General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2018

Jan 2018

May 03, 2025

IIT-Kanpur Tasked with Developing AI to Clean Yamuna, Tackle Air Pollution

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that he has tasked IIT-Kanpur with building AI "technology" for cleaning Yamuna, easing congestion and targeting other urban challenges.
"Cleaning the Yamuna is both our commitment and responsibility. IIT-Kanpur is working on AI-driven solutions to clean the Yamuna and tackle air pollution," he added.

Election Commission Introduces Key Reforms

In a significant move to bolster the integrity and accuracy of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) unveiled three major initiatives. These reforms aim to streamline voter data management and enhance the efficiency of electoral processes.
Key reforms announced by ECI to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls:
1. Electronic integration of death registrations
To address the issue of deceased individuals remaining on electoral rolls, the ECI plans to electronically integrate death registration data with the electoral database. This collaboration with civil registration authorities will facilitate the timely removal of names of deceased persons, ensuring cleaner and more accurate voter lists.
2. Enhanced voter information slips
The Commission is set to redesign Voter Information Slips to make them more user-friendly and informative. These slips will provide voters with clear details about their polling stations, serial numbers in the electoral roll, and other essential information, thereby improving the voting experience and reducing confusion on election day.
3. Standardised identity cards for Booth Level Officers (BLOs)
Recognising the pivotal role of BLOs in maintaining electoral rolls, the ECI will issue standardised identity cards to these officials. This measure aims to enhance the credibility and accountability of BLOs, making it easier for voters to identify and interact with them during electoral processes.
These initiatives reflect the ECI's commitment to leveraging technology and administrative reforms to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process and ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their franchise with ease and confidence.

President Droupadi Murmu Launches 'Ageing with Dignity' Initiatives

President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced the 'Ageing with Dignity' event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. Organised by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the event marked the launch of several key initiatives aimed at the welfare of senior citizens.
On the occasion, the President virtually inaugurated senior citizen homes, launched a dedicated welfare portal for the elderly, oversaw the distribution of aids and assistive devices, and witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Brahma Kumaris organisation.

Create in India Challenge Season 1: Shaping India's Creative Future

The much-anticipated Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season 1, an initiative that captured the imagination of creators across the globe, culminated in a spectacular ceremony at WAVES 2025, made a significant milestone for India's creative landscape. This monumental event honoured the winners of 32 distinct challenges, spanning every domain of the media and entertainment industry, from animation, gaming, and filmmaking to AI, music, and digital art.
The prestigious awards were presented by a stellar lineup of industry legends, including Aamir Khan, Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Vikrant Massey, Prasoon Joshi, and Aroon Purie, alongside other dignitaries and officials.
This initiative served as a launch pad for the next generation of creators who are redefining India's position in the global entertainment and technology ecosystem.

May 02, 2025

Amit Shah Unveiled Statue of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma

Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a 9-feet-high statue of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, a revered leader of the Bodo community, widely recognised for his non-violent struggle for tribal identity, rights, and cultural preservation, in New Delhi, and a road and rotary were named in his honour. This was done on the occasion of his 35th death anniversary, acknowledging his significant contributions to tribal rights, identity, and peaceful activism, especially for Bodoland and the Bodo community.

Rakesh Verma Takes Charge as Director General, IIIDEM

Rakesh Verma, assumed charge as Director General, India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi. Verma is a 1993 batch IAS Officer from Punjab Cadre. He holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Delhi.
Prior to this, he was serving as Additional Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Earlier he also served as Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.
Ashish Goyal, assumed charge as Director General, Media in the Election Commission of India (ECI) today. Goyal is a 1996 batch IIS officer. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Panjab University and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.
Prior to this, he was serving as the Director General of National Museum, Ministry of Culture with additional charge of Director, Salar Jung Museum.

Sujata Chaturvedi Joins UPSC As A Board Member

Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, an accomplished civil servant with over three decades of experience, joined the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as a Member. With a rich professional background spanning both state and central government roles—including as Secretary in the Department of Sports—her appointment is seen as a significant addition to the Commission's expertise.

May 01, 2025

Rajnath Singh to Represent India at 80th Victory Day Event in Moscow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory Day to be held in Moscow on May 9.
President Vladimir Putin had invited Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the celebration in Moscow to watch the victory parade at the Red Square.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be attending the celebrations that include a military parade in Moscow on May 9.

Maharashtra Leads in Growth and Governance; Gujarat and Karnataka Follows

Maharashtra emerged as the top-performing state in the CareEdge State Ranking Report 2025, delivering its strong performance across economic, social, environmental and governance parameters. Maharashtra's inclusive growth, better infrastructure, and sound fiscal management positioned it as a top state in advancing the government's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. This is followed by Gujarat and Karnataka, placed at the second and third positions, respectively.
The annual rankings are based on 50 data points across seven areas: economy, government finances, infrastructure, financial growth, social development, governance, and environment.

Cabinet Backs Caste Count

The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs approved the inclusion of a caste census in the upcoming national population census. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who emphasised that this exercise will be conducted in a "transparent manner" to preserve social harmony.

Alok Joshi Appointed Chairman of National Security Advisory Board

The Union government revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Alok Joshi, a former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was appointed as the new head of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Six more members were also inducted into the board.
The members include Former Western Air Commander Air Marshal P. M. Sinha, former Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General A. K. Singh, and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna, all retired military officers. Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh are the two retired members of the Indian Police Service. B. Venkatesh Varma is a retired IFS officer in the seven-member board.
This decision came in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, including one Nepalese national, and injured many.

