General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2024

Nov 2024

Apr 27, 2025

Indian Delegation Visits Pretoria, South Africa for the Second Session of the India-South Africa ...

A nine member delegation held the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment meeting with the South African side in Pretoria, South Africa from April 22 to 23, 2025. The discussions were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and were fruitful. There was enthusiastic response towards greater cooperation, addressing pending issues, boosting trade and investment, greater people to people contacts.
The JTC was co-chaired by Mr. Malose Letsoalo, Chief Director, Bilateral Trade Relations, The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Republic of South Africa; and Ms. Priya Nair, Economic Adviser Department of Commerce. Official delegation from India consisted of officials from High Commission of India in South Africa, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. The officials of both India and South Africa actively engaged in the proceedings of the India-South Africa JWGTI.

Apr 26, 2025

J. P. Nadda Launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination campaign 2025-26 on the first day of the World Immunization Week (24-30 April), marking a significant step towards India's goal of eliminating Measles and Rubella by 2026.

Apr 25, 2025

International Conference "Shaping the Energy Future: Challenges and Opportunities" (SEFCO-2025)

CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun organised an international conference 'Shaping the Energy Future: Challenges and Opportunities' (SEFCO-2025) from April 23 to 25, 2025. SEFCO conference is annually organised by students and young scientists at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun which is a platform to facilitate discussions on innovative solutions, explore collaborative opportunities in energy & chemical sector.
The 1st edition of SEFCO conference was organised in 2017. The present (2025) 7th edition was an international conference with a theme of 'Catalysing a Sustainable Future with Affordable Energy and Chemicals.'
The inauguration ceremony of SEFCO 2025 was graced by Chief Guest Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee and Guest of Honour Alok Sharma, Director (R&D), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

Apr 24, 2025

Andhra Fast-tracks Work on India's First Quantum Computing Village in Amaravati

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken another vital step towards establishing India's first 'Quantum Computing Village' in Amaravati, with a high-level meeting convened at the State Secretariat under the supervision of the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS).
The proposed facility aims to be a world-class hub for quantum computing research, ecosystem development, and innovation, marking India's strategic commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced computational technologies.

India's Longest Rail Tunnel in Uttarakhand

Larsen & Toubro achieved the breakthrough in India's longest railway tunnel – the 14.57 km Tunnel No. 8 – on the 125-km Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link Project of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). Tunnel No. 8 stretches between Devprayag and Janasu in Uttarakhand.
The breakthrough was achieved using a state-of-the-art Single-Shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named Shakti, of 9.11m diameter, which is also the largest TBM to be deployed in the Himalayan region. Excavating at an average rate of 413 meters per month, 10.4 km of the tunnel was completed with TBM. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) was used to complete the remaining 4.11 km of the tunnel.
Celebrating the milestone, Union Railway Minister Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Mr Pushkar Singh Dhami, described the achievement as "a testament to India's engineering strength and the commitment to enhancing railway infrastructure in even the most difficult terrains."

India Cuts Ties with Pakistan: Ends Treaty, Seal Borders

India took an unprecedented step by terminating the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, a move that signifies the most serious breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two nations in recent years. Alongside the treaty's termination, the Atari-Wagah border was also sealed, visa services for Pakistani citizens suspended, and defence advisors from both countries were withdrawn. These actions reflect a decisive strategic shift in India's foreign policy approach toward its western neighbour.
India also announced the cancellation of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals. Any Pakistani citizen currently in India under this scheme has been asked to leave the country within 48 hours.
Established in 1992, SVES was designed to facilitate travel between SAARC member countries, which include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In 1988, the initiative emerged from the Islamabad SAARC Summit, where regional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges were emphasised.
Under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), eligible individuals are issued a special visa sticker by their respective home countries, which allows multiple entries into other SAARC nations without the need for separate visas.
Signed in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank, the Indus Water Treaty was one of the longest-standing agreements between India and Pakistan, surviving multiple wars and political upheavals. The treaty allocated the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan, with detailed mechanisms for dispute resolution and cooperation.
The current actions by India follow a steady deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, marked by repeated cross-border terror incidents, infiltration attempts, and diplomatic hostilities.

Apr 23, 2025

India Hosts Inaugural Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics on Combating Terror...

The Department of Revenue (DoR), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), successfully organised the first-ever Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics (CARs) on 'Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) through Cryptocurrencies, Crowdfunding, and Non-Profit Organisations'. The two-day programme concluded April 22, 2025.
The Capacity Building Programme brought together senior experts from five Central Asian countries — Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan — the programme served as a platform for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation in tackling terrorism financing.

India to Release Monthly Unemployment Data from May 15 Onwards

Starting May 15, 2025, the Indian government will begin releasing monthly unemployment data, marking a significant shift from its previous practice of quarterly and annual reports. This move aims to provide more timely and detailed insights into the country's employment landscape.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced that the first set of monthly unemployment data will cover January to March 2025. Subsequent reports will be released monthly. This change is intended to offer policymakers more frequent and granular data to inform decisions at both national and local levels.

MSDE and Microsoft Launch 'AI Careers for Women'

In an initiative to promote gender inclusivity in the technology sector, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) joined hands with Microsoft and launched 'AI Careers for Women'. This strategic partnership aims to empower 20,000 women from Tier-II and Tier-III towns in six Indian states with industry-relevant Artificial Intelligence (AI) training. The program emphasises not just skilling, but leadership, innovation, and career opportunities in AI, ensuring that women from underrepresented areas become future tech leaders and entrepreneurs.

List of Outcomes: State Visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia

The second leaders meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) was co-chaired by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. The Council reviewed the work of the various committees, subcommittees and working groups under the SPC, which encompass political, defence, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, agriculture, culture and people-to-people ties. The discussions were followed by signing of the minutes by the two leaders.
To strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, which has significant momentum in recent years, the Council decided to create a new Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the SPC.
The four committees under the India-Saudi Arabia SPC shall now be as follows:
(1) Political, Consular and Security Cooperation Committee, (2) Defence Cooperation Committee, (3) Economy, Energy, Investment and Technology Committee and (4) Tourism and Cultural Cooperation Committee.
List of MoUs/Agreements:
MoU between the Saudi Space Agency and the Department of Space of India on Cooperation in the field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes
MoU between the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India on Cooperation in the field of Health
MoU between the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC) and the National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA) on Cooperation in the field of Anti-Doping Education and Prevention
Agreement between the Saudi Post Corporation (SPL) and the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications of India on Cooperation in Inward Surface Parcel.

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