GK

CURRENT
AFFAIRS
COMPENDIUM
 GK Current Affairs Compendium
2024-25

Dear Future Business Leaders,

We are delighted to present to you this GK Current Affairs Compendium 2024-25. In continuation of
Part-I as earlier provided Static GK Compendium 2024-25, this is the Part-II, which covers important
current affairs of national, international Business and Economy, Science and Technology, awards, sports,
etc. The purpose of this compendium is to provide relevant Current Affairs data which is very much useful
for your forthcoming XAT, CMAT, MICAT etc., examinations.

This Current Affairs compendium covers the following IMPORTANT areas.

1. GK Current Affairs & Business Facts

2. International and National Organizations their heads and headquarters
3. Countries and their heads of Governments

We sincerely hope and believe that this compendium will add value to learning and serve the intended
purpose.

All the best!!

Team CL

GK Current Affairs Compendium Page: ii

2024-25
 1. GK Current Affairs & Business Facts
We are delighted to present to you this GK Current Affairs Compendium 2024-25. In continuation of Part-I
as earlier provided Static GK Compendium 2023-24, this is the Part-II, which covers important current affairs of
national, international Business and Economy, Science and Technology, awards, sports, etc. The purpose of this
compendium is to provide relevant Current Affairs data which is very much useful for your forthcoming XAT, CMAT,
MICAT etc., examinations.

A. National
BJP wins 240 seats, Congress 99: EC declares results for all Lok Sabha constituencies
• The Election Commission of India has announced the results for all Lok Sabha constituencies. The BJP
secured 240 out of 543 seats, while the Congress won 99 seats. Though the Lok Sabha has 543
members, counting was conducted for 542 seats as BJP’s Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected
unopposed. With support from key allies Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively,
and other alliance partners, the NDA crossed the halfway mark.
• As the Samajwadi Party kept the INDIA bloc’s morale high in Uttar Pradesh with 37 seats, the Trinamool
Congress (TMC), another key member of the opposition alliance, won 29 seats in West Bengal, higher than
its 2019 tally of 22. The INDIA coalition outperformed expectations, securing 234 seats, 99 of which
were won by the Congress, garnering the party the Official Opposition status for the first time in 10
years. Seven independents and ten candidates from non-aligned parties also won seats in the Lok Sabha.
• Here’s the full list of how political parties performed in the Lok Sabha polls. BJP – 240, Congress –
99, Samajwadi Party – 37, Trinamool Congress – 29, DMK – 22, TDP – 16, JD(U) – 12, Shiv Sena (Uddhav
Balasaheb Thackrey) – 9, NCP (Sharad Pawar) 7, leading in 1, Shiv Sena – 7, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram
Vilas) – 5, YSRCP – 4, RJD – 4, CPI (M) – 4, Indian Union Muslim League – 3, AAP – 3, Jharkhand Mukti
Morcha – 3, Janasena Party – 2, CPI(ML)(L) – 2, JD(S) – 2, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi – 2, CPI – 2, RLD
– 2, National Conference – 2, United People’s Party, Liberal – 1, Asom Gana Parishad – 1, Hindustani Awam
Morcha (Secular) – 1, Kerala Congress – 1, Revolutionary Socialist Party – 1, NCP – 1, Voice of the People Party
– 1, Zoram People’s Movement – 1, Shiromani Akali Dal – 1, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party – 1, Bharat Adivasi
Party – 1, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha – 1, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – 1, Aazad Samaj Party
(Kanshi Ram) – 1, Apna Dal (Soneylal) – 1, AJSU Party – 1, AIMIM – 1 and Independent – 7.
General elections were held in India from 19 April to 1 June 2024 in seven phases, to elect all 543
members of the Lok Sabha. Votes were counted and the result was declared on 4 June to form the 18th Lok Sabha.
On 7 June 2024, Narendra Modi confirmed the support of 293 MPs to Droupadi Murmu, the President of
India. This marked Modi’s third term as Prime Minister and his first time heading a coalition government, with the
Telugu Desam Party of Andhra Pradesh and Janata Dal (United) of Bihar emerging as two main allies. More than
968 million people out of a population of 1.4 billion people were eligible to vote, equivalent to 70 percent of the total
population. 642 million voters participated in the election and 312 million of them were women, making
it the highest ever participation by women voters. This was the largest-ever election, surpassing the previous
election, and lasted 44 days, second only to the 1951–52 Indian general election. Incumbent Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, who completed a second term, ran for a third consecutive term after his Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) had enjoyed an absolute majority—a minimum of 272 seats—in the 2019 and 2014 elections.
The primary opposition was the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a coalition formed by
the Indian National Congress (INC) and many regional parties in 2023. The INDIA coalition outperformed
expectations, securing 234 seats, 99 of which were won by the Congress, garnering the party the Official
Opposition status for the first time in 10 years.
India Creates World Record with 64.2 Crore Voters Participating In Lok Sabha Polls
• Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that India has created a world record with 64.2 crore
voters participating in the Lok Sabha Polls. Mr Kumar said that the number is 1.5 times of the voters of
all G7 countries – US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada.
• In this Lok Sabha polls, 31.2 crore women voters cast their votes which is also the highest ever in
the world. He also said, only 39 repolling were conducted in this election unlike 540 repolling in 2019 General
Election. Mr Kumar said, over 68 thousand monitoring teams and 1.5 crore polling and security personnel were
involved in the electoral exercise.

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 The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body. It was established by the Constitution
of India to conduct and regulate elections in the country. Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the
power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office
of the president of India, and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election
commission. Thus, the Election Commission is an all-India body in the sense that it is common to both the
Central government and the state governments. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya
Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, State Legislative Councils and the offices of the President and Vice President
of the country. The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution per Article 324,
and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act. Rajiv Kumar is the current as and the 25th Chief
Election Commissioner of India.
India names two new Wetlands of International Importance
• India has marked World Environment Day by designating Nagi Bird Sanctuary and Nakti Bird
Sanctuary as its newest wetlands of international importance. These “Ramsar Sites” are both man-
made reservoirs situated in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui District in Bihar, India.
• Nakti Bird Sanctuary was developed primarily for irrigation through the construction of Nakti
Dam. In 1984, the wetland was designated as a Bird Sanctuary, highlighting its importance as a wintering
habitat for several migratory species, with over 20,000 birds congregating during winter months.
• The Nagi Bird Sanctuary (Site no. 2545) was created following the damming of the Nagi River,
which enabled the gradual formation of water bodies with clear water and aquatic vegetation. Due
to its importance for migratory bird species, the Site was recognized locally as a Bird Sanctuary in 1984,
and internationally as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
Threatened migratory species that winter at the Site include the critically endangered Baer’s pochard (Aythya
baeri) and the endangered steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis).
A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, which is also
known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands’ — an intergovernmental environmental treaty established by United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1971, and named after the city of Ramsar
in Iran, where the convention was signed that year. Ramsar Sites in India are wetlands or similar sites of
international significance to conserve and ensure sustainable use of its resources. India is one of the
Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1st Feb 1982.
During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2022, the
country has added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites. There are a total of 82 Ramsar sites in India
as of 17 June 2024.
NDA Leader Narendra Modi Stakes Claim to Form Government
• Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu and staked claim to
form the government. The oath taking ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhawan and the President
administered the oath to Narendra Modi and his new cabinet.
• Earlier, an NDA delegation led by BJP President JP Nadda also met the President and submitted a
letter stating that Narendra Modi had been elected leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party. Letters of
support from NDA constituent parties were also handed over to the President. President Droupadi Murmu
appointed Narendra Modi to the office of Prime Minister of India exercising powers vested in her
under Article 75 (1) of the Constitution. The President requested Mr Modi to advise her about the
names of other persons to be appointed members of the Union Council of Ministers, and indicate the
date and time of the swearing-in-ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a centre-right to right-wing conservative Indian political
alliance led by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It was founded on 15 May 1998 and currently
controls the government of India as well as the government of 19 Indian states and one Union territory. Its first
chairman was then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee. L. K. Advani, the former Deputy Prime
Minister, took over as chairman in 2004 and served until 2014, and Amit Shah has been the chairman
since 2014. The coalition ruled from 1998 to 2004. The alliance returned to power in the 2014 general
elections with a combined vote share of 38.5%. Its leader Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister
of India on 26 May 2014. In the 2019 general election, the alliance further increased its tally to 353 seats with
combined vote share of 45.43%. The alliance lost 60 seats in the 2024 general election, but retained enough
to form a coalition government, a first in over 10 years. On 7 June 2024, Modi confirmed the support of

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 293 MPs to Droupadi Murmu, the President of India. This marked Modi’s third term as Prime Minister
and his first time heading a coalition government, with the Telugu Desam Party of Andhra Pradesh and
Janata Dal (United) of Bihar emerging as two main allies.

Goa becomes India’s first state to launch Regenerative Tourism

• On the occasion of the sixty-second anniversary of the Liberation of Goa, Goa Tourism is thrilled
to announce the launch of a ground breaking model for regenerative tourism. Aligning itself to the
values and aspirations of the famous Manila Declaration of World Tourism of 1980 and the more recent G20
tourism ministers working group meet in Goa that came up with the Goa roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for
achieving the sustainable development goals, the Department of Tourism in Goa promises to transform the
state into a model for regenerative tourism in India.
The Annexation of Goa was the process in which the Republic of India annexed the former Portuguese
Indian territories of Goa, Daman and Diu, starting with the armed action carried out by the Indian Armed
Forces in December 1961. In India, this action is referred to as the “Liberation of Goa”. In Portugal, it is
referred to as the “Invasion of Goa”. The “armed action” was code named Operation Vijay (meaning
“Victory”) by the Indian Armed Forces. It involved air, sea and land strikes for over 36 hours, and was a
decisive victory for India, ending 451 years of rule by Portugal over its remaining exclaves in India.
Following the end of Portuguese rule in 1961, Goa was placed under military administration headed
by Kunhiraman Palat Candeth as Lieutenant Governor. December 19 is observed as Goa Liberation
Day to commemorate the role of India’s armed forces in liberating Goa from Portuguese rule. Goa is
a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from
the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is bound by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north, and
Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea in the west. Panaji is the state’s capital, while Vasco da
Gama is its largest city. It is India’s smallest state by area and fourth-smallest by population. Pramod
Pandurang Sawant is the current Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. P. S. Sreedharan Pillai is currently
serving as the 19th and current Governor of Goa since 2021.

TDP President Nara Chandrababu Naidu sworn-In as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister
• Telugu Desam Party National President N Chandrababu Naidu took oath as Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh on 12th June. The swearing-in ceremony takes place near Vijayawada. NDA senior leaders
and Chief Ministers of neighboring states were to attend the ceremony.
• This was the second time Mr Nara Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra
Pradesh post bifurcation in 2014 and first Telugu person to take oath as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
for the fourth time. NDA allies Telugu Desam Party, Janasena and Bharatiya Janata Party swept the
assembly polls winning 164 of the 175 assembly seats.
Nara Chandrababu Naidu commonly known as CBN is currently serving as the 13th Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh. He was democratically elected to this position with a landslide victory in 2024. Naidu has had a
distinguished political career, previously serving as Chief Minister from 1995 to 2004 before the state’s bifurcation
and again from 2014 to 2019 after the bifurcation. Naidu’s political career began in the 1970s with the Indian
National Congress. In 1978, he was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, and from 1980
to 1982, he served as a minister in the state cabinet. Afterwards, he switched party allegiance and
joined TDP, which had been founded by Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao his father in law.

Operation Sadbhavana: Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps Demonstrate Unwavering Support

For North Sikkim’s Remote Communities In Naga, Rangrang Villages
• In a proactive move to aid the villagers affected by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in North
Sikkim, the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army, under the Operation Sadbhavana project, conducted
relief operations and organized a medical camp. The Corps demonstrated its unwavering commitment to
the locals of Rangrang and Naga villages, reaffirming its solidarity with the affected communities.
• The relief efforts saw the distribution of essential relief materials, providing much-needed assistance to the
affected residents. This gesture symbolized the Corps’ dedication to supporting the remote villages of Naga
and Rang Rang during their time of need. Additionally, the Trishakti Corps organized a medical camp,
offering crucial medical investigations, medicines, and valuable insights on comprehensive health
to the villagers. Over 150 patients from both villages benefitted from this noble endeavor.

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SKM chief Prem Singh Tamang takes oath as CM for second consecutive term
• Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) convenor Prem Singh Tamang took oath as the Chief Minister
of the Himalayan state for the second consecutive term. Tamang and his Council of Ministers was
administered the oath of office at the Paljor stadium in Gangtok.
• The ruling SKM secured a resounding victory in the state, clinching a landslide win by capturing
31 out of 32 seats in the assembly elections. In contrast, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) only managed
to secure a victory in the Shyari constituency.
Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north
and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close
to the Siliguri Corridor, which borders Bangladesh. Sikkim’s capital and largest city is Gangtok. Almost
35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1975, after the Indian Army took over the city of Gangtok, a referendum was held that led to the
deposition of the monarchy and Sikkim joining India as its 22nd state. Prem Singh Tamang is the current
Chief Minister of Sikkim. Pawan Kumar Chamling was the former Chief Minister of Sikkim. Chamling’s
24.4 year stint (December 1994 to May 2019) is the longest ever by a chief minister of any Indian state,
surpassing Jyoti Basu’s 23 years in West Bengal. Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharyais currently governor
of the state of Sikkim. In 2015, Sikkim became the India’s first “organic state”.
Modi’s NDA govt starts Term 3; 30 Cabinet posts in 72-member Union Council of Ministers
• Shri Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister at Rashtrapati Bhavan, becoming only the
second after Jawaharlal Nehru to secure a third consecutive term. The 72-member Union Council
of Ministers which was administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu included 30
Cabinet Ministers and 5 Ministers of State (independent charge).
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signalling continuity, has retained key ministers in his new government. Amit
Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar will continue to lead the high-profile
ministries of home, defence, finance, and external affairs, respectively. These four ministers also form
the crucial Cabinet committee on security, chaired by the prime minister.
• Among the new cabinet members, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has
been assigned the agriculture and rural development ministries. Bharatiya Janata Party president JP
Nadda returns to the health ministry, a position he previously held during Modi’s first term before becoming
the party president.
• Nitin Gadkari, known for his work on expanding the national highway network, remains in charge
of the road transport and highways ministry. Former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar
has been given the housing and urban affairs and power ministries. Ashwini Vaishnaw, who
previously managed the railways and electronics and information technology ministries, retains
these portfolios and has also been given the information and broadcasting ministry.
• Dharmendra Pradhan and Piyush Goyal will continue to head the education and commerce and
industry ministries, respectively. Hardeep Singh Puri will remain in charge of the petroleum and
natural gas ministry but will no longer oversee the housing and urban affairs ministry. President
Droupadi Murmu, on the advice of Prime Minister Modi, directed the allocation of portfolios to the 72 members
of the Union council of ministers, according to an official statement.
• There are 7 women in the new Council of Ministers, two of them – Nirmala Sitharaman and
Annapurna Devi – in the Cabinet. And, five are MoS: Anupriya Patel, Shobha Karandlaje, Raksha Khadse,
Savitri Thakur and Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya. Among the former Cabinet ministers who won their
Lok Sabha seats but did not find a place in this government were Anurag Thakur from Himachal Pradesh,
Narayan Rane from Maharashtra and Purushottam Rupala from Gujarat. Others who were dropped from the
Cabinet included R K Singh, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Smriti Irani and Arjun Munda – all of them lost in the
elections.
Article 74 of the Constitution deals with the status of the council of ministers while Article 75 deals
with the appointment, tenure, responsibility, qualification, oath and salaries and allowances of the
ministers. The COM consists of three categories of ministers, namely, cabinet ministers, ministers of
state, and deputy ministers. At the top of all these ministers stands the Prime Minister. Article 75 (Other
Provisions as to Ministers): The PM shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed
by the President on the advice of the PM. Article 75 (Other Provisions as to Ministers): The PM shall be

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 appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of
the PM. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers (COM) shall
not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. This provision was added by the 91st Amendment
Act of 2003. Article 75 clearly states that the COM is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This
means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the Lok Sabha for all their acts of omission and commission.
Article 75 also contains the principle of individual responsibility. It states that the ministers hold office
during the pleasure of the President, which means that the President can remove a minister even at a
time when the COM enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. However, the President removes a minister
only on the advice of the Prime Minister. Article 78 (Duties of Prime Minister): To communicate to
the President all decisions of the COM relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and
proposals for legislation.
Mohan Charan Majhi sworn in as BJP’s first CM in Odisha
• Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mohan Charan Majhi was sworn in as the 16th Chief
Minister of Odisha. In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, their
Cabinet colleagues and Chief Ministers of nine BJP-ruled States, Governor Raghubar Das administered
the oath of office to Mr. Majhi, a four-time MLA from the Keonjhar Assembly constituency. He is the third
tribal Chief Minister after late Hemanand Biswal and Giridhar Gamang since Odisha became a
separate State in 1936. K. V. Singh Deo, six-time MLA from the Patnagarh Assembly constituency,
and Prabhati Parida, first-time Nimapara MLA, also took oath of office. The two leaders will serve
as Deputy Chief Ministers in the State’s first BJP government.
The modern state of Odisha was established on 1 April 1936, as a province in British India. The ancient
kingdom of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in 261 BCE resulting in the
Kalinga War, coincides with the borders of modern-day Odisha. Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE sun
temple at Konark about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha, India. The temple is
attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
First session of 18th Lok Sabha to begin on June 24
• The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on June 24 for oath or affirmation of the newly
elected members and will conclude on July 3, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said. The first three
days of the session will see the newly elected leaders taking oath or making affirmation of their membership
of the Lok Sabha and electing the Speaker of the House. President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint
sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27 and is likely to outline the new government’s
roadmap for the next five years.
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India. It is a bicameral
legislature composed of the president of India and two houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President in their role as head of the legislature has full
powers to summon and prorogue either house of Parliament or to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The president
can exercise these powers only upon the advice of the Prime Minister and their Union Council of Ministers. Those
elected or nominated (by the president) to either house of Parliament are referred to as members of Parliament
(MPs). The members of parliament of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the Indian public voting in single-
member districts and the members of parliament of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of all state
legislative assemblies by proportional representation. The Parliament has a sanctioned strength of 543 in
the Lok Sabha. Between 1952 and 2020, two additional members of the Anglo-Indian community were
also nominated by the President of India on the advice of the Indian government, which was abolished
in January 2020 by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 and 245 in the Rajya Sabha including
12 nominees from the expertise of different fields of literature, art, science, and social service. The
Parliament meets at Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi.
India welcomes Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining BRICS
• India wholeheartedly welcomed Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining the BRICS as
their representatives attended for the first time a key meeting of the grouping hosted by Russia. The
meeting was the first ministerial meeting following BRICS expansion in 2023 when Egypt, Ethiopia,
Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as full-fledged BRICS
members. Russia took over the year-long chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2024. Russia’s presidency
features more than 250 various events, with a BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024 being the central one.

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 BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India,
China, and South Africa. Since 2009, the governments of the BRICS states have met annually at formal
summits. Originally the first four were grouped as “BRIC” (or “the BRICs”) before the induction of
South Africa in 2010. Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates joined the organization
on 1 January 2024. The term “BRIC” is believed to be coined in 2001 by then-chairman of Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, Jim O’Neill, in his publication Building Better Global Economic BRICs. But, it was
actually coined by Roopa Purushothaman who was a Research Assistant in the original report. The
BRIC grouping’s 1st formal summit, also held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, commenced on 16 June 2009.
India and Iran signed 10-year Chabahar Port pact
• Recently, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for operating the Chabahar port in Iran. This
long-term agreement was signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Port and Maritime
Organisation (PMO) of Iran, enabling operation of the Shahid-Beheshti terminal. Signing of a long-
term contract with Iran is part of India’s strategic and economic vision for Central Asia and beyond.
• Chahabar is Iran’s oceanic port nearest to India. It is situated in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, on
the Makran coast. It lies in the Gulf of Oman. Chahabar Port project has two main ports called the Shahid
Kalantari Port and the Shahid Beheshti Port. Iran had offered India the project of developing the Shahid
Beheshti port which was well received by India.
• The port, which is seen as India’s key connectivity link to Afghanistan, Central Asia and the larger
Eurasian space, will help counterbalance Pakistan’s Gwadar port as well as China’s Belt and Road
Initiative. There are plans to link Chabahar with the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
that connects India with Russia via Iran.
Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman. It serves
as Iran’s only oceanic port, and consists of two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid
Beheshti, each of which has five berths. It is only about 170 kilometres west of the Pakistani port of Gwadar.
In December 2018, India took over the operations of the Port. It was being operated by India Ports Global
Private Limited (IPGPL). India’s first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan was sent through Chabahar
Port. India began building a railway line between Chabahar port and Zahedan as part of the North-
South Transport Corridor. In 2016, India signed a historic deal to develop the strategic port of Chabahar
in Iran and agreed on a three-nation pact to build a transport-and-trade corridor through Afghanistan
that could help halve the time and cost of doing business with Central Asia and Europe. The Chabahar port is
considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central
Asian countries. It will make way for India to bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan using
a sea-land route. At present; Pakistan does not allow India to transport its territory to Afghanistan. It
will provide India with an alternative and reliable access route into Afghanistan and also a reliable and
more direct sea-route access into the Central Asian region.
Delhi L-G allows Arundhati Roy to be prosecuted under UAPA in 2010 case
• Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena sanctioned the prosecution of novelist Arundhati Roy, for
allegedly provocative statements made at a 2010 event propagating Kashmiri separatism, under
Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The L-G had already sanctioned prosecution under
several sections of the Indian Penal Code last year. The L-G also sanctioned the prosecution under UAPA
of Sheikh Showkat Hussain, former Professor of International Law at the Central University of
Kashmir, for his alleged statements at the same event, a conference organised in New Delhi’s LTG auditorium
in 2010 under the banner of ‘Azadi - The Only Way’. Section 13 of the UAPA deals with advocating, abetting or
inciting any unlawful activity and is punishable with imprisonment for up to seven years. Arundhati Roy won
the Booker Prize in 1997 for her debut novel, The God of Small Things. Arundhati Roy was the first
Indian to win the Prestigious Booker prize.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is an Indian law aimed at prevention of unlawful activities
associations in India. Its main objective was to make powers available for dealing with activities
directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India. The most recent amendment of the law, the
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 (UAPA 2019) has made it possible for the Union
Government to designate individuals as terrorists without following any formal judicial process. UAPA
is also known as the “Anti-terror law”.

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PM Narendra Modi Expresses Delight Over Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in
Bhuj, Gujarat
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed delight over the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum
in Bhuj, Gujarat making it to World Selection for the UNESCO Prix Versailles Museums 2024. For
the first time a museum in India has received global recognition for its expression of local culture
and nature conservation. In a social media post, Mr. Modi said that Smritivan in Kutch is a tribute
to the lives lost in the tragic Earthquake of 2001. He said that it is a reminder of human resilience and
courage as well. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed pride as the Museum
has been placed in the list of the seven most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious
Prix Versailles Award in the field of architecture and design announced annually at UNESCO. The
“World’s Most Beautiful” Achievements recognition, granted by the Prix Versailles highlights the
primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.
Gujarat is a state on the western coast of India with a longest coastline of India 1,600 km (990 mi). Its
capital city is Gandhinagar, while its largest city is Ahmedabad. Gujarat International Finance Tec-City
is a business district promoted by the Government of Gujarat through a joint venture company. GIFT City
is India’s first operational smart city in the Ahmedabad and international financial services centre.
Acharya Devvrat is Governor of Gujarat and Bhupendra Patel is the current Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Gujarat has become the first state to implement newly-introduced 10 per cent reservations in government
jobs and higher education for the economically weaker sections in the general category and followed by
Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Pawan Kalyan is Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM, key portfolios for the 3 women ministers
• JanaSena Party (JSP) leader Konidela Pawan Kalyan was named Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief
Minister with the portfolios of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development and Rural Water Supply with additional
charge of Environment and Forests, and Science and Technology.
• He was one of the 24 ministers in the N Chandrababu Naidu government who were allocated portfolios. Pawan
Kalyan has been elected for the first time to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, winning the Pithapuram
seat. Dr P Narayana, founder of the Narayana Group of educational institutions who was a minister in the TDP
government between 2014 and 2019, has again been allocated the portfolios of Urban Development, Municipal
Administration.
Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state. It shares
borders with Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the Bay of Bengal. It has the second-
longest coastline in India at about 974 km (605 mi). After existence as Andhra State and unified Andhra
Pradesh, the state took its present form on 2 June 2014, when the new state of Telangana was formed through
bifurcation. Amaravati is the capital of the state, with the largest city being Visakhapatnam. Telugu, one of the
classical languages of India used by the majority of people, is the first official language. Nara Chandrababu Naidu
is currently serving as the 13th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Syed Abdul Nazeer is the 24th Governor
of Andhra Pradesh. He is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and a former judge of the Karnataka High
Court. Andhra Pradesh is the first state to be formed on a linguistic basis in India on 1 October 1953.
On 2 June 2014, Telangana was separated from the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh as the newly
formed state with Hyderabad as its capital.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Nalanda University campus in Bihar
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bihar to inaugurate the campus of Nalanda University,
named after the world-famous ancient seat of learning. Situated less than 20 km from the Nalanda
Mahavira, which has been declared a World Heritage site, the university was established in 2010, by an
Act of the Parliament.
• Earlier, a proposal to set up the international university, on the lines of the seat of learning that
functioned till the 13th Century, had been endorsed by member countries at the East Asia Summit.
The sprawling campus is spread across an area of about 450 acres, and the university offers several courses in
Hindu Studies, Buddhist Studies and Comparative Religion, and Ecological and Environmental Studies.
Nalanda is recognized as the most ancient university on the Indian Subcontinent. It was founded by
Kumara-gupta of the Gupta dynasty in Bihar in the early 5th century. It thrived for 600 years, from the 5th
to the 12th century. Gained prominence during the reigns of Harshavardhan and the Pala monarchs. Served as a
centre of learning, culture, and intellectual exchange with a profound impact on Indian civilization and beyond.

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 Primarily a monastic institution where monks and nuns lived and studied. Nalanda University is a central
research university located in the ancient city of Rajgir in the state of Bihar, India. Designated as an
Institute of National Importance (INI) and excellence, it is the flagship project of the Ministry of External
Affairs of the Government of India, and the successor of the famed Nalanda monastery. It is an international
university supported by 18 member countries of the East Asia Summit, with the initial proposal being placed
by the former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The first Chancellor of the university was Nobel
Laureate Amartya Sen, followed by Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo. Nalanda University is
solely a postgraduate institute, offering only Master’s and PhD degrees.
In a first, CDS releases its blueprint for warfare in cyberspace
• Acknowledging that cyberspace has emerged as a crucial and challenging domain in modern warfare, the Chief
of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released India’s first joint doctrine for cyberspace operations
during a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The joint doctrine is a keystone publication that
will guide commanders of the armed forces in conducting cyberspace operations in complex military operating
environment.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the principal military authority and senior-most appointment of the
Indian Armed Forces. Deemed the overall professional head of India’s three armed services, namely, the
Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, the CDS is the highest-ranking military officer
in service, responsible for overseeing inter-service jointness across all disciplines related to military functioning.
Primarily, the office operates on a status of primus inter pares i.e., first among equals with the chiefs of
the three services, and functions as the Permanent-Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC)
– the inter-service syndicate responsible for ensuring the establishment-cum-preservation of military integration.
Statutorily, the CDS is the presiding secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), the foremost civil-
cum-military entity responsible for fostering professional coordination between the services, and by
extension, is also the principal military advisor to the nation’s civilian leadership i.e., the Ministry of
Defence (MoD) on affairs privy to inter-service integration; as such, the office exists primarily as an advisor-
cum-adjudicator position, endowed with no operational command control. Since its formal creation in 2020, the
CDS is officiated on a rotational basis by four-star officers nominated from either of the three services.
Domestically, the office ranks 12th-overall in the Indian order of precedence. General Bipin Rawat served as the
first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces from January 2020 until his death in a helicopter
crash in December 2021. General Anil Chauhan is the current and 2nd Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the
Indian Armed Forces, since 30 September 2022.
President appoints seven-term Lok Sabha member Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker
• President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab as Speaker Protem under Article
95(1) of the Constitution to perform the duties of Speaker till election of the Speaker. Additionally, the
President appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh
Kulaste and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist Speaker Protem in Oath/Affirmation to newly elected Members of
18th Lok Sabha till election of the Speaker.
• Pro-tem is a Latin phrase which means “for the time being”. The pro-tem speaker is appointed to preside
over the sittings of the newly elected house. Usually, the senior most member of the house is made the pro-tem
speaker. When the new Speaker is elected by the House, the office of the Speaker Pro Tem ceases to exist.
• The Constitution does not mention the post of pro-tem Speaker. However, the official ‘Handbook on
the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ speaks about the ‘Appointment and Swearing in
of Speaker pro tem’. The handbook states when the Speaker post falls vacant before a new Lok Sabha, “the
duties of the Speaker are to be performed by a Member of the House appointed for this purpose by the President
as Speaker pro tem”. Administering oaths to the new MPs is the pro-tem Speaker’s primary duty.
• Under Article 99 of the Constitution, “Every Member of the House shall, before taking his seat,
make and subscribe before the President or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or
affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.”
Om Birla elected as Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha
• Om Birla, the NDA nominee, was elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26, following a motion
proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and approved through voice votes. The Lok Sabha Speaker plays
a crucial role in maintaining order, ensuring the orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings,
and upholding democratic principles within the House. Speakers of the last two Lok Sabhas (2014–2019

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 and 2019–2024), in which the BJP held a majority, were Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla. Om Birla
would remain the new speaker of Lok Sabha in the Modi Cabinet of 2024. In 2024, OM Birla, as a BJP
candidate from Kota, Rajasthan, won the Lok Sabha Elections.
• The House of Parliament has its presiding officers: the Lok Sabha has the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
While the Rajya Sabha has the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Originally termed President and
Deputy President under the Government of India Act of 1919, these roles were renamed by the Government
of India Act of 1935. Article 93 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the Speaker’s post becomes
vacant before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha. The President appoints a Pro-tem Speaker to
swear in new MPs, after which the Lok Sabha elects its Speaker through a simple majority vote. Currently,
Bhartruhari Mahtab serves as the Pro-tem Speaker until the election of the new Speaker is completed.
• When the newly elected Lok Sabha meets for the first time, the oath of office is administered by
the Pro-tem Speaker, appointed by the President of India. The Pro-tem Speaker is a temporary
appointment designed to conduct initial proceedings in the House. Currently, Bhartruhari Mahtab
serves as the Pro-tem Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha. This role ceases once the new Speaker is elected.
The President of India is responsible for appointing the Lok Sabha Speaker based on the election
conducted within the House. Article 93 of the Constitution states, “The House of the People shall, as
soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker
thereof.” The Speaker is elected by the members of the House through a simple majority vote. There are
no specific eligibility criteria other than being a member of the Lok Sabha. Since 1947, the Lok Sabha
has had 17 Speakers, with the first being Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, who served from 1952 to 1956.
The position of Speaker is pivotal in maintaining the decorum and order of the Lok Sabha. Om Birla, a three-
time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, served as the Speaker in the previous Lok Sabha (17th) as well. K. Suresh of the
Congress has represented Kerala’s Mavelikara constituency for eight terms, making him the longest-
serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha. Balram Jakhar the longest serving Speaker of the Lok
Sabha, whose tenure lasted 9 years and 329 days. Meira Kumar was elected unopposed as the first
woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha on June 3, 2009. The Speaker holds Office from the date of his/her
election till immediately before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (for 5 years). The speaker once
elected is eligible for re-election. Whenever the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker does not vacate his
office and continues till the newly-elected Lok Sabha meets. Usually, the Speaker remains in office during
the life of the Lok Sabha. However, under following conditions, the speaker, may have to vacate the office
earlier: If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha. If he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker. If
he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha, a position that lay
vacant for 10 years because no party had numbers equalling a tenth of the strength of the House. The LoP
is the parliamentary chairperson of the largest political party/ coalition in the Lok Sabha that is not in government.
• This term, the Congress secured 99 seats in the Parliament. With an additional boost from Independent
Lok Sabha member Vishal Patil from Maharashtra, their count reached 100, increasing the likelihood of a
Congress MP assuming the position of Leader of Opposition. The Congress Working Committee
unanimously passed a resolution urging Rahul Gandhi to assume the role of Leader of Opposition
(LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha.
• In the previous two terms, the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was vacant due to
the Congress party not having the required 10% seats. In the Rajya Sabha, the position of Leader of
Opposition was held by Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress party. The Leader of the Opposition is pivotal
in shaping debates and influencing legislation.
In the Lok Sabha until 1969, there was a de facto opposition leader with no formal recognition, status
or privilege. Later, the leader of the opposition was given official recognition, and their salary and
allowances were extended by the Act of 1977. Since then, the leader in the Lok Sabha should satisfy
three conditions, namely, 1. He should be a member of the House, 2. Of the party in opposition to the
Government having the greatest numerical strength and 3. Be recognized by the Speaker of the Lok
Sabha. In December 1969, the Congress Party (O) was recognized as the main opposition party in the
parliament while its leader, Ram Subhag Singh played the role of the opposition leader. The Lok Sabha
did not officially recognize a Leader of the Opposition until 1969. The leader of opposition is a statutory post
and officially recognized in “The salary and allowance of Leader of opposition act, 1977”.

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Kozhikode in Kerala becomes India’s first UNESCO City of Literature
• The city has created history by becoming India’s first city to be designated as a UNESCO City
of Literature. The announcement, scheduled at the Kandamkulam Muhammad Abdu Rahiman Memorial
Jubilee Hall in Tali, Kozhikode, marked a significant recognition of the city’s rich literary heritage.
• UNESCO conferred this prestigious title on Kozhikode on October 31, 2023, affirming its status
as a cultural hub for literature. Over the next four years, Kozhikode will host a series of literary and
cultural activities to celebrate and promote its newfound status. Iconic locations such as Mananchira, Tali, and
Kuttichira will be transformed into vibrant centers for literary events, fostering a dynamic environment for
literary exchange and creativity.
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and is a specialised
agency of the United Nations (UN). It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in
Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere
support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built
upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. It is headquartered at the World Heritage Centre
in Paris, France. Audrey Azoulay is a French civil servant and politician who has been serving as the
Director-General of the UNESCO since 2017, becoming the second female leader of the organization.
President Murmu addressed joint sitting of Parliament
• President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha where
she unveiled the priorities of the newly-elected government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Murmu’s
address to the joint sitting of Parliament also the first after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. The first
session of the 18th Lok Sabha began and the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha started on June 27.
• According to Article 87 of the Constitution, the President is required to address a joint session of
Parliament at the beginning of the session after each Lok Sabha election. The President also addresses
a joint sitting of both Houses in the first session of the Parliament every year. Murmu provided an
overview of the Modi government’s policies over the past 10 years, covering achievements in various sectors
such as economy, defence, healthcare, education, and social welfare, among others.
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India. It is a bicameral
legislature composed of the president of India and two houses: the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President in their role as head of the legislature has full
powers to summon and prorogue either house of Parliament or to dissolve the Lok Sabha. The president
can exercise these powers only upon the advice of the Prime Minister and their Union Council of Ministers. Those
elected or nominated (by the president) to either house of Parliament are referred to as members of Parliament
(MPs). The members of parliament of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the Indian public voting in single-
member districts and the members of parliament of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the members of all state
legislative assemblies by proportional representation. The Parliament has a sanctioned strength of 543 in
the Lok Sabha. Between 1952 and 2020, two additional members of the Anglo-Indian community were
also nominated by the President of India on the advice of the Indian government, which was abolished
in January 2020 by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 and 245 in the Rajya Sabha including
12 nominees from the expertise of different fields of literature, art, science, and social service. The
Parliament meets at Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Launches Two New Schemes on World MSME Day
• Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Jitan Ram Manjhi, launched
two new schemes on World MSME Day in New Delhi. The scheme, ‘MSME TEAM’, aims to facilitate
five lakh micro and small enterprises for Open Network for Digital Commerce. On the other hand,
the Yashasvini campaign focuses on mass awareness to formalize women-owned informal micro
enterprises and provide necessary support and assistance.
• Union Minister for MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi said that the MSMEs will be a key force in the movement
towards Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. Addressing the day long event of International MSME Day,
‘Udyami Bharat’ he emphasized the need to deepen and broaden the effort through an inclusive
and focused approach, especially in the rural areas and hinterland as per vision of the Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi. Shri Manjhi said six pillars have been identified on which our endeavours would
be built – (i) formalization and access to credit (ii) increased access to market and e-commerce

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 adoption (iii) increased productivity through modern technology (iv) enhanced skill levels and
digitalization in the service sector (v) support to Khadi, Village, and Coir industry to globalize them
(vi) empowerment of women, artisans, through enterprise creation. He said the work before us is
clear-cut. There is a great need to build upon these six pillars in a meticulous and yet smart way, he added.
As per the latest classification of MSME: 1. Micro enterprises would be those with investments not
exceeding Rs. one crore and turnover of Rs. 5 crore. 2. Small enterprises would be those with investment
up to Rs. 10 crore and turnover of up to Rs. 50 crore. 3. Medium enterprises – as those with investments
not exceeding Rs. 50 crore and turnover of Rs. 250 crore.
Uttar Pradesh becomes India’s first state to generate 1 crore tokens through ABHA ID
• In a major achievement, Uttar Pradesh has set a record by generating one crore tokens through the
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID. UP is the first and only state in India to achieve such
a feat, having generated a total of 1,43,00,000 tokens to date.
• Following Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh stands second with 60,33,104 tokens generated, while
Karnataka holds third place with 42,57,944 tokens. Other states in the rankings include Jammu and
Kashmir (38,87,226), Delhi (22,28,079), Bihar (15,65,332), Madhya Pradesh (12,53,722), Maharashtra (7,96,938),
Chhattisgarh (7,34,781), Odisha (5,06,580), and Gujarat (3,83,789).
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in
the world. It was created on 1 April 1937 as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh during British rule,
and was renamed Uttar Pradesh in 1950, giving the acronym UP. The state is divided into 18 divisions and
75 districts with the capital being Lucknow. On 9 November 2000, a new state, Uttarakhand, was carved
out from the state’s Himalayan hill region. The two major rivers of the state, the Ganges and Yamuna,
join at Allahabad and flow further east as Ganges. The state contributes 80 seats to the lower house of
the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha and 31 seats to the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya
Sabha. Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel is serving as the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She also served
as Governor of Madhya Pradesh. She has served as the first female Chief Minister of Gujarat. Yogi
Adityanath is serving as the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Navy participates in RIMPAC naval exercise
• The Indian Navy has joined the world’s largest naval military wargame Rim of the Pacific Exercise
(RIMPAC) in Hawaii. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, over 150 aircraft and more
than 25,000 personnel are going to train and operate in and around the Hawaiian Islands during the exercise.
The main objective is to improve everyone’s skills in maritime operations, which will help keep
the Indo-Pacific area peaceful and stable. In a nutshell, this is what this year’s RIMPAC theme,
“Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” means.
• 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than
25,000 personnel participated in the exercise. This year’s participants in RIMPAC include forces from
Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India,
Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the
Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, U.K. and the U.S.
The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest international maritime warfare
exercise. RIMPAC is held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years from Honolulu,
Hawaii, with the exception of 2020 where it was held in August. It is hosted and administered by the United States
Navy’s Indo-Pacific Command, headquartered at Pearl Harbor, in conjunction with the Marine Corps, the Coast
Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the control of the Governor of Hawaii. The first RIMPAC, held in
1971, involved forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US).
India first participated in RIMPAC in 2014 when the indigenously built Shivalik class stealth frigate INS Sahyadri
took part in the exercise.
India takes first steps to meet 2070 net-zero goal, NITI Aayog forms panels
• Three years after India declared its goal to become a net-zero economy by 2070, the policy design for
achieving the target has begun, with the NITI Aayog forming dedicated multi-sectoral committees to
prepare a transition plan. In 2021, India joined a select group of nations that set a target year for becoming
net-zero carbon economy. At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a five-pronged
‘Panchamitra’ climate action target for India and committed to a net-zero target by 2070, joining
nations like the US, the UK, and China.

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Government Revises Composition of NITI Aayog
• The Government has revised the composition of NITI Aayog. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
has been included as an Ex-Officio Member along with Home Minister Amit Shah, Agriculture
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Special Invitees are Road
Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Steel Minister H D
Kumaraswamy, MSME Minister Jitan Ram Majhi, Panchayatiraj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Social Justice
and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Tribal Affairs
Minister Jual Oram, Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi, Food Processing Minister
Chirag Paswan and Minister for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the
chairperson of NITI Aayog while Suman Bery will continue to hold the Vice President post. The Full
Time Members are V K Saraswat, Prof. Ramesh Chand, Dr V K Paul, and Anand Virmani.
The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via a resolution
of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015. It was established to replace the Planning Commission which
followed a top-down model. The Planning Commission was an institution in the Government of India,
which formulated India’s Five-Year Plans, among other functions. After India achieved independence, a
formal model of planning was adopted, and accordingly the Planning Commission, reporting directly
to the Prime Minister of India, was established on 15 March 1950, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as
the Chairman. Authority for creation of the Planning Commission was not derived from the Constitution
of India or statute; it is an arm of the Central Government of India. The first Five-Year Plan was launched
in 1951, focusing mainly on development of the agricultural sector. NITI Aayog is the premier policy
‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. The current Chairman
of NITI Aayog is Shri Narendra Modi, current Vice Chairman is Suman Bery and the current Chief
Executive Officer is Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam.
16th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced
• The 16th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced at
Foreign Training Node, Umroi (Meghalaya). The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 03rd to 16th
July 2024. Indian contingent comprising of 45 personnel is being represented by a Battalion of
SIKKIM SCOUTS along with personnel from other arms and services.
• The Mongolian contingent is being represented by personnel from 150 Quick Reaction Force
Battalion of the Mangolian Army. Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an annual training event conducted
alternatively in India and Mongolia. Last edition was conducted in Mongolia in July 2023.
Mongolia is a landlocked unitary sovereign state in East Asia. Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city
of Mongolia. Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh is currently serving as the President of Mongolia. Luvsannamsrain
Oyun-Erdene is currently serving as Prime Minister of Mongolia since October, 2017. The togrog or tugrik
is the official currency of Mongolia.
Uttarakhand to give 33% reservation to women in cooperative institutions
• An order giving 33 per cent reservation to women in cooperative institutions was issued by the
Uttarakhand government. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired here recently
by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and will end the monopoly of men in cooperative institutions. The
order issued on International Cooperative Day will ensure the participation of women in 10 district cooperative
banks, 670 multipurpose cooperative societies and other top cooperative institutions in the state.
Uttarakhand is often referred to as the Devbhumi, due to many Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres
found throughout the state. On 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of
India, being created from the Himalayan and adjoining northwestern districts of Uttar Pradesh. Pushkar
Singh Dhami is the current Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh is serving
as the current Governor of Uttarakhand. The winter capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city
of the state, which is a rail head. Gairsain, a town in Chamoli district is the summer capital of Uttarakhand.
The High Court of the state is located in Nainital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia to hold summit talks with Putin
• It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019, the first after the start of the
Ukraine conflict in February 2022 and the first in Mr. Modi’s third term as the Prime Minister.
Russian President Putin hosted a private dinner for Mr. Modi at the 22nd India-Russia summit in
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• The annual summit between the Prime Minister of India and the president of Russia is the highest institutional
dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries. The annual summits are
held alternatively in India and Russia. The last summit was held on December 6, 2021, in New Delhi.
President Putin had visited India to attend the summit. Recently, the Prime MInister of India paid a
high-profile visit to Russia to hold the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with the President of Russia. This visit
reflected India’s underlying multipolar vision in its outreach to the rest of the world.
• Transport and Connectivity: They agreed for faster completion of projects like the Chennai-Vladivostok
Corridor, International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and Northern Sea Route. Civil
Nuclear Cooperation: Both welcomed the progress in building the remaining nuclear power plant units at
Kudankulam and agreed to stick to the schedule, including delivery timelines.
Russia or the Russian Federation is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern
Asia. It is the largest country in the world; covering over 17,125,191 square kilometres (6,612,073 sq mi),
consisting of more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited land area, extending to eleven time zones,
and has bordering sixteen sovereign nations, the most of any country in the world. Vladimir Putin is
serving as the current President of Russia since 2012, previously being in the office from 1999 until 2008. He
was also Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Russian ruble or rouble is the
currency of the Russian Federation. Mikhail Mishustin is serving as Prime Minister of Russia since 16
January 2020.

India hosts BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers

• The seven-member Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) should find solutions to the regional challenges within itself, External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar said addressing the first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat held.
• The meeting assumes significance as it is being held in the backdrop of major developments in
neighbouring Myanmar where the military junta has been receiving battlefield setbacks against
dozens of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs). This is the first time such an event was organised
since the Charter of BIMSTEC came into effect on May 20, which marked a landmark development in the
evolution of the organisation. The developments in Myanmar pose a major issue before the BIMSTEC
as instability there has put a question mark on a number of developmental and connectivity projects that were
aimed at firming up ties among countries like Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an
international organisation of seven South Asian and Southeast Asian nations, housing 1.73 billion people
and having a combined gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion (2021). The BIMSTEC member states –
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand– are among the countries dependent
on the Bay of Bengal. Fourteen priority sectors of cooperation have been identified and several BIMSTEC
centres have been established to focus on those sectors. A BIMSTEC free trade agreement is under negotiation
(c. 2018), also referred to as the mini SAARC. Leadership is rotated in alphabetical order of country names. The
permanent secretariat is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Kerala retains top rank in NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24; Bihar worst performer
• Uttarakhand and Kerala have emerged as the top performer states in NITI Aayog’s SDG India
Index 2023-24, which evaluates progress of states and union territories on social, economic and
environmental parameters, while Bihar has been adjudged as the worst performer.
• According to the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24, India’s overall Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) score increased to 71 in 2023-24, compared to 66 in 2020-21, supported by significant progress
on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land.
SC Collegium recommends judge from Ladakh for his first High Court Chief Justiceship
• The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud recommended
Justice Tashi Rabstan to be appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalya. Justice Rabstan
would be the first Chief Justice from the region of Ladakh which has otherwise little or no representation
among the judges of the High Court and no representation at all so far in the office of Chief Justice. He is
currently serving as the seniormost puisne judge in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and
Ladakh.

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 Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution provides that the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed
by the President after consultation with such a number of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High
Courts in the States as the President may deem necessary for the purpose. As per Article 217, the Judge
of a High Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the CJI and the State Governor,
and, in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High
Court. The names are recommended by the Collegium. Collegium System is the system of appointment
and transfer of judges that has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court, and not by an Act of
Parliament or by a provision of the Constitution. The Supreme Court collegium is headed by the CJI
and comprises four other senior most judges of the court. A HC collegium is led by its Chief Justice
and four other senior most judges of that court. The collegium sends its final recommendation to the
President of India for approval. The President can either accept it or reject it. In the case it is rejected,
the recommendation comes back to the collegium. If the collegium reiterates its recommendation to
the President, then he/she is bound by that recommendation.
Andhra Pradesh first state to conduct skill census
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu signed on five files which included issuing
mega DSC notification, reopening Anna canteens, increasing social pension amount to Rs. 4,000, cancellation
of Land Titling Act, conducting skill census. The skill census is aimed at creating opportunities for the
unemployed youth in Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state. It shares
borders with Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the Bay of Bengal. It has the second-
longest coastline in India at about 974 km (605 mi). After existence as Andhra State and unified Andhra
Pradesh, the state took its present form on 2 June 2014, when the new state of Telangana was formed through
bifurcation. Amaravati is the capital of the state, with the largest city being Visakhapatnam. Telugu, one of the
classical languages of India used by the majority of people, is the first official language. Nara Chandrababu
Naidu is currently serving as the 13th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Syed Abdul Nazeer is the 24th
Governor of Andhra Pradesh. He is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and a former judge of the
Karnataka High Court. Andhra Pradesh is the first state to be formed on a linguistic basis in India on 1
October 1953. On 2 June 2014, Telangana was separated from the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh
as the newly formed state with Hyderabad as its capital.
India’s first toll-free national anti-narcotics helpline 1933 launched
• India launched its first national toll-free anti-narcotics helpline, ‘1933’, alongside an email service
under the name MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra). It was launched by Union Home
Minister Amit Shah during the seventh Narco-Coordination Centre meeting on July 18, the helpline
aims to provide a user-friendly platform for citizens to report drug-related crimes and seek
assistance 24×7. “The toll-free number for MANAS (National Narcotics helpline) will be 1933 along with an
email–[email protected]. MANAS will address various drug-related issues including trafficking,
illegal sale, storage, manufacturing, and cultivation of narcotics. It guarantees confidentiality and
promises prompt action under the NDPS Act.
Kerala Assembly unanimously passes resolution to change official name of State to
‘Keralam’
• The Kerala State Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central
government to officially change the name of the State from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam.’ The Assembly has
sought an amendment in the Constitution, which too refers to the State as ‘Kerala,’ in this regard.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the contents of the resolution in the House under Rule
118 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. While
‘Keralam’ is the accepted and common usage in Malayalam, the State is generally referred to as
‘Kerala’ in official records, especially those in English. The First Schedule of the Constitution also
specifies the name of the State as ‘Kerala.’ ‘‘The name of our State in Malayalam is ‘Keralam.’ States
were reorganised on linguistic basis on November 1, 1956.
• Article 3 deals with the formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of
existing States. The resolution has also urged the Central government to change the usage as ‘Keralam’
in all the languages included under the Eighth Schedule.

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 The Parliament has the power to change the name of a state. The Constitution of India gives the
parliament power to alter the name of a state under Article 3. Article 3 of the Constitution explicitly lays
down a procedure to alter the area, boundaries, or name of a state. The process of renaming of a state
can be initiated by either the Parliament or the state assembly. The state legislature sends a proposal in
the form of a resolution to the Central government. In Parliament, the bill cannot be presented without a
recommendation from the President. Procedure: States which are going to get affected by such changes,
the legislation of that state must be presented with the bill. The provision to send a bill to the state
legislature was not in the original Constitution. This process was added in the 5th Amendment Act, 1955.
The State Legislature may present its views on the bill within the prescribed time period. The views or
suggestions of the State Legislature are not enforceable against the President or The Parliament. If
Parliament wants, it can dismiss the opinion of the state legislature. After receiving the suggestions
of the State Legislative Assembly or after the expiration of the limited time period the bill goes back
to the Parliament. Then the bill gets further deliberated upon in the Parliament. The bill is sent to the
President for approval. After the said bill gets approved, it becomes a law and the name of the state
stands modified.

Government launched ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ GST reward scheme from September 1
• The government of India launched the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ invoice incentive scheme, which
offers cash prize from Rs.10, 000 to Rs.1 crore, from September 1, starting with six States and Union
Territories. The scheme, which is aimed at motivating customers to ask for a bill every time they
make purchases launched in the States of Assam, Gujarat and Haryana; and the UTs of Puducherry,
Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said.
• The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme, conceptualized by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs (CBIC), is designed to instill a sense of confidence and assurance among consumers while
making purchases. The scheme is geared towards creating awareness about the importance of receiving
genuine invoices for business-to-consumer transactions, fostering a more transparent economy.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a successor to VAT used in India on the supply of goods and
services. GST is a digitalized form of VAT where you can also track the goods & services. Both VAT and GST
have the same taxation slabs. It is a comprehensive, multistage, destination-based tax: comprehensive
because it has subsumed almost all the indirect taxes except a few state taxes. Multi-staged as it is, the
GST is imposed at every step in the production process, but is meant to be refunded to all parties in
the various stages of production other than the final consumer and as a destination-based tax, it is
collected from point of consumption and not point of origin like previous taxes. Goods and services are
divided into five different tax slabs for collection of tax: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. However, petroleum
products, alcoholic drinks, and electricity are not taxed under GST and instead are taxed separately
by the individual state governments, as per the previous tax system. The tax came into effect from 1
July 2017 through the implementation of the One Hundred and First Amendment of the Constitution of
India by the Indian government. The GST replaced existing multiple taxes levied by the central and state
governments.

Justices Kotiswar Singh, R. Mahadevan appointed to Supreme Court; top court to regain
full strength
• President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justices N. Kotiswar Singh and Madras High Court Acting
Chief Justice R. Mahadevan as Supreme Court judges. A five-member Supreme Court Collegium headed
by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud had recommended their names in a resolution. The Centre notified
the two appointments which would return the top court to its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
The Supreme Court of India came into being on 28 January 1950. It replaced both the Federal Court
of India and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which were then at the apex of the Indian
court system. The first Chief Justice of India was Sir H J Kania. Originally, the Constitution of India
envisaged a supreme court with a chief justice and seven judges; leaving it to parliament to increase this
number. At present, SC is consisting of the Chief Justice of India and 33 sanctioned other judges. The
motto of the Supreme Court is ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’, means “whence law (dharma), thence victory”. It is
also referred to – as the wheel of righteousness, encompassing truth, goodness and equity.

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Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri gets India’s first sea zipline
• India now has its first Sea Zipline facility at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Nestled amidst the scenic
beauty of the Konkan coast, Aare Ware Beach in Ratnagiri is a hidden gem. Elevating its appeal is the
introduction of India’s first sea zipline – the Ocean Fly Zipline.
Union Budget 2024-25: Coalition Economix
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made history by presenting her seventh consecutive budget
on July 23. The finance minister surpassed the record of Morarji Desai who presented six budgets
consecutively. Despite global economy remaining under the grip of policy uncertainties, India’s economic
growth continues to be the shining exception and will remain so in the years ahead. Minister of Finance
and Corporate Affairs Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 in
Parliament said that India’s inflation continues to be low, stable and moving towards the 4 per cent
target. Core inflation (non-food, non-fuel) currently is 3.1 per cent and steps are being taken to ensure supplies
of perishable goods reach market adequately.
• The Finance Minister said that as mentioned in the interim budget, the focus is on 4 major castes, namely
‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth) and ‘Annadata’ (Farmer). Dwelling on the Budget
theme, Smt Sitharaman said, turning attention to the full year and beyond, in this budget, we particularly focus
on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle class. She announced the Prime Minister’s package of
5 schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore
youth over a 5-year period with a central outlay of Rs. 2 lakh crore. This year, Rs.1.48 lakh crore has
been allocated for education, employment and skilling.
The Union Budget of India also referred to as the Annual Financial Statement in the Article 112 of the
Constitution of India, is the annual budget of the Republic of India. The Government presents it on the first
day of February so that it could be materialised before the beginning of new financial year in April.
Until 2016 it was presented on the last working day of February by the Finance Minister in Parliament. The
budget, which is presented by means of the Finance bill and the Appropriation bill has to be passed by
Lok Sabha before it can come into effect on 1 April, the start of India’s financial year. As of January 2021,
Morarji Desai has presented 10 budgets which is the highest count followed by P Chidambaram’s 9 and
Pranab Mukherjee’s 8. Yashwant Sinha, Yashwantrao Chavan and C.D. Deshmukh have presented 7
budgets each while Manmohan Singh and T.T. Krishnamachari have presented 6 budgets.
Amit Shah-led high-level committee approves disaster mitigation projects
• A high-level committee headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved several disaster
mitigation and capacity building projects for various states that include combating urban flooding
and checking glacial lake outburst floods. The committee gave its nod to nine proposals for funding
from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Among the proposals approved include six projects in Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal
and Maharashtra at a total cost of Rs. 2514.36 crore for urban floor management.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is an Indian specialized force constituted “for the purpose
of special response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under the Disaster Management
Act, 2005. The “Apex Body for Disaster Management” in India is the National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA). The Chairman of the NDMA is the Prime Minister. The responsibility of managing
disasters in India is that of the State Government. The ‘Nodal Ministry’ in the central government for
management of natural disasters is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). When ‘calamities of severe nature’
occur, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected state, including
deploying, at the State’s request, of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces, National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF), and such communication, air and other assets, as are available and needed.
PM Narendra Modi conducts ‘first blast’ of Shinkun La tunnel
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out the “first blast” for the construction of a tunnel that
aims to provide all-weather connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of
Ladakh. Mr. Modi carried out the “first blast”, marking the start of construction of the Shinkun La
tunnel, remotely from Ladakh’s Drass.
Mound-burial system of Ahom dynasty in Assam included in UNESCO World Heritage List
• The Charaideo Moidams, a unique 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty from
Assam, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the first cultural property

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 from the Northeast to get the coveted tag. The decision was taken during the ongoing 46th session of the
World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in India.
• The Charaideo moidams represents the late medieval (13th-19th century CE) mound burial tradition
of the Tai Ahom community in Assam. Charaideo, more than 400 km east of Guwahati, was the first
capital of the Ahom dynasty founded by Chao Lung Sukaphaa in 1253. The Ahoms preferred to place the
deceased family members at Charaideo where the first king Sukapha was laid to rest.
• Moidams has become the 43rd property from India to be included in the UNESCO List. India now
stands at the 6th position globally for the most number of World Heritage Properties. The Moidams are the
first site from the North East to be recognized as a World Heritage Site in the cultural category.
Assam has 2 other World Heritage Sites in the natural category: Kaziranga National Park and Manas
National Park, both upgraded to tiger reserves.
President Droupadi Murmu Appoints New Governors in Multiple States; Gulab Chand
Kataria to Be New Governor of Punjab
• President Droupadi Murmu has appointed new Governors in different States. Former Maharashtra Assembly
Speaker Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde has been appointed Governor of Rajasthan. Former Deputy Chief
Minister of Tripura Jishnu Dev Varma has been appointed Governor of Telangana. Former Rajya
Sabha MP from Rajasthan Om Prakash Mathur appointed as Governor of Sikkim.
• Former Union Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar has been appointed as Governor of Jharkhand.
Former Lok Sabha MP from Assam Ramen Deka appointed as Governor of Chhattisgarh.
Former Karnataka Minister C H Vijayashankar has been appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.
C.P. Radhakrishnan who is presently Governor of Jharkhand has been appointed as Governor of
Maharashtra.
• Gulab Chand Kataria who is currently Assam Governor has been appointed Governor of Punjab and
Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Lakshman Prasad Acharya who is currently
Sikkim Governor appointed as Governor of Assam and has also been given additional charge as
Governor of Manipur. Former IAS officer K. Kailashnathan has been appointed Lieutenant Governor
of Puducherry.
The Governor is the Chief Executive Head of a State. Same as the President of India, the Governor
is a nominal (titular or constitutional) head and he/she acts as an agent of the central government.
Hence, the office of governor has a dual role. Articles 153 to 167 in Part VI of the Constitution states about
the State Executive, that comprises the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Council of Ministers as well
as the Advocate General of the State. Generally, there is a governor for each state, however, the 7th
Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated the appointment of the same person as a governor for
two or more states. The Governor is neither directly elected by the people nor indirectly elected by a
specially constituted electoral college. Rather he/she is appointed by the President by warrant under
his hand and seal. The Governor makes an oath or affirmation, that is administered by the Chief Justice of the
concerned State’s High Court and in his/her absence, the senior-most judge of that court available. He/she should
have attained the age of 35 years.He/she must be a citizen of India.
India Elected As Vice Chair of Supply Chain Council under Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
• India has been elected as Vice Chair of the Supply Chain Council. The Ministry of Commerce and
Industry termed it a significant milestone for the country. The Ministry said that India and 13 other Indo-
Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) partners have established three supply chain bodies under the
landmark Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Agreement relating to supply chain resilience.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Introduces Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024
• The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Civil Aviation
Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. While introducing the Bill, the Minister said, Aircraft Act was
established in 1934 and a lot of amendments have been made over the years. He said the amendments
were incorporated into the Act in bits and pieces. He said, this has created confusion in the Act. He said, The
Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak has been brought to clear out the confusion.
• The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak empowers the Central Government to make rules regulating the
design, manufacture, maintenance, possession, use, operation, sale, export or import of any aircraft
or class of aircraft and for securing the safety of aircraft operations. Bill is aimed to empower the government
to make rules for the investigation of any air accident or incident.

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 Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu is currently serving as the 33th Union Minister of Civil Aviation since June
2024. He becomes the youngest ever member of the Union Cabinet Minister. He represents Srikakulam
in the Lok Sabha constituency as a Member of Parliament. He won the general elections in the 16th, 17th, and
18th Lok Sabha. He won the 2014 Indian general election in Andhra Pradesh for the first time and retained the seat
in 2019 and 2024 as a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate.
States have right to sub-classify SCs for quotas: Supreme Court
• A seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y.
Chandrachud, in a majority judgment, held that States have a right to sub-classify Scheduled Castes
notified in the Presidential List with an objective to provide them “more” preferential treatment in
public employment and education.
• The Court ruled that states are constitutionally allowed to sub-classify SCs and STs based on varying levels
of backwardness. The seven-judge Bench ruled that states can now sub-classify SCs within the 15%
reservation quota to provide better support for the most disadvantaged groups. Chief Justice of India
emphasised the difference between “sub-classification” and “sub-categorisation,” cautioning against using
these classifications for political appeasement rather than genuine upliftment. The Court noted that sub-
classification should be based on empirical data and historical evidence of systemic discrimination,
rather than arbitrary or political reasons. States must base their sub-classification on empirical evidence to
ensure fairness and effectiveness. The Court clarified that 100% reservation for any sub-class is not permissible.
• The Constitution Bench judgment followed a reference made to the seven-judge Bench in 2020 to
examine the constitutionality of Tamil Nadu Arunthathiyars Reservation Act, 2009 and the Punjab
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006. The latter gave
preferential quota to Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs. Chief Justice Chandrachud traced the power of these States
to sub-classify the Scheduled Castes for the purpose of affirmative action, including reservations, to Articles
15(4) [prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, etc] and 16(5) [equal opportunity
in public employment] of the Constitution.
Amit Shah launched the e-Sakshya, Nyaya Setu, Nyaya Shruti and e-Summon apps for the
three new criminal laws
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah launched the e-Sakshya, Nyaya Setu,
Nyaya Shruti and e-Summon apps for the three new criminal laws in Chandigarh. The Governor of
Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, and the Union Home Secretary were
among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
• He said three new laws brought in by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
(BNS), Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)-
have the fragrance of Indianness and our ethos of justice. He said that it is the responsibility of the
Constitution to give justice to every person and our criminal justice system is the means to bring this spirit of
the Constitution to reality.
In a move that will completely overhaul the criminal justice system in the country, three new criminal
laws come into effect from today, July 1. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagrik
Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), passed in Parliament last
December, will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC),
1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 respectively. Several new provisions have been incorporated in
the three new criminal laws to suit contemporary times and technologies in vogue. The three new laws received
Parliament’s nod on December 21, 2023. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on December 25, 2023, and
was published in the official gazette on the same day. As per the notification, the three laws will focus on justice
rather than punishment and are aimed at providing speedy justice, all the way, strengthening the judicial and court
management system emphasising ‘access to justice by all’. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections
(instead of 511 sections in the IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill, and the imprisonment
sentence has been increased for 33 of them. The amount of the fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory
minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced for
six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has introduced a
new chapter titled ‘Crimes against Women and Children’ to deal with sexual crimes. Provisions related to the gang
rape of a minor woman will become consistent with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO),
and a provision has been made for life imprisonment or death penalty in the case of girls below 18 years of age.

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 There is the provision of 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in all cases of gang rape and the new crime
category of gang rape of a woman under 18 years of age in the Sanhita. The Sanhita provides targeted penalties
for persons fraudulently engaging in sexual intercourse or promising to marry without true intention to marry.
Terrorism has been defined for the first time in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and it has been made a punishable
offence. Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC).
A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the bill, and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have
been added to it. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167
provisions, and a total of 24 provisions have been changed.
India and Vietnam Team Up to Preserve Maritime History with NMHC in Lothal, Gujarat
• India and Vietnam, two nations with a rich and intertwined maritime history, are joining forces
to develop the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. This partnership,
rooted in centuries-old maritime connections, highlights the enduring bond between the two countries and their
commitment to preserving and celebrating their shared heritage. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
was signed between India and Vietnam at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, in the presence of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr. Pham Minh Chinh.
Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Hanoi is the capital of
Vietnam. The dong has been the currency of Vietnam since May 3, 1978..
First Multinational Air Exercise ‘Tarang Shakti 2024’ begins at Sular in Tamil Nadu
• India hosted its first multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti 2024’ in Sular, Tamil Nadu. This is
India’s first international air exercise of its kind, featuring participation from around 30 countries.
In the exercise, nearly 30 countries participated, and out of 30, ten countries joined the exercise with their
fighter aircraft. The exercise is being conducted in two phases, which aims to showcase India’s defense
prowess and provide a platform for participating militaries to foster interoperability. 10 countries
including Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom,
USA, and Singapore will join the exercise with their aircraft and 18 countries will attend as observers.
• Phase One (August 6-14) at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, with active participation from countries like France,
Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Phase Two (September 1-14) at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, involving
countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE, and the USA. The exercise aims to
enhance strategic relations and mutual understanding of air operations among the participating
nations. It also showcases India’s indigenous defence capabilities with aircraft like the Tejas, Prachand, Dhruv,
and Rudra.
Haryana becomes first state in India to buy all crops from farmers at MSP
• Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the procurement of all crops in the state at
the minimum support price, thus becoming the first in the country to procure all crops at MSP. The
Chief Minister said now farmers will be allowed to buy a three-star motor from anywhere in the country for new
tubewell connections. At present, only 10 companies of three-star motors are registered in the state.
Haryana is a state in India located in the northern-part of the country. It was carved out of the former
state of East Punjab on 1 November 1966 on a linguistic basis. The state capital is Chandigarh and the
most populous city is Faridabad, which is a part of the National Capital Region. The city of Gurgaon is among
India’s largest financial and technology hubs. Bandaru Dattatreya is serving as the current Governor
of Haryana since 2021. Nayab Singh Saini is serving as the current Chief Minister of Haryana. According
to the 2011 Census, the lowest sex ratio in India is in Haryana, where sex ratio is only 879 whereas the
highest sex ratio is in Kerala (1084).
India’s first round-the-clock grain ATM opened at Mancheswar in Odisha
• India’s first round-the-clock grain ATM was opened at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Krushna
Chandra Patra, Odisha Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, unveiled the Annapurti Grain
ATM in the presence of Nozomi Hashimoto, Deputy Country Director, of the World Food Programme in India.
Earthquake 2,500 years ago abruptly changed Ganga River’s course
• In 2018, geochronologist Elizabeth Chamberlain, an assistant professor at the Wageningen University
& Research, Netherlands, and her team were in Bangladesh to study the movement of river channels
in the Ganga delta. They were exploring an almost 2-km-wide “paleochannel” — a well-preserved mud and
sand archive of the river’s ancient course — about 45 km to the south of the modern Ganga River.

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• The area is used to cultivate rice. Based on geological measures in this area, they found the Ganga
had abruptly changed its course — or avulsed — about 2,500 years ago, leaving behind the
palaeochannel. During their fieldwork, the team also chanced upon two large sand dikes a kilometre to the
east of the palaeochannel.
The Ganges is a trans-boundary river of Asia which flows through India and Bangladesh. The 2,525 km
(1,569 mi)-long river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Ganga river
system is the largest in India having a number of perennial and non-perennial rivers originating in the
Himalayas in the north and the Peninsula in the south, respectively. The river has a length of 2,525 km. It is
shared by Uttarakhand (110 km) and Uttar Pradesh (1,450 km), Bihar (445 km) and West Bengal (520 km). The
Sundarban Delta derived its name from the Sundari tree, which grows well in marshland. It is the
world’s largest and fastest growing delta. It is also the home of Royal Bengal tiger.
3 more Indian wetlands get Ramsar tag
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav said on the eve of
Independence Day 2024 that India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International
Importance) to 85 from existing 82 by designating three more wetlands as Ramsar Sites. In a post on
X, Shri Yadav expressed happiness on addition of three Ramsar sites on the eve of Independence Day.
• Shri Yadav said that the achievement reflects the emphasis Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has laid on
establishing harmony with nature, calling our wetlands Amrit Dharohars, and working relentlessly for their
conservation. Union Minister congratulated the states of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh whose
wetlands have been added to the Ramsar sites. Sh. Yadav also said that India needs to pledge that
Viksit Bharat is a Green Bharat.
• India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India
became a signatory to the convention on 1st February 1982. During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were
added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2024, the country has added 59 new wetlands to the
list of Ramsar sites. Currently, Tamil Nadu harbours maximum number of Ramsar Sites (18 sites)
followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites). As of August 3, 2024, the United Kingdom has the most Ramsar
sites with 175, followed by Mexico with 142. Bolivia has the largest area of listed wetlands, covering
about 148,000 square kilometers.
A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, which is also
known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands’ — an intergovernmental environmental treaty established by United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1971, and named after the city of Ramsar
in Iran, where the convention was signed that year. Ramsar Sites in India are wetlands or similar sites of
international significance to conserve and ensure sustainable use of its resources. India is one of the
Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1st Feb 1982.
Three Indian Ocean structures named Ashoka, Chandragupta and Kalpataru
• Three underwater geographical structures located in the Indian Ocean have been awarded names
proposed by India. Named after the rulers of the Mauryan dynasty are the Ashoka seamount and
the Chandragupta ridge. Kalpataru ridge is the third structure for which the International Hydrographic
Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) have recently
awarded names originally proposed by India. In all, there are now seven structures in the Indian Ocean named
mainly after Indian scientists or bear names proposed by India in this region of the Indian Ocean. All the three
recently named structures were discovered by oceanographers from the National Centre for Polar
and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world’s five oceanic divisions, covering 70,560,000 km2 or
~19.8% of the water on Earth’s surface. The Indian Ocean covers one-fifth of the Earth’s waters and is
considered to be the youngest of the three oceans, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Moreover, it is the only
ocean that is enclosed by major landmasses. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to
the east. To the south it is bounded by the Southern Ocean or Antarctica, depending on the definition in use. Along
its core, the Indian Ocean has some large marginal or regional seas such as the Arabian Sea, Laccadive Sea, Bay
of Bengal, and Andaman Sea. The Indian Ocean has been known by its present name since at least 1515
named after India, which projects into it. It was earlier known as the Eastern Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is
the largest and deepest of Earth’s five oceanic divisions.

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‘Mitra Shakti’: India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise begins
• The 10th edition of India- Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI commenced, at Army
Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 12th to 25th
August 2024. Indian contingent comprising of 106 personnel is being represented by a Battalion of
Rajputana Rifles along with personnel from other arms and services. The Sri Lankan contingent
is being represented by personnel from Gajaba Regiment of Sri Lankan Army. Joint Exercise MITRA
SHAKTI is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Sri Lanka. Last edition was
conducted in Pune in Nov 2023.
Paris Olympics medalist Aman Sehrawat made brand ambassador of New Delhi Municipal Council
• Wrestler Aman Sehrawat who has bagged bronze medal at the Paris Olympics has been made the
brand ambassador of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Sehrawat, who scripted history by
becoming India’s youngest Olympic medalist, was felicitated by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena.
Delhi officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India
containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right
bank, Delhi shares borders with the state of Uttar Pradesh in the east and with the state of Haryana
in the remaining directions. Delhi’s urban agglomeration, which includes the satellite cities Ghaziabad,
Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida in an area known as the National Capital Region (NCR), has an estimated
population of over 28 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in India and the second-largest in the world
(after Tokyo). In 1911, New Delhi, a southern region within Delhi, became the capital of the British
Indian Empire. Vinai Kumar Saxena is the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi since 26 May 2022. Arvind
Kejriwal is an Indian politician, former bureaucrat and activist who is serving as the 7th and current
Chief Minister of Delhi since 2015.
Maharashtra govt’s ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme
• The Maharashtra government officially launched and roll out the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki
Bahin Yojana’, which seeks to provide Rs. 1,500 per month to over one crore women in the state. The
Maharashtra government has launched an app called Nari Shakti Dhoot, through which women eligible for the
scheme can easily apply online.
Indian sweet ‘Magji Laddu’ from Odisha awarded Geographical Indication Tag
• Sweet lovers across India have a new reason to celebrate as the delectable Indian sweet ‘Magji’
from Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, Odisha has been honoured with the prestigious Geographical
Indication (GI) tag. The Dhenkanal Sweets Association, in collaboration with the Odisha University of
Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), applied to the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai in 2020 for
the GI tag for ‘Magji Laddu’. This delicacy is one of the 56 meals known as ‘chappan bhog’ that are offered at
Puri Jagannath Temple. Chappan means the number 56 in Hindi language and bhog means ‘food offering’. It is
also a Unesco World Heritage Site known for its intricate architecture.
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific
geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). India, as a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,
1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1)
of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement
as: “Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that
territory, where a given quality, reputation or characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic
origin.” The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those
residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name. Darjeeling tea
became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004–2005. The registration of a geographical indication
is valid for a period of 10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Poland visit, first Indian PM to visit Poland in 45 years
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Warsaw for the first leg of his two-nation visit to Poland
and Ukraine. Before departing from India, PM Modi said that India hoped for an early return of peace and
stability in the region as a “friend and partner”. During his stay in Poland, Modi met President Andrzej
Sebastian Duda and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Modi first headed to Poland on
August 21, and then to Ukraine on August 23. This also marks the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to
Poland in 45 years. Morarji Desai was the last Prime Minister to visit Poland in 1979.

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• At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Shri Narendra
Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, paid an official visit to Poland from August 21-
22, 2024. The +historic visit, came as both nations celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic
relations.
• Diplomatic relations between India and Poland were established in 1954, leading to the opening of the Indian
Embassy in Warsaw in 1957 and Polish Embassy in New Delhi in 1954. PM of India paid tribute at the
Dobry Maharaja Memorial in Warsaw. The memorial commemorates the deep respect and gratitude
of the Polish people and government for the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar (Jamnagar in Gujarat), Shri
Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, who provided shelter to over a thousand Polish children during
World War II, earning him the title “Dobry (Good) Maharaja” in Poland.
Poland is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian
Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukraine to the east,
Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south, and Germany to the west. The capital and largest city is Warsaw.
The Polish zloty is the official currency and legal tender of Poland.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy signed several
documents during the visit to Kyiv in sectors including agriculture, food industry, medical product
regulation and cultural cooperation. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since
the country became independent in 1991.
• PM Narendra Modi said India stood “firmly for peace” in the war between Ukraine and Russia
during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. “We were not neutral from day one;
we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace,” PM Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday
honoured the memories of children who have lost their lives in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. With folded
hands, PM Modi offered a silent prayer before placing a small toy (a doll) at the memorial as the Ukrainian
President placed a teddy bear.
• The presentation of the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri (BHISHM) cubes has
been one of the key highlights of the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to war-affected
Ukraine. The BHISHM Cubes, also known as Arokya Maitri cubes, are critical trauma care cubes that
have been indigenously developed by Project BHISHM under Project Aarogya Maitri. External Affairs
Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said that India has handed over 10 BHISHM cubes, which contain medical support
equipment of 22 tonnes along with 10 generator sets.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest country by area in Europe after Russia,
which it borders to the east and north-east. Ukraine also shares borders with Belarus to the north; Poland,
Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the south; and has a coastline along the
Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. With a population of 43 million, Ukraine is the eighth-most populous country
in Europe. The nation’s capital and largest city is Kyiv. The hryvnia, hryvna, or sometimes gryvnya, has been the
national currency of Ukraine since 2 September 1996. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, former
actor and comedian, who is the sixth and current President of Ukraine.
Maharashtra Launches First ‘Solar Village’ With Manyachiwadi
• Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde inaugurated the first ‘Solar Village’ in the state. The
Manyachiwadi village in the Patan Taluka of Satara district has become the first ‘Solar Village’ in
Maharashtra. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde asserted that the state government is
committed to promoting the use of renewable energy and reducing the dependency on traditional power sources.
123 countries joined Voice of Global South summit
• India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on 17 August 2024. This unique initiative began as
an extension of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas
aur Sabka Prayas’, and is underpinned by India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It envisages
bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform
across a whole range of issues. China and Pakistan were not among the invitees to the third Voice of
Global South Summit hosted by India on the virtual format that was joined by 123 nations across
the globe. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed this at a media briefing after conclusion of the
summit that focused on unitedly dealing with challenges facing the Global South or the developing countries.

