General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2016

Sep 2016

Jan 17, 2025

Smriti Irani, Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur Join PM Museum's New Power Team; Nripendra Mishra Gets Anot...

The Prime Ministers' Museum & Library (PMML) society and executive council were reconstituted with former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, getting another five year term as the organisation's chairperson. However, there were several new entrants at the premier institution's society — including former Union Minister Smriti Irani, former NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed Ata Hasnain, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Sanskar Bharati's Vasudev Kamath.
The key decision-making body of PMML — helmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its president, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as vice-president — was also expanded 34 members, instead of 29 earlier. While its term expired on January 13, 2025, the Ministry of Culture notified the reconstitution of the body for a five-year term.

India Signs Haj Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Quota Fixed at 1,75,025 Pilgrims

India signed a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for itself. Ministry of Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to be Chief Guest at Republic Day 2025 Celebrations

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest of India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26, the government announced.
While this will be President Prabowo's first visit to India in his capacity as president after assuming office in October 2024, this is the fourth time that an Indonesian leader has been invited as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. President Sukarno attended the very first Republic Day celebrations in independent India in 1950.

Jan 16, 2025

Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project

The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation in Rajasthan. This project will impact 23 districts and is crucial for providing water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. However, it poses environmental challenges, particularly regarding the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
The PKC-ERCP will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. This reserve is home to 57 tigers and is vital for wildlife conservation. The project aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal river basin, benefiting approximately 3.45 crore people in Rajasthan.

India to Host 28th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2026

The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation in Rajasthan. This project will impact 23 districts and is crucial for providing water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. However, it poses environmental challenges, particularly regarding the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
The PKC-ERCP will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. This reserve is home to 57 tigers and is vital for wildlife conservation. The project aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal river basin, benefiting approximately 3.45 crore people in Rajasthan.

Jan 15, 2025

Union Minister Sonowal Unveils National River Traffic & Navigation System

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) during the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kaziranga, Assam. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of inland waterway transportation across India.
A significant policy initiative, the Riverine Community Development Scheme, was introduced to improve the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities. This scheme focuses on developing infrastructure, promoting trade and tourism, and providing skill enrichment training to enhance the quality of life for those living along the National Waterways.

Amit Shah, Chairs a Regional Conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The Home Minister also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office complex of Bhopal Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and extension of MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.
The objective of the conference, organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau, is to focus on tackling the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and union territories of northern India.

Odisha Announces Monthly Pension of Rs. 20,000 & Free Medical Treatment for Emergency Detainees

Odisha government announced a monthly pension of Rs. 20,000 for people who were imprisoned during the Emergency of 1975, imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The pension scheme, effective from January 1, follows Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's pledge on Independence Day to recognise them.
Eith this decision Odisha joined several other states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Assam, who have similar pension schemes in place for Emergency detainees.

Jan 14, 2025

PM Modi Launches Mission Mausam to Make India more Weather-Ready

Prime Minister Modi launched 'Mission Mausam', an ambitious initiative to significantly enhance India's capabilities in weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster management. The mission will focus on the development of cutting-edge technologies such as next-generation weather radars, high-resolution atmospheric observations, satellites, and advanced high-performance computing systems.
The IMD, which will turn 150 on January 15, has lined up a series of events, workshops, and activities to highlight its achievements, its pivotal role in building climate resilience, and the contribution of government institutions in delivering essential weather and climate services.

Department of Biotechnology Hosts the Fifth Webinar in its Webinar Series on Biomanufacturing and...

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India held its fifth webinar in the Biofoundry and Bio-manufacturing Initiative series. This event took place on January 13, 2025, and focused on the theme "Bio-manufacturing for Climate Resilient Agriculture." This topic is a vital component of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) Policy, which aims to position India as a global leader in bio-based innovations. Approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024, the BioE3 Policy emphasises sustainable bio-manufacturing across various sectors, including agriculture. The initiative seeks to support economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The webinar served as a platform for academia, industry leaders, start-ups, and researchers to discuss advancements and opportunities in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for climate resilience in agriculture. As climate change poses significant threats to food security, it is essential to sustain agricultural yields and improve quality while protecting the environment. The entire agricultural value chain, from production to waste management, requires a comprehensive overhaul to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.

India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee Meeting on Trade trAnsit and Cooperation Concludes in Ka...

The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade was held in Kathmandu in January 2025.
Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, Sunil Barthwal led the Indian delegation which included senior officials from various Ministries and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. The Nepali side was headed by Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal, Gobinda Bahadur Karkee, accompanied by representatives from different Nepali Ministries and Departments.
This meeting of the IGC, a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, carried out a comprehensive review of the whole gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationship. Both sides reviewed mutual market access issues, IPR and duty related issues. The agenda also included discussions on review of the Treaty of Transit and the Treaty of Trade, proposed amendments to existing agreements, the harmonisation of standards and the synchronised development of trade infrastructure including the electrification of the Raxaul-Birgunj rail line.

Jan 13, 2025

PM Inaugurates Z-Morh Tunnel

The Z-Morh tunnel, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a significant step in creating a year-round strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh. The tunnel is critical for ensuring continuous access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination, which was previously inaccessible during the winter months due to snow and avalanches. Built under the Thajiwas Glacier, it bypasses landslide-prone areas and includes an intelligent traffic management system to enhance safety and control vehicle flow. The tunnel will boost winter tourism in Kashmir and support military logistics to Ladakh.

Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025

Department of Youth Affairs, under the leadership of Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya organised the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue from in January 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, which was a re-imagination of the National Youth Festival, aimed to provide a unique platform for youth to present innovative solutions for Viksit Bharat. It offered young leaders an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, national and global icons while contributing their ideas for shaping the nation's future. Young leaders throughout the country participated in various events and articulated their ideas of Viksit Bharat with participation of close to 30 lakh youth.
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 commenced with an exciting array of activities. Participants engaged in thematic presentations and competitions focusing on 10 identified themes which are:
Tech for Viksit Bharat
Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi
Empowering Youth for Viksit Bharat
Enhancing Productivity in Agriculture
Making India the Startup Capital of the World
Making India a Sporting and FIT Nation
Making India the Global Manufacturing Powerhouse
Steering India Towards a Sustainable Future
Building the Infrastructure for the Future
Empowering Women and Improving Social Indicators

India Announces Investment of Rs. 50,000 Crore in National Waterways Over 5 Years

In a move to enhance the country's inland water transport infrastructure, the Indian government announced an investment of Rs. 50,000 crore over the next five years. This initiative aims to develop and improve national waterways, promoting sustainable and efficient transportation.
New Waterways and Green Shipping: Approximately 50% of the total investment is earmarked for the development of new national waterways and the promotion of green shipping initiatives. This includes the introduction of 1,000 green vessels to bolster eco-friendly transportation.
Expansion of Water Metro Projects: Building on the success of Kochi's Water Metro project, the government plans to extend similar projects to 15 cities, including Guwahati, enhancing urban water transport connectivity.
Infrastructure Development: The plan includes constructing six floating steel jetties on the river Godavari (National Waterway 4) at locations such as Gandipochamma Temple, Pochavaram, and Perantapalli village in Andhra Pradesh, facilitating better access and trade opportunities.
The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC), established in 2023, plays a pivotal role in this initiative, fostering collaboration between central and state governments to maximise the economic potential of inland water bodies.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May 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