” from Ishq (1997). His lyrics were used in 11 Bollywood films.

Veteran Tamil film songwriter P K Muthusamy passes away

Veteran Tamil film songwriter, PK Muthusamy passed away.

Muthusamy had penned memorable Tamil film lyrics like ‘Mannukku Maram

Eminent Persons



Baaramaa ?’ – which means ‘are the trees a burden on the earth?’. His other famous songs composed by Muthusami include ‘Mapilai vandar’ and ‘Chinna Chinna nadai nadandu’ etc.

PM Modi Becomes Longest Serving Non-Congress Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the fourth-longest serving Prime Minister of India surpassing Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. The feat also makes PM Modi the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister not from the Congress.

PM Modi becomes the longest serving Indian PM of non-Congress origin. (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji served for 2,268 days in all his terms combined.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh - all from the Congress - are the three longest serving Prime Ministers in that order.

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes away

Former Test batsman Chetan Chauhan, who shone as a gritty player against fiery pace overseas as Sunil Gavaskar’s enduring opening partner in the 1970s, died by the complications due to Covid-19.

In an India career from 1969 to 1981, Chauhan played 40 Tests and seven ODIs. He scored 2,084 Test runs with 16 half-centuries, but never scored a century,

Eminent Persons

with a best of 97. The prolific domestic batsman in a two-decade first-class career played Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra and then Delhi.

Renowned vocalist Pandit Jasraj passes away

Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj passed away following a cardiac arrest at his home in New Jersey.

With a musical career spanning almost 80 years, the doyen of Indian classical vocal music was a recipient of various prestigious awards and honours including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He represented the last of a generation of classical vocalists, which includes 83-year-old Kishori Amonkar, the doyenne of the Jaipur Atrauli gharana.

Gujarat Names Two Flyover of Ahmedabad After Late Arun Jaitley & Sushma Swaraj

Chairman of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Standing Committee, Amul Bhatt announced that in Gujarat two flyover bridges of Ahmedabad city will be named after late Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj.

The flyover bridge at Income Tax circle, Ahmedabad will be named as Arun Jaitley Flyover.

The flyover at the Anjali cross road will be named Sushma Swaraj Bridge.



Former Supreme Court judge Justice AR Lakshmanan dies

Former judge of the Supreme Court Justice AR Lakshmanan passed away.

Justice Lakshmanan served at the Supreme Court from December 20, 2002 to March 21, 2007. Before his elevation, he was a judge at the Madras High Court and the Kerala High Court. He also served as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan High Courts.

Post-retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the Eighteenth Law Commission of India.

He was also part of the bench which gave relief to 2.5 lakh government employees who were dismissed by J Jayalalithaa invoking the Tamil Nadu Essential Services Maintenance Act in 2003.

Social reformer Ayyankali’’s birth anniversary celebrated

Kerala celebrated the 157th birth anniversary of social reformer Ayyankali with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembering his fight “reclaiming” streets.

Ayyankali (1863-1941) was a social reformer who worked for the advancement of Dalits, who were considered as untouchables, in the princely state of Travancore.

In 1893, Ayyankali challenged the ban on lower caste people using public roads in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom by riding a ‘’Villu Vandi’’ (bullock-cart).

‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman passes away

Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman passed away after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

He was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, and made his acting debut in the TV series “All My Children” in 2003.

He made his big-screen debut in 2008 in the biopic The Express: The Ernie Davis Story where he played Floyd Little. He played famous Black Panther role in the Marvel cinematic universe.

Writer Devakottai V.Murthy passed away

Writer Devakottai V.Murthy (74) passed away due to ill health.

He has worked tirelessly in the vast literary field of concept books, short story collections, translated short stories and translated poems.

His works ranged from lamp, pancreas, enlightenment to site magazine.

Eminent Persons


Vetrii's Current AffAirs, July - 2020Sports and Games

1.5 Sports and GamesLewis Hamilton Won British Grand Prix 2020

Formula One Champion Mercedes Lewis Hamilton (British) won British Grand Prix (GP) 2020(officially known as the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2020) held at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom(UK).

This is his 7th time to win this title. He is the only racer to win most in British GP.

Lewis Hamilton won this title despite a puncture on his last lap. He is a six-time Formula One World Champion.

With this victory, Lewis Hamilton won 87 GP and is 4 short of ferrari Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91.

India withdraws from Women’s World Team Squash Championship 2020

Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) has withdrawn from the Women’s World Team Squash Championship 2020, due to lack of preparation, time and match-readiness of athletes, which is scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from December 15 to 20,2020.

About SRFI:

f President – Debendranath Sarangi. f Headquarter – Chennai,Tamil Nadu.

Sports Ministry to organise “Fit India Freedom Run”

“Fit India Freedom Run” would be organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from 15th August to 02nd October 2020.

The ministry is organising “Fit India Freedom Run” to mark the 74th Independence Day of India on August 15 to 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.

This would be the largest country-wide run, targeted to encourage fitness among the masses while following the COVID-19 protocols.

Government of India has decided to encourage participants of the event to run at their own pace – anywhere and at any time of their convenience in order to keep up with the current pandemic situation and social distancing norms.

20-year old Indian wins ‘World’s Fastest Human Calculator’ title

India’s Neelakanta Bhanu Prakash has won the ‘World’s Fastest Human Calculator’ title. The 20-year-old won the first-ever gold for India in Mental Calculation World Championship at Mind Sports Olympiad (MSO) held in London recently.

Neelakanta Bhanu Prakash belongs to Hyderabad and he is currently pursuing Mathematics (Hons.) at Delhi University’s St Stephen College. He is the proud owner of four world records and 50 Limca records for being the fastest human calculator in the world.

Prakash’s brain can reportedly calculate



quicker than the speed of a calculator. He has broked the records once held by Math maestros like Scott Flansburg and Shakuntala Devi.

The is the first time India has won gold at the Mental Calculation World Championship at Mind Sports Olympiad. The MSO is the most prestigious international competition for mental skill games and mind sports. It is held annually in London. The championship is equivalent to any other Olympic event in the realm of physical sports.

1.6 Books & AuthorsVishesh: Code to Win

A book titled, “Vishesh: Code to Win” written by the sportswoman-turned-author Nirupama Yadav is expected to be put out for the public view on August 29, 2020, the National Sports day. The 130-page book is the biography of Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and will be published by the Bluerose publishers.

Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat & Smriti Irani launch the book ‘Swachh Bharat Kranti’

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat & Union Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani launched the book ‘Swachh Bharat Kranti’ (Hindi) in New Delhi.

‘Swachh Bharat Revolution’ which was released in October 2019 has been translated into Hindi and published as “Swachh Bharat Kranti”.

It has been edited by Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

A book titled ‘RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations’ authored by Yatish Yadav

The book, titled “RAW: A History of India”s Covert Operations” has authored by investigative journalist and author Yatish Yadav. A new book gives a peep into the heroic covert operations carried by India’s external spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and thereby narrates a gripping account of what actually happens behind the grey walls of the secret society.

‘Amazing Ayodhya’: New book to tell history of Lord Rama’s birth place

Coinciding with the Ram temple ‘bhoomi pujan’, publishing house Bloomsbury announced their latest book that will shed light on the history of Ayodhya.

Books & Authors



Book “A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the Covid-19 pandemic” by Bijal Vachharajani Released

A book titled “A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the COVID 19 Pandemic”, the introduction of which is written by award-winning children’s author Bijal Vachharajani. The book is published by Talking Cub (children’s imprint of Speaking Tiger).

Bijal Vachharajani is the winner of the Author Children’s Book Award 2020 and also named in the Parag Honour List 2020 of TATA Groups.

Ex-Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam Authored a New book titled, “Full Spectrum: India’s Wars, 1972-2020″

Retired Air vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam has authored a new book titled, “Full Spectrum: India’s Wars, 1972-2020″. The book portrays the comprehensive account of war and conflict in contemporary India over the past five decades next month. It will be published by HarperCollins Publishers India Pvt. Ltd.

It is the sequel to his 1st book, ‘India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971’.

Books & Authors

Titled “Amazing Ayodhya”, the book by Neena Rai promises to offer “authentic information” about the city, which will not only help understand the life and times of ancient Hindus, but also the revered figures of Rama and Sita.

“Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World” – A Book by Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama is set to release his new book “Our Only Home: A climate Appeal to the world” on Climate change co-written by German e n v i r o n m e n t a l Journalist Franz Alt in November.

The book calls upon political decision makers to fight against deadlock and ignorance on the issue of climate change.

Prakash Javadekar release 3rd series of collection of speeches by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has completed three years in office. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar released the book titled ‘Connecting, Communicating, Changing’ in New Delhi on the occasion. The book chronicles Mr Naidu’s three years in office as the Vice President of India.



Books & Authors

“India Tomorrow: Conversations with the Next Generation of Political Leaders”

The book will give a snapshot of contemporary Indian politics through interviews with 20 of the country’s most prominent next-g e n e r a t i o n politicians. The book includes interviews of Politicians below the age of 50 years only and released in August, 2020.

The book is written by American academicians Pradeep Chhibber and Harsh Shah and published by Oxford University Press (OUP).

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh releases book on Cancer

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched a book on cancer – “Gastric Cancer” edited by Dr Ashok K. Vaid. He is a Noted Oncologist and was awarded Padma Shri in 2009 for his outstanding work in the field of medicine.

The book was launched during a special session organized during the 3 -day virtual conference on Oncology.

The Book “Delhi Riots 2020: the Untold Story” is Set to be Published

The book “Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story” authored by Monika Arora, advocate, Sonali Chitalkar (political Science) and Prerna Malhotra (English) teachers at Delhi University is set to be published by Garuda Prakashan . The

book was released by Bhupendra Yadav, member of parliament and national general secretary over a virtual event in the presence of BJP leader, Kapil Mishra.

‘Cricket Drona’ A Book on Renowned Coach Vasudev Jagannath Paranjpe to be Released

‘Cricket Drona’ a book on one of India’s most renowned cricket coaches, Vasudev Jagannath Paranjpe will be released on September 2, 2020. The Book is written by Vasudev Paranjpe’s son and current national selector Jatin Paranjpe along with Cricket Journalist Anand Vasu and published by Penguin.

The book talks about the impact of Paranjpe on shaping the careers of India’s greatest cricketers like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.

National Security Challenges: Young Scholars’ Perspective” Authored by University students

General Manoj Mukund (MM) Naravane, Chief of Army Staff released a book titled, “National Security Challenges: Young Scholars’ Perspective” authored by university students, ranging from the undergraduate level to doctoral candidates. The book contains various themes pertaining to national security. It aims to develop strategic thinking among the youth of this country.

The book was published by Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), the Army think-tank. The book is a tribute to Field Marshal Manekshaw, the strategist of 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, that resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh.



1.7 Awards & HonoursTelangana bags two gold awards, a silver at SKOCH

Telangana’s efforts in adoption of emerging technologies for transforming governance and citizen service delivery paid rich dividends when it won two gold and one silver awards at the 66th SKOCH Summit. The State won a gold and a silver in Governance Category and another gold for a blockchain-based property registration project.

T-Chits, a blockchain-based system to govern chit fund operations across the State, was awarded the silver award. Its the second victory for the project this year. Telangana won the gold medal in Emerging Technologies category for T-Chits at the 23rd National Awards for e-Governance in 2020, organised by DARP and MeitY. Both the blockchain-based award recipient projects promote excellence in transparent and good governance.

The Mineral Development Corporation won another gold for the Sand Sale Management project under the Digital India Category.

IT Minister KT Rama Rao launched two AI-based projects during the declaration of 2020 as Telangana’s Year of AI. Both the projects have now received “Order of Merit” at the 66th SKOCH Summit.

Awards & Honours

DIAT wins 1st prize in Smart India Hackathon 2020

The Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) won the first prize in the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2020. The SIH grand finale was held between August 1-3, 2020 at the Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology, Uttar Pradesh.

This 36- hour non-stop digital product building competition was a national level competition for software edition, which was organized jointly by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and All India Council for Technical Education.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had interacted with the participants in a live event on August 1, 2020. The six-member DIAT team received Rs one lakh as prize money for solving a technical problem using artificial intelligence.

Prem Bhatia Award for political reporting

The Indian Express S p e c i a l C o r r e s p o n d e n t Dipankar Ghose has won the Prem Bhatia Award for political reporting for his work on issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the migrant labour crisis.

While Ghose won the award for the category of reporting on political issues, the award for reporting on environmental and development issues was given to the



People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), a journalism website dedicated to reporting on rural India.

IIT-Kharagpur Researchers Bags Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards 2020 for Clean Energy Research

Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Awards 2020 is bestowed to a group of researchers from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur for developing a mechanism for generating electricity from wet clothes left under sunlight to dry. The work has been published in Nano Letters, a high-impact journal in the field, and the innovation has been patented by them.

The same award was presented separately to another team of the IIT Kharagpur for addressing the problem of energy conservation and thermal management in wearable and flexible electronic devices.

FSSAI’s ‘Eat Right India’ movement wins ‘Food System Vision Prize’

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced it has been awarded the ‘Food System Vision Prize’ for its ‘Eat Right India’ movement’s vision, along with nine other finalists.

“Announced by The Rockefeller

Foundation, SecondMuse and OpenIDEO, the prize is for organizations across the globe that have developed an inspiring vision of the regenerative and nourishing food system that they aspire to create by the year 2050.

The ‘Eat Right India’ movement is a collective effort of all stakeholders in the food environment. It includes regulatory actions as well initiatives targeted to food businesses and consumers

Eat Right India’s vision for 2050 aims to create a culture of safe, healthy and sustainable food for all and to address its numerous public health, economic and environmental challenges.

21 women among 121 police officers to be awarded for excellence in investigation by MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced names of police officers who will be awarded for ‘excellence in investigation’. Of the 121 police personnel, 15 are from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation’ for the year 2020 have been awarded to 121 Police personnel. This medal was constituted in 2018 with the objective to promote high professional standards of investigation of crime and to recognise such Excellence in Investigation by investigating officers.

Inspector G Janci Rani of Perungavur circle in Ramanathapuram, Inspector M Kavitha of Keeranur all-women police station in Pudukottai, A Ponnammal (Prohibition Enforcement Wing) of The

Awards & Honours



Nilgris, Inspector C Chandrakala of Jeyankondam all-women police station in Ariyalur, Inspector T Vinoth Kumar (Central Crime Branch) of Chennai and Inspector A Kala of Arumbavur police station in Perambalur are among 121 police officers from across the country who have been selected for the model.

CM to honour Covid warriors on Independence Day

District Collectors have been directed to honour 10 freedom fighters in their respective residences while following COVID-19 protocol.

A total of 38 police personnel from the Armed reserve of Chennai police donated plasma for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

One more lab in Tamil Nadu has been approved for COVID-19 testing. Cancer Institute WIA in Chennai was approved for testing.

Chennai Corporation department, Treasury department and Agriculture department has won the good governance award on independence day.

Soumya Swaminathan honoured with Tamil Nadu CM’s special award

Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation(WHO) has received Tamil Nadu Chief M i n i s t e r ’ s ( C M ’ s ) special award on the 74th Independence

Awards & Honours

Day celebration at Fort St George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in recognition for her advisory role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state ,while the Chief Minister’s Best Practices award was bagged by the Department of Treasuries.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2020

The National Sports Awards selection committees have recommended four sportspersons for India’s highest sporting honour, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2020.

Indian cricketer, Rohit Sharma and wrestler Vinesh Phogat are among the four sportspersons. Apart from Rohit and Vinesh, table tennis player Manika Batra and Paralympian M Thangavelu are the other two names.

This year’s National Sports Awards ceremony is likely to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rohit Sharma will be the fourth cricketer after legendary Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to be conferred the award.

The National Sports Awards include the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan Chand Award, which are conferred every year by the President



of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 29.

Khel Ratna a recognition for my hard work: Mariyappan Thangavelu

Tamil Nadu’s Mariyappan Thangavelu was among the four athletes to have been recommended for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. The 25-year-old para athlete, hailing from Salem, caught everyone’s attention when he won the high-jump gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

The five Khel Ratna winners for the year 2020 would be star csricketer Rohit Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Paralympic gold-winner Mariayappan Thangavelum TT player Manika Batra, and women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal.

Khel Ratna: Thangavelu Mariyappan (para athletics)

Arjuna Award: Sandeep Chaudhary (para athletics), Manish Narwal ( para shooting) and Suyash Jadhav (para swimming)

Dronacharya Lifetime award: Vijay Munishwar (para powerlifting),

Dronacharya award: Gaurav Khanna (para badminton)

Dhyan Chand award: J Ranjit Kumar (para athletics), Sathya Prakash Tiwari (para badminton).

Abhijit Paul’s ‘Am I’ wins first prize in Online Patriotic Short Film Contest

A Short film titled ‘Am I?’ directed by Abhijit Paul won the first prize and a cash award of one lakh rupees in the Online Patriotic Short Film Contest organized

by the Ministry Of Information and Broadcasting along with National Film Development Corporation, NFDC.

Anand Mahindra, Shantanu Narayen to Receive 2020 Leadership Awards from USISPF

US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) announced that Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra and Adobe Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shantanu Narayen will receive the 2020 Leadership Awards for their exemplary vision and effort towards the promotion of US-India Bilateral Ties.

Thanjai youth, recipient of Anna Award, wins Centre’s Jeevan Raksha Padak

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak for 2019 awarded to civilian life savers to R Sridhar from Thanjavur. He had saved six people from drowning in the Velayan lake in Orathanadu.

He jumped in to save a group of three women and three children who stepped into the lake. He received a certificate and a cheque for `1 lakh. Sridhar had already received the Anna medal for gallantry from the State government on Republic Day in 2019.

NLCIL bags “Swachhta Hi Seva award” for transforming Neyveli Township

The Government of India Navratna, NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has bagged the award for making an extremely valuable

Awards & Honours



contribution in the implementation of the “Swachhta Hi Seva Programme”.

Rakesh Kumar, CMD of NLCIL hailing the efforts of NLCIL in transforming the entire Neyveli into a plastic-free, clean and green campus, and announcing the “Swachhta Hi Seva 2019” Award.

Mountaineer Anita Kundu to be honoured with Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

Mountaineer Anita Kundu has been chosen for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in the ‘land adventure category’. She will be honoured with the award on August 29, 2020.

Anita Kundu is a resident of Hisar, Haryana. She is the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest from both the Indian and the Chinese sides.

She gave the credit for her success to her mother. She also thanked the Indian government for selecting her for the award.

Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration’

The Government of India has restructured the Scheme ‘Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration’ to acknowledge, recognize and reward the exemplary work done by Civil Servants across the country.

The Prime Minister’s Awards for 2020 seek to recognize the contribution of Civil Servants to inclusive development through credit flow to the priority sector, promoting people’s movements through Jan Bhagidari and improving

service delivery and redressal of public grievances. The Awards under the Innovation category have been broad based to recognize excellence at Central Government, State Government and district levels separately.

The other categories of Awards for 2020 are for the overall progress achieved under the Aspirational District Program and the National Mission for clean Ganga. The total number of awards for 2020 are 15. The Awards shall be conferred on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31, 2020.

Ms. Sudha Painuli selected for National Award to Teachers 2020

Ms. Sudha Painuli has been selected for National Award to Teachers 2020.

She is among the 47 outstanding teachers selected for the National Award to Teachers 2020.

The teachers have been selected by the Independent Jury at National Level, constituted by the Union Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy.

Ms. Sudha Painuli is the first NAT Awardee from the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) established under Ministry of Tribal Affairs. She is serving as the Vice Principal of EMRS-Kalsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand since its establishment.

She has been selected for her innovative experiments namely Eklavya Birthday

Awards & Honours



Garden, Theatre in Education, Eklavya Tribal Museum, Skill Development Workshops etc.

Britain’s World War II Spy Became the 1st Indian-origin woman to honoured with a Memorial Blue Plaque

Noor Inayat Khan (Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan or Nora Baker), Britain’s World War II spy, who served in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) became the 1st Indian-origin woman to be honoured with a memorial Blue Plaque at her former family home in London, United Kingdom(UK).