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 India had hosted the 1st Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 12-13 January 2023, and the 2nd Voice of
Global South Summit on 17 November 2023, both in virtual format. Both the previous editions of the Summit
saw participation of over 100 countries from the Global South. The inputs and feedback received from the
leaders of the developing countries in these two Summits was appropriately reflected in the agenda and discussions
of the G-20 Summit under India’s Presidency last year, including in the G-20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
India, Japan hold ‘2+2’ dialogue with focus on Indo-Pacific
• The India-Japan partnership is set against a larger context of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific
and it will continue to grow, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said as the two sides held a fresh edition of
“2+2” dialogue amid China’s increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. The Japanese delegation
at the talks in Delhi was headed by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru.
Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh headed the Indian team. “As we both step forward into a more
volatile and unpredictable world, there is a need for reliable partners with whom there are substantial convergences”.
2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries. It is a format of
dialogue where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another
country. India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
Odisha govt to cover one crore women under Subhadra Yojana
• The Odisha government has decided to include around one crore women, aged between 21 to 60
years, under the Subhadra Yojana, which was one of the major poll promises of the BJP. As per the standard
operating procedure (SOP), all women, who have ration cards and none of their family members is a
government employee or has a four-wheeler or land more than five acres, or a government pensioner
or receiving Rs. 1,500 a month (or Rs. 18,000 a year) under any other scheme, will be eligible for the scheme.
• The state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the scheme that will
be implemented from 2024-25 to 2028-29. An outlay of Rs. 55,825 crore has been made for this initiative. The
government has made a provision of Rs. 10,000 crore in the 2024-25 budget.
The modern state of Odisha was established on 1 April 1936, as a province in British India. The ancient
kingdom of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in 261 BCE resulting in the
Kalinga War, coincides with the borders of modern-day Odisha. Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE sun
temple at Konark about 35 kilometres northeast from Puri on the coastline of Odisha, India. The temple is
attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty about 1250 CE.
First indigenously developed Pollution Control Vessel of ICG, ‘Samudra Pratap’
• Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth urged industry partners to work for the country to become not only
fully Self-sufficient (Aatmanirbhar) in defence production but also a net exporter. He was speaking on
occasion of launching of the first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel (Samudra Pratap) in Goa.
• The Ship has been built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The vessel
will help to check the oil spillage in the country’s sea coast. The ship was launched and named as
‘Samudra Pratap’ by Smt Neeta Seth, in presence of Shri Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri.
12 members elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha
• In the Rajya Sabha by polls, nine BJP members and two from NDA allies as well as Congress’s Abhishek
Manu Singhvi have been elected unopposed. The BJP candidates elected unopposed included Mission
Ranjan Dass and Rameshwar Teli from Assam, Manan Kumar Mishra from Bihar, Kiran Chaudhary from
Haryana, George Kurien from Madhya Pradesh, Dhirya Sheel Patil from Maharashtra, Mamata Mohanta from
Odisha, Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan and Rajeev Bhattacharjee from Tripura. Congress’s Abhishek
Manu Singhvi was elected unopposed from Telangana. NCP Ajit Pawar faction’s Nitin Patil got elected from
Maharashtra and RLM’s Upendra Kushwaha made it to the upper house from Bihar.
The Rajya Sabha, constitutionally the Council of States (informally known as the House of Elders), is the
upper house of the bicameral Parliament of India. As of March 2022 it has a maximum membership of 245,
of which 233 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories using single transferable
votes through Open Ballot while the President can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art,
literature, science, and social services. The potential seating capacity of the Rajya Sabha is 250 (238
elected, 12 appointed), according to article 80 of the Indian Constitution. Members sit for staggered
terms lasting six years, with about a third of the 233 designates up for election every two years, in

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 even-numbered years. The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous sessions, and unlike the Lok Sabha, being the
lower house of the Parliament, the Rajya Sabha is not subjected to dissolution. However, the Rajya Sabha,
like the Lok Sabha can be prorogued by the President. Jagdeep Dhankhar is serving as the 14th and
current vice president of India since 2022. He previously served as the Governor of West Bengal from
2019 to 2022.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Vadhvan Port
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port in the Palghar district of
Maharashtra. He also inaugurated various fisheries projects and distributed transponders and Kisan
Credit Cards to fishermen. The Prime Minister said that in the last decade, development on India’s coast has
gained unprecedented pace. He noted that the government has modernized ports, developed waterways, and
invested lakhs and crores of rupees in this direction.
India’s first Integrated Aqua Park (IAP) in Ziro, Lower Subansiri district
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched India’s first Integrated Aqua Park (IAP) at Tarin,
Ziro in Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh. This pioneering project aims to boost tourism and
fisheries production in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated 218 fisheries projects
virtually. The IAP, built at a cost of Rs. 43.59 crore, aims to enhance aquaculture, provide new income
opportunities for farmers, and boost livelihoods in the region.
• Chief Minister Pema Khandu participated in the inauguration from his office, while fisheries
minister Gabriel D Wangsu, Ziro MLA Hage Appa, and other officials attended the event at the project
site in Tarin. The Maharashtra government has approved a Rs. 190-crore aqua tourism project for Ujani
Dam in Solapur district, focusing on water sports and bird safaris.
Arunachal Pradesh (“land of dawn-lit mountains”) is a state in Northeast India. It borders the states of
Assam and Nagaland to the south. It shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar
in the east, and a disputed border with China in the north at the McMahon Line. The McMahon Line
is the boundary between Tibet and British India as agreed in the maps and notes exchanged by the
respective plenipotentiaries on 24–25 March 1914 at Delhi, as part of the 1914 Simla Convention. The
Indian part of the Line currently serves as the de facto boundary between China and India, although its legal status
is disputed by the People’s Republic of China. Itanagar is the state capital of Arunachal Pradesh. Lieutenant
General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik is the current Governor.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar inaugurates Sports University at Rajgir, Bihar
• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the state-of-the-art sports academy, sports complex,
and Sports University on the occasion of National Sports Day at Rajgir. The sports complex is also
equipped with a 24-bed hospital with modern treatment facilities for sports injuries.
• It will be the first kind of sports destination in the country that has a sports complex and sports
university in one place. Rajgir Sports Complex has facilities to host 24 types of indoor and outdoor games. To
promote new talents, three centres of excellence have been set up for wrestling, weightlifting, and athletics at the
premises. It will have a large sports library, which will be the biggest after the National Institute of Sports, Patiala.
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the third largest state by population, the 12th largest by area, and the
14th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part
of West Bengal to the east, and Jharkhand to the south. The Bihar plain is split by the river Ganges, which
flows from west to east. On 15 November 2000, southern Bihar was ceded to form the new state of Jharkhand.
Nitish Kumar is serving as current Chief Minister of Bihar since 22 February 2015, having previous held the
office from 2005 to 2014 and for a short period in 2000. Rajendra Arlekar is the current Governor of Bihar. As
per the 2011 census, among states, Bihar has the lowest literacy rate of 47% and highest in Kerala (male:
96.1%, female 92.1%).
Ashwini Vaishnaw launches India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset
• Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper
trainset at BEML’s Bangalore rail complex. The trainset has been indigenously designed and
manufactured by BEML, India’s leading rail and metro manufacturer. The Vande Bharat Sleeper trainset,
designed by BEML, represents a significant advancement in India’s rail capabilities, combining aesthetic appeal
with functionality. Constructed from austenitic stainless steel and equipped with advanced safety features,
including crashworthy buffers and couplers, the trainset meets stringent fire safety standards.

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 The Vande Bharat Express, previously known as Train 18, is a semi-high-speed, electric multiple unit
train operated by Indian Railways. It was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory,
Chennai. The first train was manufactured in 18 months at the cost of Rs. 97 crore. The service was named
‘Vande Bharat Express’ on 27 January 2019. The train was launched on 15 February 2019. The first Vande
Bharat Express train, between New Delhi and Varanasi, was flagged off on February 15, 2019. Sudhanshu
Mani is the architect and designer of the India’s first modern semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express.
Indian Navy’s P8I on its first-ever deployment in Europe to take part in ‘Exercise Varuna’
• “A P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy has reached France to participate in ‘Exercise Varuna’ with the
French Navy”. “The 2024 edition of Indo-French bilateral naval ‘Exercise Varuna’, scheduled from
September 2 to 4 in the Mediterranean Sea, will include advanced tactical exercises underscoring the
deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies,”. “The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft touched
down at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube, France, marking its first-ever deployment in Europe,”. This
deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Navy’s Alize aircraft, operating from the erstwhile INS
Vikrant, last flew at Hyeres Airbase.
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris. Emmanuel Macron is serving
as President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017. The euro is the official
currency of France. The euro is the second largest reserve currency as well as the second most traded
currency in the world after the United States dollar.
PM Narendra Modi arrives in Brunei, becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the
nation
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei on the first leg of his two-nation trip that will
also include Singapore. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit.
While embarking on the trip, Modi had expressed confidence in “advancing India’s historical ties with Brunei
Darussalam and deepening its strategic partnership with Singapore”. Both countries are important partners
in our Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was the
first Indian Prime Minister to visit Brunei in 2013, during the ASEAN-India summit. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Brunei for a bilateral meeting.
• PM Modi landed in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, on September 3 for
his official visit to the country. The first Indian PM to visit the Southeast Asian nation, his trip also
marks 40 years since India and Brunei officially established diplomatic ties. The official diplomatic relations
between India and Brunei Darussalam were established in 1984. Before that, Indian representation
was through the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Brunei Darussalam opened its High
Commission in India in 1992. In 1993, India’s High Commission was set up in Brunei.
• PM Modi inaugurated a new Chancery of the High Commission of India and visited the Omar Ali
Saifuddien Mosque. The mosque has a fusion of architecture from the Mughal era and the Italian Renaissance period.
The new Chancery will highly enhance the diplomatic relations between the two countries. This chancery design
shows Indian motifs, which embody the cultural spirit in Indian buildings and help establish Indianness in Brunei.
Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of
the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the
Malaysian state of Sarawak, with its territory bifurcated by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Bandar
Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei. Hassanal Bolkiah is Sultan of Brunei since 1967,
and prime minister of Brunei since independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. Al-Muhtadee Billah
is the eldest son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife Queen Saleha. He is the Crown Prince of Brunei
Darussalam, and is first in the line of succession to the Bruneian throne. The Brunei dollar is the
currency of the Sultanate of Brunei since 1967.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Maharashtra
• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the ‘Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara’ in Udgir in Latur,
Maharashtra. She installed a statue of Gautama Buddha inside the vihara and paid tribute to Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar by offering flowers at his statue. The event featured a traditional Buddha worship ceremony. The
President also participated in the ‘Mahila Anand Melava’ at the Udayagiri College grounds.
• The vihara is a replica of the Buddha Vihara in Kalburgi, Karnataka, spread over 15 hectares. It has a
meditation center for 1,200 followers, and its main entrance is inspired by the Sanchi Stupa. Its entry gate is
based on the design of the entry gate of Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh.

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 Buddhism started in India over 2,600 years ago as a way life that had a potential of transforming a
person. It is one of the important religions of South and South-Eastern Asian countries. The religion is
based upon the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam, born in circa 563 BCE.
He was born into royal family of Sakya clan who ruled from Kapilvastu, in Lumbini which is situated
near the Indo-Nepal Border. At the age of 29, Gautama left home and rejected his life of riches and
embraced a lifestyle of asceticism, or extreme self-discipline. After 49 consecutive days of meditation, Gautama
attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya, a village in Bihar. Buddha gave his
first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near the city of Benares in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as
Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law). He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at a
place called Kushinagara a town in Uttar Pradesh. The event is known as Mahaparinibban. The main
teachings of Buddhism are encapsulated in the basic concept of four noble truths or ariya-sachchani
and eightfold path or astangika marg. Four noble truths: 1. Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
2. Every suffering has a cause – Samudya. 3. Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha. 4. It can be
achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eight Fold Path). The essence of Buddhism is the attainment of
enlightenment. It points to a way of life that avoids self-indulgence and self-denial. There is no supreme god or
deity in Buddhism.

CAG signs pact with General Court of Audit of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has signed a pact with the General Court of
Audit, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation and exchange of expertise between the
two nations in the field of public sector auditing. The area of cooperation encompasses conducting joint
training programmes on topics related to financial, performance and compliance audits and exchange of audit
manuals and audit methodologies.
• The CAG stated that the support and cooperation between the two SAIs will energise their capacity
development initiatives and encourage the exchange of knowledge and information between the
two SAIs. Hussam Abdulmohsen Alangari, President, General Court of Audit, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
highlighted the importance of the agreement in enhancing the cooperation in areas of competence of two SAIs
to enhance and improve their respective external audit practices.
The Constitution of India (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG). He is the head of the Indian audit & account department and chief Guardian of
Public purse. It is the institution through which the accountability of the government and other public authorities
(all those who spend public funds) to Parliament and State Legislatures and through them to the people
is ensured. CAG is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal and provided with
tenure of 6 years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier. CAG can be removed by the President only in
accordance with the procedure mentioned in the Constitution that is the manner same as removal of a
Supreme Court Judge. He is ineligible to hold any office, either under the Government of India or of any
state, once he retires/resigns as a CAG. The current Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is
Girish Chandra Murmu, who took office on August 8, 2020. He was re-elected as the External Auditor of the
World Health Organization (WHO) for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027.

Telangana CM inaugurated Global Artificial Intelligence Summit 2024 in Hyderabad

• Hyderabad hosted a two-day Global Artificial Intelligence Summit-2024-themed “Making AI Work
for Everyone”. The summit was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the
Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The role of Technology and Innovation are significant to
bring a transformation in the society. We should not expect a change without technological development.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence of machines or software, as opposed to the intelligence of
humans or animals. It is a field of study in computer science that develops and studies intelligent machines. “AI”
may also refer to the machines themselves. AI technology is widely used throughout industry, government
and science. Some high-profile applications are: advanced web search engines (e.g., Google Search),
recommendation systems (used by YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix), understanding human speech (such
as Siri and Alexa), self-driving cars (e.g., Waymo), generative or creative tools (ChatGPT and AI art),
and competing at the highest level in strategy games (such as chess and Go). AI founder John McCarthy agreed,
writing that “Artificial intelligence is not, by definition, simulation of human intelligence”.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Virtually Addresses First International Solar Festival
• India’s solar energy capacity has increased 32-fold in the last 10 years, and this speed and scale will
help the country achieve 500 gigaatt non-fossil capacity by 2030. This was stated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi while addressing the two-day first International Solar Festival through video
conferencing held in New Delhi.
• Mr Modi said India has taken many massive strides in green energy in the past few years, and it is the first
G20 nation to achieve the Paris commitments in renewable energy. The Prime Minister said the
International Solar Alliance (ISA), established in 2015, is growing into a giant tree inspiring policy and
action, and within a short time, its membership has reached a milestone of 100 countries.
The International Solar Alliance is a common platform for cooperation among sun-rich countries lying
fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Countries that do not fall within the
Tropics can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as other members, with the exception of voting
rights. This initiative was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech in November 2015 at
Wembley Stadium (London HA9 0WS, United Kingdom), in which he referred to sunshine countries as Suryaputra
(“Sons of the Sun”). The initiative was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris at the end of
2015 by the then, President of France and the Prime Minister of India. In January 2016, Narendra Modi,
and the then, French President François Hollande jointly laid the foundation stone of the International
Solar Alliance headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat at the National Institute of Solar
Energy (NISE) in Gwalpahari, Gurugram, India. Ajay Mathuri is the current Director General of ISA.
Port Blair to be renamed Shri Vijayapuram
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Indian government has decided to rename the
island of Port Blair as ‘Shri Vijayapuram,’ in a bid to “rid the country of all symbols of slavery.” “This
island, which played the role of a naval base in the Chola Empire, is ready to accelerate the country’s security
and development”. The Home Minister also talked of the Cellular Jail - a historical landmark that saw many
freedom fighters imprisoned - and the legacy of India’s independence struggle.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India consisting of 572 islands, of which 37
are inhabited, at the junction of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. It comprises two island groups, the
Andaman Islands (partly) and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 150 km (100 mile) wide Ten Degree
Channel (on the 10°N parallel), with the Andaman islands to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobar islands
to the south. The island chains are thought to be a submerged extension of the Arakan Mountains. In
December 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
renamed three of the islands as a tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose. Ross Island was renamed as Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose Island; Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep Island; and Havelock Island as Swaraj
Island. Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi is the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
and the Vice Chairman of Islands Development Agency (IDA).
Delhi launched ‘Abhishikt’ program for high-IQ students
• The Delhi government introduced specialised classrooms for gifted students in 15 of its schools
following the mid-term exams. Known as ‘Abhishikt’, these classrooms will serve students in classes
VI and IX, focusing on nurturing those identified as exceptionally intelligent through a thorough screening
process.
• The Abhishikt programme, according to officials at the Inclusive Education Branch under the
Directorate of Education, involves a multi-stage selection process. Those selected will attend the
specialised classrooms in 15 public schools while continuing to follow the NCERT curriculum. They will receive
additional learning opportunities that will allow them to engage with more advanced materials.
Delhi officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India
containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right
bank, Delhi shares borders with the state of Uttar Pradesh in the east and with the state of Haryana
in the remaining directions. Delhi’s urban agglomeration, which includes the satellite cities Ghaziabad,
Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida in an area known as the National Capital Region (NCR), has an estimated
population of over 28 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in India and the second-largest in the world
(after Tokyo). In 1911, New Delhi, a southern region within Delhi, became the capital of the British
Indian Empire. Vinai Kumar Saxena is the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi since 26 May 2022.

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Madhya Pradesh constitutes Delimitation Commission for Fresh Demarcation of
Divisions, Districts and Tehsils in the State
• Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a delimitation commission for fresh demarcation of
Divisions, Districts and Tehsils in the state. The government says that the boundaries of the Districts and
Divisions are being re-drawn for the convenience of the public.
• The state government constituted a three-member delimitation commission. Retired Additional
Chief Secretary Manoj Shrivastava has been made the chairman of the commission. Madhya Pradesh
is the second largest state in the country geographically. The area of the state is large but due to the boundaries
of the district and divisions, people also have to face various problems. Therefore, the boundaries are re-drawing.
Delimitation means the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies
in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies. It also includes determining the seats to be
reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in these houses. This ‘delimitation process’ is
performed by the ‘Delimitation Commission’ that is set up under an act of Parliament. Delimitation Commissions
have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002. The
first delimitation exercise was carried out by the President (with the help of the Election Commission)
in 1950-51. The 84th Amendment Act of 2001 empowered the government to undertake readjustment and
rationalisation of territorial constituencies in the states on the basis of the population figures of 1991
census. The 87th Amendment Act of 2003 provided for the delimitation of constituencies on the basis of
2001 census and not 1991 census. However, this can be done without altering the number of seats allotted to
each state in the Lok Sabha. The Delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative
Assemblies is to be carried out on the basis of the First Census after 2026.
PM Narendra Modi flagged off country’s first Vande Metro service in Gujarat
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country’s first ‘Vande Metro’ service during his two-
day visit to Gujarat. The Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro is a fully unreserved air-conditioned train for which
passengers can buy tickets from the counter shortly before its departure. The ‘Vande Metro’ concept is designed
on the lines of the indigenous semi-high-speed train Vande Bharat service with fully air-conditioned
coaches and the ‘KAVACH’ anti-collision system as well as other state-of-the-art features.
KAVACH (‘Armour’) is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system indigenously developed by Indian
Railways through Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO). Initially it was known by the
name Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). Kavach was adopted by Ministry of Railways as the National ATP
System in July 2020. The Union budget of India for the FY 2022-23 allocated funds for the rapid implementation
of Kavach across 2,000 km of track, as well as sanctioning its implementation along 34,000 km track of the Golden
Quadrilateral rail route, which is to be implemented by 2027-2028.
Indian Navy commissions ‘Vinetra’
• A state-of-the-art submarine escape training facility, named “Vinetra,” was commissioned at INS
Satavahana in Visakhapatnam. The facility, designed to enhance the escape capabilities of crew members
from distressed Kalvari-class submarines. Named “Vinetra,” meaning “Trainer,” the facility marks a
significant step forward in ensuring the safety and confidence of Indian Navy submariners.
• By offering specialised training, it enhances operational readiness and reinforces the Navy’s focus on
safety protocols and preparedness in underwater emergency situations. Kalvari-class submarines are
a series of diesel-electric attack submarines built for the Indian Navy.
• These submarines are based on the Scorpène-class, originally designed by the French shipbuilder
Naval Group (formerly DCNS). The Kalvari-class submarines are a key component of India’s underwater
warfare capabilities, designed for a range of tasks including anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare,
intelligence gathering, and area surveillance.
Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
• The Union Minister informed that the government has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat
Gramme Abhiyan with a total outlay of 79 thousand 156 crore rupees. He said this scheme will improve
the socio-economic condition of tribal communities by developing enabling infrastructure, ensuring economic
empowerment, and providing access to quality education and health. Mr. Vaishnaw said this will cover around 63
thousand villages, benefiting more than five crore tribal people. It will cover 549 districts and two thousand
740 blocks spread across all tribal majority villages across 30 states and Union Territories.

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• India has ST population of 10.45 crore as per 2011 census and there are more than 705 tribal
communities, spread across the country, living in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The Pradhan
Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan envisions saturation of critical gaps in social infrastructure, health,
education, livelihood, through different schemes of Govt of India by convergence and outreach and ensure
holistic and sustainable development of tribal areas and communities based on learnings and
success of PMJANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan).
The population of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the country, as per Census 2011 is 10.45 crore. STs constitute
8.6 per cent of the country’s total population and 11.3 per cent of the total rural population. Population of ST males
is 5.25 crore and ST females is 5.20 crore. There are over 700 Scheduled Tribes notified under Article 342
of the Constitution of India, spread over different states and Union Territories of the country. Many tribes are
present in more than one state. The largest number of communities listed as Scheduled Tribes are in Odisha
(62). Madhya Pradesh has the highest tribal population in India as per 2011 Census. According to the
2011 census, Lakshadweep in U and Mizoram had the highest percentage of tribal population in India,
at 94.8% and 94.4% respectively. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are more vulnerable
among the tribal groups. Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk
of the tribal development funds because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development. In 1973,
the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are less
developed among the tribal groups. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs. Among the 75
listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha.

India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najah

• India has also sent its contingent for the ongoing India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najah,
which is conducted from 13th to 26th September 2024 at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman.
“Exercise AL NAJAH V will allow both sides to exchange best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for
joint operations. It will foster interoperability, goodwill, and camaraderie between the two armies. Additionally,
the joint exercise will strengthen defence cooperation and further enhance the bilateral relations between
countries.
Oman is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the
Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Muscat is the nation’s capital and largest
city. The Omani rial is the currency of Oman. Haitham bin Tariq Al Said is the current Sultan of Oman.
Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said is Crown Prince of Oman as the son of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

Centre to launch BHASKAR to boost India’s startup ecosystem

• Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal launched Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry
(BHASKAR), an interactive online platform to further boost world’s third largest startup ecosystem
and to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of youth converting ideas into businesses. The platform
will centralise, streamline, and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial
ecosystem, including startups, investors, mentors, service providers, and regulatory bodies.
Government of India launched the flagship initiative, “Startup India” in 2016. The program envisages
to build a strong ecosystem that is conducive for the growth of startup businesses and kickstarted an
entrepreneurship revolution. Further, the overhaul of the digital payments ecosystem is being led by State
innovation (NPCI), with Aadhaar, Jan Dhan, UPI, and India Stack. As India improved its digital connectivity,
market access barriers have been brought down and created a favourable ecosystem for startups. India is the
third largest Unicorn ecosystem in the world after US and China. A unicorn is any privately owned
firm with a market capitalization of more than USD 1 billion.

India launches Operation Sadbhav as Typhoon Yagi wreaks havoc in Southeast Asia
• India launched Operation Sadbhav to send urgent supplies to Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar – the
countries devastated by Typhoon Yagi that has claimed more than 200 lives so far. The three countries
have been reeling under heavy floods after the Typhoon made landfall. The typhoon first made landfall
in the Philippines, where it claimed the lives of over a dozen people. After striking the Philippines, Yagi continued
its westward journey, impacting southern China before affecting parts of Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and
Laos.

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 Typhoon Yagi, also known as Severe Tropical Storm Enteng in the Philippines, was a deadly and highly
destructive tropical cyclone that hit Southeast Asia and South China in early September 2024. It was the
eleventh named storm and the first Category 5 typhoon of the season. Yagi was the most intense typhoon to strike
Northern Vietnam and Hainan during the autumn season, and the strongest since Typhoon Rammasun in 2014.
The name “Yagi” means goat or the constellation Capricornus in Japanese. It was named Yagi by the
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Atishi takes oath as Chief Minister of Delhi
• AAP leader Atishi Marlena took oath as Delhi Chief Minister on September 21, 2024, a day after
President Droupadi Murmu appointed her for the top job in the national capital. Five Cabinet
Ministers — Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, Imran Hussain, and first-time MLA Mukesh
Ahlawat — were also sworn-in by Lieutenant-General V.K. Saxena. A gazette notification by the Union Home
Ministry stated, “The President is pleased to appoint Ms. Atishi as the Chief Minister, National
Capital Territory of Delhi, with effect from the date she is sworn in.” She also accepted Arvind Kejriwal’s
resignation as the CM.
• AAP leader Atishi took oath as Delhi’s third woman Chief Minister on September 21, 2024, becoming
the youngest of all three to hold the top office in the national capital. The two other women CM’s
before her were BJP’s Sushma Swaraj (took charge at 46) and the Congress’ Sheila Dikshit (took
charge at 60). She is also the 17th woman to hold the post of Chief Minister in independent India. However, her
tenure in office will be brief as Delhi’s Assembly Elections are due in February 2025. She is only the second
woman chief minister in the country at present, alongside West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee. Sucheta
Kriplani was India’s first woman Chief Minister of independent India. She served as the head of the
Uttar Pradesh government from 1963 to 1967.
In India, a Chief Minister is the elected head of government of each state out of the 28 states and sometimes
a union territory (UT). Currently, only the UTs of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir (currently vacant) and
Puducherry have serving Chief Ministers. According to the Constitution of India, the Governor is a state’s
head, but de facto executive authority rests with the Chief Minister. Following elections to the State
legislative assembly or Vidhan Sabha in a state, the state’s governor usually invites the party (or coalition)
with a majority of seats to form the government. The governor appoints and swears in the Chief Minister,
whose council of ministers are collectively responsible to the assembly. Based on the Westminster system,
given that they retain the confidence of the assembly, the Chief Minister’s term can last for the length
of the assembly’s life, a maximum of five years. There are no limits to the number of terms that the
chief minister can serve. A Chief Minister heads a state government’s council of ministers and can be deputised
in that role by a deputy chief minister. Pawan Kumar Chamling was the longest served Chief Minister
of Sikkim and India, surpassing Jyoti Basu. Pema Khandu is the youngest Chief Minister of India.
India, Singapore eye pan-ASEAN rollout of digital payment links
• India and Singapore have held discussions on framing rules and regulations and enhancing inter-
operability and cyber security so that the existing link between their digital payments systems can
be expanded to other Southeast Asian countries.
• Agreements and understandings reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to
Singapore are also expected to lead to further investments of about $60 billion into India over the
next three years, the people said on condition of anonymity. Total investments into India from Singapore
since 2000 are worth nearly $160 billion.
Singapore is a sovereign city-state and island country in Southeast Asia. Singapore dollar is the official
currency of Singapore. Lawrence Wong is the current Prime Minister of Singapore. Halimah binti Yacob
served as the first female President in the country’s history. Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been serving
as the current President of Singapore since 2023.
India’s first CO2-to-methanol pilot plant to come up in Pune
• In a significant step towards advancing carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies, Abhay Karandikar
laid the foundation stone for India’s first CO2-to-methanol pilot plant at Thermax Limited in Pune,
Maharashtra. With a capacity of 1.4 tons per day (TPD), the plant marks a pioneering effort in carbon reduction
and conversion technology.
• The project is being implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and Thermax Limited. With an estimated cost of Rs. 31 crore, the

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 initiative is supported by the DST under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Karandikar emphasised
the importance of the pilot plant, describing it as a ground-breaking platform for showcasing and advancing
indigenous CCU technologies. This project aligns with India’s commitment to the Panchamrit target
presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during COP 26, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions
and achieving sustainable development goals.
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change. Adopted in 2015, the agreement covers
climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. The Paris Agreement was negotiated by 196 parties at the
2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference near Paris, France. As of February 2023, 195 members
of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are parties to the agreement. Of the
three UNFCCC member states which have not ratified the agreement, the only major emitter is Iran.
The United States withdrew from the agreement in 2020, but rejoined in 2021. The Paris Agreement’s
long-term temperature goal is to keep the rise in mean global temperature to well below 2 °C (3.6 °F)
above pre-industrial levels, and preferably limit the increase to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F), recognizing that this would
substantially reduce the effects of climate change.

The Prime Minister of India at the COP-26 Glasgow summit presented five nectar elements, Panchamrit,
to deal with climate change: 1. India will reach its non-fossil installed electricity capacity to 500 GW by
2030. 2. India will meet 50% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy by 2030. 3. India will
reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now onwards till 2030. 4. By
2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45%. 5. By the year 2070, India
will achieve the target of Net-zero.
India-Romania 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations: Joint Stamp Release
• A commemorative joint postal stamp marking the 75 years of diplomatic relations between India
and Romania was released by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Shri Jyotiraditya Madhavrao
Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, and Mrs. Daniela-Mariana
Sezonov Tane, Ambassador of Romania to India.
• This milestone highlights the long-standing friendship and cooperation between India and Romania
since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948. In February 2024, to celebrate the 75th
anniversary of their bilateral relations and the 10th anniversary of the Extensive Partnership, both
sides issued a Joint Declaration to further deepen their collaboration.
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe. It borders
Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to the
east, and the Black Sea to the southeast. Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. The Romanian
leu is the currency of Romania. Klaus Iohannis has been serving as president of Romania since 2014. Ion-
Marcel Ciolacu is currently serving as the Prime Minister of Romania.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah unveils ‘White Revolution 2.0’
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah launched the ‘Margdarshika’
for the formation and strengthening of 2 lakh new MPACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperatives. He also
launched the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on ‘White Revolution 2.0’ and ‘Cooperation
among Cooperatives’. White Revolution 2.0’ will strengthen women’s self-reliance and empowerment
as well as the fight against malnutrition. The programme focuses on four key areas – empowering women
farmers, enhancing local milk production, strengthening dairy infrastructure and boosting dairy exports. Shri
Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched a huge campaign for natural
farming. He said that natural farming will be strengthened by continuing the business of animal husbandry,
because natural farming is successful only with the help of animal dung.
The White Revolution, or Operation Flood, launched on January 13, 1970, was the world’s largest dairy
development programme and a landmark project of India’s National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It
transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer, surpassing the United States
in 1998. Dr Verghese Kurien, the chairman and founder of Amul, was named the Chairman of NDDB by
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Dr. Kurien has many titles, the most common being ‘the Milkman
from Anand’. He is also recognized as ‘the Father of White Revolution’. India Today recently wrote on him
under the title ‘White Knight’. He was the founder-Chairman of several world class organizations like NDDB,
GCMMF (Amul), IRMA and so on. He has been a great institution builder. India is both the world’s largest
producer and consumer of milk.

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Indian Navy to commission 6th Kalvari-class submarine Vagsheer in December
• In a boost for its underwater capabilities, the Indian Navy is likely to commission Vagsheer, its sixth and
final Kalvari-class submarine under a Rs. 23,562-crore programme called Project 75, in December
2025. The submarine, constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, is
undergoing final trials.
• The Kalvari-class (Scorpene) diesel-electric attack submarines have been constructed at the yard,
with technology transfer from French firm Naval Group. The boats can carry out various missions like
anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations, and intelligence.
• India is in talks with France to build three more such submarines at MDL to strengthen its maritime
posture in the vast Indian Ocean region, where the challenges include China’s carefully calculated power
play for influence and defending the rules-based international order.
Project-75 (India), simply referred to as the P-75(I) program, is a military acquisition initiative affiliated
to India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), aimed at the planned procurement of diesel-electric submarines
for the Indian Navy (IN). Originally conceived in 1997, the initiative’s objective has been to procure
a class of six conventionally-powered attack submarines for the Indian Navy Submarine Arm, as a
replacement for the force’s Sindhughosh-class submarines. The submarines under this project would be
equipped with contemporary equipment, weapons, sensors, modern missiles, and state-of-the-art countermeasure
systems. The most important improvement over its predecessor, Project-75, is a fuel-cell-based AIP (Air Independent
Propulsion) system. This would provide a major boost to the stealth ability and construction capability of indigenous
submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the latest submarine designs and technologies as part of the project
under Atmanirbhar Bharat. The number 75 in Project 75 refers to a unique identifier for the Scorpene class. In
1999, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved a plan to construct a total of 24 submarines over a 30-
year span. However, due to financial constraints, only six submarines of Kalvari Class - INS Kalvari,
INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela, INS Vagir, and INSVagsheer—would be authorised for operational
status by the mid-2030s.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches 3 indigenous Param Rudra supercomputers
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three PARAM Rudra supercomputers, developed
indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission. The initiative marks a significant step in
the country’s weather and climate research capabilities. These supercomputers, built at a cost of Rs. 130
crore, have been deployed in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research.
Modi also inaugurated the Rs. 850-crore high-performance computing system tailored for weather
and climate research, and described the day as one of a “very big achievement” in the science and technology
sector. The new high-power computing systems — named Arka and Arunika — are expected to
significantly enhance the accuracy and lead time of predictions related to tropical cyclones, heavy precipitation,
thunderstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, droughts, and other critical weather phenomena.
A supercomputer is a computer that performs at or near the currently highest operational rate for
computers. Generally, PETAFLOP is a measure of a Supercomputer’s processing speed and can be
expressed as a thousand trillion floating point operations per second. FLOPS (floating point operations per
second) are typically used to measure the performance of a computer’s processor. Using floating-point
encoding, extremely long numbers can be handled relatively easily. Supercomputers are primarily designed to be
used in enterprises and organizations that require massive computing power. For example: weather forecasting,
scientific research, intelligence gathering and analysis, data mining etc. Globally, China has the maximum number
of supercomputers and maintains the top position in the world, followed by the US, Japan, France, Germany,
Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom. India’s first supercomputer was PARAM 8000. PARAM Shivay,
the first supercomputer assembled indigenously, was installed in IIT (BHU), followed by PARAM Shakti,
PARAM Brahma, PARAM Yukti, PARAM Sanganak at IIT-Kharagpur, IISER, Pune, JNCASR, Bengaluru and IIT
Kanpur respectively. In 2020, PARAM Siddhi, the High-Performance Computing-Artificial Intelligence
(HPC-AI) supercomputer, achieved global ranking of 62nd in Top 500 most powerful supercomputer
systems in the world. Pratyush and Mihir is India’s major supercomputers, installed for weather
forecasting, housed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (Pune) and National Centre for
Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (Noida). PARAM Yuva-II is developed by the Centre for Development of
Advanced Computing (C-DAC), it was one of the fastest supercomputers in India, used for scientific research. As of
2024, Frontier, developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is the fastest supercomputer in the world,
with a performance exceeding 1 exaFLOP (1 quintillion operations per second).

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PM Narendra Modi pledges USD 7.5 million to Quad Cancer Moonshot to battle cervical
cancer
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced support worth USD 7.5 million in sampling kits, detection
kits, and vaccines for countries fighting cervical cancer. Modi emphasized India’s commitment to
global health care and its initiatives against cervical cancer. “An integrated approach of prevention, screening,
diagnosis, and treatment is necessary to reduce the burden of cancer. In India, a very cost-effective cervical
cancer screening program is being carried out”. India has also developed its own vaccine for cervical cancer and
is introducing new treatment protocols with the help of Artificial Intelligence Modi highlighted India’s efforts
to provide affordable health care through the world’s largest health insurance scheme and special centers for
affordable medicines. He announced that India will contribute 40 million vaccine doses for the Indo-
Pacific under GAVI and QUAD initiatives.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), colloquially the Quad or QUAD, is a strategic security
dialogue between the United States, India, Japan and Australia that is maintained by talks between
member countries. The dialogue was initiated in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the
support of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh. The dialogue was paralleled by joint military exercises of an unprecedented scale,
titled Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic and military arrangement was widely viewed as a response to increased
Chinese economic and military power, and the Chinese government responded to the Quadrilateral
dialogue by issuing formal diplomatic protests to its members, calling it “Asian NATO”.

Quad launches MAITRI maritime initiative in Indo-Pacific; India to host first training
workshop in 2025
• India will host the innagural symposium of the new regional maritime initiative for Training in the
Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to train Quad partners “to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and
deter unlawful behaviour.” The first MAITRI workshop will be hosted by India in 2025, said Nancy Izzo
Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs.
• The MAITRI initiative was among the major outcomes of the fourth summit level meeting of the
Quad group of countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Delaware. The initiative highlights the
Quad’s commitment to regional security and capacity building, particularly in the maritime domain.
India surpasses Japan to become third powerful country in Asia for the first time
• For the first time, India has overtaken Japan to bag the third spot, in the list of countries in terms
of its power in Asia. The Asia Power Index Report 2024 curated by Australian think tank Lowy Institute,
suggests that India’s power in the continent is growing.
• The index, measuring the resources and influence to rank the ‘relative power of states in Asia’,
ranks 27 countries and territories in terms of their capacity to shape their external environment.
The index measures eight aspects: military capability, defence networks, economic capability and relationships,
diplomatic and cultural influence, resilience and future resources. In its latest rankings, the United States
and China rank in the first and second positions.
Manipur’s Andro Village Conferred Best Heritage Tourism Village Of 2024
• The Andro Village of Manipur has been conferred the prestigious award of one of the Best Tourism
Village in Heritage category in the 2024 edition of the Best Tourism Villages Competition organised by the
Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry facilitated officials of Manipur Tourism and representatives of Andro Village
at an event held at the Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi during the celebration of World Tourism Day
2024. Andro village’s unique cultural heritage and traditional practices have been a major factor in
its selection as the Best Tourism village in the Heritage category.
• The village has a temple which showcases the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region. The village’s
unique cultural heritage includes the centuries old fire worship which attracts tourists from various parts of
the world thus contributing income and employment generation to the local people. The villagers of Andro
have adopted several strategies to engage the local community in promoting and sustaining their
heritage while also involving them in tourism activities.

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 Manipur is a state in northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian
states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions
of Myanmar, Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the south. Nongthombam Biren Singh is currently
serving as the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur since 2017 representing Heingang Assembly constituency in the
Manipur Legislative Assembly. The current governor of Manipur is Lakshman Prasad Acharya (additional
charge), appointed by President Droupadi Murmu on 31 July 2024. Manipur is home to many sports and the origin
of Manipuri dance, and is credited with introducing polo to Europeans. The sangai (Meitei) is an endemic
and endangered subspecies of Eld’s deer found only in Manipur, India. It is also the state animal of Manipur.
Union Cabinet decisions: Marathi, Assamese, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit get classical language
status
• The Union Cabinet approved conferring the status of classical language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit,
Assamese and Bengali languages. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The classical languages serve as a custodian of Bharat’s profound and
ancient cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community’s historical and cultural milestone.
These languages have been essential in preserving and transmitting India’s ancient knowledge systems,
philosophies, and values across generations for thousands of years.
• The Government of India decided to create a new category of languages as “classical languages”
declaring Tamil as classical language and thereafter Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and
Odia languages were given classical language status.
• In 2004, the Government of India, for the first time, created a new category of languages known
as Classical Languages. It set the following as criteria for the status of Classical Language: 1. High
antiquity of its early texts/ recorded history over a thousand years. 2. A body of ancient literature/
texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generation of speakers. 3. The literary tradition
must be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
• This criterion was revised in 2005 and 2024 based on the recommendations of Linguistic Experts
Committees (LEC) under Sahitya Akademi to examine the proposed languages for the status of Classical
Language.
• The criteria were revised in November 2005 as follows, and Sanskrit was declared a Classical
Language: 1. High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years. 2. A body
of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers. 3. The literary
tradition must be original and not borrowed from another speech community. 4. The classical language and
literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its
later forms or its offshoots.
• The criteria were revised in 2024 as follows: 1. High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a
period of 1500-2000 years. 2. A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of
speakers. 3. Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
4. The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with
later forms of its offshoots.
• The 2024 Linguistic Expert Committee also recommended the following languages to be fulfilling
revised criteria to be considered as a Classical Language: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali.
Six Indian languages namely Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia were earlier accorded the
status of Classical Language. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved to
confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages on October
03, 2024, thus bringing the total number of classical languages to 11. The first classical language is
Tamil.
The Ministry of Culture is the Indian government ministry charged with preservation and promotion of
art and culture of India. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the current Minister of Culture and Minister of
Tourism since 2024. He is a member of parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representing
Jodhpur in the Lok Sabha. Recently the government has established the National Mission on Libraries
India under this ministry.
India as the fifth nation worldwide to operate hydrogen-powered trains
• Indian Railways has engaged Germany’s TUV-SUD to conduct a third-party safety audit for the
country’s first hydrogen train. The plan anticipates trial runs to commence in December 2024 for this

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 rolling stock. With this development, India will join Germany, France, Sweden, and China as the fifth
nation worldwide to operate hydrogen-powered trains.
• The Indian Railways is embarking on this ambitious project under its “Hydrogen for Heritage”
initiative, which aims to introduce a total of 35 hydrogen trains. Each train is estimated to cost around
Rs. 80 crore, with an additional Rs. 70 crore allocated for necessary ground infrastructure on various heritage
and hilly routes. The first prototype will be tested on the Jind-Sonipat section in Haryana on an 89
km route, with integration efforts currently taking place at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.
Hydrogen trains basically run on hydrogen fuel cells. These fuel cells combine oxygen and hydrogen to
create electricity, which drives the train’s motors. Hydrogen trains are more environmentally beneficial than
traditional diesel trains as they do not emit dangerous pollutants like nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide,
and particulate. Hydrogen Fuel Cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of
hydrogen into electricity. It consists of a positive anode and a negative cathode and uses electrolysis to generate
electricity. The fuel cell’s core is made of solid or liquid electrolytes to aid the process. Germany was the first
country to operate a hydrogen-powered passenger train, which began service in September 2018 in Lower
Saxony.
India’s foreign minister to visit Pakistan for the first time since 2015
• India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar will attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) in Pakistan. This will be the first visit by a high ranking Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly
a decade. The trip comes after Mr Jaishankar’s Pakistani counterpart attended a similar meeting of
foreign ministers from the SCO in India last year - he was the first senior Pakistani politician to visit since
2011.
• Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have been tense for years and they have fought three wars
since they became independent nations in 1947 - two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The
SCO is a political union of countries formed to discuss security and economic matters in Central Asia. The
organisation was created by China, Russia and four Central Asian countries in 2001 as a countermeasure to
limit the influence of Western alliance’s such as Nato. India and Pakistan joined the group in 2017. While
India chaired the SCO in 2023, Pakistan will be hosting this year’s summit from 15 October to 16
October.
• The last time an Indian foreign minister visited the nation was in 2015, when Sushma Swaraj
attended a security conference in Islamabad and held rare talks with Pakistani officials. Days later,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also made a surprise trip to Lahore where he met then Pakistani Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif. Ties between India and Pakistan have always been strained but they hit a
new low in 2019, when India launched strikes in Pakistani territory, following a militant attack on
Indian troops in Indian-administered Kashmir.
• If Dr. Jaishankar does visit Pakistan for the SCO meeting, it would be in stark contrast to the Modi government’s
policy on SAARC meetings thus far. No Indian Minister has attended a multilateral meeting in Pakistan
since Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Islamabad for the SAARC Home Minister’s meeting
in August 2016, and the last time an External Affairs Minister visited was Sushma Swaraj’s visit
in December 2015 ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Christmas visit to Lahore the same
month. After terror attacks on the Pathankot airbase and the Uri Army camp in 2016, India called
off the SAARC Summit in Pakistan and has refused to attend any subsequent meetings in Pakistan.
The only exceptions made by the government in the last few years is for the inauguration of the Kartarpur
corridor, where it sent two Union Ministers. In New York, Dr. Jaishankar defended India’s engagement
with the SCO. “The SCO was focused much more on countering radicalism and terrorism.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), also known as the Shanghai Pact, is a transcontinental
political, economic, security, and military alliance. It is a permanent intergovernmental international
organization. The creation of SCO was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China). The Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation Charter was signed during the St. Petersburg SCO Heads of State meeting
in June 2002, and entered into force on 19 September 2003. In terms of geographic scope and population, it
is the world’s largest regional organization, covering approximately 60% of the area of Eurasia, 40% of the world
population, and more than 30% of global GDP. The SCO is the successor to the Shanghai Five, a mutual
security agreement formed in 1996 between China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Its
membership has since expanded to eight states, with India and Pakistan joining on 9 June 2017. Iran
started accession as a full member in September 2021 at the Dushanbe Summit in Tajikistan. Iran has

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 been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation. Belarus has become the 10th member state
of the SCO in 2024. Several countries are engaged as observers or partners. The SCO is governed by the Heads
of State Council (HSC), its supreme decision-making body, which meets once a year. Military exercises are
also regularly conducted among members to promote cooperation and coordination against terrorism and
other external threats, and to maintain regional peace and stability.
8th India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2024
• The 8th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2024 commenced in
Uttarakhand and is held from 30th September to 13th October 2024. The Exercise between India and
Kazakhstan was initiated as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in 2016. After the second edition, it was
upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed ‘Exercise KAZIND’. The exercise aims to enhance joint
military capabilities for counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, focusing on
physical fitness, tactical drills, and sharing of best practices under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Chapter VII
includes action with respect to threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression.
Kazakhstan is a country in Central Asia; it has borders with Russia in the north, China in the east, and
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south. The capital is Nur-Sultan, formerly known as
Astana. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest in the world. Kassym-
Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev has been serving as the President of Kazakhstan since 20 March 2019. The
tenge is the currency of Kazakhstan.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’
• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched the ‘Cruise Bharat
Mission’ from the Mumbai port. The Union Minister of State, Shantanu Thakur also attended the launch.
The Cruise Bharat Mission aims to excel in India’s vision to become a global hub for cruise tourism and promote
the country as the leading global cruise destination. Mr Sonowal said that the mission aims to propel the
country’s cruise tourism industry by doubling cruise passenger traffic by 2029. He further said that
the government is committed to harnessing the tremendous potential of the Blue Economy of India.
The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use and conservation of ocean and marine resources for
economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation. It encompasses diverse sectors like fisheries,
tourism, shipping, offshore energy, and biotechnology. With the oceans facing unprecedented threats from climate
change, pollution, and unsustainable exploitation, there is an urgent need to transition to a Blue Economy model
that balances economic development with environmental sustainability. Blue Economy 2.0 is a step ahead in
this direction. Through its multi-pronged approach focused on restoration, adaptation, and expansion
of mariculture and coastal aquaculture, the policy aims to promote climate-resilient and sustainable
development in India’s coastal regions. In India, the blue economy encompasses a wide range of sectors,
including shipping, tourism, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas exploration. This is reflected in the Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG 14), which calls to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development. The total length of the coast line of the mainland including
Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep is 7,516.6 km.
Eight products used by Assam tribe granted GI tag
• The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has granted the GI tag to eight products from
the Assam region, including traditional food items and several unique varieties of rice beer. The
application for Geographical Indication tags for three variants of rice beer was filed by the Bodo Traditional
Brewers Association.
• These products highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Bodo community: Bodo Napham: A fermented fish
dish, Bodo Ondla: A rice powder curry, Bodo Gwkha: A locally known dish prepared during the Bwisagu festival,
Bodo Narzi: A semi-fermented food prepared with jute leaves, Bodo Aronai: A traditional shawl or scarf, Bodo
Jou Gwran: A rice beer variety, Maibra Jou Bidwi: A rice beer variety, Bodo Jou Gishi: A rice beer variety.
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific
geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). India, as a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,
1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1)
of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement
as: “Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that

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 territory, where a given quality, reputation or characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic
origin.” The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those
residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name. Darjeeling tea
became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004–2005. The registration of a geographical indication
is valid for a period of 10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.

Cabinet Approves Development of NMHC at Gujarat’s Lothal; Approves Construction of

2,280 Km of Roads in Rajasthan & Punjab Border Areas
• Union Cabinet has approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)
at Lothal, Gujarat. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the proposal aims
to showcase India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage. He said it will be the world’s greatest Maritime
complex once it is fully developed.
• The project began in March 2022, and is being developed at a cost of Rs. 3,500 crore. It will have
several innovative features such as Lothal mini-recreation, which will recreate Harappan architecture and
lifestyle through immersive technology. It has four theme parks – Memorial theme park, Maritime and Navy
theme park, Climate theme park, and Adventure and Amusement theme park. It will act as a center for learning
and understanding India’s maritime history. The NMHC is being developed with the aim of displaying
India’s diverse maritime heritage and also help Lothal emerge as a world-class international tourist
destination.
• Mr Vaishnaw said that as per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase 4,500 years old
maritime heritage of India, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterway is setting up a world-class
National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. Mr Vaishnaw said that there are several components in
this Complex including the working and experience area Light House Museum and five-dimensional theatre so
that the new generation could know about India’s rich maritime heritage. The Union Cabinet has approved
the construction of 2 thousand 280 kilometre roads in border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab. The
project will cost more than four thousand four hundred crore rupees.
Lothal was one of the southern cities of the Indus Valley civilization, located in the Gulf of Khambat region.
Lothal’s name comes from two Gujarati words, “Loth” and “thal,” which mean “the mound of the dead.”
Lothal was discovered by SR Rao, an Indian archaeologist, in 1954. Lothal had the world’s earliest
known dock, which connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati River on the trade route.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Unveils Logo of Maha Kumbh-2025 in Prayagraj

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled the new multi-coloured logo for Mahakumbh
2025 in Prayagraj. The logo symbolises religious and economic prosperity, with the depiction of the Amrit
Kalash, a sacred vessel from the mythological ocean churning. The design features a temple, a seer, an urn, the
Akshayvat tree, and an image of Lord Hanuman, representing the confluence of nature and humanity in the
Sanatan civilization. It also embodies the continuous flow of self-awareness and public welfare, serving as an
inspirational emblem for Mahakumbh 2025.
• Kumbh Mela, recognized by UNESCO as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,’ is regarded
as the world’s largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims. With the motto “Sarvasiddhipradah Kumbhah”.
A live satellite image of the Sangam is clearly visible in the design, symbolizing the eternal flow of these
rivers as a representation of life itself. This inclusion highlights the spiritual and geographical importance of
Prayagraj in the Maha Kumbh’s rich tradition.
• Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism. On 4 February 2019,
Kumbh Mela witnessed the largest peaceful public gathering of humans ever recorded. It is celebrated in
a cycle of approximately 12 years, to celebrate every revolution Brihaspati (Jupiter) completes,
at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: Prayagraj (Ganges-Yamuna-Sarasvati rivers confluence),
Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra). The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the
waters. The festival is traditionally credited to the 8th-century Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankara, as a
part of his efforts to start major Hindu gatherings for philosophical discussions and debates along with Hindu
monasteries across the Indian subcontinent.

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 According to UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICH
is manifested into five broad domains: 1. Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle
of the intangible cultural heritage. 2. Performing arts 3. Social practices, rituals and festive events 4.
Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe 5. Traditional craftsmanship. With the
recent inscription of Garba of Gujarat (2023) on the Representative List of ICH of Humanity, India
now has 15 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO’s Representative List of
ICH of Humanity. These are: 1. The tradition of Vedic chanting (2008), 2. Ramlila, the traditional performance
of the Ramayana (2008) 3. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre (2008) 4. Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of
the Garhwal Himalayas, India (2009) 5. Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala (2010), 6. Kalbelia
folk songs and dances of Rajasthan (2010), 7. Chhau dance, semi-classical Indian dance form that is popular in
the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha (2010), 8. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred
Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India (2012), 9. Sankirtana, ritual
singing, drumming, and dancing of Manipur (2013), 10. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among
the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India (2014), 11. Yoga (2016), 12. Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz,
Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, Navruz (2016), 13. Kumbh Mela (2017), 14. Durga
Puja of Kolkata (2021) and 15. Garba of Gujarat (2023)
Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024
• The Opening Ceremony of MALABAR 2024 under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command was held
onboard Indian Naval Ship Satpura at Visakhapatnam on 09 Oct 24. The 28th edition of the multi-
national maritime exercise that commenced on 08 Oct 24, would extend till 18 Oct 24. MALABAR, which
was initiated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the US, gained further traction as a
significant maritime engagement, with Japan and Australia joining in subsequently.
• The exercise will be conducted in two distinct phases both at Harbour and at Sea. MALABAR 2024
will witness live weapon firings, complex surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills and
joint manoeuvres. The high-tempo event will witness participation by destroyers, frigates, corvettes and fleet
support ships along with long range maritime patrol aircraft, jet aircraft, integral helicopters and submarine
assets.
• The exercise brings together like-minded nations to further enhance the ability to train and operate jointly,
towards establishing the synergy critical to achieve shared objectives. The exercise is aligned with the Indian
Government’s vision of Security & Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and reflects India’s growing
engagement with like-minded nations.
Malabar Exercise is a multilateral war-gaming naval exercise that was started in 1992. It began as a
bilateral exercise between the navies of India and the United States. Two more editions of the exercise
were carried out in 1995 and 1996, after which there was a break until 2002 in the aftermath of India’s
nuclear tests. From 2002 onward, the exercise has been conducted every year. Japan and Australia first
participated in 2007, and since 2014, India, the US and Japan have participated in the exercise every
year. In 2020 Australia joined the Malabar Exercise on India’s request in order to contain China in the
Indo-Pacific region. For the first time in over a decade, Malabar 2020 saw the participation of all four
Quad members. It is aimed to support free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and remain committed to a
rules based international order. Over the years, the exercise has been conducted in the Philippine Sea,
off the coast of Japan, the Persian Gulf, in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It is conducted by
the Asian and the North American Commands.
Prime Miniater Narendra Modi attended 21st ASEAN-India and East Asia summits
• The Prime Minister of India recently visited Laos to participate in the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and
the 19th East Asia Summit. He attended the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. Laos
is the current chair of ASEAN. During the summit, leaders discussed how India and ASEAN could work more
closely together. The discussions focused on connectivity, both physical and digital, between India
and ASEAN. India already has direct flights with seven ASEAN countries and hopes to add two more soon.
• The Prime Minister of India presented a 10-point plan to boost connectivity: 1. Celebrate 2025 as
the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism with a budget of $5 million for joint activities. 2. Mark the 10th
anniversary of the Act East Policy with events like Youth Summits and Start-up Festivals. 3. Organize
the ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave. 4. Double scholarships at Nalanda University and add more at
Indian agricultural universities. 5. Review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) by
2025. 6. Allocate $5 million to enhance disaster resilience. 7. Start a Health Ministers’ track to improve

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 health resilience 8. Establish an ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue for better digital security. 9. Host
a workshop on Green Hydrogen. 10. Launch the ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign to encourage climate
resilience.
• Future Plan of Action (2026-2030): The leaders agreed to create a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action
for 2026-2030 to strengthen their partnership. Two joint statements were adopted: 1. Strengthening
Partnership: This focuses on enhancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. 2.
Advancing Digital Transformation: This statement acknowledges India’s role in digital public
infrastructure.
East Asia Summit (EAS) was established in 2005 as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-
led initiative. The EAS is the only leader-led forum in the Indo-Pacific that brings together all key partners
to discuss political, security and economic issues of strategic importance. The EAS operates on the principles of
openness, inclusiveness, respect for international law, ASEAN centrality, and ASEAN’s role as the driving force.
The idea of an East Asia Grouping was first proposed by then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad in 1991. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December 2005. The EAS
comprises 18 members: the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and eight dialogue partners (Australia, China, India, Japan,
New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional grouping that aims to promote
economic and security cooperation among its ten members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The motto of ASEAN is “One
Vision, One Identity, One Community”. 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day. ASEAN Secretariat is located
in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the
ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Italian carrier at Goa holds maiden carrier exercise with Indian Navy
• In a historic maritime engagement, Indian Navy and Italian Navy carried out the maiden exercise by
Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) of both the sides, off Goa coast from October 1 to 6. The sea phase of the
exercise, held on October 5 and 6, was led by the carriers INS Vikramaditya and ITS Cavour, along
with INS Visakhapatnam and ITS Alpino.
• The Italian CSG, commanded by Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, left Italy’s Taranto on June 1 and has been
on an operational campaign in the Indo-Pacific region. It comprises aircraft carrier ITS Cavour, multi-
mission frigate ITS Alpino, and multi-purpose patrol boat ITS Montecuccoli. During its operational campaign,
the CSG will also make stops at Muscat, Oman and Karachi, Pakistan in its five months of activity, according
to the Italian Navy. The Italian CSG includes about 1,200 crew members, divided between the ships Cavour,
Alpino and Montecuccoli, with a total of 19 aerial assets – eight F-35B fighters, seven AV-8B+ Harriet jets,
three NH-90 helicopters and one EH-101 helicopter.
The Indian Navy is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the
Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the navy. As
a blue-water navy, it operates significantly in the Persian Gulf Region, the Horn of Africa, the Strait of Malacca, and
routinely conducts anti-piracy operations and partners with other navies in the region. Admiral Dinesh Kumar
Tripathi is a serving four star flag officer of the Indian Navy. He is the current and the 26th Chief of the
Naval Staff. He took over as the 26th CNS succeeding Admiral R. Hari Kumar on 30 April 2024. He previously
served as the 38th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. General Anil Chauhan is a four-star general of the Indian Army,
who is the current and 2nd Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Indian Armed Forces.
Department Of Atomic Energy Installs MACE Observatory in Ladakh
• The Department of Atomic Energy has installed the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment
(MACE) Observatory in Ladakh. MACE telescope will observe high-energy gamma rays such as supernovae,
black holes, and gamma-ray bursts. This newly installed facility will complement global observatories
and is an important feature in strengthening India’s position in the field of multi-messenger
astronomy. MACE, which is installed at Hanley in eastern Ladakh is considered as the largest
imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia as well as the highest in the world for being installed at an
altitude of 4,300 metre. It is indigenously built by Baba Atomic Research Centre with support from
Electronic Corporation of India and other Indian industry partners.

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President Droupadi Murmu Embarks On 3-Nation Visit to Algeria, Mauritania and Malawi
• President Droupadi Murmu embarked on a three-nation visit to Algeria, Mauritania and Malawi.
This is the first ever visit by a President of India to the three African nations and comes a year after
the African Union was made a permanent member of G-20 group during India’s Presidency. During
her visit, the President will hold bilateral meetings and interact with Indian diaspora.
• During the three-day visit in Algeria, President Droupadi Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with the
President of the People Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and other major
leaders. The President will also visit important cultural and historical sites of Algeria like Maqam Echahid,
the Martyrs Memorial, where she will be laying the wreath. The President will also visit the Roman Ruins,
Mausoleum, and Hamma Garden. The president is also scheduled to address the India-Algeria Economic Forum.
• On the second leg of the visit, President Droupadi Murmu will visit Mauritania on the 16th, and
in the final leg of her visit, the President will visit Malawi from the 17th to the 19th. During the visit
to these countries, the President is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the leadership, and I will also
interact with key trade and industry leaders and the Indian diaspora.
Droupadi Murmu has been serving as the 15th president of India since 25 July 2022. She is the first person
belonging to the tribal community and also the second woman after Pratibha Patil to hold the office.
She is also the youngest person to occupy the post and the first President born in Independent India.
Before entering politics, she worked as a clerk in the State Irrigation and Power Department from 1979
to 1983, and then as a teacher in Rairangpur until 1997. Droupadi Murmu was born to a Santali family on
20 June 1958, in Uparbeda village in the Baidaposi area of Rairangpur, Odisha. Murmu was sworn in as the
Governor of Jharkhand on 18 May 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Prathibha
DeviSingh Patil served as the 12th president of India spanning from 2007 to 2012. She is the first woman
to become the president of India. K.R. Narayanan was the first Dalit to hold the high office of the
President of India from 1997 to 2002. Ramnath Kovind is the 2nd Dalit President of India served from
2017 to 2022.
India ranked 105th out of 127 countries in Global Hunger Index 2024
• The 19th Global Hunger Index (GHI) report for 2024 has ranked India 105th out of 127 countries,
placing it among nations with ‘serious’ hunger problems. India lags behind its neighbours Sri Lanka,
Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, while it ranks just above Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• The GHI series tracks hunger worldwide, focusing on areas where urgent action is required. India’s score of
27.3 in the 2024 report reflects a serious level of hunger. The report notes a slight increase in the prevalence
of undernourishment in India in recent years. While India’s 2024 score shows some improvement from its
2016 GHI score of 29.3, which also fell under the ‘serious’ category, it is still far behind its neighbours.
• There has been considerable progress compared to the scores of 38.4 and 35.2 in 2000 and 2008,
respectively, both of which were categorized as ‘alarming’. The 2024 report is not directly comparable to
the 2023 report due to a change in methodology and revised data. However, it provides comparative data for the
years 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2024.
• The 2024 Global Hunger Index score for the world is 18.3, considered moderate, down only slightly
from the 2016 score of 18.8. Little progress has been made on reducing hunger since 2016, and the prospects
for achieving Zero Hunger by the target date of 2030 are grim, with 42 countries still experiencing alarming or
serious hunger. The wars in Gaza and Sudan have led to exceptional food crises.
• Somalia, Yemen, Chad, and Madagascar are the countries with the highest 2024 GHI scores; Burundi
and South Sudan are also provisionally designated as alarming. Progress has been notable for example
in Bangladesh, Mozambique, Nepal, Somalia, and Togo, although challenges remain.
Centre Revokes President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir
• Union Government revoked the President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for
forming a new government in the Union Territory. “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 73
of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) read with Articles 239 and 239A
of the Constitution of India, the order dated the 31st October 2019 about the union territory of Jammu
and Kashmir shall stand revoked immediately before the appointment of the Chief Minister under
Section 54 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019,” the notification signed by President
Droupadi Murmu. Prior to October 31, 2019, the President’s rule was continuing in the erstwhile state
from June 2017 after the resignation of the then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti when the BJP withdrew
support to the PDP-led government.

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• President’s rule was originally enforced in the former state as Governor’s rule for six months. Later,
President’s rule was enforced for the following six months, and it was extended numerous times with
Parliament’s permission. Article 356 of the Constitution, which imposes President’s control in a state,
does not apply in union territories. On October 31, 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir became a union
territory, the President’s rule over the undivided state was lifted. However, the President then
issued a notice indicating that President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir will remain indefinitely
under the lieutenant governor (LG).
• The Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted for the first time after a gap of 10
years. The National Conference (NC) won 42 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections,
while Congress secured just six — five in Kashmir and one in Jammu. The two parties had formed a
pre-poll alliance. Their position is strengthened by the support of four independent MLA-elects and one from
the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the second-largest party
with 29 seats. The election, held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, was the first
since Article 370 was revoked, making it a historic event.
• National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah has staked the claim to form a new government
in Jammu and Kashmir. His first term, from 2009 to 2014, when Jammu and Kashmir was a state,
was also under the NC-Congress coalition government. The National Conference – Congress alliance
has secured a majority in the recently held assembly elections. This would be the second tenure of Omar
Abdullah as Chief Minister and the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir after the
abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A in 2019 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile State into two Union
Territories, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir is a region administered by India as a union territory and consists of the southern
portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan
since 1947 and between India and China since 1962. The region of Jammu and Kashmir is separated by
the Line of Control from the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
in the west and north, respectively. A resolution to repeal Article 370 was passed by both the houses of
the Parliament of India in August 2019. All provisions of the Indian Constitution are now equally
applicable to it. Provisions for the formation of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir were contained within
the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was passed by both houses of the Parliament
of India in August 2019. The act re-constituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union
territories, ‘Jammu and Kashmir’ and ‘Ladakh’, with effect from 31 October 2019. The union territory
of Jammu and Kashmir is administered under the provisions of Article 239 of the Constitution of India.
The Article 239A, originally formulated for the union territory of Puduchery, will also be applicable to
Jammu and Kashmir. Manoj Sinha is the current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Girish
Chandra Murmu was the first Lieutenant Governor. Omar Abdullah is currently serving as the first Chief
Minister of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Trachoma-Free India
• World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the Government of India has eliminated
Trachoma as a public health problem becoming the third country in the South-East Asia Region
to achieve this milestone. An official Certification was handed over to Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional
Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission by Ms. Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South
East Asia during the WHO’s South East Asia Region, Regional Committee meeting held at New Delhi
• Trachoma, a highly contagious bacterial infection, has been a major cause of preventable blindness
worldwide. According to WHO estimated 150 million people worldwide are affected by Trachoma and 6 million
of them are blind or at risk of visually disabling complications. Among them the infective stages of trachoma are
usually found in children.
Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia
Trachomatis. Trachoma is contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, nose or
throat secretions of infected people, if left untreated it causes irreversible blindness. WHO has termed
Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease. WHO estimates suggest that 150 million people worldwide are
affected by Trachoma and 6 million of them are blind or at risk of visually disabling complications. Trachoma is
found in underprivileged communities living in poor environmental conditions. India launched the National
Trachoma Control Program in 1963, which was later integrated into the National Program for Control
of Blindness (NPCB). India was declared free from infective trachoma in 2017. From 2019 to 2024, India
continued to monitor for trachoma cases to ensure the infection didn’t re-emerge.

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India withdraws high commissioner to Canada amid escalating diplomatic row
• India to withdraw its high commissioner to Canada and ‘other targeted diplomats and officials. “The
Canadian Charge d’Affaires was summoned by Secretary (East). He was informed that the baseless targeting
of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable,”.
• “It was underlined that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government’s
actions endangered their safety. We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to
ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and
other targeted diplomats and officials. The tensions between India and Canada escalated after Ottawa’s
move to include the Indian high commissioner as ‘person of interest’ in its probe into the killing of
Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.
Canada is a country located in the northern part of North America. Canada is the world’s second-largest
country by total area after Russia. Its border with the United States is the world’s longest international
land border. Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14
other Commonwealth realms. Its capital is Ottawa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto,
Montreal, and Vancouver. Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. Justin Pierre James Trudeau has
been serving as current Prime Minister of Canada since 2015. Canada is a parliamentary democracy and a
constitutional monarchy in the Westminster tradition. The country’s head of government is the prime minister, who
holds office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the elected House of Commons and is “called upon”
by the governor general, representing the monarch of Canada, the head of state. The country is a Commonwealth
realm and is officially bilingual (English and French) in the federal jurisdiction. Canada is home to one of
the largest overseas communities of Indian origin, which number approximately 1.4 million out of an
overall Canadian population of 40 million. About 770,000 people reported Sikhism as their religion in
the 2021 census. Canada has the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab. India
has often complained to Canada’s governments about the activities of Sikh hardliners among the Indian diaspora
who, it says, are trying to revive the insurgency. India-Canada relations have previously been tested by events such
as the bombing of an Air India aircraft in 1985 by a Canada-based Khalistani separatist group.
India conducts first-ever riverine dolphin population estimation exercise
• India has conducted its first population estimation of riverine dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra,
and Indus river systems and its findings will be released soon. The famous Ganges river dolphin is found
in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries spanning across India, Bangladesh,
Nepal and Bhutan. A small population of the Indus river dolphin, a close relative of the Ganges river dolphin, is
found in the Indus River system in India. “Under Project Dolphin, we have completed the estimation of
riverine dolphins, the first of its kind in the world. The survey, conducted over two years, covered 8,000
kilometres of the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus rivers.
The Ganges River Dolphin or also called ‘Susu,’ is the National Aquatic Animal of India. It is one of the
National Symbols of India. Gangetic Dolphins are found in the river systems of Ganga, Brahmaputra,
Meghna, and Karnaphuli- Sangu in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The reason to declare Ganges River
Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India was to save it from extinction. Also, the Ganges Dolphin
is seen as the reflector of the health of the Ganga River.
Centre sets up AI hubs for research on health, agriculture, sustainable cities
• The Centre announced setting up of three centres of excellence (CoE) in artificial intelligence (AI)
in healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities. While the CoE in healthcare will be led by the All
India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, the IIT
in Ropar, Punjab will lead the CoE in agriculture.
• IIT Kanpur has been given the charge of developing CoE in sustainable cities. The CoEs will function
with industries and start-ups. Announcing the decision, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said
the AI-CoEs were going to be solution providers and would create a new generation of employment providers
and wealth creators. The Union Budget of 2023-24 had proposed the setting up of AI-CoEs with a
financial outlay of Rs. 990 crore over the period of 2023-24 to 2027-28. To oversee its implementation, an
industry-heavy apex committee had also been constituted, co-chaired by Sridhar Vembu.
Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act
• Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955,
which permits immigrants from Bangladesh residing in Assam to secure Indian citizenship, as a

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 valid piece of legislation aligned to the Preambular value of fraternity. According to the court, the
principle of fraternity cannot be selectively applied to one section living in Assam while another
lot are labelled “illegal immigrants”. The petitioning NGO argued to court that Section 6A threatened
Assamese people’s right to preserve their political, linguistic, and cultural identity by bringing
illegal immigrants and altering its demography.
• In a 4:1 majority ruling, a five-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud
upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (1955 Act) that grants
citizenship to immigrants who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971. While
Justice Surya Kant authored the lead majority verdict on behalf of himself, Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice
Manoj Misra, the Chief Justice penned a concurring opinion. However, Justice J.B. Pardiwala rendered a
dissenting opinion declaring the statutory provision to be unconstitutional but with a prospective effect.
• Section 6A is a special provision which was inserted into the 1955 Act in furtherance of a
Memorandum of Settlement called the “Assam Accord” signed on August 15, 1985, by the then Rajiv
Gandhi government at the Centre and the All Assam Students’ Union following a six-year-long agitation
against the entry of migrants from Bangladesh into Assam. Justice Kant, in his opinion, underscored that
Section 6A embodies the principle of fraternity.
• Section 6A was enacted as part of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, following the Assam Accord
of 1985. It grants Indian citizenship to immigrants who entered Assam from Bangladesh before 1st
January 1966. Those who entered between 1st January 1966 and 25th March 1971, can be conferred
citizenship after fulfilling certain prescribed procedures and conditions. The section, however, denies
citizenship to immigrants who arrived in Assam after 25th March 1971.
The Assam Accord was a tripartite agreement between the Central Government, the State Government
of Assam, and the leaders of the Assam Movement. It sought to end the influx of illegal migrants from
Bangladesh. It introduced Section 6A into the Citizenship Act, of 1955, exclusively for Assam. This
provision addresses the issue of large-scale migration preceding the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. It
mandates the detection and deportation of foreigners who entered Assam after 25th March 1971, marking
the creation of Bangladesh. The introduction of Section 6A reflects the specific historical and demographic
challenges faced by Assam during this critical period.
Nayab Singh Saini sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Haryana
• Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nayab Singh Saini took oath as new Chief Minister of Haryana for the second
term, days after the party successfully retained power in the recently held Assembly election. In Mr.
Saini’s new Cabinet thirteen legislators were inducted, including two women. Haryana Governor Bandaru
Dattatreya administered the oath of office and secrecy to all of them at the swearing-in ceremony
held in Haryana’s Panchkula, which was attended by a battery of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders,
including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Haryana is a state in India located in the northern-part of the country. It was carved out of the former
state of East Punjab on 1 November 1966 on a linguistic basis. The state capital is Chandigarh and the
most populous city is Faridabad, which is a part of the National Capital Region. The city of Gurgaon is among
India’s largest financial and technology hubs. Bandaru Dattatreya is serving as the current Governor
of Haryana since 2021. Nayab Singh Saini is serving as the current Chief Minister of Haryana. According
to the 2011 Census, the lowest sex ratio in India is in Haryana, where sex ratio is only 879 whereas the
highest sex ratio is in Kerala (1084).
Indian navy - royal navy of Oman maritime exercise (naseem al bahr)
• INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated in the Indo-Oman bilateral naval
exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr with the Royal Navy of Oman Vessel Al Seeb off Goa from 13 to 18 October 24.
The exercise was conducted in two phases: with harbour phase from 13 to 15 October 24, followed by
the sea phase. As part of harbour activities, personnel from both Navies engaged in professional interactions,
including Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and planning conferences. In addition, sports fixtures and social
engagements were also held.
• During the sea phase of the exercise conducted from 16 to 18 Oct 24, both ships carried out various evolutions,
including gun firings at surface inflatable targets, close-range anti-aircraft firings, manoeuvres, and
Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPS). The integral helicopter operated from INS Trikand and
undertook cross-deck landings and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with RNOV Al Seeb.

