General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Aug 09, 2025

India Hosts WHO Workshop on Herbal Medicine Safety in Ghaziabad from August 6 to 8

India hosted the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) workshop from August 6 to 8 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
The three-day workshop was organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H).
The event was inaugurated by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO–IRCH. Countries which participated physically included Bhutan, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Poland, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, while Brazil, Egypt, and the USA joined virtually.

Aug 08, 2025

Chandigarh Hosts First National Young Chef Competition to Celebrate Indian Culinary Heritage

The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), launched India's inaugural National Young Chef Competition (NYCC) in Chandigarh, aiming to preserve and promote the country's rich culinary heritage. The event, held at the Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, marked the North Zone round, with 11 premier hospitality institutes from northern states showcasing their culinary prowess.
Conceptualised by the 120-year-old PHDCCI, the NYCC, themed 'Celebrating Indian Culinary Heritage and Blending Tradition with Innovation,' is a six-month-long initiative organised in partnership with the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC). The competition seeks to highlight the diversity and uniqueness of Indian cuisine while encouraging young chefs to blend traditional flavours with modern techniques.

Mrs. S. Radha Chauhan Assumes Charge as Chairperson of Capacity Building Commission

Mrs. S. Radha Chauhan, a retired IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre (1988 batch), assumed charge as the Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission in New Delhi. She succeeded Adil Zainulbhai, who led the Commission since its inception in April 2021.
With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Mrs. Chauhan has held several key positions in both the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Central Government. Notably, she served as the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), playing a pivotal role in policy-making and human resource management for the civil services.

Aug 07, 2025

Sandeep Arya India's Next Ambassador to Bhutan

India appointed Sandeep Arya, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, as the next Ambassador of India to Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
Earlier, Arya assumed charge as the Ambassador of India to Vietnam in October 2022.
He was Additional Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs) and Joint Secretary (Europe West/AD) at the MEA between 2019 and 2022.

Delhi Assembly Becomes India's First Legislature to Run Entirely on Solar Power

The Delhi Legislative Assembly became the first legislature in the country to be powered entirely by solar energy, following the commissioning of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant.
Alongside this, the Assembly launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), marking a shift towards paperless legislative functioning.
The two initiatives were inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, who called the Assembly's transition a model for sustainable and digital governance.

PM inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kartavya Bhavan in Delhi in a gala affair as part of the government's ambitious project to bring central ministries and departments under one roof for seamless functioning.
Kartavya Bhavan-3, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, is the first of the several upcoming Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings as part of the larger Central Vista project.
The state-of-the-art building, consisting of swanky conference rooms, modern amenities and CCTVs, will house the offices of the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSMEs, DoPT, Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) will also have his office in the building, which is spread over 1.5 lakh sq metres.

Aug 06, 2025

President's Rule in Manipur Extended by Six Months

Parliament approved a statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur for another six months beyond August 13.
The resolution, which was passed by the Lok Sabha last week, was approved by the Rajya Sabha, amid protest by the Opposition over electoral rolls revision in Bihar.

Tej Pratap Yadav Floats New Alliance with Five Regional Parties

Independent MLA and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav announced a new political front in Bihar, comprising five regional parties, and invited both the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which had expelled him in May, and the Congress to join. However, he ruled out any possibility of an alliance with the BJP or JD(U).
The new coalition unveiled includes the Vikas Vanchit Insaan Party (VVIP), Bhojpuria Jan Morcha (BJM), Pragatisheel Janata Party (PJP), Wajib Adhikar Party (WAP), and the Sanyukt Kisan Vikas Party. Senior leaders from each party, including national presidents and general secretaries, were present at the event and expressed support for the alliance.

Amit Shah Becomes Longest-serving Home Minister

Amit Shah became the longest-serving Union Home Minister in India's history, marking a significant milestone in his political career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on this achievement during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, praising his leadership and highlighting several key developments that took place under his tenure.
With 2,258 days in office, he surpassed Lal Krishna Advani's tenure of 2,256 days as Home Minister.
Before Shah and Advani, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – India's first Home Minister – held the record with 1,218 days in office.

India and the Philippines Sign Nine MoUs to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

India and the Philippines took a significant step forward in their diplomatic and strategic relationship by signing nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. These agreements mark a new phase of collaboration as both nations celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
The MoUs cover a wide range of sectors, including strategic partnership, defence, digital technology, space cooperation, maritime collaboration, tourism, and cultural exchange, as well as legal and scientific cooperation.
One of the most notable agreements is the formalisation of a Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines. This framework aims to deepen mutual trust, security coordination, and joint engagement in regional and global forums.
A Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was also signed to enhance cooperation in combating transnational crime, terrorism, and cybercrime.

Aug 05, 2025

Western Railway Resumes Heritage Train on This 155-Year-Old Line

The Western Railway has resumed operations of its 9.5 km metre-gauge heritage train on the iconic Patalpani–Kalakund line in Madhya Pradesh. Services had been briefly suspended earlier due to a decline in tourist footfall. With its rich history and breathtaking scenic views, the train remains a major attraction for heritage tourism enthusiasts.
Located on the Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow)–Khandwa section, the Patalpani–Kalakund line runs through the picturesque hilly terrain of Madhya Pradesh, offering passengers panoramic views of valleys, forests, and waterfalls. The journey is considered a unique experience, blending history, culture, and natural beauty.

Sikkim First State in India to Introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for Government Employees

Sikkim became the first state in India to introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for government employees, offering them a unique opportunity for personal and professional development while retaining job security. This progressive policy is aimed at improving workforce well-being, career growth, and administrative efficiency in the state's governance system.
Launched in August 2023, the scheme applies to regular state government employees who have served at least five years continuously. Under the policy, employees can avail of sabbatical leave ranging from 365 days to a maximum of 1,080 days.
Employees will receive 50% of their basic pay during the leave period.
Seniority is preserved, ensuring smooth continuity in their service records.
The government retains the right to recall employees with a one-month notice, if required.

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