She is 1st musilm war heroine of Britain and 1st female wireless operator sent from the UK into Nazi-occupied France to aid the French Resistance during World War II.

1.8 Cultural PanoramaHuman Skeletal Remains Unearthed At TN’s Kondagai Excavation Site

The Deputy Director of the State Department of A r c h a e o l o g y announced that this is the sixth time that skeletal remains were found at the Kondagai excavation site.

Six skeletal remains have been found at the Kondagai excavation site. Samples from it were collected and sent to Madurai Kamaraj University for detailed DNA analysis.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami had started the sixth phase of excavation work at Kondagai, Kizhadee, Agaram, and Manalur near Tiruppuvanam.

Initially, excavations were conducted at only four places including Keeladi, Kondagai, Agaram, and Manalur.

Earlier in October 2019, the State Archeology Department had reportedly unearthed four walls which were 2,600 years old at the Keeladi excavation site in the Sivaganga district in the fifth phase of excavation.

Cultural Panorama



Nuakhai Juhar is the agricultural festival is also called Nuakhai Parab or Nuakahi Bhetghat.

Nuakhai is a combination of two words signifies eating of new rice as ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means eat.

Kerala State Dragonfly Festival 2020 aka “Thumbimahotsavam 2020”

The first ever Kerala State Dragonfly Festival 2020 aka “Thumbimahotsavam 2020” was launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India State unit in collaboration with Society for Odonate Studies (SOS) and Thumbipuranam through a virtual ceremony from Kerala. Dr. Subramanian K.A. Scientist at Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Southern Regional Center, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) addressed the inaugural session.

The official mascot of the festival is “Pantalu” which is the genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae commonly known as rainpool gliders.

Thumbimahotsavam 2020 is part of a 3rd edition of national dragonfly festival 2020.

Discovery of 900 year old Mahavira sculpture at Gandarvakottai

The 900 year old Mahavira sculpture has been found at G a n d a r v a k o t t a i , Pudukkottai district.

The 11th century sculpture of the Mahavira is one and a half feed wide and three and a half feet high. The sculpture, which is sculpted with an extended chest, is ruined in a few places.

Agni River – Jainism: Pudukkottai District Alagi River flows from Kulathur Periyakulam to Gandanwakottai Athangaraivitudi, Karmbakudy, Thirumanacheri and then continuously through Thanjavur District to Ilayathi Kollukkadu and Lower Estate for 78 km and joins the Bay of Bengal. The Agni River is the oldest.

Nuakhai Juhar’ Festival

On the occasion ‘Nuakhai Juhar’, which is one of the most ancient festivals celebrated in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and areas of neighbouring states to welcome the new crop of the season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his good wishes to the farmers and wished for their prosperity and good health

Cultural Panorama



1.9 Appointments – Who is who?Hardik Satishchandra Shah becomes new Private Secretary to PM Modi

2010-batch IAS officer, Hardik Satishchandra Shah has been appointed the Private Secretary (PS) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on co-terminus basis.

He is is currently serving as a Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Before moving to the PMO last year, he worked as the PS to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel as Additional & Independent Director

Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd announced that its board has appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel as an additional and independent director for a term of 5 years, effective from August 01, 2020.

He was appointed as the Chairman of the Governing Body of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) for a 4 year term on June 22, 2020.

He has authored a book titled ‘Overdraft: Saving the Indian Saver’. The book will be published by HarperCollins India.

Indian-Origin Doctor Appointed as New York Health Commissioner

Dr Dave A Chokshi, a 39-year-old Indian-origin physician with expertise in public health, has been appointed as New York City’s new health commissioner by Mayor Bill de Blasio who praised him for playing a crucial role in addressing the unprecedented coronavirus challenges faced by the city.

Dr Chokshi was named Commissioner of the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Tuesday after serving health commissioner Dr OxirisBarbot resigned from her post.

In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed him to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health.

GC Murmu appointed next CAG Girish Chandra Murmu

was named as the next Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), a day after he resigned as the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Appointments – Who is who?



Dr Pradeep Kumar Joshi takes oath as UPSC Chairman

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi took oath as the Chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on August 7, 2020.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar will succeed Arvind Saxena who completed his term as UPSC chairman today. Joshi was previously serving as the Chairman of both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commissions. He joined the UPSC as a member in May 2015.

His tenure as UPSC chairman will continue till May 12, 2021. With his appointment as the chairman, there is a vacancy of a member in the UPSC.

Manoj Sinha pick as new J&K LG Former Union minister and senior BJP

leader Manoj Sinha was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of J&K, becoming the first political leader to take charge of the union territory (UT).

The 61-year-old Sinha was administered the oath in English by J&K High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal at Raj Bhavan. He took the oath. Previous L-G Girish Chandra Murmu’s two advisors Farooq Khan and Baseer Ahmad Khan and top police and civil officials were present on the occasion.

Harsh Kumar Bhanwala becomes new executive chairman of Capital India Finance

Former NABARD Chief, Harsh Kumar Bhanwala has been appointed as executive chairman of the Capital India Finance Limited.

Harsh Kumar Bhanwala has served as the chairman of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for over six years.

He was appointed as the chairman NABARD in December 2013 and demitted the office on May 26, 2020.

Capital India Finance Limited (CIFL) is an integrated financial services platform and provides customised financial solutions to Indian Corporates for their growth and working capital requirements among others.

Pramod Bhasin becomes new Chairman of ICRIER

Pramod Bhasin has been appointed as a new Chairman of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).

He is currently the vice-chair of the board of governors at ICRIER.

He will replace Isher Judge Ahluwalia, who has stepped down due to health reasons. Isher had been in this position for 15 years. She will continue as chairperson emeritus, a position specially created to honour her exceptional contributions to the Council.




Kamala Harris appoints an Indian-American as press secretary

Joe Biden’s Vice Presidential running mate, Senator Kamala Harris has appointed an Indian-American Sabrina Singh as her press secretary.

Singh previously served as the spokeswoman of two Democratic presidential candidates-New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg. She will now be leading Harris’ vice-presidential campaign.

With this, Singh has become the first-ever Indian-American press secretary to a vice presidential nominee of a major political party in the United States.

Democrat’s Presidential nominee Joe Biden had chosen 55-year-old Indian origin, Kamala Harris, as his running mate last week.

Ashok Lavasa steps down as Election Commissioner of India

Ashok Lavasa has stepped down as the E l e c t i o n Commissioner of India. He has submitted his resignation to President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.

Lavasa is set to join the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank as the vice-

president from September 2020. He will succeed the incumbent vice-president Diwakar Gupta, who is in charge of private sector operations, and public-private partnerships.

Ashok Lavasa is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Haryana cadre (Batch 1980) and assumed charge as the Election Commissioner of India on 23rd January, 2018.

Former Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar replaces Ashok Lavasa as Election Commissioner

Former Finance Secretary and retired IAS officer Rajiv Kumar has been appointed Election Commissioner (EC).

In pursuance of clause (2) of article 324 of the Constitution, the President is pleased to appoint Rajiv Kumar, IAS (Retd.) as the Election Commissioner with effect from the date he assumes the office vice Ashok Lavasa, Election Commissioner who has resigned with effect from 31 August, 2020.

Madurai-based intersex activist in national council

Gopi Shankar, a M a d u r a i - b a s e d intersex activist, has been appointed by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and




Empowerment as one of the five representatives of the transgender community to the National Council for Transgender Persons.

Shankar will be representing states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala, and the southern Union Territories. Gopi had contested the TN Assembly election in 2016, conducted Asia’s first gender-queer pride parade in Madurai, and also set up India’s first helpline for LGBTQI+ at a nonmetropolitan city (Madurai).

Aerospace Scientist G Satheesh Reddy gets Two-Year Extension as Chairman of DRDO

Renowned Aerospace Scientist Dr G. Satheesh Reddy was given a two-year extension as Chairman of the Defence Research and D e v e l o p m e n t Organisation (DRDO) & as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research & Development (DoDRD) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

G Satheesh Reddy was appointed to the post in August 2018 for a tenure of two years.

1.10 Latest Historical Events78th Anniversary of Quit India Movement – August 08, 2020

August 08, 2020 is the 78th Anniversary of the Quit India Movement. On this day in 1942, father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi gave the clarion call of ‘Do or Die’ to all Indians to drive away Britishers from the country.

Key Points: After the failure of Cripps Mission in

March 1942, Gandhiji began the Quit India Movement and determined to launch a mass civil disobedience motion.

As a result, Gandhi was imprisoned at Aga Khan Palace, Pune and the All India Congress Committee and the four Provincial Congress Committees were declared unlawful associations under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908

The movement began from Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai.

This day is observed as August Kranti Day every year.

Manipur celebrates Patriots’ day, remembers fallen heroes of Anglo-Manipuri war

In Manipur, the Patriots’ Day is being observed commemorating the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri war during which many Manipuris sacrificed their liver to safeguard the independence of the State.

The day is observed every on the 13th August to pay homage to the great martyres. It was on this day in 1891, brave Manipuris including the then prince of Manipur Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal




Latest Historical Events

eliminate geographical inconvenience in a big state like Bengal. In Gujarat, Rajkot has been announced a new circle along with Vadodara.

Shri Patel announced that Jabalpur has been announced a new circle along with Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. This will include the monuments from Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol and Sagar divisions.The Minister also informed that Jhansi in Bundelkhand and Meerutin western Uttar Pradesh havebeen announced two new circles along with Lucknow and Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

So, Trichy, Raiganj, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Jhansi and Meerut have been announced as new circles and Hampi Mini Circle has been converted into a full fledged circle.

General were hanged before the general public in the present Imphal area.

This year, the day is being held without involving the public due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Ministry of Culture announces 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India

The Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India. This information was shared by the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (IC).

The Minister informed that new circles have been created in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Gujarat. He said that Trichy, Raiganj, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Jhansi & Meerut have been announced as new circles. In Archaeology, the Hampi city in Karnataka is a place of international repute hence Hampi Mini Circle has been converted into a full fledged circle. Earlier there were 29 ASI circles across the country.

In a large state like Tamil Nadu which has thousands of temples and glorious memories of the Chola kings,Trichy has been made a new circle along with the circle of Chennai.Karnataka is an important state in terms of holiness. Hampi city in Karnataka is a place of international importance from the point of view of archaeological heritage therefore the Hampi Sub-Circle now has been made a new full fledged circle. In West Bengal, Raiganj has been made a new circle along with Kolkata, this will



1.11 India and its NeighboursBangladesh to construct War Memorial for Indian soldiers

Bangladesh has took a decision to construct a monument for the Indian soldiers.

The country will establish monument for the Indian soldiers who died in 1971 during the Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan.

The announcement was made by the Bangladesh War Liberation Minister Mozammel Haque.

The government of Bangladesh has selected 3.5 acres in Ashuganj of Brahmanbaria district, bordering Tripura, citing its importance in the Liberation War of 1971 during which Indian army fought some decisive battles with the Pakistan Army.

India and its Neighbours



POLITICAL SCIENCE2.

Govt – Welfare oriented...

2.1 Govt – Welfare oriented Govt schemes, their utility

Dr Harsh Vardhan launches ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2020-21

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020-21. This initiative is a national programme for popularizing science among school students of Class 6th to 11th. It was designed to identify the bright minds with a scientific aptitude among the student community.

While launching the Vidhyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020-21, the Minister said, this is a platform to indentify the talent in the field of science and to promote the scientific acumen among the students. He said, students will help in creating the New India and this initiative will play leading role in it.

Govt plans personal health IDs, e-records for citizens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) which has been envisaged as a complete digital health ecosystem with personal health IDs for every Indian, digitisation of health

records as well as a registry of doctors and health facilities across the country.

The PM is expected to announce launch of the mission as part of his Independence Day speech on August 15.

Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel virtually inaugurates Mizoram’s first golf resort

Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel virtually inaugurated Mizoram’s first golf course and resort at Thenzawl in Serchhip district, about 90 km from Aizawl.

The MoS for Tourism, Patel, inaugurated the golf course and resort through a video conference from New Delhi.

The inaugural function at Aizawl was attended by Mizoram tourism minister Robert Romawia Royte, Lok Sabha MP C. Lalrosanga, Agriculture Development Board vice chairman and MLA H.Biakzaua, Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism board vice chairman T.C. Pachhunga.



35,000 calls to e-Sanjeevani

E-Sanjeevani the tele-medicine platform launched by the state government in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic is catching up among the public in Kerala.Over 35,000 people have availed the tele-medicine service across the state ever since its launch.

According to the Health Ministry in a short span of time since November 2019, teleconsultation by eSanjeevaniand eSanjeevaniOPDhave been implemented by 23 States (which covers 75% of the population) and other States are in the process of rolling it out.

Rs 7.05 crore allotted for Tiruchirapalli Prime Minister’s Krishi Sinchayi Yojana

is being implemented successfully to help the farmers growing theor produce with sufficient water. The Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayi Yojana was launched in 2015 with the aim of optimal use of water through micro irrigation.

Supplementary Water Management Activities- SWMA is one of the Flagship Programme under Pradhan MantriKrishiSinjayiYojana (PMKSY). Under this scheme Pullampadi Block of Trichy District is allotted with Rs 54 Lakhs. This includes 295 SWMA works

including 55 sinking Of Borewells at cost of Rs 13.75 Lakhs. Farmers are given 50 per cent Subsidy or Rs.25000. For establishing Diesel Pump or Electric Motor Pump Rs 17.25 lakhs is alloted for 115 beneficiaries with subsidy of Rs 15000 each in the block. Laying of Conveyance Pipes also undertaken costingRs 9 Lakhs with subsidy Rs.10000 each and Concrete / Masonary Structure work is allotted Rs 14 Lakhs with 50 per cent subsidy. Rs 7.05 crore is allotted for Trichy District under this scheme.

Odisha retains Top Position in Implementation of AMRUT Scheme

Odisha has retained top position in the implementation of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. According to rankings released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Odisha regained its top position by securing a score of 85.67 percent, followed by Union Territory of Chandigarh (75.08) and Telangana (74.04).

AMRUT Scheme: The AMRUT scheme was launched

in June 2015 with a focus to establish infrastructure that could ensure adequate




robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation by implementing urban revival projects.

The AMRUT Mission covers around 500 cities under AMRUT scheme.

Tamil Nadu tops in making use of e-health platforms

Andhra Pradesh not only is a part of the top five states in utilising the ‘eSanjeevani’ digital platform of the ministry of health and family welfare but also tops in the health and wellness programmes under the scheme.

Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry says State leads in utilising Ministry’s eSanjeevani digital platform in Doctor-to-Doctor consultations with 24,487 interactions while TN tops in OPD services.

The top five states which have been utilising the e-health services being offered through this platform are Tamil Nadu (56,346 consultations), Uttar Pradesh (33,325), Andhra Pradesh (29,400), Himachal Pradesh (26,535) and Kerala (21,433).

63% work under model village scheme over, Tamil Nadu tops the list

The Narendra Modi government’s flagship Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), for targeted development of select villages, has seen 63% of its work completed, according to official data.

Tamil Nadu has clocked the best usage, completed 96% of the projects, followed by Uttar Pradesh which finished 88% of works.

The rural welfare programme was launched in October 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop model Gram Panchayats under the leadership of Members of Parliament (MPs).

The project allows MPs to cherry pick a village to push development projects. So far, 1,418 Gram Panchayats have prepared Village Development Plans (VDP) with 72,720 projects.

Apart from West Bengal, Assam (25% work completed in each of these), Bihar (36%), Punjab (37%), Odisha (42%) and Maharashtra (44%) are the bigger states where large number of projects are pending.

‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ The government has

proposed setting up a ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ with a corpus of Rs 3,000 crore to accelerate the development and manufacture of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Aim of the mission will be to make the Covid-19 vaccine easily available to the public at affordable rates

The mission will aim to quicken the development of at least six Coronavirus vaccine candidates and ensure that they are licensed and introduced in the market for emergency use at the earliest.




2.2 Latest Court Verdicts

SC rules daughter is entitled to equal property rights even born before 2005

Supreme Court has ruled that daughters enjoy equal property rights even if they are born before the 2005 amendment to Hindu Succession Act, 1956. Daughters have equal rights in the properties of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF).This is valid even if the father was not alive at the time of 2005 amendment.

3 per cent sub-quota for Arunthathiyars to continue

The Supreme Court observed that the State governments are entitled to provide sub-quota within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, thereby providing a temporary respite to the Arunthathiyars section in the State. The constitution bench of five judges, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, referred the case to a larger bench.

The demand for a separate quota for Arunthathiyars was made in 1984, by “Youth Guidance Service”, a group formed by the educated youth among the community in 1980. Later, one of its members, Adhiyaman formed the Aadhi Tamilar Peravai, which held protests jointly with the CPM, pressing for reservation.

In 2009, the State government, headed by the then DMK chief M Karunanidhi, introduced a special quota for the community, combining seven castes out of the 74 listed in the SC category.

The sub-quota was introduced based on a report submitted by the Justice Janarthanam Commission, which stated that Arunthathiyars were highly under-represented in government departments and educational institutions.

Latest Court Verdicts



3. GEOGRAPHY3.1 Policy on Environment and EcologyGoa’s Moira bananas, Harmal Chillies, Khaje gets GI tag

Goa’s Harmal Chillies, Moira bananas & Khaje gets Geographical Indications (GI) from the Geographical Indications Registry.

Harmal Chillies are grown only in Harmal village and adjacent areas of Pernem taluka- specifically in the coastal village of Arambol.

Moira bananas are unique bananas grown in Moira village of Bardez taluka & Bicholim Taluka.

Khaje, the traditional state sweet is an integral part of the Hindu jatras and Catholic feasts held in the state.

Policy on Environment and Ecology

3.2 Natural Disasters – Safeguard Measures

Odisha villages recognised by UNESO for Tsunami readiness

Two coastal villages in Odisha - Venkatraipur and Noliasahi - have been recognised as tsunami ready by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). This is the first time that any state in India is getting recognition. The Information and Public Relations Department of Odisha made the announcement.

The department stated in a press release that Odisha is the first state in India to get two coastal villages Tsunami ready. This makes the country the first in the Indian Ocean region to achieve this honour.

The two villages are Venkatraipur (Boxipalli) village of Rangeilunda block of

Ganjam district in Odisha and Noliasahi village of Ersama block of Jagatsinghpur district.

The communities of both Noliasahi and Venkatraipur in presence of district collectors will receive the certificates in the event.

“Medicine Van” for Bihar flood victims Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda

flagged off “Medicine Van” for flood victims of Bihar.

The medicine support of 15 Lakh rupees has been provided by the Thakurdwara Trust, of Jorbhag Delhi. Around two thousands volunteers are working on ground to serve the flood victims.



Mount Merapi Mount Merapi in Central Java has yet

to show any significant increase in its volcanic activities since one of its largest eruption in 2010. At that time, more than 350 people were killed while 350,000 others were displaced. Most of the victims lived on the volcano’s slopes.

Mount Karangetang Mount Karangetang in Siau Island, North

Sulawesi, located roughly 146 kilometers from the provincial capital of Manado, has been erupting since November last year. Its activity has only increased since then, prompting the PVMBG to declare an Alert status in December.

Over 200 Elephants in India Kept in Severely Inadequate Conditions: World Animal Protection

During the observance of World Elephant Day 2020, World Animal Protection released the third edition of the report ‘Elephants. Not commodities’ which highlighted that over 200 Elephants in India are kept in ‘Severely Inadequate Conditions’.

The report comprises research spanning over a decade in elephant tourism and assessed the entertainment venues across Thailand, India, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Highlights of ‘Elephants. Not Commodities’:

According to the report, India is home to the second-highest number of elephants which are used for tourism in the region of Asia.

In the region Asia, there are 21 venues housing 509 elephants and out of which 45% (225) are kept in severely inadequate conditions.

Indonesia volcano eruption Mount Sinabung on Indonesia’s Sumatra

Island erupted, firing ash and other volcanic materials as high as 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) into the sky.

Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center said there were no reported fatalities or injuries from the eruption. But it did say that people should stay at least 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away from the crater’s mouth.