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 Oman is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the
Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Muscat is the nation’s capital and largest
city. The Omani rial is the currency of Oman. Haitham bin Tariq Al Said is the current Sultan of Oman.
Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said is Crown Prince of Oman as the son of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
Vijaya Rahatkar appointed as Chairperson of National Commission for Women
• Vijaya Rahatkar has been appointed as the Chairperson of National Commission for Women NCW.
A notification in this regard has been issued by Ministry of Women and Child Development. Ms Rahatkar
has served as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women and Mayor of Aurangabad. The
Ministry also notified about appointment of Dr Archana Majumdar as Member of the NCW.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body of the Government of India, generally
concerned with advising the government on all policy matters affecting women. It was established on 31 January
1992 under the provisions of the Indian Constitution, as defined in the 1990 National Commission for
Women Act. The first head of the commission was Jayanti Patnaik. The objective of the NCW is to represent
the rights of women in India and to provide a voice for their issues and concerns.
Maldivian President decides to introduce India’s UPI in Maldives
• President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to introduce India’s Unified Payment Interface in the
Maldives. The president’s office announced that the decision was taken on the recommendation of the cabinet.
The move is expected to bring significant benefits to the Maldivian economy, including increased financial
inclusion, improved efficiency in financial transactions and enhanced digital infrastructure.
• During the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in August this year, an MoU was signed
between the two countries to implement the Unified Payments Interface in the Maldives. The
financial interface operated by National Payments Corporation of India has been operational in
several international locations, including UAE, Sri Lanka, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal,
the UK, and Mauritius. With the implementation of UPI, India continues its commitment towards sharing
developmental experiences with partner nations.
• During his state visit to India earlier this month, India also launched the RuPay cards in the Maldives to
enhance the ease of payments for Indian tourists visiting the island nation as well as for Maldivian
nationals visiting India, in an attempt to foster digital and financial cooperation between the two countries.
Maldives is a South Asian country, located in the Indian Ocean, situated in the Arabian Sea. Male is the
capital and most populated city, traditionally called the “King’s Island” for its central location. Maldivian
rufiyaa is the currency of the Maldives. Mohamed Muizzu is the President of the Maldives. The Maldives
rejoined the Commonwealth on 1 February 2020 after showing evidence of functioning democratic
processes and popular support.
Shivraj Chouhan to monitor all PM Modi’s schemes for implementation
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set up a monitoring group under the chairmanship of Union
Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan to
review implementation of schemes announced by the Prime Minister and in the Union Budget, subordinate
legislation and other infrastructure projects. PM Modi has delegated powers to Chouhan to monitor the progress
of the announced projects since the first NDA government under him was formed in 2014.
• The inaugural meeting of this newly formed monitoring group took place on October 18 at the
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The meeting saw participation from all secretaries to the Government of
India, including the Chairman of the Railway Board, who attended in a hybrid format. This group, under the
leadership of Chouhan, a three-time Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, is set to convene monthly at the PMO,
located in South Block, to ensure the effective execution of government initiatives.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is serving as the current Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and
current Minister of Rural Development since 11 June 2024. He was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
from 2020 to 2023 and previously from 2005 to 2018 and a Member of Legislative Assembly in Madhya Pradesh
from Budhni since 2006 to 2024 and previously from 1990 to 1991. He is the longest serving Chief Minister of
Madhya Pradesh. He was also elected to 18th Lok Sabha from Vidisha.
Launching Of eShram for Unorganised Workers
• Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
launched “eShram – One Stop Solution” in New Delhi. The platform will act as a mediator to ensure

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 that unorganized workers have easy access to a variety of government schemes. The primary aim of
the initiative is to integrate information about beneficiaries of all social security and welfare schemes
meant for unorganized workers in an effective manner through a single platform. This initiative will help
unorganized workers become aware of the schemes designed for them.
Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya is serving as Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports since 2024. He is also a Lok Sabha member from Porbandar Gujarat.
Mission BASUNDHARA 3 aims to provide land rights to indigenous people
• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 in Guwahati
to provide land rights to indigenous people. Under this, steps will also be taken to digitize various land-
related services and publish maps for the benefit of the people of the state.
Assam is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak
River valleys. Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk. The state was the first site for oil drilling in
Asia. Largest tea producing state in India is Assam. The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh
to the north; Nagaland and Manipur to the east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh to the south; and
West Bengal to the west via the Siliguri Corridor, a 22-kilometre-wide (14 mi) strip of land that connects the state to
the rest of India. Lakshman Prasad Acharya is serving as the current Governor of Assam. Himanta Biswa
Sarma is serving as the 15th and current Chief Minister of Assam since 2021.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates airports in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttar
Pradesh
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three airports across the country — in
Chhattisgarh’s Surguja, Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa and Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur. The airports have
been developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)
of the Central government and flight operations are expected to begin shortly.
• The RCS- UDAN, a government-backed initiative to improve infrastructure and connectivity in
India, especially in remote and underserved regions, completes seven years. It is a vital component of India’s
National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on
October 21, 2016, with a 10-year vision. The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated by Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. The scheme focuses on improving
unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizens.
Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (“Let the common citizens of the country fly”), known by its acronym UDAN-
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) is a regional airport development program of the Government of
India and part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of upgrading under-serviced air routes. RCS scheme
consists of setting up Greenfield airports and as well as upgradation of Brownfield airports. Its objective
is to make air travel more accessible and contribute to economic development in India. The scheme
focuses on improving unserved air routes in underserved regions of the country and fulfilling the
aspirations of the common citizens. The first UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) flight from Shimla to
Delhi took off on April 27, 2017 from Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged
off the flight.
PM Narendra Modi visited Russia for BRICS Summit
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Kazan, Russia, to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. The
summit, held under Russia’s chairmanship, focused on several global issues, including economic cooperation,
peace and security, climate change, and terrorism. PM Modi held significant bilateral meetings during the
visit. India and Russia discussed the ongoing Ukraine crisis, emphasizing peaceful resolutions, and addressed
the repatriation of Indian nationals from the Russian Army. PM Modi also extended an invitation for
Putin to visit India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The theme of the 2024 BRICS Summit was
“Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”
• PM called upon BRICS to proactively push for global governance reforms. Recalling the Voice of Global
South Summits hosted by India during its G-20 Presidency, he stressed that the group must give
primacy to the concerns of the Global South. PM noted that the regional presence of the New Development
Bank including in GIFT city, India, has created new values and impacts. He expressed that the BRICS
Startup Forum initiated by India which is to be launched this year would add significant value to
the BRICS economic agenda.

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• India and Iran marked the first official engagement since Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s
election. They focused on regional stability, economic cooperation, and the importance of the
Chabahar Port for trade links with Central Asia. The meeting between India and China marked the
first formal interaction between PM Modi and Xi in five years, following tensions along the India-China
border. This meeting followed an agreement to resume regular patrolling along the Line of Actual
Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, indicating a potential thaw in relations between the two nations.
• Kazan Declaration: This declaration unequivocally condemned terrorism, asserting it should not
be associated with any religion, nationality, or ethnicity. PM Modi reiterated the need for collective
action against terrorism and its financing.
• Prime Minister elaborated on the recent green initiatives undertaken by India including the
International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Mission LIFE and Green
Credit initiative announced during COP28. He invited BRICS countries to join these initiatives. Prime
Minister congratulated President Putin for successfully hosting the 16th BRICS Summit and conveyed wishes
to Brazil as it takes over the presidency of the group. The BRICS leaders had productive discussions including
on strengthening multilateralism, countering terrorism, fostering economic growth, pursing sustainable
development and bringing spotlight on the concerns of the Global South. The leaders welcomed the 13 new
BRICS partner countries. At the conclusion of the Summit, the leaders adopted the ’Kazan Declaration’.
The BRICS countries have agreed to include 13 nations in the category of “partner states” in the
association. However, the entry of these countries will not be made official during the summit. According to this
definition, the Russian presidency will hold consultations with the partner countries to make membership of
the BRICS official. The figure was confirmed earlier by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. The group of
countries invited to join the BRICS as “partner states” includes Turkey, Indonesia, Algeria, Belarus,
Cuba, Bolivia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Uganda. According to
diplomatic sources from the Brazilian delegation in Kazan heard by Brasil de Fato, Venezuela was left off the list
due to Brazil’s veto, which was presented during the preliminary negotiations of the summit.
India Pakistan extend agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of
five years
• India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the validity of the Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib
Corridor for a further period of five years. The Agreement was signed to facilitate the visit of pilgrims
from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
and was valid for a period of five years.
• Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that the extension of the validity of this Agreement will
ensure uninterrupted operation of the Corridor for use by the pilgrims from India to visit the holy
Gurdwara in Pakistan. In view of the continued requests of pilgrims regarding the removal of 20 dollars
service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, India has once again urged Pakistan to not levy any fee
or charges on the pilgrims.
Kartarpur is a visa-free border crossing and religious corridor, connecting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib,
near Narowal in Pakistan to Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India. The crossing
allows devotees from India to visit the gurdwara in Kartarpur, Pakistan, 4.7 kilometres (2.9 miles) from the India–
Pakistan border on the Pakistani side without a visa. On 26 November 2018, the foundation stone was laid down on
the Indian side by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; two days later, then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan did
the same for the Pakistani side. The corridor was completed for the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru
Nanak, on 12 November 2019.
PM Narendra Modi launched scheme for the elderly
• On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and 9th Ayurveda Day, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi
launched, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects related to the health
sector worth around Rs. 12,850 crore at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM approved a major expansion of the world’s largest public health
insurance that offers a cashless cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year for hospitalization for all senior
citizens aged 70 years and more, irrespective of their socio-economic status. The centre will fund 60%
of the scheme. States can expand the scheme or modify it to include other age groups, and some states have
already done so, bearing the cost for additional beneficiaries. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister
noted the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and Dhanteras and conveyed his best wishes on the occasion. He
conveyed his wishes to all business owners of the country as most people tend to buy something new for their
homes, and also extended advanced greetings for Diwali.

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 Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) (PM-JAY lit. ’Prime Minister’s People’s
Health Scheme’, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY lit. ’Persevering India Prime Minister’s People’s Health
Scheme’; also referred to as Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme or NHPS) is a
national public health insurance fund of the Government of India that aims to provide free access to
health insurance coverage for low income earners in the country. People using the program access their
own primary care services from a family doctor. When anyone needs additional care, then PM-JAY provides
free secondary health care for those needing specialist treatment and tertiary health care for those requiring
hospitalization. It was launched in September 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. That
ministry later established the National Health Authority as an organization to administer the program.
It is a centrally sponsored scheme and is jointly funded by both the union government and the states.
By offering services to 50 crore (500 million) people it is the world’s largest government sponsored
healthcare program. It is providing a cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for medical treatment in
empaneled hospitals, both public and private, offering cashless payment and paperless recordkeeping through
the hospital or doctor’s office; using criteria from the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 to determine
eligibility for benefits.
Supreme Court pulls up Centre: Every citizen has right to environment free of pollution
• The Supreme Court said that time has come to remind governments that citizens have a fundamental
right under Article 21 to live in a pollution-free environment and that the amended Section 15 of
the Environment Protection Act-1986 dealing with penalties for violating the Act had been rendered
“toothless” owing to the Centre’s failure to create the machinery to support this.
• “Time has come to remind the government of India and state governments that there is a fundamental
right vesting in every citizen under Article 21 of the constitution of India to live in a pollution free
environment. These are not the matters only of implementing the existing laws. These are the matters of
blatant violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the constitution of India,” a
bench of Justices A S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih said while hearing a matter
related to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
• The bench pointed out that while the unamended Section 15 made the violation of the Act a penal
offence, the amended section which came into force on April 1, substituted it with provision for recovery
of penalty for contravention of provisions of the Act. However, “the provision has been rendered completely
ineffective due to inaction on the part of the government of India” it said, adding, “neither rules are framed for
supporting the said provisions nor appointment of adjudicating officers has been made though period of more
than 6 months has elapsed.
• As adjudicating officers are not appointed under section 15(c), Obviously, the law enforcing machineries
cannot impose penalty under Section 15.” The court said that “in absence of machinery created by the government
of India, Section 15 as amended has become toothless.
• And there is nothing in the hands of law enforcing authorities to strictly enforce the provisions of
Environment Protection Act. Therefore, those who violate the laws related to environment are now scot free
as no action can be taken against them”.
Article 21: Protection of Life and Personal Liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal
liberty except according to procedure established by law. List of rights that Article 21: Right to privacy,
Right to go abroad, Right to shelter, Right against solitary confinement, Right to social justice and
economic empowerment, Right against handcuffing, Right against custodial death, Right against
delayed execution, Doctors’ assistance, Right against public hanging, Protection of cultural heritage,
Right to pollution-free water and air, Right of every child to a full development, Right to health and
medical aid, Right to education and Protection of under-trials.
Mizoram govt, Assam Rifles sign pact for relocating force’s bases
• The Mizoram government and Assam Rifles have formally signed an agreement for relocating
the paramilitary force’s bases from the heart of Aizawl to the designated battalion complex at
Zokhawsang, about 15 km from the city. Assam Rifles has bases at Zodin Square (Lammual) and Khatla
areas in Aizawl. Besides, it also has a DIG residence near Raj Bhavan at Tuikhuahtlang, a commandant
bungalow (Loch House) and a church in Tuikual area near Zodin, and plots of land at Babutlang near the chief
minister’s bungalow and Chitte in the eastern part of the state capital, besides a war memorial and temple at
Zodin, among others.

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 Mizoram is a state in northeastern India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and largest city. Within
India’s northeast region, it is the southernmost state, sharing borders with three of the Seven Sister States, namely
Tripura, Assam and Manipur, and also shares a 722-kilometre border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh
and Myanmar. Aizawl is the capital city and the most populous city of Mizoram, India. Lalduhoma serves as the
6th Chief Minister of Mizoram since 8 December 2023. Kambhampati Hari Babu is the current Governor
of Mizoram, being the first person from divided Andhra Pradesh and first Telugu person serving as
Governor of Mizoram in North East India.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav laid the Foundation Stone for India’s First Purpose Built
AI Data Center in Madhya Pradesh
• RackBank proudly announces the launch of India’s first state-of-the-art, Purpose-Built AI Datacenter.
This landmark facility, capable of housing an unprecedented 60,000 GPUs, 80 MW power, positions India at
the forefront of the global artificial intelligence revolution. Located near Indore, the AI Datacenter represents a
significant leap forward in India’s technological infrastructure. Its strategic central location offers unparalleled
advantages, including low latency across India, making it an ideal hub for AI and cloud services nationwide.
Madhya Pradesh (meaning Central Province) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal, and the
largest city is Indore. Madhya Pradesh is the second largest Indian state by area and the fifth largest
state by population. It borders the states of Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the southeast,
Maharashtra to the south, Gujarat to the west, and Rajasthan to the northwest. Dr. Mohan Yadav is the current
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
India’s first ‘Writer’s village’ inaugurated in Dehradun
• India’s first ‘Writer’s village’ was jointly inaugurated by former President Ram Nath Kovind,
Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Located in Thano village, about 24 km from Dehradun, the ‘Writer’s village’ is the brainchild of former chief
minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, a distinguished writer himself.
Uttarakhand is often referred to as the Devbhumi, due to many Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres
found throughout the state. On 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of
India, being created from the Himalayan and adjoining northwestern districts of Uttar Pradesh. Pushkar
Singh Dhami is the current Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh is serving
as the current Governor of Uttarakhand. The winter capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city
of the state, which is a rail head. Gairsain, a town in Chamoli district is the summer capital of Uttarakhand.
The High Court of the state is located in Nainital.
SC status for converts: Government of India extends tenure of Commission till October 2025
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has extended by a year the tenure of a commission
established to examine whether Scheduled Castes (SC) status can be granted to individuals who have
converted to religions other than Sikhism and Buddhism. This decision, formalised through a notification
dated November 1, comes as the Commission, initially set to conclude its work on October 10 sought additional
time to finalise its report. The Commission of Inquiry was constituted on October 6, 2022, under the
Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
• The inquiry also covers related concerns regarding social justice, rights, and the possible extension of reserved
status to converts from religions not traditionally included in SC classifications, such as Christianity and Islam.
Headed by former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan, the Commission has been engaging with
stakeholders, including sociologists, historians, and representatives from affected communities, to
better understand the nuances of caste identity in the context of religious conversion.
Currently, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 stipulates that no person professing a
religion different from Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism can be deemed to be a member of a Schedule
Caste. The original order under which only Hindus were classified was later amended to include Sikhs
and Buddhists. A batch of petitions were filed in the Supreme Court seeking the inclusion of Dalit
Christians and Dalit Muslims and the removal of the religion criteria for inclusion as SCs. In August
2022, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to submit its current position on the issue. In light of that, the
Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment issued a notification in October 2022 to form a three-
member Commission to study the matter. The three-member Commission is headed by former Chief
Justice of India, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan. Objectives of the commission are: To examine the issue of

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 whether Scheduled Caste (SC) status can be accorded to Dalits who have over the years converted to
religions other than Sikhism or Buddhism. To look into the changes an SC person goes through after converting
to another religion and its implications on the question of including them as SCs. These will include examining their
traditions, customs, social and other forms of discrimination and how and whether they have changed as a result of
the conversion. To examine any other related questions that it deemed appropriate, in consultation with and with
the consent of the Central government. The Commission has been given a two-year deadline to submit a report on
the issue.
Haryana first state to clear Dalit sub-quotas
• Haryana will implement a panel recommendation dividing the Scheduled Caste (SC) community into
two groups and apply sub-quotas, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini announced making the state India’s
first province to put into action the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict on subclassification of Dalit
reservations. The Haryana SC commission had recommended subclassifying the Dalit communities into
two categories – deprived scheduled castes (DSC) comprising 36 groups such as Balmikis, Dhanaks,
Mazhabi Sikhs and Khatiks, and other scheduled castes (OSC) comprising castes such as Chamar,
Jatia Chamar, Rehgar, Raigar, Ramdasi, Ravidasi and Jatav.
BRIC-National Agri-Food Biomanufacturing Institute inaugurated in Mohali
• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key portfolios,
inaugurated the new complex of India’s first biomanufacturing institute—BRIC-National Agri-Food
Bio-Manufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI) at Mohali in Punjab, both of which are autonomous institutes
under the Department of Biotechnology. The facility aims to transform India’s agri-food sector through advanced
biotechnology, contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat”.
Replicas of Konark Wheels at Rashtrapati Bhavan to Showcase India’s Cultural Heritage
• Four replicas of the Konark wheels, made of sandstone, have been installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan in New Delhi. The installation aims to showcase and promote
the rich heritage of the country among visitors. This initiative is part of the several steps being taken
to introduce traditional cultural and historical elements in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Konark Sun Temple, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the culmination of Odishan temple architecture. The Konark wheels are
symbols of India’s cultural legacy.
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Hindu Sun temple at Konark about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast
from Puri city on the coastline in Puri district, Odisha, India. The temple is attributed to king Narasingha
Deva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty about 1250 CE. Dedicated to the Hindu Sun-god Surya, what remains
of the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot (30 m) high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all
carved from stone.
Raksha Mantri virtually inaugurates ‘Desh ka Vallabh’ statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
& Major Ralengnao ‘Bob’ Khathing ‘Museum of Valour’ at Tawang
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh virtually dedicated to the nation ‘Desh ka Vallabh’ statue of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Major Ralengnao ‘Bob’ Khathing ‘Museum of Valour’ at Tawang,
Arunachal Pradesh. Raksha Mantri carried out the inauguration from 4 Corps Headquarters in Tezpur,
Assam. Shri Rajnath Singh paid glowing tributes to Sardar Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India,
acknowledging his instrumental role in unifying over 560 princely states post-independence, a feat that stands
as a testament to his indomitable resolve and commitment to a unified India.
• “This statue ‘Desh Ka Vallabh’ will inspire people reminding them of the strength in unity and the
unwavering spirit required to build a nation as diverse as ours,” he said. Raksha Mantri also paid
homage to Major Bob Khathing, an extraordinary figure who made invaluable contributions to the Northeast
region and national security. “Major Khathing not only led the peaceful integration of Tawang into
India but also established essential military and security frameworks, including the Sashastra
Seema Bal, Nagaland Armed Police, and the Naga Regiment.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an Indian independence activist and statesman who served as the first
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950. He acted as the Home Minister
during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The Statue of Unity is the world’s
tallest statue, with a height of 182 metres (597 feet), located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India.
It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel. Ralengnao Khathing also known as

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 Bob Khathing, was an Indian soldier, civil servant and diplomat and the first person of tribal origin to
serve as an Ambassador for India. The Government of India honoured him in 1957 with the award of Padma
Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his services to the nation. Khathing led the first armed forces
into Tawang that established Indian control in the region under the direct supervision of the then
Assam governor Jairamdas Daulatram.
Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia
to take part in the 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24.
The Exercise is being conducted from 1st to 12th of November 2024. The Indian contingent is being represented
by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Indonesian contingent comprising 40 personnel is
being represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus.
• The aim of Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 is to acquaint both the sides with each other’s operating
procedures, enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special
Forces of both armies. The Exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen
bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills. The Exercise
will involve planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance Special Forces skills, sharing
of information on weapon, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques & procedures.
• Joint Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 will also involve jointly practicing Special Forces Operations in
Jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and a Validation Exercise integrating basic and advance
special forces skills apart from gaining an insight into the lifestyle and culture of both countries to foster
military cooperation. The Exercise will provide an opportunity to both the contingents to strengthen their bond
and share best practices. It will also act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral
relations between two friendly nations.
• India and Indonesia have robust cooperation in the area of defence and security. For the first time, the
‘India-Indonesia Defence Industry Exhibition-cum-Seminar was organised in Jakarta in 2024 by
Embassy of India, Ministry of Defence, Government of India and Ministry of Defense, Republic of Indonesia
to mark the 75th year of diplomatic ties.
Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists
of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea. Indonesia is
the world’s largest island country and the 14th-largest country by area. With about 270 million people,
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.
Java, the world’s most populous island, is home to more than half of the country’s population. The
rupiah (Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia. Jakarta formerly known as Batavia until 1949 is the
de jure capital and largest city of Indonesia. In 2019, the then President Joko Widodo announced plans to
move the capital from Jakarta to the planned city of Nusantara, in the province of East Kalimantan on
the island of Borneo.
Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released the Operational Guidelines of
Central Sector Scheme “NAMO DRONE DIDI”
• The Government has approved the Central Sector Scheme ‘Namo Drone Didi’ for providing Drones to the
Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM, with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme
aims to provide drones to 14500 selected Women SHGs during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026
for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of liquid fertilizers and
pesticides for the present). The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released the Operational
Guidelines this scheme and all the stakeholders have been requested to make meaningful use of these
operational guidelines to ensure prompt roll out and implementation of the ‘Namo Drone Didi’
Scheme.
• The Scheme will be governed at the Central level by the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries
of Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Department of Rural Development, Department of
Fertilizers, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Women and Child Development. The Implementation
and Monitoring Committee headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development
and having representation from all other stakeholders will be responsible for effective planning,
implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
• A Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to
a maximum of Rs. 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones as a package. The

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 Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs/SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement
minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention @ 3%
on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs/SHGs. One of the members of the women SHGs will be
selected for 15 day training comprising of mandatory drone pilot training and additional training
for agriculture purpose for nutrient and pesticide application.
HM Amit Shah inaugurated Gujarat’s Largest Waste to Energy Plant in Ahmedabad
• Gujarat’s largest waste-to-energy plant that can process 1000 metric tonnes of waste daily and can
generate 15 Megawatt (MW) of electricity per hour has been set up at Piplaj in Ahmedabad. This
Rs.375 crore plant, set up by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) under the PPP mode with
Jindal Urban Waste Management Limited, was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The plant utilises RDF-based Martin Reverse Grate Firing Technology, incinerating municipal solid waste in
boilers to generate 65 TPH of steam. India has a total of 600 MW of waste-to-energy projects of which a
majority 354 MW are off-grid projects. Among the leading states having maximum installed capacity
of waste-to-energy projects are Uttar Pradesh (114 MW), Andhra Pradesh (83 MW), Telangana (60
MW) and Maharashtra (60 MW).
The Ministry of Home Affairs is a ministry of the Government of India. It is mainly responsible for the
maintenance of internal security and domestic policy. Amit Shah is an Indian politician who is currently
serving as the 31st Minister of Home Affairs since 2019 and the 1st Minister of Co-operation of India since
2021. He became the youngest full-time Home Minister in the country at the age of 54. He served as
the 10th President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from 2014 to 2020. He has also served as chairman of the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) since 2014. He was elected to the lower house of Parliament, Lok Sabha, in the
2019 Indian general elections from Gandhinagar. Earlier, he had been elected as a member of the upper house of
Parliament, Rajya Sabha, from Gujarat from 2017 to 2019. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as the country’s
first Home Minister during the country’s political unification and the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War.
Indian Army Contingent Departs For 15th Edition of India-US Joint Exercise
• The Indian Army contingent departed for the 15th edition of India-US joint Special Forces Exercise
VAJRA PRAHAR. The exercise is being conducted from November 2 to November 22 at the Orchard Combat
Training Centre in Idaho, US. The last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya.
• This will be the second exercise of the year between the Indian and the US Army. The previous
exercise, YUDH ABHYAS 2024, was conducted in Rajasthan in September 2024. The Defence Ministry
said contingents of both countries taking part in the joint exercise will comprise 45 personnel each.
• The Indian Army contingent will be represented by Special Forces units, and the US Army contingent
will be represented by Green Berets of the US. The aim of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is to promote
military cooperation between India and the US through enhancement of interoperability, jointness,
and mutual exchange of special operations tactics. It will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint
Special Forces operations in desert and semi-desert environments. The exercise will focus on a high degree of
physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or
America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district. It
is the world’s third-largest country by both land and total area. The national capital is Washington,
D.C., and the most populous city and financial center is New York City. Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is
the 46th and current President of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served
as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under Barack Obama and represented Delaware in the
United States Senate from 1973 to 2009. Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris defeated incumbent
president Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence in the 2020 presidential election. He is the
oldest president and the first to have a female vice president. The United States dollar is the official
currency of the United States and several other countries.
The first Asian Buddhist Summit held in New Delhi
• In November 2024, the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) was organised by India’s Ministry of Culture
and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in New Delhi, India. It’s a significant international
gathering aimed at fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and addressing contemporary challenges in
the Buddhist community across Asia. The theme of this summit is on ‘Role of Buddha Dhamma in
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• Key Themes of the Summit: Buddhist Art, Architecture, and Heritage: Highlights the rich cultural legacy
of Buddhist landmarks like Sanchi Stupa and Ajanta caves. Buddha Carika and Dissemination of Buddha
Dhamma: Focuses on Buddha’s travels (Buddha Carika) and his role in spreading teachings across India.
Role of Buddhist Relics and its Relevance in Society: Buddha relics inspire devotion and mindfulness,
support local economies through pilgrimage tourism, and promote peace and compassion. Role of Buddhist
Literature and Philosophy in the 21st Century: Demonstrates Buddhism’s enduring relevance in modern
philosophical discourse. Buddha Dhamma in Scientific Research and Well-being: Integrates Buddhist
principles with scientific research to enhance mental and physical health.
7th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) held in New Delhi
• The 7th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which was held in New Delhi from November
3 to 6, 2024, focused on accelerating solar energy deployment across its Member Countries, particularly
in regions with limited energy access.
• The ISA launched several key initiatives to advance global solar energy adoption. The SolarX
Startup Challenge, introduced at COP27, supported innovative solar businesses in ISA Member Countries.
The STAR-C Initiative strengthened solar technology skills in developing economies, while the Global Solar
Facility catalyzed investment in underserved regions, particularly Africa. The Viability Gap Funding
Scheme provided grants to solar projects in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States,
easing financial barriers. The Solar Data Portal offered real- time data to inform investment decisions,
and the International Solar Festival fostered global collaboration on solar solutions. Additionally, the
Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre explored synergies between solar energy and hydrogen, and the ISA
Knowledge Series and World Solar Reports promoted research, insights, and market trends, positioning
ISA as a leading advocate for solar energy worldwide.
• The seventh session of the ISA Assembly elected Mr. Ashish Khanna from India as its third Director
General. The other office candidates included Mr Wisdom Ahiataku —Togobo from Ghana and Mr
Gosaye Mengistie Abayneh from Ethiopia. The Director General of the International Solar Alliance
(ISA) played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mandate. This included supporting member
countries in addressing shared challenges and fostering coordinated efforts to accelerate the global deployment
of solar energy. The seventh session also elected its President and Co-President for 2024–2026. India was
the sole candidate for President, while France won the Co-Presidency over Grenada. The International
Solar Alliance is an international organisation with 120 Member and Signatory countries.
• It works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a
sustainable transition to a carbon-neutral future. ISA’s mission is to unlock US$1 trillion of investments
in solar by 2030 while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing. It promotes the use of
solar energy in the agriculture, health, transport, and power generation sectors. ISA Member Countries are
driving change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards,
and mobilising investments. ISA aims to transform lives, bring clean, reliable, and affordable energy
to community’s worldwide, fuel sustainable growth, and improve quality of life.
The genesis of ISA came from a shared vision between India and France to combat climate change
through the widespread adoption of solar energy technologies. The founding conference of ISA was held on
March 11, 2018, in India marked a significant step in mobilizing international efforts toward solar deployment. The
ISA aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the areas of affordable and clean
energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13). Initially focused on developing countries, the ISA’s Framework
Agreement was amended in 2020 to allow all United Nations member states to join, further broadening
its reach and reinforcing the global nature of the alliance. Today, the ISA represents 120 signatories,
including 102 fully ratified member countries, making it a vital global coalition in the renewable energy landscape1.
The Assembly meets annually at the ISA’s headquarters to assess the impact of programs and activities on solar
energy deployment, performance, reliability, cost, and financing scale. The International Solar Alliance (ISA)
aims to unlock US$1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 through its ’Towards 1000’ strategy, focusing
on reducing both technology and financing costs. This ambitious plan aims to provide energy access to
1 billion people and install 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity. Achieving these targets would significantly
mitigate global carbon emissions, reducing 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
India Successfully Launches Agni-4 Ballistic Missile in Odisha
• India recently conducted a successful test of the Agni-4 ballistic missile from the Integrated Test
Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The test was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC),

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 confirming the missile’s performance and technical abilities. Agni-4 is an Intermediate Range Ballistic
Missile (IRBM) and surface-to-surface missile developed by India. It is a key part of India’s strategy to
strengthen its defense capabilities. The missile is designed to enhance India’s ability to respond to threats with
precision and effectiveness. The range increased even further with Agni-4, which can hit as far as 4,000
kilometres. The 20-metre-long missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kg and can be fired from a road-
mobile launcher.
The Agni missile was developed as part of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program
(IGMDP) in 1983, which also produced the Prithvi, Nag, Akash, and Trishul missiles. Agni-1 to 5 missiles
are designed & developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Agni I: Range
of 700-800 km. Agni II: Range more than 2000 km. Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km. Agni IV: Range is
more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher. Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-
Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.
Rajasthan Approves 33% Women’s Reservation In Police Force
• The Government of Rajasthan, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made a significant decision on
September 4, 2024, to reserve 33% of jobs in the police force for women. This decision was part of the
BJP’s promise made during the 2023 election campaign to increase the number of women in important state jobs.
Rajasthan is a state in northern India. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest
by population. It is on India’s northwestern side, where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable Thar
Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert) and shares a border with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab
to the northwest and Sindh to the west, along the Sutlej-Indus River valley. Kalraj Mishra is serving as the
Governor of Rajasthan. Bhajan Lal Sharma is current chief minister of Rajasthan since December 2023.
Indian Navy Hosts Goa Maritime Symposium 2024
• The Indian Navy hosts the fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS-24) at the Naval War
College in Goa from September 23 to 24, 2024. The symposium is focused on strengthening cooperation and
security among countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The theme for GMS-24 is “Common Maritime
Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.” The symposium will focus on addressing threats such as
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, along with other illegal activities that threaten maritime
safety and security. The Goa Maritime Symposium began in 2016 as an annual event organized by the
Indian Navy.
Centre, Tripura sign peace pact with Tripura insurgent groups
• Recently, the Central Government, the state government of Tripura, and two major insurgent groups
namely the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)
signed a peace agreement to end violence in the state. This agreement will end a 35-year-long conflict in
the state, renouncing violence and committing to build a prosperous and developed Tripura.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that more than 300 armed cadres of two insurgent groups in Tripura
have given up violence to join the mainstream and will “contribute not only in building a developed Tripura
but also in building a developed India”. He said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)
was removed from Tripura in 2015 itself and it has also been withdrawn from many parts of the
Northeast. “Instead of deployment of armed forces, Modi government is committed to the development of the
entire Northeast by preservation and development of the culture, languages, identity of Northeast, especially
the tribal groups,” Mr. Shah said. A Memorandum of Settlement was signed between the Government
of India, Government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All
Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) in the presence of Mr. Shah.
• “Under the agreement signed with NLFT and ATTF, more than 328 armed cadres will give up violence
and join the mainstream of society and contribute not only in building a developed Tripura but
also in building a developed India. Government is making wholehearted efforts with due consideration to all
sensitivities in implementation of all the agreements to ensure development of the area and eliminate the
reasons responsible for people to take up arms,” Mr. Shah said. He added that the Centre has approved a
special package of Rs. 250 crore for the overall development of the tribal population of Tripura.
Third edition of the high-level virtual interaction MAHASAGAR
• The third edition of the high-level virtual interaction MAHASAGAR was conducted by the Indian
Navy. The interaction’s theme was ‘Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security
Challenges in IOR’, which highlights the present and necessary imperatives for Training Corporation towards

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 mitigation of common maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. MAHASAGAR which stands for vast
ocean in Hindi is the Indian Navy’s flagship outreach for high-level virtual interaction between
Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is India’s maritime policy that aims to enhance
cooperation and trust with its neighboring countries in the Indian Ocean region. The policy was
announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. The goals of SAGAR include: Maritime cooperation:
Increasing maritime cooperation and resolving maritime issues peacefully. International law: Ensuring that all
countries in the region adhere to international maritime rules and norms. Economic growth: Promoting sustainable
development and economic growth. Cultural ties: Strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between nations.
Madhya Pradesh Increases Women’s Reservation To 35% In All Government Jobs
• In Madhya Pradesh, women will now get 35 percent reservation instead of 33 percent in all
government jobs in the state. The increased reservation for women in Madhya Pradesh will apply to all
categories including SC, ST and OBC. As per the notification, 35 percent of the reserved posts for each
category will be given to women candidates of the same category. Actually, the then Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chauhan had announced to increase the reservation for women to 35 percent just before the
assembly elections last year, but due to the assembly elections, it could not get the approval of the cabinet.
Gujarat becomes India’s first state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy
• In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious vision for a Viksit Bharat@2047, the Gujarat
government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has launched the nation’s first ‘Gujarat
Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027’.
• Under CM Patel’s leadership, the foundation stone for Micron’s advanced semiconductor ATMP plant was
laid in Sanand, marking an investment of over Rs. 22,500 crore. In Dholera, known as ‘Semicon City’,
Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing
Corporation (PSMC) are collaborating to build India’s first AI-enabled semiconductor fabrication
plant, an investment exceeding Rs. 91,000 crore. Additionally, CG Power and Renesas have committed to
setting up a state-of-the-art Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand with a
project investment of over Rs. 7,500 crore.
7 Indian Institutions Make It to Top 100 of QS World University Rankings- Asia 2025
• Seven Indian institutions have secured a place in the Top 100 of the QS World University Rankings:
Asia 2025. India is home to two universities in the top 50 and seven in the top 100, with the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi leading at 44th place. The Ministry of Education said in a statement
that this edition highlights India’s impressive upward trajectory in higher education across the continent. IIT
Bombay is ranked 48th, while IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, the Indian Institute of Science, IIT Kanpur,
and the University of Delhi are the other Indian institutes in the Top 100, showcasing India’s robust
academic standing.
• Institutions such as IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Chandigarh
University, UPES, and Vellore Institute of Technology are in the Top 150. This ranking assesses 984
institutions across 25 countries in Eastern, Southern, South-Eastern, and Central Asia. India stands out with
the highest number of institutes in the latest rankings, showcasing a diverse array of both emerging and well-
established universities.
• The Indian education sector has made impressive strides, both globally and within Asia, as evidenced
by the QS World University Rankings 2025. India earlier saw the inclusion of 46 institutions in the 2025 edition
compared to just 11 in 2015 edition showcasing a 318 per cent increase in last 10 years among G20 nations.
PM-Vidyalaxmi for collateral-free loans to students
• The Union Cabinet, led by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme
to support meritorious students by providing financial assistance for quality higher education.
This scheme offers collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans for students admitted to the
top 860 institutions across India, benefiting over 22 lakh students each year. With a budget allocation of
Rs. 3,600 crore from 2024-25 to 2030-31, the scheme aims to assist an additional 7 lakh students.
Implemented through a fully digital, transparent, and student-centric platform, PM-Vidyalaxmi ensures easy
access and smooth interoperability for students nationwide. Students will be provided a 75% credit guarantee
by the central government for loans up to Rs. 7.5 lakh. Students, with an annual family income of up to Rs. 8
lakh, who are ineligible for benefits under any other government scholarship or interest subvention schemes,

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 will be provided 3% interest subvention for loan up to Rs.. 10 lakh during the moratorium period.
Accessibility for disabled persons is a human and a fundamental right: SC judgment
• The Supreme Court has confirmed that disabled persons’ right to access environments, services
and opportunities is an essential human and fundamental right which has hardly been realised on the
ground. Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, in a judgment quoted that disability was a tragedy only if
society failed to provide the differently abled with things essential to lead their lives.
• The Supreme Court said the society does not even bother to enquire into the ‘right to relationships’
of persons with disabilities. “The emotional and relational challenges faced by PWDs, particularly regarding
access to love, desire, and intimac. Emotional needs, such as privacy and self-pleasure, are often overlooked,
leaving disabled individuals, especially those living with families, without private spaces to express these needs.
• The court urged the government to create universal accessible public and private spaces, services, and
products as mandated in Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017. Rule 15 of the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 covers accessibility of physical environment, transport,
and information and communication technology.
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 aims to protect and promote the rights of persons
with disabilities (PwDs). It aims to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified in 2007. A person with a benchmark disability is
defined as someone with at least 40% of a specified disability. Initiatives Related to the Empowerment
of the Disabled: Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances, Accessible India
Campaign, and Unique Disability Identification Portal.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India
• President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to
Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjiv Khanna on November 11, 2024. The swearing-in ceremony of the
51st Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan saw Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, government Ministers, former Chief Justices of India, sitting and retired judges of the Supreme
Court and High Courts in attendance.
• After being sworn in, Chief Justice Khanna acknowledged the gathered audience before travelling the short
distance to the Supreme Court to preside at court one — as the Chief Justice’s court is called— to hear the 47
cases listed before him and his Bench companion, Justice Sanjay Kumar. Justice Khanna succeeds Justice
D.Y. Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024, and his term will last until May 13, 2025.
• Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019,
was a third-generation lawyer before being appointed as judge of the High Court. He is driven by
the zeal to reduce pendency and speed up justice delivery. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who has been part of
several landmark Supreme Court judgments such as the scrapping of the electoral bonds scheme and upholding
abrogation of Article 370.
The Supreme Court of India came into being on 28 January 1950. It replaced both the Federal Court
of India and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council which were then at the apex of the Indian
court system. The first Chief Justice of India was Sir H J Kania. Originally, the Constitution of India
envisaged a supreme court with a chief justice and seven judges; leaving it to parliament to increase
this number. At present, SC is consisting of the Chief Justice of India and 33 sanctioned other judges.
The motto of the Supreme Court is ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’, means “whence law (dharma), thence victory”.
It is also referred to – as the wheel of righteousness, encompassing truth, goodness and equity. Sanjiv
Khanna is an Indian jurist currently serving as the 51st Chief Justice of India. He is ex-officio Patron-in-
Chief of the National Legal Services Authority and the de facto Chancellor of the National Law School
of India University.
Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island has been designated as India’s 13th major port
• The mega International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay, located on Great
Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal, has been officially designated as the 13th major port in India.
Kamarajar Port located on the Coromandel Coast (Chennai) was named the country’s 12th major port. Great
Nicobar Island is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar
Islands consist of 836 islands, divided into two groups: the northern Andaman Islands and the southern
Nicobar Islands separated by the 10° Channel.

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 The Government of India has approved the project proposal for setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan,
Palghar District, Maharashtra, at an estimated total project cost, including the land acquisition
component, of Rs. 76,220 crore on 19.06.2024. The shareholding between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
and Maharashtra Maritime Board is 74% and 26%, respectively, for construction of the project involving development
of core infrastructure, terminals, and other commercial infrastructure through public-private partnership (PPP)
mode with various benefits such as creation of a total capacity of 298 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA);
EXIM trade flow facilitation through the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and the International North
South Transportation Corridor; accommodation of mainline mega vessels operating on international shipping
routes connecting the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and America. There are 13 Major Ports,
viz., Major Ports of Chennai, Cochin, Deendayal (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva), Syama
Prasad Mookerjee Port (Erstwhile Kolkata Port), Mormugao, Mumbai, New Mangalore, Paradip, V.
O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin),Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar Port Limited and Galathea Bay in Great
Nicobar Island of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, under the Government of India (Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways). Mundra Port is India’s first private port, largest container port and largest commercial
port, located on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat. Jawaharlal Nehru
Port, also known as JNPT and Nhava Sheva Port, is the second largest container port in India after Mundra Port.
Visakhapatnam Port is the largest harbor in Andhra Pradesh. The oldest port in India is the Port of
Kolkata, also known as the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. Krishnapatnam Port is known as the deepest port
in India and it’s made up of a draft of 18.5 meters.
Amaravati Drone Summit 2024
• The Amaravati Drone Summit 2024 is an initiative aimed at establishing Andhra Pradesh as a hub
for drone technology in India. Organized by the Andhra Pradesh Drone Corporation in collaboration with
the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Drone Federation of India, the summit took place on October 22 and 23
at the CK Convention in Mangalagiri with over 6,900 participants, including industry experts, researchers, and
students, the summit highlights the growing interest in drone technology.
• A drone show was held at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada, featuring more than 5,500 drones, which is
set to be the largest in India. This show will include live music, fireworks, and a laser display, which set a
milestone with five Guinness World Records. The summit aims to attract investments worth Rs. 2,000 crore and
generate Rs. 6,000 crore in revenue over the next five years. Ultimately, the Amaravati Drone Summit 2024
aims to foster innovation and collaboration in the rapidly evolving drone sector. It took place on the banks
of the River Krishna in Vijayawada.
The Drone Rules, 2021 replaced the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021. As per Drone Rules,
2021, any person who intends to obtain the authorisation to establish a Remote Pilot Training Organisation
(RPTO) shall submit an application to the Director General of Civil Aviation in Form D5 on the Digital Sky
Platform, along with the specified fees. The ministry had on August 25 notified the Drone Rules, 2021 that eased
the regulation of drone operations in India by reducing the number of forms that need to be filled to operate
them from 25 to five and decreasing the types of fees charged from the operator from 72 to four. New drone rules:
Digital sky platform shall be developed as a business-friendly single-window online system. No flight
permission required upto 400 feet in green zones and upto 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km
from the airport perimeter. No pilot licence required for micro drones (for non-commercial use), nano drones
and for R&D organisations. No restriction on drone operations by foreign-owned companies registered in
India. Coverage of drones under Drone Rules, 2021 increased from 300 kg to 500 kg. This will cover drone
taxis also. Maximum penalty under Drone Rules, 2021 reduced to INR 1 lakh. This shall, however, not apply
to penalties in respect of violation of other laws.
Indian Constitution’s Original Manuscript Replica Showcased at Sharjah International
Book Fair 2024
• The National Book Trust (NBT) of India has showcased a prestigious replica of the original
handwritten Indian Constitution manuscript at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).
The exhibit is part of India’s comprehensive literary showcase at the event, which runs from November 6 to 17.
The original handwritten Constitution of India was written by Prem Behari Narayan Raizada, a
calligrapher with exceptional skills. The Drafting Committee under Jawaharlal Nehru tasked Raizada with writing
the constitution. The manuscript was completed on November 26, 1949, and signed on January 26, 1950.
Artists from Shantiniketan, including Nand Lal Bose and Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, decorated the
original version. The original text of the Constitution contained 395 articles in 22 parts and eight
schedules. At present, Indian Constitution 448 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, and 106 amendments.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended G20 Summit in Brazil and 3 nation tour
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken a three-nation tour from November 16 to participate
in the G20 Summit in Brazil and to bolster bilateral ties with Nigeria and Guyana. PM Modi was first
travel to Nigeria during November 16-17 at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
• The Prime Minister has been on a three-nation visit that included a “productive” trip to Nigeria, where he
held bilateral talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and interacted with the Indian community.
The Prime Minister was also conferred with the country’s national award - the Grand Commander of the
Order of the Niger (GCON). It was the 17th international award conferred on Mr. Modi by a country.
• Mr. Modi’s visit to Nigeria was the first trip to the West African country by an Indian Prime Minister
in 17 years. From Nigeria, the Prime Minister travelled to Brazil to attend the G20 Summit. India is part
of the G20 troika along with Brazil, the current chair of G20, and South Africa, which will host
next year’s summit. In Brazil, he met global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, French President
Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
• Mr. Modi briefly interacted with U.S. President Biden on the summit’s sidelines in their first exchanges
following the U.S. presidential election. During an address at a session of the summit on November 18, 2024,
PM Modi said India’s G20 theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” was as relevant at the latest
summit as it was last year. “The countries of the Global South are most adversely impacted by the food, fuel
and fertiliser crisis caused by global conflicts and the G20 must focus on addressing it,” the Prime Minister said.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Guyana on November 20, 2024 on the last leg of his three-
nation visit after attending the G20 Summit in Brazil. “In an unprecedented gesture, the Prime Minister was
received at the airport by President Irfan Ali and over a dozen cabinet Ministers,” officials said. Mr. Modi’s
arrival marks the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in more than 50 years. Mr. Modi
will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the second India-CARICOM Summit.
Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It is the most populous country in Africa. Abuja is the capital and
eighth most populous city of Nigeria. The naira is the currency of Nigeria. Guyana is a country on the northern
coast of South America, part of the historic mainland British West Indies. Georgetown is the capital of Guyana.
The Guyanese dollar is the currency of it.
3rd India-Australia Joint Military Exercise ‘AUSTRAHIND’ Begins In Maharashtra
• The third edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND, commenced at the
Foreign Training Node in Pune. Running until November 21, the exercise marks an ongoing collaborative
effort to strengthen defense ties and interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces.
• AUSTRAHIND, which launched in 2022 in Rajasthan, has grown into an annual event, alternating
between India and Australia. This year’s edition focuses on enhancing joint capabilities in sub-conventional
operations within semi-urban and semi-desert environments, in accordance with Chapter VII of the UN
mandate. The Indian contingent comprises 140 personnel, primarily from the DOGRA Regiment and
the Indian Air Force, while the Australian side is represented by 120 soldiers from the 13th Light Horse
Regiment of the 10th Brigade.
Indian Navy to conduct 4th Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea-Vigil-24’
• The Indian Navy is set to conduct the fourth edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise
‘Sea Vigil-24’ on 20 & 21 Nov 24. The fourth edition of Ex Sea Vigil will span an unprecedented scale, both
in terms of geographical reach and the magnitude of participation, with involvement of 06 Ministries and 21
Organisations/ agencies. The Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase of the exercise
is being conducted by Naval Officer-in-Charges of all coastal states and UTs (incl Lakshadweep &
A&N Island) since end Oct 24, where in thorough audit of complete coastal defence and security infrastructure
is being carried out. This year, National Security Council Secretariat officials will also be part of
Indian Navy led CDSRE teams for the first time, along with personnel from State Marine Police, Coast
Guard, Customs, Fisheries, etc. The exercise will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets
like ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points and critical coastal infrastructure
including the coastal population. This year participation by other Services (Indian Army and Air Force)
and planned deployment of large number of ships and aircraft have enhanced the tempo of the exercise.
Jaishankar, Odisha CM launch website for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
• The website for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention was jointly launched by Odisha Chief
Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar, who said the government,

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 accords the highest priority to the well-being of the Indian diaspora of more than 35 million. The
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is a flagship event of the government that provides a key platform for
engaging with the Indian diaspora around the world. The convention will be held on January 8-10
next year at Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the state government of Odisha.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day) is a celebratory day observed (starting in 2003)
on 9 January by the Republic of India to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community
towards the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South
Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
Established in 2000, it is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and
the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian
Industries and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. This day came into effect in 2003, but
in 2015 it was revised and was decided to be celebrated every two years.
Indian Army Conducts High-Intensity Tri-Services Exercise ‘Poorvi Prahar’ in Arunachal
Pradesh
• The Indian Army is conducting a high-intensity tri-services exercise Poorvi Prahar in the forward
areas of Arunachal Pradesh. This joint exercise aims to hone the combat effectiveness of the Indian Army,
Navy, and Air Force in executing Integrated Joint Operations in the challenging mountainous terrain of the
region.
• According to the Indian Army, the exercise brings together a wide spectrum of cutting-edge military platforms
and systems, showcasing the country’s advancements in modern warfare technology. All three services
utilise advanced fighter aircraft, reconnaissance platforms, helicopters such as the Chinook and
Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), along with M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers during the exercise.
43rd IITF Begins At Bharat Mandapam, Inaugurated By Union Minister Piyush Goyal
• The 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) has begun at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Union
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 14-day event. The theme of this year’s
fair is Viksit Bharat @ 2047. The focus state this year is Jharkhand, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the
partner states. This year, 11 countries including China, Egypt, Iran, South Korea,Thailand, Turkey, and UAE
are participating in this international fair. The first five days of the fair till 18th November, will be open for
business trade. Thereafter, it will be open to the general public till the 27th of November.
PM Narendra Modi launched commemorative stamp, coin to mark 150th birth anniversary
of Birsa Munda
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the 150th birth
anniversary of tribal icon and freedom fighter Birsa Munda at an event scheduled in Bihar’s Jamui
district. The Centre had in 2021 decided to celebrate November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda,
as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, making the celebrations the fourth year of the festivities. The event on
the day also marked the beginning of year-long celebrations of the 150th anniversary. The stamp, designed
by Shri Sankha Samanta, features a powerful portrayal of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, set against a backdrop
depicting him addressing his followers.
• Born on 15th November 1875 in Ulihatu, Bihar (present-day Jharkhand), Birsa Munda led the
historic Ulgulan (Great Rebellion) from 1899 to 1900, rallying thousands in the fight to reclaim
tribal lands and resist colonial oppression. His advocacy for “Munda Raj” symbolized his dream of a just
and self-governed society free from exploitation. Though he tragically passed at just 25, his message of courage
and resilience continues to inspire communities throughout India.
Kerala Launches India’s First Supercapacitor Manufacturing Facility
• Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, recently inaugurated India’s first supercapacitor
manufacturing facility at Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) in Kallyassery, Kannur.
This marks an important milestone for both Keltron and India’s electronics industry. Keltron, founded in 1974,
is known as one of the first government-owned companies in the electronics and IT sectors in India. It set a high
standard for other government-run companies in the country. With this new supercapacitor facility, Keltron
continues to show leadership in the industry.
South Asia’s Largest Maritime Thought Leadership Forum - Sagarmanthan held in Delhi
• Sagarmanthan, South Asia’s largest maritime thought leadership forum held in Delhi. Organised
by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, in association with

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 the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the maiden edition of ‘Sagarmanthan - The Great Oceans
Dialogue’ aims to foster knowledge on maritime sector and provide a premier global platform for
global leaders, policy makers, business moguls, thought leaders and visionaries to share, learn and shape
actionable insights towards effective decisions for a future ready, sustainable and efficient marine sector.
Sagarmala is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing lndia’s 7,516.6 km long coastline,
and 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways. Under the Sagarmala Scheme, the Ministry provides
financial assistance to State/UT Governments for Port infrastructure projects, Coastal berth projects,
Road & Rail projects, fish harbours, skill development projects, Coastal community development, cruise terminal
and projects such as Ro-Pax ferry services etc. Under the Sagarmala Scheme, National Technology Centre
for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCWPC) has been established in IIT Chennai at a cost of Rs. 77 Crore.
The institute acts as a technological arm of the Ministry and develops cutting-edge technologies and
application products to effectively resolve various issues and challenges faced by Ports & Shipping
Sector. Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella programme launched under the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways. The first-phase of Bharatmala was announced in 2017 and was to be completed by
2022, but it could not be completed due to slow implementation and financial constraints. Bharatmala, Sagarmala,
dry/land ports, and other infrastructure projects have been incorporated under PM Gati-Shakti Plan
to enhance connectivity and logistics efficiency. While Bharatmala project aims to improve road
connectivity, enhancing freight and passenger movement, Sagarmala project focuses on modernising
ports and promoting coastal shipping to boost trade and maritime activities.
Ghoramara Island in the Sunderbans has become the country’s first solar island
• Ghoramara Island in the Sunderbans has become the country’s first solar island with a 170 KWH
solar and wind power plant, India’s largest that has started functioning at full capacity. About
650 families on the island will now get electricity, drinking water, high solar lighting, electric three-wheeler
charging stations, a 24-hour electric boat service, and street lights. Funded by the ministry of science and
technology, the plant was set up by experts from IIT Kharagpur and CMERI Durgapur, under the
guidance of solar power expert Santi Pada Gon Chaudhuri, the chairman of the committee set up for the project.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Thottiyar Hydroelectric scheme in
Idukki, Kerala
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Thottiyar Hydroelectric scheme in Idukki, Kerala
on October 28, 2024. The 40 megawatt (MW) project is located on the Thottiyar River, a tributary of the Periyar
River. The project is expected to generate 99 million units of power annually. The project uses water from the
Deviyar River, which connects to the Periyar. Inaugurating the 40 megawatts (MW) Thottiyar scheme at Lower
Periyar in Idukki on Monday, Mr Vijayan said that the government hopes to make the State a fully
renewable energy-based State by 2040.
Kerala is a state on the southwestern, Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956
following the States Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalam-speaking regions. Kerala has the highest
literacy rate 93.91% in the 2011 census; the highest life expectancy, 77 years; and the highest sex ratio,
1,084 women per 1,000 men. Arif Mohammad Khan is the current Governor of Kerala. Kerala is known
as “God’s own country” and is one of the popular tourist destinations in India. Pinarayi Vijayan is the
current Chief Minister of Kerala, in office since 25 May 2016. As per the census 2011, Haryana has the lowest
child sex ratio i.e.834 per thousand males. Kerala is the largest producer of the rubber in the India.
MHA Declares Hizb-ut-Tahrir Terrorist Organization in India
• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently declared Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) a terrorist
organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This decision is a major step
in India’s efforts to combat radicalism and terrorism. The MHA explained that Hizb-ut-Tahrir is involved in
terrorist activities, including radicalizing young people to join extremist groups and raising money for terrorism.
The group is considered a serious threat to India’s national security and its sovereignty as a nation.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was passed in 1967. It aims at effective prevention of
unlawful activities associations in India. Unlawful activity refers to any action taken by an individual
or association intended to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. The Act assigns
absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it
may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so. It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest

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 punishments. Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. It will be applicable to
the offenders in the same manner, even if crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India. Under
the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the
duration can be extended further after intimating the court. The 2004 amendment, added “terrorist act” to the
list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist activities. Till 2004, “unlawful” activities referred to
actions related to secession and cession of territory. In August 2019, Parliament cleared the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds
provided in the Act. The Act empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to
grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency. The
Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism
in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state.
SAMARTHAK- The First Ship of Multi-Purpose Vessel
• India’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project ship, built by L&T Shipyard for the Indian Navy, has
been launched at L&T Kattupalli. This is a significant achievement for Indian shipbuilding, with Admiral
Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of Naval Staff, leading the ceremony. Mrs. Shashi Tripathi, President of the
Naval Wives Welfare Association, launched the vessel, named ‘Samarthak’, which means ‘Supporter’
in Hindi. The project to build two MPVs was started on 25 March 2022, when a contract was signed between
India’s Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard. These vessels are designed to handle many different tasks for
the Navy, showing the comprehensive role modern naval ships are expected to play.
• It aligns with the Indian government’s efforts toward ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India)
and the ‘Make in India’ campaign, which aims to boost domestic production in various sectors,
including defense. This launch shows India’s growing ability to build advanced ships on its own, strengthening
the country’s maritime capabilities. Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs) are special types of ships that can carry
many different types of cargo, such as containers, large machinery, or heavy loads. They are used for both
commercial and offshore operations, such as helping in oil and gas exploration.
PM-YASASVI Scheme
• The PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) was launched
by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This scheme aims to uplift students from Other
Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNT). It
provides access to quality education, addresses financial barriers, and supports academic growth. PM-YASASVI
consolidates previous scholarship initiatives. It includes the Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship for EBCs
and the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs. These initiatives were merged into PM-YASASVI in
2021-22 to streamline support for disadvantaged students.
Swavlamban Shakti Exercise
• The Indian Army concluded the Swavlamban Shakti exercise. This integrated training event took place
at Babina Field Firing Ranges. The exercise lasted six days, starting on October 17. It involved over 1,800
personnel and a variety of military assets, including armoured vehicles and aviation support. Swavlamban
Shakti aimed to test new technologies developed by the Indian defence industry. The White Tiger
Division conducted the exercise under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. This corps is a strike unit based in Bhopal.
Australia, Japan & US Reaffirm Commitment to Support India’s Maritime Surveillance
Efforts in Indo-Pacific Region
• Australia, Japan, and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to support India’s maritime
surveillance efforts in the Indo-Pacific region while recognising the importance of closer collaboration in
the field. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, they showed their commitment to enhance Australia-
Japan-India-United States maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific from 2025.
• They also acknowledged India’s leadership role in conceptualizing the idea of closer collaboration in maritime
surveillance. India’s maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific region focuses on bolstering its naval and
maritime security while developing a comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework.
• The trilateral leaders also expressed satisfaction over recent joint initiatives as they welcomed the success of
their maritime patrol aircraft collaboration activity with India on the sidelines of Exercise KAKADU
in September this year. Earlier in September, the Wilmington Declaration, released following the Quad leaders’
meeting, highlighted India’s leadership in finalising the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (IOIP). The Quad expressed its support for the implementation of this framework.

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• The Quad, comprising the US, Japan, India, and Australia, has committed to implementing the
‘Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific’ (MAITRI) to enhance monitoring, law
enforcement, and deterrence of unlawful activities in the region.
The Indo-Pacific is a vast biogeographic region of Earth. In a narrow sense, sometimes known as the Indo-West
Pacific or Indo-Pacific Asia, it comprises the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the western and central
Pacific Ocean, and the seas connecting the two. It does not include the temperate and polar regions of the
Indian and Pacific oceans, nor the Tropical Eastern Pacific, along the Pacific coast of the Americas, which is also a
distinct marine realm. The term is especially useful in marine biology, ichthyology, and similar fields, since many
marine habitats are continuously connected from Madagascar to Japan and Oceania, and a number of species occur
over that range, but are not found in the Atlantic Ocean. The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world’s five
oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water area of Earth’s surface. The Pacific Ocean
is the largest and deepest of Earth’s five oceanic divisions. This is the largest division of the World Ocean
and the hydrosphere covers about 46% of Earth’s water surface and about 32% of the planet’s total surface area.
2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries. It is a format of
dialogue where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another
country. India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States,
announced on 15 September 2021 for the Indo-Pacific region. Under the pact, the US and the UK will
help Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. The pact also includes cooperation on “cyber
capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and additional undersea capabilities”.
Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi attended G20 Summit in Brazil
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brazil on the second leg of his three-nation visit, during
which he attended the G20 Summit 2024. Mr. Modi arrived in the South American country after wrapping up
a “productive” visit to Nigeria, where he held bilateral talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and interacted
with the Indian community. In Brazil, he attended the 19th G20 Summit as a member of the Troika.
India is part of the G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the priorities of the Global South at the G20 summit
in Brazil. Addressing at the G20 session on “social inclusion and the fight against hunger and
poverty,” Modi stated that countries of the Global south are most adversely impacted by the food, fuel and
fertilizer crisis caused by global conflicts. “We support Brazil’s initiative for a global alliance against hunger and
poverty,” he said, calling it an “important step” towards the implementation of the Deccan high level
principles for food security, adopted at the New Delhi Summit of G20 held last year. “Our discussions
can only be successful,” Modi said, “when we keep in mind the challenges and priorities” of the Global South.
He added, “we amplified the voice of the Global South” by granting permanent membership of G20
to the African Union during the New Delhi Summit. During his address, the Indian Prime Minister noted
that India had pulled 250 million people out of poverty in the last ten years and was distributing free food
grains to 800 million people in the country.
The 2023 G20 New Delhi summit was the eighteenth meeting of the G20 (Group of Twenty), a Head of
State and Government meeting held at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi on 9–10 September 2023. It was the first
G20 summit held in India. The African Union joined the G20 as a permanent member, the first since the
G20’s formation in 1999. A new organization called the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) was launched, to
promote the development and adoption of sustainable biofuels, and set relevant standards and certification.
A group of countries made a joint agreement to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East
and Europe called the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The group comprises India, Saudi Arabia,
the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel and the European Union. Under the Indian Presidency, the
G20 in 2023 will focus on the theme, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. The theme affirms the value of
human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on planet Earth and in the wider universe.
India’s First 24x7 Online Court to Open in Kerala’s Kollam
• India’s first round-the-clock (24/7) online court, conceptualised with the aim of helping reduce the
mammoth backlog of cases, has started functioning at Kollam in Kerala. On November 21, judicial first
class magistrate Soorya S. Sukumaran, who is in charge of the court, presided over the first proceedings.
The High Courts of India are the highest courts of appellate jurisdiction in each state and union
territory of India. The work of most high courts primarily consists of appeals from lower courts and writ

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 petitions in terms of Articles 226 and 227 of the constitution. Writ jurisdiction is also an original jurisdiction
of a high court. The First High Court in India is the Calcutta High Court. It was established on 01 July
1862, following the enactment of the Indian High Courts Act of 1861. The High Court of Calcutta was followed by
the High Courts of Bombay and Madras in 1862 and 1864, respectively. There are 25 high courts in India. The
Andhra Pradesh High Court is the 25th High Court in India. It is established on 1st January 2019, under the
Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014. Earlier, this court was established on 05 December 1956, under the State
Recognization Act 1956 which led to the formation of the Andhra Pradesh state by merging the Telugu-speaking
areas of the erstwhile state of Madras with the state of Hyderabad. However, due to the bifurcation of the state
into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, a separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh was established in
2019. There are 6 common high courts in India viz., Bombay high court, Madras high court, Kerala high court,
Punjab and Haryana high court, Kolkata high court, and Guwahati high court.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches India’s first Indigenous Antibiotic Drug
Named Nafithromycin for Resistant Infections
• Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched the first indigenous
antibiotic drug named ‘Nafithromycin’ for resistant infections. Mr Singh said that the three-day
treatment regimen of Nafithromycin is a game-changer against drug-resistant pneumonia, a condition
responsible for over two million deaths worldwide annually.
• The minister added that after 2014, researchers received the right kind of support to explore their potential.
Dr. Singh stated that Prime Minister’s personal intervention has made the task far easier now. The Made in
India Antibiotic Nafithromycin has been developed with the support of Biotechnology Industry
Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology and has been
brought to market under the trade name Miqnaf. It is the country’s first indigenously developed
antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance-AMR.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond
to antimicrobial medicines. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines
become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease
spread, severe illness, disability and death. AMR is one of the top global public health and development threats.
It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed
to 4.95 million deaths. Economic Cost of AMR: The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in USD 1 trillion
additional healthcare costs by 2050. It can lead to USD 1 trillion to USD 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP)
losses per year by 2030.
General Dwivedi Conferred Honorary General Rank by Nepali Army
• On November 21, 2024, the President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel, conferred the honorary rank of
General of the Nepali Army on General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian
Army. This exchange of honorary ranks is a long-standing tradition between the two armies that symbolizes
the deep-rooted ties between the two countries. The tradition began in the 1950s, and the Chief of the
Indian Army and the Chief of the Nepali Army are each made an Honorary General of the other
army every three years.
• The ceremony was attended by many high-ranking officials from both countries, including the Prime Minister,
Vice President, and Defence Minister of Nepal. The Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava,
also attended. The exchange of honorary ranks is a reflection of the shared values and commitment
to regional security of both armies. It also highlights the resilience of the military relationship between the
two countries, even when there are political disagreements. Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army General
Upendra Dwivedi is in Kathmandu on a five-day official visit at the invitation of Chief of Army Staff,
Nepali Army General Ashok Raj Sigdel. General Dwivedi led a five-member delegation including
his spouse Sunita Dwivedi, the Chairperson of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) of the
Indian Army.
The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces.
The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star general. Two officers have been conferred with the rank of
field marshal, a five-star rank, which is a ceremonial position of great honour. Sam Manekshaw was the
first field marshal of India, and was conferred the rank on 1 January 1973. The second was Kodandera
M. Cariappa, who was conferred the rank on 15 January 1986. The Indian Army was formed in 1895

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 alongside the long established presidency armies of the East India Company, which too were absorbed
into it in 1903. General Upendra Dwivedi is a serving four star general officer of the Indian Army. He is
the current and 30th Chief of the Army Staff. He took over as the 30th COAS succeeding General Manoj Pande
on 30 June 2024.

9th Amur Falcon Festival Celebrated With Great Fervour in Manipur

• The 9th Amur Falcon Festival was celebrated with great fervour at the Lower Ground of Tamenglong
district in Manipur. The event was organized by the District Administration of Tamenglong, the State Forest
Department, and the Rainforest Club of Tamenglong. The Amur Falcon Festival is celebrated annually
in Tamenglong district of Manipur to raise awareness of the migratory bird Amur falcon, which
roosts in Tamenglong district during October-November every year when it flies to the southern
and eastern parts of Africa.

Department of Posts Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp on the 125th Birth

Anniversary of Harekrushna Mahtab
• The Department of Posts proudly released a commemorative postage stamp to honour the 125th Birth
Anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, fondly known as Utkal Keshari. His contributions as
the first Chief Minister of Odisha (1946–1950, 1956–1960) were transformative, focusing on uniting
Odia-speaking princely states, relocating the state capital to Bhubaneswar, and spearheading
development projects like the Hirakud Dam and Rourkela Steel Plant.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Flags Off NTPC’s Green Hydrogen Busses In Ladakh
• Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal flagged-off the fleet of green hydrogen
buses of National Thermal Power Corporation in Ladakh. Ladakh has become the first place in
the country, plying hydrogen buses for public transport. Green hydrogen buses are part of the Green
Hydrogen Mobility Project in Ladakh and the Project comprises 1.7 MW solar Plant, Green Hydrogen filling
Station of capacity of 80 per day and 5 hydrogen intra city buses.

SC upholds ‘secular, socialist’ in Preamble of the Constitution

• The Supreme Courtin an order upheld the inclusion of ‘socialist, secular’ with retrospective effect in
the Preamble of the Constitution. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna held the power
to amend the Constitution under Article 368 extended to the Preamble of the Constitution. The Preamble was
not alien to the Constitution, but a part and parcel of it.
• “The power under Article 368 cannot be curtailed. It will equally apply to the Preamble,” Chief
Justice Khanna read excerpts of the court order. The court confirmed the retrospective amendment to
the Preamble. The 42nd Constitution Amendment had included the words in the Preamble in 1976
with retrospective effect from November 26, 1949 when “the people of India gave the Constitution to
themselves”.
• The court said the word ‘socialism’ referred to the ‘welfare state’ which afforded equal opportunity
to all. The inclusion of ‘socialism’ did not prevent the government of the day to follow any economic
theory for the benefit of the nation’s growth. Chief Justice had reasoned that the concept of socialism in
India did not negate the participation of private players or negate individualism.
• The order was based on a batch of petitions filed in 2020 challenging the validity of the inclusion
of ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitution Amendment in 1976. The
petitioners, who included Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, argued that the
insertions made with retrospective effect, that is, from the date of adoption of the Constitution by
the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 amounted to a fraud on the Constitution. Besides,
they argued, the word ‘secular’ was deliberately eschewed by the Constituent Assembly and the word ‘socialist’
fettered the economic policy choice of the elected government, which represents the will of the people.

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 Preamble of the Indian Constitution
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST
SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT,
ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
The Preamble was amended only once by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, which added
the words “socialist,” “secular,” and “integrity”.
Hemant Soren takes oath as Jharkhand CM for fourth term on November 28
• In a grand event, Hemant Soren on November 28, 2024 was sworn in as 14th Chief Minister of Jharkhand
at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and
secrecy to Mr. Soren. He took oath as Chief Minister for the fourth term and with this, Mr. Soren is the
only leader to win the term for the second time in succession. He took charge as Chief Minister for
the first time 2013 with the help of Congress, RJD and others.
Jharkhand (meaning ‘the land of forests’) is a state in eastern India. The state shares its border with the
states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south and
West Bengal to the east. The city of Ranchi is its capital and Dumka its sub-capital. Hemant Soren is the
current Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Santosh Kumar Gangwar is serving as the current Governor of
Jharkhand. The state was formed on 15 November 2000, from the territory that had previously been part of
Bihar. Babulal Marandi was the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Shibu Soren is the father of Hemant
Soren served as 3rd Chief Minister of Jharkhand, first in 2005 for 10 days (2 March to 12 March), then from
2008 to 2009 and again from 2009 to 2010.
Karnataka Celebrates Bali Padyami Festival
• Karnataka celebrates Bali Padyami festival on the fourth day of Deepavali. It is believed that the
Asura king Bali Chakravarty comes out of Pathala loka and visits Bhuloka as per the boon given by
Lord Vishnu during Vamana Avatar. After worshipping Ganga matha on the first day, Naraka Chaturdashi
on the second and Lakshmi Pooja on the third day of Deepavali, the festival of Bali Padyami derives significance.
The temples are adorned with colourful rangoli and thousands of lamps are lit around them at night. Special
Abhisheka of the diety is performed with milk and other auspicious ingredients. The houses are adorned with
pillaries or a triangular-shaped image of King Bali, made from clay or cow dung and decorated with flowers.
The day is symbolic of prosperity and welfare representing the then flourishing kingdom of Bali
Chakravarty.
Karnataka is a state in the south western region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the
passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as the State of Mysore, it was renamed Karnataka
in 1973. The capital and largest city is Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah is serving as the current Chief Minister
of Karnataka. Thaawarchand Gehlot is currently serving as the Governor of Karnataka. Coffee production
in India is dominated in the hill tracts of South Indian states, with Karnataka accounting for 71%,
followed by Kerala with 21% and Tamil Nadu (5% of overall production with 8,200 tonnes).
Bengaluru’s annual peanut fair ‘Kadlekai Parishe’ celebrated
• Bengaluru’s annual peanut fair, Kadlekai Parishe, celebrated since the 16th century, formally opened
on 26 November 2024. Thousands of people flocked to Basavanagudi to witness the grand festival that is
held every year to mark the first groundnut harvest. Kadalekayi Parishe, also known as the Groundnut
Festival, is a yearly fair held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The festival is held on the last Monday
of Karthika Masa, which is usually in November or December. The festival is deeply rooted in the history
and culture of the region. Vendors usually arrive earlier to get the good spots and remain till their stock is gone,
so the festival can go on for almost a week. Organizers often ask the vendors to use only cloth bags or paper bags
for packing items and groundnuts to promote a plastic-free environment.

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‘One Nation One Subscription’: Govt’s Rs. 6,000 Cr plan to give varsities access to 13,000
research journals on one platform
• The Union Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) scheme, under which all
centrally-run and state-run higher education institutions will have access to reputed journals
published by international publishers on a single platform. Access will be provided through a national
subscription, coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous
inter-university center under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Currently, there are ten separate library consortia under different ministries that provide access
to journals for higher education institutions within their administrative remit. In addition, individual
institutions subscribe to journals separately. However, with ONOS, all government higher education institutions,
including universities, colleges, and institutions of national importance, will have unified access to national and
international journal publications covering all academic disciplines on one platform.
• The scheme involves an outlay of Rs. 6,000 crore for three years, until 2027, and will provide
subscriptions to around 13,000 journals published by 30 international publishers. Apart from higher
education institutions run by the Centre and states, research and development institutions under the Centre
will also be included, covering around 6,300 institutions. All 13,000 journals will be accessible to these
institutions under the scheme.
• INFLIBNET will make central payments to the 30 publishers, while institutions can continue to use
their own budgets to subscribe to publishers not covered under the scheme. The scheme is expected
to provide broader access to research journals for institutions that previously lacked sufficient resources. The
platform is set to become operational on January 1, 2025.
Centre launched National Campaign ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ in New Delhi
• Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi launched a national campaign,
Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, in New Delhi. The primary agenda of the program is to make India a child
marriage-free nation. During the event, the Minister also unveiled the Child Marriage-Free Bharat
portal.
• The online platform has been developed to support the campaign’s mission of raising awareness,
preventing child marriage, and effectively reporting incidents of child marriage. The Union Minister
will also lead a collective pledge against child marriage, which is expected to reach up to twenty-five crore
citizens during the campaign.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December
2021 to increase the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. This would bring the
minimum age of marriage for men and women into parity. However, the bill lapsed when the 17th Lok
Sabha dissolved. The bill is expected to be revived and reintroduced by the new government after the
elections. The bill was based on recommendations from a four-member task force led by former Samata
Party chief Jaya Jaitly. According to the statement of objects and reasons (SOR) of the Bill, increasing the age
of marriage will help in achieving various goals including improvement of maternal and infant mortality
rates (IMR and MMR), nutrition levels, sex ratio at birth (SRB), female labour force participation, and
gender equality, and will lead to empowerment of women.
Indian Army Launches ‘Eklavya’ Online Digital Platform for Officers Training
• Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General, Upendra Dwivedi launched Eklavya, an online digital
platform for officers training. This initiative launched in New Delhi aligns with the Indian Army propelling
itself into the “Decade of Transformation and also with the Indian Army’s theme for 2024 as the Year of
Technology Absorption.
India’s first glass-enclosed Aviary opens at Alipore Zoo, Kolkata
• The historic Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata has introduced an exciting new feature: India’s
first Glass-enclosed Open-air Walk-In Aviary. This modern marvel offers visitors a chance to walk inside
a spacious glass enclosure where 200 birds from 14 species fly freely in a natural, open-air environment. From
colorful peafowls and cockatiels to nesting lovebirds, the aviary showcases a vibrant array of avian life.
India-Singapore Bilateral Exercise AgniWarrior 2024 concluded
• The 13th edition of the India-Singapore joint military exercise, Agni Warrior 2024, concluded on 30th
November 2024 in Maharashtra, focusing on joint firepower planning, execution, and advanced artillery
coordination between the two nations. The 13th edition of Exercise Agni Warrior (XAW-2024) between

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 the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces concluded on 30th November 2024 at the Field Firing
Ranges in Devlali, Maharashtra. The exercise spanned three days (28–30 November 2024) and involved 182
personnel from the Singapore Artillery and 114 from the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery.
India joins U.S.’s Red Flag air and RIMPAC naval exercises
• Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy are taking part in two mega multinational war games
hosted by their U.S. counterparts. The IAF has deployed Rafale fighter jets for the two-week multinational
air exercise Red Flag which commenced in Alaska.
• On the other hand, the Indian Navy is deploying the indigenous stealth frigate INS Shivalik for Ex
RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) scheduled to be held in Hawaii from June 25 to August 2. “Onwards and
Upwards. An IAF contingent arrived at the Eielson AF Base of US airforce, at Alaska, US, to participate in the
upcoming edition of the multi-national exercise Red Flag 24.
• Ably supported by its IL-78 air-to-air refuellers and the C-17 transport aircraft, the IAF Rafale
fighters took a transatlantic flight with staging halts at Greece and Portugal”. Aimed to integrate
aircrew in a multinational environment, Ex Red Flag is a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise.
The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.
RIMPAC is held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years from Honolulu, Hawaii, with
the exception of 2020 where it was held in August. It is hosted and administered by the United States
Navy’s Indo-Pacific Command, headquartered at Pearl Harbor, in conjunction with the Marine Corps, the
Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the control of the Governor of Hawaii. The first RIMPAC,
held in 1971, involved forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United
States (US). Australia, Canada, and the US have participated in every RIMPAC since then.

B. International
SCO chair Kazakhstan to host unique World Nomadic Games celebrating Central Asian spirit
• Kazakhstan, which hosted the SCO Summit, will be hosting a series of international meets this year
including ‘World Nomadic Games’ to celebrate local and unique traditions. “Under the leadership of
President Tokayev, the country will continue a constructive and balanced foreign policy, taking into account
the national interests of the country. In 2024, our country will host a number of representative summits and
forums. Kazakhstan will chair several authoritative international organizations at once, including the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Kazakhstan is a country in Central Asia; it has borders with Russia in the north, China in the east, and
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south. The capital is Nur-Sultan, formerly known as
Astana. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest in the world. Kassym-
Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev has been serving as the President of Kazakhstan since 20 March 2019. The
tenge is the currency of Kazakhstan.
Belarus officially joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
• Belarus has become the 10th member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The
announcement was made by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the SCO summit in Astana,
marking a milestone for the organization that seeks to bolster regional security and cooperation. Tokayev,
addressing the heads of state at the summit, expressed his congratulations to Belarusian President
Alexander Lukashenko and emphasized that Belarus had swiftly met all necessary requirements for full
membership.
SCO Summit 2024 concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan
• Recently the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was concluded in Astana,
Kazakhstan and brought together leaders from across the region. India played a prominent role,
with the External Affairs Minister delivering the Prime Minister’s message that highlighted combating
terrorism and addressing climate change as key priorities.
• India’s External Affairs Minister met the Chinese Foreign Minister on the margins of the SCO Summit in
Astana, Kazakhstan. Both ministers emphasised the need for “complete disengagement” of troops
and restoring peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two ministers agreed to expedite efforts
through diplomatic and military channels to resolve remaining issues in Eastern Ladakh.

