You are on page 1of 65

JANUARY 2019

 Viswanathan Anand appointed as Asia's Continental Assistant to World Chess Federation.


 Gita Gopinath joins IMF as its first female Chief Economist
 India record historic win at AFC Asian Cup
 For the first time the Indian Armed Forces celebrated the Veteran’s Day on 14th January, the day on which the
first Field Marshall General KM Cariappa retired from service.
 Government moves Quota Bill on economic criteria
 The union cabinet cleared a Constitutional Amendment Bill on Monday to give 10% reservation to the
economically backward sections of society, over and above the 49.5% quota in place for SC, ST and OBCs.
 The special cabinet meeting was held in Parliament House to discuss and clear the Bill to amend Articles 15 and
16 of the Constitution to give reservation to the economically backward sections.
 The Centre — which has a brute majority in the Lower House of Parliament— is confident of passage of the Bills
in the winter session itself.
 The Bill which deals with 10% quota seeks to add Clause 6 in Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution to extend
reservation in educational institutions and government jobs, respectively.
 The amendment will state that this 10% reservation for the economically backward will be other than the
category mentioned in Clause 5 of Article 15 (the socially and educationally backward or the SC and ST).
 Centre approves Citizenship Bill
 The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) recommended that Assam government should help settle migrants
especially in places which are not densely populated, thus, causing lesser impact on the demographic changes
and providing succour to the indigenous Assamese people
 The Bill paves way to grant citizenship to six religious minorities -- Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and
Buddhists -- from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who came to India before 2014.
 The committee rejected the amendment to exclude Bangladesh from the list of benefactor countries. There has
been a strong resistance to the as it would pave the way for giving citizenship, mostly to illegal Hindu migrants
from Bangladesh in Assam, who came after March 1971, in violation of the agreement of the Assam Accord,
1985
 Rajya Sabha approves 10% quota bill
 In the final leg of the legislative process after both the houses, the Bill will now go to the President for approval.
 The Bill was approved after the House rejected a motion moved by Kanimozhi (DMK) and supported by Left
parties for sending it to a parliamentary select committee for scrutiny.
 Against 18 members supporting, 155 opposed it and one member abstained. The Bill was approved after the
House rejected 5 amendments moved by Opposition members.
 The quota will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation to SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes
(OBCs).
 The amendment bill seeks to insert a clause in Sections 15 and 16 of the Constitution. A Constitution
amendment bill requires support from at least two-thirds of members present and voting in the both Houses of
Parliament
 Government launches National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
 It is a time bound national level strategy for pan India implementation to tackle the increasing air pollution
problem across the country in a comprehensive manner
 The tentative national level target of 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 is proposed
under the NCAP taking 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
 The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first year.
 The international experiences and national studies indicate that significant outcome in terms of air pollution
initiatives are visible only in the long-term, and hence the programme may be further extended to a longer
time horizon after a mid-term review of the outcomes.
 There will be use of the Smart Cities program to launch the NCAP in the 43 smart cities falling in the list of the
102 non-attainment cities.
 Ravi Shankar Inaugurates NIC Command and Control Centre
 NIC has been offering Data Centre and Cloud services to the Government. Currently, it has 4 National Data
Centres and 30 Mini Data Centres across the country hosting over 10,000 e-Governance applications
 Majority of critical applications of the Government are hosted at these locations and the volume and nature of
these critical online services have evolved and grown considerably.
 Additionally for large critical projects, NIC is proposing to provide users with a customized dashboard where
they can monitor resources and availability of their applications. Applications like – eOffice, eHospital,
Beneficiary Identification System under Ayushman Bharat are already on-board on this dashboard.
 Centre of excellence in AI by NIC has been established with the motto of ‘Inclusive AI' for responsive
governance, to work towards improving Govt. service delivery to citizens.
 This CoE in AI will be a platform for innovative new solutions in AI space, a gateway to test and develop for
projects undertaken by NIC at central and state level. CoE in AI is designed to promote innovation in application
of AI to take e-Governance services to the next level.
 Basava Krishi award for Sharad Pawar
 The national Basava Krishi award is given by the Panchamasali Peetha of Kudalasangama for contributions to
agriculture.
 Jayamrutunjaya Swamy of the peetha told presspersons here on Saturday that they have been giving the award
since 2012 to various personalities for their contribution to the field of agriculture.
 So far, the peetha has given awards to Rajendra Singh, Anna Hazare, Medha Patkar, Baba Adawe, Manik Sarkar,
and M.S. Swaminathan. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a brass citation.
 Messi scores 400th La Liga goal to becomes the highest scorer
 Hunar Haat is to ensure development of artisans and craftsmen
 The Hunar Haat has been organised at State Emporia Complex, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place,
New Delhi from 12th to 20th January, 2019
 Indigenous exquisite pieces of Handicraft & Handloom work like Cane & Bamboo, Jute Products from Assam,
Variety of Silks from Jharkhand & Bihar, Varanasi Silk, LucknawiChikankari, Ceramic, Terracotta, glassware,
Brassware, Leather, Marble products of Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir Namda, Traditional handicrafts from North
Eastern Region, Ajrakh, Bandhej, Mud work, Copper Bells from Gujarat, Silver Filigree products from Odisha
and Bamboo Crafts from Chhattisgarh, Scissors from Meerut are available at this “HunarHaat”.
 Qawwali, Sufi songs, traditional dance performance and other cultural programs are being organized daily at
“HunarHaat” at Baba Kharak Singh Marg where renowned artists are performing.
 Womaniya on Government e Marketplace Government
 e Marketplace [GeM] has launched “Womaniya on GeM”, an initiative to enable women entrepreneurs and
women self-help groups [WSHGs] to sell handicrafts and handloom, accessories, jute and coir products, home
décor and office furnishings, directly to various Government ministries, departments and institutions
 Maneka Gandhi inaugurates regional centre of NIPCCD in Mohali
 Maneka Sanjay Gandhi stressed upon the need for training and development of elected women representatives
of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to ensure that fruit of development may reach the grassroots level through
their active participation and actual empowerment
 NIPCCD is a premier organisation devoted to promotion of voluntary action, research, training, and
documentation in the overall domain of women and children development. NIPCCD (National Institute of Public
Cooperation and Child Development) already has 4 regional centres, one each at Bangalore, Guwahati, Indore
and Lucknow besides the Headquarters at New Delhi.
 President inaugurates 3 day Gandhian resurgence summit at Prayagraj Kumbh
 About 300 Gandhians from different parts of the country and organisations are participating in the three day
Gandhian Resurgence Summit at Parmarth Niketan camp at the ongoing Prayagraj Kumbh.
 Kumbh is the biggest congregation of humanity of the world and this provides for a great platform to spread
the messages of Cleanliness and eradication of untouchability as was practised by Mahatma Gandhi.
 First Lady Ms Savita Kovind honoured 9 women from traditional boat community for their contribution to the
Kumbh. Prayagraj Kumbh 2019 will be remembered for opening of doors to Akshaya Vat (sacred tree) and
Saraswati Koop (sacred well) for common men after 450 years
 Provisions of the 103rd amendment enacted
 The Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 which introduces a ten percent economic
reservation for those belonging to economically weaker sections of society has come into force from today i.e.
January 14, 2019.
 The amendment changed two fundamental rights, Article 15 and 16. The amendments provide for the
advancement of the “economically weaker sections” of the society.
 The amendment aims to fulfil the commitments of the directive principles of state policy under Article 46, to
promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the society.
 'Youth for Equality’ has questioned the constitutional validity of the 103rd constitutional amendment act which
was passed by the both the Houses of Parliament after being presented as the Constitution (124th Amendment)
Bill, 2019
 Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015-18 announced.
 Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari have been awarded for the year 2015 for their contribution in Rural
Development, Education , Development of natural resources.
 For 2016 jointly to AkshayaPatra Foundation for its contribution in providing mid-day meals to millions of
children across India and Sulabh International for its contribution in improving the condition of sanitation in
India and emancipation of manual scavengers.
 Ekal Abhiyan Trust for the year 2017 for their contribution in providing Education for Rural and Tribal Children
in remote areas pan India, Rural Empowerment, Gender and Social Equality. Shri Yohei Sasakawa for the year
2018 for his contribution in Leprosy Eradication in India and across the world.
 Rishabh Pant named ICC Emerging Player of the Year 2018
 Aparna Kumar becomes first woman IPS, ITBP officer to trek South Pole
 Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to be conferred with Ashok Chakra on Republic day
 Naomi Osaka becomes first Japanese player to win Australian Open
 Indians over 65, under 15 can use Aadhaar to visit Nepal, Bhutan
 Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card
issued by the government of India or an election ID card issued by the Election Commission
 Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
 It is being made mandatory for using a host of government services.
 Teens between 15 to 18 years will be allowed to travel between India and Nepal on the basis of an identity
certificate issued by the principal of their school in a prescribed form.
 In case of a family (like husband, wife, minor children and parents) travelling together, all persons will not be
required to carry relevant documents (such as a passport or an election ID) if one of the adult members has
valid travel papers.
 Indian nationals travelling to Bhutan need to have either an Indian passport with minimum validity of six months
or a voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India
 RailTel is turning railway stations into digital hubs
 The network, provided by RailTel, a ‘Mini Ratna’ central PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) under the Ministry of
Railways, is not only one of the largest but also one of the fastest public WiFi networks.
 For a modern handset, the speed can go as high as 40 Mbps for the initial 30 minutes of unhindered open
access, which is unmatched on any other network.
 The backbone capacity of each of these railway stations is 1 GBPS. Of the 746 railway stations, RailTel has
provided high speed WiFi at 414 A, A1 and C category railway stations across the country, in association with
Google as the technology partner.
 5 day long ‘Bharat Parv’ at Red Fort to showcase the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
 The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with other central Ministries is organizing the 4th edition of ‘Bharat
Parv’ event showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat at Red Fort in the capital during 26th to 31st
January 2019.
 The tradition has continued over the past four years and the 4 th edition is here now with the prime objective
to generate a patriotic fervour, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider
participation of the general public and to popularize the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
 The event will also include IRCTC’ promotions on special tourist trains, ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ Consumer Awareness
campaign, a Gandhi Gram in which 10 painting artists will create paintings on the theme of 'Ideology of Mahatma
Gandhi', the exhibition-cum-sale of crafts items.
 In addition to these, the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) will be conducting daily Cultural Performances from
different regions of the country
 PM Inaugurates Subhas Chandra Bose Museum at Red Fort
 Remembering the heroes of freedom struggle, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid floral tributes and
inaugurated the Subhas Chandra Bose museum at Red Fort today, to mark his 122nd birth anniversary
 All four museums have been named as Kranti Mandir. This complex includes Museums on Netaji Subhas Chandra
Bose and the Indian National Army, Yaad-e-Jallian Museum (on Jallianwala Bagh and World War 1), Museum
on 1857- India’s First War of Independence and Drishyakala Museum on Indian Art, spanning three centuries,
with over 450 works of art.
 Kranti Mandir is a tribute to the revolutionary zeal and courage of our great freedom fighters. Ahead of the
Republic Day, these will deepen the connect between our glorious history and our youth as well as add to the
patriotic fervour among citizens.
 Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P takes over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command.
 Tripura, CISF, ICAR bag 'Best Tableau Award' for Republic Day parade
 Under the states and union territories category, the first prize went to Tripura for its float based on the theme
of 'Empowering Rural Economy in Gandhian Way'.
 The second prize went to Jammu and Kashmir for its theme on 'Gandhiji's Ray of Hope - Our Composite Culture'
and the third prize to Punjab for its float on the theme of 'Jallianwala Bagh'.
 The CISF's float was based on the theme 'Securing National Assets - 50 Glorious Years' while the ICAR tableau
was on 'Kisan Gandhi'
 Piyush Goyal awarded Carnot Prize for his contributions to the energy sector
 India bags the Award of Excellence for ‘Best in Show’ at NY Times Travel Show 2019
 Piyush Goyal Announces ‘Vande Bharat Express’
 He announced the name Vande Bharat Express for Train 18, acknowledging its made-in-India status. He called
it a ‘vandaniya’ step towards realisation of New India vision
 It is India's first semi-high speed train equipped with world class passenger amenities.It can achieve high
speeds (max speed of 160 kmph) due to faster acceleration & deceleration and will reduced journey time by
25% to 45%. Scheduled commute between New Delhi & Varanasi will take approximately 8 hours making it
40-50% faster than the fastest train currently connecting these two cities.
 It has been provided with ‘State of the Art’ passenger amenities like On-board wifi entertainment, GPS based
passenger information system, CCTVs, bio-vacuum toilets, rotating chairs in executive class, etc. at par with
global standards.
 It also has provision of Divyang-friendly facilities. It will have 16 coaches with Chair Car type configuration with
2 Executive Class Chair Cars and 14 Chair Cars.
 Interim Budget: Goyal declares pension of Rs 3,000 for informal workers
 The scheme will cover all those unorganised sector workers like autorikshaw driver, whose income is up to Rs
15,000 per month.
 The scheme will attract matching contribution of Rs 100 per month from government as well as from workers.
 He also announced hiking of tax free gratuity to Rs 30 lakh from existing Rs 20 lakh for employees having
service of more than five years.
 The scheme will be called 'Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan'. The government will also provide a matching
contribution of Rs 100 for every unorganised workers covered under the scheme, which is expected to benefit
10 crore workers in next five years
 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi launched to provide income support for farmers
 Agriculture continues to be the main driver of the rural economy. Our hard-working farmers, supported by pro-
farmer policies of our Government in the past four and half years, have produced agriculture commodities in
record quantities.
 Under this programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares, will be
provided direct income support at the rate of Rs 6,000 per year.
 This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers, in three equal
installments of Rs 2,000 each.
 This programme will be funded by Government of India. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families
are expected to benefit from this. The programme would be made effective from 1st December 2018 and the
first installment for the period upto 31st March 2019 would be paid during this year itself
 National Conference on “Prison Design” to begin in Visakhapatnam
 The two-day conference is being hosted by the DG Prison, Andhra Pradesh on the behalf of State and is being
sponsored by the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).
 It will focus on inter - relationship of various activities in the Prison Complex and their layout, Security aspects
i.e. perimeter wall height, electric fencing, segregation walls inside prison, watch towers, high security block,
quarantine block CCTV, metal detector, luggage scanners and construction details etc.
 BPR&D is committed to provide synergetic platform to all Prison professionals, Police Officials and civil Architects
to evolve better “Prison Designs” suiting to the safety and security needs of the prison, ease in handling the
administration of the prisons on one hand and provide conducive structures for humane living conditions for
the inmates as per the constitutional mandates.
 PM interacts with students, teachers and parents at “Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0”
 This year, students from across the country, and also Indian students residing abroad, participated in the event.
 In response to a question on time management and exhaustion, the Prime Minister said that 1.25 billion Indians
are all his family.
 He asked parents not to expect their children to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams and celebrate even little
achievements of their wards. He said technology should lead to expansion of the mind and be seen as a means
to innovate, but, he also asked students to continue playing in the fields.

