General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2018

Oct 2018

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.

Mar 23, 2025

AFMS, NIMHANS Sign MoU to Boost Mental Health Support for Military Personnel & Families

The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research, training, and specialised mental health support for military personnel and their families.
The MoU was signed by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and Director NIMHANS Dr Pratima Murthy, in a ceremony attended by senior officials from both the institutions. The collaboration between AFMS and NIMHANS will focus on strengthening mental health services, conducting specialized training for medical personnel, and developing innovative programs to address the mental health issues faced by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, their families and dependants.

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