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 The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), also known as the Shanghai Pact, is a transcontinental
political, economic, security, and military alliance. It is a permanent intergovernmental international
organization. The creation of SCO was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China). The Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation Charter was signed during the St. Petersburg SCO Heads of State meeting
in June 2002, and entered into force on 19 September 2003. In terms of geographic scope and population, it
is the world’s largest regional organization, covering approximately 60% of the area of Eurasia, 40% of the world
population, and more than 30% of global GDP. The SCO is the successor to the Shanghai Five, a mutual
security agreement formed in 1996 between China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
Its membership has since expanded to eight states, with India and Pakistan joining on 9 June 2017.
Iran started accession as a full member in September 2021 at the Dushanbe Summit in Tajikistan. Iran
has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation. Several countries are engaged as observers
or partners. The SCO is governed by the Heads of State Council (HSC), its supreme decision-making
body, which meets once a year. Military exercises are also regularly conducted among members to promote
cooperation and coordination against terrorism and other external threats, and to maintain regional
peace and stability.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, President Xi Jinping agree to upgrade CPEC
• Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping in their meeting have
affirmed consensus on the upgradation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and
advancing high-quality development of the multi-billion dollar project in the second phase.
• The two leaders held an in-depth discussion at the historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the
official visit of Sharif. The two leaders were accompanied by the Ministers and senior officials. This was the
first meeting of Sharif with President Xi since assuming office in 2024.
Pakistan is a country in South Asia. It is the world’s fifth-most populous country, with a population
of almost 227 million, and has the world’s second-largest Muslim population after Indonesia. It has a
1,046-kilometre (650-mile) coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south, and is bordered
by India to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the southwest, and China to the northeast. It is
separated narrowly from Tajikistan by Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor in the north, and also shares a
maritime border with Oman. Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan. Asif Ali Zardari is serving as the
current President of Pakistan. The Pakistani rupee has been the official currency of Pakistan. Shehbaz
Sharif is a Pakistani politician and businessman who is currently serving as the 24th Prime Minister
of Pakistan since March 2024, having previously served in the post from April 2022 to August 2023. He has also
served as the president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).
Reformist Pezeshkian wins Iran’s presidential runoff election
• Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election besting hard-liner
Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory
headscarf law after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic.
• Pezeshkian promised no radical changes to Iran’s Shiite theocracy in his campaign and long has
held Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the final arbiter of all matters of state in the
country. But even Pezeshkian’s modest aims will be challenged by an Iranian government still largely held by
hard-liners, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, and Western fears over Tehran enriching uranium
to near-weapons-grade levels. A vote count offered by authorities put Pezeshkian as the winner with
16.3 million votes to Jalili’s 13.5 million. Overall, Iran’s Interior Ministry said 30 million people voted in
an election held without internationally recognized monitors.
Iran also known as Persia and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country located in Western
Asia. Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran. The rial is the official currency of Iran. Seyyed Ali
Hosseini Khamenei is the second and current supreme leader of Iran, in office since 1989. Khamenei is
the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East, as well as the second-longest-serving Iranian leader of
the last century, after Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
The 50th G7 summit was held in Italy
• The 50th G7 summit was held from 13 to 15 June 2024 at Borgo Egnazia in the city of Fasano in Apulia,
Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced in November 2023 that Fasano would be the headquarters of
the G7.

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• All G7 member states participated in the summit, including the representatives of the European
Union. The President of the European Commission has been a permanently welcome participant
at all meetings since 1981. Italy, coinciding with its G7 presidency in 2024, emphasized strategic
partnerships with Africa. This was the first time that a Pope has attended a G7 summit. Representatives
from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania (representing the African Union), Tunisia,
Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and the Vatican City were invited to the summit.
The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental organization consisting of Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The heads of government of the member states, as
well as the representatives of the European Union, meet at the annual G7 Summit. The Group of Eight
(G8) was an inter-governmental political forum from 1997 until 2014. It had formed from incorporating
the country of Russia into the Group of Seven, or G7, and returned to its previous name after Russia
was disinvited in 2014. The forum originated with a 1975 summit hosted by France that brought together
representatives of six governments: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United
States, thus leading to the name Group of Six or G6. The summit came to be known as the Group of Seven,
in 1976 with the addition of Canada. Russia was added to the political forum from 1997, which the
following year became known as the G8. In March 2014, Russia was suspended indefinitely following the
annexation of Crimea, whereupon the political forum name reverted to G7.
Ukraine peace summit ends with hope
• The two day Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland ended with
participants hoping for an end to the war between Moscow and Kyiv. 80 countries and four organisations
of the 100 attending delegations supported the final joint communiqué that emerged out of the Path To Peace
Summit looking at ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war raging on since February 2022. India was a notable
voice among those who did not sign the document. Current G-20 chair Brazil was in the room only as an
observer.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest country by area in Europe after Russia,
which it borders to the east and north-east. Ukraine also shares borders with Belarus to the north; Poland,
Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the south; and has a coastline along the
Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. With a population of 43 million, Ukraine is the eighth-most populous country
in Europe. The nation’s capital and largest city is Kyiv. The hryvnia, hryvna, or sometimes gryvnya, has been the
national currency of Ukraine since 2 September 1996. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, former
actor and comedian, who is the sixth and current President of Ukraine.
India possesses more nuclear weapons than Pakistan, China
• India possesses more nuclear weapons than Pakistan, while China has expanded its nuclear
arsenal from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, according to a report by Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Swedish think tank. The Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI) said India’s “stored” nuclear warheads were 172 in January this year
while the number for Pakistan was 170. According to the report, India slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal
in 2023. Both India and Pakistan continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems in 2023.
• The SIPRI said nine nuclear-armed states -the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan,
North Korea and Israel – continued to modernise their nuclear arsenals and several deployed new
nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2023. Of the total global inventory of an estimated
12,121 warheads in January 2024, about 9,585 were in military stockpiles for potential use, it said.
Russia and the US together possess almost 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons, as per the report.
Russia is estimated to have deployed around 36 more warheads with operational forces than in
January 2023, the think tank said.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an international institute based
in Stockholm. It was founded in 1966 in Stockholm, Sweden and provides data, analysis and
recommendations for armed conflict, military expenditure and arms trade as well as disarmament and
arms control. The research is based on open sources and is directed to decision-makers, researchers,
media and the interested public.
Thailand becomes first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriage
• Thailand’s Senate voted overwhelmingly in support of a marriage equality bill, making it the first
Southeast Asian country to enact such a law. The bill will now need King Maha Vajiralongkorn to sign off

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 on it, followed by its publication in the Royal Government Gazette, which will set a date within 120 days when
it becomes effective. Thailand will become the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex
marriage.
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. Bangkok is the nation’s capital and largest city. The baht is
the official currency of Thailand. Vajiralongkorn is the King of Thailand. Srettha Thavisin, nicknamed
Nid, is a Thai businessman and politician currently serving as the Prime Minister of Thailand since 22
August 2023.
Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa wins re-election as President after troubled vote
• Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected for a second and final term.
Mnangagwa won 52.6% of the vote. Main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa won 44% of the vote. The result
will likely be scrutinized after election observers raised questions over the election environment in the buildup
to the vote and pointed to an atmosphere of intimidation against Chamisa’s supporters. The election was due to
be held on just one day but voting was extended after delays and problems with the printing of ballot papers.
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers.
The capital and largest city is Harare. The Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dollar or RTG (Zimdollar
or zollar, now abbreviated as ZWL or ZWL$) was the only official currency in Zimbabwe from June 2019
to March 2020, after which foreign currencies were allowed for trade in the country again.
Senegal’s President Faye looks to reunite ECOWAS, a bloc split by coups
• Senegal’s President Basirou Diomaye Faye, Africa’s youngest, is suddenly faced with a huge
challenge of reuniting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a weakened
regional bloc that is older than him.
• Faye was tasked with getting the military junta-ruled Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso back to ECOWAS
at the bloc’s summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja. The three nations left ECOWAS and formed an alliance
after the military takeovers fractured their relations with West African neighbours.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional political and economic union
of fifteen countries located in West Africa. Collectively, Considered one of the pillar regional blocs of the
continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC), the stated goal of ECOWAS is to achieve “collective
self-sufficiency” for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc by building a full economic
and trading union. The union was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of
Lagos, with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version
of the treaty was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin. ECOWAS’s
fundamental principles rely on equity, inter-dependence, solidarity, co-operation, nonaggression, regional peace,
promotion of human rights, and economic and social justice. The 15 members of the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia,
Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The main
goal of ECOWAS is to promote economic cooperation among member states in order to raise living
standards and promote economic development. In 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their
withdrawal from the bloc. The countries had earlier been suspended from ECOWAS due to military takeovers
of their respective governments.
Canada has become outlier among NATO members
• Canada has become an outlier among the 32-member NATO alliance. “Over the past several years,
Ottawa has become an outlier among the 32-member alliance. It has failed to hit domestic military
spending goals, has fallen short on benchmarks to fund new equipment and has no plans to get there,” “Politico”
said.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Washington, DC to participate in this year’s
NATO summit that formally begins. The summit will be an opportunity for the prime minister to reaffirm
Canada’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and stability, particularly in the face of ongoing Russian
aggression and destabilisation.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also called the North Atlantic Alliance is an
intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member states – 30 European and two North American.
Established in the aftermath of World War II, the organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in
Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949. NATO is a collective security system: its independent member states agree

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 to defend each other against attacks by third parties. The organization’s motto is animus in consulendo
liber (Latin for ‘a mind unfettered in deliberation’). NATO’s main headquarters are located in Brussels,
Belgium, while NATO’s military headquarters are near Mons, Belgium. NATO formed with twelve founding
members and has added new members ten times, most recently when Sweden joined the alliance on 7 March
2024. Jens Stoltenberg is a Norwegian politician who has served as the 13th secretary general of NATO
since 2014. A member of the Norwegian Labour Party, he previously served as the 34th Prime Minister of Norway.
Russia and North Korea sign partnership deal, vowing closer ties as rivalry deepens with
West
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a partnership
deal during a summit in Pyongyang, in a bid to expand their economic and military cooperation
and cement a united front against Washington. Mr. Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years comes
amid growing concerns over an arms arrangement in which the country provides Moscow with badly needed
munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could
enhance the threat posed by Mr. Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile programme.
• The pact between Russia and North Korea talks about cooperation on a wide range of issues,
including mutual military support, and unspecified technological assistance. Crucial is the mutual
defence provisions. “In case any one of the two sides is put in a state of war by an armed invasion
from an individual state or several states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance
with all means in its possession without delay in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and
the laws of the DPRK [North Korea] and the Russian Federation,” Article 4 of the agreement says.
This provision echoes the 1961 agreement between the two nations. The more likely consequence of the treaty is
simply closer cooperation in weapons production, with North Korea manufacturing more munitions for Russia
and Russia providing more high-end help for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders
China and Russia to the north at the Yalu (Amnok) and Tumen rivers, and South Korea to the south at the Korean
Demilitarized Zone. Pyongyang is the capital and largest city. Kim Jong Un has been supreme leader of
North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012.He is the third
son of Kim Jong Il, who was North Korea’s second supreme leader from 1994 to 2011, and Ko Yong-hui. The
Korean People’s won, more commonly known as the North Korean won is the official currency of North
Korea.
Exercise Pitch Black 2024 takes off
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has embarked on a significant international engagement by participating
in Exercise Pitch Black 2024, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at their Base Darwin,
Australia. This biennial, multi-national exercise, scheduled from July 12 to August 2, 2024, represents a crucial
platform for enhancing international military cooperation and showcasing air combat capabilities.
European Union halted Georgia’s induction in the bloc
• After Georgia passed an unprecedented law which could undermine the rights of a free and
independent media, the European Union has become strict over the South Caucasus country. The
EU has halted Georgia’s accession of the bloc and has frozen the financial assistance being provided
to the country in order to show its resistance towards the law which was adopted by the Georgian government.
The European Union leaders decided to halt the financial aid in the previous meeting of the European Council
as the law was already passed and adopted by the Georgian administration.
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily
in Europe. A monetary union was established in 1999, coming into full force in 2002, and is composed
of 19 member states which use the euro currency. The union and EU citizenship were established
when the Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993. The EU traces its origins to the European Coal and
Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC), established, respectively, by the
1951 Treaty of Paris and 1957 Treaty of Rome. The original member states of what came to be known as the
European Communities were the Inner Six: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and
West Germany. The United Kingdom became the first member state to leave the EU on 31 January 2020.
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has been President of the
European Commission since 1 December 2019. Charles Michel is a Belgian politician serving as President
of the European Council.

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Ramaphosa is sworn in for a second term as South Africa’s president with help from coalition
• Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second term as South Africa’s President in a ceremony in the
administrative capital, Pretoria, with help from a coalition of parties for the first time in its 30-year
rule. Mr. Ramaphosa is now set to appoint a Cabinet in a new coalition government after his African
National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in an election.
• He was reelected president by lawmakers after the main opposition party and a smaller third party
joined the ANC in an agreement to co-govern Africa’s most industrialized economy. He will have to
guide the first coalition government in which no party has a majority. At least three parties will make up what
the ANC is calling a government of national unity, with more invited to join. Mr. Ramaphosa was administered
the oath of office in a public ceremony at the Union Buildings, the seat of government, by Chief Justice Raymond
Zondo.
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is the southernmost country in Africa. South
Africa has three capital cities, with the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government based
in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town respectively. The South African rand is the official currency
of it.
UNGA President honours India’s Hansa Mehta on International Day for Women in Diplomacy
• On the occasion of the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) President Dennis Francis paid tribute to Hansa Mehta, a feminist leader, activist and diplomat
from India, highlighting her pivotal role in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to be
more inclusive.
• Mehta is widely credited for successfully arguing against references to “men” as a synonym for
humanity, and succeeded in changing the phrase, “All men are born free and equal” to “All human beings
are born free and equal” in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The introduction of a more
inclusive language in UDHR was an important milestone in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality.
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up
of 193 Member States. Its mission and work guided by the purposes and principles contained in its
founding Charter and implemented by its various organs and specialised agencies. Its activities include
maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting
sustainable development and upholding international law. The forerunner of the United Nations was the
League of Nations, an organization conceived in circumstances of the First World War, and established
in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles “to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and
security.” The International Labour Organization (ILO) was also created in 1919 under the Treaty of
Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League. The name “United Nations”, coined by United States
President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A document called The Declaration by United Nations was signed in 1942
by 26 nations, pledging their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers (Rome-Berlin-
Tokyo Axis) and bound them against making a separate peace. Conference held in San Francisco (USA), was
attended by representatives of 50 countries and signed the United Nations Charter. The UN Charter
of 1945 is the foundational treaty of the United Nations, as an inter-governmental organization. The main
organs of the UN are six. They are, 1. General Assembly, 2. Security Council, 3. Economic and Social
Council, 4. Trusteeship Council, 5. International Court of Justice, and 6. UN Secretariat. All the 6 were
established in 1945 when the UN was founded. The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and
representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making
it the only UN body with universal representation. Each year, in September, the full UN membership meets in the
General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session, and general debate, which many
heads of state attend and address. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission
of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. Decisions on other
questions are by simple majority. The President of the General Assembly is elected each year by assembly to serve
a one-year term of office. In 1953, the United Nations elected India’s Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit as the 8th
President of the General Assembly, the first woman elected to the role.
UNESCO says Great Barrier Reef under ‘serious threat,’ urges urgent action
• UNESCO has warned that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef “remains under serious threat,” directing
the country to take immediate action to protect the world’s largest coral system. UNESCO asked
Australia to update its protection efforts by early next year, but did not recommend placing the reef on
its endangered heritage list.

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• The organization praised Australia’s steps on water quality and restrictions on gill-net fishing. It nevertheless
expressed concern over land clearing and urged more ambitious emission reduction targets. The UN body
still asked Canberra for an update on Australia’s actions regarding the reef by next February. The
country had requested that UNESCO wait until 2026.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual
reefs[3] and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres (1,400 mi) over an area of approximately
344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland,
Australia, separated from the coast by a channel 160 kilometres (100 mi) wide in places and over 61 metres (200 ft)
deep. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living
organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral
polyps. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
NATO appoints outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its secretary-general
• NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its secretary-general, putting the outgoing Dutch prime minister in
charge of the world’s biggest security organization at a critical time for European security as war
rages in Ukraine. Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation
alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
K P Sharma Oli appointed Nepal’s new Prime Minister
• K P Sharma Oli was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister for the third time to lead the new coalition
government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the country. Oli, succeeds
Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives
leading to the formation of the new government process as per Article 76 (2) of the Constitution.
• President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Oli as the new Prime Minister of the Communist Party
of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)-Nepali Congress (NC) coalition. Oli staked his claim
to become the next Prime Minister with the backing of NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba and submitted the
signatures of 165 House of Representatives (HoR) members – 77 from his party and 88 from the NC.
Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. Nepal has a diverse geography, including fertile plains,
subalpine forested hills, and eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, including Mount Everest, the
highest point on Earth. Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural state, with
Nepali as the official language. Kathmandu is the nation’s capital and the largest city. The name “Nepal” is first
recorded in texts from the Vedic period of the Indian subcontinent, the era in ancient Nepal when
Hinduism was founded, the predominant religion of the country. The Constitution of Nepal, adopted in 2015,
affirms Nepal as a secular federal parliamentary republic divided into seven provinces. Khadga Prasad
Oli is serving as the Prime Minister of Nepal. Bidya Devi Bhandari served as the second president of
Nepal and she is the first woman to hold the office in the country. Nepalese rupee is the official currency
of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Ram Chandra Paudel is serving as the third President of Nepal
since March 2023.
10 most livable cities in the world
• The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) just released its most recent Global Liveability Index, which
once again names Vienna, Austria, as the best place to live in the world. The 2024 index, which came out today,
rates towns around the world based on things like education, healthcare, culture the environment,
stability, and infrastructure. For the third year in a row, Vienna, the capital of Austria, is the world’s
most livable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.
• After Vienna, Copenhagen, Denmark, stays in second place, and Zurich, Switzerland, moves up
to third. Melbourne, Australia, fell from third to fourth place, which is an important change. Calgary,
Canada tied with Geneva, Switzerland for fifth place. Cities like Osaka, Japan, and Auckland, New Zealand,
are also praised on the list, which puts them in the top ten.
• Damascus, Syria, is still at the bottom of the list. Tripoli, Libya; Algiers, Algeria; and Lagos, Nigeria
are next. The fact that these towns’ scores haven’t gone up since the last evaluation shows that
problems are still there. This knowledgebase gives a summary and in-depth look at the global liveability
rankings as of 2024. It does this by helping you understand the factors that affect city ranks around the world.
Armenia launches joint military drills with the US amid souring ties with old ally Russia
• Armenia launched joint military drills with the United States, a move that reflects its leader’s
efforts to forge closer ties with the US and other Western allies as the country’s relations with old

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 ally Russia sour. The “Eagle Partner” war games are aimed at increasing interoperability of units
participating in international peacekeeping missions. They involve Armenian peacekeeping forces, servicemen
of the US Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard. It wasn’t immediately clear how many
troops were taking part.
Armenia is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus
region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and
the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. Yerevan is the capital, largest city and financial center.
The Armenian dram is the currency of the Republic of Armenia. Vahagn Garniki Khachaturyan is
the 5th and current President of Armenia. Nikol Vovayi Pashinyan is serving as the Prime Minister of
Armenia since 8 May 2018. Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed territory, internationally recognized as part
of Azerbaijan, although most of its territory was governed by ethnic Armenians under the breakaway
Republic of Artsakh—also known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)—from the end of the first
Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 1994 to the announcement of the pending dissolution
of the republic in September 2023.
China Builds World’s First Commercial Underwater Data Center
• China is making waves in the data center industry by constructing the world’s first commercial
underwater data center. The facility, located off the coast of Sanya on Hainan Island, aims to harness
the power of cold seawater to cool its operations and significantly reduce energy consumption. The massive
project, spanning 68,000 square meters, will consist of 100 individual data storage units, each
weighing 1,300 tons and capable of processing millions of high-definition images in seconds.
China is a country in East Asia and the world’s most populous country, with a population of around
1.404 billion. Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. Xi Jinping is serving as president of the
People’s Republic of China. National People’s Congress is the national legislature of the People’s Republic of
China. With 2,980 members in 2018, it is the largest parliamentary body in the world. China’s currency
yuan joins the International Monetary Fund’s basket of reserve currencies. China claims sovereignty
over all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN member countries,
including Vietnam, Philippines and Brunei, have made counterclaims. Chinese claims in the South
China Sea are described in part by the nine-dash line. China and India are the two neighbouring
countries in Asia. India shares 3488 km of border with China that runs along the states of Jammu
and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The Belt and Road
Initiative, known in Chinese and formerly in English as One Belt One Road or OBOR for short, is a global
infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in nearly 70
countries and international organizations.
Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as European Commission president
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was elected for a second term after pledging
to establish a continental “defence union” and to maintain Europe’s green transition while alleviating
its impact on industry. Members of the European Parliament supported von der Leyen’s bid for another five-
year term at the helm of the EU’s powerful executive body, with 401 votes in her favour and 284 against, in a
secret ballot within the 720-member chamber.
Ukraine’s largest music festival returns with a break from the inescapable reality of war
• This year, Ukraine’s largest music festival struck a different chord. Gone were the international
headliners, the massive performance halls and the hundreds of thousands of visitors. Instead, beloved local
artists graced the stage this past weekend at the Atlas Festival — the first since Russia’s full-scale
invasion in February 2022 — for a smaller but still ebullient crowd. The stage was erected in a shopping mall
parking lot, the only option with a shelter large enough to contain the 25,000 people expected in the event of an
air raid.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest country by area in Europe after Russia,
which it borders to the east and north-east. Ukraine also shares borders with Belarus to the north; Poland,
Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the south; and has a coastline along the
Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. With a population of 43 million, Ukraine is the eighth-most populous country
in Europe. The nation’s capital and largest city is Kyiv. The hryvnia, hryvna, or sometimes gryvnya,
has been the national currency of Ukraine since 2 September 1996. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian
politician, former actor and comedian, who is the sixth and current President of Ukraine.

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Bangladesh Supreme Court Scraps Most Jobs Quota That Sparked Violent Protests
• Bangladesh Supreme Court scrapped most of the quota in the government jobs that sparked
countrywide clashes between police and university students claiming over 100 lives. With the
Top Court’s ruling, just 5 per cent of civil service jobs instead of 30 per cent would remain for the relatives
of war veterans of 1971. The university students have been protesting against the quota system, terming it
discriminatory. In 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government scrapped the quota system, but the lower
court reinstated, sparking deadly protests.
China makes world’s first high-speed carbon fiber train
• China recently presented a ground-breaking advancement in high-speed rail technology, cementing
its position as a global leader in the sector. According to Interesting Engineering, the country has
unveiled the first carbon fiber-only passenger train in history. Because this train is noticeably lighter
than conventional trains, it will help cut pollution tremendously, as per the reports of Yahoo Tech.
Hamas and Fatah sign declaration in Beijing on ending yearslong rift as war rages in
Gaza
• Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in Beijing on ending a yearlong rift
taking a step toward potentially resolving the deep divide between the sides as the war in Gaza
rages on. The declaration by the two heavyweights of Palestinian politics - and other smaller Palestinian
groups - to form a unity government for the Palestinian territories is the result of the latest in a series of talks
meant to unite the sides.
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place
chiefly in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel since 7 October 2023. The fifth war of the Gaza–Israel
conflict since 2008, it has been the deadliest for Palestinians in the entire Israeli–Palestinian conflict,
and the most significant military engagement in the region since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The war
began when Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, which
involved a rocket barrage and a few thousand militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacking
Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed,
including 815 civilians. In addition, 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive into Gaza, with the stated goal to
force Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. Hamas said its attack was in response to Israel’s continued occupation,
blockade of Gaza, and settlements expansion, as well as alleged threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the plight of
Palestinians. After clearing militants from its territory, Israel launched one of the most destructive
bombing campaigns in modern history and invaded Gaza on 27 October with the stated objectives of
destroying Hamas and freeing hostages. Israel’s tightened blockade cut off basic necessities and attacks on
infrastructure have caused healthcare collapse and an impending famine.
Junta chief takes over as acting President in Myanmar
• Myanmar’s acting President has taken medical leave and transferred his duties to Military Chief
Min Aung Hlaing, the junta said. Acting President U. Myint Swe “took sick leave and is getting
treatment according to his current health situation”, the junta’s information team said in a statement.
Myint Swe was Vice-President under the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi
that the military ousted in 2021. He was later appointed acting President by the junta. Myanmar has been
in turmoil since the military seized power in 2021, deposing the government of democracy leader
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar is formerly known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is the largest country in Mainland
Southeast Asia. Myanmar is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos and
Thailand to its east and southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest. The
country’s capital city is Naypyidaw, and its largest city is Yangon (Rangoon). The kyat is the currency
of Myanmar (Burma). Following the 2020 Myanmar general election, in which Aung San Suu Kyi’s
party won a clear majority in both houses, the Burmese military (Tatmadaw) again seized power in
a coup d’état. Min Aung Hlaing is army general who has ruled Myanmar as the chairman of the State
Administration Council since seizing power in the February 2021 coup d’état. He took the nominally civilian
role of prime minister of Myanmar in August 2021 upon the formation of the Provisional Government. Myint
Swe is currently serving as Acting President of Myanmar as well as First Vice President. The Tatmadaw
is the official name of the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma).

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SCO countries hold first joint live anti-terror drills with all member states
• The member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held the first joint anti-
terrorism drill in China focussing on live drills and specialised operations such as “the eradication
of terrorist groups.” The ‘Interaction-2024’ joint counter-terrorism exercises were held recently in
northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Japan’s Sado mines included in UNESCO World Heritage List
• A network of mines on a Japanese island infamous for using conscripted wartime labour was added
to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List after
South Korea dropped earlier objections to its listing.
• The Sado gold and silver mines, now a popular tourist attraction, are believed to have started
operating as early as the 12th century and produced until after World War II. Sado gold and silver mines in
Japan added to UNESCO World Heritage List after South Korea’s objections dropped.
Historic sites in South Africa linked to liberation struggle, Mandela gets UNESCO World
Heritage tag
• A set of historic sites in South Africa associated with the country’s liberation struggle and human
rights crusader Nelson Mandela was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Members of the
South African delegation broke into impromptu celebrations as soon as the announcement was made during a
session of the World Heritage Committee.
• The nomination named ‘Human Rights, Liberation Struggle and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela
Legacy Sites’ was put forth by the African country. Various State Parties, including Italy, South Korea,
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Japan, and Italy supported the nomination. A Japanese delegate said these
sites hold “outstanding importance for all humankind”. A member of the South African delegation expressed
joy while delivering the statement on behalf of her country. She also thanked India for playing host to the 46th
session of the World Heritage Committee.
NATO completes 75 years since formation
• NATO’s 75th anniversary summit was meant to showcase the triumph of a larger, stronger alliance.
Instead, leaders are coming together in Washington in the shadow of setbacks in Ukraine and electoral
headwinds on both sides of the Atlantic.
• US President Joe Biden, fighting for his political life after a disastrous debate against NATO skeptic
Donald Trump, will turn his attention away from campaigning to welcome leaders of the 32-nation
transatlantic alliance for three days. Biden has also invited the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand
and South Korea, a sign of NATO’s growing role in Asia in the face of a rising China.
UNESCO tag for Tell Umm Amer heritage site in Gaza
• Amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, the Palestinian heritage site of Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell
Umm Amer received the UNESCO tag and was simultaneously put on the List of World Heritage in
Danger. Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell Umm Amer in Palestine has been inscribed on World Heritage List and
List of World Heritage in Danger, it was announced in the plenary meeting of the session.
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and is a specialised
agency of the United Nations (UN). It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in
Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere
support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built
upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. It is headquartered at the World Heritage Centre
in Paris, France. Audrey Azoulay is a French civil servant and politician who has been serving as the
Director-General of the UNESCO since 2017, becoming the second female leader of the organization.
China, Italy tie for first place in UNESCO’s World Heritage List
• During the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, the Beijing Central
Axis and Badain Jaran Desert were included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, raising the total
number of World Heritage sites in China to 59, which makes it one of the countries with the largest
number of World Heritage sites, along with Italy. China’s Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the coast of
the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase II) was also inscribed during the session as a serial extension of the property
of the same name (Phase I) already inscribed on the list.

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South Africa appoints a woman as chief justice for the first time
• South Africa appointed its first female Chief Justice. President Cyril Ramaphosa named Mandisa
Maya, the current deputy chief justice, as the country’s new most senior judge. Her term is due to start
on Sept. 1, when she will replace Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the head of the apex Constitutional Court.
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is the southernmost country in Africa. South
Africa has three capital cities, with the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government based
in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town respectively. The South African rand is the official currency
of it.
Sierra Leone outlaws child marriage in new legislation
• Sierra Leone’s parliament has approved a law banning child marriage in a development lauded by
activists as a major win for children’s rights. The law criminalizes marrying girls less than 18 years
of age. It also prescribes jail terms of up to 15 years for offenders. One-third of all girls are married before their
18th birthday in the West African country, according to UNICEF.
Sierra Leone is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. Freetown is the capital and largest city
of Sierra Leone. The leone is the currency of Sierra Leone. Julius Maada Wonie Bio has been serving as
President of Sierra Leone since 4 April 2018.
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro wins third term as President amid Opposition claims of
irregularities
• Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner in Venezuela’s presidential election, even as his opponents
were preparing to dispute the results, setting up a high-stakes showdown that will determine whether the
South American nation transitions away from one party rule. The National Electoral Council said Maduro
secured 51% of the vote, overcoming the main Opposition candidate, Edmundo González, who
garnered 44%.“We won’t recognise any result that is not verifiable.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony
Blinken said the U.S. has “serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or
the votes of the Venezuelan people,” speaking in Tokyo.
Venezuela is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass
and many islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. Nicolas Maduro has been the President of Venezuela
since assuming office in 2013. Venezuela Capital is Caracas and Currency is Venezuelan bolivar.
North Korea’s Kim oversees delivery of new tactical ballistic missile launchers
• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the delivery of a new tactical ballistic missile system to
troops. Kim also gave a speech at the ceremonial event in Pyongyang where 250 new tactical ballistic missile
launchers were unveiled. The launchers have been described as a powerful up-to-date tactical attack weapon
personally designed by Kim and ready to be transferred to KPA units.
North Korea is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders
China and Russia to the north at the Yalu (Amnok) and Tumen rivers, and South Korea to the south at the Korean
Demilitarized Zone. Pyongyang is the capital and largest city. Kim Jong Un has been supreme leader of
North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012.He is the third
son of Kim Jong Il, who was North Korea’s second supreme leader from 1994 to 2011, and Ko Yong-hui. The
Korean People’s won, more commonly known as the North Korean won is the official currency of North
Korea.
Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival
• The stage is set in a traditional Bhutanese living room format for the Bhutan Echoes - Drukyul’s
Literature Festival Bhutan Echoes in Thimphu. This year’s theme is “Enlighten, Evolve, and Evoke”,
with the festival taking place in between the artsy valleys where mountains are covered by clouds.
Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia. Thimphu is its capital and largest city, while Phuntsholing
is its financial center. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the current reigning Druk Gyalpo or
“Dragon King” of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Lotay Tshering is the current Prime Minister of Bhutan in
office since 7 November 2018. He has also been the president of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa since 14 May 2018.
Bhutan is the first country in the world to come up with a happiness index and linked it to development,
which is otherwise based on GDP numbers. The ngultrum is the currency of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

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US Vice President Kamala Harris Wins Democratic Party’s Presidential Nomination
• US Vice-President Kamala Harris has passed the threshold to clinch the Democratic presidential
nomination in a vote of party delegates. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison announced
that Ms Harris has won enough votes from Democratic delegates to win the party’s nomination for
president.
Kamala Devi Harris is an American politician and attorney who is the 49th and current vice president of the
United States since 2021 under President Joe Biden. She is the first female vice president, making her
the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian
American vice president. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as a U.S. senator from California
from 2017 to 2021, and earlier as the attorney general of California. Harris is the Democratic Party’s
nominee in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Turkiye formally asks to join the genocide case against Israel at the UN court
• “Turkiye filed a request with a U.N. court to join South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide
in Gaza”. Turkiye’s ambassador to the Netherlands, accompanied by a group of Turkish legislators, submitted
a declaration of intervention to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkiye is a transcontinental country located mainly on Anatolia in
Western Asia, with a portion on the Balkans in Southeast Europe. It shares borders with the Black Sea to the
north; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; Syria and the
Mediterranean Sea to the south; the Aegean Sea to the west; and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. Cyprus is
located off the south coast. Ankara is Turkey’s capital. The Turkish lira is the official currency of Turkey
and Northern Cyprus. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is serving as the current President of Turkey since 2014.
Amidst Violent Protests, Sheikh Hasina Resigns as Prime Minister, Army Chief Announces
Formation of Interim Government
• As violence gripped Bangladesh amid ongoing student protests, Sheikh Hasina resigned as the country’s
Prime Minister and left the country in a military helicopter. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman
announced that an interim government will be formed to run the country.
• The Army Chief said he is taking full responsibility and would talk to the president to form the interim
government. He urged the countrymen to remain patient and maintain peace. The students had been
protesting against a 30 per cent reservation in government jobs for relatives of freedom fighters
who wrested independence for Bangladesh from Pakistan in a bloody civil war in 1971.
• Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and favours supporters of Prime Minister Hasina’s Awami
League party. They advocate for a merit-based system to replace the existing quota. The quota system
was established in 1972 and briefly abolished in 2018. The protests began last month following a
High Court order to restore 30 per cent job quotas for descendants of freedom fighters. After the
Supreme Court slashed the reservations to 5 per cent on the 21st of last month, student leaders put the protests
on hold but the demonstrations flared up because the students said the government ignored their call to release
all their leaders, making the resignation of PM Hasina their primary demand.
Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It shares land borders with India and Myanmar (Burma). Nepal,
Bhutan and China are located near Bangladesh but do not share a border with it. Dhaka is its capital
and largest city, followed by Chittagong, which has the country’s largest port. Bangladeshi taka is the
currency of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman often shortened as Sheikh Mujib or
Mujib, was a Bangladeshi politician, statesman and Founding Father of Bangladesh who served as the
first President and later as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 17 April 1971 until his assassination
on 15 August 1975. Mohammad Abdul Hamid is the 16th and current President of Bangladesh. India
shares its longest international border with Bangladesh (4,096-kilometer) (2,545-mile).
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim
government
• Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim
government. The top positions in Bangladesh Army underwent a major reshuffle following Hasina’s escape
after deadly protests against her government over a controversial job quota system.
• The 13-member team from Students Against Discrimination participated in the meeting, which also
included Dhaka University professors Asif Nazrul from the law department and Tanzim Uddin from the IER

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 department. Yunus, an economist and banker, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work
with microcredit, has previously faced corruption charges under Hasina’s rule, which he alleges
were driven by personal animosity. After Mr. Yunus, 13 out of the 16 advisers of the interim government
were sworn in. The Cabinet members are: Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Asif Nazrul, Adilur Rahman Khan, Hasan Arif,
Tauhid Hossain, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Brig. Gen. (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hossain, Supradip Chakma, Farida
Akhtar, Bidhan Ranjan Roy, A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, Nurjahan Begum, Sharmin Murshid, Md. Nahid Islam
(students’ representative), Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan (students’ representative) and Farooqui Azam.
Vietnam’s president is confirmed as the new Communist Party chief – the country’s most
powerful role
• Vietnamese President To Lam was confirmed as the new chief of the Communist Party after his
predecessor died. Lam will be the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the
country’s most powerful political role. It was unclear if Lam will stay in his role as president. The previous
general secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, dominated Vietnamese politics since he became party chief in 2011. He
was elected to a third term as general secretary in 2021.
Syed Refaat Ahmed took the oath as Bangladesh’s new chief justice
• Syed Refaat Ahmed took the oath as Bangladesh’s new chief justice, succeeding Obaidul Hassan,
who resigned along with five other Appellate Division judges. Their resignations came amidst massive
street protests demanding a revamp of the judiciary, with protesters gathering at the apex court premises and
issuing an ultimatum for the judges to step down. Hassan, appointed to lead the Supreme Court last year, was
targeted by protesters who considered him a loyalist of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Tunisian President replaces Prime Minister without any explanation
• Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked his Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani without explanation and
replaced him with Social Affairs Minister Kamel Madouri.
Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa. Tunis is the capital and largest city of the country. The dinar is
the national currency of Tunisia.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo holds first Cabinet meeting in unfinished future
capital Nusantara
• Indonesian President Joko Widodo held his first Cabinet meeting in the future capital of Nusantara,
amid miles of construction sites and doubts about the sustainability of the ambitious mega project. Mr. Widodo
began working from the city two weeks ago, using an office inside the construction site of the massive new
palace in the form of the mythical eagle-shaped Garuda, the symbol of the country.
Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists
of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea. Indonesia is
the world’s largest island country and the 14th-largest country by area. With about 270 million people,
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.
Java, the world’s most populous island, is home to more than half of the country’s population. The
rupiah (Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia. Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia.
Nusantara is the future capital of Indonesia, located between Kutai Kartanegara Regency and Penajam North
Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo.
South Korea, U.S. to stage annual drills over North Korea’s missile, cyber threats
• South Korea and the United States kicked off annual summertime military exercises on August 19,
2024, seeking to boost their joint readiness to fend off North Korea’s weapons and cyber threats. The
Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises ended on August 29, come as North Korea races to advance its nuclear and
missile programmes and tries to launch reconnaissance satellites. The drills will reflect “realistic threats” across all
domains, including the North’s missile threats but also GPS jamming, cyberattacks and other lessons learned from
recent incidents, the two countries’ militaries have said. “South Korea will separately carry out the simultaneous
government-led Ulchi civil defence drills, under the scenario of a nuclear attack by the North,” officials said.
South Korea is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and
sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is
defined by the Sea of Japan. The South Korean won is the official currency of South Korea. Yoon Suk-Yeol
is the current President of South Korea. 38th parallel, popular name given to latitude 38° N that in East
Asia roughly demarcates North Korea and South Korea.

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World’s largest sovereign wealth fund posts $138 billion in first-half profit
• Norway’s massive sovereign wealth fund posted first-half profit of 1.48 trillion kroner ($138 billion),
primarily driven by robust returns on its investments in technology stocks. The so-called Government
Pension Fund Global — the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund — said it had a value of 17.75 trillion
kroner at the end of June. The fund’s overall return for the six-month period was 8.6%, which was 0.04 percentage
points lower than the return on its benchmark index. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund said its equity portfolio
posted a return of 12.5% through the first half of the year, while its fixed income and unlisted real estate
portfolios incurred marginal losses.
Norway is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western
and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the
archipelago of Svalbard also form part of Norway. The capital and largest city in Norway is Oslo. Jonas
Gahr Store has been serving as current Prime Minister of Norway since 2021. The krone is the currency
of the Kingdom of Norway (including overseas territories and dependencies.
Ukraine ratifies Rome Statute, paving way for ICC membership
• Ukraine’s parliament voted to ratify the Rome Statute, allowing the country to join the International
Criminal Court (ICC) in a step Ukrainian leaders have cast as central to Kyiv’s European aspirations.
Ukraine has recognised the ICC’s jurisdiction in the past, but full membership of the court is a key part of
Ukraine’s quest to eventually join the European Union
• It would also allow authorities “to more effectively punish” suspected Russian war criminals amid Moscow’s war
on Ukraine, according to lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Russian
officials including President Vladimir Putin and ex-defence minister Sergei Shoigu for their roles
in alleged crimes against Ukrainian civilians. Russia has denied targeting civilians.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international
tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the first and only permanent international court with
jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity,
war crimes and the crime of aggression. The ICC is distinct from the International Court of Justice, an organ
of the United Nations that hears disputes between states. Established in 2002 pursuant to the multilateral
Rome Statute, the ICC is considered by its proponents to be a major step toward justice, and an innovation in
international law and human rights. India did not signed the Rome Statute, and thus, is not a member
of ICC because of following reasons: State sovereignty, National interests, Difficulty in collection of
evidences, Problem to find impartial prosecutors and Crime definition.
Vietnam approves three new Deputy Prime Ministers
• Vietnam announced three new Deputy Prime Ministers, the latest high-level political changes during a
turbulent period for the ruling Communist Party. Only one of the outgoing politicians was explicitly linked to the
anti-corruption campaign. Former deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai was sacked Monday for violating party
regulations and law. The government now has five deputy prime ministers. President To Lam was named
as general secretary — Vietnam’s top leader — this month following the death of his predecessor,
Nguyen Phu Trong. Mr. Trong, the most powerful man in decades, was the mastermind of the
“blazing furnace” crackdown on corruption.
India and Malaysia Sign MoU for Strengthening Co-operation in the Field of Tourism
• India and Malaysia have very close political, economic and socio-cultural relations. To further
strengthen this relationship, India and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Republic of India and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and
Culture, Government of Malaysia for strengthening co-operation in the field of tourism.
Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of
Malaysia as well as its largest city. The Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. Anwar bin Ibrahim is
the 10th and current Prime Minister of Malaysia since 2022. Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor is the seventeenth
and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong (king of Malaysia). He is the fifth sultan of modern Johor, ascending to
the throne following the death of his father, Sultan Iskandar, in 2010.
Oil-rich UAE completes Arab world’s first nuclear plant
• The United Arab Emirates has successfully completed the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant,
the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the state-owned Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

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 According to ENEC, the four-reactor plant will provide 25 percent of the electricity required by the hot, desert
Gulf state, where air-conditioning is widespread—approximately equivalent to New Zealand’s annual electricity
consumption. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is situated in Al Dhafra, within the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf, about 53 km west-southwest of the city of Ruwais. Emirati President
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hailed the completion as a significant step towards achieving net zero
emissions. The Barakah plant is part of the UAE’s efforts to diversify its energy sources and ensure energy
security. It is also a major step towards achieving the country’s goal of covering half of its electricity
needs with renewable energy by 2050.
Abu Dhab is the capital and the second most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (the most
populous being Dubai), and also capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE’s seven
emirates. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal sovereign absolute monarchy in Western Asia. Mohamed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates. Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum is Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.
United Arab Emirates dirham is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. It is bordered by Saudi
Arabia to the west and south and by Oman to the east and northeast. The land border with Qatar in the
Khawr al Udayd area is a source of ongoing dispute.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan arrives in Delhi
• Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived to a warm
welcome as he kick-started a two-day maiden visit to India to further boost bilateral ties in a range
of areas, including energy and connectivity, amid escalating tensions in West Asia. Commerce and Industry
Minister Piyush Goyal received the Crown Prince at the airport following which he was accorded a ceremonial
welcome, in reflection of the importance India has attached to the visit.
• Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022
and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and
AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions. The two countries are among each
other’s top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data.
The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23. About
3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE.
PM Narendra Modi visits iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brunei at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah. In the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei, Modi was accorded a ceremonial
welcome. He was received by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri
Begawan, Brunei as part of his visit to Southeast Asian nations. Prime Minister Modi was received by Brunei’s
minister of religious affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin. Brunei’s minister of health Dato Dr.
Haji Mohammad Isham was also in attendance. Members of the Indian community were also present to greet
the Prime Minister Modi.
Bolivia declares national emergency due to forest fires
• Bolivia declared a national emergency due to raging forest fires, the country’s defense ministry
announced. Bolivia has seen the largest number of wildfires since 2010 with at least 3 million hectares (7.5
million acres) burned this year. Brazil has also seen major blazes in cities and the Amazon rainforest is off to
the worst start in two decades after a record drought.
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and
east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Sucre is the
de jure capital city of it. The boliviano is the currency of it. Luis Arce is serving as the current President
of Bolivia.
EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier named new French Prime Minister
• French President Emmanuel Macron named EU’s former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as
the new Prime Minister, two months after an inconclusive snap election in early July. Barnier, led the
European Union’s talks with Britain over its exit from the bloc from 2016-2021. Prior to that, the
conservative politician held roles in various French governments and was also EU Commissioner. Barnier is a
staunch pro-European and a career, moderate, politician, but he toughened his discourse considerably during
his failed 2021 bid to get his conservative party’s ticket for the presidential election, saying immigration was
out of control - something the far-right National Rally (RN) agrees with.

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US, Britain, EU sign world’s first AI treaty
• The United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom have taken a landmark step by
signing the first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) during a Council of
Europe conference held in Vilnius, Lithuania. This ground-breaking agreement, known as the Council
of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy, and the
Rule of Law, marks a significant milestone in global efforts to regulate AI technologies, underlining the need
to balance innovation with the protection of human rights and democratic values.
Turkiye seeks to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies
• NATO member Turkiye has applied for membership in the BRICS bloc of developing economies, as
Russia and China seek to counter the West’s global influence.
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkiye is a transcontinental country located mainly on Anatolia in
Western Asia, with a portion on the Balkans in Southeast Europe. It shares borders with the Black Sea to the
north; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; Syria and the
Mediterranean Sea to the south; the Aegean Sea to the west; and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. Cyprus is
located off the south coast. Ankara is Turkey’s capital. The Turkish lira is the official currency of Turkey
and Northern Cyprus. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is serving as the current President of Turkey since 2014.
Quad Summit 2024 held in Delaware on 21 September 2024
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington,
Delaware on 21 September 2024, hosted by the President of the United States of America, H.E.
Mr. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Mr. Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of
Japan, H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida also participated. In his address, Prime Minister thanked President Biden
for hosting the Summit and for his personal commitment to strengthen the Quad as a force for global good.
He emphasized that the group stood for upholding the international order based on the rule of
law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and with a commitment to pursue peaceful
resolution of disputes. He further stated that a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific
was a shared objective of the Quad partners. He underlined that the Quad was here to stay, to assist, to
partner and to complement the efforts of Indo-Pacific countries.
• Reiterating that the Quad remains to be a “force for global good,” the Leaders made the following
announcements to address the development priorities of the Indo-Pacific region and of the global community
as a whole: “Quad Cancer Moonshot”, a groundbreaking partnership to save lives in the Indo-
Pacific region by combating cervical cancer. “Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific”
(MAITRI) to enable Indo-Pacific partners to maximize tools provided through IPMDA and other
Quad initiatives.
• First-ever “Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission” in 2025 to improve interoperability and advance
maritime safety. “Quad Ports of the Future Partnership” which will harness the Quad’s collective expertise
to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific. “Quad Principles
for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure” in the region and beyond. A “Semiconductor
Supply Chains Contingency Network Memorandum of Cooperation” to enhance resilience of Quad’s
semiconductor supply chains. Collective Quad effort to boost energy efficiency, including deployment
and manufacturing of high-efficiency affordable cooling systems in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s
establishment of a space-based web portal for Mauritius, to support the concept of open science for space-based
monitoring of extreme weather events and climate impact. A new sub-category under the Quad STEM
Fellowship, announced by India, for students of the Indo-Pacific region to pursue a 4-year bachelor’s
level engineering programme at a Government of India funded technical institute. The Leaders
welcomed the next hosting of the Quad Leaders’ Summit by India in 2025. To take the Quad agenda
forward, they adopted the Quad Wilmington Declaration. The Wilmington Declaration Joint Statement
from the Leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), colloquially the Quad or QUAD, is a strategic security
dialogue between the United States, India, Japan and Australia that is maintained by talks between
member countries. The dialogue was initiated in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the
support of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, and Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh. The dialogue was paralleled by joint military exercises of an unprecedented scale,
titled Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic and military arrangement was widely viewed as a response to increased
Chinese economic and military power, and the Chinese government responded to the Quadrilateral
dialogue by issuing formal diplomatic protests to its members, calling it “Asian NATO”.

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Thailand swears in Paetongtarn Shinawatra as youngest Prime Minister
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the heiress of Thailand’s most famous political dynasty, was sworn in
as Prime Minister capping a month of turmoil in which her predecessor was thrown out of the office and
the main opposition party dissolved. Ms. Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of controversial former
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took the oath in a closed-door ceremony with King Maha
Vajiralongkorn officially becoming Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister. He is the third member of
the Shinawatra political dynasty to lead the country in the past 23 years, following her father and her aunt,
Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. Bangkok is the nation’s capital and largest city. The baht is the
official currency of Thailand. Vajiralongkorn is the King of Thailand. Paetongtarn Shinawatra is a Thai
politician and businesswoman who has been serving as Prime Minister of Thailand since 16 August 2024 and
as leader of the Pheu Thai Party since 2023.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is re-elected in a landslide in gas-rich Algeria
• Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been named the victor in Algeria’s presidential
election, winning in a landslide marred by low voter turnout and claims of irregularities from his
detractors in the gas-rich North African nation. In a country where the military has long played a decisive role
in politics, Tebboune’s runaway victory will likely fuel claims made by pro-democracy activists who see elections
as tools that political elites use to give off an appearance of popular support.
Algeria is a country in North Africa. Algeria is the world’s tenth largest nation by area, and the largest
nation in Africa, The capital and largest city is Algiers. The dinar is the monetary currency of Algeria.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is re-elected in a landslide in gas-rich Algeria
• Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been named the victor in Algeria’s presidential
election, winning in a landslide marred by low voter turnout and claims of irregularities from his
detractors in the gas-rich North African nation. In a country where the military has long played a decisive role
in politics, Tebboune’s runaway victory will likely fuel claims made by pro-democracy activists who see elections
as tools that political elites use to give off an appearance of popular support. Parliament also re-appointed
38-year-old Olha Stefanyshyna as deputy prime minister for European integration, expanding her
role to include oversight of the justice ministry. Additionally, lawmakers approved the appointment
of Oleksiy Kuleba, a former deputy head of Zelenskyy’s office, as deputy prime minister overseeing
reconstruction, regional development, and infrastructure.
Algeria is a country in North Africa. Algeria is the world’s tenth largest nation by area, and the largest
nation in Africa, The capital and largest city is Algiers. The dinar is the monetary currency of Algeria.
Nepal Becomes 101st Member of International Solar Alliance
• Nepal has become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance-ISA as a full member.
Ministry of External Affairs said that Nepal handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.
India, UAE sign civil nuclear energy agreement
• In a first, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation. The deal between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
(NPCIL) and the ENEC (Emirates Nuclear Energy Company)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations
and Maintenance took place during the Indian visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Mexico’s sweeping judicial overhaul formally takes effect
• Mexico’s judicial reform overhauling the country’s courts, which will allow voters to elect judges,
officially took effect after the text of the constitutional changes was published in the government
gazette. The reforms mark a major legislative victory in President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s
final weeks in office.
Mexico is a country in the southern portion of North America. Mexico City is the capital and largest
city of Mexico. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the
southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexican peso
is the currency of Mexico.

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India signs 3 IPEF agreements at Delaware during PM Narendra Modi’s US visit
• India signed and exchanged the first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair
Economy, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement under Indo -Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
for prosperity, on 21st September, 2024 at Delaware USA, in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi who is on 3-day visit to the US for the Quad Summit. IPEF, launched on May 23, 2022, at Tokyo,
comprises 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and USA.
• Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Modi had accorded the approval earlier this month for
signing and ratification of these three agreements focused on the Clean Economy, Fair Economy,
and the overarching IPEF Agreement which were signed by other IPEF members on June 6, 2024 in IPEF
Ministerial meeting in Singapore, however, India did not formally sign the same then as the domestic approval
process was still underway.
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) was launched jointly by the US and other partner
countries of the Indo-Pacific region in 2022. The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 percent of the global
GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade. IPEF was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo,
Japan, comprising 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and USA. The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic
engagement and cooperation among partner countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and
prosperity in the region. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I);
Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India
has ratified Agreement on Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II) in February 2024 and has maintained an
observer status in Pillar-I.
Sri Lanka clinches $12.5 billion bond rework deal in pre-election dash
• “Sri Lanka reached a draft deal with creditors to restructure $12.5 billion of international bonds”,
in a major boost to the island nation’s fragile recovery just two days before its Presidential election. The
country defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time ever in May 2022, engulfed in a severe crisis and buckling
under its high debt burden and dwindling foreign exchange reserves. The agreement comes after Sri Lanka
began a third round of formal debt restructuring talks with bondholders. “Sri Lanka now expects to
receive formal confirmation from International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff that the Agreement in Principle
and the Local Option, taken together, are fully consistent with the parameters of Sri Lanka’s IMF-supported
Program”.
Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the
Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka is separated from the India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri
Jayewardenepura Kotte is the official, administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is the commercial
capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka. Dr. Harini
Amarasuriya is a Sri Lankan academic, activist, and politician serving as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka since
2024. She is the third woman to hold this office. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, commonly referred to by his
initials AKD, is a Sri Lankan politician currently serving as the tenth President of Sri Lanka since 2024.
Jordon Becomes First Leprosy Free- Nation
• The World Health Organization WHO declared Jordan as the first country in the world to eliminate
leprosy, marking a significant milestone in global public health efforts. WHO said that Jordan has not
reported any autochthonous cases of leprosy for over two decades. The declaration was made after commissioning
an independent team to assess this situation. The disease continues to occur in more than 120 countries. More
than two lakh new cases are reported every year.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria
Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. It can affect the skin, nerves, eyes, and lining of the
nose. Leprosy is not highly contagious and is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT). Treatment usually
lasts between one to two years. Early treatment can prevent most disabilities.

Jordan is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north,
Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to the west. Amman
is the country’s capital and largest city. The Jordanian dinar is the currency of Jordan. Jafar Hassan serves
as the Prime Minister of Jordan. Abdullah II bin Al-Husseinis is the King of Jordan.

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Taliban to face international court over gender discrimination
• Canada, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands decided to take Taliban to the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) over gender discrimination, marking the first time the court in The Hague has been
used for such a case. This move, announced at the UN General Assembly, could open pathways for countries to
engage diplomatically with the Afghan leadership while holding them accountable for human rights violations.
The case is being brought under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women, which was adopted by the UN in 1979 and enforced in 1981. Afghanistan ratified this convention in
2003, prior to the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), or colloquially the World Court, is the only international court
that adjudicates general disputes between nations, and gives advisory opinions on international legal
issues. It is one of the six organs of the United Nations (UN), and is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICJ is the successor of the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was established
in 1920 by the League of Nations. After the Second World War, the League and the PCIJ were replaced by the
United Nations and ICJ, respectively. All member states of the UN are party to the ICJ Statute and may
initiate contentious legal cases; however, advisory proceedings may be submitted only by certain UN organs
and agencies. The ICJ consists of a panel of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council
for nine-year terms. No more than one judge of each nationality may be represented on court at the same time, and
judges collectively must reflect the principal civilizations and legal systems of the world. Seated in the Peace
Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICJ is the only principal UN organ not located in New York City.
Its official working languages are English and French. Nawaf Salam is the current president of the
International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Spain Builds World’s First High-Speed Hydrail Train
• Spain’s Talgo is set to build the first-ever high-speed hydrail trains, named Europe’s most efficient
high-speed rail network last November. Spain legendary train builders Talgo have rolled out the world’s first
high-speed hydrogen-powered train, giving the rest of Europe something to chase. Known for leading the way
in rail tech, Talgo has put Spain firmly on the map, adding yet another feather to its cap after already boasting
the title of Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail system. Talgo’s new hydrogen trains could revolutionise the
future of global high-speed travel.
Spain is a country located in Southwestern Europe, with parts of its territory in the Atlantic Ocean, the
Mediterranean Sea and Africa. Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. Pedro Sanchez has been
Prime Minister of Spain since June 2018. Felipe VI is the King of Spain. The Euro is the official currency
of it.
Austria’s Freedom Party Claims First Far-Right National Election win since World War II
• The Freedom Party secured the first far-right national parliamentary election victory in post-World
War II Austria, finishing ahead of the governing conservatives after tapping into anxieties about immigration,
inflation, Ukraine and other issues. But its chances of governing were unclear.
• Preliminary official results showed the Freedom Party finishing first with 29.2% of the vote and
Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s Austrian People’s Party was second with 26.5%. The center-left Social
Democrats were in third place with 21%. The outgoing government – a coalition of Nehammer’s party and the
environmentalist Greens – lost its majority in the lower house of parliament. Herbert Kickl, a former interior
minister and longtime campaign strategist who has led the Freedom Party since 2021, wants to be chancellor.
But to become Austria’s new leader, he would need a coalition partner to command a parliamentary majority.
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states,
one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous city and state. Alexander Van der Bellen is serving
as the twelfth President of Austria since 2017. Karl Nehammer has been the 29th chancellor of Austria since
2021. Euro is the official currency of it.
Britain to become first G7 country to end coal power as last plant closes
• Britain will become the first G7 country to end coal-fired power production with the closure of its
last plant, Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar in England’s Midlands. It will end over 140 years of coal power in
Britain. In 2015 Britain announced plans to close coal plants within the next decade as part of wider measures
to reach its climate targets. At that time almost 30% of the country’s electricity came from coal but this had
fallen to just over 1% last year.

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• The drop in coal power has helped cut Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions, which have more than halved since
1990. Britain, which has a target to reach net zero emissions by 2050, also plans to decarbonise the
electricity sector by 2030, a move which will require a rapid ramp-up in renewable power such as wind and
solar. Coal power still makes up more than 25% of Germany’s electricity and more than 30% of Japan’s power.
Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as Mexico’s first female president
• Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first woman president vowing to bolster women’s
rights and ensure Latin America’s No. 2 economy remains a secure destination for international
investment. Sheinbaum, a 62-year-old scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, took the oath of office and
received the presidential sash in a boisterous ceremony in Mexico’s Congress, which marks the start of her six-
year term.
Mexico is a country in the southern portion of North America. Mexico City is the capital and largest
city of Mexico. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the
southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexican peso
is the currency of Mexico.
Italy and Switzerland Agree To Redraw Their Border in Alps
• Italy and Switzerland have agreed to redrawn their borders. The decision was taken as the glaciers that
mark the boundary melt. The border will be changed near the iconic Matterhorn Peak. Notably, it is
the highest summit in the Alps. A large section of the border between Italy and Switzerland is defined by
glaciers and snow fields. “With the melting of the glaciers, these natural elements evolve and redefine
the national border”. The changes in the border were agreed in 2023. The impact on glaciers has been
significant in Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent.
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located at the confluence of
Western, Central and Southern Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the
north and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Bern is the de facto capital of Switzerland. The Swiss
franc is the currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Viola Amherd serves as President of the
Swiss Confederation. Italy is a country that consists of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and several
islands surrounding it. Italy is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, in Southern Europe. A unitary
parliamentary republic with Rome as its capital. Euro is the currency of it. Sergio Mattarella is the
current President of Italy. Giorgia Meloni has been serving as the Prime Minister of Italy since 22 October
2022, the first woman to hold this position.
Kazakhstan vote on the first nuclear power station in country
• Kazakhstan voted in a referendum on building the country’s first nuclear power station as the
world’s top uranium producer looks to boost its power generation capacity. The result is expected
to be in favour despite lingering resentment over massive radiation exposure as a result of Soviet-era nuclear
tests. China, France, Russia, and South Korea are in the process of building the new power station,
which is to be located on the shores of Lake Balkhash. The issue of nuclear power, however, is sensitive
in Kazakhstan. Between 1949 and 1989, the USSR carried out around 450 nuclear tests there, exposing 1.5
million people to radiation.
Kazakhstan is a country in Central Asia; it has borders with Russia in the north, China in the east, and
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south. The capital is Nur-Sultan, formerly known as
Astana. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest in the world. Kassym-
Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev has been serving as the President of Kazakhstan since 20 March 2019. The
tenge is the currency of Kazakhstan.
Indigenous Amazon activist in Columbia takes his fight to the UN biodiversity forum
• Ecuadoran activist Alex Lucitante has never shied away from the fight against land-grabbing
miners and armed groups in his restive part of the Amazon jungle bordering Colombia. He will take
his battle to world leaders at the United Nations, as one of several Indigenous representatives to the
COP-16 biodiversity conference in the Colombian city of Cali. Mr. Lucitante, the 31-year-old son of a
shaman, is of the Cofan Avie ethnic group. He has spearheaded his community’s fight against illegal gold
miners, notably setting up an Indigenous guard and a drone surveillance system. At the same time, he has
fought in court.

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Nepali becomes youngest to climb world’s 8,000 m peaks
• An 18-year-old Nepali mountaineer Nima Rinji Sherpa broke the record for the youngest person to
summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks. Nima Rinji Sherpa reached the summit of Tibet’s
8,027-metre-high (26,335 feet) Shisha Pangma, completing his mission to stand on the world’s highest
peaks. Summiting all 14 “eight-thousanders” is considered the peak of mountaineering aspirations. Climbers
cross “death zones” where there is not enough oxygen in the air to sustain human life for long periods. “This
summit is not just the culmination of my personal journey, but a tribute to every Sherpa who has ever dared
to dream beyond the traditional boundaries set for us”. Mr. Sherpa is no stranger to the mountains, hailing
from a family of record-holding mountaineers, who also now run Nepal’s largest mountaineering expedition
company. The record was previously held by another Nepali climber, Mingma Gyabu ‘David’ Sherpa.
He achieved it in 2019, at the age of 30.
Russia, China conduct joint navy patrol in the Pacific
• Russian and Chinese navy ships have carried out a joint patrol in the northeast of the Pacific
Ocean. The vessels “proceeded with manoeuvres” to practice anti-submarine tactics, it said. The patrol came
after the two countries held joint military drills, as the allies deepen ties that have seen NATO dub Beijing an
“enabler” of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
• From the Russian side, the large anti-submarine destroyers Admiral Panteleyev and Admiral
Tributs of the Pacific Fleet participated. China was represented by the destroyers Xining and Wuxi, the
frigate Linyi and the integrated supply ship Taihu.
• In early September, China said that the two sides would participate in a joint maritime patrol and that
China would also participate in Russia’s “Ocean-2024” strategic exercise. In July, the two countries
held joint drills in the waters and airspace around Zhanjiang, a city in southern China’s Guangdong province.
Russia and China have ramped up military and economic cooperation in recent years, with both railing against
“Western hegemony”, particularly what they see as US domination of global affairs.
UNGA Elects 18 Members to Human Rights Council
• The UN General Assembly elected 18 members to the 47-member Human Rights Council for the
2025-2027 terms. The 18 countries, including Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Qatar, and Thailand, were
elected by a secret ballot. The elected members will serve three-year terms beginning on January
1 next year. The new members’ election will enhance the Council’s efforts in addressing pressing human
rights issues and will be vital for future dialogues and resolutions. As the world faces ongoing human rights
challenges, the work of the Human Rights Council remains essential for fostering accountability and protecting
vulnerable populations globally.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose mission is to
promote and protect human rights around the world. It is an intergovernmental body within the
United Nations system, responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. The Council
has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. The headquarters of the
Council are at the United Nations Office at Geneva in Switzerland. The Council investigates allegations
of breaches of human rights in United Nations member states and addresses thematic human rights issues like
freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women’s rights, LGBT
rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities. The Council was established by the United Nations
General Assembly on 15 March 2006 to replace the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
(UNCHR, herein CHR).
Bolivia joins South Africa ICJ ‘genocide’ case against Israel
• Bolivia has joined South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
that alleges the Israeli Gaza offensive breaches the U.N. Genocide Convention. The South American
country is the latest of several nations, including Colombia, Libya, Spain and Mexico, to add their weight to the
case against Israel, which vehemently denies the accusations. Bolivia already announced in November it was
severing diplomatic ties over what it described as the “disproportionate” attacks on Gaza by Israel. At the time,
Israel slammed the move as surrender”.
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America. The seat of government is La Paz, which
contains the executive, legislative, and electoral branches of government, while the constitutional capital is
Sucre, the seat of the judiciary. Luis Arce has been serving as the President of Bolivia since November 8,
2020. Boliviano is the currency of Bolivia.

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Nile nations agree on water-sharing without Egypt’s nod
• A regional partnership of 10 countries signed an agreement on the equitable use of water resources
from the Nile River basin has come into force despite the notable opposition of Egypt. The legal
status of the “cooperative framework” was formally confirmed by the African Union after South Sudan joined
the treaty.
• Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have ratified the accord. Egypt and Sudan
declined to sign, while Congo abstained. Kenya has not yet deposited its ratification documents with the
African Union. The accord, which came into force, “is a testament to our collective determination to harness
the Nile River for the benefit of all, ensuring its equitable and sustainable use for generations to
come,” the Nile Basin Initiative said in its statement. Tensions in the region have increased, stemming in
part from Ethiopia’s construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a key tributary of the Nile
River. Egypt fears the dam will have a devastating effect on water and irrigation supplies downstream unless
Ethiopia takes its needs into account.
The Nile River is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean
Sea. The Nile is the longest river in Africa. It has historically been considered the longest river in the world.
About 6,650 km long, its drainage basin covers eleven countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt. In particular,
the Nile is the primary water source of Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan. The Nile is an important economic
driver supporting agriculture and fishing. The Blue Nile and White Nile meet at the city of Khartoum
in Sudan. The Blue Nile and White Nile are the two main tributaries of the Nile River. The confluence of the two
rivers in Khartoum is a critical water source. At the confluence, the two rivers change their names and become the
Nile, which flows north towards Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The location where the two
Niles meet is known as al-Mogran.
Three-party coalition govt. in Iceland collapses
• Iceland’s three-party coalition government collapsed over disagreements on policy issues, Prime
Minister Bjarni Benediktsson said, with new elections to be held in November. Mr. Benediktsson,
head of the conservative Independence Party, told presspersons that tensions had mounted within the left-right
coalition on issues ranging from foreign policy to asylum seekers and energy.
• The coalition had been made up of the Independence Party, the Left-Green Movement and the centre-
right Progressive Party. The issues “were less discussed in the last election than need to be discussed
now”, Mr. Benediktsson said, emphasising “how different the (Left-Green) Movement’s vision for the future is,
compared to what I want to stand for”.
Iceland is a Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge between North America and Europe. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík. The krona is the
currency of Iceland. Halla Tomasdottir is serving as the current President of Iceland.
Italy Delivers First Migrants to Albania under New Deal
• A ship carrying the first group of migrants to be processed in Albania under a deal with Italy
arrived in the port of Shengjin, setting in motion Rome’s controversial plan to process thousands of asylum
seekers abroad. Italy has built two reception centres in Albania, in the first scheme by a European
Union nation to divert migrants to a non-EU country.
• The plan aims to deter irregular arrivals to Italy, but has been criticised by rights groups who say it restricts
migrants’ right to asylum. The facilities in Shengjin and Gjader will be staffed by Italian personnel.
Under the deal, the total number of migrants present at one time in Albania cannot be more than
3,000.
• Italy has said only “non-vulnerable” men coming from countries classified as safe would be sent to
Albania, to a limit of 36,000 migrants a year. At present there are 21 such nations on the Italian list. Last
year, 56,588 migrants arrived in Italy from just four of them — Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Tunisia.
Most abscond from reception centres and head to wealthier northern Europe.
Albania is a country in Southeast Europe. It is in the Balkans, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the
Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North
Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. Tirana is the capital and largest city in the country. The lek is
the currency of Albania. Edi Rama has been serving as the incumbent Prime Minister of Albania since
2013. Bajram Begaj is the incumbent President of Albania.

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Saudi Arabia launches digital platform to ensure wage protection, human rights of expat workers
• Saudi Arabia is getting ready to ensure a more secure working condition for foreign workers, including
those from India. A group of officials from the Human Resources and Social Development Ministry presented
the Saudi plans for meeting the Vision 2030 of the Saudi government and said the Kingdom’s plans
regarding the expat workers would secure workers’ rights and cut down on illegal immigration.
The new labour rules in Saudi Arabia — under a digital platform called Musaned — will benefit at least 10
African countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Egypt and Kenya as well as nine Asian countries such as India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam, Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Saudi Arabia is a country on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by the Red Sea to
the west; Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north; the Persian Gulf, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the
east; Oman to the southeast; and Yemen to the south. Bahrain is an island country off the east coast. Its capital
and largest city is Riyadh. The Saudi riyal is the currency of Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman is
the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is King of Saudi
Arabia, reigning since 2015. Petroleum was discovered in 1938 and followed up by several other finds
in the Eastern Province. Saudi Arabia has since become the world’s second-largest oil producer (behind
the US) and the world’s largest oil exporter, controlling the world’s second-largest oil reserves and the
fourth-largest gas reserves.
In a first, India extends rupee-denominated line of credit to Mauritius for water pipeline project
• India has extended its first-ever rupee-denominated Line of Credit (LOC) under the Indian
Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) to the Government of Mauritius. Valued at
INR 487.60 crores, this LOC will finance the replacement of approximately 100 kilometers of obsolete water
pipelines in Mauritius, marking a new milestone in India’s economic and diplomatic outreach.
• This unprecedented rupee-denominated LOC is a critical development for India, signifying a
broader shift in its foreign assistance program, traditionally dominated by dollar-denominated
loans. The LOC will be financed by the State Bank of India at concessional terms, further bolstering India’s
position as a trusted partner for development projects in the Global South. The water pipeline replacement
project will address an urgent infrastructure need in Mauritius.
• As the existing water supply network in many areas of the country has aged, the replacement of
approximately 100 kilometers of outdated pipelines is expected to significantly improve water
access and management across the island nation. This project will not only enhance the reliability of water
distribution but also contribute to public health outcomes by ensuring a more stable and safe water supply.
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the
African continent. Port Louis is the capital city of Mauritius. The rupee is the currency of Mauritius.
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is serving as the Prime Minister of Mauritius since January 2017. Ameenah
Gurib was the first woman to ever hold the title of President of Mauritius. The main island of Mauritius,
where most of the population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis. The islands
of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department), are part of
the Mascarene Islands.
Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto announces largest-ever Cabinet with 109 members
• Newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto announced Indonesia’s largest-ever cabinet, with
109 members representing his pledge for a strong government. He named his Cabinet of Ministers, Vice-
Ministers and head of national agencies the “Red and White Cabinet”, referring to the colours of Indonesia’s flag.
Mr. Subianto became the eighth president of Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The Cabinet of Mr. Subianto’s
predecessor Joko Widodo had 34 Ministers and head of government agencies. Mr. Subianto has said earlier that
he needs a strong administration, even though analysts said that his “fat” Cabinet would bloat the bureaucracy.
Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists
of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea. Indonesia is
the world’s largest island country and the 14th-largest country by area. With about 270 million people,
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.
Java, the world’s most populous island, is home to more than half of the country’s population. The
rupiah (Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia. Jakarta formerly known as Batavia until 1949 is the
de jure capital and largest city of Indonesia. In 2019, the then President Joko Widodo announced plans to
move the capital from Jakarta to the planned city of Nusantara, in the province of East Kalimantan on
the island of Borneo.

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Bangladesh SC reinstates Supreme Judicial Council, reverses parliament’s power to
remove judges
• Bangladesh’s Supreme Court reinstated the Supreme Judicial Council with authority to investigate
allegations of judicial misconduct, while upholding its previous ruling that declared the 16th
constitutional amendment, which transferred the power of removing judges to parliament, as
“illegal”.” The order was passed by a six-member bench of the Supreme Court’s apex Appellate Division led
by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed,”. The verdict also meant scrapping of the 16th constitutional amendment,
passed during deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime, giving the task of impeaching judges to
Parliament instead of the Supreme Judicial Council comprising apex court judges. The 16th Amendment
was passed in January 2014, relieving the Supreme Judicial Council of its authority of removing judges for
incompetence or misconduct. However, a three-member High Court bench in May 2016 declared the 16th
Amendment unconstitutional.
Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It shares land borders with India and Myanmar (Burma). Nepal,
Bhutan and China are located near Bangladesh but do not share a border with it. Dhaka is its capital
and largest city, followed by Chittagong, which has the country’s largest port. Bangladeshi taka is the
currency of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman often shortened as Sheikh Mujib or
Mujib, was a Bangladeshi politician, statesman and Founding Father of Bangladesh who served as the
first President and later as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 17 April 1971 until his assassination
on 15 August 1975. Mohammad Abdul Hamid is the 16th and current President of Bangladesh. Sheikh
Hasina served as the tenth Prime Minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001 and again from
January 2009 to August 2024. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of
Bangladesh. She served as the longest-serving Prime Minister in history of Bangladesh. Muhammad
Yunus has been serving as Chief Adviser (interim head of government) of the interim government
of Bangladesh since 8 August 2024. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for founding the
Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance. India shares its longest
international border with Bangladesh (4,096-kilometer).
Moldova narrowly votes to secure path toward EU membership after accusing Russia of
interference
• Moldovans voted by a razor-thin majority in favor of securing the country’s path toward European
Union membership, electoral data showed after the pro-Western president accused foreign
interference and “criminal groups” of trying to undermine the vote in the former Soviet republic.
The “No” vote appeared to be ahead until the last few thousand votes were counted from the large diaspora
of Moldova, whose authorities have accused Russia of trying to destabilize the country. With 99.41% of votes
counted in the EU referendum, the “Yes” vote stood at 50.39% and the “No” vote at 49.61%, according to the
Central Electoral Commission.
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the Balkans. Chisinau is the
capital and largest city of Moldova. The leu is the currency of Moldova. Dorin Recean has been serving as Prime
Minister of Moldova since February 2023. Maia Sandu has been serving as the current President of Moldova.

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily
in Europe. A monetary union was established in 1999, coming into full force in 2002, and is composed
of 19 member states which use the euro currency. The union and EU citizenship were established
when the Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993. The EU traces its origins to the European Coal and
Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC), established, respectively, by the
1951 Treaty of Paris and 1957 Treaty of Rome. The original member states of what came to be known as the
European Communities were the Inner Six: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and
West Germany. The United Kingdom became the first member state to leave the EU on 31 January 2020.
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has been President of the
European Commission since 1 December 2019. Charles Michel is a Belgian politician serving as President
of the European Council.
Commonwealth leaders to push for slavery reparation conversation
• Commonwealth heads of government are to push for a “conversation” on reparations for the
transatlantic slave trade when they meet for the association’s first summit in two years. But
CARICOM, a group of 15 Caribbean countries, has indicated it will push the UK government on the
issue at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

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• Members of the Commonwealth comprised of 56 nations that were mostly former territories of
the British Empire. King Charles III is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, and 14 of its
members, including several in the Caribbean. He is also attending the summit. CHOGM, which takes place
every two years, will see Commonwealth leaders select a new secretary-general nominated from an African
country, in line with regional rotations of the position.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. The Commonwealth
of Nations, often simply referred to as the Commonwealth, is an international association of 56 member states,
the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire from which it developed. They are
connected through their use of the English language and historical-cultural ties. The current Commonwealth of
Nations was formally constituted by the London Declaration in 1949, which modernised the community and
established the member states as “free and equal”. The Head of the Commonwealth is Charles III. He is
king of 15 member states, known as the Commonwealth realms, whilst 36 other members are republics,
and five others have different monarchs. Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development,
democracy and peace. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.
In 2022, Togo, a former French mandate territory, and Gabon, a former French colony, joined the Commonwealth,
despite never having been under British rule. Gabon was partially suspended from the Commonwealth in
September 2023 following a military coup, with two years given by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action
Group for the country to hold new elections before a full suspension of Commonwealth membership would be
considered.
Brazil Not to Join China’s Multi-Billion-Dollar Belt and Road Initiative
• Brazil has decided not to join China’s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It has
become the second country after India in the BRICS bloc to reject Beijing’s mega project. The
prevailing opinion in Brazil is that joining China’s flagship infrastructure project would not only fail to bring
any tangible benefits for Brazil in the short term, but could also make relations with a potential Trump
administration more difficult.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) known within China as the One Belt One Road is a global infrastructure
development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries
and international organizations. It is considered a centerpiece of the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s foreign
policy. The BRI forms a central component of Xi’s “Major Country Diplomacy” strategy, which calls for
China to assume a greater leadership role for global affairs in accordance with its rising power and status. It has
been compared to the American Marshall Plan. The Silk Road derives its name from the highly lucrative
trade of silk textiles that were produced almost exclusively in China. The Silk Road Economic Belt
is the ‘Belt’ part of the One Belt One Road initiative (also known as the BRI). It is part of an ambitious
plan by the Chinese government to promote infrastructural development and connectivity and stimulate economic
integration across the Eurasian region.
Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega-city project, NEOM
• Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega-city project, NEOM, has taken a significant step towards reality with
the unveiling of its first physical showcase—Sindalah, a luxury island in the Red Sea. Spanning over
840,000 square meters (approximately 200 acres), Sindalah is designed to accommodate up to 2,400 guests
daily by 2028, according to a statement released by NEOM. NEOM is best known for “The Line,” a pair of
170-kilometer-long, mirror-encased skyscrapers set to extend from the Red Sea coast inland.
Spain’s PM launches India’s first military aircraft plant
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata
Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL)-Airbus facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. This facility will manufacture the
C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, marking India’s first private sector plant to produce military
aircraft. This collaboration aligns with India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative, aiming to boost
India’s defense manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the India-Spain partnership. C-295 Aircraft is
built by Airbus for light-medium transport with a range of mission capabilities.
• Strategic importance: The C295 plant marks a milestone in India’s defense sector by enabling local, private-
sector-led manufacturing. Production: Of 56 C295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, 16 will be from Spain,
with 40 produced in Vadodara. Job creation: Expected to generate over 10,000 jobs and support MSMEs by
sourcing 18,000 indigenous parts. Versatility: C295 aircraft serve multiple missions like medical evacuations,
disaster response, and maritime patrols. Cultural diplomacy: Highlights shared cultural interests between
India and Spain; introduces 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI.

