General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2019

Aug 2019

Jul 11, 2025

First Namibia Visit by Indian PM in Nearly Three Decades

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Namibia, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the African nation in nearly three decades.
Namibia's rich reserves of uranium, copper, cobalt, rare earth minerals and its recent oil discoveries are drawing renewed global attention. The country is the world's fourth-largest producer of uranium oxide, which fuels the nuclear industry, and also produces zinc and gem-quality diamonds. With growing global demand for clean energy and battery storage, Namibia's potential to develop new mining projects for cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements has gained fresh relevance.

Jul 10, 2025

The 11th Maize Summit

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan opened the 11th India Maize Summit in New Delhi, organised by FICCI and the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR). He shared the government's new vision for a "Maize Revolution" to improve farmers' income, boost maize production, and support sustainable farming. The event highlighted key programs and partnerships shaping India's maize sector.

Commemorative Stamp Released to Mark 125th Birth Anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee

The Department of Posts, Government of India, released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 125^th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a prominent educationist, statesman, and founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. The unveiling ceremony was held at the Siri Fort Auditorium in the national capital.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture, the event paid tribute to Mookerjee's legacy through cultural performances, exhibitions, and a theatrical presentation. The stamp was formally released by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh.

Union Minister Pradhan Inaugurates Agritech Innovation Hub in Meerut

In a move to revolutionise agriculture through innovation and digital technology, Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Minister of State for Education and Skill Development, Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh Agritech Innovation Hub and the Agritech Start-up and Technology Showcase at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut.
This initiative is envisioned as a collaborative platform that connects farmers, technologists, start-ups, and academia, aiming to deliver sustainable, region-specific agricultural solutions.

PM Modi Concludes Five-Nation Tour

On July 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on an eight-day, five-nation tour across two continents, covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. During his tour, his focus areas included defence, rare earth minerals, cooperation on counter-terrorism, and South-South cooperation.

Jul 09, 2025

NTPC Simhadri Celebrates 28th Raising Day with Pride and Purpose

NTPC Simhadri, one of India's premier thermal power stations, celebrated its 28^th Raising Day at its administrative premises located in Parawada, Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The occasion marked nearly three decades of dedication, innovation, and community-focused progress.
The event began with Sameer Sharma, Executive Director and Head of Project, hoisting the NTPC flag, followed by a rendition of the NTPC anthem. This solemn moment was attended by employees, officials, and invited guests, reinforcing the unity and spirit of the organisation.
Establishment in 1997, Simhadri holds the distinction of being NTPC's first coastal-based power station, a milestone that has shaped its unique identity within the national energy landscape.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes Submits its Annual Report 2023-24 to the President of India

In line with its Constitutional mandate, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) submitted its Annual Report for 2023-24 to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi. The delegation was led by Chairman, NCSC, Kishor Makwana; Members (NCSC), Love Kush Kumar and Vaddepalli Ramchander, and the Secretary (NCSC), Gudey Srinivas, IAS.
As per the mandate given to the NCSC under Article 338 of the Constitution of India, the Commission has to present a report to the President of India annually and at such other times, on the working of the Constitutional Safeguards for the Scheduled Castes. The report includes recommendations for measures to be taken by the Union and the State Governments for the effective implementation, as well as for the protection, welfare, and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes.

India and Brazil Sign Six Key Pacts

India and Brazil signed six agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit, covering cooperation in security, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, and intellectual property.
The agreements include a pact on combating international terrorism and transnational organised crime, as well as a memorandum on the exchange of large-scale digital solutions to support digital transformation.
India and Brazil also announced the establishment of a ministerial-level mechanism to monitor trade, commerce, and investment between the two countries.

Rebuilt British-Era Bridge in Mumbai Named After Operation Sindoor

The reconstructed Carnac Road Over Bridge (ROB) in South Mumbai was renamed as 'Sindoor Bridge', a nomenclature inspired by India's military action in May against Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack.
The British-era bridge was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The east-west connector, earlier known as the Carnac Bridge was named after former Bombay Province Governor James Rivett Carnac, who held the office from 1839 to 1841.

Jul 08, 2025

Bihar Approves 35 per cent Job Quota for Women

The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government approved 35 per cent reservation in all state government jobs for women who are permanent residents of the state.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which also cleared 43 other key proposals.
The cabinet also approved the formation of the Bihar Youth Commission, aimed at empowering the state's youth and expanding their access to employment and skill development.
The commission will serve as an advisory body to the state government on all matters related to youth development. It will coordinate with various departments to enhance access to education, skill training, and employment opportunities.
The commission will include one chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, and seven members.

Bihar Social Media Influencer Manish Kashyap Joins Jan Suraaj

Bihar-based social media influencer Manish Kashyap officially joined Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj, a development that came a week after his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kashyap was accompanied by a large group of his supporters for the event. This comes months ahead of the assembly election in Bihar.

Jul 07, 2025

PM Modi in Argentina, First Bilateral Visit by an Indian PM in 57 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on a two-day visit of his five-nation tour that aimed to reinforce India's engagements with the Global South and focus on strengthening ties with the South American country.
This was the first bilateral visit to the South American country by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years, and is thus historic.
PM Modi had previously visited the country in 2018 to attend the G20 Summit.
PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with President Javier Milei to further boost the India-Argentina partnership in key areas including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment.

Stalin Renames Govt. Hostels as 'Social Justice'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced that all state-run hostels for underprivileged school and college students will now be referred to as "social justice hostels".
The change aligns with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government's core principles. There won't be any sort of discrimination, including gender or caste, under the DMK rule.
These reforms are not merely symbolic. They are part of the mission to build a future Tamil society rooted in equality, unity, and social justice.

Himachal Becomes First State to Use Face ID for Ration

Himachal Pradesh became the first state in the country to introduce Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for the distribution of ration to eligible beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Until now, authentication was carried out using either OTP-based or biometric methods. However, frequent challenges such as SMS delivery failures and biometric mismatches at the UIDAI end were causing inconvenience to the beneficiaries.
With the launch of the FaceAuth mechanism, the process has now been streamlined and made more accessible.

Himanta Sarma Launches 'Bodoland Speaks' To Promote Peace in Region

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated 'Bodoland Speaks: From Vision to Action', an initiative of the Bodoland Territorial Council under Bodoland Happiness Mission to promote peace in the region. At the programme, he announced that all government notifications will be translated into Bodo language in all 13 districts where people of the community reside.
Sarma also conferred Bodoland Lifetime Achievers Award on 18 personalities who contributed immensely to the enrichment of folk cultures in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

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