General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2019

Aug 2019

Jul 01, 2025

Centre launches BhashaSetu Challenge to Develop Real-Time Language Tech

The centre launched the WAVEX Start-up Challenge 2025, inviting start-ups from across the country to develop an AI-based real-time multilingual translation solution under its flagship accelerator programme, WaveX.
The challenge, titled 'BhashaSetu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat', seeks to encourage the creation of innovative tools that can handle translation, transliteration, and voice localisation in real time across at least 12 major Indian languages. Officials said the initiative aims to foster inclusive and accessible communication technologies that are sensitive to India's linguistic diversity.
There is no minimum eligibility criterion for participation, allowing startups at any stage of development to apply.
The winning team will receive incubation support under the WaveX Accelerator, which will include mentorship, workspace, and development assistance until the solution is fully developed and deployed.

India Hosts First-ever ASEAN-India Cruise Dialogue

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai, marking a significant milestone in maritime cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations.
Held aboard the MV Empress at Chennai Port, the dialogue brought together over 30 delegates from all ten ASEAN countries, along with Timor Leste, to explore ways to enhance cruise connectivity, promote sustainable tourism, and strengthen cultural and economic ties across the Indo-Pacific region.

India, Bhutan Review Development Partnership

India and Bhutan carried out a full spectrum review of projects being implemented with New Delhi's support of Rs. 10,000 crore for 2024-2029.
New Delhi conveyed that it would continue to work together with Thimphu on its development agenda.
A total of 10 projects, worth Rs. 1,113 crore and covering sectors such as healthcare, connectivity and urban infrastructure in Bhutan, were also approved at the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks held in New Delhi.

Jun 30, 2025

NeGD Launches AI in Governance Training for Government Officials at IIT Delhi

In a step toward strengthening digital governance in India, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) conducted a 2-day training programme on Artificial Intelligence in Governance. Hosted at the Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi, the initiative aimed to equip government officials from central and state departments with essential AI knowledge and its practical applications in governance, public service delivery, and policy implementation.
The training programme aligned with the Capacity Building Scheme Phase III of the Digital India Programme. With increasing reliance on AI tools in governance, this initiative reflects India's commitment to building technologically empowered governance systems.

Centre Unveils Model Rules to Ease Agroforestry Regulations and Boost Rural Economy

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the 'Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands'. Aimed at simplifying regulatory procedures and encouraging tree-based farming, these model rules will assist States and Union Territories in promoting agroforestry as a viable economic and ecological solution. The initiative also introduces the upcoming National Timber Management System (NTMS) Portal, designed to streamline registrations and approvals for tree harvesting.

Amit Shah Inaugurates National Turmeric Board Headquarters in Telangana

In a major boost to India's turmeric farming sector, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and other senior dignitaries.
The Board will eliminate the role of middlemen and put in place an integrated framework for turmeric packaging, branding, marketing, and export.

Centre Launches 'Adi Karmyogi' to Train Officials for Better Tribal Scheme Execution

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the "Adi Karmyogi" programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening the execution of tribal welfare schemes by motivating and training field-level officials. Announced at the conclusion of the "Adi Anveshan" National Conference held at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi, the programme targets systemic reform by building a cadre of purpose-driven implementers across states and districts.

Jun 29, 2025

NABARD & NIRCA Launch Training for Chilli, Turmeric Farmers on Post-Harvest Tech

In a move to improve the post-harvest value chain of major spice crops, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture (ICAR-NIRCA) launched a training initiative for Farmers' Producers Organisations (FPOs) and individual farmers in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. The training focuses on post-harvest management and advanced processing technologies for turmeric and chilli—two crops critical to the region's agricultural economy.
Objectives of the training are:
To equip farmers with scientific post-harvest practices
To reduce crop loss due to microbial contamination and moisture
To improve marketability and export potential of chilli and turmeric
To empower FPOs with value addition techniques

Jun 28, 2025

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Launches WhatsApp Chatbot Integration with MY Bharat Portal

In a move to enhance digital engagement and streamline access to services for India's Youth, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched WhatsApp integration with the MY Bharat portal (https://mybharat.gov.in).
The WhatsApp chatbot is now live on the MY Bharat Portal and also accessible directly via WhatsAp), offering users a more seamless, real-time, and user-friendly way to interact with the platform.

India Hosts ICCON 2025 to Tackle Urgent Biodiversity Challenges

India hosted its premier conservation science and policy event, the Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) 2025, at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The three-day event, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), brought together over 500 participants from India and the Global South. The conference was inaugurated by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, and served as a dynamic platform for collaboration among scientists, policymakers, forest officers, NGOs, and youth, all working toward addressing India's pressing biodiversity conservation challenges.

Jun 27, 2025

Bihar to Host Its First Nuclear Power Plant under India's New SMR Mission

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar declared that Bihar will soon have its first nuclear power plant, making it one of the first six Indian states to be included in the rollout of Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based energy systems.
This development follows a formal request by the Bihar government, which the Centre now approved. Though the exact location and capacity of the project are yet to be finalised, the plan signals a transformative chapter in Bihar's energy and infrastructure landscape.

Rinku Singh to Join UP Education Department

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is set to join the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department as a District Basic Education Officer (BSA). The appointment came under the International Medal Winner Direct Recruitment Rules, 2022, a government policy recognising and rewarding sportspersons who have brought glory to India at the international level.

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