General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - December 2014

Dec 2014

Feb 11, 2025

Cabinet Passes New Income Tax Bill 2025: A Major Overhaul of India's Tax System

The Union Cabinet approved the new Income Tax Bill, which will replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, 1961. The primary objective of this new legislation is to simplify, modernise, and streamline India's tax system, making it more comprehensible and efficient for taxpayers.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Budget 2025-26 that the new bill will be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing session. Once tabled, it will be sent to the Standing Committee on Finance for further evaluation and discussion.

Cabinet Extends Safai Karamchari Commission Tenure

In a move aimed at bolstering the welfare of sanitation workers, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond March 31, 2025, extending it until March 31, 2028.
According to the Cabinet, the total financial implication for the extension will be approximately Rs. 50.91 crore.
The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was established in 1993 under the NCSK Act. The NCSK was initially set up to promote the welfare of Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers) and address the challenges they face. Over the years, its tenure has been extended multiple times, reflecting the ongoing need to support this marginalised community.

Feb 10, 2025

Viksit Bharat@2047: Path to Progress NITI Aayog Conclave

NITI Aayog organised a high-level conclave titled "Towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Strengthening Economy, National Security, Global Partnerships, and Law" at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together top policymakers, including the Vice Chairman, Members, and CEO of NITI Aayog, along with key government officials such as the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India and the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
The conclave featured panel discussions, keynote addresses, and expert deliberations, focusing on India's long-term growth strategy. Discussions revolved around economic reforms, global partnerships, national security, legal frameworks, and digital infrastructure—all crucial components of India's transformation into a developed nation by 2047.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates First Ever BIMSTEC Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India hosted the inaugural session of the first-ever BIMSTEC Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with the goal of strengthening youth collaboration across the region and facilitating the exchange of youth-led initiatives among BIMSTEC Member Countries. The session was held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, chaired by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Smt. Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, and Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs.
Mandaviya emphasised the pivotal role of young leaders in shaping a resilient, prosperous, and interconnected BIMSTEC community. He highlighted the immense potential of the region's youth, who make up more than 60% of BIMSTEC's 1.8 billion population, stressing the need for skill development and opportunities in a fast-evolving global landscape.

Atishi Quits as Delhi CM

Senior AAP leader Atishi submitted her resignation as the Chief Minister of Delhi, a day after the party suffered a setback in the Assembly election, with BJP returning to power after 27 years.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena dissolved the outgoing Delhi Government. The L-G received the resignation and asked her to continue in her position till the formation of the new government.
Although Atishi retained her seat in Kalkaji, defeating BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri by 3,521 votes, the AAP lost the election receiving just 22 seats against BJP's 48. Saxena also dissolved the Seventh Legislative Assembly of the National Capital.

The 32nd Session of the Indian Art History Congress

The Indian Art History Congress is an all-India body of the study of the Indian Art Heritage, its headquarters being situated in Guwahati. This year (2025), the 32nd Session of the Indian Art History Congress was hosted by the Indian Institute of Heritage, Noida, deemed to be university, under the Ministry of Culture from February 8 to 10 2025. The conference was held on the theme "Rendering of Indian Epics in Art and Culture," which aimed to highlight the diverse forms of artistic expressions based on the epics. A variety of oral, textual and visual mediums became a conduit through which these narratives were transmitted. In this context, the conference aimed to be a platform that brings together conversations on the various forms of artistic and performative representations of the epics. It highlighted the multiplicity and plurality of the epics in terms of its diverse artistic manifestations tracing their influence as well as their representation from ancient to contemporary times.
The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and Chancellor, Indian Institute of Heritage.

N. Biren Singh Steps Down as the Manipur Chief Minister

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned - two years after ethnic violence broke out in the state -- to quell dissidence in the state BJP against his leadership as his government faces the possibility of a Congress no-confidence motion and floor test.
The Chief Minister handed his resignation to the Governor. The Congress said that the belated resignation was a vindication of its demand.
With the resignation of the Chief Minister, the budget session of the Manipur assembly that was to begin, has been cancelled, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has said.

Feb 09, 2025

Ministry of Ayush Launches Shatavari for Wellness: Nationwide Campaign

The Ministry of Ayush launched a species-specific campaign, "Shatavari – For Better Health," aimed at raising awareness about the medicinal benefits of Shatavari. The initiative was inaugurated by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, in the presence of key officials, including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). This campaign follows the success of previous initiatives promoting medicinal plants like Amla, Moringa, Giloe, and Ashwagandha. The campaign aligns with the Panch Pran Goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's holistic development by 2047, with a special focus on women's health.

Feb 08, 2025

Odisha Joins Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to Seek 50% Share in Central Taxes

Odisha demanded an increase in states' share of central taxes to 50 per cent from the existing 41 per cent. Odisha, which has sought Rs. 12.59 lakh crore in central taxes for the period 2026-31, joined states such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu in making the demand.
CM Mohan Charan Majhi, along with senior officers, met the finance commission headed by Arvind Panagariya to seek an increase in its share in central taxes.
According to Panagariya, states such as Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Goa have suggested an increase in the states' share in central taxes to 50%.

Feb 07, 2025

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates North East Investment Roadshow in Chennai

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) hosted the North East Trade and Investment Roadshow in Chennai. The roadshow evoked strong interest from potential investors who are eager to explore opportunities in the North Eastern States. The event was attended by Minister, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region & Ministry of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, along with Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Mizoram, senior officials from MDoNER, North Eastern Council and North Eastern States.

UN President's 4-day Visit to India

United Nations General Assembly President Philemon Yang was in India for a 4-day visit from February 4 to 8 on his first official visit to the country.
During the four-day visit, the UNGA President held deliberations with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussing key multilateral issues and regional interests.
Yang also visited Infosys and The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Watershed Yatra

Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a national-level mass outreach campaign 'Watershed Yatra'.
Chouhan launched the yatra to generate people's participation and create awareness about the watershed development activities carried out under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).
A total of about 800 gram panchayats and more than 1 lakh people participated in the launch programme held in a hybrid mode.

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