FEBRUAURY 2019

 NITI Aayog, Adobe Partner to Enhance Digital Literacy and Creativity Skills
 Atal Innovation Mission and software major Adobe have signed a Statement of Intent to collaborate on
enhancing digital literacy and creativity skills.
 Atal Tinkering Labs is the flagship initiative undertaken by NITI Aayog under the Atal Innovation Mission.
 Atal Tinkering Labs are aimed at inculcating the values of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship
amongst India’s youngsters.
 Atal Tinkering Labs are dedicated works spaces where students (Class 6th to Class 12th) learn innovation
skills and develop ideas that will go on to transform India.
 Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has partnered with Adobe to launch Adobe Digital Disha
Programme.
 Under the Adobe Digital Disha Programme, the Adobe would provide Adobe Spark application, a fun and
frictionless storytelling Creative Cloud application free of charge for education and skill development.
 Tata Steel has been recognised as one of World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for
2019.
 Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.
 The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot launched the 2nd Edition of
Indian Sign Language (ISL) Dictionary
 The Dictionary was brought about by Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) under the
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment.
 The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal has announced a PRANAM Commission to look after the
issues related to the Parents Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring (PRANAM) Bill.
 The bill makes it mandatory for state government employees to look after their parents and unmarried
differently abled siblings who do not have their own sources of income.
 The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu K Palaniswami has unveiled MGR Centenary Arch on Kamaraj Salai of
Chennai.
 The Centenary Arch is 66 feet wide and 52 feet height was proposed to commemorate the birth centenary of
the late chief minister MG Ramachandran.
 DR M G Ramachandran popularly known as M. G. R is an actor, filmmaker and politician who served as
the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for ten years between 1977 and 1987. He has been also honoured with the
Bharat Ratna.
 The Union Minister of Human Resources and Development Prakash Javadekar launched the Scheme for Higher
Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) programme to provide industry-specific
apprenticeship opportunities to fresh graduates.
 SHREYAS is a programme basket comprising of three initiatives of the HRD, Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
 SHREYAS will provide a platform wherein educational institutions and industry would log in and provide their
respective demand and supply of apprenticeship.
 The programme promotes apprenticeship as an important part of education and integrates the government’s
employment building efforts into the education system.
 International Court of Justice (ICJ) has advised the UK to return the Diego Garcia (Chagos Islands) to
Mauritius as rapidly as possible
 In a majority opinion the court noted that the decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully complete when it
attained independence because Britain carved away the Chagos Archipelago from it and retained control over
it.
 Britain is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as
possible.
 The Infosys Foundation has constituted Aarohan Social Innovation Awards to reward individuals, teams or
NGOs developing solutions for the social sector.
 Aarohan Social Innovation Awards are aimed at nurturing the culture of innovation in the social sector to
scale positive change across the country and thereby provide a platform to help the solutions scale.
 Infosys Foundation established in 1996 is a not-for-profit initiative of Infosys Ltd. It aims to support the
underprivileged sections of society by creating opportunities for building a more equitable society.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed three banks, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Allahabad Bank and Corporation
Bank from the PCA framework by moving them out of its weak-bank watchlist.
 The PCA framework had become a bone of contention between the government and the RBI. In India, PCA
kicks in when banks breach any of the three key regulatory trigger points namely capital to risk-weighted
assets ratio, net non-performing assets (NPA) and return on assets (RoA) whereas globally PCA kicks in only
when banks slip on a single parameter of capital adequacy ratio.
 India has successfully test-fired two indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM)
from a test range off the Odisha coast.
 The missile is an all-weather, all-terrain missile with electronic countermeasures against jamming by aircraft
radars.
 QRSAM uses solid-fuel propellant and has a range of 25-30 km.
 QRSAM has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in association
with Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited as a replacement to Osa-AK and Kvadrat missile
systems.
 Educationist and Author Govind Prasad Sharma has been appointed as the Chairman of National Book Trust
(NBT).
 National Book Trust (NBT) is an apex body established by the Government Of India in the Year 1957 under
the Department Of Higher Education, Ministry Of Human Resource Development.
 The Inclusive Internet Index 2019 was prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for Facebook. The
‘Inclusive Internet’ score was based on the scores of availability, affordability, relevance and readiness
categories.
 Sweden has topped the rankings followed by Singapore and the US.
 India has been ranked 47th.
 According to the report Men have more Internet access than women globally but low and lower middle income
countries narrowed the gender gap in 2018.
 The report notes that Inclusion for women and those with disabilities have improved, with low income and
lower-middle-income countries driving the progress.
 Eminent Indian playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar has been chosen for META Lifetime Achievement Award 2019.
 The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) is aimed at applauding the finest in theatre. The META
awards were instituted by the Mahindra Group with the objective of becoming a significant platform for
celebrating this art.
 The 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit was held at New Delhi.
 The summit provides an opportunity to support governments and health system reformers in improving the
health and well-being of their citizens through digital technologies.
 The Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) is a collaboration of governments and territories, government
agencies and the World Health Organization aimed at supporting the effective implementation of digital health
services.
 The GDHP was established in February 2018 to provide an international platform for global collaboration
 The secretariat services for the GDHP are provided by Australian Digital Health Agency for the initial 18
months.
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) has struck against Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot of Pakistan occupied
Kashmir in the pre-dawn hours of 26th February 2019.
 The Mirage-2000 fighter jets were used to drop explosives on these training camps during Air Strike. A dozen
Mirage-2000 fighter jets used to carry out the attack were escorted by four Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft.
 Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System of Israel and the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and
Control System Aircraft (AEW&C) aircraft were deployed to monitor the mission.
 Green Book won the Oscar award for the best picture.
 Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Free Solo won the best documentary award.
 The Oscars Awards also known as Academy Awards honour artistic and technical merit in the film industry.
 The Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development, and Rejuvenation presented 82 National Water
Awards in 14 categories for the year 2018.
 The National Water Awards were launched in the year 2007 by the Ministry of Water Resources. The objective
of National Water Award is to encourage all stakeholderfor adopting innovative practices of groundwater
augmentation by rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge, promoting water use efficiency, recycling & re-
use of water and creating awareness through people’s participation.
 The National Institute of Design has been inaugurated at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and Jorhat in Assam.
 The National Institute of Design was established based on the recommendations of the Eames Report. It was
established as an autonomous all-India body in September 1961 at Ahmedabad
 The National Institute of Design has been declared ‘Institution of National Importance’ by the Act of
Parliament, by virtue of the National Institute of Design Act 2014.
 It works as an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
 The Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal has launched Rail Drishti dashboard.
 The dashboard brings information from various sources on a single platform and gives access to key statistics
and parameters to every citizen of the country.
 Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani inaugurated the ‘Titanwala Museum’ in Bagru that showcases the
Chhipa community’s Bagru hand-block printing.
 Bagru printing is one of the traditional techniques of printing with natural colour followed by the chippas of
Rajasthan.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National War Memorial adjoining the India Gate in New Delhi.
 The memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely ‘Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, ‘Tyag Chakra’ and
‘Rakshak Chakra’.
 The memorial includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles
fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy in Veerta Chakra gallery.
 16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the 25,942 battle casualties and
their names have been inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern, symbolizing the ancient
Indian war formation ‘Chakravyuh’.
 The Rakshak Chakra the outermost one comprises of rows of more than 600 trees
 he National War Memorial will have a new ‘eternal flame’, the existing eternal flame at the Amar Jawan Jyoti
built in 1972 in honour of soldiers who lost their lives in the 1971 India-Pakistan war
 A major fire has broken out in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park in Chamarajanagar District of
Karnataka.
 The National Park forms part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
 The Bandipur National Park is surrounded by the river Kabini in the north, River Moyar in the south and the
River Nugu runs through the park.
 Unicef Representative in India Yasmin Ali Haque has lauded Poshan Abhiyaan
 POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child
Development. The Mission is aimed at improving the nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent
Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers in a time bound manner during the next three years beginning
2017-18.
 Global Business Summit 2019 was held in New Delhi. It was the fifth edition of the three-day Summit and
was inaugurated on 22nd February 2019.
 The Global Business Summit 2019 was aimed at unfolding the myriad contours of the world economy and
defining the factors that will lead the Indian economy to newer heights.
 The Global Business Summit launched on January 15, 2015, is a flagship initiative of the Times Group.
 The Global Business Summit aims to provide solutions to key macroeconomic challenges being faced in the
current context and helps corporates and governments secure investments by showcasing opportunities to
apt audiences.
 Afghanistan has launched a new export route to India through the Chabahar Port of Iran.
 The Chabahar Port of Iran provides easy access to the sea for Afghanistan. India has invested in the
development of this route as well as Chabahar port.
 India is the largest export destination for Afghanistan.
 The new route is one of the many initiatives undertaken by the governments of India and Afghanistan to
enhance trade relations.
 Afghanistan has created history in its second Twenty20 International against Ireland at the Rajiv Gandhi
International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
 Afghanistan scored 278 for the loss of three wickets in the 20 overs and registered the highest-ever total in
T20s.
 Afghanistan broke the record of Australia. Australia had scored 263/3 back in 2016 against Sri Lanka.
 India invited as Guest of Honour for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meet.
 The host UAE has stated that the friendly country of India has been named as the guest of honour in view of
its great global political stature as well as its time-honoured and deeply rooted cultural and historical legacy.
 The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) established in 1969 aims to provide a collective voice to the
Muslim world.
 Headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, It has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European
Union.
 Deloitte has announced the launch of its global initiative ‘WorldClass’ in India for the empowerment of
women.
 The initiative aims to give a boost to women education since almost 40 per cent of girls aged 15-18 years
drop out of school and college, and only 26 per cent of women are employed.
 The think tank Niti Ayog had hosted the conference on Future of Indian Banking and role of technology
Tomorrow in association with the Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare (EGROW Foundation).
 The Foundation for Economic growth and Welfare (EGROW Foundation) is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary
public policy organisation engaged in independent, high-quality research in the areas of macroeconomic
policy, public welfare, national security and diplomacy.
 The foundation aims to contribute to the formation of sound public policies, especially in India by providing
research-based support to policymaking.
 The government of Himachal Pradesh has made an announcement regarding the announcement of Monkey
as Vermin for the period of one year.
 Vermin refers to pests or nuisance animals which spread diseases or destroy crops or livestock. In India
Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 empowers the states to send a list of wild animals to the
Centre requesting it to declare them vermin for selective slaughter. The Central Government through
notification may declare any wild animal other than those specified in Schedule I and part 11 of Schedule H of
the law to be vermin for any area for a given period of time.
 Gujarat Launches Second Edition of Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan
 The scheme aims to deepen water bodies in the state before monsoon to increase storage of rainwater to be
used during times of scarcity.
 The scheme involves cleaning and desilting of riverfronts.
 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended all discussions with India regarding hosting of
global sporting events in the backdrop of denial of visas to the two Pakistani Shooters.
 The Pakistani shooters were supposed to participate in the 25m rapid fire pistol event in the ISSF World Cup.
 IOC notes that the Indian government authorities have failed to grant an entry visa for the Pakistani
delegation to participate in the ISSF World Cup which was a qualification competition for the Tokyo Olympic
Games to be held in 2020.
 The Chennai Spartans have won the inaugural Pro Volleyball League Title defeating Calicut Heroes.
 Chennai Spartans have also qualified for this year’s FIVB Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship.
 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship is an international volleyball competition
in Asia and Oceania contested by the men’s clubs of the members of Asian Volleyball
Confederation (AVC), The championship competition is held every year.
 The Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) has been honoured with the prestigious ‘FICCI CSR Award’ for Women
Empowerment.
 FICCI Corporate Social Responsibility Awards were India’s first CSR awards and was instituted in 1999 by
FICCI. The award aims to identify and recognize the efforts of companies in integrating and internalizing
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
 The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) condemning the Pulwama Terror Attack has decided to continue the
‘Grey’ listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad,
Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat-ud-Dawa.
 Grey list will endanger Pakistan’s handful of remaining banking links to the outside world.
 Grey listing will squeeze Pakistan’s economy and make it harder to meet its mounting foreign financing
needs, including potential future borrowings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
 The Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani inaugurated two silk projects Soil to Silk Project and Eri Spun Silk Mill in
Assam.
 Soil to Silk project envisages new Eri plantation on 100 hectares and will facilitate post cocoon activities for
an on-farm sector like plantation, spinning and reeling.
 It would generate direct employment for 15,600 people during the project period and 7,000 persons per year
when the project attains full capacity.
 The Eri Spun Silk Mill project will be implemented directly by the state government in co-coordination with the
Central Silk Board.
 The project would generate direct employment for 107 persons throughout the year and will provide indirect
employment to around another 1,500 Eri farmers through backward linkage and to around 730 weavers
through the forward linkage.
 The government of Madhya Pradesh has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swabhiman Yojana to provide
employment for youth.
 The scheme guarantees 100 days of employment every year to urban youths from economically weaker
sections (EWS).
 The youth would get Rs 4,000 stipend per month and total Rs 13,500 for the 100 days period would be
provided.
 The government further aims to invite companies to provide full-time employment to trained youths under
the scheme.
 Dr Divya Karnad, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Ashoka University has been awarded the
prestigious Global Future For Nature Award 2019 for her work on marine conservation.
 The other recipients of the Global Future For Nature Award is awarded for the year 2019 are: Fernanda Abra
(Brazil) and Olivier Nsengimana (Rwanda).
 The Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has unveiled the Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) at
the Aero India 2019
 The Atmospheric Water Generator would generate water straight from the humidity present in the
atmosphere through the process of condensation and purifies it.
 The Atmospheric Water Generator is being manufactured by BEL in collaboration with CSIR-IICT and
MAITHRI, a start-up company based in Hyderabad.
 Iran will hold a three-day navy drill Velayat 97 in a vast area of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean including a
sensitive global shipping route.
 The three-day navy drill would be held in the waters of Strait of Hormuz, Makran coast, Oman Sea and the
north of the Indian Ocean, covering 2 million square kilometres.
 The Strait of Hormuz is a vital international transit route. American forces routinely pass this route and it has
earlier witnessed some tense encounters between American and Iranian forces.
 President Ram Nath Kovind has given the assent for the amendments to the Indian Stamp Act 1899
introduced as part of the Finance Act 2019.
 The rates would be chosen in such a manner that it provides a revenue neutral position to the state
governments while reducing the overall tax burden for investors.
 The stamp duty will have to be paid by either the buyer or seller of financial security, as against the current
practice of levying the duty on both.
 The amendments will rationalise and harmonise the system of levying stamp duty and help curb tax evasion.
 India to stop its share of water flowing into Pakistan.
 India would divert the water from the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) to the border states of Punjab
and Jammu and Kashmir.
 India has initiated the construction of a dam on the Ravi river, the Shahpur-Kandi project in Punjab.
 The Ujh project Multipurpose Project in Kathua district would store water for use in Jammu and Kashmir.
River Ujh is the main tributary of river Ravi. The balance water would flow through 2nd Ravi-BEAS Link to
provide water to other basin states.
 Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has been appointed as an ambassador of Swasth Immunised India campaign.
 The Swasth Immunised India campaign aims to build a robust campaign aimed at spreading awareness on
the importance and benefits of immunisation among the masses.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with the Seoul Peace Prize.
 The Seoul Peace Prize is awarded to Individuals or institutions which have made great contributions to the
harmony of mankind and world peace
 The Seoul Peace Prize is sponsored by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation. The Seoul Peace Prize was
established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.
 The Seoul Peace Prize reflects the wishes of the Korean people and to crystallize their desire for everlasting
peace on earth. The awardee receives a diploma, a plaque and honorarium of US$200,000.
 US defence giant Lockheed Martin unveiled the F-21 multi-role fighter jet at Asia’s biggest air show Aero
India-2019.
 India had floated Request for Information for procuring 110 fighter aircraft for its air force. Six global aviation
majors which have responded to the RFI are Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin’s F-21
Fighting Falcon, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen and Russian United Aircraft
Corporation’s MiG-35.
 Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a bilateral meeting with her counterpart from
Spain Josep Borrel. Both the leaders met at Madrid’s Viana Palace, the Spanish foreign
ministry’s official headquarters to discuss the most pressing issues on the international agenda.
 Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was presented with Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit
medal to honour India’s support for Spanish victims of the earthquake that devastated Nepal in April 2015.
The award recognises the extraordinary service by Spanish and foreign citizens for the benefit of Spain.
 A month-long Festival of India in Nepal is being held at Nepal. Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil
Aviation Rabindra Adhikari was the chief guest of the opening ceremony.
 The Festival of India in Nepal is organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center at the Indian embassy
in Kathmandu with support from India’s Ministry of culture.
 Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) aims to promote awareness of India’s composite cultural heritage
and to strengthen the existing cultural ties across the world.
 The data released from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries shows that the FDI inflows to India
contracted by 7 per cent to USD 33.49 billion during April-December in the financial year 2018-19.
 The FDI inflow during April-December 2018-19 at USD 33.49 was 7 per cent lower than the FDI inflow of USD
35.94 billion during April-December 2017-18.
 Singapore was the largest FDI contributor during April-December 2018-19 with USD 12.97 billion inflow.
 Singapore was followed by Mauritius (USD 6 billion), the Netherlands (USD 2.95 billion), Japan (USD 2.21
billion), US (USD 2.34 billion), and the UK (USD 1.05 billion).
 The 4th India-ASEAN Expo and Summit was inaugurated by Union Minister for Commerce and Industries,
Suresh Prabhu.
 The 4th India-ASEAN Expo and Summit aim to build upon the success of the previous edition of ASEAN-India
Business and Investment Meet
 The Summit aims to provide a platform for the policy makers, industry captains and business leaders to come
together and forge a common vision for India and ASEAN’s mutual growth and progress
 ASEAN or Association of South East Asian Nations is an association of nations brought into existence
on August 8, 1967, after ASEAN declaration (also known as Bangkok declaration).
 ASEAN aims to promote social progress, economic growth and cultural development between member
countries and resolution of differences by peaceful negotiations.
 Founder countries of ASEAN were Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. Later the body
expanded with the joining of 5 more nations Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam
and Cambodia did the latest entry into the group in 1999.
 Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti inaugurated Sikaria Mega Food
Park Pvt Ltd at Village Tulakona in Agartala. This is the 17th Mega Food Park in the country and first in the
state of Tripura.
 The North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate Statehood Day celebrated statehood
day on February 20. Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the 32nd and 47th Statehood Day
respectively.
 The Statehood to Mizoram was the culmination of the struggle led by Mizo National Front (MNF), a political
organisation born in 1961.
 In 1967 MNF was banned by the government of India and this further fuelled the armed agitation led by the
MNF. Mizoram was declared Union Territory in 1972.
 The Memorandum of Settlement was signed between the Mizo National Front and the Indian Government on
June 30, 1986, where the Mizo National Front surrendered arms and immediate arrangements were made to
solidify Mizoram as a full-fledged state in India. Consequently, the Indian Constitution was amended through
the Mizoram State Act, 1986 and the Mizoram state came into existence.
 Arunachal Pradesh was directly under the Governor of the provincial government of Assam.
 After the constitution came into being the Government of Assam was relieved of its responsibilities of the
North East Frontier Agency and the powers were vested in the Governor of Assam, a constitutional post and
an agent of the President of India.
 NEFA was re-named as Arunachal Pradesh and subsequently, in 1972 Arunachal Pradesh became the Union
Territory of the Republic of India.
 In the year 1975 Arunachal Pradesh Council was converted into a Provisional Legislative Assembly and a
council of ministers was appointed for Arunachal Pradesh.
 Arunachal Pradesh attained full statehood on 20 February 1987 after the passing of the Constitution 55th
Amendment Act.
 The government of Punjab has sought an apology from the British government for the Jallianwala Bagh
massacre.
 This shameful military action against locals peacefully protesting against the oppressive Rowlatt Act has since
received worldwide condemnation.
 The acts were met by widespread anger and discontent among Indians, notably in the Punjab region. Gandhi
in early April called for a one-day general strike throughout the country.
 A force of several dozen troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Reginald Edward Harry Dyer was given the task of
restoring order.
 HRD Minister launches Operation Digital Board.
 Operation Digital Board (ODB) is a revolutionary step which will make both learning as well as the teaching
process interactive and popularize flipped learning as a pedagogical approach.
 Operation Digital Board has been launched on the lines of Operation Blackboard to provide better digital
education in schools.
 Under Operation Digital Board seven lakh classrooms of 9th, 10th and 11th standards and two lakh
classrooms of colleges and Universities will be equipped with digital boards in the next three years.
 UGC will be the implementing agency for ODB in Higher Education institutions. The central government will
implement the scheme in the schools in association with state government.
 The Aero India 2019 was inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Yelahanka Air
Force Station in Bengaluru.
 The Aero India 2019 has a tagline “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities” and has a logo inspired by the
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
 Three aircrafts Jaguar, Tejas and Su-30 Mki flew past in the missing man formation to pay tribute to the Wing
Commander Sahil Gandhi who lost his life while carrying out a practice sortie for the Aero India 2019.
 President Trump has signed a directive to create a Military Space Force. The directive orders the Pentagon to
establish the Space Force as the sixth branch of the United States military, to go along with the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
 The main goal of the Space Force is to secure and extend American dominance of the space domain.
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) standard certification for Light
Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
 LCA Tejas is lightweight single-seat multi-role jet fighter powered by a single engine. It has tailless and
compound delta wing design made entirely of composite structures. It is pegged as the world’s smallest and
lightest supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
 LCA Tejas is first advanced fly-by-wire Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) designed, developed and manufactured
indigenously by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) and Aeronautical Development Agency
(ADA) as part of LCA programme, started in the 1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters. It was
named ‘Tejas’, which means ‘radiance’, by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
 It has a limited reach of little over 400-km and will be mainly used for close air-to-ground operations .
 It can fire air-to-air missiles, carry bombs and precision guided ammunition.
 LCA Tejas had commenced operations from Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu in July 2018, two years
after it was formally inducted into IAF. The fighter jet is part of ‘Flying Daggers’ of 45 Squadron of IAF.
Southern Air Command based in Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram has been entrusted with the
responsibility of integrating fighter aircraft in IAF’s concept of operations.
 The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has received clearance from the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defence
for production of 114 ‘Dhanush’ long-range artillery guns.
 Dhanush Long Range Artillery Guns are the first ever indigenous 155 mm x 45 calibre long-range artillery gun
 Dhanush Long Range Artillery Guns are equipped with inertial navigation-based sighting system, auto-laying
facility, onboard ballistic computation and an advanced day and night direct firing system.
 Dhanush howitzer is an improved version of Bofors guns acquired by India between 1987 and 1991.
 Dhanush howitzer is a reverse-engineered upgraded variant of the original Bofors design.
 Dhanush howitzer is capable of firing eight rounds per minutes and needs a crew of six to eight artillerymen
 Indian Ordnance Factories organisation is a family of 41 Ordnance Factories under the aegis of its corporate
headquarters Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata. It works under the aegis of Ministry of Defence.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first ever diesel-to-electric converted locomotive at the Diesel
Locomotive Works (DLW) at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
 DLW has developed a new prototype electric locomotive converted from diesel locomotive as part of the
Indian Railways Mission 100 per cent electrification and de-carbonization agenda.
 The Laureus World Sports Awards 2019 were presented on 18 February 2019 to honour the greatest sporting
achievements of 2018 and celebrate the power of sport to change the world.
 Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic, (Serbia) Tennis
 Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles (USA) Gymnastics.
 Sport For Good Award: Yuwa (India).
 NGO Yuwa works specifically with girls from impoverished families in rural Jharkhand. The NGO uses team
sports and education to build character, confidence, and courage.
 NGO Yuwa was founded in 2009 when American Franz Gastler moved to Jharkhand from Delhi.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the launch of KUSUM, Kisan Urja Suraksha
evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme. The scheme aims to provide financial and water security to farmers
through harnessing solar energy capacities of 25.75 gigawatts (GW) by 2022.
 The scheme has three components:
 10,000 megawatt (MW) of decentralised ground mounted grid-connected renewable power plants
(Component-A).
 Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone solar powered agriculture pumps (Component-B).
 Solarisation of 10 lakh grid-connected solar powered agriculture pumps (Component-C).
 The Union government has proposed a new rural Livelihood Scheme, the National Rural Economic
Transformation Project under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM).
 The project aims to provide interventions to enhance the livelihoods promotion, access to finance and scale-
up initiatives on digital finance and livelihood interventions.
 The project would be undertaken with loan assistance from the World Bank.
 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) aims to create efficient and
effective institutional platforms for the rural poor to increase household income through sustainable livelihood
enhancements and improved access to financial services.
 The Union Government has cleared the construction of Rs 30,274 crore Regional Rapid Transport System
(RRTS) to connect the national capital with Meerut through Ghaziabad. The RRTS would enable to cover the
82 kilometre-stretch in less than 60 minutes by high-speed and green public transit.
 Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) is a rail-based high-speed regional transit system. RRTS will be
implemented for the first time in India in the New Delhi-Meerut stretch. It aims to provide the fastest,
comfortable and safest mode of commuter transport in the National Capital Region (NCR).
 The 7th National Photography Awards were presented by Union Minister of State (IC) for Information &
Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore.
 The theme for the Professional category was “Women-led Development” and theme for Amateur category was
“Fairs and Festivals of India”.
 Lifetime Achievement Award – Shri Ashok Dilwali.
 Professional Photographer of the Year – Shri SL Shanth Kumar.
 Amateur Photographer of the Year – Shri Gurdeep Dhiman.
 The Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Suresh Prabhu launched SWAYATT (Start-ups, Women and
Youth Advantage Through eTransactions) and GeM Start-up Runway.
 SWAYATT will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to
Government e-Marketplace the national procurement portal.
 Start-up Runway will enable Start-ups to conduct market trials with government buyers, seek time-bound
feedback and gain realistic product, price comparison and market valuation from potential buyers and
investors.
 The Union Cabinet has approved a National Electronics Policy 2019. The Policy aims to position India as a
global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing – (ESDM) by encouraging and driving capabilities
in the country for developing core components.
 Objective of the policy is to Create eco-system for globally competitive ESDM sector and Promoting domestic
manufacturing and export in the entire value-chain of ESDM.
 The 112 helpline which was earlier launched in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland was launched in 16 states
and UTs by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS).
 The 16 states and Union Territories where the helpline was launched were Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry,
Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir.
 The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) integrates police (100), fire (101) and women (1090)
helpline numbers into a single 112 helpline number and the process is on to integrate the health emergency
number (108) soon.
 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a national cyber forensic lab and Cyber Prevention,
Awareness & Detection Centre (CyPAD). The National Cyber Forensic Lab (NCFL) is part of the Indian Cyber
Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) initiative and CyPAD is the Delhi Police’s cybercrime unit.
 Both CyPAD and NCFL will assist law enforcers to proactively address cyber threats in coordination with other
law-enforcement agencies, national & international cybersecurity organisation and various online
intermediaries.
 The 79th Indian History Congress (IHC) will be held at Barkatullah University in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh from
February 26.
 The primary objective of Indian History Congress is the “promotion and encouragement of the scientific study
of Indian history”
 Dr G C Anupama has been elected president of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI).
 Astronomical Society of India is the prime association of professional astronomers in India and has close to
1,000 members.
 The objectives of the Astronomical Society of India include the promotion of Astronomy and related branches
of science in India.
 Argentina sign the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance
 International Solar Alliance aims to provide a common platform to address the specific solar technology
deployment needs of the solar resource-rich countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of
Capricorn.
 International Solar Alliance is the first body that will have a secretariat in India. India plays a significant role
