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EXCLUSIVE July 2018 GA Refresher

Banking & Economy

IPPB to start operations with 650 branches in Aug 2018

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) will go live with 650 branches in addition to 3,250 access points co-

located at post offices in Aug, 2018 following final clearance from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval to IPPB after testing its entire system.

IPPB was incorporated on Aug 17, 2016 under Companies Act, 2013 as a public limited company with

100% Government of India equity under Department of Posts (Ministry of Communication &

Technology). It was the third entity to receive payments bank permit after Airtel and Paytm.

Payments bank can accept deposits maximum up to Rs 100,000 per account from individuals and small

businesses. They can issue ATM/debit cards but not credit cards and can also issue other prepaid

payment instruments.

IRDAI constituted 16-member committee

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) constituted a 16-member

committee, headed by IRDAI Member P.J. Joseph, to examine motor third party insurance pricing

aspects and make recommendations on the premium rates for 2019-20.

Its term will be till Dec 31. This is for the first time IRDAI has formed such a committee.

NABARD launches Centre for Climate Change (CCC) in Lucknow

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the South East Asia’s

first-ever Centre for Climate Change (CCC) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The centre aims to accelerate concerted climate action by various stakeholders in government, private,

financial and non -government actors.

Govt cuts minimum annual deposit requirement to Rs 250

The Union Govt reduced minimum yearly deposit required under popular girl child savings scheme,

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to Rs 250 from Rs 1,000 earlier.

The Union Govt amended Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2016.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched as a small savings scheme under Beti Bacho Beti Padho

(BBBP) in Jan 2015.

It aims to motivate parents to open an account in name of girl child for her welfare and meet expense

requirements of higher education and marriage.

The minimum deposit that can be made every year into account is now Rs 250 and maximum amount on

yearly basis is Rs 1.50 lakh.

Under this scheme, parent or legal guardian of a girl child can open an account in her name until she

attains the age of ten years.

Deposits can be made in this account up to 14 years from date of opening of account.

After this period, the account will only earn interest according to applicable rates.

The girl child can withdraw 50% of the money in the account after reaching age of 18 for higher

education (18 years limit for preventing child-marriages).

The amount deposited in it used to get interest rate of 9.1% initially but the current interest rate is 8.1%

and there will be no income tax for this.

The account will remain operative until the girl child reaches 21.

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Lok Sabha passes Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The lower house of the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha passed Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2017

to reduce the number of cheque dishonour cases pending in courts.

It amends Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 to primarily address issues of dishonor of cheques and deal

with unnecessary delay in disposal of such cases.

Negotiable Instrument refers to any legal documents like cheques, promissory notes, bill of exchange etc

which promises to pay bearer or holder of instrument or person whose name is written on instrument

specific amount of money either on demand or after specified time i.e. on some future date.

Federal Bank gets RBI nod to enter Bahrain, Kuwait, Singapore

South-based private sector lender, Federal Bank has received the regulatory nod to open offices in

Bahrain, Kuwait and Singapore.

The Kochi-headquartered bank already has representative offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

India to remain fastest growing major economy till 2019-20

According to the recent Asian Development Outlook (ADO) of Asian Development Bank (ADB), India

will continue to be fastest growing major economy, ahead of China, with growth rate of 7.3% in 2018-

19 and 7.6% in 2019-20.

South Asia will continue to be the fastest growing sub-region in Asia Pacific, led by India.

Asian Development Bank (ADB), headquartered in Manila, Philippines, is a regional development bank

based out of Asia.

RBI to issue new 100 rupee notes in lavender colour

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will shortly issue new Rs. 100 denomination

banknotes in lavender colour in Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series.

This comes on back of new designs introduced for Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 10 notes, in the last couple of

years.

The old Rs 100 notes in the earlier series will also continue to be legal tender along with new notes.

The motif of new Rs. 100 note is 'RANI KI VAV', highlighting the country’s cultural heritage.

Rani ki Vav, a UNESCO world heritage stepwel site in Patan, Gujarat built in memory the 11th century

king Bhima.

Bank Note Reverse Color Size

₹ 10 Motif of Sun Temple,

Konark

Chocolate

Brown

63 mm x 123 mm

₹ 50 Motif of Hampi with

Chariot, Karnataka

Fluorescent

Blue

66 mm x 135 mm

₹ 100 Motif of Rani Ki Vav,

Gujarat

Lavender

Colour

66 mm × 142 mm

₹ 200 Motif of Sanchi Stupa,

Madhya Pradesh

Bright Yellow 66 mm × 146 mm

₹500 Motif of Red Fort, Delhi Stone Grey 66 mm × 150 mm

₹ 2000 Motif of Mangalyaan Magenta 66 mm × 166 mm

Govt to infuse Rs 11,336 crore capital in 5 public sector banks

The Union Finance Ministry will infuse additional capital close to Rs 11,336 crore in 5 more public

sector banks (PSBs) by Sept 2018-end.

These five state-owned banks are Punjab National Bank (PNB), Corporation Bank, Andhra Bank,

Allahabad Bank and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).

The latest round capital infusion in these 5 PSBs will be part of remaining Rs 65,000 crore out of Rs

2.11 lakh crore capital infusion announced by Union Government for two financial years.





Union Govt in Oct 2017 had announced Rs 2.11 lakh crore capital infusion programme, under which

PSBs were to get Rs 1.35 lakh crore through recapitalisation bonds, and balance Rs 58,000 crore

through raising of capital from market and remaining through budgetary support.

The govt has already infused Rs 80,000 crore out of Rs 1.35 lakh crore through recapitalisation bonds in

PSBs and balance will be done during this financial year (2018-19).

Bank Amount

Punjab National Bank Rs 2,816 crore

Corporation Bank Rs 2,555 crore

Indian Overseas Bank Rs 2157 crore

Andhra Bank Rs 2,019 crore

Allahabad Bank Rs 1,790 crore

State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017 passed by Parliament

State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017 has been passed by the Parliament of India to merge

six subsidiary banks with State Bank of India after it was approved by Rajya Sabha.

The bill repeals two Acts namely State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959, and State Bank of

Hyderabad Act, 1956. These two acts had established State Bank of Bikaner, State Bank of Patiala, State

Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Travancore.

The bill seeks to amend State Bank of India (SBI) Act, 1955 to remove references to subsidiary banks

and powers of SBI to act as an agent of the RBI for subsidiary banks.

India’s GDP to rise at 7.3% in FY19

According to the latest report of Asian Development Bank (ADB), 'Asian Development Outlook

(ADO)', India’s GDP growth has been projected to rise 7.3% in current fiscal year FY19 (2018-19).

The report, which was published in Apr 2018, stated that Indian economy’s growth will further

accelerate to 7.6% in FY20 (2019-20) because the measures taken to strengthen the banking system and

tax reform will boost investment.

PhonePe acquires POS Platform Zopper Retail

Flipkart’s digital payment subsidiary PhonePe has acquired Zopper Retail, a hyperlocal Point of Sale

(POS) platform for small and medium businesses, for an undisclosed amount.

The acquisition is part of PhonePe’s strategy to aggressively ramp up its offline business.

Zopper co-founder and CEO Neeraj Jain will join PhonePe as Head of Product, Offline Merchant

Solutions.

IMF cuts India growth forecast to 7.3%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) update projected

India's growth rate of 7.3% in 2018 and 7.5% in 2019 as against 6.7% in 2017.

It makes India, fastest growing country among major economies in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Earlier, it was estimated to grow by 7.4%, now IMF has lessened it by 0.1 percentage point in 2018 to

7.3%. In 2019-20, it will grow by 7.5% against earlier estimate of 7.8%.

Growth in China is projected to moderate from 6.9% in 2017 to 6.6% in 2018 and 6.4% in 2019.

The global growth is projected to reach 3.9% in 2018 and 2019, in line with forecast of Apr 2018 WEO.

World Economic Outlook (WEO) is survey conducted and published by IMF. It is published biannually

and partly updated two times a year.

LIC board approves majority stake buy in IDBI Bank

The board of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has approved the insurer's acquisition of a

majority stake in IDBI Bank. It will be likely via a preferential allotment of shares.





It aims to infuse capital into the bank, which is facing a severe challenge in the form of mounting bad

debt.

LIC will own 51 percent in IDBI Bank after the deal and will be the bank's largest shareholder.

As per insurance laws, an insurer can only hold 15 percent stake in a single investee company.

LIC will be an exeption to this and hence had to seek special permission from Insurance Regulatory and

Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for the process.

SBI and Nabard tie-up

State Bank of India and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development have joined hands to

provide collateral-free credit through Joint Liability Groups in Telangana.

Both have signed an MoU, along with seven NGOs from Nizamabad, Medak and Warangal districts, for

the promotion and credit linkage of 2,000 JLGs during the current year.

Industry growth slips to 7-month low of 3.2% in May 2018

According to the recent data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), factory output measured in

terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) slipped to seven-month low of 3.2% in May 2018.

Besides, IIP was revised down to 4.8% in Apr 2018 from previous estimates of 4.9%.

During April-May 2018, the IIP had recorded growth of 4.4% as compared to 3.1% in same period year

ago.

Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is composite indicator that measures short-term changes in volume

of production of basket of industrial products during given period with respect to chosen base period.

It is compiled and published monthly by Central Statistical Organization (CSO), Ministry of Statistics

and Programme Implementation.

Base year of IIP has been revised by CSO from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in May 2017 to capture structural

changes in economy and improves quality and representativeness of indices.

Airtel Bank gets RBI, UIDAI nod

Airtel Payments Bank has received requisite approvals from the Reserve Bank to begin taking new

customers.

Aadhaar-issuing authority UIDAI has also allowed it to use the 12-digit unique identification number-

based e-KYC, it said in a statement.

India becomes world's 6th largest economy in 2017

According to latest World Bank figures on GDP of countries for 2017, India becomes the world’s sixth-

biggest economy surpassing France to seventh place.

India's gross domestic product (GDP) has been amounted to $2.597 trillion at the end of 2017, as against

$2.582 trillion for France.

At the end of 2017, United States was the world’s largest economy with size of US $19.39 trillion,

followed by China (US $12.23 trillion), Japan (US $4.87 trillion) and Germany (US $3.67 trillion).

Britain is still world’s fifth-biggest economy with a GDP of $2.622 trillion.

RIL becomes India's largest tax payer in the private sector

Reliance Industries Limited has become India's largest payer of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Excise

and Customs Duty, and Income Tax in the private sector.

The company chairman, Mukesh Ambani highlighted that Jio's subscribers grew from 124 million at the

end of last year to 210 million at the end of FY18.

Reliance has become the first Indian company to record PBDIT (Profit Before Depreciation Interest and

Taxes) of over $10 billion with each of our key businesses - refining, petrochemicals, retail and digital

services achieving record earnings performance.

RBI cancels licence of Alwar Urban Co-operative Bank





The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Alwar Urban Co-operative Bank in Alwar,

Rajasthan as it is not in a position to pay its depositors in full as and when their claims accrue, among

other reasons.

Yes Bank gets SEBI nod to launch MF business

Yes Bank has received approval from capital markets regulator SEBI to start mutual fund business.

This approval is subsequent to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval granted to Yes Bank to

sponsor a mutual fund followed by SEBI’s in-principle approval received subsequently.

CBIC develops GST Verify mobile app

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) developed mobile app ‘GST Verify’ to

protect interest of consumers.

It is android app to verify if the person collecting GST from consumer is eligible to collect it or not.

It has been developed by B Raghu Kiran joint commissioner GST Hyderabad and can be used all across

the country.

CBIC, headquartered in New Delhi, is the nodal national agency responsible for administering Customs,

GST, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in India.

GDP base year to be changed to 2017-18, while for CPI it will be 2018

The government will come out with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI)

data with the new base year during 2019-20. It also plans to bring out an employment survey by the end

of this calendar year. At present, the base year for GDP is 2011-12 while it is 2012 for CPI.

Union Minister for Statistic and Programme Implementation DV Sadananda Gowda announced the

decision.

GDP is a monetary measure of the market value of all final goods and services produced in a period of

time. Normally, there are two types of GDP — nominal and real.

Real GDP is adjusted for inflation while nominal is not and therefore it always appears higher than the

real GDP. For example, real GDP for 2017-18 is 6.7 per cent while nominal GDP is 10 per cent.

However, it is real GDP which becomes the headline.

ICICI Bank mortgage portfolio crosses Rs 1.5 trillion

ICICI Bank said its mortgage loan portfolio crossed the Rs 1.5-trillion milestone, making it the largest

private player in the segment. The lender is targeting to grow it to Rs 2 trillion by FY20.

At Rs 1.5 trillion, the mortgage loan-book is half of the bank's overall retail loan portfolio of around Rs

3 trillion.

Cabinet approves extension of Recapitalization scheme of RRBs

Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modia has approved extension of

scheme of recapitalization of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) for next three years (upto 2019-20).

This extension will enable RRBs to maintain minimum prescribed Capital to Risk Weighted Assets

Ratio (CRAR) of 9%.

The scheme of Recapitalization of RRBs was started in 2010-11 and was extended twice in the year

2012-13 and 2015-16. The last extension was upto Mar 2017.

Total amount of Rs. 1107.20 crore, as Central Govt share, out of Rs. 1450 crore, was released to

RRBs upto Mar 2017.

The remaining amount of Rs.342.80 crore will be utilized to provide recapitalization support to RRBs

whose CRAR is below 9%, during the extended three years period.

Sunil Mehta committee to tackle NPAs submit report





The Sunil Mehta committee, formed with a view to tackle Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and creating

credit capacity, has submitted its report with recommendations to Interim Finance Minister Piyush

Goyal.

The panel presented project 'Sashakt' and has recommended a five-pronged strategy to deal with NPAs

in the country’s banking system.

The five-pronged strategy includes — SME Resolution Approach (SRA), Bank Led Resolution

Approach (BLRA), AMC / AIF led resolution approach, NCLT / IBC approach, and asset-trading

platform.

RBI issues licence to Bank of China for operations in India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a licence to Bank of China to operate in India.

The decision was reportedly based on the commitment made by PM Narendra Modi to Chinese

leadership during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Bank of China is one of China's four major state-owned banks and has a market capitalisation of $153

billion.

NABARD sanctions Rs 735.53cr for Bengal rural infra projects

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 735.53 crore

under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to West Bengal during the first quarter of 2018-

19.

Union govt approves hike in MSP for Kharif crops

The govt has approved a substantial increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of most kharif crops,

which will cost the exchequer more than Rs 15,000 core.

The highest year-on-year increase is in ragi, followed by that in nigerseed and jowar.

Ragi saw a 52.47% increase in MSP to Rs 2,897 per 100 kg while nigerseed saw a 45.11% hike to Rs

5,977 per 100 kg.

The Cabinet approved 42.94% increase in MSP of jowar hybrid to Rs 2,430 per 100 kg.

Index of Eight Core Industries register 3.6% growth in May 2018

According to recently released Index of Eight Core Industries by Ministry of Commerce and Industry,

the growth of eight core infrastructure industries has dropped to 10-month low of 3.6% in May 2018 due

to decline in production of crude oil and natural gas.

This is the lowest growth rate since Jul 2017 when eight core infrastructure industries had expanded by

2.9%. The growth rate recorded in Apr 2018 stood higher at 4.6%.

In Apr and May 2018, the eight industries recorded 4.1% growth compared to 3.3% in same period in

2017.

Ravindra Dholakia committee

The Union Govt constituted 13-member Committee for Sub-National Accounts to upgrade the norms for

computation of economic data at states and districts level in backdrop of plans to revise the base year for

National Accounts or Gross Domestic Production (GDP) calculation.

It will be headed by Ravindra H Dholakia, a retired professor of IIM Ahmedabad.

Banks Board Bureau recommends elevation of 15 executive directors as MD PSU bank

The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) recommended 15 executive directors to be elevated as managing

directors (MD) at various public sector banks (PSBs).

The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) headed by former Department of Personnel and Training Secretary B P

Sharma.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister will take the final decision

in this regard.





BBB is advisory authority (autonomous and self-governing body) of Central Government comprising

eminent professionals and officials to improve governance of PSBs.

National News

India becomes first South Asian country to get access to US cutting-edge technology

The United States designated India as Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country that will allow

the country to buy highly advanced and cutting-edge sensitive technologies from America.

The coveted status will bring India in par with US’s closest allies and partners such as NATO.

Currently there are 36 countries on STA-1 list. India is only South Asian country to be on the list.

Other Asian countries designated as STA-1 are Japan and South Korea.

