Gktoday 1 - 15 August 2022 PDF

Current Affairs [PDF] - August 1-15, 2022
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Current Affairs [PDF] - August 1-15, 2022
Contents
......................... ........ ....... _ .. .. . ........................................................
News Headlines ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
August 1, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................... 3
August 2, 2022 .............................................................................................................................................. 3
August 3, 2022 .............................................................................................................................................. 4
August 4, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................. 4
August 5, 2022 .............................................................................................................................................. 5
August 6, 2022 .............................................................................................................................................. 5
August 7, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................. 6
August 8, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................. 6
August 9, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................. 7
August 10, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................ 7
August 11, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................. 8
August 12, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................ 8
August 13, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................ 9
August 14, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................ 9

August 15, 2022 .......................................................................................................................................... 10
August 1, 2022 ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
EX VINBAX 2022- India Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise ............................................................... 10
Commonwealth Games 2022: India wins 3 Gold Medals .................................................................. 11
Chabahar Day conference started in Mumbai ....................................................................................... 11
EPFO Face authentication scheme for pensioners ................................................................................ 12
Conference on Drug Trafficking and National Security ..................................................................... 12
First All India District Legal Services Authorities Meet ....................................................................... 13
Task Force to monitor Monkeypox situation in India ........................................................................ 14
World’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell ............................................................................................ 14
MIT: Ultrasound Adhesives for Imaging Organs ................................................................................. 15
CoWIN repurposed for Universal Immunisation Program ................................................................. 15
August 2, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Chile's New Constitution- Highlights ..................................................................................................... 16
US CHIPS Bill to boost semiconductor production ............................................................................. 17
PM Modi to meet President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ........................................................................ 17
What is a 'Negative leap second'? ............................................................................................................ 18
UPI: 6 billion transactions in July 2022 .................................................................................................. 19
Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Amendment) Bill ............................. 19
Craft Village Initiative ................................................................................................................................. 20
AlphaFold: Prediction of Protein Structures .......................................................................................... 21
President’s colour’ to Tamil Nadu Police ............................................................................................... 21
8 years of MyGov Platform ...................................................................................................................... 22
August 3, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................... 22
August 1: Muslim Women's Rights Day 2022 ...................................................................................... 22
Arunachal Pradesh- NITI Aayog MoU on School education ............................................................ 23
Ayman al-Zawahri: al-Qaeda leader killed in US operation .............................................................. 24
Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 .................................................................................................... 24
Tiranga Utsav Organised by Ministry of Culture ................................................................................. 25
India touches Milestone of 75,000 recognised Start-ups ................................................................. 26
© 2022 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books & notes visit GKTBOOKS.COM 2
MoWCD released Guidelines for ‘Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0' ......................................... 26
CWG 2022: Indian Team wins gold in Lawn Bowl ........................................................................... 27
Aurangabad: First to publish Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) data ..................................... 28
Sites Identified for ‘National importance’ Tag ..................................................................................... 28
August 4, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 29
Assam ‘Mission Bhumiputra’ .................................................................................................................... 29
Haryana: Cheerag Scheme Launched .................................................................................................... 30
UNFCCC: Cabinet approval of India’s updated NDC ........................................................................ 30
PM to start-off projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Gujarat ................................................ 31
MP to get World's largest floating Solar Power Plant ......................................................................... 31
New Ramsar Sites in India ........................................................................................................................ 32
State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE) scheme ............................................................. 33
Federal Bank: 1st to list Payment Gateway on New tax platform .................................................... 33
Central Universities (Amendment), Bill 2022 ...................................................................................... 34
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 ....................................................................................... 35
August 5, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................... 35

AzaadiSAT: ISRO’s Smallest Rocket in Space ...................................................................................... 35
South Korea’s first spacecraft launched to the moon ......................................................................... 36
Indian Navy's all-women crew completes maiden Maritime Surveillance Mission ...................... 36
Experiential Learning for 21st Century Program ................................................................................. 37
Justice U.U. Lalit named as CJI's Successor .......................................................................................... 38
Indian Oil- NTCA MoU on 'Project Cheetah' ...................................................................................... 38
Bihar Astronomical Observatory in UNESCO list ............................................................................... 39
Indian Companies in 2022 Fortune 500 list ........................................................................................ 40
Water shortage in the Netherlands ......................................................................................................... 40
China's largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan ....................................................................... 41
August 6, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................... 41
RBI Monetary policy committee (MPC) Meeting- Highlights .......................................................... 41
DRDO: Test fire of indigenously developed laser-guided ATGMs ................................................. 42
Indian Navy- ISRO MoU for Satellite based Naval Applications ...................................................... 43
China: Launch of Reusable Spacecraft ................................................................................................... 43
India: Target to eliminate Kala-azar by 2023 ...................................................................................... 44
Election of the 14th Vice President of India .......................................................................................... 45
Culture Ministry 'Badhe Chalo’ campaign ............................................................................................ 45
August 7, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 46
Jagdeep Dhankhar: 14th Vice President of India ................................................................................. 46
August 8, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 47
NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting- Highlights ........................................................................ 47
U.P MoU with Deloitte India ................................................................................................................... 48
80th anniversary of Quit India movement ........................................................................................... 48
Indian Army ‘Skylight’ Mega- Exercise ................................................................................................. 49
August 7: National Handloom Day ........................................................................................................ 50
Culture Ministry-Google ‘India ki Udaan’ initiative ............................................................................. 50
ITU Regional Standardization Forum in New Delhi ............................................................................ 51
PARVAZ Market Linkage scheme- Key Facts ....................................................................................... 51
India's achievements in CWG 2022 ........................................................................................................ 52
First Repair of a US Navy Ship in India ................................................................................................. 53
August 9, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................... 53
CWG 2022: India finishes at 4th Place .................................................................................................. 53
12th edition of DefExpo to be held in Gandhinagar ........................................................................... 54
Indian Army-Drone Federation of India MoU- Highlights ............................................................... 54
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 .................................................................................... 55
RBI proposes for Cross-border inward payments through BBPS ................................................... 56
August 9: Nagasaki Day ........................................................................................................................... 56
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples ..................................................... 57
What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)? ......................................................................................... 57
Nallathamby Kalaiselvi: First Woman Chief of CSIR .......................................................................... 58
August 10, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................. 59
Indian Army ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ Programme .................................................................................... 59
Bill to rename “Delhi International Arbitration Centre” .................................................................... 59
Jharkhand Janjatiya Mahotsav .................................................................................................................. 60
Ladakh dPal rNgam Duston Award conferred to Dalai Lama .......................................................... 61
Haryana 2G Ethanol Plant ......................................................................................................................... 61

Serena Williams announces retirement .................................................................................................. 62
August 12, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................. 62
Langya: New zoonotic virus in China .................................................................................................... 62
Extension of PMAY-Urban till 2024 ...................................................................................................... 63
Microsoft in ONDC platform .................................................................................................................. 64
Russia: Use of ‘Butterfly Mines' ............................................................................................................... 64
SMILE-75 Initiative .................................................................................................................................... 65
Telangana 'Nethanna Bima’ Scheme ..................................................................................................... 66
Shashi Tharoor- Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur ........................................................................... 66
ONDC MoU with SIDBI .......................................................................................................................... 67
Microsoft- Indian Government MoU to train Civil servants ............................................................. 68
RBI Regulatory Framework for Digital Lending ................................................................................. 68
August 13, 2022 ................................................................................................................................................. 69
Phase-II of fortified rice scheme- Key Facts ......................................................................................... 69
Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network ........................................................... 70
August 13: World Organ Donation Day ................................................................................................ 70
August 12: International Youth Day ........................................................................................................ 71
Udarashakti: India-Malaysia Air force exercise ..................................................................................... 71
Japan- IMD partnership on Climate Change ........................................................................................ 72
150th Birth Anniversary of Shri Aurobindo .......................................................................................... 73
ILO ‘Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022’ Report ............................................................... 73
National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) -Key Facts ....................................... 74
August 15, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................. 75
Ayush Grid Project: MoU between Ayush Ministry & MeitY ........................................................... 75
Nature Index 2022- Highlights ............................................................................................................... 76
Mock Test ............................................................................................................................................................ 77
Answer Key ......................................................................................................................................................... 84
Note: ...................................................................................................................................................................... 84
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News Headlines
August 1, 2022
Here are Today’s News Headlines by GK Today for August 1, 2022
INDIA
– Vietnam and India to conduct army exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” in Haryana: August 1-20
– Oman and India to conduct army exercise ‘AL NAJAH-IV’ in Rajasthan: August 1-13
– ITBP DG Sanjay Arora appointed as Commissioner of Delhi Police
– Conference organised in Mumbai by Ports, Shipping & Waterways Ministry on ‘Chabahar Day’: July
31
– located in Iran, Chabahar Port is the commercial transit centre for the region and especially
Central Asia
– Vice President Venkaiah Naidu presents President’s colour to Tamil Nadu Police
– Bhutan: Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande meets King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk in
Thimphu
– Bengali singer Nirmala Mishra dies in Kolkata at 81
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– 5G spectrum auction enters Day 6 of bidding; garners nearly Rs 1.5-trillion so far

WORLD
– Former Philippines President (1992-98) Fidel Ramos dies at 94
– Chinese rocket Long March 5B crash lands in Indian Ocean near the coast of Malayasia; was
launched on July 24 for delivering a lab module to China’s Tiangong Space Station.
SPORTS
– Commonwealth Games in Birmingham: India’s Jeremy Lalrinnunga wins gold in men’s 67kg
category weightlifting
– Football: England beat Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium in London to win women’s
European Championship
– Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing wins Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest
– NBA (National Basketball Association) legend Bill Russell dies in US at 88; won 11 titles with
Boston Celtics
August 2, 2022
INDIA
– Parliament passes bill to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction
– Parliament passes bill to extend domestic laws to Indian research stations Maitri and Bharati in
Antarctic region
– President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrives in New Delhi on four-day visit to India
– Speaker Om Birla withdraws suspension of 4 Congress MPs after one week
– Centre forms task force to monitor monkeypox virus situation in nation
– Arsenic found in groundwater in parts of 209 districts, uranium in parts of 152 districts: Govt
– Kannada daily ‘Udayavani’ founder T. Mohandas Pai dies at 89
– India reports its first death from Monkeypox in Thrissur, Kerala
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– 5G spectrum auction concludes with bids of over Rs 1.5 lakh crore; Reliance Jio top bidder
– Jet fuel (ATF) price cut by steep 12%, commercial LPG rate reduced by Rs 36
WORLD
– First ship carrying 26,000 tonnes Ukrainian grain leaves port of Odesa for Lebanon
– ‘Star Trek’ TV series actress Nichelle Nichols dies at 89
SPORTS
– Birmingham Commonwealth Games: India’s Achinta Sheuli wins gold in men’s 73 kg weightlifting
August 3, 2022
INDIA
– PM Modi meets Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in New Delhi; both countries ink six
pacts to broad-base ties
– Birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya, designer of the Indian National flag, observed on August 2
– Lok Sabha passes Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 seeking to increase the species
protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– RBI’s composite financial inclusion index (FI-Index) rises to 56.4 in March
– HDFC Bank Parivartan signs Rs 107 crore deal with IISc Bengaluru for construction of Bagchi-
Parthasarathy Hospital
– Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) to raise retirement age of pilots from 58 to 65
WORLD
– US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan
– Pakistani Army helicopter on flood relief operation crashes in Balochistan province, all 6 onboard
dead
– Taiwan: US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi lands in Taipei
SPORTS
– Birmingham Commonwealth Games: India win gold in men’s team table tennis by defeating
Singapore 3-1 in final
– Birmingham: Commonwealth Games: India win gold in lawn bowls women’s fours team
August 4, 2022
INDIA
– Lok Sabha passes Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2022; Provides for establishing Central
universities in various States
– Centre launches State University Research Excellence scheme to create robust Research and
Development Ecosystem
– Union Cabinet approves India’s updated NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) to be
communicated to UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
– Suresh N. Patel sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner
– Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: Archaeological Survey of India announces free entry at all monuments
from August 5-15
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) detects customs duty evasion of 2,217 crore rupees by
Vivo Mobile India Private Limited
– Enforcement Directorate seals Young India office at Herald House in New Delhi
– Congress-promoted Young Indian Private Limited owns the National Herald
– Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves highest ever Fair and Remunerative
Price (FRP) of 305 rupees per quintal of sugarcane for sugar season 2022-23 (October-September)
– Government withdraws Data Protection Bill, 2021 from Parliament
WORLD
– US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan ‘dangerous and stupid’, says China
SPORTS
– Parliament passes National Anti-Doping Bill, 2022 that seeks to provide a statutory framework for
the functioning of the National Anti-Doping Agency and the National Dope Testing Laboratory
– Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Malaysia win gold in mixed team badminton by beating India
3-1 in final
August 5, 2022
INDIA
– Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana recommends name of Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as his
successor
– India and the US to conduct military exercise “Yudh Abhyas” in Uttarakhand in October
– Parliament passes Family Courts (Amendment) Bill 2022 granting statutory cover to family courts
in Himachal, Nagaland
– Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 comes into effect; authorises taking measurements of
convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation in criminal matters
and to preserve records
– ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held at Phnom Penh in Cambodia
– DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed laser-guided ATGMs
– PM Modi virtually inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra
Mission in Gujarat
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Ice-cream parlours to attract 18% goods and services tax: CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes
and Customs)
– IOCL signs MoU with Bangladesh for emergency supply of petroleum goods
WORLD
– Nagorno-Karabakh: 3 dead in clashes between Azerbaijan and Karabakh forces
– US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reaches South Korea after visit to Taiwan
– China initiates its largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan
SPORTS
– Commonwealth Games in Birmingham: India’s Tulika Maan gets silver in women’s 78kg category
Judo after losing to Scotland’s Sarah Adlington in final
August 6, 2022
INDIA
– Indian Army conducts 5-day “Skylight” exercise to test operational readiness of its space-based
assets
– India calls for early completion of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and its
extension to Cambodia
– Uttarakhand tourism department to develop ‘Modi circuit’ at Corbett reserve
– Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba given one-year extension in service
– PM Modi speaks to Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on phone
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) increases policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility
(LAF) by 50 basis points to 5.40%
– RBI proposes to enable BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System) to accept cross-border inward
payments from NRIs
– Premature redemption under Gold Monetisation Scheme payable only in rupees: RBI
– Centre launches web-based registration facility to enable homeless people, destitutes, migrants
and other eligible beneficiaries to apply for ration cards.
WORLD
– China sanctions Pelosi and family over Taiwan visit, cancels range of exchanges with US including
climate change
– Missiles fall in Japan’s EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) during China’s military exercises
– South Korea launches its first lunar orbiter Danuri (“enjoy the Moon”) from Florida (US)
SPORTS
– Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Murali Sreeshankar wins silver in men’s long jump
August 7, 2022
INDIA
– NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar elected as 16th Vice President of India
– UGC asks all Universities and Colleges to observe August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance
Day
– New CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal) Chairman Justice Ranjit Vasantrao More takes charge
– Govt to make 1.5 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health, Wellness centres functional by December this year
– India opens door for persecuted minorities from Pakistan to practise medicine; NMC (National
Medical Commission) invites applications
– Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama honoured with the ‘dPal rNgam Duston’ award by Ladakh
Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– SEBI constitutes 15-member committee to attract foreign investment; Former Chief Economic
Advisor K V Subramanian appointed Chairman

– Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal unveils digital version of One District-One Product gift catalogue
WORLD
– Israel and Gaza militants exchange fire after deadly strikes
– Hiroshima in Japan observes 77th anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6
– US: Indiana becomes first state to implement abortion ban post SC ruling
SPORTS
– Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Wrestlers Bajrang Punia (men’s 65 kg), Deepak Punia (men’s
86 kg) and Sakshi Malik (women’s 62 kg) clinch gold medals
– Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Athletes Avinash Sable (men’s 3000 metres steeplechase) and
Priyanka Goswami (women’s 10,000m race walk) win silver medals
August 8, 2022
INDIA
– ISRO launches small rocket from Sriharikota carrying Earth Observation Satellite & AzaadiSAT
satellite
– 8th National handloom observed on August 7
– PM chairs 7th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre,
New Delhi
– All-Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) blocks movement on Imphal-Dimapur highway (NH-2)
and Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH-39); demands more autonomy for hill districts
– Nallathamby Kalaiselvi becomes first woman director general of CSIR (Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research)
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– First commercial flight of Akasa Air launched on Ahmedabad-Mumbai route
WORLD
– China to run new drills in Yellow and Bohai seas
INDIA AT BIRMINGHAM COMMONWEALTH GAMES
– Eldhose Paul (17.03m) wins gold in men’s triple jump
– Vinesh Phogat wins gold in women’s 53kg freestyle wrestling
– Ravi Dahiya wins gold in men’s 57kg boxing
– Amit Panghal wins gold in men’s 51kg boxing
– Nitu Ghanghas wins gold in women’s 48 kg boxing
– Nikhat Zareen wins gold in women’s 50kg boxing
– Naveen wins gold in men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling
August 9, 2022
INDIA
– Both houses of Parliament adjourned sine die concluding the Monsoon Session
– Parliament passes Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2022; seeks to convert the National Rail
and Transportation Institute at Vadodara into the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya which will be a
central university
– Indian Army launches Him Drone-a-thon programme in collaboration with DFI (Drone Federation
of India) to develop drone capabilities for meeting requirements of frontline troops
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Lok Sabha passes Bill to rename the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as the India
International Arbitration Centre
– Lok Sabha passes Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
– Lok Sabha recommends Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to Parliamentary Standing Committee
for further examination
– NIXI offers domain names for Rs 75 under ‘Har Ghar Digital, Har Jeevan Digital’ campaign
WORLD
– Cease-fire between Palestinians, Israel takes effect in Gaza after 3 days
SPORTS
– India beat West Indies by 88 runs in fifth and final T20 International at Lauderhill in Florida (US)
to win five-match series 4-1
– Chess: 15-year-old V. Pranav becomes India’s 75th Grandmaster
INDIA AT BIRMINGHAM COMMONWEALTH GAMES
– India (22 Gold, 16 Silver, and 23 Bronze) finish 4th in medals tally behind Australia, England and
Canada
– PV Sindhu wins gold in women’s singles badminton
– Lakshya Sen wins gold in men’s singles badminton
– Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty win gold in men’s doubles badminton
– Achanta Sharath Kamal wins gold men’s singles Table Tennis
– Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula wins gold in mixed doubles Table Tennis
– Australia beat India by nine runs to win gold medal in the women’s cricket
– Australia win gold in men’s hockey by beating India 7-0 in the final.
August 10, 2022
INDIA
– Nitish Kumar ends alliance with BJP, quits as Bihar CM
– Marathi actor Pradeep Patwardhan passes away at 52
– Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” starts at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– 12th edition of Defence Expo to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in Oct; theme: is ‘Path to Pride’
– Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar lays foundation stone of Indo-Israel Center of
Excellence for Vegetables in Chandauli, UP
WORLD
– International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebrated on August 9
– Afghan Taliban’s security forces and Pakistani military clash on Durand Line in Dangam district of
eastern Kuanr province
– Pakistan: 4 army personnel killed in suicide blast at military convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s
North Waziristan district
– US returns 30 stolen works of art and antiquities to Cambodia
SPORTS
– 44th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai: Uzbekistan win gold in open section, Ukraine in women’s;
India win bronze in both
– Former South African cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen dies at 73; umpired in 128 Tests, 250 ODIs. 19
T20Is
– Former Indian bowler Manoj Prabhakar takes over as Nepal cricket team coach
August 11, 2022
INDIA
– Bihar: JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar takes oath as CM, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav appointed Deputy CM
– Justice Uday Umesh Lalit appointed 49th CJI, to take oath on Aug 27; will have a term till
November 8
– Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches indigenous Lumpi-
ProVac vaccine to protect livestock from Lumpy Skin disease
– Fisheries & Animal Husbandry Minister Parshottam Rupala launches ‘Fish and Seafood’ book; aim
is to boost the domestic consumption of fish and seafood
ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– RBI releases regulatory framework for digital lending; lending business can be carried out only by
entities regulated by the central bank
– Centre releases 2 instalments of tax devolution to state govts amounting to Rs 1.16 lakh crore
– World Biofuel Day celebrated on August 10; PM inaugurates second generation (2G) ethanol plant
in Panipat, Haryana
– Centre decides to remove fare cap on air tickets from August 31
– LIC consolidates its leadership position with 68.57% market share
WORLD
– China says exercises near Taiwan, conducted post Nancy Pelosi visit, have ended
– WHO decries increasing attacks on monkeys over fears of spread of monkeypox in Brazil
– World Lion Day celebrated on August 10
SPORTS
– India’s CA Bhavani Devi wins gold in Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2022 in London
– Serena Williams announces retirement from professional tennis; won 23 grand slam titles starting
from US Open in 1999
August 12, 2022
INDIA
– J&K: 3 soldiers martyred & 2 terrorist gunned down in terror attack on army camp in Rajouri
– Gaganyaan project: ISRO successfully carries out test-firing of Low Altitude Escape Motor (LEM)
of Crew Escape System, from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Union Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) – Housing
for All Mission up to 31st December 2024
– Income tax payers barred from enrolling in Atal Pension Yojana (APY) from October 1
– Subscribers of APY get a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month after
attaining 60 years of age depending on their contributions
WORLD
– China and Nepal agree on building Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network
– China shields Pakistan based global terrorist – Abdul Rauf Azhar from UN sanctions
– Indian-American journalist, Fox News host Uma Pemmaraju dies at 64
– Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador proposes 3 men commission for world peace
including PM Modi, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Pope Francis
August 13, 2022