in the alliance in terms of being a host as well as a major contributor in achieving the target of 1 TW of solar
energy by 2030.
 The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled a “state-of-the-art” domestically produced submarine
capable of firing cruise missiles.
 Fateh, which means ‘Conqueror’ in Farsi (Persian language) is Iran’s first submarine in the semi-heavy
category.
 Belgium’s Elise Mertens has claimed the biggest title of her career by beating top seed Simona Halep of
Romania 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to win the Qatar Open. The final was played on 16th February 2019 in Doha.
 The Qatar Open is a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts and is part of the ATP
World Tour 250 series of the Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour. It is held annually at
the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, since 1993.
 West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle has announced his retirement from the ODI format after the 2019
World Cup.
 A mega exercise, EXERCISE VAYU SHAKTI-2019 involving 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters, in a
firepower demonstration was held close to the border with Pakistan at Pokhran in Rajasthan. Vayu Shakti and
Gagan Shakti are two important exercises held by Indian Airforce. Exercise Vayu Shakti demonstrtaes the
IAF’s ability to strike targets on the ground such as enemy convoys and tanks, radar stations, railway yards
and military headquarters.
 The Raigarh Municipal Corporation of Chhattisgarh has won the “Swachhata Excellence awards 2019”.
 The municipal corporations of Ambikapur of Chhattisgarh and Kumbakonam of Tamil Nadu have bagged the
second and third prizes respectively.
 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has been awarded the first prize for the Million Plus Cities.
 India and Sweden signed a security protection agreement that will enable the two countries to share classified
information with each other.
 Sweden is a Scandinavian country with capital at Stockholm and currency Swedish krona.
 The United Nations has appointed Indian official Chandramouli Ramanathan to one of the topmost positions in
the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC).
 The Department of Management, Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) launched on 1 January 2019 aims
to provide strategic policy leadership in all areas of management through a clear, integrated global
management strategy and policy framework.
 The state government of Karnataka has decided to amend the Karnataka Industrial Employment (Standing
Orders), Rules, 1961, to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report which recommended granting primacy for the
Kannadigas in the private sector jobs.
 The Karnataka government had formed a committee headed by former union minister Sarojini Mahishi in
1983 to recommend job opportunities for Kannadigas in Karnataka. The important recommendations of the
committee included:
 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in all state government departments and PSUs.
 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas for Group C and D jobs in Central government departments and
PSUs.
 A minimum 80 per cent reservation for Kannadigas for Group B jobs in Central government departments and
PSUs
 65 per cent reservation for Kannadigas for Group A jobs in Central government departments and PSUs.
 All jobs in the private sector to be reserved for Kannadigas barring, if necessary, senior/skilled positions.
 Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal broke the glass ceiling and became the first woman flight engineer of IAF which
was till now an exclusive man’s club. The flight engineer branch was opened to women officers in 2018.
 The Swachh Shakti 2019, a convention of Women Sarpanches was held at Kurukshetra in Haryana.
 Swachh Shakti is a national event which aims to bring in to focus the leadership role played by rural women
in Swachh Bharat Mission.
 The Swachh Shakti program was launched by the PM Modi in 2017 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Second
Swachh Shakti convention was held at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh in 2018.
 The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) announced in the interim budget 2019 has been
notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
 PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific
contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government.
 The salient features of the PM-SYM are:
 Each subscriber under the PM-SYM, shall receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000/- per month after
attaining the age of 60 years.
 If the subscriber dies during the period of receipt of the pension, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be
entitled to receive 50% of the pension received by the beneficiary as a family pension.
 If the beneficiary had died due to any cause (before age of 60 years), his/her spouse will be entitled to join
and continue the scheme subsequently by payment of regular contribution or exit the scheme as per
provisions of exit and withdrawal.
 The subscriber must not be a taxpayer.
 The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) launched a new portal LADIS – Least Available Depth to aid
in ensuring of optimum use of National Waterways.
 The Portal will provide real-time data on least available depths for ship/barge and cargo owners so that they
can undertake transportation on NWs in a more planned way.
 The President has appointed Sushil Chandra as the new Election Commissioner. Sushil Chandra’s appointment
fills the vacancy caused after the retirement of O.P. Rawat, as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
 The appointment was made under the clause (2) of Article 324 of the constitution.
 The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election
Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix. The appointment of the Chief Election
Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that
behalf by Parliament be made by the President.
 The President appoints the Election Commissioner based on the recommendations of the cabinet under the
Transaction of Business Rules of 1961.
 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Player of the Year Awards are the annual awards for the best
men’s and women’s player in international hockey
 FIH Player of the Year, Men: Arthur van Doren (Belgium)
 Women: Eva de Goede (Netherlands)
 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that its Mars Mission, Opportunity has
come to an end.
 Opportunity was the second of the twin Mars Exploration Rovers to land on Mars in January 2004.
Opportunity landed 90 days after its twin rover Spirit landed. Spirit landed at Gusev Crater and Opportunity
landed on the opposite side of Mars at Meridiani Planum.
 India Withdraws MFN Status of Pakistan
 The MFN status is given under WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). It is given to an
international trade partner to ensure non-discriminatory trade amongst all the members of WTO.
 As per the first clause in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), a country providing MFN status
to another country has to provide concessions, privileges, and immunity in trade agreements.
 The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was passed in Lok Sabha. The features of the
bill are:
 Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951 provided for the erection of a National Memorial in memory of
those killed or wounded on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
 The 1951 Act also provided for a Trust to manage the National Memorial.
 The Trust as per the 1951 Act included the Prime Minister, as Chairperson, (ii) the President of the Indian
National Congress, (iii) the Minister in-charge of Culture, (iv) the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, (v) the
Governor of Punjab, (vi) the Chief Minister of Punjab, and (vii) three eminent persons nominated by the
central government.
 The 2018 amendment bill removes the President of the Indian National Congress as a Trustee.
 Further, the bill clarifies that when there is no Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the leader of the single
largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha will be the Trustee.
 The 1951 act provided that the three eminent persons nominated by the central government will have a term
of five years and will be eligible for re-nomination.
 The 2018 bill added a clause to allow the central government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee
before the expiry of his term without assigning any reason.
 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) every year celebrate February
13 as the World Radio Day.
 The World Radio Day 2019 is celebrated with the theme Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.
 Minister of State for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik launched the e-Aushadhi portal for online licensing of
Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs.
 The World Sustainable Development Summit 2019 was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Shri M.
Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi.
 The World Sustainable Development Summit is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI).
 TERI aims to usher transitions to a cleaner and sustainable future through the conservation and efficient use
of Earth’s resources and innovative ways of minimizing and reusing waste.
 Dera Baba Nanak Land Post Designated as Immigration Centre for visiting Kartarpur Sahib
 The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor connects Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s
Gurdaspur district. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located on the banks of the Ravi River, about three-four
km from the border in Pakistan.
 Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, had spent more than 18 years of his life. Dera Baba Nanak shrine
was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev.
 The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, BAFTA awards are presented in an annual award show
hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to honour the best British and
international contributions to film.
 The BAFTA FILM AWARDS 2019 for the best film was awarded to ROMA.
 The 61st GRAMMY Awards were held on February 10, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The winners
are:
 Record of the Year: THIS IS AMERICA.
 Album of the Year: GOLDEN HOUR.
 Song of The Year: THIS IS AMERICA.
 Grammy Awards are presented by the Recording Academy to recognize achievements in the music industry.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the PETROTECH -2019 conference at India Expo Centre, Greater
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
 PETROTECH conference is a biennial International Oil & Gas Conference. The conference provides a platform
for national and international experts in the oil & gas industry to exchange views and share knowledge,
expertise, and experiences.
 February 11 every year is observed as the Unani Day.
 February 11 marks the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan.
 His efforts infused a new force and life into an otherwise decaying Unani medical system under British rule.
 MEA Organises Training Course for Govt officials from Nepal
 The training programme was part of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
 The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted on 15 September 1964 as
a bilateral programme for providing assistance from the Government of India.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi served the three billionth meal of Akshaya Patra, an NGO that works with the
government on Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
 Akshaya Patra Foundation is a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit organisation Funded by International Society
for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Akshaya Patra Foundation is an implementation partner for the
governments Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
 Akshaya Patra Foundation is the world’s largest not-for-profit run organisation serving wholesome food to
over 1.76 million children.
 Ghumot to be declared Goa’s heritage musical instrument
 Ghumot is an indigenous earthen drum fashioned as a designed clay pot, with the skin of the monitor lizard
stretched taut across the pot’s mouth, forming a drumhead. Ghumot is a percussion instrument widely played
during Ganesh Chaturthi Aarties.
 The government has introduced the Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019 in the
Parliament.
 The important features of the bill are:
 The bill mandates the Non-Resident Indians who marry an Indian citizen or a fellow NRI abroad to
compulsorily register their marriages within 30 days.
 Failure to register their marriage would face the prospects of their passports being impounded or even
revoked.
 The bill allows courts to attach movable and immovable properties of NRIs who are declared “proclaimed
offenders” for failing to appear before the law.
 The bill allows courts to send summonses and warrants to the accused through a specially designated website
to be hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
 The President of Egypt Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi took over the chairmanship of African Union from Paul Kagame,
President of Rwanda.
 Africa Day (formerly African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day) is the annual commemoration of the
foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) (now known as the African Union) on 25 May 1963.
 Indian Army on 12th February 2019 showcased its artillery firepower by using ultra light Howitzers and
indigenous Swathi weapon-locating radar at the annual “Exercise Topchi”. The exercise was held at Deolali
Camp near Nashik.
 Ultra Light Howitzers is a towed 155 mm artillery piece that is used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada,
India and Saudi Arabia. It is manufactured by BAE Systems’ Global Combat Systems division (London,
England). It was inducted in the Indian Army on November 9, 2018.
 The United States and Thailand are hosting the multi-nation Cobra military exercise this year. The exercise is
taking place in the northern Thai province of Phitsanulok.
 It is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest multinational military exercises that is held in Thailand every year.
 It was first held in 1982 and its headquarters is in Bangkok, Thailand.
 The CEO and Managing director of Eicher Motors, Siddhartha Lal has been named the EY Entrepreneur of the
Year for 2018
 The EOY is held annually in India to honour entrepreneurs who emerged as Builders of a better India with
their creative ideas and exceptional enterprises.
 National Productivity Council (NPC) is celebrating National Productivity week from February 12th to 18th,
2019. This year, the theme is “Circular Economy for Productivity & Sustainability”.
 Circular Economy is based on the model of Make, Use and Return. It controls the finite stocks and reuses
them by recycling and thus balances the resource flow. The key advantages of Circular Economy are as
follows:
 It will increase productivity.
 It will create more jobs.
 It will reduce carbon emission thus preserving valuable raw materials.
 Circular Economy system increases the product life span through improved design and servicing and
relocating wastes from the end of the supply chain to the beginning.
 Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released a publication titled “India –
Spearheading Climate Solutions”
 India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) that has eight major missions on Solar, Enhanced
Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable
Agriculture and Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change.
 International Solar Alliance (ISA) – It is an alliance of 121 countries, most of them sunshine countries (i.e.
lying either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn). It was founded in
2015 at Paris and was initiated by India. Membership now has been extended to all the members of the
United Nations
 State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC)
 FAME Scheme – It stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME-India)
Scheme, which was launched in 2015 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP). It aims to
create the infrastructure for and promote e-mobility.
 Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) –The scheme was launched in the year 2015
and is solely aimed for Smart Cities
 Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana – The scheme was launched in 2016. It aims for providing access to clean
cooking fuel
 UJALA scheme – It stands for Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All and was started in
2015. Its aim is to embrace energy efficient LED bulbs
 Swachh Bharat Mission – It is a nationwide campaign from 2014 to 2019 aiming to clean up India.
 National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) – It was launched in 2015-16 and aims to support
robust adaptation techniques to reduce adverse effects of climate change.
 Indian Historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam wins the Dan David Prize
 The Dan David Prize is a joint international award given by the Dan David Foundation headquartered at Tel
Aviv University.
 The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework under the Defence Ministry is envisaging setting up
of independent Defence Innovation Hubs (DIHs) where innovators can get information about needs and
feedback from the Armed Services
 Defence Innovation Organisation is a not for profit company under section 8 of the Companies Act. The
Defence Innovation Organisation is funded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics
Limited (BEL). The headquarters of the Defence Innovation Organisation is located at Bengaluru.
 Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme aims to create an ecosystem to foster innovation and
technology development in Defence and Aerospace
 The Union Government has envisaged the development of the National Gas Grid.
 The government is implementing various projects of about 14,239 Km gas pipelines which would add to the
existing 16,788 Km natural gas pipeline.
 The objectives of the National Gas Grid are:
 To remove regional imbalance within the country with regard to access for natural gas and provide clean and
green fuel throughout the country.
 To connect gas sources to major demand centres and ensure availability of gas to consumers in various
sectors.
 Development of City Gas Distribution Networks in various cities for the supply of CNG and PNG.
 The first LAWASIA Human Rights Conference was organised by LAWASIA, in association with the Bar
Association of India.
 The theme of the LAWASIA Human Rights Conference 2019 was “State Power, Business and Human Rights:
Contemporary Challenges”.
 LAWASIA is a regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organisations and it advocates for the
interests and concerns of the Asia Pacific legal profession.
 India and Norway signed a letter of Intent for establishing the India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative.
 The India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative is the first Joint initiative and it takes forward the commitments
made under the MoU.
 The Uttar Pradesh state family welfare department has initiated the Sarthi Sandesh Vahini mission to spread
awareness regarding family planning in urban and rural areas.
 The Uttar Pradesh government has also launched the new initiative to eradicate encephalitis.
 Encephalitis, a viral disease is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed
(swollen).
 The seventh annual World Government Summit is being held in Dubai (UAE).
 The World Government Summit is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of governments
worldwide.
 The World Government Summit is a neutral, non-profit organization at the intersection of government and
innovation.
 The government has introduced the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Parliament to increase the
financial and executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the
northeastern region.
 The salient features of the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill are
 The amendments proposed provide for elected village municipal councils, ensuring democracy at the grass-
root level.
 The amendment empowers the village councils to prepare plans for economic development and social justice
including those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation,
water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry.
 The amendment bill mandates the finance commission to recommend devolution of financial resources to
these autonomous councils.
 The first batch of four Chinook military helicopters manufactured by the American aerospace major Boeing
has arrived at the Mundra port in Gujarat.
 Chinook is a multi-role, vertical-lift platform, which is used for transporting troops, artillery, equipment and
fuel.
 India had placed a mega contract to Boeing for the procurement of 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinooks
for the Indian Air Force
 Abu Dhabi has included Hindi as the third official language to be used in its courts, alongside Arabic and
English. It is part of the efforts of Abu Dhabi to improve access to justice.
 The inclusion of Hindi language is aimed at helping Hindi speakers to learn about litigation procedures, their
rights and duties without a language barrier.
 ASCEND 2019 is an ambitious initiative of the Kerala government to position the state as an investment
hotspot.
 ASCEND 2019 aims to make Kerala a top investment destination and empower entrepreneurs to launch their
enterprises in a speedy and hassle-free manner.
 The two-day conclave aims to bring into focus governance that is simplified, efficient and transparent and
facilitates business and investments by clipping a plethora of irksome bureaucratic procedures.
 K-SWIFT (Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast, Transparent Clearances) and IBPMS (Intelligent Building
Plan Management System) will be displayed on the two-day conclave.
 KSWIFT is an online clearance mechanism designed by the Kerala government to simplify and speed up the
issuance of clearances from Departments / Agencies for launching enterprises in the state.
 India has successfully undertaken the demonstration of the indigenously developed propulsion technology.
 The Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) at Hyderabad was the lead agency for the
collaborative mission project. The Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet propelled missile uses the air-breathing ramjet
propulsion technology, which helps propel the missile at high supersonic speeds (above Mach 2) for engaging
targets at long ranges.
 The annual multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express was held from 27 Jan to 06 Feb 19
 The participating nations in the exercise Cutlass Express 2019 were Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, France,
India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Portugal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, The Netherlands
and the United States. The Indian Navy was represented in the exercise through INS Trikand.
 The government of Meghalaya has decided to rename the Dikkibandi stadium after P A Sangma.
 P A Sangma served as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990. He formed the Nationalist
Congress Party in 1999 along with Sharad Pawar and Tariq Anwar.
 February 10, 2019, was celebrated as the first World Pulses Day.
 The Year 2016 was celebrated as International Year of Pulses to highlight the contribution of Pulses to
sustainable food production and towards food security and nutrition.
 PM Narendra Modi launched various developmental works in the state of Arunachal Pradesh which includes:
 DD Arunprabha – a dedicated 24×7 Satellite channel for Arunachal Pradesh.
 Sela Tunnel Project.
 Film and Television Institute in Jote.
 DD Arunprabha is the 24th satellite channel operated by Doordarshan.
 The permanent campus of Film and Television Institute would be established at Jollang-Rakap (Jote), Papum
Pare, Arunachal Pradesh. It would be the third Film and Television Institute of Ministry of I&B (the other two
are: FTII Pune and SRFTI Kolkata) and first in the North-East.
 PM Narendra Modi laid Foundation Stone for the Sela Tunnel Project in Arunachal Pradesh across Sela Pass.
 Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass located on the border between the Tawang and West Kameng
Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The pass connects Tawang for rest of India.
 The Sela tunnel project will provide all-weather connectivity and reduce travelling time.
 This aids the swift and fast movement of army troops in Tawang which is a strategically-located district
located near the border of China.
 The tunnel will reduce the travel time between the Indian Army’s 4 Corps headquarters at Tezpur in Assam
and Tawang.
 The Health Ministry undertook the 8th round of National Deworming Day campaign across the country on 8th
February to reduce the prevalence of parasitic intestinal worms among children
 The Union Government has announced the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) as the mascot for the 13th Conference
of Parties (COP) of the UN Convention on the conservation of migratory species (CMS) to be held
in Gujarat next year.
 The logo, mascot and the website for the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) was launched by the Union
Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan. The mascot for the event, Great Indian
Bustard has been fondly named as ‘Gibi’.
 CMS is an international treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is
also known as the Bonn Convention
 The convention was signed in 1979 at Bonn (hence the name Bonn Convention), Germany and entered into
force in 1983. Its headquarters are in Bonn, Germany.
 The book “Law, Justice and Judicial Power – Justice P N Bhagwati’s Approach” written by Mool Chand
Sharma was launched by the Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The first copy of the book was
received by the President Ram Nath Kovind.
 The Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the creation of a separate administrative division for Ladakh
region. It is hailed as a landmark decision by the governor ruled state under President Rule.
 The Ladakh Administrative Division would comprise of Leh and Kargil districts and would be headquartered in
Leh.
 The Helicopter-launched anti-tank missile Helina was successfully test fired from the Integrated Test Range in
Chandipur in Balasore district of Odisha.
 The important features of the Helicopter-launched anti-tank missile Helaina are:
 Helina is the indigenously designed and built missile system.
 Helina is the air-launched variant of the Nag, a fire-and-forget ATGM with an estimated range of 4 kilometers.
 Helina’s range is estimated at between 7 to 8 kilometres.
 Helina is guided by an infrared imaging seeker (IIR) operating in the lock-on before-launch mode and helps in
further strengthening the defence capabilities of the country.
 The International IP Index 2019 released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center
(GIPC) makes the following observations related to India:
 India experienced its second consecutive year of growth in the IP global ranking, jumping eight places from
44th to 36th.
 The jump in the ranking is attributed to the recognition of international standards of copyright protection and
incentives for intellectual property.
 The US President Trump has nominated David Malpass for the post of the president of the World Bank.
 To win the presidency of the World Bank, a candidate must win approval from the institution’s executive
board, which has 25 members. The US holds a 16% share of board voting power hence more often it is the
US-backed candidate gets elected for the post of the president.
 The defending champions Vidarbha won the 85th Ranji Trophy title. The defending champions defeated
Saurashtra by 78 runs in the final
 Ranji Trophy is the Indian domestic first-class cricket championship between teams representing regional and
state cricket associations. The championship is named after Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja, who was famously
referred to as ‘Ranji’.
 India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
GSAT-31 was launched from the launch vehicle Ariane 5 VA-247.
 The important features of the GSAT-31 are:
 GSAT-31 would be placed at Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
 GSAT-31 will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.
 GSAT-31 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series and will provide continuity to
operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites.
 Father Franois Laborde a 92-year-old priest from Bengal was conferred with Légion d’Honneur (Legion of
Honour) in recognition of his work for specially-abled and destitute children.
 Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour) officially National Order of the Legion of Honour was instituted by
Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 as a general military and civil order of merit conferred without regard to birth or
religion provided that anyone admitted swears to uphold liberty and equality.
 The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on February 6 every year.
 Macedonia takes a major step on road to NATO membership. The conflict over the name with Greece had
become a damper in its membership to NATO.
 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is a military and political alliance established through the
Washington Treaty. NATO aims to promote democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate
on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.
 The Parmanu Tech conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Atomic
Energy (DAE).
 The Parmanu Tech conference is aimed at showcasing the societal applications that the Department of Atomic
Energy is pursuing.
 The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Cinematograph Amendment Bill
2019.
 The features of the amendment bill are:
 The amendment bill makes film piracy offences punishable with imprisonment up to three years and fines that
may extend to 10 lakh or both.
 The amendment states that any person, who without the written authorisation of the copyright owner, uses
any recording device to make or transmit a copy of a film, or attempts to do so, or abet the making or
transmission of such a copy, will be liable for such a punishment.
 Know India Programme (KIP) is a flagship initiative for Diaspora engagement.
 The important features of the Know India Programme are:
 Know India Programme is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youth.
 The programme aims to promote awareness on different facets of life in India
 Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (PM JAY) is a scheme of the government under Ayushman Bharat to
reduce the financial burden on poor and vulnerable groups
 The following steps have been undertaken for the effective implementation of the PM JAY:
 The State Governments have been given the flexibility to implement PM JAY either through insurance
companies, or directly through trust/society, or in a mixed mode.
 National Health Agency (NHA) has been set up by the Government to implement PM JAY through State level
Health Agencies.
 A robust IT system has been put in place for effective implementation of the Scheme.
 The government of Thailand has approved the proposal to name Siamese fighting fish as the National Aquatic
Animal.
 The Siamese fighting fish commonly known as the betta is a popular fish in the aquarium trade.
 The State Bank of India’s UK head Sanjiv Chadha has been honoured with the ‘Freedom of the City of London’
award in recognition of his contribution to promoting the bilateral relations. Sanjiv Chadha was nominated for
the honour by Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin and Sheriff Vincent Keaveny.
 Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by a City of London Corporation upon a valued member of the
community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary.
 The National Minority Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC) is implementing various schemes for the
socio-economic development of the ‘backward sections’ amongst the notified minorities.
 The NMDFC categorises the beneficiaries under two categories, They are:
 Credit Line-1: For those with the annual family income 98,000 for rural areas & Rs.1.20 lacs for urban areas.
 Credit Line-2: For those with higher annual family income eligibility criterion of up to Rs.6.00 Lacs
 Azim Premji Chairman of Wipro Ltd will be felicitated with the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award.
 Union Minister for Tourism K J Alphons delivering the inaugural speech at the 2nd ASEAN-India Youth Summit
 India was ranked third in the tourism sector, according to the 2018 report of the World Travel and Tourism
Council (WTTC).
 The ASEAN-India Youth Summit aims to provide a platform for youth leaders of both India and ASEAN to
engage with each other to develop a resilient and symbiotic relationship between countries.
 The first India-ASEAN Youth Summit was held in 2017 and the theme was Shared Values, Common Destiny.
The second India-ASEAN Youth Summit was held in Guwahati with the theme Connectivity: Pathway to
Shared Prosperity.
 Every year World Cancer Day is observed on February 4
 On the World Cancer Day, the Union for International Cancer Control launched a new 3-year campaign with
the theme: “I Am and I Will”.
 US, Russia suspend INF Treaty
 The features of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed by President Ronald Reagan and
Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in December 1987 were:
 The treaty prohibited the United States and the Soviet Union from possessing, testing and deploying ground-
launched cruise and ballistic missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres (300 to 3,400 miles).
 The treaty covers all types of ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles whether their payload is
conventional or nuclear.
 The treaty exempted the air-launched and sea-based missile systems in the same range.
 India’s One-day International (ODI) captain Mithali Raj has become the first woman to play 200 ODI
matches with her appearance in the match against New Zealand.
 Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian asylum-seeker detained in Papua New Guinea under Australian asylum laws has
won the Victorian Prize for Literature. Behrouz Boochani was awarded for his work “No Friend But the
Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison”.
 World Wetlands Day was celebrated on February 2nd with the theme of “Wetlands and Climate Change”. The
theme signifies the importance of healthy and intact wetlands to one of the most pressing challenges of our
times, climate change.
 IPS officer Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed as the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
for a fixed tenure of two years.
 The Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal announced the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan scheme in the
interim budget 2019 for workers in the unorganised sector.
 The features of the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan scheme are:
 Under the scheme, an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 per month will be provided to workers in the
unorganised sector after 60 years of age.
 To avail of the scheme, workers will have to contribute a minimal Rs 100 month per month.
 The scheme is expected to benefit 10 crore workers.
 This new pension scheme will run alongside the existing Atal Pension Yojana, which guarantees returns post-
retirement.
 The interim budget 2019 has announced a farm income support scheme PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-
KISAN). The features of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme are:
 The Centre will transfer Rs 6,000 every year to small and marginal farmers.
 The scheme will cost Rs 75,000-crore to the exchequer.
 The scheme aims to address unrest among cultivators who have suffered due to adverse weather and weak
prices.
 Rs 6,000 will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiary farmers in three instalments of
Rs 2,000 each.
 The scheme will benefit 120 million farmers with cultivable land of up to 2 hectares
 The 12th edition of Aero India, Aero India 2019, will be held at Air Force Station at Yelahanka in Bengaluru
from February 20 to 24. Aero India 2019 aims to provide a significant platform in bolstering business
opportunities in the International aviation sector.
 The Aero India 2019 has a tagline “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities” and has a logo inspired by the
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
 Union Minister for Tourism, Shri. K.J. Alphons inaugurated a project under North East India Circuit
of Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism
 The circuit is the first ever project in Sikkim under the scheme and encompasses Rangpo– Rorathang- Aritar-
Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen-
Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-Tuminlingee- Singtam.
 The 13 thematic circuits under the Swadesh Darshan scheme are North East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit,
Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Rural Circuit,
Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit and Wildlife Circuit.
 India has stumbled nine places to 140th position in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom
Index 2018.
 The list is topped by three European countries – Finland, Netherlands and Norway.
 India was ranked at 40th position in the World Economic Forum’s Financial Development Report 2012, down
four spots from last year
 Hong Kong has topped the list.

