General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2018

Aug 2018

Mar 28, 2025

Govt to Launch 'Sahkar Taxi' Service across India to Compete with Ola, Uber

The union government has announced plans to launch a new taxi service called "Sahkar Taxi". The new service will be an alternative to platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, and will offer bike, cab, and auto rides. Announcing the initiative in the Parliament, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said "Sahkar Taxi will register two-wheeler taxis, auto-rickshaws, and four-wheeler taxis across the country". He said that the goal is to help drivers earn directly without sharing profits with big companies.
"Profits from this service will not go to any big industrialist but will go solely to the drivers of the vehicles," the minister stated. Sahkar will be available across the country and will be rolled out in the coming months.
Additionally, a cooperative insurance company will be established to provide insurance services within the country's cooperative system, Shah said.

Telangana to Adopt Central Act to Regulate Organ Transplantation

The Telangana Transplantation of Human Organs Bill, 2025 was passed in the Legislative Assembly with bipartisan backing, to bring the State's organ transplantation regulations in line with the Central Act and curb illegal organ trade.
The bill was introduced by Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha on March 27, 2025 who highlighted the need to replace the existing Telangana Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1995, which was originally enacted in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The 1995 Act, which has been in force in Telangana since its formation, was modeled on the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, a law enacted by the Parliament of India to regulate organ donation and prevent commercial transactions in human organs.

Ministry of Rural Development and UNICEF YuWaah Signs a Statement of Intent Empowering Rural Women

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) YuWaah have signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to empower rural women and youth across India. This three-year partnership focuses on creating livelihood opportunities by connecting women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to jobs, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and skill-building initiatives, thereby boosting female labour force participation in rural areas.
As part of the collaboration, efforts will be made to strengthen digital infrastructure through the establishment of Computer Didi Centers and Didi ki Dukan in five blocks across five states, namely- Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. This pilot project has the potential to scale up and reach 35 lakh women across more than 7000 blocks after being successful.
The SOI was signed by Shri T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, and Ms. Sharada Thapalia, Deputy Representative (Operations), UNICEF India. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shri T. K. Anil Kumar said that this partnership has come at a very opportune time as it aligns with the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme announced in the Budget 2025-26. It is particularly significant because nearly one-third of the 10 crore SHG members are youth, who will play a central role in this initiative.

8th State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) Meeting Conducted by RBI in Sikkim

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) organised the 8^th State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) Meeting in Gangtok, Sikkim, on March 26, 2025. The meeting, chaired by Shri Ravindra Telang, Chief Secretary of Sikkim, was convened by Shri Thotngam Jamang, Regional Director of RBI, and attended by key officials from RBI, SEBI, and multiple state government departments.
Discussions focused on implementing the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes (BUDS) Act, tackling digital fraud, and enhancing financial literacy.

India and Singapore Sign Letter of Intent on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC)

India and Singapore signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) collaboration during the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW). The agreement aims to promote maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation, with both nations working towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and integrating digital solutions in the maritime sector.
Additionally, India and the Netherlands discussed leveraging Dutch expertise for cargo movement in low-draft Rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised that the initiative will enhance sustainability, efficiency, and technological advancements in the maritime sector.

Mar 27, 2025

New Pamban Rail Bridge to be Inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi

The new Pamban rail bridge, connecting Ramanathapuram with Rameswaram Island, is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 6, 2025, coinciding with Ram Navami. The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs. 531 crore, will enhance connectivity and railway infrastructure in the region. Alongside the inauguration, the Prime Minister will also flag off a new train service between Tambaram and Rameswaram.
The new Pamban bridge, the first vertical lift bridge in Asia, will replace the old bridge, which was built in 1914 and closed in 2022 due to corrosion problems.

Ex-ED Chief Sanjay Mishra Appointed to EAC-PM

Former Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra was appointed to the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) as a full-time member by the Union government. On the same day, the government also appointed former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba to the NITI Aayog as a full-time member.
A 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre, Mishra led the ED till September 15, 2023. His term ended after the Supreme Court curtailed his extended tenure following petitions that challenged multiple extensions granted to him by the government.

The 3rd Session of India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee Held in New Delhi

The Third Session of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Committee (JTC) took place in New Delhi, marking a renewed commitment to strengthening economic ties between the two nations after a 23-year gap.
Both sides acknowledged that the current trade volume does not reflect the full potential of their partnership and committed to taking focused measures to expand and diversify bilateral trade.
The JTC meeting was co-chaired by Economic Adviser, Department of Commerce, Priya P Nair, from the Indian side, and Head of International Political Cooperation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Uganda, Ambassador Elly Kamahungye Kafeero.

Mar 26, 2025

Ashok Singh Thakur New Chairman of INTACH

Ashok Singh Thakur was elected as the new chairman of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for a period of three years.
Delhi-based INTACH, a premier heritage conservation body was established in 1984. It has chapters spread across the country.
INTACH is registered under the Societies Registration Act (1860).
Its mandate is to preserve and conserve the environment, to revitalise intangible heritage and to foster awareness and appreciation of the country's immense heritage.