INDIA
– Indian, Oman Army exercise ‘Al Najah’ concludes in Bikaner
– India, Malaysia air force exercise ‘Udarashakti’ being conducted in Malaysia
– India ‘opposes unilateral change to Taiwan status quo’
– Initiative ‘SMILE’ (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) launched to
make cities, towns and municipal areas begging-free
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– India’s foreign exchange reserves decline by $897 million to $572.978 billion in the week ended
August 5
– RBI asks banks, regulated entities to prevent harassment by recovery agents; no phone calls before
8 am and after 7 pm
– National Conference of Rural Cooperative Banks organized by the Ministry of Cooperation &
National Federation of State Cooperative Banks (NAFSCOB) in New Delhi
– Consumer Price Index-based inflation (retail) eases to 6.71% in July from 7.01% in June
– IIP (Index of Industrial Production) growth decelerates to 12.3 percent YoY in June
– DST StartUp Utsav organised at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi
– Department of Consumer Affairs asks all states, UTs to enforce stock disclosure by stockholders of
Tur pulse
– Over 7% Indians owned cryptocurrency in 2021: UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development)
WORLD
– International Youth Day celebrated on August 12; theme: ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a
World for All Ages’
– World Elephant Day celebrated on August 12
– Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum becomes first south Asian to win Lisbon Triennale
Millennium bcp Lifetime Achievement Award
– US, Indonesia, Australia hold Super Garuda Shield exercises on Sumatra Island
– Martian equator contains little or no ice, says seismic data from NASA’s Mars InSight mission
August 14, 2022
New RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA
– India adds 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites to make total 75 Ramsar sites
– 4 in Tamil Nadu, 3 in Odisha, 2 in Jammu and Kashmir and 1 each in MP and Maharashtra
– Tamil Nadu: Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Vaduvur Bird
Sanctuary, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
– Odisha: Tampara Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Ansupa Lake
– J&K: Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve
– MP: Yashwant Sagar
– Maharashtra: Thane Creek
INDIA
– J&K: Golden joint of world’s highest Chenab railway bridge inaugurated
– Centre reinstates J&K IAS Officer Shah Faesal as Deputy Secretary in Tourism Ministry
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Saline Water Lantern using sea water to power specially designed LED lamps launched by Union
Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh
WORLD
– Sri Lanka allows docking of Chinese research ship at Hambantota port from August 16-22
– WHO announces new names for variants of monkeypox virus in circulation; Clade I, Clade II
– World Organ Donation Day observed on August 13
SPORTS
– Football: Real Madrid lift Super Cup by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 at Helsinki
August 15, 2022
INDIA
– Partition Horrors Remembrance Day observed in India on August 14
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
– Veteran stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala dies at 62 in Mumbai; launched airline Akasa
Air recently
– Shareholders approve Ashishkumar Chauhan appointment as NSE MD, CEO
WORLD
– BSF, Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border on Pakistan’s Independence Day:
August 14
– Egypt: Electrical fire kills 41 at Coptic church in Cairo
August 1, 2022
EX VINBAX 2022- India Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise

The 3rd Edition of Ex VINBAX 2022 is set to conducted on August 1 and August 2, 2022. Ex
VINBAX is Bilateral Army Exercise between India and Vietnam. It will be conducted
Chandimandir.
Highlights of EX VINBAX 2022:
The exercise is a follow-up to last bilateral exercise, that conducted in Vietnam in
2019.
It is a significant milestone of strengthening the bilateral relations between both the
countries.
Both the countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Defence cooperation is a significant pillar of this partnership.
Vietnam is also an important partner in Act East policy of India as well as Indo-Pacific
vision.
Theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022:
Ex VINBAX 2022 will be held under the theme- “employment and deployment of an
Engineer Company and a Medical Team under United Nations Contingent for
Peacekeeping Operations”.
India has a rich heritage of locating troops in United Nations missions. It has best
capabilities to impart United Nations peace operations training, including its best
practices and hands to train prospective United Nations peacekeepers at
operational, tactical, & strategic levels.
The Ex VINBAX – 2022 will help in strengthening mutual confidence and interoperability. It
will also help in sharing best practices between Armies of both the countries, as a field
training exercise with enhanced scope. Exercise will also provide an opportunity to the
troops Indian and Vietnamese contingent to learn social and cultural heritage of both the
countries. Indian Army will be represented by troops from 105 Engineer Regiment.
Exercise will assess the standards achieved by contingents of both the countries. It will
also execute technical military operations in UN missions as well.

Commonwealth Games 2022: India wins 3 Gold Medals
So far, India has won 6 medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, including 3 Golds, 2
Silvers and 1 Bronze. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won India’s first gold medal, while
Jeremy Lalrinnunga won second gold. Achinta Sheuli won the third gold for India.
India made several records and won several medals at the event, including;
Jeremy Lalrinnunga lifted a 300kg (140kg in Snatch + 160kg in C&J), making a record
at the commonwealth games. He won the medal in 67 kg category of weightlifting.
Mirabai Chanu had won the first gold medal for India. She lifted a total of 201 KG in
women’s 49 KG weightlifting event.
Achinta Sheuli won the gold, by lifting 313 kg in Men’s 73 kg Weightlifting event.
In men’s 55 kg weightlifting event, Sanket Sargar won silver medal.
In women’s 55 kg weightlifting event, Bindyarani Devi bagged a Silver Medal.
India’s only bronze medal was bagged by Gururaja Poojary, in Men’s 61kg
weightlifting category.
In the Cricket at commonwealth games 2022; Indian women’s T20 team won against
Pakistan. In the match, Smriti Mandhana played an unbeaten half-century. In Boxing,
Nikhat Zareen has qualified to the quarterfinals in Women’s Over 48kg-50kg (Light Fly)
category. Indian men’s hockey team won against Ghana by 11-0 in their first match of
Group B Pool match.
Chabahar Day conference started in Mumbai
On July 31, 2022, Chabahar Day Conference was launched in Mumbai, by Sarbanand
Sonowal (Union Shipping Minister) and Shripad Naik (Minister of State for Shipping).
Inauguration event was attended by dignitaries from Kazakhstan, Iran, Tajikistan,
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.
India and Iran had inked the bilateral agreement in May 2016, in which India agreed
to refurbish one of the berths at Shahid Beheshti port. India also agreed to
reconstruct a 600-meter-long container handling facility at this port.
In October 2017, India sent first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan via the Chabahar
Port.
India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a tripartite agreement for developing
Chabahar port in 2016. They also agreed to set up a trilateral transport and transit
corridor.
About Chabahar Port:
Chabahar Port is located on the Gulf of Oman. It is at a distance of 72 km from the
Gwadar Port in Pakistan. Gwadar post was developed by China.
It is the only Iranian port, having direct access of the Indian ocean.
The port comprises of two different ports, viz., Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
It is a significant pillar of Indo-pacific vision of India, in a bid to connect Eurasia with
Indian Ocean Region.
It is a part of International North South Transport Corridor network connecting India.

Chabahar post is significant for India, to enhance connectivity to Afghanistan and the
Central Asian States. The port has opened up a permanent alternative route for trade with
Afghanistan and Central Asia. It also counters the China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) and Gwadar port, under the China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
EPFO Face authentication scheme for pensioners
Recently, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), inaugurated the “Face
Authentication Scheme for Pensioners”. The scheme will allow more than 73 lakh
pensioners to submit digital life certificate, by using the face authentication technology
from anywhere.
More about EPFO’s Face authentication scheme:
Under the scheme, face recognition authentication will help the aged pensioners, for
whom it gets difficult to get their bio-metrics (Fingerprint & Iris scan) to file the life
certificate.
This technology was launched by Union Minister of Labour and Employment
Bhupender Yadav. Bhupender Yadav also chairs the apex decision making body of
EPFO- the Central Board of Trustees.
Before the launch of face authentication scheme, the CBT have in-principal approval
for centralized disbursal of pension, during its 231st meeting. This approval was
given to improve EPFO services for pensioners, further.
Pension and employees deposit linked insurance scheme calculator:
On the occasion, union minister also launched the “Pension and Employees deposit linked
insurance scheme calculator”. As a part of this, an online facility will be provided to
pensioner and family members. This online facility will help in calculating the benefits of
Pension and Death Linked Insurance Benefit.
Training Policy of EPFO:
Union Minister also unveiled training policy of EPFO, which aims to turn the officers and
staff of EPFO into a competent, future-ready & responsive cadre, with the objective of
fulfilling the vision and mission of EPFO as a world class social security provider. As a part
of training policy, 14,000 personnel will be trained for 8 days, on annual basis. Total
budget of the training would be 3% of the salary budget.
Conference on Drug Trafficking and National Security
Union home minister Amit Shah inaugurated a “conference on drug trafficking and
national security” on July 30, 2022. During the conference, the Narcotics Control Bureau
(NCB) will burn and dispose of more than 30,000 kg of drugs across Delhi, Kolkata,
Chennai and Guwahati.
About Drug Disposal Campaign:
NCB started the drug disposal campaign on June 1, 2022.
Till July 29, more than 51,217 kg of narcotics have been disposed of by it across 11
states.
NCB has taken a pledge to dispose-off 75000 kg of drugs, as a part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav’ celebrations.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
NCB is an Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency. It works under the
Ministry of Home Affairs. It helps in combating drug trafficking as well as use of illegal
substances, in accordance with the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act. NCB was set up in 1986. It coordinates with state governments in India
and other central departments on matters related to drugs. International and foreign
drug law enforcement agencies also get assistance of the NCB on matters related to
drugs. It also implements following international obligations of India with respect to drug
trafficking:
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and
United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic
Substances.
Officers in NCB are hired from Indian Police Service, Indian Revenue Service, and
Paramilitary forces, apart from directly recruited members.
First All India District Legal Services Authorities Meet
First All India District Legal Services Authorities Meet was held July 30, 2022. Its inaugural
session was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was also attended by Chief
Justice N V Ramana and other judges of Supreme Court. On the occasion, a postal stamp
on ‘Right to free legal aid’ was also released.
Highlights of the meet include;
The First All India District Legal Services Authorities Meet was held on July 30 and July
31, at Vigyan Bhawan.
It was held by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Meeting dwelled on creation of the integrated procedure, with the objective of
bringing homogeneity and synchronisation across District Legal Services Authorities.
In India, there are 676 District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs). District Judge acts as the
Chairman of DLSAs. NALSA implements several legal aid and awareness programmes,
through the DLSAs and State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs). DLSAs also helps in lower
the burden on courts by regulating Lok Adalats conducted by NALSA.
About NALSA:
NALSA was established on November 9, 1995, in accordance with the authority of Legal
Services Authorities Act 1987. It was established with the objective of providing free legal
services to eligible candidates as well as to organize Lok Adalats to resolve cases timely.
Chief Justice of India acts as the patron-in-chief of NALSA. On the other hand, second
senior-most Judge of Supreme Court of India acts as the Executive-Chairman. Similar
mechanism is followed at the state level, headed by Chief Justice of High Courts and
district level, headed by Chief Judges of District courts. Its main objective is to reduce
burden of judiciary through speedy disposal of cases.

Task Force to monitor Monkeypox situation in India
Union Government set up a task force to monitor Monkeypox situation in country. It was
created after reporting first death related to monkeypox. The Task force will provide
guidance to government with respect to expansion of diagnostic facilities and exploration
of vaccination for the disease in India.
Task force will be headed by Dr VK Paul, member (Health) of the NITI Aayog.
Other members include Secretary of Union Health Ministry and member of Pharma
and Biotech.
So far, four cases of Monkeypox have been report in India, of which three cases reported
in Kerala and one in Delhi. A youth in Kerala with monkeypox-like symptoms lost his life.
Following this, a high-level inquiry was initiated by Health Minister Veena George. The
youth was found to be positive, during a test conducted outside India. But he sought to be
treated in Thrissur. Thus, the team will investigate why there was a delay in treatment.
Monkeypox Cases worldwide:
As per World Health Organization (WHO), over 18,000 cases of Monkeypox have been
reported across 78 countries. WHO notes that, outbreak of monkeypox can be stopped if
countries, communities and individuals keep informing themselves, take the issue
seriously and take measures to stop transmission, in a bid to protect vulnerable groups.
About Monkeypox:
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease. It is caused due to monkeypox virus. The virus belongs
to same family of viruses causing smallpox. It is endemic in regions like West and Central
Africa. However, cases are being reported from non-endemic countries as well.
World’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Scientists from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed
world’s most durable Hydrogen Fuel Cell. However, this hydrogen fuel is more cost cost-
effective, and make ways for wider application of green energy in chasing carbon-neutral
world.
Hydrogen fuel cells are clean energy option;
They generate power efficiently by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity.
Zero carbon dioxide, particulate matter and other air pollutants are emitted in the
process.
Hydrogen fuel cells are not yet widely commercialized, despite they have several
environmental benefits. This is so, because power generation capabilities of
hydrogen fuel cell depend on an electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst earlier
comprised of very expensive and rare metal platinum.
Thus, researchers have tried to develop its alternatives by replacing platinum with
more common and inexpensive materials such as iron, nitrogen or carbon.
However, these alternative materials have either been proven inefficient in power
generation or had poor durability.
Now, scientists from HKUST have discovered a new formula. This formula will reduce the
proportion of platinum used by 80%. It will also set a record with respect to durability level
of cell. The new cell managed to maintain platinum catalytic activity at 97% after 100,000
cycles of accelerated stress test, as against the current catalyst whose performance
reduced by 50% in 30,000 cycles. No performance decay was reported in new fuel cell,
after operating for 200 hours.
MIT: Ultrasound Adhesives for Imaging Organs
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a postage
stamp-sized device. This device can create live, high-resolution images. This device can be
affixed to the skin and is capable of transmitting images continuously for 48 hours.
Important facts about Ultrasound Adhesives:
Using Ultrasound Adhesives, one can see internal organs with few patches on the
body.
The sticker is around 3 to 4 inches across and 1/10-inch thick.

It will substitute the bulky, specialized ultrasound equipment used at hospitals and
doctor’s clinics. On the equipment, technicians apply a gel on skin and then use a
wand or probe to send sound waves into the body.
Sound waves reflect back high-resolution images of blood vessels and organs like
lungs, heart, and stomach.
Some hospitals have affixed the equipment to robotic arms, to provide imaging for
extended periods.
For now, the stickers are needed to be connected to instruments. Researchers are
working to find a way to operate them wirelessly.
The current design of Ultrasound Adhesives could eliminate the requirement for
technician to hold it in place for a long time.
During the study, these patches adhered to the skin well. It enabled the researchers to
capture images even if the patient was sitting, standing, jogging and biking. Wearable
ultrasound imaging equipment have huge potential in clinical diagnosis. However,
resolution and imaging duration of newly developed ultrasound patches is currently low,
and thus cannot image deep organs.
CoWIN repurposed for Universal Immunisation Program
The Covid-19 vaccination platform Co-WIN is set to be repurposed for Universal
Immunisation program as well as blood donation. This announcement was made by
CoWin Chief & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Health Authority, Dr RS Sharma.
This platform will later be used for organ donation. Besides India, Guyana signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India to use this platform for their vaccination
program.
About CoWIN:
CoWIN stands for “Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network”. It is a web portal for COVID-19
vaccination registration in India. Indian Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare own
and operate the platform. It showcases booking slots of COVID-19 vaccine, that are
available in nearby areas. One can book the vaccination slot on the website. It also
provides vaccination certificates to the beneficiaries. The vaccination certificates serve as
“Vaccine Passports” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Certificate can be stored in
Digilocker. CoWIN has also been integrated with the Aarogya Setu and UMANG Apps.
Vaccination Drive in India:
India started COVID-19 vaccination for Frontline Workers in India on January 16, 2021.
Vaccination program was rolled out for residents aged above 60 on March 1, 2021.
Eligibility for vaccine was extended to all residents aged above 45 years from April 1, 2021.
Eligibility was further extended to residents aged above 18 years from May 1, 2021.
Corbevax vaccines was approved for children and for children aged 12-14 years
vaccination started from March 16, 2022.
August 2, 2022
Chile's New Constitution- Highlights

Chileans are set to vote on a new constitution, that seeks to bring the most sweeping
changes in country since the end of dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet military. Proposed
changes focus on social rights, gender parity and environment. It represents a huge shift
from 1980 constitution, which was written during Pinochet’s prime.
Current constitution of Chile focuses on private rights and free market principles.
Proposed constitution or new text has been written by a 154-member body elected
via a popular vote.
This will be the first time in history of country, that a constitution was drafted
democratically.
Process for the new constitution was started in the aftermath of violent protests
against inequality that surfaced in Chile in 2019.
Proposed changes in the constitution of Chile include;
The president remains head of the government. However, he would share the power
to submit laws involving public spending with legislators. Currently, this power
exclusively lies with the president.
The president could be re-elected consecutively once. Currently, he can be re-elected
non-consecutively.
Congress would become an asymmetric body, which currently is a bicameral body
with equal power.
Direct democracy mechanisms such as popular law initiatives and citizen
consultations would be followed in routine.
It would provide wider social rights, including housing, health, social security, access
to food and work.
It dedicates an entire chapter to environment, noting that “nature has rights” and
animals are “subjects of special protection.”
Under proposed constitution, fight against climate change would be a state duty,
because it would protect biodiversity, natural spaces and native species.

Water has been classified as a “non-appropriable”, as opposed to current
constitution.
Apart from this, new constitution also provides for state to take steps to eradicate and
punish gender violence. State bodies and public companies have been mandated to have
gender parity. State has also been mandated to respect, protect, promote, and guarantee
the self-determination, participation of indigenous groups, and collective & individual
rights.
US CHIPS Bill to boost semiconductor production
On July 28, 2022, the US House of Representatives passed the CHIPS and Science Bill.
CHIPS bill stands for “Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors”. The CHIPS
bill has been passed to provide assistance and subsidies worth USD 280 billion.
Important features of the bill include;
The bill specifically focuses on semiconductor industry in United States.

Semiconductor industry in US is facing competition from China.
It would provide USD 52 billion to companies that are involved in manufacturing
chips in US, in subsidies and additional tax credits.
USD 200 billion will be provided for scientific research, in the fields of artificial
intelligence and other novel technologies.
This bill was passed considering many factors. One major factor was lobbying by some
chip manufacturers. Furthermore, in 2021, there was a global shortage of semiconductors
or chips. It pushed US to recognise its need for substantial manufacturing. Apart from
that, increased use of devices link laptops since 2020 has further boost the demand of
chips. Currently, 75% of world’s reliance on semiconductors is fulfilled by East Asia.
Significance of the Semiconductor:
Semiconductors are important for running most electronic devices that are useful in daily
lives. They are made from materials such as silicon. They are used in form of data-storing
memory chips, or logic chips to run programs. They are like “brains” of a device. The
manufacturing of chips requires a lot of precision, as well as investment. Additionally, they
need very particular conditions, where even small disturbances around or inside the
manufacturing unit can interfere with production.
PM Modi to meet President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Maldives’ President Ibrahim
Mohamed Solih on August 2, 2022 in New Delhi. During the talks, both the leaders are
likely to sign several agreements. President of Maldives in on a four-day visit to India.
The Maldives is key neighbour of India, in the Indian Ocean Region.
It has a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
Partnership between India and Maldives has strengthened across all areas of
cooperation.
Visit of Maldivian President will provide opportunities to leaders to review the
progress made in partnership.

India-Maldives Relations:
India was first among countries, that recognised the Independent Maldives in 1965. India
was also the first among countries to establish diplomatic relations with Maldives. Both
the countries share linguistic, ethnic, cultural, religious and commercial ties. Maldives
started its full-fledged High Commission in New Delhi in November 2004. Maldives has
extended its support to India, consistently, at multilateral for a like United nations, the
Commonwealth, the NAM and the SAARC. India has actively aided Maldives. After the 2004
tsunami in Maldives, India was the first country send relief and aid to the Maldives.
Significance of Maldives for India:
Maldives acts as a Toll Gate for India in Indian Ocean. Maldives is situated at the southern
and northern parts of island chain. It includes two important Sea Lanes of
Communication, which are significant for the flow of maritime trade between Gulf of Aden
and Gulf of Hormuz. Around 50% of external trade of India and 80% of India’s energy
imports transit through SLOCs in Arabian Sea.
What is a 'Negative leap second'?
On July 29, 2022, Planet Earth made rotation on its axis in less than 24 hours. Reports are
suggesting that, it is spinning faster. On July 29, it broke its own record for shortest day, by
completing the rotation in less than 1.59 milliseconds. As a result of this, day on earth was
shorter by 1.59 milliseconds, than usual 24-hour day.
Highlights:
Earlier, the shortest day on Earth was recorded on July 19, 2020 since the 1960s. In
2020, Earth’s rotation was shorter by 1.47 milliseconds, than the usual 24-hour day.
Earth continued to rotate faster in 2021 as well. However, it did not create any new
records.
But according to Interesting Engineering (IE), which is a community for lovers of
engineering, technology & science, noted that a 50-year era of shorter days is likely
to become a norm. It has already flagged off.
Causes of faster rotation:
Answer to why the planet is rotating at a faster speed is not yet known.
However, as per some scientists less weight on the poles due to melting of glaciers,
is the cause of faster spin.
On the other hand, others suggest that, molten core of earth’s interior is moving
over time.
Seismic activity could also be responsible for faster rotation.
Chandler Wobble is another reason, suggested by some scientists. Chandler Wobble
means little change or departure in Earth’s axis of rotation.
Negative Leap Seconds:
As the rotation speed of the Earth is rotating, it could result into “Negative Leap Seconds”.
This phenomenon happens to maintain the rate on which earth orbits across the Sun in
consistent with measurement from atomic clocks. It would have confusing outcomes for
computers, smartphones and other communications systems. It would also impact IT
systems, because a clock usually runs from 23:59:59 to 23:59:60 and restarting at 00:00:00.
But time skip could crash programmes and corrupt data. To solve this problem,
international timekeepers would require to add negative leap second, which is called as a
“drop second”.
UPI: 6 billion transactions in July 2022
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently released data on Unified
Payments Interface (UPI). According to this, UPI crossed more than 6 billion transactions
in July 2022. It is the highest since UPI platform was launched in 2016.
Key Findings of the report:
In July 2022, UPI recorded 6.28 billion transactions, accounting for Rs 10.62 trillion.
Volume of transactions increased by 7.16 per cent, while value increased by 4.76 per
cent, month-on-month.
Year-on-year (YoY), volume of transactions increased by two folds while value of
transactions increased by 75%.
For the first time, UPI crossed 1 billion transactions in October 2019. Next billion was
reached in October 2020.
UPI reached from 3 billion to mark of 4 billion transactions per month in just 3
months.
Incremental 1 billion transactions mark were achieved in six months.
In Financial Year 2022, UPI accounted for more than 46 billion transactions,
amounting to Rs 84.17 trillion.
The Reserve Bank of India’s “Digital Payment Index (DPI)” increased to 349.30 in March
2022, as opposed to 304.06 in September 2021. It reflects the rapid adoption of digital
payment in India. DPI index was launched in January 2021. It highlights the extent of
digitisation of payment across India. UPI has target to process billion transactions per day,
in upcoming five years.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
NPCI is the specialised division of RBI. It works under the parent head of Ministry of
Finance. It was established by RBI in 2008, to operate retail payments and settlement
systems across India.
Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Amendment) Bill
On August 1, 2022 “Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems
(Amendment) Bill 2022” was passed by Parliament. The bill seeks to ban funding of
weapons of mass destruction. Bill has been directed by External Affairs Minister S
Jaishankar. It was passed in Rajya Sabha through a voice vote. It was approved in Lok
Sabha in April 2022.
Important provisions of the bill include;
This bill passed in view that; the current law covers only the trading of weapons. It
does not cover its financing.