MARCH 2019

 Nizamabad in Telangana was the only Lok Sabha seat where people voted through ballot papers.
 For the Lok Sabha Polls 2019 in the Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat, there are 185 candidates in contention. As
one EVM can accommodate only 16 candidates and a maximum of 4 EVMs can be used in one polling booth,
the Election Commission is forced to switch back to the age-old practice of ballot papers.
 Tashigang, a small Himachal Pradesh village has got the distinction of the highest polling station in the world.
Tashigang is located at an altitude of 15,256 feet.
 Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition 2019 (LIMA 2019) is the fifteenth edition of the
Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition. LIMA 2019 was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin
Mohammed.
 LIMA is held biennially since its debut in 1991 is the largest show of its kind within the Asia Pacific region.
 INS Kadmatt and India’s indigenous supersonic fighter jet Tejas are taking part in the LIMA 2019.
 INS Kadmatt is an indigenous stealth anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy.
 Four indigenous Dhanush Howitzer guns were inducted to the Indian Army.
 Dhanush Long Range Artillery Guns are the first ever indigenous 155 mm x 45 calibre long-range artillery
guns.
 Dhanush Long Range Artillery Guns are equipped with inertial navigation-based sighting system, auto-laying
facility, on-board ballistic computation and an advanced day and night direct firing system.
 The self-propulsion unit on Dhanush allows the gun to negotiate and deploy itself in mountainous terrains
with ease.
 Dhanushhowitzer is an improved version of Bofors guns acquired by India between 1987 and 1991.
 Dhanush howitzer is a reverse-engineered upgraded variant of the original Bofors design.
 Dhanush reportedly has a new maximum effective range of 38 kilometers in salvo mode.
 Dhanush howitzer is capable of firing eight rounds per minutes and needs a crew of six to eight artillerymen.
 World Theatre Day is observed annually on March 27 with an aim to generate awareness about the
importance of theatre arts.
 Theme of World Theatre Day “Theatre and a Culture of Peace”.
 The Union Cabinet has approved the creation of six additional posts in the National Company Law Appellate
Tribunal (NCLAT).
 National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) was established under Section 410 of the Companies Act,
2013 for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The current
Chairperson of NCLAT is Hon’ble Justice Shri S.J. Mukhopadhaya, former Judge of the Supreme Court.
 NCLAT is the Appellate Tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed by NCLT under the Insolvency
and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). NCLAT hears appeals against the orders passed by Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Board of India.
 The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index 2018 report prepared by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative makes the following observations about
India:
 India has reduced its poverty rate drastically from 55% to 28% in 10 years, with 271 million people moving
out of poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16.
 India still had 364 million poor in 2015-16, the largest for any country, although it is down from 635 million in
2005-06.
 Poverty reduction among children, the poorest states, Scheduled Tribes, and Muslims was fastest.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has successfully test-fired an anti-satellite (A-SAT)
missile by shooting down a live satellite. The project named as Mission Shakti was led by the Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was aimed at strengthening India’s overall security.
 DRDO-developed A-SAT system successfully destroyed a live satellite in the Low Earth Orbit.
 India is only the fourth country after the U.S., Russia and China to have the A-SAT technology.
 President Ram Nath Kovind has been honoured with Croatia’s highest civilian award the Grand Order of the
King of Tomislav. The Indian President was honoured during his visit to Croatia to strengthen the bilateral
ties. Croatia is a republic governed under a parliamentary system is a member of the European Union (EU),
the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe, NATO, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Union
for the Mediterranean.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fined Punjab National Bank (PNB) Rs 2 crore for violation of compliance
with regulatory directions regarding SWIFT operations.
 SWIFT which stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications is a messaging
network that financial institutions use to securely transmit information and instructions through a
standardized system of codes. SWIFT code is used when the transfer between two banks happens
internationally as we use IFSC codes for the domestic transfers i.e. financial transactions within the
geographical territory of India.
 The mega celebration of Cricket, Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed its first ever Mankading in its history
in the match of Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler became the first
victim of ‘Mankading’ in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
 Mankading is a kind of dismissal witnessed in the game of cricket. Mankading is the situation where a bowler
run out a non-striker by hitting the bails before bowling when the non-striker is outside the crease, with no
warning.
 Indian Navy’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Training Facility (NBCTF) at INS Shivaji was inaugurated by
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.
 NBCTF Abhedya will help train personnel of naval ships fitted with nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC)
detection and protection systems.
 INS Shivaji is the Indian Navy’s premier technical training facility. INS Shivaji is celebrating 2019-20 as the
‘Platinum Jubilee Year’. The Institute, which was commissioned as HMIS Shivaji in 1945, trains personnel of
the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and several friendly foreign countries.
 Brazilian physicist and astronomer Marcelo Gleiser has been awarded the 2019 Templeton Prize for his work
blending science and spirituality.
 Templeton Prize awarded by the U.S.-based John Templeton Foundation honours a living person who has
made an exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension whether through insight, discovery, or
practical works.
 A science teacher from rural Kenya, Peter Tabichi has won the prestigious Global Teacher Prize 2019 which
honours the world’s best teacher. He was honoured for his achievements in a deprived school with crowded
classes and a few textbooks.
 World Tuberculosis Day 2019 was observed on March 24th with the theme “It’s time”. World Tuberculosis
Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of TB and how to end the global
epidemic of this lung disease.
 Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).
 Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese President
Xi Jinping in Rome, endorsing the global infrastructure-building scheme of China.
 Despite the warnings and pressure from the US and the Europen Union, Italy has joined the china’s mega
connectivity scheme and has become the first G7 country to do so.
 Italy is the thirteenth European Union country and also the first from Western Europe to join China’s Belt
Road Initiative.
 World Meteorological Day 2019 was observed on March 23 with the theme “The Sun, the Earth and the
weather”.
 The theme recognises the critical role the Earth’s nearest star plays in what transpires on the planet.
 The Defence Ministry has announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy chief.
 He has also served a member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS).
 He has commanded various ships, such as an Indian Coast Guard Ship Chandbibi, Missile Corvette INS
Vijaydurg as well as two Guided Missile Destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi.
 Vice Admiral Karambir Singh has been honoured with Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Param Vishist Seva Medal
(2018) for his service.
 On March 23rd, India observed Shaheed Divas or Martyr’s Day as a tribute to the Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and
Rajguru on their death anniversary.
 January 30 which marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is also observed as the Martyrs Day to
honour our brave martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country.
 Lalit Kala Akademi has announced the winners of the 15 winners of the 60th Annual Academy Awards.
 Lalit Kala Akademi established in 1954 is an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Culture. It is head
quartered in New Delhi.
 The Akademi aims to promote and propagate the understanding of Indian art, in and outside the country in
the field of visual arts such as painting, sculpture and graphics etc.
 Bihar Diwas was celebrated on March 22nd across the state to commemorate the day when Bihar was carved
out of the Bengal Presidency in the year 1912. March 22nd 2019 was the 107th foundation day of the state.
 The Central Government has banned the Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) as an
unlawful association under the provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
 Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is spearheading the separatist ideology in the Kashmir valley and has
been at the forefront of the separatist activities and violence since 1988.
 UAPA is anti-terrorist law aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. UAPA’s
objective is to provide necessary powers to the investigating agencies to act against activities directed against
the integrity and sovereignty of India.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has deferred the implementation of new accounting rules, Indian Accounting
Standards (Ind AS) for banks till further notice.
 Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) is a set of accounting norms developed by Indian authorities, which
converge with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
 Japan has donated $69 million to the United Nations World Food Programme to provide vital aid to 28
countries.
 World Food Programme is a leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food
assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
 Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), Gyan Data (an IIT-M incubated company)
together with experts from ESPNcricinfo have launched Superstats
 Superstats comprises of three metrics: Luck Index, Forecaster, and Smart Stats.
 President Ram Nath Kovind administered the Oath of office to Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose as Lokpal. Justice
Pinaki Chandra Ghose is the first anti-corruption ombudsman of the country.
 The Lokpal act provides for a chairperson and a maximum of eight members in the Lokpal panel and of these,
four need to be judicial members.
 The chairperson and members will hold office for a term of five years or till they attain 70 years of age. The
salary and allowances of the chairman are same as that of the Chief Justice of India. The salary and
allowances of members are same as that of a judge of the Supreme Court.
 World Water Day 2019 was observed on 22 March with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind’.
 The theme ‘Leaving no one behind’ underscores the motto of ‘water for all’ which aims to ensure all including
elderly, disabled, marginalized and poor people get access to clean drinking water
 World Poetry Day is observed every year on March 21st by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). World Poetry Day aims to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of
poetry throughout the world.
 International Day of Forests 2019 was observed on March 21st with the theme ‘Forests and Education’ to
raise awareness on how sustainably managed forests provide a wide array of contributions.
 International Day of Forests 2019 promotes education to Learn to Love Forests.
 US President Trump has announced that the US will recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
 Until 1967 Golan Heights was part of Syria. Israel occupied the Golan Heights during the Six Day war (Third
Arab Israeli war) held in 1967. Israel annexed the region unilaterally in 1981. This unilateral annexation was
not recognised by the international community and the Golan Heights was seen as Occupied Syrian Territory.
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is stationed in camps and observation posts along
the Golan. There is a 400-square-km (155-square-mile) “Area of Separation” called a demilitarized zone
between the Israeli and Syrian armies.
 March 21 was celebrated as World Down Syndrome Day. The theme of the 2019 World Down Syndrome Day
is “Leave no one behind”.
 Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder which results in delayed physical and mental growth in individuals.
 Kazakhstan has renamed its capital Astana to Nursultan to honour outgoing leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.
 Nursultan Nazarbayev served nearly 30 years as leader of the oil-rich nation.
 NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission discovers evidence of water, particle plumes on asteroid Bennu among numerous
other findings.
 NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (Osiris-REx)
mission is aimed at studying Bennu Asteroid and Osiris-Rex mission began orbiting the asteroid on December
31 last year.
 The International Day of Happiness 2019 was celebrated on March 20 with the theme “Happier
Together”, focusing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us.
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das called for permanent status to Finance Commission.
 The permanent status will ensure consistencies between finance commissions so that there is some certainty
in the flow of funds to states.
 Article 280 of the Constitution of India provides for FC as a quasi-judicial body. It is constituted by the
President of India every fifth year. It consists of a chairman and four other members to be appointed by the
president. The recommendations made by FC are only advisory in nature and hence, are not binding on the
government.
 India Post released a special stamp cover on Ice Stupa in Leh at an event in the presence of Himalayan
Institute of Alternatives Ladakh founder Sonam Wangchuk who spearheaded the Ice Stupa initiative.
 Ice Stupas refer to the artificial glaciers which freeze and hold the water that keeps flowing and wasting away
down the streams and into the rivers throughout the winter.
 The 33rd edition of India-Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) was inaugurated at Port Blair,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
 Threats to Bumphead Parrot Fish in Andaman
 Scientific Name: Bolbometopon Muricatum
 US Mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck has been chosen for the Abel Prize 2019
 Able Prize established by the Oslo government in 2002 honour outstanding scientific work in the field of
mathematics, a discipline not included among the Nobel awards.
 The sole Indian recipient of the Able Prize is Indian American mathematician S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan.
 India has carried out Operation Sunrise to wipe out the insurgent camps planning to hit the Indian workers at
the Kaladan Transit project.
 Operation Sunrise was a joint operation carried out by both Indian and Myanmar armies. Kaladan Multimodal
Transit Transport Project aims to connect seaport of Kolkata (India) with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea.
The project links Sittwe seaport to Lashio in Myanmar via Kaladan river through boat route and then from
Lashio to Mizoram in India by road transport.
 Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba took the debriefing of the recently concluded annual Theatre Level
Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 19.
 Tropex is an inter-service military exercise involving the participation of the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and
the Coast Guard.
 TROPEX 19 had commenced with Tri-services Amphibious Exercise in the A & N islands with the participation
of Army and Air Force.
 The Quality of Living Index 2019 was released by the Consulting Agency Mercer.
 Austrian capital Vienna tops the Mercer’s index of most liveable cities for the 10th year in a row.
 Hyderabad and Pune topped the list among the Indian cities with a rank of 143.
 Pramod Sawant, who was the speaker in the Goa assembly was sworn-in as the new chief minister of Goa
following the demise of Manohar Parrikar.
 For the first time, Uttar Pradesh is taking a census of otters in its protected areas. The census has begun in
the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR).
 Pilibhit Tiger Reserve spreads across Pilibhit district, Lakhimpur Kheri District and Bahraich District of Uttar
Pradesh. The Northern edge of the reserve lies along the India-Nepal border while the southern boundary is
marked by the river Sharada and Khakra.
 The bomb cyclone swept has through the US Great Plains resulting in blizzard conditions, hurricane-like
winds, snow and heavy rain and subsequent flooding.
 Bomb Cyclone or bombogenesis refer to a rapidly intensifying area of low-pressure winter storm when there
is a pressure drop by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
 Bomb Cyclone is caused by a collision of warm air and cold air which develop into rotating storm-like pattern
and lead to an explosive deepening of pressure
 The British Army has announced that it would create a new Specialised Infantry Battalion by recruiting more
than 800 Nepalese Gurkha servicepersons. Gurkhas have completed 200 years of service in the British Army.
 After the Indian Independence in 1947, as per the Britain-India-Nepal Tripartite Agreement 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th,
8th, and 10th Gurkha Rifles regiments were assigned to India, and the 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 10th were assigned
regiments to Britain. Further India created 11th Gurkha Rifles regiment to accommodate the Gurkhas who
refused to depart with the now-British regiments.
 India’s Sai Praneeth fell short of creating history after losing in the finals of Men’s singles in the Swiss Open
Badminton Tournament. Sai Praneeth who had upset World No.5 and Olympic champion Chen Long in the
semi-final, lost to Shi Yuqi of China.
 Indian Writer Raghu Karnad has won the Windham-Campbell Prize $165,000 Windham-Campbell Prize in the
non-fiction category for his debut book, The Farthest Field: An Indian Story Of The Second World War. Karnad
is one of the eight winners chosen across four categories—fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry.
 The decision to hold Sary-Arka-Antiterror 2019, the first joint military exercise of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization was announced at the during the 34th meeting of the RATS council held in Tashkent,
Uzbekistan.
 The SCO member states China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and
Pakistan will participate in a joint counter-terrorism exercise ‘Sary-Arka-Antiterror 2019’ to be held in
grasslands of Kazakhstan in the Sary Arka region.
 Tropical Cyclone Idai has caused huge deaths and economic losses in Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe,
and South Africa. Tropical Cyclone is an intense low-pressure area or a whirl in the atmosphere over tropical
or sub-tropical waters, with organised convection, circulating either anti-clockwise (in the northern
hemisphere) or clockwise (in the southern hemisphere).
 Pressure increases outwards from the centre of a cyclonic storm. The amount of the pressure drop in the
centre and the rate at which it increases outwards gives the intensity of the cyclones and the strength of
winds.
 India’s largest Bank State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the launch of YONO Cash through which
customers can withdraw money from ATMs without using a card.
 This Cardless Cash Withdrawal process works with two-factor authentication and eliminates the risk of
skimming and cloning.
 Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA Astronaut Nick Hague and Christina Koch, and Cosmonaut (Russian
Crew members are called as a cosmonaut) Alexey Ovchinin successfully docked International Space Station.
 The International Space Station is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit.
 A seven-year-old in Kerala has been detected with the West Nile Virus.
 West Nile Virus is a viral infection which typically spread by mosquitoes and results in neurological disease as
well as death in people.
 The Special Olympics World Games 2019 was inaugurated at Abu Dhabi. The Special Olympics World Games
2019 is being hosted by the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The motto of Special
Olympics “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.’
 March 15 every year is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day. The theme of the World Consumer Rights
Day 2019 is “Trusted Smart Products”.
 President Ramnath Kovind conferred the Gallantry Awards and the Distinguished Service Decorations as part
of the Defence Investiture Ceremony- 2019 to Armed Forces Personnel
 The government of India constituted Gallantry Awards on 26th January 1950 and were deemed to have effect
from the 15th August 1947.
 Further, on 4th January 1952, three more Gallantry Awards i.e. the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka
Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January
1952. These awards were renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra
respectively in January 1967.
 Order of precedence of the Gallantry awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir
Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.
 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired indigenously designed
and developed Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the deserts of Pokhran in Rajasthan.
 MPATGM is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), developed by DRDO in association with VEM
Technologies Ltd.
 Africa-India Joint Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-19) between the Indian Army and 16 African nations
conducted in Pune.
 Contingents from Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique,
Uganda, Niger & Zambia are part of the joint exercise together with officers from Rwanda, Democratic
Republic of Congo and Madagascar as Observers.
 Reeling under drought the government of Karnataka is planning for cloud seeding project to influence the
upcoming monsoon and capture as much water as possible from the rain clouds.
 Cloud Seeding is a process of intervening chemically to induce precipitation rain or snow from clouds. Rain
occurs when moisture in the air reaches levels at which it can no longer be held.
 Cloud seeding aims to facilitate and accelerate the process by making available chemical ‘nuclei’ for
condensation to take place. The agents used as nuclei are iodides of silver or potassium, dry ice (solid carbon
dioxide), or liquid propane.
 World Kidney Day 2019 will be observed on 14th March. The theme of the World Kidney Day 2019 is Kidney
Health for Everyone Everywhere.
 Vastradan Campaign initiated by the erstwhile royal family of Udaipur has set the Guinness World Record for
the largest collection of clothes for donation. The campaign had collected more than 3 lakh items of clothing.
 The certificate for the Guinness World Record was handed over to Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, a descendant of
Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap.
 Indigenously Developed Pinaka Guided Weapons System Successfully Test-Fired
 Pinaka rocket systems are developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The
rocket system was named after Pinaka, the bow of Lord Shiva.
 Pinaka was initially a 30 to 40 km range rocket. Its range was increased 70 to 80 km with Pinaka Mark II.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 50th Raising Day celebrations of Central Industrial Security Forces
(CISF), at Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
 Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) came into existence in 1969 with three battalions, to provide
integrated security cover to the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
 Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was conferred Honorary Doctorate from the UN established University of
Peace. Shri. Venkaiah Naidu is the first Indian to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Peace.
 The University of Peace was established in accordance with the Resolution 35/55 passed by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1980. The main campus of the University of Peace is located in Costa Rica, a
country of Central America.
 The government has launched the Pulse Polio Programme 2019.
 Polio also known as poliomyelitis is a highly contagious viral disease caused due to the attacks the nervous
system Poliovirus usually spreads from person to person through infected faecal matter entering the mouth.
 Prasar Bharati brings 11 more state Doordarshan Channels on Satellite Footprint
 Prasar Bharati came into existence on 23.11.1997 is a statutory autonomous body established under the
Prasar Bharati Act. Prasar Bharati is the Public Service Broadcaster of India.
 Al Nagah III is the third in the series of the bilateral joint exercise between India and Oman held at Oman.
 Al Nagah I was held at Muscat, Oman in January 2015 and Al Nagah II at Himachal Pradesh, India in March
2017.
 Government Launches e-Dharti app and e-Dharti GeoPortal
 Under the e-Dharti app, all the three modules- Conversion, Substitution and Mutation related to properties
have been made online.
 The payment system in Land and Development Office, L&DO has also been completely digitized.
 e-Dharti GeoPortal enables the lessee of the property to see the basic details of property along with the map
showing its location.
 The lessee can also be issued a Property Card from this office about his property if he asks for it.
 The bilingual correspondent with the BBC Priyanka Dubey has been named for the Chameli Devi Jain Award
for an Outstanding Woman Journalist for the year 2018.
 The Chameli Devi Jain Award awards women journalists for their exceptional contribution to the cause of
journalism
 Raghuram Rajan, former governor of RBI has been chosen for the ‘Yashwantrao Chavan National Award 2018’
by Yashwantrao Chavan Prathisthan for his contribution to economic development.
 International Women’s Day 2019 is celebrated on 8th March
 The theme of the International Women’s Day 2019 is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”.
 The government has increased the tax-free gratuity income limit to Rs 20 lakh.
 Gratuity is the monetary benefit provided by the employer to his/her employee for the services rendered by
him during the period of employment. A minimum of five years of service with an organisation is mandatory
for availing the benefit of gratuity.
 The Payment of Gratuity Act 1972 makes it mandatory for the employers to pay their employees gratuity at
the time of quitting, provided certain conditions were met.
 The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cleared the ordinance for the Reservation
Roster for University Teachers.
 200 point roster system is a roster system for faculty positions that includes 99 posts reserved for the SC, ST
and OBC communities and 101 posts for the unreserved. Under this roster, in case there is a deficit of
reserved seats in one department, it could be compensated by more people from the reserved communities in
other departments in the university.
 India and Russia have signed an agreement for the leasing of a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the
Indian Navy for a period of 10 years.
 Russia will be delivering the Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025.
 Chakra III will also be loaded with four 650-millimetre and four 533-millimetre launch tubes for firing Type 65
and Type 53 torpedoes. Both of these torpedoes are made in Russia.
 Chakra III will be powered with 190 mW nuclear reactor.
 Ajit Kumar Mohanty Appointed Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
 The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is India’s premier nuclear research facility headquartered
in Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
 Japanese Architect Arata Isozaki has received the Pritzker Prize 2019.
 Pritzker Prize is an annual award to honour a living architect or architects whose built work demonstrates a
combination of those qualities of talent, vision, and commitment, which has produced consistent and
significant contributions to humanity
 Swachh Survekshan Awards are given by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
 Indore was adjudged India’s cleanest city for the third straight year.
 The second and third positions were clinched by Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh and Mysore in Karnataka.
 Justice SA Bobde nominated as NALSA Executive Chairman
 The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is a statutory body constituted under the Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society.
 The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief and the Senior most Judge of the Supreme Court of India is
the Executive Chairman of the Authority.
 The ‘Azaadi ke Diwane’ museum dedicated to the unsung heroes of the country’s freedom struggle was
inaugurated at the Red Fort premises.
 The Museum is built by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
 The Museum pays homage to hundreds of freedom fighters who do not find mention in popular culture.
 India-Bangladesh border along Dhubri comes under BOLD-QIT Surveillance
 BOLD-QIT stands for Border electronically dominated quick response team interception technique.
 BOLD-QIT Surveillance is part of the Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS).
 World Wildlife Day 2019 was observed on March 3rd with the theme ‘Life below water: for people and planet.’
 Sampriti 2019, eight edition of India Bangladesh joint military exercise began on 3rd March 2019. The joint
exercise is aimed to increase mutual cooperation, bonhomie and camaraderie between the armies of India
and Bangladesh.
 Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been chosen for the first Bhagwan Mahavir
Ahimsa Puraskar constituted by the Akhil Bharatiya Digambar Jain Mahasamiti.
 The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019 has made into Guinness World Records in the following three sectors:
 Largest traffic and crowd management plan.
 Biggest painting exercise of public sites under paint my city scheme.
 Biggest sanitation and waste disposal mechanism.
 PM lays foundation stone for AK-47 rifle Manufacturing Unit
 The rifles will be manufactures at Amethi as a joint venture between India and Russia.
 Kalashnikov Rifles also known as AK-47 rifles is 7.62×39mm assault rifle, developed in the Soviet
Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The rifles were officially accepted to the Soviet Armed Forces in the year 1949.
 The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) created a new Guinness World Record for the longest single
moving line bicycle parade at the Yamuna Expressway.
 The CISF personnel of the central force rode 1,327 bicycles non-stop with a uniform distance between
bicycles in a single line.
 The bicycle parade covered 3.2 km distance non-stop.
 Red Flag 19 military drill is being held in the US from March 3 to 16.
 Exercise Red Flag brings together aircrews from the United States Air Force (USAF), United States
Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Army (USA) and numerous NATO and other
allied nations’ air forces.
 The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has bagged the SKOCH Award, 2018 for its
remarkable achievements in the field of disaster management.
 The SKOCH Award is being presented since 2003 to individuals and institutions having done meritorious
works in the field of governance, finance, banking, disaster management, technology, corporate citizenship,
economics and inclusive growth by Skoch Group.
 Aerospace scientist and Chief of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), G Satheesh Reddy
has been conferred the Missile Systems Award 2019 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics.
 Satheesh Reddy shares the award with Rondell J. Wilson, a former Principal Engineering Fellow of Raytheon
Missile Systems. He is the first Indian and first person outside the USA to be awarded this prestigious award
in nearly four decades.
 The National Policy on Software Products – 2019 has been approved by the Union Cabinet. The policy is
aimed at developing India as a Software Product Nation.
 To promote the creation of a sustainable Indian software product industry, driven by intellectual
property (IP), leading to a ten-fold increase in India’s share of the Global Software product market by 2025.
 To nurture 10,000 technology startups in the software product industry, including 1000 such technology
startups in Tier-II and Tier-III towns & cities and generating direct and indirect employment for 3.5 million
people by 2025.
 To create a talent pool for software product industry through (i) up-skilling of 1,000,000 IT professionals, (ii)
motivating 100,000 school and college students and (iii) generating 10,000 specialized professionals that can
provide leadership.
 To build a cluster-based innovation-driven ecosystem by developing 20 sectoral and strategically located
software product development clusters having integrated ICT infrastructure, marketing, incubation,
R&D/testbeds and mentoring support.
 In order to evolve and monitor scheme & programmes for the implementation of this policy, the National
Software Products Mission will be set up with participation from Government, Academia and Industry.
 At the Makran Cup Boxing in Iran, India has won One gold, five silver medals.
 Lone Gold Medal for India was won by National champion Deepak Singh in the 49kg category.
 The BCG-IBA report EASE Reforms for Public Sector Banks measures the performance of each PSB on 140
objective metrics across 6 themes. The 6 themes are:
 Customer Responsiveness: EASE for customer comfort
 Responsible Banking: Financial stability, governance for ensuring outcomes, and EASE for clean &
commercially prudent business
 Credit Off-take: EASE for the borrower and proactive delivery of credit
 PSBs as UdyamiMitra: EASE of financing and bill discounting for MSMEs
 Deepening Financial Inclusion & Digitalisation: EASE through near-home banking, microinsurance and
digitalisation
 Ensuring outcomes – HR: Developing personnel for Brand PSB.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the “Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan-
Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana” under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to provide
financial support to Integrated Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable
feedstock.
 The scheme aims to incentivise 2G Ethanol sector and support this nascent industry by creating a suitable
ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and increasing Research & Development in this area.
 Under the scheme 12 Commercial Scale and 10 demonstration scale Second Generation (2G) ethanol
Projects will be provided with a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support in two phases:
 Phase-I (2018-19 to 2022-23): Six commercial projects and five demonstration projects will be supported.
 Phase-II (2020-21 to 2023-24): Six commercial projects and five demonstration projects will be supported.
 The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Rs1,450 crore for the share
capital of Reserve Bank of India in the National Housing Bank (NHB).
 National Housing Bank (NHB) was established under the act of parliament viz. the National Housing Bank Act,
1987 based on the recommendations of the Rangarajan committee.
 NHB was set up as the apex institution for housing finance and operates as a principal agency to promote
housing finance institutions both at local and regional levels. NHB provides provide financial and other support
to such housing finance institutions.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a panel under the former deputy governor Usha Thorat to
examine issues related to offshore rupee markets and recommend policy measures to ensure the stability of
the external value of the domestic currency.
 The panel will study the causes behind the development of the offshore rupee market and examine the effects
of the offshore markets on the rupee exchange rate and market liquidity in the domestic market.
 The panel will also recommend measures to address concerns, if any, arising out of offshore rupee trading
besides proposing measures to generate incentives for non-residents to access the domestic market.
 The panel will recommend measures to generate incentives for non-residents to access the domestic market
and examine the role if any, International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) can play in addressing these
concerns.
 Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) concluded a three-day Mainamati Maitree
Exercise 2019 as a part of confidence-building measures between the two border guards.
 The Union Human Resource Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the STARS scheme on National Science Day
(28th February).
 STARS is an acronym for Scheme for Translational and Advanced Research in Science to fund Science
projects.
 The National Science Day is celebrated on 28th February every year in the memory of Indian physicist and a
Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman. The National Day of Science is celebrated on 28th February to commemorate
the discovery of Raman Effect for which he was awarded Nobel Prize in the year 1930. The theme of the 2019
National Science Day is Science for people and people for science.