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• India’s defense ministry signed an agreement of $2.5 billion (€2.3 billion) for 56 cargo and troop-
carrying C295 aircraft from Airbus Defense and Space in 2021. Of these, 16 will be assembled in Seville
in Spain — with the first deliveries made last year — the 40 remaining will be produced in India. The Indian
manufacturing unit in Vadodara will complete the first “Made in India” C295 aircraft in 2026.
Spain is a country located in Southwestern Europe, with parts of its territory in the Atlantic Ocean, the
Mediterranean Sea and Africa. Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. Pedro Sanchez has been
Prime Minister of Spain since June 2018. Felipe VI is the King of Spain. The Euro is the official currency of it.
Venezuela recalls ambassador to Brazil over BRICS veto
• Venezuela’s foreign ministry had recalled its ambassador to Brazil for consultations, after Brazil’s
government vetoed Venezuela’s application to join the BRICS group of emerging economies. The
move by the government of left-wing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva infuriated Venezuela’s
socialist strongman Nicolas Maduro, who views Brazil as a natural ally.
• The opposition meanwhile claimed that its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won by a landslide,
publishing detailed polling station results. Brazil has yet to recognize Maduro’s reelection, saying
it wants first to see a detailed breakdown of results. Several other Latin American countries, such as
Argentina and Peru, have joined the United States in backing the opposition’s victory claim. Mr. Lula was a
close ally of Maduro’s predecessor, revolutionary socialist leader Hugo Chavez, but has been critical of Maduro’s
government, calling it a “very unpleasant regime” with an “authoritarian bias.”
Venezuela is a country on the northern coast of South America. The capital and largest urban
agglomeration is the city of Caracas. The bolivar is the official currency of Venezuela. Venezuela’s
President Nicolas Maduro launched the petro cryptocurrency in 2018 to circumvent US sanctions.
However, the petro was never widely adopted and was involved in a corruption scandal. In 2020, Maduro
tried to revive the petro by making it mandatory to pay for some state services and airplane fuel, but its use
remained limited. On January 15, 2024, all crypto wallets on the Patria Platform were shut down and any
remaining petros were converted to bolivars, Venezuela’s local currency.
Botswana’s president concedes defeat in election, ending ruling party’s 58 years in power
• Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in the general election in a seismic
moment of change for the county that ended the ruling party’s 58 years in power. Mr. Masisi’s concession
came before final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the
parliamentary elections. The main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change held a strong lead
in the partial results, making its candidate, Duma Boko, the favourite to become president of a
southern African country that is one of the world’s biggest producers of mined diamonds.
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana.
The pula is the currency of Botswana. Duma Gideon Boko is currently serving as President of Botswana.
Moldovans choose president
• Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu has won a second term in a pivotal presidential runoff
against a Russia-friendly opponent, in a race that was overshadowed by claims of Russian interference,
voter fraud, and intimidation in the European Union candidate country. With nearly 99% of votes counted in
the second round of the presidential election held, Sandu had 55% of the vote, according to the Central Electoral
Commission, or CEC, compared to 45% for Alexandr Stoianoglo, a former prosecutor general who was backed by
the pro-Russia Party of Socialists.
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the Balkans. Chisinau is
the capital and largest city of Moldova. The leu is the currency of Moldova.
Trump becomes 47th US President, returns to White House after 4-yr hiatus
• Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States, an extraordinary comeback for a former
president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol,
was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts. With a win in Wisconsin,
Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency. He won Michigan, sweeping the
“blue wall” along with Pennsylvania — the one-time Democrat-leaning, swing states that all went
for Trump in 2016 before flipping to President Joe Biden in 2020. His Democratic rival, Vice President
Kamala Harris, called Trump on Wednesday afternoon to concede the race and congratulate him.

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• Donald Trump’s second presidential victory has comprehensively defied the popular polls and underlined the
Democrats’ pre-poll misgivings. Far from being a narrow contest, Mr Trump has romped home not just in the
red states but also in swing states. Unlike 2016, Mr Trump has also won the popular vote, the first time
a Republican has done so since George W Bush’s re-election in 2004. His victory is remarkable when
set against the momentum Ms Harris generated from a late, standing start — at 107 days it was the shortest
presidential campaign in post-war history.
• Trump is the first former president to return to power since Grover Cleveland regained the White
House in the 1892 election. He is the first person convicted of a felony to be elected president and, at
78, is the oldest person elected to the office. His vice president, 40-year-old Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will
become the highest-ranking member of the millennial generation in the U.S. government.
• US President-elect Donald Trump has won in Arizona, defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in
the final state call of the presidential election, completing a sweep of all seven key battleground states:
Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. With Arizona’s
11 electoral votes, Trump’s Electoral College total rises to 312, compared to 226 for Vice President
Kamala Harris.
• The 2024 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. In the presidential election,
former President Donald Trump, running as the Republican nominee, defeated the incumbent
Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Republicans gained control of the Senate and held a narrow
control of the House, winning a government trifecta for the first time since 2016. This election cycle was
notable for the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, in which he was shot while campaigning
in Butler, Pennsylvania. This marked the first time a US President (current or former) had been
shot since the 1981 shooting of then-President Ronald Reagan, and the first time a US Presidential
candidate had been shot on the campaign trail since the 1972 shooting of Democratic Presidential
candidate George Wallace. This was the first presidential election held after the overturn of Roe v. Wade,
and the third overall election cycle after the 2022 midterm elections and the 2023 off-year elections. Republican-
controlled states predominantly passed near-total bans on abortion in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s
June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. By April 2023, abortion was “largely
illegal” in several states.
The President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States
indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. The officeholder leads the executive branch
of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. Since the office was
established in 1789, 45 men have served in 46 presidencies. The first president, George Washington, won a
unanimous vote of the Electoral College. Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms and is
therefore counted as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, giving rise to the discrepancy
between the number of presidencies and the number of individuals who have served as president. The
presidency of William Henry Harrison, who died 31 days after taking office in 1841, was the shortest
in American history. Franklin D. Roosevelt served the longest, over twelve years, before dying early
in his fourth term in 1945. He is the only U.S. president to have served more than two terms. Since the
ratification of the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1951, no person may
be elected president more than twice, and no one who has served more than two years of a term to which
someone else was elected may be elected more than once. Four presidents died in office of natural
causes (William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Warren G. Harding, and Franklin D. Roosevelt), four
were assassinated (Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy), and
one resigned (Richard Nixon, facing impeachment and removal from office). John Tyler was the first
vice president to assume the presidency during a presidential term, and set the precedent that a vice
president who does so becomes the fully functioning president with their own administration.
Taiwan Legalizes Marriage Registration for Same-Sex Cross-Strait Couples
• Taiwan has officially recognized same-sex marriages between Taiwanese and Chinese partners,
which is a big step in supporting the rights of LGBTQ individuals in cross-strait relationships. This
decision comes after Taiwan made history in 2019 by becoming the first country in Asia to legalize
same-sex marriage. Taiwan has been a leader in the fight for LGBTQ rights in Asia. When it legalized same-
sex marriage in 2019, it set an example for equality across the region. However, the law at the time didn’t cover
couples where one partner was from mainland China because of the political tensions between Taiwan and
China.

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Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi erupts
• Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano in the East Flores district, erupted sending ash plumes over
2 kilometres (1.24 miles) into the sky and scattering volcanic debris across several nearby villages.
The eruption destroyed numerous homes, including a convent, and led to widespread panic as villagers evacuated
under a darkened sky filled with ash.
Brazil’s police commissioner Valdecy Urquiza appointed new Interpol chief
• Brazil’s Federal Police Commissioner Valdecy Urquiza has been elected as new secretary general of
Interpol at the global police organisation’s 92nd General Assembly, currently ongoing in Glasgow.
Valdecy Urquiza will take over from the incumbent, Jurgen Stock, who has been at the helm of the world’s
largest police organisation for the past 10 years, on November 7.
The International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL (ICPO–INTERPOL), commonly known as
Interpol is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
It is the world’s largest international police organization. It is headquartered in Lyon, France, with seven
regional bureaus worldwide, and a National Central Bureau in all 196 member states. CBI is India’s officially
designated single point of contact to act as the liaison with Interpol.
Walkie-talkies explode in Lebanon day after deadly pager attack
• Nearly 3,000 people were injured, and more than 30 people were killed in Lebanon due to a series of explosions
involving pagers operated by Hezbollah. Israel says its war focus is “moving north,” tacitly acknowledging its
role in shock twin attacks on Hezbollah in which pagers and walkie-talkies used exploded across
Lebanon on consecutive days. Hezbollah is an ally of Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has
been fighting a war in Gaza since its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Lebanon is a country in the Levant region of West Asia, bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the
south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west; Cyprus lies a short distance from the country’s coastline. Beirut is
the country’s capital and largest city. The lira or pound is the currency of Lebanon. Najib Azmi Mikati
has served as the Prime Minister of Lebanon since September 2021. Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist
political party and paramilitary group. Hezbollah’s paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political
wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese Parliament. Its armed strength was assessed to be
equivalent to that of a medium-sized army in 2016. Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by Lebanese clerics in response
to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Inspired by the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and Ayatollah Ruhollah
Khomeini’s model of Islamic governance, Hezbollah established strong ties with Iran.
Angkor Wat Named Most Photogenic UNESCO Site in Asia
• Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet shared exciting news: Angkor Wat was named the most photogenic
UNESCO World Heritage site in Asia by Times Travel. This recognition was highlighted in a list published
by the Times of India, which also included other famous landmarks across Asia. Angkor Wat was built in the
early 12th century and is the largest religious monument in the world. Originally dedicated to the Hindu
god Vishnu, it later became a Buddhist site. From India: Taj Mahal (India) – Known for its breathtaking beauty
and marble architecture. Hampi (India) – An ancient city filled with temples and historic ruins.
Australian Government to Ban Children under Age of 16 from Accessing Social Media
• The Australian government has announced plans to introduce legislation to ban children under
the age of 16 from using social media, with penalties for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and
TikTok if they fail to enforce it. The groundbreaking legislation comes amid the growing concerns over the
impact of social media on young people’s mental health and safety. The initiative is designed to enhance online
safety for young people and hold tech companies accountable. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized
the government’s commitment to protecting children online. However, it has not been specified how platforms
should enforce the age limit.
Australia is the largest country in Oceania and the world’s sixth-largest country by total area. Australia’s
capital is Canberra, and its largest city is Sydney. Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George) is King
of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms. He acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022
upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. The Australian dollar is the currency of Australia. Anthony Albanese is the
current Prime Minister of Australia.

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Usha Chilukuri Vance, Set to Become First Indian-Origin Second Lady of US
• Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Donald Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, is set to become the
first Indian-origin Second Lady of the United States. Her roots trace back to India’s Andhra Pradesh.
As Donald Trump addressed a roaring crowd of his supporters at Palm Beach County Convention Centre in
Florida ahead of a historic election victory, he heaped praise on his running mate JD Vance and his Indian-
American wife Usha Chilukuri Vance. Usha Vance was born to Indian immigrant parents in 1986 in
San Diego and was raised in an upper-middle-class suburb. She has an impressive academic background and
works as a corporate litigator at a prestigious firm in San Francisco. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History
from Yale University and a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Cambridge, according to the
New York Times.
James David Vance is an American politician, attorney, author, and former United States Marine who
is the vice president-elect of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he has served since
2023 as the junior United States senator from Ohio. He was Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024
presidential election. After high school, Vance joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a
military journalist from 2003 to 2007.
Germany’s coalition government collapse
• Germany’s governing coalition has imploded after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Finance Minister
Christian Lindner, prompting Lindner to pull his Free Democrats Party (FDP) out of the coalition with
Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD). This move leaves Scholz leading a minority government alongside the
Green Party. The rift between Scholz and Lindner stems from disagreements over how to address Germany’s
struggling economy, which has been stagnant for years. Scholz has announced a confidence vote for January
15, and if he loses, the country may head to elections as early as March 2025 – six months ahead of schedule.
This sudden shift has raised concerns about Germany’s ability to tackle its economic woes, which have been
exacerbated by the ongoing Ukraine war and rising energy costs.
Germany is a country in Central Europe. It is the second-most populous country in Europe after Russia,
and the most populous member state of the European Union. The nation’s capital and largest city is Berlin,
and its financial centre is Frankfurt; the largest urban area is the Ruhr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier is
serving as the President of Germany since 19 March 2017. Euro is the official currency of it. Olaf Scholz
is the chancellor of Germany.
US President-Elect Trump Appoints Susie Wiles as First Female White House Chief Of Staff
• US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as his Chief
of Staff, making her the first woman to hold this influential cabinet position, heading the White
House executive office. Mr Trump described it as a well-deserved honour to have Ms Susie as the first-
ever female Chief of Staff in US history. The appointment marks the first of several expected staffing
announcements as Trump prepares for his return to the White House on January 20. The Chief of Staff
serves as the gatekeeper for the President, the liaison to Congress and government departments, and
plays a key role in steering policy decisions.
Ahead of COP29, India to emphasise Paris Agreement red lines on climate finance
• With the 29th edition of the Conference of Parties expected to commence in Baku, India is expected to stick
to its stance of getting developed countries to increase climate finance – a broad term for money for
adapting to the impacts of climate change – but without deviating from the principles agreed to in
the Paris Agreement text.
• In COP15 at Copenhagen, countries agreed on a climate finance target whereby developed countries would
collectively mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 to meet the needs of developing countries. However
there was never clarity on how climate finance would be defined.
• Countries differed on whether conventional business investments in clean energy projects ought to be counted
as climate finance or whether these sums would be over and above money that was anyway being channelled to
economic development. In 2022, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
claimed that the target of $100 billion had been achieved.
Raja Krisnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna among other Indian Americans who won
in polls
• In a notable electoral victory, six Indian Americans, popularly referred to as Samosa Caucus, have
secured seats in the US House of Representatives, marking an increase from five in the current

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 Congress. Among the newly elected is Suhas Subramanyam, who has made history by becoming the first
Indian American representative from Virginia and the entire East Coast. Subramanyam, a Virginia State
Senator, triumphed over Republican candidate Mike Clancy in a hard-fought race.
• Subramanyam, a former White House advisor under President Barack Obama and a member of the Hindu
faith, emphasized his deep connections to the community, having built his life and family in Virginia. He will
join the “Samosa Caucus,” which includes five re-elected Indian American members: Ami Bera,
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar.
• The “Samosa Caucus” is a nickname for a group of Indian-American lawmakers in the US Congress.
This term highlights the increasing number of legislators of South Asian descent, especially those of Indian
origin. Coined around 2018 by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, the name playfully
references the popular Indian snack, the samosa. The Caucus consists of members from both the House of
Representatives and the Senate, all having roots in India or South Asia. They collaborate on issues important
to the Indian-American community and broader matters affecting South Asian constituents in the US.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Signs Treaty Establishing Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership with North Korea
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a treaty establishing a comprehensive strategic
partnership with North Korea. The treaty, originally signed by the top leaders of the two countries in
Pyongyang on June 19, was ratified by the lower house of parliament on October 24. Russia’s upper house of
parliament approved the bill.
• The preamble to the treaty said that the document aligns with the core interests of the two peoples, aiming to
ensure regional and global peace, security, and stability. Under the terms of the agreement, Russia and
North Korea are committed to developing a sustained partnership based on mutual respect for
sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, equality, and other principles
of international law that support friendly relations and cooperation among nations. The treaty also includes
provisions for immediate military and other forms of assistance if either nation faces an armed
attack, as stipulated by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The treaty will come into effect upon
the exchange of ratification instruments.
Haiti replaces Prime Minister
• A transitionary council created to reestablish democratic order in Haiti signed a degree firing
interim Prime Minister Garry Conille and replacing him with Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, a businessman
who was previously considered for the job. Mr. Fils-Aimé is the former President of Haiti’s Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and in 2015 ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate. The businessman studied at
Boston University and was previously considered for the position as a private sector candidate for the post
before Conille took the seat.
President-elect Trump to appoint former ICE director Tom Homan as U.S. ‘border czar’
• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said that Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE), will be in charge of the country’s borders in his new administration.
Mr. Homan, who served in the Trump administration for a year and a half during his first term, is also a
contender for secretary of homeland security. Mr. Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration the
central element of his campaign, promising mass deportations.
Japan’s parliament re-elects struggling leader Ishiba as Prime Minister
• Japan’s parliament re-elected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after his governing coalition suffered
the worst election loss in more than a decade. Mr. Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior
partner Komeito together lost their majority in the 465-seat Lower House, the more powerful of Japan’s two-
house parliament, in the October 27 election due to continued voter outrage over financial misconduct by his
party and its lukewarm response. Mr. Ishiba beat top opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda 221-160 in the first
runoff in 30 years. Mr. Ishiba’s government is preparing for his trip later this month to ASEAN and Group of
20 summits, as well as a possible meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his way home.
Opposition secures landslide victory in Mauritius election
• Opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam has won a landslide victory in Mauritius’s parliamentary vote.
The Office of the Electoral Commissioner said that Rangoolam and his Alliance of Change (ADC) coalition won
62.6 percent of the vote, securing the three-time former prime minister a fourth term. Ramgoolam served as
prime minister from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014.

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• Mauritius, which sits about 2,000 km (1,240 miles) off Africa’s east coast, is recognised as one of the
continent’s most stable democracies and has developed a successful economy underpinned by its finance,
tourism and agricultural sectors since gaining independence. Both Jugnauth and Ramgoolam are members of
the dynasties that have dominated the leadership of Mauritius since independence. Ramgoolam, who previously
worked as a doctor and a lawyer, is the son of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who led Mauritius to independence
from Britain.
U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump Establishes ‘Department Of Government Efficiency’
• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announces the establishment of a new “Department of
Government Efficiency” (DOGE), to be led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek
Ramaswamy. The department is tasked with reducing government bureaucracy, cutting excess regulations,
and eliminating wasteful spending.
• Trump states that DOGE will provide “advice and guidance from outside of government” to
improve efficiency across federal agencies. Trump has also chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
as Secretary of Homeland Security. Ms. Noem will oversee areas such as border protection and disaster
response. Susie Wiles, a longtime adviser in Trump’s campaign, will serve as White House Chief of Staff,
marking the first time a woman will hold this position. Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe
has been appointed CIA Director, while Republican Representative and former Army Green Beret Mike Waltz
will serve as National Security Advisor.
Argentina ‘withdraws’ from COP29, fuels rumours that country may pull out of Paris
Agreement
• The Argentinian delegation at COP29 has reportedly withdrawn itself from the climate conference.
Climatica reported that the withdrawal happened on the orders of Argentinian President Javier Milei,
who took charge of the country and is considered to be cultivating a friendship with US President-
elect Donald Trump.
• The Argentinians pulling out, just three days after the two-week conference began, coupled with Milei’s known
admiration for Trump, triggered rumours that the country was considering withdrawing itself from the Paris
Agreement. Trump is widely expected to once again pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement
after he assumes charge in January. He had done so the previous time he had become President, in 2016.
The Argentinian decision to leave the conference mid-way is unprecedented in climate negotiations.
• Argentina’s neighbour Brazil, meanwhile, became the first G20 country to submit its climate action
plan for 2035. Under the Paris Agreement, countries have to update their climate plans, called Nationally-
Determined Contributions (NDCs), every five years with newer and stronger actions.
• The cycle for these NDCs had begun in 2020, during which most countries had announced plans
for 2030. By next year, all countries need to update their NDCs for the 2035 time-frame. UAE, which hosted
last year’s climate meeting, was the first country to announce its 2035 NDC. Brazil is supposed to host year’s
meeting.
US President-Elect Donald Trump Appoints Former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as Director
of National Intelligence
• US President-elect Donald Trump has named a former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard to his Cabinet as
Director of National Intelligence. A four-term Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate, Colonel
Gabbard is a veteran with three deployments to war zones in West Asia and Africa. She recently moved from
being a Democrat to a Republican member. Mr Trump also nominated Congressman Matt Gaetz to be the
Attorney General of the United States. US President-elect has also announced the appointment of
Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
• Meanwhile, President Joe Biden received Mr Trump to the Oval Office at the White House in a customary
gesture marking the peaceful transfer of power. The practice of the sitting President receiving their
incoming successor signals the start of a peaceful transfer of power, which is completed with the
inauguration of the new President on January 21 with the ceremonial swearing-in on the steps of the
Capitol.
G20 Leaders Adopt Rio De Janeiro Declaration
• The 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit was the nineteenth meeting of Group of Twenty (G20), a Heads
of State and Government meeting held at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro from 18–19
November 2024. It was the first G20 summit to be hosted in Brazil. Additionally, it marked the first

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 full G20 summit with the African Union as a member, following its inclusion during the previous
summit in 2023.
• The theme of G20 Summit 2024 was ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet’. G20 leaders
have adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration at its 19th Summit in the Brazilian city. They have
called for action on Climate Change and wars in Ukraine and West Asia. The Declaration released is aimed
at addressing major global challenges and crises and promote strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth. The
declaration called for an enlarged Security Council composition that improves the representation of the
underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups. The declaration condemned terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations. Expressing the deep concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip and the escalation
in Lebanon, the declaration emphasized on the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian
assistance and to reinforce the protection of civilians. It called for peaceful resolution of conflicts and
efforts to address crises with diplomacy and dialogue. It reaffirmed the strong commitment to multilateralism,
especially in light of the progress made under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
• The Summit focused on 3 priorities: 1. Social inclusion & fight against hunger and poverty: Global
Alliance against Hunger and Poverty: The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was officially
launched during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its primary objective is to accelerate efforts
toward the eradication of hunger and poverty globally while promoting the achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015 by all
UN Member States, set targets to end poverty, hunger, and ensure food security by 2030. Global
Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access: Launched to promote
access to vaccines, diagnostics, and other health technologies for neglected diseases and vulnerable persons.
• 2. Sustainable development, energy transitions & climate action: It welcomed the establishment of Task
Force on a Global Mobilization against Climate Change. Established to identify & address structural barriers
to foster private capital flows for climate action, particularly for developing countries. 3. Reform of Global
Governance Institutions: Pledged to reform UN Security Council aligning with realities & demands of 21st
century, which is more inclusive, effective, democratic, accountable etc. Endorsed G20 Roadmap towards
Better, Bigger, and More Effective Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
The G20 (or Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors
from 19 countries and the European Union (EU) and African Union. Founded in 1999 with the aim to
discuss policy pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability, the G20 has expanded its
agenda since 2008 and heads of government or heads of state, as well as finance ministers, foreign ministers
and think tanks, have periodically conferred at summits ever since. It seeks to address issues that go beyond the
responsibilities of any single nation. In 2023, during its 2023 summit, the African Union joined as its 21st member.
The G20 members are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India,
Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom,
the United States, and the European Union and African Union. The G20 has no permanent secretariat.
The first G20 Summit took place in 2008 in Washington DC, US.

The 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit was the nineteenth meeting of Group of Twenty (G20), a Heads of
State and Government meeting held at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro from 18–19 November
2024. It was the first G20 summit to be hosted in Brazil. Additionally, It marked the first full G20 summit with
the African Union as a member, following its inclusion during the previous summit in 2023. The next
G20 summit is scheduled to be hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2025. Spain attends the G20
Summits as a permanent guest.
SIMBEX 2024
• The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) took place from 23
to 29 October 2024 in Visakhapatnam. The Republic of Singapore Navy Ship RSS Tenacious arrived on 23
October to participate in this event. SIMBEX started in 1994 as ‘Exercise Lion King’. It has evolved into a key
maritime collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Over the years, it
has grown in scope and complexity.
UAE Launches Global Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29
• The UAE has unveiled an ambitious initiative to establish the ‘Global Energy Efficiency Alliance’
during COP29, hosted in Azerbaijan. This move aims to double global energy efficiency rates by 2030 and
contribute to significant emission reductions.

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• The initiative builds on the ‘UAE Consensus’from COP28, a commitment that brought together countries,
organizations, and corporations to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable resource management.
The UAE plans to lead the alliance by sharing its expertise in energy efficiency, fostering knowledge transfer,
and building effective partnership models with the private sector.
President-Elect Donald Trump Announces Chris Wright as His Choice to Head
Department of Energy
• President-elect Donald Trump announced Chris Wright as his choice to head the Department of
Energy. Wright, the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, is a vocal supporter of fossil fuel use and is expected
to align with Trump’s goals of maximizing oil and gas production. Beyond production, Wright is likely to echo
Trump’s skepticism towards international climate change efforts. Known for dismissing climate change concerns
as exaggerated, Wright has notably compared attempts to tackle global warming to Soviet-style communism,
insisting that no energy transition is currently underway.
A first in 15 years, India dethrones China as top source of international students in US
• For the first time in 15 years, the number of students from India in the US has surpassed that of
Chinese students, making Indians the largest international student cohort in America in 2023-24,
according to data from the Open Doors 2024 report.
• There were 3.31 lakh Indian students and 2.77 lakh Chinese students in the US in 2023-24. While this
is the lowest number of Chinese students in the US in about a decade (a lower figure of 2.74 lakh students was
recorded in 2013-14), it is the highest number of Indian students in the US from at least 2000-01 onwards. The
number of Indian students in the US is now a little more than three times what it was a decade ago — 1.02 lakh
in 2013-14.
Donald Trump picks Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education
• President-elect Donald Trump has announced Linda McMahon as his pick for Secretary of Education.
Although she was initially considered for the Commerce Department. McMahon, a former administrator of
the Small Business Administration (SBA) and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, will become the
Education Secretary. Trump had promised to cut this agency down and reallocate its functions to the states.
Gabonese Voters Approves New Constitution in Referendum
• Gabonese voters have approved of a new constitution by a landslide 91.8 per cent proposed by
the country’s military rulers. The proposed new constitution introduces a limit of two terms on the
presidency, while also increasing the length of terms from five to seven years.
• The Central African Country’s new constitution also abolishes the position of prime minister and
stipulates that family members cannot succeed a president. The constitutional change will also require
presidential candidates to be exclusively Gabonese, with at least one Gabon-born parent and to
have a Gabonese spouse. The criterion disqualifies ousted ruler Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has a
French-born wife, Sylvia Valentin, and prevents his children from ever leading the country. Military
officers seized power in a coup in August 2023, ousting former President Ali Bongo Ondimba and
putting him under house arrest. Gabon’s military rulers have tentatively scheduled a handover to the
civilian government for the summer of 2025.
Gabon is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. Libreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon.
The Central African CFA franc is the currency of six independent states in Central Africa: Cameroon,
Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Brice Clotaire
Oligui Nguema is a Gabonese military officer serving as Transitional President of Gabon, chairman
of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions and the Commander-in-Chief of the
Gabonese Republican Guard. He is believed to have played a key part in the 2023 Gabonese coup d’état overthrowing
Ali Bongo.
NATO holds large Arctic exercises in Russia’s backyard
• Thousands of NATO soldiers are taking part in large-scale artillery exercises in Finland’s Arctic,
seen by some as a signal to neighbouring Russia over its war on Ukraine. Sounds of cannon fire and
rocket artillery echo across the snowy, hilly Lapland landscape as some 3,600 soldiers from the United States,
Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and other NATO members conduct live fire drills throughout November.
• They are part of NATO’s largest artillery exercise ever held in Europe, dubbed Dynamic Front 25,
which also includes drills in Estonia, Germany, Romania and Poland involving a total of around 5,000 soldiers.

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 The exercises are the first large-scale manoeuvres held in Finland since the Nordic country joined NATO last
year, when it dropped decades of military non-alignment following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also called the North Atlantic Alliance is an
intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member states – 30 European and two North American.
Established in the aftermath of World War II, the organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in
Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949. NATO is a collective security system: its independent member states agree
to defend each other against attacks by third parties. The organization’s motto is animus in consulendo
liber (Latin for ‘a mind unfettered in deliberation’). NATO’s main headquarters are located in Brussels,
Belgium, while NATO’s military headquarters are near Mons, Belgium. NATO formed with twelve founding
members and has added new members ten times, most recently when Sweden joined the alliance on 7 March
2024. Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician who has been serving as the 14th secretary-general of NATO since
October 2024. He previously served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024.
Thousands protesting New Zealand’s Indigenous bill set to march to parliament
• A proposed law that would redefine New Zealand’s founding treaty between the British Crown and
Maori chiefs has triggered political turmoil and prompted more than 35,000 people to show up in
protest at the country’s Parliament. The bill is never expected to become law. But it has become a flashpoint
on race relations and a critical moment in the fraught 180-year-old conversation about how New Zealand should
honor its promises to Indigenous people when the country was colonized -– and what those promises are.
Armenia Becomes 104th Full Member of International Solar Alliance
• Armenia has become the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). International Solar Alliance
(ISA) is an inter-governmental treaty-based organisation with a global mandate to catalyse solar growth by
helping to reduce the cost of financing and technology.
International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu, Former Defence
Minister, Hamas Leader
• International Criminal Court, ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged
war crimes and crimes against humanity. The move comes after the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced
on May 20, that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the October 7th, last year attacks
on Israel by Hamas and the Israeli military response in Gaza.
• The ICC said, Israel’s acceptance of the court’s jurisdiction was not required. Israel has rejected the
jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza. Israel has said, it killed Al-
Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in airstrike but Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied this.
The International Criminal Court (ICC or ICCt) is an intergovernmental organization and international
tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the first and only permanent international court with
jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity,
war crimes and the crime of aggression. Governed by an international treaty called ‘The Rome Statute’,
the ICC is the world’s first permanent international criminal court. India did not signed the Rome Statute,
and thus, is not a member of ICC. It is distinct from the International Court of Justice, an organ of the
United Nations that hears disputes between states. While praised as a major step towards justice, and as an
innovation in international law and human rights, the ICC has faced a number of criticisms from governments and
civil society, including objections to its jurisdiction, accusations of bias, Eurocentrism and racism, questioning of the
fairness of its case-selection and trial procedures, and doubts about its effectiveness.
UN climate talks secure $300 billion annual fund for developing nations in landmark deal
• At the United Nations climate talks held in Baku, Azerbaijan, countries have reached a critical
agreement to channel at least $300 billion annually into the fight against climate change. This
funding is aimed at assisting developing nations in transitioning away from fossil fuels, adapting to climate
impacts, and addressing the damage caused by extreme weather events.
• While the agreed amount falls short of the $1.3 trillion requested by developing countries, it triples
the $100 billion yearly target set in 2009, which is now expiring. The deal is viewed as a foundation for
encouraging developing nations to set more ambitious climate goals, which are due early next year as part of
the global effort to curb emissions. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries pledged to periodically
enhance their commitments to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The planet
has already warmed by 1.3°C, and emissions continue to rise.

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 The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more
commonly known as COP29, was the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference, held in Baku,
Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024. Mukhtar Babayev presided, while Samir Nuriyev headed the
Organising Committee. The conference concluded with an agreement on plans for finance to mitigate the
effects of climate change and help developing nations transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Rules and a UN registry were agreed to facilitate and record international trading of carbon credits. The choice
of Azerbaijan as the location for the conference was controversial because it is a major oil and gas
producer and authoritarian state with extensive corruption, with several “official partners” of COP29
being businesses directly owned by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, or tied to the Aliyev family’s
businesses.
Donald Trump appoints Jay Bhattacharya as National Institutes of Health director
• United President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jay Bhattacharya as the Director of the
National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, an economist from Kolkata with medical studies at Stanford
University, was a critic of US COVID policy. He will now lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the
primary US public funder of medical research, overseeing a budget of $47.3 billion.
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman
who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Having won the 2024 presidential
election as the Republican Party’s nominee, he is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 47th president on
January 20, 2025.
Philippine president and vice president clash in a feud that’s testing an Asian democracy
• A major political storm set off by a bitter feud between the Philippine president and the vice president is testing
an Asian democracy that has long been troubled by rowdy politics, poor law enforcement and bareface impunity.
Just over two years ago, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte won in
landslide electoral victories on a campaign battle cry of national unity.
• But their fragile alliance rapidly floundered over major differences, including their leanings toward either the
United States or China, and Marcos’ rejection of the bloody crackdown on illegal drugs launched by
his predecessor and Duterte’s father, Rodrigo Duterte. The hostilities came to a head over the weekend
when Sara Duterte told reporters she had arranged for Marcos, his wife and his cousin and speaker of the
House of Representatives, to be assassinated if she were fatally attacked herself.
The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Manila is the national capital, while the
largest city is Quezon City. The Philippine peso is the official currency of the Philippines. Ferdinand
Romualdez Marcos Jr. is the current President of the Philippines.
Icelanders head to polls after government collapse
• Icelanders vote in a legislative election after the collapse of a fraught coalition prompted a snap
poll where the economy is a top concern. Battling inflation and high interest rates, the economy, housing
and healthcare have dominated the campaign for the 2,68,000 people eligible to vote.
• The coalition of Mr. Benediktsson’s Independence Party, the Left-Green Movement and the centre-
right Progressive Party was divided on a range of issues but broke down over the handling of migrants
and asylum seekers. Only 32% listed immigration as a key issue and only 18% included asylum issues. In
contrast, healthcare, economic issues and housing were a top concern for more than 60%.
Iceland is a Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-
Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík. The krona
is the currency of Iceland. Bjarni Benediktsson has been serving as the Prime Minister of Iceland. Halla
Tomasdottir is serving as the current President of Iceland. She is Iceland’s second woman president, after
Vigdis Finnbogadottir.
U.K. Parliament vote in favour of historic assisted dying bill for terminally ill adults
• Members of Parliament in the House of Commons in UK voted in favour of a historic bill that could pave
the way for terminally ill adults in England and Wales with just six months left to live to request
medical assistance to end their lives.
• The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill tabled as a private member’s bill by Labour MP Kim
Leadbeater attracted 330 votes in favour as opposed to 275 against – clearing its second reading stage by a
majority of 55. This means the legislation can now progress through a lengthy process of amendments and

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 scrutiny by the House of Lords before it can become law. The issue had deeply divided MPs, who were given a
free vote without being constrained by party lines when deciding on this significant new legislation.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom
(UK) or Britain is a sovereign country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland.
It comprises England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom includes the island
of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands within the
British Isles. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The
capital and largest city is London, a global city and financial centre with a metropolitan area population of over
14 million. Sterling is the official currency of the United Kingdom and its associated territories. Charles
III (Charles Philip Arthur George) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms.
He was the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person
to accede to the British throne upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022. Kier
Starmer is the current Prime Minister since July 2024 and as Leader of the Labour Party since 2020.
Spain introduces paid ‘climate leave’ for workers following deadly October floods
• In view of the floods that claimed at least 224 lives in October, Spain has introduced “paid climate leave”
of up to four days, allowing workers to stay home during weather emergencies. The policy comes
after companies faced criticism over requiring employees to work during the floods, despite a red alert issued
by the national weather agency. Some firms argued they were not adequately informed and blamed delayed
telephone alerts for their failure to act. The legislation mandates that employees stay home if emergency
authorities issue warnings. Workers can also opt for a reduced working day after the four-day
period, using an existing mechanism for emergencies.
Spain is a country located in Southwestern Europe, with parts of its territory in the Atlantic Ocean, the
Mediterranean Sea and Africa. Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. Pedro Sanchez has been
Prime Minister of Spain since June 2018. Felipe VI is the King of Spain. The Euro is the official currency
of it.
Paris & the world get their first glimpse of post-fire Notre Dame
• France is to offer the world a first look inside the restored Notre Dame cathedral in Paris over
five years after the fire that ravaged the interior of the heritage landmark and toppled its spire.
Eight days ahead of the December 7 reopening of the cathedral, President Emmanuel Macron conducted an
inspection; broadcast live on television, which provided the first official insight into how the 850-year-old edifice
now looks inside.
• The French president is hoping the opening of Notre Dame will be a major feather in his cap amid
the current political deadlock following early parliamentary elections this summer. World leaders
are expected to join but the guest list has yet to be unveiled. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were
mobilised for a restoration costing hundreds of millions of euros in what was dubbed the “building site of the
century”.
Belgium becomes first country to pass law granting sex workers maternity leave,
employment benefits
• Belgium has become first of its kind in the world to recognise sex workers’ rights, offering them
the same benefits as other workers, including maternity leave, pensions, health insurance, and sick
leave. This landmark legislation, introduced after sex work was decriminalised in 2022, ensures sex workers
have the same protections as other professions. The law also regulates employers, banning those with criminal
records and requiring safety measures like alarm buttons in workspaces.
Belgium is a country in Northwestern Europe. The capital and largest metropolitan region is Brussels.
Alexander De Croo is the current Prime Minister of Belgium. Euro is the currency of it.

C. Business & Economy

16th Finance Commission sets up five-member advisory panel
• The Sixteenth Finance Commission, headed by Arvind Panagariya set up a five-member advisory
council to advise the Commission on the Terms of Reference (ToR), assist in the preparation of research
papers and help broaden the Commission’s ambit.

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• The convenor of the five-member panel would be Poonam Gupta, Director General of the National
Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and part-time member of Economic Advisory Council to
the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
• Other members of the panel are EY’s Chief Policy Advisor DK Srivastava, Axis Bank’s Chief
Economist Neelkanth Mishra, who is also part-time Chairperson of Unique Identification Authority of India
(UIDAI) and part-time member of EAC-PM. HSBC’s Chief India Economist Pranjul Bhandari and
Rahul Bajoria, Bank of America head of India and ASEAN economic research, are the other members
of the council.
• The role and functions of the advisory council include helping the Commission to broaden its ambit
and understanding by seeking the best national and international practices on matters pertaining to
fiscal devolution and improving the quality, reach, and enforcement of its recommendations, the statement
said. Also, the council will advise the Commission on any of the Terms of Reference or related subjects that may
be of relevance. It will also assist in the preparation of papers or research studies and monitor or assess studies
commissioned by the Finance Commission, thereby enhancing the commission’s understanding of the issues in
its Terms of Reference.
The Finance Commissions are commissions periodically constituted by the President of India under
Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to define the financial relations between the central government
of India and the individual state governments. The First Commission was established in 1951 under The
Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951. Fifteen Finance Commissions have been
constituted since the promulgation of Indian Constitution in 1950. Individual commissions operate under the terms
of reference which are different for every commission, and they define the terms of qualification, appointment and
disqualification, the term, eligibility and powers of the Finance Commission. As per the constitution, the commission
is appointed every five years and consists of a chairman and four other members. The Finance Commission was
established in 1951 by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the then-incumbent law minister, to address these imbalances.
The First FC was constituted in 1951 with Shri Kshitish Chandra Neogy as the Chairman; it submitted
its reports in 1953. The most recent Finance Commission was 15th FC and constituted in 2017 and is
chaired by N. K.Singh.
IMF maintains 2024 global growth forecast, warns of inflation risk
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) held global growth expectations for 2024 steady in a report
even as it cut forecasts for the United States and Japan, while warning of inflation risks and trade
tensions ahead. The IMF expects the world economy to grow 3.2% this year, unchanged from its April
forecast, according to its World Economic Outlook update.
IMF forecasts Indian growth rate at seven per cent in 2024
• The IMF revised upward its projections for India and said the country is now expected to grow by
seven per cent in 2024, compared to 6.8 per cent projected in April. “The forecast for growth in India
has been revised upward, to 7 per cent, this year, with the change reflecting carryover from upward revisions to
growth in 2023 and improved prospects for private consumption, particularly in rural areas,” the International
Monetary Fund said in its latest edition of the world economic outlook update.
• India’s economy is now forecast to expand by 7 per cent, up from the 6.8 per cent the IMF had
projected in April. Overall, global growth is projected to be in line with the April 2024 World Economic
Outlook (WEO) forecast, at 3.2 per cent in 2024 and 3.3 per cent in 2025.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global
monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high
employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. Created in
1945, the IMF is governed by and accountable to the 190 countries that make up its near-global membership. Ms.
Kristalina Georgieva, from Bulgaria, is Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Board of
International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 1, 2019. Prominent Indian-American economist Gita
Gopinath is the first woman to occupy the post of chief economist of the International Monetary Fund.
The latest currency that was added to the basket of currencies by the International Monetary Fund
to determine the value of XDR is the Chinese renminbi in 2016. The other international currencies in the
basket of currencies are British Pound, Japanese Yen, US Dollar, and Euro. XDR is the currency code
of Special Drawing Rights. Principality of Liechtenstein has joined the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), to become its 191 member.

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Steve Ballmer is richer than Bill Gates, a first for Microsoft billionaires
• Steve Ballmer passed Bill Gates to become the sixth-richest person in the world, the first time the
former chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. has been wealthier than the company’s co-founder. The move
came as Microsoft shares rose to a fresh record, bringing their total gain this year to 21%.
• The company, through its partnership with OpenAI, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the
artificial intelligence rally that has powered the US stock market higher. More than 90% of Ballmer’s
$157.2 billion net worth is in Microsoft shares, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
• Gates founded Microsoft with his friend Paul Allen in 1975 and led it until 2000, when Ballmer —
one of the company’s earliest employees — replaced him as CEO. Ballmer retired in 2014 and became
Microsoft’s largest shareholder that same year. He bought the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in
2014, an investment that is estimated to be worth $4.6 billion.
• Gates, meanwhile, has diversified his $156.7 billion fortune: About half his wealth is held through
Cascade Investment, which was created with the proceeds of Microsoft stock sales and dividends. He also
owns a $21 billion stake in waste-management company Republic Services Inc. through Cascade.
SEBI proposes to bring ‘new asset class’ with minimum investment limit of Rs. 10 lakh
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) proposed to introduce a new asset class or product
category to bridge the gap between mutual funds (MFs) and portfolio management services (PMS).
The minimum investment threshold under the new asset class has been proposed at Rs. 10 lakh per
investor.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body for securities and commodity
market in India under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It was established on
12 April 1988 and given Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992. SEBI has its
headquarters at the business district of Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Madhabi Puri Buch is the
current chairman of SEBI. Madhabi Puri Buch took charge of chairman on 1 March 2022, replacing
Ajay Tyagi, whose term ended on 28 February 2022. Madhabi Puri Buch is the first woman chairperson of
SEBI.
Economic Survey 2023-24: Indian economy likely to grow by 6.5% to 7% this year
• The Indian economy has broadly caught up with pre-COVID growth trends, averting any permanent
scarring, and is likely to grow by 6.5% to 7% this year with prospects of clocking 7%-plus growth in
coming years, as per the Economic Survey for 2023-24 that also drew attention to the need to address inequality
and unemployment as a policy priority.
• Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran, the lead author of the Survey put together
by the Economics Division in the Department of Economic Affairs, made a pitch for the Central and
State governments to let go of their myriad regulatory powers to ease the burden on businesses. He also prodded
the corporate sector, ‘swimming in excess profits’, to take responsibility of generating productive jobs in its own
‘enlightened self-interest’.
The Economic Survey of India is an annual document released by the Ministry of Finance. It is usually
presented in Parliament a day before the Union Budget. It is prepared by the Economics Division of the
Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the guidance of the Chief Economic Advisor. It reviews
the developments in the Indian economy over the previous 12 months and presents the economic outlook
for the current fiscal year. It also presents the current state of the Indian economy, including data on gross domestic
product (GDP), inflation, employment, and trade. The first Economic Survey in India was presented in the
year 1950-51. Up to 1964, it was presented along with the Union Budget. From 1964 onwards, it has been
delinked from the Budget. J J Anjaria was India’s first Chief Economic Advisor (CEA). He was appointed
in 1956. Venkatramanan Anantha Nageswaran is the current Chief Economic Advisor.
India launches UPI payments at world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Paris
• India has launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Paris’ historic department store
Galeries Lafayette after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This significant step is towards
realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalising UPI, which is an Indian instant
payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. The UPI
became live at the flagship store of the world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Haussmann, Paris.
This expands the acceptance of UPI in Paris after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower”.

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Asian Development Bank retains India’s growth forecast at 7% for 2024-25
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) maintained India’s GDP growth forecast at 7 per cent for
the current financial year, citing that a rebound in agriculture is expected given above-normal monsoon
projections.
• The ADB forecast comes a day after the International Monetary Fund revised upward its GDP growth
projections for India to 7 per cent compared to 6.8 per cent projected in April.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966,
which is headquartered in 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila 1550, Philippines. The bank also
maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia. Starting
with 31 members at its establishment, ADB now has 68 members. The ADB was modeled closely on
the World Bank and has a similar weighted voting system, where votes are distributed in proportion with
members’ capital subscriptions. Japan and the United States each holds the largest proportion of shares
at 15.571%. China holds 6.429%, India holds 6.317%, and Australia holds 5.773%. Masatsugu Asakawa, a
Japanese civil servant, is the president of the ADB.
RBI allows resident Indians to open Foreign Currency Accounts in IFSC, Gujarat
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a notification issued allowed resident individuals to open Foreign
Currency Account (FCA) in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) at GIFT City in
Gujarat under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is an under-construction central business district
in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. It is India’s first operational greenfield smart city and international
financial services center, which the Government of Gujarat promoted as a greenfield project, The city is
located on the banks of the Sabarmati River and is around 12 km (7.5 mi) from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
International Airport. The city is designed so residents can walk to work, and includes commercial, financial and
residential complexes.
GAIL says Urja Ganga gas pipeline completion delayed to March 2025
• “The construction of the Rs. 12,940-crore ‘Urja Ganga’ gas pipeline, India’s most ambitious project
taking environment-friendly fuel to eastern parts of the country, has been delayed by nine months
and will now be completed by March 2025,” State-owned GAIL (India) Limited said. The 3,306 km
Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline was originally targeted for completion by June 2024.
But due to “delay in right of use (RoU) availability”, the completion schedule has been revised “from June
2024 to March 2025”, GAIL said in a stock exchange filing.
Launched in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project (PMUGP) is a transformative initiative
spanning a 3,400 km pipeline network connecting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and
Odisha to the existing gas grid. This project aims to address regional disparities in Eastern India by harnessing
natural resources for comprehensive development.
Hindustan Zinc launches Asia’s first low-carbon zinc brand, EcoZen
• Vedanta-owned Hindustan Zinc (HZL), India’s largest zinc producer, has launched EcoZen, Asia’s
first low-carbon green zinc brand. It has been developed to meet the growing demand for sustainable
and environmentally-friendly materials, particularly in the automotive sector.
• Manufactured using renewable energy, the carbon footprint of EcoZen is about 75 per cent lower than the global
average. EcoZen claims to have less than one tonne of carbon emission produced for every tonne of
zinc made. This initiative aligns with HZL’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is an Indian integrated mining and resources producer of zinc, lead, silver
and cadmium. It is a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited. Earlier it was a Central Public Sector Undertaking,
sold by Government of India to Vedanta Limited when Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bharatiya Janta Party
Government was in power in the year 2003. HZL is the world’s second largest zinc producer. They are one of
the world’s largest integrated producers of zinc and are among leading global lead and silver producers.
India launches UPI payments at world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Paris
• India has launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Paris’ historic department store
Galeries Lafayette after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This significant step is towards
realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalising UPI, which is an Indian instant
payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. The UPI

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 became live at the flagship store of the world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Haussmann, Paris.
This expands the acceptance of UPI in Paris after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower”.
Tata and Airbus to establish India’s first private helicopter assembly for H125 choppers
• In the backdrop of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, Airbus Helicopters has announced
that it is partnering with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for civil helicopters in the
country, making it India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd
(TASL) and Airbus Helicopters have signed a deal to set up a final assembly line (FAL) in India for
single-engine H125 choppers. This is the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter assembly
facility in India.
• The FAL will produce H125 choppers for India and neighbouring countries. The contract was signed
at the Farnborough International Airshow, according to a statement by Airbus and TASL. Deliveries of the
first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to begin in 2026.
Tata Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai. Founded in 1868 by
Jamshedji Tata, the group gained international recognition after purchasing several global companies. It is one
of the biggest and oldest industrial groups in India. Each Tata company operates independently under the
guidance and supervision of its own board of directors and shareholders. In 1991, Ratan Tata became chairman
of Tata Group. This was also the year of economic liberalization in India, opening up the market to foreign
competitors. Natarajan Chandrasekaran became the first non-Parsi and professional executive to head
the Tata Group. Significant Tata affiliates include Air India, Tata Chemicals, Tata Communications, Tata
Consultancy Services, Tata Consumer Products, Tata Elxsi, Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Steel, Jamshedpur
FC, Tanishq, Voltas, Tata Cliq, Tata Projects Limited, Tata Capital, Titan, Trent, Indian Hotels Company Limited,
TajAir, Croma, and Tata Starbucks, etc.

Air India is the flag carrier airline of India, headquartered at New Delhi. It is owned by Talace Private
Limited, a Special-Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Tata Sons, after Air India Limited’s former owner, the
Government of India, completed the sale. Air India operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving
102 domestic and international destinations. The airline was founded by J. R. D. Tata as Tata Airlines in
1932; Tata himself flew its first single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, carrying air mail from Karachi’s Drigh
Road Aerodrome to Bombay’s Juhu aerodrome and later continuing to Madras (currently Chennai). After World
War II, it became a public limited company and was renamed as Air India. On 21 February 1960, it took
delivery of its first Boeing 707 named Gauri Shankar and became the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft
in its fleet. Air India’s mascot is the Maharajah (Emperor) and the erstwhile logo consisted of a flying
swan with the wheel of Konark inside it, before being replaced by a new logo inspired by the airline’s
Jharokha window pattern in 2023. Natarajan Chandrasekaran is the chairman of Tata Sons. He was
chief operating officer (COO) and executive director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where in 2009,
he became chief executive officer (CEO).
US accounts for highest FPI investment in India, followed by Luxembourg and Canada:
SEBI Report
• The United States accounts for the highest share of Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) investing in
India during the fiscal year 2023-24, highlights a report by the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI). The report also added that as of March 31, 2024, the total number of registered FPIs in India
reached 11,219. This marks a slight increase from the previous year, where the number stood at 11,081. Out of
the total registered FPIs, the United States led with 3,457 investors.
• SEBI’s report emphasized the distribution of FPIs across different countries. The United States
topped the list with 3,457 registered FPIs, followed by Luxembourg with 1,393 and Canada with 804.
The report provided a detailed analysis of the country-wise distribution of FPIs, including their Assets under
Custody (AUC). The AUC refers to the total value of assets managed by these FPIs and held under the custody
of custodians.
Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) refers to the purchase and holding of a wide array of foreign
financial assets by investors seeking to invest in a country outside their own. In India, foreign portfolio
investment is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Foreign portfolio investment
(FPI) consists of securities and other financial assets passively held by foreign investors. It does not
provide the investor with direct ownership of financial assets and is relatively liquid depending on the
volatility of the market. Examples of FPIs include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, American

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 Depositary Receipts (ADRs), and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). FPI is part of a country’s capital account
and is shown on its Balance of Payments (BOP). The BOP measures the amount of money flowing from one
country to other countries over one monetary year. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) brought new
FPI Regulations, 2019, replacing the erstwhile FPI Regulations of 2014. FPI is often referred to as “hot money”
because of its tendency to flee at the first signs of trouble in an economy. FPI is more liquid, volatile
and therefore riskier than FDI.
Bitcoin Developer Launches World’s First Fully Anonymous DAO
• On August 12, Amir Taaki, a leading developer of the Bitcoin protocol, announced the creation of the
world’s first fully anonymous on-chain decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). The DAO uses
smart contracts to transfer funds without revealing treasury details or recipient identities, ensuring complete
anonymity. Amir Taaki, a leading developer of the Bitcoin protocol, announced the creation of the world’s first
fully anonymous on-chain decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). The DAO can have smart contracts
that can perform actions such as transferring of funds without the necessity of disclosing the information on the
treasury or the identity of the recipient.
A cryptocurrency or crypto, is a virtual currency secured by cryptography. It is designed to work as a
medium of exchange, where individual ownership records are stored in a computerised database. The
defining trait of a cryptocurrency is that they are not issued by the government agency of any country making them
immune against any interference and manipulation from them. The first type of crypto currency was Bitcoin,
which to this day remains the most-used, valuable and popular. Along with Bitcoin, other alternative
cryptocurrencies with varying degrees of functions and specifications have been created. Some are iterations
of bitcoin while others have been created from the ground up. Bitcoin was launched in 2009 by an
individual or group known by the pseudonym “Satoshi Nakamoto. The competing cryptocurrencies that
were created as a result of Bitcoin’s success are known as altcoins. Some of the well-known altcoins are as
follows: Litecoin, Peercoin, Namecoin, Ethereum and Cardana.
India’s second 700 MW nuclear power KAPS-4 plant starts operations at full capacity
• India’s second home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS)
in Gujarat started operating at its full capacity. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)
said Unit 4 at KAPS had been operating at 90% capacity before raising it to full power of 700 MWe. “The full
power operation of KAPS-4 after the smooth operation of its twin unit KAPS-3 at full power demonstrates
the strength of the first of a kind indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) design,” the
NPCIL said.
Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India, contributing about 2% of the country’s
total electricity generation. India currently has over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 power plants across the
country, which together produce 6,780 MW of nuclear power. Of these reactors, 18 are Pressurised Heavy
Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs). In January 2021, the Kakrapar Atomic
Power Project (KAPP-3), India’s first 700 MWe unit and the biggest indigenously developed variant of
the PHWR, was connected to the grid. The government is promoting the expansion of nuclear installations
to other parts of the country. For example, an upcoming nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur town in Haryana
will become operational in the near future. India is also working on an entirely indigenous thorium-based
nuclear plant, “Bhavni,” which will be the first of its kind using Uranium-233. The experimental thorium
plant “Kamini” already exists in Kalpakkam.
Assam cites national interest, allows Vedanta project in Gibbon habitat
• Citing national interest, the Assam wildlife department has recommended to the Centre that forest
clearance be granted to a Cairn Oil and Gas proposal for oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive
zone (ESZ) of the Hollongapar Gibbon wildlife sanctuary, home to the endangered Hoolock Gibbon and
wild elephants, official records show.
• Cairn Oil and Gas, Vedanta’s subsidiary, has sought diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land for oil
and gas exploration drilling in Jorhat, Assam, and is currently pending before the Union Environment
Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), which appraises proposals for forest diversion. FAC had last
month sought the state Chief Wildlife Warden’s views on the project from a wildlife conservation point of view.
Also, for the wildlife conservation plan and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, 2% of the total project cost
shall be deposited with the Chief Wildlife Warden.

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 Vedanta Limited is an Indian multinational mining company headquartered in Mumbai, India, with
its main operations in iron ore, gold and aluminium mines in Goa, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Odisha.
Vedanta (then called Sterlite industries) began in the 1980s, as the founder D.P.Agarwal founded Sterlite
Industries (India) Limited in Mumbai and begun to buy mining concessions in different states of India.
SWIFT, Axis Bank launch AI pilot to tackle payment fraud
• Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT), the global
specialist in financial transactions, is launching an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven pilot in partnership
with Axis Bank to help combat payment fraud occurring in cross-border payments. Along with global
banks, including BNY Mellon, Deutsche Bank, DNB, HSBC, Intesa Sanpaolo and Standard Bank, the duo will
test the use of secure data collaboration and federated learning technologies.
SWIFT is formally known as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication
(SWIFT). It is a trusted messaging system for banks and other financial institutions around the world.
It doesn’t settle any money itself, but provides instruction messages for just how to give and receive
specific funds. It is controlled by the central banks of the G10 countries, the European Central Bank,
and the National Bank of Belgium. It was established in 1973 and is based in Belgium. The Group of Ten is
made up of eleven industrial countries (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden,
Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States) which consult and co-operate on economic, monetary
and financial matters. Prior to SWIFT, the only reliable means of message confirmation for international funds
transfer was Telex. It was discontinued due to a range of issues such as low speed, security concerns, and a free
message format. There are about 11,000 member banks in 200 countries and territories that use SWIFT. Since it
began in 1973, SWIFT has become an integral part of the flow of global trade. India’s financial system has access
to the SWIFT. Iran and North Korea are already out of the SWIFT platform. Recently, the US and the
European Commission has excluded several Russian banks from SWIFT messaging system to counter
Russia’s war over Ukraine.
SBI unveils MSME Sahaj offering loans
• The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced MSME Sahaj, a new initiative designed to cater to the
working capital requirements of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This web-based
solution is aimed at facilitating fast and convenient invoice financing for MSMEs.
• This program is intended to assist even those MSMEs that have not previously utilised credit
facilities from SBI, provided they are sole proprietors with a satisfactory current account. Current SBI MSME
customers can conveniently access MSME Sahaj via the Yono SBI mobile app.
As per the latest classification of MSME: 1. Micro enterprises would be those with investments not
exceeding Rs. one crore and turnover of Rs. 5 crore. 2. Small enterprises would be those with investment
up to Rs. 10 crore and turnover of up to Rs. 50 crore. 3. Medium enterprises – as those with investments
not exceeding Rs. 50 crore and turnover of Rs. 250 crore.
World Bank B-Ready index groundwork kicks off
• India has initiated preparations for the World Bank’s new B-Ready index, replacing the Doing
Business index. The report will evaluate aspects of business environments, including trade and
taxation. The commerce ministry is collecting data on e-commerce to improve India’s digital trade capabilities,
aiming for ecommerce exports of $200-300 billion by 2030. The World Bank’s new flagship report benchmarking
the business environment and investment climate in economies worldwide. B-Ready is replacing
the World Bank’s Doing Business index that ranked countries based on their business enabling
environment.
The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around
the world. The World Bank Group comprises five institutions managed by their member countries. It was
established in 1944, the World Bank Group is headquartered in Washington, Ajay Banga is an Indian-
born American business executive. He is currently the President of the World Bank Group, and vice
chairman at General Atlantic.He was executive chairman of Mastercard, after having previously served
as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company from July 2010 until December 31, 2020.
Together, IBRD and IDA form the World Bank, which provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance
to governments of developing countries. IDA focuses on the world’s poorest countries, while IBRD assists
middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries. The International Development Association (IDA)

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 is a multinational financial institution providing aid to poor countries in the form of loans. It is also
referred to as soft loan window of the World Bank. IBRD and IDA have 189 and 174 member countries,
respectively. The U.S., Japan, China, Germany and the U.K. have the most voting power.
Hurun India 2024 list: 3 startups turn unicorns this year, 25 including Dunzo, Practo,
Rapido drop out of index
• India has 67 unicorns, 46 gazelles, and 106 cheetahs against 68 unicorns, 51 gazelles, and 96 cheetahs
in 2023 as per the ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Future Unicorn Index 2024. There are 38 new
entrants- 7 gazelles, 31 new Cheetahs in the list this year. Peak XV partners, which has invested in 47 probable
unicorns, is the most active investor followed by Accel with stakes in 25 future unicorns as per the list. India’s
future unicorns are worth $58 billion- an increase of 1.8% as compared to the last year. As per the list, Ixigo, a
former Cheetah, went public with a 48% premium and is poised for a billion-dollar valuation. Zepto, Porter,
and Incred Finance joined the unicorn club.
• “The ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Future Unicorn Index highlights how Indian startups and investors
are adapting to a new reality. Despite previous dropouts, India has added 38 new entrants to the index,
including 7 Gazelles (companies expected to become unicorns within 3 years) and 31 Cheetahs
(projected to reach unicorn status within 5 years).
• This year’s list is particularly exciting, featuring 1 Gazelle and 2 Cheetahs from SpaceTech, 5
Gazelles and 6 Cheetahs from Artificial Intelligence, and 1 Gazelle and 5 Cheetahs from the EV/
Renewable Energy sectors. These companies are poised to shape India’s future,” Anas Rahman Junaid, MD and
Chief Researcher, Hurun India, said.
India has become the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem in the world after the US and China. 44 Indian start-
ups have achieved unicorn status in 2021 taking the overall tally of unicorns to 83, most of which are in the
services sector. India has seen such rapid growth in unicorns due to several strategic as well as conditional reasons.
A unicorn is any privately owned firm with a market capitalization of more than USD 1 billion. There
are several categories like fintech, Edtechs, B2B (Business-to-Business) companies, etc.
RIL becomes India’s first company to surpass Rs. 10 lakh crore in annual revenue
• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has become the first Indian company to surpass Rs. 10 lakh crore
in annual revenue. This significant milestone was announced by RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani during the
company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• During the AGM, Ambani revealed that Reliance achieved a record consolidated turnover of Rs.
10,00,122 crore (USD 119.9 billion) for the financial year 2023-24. For the same period, RIL reported an
EBITDA of Rs. 1,78,677 crore (USD 21.4 billion) and a net profit of Rs. 79,020 crore (USD 9.5 billion).
• The company also recorded exports amounting to Rs. 2,99,832 crore (USD 35.9 billion), which accounted
for 8.2% of India’s total merchandise exports. In the last three years, Reliance Industries has invested over Rs.
5.28 lakh crore (USD 66.0 billion), demonstrating its commitment to expanding its operations.
• Additionally, the company remained the largest contributor to the national exchequer, contributing
Rs. 1,86,440 crore (USD 22.4 billion) through various taxes and duties during FY 2023-24. Over the
past three years, RIL’s total contribution to the exchequer has crossed Rs. 5.5 lakh crore (USD 68.7 billion), the
highest by any Indian corporate. On the social front, RIL increased its annual Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) spending by 25%, reaching Rs. 1,592 crore (USD 191 million) in the last year.
Reliance Industries Limited is an Indian multinational conglomerate company, headquartered in Mumbai.
It has diverse businesses including energy, petrochemicals, natural gas, retail, telecommunications,
mass media, and textiles. Reliance is one of the most profitable companies in India, the largest publicly
traded company in India by market capitalisation, and the largest company in India as measured by
revenue. It is India’s largest private tax payerand largest exporter, accounting for 7% of India’s total
merchandise exports. The company was co-founded by Dhirubhai Ambani and Champaklal Damani in
1960’s as Reliance Commercial Corporation. Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani is an Indian business magnate
and chairman, managing director, and the largest shareholder of RIL.
India received $120 billion in remittances in 2023, maximum from US: World Bank
• India received USD 120 billion in remittances in 2023, which is almost twice of USD 66 billion received
by Mexico during the same period, the World Bank said in a report released. China (USD 50 billion), the
Philippines (USD 39 billion), and Pakistan (USD 27 billion) figure in top five countries list of remittances

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 recipients as released by the World Bank, according to which remittances in 2023 after a period of strong
growth during 2021-2022, officially recorded remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
moderated in 2023, reaching an estimated USD 656 billion.
• “Growing at 7.5 per cent, remittance flows to India touched USD 120 billion in 2023, reflecting the
benefits of a deceleration in inflation and strong labour markets in the United States, the largest destination for
India’s skilled migrants, and other OECD destinations, as well as positive demand for skilled and less-skilled
workers in the GCC countries (which, together, are the second largest destination for Indian migrants),” the
World Bank said.
• While the same external demand conditions could have favoured remittance flows to Pakistan, weak internal
conditions due to a balance of payments crisis and economic difficulties triggered remittances to
plummet 12 per cent to USD 27 billion in 2023 compared with more than USD 30 billion in 2022.
• According to the World Bank, remittance flows to India from the United Arab Emirates, which account
for 18 per cent and are the second largest source of India’s remittances after the United States,
benefited from the February 2023 agreement. The latter established a framework to promote the use of local
currencies for cross-border transactions and cooperation for interlinking payment and messaging systems
between India and the United Arab Emirates.
• The use of dirhams and rupees in cross-border transactions is instrumental in channelling more remittances
through formal channels. In addition to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and
Qatar account for 11 per cent of India’s total remittances, it said.
Remittances are usually understood as financial or in-kind transfers made by migrants to friends and
relatives back in communities of origin. These are basically sum of two main components - Personal Transfers
in cash or in kind between resident and non-resident households and Compensation of Employees, which refers to
the income of workers who work in another country for a limited period of time. Remittances help in stimulating
economic development in recipient countries, but this can also make such countries over-reliant on
them. World Bank’s Migration and Development Brief is prepared by the Migration and Remittances
Unit, Development Economics (DEC)- the premier research and data arm of the World Bank.
Reliance Industries jumps two places on Fortune’s Global 500 list
• Oil-to-telecom-to-retail conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd continues to be the highest-ranked
Indian firm on the Fortune Global 500 list, jumping two places to be ranked at No.86 in the 2024
ranking. The firm was placed at No.88 in last year’s ranking and has gained a whopping 69 places in the last
three years - from being placed at No.155 in 2021 to being at No.86 in 2024.
• The 2024 ranking has nine Indian firms, five of them from the public sector. Insurance behemoth Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) jumped 12 places to be ranked at No.95 on the 2024 list while state-owned
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) slid 22 places to 116. State Bank of India (SBI) soared 57 spots to rank at No.178.
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) were
ranked at No.180 and No.258 after they slid 22 and 25 spots respectively. Tata Motors was ranked at
No.271, up 66 spots. HDFC Bank at No.306 and Rajesh Exports at No.463 were the other Indian firms on the list.
• US retailer Walmart remains No.1 for the 11th consecutive year while Amazon reached a new high
to claim No.2 spot (up from No.4 last year), according to Fortune. Saudi Aramco fell to No.4 from being at
No.2 in 2023; however, with $ 121 billion in profits, it was the most profitable company on the list for the third
year in a row. Chinese state-owned electric utility State Grid is ranked at No.3 on the list which also has two
other Chinese firms in top 10 - Sinopec Group at No.5 and China National Petroleum at No.6.
State Bank of India’s market cap crosses Rs. 8 lakh crore, stocks surge to all-time high
• The market capitalisation of the State Bank of India (SBI) crossed the Rs. 8 lakh crore mark after
the bank’s shares surged to a record high of Rs. 907. SBI is now the third-largest bank in India by market
cap, very close to ICICI Bank which is second largest.
• The bank’s market cap milestone was reached as shares rose over 9% during a rally in the stock
market, hitting an all-time high of Rs. 909. Notably, SBI’s shares have increased by more than 50% in the
last six months.
Hurun Rich List: Gautam Adani tops list with Rs. 11.6 lakh cr wealth, surpasses Mukesh Ambani
• India’s billionaires’ community has achieved remarkable success once again. As per the 2024 Hurun India
Rich List, the number of billionaires has surpassed 300, reaching precisely 334 billionaires. This
marks a striking six-fold increase since the list was established 13 years ago.

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• Gautam Adani (62) and his family have secured the top position in the 2024 Hurun India Rich List,
amassing a wealth of Rs. 11.6 lakh crore. His wealth has surged by an impressive 95%, establishing him as the
leading figure in the prestigious listing.
• Adani replaced Reliance Industries Limited Mukesh Ambani to become the richest Indian. Ambani’s
overall net worth increased by 25 per cent to Rs. 10.14 lakh crore, as per the 2024 Hurun India Rich
List. In the third spot sits HCL’s founder, Shiv Nadar, and his family, with a substantial fortune totaling
Rs. 314,000 crore. The renowned vaccine tycoon, Cyrus S Poonawalla, claims the fourth spot on the list with a
substantial wealth of Rs. 289,800 crore.
Gautam Shantilal Adani is an Indian billionaire industrialist. He is the chairman and founder of Adani
Group, an Ahmedabad-based multinational conglomerate involved in port development and operations
in India. Adani is also the president of Adani Foundation, which is primarily led by his wife, Priti Adani. As of
7 September 2022, according to Forbes, with a net worth of US$148.4 billion, he is the richest person in
India and Asia, and the fourth richest person in the world. Adani subsequently lost more than $104
billion of market capitalization after fraud and market manipulation allegations by short-seller firm
Hindenburg Research.

Adani third Indian business house to cross $10-b mark in operating profit
• The Adani Group has become only the third Indian conglomerate after the Tata Group and Mukesh
Ambani’s Reliance Group to log $10 billion in annual operating profit, having reached that milestone
in FY24 despite higher policy rates, global business volatility, and a stock rout spawned by misgovernance
allegations.
• The infrastructure conglomerate’s Ebitda, or profit from regular business operations excluding costs such
as interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation, climbed 45% year-on- year in FY24, showed a group
presentation shared with top investors.
Gautam Shantilal Adani is an Indian billionaire industrialist. He is the chairman and founder of Adani
Group, an Ahmedabad-based multinational conglomerate involved in port development and operations
in India. Adani is also the president of Adani Foundation, which is primarily led by his wife, Priti Adani. As of 7
September 2022, according to Forbes, with a net worth of US$148.4 billion, he is the richest person in
India and Asia, and the fourth richest person in the world. Adani subsequently lost more than $104
billion of market capitalization after fraud and market manipulation allegations by short-seller firm
Hindenburg Research.

World’s richest young billionaires 2024 revealed

• Forbes recently released Forbes’ World’s Youngest Billionaires 2024 list and for the first time in the
last 15 years, not a single self-made venture under the age of 30 made it to the list. This indicates that the era
of ‘transfer of generational wealth’ has begun.
• The list includes names from around the world including Gen Z Ray Ban heirs Clemente and Luca Del Vecchio
to Red Bull’s Mark Mateschitz. The youngest billionaire of 2024 is Livia Voigt who is 19 years old
and still in university. The Brazillian teenager who owns a minority stake in WEG which was co-
founded by her late grandfather is worth US$1.1 billion.
• The youngest billionaire in Hong Kong is Jonathan Kwok. After his father Walter Kwok’s death
in 2018, Jonathan inherited stakes in Sun Hung Kai Properties and Empire Group Holdings. Mark
Mateschitz became a top young billionaire in 2022 when he inherited 49% of Red Bull after his father Dietrich
passed away, as reported by Business Insider. With Red Bull earning $11.6 billion and selling 12.1 billion cans
last year, Mark’s fortune has grown significantly.
Google built illegal monopoly to become world’s default search engine
• A United States judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by using billions of dollars to create
an illegal monopoly and become the default search engine worldwide. This landmark judgment is a
major victory for the country’s federal authorities targeting Big Tech’s dominance. The ruling opens the door
for a second trial to determine potential remedies, including a possible breakup of Google’s parent company,
Alphabet. Judge Amit Mehta found that Google controls about 90 per cent of the online search
market and 95 per cent of the smartphone search market.

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 Google is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online
advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing,
e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial intelligence (AI). It has been referred to as “the most
powerful company in the world” and is one of the world’s most valuable brands due to its market
dominance, data collection, and technological advantages in the field of AI. Google’s parent company, Alphabet
Inc., is one of the five Big Tech companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. Google was founded
on September 4, 1998, by American computer scientists Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD
students at Stanford University in California. In 2015, Google was reorganized as a wholly owned subsidiary
of Alphabet Inc. Google is Alphabet’s largest subsidiary and is a holding company for Alphabet’s internet
properties and interests. Sundar Pichai was appointed CEO of Google on October 24, 2015, replacing Larry
Page, who became the CEO of Alphabet. On December 3, 2019, Pichai also became the CEO of Alphabet.
India’s First Electric Vehicle Index Launched by NSE
• The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has unveiled India’s first Nifty EV & New Age Automotive
Index, marking a significant step in the fast-paced growth of the country’s stock market. This innovative
index tracks the performance of companies involved in the electric vehicle (EV) and new-age automotive sector,
including hybrid and hydrogen fuel-based vehicles.
• The Nifty EV & New Age Automotive Index is designed to monitor companies engaged in EV
manufacturing, charging infrastructure, battery production, and other crucial areas of the EV ecosystem.
This index reflects India’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions and positions the country as
a leader in the global shift towards electric mobility.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is the leading stock exchange in India located in Mumbai and the
fourth largest in the world by equity trading volume in 2015, according to World Federation of Exchanges
(WFE).It began operations in 1994 and is ranked as the largest stock exchange in India in terms of total
and average daily turnover for equity shares every year since 1995, based on annual reports of SEBI. NSE
launched electronic screen-based trading in 1994, derivatives trading (in the form of index futures) and
internet trading in 2000, which were each the first of its kind in India. Ashishkumar Chauhan is the
current managing director and chief executive officer of National Stock Exchange (NSE).
‘Mini RATNA’ status (Category-1) for Central Electronics Limited (CEL)
• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the grant of “Mini RATNA” status (Category-1) for
Central Electronics Limited (CEL). CEL has transformed from a loss-making PSU to a dividend paying PSU
and this is the 3rd consecutive year that CEL has paid dividends, that too at increasing rate, to the Government
of India. He also highlighted that Celebrating 50 years with attaining Net profit of approx. Rs. 58 crore is
commendable.
India to remain fastest growing Asia-Pacific economy: Moody’s
• Moody’s Ratings said India will remain the Asia-Pacific region’s fastest-growing economy in 2024,
sustaining last year’s domestically driven momentum. In a report titled Credit Conditions – Asia-Pacific
H2 2024 Credit Outlook, Moody’s Ratings said Indonesia, the Philippines and India led the way in
terms of growth in first half of 2024 and should continue to outperform pre-COVID growth numbers on the
back of rising exports, local demand and government spending on infrastructure. “India will remain the region’s
fastest-growing economy, sustaining last year’s domestically driven momentum.
A credit rating agency (CRA) assesses an entity’s (group, company, government, etc.) creditworthiness
in general terms or relating to particular debt or financial obligation. These agencies help lenders and
investors determine the potential risk involved in lending money to a particular borrowing entity and
gauge the entity’s repayment ability based on its past credit behaviour. SEBI (Securities and Exchange
Board of India) authorizes and regulates all credit rating agencies in India as per SEBI Regulations,
1999 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992. There are seven credit rating agencies in
India including CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, India Ratings and Research Pvt Ltd, Acuite Ratings & Research,
Brickwork Ratings India Pvt. Ltd. and Infomerics Valuation and Rating Pvt. Ltd. that are authorised by
SEBI to assess credit ratings.
Nvidia becomes world’s most valuable company
• Nvidia edged ahead of other tech companies to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded
company in the latest sign of the might of artificial intelligence. The chip company, which has enjoyed

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 a monumental ascent over the last 18 months amid enthusiasm over generative AI, jumped 3.4%, giving it a
market capitalisation of about $3.3 trillion, slightly ahead of Microsoft and Apple.
• Nvidia Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company
headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and incorporated in Delaware. It is a software and fabless
company which designs and supplies graphics processing units (GPUs), application programming interfaces
(APIs) for data science and high-performance computing, as well as system on a chip units (SoCs) for the mobile
computing and automotive market. Nvidia is also a dominant supplier of artificial intelligence (AI) hardware
and software.
Tata Group unveils Rs. 27,000 crore semiconductor facility in Assam, promising 15 billion
chips annually
• At the Tata Group’s Rs. 27,000-crore Greenfield semiconductor assembly and test facility in Assam,
which is expected to be operationalised by next year, around 15 billion chips will be packaged annually for
customers globally. For India’s first indigenous facility for assembly and testing of semiconductor
chips. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year laid the foundation stone through a virtual
interaction for the two facilities at Gujarat and Assam. Assam is closer to the current semiconductor packaging
and test hubs in Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Hurun list: Ambanis most valuable among family businesses in India
• The Ambani family has become the most valuable family business in the country with a worth of Rs.
25.75 lakh crore, the Barclays Private Clients Hurun India noted. The Bajaj family comes second most
valuable family in the list at Rs. 7.13 lakh crore while Birlas come third at Rs. 5.39 lakh crore.
• The Adani family’s value has been pegged at Rs. 15.44 lakh crore in the list, but being a first generation it does
not feature in the main list. The Adani family is the richest first-generation family in India with active
second-generation leaders, the list noted. Serum’s Poonawalla family follows next with its business valued
at Rs. 2.37 lakh crore.
NHPC Limited accorded with ‘Navratna’ company status
• NHPC Limited has been accorded with the prestigious status of ‘Navratna’ company by the
Government of India. The conferring of Navratna status brings forth key advantages to NHPC. It
will enable faster decision-making, increase efficiency and empower employees. It will support major CAPEX
and investment plans, drive growth, expand market reach and achieve long-term gains.
• NHPC will have enhanced powers to establish joint ventures and overseas offices, access new markets
and leverage local expertise. Additionally, it will foster innovation by furthering technological alliances
and strengthening market positioning. It will also facilitate mergers and acquisitions leading to growth and
increased market share. Currently, NHPC’s total installed capacity is 7144.20 MW and the company is presently
engaged in the construction of projects aggregating to 10442.70 MW. These include the 2000 MW Subansiri
Lower project (Assam/ Arunachal Pradesh) and 2880 MW Dibang Multi-purpose project (Arunachal Pradesh).
NHPC Limited (erstwhile National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) is an Indian public sector
hydropower company that was incorporated in 1975 to plan, promote and organise an integrated and
efficient development of hydroelectric power. Recently it has expanded to include other sources of energy like solar,
geothermal, tidal, and wind. At present, NHPC is a Navaratna Enterprise of the Govt. of India and among
the top ten companies in the country in terms of investment base.