It is in line with the mandates of Financial Action task Force, which asks countries to
ensure that asset financing for such weapons is prohibited.
The Bill empowers the Union government to freeze, seize or attach financial assets
and economic resources of people, who are engaged in activities related to weapons
of Mass Destruction.
Amendment will add a new section 12A in the existing law. According to this section,
“parson shall not finance any activity, which is prohibited in the act”.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful
Activities) Act was passed in 2005. It only puts ban on manufacturing of weapons of mass
destruction.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF):
FATF is an inter-governmental body, set up in 1989. It was set up during G7 Summit in
Paris. FATF was established with the objective of setting standards and promote effective
implementation of regulatory, legal and operational steps to combat money laundering
and terror financing. Secretariat of FATF is located at Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD), which is headquartered in Paris. There are 37
member countries, including India.
Craft Village Initiative
Government has been linking major tourist destinations with the handicraft clusters and
infrastructure supports, as a part of “Linking Textile with Tourism” initiative. With respect
to this, 8 craft villages have already been set up for overall development of villages. In
these villages craft promotion and tourism are being taken forward.
Craft villages have been set up in;
Raghurajpur (Odisha)
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
Vadaj (Gujarat)
Naini (Uttar Pradesh)
Anegundi (Karnataka)
Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu)
Taj Ganj (Uttar Pradesh), and
Amer (Rajasthan)
These Craft Village will promote handicrafts as workable and moneymaking livelihood
option for artisans in clusters. This will safeguard the rich artisanal heritage of India. Craft
village initiative will benefit around 1000 artisans across India. Programme has also
increased the inflow of tourist across these Craft Villages.
Concept of Craft Villages:
Concept of a crafts village was drafted to gather most of the craft specimens and
craftsmen at one place. In these villages, one can get up close and personal with the
artisans because they create their wares in front of visitor’s eyes. Infrastructure and
atmosphere in crafts village are designed in village style so as to give a sense of rural life
of India. These villages also work as a market, wherein one can purchase artefacts at low
price as compared to general market.
Significance of the crafts in India
Crafts are the significant part of Indian culture. These crafts flourish in the outlying
regions of country. Most of the crafts are practiced as a legacy of the family and past.
Craftspeople have inherited crafts from their forefathers. This tradition is being followed
for centuries.
AlphaFold: Prediction of Protein Structures
DeepMind Technologies, an Alphabet-owned AI research company, has developed an
artificial intelligence tool called “AlphaFold”. This tool predicts and publishes the
structures of all proteins, which is the building blocks of life. Thus, this tool unlocks the
most influential databases for biological research.
Important facts of the AlphaFold tool include;

AlphaFold has released the structures of more than 200 million protein structures in
association with the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI).
It comprises of predicted structures for plants, animals, bacteria, and organisms.
This release opens up several new opportunities for researchers to use AlphaFold, in
a bid promote their work on important issues, like food insecurity, sustainability, and
neglected diseases.
AlphaFold revels how combination of amino acids come together and “fold” to
create a protein structure.
For example, Sars-Cov-2 has a protein, folding as a spike. This shape is significant for
biologists because it helps in designing antibodies and therapeutics.
The three-dimensional information is usually collected using cryo-electron
microscopes.
In December 2020, AlphaFold had crossed the threshold to predict protein folding or
structure, only from the amino acid sequences with a high accuracy. Since then, it is being
used for creating the database that has been released now.
President’s colour’ to Tamil Nadu Police
Recently, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. K. Stalin received the “President’s colour to
Tamil Nadu Police” at an event held at Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai. President’s
colour was given by Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu.
Highlights:
Tamil Nadu Police has become one among few law enforcement agencies in India to
receive the “President’s colour”.
To commemorate the achievement, each police officer in the service would be given
a medal.
President’s colour for Tamil Nadu Police were approved on August 19, 2009. But it
took a long year to present it.
Why Tamil Nadu Police received this award?

Tamil Nadu Police is among the best force in India. It is renowned for giving exemplary
service. Tamil Nadu is also the home to India’s first women’s commando unit. However, a
lot needs to done to provide then equal opportunities as well as encourage police officers
to be sensitive towards crimes against women.
President’s Colour Award
It is the highest honour, bestowed upon any military unit in India. the award is also called
as ′Nishaan′. Nishaan represents an emblem worn by all unit officers on left-hand sleeve
of their uniform. Award is presented by Supreme Commander of Armed Forces of India,
that is The President. Presentation of the award acknowledge the meritorious services of
the unit. Earlier, this colour was carried into battle. Now, this practice has stopped.
However, the tradition of receiving, parading and holding the Colour still continues in the
Armed forces. As a part of this award, ‘Standards’ are presented to Heavy Cavalry and
‘Guidons’ are presented to Light Cavalry.

8 years of MyGov Platform
Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched the event to celebrate “8 years
of MyGov” in New Delhi on July 30, 2022. During the event, dignitaries like G20 Sherpa Shri
Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog Parameswaran Iyer, and Secretary of Capacity Building
Commission Hemang Jani were present.
Responsible AI for Youth 2022:
Responsible AI for Youth 2022 was also launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. It
has been created by National E-Governance Division of Ministry of Electronics & IT in
association with Intel India. Ministry of Education also extended its support to the
program. This program will be opened for all school students, who are studying in classes
8-12 in India. It will help in to encouraging a deep understanding of AI-tech as well as
encourage youngsters to become human-centric designers.
About MyGov:
MyGov is citizen engagement platform, launched by the Government of India. It was
launched on July 26, 2014. It has been developed based on three pillars namely- ‘Do’,
‘Discuss’ and ‘Disseminate’. Since then, MyGov has evolved to become one stop
destination for citizens in a bid to contribute their unique skills in nation-building.
Furthermore, MyGov has played a significant role in filling the communication gap by
spreading information in creative formats and mediums like videos, podcasts,
infographics, interactive dashboards etc. More than 2.5 crore citizens have been
registered on the platform.
August 3, 2022
August 1: Muslim Women's Rights Day 2022
On August 1, Muslim Women’s Rights Day was celebrated across India. The day celebrates
he enactment of triple talaq law. It was implemented on August 1, 2019. Practice of triple
talaq was made a criminal offence through this law. Triple talaq allowed Indian Muslim
husbands to divorce their wives instantly, by pronouncing the word “talaq” three times
continuously. This practice does not take the consent of wives into consideration.
History of the Day:
Indian Muslim Husbands had special privileges over their wives, in accordance with
Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act of 1937.
It included the practice of triple talaq, which is also called as Talaq-a-Biddat.
Triple Talaq Law came into force on August 1, 2019, after Muslim Women (Protection
of Rights on Marriage) Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha. Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha
on July 31. Talaq-e-Biddat was made illegal through this law.
In 2021, government of India announced to commemorate this day by observing
Muslim Women’s Rights Day across India.
Important provisions of the law include;
The triple talaq law makes the practice of talaq a cognizable criminal offense.
This offense is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine, under the triple
talaq law.
It also allows a married Muslim woman to take custody of her minor children in case
of pronouncement of talaq by her husband, in manner determined by the
magistrate.
Triple Talaq law helps the government to safeguard gender equality. It also strengthens
the fundamental, democratic and constitutional rights of Muslim women in India. It also
promotes the self-reliance, self-esteem and self-respect of Muslim women. The law has
reduced the triple talaq cases by 80 percent since 2019.
Arunachal Pradesh- NITI Aayog MoU on School education
Recently, government of Arunachal Pradesh signed a tripartite Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the NITI Aayog & an organisation to bring a large-scale
transformation in school education.
Highlights of the MoU include;
The MoU has been signed as a three-year partnership. It will be implemented from
2022 to 2025.
It focuses on enhancement of learning outcome of students in over 3,000
government schools in Arunachal Pradesh.
Thus, it will reach to more than thereby, by reaching out to over two lakh children.
It was signed to on the occasion of second anniversary of the New Education Policy
(NEP) 2020.
The school education transformation project will be implemented under
Development Support Services for States (DSSS) initiative of the NITI Aayog.
Development Support Services for States (DSSS) initiative:
The DSSS initiative was launched by NITI Aayog. It provides project-level concept plan &
financial closure to States and UTs. M/s Ernst & Young LLP has been appointed as the
consultant by NITI Aayog, to provide transaction management support in a bid to
implement selected infrastructure projects on ground. Important objectives of DSSS

include:
To establish Centre-State partnership model for cooperation.
To reimagine and transform delivery of infrastructure projects.
To establish PPPs as governance tools, to support large development agenda.
To address important structural issues faced by States, while conceiving, structuring
and implementing infrastructure projects.
To build institutional and organisational capacities of States.
Ayman al-Zawahri: al-Qaeda leader killed in US operation
President Joe Biden recently confirmed that, the United States has killed Ayman al-
Zawahri, who was the leader of al-Qaeda. He was killed in a drone strike and counter-
terrorism operation led by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan. He, along with
Osama Bin laden, was the mastermind of 9/11 attacks and thus was among America’s
most wanted terrorists.

Al-Zawahiri had launched a trail of murder and violence against citizens in America.
He was a 71-year-old Egyptian doctor, who took over al-Qaeda in 2011, after the
death of Osama Bin Laden.
He co-ordinated al-Qaeda’s branches across the world.
He used to set priorities, to provide operational guidance and calling for attacks
against US targets.
His killing will bring closure to families of around 3,000 victims of 2001 attacks, in
which hijackers had crashed passenger jets into buildings in New York and
Washington. Around 344 firefighters were also killed.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):
CIA is informally an Agency and historically a Company. It is a civilian foreign intelligence
service in United States. It is tasked to gather, process, and analyse national security
information from worldwide, specifically by using human intelligence (HUMINT). It is a
principal member of United States Intelligence Community (IC) and responsible to the
Director of National Intelligence. It focuses on providing intelligence for the US President
and Cabinet.
Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022
The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was approved by Union cabinet and will now be
presented in ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament. The Bill seeks to make the
Competition Commission of India (CCI) more flexible and accountable.
Salient features of the Bill include;
Bill is aimed at bringing more flexibility to the working of CCI. It also aims to
strengthen the enforcement efficiency of the body.
It also proposes to let individual or single members of six-member board to take
decision on cases. Currently, regulations call for at least three members decide on
each case. Letting individual member to decide on cases will help in disposing off the
cases quickly.
It also proposes to allow businesses, accused of anti-competitive practices, to settle
cases by negotiating with the CCI.
If the Bill is passed, “negotiated settlements and commitments” clause would help in
avoiding avoid long-drawn proceedings. It will also cut down litigation.
It includes the provision of soft-exit windows for uninformed or ill-informed
businesses and individuals.
It further proposes to expand the prohibited anti-competitive agreements, in a bid to
cover new-age marketing arrangements, including the hub-and-spokes model of
cartels.
It will update the definition of customers, to add on government agencies making
procurements.
Competition Commission of India (CCI):
CCI was established in October 2003 as a regulatory authority. It checks and eliminates
business practices which are harmful for competition. It also protects the consumers’
interest and ensures freedom of trade across Indian markets. It comprises of a
chairperson and 6 members, who are appointed by the central government.
Tiranga Utsav Organised by Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture organized “Tiranga Utsav” on August 2, 2022 to celebrate the
contributions of Pingali Venkayya to the country. Tiranga Utsav was an evening filled with
cultural and musical performances. It was organised in New Delhi, on the occasion 146th
Birth Anniversary of Pingali Venkayya.
Highlights of the event include:
The Tiranga Utsav marked the presence of Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah as
the chief guest.
On the occasion, Amit Shah released the commemorative Postal Stamp to honour
Pingali Venkayya.
‘Amar Chitra Katha’ was also released in his memory.
Amit Shah also felicitated the family members of Pingali Venkayya at the event.
The Tiranga Anthem was also released.
Who was Pingali Venkayya?
Pingali Venkayya was an Indian freedom fighter and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He
designed a flag, based on which Indian National Flag was designed later. He belonged to a
Telugu brahmin family and was born at Bhatlapenumarru, near Machilipatnam (in present
day Andhra Pradesh). He completed high schooling in Madras and graduation in
Cambridge University. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2011.
National Flag by Pingali Venkayya:
Members of Indian Independence movement had used several national flags before
India’s independence in 1947. National Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya, which he
presented to Mahatma Gandhi on April 1, 1912 when he visited to Vijayawada city. In 1921,
Mahatma Gandhi approved the design at Indian National Congress meeting in

Vijayawada. The Flag had two stripes viz., green and red along with a Gandhian charkha at
the centre. Later, he added white strip on the top following Mahatma Gandhi’s
suggestion. This became the original Tricolour and became a symbol of non-violent
freedom movement of Mahatma Gandhi.
India touches Milestone of 75,000 recognised Start-ups
Recently, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognised
over 75,000 start-ups. This milestone has been achieved at the time when India is
celebrating 75th year of Independence and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Start-up ecosystem in
India is picking up through innovation, enthusiasm, and entrepreneurial spirit.
History of Start-up ecosystem in India:
On August 15, 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visualized a new India that
uses its entrepreneurial potential of its citizens.
On January 16, 2016, a program was started to put forward an action plan for
building a strong start-up ecosystem in India.
January 16 is now celebrated as the National Start-up Day.
6 years later, those action plan has successfully made India the 3rd largest
ecosystem.
Initial 10000 start-ups were recognized in some 808 days. But the latest thousand
start-ups were recognized in just 156 days.
As per reports, over 80 Start-ups are being recognized every day. It is the highest
rate worldwide.
Of the total recognized start-ups, 12% belongs to IT services, 9% to Healthcare & Life
Sciences, 5% to professional & commercial services, 7% to education, and 5% to
agriculture.
Start-up India Program:
Start-up India Program was launched by government to provide an enabling environment
for the start-ups. This program has become a launchpad for those start-ups. Under this
program, government provides fund to tax incentives, support intellectual property rights
in a bid to ease public procurement, and enables regulatory reforms to get access to the
international fest & events. Thus, the program has become synonymous with sustainable
economic growth.
MoWCD released Guidelines for ‘Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0'
Recently, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) released operational
guidelines to implement ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0′ scheme. Central
government has approved the scheme for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26, that
is; the period of 15th Finance Commission.
Important features of the Scheme include;
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme.
The scheme aims to address the challenges of malnutrition among pregnant women
& lactating mothers, children, adolescent girls, by bringing in a strategic shift in

nutrition content and delivery.
Under the program, a convergent eco-system will be created to develop and
promote practices nurturing health, wellness and immunity.
To address gaps and shortcomings in on-going nutrition program, as well as to
improve implementation and accelerate improvement in nutrition & child
development outcomes, components of existing scheme have been re-organized
into:
1. Nutrition Support for POSHAN through Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP)
for children aged 6 months-6 years, pregnant women & lactating mothers and
Adolescent Girls aged 14-18 years across Aspirational districts and NER.
2. Early Childhood Care and Education for children aged 3-6 years and early stimulation
for children aged 0-3 years.
3. Anganwadi Infrastructure, comprising of modern & upgraded Saksham Anganwadi

4. Poshan Abhiyaan
Poshan 2.0:
Poshan 2.0 scheme seeks to;
Contribute to human capital development in India.
Address challenges of malnutrition.
Promote nutrition awareness and good eating habits to attain sustainable health and
wellbeing
Address nutrition related deficiencies.
This scheme focuses on Maternal Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Norms.
CWG 2022: Indian Team wins gold in Lawn Bowl
India’s lawn bowls women’s fours team won gold medal at the Commonwealth Games,
creating history by winning India’s first ever medal in lawn bowls event. The team of lawn
bowls comprised of skipper Rupa Rani Tirkey, Pinki, Lovely Choubey, and Nayanmoni
Saikia. They won the title after beating 2018 silver medallists South Africa with a 17-10
victory. This was the first appearance of Indian team in the women’s fours format of the
lawn bowls finals.
India at Commonwealth Games 2022:
The Commonwealth Games 2022 is being held in Birmingham, England from July 28-
August 8 2022.
India is participating for the 18th time in the Commonwealth Games, with the
contingent comprising of 322 members.
So far, India has won 9 medals, comprising of 3 Golds, 3 Silvers, and 3 Bronze
medals.
Most of the medals are from weightlifting category.
India’s first gold medal came for Mirabai Chanu in Weightlifting women’s 49kg
category.
In this edition of the Commonwealth Games, women’s cricket has been included for
the first time. Indian women’s Cricket team has lost the first match against Australia.
However, they defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets.
In the Medal Tally, India is at 6th place currently. Australia is ranked first with 52 medals,
including 22 Gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 17 Bronze medals.
Aurangabad: First to publish Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) data
According to Aurangabad Smart City Development Council Limited (ASCDCL), Aurangabad
has become the first city to publish the “Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) data from
Google. It released the EIE data on August 2, 2022.
Google introduced the EIE dashboard for Aurangabad, during an event held in New
Delhi.
This data would help the research groups in developing sustainable solutions for the
city.
Working with Google is significant for Aurangabad, as it will improve the

environment and society in the city.
EIE data is in consistent with Aurangabad’s commitment to United Nations, with
respect to ‘race to zero’ and ‘race to resilience program’.
It will help in creating a sustainable environment for future generations.
Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE):
The EIE data make use of exclusive data sources and modelling capabilities in platforms
that are available freely, in a bid to help cities and regions in measuring emission sources,
identify strategies and run analyses to reduce emissions. This tool has been developed by
Google. It provides climate data and technology and helps cities in creating a sustainable
and carbon-free future.
About Google LLC:
Google is a multinational technology company based in America. It focuses on search
engine technology, cloud computing, online advertising, quantum computing, computer
software, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and consumer electronics. Google has been
claiming since 2007 that it is carbon neutral because it purchased same quantity of carbon
offsets & renewable energy to make net operational carbon emissions of the company
zero.
Sites Identified for ‘National importance’ Tag
According to Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, 20 heritage sites have been
identified for National importance tag. These sites also include 2 ancient mounds at
Rakhigarhi in Haryana and age-old Anangtal in Delhi in the last 3 years.
Other identified sites include;
Rock painting at Chintakunta in Andhra Pradesh
Rock art site Murgi at Rdanag in Leh
Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple at Kalesar (Manyala Panchayat) in Himachal Pradesh.
Seven mounds (RGR 1-RGR 7) dispersed across Rakhi Khas village and Rakhi Shahpur
village in Hisar, Haryana. These mounds are part of Rakhigarhi archaeological site of
Harappan era. RGR 7 is a cemetery site, which was a well-organised city.
The Rakhigarhi site is among the “five iconic sites” that was declared by central
government in the Union budget 2020-21.
Besides these sites, 55 monuments sites in Assam have been declared protected under
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. 3 monuments in
Mizoram have identified to be declared the monuments of national importance in last five
years. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given Rs 15 crore for 2022-23, to
protect and preserve the centrally-protected monuments in Tamil Nadu. During 2017-18 to
2021-22, 13 state and 50 societies, autonomous bodies, trusts & local bodies have been
provided financial assistance to establish and develop museums in accordance with
Museum Grant Scheme.
August 4, 2022
Assam ‘Mission Bhumiputra’

On August 1, 2022, Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled ‘Mission
Bhumiputra’. Under the mission, digitalised caste certificates will be issued to students, in
a simplified and digital way. It will be implemented by Departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain)
and Social Justice Empowerment.
Highlights of the scheme;
Mission Bhumiputra will continue the government’s mission of providing easy public
service to the public.
Under it, two pillars will be created by the government.
This mission will do away the manual system of issuing caste certificates.
It will also solve the problem faced by people in securing such documents, without
any glitch.
Under Mission Bhumiputra;
The Deputy Commissioners will provide new format of applications of caste
certificates to the headmasters of all educational institutions, from August 8, 2022.
Headmasters will require to fill up the application formats and submit to the Deputy
Commissioners, who will forward it to the Boards of respective caste or tribe.
The Deputy Commissioners will then hold a meeting with Boards and decide on
protocol to issue caste certificate for the students.
If there comes any doubt in this process, application may be sent for further
verification.
Caste certificates will be available in Digi locker, as per IT Act. It will be digitally
signed by respective Deputy Commissioners.
This portal can be used by students from Class 8th to get the caste certificates from year
2023. Portal will also be in harmony with CM’s dashboard and would enable Chief
Minister’s Office to monitor the entire process.
Haryana: Cheerag Scheme Launched

Haryana Government recently launched the Haryana Cheerag Scheme. Under the scheme,
government will provide free education to Economically Weaker section (EWS) students of
Government schools in private school.
More about Cheerag Scheme;
Cheerag Scheme stands for, “Chief Minister Equal Education Relief, Assistance and
Grant”.
It has replaced a similar scheme launched in 2007, by Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s
government. Scheme was launched in accordance with Rule 134 A of Haryana School
Education Rules, 2003.
Under Cheerag scheme, students of government school can enrol in private school in
class 2nd to 12th. However, for this, annual verified income of parents shall be less
than Rs 1.8 lakh.
Haryana government will repay:

-Rs 700 per student in Classes 2nd to 5th
-Rs 900 per student in Classes 6th to 8th and
-Rs 1,100 per student in Classes 9th to 12th
Around 533 budget private schools, in villages and small towns, had applied under the
Cheerag scheme. However, only 381 schools were found to be eligible because of different
technical reasons. Eligible schools provided 24,987 seats to EWS students from
government schools. But only 1665 students have opted for the scheme, accounting for
6.66 % of total provided seats. This is because, those schools are not nearby and several
facilities are available at government schools only. Furthermore, good private schools
have not came forward to participate.
UNFCCC: Cabinet approval of India’s updated NDC
The Union Cabinet recently gave approval to India’s updated Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC). The updated NDC will be transferred to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
India’s Updated NDC:
It aims to increase India’s contributions in strengthening global response towards
climate change, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
It will help India to escort in low emissions growth pathways.
It will also protect the interests of India and safeguard its future development needs,
in line with the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC.
Updated NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ into enhanced climate targets. India had
announced Panchamrit at COP26.
This update is also a step towards achieving long term goal of country to reach net-
zero by 2070.
According to updated NDC, India is committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its
GDP by 45% by 2030 as compared to 2005 level.
It also seeks to attain a cumulative electric power installed capacity of 50% from non-
fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
Background:
Last time India had submitted its Intended NDC to UNFCCC on October 2, 2015. It had
eight goals, of which 3 goals have quantitative targets up to 2030;
To take cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources to 40%.
To reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35 %, as compared to 2005 levels.
To create additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
India had communicated at the COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC), to escalate its climate action, by presenting five nectar
elements of India’s climate actions (Panchamrit), to the world. COP 26 was held in
Glasgow, United Kingdom.
PM to start-off projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to start-off and lay foundation stone to several
projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur in Gujarat. Projects will be launched
on August 4, 2022, virtually.
These projects include;
1. Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital– Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital will be inaugurated at
Dharampur in Valsad district. It is a 250-bed multispecialty hospital, constructed at
the cost of 200 crore rupees. Hospital is equipped with cutting edge medical
infrastructure. It will provide world class tertiary medical facilities, to the people
Gujarat.
2. Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital– PM will set down the foundation stone of
150-bed Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital. It will be constructed at the cost of 70
crore rupees. Hospital will be equipped with dedicated team of veterinarians,
ancillary staff and top-class facilities. Holistic medical care and conventional medicine
will be provided for the animals.
3. Shrimad Rajchandra Center of Excellence for Women– Foundation stone for
Shrimad Rajchandra Center of Excellence for Women will also be set down. It will be
constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. It will comprise of recreation
facilities, classrooms for self-development sessions and rest areas. More than 700
tribal women will be employed while several others will get livelihood.
Who was Shrimad Rajchandraji?
He was a Jain poet, philosopher, mystic, scholar and reformer. He was born in in Vavaniya
village near Morbi (present day Gujarat). He wrote many philosophical poetries, one being
Atma Siddhi. He is well known to provide spiritual guidance to Mahatma Gandhi.
MP to get World's largest floating Solar Power Plant
World’s largest floating Solar Power Plant will be constructed in Madhya Pradesh. It is
aimed at boosting power generation capacity the state and addressing electricity
problems in the central region.
Important Facts to know about the plant:

The floating solar power plant will be constructed in Khandwa.
It will generate 600-Megawatt power by 2022-23,
This project is estimated to be worth Rs. 3000 crores.
Khandwa district will become the only district in state to house thermal power
station, hydel power plant as well as solar power plant.
Solar power plant will be built on Narmada River, near Omkareshwar Dam.
India’s largest floating solar plant:
As of now, Ramagundam Floating Solar PV project in Telangana is the largest project in
country. It has the capacity to generate 100 MW of energy. Commercial operation for
project was started on July 1, 2022. This project was commissioned by NTPC.
About Floating Solar Panels:
Floating Solar Panels are Photovoltaic (PV) modules, that are mounted on platforms
floating of lakes, water reservoirs, etc. These modules are secured on calm water bodies
like ponds, lakes or reservoirs. Installation for the module is relatively quick. These plants
are silent to run. They don’t require land levelling or vegetation removal.
New Ramsar Sites in India
According to union environment ministry, 6 new wetlands from Tamil Nadu, and 1 each
from Karnataka, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha have received Ramsar recognition as
“Wetlands of International Importance”. With the inclusion of 10, total number of Ramsar
Sites stands at 64.
Newly recognised sites are;
1. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary– It is a man-made wetland, located in Tirunelveli
district of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest reserve for migratory water birds and
breeding resident in south India. Paddy is also irrigated in the sanctuary, on 190
acres area.
2. Nanda Lake– Nanda Lake is the freshwater marshes, located adjacent to one of
rivulets of Zuari river in Goa. It helps the locals to store water in off-monsoon season.
Stored water is used to cultivate paddy downstream of this lake. It is home to Black-
headed ibis, Wire-tailed swallow, Common kingfisher, Brahminy kite and Bronze-
winged jacana.
3. Satkosia gorge– It expands along Mahanadi River in Odisha. It was set up in 1976 as
a wildlife sanctuary. The Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats meet at Satkosia.
Satkosia gorge wetland is known for marshes and evergreen forests.
4. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR)– It is located in south-eastern
coastline and is famous for rich marine environment. The reserve is home to various
globally important and highly threatened species like whale shark, Dugong, green
sea turtle, seahorses, balanoglossus, dolphins, hawksbill turtle, sacred chanks, etc.
5. Vembannur Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu
6. Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
7. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu and

8. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
9. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka and
10. Sirpur Wetland, Madhya Pradesh.
Ramsar Sites are recognised under the Convention on Wetlands, which is an
intergovernmental treaty dealing with conservation of wetlands. As a part of the
convention, parties identify and place suitable wetlands to the List of Wetlands of
International Importance of Ramsar List. In July 2022, India had designated 5 new
wetlands of international importance viz., Pala wetland in Mizoram; Sakhya Sagar in
Madhya Pradesh; and Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest &
Pichavaram Mangrove in Tamil Nadu
State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE) scheme
Science and Engineering Research Board’s- State University Research Excellence (SERB-
SURE) scheme was recently launched to increase the research capabilities in a structured
way, in a bid to create a powerful R&D ecosystem in state as well as private universities &
colleges. Scheme would also cater to self-financed institutions operational within these
universities.
About State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE):
SEUB-SURE is a new innovative scheme of the SERB, which is a statutory body of
Department of Science and Technology (DST).
This scheme will encourage collaboration for high-end research across state &
private universities and colleges.
It will help in bringing the university system into mainstream research, and enable
young faculty to participate in cutting-edge research.
It would also extend support to data-driven social science research.
Faculties of state universities (45% in rural areas), would get opportunities for
research, as a part of this scheme.
Universities with local background would be able to take ground-level research, that
in turn would benefit the local industry and local farmers.
Under this scheme, state universities would get level competition in a bid to secure
research funding. They would also provide opportunities to strengthen research
ecosystem across state universities, in order to upgrade research capabilities to national
and international levels.
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB):
SERB is a statutory body, working under Department of Science and Technology. It was set
up in 2009, through SERB ACT, 2008. It is chaired by Secretary to Government of India in
Department of Science and Technology. It was set up to promote basic research in
science and engineering as well as to give financial assistance to scientists, academic
institutions, industrial concerns and R&D laboratories.
Federal Bank: 1st to list Payment Gateway on New tax platform
Federal Bank, based in Kerala, is the first bank to get listed its Payment Gateway platform
on “TIN 2.0 platform” of the Income Tax Department. TIN 2.0 platform was started on July
1, 2022.
Highlights of the platform include:
On the TIN 2.0 platform, a payment gateway gas been opened to provide another
payment option to taxpayers.
Taxpayers can make their payments with ease, through this platform.
They can use modes like Credit or Debit Card, NEFT or RTGS, UPI and Internet
Banking to make payments.
Federal Bank Limited:
Federal Bank is an Indian private sector. Its headquarter is in Aluva, Kochi. It has 1,272
branches across India. It also has representative offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar,
and Kuwait. It has remittance arrangements with over 110 Banks or Exchange Companies
worldwide. It is also listed in the BSE, NSE and London Stock Exchange. It also has a
branch in India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City, Gujarat.
Tax Information Network (TIN):
TIN is an initiative of Income Tax Department of India (ITD). It was started to modernize
the current system to collect, process, monitor and take account of the direct taxes
through information technology. It is a repository of nationwide Tax related information.
TIN was set up by Protean eGov Technologies Limited.
Central Universities (Amendment), Bill 2022
Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2022 was passed in Lok Sabha on August 3, 2022.
The Bill aims to convert the ‘National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI)’ into Gati
Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV).
Important provisions of the bill include;
NRTI (Vadodara) is currently a Deemed to be University (declared under University
Grants Commission Act, 1956), while GSV would be a Central University and will be
sponsored & funded by central government through Railways Ministry.
As per Bill, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will provide quality teaching, research, and
skill development across technology, transportation, and management.
GSV may also establish centres in India and abroad. Establishment of GSV will
address the requirement of trained talent in transportation sector.
According to the Bill, existing VC of NRTI will hold office for:
six months from when the Act is notified, or
until a new VC for GSV is appointed, whichever is earlier.
National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI)
NRTI is the first transport institute of India. It is located in Vadodara, Gujarat, inside 55-
acre campus of National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR), which is the apex training
institute of Ministry of Railways. Its permanent campus is likely to shift in Waghodiya
taluka of Vadodara in near future. For this purpose, land acquisition has started.
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021

Lok Sabha passed the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 on August 2, 2022. It
was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2021. It will amend the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972.
Key provisions of the Bill include;
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill is aimed at implementing “Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora”. It also
seeks to expand the number of species protected by the convention.
It mandates the central government to formulate an authority to grants export or
import licences for trading in specimens. Anyone trading in a scheduled specimen
shall inform the appropriate authority about the transaction’s specifics.
Authority can give an identification mark for a specimen, which is prohibited from
removing or modifying under the bill.
People possessing live specimens of scheduled animals have been mandated to

obtain a registration certificate from Management Authority.
Government has been empowered to control the import, trade, and possession of
invasive alien species.
Penalty for violations of provisions of the bill has increased from Rs 25000 (Under
1972 act) to Rs 1,00,000.
It empowers government to notify a conservation reserve, next to sanctuaries or
national parks, in a bid to protect the flora and fauna.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 comprised of 6 schedules for specially protected
plants, specially protected animals and one vermin species. Under the new bill, Schedule
has been reduced to 4. Schedule for vermin species has been removed. A new schedule
has been added for specimens listed under CITES.
August 5, 2022
AzaadiSAT: ISRO’s Smallest Rocket in Space
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its smallest commercial rocket
‘Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)’ carrying ‘AzaadiSAT’, on August 7, 2022. It will be
launched to unfurl the Tricolour in space, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in
Sriharikota.
More about the launch of AzaadiSAT:
This spacecraft will be launched as, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced
on August 15, 2018, to unfurl the Tricolour in Space to celebrate India’s 75th year of
Independence.
To mark India’s celebrations of ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, SSLV will carry a co-
passenger satellite called ‘AzaadiSAT’.
It was specifically conceptualised for celebration of 75th Independence Day.
It will encourage scientific temper and create opportunities for young girls to opt for
‘space research’ as their career.
About AzaadiSAT:
AzaadiSAT comprises of 75 payloads.
These payloads have been built by 750 young girl students from 75 rural government
schools of India.
It is the result of ISRO pushing for girls to go for “Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM)”.
It is an 8-kilogram CubeSat. Each of the 75 payloads are weighing about 50 grams.
The mission will conduct femto-experiments.
AzadiSAT also comprise of a solid-state PIN diode-based radiation counter, that will
measure the ionising radiation in its orbit, as well as a long-range transponder. ISRO will
use ground system developed by Space Kidz India, to establish telemetry and
communication with AzadiSAT in orbit.
South Korea’s first spacecraft launched to the moon
South Korea launched its maiden spacecraft to the moon, joining the race with other
countries, on August 4, 2022. The South Korean lunar orbiter will inspect the future
landing spots. It was launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle. It will arrive in
December 2022.
Highlights:
If this mission is successful, it will join spacecraft from India and the US which are
already operation across the moon as well as Chinese rover on moon’s far side.
India, Russia and Japan will also launch new moon missions in 2022-2023.
NASA is also scheduled to launch its mega moon rocket, under Artemis program, in
August 2022. As a part of the mission, an empty crew capsule will be sent across the
moon, in a bid to test the systems before a crew climbs aboard in two years.
Important facts about South Korean Moon Mission- “Danuri”:
It is worth USD 180 million mission and South Korea’s first step in lunar exploration.
It features a boxy, solar-powered satellite, that has been designed to slide just 62
miles above the lunar surface.
Scientists will collect geologic and other data from the low polar orbit, for at least a
year.
Danuri mission is carrying six science instruments, comprising of a camera for NASA.
It will peer into permanently shadowed, ice-filled craters at the poles of Moon.
In May 2022, South Korea joined a NASA-led coalition for exploring the moon with
astronauts. Danuri mission is country’s 2nd shot at space in six weeks. Earlier, in June 2022,
South Korea had successfully launched a package of satellites into orbit around Earth
using its own rocket for the first time.
Indian Navy's all-women crew completes maiden Maritime Surveillance Mission
Women officers of Indian Navy recently made history after completing their maiden all-
women independent “maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission” to the North
Arabian Sea. The mission was completed onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft.
Important facts to know:

Maritime Surveillance Mission was carried out by five officers of Indian Navy Air
Squadron (INAS) 314.
INAS is based at Naval Air Enclave in Porbandar, Gujarat.
Dornier aircraft was captained by Mission Commander, Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma.
She was accompanied by pilots, Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite.
Other officers included- Tactical and Sensor Officers Lt Pooja Panda & Lt Pooja
Shekhawat.
To make this mission successful, women officers received ground training and
comprehensive mission. It was first-of-its-kind military flying mission. This mission is likely
to open ways for in the aviation cadre. They could now assume great responsibility and
aspire to complete more challenging roles.
About Dornier 228 aircraft:
Dornier 228 aircraft is a multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has its roots to German
design. However, new generation of the aircraft has been indigenously built by Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL received production licence in 1983 and manufactured 125
aircraft in Kanpur. Indian Navy had acquired this aircraft from a German manufacturer in
1998. It has a maximum range of 1,320 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 28,000 feet.
Experiential Learning for 21st Century Program
Experiential Learning for 21st Century Programme was recently launched for Eklavya
Model Residential School (EMRS) Principals and Teachers, in virtual mode. It was launched
by CBSE, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and ESTS in association with TATA trusts, TISS and MGIS.
This program was launched by Asit Gopal, who happens to be Commissioner
of National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS).
He also launched the course-2 for EMRS teachers & teacher leaders.
In first phase, this program was launched for 350 teachers from CBSE and Eklavya
Model Residential Schools in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
In the second phase, 300 teachers from EMRSs will be included for 8-week
professional development training programme. Teachers will be selected from states
including Gujarat, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand apart from states
included in first phase.
Experiential Learning for 21st Century Programme:
It is as an online programme for teachers and principals, in which they are trained
adapt classroom learning to real life experiences.
Program was offered to all the selected teachers and principals, free of cost, from
November 2021 till April 2022.
Selected teachers were trained as “Teacher Leaders”, in a bid to adopt Experiential
Learning Pedagogy across EMRS teaching fraternity in a phased manner.
It is an 8-week program and covers 4 modules, which are supported with virtual
webinars. During the webinars, teachers’ understandings are discussed and they are
assisted along the course learnings.
Webinars also provide further orientation on pedagogy, to focus on project mapping
and lesson planning.
Eklavya Model Residential School:
Eklavya Model Residential School were started in 1997-98, to provide quality education to
ST children across remote areas so that, they can profit from the opportunities in high and
professional educational courses and get employed in different sectors.
Justice U.U. Lalit named as CJI's Successor
On August 4, 2022, Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana recommended the name of
Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as his successor. Recommendation was sent to the Union
Minister for Law and Justice.
Highlights:
Justice NV Ramana is scheduled to retire from office on August 26, on

superannuation. He was the 48th CJI of India and was appointed on April 24, 2021.
Justice Uday Umesh Lalit is senior-most judge in the Supreme Court. He is in line to
become the next CJI.
Justice Lalit was appointed to the SC, directly from the Bar.
Once Justice Lalit is elevated, he will have a short tenure of 2.5 months as the CJI and
will retire on November 8, 2022.
Justice Lalit has been part of several landmark judgements including ‘triple talaq’. He
was appointed a judge of the SC on August 13, 2014.
Memorandum of Procedure:
As per Memorandum of Procedure, Law Minister asks the outgoing CJI to recommend
name of his successor. Usually, the recommendation asked within a month of retirement
of the incumbent CJI. In practice, CJI is strictly appointed by seniority. The CJI and other SC
judges are appointed by the President of India, as per clause (2) of Article 124 of the
Constitution.
Tenure of CJI:
After appointment, the CJI remains in office till the age of 65 years. Constitution does not
provide any fixed tenure for the CJI. However, he can be removed by an order of the
President, in accordance with Article 124(4) of Constitution of India.
Indian Oil- NTCA MoU on 'Project Cheetah'
Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) inked a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation to relocate cheetahs from Africa to
India, under Project Cheetah. as a part of the MoU, the IOC will grant Rs 50.22 crore over
four years period, for the project. Currently, the total cost of relocation project is Rs 75
crore.
Key Points:
Indian Oil- NTCA MoU is in continuation with the MoU inked between India and
Namibia on July 20, 2022 for wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity
utilisation, to re-establish cheetah in historical range in India.
Indian Oil will provide funds as a part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR). It
will be used to reintroduce cheetah as well as for ecology development, habitat
management & protection, veterinary healthcare and staff training.
Indian Oil has become the first corporate to come forward to support ‘Project
Cheetah’ under CSR.
Project Cheetah is nationally important and is also essential to balance the
ecosystem.
Relocation of Cheetah:
In India, Cheetahs got extinct in 1952 due to hunting activities. As a result, Union
government initiated the ‘Cheetah Relocation’ project. This project is being implemented
slowly after Supreme Court in allowed the Union Government to do so in January 2020.
Earlier, India had planned to relocate Asiatic Cheetah to India from Iran. But plan changed
to introduce African Cheetah, due to recent development in India-Iran relations. During
19th meeting of NCTA, Environment Ministry released ‘Action plan for Introduction of
Cheetah in India’. Under the action plan, 50 African Cheetah from Namibia will be located
to India in next 5 years. 10-12 Cheetah will be relocated during first year, in the Kuno
Palpur National Park of Madhya Pradesh.
Bihar Astronomical Observatory in UNESCO list
106-year-old astronomical observatory at the Langat Singh College, Muzaffarpur in Bihar
has been added to UNESCO World heritage observatories list. This observatory is first of
its kind in eastern part of India.
About the Astronomical Observatory:
The Astronomical Observatory in Muzaffarpur was established in 1916 give detailed
astronomical knowledge to students.
Prof Romesh Chandra Sen took initiative to set up the astronomical observatory at
the college. In 1914, he talked to an astronomer J Mitchell for guidance.
In 1915, telescope, chronograph, astronomical clock, and other equipment were
procured from England.
Finally in 1916, astronomical observatory was started.
In 1946, a planetarium was also established in the college.
However, the condition of planetarium as well as astronomical observatory started
deteriorating after 1970. Most of the installed machines have either been lost or become
junk. No steps were taken for its restoration. Now, authorities are hopeful to get funds
from state government for its restoration, after its inclusion in UNESCO list of endangered
heritage observatories.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites and observatories in India:
Sites of cultural and natural importance worldwide are recognised under the UNESCO
World Heritage Convention. This convention was established in 1972. In India, there are 40
World Heritage Sites, making it the country with 6th largest number of World Heritage
Sites. It includes 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed site. The Jantar Mantar in
Jaipur is also included among UNESCO World Heritage site. Jantar Mantar is a collection of
19 astronomical instruments, constructed by king Sawai Jai Singh II. It also features the
largest stone sundial of the world.
Indian Companies in 2022 Fortune 500 list
In the Fortune Global 500 list of year 2022, 9 Indian public and private companies have
been added. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has been ranked at 98th position in
the list, with revenue worth USD 97,266.7 million. LIC has been added to the list for the
first time, after it was listed on Indian stock exchanges in May 2022.
Other countries in the 2022 Fortune 500 list include;
Reliance Industries Ltd. has been placed at 104th position, with USD 93,982 million
revenue in 2021-22. This year, rank of Reliance has jumped by 51 spots.
US’s Walmart Inc. claims the first position, for the ninth consecutive year. It has
maintained the first position for 17th time, since 1995.
Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Aramco is at 6th It has again reclaimed its title most profitable
company worldwide, with earning of USD 105 billion.
Top 10 companies in 2022 Fortune Global 500 list include;
1. Walmart, U.S
2. com, U.S
3. State Grid, China
4. China National Petroleum, China
5. Sinopec, China
6. Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia
7. Apple, U.S
8. Volkswagen, Germany
9. China State Construction Engineering, China
10. CVS Health, U.S.
Indian Companies in the list include;
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) at 142nd
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) at 190th
State Bank of India (SBI) at 236th
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) at 295th
Fortune 500 list provides ranking to companies across the world, based on total revenues
for respective fiscal years that ends on or before March 31, 2022.
Water shortage in the Netherlands
The National Water levels in the Netherlands has declined to all-time low. As a result,
country has been suffering from a water shortage. According to Water Shortage
Management Team, continuous drought in country has led to ‘water shortage’. Water
shortage suggest that, Rhine River Water is supplying 50% less water than normal.
Highlights:
Water shortage in long term, can result into salinisation of the soil, affecting the
farming industry.
Netherlands is known for its abundance of water. Despite this fact, water shortage
was declared for the fifth time in last 22 years.
Water shortage situation is now escalated to a level three threat in 2003. Level three
threat means a designated national crisis.
The Netherlands is known for wet and unpredictable weather. However, in year 2022,
weather has become extremely dry due to climate change.
As per calculations, there was an average precipitation deficit of 220 millimetres.
However, citizens or resident won’t get affected much due to water shortage. But it will
affect those working in certain industries like shipping and farming, for now. Nature in the
country will also get affected. The Water Shortage Management Team has now been
implementing a plan of action to counter the shortage of water. Several ideas are being
presented. One such idea is- setting up a bubble screen in Diemen. The bubble screen
will help in separating salt and fresh water and thus prevent salinisation.
China's largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan
China has started its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan, in the aftermath of
visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Chinese media is tagging the exercise as
rehearsal for ‘reunification process’. The drill is underway across six zones across Taiwan.
China’s navy, air force and other departments are taking part in the drill.
Highlights of the drill:
During the combat exercises, China selected 6 major areas across Taiwan.
During this period, all ships and aircraft have not been allowed to enter relevant sea
areas and airspace.
In response, Taiwan has also alerted its military and has staged multiple civil defence
drills.
Apart from this, USA has also placed several naval assets across the conflict zone.
Reason for the recent conflict:
China’s largest drill started in the aftermath of visit of Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan. Her visit was scheduled after ignoring Chinese
threats and warning of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Pelosi’s visit is the highest-level visit
by American officials to Taiwan, in 25 years. But China had problem with the visit, as it
indicates US’s support for Taiwan’s independence. China is of the view that, Taiwan is a
part of its ‘One China Policy’. On the other hand, US maintains a strategic ambiguity on
the matter.
August 6, 2022
RBI Monetary policy committee (MPC) Meeting- Highlights
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held meeting on August 5, 2022. On the basis of
assessment of current and evolving macroeconomic situation, MPC has decided to:
Hike policy repo rate by 50 basis points, under liquidity adjustment facility (LAF).
Repo rate now stands at 5.40%.
Adjust Standing deposit facility (SDF) rate to 5.15%, marginal standing facility (MSF)
rate to 5.65% and Bank Rate to 5.65%.
Focus on withdrawal of accommodation, in a bid to ensure that inflation is within the
target onwards.
MPC decision are in line with the goal of attaining medium-term target for consumer price
index (CPI) inflation to 4% within a band of +/- 2%, while supporting growth. These
decisions were taken by considering that;
Global economic and financial environment has worsened, since MPC’s June 2022
meeting. Monetary policy tightening worldwide and persisting war in Europe has
increased the risk of recession.
Emerging market economies are experiencing capital outflows and reserve losses
which are intensifying the risks to their growth and financial stability.
Domestic economic activity is strong. South-west monsoon rainfall is 6% above the
long period average, as of now. Kharif sowing is lifting. Demand across urban areas
is strengthening while rural demand is gradually increasing.
CPI inflation decreased to 7.0% (year-on-year), during May-June 2022 as compared to
7.8% in April. Food inflation has witnessed some moderation.
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):
MPC fixes the benchmark interest rate in India, by holding meetings for at least 4 times a
year. Its decisions are published after each meeting. It has 6 members- 3 officials of RBI
and 3 external members nominated by central government.
DRDO: Test fire of indigenously developed laser-guided ATGMs
On June 4, 2022, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian
Army successfully test-fired the Indigenously developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided
Missiles (ATGM). Missiles were test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, at KK Ranges
in Maharashtra.
Highlights:
ATGMs precisely and successfully hit the target and destroyed them at two different
ranges.
Satisfactory flight performance was recorded on Telemetry systems, for the missiles.
Laser Guided ATGM:
The all-indigenous Laser Guided ATGM comprise of a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank
(HEAT) warhead. This warhead defeat the Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected
armoured vehicles. The developed ATGM has the capability of multi-platform launch. It is
presently undergoing technical evaluation trials from 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.
Anti-tank guided missile (ATGM):
An ATGM is a guided missile, that has been designed to hit and destroy heavily armoured
military vehicles. Size of the missile ranges from ‘shoulder-launched weapons’ to ‘large
tripod-mounted weapons’ to Vehicle & aircraft mounted missile systems. Shoulder-