APRIL 2019
 Six grassroots environmental activists from around the world received prestigious Goldman Environmental
Prize 2019.
 It is an annual award established in 1989 by U.S. philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman. It is also
known as Green Nobel Prize and awards Cash prize of $200,000.
 It is awarded by Goldman Environmental Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, California.
 It honors grassroots environmentalists, who risk their lives to protect environment.
 Linda Garcia of US, Ana Colovic Lesoska of North Macedonia, Bayarjargal Agvaantseren of Mongolia,
 Alfred Brownell of Liberia, Jacqueline Evans of the Cook and Alberto Curamil of Chile are the recepients of
Goldman Environmental Prize 2019.
 Barcelona FC has won Spanish La Liga title 2019 by defeating Levante FC by 1-0 goals. It is one of world’s
most popular men’s top professional football division of Spanish football league. It was founded in 1929. It is
also known as Liga de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) or The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División.
 Every year 29 April is observed as International Dance Day, as a global day to celebrate dance. It aims to
encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held on the day.
 The World Day for Safety and Health at Work was observed by The International Labour Organization (ILO)
on 28 April 2019.
 It aims to promote prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.
 It is the only tripartite U.N. agency, established in 1919 as an agency of the League of Nations. With 187
member States, it is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
 ILO was founded on 29 October 1919 with Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland
 It was United Nations first specialised agency.
 Main objective of ILO is to advance social justice as well as promote decent work by setting internationally
accepted labour standards.
 It includes 187 member states: 186 of the 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands are members of the
ILO.
 Cyclone Fani in South East Bay of Bengal is likely to intensified from a severe cyclonic storm into a ‘very
severe cyclonic storm’ as it approaches coastal Tamil Nadu.
 A very severe cyclonic storm means Fani will get ‘category three’ storm status on five-step Saffir-Simpson
scale (or Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale).
 It was formed at low pressure region in south east of Sumatra (Indonesian island), which further intensified
into a depression.
 India’s Bajrang Punia is first Indian wrestler to be invited by American wrestling body for a special fight at
iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, US.
 The 25-year-old, currently holds World No.1 title in 65-kg weight category freestyle wrestling.
 Gagandeep Kang becomes first Indian woman scientist to be awarded Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS),
United Kingdom.
 She is a clinician scientist, who is well known for her key role in development of Rotavac.
 Rotavac is India’s first indigenously developed vaccine for rotavirus infections, which is responsible for
childhood diarrhea.
 India finished Asian Wrestling Championships tournament held in Xian, China with a total of 16 medals
 This Championship is organized by Asian Associated Wrestling Committee (AAWC). In 1979 men’s
tournament began and in 1996 women’s tournament was first staged, after that it is held every year.
 The “Politics of Jugaad: The Coalition Handbook” new book authored by journalist Saba Naqvi
 Saba Naqvi is one of India’s renowned journalists, best known author and political analyst. Other books
written by her include In Good Faith (2012), Capital Conquest (2015), and Shades of Saffron (2018).
 5th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness began
from 25- 26 April 2019 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
 It is a non-profit, non-governmental, non- political, professional association of broadcasting organisations,
which assist development of broadcasting in region. It was established in 1964, and has Secretariat in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. With over 272 member in 76 countries on four continents, ABU is biggest broadcasting
union in the world.
 Second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) was held in Beijing, China. It will serve as stocktaking exercise for China’s
ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
 The BRI, (or yi dai yi lu) also called “21st Century Silk Road” or China’s Marshall Plan was announced by
China in 2013.
 It is made of “belt” of overland routes and maritime “road”, with aim to connect Asia, Europe and Africa, will
impact countries comprising of half of world’s population.
 “The Belt” means Silk Road Economic Belt comprising of three overland routes which connects China, Central
Asia, Russia and Europe. It will connect China with Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea via Central Asia and
West Asia, and link China with Southeast Asia, South Asia and Indian Ocean.
 “The Road” means 21st Century Maritime Silk Road which would provide impetus to trade from China to
Europe via South China Sea and Indian Ocean, and from China via South China Sea towards South Pacific.
 The Indian Army for first time since independence has initiated women induction drive for Soldier General
Duty (Women Military Police). It invited applications for recruitment of 1,700 women soldiers initially.
 The World Intellectual Property Day was observed globally on 26 April 2019 to spread awareness about
important role played by intellectual property rights.
 Theme of WIPD 2019 is “Reach for Gold: IP and Sports”.
 World’s first Malaria Vaccine named RTS,S (trade name Mosquirix) was launched in Malawi, Africa on occasion
of World Malaria Day (observed on 25 April).
 It is recombinant protein-based malaria vaccine. It is world’s first and only malaria vaccine. Its trade name
is Mosquirix.
 It has been developed and manufactured by British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with the
PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.
 Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites, which are transmitted by bites of infected female
Anopheles mosquitoes. It is one of world’s leading killer disease. It is preventable and curable.
 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched ‘MERA (Malaria Elimination Research Alliance) India’,
with aim of eliminating Malaria from India by 2030.
 It complements and not duplicates international efforts to eliminate Malaria on a national scale, and
simultaneously contributing to broader global agenda.
 The European Space Agency (ESA) – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s BepiColombo mission has
successfully completed a series of tests and has completed its near-Earth commissioning phase.
 The BepiColombo mission is now ready for the operations that will take place during the cruise and,
eventually, for its scientific investigations at Mercury.
 Launched in October 2018, the mission is expected to arrive at Mercury in 2025. It will endure temperatures
in excess of 350 °C and gather data during its 1-year nominal mission, with a possible 1-year extension
 The mission comprises of two satellites launched together:
 Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
 Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
 The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2019 was awarded to author Rana Dasgupta for his 2010 novel “Solo”
which is a tale of estrangement and the ultimate failure of material existence.
 World Immunization Week 2019 is being observed from 24-30 April with the theme Protected Together:
Vaccines Work.
 In the backdrop of the US refusal to extend the sanctions waiver for India to import crude from Iran, the
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has taken steps necessary steps to end the imports from Iran.
 India which is the world’s third-biggest oil consumer meets more than 80 per cent of its oil needs through
imports. In 2017-18, Iran was India’s third-largest supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
 Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana to mark the 70th
anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India.
 23rd of April is observed as World Book by UNESCO and other related organisations every year. The city of
Sharjah has been selected as the World Book Capital for the year 2019.
 World Book Day 2019 is the 24th edition and the theme is centred around round celebrating literature and
reading with a particular focus on enhancing and protecting indigenous languages.
 23 April is observed as English Language Day every year. 23rd April was chosen as the English Language Day
to commemorate both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare.
 The Indian Navy has launched its third guided missile destroyer, INS Imphal at Mazgaon Docks as part of its
Project 15B.
 INS Imphal has been designed indigenously by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design, New Delhi.
 Project 15Bravo (Project 15B) is aimed at adding state-of-the-art warships to the naval fleet. INS
Vishakhapatnam was the first Project 15B ship and was launched in April 2015, while the second ship, INS
Mormugao, was launched in September 2016.
 The Services have lifted the Santosh Trophy, beating Punjab 1-nil in the final at Ludhiana.
 The Santosh Trophy is a football knock-out competition contested by the regional state associations and
government institutions under the All India Football Federation (AIFF) which the Football governing body
in India.
 Asian Tea Alliance, a union of five tea-growing and consuming countries was launched in Guizhou in China.
The members of the alliance are the Indian Tea Association, China Tea Marketing Association, Indonesian Tea
Marketing Association, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Japan Tea Association.
 Objective of the alliance is to work towards enhancing tea trade, cultural exchanges, technology exchanges as
well as globally promoting tea.
 Earth Day 2019 observed on 22nd April 2019 marks the 49th annual Earth Day. Earth Day 2019 is observed
with the theme Protect Our Species.
 The World Press Freedom Index 2019′, topped by Norway which is followed by Finland, Sweden, Netherlands
and Denmark.
 India has dropped two places on a global press freedom index to be ranked 140th out of 180 countries
 The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has undertaken an indigenous genetic mapping effort
to educate a generation of students on the “usefulness” of genomics.
 Under the Project, nearly 1,000 rural youth from the length and breadth of India will have their genomes
sequenced by the CSIR.
 Genome refers to an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. Each genome contains all of
the information required to build and maintain that organism.
 The scientists of NASA have detected the first molecule to ever form from stray atoms in the universe.
 The researchers used the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) SOFIA, the world’s
largest airborne observatory, to detect helium hydride in NGC 7027, a planetary nebula about 3,000 light-
years away from Earth.
 Indian Navy warships INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti will take part in the Chinese international fleet
review to be held at Qingdao on April 23.
 International Fleet Review is a parade of naval ships, aircraft and submarines, and is organised by nations to
promote goodwill, strengthen cooperation and showcase their naval capabilities.
 The active volcano of Indonesia Mount Agung has erupted again, spewing volcanic ash into the sky to a
height of 2km.
 Two other volcanoes popular with tourists Mount Bromo in East Java and Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta also
continues to erupt.
 The Civil Services Day 2019 was not observed on 21st April 2019 due to Lok Sabha elections.
 Every year April 21st is observed as Civil Services Day since it was on this day Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel,
addressed the first batch of civil servants in Independent India at the Metcalf House where he referred to civil
servants as the ‘steel frame of India’.
 Nepal’s first satellite NepaliSat-1 was launched into space from the Virginia-based station of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US.
 Along with NepaliSat-1, Sri Lanka’s first satellite, Raavana 1was also launched into space. Raavana 1 marked
the entry of Sri Lanka into space.
 The Christian community is observing Good Friday on April 19 to commemorate the crucifixion and death of
Jesus Christ on Calvary. Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday, the day on which Jesus was resurrected
from death.
 India and France to conduct their largest ever naval exercise ‘Varuna’ off Goa coast.
 India will deploy its aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya with its MiG-29K fighters and French side would be
represented by its aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle with its Rafale-M naval jets.
 April 18 was observed as the World Heritage Day 2019 with the theme Rural Landscapes. UNESCO defines a
World Heritage Site as a “natural or man-made area or a structure that is of international importance, and
space which requires special protection.”
 150 Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were honoured with medals
of honour by the United Nations for their dedicated service and sacrifice.
 UNMISS is working to deter violence against civilians by providing a safe and secure environment for South
Sudanese people who have fled violence and sought sanctuary at Protection of Civilian sites across the
country.
 India is one of the top troop-contributing nations to UN Peacekeeping Missions.
 April 17 is observed as World Haemophilia Day. The World Haemophilia Day 2019 is aimed at reaching out
and identifying new members of the bleeding disorders community.
 Haemophilia is a medical condition in which the ability of blood to clot is severely reduced.
 The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the ongoing Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
(GSLV) programme phase-4 consisting of five rocket flights during 2021-2024.
 The GSLV phase four will enable the launch of two-tonne class of satellites for geo-imaging, navigation, data
relay communication and space sciences.
 Cricketer Mithali Raj has been named as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian team for the Street Child
Cricket World Cup.
 The first ever Cricket World Cup for street children will take place ahead of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in
England and Wales.
 The winners of the 2019 Pulitzer Prizes have been announced. The winners in the category of Letters, Drama
and Music are listed below:
 Fiction: The Overstory, by Richard Powers (W.W. Norton).
 Drama: Fairview, by Jackie Sibblies Drury.
 History: Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, by David W. Blight (Simon & Schuster).
 Biography: The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, by Jeffrey C. Stewart (Oxford University Press).
 Poetry: Be With, by Forrest Gander (New Directions).
 General Nonfiction: Amity and Prosperity: One Family and the Fracturing of America, by Eliza Griswold
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux).
 Music: Prism, by Ellen Reid.
 The Ministry of External Affairs has set up an Indo-Pacific division in the foreign office.
 The Indo-Pacific Wing is currently headed by joint secretary Vikram Doraiswami.
 The Indo-Pacific Wing is a big step by the government and it is expected to give thrust to the Indo-Pacific
centred policymaking.
 The Indo-Pacific Wing integrates the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN region and the Quad.
 Seychelles President Danny Faure delivered a speech from deep below the ocean’s surface
 The speech was made during a visit to an ambitious British-led science expedition, Nekton Mission exploring
the Indian Ocean depths.
 Nekton is an independent, not-for-profit research institute working in collaboration with the University of
Oxford.
 Himachal Pradesh celebrated 72nd Himachal Day on 15th April with gaiety and fervour. Himachal Day is
celebrated to commemorate its creation.
 The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2019 Congress is being organised by International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and hosted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation in New Delhi.
 Objectives of RCAP Congress 2019
 To share and learn about good urban resilience practices and showcase innovative ideas, solutions and
initiatives
 To provide local governments with exposure and access to tools and processes that help mainstream
resilience considerations into policy and practice
 To provide a networking platform to promote concerted and coordinated action in Asia among the main
players in the field of urban resilience
 India’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ from a test
range Chandipur, Odisha.
 Nirbhay missile has blended missile and aeronautical technologies which allows it to take off vertically like
missile and cruise horizontally like an aircraft.
 The missile has a two-stage missile powered by solid rocket motor booster developed by Advanced Systems
Laboratory (ASL).
 Telugu poet K Siva Reddy has been selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2018. He has been
awarded for his work Pakkaki Ottigilite which is a collection of poetry.
 The world’s largest aircraft ROC, developed by aerospace venture Stratolaunch has successfully completed its
first flight test.
 The Aircraft has a dual fuselage design and a wingspan greater than the length of an American football field.
 Mohammed Ishtaye was sworn in as the new Palestinian Prime Minister. He along with 24 ministers took the
oath of office before President Mahmoud Abbas.
 World’s first privately funded lunar Mission Beresheet crashed on the Moon. Beresheet crashed during a
landing attempt.
 Beresheet (Hebrew for the first phrase from the Book of Genesis, “in the beginning”) was an Israeli mission
launched by a partnership between nonprofit SpaceIL and government-owned aerospace company Israel
Aerospace Industries.
 India finished its campaign at the Cologne Boxing World Cup 2019 with a haul of five medals. The Cologne
Boxing World Cup 2019 was held at Cologne, Germany.
 Meena Kumari Maisnam (54kg) won the only gold medal for India in the tournament.
 The Partition of India and the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in October 1947 was followed by
the First Kashmir War between India and Pakistan.My Circle app aims to help women in case they face any
problem or a panic situation.
 Project Kannamma is the initiative of the Rotary Club of Madras North to provide sanitary napkins to the
students.
 It was started in August of 2018 by providing free, biodegradable sanitary napkins to 82 students at the
Government High School in Uthandi of Tamil Nadu.
 The 2019 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize has been awarded to Reuters reporters Wa Lone and
Kyaw Soe Oo.
 The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize recognises outstanding contributions to the defence or
promotion of press freedom especially in the face of danger.
 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted unanimously for the resolution to completely end
its peacekeeping operations in Haiti on October 15.
 U.N. Peace Keeping Mission in Haiti was known as MINUSTAH, a French acronym which stood for “The United
Nations is not leaving.”
 Rajouri Day was celebrated on April 13 to commemorate the bravery and valour of the soldiers who laid down
their lives for the liberation of Rajouri district.
 Russia has awarded PM Narendra Modi with ‘Order of St Andrew the Apostle’ to PM Narendra Modi for
promoting the bilateral special and privileged strategic partnership.
 PM Modi was previously been awarded the United Arab Emirates’s top honour as well as from countries
including South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Afghanistan.
 The Report of the Financial Sector Assessment Programme for India by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
makes the following recommendations:
 The level of non-performing loans in India remains high and the IMF has favoured bolstering the level of
capitalisation of some banks, particularly government-owned banks.
 Together with capitalisation, the report asks for resolution and the recognition of Non-performing loans as
part of the process of cleaning up the banking system of non-performing loans,
 The FSAP includes two major components: a financial stability assessment, which is the responsibility of the
IMF, and a financial development assessment, the responsibility of the World Bank.
 The schemes of the West Bengal government ‘Utkarsh Bangla’ (skill training of youth) and ‘Sabooj Sathi’
(cycles for students) won the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) awards of UN.
 Utkarsh Bangla
 Utkarsh Bangla Scheme is aimed at providing vocational training to school dropouts. The beneficiaries of the
scheme will be trained in driving, tailoring, repairing television and other electronic equipment’s, beautician
courses etc.
 Sabooj Sathi
 Sabooj Sathi is a scheme of West Bengal government for distribution of bicycles to the students of class IX to
XII studying in Govt. run and Govt. aided Schools and Madrashas.The scheme was launched in September
2015.
 Alice G. Vaidyan, Chairman and Managing Director of the General Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India,
India’s reinsurance major, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her work to
promote insurance ties between India and the UK.
 Rio Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was named as the recipient of the New Zealand Prime
Minister’s Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship for 2019 in recognition of her inspiring achievements. Deepa Malik
had won the silver medal in shot put event in Rio in 2016.
 The Wisden has named Virat Kohli as the Leading Cricketer of the Year for 2018.
 Indian Skipper Virat Kohli is joined by Tammy Beaumont, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Rory Burns.
 Indian player Smriti Mandhana bagged the Women’s Leading Cricketer of the Year.
 Rashid Khan of Afghanistan bagged the Leading T20 Cricketer of the Year.
 Hong Kong’s equity market has overtaken Japan to be the world’s third largest in value, behind only the U.S.
and mainland China. This is due to the rebound witnessed in Hong Kong stocks after their worst year since
2011.
 RailWire Wi-Fi by RailTel is now live at 1600 railway stations across the country.
 RailWire is a retail Broadband initiative of the RailTel. RailTel is working to establish bringing fast and free Wi-
Fi at all stations (except the halt stations) within a year.
 RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. is a Miniratna public sector enterprise of Government of India. It is one of the
largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers in the country owning a Pan-India optic fibre network.
 National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) or Namami Gange has received the distinction of “Public Water
Agency of the Year” by Global Water Intelligence at the Global Water Summit in London.
 Global Water Summit is the annual business conference for the water industry worldwide.
 The summit provides a platform for connecting the public and private sector and for accelerating change and
innovation within the sector.
 Bold Kurukshetra–2019, Joint Military Exercise of India and Singapore was inaugurated at Babina Cantonment
of Jhansi. The joint exercise is aimed at developing military technology, enhance the maritime security and
bolster the nations’ fight against terrorism.
 On the occasion of the 54th Valour Day (Shaurya Diwas) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
President Ram Nath Kovind launched ‘Veer Parivar App’, a mobile application for families of CRPF personnel
killed in the line of duty.
 April 10 is observed as the World Homeopathy Day. Every year World Homeopathy Day is observed on April
10, the birthday of Dr Samuel Hahnemann who discovered Homeopathy in 1796. Homeopathy is an
alternative system of medicine based on the principle of ‘Like cures like’.
 The Election Commission has decided against the using of Ballot papers in the Nizamabad parliamentary
constituency of the Telangana.
 M3 EVMs are the third generation EVMs. The M3 EVMs can keep data of 384 candidates. M3 EVMS also has
added features like Tamper Detection and Self Diagnostics. The tamper detection feature makes an EVM
inoperative the moment anyone tries to open the machine.
 The River Periyar in Kerala is again witnessing the decolourisation.
 The pollution control Board (PCB) has attributed the change in colour to the poor quality of water as a result
of eutrophication.
 Eutrophication refers to the addition of artificial or non-artificial substances, such as nitrates and phosphates,
through fertilizers or sewage, to a fresh water system.
 Eutrophication is mainly divided into natural and cultural Eutrophication.
 In natural Eutrophication, a lake is characterized by nutrient enrichment. During this process an oligotrophic
lake is converted into an eutrophic lake. It permits the production of phytoplankton, algal blooms and aquatic
vegetation that in turn provide ample food for herbivorous zooplankton and fish.
 When the process of Eutrophication is increased by the human activities, it is called cultural Eutrophication.
This is because the human activities (mainly development in nature) increase the surface run off and the
nutrients such as Phosphates, Nitrates are supplied to the Ocean water.
 The first vote for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections was cast in Arunachal Pradesh by service voters
 Service voters are those who have service qualification and include members of Armed Forces of the Union of
India, members of Armed Police forces of the States serving outside that state and persons employed under
Government of India on posts outside India.
 They are provided with an option to cast the votes through postal ballots and send them to the returning
officer of the constituency.
 A service voter can also cast his vote through a proxy. The proxy can cast the vote on behalf of the service
personnel at the polling station.
 The proxy should be a registered voter of that constituency.
 The 2019 Malaysia Open Badminton tournament was held at Axiata Arena in Malaysia
 Winners of the Tournament:
 Men’s Singles: Lin Dan (China)
 Women’s Singles: Tai Tzu-ying (Taiwan)
 Men’s Doubles: Li Junhui & Liu Yuchen (China)
 Women’s Doubles: Chen Qingchen & Jia Yifan (China)
 Mixed Doubles: Zheng Siwei & Huang Yaqiong (China)
 Vice President Venkaiah Naidu conferred President’s Certificate of Honour and Maharshi Badrayan Vyas
Samman Awards at New Delhi.
 The award of the Certificate of Honour was introduced in the year 1958 to honour the scholars of Sanskrit,
Arabic and Persian Languages.
 The award is conferred in recognition of the outstanding contribution of various scholars of eminence over 60
years of age.
 Nagaland observed the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. The event was attended by the
representatives from the UK and Japan who spoke on the theme of ‘Remembrance, Reconciliation and
Rebirth’. Battle of Kohima is considered as the turning point of the Japanese U Go offensive, or Operation C
mission launched in India in 1944 during the Second World War. The battle is often referred to as the
“Stalingrad of the East”.
 World Health Day 2019 will be observed worldwide on the 7th of April with the theme “Universal health
coverage”.
 The Global Cooling Coalition was launched at the first Global Conference on Synergies between the 2030
Agenda and Paris Agreement held at Copenhagen, Denmark.
 The Global Cool Coalition is a unified front that links action across the Kigali Amendment, Paris Agreement
and Sustainable Development Goals. The Coalition aims to Inspire ambition, identify solutions and mobilise
action to accelerate progress towards clean and efficient cooling.
 The National Maritime Day 2019 was observed on April 5, 2019. The theme of the National Maritime Day
2019 was “Indian Ocean – An Ocean of opportunity”.
 Various Parts of India welcomed the New Year on 6th April.
 Ugadi/Yugadi
Ugadi in Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh falls in the Chaitra month and is celebrated by
distributing jaggery and neem flowers which is symbolic to sharing both sweet and bitter experiences of life.
 Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padwa which falls in the Chaitra month of Hindu calendar is celebrated in the state of Maharashtra by
hanging Gudi on the right side of the entrance of their house. Gudi is a bright yellow cloth tied to the tip of a
long bamboo and copper pot placed in inverted on it along with a sugar garland.
 Baisakhi
Baisakhi is the Punjabi New Year celebrated in the month of April by performing their folk dance, Bhangra and
Gidda and feasting.
 Puthandu
Puthandu is the Tamil New Year celebrated in the month of April by preparing Manga Pachadi a traditional
food to ring in their new year.
 Bohag Bihu
Bohag Bihu is the Assamese New year celebrated by performing the folk dance Bihu and a grand buffet.
 Pohela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh is the Bengali New Year celebrated with making many sweetmeats.
 Bestu Varas
Bestu Varas is celebrated in Gujarat on the day after Deepavali. Marwaris in Rajasthan also celebrate their
new year during Deepavali.
 Vishu
Vishu is the Malayali New Year celebrated in the state of Kerala in the month of April.
 Losoong
Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year and falls in December at the end of harvesting. It is celebrated by
performing Chham dance.
 Navreh
Navreh is the Kashmiri New Year celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra.
 Cheti Chand
Cheti Chand is the Sindhi new year celebrated on the second day of Chaitra month is to honour of the birth of
Jhulelal.
 United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been conferred with the prestigious Zayed medal by President of the UAE
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. PM Modi has been awarded in recognition of efforts in giving “a big
boost” to bilateral relations between both the countries.
 The ‘Order of Zayed’ is the highest civil decoration instituted by the UAE. It consists of a collar cantered by a
medallion bearing the name ‘Zayed’ who is the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. The Order of
Zayed is awarded to Heads of Government/Head of State for their international relations with UAE.
 Japan has revealed the name of the era which will define the new emperor’s reign when he ascends the
Chrysanthemum Throne next month following a historic abdication. The era has been named as ‘Reiwa’.
 “Reiwa” consists of two characters: “Rei”, which can have meanings related to “order” but also “auspicious”
and “Wa”, usually translated as “peace” or “harmony”.
 Japan is still using imperial calendars for private and public documents as well as computer records.
 Indian Army built the longest suspension bridge over Indus river in Leh in just 40 days and the bridge is
named as Maitri Bridge.
 The bridge was constructed by the combat engineers of ‘Sahas aur Yogyata’ regiment of ‘Fire and Fury Corps’
of the Indian Army.
 The bridge is 260-feet long.
 Maitri Bridge has been dedicated to the people of India to commemorate the 20thyear of Kargil Vijay Divas.
 The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was partially removed from three of nine districts of
Arunachal Pradesh but would remain in force in the areas bordering Myanmar. Section 4 of the AFSPA
empowers an authorised officer in a disturbed area with certain powers. The authorised officer has the power
to open fire at any individual even if it results in death.
 The authorised officer is also empowered to (a) arrest without a warrant; and (b) seize and search without
any warrant.
 Prosecution of an authorised officer requires prior permission of the Central government.
 The World Autism Awareness Day 2019 was celebrated on April 2nd with the theme ‘Assistive Technologies,
Active Participation’.
 The Switzerland based NRI Dr. Rajendra Joshi has been awarded the Pravasiya Bharatiya Samman Award by
the
 President of India.
 After the successful test of A-SAT through Mission Shakti, India’s defence capability has got a further boost
with the successful launch of the ElectroMagnetic Intelligence Satellite (EMISAT).
 EMISAT was jointly developed by ISRO and DRDO, two frontline research agencies of the country.
 EMISAT will allow India to intercept the radars by detecting the electromagnetic rays from “enemy radar”.
 EMISAT will cater to India’s strategic defence needs by strengthening the armed forces ability to intercept
radar signals and gauge a variety of parameters and understand various details.
 During the state visit of the President Ram Nath Kovind to Bolivia, Bolivia has signed the framework
agreement to join the International Solar Alliance.
 International Solar Alliance (ISA) aims to provide a common platform to address the specific solar technology
deployment needs of the solar resource-rich countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of
Capricorn.
 The state of Odisha celebrates Odisha Divas or Utkala Divas every year on April 1st to commemorate the
state formation day. On this day 82 years ago, Orissa (now Odisha) was established as a province of British
India.
 Zuzana Caputova has won Slovakia’s presidential election, making her the country’s first female head of
state.
 Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It borders Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east,
Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Slovakia is a member of
the European Union and NATO.
 The Indian Badminton Tournament 2019 was held at K. D. Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi
 Champions of Indian Open Badminton 2019
 Men’s Singles: Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
 Women’s Singles: Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand)
 Men’s Doubles: Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin (Chinese Taipei)
 Women’s Doubles: Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu (Indonesia)
 Mixed Doubles: Wang Yilü and Huang Dongping (China)
 India’s Srikanth Kidambi lost to Viktor Axelsen of Denmark 7-21, 20-22 in the men’s singles summit clash.
 Earth Hour 2019 was witnessed on March 30 by turning off lights at 8:30 pm local time for an hour as a call
for global action on climate change. The theme of Earth Hour 2019 is #Connect2Earth.