Navratna status is a recognition given by the Indian government to select public sector enterprises
(PSEs) that have financial and operational autonomy. The grant of Navratna status to RVNL provides it with
more operational freedom, financial autonomy, and enhanced delegation of powers. This status enables PSEs
to invest up to Rs. 1000 crore without any approval from the central government, giving them more
flexibility in decision making, personnel management, and joint ventures. The CPSEs which are Miniratna
I, Schedule ‘A’ and have obtained ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ MOU rating in three of the last five years and
having composite score of 60 or above in following six selected performance indicators are eligible to be considered
for grant of Navratna status.
Indian city overtakes Beijing to become Asia’s billionaire capital
• India’s financial capital Mumbai emerged as the “billionaire capital of Asia” with more billionaires
than China’s capital Beijing, as per the 2024 Hurun India Rich List. Mumbai saw an increase of 58 billionaire
individuals, taking its total to 386 on the list.

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• The Hurun list noted, “Home to 25% of the list - Mumbai is not only the billionaire capital of
Asia, overtaking Beijing but also the preferred city for Hurun India Rich Listers, followed by New Delhi and
Hyderabad. Among top cities, Mumbai is followed by Delhi, which has added 18 new billionaires,
taking its rich list entries to 217.
• Hyderabad surpassed Bengaluru for the first time to take the third position in the number of
wealthy residents. Surge of 17 new billionaires took the total number in Hyderabad to 104 which is followed
by Bengaluru at the fourth position with 100 wealthy individuals. Now, Mumbai is in third position globally
in terms of billionaires after New York (119) and London (97).
MK Stalin signs pact with Google, Microsoft to boost AI, manufacturing in Tamil Nadu
• As part of his visit to the United States, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin visited the offices of tech
giants Google and Microsoft and signed various pacts towards skilling initiatives in AI. The pacts
also aim to improve Tamil Nadu’s capability to manufacture semiconductors and smartphones. The Tamil
Nadu government also signed a pact with Google to skill two million youngsters in the state in AI
under the state government’s skill development programme “Naan Mudhalvan”. The initiative will
help to collaborate with startups, MSMEs, and the rural economy besides making the youth a future-ready force.
Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian subcontinent and is bordered by the union
territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Its
capital and largest city is Chennai. Its official language is Tamil, which is one of the longest-surviving
classical languages in the world. Ravindra Narayana Ravi is the current Governor of Tamil Nadu. M.K.
Stalin is the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari (also known as Cape Comorin) is a town
in Kanyakumari District in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Cape Comorin is the southern tip of Indian
subcontinent. The southernmost town in mainland India, it is sometimes referred to as ‘The Land’s End’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate SEMICON India 2024
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart, Greater
Noida, Uttar Pradesh on 11th September, 2024. It has been the vision of the Prime Minister to position
India as a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and technology development.
• SEMICON India 2024 is organised from 11 to 13th September with the theme “Shaping the
Semiconductor Future”. The three day conference from 11 to 13th September will showcase India’s
semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductor. It will witness
participation of top leadership of global semiconductor giants and will bring together global leaders, companies,
experts of the semiconductor industry. The conference will witness participation of more than 250 exhibitors
and 150 speakers.
Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors and insulators. They
can be pure elements, silicon or germanium or compounds, gallium, arsenide or cadmium selenide.
They are the basic building blocks that serve as the heart and brain of all modern electronics and
information and communications technology products. These chips are now an integral part of contemporary
automobiles, household gadgets and essential medical devices such as ECG machines. In December 2021, the
central government sanctioned Rs. 76,000 crore under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme
to encourage the manufacturing of various semiconductor goods within India.
UPI transaction limit increased to Rs. 5 lakh for three types of payments
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has increased the transaction limit for three
types of payments using UPI to Rs. 5 lakh for convenience. It may now become possible to make a single
transaction up to Rs. 5 lakh using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for a few specific purposes which
added that the limit per transaction is Rs. 1 lakh generally and for ones related to capital markets, collections,
insurance, and foreign inward remittances, the limit is Rs. 2 Lakh per day.
• The NPCI has increased the transaction limit from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh for the following types of
transactions: 1. Tax payments, 2. Hospitals and educational institutions and 3. For IPOs and RBI retail direct
schemes.
Unified Payments Interface, commonly known as UPI is a mobile-first payment system developed in
India by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It makes it easy to send and receive by just
scanning a QR code or using a user’s phone number. Unlike most digital payment systems, the amount gets
directly debited to the linked bank account. UPI can be used on BHIM, a first-party app. It can also be

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 accessed via third-party platforms such as Google Pay, Amazon Pay, PhonePe, BharatPe, and a lot more.
Most banks that officially operate in India support UPI payment, and unlike a credit or debit card payment, there
is no charge involved in UPI payment. To prevent fraudulent activities, NCPI has thought of various features
like how the account is directly linked to the phone number, and if the SIM card is removed, UPI ceases to work,
and at times, one might also face downtime due to service issues. To solve that, NCIP came up with UPI Lite,
which does not require a PIN or internet to make transactions. However, there is a limit of Rs. 500 per
transaction and Rs. 4,000 limit per day.
EV push: Cabinet approves Rs. 10,900 crore for new scheme
• The Union Cabinet approved a new scheme called PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative
Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) for the promotion of electric vehicles (EV) in India, replacing
an earlier flagship scheme. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will implement the new scheme with
a total outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore over a period of two years. The PM E-DRIVE will replace Faster
Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II). The new
scheme offers subsidies/demand incentives worth Rs. 3,679 crore to incentivise adoption of electric two-wheelers,
electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs.
Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-
II is being implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries for a period of five years commencing from
1st April,2019 with a total budgetary support of Rs. 10,000 crore. This phase mainly focuses on supporting
electrification of public & shared transportation, and aims to support through demand incentive 7090 eBuses, 5
lakh e-3 Wheelers, 55000 e-4 Wheeler Passenger Cars and 10 lakh e-2 Wheelers. In addition, creation of charging
infrastructure is also supported under the Scheme.
US India to setup the world’s first multi-chip fabrication unit in Jewar, UP
• The US military has agreed to a cutting-edge technology partnership with India to set up the world’s
first multi-material fabrication unit for national security. PM Modi and President Biden have signed a
watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor plant which will make chips used in high-technology
warfare platforms including advanced sensing, advanced communications and high voltage power electronics.
• The new fabrication unit will come up in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh and will be next to the new and
upcoming Jewar Airport. India’s current import bill for semiconductors for national security alone
is over one billion dollars a year.
India’s GDP set to double to $7 trillion, third largest in the world by FY30-31: S&P
• The size of India’s nominal GDP would nearly double to over US $ 7 trillion by fiscal 2030–31 from
US $ 3.6 trillion in fiscal 2023–24, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence projections. This would
make India the third-largest economy in the world, raising its share in global GDP from 3.6 per cent to
4.5 per cent and lifting its per-capita income to the upper-middle-income group, S&P said in a report.
• India is also set to transition to the upper-middle-income category by fiscal 2030–31 if forecast annual
growth of 6.7 per cent is realized, according to S&P Global. This follows an impressive GDP growth of
8.2 per cent in the fiscal year 2024, significantly exceeding the government’s earlier estimate of 7.3 per cent.
According to the report, fiscal 2024–25 started on a strong note, with goods and services tax (GST) collections
at an all-time monthly high of 2.1 trillion Indian rupees in April and remaining healthy in May and June.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended AIIB annual meet in Uzbekistan
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the 9th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors
of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) held in Samarkand, and hold bilateral meetings
with her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, China, and AIIB President.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank and international
financial institution that aims to collectively improve economic and social outcomes in Asia. It is the
world’s second largest multi-lateral development institution. Headquartered in Beijing, China, the bank currently
has 109 members, including 13 prospective members from around the world. The breakdown of the 109 members by
continents are as follows: 42 in Asia, 26 in Europe, 22 in Africa, 9 in Oceania, 8 in South America, and 2 in North
America. The bank started operation after the agreement entered into force on 25 December 2015, after ratifications
were received from 10 member states holding a total number of 50% of the initial subscriptions of the Authorized
Capital Stock. The starting capital of the bank was US$100 billion, equivalent to 2/3 of the capital of the Asian
Development Bank and about half that of the World Bank. Jin Liqun is the current President of the bank.

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New World Bank Loss and Damage fund names first director
• The board of The Fund for responding to Loss and Damage to help countries ravaged by climate-driven
disasters named Senegalese finance specialist Ibrahima Cheikh Diong as its first director, the World
Bank announced. The selection of Diong, a dual U.S. citizen, marks a major milestone in the operationalization
of the new World Bank-administered fund, whose creation in 2022 was a breakthrough for developing
country negotiators at United Nations climate talks, overcoming years of resistance from wealthy nations.
Elon Musk on track to become world’s first trillionaire by 2027
• World’s richest person Elon Musk is on track to become the first trillionaire in the world by 2027.
Musk, who is the boss of electric car manufacturing company Tesla, private rocket company SpaceX and social
media platform X (formerly Twitter), has seen his wealth growing at an average annual rate of 110%.
• Musk remains at the pinnacle of the world’s rich list with $237 billion net worth according to the
Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The report also adds that the second entrepreneur to hit trillionaire
status would be India’s businessman Gautam Adani. Industrial conglomerate Adani Group’s founder and
chairman Gautam Adani’s wealth has been growing at an average annual rate of 123% and if it remains at this
pace for some more years, then Adani would be the second entrant in the trillionaire list by 2028.
Elon Musk is a business magnate and investor. He is the founder, CEO and chief engineer of SpaceX;
angel investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; owner and CEO of Twitter, Inc.; founder of The
Boring Company; co-founder of Neuralink and OpenAI; and president of the philanthropic Musk Foundation.
In 2022, he acquired Twitter for $44 billion, merged the company into the newly-created X Corp. and
rebranded the service as X the following year. In March 2023, Musk founded xAI, an artificial-intelligence
company. He is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world; as of August 2024 Forbes estimates his net worth to
be US$247 billion. In 1999, Zip2 was acquired by Compaq for $307 million and Musk co-founded X.com, a
direct bank. X.com merged with Confinity in 2000 to form PayPal, which eBay acquired for $1.5 billion
in 2002. In 2006, he helped create SolarCity, a solar energy company that was later acquired by Tesla and
became Tesla Energy. In 2015, he co-founded OpenAI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence research company.
Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) attains Navratna Status
• Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been granted the Navratna status on 30th August 2024
by the Ministry of Finance. Completing its 13 years of incorporation, SECI is a leading CPSE dedicated to the
development and expansion of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity in India with a cumulative generation awarded
capacity of 69.25 GW and an annual power trading volume upwards of 42 Billion Units. SECI is the foremost
Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) of India which is continuously working towards fulfilling
climate goals and striving for sustainable development.
Navratna status is a recognition given by the Indian government to select public sector enterprises
(PSEs) that have financial and operational autonomy. The grant of Navratna status to RVNL provides it with
more operational freedom, financial autonomy, and enhanced delegation of powers. This status enables PSEs
to invest up to Rs. 1000 crore without any approval from the central government, giving them more
flexibility in decision making, personnel management, and joint ventures. The CPSEs which are Miniratna
I, Schedule ‘A’ and have obtained ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ MOU rating in three of the last five years and
having composite score of 60 or above in following six selected performance indicators are eligible to be considered
for grant of Navratna status.
Singapore Airlines gets FDI nod from Indian govt for Vistara-Air India merger
• In a move that will create one of the world’s largest airline groups, Singapore Airlines has received approval
from the Indian government for the foreign direct investment as part of the proposed merger of
Vistara with Air India. With the clearance in place, the merger that will see Singapore Airlines
acquiring a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The
proposed merger was announced in November 2022. Air India is owned by Tata Group and Vistara is a
51:49 joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines. In a regulatory filing, Singapore Airlines
(SIA) said it has received approval from the Government of India for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the
enlarged Air India as part of the proposed merger.
Hitachi Introduces India’s First Android-based ATM
• Hitachi Payment Services has created the country’s first Android-Based Cash Recycling Machine
(CRM) ATM in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The Android-

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 based CRM was launched during the Global Fintech Festival 2024. It is capable of functioning not just like
an ordinary ATM but like an entire bank branch. The Android-based cash recycling machine is equipped with
facilities like applications for Home Loans, credit cards and investments in FD. It is set to be available soon.
Isha, Akash Ambani, Ghazal Alagh in Hurun’s under-35 list of entrepreneurs
• Isha Ambani, non-executive director at Reliance Retail and Toddle’s Parita are the youngest women
to feature on the inaugural 2024 Hurun India Under35s list. “The 2024 Hurun India Under 35s highlights
150 outstanding entrepreneurs under 35, recognizing those with a minimum business valuation of USD 50
million for first-gen and USD 100 million for next-gen leaders.” The youngest youngest individual featured in
the 2024 Hurun India Under35s was Sharechat’s Ankush Sachdeva. Akash Ambani stood at 32nd position in the
list. Ghazal Alagh was also recognised by the list for her work at Mamaearth.
LIC selects Infosys for NextGen digital insurance platform project
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has selected IT major Infosys to develop its NextGen
digital platform. It will be an integrated end-to-end digital insurance solution providing “excellent services
to customers, business lifecycle management and operational activities for sales intermediaries and digital
front-end platform for branch employees. Selection of Infosys comes in the backdrop of the insurer’s
decision to embark on a digital transformation programme DIVE (Digital Innovation and Value
Enhancement) to significantly boost its digital platform for providing superior experience to
various stakeholders.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is an Indian public sector life insurance company
headquartered in Mumbai. It is India’s largest insurance company as well as the largest institutional
investor with total assets under management worth Rs. 52.52 trillion (US$630 billion) as of March 2024. It
is under the ownership of Government of India and administrative control of the Ministry of Finance.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India was established on 1 September 1956, when the Parliament of
India passed the Life Insurance of India Act, nationalizing the insurance industry in India.
India jumps 42 spots in 9 years, ranks 39th in Global Innovation Index 2024
• India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index has improved by 42 positions over the last 9 years,
with the country now ranked first among the 38 lower-middle-income economies. According to
the index released, India holds the 39th position in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, a remarkable
improvement from its 81st position in 2015. This leap in ranking reflects India’s commitment to fostering a
robust innovation ecosystem that is underpinned by strong policies, investment in research and development
(R&D), and a collaborative environment for startups and industries.
• In a span of nearly a decade, India has made tremendous strides in the GII rankings, rising from
the 81st position in 2015 to 39th in 2024. This steady climb reflects the country’s focused approach towards
nurturing innovation across various sectors, driven by strong governmental support and a robust intellectual
property framework. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India’s rise to the 39th position in the GII
rankings as a “remarkable feat.” He emphasized that this achievement reflects the government’s dedication
to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem that can transform opportunities for the nation’s youth.
• This achievement highlights India’s growing leadership in innovation, especially as the country ranks 1st among
10 economies in Central and Southern Asia and 1st among lower-middle-income economies. Furthermore,
India ranks 4th globally in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Science &
Technology (S&T) Cluster Ranking, with key cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai
listed among the World’s Top 100 S&T clusters. Additionally, India stands 7th globally in intangible asset
intensity and excels in innovation outputs, ranking 33rd, marking a notable improvement from the previous
year. This recognition underscores India’s continued dominance and leadership in innovation across multiple
sectors.
The Global Innovation Index serves as a key reference for evaluating the performance of an economy’s
innovation ecosystem. It is published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
and acts as a valuable benchmarking tool for policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) serves as the global forum for Intellectual Property (IP) services,
policy, information, and cooperation. It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, comprising 193 member
states. WIPO’s mandate, governing bodies, and procedures are outlined in the WIPO Convention, which
was established in 1967. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

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World Green Economy Forum Launched In Dubai
• The World Green Economy Forum was launched in Dubai, bringing together global leaders and
experts to address pressing environmental challenges. Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, the forum’s theme, “Empowering
Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress,” set the stage for discussions on international
cooperation and innovative solutions for climate change and sustainability.
• A highlight of the forum was a panel discussion on aviation and the green economy, which examined the future
of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Panelists discussed the ambitious goal of scaling up SAF production
from the current 200,000 tonnes to 300 million tonnes by 2050. They also explored various CO2 sources
for SAF production and emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration and capital investment. The
UAE government’s target of 1% SAF use by 2031 was noted as a key driver for change in the region.
Kerala secures first rank in Urban Governance Index
• Kerala has secured first rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI), a two year-long study conducted
across several cities in India by the Praja Foundation. While the State scores high on fiscal empowerment,
it still has a long way to go in empowerment of the city administration.
• The State scored 59.31 out of a possible score of 100 in various metrics, while Odisha came second
with 55.10. In fiscal empowerment, Kerala managed to have high score of 23.22 out of 30, with
Maharashtra coming second with 21.15. Although it ranked only 20th place in the empowerment of city
administration, the report notes that Kerala is the only State to give the Mayor the authority to write an
‘Annual Confidential Report’ of the Commissioner. Only four States (Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Mizoram, and
Odisha) mandate that every councillor should be part of at least one deliberative committee. The
report highlights technological advancements in local governance in many States. Despite these advancements,
a significant concern is the high vacancy rate in sanctioned posts within Municipal Corporations.
NITI Aayog Launches First State Chapter of Women Entrepreneurship Platform
• NITI Aayog has launched its maiden State Chapter of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
in association with WE Hub and the Telangana government. With over 30 thousand registered women
entrepreneurs and associations, the WEP has over 400 mentors from different industry sectors. WE Hub will
be the nodal agency for all WEP activities in the State. The platform aims at promoting and supporting women
entrepreneurs across sectors, providing those resources, tools, and a robust network to enhance their business
growth. The WEP will offer customised support like digital skilling, access to financial services, mentorship,
and market linkages.
Government Launches PM E-DRIVE Scheme to Boost Electric Vehicle Innovation
• In a boost for the electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country, the total EV registrations reached
1.59 lakh units in September 2024. According to the government’s VAHAN data, EV registrations saw a
significant 23 per cent increase (year-on-year). In the first half of the current fiscal, EV volumes increased 20
per cent compared with the same period last year. Total EV registrations across all segments rose to 8.93 lakh
units compared with 7.45 lakh units in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the government launched the
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme that has a
financial outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore over a period of two years. The PM-Drive scheme was approved
by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to promote electric mobility in
the country. The PM E-DRIVE scheme will play a pivotal role in accelerating EV adoption and building critical
charging infrastructure nationwide, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
• It has been launched to replace FAME II. It offers fiscal incentives to around 25 lakh electric two-
wheelers, 3 lakh electric three-wheelers, and 14,000 electric buses through demand incentives.
Automakers can claim reimbursements for eligible electric vehicle (EV) sales, similar to the previous FAME-II
scheme. However, electric cars are notably excluded from the subsidy. Installation of Electric vehicle
public charging stations (EVPCS) in selected cities and on selected highways. Test agencies to be modernised to
deal with the new and emerging technologies to promote green mobility.
The FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) policy aimed to
reduce vehicular emissions, decrease fuel consumption, and encourage sustainable transportation. It was
introduced in 2015 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP). FAME I (2015-2019):
Focused on providing incentives for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles and supported the development of
charging infrastructure. It aimed to promote cleaner mobility in public and private sectors. FAME II (2019-2024):

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 Expanded the scope, providing USD 1.19 billion to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, particularly in public
transport (e-buses, 2-wheelers, and 3-wheelers). It also emphasised building a robust charging infrastructure
and targeted reducing emissions from commercial fleets.
In a first, India’s forex reserves breach $700 billion mark
• India’s forex reserves jumped $12.58 billion on week, breaching $700 billion mark for the first time,
standing at $704.88 billion according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). India’s forex
reserves have surged by $87.6 billion in 2024, surpassing last year’s total increase of nearly $62 billion. In the
week ending September 27, the reserves increased by $12.6 billion, marking the largest weekly rise since
mid-July 2023. India is now the fourth-largest economy globally to have forex reserves exceeding
$700 billion, following China, Japan, and Switzerland.
Foreign Exchange Reserves are assets denominated in a foreign currency that are held on reserve by a
central bank. Reserve Bank of India Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 set the legal provisions
for governing the foreign exchange reserves. Composition of Forex of India (in descending order): Foreign
Currency Assets>Gold Reserves>Special Drawing Rights (SDR)>Reserve Position in IMF. The Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) aims to build a forex buffer to protect against market volatility. The RBI also uses
its forex reserves to manage exchange rates and monetary policies.
US continues to be largest source of FDI in India: RBI census
• The US continued to be the largest source of FDI in India, followed by Mauritius, Singapore and the
UK, according to an annual census of the Reserve Bank of India. Out of the 41,653 entities, which responded in
the latest census, 37,407 reported foreign direct investment (FDI) and/or overseas direct investment (ODI) in
their balance sheets for March 2024. Of these entities, 29,926 had also reported in the previous census round
and 7,481 have newly reported in the current round, according to Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of
Indian Direct Investment Entities for 2023-24.
FDI stands for Foreign Direct Investment and refers to investment made by a foreign company in
another country’s company. The purpose of the investment is to gain long-lasting control or influence over the
foreign company. FII stands for Foreign Institutional Investor. FIIs are a group of investors who pool
their money to invest in foreign assets. FII is a quick way for investors to make money and includes institutions
such as banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, and hedge funds. FDI involves a direct investment in
a company with the intention of acquiring management control or influence, while FII involves
investment in securities or assets of a foreign company. FDI results in a long-term interest in the
investee company, whereas FII investment is usually short-term and focused on the secondary market.
FDI is subject to stricter regulations compared to FII, which allows for a relatively easy entry and exit
from investment. FDI brings in not just finance, but also technical knowledge and direct involvement
in the day-to-day operations of the foreign company, while FII investment primarily provides financial
benefits. FDI is considered a more stable form of foreign investment as compared to FII, which is
known as “hot money” due to its quick entry and exit from investments.
Tarun Plus Offers Loan Ranging From 10 To 20 Lakhs For Entrepreneurs
• The Government of India has increased the loan limit under the Prime Minister Mudra loan scheme
from 10 lakhs rupees to 20 lakhs rupees. This decision was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman as part of the Union Budget for 2024-2025 in July.
• The Department of Financial Services (DFS) in a social media post said that the new Tarun Plus category
has been created under the Scheme. This category will offer loans ranging from 10 lakh rupees to
20 lakh rupees for entrepreneurs who have repaid their previous Tarun loans. The Department
further emphasized that this initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to fostering a robust
entrepreneurial ecosystem. It added that loans up to 20 lakhs rupees will now be covered under
the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU), further facilitating access to funding for small
businesses. Tarun Plus offers loans ranging from 10 to 20 lakhs for entrepreneurs.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) was launched by the government in 2015 for providing loans up
to Rs. 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro-enterprises. MUDRA, which stands for Micro
Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd., is a financial institution set up by the Government. Loans
under this scheme are collateral-free loans. MUDRA has created three products i.e. ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishore’ and
‘Tarun’ as per the stage of growth and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit. Shishu: Covering loans up to
Rs. 50,000. Kishore: Covering loans above Rs. 50,000 and up to Rs. 5 lakh. Tarun: Covering loans above
Rs. 5 lakh and up to Rs. 10 lakh.

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Sebi proposes 30-day deadline for MF deployment of NFO proceeds
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) proposed changes in the regulatory filing procedure
of new fund offers (NFOs) by mutual funds in a move aimed at protecting the innovative ideas being
proposed by a fund house in its new scheme.
• As per a proposal, if a fund house comes out with an innovative scheme with new features, the regulator will
allow it to maintain the secrecy and the scheme information document (SID) will be available in the
public domain only five working days before the scheme’s launch.
• In a consultation paper issued, Sebi proposed that the asset management company (AMC) can submit
the initial draft of SID only to the Sebi. The existing system has led to concerns that it allows competitors
to replicate the investment ideas. Currently, an AMC has to upload the so-called draft SID ahead of the launch
of NFO. The SID contains all the vital information of the new fund.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body for securities and commodity
market in India under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance, Government of India. It was established on
12 April 1988 and given Statutory Powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992. SEBI has its
headquarters at the business district of Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Madhabi Puri Buch is the
current chairman of SEBI. Madhabi Puri Buch took charge of chairman on 1 March 2022, replacing Ajay
Tyagi, whose term ended on 28 February 2022. Madhabi Puri Buch is the first woman chairperson of SEBI.
India Becomes Fourth Nation to Cross 700 Billion Dollar in Forex Reserves
• India has become the fourth economy in the world to surpass 700 billion US dollars in foreign
reserves, joining China, Japan, and Switzerland. India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by 12.588 billion
dollars to touch a new all-time high of 704.885 billion dollars.
• In the previous week ended September 20, the forex reserves jumped by 2.8 billion to 692.3 dollars. The sharp
increase in forex reserves strengthened India’s ability to cushion against global economic uncertainties
and provides greater stability to its currency in the face of volatile international markets. According to
the latest RBI data released India’s gold reserves rose 2.184 billion to 65.796 billion dollars. The special drawing
rights with the International Monetary Fund increased by 8 million to 18.547 billion dollars.
Foreign Exchange Reserves (also called Forex Reserves) are reserve assets held by a central bank in
foreign currencies. These may include foreign currencies, bonds, treasury bills, and other government securities.
Reserves are denominated and expressed in the US dollar, which is the international numeraire for the purpose.
RBI is the custodian of the Foreign exchange reserves in India. India’s foreign exchange reserves
comprise of; 1. Foreign currency assets (FCAs): These are maintained in currencies like the US dollar,
euro, pound sterling, Australian dollar and Japanese yen. 2. Gold. 3. SDR (Special Drawing Rights):
This is the reserve currency with IMF. 4. RTP (Reserve Tranche Position): This is the reserve capital
with IMF. The biggest contributor to India’s Forex reserves is foreign currency assets, followed by
gold. The purpose of foreign exchange reserves are: They are used to back liabilities on their own issued currency,
support the exchange rate and set monetary policy. To ensure that RBI has backup funds if their national currency
rapidly devalues or becomes altogether insolvent. If the value of the Rupee decreases due to an increase in the
demand of the foreign currency, then RBI sells the dollar in the Indian money market so that depreciation of the
Indian currency can be checked. A country with a good stock of forex has a good image at the international level
because the trading countries can be sure about their payments. A good forex reserve helps in attracting foreign
trade and earns a good reputation with trading partners.
RBI enters into Currency Swap Agreement with Maldives Monetary Authority
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) entered into a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives
Monetary Authority (MMA) under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework 2024-27 in New Delhi.
Under the agreement, the MMA is eligible for financing support from the RBI amounting to $400
million under the U.S. Dollar/ Euro Swap Window and Rs. 30 billion under the INR Swap Window.
The agreement would be valid till June 18, 2027.
• The SAARC Currency Swap Framework came into operation on November 15, 2012, to provide
a backstop line of funding for short term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or short-term
balance of payments stress till longer term arrangements are made. Seeking to strengthen bilateral
ties, India and the Maldives inked a currency swap agreement, a move that would help the archipelago nation
overcome foreign exchange reserve issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President
Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo
International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

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 The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the
SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. SAARC comprises of eight Member States: Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Secretariat of the Association
was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987. The objectives of the Association as outlined in the SAARC
Charter are: to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life; to
accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide
all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials; to promote and
strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia; to contribute to mutual trust, understanding
and appreciation of one another’s problems; to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the
economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields; to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;
to strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests; and to
cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes. Ambassador Mr. Md.
Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh assumed office of the Secretary General of the South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 25 October 2023.

Bank of Baroda appoints Sachin Tendulkar as global brand ambassador

• Bank of Baroda said it had signed Sachin Tendulkar as its global brand ambassador. “The partnership
comes at an opportune time with Bank of Baroda poised to script the next phase of its transformation journey as
it pursues a faster growth trajectory, leveraging Sachin’s brand aura”. “Sachin is a global icon who has always
led by example, inspiring us through his actions both on and off the field”.
Bank of Baroda (BOB or BoB) is an Indian government Public sector bank headquartered in Vadodara,
Gujarat. It is the third largest public sector bank in India after State Bank of India. Based on 2023 data,
it is ranked 586 on the Forbes Global 2000 list. The Maharaja of Baroda, Sayajirao Gaekwad III, founded the
bank on 20 July 1908 in the princely state of Baroda, in Gujarat. The Government of India nationalized
the Bank of Baroda, along with 13 other major commercial banks of India, on 19 July 1969.

SBI named Best Bank in India for 2024 by Global Finance Magazine
• State Bank of India (SBI) was recognised as the Best Bank in India for 2024 by Global Finance
Magazine of the US at its 31st Annual Best Bank Awards event held during the sidelines of Annual Meetings
of the IMF and the World Bank in Washington. SBI Chairman CS Setty received the award in recognition of the
bank’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services and promoting financial inclusion nationwide
by winning the trust of its customers.
HSBC appoints Pam Kaur as first female CFO
• In a historic move by the 160-year-old corporate and institutional banking giant HSBC Holdings, insider
Pam Kaur was named the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) —the bank’s first female executive
in this position. HSBC Holdings said it would combine some of its commercial and investment banking
operations in a major overhaul under new CEO Georges Elhedery, which will see it cut costs while trying to
improve returns. A new leadership structure, which includes the appointment of Pam Kaur as the lender’s first
female chief financial officer, would “unleash our full potential and drive success into the future”.
HSBC Holdings plc (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) is a British universal bank and
financial services group headquartered in London, England, with historical and business links to East Asia
and a multinational footprint. It is the largest Europe-based bank by total assets, ahead of BNP Paribas,
with US$2.919 trillion as of December 2023. Sir Mark Edward Tucker currently serves as group chairman
of HSBC.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Becomes 14th Maharatna CPSE

• The government has approved the upgradation of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to 14th
Maharatna, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The Department of Public Enterprises said that
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved the upgradation of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
to Maharatna CPSE. It said the proposal had earlier been recommended by the Inter-Ministerial Committee
headed by the Finance Secretary and the Apex Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary. Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited is a Department of Defence Production, CPSE with an annual turnover of 28 thousand
162 crore rupees and net profit of over seven thousand five hundred crore rupees in 2023-24.

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 The CPSEs meeting the following criteria are eligible to be considered for grant of Maharatna status. 1. Having
Navratna status 2. Listed on Indian stock exchange with minimum prescribed public shareholding
under SEBI regulations 3. An average annual turnover of more than Rs. 25,000 crore during the last 3
years 4. An average annual net worth of more than Rs. 15,000 crore during the last 3 years 4. An average
annual net profit after tax of more than Rs. 5,000 crore during the last 3 years 5. Should have significant
global presence/international operations. Maharatna CPSEs 1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited 2. Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Limited 3. Coal India Limited 4. GAIL India Limited 5. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
Limited 6. Indian Oil Corporation Limited 7. NTPC Limited 8. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited, 9. Power
Finance Corporation 10. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited 11. Steel Authority of India Limited 12. Rural
Electrification Corporation Limited 13. Oil India Ltd 14. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Mark Zuckerberg now fourth richest in the world: Net worth crosses $200 billion
• Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth shot up almost sixfold to $201 billion in less
than two years after the company’s shares rose to a record high, according to a Bloomberg report, which added
that he’s now at fourth place on the world’s 500 richest people list behind Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bernard
Arnault. He trails No. 1 Elon Musk ($259.6 billion), No. 2 Larry Ellison ($203.8 billion) and No. 3 Jeff
Bezos ($200.9 billion) on the real-time billionaires list. LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, who was in the
billionaire list’s top three for several months before a string of reductions to his net worth, is now
No. 5 on the list with a $185.6 billion estimated net worth.
Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta, and formerly named Facebook, Inc., and it is an American
multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. The company owns and
operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, among other products and services. Meta is
one of the world’s most valuable companies and among the ten largest publicly traded corporations in the United
States. It is considered one of the Big Five American information technology companies, alongside
Google parent company Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. Mark Zuckerberg is an American
business magnate, computer programmer, internet entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is known for
co-founding the social media website Facebook and its parent company Meta Platforms (formerly
Facebook, Inc.), of which he is the executive chairman, chief executive officer, and controlling shareholder.
Adani starts India’s biggest hydrogen blending in natural gas programme
• Adani group has started blending green hydrogen in natural gas that is supplied to households for
cooking purposes in parts of Ahmedabad, with a view to cut emissions and meet net-zero targets.
Adani Total Gas Ltd, the group’s city gas joint venture with French energy giant TotalEnergies, has started
blending 2.2-2.3 per cent of green hydrogen in piped natural gas supplies in Shantigram in Ahmedabad.
UPI Lite wallet limit hiked
• In order to encourage wider adoption of UPI payments, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to increase
the UPI Lite wallet limit to Rs. 5,000 and per-transaction limit to Rs. 1,000 from Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 500
respectively. UPI Lite functions without utilizing a remitter bank’s core banking systems in real-time, while
providing adequate risk mitigation.
• Further, the RBI has also decided to enhance the per-transaction limit to Rs. 10,000 in the case of
UPI123 Pay from Rs. 5,000. This facility is now available in 12 languages. The RBI has proposed to introduce
a ‘beneficiary account name look-up facility’ to enable remitters in RTGS and NEFT to verify the name of the
beneficiary account holder before initiating funds transfer. Remitters can input the account number and the
branch IFSC code of the beneficiary, following which the name of the beneficiary will be displayed.
Unified Payments Interface, commonly known as UPI is a mobile-first payment system developed in
India by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It makes it easy to send and receive by just
scanning a QR code or using a user’s phone number. Unlike most digital payment systems, the amount gets
directly debited to the linked bank account. UPI can be used on BHIM, a first-party app. It can also be
accessed via third-party platforms such as Google Pay, Amazon Pay, PhonePe, BharatPe, and a lot more.
Most banks that officially operate in India support UPI payment, and unlike a credit or debit card payment, there
is no charge involved in UPI payment. To prevent fraudulent activities, NCPI has thought of various features
like how the account is directly linked to the phone number, and if the SIM card is removed, UPI ceases to work,
and at times, one might also face downtime due to service issues. To solve that, NCIP came up with UPI Lite,
which does not require a PIN or internet to make transactions. However, there is a limit of Rs. 500 per
transaction and Rs. 4,000 limit per day.

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Ratan Tata passes away
• Ratan Tata died at a Mumbai hospital late on October 9, 2024. The chairman emeritus of the Tata
group was 86. Tata was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Monday (October
7, 2024) owing to age-related issues, and to control his blood pressure. His legacy continues through his
family, many of whom are prominent in business and various industries. The Tata family has been a driving
force behind several key ventures and its members continue to hold important roles across different sectors. His
death is seen a major loss for the Tata family and the country, as people remember him for his vision, kindness
and role in India’s development.
• Ratan Naval Tata served as the chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and he
held the position of interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017. In 2000, he received the
Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in India, followed by the Padma Vibhushan, the
country’s second highest civilian honour, in 2008.
• Ratan Tata was the son of Naval Tata, who was adopted by Ratanji Tata, son of Jamshedji Tata, the
founder of the Tata Group. He graduated from Cornell University College of Architecture with a bachelor’s
degree in architecture. He joined the Tata Group in 1962, starting on the shop floor of Tata Steel. He later
succeeded J. R. D. Tata as chairman of Tata Sons upon the latter’s retirement in 1991. During his tenure, the
Tata Group acquired Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, in an attempt to turn Tata from a largely India-
centric group into a global business.
Ratan Tata’s successor: Noel Tata appointed chairman of Tata Trusts
• Noel Tata was appointed as chairman of the Tata group’s philanthropic arm Tata Trusts. The
announcement comes after the Tata Trusts board met earlier and took an unanimous decision on Noel’s
appointment. He will be succeeding his half-brother Ratan Naval Tata who passed away earlier at the
age of 86 in Mumbai, after a brief illness.
BEML to build India’s first bullet train
• State-owned BEML will build India’s first indigenously manufactured bullet trains for Rs. 866.87
crore. BEML said it has been awarded a contract for design, manufacturing, and commissioning two high-
speed train sets. Each train will have eight cars (coaches) in this order placed by Indian Railways production
unit, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
Named as Shinkansen E5 will be India’s first bullet train for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.
Shinkansen E5 can reach a maximum speed of 350 km/hr. The bullet train will primarily operate at 320 km/hr, and
will reduce travel times between Mumbai and Ahemdabad significantly. The first train is expected to arrive in India
after 2026. The Shinkansen E5 will be manufactured in Japan, and India will place orders for the trains
after negotiations with the Japanese manufacturers are finalized.
Nvidia overtakes Apple to become the world’s most valuable company, for the second time this year
• Nvidia overtook Apple as the most valuable public company on the planet with its $3.39 trillion
market capitalization topping Apple’s $3.36 trillion valuation by midafternoon. Shares of Nvidia rose
2% and shares of Apple fell 0.2% Monday, continuing the 2% gain Friday for Nvidia and 1% loss for Apple.
Helping boost Nvidia will replace Intel in the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, while Apple
shares were dinged by one of its largest shareholders, the Warren Buffett-led Berkshire Hathaway,
disclosing this weekend another major sale of its Apple stock. Nvidia dethroned Apple as the world’s most
valuable company following a record-setting rally in the stock powered by an insatiable demand for its new
supercomputing AI chips. In June 2024, Nvidia briefly became the world’s most valuable company,
before it was overtaken by Microsoft and Apple.
New Logo of BSNL Unveiled
• Union Minister for Communication Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that since the beginning of the rollout of
4G, the subscribers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) have increased from 75 lakh to 1.8
crore in the last six months. Unveiling the new logo and seven services of BSNL in New Delhi, the Minister
said that India is among the six countries in the world to develop its own 4G telecom network, which will soon
migrate to 5G.
• BSNL’s new logo symbolizes strength, trust, and accessibility. The green and white arrows surrounding
India emphasize the company’s expansive nationwide reach, while the vibrant orange backdrop signifies
warmth and inclusivity. The bold tagline ‘Connecting Bharat’ highlights BSNL’s unwavering mission
to bridge the digital divide by offering a modern, reliable telecom network that connects both urban

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 and rural India. On the occasion, Mr Scindia also launched the seven services of BSNL. These are a Spam-
Free Network, National Wi-Fi Roaming, Intranet Fiber TV, Anytime SIM Kiosks, Direct-to-Device Service,
Public Protection and Disaster Relief, and the First Private 5G in Mines.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) (India Communications Corporation Limited) is an Indian central
public sector undertaking, under the ownership of Department of Telecommunications, which is part
of the Ministry of Communications, Government of India with its headquarters in New Delhi, India. The
central public sector undertaking was established on 1 October 2000 by the Government of India. It provides
mobile voice and internet services through its nationwide telecommunications network across India. It is the largest
government-owned-wireless telecommunications service provider in India. Jyotiraditya Madhavrao
Scindia is the current Union Minister of Communications and the Minister of Development of North
Eastern Region since 2024.
Paytm gets NPCI nod to onboard new UPI users
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has granted approval to Paytm to onboard new
UPI users, subject to the adherence to all procedural guidelines and circulars, according to the company. The
move is expected to come as a relief to Paytm, which had suffered a blow following the Reserve Bank of India’s
restrictions earlier this year on associate company Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) in on boarding new
UPI users on the Paytm app. In March, the NPCI gave approval to Paytm to participate in UPI as a Third-Party
Application Provider (TPAP). The NPCI allowed the company to continue UPI transactions through four banks
- SBI, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and YES Bank.
Paytm (“pay through mobile”) is an Indian multinational technology company that specialises in digital
wallet, e-commerce, payment system and financial technology company, based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh,
India. Paytm was founded in August 2010 with an initial investment of $2 million by its founder Vijay
Shekhar Sharma in Noida, a region adjacent to India’s capital New Delhi. It started off as a prepaid mobile
and DTH recharge platform, and later added data card, postpaid mobile and landline bill payments in 2013. On
31 January 2024, Reserve Bank of India, the banking regulator in India, ordered Paytm Payments Bank
Ltd to stop the bulk of its activities from 29 February 2024.
OpenAI appoints Aaron Ronnie Chatterji as first chief economist, an Indian-American
• OpenAI has appointed Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji, a business and public policy professor from Duke
University, as its first-ever Chief Economist. This move comes as the company aims to explore the economic
implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on global markets, job creation, and growth across industries.
• Chatterji brings vast experience from both academia and government, having served under the Obama and Biden
administrations. Prior to joining OpenAI, Chatterji played a key role in the Biden administration as
the CHIPS coordinator, managing the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act. His background includes
serving as Chief Economist for the US Department of Commerce and contributing to economic strategy on
President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers. Given his strong expertise in innovation and economic
development, his appointment is seen as critical to OpenAI’s ambitions.
OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence (AI) research organization consisting of the non-profit
OpenAI, Inc. registered in Delaware and its for-profit subsidiary OpenAI Global, LLC. OpenAI researches
artificial intelligence with the declared intention of developing “safe and beneficial” artificial general
intelligence, which it defines as “highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically
valuable work”.OpenAI has also developed several large language models, such as ChatGPT and GPT-4, as
well as advanced image generation models like DALL-E 3, and in the past published open-source models. The
organization was founded in December 2015 by Ilya Sutskever, Greg Brockman, Trevor Blackwell, Vicki Cheung,
Andrej Karpathy, Durk Kingma, Jessica Livingston, John Schulman, Pamela Vagata, and Wojciech Zaremba, with
Sam Altman and Elon Musk serving as the initial board members. In November 2023, OpenAI’s board removed
Sam Altman as CEO, citing a lack of confidence in him, and then reinstated him five days later after
negotiations resulting in a reconstructed board. Bret Steven Taylor is the current Chairman of OpenAI.
Jeff Bezos sells over $3 billion in Amazon shares, becomes 2nd richest person
• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has sold over $3 billion in Amazon shares. This brings his total Amazon
stock sales for 2024 to more than $13 billion. Bezos sold more than 16 million shares as Amazon’s stock again
approached $200 per share, reaching that level back in July when Bezos also sold shares. With a net worth of
$222 billion, Bezos ranks as the second-richest person on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, up $42.8
billion year-over-year due to Amazon’s stock performance. Elon Musk continues to dominate first spot.

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 Jeffrey Preston Bezos is an American business magnate best known as the founder, executive chairman,
and former president and CEO of Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce and cloud computing
company. He is the second wealthiest person in the world, with a net worth of US$230 billion as of
November 13, 2024, according to Forbes and Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He was the wealthiest person
from 2017 to 2021, according to both the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and Forbes. Bezos founded the
aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company Blue Origin in 2000. Blue Origin’s
New Shepard vehicle reached space in 2015 and afterwards successfully landed back on Earth; he flew into space
on Blue Origin NS-16 in 2021. He purchased the major American newspaper The Washington Post in
2013 for $250 million and manages many other investments through his venture capital firm, Bezos
Expeditions. In September 2021, Bezos co-founded Altos Labs with Mail.ru founder Yuri Milner.
Noel Tata joins Tata Sons board
• Tata Trusts Chairman Noel N Tata has been appointed on the board of Tata Sons Ltd, the holding
company of various Tata group companies. Tata was appointed on the firm’s board last week, a source in
the Tata group confirmed. However, Noel Tata, who was elected as Chairman of the Trusts after the demise of
Ratan Tata last month, won’t be able to become the Chairman of Tata Sons as Ratan Tata separated the roles
of Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts to prevent the same person from heading both the institutions. Tata
Trusts which holds over 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons has three nominees on the board of Tata Sons. Apart
from Noel Tata, others included TVS group chief Venu Srinivasan and former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh.
Maharatna PSUs NTPC and ONGC Join Hands to form a JV Company
• Maharatna PSUs NTPC and ONGC have collaborated to form a Joint Venture Company (JVC)
through their Green Energy Subsidiaries (NTPC Green Energy Ltd. and ONGC Green Energy Ltd.) to
further promote their interest in renewable and new energy arena. NGEL has submitted an application
to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the incorporation of a 50:50 Joint Venture Company with OGL.
• This JVC shall venture into various Renewable Energy (RE) and New Energy opportunities including Solar,
Wind (Onshore/Offshore), Energy Storage (Pump/Battery), Green molecule (Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia,
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Green Methanol), E-mobility, Carbon Credits, Green Credits, etc. The JVC
will also seek opportunities to acquire renewable energy assets and will also consider participation
in upcoming offshore wind tenders in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
The CPSEs meeting the following criteria are eligible to be considered for grant of Maharatna status. 1. Having
Navratna status 2. Listed on Indian stock exchange with minimum prescribed public shareholding
under SEBI regulations 3. An average annual turnover of more than Rs. 25,000 crore during the last 3
years 4. An average annual net worth of more than Rs. 15,000 crore during the last 3 years 4. An average
annual net profit after tax of more than Rs. 5,000 crore during the last 3 years 5. Should have significant
global presence/international operations. Maharatna CPSEs 1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited 2. Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Limited 3. Coal India Limited 4. GAIL India Limited 5. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
Limited 6. Indian Oil Corporation Limited 7. NTPC Limited 8. Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited, 9. Power
Finance Corporation 10. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited 11. Steel Authority of India Limited 12. Rural
Electrification Corporation Limited 13. Oil India Ltd 14. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Berkshire Hathaway First Non-Tech Company to Hit $1 Trillion
• Warren Buffett’s conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, reached an important milestone by becoming
the first US company outside the technology sector to surpass a market value of $1 trillion. The
company’s shares rose by 0.8%, pushing its market capitalisation above the trillion-dollar mark for the first time.
• The company’s stocks have climbed 30% in 2024, outperforming the S&P 500’s gain of 18% so far. This
surge has added more than $200 billion to Berkshire’s market capitalisation this year alone, a record
for the firm. However, it’s a huge contrast to the nearly $2 trillion increase in value seen by Nvidia,
another market giant. Berkshire Hathaway, based in Omaha, Nebraska, now joins a select group of
companies that have reached this milestone, a group previously dominated by technology giants like Alphabet
Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., and Nvidia Corp.
India Surpasses China as Top Importer of Russian Oil
• In July 2024, India became the top buyer of Russian oil, overtaking China. This change happened
because China was making less money from refining oil, which led them to buy less Russian crude.
• Russian oil made up a record 44% of India’s total oil imports in July. India imported 2.07 million barrels
of Russian oil per day. This was a 4.2% increase from June and a 12% increase from July 2022. On the other
hand, China’s imports from Russia dropped to 1.76 million barrels per day.

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Google DeepMind’s Morni AI to cover 125 Indic languages
• Google DeepMind’s India unit is leading a big AI project called “Morni.” This project is focused on
developing AI technologies that can understand and work with 125 different Indian languages and
dialects. This is very important because India is a country with many languages, and making AI work for all of
them will help ensure that everyone can benefit from AI, no matter what language they speak. India officially
recognizes 22 languages, but the Morni project is aiming much higher by trying to include over 100 languages.
Google is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online
advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing,
e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial intelligence (AI). It has been referred to as “the most
powerful company in the world” and is one of the world’s most valuable brands due to its market
dominance, data collection, and technological advantages in the field of AI. Google’s parent company, Alphabet
Inc., is one of the five Big Tech companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. Google was founded
on September 4, 1998, by American computer scientists Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD
students at Stanford University in California. In 2015, Google was reorganized as a wholly owned subsidiary
of Alphabet Inc. Google is Alphabet’s largest subsidiary and is a holding company for Alphabet’s internet
properties and interests. Sundar Pichai was appointed CEO of Google on October 24, 2015, replacing Larry
Page, who became the CEO of Alphabet. On December 3, 2019, Pichai also became the CEO of Alphabet.
ADB Approves $200 Million Loan to Enhance Livability in Uttarakhand
• The Centre and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a 200 million dollar loan to help upgrade
water supply, sanitation, urban mobility, and other urban services in Uttarakhand. The project aligns
with the Union Government’s urban development agenda as well as the Uttarakhand state government’s
initiatives to enhance urban services, aiming to boost livability and sustainability in cities. The project will
enhance transportation, urban mobility, drainage, flood management, and overall public services in Haldwani,
and also improve water supply delivery in four cities of Uttarakhand.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December
1966, which is headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila,
Philippines. The bank also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development
in Asia. The bank admits the members of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP, formerly the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East or ECAFE) and non-
regional developed countries. From 31 members at its establishment, ADB now has 69 members. The ADB
was modeled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in
proportion with members’ capital subscriptions. As of 31 December 2020, Japan and the United States each
holds the largest proportion of shares at 15.571%. China holds 6.429%, India holds 6.317%, and Australia
holds 5.773%. The current president of ADB is Masatsugu Asakawa.
Henley Passport Index 2024
• Singapore has been named the world’s most powerful passport again, offering its citizens visa-free
access to 195 countries. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain shared the second place, granting
their citizens visa-free access to 192 countries, as per the latest rankings. The United States ranked 8th, giving
its citizens visa-free entry to 186 countries. Meanwhile, India ranked 83rd, providing its citizens with visa-
free access to 58 countries.
Navratna Status Granted to NHPC, SJVN, RailTel PSUs
• NHPC, SJVN, and RailTel, three major public sector companies in India, have been given the prestigious
“Navratna” status by the Government of India. This makes them the 18th, 19th, and 20th companies to earn
this special title. This status is a significant achievement for these companies, giving them more freedom and
power to make decisions and expand their operations.
Navratna status is a recognition given by the Indian government to select public sector enterprises
(PSEs) that have financial and operational autonomy. The grant of Navratna status to RVNL provides it with
more operational freedom, financial autonomy, and enhanced delegation of powers. This status enables PSEs
to invest up to Rs. 1,000 crore without any approval from the central government, giving them more
flexibility in decision making, personnel management, and joint ventures. The CPSEs which are Miniratna
I, Schedule ‘A’ and have obtained ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ MOU rating in three of the last five years and
having composite score of 60 or above in following six selected performance indicators are eligible to be considered
for grant of Navratna status.

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NTPC Launches World’s First CO2-To-Methanol Plant
• NTPC, India’s largest power producer, inaugurated the world’s first CO2-to-methanol conversion
plant at its Vindhyachal facility coinciding with the company’s 50th Raising Day celebration. NTPC
Chairman Gurdeep Singh described the milestone as a “historic step in carbon management and sustainable
fuel production.”
• Singh highlighted the company’s ongoing initiatives in green technologies, including work on Gen-
4 ethanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel. The company has also developed and tested
‘first indigenous catalyst’ for Methanol Synthesis, and made substantial progress with hydrogen, carbon
capture, and other innovative technologies, Singh said. During the event, NTPC also launched hydrogen-fueled
buses in Leh and introduced new IT applications.
Apple Inc sets up first subsidiary in India for R&D
• Apple established a new subsidiary in India, Apple Operations India, marking its first direct
presence in the country. This subsidiary will focus on research, design, testing, and providing support to
third-party manufacturers. This move signifies Apple’s commitment to expanding its operational footprint in
India beyond assembly and sales. The holding company of its existing sales and marketing entity, Apple India,
is part of the European operations — Ireland-based Apple Operations International owns Apple India, according
to the RoC. Manufacturing of Apple products in India is outsourced and the new subsidiary will support third-
party manufacturers and contractors by providing hardware, software and other services.
Air India, Singapore Airlines announce successful completion of Air India-Vistara merger
• Tata group’s flagship airline Air India announced the completion of the operational integration
and legal merger between Vistara and itself, which was a joint venture between the Tata group and
Singapore Airlines. The wheels for the merger were set in motion in 2022 after the Tata group acquired Air
India from the government.
• Singapore Airlines separately announced that after the merger, it now holds 25.1 per cent stake in
the expanded Air India. It held 49 per cent stake in Vistara. According to Air India, the merger with Vistara
has created a full-service carrier of scale and marks a significant milestone in Air India’s post-privatisation
transformation journey. This merger follows the merger of the group’s low-cost airlines Air India Express and
AIX Connect (formerly Air Asia India), which took effect on October 1.
India secures position in top 10 countries in Patents, Trademarks, and Industrial Designs:
WIPO 2024 Report
• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published the World Intellectual Property Indicators
(WIPI) 2024, underscoring global trends in intellectual property (IP) filings. The report reveals significant
growth in patent, trademark, and industrial design applications across top economies. India has secured a
spot in the global top 10 for all three major intellectual property (IP) rights—patents, trademarks,
and industrial designs. India continues to solidify its place as a global leader in the intellectual property (IP)
landscape by showing substantial progress and marking new milestones in IP activity.
• India recorded the fastest growth in patent (+15.7%) applications in 2023 among the top 20 origins,
marking the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth. India ranks sixth globally for patents with
64,480 applications, with resident filings accounting for over half of all submissions (55.2%)—a first for the
country. The patent office also granted 149.4% more patents in 2023 compared to the previous year, underlining
the country’s fast-evolving IP ecosystem.
IRDAI Chairman pitches for 100% FDI in insurance sector
• IRDAI Chairman Debasish Panda pitched for 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the insurance
sector, saying a lot of capital is needed to achieve the goal of ‘insurance for all’ by 2027. Insurance
is a capital-intensive sector, and the country would need more players in the segment to increase insurance
penetration. The initiative will empower customers to explore a variety of products in one marketplace,
independent of intermediaries tied to specific companies, while also allowing distributors to conduct transactions
more efficiently.
BSNL has launched the country’s first direct-to-device satellite internet service
• State-owned telecom operator BSNL has launched the country’s first direct-to-device satellite
internet service. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and provide high-speed internet access to
remote and underserved regions across the nation.

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• The new satellite internet service leverages advanced satellite technology to deliver broadband connectivity
directly to user devices, bypassing the need for traditional terrestrial infrastructure. The Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) India announced the launch of India’s first direct-to-device satellite
internet service. While satellite connectivity isn’t new, with Apple introducing it on iPhone 14 models, its
availability to regular Indian users is a significant first.
Reliance, Disney India complete media assets merger for Rs. 70000 crore joint venture
• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has completed the merger of its media assets with the India
business of Walt Disney for an $8.5 billion (Rs. 70,352 crore) joint venture (JV) that will be controlled
by the Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate. Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani will head
the JV, in which RIL has invested $1.4 billion (Rs. 11,500 crore). Reliance holds a 63.16% stake, of which
16.34% is with RIL and 46.82% with Viacom18. The remaining 36.84% stake is with Walt Disney.
Deepak Agarwal Appointed Regular MD of NAFED
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Deepak Agarwal as the regular Managing
Director (MD) of the National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
This decision came shortly after assigning the role temporarily to an official from the Ministry of Cooperation.
• NAFED is a key organization in India that focuses on the marketing of agricultural products. It plays
a crucial role in ensuring fair prices for farmers and stabilizing market fluctuations. The MD of NAFED is an
important position, influencing agricultural policy and cooperative marketing.
Gautam Adani faces five-count criminal indictment in U.S. for bribery, security fraud
• The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has issued a five-count criminal indictment of Gautam Adani,
chairman of the Adani Group, and several of his business associates. The charges include promising
more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts,
conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud, and orchestrating “a multi-billion dollar scheme”
to defraud U.S. investors and global financial institutions by giving “false and misleading statements”.
• Under the U.S.’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 1977 (FCPA), it is unlawful to make payments to
foreign government officials in a bid to obtain or retain business. It is also a criminal offence to raise
money by misleading investors about key corporate governance practices, which this case concerns compliance
with the FCPA. Further, it is unlawful to obstruct federal investigations by giving false information and
destroying evidence such as electronic communications. It is also a separate offence to hide the authorisation
of bribery practices in company annual reports. The defendants have been charged with offences on
all these counts.
• Reacting to these developments, Adani Green Energy Limited has withdrawn its proposed $600
million U.S. dollar denominated bond offering. Shares of Adani Group companies lost about $28
billion in market value in morning trade on November 21, 2024. This was the steepest drop in its share
value since February 2023, when it was hit by allegations of misdemeanour and corporate malfeasance levelled
by U.S.-based Hindenberg Research. The Adani Group denied the allegations of the U.S. Department of
Justice and the SEC, terming them “baseless”.
Narasapuram crochet craft gets GI tag, exports set to get a big boost
• West Godavari District Collector Ch. Nagarani received the Geographical Indication Registry tag
certificate for Narsapur crochet lace craft from Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh during the
closing ceremony of the GI & Beyond 2024 summit held in New Delhi on November 25. The intricate
Narasapuram crochet craft, with its tradition of lace-making dating back to the 19th century, has
received the prestigious Geographical Indications (GI) tag. Narasapuram and Palakollu towns
of Andhra Pradesh are the primary hubs of this craft, housing over 100 crochet export houses that
collectively employ thousands of women. Many of these products are exported to markets in the US, UK, and
France.
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific
geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). India, as a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,
1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1)
of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement
as: “Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that
territory, where a given quality, reputation or characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic

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 origin.” The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those
residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name. Darjeeling tea
became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004–2005. The registration of a geographical indication
is valid for a period of 10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.
RBI, Maldives Monetary Authority sign pact to promote use of local currencies
• The RBI and the Maldives Monetary Authority signed an agreement in Mumbai for establishing a
framework to promote the use of local currencies — the Indian Rupee and the Maldivian Rufiyaa
(MVR) for cross-border transactions. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Governor
of Reserve Bank of India Shaktikanta Das and Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority Ahmed Munawar.
“The MoU encourages the use of INR and MVR in current account transactions, permissible capital account
transactions and any other economic and financial transactions as agreed upon by both countries”.
The Reserve Bank of India was founded on 1 April 1935 to respond to economic troubles after the First
World War. RBI was conceptualised as per the guidelines, working style and outlook presented by Dr. B.
R. Ambedkar in his book titled “The Problem of the Rupee – Its origin and its solution” and presented
to the Hilton Young Commission. The bank was set up based on the recommendations of the 1926 Royal
Commission on Indian Currency and Finance, also known as the Hilton–Young Commission. In 1969, the
Indira Gandhi-headed government nationalised 14 major commercial banks. Upon Indira Gandhi’s return
to power in 1980, a further six banks were nationalised. The first Governor of the RBI was British banker
Osborn Smith and C.D. Deshmukh was the first Indian Governor of RBI. The government has appointed
Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He is
the current and 26th Governor of RBI and replaced the Shaktikanta Das. Shaktikanta Das was appointed
Governor on 12 December 2018. His tenure is ended on 10 December 2024. Sanjay Malhotra takes over as
Governor from 11 December.
Union govt proposes increase in FDI limit in insurance sector to 100%
• The Union Finance Ministry released a consultation paper proposing to raise the Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent. The FDI limit in the
insurance sector was previously increased from 49 per cent to 74 per cent in February 2021.
Masato Kanda Elected As ADB President
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors has unanimously elected Masato Kanda
as ADB’s 11th President. Kanda currently serves as Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance. Mr Kanda will assume office in February next year, succeeding Masatsugu
Asakawa.
• He will complete the unexpired term of President Asakawa, which ends on 23 November 2026. ADB is a
regional development bank established in 1966, which is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. The
bank also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia. The
bank admits the members of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and non-regional
developed countries. Starting with 31 members at its establishment, ADB now has 69 members. Israel
became the 69th member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in September 2024. Israel is the 20th
non-regional member of the ADB.
IDFC FIRST Bank launches real-time tracking for international money transfers
• IDFC FIRST Bank has become the first Indian bank to offer real-time tracking for money sent
abroad. This service, developed in partnership with Swift, is accessible through the bank’s mobile
app and internet banking platforms. Under the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme
(LRS), resident individuals can send money abroad for various purposes, including education, medical expenses,
and investments. Non-Resident Indians can also transfer funds from their NRO/NRE accounts through IDFC
FIRST Bank.
IDFC FIRST Bank (formerly IDFC Bank) is an Indian private sector bank formed by the merger of the
banking arm of Infrastructure Development Finance Company and Capital First, an Indian non-bank
financial institution. It is the first universal bank to offer monthly interest credit on savings accounts, lifetime free
credit cards with dynamic and low annual percentage rates. The Reserve Bank has approved the appointment
of V. Vaidyanathan as Managing Director and CEO of IDFC First Bank for a period of three years,
effective from December 19, 2018.

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 D. Science & Technology
India’s Aditya-L1 completes first Halo orbit
• Isro said that India’s first space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, has successfully completed its
first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point. The solar observatory launched and inserted
into its targeted halo orbit has now demonstrated its ability to maintain its complex trajectory. “The Aditya-L1
mission, designed to study the Sun, takes approximately 178 days to complete one revolution around
the L1 point.
• This achievement validates the sophisticated flight dynamics software developed in-house at the UR Rao
Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. “The mission’s success hinges on the precise modelling of complex
dynamics and the accurate understanding of perturbing forces acting on the spacecraft. These
factors are crucial in determining the trajectory and planning orbit manoeuvres with high precision,” Isro said.
Aditya-L1 was launched aboard the PSLV C57 on 2 September 2023, It successfully achieved its intended
orbit nearly an hour later, and separated from its fourth stage. It was inserted at the L1 point on 6
January 2024. Aditya-L1 is the India’s first spacecraft to study solar atmosphere developed by Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and various other Indian research institutes. In celestial mechanics,
the Lagrange points (also Lagrangian points, L-points, or libration points) are points near two large
orbiting bodies. Normally, the two objects exert an unbalanced gravitational force at a point, altering
the orbit of whatever is at that point. At the Lagrange points, the gravitational forces of the two large
bodies and the centrifugal force balance each other. Aditya-L1 will be able to provide observations
of Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere and corona. In addition, an instrument will study the solar energetic
particles’ flux reaching the L1 orbit, while a magnetometer payload will measure the variation in magnetic field
strength at the halo orbit around L1.
Pragyan Rover of India’s Chandrayaan-3 takes walk on moon
• Pragyan rover of Chandrayaan-3 has rolled down on the lunar surface. ISRO has said that Made in
India and Made for the Moon rover Pragyan has ramped down from the Lander and India took a
walk on the moon. This signifies a giant leap in the Indian space programme. By rolling on the lunar surface,
the six wheels of the rover have imprinted Indian tricolour and ISRO logo on the Moon crust. Showing to the
world for time immemorial that India landed first near Lunar south pole.
Pragyan (‘wisdom’) is a lunar rover that forms part of Chandrayaan-3, a lunar mission developed by
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). A previous iteration of the rover was launched as part of
Chandrayaan-2 on 22 July 2019 and was destroyed with its lander, Vikram, when it crashed on the Moon on 6
September. Chandrayaan-3 launched on 14 July 2023, carrying new versions of Vikram and Pragyan,
which successfully landed near the lunar south pole on 23 August 2023.
Samudrayaan: Three-member team to explore depths of the ocean in first manned ocean mission
• After the Chandrayaan mission, India is now preparing to explore the deep oceans and its resources
via the Samudrayaan project, where three people will be sent into the depth of 6,000 metre in a
submersible. The Samudrayaan Mission is India’s first manned mission to explore the deep ocean. It is
designed to study the deep ocean resources and conduct biodiversity assessments as well. The
submersible project will be only used for exploring biodiversity while letting the marine ecosystem remain
intact.
• The project will be part of a larger deep ocean diversity exploration and research based mission,
which supports the Centre’s Blue Economy policy. This aims to sustainably use marine resources for the
country’s economic growth and livelihoods along with creating jobs and maintaining the health of the marine
ecosystems as well. The submersible for the mission has been designed and manufactured by the
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. The Matsya 6000 is designed with the
capability of operating in the deep sea for 12 hours while in case of emergency it can also operate up to
96 hours with all the necessary measures for human safety.
• The mission is expected to be implemented by 2026. The cost of the Deep Sea Mission which also
includes the Samudrayaan Project, over a period of five years, has been estimated at Rs. 4,077 crore
and it will be implemented in phases. This mission is important for the country as it will allow observing and
understanding the unexplored parts of the deep ocean through direct interaction. India is expected to get expert
and technical assistance from countries such as the United States, Russia, France, Japan, and China for the
mission.

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One Gaganyaan astronaut to travel to ISS in joint mission with NASA
• The four astronauts undergoing training for the Gaganyaan mission are: Group Captain Prashanth
Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing
Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. All four are officers in the Indian Air Force and have extensive experience
as test pilots. One of the four astronauts undergoing training for the Gaganyaan mission will travel
to the International Space Station as part of a collaborative effort with NASA. Singh said NASA has
identified a private entity Axiom Space and ISRO had signed a Space Flight Agreement with the American firm
for the joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US last year, President Joe Biden announced that
India and the US were collaborating to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS in 2024. India’s Astronaut
Selection Board had selected four astronauts from the group of test pilots from the Indian Air Force for the
Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human space flight planned to take place next year. “All four astronauts
have undergone training on a spaceflight basic module in Russia.
• Currently, astronauts are undergoing training at ISRO’s Astronauts Training Facility (ATF) in
Bengaluru for the Gaganyaan Mission”. The minister said two out of three semesters of the Gaganyatri
training programme have been completed while independent training simulators and static mockup simulators
have been realised. Sharing an update on the Gaganyaan mission, Singh said ground testing of propulsion
systems stages, including solid, liquid and cryogenic engine, towards human rating of the launch vehicle has
been completed.
Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft intended to be the formative spacecraft of the Indian
Human Spaceflight Programme. It is ISRO’s first human space flight programme. The spacecraft is being
designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with rendezvous and
docking capabilities. In its maiden crewed mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s largely
autonomous 5.3-metric ton capsule will orbit the Earth at 400 km altitude for up to seven days with a two- or three-
person crew on board. The first crewed mission was originally planned to be launched on ISRO’s LVM3 in
December 2021, But this has since been delayed to no earlier than 2025.
European Space Agency announces mission to study Apophis asteroid
• The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a mission to study the Apophis asteroid when it passes
by Earth at a very close distance in 2029. ESA is the second major space agency, after NASA, to commit
a space mission for Apophis that was once considered to be on a pathway to collide with the Earth.
• Apophis will come within 32,000 km of the Earth in 2029, offering space agency’s a rare opportunity to
study an asteroid from such close quarters. ESA said an asteroid of such large size comes this close to the
Earth only once in about 5,000 to 10,000 years. “ESA’s Space Safety programme… has received permission
to begin preparatory work for its next planetary defence mission – the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety
(Ramses),” ESA said in a statement last week.
• The Ramses spacecraft would approach the asteroid, which is about 375 m at its widest, before it
comes to the closest distance to Earth and then accompany it on its pathway for some time, in a mission
similar to the one planned for NASA’s OSIRIX-APEX spacecraft. More space missions are expected to join
these two in studying this asteroid.
99942 Apophis (provisional designation 2004 MN4) is a near-Earth asteroid and a potentially hazardous
object with a diameter of 370 metres (1,210 feet) that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004
when initial observations indicated a probability up to 2.7% that it would hit Earth on April 13, 2029.
Additional observations provided improved predictions that eliminated the possibility of an impact on Earth in
2029. Until 2006, a small possibility nevertheless remained that, during its 2029 close encounter with Earth,
Apophis would pass through a gravitational keyhole of no more than about 800 kilometres (500 mi) in
diameter, which would have set up a future impact exactly seven years later on April 13, 2036. This
possibility kept it at Level 1 on the Torino impact hazard scale until August 2006, when the probability
that Apophis would pass through the keyhole was determined to be very small and Apophis’s rating
on the Torino scale was lowered to zero. By 2008, the keyhole had been determined to be less than 1 km
wide.] During the short time when it had been of greatest concern, Apophis set the record for highest
rating ever on the Torino scale, reaching level 4 on December 27, 2004.
Ladakh proposed for India’s first Mars and Moon analogue research station
• Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) and the Indian Institute of
Science (IISc) have identified Ladakh as the perfect site for India’s inaugural Mars and Moon

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 analogue research station. The team, comprising Binita Phartiyal from BSIP, IISc’s Aloke Kumar, and
Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India’s Gaganyaan astronauts, made the proposal based on previous research and
their own field experience. The research comes as India steps up its space programme, which includes
plans for a space station by 2035 and a landing on the moon by 2040.
Isro announced the first celebration to honour the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission
• Isro announced a slew of activities ahead of the first celebration to honour the success of the
Chandrayaan-3 mission that helped India go down in history as the first country to land on the
south pole of the moon. From India’s first successful experimental launch space vehicle, SLV-3, to the
proposed vehicle for India’s first human space mission, HLVM-3, it covers the evolution of launch vehicle
technology Isro has developed in all these years for various purposes.
Chandrayaan-3 is the third Indian lunar exploration mission under the Indian Space Research
Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan programme. It consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover
named Pragyan, similar to those of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The propulsion module carried the lander and
rover configuration to lunar orbit in preparation for a powered descent by the lander. Chandrayaan-3
was launched on 14 July 2023. The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on 5 August, and the lander touched
down in the lunar South Pole region on 23 August 2023, making India the fourth country to successfully
land on the Moon, and the first to do so near the lunar South Pole.

Indian scientists build breakthrough gene-editor

• Scientists from the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, have developed
an enhanced genome-editing system that can modify DNA more precisely and more efficiently than
existing CRISPR-based technologies. CRISPR occurs naturally in some bacteria, as a part of their immune
system that limits infections by recognising and destroying viral DNA.
• In Nobel-prize winning work, scientists repurposed this bacterial defence mechanism to develop a novel
approach for editing the genomes of higher-order organisms. The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool uses a
guide-RNA (gRNA) designed to find and bind to a specific part of the target genome.
• The gRNA directs an enzyme, Cas9, to the target site, which is followed by a short DNA sequence
called protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). Cas9 recognises and binds to the PAM sequence, and acts as a
molecular scissor that snips some damaged DNA. This automatically triggers the cell’s DNA repair system,
which repairs the snipped part to insert the correct DNA sequence.
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a family of DNA sequences
found in the genomes of prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and archaea. These sequences are
derived from DNA fragments of bacteriophages that had previously infected the prokaryote. They are
used to detect and destroy DNA from similar bacteriophages during subsequent infections. Hence these
sequences play a key role in the antiviral (i.e. anti-phage) defense system of prokaryotes and provide a form of
acquired immunity. Cas9 (or “CRISPR-associated protein 9”) is an enzyme that uses CRISPR sequences
as a guide to recognize and open up specific strands of DNA that are complementary to the CRISPR
sequence. Cas9 enzymes together with CRISPR sequences form the basis of a technology known as
CRISPR-Cas9 that can be used to edit genes within the organisms. This editing process has a wide variety
of applications including basic biological research, development of biotechnological products, and treatment of
diseases. The development of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique was recognized by the Nobel
Prize in Chemistry in 2020 awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna.

James Webb Telescope uncovers possible underground ocean on Uranus’ moon

• Scientists believe they have made an important observation as part of their search for water across the solar
system. Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) developed by NASA, they have found the
presence of carbon dioxide ice on the surface of one of the 27 moons that orbit Uranus.
• The team working on the “Moons of Uranus” project has been closely studying four specific moons
orbiting Uranus in order to find traces of ammonia, organic molecules, water, or carbon dioxide
ice. After 21 hours of gazing through the JWST, the scientists found that carbon dioxide ice was present on the
surface of Uranus’ moon called Ariel. They believe that the carbon dioxide ice is an indication that there is a
liquid ocean flowing underneath Ariel’s surface.