launched weapons can be transported on single soldier. On the other hand, tripod-
mounted weapons need a squad or team to transport and fire.
Arjun Battle Tank:
It is a third-generation main battle tank, that has been developed for Indian Army, by
Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of DRDO. Its design
was completed in 1996 and entered the service with Indian Army in 2004.
Indian Navy- ISRO MoU for Satellite based Naval Applications
On August 5, 2022, Indian Navy inked a MoU with ISRO’s Space Applications Centre,
Ahmedabad for data sharing and cooperation on Satellite based Naval Applications in
Meteorology and Oceanology.
Through this MoU;
Both the organisations will get a common platform of mutual cooperation, where
scientific advancements by Space Applications Centre would be synergised into

Indian Naval efforts.
This move will help to keep India’s defence in line with rapid development in Satellite
Data retrieval and applications and will strengthen the collaboration.
It will also further the meaningful interactions and professional exchanges between
both the organisations in future.
MoU is the extension of last MoU signed in 2017.
Major areas of cooperation include;
Sharing of non-confidential observational data
Operation exploitation weather products generated by SAC
Provisioning of Subject Matter Experts (SME) in processing the satellite data for
development of new tools
Calibration and validation of ocean models.
Space Applications Centre (SAC)
SAC is an institution of research under the parent head of Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). It was founded by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. The institution engages in
research, development and demonstration of applications related to space technology in
the field of remote sensing, telecommunications, satellite navigation and meteorology.
SAC has three campuses, 1 at Delhi and 2 at Ahmedabad. The institution provides
infrastructure to the students of ‘Centre for Space Science & Technology Education in Asia
and the Pacific (CSSTEAP), for conducting training courses.
China: Launch of Reusable Spacecraft
On August 4, 2022, China launched a reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit. It was
launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, on Long March 2F rocket. Spacecraft will
be placed into low Earth orbit. A similar clandestine mission was launched by China in
2020.
Highlights:
Spacecraft will operate in orbit for some time and then return to intended landing
site in China.
Technical verification of reusable and in-orbit services will be done as per plan, in a
bid to provide technical support to peaceful use of space.
No launch related images have been released by the China’s space authorities.
Less information is out to public about the spacecraft. Thus, based on previous
activities, it is being speculated that vehicle is a spaceplane.
It is possibly an orbital segment and will operate with a reusable suborbital stage,
which was tested in 2021.
China’s Long March 2F launch vehicle usually launch China’s Shenzhou crewed missions. It
is having a payload capacity of around 8 metric tons to low Earth orbit. The launched
spacecraft could be of same size and function to X-37B space plane of US Air Force. Long
March 2F and its payload would have been modified, to assist the launch of ‘reusable test
spacecraft’.
Background:
Earlier, China had carried the orbital test of a reusable experimental spacecraft in
September 2020. Spacecraft had spent just 2 days in orbit and released a small payload
before landing back in China. This mission appears to fit into space transportation
development plans made by Chinese main space contractor, CASC.
India: Target to eliminate Kala-azar by 2023
Union Government of India has set the target to eliminate Kala-azar from country by 2023.
According to Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar (Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare), out
of 633 Kala-azar endemic blocks, 625 blocks have successfully eliminated the kala-azar in
2021. India’s target is way ahead than World Health Organisation (WHO)’s target of
eliminating the disease by 2030.
About Kala Azar:
Kala Azar is also called as Leishmaniasis. It is a neglected tropical disease, by which over
100 countries are affected, including India. Neglected tropical diseases are a group of
multiple communicable diseases that are prevalent in tropical and subtropical conditions
of 149 countries. The disease is caused due to parasite called Leishmania. This parasite is
transmitted via bite of sand flies.
Three Types of Kala Azar:
1. Visceral leishmaniasis: It affects multiple organs and is considered as the most
serious form of the disease. It is commonly called as Kala Azar in India.
2. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: It is the most common type, affecting skin. It results into
skin sores.
3. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: It causes skin and mucosal lesions.
Treatment of Kala Azar:
Only drug that is used to treat kala azar is miltefosine. However, this drug is losing its
effectiveness rapidly, because of parasite’s resistance to this drug. A protein called
‘P4ATPase-CDC50’, helps in intaking the drug by parasite. But other called ‘P-
glycoprotein’, throws this drug out from parasite’s body.
Election of the 14th Vice President of India
Election for the office of Vice President is being held on August 6, 2022. Office of Vice
President is second highest constitutional office in India. M Venkaiah Naidu is the Vice
President, currently. His term is scheduled to end on August 10, 2022.
Important points to know;
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was elected to the office on August 11, 2017.
Election for the office of Vice President is conducted by Election Commission of India.
According to the rule, election to fill the vacancy due to expiry of term of office of the
Vice-President shall be completed before the term of incumbent Vice President
expires.
How is Vice President elected?
The Vice-President is elected through an electoral college, comprising of members of Lok

Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The election is held through a system of proportional
representation by means of single transferable vote. Voting is done through a secret
ballot.
Eligibility Criteria:
The person shall be a citizen of India and must be of 35 years. He shall be qualified for
election as Rajya Sabha Member. A person is not eligible to contest in case he/she is
holding any office of profit under central government or state government. Person
contesting for the office of Vice President should be nominated by at least 20 MPs as
proposers and 20 as seconders. The Vice-President of India also acts as the chairman of
Rajya Sabha. He is not the member of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha or House of Legislature in
any state.
Culture Ministry 'Badhe Chalo’ campaign
Ministry of Culture has launched the ‘Badhe Chalo Campaing’, with the aim of connecting
with youth of India and infuse a deep sense of patriotism among them. It seeks to ‘create
youth centric activation’ for sizeable outreach of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Campaign has
been designed to involve the youth of India, by encouraging them to come forward
celebrate 75 years of India’s independence.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav:
Union Government had launched the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative to
commemorate and celebrate the 75 years of progressive India as well as glorious
history of Indian culture, achievements and its people.
Ministry of culture is promoting art and cultural heritage in India. It has started
several initiatives as a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Through the ‘Jan Bhagidari’ initiative, ministry also aims to support the ‘Har Ghar
Tiranga’ movement, to encourage people to hoist a Tiranga in their homes during
August 13th– 15th, 2022.
Badhe Chalo Campaign:

The campaign aims to connect and bring the youth and people from all parts of India
to one platform. Badhe Chalo Campaign will feature flash dances, where dancers will
perform on “Youth Anthem”. This anthem has been written and composed on the
theme of ‘Badhe Chalo’.
The Anthem encourages people to come forward and hoist Tiranga in their homes.
This activation will feature Flash Dances that are happening across 75 cities, at prime
location across India.
Ministry also aims to proliferate the message and spirit of Amrit Mahotsav, through
these flash dances.
Badhe Chalo Campaign is being held from August 5-August 10, 2022, across 10 cities every
day. Grand Finale of the campaign will be held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi, on
August 12, 2022.
August 7, 2022
Jagdeep Dhankhar: 14th Vice President of India
th
NDA Candidate, Jagdeep Dhankhar has become the 14 Vice President of India, after
beating Margaret Alva. He is the second leader from Rajasthan to become Vice President.
Highlights:
Out of 780 electors, including elected members of Lok Sabha and elected &
nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, 725 electors put their votes.
Total voter turnout reached to 92.94%.
Jagdeep Dhankar won by 346 votes. 528 out of 725 votes were in his favour. 15 votes
were termed invalid.
On the other hand, Margaret Alva won 182 votes.
Facts to know about Jagdeep Dhankar:
Jagdeep Dhankar was born on May 18, 1951, in an agrarian household in Jhunjhunu
Rajasthan.
He did school at Sainik School, Chittorgarh and completed graduation in Physics.
He then pursued LLB from University of Rajasthan and started his career as an
advocate at Bar Council of Rajasthan, in 1979.
In 1990, he became a Senior Advocate, designated by Judicature for Rajasthan High
Court.
In 1989, he turned to politics and elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu
(Rajasthan). In 1990 he became a union minister.
In 2019, he became the Governor of Bengal. He became a headline due to his noisy
relation with Trinamool Congress in Bengal. He was often accused of being an agent of
the BJP. He resigned from Governor’s office on July 17, 2022 and named as Vice
Presidential Candidate.
Vice President:
In India, the Vice President is considered as second highest constitutional office. Vice
President is elected for a five-year term. However, he can continue to serve the office, until
his successor assumes the office. He can resign from office, irrespective of five-year terms,
by submitting resignation to the President. He can also be removed through a resolution
of Rajya Sabha, when passed by a majority of members of Lok Sabha. The Vice President
also serves as the Ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Eligibility and Election:
In order to become Vice President, the person must be a citizen of India and should be
above 35 years. He should also not hold any office of profit. Vice President is elected by an
Electoral College, in accordance with Article 66 of constitution. Electoral College includes-
Elected members of Rajya Sabha, Elected member of Lok Sabha and Nominated members
of Rajya Sabha.
August 8, 2022
NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting- Highlights
th
On August 7, 2022 7 Governing Council meeting was held at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural
Centre in New Delhi. It was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was the first in-
person meeting of the council since July 2019.
Agenda of the NITI Aayog meeting were;
To achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, oilseeds & other agri-communities.
Issues of crop diversification and National Education Policy were also discussed,
besides the Urban Governance.
States’ interventions were moderated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave presentation on India’s G20 presidency
from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023.
Discussions on ‘ongoing controversy related to freebies’ could not held.
Many states raised concerns on Minimum support price for farmers, review of GST,
shortage of IAS officers, and increased allocation of funds for states.
NITI Aayog will increase its outreach to states on how it could collaborate with them
further.
They discussed on how to lower down dependence imported edible oils, from 50 %
to 25% in coming years.
During the meeting, PM Modi note that, every state played a significant role in fight
against Covid-19. India’s federal structure and cooperative federalism have become a
model for the world during covid pandemic.
NITI Aayog’s Governing Council:
Members of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog include-
1. Prime Minister of India
2. Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories with legislature
3. Ex-Officio Members
4. Lt Governors of Union Territories
5. Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
6. Full-Time Members of NITI Aayog and

7. Special Invitees.
U.P MoU with Deloitte India
On August 5, 2022, Uttar Pradesh Government inked a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with Deloitte India, to appoint it as a consultant in a bid to achieving the target of
bringing UP’s economy to USD 1 trillion. Decision to appoint Deloitte India as a consultant
was taken on July 19, 2022, on the recommendation of a high-powered committee.
Highlights:
On the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mentioned that, time has come for
Uttar Pradesh to take full advantage of its potential. It is going to become an
important base for multidimensional development of India.
By 2027, state is going to become a benchmark of “sabka saath, sabka vikas” policy,
with 1 trillion-dollar economy.
Deloitte will present a future action plan with thorough deliberation, within next 90
days. Plan will be made after conducting a sector-wise study.
Action plan will be also be examined by a high-level committee headed by chief
secretary.
Group of Ministers would also review the action plan.
About Deloitte:
It is an international professional services network, having its headquarter in London,
United Kingdom. It is the largest professional services network in terms of revenue and
number of professionals worldwide. Deloitte started operating in India during 1990s. In
India, foreign firms are not allowed to conduct audits, in accordance with ICAI regulations.
Thus, Deloitte carries out audits under the name of C. C. Chokshi & Co., in India. It has 2
entities in India, viz., Deloitte India and Deloitte US-India (USI). Deloitte India looks after
clients within India. On the other hand, Deloitte USI is an entity of Deloitte US, looking
after clients of US member firm.
80th anniversary of Quit India movement
India has completed 80 years on ‘Quit India Movement’ on August 8, 2022. This movement
is also known as August Kranti. The Quit India Movement is an important milestone in
India’s history of freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi had called to people of India to “Do
or Die for Independence” on August 8, 1942.
About Quit India Movement:
The call for Quit India Movement was given on August 8, 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi in a bid
to end the British rule in India. the movement was launched at Mumbai session of the All-
India Congress Committee. In the speech at August Kranti Maidan (Gowalia Tank maidan)
in Mumbai, Mahatma Gandhi made a called for “Do or Die for Independence”. During the
movement, Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Indian flag at the August Kranti Maidan. Yusuf
Meherally is also associated with the Movement, who gave the slogan of “Quit India” and
“Simon Go Back”. This movement aimed at asking the British to grant Independence to
India.
Immediate cause of Quit India Movement
Immediate cause for Quit India failure of Cripps Mission, that was sent under Stafford
Cripps to resolve the Indian question regarding new constitution and self-government.
Cripps Mission failed because it did not offer complete freedom to India. It was for
‘Dominion Status to India’ along with partition.
Failure of the Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement was supposed to be a peaceful and non-violent movement. But
it witnessed violence at some places. Furthermore, Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha and
the Communist Party of India did not extended support to it. As a result, movement was
supressed by British, violently.
Indian Army ‘Skylight’ Mega- Exercise
The Indian Army recently conducted “Skylight Mega-Exercise”, to enhance its space
domain capabilities. It was first of its kind large-scale exercise. Skylight exercise was aimed
at testing operational readiness of satellite communication assets and giving training to
personnel manning these assets.
Important facts about the Skylight Mega-exercise include;
Skylight Mega-Exercise was pan-India exercise, covering Lakshadweep and Andaman
Islands. It also covered high reaches of India’s northern borders where Indian Army
had activated all satellite communication assets from July 25-29, 2022.
During the exercise, several technical and operational scenarios in space domain
were pointed up.
The exercise witnessed the participation of ISRO and other agencies responsible for
space & ground segments.
More than 280 platforms were checked in field formations.
Indian Army makes use of services of a number of satellites by ISRO. These satellites
are used to connect multiple communication terminals of different types, including
transportable vehicle mounted terminals, static terminals, small form factor etc.
Communication Satellite of Indian Army:
Satellite communication networks are being used by The Indian Army across some of the
remote border areas. On the other hand, Navy and Air Force have satellite of their own.
Thus, Indian Army is also working to have its own communication satellite, called GSAT-7B,
by 2025. Indian Army got the nod from Defence Acquisition Council to work on Satellite
GSAT-7B in March 2022.
About GSAT-7B Satellite:
The GSAT-7B satellite is an indigenous multiband satellite, that has been designed with
advanced security features. Satellite will extend support to tactical communication needs
of the troops deployed on the ground as well remotely piloted air defence weapons,
aircraft, & other mission.
August 7: National Handloom Day

National Handloom Day is celebrated in India on August 7, every year. The day highlights
the contribution of handloom industry in socio-economic development of India. It also
raises awareness among people regarding the handloom industry. Ministry of Textile is
the nodal agency of the celebration.
About Indian handloom Industry:
Handloom Industry is the largest industry in India.
Products manufactured by weaving community of this sector are popular worldwide.
It is a significant employment source across rural areas of India.
This sector is an important player in women empowerment. 70% of all weavers and
allied workers are women.
Indian handloom sector exports its products to more than 20 countries worldwide,
like the UK, the USA, France, Germany, and South Africa.
History of the day

India’s handloom industry played a significant role in Swadeshi Movement, which
was launched on August 7, 1905.
Swadeshi movement was aimed at curbing dependency on foreign goods and
boosting domestic production.
As a part of the movement, production of khadi started in almost every household.
When India got independence, Indian flag made of Khadi was unfurled near India
Gate.
Thus, the National Handloom Day is celebrated on August 7, the same day when
Swadeshi Movement was started.
First National Handloom Day was celebrated on August 7, 2015; in Chennai.
National Handloom Day is observed in the honour handloom weaving community. The
day highlights the contribution weaving community across several sectors of India,
including rural employment. The day also seeks to protect the rich handloom heritage of
India as well as to empower handloom community by providing better opportunities.
Culture Ministry-Google ‘India ki Udaan’ initiative
Ministry of Culture has launched “India ki Udaan” initiative in association with Google.
This initiative seeks to celebrate unwavering & undying spirit of India and its
achievements in last 75 years.
About India ki Udaan Initiative:
India ki Udaan Initiative was launched as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
It is the celebration of unwavering and undying spirit of India.
It aims to take citizens to the rich culture & heritage of India, by means of its rich
archives and featuring artistic illustrations.
This project is launched based on the Theme- ‘Unwavering and undying spirit of
India over the past 75 years”.
It is being implemented by Google Arts and Culture, in association with Ministry of
Culture.
Under the initiative, users will be provided with a unique view to witness India’s
remarkable moments virtually.
Users would be able to know more about the iconic personalities of Indian history,
leading female personalities, as well as scientific and sports achievements of country.
Google has planned to create informative online content, in association with the Ministry
of Culture. Through this, google will showcase the contribution of Indians in transforming
country, before and after independence. Google will also launch a series of special
initiatives on its products and services, in a bid to offer rich content and prime experience
to its Indian users. It will involve artists from India and World, to provide a rich unique
experience through the online archive.
ITU Regional Standardization Forum in New Delhi
International Telecommunication Union’s Regional Standardization Forum for Asia and
Oceania region was inaugurated by Minister of State for Communications Devusinh

Chauhan, in New Delhi. This forum started from August 8, 2022. It is being hosted by
Ministry of Communications, under the theme- “Regulatory and Policy aspects of
Telecommunications”.
Highlights of the Forum:
According to the ministry, over 250 delegates from 20 countries will participate in this
Forum.
Panel discussion will be held with the aim of providing an insight to experience of
Asia and Oceania Region regarding policy and regulatory perspective under several
sub-themes.
Regional Standardization Forum is a platform to;
Provide constructive exchange of ideas
Discuss standardization topics in several sectors of technology & Role of ITU
Standards
Harness Technologies for Digital & Financial Inclusion in Emerging Markets
To evolve Data Value Chain and Digital Health.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
ITU is a specialized agency of United Nations, set up on May 17, 1865. It is responsible for
matters related to information and communication technologies. It was established as
“International Telegraph Union”. Its current name was adopted in 1934. It is the oldest UN
agency. The agency aims to help connect telegraphic and radio network across countries.
It is based in Geneva, Switzerland. It includes 193 member countries and over 900
business, international & regional organisations and academic institutions.
PARVAZ Market Linkage scheme- Key Facts
Government of Jammu & Kashmir launched the “PARVAZ Market Linkage Scheme”
recently. This is an innovative Market Linkage scheme, having tremendous potential to
uplift the economic conditions of farmers across Jammu and Kashmir.
About PARVAZ Market Linkage Scheme:

The PARVAZ scheme was launched with the aim of creating market linkage support
for shipment of Agriculture & Horticulture perishables from Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the scheme, government will provide a subsidy of 25% on freight charges, in a
bid to carry perishable fruits through Air Cargo. Subsidy will be provided to farmers
through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.
Scheme is being implemented by Jammu & Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing
and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC).
JKHPMC is spreading awareness among farmers regarding the significance of
PARVAZ scheme so that they could benefit from it.
Significance of the Scheme:
Government has made the documentation work related to scheme simple and easy.
Farmers will get the subsidy on time, under the scheme. This scheme seeks to benefit the
farmers in doubling their income. Thus, it will ensure economic and social welfare of the
farmers. They will receive the price of their produce directly in bank account and no
intermediary will get involved.
India's achievements in CWG 2022
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On the 9 day of Commonwealth Games 2022, India won a total of 14 medals, including 4
gold medals to Ravi Dahiya, Naveen Kumar, Vinesh Phogat, and Bhavina Patel; 3 silver
medals and 7 bronze medals. So far, it was the best day for India the CWG.
Indian Wrestlers:
Indian Wrestlers finished with a total of 12 medals, including 6 gold. Each wrestler
won at least one medal. CWG 2022 became the best game in history of CWG, for the
Indian Wrestlers. They broke the previous record of 5 gold medal at Gold Coast 2018.
Ravi Dahiya, Naveen Kumar and Vinesh Phogat won gold medals, respectively in
Men’s 57 kg, Men’s 74 kg and Women’s 53 kg categories.
3 other wrestlers, Deepak Nehra, Pooja Gehlot and Pooja Sihag bagged bronze
medals.
India women’s team:
The Indian women’s cricket team won against England and reach to the final. They
secured first ever Commonwealth Games medal for India.
Athletics & Indian Men’s Hockey Team:
Priyanka Goswami secured silver medal in Women’s 10 km Race Walk
Avinash Sable won silver medal in Men’s 3000 Metre Steeplechase.
The Men’s Hockey team has also reached to the final where it would play against
Australia.
Lawn Bowls:
India secured another medal in the Lawn Bowls event on 9th day. It was the second medal
of India in Lawn bowls, after historic gold medals to Women’s four team. Indian Men’s
Fours team played against Northern Ireland.
First Repair of a US Navy Ship in India

On August 7, 2022, US Navy Ship (USNS) reached at Katupalli Shipyard of L&T at Ennore,
near Chennai to undertake repairs and maintenance. This adds a new strategic dimension
to India-US military partnership.
Highlights:
A US Navy Ship is being repaired for the first time in an Indian shipyard.
India had proposed during India-US 2+2 dialogue in April 2022 for US Navy to avail
services and expertise of Indian Shipyards.
Repair of US Navy vessels in Indian shipyards was enabled as a part of Logistics
Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). The LEMOA was signed to ease the
exchange of goods and warlike stores between Indian and US navies.
The Indian Navy had proposed that, with US “pivot to the Indo-Pacific”, there will be
200-250 US Navy vessels in the Indo-Pacific. These vessels could be serviced in Indian
shipyards, instead of going back to American shipyards in the Pacific.