MAY 2019

 India will mark its second appearance world’s oldest Biennale Art event to be held in Venice, Italy.
 It is one of the biggest art events in the world, inaugurated in 8195 and organized by Biennale Foundation. It
is a Biennial event means it is held every two years.
 This year 2019 is its 58th session in which, 16 out of 400 Haripura session posters will go up on walls of India
pavilion at 58th Venice Biennale. India is participating in event after a gap of eight years.
 This will be only second time India will have a pavilion of its own at Venice Biennale.
 The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has laid down theme for the Indian Pavilion as ‘150 years of
Mahatma Gandhi’.
 Israel honors 1971 war (Bangladesh’s Liberation War) hero Lt. Gen. (retd) Jack Farj Rafael (JFR) Jacob with a
plaque on Wall of Honour at the Ammunition Hill, Israel.
 The Wall Of Honour pays tributes to heroism and courage of Jewish soldiers who fought in defence of the
countries they lived in.
 The International Jazz Day was globally observed on April 30.
 It is celebrated worldwide on April 30 every year to recognize jazz and diplomatic role it plays in uniting
people.
 Naruhito became Japan’s new Emperor after historic abdication of his father Akihito. Emperor Naruhito’s
ascending of Chrysanthemum Throne marked beginning of “Reiwa” era in Japan which takes effect from May
1, 2019.
 The United Nation Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Committee designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed
chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist” after China lifted its prolonged hold on proposal to blacklist him.
 UNSC Committee was established when UNSC resolution 1267 was adopted unanimously on October 15,
1999. Listing of an individual or terrorist organization, helps in restricting their movement, financial penalties
and assets freeze.
 It is also known as AlQaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee.
 It was initially established to oversee implementation of sanctions measures imposed on Taliban-controlled
Afghanistan for its support of Osama bin Laden.
 It comprises of all 15 members of UNSC and makes its decision secretly by consensus i.e. even if single
member opposes there is no consensus.
 Pakistan will observe the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) retaliatory action on 27th February 2019 against India as
‘Operation Swift Retort’.
 The 14th edition of the annual Sino-Indian border trade opened at Nathu La, the frontier post at Sino-Indian
border in Sikkim. Every year bilateral border trade between two countries is organised four days a week for
period of six months, between May 1 and November 30.
 The three open trading border posts between India and China are-
 Nathu La in Sikkim
 Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh
 Lipulekh (or Lipulech) in Uttarakhand.
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that India’s second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2
is scheduled to be launched between July 9 and 16 2019.
 For the first time ever the Chandrayaan-2’s lander will touch down near Moon’s south pole on 6th September
2019.
 It is India’s second lunar mission. It would be launched using India’s most powerful rocket GSLV MK-III from
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh
 Mission Objective: Its payloads will collect scientific information on lunar (moon) topography, mineralogy,
elemental abundance, lunar exosphere and signatures of hydroxyl and water-ice
 It has three modules (a detachable self-contained unit of a spacecraft) namely Orbiter, Lander
named Vikram and Rover named Pragyan.
 Chandrayan-2 mission would land on southern pole of the moon, which is still unexplored by any of the
countries.
 On 2 May 2019, Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released postage stamp in New Delhi to commemorate
750th birth anniversary of Sri Vedanta Desikan and his great philosopher’s life and highly valued work.
 He is one of most prominent preceptors in ‘Sri Vaishnava’ tradition post Ramanuja period.
 Afghanistan on 29 April 2019 convened rare “Loya Jirga”, a four day long grand assembly or massive meeting
for delegates from across country to discuss war and efforts of United States to forge a peace deal with
Taliban.
 Loya Jirga is a centuries-old tradition in Afghanistan which is usually convened at times of national crisis or to
settle national issues.
 It means “grand council” in Pashto. It is a 4 day long grand assembly held at Kabul, Afghanistan.
 Sri Lanka’s former captain Kumar Sangakkara will become first Non-British president of Marylebone Cricket
Club (MCC).
 Kumar Sangakkara was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the MCC in 2012. Later, he joined MCC’s World
Cricket committee and remains an active member since then.
 Indian shooting ace Apurvi Chandela attained world number one position in women’s 10metres Air Rifle
event. Anjum Moudgil also now holds world number two rank in 10metres Air Rifle after winning her mixed
team gold at ISSF World Cup in Beijing, China.
 The World Press Freedom Day 2019 is observed on 3 May 2019. It is being jointly organized by UNESCO,
African Union Commission and Government of Ethiopia.
 Theme for World Press Freedom Day 2019 was “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of
Disinformation”.
 Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman A S Kiran Kumar was awarded France’s highest
civilian honour ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Legion d’Honneur’ (or National Order of the Legion of
Honour) by France’s Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler on behalf of French President.
 US Air Force General Tod Wolters appointed as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander.
 NATO It is an intergovernmental military and political alliance based on North Atlantic Treaty (also known as
Washington Treaty) signed in 4 April 1949. It is also known as North Atlantic Alliance. It consists of 29
independent member countries across North America and Europe.
 It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and Headquarters of its Allied Command Operations in Mons,
Belgium.
 The Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to Central government, Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian is appointed as
twelfth (12) member of Advisory Council of Fifteenth (15th) Finance Commission (FCc).
 Finance Commission is constituted under article 280 of Constitution by President of India. It mainly gives its
recommendations on tax devolution i.e. distribution of tax revenues between Union and States and amongst
states themselves.
 It is appointed for a period of five years and comprise of five member including one chairman and four other
members.
 First FC was constituted under chairmanship of Shri K.C. Neogy on 6th April, 1952.
 15th Finance Commission was constituted in November 2017, to give recommendations for tax devolution
and other fiscal matter for five fiscal years, 1 April 2020- 31 March 2025.
 It is chaired by N. K. Singh, and members Ajay Narayan Jha, Ashok Lahiri and Anoop Singh. Ramesh Chand is
a part-time member in FC.
 Article titled ‘Coalgate 2.0’, authored by Nileena M. S. and published in March 2018 issue of ‘The
Caravan’ magazine, won Asian College of Journalism’s Award for Investigative Journalism, 2018.
 The article investigates allotment of ‘captive coal blocks’ in Parba East and Kanta Basan regions of
Chhattisgarh.
 It explores deforestation, re locations of people, loss of livelihood, and denial of forest rights to tribals.
 The Indian Navy’s frontline missile destroyer INS Ranjit will be decommissioned after 36 years of service. It
was commisioned on September 15, 1983, with Captain Vishnu Bhagwat in command.
 It was third of five Kashin-class destroyers (a series of anti-aircraft guided missile destroyers) built by former
USSR.
 It was constructed with serial number ‘Yard 2203’ in 61 Communards shipyard in Nikolev town, in Ukraine.
 She was launched formally on 16 June 1979 and was given its Russian name “Lovkly” meaning “Agile”.
 Thailand officially crowned its new King Maha Vajiralongkorn with ‘Great Crown of Victory’ (one of five Royal
Regalia i.e. symbols of kingship). He received a symbolic nine-tiered umbrella conferring him as ‘King Rama X
of Thailand’.
 The last captive white tiger named Bajirao died recently at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in Borivali (Mumbai
suburb).
 The government had introduced the FAME II scheme to boost the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in
the country.
 FAME-II is the expanded version of the present scheme titled FAME India 1 which was launched on 1st April
2015.
 FAME II emphasizes on electrification of the public transportation that includes shared transport.
 In the 2-wheeler segment, the focus would be on private vehicles.
 The Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Council has launched a rating tool ‘GRIHA for
Existing Day Schools’ to evaluate the environmental performance of existing schools across India.
 GRIHA Council is a registered society for the interaction on scientific and administrative issues related to
sustainable habitats in the Indian context. It was founded by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) with
support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
 The Indian Navy launched fourth Stealth Scorpene-Class submarine ‘INS Vela’ at state owned Mazagon Dock
Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This is fourth submarine that was launched by MDL after
it entered into contract with French collaborator Ms Naval Group (earlier known as DCNS) for construction and
transfer of technology for six Scorpene class submarines under Project 75.
 Under Project 75 MDL will manufacture six Scorpene class submarines (which are next generation diesel
submarines) for Indian Navy under technology transfer from Naval Group of France
 The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) distributed more than one lakh bee-boxes among
farmers and unemployed youths across India in less than two years under its ‘Honey Mission’ initiative.
 It was launched in August 2017 in line with PM Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Sweet Revolution’ (revolution in
production of honey to increase its production) in 2016 while introducing Banas Honey project at Deesa in
Gujarat.
 KVIC It is a statutory body formed under ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’ by
Government of India.
 It is an apex organisation under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
 Justice PR Ramachandra Menon was sworn in as Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court.
 The Article 214 of constitution of India mandates each state of India shall have a High Court. The Chief
Justice of High Court is appointed as per Article 217 of constitution by President with consultation of CJI and
Governor of respective State. The HC Judges are appointed by President in consultation with Chief Justice of
India, and also Chief justice of concerned court.
 G D Robert Govender, an Indian–origin journalist in South Africa was honoured with V K Krishna Menon
Award 2019 in United Kingdom for his contribution as pioneer of decolonised journalism.
 Panama’s Electoral Court declared the centre-left candidate Laurentino Cortizo as winner of Panama’s
presidential election.
 Panama is a Central America country located on Isthmus of Panama (narrow bridge of land connecting North
and South America).
 It lies between Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
 Its national currency is ‘the balboa’. It is issued only in coins. The balboa is at par with U.S. dollar, and U.S.
paper currency is freely circulated.
 Purple frog could be soon designated as Kerala’s state amphibian.
 Scientific Name of Purple Frog is Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis.
 India is in talks with the United Kingdom (UK) for building a new state-of-the-art aircraft carrier that would be
replicate (copycat version) of Britain’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier as part of ongoing ‘Make in
India’ negotiations. It will be named ‘INS Vishal’ in 2022 and will become Indian Navy’s largest warship.
 The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was formed on on 7 May 1960, with primary goal of securing India’s
borders and developing infrastructure in remote areas of India’s north and north eastern states. On 7 May
2019 BRO celebrated its 59th Raising Day.
 Basava Jayanthi was observed on birthday of Basavanna, a Hindu Kannada poet of 12th century.
 It was traditionally observed by the Lingayats (also called Virashaiva, are devotees of Shiva in southern
India).
 At 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting held at Rovaniemi in Finland, India was re-elected as an observer to
intergovernmental forum Arctic Council.
 It is a high level intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by Arctic states, its indigenous people
and its other inhabitants
 It was established in 1996 by Ottawa Declaration.
 Headquarter: Tromso, in Norway.
 Members (8): Russia, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark (representing Greenland and Faroe
Islands), Canada and United States.
 Iceland currently holds council’s rotating chair.
 According to a report released by Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (IPBES), called Global Assessment about 40% of amphibian species and more than a third (33%) of
all marine mammals are threatened.
 IPBES was founded by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on 21 April 2012.
 It is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.
 It is a global scientific body similar in composition and functioning of IPCC.
 Function: It is an intergovernmental body established by UN to assess state of planet’s biodiversity and of
ecosystem services it provides to society, in response to requests from decision makers.
 Members: At present over 130 governments are its member States. India is its founding member.
 Two Indians honoured by UN for their sacrifice.
 Jitender Kumar: was an Indian police officer deployed to UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Democratic
Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
 Shikha Garg: was a consultant with UN Development Programme (UNDP), attached with India’s Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change. She was killed in Ethiopian Airlines (ET 302) plane crash.
 Every year 8 May is observed as ‘World Thalassaemia Day’ globally.
 The theme for 2019 was “Universal access to quality thalassaemia healthcare services: Building bridges with
and for patient”.
 The United States President Donald Trump awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, country’s highest civilian
honour to golfer Tiger Woods.
 World renowned Chardham Yatra begins in Uttarakhand.
 As per traditions, this pilgrimage tour should begin from West and end in East. Therefore, Char Dham Yatra
starts from Yamunotri, then proceeds to Gangotri and finally end towards Kedarnath and Badrinath.
 Yamunotri– dedicated to Goddess ‘Yamuna’. It stands high up in deep left on western face of Bandarpunch
Peak.
 Gangotri– dedicated to Goddess ‘Ganga’. The shrine overlooks River Bhagirathi.
 Kedarnath– dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also a part of Panch Kedar. It is northern-most Jyotirlinga and is
close to source of holy River Mandakini.
 Badrinath– dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is situated on the bank of River Alaknanda (it is one of the two
headstreams of Ganges other is Bhagirathi).
 The World Red Cross Day, also known as World Red Cross or Red Crescent Day, is annually observed on May
8. It is celebrated to commemorate birth anniversary of Henri Dunant (born on 8 May 1828), the founder of
Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
 Theme for 2019 was “#Love”.
 Iran announces Partial Withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).
 It is an international nuclear agreement signed in 2015, between Iran and the P5+1.
 The P5+1 includes five permanent UNSC’s members (P5): China, Russia, France, United Kingdom (UK), and
United States; and (+1) Germany.
 Singapore has passed a law (The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill) which criminalises
publication of fake news in country and allows government to block and order removal of such content.
 Two Indian Navy ships INS Kolkata and INS Shakti carried out a six day long ‘Group Sail’ (starting from 3 May
and ending on 9 May) with naval ships of USA, Japan and Philippines in South China Sea (SCS).
 It was aimed at deepening existing partnership and fostering mutual understanding among participating
country’s navies.
 Participants: four countries namely, US, India, Japan and Philippines.
 Former Croatia international Igor Stimac appointed Indian men’s football team coach. His name was
recommended by All India Football Federation’s (AIFF, is governing body of association football in India)
technical committee, headed by Shyam Thapa.
 The South Korean Tech Giant, Samsung Electronics Co unveiled world’s highest-resolution image sensor, with
64 megapixels for smartphones. This is a step to meet increasing demand for mobile devices with better
image quality.
 The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) to
achieve its target under ‘REPLACE Strategy’ of eliminating Trans-fat from industrially produced global food
supply by 2023.
 REPLACE is an abbreviation for WHO’s six strategic actions as:
 Review (dietary sources of industrially-produced trans fats),
 Promote (replacement of industrially-produced trans fats with healthier fats,
 Legislate (enact regulatory actions to eliminate industrially-produced trans fats),
 Assess (trans fats content in the food supply),
 Create awareness (about negative health impact of trans fats) and
 Enforce (compliance of policies and regulations).
 The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2019 is being observed on 11 May 2019.
 The WMBD 2019 is observed with Theme:“Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!”.
 The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres appointed 17 global figures which includes
China’s Alibaba chief Jack Ma and Indian actress Dia Mirza as the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
advocates.
 The SDGs were born at United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in
2012.
 The SDGs replaced Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were active from 2000-2015.
 They are also known as ‘Global Goals’ and were adopted by world leaders on September 25, 2015. The
adoption year 2015 coincides with other historic agreement like ‘COP21 Paris Climate Conference’ and ‘Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction’, signed in Japan in March 2015,
 It is a set of 17 Universal Goals, that seeks to meet urgent environmental, political and economic challenges
facing our world
 Republic of Ireland has become only the second country in world to declare a climate emergency.
 The climate emergency declaration was passed by both the government and opposition parties of Ireland
unanimously.
 The inaugural edition of world’s first exclusive women’s cricket magazine named as ‘Criczone’ was released in
India.
 National Technology Day was observed on May 11 across India. The day marks the anniversary of Pokhran
Nuclear Tests (Operation Shakti) of 1998 and also India’s progress in field of science and technology.
 National Technology Day also marks the flight of Hansa-3, India’s first indigenous aircraft which was
developed by National Aerospace Laboratories.
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) was formally handed over its first AH-64E (I)-Apache Guardian helicopter at the
Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, USA. The first batch of about four-six Apache helicopters will be
delivered to India in July 2019.
 In Apache deal there is no transfer of technology or “Make in India” component. The helicopter is entirely
built in the US.
 An Apache squadron, comprising 10-11 helicopters, will be stationed at Pathankot near the border with
Pakistan, while a second one will be based at Jorhat in northeastern India near the country's disputed border
with China.
 International Nurses Day was observed globally on 12 May 2019.
 Theme for International Nurses Day 2019 was “Nurses – A Voice to Lead – Health for All”. This year the
Nurses Day coincided with Mother’s Day.
 UN accord to regulate the movement and export of plastic waste between their national borders.
 Except the United States, about 180 governments, agreed to the deal which essentially updates (or amended)
the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control Of Hazardous Wastes.
 In 1989, the Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CoP) in Basel, Switzerland adopted The Basel Convention on the
Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
 It was adopted in response to large public outcry after it was discovered that large deposits of toxic wastes
were being imported from abroad into developing world.
 The Basel Convention came into force in 1992.
 The Manchester City won the English Premier League football title for second successive year. Liverpool
gained the second place in league.
 EPL is also called ‘The Premier League’ and was founded on 20 February 1992.
 It stands at the top level of the Football Pyramid (also known as English football league (EFL) system which is
basically a series of interconnected leagues for men’s association football clubs in England).
 EPL is contested by 20 clubs and the Seasons run from starting in August to ending in May.
 Lewis Hamilton won the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya, in Barcelona and the
Mercedes sealed its fifth consecutive one-two finish.
 The World number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia beats Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece to win men’s singles title
in Madrid Open tennis.
 The ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (MS FTX) in the
South China Sea concluded on 13 May 2019 at RSS Singapura ( also known as Changi Naval Base) in
Singapore.
 It is co-organized by Singapore and South Korea as both nations currently holds co-chairmanship of ADMM-
Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security.
 The ADMM-Plus comprises total 18 nation participants which include ten Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) countries and other 8 includes the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea,
Japan, Russia, China, and India.
 ASEAN comprises of ten countries of Southeast Asia, with Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia. It includes
Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, and
Philippines.
 ISRO Chairman Dr K. Sivan inaugurated ISRO’s Young Scientist Programme called ‘Yuvika 2019’ at Satish
Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
 It was launched by ISRO in tune with the Centre governments vision of “Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”.
 China will be hosting a Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in Beijing
 As part of CDAC, the Chinese Ministry of Education, in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will be organizing a parallel panel on “Safeguarding the Diversity of
Asian Civilizations“.
 Theme: for CDAC is “exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and a community with a
shared future”.
 Mumbai Indians won Indian Premier League title by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in final at
Hyderabad by 1 run.
 IPL was founded by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008.
 It is a professional Twenty20 (i.e. T20 format) cricket league which is played every year in India during
month of March or April and May. In total it has 48 match days and about 60 matches.
 It is contested by eight teams representing eight different cities in India. The participant players are from
other countries as well.
 This 2019 season was 12th edition of the IPL.
 The Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted successful flight test of ‘ABHYAS’, a High-
speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT).
 It a high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT), which offers a realistic threat scenario for practice of
weapon systems. It is designed for autonomous flying (with help of an autopilot).
 India was unanimously chosen by member countries as next co-chair of Consultative Group (CG) of Global
Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for fiscal year 2020.
 Consultative Group meeting held in Geneva was the 6thSession of Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
(GPDRR) 2019.
 This is the first time that India has been given opportunity of co-chairing CG meeting of GFDRR.
 There are 13 members of GPDRR including India.
 India’s G.S. Lakshmi ha becomes first woman to be appointed to International Cricket Council’s
(ICC) International Panel of Match Referee.
 ICC is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
 India’s Captain Aarohi Pandit became world’s first woman to cross Atlantic Ocean (AO) solo in a Light Sports
Aircraft (LSA) named Mahi.
 Mahi is a tiny Sinus 912, a single-engine, ultralight motor glider.
 Justice A K Sikri appointed as the Chairperson of NBSA
 It is an independent body (free from any interference from NBA) for self-regulation of 24×7 news channels,
who are members of NBA.
 NBSA is empowered to censure, warn, express disapproval, admonish, and penalize the broadcaster
 India for the first time will host the ‘Army scouts masters competition’.
 The Army Scouts Masters Competition is a part of International Army Gamessteered by Russia. This is the 5th
edition of International Army games. The event will be conducted under Indian Army and will be organised by
Indian Army’s ‘Konark Corps’ at Jaisalmer Military Station.
 The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently announced that for the first time in history an all-female
referee team will take charge of a Men’s Continental Club Cup clash.
 AFC Cup is an International association football competition. It was founded in 2004.
 It is held annually between different domestic clubs run by Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Every year
around 36 teams participate in competition.
 It is second-string (means second choice) Asian club competition, just one position below AFC Champions
League.
 The AFC Cup 2019 is the 16th edition of AFC Cup.
 The Indian Coast Guard ship (ICGS) Vigraha was decommissioned at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
 It was commissioned into service on April 12, 1990. It has played an instrumental role in protecting east
coast of India for 29 years of service from 1990 to 2019.
 Government implements Project ‘SPARROW-CBIC’ for online writing of APAR.
 It is a project for online writing of Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) for Officers of CBIC. It is one
of its kind project in terms of number and scale of employees covered as far as Central Government
Departments are concerned. It seeks to bring a complete change in APAR management of large number of
Group ‘B’ & Group ‘C’ Officers and Staff of CBIC. This would in turn lead to better Human resources
 India has recently joined a major global initiative called ‘Christchurch call to action’ to combat extremism and
terrorism online and make internet a safe and secure place.
 A total of 18 countries including European Union (EU) supported the initiative along representatives of online
giants like Facebook, Google, YouTube, Microsoft, Amazon and Twitter.
 Christchurch call to action is a non-binding set of agreements to combat spread of hate and violent content
online.
 The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) conferred ‘Sasakawa Award 2019’ for Disaster
Risk Reduction (DRR) to Pramod Kumar Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to Prime Minister of India.
 The theme of 2019 Sasakawa award was- “Building Inclusive and Resilient Societies”.
 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) was celebrated throughout the world on 17th
May.
 The day marks the establishment of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and also the signing of the
first International Telegraph Convention in 1865 in Paris.
 This year’s theme was: ‘Bridging the standardization gap’.
 ITU was established in 1865 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
 Indian Navy successfully conducted test firing of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) on the
Western Seaboard.
 It is Medium Range Surface to Air Missile which i.e. it is capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at range
of more than 50 km.
 It is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited, India.
 It is jointly developed by DRDL Hyderabad (a DRDO Lab), in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries.
 It is designed to provide Indian defence force with air defensive capability against a variety of aerial threats
at medium ranges.
 The 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to Basel Convention (COP 14) was held along with
the 9th meeting of the COP to Rotterdam Convention and the 9th meeting of the COP to Stockholm
Convention in Geneva, Switzerland, from 29 April to 10 May 2019.
 Theme of 2019 meetings was- “Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste”
 India recently handed over two Mi-24 attack helicopters to Afghanistan. The helicopters were formally handed
over by Indian Ambassador to the acting Minister of National Defence of Afghanistan at Kabul Air Force base.
 SIMBEX (Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) is an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and
Singapore. It is being held from 16 May to 22 May 2019.
 It will be conducted in Two Phases:
 Harbour Phase– will be conducted from 16 to 18 May. It included various planning conferences, deck
reception, courtesy calls to dignitaries of RS Navy, simulator based warfare training (war-gaming) and
sporting events all onboard INS Kolkata.
 Sea Phase– is scheduled from 19 to 22 may 19. It will be conducted in the South China Sea (SCS). It will
include various maritime combat exercises like advanced aerial tracking, firing on aerial or surface targets,
tactical exercises on surface or air scenarios and coordinated targeting exercises
 ISRO announces Seven Mega Missions out of which Chandrayaan-2, will be flight ready by May 2019 and its
spacecraft will be launched in July 2019. The rest six are classified as:
 Defined Missions – which include XPoSat (to study cosmic radiation in 2020) and Aditya-L1(to the Sun in
2021).
 Undefined Missions – which include missions which are still in planning stage namely Mangalyaan-2 (or Mars
Orbiter Mission-2 in 2022), Lunar Polar Exploration (or Chandrayaan-3 in 2024), Venus mission (in 2023),
Exoworlds (exploration outside the solar system in 2028).
 Aditya-L1 or the ‘Sun Mission’ will study solar corona and is scheduled for year 2021.
 Xposat is ISRO’s dedicated mission to study polarization. It will be launched launch in year 2020.
 The Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova beats United Kingdom (UK’s) Johanna Konta in finals and won
women’s singles title at Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) Italian Open 2019, held in Rome.
 Rafael Nadal of Spain defeats Novak Djokovic of Serbia in finals and won men’s singles title at Italian Open
2019.
 Italian Open is also known as Rome Masters (for male edition) or Internazionali BNL d’Italia (sponsored
name) or Italian Championships.
 The tournament is played on Clay Courts, a type of tennis court which are made of crushed brick, stone,
shale, or other unbound mineral aggregates. French Open is also played in Clay Courts.
 The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has laid out its plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) system in
its MCA 21 portal.
 The MCA 21 is one of 31 Mission Mode Projects (MMP) of National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of Government
of India. This is first Mission Mode Project to be launched under NeGP and is e-governance initiative from the
Ministry of Corporate Affairs to meet stakeholder needs in the 21st century.
 The 2019 Indo-Myanmar coordinated patrol (IMCOR) is taking place from 20 May to 28 May 2019. This is the
8th edition of coordinated patrol (CORPAT) between India and Myanmar.
 The World Metrology Day is observed every year on 20 May, which commemorates anniversary of signing of
Metre Convention in 1875.
 The theme for WMD 2019 was “The International System of Units – Fundamentally better.”
 The World Bee Day is celebrated every year on May 20. It marks the birthday anniversary of beekeeping
pioneer Anton Janša. The theme for World Bee Day 2019 was “Save the Bees”.
 In a recent judgement the Delhi High court (HC) ruled that United Nations Organization (UNO) is not ‘State’ in
terms of Article 12 of the Indian Constitution and thus it is not amenable to its jurisdiction under Article 226.
 As per it the ‘States’ in relation to Part III (Fundamental Rights) of Constitution includes Government and
Parliament of India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), Government and Legislature of each of State (Vidhan
Sabha and Vidhan Parishad), all local (or other) authorities within territory of India or under control of Union
of India.
 Article 226 empowers the high courts of India to issue orders, directions or writs, which includes writs in
nature of habeas corpus, prohibition, mandamus, certiorari, and quo warranto (or any of them) to any
concerned person or authority, including the government (in appropriate cases).
 Former Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran is selected for Japan’s Second Highest National Award called
‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’. He served as India’s Foreign Secretary from year 2004 to
2006 during which he played an important role in elevating India-Japan relationship to a strategic partnership
 The Malawian soldier Chancy Chitete will be honoured with the United Nation’s (UN) highest peacekeeping
award, dubbed as “Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage”.
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched ‘Golden Card’ Permanent Residency Schemein an attempt to woo
wealthy individuals and exceptional talents from all over the world The Golden Card offers permanent
residency and unprecedented benefits to cardholders as well as to their families while creating an attractive
environment for growth and business.
 Jokha Alharthi, an author from Oman won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for her Arabic novel
“Celestial Bodies“.
 Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth scripted history by becoming first woman pilot of Indian Air Force (IAF) to
qualify to undertake combat missions on a fighter jet.
 The Director Generals of Assam Rifles and Indian Coast Guard signed a ‘Affiliation Charter’ between 3rd (Naga
Hills) Battalion of Assam Rifles and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship ‘Shaurya’ at a ceremony held at Laitkor,
Shillong. It aims to enhance inter-armed forces cooperation between two and utilise each other’s assets for
training and sports.
 Assam Rifles is India’s oldest Para Military Force. It has 46 Battalions deployed at Indo-Myanmar border and
for countering the insurgency in north east states.
 The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers was held in Kyrgyzstan capital
Bishkek.
 This was the second SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting attended by India as a full member of
SCO.
 The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded in 2001 at Shanghai summit by presidents of
Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. SCO succeeded the Shanghai Five
mechanism which was established in 1996.
 China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan are the members of SCO.
India and Pakistan were granted membership in 2017.
 Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia are the observer states.
 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of United States (US) has unveiled the calendar
for its forthcoming “Artemis” program.
 ARTEMIS is abbreviation for Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s
Interaction with the Sun. It is NASA’s next mission to Moon.
 The objective of the mission is to measure what happens when Sun’s radiation hits our rocky moon, where
there is no magnetic field to protect it.
 Lt. Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, inaugurated the Sahara Naval Hostel for the ‘Veer Naris’ at Vasant Kunj in
New Delhi.
 It is a unique Hostel project for Naval Widows or Veer Naris.
 Every year 25 May is observed as World Thyroid Day globally. The year 2019 marked commemoration of 11
years of Global Thyroid Awareness.
 The Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) AN-32 aircraft was formally fleet certified to fly on blended aviation fuel which
contain up to 10% of indigenous bio-jet fuel.
 This indigenous bio-jet fuel is made from Jatropha oil sourced from Chhattisgarh Biodiesel Development
Authority (CBDA) and then processed at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun.
 India’s Apurvi Chandela won gold in women’s 10m Air Rifle at ISSF World Cup Rifle held in Munich, Germany.
 Apurvi Chandela of India beat Wang Luyao of China with a score of 251 to win gold medal
 India already holds five Tokyo 2020 Olympic quota places in Rifle and Pistol competitions secured by Saurabh
Chaudhary, Apurvi, Abhishek Verma Divyansh Singh Panwar and Anjum.
 SpaceX launched a rocket carrying the first 60 satellites of its ‘Starlink’ constellation, from Cape Canaveral,
Florida in US.
 The SpaceX’s new array of Starlink communication satellites is intended to provide Internet from space.
 Indian Army’s Lieutenant General Shailesh Tinaikar was as appointed the new force commander of UN Mission
in South Sudan (UNMISS) by UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
 IAF chief pay homage to Kargil War Martyrs during Operation Safed Sagar.
 Operation Safed Sagar as the code name assigned to Indian Air Force’s (IAF) role in acting jointly with
Ground troops of Indian Army during the Kargil war in 1999.
 It was aimed at flushing out Regular and Irregular troops of Pakistani Army from vacated Indian Positions in
Kargil sector along Line of Control (LOC).
 Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s birth anniversary was celebrated on 28 May 2019.
 He has published “The Indian War of Independence” about Indian rebellion of 1857 (also called The First War
of Independence and “Sepoy Mutiny” of 1857). Savarkar wrote the book ‘Hindutva: who is hindu?’ (during his
prison term in Ratnagiri Jail)
 In his honour the airport at Port Blair, capital of Andaman and Nicobar has been named as Veer Savarkar
International Airport.
 India has invited the leaders of The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Member States for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 BIMSTEC is an international organization which involves a group of countries in South Asia and South East
Asia (SEA).
 It comprises of primarily seven countries, those lying in littoral and adjacent areas of Bay of Bengal which
includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand.
 India has been elected to the Executive Board of first United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-
Habitat) Assembly.
 It is the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development.
 It was established in 1978 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
 Indian writer Annie Zaidi was announced as the winner of Nine Dots Prize 2019.
 She won Nine Dots Prize for her entry titled ‘Bread, Cement, Cactus’.
 The Chief of the Air Staff (COAS) Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa received the baton of Chairman,
Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) from Admiral Sunil Lanba, the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff and also
COSC Chairman.
 The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched a song titled ‘Hawa Aane De’
to spread awareness about Air pollution. It is the theme song for World Environment Day 2019 and was
launched in New Delhi.
 The song is written By: Shri Swanand Kirkire and sung by: Sunidhi Chauhan, Shri Shantanu Mukherjee
Shankar Mahadevan and Kapil Sharma.
 The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was observed on May 29 2019. The theme for this year
is ‘Protecting Civilians, Protecting Peace’. India is the 4th largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping
missions
 India has moved up one place to rank 43rd most competitive economy in world in annual competitiveness
rankings compiled by International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
 The competitiveness chart was topped by Singapore that has toppled the Hong Kong and the United States to
to take the top spot
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the criiio campaign on the eve of Men’s World Cup.
 It is a celebration of all brilliant and unique ways people play cricket game which can be played by anyone,
anywhere and at any time.
 The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader Narendra Modi (68) was sworn in as 15th Prime Minister for a
second consecutive five-year term.
 The election for 17th Lok Sabha was held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019 for total 542 seats.
 Lok Sabha is the lower house of the parliament which represents people. Article 81 deals with the
Composition of the Lok Sabha. The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is 552 members of which 530 are elected
from states, 20 are elected from Union Territories and 2 are nominated by President from Anglo-Indian
community.
 Lok Sabha has a fixed term of 5 years and can be dissolved by the President at any time.
 As per article 330 (1) seats are reserved in Lok Sabha for SCs and STs. Currently, 84 (15.47%) seats are
reserved for SC and 47 (8.66%) seats are reserved for ST.
 India has a bicameral parliament made of President, Rajya Sabha (Upper House / Council of States) and Lok
Sabha (Lower House / House of People). While Rajya Sabha represents states and union territories, Lok
Sabha represents people of India.

