General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2016

Aug 2016

Sep 21, 2025

Jharkhand Launches 'Swachhta Hi Seva' Campaign to Boost Cleanliness and Sanitation

The 'Swachhta Hi Seva' campaign, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Mission, began across Jharkhand in September 2025.
The fortnight-long drive, which will continue until October 2, focuses on intensive cleanliness, sanitation, and waste segregation activities in urban areas of the state with the active involvement of civic bodies, schools, SHGs, and community groups.
The campaign, aligned with Gandhi Jayanti, will see daily activities across cities, towns, schools, and community spaces to promote responsible waste management and hygiene practices.

Tamil Nadu Becomes First State to Issue ID Cards for Women SHG Members

Tamil Nadu became the first state in India to issue identity cards to Women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, marking a significant milestone in the empowerment of women at the grassroots level.
The initiative launched by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin at Karuppur in Salem district, along with the distribution of Rs. 3,500 crore in loans to SHGs.
This move strengthens the institutional support for over five lakh SHGs operating in the state and enhances their access to both financial and social benefits.
The idea was born during a government function held five months ago in Tiruvarur, where SHG members requested ID cards for easier access to government schemes.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin responded by announcing the rollout of ID cards on March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women's Day.

EC De-Lists 474 Political Parties over Norm Violations

In a significant clean-up move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) de-listed 474 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for failing to comply with mandatory electoral and financial regulations.
This action came as part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring greater transparency and accountability among political entities in the country.
With this second round of delisting, the total number of parties removed from the register has reached 808 in just two months, marking a decisive shift in the way the EC enforces norms on political participation and financial disclosures.

Sep 20, 2025

Global Innovation Index 2025: Top 10 Countries, and Where India Ranks

India shown a notable improvement in innovation performance, moving up to 38^th place in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, as published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
This ranking places India ahead of its 2020 position of 48, and importantly, #1 among lower-middle-income economies and in the Central and Southern Asia region.
This steady rise demonstrates India's growing focus on research, innovation ecosystems, and technology-driven growth.
As per the GII 2025 report, the top 10 countries globally in innovation are,
1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. United States of America
4. Republic of Korea
5. Singapore
6. United Kingdom
7. Finland
8. Netherlands
9. Denmark
10. China

Meity Unveils Logo, Flagship Initiatives for India-AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) unveiled the logo and key initiatives for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, a landmark event set to position India as a global hub for responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence.
This will be the first time a Global South nation hosts the prestigious summit, which will be guided by the principles of People, Planet, and Progress.
The newly unveiled logo draws inspiration from the Ashoka Chakra, representing ethical governance, justice, and India's constitutional values.
Radiating from the chakra are neural network flares symbolising AI's power to bridge linguistic, industrial, and geographical divides and create inclusive progress.

India Re-elected to Council of Administration & POC at 28th Universal Postal Congress

India re-elected to the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council (POC) of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) during the 28th UPU Congress held in Dubai.
Ministry of Communications said in a statement that India's re-election reflects the confidence of the international community in India Post's leadership, reforms, and innovative digital initiatives.
The Universal Postal Union, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation among postal sector stakeholders.
The Council of Administration is responsible for policy, regulatory and governance matters, while the POC is the technical and operational body that drives the modernisation of postal services worldwide.

Sep 19, 2025

Gourangalal Das Appointed as India's New Ambassador to South Korea

In a significant diplomatic move, senior Indian Foreign Service officer Gourangalal Das appointed as India's next ambassador to South Korea in September 2025, a key strategic partner in East Asia.
The appointment came at a crucial time when India is strengthening its ties across the Indo-Pacific, and South Korea holds growing importance in trade, technology, defense, and regional stability.
Das was serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and leads the sensitive East Asia Division.
His experience in navigating high-stakes negotiations, especially with China, positioned him well for his assignment in Seoul.

CAG to Launch AI-Based Audit System for Better Oversight

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is developing their own Large Language Model (LLM), designed to help auditors access decades of institutional knowledge, thereby improving efficiency and consistency in audit analysis using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered system.
The system's first version is expected to be ready by November 2025. Previous inspection reports would be ingested for it to be trained.
The LLM will strengthen institutional capabilities in analysing large datasets and generating documents, including inspection reports, identifying patterns and risks with more accuracy, and assisting auditors in preparing comprehensive reports.

Sep 18, 2025

Election Commission Revamps EVM Ballot Paper Design

In a major step toward improving the voting experience and ballot clarity, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a revision in the design of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Ballot Papers.
The updated guidelines focus on enhanced visibility, uniformity, and readability to benefit voters across India.
This change was part of a broader set of 28 initiatives introduced by the Election Commission in the past six months, aimed at streamlining electoral processes and making voting more accessible and user-friendly.

India Rises to 38th in Global Innovation Index 2025

India shown a notable improvement in innovation performance, moving up to 38th place in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, as published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). This ranking places India ahead of its 2020 position of 48, and importantly, #1 among lower-middle-income economies and in the Central and Southern Asia region.
This steady rise demonstrates India's growing focus on research, innovation ecosystems, and technology-driven growth. For competitive exam aspirants, this topic is crucial under international reports, India's global performance, science and tech, and economic development.

India & FAO Join Hands to Build World-Class Blue Ports

The Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) signed a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to strengthen Blue Port infrastructure in India.
In line with this, the Department of Fisheries organised the first webinar in September 2025, under the FAO's TCP programme as part of a series of three webinars and physical workshops to build capacity and share global best practices.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, DoF addressed the webinar on the topic of "Foundations of a Blue Port: Generating Value in Fishing Ports".
The webinar also witnessed participation from Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India.

Sep 17, 2025

India Signs MoU with ILO to Advance global Classification of Occupations

In 2025, to enhance the global employability of Indian workers, the Union government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to advance the International Reference Classification of Occupations (IRCO).
The agreement aimed to help Indian youth access global job markets by aligning domestic occupational data with international standards.
The MoU was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, India's Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva, and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO.
Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya attended the event virtually.

Defence Minister to Hoists National Flag to Mark Telangana Liberation Day at Parade Grounds in Se...

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hoisted the national flag, participated in the parade by central para-military forces at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad, and also unveiled the statue of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Cantonment Park near Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) on the occasion of Telangana Liberation Day in September 2025.

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