The USNS Charles Drew will undergo repairs in various areas, for 11 days at the Kattupalli
shipyard. This shipyard was awarded the repair contract considering the size of 41,000-
tonne USNS Charles Drew. This highlights the capabilities of Indian shipyards in
international ship repairing market. In Indian shipyards, cost-effective ship repair and
maintenance services are provided using advanced maritime technology platforms.
About LEMOA:
LEMOA stands for Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement. It is a Military
agreement Indian Armed Force and US Armed Force. The agreement provides for basic
terms, conditions and procedures for Logistic supplies, support, and services. The
agreement also provides for medical services, training, fuel, food, spare parts,
transportation, water, clothing, maintenance, repair, and communication services. It was
signed in August 2016.
August 9, 2022
CWG 2022: India finishes at 4th Place
The Commonwealth Games 2022 were held from July 28 to August 8, 2022, in which India
has been ranked at 4 th place, in terms of medals. India bagged a total of 61 medals,
comprising of 22 Gold, 16 Silver, and 23 Bronze. This was India’s 4th best performance at
the CWG with respect to winning gold medals.
Important facts related to India at CWG 2022 include;
India’s best-ever performance at the Commonwealth Games was in 2010, when it
bagged 101 medals, including 38 Gold.
With respect to overall medals, Birmingham 2022 is 5th best performance, following;
101 medals at CWG 2010 in New Delhi
69 medals at CWG 2002 in Manchester 2002
66 medals at CWG 2018 in Gold Coast
64 medals at CWG 2014 in Glasgow.
At CWG 2022 in Birmingham, India has been placed behind Australia with 178
medals, England with 176 and Canada with 92 medals.
Tennis star Sharath Kamal turned out to be the most successful Indian athlete, with 4
medals comprising of 3 Gold.
Wrestlers added most to India’s medal tally. All the 12 Wrestlers have won medals.
Weightlifters bagged a total of 10 medals, including 3 Gold medals.
In Table Tennis, India secured 7 medals, including 4 Gold.
It secured 6 medals in track and field.
Women’s fours team created history in Lawn Bowls by securing India’s first gold
medal in lawn bowls.
Though, shooting and archery was absent from Indian side, it performed well in Lawn
Bowls, athletics, Para Powerlifting and other sports including wrestling, boxing,
weightlifting, and badminton.
12th edition of DefExpo to be held in Gandhinagar

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The 12 DefExpo is scheduled to held from October 18 to October 22, 2022 in
Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It is the largest exhibition on Land, Naval and Homeland Security
systems in India. During the five-day, three days will be allotted for business while two
days will be allotted for public days.
Highlights of the DefExpo include;
Year 2022 will mark the 12th DefExpo, during which equipment and skill set of Armed
Forces, DPSUs and Industry will be demonstrated live at Sabarmati River Front.
Expo will be held in a three-venue format at-
1. Helipad Exhibition Centre
2. Inaugural event & seminars at Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre and
3. Live demo at Sabarmati River Front.
Exhibition will witness the events including;
Bandhan for shaping the partnerships between companies
Seminars and webinars showcasing of start-ups or MSMEs such as cutting-edge
technology solutions for future battlefield, and Artificial Intelligence in defence.
Student visits
Showcasing Gujarat as investment destination for defence sector and aerospace.
Participants will be provided with opportunity to showcase their equipment and
platforms.
DefExpo-2022 is Asia’s largest event in defence sector, which will be held in line with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving self-reliance in defence and touch the export
mark of USD 5 billion by 2025. This expo will help in boosting investment, discovering
avenues for technology absorption and expand manufacturing capabilities as well as
capacities. It will be held under the theme- “Path to Pride”.
Indian Army-Drone Federation of India MoU- Highlights
The Army Design Bureau has inked a MoU with Drone Federation of India, to work for
promotion of research, development, testing and manufacturing of drones, counter

drones and related technologies, in collaboration. These technologies would help the
Indian Army in its operations.
Important Features of the MoU include;
The MoU between both the entities highlights the commitment of Indian Army in
extending support to our industry.
It will promote efforts to anchor industry and academia, to assist them in developing
niche technology and products for procurement by Indian Army.
As a part of MoU, both the entities have agreed:
1. To create a standard procedure for drone, counter-drone and allied technologies in
Indian Army.
2. To promote research, development, testing and indigenous manufacturing of drones
and associated technologies.
3. To develop goal-based technology research programs, in association with members

from industry, academia and armed forces.
4. To enable outreach for Field Trials in association with industry and user groups of
Armed Forces.
About Army Design Bureau:
Army Design Bureau is the nodal agency of Indian Army. It acts as the facilitator for R&D
efforts with Academia, Industry, DRDO and DPSUs, in a bid to enable them to understand
and appreciate requirement of users in depth.
About Drone Federation of India:
It promotes drone industry by providing for policy change, developing a robust skilling
infrastructure, creating business opportunities, developing standards, facilitating
technology & knowledge transfers, and promoting R&D efforts.
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was put in the Lok Sabha on August 3, 2022
and was passed on August 8. It seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It
promotes energy efficiency and conservation.
Important Provisions of the bill include;
The Bill seeks to regulate the energy consumption by equipment, buildings,
appliances, and industries.
Under it, government may ask the designated consumers to meet a minimum share
of energy consumption from non-fossil sources. It might specify different
consumption thresholds for non-fossil sources and consumer categories.
The designated consumers are-
1. Industries including steel, mining, textile, cement, chemicals, and petrochemicals
2. Transport sector including Railways
3. Commercial buildings.
In case, designated consumers failed to meet the obligation, the bill provides for a
penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Bill also empowers the central government to specify a carbon credit trading
scheme. Central government or authorised agency would issue carbon credit
certificates to entities registered under the scheme.
Bill provides for ‘energy conservation and sustainable building code’, that specifies
norms for energy efficiency & conservation, use of renewable energy, and other
requirements for green buildings.
It also empowers state governments to decrease the load thresholds.
The Bill also sets the standards for vehicles and vessels that consume, generate, transmit,
or supply energy. If they failed to comply with standards, there is a penalty of up to Rs 10
lakh. Under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions
(SERCs) are empowered to adjudge penalties, while the amendment empowers the SERCs
to regulate for discharging their functions.
RBI proposes for Cross-border inward payments through BBPS

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India proposed to allow Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)
to process cross-border inbound bill payments. This will help the Non-resident Indians
(NRIs) who face challenges in paying utility bills in India. If proposal is accepted, it will
benefit the NRIs.
Other significance of the move include;
Cross-border inward payments through BBPS will drive the Indian economy.
It will provide a broader market approach for BBPS and boost forex inflow to India.
It will further promote adoption of BBPS by global bill payment ecosystems.
About Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS):
BBPS system was conceptualised by the central bank. It is owned and operated by
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL). The system
offers interoperable and accessible bill payment services digitally, along with a network of
bank branches and agents. BBPS allows to make recurring payments, like electricity bill,
DTH bill, gas bill, water bills, Insurance, Education fees, Loan repayments etc. Payment
mode options available at BBPS include Cash, Cards UPI, IMPS, AEPS, Internet Banking and
Wallets. Currently, this system is available for residents in India only.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
NPCI is the specialised division of RBI, under the parent head of Ministry of Finance. It was
established in 2008, to operate the retail payments and settlement systems in India.
August 9: Nagasaki Day
On August 9, Japan is commemorating the Nagasaki Day. On this day in 1945, the United
States had dropped “Fat Man- atomic bomb” on Japanese city, Nagasaki. The atomic
bomb was named so, due to wide, round shape of the bomb. Fat man was dropped from
US B-29 bomber. It took the life of over 20,000 people.
Highlights:
This year, Japan is commemorating the 77th anniversary of the bombing.
This day is significant for remembering the survivors of bombing.

On this day, country pay tribute to people who lost their lives in the attack or died
slowly in horrible nuclear radiation. Many people were left with cancer or radiation
sickness.
Now, Japan continues to help others in learning from the incident and prevent future
deaths due to nuclear weapons.
This day is observed to make people aware of the devastating power of atomic or
nuclear bombs.
History of the day:
Nagasaki Day is observed to commemorate the atomic bombings that happened in
Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Nagasaki was attacked three days after the attack on
Hiroshima city of Japan. US bomber had dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6,
1945. Both of these incidents forced Japan to surrender unconditionally on World War, on
August 15 1945. Thus, to commemorate the incident and honour the survivals, Nagasaki
Day is observed every year.
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated on August 9, every
year worldwide. It highlights the role of indigenous people and significance of preserving
their rights. UNESCO celebrates this day by sharing information on projects and activities
in line with the annual theme of the day.
Theme of the Day:
In year 2022, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is being observed
under the theme- “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission
of Traditional Knowledge.” The theme signifies the importance of indigenous women in
preserving the ancestral knowledge, protecting natural resources and indigenous
territories.
Condition of indigenous women:
Indigenous women are inadequately represented across the world. They face several
discrimination and violence.
Rights of Indigenous people
Rights of the Indigenous people exist to recognise their specific condition. Rights include-
the basic human rights of physical survival & integrity, as well as rights on their land,
religion, language, and other elements of cultural heritage.
History of the Day:
The United Nations General Assembly has passed the resolution 49/214 on December 23,
1994 to declare August 9 as International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. On
August 9, 1982, the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations had the first meeting.
Year 1993 was also celebrated as “International Year of the World’s Indigenous People”.
What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
Recently, member of NITI Aayog V K Saraswat suggested the government to focus on
setting up small modular reactors (SMRs). This move will help in meeting India’s energy
needs and replace the thermal power plants.
Highlights of the suggestion:
V K Saraswat also suggested to accelerate nuclear power plant projects, set up under
fleet mode production, in order to meet India’s base load requirements at the
earliest.
Small modular reactors will help in meeting requirements in distributed manner.
About Small modular reactors (SMRs):
Small modular reactors are advanced nuclear reactors, with the power capacity of 300
MW(e) per unit. This equals to 1/3rd of generating capacity of traditional nuclear power
reactors. The nuclear plant is likely to be built in a period of 5 years, under fleet mode. An
important aspect of the advanced nuclear reactor is that, it is factory fabricated. It can be
operated by any agency. Thus, it would attract larger participation of private sector.
Nuclear Power energy in India:

Currently, 22 reactors are operational in India, with a total capacity of 6,780 MW. Out of
these, 18 reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors while 4 are Light Water Reactors.
Share of nuclear power in overall electricity generation in India was 3.1% in 2020-21. India
has planned to enhance the current capacity of 6,780 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031, in line
with the net-zero targets.
Nallathamby Kalaiselvi: First Woman Chief of CSIR
Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has been appointed as the “first woman director general of CSIR
(Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). She is the senior electrochemical scientist
and has been appointed for two years.
Key facts:
Kalaiselvi will succeed Shekhar Mande, who retired in April 2022.
On Shekar Mande’s retirement, Rajesh Gokhale, secretary to Department of
Biotechnology was provided with the additional charge of CSIR.
Kalaiselvi is famous for her work in lithium-ion batteries.
She is currently holding the office of director of CSIR-Central Electrochemical
Research Institute in Tamil Nadu.
Apart from the director general of CSIR, she will also hold the charge as secretary to
Department of Scientific & Industrial Research.
In February 2019, she became the first woman scientist to head the Central
Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI).
She is currently developing the practically viable Sodium-ion or Lithium-sulphur
batteries and supercapacitors.
As of now, she has published over 125 research papers and holds 6 patents.
About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):
CSIR was set up as an autonomous body in September 1942. Since then, it has emerged as
the largest research and development organisation in country. It is funded by Ministry of
Science and Technology. It has been registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Research and development activities of CSIR are- Ocean sciences, Aerospace engineering,
Life sciences, mining, food, petroleum, environmental science and chemicals.
August 10, 2022
Indian Army ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ Programme
On August 8, 2022, Him Drone-e-thon Programme was recently unveiled by the Indian
Army, in association with the Drone Federation of India. The programme was launched in
line with “make in India in defence manufacturing”. It aims to catalyse and provide
focused opportunities for Indian drone ecosystem, in a bid to build drone capabilities for
meeting the needs of Indian troops at frontline.
Highlights of ‘Him Drone-a-thon programme’:
The Indian Army is supporting the indigenous drone ecosystem based on the notion
that; ‘good available indigenously’ is better as compared to ‘best available globally’.
The ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ is pan India programme. It seeks to connect all the
stakeholders including industry, software developers, academia, and drone product
manufacturers.
The programme will be conducted in stages, in which quantifiable parameters such
as weight, altitude, range, endurance etc, would be enhanced progressively on the
basis of demonstrated capabilities.
As a part of the Him Drone-a-thon programme;
Indian Army would conduct broad activities, including interactions between users,
academia, development agencies, etc.
Development agencies will visit across operational locations, in a bid to recognise the
ground perspective & requirements and on-ground trials and actual conduct &
evaluation of drone products.
Multiple categories are defined for development, including Logistics or Load carrying
Drone in High Altitude Areas.
India has avoided to import drones and its components with the objective of encouraging
domestic drone manufacturing, boost investments and incentivise domestic drone
manufacturers. Import of drones is allowed for limited activities only, after getting import
authorization. Directorate General of Foreign Trade had notified on February 9, 2022 to
prohibit the import of drones in India with immediate effect, with exception to import of
drones with specific purposes.
Bill to rename “Delhi International Arbitration Centre”
On August 8, 2022, Lok Sabha have nod to “New Delhi International Arbitration Centre
(Amendment) Bill, 2022”. The bill seeks to rechristen New Delhi International Arbitration
Centre as “India International Arbitration Centre”.
New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022:
This bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 5, 2022. It seeks to amend the New Delhi
International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019. Act of 2019 had set up the “New Delhi
International Arbitration Centre”, by replacing the International Centre for Alternative

Dispute Resolution. Act also designated the centre as an institute of national importance.
Important features of the bill include:
Bill rechristens the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as India International
Arbitration Centre.
2019 Act provides for Arbitration Centre to facilitate the conduct of international &
domestic arbitration and conciliation. But the bill amends this provision by
expanding it to add conduct of other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
2019 had allowed the central government to provide for removing any difficulties in
implementing the act for 2 years from the date of commencement. Under the bill,
this time period has been extended to 5 years.
Bill also amends various drafting errors in 2019 act.
Why this centre is being renamed?
This amendment to rename the ‘New Delhi International Arbitration Centre’ was brought
with the objective of having world-class arbitration in India. This move will help in
reducing the pendency of cases. New name would provide a “unique identity of the
institute of national importance” to the centre.
Jharkhand Janjatiya Mahotsav
Chief Minister Hemant Soren kicked-off the Jharkhand Tribal Festival on August 9, 2022. It
is a two-day festival and will conclude on August 10. The festival will witness the
participation of artists from tribal-dominated states, including India’s north-eastern
states.
Key Points related to Festival:
The Jharkhand Janjatiya Mahotsav will knit the best of cultural strands of
participating states.
It is aimed at bringing the rich tribal tapestry to the world, by means of host of
exciting events such as Tribal Food Festivals, Tribal Fashion Shows, Handicraft
Exhibitions etc.
Festival will be marked by several events like seminars, art & music concerts, food
festivals, fashion shows, and various cultural programmes to exhibit “unparalleled
and vibrant tribal arts”.
Artists from states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram will take part.
The inaugural ceremony of the festival was held at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi. It aims to
celebrate the uniqueness of vibrant demography present in Jharkhand and other
participating states. festival will witness the glimpses of prosperous like of tribals, for the
first time in state. Festival is being held to commemorate the World Tribal Day.
World Tribal Day
The World Tribal day is celebrated on August 9, every year. The day is also known as
“International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples”. In year 2022, the day was
celebrated under the theme- “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and
Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.”

Ladakh dPal rNgam Duston Award conferred to Dalai Lama
Highest civilian honour of Ladakh “dPal rNgam Duston” was recently conferred to Tibetan
spiritual leader Dalai Lama. He was honoured for his contribution towards humanity.
dPal rNgam Duston Award:
It was the 6th dPal rNgam Duston Award.
Award was conferred to Dalai Lama by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development
Council (LAHDC), Leh.
dPal rNgam Duston was celebrated to mark the foundation day of LAHDC at Sindhu
Ghat.
Dalai Lama is currently on a visit to Ladakh, since July 15, 2022. On the occasion, he
stressed upon maintaining communal harmony in this region.
Ladakh and Tibet are connected through the Indus River. Both have several religious and
cultural similarities. The spiritual leader noted that, changing climatic condition a big
cause of concern and asked everyone to be environmentally conscious in their action.
The 14th Dalai Lama:
Tenzin Gyatso is the current and 14th Dalai Lama, who is also known as Gyalwa Rinpoche to
the Tibetan people. He is the highest spiritual leader and former head of Tibet. He is
considered as a living Bodhisattva. He was also conferred upon with the ‘chief Patron of
the Maha Bodhi Society of India’ in 2008. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
He was named as one of the “Children of Mahatma Gandhi”, in Time Magazine.
Haryana 2G Ethanol Plant
nd
The 2 -Generation Ethanol Plant is set to be commissioned on August 10, 2022 in Haryana
on the occasion of World Biofuel Day. This plant is aimed at tackling the problem of
stubble burning in Haryana and adjoining region. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, in virtual mode.
About 2G Ethanol Plant:
Second-Generation (2G) Ethanol Plant has been set up by Indian Oil Corporation
Limited (IOCL) in the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex (PRPC).
It is worth Rs 999 crore plant, that has been set up on 35 acres of land.
The plant is having the capacity of 100 kilolitre/day.
It will help in increasing the income of paddy farmers as well as play a significant role
in controlling stubble burning led pollution.
Significance of the plant include;
2G ethanol bio-refinery will use paddy straw (parali) as a feedstock.
It will produce 100 kilolitre ethanol per day, after processing 750 tonne paddy straw
in a day.
Production of 2G ethanol on commercial basis will start within 90 days.
This plant would provide employment to around 250 people directly. It will also
employ 1000 people indirectly.
Plant will benefit the farmers of Panipat, Karnal, Sonepat, Jind, Kurukshetra, Ambala
and Yamunanagar.
For the ethanol production, Paddy straw will be purchased from farmers. For this purpose,
12 collection centres have been set up in Panipat and Karnal. Announcement to set up this
plant was made on October 10, 2016 by Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural
Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.
Serena Williams announces retirement
Iconic Tennis Star, Serena Williams announced her retirement on August 9, 2022. She will
say goodbye to tennis after US Open, which is scheduled to take place from August 29 to
September 11, 2022. She announced her retirement as she wants to focus on her family
life.
Serena Williams- Important facts about her
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has ranked her singles world no. 1 for 319 weeks.
In her career, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, highest by any player in the
Open Era.
She has also won 73 career singles titles and 23 career doubles titles.
She was born to Oracene Price and Richard Williams, who coached Serena and her
sister Venus Williams.
She turned into a professional tennis player in 1995.
At 1999 US open, she won her first major singles title.
She dominated from 2002 French open to 2003 Australian open, by winning all four
major singles titles. Thus, she achieved a non-calendar year Grand Slam as well as
career Grand Slam, called “Serena Slam”.
In 2012, she claimed Olympic gold and became the first tennis player to won a Career
Golden Slam in singles as well as doubles.
She has been world’s highest paid woman athlete since 2016. In 2017, she was the only
woman on Forbes’ list of 100 highest-paid athletes. In 2021, she was at 28th position in
Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Athletes list.
August 12, 2022
Langya: New zoonotic virus in China
Another zoonotic virus, Langya, was recently discovered in China, after deadly coronavirus
was detected in 2019. It is a type of Henipavirus, and is also called as Langya Henipavirus
or LayV. It was detected in Shandong and Henan provinces in China and has infected 35
people so far.
About Henipavirus
Langya Virus is a phylogenetically distinct Henipavirus. Henipaviruses are categorised as
biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogens. It is responsible for serious illness in animals and
humans. Prior to Langya virus, other viruses in Henipavirus category include- Hendra,
Cedar, Nipah, Mojiang and Ghanaian bat virus.
About Langya Virus:
Langya virus causes fever. However, deeper investigation of other associated illness in
underway. Genome sequencing of Langya is similar to that of Henipaviruses. It is also
related to “Mojiang Henipavirus, which was discovered in China.
Langya virus was first identified while testing patients with fever and recent
exposure to animal in eastern China.
Virus was identified and isolated from throat swab sample the patients.
Out of 35 patients, 26 were infected with new Langya virus and no other pathogen.
All the 26 patients had fever. They also reported fatigue, cough, nausea, headache
and vomiting.
Some of the patients also diagnosed for impaired liver function and damaged kidney
function.
The new virus has transmitted from animal to humans. The virus is predominantly found
in shrews. Seropositivity was also detected among domestic animals like goats and dogs.
Human to human transmission is not yet confirmed because, 35 patients had no close
contact. Also, their exposure history is different.
Extension of PMAY-Urban till 2024
On august 10, Union Cabinet extended the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) till
December, 2024. This scheme was launched for the period of 2015-2022.
Highlights:
The scheme was launched in June 2015 with the aim of providing pucca houses to all
eligible beneficiaries in urban areas.
Original deadline was set as March 2022.
Now, the scheme has been extended till December 31, 2021 following the request of
states and union territories.
Government will provide financial assistance for the completion of 122.69 lakh
houses till March 31, 2022.
Four Pillars of the scheme:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) scheme is being implemented under four pillars-
1. Beneficiary Led Construction/Enhancement (BLC)
2. Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP)
3. In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) and
4. Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)
This scheme has been extended because;
Union government had identified the problems associated with providing houses to
eligible urban dwellers in saturation mode. Following this, PMAY-Urban was
conceptualised. In 2017, there was a demand of 100 lakh houses against which 102 lakh
houses are under construction. Out of these, 62 lakh houses have been completed. Of the
sanctioned 123 lakh houses, demand for 40 lakh houses were received during last phase
of the scheme. As a result, scheme has been extended further to meet the demand.
Central assistance for the scheme:
Under the scheme, Central government has provided an assistance of Rs 2.03 lakh crore
since 2015, as compared to Rs 20,000 crore in 2004-2014. Till March 31, 2022, government
has already released the assistance of Rs 1,18,020.46 crore. Another Rs 85,406 crore will be
provided till December 31, 2024.
Microsoft in ONDC platform
Recently, Microsoft joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) of the
government, with the objective of introducing social e-commerce in Indian market.
Significance of this move include;
Microsoft is the first big technology company to tie up with government for ONDC
platform.
As a part of social e-commerce, Microsoft has also planned to launch shopping app
in India.
This app will allow buyers to discover best price offered by sellers and retailers. This
app will be made available on ONDC platform.