JUNE 2019

 Puerto Williams in Chile has become world’s southernmost city after its status upgraded from hamlet to city.
It took over the title from Ushuaia in Argentina which was world’s southernmost city till recently.
 On May 31 every year the World Health Organization (WHO) and its global partners celebrate World No
Tobacco Day (WNTD). Theme for year 2019 was ‘tobacco and lung health’.
 Admiral Karambir Singh assumes charge as the new Chief of Indian Navy. With this appointment he now
becomes 24th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
 The tenure of a Service Chief is three years or 62 years of age, whichever is earlier.
 He is the most senior naval aviator and is the first helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy to become the Chief of
the Naval Staff.
 The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Flight Lieutenant Mohana Singh became first ever woman pilot to fly by day on
Hawk advanced jet aircraft.
 The Centre has created a new Ministry called ‘Jal Shakti’ by merger of Ministries of Water Resources, River
Development & Ganga Rejuvenation along with Drinking Water and Sanitation.
 The Jal ministry will be headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat while Ram Lal
Kataria will be the minister of state.
 The ministry will roll out government’s ambitious plans to provide piped water connections to every household
in India by 2024.
 Former President of India, Pratibha Patil was conferred Mexico’s highest civilian honour for foreigners
titled ‘Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca‘ (order of the Aztec Eagle).
 The award was created in 1993 by the then President of Mexico, Abelardo L. Rodriguez. The Royal Eagle is
Mexico’s national animal and is sacred to ancient Aztecs. It is present on the National Emblem of Mexican
flag.
 The 85 year old Pratibha Patil have become only the second Indian head of state (after ate President S.
Radhakrishna) to get this award and this is the first time that Mexican government has awarded the ‘Aztec
Eagle’ to a woman.
 A Two-day Yoga Mahotsava which will be a Curtain Raiser for upcoming International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2019
was inaugurated by Shri Rajeev Kumar, Vice-Chairman, NITI AYOG at New Delhi. He also
presented theme for IDY 2019 as ‘Yoga for Heart’.
 The Financial Literacy Week 2019 will be observed from 3 June to 7 June. It is an annual initiative by Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) to promote awareness on key topics through a focused campaign.
 The theme of Financial Literacy Week 2019 is ‘Farmers’ which focuses on how they can benefit by being a
part of the formal banking system.
 Liverpool beats Tottenham Hotspur with 2-0 to win UEFA Champions League football trophy final at Madrid,
Spain. This was Tottenham first ever appearance in the Champions League final.
 UEFA Champions League was founded in 1955 and is organised by Union of European Football Associations
(UEFA).
 It is an annual club football competition which is contested by top-division European clubs.
 It is one of the World’s most prestigious tournaments and most prestigious club competition in European
football which decides the best team in Europe.
 It played by the national league champions (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of strongest
UEFA national associations.
 The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) overtook India Oil Corporation (IOC) by regaining crown of being
India’s most profitable Public Sector Undertakings (PSU).
 ONGC is a state owned multinational oil and gas company earlier headquartered in Dehradun, (Uttarakhand)
now headquartered in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.
 It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), under administrative control of Union Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas.
 It is India’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company which global rank of 11 among the Top
250 Global Energy Companies (by Platts).
 It produces about 62% of India’s natural gas demand 70% of India’s crude oil demand which is equivalent to
around 30% of India’s total demand.
 The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue also known as Quad is an informal strategic grouping consisting of India,
US, Australia and Japan recently met in Bangkok in Thailand.
 The Quad (or QSD) is committed to preserving and promoting the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific
region.
 The 14th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
 The official agenda of meeting was to address ‘current issues in Muslim world’ and ‘recent developments in a
number of OIC member states.
 Political leaders and heads of state from Islamic nations unanimously condemned countries including United
Sates decision of making “illegal and irresponsible decision” to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
 In a joint statement at OIC summit in Saudi Arabia, the leaders called on countries that have moved their
embassies to Jerusalem (by recognizing it as Israel’s capital) to rethink their strategy and which OIC
considered as a serious violation of international law and international legitimacy.
 OIC was established in 1969 by 24 member states and presently has 57 member states from four continents.
 Out of total 57 member states the organisation has several significant non-Arab member states, like Turkey,
Iran and Pakistan. The 22 members of the Arab League are also part of OIC. It has five observer members,
including Russia and Thailand.
 Its official languages are Arabic, English and French.
 Indian Air Force’s AN-32 transport aircraft goes missing after taking off from Jorhat in Assam. The airborne
aircraft had total 13 people on board including eight aircrew and five passengers.
 The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Rajiv Mehrishi has been elected as external auditor of
World Health Organization (WHO) for a period of four years from year 2020 to 2023.
 The Elephanta Festival of art and culture commenced at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
 It is held on Gharapuri island (also known as Elephanta Island) where Elephanta Caves are located.
 Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples primarily dedicated to Lord Shiv but also have Buddhist
caves.
 The Indian Army has commissioned a “Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System” (CAAQMS) at its
Eastern Command headquarters in Fort William Military Station, Kolkata in West Bengal. The commission of
air quality monitor is part of Army’s countrywide ‘Go Green’ initiative, which was started in April 2019.
 The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) celebrated 3 June as World Bicycle Day to observe the day as a
celebration of “uniqueness, longevity, and versatility” of the bicycle.
 Ajit Doval is reappointed as National Security Advisor (NSA) of India for another five year tenure.
 In recognition of his earlier contribution in the national security domain, he has also been elevated to rank of
Cabinet Minister for this term.
 NSA is the chief adviser to the prime minister of India on national and international security policy matters,
established in 1998.
 It is a three-tiered organization comprising of Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), Strategic Policy Group
(SPG) and National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).
 On the eve of World Environment Day, Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar launched a
people’s campaign called #SelfiewithSapling, urging people to advocate the cause on social media.
 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched by Centre government with aim to reduce air pollution by
2024.
 PM approves changes in Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme under the National Defence Fund.
 NDF was set up in 1962.
 The rates of scholarship have been increased from Rs.2000pm (per month) to Rs.2500pm for boys and from
Rs.2250pm to Rs.3000pm for girls.
 The ambit of Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme is now extended to include the wards of State Police
officials who are or were martyred during terror or naxal attacks.
 The Administration includes an Executive Committee chaired by Prime Minister and with Defence Ministers,
Finance Ministers and Home Ministers as Members administers the fund.
 The “Kharga Prahar”, a major training exercise conducted by the Indian Army in Punjab.
 Kharga Prahar exercise was undertaken in plains of Punjab by various units and formations of Army’s Kharga
Corps.
 Sahara Group recently announced its entry into the automobile sector with plans of launching electric vehicles
under the brand name ‘Sahara Evols’.
 The Sahara Evols electric vehicles are powered by dry lithium-ion batteries. Their cost of driving in an
average can go as low as 20paise per kilometer .
 Veteran Malayalam actress Sheela was honoured with prestigious J C Daniel Award for her contributions to
Malayalam Cinema field. She is only the second woman to win this award after Aranmula Ponnamma (in
2005).
 J C Daniel Award is Kerala government’s highest honour for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema.
 The Anti-ship version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos was test fired from the launch complex-3 of
Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.
 The name BrahMos is formed from names of two rivers i.e. Indian river Brahmaputra and the Moskva River of
Russia.
 The missile is manufactured at BrahMos Aerospace Limited which is a joint venture between India’s Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM).
 It has been operationalised in Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.
 The medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile has a strike range of about 290 km and is often described
as the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
 Every year World Environment Day is celebrated on 5 June globally.
 Theme for the World Environment Day 2019 was ‘Beat Air Pollution’. It has been chosen by this year’s host,
China.
 Maharana Pratap Jayanti is observed every year on 6 June to celebrate birth anniversary of brave Rajput
warrior.
 The year 2019 marks 479th birth anniversary of great warrior. The famous Battle of Haldighati was fought
between Maharana Pratap and Akbar’s forces led by Man Singh I of Amer on 18 June 1576.
 The 2nd Global Disability Summit is being held at Buenos Aires, Argentina from 6 June to 8 June 2019.
 Objective of the summit was
 To deliberate on issues related to empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across the
world.
 To work out a mechanism so as to enable PwDs to live an independent and dignified life.
 The Indian Navy recently deployed its P8I surveillance planes for carrying out anti-piracy patrol sorties from
Salalah (in Oman) to patrol the Gulf of Aden and other piracy prone areas.
 P-8I is long-range anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft capable of broad-area,
maritime and littoral operations.
 It is capable of providing a long-range Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
 In first-ever SDG Gender Index which measures progress made in achieving gender commitments against
internationally set targets, India was ranked 95th out of a total 129 countries.
 The Index is developed by Equal Measures 2030, a partnership effort of regional and global organisations.
 Denmark topped the list followed by Finland and Sweden
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the reconstitution of government of India’s policy think tank NITI
Aayog.
 The NITI Aayog constitution is as follows-
 Chairperson– Prime Minister Narendra Modi
 Vice-Chairperson– Dr. Rajiv Kumar
 Full-Time Members– includes (1) Shri V.K. Saraswat, (2) Prof. Ramesh Chand (3) Dr. V.K. Paul
 NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015 by replacing 65 years legacy of Planning Commission (PC).
 It was formed with aim to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and to enhance cooperative
federalism by fostering state governments’ involvement in economic policy-making process.
 National Assembly of Thailand (Thailand’s Parliament) elected 2014 coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha as Prime
Minister.
 American novelist Tayari Jones won this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction for her fourth novel “An American
Marriage“.
 It is one of the biggest international celebrations of women’s creativity.
 Delhi Metro has become first ever project in India to receive power generated from a waste-to-energy plant.
 DMRC has commissioned a facility for recycling of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste with a capacity of
150 tons per day at Rohini. It is based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with IL&FS Environmental
Infrastructure & Services Ltd (IEISL).
 Russia has launched first Arctic train service running from St. Petersburg stationheaded to Norway.
 The train is named ‘Zarengold’ which means ‘The Tsar’s gold’ in German.
 The 16-year old climate activist, Greta Thunberg of Sweden won Amnesty International’s ‘Ambassador of
Conscience’ Award 2019 for mobilising world public opinion global warming.
 MoU signed between Ministry of Corporate Affairs & SEBI for data exchange between two regulatory
organizations and to tighten regulatory oversight.
 SEBI is the regulator for securities market in India.
 It was established on 12 April 12 1988 as a non-statutory body. It was accorded statutory status in
accordance with provisions of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
 It is a quasi-legislative, quasi-executive and quasi-judicial body. It can draft regulations, conduct inquiries,
pass rulings and even impose penalties.
 Jimmy Carter, Ex-President of United States of America (USA) won the inaugural George H. W. Bush Award
for Statesmanship in recognition of his contributions to relations between U.S. and China.
 Jimmy Carter was former governor of Georgia (1971-1975) and later served as 39th president of United
States from 1977-1981.
 Eminent historian and writer Romila Thapar has been elected as international member of American
Philosophical Society (APS) at its Annual Spring Meeting.
 American Philosophical Society is the oldest learned society in United States (US).
 It was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin (American polymath and one of Founding Fathers of US) for
purpose of ‘promoting useful knowledge.’
 It provides a forum for free exchange of ideas while holding conviction that intellectual inquiry and critical
thought are inherently in best interest of public.
 African Union’s Peace and Security Council with immediate effect suspended participation of Sudan in all AU
activities until effective establishment of a Civilian-led Transitional Authority.
 AU was established in 2002. It is a continental union with headquarter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
 55 countries located on African continent are the member of African Union.
 The highest decision-making organ of AU is Assembly of African Union, a semi-annual meeting of heads of
state and government of its member states.
 AU’s secretariat, called African Union Commission is based in Addis Ababa.
 The Women Sangams (groups) of Deccan Development Society (DDS) were honoured with Equator Prize
2019 by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their contribution to ecology and innovations in
rainfed millet cultivation.
 Indian Air Force (IAF) signed Rs.300 crore deal with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli
defence firm to procure a batch of SPICE 2000 guided bombs.
 The SPICE stands for Smart, Precise Impact and Cost-Effective. It is guidance and maneuvering kit
manufactured by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
 SPICE can overcome errors in locating target, GPS jamming and also reduces collateral damage.
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension
Yojana, a new Central Sector Scheme (CSS), to provide pension cover to farmers.
 It is voluntary and contributory pension scheme for all Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF) across the country.
 Entry age of 18 to 40 years with provision of minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000 on attaining the age of 60
years. Beneficiary farmer of this scheme is required to contribute Rs 100 per month at median entry age of
29 years. Central Government will also contribute to Pension Fund an equal amount as contributed by eligible
farmer.
 After subscriber’s death (while receiving pension), spouse of SMF beneficiary is entitled to receive 50% of
pension received by beneficiary as family pension, provided he/she is not already an SMF beneficiary of this
scheme.
 The World Food Safety Day 2019 was observed on 7 June with the theme- ‘Food Safety, everyone’s business’.
It was first ever World Food Safety Day.
 G20 Ministerial meeting on Trade and Digital Economy is being held from 8 June- 9 June 2019 in Japanese
city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Tsukuba is Japan’s one of main academic and research centers.
 Two day meet was chaired by Masatoshi Ishida, Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications
and Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended
service of Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha for a further period of three months.
 According to the new rule Central Government may in public interest give an extension in service for a further
period, not exceeding three months, beyond the period of four years to the Cabinet Secretary.
 Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for administration of Government of India (Allocation of Business)
Rules, 1961 and Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961. Thus, it facilitates smooth
transaction of business in Ministries/ Departments.
 Cabinet Secretary is the administrative head of Cabinet Secretariat. He is also ex-officio Chairman of Civil
Services Board.
 Mount Sinabung volcano erupted in Sumatra Island of western Indonesia.
 It is located in Karo district of North Sumatra province in western Indonesia and 40km from Lake Toba
supervolcano.
 It is a Pleistocene-to-Holocene (geological epoch) Stratovolcano (also known as composite volcano). It
belongs to Volcanic arc/belt of Sunda Arc.
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cabinet adopted a National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 during its meeting at
Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi (UAE Capital).
 The strategy has two pronged objectives as follows:
 To make UAE a world leader in quality of life by undertaking various strategic objectives and initiatives.
 To promote an integrated concept of wellbeing, thereby supporting vision of UAE
 Prime Minister Modi was conferred with Maldives’ highest honour- ‘Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan
Izzuddeen‘ in Male, the capital of Maldives.
 Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena gifted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a Samadhi Buddha
statue (Buddha in meditation posture), during latter’s visit to Island nation.
 The masterpiece replica of Samadhi Buddha statue presented to PM Modi has been hand carved using white
teak and took almost two years to complete.
 This is considered to be one of best sculptures of Anuradhapura era (377 BC to 1017 AD) which is the first
established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka.
 Union Ministry of Culture announced that Chaukhandi Stupa, an ancient Buddhist site located in Sarnath,
Uttar Pradesh (UP) has been declared as ‘protected area of national importance’ by Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI).
 The stupa is an ancient Buddhist site which evolved from burial mounds and served as a shrine for a relic of
Buddha. It appears to be in ruins and was originally constructed in 5th Century AD.
 Annual festival of Kheer Bhawani Mela on Zeasht Ashtami, hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees prayed at
famous Ragnya Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Ganderbal district.
 It is one of the biggest religious functions of displaced community of Kashmiri Pandits, who were forcefully
evicted from Valley in 1990s by militants.
 The devotees carry rose petals, walk barefoot, offer tribute to goddess and offer milk and kheer (pudding) at
sacred spring.
 Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs participated in G20 Meeting of
Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and held at southwestern city of Fukuoka, Japan.
 G20 (or Group of 20) was formed on 26 September 1999 as meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors of member states in aftermath of Southeast Asian (Tiger economies) financial crisis.
 Members include 19 countries and European Union (EU) which collectively representing two-third of world’s
population.
 The 19 countries are India, China, Japan, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Indonesia,
Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, US, South Africa and United Kingdom.
 India has been designated as Guest of Honour at 33rd Guadalajara International Book Fair (also called Feria
Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara), in Mexico.
 The Book Fair is aimed at professionals and general public alike, this particular characteristic sets it apart
from other book fairs around the world.
 Interim President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, won the country’s snap Presidential elections with
nearly 71%. He was also the chosen successor of veteran ruler and former leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.
 World athletics’ governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will re-brand
itself as World Athletics. The rebranding would be operational from October 2019.
 The decision for rebranding of name was taken at IAAF Council, meeting in Monaco which is IAAF’s
Headquarter.
 With 215 member federations, IAAF is an international governing body for sport of athletics.
 Britain’s Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes won Formula One Canadian Grand Prix 2019 at the Circuit Gilles
Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This was Hamilton’s seventh win on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and
now made him equalled Michael Schumacher’s record.
 Spain’s Rafael Nadal won a historic 12th Roland Garros title or Men’s Singles title at French Open tennis and
18th Grand Slam crown with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over his opponent Dominic Thiem of Austria.
 Ashleigh Barty of Australia knocked off Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic in final with 6-1, 6-3 to win
her 1st Women’s Singles title at French Open tennis 2019.
 French Open is played on outdoor clay courts.
 An 8 year old Indian origin student named Nia Tony was honoured during 22nd edition of Emirates Recycling
Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). She won the award in the paper section in individual
category for collecting a total of 14,914 kg of paper waste.
 Thawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment was recently appointed as Leader of
Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Leader of the Rajya Sabha is appointed by the party in power at Centre.
 A Leader of House is a Rajya Sabha member who either holds a rank of cabinet minister or another
nominated minister. The Leader has a seat next to ex-officio Chairperson of Rajya Sabha (the Vice President
of India), in the front row.
 Rajya Sabha is the upper house of parliament which represents the states and union territories. Its
membership is fixed to maximum 250 members of which 238 are elected by the representatives of states and
union territories while 12 members are nominated by President.
 The present strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245, of whom 233 are representatives of the States/Union
Territories and 12 are nominated by the President. Rajya Sabha has an indefinite term and not subject to
dissolution (Article 83.1). The term of an Individual Rajya Sabha member is 6 years and one third of its
members retire every two years.
 Vice President of India is the ex-officio chairman of Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha members also choose a
Member of the Rajya Sabha as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
 Virendra Kumar elected as Pro-tem Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha.
 The word Pro-tem is a Latin phrase which in English means ‘for the time being’ of ‘temporary’. Thus a Pro-tem
Speaker performs the duties of office of Speaker from commencement of 1st sitting of newly constituted Lok
Sabha till the election of the Speaker. This is because Speaker of last Lok Sabha vacates his office before the
1st meeting of newly elected Lok Sabha.
 Article 93 of constitution states that, a Speaker and Deputy Speaker to Lower House of Parliament must be
elected in 1st sitting of Lok Sabha.
 The appointment of Pro tem speaker is a convention and there is no provision mentioned in the Constitution
for this position.
 President appoints and administes the oath of a member of Lok Sabha as Pro-tem Speaker.
 A Pro-tem Speaker has powers same as a Lok Sabha Speaker. His main duty is to administer oath to newly
elected members of parliament and election of new Speaker.
 Actor Priyanka Chopra will be awarded Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by United Nations International
Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) American chapter at their Snowflake Ball in December 2019.
 UNICEF is a special program of UN devoted to aid national efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education,
and general welfare of children. It was established in 1946 to provide relief to children in countries devastated
by World War II. It is headquartered in New York City, United States.
 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed every year throughout the world on 13 June, with
the aim of raising public awareness on albinism and to prevent attacks and discrimination against persons
with albinism. Theme for IAAD 2019 was- Still Standing Strong.
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the extension of President’s rule under
article 356(4) of Indian Constitution, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for a period of 6 more months, beginning
from 3 July 2019. The decision was based on prevailing situation in state as stated in report of Governor of
Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik.
 Article 356 of constitution of India empowers President to issue a proclamation of Present’s Rule (or State
Emergency), if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which government of a state cannot be carried on
in accordance with provisions of Constitution. Thus, President’s rule is also called Constitutional Emergency as
it deals with failure of constitutional machinery in State. The President can act in accordance with or without
the report of Governor of state.
 President’s Rule in a state can continue for a period of 6 months at a time and after this period it can be
extended for another term with approval of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) but for a
maximum period of 3 years.
 Chinese President Xi Jinping was conferred with highest national award of Kyrgyzstan titled Manas Order of
the First Degree in Bishkek (capital of Kyrgyzstan). Kyrgyzstan is hosting 19th Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) summit.
 Renowned author Amitav Ghosh was felicitated with 54th Jnanpith Award for his outstanding contribution to
enrichment of Indian Literature in English. It is the highest literary award in India, presented annually
by Bharatiya Jnanpith (a literary and research organization). It can only be conferred upon a citizen of India
but with no posthumous conferral.
 According to Global Peace Index (GPI) of Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), India’s rank slipped by five
places to 141 among 163 countries on GPI 2019 and Iceland was ranked 1st. India was ranked 136 in GPI
2018.
 Iceland with rank 1st remains the most peaceful country in world.
 The Asia Media Summit 2019 was organised in Siem Reap province, Cambodia from 12 June to 14 June 2019
to deliberate on many issues pertaining to media & broadcasting industry.
 The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of the Central Government of India headed by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has cleared setting up of new agency called Defence Space Research Agency (DSRO. The
DSRO has been entrusted with task of creating space warfare weapon systems and technologies.
 DSRA would be providing research and development (R&D) support to Defence Space Agency (DSA) which
again comprises of members of tri-services.
 DSA is being set up in Bengaluru under an Air Vice Marshal-rank officer and will gradually take over the
space-related capabilities of the three armed forces.
 Akshaya Patra, a Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation (NGO) running one of the world’s largest school
meals project in India was awarded BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) World Service Global Champion
Award for the programme.
 South America’s governing body of football CONMEBOL has invited Australia and Qatar to take part in 2020
COPA America.
 COPA 2020 will be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia.
 s international football competition is played between men’s national football teams of South American
Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)
 It was established in 1916 and is the oldest international continental football competition.
 The World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) was celebrated around the world on 14 June 2019. Theme for 2019 was-
Safe blood for all.
 In the latest FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Ranking Indian football team
remains static at 101st place and Belgium continued to top.
 In Latest FIFA Rankings-
 (1) Belgium, (2) France (3) Brazil (4) England (5) Portugal (with +2), (6) Croatia (with -1), (7) Spain (with
+2), (8) Uruguay (with -2), (9) Switzerland (with-1) and (10) Denmark
 The National Geographic Society (NGS), a US based non-profit scientific and educational organizations