Mount Agung The latest eruption from the volcano,

located in Karangasem regency, Bali, occurred on Dec. 30. Since then, it has erupted several times, with the latest occurring. During the latest eruption, local observation posts reported lava spewing from the crater.

Mount Anak Krakatau Mount Anak Krakatau, which had been

on Alert level since Dec. 27, erupted on Dec. 22 last year. The eruption was a contributing factor of a tsunami hitting Banten and Lampung on the same day.

The tsunami, reaching as high as 3 meters according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), was caused by an abnormal tidal wave surge due to a full moon and an underwater landslide following the eruption of Anak Krakatau Volcano.

Mount Sinabung Mount Sinabung observation post officer

Arief Cahyo Purnomo said in December that the volcano’s activity had decreased over the last few months. The office has not recorded eruptions since June 2018. The volcano first erupted in August 2010 for the first time in hundreds of years.

Natural Disasters – Safeguard Measures



4. ECONOMICS4.1 New Economic Policy & Govt. SectorIndia contributed USD 15.46 mn to India-UN Development Partnership Fund of UNOSSC

The Government of India (GoI) has contributed USD 15.46 million to the India-UN (United Nations) Development Partnership Fund as a support to fellow developing nations for their 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related projects.

In this regard, a cheque of USD 15.46 million handed over by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Director Jorge Chediek at a ceremony held within social distancing guidelines at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

Out of USD 15.46 mn, USD 6 million is contributed to the overall fund, in

which all the developing countries are eligible for partnership, and USD 9.46 million dedicated to the Commonwealth countries.

About United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC):

Envoy of the Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation – Jorge Chediek

Headquarter– New York, United States (US).

T.N. clocks higher growth rate for third consecutive year

For the third consecutive year, Tamil Nadu clocked higher economic growth

New Economic Policy & Govt. Sector



rate than the national average during 2019-20.

Against the all-India average figure of 4.2% last year, the State’s performance — 8.03% was almost double the former, according to a perusal of growth rate figures finalised by the Centre a few days ago. The calculations on the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) data have been done at constant prices, keeping 2011-12 as the base year.

As for the value of the GSDP, the State’s rank was consistently placed at second, next to Maharashtra.

Paytm launched India’s 1st pocket android POS device

Paytm has launched India’s 1st Pocket Android POS (Point of Sale) Device named ‘Paytm All-in-One Portable Android Smart POS’ for contactless ordering and payments in India.

‘Paytm All-in-One Portable Android Smart POS’ is the first such Android-based device to be introduced in India and is much more powerful than the portable Linux based POS devices presently available in the country.

It is an effort to digitise and empower a large number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The company aims to issue over 2 lakh devices within the next few months which will generate over 20 million transactions per month.

PM to launch platform for “Transparent Taxation-Honoring the Honest”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will roll out the platform for “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest”.

The new platform will carry forward the journey of direct tax reforms and will also reward the honest taxpayers.

Several major tax reforms in direct taxes have been carried out by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). These reforms includes reduction in the Corporate Tax rates from 30% to 22%, abolition of Dividend distribution Tax as well as reduction in the rates for new manufacturing units to 15%.

The reforms also includes Direct Tax “Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020″ under which declarations for settling disputes are being filed currently, and introducing more transparency in official communications via the newly launched Document Identification Number (DIN).

PNB launches ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’ campaign to promote digital banking

Punjab National Bank has launched a campaign named ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’ to encourage customers to use digital banking channels.

The campaign launched by the bank’s Managing Director S S Mallikarjuna Rao on the occasion of Independence Day is till March 31, 2021.

PNB encourage customers to use digital channels and participate in the noble cause of donating to the PM CARES Fund




for COVID-19. PNB will contribute Rs 5 towards the PM

CARES Fund on behalf of each customer conducting the first financial transaction to activate their RuPay Debit card either on point of sale (PoS) or e-commerce platform, under the campaign ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’.

MCX to launch India’s first bullion index named “Bulldex”

Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) will launch India’s first bullion index named “Bulldex”, on August 24, 2020.

Bullions, viz. gold and silver are already being traded as individual commodities on the country’s premier commodity exchange.

With gold and silver as underlying, Bulldex will have a market lot size of 50 and be cash-settled futures contract.

MCX had tested bullion index futures trade in mock trading exercises in July.

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd is an independent commodity exchange based in India. It was established in 2003 and is based in Mumbai. It is India’s largest commodity derivatives exchange.

‘Jan Bachat Khata’, an Aadhaar Authentication Based Digital Savings Account

Fino Payments Bank Limited (Ltd) launched Jan Bachat Khata (JBK), an A a d h a a r

authentication based digital savings account for its customers. JBK will bring neo-banking experience to the consumers.

The primary target segment is low income household families and direct benefit transfer (DBT) beneficiaries.

JBK is in line with the bank’s customer centric innovative offerings.

The customers can open a JBK account only through Aadhaar-based eKYC (Electronic-Know Your Customer) mode.

Indian economy likely to contract by 16.5% in Q1FY21: SBI report

The Indian economy may report a contraction of 16.5 per cent in April-June quarter of FY21, as against previously expected contraction of 20 per cent, as degrowth in corporate GVA, courtesy better-than-expected results of some financial and non-financial companies, has been significantly better than revenue degrowth in Q1FY21.

They expect the GDP growth to contract by 15.2 per cent YoY in Q2, and an average of -4.2 per cent in H22020, dragging overall growth by -5.0 per cent in 2020.

World Bank sees higher GDP fall in India than 3.2% it projected for FY21

The World Bank announced it was likely to project a steeper contraction in India’s economy than the 3.2 per cent it had




forecast for the current financial year, given the rising number of Covid-19 cases and the resultant regional lockdowns.

In its report on India Development Update, 2020, the Bank also warned that credit risks play out as firms and households find it more difficult to service their interest and repayment obligations in a slowing economy.

1st GST Council Meeting to Discuss Compensation for Loss of Revenue to States

The 41st meeting of goods and services tax (GST) Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was held via video conferencing to discuss the issue of compensating states on account of revenue loss due to implementation of GST, and deficit in the compensation cess fund due to the fall in tax collections.

During the meet, Centre offered two borrowing options to states to overcome shortfall in GST compensation cess fund viz:

States can either borrow the full compensation deficit of Rs 2.35 lakh crore, which includes revenue loss due to transition to GST and also the Covid-led slowdown, from the markets, facilitated by the Centre and the RBI, or

The shortfall that’s purely due to GST implementation of Rs 97,000 crore via the RBI special window.

SBI to Receive Human Capital Management Excellence Award 2020 for its HR initiative, “Nayi Disha”

State Bank of India (SBI) to receive Brandon Human Capital Management (HCM) Excellence Award (also known as the Academy Awards of Learning & Development) 2020, a global recognition for its HR initiative, “Nayi Disha”.

The award winners will be honored at Brandon Hall Group’s annual HCM Excellence Conference, January 26-28, 2021 at the Hilton West Palm Beach, Florida. ‘

SBI has won the award in The HCM Spring Program under ‘Excellence in Learning and Development’ in 3 categories.




5.1 Latest Inventions on Science & Technology

5. SCIENCE

IIT Madras with Helyxon Developed First of Its Kind Remote Patient Monitoring Solution for COVID-19

Healthcare Technology I n n o v a t i o n C e n t r e (HTIC) of I n d i a n Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in partnership with Helyxon Healthcare Solutions Private Limited, a healthcare startup in IIT Madras jointly developed a first of its kind remote patient monitoring device for COVID-19.

The device was engineered based on the clinical input to provide a low cost, simple and easy to use device to monitor the patients from anywhere at the hospital or home.

Working: This device is self-contained, portable

and wireless which can be easily clipped on to the patients fingers.

The temperature of the patient is measured at the armpit and the other parameters are measured at the fingers.

The data from the device are streamed to the mobile phone or the central monitoring system.

A device named “AJO-Neo” developed: SNBNCBS

S.N. Bose National Centre For Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, an autonomous research Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India,has developed a No-touch & Painless device named “AJO-Neo” for non-invasive screening of bilirubin level in new-borns.

India’s first mobile RT-PCR COVID lab was inaugurated by Karnataka

Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister Dr. K Sudhakar inaugurated India’s first Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR) COVID-19 mobile Lab approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The mobile lab is called the Mobile Infection Testing and Reporting lab (MITR) which was developed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bengaluru and handed over to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in Bengaluru.

About the lab The lab is capable of producing 100%

Latest Inventions on Science & Technology



results within 4 hours and it can conduct 9000 RT-PCR tests per month.

The mobile lab can also be used for molecular diagnostic-testing and will be deployed in coronavirus hot spots quickly.

Apart from COVID-19 test, the lab can be used for testing H1N1, HCV, TB, HPV and HIV among others.

Russia names world’s first COVID vaccine ‘Sputnik V’

Russia has named its f i r s t COVID-19 v a c c i n e ‘Sputnik V’ for foreign m a r k e t s w i t h reference to world’s first satellite.

President Vladimir Putin announced the approval of the vaccine candidate less than two months of human testing amid skepticism from scientists.

Russia has already received requests from over 20 countries for 1 billion doses of the new COVID vaccine. International scientists have however questioned whether Russia by moving to roll out the vaccine speedily is putting national prestige before solid science and safety.

“Ardisia ramaswamii” of Genus Ardisia Identified by JNTBGRI Named After M S Ramaswami

The scientist of Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute

(JNTBGRI) at Palode identified a new species of the Genus Ardisia in the Akkamalai forest in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu. The new species A r d i s i a r a m a s w a m i i , named after the 20th Century Botanist M.S. R a m a s w a m i , who along with C.C. Calder and V. Narayanaswami, listed the species that are not mentioned in the “J D Hooker’s Flora of British India”.

This finding of Nazarudeen Ahammed, G. Rajkumar and R. Prakashkumar, Director, JNTBGRI were published in the Annals of Plant Science (July edition).

About Ardisia ramaswamii:

f Family: Primulaceae f Genus: Ardisia f Habit: up to 5 meters tall

Scientists Identified 77 New Species of Butterflies in Matheran Near Mumbai

The 8 year long (2011 – 2019) field work research conducted in the Matheran




an eco-sensitive zone near Mumbai, Maharashtra an area of 214.73 Square Kilometer, identified around 140 rare species of butterflies including 77 new species. Scientists Mandar Sawant, Dr. Nikhil Modak and Sagar Sarang from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Somaiya Vidya Vihar University published their research paper ‘Finding the forgotten gems: Revisiting the butterflies of Matheran after 125 years’ in the community peer-reviewed Biodiversity Data Journal.

This is the first dedicated checklist of butterflies after the 1894 list of J.A Betham which identified around 78 butterfly species.

The Dr.Nikhil Modak supported the team in using the Biostatistical techniques.

MSME Minister unveils Microwave device ‘Atulya’ to disintegrate COVID virus

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari has unveiled a microwave device called ‘ Atulya’, which can disinfect any premises in just 30 seconds.

The device can be used to disinfect any premises up to five metres area, besides surface areas including home and office furniture, beds, new boxes and even the contents of the boxes. The device has been fully manufactured in India under the aegis of the MSME.

The device is capable of disintegrating the COVID-19 virus with the help of differential heating in the range of 56 to 60 degrees Celsius temperatures.

Skyroot Aerospace tests upper stage rocket engine “Raman”

Skyroot Aerospace, a Spacetech startup has successfully test fired an upper stage rocket engine “Raman”.

With this, Skyroot Aerospace has become the first Indian private firm to exhibit the potential to build a homegrown rocket engine.

“Raman” is a 3-D printed rocket engine which has been named after Nobel laureate CV Raman.

Skyroot Aerospace expects to launch its first rocket, which can hurl satellites of 250-700 kgs, into a lower earth orbit by December 2021.

These developments from the private players has become possible after the union cabinet’s approval of private player participation in space in June 2020.

HALs Two Light Combat Helicopters Deployed for Operations at Ladakh

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactured two Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) have been deployed for operations at high altitude (Ladakh sector) to support Indian Air Force (IAF) missions amid prevailing situation on the India-China border.

Notably, the twin engine LCH is the lightest attack helicopter in the world designed and developed by HAL to meet the specific.

LCH is capable of hitting any type of target by day or night with an ability to carry adequate weapon load at high altitudes under varied conditions.




Israel Successfully tested its Arrow-2 Ballistic Missile Interceptor

Israel Defence Minister Benny Gantz, announced that Israel has successfully tested their advanced missile defence system, Arrow-2, a ballistic missile interceptor, which serves as the top tier integrated Israeli shield built to withstand various missile salvoes, was built with the support of the United States of America.

The Missile test was conducted in the test site in Central Israel over the Mediterranean Sea.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) of the United States of America along with Israeli Air Force and Israel Aerospace Industries conducted the testing.

NASA’s TESS Completed Primary Mission

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) completed its primary mission of imaging 75% of the starry sky during the two-year survey and found 66 new exoplanets beyond the solar system, and around 2100 candidates on which the astronomers are working on to confirm among others.

The NASA Astrophysics Explorer mission led and operated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts.

IIA discovers He-enhanced star among Omega Centauri

Indian Scientist from Indian Institute of Aerophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, Karnataka,

an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) discovered a helium (He)-enhanced cool bright star among metal rich samples of the globular cluster, Omega Centauri.

About the study: This study, a result of the spectroscopic

survey conducted of the cluster, which determines the helium (He) abundance of these stars.

This is the first ever spectroscopic determination of He-abundance in the Omega Centauri.

The study was published in “The Astrophysical Journal”.

The team started the study with the low-resolution spectra obtained from the Optometric Medium Resolution Spectrograph (OMRS) with the Vainu Bappu Telescope at Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur, Tamil Nadu.

IIT Ropar Developed “UVSAFE”, UVGI Based Room Disinfection Device

Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT-R) in collaboration with Momentum India Private Limited d e v e l o p e d “UVSAFE”, a state of the art room disinfection device based on Singular U l t r a v i o l e t Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI). The efficiency of the device was tested by




FICCI Research and Analysis Centre (FRAC) (NABL Accredited Laboratory, New Delhi).

It was designed by Khushboo Rakha, Assistant Professor, Division of Metallurgical and Supplies Engineering and Naresh Rakha, Senior Scientific Officer of IIT- R with technical support from Shahriar Reza (Design Marketing consultant).

ISRO pays tribute to Dr Vikram Sarabhai by announcing that Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter has captured the Moon images of “Sarabhai” Crater

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh announced that to mark the completion of one year of centenary celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of India’s Space Programme, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has sought to pay tribute to him in a special way by announcing that Chandrayaan 2

Orbiter has captured the Moon images of “Sarabhai” Crater.

The birth centenary year of Dr Sarabhai completed on 12th of August and this is a thanksgiving tribute to him, said Dr Jitendra Singh and added that the recent achievements of ISRO, which have placed India as a frontline nation of the world is a vindication of Sarabhai’s visionary dream.

“Sarabhai” Crater is named after Dr Vikram Sarabhai and around 250 to 300 kilometres east of this Crater is where the Apollo 17 and Luna 21 Missions had landed.

IISc and ISRO developed sustainable process to make bricks on lunar surface

Team of researchers of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Karnataka and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) developed a sustainable process for making brick-like structures named “Space Bricks” on the surface of the moon. The process uses the lunar soil, bacteria and guar beans to make the space brick.

The process uses the Urea – sourced from human urine and lunar soil as the raw materials for the construction on the lunar surface which reduces the overall expenditure.

About Indian Institute of Science (IISc): Director– Govindan Rangarajan Location– Bengaluru, Karnataka

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):

Chairman– Kailasavadivoo Sivan Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka




Astronomers Found SPT0418-47, a Look-alike of the Milky Way at 12 Billion Light Years Away

The Astronomers at the Max Planck Institute of Astrophysics found a baby galaxy called “SPT0418-47” a look-alike of the Milky galaxy at 12 billion light-years away using the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) Telescope.

Research: The team utilised gravitational lensing,

an effect of using a nearby galaxy as a powerful magnifying glass, to overcome the difficulties due to the distance, this allowed ALMA to see into the distant past the unprecedented detail.

The galaxy appears as a near-perfect ring of light like the “Einstein Ring”.

The research published in the Journal Nature was led by Francesca Rizzo, PhD student from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Germany.

IIT Madras retains top rank in list of top innovative educational institutes in India

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has retained its top rank in the list of top innovative educational institutes in India for the second consecutive year.

The institute was ranked number-one in the ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements,’ released by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu in a virtual event on August 18, 2020.

The ranking was launched in 2019 by the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education. This year, 674 Institutions of

National Importance, Central Universities and centrally funded technical institutions participated in the rankings, as compared to 496 in 2019.

Dwarf Planet Ceres is now an ‘Ocean World’

Researchers have given Dwarf Planet Ceres the status of an “Ocean World”. The scientists have analysed the data collected by NASA’s Dawn Spacecraft and published the findings as a series of papers in the journals Nature Astronomy, Nature Communication and Nature Geoscience.

CERES: Studies suggest the presence of briny

liquid water (saline) underneath Ceres’s surface.

The findings are crucial since the ocean worlds may support life.

The scientists in the paper have highlighted that an ocean world in Ceres was not expected, since Ceres is far away from the Sun and is too small to have radioactive materials to keep oceans liquid for most of Ceres’s history.

The dwarf planet lies in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, it was classified as a dwarf planet in 2006.

Ceres was first spotted by Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801, and was assumed as the missing planet between Mars and Jupiter.

Ceres is the first dwarf planet to be orbited by a spacecraft. In 2015 NASA’s Dawn spacecraft reached Ceres to study its surface, composition and history.




WHO Urged Developed Nations to Join Covax Facility to Counter “Vaccine Nationalism”

In order to provide rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has invited countries to join its Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility by August 31, 2020. This facility is led by the WHO, along with the GAVI vaccine alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Its aim is to deliver 2 billion doses of effective, approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

First synthesis path for tuberculosis & chikungunya inhibiting flavonoid molecules deciphered

Flavonoid molecules, like rugosa flavonoids, podocarflavone, and isoflavone found to prevent tuberculosis and chikungunya, have so far been isolated from plants. For the first time, scientists have manage to synthesize the molecules in the lab, paving the path for ensuring their availability at all seasons without overexploiting the medicinal plants that contain them.

Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have come up with the first synthetic route for producing flavonoids molecules related to the treatment of tuberculosis and chikungunya. Preliminary indications

are also quite encouraging regarding probable treatment response to COVID-19.

China Successfully Launched New Optical Remote-Sensing Satellite “Gaofen-9 05”

China launched its fifth Gaofen-9 series satellite named “Gaofen-9 05” along with two smaller payloads viz. Tiantuo-5 and Duo Gongneng Shiyan Weixing through Long March-2D carrier rocket from its Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre (JSLC) in northwest China. This launch was the 343rd mission of the Long March rocket series and the 23rd for China in 2020.

Gaofen-9 (05) is an optical remote sensing satellite developed by Aerospace Dongfanghong Satellite Co.Ltd, part of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The major upcoming Chinese mission in 2020, probably in November, is the Chang’e-5 lunar sample return.

India’s ASTROSAT Detected Extreme UV light from AUDFs01 Galaxy

In accordance with the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, Maharashtra, India’s first multi- wavelength satellite observatory, ASTROSAT, has detected an extreme ultraviolet (UV) light from a galaxy called “AUDFs01” which is 9.3 billion light-years away from Earth. The galaxy is located in the Hubble Extreme Deep field (XDF).




The discovery of UV light from AUDFs01 was made by an international team of astronomers from India, France, Switzerland, the USA (United States of America), Japan and The Netherlands which was led by Dr Kanak Saha, associate professor of astronomy at the IUCAA.

The study is published in “Nature Astronomy”.

Healthcare Workers to get first shots of COVID-19 vaccine, followed by senior citizens: WHO

The World Health organisation has laid down the roadmap on the global access of coronavirus vaccine by different sections of the society.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the organisation initially expected that there will be a shortage of the vaccine around the world.

He stated that it is important to provide the vaccine to those at highest risk around the globe, adding that healthcare workers at the frontline would be its first recipients.

The WHO Chief reiterated that the healthcare workers are critical to saving lives and stabilising the overall health system. He added that it would be followed by those above the age of 65 because they are facing a higher “risk of dying” from the virus.

