General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2018

Jan 2018

Jun 06, 2025

S. Mahendra Dev Appointed Chairperson of Economic Advisory Council to PM

Economist S. Mahendra Dev was named the new chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). Dev assumed charge following his resignation from the board of Axis Bank.
The position had remained vacant since November last year (2024) after the death of Bibek Debroy, the council's first chairman. In the interim, NITI Aayog vice chairman Suman Bery had been overseeing EAC-PM in an additional capacity.
The EAC-PM functions as an advisory body to the Prime Minister, offering analysis and recommendations on key economic issues that warrant attention at the highest policy levels.

PM Modi Unveils World's Highest Railway Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's highest railway bridge, Chenab Rail Bridge and laid foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 46,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chenab Rail Bridge is a world's highest railway bridge and situated at a height of 359 meters above the river. This is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.

The 4th Meeting of the India - Central Asia Dialogue

External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar hosted the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan for the 4th meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi. The 3rd meeting of the Dialogue was hosted by India in New Delhi in December 2021.
India and Central Asia, in each other's 'Extended Neighbourhood', enjoy close and cordial contemporary diplomatic relations underpinned by millennia old cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The India-Central Asia Dialogue is a manifestation of mutual interest on the part of India and the Central Asian countries to forge even closer, wider and stronger partnership in a spirit of friendship, trust and mutual understanding.

Jun 05, 2025

Ashwani Lohani Appointed Director of Prime Ministers Museum and Library

Ashwani Lohani, former Chairman and Managing Director of Air India and ex-Chairman of the Railway Board, was appointed as the Director of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment for a tenure of three years, filling the vacancy left after the exit of former power secretary Sanjiv Nandan Sahai.

India, UK Hold 17th Foreign Office Consultations

India and the United Kingdom held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi, where the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral ties. The meeting also marked the launch of the first Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue (SETCD), aimed at deepening collaboration in high-technology and strategic sectors.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri led the Indian delegation, while the UK side was represented by Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The last FOC was held in London in May 2024.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across areas such as trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism, climate action, green energy, science and innovation, education, and people-to-people ties.

PM Modi, Paraguayan President Pena Strengthen Bilateral Relations

India and Paraguay decided to further strengthen their ties in sectors like clean energy, green hydrogen and biofuels.
The decision was taken during the delegation-level talk held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacios in New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met President Palacios and appreciated his positive sentiments and guidance for enhancing India-Paraguay cooperation in many domains. A Memorundum of Understanding was signed between India and Paraguay for establishment of Joint Commission Mechanism between the two nations.
President Pena was on a three-day State Visit to India, his first official trip to the country, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

Jun 04, 2025

India Wins Presidency of International Institute of Administrative Sciences

India won the Presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS). The International Institute of Administrative Sciences, a notable global institution, is a federation of 31 member countries, 20 national sections, and 15 academic research centres jointly collaborating on scientific research in public administration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had nominated the Indian candidate, Secretary DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances), Shri V. Srinivas, for the 2025-2028 Presidency of IIAS in November 2024. Following Presidency hearings in February 2025, the candidacies of India, South Africa, and Austria were forwarded to the IIAS General Body. Subsequently, South Africa withdrew its candidacy in favour of India in May 2025.
The election between India and Austria was held, in which 141 votes were polled. India secured 87 votes (61.7 per cent of the vote), while Austria received 54 votes (38.3 per cent of the vote). India's candidacy received widespread support from across the membership.

Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates 'Urban Adda 2025' and Launches Landmark Books on Cycling

Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Urban Adda 2025 conclave in New Delhi. A three-day conclave aims to unite young voices, experts, and leaders to forge sustainable urban futures.
During the event, coinciding with World Bicycle Day, Mandaviya formally launched two landmark publications:
Cycling, Children & Cities, authored by Dr. Bhairavi Joshi
Road to Cycle2School, authored by Dr. Bhairavi Joshi and Ar. Kush Parikh
These books advocate the urgent redesign of urban environments to support active mobility, healthier lifestyles, and safer public spaces for children.
The Urban Adda 2025, running from June 3 to 5, features thematic sessions on climate-resilient cities, gender and mobility, clean air and water, waste management, and inclusive transport.