Lok Sabha passes Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018

The lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha passed Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill,

2018 by voice vote to replace Ordinance promulgated by President in May 2018.

It amends Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 which sets up Central Council of Homoeopathy and

regulates homoeopathic education and practice.

Lok Sabha passes Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018

The lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha passed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to provide

death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years.

It replaces ordinance promulgated by President in April 2018 and amends Indian Penal Code (IPC),

Criminal Procedure Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Indian

Evidence Act.

It provides for stringent punishment of jail term of minimum 20 years or life imprisonment or death for

rape of girl less than 12 years. It provides punishment with imprisonment for rest of life or death

sentence in case of gang rape of girl below 12 years.

It increases minimum punishment from 10 years to 20 years for crime of rape of girl less than 16 years,

which can be extended to imprisonment for rest of life. It increases minimum punishment for rape of

women from rigorous imprisonment of 7 years to 10 years, which can be extended to life imprisonment.

Govt unveils blueprint of Deep Ocean Mission

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences unveiled blueprint of Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).

The Deep Ocean Mission proposes to explore deep-ocean by emulating success of Indian Space

Research Organisation (ISRO) in designing and launching satellites.

Centre has drawn up a five-year, Rs. 8,000 crore plans to explore deep recesses of the ocean.

Shivangi Pathak becomes India’s youngest women to scale Mt Kilimanjaro

Shivangi Pathak from Haryana at the age of 17 has recently scaled the highest peak of Africa 'Mt

Kilimanjaro', which is located in Tanzania. Earlier she has become the India’s youngest women to scale

Mt Everest from Nepal side. The mountain is about 4,900 metres from its base to 5,895 metres above

sea level.

Govt constitutes high level empowered committee to revive stressed thermal power plant

The Union Govt constituted High Level Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary to address

issues of Stressed Thermal Power Projects.

It will look into various issues with view to stressed assets or non-performing assets in thermal power.

Indian Railways launches Mission Satyanishtha





Indian Railways launched Mission Satyanishtha on Ethics in Public Governance at a day-long event held

at National Rail Museum, New Delhi.

The mission was first of its kind event organised by any govt organization in the country.

Mission Satyanishtha aims at sensitizing all railway employees about need to adhere to good ethics and

to maintain high standards of integrity at work.

Under it, talks and lectures on subject were organised all over Indian Railways for this purpose.

2nd Young Superintendent of Police Conference held in New Delhi

The 2nd Young Superintendent of Police Conference has been inaugurated by Union Home Minister

Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

The conference was organized by Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).

The theme of the two day conference was 'Predictive Policing and Contemporary Challenges for Indian

Police Forces'.

Govt extends PMRF Scheme

The Union Govt has extended the Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme to all potential

researchers from 2019 and not limited to candidates from IISc, IITs, NITs, IIEST and IISERs.

Only 135 fellowships were finally offered against 1,000 positions.

Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme was announced in the Budget Speech 2018-19.

It will be implemented for period of seven years beginning 2018-19 at total cost of Rs. 1650 crore.

Selected students through selection process laid down in PMRF Guidelines will be offered monthly

fellowship of Rs.70,000 for first two years, Rs.75,000 for 3rd year and Rs.80,000 in 4th and 5th years.

GoI approved 'Mahila Shakti Kendra' scheme

The Govt of India (GoI) approved a new scheme 'Mahila Shakti Kendra' to empower rural women

through community participation.

The cost for implementing the scheme from 2017-18 up to 2019-20 would be shared in the 60:40 ratio

between the Centre and states, except for North East and Special Category States where the ratio is

90:10.

Govt notifies ethanol-making directly from sugarcane juice

The Union Food Ministry notified decision to allow sugar mills to manufacture ethanol directly from

sugarcane juice or an intermediate product called B-molasses.

For this, Sugarcane Control Order, 1966 has been amended.

The move would help mills divert cane juice for ethanol manufacturing during surplus years.

Govt launches National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched National Viral Hepatitis Control

Programme to control viral hepatitis C on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day (Jul 28).

It aims to combat viral hepatitis and reduce mortality and morbidity associated with it.

Minimum of 3 lakh hepatitis C cases aimed to treat over a period of three years for eliminating deadly

condition by 2030.

Century’s longest lunar eclipse of 1 hour 43 minutes seen

Blood Moon 2018 or century’s (2001 AD to 2100 AD) longest total lunar eclipse of 1 hour 43 minutes

has been occurred on Jul 27-28, 2018. The rare celestial event was visible from all parts of India.

It was majorly seen in Eastern Hemisphere including Central Asia, Eastern Africa and South East Asia.

The partial eclipse of Moon began on Jul 27, 2018.

Moon was gradually covered by Earth’s shadow and totality phase was seen on July 28 and total eclipse

lasted up to 2h 43m. The Moon came out of Earth’s shadow and partial eclipse ended on Jul 28, 2018.

India to develop model to give flash floods warning





World Meteorological Organization (WMO) designated India as nodal centre for developing customized

model to issue advance warning of floods to Asian countries, including Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

and Thailand.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) under Ministry of Earth Sciences will work to customize this

weather model. The model will be called as Flash Flood Guidance System.

WMO, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is an intergovernmental organization whose mandate

covers weather, climate and water resources.

Museum for all former PMs of India to be come up in New Delhi

The museum for all former Prime Ministers of India is going to be constructed at a cost of Rs 270 crore

in the Teen Murti Bhavan complex that houses the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) in

New Delhi.

The Teen Murti Bhavan complex is spread over 25 acres and the present museum for Jawaharlal Nehru

occupied half an acre.

Innovate India Platform launches

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission and MyGov has jointly launched ‘#InnovateIndia Platform’.

The platform is citizen centric that aims to serve as common point for all innovation happening across

the nation.

It will help those who are searching for critical innovation for benefit of the economy as well as national

social needs.

Ministry of WCD launches '#Childline1098' contest

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) launched a contest '#Childline1098' to

spread awareness on human trafficking and to mark the 2018 World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

People are invited to share images of the Childline 1098 logo that they spot at unique locations and send

it with a tagline. The #Childline1098 contest carries a cash price of Rs 2,000.

India's 1st public sector hotel 'Hostess' entirely run by women for women to come up in

Thiruvananthapuram

India’s first public sector hotel, 'Hostess' run entirely by women for women is going to come up in

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

‘Hostess’ will offer state-of-the-art facilities, including automated security features, technology-oriented

check-ins and check-outs, laundry service, complimentary breakfast, microwave oven and fitness centre.

The facility will have 22 AC rooms and two AC dormitories to host 28 people at a time.

Rooms will be charged Rs 1,500 and the dormitory facility Rs 500 for four hours.

2nd meeting of National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges held in New Delhi

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) organized the second meeting of

National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges under POSHAN Abhiyaan in New Dehli.

The meeting was chaired by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar.

National Council approved inclusion of 32 new districts under POSHAN Abhiyaan in the current year.

POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) was launched in

Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan in Mar 2018.

Govt amends definition of hydrocarbon to include shale

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas amended Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 1959 to

include shale in definition of petroleum.

It will allow private companies to explore and produce the resource in the blocks they already operate.

2018 UNICEF International Children's Film Festival held in Kolkata





The 18th UNICEF International Children’s Film Festival 2018 has been inaugurated by West Bengal

Governor K N Tripathi in Kolkata. 36 films from 17 countries have been screened in the festival.

2018 theme : 'Value of Girls'.

The theme has been promoted through films, workshops and discussions.

Parliament passes Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018

Parliament passed Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 to curb practice of evading criminal

prosecution by economic offenders fleeing from country to evade clutches Indian law by remaining

outside jurisdiction of Indian courts.

The bill will replace an ordinance promulgated by President in Apr 2018.

The Bill empowers Special Court (designated under Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002) to

declare person as FEO based on application made.

2018 National Traders Conclave held in New Delhi

2018 National Traders Conclave has been organized by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in

New Delhi to address various grievances of the trading community and focus on effective solutions.

CAIT demanded that the Centre stop the Walmart-Flipkart deal saying it would encourage predatory

pricing and benefit only investors and promoters. CAIT is headquartered in New Delhi.

DTAB sub-committee recommends banning 343 fixed drug combinations

The sub-committee of Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) recommended prohibition of 343 fixed

drug combinations (FDCs) after reviewing 349 and called for regulation and restriction of remaining six.

FDC means combination of two or more drugs in fixed dosage ratio.

Lok Sabha passes Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2018

The Lok Sabha passed the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018.

It provides for the prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation of trafficked persons and seeks to establish

National Anti-Trafficking Bureau to investigate trafficking cases.

PM Modi launches India-assisted emergency ambulance service in Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India-assisted emergency ambulance service in Jaffna,

Northern Province, of Sri Lankan through video conferencing from New Delhi.

Jaffna is third province in Sri Lanka, were India-assisted emergency ambulance service has been

launched. For this project, India in total has given grant of $22.8 million- $7.6 million for the first phase

and $15.2 million for the country-wide expansion.

First meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats held in Agartal

The first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats has been held in Agartala,

Tripura.

The Joint Committee also visited Border Haat at Kamlasagar in Sipahijala District, Tripura and Tarapur

in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh.

Border Haats (or rural market) aims at promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas

across the borders of two countries.

Govt selects 734 athletes for Khelo-India scholarships

Sports Authority of India (SAI) under Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has selected 734

athletes for the scholarship under the Khelo India Talent Development Scheme.

They have been selected High Powered Committee of SAI.

They will be provided with annual stipend of Rs. 1,20,000 on quarterly basis to meet their out of pocket

expenses, treatment of injuries and other expenses.

NITI Aayog signs SoI with Lupin Foundation





NITI Aayog signed Statement of Intent (SoI) with Lupin Foundation to collaborate in Aspirational

Districts Programme to create templates for concerted development policy.

Lupin Foundation with NITI Aayog will work in three states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and

Rajasthan) to facilitate creation of deal template to develop economic strength, technological viability

and moral leadership across three districts in these states as part of Phase I of the cooperation.

Govt to use MicroDots technology to check vehicle thefts

The govt is planning to launch a new standard for automobile industry, which involves use of a

technology in order to put an end to vehicle thefts.

With this technique, thousands of small dots laser etched will be sprayed with a vehicle identification

number on all over the vehicle’s body. This will also include their engines.

This tech is termed as MicroDots and it is almost impossible to remove these dots.

Kerala tops list of best governed States for third time

According to Public Affairs Index (PAI) 2018, Kerala tops the list as best-governed state in the country

followed by Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Public Affairs Index (PAI) 2018 was released by the think tank Public Affairs Centre (PAC).

Kerala has topped PAI as the best-governed state for the third consecutive year since 2016 among large

states.

Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar ranked the lowest, indicating higher social and economic

inequalities in the states.

Himachal Pradesh topped the list in smaller states (with population less than two crore) followed by Goa

and Mizoram.

2018 PAI also included separate index on children of India, giving measure of how child-friendly each

of the states are.

In this category of providing better living conditions for all children, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and

Mizoram topped the index.

Regional Rail Training Institute inaugurated at Ghazipur, UP

Indian Railways has inaugurated Regional Rail Training Institute (RRTI) at Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh in

order to strengthen expertise and capabilities of the employees of North-Eastern Railways.

Besides, newly constructed 400 metre washing pit at Ghazipur City station was also inaugurated at a

cost of Rs 19.62 crore. RRTI has been constructed with the cost of Rs 21 crore within stipulated time.

Most advanced System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting inuagrated in Delhi

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences unveiled state-of-the-art Air Quality and Weather Forecast

System– SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting) at Chandni Chowk in Delhi.

It is the first of its kind and most advanced system in India.

Such advanced are also proposed to be implemented in other three cities of India- Pune, Mumbai and

Ahmedabad.

IIT Kanpur develops online tool, TreadWill

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur develope an online tool, TreadWill to help people cope with

issues related to mental health.

The tool has been developed by team with collaborative support from Computer Science and

Engineering and Humanities and Social Sciences, HSS (Psychology) departments.

It aims to help people deal with stress, low mood, lethargy and other depressive symptoms through

different online exercises, questionnaires and games.

Flipkart, Hotstar join hands for ad platform





India’s largest online retailer Flipkart has forged an alliance with video streaming service Hotstar and

launched a video advertisement platform on Friday—part of a broader strategy to generate more revenue

from the booming video advertising business.

The new platform, Shopper Audience Network, will allow brands to target consumers through

personalized video ads on Hotstar.

ONGC board approves exiting Pawan Hans

The board of ONGC has approved exiting helicopter service provider Pawan Hans by selling its entire

49 per cent stake as it looks to cut debt and consolidate resources in core oil and gas business.

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) wants its interest to be clubbed with the 51 per cent govt stake that is

already on offer for sale.

NCERT to introduce QR code in textbooks

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is planning to introduce the QR

code (Quick Response code) in their textbooks.

It aims to help students understand chapters better by watching film or reading additional content on

laptops and digital boards.

For this enhanced learning feature, NCERT has started process of identifying relevant supplementary

material including videos, power point presentations animations, maps and e-content.

Lok Sabha passed the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018

The monsoon session of Parliament has begun from Jul 18, 2018.

During the monsoon session, the Lok Sabha has passed the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018.

The bill will replace an ordinance promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind in Apr 2018.

The bill proposes the formation of a special court under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act 2002

(PMLA) to declare a person a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO).

NABARD launches South East Asia’s Centre for Climate Change in Lucknow

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the first ever Centre for

Climate Change in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This is the first of its kind centre in South East Asia.

It will help NABARD in enhancing its capacity building efforts manifold.

NABARD, headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra, is an apex agricultural development financial

institution in India.

Govt launches Student Police Cadet Programme

The union govt has launched the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Programme nationally in Gurugram,

Haryana. It was launched by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of Union Human

Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar.

The programme is sponsored by Ministry of Home Affairs.

Rajya Sabha passes Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013

The upper house of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha has passed Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill,

2013 to amend various provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988.

The amendment to PCA, 1988 has been necessitated to its review existing provisions to bring it in line

with United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as agreed by India.

Five oil PSUs sign JV pact for N-E Natural Gas Pipeline Grid

Five central oil PSUs – IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL, and NRL have signed joint venture (JV) pact for

executing 1500 Km North-East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid.

It will be implemented under Centre’s ambitious Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline Project.





Joint Venture (JV) company will be formed to develop, build, operate and maintain Natural Gas Pipeline

Grid connecting Guwahati to other major North -Eastern cities and major load centres such as

Numaligarh Refinery and integrating it with feasible gas producing fields in the region.

The project will connect state capitals of all eight North Eastern states- Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya,

Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

The expenditure for 1500 Km length gas pipeline project is Rs. 6000 crore and is scheduled to compete

in four years (by 2022) in three phases.

Power Grid signs MoU with UP Power Corp

Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) signed a MoU with Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation

(UPPCL) for energy efficiency and agricultural demand side management programme.

Both are going to held further discussions to decide terms and conditions for replacement of agriculture

pump sets in East and South DISCOMs of Uttar Pradesh.

10th edition of Delhi Dialogue held in New Delhi

The 10th Delhi Dialogue (DD X) has been held in New Delhi and it has been hosted by Union External

Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The theme for 10th DD X was 'Strengthening India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation'.

This was the first major event organised after ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, which was held

in New Delhi in Jan 2018.

India to host inaugural 2+2 Dialogue with US in Sept 2018

India will host the inaugural 2+2 Dialogue with United States in September 2018 in New Delhi.

Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will host

US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in the inaugural

meeting.

It is similar to India-Japan 2+2 dialogue format between foreign and defence secretaries and ministers of

the two countries.

BJP led NDA Govt wins No Confidence motion in Lok Sabha

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Govt won No Confidence motion

moved in Lok Sabha. The no-confidence motion against the government was moved by a former NDA

ally Telugu Desham Party (TDP).

This was the first no-trust motion against Narendra Modi govt after it came to power in May 2014 and

less than year before the next general elections.

In the trust vote, NDA bagged 325 votes against motion, while 126 members voted in favour.

Total of 451 out of 534 MPs were present and voted in the house bringing down majority mark required

to 226.

Article 75(3) of our Constitution of India embodies this rule by specifying that Council of Ministers is

collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.

Western Railway renames Elphinstone Road Station as Prabhadevi

The Western Railway has been renamed Elphinstone Road suburban railway station in Mumbai,

Maharashtra to Prabhadevi Station.

The station code of Prabhadevi station will be PBHD.

Prabhadevi is name of the area in the vicinity of the station.