VSSUT first to set up Space Innovation-cum-Incubation Centre with ISRO

The Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla in Odisha’s Sambalpur district became the first University in the country to set up a Space Innovation-cum-Incubation Centre with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

This initiative would help to boost the talent of young scientists.

The VSSUT Space innovation centre will promote advanced space knowledge among students and create a conducive space culture in India.

Rafale to join fleet of IAF First Five Rafale aircraft is all set to join

the fleet of IAF (Indian Air Force) at the Ambala Air Base on 10th September this year. The induction ceremony will be graced by Florence Parly, the French counterpart of Rajnath Singh, Indian Defence Minister.

Background The country is already running short

of 300 fighter aircraft of different types. After the much controversy regarding the corruption in the purchase of Rafale fighter aircrafts the Government of India in September 2016, gave the contract for 36 Rafales to the French Firm Dassault Aviation. The contract came to be the largest-ever defence deal signed by the country worth over Rs 60,000 crore of which the majority payments have




already been made to the French firm Dassault Aviation. The deal was signed by Manohar Parrikar as the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

IIT Hyderabad launches ‘world’s most affordable’ respirator mask

In a bid to help people protect themselves against COVID-19, the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, has launched a novel respirator mask in the country.

The protective gear is said to be far better than standard N95 respirators in terms of protection and, the best part is, it will cost you just Rs. 13 per day.

Officially dubbed US9, the new silicon-based respirator mask has been developed and commercialized by USafe Healthcare, the latest entrepreneurial entity from the Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship at IIT-H.

Delhi police to set up ‘IT cell’ to flag ‘unlawful content’ on social media

As part of a pilot project, the Delhi Police is planning to set up an “IT cell” to flag “unlawful content” on social media that may have the potential to disrupt the law-and-order situation.

The aim is to flag unlawful content on social media, which may cause communal disharmony or affect the law-and-order situation, and take appropriate action against it.

Tripura University scientist designs WARBOT to protect doctors

To extend a big help to the doctors, attending the infected patients, a scientist at Tripura University has designed a robot which can prevent the doctors, nurses and health staff from getting infected while they come in contact with patients infected with the virus. The robot is named as Covid-19 WARBOT.

The “COVID 19 Warbot” stands upon a box-shaped structure that has been attached to four wheels that ensures the free movement of it.

The electronic transmission system has been used in it so that it can be operated from 20-meter distance at the most and it has the ability to bear a weight of 30 Kgs.

China Launches Most Advanced Warship Type-054 class for Pakistan Navy

China launched the first of the four advanced naval warships, Type-054 class frigates for the Pakistan Navy. The Type-054 class frigate is manufactured by China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd (CSTC) and was launched in the Chinese state-owned Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard, Shanghai.

The Warship is fitted with the latest surface, subsurface, anti-air weapons, combat management system and sensors and will be one of the technologically-advanced surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy Fleet.

In 2017, Pakistan signed a contract with CSTC for the delivery of two Type-054 A/P frigates in 2017.




CM Naveen Patnaik launches ‘Odisha Agni-Shama Seva’ online portal

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has launched ‘Odisha Agni-Shama Seva’ online portal. The portal will provide assistance in issuing fire safety certificates to different categories of buildings through online mode. As many as eight services online will be provided through the portal. Patnaik has directed Fire Services department to add other services before October 2, 2020.

Apple becomes world’s most valuable company

After reporting its blockbuster Quarterly result stock of Apple Inc increased 10% to a record high making Apple world’s most valuable publicly listed company. The company has shown a great recovery from its low-point in March during the pandemic.

‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh,

Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy launched a one-month long virtual cybercrime awareness programme ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ in Amaravati.

The Aim of the Programme is to create awareness among women, youth and children on Cyber Crimes across the state.

It is organized by the Andhra Pradesh Police, CID, FM Radio, Cyber Crime

Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC), Cyber Peace Foundation (CPF) and other organisations.

DNHDD Launched E-Gyan Mitra Mobile Application for Online Education

The Education department of Daman Administration launched the E-Gyan Mitra mobile application developed by the administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNHDD) to support students of the Union Territory of DNH and DD through online education.

E-Gyan Mitra: The application provides a platform for

online classes, where the teachers can post the videos of lectures and conduct tests for the students from primary to higher secondary classes.

Using the mobile application the teachers can monitor the progress of the students who are at home amid COVID-19 pandemic.

The application supports multiple languages – English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi.

Two-day international webinar on ‘Lokmanya Tilak – Swaraj to Self-Reliant India’: ICCR

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated a two-day international webinar on the theme of ‘Lokmanya Tilak Swaraj to Self-reliant India’ in New Delhi, which was organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on the 100th death anniversary of the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak (August 1, 2020).


5.2 Mass Media &

Communication



CPCB Developed COVID19BWM App to Track Biomedical Waste: Recommended by SC

The Supreme Court (SC) has made it mandatory for all municipal corporations and state pollution control boards to use the ‘COVID19BWM App’ to track biomedical waste on a daily basis.

This ensures that the waste is collected, transported and sent to a registered common biomedical waste treatment facility.

The app was developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in May 2020 following the directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Indian Railways introduces OHE Inspection app for real-time monitoring

Indian Railways has launched an Overhead Equipment (OHE) Inspection app which will help in minimizing the train delays and long waits due to technical snags. The app has been rolled out on a Pan India basis.

Features The Overhead Equipment (OHE) app

will monitor the overhead wire in real-time and if there are any defects in it, it will alert the Indian Railways.

Global Positioning System (GPS) based tracking of the patrolman.

Real time capturing of Overhead Equipment defects and provision of taking Photographs.

Exception alerts to the Indian Railways.

Google India to Provide Learning Tools for Schools

The Government of Maharashtra announced the partnership with Google which will provide google provided learning programmes that integrate the classroom approach into online learning.

Maharashtra became the first state in India to collaborate with Google India for state-wide distribution of G suite for Education and Google Classroom.

Smriti Irani launches Mobile App & Backend Website for Handloom Mark Scheme

The Union Minister of Textiles and Women & Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, launched the Mobile App & Backend Website for Handloom Mark Scheme (HLM) for the weavers on the occasion of 6th National Handloom Day held virtually on 7th August, 2020, organized by the Ministry of Textiles, GoI (Government of India).

A website portal, ‘My Handloom’ for the individual weavers and organization was launched by Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, on the same occasion.

Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri launches ‘Awaz-e-Rajouri’ mobile app

In order to improve public Grievances redressal mechanism, Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, Nazir Sheikh, has launched a mobile app “Awaz-e-Rajouri”. The launch of mobile app would improve public grievances mechanism.




The use of the app by general public would make the officers and officials more accountable and instill confidence among the people in district administration.

The app has been developed by a team of NIC, Rajouri.

FM calls for monitoring of key infrastructure projects

Monitoring of all infrastructure projects under the `111-trillion National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) will be allowed on a digital platform to ensure access to updated project information for investments across various sectors.

The projects will be mapped and evaluated by the departments concerned and the finance ministry to monitor the implementation and actual progress, compared to the initial estimates of the NIP for each project.

The online dashboard is envisaged as a one-stop solution for all stakeholders looking for information on infrastructure projects in India. The dashboard is being hosted on the India Investment Grid (IIG), which is an interactive and dynamic online platform that showcases updated and real-time investment opportunities in the country.

GoI launched National Portal “SURAKHSYA” on Human Elephant conflict

Union Environment Minister, Prakash Javadekar has launched National Portal on Human-Elephant conflict called “SURAKHSYA”.

The portal aims to collect real-time

information and will also manage conflicts on a real-time basis.

The portal will help to set data collection protocols, data visualization tools and data transmission pipelines.

The National Portal was launched during the celebration of international annual event World Elephant Day.

The World Elephant Day is celebrated every year on August 12 to create elephant conservation and share knowledge for better protection of wild captive elephants.

The portal will help to set data collection protocols, data visualization tools and data transmission pipelines.

Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR’s data recovery centre ‘Krishi Megh’

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched ICAR’s data recovery centre - Krishi Megh. The move is aimed at protecting the precious data of the government’s premier research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research. It has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad.

The main data centre of the ICAR is at the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) in the national capital. Krishi Megh has been set up under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), funded by both the government and World Bank.

The Minister said Krishi Megh is a step forward towards digital agriculture of ‘New India’, as has been envisaged




by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Tomar also said NAHEP was designed for strengthening the national agricultural education system in India with the overall objective to provide more relevant and high-quality education to the agricultural university students that is in tune with the New Education Policy 2020. He also launched the KVC ALUNET (Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Chhatr Alumni Network) and Online Accreditation System for Higher Agricultural Educational Institutions.

Union Minister Arjun Munda to e-launch “Swasthya” on 17th August

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda will e-launch “Swasthya”, a first of its kind Tribal Health & Nutrition Portal: One-stop solution forthe health & nutrition status of the tribal population of Indiahere on 17th August, 2020 (Monday). Minister of State SmtRenuka Singh Saruta will grace the occasion. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with PiramalSwasthya, the Centre of Excellence has developed this Tribal Health and Nutrition Portal ‘Swasthya’, a one-stop solution presenting all information pertaining to tribal health and nutrition related to Scheduled Tribe people.

Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio launches ‘Yellow Chain’ e-commerce platform

Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio launched ‘Yellow Chain’ an e-commerce platform during the State level celebration of India’s Independence

Day at Secretariat Plaza, Kohima. The centralized e-commerce platform is expected to promote local business & entrepreneurship in the state. It is seen as a “new era in Naga marketing culture”.

‘Yellow chain’ is developed by Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) to promote local business & entrepreneurship. It has also released an app for mobile services in the same name.

AIFF and SAI Jointly Launched “E-pathshala” a Web Platform to Promote Football

On the occasion of 74th Independence Day, The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), jointly launched the E-Pathshala, a web platform to recognise creativity of the children and to develop their interest in football.

E-Pathshala: E-Pathshala is designed to engage the

footballers across the nation and connect them with SAI and AIFF.

The platform develops the children’s interest through cognitive approaches like painting, skills, building blocks and others.

The Platform is an Athlete Coaching Program for footballers at the grassroot and intermediate levels. It has been divided into three parts: My Football Culture, My Skills and My Training.




Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launches “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, launched today “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge Innovate Solutions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat” to provide further impetus to the strong ecosystem of Start-up, innovation and research in the country.

IIT Madras and Center for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) have developed two microprocessors named SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit) respectively using Open Source Architecture under the aegis of Microprocessor Development Programme of Ministry of Electronics and IT.

“Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutions for #Aatmanirbhar Bharat” seeks to invite innovators, startups and students to use these microprocessors to develop various technology products.

“Harit Path”: mobile app launched to oversee plantations along National Highways

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Sh. Nitin Gadkari launched a mobile app named ‘Harit Path’ to conduct monitoring operation of the plantation along the national highways through Geo-tagging and web-based GIS-enabled tools.

Key Highlights In the virtual meeting on the context

of ‘New Green Highways Policy (Plantation)’, the road transport ministry also discussed the need for utilization of modern and green technologies in highway construction as well as reduction of road-building costs by 25%.

‘Harit Bharat Sankalp’ initiative has been undertaken by NHAI.

Aarogya Setu team launches “Open API Service” for better operation

India’s self-a s s e s s e d d i g i t a l h e a l t h c a r e service app Aarogya Setu has come up with a new feature called the Open API Service, which allows the organizations to check the health status of their employees or any other user as well without creating any privacy issue.

What is ‘Open API Service’? An open API is a publicly available

application programming interface that enables the app developers’ ultimate supremacy to the application or web service with programmatic access. APIs are sets of specifications that provide control to the apps to communicate and interact with another.

Arogya Setu app The app is developed by the National

Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology




to inform the user about contact tracing, syndromic mapping, and self-assessment to contain COVID-19.

IAF launches mobile app ‘MY IAF’ Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Rakesh

Kumar Singh Bhadauria launched a mobile application, “MY IAF”, that will provide career-related information to those who want to join the Indian Air Force. The app was launched by Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria at Vayu Bhawan as part of the ‘Digital India’ initiative. The application, developed in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), provides career-related information and details for those desirous of joining the IAF. It also provides glimpses into the history and stories of valour in the IAF.

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launched mobile App, ‘DGNCC’ for NCC Training

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Directorate General National Cadet Corps (DGNCC), a mobile training app which will help in conducting a countrywide online training for the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Since the training of NCC Cadets is mostly contact based training, it has been affected due to the pandemic.

As schools/colleges are not likely to open in near future, Defence Ministry has come up with DGNCC app to utilise the digital medium to impart training to the cadets.

The Mobile Training App will provide NCC cadets the entire training material

including syllabus, summary, training videos and frequently asked questions.

The app will also have a query option, through which the cadet can post his questions regarding syllabus. It will be answered by a panel of qualified instructors.

Ravi Shankar Prasad launches CHUNAUTI to accelerate startup ecosystem development in India

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Telecom and IT, launched CHUNAUTI, a start-up challenge under the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) initiative.

The NGIS initiative has been brought by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). The aim of the incubation scheme is to develop and build an ecosystem for startups in India in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)

The services provided by NGIS to its beneficiaries include physical infrastructure (including incubation and software product security testing (SPST) facilities), mentoring and guidance, access to venture capitals (VCs) for funding support, advisory services, along with financial incentives like seed funding of upto Rs 25 lakhs.

STPI is taking initiatives and measures to realize the vision of Digital India. NGIS program is created and aligned with the vision of NPSP 2019 and it will create a robust ecosystem for software product development in the country.




6. NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENT

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan chairs 19th GoM on COVID-19

Union Health Minister chaired the 19th meeting of the High-level Group of Ministers on COVID-19 in New Delhi.The Health Minister announced that India has achieved the milestone of more than 10 lakh recoveries, which has taken the recovery rate to 64.54 percent.

Delhi has so far the highest recovery rate at 89.08 percent, followed by Haryana at 79.82 percent, while Karnataka has the lowest recovery rate of 39.36 percent.

The Health Minister stated that the active cases under medical supervision are only 33.27 percent, approximately one-third of total positive cases.

The Minister also informed that India’s Case Fatality Rate is also progressively reducing and currently stands at 2.18 percent, one of the lowest globally.

Piyush Goyal Inaugurates CII National Digital Conference

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the National Digital Conference on “Easing of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat” organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with the Department for Promotion of Investment and Internal

Trade (DPIIT) to improve the business environment of India.

Indian Railways installs automatic lighting systems at three railways stations in Madhya Pradesh

In a unique step towards energy conservation, the Indian Railways has recently installed automatic lighting systems at three railways stations in Madhya Pradesh.

Railways have installed these automatic lighting systems at Jabalpur, Narsinghpur and Bhopal railways stations of Madhya Pradesh, which fall under the West Central Railway zone.

Bharat Air Fibre Internet Services Launched

Sanjay Dhotre, Union Minister for Electronics, Communication, and IT, inaugurated ‘Bharat Air Fibre Services’, a radio-based last mile telecom connectivity solution for Akola and Washim districts in Maharashtra.

The Bharat Air Fibre Services will enable residents of Akola and Washim districts to avail of wireless internet connections on-demand.

It has been launched by the state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as

National – Diary of Event



part of Digital India initiatives and aims at providing wireless connectivity in the range of 20KMs from BSNL locations, which will benefit citizens residing in remote areas.

BSNL will provide the Bharat Air Fibre Services through local business partners. The state-run telco will also offer free voice calling along with Bharat Air Fibre connectivity with data speeds of upto 100 Mbps.

Noida’s all-women police patrol unit on scooter launched

The Gautam Buddh Nagar police launched their new all-female scooter-borne patrolling units with an aim to provide safety to women in Noida and Greater Noida.

Police Commissioner Alok Singh flagged off the “SwayamSiddha” patrol units, which would frequent locations like metro stations, shopping malls, schools and colleges, auto stands and other places that witness female footfall in large numbers.

Fifty such units were flagged off and a total of 100 scooters have been made available for the newly-crafted patrol unit. There would be one rider per scooter, which could be a police sub-inspector, a head

constable or a constable. The uniformed personnel will be equipped

with a body-worn camera, a baton and “hidden arms and ammunition”, as they go around crucial spots and road stretches in the district.

World’s highest railway bridge over Chenab river

The world’s highest railway bridge over river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir will be ready by 2021, and will connect the valley with the rest of India by train for the first time by 2022.

The bridge, which has a central span of 467 metres, is being built at a height of 359 metres from the bed level.

The height of Qutab Minar in Delhi is 72 metres and that of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is 324 metres.

This is the tallest railway bridge in the world and the maximum designed wind speed for the bridge is 266 kmph.

According to the plans, Kashmir will be connected with train by December 2022.

Nitin Gadkari inaugurated upstream carriageway of Mahatma Gandhi bridge in Bihar

As a part of the renovation of the Mahatma Gandhi Bridge/Setu over river Ganga in Bihar, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) Nitin Jairam Gadkari virtually inaugurated its upstream carriageway. This means the two lanes are completed of the 4-lane bridge which is being renovated at a cost of Rs 1,742 crore.




During the inauguration ceremony, a new 5 km long, 4-lane Bridge over river Ganga in parallel to MG Setu, was also announced by Nitin Gadkari to facilitate movement of ships under it. With an outlay of Rs 2,926.42 crore, it will get completed by 2024.

Madhya Pradesh launched “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” public awareness campaign

Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Bhupendra Singh launched a public awareness campaign “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” from August 1-15.\

Highlights: “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” – means one

mask, many lives. The Scheme will spread awareness

about wearing masks as prevention from Covid-19 infection.

Establishment of Mask Banks, where people can donate masks which in turn will be distributed free to poor people.

Citizens can also donate masks through NGOs in every district/urban body.

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Virtually Prime Minister Narendra Modi

addressed the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon SIH (Software) 2020 and interacted with the participants through video conference.

Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated the Grand Finale virtually in New Delhi.

The Grand Finale was conducted online from 1st to 3rd August, 2020 over a specially-built advanced platform.

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired a high-level meeting on Smart India Hackathon on On July 27, 2020.

Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission Launched

Proposed by KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) and approved by the Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission is all set to generate employment for the local artisans making India self-reliant in agarbatti production.

Objective The set programme is dedicated to

creating employment for unemployed and migrant workers across the country while increasing domestic agarbatti production substantially.

Last month itself the proposal was submitted to the Ministry. Upon its implementation, numerous jobs will be created in the Agarbatti industry.

Rajasthan starts Indira Rasoi Yojana Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Ashok

Gehlot recently directed his officials to commence Indira Rasoi Yojana from 20th August 2020. The CM said it is another step towards realising the resolve of Rajasthan Government’s “No Hunger No Sleep”. Under this scheme, the needy and poor will get healthy and nutritious food at 8 Rs per plate. The state government will spend 100 Crores per year on the scheme.




Government of Rajasthan Approves 5% Reservation in Judicial Service for MBC

The Government of Rajasthan approved the 5% reservations to the More Backward Classes (MBC) in the state judicial service.

The Rajasthan government amended the Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules 2010 through the cabinet of Rajasthan on the initiative of Ashok Gehlot, chief Minister of Rajasthan to provide 5% reservation in the state judicial service.

eVIN to provide immunization services amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) will ensure to provide essential immunization services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. eVIN provides real-time data on vaccine stocks as well as ensure optimum storage temperatures for all cold chain points.

For the 1st time in India Railways uses NTC machine for track construction

In a boost to the railways’ efforts to use technology to ease infrastructure work, for the first time in India, Railway is using New Track Construction (NTC)

machine for the entire track laying of the Dedicated Freight Corridors. The projects will be implemented by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL).

Currently, there are seven NTC machines that have been deployed along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) alignment. Four NTC machines are deployed in the Eastern DFC viz. Allahabad – New Bhaupur, Allahabad – Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, Bhaupur – Bhadan, Khurja Dadri sections and in Western DFC, three NTC machines are deployed at Palanpur-Makarpura, Gothangam-Baroda and Anchali-Sachin sections respectively.

Notably, The Khurja-Dadri section is the connecting link between the Eastern and Western DFCs on which freight trains run at a speed of 100 kmph ensuring fast logistics movement. The project is expected to be completed by 2022.