Jun 03, 2025

Mumbai Hosts Grand Finale of the 21st Rubaru Mr. India - World's Biggest Male Pageant

Mumbai, the city of dreams, witnessed a historic evening as it played host to the grand finale of the 21st Rubaru Mr India, the world's biggest male pageant. Held at the vibrant venue Butterfly High, the prestigious event celebrated excellence, talent and purpose-driven charisma among India's finest male pageant aspirants.
Hosted by the charismatic Ruchita Sharma, the event culminated in the crowning of India's official representatives to some of the most celebrated international male pageants. The winners of the evening were - Madhuram Daga (Rubaru Mr. India International), Rakesh Bhosekar (Rubaru Mr. India Global), Nipun Singh (Rubaru Mr. India Manhunt International), Anantha Krishna (Rubaru Mr. India Caballero Universal), Sonish Hinduja (Rubaru Mr. India Friendship International), Manjoy Bhattacharya (Rubaru Mr. India Glam International), Abhinav Ballary (Rubaru Mr. India Tourism World), Gokul Sahu (Rubaru Mr. India National Universe) and Rhythm Garg (Rubaru Mr. India Brand Ambassador). With its dazzling line-up and high-octane energy, this edition of Rubaru Mr. India proved why it continues to be a benchmark in the Indian and global pageant circuit.
Founded in 2004, Rubaru Mr. India has grown into the world's largest platform for male pageantry, consistently delivering international winners of Indian origin.

Jitendra Singh Launches 'Bharat Gen' - India' s First of Its Kind Indigenously Developed Governme...

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, launched 'Bharat Gen', India's first-of-its-kind, indigenously developed, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based, government-funded, Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) for Indian languages, at the prestigious "BharatGen Summit"—India's largest Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and LLM summit and hackathon.
Developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and implemented through TIH Foundation for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay, BharatGen aims to revolutionise AI development across India's linguistic and cultural spectrum. The initiative is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and brings together a robust consortium of leading academic institutions, experts, and innovators.

India to Build First-Ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV) as GRSE Signs MoU with Norway's Kongsberg

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal attended an important MoU signing ceremony between Kolkata based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Norway's Kongsberg Oslo. The MoU paves the way for India to build it first ever Polar Research Vessel (PRV) indigenously.
The MoU between GRSE and Knogsberg marks an important milestone for India's shipbuilding sector as it will receive design expertise for developing the PRV, while taking into account the requirement of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCOPR), who will use it for research activities in the polar and southern ocean realms. GRSE, with its rich experience of constructing complex maritime platforms like warships, survey & research vessels, will build this PRV in its yard in Kolkata, ensuring a boost to Government's 'Make In India' initiative.

Asian Development Bank Withdraws Loan for Assam Solar Power Project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) withdrew a $434.25 million loan to a proposed 1000 MW Solar Park in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in Assam, following a request from the Union finance ministry. The ministry sought the withdrawal of the loan following a request from the Government of Assam, which faced stiff opposition from the local Karbi, Naga, Kachari and Adivasi communities. These communities had opposed the land diversion to the project, citing displacement of 24 villages in the project area.
The solar power project, proposed as a part of the Assam government's flagship 'Mukhya Mantri Soura Shakti Prokolpo' scheme, sought to divert 2,396.5 hectares or 18,000 bigha land near Khatkhati in Karbi Anglong that shares its borders with Nagaland.

India and Japan Agrees to Deepen Maritime Relations

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency, Terada Yoshimichi, Japan's Vice Minister for International Affairs, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLITT) in Oslo. With a goal to deepen the maritime relations between the two countries, the meeting entailed discussions on multiple areas including investment by Japanese Shipyards, collaboration on port digitisation and green port initiatives, increase in R&D cooperation, up-skilling human resources, employment of Indian seafarers in Japan among others.
Both the ministers also discussed about using sustainable technologies, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity to enable Andaman Nicobar islands and Lakswadeep islands to be converted into Smart Islands.

Jun 02, 2025

Asian Development Bank Chief Pledges $10 Billion for India's Urban Infrastructure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Masato Kanda, where the latter promised to pledge $10 billion for Indian urban infrastructure development over a period of five years.
The $10 billion investment will seek to transform urban infrastructure across the country, including municipal infrastructure development, Metro extensions, new regional rapid transit system (RRTS) corridors and modernisation of urban services.

Government Notifies New Jammu Railway Division

The new Railway Division, headquartered at Jammu Tawi and operating under the Northern Railway, came into effect from June 1. It is the 70th division of Indian Railways.
The new division will oversee a substantial area, primarily comprising sections transferred from the Firozpur Division, which is as old as the Indian Railways.
Key sections now under the new division include Pathankot–Jammu– Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan –Srinagar–Baramulla (423 km), Bhogpur Sirwal–Pathankot (87 km), Batala–Pathankot (68 km) and Pathankot–Joginder Nagar narrow gauge section (164 km).

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