BSE’s iconic Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers secures trademark

The major Stock exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has secured image trademark for its iconic

building, Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers located on Dalal Street in Mumbai, Maharashtra under Trade

Marks Act, 1999.





Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers joins elite club of distinguished structures around the world that have

secured trademark rights.

From now, no one can use images of the Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers for commercial purposes without

consent from BSE or paying it licensing fee. Violators are liable to be prosecuted under Trade Marks

Act, 1999.

India, US resolve to enhance cooperation in aviation security, counter-terror

India and United States (US) have resolved to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas, including counter-

terrorism, immigration and aviation security. The decision comes at the Homeland Security Dialogue.

Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary in Home Ministry Rajni Sekhri Sibal, while US side

was led by James McCament, Deputy Under Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

Anil Swarup committee to suggest measures to strengthen NCC & NSS

The Union Government constituted committee under the Chairmanship of Anil Swarup to suggest

measures to strengthen National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS).

It will deal with on issues like expansion, strengthening training infrastructure, rationalizing resources,

reducing manpower deficiency affecting NCC and NSS.

India’s first greenfield skill training centre to come up in Odisha

India’s first greenfield skill training centre is going to come up at Baranga near Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

The Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan laid the

foundation stone of NSTI Bhubaneswar.

The state-of-the-art institute aims to impart training to the trainers & create a skill-based ecosystem to

meet expectations of the industry. The Institute will be set up at a cost of Rs. 160 crore, on a 5 Acre

land.

BBC launches first Gujarati TV bulletin for India

The BBC World Service launched its first Gujarati language television news bulletin as part of an

ongoing expansion drive in India.

‘BBC Samachar' will broadcast live five days a week from Delhi and will air on the broadcaster's partner

station GSTV at 8 pm local time.

Four new language services have been launched online in India – Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Telugu.

‘BBC Samachar' joins the Telugu TV bulletin ‘BBC Prapancham' and the nightly Hindi TV news

bulletin ‘BBC Duniya'.

AIIA inks MoU with IIT Delhi

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and IIT (Indian Institute of Technology)-Delhi signed

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance research in the field of Ayurveda.

It was signed on sidelines of two-day conference on ‘Raising towards Excellence’ held at New Delhi.

President's assent to Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015

President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and

Protection) Bill, 2015. It was passed by State Assembly in Aug 2015.

The law aims to reign in rising incidents of witch hunting cases across the state.

It prohibits any person from calling, identifying or defaming any other person as witch by words, signs,

conducts or indications.

IFFCO rolls out e-commerce platform for farmers

Fertiliser major IFFCO launched an mobile application and web portal, IFFCO iMandi to address all

needs of the farming community associated with it.

IFFCO has partnered with Singapore-based technology firm iMandi.





Through this e-commerce platform, IFFCO is targeting to reach GMV (gross merchandise value) of $5

billion in the next two years by catering needs of 5.5 crore farmers already associated with it.

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), headquartered in New Delhi, is large scale

fertiliser cooperative federation in India which is registered as Multistatte Cooperative Society.

Integrated Indian visa application centre inaugurated

A new integrated state-of-the-art integrated Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) has been jointly

inaugurated by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan at

Dhaka's Jamuna Future Park.

The High Commission of India in Dhaka, the new IVAC in Jamuna Future Park replaced the existing

IVACs in Motijheel and Uttara. The new IVAC in Jamuna Future Park will be a model visa centre.

Home minister inaugurated the world’s largest state-of-the-art visa centre in Dhaka

Union home minister, Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the world’s largest state-of-the-art visa centre in

Dhaka with modern facilities, promising shorter waiting times for applicants.

This Integrated centre at Jamuna Future Park (JFP), Dhaka is the largest Indian visa centre in the world

with 18,500 square feet commercial area.

Sushma Swaraj co-chairs joint commission meet in Bahrain

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj co-chairs the second joint commission meeting with her

Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa in Bahrain.

The External affairs minister jointly inaugurated impressive Embassy of India Complex in Manama

along with Foreign Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Khalifa.

President nominates 4 members to Rajya Sabha

President Ram Nath Kovind has nominated 4 Rajya Sabha members viz. Farmer leader and former MP

Ram Shakal, sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and founder of Delhi-

based 'India Policy Foundation' Rakesh Sinha.

They were nominated as per Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, based on the recommendation of

Council of Minister headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Climate change threatening 60% of its habitat

According to the recent study published by international journal Ecological Engineering, climate change

is threatening the Nilgiri tahr.

It has been estimated that endangered wild goat could lose approximately 60% of its habitat, starting

from 2030. There are only around 2,500 Nilgiri Tahrs left in the wild and their population is small and

isolated. Nilgiri tahr is state animal of Tamil Nadu.

India becomes the Vice-Chair (Regional Head) of the Asia Pacific Region of WCO

India becomes the Vice-Chair (Regional Head) of the Asia Pacific Region of World Customs

Organisation (WCO) for a period of two years, from Jul 2018 to Jun 2020.

This position will enable India to take on leadership role of Asia Pacific Region of the organization.

The WCO has divided its Membership into six Regions.

Each of the six Regions is represented by a regionally elected Vice-Chairperson to the WCO Council.

Currently, WCO represents 182 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process

approximately 98% of world trade.

Govt sets up task force on ways to reduce import

The Union Govt constituted a high-level task force under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary PK

Sinha to identify various items and policy interventions to reduce dependence on imports.

India’s imports stand at around US $450 billion per year, on an average.

In financial year 2017-18, the inbound shipments grew about 20% to US $460 billion.





India’s oil imports during same fiscal had risen by 25.47% to US $109.11 billion.

MCA constituted Committee, headed by Injeti Srinivas

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) constituted a 10 Member Committee, headed by the Injeti

Srinivas (Secretary of Ministry of Corporate Affairs), for review of the penal provisions in the

Companies Act, 2013.

The aim of the committee is to examine de-criminalisation of certain offences and to suggest ways to

replace it with in-house mechanism, where a penalty could be levied in instances of default.

The Committee shall submit its report within 30 days to the Central Govt for consideration of its

recommendations.

Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 launched

The Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) launched Swachh Survekshan Grameen

2018 (SSG 2018) in New Delhi.

Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) is a rural cleanliness survey to rank all states and

districts on basis of qualitative and quantitative evaluation.

It aims to undertake ranking of states and districts on the basis of their performance attained on key

quantitative and qualitative Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) parameters.

The SSG 2018 will be conducted by independent survey agency in all districts from 1st to 31st Aug

2018. It will also take feedback from over 50 lakh citizens on SBM related issues through direct

interaction as well as online feedback.

The top performing states and districts are expected to be awarded on Oct 02, 2018.

ASI allows photography at Centrally protected monuments

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has allowed the photography within premises of protected

monuments and sites.

This order has been issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned ASI’s rules prohibiting

visitors from taking photographs at certain monuments while inaugurating ASI’s new headquarters

Dharohar Bhawan in Delhi’s Tilak Marg area.

With this, photography will be allowed within premises of Centrally protected monuments maintained

and managed by ASI.

Photography will remain prohibited near Ajanta Caves, Leh Palace (both housing paintings that can be

damaged by camera flash) and mausoleum of Taj Mahal.

NCPCR drafts fee regulations

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) drafted fee regulations to put in place

uniform fee framework to check frequent and arbitrary increases in school fees by unaided private

schools. NCPCR is country’s apex child rights body.

It will recommend these draft regulations to Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD).

It proposes 10% yearly cap on the fee hike permissible by private, unaided schools.

It suggests setting up district fee regulatory authority in states to monitor school fee increases.

It suggests formula for determining fees, based on school’s location, costs incurred, revenue earned,

student strength and other parameters.

It proposes fines on schools if they violates uniform fee framework.

These schools will be fined 1% of revenue it generates for first instance of violation of these rules and it

will increase to 2 % and 5% for second and third violation.

NCPCR is a statutory body set up in 2007 under Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

NCPCR aims to protect, promote and defend child rights in India including rights adopted in the United

Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, 1989, ratified by India in 1992.





India invites US President Donald Trump to be 2019 Republic Day chief guest

The Union Government has invited United States President Donald Trump to be the chief guest at 2019

Republic Day celebrations. The invite has been reportedly followed up with multiple rounds of

diplomatic talks. It will indicate importance of the Indo-U.S. relationship.

If President Trump accepts the invitation, he will be second serving US President after Barack Obama to

be invited as chief guest of Republic Day Parade.

In 2018, 10 Leaders of ASEAN Countries (It was first Republic Day event that saw participation of

many leaders at same time as chief guests) was the Chief guests of India’s Republic Day parades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated 171 kms long Bansagar Canal Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated the 171 km long Bansagar Canal Project to the nation in

Mirzapur. The project is a joint venture of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

It has been constructed at the cost of about Rs 3400 crore.

Govt raises threshold monetary limit for filling appeals relating to tax cases

The Union Finance Ministry hiked the threshold monetary limit for tax departments to file appeals all

three levels of appeal — Appellate Tribunals, High Courts, and Supreme Court.

Tax departments, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) files appeals in ITAT (Income Tax Appellate

Tribunal) while Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) files appeals in CESTAT

(Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal) and also in High Courts and Supreme Courts.

Under new limits tax departments CBDT and CBIC can file appeals in ITAT/CESTAT only if the tax

amount involved is Rs 20 lakh or more, up from Rs 10 lakh at present.

If tax amount involved in litigation is Rs 50 lakh (up from Rs 20 lakh at present), then appeals can be

filed in High Courts.

For appeals in Supreme Court, the threshold limit has been hiked to Rs 1 crore (from Rs 25 lakh at

present).

India’s genetically modified crop area fifth largest in world

According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) latest

'Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/ GM Crops in 2017' report, India with 11.4 million hectares

(mh) has world’s fifth largest area cultivated under genetically modified (GM) crops in 2017.

United States has highest area under transgenic crops, at 75 mh followed by Brazil (50.2 mh) and

Argentina’s (23.6 mh).

India-Korea Technology Exchange Centre establishes in New Delhi

The India-Korea Technology Exchange Centre, inaugurated by Giriraj Singh (Minister of State (I/C)

MSME ) and Hong Jong- hak (Minister of SMEs and Start-ups of Republic of Korea) at the National

Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) premises in New Delhi.

The centre will work towards identifying Indian technologies which can be exported to Korea and find

suitable Korean partners for the same.

Indian Railways launches consolidated Bridge Management System

Indian Railways launched its first consolidated Bridge Management System (IR-BMS), a web-enabled

IT application to store data on its 1.5 lakh bridges.

It has been launched by Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal days after bridge in Mumbai collapsed on

a railway track.

Jal Bachao, Video Banao, Puruskar Pao Contest on Water Conservation launched

The Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation launched

fortnightly video contest "Jal Bachao, Video Banao, Puruskar Pao".





It aims to engage with people of the country on the important issues of water conservation and water

management.

For running this contest, Ministry has joined hands with MyGov portal (www.mygov.in).

The contest will last till Nov 04 2018 and three winners will be chosen every fortnight.

Participants can make and upload videos by capturing efforts, significant contributions, best practices in

the field of water conservation, water resource development and management and optimum water

utilization in different parts of the country.

It should be uploaded on YouTube and share publicly accessiblelink of it on video link section of

MyGov contest page.

The prize amount for first, second and third positions are Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000

respectively.

Western Ghats (India) bagged 4th best tourist spot in Lonely Planet's

The Western Ghats of India has bagged the 4th best tourist spot in Lonely Planet's top five "2018 Best in

Asia" list.

The list is a collection of 10 of the best destinations to visit in the continent for the year.

The list is topped by Busan in South Korea, followed by Uzbekistan and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).

The Western Ghats is older than the Himalayas and well known for its rich and unique flora and fauna.

It is one of the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots and UNESCO World Heritage site.

It supports the life of 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1814 species of non-flowering plants, 139

mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6000 insects species and 290 freshwater fish

species. Lonely Planet is considered a Bible by travellers worldwide.

Govt launches technology challenge

Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUHA) launched 'Technology Challenge: Identifying

solutions for cleaning of Sewerage Systems and Septic Tanks' to promote suitable techniques for

cleaning sewers and septic tanks to eliminate need for human entry in them.

The challenge will be part of Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention that will be held on

Oct 2, 2018.

India to hold first ever India Tourism Mart

India will organise its first-ever India Tourism Mart (ITM) for three days from Sept 16 to increase

tourist footfalls.

The event will be organised by the Tourism Ministry, in partnership with the Federation of Associations

in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) with the support of States/UTs.

The ITM 2018 will be a big step to attract visitors from all over the world.

India formally announced as 69th shareholder of EBRD

India has been formally inducted as the 69th shareholder of European Bank for Reconstruction and

Development (EBRD).

It comes after entire membership process completed recently and after EBRD’s board of governors,

which represents all existing shareholders voted unanimously in favour of India’s application in Mar

2018.

India had applied for EBRD membership in Dec 2017.

India will only take shareholding in EBRD and will not be recipient of EBRD financing.

EBRD, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a multilateral developmental investment bank.

It is owned by 65 countries and two EU institutions.

PM Modi inaugurates New Headquarters Building of ASI





Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new headquarters building of the Archaeological Survey

of India in New Delhi.

The ASI's new headquarters at Tilak Marg has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including

energy efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting.

BSNL launches India’s first internet telephony service

State-run telecom firm BSNL through its mobile app 'Wings' has launched India’s first internet

telephony service.

With the help of this app, BSNL customers will be able to make calls to any phone number, domestic or

international.

FSSAI launches Eat Right Movement

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched national campaign 'The Eat Right

Movement' to improve public health and combat lifestyle diseases.

FSSAI has also launched Eat Right tool kit and Safe and Nutritious Food at Workplace campaign.

It is voluntary and collaborative movement built on two broad pillars – "Eat Healthy" and "Eat Safe".

It focuses on both sides- demand and supply side to come together.

On demand side it focuses on empowering citizens to make right food choices.

On supply side, it requests food businesses to reformulate their products, provide better nutritional

information to consumers and make investments in healthy food as responsible food businesses.

1st India Tourism Mart to be held in New Delhi

The first India Tourism Mart (IMT) is going to be held in New Delhi from Sept 16, 2018 to create a

global tourism mart for India on lines of major international travel marts.

It will be organized by Ministry of Tourism in partnership with Federation of Associations in Indian

Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH).

CRPF launches mobile help centre for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a mobile help centre, Saathi to reach out to people

undertaking annual pilgrimage to 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath.

It will provide help and information to yatris staying in camps outside the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in

Jammu.

51 lakh houses approved under PMAY (U) in 3 years

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced that over 51 lakh houses have been

approved under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in the three years of its implementation.

Out of 51 lakh sanctioned houses, over 28 lakhs houses are already in various stages of construction.

Over 8 lakh houses have already been completed. PMAY(U) aims provide affordable houses to all poor

in urban areas by 2022. It is new version of Prime Minister’s Housing For All by 2022 vision.

World's largest mobile manufacturing factory inaugurated in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in inaugurated the New Mobile

Manufacturing Plant of Samsung at Noida.

With the beginning of this New Plant India's Make In India and Skill India Will get a major Push in the

country.

Samsung has invested close to 5,000 Crore Rupees in this plant and aims to Manufacture 12 Crore

Mobile Handsets annually which will result is massive job creation.

Govt to launch Global Housing Construction Technology Challenge

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) will launch Global Housing Construction

Technology Challenge as part of technology sub-mission of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban

(PMAY-U).





It aims to accelerate PMAY-U’s target of providing 'housing for all' as the scheme is moving at pace far

slower than its rural counterpart.

Under PMAY-U, around 8 lakh houses have been constructed since its launch in Jun 25, 2015.

It does not even account for 10% of revised MoHUA target of providing 1.2 crore houses by 2022.

As against this, under rural component of the scheme, PMAY-Gramin, 48.26 lakh houses have been

built, with pace almost on course of meeting target of 2.95 crore houses by 2022.

JEE (Main), NEET to be held twice a year

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) announced that two of India’s most

popular competitive exams, Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) (Main) and National Eligibility and

Entrance Test (NEET), will now be held twice a year and over multiple days. Both the exams will be

conducted by newly formed National Testing Agency (NTA). It will also conduct National Eligibility

Test (NET).

All these exams were earlier conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Henceforth, JEE (Main) for undergraduate admission into various engineering colleges will be held

twice a year in Jan and Apr.

NEET for admission into medical and dental courses will be held in February and May.

All tests will be computer-based and practice modules will be made available on NTA website.

MHA to upgrade National Information Security Policy and Guidelines

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is planning to upgrade National Information Security Policy and

Guidelines (NISPG) to secure govt data and control access to it inorder to prevent sensitive information

making its way to internet.