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 The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a space telescope currently conducting infrared astronomy.
As the largest telescope in space, it is equipped with high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments,
allowing it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope. This enables
investigations across many fields of astronomy and cosmology, such as observation of the first stars, the formation of
the first galaxies, and detailed atmospheric characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets. The U.S. National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) led Webb’s design and development and partnered with
two main agencies: the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The
telescope is named after James E. Webb, who was the administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968 during the
Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. The James Webb Space Telescope was launched on 25 December
2021 on an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, and arrived at the Sun–Earth L2 Lagrange point in
January 2022. The first Webb image was released to the public via a press conference on 11 July 2022.
NASA Welcomes Peru as 41st Artemis Accords Signatory
• NASA Administrator Bill Nelson welcomed Peru as the newest nation to sign the Artemis Accords
during a ceremony with the U.S. State Department at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Peru
joins 40 other countries in a commitment to advancing principles for the safe, transparent, and responsible
exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.
The Artemis Accords is a series of non-binding multilateral arrangements between the United States
government and other world governments that elaborates on the norms expected to be followed in
outer space. The accords are related to the Artemis program, an American-led effort to return humans
to the Moon by 2026, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond. The
Artemis program aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. As of 12 June
2024 (11 days ago), with the accession of Armenia, 43 countries have signed the accords, including twenty-one in
Europe, eight in Asia, six in South America, three in North America, three in Africa, and two in Oceania. Drafted
by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, the Accords establish a framework for cooperation in the
civil exploration and peaceful use of the Moon, Mars, and other astronomical objects. They are explicitly
grounded in the United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which signatories are obliged to uphold, and cite
most major U.N.-brokered conventions constituting space law. The Accords were originally signed on 13
October 2020 by representatives of the national space agencies of eight countries: Australia, Canada,
Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The
Accords remain open for signature indefinitely, as NASA anticipates more nations joining. Additional signatories
can choose to directly participate in Artemis program activities, or may agree simply to commit to the principles for
responsible exploration of the Moon as set out in the Accords. India’s signing of the Artemis Accords shows its
commitment to international space cooperation and eagerness to participate in lunar exploration missions,
advancing scientific inquiry, technological innovation, and the expansion of humanity’s presence in space.
DRDO Successfully Tests Long Range Glide Bomb ‘GAURAV’ From Su-30 MK-I
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out a successful maiden
flight test of Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), GAURAV from the Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian
Air Force. GAURAV is an air-launched one thousand-kilogram class glide bomb capable of hitting targets at
long distances.
• It has been designed and developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. During
the flight test, the glide bomb hit the target erected at Long Wheeler’s island with pinpoint accuracy. Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, IAF and industry for the successful flight test. He termed it a
major milestone in the country’s effort to develop indigenous defence technologies for further strengthening the
capability of the Armed Forces.
Meet Black Hole Finder, an app that lets you help scientists explore the universe’s darkest
secrets
• The Dutch Black Hole Consortium, a group of scientists working on finding new black holes,
recently unveiled a new app called Black Hole Finder that lets you aid astronomers identify new
black holes. The app is free-to-use and is available on Android and iOS and can also be accessed from a web
browser.
• According to the Black Hole Finder’s Google Play Store listing, the app lets you “explore the universe and
learn more about these mysterious and fascinating objects” by using real data from telescopes
and other astronomical sources to help scientists identify potential black holes. Black Hole Finder

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 shows you images captured by the Chilean telescope array BlackGEM that is tasked with searching
the skies for cosmic events called ‘kilonovas’. The developers recently added support for languages like
Spanish, German, Chinese, Italian, Polish and Bengali, making it accessible to more users worldwide.
A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light or other
electromagnetic waves, has enough energy to escape its event horizon. The theory of general relativity
predicts that a sufficiently compact mass can deform spacetime to form a black hole. The boundary of
no escape is called the event horizon. Although it has a great effect on the fate and circumstances of an object
crossing it, it has no locally detectable features according to general relativity. In many ways, a black hole acts like
an ideal black body, as it reflects no light. Moreover, quantum field theory in curved spacetime predicts
that event horizons emit Hawking radiation, with the same spectrum as a black body of a temperature
inversely proportional to its mass. This temperature is of the order of billionths of a kelvin for stellar black holes,
making it essentially impossible to observe directly. John Michell, an English clergyman and astronomer, is
considered the “father” of the black hole concept. Albert Einstein first predicted the existence of black
holes in 1916, with his general theory of relativity. The term “black hole” was coined many years later
in 1967 by American astronomer John Wheeler.
China becomes 1st country to bring soil samples from far side of the moon
• China became the first country to successfully bring rock and soil samples from the far side of the
moon as its Chang’e 6 probe returned on Earth. The probe landed in northern China in the Inner
Mongolian region.
• The near side of the moon is visible from the Earth and the far side faces outer space. The far side of
the moon is known to have mountains and impact craters, contrasting with the relatively flat expanses visible
on the near side. In recent years, with the launch of missions by India, Japan etc., moon exploration has taken
centrestage. Earlier, countries like US and Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union) collected samples from
the moon’s near side.
• Wrapping up Chang’e 6’s 53-day mission, the spacecraft’s sample-return capsule parachuted down
to a preselected site in the rolling grasslands of China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on
June 25. Packed inside the capsule are approximately two kilograms of rock and soil that were scooped
or drilled from the surface and subsurface of Chang’e 6’s lunar landing site in the northeastern
quadrant of the moon’s South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin. Thought to have been gouged from the moon’s
crust and underlying mantle by a giant impact more than four billion years ago, the 2,500-kilometer-wide
SPA Basin is one of the largest and oldest craters in the solar system. Samples from its depths could
help solve numerous lunar mysteries-chief among them the enigma of why the moon’s far side is so relatively
bereft of the craters and vast plains of frozen lava that are strewn across the Earth-facing near side.
Astronomers unveil 34 new giant radio sources discovered using GMRT
• A team of Indian radio astronomers has identified 34 new giant radio sources (GRSs) using the
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
(TIFR). This discovery, derived from the TIFR GMRT Sky Survey Alternative Data Release 1 (TGSS
ADR1) at 150 MHz, includes some of the most distant GRSs known. Notably, two of these sources challenge
long-held beliefs about the environments in which GRSs form.
SpaceX’s historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission to launch on August 26
• SpaceX is set to launch the groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission on August 26, marking a significant
milestone in private spaceflight. The mission, set to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in
Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, will feature the first-ever private spacewalk and aims to reach the
highest Earth orbit since the Apollo era.
• The Polaris Dawn crew consists of four members: billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who
will command the mission; pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel; and mission
specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, both SpaceX engineers.
WHO Launches Six-Month Global Plan to Combat Mpox Outbreak
• World Health Organization (WHO) launched a six-month global strategic and response plan to stop
the deadly outbreak of Mpox. This plan aims to curtail human-to-human transmission of Mpox through
coordinated global, regional, and national efforts. Starting from September 2024 to February 2025, and
envisions 135 million U.S. dollars in funding, the plan includes strategic vaccination efforts for
people at the highest risk of interrupting transmission chains. This includes close contacts of recent

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 cases and healthcare workers. Further, the WHO outlined that at the global level, the emphasis is on leadership,
timely evidence-based guidance, and access to medical counter-measures for the most at-risk groups in affected
countries.
• WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, the new plan is based on the principles of
equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and coordination across sectors,
international agencies and national and local partners, civil society, researchers and manufacturers, and our
Member States. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox Public Health Emergency
of International Concern on 14th August in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts
of Africa. According to WHO, globally since 2022, more than 99 thousand cases and 208 deaths from 116
countries, had been reported due to Mpox.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a DNA virus. It belongs to the family Poxviridae, which consists
of large, double-stranded DNA viruses. The virus was first identified in monkeys in 1958 but has since been
found to infect humans as well. The first reported human case of mpox was a nine-month-old boy in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1970). Transmission: Mpox is primarily transmitted to humans from
animals, particularly rodents and primates, through direct contact or through contaminated objects. Symptoms:
Mpox infection in humans typically presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that
progresses from macules to papules to vesicles and pustules. Vaccination: While a vaccine for mpox exists, its
availability and effectiveness are limited, highlighting the need for improved prevention and control measures.
Govt issues 5th draft notification to declare over 56k sq km of Western Ghats eco sensitive
• The Centre has issued a fifth draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western
Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Kerala’s landslide-hit Wayanad, Ecologically Sensitive
Area (ESA), inviting suggestions and objections within 60 days. The draft notification proposes to declare
9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, including 13 villages in two talukas of the landslide-hit district, ecologically sensitive.
• Overall, the notification includes 449 sq km in Gujarat, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km
in Goa, 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu, and 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala in the
proposed ESA. The draft notification suggests a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining, with
existing mines to be phased out within five years “from the date of issue of the final notification or on the expiry
of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier”.
The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri, is a mountain range that stretches 1,600 km (990 mi)
along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Covering an area of 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi), it traverses
the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The range forms an almost
continuous chain of mountains along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, from the Tapti River to Swamithoppe
in Kanyakumari district at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. The Western Ghats meet with the Eastern
Ghats at Nilgiris before continuing south.
Neelakurinji becomes a ‘threatened species,’ officially
• Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), the purplish flowering shrub, which blooms once in 12
years, has been included on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) official Red
List of threatened species. This is the first ever Global Red List assessment for this flagship species
of the montane grasslands of southwest India. The latest global assessment confirms its threatened status
in the Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) category of the IUCN.
• The mass blooming of the flower is a huge tourist attraction. The blooming was reported recently, though not in
a vast spread, at Peerumade in Idukki. “The species was considered threatened but was not evaluated
against IUCN global standards until this assessment. Its distribution across the montane sky island
landscapes in the Western Ghats, its nature of blooming once in 12 years, and lack of ecological studies
were the major hindrances to a comprehensive assessment”.
Super Blue Moon
• A rare full moon, also known as a super blue moon was visible from across the Earth on August 19 and
remained visible for the three days, according to NASA. The next three remaining super moons of 2024
will appear on September 17, known as the Harvest Moon, October 17, known as the Hunter’s Moon,
and November 15’s full moon, known as the Beaver Moon. Compared to a regular full moon, a supermoon
will be up to 30 per cent brighter and up to 14 per cent larger. During this super blue moon, 98 per cent
of the moon’s nearside will be illuminated by the Sun gradually increasing to 99 and 100 per cent
in consecutive days. At the peak of the supermoon, it will be around 225,288 miles away from the Earth.

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• A blue moon is the second full moon that occurs within a single calendar month. Since full moons
typically happen once a month, having two in the same month is rare, making the second one a “Blue Moon”.
The next Blue Moon will occur on 31st May 2026.
NTCA green-lights world’s first melanistic tiger safari near Similipal in Odisha
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority has green-lighted the world’s first melanistic tiger
safari near Similipal tiger reserve of Odisha. The NTCA has now recommended that it be referred to
the Central Zoo Authority that would review the project and suggest any changes that may be required in
the detailed project report. After the DPR is approved, it will be forwarded to a Supreme Court committee for
approval necessary for safari project on forest land. A 200- hectare site adjacent to National Highway 18 in
Baripada has been identified as the site for the safari, touted as world’s first such safari of melanistic tigers.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was founded in India in December 2005, based on
a recommendation put forth by the Tiger Task Force. The Prime Minister of India established the National
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to streamline the management of Project Tiger and numerous
Tiger Reserves of India. In 1973, the Government of India, in collaboration with the WWF, initiated a
conservation program known as the Tiger Protection Program, commonly referred to as Project Tiger.
Earth to get a temporary mini-moon named 2024 PT5
• An asteroid named 2024 ON just passed near Earth without causing any damage, and another
asteroid, which might appear like a mini-moon, is on its way. That asteroid, named 2024 PT5, is just 33
feet long and is travelling in cosmic space. It will soon be captured by Earth’s gravity for a singular orbit,
which means the 2024 PT5 asteroid will make half a revolution in a horseshoe-shaped orbit around the planet
before it continues its cosmic journey.
• It is quite rare to see an asteroid being attracted by Earth’s gravitational pull, as in most cases
asteroids either Miss Earth or burn upon entering the planet’s atmosphere. An asteroid that cannot escape
Earth’s gravitation is called a mini-moon. As 2024 PT5 is a smaller asteroid, despite falling into Earth’s
gravitational pull, it will be visible only through special telescopes.
India successfully test fires two surface to air missiles in two days
• India successfully test-fired the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM)
for the second consecutive day from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Odisha
coast. “In both the tests, the missile successfully intercepted a high-speed low altitude aerial target mimicking
sea skimming aerial target”. For safety reasons, the Balasore district administration temporarily
relocated 3,100 residents from six villages within 2.5 km radius of ITR Launch Pad 3. The VLSRSAM
system is designed for neutralising various airborne threats at close ranges, including aircraft,
helicopters, drones, and incoming missiles.
Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, is an island off the coast of Odisha, India,
approximately 150 kilometres east of the state capital Bhubaneswar. The island was originally named after
English commandant Lieutenant Hugh Wheeler. On 4 September 2015, the island was renamed to
honour the late Indian president, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The Integrated Test Range missile testing
facility is located on the island, and serves as the test facility for most of India’s missiles such as the Akash,
Agni, Astra, BrahMos, Nirbhay, Prahaar, Prithvi, Shaurya Missile, Prithvi Air Defence, SMART missile and ASAT
missiles.
NASA adjusts SpaceX crew to rescue Boeing’s stranded astronauts
• NASA cut the number of astronauts in the next crew to make space on the return trip for the two
astronauts – Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are currently stranded on the International
Space Station. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch
to the ISS in September aboard a SpaceX rocket. They will return to Earth in February, bringing with
them astronauts Williams and Wilmore, who have been on the ISS since June.
• This decision was necessitated by the technical issues marred the Boeing Starliner capsule, which
was originally intended to transport Williams and Wilmore back to Earth. As a result of this adjustment,
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, who were initially scheduled to join the
upcoming SpaceX mission, have been removed from the crew.
• NASA has assured that they will be assigned to future missions. It will undock from the ISS and land in
New Mexico about six hours later. NASA decided not to use the Starliner for the return trip because of
safety concerns, specifically problems with its propulsion system.

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 Sunita Williams is an American astronaut, retired U.S. Navy officer, and former record holder for most
spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes). Williams
was assigned to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15. In 2012, she
served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then commander of Expedition 33. In 2024, she returned to
the ISS on the Boeing Crew Flight Test, the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner; her return to
Earth has been delayed until February 2025. As such, from August 2024 until February 2025, Williams
and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are pivoting ahead to undertake various scientific experiments
and maintenance tasks aboard the International Space Station. Butch Wilmore is a NASA astronaut and
United States Navy test pilot. He has had three spaceflights, the first of which was an 11-day Space
Shuttle mission in November 2009, to the International Space Station. Wilmore was designated as pilot
with five other crew members on Space Shuttle Atlantis for the mission STS-129. He served as part of Expedition 41
to the International Space Station, and in 2024 returned to the ISS on the Boeing Crew Flight Test, the first crewed
mission of the Boeing Starliner. He is currently in space and is set to return to Earth in 2025.
SpaceX launches all-civilian crew for first private spacewalk
• SpaceX launched its daring Polaris Dawn mission a multiday orbital expedition carrying a four-
member civilian crew for the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. The crew, led by Shift4
Payments CEO Jared Iscaacman, is also aiming to fly deeper into space than any other manned mission
in more than half a century, reaching a peak altitude of 1,400 km.
• September 10, 2024 — A commercial space crew has flown higher above Earth than anyone who has
traveled since the last Apollo astronauts went to the moon. The four members of the Polaris Dawn
mission, riding aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft “Resilience,” climbed into an elliptical orbit with a high
point, or apogee, of 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) on September10, 2024). “Achievement unlocked — apogee
1,400.7 km,” SpaceX confirmed on its X social media account. The crew’s top altitude more than doubled
the maximum height that the space shuttle reached when it deploy the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990
and surpassed the previous record for a crewed spacecraft remaining in Earth orbit of 853 miles
(1,373 km) as achieved by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966.
• Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis were the two crew members performed the spacewalk during the
Polaris Dawn mission. A billionaire and an engineer have become the first non-professional crew to
perform one of the riskiest manoeuvres in space - a spacewalk. Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis stepped
out of the SpaceX spacecraft around 15 minutes apart, starting at 11:52BST, wearing specially-designed suits.
“Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here Earth sure looks like a perfect world,” Mr Isaacman
said as he exited. It was commercially funded by Mr Isaacman. Before, only astronauts with government-funded
space agencies had done a spacewalk. Astronauts use safety tethers, which are attached to the spacecraft, to
keep from floating away during a spacewalk.
• Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov performed the first spacewalk on March 18, 1965, during the Cold
War Space Race between the US and the USSR. A spacewalk, also known as extravehicular activity (EVA),
refers to the time spent by astronauts outside their spacecraft.
• The Polaris Program, led by Jared Isaacman and SpaceX, seeks to demonstrate important operational
capabilities that will serve as building blocks to help further human exploration to the Moon, Mars,
and beyond. The Polaris Program is a first-of-its-kind effort to rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities,
while continuing to raise funds and awareness for important causes here on Earth. Polaris, a constellation of
three stars more commonly known as the North Star, has been a guiding light throughout human history to
help navigate the world around us and the sky above.
World’s first nuclear clock on the anvil; its accuracy will blow your mind
• Scientists at JILA, a research institute that’s part of the University of Colorado Boulder and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), are close to finishing the development of
the world’s first nuclear clock. They have figured out all the necessary parts to build this clock, marking
an important step forward in timekeeping technology. A new era of timekeeping is set to be unveiled
as scientists develop the first prototype of the nuclear clock, which is much more advanced than the
atomic clocks we currently rely on. In the olden days, sun dials were used to measure time which lacked
accuracy. With the passage of time, came the mechanical and digital clocks which precisely measured the time.
‘God of chaos’ asteroid
• A massive asteroid, known as 99942 Apophis or the ‘God of Chaos’, has had its trajectory reevaluated,
sparking concerns it may be on a collision course with Earth. Initially discovered in 2004, Apophis

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 was previously thought to have a 2.7% chance of impacting our planet in 2029. However, further
observations led scientists to rule out any potential impact in 2029 or 2036. Nevertheless, the asteroid’s
revised path has raised new concerns about its future trajectory and potential threat to Earth.
• Recent research by Canadian space expert Paul Wiegert has reignited discussions about Apophis’s
potential risk. Wiegert’s findings suggest that while Apophis is on track for a close approach, its
trajectory could shift if it collides with a smaller object in space. He estimates that the odds of such an event
happening and altering the asteroid’s course toward Earth are roughly one in two billion.
Iran launches Chamran-1 satellite
• Iran successfully launched its Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit utilising the Qaem-100 rocket
developed by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The launch marks a milestone in Iran’s aerospace
program, which has faced scrutiny and criticism from Western nations due to concerns that the technology
could be repurposed for ballistic missile development.
• The Chamran-1 satellite, weighing 60 kilograms, was placed into a 550-kilometer orbit and it is
designed to test “hardware and software systems for orbital maneuver technology. The Qaem-
100 rocket, a solid-fuel, three-stage vehicle, was previously used in January for another successful satellite
launch. Footage from the launch showed the rocket blasting off from a mobile launcher at a site near Shahroud,
approximately 350 kilometers east of Tehran.
Iran also known as Persia and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country located in Western
Asia. Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran. The rial is the official currency of Iran. Seyyed Ali
Hosseini Khamenei is the second and current supreme leader of Iran, in office since 1989. Khamenei is
the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East, as well as the second-longest-serving Iranian leader
of the last century, after Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. On 19 May 2024, an Iranian Air Force helicopter
crashed near the village of Uzi, East Azerbaijan, Iran, killing President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign
Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian,
Chandrayaan-3 discovers ancient 160-km crater on Moon, sheds new light on lunar history
• India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has identified a 160-km-wide crater near its landing site on the
Moon. The discovery, made by the Pragyan rover, provides crucial insights into the Moon’s early geological
evolution. This ancient crater, older than the Aitken basin, offers a rare opportunity to study one of the earliest
lunar formations. Chandrayaan-3 lander India’s moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, has identified a 160-kilometer-
wide crater near its landing site.
• This discovery, based on data from the Pragyan rover, has been detailed in Science Direct by
scientists from Ahmedabad’s Physical Research Laboratory. The crater was found as the rover explored
the moon’s South Pole region, approximately 350 kilometers from the Aitken basin, the moon’s largest
and oldest impact site. The site’s rock and dust are essential for understanding the moon’s geological history.
The crater formed before the Aitken basin, suggesting it is one of the moon’s oldest structures. The rover
captured high-resolution images, providing crucial details about the crater’s structure. The report stated, “This
presents a rare scientific opportunity to study one of the earliest geological formations on the celestial body.”
Chandrayaan-3 is the third Indian lunar exploration mission under the Indian Space Research
Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan programme. It consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover
named Pragyan, similar to those of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The propulsion module carried the lander and
rover configuration to lunar orbit in preparation for a powered descent by the lander. Chandrayaan-3
was launched on 14 July 2023. The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on 5 August, and the lander touched
down in the lunar South Pole region on 23 August 2023, making India the fourth country to successfully
land on the Moon, and the first to do so near the lunar South Pole.
Framework Agreement has been approved by the Cabinet recently and India became a
member of IBCA
• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of India
to become a member country of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by signing and ratification
of the Framework Agreement on the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). Seven big cats
include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah. Out of these five big cats viz. Tiger,
Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India. The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on
29.02.2024 approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance with Headquarters in India
with a one-time budgetary support of Rs. 150 crores for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

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• The International Big Cat Alliance aims to be multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 95 big cat
range countries, non-range countries interested in big cat conservation, conservation partners and scientific
organizations working in the field of big cat conservation besides business groups and corporates willing to
contribute to the cause of big cats, to establish networks and develop synergies in a focused manner so as to
bring to a common platform a centralized repository of successful practices and personnel, backed by financial
support which can be leveraged to strengthen the conservation agenda in the field to arrest decline in big cat
population and reverse the trend.
• This is a demonstrative step in leadership position on big cat agenda, to bring range countries and
others on a common platform. All UN member countries are eligible for becoming the member of
IBCA. Twenty-four (24) countries (including India) have consented to be members of IBCA. Nine
International Organizations have also consented to be partner organization of IBCA. Framework Agreement
has been approved by the Cabinet recently and India became a member of IBCA. So far 4 countries have become
member of IBCA including India, Nicaragua, Eswatini and Somalia.
India emerges as the largest plastic polluter globally
• A new study by the University of Leeds revealed India as the biggest contributor to plastic pollution.
Annually a staggering amount of 57 million tons of plastic pollution are generated which infilter every space of
the planet- from the deepest trenches, and mountaintops to the human brain.
• The researchers drew an analogy to explain the enormous scale of plastic waste production. The
annual, global plastic waste is enough to fill New York City’s Central Park and pile up as high as 157 Empire
State Building. Almost two-thirds of this pollution originates from the uncollected and ill-disposed waste. This
is because almost 15% of the world lacks access to proper waste collection services. This prompts a haphazard
disposal of the waste that continues to build up.
‘Doomsday’ glacier set to melt faster, swell seas as world heats up
• Tidal action on the underside of the Thwaites Glacier in the Antarctic will “inexorably” accelerate
melting this century, according to new research by British and American scientists. The researchers
warn the faster melting could destabilize the entire West Antarctic Ice sheet, leading to its eventual collapse.
• The massive glacier — which is roughly the size of Florida — is of particular interest to scientists
because of the rapid speed at which it is changing and the impact its loss would have on sea levels
(the reason for its “Doomsday” moniker). It also acts as an anchor holding back the West Antarctic ice
sheet.
• More than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) thick in places, Thwaites has been likened to a cork in a bottle. Were
it to collapse, sea levels would rise by 65 centimeters (26 inches). That’s already a significant amount,
given oceans are currently rising 4.6 millimeters a year. But if it led to the eventual loss of the entire ice sheet,
sea levels would rise 3.3 meters.
Thwaites Glacier, also known as the “Doomsday Glacier,” is located in the remote Amundsen Sea in West
Antarctica. It’s a wide and fast-flowing glacier, roughly the size of Florida or Great Britain, and it has been
a significant focus of scientific study due to its sensitivity to climate change. It is one of the most vulnerable and
important glaciers in the world in terms of future global sea-level rise. Satellite measurements have shown that the
glacier is losing an enormous amount of ice each year, nearly 50 billion tons annually, contributing to rising global
sea levels. The glacier already contributes 4% of global sea level rise. If the entire Thwaites Glacier were to
melt, it could raise the world’s oceans by about 65 centimeters (over 2 feet).
SpaceX launches rescue mission for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from ISS
• SpaceX launched a rescue mission for the two stuck astronauts at the International Space Station
sending up a downsized crew to bring them home but not until next year. The capsule rocketed into
orbit to fetch the test pilots whose Boeing spacecraft returned to Earth empty earlier this month because of
safety concerns.
• The switch in rides left it to NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov to retrieve Butch
Wilmore and Suni Williams. Since NASA rotates space station crews approximately every six months, this
newly launched flight with two empty seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams won’t return until late February.
There wasn’t a way to bring them back earlier on SpaceX without interrupting other scheduled missions.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launcher, and
a satellite communications corporation headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002
by Elon Musk with the stated goal of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonization

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 of Mars. The company manufactures the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, several
rocket engines, Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon spacecraft, and Starlink communications satellites.
SpaceX is developing a satellite internet constellation named Starlink to provide commercial internet
service. In January 2020, the Starlink constellation became the largest satellite constellation ever launched, and
as of December 2022 comprises over 3,300 small satellites in orbit
India’s first sub-machine gun to be developed indigenously by the private sector
• Lokesh Machines Limited has successfully delivered the first major order for its 9x19 mm submachine
gun (SMG) Asmi, which is India’s first sub-machine gun to be developed indigenously by the private
sector, to the Northern Command of the Indian Army. The order for 550 SMGs to the Indian Army was
executed on time and in full, the company said, adding that this was a major achievement as it was the first
time that a private 100% indigenous manufacturer had accomplished such a feat.
• The Indian Army has got the delivery of country’s first domestically developed sub-machine guns -
ASMI - designed, developed and manufactured in less than three years. ASMI, short for Asmita, which
means pride in Sanskrit, has outperformed many renowned international rivals, including ‘Uzi’ from Israel
Weapon Industries and ‘MP5’ from German Heckler & Koch, in terms of accuracy and reliability. ASMI weighs
under 2.4 kg and is 10-15% lighter than its global competitors. With a price tag of under Rs. 1 lakh,
the guns are nearly 30% cheaper than the imported ones. In contrast to Uzi that was designed in 1940s,
ASMI sports a modern design with the use of aluminium and carbon fibre, making a perfect balance between
weight and performance.
Annular solar eclipse 2024: Why ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse won’t be visible in India
• It is only visible from some parts of the world, especially in the annular form, when the moon comes
between the earth and the sun with a ring of fire surrounding it. Unfortunately, the maximum eclipse
of 2024’s annular solar eclipse, that takes place on October 3 at the Indian time of 12.15 am, won’t
be visible from any part of the country in any shape or form as the event happens during night time.
• The phenomenon of the moon coming between the sun and the earth is called a solar eclipse. As the
moon is much smaller than the sun, even when it is completely covered, especially when the moon is farther
away from the Earth, it will leave the outer edge of the sun visible, which will make it look like a ‘ring of fire’
around the moon, and hence the name. When the moon fully covers the sun, it is considered a total solar
eclipse. The next solar eclipse will not arrive until 2026.
DRDO announces completion of development trials of man-portable air defence system
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the completion of the development
trials of the ingeniously developed 4th Generation miniaturised Very Short Range Air Defence
System (VSHORAD) after three successful consecutive flight tests at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in
Rajasthan.
• The VSHORAD is a critical requirement for the Indian Army which has attempted to replace the legacy
Igla systems for some time but the efforts didn’t make progress. In recent years, Army procured small
volumes of Igla-S under emergency procurement. “The development of VSHORADS missiles has been completed
and two production agencies have been engaged in the Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) mode.
• The VSHORAD is a man portable air defence system designed and developed by Research Centre
Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and DcPPs. The three Services have been
associated with the project right from the beginning and participated during the developmental trials.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an agency of the Republic of India, charged
with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was formed in
1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical
Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation. Dr. Samir V Kamat is the current
Chairman of DRDO.
India launches 4th nuclear-missile submarine
• In the midst of a diplomatic spat with Canada, India quietly launched its fourth nuclear powered ballistic
missile (SSBN) submarine at Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam to strength its nuclear
deterrence against its adversaries. While India’s second SSBN INS Arighaat was commissioned by
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 29, 2024, the third SSBN INS Aridhaman will be commissioned
next year.

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• Although the Modi government is tight-lipped on nuclear deterrence, the fourth SSBN, codenamed S4*, was
launched after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Very Low Frequency Naval Station in
Damagundam forest area of Vikarabad district in Telangana for command, control and communications
with strategic assets of the Indian Navy. The other three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines
are INS Arihant, INS Arighaat and INS Aridhaman.
ISRO Launches India’s First Analog Space Mission in Leh
• The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the launch of its first analog space
mission, to study the challenges of extraterrestrial conditions that will help in future space
missions. The mission, which includes a compact, inflatable habitat named Hab-1 will simulate life in
an interplanetary habitat. It is being held in Leh, in Ladakh. Even as India plans to launch several
space missions, the new mission will help understand the challenges that future astronauts may encounter
on missions beyond Earth. Hab-1 is equipped with essentials like a hydroponics farm, kitchen, and sanitation
facilities. It provides a self-sustaining environment, offering valuable data as India is planning long-duration
space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Rwanda’s Marburg disease outbreak
• Rwanda is currently battling Marburg virus disease outbreak, a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever. On 27
September 2024, Rwanda reported its first MVD outbreak. While Marburg virus disease has been found
in several African countries over the years, this is the first time it has been reported in Rwanda, in east-central
Africa. This week, concerns spread to Germany when a medical student who had contact with an infected patient
in Rwanda fell ill. Marburg virus disease is clinically similar to Ebola that causes severe illness in
humans. There are no vaccines or antiviral treatments for Marburg.
ISRO’s AstroSat, NASA’s space observatories capture dramatic eruptions from stellar wreckage
• India’s AstroSat and NASA’s space observatories have captured dramatic eruptions from stellar
wreckage around a massive black hole. A massive black hole has torn apart one star and is now using that
stellar wreckage to pummel another star or smaller black hole that used to be in the clear — this discovery
was made using NASA’s space observatories — Chandra, HST, NICER, Swift — and ISRO’s AstroSat.
Once shredded, the star’s remains began circling the black hole in a disk in a type of stellar graveyard. The star
in this comparison is like the diver and the disk is the pool, and each time the star strikes the surface it creates
a huge ‘splash’ of gas and X-rays. As the star orbits around the black hole, it does this over and over again.
AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray,
optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. The payloads cover the energy bands of Ultraviolet (Near and
Far), limited optical and X-ray regime (0.3 keV to 100 keV). One of the unique features of AstroSat mission is that
it enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.
AstroSat with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg was launched on September 28, 2015 into a 650 km orbit inclined
at an angle of 6 deg to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
NASA research hints at possible alien presence on the red planet
• The possibility of extraterrestrial life has confounded mankind for centuries. With technological advancements,
astronomers and scientists are indeed using the best of innovation to trace any signs of life, but nothing has
bore fruit yet. However, some new research seems to state that we may be closer to cracking this mystery of
a lifetime. The new Nasa research suggests that conditions for photosynthesis may exist below the
dusty ice at Mars’ mid-latitudes regions. For the uninitiated, mid-latitudes of Mars are essentially
areas between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres.
• These regions are believed to contain a lot of water ice in the subsurface, preserved under lithic materials that
can be thick by several meters. Photosynthesis is essentially a process that lets plants, algae, and some bacteria
convert sunlight into carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and glucose. Photosynthesis is responsible for
generating much of Earth’s atmospheric oxygen. The research proposes that an adequately thick layer of
ics on Mars may work as a shield against the Sun’s hash radiation at the same time allowing enough
light for photosynthesis leading to the creation of ‘radiative habitable zones’.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the executive
branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as
aeronautics and aerospace research. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established NASA in 1958. Bill Nelson
was sworn in as the 14th NASA administrator on May 3, 2021, tasked with carrying out the Biden-Harris
administration’s vision for the agency.

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Ladakh aurorae validate space weather tracking efforts
• Ladakh’s recent sightings of aurora, marked by reddish or greenish light in the night sky and usually
observed in the far northern regions, is a validation of our efforts in space weather monitoring, a
team of astrophysicists that predicted the activity about 48-72 hours prior said.
• All-sky cameras of the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at Hanle and Merak
in Ladakh captured the aurorae throughout the night. “The aurora sightings are a validation that we
are on the right track. It boosts our confidence to predict extreme weather events in space that can potentially
endanger all kinds of satellite based services on Earth, bringing modern society to a standstill.” Space
agencies and organisations such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US,
monitor space weather to provide timely information of disruptions from the Sun, that can possibly
cause communication blackouts and satellite outages. While aurorae are known for their scenic beauty, their
occurrence in lower-latitude regions like Ladakh is an indication of heightened solar activity in the form of solar
storms known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
An aurora also commonly known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) or southern lights (aurora
australis), is a natural light display in Earth’s sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around
the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays,
spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky. Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth’s
magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the
solar wind from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged
particles in the magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper
atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere). The aurora phenomenon is a natural light display in the Earth’s
sky. It’s caused by the interaction between charged particles from the sun and Earth’s magnetic field.

NASA unveils new telescope to study gravitational waves in space

• The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) unveiled a newly developed prototype
of a telescope that can be used to study gravitational waves in outer space. The telescope was built as
part of a joint mission with the European Space Agency (NSA) called Laser Interferometer Space
Antenna (LISA).
• The main objective of the LISA mission is to study gravitational waves by putting three spacecrafts
into the Earth’s orbit and positioning them in a triangular format with 1.6 million miles on each
side. Each of the three spacecrafts will carry two telescopes to detect infrared laser beams from the other
spacecraft.
• First discovered by Albert Einstein in 1916, gravitational waves are known to be created due to
two black holes colliding with each other. In 2016, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave
Observatory (LIGO) Scientific Collaboration comprising National Science Foundation, Caltechl,
and MIT researchers detected the first gravitational waves ever, proving Einstein’s theory right.
By detecting and studying gravitational waves, scientists hope to enhance humanity’s understanding of the
universe and less-explored phenomena such as black holes and the Big Bang that may not be easy to analyse
using other tools, Nasa said.
COP16 held in Colombia, Nearly 200 Countries to Participate
• The two-week United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) started in Colombia to assess
historic commitments to halt and reverse the loss of nature. Environmental leaders from nearly
200 countries are expected to participate, where 196 countries signed an ambitious global treaty, the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to protect biodiversity.
• At COP 16, governments will be tasked with reviewing the state of implementation of the Kunming-
Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Parties to the Convention are expected to show the alignment
of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the Framework.
• COP 16 will further develop the monitoring framework and advance resource mobilization for the Global
Biodiversity Framework. Among other tasks, COP 16 is also due to finalize and operationalize the
multilateral mechanism on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence
information on genetic resources. This is going to be a great opportunity for one of the most biodiverse
nations in the world.

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COP-16 unveils world’s first Global Ecosystem Atlas
• The Global Ecosystems Atlas, introduced at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United
Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on October 22, 2024 in Cali, Colombia, is an
innovative tool developed by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the atlas aims to facilitate
the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems — an essential task in
tackling global environmental challenges. Monitoring these ecosystems is crucial for implementing
the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, an international agreement designed to
halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Despite increasing threats to biodiversity, many key questions
about our ecosystems remain unanswered due to inconsistencies in existing data. So far, only about half of the
world’s ecosystems have been mapped, and although global indicators exist for ecosystem monitoring, there is
no standardised method for compiling data on a global scale.
Western Ghats: Expert panel to visit Goa over demand for exclusion of some villages from
eco-sensitive zone
• The Union Environment Ministry-appointed expert committee, which is tasked with examining views and
objections of state governments on eco-sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, is likely to visit
Goa soon to deliberate on the state’s submissions. The committee, which is headed by Sanjay Kumar,
former director-general of forest, will verify along with the state government whether its demands
to omit villages marked as ESA are justified.
• Early in August, the Centre had issued the sixth iteration of a draft notification declaring 56,825.7
sqkm of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive area, for protection of the contiguous, biodiverse
hotspot spanning Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Centre had
provided the states a 60-day window as per law seeking their views and objections on the villages demarcated
as ESA.
Largest black hole jets equal to 140 Milky Way galaxies discovered by astronomers
• Astronomers have made an astonishing discovery with a pair of black hole jets stretching 23
million light-years across the cosmos. These colossal jets, nicknamed Porphyrion, are the largest ever
recorded. Their scale is so immense that they measure the equivalent of 140 Milky Way galaxies,
laid end to end. The origin of these jets is a supermassive black hole located 7.5 billion light-years from
Earth. With this discovery, scientists are looking to unlock the secrets of the early universe’s formation and its
intricate structures.
• The jets, discovered in a survey conducted by Europe’s Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio
telescope, are composed of ionised matter expelled from a distant black hole. Black holes are
extremely dense areas in space with a gravitational pull so strong that not even light can escape
them. Most galaxies, including our own Milky Way, have a supermassive black hole at their center.
A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light or other
electromagnetic waves, has enough energy to escape its event horizon. Albert Einstein’s theory of
general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass can deform spacetime to form a black
hole. The boundary of no escape is called the event horizon. Although it has a great effect on the fate and
circumstances of an object crossing it, it has no locally detectable features according to general relativity. In many
ways, a black hole acts like an ideal black body, as it reflects no light. Moreover, quantum field theory in
curved spacetime predicts that event horizons emit Hawking radiation, with the same spectrum as a black
body of a temperature inversely proportional to its mass. This temperature is of the order of billionths of a kelvin
for stellar black holes, making it essentially impossible to observe directly.
NASA’s DART mission may have created ‘first human-made’ meteor shower
• It was on September 26, 2022, when the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
successfully crashed a vending machine-sized spacecraft into asteroid moonlet Dimorphos. The
mission was called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) and it may have now resulted in the
first ‘human-made’ meteor shower. The impact of NASA’s DART mission, which successfully altered a smaller
asteroid’s orbit in space by a whopping 33 minutes, may lead to an extraordinary phenomenon — the first
human-made meteor shower, the Dimorphids. A new study found that rocky debris blasted away
from a football stadium-sized asteroid, Dimorphos, during the DART mission could create the first
human-made meteor shower known as the Dimorphids.
• The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was launched in 2021 as NASA’s first attempt to move
an asteroid from its path. The idea behind the mission was to see if a spacecraft could deflect an asteroid by

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 crashing into it—this technique is called “kinetic impact.” DART’s goal was to show that this method
could be used to protect Earth from potential asteroid threats in the future. DART was a joint project
between NASA and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Europa Clipper Mission launched
• Europa Clipper (previously known as Europa Multiple Flyby Mission) is a space probe developed by
NASA to study Europa, a Galilean moon of Jupiter. It was launched on October 14, 2024. The spacecraft
will use gravity assists from Mars on March 1, 2025, and Earth on December 3, 2026, before arriving at Europa
in April 2030. The spacecraft will then perform a series of flybys of Europa while in orbit around Jupiter.
Europa Clipper is designed to follow up on evidence for a subsurface ocean underneath Europa’s
ice crust, found using the Galileo spacecraft which orbited Jupiter from 1995 to 2003.
Saturn has regained its crown as the planet with the most moons in the solar system, just months after
being overtaken by its fellow gas giant Jupiter. The leap-frog comes after the discovery of 62 new moons of
Saturn, bringing its official total to 145. Jupiter, which added 12 moons to its tally in February 2023, has 95
moons that have been formally designated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
China’s Chang’e-6 Mission Returns Unique Lunar Soil Samples
• China’s Chang’e-6 mission, launched in May, marked a significant milestone in lunar exploration
by bringing back soil samples from the far side of the moon. This groundbreaking mission is the first
to successfully retrieve material from this little-explored region. Upon analysis, Chinese scientists discovered
that the samples have “distinct characteristics” compared to those from other parts of the moon, offering fresh
insights into the moon’s geological history.
India to Launch European Union’s Solar Observatory Satellite Proba-3
• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced that India is set to launch the European Union’s Proba-3
Space Satellite, marking another milestone in its burgeoning role as a global space leader disclosing this while
speaking at the 3rd Indian Space Conclave, this underscores the deepening partnership between India and the
EU in space research and exploration.
• This mission, aimed at observing the Sun, signifies both nations’ commitment to advancing scientific
knowledge while reinforcing the reputation of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a
trusted partner in international space missions. The Proba-3 satellite, which arrived at pòłSriharikota,
is aimed at observing the Sun and reflects a new level of equal collaboration between India and
other major space powers. The Proba-3 satellite will be India’s third such launch for the EU, with
previous missions supporting the Proba-1 and Proba-2 satellites.
• However, this mission is unique in its focus on solar observation. Dr. Jitendra Singh explained that Proba-3
will provide valuable insights into solar corona dynamics, adding to ISRO’s portfolio of ambitious
scientific ventures, which recently included the groundbreaking Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission.
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is a massive, nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma,
heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy from its surface
mainly as visible light and infrared radiation with 10% at ultraviolet energies. It is by far the most
important source of energy for life on Earth. The Sun has been an object of veneration in many cultures. It has been
a central subject for astronomical research since antiquity. The Sun orbits the Galactic Center at a distance
of 24,000 to 28,000 light-years. From Earth, it is 1 astronomical unit (1.496×108 km) or about 8 light-
minutes away. Its diameter is about 1,391,400 km (864,600 mi), 109 times that of Earth. Its mass is about 330,000
times that of Earth, making up about 99.86% of the total mass of the Solar System. Roughly three-quarters of
the Sun’s mass consists of hydrogen (~73%); the rest is mostly helium (~25%), with much smaller quantities
of heavier elements, including oxygen, carbon, neon, and iron. The nuclear fusion reaction in the sun is the
process by which two hydrogen atoms fuse together to create a helium atom, releasing energy in the
process.
COP16 suspended without agreement on new fund for nature protection
• The 16th UN biodiversity talks in Colombia’s Cali were suspended on 2 November 2024 without an
agreement on setting up a new fund for the protection of nature. The conference, which ran around 12
hours past its scheduled end, did yield an important agreement to establish a subsidiary body that will include
indigenous peoples in future discussions and decisions on biodiversity conservation.
• The participating countries also agreed to establish a new global fund dedicated to sharing the
benefits of digitally-sequenced genetic data taken from plants and animals with the communities

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 they come from. As the final plenary extended, several negotiators departed to catch flights home, prompting
Colombian Environment Minister and COP16 President Susana Muhamad to suspend the session
due to a lack of quorum. It is not yet known when or where the session will resume.
• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), adopted at COP15 in Canada in
2022, set 23 targets to be achieved by 2030, including placing 30 per cent of land and sea areas under
protection and restoring 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems. At the Canada summit, the countries
agreed to make USD 200 billion available each year for biodiversity protection by 2030, including a transfer of
USD 30 billion per year from developed countries to developing ones.
JUICE: A complete guide to Jupiter’s icy moon exploring mission
• The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or JUICE, is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to explore
Jupiter and three of its icy moons: Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. A single orbital spacecraft with
no lander, JUICE will orbit Ganymede, the solar system’s largest moon, becoming the first probe to orbit a
planetary moon other than Earth’s. JUICE successfully launched on April 14, 2023 from Europe’s Spaceport in
Kourou, French Guiana. But be patient, it will take nearly eight years to reach the largest planet in the solar
system. In August 2024, ESA performed a very important and new kind of move in its JUICE mission. This
move called a Lunar-Earth gravity assist, will use both the Moon and Earth to help change the spacecraft’s
speed and direction. It’s the first time a spacecraft will use two different celestial bodies in this way.
Chandrayaan-3 Detects Historic 250 Seismic Signatures on Moon
• India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first lunar
mission to detect over 250 seismic signals from the Moon’s South Pole since the Apollo missions.
This discovery marks a major advancement in lunar exploration and seismic monitoring techniques. The
Chandrayaan-3 mission identified 250 seismic signals, with 50 of these signals being unique and potentially
indicating moonquakes, which are similar to earthquakes on Earth but occur on the Moon. This is the first time
that seismic data has been successfully collected from the Moon’s South Pole, providing valuable insights into
the Moon’s seismic activity.
Chandrayaan-3 is the third Indian lunar exploration mission under the Indian Space Research
Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan programme. It consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover
named Pragyan, similar to those of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The propulsion module carried the lander and
rover configuration to lunar orbit in preparation for a powered descent by the lander. Chandrayaan-3
was launched on 14 July 2023. The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on 5 August, and the lander touched
down in the lunar South Pole region on 23 August 2023, making India the fourth country to successfully
land on the Moon, and the first to do so near the lunar South Pole.
DRDO carries out successful flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile off
the Odisha coast
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-trial of India’s first
long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. This hypersonic
missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 kms for the Armed
Forces. The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data
obtained from down range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal maneuvers and impact with high
degree of accuracy.
• This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile
complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners. The flight-trial was
carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and officers of the Armed Forces.
ISRO Receives Satellites for SPADEX Docking Mission
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently acquired two 400 kg satellites for an
important mission called SPADEX, or Space Docking Experiment. This mission aims to demonstrate
the ability of two satellites to dock in space, marking a key step for future space missions.
• SPADEX involves launching two satellites into slightly different orbits using a single rocket. Once in space,
these satellites will travel at speeds of approximately 28,000 km/h. They will align and perform a ‘space
handshake’ to dock together, forming one orbiting unit. This docking capability is crucial for future missions,
including Chandrayaan-4 and the proposed Indian Space Station.

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India Ranks 176th in the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024
• India ranks 176th in the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024, with a score of 45.5 out of 100.
This places India among the five worst performers globally, alongside Kiribati, Turkey, Iraq, and Micronesia.
The NCI was released on October 24, 2024, and assesses conservation efforts across 180 countries. India’s low
ranking is primarily due to poor land management and increasing threats to biodiversity. The country has
converted 53% of its land for urban, industrial, and agricultural use.
ISRO Successfully Launches Satellite GSAT 20 On board SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket in US
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its most sophisticated
communications satellite GSAT 20 on board SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in the
USA. ISRO Chairman S Somanath said, it was a very successful launch, the satellite is healthy and solar
panels have been deployed.
• The satellite will provide broadband services in remote areas and in-flight Internet in passenger aircraft. It
will remain in operation for 14 years. This is for the first time that ISRO has launched a satellite on
a SpaceX rocket through its commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL). Weighing 4,700 kg,
GSAT-20 is one of India’s heaviest communication satellites.
• The GSAT-20 is too heavy for India’s own rocket LVM-3, popularly known as ‘Bahubali’ to carry, so
SpaceX was chosen for the launch. India had till now relied on French launch service provider Arianespace
for such heavy satellite launches but the company does not have any operational rockets at present and the
only reliable option India had was to go with SpaceX. SpaceX’s heavy-lifter Falcon-9 rocket can launch
payloads of 8,300 kg or 8.3 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit.
ISRO is the space agency of India headquartered in the city of Bangalore. ISRO was formed in 1969.
ISRO built India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 19 April 1975.
S Somanath is current the chairperson of the ISRO. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) or Sriharikota
Range (SHAR) is a rocket launch centre operated by ISRO. It is located in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
Sreedhara Panicker Somanath from Kerala is an Indian aerospace engineer serving as the chairman of
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Under his chairmanship, ISRO carried out the third Indian
lunar exploration mission named Chandrayaan-3. Somanath served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
4.45-billion-year-old meteorite grain suggests hot water once flowed on red planet
• There is a possibility that alien life existed in hot water on Mars. The latest evidence has shown
scientists the possibility of hot water flowing on Mars during its ancient times. This development could
likely establish that despite arid conditions, the red planet may have been once capable of supporting
life aeons ago.
• This latest piece of information comes from a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain within the Martian
meteorite NWA7034 that was discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2011. The NWA7034, a two-billion-
year-old Martian meteorite, is the second oldest ever discovered and is known as “Black Beauty”
due to its shiny black appearance. The researchers found that the zircon grain has fingerprints of fluids rich in
water.
WHO declares mpox outbreak a continuing global health emergency
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that the ongoing mpox outbreak remains a
public health emergency of international concern, citing rising case numbers, geographic spread, and
operational challenges. The emergency designation, first declared in August, followed the emergence
of a new mpox variant, clade Ib, which spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring
countries and beyond. Cases of this variant have been confirmed in regions including the UK, Germany, Sweden,
and India. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection spread through close contact.
It typically causes flu-like symptoms and pustular lesions, with severe cases potentially leading to
death.

E. Sports
IND end over a decade of pain, with 2024 T20 World Cup
• BCCI secretary Jay Shah praised India’s title win in the T20 World Cup, stating that the team has “silenced
their critics” with an outstanding performance. Shah also announced a substantial prize of Rs. 125 crore
for the World Cup-winning team led by Rohit Sharma.

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• India clinched their second T20 World Cup title with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa
in a tense final held in Barbados. Jasprit Bumrah had a tournament to remember, collecting 15
wickets at an average of 8.26. The pacer ended the T20 World Cup 2024 with an economy rate of just 4.17, by
far and away the best rate of those to bowl a minimum of 20 overs at the tournament. Fittingly, he was declared
as the Player of the Tournament.
• The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It was co-
hosted by the West Indies and the United States from 1 to 29 June 2024; the tournament being hosted by
the West Indies for the second time, while this was also the first major ICC tournament to feature
matches played in the United States.
• The tournament field expanded from 16 to 20 teams, including the two hosts, the top eight teams from the 2022
edition, the best placed two teams in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings not already qualified, and eight other
teams determined by regional qualifiers. Canada and Uganda qualified for the men’s T20 World Cup for
the first time, while the United States participated for the first time by virtue of being co-hosts.
• England were the defending champions and were beaten in the semi-finals by India, who went on
to win their second T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 7 runs and equalling England and
West Indies with the most titles in the T20 World Cup.
Wimbledon 2024 final: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to retain crown
• Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to retain his Wimbledon crown. This was also the Spaniard’s
4th Grand Slam title. arlier, Alcaraz won the first two sets 6-2, 6-2 in the men’s final on Centre Court after
breaking his opponent twice in each set. He would then put down the Serb in the 3rd set tiebreaker 7-6 (4) to win
the whole thing.
• EThe Spaniard won his first Slam title at the 2022 U.S. Open as a teenager, and no man ever has
collected more Slam hardware before turning 22 than he has. He improved to 4-0 in major finals.
Barbora beats Jasmine in Wimbledon final; wins her second Grand Slam title
• Barbora Krejcikova won Wimbledon for her second Grand Slam title with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over
Jasmine Paolini in the final. Krejcikova is a 28-year-old from the Czech Republic who adds this trophy to
her championship at the French Open in 2021. The seventh-seeded Paolini was the runner-up at the French
Open last month and is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to get to the finals at Roland Garros and
Wimbledon in the same season.
Shafali Verma becomes fastest woman double-centurion in Test cricket
• Dashing India opener Shafali Verma smashed the fastest double-century in the history of women’s
Test cricket, eclipsing Annabel Sutherland of Australia during the one-off Test against South Africa.
Shafali, scored her double ton off just 194 balls, bettering Sutherland’s feat, which came off 248 balls
against South Africa earlier this year.
• Shafali also became the second Indian after former skipper Mithali Raj to hit a double century in
Test cricket after almost 22 long years here. Mithali’s 214 had come off 407 balls and the former India
skipper achieved during the drawn second Test against England at Taunton in August, 2002. Shafali
struck 23 fours and eight maximums during her attacking knock. She brought up her twin ton with consecutive
sixes of off-spinner Delmi Tucker, followed by a single. Shafali was finally run out at 205 off 197 balls.
Wimbledon 2024: Hsieh Su-wei, Jan Zielinski crowned mixed doubles champions
• Hsieh Su-wei and Jan Zielinski secured their second mixed doubles Grand Slam title of the year at
Wimbledon by defeating the Mexican duo of Santiago Gonzalez and Giuliana Olmos in a decisive
6-4, 6-2 final. The Taiwanese-Polish partnership, which began with their unexpected collaboration at the
Australian Open in January, once again showcased their exceptional synergy on the court. The Mexican pair,
Gonzalez and Olmos, made history by becoming the first Mexican duo to reach the All England Club final,
chasing their own slice of Grand Slam glory.
Vishy Anand Wins 10th Leon Masters Title
• Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has won his 10th Leon Masters title after defeating GM
Jaime Santos 3-1 in the final match. Anand took over to win the last two games after a shaky start and has
now won the event in northwest Spain in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2024.
• Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster, a former five-time World Chess
Champion and a record two-time Chess World Cup Champion. He became the first grandmaster from
India in 1988, and he has the eighth-highest peak FIDE rating of all time. In 2022, he was elected the deputy
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• Anand defeated Alexei Shirov in a six-game match to win the 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship,
a title he held until 2002. He became the undisputed world champion in 2007 and defended his title against
Vladimir Kramnik in 2008, Veselin Topalov in 2010, and Boris Gelfand in 2012. In 2013, he lost the title to
challenger Magnus Carlsen, and he lost a rematch to Carlsen in 2014 after winning the 2014 Candidates
Tournament. In April 2006, Anand became the fourth player in history to pass the 2800 Elo mark
on the FIDE rating list, after Kramnik, Topalov, and Garry Kasparov. He occupied the number one
position for 21 months, the sixth-longest period on record.
Ravichandran Ashwin to be co-owner of a Global Chess League franchise
• Indian cricket team star Ravichandran Ashwin has been revealed to be a co-owner of a franchise in
the Global Chess League ahead of its second season, which will be held at London Friends House.
• The spinner has joined hands with Prachura PP and Venkat K Narayana to own a team that has
been named as American Gambits. The American Gambits will replace the Chingari Gulf Titans, which was
owned by Chingari app owner Tech4Billion Group.
Shooter Abhinav Bindra awarded the Olympic Order
• Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has congratulated shooter Abhinav Bindra on
being awarded the Olympic Order for outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement. Mr
Mandaviya said that his achievement has filled the country with pride and is truly well-deserved.
India’s Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj create history, inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame
• Former doubles world number one Leander Paes and tennis broadcaster, actor and player Vijay
Amritraj became the first Asian men inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The first
inductees from India were joined by British tennis journalist and author Richard Evans in enshrinement
ceremonies at the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Paes and Amritraj made India the 28th nation
represented in the Hall of Fame.
Olympic Games 2024: Nita Ambani re-elected unanimously as IOC Member
• Ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) has announced that Nita M. Ambani, leading Indian philanthropist and Founder of the
Reliance Foundation has been re-elected unanimously as the IOC from India at the 142nd IOC session
in Paris that is currently underway, winning unanimously with 100% of the vote.
Argentina win record 16th Copa America, Martinez nets extra-time winner against Colombia
• Argentina clinched the Copa America 2024 title on the back of Lautaro Martinez’s extra-time winner
over Colombia at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The win marked Argentina’s third consecutive major
title triumph following the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the previous Copa America, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final
held in Rio di Janeiro. Argentina also surpassed Uruguay for the most Copa America titles, having
secured their 16th title in 30 final appearances. The Albieceleste also ended Colombia’s 28-match winning
streak dating back to 2022. Their last defeat also came against Argentina.
Opening Ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024 held along River Seine in France
• The Paris Olympics 2024 kicked off officially with the Opening Ceremony scheduled to be held
along the River Seine. This year, the Paris Olympic Games will feature a celebration of the centenary of the
1924 Olympics. The French capital was the venue for the second-ever Olympics in the year 1900 and
then hosted the Games almost exactly 100 years ago in 1924. Paris will become just the second city after
London to host the Olympics three times.
• The design of the Paris 2024 Olympic medals celebrates the return of the Games to France, each
Games medal being embellished with an original piece of the Eiffel Tower. The Paris 24 Olympic
medals designed by 240-year-old Maison Chaumet. Each medal features the face of ‘Marianne’, the embodiment
of the French Republic. The ribbons are made in Saint-Étienne, and feature the Eiffel Tower’s patterns,
with the Paralympic medal specifically in the original red colour of the Eiffel Tower.
Paris Olympics: China wins first gold of Paris 2024
• The 10m air rifle pairing of Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao won the first gold medal of the Paris
Olympics, thus making China the first nation to stand atop the podium at the Paris Olympics. Huang
Yuting and Sheng Lihao won the gold medal match by a margin of 16-12 over Keum Jihyeon and Park Jahun
of the Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, the first medal of Paris 2024 was won by Kazakhstan. The win
marked Kazakhstan’s first Olympic medal in shooting since 1996. The mixed 10m rifle pair of Alexandre

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 Le and Islam Satpayev claimed the first medals of Paris 2024. India’s 10m air rifle mixed team duos of Ramita
Jindal-Arjun Babuta and Sandeep Singh-Elavenil Valarivan failed to make it to the medal rounds of their event
at the Chateauroux shooting range. While the Ramita and Arjun pair ended sixth, Sandeep Singh and Elavenil
Valarivan finished 12th.
With her 10m air pistol bronze, Manu Bhaker becomes first Indian woman shooter to win
an Olympic medal
• Manu Bhaker wins bronze in women’s 10m air pistol; gets first medal for India at Paris Olympics.
India’s Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal and brought the first medal for the country at the Paris
Olympics 2024 in the women’s 10m air pistol event. This is the fifth shooting medal for India. Earlier,
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (silver in Athens Olympics, 2004), Bindra (gold, Beijing 2008), Gagan Narang
(bronze, London 2012) and Vijay Kumar (silver, London) have brought glory to the country in shooting.
Norman Pritchard: Colonised India’s first athlete to win two medals in same Olympics
• While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) lists him as an Indian, World Athletics (formerly IAAF)
credits his Olympic medals to Britain. Pritchard was born in then Calcutta in 1875 and died in Los
Angeles in 1929 at the age of 54. Pritchard had done it pre-independence in the 1900 edition, which also took
place in Paris, by winning silver medals in 200m sprint and 200m hurdles.
Paris Olympics: Manu Bhaker becomes first Indian to win two medals in a single edition
• Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the first Indian player to win two Olympic medals in one
single Olympic edition. She won a bronze in the 10m air pistol shooting as well as another bronze in
mixed 10 m air pistol shooting at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The 22-year-old secured a bronze
in the 10m air pistol competition at the Chateauroux Range, marking a significant achievement as the first
Indian woman to earn a medal in shooting at the Olympics.
Jiya Rai Becomes World’s Youngest & Fastest Female Para Swimmer to Swim Solo across
English Channel
• Para swimmer Jiya Rai has become the world’s youngest and fastest female para swimmer to swim
solo across the English Channel successfully. The 16-year-old covered the 34 km stretch, from Abbots Cliff
in England to Pointe de la Courte-Dune in France, in 17 hours and 25 minutes.
• She is an international open water para swimmer with a world record in open water swimming.
Despite having a disability, she has many inspiring achievements to her credit, including swimming across
Palk Bay earlier. Jiya Rai is a recipient of many international and national awards including the
prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMB) – 2022 the highest award for citizens
below 18 years of Age. She has dedicated her exceptional conquest of the English Channel to raising awareness
about autism. She is the daughter of a naval personnel serving in Mumbai. The Indian Navy and the Mumbai-
headquartered Western Naval Command have congratulated her for the feat and extended best wishes.
Swapnil Kusale Clinches India’s First Ever 50m Rifle 3 Positions Olympic Bronze
• Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale kept his composure to stage a remarkable comeback and help the
country claim its first ever Olympic bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event of the ongoing Games.
His medal comes following the stunning performance of Manu Bhaker, who clinched the women’s 10m air pistol
and mixed team 10m air pistol bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh.
Paris Olympics: Julien Alfred Becomes Fastest Woman in the World
• Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred became the fastest woman on earth after winning the 100-meter race at
the ongoing Paris Olympics. Alfred stunned pre-race favorite Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States,
who claimed the second spot.
• Alfred clocked 10.72 seconds to claim gold in the rain-drenched race at the Stade de France’s
running track. Meanwhile, Richardson had to settle for silver after clocking 10.87 seconds. USA’s
Melissa Jefferson claimed bronze with a time of 10.92 seconds. In the final, Richardson’s poor reaction
time contributed to her second-place finish. American had a reaction time of 0.221 seconds, while Alfred
had a reaction time of 0.144 seconds. Alfred was too far down the track for Richardson to mount one of her
famous comebacks.
Novak Djokovic wins first gold in tennis
• Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in the men’s singles Olympic final at Roland
Garros in Paris. The No 1 seed prevailed over the No 2 seed in an epic of intensity and tactical fortitude,

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 ultimately decided by Djokovic’s adaptability behind serve. He played two completely flawless tiebreaks, which
have become a calling card of his game through 24 Grand Slam singles titles and now, finally, one
Olympic gold medal, at the age of 37. Alcaraz earns a silver medal at his first Olympics, with the
21-year-old likely to play many more at the highest level.
Tokyo Gold, Paris Silver: Neeraj Chopra achieves another Olympic first for India
• Neeraj Chopra made history by becoming the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win medals at
consecutive Olympics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Neeraj secured a silver medal with a season-best
throw of 89.45 meters in the javelin final, adding to his historic gold medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
This achievement places Neeraj in an elite group of Indian athletes who have won multiple individual
medals at the Olympics. Before him, only Sushil Kumar (Wrestling) and P.V. Sindhu (Badminton) had
managed to win medals in back-to-back Olympic Games.
• Neeraj is also the fifth Indian to win multiple individual medals at the Olympics, joining the ranks
of Norman Pritchard, Sushil Kumar, P.V. Sindhu, and Manu Bhaker. Meanwhile, Arshad Nadeem
made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by setting an Olympic record with a massive 92.97m throw
on his second attempt, securing the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw. This achievement marks
Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since 1992. Nadeem capped off the night with another impressive throw of
91.79m on his final attempt, further solidifying his dominance.
Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From Paris Olympics For Being Overweight
• In an unfortunate event for India at the Paris Olympics, wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from
the 50 kg freestyle wrestling for being overweight by a few grams, after she stormed into the Olympic
final. The Indian Olympics Association in a statement said, that despite the best efforts by the team through
the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg. Vinesh went on to beat Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman
Lopez and became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the final at the Olympics.
Olympics 2024: Manu Bhaker, Sreejesh to be India’s flag-bearers at closing ceremony
• Two time Olympic medalists Manu Bhaker and PR Sreejesh are set to be India’s flag bearers. Indian
Olympic athletes receive rewards from both the government and the national sports body. Gold medalists are
awarded Rs. 75 lakhs ($90,000) from the the Indian Olympic Association and Rs. 50 lakh for silver medalists
and Rs. 25 lakh for bronze winners.
Abhinav Bindra Receives The Olympic Order Award By International Olympic Committee
In Paris
• India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, was awarded the prestigious
Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. The
Olympic Order is the highest honour bestowed by the IOC, recognizing exceptional contributions
to the Olympic Movement. Bindra won India’s first individual Olympic gold in the Men’s 10-meter
Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Games. With a distinguished career that includes over 150 individual
medals, Bindra has become a prominent figure in Indian sports.
Ravichandran Ashwin is currently enjoying the critical success of his book “I Have The
Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story’.
• Engineer, cricketer, a popular youtuber and now an author too. Parallel processing or multi-tasking comes
easy to R Ashwin, who would rather fail than play safe whether it’s life or cricket. Ravichandran Ashwin
is currently enjoying the critical success of his book “I Have The Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story’.
The 37-year-old off-spinner, one of the sharpest minds in international cricket right now, is also a refreshingly
candid voice with 516 Test wickets lending considerable weight to his views. He is currently enjoying the
critical success of his book “I Have The Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story’. Co-authored by Sidharth
Monga and published by Penguin Random House, it chronicles Ashwin’s life till 2011 and also gives a
peak into his mind, which enjoys probability analysis as much as decoding a difficult batter.
CAS Rejects Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s Appeal against Disqualification from Paris Olympics
• Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s joint silver medal hope came to an end with the Court of Arbitration for
Sport, CAS, rejecting her appeal against disqualification from the Paris Olympics.
• The ad-hoc division of the CAS rejected her appeal days after it concluded the hearing in the case.
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified after she weighed 100 grams more than her 50-kg weight category on the day
of her final gold medal bout.

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• Following this, Phogat approached the CAS for a joint silver medal. IOA President PT Usha expressed
shock and disappointment at the decision of the CAS. The IOA said that it is exploring the next legal
remedy available for Phogat.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an international body established in 1984 to settle disputes
related to sport through arbitration. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland and its courts
are located in New York City, Sydney, and Lausanne. Temporary courts are established in current Olympic
host cities. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the international, non-governmental, sports
governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios
Vikelas, it is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC is the authority responsible for organizing the Summer,
Winter, and Youth Olympics. The IOC also is the governing body of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and
of the worldwide Olympic Movement, the IOC’s term for all entities and individuals involved in the Olympic Games.
The IOC president has been Thomas Bach since 2013.
Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second in Men’s Javelin Throw Event at Lausanne Diamond
League 2024
• Paris Olympics silver medallist Neeraj Chopra finished second in the men’s javelin throw event
at the Lausanne Diamond League 2024 competition in Switzerland. The star Indian athlete produced
his season-best throw of 89.49 metres to finish second behind Grendian ace Peters Anderson who
reached 90.61 metres in his final attempt.
• The Lausanne Diamond League meet was the fifth competition of the season for Neeraj Chopra. The
Brussels Diamond League Final will be his final event of the season. Anderson, a bronze medalist at the 2024
Paris Games, dominated the event from the start and finished with a record 90.61 metre throw.
• Germany’s Julian Weber finished third with his best throw of 87.08 metres in 2nd attempt while the
world no. 1 Jakub Vadlejch finished seventh with his best 82.03 metre throw at Stade Olympique de la
Pontaise. Japan’s Roderick Genki Dean also produced his season-best throw of 83.19 metres and finished fifth
in the standings.
BCCI’s Jay Shah becomes youngest ICC chairman, to succeed Greg Barclay
• BCCI Secretary Jay Shah was elected unopposed as the new Chairman of the International Cricket
Council (ICC). Shah, currently serving as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI), will officially assume the role on December 1, 2024. This election marks a significant milestone
as Shah becomes the youngest person to lead the global cricket governing body. With Jay Shah being the sole
nominee, the election process was straightforward. Shah’s unopposed election signifies a smooth transition of
leadership from the outgoing chairman, Greg Barclay, who chose not to seek a third term.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the world governing body of cricket. It was founded as the
Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It
was renamed as the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1987. The
ICC has its headquarters in Dubai, UAE. The ICC has 105 member nations currently: 12 Full Members
that play Test matches, and 94 Associate Members. Shashank Manohar resigned as Chairman of the
International Cricket Council (ICC) on 30 June 2020, after more than four years in the role. New Zealand
administrator Greg Barclay was elected Chairman on 24 November 2020. Geoffrey John Allardice is
an Australian former cricketer and current administrator, who serves as the CEO of the International
Cricket Council.
Preethi Pal wins historic 100m bronze at Paris Paralympics, wins India’s first-ever track medal
• Preethi Pal became the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal in a track event. 23-year-old Preethi
won a bronze medal in the women’s T35 100m event with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds at the
Paris Paralympics. Apart from it being the country’s first track medal ever at the Games, Preethi’s bronze
is also India’s first medal from para-athletics at Paris 2024. Preethi had earlier won bronze at the World Para
Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan and thus clinched a quota for the Games.
‘India’ wins first-ever breakdancing match in Olympics history; finishes fourth at Paris
Games
• India Sardjoe created history after winning the first-ever breakdancing match at the Paris Olympics
2024. She finished her impressive campaign after a heartbreaking loss in the semi-final of the debut sport.
Her name ‘India’ caught the sporting world by surprise as many thought that India country making strides in
breaking at the Olympics.

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Paris Olympics 2024 Closing Ceremony held At Stade De France
• The Paris Olympics 2024 has officially come to an end with the Closing Ceremony at Stade de
France. The ceremony was held with around 80,000 spectators. The name given to the Closing Ceremony
is ‘Records’, which included the celebration of the success and achievements of the athletes, along with several
artistic performances by prominent actors and artists. In the Closing Ceremony, the Olympic Flame was also
extinguished and the Olympic Flag was transferred to the Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committee,
marking the transition to the next Summer Games.
India at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics
• A total of 117 Indian athletes made up the contingent that went on the hunt for medals and sporting
immortality at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which ran from July 26 to August 11. In all, India won six medals
- a silver and five bronze - at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Manu Bhaker won the first medal for India at the
Paris 2024 Olympics. She bagged a bronze and became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic
shooting medal. She then created history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single
edition of the Olympics after she clinched a mixed team 10m air pistol bronze with Sarabjot Singh.
Swapnil Kusale added a third medal in shooting to make it India’s biggest haul in a sport in a single edition of
the Olympics.
• The Indian men’s hockey team matched their Tokyo 2020 success with the bronze in Paris while
Neeraj Chopra became the most successful individual Olympian after he claimed a silver medal in
the javelin throw. Later, Aman Sehrawat became India’s youngest Olympic medallist when he won
bronze in wrestling.
• However, India left the Paris 2024 Olympics with more heartbreaks than cheers. India missed out
on six potential medals, most by a whisker, with the athletes finishing fourth in their respective events.
This included Lakshya Sen, Mirabai Chanu and Manu Bhaker, who could have bagged her third
medal at the Games. Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification ahead of a historic final also added to India’s
woes.
• There was Indian interest in a total of 69 medal events across 16 sports - archery, athletics, badminton,
boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis and tennis - at the Paris
2024 Olympics. Neeraj Chopra, badminton ace PV Sindhu, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, boxer Lovlina Borgohain
and select members of the Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian men’s hockey team were the other returning Olympic
medallists in the Indian contingent to Paris 2024.
• Overall, India have won 41 medals at the Olympics to date. Interestingly, it was Norman Pritchard’s
dual silver which opened India’s account in Paris 1900. KD Jadhav, with a wrestling bronze at
Helsinki 1952, was the first individual athlete from independent India to get on the Olympic medal
winners list. Weightlifter Karnam Malleswari became the first woman to win an Olympic medal at
Sydney 2000. Rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra was the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in
an individual event at Beijing 2008 and was the only one to do so for over a decade before Neeraj’s
javelin triumph at Tokyo 2020. Men’s hockey, with 13 medals including eight golds, has been the biggest
contributor to India’s Olympic medals tally followed by wrestling with eight medals. India returned with its
best-ever haul of seven medals, including one gold, from Tokyo 2020.
USA maintains Olympic medal tally domination amidst growing global competition
• The United States of America had its best Olympic performance in recent times at the Paris 2024.
It took home 126 medals (40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze), the most it has won at an Olympics since the 1984
edition, where it left with 174 medals (81 gold, 61 silver, and 30 bronze).
• The fight for national bragging rights over gold medals — considered by many countries to be the
most coveted prize — came down to the wire and in the end China and the U.S. tied with forty apiece.
China, with 91 overall medals, has cemented itself as America’s chief rival in the Summer Games. Meanwhile,
Russia, once a world powerhouse at both the Summer and Winter Olympics, was nearly invisible in
Paris, fielding only about fifteen athletes and barely registering in the total medal count. Once again in Paris,
America’s Olympic engine fired on two cylinders: swimming and track.
• In the pool, U.S. swimmers led by Katie Ledecky and Torri Huske, racked up 28 medals, including 8
gold. On the track, American athletes were even more dominant winning 34 total medals, 14 gold. Those two
sporting disciplines alone accounted for roughly half of the total U.S. medal tally. China, by contrast, garnered
most of its gold medals from diving (8 gold), shooting (5 gold), table tennis (5 gold) and weightlifting (5 gold). So
while the two countries go head-to-head in the medal count, they often do it in very different sports.

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ICC moves women’s T20 World Cup to UAE amid unrest in Bangladesh
• The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the Women’s T20 World Cup will be moved
to the United Arab Emirates due to the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh following the ouster of former
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The event, originally scheduled from October 3 to 20, will now be held in
Dubai and Sharjah.
Paralympic Games: Badminton player Nitesh Kumar wins maiden gold
• India’s Nitesh Kumar clinched his maiden gold medal at the Paralympics, defeating Great Britain’s
Daniel Bethell in a gripping men’s singles SL3 badminton final in Paris. The player from Haryana
showcased incredible resilience and tactical brilliance, overcoming Tokyo silver medallist Bethell in a nail-
biting contest that lasted an hour and 20 minutes.
Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar Win Gold At Paris Paralympics 2024
• At the Paris Paralympics 2024, India’s Sumit Antil defended his Javelin gold medal, creating a new
record to clinch the top podium. Antil recorded a highest throw of 70.59 meter in his second attempt. India’s
next Gold medal came from Badminton, where Nitesh Kumar won the Men’s Singles SL3 event.
• Suhas Yathiraj won a Silver in the men’s singles SL4 event, after he lost to the defending champion
Lucas Mazur in the final. In Women’s singles-SU5, Shuttler Thulasimathi Murugesan claimed silver after
losing to China’s Qiu Xia Yang in the final match. In the same category, Manisha Ramadass bagged Bronze.
Nithya Sre Sivan secured a Bronze medal in the women’s singles SH6 category.
India’s Sachin Sarjerao Khilari wins silver medal in men’s shot put (F46) event
• India’s Sachin Sarjerao Khilari wins silver medal in men’s shot put (F46) event with Asian record
throw of 16.32m in Paris Paralympics.
Kapil Parmar scripts history, wins India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in judo
• Indian judoka Kapil Parmar made history by winning India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in judo
at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He secured a bronze in the men’s -60 kg J1 category after
defeating Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira in just 33 seconds with an impressive Ippon. Kapil has overcome many
obstacles and has created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the judo event at the
Paralympics.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to score 900 career goals
• Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer to score 900 career goals. The Al-Nassr forward
recorded this feat against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Riding on Ronaldo’s goal Portugal defeated
Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
Aryna Sabalenka wins U.S. Open women’s title
• Aryna Sabalenka the world No. 2 from Belarus, defeated American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 at Arthur
Ashe Stadium to win the US Open for the first time. This is Sabalenka’s third career grand slam singles
title, having won the Australian Open for the second consecutive year back. She’s the first woman to sweep the
hard court grand slams since Angelique Kerber in 2016.
Harvinder Singh scripts history, becomes first Indian archer to win Paralympic gold
• Tokyo Games bronze-winner Harvinder Singh became the first Indian Paralympian archer to clinch
gold after beating Lukasz Ciszek of Poland 6-0 in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open final at the
Paris Paralympics. The 33-year-old Indian, who lost to Kevin Mather of the USA in the Tokyo Paralympics
semifinals before securing a bronze three years ago, put up a dominant show to knock out Ciszek.
Paralympic Archery champions Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar team up as ECI National
PwD Icons for voter awareness
• Paralympic archery champions Ms. Sheetal Devi and Shri Rakesh Kumar team up to inspire voters
nationwide as ECI’s national icons for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). In an event organised at
Nirvachan Sadan, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
felicitated Arjuna Awardee and ECI’s national PwD icon, Ms. Sheetal Devi and her mixed doubles team
partner Shri Rakesh Kumar, in recognition of their outstanding achievement in winning a bronze
medal in Archery at the Paris Summer Paralympics 2024.

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• On the occasion, the Commission also announced Shri Rakesh Kumar, renowned Paralympian as the
ECI National icon for PwDs. Ms. Sheetal Devi was announced as ECI National Icon just before the
announcement of General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 on March 16th of this year. At just 17 years old,
Sheetal Devi became India’s youngest Paralympic medallist. Her accomplishments include gold medals
in both Individual and Mixed Team events at the 2023 Asian Para Games, a silver medal at the 2023 World
Archery Para Championship, and multiple accolades at the Asian Para Championship.
Neeraj Chopra finishes second in Diamond League final; Anderson Peters lifts title
• Paris Olympics silver medallist Neeraj Chopra fell short of securing more title by just 0.1 centimetre
as he finished second in the Diamond League final with a best throw of 87.86 metres at the King
Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium. Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a Diamond
League Trophy in 2022. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medallist, won
his first Diamond League title with an effort of 87.87 m. The 2023 European Games champion Julian
Weber of Germany was third with a distance of 85.97 m.
Most Test wickets for India: Ashwin second on all-time list, Jadeja nears 300 clubs
• Kapil Dev still leads the seamers’ charts with 434 wickets. The legendary Kumble continues to
hold the record for most Test wickets for India even after 16 years of his retirement. Kumble scalped
619 Test wickets from 132 appearances, the fourth-highest ever in Test cricket. Meanwhile, off-spin wizard
Ravichandran Ashwin is closing on Kumble’s tally, having reached 522 wickets in 101 games. Among active
players, Ashwin is followed by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who is one short of completing 300 wickets.
Jadeja can become only the seventh Indian to cross 300 Test wickets during the second Test against
Bangladesh in Kanpur.
Paris 2024 Paralympics: India medals tally and winners list
• India achieved their most successful performance in Paralympic history at the Paris 2024 Games,
securing a total of 29 medals - seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze. This achievement surpasses
the 19-medal haul from Tokyo 2020, which included five golds. The record haul also meant that India
crossed the 50-medal mark in their Paralympic history.
• A record 84 para-athletes represented India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, held in the French capital
from August 28 to September 8. India competed across 12 disciplines, three more than at Tokyo 2020.
Indian para-athletes participated in three new sports at Paris 2024—para cycling, para rowing, and
blind judo. India had some impressive performances at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Avani Lekhara
became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games, defending her
title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting event with a world record score.
• India recorded a one-two in athletics for the first time, with Dharambir and Parnav Soorma
clinching gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s club throw F51 event. Dharambir also set a new
Asian record of 34.92m. Later, Praveen Kumar also logged an Asian record to win the high jump T64
title and fetched India’s sixth gold, their highest ever at the Paralympics. Javelin ace Sumit Antil too made
history as the first Indian man to defend his title at the Paralympics, winning gold in the men’s
javelin throw F64 with a stunning throw of 70.59m —a new Paralympic record. Remarkably, Sumit
broke his own previous record, set at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, not just once, but three times during
the competition.
• With a bronze in the high jump T42 class, Mariyappan Thangavelu became the first Indian to win
medals at three consecutive Paralympics. He won the gold medal at Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo
2020. Preethi Pal secured her bronze in the women’s 100m T35 race with a personal best time. It
was India’s first-ever medal in a track event at the Paralympics. Her bronze in the 200m made her
India’s most successful athlete at the Games, as she was the only one to secure two medals. In all, India
won four medals in track events at Paris 2024. It included Deepthi Jeevanji, who became the first
intellectually impaired Indian athlete to win a Paralympic medal with a bronze in the women’s 400m
T20 class.
• Records were set in archery too. Armless archer Sheetal Devi briefly set a world record in the ranking
round before finishing in second place. But she teamed up with Rakesh Kumar later to achieve a
world record score in the compound mixed team qualification event. At just 17 years old, Sheetal
went on to make history as India’s youngest Paralympic medallist, securing bronze in the mixed
team event alongside Rakesh. Later, India found their first-ever Paralympic archery champion in
Harvinder Singh.

