General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2015

Sep 2015

May 31, 2018

Upgraded Pinaka Rocket

An upgraded version of Pinaka rocket, with a guidance system and an enhanced range, was successfully test-fired from the Proof and Experiment Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur in Odisha.

The earlier Pinaka version, which was an unguided one, has now been upgraded into a guided version, with a navigation, guidance and control kit developed by the Research Centre.

India and Indonesia Elevate Ties

India and Indonesia elevated their bilateral ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries condemned terrorism in all its forms.

The two countries also signed 15 agreements, including one to boost defence cooperation, and called for freedom of navigation in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

PRAAPTI App and Web Portal Launched

The Union Ministry of Power has launched web portal (www.praapti.in) and app namely PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification and Analysis in Power procurement for bringing Transparency in Invoicing of generators). The web portal and app aims to bring transparency in power purchase transactions between Generators and Discoms.

May 30, 2018

NAAC Gets New Director

Former Vice-Chancellor of Tumkur University S. C. Sharma has taken charge as the Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for a five-year term. He replaces Latha Pillai, Adviser, NAAC & Director (Acting). The former director D. P. Singh's term ended on December 2017.

Navodaya Vidyalayas on TopAmong all the categories of schools affiliated to the Central Board of ...

Among all the categories of schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) schools recorded the best pass percentage in the Class X exams. Government schools registered the lowest pass percentage (63.97%).

JNVs clocked a pass percentage of 97.31%, while Kendriya Vidyalaya schools recorded a pass percentage of 95.96%. Private schools registered a pass percentage of 89.49%.

India and Pakistan Reaffirm Ceasefire Commitment

The armies of India and Pakistan reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire understanding of 2003.

Both the DGMOs agreed to fully implement the ceasefire understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit forthwith and to ensure that henceforth the ceasefire will not be violated by both sides.

The two sides also agreed that in case of any issue, restraint would be exercised and the matter will be resolved through utilisation of existing mechanisms of hotline contacts and border flag meetings at local commanders' level.

Pankaj Saran Appointed Deputy NSA

The Government of India appointed senior diplomat Pankaj Saran as Deputy National Security Advisor. Saran is currently serving as India's Ambassador to Russia.

Pankaj Saran a 1982 batch officer of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) was in November 2015 appointed as India's envoy to Russia.

R. K. Agarwal Appointed President of NCDRC

Former Supreme Court judge Justice R. K. Agrawal has been appointed the President of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). The NCDRC, which deals with consumer rights and addresses their disputes and grievances, is a quasi-judicial commission set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.

Justice Agrawal, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, was sworn in as a judge of the top court in February 2014. He will take over from Justice D. K. Jain, who will complete his term on May 31.

May 29, 2018

DAC Clears Proposals

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved the procurement of equipment valued at over Rs. 6,900 crore. This includes Thermal Imaging (TI) Night Sights for the Rocket Launcher (RL) for accurate targeting of enemy bunkers even in complete darkness.

India Will Not Accept Sanctions on Iran

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that India will not accept sanctions imposed, or to be imposed, by the United States on Iran. The remarks were a categorical rejection of Washington's decision to withdraw from the six-nation Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement and its plans to impose massive new sanctions on Iranian entities.

Iran is India's third largest oil supplier, and India has many areas of strategic engagement with Iran.

India to Get S-400 Triumf Air Defence Missiles

India has concluded price negotiations with Russia for a nearly Rs. 40,000 crore deal to procure S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for the Indian Air Force.

The two countries are now trying to find a way out to evade the provisions of a US law that seeks to punish countries and entities engaged in transactions with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

May 28, 2018

Congress Appoints State In-charge

The Congress announced the appointment of state in-charge for West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar and Andhra Pradesh.

Gaurav Gogoi has been appointed AICC general secretary in-charge for West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy as the in-charge for Andhra Pradesh.

Oommen Chandy has replaced former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and veteran Congress leader Digivijaya Singh as general secretary in-charge for Andhra Pradesh. Gogoi has replaced Dr. CP Joshi as AICC general secretary in-charge for West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar.

May 26, 2018

Fourth Mk-IV LCU Commissioned

The Indian navy has commissioned its fourth Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV.

A total of 8 vessels in the class are planned to be built for the Indian Navy.

The amphibious ships are designed by India's Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and can be deployed for multi-role activities like beaching operations, humanitarian and disaster relief operations and evacuation from distant islands.

New Governors Appointed

President Ram Nath Kovind appointed new Governors for Odisha and Mizoram.

Professor Ganeshi Lal has been appointed as Governor of Odisha with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office and Kummanam Rajasekharan has been appointed as Governor of Mizoram.

Rajasekharan will replace incumbent Lt. Gen Nirbhay Sharma, who is completing his tenure on May 28.

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