The upgraded and updated policy will cover issues pertaining to the Official Secrets Act.

AAI to set up Civil Aviation Research Organisation

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going to set up state-of-the-art Civil Aviation Research

Organization (CARO) at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has laid down the foundation stone of the centre.

AAI has earmarked Rs 1,200 crore which will be spent over 12 years for research and development

(R&D).

CARO will be spread over 27 acres and cater needs of growing needs air navigation services and airport

and engineering research.

438 sq. km. of area around MTR declared Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has declared the 438 sq.

km. of area around Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

The move will prohibit construction and commercial mining activities and restrict hotels and resorts near

the reserve in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.

The area supports an ecologically sustainable habitat in the Western Ghats landscape for about 60-65

tigers, 600 to 800 Asian elephants and gaur apart from other animals of significance.

The reserve harbours 227 species of birds, 50 species of fish, 21 species of amphibians and 34 species of

reptiles. The reserve, comprising the wildlife sanctuary and the national park, extending over an area of

321 sq. km, was declared a core/critical tiger habitat in 2007.

The reserve is a critical part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve spread over 5,500 sq. km.

Alternative cereals can save water

According to the recent study by researchers, if Indian farmers make big switch from growing rice and

wheat to alternative cereals such as maize, sorghum and millet, it could reduce demand for irrigation

water by 33%. This could also improve nutritional availability to consumers.





The study was conducted by researchers from US based Earth Institute, Columbia University and Indian

School of Business, Hyderabad.

They had considered water as well as cereal-production data from 1996-2009 (period when cereal

production grew by 230%).

These alternative cereals also disproportionately account for supply of protein, iron, and zinc among

kharif crops.

Allow gambling, betting on sports as regulated, taxable activities

The Law Commission of India (LCI) in its recent report named, 'Legal Framework: Gambling and

Sports Betting including Cricket in India', recommended that gambling and betting on sports be allowed

as regulated activities.

It recommended number of changes in law for regulating betting for making it taxable under direct and

indirect tax regimes and used as source for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

The commission is led by former Supreme Court Justice BS Chauhan.

Parliament may also enact model law for regulating gambling that may be adopted by states or

Parliament also may legislate in exercise of its powers under Articles 249 or 252 of the Constitution.

The Law Commission of India (LCI) is a non-statutory and non-constitutional body constituted by the

Union Govt from time to time.

NASSCOM opens Center of Excellence (CoE) The apex body of Indian IT industry, NASSCOM (National Association of Software & Services

Companies) has opened Centre of Excellence for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CoE-DSAI)

in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The centre has been set up in collaboration with Karnataka Govt with an aim to nurture innovation in

emerging disruptive technologies such as AI and to leverage the power of data science.

It aims to support small and mid-sized businesses (SMB) by fast-tracking their product developing,

providing market access and assist them by co-creating programs along with other industry partners and

start-ups.

International Round Table Conference on 'Data for New India'

The International Round Table Conference on 'Data for New India' has been inaugurated by D.V.

Sadananda Gowda in New Delhi. It was organised by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme

Implementation (MoSPI)

The Conference aims to identify innovative ideas for improving the statistical system in India, taking

cue from the best practices followed in advanced countries like Canada, UK and Australia.

Chief Justice of India as 'Master of Roster'

The Supreme Court in its latest ruling has once again upheld Chief Justice of India (CJI) as 'Master of

Roster'. According to the ruling given by SC bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, CJI is an

individual judge and not the powerful collective of five senior-most judges of Supreme Court called the

'Collegium'.

2018 International Convention of Saurashtra Patel Cultural Samaj held in California

The 8th edition of International Convention of Saurashtra Patel Cultural Samaj held in California,

United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed International Convention through video

conferencing.

NRI community has been appealed to motivate at least five foreign families to visit India every year for

Bharat Darshan.

This can pave a new way to serve the purpose of Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat Abhiyan, ultimately

providing a great boost to India’s tourism development.





Ministerial panel constitutes to decide about fund allocation

The Union govt constituted a ministerial panel headed by the finance minister to decide about fund

allocation for infrastructure projects from the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) announced

in the budget.

It will approve recommendations made by the sub-committee headed by the Economic Affairs Secretary

on list of infrastructure projects to be financed from the CIRF.

Other members of the committee include Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Shipping; Water

Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Railways Minister and Human Resource

Development Minister.

The 15-member sub-committee has secretaries from different ministries who will examine and evaluate

proposals received from ministries on infrastructure projects.

It will prioritize the list of infrastructure projects each year for being financed by the fund.

The budget 2018 amended the Central Road Fund Act, 2000, and has been renamed the Central Road

Fund as CRIF.

NITI Aayog to host India’s first ‘MOVE: Global Mobility Summit’

NITI Aayog will organize the India’s first 'MOVE: Global Mobility Summit' in New Delhi on Sept 7-8,

2018.

The six themes for the summit are: Asset Utilization and Service, Comprehensive Electrification,

Alternative Energy, Reinventing Public Transit, Logistics and Goods Transport, and Data Analytics and

Mobility.

The Summit aims to bring together and engage with key stakeholders within the rapidly transforming

global mobility landscape and to evolve a public interest framework for a shared, connected, zero

emission and inclusive mobility agenda for the future.

Govt launches Coal Mine Surveillance & Management System and Khan Prahari mobile app

The Union Ministry of Coal launched Coal Mine Surveillance & Management System (CMSMS) and

Mobile Application 'Khan Prahari'.

The CMSMS and the mobile app have been developed by CMPDI, Ranchi a Subsidiary of CIL and

Bhaskarcharya Institute of Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG).

The CMSMS is web based GIS application through which location of sites for unauthorised mining

can be detected. Khan Prahari is tool used for reporting any activity taking place related to illegal coal

mining like rat hole mining, pilferage etc.

KVIC launches its e-marketing platform named KIMIS

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched its in-house developed & single

integrated e-marketing platform named Khadi Institution Management and Information System (KIMIS)

in New Delhi.

The system can be accessed from anywhere in the country for the sale and purchase of Khadi and

Village Industries products.

India to host IUFoST World Food Science and Technology Congress 2018

India will host the 19th edition of IUFoST World Food Science and Technology Congress 2018 in Navi

Mumbai from Oct 23-27, 2018 with the theme, "25 Billion Meals a Day by 2025 with Healthy,

Nutritious, Safe and Diverse Foods".

IUFoST stands for 'International Union of Food Science and Technology'.

IFC invests $100 mn in M&M arm

International Finance Corp. (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank, has invested

$100 million in Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. (Mahindra Finance).





This would enable the Mahindra Group company to augment its growth by extending loans to

individuals along with financing small and medium enterprises.

Mechanised farming can cut costs by 25% and raise productivity by 20%, helping meet the Centre’s

target of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022.

Election Commission launches cVigil app

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched Cvigil mobile application for citizens to report

any violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections.

It aims at empowering people across the country to share evidence of malpractice by political parties,

their candidates and activists directly with ECI.

At present its beta version has been released and will be made available for use during forthcoming

Assembly elections Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan.

NITI Aayog to organise India’s first Global Mobility Summit

NITI Aayog announced to organise ‘MOVE: Global Mobility Summit’ in New Delhi on Sept 7-8, 2018

in collaboration with various ministries and industry partners.

The summit will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will feature global political

leaders from the Mobility Space.

The Summit will help drive Govt’s goals for vehicle electrification, renewable energy integration and

job growth, thus, speeding up India’s transition to a clean energy economy.

Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) ranked the 'Best Dental College'

The Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) under the Govt of NCT of Delhi ranked the

'Best Dental College' in India for the 7th consecutive year.

MAIDS outshone 310 dental colleges to become No 1 in dental education in India.

The MAIDS is the first and only dental hospital in India to be accredited by the National Accreditation

of Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).

India to provide tariff concessions on 3,142 items to APTA members

India agreed to provide tariff concessions on 3,142 products to Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)

members, from Jul 1, 2018.

With this implementation, the coverage of preferences of total tariff lines for each member will come of

10,677 tariff lines (up from 4,270 items at conclusion of 3rd Round).

It will also deepen average Margin of Preference (MoP) being provided under agreement to 31.52%.

Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) is an initiative under United Nations Economic and Social

Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) for trade expansion.

The six member countries of APTA are Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Korea and Sri Lanka.

Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) held in New Delhi

The first meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has been held at Central

Water Commission (CWC) office in New Delhi to resolve disputes over sharing of river water among

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

The meeting of the 9-member Authority was chaired by the CWC Chairman S Masood Hussain, who is

also heading the Cauvery Authority.

India, Pakistan exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen

India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen lodged in each other’s jails.

The list was shared as per the provision of bilateral agreement on consular access signed between both

countries in May 2008.

Under it, lists of prisoners have to be exchanged twice every year –on Jan 01 and Jul 1.

Income Tax department launches instant e-PAN card service





The Income Tax Department launched instant Aadhaar-based e-PAN allotment service for individuals

seeking PAN (Permanent Account Number) service for the first time.

The facility is free of cost and is available for a limited period on first-come, first-served basis for valid

Aadhaar holders. It was introduced because of increasing number of people applying for PAN.

The e-PAN will be allotted on basis of one-time password (OTP) sent on mobile number linked to

Aadhaar number of a person.

It will have the same name, date of birth, gender, mobile number and address as in Aadhaar.

PAN is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued by the Income Tax Department of India in form of a

laminated tamper proof card.

9th Heads of Mission Conference held in New Delhi

The 9th Heads of Mission Conference has been inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj

in New Delhi with the theme 'Unprecedented Outreach: Unparalleled Outcomes'.

The conference comes at the time when India is monitoring several important global developments

including sanctions imposed by United States on Russia and Iran, and China’s new assertiveness in

Indo-Pacific region.

9th meeting of EPG on Indo-Nepal relations concludes in Kathmandu

The ninth and final meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on India-Nepal relations has concluded in

Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal.

Representatives from India and Nepal deliberated up on various bilateral issues including 1950 Peace

and Friendship treaty, trade, transit and border.

EPG members from India included Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Mahendra P Lama, Jayanta Prasad and B C

Upreti and from Nepal included Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, Nilambar Acharya, Suryanath Upadhyay and

Rajan Bhattarai.

Members from India include Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Mahendra P Lama, Jayanta Prasad and B C Upreti.

STATE News

Assam govt decided to implement Pranam Scheme The Assam govt, in a unique and first-ever in the country, decided to implement a Pranam Scheme to

ensure that government staff take care of their parents & physically challenged siblings.

It will part away with 10 to 15% of state government employees’ monthly salary if they are found guilty

of not taking adequate care of their dependent elderly parents and physically challenged siblings.

Chhattisgarh govt launches 'Sanchar Kranti Yojna' scheme

Chhattisgarh govt has launched the ambitious scheme 'Sanchar Kranti Yojna' with an outlay of Rs

1,467.90 crore.

Under the scheme, 50 lakh smartphones will be distributed free of cost to rural households, urban poor

and college students across the state.

The scheme is aimed at increasing mobile penetration in a state, which is the lowest in the country at

29% against the national average of 68%.

West Bengal Assembly passes resolution to rename state as Bangla

The state assembly of West Bengal, dominated by Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress Govt,

unanimously passed the resolution to change state’s name to 'Bangla' in all three languages – Bengali,

Hindi and English.





The change will only become official when resolution gets approval from Union Home Ministry and

Parliament passes the Bill.

4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals held in Indore

The 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals has been held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh for

showcasing blocks, which will be auctioned by the states in FY 2018-19 to the potential investors.

It aimed to carry forward the efforts of the Union Government for strengthening the mineral auction

regime as well as help in expediting auctions and bring in greater participation from the stakeholders.

First-ever tribal atlas of Odisha released

Odisha Govt unveiled first-ever 'Tribal Atlas of Odisha', a compilation of demographic and cultural

information of the tribal population in the state.

It will be first-of-its-kind tribal compilation in the country.

As per Census 2011, Odisha has second highest tribal population in the country after Madhya Pradesh.

Odisha police launches drive to bust Pangolin smuggling racket

Odisha Special Task Force (STF) launched drive to bust an international syndicate that peddles

‘endangered’ pangolin, one of the world’s most illegally traded mammals.

It has requested Union Home Ministry to approach the Myanmar govt to block the transit route for

smuggled pangolin under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).

MLAT is an agreement between nations to exchange information or provide legal assistance for

enforcing laws.

AP Govt launches e-Pragati core platform

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has launched ‘e-Pragati core platform’ at Undavalli to integrate

all govt departments.

e-Pragati is a forward-looking digital initiative.

It is aimed at connecting the citizen to 34 departments, 336 autonomous organisations and 745-plus

services.

Through this project, the State govt intends to realise the vision of ‘Sunrise AP 2022’.

Chhattisgarh govt launches ‘Aabhaar-Aapki seva ka’ app

The Chhattisgarh govt launched an online portal and mobile app ‘Aabhaar-Aapki seva ka (Gratitude-For

Your Service)’ to provide transparency in the pension facility.

Using this, 80,000 pensioners of the state will now get all the information related to pension and

payment online.

The pensioners will get the benefit of senior pension with the State government’s 7th pay scale before

Jan 01, 2016.

MP govt inaugurated NTPC’s 250 MW Solar Power Plant

The Madhya Pradesh govt inaugurated the state-run power giant National Thermal Power Corporation

Limited (NTPC)’s 250 MW Solar Power Plant at Suwasra in district Mandsaur.

It has been set up mainly on non-agricultural land and generation of electricity has been achieved

without affecting the natural eco-system with zero carbon emission at an investment of about Rs 1,500

crore.

Odisha to get country’s 1st skill training centre

The Centre is planning to set up one National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in every State to meet the

rising demand for skilled manpower in the country.

Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhant laid the foundation

stone of country’s first such skill training institute at Barang near Bhubaneswar.

Haryana Govt launches Paudhagiri Campaign for planting of saplings





Haryana Govt launched 'Paudhagiri campaign', an unique program to increase green cover in the state.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the campaign by planting ‘maulsari’ sapling in Tau Devi

Lal Sports Complex premises of Gurugram.

It aims increase green cover in the state, help in stabilising environment and improve overall climatic

conditions, thus help in checking global warming.

Haryana Governor gets additional charge of Himachal

Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has been given the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh by

President Ram Nath Kovind.

According to an official communique, he would discharge 'the functions of the Governor of Himachal

Pradesh, in addition to his own duties' during the absence of Himachal Governor Acharya Devvrat, who

is on leave.

Haryana launches ‘I am not afraid of English’ initiative

Haryana has launched ‘I am not afraid of English’ initiative to make primary school students fluent in

English.

The initiative aimed at capacity building of teachers to enable them help students to read, write and

speak in English right from class 1.

Haryana tops state in per capita revenue collection under GST

Haryana has topped other states in per capita revenue collection under GST, and is also the fourth

highest generator of e-way bills in the country. It has been announced by state Finance Minister

Abhimanyu.

Haryana has widened the tax base by 82.22 per cent and logged 19 per cent hike in revenue collections.

The introduction of One Nation One Tax GST in Haryana has been very smooth with the relatively

small state with geographical size 1.4 per cent and 21st in size in the country, collecting the 5th highest

gross GST in the country.

Haryana's per capital revenue collection under GST is the highest in the country at Rs 1,876.

Bihar to get world's cheapest clean drinking water

Bihar will get the cheapest drinking water in the world.

The first of such a water project has been launched in Bihar's Darbhanga district, Haribol Pond.

Sulabh International introduced the concept of 'Sulabh Sauchalya' in India, which is cost-effective

innovative water project to provide the cheapest drinking water in the world, only in 50paisa/litre.

The 'Sulabh Jal' project converts contaminated pond and river water into safe drinking water.

The founder of Sulabh International Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak laid the foundation of the project at Haribol

Pond in Darbhanga Nagar Nigam premises.

The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost.

The total cost of installing this project would cost around Rs 20 lakhs.

Odisha Govt constituted Heritage Cabinet

The Odisha Govt constituted Heritage Cabinet to preserve the history and culture of Odisha.

The Heritage Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, will maintain coordination between

the institutions and departments working to preserve and spread Odia language, culture and literature.

Maharashtra govt to launch ‘One farmer one transformer’

The Maharashtra govt is planning to launch ‘One farmer one transformer’ scheme from Aug 15 to curb

electricity losses.

The state Govt will provide electrical connection for high voltage distribution line to about two lakh

farmers of the state. It will ensure uninterrupted power supply in the state.