announced successful installation of world’s highest operating weather stations on Mount Everest.
 These world’s two highest operating automated weather stations (a 7-foot- building) were installed at Balcony
area (8,430 m) and South Col (7,945 m)that can withstand extreme winds and cold weather. Three other
weather stations were also placed on Mount Everest at Camp II (6,464 m), Everest Base Camp(5,315 m)
and Phortse(3,810 m).
 Multiple times world champion Peter Gilchrist defeated India’s Sourav Kothari in final to win the 2019 Pacific
International Billiards Championship played at the Yarraville Club in Melbourne, Australia.
 India will be celebrating this year the 20th anniversary of Operation Vijay also called Kargil Vijay Diwas for
over three days from 25 July to 27 July 2019 at Dras and New Delhi.
 The day will be celebrated with theme- Remember, Rejoice and Renew.
 Kargil War was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in
Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and elsewhere along Line of Control (LOC).
 The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is observed every year all across the world on 16 June.
 The objective is to create greater awareness about impact remittances have on millions of households, as well
as on communities, countries, and entire regions.
 IFAD is an specialized United Nations (UN) agency that was one of the major outcomes ofWorld Food
Conference 1974. Later in 1977, it was set up as an international financial institution.
 It is based in Rome (Italy)
 Remittance is a transfer of money, commonly by a foreign worker to an individual in their home country.
 Suman Rao from Rajasthan won the Femina Miss India World 2019 beauty pageant during a ceremony held at
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium in Mumbai.
 Namaste Thailand Film Festival, a two day event was held in Delhi from 15 June to 16 June 2019. This year
was the 3rd edition of Thai film extravaganza event that celebrates Thai Culture’s Diversity.
 The film festival kick started with superhit Thai romantic comedy, Friend Zone at PVR Select Citywalk ine New
Delhi.
 Other movies showcased at event include- 2,215, Homestay, The Promise, and The Legend of Muay Thai: 9
Satra and another romantic comedy Suddenly Twenty.
 The second edition of India International Mega Trade fair (IIMTF) was inaugurated on 15 June at Bidhannagar
(or Salt Lake) city in Kolkata.
 IIMTF was first founded in 1994.
 It first took place at Kolkata but adapting to growth of visitors in fair the exhibition now takes place in
different cities such as Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, etc.
 It is a B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Customer) exhibition.
 The armies of India and Myanmar carried out a 3-week-long coordinated operation in their respective border
areas called ‘Operation Sunrise 2’ to bust terror camps.
 For the first time ever India will be hosting the 14th session of Conference of Parties (COP-14) of United
Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in September 2019, to address the issue of land
degradation and desertification.
 India will be taking over the COP presidency from China for the next two years until the next COP is hosted in
2021.
 The United Nations has 3 major Conventions:
 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
 UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
 UNCCD was established in 1994, and at present has 197 parties working towards maintaining and restoring
land and soil productivity as well as mitigating effects of drought.
 World Food India 2019 to be held in New Delhi
 Tagline of WFI 2019 event will be- Forging Partnerships for Growth.
 Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, was appointed by Pakistan military as the new Director-General of Inter-
Services Intelligence (ISI), the military-led powerful spy agency.
 In the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings Naomi
Osaka of Japan’s and Novak Djokovic of Serbia continue to be as World Number 1
 After months of speculations and rumours, Facebook has officially announced the details of its new global
cryptocurrency called Libra. This Facebook owned cryptocurrency Libra will be launched by social media giant
in 2020.
 The name Libra is a Roman unit of weight measure. Name is also tries to invoke a sense of financial freedom
by using French stem “Lib,” which means free. It will let its user to send or receive money and buy things at
nearly zero fees. Users can pseudonymously buy/cash out their Libra online or even at local exchange points
(ex- grocery stores), and can spend it using interoperable 3rd-party wallet apps or Facebook’s own Calibra
wallet. A Libra is a unit of Libra cryptocurrency which is represented by ≋ (a three wavy horizontal line). The
Libra value is meant to stay largely stable, so that it stays a good medium of exchange, and merchants can
also have confidence that they won’t be paid a Libra today that’s then worth less tomorrow.
 The Government of India has approved Union Ministry of Defence proposal for restoration of ‘ration in kind’ to
military officers stationed in peace areas. This is one of the first major decisions taken by Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh after he assumed the new portfolio role in Modi government’s 2nd term.
 India has for the first time extended $15 Million financial support to Niger as a support for organising African
Union (AU) summit.
 As per Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Niger, India is also
establishing Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre (MGICC) in Niamey under grant assistance.
 This convention Centre by India in Niger is part of India’s plan to build chain convention centres across 20
African states as signature infrastructure projects.
 Sri Lanka’s first ever satellite ‘Raavana-1’, designed and developed by two Sri Lankan engineers, was
successfully placed into orbit. It was launched from International Space Station (ISS) along with two other
BIRDS 3 satellites from Japan and Nepal.
 The ‘Birds project’ is an acronym for ‘Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite project’, which is a cross-border
interdisciplinary satellite project for non-space faring countries supported by Japan.
 The Birds 3 project is led by Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology and involves students from Sri Lanka,
Nepal and Japan.
 India’s PU Chitra won gold medal in women’s 1500m at Folksam Grand Prix 2019 held in Sollentuna, Sweden.
She produced the best time of her season so far by clocking 4 minute 12.65 seconds (4:12.65s).
 In bid to boost India’s relations with its neighbours, the government has entered into agreements with
Bangladesh and South Korea to broadcast DD (Doordarshan) India channel in two countries and their state
channels will be shown on DD Free Dish in India.
 12th ReCAAP ISC capacity building workshop held at New Delhi.
 ReCAAP is an abbreviation for Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery
against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP).
 It is 1st regional government to government agreement to enhance and promote cooperation against piracy
and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
 As of now it has 20 Contracting Parties, which includes 14 Asian countries, 4 European countries, (Norway,
Netherlands, Denmark, and United Kingdom), United States and Australia.
 The 20th Meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was held under the Chairmanship of
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs.
 The FSDC was constituted in December 2010. It is apex body of sectoral regulators and not a statutory body.
 Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Sankalp’ in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to reassure safe passage of
Indian flagged vessels transiting through area.
 Indian Naval Ships, INS Chennai (Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyers) and INS Sunayna (Saryu-
class patrol vessel) have been deployed in region to undertake maritime security operations. Persian Gulf is
an arm of Arabian Sea, lies between Arabian Peninsula and Iran, extending from Shatt al Arab delta to Strait
of Hormuz.
 Shefali Juneja appointed as India’s representative to ICAO’s council.
 It is a specialized agency of United Nations, charged with coordinating and regulating international air travel.
 ICAO was established in 1944 by Convention on International Civil Aviation(Chicago Convention). It is
headquartered in Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
 It is composed of 36 member states, who are elected for a 3 year term.
 Council’s member states are chosen under three headings-
 States of chief importance in air transport
 States which make largest contribution to provision of facilities for air navigation
 States whose designation will ensure that all major areas of world are represented in the council
 The World Refugee Day is observed across the world on 20 June every year. The theme for World Refugee
Day 2019 was: Step with Refugees – Take a Step on World Refugee Day.
 WHO launches AWaRe tool to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance.
 The WHO’s latest advisory, suggested adoption of AWaRe approach which classifies antibiotics into three
groups –
 Access– which antibiotics to use for the most common and serious infections
 Watch– which ones should be available at all times in the healthcare system
 Reserve– those that must be used sparingly or preserved and used only as a last resort
 Renowned Author Amish Tripathi has been named as the new director of London’s Nehru Centre, under Indian
Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
 The Nehru Centre is a cultural centre located at the South Audley Street, London in United Kingdom (UK).
 It was established in 1992 with the goal of promoting cultural exchange between India and UK.
 The preemptive non military air strike conducted by Indian Air Force (IAF) on a terrorist training camp in
Balakot, Pakistan, on 26 February 2019 was code-named Operation Bandar (Monkey). The Indian Air Force is
planning to reward IAF pilots who took part in attack with Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their acts of
bravery.
 Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Environment informed the Lok Sabha during question hour that India’s
forest cover has increased by 1% in last one year period and over 24.39% of India’s geographical area now
constitutes of green cover.
 Question Hour refers to 1st hour of Lok Sabha’s sitting session, which is devoted to questions that Members
of Parliament (MPs) raise about any aspect of administrative activity.
 The concerned Minister (to whom question is raised) is obliged to answer to Parliament, either orally or in
writing, depending on type of question raised.
 Pranati Nayak of India won bronze medal in vault event held at Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics
Championships 2019 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
 AGC is organized by Asian Gymnastic Union (AGU) for each of the FIG (International Gymnastics Federation)
gymnastic disciplines for both men’s and women’s. The FIG is the governing body of competitive gymnastics
which is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
 The senior editions of Asian Gymnastics Championships is one in which competitors must be above 16 years
of age.
 Yoga guru Baba Ramdev recently made announcement about releasing his autobiography titled- ‘My Life, My
Mission’. The book is co-authored with senior journalist Uday Mahurkar.
 India now has a state-of-the-art Central Command Centre for Air Traffic Flow Management (C-ATFM) in New
Delhi, which will optimise utilisation of resources such as airspace and aircraft at the capacity-constrained
Indian airports.
 C-ATFM is a system that integrates flight data from various subsystems like ATC (Air Traffic Control)
Automation System, flight updates and flight update messages so as to provide safe and orderly flow of
traffic.
 Indian Women’s Rugby team claimed their 1st ever international women’s 15s victory after beating Singapore
in the Asian Women Rugby Championship Division 1 in Manila, Philippines.
 India’s Pankaj Advani defeated Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon of Thailand with 6-3 in final to clinch the 35th
men’s Asian Snooker Championship.
 It is the premier non-professional snooker tournament in Asia that started from 1984. The Asian
Confederation of Billiard Sports, sanctions the event series. In most of the seasons winner of tournament
qualifies for next season of Professional Snooker Tour.
 Odisha has come out with a unique flood hazard atlas aided by satellite imagery, which is expected to help
the coastal state manage floods more efficiently. The atlas was released by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik at the State-level Natural Calamity Meeting.
 Atlas is compiled on basis of historic flood inundation captured via satellite imagery over 18 years period from
year 2001 to 2018.
 Saudi Arabia has become 1st Arab country to be granted full membership of Financial Action Task Force
(FATF) following FATF’s Annual General Meeting held in Orlando, Florida in United States (US).
 FATF was established in 1989, with headquarters in Paris, France.
 FATF Plenary is FATF’s decision making body. It meets three times per year.
 FATF comprises of 37-member jurisdictions and 2 Regional Organisations namely Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) and European Commission (EC). With kingdom becoming a FATF member, the number of
permanent members in group is now 39.
 India clinched the women’s FIH Series Finals Hockey Tournament by beating hosts Japan 3-1 in summit clash
at the Hiroshima Hockey Stadium in Japan.
 International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally opened its new headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
 IOC is a non-governmental sports organisation headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
 The Sport’s governing body was created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrius Vikelas on 23 June 1894 in
Paris, France.
 95 active members, 44 honorary members, 2 honour members (Senegal and United States), 206 individual
National Olympic Committees.
 Current President of IOC is Thomas Bach of Germany
 Japan gifted Manipur, one of India’s north eastern state a Museum of Peace built on the memories of Battle of
Imphal, one of the fiercest battles of 2nd World War (WWII). The inauguration of Imphal Peace
Museum marked 75th anniversary of Battle of Imphal.
 Battle of Imphal took place in region around city of Imphal (Manipur’s capital) from March to July 1944.
Japanese armies with an attempt to destroy Allied forces at Imphal invaded India, but were driven back into
Burma (todays’ Myanmar) with heavy losses.
 Rachna Khaira of The Tribune News Service has bagged prestigious RedInk Award for Excellence in Indian
Journalism ‘Journalist of the Year’ 2019 for her expose during 2018 on functioning of the Unique Identification
Authority of India (UIDAI) and its Aadhaar data cache.
 The Red Ink awards are a set of annual awards which were instituted by The Mumbai Press Club in 2010.
 They are bestowed upon an individual in recognition of his/her excellence in journalistic achievements as
assessed by a special jury.
 Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is coming out with his autobiography titled-‘Lessons Life Taught Me
Unknowingly’
 Coca-Cola and Chinese dairy firm Mengniu have signed a multi-year global Olympic deal to become joint
sponsors (beverages and dairy) of Olympic Games starting from 2021 to 2032.
 This agreement is 1st ever joint partnership under Worldwide Olympic
 The TOP (The Olympic Partners) programme is the highest level of Olympic sponsorship which grants
category-exclusive marketing rights to a selected group of global partners for Summer, Winter and Youth
Olympic Games.
 Beijing is scheduled to host 2022 Olympics, while 2024 Summer Games will be staged in Paris, France. Los
Angeles in California has been awarded 2028 Olympics.
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) commemorated 20 years of Kargil War (held between May-July 1999) by turning
Gwalior air base virtually into a ‘war theatre’
 For recreating Tiger Hill attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Drass-Kargil area, IAF used Mirage 2000
aircraft and explosives were blown up on a Model Hill to recreate crucial events of kargil war.
 In India, war is also referred as Operation Vijay, the name of Indian operation to clear Kargil sector. During
Kargil war, IAF had conducted Operation Safed Sagar as a part of Operation Vijay of the Indian Army.
 The Curiosity Rover of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has found the largest amount
of methane ever measured during its mission on Red Planet (Mars).
 Curiosity Rover is part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission.
 It is a car-sized rover designed to explore a crater on Mars called Gale.
 It was launched on 26 November 2011, and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater on Mars on August
2012.
 Although the planned mission lifespan for Curiosity rover once it lands on Mars is 1 Martian year (i.e. 687
days) however in December 2012 curiosity’s 2 year mission was extended indefinitely and rover is still
operational as of 25 June 2019.
 European Space Agency (ESA) recently tested a device called Lunar Evacuation System Assembly (or LESA),
which is designed to assist in astronaut rescue missions on the surface of Moon.
 LESA is a pyramid-like structure. It is designed in a way to be deployed just by a single astronaut in lunar
gravity to rescue an incapacitated crew mate. NASA astronauts are testing LESA under sea. This is because,
with its rocky, sandy terrain and warm salty water, the bottom of ocean floor bears much more similarity with
lunar surface.
 The 23rd edition of Sindhu Darshan Utsav 2019 started at Sindhu Ghat Shey in Leh from 24 to 27 June. It
was inaugurated by Skyabje Choskyong Palga Rinpoche.
 The “Sindhu Darshan” or Sindhu festival was first started in month of October 1997, for celebration of unity,
communal harmony along with national integration.
 River Indus (or Sindhu) stands for peaceful coexistence and communal harmony and is a symbol of our
India’s identity and civilization.
 K Natarajan has been appointed as new Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He will be
succeeding Rajendra Singh, who retires on 30 June 2019.
 It is India’s statutory multi-mission paramilitary organization that is responsible for safeguarding country’s’
maritime interests and enforces maritime law.
 It was established on 18 August 1978 by Coast Guard Act, 1978. It functions under the aegis of Union
Ministry of Defence.
 The International Day of the Seafarer is an annual and international event day which is celebrated worldwide
on 25 June.
 The Day of the Seafarer was established in 2010 by resolution 19 adopted by 2010 Diplomatic Conference in
Manila to adopt revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for
Seafarers (STCW)Convention, 1978.
 IMO celebrated the Day of the Seafarer 2019 with Campaign– I Am On Board with gender equality.
 Mohan Ranade, the Veteran freedom fighter who played a major role in Goa Liberation Movement in 1950s,
recently died in Pune at 90 years of age.
 Ranade decided to dedicate his life to liberate Goa from clutches of Portuguese and thus he entered Goa in
1950 under disguise as a teacher and founded an organisation called Azad Gomantak Dal, which was to raise
an armed revolt against Portuguese rule.
 Thus on 18 and 19 December 1961 military operation were conducted in which Indian troops invaded and
captured Goa.
 India has proposed to host 2023 International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai, which is
expected to choose host city for 2030 Winter Olympics.
 India has hosted the 86th IOC Session in 1983 in New Delhi.
 As per IOC rules, a host city is prohibited from being elected in their home country. The Italian city Milan was
named as host of 2026 Winter Olympics.
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become 1st country in Gulf to launch new anti-money laundering
platform called ‘goAML’ (Anti-Money Laundering). It is a one-stop solution, launched by UAE to crack down on
organised financial crimes.
 The Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved
appointment of senior IPS officer Arvind Kumar as Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) for a fixed tenure of
two years.
 IB is India’s internal intelligence agency. It functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
 It was established in 1887 by British India Government and later recasted as the Central Intelligence Bureau
in 1947.
 It is headquartered in New Delhi.
 The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved
appointment of senior IPS officer Samant Kumar Goel as Director of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW),
external intelligence of India. He has been appointed for a fixed tenure of two years. He will take charge from
Anil K Dhasmana.
 RAW is the primary foreign intelligence agency of India. It was established in 1968 following the intelligence
failures of India-China and India-Pakistan wars. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
 The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed all across the world every year on
26 June to raise awareness against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade.
 2019 Theme for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is Health for Justice. Justice for
Health
 India captain Virat Kohli (30) became fastest batsman to reach 20,000 international runs, across formats.
 Parliament has passed Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to allow trusts to establish units in
Special Economic Zone (SEZs). It was first legislation to be passed by newly-constituted 17th Lok Sabha. It
replaces Special Economic Zone (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 promulgated March 2019 and amends SEZ Act
2005.
 The bill amends definition of “person” under Section 2(v) of the SEZ Act 2005 to include ‘trusts’. Apart from
trusts, it also includes any entity that central government may notify from time to time in the definition of
‘person’.
 A book titled ‘A Prime Minister to Remember- Memories of a Military Chief’, authored by former Navy Chief
Admiral Sushil Kumar recently released highlights the key defence related decisions taken by former Prime
Minister of India Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
 Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has finalized and released a 5-year Vision Plan titled
as Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP)
 EQUIP report has been prepared after a detailed exercise done by Experts covering following ten areas:
 Strategies for expanding access
 Towards global best teaching/learning process
 Promoting Excellence
 Governance reforms
 Assessment, Accreditation & Ranking systems
 Promotion of research & innovation
 Employability & entrepreneurship
 Using Technology for better reach
 Internationalisation
 Financing higher education
 Go Tribal campaign, was launched by Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative
Marketing Development Federation of India) in association with Amazon Global.
 Under the campaign, Tribes India and Amazon Global Marketing will launch TRIBES India products globally
through website (Amazon.com) which will showcase an array of product range.
 Indian Railways conducting trials of Tri-Netra technology
 TRI-NETRA is abbreviation for Terrain Imaging for Drivers Infrared, Enhanced, Optical & Radar
Assisted system.
 It comprises of infrared camera, optical camera and radar assisted imaging system for assisting loco pilots in
identifying obstructions on tracks, mainly in foggy conditions.
 Narinder Batra, President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was elected as a member of International
Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland. He secured 58 votes out of 62 polled.
 Veteran British journalist Sir Mark Tully was conferred with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at UK-India Awards
in London for his contributions to UK-India relationship.
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently announced its plan to launch Dragonfly drone
helicopter to Saturn’s largest moon Titan in search of building blocks of life.
 The rotorcraft will fly to dozens of promising locations on icy moon Titan looking for prebiotic chemical
processes common on both Titan and Earth.
 National Statistics Day is observed every year on 29 June to popularize use of Statistics in everyday life
 Theme for 2019 National Statistics Day- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
 National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), an Odisha-based Navaratna Company has been selected for
President’s award for utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund in social development. NALCO
was selected for its Aliali Jhia Scheme. In 2015 NALCO started a scheme called Aliali Jhia. The scheme was on
the line of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to adapt and promote the poor and talented girls for education.
 NALCO is a Navratna CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprises) under Union Ministry of Mines. Centre
Government holds 52% equity of NALCO.
 It was established in 1981, with its registered office at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
 It is one of the largest integrated primary producer of Aluminium in Asia.
 It encompasses entire vale chain from bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and casting,
power generation, rail and port operations.

JULY 2019

 Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and DIG Frontier in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Aparna Kumar
recently scaled North America’s Highest Peak Denali (20,310 feet) in Alaska, USA.
 Aparna Kumar becomes 1st IPS Officer to complete 7 Summits Challenge.
 1st July 2019 is being celebrated as GST (Goods & Services Tax) Day. This year marks the 2nd anniversary of
implementation of historic tax reform of Goods & Services Tax.
 Goods & Services is an Indirect Tax levied on the supply of goods and services and which has replaced many
Indirect Taxes that previously existed in India.
 It is one Indirect Tax for entire country and is a multi-stage, comprehensive, destination-based tax that is
levied on every value addition.
 Under GST regime, tax is levied at every point of sale (PoS). In case of Intra-state sales, Central GST (CGST)
and State GST (SGST) are charged and the Inter-state sales are chargeable to Integrated GST (IGST).
 Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched India’s first Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) dashboard in a bid to effectively track country’s progress on Agenda 2030 adopted
by UN.
 It is a unique, searchable platform, which provides data and insights on how India is progressing on SDGs.
 Every year 30 June is celebrated across the world as International Day of Parliamentarism.
 The day seeks to unite all parliamentarians of the world. The year 2019 is the 130th anniversary of IPU.
 Every country in world has some form of representative government be it Presidential form or Parliamentary
form.
 A parliamentary system is of two categories:
 Bicameral-with two chambers of parliament
 Unicameral-with one chamber
 Althingi, the Icelandic Parliament, founded in 930 is World’s oldest parliament.
 Centre has declared entire State of Nagaland a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of 6 more months under Armed
Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) with effect from 30 June 2019.
 Indian Air Force (IAF) and Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) are participating in Garuda VI, a bilateral air
exercise at Mont de Marsan in France.
 An 82-member Special Rhino Protection Force which is trained to combat poachers and understand animal
behaviour was recently deployed in Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
 It is home to World’s largest population of One Horned Rhinoceros i.e. about 68%. The one-horned
rhinoceroses are listed as vulnerable on IUCN Red list of Threatened Species.
 The United States Senate (Upper Chamber of US Congress) has passed a legislative provision that brings
India at par with America’s NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies and countries like South Korea,
Australia, Japan and Israel for increasing defence cooperation.
 The legislative provision called National Defense Authorisation Act (or NDAA) for fiscal year 2020 was passed
by Senate in late June.
 The move of elevating India to non-NATO status is vital towards advancement of US-India strategic
partnership and will further boost collaboration between India and US in defence.
 Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen was appointed by European Union (EU) leaders as bloc’s next Chief
Executive i.e. European Commission president. She will be replacing Jean-Claude Juncker.
 European Commission is an institution of European Union (EU) that was founded on 1 January 1958.
 It is responsible for implementing decisions, proposing legislation, upholding EU treaties and managing day-
to-day business of European Union.
 Headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium
 South Central Railway (SCR), one of the 18 zones of Indian Railways has commissioned the longest electrified
tunnel in Indian Railways.
 It is situated between Cherlopalli and Rapuru Railway stations in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. It will be
helpful for decongesting traffic on Vijayawada-Gudur main line.
 Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs recently presented Union Budget
2019-20 before Parliament.
 Indian economy to become a $3 Trillion economy in current year (2019-2020)
 Government aims to make India a $5 trillion economy.

NOTE: Current Affairs Revision notes to be available soon.

Other Books By DDE:

1. CDS OTA BOOK (2019 Edition)


2. AFCAT BOOK (2019 Edition)
3. SSB OIR BOOK (2019 Edition)

Coming Soon:

1. 5000+ MOST REPETITIVE MCQ’s BOOK


2. NDA & NA BOOK
3. CDS MATHS BOOK

www.defencedirecteducation.com

You might also like