Delhi Budget 2025-26: Rekha Gupta Unveils Rs. 1 Lakh Crore Budget

Delhi Chief Minister and Finance Minister Rekha Gupta presented the Delhi Budget 2025-26, with a record allocation of Rs. 1 lakh crore. The budget emphasises infrastructure development, social welfare, healthcare, education, and economic growth. It marks a 31.5% increase from the previous year's budget and aims to bring transparency, efficiency, and rapid development to the capital.
Rekha Gupta described this as a "historic Budget", aiming to accelerate Delhi's transformation through increased capital expenditure and public welfare schemes.
The budget sees a major boost in capital expenditure, with an allocation of Rs. 28,000 crore, double the previous year's spending, focusing on roads, water supply, and sewer systems.

BIF Hosts India's First International Subsea Cable Systems Conference

Broadband India Forum hosted the first-ever International Subsea Cable Systems Conference in New Delhi, bringing together international and national experts on subsea cables to discuss the impact of subsea cables ecosystem in India's burgeoning digital economy.
Key discussions covered industry challenges, investment-friendly policies, and strategies for resilience and redundancy. Experts and policymakers explored best practices, policy reforms, and incentives for India's subsea cable expansion, including CLS development and fibre growth.

The 5th India Africa Strategic Dialogue

The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses is organising the fifth India-Africa Strategic Dialogue (IASD) on the theme, "India and Africa: Partnership for the Next Decade" on 25-27 March, 2025 in New Delhi. The objective of the India Africa Strategic Dialogue is to build on existing partnerships between African countries and India, and to explore new areas of convergence for mutual engagement.
The dialogue focuses on the following themes:
Session 1: Framework for Cooperation
Session 2: Partnership for Deepening Trade and Investment Ties
Session 3: Partnership in Multilateral Forums and Global Governance Reforms
Session 4: Defence Cooperation and Maritime Security
Session 5: Partnership in Critical Minerals and Energy Security

Mar 25, 2025

Kerala Becomes First Indian State to Establish Senior Citizens Commission

Kerala became the first state in India to pass a law creating a commission for senior citizens, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Hailing the law enacted, the Chief Minister said that this new commission would focus on protecting the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the elderly.
The commission will prioritise addressing the hardships faced by the elderly, including neglect, exploitation, and loneliness. It will be responsible for providing the necessary guidelines to tackle these issues.
Additionally, the commission will take the lead in implementing initiatives to utilise the skills of senior citizens for the benefit of society.

Mar 24, 2025

NITI Aayog Organises a National Workshop on 'Building Synergies in Indian Innovation Ecosystem'

In an initiative to strengthen India's innovation landscape, the National Workshop on "Building Synergies in Indian Innovation Ecosystem" was organised at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The National Conference was organised by NITI Aayog and hosted by the Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST), DST, Government of Gujarat.
The workshop aimed to facilitate dialogue and knowledge-sharing among key stakeholders, including government officials, academic leaders, industrial experts, startup founders, and international representatives. With an agenda designed to foster synergy across sectors, the workshop addressed crucial topics like R&D investments, state policies on innovation, global innovation trends, and grassroots entrepreneurship.

Purple Fest 2025: A Celebration of Inclusivity and Empowerment

The Purple Fest 2025 was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. With an enthusiastic participation of 23,500 attendees, the event aimed to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities). The fest featured literary discussions, sports activities, corporate collaborations, and cultural performances, all focused on creating opportunities and fostering an inclusive society.
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced the occasion and witnessed cultural performances by Divyangjan, reflecting their extraordinary spirit and capabilities.
The Purple Fest 2025 curated engaging sessions, including 'Meet the Director' and 'Author Sessions' under the Literary Zone, celebrating the voices of storytellers and filmmakers. Adaptive sports such as Blind Cricket, Boccia and Wheelchair Basketball etc. were organised, highlighting the prowess of Divyang athletes.

East Coast Railway Becomes the First Railway Zone to Achieve 250 MT of Freight Loading in 2024-25

East Coast Railway (ECoR) set a new benchmark in Indian Railways by becoming the first railway zone in India to achieve 250 million tons (MT) of originating freight in the financial year 2024-25. This milestone was reached on March 21, 2024, 11 days ahead of schedule, solidifying ECoR's reputation as the highest freight-loading railway zone in the country.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) once again demonstrated its efficiency and dominance in freight transportation by surpassing 250 MT of originating freight loading for the second consecutive year. This extraordinary achievement has reinforced its position as a key player in India's logistics and economic growth.

Anuj Kumar Singh Appointed as Joint Secretary in UPSC

Anuj Kumar Singh, an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) from the 2009 batch, was appointed as the Joint Secretary (Director level) in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Delhi. His appointment, made under the Central Staffing Scheme, is for five years or until further orders. Singh, selected for Central deputation on the Ministry of Railways' recommendation, is expected to bring his technical and administrative expertise to enhance UPSC's operational efficiency and strategic framework.

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