Rajasthan govt signed a MoU with Microsoft





The Rajasthan govt signed an MoU with Microsoft to provide free digital training to 9,500 students of

50 government colleges in a year.

It aims to develop technical education at government colleges, capacity building, increasing digital

literacy and improving digital education in Rajasthan.

Microsoft will also train educators from government colleges through the Microsoft Innovative Educator

Programme, building capacity for innovative use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

in the classroom.

Andhra Pradesh Govt launches 60 Anna Canteens

Andhra Pradesh Govt launched 60 Anna Canteens across the state in the first phase to provide

subsidised food to urban poor. These canteens aim to tackle hunger in urban areas.

The Anna canteens will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at Rs 5 a meal.

It will be run by Akshaya Patra Foundation.

The first Anna Canteen named former undivided Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N T Rama Rao was

launched in Mar 2016.

It was opened on pilot basis close to Govt Transitional Headquarters at Velgapudi in Amaravati.

Tamil Nadu is first state of launch ‘Amma’ canteens in Feb 2013 in Chennai.

Now, Rajasthan (Annapurna Rasoi Yojana), Madhya Pradesh (Deendayal canteens), Delhi (Aam Aadmi

canteens), Odisha, and Karnataka have started their own versions of subsidised food canteens.

Gujarat Govt approves Rs 39-cr 'Seema Darshan' project

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has given in-principle approval for the 39-crore rupees ‘Seema

Darshan’ project for developing more infrastructure facilities.

The facilities will be developed from T-Junction to Zero Point at Nadabet near Suigam in Banaskantha

district to instil patriotism through a unique Gujarat initiative for border tourism.

The project being developed on Wagah Border pattern, entails an exhibition hall, a parade ground with

amphitheatre for 5,000 people.

The phase-1 of the project worth 22-crore was launched on Dec 24, 2016.

Gujarat signs MoU with Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency

Gujarat Government’s Industries and Mines Department signed an MoU with Korea Trade-Investment

Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to strengthen trade, industrial relations.

KOTRA is national trade and investment promotion organisation operated by South Korea Government.

Both Industries Department of Gujarat and KOTRA will assist each other to provide in-market support.

Gujarat’s export to South Korea was around $1 Billion in 2017-18, which is approximately 25% of

India’s total export to South Korea.

Odisha govt and Tata Trust to jointly spend Rs 1,000 crore

The Odisha government and Tata Trust will jointly spend Rs 1,000 crore for development of cancer care

facilities in the State over the next 5 years.

Under the Odisha comprehensive cancer care programme, a state-of-the-art Tata Memorial Hospital will

be set up in Bhubaneswar.

India’s first private UAV factory to come up in Kota India’s first private sector unit for manufacturing unmanned air vehicles (UAV) and light bullet proof

vehicles (LBPV) will be set up by DCM Shriram Industries Group on the campus of Shriram Rayons in

Kota. Shriram Rayons, a company of DCM Shriram Industries Group, manufactures rayon tyrecord in

Kota for last 54 years.

These UAVs and LBPVs are likely to be used by defence and para-military forces in the country. ]





The UAV and LBPV have been indigenously designed and developed by the DCM Shriram Industries

Group.

67th plenary meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC) started in Meghalaya The 67th plenary meeting of North Eastern Council (NEC), chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath

Singh, started at Shillong in Meghalaya. NEC is a regional planning body of eight Northeastern states.

The plenary meeting is being held for the first time after the Union Cabinet brought NEC under direct

control of the Home Ministry.

Gujarat Govt grants religious minority status to Jews Gujarat Govt granted religious minority status to Jews living in the state.

Gujarat is third state in India to grant religious minority status to Jews after West Bengal and

Maharashtra.

As religious minority members professing faith of Judaism, Jews in the states will get religious minority

rights envisaged in Constitution of India and various acts and rules of the state government.

ADB approves Lining Project of Son Canal in Bihar

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved Lining Project of Son canal in Shahabad-Bhojpur region

of Bihar with an estimated cost of US $503 million (Rs 3272.49 crore).

Out of which US $352 million is being provided by ADB.

The project after completion will bring immense benefits to agriculture sector of Shahabad – Bhojpur

region of Bihar.

ADB, headquartered in Manila, Philippines, is a regional development bank which aims to promote

social and economic development in Asia.

It has total 67 members, of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.

UNESCO to set up Design University

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is planning to set up

‘Design University for Gaming’ in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

UNESCO delegation has entered into an agreement with Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board

(APEDB).

The Design University for Gaming will help UNSECO to develop edutech gaming in state, with the

target of providing 50,000 jobs in 10 years.

'Pandharichi Wari' - the most important pilgrimage of Maharashtra

'Pandharichi Wari' is recognised as the the most important pilgrimage of Maharashtra.

It is more than 700 years old tradition in which devotees of Lord Vitthala called Varkari trace the route

to Pandharpur. This year, in 2018, Wari resumes from Jul 6.

Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be ‘legal persons’

The Uttarakhand High Court has accorded the status of “legal person or entity” to animals in the State,

saying “they have a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.”

A Division Bench of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Lokpal Singh bestowed the unique status

on animal kingdom while issuing a series of directions to prevent cruelty against animals.

Kerala govt constitutes Rani George panel

The Kerala govt constituted Rani George panel comprising eminent writers and language experts to

choose an official song for the state.

The Cultural Department Secretary, Rani George would be the convenor of the panel.

While eminent critic M Leelavathi, poet Ezhachery Ramachandran, M M Basheer, M R Raghava

Warrier and K P Mohanan would be the members of it.

Madhya Pradesh govt launches 'Sambal' scheme





The Madhya Pradesh govt launched an outstanding power bill waiver scheme and subsidised power

scheme 'Sambal' for labourers and poor families.

It aims to make sure that all the households have power facility in the state.

Under this scheme, outstanding electricity bill worth five thousand 179 crores rupees is to be waived off.

Nagpur hosts the Monsoon session of Maharashtra

The second capital of Maharashtra, Nagpur has hosted the Monsoon session of the state Legislature after

a gap of 47 years.

This is the fourth time that the monsoon session of the state Legislature, normally held in Mumbai, will

take place in Nagpur. The session commenced in Nagpur from Jul 4 and will end on Jul 20, 2018.

Traditionally, Nagpur hosts the winter session of the legislature in Dec every year whereas the budget

and monsoon sessions are held in Mumbai.

Behdienkhlam 2018 celebrated in Meghalaya

The famous cultural festival "Behdienkhlam 2018" has been celebrated at the small peripheral town of

Jowai, the District headquarters of Jaintia Hills District in Meghalaya with joy and religious fervour.

The festival witnessed a colourful display of 12 rots or ‘rath’ at the sacred pool ‘Aitnar’.

The festival is also known as the festival for chasing away the Demon of Cholera.

Bengaluru to get India’s first e-waste plant

The country’s first e-waste recycling unit will come up in Bengaluru.

It has been announced by Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers Ananth Kumar.

The unit, to be set up by the ministry, is likely to be ready in four months, and is in keeping with

the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan drive.

The country’s e-waste generation is on the rise, and estimated to reach 52 lakh tonnes in 2020,

indicating a concurrent increase in e-waste recycling units is also required.

NRL in Assam becomes first oil PSU

Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) in Assam has become the first oil public sector undertaking (PSU) in

India to adopt an online legal compliance system by introducing ‘Legatrix‘.

It aims to induce greater transparency NRL’s operations and augment its contribution towards Digital

India Mission of the Government.

Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) of Odisha becomes largest habitat of endangered estuarine crocodiles

The Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) of Odisha become the largest habitat of the endangered estuarine

crocodiles in India with a record number of their nesting sites spotted in it.

The enumerators have spotted 101 nests of crocodile in Kanika, Gahirmatha, Mahakalapada and

Rajnagar wildlife forest range divisions under the park.

As per the Jan 2018 crocodile census report, the water bodies of Bhitarkanika are home to 1,698

saltwater crocodiles.

Delhi govt launches Happiness Curriculum

The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the presence of the Dalai Lama has launched ‘Happiness

Curriculum’ which includes meditation, moral values and mental exercises for its school students.

The Happiness Curriculum focuses on holistic education by including meditation, value education, and

mental exercises in conventional education curriculum.

It involves ‘Happiness’ period of 45 minutes for all students studying in nursery up to class VIII at all

Delhi government schools. Each class will begin with 5 minute meditation practice.

SC extends deadline for publication of final draft of Assam’s NRC

The Apex Court has extended deadline for publication of final draft of Assam’s National Register of

Citizens (NRC) from earlier Jun 30, 2018 to Jul 31, 2018.





The extension comes after Central Govt and the state coordinator of NRC agreed to publish it within the

new time limit. The NRC is being prepared to identify illegal migrants in Assam.

India’s first dedicated ‘Khadi Mall’ to be set up by Jharkhand govt

India's first dedicated ‘Khadi Mall’ is going to be set up by the Jharkhand govt to boost market for khadi

and khadi made products.

The land in the Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) campus will be made available to the Khadi

Board to develop the country’s first Khadi mall.

Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Buildings declared World Heritage site by UNESCO

Two building clusters of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco architectural styles in Mumbai, Maharashtra

have been jointly inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List.

The decision has been taken during 42nd session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) in

Manama, Bahrain.

This is third such honour for Mumbai after Elephanta Caves and majestic Victoria Terminus

(rechristened Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station) which had earned coveted tag in 1987 and

2004 respectively.

With this, Mumbai has equal number of World Heritage sites as Delhi, which has three — Red Fort,

Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

The count of World Heritage Sites in India has now risen to 37, of which 29 are cultural, seven natural

and one mixed site. It makes India seventh ranked country in the list of world heritage properties.

Kerala Govt declares Kozhikode and Malappuram districts free from Nipah virus

Kerala Govt declared Kozhikode and Malappuram districts free from Nipah virus infection.

These districts have been declared as temporarily Nipah free as no positive case of the infecton was

reported till completion of double incubation period of the virus.

Earlier in Jun 2018, state govt had lifted the travel advisory issued in the wake of the virus for travelling

to any part of the state.

Nipah Virus (NiV) Infection is zoonotic disease (disease transmitted to humans from animals) that

causes severe disease in both animals and humans.

The organism which causes Nipah Virus encephalitis is RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus of family

Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, and is closely related to Hendra virus.

International News

Google unveils two new AI chips Internet search engine giant Google has unveiled two new Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips at its Cloud

Next 2018 conference held in San Francisco. They are Edge TPU and Cloud IoT Edge.

Edge TPU chip is purpose-built application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed to run AI at the

edge.

Cloud IoT Edge is a software stack that extends Google Cloud’s powerful AI capability to gateways and

connected devices.

2018 Global Disability Summit held in England

The 2018 Global Disability Summit has been held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London,

England.

The summit was co-hosted by the UK govt with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the Govt

of Kenya to galvanize global efforts to address disability inclusion around the world.





The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot attended the summit

from India.

2018 BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg

The 10th edition of BRICS Summit 2018 has been held in Johannesburg, South Africa with the theme

'BRICS in Africa – collaboration for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the 4th industrial

revolution'.

The five BRICS countries account for 26% of the world’s landmass and are home to 43% of the world’s

population.

Kane Tanaka becomes the world’s oldest verified living person

A Japanese super centenarian, Kane Tanaka at the age of 115 has become the world’s oldest verified

living person following the death of Chiyo Miyako. He was born on Jan 02, 1903.

She credits family, sleep and hope as her secrets for longevity.

Typhoon Ampil hit Chinese financial hub Shanghai

Typhoon Ampil hit Chinese financial hub Shanghai that brought heavy rainfall and disrupted transport

and shipping on Jul 22.

The National Meteorological Centre stated that the typhoon first hit the island of Chongming, 45 km

east of the city, with winds of up to 100kmh near its eye.

Facebook to launch Satellite Athena in 2019

Facebook is planning to launch a new satellite project, named Athena that will provide broadband

internet connections to rural and underserved areas. The company aims to launch a satellite in early

2019. In 2016, Facebook's internet satellite for Africa was lost when SpaceX's rocket exploded.

Myanmar becomes 68th signatory to the Framework Agreement of the ISA

Myanmar joined the India-initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA) and became the 68th signatory to

the Framework Agreement of the ISA.

The primary aim of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce

dependence on fossil fuels.

International Solar Alliance (ISA), headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, launched by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at the Paris climate summit in 2015.

Only Jews have right of self-determination: Israel

Israel has passed a law declaring only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country.

The nation-state law, backed by the right-wing govt, was passed by a vote of 62 for and 55 against and

two abstentions in the 120-member parliament after months of political argument.

The law has been enacted just after the 70th anniversary of the birth of the state of Israel.

8th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting held at Durban

The 8th edition of BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting has been held at Durban, South Africa.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare; J P Nadda has particiapted in the meeting and

highlighted the achievements of India in the health sector.

India has initiated universal screening for prevention and management of five common NCDs including

hypertension, diabetes and three common cancers of oral cavity, breast and cervix at pan India level in

order to reduce Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

4th BIMSTEC Summit to be held in Kathmandu

The fourth edition of Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

(BIMSTEC) is going to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal from Aug 30 to 31, 2018.

The summit will aim to increase connectivity between BIMSTEC nations including roads, airways and

transmission lines. Nepal is the current chair of BIMSTEC.





BIMSTEC, headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is the sub-regional group of seven countries in South

Asia and South East Asia lying in littoral and adjacent areas of Bay of Bengal constituting contiguous

regional unity. It was established on 6 June 1997 through Bangkok Declaration.

India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka from South Asia and Myanmar, Thailand from South East

Asia is the member countries of BIMSTEC.

UK selects Scottish site for first spaceport

UK Space Agency selected site at Sutherland on A’Mhoine peninsula on north coast of Scotland for its

first spaceport to launch rockets vertically and put satellites in orbit.

UK Govt is going to provide $3.3 million funding and will be built with help of consortium of

companies.

A’Mhoine Peninsula in Sutherland was chosen as most suitable place from which to launch rockets

vertically. The first rocket launches from this spaceport are planned for early 2020s.

Employment warfare exercise 'Pitch Black 2018 (PB-18)' in Australia

The biennial multi-national large force employment warfare exercise 'Pitch Black 2018 (PB-18)' will be

hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Australia. It is scheduled from Jul 24 to Aug 18.

The Indian Air Force is participating for the first time in the mega exercise with fighter aircraft, which

will involve over 100 aircraft from around the globe.

EU, Japan sign massive free trade deal

European Union (EU) and Japan signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

It was signed by EU Presidents Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk and Japanese Prime Minister

Shinzo Abe at EU-Japan summit in Tokyo.

UNEP partners with Google

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) entered into partnership with search engine giant Google to

monitor impacts of human activity on global ecosystems by using sophisticated online tools.

It was launched during High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at United Nations (UN)

headquarters in New York.

UNEP, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, is the voice for the environment within the United Nations

system.

Microsoft and Walmart team up to take on Amazon

Microsoft and Walmart team up for a strategic partnership to take on rival Amazon in both technology

and retail. It was announced by Walmart at Microsoft’s Inspire partner conference to use the company’s

cloud services.

The five-year agreement will see Walmart use Azure and Microsoft 365 across the company, alongside

new projects focused on machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data platforms.

8th India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting held in Muscat

The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, co-chaired 8th session

of India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) along with Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade

and Digital Economy of Oman, Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy.

India-Oman Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF), a joint venture between State Bank of India and State

General Reserve Fund (SGRF) of Oman, a special purpose vehicle to invest in India, has been

operational and the initial corpus of US$ 100 million has been fully utilized.

UK tops global ranking of nations’ soft power

The United Kingdom (UK) has topped the annual global ranking of nations’ soft power.

India does not feature in this list. UK is followed by France and Germany.





The 2018 'Soft Power 30 index is published by UK-based strategic communications consultancy firm

Portland and the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy.

UN members elected Iceland to take a seat on UNHRC

The UN members unanimously elected Iceland to take a seat on the world body’s 47-member Human

Rights Council.

Earlier, US had left the UNHRC in Jun, 2018 calling it a cesspool of political bias for its criticism of

Israeli regime’s crimes against Palestinians.

UN finalizes Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

United Nations for the first time finalized Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to

better manage international migration, address its challenges, strengthen migrant rights and contribute to

sustainable development.

Scientists perform world’s first 3D, colour X-ray on human body

Scientists from New Zealand performed world’s first-ever 3-D, colour X-ray on human to improve the

field of medical diagnostics.

