General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2018

Jan 2018

Jun 18, 2025

Bihar Becomes First State to Adopt e-voting System for Urban Polls

The Bihar State Election Commission (SEC) initiated the rollout of a mobile-based e-voting system, making Bihar the first Indian state to adopt such a modern and inclusive voting process. The new system will be launched during the municipal and urban body polls scheduled for June 28, 2025.
e-voting refers to the process of casting votes through electronic devices, in this case, Android-based mobile phones. This method allows eligible voters to participate in elections remotely, without the need to visit a polling booth.
One of the key highlights of Bihar's e-voting system is its robust digital security infrastructure. The system incorporates advanced technological features to ensure tamper-proof and secure elections.

India Hosts First Assembly of International Big Cat Alliance in Delhi

The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the conservation of big cats, was held in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and attended by ministerial delegations from nine countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, and Kazakhstan.
The Assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav as the President and S. P. Yadav as the Director General of IBCA. It also ratified key documents, including the Headquarters Agreement with India, the Workplan, Rules of Procedure, and Financial Regulations, laying the groundwork for effective operations of the alliance.
The IBCA, established by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority in March 2024, comprises 95 range countries.

Jun 17, 2025

India Appoints Ambassador to North Korea after 4 Years

India appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next ambassador to North Korea, marking a step in re-establishing diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang after a four-year hiatus.
India reopened its embassy in Pyongyang in December 2024, nearly four years after it was shut down in July 2021 amid pandemic-related disruptions. Atul Malhari Gotsurve was the last ambassador posted in North Korea before the closure. Ahead of resuming operations, New Delhi undertook security assessments and anti-surveillance measures.

Amitabh Kant Resigns as India's G20 Sherpa

Amitabh Kant stepped down as India's G20 Sherpa, ending a 45-year career in government service. The former NITI Aayog CEO, who represented India at the G20 since 2022 and played a key role during its 2023 presidency, announced that he will now engage with start-ups, think tanks, and academic institutions in a personal capacity.
Kant served as NITI Aayog's longest-tenured CEO, holding the post for over six years from February 2016 to June 2022, before being appointed India's G20 Sherpa in July 2022.

Jun 16, 2025

Maharashtra Panchayat Adopts eOffice System

A panchayat in the tribal belt of Maharashtra adopted paperless governance, courtesy the eOffice system extending its reach to the grassroots level.
Rohini, located in Maharashtra's Dhule district, is possibly the first village panchayat in the country to implement the eOffice system, a digital workplace solution for government offices.

India's 16th Census Announced for 2027

The Government of India officially notified that the country's 16^th national census, and the 8^th after Independence, will be conducted in 2027, with caste enumeration being included for the first time since 2011. The census will adopt a digital format, involve self-enumeration, and deploy strict data security protocols. It marks a significant step in India's demographic, social, and policy planning landscape.
Reference Date (Mainland India): 00:00 hours, March 1, 2027
Reference Date (Snow-bound areas): October 1, 2026, for Ladakh, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

India's First Agri-Drone Indigenisation Hub in Chennai

Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated India's first Agri-Drone Indigenisation Facility of Garuda Aerospace in Chennai. Alongside the launch, the Minister also unveiled 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and flagged off the DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme, positioning India at the forefront of drone innovation, self-reliance, and skill development. The initiative is a significant step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a Global Drone Hub by 2030.

PM Modi Makes Historic First Visit to Cyprus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Cyprus, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to the island nation. The visit was an important stopover ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada and a reflection of India's renewed focus on strengthening ties with European partners.
PM Modi was received by the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. His was described described as a historic moment by both Indian and Cyprus diplomatic sources.
Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks with the President of Cyprus. Key issues on the agenda included expanding cooperation in trade and investment, IT and innovation, defence, shipping, renewable energy, and people-to-people ties.
PM Modi visited Cyprus at the invitation of President Nicos Christodoulides and was accompanied by a large delegation of around 100 officials.

Jun 14, 2025

"Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption"- Lokpal of India Adopts a New Motto

The full bench of Lokpal of India adopted a new motto "Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption".
The Lokpal is a statutory anti-corruption body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
It consists of a Chairperson and up to 8 members, with at least 50% being judicial members.
50% of members must belong to SC/ST/OBC, minorities, or women.
Appointment Process: Appointed by the President based on recommendations from a Selection Committee.

Jun 13, 2025

Piyush Goyal Concludes Official Visit to Switzerland and Sweden to Strengthen Trade Ties

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his official visit to Switzerland on June 9, 2025, as part of his ongoing visit to Switzerland and Sweden from June 9 to 13, 2025. This visit underscored India's steadfast commitment to deepening strategic and economic partnerships with key European nations, advancing robust trade and investment ties, and supporting a shared vision for resilient global growth.
The visit marks a key milestone in enhancing India's engagement with two of Europe's most innovative economies. Minister Goyal's meetings are designed to facilitate high-impact interactions with senior government officials, industry leaders, and business associations in both countries.

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