General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2019

Jun 2019

May 12, 2025

Uttar Pradesh Partners with World Bank to Launch UP AGREES & AI Pragya Initiatives

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with World Bank President Ajay Banga unveiled the 'UP AGREES' (Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) and 'AI Pragya' projects in Lucknow.
Under the UP AGREES project, the state government will get Rs. 2,737 crore loan from the World Bank for a period of six years, which will directly benefit farmers, farmer organisations, fishers, and agriculture-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Under the 'AI Pragya' initiative, the state government aims to train 10 lakh youth in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging digital technologies. The programme will provide certification in key domains like AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity — paving the way for more employment opportunities and a thriving startup ecosystem in the state.

India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: First Round of Negotiations Concludes in New Delhi

The first round of negotiations for the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully in the national capital. The talks, held from May 5 to May 9, represent a significant milestone in the growing economic relations between the two nations.
The initiative builds on the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India in March 2025, where he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed expanding economic cooperation. The FTA was formally launched during a meeting in March, between Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Todd McClay, New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment.

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra Join Hands for Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

In a move aimed at securing water resources and promoting inter-state cooperation, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed an MoU to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project. The agreement seeks to mitigate water scarcity and improve irrigation across select districts of both States, especially in Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, and Southern Madhya Pradesh.
The project marks a major step forward in water-sharing cooperation between States and aims to receive national project status and 90% Central funding.

May 10, 2025

KIYG 2025: Urva Chaudhary Wins 10m Air Pistol Gold Medal

Uttar Pradesh's Urva Chaudhary claimed 10m air pistol gold as her second medal at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Bihar at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. She had teamed up Dev Pratap to win silver in the mixed team event a couple of days earlier.
She stayed ahead of the field in the final, scoring 237.7 points against 236.3 scored by Vidhi Sharma (Rajasthan). Haryana's Kanak, also a Khelo India Athlete, won bronze.

May 09, 2025

Maharashtra Launches 'Adishakti Abhiyan' for Women's Empowerment

On the historic occasion of the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maharashtra government launched the 'Adishakti Abhiyan', a women-centric empowerment campaign. The initiative focuses on ensuring effective delivery and awareness of existing government schemes for women and children, with an allocated budget of Rs. 10.50 crore. It aims to tackle critical social issues such as malnutrition, maternal and infant mortality, child marriage, and gender-based violence, while also enhancing women's participation in local governance.

India Launches Chip-Based E-Passports to Enhance Travel Security

India has officially rolled out chip-based e-passports as part of its ongoing digital transformation of travel documentation. These new passports, embedded with RFID chips and biometric data, aim to enhance the security, efficiency, and convenience of international travel for Indian citizens. The move places India alongside countries like the USA, UK, and Germany, which already use advanced e-passport technology.

May 08, 2025

Narendra Modi Addresses the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025, being held in New Delhi from May 7 to 9, 2025, via videoconferencing. Welcoming the distinguished delegates, scientists, and astronauts from across the globe, he highlighted India's remarkable space journey at the GLEX 2025.
Modi reaffirmed that India's space journey is not about competing with others but about reaching greater heights together. He emphasised the collective goal of exploring space for the benefit of humanity.

Cabinet Approves Revised SHAKTI Policy for Coal Allocation to Power Sector

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a proposal under the Revised SHAKTI policy to make more coal available to thermal power plants belonging to the central sector and state sector, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
The SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) policy was launched in 2018 to provide coal to stressed power units which lack coal supply.
According to the Revised SHAKTI policy, the government proposed two new coal linkage windows:
Window-I: Coal linkage at notified price for central and state power plants
Window-II: Coal linkage at a premium above the notified price for all gencos
Under this window, the existing mechanism for allocating coal to central sector thermal power projects (TPPs), including Joint Ventures (JVs) and their subsidiaries, will continue.
This window will offer coal linkages to all generating companies (gencos) at a price higher than the notified rate.

Russia Honours Biju Patnaik

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov inaugurated a memorial plaque dedicated to the late Biju Patnaik at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.
The plaque is meant to honour Biju Patnaik's role in the Battle of Stalingrad, one of the most decisive Allied victories over Nazi Germany in World War II. Patnaik, who at the time was flying for the Royal Indian Air Force, had made multiple sorties dropping off supplies to the besieged Red Army in Stalingrad.

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.

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