General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2022

Aug 2022

Jan 19, 2025

Vineet Joshi Takes Charge as Secretary of Higher Education

Vineet Joshi assumed the role of Secretary of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, effective at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Prior to this appointment, Joshi had a distinguished career in various key positions within the Indian educational sector. His vast experience in managing education-related initiatives is expected to bring significant improvements to India's higher education landscape.
Joshi served as Chief Secretary of the state of Manipur before this new role.
Previously he was Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Education.

Jan 18, 2025

Cabinet Nod for 8th Pay Commission Implementation

The Union Cabinet approved the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission to revise salaries of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and allowances of 65 lakh pensioners. The 8th Pay Commission will not only lead to increased salaries of Central government employees but also have revised Dearness Allowance (DA).
Since 1947, seven Pay Commissions have been constituted, with the last one constituted in 2014 and implemented on January 1, 2016. The 7th pay commission saw an expenditure increase of Rs. 1 lakh crore for fiscal 2016-17.
As the 7th Pay Commission's term concludes in December 2025, initiating the process now ensures sufficient time to receive and review recommendations before its completion.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches the Toolkit for 9th Edition of Swachh Survekshan

The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, launched the toolkit for 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS), the world's largest urban cleanliness survey, in its new avatar–simpler, sharper, systematic and all-inclusive. Secretary, MoHUA, S. Katikithala was also present at the launch event.
Initially launched by MoHUA in 2016, Swachh Survekshan drives urban sanitation improvement through citizen participation and third-party validation.

Jan 17, 2025

Smriti Irani, Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur Join PM Museum's New Power Team; Nripendra Mishra Gets Anot...

The Prime Ministers' Museum & Library (PMML) society and executive council were reconstituted with former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, getting another five year term as the organisation's chairperson. However, there were several new entrants at the premier institution's society — including former Union Minister Smriti Irani, former NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed Ata Hasnain, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Sanskar Bharati's Vasudev Kamath.
The key decision-making body of PMML — helmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its president, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as vice-president — was also expanded 34 members, instead of 29 earlier. While its term expired on January 13, 2025, the Ministry of Culture notified the reconstitution of the body for a five-year term.

India Signs Haj Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Quota Fixed at 1,75,025 Pilgrims

India signed a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for itself. Ministry of Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement with Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to be Chief Guest at Republic Day 2025 Celebrations

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest of India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26, the government announced.
While this will be President Prabowo's first visit to India in his capacity as president after assuming office in October 2024, this is the fourth time that an Indonesian leader has been invited as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. President Sukarno attended the very first Republic Day celebrations in independent India in 1950.

Jan 16, 2025

Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project

The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation in Rajasthan. This project will impact 23 districts and is crucial for providing water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. However, it poses environmental challenges, particularly regarding the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
The PKC-ERCP will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. This reserve is home to 57 tigers and is vital for wildlife conservation. The project aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal river basin, benefiting approximately 3.45 crore people in Rajasthan.

India to Host 28th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2026

The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation in Rajasthan. This project will impact 23 districts and is crucial for providing water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. However, it poses environmental challenges, particularly regarding the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
The PKC-ERCP will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. This reserve is home to 57 tigers and is vital for wildlife conservation. The project aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal river basin, benefiting approximately 3.45 crore people in Rajasthan.

Jan 15, 2025

Union Minister Sonowal Unveils National River Traffic & Navigation System

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched the National River Traffic and Navigation System (NRT&NS) during the second meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kaziranga, Assam. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of inland waterway transportation across India.
A significant policy initiative, the Riverine Community Development Scheme, was introduced to improve the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities. This scheme focuses on developing infrastructure, promoting trade and tourism, and providing skill enrichment training to enhance the quality of life for those living along the National Waterways.

Amit Shah, Chairs a Regional Conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The Home Minister also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office complex of Bhopal Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and extension of MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.
The objective of the conference, organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau, is to focus on tackling the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and union territories of northern India.

Odisha Announces Monthly Pension of Rs. 20,000 & Free Medical Treatment for Emergency Detainees

Odisha government announced a monthly pension of Rs. 20,000 for people who were imprisoned during the Emergency of 1975, imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The pension scheme, effective from January 1, follows Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's pledge on Independence Day to recognise them.
Eith this decision Odisha joined several other states, including Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Assam, who have similar pension schemes in place for Emergency detainees.

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