General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2016

Jul 2016

Feb 25, 2021

PM to Inaugurate Multiple Development projects in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development initiatives. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for 4 laning of NH45-A - 56 km Sattanathapuram - Nagapattinam package of Villupuram to Nagapattinam project covering Karaikal district in Puducherry.
The capital cost to be incurred in this project is about Rs. 2,426 crores. He will also lay the foundation stone of the Medical College Building at Karaikal New Campus - Phase I, Karaikal District (JIPMER). The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 491 crore.

Gujarat Civic Polls: BJP Retains Power

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept elections to six municipal corporations in Gujarat by winning 483 out of 576 seats.
The ruling party retained power in all the six municipal corporations in the state -- Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar.
The main opposition Congress got a drubbing, as it won only 55 seats and failed even to open an account in Surat.
On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) put up an impressive show by winning 27 seats, all in Surat, and emerged as the main opposition in the Surat Municipal Corporation.
The AAP had for the first time fielded 470 candidates across all six corporations.

India 2nd Biggest Target of Cybercriminals in Asia Pacific in 2020

According to an IBM report, India was the second most attacked country by cyber criminals after Japan in Asia Pacific in 2020.
In 2020, IBM Security X-Force observed attackers pivoting their attacks to businesses for which global COVID-19 response efforts heavily relied on, such as hospitals, medical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as energy companies powering the COVID-19 supply chain.
India was the second most attacked country in the Asia Pacific. Attacks on India made up 7 per cent of all attacks X-Force observed on Asia in 2020.
Finance and insurance was the top attacked industry in India (60 per cent), followed by manufacturing and professional services.

India Reminds Turkey of UNSC Resolution on Cyprus

In a strong message to Turkey, India reminded Turkey of United Nations Security Council or UNSC resolutions on Cyprus after the latter raked UNSC resolutions on Kashmir.
India's Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Geneva, Seema Pujani said, "As far as the subject of UN Resolutions is concerned, we would advise Turkey to practise what it preaches by first implementing those UN Resolutions that apply to it."
UNSC's resolution on Cyprus has been a cause of embarrassment to Turkey even as it continues to occupy the northern part of the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey in the past, especially after India removed special status for the erstwhile state for Jammu and Kashmir has been supporting Pakistani "cause" at various multilateral organizations especially the UN.

Feb 24, 2021

Kushinagar Becomes Third International Airport in UP

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that Uttar Pradesh got its third international airport in the form of Kushinagar. Puri said that this will help boost tourism in the region.
Kushinagar Airport will boost tourism in the region & facilitate travel on Buddhist circuit by providing direct aviation connectivity to the city where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.
The airport is located in the vicinity of several Buddhist cultural sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu and Lumbini. The other two international airports in Uttar Pradesh are Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport of Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport of Varanasi. Another one is being built in Jewar, Greater Noida.

Chhattisgarh: Peace Panel Formed for Dialogue with Maoists and the State

Activists, journalists and social workers constituted a peace committee to initiate dialogue between Maoists and the government with the objective of attaining lasting peace in Maoist-affected regions of Chhattisgarh.
The committee named Concerned Citizens' Committee of Chhattisgarh (4Cs), comprises 11 members who will lead the negotiations with the state and the Maoists, while bringing them on a common platform.
Former Union minister Arvind Netam, former chairperson of the SC/ST Commission Nandkumar Sai, leader of Sarv Adivasi Samaj B Rawte, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader in Bastar, Manish Kunjam, executive president of the Sarv Adiwasi Samaj B.S Rawte, journalists Diwakar Muktibodh, Kamal Shukla, social worker Virendra Pandey, Indu Girish Pankaj, and RD Rao are panel members.
Peace activist Shubhranshu Chaudhary has been made the convenor of the committee.

340-km RRR around Hyderabad to be Longest Bypass in India

The road transport and highways ministry gave 'in principle' nod for the 340 km 'Regional Ring Road' (RRR) around Hyderabad, which will connect all districts of Telangana with the state capital. The RRR, a four-lane access-controlled highway will cost Rs. 16,000 crore. This will be the longest bypass in India.
Announcing the decision at Union minister Nitin Gadkari's home, junior home minister G Kishan Reddy said, "Gadkariji has assured us the road will be built in three years once state acquires land. We are urging state government to take proactive steps to fast-track it for development of Telangana."
In November 2016, the highways' ministry had given 'in principle' nod for declaring the two parts of RRR – northern and southern — as national highway. Monday's decision has now paved the way for land acquisition and preparatory work.
The RRR is to be taken up in two parts. The northern part of 158 km, connecting Sangareddy, Narasapur, Toopran, Gajwel, Yadadri, Pragnapur, Bhongir and Choutuppal will be taken up at a tentative cost of Rs. 7,560 crore. It will be totally funded by the Centre and another Rs. 1,961 crore will be spent for land acquisition. The state government has agreed to bear 50% of the land acquisition and pre-construction cost.

Feb 23, 2021

Haryana Congress to Move No-confidence Motion against BJP-JJP Govt.

- Amid the ongoing farmers' protest against the Central agri laws, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the party has decided to bring a no-confidence motion against the BJP-JJP government in Haryana.
- The Congress leader claimed that two independent MLAs who were supporting the Haryana government, have withdrawn their support.
- The comments came days after Hooda held a march to the Governor's house and demanded a special session of Assembly to move a no-confidence motion against the government.

Narayanaswamy Resigns as Puducherry CM after Losing Majority in Assembly

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy submitted his resignation to Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan as his Congress-led government lost the majority ahead of the floor test in the Assembly.
Speaker VP Sivakolundhu announced that the Chief Minister could not prove his majority in the Assembly and adjourned the house sine die. The Treasury benches also raised the issue of voting rights to nominated MLAs.
He alleged that former Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and the Central government colluded with the Opposition in a bid to topple his government in the Union territory.