This is based on the traditional black-and-white X-ray but incorporates particle-tracking technology

called Medipix developed by European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

The technology is being commercialised by New Zealand company MARS Bioimaging, linked to the

universities of Canterbury and Otago which helped develop it.

UNSC adopts Resolution 2428

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2428 (2018) to impose an arms

embargo on South Sudan, almost five years after ruinous civil war was started in infant country.

It has been drafted by United States and won minimum nine votes needed in favor to none against with 6

abstentions.

Resolution 2428 (2018) calls upon all UN member states to prevent supply, sale or transfer to South

Sudan — from or through their territories till May 31, 2019.

UN Secretary General sets up panel on digital cooperation

United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres established first-of-its-kind panel on digital

cooperation aimed at addressing concerns of cybersecurity threats and rise in hate speech.

The panel will be co-chaired by US philanthropist Melinda Gates and China-based Alibaba founder Jack

Ma.

The panel will have 20 members in total and include leaders from technology, public policy, science and

academia etc.

Senior Indian diplomat Amandeep Singh Gill along with former diplomat Jovan Kurbalija will be

executive directors of panel’s secretariat.

UN Security Council adopts Resolution 2427

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2427 aimed at providing legal

framework for mainstreaming protection, rights, well-being and empowerment of children throughout

the conflict cycle.

The resolution won unanimous approval of the 15 members of the council.

The resolution strongly condemns recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts as well as their re-

recruitment, killing and rape, maiming and other forms of sexual violence and abductions.

UNSC is most powerful and one of the six principal organs UN. It has 15 members, including five

permanent ones with power of veto. The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, UK and

US. 10 non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms each.

YouTube announces $25 million investment to fight fake news





Video sharing platform YouTube has announced it will invest $25 million to counter the spread of fake

news on its platform.

The investment is part of the $300 million Google News Initiative which was launched earlier this year

in March.

China launches two remote sensing satellites for Pakistan

China has successfully launched two remote sensing satellites PRSS-1 and PakTes-1A of Pakistan on

board of Long March-2C rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.

It was overall 279th mission for the Long March rocket series (mainly used to send satellites into low

Earth or Sun-synchronous orbits) and first international commercial launch in nearly two decades after it

carried Motorola’s Iridium satellites into orbit in 1999.

PRSS-1 is China’s first optical remote sensing satellite sold to Pakistan.

PakTES-1A is Pakistan’s indigenously developed scientific experiment satellite developed by engineers

from its space agency SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission).

World Cities Summit (WCS-2018) started in Singapore

The 6th edition of biennial World Cities Summit (WCS-2018) started in Singapore with theme 'Liveable

& Sustainable Cities: Embracing the Future through Innovation and Collaboration'.

17th World Sanskrit Conference (WSC) inaugurated in Vancouver

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated the 17th

World Sanskrit Conference (WSC) in Vancouver, Canada.

The conference aims to exchange knowledge by presenting papers on various subjects.

Mark Zuckerberg becomes third-richest in the world with net worth of $81.6 billion

Facebook Inc. co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Warren Buffett as the world’s third-richest

person, further solidifying technology as the most robust creator of wealth.

It was announced by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Zuckerberg, who trails only Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill

Gates, eclipsed Buffett Friday as Facebook shares climbed 2.4 percent.

It’s the first time that the three wealthiest people on the ranking made their fortunes from technology.

Angela Ponce becomes the first-ever transgender woman to be crowned Miss Universe Spain

Angela Ponce from Seville has become the first-ever transgender woman to be crowned Miss Universe

Spain, after beating 22 contestants.

She will represent her country at the 67th Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Philippines in Dec 2018.

This comes six years after the Miss Universe organisation put an end to the ban on transgender

contestants in the competition in 2012.

World's first digital art museum opens in Tokyo The world's first all-digital art museum has opened at the MORI Building Digital Art Museum in Japan's

Tokyo.

It features around 50 kaleidoscopic installations triggered by motion sensors, which are projected across

every surface of the 100,000-square-foot exhibit space with the help of lights.

The museum appears to be a set of halls with black walls without the lights.

BWL adds 4 species in Recovery Programme

The standing committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) added four species- Northern River

Terrapin, Clouded Leopard, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale and Red Panda into Centre’s Recovery

Programme for Critically Endangered Species.

They were added on the recommendation by Wildlife Division of Ministry of Environment and Forests

and Climate Change (MoEFCC).





Colombia’s Chiribiquete National Park (CNP) inscribed on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Colombia’s

Chiribiquete National Park (CNP) on its list of world heritage sites.

The park, which straddles the southern provinces of Caquetá and Guaviare, is the country’s largest and

has one of the highest rates of plant diversity in the northern Amazon.

5th RCEP intersessional ministerial meeting held in Tokyo

The 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) intersessional ministerial meeting has

been held in Tokyo, Japan. It was the first RCEP ministerial gathering to be held outside ASEAN

countries.

It was co-chaired by Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and his Japanese

counterpart Hiroshige Seko.

RCEP is a proposed proposed free trade agreement (FTA) or comprehensive regional economic

integration agreement between the 10-ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,

Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its six FTA partners (Australia, New

Zealand, India, China, Japan and Korea).

42nd session of World Heritage Committee

The 42nd session of World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting of United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been concluded in Manama, Bahrain.

In the meeting, the World Heritage Committee (WHC) has inscribed four cultural sites on the World

Heritage List.

These four cultural sites are Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (India), Sassanid

Archaeological Landscape of Fars region (Iran), Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki Region (Japan) and

Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea (South Korea).

The World Heritage Sites are sites selected by UNESCO, having cultural, historical, scientific or other

form of significance and are legally protected by international treaties.

Science & Defence

DAC approves acquisition of 8 Fast Patrol Vessels for Coast Guard

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has

approved proposal for acquisition of 8 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for Indian Coast Guard at an

approximate cost of Rs 800 crore.

It has also approved platform specific guidelines for procurement of Naval Utility helicopters.

DAC approves implementation of Strategic Partnership guidelines

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved

implementation of Strategic Partnership (SP) guidelines.

It is considered as a major step towards boosting private sector participation in domestic defence

manufacturing.

The SP model has four segments — submarines, single engine fighter aircraft, helicopters and armoured

carriers/main battle tanks which will be specifically opened up for the private sector.

India plans to procure advanced air defence system from US

India is planning to procure an advanced air defence system, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile

System-II (NASAMS-II) from United States at $1 billion to defend National Capital Region (NCR)

from aerial attacks.





India is in talks with US for this and the proposal is in Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) stage now which

was approved by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

NASAMS-II is an upgraded version of the NASAMS developed by Raytheon in partnership with

KONGSBERG Defence and Aerospace of Norway.

NASAMS-II is highly adaptable mid-range solution for any operational air defence requirement.

Made in India tank engines handed over to Indian Army

Two types of indigenously built high-power multi-fuel engines V-46-6 and V92S2 have been handed

over to Indian Army for the first time under Make in India.

These engines were manufactured by Engine Factory Avadi (EFA), a unit of Ordnance Factory Board

(OFB) with 100% Made in India parts. These engines are based on Russian design.

V46-6 is also high power diesel engines with 780 HP and it is fitted in T-72 Main Battle Tank (Ajeya

Tank).

V92S2 is high power diesel engine with 1000 HP capacity and it is fitted in T-90 Battle Tank (Bhisma

Tank).

Ashok Leyland to supply 10×10 heavy vehicles to Indian Army

Indian Army awarded Rs. 100-crore contract for 81 high mobility 10×10 vehicles to India’s leading

vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland.

This is for the first time Indian vehicle manufacturer will deliver heavy duty, high mobility vehicles for

the launchers.

NASA launches Remote Sensing Toolkit

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched ‘Remote Sensing Toolkit’ to

promote commercial use of satellite data.

The toolkit has been launched as part of NASA’s Technology Transfer program that offers open remote-

sensing data benefiting scientific community, other government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Remote Sensing Toolkit is an online toolkit that aims to make it easier for users to find, analyse and

utilise relevant satellite data for their research, business projects or conservation efforts.

Newest phase in Earth’s history named after Meghalaya rock

Scientists approved three new ages on geologic time scale of Holocene Epoch viz. Meghalayan Age,

Middle Holocene Northgrippian Age and Early Holocene Greenlandian Age.

These three new ages of Holocene Epoch are represented by wealth of sediments that accumulated

worldwide on sea floor, on lake bottoms, as glacial ice, and as calcite layers in stalactites and

stalagmites. Together the strata of three new stages comprise the Holocene series.

Meghalayan Age is named after cave in Indian state of Meghalaya.

The lower boundary of this stage is defined at specific level in stalagmite from cave in northeastern

Indian state.

Scientists from IIT Delhi developed a silk-based hydrogel

The scientists from IIT Delhi developed a silk-based hydrogel that emulates the process of hair growth,

an advance that may help screen novel drugs for treating hair loss without using animal tests.

The hydrogel is developed by combining a mixture of silk proteins, isolated from silkworm cocoons,

and gelatin.

ISRO signs contracts with 3 vendors

ISRO’s nodal satellites division, U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) signed separate contracts with three

vendors to outsource Spacecraft Assembly Integration and Testing (AIT) activities.

The contracts signed with Alpha Design Technologies P Ltd and its six consortium members; also with

defence public enterprise Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Hyderabad.





URSC (formerly known as ISRO Satellite Centre) is nodal centre of ISRO for design, development,

fabrication and testing of all Indian made satellites.

Indo-US delegation meeting on Defence Cooperation The 7th Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting was held between India and the US

delegation. It was a part of Indo-US Bilateral Defence Cooperation.

The meeting was co-chaired by, Secretary (Defence Production), Dr Ajay Kumar and Under Secretary

of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, DoD, US Government Ms Ellen M Lord.

Indian Army to resume trials of M777 Howitzer artillery gun

Indian Army will resume trials of US-made M777 ultralight howitzer in the Pokhran firing range,

Rajasthan.

During the trails local ammunition will be used and tentatively 100 to 150 rounds will be fired.

M777 is 155-mm, 39-calibre towed artillery gun. It is manufactured by US based BAE Systems’ Global

Combat Systems division. It is smaller and lighter, as it is made of titanium and aluminium alloys and

weighs just 4 tonnes.

Govt to create National Database of Arms Licenses system

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is planning to create National Database of Arms Licenses

system from Apr 2019.

It will include names of all arms licence holders, new or old and they will be issued a unique

identification number (UIN).

BrahMos Missile tested in extreme weather conditions

The supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos has been successfully test-fired by DRDO under extreme

weather conditions, as part of the service life extension programme for Indian Army.

It was fired from a mobile autonomous launcher from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore, Odisha.

BrahMos is supersonic cruise missile developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint-venture between

Russia’s Mashinostroyenia and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

It has been named after two rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva (river in western Russia).

BEL inks MoU with Swedish firm Saab

State-owned defence electronics company, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) signed an MoU with Swedish

firm, Saab for jointly marketing L-Band 3D air surveillance radar (RAWL-03) which is co-developed by

the companies.

RAWL-03 is long range air surveillance radar for early detection and tracking of air and surface targets.

Saab is Swedish aerospace and defence firm that serves global market with world-leading products,

services and solutions in military defence and civil security.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, is state-owned leading

defence Electronics Company. BEL has been accorded Navratna status.

IIT-Madras unveils word’s first remotely operable LEAP microscope

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras commissioned remotely operable Local Electrode

Atom Probe (LEAP) microscope.

It is claimed to be world’s first remotely operable LEAP microscope, as it can be remotely operated

through special terminal by researchers divided geographically.

LEAP is high-performance microscope that can provide a precise atom-by-atom view of materials.

ISRO successfully conducts ground test of Vikas Engine

ISRO successfully conducted ground test of its high thrust version of Vikas Engine at ISRO Propulsion

Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu for duration of 195 seconds.





The tests meet all its propulsion parameters and were found satisfactory and closely matched the

predictions.

Vikas Engine belongs to family of liquid fuelled rocket engines conceptualized and designed by ISRO’s

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in the 1970s.

Century’s longest total lunar eclipse of 1 hour 43 minutes to occur on Jul 27-28

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences announced that Century’s (2001 AD to 2100 AD) longest total

lunar eclipse of 1 hour 43 minutes will occur on Jul 27-28, 2018.

The entire eclipse will be visible from all parts of India.

It will also be visible in region covering Asia, Australia, and Russia – exceept northern part, Europe,

Africa, east of South America and Antarctica. The partial eclipse of Moon will begin on Jul 27, 2018.

Later, Moon will be gradually covered by Earth’s shadow and totality phase will begin on Jul 28 and the

total eclipse will last up to 2h 43m.

Then the Moon will start to gradually come out of Earth’s shadow and partial eclipse will end on Jul 28,

2018.

Boeing P- 8I (Poseidon Eight India) to participate in RIMPAC-18

Indian Navy’s Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft Boeing P- 8I (Poseidon Eight India) from Indian

Naval Ship (INS) Rajali has been inducted for the first time for participating in the 26th edition of

RIMPAC-18, the Rim of the Pacific Multinational Naval exercise.

This is the first time ever that an Indian Naval aircraft has traversed so far east into the Pacific.

RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.

It is hosted and administered by the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet, headquartered at Pearl Harbor.

Discovery of a new pigment from local wild mushrooms

The mycological laboratory of the Department of Botany in Goa University has announced the

discovery of a new pigment from local wild mushrooms that may help fight against cancer.

It was confirmed after more than two decades of research experience on local wild mushrooms.

Indian Army inks MoU with SBI

Indian Army signed an MoU with State bank of India (SBI) on Defence Salary Package.

This is the revised version of first MoU between SBI and Indian Army signed in 2011 and was renewed

again in Feb 2015 to add suited requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families.

The revised MoU will benefit large number of serving and retired Army personnel who have their

accounts with the SBI Currently Indian Army has MoUs on Defence Salary Package with 11 public and

private sector banks.

Number of additional facilities has also been incorporated in revised MoU which includes free personal

accident death cover, free permanent total disability cover and other accidental benefits to the deceased

soldier and family.

INS Sumitra becomes the first-ever warship

The Indian naval ship INS Sumitra has become the first-ever warship to enter port of Sabang in

Indonesia.

It was received by traditional dancers and Indonesian traditional band.

The ship was welcomed by Indian Ambassador to Indonesia PK Rawat, Indonesian foreign affairs

officials, members from Indian embassy, Indian businessmen and Indonesian naval and air force officers

onboard. The warship was deployed in Malacca Straits.

Six bids to supply 110 fighters for IAF

Six global aircraft manufacturers responded Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Request for Information (RFI) to

supply 110 fighter aircrafts.





It aimed to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21s and MiG-27s, which are being phased out of service.

Of the six bids received, Lockheed Martin F-16 and SAAB Gripen are single-engine fighters, while

Dassault Rafale, Boeing F-18, Eurofighter Typhoon and United Aircraft Corporation MiG-35 are twin-

engine fighters.

Govt sets noise standards for airports across India

The Union environment ministry has issued a notification setting noise standards for all airports across

the country. The limits, however, exclude defence aircrafts, and those that are landing and taking-off.

Noise standards within the overall boundary for various airports are equivalent and applicable as

‘Industrial Zones’.

The noise limits specified shall replace and supersede the ambient air quality in respect of noise limits of

existing zones: silence, residential, and commercial areas.

The rules state that busy airports — a civil airport with more than 50,000 aircraft movements per year

(take-off or a landing) – should not exceed noise levels beyond 75 dB(A) Leq (decibels) during the day

time (6am to 10pm) and 65 dBA during the night (10pm to 6am).

All other airports — an airport having more than 15,000 but less than 50,000 movements annually —

should not exceed levels beyond 65 dBA during the day and 60 dBA during the night.

ISRO conducts first test of crew escape module

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the first test of Crew

Escape System that provides escape mechanism for astronauts if the launch operation is aborted.

The crew escape system is being developed as part of the proposed human spaceflight programme.

It was first pad abort test critical for future human space mission that demonstrated safe recovery of

crew module in case of any exigency at the launch pad.

The test lasted little more than three minutes and involved aborting space capsule at launch to save

astronaut. India at present does not have human space flight programme.

Only three countries United States of America (USA), Russia and China have human space flight

programmes.

NSG to be first central force to opt for e-ticketing instead of railway warrant The National Security Guard (NSG) is the first central paramilitary force to opt for e-ticketing instead of

the railway warrant under an agreement signed with the IRCTC.

The IRCTC is also developing an e-ticketing-cum-warrant management system for the Central Reserve

Police Force.

This system will eliminate the need for carrying railway warrants by the NSG personnel.