Union Agriculture Minister launches Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel, a new initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tomar announced that his Ministry is in the forefront of operationalizing different aspects of Atma Nirbhar Bharat call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Minister also launched guidance videos produced by NCDC on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’ for




eighteen different states in Hindi and regional languages.

Mr Tomar said that the Union Government under Atma Nirbhar Bharat has recently announced a series of transformative measures and sector specific financial packages to help agriculture.

The initiatives are steps towards One Nation One Market with the objective for India to become food factory of the world.

A health assistant robot “Rakshak” designed by the Mumbai Division of Central Railway

The Mumbai Division of Central Railway (CR) designed a health assistant robot “Rakshak” that communicates between doctor and patient remotely.

The Robot was developed in-house at EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) car shed by Sunil Bairwa, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer and his team in Kurla, Mumbai section of the Central Railway.

The main objective of building the robot is to avoid spreading of the COVID-19 virus among people.

The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Shalab Goel, CR Mumbai Division, handed over this robot to Dr Meera Arora, Chief Medical Director of the hospital at Byculla at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ lays the Foundation Stone of Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ along with Chief

Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Minister of State for Finance Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for Education Shri Sanjay Dhotre laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh through online mode.

The Education Minister announced that Union Government under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji had taken decision in 2014 to establish seven new IIMs including IIM Sirmaur to fill the gap between demand and supply of corporate leaders created by the then existing IIMs.

He added that on 15th August 2014 it was announced that the IIM for Himachal Pradesh would be set up at Dhaulkuan in the Sirmaur district. On 12th Mrch 2015, the State Govt. allotted a 210-acres land at Dhaulakuan for development of the permanent Campus of the Institute.

Uttarakhand to develop India’s first snow leopard conservation centre

Chief minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat chaired a meeting along with State forest minister Harak Singh Rawat and other officials to look into the setting up of the conservation centre.

The conservation centre is set to come up at a place named Lanka, near Bhaironghati bridge in Uttarkashi district.

It will be built by the Uttarakhand forest department along the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its six-year long project Securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems (SECURE) Himalayas.




Dutch Conservation Architect Anne Feenstra shared the details of the conservation centre.

The conservation centre is expected to create awareness of the Big Cat among the people.

Northern Railway runs the first-ever Vyapar Mala express train for small traders

The Northern Railway ran its first Vyapar Mala Express train from Kishanganj in Delhi bound for Jirania in Tripura. It will help small traders to move their cargo in short time, cost effective, convenient and environment-friendly mode of transportation.

The train has 46 wagons and It is an express service where piece-meal stock will reach its destination in a shorter time.

Other facts about the train: The train departed at Kishanganj, Delhi

to reach Jirania and it will cover 2673 Km from Punjab to Tripura.

Wheat was loaded in 34 wagons at Guniana station of Firozpur Division by Food Corporation of India and Rice and Pulses have been loaded in the remaining wagons.

The Railway board has earned more than ` 94 lakh from this Vyapar Mala Express train.

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar launched Parivar Pehchan Patras

Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister of Haryana launched the ‘Parivar Pehchan Patras’ (PPP), an initiative of the state government developed by the

team CMO (Chief Minister’s Office) for effective and efficient delivery of central and state schemes to the people in a transparent way.

First ‘Kisan Rail’ to run from 7 August between Maharashtra, Bihar

Railways Ministry will run India’s first ‘Kisan Rail’ from August 7, 2020 between Maharashtra and Bihar. The train will begin from Devlali, in Maharashtra at 11 am and its last stop will be at Danapur, Bihar. The train will be making several stoppages at stations carrying fruits and vegetables. It will not carry.

C”garh govt launches social security scheme for tendu leaf collectors

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel has launched a social security scheme “Shaheed Mahendra Karma Tendupatta Sangrahak Samajik Suraksha Yojana” for tendu leave collectors in the state.

Tendu leaves, used for making bidis (leaf-wrapped cigarettes), are collected by forest dwellers and from them, it is purchased by the state government.

The scheme, named after slain Congress leader Mahendra Karma, was inaugurated on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy’ on August 7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the Inaugural Address at the ‘Conclave on Transformational Reforms




in Higher Education under National Education Policy’ on August 7, 2020.

The virtual conclave will have sessions dedicated to significant aspects of education covered under the National Education Policy, 2020, which include holistic, multidisciplinary and futuristic education, Quality Research and equitable use of technology for better reach in Education.

f The conclave will have numerous speakers including eminent academicians including the Chairman and Members, Committee for Draft NEP. The event is also expected to see in attendance Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, College Principals, Directors and Vice-Chancellors of universities and Institutions.

Ministry of Jal Shakti launched a New Version of the India Water Resources Information System

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has launched a new version of the India Water Resources Information System (India-WRIS) with new functions and features. It is open to the public, and accessible through the web portal www.indiawris.gov.in.

The MoJS has established a dedicated organization, National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) to maintain and update India-WRIS.

The system includes time series data obtained through manual readings and telemetry data received by means of GPRS or satellite.

UP to set up MSME industrial parks; marks DPR for north India’s longest expressway

Uttar Pradesh government will set up industrial parks for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in six of its most industrialised districts, including Varanasi and Kanpur, and has invited proposals from consultants for it.

The state government has also started work on a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed 601km-long Ganga Expressway between Meerut and Prayagraj.

PM Modi to inaugurate Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra (RSK) on August 8, 2020. The Kendra is an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The Prime Minister will be inaugurating the centre on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha.

The installations at the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra will introduce future generations to the successful journey of the world’s largest behaviour change campaign, the Swachh Bharat Mission.




The interplay of processes will be presented through assimilative learning, success stories and thematic messages in an interactive format.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan It launched on 2 October 2014 on birth

anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, aimed to eradicate open defecation by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing 90 million toilets in rural India at a projected cost of `1.96 lakh crore

Delhi airport develops ‘AIR Suvidha’ for home-bound international passengers

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Group-led consortium, announced that it has developed AIR SUVIDHA, a first-of-its-kind portal where India-bound international arriving flyers can fill the mandatory self-declaration form and also apply online for exemption from mandatory institution quarantine process. This facility is going to help hundreds of AP bound passengers. As per the ministry of civil aviation guidelines, this facility will be available for all international arriving passengers.

PM to inaugurate Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar submarine cable project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Island Submarine Cable System, which will provide better connectivity to the archipelago.

A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the seabed between

land-based stations to transmit telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea.

The most-awaited launch of the Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (CANI) Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity project is finally over.

PM Modi inaugurates Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra’, an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission, in New Delhi announced that Swacch Bharat Mission or the cleanliness drive has been a big support in fight against coronavirus.

A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra (RSK) was first announced by the prime minister on April 10, 2017 on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Gandhiji’s Champaran ‘satyagraha’.

Delhi Govt launches new “Electric Vehicle Policy”

Delhi government has launched the “Electric Vehicle Policy” for the national capital under which will waive registration fee, road tax, and provide an incentive of up to `1.5 lakh for new cars.

The government aims to generate employment to give a boost to Delhi’s economy and reduce pollution levels in the national capital.

There is already the Centre’s scheme on electric vehicles called ‘Fame India Phase-2’, under which the Union government also provides some




incentives. Delhi government scheme will be an addition to the Centre’s scheme and people can also avail benefits under both the schemes.

Haryana CM Khattar launches welfare schemes for women, kids

Reiterating that the state government is laying special emphasis on the overall development of women and children in the state, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’ and ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana’.

Under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana’, fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder will be provided to children between 1 and 6 years of age in anganwadi centres aong with pregnant and lactating mothers.

Under the ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana’, adolescent girls and women between 10 to 45 years belonging to as many as 11,24,871 BPL families will be provided free sanitary napkins.

IIT Guwahati, in collaboration with Imperial College London, develops nanoparticle ‘meta-grid’

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, India, and Imperial College London, United Kingdom, have developed nanoparticles the ‘meta-grid’ or ‘metamaterial grid’ that makes the light-emitting diodes (LED) brighter, energy-efficient and durable.

Meta-grid is a specifically patterned array of nanoparticles acting as metamaterials and it is capable of exhibiting

extraordinary optical properties. It was jointly developed by Dr. Debabrata

Sikdar, assistant professor at IIT Guwahati, Prof. Sir John B. Pendry and Prof. Alexei, A. Kornyshev from Imperial College, London.

KVIC: First Silk Training cum Production Centre in Arunachal Pradesh

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is to set up the first of its kind training cum production centre of silk in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The centre is to be launched in the first week of September, 2020.

Highlights The KVIC will provide machinery such

as handlooms, warping drums and silk reeling machines. The centre is to provide training to 25 local artisans and will boost weaving activities in the region.

Arunachal Pradesh is the biggest state in the North East that has vast potential for Sericulture. The state produces all four varieties of silk namely Mulbery, Oak Tasar, Eri and Muga. Oak Tasar is practiced in higher altitudes. Eri and Muga are practiced foothills areas and Mulbery is reared in middle altitude.

“Indira Van Mitan Yojana” To Support Forest Dwellers

In an event of International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples Chief Minister (CM) of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel announced the launch of “Indira Van Mitan Yojana”, an initiative to support the forest dwellers of Chhattisgarh to




achieve self-reliance. The scheme aims to add around 19

lakh families from the scheduled areas of Chhattisgarh and provide self-employment opportunities to the tribal forest dwellers.

PCA to Name Mullanpur Stadium After Late Maharaja Yadavindra Singh

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) is set to name its new stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, Punjab after the late Maharaja Yadavindra Singh.

PCA President Rajinder Gupta proposed the idea to name the stadium and it had been approved.

About Maharaja Yadavindra Singh: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh played a test

match for India against England in 1934. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh was

the father of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. He was the 9th and the last Maharaja of Patiala.

Jagdalpur becomes India’s first municipal corporation to provide forestland right certificates to people of urban area

Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur has become the first municipal corporation in the country

to provide forest land rights certificates to people of an urban area.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel commenced the distribution of forest land rights certificates on the occasion of the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, 2020. He gave away certificates to four beneficiaries of Jagdalpur via video conferencing.

Jagdalpur is one of the few municipal corporations, jurisdiction areas of which includes forestlands. Till now, almost 1,777 applications have been received for forestland right certificates.

Tribal Affairs Ministry develops nine ‘Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums

The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing nine “Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums dedicated to the contributions of the tribal people in India to the freedom struggle.

Out of the nine museums, two museums are almost nearing completion and the remaining seven are at different stages of progress.

All museums are expected to come into existence by the end of 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced setting up of these tribal freedom fighters’ museums during his Independence Day Speech on August 15, 2016.

All the museums will have strong usage of technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D/7D holographic projections. The museums will demonstrate the way tribals struggle




to protect their custodial concerns for the biological and cultural diversity of the country.

Union Minister of MSME Nitin Gadkari Addressed “India@75 Summit – Mission 2022”

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Road Transport & Highways addressed the “India@75 Summit – Mission 2022” organised by the confederation of Indian Industries (CII) which was focused on ‘reinventing technology in India’. He stated that to achieve self-reliant India, the MSME Ministry and Industries should be made import substitutes, cost-effective, pollution-free and indigenous.

About CII:

f President– Uday Kotak f Vice President– Sanjiv Bajaj f Headquarters– New Delhi

IC-IMPACTS 2020 Research Conference held virtually on Aug 6-7, 2020

IC-IMPACTS (the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability) 2020 Research Conference held Virtually on Aug 6-7, 2020 to discuss the ways to elevate the inter-country cooperation to the next Level by strengthening existing international connections, sharing best practices in multiple areas, and initiating new collaborations in government and institutions. The Conference was organised by IC-IMPACTS.

Mumbai becomes first city in India to have female icons on traffic signals

Mumbai’s Dadar has become the first city in India to have women symbols on traffic signals and signage, which was installed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that display female icons sporting triangular frock, a shift from the default representation of men.

Gujarat Launched Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojana

The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, launched Rs 1,800 crore scheme “Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojana” by replacing “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)”, for FY20-21 only, for the state’s 56 lakh farmers facing crop losses due to drought, excess rain or unseasonal rain. In this regard the state government will launch a dedicated portal so that farmers can apply online.

Eligibility: Farmers who have sown crops for kharif (monsoon) 2020 season i.e. sown till July, and tribal farmers registered under the Forest Rights Act are eligible for this scheme. The compensation will be given only if the loss of crop is more than 33% due to above mentioned factors.

Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Bharat Mission Academy

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM Academy) on August 11, 2020 in New Delhi, as part of the ongoing week-long behaviour change campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat.

After launching the SBM Academy by




dialing the designated IVR toll-free number, the Minister stated that IVR based free mobile online learning course on ODF Plus will be crucial in achieving goals underlined in Phase - 2 of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has transformed rural India by manifesting into a Jan Andolan for sanitation. This had led to the historic achievement of Open Defecation Free declaration by all villages, districts and states on October 2, 2019.

The Swachh Bharat Mission Academy with its mobile-based technology will significantly boost the capacity building efforts in training of Swachhagrahis as well as community-based organizations and others associated with phase 2 of the mission.

Atal Innovation unveils 2nd edition of student entrepreneurship programme

Niti Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with Dell Technologies launched the second edition of its student entrepreneurship programme (SEP) for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs).

The programme, SEP 2.0, will allow student innovators to work closely with Dell volunteers.

They will receive mentor support; prototyping and testing support; end-user feedback; intellectual property registration and patenting of ideas, processes, and products; manufacturing support; as well as the launch support of the product in the market.

The Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) 1.0 was launched in January 2019.

Free smartphone distribution in Punjab

The Punjab government will start distributing smartphones to students for free on August 12. To avoid large gatherings, the launch of the distribution scheme will be organised at 26 different locations in Chandigarh and Punjab. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that the government has chosen the auspicious occasion of ‘’Janmashtami’’ to launch the scheme. Coincidentally, August 12 is also the International Youth Day.

The state government had already announced to give smartphones to all boys and girls studying in Class 12 of the government schools across the state.

Centre Formed committee for procurement, administration of COVID-19 vaccine; Headed by Dr VK Paul

The Central Government has formulated an expert committee namely “National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration” under the chairmanship of Dr VK Paul, a member (health) at the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog to consider the logistics, ethical aspects of procurement, and administration of COVID-19 vaccine in discussion with all state governments and vaccine manufacturers.

Russia became the first country in the




world to register a COVID-19 vaccine which is developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry.

Andhra Pradesh launches YSR Cheyutha Scheme for rural economy

Andhra Pradesh Government has launched YSR Cheyutha Scheme 2020 to make women self-reliant and to boost the rural economy amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The AP Government has allocated Rs. 4,500 crore for the implementation of the scheme. The state government also looks forward to launch the YSR Asara Scheme.

Studds to set up Asia’s Largest Helmet Manufacturing Plant in Haryana

Leading helmet manufacturing company Studds Accessories said it has commissioned two new facilities at Faridabad in Haryana entailing a total investment of Rs 200 crore.

Spread across an area of over 5.5 acres, the company has made an initial investment of over Rs 160 crore to set up the largest helmet manufacturing facility in Asia.

First-of-its-kind Katra-Delhi Express Road Corridor to be completed by 2023

First-of-its’s-kind Katra (Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir)-Delhi Express Road corridor works have begun and it is expected to be completed by 2023.

It was announced by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (M-DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh. The

express Corridor is expected to reduce the travel time between Katra and Delhi to around six and half hours, the total outlay of the project is Rs. 35, 000 crores.

Indian Railways observes Cleanliness Week to mark Independence Day

Indian Railways is observing “Cleanliness Week” from 10th August in order to mark the Independence Day.

The “Cleanliness Week” will include a special Cleanliness drive which will focus on cleaning the the tracks, station offices, colonies, work sites, edge of stations and other areas near railway premises.

The Cleanliness drive will give special attention on the collection of plastic waste along with other waste.

West Bengal Govt Launched ‘Karma Sathi Prakalpa’ scheme

On the occasion of International Youth Day 2020, the West Bengal government launched the ‘Karma Sathi Prakalpa’ scheme under which 1 lakh unemployed youth will be provided soft loans and subsidies so as to make them self-reliant. This scheme empowers the youth.

Other Scheme launched by West Bengal The West Bengal (WB) Government (govt)

launched ‘Matir Smristi’ scheme to utilise 50,000 acres of barren land in 6 districts for income-generating activities like horticulture and pisciculture involving the locals.

Recent Related News: The West Bengal (WB) state Home

Secretary, Alapan Bandopadhyay announced that the WB Government




(govt) launched an “exit app” for people of other states who are stranded in the state due to the lockdown and want to return to their native place.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched Karmo Bhumi, a job portal to help Information Technology (IT) professionals who have lost their jobs after the outbreak of COVID-19 and returned to the state. The portal will enable them to get employment in the state.

Assam to launch Arunodoi Scheme to provide financial assistance

Assam Government is set to launch the Arunodoi Scheme with effect from October 2, 2020 to provide financial assistance to over 15 lakh families in the state. The scheme will help these families to buy essential food items. Under the scheme, Rs 830 per month will be provided to 17 lakh families in the state.

Online Performance Dashboard “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India” developed by M/o Tribal Affairs launched

Amitabh Kant, CEO,NITI Aayog and ShriRamesh Chand,Member NITI Aayog inaugurated the “Online Performance Dashboard “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India”developed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).

The launch was made during the meeting taken by NITI Aayog to review the progress of CSS / CS Schemes of MoTA in the light of national development agenda,

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strategy for New India and other policy initiatives. It may be mentioned that the SDGswere adopted in September, 2015 as a part of the resolution, ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. At the Central Government level, NITI Aayog has been assigned the role of overseeing the implementation of 17 SDGs in the country.

India aims to Achieve Zero Road Fatalities by 2030: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari while addressing the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Womennovator on Trade Investment and collaborations in Road infrastructure, has underlined India’s initiatives to achieve Zero Road Fatalities by 2030.

Key Points: The World Bank and Asian Development

Bank have committed Rs. 7,000 crores each on initiatives to reduce road accidents.

Better road engineering, increased public awareness and upgradation programmes are expected to bring 50% reduction in road accidents.

Under the Indian Road Safety Assessment Programme 21,000 km road has been assessed 3,000 Kilometre road length is under technological upgradation.




1,000 days, 6 lakh villages: Every Indian village to be connected with optical fibre

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of 74th Independence Day. PM Modi in his Independence Day 2020 speech announced that India’s mantra must be “Make for World”.

In the upcoming 1000 days nearly 6 lakh Indian villages will be connected with optical fibre. “This goal will be met in the coming thousand days. In the coming 1000 days, every village in the country will be connected with optical fibre.

Before 2014, only 5 dozen panchayats in the country were connected with optical fiber. In the last five years, 1.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country have been connected with optical fiber.

PM Modi launches National Digital Health Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Digital Health Mission, while addressing the nation from Red Fort on India’s 74th Independence Day.

Every Indian under the mission would get an ID card containing all relevant information about his/her medical conditions and treatments, tests etc.

Every Indian will get a Health ID card. Every they visit a doctor or a pharmacy, or a lab, all the detail will be registered in this health card. Ranging from doctor appointment to the medication prescribed, medical tests, when were they done, every bit of detail will be available in your health profile.

The scheme will be rolled out from today through a pilot launch in the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep,” Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health & Family Welfare.

Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa vows to build a “Kalyana Rajya”

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has vowed to build a ‘Kalyana Rajya’, a welfare state with the avowed principle of ‘development’ as the only Mantra.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa informed that the government has come to the rescue of farmers in distress by buying Rs 3,175 crore worth of farm products such as green gram, turdal, groundnut, chickpea and copra under the minimum support price programme from 5.82 lakh farmers.

Under Ayushman Bharat scheme health cards are distributed to 1.31 crore people in the State and offered health coverage to 8.5 lakh beneficiaries.




EU launches Nirmanshree for Odisha and Maharashtra Women in Housing Sector

European Union has l a u n c h e d p r o j e c t ’Nirmanshree’ for enhancing the women skill towards housing construction sector. This is the first-of-its-kind sustainable housing on a large scale in India with 1-million-euro.The project will be implemented in Beed and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra and the Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts of Odisha.

