General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

Aug 30, 2025

MoS Margherita Inaugurates 5th Edition of ASEAN-India Youth Summit in Goa

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, inaugurated the 5th edition of the ASEAN-India Youth Summit in Goa.
Over 100 young leaders from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste & India deliberated on the theme "Connecting the Youth: Shaping our Future".

Centre Names Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel as IMF Executive Director

The government approved the appointment of former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Dr. Urjit Patel as Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a three-year term.
Patel's appointment follows the abrupt termination of Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian's services, which ended his term about six months early. He is widely regarded as a key architect of India's inflation-targeting framework for monetary policy.
A Kenyan-born Indian economist, Patel began his career at the IMF over 30 years ago. He initially worked in Washington, D.C., before moving to India in 1992 as the IMF's deputy resident representative in New Delhi.
He became the 24th governor of the RBI in 2016, succeeding Raghuram Rajan. In 2018, he became the first RBI governor to resign for personal reasons, serving the shortest term since 1992.

India, Canada Hit Reset, Name New Envoys

Almost ten months after India and Canada expelled each other's High Commissioners in a tit-for-tat move, both countries announced their new envoys. The development came two months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney agreed on the early return of High Commissioners as part of the constructive steps to restore stability.
New Delhi named Dinesh Patnaik, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service officer who is currently serving as India's ambassador to Spain, as its High Commissioner to Canada, and Ottawa named Christopher Cooter as its High Commissioner to India.

Aug 29, 2025

India, Qatar Hold Talks to Expand Investment Cooperation

India and Qatar held a high-level meeting to explore opportunities for boosting Qatari investments in India, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transport, logistics, food processing, healthcare, semiconductors, and finance.
The discussions followed up on Qatar's commitment to invest $10 billion and open an office of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in India, a pledge made during the state visit of Qatar's Amir to India in February 2025.
Both sides agreed to promote further discussions for investments by QIA and other Qatari entities, focusing on key sectors, projects, and companies. The Qatari delegation conveyed confidence in India's economic growth and technological advancements.

Bhubaneswar Hosts National Conference on Welfare of SCs and STs

Bhubaneswar is hosting a two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of Committees on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on August 29–30. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the conference.
Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Surama Padhy, delivered the welcome address, while Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi proposed the vote of thanks.
More than 120 delegates, including Chairpersons and Members of Committees on the Welfare of SCs and STs from Parliament and State/UT legislatures, are taking part in the conference. The theme is 'Role of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees in Welfare, Development and Empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes'.

Regional Conference of Skill Ministers - Kaushal Manthan Held in Chandigarh

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) convened the Regional Conference of Skill Ministers 'Kaushal Manthan' in Chandigarh, a landmark dialogue aimed at deepening collaboration between the Centre, States and Union Territories on the future of skills and entrepreneurship. Guided by the vision of the Prime Minister's mantra of skilling, re-skilling and up skilling, the conference, chaired by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, brought together Skill Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officers and policy leaders from across North India.
The conference witnessed the participation from State/UT Governments of Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Aug 28, 2025

Goa Cabinet Reshuffle

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant allocated portfolios to Digambar Kamat and Ramesh Tawadkar, days after they were inducted into the Cabinet.
While Kamat, who served as the Chief Minister of Goa from 2007 to 2012 during the last Congress government in the state, was allocated the portfolios of Public Works Department (PWD), captain of ports, and legal metrology, former speaker Tawadkar was allocated tribal welfare, art and culture, and Sports and Youth Affairs.

India and Bhutan Sign MoU on Technical Cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors

Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India and Thinley Namgyel, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), Royal Government of Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Thimpu to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and allied sectors.
The signing of MoU represents a significant milestone in the enduring partnership between India and Bhutan, reflecting the two countries' shared commitment to food security, sustainable farming, and rural prosperity. It will serve as a framework for collaboration in various areas outlined in the MoU including agricultural research and innovation, livestock health and production, post-harvest management, value chain development, and the exchange of knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Assam Government Approves SOP For Inter Religious Land Transfer

The Assam government approved a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for inter-religious land transfer in the state.
Briefing over the decision Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that all such transfers will come to the government.

Cabinet Approves ₹12,328 crore Railway Projects across Five States

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved four major railway projects worth around ₹12,328 crore aimed at boosting connectivity, freight movement, and regional development. The projects include one new rail line in Gujarat's Kutch region and multi-tracking works in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Assam.

Aug 27, 2025

NHAI Launches 'Project Aarohan' for Toll Workers' Children

In a step toward promoting inclusive education and social equity, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched 'Project Aarohan' to support the educational aspirations of children of toll plaza employees. The initiative, unveiled in collaboration with Vertis Infrastructure Trust, aims to break financial and social barriers for students from economically weaker and marginalised communities across India.
Launched at the NHAI Headquarters in New Delhi by Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, 'Project Aarohan' reflects a commitment to those who operate India's national highways and their families. The project is designed to enable equal access to quality education, particularly for,
Girls from low-income households
First-generation learners
Students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minority communities

Rajasthan Becomes First State to Implement Supreme Court Order on Stray Dogs

Following the Supreme Court's directive on stray dogs, the Rajasthan government took the lead in managing the animals more systematically.
The Department of Autonomous Governance has issued strict instructions to all municipal corporations, councils, and municipalities, making compliance with the Stray Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023 mandatory.
Under the new guidelines, feeding points for dogs will be marked in every ward and locality, with urban bodies directed to coordinate with resident welfare associations and animal welfare organisations. Even in cases of rabies, arrangements for food and water will be ensured at these feeding spots.
Ravi Jain, Secretary, Local Self Government Department, said that Rajasthan is the first state in the country to issue such comprehensive orders balancing public safety and animal welfare after the Supreme Court's decision.

India Launches First Guidelines for Animal Blood Banks

The Government of India released the first national guidelines for veterinary blood transfusion services. The initiative addresses a long-standing gap in standardised animal care, especially during emergencies. Issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the guidelines introduce a structured framework for animal blood donation, storage, and transfusion, aimed at improving animal welfare, biosafety, and one health integration.
Until now, most animal blood transfusions in India were performed during emergencies without standardized protocols. Issues included,
No consistent donor screening or health verification
Lack of blood typing or cross-matching
Absence of biosafety measures

Aug 26, 2025

With No Withdrawal, All Set for Direct Contest between NDA, Opposition for V-P's Post

With neither of the two candidates for the vice presidential election withdrawing their nomination, the stage is set for a direct contest between ruling NDA nominee C. P. Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy on September 9.
Both candidates this time hail from southern India, with Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and Reddy from Telangana. The vice-presidential poll has been described by the opposition as an ideological battle, even as the numbers are stacked in favour of the ruling NDA.

PM Modi Holds Delegation-level Talks with Fijian Counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, at the Hyderabad House and discussed ways to further deepen the long-standing partnership and close ties between the two nations.
This was Sitiveni Rabuka's first visit to India in his current capacity.
He was accompanied by his spouse, Sulueti Rabuka, along with a high-level delegation that included Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officials.

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