Vikram Dogra become the first serving Indian Army officer and the only General across the world to

have successfully completed a gruelling 'Ironman' competition

Major General Vikram Dogra become the first serving Indian Army officer and the only General across

the world to have successfully completed a gruelling ‘Ironman’ competition held in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The Ironman is an international triathlon consisting of three consecutive events- 3.8 km of swimming,

180 km cycling and 42.2 km of running (a full marathon). It is considered one of the toughest one-day

sporting events in the world. The competitors have to complete the events in sequence within 17 hours

to earn the title of 'Ironman'. Maj Gen Dogra completed the event in 14 hours and 21 minutes.

Tejas commences operations from Sulur Air Force Station

Indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas of No 45 Squadron 'The Flying Daggers' formally commenced its

operations from Sulur Air Force Station, Andhra Pradesh.

Squadron ‘Flying Daggers’ took up active wartime role towards safeguarding national skies.





No 45 Squadron has been entrusted with the responsibility of integrating Tejas fighter aircraft in Air

Force’s Concept of Operations.

Tejas is the first advanced fly-by-wire Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) designed, developed and

manufactured indigenously by state owned Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL).

It was developed and manufactured under Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the

1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters.

RANKING & REPORTS

India ranks 6th in Global Optimism Index

India has been ranked 6th in the global optimism index with business optimism tepid in second quarter

of 2018.

The index has been released as part of Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR), a quarterly

global business survey.

Indonesia topped the global optimism index for Q2 of 2018 followed by Netherlands, Austria,

Philippines and China.

India ranks 11th in 2018 AT Kearney FDI Confidence Index

India has been ranked 11th in 2018 Kearney FDI Confidence Index.

It has fallen out of top 10 destinations for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in terms of its attractiveness

according to 2018 Kearney FDI Confidence Index.

In 2017, India was at 8th position while in 2016, it was 9th.

The index was released by report published by global consultancy firm A T Kearney.

FDI Confidence Index is annual analysis of how political, economic, and regulatory changes will likely

affect FDI inflows into countries in coming years.

Andhra Pradesh tops 'ease of doing business' ranking

Andhra Pradesh has topped the ease of doing annual business ranking of states and Union Territories by

the World Bank and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

Telangana and Haryana are at the second and third positions, respectively.

Whereas Jharkhand ranked four, Gujarat - fifth, Chhattisgarh -sixth, Madhya Pradesh - seventh,

Karnataka -eighth, Rajasthan - ninth and West Bengal - tenth.

Meghalaya was ranked last at 36th position.

DIPP in collaboration with the World Bank conducts an annual reform exercise for all States/UTs under

the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP).

Chhattisgarh tops in terms of property registration

Rajasthan tops in terms of construction permit

West Bengal tops in terms of labour regulation

Karnataka tops in terms of environmental registration

Uttarakhand tops in terms of land availability

Odisha tops in terms of paying taxes

Uttar Pradesh tops in terms of obtaining utility permit

India ranks 57th in Global Innovation Index (GII)

According to the recently released 11th edition of Global Innovation Index (GII) 2018, India has been

ranked 57th among 130 countries.





It was jointly released by Cornell University, INSEAD and World Intellectual Property Organisation

(WIPO).

India has moved up 3 places as compared to 60th rank in GII 2017 and emerged as top-ranked economy

in Central and South Asia.

Switzerland topped the index followed by Netherlands, Sweden and UK.

India has consistently moving up on global ranking from 81st in 2015 to 57th this year.

HRD Ministry grants Institutions of Eminence status

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) granted Institution of Eminence (IoE)

status to six educational institutions.

It includes 3 Institutions from Public Sector and 3 from Private Sector.

They were selected by Empowered Expert Committee headed by former Chief Election

Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami.

Public Sector institutions are Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru (Karnataka); Indian Institute

of Technology (IIT), Bombay (Maharashtra) and IIT, Delhi.

Private Sector institutions are Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences, Pilani (Rajashtan); Manipal

Academy of Higher Education, Manipal (Karnataka) and proposed Jio Institute of Reliance Foundation

in Pune (Maharashtra) under Green Field Project.

India’s manufacturing growth jumps to six-month high in Jun 2018

According to Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by IHS Markit,

India’s manufacturing growth has jumped to six-month high in Jun 2018.

Manufacturing PMI rose to 53.1 in Jun 2018 from 51.2 in May 2018, the highest since Dec 2017.

This is the 11th consecutive month that the manufacturing PMI remained above the 50-point mark.

The reading above 50 on index denotes expansion and less than that indicates contraction in activities.

Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity-both in the manufacturing and

services sectors.

APPROVALS & MoUs

Invest India and Business France sign MoU India's official agency dedicated to investment promotion and facilitation, Invest India has signed

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Business France to promote investment facilitation and

cooperation between startups of India and France.

It will facilitate direct foreign investment by providing practical investment information to enterprises.

Invest India and Business France will collaborate to promote business and startup ecosystem

cooperation through joint activities.

Cabinet approvals

Approves Special Package for Irrigation Projects The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved implementation of Centrally

Sponsored-Scheme for completion of 83 minor irrigation projects in Maharashtra’s drought prone areas

of Vidharbha, Marathawada regions. It aims to create additional potential of 3.77 lakh hectares in these

drought prone areas. The overall balance cost of projects is estimated to be Rs. 13,651.61 crore.

Central Assistance for implementation of these projects will be Rs. 3,831.41 crore and rest will be

provided by State Government which may be arranged through NABARD (National Bank for

Agriculture and Rural Development).





Approves Special Remission Scheme for prisoners The Union Cabinet approved to grant Special Remission to Prisoners as part of commemoration of

150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to be observed in 2019.

Approves proposal to make DMs approving authority for adoptions The Union Cabinet approved proposal of Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) to make

district magistrates (DMs), instead of courts, the final authority for approving adoptions.

Ministry of WCD will introduce bill to amend Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,

2015 to make district magistrates and collectors competent officers for approving adoptions, instead of

courts.

Approves determination of FRP payable by Sugar Mills The Union Cabinet approved Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for sugar season 2018-19

keeping in view the interest of sugarcane farmers.

CCEA has hiked Rs. 20 per quintal in the FRP of sugarcane at Rs. 275 per quintal for basic recovery rate

of 10%. It is higher by 77.42% over production cost and ensures that farmers gets return of more than 50

% over their production cost.

Approves signing of MoU amongst BRICS Nations The Union Cabinet approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amongst BRICS

Nations on Regional Aviation Partnership Cooperation.

It aims to benefit BRICS countries from establishing of institutional framework to cooperate in field of

civil aviation. BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Lok Sabha passes Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017

The lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha passed The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory

Education (Second Amendment) Bill, 2017 to abolish the ‘no detention policy’ in schools.

The Bill amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

The Act was having provision of no detention policy i.e. no child can be held back in any class until

completion of elementary school (classes 1-8).

Govt issues draft amendments to Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a draft amendments to Central

Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, making Vehicle Tracking System device and FASTags mandatory for all

commercial vehicles obtaining national permit.

FASTags makes mandatory for vehicles to affix sticker confirming fitting of the Fastag in front wind

screen of vehicles. National Permit (N/P) stipulates additional conditions for obtaining national permit.

NMCG organised 'Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan'

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organised 'Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan' in five main

stem Ganga basin states – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

It has been observed as ‘Shubharambh Saptah’. It aims is to bring greater awareness among people and

other stakeholders regarding the importance of afforestation for the task of Ganga Rejuvenation.

The campaign has been initiated as part of the Forest Interventions in Ganga (FIG) component of

Namami Gange programme.

GoI given ‘in-Principle’ approval for construction and operation of LIGO-India

The Government of India (GoI) gave the in-principle approval for construction and operation of LIGO-

India (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in India) Laboratory in Hingoli District of

Maharashtra.

The LIGO-India Observatory is scheduled to be operational in 2024 in collaboration with the LIGO

Laboratory in United States.





This is the 3rd observatory identical to two other LIGO observatories in USA: Hanford ( Washington)

and Livingston ( Louisiana). For this, a MoU was signed between DAE-DST of India and National

Science Foundation of USA in Mar 2016.

University of Houston signs MoU with Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy

University of Houston has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of

Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) to build scientific and technical knowledge through joint research.

India and UK sign MoU India and United Kingdom signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the sphere

of Law & Justice and establishing Joint Consultative Committee.

India, Rwanda sign MoU

India’s upper house of parliament Rajya Sabha and Senate of Rwanda signed Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) for promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue capacity building and cooperation.

It was signed between Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu and visiting President

of Senate of Rwanda, Bernard Makuza in New Delhi.

The MoU has 6 articles of cooperation and seeks to promote inter-Parliamentary dialogue, capacity

building of parliamentary staff, organisation of conferences, forums, seminars, staff attachment

programmes.

This is the first time in 76 years since Rajya Sabha came into being, it has entered into MoU with

foreign counterpart for promoting inter-parliamentary dialogue.

With this, Venkaiah Naidu becomes first Chairman of Rajya Sabha to sign such agreement with foreign

counterpart.

China, India clinch deal

China clinched deal with India on reduction of tariffs (import duties) on Indian medicines including anti-

cancer drugs.

It is not yet clear whether it has agreed to grant licences to Indian companies to sell cancer drugs in its

huge market. Indian drugs, especially cancer-curing medicines are in big demand in China as they are

far cheaper than their western counterparts.

IFFCO inks pacts with two South Korean firms

Fertiliser cooperative major IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) entered into

strategic partnership with two leading South Korean firms to explore business opportunities in agri-

machinery and farm credit sectors.

These two firms are LS Mtron Ltd, a South Korean agriculture equipment manufacturer and NH Capital

co. Ltd., South Korea’s leading financial services provider.

UN approves US $6.69 billion dollar budget

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

approved US $6.69 billion dollar budget for 13 peacekeeping operations for year 2018-19.

This is the second year in row in which committee has made significant cuts to overall peacekeeping

budget.

The United States is biggest contributor to UN, paying 22% of $5.4 billion core budget and 28.5% of the

US $ 7.9 billion peacekeeping budget. China is other top contributor with 10.3% followed by Japan with

9.7 %.

Cabinet approvals

Approves DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018 The Union Cabinet approved the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2018.





It aims at expanding application of DNA-based forensic technologies to support and strengthen justice

delivery system of the country.

It allows law enforcement agencies to collect DNA samples, create “DNA profiles” and special

databanks for forensic-criminal investigations.

Approves accession to WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performance and Phonograms Treaty The Union Cabinet approved India's accession to WIPO Copyright Treaty, 1996 and WIPO Performers

and Phonograms Treaty, 1996 which extends coverage of copyright to the internet and digital

environment.

The proposal has been submitted by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry

of Commerce and Industry.

BSE signs pact with BME

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the

Bombay Metal Exchange (BME) for the growth and systematic development of commodity derivatives

markets in the non-ferrous metals complex.

With this MoU, the BSE and the BME will co-ordinate and work jointly on initiatives to deepen the

understanding of commodity market among stakeholders.

Appointment

Appointments Appointee Chairperson of NGT Justice Adarsh Goel

CJ of the Hyderabad HC Justice Thottathil Bhaskaran

Nair Radhakrishnan

Member of Broadcasting Content Complaints Council

(BCCC)

Uday Kumar Varma

Chancellor of University of Hyderabad Justice L Narasimha Reddy

Head of the Drug Enforcement Administration Uttam Dhillon

DG of Ordnance Factories P.K. Shrivastava

Chairman of Payments Council of India (PCI) Vishwas Patel

Chairman and MD of SAIL Saraswati Prasad

President of Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) Rajat Sharma

Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs

(CBIC)

S Ramesh

Chairman of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory

Commission (RERC)

Shrimat Pandey

Director General (DG) of Indian Council of World Affairs

(ICWA)

Dr. TCA Raghavan

97th President of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Dr. Sandeep Sancheti

MD & CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank T Latha

Vice-chancellor (V-C) of the Panjab University Raj Kumar

Additional charge of Himachal Pradesh Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki

(Haryana Governor)

Chairman and non-executive additional director of Bhushan

Steel

TV Narendran





Awards

Ramakanta Rath conferred with Odisha's highest literary award

Noted litterateur Ramakanta Rath conferred with the Odisha's highest literary award 'Atibadi Jagannath

Das Samman' for 2018 for his life time contribution to Odia literature.

He received the award at a special function organised by Odisha Sahitya Akademi.

Assamese film 'Xhoihobote Dhemalite' bagged three top awards at 3rd Love International Film Festival

Assamese film 'Xhoihobote Dhemalite' ('Rainbow Fields') bagged three top awards at the 3rd Love

International Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film has won the best movie award.

Besides best movie award, it also won the awards for best actress (Dipannita Sharma) and best music

(Anurag Saikia) at the festival.

The film, which is directed by Bidyut Kotoky, deals with the sensitive issue of children of Assam

growing up in violent times and witnessing brutality around them.

Sharmila Tagore conferred with D Litt (Honoris Causa)

Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore conferred with D Litt (Honoris Causa) by West Bengal Governor

Keshari Nath Tripathi at a special convocation of Kazi Nazrul University (KNU) held at the Raj

Bhawan.

Tripathi, who is also the university Chancellor, also conferred D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) on renowned

scientist at the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, S M Yusuf.

Beside this, Kazi Nazrul University conferred honorary D Litt on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh

Hasina.

Mohammed Ayazuddin Patel bagged the Senior Fellowship Award for 2016-17

A Kalaburagi-based artist, Mohammed Ayazuddin Patel has bagged the Senior Fellowship Award for

2016-17 instituted by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training Centre, an autonomous

organisation under the Union Ministry of Culture.

2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award Two Indians Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk among six have been declared winners of 2018

Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Ramon Magsaysay Award is often referred to as Asian version of the Nobel Prize.

Other winners are Youk Chhang (Cambodia), Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz (East Timor), Howard

Dee (Philippines) and Vo Thi Hoang Yen (Vietnam).

Bharat Vatwani is a psychiatrist who works for mentally-ill people living on the streets in Mumbai.

Sonam Wangchuk is educational reformer from Ladakh.

Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honour and is often regarded as the region’s equivalent of

the Nobel Prize.

Deshna Jain crowned the 2018 Miss Asia (Deaf) title

Deshna Jain, who is from Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh, has been crowned the 2018 Miss Asia (Deaf)

title and was the 3rd runner-up in the 2018 Miss International (Deaf) contest held in Taipei, Taiwan,

from July 8-July 16. She, at the age of 20 is also the youngest contestant to take part in the event.

It’s the first time since 2009 that an Indian has won any title in the much coveted Miss and Mister Deaf

International pageants.

Repco Micro Finance Ltd (RMFL) won the 2018 NABARD award





Repco Micro Finance Ltd (RMFL), a non-banking finance company promoted by Repco Bank, won the

2018 NABARD award for its service to Self-Help Group (SHG) linkage in Tamil Nadu for the fiscal

year 2017-18.

Since its inception, the NBFC has disbursed loans amounting to Rs 2,500 crore to over 10 lakh

beneficiaries through 50,000 SHGs.

Aruna Sairam selected for 2018 Sangita Kalanidhi award

Renowned Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam has been selected for 2018 Sangita Kalanidhi award of Music

Academy for her contribution to Carnatic music.

She will, now, preside over 92nd annual conference to be held between Dec 15, 2018 and Jan 1, 2019.

The award will be conferred to her on Jan 1, 2019 the day of Sadas of the conference.

Sangita Kala Acharya award: Mridhangist Thanjavur R. Ramadoss and vocalist K. Oman Kutty.

T.K. Awards: Veena player Kalyani Ganesan and nagaswaram player S.R.G. Rajanna.

Musicologist award: Dr. Premeela Gurumurthy

Nritiya Kalanidhi award: Danseuse Shanta Dhananjayan

Ishwar Sharma named ‘British Indian of the Year’

An eight-year-old Indian-origin schoolboy, Ishwar Sharma, who is the under-11 UK national yoga

champion has been named the British Indian of the Year for his achievements in the field.

He has won a string of titles in both individual and artistic yoga, most recently a gold medal representing

Great Britain at the World Student Games 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada, in June.

'The English Patient' won the Golden Man Booker Prize

The wartime love story by Michael Ondaatje, 'The English Patient' won the Golden Man Booker Prize at

the closing event of the Man Booker 50 Festival in Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre in London.

The prize was instituted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Man Booker prize.

The English Patient is a compelling work of fiction – both poetic and philosophical.

