General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2024

Aug 2024

Aug 27, 2025

NHAI Launches 'Project Aarohan' for Toll Workers' Children

In a step toward promoting inclusive education and social equity, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched 'Project Aarohan' to support the educational aspirations of children of toll plaza employees. The initiative, unveiled in collaboration with Vertis Infrastructure Trust, aims to break financial and social barriers for students from economically weaker and marginalised communities across India.
Launched at the NHAI Headquarters in New Delhi by Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, 'Project Aarohan' reflects a commitment to those who operate India's national highways and their families. The project is designed to enable equal access to quality education, particularly for,
Girls from low-income households
First-generation learners
Students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minority communities

Rajasthan Becomes First State to Implement Supreme Court Order on Stray Dogs

Following the Supreme Court's directive on stray dogs, the Rajasthan government took the lead in managing the animals more systematically.
The Department of Autonomous Governance has issued strict instructions to all municipal corporations, councils, and municipalities, making compliance with the Stray Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023 mandatory.
Under the new guidelines, feeding points for dogs will be marked in every ward and locality, with urban bodies directed to coordinate with resident welfare associations and animal welfare organisations. Even in cases of rabies, arrangements for food and water will be ensured at these feeding spots.
Ravi Jain, Secretary, Local Self Government Department, said that Rajasthan is the first state in the country to issue such comprehensive orders balancing public safety and animal welfare after the Supreme Court's decision.

India Launches First Guidelines for Animal Blood Banks

The Government of India released the first national guidelines for veterinary blood transfusion services. The initiative addresses a long-standing gap in standardised animal care, especially during emergencies. Issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the guidelines introduce a structured framework for animal blood donation, storage, and transfusion, aimed at improving animal welfare, biosafety, and one health integration.
Until now, most animal blood transfusions in India were performed during emergencies without standardized protocols. Issues included,
No consistent donor screening or health verification
Lack of blood typing or cross-matching
Absence of biosafety measures

Aug 26, 2025

With No Withdrawal, All Set for Direct Contest between NDA, Opposition for V-P's Post

With neither of the two candidates for the vice presidential election withdrawing their nomination, the stage is set for a direct contest between ruling NDA nominee C. P. Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy on September 9.
Both candidates this time hail from southern India, with Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and Reddy from Telangana. The vice-presidential poll has been described by the opposition as an ideological battle, even as the numbers are stacked in favour of the ruling NDA.

PM Modi Holds Delegation-level Talks with Fijian Counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, at the Hyderabad House and discussed ways to further deepen the long-standing partnership and close ties between the two nations.
This was Sitiveni Rabuka's first visit to India in his current capacity.
He was accompanied by his spouse, Sulueti Rabuka, along with a high-level delegation that included Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officials.

Aug 25, 2025

NITI Aayog Releases Report on 'Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways'

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), released a new report titled 'Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways', offering a strategic roadmap to strengthen India's homestay and BnB ecosystem.
The report was unveiled by Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Yugal Kishore Joshi, Programme Director, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, and representatives from states like Goa, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
The report underscores that homestays have the unique ability to blend cultural authenticity with livelihood creation, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. It calls for flexible policy approaches, capacity building and the integration of digital platforms to empower hosts and strengthen consumer trust. It also features case studies and state-level best practices to illustrate scalable models for homestay development and governance.

Anish Dayal Singh New Deputy NSA

Former CRPF and ITBP Director General Anish Dayal Singh was appointed the new Deputy National Security Advisor, with a mandate to handle internal affairs.
Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre, retired from service in December 2024. He had served for nearly 30 years in the Intelligence Bureau before heading the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and most recently, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Singh will be in-charge of internal affairs. Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna is the Additional NSA, while retired IPS officer T. V. Ravichandran and former IFS officer Pawan Kapoor are the two serving Deputy NSAs.

Centre Sets Up Rajiv Gauba-led Panels to Drive Next-Gen Reforms, Viksit Bharat Vision

Central Government established two high-level committees under the leadership of Rajiv Gauba, a full-time NITI Aayog member and former Cabinet Secretary. These panels are designed to fast-track next-generation reforms and realise the ambitious Viksit Bharat (Developed India) vision.
The two newly formed panels led by Rajiv Gauba will work in parallel but with distinct objectives,
Panel on Viksit Bharat Goals: Focused on strategising long-term policies and actions needed to fulfill India's aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Panel on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms: Concentrated on overhauling and simplifying regulatory frameworks across non-financial sectors to boost economic competitiveness and ease of doing business.
These panels are not working in isolation. They are closely coordinating with ministerial panels chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, ensuring top-level political backing and faster implementation.
In addition, a separate state-level deregulation committee has been constituted under Cabinet Secretary T. V. S. Swaminathan. This committee aims to address regulatory bottlenecks at the state level, a critical factor in India's federal governance structure.

Aug 24, 2025

Assam Will No Longer Issue Aadhaar Cards to People Over 18

The Assam government decided that no new Aadhaar cards will be issued to individuals over the age of 18 in the state. The decision, announced, will take effect from the first week of October, once a formal government notification is issued.
For SCs, STs, and tea garden tribes, Aadhaar cards will be issued only for one year. Those who have not yet applied must do so within September, as the window will remain open for just one month. After that, exceptions will be entertained only through the Deputy Commissioner's office, with final approval resting solely with the DC.

Aug 23, 2025

EC Appoints Two Officers as Observers for Upcoming Vice President Elections

Ahead of the upcoming election for the post of Vice President of India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed two senior officers of the rank of Additional Secretary as Observers to oversee the electoral process.
The election, scheduled for September 9, will see a direct contest between Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, and the NDA's nominee, C. P. Radhakrishnan.
The officers appointed by the EC as Observers are Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and D. Anandan, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. Nitin Kumar Shivdas Khade, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, has been placed on the reserve list.

PM to Inaugurates Bihar's Aunta-Simaria Bridge Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Aunta-Simaria Bridge project on National Highway-31, a key infrastructure link expected to ease traffic and boost economic activity across Bihar.
The 8.15 -km project includes a 1.8- km six-lane bridge built over the Ganga at a cost of Rs. 1,870 crore. It will directly connect Mokama in Patna district with Begusarai, providing a much-needed alternative to the ageing Rajendra Setu.

India Hosts Regional Meet on Health Research, Innovation in Public Health

The Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) held a two-day international meeting on "Health Research and Innovations in Public Health" at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the Capital, bringing together senior representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Timor-Leste.
The meet, part of the Regional Enabler for South and Southeast Asia Research for Health (RESEARCH) Platform, is aimed at strengthening health research systems, sharing best practices and promoting cross-border collaboration to tackle common public health challenges in the region.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26