General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2021

Aug 2021

Apr 14, 2025

India and Italy Agree to Take Forward IMEEC Initiative

India and Italy decided to expand cooperation in areas of trade, defence, clean energy and high technology while agreeing to work jointly in implementing the ambitious India-Middle-East-Europe-Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
Ways to deepen India-Italy cooperation under the framework of Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29 figured prominently during talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajan.
Tajani, also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was on a two-day visit to India.

Kerala Declares CM Pinarayi Vijayan's Dharmadam Constituency Extreme Poverty-Free

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Dharmadam Assembly constituency in Kannur was declared as the state's first extreme poverty-free constituency.
In a function held at Pinarayi village in his constituency, Vijayan said that the entire state will be declared as an extreme poverty-free state on 1 November, 2025.
Significantly, the four common factors taken as indicators of extreme poverty were food availability, health, income, and housing, which were considered basic requirements for survival of a family.

Apr 13, 2025

Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2025

The 9th edition of the Global Technology Summit (GTS), a flagship event co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Carnegie India, took place in New Delhi from April 10 to 12, 2025. The Summit brought together global leaders from various sectors—government, industry, academia, and civil society—aiming to shape global technology policy. With the theme "Sambhavna" (meaning possibilities), GTS 2025 explored how emerging technologies can foster inclusive growth, enhance digital governance, and facilitate cross-border cooperation. The Summit addressed some of the world's most pressing tech challenges, engaging over 150 speakers from more than 40 countries, and providing a platform for young professionals to contribute to the dialogue.

Apr 12, 2025

CM Dhami Launches Bhagirath App for Water Conservation in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Bhagirath mobile app as part of the state's Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan (Water Conservation Campaign) 2025. The initiative, aligning with the campaign's theme 'Dhara Mera, Naula Mera, Gaon Mera, Prayas Mera,' aims to involve citizens in reporting endangered water sources in their areas. The app will enable the government to take prompt action to conserve and restore critical water bodies like Naulas, Dharaas, and rain-fed rivers. CM Dhami emphasised the need for public participation and the role of sustainable water management practices in ensuring the long-term viability of water resources in the state.

The 8th Session of India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects held in New Delhi

The 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP) under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held in New Delhi.
The Working Group meeting was held successfully, with the co-chairs signing a protocol highlighting multiple projects of strategic importance to both nations.
The Working Group also reviewed the outcomes of the 7th session, and both sides agreed to include six new strategic projects aimed at deepening bilateral investment cooperation. Discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to expand investment collaboration across various sectors.
On the sidelines of the 8th Session of IRWG-PIP, the 2nd Edition of the India-Russia Investment Forum was also organised, in collaboration with Invest India, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

Apr 11, 2025

India, UK Hold 13th Economic and Financial Dialogue in London

The 13th Ministerial meeting of the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was held at London. The Indian delegation, led by Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, held high-level discussions with the UK delegation led by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves.
The Indian delegation comprised of the Finance Secretary, Chairman IFSCA, Whole Time Member from SEBI and other senior officers from Ministry of Finance and Indian High Commission in London. Governor RBI also attended the meeting in virtual mode. The UK delegation included the Governor of Bank of England, FCA CEO, Economic Secretary of Treasury, and senior officials from HM's Treasury.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue collaboration in financial services sector, FinTech and Digital economy and between the respective regulatory bodies; collaboration at bilateral and multilateral fora to address mutual and global economic issues including mobilising affordable finance and investment for low carbon economic growth, taxation matters and illicit financial flows.

Maharashtra Government Renames Khultabad as Ratnapur

In a move aimed at reviving pre-Mughal heritage and identity, the Maharashtra government announced the renaming of the historic town Khultabad to its original name, Ratnapur. This decision was declared by the State's Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, reflecting the ongoing initiative by the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance to restore the original cultural and historical names of places altered during the Mughal period. Khultabad, located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district, is not only known for its scenic and spiritual significance but also for housing the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Apr 10, 2025

Delhi Government Revokes 177 Political Appointments Made by AAP Regime

The BJP government in Delhi cancelled 177 political appointments made during the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration across various institutions and committees. The services department, in an official order, directed all departments to submit fresh proposals for reconstituting these bodies.

India-UAE Strengthen To Enhance Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum held high-level discussions in New Delhi, aimed at enhancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their talks focused on strengthening cooperation in defence, coast guard operations, trade, technology, space, and people-to-people ties. Sheikh Hamdan's first official visit to India as crown prince marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, underscoring shared strategic priorities and mutual economic interests.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalise Coast Guard collaboration.
Talks between Sheikh Hamdan and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised scaling defence ties to match trade growth.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj launches The First-ever Panchayat Advancement Index

In a significant move to strengthen grassroots governance and track rural progress, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the first-ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) baseline report for FY 2022-23. The index serves as a comprehensive tool to measure the performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across nine localised Sustainable Development Goal (LSDG) themes, according to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
The inaugural PAI data revealed that out of 2,55,699 GPs, 2,16,285 submitted validated data. Among these, only 699 Panchayats (0.3%) qualified as Front Runners, while 77,298 (35.8%) were marked as Performers. A large majority—1,32,392 Panchayats (61.2%)—were classified as Aspirants, and 5,896 (2.7%) were at the Beginner level. No Panchayat achieved the highest "Achiever" category.
Gujarat and Telangana emerged as leaders with the highest number of Front Runner GPs—346 and 270, respectively. Other high-performing states include Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, while Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh saw a significant concentration of aspirant GPs.

Government Launches New Aadhaar App

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the beta version of the new Aadhaar app. The app promises stronger privacy and easier access to Aadhaar services.
The app, built with support from UIDAI, uses Face ID and artificial intelligence for real-time authentication. It also features QR code-based instant verification.
Users can verify their identity by simply scanning a QR code. No more need to carry Aadhaar photocopies while travelling, checking into hotels, or shopping.
The app ensures data sharing only with user consent. It gives individuals full control over what information they share.

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