Prakash Javadekar Inaugurates Atal Paryavaran Bhavan

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar inaugurated the Atal Paryavaran Bhavan at Lakshadweep. He said that Lakshadweep will undergo a comprehensive development, without compromising its commitment to nature.
He attended high level meetings with Secretaries of various departments in Lakshadweep administration. Tomorrow and day after tomorrow he will take part in various official programmes at Suheli, Kadmat and Bangaram islands. He will also evaluate the major innovative initiatives of the Union Territory's Forest and Environment Department.

Mehbooba Mufti Re-elected PDP President

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a three-year term. Mufti's name was proposed by senior leader Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura and seconded by Khurshid Alam, a party spokesperson said after the election. Senior leader Surinder Chaudhary was the returning officer for the election.
After getting re-elected, she said, "PDP is born to fight for the rights of people. Let IGP Kashmir do his duty, I will do mine." Reacting to the statement of the IGP Kashmir that political activists are trying to instigate people, Mehbooba said, "I have talked for the people right all the problems people are facing I have to talk about that and if the IGP thinks I am doing against law then let him do his duty, I will do my duty."

BJP Wins Both Seats: Gujarat

BJP nominees Dineshchandra Anavadiya and Rambhai Mokariya were declared elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat as the opposition Congress did not field candidates for the two vacant seats, one of which was held by its veteran leader Ahmed Patel.
The two seats had fallen vacant following the demise of the sitting MPs belonging to the Congress and the BJP.
One of the seats was held by veteran Congressman Ahmed Patel since 1993 till his death on November 25 last year due to complications related to COVID-19.
The other seat fell vacant as BJP's Abhay Bharadwaj, a first time MP elected to the RS in 2019, too, died in December 1, 2020.

Feb 22, 2021

Centre Reconstitutes NITI Aayog Governing Council

The Centre has reconstituted the governing council of the NITI Aayog with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its chairperson.
According to a notification of the Cabinet Secretariat, Chief Ministers of all states and those of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Puducherry are full time members of the council.
The Lieutenant Governors of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, and the administrators of Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep will be special invitees of the governing council.

National Anthem Played in Nagaland Assembly for First Time in Almost 6 Decades

The national anthem was played in the Northeastern state of Nagaland for the first time in February, almost 60 years after it attained statehood. Given that Nagaland has been ravaged by secessionist violence for decades, the move was historic.
Nagaland attained statehood on December 1, 1963, and was the 16th State of the Union.

Hoshangabad to be Renamed as Narmadapuram

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that Hoshangabad city in the state would be renamed as Narmadapuram and a proposal to that effect would be sent to the Centre.
He made the announcement during the Narmada Jayanti programme held in Hoshangabad.
Narmada is the lifeline of Madhya Pradesh. Hoshangabad was so far named after an attacker Hoshang Shah, but will be known after the lifeline Maa Narmada.

TMC Launches Poll Slogan

The Trinamool Congress launched its slogan for the upcoming Assembly elections—'Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chaye', adding to the shrill insider vs outsider debate while portraying Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the daughter of Bengal.
The slogan, which translates to 'Bengal wants its own daughter', with Banerjee's photo was put up on hoardings across Kolkata as the state's ruling party officially launched it from its headquarters off EM Bypass.
The Trinamool Congress is engaged in a bitter political fight with the BJP, pitching the opposition party's leaders as outsiders who are on election tourism to the state.

Feb 21, 2021

25 cities selected for Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge

The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry announced the names of the 25 cities selected for the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge under the Smart Cities Mission.
The shortlisted cities would carry out projects for making early childhood-friendly neighbourhoods.
The selected cities were Agartala, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Dharamshala, Erode, Hubballi-Dharwad, Hyderabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Kakinada, Kochi, Kohima, Kota, Nagpur, Rajkot, Ranchi, Rohtak, Rourkela, Salem, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruppur, Ujjain, Vadodara, and Warangal.

Amit Shah Addresses Shauryanjali Program In Kolkata

In order to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a committee has been constituted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi which will bring a big change in the country, said Union Minister Amit Shah.
Home minister attended 'Shauryanjali Program' at National Library in Kolkata.
'Shauryanjali Program' is an event which is a tribute to icons of Bengal. As a mark of tribute to the freedom fighters like Netaji, Khudiram Bose and Rash Behari Bose Amit Shah also announced that a cycle yatra will be flagged off in three batches from the National Library in Kolkata. One will be named after Netaji, one after Ras Behari Bose and one will be named after Khudiram Bose.

Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 Launched

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0, (IMI 3.0) to expand immunization coverage across the country.
It will have two rounds starting from the 22nd of this month and the 22nd of March this year and will be conducted in pre-identified 250 districts and urban areas across 29 States and UTs in the country. Both rounds will be for 15 days each. A portal of IMI 3.0 has also been launched besides releasing the Operational Guidelines and the awareness material of the campaign.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Harsh Vardhan noted that IMI 3.0 will build on the gains of previous phases of the campaign and make lasting gains towards Universal Immunization.
AIR correspondent reports that the IMI 3.0 is aimed at reaching the unreached population with all the available vaccines under Universal Immunisation Programme and thereby accelerate the full immunization and complete immunization coverage of children and pregnant women.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar Inaugurates Atal Paryavaran Bhavan

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar inaugurated the Atal Paryavaran Bhavan at Lakshadweep.
He said that Lakshadweep will undergo a comprehensive development, without compromising it's commitment to nature.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

September GK, August GK, July GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26