A non-profit organisation, Habitat for Humanity India has also join hands with EU for funding this project.

The total cost of the project is EUR 9,49,694 (INR 7,40,85,628 or US$1,075,307).90 percent of fund provides by EU and remaining 10 percent will be issued by Habitat for Humanity India.

NITI Aayog’s AIM, NASSCOM launch Artificial Intelligence Step-up modules for school students

National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) has launched Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Step-up module for school students.

The module was launched in a virtual platform attended by CEO NITI Aayog Mr Amitabh Kant, Mission Director Atal

Innovation Mission Mr R Ramanan and NASSCOM President Debjani Ghosh.

About NITI Aayog Establishment– 2015 CEO– Amitabh Kant Head quarters– New Delhi

Department of Biotechnology supported National Facility at Venture Center, Pune

The Center for Biopharma Analysis (CBA) supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) of Department of Biotechnology (DBT)- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) at Pune-based technology business incubator, Venture Center was inaugurated virtually by Secretary, DBT, Dr Renu Swarup.

CBA will provide high-quality analytical services for biopharmaceutical developers and manufacturers. This center is envisioned to become a resource center for structural and functional characterization of biologicals and biopharmaceuticals that will create long lasting value for bioentrepreneurs and industry.

Sikkim to set up education reform commission

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced his government will set up an education reform commission to draw a comprehensive policy in line with the NEP.

The state government will set up a Sikkim Education Reform Commission to draw a comprehensive policy and strategy in line




with the National Education Policy, 2020 The government has planned to set

up one model school in each district with innovative teaching and learning methodologies.

The state government has decided to provide incentives to farmers for milk production and a minimum support price (MSP) for ginger, orange, cardamom, turmeric and buckwheat cultivation.

Chambal Progress Way in MP to be named after Vajpayee: Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the proposed 300-km long ‘’Chambal Progress Way’’ in the state would be named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Chouhan also announced that the state government will observe December 25 as ‘’Sushasan Diwas’’ (good governance day) every year to mark Vajpayee’’s birthday.

The six-lane Chambal Progress Way, which is proposed to be developed at a cost of about Rs 6,000 crore, will connect the boundaries of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh through Sheopur, Morena and Bhind districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Bhupesh Baghel Announces Fund for Donations to Ram Van Gaman Path

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel announced that a dedicated fund will be constituted for people to contribute towards the development of his government’s ambitious Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit project.

Claiming that Chhattisgarh is Ram’s “maternal place”, Baghel announced that a dedicated tourism circuit ought to be started in the state. “Chhattisgarh is ‘nanihal‘ (maternal place) of Lord Ram. He had also spent most of his time in Chhattisgarh during his exile from Ayodhya.

To keep the memories linked to Lord Ram and Mata Kashulayaalive, the state government has undertaken the RamVan Gaman Tourism Circuit project and began its speedy implementation.

Ministry of AYUSH launches campaign “Ayush for Immunity”

A campaign on “Ayush for Immunity” has been launched by the Ministry of AYUSH.

The campaign was rolled out during a webinar which featured the participation of More than 50 thousand people.

The webinar was streamed by the Ministry of AYUSH on its new digital communication platform Ayush Virtual Convention Centre (AVCC).

Through the campaign “Ayush for Immunity”, Ministry of AYUSH aims to aware people about the valuable information about strengths of various Ayush-based solutions for enhancing immunity and preventing diseases.

Indian Railways Constructing World’s Tallest Pier Bridge across River Ijai in Manipur

As a part of 111 kilometre-long Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal line project, Indian Railways’ North East Frontier Railway




zone is constructing world’s tallest pier bridge, having height of 141 metres, across river Ijai in Manipur with an outlay of Rs 280 crore. After completion, it will surpass the existing height record of 139 meters of the Mala – Rijeka Viaduct, Montenegro in Europe.

The 703 meters long bridge is located at the hilly terrain of Marangching village in Noney district, about 65 km west of Imphal, Manipur.

The project will be completed in March 2022.

Chhattisgarh Govt Launched ‘Padhai Tuhar Para’ scheme for school students

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the ‘Padhai Tuhar Para’ scheme to enable school students to learn from their respective localities as the classes are being suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

He informed that a Bluetooth-based programme ‘Bultu Ke Bol’, ‘Mukhyamantri Slum Swasthya Yojana’, ‘Radhabai Diagnostic Centre Scheme’ will also be introduced and committees will be set up for new appointments and promotions in the state.

India Post Issued 5 Commemorative Postage Stamps and 1 Miniature Sheet on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-III

India Post has issued 5 Commemorative Postage Stamps namely: Historic City of

Ahmedabad – Sarkhej Roza, Churches and Convents of Goa – Church of Bom Jesus, Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Khajuraho Group of Monuments Javeri Temple and Qutb Minar its Monuments, Delhi. It also issued 1 miniature sheet consisting of all the above stamps on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-III.

Note: Group of Monuments at

Pattadakal- Karnataka Khajuraho Group of Monuments Javeri

Temple- Madhya PradeshKey Points

The Sarkhej Roza, is not a part of the inscribed ‘Historic Metropolis Of Ahmedabad’ which obtained the tag of India’s 1st UNESCO World Heritage Metropolis in July 2017.

The leaflet issued by India Submit with the stamps phrases the Sarkhej Roza as one of many outstanding landmarks of the Historic Metropolis of Ahmedabad for its wealthy historical past and reverence.

Madhya Pradesh govt launches ‘Gandgi Bharat Chhodo’ campaign

The Madhya Pradesh government launched a special campaign to make the state garbage-free.

Launching the “Gandgi Bharat Chhodo Madhya Pradesh” (Free India and Madhya Pradesh from garbage) drive from Sagar, Urban Administration and Development Minister Bhupendra Singh announced accumulation of garbage is a big problem in cities.

During the 15-day campaign, urban




bodies will be ranked as per their performance and the best ones will be awarded by chief minister.

180-feet bailey bridge to provide connectivity to 20 Uttarakhand villages

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed a 180-feet bailey bridge in Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district

The 50-metre span concrete bridge was completely washed out on July 27, 2020, when cloudburst hit the area and the nallas and rivers were flooded which caused a mudflow of tremendous force.

The bridge was successfully completed, which has led to accessing flood-affected villages and has connected Jauljibi to Munsiyari.

The constructed bridge has resumed road communication of 66-kilometre road starting from Jauljibi to Munsiyari.

Nitin Gadkari to Lay Foundation Stone for 13 National Highway Projects in Manipur

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone of highway projects worth Rs 3,000 crore for Manipur through a virtual ceremony. These projects are for the construction of 316 km of highways.

These projects for inauguration and foundation laying carry a Road length of 316 kilometers, involving construction value of about Rs 3,000 crore.

Paving the way for development of Manipur, these roads will enhance better connectivity, convenience and economic growth in the state.

Bengal to observe Sept 1 as Police Day

The West Bengal government will observe September 1 as Police Day in recognition of the work done by the men in uniform, chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced.

They are risking their lives while tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and handling law and order problems at the same time. Many policemen have been infected by the virus. But they have not budged. To remember their efforts towards corona virus, the day is to be observed as Police day.

Kerala Assembly gets its own TV space

Sabha TV, an initiative of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, will serve as a bridge connecting the people, the government, and the Assembly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced .

Mr. Birla inaugurated Sabha TV via videoconference. Television broadcasting has transformed over the years. Efforts taken by the Kerala Assembly to acknowledge the changing times and take the Assembly proceedings directly to the people are welcome.

Viewing of Assembly proceedings in their entirety by the people would help improve the functioning of the House.

MPEDA launches Quality Control Lab in Porbandar

Quality Control Lab has been set up by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in Porbandar, Gujarat.




The Quality Control Lab will offer tests for seafood processors as well as exporters to confirm to product safety as per international regulatory requirements.

Manduadih Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh to be renamed as ‘Banaras’: MHA

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the renaming of Manduadih Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh (UP) as ‘Banaras’. In 2019, Former Union Minister Manoj Sinha had written to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath requesting the change in name of the Manduadih Railway Station.

Manduadih is a place in Varanasi situated about four kilometres from Varanasi Cantonment Station.

Manduadih is a place in Varanasi situated about four kilometres from Varanasi Cantonment Station.

India ranked 1st in number of organic farmers and 9th in terms of area under organic farming

In accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), India ranked first in number of organic farmers and 9th in terms of area under organic farming. Notably, Sikkim was the first state in the world to become completely organic and other states including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set targets to be on the same line.

In 2015, two dedicated programs namely Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) and Paramparagat Krishi

Vikas Yojana (PKVY) were launched to encourage chemical free farming.

‘Dhanwantari Rath’ to bring ayurveda at doorsteps of Delhi Police families

A MoU was signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and the Delhi Police for extending ayurvedic mode of preventive and promotive health services in the residential colonies of the force. Supported by the AYUSH ministry, these services will be provided by AIIA through a mobile unit named ‘Dhanwantari Rath’ and Police Wellness Centres.

Indian Railways introduces Drone based surveillance system

Drone based surveillance system has been introduced by the Indian Railways for Railway security.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has decided to employ large number of drones for the purpose of Railway security. As a result, RPF has procured nine drones at a cost of around Rs 32 lakh at the South Eastern Railway, Central Railway, Modern Coaching Factory, Raebareli and South Western Railway.

The deployment of drones aims to provide a force multiplier and increases the effectiveness of the security personnel deployed.

Two Ninja UAVs have been procured by the Mumbai Division of Central Railway for better security and surveillance in Railway areas such as station premises, Railway track sections, yards as well as workshops.




Meritorious female students to receive free scooty from govt

The Assam government will provide free scooty to all female students who secured first division in Class 12 board exams conducted by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC).

Education Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that over 22,000 will receive free scooty under the ‘Pragyan Bharti’ scheme.

The government has also decided to reserve 25% seats in government colleges for state board students.

The budget for each scooty has been fixed at Rs 50,000 to 55,000.

The distribution of the two-wheelers will be completed by October 15, 2020, and the beneficiaries will not be able to sell their vehicles before three years.

Mobile vans to take tribal products to consumers’ doorstep in 31 cities

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda flagged off 57 mobile vans which will carry tribal products to every household in 31 cities, including Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi and Guwahati.

In these trying times, when COVID-19 has disrupted lives in more ways than one, people are focusing on healthier ways of living and staying as safe as possible.

This novel initiative ensures that one does not even have to step out to shop for organic, essential natural immunity-boosting products and adopt a sustainable and wholesome way of living.

Cancer Linked To Use of Tobacco Highest In Northeast: Report

Cancers related to the use of tobacco is highest in the North East region of India, announced the National Cancer Registry Programme report for 2020 released by The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru.

The report announced that tobacco-related cancers are estimated to contribute 3.7 lakh or 27.1 per cent of the total cancer burden in 2020. The study estimated that by 2020, the number of cancer cases in the country will be at 13.9 lakh, and by 2025, it is likely to increase to 15.7 lakh based on current trends.

Between 2012 to 2016, North East recorded the highest cancer incidence rate in the country. Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, reported the highest cancer cases among men with an incidence rate of 269.4 per one lakh population. Aizawl was followed by Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district with an incidence rate of 227.9 per one lakh population and Assam’s Kamrup (Metro) with 213 cancer cases per one lakh population.

Vijaynagar, one of the remotest parts of India, gets mobile connectivity

Vijaynagar, one of the remotest and easternmost parts of the country, has been connected with mobile connectivity. The area is a part of Arunachal Pradesh.

It was connected with mobile connectivity after Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited installed a network tower that has become




functional now. BSNL launched 2G mobile service in

Vijaynagar area on August 1, 2020. The area is situated in the easternmost corner of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Myanmar. Vijaynagar is not connected with any motorable road.

The 2G mobile service will be a boon for the people of this isolated place. The nearest place to the area with a road is Miao, which is located 157 Km away from the circle.

Cabinet approves setting up of National Recruitment Agency

The establishment of “National Recruitment Agency” has received the Union Cabinet’s approval.

The National Recruitment Agency (NRA) will result in transformational reform in the recruitment process for central government jobs.

NRA will comprise of representatives of Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB as well as IBPS.

NRA is expected to be a specialist body which will offer the state-of-the-art technology and best practices to the field of Central Government recruitment.

A sum of Rs. 1517.57 crore has been sanctioned by the Government of India for the National Recruitment Agency (NRA).

Indore cleanest city in India for the fourth time, five others rated 5-star

Indore, Ambikapur, Navi Mumbai, Surat, Rajkot and Mysuru have been rated as five-star cities, 86 cities as three-star and

64 cities as one-star as per the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ rating protocol for garbage-free cities.

The announcement was made during the Swachh Survekshan awards declared by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. It is meant to monitor the performance of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2014. The survey was conducted in 4,242 cities, 62 cantonment boards and 92 Ganga towns and was completed in 28 days.

Indore city in Madhya Pradesh emerged as the cleanest city for the fourth time in a row, Surat and Navi Mumbai won the second and third position respectively in the more than 100,000 population category.

Mysuru city in Karnataka had won the award for the cleanest city of India in the first edition of the survey in 2016, while Indore had retained the top position for three consecutive years.

Chhattisgarh won the prestigious title of the cleanest state in the more than hundred urban local bodies category, while Jharkhand was adjudged the winner in the less than hundred urban local bodies category. An additional 117 awards were also handed over by the Minister.

Cabinet gives nod for leasing out Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Guwahati airports through PPP

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for leasing out Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvanathapuram airports of the Airports Authority of India (AAI)




through Public-Private Partnership. This is not a permanent move, it has

been leased out for 50 years. The revenue received through this model will be utilised by the AAI to develop airports in small cities. Secondly, passengers will get better facilities.

The Cabinet had similarly cleared the civil aviation ministry’s proposal to lease out Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru airports through PPP to the Adani group for a period of 50 years. It was the second big airport privatisation round after Delhi and Mumbai were given to private companies GMR and GVK.

Dr Harsh Vardhan digitally addresses FSSAI’s Eat Right Challenge Orientation Workshop

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare presided over an online orientation workshop organised by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as part of its Eat Right Challenge. He also launched FSSAI’s ‘Eat Right India’ Handbook and the website eatrightindia.gov.in to help various stakeholders scale up ‘Eat Right India’ initiatives across the country.

The ‘Eat Right India’ movement initiated by FSSAI under the aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has been creating awareness amongst the people about safe, healthy and sustainable dietary habits. To achieve this end and to convert the program into a people’s movement, FSSAI recently announced the Eat Right Challenge, an annual competition for 197 Districts and Cities in a unique way to

strengthen the food safety and regulatory environment, build awareness among the consumers and urge them to make better food choices.

Tribal Affairs ministry launches tertiary processing centres in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra

The Tribal Affairs Ministry launched two tertiary processing centres in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra to enhance the income of tribal forest gatherers by adding value to non-timber forest products collected by them.

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda e-launched the centres under the “TRIFOOD” project being implemented by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in association with the Ministry of Food Processing.

One of the minor forest produce (MFP) processing units will be set up in Raigad, Maharashtra, to add value to tradition tribal drink ”mahua”, amla, custard apple and jamun and produce mahua drink, amla juice, candy, jamun juice and custard apple pulp.

Another multi-commodity processing centre in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, will be used for the processing of commodities like mahua, amla, honey, cashew, tamarind, ginger, garlic and other fruits and vegetables.




Atal Innovation Mission and India Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre Partners to Boost Startup Ecosystem

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and Business Sweden on behalf of India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre signed a virtual Statement of Intent (SoI) to boost the culture of innovation in India.

This collaboration aims to promote the innovative potential of Indian Entrepreneurs and to boost the dynamic startup ecosystem across India.

India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre is a collaboration of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) (Delhi, Jodhpur) and Business Sweden.

Governor Manoj Sinha Inaugurates First Phase of Jammu Ring Road Project

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha (21 August) inaugurated the first phase of the Jammu Ring Road Project.

The foundation stone for the 58.25-km-long Jammu Ring Road project, which is expected to boost the road connectivity and decrease traffic congestion in Jammu, was laid in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The foundation stone for the 58.25-km-long Jammu Ring Road project, which is expected to boost the road connectivity and decrease traffic congestion in Jammu, was laid in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Over 10,000 patients in J&K benefitted from teleradiology

More than 10,000 people have benefitted from teleradiology system launched in June this year in Jammu and Kashmir.

Teleradiology is a branch of telemedicine in which telecommunication systems are used to transmit radiological images from one location to another. Interpretation of all noninvasive imaging studies, such as digitized X-Rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine studies, can be carried out in such a manner.

The services for teleradiology are being provided under National Free diagnostics initiative of National Health Mission (NHM) at identified healthcare facilities in the union territory focusing on rural and far-flung areas in the initial phase.

In the first phase, 53 healthcare institutions including 6 district hospitals have been identified to be covered under this initiative like extension of free X-ray services.

These free teleradiology services at the identified facilities have been made available on 24 7 basis.

MP Police’s ‘Ek Sankalp – Bujurgo ke naam’ campaign proves to be boon for senior citizens

In the state of Madhya Pradesh, a unique campaign ‘Ek Sankalp – Bujurgo ke naam’ (a commitment for elders) is being run by the Chhatarpur Police in the midst of Pandemic.

The campaign is being run specifically for the elderly people above the age of 60 years.




Facilities like medicines, vegetables, milk, essential goods telephone, TV recharge, online application are being provided to the house of the elderly people.

Renowned social worker Anna Hazare has praised this campaign being run specifically for the elderly and helpless people.

Dr Harsh Vardhan launches interactive first-of-its-kind video game ‘Corona Fighters’ to spread awareness

Health Minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan has launched an interactive first-of-its-kind game on COVID-19, the Corona Fighters. The Minister also launched two new videos urging adherence to key COVID Appropriate Behaviours.

The game presents a new and extremely creative way to teach people the right tools and behaviours to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The game, available on www.thecoronafighters.in, was designed to “influence the players’ actions in the real world, reminding them to take the right precautions and escape infection.

Govt launches online registration of gold hallmarking centres

Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan launched an online system for registration and renewal of licence of gold assaying and hallmarking centres.

Gold hallmarking is voluntary in nature. However, it will be made mandatory from June 2021. Gold sold by jewellers will need to have ‘hallmark’ quality certification.

Presently, there are 921 hallmarking centres located in 234 districts.

Arunachal Pradesh will provide potable water by 2023

Announced by Prime Minister on 15th August, 2019, Jal Jeevan Mission is under implementation in partnership with States with the objective to provide functional household tap connections to every rural household of the country by 2024. The goal of the Mission is to enable every rural household has assured availability of potable water at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) on regular and long-term basis so as to bring improvements in lives of people living in rural areas.

National Commission on Population: Projects India’s Population to be more feminine by 2036

The National Commission on Population under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) submitted the Report of the Technical group on population projections July 2020, titled “Population projections for India and States 2011- 2036”.

The report projected that the India’s sex ratio of the total population (females per 1000 males) is expected to be more feminine in 2036 compared to the population as of 2011.

Youth population (15-24 years) is expected to increase from 23.3 crores in 2011 to 25.2 crores in 2021 and then continue to decrease to 22.7 crores in 2036.




Infant Mortality Rate: India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is

reported to be 46 in 2010 which is expected to reduce to 30 by the end of 2031-2035.

Fertility Rate: Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is expected to

decline from 2.34 during 2011-2015 to 1.73 during 2031- 35.

Sex ratio: The report estimates the sex ratio to

increase from 943 in 2011 to 957 in 2036. Compared to 2011, the sex ratio in 18 states

except Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat are expected to increase by 2036.

Arjun Munda e-inaugurates “Tribes India Showroom” in Mumbai

“Tribes India Showroom” has been e-inaugurated by the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda.

The showroom has been inaugurated in Indian Globe Chambers of LIC Western Zonal Office, Fort, Mumbai.

“Tribes India Showroom” is an initiative of TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote the livelihood of the tribal people marketing.

“Tribes India on Wheels” is also launched by TRIFED to boost the sales and enhance tribal income in these challenging times. It is a mobile van stacked fully with Van Dhan natural produce, immunity boosters including other tribal products and aims to deliver these products directly to the customer’s doorstep in 150 cities across the nation.