It will enable the buyers and sellers to connect without depending on any e-
commerce solution.
Open Network for Digital Commerce:
Open Network for Digital Commerce initiative was launched with the aim of promoting
open networks for all aspects of exchange of goods and services across digital or
electronic networks. It is based on open-sourced methodology. This network is being
developed to counter the duopoly of Amazon and Flipkart in Indian e-commerce market.
This platform was launched by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
in May 2022.
Companies onboard ONDC:
Currently, companies like Dunzo for Business, Kotak, Paytm, Digit, Loadshare, PhonePe
and Go Frugal have joined the ONDC. In August 2022, Snapdeal is going to launch 3 main
product categories on the platform. Airtel, Axis Bank and HDFC Bank have also started the
integration with this network. Flipkart and Amazon are also considering to join the ONDC
network.
Working Mechanism of ONDC:
The ONDC platform will act as a bridge between buyers and the sellers. Currently, Paytm is
the host for buyer side interface. On the other hand, GoFrugal etc are hosting the seller
side interface. When a buyer will search item on Paytm app, it will be connected to ONDC
platform. ONDC platform will then connect the seller side interfaces, where all the
companies will be listed to purchase the item.
Russia: Use of ‘Butterfly Mines'
Recently, UK Ministry of Defence cautioned about the possible use of PFM-1 series
‘Butterfly Mines’ by Russian military in ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia is expected to
deploy anti-personnel mines to discourage freedom of movement across its defensive
lines in Donbas region. Butterfly mines are capable of causing widespread casualties
among military as well as local civilian population.

Highlights:
Russia has attempted to employ PFM-1 and PFM-1S anti-personnel mines in the
Donetsk and Kramatorsk region.
Earlier, PFM-1s were used in Soviet-Afghan War, in which they injured children who
mistook the mines for toys.
About Butterfly Mines:
The PFM-1 and PFM-1S anti-personnel landmines are commonly called as ‘Butterfly
mines’ or ‘Green Parrots’. They are called so because of their shape and colour.
The PFM-1S mine work under self-destruction mechanism, that gets activated within
1-40 hours.
Butterfly mine attracts children because it is similar to coloured toy.
They are sensitive to touch and just picking it up can turn them on.
They are difficult to detect as they are made of plastic and can evade metal
detectors.
They were green in colour. Hence, they are also called as “Green Parrots”.
Butterfly mines can be deployed in the field, via several means. They can be dropped
through ballistic dispersion by means of artillery and mortar shell or from helicopters.
They glide across the ground without explosion, but explode as soon as they come in
contact. International convention on landlines put ban on using such mines. However,
Russia and Ukraine are not signatories to the convention. As a result, they are accusing
each other of having used butterfly mines.
SMILE-75 Initiative
Under the Smile-75 initiative, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has marked 75
Municipal Corporations for comprehensive rehabilitation of person practicing the act of
bagging. This initiative has been started as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Important facts related to SMILE-75 Initiative include;
SMILE stands for “Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and
Enterprise”.
75 Municipal Corporations, experts associated with the field of beggary and NGOs
will take part in nationwide launch in online and offline mode.
As a part of the initiative, identified Municipal Corporations will cover several
comprehensive welfare measures in association with NGOs and other stakeholders,
for persons engaged in the act of begging.
They will focus on rehabilitation, counselling, education, awareness, provision of
medical facilities, skill development and economic linkages with other Government
welfare initiatives.
Initiative has been started with the objective of making cities/town and municipal
areas free of begging and make strategy of rehabilitation process.
To implement the scheme till year 2025-26, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has
allocated Rs.100 crores. Local Urban Bodies, Civil Society Organisations or Non-
Government Organisations plays significant role in addressing the act of begging with
concerted efforts. In India, Begging is a criminal act in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, in
accordance with Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, BPBA (1959). Under the act, officials
from Social Welfare Department conduct raids, in association with Police and pick up
beggars. Later, they are tries in special courts called ‘beggar courts’.
Telangana 'Nethanna Bima’ Scheme
Nethanna Bima Scheme was launched recently by Chief Minister of Telangana K
Chandrashekhar Rao, on the occasion of National Handloom Day. This scheme has been
launched for the welfare of weavers.
Important features of Nethanna Bima Scheme include;
Nathanna Bima Scheme is one-of-its-kind insurance cover scheme, that will benefit
around 80,000 weavers’ families.
Under the scheme, government will provide Rs 5 lakh insurance cover to the families
of weaver, in case of unfortunate death of eligible beneficiary.
Government will provide economic assurance to handloom and power loom weaver
families.
Scheme will be implemented by government in association with the Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) of India.
Telangana state department of handlooms and textiles is the nodal agency for its
implementation.
Government will pay annual premium, on behalf of the LIC.
Government of Telangana has been extending support to weavers and weaving sector by
various initiatives and schemes. To Provide financial assistance, government had launched
following flagship programmes;
1. Chenetha Mithra scheme– It is input subsidy linked wage compensation scheme
2. Nethannaku Cheyutha– It is a Handlooms weavers Thrift fund saving and security
scheme of Telangana government.
3. Pavala Vaddi scheme– Under the scheme, government provide 20% subsidy on yarn
and marketing support.
Apart from that, Telangana Government had constituted “Konda Laxman Bapuji Award” in
2018, in a bid to motivate the weavers. In this, weavers are presented a certificate,
felicitation and cash award of Rs 25000. In 2022, award was presented to 28 weavers. Since
2018, total of 131 weavers have received the award.
Shashi Tharoor- Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur
French Government’s highest civilian award “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur” was
presented to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. This honour is being conferred to him,
because he delivered speech in French in 2021. His speech left the officials of the embassy,
consulates, military attaches and Alliance Francaise surprised. Shashi Tharoor had also
received a similar honour “the ‘Encomienda de la Real Order Espanola de Carlos III”, by
Spanish Government in 2010.

About Chevalier de la Legion of d’Honneur:
Legion of Honour is a French order of merit.
Napoleon Bonaparte had set up the honour in 1802.
This honour is conferred for excellent civil or military conduct.
All previous orders were reserved only for Christians.
This honour is presented to people with 20 years of civil achievement in peacetime or
to those who showcased extraordinary military bravery in war times.
Badge of Legion:
Badge of the Legion includes the inscription “République Française”, meaning Republic of
France. Its back side has the inscription of crossed tricolours, along with its motto
“Honneur et Patrie” that means “Honor and Country”.
Indians who received the honour:
Maharaja Pratap Singh of Udar was the first Indian to receive this honour in 1918. Since
then, over 40 Indians have been awarded the honour. Other awardees include;
JRD Tata in 1983
Satyajit Ray in 1987
E Sreedharan in 2005
Amitabh Bachchan in 2007
Lata Mangeshkar in 2007
Shah Rukh Khan in 2014
Kamal Haasan in 2016
Ratan Tata in 2016 and
Azim Premji in 2018.
ONDC MoU with SIDBI
A Memorandum of Understanding was recently inked between ‘Open Network for Digital
Commerce (ONDC)’ and ‘Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)’, to increase
the participation of small and medium-sized businesses in e-commerce, by bringing them
on the ONDC network.
Highlights of the MoU:
As a part of MoU, SIDBI and ONDC will make efforts to help MSMEs in accessing the
open network ecommerce platform of ONDC.
Under it, network of SIDBI will be connected to ONDC, in a bid to revolutionize
ecosystem of small industries.
It will act as a driving force to start the participation of small industries in e-
commerce on a larger scale.
Both the entities will hold sessions with MSMEs, in a bid to educate them regarding
the ONDC network, protocol and MVP definition.
They will also conduct accelerator programs to incentivise MSMEs and enable them
join the ONDC’s network.
To implement this initiative, SIDBI will support its strong relationships with all MSME
industrial clusters across cities like Coimbatore, Morbi, and Ludhiana. SIDBI will also help
in engaging ONDC with its network of partner grassroots agencies.
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
SIDBI is the apex regulatory body, involved in licensing and regulation of micro, small and
medium enterprise finance companies across India. It works under the parent head of
Ministry of Finance. It is headquartered at Lucknow. Its main objective is to provide
refinance facilities to banks and financial institutions. It was set up in 1989.
Microsoft- Indian Government MoU to train Civil servants
Indian Government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Microsoft
to collaboratively launch training programme for civil servants. Under the programme,
Microsoft will give training to over 2.5 million civil servants in India for using the Microsoft
digital tools.
Important facts related to MoU:

MoU was inked between Microsoft, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
(MSDE) and Capacity Building Commission (CBC).
It was aimed at training the civil servants in helping underprivileged, by delivering
last-mile social welfare services.
The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) helps in capacity building for several
ministries including Defence, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Social Justice
etc.
This MoU was inked considering the competence gap among civil servants. They
were lacking at digital productivity application skills, which is required while working
on Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint presentation.
As part of MoU, Microsoft will start an online learning course on Microsoft Office 365
digital productivity suite offerings.
This programme is aimed at empowering central government employees on significant
digital skills and strengthen the vision of Digital India. This initiative will drive more
productivity and will also enable ease of doing business by bringing more digital solutions.
About Microsoft:
This American multinational technology corporation is headquartered Washington, United
States. Its famous software products include Windows line of operating systems, Internet
Explorer, Microsoft Office suite, and Edge web browsers. It was established on April 4,
1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
RBI Regulatory Framework for Digital Lending
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released regulatory framework for digital
lending, in a bid to mitigate the concerns related to credit delivery through digital lending
methods. RBI has specifically mentioned that, lending business can only be done by
entities that are regulated by RBI or those allowed under the law.
RBI has categorised the digital lenders into 3 groups;
1. Entities regulated by RBI and permitted to carry out lending business

2. Entities permitted to carry out lending as per other statutory or regulatory provisions
but not regulated by the RBI.
3. Entities lending outside the domain of any statutory or regulatory provision.
RBI has released these guidelines for first category entities or entities regulated by it. For
other entities, that are part of second and third categories, it has asked respective
regulator or controlling authority or central government release guidelines on the basis of
recommendations of working group.
Important guidelines include;
For RBI-regulated entities (REs), their lending service providers (LSPs), and digital
lending apps of REs, loan disbursal and repayments will be mandatorily executed
between the borrower’s bank account and the RE, without any pass-through or any
third party.
Fees for LSPs will be paid directly by REs and will not be charged by LSP to the
borrower.
REs are required to disclose all-inclusive cost of digital loans in annual percentage
rate (APR) form, to the borrower.
Credit limits cannot be increased automatically, without the borrower’s explicit
consent.
To maintain the data privacy, RBI has mandated that, data collected by DLAs should
be need-based and it should be taken prior to customer’s consent.
August 13, 2022
Phase-II of fortified rice scheme- Key Facts
According to the Union government, it has distributed around 6.83 lakh tonnes of fortified
rice as a part of Public Distribution System (PDS) in second phase of “Fortified Rice
Scheme”.
Highlights:
Government had set aim in 2021, to distribute fortified rice through government
schemes by 2024.
First phase of the distribution started in October 2021. During this phase, fortified
rice was distributed through Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)
and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) schemes.
In Phase II, 52% of the districts received the fortified rice. Under PDS, 151 districts
from 24 states have received fortified rice.
In the first phase, about 17.51 lakh tonnes of fortified rice were distributed across
states since this scheme was implementation in October 2021.
Production Capacity:
Besides the distribution, production capacity of mills to mix fortified rice has also
enhanced to 60 lakh tonnes as against 13.67 lakh tonnes on August 15, 2021.
The number of mills with blending infrastructure has also increased from 2690 to
6,000 in a year.
Annual manufacturing capacity of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) has increased from 0.9
lakh tonnes to 3.5 lakh tonnes now.
State-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies started procuring
fortified rice in 2020-21. Since then, they have procured 145.93 lakh tonnes of rice, so
far.
About Fortified Rice Scheme:
Fortified Rice Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. It was launched in 2019 with the
aim of eliminating anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiency in India. Scheme was approved
for 3 years in 2019-20. Starting from 2021-2022, FCI has been asked to make procurement
and distribution plan for fortified rice under ICDS and PM POSHAN scheme.
Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network
China and Nepal recently gave their consent to construct “Trans-Himalayan Multi-
Dimensional Connectivity Network”. China will also give a grant assistance of USD 118
million to Nepal, to undertake several projects in 2022.
Highlights of the China-Nepal agreement:
Under the agreement, China will finance the feasibility study of a China-Nepal cross-
border railway.
Experts from China will visit to Nepal to do surveys in 2022.
Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity network will be constructed under
Belt & Road Initiative of China. Under it, railways and communication networks will
be constructed.
About Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network:
The network is also called as “Trans-Himalayan network”. It is an economic corridor
between Nepal and China, under the Belt and Road Initiative. The construction of this
network was appreciated by Chinese President as switching Nepal “from a landlocked to a
land-linked country”. The network comprises of multiple transportation infrastructure
projects, one such project being “China–Nepal railway”. China-Nepal railway project is at
feasibility study stage. Other projects include;
Construction of a tunnel road
Upgrading of the Araniko Highway. This highway was closed down following the
Gorkha earthquake. It ends at border of Kodari village and Chinese border crossing
of Zhangmu.
Restoration of border port.
The network also involves internal improvements to Nepalese transport infrastructure like
Koshi Economic Corridor, Karnali Economic Corridor and Gandaki Economic Corridor.
August 13: World Organ Donation Day
The World Organ Donation Day is celebrated across the world on August 13, every year. It
is celebrated with the aim of raising awareness on organ donations. Apart from this, India
celebrated “National Organ Donation Day” every year on November 27.
Significance of the day:

The day is celebrated to invalidate the myths surrounding organ donation.
It seeks to encourage people to donate their healthy organs post death as it would
save more lives.
It is aimed at helping people to realise that, many people lose their lives because of
unavailability of healthy organs. Thus, volunteering to donate their healthy organs
can change life of many.
First Successful Organ Transplant:
In 1953, first temporarily successful transplantation of human kidney was done by Jean
Hamburger in Paris. Kidney was transplanted from mother to a 16-year-old boy. However,
the first long-term successful kidney transplant was done in 1954 in United Nations.
Ronald lee Herrick had donated one kidney to his twin brother, Richard Herrick. Successful
transplant was done by Doctor Joseph Murray. For this, Doctor received “Nobel Prize for
physiology and medicine” in 1990.

Who can come forward to donate organ?
People can come forward to donate their organ, irrespective of their age, caste and
religion. However, they should ensure that they are not suffering from chronic diseases
like HIV, heart disease, lung disease or cancer. People can sign to donate their organ after
18 years of age.
August 12: International Youth Day
The International Youth Day is observed every year on August 12. The day celebrates the
contribution of today’s youth in development of society. It also calls out against injustice
faced by the youth across the world considering that, youth are leaders of tomorrow and
they have potential to bring huge changes in society.
Theme of the Day 2022:
The International Youth Day 2022 was observed under the theme: “Intergenerational
solidarity: creating a world for all ages.”
The International Youth Day 2022 was observed with the objective of louden the
message that; all generations need to take action in order to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
History of the Day:
The first International Youth Day was celebrated on August 12, 2000. Since 2000, this day is
being observed to educate general citizens. UN General Assembly established on the
recommendation of “World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth” on December
17, 1999. It adopted the Resolution 54/120 to designate this day.
National Youth Day:
In India, National Youth Day is celebrated every year on January 12, on the birth
anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Government designated this day in 1984.
Udarashakti: India-Malaysia Air force exercise
Udarashakti is a bilateral exercise between Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Malaysian Air
Force (RMAF). The four-day bilateral exercises recently started in Malaysia.

About Udarashakti:
In Udarashakti 2022, Indian Air Force is taking part in air exercise with Su-30 MKI and
C-17 aircraft.
On the other hand, Malaysian Air Force is taking part with Su 30 MKM aircraft.
During the four days, various aerial combat drills will be conducted between two Air
Forces.
Significance of the exercise include;
Exercise will secure the long-standing bond of friendship and enhance the line of
defence cooperation between both the armies. Thus, it will strengthen security in the
region.
Through this exercise, IAF will get an opportunity to share and learn best practices
with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. They would also discuss mutual combat
capabilities.
Background:
The first bilateral Air Force exercise that staged frontline Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft was
conducted in 2018. From 2008 to 2010, the Indian Air Force Training Team was deployed in
Malaysia to give training to Malaysian pilots on the SU-30SKM aircraft.
Indian Air Force (IAF)
IAF is the air wing of Indian Armed Forces. With respect to personnel and aircraft assets,
Indian air force is ranked third worldwide. Its main objective is to secure Indian airspace
and conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict. It was set up on October 8, 1932.
Royal Malaysian Air Force
It was established on June 2, 1958.
Japan- IMD partnership on Climate Change
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has partnered with Government of Japan, and
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Climate Change. They have launched
an initiative to hasten climate action across 10 states and Union Territories in India.
Important facts related to the initiative include;
This initiative will extend support to Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs), in a
bid to achieve net-zero emissions. It will also ensure climate-resilient development.
Initiative will be launched in association with IMD at the Ministry of Earth Sciences
and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Its launch is followed by cabinet approval of India’s updated Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDCs), that will be forwarded to United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change.
As a part of the initiative, UNDP will work in collaboration with IMD to promote
climate resilience and MNRE for promoting climate mitigation.
They will promote climate mitigation by placing clean energy infrastructure and low-
emission technologies in important sectors like Health; Transport; Micro, Small, &
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Agriculture.

Initiative will also manifest resilient climate planning at grassroot level via climate
information flow systems across 30 Gram Panchayats. It is aimed at promoting green jobs
and green entrepreneurship in sectors such as Renewable Energy by providing skilling
and training to over 2000 people. For this project, Japan has provided USD 5.16 million
climate grant to UNDP India.
150th Birth Anniversary of Shri Aurobindo
To commemorate the 150 t h birth anniversary of Shri Aurobindo Ghosh, central
government is holding spiritual programmes from August 12 to August 15, 2022, across 75
prisons in India. This programme will help in transforming the inmates’ lives by
inculcating philosophy of Shri Aurobindo.
Highlights:
Ministry of culture has marked 75 prisons in India, by considering their association
with freedom struggle of India.