Centre Forms High-Level Committee for Disaster Management Oversight

The Central government constituted a High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and three others as its members to oversee matters related to the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The committee includes Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery as its members.
The committee has been constituted exercising the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 8B of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005).
The constitution of the committee aims at strengthening national preparedness and response under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh Takes Charge as Director General & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Af...

Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, a 1992 batch of the Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS), assumed office as the new Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA).
This premier think tank operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.

Apr 30, 2025

IAS Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal Assumes Charge as the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar

In preparation for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections in October-November 2025, the Election Commission appointed IAS officer Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal, a 2007-batch officer of the Bihar cadre, as the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar. Known for his administrative acumen and diverse departmental experience, Gunjiyal brings with him a strong governance track.
He replaced H. R. Srinivas, a 1996-batch IAS officer.

Shipping Ministry Hosts Workshop on Digital Transformation

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) organised one-day workshop on IT Procurement and Project Management in New Delhi, aiming to enhance digital efficiency and streamline IT implementation across India's maritime and shipping ecosystem.
The workshop was virtually inaugurated by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who emphasised the transformative role of technology in modernising port operations and enhancing service delivery for stakeholders.
The event witnessed active participation from senior officials of the Ministry, various ports, and associated organisations. In-depth sessions during the workshop focused on challenges in IT projects, identifying root causes, and exploring actionable solutions to improve project outcomes. Case studies from ongoing projects of the Ministry were discussed to draw practical insights.

MNRE Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) conducted a one-day National Workshop on opportunities for "Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Green Hydrogen Supply Chain", at New Delhi. The workshop was aimed to explore opportunities and discuss key role of MSMEs in development of green hydrogen ecosystem in India. Over 300 delegates participated from different stakeholder groups, including MSMEs, policymakers, technology providers, industry associations, and international partners.
Delivering the inaugural address, Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, highlighted the government's commitment to fostering innovation-led growth and emphasised that MSMEs will serve as the backbone of India's energy transition through their innovative capabilities and localised solutions. He highlighted the critical role MSMEs will play in realising the Mission's objectives of building a self-reliant green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030.
He also launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI). He mentioned that the scheme is a foundational step towards creating a robust framework for certifying green hydrogen production and ensuring transparency, traceability, and market credibility.

Apr 29, 2025

NMCG Approves Action Plan 2025 for Urban River Rejuvenation under River Cities Alliance

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved the Action Plan 2025 under the River Cities Alliance (RCA), focusing on strengthening urban river rejuvenation efforts across India. The plan aims to integrate river-sensitive urban planning into the rapidly urbanizing cities of India, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision of sustainable development.
The RCA, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, now consists of 145 cities committed to rejuvenating rivers through a comprehensive, integrated approach.

PM Participates in YUGM Conclave

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in YUGM Conclave at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. He also addressed the gathering on the occasion.
YUGM (meaning "confluence" in Sanskrit) is a first-of-its-kind strategic conclave convening leaders from government, academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. It will contribute to India's innovation journey, driven by a collaborative project of around Rs. 1,400 crore with joint investment from the Wadhwani Foundation and Government Institutions.
The Conclave aimed to catalyze large-scale private investment in India's innovation ecosystem; accelerate research-to-commercialisation pipelines in frontier tech; strengthen academia-industry-government partnerships; advance national initiatives like ANRF and AICTE Innovation; democratize innovation access across institutions; and foster a national innovation alignment toward Viksit Bharat@2047.

BJP Names Venkata Satyanarayana as Rajya Sabha Bypoll Candidate from Andhra

The BJP named P. Venkata Satyanarayana as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election from Andhra Pradesh.
Venkata Satyanarayana is a veteran BJP leader from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district with long-standing ties with the RSS.
Satyanarayana is a lawyer who held several roles in the party in Bhimavaram and also served as the party's vice president for Andhra Pradesh between 2018 and 2021.

Govt. Sets Up Committee to Draft Plan for New National Manufacturing Mission

In a step towards strengthening the Make in India initiative, the government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to develop the framework for a new national manufacturing mission. The mission was first announced during the Union Budget in February 2025, with the goal of increasing the manufacturing sector's contribution to India's GDP. The committee is led by Niti Aayog CEO B. V. R. Subrahmanyam.
The mission will focus on creating a more business-friendly environment to facilitate smooth operations for industries. By simplifying processes, it aims to reduce bureaucracy and make it easier for businesses to operate in India.

India and Bhutan hold 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting

The 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting between India and Bhutan was held in Thimphu, Bhutan. The meeting was co-chaired by Surjit Bhujabal, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Government of India, and Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The India-Bhutan Joint Group of Customs meetings are held annually to discuss issues relating to re-defining and re-engineering of Customs procedures, promote Customs cooperation and Cross-border trade facilitation with alignment to global best practices. There are 10 Land Customs Stations along the India-Bhutan Border in the States of West Bengal (6) and Assam (4).
The 6th JGC meeting discussed a host of bilateral issues for enhancing trade and transit between the two countries. The automation and digitisation of transit processes, Coordinated Border Management (CBM), pre-arrival exchange of Customs data, Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) and movement of transit cargo under Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) were discussed, among others. The meeting concluded on an optimistic note.

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