The van brings various kinds of immunity boosting products like wild honey, organic haldi, amla, ginger, black pepper etc.

India’s longest river ropeway inaugurated in Assam

The longest river ropeway of India has been inaugurated in Assam.

The ropeway is 1.8 Km long and connects Guwahati and North Guwahati over Brahmaputra river.

The ropeway will be operated from Kachari Ghat in Guwahati to Dol Govinda temple in North Guwahati.

The new ropeway service empowered with state-of-the-art technology will decrease the travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati.

It is also expected to strengthen the tourism sector as it will enable people to see the landscapes of Guwahati city, mighty Brahmaputra including the Umananda Temple on Peacock island.

National Council for Transgender Persons

The Centre has constituted the national council for transgender persons, headed by the Union social justice minister and comprising representatives from 10 central departments, five states and members of the community.

The council India’s first and formed under Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 was announced.

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 16 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (40 of 2019), the Central Government has constituted a National Council for Transgender Persons vide notification dated 21 August 2020.




NITI Aayog Released Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020: Gujarat Tops the Overall Rankings

NITI Aayog in partnership with Institute of Competitiveness released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020, this is the first report to examine export preparedness and performance of the states of India. Gujarat was identified as the top performing state in the category of Coastal state and also topped the Overall rankings.

The landlocked states, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand had taken several measures to promote exports which can be implemented by the other states with similar socio-economic challenges.

This data driven effort identifies the core areas that are significant to promote the exports at sub national level.

Top 5 in Overall rankings:

Rank State Export Preparedness

State Category

1 Gujarat 75.19 Coastal2 Maharashtra 75.14 Coastal3 Tamil Nadu 64.93 Coastal4 Rajasthan 62.59 L a n d

locked5 Odisha 58.23 Coastal

India to complete construction of highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district will soon come up with the world’s highest railway bridge which will be 35 metres taller than Eiffel Tower. The bridge which is being built over Chenab river is likely

to be completed by August 2022. The bridge will connect Kashmir valley

with Katra in Jammu and the rest of the country. It will also reduce the journey time by 5-6 hours from Katra to Srinagar.

Innovations in renewable energy will give boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat

Indian Railways plans to use its surplus land to generate 20 GW of renewable energy from ‘Made in India’ solar or wind equipment to power its network, Commerce, Industry and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal.

This will go up to 2 billion tonnes in the next 5 years and will be the world’s first large railway of this dimension. There is a lot of surplus land and land across tracks to generate 20 GW of Made in India solar equipment or wind equipment in use. This will give us 20 GW production capacity of renewable energy and enough kilowatt hours to power our entire railway

He was addressing CEEW India’s programme on ‘Powering Livelihoods: Transforming India’s Rural Economy with Clean Energy Solutions’.

Government launches KIRAN helpline for mental health

Thawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, launched ‘Kiran’ helpline number for rehabilitation of mental health. The toll- free helpline number (1800-599-0019) has been launched with an aim to resolve the mental health issues faced by individuals, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.




Delhi Government Launched ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ Fitness Campaign

Delhi Government launched the Fitness Campaign – “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”, for the students who are confined in their homes because of the lockdown imposed on Schools and colleges due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: As a part of the “Healthy Body, Healthy

Mind” campaign, a YouTube channel has been started which uploads a video on every wednesday, by which the students can practice for a week to maintain fitness and make up for the loss of physical activities amid pandemic.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal launches National GIS-enabled Land Bank system

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal e-launched the National GIS (Geographic Information System)-enabled Land Bank system (https://iis.ncog.gov.in/parks) for six states.

The platform will provide a database of industrial areas/clusters across the country and will serve as a one-stop solution to the free and easy accessibility of all industrial information.

NITI Aayog virtually launches India component of NDC- TIA

NITI Aayog virtually launched the India Component of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) – Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA).

The events inform the transport, energy,

and climate stakeholders in India about planned project activities for the upcoming year.

It will also offer the opportunity to provide input about India’s transport challenges and how they relate to CO2 reduction ambitions.

Handicraft production centre inaugurated in Guwahati, Assam

In a bid to give a boost to the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission, a handicraft production centre is inaugurated in Guwahati by Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation Limited- ARTFED.

The bamboo and cane based local items to be produced in the centre. During the lockdown period, the weavers under the ARTFED produced 13 thousand pieces of bedsheets and pillow covers for the National Health Mission.

Arunachal Pradesh assembly passes resolution to bring state under Sixth Schedule

The Arunachal Pradesh state assembly has passed a resolution to bring the state under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The resolution also amends Article 371(H) by including provisions to safeguard the tribes of the state.

The resolution was moved by Legislative Affairs Minister Bamang Felix on August 27, 2020 on behalf of the State Government. It was passed by a voice vote following a marathon discussion in the house.




BPR&D celebrates its Golden Jubilee Anniversary on 28th August, 2020

The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) celebrated its Golden Jubilee Anniversary on 28th August, 2020.

BPR&D was raised on 28th August, 1970, through a resolution of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The Bureau was mandated to encourage excellence in policing, promote speedy and systematic study of police problems, apply science and technology in the method and techniques by the Police.

The bureau has played a vital role in shaping the Indian Police.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal addresses ASEAN-India Business Council Meet

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal addressed the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Business Council Virtual Meet. He extended India’s friendship and partnership to ASEAN countries and expected to achieve a target of 300-billion-dollar trade through Business with them.

He emphasized 3 C’s Cooperation, Collaboration & Commitment as guide for the strategic partnership between India and ASEAN countries.

State’s First Marine Ambulance ‘Pratheeksha’ in Kochi

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the State’s First fully equipped Marine Ambulance ‘Pratheeksha’. It was acquired by the Fisheries Department at Kochi for rescue

operations at sea. ‘Pratheeksha’ – built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is the first of the three marine ambulances ordered by the state.

Key Points: The Central institute of Fisheries

Technology (CIFT), Kochi provided the technical advice for building the marine ambulances.

Pratheeksha will be stationed at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, Prathyasa and Karunya will be stationed at Vypeen in Ernakulam and Beypore in Kozhikode.

Nari Shakti video for women empowerment at POSOCO

National power grid operator POSOCO released a video Nari Shakti to celebrate and acknowledge the extraordinary role played by women employees at POSOCO.

POSOCO offers women the best opportunities to achieve these goals. They are encouraged to challenge the conventional assumptions, to inspire teams; they are encouraged to translate their ideas into actionable goals and results.

‘Iraada’ Campaign Launched Social Welfare Schemes: J&K

In Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Dr Sagar D.Doifode, Doda District Deputy Commissioner (DCC) launched ‘Iraada’ campaign to include eligible left-out beneficiaries, who have not yet been enrolled to receive the financial assistance benefits under various social welfare schemes, which includes old age pension, widow and handicap scheme. In other




words, the campaign is for 100% coverage under social welfare schemes.

The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah launched ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ the tree plantation campaign of the Coal Ministry in the presence of Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs.

Aero India-2021 to be held in Bengaluru from February 3 to 7

The defence ministry has decided to host the next edition of Aero India -considered Asia’s largest aerospace exhibition - in Bengaluru in February.

The ministry took the decision to hold the biennial event as scheduled following inputs from major stakeholders including the domestic defence industry and global aerospace majors. The sources announced the main event will be held from February 3-5 while the exhibition will be thrown open for general public on February 6 and 7.

The government will showcase India as an attractive destination for investment in the defence manufacturing sector besides highlighting series of initiatives it has taken to promote the domestic industry.

51st IFFI to be held in Goa from Nov 20 51st International Film Festival of India

(IFFI) will be held in Goa, from November 20th to 28th.

This film festival is a hybrid film festival due to COVID 19, would screen films on the official digital platform along with the theatrical screenings.

Kerala to build country’s first International Women Trade Centre

In association with United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), Kerala will set up India’s first international women’s trade centre (WTC), at Angamaly (a city in Kochi, Kerala).

Objective The recent move aims to accelerate

women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity while providing women with a safe place away from home to start new businesses. It will also help set up or expand current business holdings. According to Biju Prabhakar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Women & Child Development women can also get their products marketed globally.

Organized by FICCI Kerala State Council the Secretary was making the keynote while addressing at the webinar on Scaling up Opportunities for MSME Women Entrepreneurs in Kerala.

Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa to flag off first RORO train from Bengaluru to Solapur

The maiden ‘Roll On Roll Off’ (RORO) train between Bengaluru and Solapur in Maharashtra consisting of open flat wagon on which trucks with goods are loaded will start the South Western Railway.

Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa will flag off the RORO train from Nelamagala station on the city outskirts at 9.15 am




He will be accompanied by Union minister of state for railways Suresh Angadi, state revenue minister R Ashoka.

China Launches Most Advanced Warship Type-054 class for Pakistan Navy

China launched the first of the four advanced naval warships, Type-054 class frigates for the Pakistan Navy. The Type-054 class frigate is manufactured by China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd (CSTC) and was launched in the Chinese state-owned Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard, Shanghai.

The Warship is fitted with the latest surface, subsurface, anti-air weapons, combat management system and sensors and will be one of the technologically-advanced surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy Fleet.

In 2017, Pakistan signed a contract with CSTC for the delivery of two Type-054 A/P frigates in 2017.

UP govt launches ‘Major Dhyan Chand Vijaypath Yojana’

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya launched ‘Major Dhyan Chand Vijaypath Yojana’ scheme under which 19 International Players will get road connectivity to their homes.

The initial list includes 19 International Players from the state, and later on more players are expected to be added to the list.

The list includes Indian Cricketers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and Mohammad Kaif.

A road will be named after Late Cricketer and Former Cabinet Minister Chetan Chauhan.




7. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

China, Russia call for dialogue with EU over alleged cyberattacks

The European Union rolled out unprecedented new travel and financial sanctions on six people and three entities related to major cyberattacks including 2017’s WannaCry ransomware attack.

Two Chinese nationals and four Russian military intelligence officers were named in the sanctions list along with tech firms from China and North Korea, and the department for special technologies of the Russian military intelligence service, known as Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The sanctions are the first ever imposed over cybercrime by the European economic bloc.

The bloc accused the Russian service of having carried out two cyberattacks in June 2017, which hit several companies in Europe resulting in large financial losses. The service is also accused of two cyberattacks against Ukraine’s power grid in 2015 and 2016.

International Affairs

Arab World’s first ever nuclear reactor starts its operation

Oil-rich Gulf state UAE finally starts its first-ever nuclear reactor “Barakah” at Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coast. Barakah was expected to start its operation in 2017. However, due to various safety issue, it kept on getting delayed.

SABIC chemical plant to become world’s first-of-its-kind to operate on 100 per cent renewable power

SABIC’s polycarbonate facility in Spain is set to become the world’s first large scale chemical production plant which will run entirely on renewable power after a major agreement was signed with Iberdrola, an electricity utility company.

The plant is expected to be completely operational by 2024 and is expected to help SABIC reach it’s 2025 clean energy target.



India, Israel Collaborated to develop rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds

Experts from India and Israel have collaborated to develop rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds by merging the technological expertise of Israel with Indian development and production capabilities.

They have started to conduct trials at a special testing site at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital on a large sample of patients for 4 different kinds of technologies namely, Voice test, Breath analyser test, Isothermal testing and Polyamine acid testing.

China’s Dual cycle Chinese leaders have vowed to strengthen

the country’s economic opening-up drive, which is not in conflict with its recent emphasis on boosting domestic demand but will benefit the global economic recovery.

The country’s top leadership has on various occasions reaffirmed the idea of a dual-cycle development pattern, meaning the country’s growth will rely on both domestic and international economic developments, with the domestic cycle being the mainstay.

Such a focus on domestic demand is rational due to the serious fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dampened domestic economic activities and reduced international demand for Chinese products and services.

13th Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting

The 13th Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation was held to review the continuing growth of broad based cooperation between the two countries.

The session was co-chaired by Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India and Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates.

Ganesh Vilas Lengare Awarded Star 2020 Certificate by World Book of Records, London

Solapur based activist Ganesh Vilas Lengare has been awarded Star 2020 E-citation Certification by World Book of Records, London. He has been awarded for his efforts to help the poor people during the lockdown caused by Coronavirus.

Ganesh Vilas Lengare launched 21 schemes to assist the people. The Most notable work that he had done was the COVID-19 patient contact tracing, which was implemented with the help of Solapur district authorities.

Ganesh Vilas Lengare spread awareness about hygiene, wearing masks and social distancing by organising online contests and producing educational videos.

About World Book of Records: The organization was found in 2017 and

honors personalities for their contribution towards humanity and universal peace.




Eight teams of scientists from India and US selected for pursuing research on Covid-19

Eight binational teams of researchers from India and the US have been selected for pursuing cutting-edge research in pathogenesis and disease management of Covid-19.

The teams will pursue research in areas such as antiviral coatings, immune modulation, tracking SARS CoV-2 in wastewater, disease detection mechanisms, reverse genetics strategies and drug repurposing.

The research awards were announced by the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), an autonomous bilateral organisation jointly funded by the governments of India and the US, which promotes science, technology, engineering and innovation through substantive interaction among government, academia and industry.

Kamala Harris becomes first Indian American to accept Democratic Party nomination for US Vice President’s post

US Senator Kamala Harris has become the first Indian American to accept nomination for the US Vice Presidential candidate for Democratic Party.

During her acceptance speech, she said that she was honoured to accept the nomination for Vice President of the United States. She spoke about her own story of how growing up has shaped her.

She said she was committed to the values of her mother and to the vision that is shared by Joe Biden, where there will be equality for all regardless of what they look like and where they are from.

While mentioning names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, she said they have got to do the work to fulfill the promise of equal justice under law while adding that none of us are free until all of us are free.

India Ranked 57th in Digital Quality of Life 2020, Denmark tops: DQL Index 2020 by SurfShark

In accordance with the 2nd edition of global research “Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020” released by online privacy solutions provider SurfShark, India ranked 57th out of 85 countries in terms of overall category “Digital Quality of Life 2020” with 0.5 index points which has been topped by Denmark with 0.79 points.

The DQL Index 2020 analyzes 85 countries around the world covering 6.3 billion people or 81% of the global population in terms of five core pillars: internet affordability, internet quality, e-infrastructure, e-security, and e-government, and results are premised on 12 different factors.




Rank Country

Digital Quality of Life 2020

57 India1 Denmark2 Sweden3 CanadaInternet Affordability

9 India1 Israel2 Canada3 AzerbaijanInternet Quality

78 India1 Singapore2 Sweden3 NetherlandsElectronic (E)-infrastructure

79 India1 United Arab Emirates (UAE)2 Sweden3 DenmarkE-security

57 India1 United Kingdom (UK)2 France3 LithuaniaE-Government

15 India1 Singapore2 UK3 United States of America (USA)

5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held virtually

5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP) was held virtually.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Geneva, and the Parliament of Austria jointly organized the two day Conference with the support of the United Nations (UN).

The conference was held with the theme “Parliamentary leadership for more effective multilateralism” to deliver peace and sustainable development for the people and planet.

The conference was held with prime objective of strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation in order to rebuild a better world. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla participated in the inaugural ceremony of the conference.

The ILO’s “Youth and COVID-19: Impacts on Jobs, Education, Rights and Mental Well-being”

The United Nations (UN)’s International Labour Organization (ILO) published the survey report titled “Youth and COVID-19: Impacts on Jobs, Education, Rights and Mental Well-being” which found that 50% of young people across the world are possibly subject to anxiety or depression and around 17% of them are already affected by it. and 38% of youths do not have a clear idea about the career or future.

Note: Around 12000 responses from 112

countries were received with a major contribution from the educated youths.

Aim: To identify the immediate effects of the

pandemic on the lives of the youths across the world with regards to employment,




education, mental health, rights and social activism.

About International Labor Organization (ILO):

f Director-General– Guy Ryder f Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland f ILO is a specialized body of the United

Nations (UN).

6th Round Table of ASEAN-India network of think tanks (AINTT) held

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand organized the two-day long 6th Round Table of ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT) through video conference on the theme “ASEAN-India: Strengthening Partnership in the Post COVID Era”. ASEAN is an acronym for Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

It was inaugurated by Union External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai. ASEAN Secretary General Dato’ Paduka Lim Jock Hoi also addressed the inaugural session.

About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):

f 2020 Chairmanship– Vietnam f Chairman– Nguyen Xuan Phuc f Secretariat – Jakarta, Indonesia f Membership– 10 States ― Brunei

Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 1 Observer – Papua New Guinea.

India and Uzbekistan Co-chaired the First National Coordination Committee Meeting

V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India and Sardor Umurzakov, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan co-chaired the first National Coordination Committee Meeting.

Issues on bilateral interests like, Line of Credit (LoC) projects, trade and investments to strengthen the strategic relations between India and Uzbekistan were discussed during the meeting.

First in Indian Railways: Ahmedabad Railway Division Introduces Baggage Sanitization and Wrapping Machine

Ahmedabad Railway Division launched the Baggage Sanitization and Wrapping Machine at the Ahmedabad Railway station to ensure safe travel for the passengers during the Pandemic.

The Ahmedabad Railway Division has introduced the machine after considering the increase in transport and travel services after Unlock-1 Phase.

World Health Organization certifies Africa free from wild Polio

The Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC), an independent body set up by the World Health Organization (WHO), has certified the African continent free from wild Polio virus.

The landmark feat related to public health has been achieved by the continent after decades of work along with international




health bodies, national and local governments, community volunteers and survivors. According to the previous records, about 75,000 children in Africa were paralysed by polio in year 1996.

The last case of Polio was recorded four years ago in the northern Nigeria.

17th meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Commission held

The 17th meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission was held through video conference on August 25, 2020. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh.

The two sides reviewed recent developments in India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the meeting and discussed the future trajectory of their engagement.

The two sides further agreed to advance the economic and defence engagement between the two nations and boost closer cooperation in other areas including space, marine sciences, civil nuclear energy and new technologies.

NCPUL organises “World Urdu Conference” in New Delhi

National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has organised the “World Urdu Conference” in New Delhi.

The inaugural session of the two days long conference was virtually addressed by Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

During the conference, the minister

added that Government of India will honor Urdu writers and literators with awards and honours in the name of important personalities of Urdu in order to encourage Urdu writers for literary and creative services.

14th India-Singapore Defense Policy Dialogue

Recently India and Singapore conducted the fourteenth Defence Policy Dialogue via video conferencing. The conference was Co-chaired by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar Permanent Secretary (Defence), and his Singaporean counterpart Mr Chan Heng Kee. The delegates discussed a number of issues of high importance between both the nations.

It was on 24 November 2015, when India and Singapore first signed the agreement for the strategic relationship. The agreement then included a number of high priority agenda. Further taking the agreement ahead in the year 2018, the then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen. The agreement ensures deep cooperation in maritime activity. Against the backdrop of China’s increasing military movements in the Indo-Pacific region both the countries granted freedom of navigation in critical sea lanes.

India ranks 72 globally in terms of average monthly wage

In a global survey conducted by Picodi.com, an international e-commerce




platform which provides discount coupons, India is placed at 72 number among 106 nations while Switzerland topping the chart.

Ranking The ranking by Picodi.com placed

Switzerland at the top, where the average wage amounts to Rs 4,49,000 while placing Cuba at the lowest rank where the average wage is at Rs 2,700. With an average earning of Rs 3,00,900 and Rs 2,64,900 Luxembourg and the United States, ranked second and third respectively.




8. TAMILNADU AFFAIRS

Tamilnadu Affairs

World Organ Donation Day 2020- August 13

The day provides an opportunity to come forward and pledge to donate their organs after death which will save the lives of various people. About organ donation, there are myths and fears in people’s minds due to a lack of awareness.

The Chief Minister recalled that Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in encouraging organ donation and formed Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu on December 12, 2014. “Due to this, Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of organ donation.

Tamil Nadu received awards from the Central government for remaining in the first place in organ donation and organ transplant surgery.

