General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2021

Aug 2021

Aug 07, 2025

Sandeep Arya India's Next Ambassador to Bhutan

India appointed Sandeep Arya, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, as the next Ambassador of India to Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
Earlier, Arya assumed charge as the Ambassador of India to Vietnam in October 2022.
He was Additional Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs) and Joint Secretary (Europe West/AD) at the MEA between 2019 and 2022.

Delhi Assembly Becomes India's First Legislature to Run Entirely on Solar Power

The Delhi Legislative Assembly became the first legislature in the country to be powered entirely by solar energy, following the commissioning of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant.
Alongside this, the Assembly launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), marking a shift towards paperless legislative functioning.
The two initiatives were inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, who called the Assembly's transition a model for sustainable and digital governance.

PM inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kartavya Bhavan in Delhi in a gala affair as part of the government's ambitious project to bring central ministries and departments under one roof for seamless functioning.
Kartavya Bhavan-3, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, is the first of the several upcoming Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings as part of the larger Central Vista project.
The state-of-the-art building, consisting of swanky conference rooms, modern amenities and CCTVs, will house the offices of the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSMEs, DoPT, Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) will also have his office in the building, which is spread over 1.5 lakh sq metres.

Aug 06, 2025

President's Rule in Manipur Extended by Six Months

Parliament approved a statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur for another six months beyond August 13.
The resolution, which was passed by the Lok Sabha last week, was approved by the Rajya Sabha, amid protest by the Opposition over electoral rolls revision in Bihar.

Tej Pratap Yadav Floats New Alliance with Five Regional Parties

Independent MLA and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav announced a new political front in Bihar, comprising five regional parties, and invited both the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which had expelled him in May, and the Congress to join. However, he ruled out any possibility of an alliance with the BJP or JD(U).
The new coalition unveiled includes the Vikas Vanchit Insaan Party (VVIP), Bhojpuria Jan Morcha (BJM), Pragatisheel Janata Party (PJP), Wajib Adhikar Party (WAP), and the Sanyukt Kisan Vikas Party. Senior leaders from each party, including national presidents and general secretaries, were present at the event and expressed support for the alliance.

Amit Shah Becomes Longest-serving Home Minister

Amit Shah became the longest-serving Union Home Minister in India's history, marking a significant milestone in his political career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on this achievement during the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, praising his leadership and highlighting several key developments that took place under his tenure.
With 2,258 days in office, he surpassed Lal Krishna Advani's tenure of 2,256 days as Home Minister.
Before Shah and Advani, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – India's first Home Minister – held the record with 1,218 days in office.

India and the Philippines Sign Nine MoUs to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

India and the Philippines took a significant step forward in their diplomatic and strategic relationship by signing nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. These agreements mark a new phase of collaboration as both nations celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
The MoUs cover a wide range of sectors, including strategic partnership, defence, digital technology, space cooperation, maritime collaboration, tourism, and cultural exchange, as well as legal and scientific cooperation.
One of the most notable agreements is the formalisation of a Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines. This framework aims to deepen mutual trust, security coordination, and joint engagement in regional and global forums.
A Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was also signed to enhance cooperation in combating transnational crime, terrorism, and cybercrime.

Aug 05, 2025

Western Railway Resumes Heritage Train on This 155-Year-Old Line

The Western Railway has resumed operations of its 9.5 km metre-gauge heritage train on the iconic Patalpani–Kalakund line in Madhya Pradesh. Services had been briefly suspended earlier due to a decline in tourist footfall. With its rich history and breathtaking scenic views, the train remains a major attraction for heritage tourism enthusiasts.
Located on the Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow)–Khandwa section, the Patalpani–Kalakund line runs through the picturesque hilly terrain of Madhya Pradesh, offering passengers panoramic views of valleys, forests, and waterfalls. The journey is considered a unique experience, blending history, culture, and natural beauty.

Sikkim First State in India to Introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for Government Employees

Sikkim became the first state in India to introduce a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for government employees, offering them a unique opportunity for personal and professional development while retaining job security. This progressive policy is aimed at improving workforce well-being, career growth, and administrative efficiency in the state's governance system.
Launched in August 2023, the scheme applies to regular state government employees who have served at least five years continuously. Under the policy, employees can avail of sabbatical leave ranging from 365 days to a maximum of 1,080 days.
Employees will receive 50% of their basic pay during the leave period.
Seniority is preserved, ensuring smooth continuity in their service records.
The government retains the right to recall employees with a one-month notice, if required.

Aug 03, 2025

Shashi Prakash Goyal New Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh

IAS officer Shashi Prakash Goyal, a 1989-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), officially assumed charge as the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, succeeding Manoj Kumar Singh, who retired.
Before this appointment, Goyal served as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and handled key portfolios such as Civil Aviation, Estate, and Protocol. He also worked as the Additional Resident Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, gaining extensive experience in both governance and policy implementation.

Dr. Mayank Sharma Assumes the Office of Financial Advisor (Defence Services)

Dr. Mayank Sharma assumed the office of Financial Advisor (Defence Services). He is a 1989-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service, who has served in various capacities in the Government, including the Controller General of Defence Accounts, in a career spanning over three decades.

Aug 02, 2025

BJP Rajya Sabha Tally Crosses 100 for First Time Since 2022

In a boost for the ruling BJP ahead of the elections for the Vice President on September 9, the party has crossed the 100 mark in the Rajya Sabha for the first time since April 2022, with three nominated members joining it.
Top lawyer, Ujjwal Nikam, former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and social worker C. Sadanandan Master, who took oath as Rajya Sabha MPs last month (July), joined the BJP in August, taking the party's tally to 102.
The Rajya Sabha currently has a strength of 240 MPs, including 12 nominated members, and has five vacancies.

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