General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

May 07, 2025

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates Bharat Telecom 2025

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region inaugurated Bharat Telecom 2025 in New Delhi.
Organised by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), in collaboration with Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Bharat Telecom 2025 plays a significant role in India's vision to become a global hub for telecom manufacturing, services, and exports. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, alongside industry leaders, foreign delegates, and innovators from across the telecom value chain. The two-day event Bharat Telecom 2025, besides providing an interactive platform for stakeholders, also showcased an Exclusive International Business Expo.

Haryana Revises Excise Policy

The Haryana Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved a new excise policy that brings a significant increase in liquor duties and introduces stricter rules for the sale, location, and promotion of alcohol across the state.
The policy, aimed at boosting revenue and promoting responsible alcohol distribution, is expected to push excise collections beyond Rs. 12,000 crore.
Unlike previous policies, which operated from June to May, the new excise policy will now follow the financial year. It will remain in effect until March 31, 2027. This change brings the policy cycle in line with the government's financial planning system.

May 06, 2025

India Cuts Chenab River Flow to Pakistan through Salal and Baglihar Dams

India stopped the flow of water from the Chenab River. The Indian government has shut down the gates of both the Baglihar and Salal Dams, which regulate the Chenab's flow into Pakistan.
The Salal Dam, located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, has seen all its gates closed.
The Baglihar Dam is located in Jammu and Kashmir, in the Ramban district. It is part of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project on the Chenab River.

Election Commission to Launch Unified ECINET App Integrating 40+ Existing Applications

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to launch ECINET, a unified digital platform for all electoral stakeholders. This single-point platform aims to integrate over 40 existing web and mobile applications into one consolidated interface, enhancing user experience and data accuracy for citizens, officials, and political parties alike.
Envisioned by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, ECINET will significantly enhance UI/UX and improve service delivery for nearly 100 crore electors and the entire electoral machinery, replacing 40+ fragmented applications with a unified system.

Aviation Ministry Gives In-Principle Nod for Airports in Rajasthan, Odisha

The civil aviation ministry granted in-principle approval for greenfield airports in Rajasthan's Kota and Puri in Odisha.
The proposed airport will not only serve Kota city, known as a major educational and industrial hub, but will also cater to the growing population and economic activity in the Hadoti region.
Puri, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India and home to Lord Jagannath, attracts millions of devotees and tourists from across the country and the world. The decision to establish an airport in Puri will provide a major boost to religious tourism, regional development, and overall connectivity in the region.

May 05, 2025

Andhra Govt. Signs MoU for Creator Land, India's First Transmedia City

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch Creator Land, India's first transmedia entertainment city, aiming at creating 25,000 jobs. The project is a major step toward transforming the state into a global creative and digital hub, with the potential to generate thousands of jobs and attract substantial foreign investment.
The AP government signed a deal at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai to set up a Transmedia Entertainment City in the state.

India Recalls IMF Executive Director K. V. Subramanian Ahead of Tenure End

In a sudden diplomatic development, the Indian government recalled K. V. Subramanian, its Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), six months before the completion of his tenure. This move has triggered speculation about tensions within the IMF and India's stance on multilateral data standards.
K. V. Subramanian was appointed as India's Executive Director at the IMF on November 1, 2022, for a three-year term.
He previously served as the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to the Indian government from 2018 to 2021.

Prakash Magdum Assumes Charge as Managing Director, National Film Development Corporation

Prakash Magdum assumed charge as the Managing Director of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
Magdum is a 1999-batch Indian Information Officer Service officer. Prior to this, Magdum served as the Additional Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) in Ahmedabad.
During an illustrious career spanning two decades, Magdum had served as the Director of the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) in Pune. In this role, he was instrumental in preserving India's cinematic heritage through film archiving and restoration efforts.
He has also served as the Registrar of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and as a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence in Thiruvananthapuram.

India, Angola Agree to Deepen Energy and Strategic Ties

The President of Angola, João Lourenço, concluded a state visit to India in May 2025. The visit resulted in the signing of crucial Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Ayurveda, agriculture, and culture, along with India's approval of a USD 200 million Line of Credit (LOC) for defence procurement by Angola. Marking a milestone in global climate cooperation, Angola also joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 123^rd member.

Parameswaran Iyer to Represent India at IMF Board amid Strategic Global Meeting

Parameswaran Iyer, Executive Director at the World Bank, was temporarily entrusted with the responsibility of being India's nominee director on the board of International Monetary Fund (IMF) ahead of a crucial May 9 meeting. Iyer's nomination was necessitated to fill a vacancy created with the termination of services of K. V. Subramanian as the Executive Director at the IMF, six months ahead of his three-year tenure.
Parameswaran is the former CEO of NITI Aayog and is known for leading India's Swachh Bharat Mission.

Jharkhand's OBC Data Collection for Local Quotas

Jharkhand finished collecting data on the population of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from all districts of the state, in order to determine quotas for OBCs in urban local bodies.
The data collection is a part of the first step of the "triple test", a three-step guideline laid down by the Supreme Court to ensure OBC quotas in local bodies are determined in a fair and constitutional manner.

May 04, 2025

India and Denmark Renew Energy Cooperation with a New MoU

India and Denmark signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing their long-standing cooperation in the energy sector. This new agreement, signed by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, and Mr. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, focuses on advancing clean energy transitions. The MoU aligns with India's goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and promotes collaboration in areas such as power system modeling, renewable energy integration, and electric vehicle infrastructure.

UK, Japan and Russia to Join Global Media Dialogue At WAVES 2025

India hosted the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time on the sidelines of WAVES 2025 in Mumbai on May 2, 2025. The event featured participation from over 60 countries, including UK, Japan, and Russia, and was organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, with support from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Objective of the Global Media Dialogue (GMD)
To promote international cooperation in the media and entertainment industry
To facilitate policy alignment, talent exchange, and capacity building
To discuss the evolving role of media in shaping global societies and fostering innovation

CSC CSR Conclave 2025

The CSC CSR Conclave 2025 marked a pivotal moment in India's journey toward inclusive growth and rural empowerment, placing technology at the heart of social transformation. Inaugurated by Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the event spotlighted the powerful role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in bridging the urban-rural divide through Common Services Centres (CSCs).
The Conclave, organised by CSC Academy and the Indian ESG Network, brought together leaders from government, corporate, and development sectors to discuss how CSR can drive environmental sustainability, community development, and transformative change in rural India.

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.

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