Amma Covid-19 Homecare Scheme launched in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami launched the Amma Covid-19 Homecare Scheme whereby a

Rs 2,500 package consisting of medicines, pulse oximeter and digital thermometer will be sold to those in home quarantine.

The government said the scheme consists of a package containing a pulse oximeter, a digital thermometer, 14 face masks, one soap for washing hands, herbal powder to be mixed with water, 60 herbal tablets, 14 Zinc tablets, 14 multi-vitamin tablets and a Covid-19 booklet.

The package will be available at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital.

New Education Policy aims at ensuring 100% gross enrolment in schools by 2030

In Tamil Nadu, the webinar on New Education Policy organized by the Rural Outreach Bureau, Government of India in Thanjavur, emphasized the fact that the policy primarily aims at ensuring 100 per cent gross enrolment in schools by 2030.

The webinar, held as part of Independence Day celebrations, was one element in a series of online communication exchange campaigns being organized by the Rural Outreach Bureau.

TN govt forms 12-member panel to study new EIA draft

Tamil Nadu government has constituted a



Tamilnadu Affairs

12-member State-level committee to look into all aspects of merits and demerits of the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The EIA is a process to evaluate the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development taking into account socio-economic; cultural and human-health impacts. The Centre had proposed the draft EIA 2020 to replace the EIA Notification 2006 and was put in public domain on March 12 for obtaining comments from all stakeholders within a period of 60 days.

On June 30, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to publish a draft EIA notification 2020 in all 22 official languages for the comments of the State government by August 11.

Chennai ranks 45th in Swachh Survekshan 2020 list

Chennai has been ranked 45th this year in the Swachh Survekshan 2020 released by the Centre. Indore has been adjudged the cleanest city for the fourth consecutive year, while the cleanest megacity with a population of more than 40 lakh is Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Chennai’s rankings are an improvement from 2019 when it was ranked 61st. In 2018, it was ranked 100th while in 2017, it was ranked 235th. The city has been awarded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for the ‘Best innovative practices in Solid Waste Management’ among megacities with a population of

above 40 lakh.

Wabag Wins 2020 Global Water Award for Koyambedu TTRO Plant in Chennai

Water technology major Va Tech Wabag bagged the 2020 Global Water Award for its 45 million litres a day Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis (TTRO) plant at Koyambedu in Chennai.

The plant bagged the distinction award under the ‘Wastewater project of the year’ category.

The TTRO plant in Koyambedu, Chennai is one of the largest and technologically most advanced Water Reuse Plants in India.

The plant is designed and built by WABAG and IDE Technologies for Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (CMWSSB).

The plant uses a multi-stage treatment scheme, including Rapid Gravity Sand Filters, Ultrafiltration, Reverse Osmosis, and Ozonation and is the first reuse



facility in India to use Ozonation for disinfection.

The plant makes Chennai the first Indian city to reuse more than 20% of its treated wastewater freeing up more than 16 million metrics of fresh water each year.

Website launched for artists by Tamil Nadu CM

The Department of Tamil Arts and Culture for the year 2018-19, an additional building has been constructed at a cost of Rs.95 Lakhs.

The Coimbatore Regional Arts and Cultural Center building has been constructed at a cost of Rs.75 Lakhs Chief Minister Palanisamy inaugurated the buildings.

The Chief Minister has launched a separate portal for artists on the website of the Department of Arts and Culture (www.artandculture.tn.gov.in). We can find information about the field of art and culture.

Tamil Nadu women top the list of MUDRA loan scheme

According to the data provided by Ministry of Finance to Rajya Sabha, Tamil Nadu has topped the list of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in availing loans to women.

It was followed by West Bengal and Karnataka. According to the data produced by the Ministry of Finance, around 15 crore loans amounting to Rs 4.78 lakh crores were disbursed to women borrowers since the inception of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.

As of March 31, 2020, Tamil Nadu had availed Rs 58,227 crores. The loans provided by other states are as follows.

f West Bengal: Rs 55,232 crores f Karnataka: Rs 47,714 crores f Bihar: Rs 44,879 f Maharashtra: Rs 42,000 crores f All the above states have received

52% of MUDRA loans for women. The loans were availed to activities allied to agriculture, services, trading, processing, manufacturing, etc. Of the total number of loans provided under MUDRA scheme, 70% of borrowers were women.

Cuddalore Port Palaniswami announced cargo operations

would soon commence from the Cuddalore port, which is being upgraded at a cost of Rs 135 crore.

Tamilnadu Affairs



9. PRACTICE QUESTIONS1. Sri Sailam Hydro electric Power Plant is located in which State?

(A) Andhra Pradesh (B) Telangana(C) Kerala (D) Tamil Nadu

2. “Naukhai Juhar” Festival recently celebrated in_____________.(A) Chattisgarh (B) Odisha (C) Telangana (D) A & B

3. India’s longest ropeway recently opened across the river _____________.(A) Cauvery (B) Krishna (C) Ganga (D) Brahmaputra

4. National Food Security Act (NASA) was enacted in which of the following year?(A) 2012 (B) 2013 (C) 2014 (D) 2015

5. How many persons have been selected for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award-2020?(A) 4 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 10

6. Agricultural Marketing and Farmers Friendly Reforms Index has been released by___________.(A) National Statistical Office (B) NITI Aayog (C) RBI (D) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare

7. “Eat Right India hand Book” recently released by__________.(A) FSSAI (B) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(C) Food Corporation (D) Ministry of Civil Supply

8. “Teasta River” is originates from which of the following State?(A) Assam (B) Sikkim (C) Tripura (D) Uttarkhand

9. F-16 Jets recently seen in News belongs to which of the following country?(A) Taiwan (B) USA (C) Russai (D) China

10. The Abraham accord recently signed between which of the following two countries.(A) USA-Russia (B) Israel-Palastine (C) Israel-United Arab Emirates (D) Iraq-Syria

11. Atal Tunnel is being built under___________________in Himachal Pradesh.(A) Rohtang Pass (B) Lanak La Pass (C) Nathu la pass (D) Zoji La Pass

12. Anti Drug Action Plan for 2020-21 was launched by the Ministry of __________.(A) Home Affairs (B) Social Justice(C) Chemicals and Fertilizer (D) Health and Family Welfare

13. “Space Bricks” for the surface of the moon is produced by the Researchers of______________.(A) Indian Institute of Science (B) IIT-Delhi(C) Indian Space Research Organisation (D) A & C

14. Which year Anglo-Manipuri War was concluded?(A) 1891 (B) 1895 (C) 1905 (D) 1907

Practice Questions



15. Recently Tamil Nadu Government formed a committee to study New draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) with How many members?(A) 5 (B) 7 (C) 10 (D) 12

16. Prime Minister announces Health Identy Card for each Indian under which of the following mission?(A) Arogya Seva (B) Ayushman Bharat (C) Digital Health (D) Health Survery

17. Which year National Commission for Women Act has been enacted?(A) 1982 (B) 1985 (C) 1990 (D) 1992

18. 6th BRICS Environment Ministerial meeting was held recently via video conferencing under the Presidency of ______________.(A) Brazil (B) India (C) China (D) Russia

19. Which of the following Ministry received SKOCH Gold award for its schemes implementation?(A) Ministry of Finance (B) Ministry of Tribal Affairs (C) Ministry of Home (D) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

20. Ambala Airbase is located in which of the following State?(A) Punjab (B) Haryana (C) Jammu & Kashmir (D) Himachal Pradesh

21. As per the National Education Policy 2020 which of the following Course will be discontinued?(A) B.Ed (B) M.Ed (C) M.Phil (D) M.Com

22. Which Country recently conducted “Great prophet 14” Military Exercise?(A) Iran (B) Iraq (C) Kuwait (D) Egypt

23. Yamuna River orginates from which of the following state?(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Uttarkhand (C) Himachal Pradesh (D) Bihar

24. Recently Indian Government imposed safeguard duty to which product to protect domestic manufacturers?(A) Textile (B) Solar Cells (C) Electronics (D) Medical Devices

25. KavKaz-2020 exercise is to be conducted by _______________.(A) China (B) USA (C) Japan (D) Russia

26. National cooperative Development Corporation is recently seen in News is functioning under which Ministry?(A) Ministry of Finance (B) Ministry of Home (C) Ministry of Agricultural and Farmers Welfare (D) Ministry of Rural Development

27. The foundation Stone of Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur was laid recently at which State?(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Andhra Pradesh(C) Aruchachal Pradesh (D) Himachal Pradesh

Practice Questions



28. Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy (NEP) organized by_______________.(A) NITI Aayog (B) ISRO (C) Ministry of Education (D) IIT Delhi

29. Who is the president of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) ?(A) Amitab Kant (B) A.S Mehta (C) Usha Thorat (D) M.S.Sahoo

30. Which language was dropped from list of foreign language in National Education Policy?(A) Spanish (B) Korean (C) Mandarin (D) Japanese

31. Who heads the committee formed by Reserve bank of India to set up a new mechanism for stressed assets?(A) N.Manodharan (B) N.K.Singh (C) N.Alamelu (D) K.V.Kamat

32. Narayanpur Dam constructed over which of the following river?(A) Krishna (B) Bhima (C) Kabini (D) Kaveri

33. ______________became the first country in the India ocean Region to achieve the status of Tsunami ready from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission?(A) Madagaskar (B) Srilanka (C) Bangladesh (D) India

34. “PRATHEEKSHA” First ever marine Ambulance is recently launched in____________.(A) Karnataka (B) Andhra Pradesh (C) Kerala (D) Maharashtra

35. The National Digital Health Mission was announced on__________.(A) 15 August 2020 (B) 15 August 2019 (C) 26 January 2020 (D) 26 January 2020

36. UDAN scheme is implemented by_____________.(A) Ministry of Finance (B) Ministry of Civil Aviation(C) Ministry of Home (D) Ministry of Defence

37. Which of the following country India attended 17th Joint Commission Meeting recently?(A) Laos (B) Thailand (C) Vietnam (D) Cambodia

38. Poulomi Ghatak is associated with which sport?(A) Cricket (B) Football (C) Table Tennis (D) Hockey

39. Kaiga Atomic Power Station is located in which of the following State?(A) Maharashtra (B) Karnataka (C) Chhatisgarh (D) Odisha

40. Kalesar National Park is located in which state?(A) Uttar Pardesh (B) Uttarkhand (C) Haryana (D) Punjab

41. Which of the following Personality published two papers Kesari in Manathi and Mahratta in English?(A) Lala lajapathi roy (B) Jyotiba Phule (C) Bipin Chandra Paul (D) Bala Gangadhar Tilak

42. Which of the following veto power not enjoyed by the President of India?(A) Pocket Veto (B) Qualified Veto (C) Suspensive Veto (D) Absolute Veto

Practice Questions



43. Mach’s speed is nearly equals to_______________.(A) Light’s speed (B) Sound’s speed (C) 770 km/h (D) 2500 km/h

44. India constructing World highest railway bridge on which of the following river?(A) Jelum (B) Indus (C) Chenab (D) Sutlaj

45. Who is the current CEO of NITI Aayog?(A) V K Paul (B) Ajay Tyagi (C) Rajiv Kumar (D) Amitabh Kant

46. Where is the Headquarters of Common Wealth Human Rights initiative (CHRI) located?(A) London (B) Dhaka (C) New Delhi (D) Canberra

47. Mahatma Gandhi Bridge recently seen in news is located in which state?(A) Himachal Pradesh (B) Jammu & Kashmir (C) Bihar (D) Uttar Pradesh

48. Which of the following Amendment to the constitution of Srilanka made Sinhala and Tamil as the official language the country?(A) 13 (B) 17 (C) 130 (D) 170

49. Gorumura National Park is located in which state?(A) Sikkim (B) Himachal Pradesh(C) West Bengal (D) Gujarat

50. Mariyappan Thangavelu, Athlet from Tamil Nadu recently honoured with which of the award?(A) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (B) Dronacharya Award (C) Arjuna Award (D) Ekalavya Award

51. Odisha’s 11th century Ligaraja Temple is built in______________.(A) Kalinga Style of Architecture (B) Dravidian Style of Architecture (C) Arjuna Style of Architecture (D) Vesara Style of Architecture

52. Ballestic Missile Martyr “Quasem Soleimani” is recently seen in News it belong to which of the following country?(A) Iraq (B) Pakistan (C) Iran (D) Israel

53. National Strategy for Financial Education was launched by___________________.(A) Reserve Bank of India (B) NPCI (C) SEBI (D) State Bank of India

54. Population Projections for India and States 2011-2036 Report was released by___________.(A) National Commission on Population (B) United Nations Population Fund (C) UNICEF (D) World Economic Forum

55. Who is the Chief Executive Officer of NPCI International Payments limited?(A) Urjit Patel (B) Nandan Nilekeni (C) Rina Penkar (D) Ritesh Shukla

56. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana is Associated with which organization?(A) National Insurance Company Ltd (NIC) (B) Employees and State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (C) Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) (D) Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

Practice Questions



57. Which year Hindu succession Act was enacted?(A) 1952 (B) 1962 (C) 1956 (D) 1966

58. Who is the head of newly formed high-level defence ministry committee?(A) Ajay Kumar (B) Rajiv Kumar(C) Rajnath Singh (D) Ajay Bhusan Pondey

59. Which of the following state recently launched Indira Van Mitan Yojana” to support forest dwellers?(A) Odisha (B) Assam (C) Chhatisgarh (D) Andhra pradesh

60. New Railway museum has been inaugurated recently in which of the following city?(A) Hubbali (B) Mysuru (C) Bengaluru (D) Hosur

61. “Pinaka” multi barrel rocket launcher developed by____________.(A) Hindustan Aeronautics limited (B) ISRO(C) DRDO (D) Dassault Aviation

62. “Farakka Barrage” is recently seen in news has been across which river?(A) Kosi (B) Narmada (C) Ganga (D) Barak

63. Which of the following takes into account for country’s balance of payments?1. Import of Goods 2. Export of Goods 3. Flow of remittances(A) 1, 2 (B) 1, 3 (C) 2, 3 (D) All the above

64. Choose the Correct Statement.1. Eat Right Movement was launched by FSSAI.2. It Aims to cutdown salt /sugar and oil consumption by 30% in three years.(A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both (D) None of the above

65. Which state’s Moira Banana and Harmal Chilli got GI Tag recently?(A) Goa (B) Himachal Pradesh(C) Kerala (D) Nagaland

66. What is the name of a reusable space craft developed by SpaceX?(A) Space Capsule (B) Dragon Capsule (C) Reuse Capsule (D) Recovery Capsule

67. Choose the Correct Statement regarding Aravalli Ranges.1. The Aravalli Mountain range runs in a south-west direction starting near Delhi and ends

in Gujarat.2. Guru Shikhar is the highest peak of Aravali range.(A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both (D) None of the above

68. Which of the following languages added into the 8th schedule of Indian constitution by 92nd constitutional amendment in 2004?1. Bodo 2. Dogri 3. Maithali 4. Santhali(A) 1, 2 (B) 1, 2, 3 (C) 2, 3, 4 (D) All the above

Practice Questions



69. “Sahakar Cooptube” Channel is recently launched by_____________.(A) RBI (B) Ministry of Finance (C) Ministry of Rural Development (D) Ministry of Agricultural Farmers Welfare

70. Which of the following State launched e-Raksha Bandhan?(A) Telangana (B) Uttar Pradesh (C) Andhra Pradesh (D) New Delhi

71. Virtual Museum of securities market in India is to setup by______________.(A) Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (B) Reserve Bank of India (C) IRDAI (D) Ministry of Finance

72. Beirut” City is the Capital of which of the following county?(A) Syria (B) Lebanon (C) Jordan (D) Turkey

73. What is the theme of World Breast Feeding Week 2020?(A) Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet (B) Support breastfeeding for creating better Generation (C) Exclusive Breastfeeding (D) Support Lactating Mothers

74. The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) is located in which of the following city?(A) Mumbai (B) Varanasi (C) New Delhi (D) Ahmadabad

75. Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (WEE) initiative was started by___________.(A) National Commission for Women (B) IIT Delhi(C) IIT-Madras (D) Ministry of Woman and Child Development

76. Which State topped the list in availing loans to women under MUDRA loan?(A) Tamil Nadu (B) West Bengal (C) Karnataka (D) Telangana

77. INS Viraat is recently seen in News it is a _________________.(A) Air craft carrier ship (B) Submarine(C) Coastal Guard ship (D) Atomic powered submarine

78. Bushan Char Island is located in which of the following country?(A) Maldives (B) Srilanka (C) Madagaskar (D) Bangladesh

79. Where is the secretariat of Association of southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) located?(A) India (B) Nepal (C) Indonesia (D) Laos

80. Who is the chairperson of National Council for Transgender persons?(A) President (B) Prime Minister(C) Union Minister for Home (D) Union Minister for Social Justice

81. “Thumbi Mahatsavam” is the first ever festival of which of the following state?(A) Karnataka (B) Kerala (C) Tamil Nadu (D) Andhra Pradesh

82. VA Tech Wabag Company which has won 2020 Global Water Award is located in which Indian City?(A) Ahmadabad (B) Kolkata (C) Chennai (D) New Delhi

Practice Questions



83. Recently launched remote sensing satellite Gao fen 905 is belongs to___________.(A) Japan (B) South Korea (C) China (D) Russia

84. The World’s highest Railway Arch Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir is built across which river?(A) Beas (B) Ravi (C) Sutlaj (D) Chenab

85. Simlipal National Park is located in which of the following State?(A) Gujarat (B) Bihar (C) Odisha (D) Jharkhand

86. According to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recent report which state securing first position on implementing the Scheme “AMRUT”?(A) Tamilnadu (B) Kerala (C) Maharashtra (D) Odisha

87. Which country recently test fired the “Defence System Arrow-2”?(A) China (B) Japan (C) Israel (D) Sudan

88. Assam Government launched the scheme “Arunodoi” to provide financial Assistance to_________.(A) Senior Citizen (B) Differently abled (C) Women (D) Students

89. Which Indian organisation entered the list of world’s top 100 companies on the fortune Global 500 list?(A) HDFC (B) Adani Parts (C) SBI (D) Reliance

90. Choose the Correct Statement.1. Abiscissic Acid is a plant hormon.2. It Plays a keyrole in many plant Development Processes like control of organ size, seed

and bud.(A) 1 only (B) 2 only (C) Both (D) None of the above

91. Pakke Tiger Reserve is located in which of the following state?(A) Assam (B) Uttarkhand (C) Bihar (D) Arunachal Pradesh

92. The Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) established in____________.(A) 1955 (B) 1965 (C) 1975 (D) 1985

93. Which of the following organization partnered with Government of India to fund The National Agricultural Higher Education Project?(A) World Bank (B) New Development Bank(C) Asian Development Bank (D) IMF

94. Sharda River orginates from____________.(A) Himachal Pradesh (B) Ladakh(C) Jammu & Kashmir (D) Uttarkhand

95. The newly set up National Recruitment Agency is to be conducted The Common Eligibility Test for the posts of ______________.(A) Non gazetted posted in Public sector Banks (B) Non gazetted posted in Central Government(C) Group 1 & 2 posts in Central Governments (D) A & B

Practice Questions



96. National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 Released by___________.(A) National Medical Council (B) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(C) Indian Council of Medical Research (D) AIIMS-Delhi

97. SHAKTI and VEGA are recently seen in News which is _____________.(A) Schemes for Entrepreneurs (B) Micro Processors(C) New Mobile Company (D) New Mobile Models

98. Gangothri National Park is located in which of the following state?.(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Uttarkhand (C) Bihar (D) Himachal Pradesh

99. Which of the following organization is going to conduct the World Solar Technology Summit?(A) International Solar Alliance (B) World Trade Organization (C) UNEP (D) World Wide Fund for Nature

100. What is the overall ranking of India in Digital Quality of life Index 2020?(A) 51 (B) 15 (C) 57 (D) 75

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

B D D B B B A B B C

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

A B D A D C C D B B

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

C A B B D C D C D C

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

D A D C A B C C B C

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

D B B C D C C A C A

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

A C A A D B B A C A

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

C C D C A B C D D C

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

A B A C B A A D C D

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

B C C D C D C C D A

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

D D A D D C B B A C

Practice Questions



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