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2024 Summer Paralympics
• The 2024 Summer Paralympics, also known as the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and branded as
Paris 2024, were the 17th Summer Paralympic Games, an international multi-sport parasports event
governed by the International Paralympic Committee. The Games were held in Paris, France, from 28
August to 8 September 2024, and featured 549 medal events across 22 sports. These games marked the
first time Paris hosted the Summer Paralympics and the second time France hosted the Paralympic
Games, following the 1992 Winter Paralympics in Tignes and Albertville. France also hosted the
2024 Summer Olympics.
• China topped the medal table for the sixth consecutive Paralympics, winning 94 golds and 221
total medals. Great Britain finished second for the tenth time, with 49 golds and 124 total medals.
The United States finished third, with 36 golds, and 105 total medals. Additionally, Mauritius, Nepal, and
the Refugee Paralympic Team won their first-ever Paralympic medals. The host nation, France, finished
eighth with 19 gold and 75 total medals.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is an international non-profit organisation and the
global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions
as the international federation for nine sports. Founded on 22 September 1989 in Dusseldorf, West Germany,
its mission is to “enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world”. The
IPC’s headquarters is located in Bonn, Germany. Andrew George William Parsons is a Brazilian sports
administrator and journalist. He is the current president of the International Paralympic Committee
(IPC).
Scotland to host 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australia backed out
• Scotland has rescued the Commonwealth Games that were in jeopardy after Australia’s Victoria
state backed out of plans to host the 2026 sporting event. Glasgow, which hosted the event 10 years ago,
will do so again, though some sports will need to be dropped as the Commonwealth Games Federation aims to
reduce costs to make the competition more sustainable in the future.
Lord’s to host ICC World Test Championship final for first time, dates revealed
• The iconic Lord’s stadium in London will be hosting the ICC World Test Championship final from
June 11 onwards next year. It will be the first time that Lord’s has been used for the World Test
Championship final, with Southhampton as the venue for the first edition (2021) and The Oval as
the venue for the second edition (2023), that were won by New Zealand and Australia respectively.
• The match will be played between the top two sides on the standings at the completion of the current
cycle, with Rohit Sharma’s India currently sitting in pole position ahead of reigning champions Australia. Men
in Blue have featured in both the WTC finals so far but are yet to capture the prestigious mace. There are still
plenty of points available for teams though, with New Zealand (third), England (fourth), Sri Lanka (fifth), South
Africa (sixth) and Bangladesh (seventh) still well in contention for a place in the one-off decider.
Durand Cup 2024: North East United FC Defeats Mohan Bagan Super Giant 4-3 on
Penalties
• NorthEast United FC completed a brilliant comeback victory after being two goals down to
overcome defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on penalties and clinch the 133rd Indian
Oil Durand Cup in a thrilling final played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in West Bengal. This
is the Highlanders maiden Durand Cup title and their first ever silverware in Indian football.
Jadeja seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets
• Ravindra Jadeja became the seventh Indian to take 300 Test wickets when he dismissed Khaled
Mahmud in the second game against Bangladesh. The other Indian bowlers who have taken 300 Test
wickets or more include table leader Anil Kumble (619), R Ashwin (524), Kapil Dev (434), Harbhajan Singh
(417), Ishant Sharma (311) and Zaheer Khan (311).
Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Jannik Sinner to win First China Open Title
• In tennis, second-seeded Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz beat defending champion and world No. 1 Jannik
Sinner, winning 6-7 6-4 7-6 to claim his first China Open title. Meanwhile, China’s Zheng Qinwen stormed
into the quarterfinals of the women’s singles after defeating Amanda Anisimova of the United States. Aryna
Sabalenka secured her place in the quarterfinals by overcoming Madison Keys of the United States. Sabalenka
will face the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova.

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Sachin Tendulkar joins America’s National Cricket League ownership group
• Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has joined the ownership group of the National Cricket League
(NCL) in the United States, aiming to boost the sport. He will present the championship trophy
at the inaugural tournament featuring global cricket stars, mentoring new talent and promoting
cricket’s growth in America. This season, the NCL brings together cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar,
Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sir Vivian Richards, Venkatesh Prasad, Sanath Jayasuriya,
Moin Khan and Blair Franklin. The cricketing heroes will mentor and coach the next generation of players. It
will also feature top-tier players from around the world, including Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik,
Shakib Al Hasan, Robin Uthappa, Tabraiz Shamsi, Chris Lynn, Angelo Mathews, Colin Munro, Sam Billings,
Mohammad Nabi and Johnson Charles. Headquartered in Dallas, the NCL has introduced an innovative Sixty
Strikes format, a fast-paced version of the game.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unveils logo, mascot for Women’s Asian Champions Trophy-2024
• Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo and mascot, Gudiya, for the Women’s Asian Champions
Trophy-2024 in Rajgir. The event, occurring in November, is a joint venture by Hockey India and the Bihar
government. Six countries, including India and China, will participate. The mascot symbolizes women’s
empowerment and the state’s cultural heritage. The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy-2024 is a joint venture
of Hockey India and the Bihar government and will be held at the newly developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium.
Tennis Legend Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement From Professional Tennis
• Spain’s tennis legend Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, has announced his
retirement from professional tennis. He shared the news through a video on social media, expressing his
gratitude for the support throughout his career.
• Nadal’s final tournament will be the Davis Cup finals this November in Malaga, marking a fitting conclusion
to his illustrious journey. Nadal has a total of 92 ATP singles titles to his name, including 36 Masters
titles as well as an Olympic gold medal. He also holds the unique record of being one of three men
in tennis history to complete the Career Golden Slam in singles. He won his last Roland Garros title in
2022 and left the Paris clay with a jaw-dropping 112-4 win-loss record.
• He has been ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 209
weeks, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam men’s singles
titles, including a record 14 French Open titles. He has won 92 ATP-level singles titles, including 36
Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal, with 63 of these on clay courts. His 81 consecutive wins on clay
constitute the longest single-surface win streak in the Open Era. For more than a decade, Nadal has
been a leading figure in men’s tennis, alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, collectively known as the
Big Three.
India’s Deepika Kumari wins sixth Archery World Cup Final medal with silver in Mexico
• Indian archer Deepika Kumari won her sixth World Cup Final medal. Kumari won the silver medal
in the Archery World Cup final with a 0-6 loss against Chinese Li Jiaman in the final in Tlaxcala,
Mexico. In the semis, Kumari edged out Tokyo Olympics mixed team bronze medalist and Paris Olympics
women’s team bronze medallist Alejandra Valencia of Mexico 6-4. Kumari had scored a 6-0 win over Chinese
Yang Xiaolei in the quarters.
Ballon d’Or 2024 awards: Rodri pips Vinicius Jr. to win men’s football player of the year
• Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or award in the male category
during the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. The 28-year-old, who was a leading
figure in Manchester City’s English Premier League title triumph, also played a pivotal role in Spain’s European
Championship triumph. While Real Madrid were named as the men’s club of the year, Carlo Ancelotti finished
as the best manager in the men’s division.
Ravindra Jadeja becomes India’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in Tests
• With his 314th Test wicket, Ravindra Jadeja has overtaken Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to
become India’s sixth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. With 314 wickets, Jadeja now stands just behind
Harbhajan Singh, who claimed 417 wickets across 103 Tests. His achievement marks an impressive chapter in
his decade-long Test career, during which he has consistently played a dual role for India as both a bowler and a
batsman. Earlier in this series, he also became only the third Indian player to reach a double of 3,000 runs and
300 wickets, a feat previously achieved by Kapil Dev and Ravichandran Ashwin. Notably, Jadeja is the second-
fastest to achieve this milestone after England’s Ian Botham.

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Mumbai’s 15th Irani Cup triumph
• The 62nd Irani Cup edition was completed at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow with 2023-24
Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai defeating the Rest of India (RoI). Hosted as an annual red-ball match
between the Ranji Trophy winners and a RoI team, the Irani Cup was first held in the 1959-60 domestic season
as a one-off contest to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy.
India Secures SAFF Under-17 Championship Title
• In Football, India secured the SAFF Under-17 Championship title defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in the
final played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan. In the fifth minute of stoppage time,
Nazmul Huda Faysal extended India’s lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Zimbabwe World Record: Team scores highest ever total in T20I vs Gambia
• Zimbabwe Cricket Team put Gambia under the sword by thumping the team for 344/4, which is the new world
record in T20Is. Zimbabwe’s world-record setting score came in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-
Regional Africa Qualifier Group B match. Zimbabwe then wrapped up the Gambia team in 54 runs, thereby
winning the match by a margin of 290.
Cricket at 2028 Olympics moved out of Los Angeles
• In a bid to gain the viewership of Indians, the 2028 LA Olympics will likely see the cricket event moved
to the state of New York. The inclusion of cricket in the LA 2028 Games programme was largely done to cater
to South Asian audiences and give the International Olympic Committee leverage to demand bigger broadcast
deals, especially at the sub-continent – a move that will be further strengthened if the broadcast timing aligns,
should the move to New York happen.
Sanju Samson scripts history with second T20I hundred in a row
• India batter Sanju Samson, continued from where he left off in the final T20I against Bangladesh, as
he smashed his second consecutive century in the shortest format of the game. The 29-year-old brought
up his second T20I ton in the first game of the four-match series against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban.
This is Samson’s second consecutive T20I ton, after having previously scored 111 runs against Bangladesh in
the final T20I of the three-match series in October. Samson became the first Indian batter to make back-
to-back centuries in T20Is. Overall, only three batters have done it before.
Vithya Ramraj breaks P. T. Usha’s three-decade-old 400m hurdles record
• Vithya Ramraj broke a 39-year meet record with an excellent run in the women’s 400m hurdles at
the 63rd National Open Athletics Championships at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Vithya (56.23s) erased the meet record set by P.T. Usha (56.80s) in 1985. In the men’s 200m, Tamil
Nadu’s Nithin (20.66s) set a new meet record. The old record was held by Animesh Kujur (20.74s). Ancy Sojan
won the women’s long jump, and was declared the best woman athlete. Ancy’s 6.71m leap was just shy of the
meet record held by Anju Bobby George (6.74m, 2002).
Monduro 4.0: World’s Highest Enduro Mountain Biking Race Begins in Tawang
• The much-awaited Monduro 4.0, the world’s highest enduro mountain biking race and a part of the
Asia Enduro Series (AES), kicked off in the scenic town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Organized
by the Tawang Cycling Association in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal
Pradesh, Monduro 4.0 features a challenging course that starts at an altitude of 14,400 feet and descends to
8,000 feet, making it one of the toughest races in the world. This year, participants from across India, as well as
from eight countries abroad, are competing.
Pankaj Advani Wins IBSF World Billiards Championship 150-Up Title
• India’s Pankaj Advani has won the IBSF World Billiards Championship 150-up format title. He
defeated England’s Robert Hall in the final clash of the tournament at Doha in Qatar. Earlier, Pankaj had
defeated his compatriot Sourav Kothari 4-2 in the semifinal. Sourav settled for the bronze medal.
Bihar to host Khelo India Youth Games and Para Games in April 2025
• Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in April 2025. A flagship event of the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports, Bihar will be a new addition to the Khelo India map of the country. For the first time and
in the lines of the Summer Olympics, the Khelo India Para Games will also be held in Bihar. The
Para Games will follow the youth Games and there will be a 10 to 15 days gap between the two Games. The first
edition of the Para Games was held in Delhi last year. Bihar just hosted the women’s Asian Champions Trophy

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 hockey championship in Rajgir. In the same championship, India defeated Paris Olympics silver medalists
China to retain the continental title.
IPL’s Biggest Deal: Pant Goes To Lucknow For Rs. 27 Crore
• In a landmark moment for cricket in West Asia, the Indian Premier League’s two-day mega auction
commenced at the Abadi Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah marking Saudi Arabia’s first major cricket
event under its Vision 2030 initiative.
• This triennial mega auction, characterized by its comprehensive squad rebuilding format, has already witnessed
unprecedented bidding wars and record-breaking acquisitions. Day one saw Lucknow Super Giants make history
by securing wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant for an extraordinary 27 crore rupees, establishing a
new IPL price record. With KL Rahul’s exit, Pant is poised to assume captaincy responsibilities, despite
earlier rumours linking him to Chennai Super Kings. Punjab Kings emerged as another major spender,
acquiring IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer for 26.75 crore rupees and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal
for 18 crore rupees, the highest ever for an Indian spinner. Kolkata Knight Riders also made headlines
by signing Venkatesh Iyer for 23.75 crore rupees.
• India star player Virat Kohli is the only player in IPL history to have played for only one franchise.
Jasprit Bumrah started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2013 and was re-signed by them in the
IPL 2014 mega-auction. MI have always retained Bumrah since then. MS Dhoni was the face of Chennai
Super Kings for the first eight editions of the league, leading them to two titles (2010 & 2011) and
four runner-up finishes. He then became the first player to be drafted by Rising Pune Supergiant
in the ninth edition of the league. And, he once again became the first player to be retained by CSK
ahead of the IPL Player Auction 2018.

F. Awards
Vladimir Putin awards PM Modi Russia’s highest civilian honour for ‘outstanding service’
• President Vladimir Putin officially bestowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russia’s highest
civilian honour, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. The ceremony recognised Modi’s ‘exceptional’
contributions to advancing the strategic partnership between Russia and India.
• Established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, the Order of St. Andrew is the highest order of chivalry
in Russia. It holds deep historical and cultural significance as a symbol of honour and achievement.
The badge of the order is a golden cross with blue enamel, featuring a crucified Saint Andrew the Apostle. It is
adorned with a double-headed eagle and a ribbon inscribed with “FOR FAITH AND LOYALTY.”
HCLTech chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra awarded France’s highest civilian honour
• HCLTech chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra was conferred France’s highest civilian honor, the
Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour). The award, which is conferred
for outstanding service to France, recognised Nadar Malhotra’s business and sustainability contributions and
efforts to promote economic ties between France and India.
• The fourth largest player in India’s $250 billion IT export industry, HCLTech services French
companies across industries like aerospace, manufacturing, financial services and pharmaceuticals.
It is also involved in imparting software coding skills in middle schools to boost France’s local technology
ecosystem. The award was conferred at a special ceremony held at the French Ambassador’s residence in Delhi.
Arundhati Roy Honored with Prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024
• In a significant recognition of her literary contributions, Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy has
been awarded the esteemed Pen Pinter Prize for 2024. This honour comes at a time when Roy faces potential
legal challenges, highlighting the importance of her work and the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression.
• The Pen Pinter Prize, established in 2009 by the charity English PEN, stands as a beacon for: Defending
freedom of expression, Celebrating impactful literature and Honoring the memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright
Harold Pinter.
Sanjana Thakur Wins 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize
• Sanjana Thakur 26 years old, writer from Mumbai, beat competition from over 7,359 entrants
worldwide to be named the winner of the GBP 5,000 Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 in
London on June 27. Sanjana’s story entitled Aishwarya Rai takes its name from the famed Bollywood actress
to reimagine and reverse the traditional adoption story.

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• The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is an annual award for unpublished short fiction administered
and funded by the Commonwealth Foundation. The overall winner of the Commonwealth Short
Story Prize will receive £5,000 and the remaining four regional winners £2,500. If the winning short
story is a translation into English, the translator will receive additional prize money.
Padma Shri Awardee Kamala Pujari Passes Away at 74
• Kamala Pujari, the renowned Padma Shri awardee and pioneering organic farmer, passed away at
the age of 74 due to kidney-related ailments. She was being treated at SCB Medical College and Hospital
in Cuttack but succumbed to her condition early on Saturday. Her death has prompted condolences from
prominent leaders and the announcement of state honours by the Odisha government.
President Droupadi Murmu Approves 103 Gallantry Awards For Armed Forces And
Central Armed Police Forces
• President Droupadi Murmu approved 103 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed
Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day. These are four Kirti Chakras including
three posthumous, 18 Shaurya Chakras including four posthumous and one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry).
Among the Gallantry awards are 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry) including two posthumous, 11 Nao Sena Medals
(Gallantry) and six Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
• The Kirti Chakra awardees killed in action are Colonel Manpreet Singh of 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR),
Rifleman Ravi Kumar of 63 RR, and Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun
Muzammil Bhat. Major Malla Ram Gopal Naidu is the only living recipient of the honour.
The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice
away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including
posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second in order of
precedence of peacetime gallantry awards, comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra.
Before 1967, the award was known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class II. Established as the “Ashoka Chakra,
Class II” by the President of India, 4 January 1952 (with effect from 15 August 1947). The statutes were revised
and the decoration renamed on 27 January 1967.
2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees
• In a global announcement, the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF)
declared that this year, four individuals from Bhutan, Indonesia, Japan, and Vietnam, and one
movement from Thailand, will receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
• Karma Phuntsho (Bhutan) is being honoured for bridging Bhutan’s rich heritage with modern
challenges, inspiring young Bhutanese to embrace their past while confidently moving forward.
• Miyazaki Hayao (Japan), co-founder of Studio Ghibli, is being honoured for using animation to
illustrate the human condition, especially inspiring children as torchbearers of imagination. He won the
2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award, recognized for his contributions to animated films that resonate across ages. His
work is distinguished by its gentle, hand-drawn visuals and deep themes, including pacifism, environmentalism,
and strong female characters. Miyazaki’s films, such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, reflect his
concerns about modern society, war, and the destruction of nature.
• Rural Doctors Movement (Thailand) is being recognized for improving public health and empowering
rural citizens, ensuring no one is left behind in the country’s progress.
• Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong (Vietnam) is being honoured for her research on Agent Orange’s/Dioxin’s
impact and her dedication to supporting its victims, highlighting the long-term consequences of war.
• Farwiza Farhan (Indonesia) is being recognized for her emergent leadership in protecting endangered
natural resources, promoting social justice, and advocating for responsible stewardship of nature.
• Often called Asia’s Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award was instituted in 1957 in the memory
of the late Ramon Magsaysay, the former President of Philippines who died in March that year in a
plane crash Mr. Magsaysay was known for leading the charge against the communist Hukbahalap or
Huk movement and was popular among his people.
• The first awards were given out in 1958, in five categories. Winning the first award for Community
Leadership was Indian freedom fighter Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who led the Bhoodan movement. Dr.
Mary Rutnam, who worked for the people of Sri Lanka and introduced women’s institutes known as the Lanka
Mahila Samiti, received the inaugural Ramon Magsaysay award for Public Service. Filipino Organisation
Operation Brotherhood which provided medical treatment to refugees in Vietnam, received the award for Peace
and International Understanding.

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Dhruvi Patel wins Miss India Worldwide 2024
• Dhruvi Patel, a Computer Information System student from the USA, has been declared the winner
of Miss India Worldwide 2024, the longest running Indian pageant outside of India. Miss India Worldwide is
a beauty pageant which draws contestants from India and from among members of the Indian diaspora residing
in other countries. It is conducted by India Festival Committee (IFC), first founded and headed by Dharmatma
Saran in New York City, USA.
Aishwarya Rai Wins Best Actress at SIIMA 2024
• At the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2024, Aishwarya Rai Bachhan stood out as
she received the Best Actress (critics) Award for her role as Nandini in Maniratnam’s epic “Ponniyin
Selvan 2”. Ponniyin Selvan directed by Maniratnam, based on a novel and filmed on the daily life of the Chola
Empire.
Author Jhumpa Lahiri declines NYC’s Noguchi Museum award after keffiyeh ban
• Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has declined to accept an award from New York
City’s Noguchi Museum after it fired three employees for wearing keffiyeh head scarves, an emblem
of Palestinian solidarity. The museum, founded nearly 40 years ago by Japanese-American designer
and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, announced in August that employees could not wear clothing or
accessories that expressed “political messages, slogans or symbols” during their working hours.
• Amy Hau, the director of the museum, said in a separate statement published on its website that the policy “is
intended to prevent any unintentional alienation of our diverse visitorship, while allowing us to remain focused
on our core mission of advancing the understanding and appreciation of Isamu Noguchi’s art and legacy”.
Across the world, protesters demanding an end to Israel’s war on Gaza have worn the black-and-
white keffiyeh head scarf, a symbol of Palestinian self-determination. Anti-apartheid South African
leader Nelson Mandela was also seen wearing the scarf on many occasions.
2024 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize
• Alexander Dunn from Georgia Tech has been awarded the 2024 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for his
significant contributions to analytic number theory, particularly for solving the Kummer-Patterson
Conjecture on bias in cubic Gauss sums in collaboration with Maksym Radziwill. The award will be presented
at the International Conference on Number Theory, held from December 20-22, 2024, at SASTRA University in
Kumbakonam, India—Ramanujan’s hometown.
• The SASTRA Ramanujan Prize is an annual award given to mathematicians under the age of 32
for exceptional contributions to the field of mathematics. The award was established in 2005 by the
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) in Kumbakonam, Tamil
Nadu, India. The prize is named after the famous Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. The SASTRA
Ramanujan Prize includes a cash award of $10,000 and a citation. The award is presented during an annual
international conference at SASTRA University.
Legendary Actor Mithun Chakraborty honoured with Dada Saheb Phalke Award
• Legendary Actor Mithun Chakraborty honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 70th National
Film Awards ceremony. The Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury decided for this top award in Indian cinema
for Mr Chakraborty for his iconic contribution to Indian Cinema. Veteran Asha Parekh was honoured with
the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2020. Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman was conferred with
the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour for the year 2021.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest award in cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film
Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting. The recipient is honoured for their “outstanding contribution to the growth and
development of Indian cinema” and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the
Indian film industry. The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash
prize of Rs. 1,000,000 (US$13,000). It was first presented in 1969 and the first recipient of the award
was actress Devika Rani; the award was introduced by the Government of India to commemorate
Dadasaheb Phalke’s contribution to Indian cinema. Phalke is popularly known as and often regarded
as “the father of Indian cinema”, was an Indian filmmaker who directed India’s first full-length feature
film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).

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Venezuelan opposition figure Machado wins top European rights prize
• The Council of Europe awarded its 2024 rights prize to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina
Machado for her struggle for democracy under President Nicolas Maduro’s iron-fisted rule. Ms.
Machado said she was “deeply moved, honoured and grateful” to be the first Latin American to win the award,
named after the late Czech dissident, playwright and post-communist president Vaclav Havel.
• She is currently in hiding in Venezuela in the wake of presidential elections Mr. Maduro claims to
have won, an outcome furiously contested by the opposition. The award was received on her behalf at
Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg by her daughter Ana. Previous winners include the 2023
laureate, the Turkish philanthropist and civil society activist Osman Kavala, who remains in prison
after his arrest in November 2017, and 2022 winner the Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza.
• The EU award, named for Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honour individuals
or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate,
died in 1989. It’s the second straight year EU lawmakers used the Sakharov Prize to send a message to the Kremlin.
Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny won it last year. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of
Thought, commonly known as the Sakharov Prize, is an honorary award for individuals or groups who have
dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom of thought. Named after Russian scientist and
dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize was established in December 1988 by the European Parliament.
Medicine Nobel 2024 awarded to Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun for discovery of microRNA
• Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology 2024,
the Nobel Academy at the Karolinska Institutet announced. They were awarded the prestigious prize for the
discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
• Last year the Nobel Prize for Physiology was jointly awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
for their “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modification that enabled the development of
effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”,
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine administered by the Nobel Foundation is awarded yearly for outstanding
discoveries in the fields of life sciences and medicine. It is one of five Nobel Prizes established in his
will in 1895 by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite. The first one was awarded in 1901
to the German physiologist Emil von Behring, for his work on serum therapy and the development of
a vaccine against diphtheria. The first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine,
Gerty Cori, received it in 1947 for her role in elucidating the metabolism of glucose. The first Indian to receive
award in Medicine was Har Gobind Khorana for research that showed the order of nucleotides in
nucleic acids, which carry the genetic code of the cell and control the cell’s synthesis of proteins. He
shared the 1968 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with Marshall W. Nirenberg and Robert W. Holley
for research that showed the order of nucleotides in nucleic acids, which carry the genetic code of the cell
and control the cell’s synthesis of proteins.
Nobel Prize 2024 in Physics awarded to John J. Hopfield & Geoffrey E. Hinton
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics to John J. Hopfield
and Geoffrey E. Hinton “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning
with artificial neural networks.” The two Nobel Laureates used tools from physics to develop methods
that are the foundation of powerful machine learning. John Hopfeld created an associative memory that
can store and reconstruct images and other types of patterns in data. Geoffrey Hinton invented a method that
can autonomously find properties in data, and perform tasks such as identifying specific elements in pictures.
When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often mean machine learning using artifcial neural networks.
The first Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to physicist Wilhelm Rontgen in recognition of the extraordinary
services he rendered by the discovery of the remarkable rays (or x-rays). Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata
Raman carried out ground-breaking work in the field of light scattering, which earned him the 1930 Nobel
Prize for Physics. He was the first Asian and first non-white to receive any Nobel Prize in the sciences.
Before him Rabindranath Tagore (also Indian) had received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024: David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper awarded
for protein innovations
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be awarded
with one half going to David Baker, and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M.
Jumper, for their groundbreaking contributions to protein science. David Baker of the University of

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 Washington, Seattle, USA, was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize in Chemistry “for computational
protein design,” while Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper of Google DeepMind, London, UK, were
awarded “for protein structure prediction.”
Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to scientists in
the various fields of chemistry. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel
in 1895. The first Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded in 1901 to Jacobus Henricus van’t Hoff, of the
Netherlands, “for his discovery of the laws of chemical dynamics and osmotic pressure in solutions”.
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo
• The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 to the Japanese
organisation Nihon Hidankyo. This grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, also known as Hibakusha, is receiving the Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear
weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.
Jean Henry Dunant and Frederic Passy were the first winners of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1901. The
Nobel Peace Prize 1901 was divided equally between Jean Henry Dunant “for his humanitarian efforts
to help wounded soldiers and create international understanding” and Frederic Passy “for his lifelong
work for international peace conferences, diplomacy and arbitration.” The Institute of International
Law awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1904 and it was the first organization to win the Nobel Peace
Prize. In 2014, Kailash Satyarthi was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Malala
Yousafzai, “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right
of all children to education.” He is the founder of multiple social activist organizations, including Bachpan
Bachao Andolan, Global March Against Child Labour, Global Campaign for Education and Kailash
Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. Malala Yousafzai is also the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate
and second Pakistani. Mahatma Gandhi was nominated in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and, finally, a few days
before he was murdered in January 1948. The omission has been publicly regretted by later members of the
Nobel Committee; when the Dalai Lama was awarded the Peace Prize in 1989, the chairman of the committee said
that this was “in part a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi”.
South Korean author Han Kang awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature
• The 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to South Korean author Han Kang “for her intense
poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” Since 1901,
a total of 116 Nobel Prizes in Literature have been awarded. Of these, four have been shared between multiple
laureates. So far, 17 women have received this prestigious literature prize.
• The short story writer and novelist is best known overseas for her Man Booker Prize-winning “The
Vegetarian”, her first novel translated into English. The 53-year-old, who also became the first Asian
woman author to win the Nobel, was chosen “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical
traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”, the Swedish Academy said
The Nobel Prize in Literature is a Swedish literature prize that has been awarded annually, since 1901,
to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel,
produced “in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction”. It is one of the five
Nobel Prizes established by the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel, which are awarded for outstanding contributions
in chemistry, physics, literature, peace, and physiology or medicine. The first Nobel Prize in Literature
was awarded in 1901 to Sully Prudhoe of France. In 2017, the Swedish Academy awarded Kazuo Ishiguro
the Nobel Prize in Literature. Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian citizen to be awarded Nobel
Prize in Literature for his poem Gitanjali and Mother Teresa is the only woman in the list.
2024 Nobel Prize winners in Economic
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic
Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2024 to Daron Acemoglu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Cambridge, USA, Simon Johnson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA, James A.
Robinson, University of Chicago, IL, USA “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”.
• Their work highlighted how societal institutions—whether inclusive or extractive—significantly influence the
economic outcomes of nations. Their research sheds light on global inequality and provides insights into why
some nations remain poor while others grow wealthy. They examined historical events like colonization
to show how the type of institutions established during such periods has long-lasting effects on
whether a country becomes prosperous or remains trapped in poverty.

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 Nobel Prize in Economics is an award for outstanding contributions to the field of economics, and
generally regarded as the most prestigious award for that field. The award’s official English name is The Sveriges
Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The prize was established in 1968 by
a donation from Sweden’s central bank the Riksbank to the Nobel Foundation to commemorate the
bank’s 300th anniversary. As it is not one of the prizes that Alfred Nobel established in his will in 1895,
it is not a Nobel Prize. However, it is administered and referred to along with the Nobel Prizes by the
Nobel Foundation. It was first awarded in 1969 to the Dutch and Norwegian economists Jan Tinbergen
and Ragnar Frisch, “for having developed and applied dynamic models for the analysis of economic
processes”. Amartya Sen was awarded the Nobel Prize ”for his contributions to Welfare Economics”
in the year 1998. Abhijit Banerjee is an Indian-born American economist who, with Esther Duflo and
Michael Kremer, was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize for Economics (the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic
Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel) ”for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty”.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Honoured with Fiji’s Highest Civilian Award
• The Republic of Fiji has bestowed its highest civilian award, the ”Honourary Officer of the Order
of Fiji,” on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This recognition, presented by Fiji’s President, Ratu
Wiliame M. Katonivere, acknowledges Sri Sri’s contributions to promoting peace, unity, and
uplifting communities globally. Sri Sri expressed his gratitude on social media, saying, ”Honoured to
receive Fiji’s highest civilian award.” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living Foundation,
has also received top civilian honors from five other countries, recognizing his global humanitarian impact.
Established in 1981, The Art of Living focuses on initiatives in mental health, education, environment, and
empowerment and now operates in over 180 countries.
Dominica to Confer Highest National Honour to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Dominica has announced to confer its highest national honour to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Dominica Award of Honour will be bestowed to the Prime Minister in recognition of his contributions
to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the partnership between
India and Dominica.
• President of Dominica Sylvanie Burton will confer the award during the upcoming India-CARICOM
Summit, scheduled to take place in Georgetown, Guyana from 19th to 21st of this month. According to the
statement of the Prime Minister Office of Dominica, India supplied Dominica with 70 thousand doses of the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine during the Covid pandemic in February 2021.
• The award also recognizes India’s support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology
under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, as well as his role in promoting climate resilience-building
initiatives and sustainable development on a global level. Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit
said, the award is an expression of Dominica’s gratitude for Prime Minister Modi’s solidarity with
Dominica and the wider region.
Booker Prize 2024: British writer Samantha Harvey wins for space-station novel ‘Orbital’
• British writer Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for fiction with Orbital, a short, wonder-filled
novel set aboard the International Space Station. Ms. Harvey was awarded the £50,000 (Rs. 53.7 lakh)
prize for what she has called a “space pastoral” about six astronauts circling the Earth, which she began
writing during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
• The confined characters loop through 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets over the course of a day, trapped in one
another’s company and transfixed by the globe’s fragile beauty. Ms. Harvey, who has written four previous
novels and a memoir about insomnia, is the first British writer since 2020 to win the Booker. The
prize is open to English-language writers of any nationality and has a reputation for transforming writers’
careers. Previous winners include Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie and Hilary Mantel.
The Booker Prize, formerly the Booker Prize for Fiction (1969–2001) and the Man Booker Prize (2002–
2019), is a literary award conferred each year for the best novel written in the English language, which
was published in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The prize was established as the “Booker Prize for
Fiction” after the company Booker, McConnell Ltd began sponsoring the event in 1969; it became commonly
known as the “Booker Prize” or the “Booker”. The winner of the Booker Prize receives international publicity
that usually leads to a sales boost. When the prize was created, only novels written by Commonwealth, Irish, and
South African (and later Zimbabwean) citizens were eligible to receive the prize; in 2014, eligibility was widened to
any English-language novel—a change that proved controversial. Percy Howard Newby was the first winner

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 of the Booker Prize, his novel ‘Something to Answer For’ having received the inaugural award in 1969.
The first Indian to win the Booker Prize was the author and activist Arundhati Roy. Her first novel ‘God
of Small Things’ was also the best-selling book by a non-expat Indian novelist. A sister prize, the International
Booker Prize, is awarded for a book translated into English and published in the United Kingdom or
Ireland. The £50,000 prize money is split evenly between the author and translator of the winning
novel.
PM Narendra Modi honoured with Global Peace Award as Indian American minorities
launch AIAM in Washington
• The Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), a newly formed non-governmental
organisation, was launched o at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland. The initiative
aims to unite and promote the welfare of minority communities within the Indian American diaspora. During
the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured in absentia with the ‘Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment.’ The award was jointly presented by Washington
Adventist University and AIAM, recognizing his efforts toward inclusive development and minority welfare.
AIAM is set to foster unity among Indian Americans in the United States.

G. Persons & Appointments

Donald Trump attacked at Pennsylvania rally
• Former US President Donald Trump was evacuated to a safe space after gunshots were heard in the
crowd during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to a statement by a White House spokesperson,
the suspect and at least one attendee were killed, while two others were injured during the incident.
JD Vance accepts Trump’s VP nomination
• Former US President Donald Trump’s Vice Presidential pick, JD Vance took centre stage. While
starting off his speech, the Republican Senator from Ohio mentioned the assassination attempt
against Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. Vance officially accepted Trump’s nomination to be his vice
presidential candidate for the 2024 US presidential elections.
Joe Biden pulls out of U.S. presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris
• U.S. President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign after fellow Democrats lost faith in his
mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump, leaving the presidential race in uncharted territory. He
also announced his endorsement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. In 2020, Ms.
Harris became the first Indian-American and first African-American woman Vice-President of the
U.S., and will be looking to repeat the feat as the President too, if Democrats approve her as the party candidate
to run the 2024 presidential race.
Savitri Jindal is richest Indian woman: Forbes
• Savitri Jindal, chairperson of the Jindal Group, became the richest woman in India, according to the
Forbes Billionaires List 2022, with a net worth of $16.4 billion. A total of nine Indian women joined the
global rich list this year. Nykaa’s Falguni Nayar- hailed among the country’s richest self-made billionaires - is
also on the list. With a net worth of $4.8 billion, the Forbes data said, after a bumper IPO (Initial Public Offer),
Nayar stands at the 44th spot in the list.
Mysuru’s Capt. Supreetha becomes first woman officer to be deployed at Siachen Glacier
• Captain Supreetha C.T., who hails from Mysuru, has become the first woman officer from the Corps
of Army Air Defence, to be operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier. Capt. Supreetha joined the
Indian Army as a Lieutenant in 2021 and had been posted in the Army Air Defence after undergoing
training at Chennai.
Shah Rukh Khan is the first Indian actor to be honoured with a gold coin from the Grevin
Museum
• Shah Rukh Khan has once again made history by becoming the first Indian actor to be honoured
with a customised gold coin by the Grévin Museum in Paris.
RRR Star Ram Charan to be Honoured at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024
• Ram Charan, the superstar known for his stellar performance in the global blockbuster “RRR”, is
set to be the guest of honor at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024. This

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 recognition comes as a testament to his significant contributions to Indian cinema and his rising international
profile. Ram Charan will be awarded the title of Ambassador for Indian Art and Culture at IFFM 2024. This
accolade recognizes his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema and his role in promoting Indian culture
globally.
PM Modi Extends Condolences on the Passing of Classical Dancer Dr. Yamini
Krishnamurthy
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended condolences to the family and admirers of Indian
classical dancer Dr. Yamini Krishnamurthy, who passed away at the age of 84. The Prime Minister said
that her excellence and dedication to Indian classical dance inspired generations and left an indelible mark on
country’s cultural landscape. He added that Dr. Krishnamurthy has worked greatly to enrich country’s
heritage. Vibhushan awardee Dr. Krishnamurthy passed away after battling age-related ailments.
• Mungara Yamini Krishnamurthy (20 December 1940 – 3 August 2024) was an Indian classical dancer
recognized for her contributions to Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. She was a recipient of the Padma
Shri (1968), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2016) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1977).
Grammy winner Ricky Kej’s rendition of India’s national anthem sets Guinness world
record
• On the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej unveiled a spectacular
new rendition of the Indian National Anthem, featuring an impressive collaboration of artists and
a Guinness World Record. This rendition brings together top classical musicians from both North and South
India, including renowned figures like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Amaan & Ayaan Ali Bangash, and Rahul
Sharma. It also features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from the UK and a choir of 14,000 tribal children
from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences.
Bengal’s open water swimmer, Sayani Das became the first Indian woman to cross the
Channel
• Bengal’s open water swimmer, Sayani Das became the first Indian woman to cross the North
Channel. She dived into the North Channel from Donaghadee town in Northern Ireland. She covered 38 km to
finally reach her finish point at Portpatrickin Scotland. This was the fifth open water channel swim that Sayani
- who aims at completing the Oceans Seven challenge - had conquered so far.
Mohana Singh becomes first woman fighter pilot in LCA Tejas fighter fleet
• Squadron leader Mohana Singh made history after becoming the first woman fighter pilot to join
the Indian Air Force’s elite 18 ‘Flying Bullets’ squadron, operating India’s indigenously ‘Made in
India’ LCA Tejas fighter jet’s squadron. Mohana Singh was part of the recent exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti’ in
Jodhpur, where she was part of the historic flight by three vice chiefs of the three forces. Mohana Singh made
history in 2016 after she, along with Bhawna Kanth and Avni Chaturvedi, were inducted into the Indian Air
Force as the first women fighter pilots.
Chiranjeevi enters Guinness World Records, recognised as most prolific star in Indian
film industry
• Megastar K Chiranjeevi received the Guinness World Records certificate as the most prolific film
star in the Indian film industry. “Mega star Chiranjeevi has performed 24,000 dance moves in 537
songs in his 156 films in a span of 45 years,” sources close to the actor said. “22 September also happens to
be the day when the mega star made his debut in the year 1978”.
Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh takes over as new Indian Air Force Chief
• Ace test pilot Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh took over as the new Indian Air Force chief. He is
succeeding Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari who is superannuating after completing his tenure of three years.
Air Marshal A.P. Singh is presently the Vice Chief of the Air Staff and will be assuming his new appointment
as the rank of Air Chief Marshal with effect from the afternoon of September 30.
Arjun Vajpai becomes First Indian to Scale Mt. Shishapangma in China
• Arjun Vajpai, the youngest person to climb Mt. Everest has made India proud once again. On 9th
October 2024, when Arjun Vajpai stood on top of Mt. Shishapangma, he completed his 8th successful summit
and registered a total of 4 records all together. Arjun Vajpai who embarked on this journey of scaling all 14 at
the age of 16 in 2010, has successfully summited 8 of the 14 peaks till date.

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• On Completing all 14, Vajpai will become the the 1st Indian to be a part of the elite list of mountaineers.
With his historical feat of scaling Mt. Shishapangma, he has become the 1st Indian to ascent Mt.
Shishapangma and broken the record for the fastest ascent of Mt. Shishapangma which includes Base
camp to Summit and back to Base camp in less than 72 hours. He became the 1st Indian to successfully stand on
the top of eight 8000 m mountains and made the record for the fastest Indian ascent of a 8000 m peak in China.
Rashmika Mandanna is national ambassador to promote cyber safety
• Actor Rashmika Mandanna has been appointed as the national brand ambassador of the Indian
Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
to combat cybercrimes. Last year, Rashmika Mandanna was a victim of a deepfake video posted
online on the Internet, sparking discussions about digital safety.
• As the ambassador, Ms. Rashmika will spearhead nationwide cyber awareness campaigns designed
to inform the public about cybercrimes including deepfake technology, malicious AI-created content,
cyber bullying, financial frauds and other online scams. The I4C was set up by the MHA to provide a framework
and eco-system for law-enforcement agencies to deal with cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive
manner.
Isha Ambani wins Harper’s Bazaar Icon of the Year
• Isha Ambani, the managing director of Reliance Retail won the ‘Icon of the Year’ award at Harper’s
Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2024. The award was presented by celebrated interior designer and
entrepreneur Gauri Khan. The Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, launched in 2007, is a global
celebration of prominent female talent from a variety of fields like film, television, art, culture and literature.
MS Dhoni appointed brand ambassador for Jharkhand assembly election
• Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed as the brand ambassador
for the upcoming Jharkhand election by the Election Commission. The former cricketer has given
the Election Commission permission to use his photo for the assembly election. Under the cause of voter
mobilisation, MS Dhoni will work towards increasing awareness among voters under the SWEEP (Systematic
Voters Education and Electoral Participation) program.
• He represented the Indian cricket team and was the captain of the side in limited overs formats from 2007 to
2017 and in test cricket from 2008 to 2014. Dhoni has captained the most international matches and is the most
successful Indian captain. He has led India to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket
World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, being the only captain to win three different
limited overs ICC tournaments.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Ranks Top Central Banker by US Magazine
• Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has been ranked the top central banker by the
US-based Global Finance magazine. This is the second consecutive year that he has been ranked as the top
central banker globally.
Bibek Debroy, chairman of PM’s Economic Advisory Council, no more
• Noted author and economist Bibek Debroy, who has been the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory
Council chairman since 2017, has passed away. Mr. Debroy was also a member of the Niti Aayog, which had
replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission, till mid-2019, and had wide-ranging interests beyond economics.
He was also a Sanskrit scholar who had translated the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads
into English.
K. Sanjay Murthy appointed as Comptroller and Auditor General of India
• The Union government said K. Sanjay Murthy appointed as Comptroller and Auditor General of
India. Mr. Murthy, a 1989 batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will succeed Girish Chandra
Murmu. Mr. Murthy is currently Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
• “By virtue of the power vested in her by clause (1) of article 148 of the Constitution of India, the
President has been pleased to appoint K Sanjay Murthy to be the Comptroller and Auditor General
of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office”. Girish Chandra Murmu assumed office as
the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on August 8, 2020.
Priyanka Gandhi takes oath as Lok Sabha MP
• Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a margin of 4, 10,931 votes in the recently
concluded round of bypolls, which took place alongside Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly

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 elections 2024. The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat was vacated by Priyanka Gandhi’s brother, Rahul Gandhi, who
had won from there in the Lok Sabha elections this year but had also secured the family bastion Rae Bareli
constituency. Rahul Gandhi’s decision to resign from the Wayanad seat and retain the Rae Bareli constituency
after winning the two seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in April necessitated the Wayanad bypoll.
• Rae Bareli Member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, a
position that lay vacant for 10 years because no party had numbers equalling a tenth of the strength
of the House, which has been by practice a requirement to lay claim to the post. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
has resigned from his Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, formally notifying the Speaker’s office of his decision to retain
the Raebareli constituency.
Vir Das becomes the first Indian to host International Emmy Awards
• Vir Das, the first Indian host of the 2024 International Emmys, brought humor and cultural insight
to the stage, even joking about the show’s limited visibility. The International Emmy Awards 2024
took place in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown. The event featured a blend of diverse
talents, with Emmy-winning comedian Vir Das hosting.

H. Books & Authors

CM Sukhu releases ‘Ek Refugee Scientist’ autobiography
• Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the autobiography ‘Ek Refugee Scientist,’
penned by Dr. M.K. Shingari of district Solan. The Chief Minister lauded Dr. Shingari’s work and extended
his best wishes for the success of the new publication. He expressed confidence that the book would serve as an
inspiration for the younger generation.
Alia Bhatt turns writer; launches a children book: ‘A new adventure begins’
• Alia Bhatt has started a new chapter of her life by turning into a storyteller. The actor has launched
her first children’s picture book, and she says she is working on the whole series of books for the future.
Alia introduced the first one in a series of children’s picture books, called Ed Finds A Home, under her kids wear
brand Ed-a-Mamma.
PM releases three books on life of former vice president Venkaiah Naidu
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony released three books on the life and journey of
former vice president of India, Venkaiah Naidu. The three books – a biography, a photo chronicle, and a
pictorial biography – were released by the PM on the eve of Naidu’s 75th birthday via a video conference.
• The books are titled “Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service”, “Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and
Message of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice President of India”, and a photo chronicle and pictorial
biography in Telugu titled “Mahaneta – Life and Journey of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu.” These books will
be released on the occasion of Naidu’s 75th birthday on July 1.
Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography
• Manoj Bajpayee in ‘The Definitive Biography’, pointing out why despite portraying numerous unforgettable
characters in his career: Bhiku Mhatre (Satya), Sardar Khan (Gangs of Wasseypur), Ganpat Bhonsale (Bhonsale)
or Shrikant Tiwari (Family Man), to name a few, he is still not considered a star.
• The author, journalist Piyush Pandey, was inspired to write Bajpayee’s biography when he learnt
that, like him, Manoj also grew up in a small village, couldn’t speak English, dreamt of a career in films,
attempted many times to get into film school and failed. But, unlike him, Manoj went on to carve an admirable
career in Bollywood.
Piyush Goyal Launches ‘India@100’ By Prof. K V Subramanian, Envisions India As A
Developed Nation By 2047
• Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launched the book titled ‘India@100:
Envisioning Tomorrow’s Economic Powerhouse’ authored by Prof. K V Subramanian in New Delhi.
Mr Goyal said that India can achieve the target of Viksit Bharat with the collective efforts of 1.4 billion citizens.
He has expressed confidence that India will become a developed nation by 2047 in all sectors, including
infrastructure, employment generation, tourism, manufacturing, shipping, and technology.

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Nathwani’s Book ‘Call Of the Gir’ On Asiatic Lions & Conservation Efforts
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated the book ‘Call of the Gir’ written by Rajya Sabha
Member Parimal Nathwani. The Prime Minister said he knows Mr Nathwani for his passion for wildlife.
The Prime Minister said that this book will surely help all those interested in the majestic Gir Lion. The book
is based on Gir’s landscapes, which are known for the Asiatic lions. The book combines vivid photography and
narratives to highlight the urgency of conservation efforts.
LARA: The England Chronicles
• The book Lara, The England Chronicles, which he co-authored with Phil Walker, provides insights
into those marathon innings and how the mind of a genius works. The book, as the title indicates, is
largely about Lara’s adventures in or against England. It is not surprising that he has chosen to focus on his
experiences with England. Both those massive Test innings were against England, the incredible 501
not out came in a match in England, for the county team Warwickshire.
• Lara’s career is punctuated by extraordinary achievements that seem almost mythical:
• A score of 375 in Test cricket
• An unbeaten 400 in Tests
• A staggering 501 not out in a First Class match
• These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent the zenith of batting prowess in cricket. The sport would
indeed be fortunate to witness another batsman capable of such Herculean feats.

I. Important Days
National Doctor’s Day
• National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on July 1st every year to honor the significant role physician’s play in
our lives. This day commemorates Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second chief minister of West Bengal
and a renowned physician, who was born and passed away on this day. The theme for the celebration of
National Doctor’s Day in 2024 is “Healing Hands, Caring Hearts.”.
USA Independence Day
• Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States
which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental
Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
• The Founding Father delegates of the Second Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen
Colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and
were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress voted to approve independence by passing
the Lee Resolution on July 2 and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July
4. Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and
Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was
the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
International Day of Cooperatives 6 July
• This year on July 6, cooperatives around the world will celebrate the International Day of
Cooperatives with the theme “Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All”. Cooperatives will
have the opportunity to showcase their current and historical contributions to building a sustainable future,
accelerating efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. The theme aligns
well with the objectives of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future whose theme is “Multilateral
solutions for a better tomorrow”.
World Population Day 11 July
• World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise
awareness of global population issues. It took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to
grow to 1 billion – then in just another 200 years or so, it grew sevenfold. It stood at almost 7.9 billion in 2021,
and it’s expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100, as per the
United Nations (UN).
• World Population Day is observed on July 11 every year to focus on the challenges and opportunities caused by
the rising population. It is a reminder to address population-related concerns and work towards a sustainable
future. “Leave no one behind, count everyone” is the theme for World Population Day 2024.

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World Youth Skills Day 15 July
• The World Youth Skill Day is an annual event designated by the United Nations General Assembly
in November 2014, with the first observance taking place on July 15, 2015. The day aims to promote
awareness and understanding of the importance of youth skills development in response to the challenges of
unemployment and underemployment faced by young people globally. The World Youth Skills Day 2024 will be
observed July 15. This year’s event theme is “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.”
Malala Day
• Malala Day is celebrated every year on July 12 to celebrate the birthday of activist Malala Yousafzai.
Malala Day was designated by the United Nations to honour the young woman who has been advocating for
women’s education for years.
World Day for International Justice
• World Day for International Justice, also referred to as Day of International Criminal Justice or
International Justice Day, is an international day celebrated throughout the world on July 17 as
part of an effort to recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice. On 1 June 2010,
at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute held in Kampala (Uganda), the Assembly of State Parties decided
to celebrate 17 July as the Day of International Criminal Justice.
• The theme for World Day for International Justice 2024 is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing
Opportunities for Social Justice”, which emphasizes the United Nations’ recommendations to enhance
global solidarity and restore trust in governments.
Nelson Mandela International Day
• Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela,
celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations
in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. Nelson Mandela International Day
2024 is ‘Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands.
World Hepatitis Day
• World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on
hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need
for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global hepatitis report of 2017.
• The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch
Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the
virus. Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve
the global elimination goals by 2030.
• This year’s theme is: It’s time for action. With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, we
must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes.
• There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D, and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are the
most common infections and result in 1.3 million deaths and 2.2 million new infections per year. There is no
vaccine for hepatitis C, but it can be treated with antiviral medications.
International Tiger Day
• Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness
for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July. It was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger
Summit in Russia.
• The day is a reminder of the collective effort of 13 tiger range countries to double the wild tigers’
population by 2022 through the TX2 global goal. The TX2 goal is a global commitment to double the
world’s wild tigers by 2022. The goal has been set by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) through the Global
Tiger Initiative, Global Tiger Forum and other critical platforms. The day was first established in 2010
at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.
Hiroshima Day
• On August 6, 1945, during World War II, a U.S. B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay dropped an atomic
bomb code-named “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths.
Seventy-seven years have elapsed since then and every year the world remembers August 6 as a day of solemn
remembrance and reflection. This day stands as a poignant reminder of the cataclysmic impact of nuclear
warfare and the urgent call for global unity in pursuit of peace and disarmament.

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National Mountain Climbing Day
• Mountain climbing is a thrilling experience for those who seek adventure. It aids in maintaining optimum
physical health. National Mountain Climbing Day is observed on August 1. The achievement of Matthews
and Madigan aligns with the longstanding tradition of the Adirondack 46ers Club. Established in 1925,
this club honors individuals who have successfully climbed all 46 high peaks of the Adirondack
Mountain range.
“VIRAASAT”, an exhibition to celebrate 10th National Handloom Day
• “VIRAASAT”, a fortnight long exhibition dedicated to celebrating 10th National Handloom Day
began at Handloom Haat in Janpath on 3rd August, 2024. This year, the 10th National Handloom
Day celebrated on 7th August. National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) is organising the
handloom expo under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India which will conclude on 16th
August, 2024.
• The series “VIRAASAT”- the “Exclusive Handloom Expo” is a continuation of celebrations held
during previous year around the National Handloom Day. The event focuses on the glorious tradition
of Handloom and Handicrafts. It also provides market connect to the handloom weavers and artisans. Hon’ble
Vice President of India was the Chief Guest on the occasion. During the function, Sant Kabir Awards and
National Handloom Awards were conferred to handloom weavers for their outstanding contribution in
handloom sector. Award Catalogue and Coffee Table Book- “Parampara- Sustainability in Handloom
Traditions of India” will be released by the Hon’ble Vice President of India.
• National Handloom Day was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, 2015, in
Chennai, marking the centenary of the Swadeshi Movement. The Swadeshi Movement, initiated in
1905, was a crucial part of India’s struggle for independence, advocating for the use of domestic products
and the boycott of foreign goods. Handlooms, being a symbol of self-reliance and economic independence, played
a pivotal role in this movement.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People 9 August
• The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on 9 August each year to raise
awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. The theme for the International
Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in 2024 is “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in
Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.”
Nagasaki Day 2024
• Nagasaki Day, observed annually in August, is a solemn occasion that marks the devastating atomic
bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, by the United States during World War II in 1945. Nagasaki Day marks
the solemn anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, on August 9th, 1945, during World War II;
so, it is observed annually on August 9th.
International Youth Day 12 August
• International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations that takes
place on August 12. The theme of the International Youth Day this year is ‘From Clicks to Progress:
Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.’
National Javelin Day 2024
• August 7 is celebrated as National Javelin Day in India. The Athletics Federation of India, the governing
body for athletics in the country, designated this date to honour Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold medal
win in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics. On August 7, 2021, Neeraj Chopra made history by
throwing the javelin 87.58 meters in the men’s Javelin Throw final at the Tokyo Olympics, securing
the gold medal. This victory marked India’s first-ever gold medal in track and field events at the Olympics.
With this achievement, Chopra also became the second individual gold medallist from India, following
Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal in shooting at the 2008 Beijing Games.
World Biofuel Day
• Every year on August 10, World Biofuel Day is observed to underline the significance of biofuels as a
sustainable source of energy. The day also commemorates the successful operation of an engine on peanut oil
by German engineer Sir Rudolf Diesel on August 9, 1893.
• The theme for World Biofuel Day 2024 is “Sustainable Biofuels: Fueling a Greener Future”. The
theme emphasizes the importance of developing and using biofuels in a sustainable way to ensure long-term
environmental benefits.

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National Sports Day
• National Sports Day is celebrated annually on 29th August, to emphasize the importance of sports and
physical activities and to honor Major Dhyan Chand’s legacy in Indian hockey. The day commemorates
the birth anniversary of greatest field hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
• Known as “The Hockey Wizard,” Dhyan Chand’s unparalleled skills and dedication to the sport left
an indelible mark on the world of hockey. Over a career that spanned from 1926 to 1948, Dhyan
Chand scored more than 1,000 goals, leading India to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in
1928, 1932, and 1936.Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya paid a floral tribute to Major
Dhyan Chand at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
• The theme of the National Sports Day 2024 is ‘Sport for the Promotion and Peaceful and Inclusive
Societies’. The theme highlights the importance of sports as a tool to unite individuals and strengthen social
bonds.
National Nutrition Week 2024
• National Nutrition Week, celebrated annually in the first week of September, is an event that raises
awareness about the importance of nutrition in our daily lives. As we observe National Nutrition Week
2024, it’s important to reflect on what constitutes a healthy and nutritious diet. Proper nutrition plays
a critical role in maintaining overall health, preventing chronic diseases, and promoting longevity.
• Celebrated from September 1st to 7th, this initiative focuses on educating the public, particularly women and
children, about the benefits of a balanced diet, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle to improve overall health.
Read on as we discuss the theme, significance, and history of NNW. The theme for National Nutrition Week
2024 is “Nutritious Diets for Everyone.” This theme aligns with the United Nations’ goal for sustainable
development, focusing on encouraging diets that meet the nutritional needs of people at all life stages.
Women’s Equality Day
• Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920
adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states
and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of
sex. The 2024 Day will focus on the theme, ‘Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through
Economic Empowerment’.
International Day of Democracy 15 September
• The International Day of Democracy is celebrated around the world on 15 September each year.
The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in
the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the
international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be
made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
• Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. But around the world, there are governments and those wielding power who
find many ways to obstruct it. This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy is focused on
the importance of Artificial Intelligence as a tool for good governance.
World Ozone Day 2024 celebrated in New Delhi with the theme: “Montreal Protocol -
Advancing Climate Actions”
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 designed by
the United Nations General Assembly. This designation had been made on December 19, 2000, in commemoration
of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised an event to mark the 30th World
Ozone Day in New Delhi. The theme for World Ozone Day 2024 is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing
Climate Actions” reflecting the Montreal Protocol’s crucial role in both protecting the ozone layer and driving
broader climate action initiatives globally. World Ozone Day reminds us that the ozone layer is essential for life
on Earth and highlights the need for ongoing climate action to protect it for future generations.
International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South
• On January 9, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution officially proclaiming
September 16 as the International Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the South. The

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 resolution underscores the importance of leveraging scientific and technological achievements for sustainable
development, aligning with the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the SDGs.
International Day of Peace 21 September
• Every year, the United Nations (UN) marks the International Day of Peace on 21 September. It
was first declared 43 years ago as a shared date for the world to build a culture of peace. The theme for the
2024 International Day of Peace is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”. The United Nations announced
the theme to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a
Culture of Peace by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
World Rhino Day
• World Rhino Day, celebrated on September 22, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness and
promoting the conservation of rhinoceros species. In India, the one-horned rhinoceros, or Indian rhino, holds a
special place in wildlife heritage, and the country is home to several national parks where you can witness these
majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The organization uses the general theme “Keep the Five
Alive.”
Ministry of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day with the theme ‘Tourism and Peace’
• Ministry of Tourism celebrated the World Tourism Day-2024 on 27th September, with the theme
‘Tourism and Peace’, highlighting the crucial role of tourism in fostering development and global harmony.
The celebration program will be organized at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep
Dhankhar graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
World Habitat Day 7 October
• The Global Observance of World Habitat Day, marked on 7 October 2024, is under the theme “Engaging
youth to create a better urban future.” This event aims to address the challenges and opportunities of
rapid urbanization by focusing on the active involvement of young people in shaping sustainable cities and
communities. The observance focuses on how we can engage the new generation in planning their urban present
and future through participatory processes and local leadership opportunities.
World Food Day 2024
• The FAO hosted a Global Ceremony on October 16, 2024, at its headquarters. For World Food Day
2024, the main theme is “Right to food for a better life and a better future.” This theme emphasises the
fundamental human rights to accessible nutritious, affordable and sustainable food to ensure everyone’s well-
being and dignity.
• World Food Day is celebrated on October 16. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP) are the three
Rome-based agencies that focus on World Food Day.
World Iodine Deficiency Day
• World Iodine Deficiency Day, also known as Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, is
observed annually on 21st October. The day aims to raise awareness about the essential role of iodine in
maintaining good health and to emphasize the consequences of iodine deficiency. This document outlines the
importance of iodine in daily nutrition and its crucial significance in preventing iodine deficiency disorders.
• Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine
(T3), which regulate metabolism and are crucial for fetal and infant development. Found in foods
and iodized salt, iodine exists in several forms, including sodium and potassium salts, inorganic iodine (I2),
iodate, and iodide. Iodide, the most common form, is quickly absorbed in the stomach and used by the thyroid
for hormone production. Most excess iodide is excreted through urine
‘Run for Unity’, held on ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel
• The ‘Run for Unity’, held on ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diaws’, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel, was organized this time on 29th October. On ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diaws’, programs to pay tribute to
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and National Unity Day pledge taking will be organized on 31st October.
United Nations Day 24 October
• United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN
Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five
permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. There is no other

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 global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. No
other global organization gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want.
Today, the urgency for all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, has rarely been
greater.
• The first event called “United Nations Day” was a World War II Allies’ day of solidarity and military
parades launched by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt tied to US Flag Day on 14 June 1942, six
months after the Declaration by United Nations. It was observed in New York City as the “New York at War”
parade, in London, and by the Soviet and Chinese governments.
National Unity Day
• Every year, on October 31, India observes National Unity Day, also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
This significant day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a pivotal figure
in India’s struggle for independence and the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of
India. Renowned for his exceptional leadership and unyielding commitment to national integration,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is fondly remembered as the “Iron Man of India.” National Unity Day serves
as a reminder of his efforts to unite the diverse princely states into a single nation and fosters a spirit of
solidarity among the people of India.
World Tsunami Awareness Day 5 November
• In December 2015, the UN General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day,
calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative
approaches to risk reduction.
• The theme for World Awareness Day 2024 is ‘Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future’ which focuses
on the effect of disasters and the importance of supporting vulnerable communities.
India Water Week 2024
• Recently, the President of India inaugurated the 8th India Water Week (IWW) 2024 in New Delhi,
under the aegis of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, observed from 17th September to 20th September
2024. The theme of IWW 2024, ‘Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and
Management’ highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative efforts across sectors and nations in tackling the
escalating water challenges of the 21st century.
National Cancer Awareness Day in India
• On November 7th each year, India observes National Cancer Awareness Day—an initiative that
aims to raise awareness about the growing cancer burden in the country and inspire action towards
prevention, early detection, and treatment. India is the first country in the world to officially recognize National
Cancer Awareness Day.
• In 2024, the theme for National Cancer Awareness Day is ‘Hope, Prevention, and Support,’ and the
day focuses on fostering a proactive approach to cancer awareness and encouraging communities to unite
against the disease.
World Science Day for Peace and Development, 10 November
• Celebrated every 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the
important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging
scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives. The theme of
the UNESCO celebration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development 2024 is: Why Science
Matters: Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures.
National Education Day 2024
• National Education Day is an annual observance in India to commemorate the birth anniversary
of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India, who served from 15
August 1947 until 2 February 1958. National Education Day of India is celebrated on 11 November every
year.
World Toilet Day 2024
• World Toilet Day, celebrated annually on November 19, is an official United Nations observance aimed
at raising global awareness and action to address the urgent sanitation crisis. Observed since 2013, this
day has been dedicated to emphasizing the importance of safe and accessible toilet facilities as part of Sustainable
Development Goal 6: Ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030. This year’s theme is ‘Toilets - A Place for

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 Peace’ which emphasizes that billions of people face heightened threats to sanitation due to conflict, climate
change, natural disasters, and systemic neglect. The theme for World Toilet Day 2024 is “Sanitation for peace”.
National Integration Day 2024
• National Integration Day, celebrated every year on November 19, marks the birth anniversary of
Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of India. This year, the nation observes the day with
reverence and reflection, recalling her enduring legacy as a leader who shaped the country’s political, social,
and economic trajectory. As India continues to evolve into a global power, National Integration Day serves as a
reminder of Gandhi’s role in strengthening the fabric of national unity and integration. The theme for National
Integration Day 2024 is “One India One Dream”.
World Children’s Day 20 November
• World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on
20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide,
and improving children’s welfare.
Nation Celebrates Constitution Day to Mark 75 Years of Its Adoption
• Nation is observing Constitution Day. Government has announced year-long celebrations beginning to
commemorate the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution of India. This year marks the 75th
anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution and the year-long celebrations across the country
will continue till 26th of November, 2025. On 26th November, 1949 the Constituent Assembly of India
adopted the Constitution which came into effect on 26th January, 1950.
• A commemorative Coin and Stamp dedicated to the 75th anniversary of adoption of Constitution
of India released. Books titled “Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse” and “Making of
the Constitution of India and its Glorious Journey” also released. Constitution released in Sanskrit and
Maithili. A Booklet dedicated to the Art of Constitution of India released. Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment announced on 19th November 2015 that Government would celebrate 26th November
every year as Constitution Day.

J. Miscellaneous
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Odisha Police to use AI for traffic, crowd management
• Odisha Police will use AI technology on a pilot basis for effective traffic and crowd management
during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to
be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri. This year, Lord Jagannath Yatra will take place on July 7.
• Bhubaneswar-based miniature artist, L Eswar Rao, curated eco-friendly chariots of the holy trinity
Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers and incense sticks ahead of the world-
famous Rath Yatra. The deities sitting inside the holy chariots have been made out of tamarind seeds, and
completed in seven days. The chariots are two inches tall from bottom to top.
Columbia’s president resigns after months of turmoil, including protests over the Israel-
Hamas war
• Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned after a brief, tumultuous tenure that saw
the head of the prestigious New York university grapple with protests over the Israel-Hamas war and criticism
over how the school handled divisions related to the conflict.
• The school in upper Manhattan was roiled this year by student protests, culminating in scenes of
police officers carrying zip ties and riot shields storming a building that had been occupied by pro-Palestinian
protesters. Similar protests swept college campuses nationwide.
India is now the world’s third largest producer and consumer of ethanol
• India is now the world’s third largest producer and consumer of Ethanol due to the policy changes
made by government, said Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution and New & Renewable Energy while addressing India Sugar & Bio Energy Conference. Ethanol
Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, the Union Minister said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister,
several steps have been taken to increase ethanol production capacity in India. “In last 10 years, from ethanol
sale, sugar mills have earned higher revenue, use of ethanol blended petrol reduced emission of Green House
Gases (GHGs), greater investment opportunities emerged, leading to the establishment of new distilleries in
rural areas and contributing direct and indirect employment generation as well”.

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 India’s ethanol production has nearly tripled over the past five years. The country’s National Policy on Biofuels,
released in 2018, set a goal of 20% ethanol blending by 2030. In 2022, the government updated the policy
to move the target forward to 2025-26.
Cabinet approves health coverage to all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above
irrespective of income under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB
PM-JAY)
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the health coverage
to all the senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
• This aims to benefit approximately 4.5 Crore families with six (6) crore senior citizens with 5 Lakh
rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis. With this approval, all senior citizens of the age 70
years and above irrespective of their socio- economic status would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-
JAY. The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY.
• The senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB
PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover upto Rs. 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not
have to share with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years).
• It has been clarified that senior citizens of 70 years and above who are under private health insurance policies
or Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY. AB PM-JAY is
the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme which provides health cover of Rs.
5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore individuals
corresponding to 12.34 crore families. All members of the eligible families irrespective of age are covered
under the scheme. The public has benefited to the extent of over Rs. 1 Lakh crore under the scheme. The
expansion of cover to senior citizens of the age of 70 years and above was earlier announced by Hon’ble Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi in April 2024.
Aamir Khan-Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India’s official entry for Oscars 2025!
• After winning the hearts of the audience through its simple yet poignant story, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ will now
be heading to the Oscars. According to a statement released by the Film Federation of India, the
Kiran Rao directorial has been declared as India’s official entry to the Oscars 2025.
• It surged ahead 29 contenders such as ‘Animal’ and ‘Aattam’, by Jahnu Barua-led selection committee, to seize
the coveted spot. Helmed by Kiran Rao and produced by her ex-husband, superstar Aamir Khan,
‘Laapataa Ladies’ is a wholesome tale of mistaken identities set in rural India. This heartwarming
tale revolves around a pair of young brides who switch places by accident. The movie marks the cinematic
debut of Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel etc. The movie was screened at the 48th Toronto International Film
Festival (TIFF). Upon release, the film bagged rave reviews from critics for it’s screenplay as well as nuanced
performances from the leads.
Nagaland Partners With Wales for 25th Hornbill Festival
• Nagaland government has signed Wales as one of the Country Partners for the upcoming 25th
Edition of the Hornbill Festival. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is on an official visit to Wales, announced
the signing of the agreement with the Welsh Government, the British Council, and Wales Arts International
representatives in Cardiff.
Government and Meta Launch ‘Scam Se Bacho’ Campaign To Combat Online Scams
• Government of India and Meta have joined forces for the “Scam se Bacho” campaign to tackle the
rising threat of online scams. During the launch of the campaign in New Delhi, Information and Broadcasting
Secretary Sanjay Jaju delivered the keynote address, describing the initiative as a timely and essential step
toward safeguarding citizens from the increasing danger of online fraud. This initiative by Meta is launched
in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Home
Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination
Centre. It aims to combat the growing menace of scams and cyber fraud.
NGT Imposes Rs. 1,000 Crore Fine on Punjab Government
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has fined the Punjab government a huge amount—Rs 1,000
crore. This fine was imposed because the state has repeatedly failed to manage its solid and liquid waste
properly, despite many warnings and legal obligations. The NGT has also ordered that this money be

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 sent immediately to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and has held top government officials
responsible for the ongoing failures.
• The National Green Tribunal was established on October 18, 2010, under the National Green
Tribunal Act, 2010. Its purpose is to provide effective and speedy disposal of matters related to environmental
protection and the preservation of forests, and to enforce any legal rights related to the environment, including
natural resources, and to provide relief and compensation for damages to individuals and property, including
cases related to accidental medical issues. The tribunal will not be bound by the procedure prescribed
under the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, but will be guided by the principles of natural justice. India
is the third country in the world – after Australia and New Zealand – to set up such a body to deal
with environmental cases. The principal National Green Tribunal bench is located in Delhi, with
other benches sitting in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
‘Act4Dyslexia’ campaign launched
• In a significant initiative as part of the nation-wide ‘Act4Dyslexia’ campaign, the highest offices of
the Government and key monuments in Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North
and South Blocks, and India Gate, have been illuminated in red, the colour for Dyslexia Awareness. The
event aligns with similar illuminations across major cities, including Patna, Ranchi, Jaipur, Kohima, Shimla,
and Mumbai, spotlighting the need to remove stigma and foster greater understanding of dyslexia and other
learning disabilities. This initiative aims at raising awareness about learning disabilities, which are
estimated to affect 20% of India’s population, including 35 million students. It is being organized in collaboration
with UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) &
ChangeInkk Foundation.
Ningol Chakkouba Festival Celebrated With Religious Fervor and Gaiety across Manipur
• One of the biggest festivals of Manipur- Ningol Chakkouba was held across the State with religious
fervour and gaiety. This is the biggest festival of the Meitei community but the scenario has changed from the
last many years with the participation of different communities in the festival. The festival is held every year
on the second day of the lunar month of Hiyangei of the Meitei calendar. The main component of the festival is
the visit of married sisters to their maternal homes for grand feast and joyous reunion followed by giving away
the gifts.
Gurugram uses ‘Artificial Rain’ against air pollution
• The DLF Primus Society in Gurugram, India used artificial rain to combat air pollution in November
2024. The society used water sprinklers on the fire lines of a 32-story high-rise building to create artificial rain.
The initiative was taken to disperse dust and particulate matter in the area, which has been affected by air
pollution during the winter season. The Delhi government is also considering using artificial rain to fight air
pollution.
• Artificial rain, also known as cloud seeding, is the process of using aeroplanes or helicopters to
release chemicals into the sky, such as dry ice, potassium iodide, and silver iodide. These particles
draw in water vapour, which causes clouds to form and rain to fall. The techniques include employing hygroscopic
elements, such as salt particles, for warm clouds and seeding supercooled clouds with dry ice or silver iodide.
In order to increase the density of clouds and increase the probability of rainfall, cloud seeding entails adding
several chemical agents, such as silver iodide, dry ice, and even table salt.

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 2. International and National Organizations their heads and headquarters
S.No. Name of the Headquarter Head of the Organization/(Designation)
organization
1 United Nations New York, USA Antonio Guterres (Secretary-General)
2 UNICEF New York, USA Catherine Mary Russell (Executive Director)
3 UNESCO Paris, France Audrey Azoulay (Director General)
4 FAO Rome, Italy Qu Dongyu (Director General)
5 WHO Geneva, Switzerland Tedros Adhanom (Director General)
6 ILO Geneva, Switzerland Gilbert Houngbo (Director General)
7 ICJ The Hague, The Nawaf Salam (President)
Netherlands
8 UNCTAD Geneva, Switzerland Rebeca Grynspan (Secretary-General)
9 ADB Manila, Philippines Masatsugu Asakawa (President)
10 OECD Paris, France Mathias Cormann (Secretary General)
11 OPEC Vienna, Austria Haitham Al Ghais (Kuwait)
(Secretary General)
12 EU Brussels, Belgium Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen (President of the
European Commission)
13 NATO Brussels, Belgium Jens Stoltenberg (Secretary-General)
14 IAEA Vienna, Austria Rafael Mariano Grossi (Director General)
15 SAARC Kathmandu Golam Sarwar (Secretary General)
Member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
16 IBSA Political Forum India+ Brazil+ South Africa
17 New Development Shanghai, China Dilma Rousseff (President)
Bank
18 Asian Infrastructure Beijing, China Jin Liqun (President)
Investment Bank
(AIIB)
19 World Bank Washington D.C Ajaypal Singh Banga (President)
20 IMF Washington D.C Ms. Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director)
21 WTO Geneva, Switzerland Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
22 European Central Frankfurt, Germany Christine Lagarde (President)
Bank
23 Bank for Basel, Switzerland Agustín Carstens (General Manager)
International
Settlements
24 Federal Reserve Washington D.C Jerome Powell (Chairperson of Board of Governors)
Bank of America
25 Financial Action Paris Elisa de Anda Modrazo (President)
Task Force (FATF)

26 RBI Mumbai Sanjay Malhotra (Governor)

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 S.No. Name of the Headquarter Head of the Organization/(Designation)
organization
27 NABARD Mumbai Mr. Shaji K V (Chairman)
(Maharashtra)
28 SEBI Mumbai Madhabi Puri Buch (Chairman)
(Maharashtra)
29 IRDA Hyderabad Debasish Panda (Chairman)
30 SIDBI Lucknow Manoj Mittal (CMD)
31 TRAI New Delhi Anil Kumar Lahoti (Chairman)
32 Competition New Delhi Ravneet Kaur (Chairman)
Commission of India
(CCI)
33 Niti Aayog New Delhi Narendra Modi (Chairman)
Suman Bery (Vice Chairman)
34 IDFC FIRST Bank Mumbai Mr. V. Vaidyanathan (MD & CEO)
35 EXIM BANK Mumbai Harsha Bangari (CMD)
36 ICICI Mumbai Sandeep Bakhshi (MD & CEO)
37 CAG New Delhi K Sanjay Murthy
38 CEC New Delhi Rajiv Kumar
39 16th Finance --- Arvind Panagariya (Chairman)
commission
40 Financial Stability New Delhi Union Finance Minister (Chairman)
and Development
Council (FSDC)
41 GST Council New Delhi Union Finance Minister (Chairman)
42 BIMSTEC Dhaka Indra Mani Pandey (Secretary-General)
Member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
43 BRICS --- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt,
Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
44 International Solar Gurugram Ashish Khanna (Director General)
Alliance
45 G7 Countries --- Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United
Kingdom, and the United States

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 3. Countries and their heads of Governments
S.No. Country President/Monarch Prime Minister
1 Afghanistan Hibatullah Akhundzada (Head of the Mohammad Hasan Akhund
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan)
2 Argentina Alberto Fernandez
3 Australia Charles III (Monarch) Anthony Albanese
4 Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin Muhammad Yunus is Chief Adviser of
the interim government of Bangladesh
since 8 August 2024.
5 Bhutan Jigme Kheysar Namgel Wangchuck Lotay Tshering
(Monarch)
6 Canada Charles III (Monarch) Justin Trudeau
Mary May Simon
(Governor General of Canada)
7 Egypt Abdel Fateh el-Sisi Mostafa Kemal Madbouly
8 France Emmanuel Macron Elisabeth Borne
9 Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou Kyriakos Mitsotakis
10 India Droupadi Murmu Narendra Modi
11 Indonesia Joko Vidodo
12 Iran Masoud Pezeshkian Supreme Leader – Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei
13 Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani
14 Israel Isaac Herzog Benjamin Netanyahu
15 Italy Sergio Mattarela Giorgia Meloni
16 Japan Naruhito (Monarch) Shigeru Ishiba
17 Jordan Abdullah II (Monarch) Jafar Hassan
18 Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Oljas Bektenov
19 Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov (President)
20 Libya Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh
21 Malaysia Abdullah (Monarch) Anwar bin Ibrahim
22 Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
23 Myanmar Myint Swe (Acting President) Min Aung Hlaing (Chairman of the
State Administration Council)
24 Nepal Ram Chandra Poudel K P Sharma Oli
25 Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu
26 North Korea Kim Jong Un
27 Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari Shehbaz Sharif
28 Palestine Mahmoud Abbas Mohammad Mustafa
29 Philippines Bongbong Marcos
30 Russia Vladimir Putin Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin
31 Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (King) Mohammad bin Salman
32 Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam Lawrence Wong
33 South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa
34 South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol Han Duck-soo
35 Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake Harini Nireka Amarasuriya

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 S.No. Country President/Monarch Prime Minister
36 Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan
37 United Arab Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Emirates (President) (Prime Minister)
38 USA Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
(Current President till 20 January 2025)
Donald John Trump
(President-elect of the United States)
39 UK Charles III (Monarch) Sir Keir Starmer
40 Venezuela Nicolas Maduro
41 Yemen Rashad al-Alimi Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak
42 Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa

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 Corporate Office:
CL Educate Limited
A - 45, First Floor, Mohan Co-operative Industrial Estate,
Near Metro Station, New Delhi - 110044
Contact No. 011-41280800 / 1100
www.careerlauncher.com • www.cleducate.com
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