Milan Shankar Tare selected for 2018 National Maritime Search and Rescue Award

A fisherman from Maharashtra’s Palghar district, Milan Shankar Tare has been selected for the 2018

National Maritime Search and Rescue Award.

He will be given the award recognises for his act of bravery at sea and selfless duty in sync with the

highest traditions of maritime fraternity.

On May 09 2018, Tare saved the lives of 12 people from a sinking fishing boat named Shivneri.

He used his judgement to locate the distressed boat in the dark.

He also alerted other boats to join the rescue operation off the Satpati coast.

The prestigious award consisting of a commendation certificate and cash prize will be presented to Tare

in New Delhi on Jul 05.

Anjolie Ela Menon awarded Kalidas Samman

Madhya Pradesh Govt conferred prestigious National Kalidas Samman on noted artist Anjolie Ela

Menon for her contribution to visual arts.

The award has been conferred in recognition of her insightful and sensitive portrayal of the identity and

spirit of women through her meaningful paintings in a variety of media.

Kalidas Samman is prestigious arts award presented annually by Government of Madhya Pradesh. The award is named after Kālidāsa, a renowned Classical Sanskrit writer of ancient India.





Sports

Sourabh Verma lifted 2018 Russian Open Badminton trophy

Ace Indian shuttler Sourabh Verma lifted the 2018 Russian Open Badminton trophy at Vladivostok.

He, in the title clash, defeated Japan’s Koki Watanabe by 18-21, 21-12, 21-17, and win his first title of

the season.

In Mixed Doubles, the pair of Rohan Kapoor and Kuhoo Garg lost in the Final against the Russian-

Korean team of Vladimir Ivanov and Min Kyung Kim, 19-21, 17-21.

2018 World Junior Squash Championships started in Chennai

The men’s team event of 2018 World Junior Squash Championships has started in Chennai, Tamil

Nadu. A total of 24 countries, divided into 8 groups, are taking part.

India has been seeded 5th and placed in Group ‘E’ with Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.

Lewis Hamilton won 2018 F1 German Grand Prix

A British racing driver who races in Formula One for Mercedes AMG Petronas, Lewis Hamilton has

won the 2018 Formula 1 German Grand Prix at Hockenheimring track in Germany.

Pawan Shah registers 2nd highest individual score in U19 internationals

Pawan Shah created history by registering the 2nd highest individual score in Under-19 internationals

cricket against hosts Sri Lanka in the final ‘Youth Test’ in Hambantota.

The Indian innings was declared when the 18-year-old Pawan Shah from Pune was dismissed at 282.

His score came off 332 balls with 33 boundaries and a six in just under 7 hours.

Sunil Chhetri named the 2017 AIFF Player of the Year Indian football team captain, Sunil Chhetri has been named the 2017 All India Football Federation

(AIFF) Player of the Year in the men’s category.

Chhetri became the 2nd Indian footballer to play 100 international games after Baichung Bhutia.

Beside him, Kamala Devi has been adjudged the 2017 AIFF Woman Player of the Year and Young

Anirudh Thapa has been declared as the 2017 Emerging Player of the Year.

E Panthoi was named as the 2017 woman Emerging Player of the Year.

India won 8 medals in 2018 Junior Asian Wrestling Championship

India won 8 medals in the 2018 Junior Asian Wrestling Championship (JAWC) which concluded in

New Delhi. The medals comprised 2 gold, 3 silver and as many bronze.

Indian wrestler Sachin Rathi won gold in 74 kg freestyle category by defeating Bat-Erdene of Mangolia

in the final. Deepak Punia also clinched gold in 86 kg weight category in the event.

Suraj Rajkumar Kokate and Mohit have won bronze in the 61Kg and 125kg category, respectively.

Iran with 189 points topped the team championship.

India with 173 points finished second while Uzbekistan with 128 points came third.

Official mascots for Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games unveils

The official mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been unveiled during a

ceremony in the Japanese capital Tokyo.

The Olympic mascot 'Miraitowa' is a blue-checked pointy-eared figure, which fuses the Japanese words

‘mirai’, which means future, and ‘towa’, which means eternity.

Its Paralympic counterpart 'Someity' is derived from a type of cherry blossom ‘Somei-yoshino’.

It is represented as a pink-checked and wears a cape and is sounds similar to English phrase 'So mighty'.

The Tokyo Olympics are schedule to run from Jul 24 to Aug 9, 2020.

The Paralympics will take place between Aug 25 and Sept 06.





Alisson joins Liverpool as world's most expensive goalie Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker has become the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined

Liverpool from Roma.

The deal for Brazil’s starting goalkeeper at the World Cup in Russia “could be worth up to 72.5 million

euros” ($84.5 million).

Virgil van Dijk became the world’s most expensive defender when he joined Liverpool from

Southampton for $99 million in January.

Samira Asghari nominated for IOC membership

A young Afghan basketball player, Samira Asghari nominated for the International Olympic Committee

(IOC) membership.

She is among 9 candidates for membership of the body in a move to boost women’s rights.

Mansi Ahlawat won Silver in Junior Asian Wrestling Championships 2018

Indian wrestler Mansi Ahlawat won Silver after she lost to Japan’s Akie Hanai in the 57 kg category

final of the Junior Asian Wrestling Championships 2018 in New Delhi.

Viresh Kundu won bronze in the 2018 Asian Junior Championships Viresh Kundu won bronze in the 97kg Greco-Roman wrestling category at the 2018 Asian Junior

Championships in New Delhi.

Lakshya Sen won gold at the Asia Badminton Junior Championship 2018

Lakshya Sen from India clinched historic men’s singles gold at the Asia Badminton Junior

Championship 2018 in Jakarta. He defeated top-seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand by 21-19, 21-18.

With this, he became the 3rd Indian shuttler to win singles gold at the competition after Gautam Thakkar

and Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu.

Nozomi Okuhara beats PV Sindhu to clinch maiden Thailand Open title Japan's Nozomi Okuhara beaten the Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu in the summit clash of the $

350,000 Thailand Open World Tour Super 500 badminton tournament.

Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu's title drought continued this year.

Vinesh Phogat wins gold at Spanish Grand Prix

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has won gold at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, conceding just one point in

five bouts en route to the title victory in the women's 50kg freestyle category.

She outclassed Canada's Natasha Fox 10-0 in the final.

Marc Marquez wins German Grand Prix

Honda rider Marc Marquez cruised to his ninth consecutive win at the German Grand Prix to extend his

MotoGP lead at Sachsenring. The Spaniard has won in the top category for the last six years and before

that won three times in the smaller classes.

Mohammad Kaif announces retirement from competitive cricket

Mohammad Kaif, a cricketer who could earn a spot in the team on the strength of his fielding alone,

chose a landmark day to announce his retirement from all forms of the game.

Sixteen years after he played a crucial part in India’s successful chase of 326, recovering from a

precarious 146 for five to win the NatWest Trophy final against England, Kaif opted to walk into history

after figuring in 13 Tests and 125 ODIs — 10229 runs in 186 First Class matches.

France wins 2018 FIFA World Cup Football title

France won 2018 FIFA World Cup Football by defeating Croatia by 4-2 goals in the final match held at

the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

It was France's second World Cup crown after it had own it in 1998 (by defeating Brazil) on home soil.

With this victory, France joins Uruguay and Argentina in winning World Cup for a second time.





Golden Ball award: Luka Modric (Croatia)

Golden Boot award: Harry Kane (England captain) for scoring six goals across six games

Golden Glove award: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

FIFA Young Player award: 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe (France)

FIFA Fair Play Award: Spain for superb disciplinary record.

Qatar will be hosting next FIFA World Cup in 2022.

2018 Wimbledon Championships

The 2018 Wimbledon Championships was the 132nd edition of the tennis tournament championships

and 51st edition in the Open Era, held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon,

London, United Kingdom.

Men’s Singles title: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic won the 2018 Wimbledon title in men’s singles category

by defeating Kevin Anderson (South Africa) in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, 7-6.

Women’s Singles title: Angelique Kerber (Germany) won the 2018 Wimbledon title in women’s

singles category by defeating Serena Williams (United States) in straight sets 6–3, 6–3.

Men’s Doubles: Mike Bryan and Jack Sock pair from United States won the Wimbledon title in men’s

doubles by defeating Raven Klaasen (South Africa) and Michael Venus (New Zealand) pair.

Women’s Doubles: Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniakov pair from Czech Republic won the

Wimbledon title in women’s doubles by defeating Květa Peschke, 6 (Czech Republic) and Nicole

Melichar (United States).

Mixed Doubles: Alexander Peya (Austria) and Nicole Melichar (United States) pair won the

Wimbledon title in mixed doubles by defeating Jamie Murray (United Kingdom) and Victoria

Azarenka (Belarus).

Hima Das becomes the first Indian woman to win gold at IAAF World

Sprinter Hima Das created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold at the IAAF World

Under- 20 Athletics Championships in Tempere, Finland.

He has clinched the top spot in the women’s 400 meters final race on the third day of the competitions.

She is also the first Indian, men or women, to have won a gold in a track event at the world level.

Angelique Kerber won 2018 women singles’ Wimbledon tennis tournament

Angelique Kerber won the 2018 women singles’ Wimbledon tennis tournament by defeating 7-time

winner Serena Williams by 6-3 6-3.

With the win, she becomes the first German woman to win the title since Steffi Graf in 1996.

Entire Men's Hockey team included in TOPS

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs included entire Men's

Hockey team of India under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

This is first instance that entire team has been made beneficiary of the scheme as earlier only individual

athletes from different sports were included as beneficiaries of the scheme.

With this, the 18 team members will be provided with monthly allowance of Rs. 50,000 each under the

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

TOPS were launched by Ministry of Sports within the ambit of National Sports Development Fund

(NSDF).

Tushar Arothe resigns as India women’s cricket coach

India Women’s Cricket Team Coach Tushar Arothe has stepped down from the role citing personal

reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

PR Sreejesh to lead Indian men’s hockey squad





Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will lead the 18-member Indian men’s hockey squad in the 18th Asian Games,

which is scheduled to begin in Jakarta and Palembang from Aug 18.

Midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has been named vice-captain for the tournament.

Indian Satyarup Siddhanta scales world's highest volcano

Satyarup Siddhanta has become the second Indian mountaineer after Malli Mastan Babu to climb Mt

Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world.

Ojos del Salado is a stratovolcano (a volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash) in the Andes on

the Argentina-Chile border and the highest active volcano in the world at 6,893 metres (22,615 ft).

Rajyavardhan Rathore sanctioned financial assistance of Rs. five lakh to Gohela Boro

Union Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports, Rajyavardhan Rathore sanctioned financial

assistance of Rs. five lakh to National Level Archer Gohela Boro for her medical treatment.

The financial assistance has been given from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for

Sportspersons.

This is in addition to financial assistance of over Rs. 3.37 lakh already provided to her upto Jan 2018.

Anju Khosla - Oldest Indian woman to complete Ironman Triathlon

At the age of 52, Anju Khosla has become the oldest Indian woman to complete an Ironman Triathlon –

one of the toughest one-day sporting events.

The New Delhi resident completed her first full Ironman Triathlon, in Carinthia, Austria, in 15 hours, 54

minutes and 54 seconds.

It comprises 3.86 km swimming leg, 180.25 km bike leg followed by a marathon (42.2 km), to be

completed without a break.

In Austria, out of the 2,761 competitors, 2,315 crossed the finish line with Anju 38th out of 41 in her age

category (W50). Among women, she was 319th out of 336 athletes and overall 2,257th.

Jhilli Dalabehera bagged the bronze medal

Indian lifter Jhilli Dalabehera bagged the bronze medal in the 2018 IWF Junior

World Weightlifting Championships at Tashkent.

She lifted 167 kg (75 kg + 92 kg) in 48 kg to finish third on the podium.

She is the second woman lifter after Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (in 2013) to win a medal in the Junior

World Championships.

Dipa Karmakar wins gold in Gymnastics World Cup

India's premier gymnast Dipa Karmakar clinched the gold medal in the vault event of FIG Artistic

Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at Mersin, Turkey.

This is Dipa's first medal in a World Challenge Cup.

MS Dhoni becomes 3rd Indian cricketer to play 500 international matches The former India captain, Mahindra Singh Dhoni becomes the 3rd Indian cricketer to reach the coveted

milestone of playing 500 international matches.

He achieved this feat during the second T20 International against England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

He has played 90 Test matches and 318 One Day Internationals.

Dhoni is now the 9th player in the history of cricket and only the third Indian player, after Sachin

Tendulkar (664 matches) and Rahul Dravid (509), to complete 500 international games.

Other cricketers who reached this feat are – Mahela Jayawardene (652), Ricky Ponting (560), Shahid

Afridi (524) and Jacques Kallis (519).

Bajrang Punia clinched gold at 2018 Tbilisi Grand Prix tournament

Bajrang Punia from India clinched gold in the 65kg category at the 2018 Tbilisi Grand Prix tournament

by defeating Iranian wrestler Mehran Nasiri in the final in Georgia.





He will represent India in the 65kg after Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) handed him exemption

from trials.

Lee Chong Wei won Malaysian Open Badminton men’s singles title

Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei won the Malaysian Open Badminton men’s singles title for a historic

12th time. He defeated young Japanese shuttler Kento Momota in straight games 21-17 23-21 in 71

minutes.

In the women’s singles final, top seed Tai Tzu Ying from Taiwan defeated China’s He Bingjiao by 22-

20, 21-11.

Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting have been inducted

into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame for their stupendous achievements in international cricket.

Along with Dravid and Ponting, retired England woman wicket-keeper and batter, Claire Taylor has also

been named in the ‘Hall of Fame’.

With this, Dravid became only the 5th player from India to be named in the elite list.

The other four Indians are former skippers Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Anil

Kumble.

Indian Kabaddi team clinches Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 title

Indian Kabaddi team has clinched the Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 title by defeating Iran 44-26 in the

summit clash in Dubai.

The three-time world champions did not give Iran any ground to recover with Captain Ajay Thakur and

youngster Monu Goyat led the raid charts.

India is the reigning world champions and they now hold the title of the Kabaddi Masters too.

Books & Authors

Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World (1914-1948) – Ramachandra Guha

When Coal Turned Gold: The Making of a Maharatna Company – Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya

An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradiction – Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze

Lethal White – Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

The English Patient – Michael Ondaatje

In a Free State – VS Naipaul

Moon Tiger – Penelope Lively

Wolf Hall – Hilary Mantel

Lincoln in the Bardo – George Saunders

The Only Story – Julian Barnes

Like a Psalm – Perumbadavam Sreedharan

Indian Cultures as Heritage: Contemporary Pasts – Romila Thapar

Note by Note: The India Story 1947-2017 – Ankur Bhardwaj, Seema Chishti and Sushant Singh

The Billionaire Raj: A Journey Through India's New Guided Age – James Crabtree

India Moving: A History of Migration – Chinmay Tumbe

Blessings from Beijing: Inside China's Softpower War on Tibet – Greg Bruno

The Unending Game: Insights into Espionage – Vikram Sood

The House of Islam: A Global History – Ed Husain

Aluminium: The Future Metal – Tapan Kumar Chand





Winning Like Sourav: Think & Succeed Like Ganguly – Abhirup Bhattacharya

Eleventh Hour – Hussain Zaidi

Important days

Date Day Theme

Jul 01 National Doctors’ Day "Zero tolerance to violence against

doctors and clinical establishment"

Jul 01 SBI Day

Jul 07 International Day of

Cooperatives

'Sustainable societies through

cooperation'

Jul 11 World Population Day "Family planning is a human right"

Jul 15 World Youth Skills Day

Jul 18 Nelson Mandela International

Day

Jul 26 Kargil Vijay Diwas

Jul 28 World Hepatitis Day “Test. Treat. Hepatitis”

Jul 29 Global Tiger Day

Jul 30 International Day of Friendship

Jul 30 World Day against Trafficking

in Persons

‘Responding to the trafficking of children

and young people’

Obituary

Doyen of Hindi poetry Gopal Das Neeraj

Noted activist from Konkan Rajmata Satvashila Devi Bhosle

Veteran actor Rita Bhaduri

Noted Kannada poet and film lyricist M.N. Vyasa Rao

Veteran journalist & Dainik Bhaskar

Group

Kalpesh Yagnik

Doyen of Psychiatry in India Prof N N Wig

Spiritual leader Dada Vaswani

Senior Congress leader & former

Meghalaya Governor

MM Jacob

Veteran journalist J N Sadhu

Famous Kumaoni folk singer Kabutari Devi

Tony Award Winner Liliane Montevecchi

Former Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Jayant Ganpat

Nadkarni





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