Programmes will be held with the objective of transforming lives of prison inmates
by teaching them the philosophy of Shri Aurobindo and by practicing yoga and
meditation.
Programmes will be held by Ministry of Culture, in association with spiritual leaders
and organisations.
Organisations that have been partnered to conduct programmes across 23 states include;
Ramakrishna Mission
Patanjali
Art of Living
Isha Foundation and
Satsang Foundation
To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, a high-level committee has
been constituted. It includes 53 members. Prime Minister Modi had chaired its meeting on
December 24, 2021.
About Shri Aurobindo:
Sri Aurobindo was an Indian philosopher, maharishi, yoga guru, poet, and Indian
nationalist. He was also the editor of newspapers like Vande Mataram. He took part in
Indian movement for independence from British. Until 1910, he was among influential
leaders of independence movement. Later, he became spiritual reformer and put forward
his visions on human progress and spiritual evolution. He was born on August 15, 1872 in
Calcutta (Kolkata) and died in Pondicherry (Puducherry). In Puducherry, Sri Aurobindo
Ashram was established in 1926.
ILO ‘Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022’ Report
According to “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022” report, unemployment rare
among youth aged 15-24 has reached to 15.6% across the world. It is three times of the
unemployment rate among adult. This report has been released by International Labour
Organisation (ILO), as a part of Global Call to Action for “human-centred recovery from
Covid-19 pandemic”.
Important findings of the report include;
As per report, number of unemployed young population has decreased from 75
million in 2021 to 73 million in 2022. However, this number is still 6 million more than
the number before covid-19 pandemic.
Unemployment rate in Africa is 12.7%, below the global average of 14.9%. This figure
highlights that, young people have withdrawn from labour markets.
In India, schools were closed for 18 months. Out of 240 million school-going children,
just 8% in rural and 23% in urban areas had access to online education. As a result,
92% children have lost one foundational ability in language on an average. 82%
children have lost at least one foundational ability in mathematics. This has
increased the NEET rate globally.
Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) and Employee Provident Fund Organisation
(EPFO) have also noted similar trends in their reports:
According to CMIE, Labour Force Participation Rate (LPR) in India had fell down to
38.8% in June 2022. This highlights that, people have dropped off finding
employment.
Share of people aged 18-21 in the net EPF accounts created has decreased from
37.9% in 2018-19 to 24.1% in 2021-22.
Share of NEET youth:
Another challenge faced by labour market is that, the share of youth “not in employment,
education or training” (NEET) has increased to 23.3%. Share has increased by 1.5% as
compared to 2019.
National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) -Key Facts
The National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) was launched on
December 8, 2021 by Ministry of Commerce & Industry in association with Intellectual
Property Office and Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks
(CGPDTM). Under this programme, awareness and training are provided on Intellectual
Property (IP). This scheme has met its goal of training one million students on July 31,
2022, before the deadline of August 15, 2022.
As a part of the initiative, following milestones have been achieved:
of participants including students or faculty, trained on Intellectual Property stands
at 10,05,272.
3662 educational institutes have been covered.
IP Awareness:
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has mandated to increase
IP awareness, in line with the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. This is because, IP awareness
is significant to ensure that intellectual capital developed in country is recognised
and protected in order for IP producers to take advantage.
IP encourages and extends support to innovation and creativity, that are

contributing towards societal cultural and economic progress.
It encourages inventors, artists and authors, as well as ensures sustainability of
research and development.
About National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission:
The National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission targets students in two levels:
1. Level A– It includes school students of class 9th to 12th.
2. Level B – It includes students from Universities or Colleges
This programme was launched with the aim of raising and stimulating innovation and
creativity, and thus contributing to cultural and economic development of society. It seeks
to contribute towards creation of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat by increasing awareness on IP
among one million students across India.
August 15, 2022
Ayush Grid Project: MoU between Ayush Ministry & MeitY

Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) inked a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Ayush Grid Project. As a part of MoU, MeitY will
provide technical support to Ministry of Ayush to digitise Ayush Sector, for a period of 3
years.
Highlights of the MoU include;
This MoU is continuation of a MoU that was inked in 2019.
Both the ministries will continue to work in together.
MeitY will provide technical support, including adoption of emerging technologies,
for the Ayush Grid project.
About Ayush Grid project:
Ayush Grid Project was launched by Ministry of Ayush in 2018 to create a backbone
for IT sector.
Project was launched under Digital India Program that support ‘Information and
Technology’ in transforming operational efficiency, enhancing service quality and
improving delivery of service.
It will allow integration of all stakeholders and services or functions related to Ayush
systems of health care.
The project seeks to bring all onboard all the facilities of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), including laboratories and hospitals
besides promoting traditional healthcare systems.
As a part of MoU, entire Ayush Sector will be digitalised, that will help in transformation of
health care delivery across all levels, including research, education, drug regulations and
various health programmes. Advisory inputs on Ayush Grid project will be provided by a
High-Level Advisory Committee (HLAC). This committee would be chaired by Secretary of
Ayush and co-chaired by Secretary of MeitY.
Nature Index 2022- Highlights

The Nature Index 2022 was recently released. Survey for the index was conducted based
on research articles published in chemistry, life sciences, physical sciences and earth &
environment. Rankings were provided on the basis of information secured during April 1,
2021, to march 31, 2022.
Highlights of Nature Index 2022:
In the index, University of Hyderabad has secured first position among Indian
Universities while has been placed at 16th position among all institutions in academic
sector.
Hyderabad was ranked first with 72 research papers and a share of 19.46 in
academic sector.
Ranking of other Indian universities can be summed up as;
Rank 23rd– Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad.
Rank 26th– Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati.
Rank 54th-Amity University.
Rank 76th– National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)
Hyderabad.
Rank 82nd– International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad
Rank 92nd– Andhra University
Rank 108th– Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada
Rank 122nd– Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati (IIT) Tirupati.
University of Hyderabad:
University of Hyderabad is among major higher education institutions in country. It was
set up in 1974 as a central university through an act of parliament.
The Nature Index:
This index is a database of affiliations of author and relationships of institution. It records
contributions to research articles, published across 82 high-quality natural science
journals. These journals are selected by an independent group of researchers. This
database is compiled by Nature Research. It provides real-time proxy of high-quality
research output. It is updated monthly.
Mock Test
The questions in this Mock Test are sourced from GKToday’s Current Affairs 2022 Daily 20 MCQ Series in
GKToday Academy Android Application.
1. Martand Sun Temple, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Telangana [B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Haryana [D] Bihar
2. As per the Election Commission, youngsters attaining how many years can apply in advance for electoral cards?
[A] 15 [B] 16
[C] 17 [D] 18
3. Nyaya Mitra programme was launched in which year?
[A] 1998 [B] 2002
[C] 2017 [D] 2020
4. Which institution launched the ‘Good for You, Good for the Planet’ campaign?
[A] UNEP [B] WWF
[C] IMF [D] IEA

5. Which country holds the Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2022?
[A] India [B] Uzbekistan
[C] Bangladesh [D] Kazakhstan
6. ‘The Lulo Rose’, a rare 170-carat pink rough diamond was discovered wt which country?
[A] USA [B] Angola
[C] Japan [D] New Zealand
7. What is the theme of the ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’ in 2022?
[A] Use and abuse of technology [B] Leaving No one Trafficked
[C] Rehabilitation of the Trafficked [D] Fellow Human Beings
8. ‘The Crafts Village scheme’ is an initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Union Ministry of Culture [B] Union Ministry of Textiles
[C] Union Ministry of Home Affairs [D] Union Ministry of MSME
9. Who is the head of the task force recently set up by the Centre to monitor monkey-pox situation in India?
[A] Amitabh Kant [B] V K Paul
[C] Mansukh Mandaviya [D] Bharati Pawar
10. ‘Ex VINBAX 2022’ is a bilateral army exercise conducted between India and which country?
[A] France [B] Japan
[C] Vietnam [D] Oman
11. Long March 5B Rocket, which crash landed in Indian Ocean, was launched by which country?
[A] USA [B] China
[C] Russia [D] Israel
12. Which institution has developed ‘Ultrasound adhesives’ that produces images of internal organs of the body?
[A] Oxford University [B] John Hopkins University
[C] Massachusetts Institute of Technology [D] Harvard University
13. Which country has drafted a constitution which states 'Nature has rights'?
[A] Sri Lanka [B] Chile
[C] Israel [D] Saudi Arabia
14. Which country passed the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Bill?
[A] Japan [B] USA
[C] UK [D] France
15. Which foreign bank’s IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) was recently inaugurated in GIFT City, Ahmedabad?
[A] Citi Bank [B] Deutsche Bank
[C] Bank of America [D] BNP Paribas
16. Which is the parent company of DeepMind Technologies, that has developed ‘AlphaFold’ AI tool?
[A] Microsoft [B] Alphabet
[C] Meta [D] Apple
17. ‘American bullfrog and brown tree snake’ which were seen in the news are classified as which category of
species?
[A] Invasive Species [B] Evolutionary Species
[C] Morphological Species [D] Barcode Species
18. Rakhigarhi, which was seen in the news recently, is an ancient site located in which state?
[A] Haryana [B] Gujarat
[C] Odisha [D] Punjab
19. Achinta Sheuli, who clinched gold medal for India in the Commonwealth Games 2022, is associated with which
sport?
[A] Weight lifting [B] Boxing
[C] Table Tennis [D] Lawn Bowls
20. Which state signed an MoU with NITI Aayog for enhancement of the learning outcome of students?
[A] Uttarakhand [B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam [D] West Bengal
21. Which is the first Indian city to publish the transportation emissions data in collaboration with Google?
[A] Pune [B] Chennai
[C] Aurangabad [D] Guwahati
22. ‘Responsible AI for Youth 2022′ program was launched by National E-Governance Division along with which
company?
[A] Google [B] Microsoft
[C] Intel [D] Accenture
23. Which body maintains the ‘Depositor Education and Awareness’ (DEA) Fund?
[A] Ministry of Finance [B] Reserve Bank of India
[C] National Payment Corporation of India [D] NITI Aayog
24. Pingali Venkayya, whose birth anniversary is celebrated recently, is remembered for which of his contribution?
[A] Leading First War of Independence [B] Compiling National Anthem
[C] Designing National Flag [D] Wining India’s first overseas sports medal
25. Which institution developed the ‘Indian Virtual Herbarium’ portal?
[A] Anthropological Survey of India [B] Botanical Survey of India
[C] Forest Survey of India [D] Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy
26. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who recently visited India, is the President of which country?
[A] Mauritius [B] Malaysia
[C] Maldives [D] Iran
27. ‘Mission Bhumiputra’ is the initiative of which state?
[A] Assam [B] Bihar
[C] Odisha [D] Kerala
28. Which institution launches the ‘Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index)’?
[A] NITI Aayog [B] Reserve Bank of India
[C] Ministry of Finance [D] World Bank
29. Nancy Pelosi, who landed in Taiwan, is a politician from which country?
[A] Russia [B] Ukraine
[C] USA [D] Australia
30. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘SERB-SURE’ Scheme?
[A] Ministry of Power [B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Electronics and IT [D] Ministry of Education
31. Which state topped the country in utilisation of Agri Funds in the financial year 2021-22?
[A] Tamil Nadu [B] Punjab
[C] Andhra Pradesh [D] Odisha
32. The ‘Udyam Registration Portal’ is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of MSME [B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice [D] Ministry of Labour and Employment
33. Casper Ruud, who recently won the Swiss Open, is from which country?
[A] Switzerland [B] Norway
[C] France [D] Italy
34. Which city is the host of Conference on Cotton Challenges Ahead 2022?
[A] Mumbai [B] Ahmedabad
[C] Coimbatore [D] Jaipur
35. Which state launched Start-up initiatives including Regional hubs and Community circles?
[A] Kerala [B] Tamil Nadu

[C] Odisha [D] Rajasthan
36. Which state/UT recently organised its Investor Meet along with FICCI, in Dubai?
[A] New Delhi [B] Odisha
[C] West Bengal [D] Karnataka
37. ‘CITES Convention’ which is found in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Semi-conductor [B] Wild-life
[C] Public Finance [D] Anti-terrorism
38. In which state, world’s largest floating solar power plant is set to be built?
[A] Rajasthan [B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat [D] Bihar
39. Which country chairs the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022?
[A] China [B] Russia
[C] India [D] Kazakhstan
40. Justice Srikrishna Committee, which was seen in the news, is associated with which bill?
[A] Central Universities (Amendment), Bill [B] The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill
[C] Personal Data Protection Bill [D] Indian Antarctic Bill
41. ‘NESTS’ is an autonomous institution working under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education [B] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[C] Ministry of Culture [D] Ministry of External Affairs
42. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of which product?
[A] Rice [B] Wheat
[C] Sugar Cane [D] Cotton
43. Which state launched ‘Punyakoti Dattu Yojana’ portal for adopting cows?
[A] Uttar Pradesh [B] Karnataka
[C] Chhattisgarh [D] Madhya Pradesh
44. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has partnered with which organisation for relocation of cheetahs
from Africa to India?
[A] Indian Oil Corporation [B] Bharat Petroleum Corporation
[C] Hindustan Petroleum Corporation [D] NTPC
45. Which country has recently declared a water shortage, following an unusually dry summer?
[A] United Kingdom [B] The Netherlands
[C] Namibia [D] Ghana
46. Which Indian company acquired stakes in Senegal-based Baobab Mining and Chemicals Corporation?
[A] Coromandel International Ltd [B] Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited
[C] Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals [D] Dharamsi Morarji Chemical
47. Which Indian company signed MoU with Bangladesh for emergency supply of petroleum goods?
[A] HPCL [B] BPCL
[C] IOCL [D] Reliance Petroleum Limited
48. 'Yudh Abhyas' is a military exercise held between India and which country?
[A] Japan [B] USA
[C] Australia [D] France
49. Which organisation test-fired indigenously developed laser-guided ATGMs?
[A] HAL [B] DRDO
[C] BEL [D] BHEL
50. What is the name of the satellite developed by 750 girls across 75 rural schools to be launched by ISRO?
[A] BharatSat [B] AzaadiSAT
[C] GramSAT [D] CommuniSAT

51. What is the repo rate after the August 2022 Monetary policy committee (MPC) Meeting?
[A] 5.0 % [B] 5.2 %
[C] 5.4 % [D] 5.75 %
52. Which country is the chair of ASEAN association for the year 2022?
[A] India [B] Singapore
[C] Cambodia [D] Thailand
53. Tulika Maan and Sushila Likmabam, who clinched medals for India, play which sports?
[A] Table Tennis [B] Badminton
[C] Judo [D] Fencing
54. Guindy National Park, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu [B] Kerala
[C] Telangana [D] Karnataka
55. The women crew led by Lt Commander Aanchal Sharma which completed surveillance mission, is associated with
which armed force?
[A] Indian Air Force [B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Army [D] Indian Coast Guard
56. ‘Chevalier (Knight of the Order of the Merit)’ is a famous award presented by which country?
[A] France [B] Australia
[C] Germany [D] Australia
57. Which is the venue of the ‘International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit’?
[A] Patna [B] New Delhi
[C] Amritsar [D] Ahmedabad
58. Which country leads the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)?
[A] China [B] Japan
[C] USA [D] India
59. Which U.S state electorally rejected the ‘Value Them Both Amendment’?
[A] Kansas [B] Hawaii
[C] Georgia [D] Texas
60. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Grand Onion Challenge’?
[A] Union Agriculture Ministry [B] Union Consumer Affairs Ministry
[C] Union MSME Ministry [D] Union Commerce and Industry Ministry
61. ‘Donyi Polo Airport’, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Assam [B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Sikkim [D] West Bengal
62. What is the name of the common portal for recommendations and nominations of all official awards?
[A] Bharat Portal [B] Rashtriya Portal
[C] Atmanirbhar Portal [D] India Awards Portal
63. Who has been selected as the 14th Vice President of India?
[A] Jagdeep Dhankhar [B] Margaret Alva
[C] Kalyan Singh [D] Shivraj Patil
64. What is India’s new target year to eliminate Kala-azar?
[A] 2023 [B] 2025
[C] 2027 [D] 2030
65. Which institution operates the ‘Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS)’?
[A] Reserve Bank of India [B] National Payments Corporation of India
[C] Department of Financial Services [D] Department of Indirect Taxation
66. Who is the head of the SEBI Expert Group of Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs)?
[A] K V Kamath [B] K V Subramanian

[C] Viral Acharya [D] Arvind Subramaniam
67. Port Tanjung Benoa, where INS Sumedha visited recently for a Maritime Partnership Exercise, is located in which
country?
[A] Bangladesh [B] Indonesia
[C] Vietnam [D] Oman
68. Which Indian Armed Force conducted a large-scale exercise named ‘Skylight’?
69. Which country recently launched its pilot reusable spacecraft?
[A] USA [B] Russia
[C] China [D] Israel
70. Which institution released the ‘Prevention of insider trading (PIT) regulations’?
[A] RBI [B] SEBI
[C] NITI Aayog [D] CCI
71. Priority Sector Lending (PSL) is mandated by which institution?
[A] RBI [B] SEBI
[C] NITI Aayog [D] Department of Financial Services
72. Ministry of Culture launched an initiative ‘India ki Udaan’ along with which company?
[A] Microsoft [B] Google
[C] Meta [D] Amazon
73. Which state has announced to develop ‘Modi circuit’ as a part of its tourism development?
[A] Uttarakhand [B] Assam
[C] Bihar [D] Gujarat
74. Which Indian Armed Force launched the ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ programme?
75. Which state introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for insertion of a new article 3A?
[A] Telangana [B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand [D] Kerala
76. ‘PARVAZ’, which was seen in the news, is a Market Linkage scheme implemented in which state/UT?
[A] Assam [B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Uttarakhand [D] Odisha
77. When is the ‘National Handloom Day’ celebrated in India?
[A] August 5 [B] August 7
[C] August 9 [D] August 11
78. Which is the venue of ‘International Telecommunication Union’s Regional Standardization Forum for Asia and
Oceania region’?
[A] Mumbai [B] New Delhi
[C] Mysuru [D] Hyderabad
79. What is the position of India in the 2022 Commonwealth Games?
[A] Third [B] Fourth
[C] Fifth [D] Seventh
80. Gustavo Petro has been sworn in as the President of which country?
[A] Australia [B] Chile
[C] Colombia [D] New Zealand
81. Who was appointed as the first woman chief of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)?
[A] Dr N Kalaiselvi [B] Margaret Alva

[C] Dr Ranjini Raghunath [D] Jayashree Sathyanarayana
82. ‘Janjatiya Mahotsav’ which was seen in the news, is celebrated in which state/UT?
[A] Odisha [B] West Bengal
[C] Jharkhand [D] Haryana
83. Who is the recipient of the '2022 dPal rNgam Duston' award, the highest civilian honour of Ladakh?
[A] Narendra Modi [B] Dalai Lama
[C] Draupadi Murmu [D] Venkaiah Naidu
84. Which is the location of the ‘12th edition of the Defence Expo’?
[A] Mysuru [B] Gandhinagar
[C] Pune [D] Vishakhapatnam
85. Rupal Chaudhary, who became the first Indian athlete to win two medals at the World U20 Athletics
Championship, plays which sport?
[A] Javelin Throw [B] Shot put
[C] Relay and Sprint [D] High jump
86. When is the ‘World Bio-fuel Day’ celebrated?
87. Which country won the gold medal in the open section of 44th Chess Olympiad?
[A] India [B] Ukraine
[C] Uzbekistan [D] Russia
88. Which company developed the ‘2nd generation (2G) Ethanol Plant’, which was recently inaugurated?
[A] HPCL [B] IOCL
[C] BPCL [D] ONGC
89. Which tennis player won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any woman in the Open Era?
[A] Serena Williams [B] Venus Williams
[C] Martina Navratilova [D] Steffi Graf
90. When is the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’ observed?
91. Union Cooperation Minister launched the cooperatives into which portal for increased scope in public
procurement?
[A] Digi Locker portal [B] Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal
[C] Bharat-Mart Portal [D] Crafts India Portal
92. As per the government data, what is the total amount that scheduled commercial banks wrote off in the last 5
years?
[A] Rs 1 lakh crore [B] Rs 2 lakh crore
[C] Rs 5 lakh crore [D] Rs 10 lakh crore
93. ‘Bharat NCAP’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which sector?
[A] Electronics [B] Automobile
[C] Environment [D] Agriculture
94. The foundation stone of ‘Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables’ was laid in which state/UT?
[A] Bihar [B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh [D] Tamil Nadu
95. Rudi Koertzen, who recently passed away, was associated with which sports?
[A] Basket Ball [B] Cricket
[C] Hockey [D] Foot Ball
96. ONDC has signed MoU with which regulatory body for coordination of functions of institutions?
[A] NABARD [B] SIDBI

[C] EXIM Bank [D] NHB
97. Langya Henipavirus or the LayV, a new virus, has been discovered in which country?
[A] Italy [B] Israel
[C] China [D] India
98. Which Indian bank has partnered with TReDS platform ‘M1xchange’?
[A] ICICI Bank [B] HDFC Bank
[C] SBI [D] Canara Bank
99. ISRO recently test-fired the milestone of ‘Low Altitude Escape Motor (LEM)’ of which mission?
[A] Samudrayaan [B] Gaganyaan
[C] Aditya L1 mission [D] Venus orbiter mission
100. Which Indian leader’s home is conferred the London’s ‘Blue plaque honour’?
[A] Dr B R Ambedkar [B] Dadabhai Naoroji
[C] Gopal Krishna Gokhale [D] Surendranath Banerjee
101. James Marape was sworn in as Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Papua New Guinea [B] Singapore
[C] Malaysia [D] Maldives
102. Which company has collaborated with Indian government to train nearly 2.5 million civil servants?
[A] Google [B] Meta
[C] Microsoft [D] IBM
103. Which countries are associated with ‘Trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network’?
[A] India-Nepal [B] China-Nepal
[C] India-Bangladesh [D] China-Bangladesh
104. As per recent changes in Atal Pension Yojana (APY) rules, which category of beneficiaries are excluded?
[A] Central Government Employees [B] State Government Employees
[C] Income Taxpayers [D] Non-Resident Indians
105. ‘Rice Fortification’ in India is implemented through which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture [B] Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food Distribution
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice [D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
106. Which Indian state kick started the ‘Freedom Wall mural art project’ to mark the 75th anniversary of Indian
Independence?
[A] Tamil Nadu [B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka [D] West Bengal
107. Which country’s President proposed a 3-men commission for global peace?
[A] Mexico [B] France
[C] UK [D] Canada
108. Which organisation released the ‘Global Employment Trends for Youth 2022’ report?
[A] WEF [B] IMF
[C] World Bank [D] ILO
109. Which Indian leader is associated with the ‘Purna Swaraj’ idea and ‘Bande Mataram’ newspaper?
[A] Subash Chandra Bose [B] Aurobindo Ghosh
[C] Gopala Krishna Gokhale [D] Dadabai Naoroji
110. Which University has been ranked first in the ‘Nature Index 2022’ ranking?
[A] Delhi University [B] University of Hyderabad
[C] Punjab University [D] Madras University
111. Which country has partnered with India Meteorological Department to fast-track climate change in India?
[A] France [B] USA

[C] Japan [D] Germany
112. ‘Intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages’ is the theme of which international day celebrated in
August?
[A] International Youth Day [B] International Senior Citizens Day
[C] International Adolescent children Day [D] International Gen-Z Day
113. Which is the first mutual fund to launch the country’s first ‘Manufacturing Index Fund’?
[A] Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund [B] Navi Mutual Fund
[C] HDFC Mutual Fund [D] Canara Robeco Mutual Fund
114. Which state has partnered with National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for coastal protection measures?
[A] Maharashtra [B] Odisha
[C] Gujarat [D] Andhra Pradesh
115. Padang, which was announced as a national monument, is located in which country?
[A] Japan [B] Singapore
[C] Nepal [D] Bangladesh
116. Which organisation has developed the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) prototype howitzer gun?
[A] ISRO [B] DRDO
[C] HAL [D] BEL
Answer Key
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. B 6. B 7. A 8. B 9. B 10. C 11. B 12. C 13. B 14. B 15. B 16.
B 17. A 18. A 19. A 20. B 21. C 22. C 23. B 24. C 25. B 26. C 27. A 28. B 29. C 30.
B 31. C 32. A 33. B 34. C 35. B 36. B 37. B 38. B 39. C 40. C 41. B 42. C 43. B 44.
A 45. B 46. A 47. C 48. B 49. B 50. B 51. C 52. C 53. C 54. A 55. B 56. A 57. B 58.
C 59. A 60. B 61. B 62. B 63. A 64. A 65. B 66. B 67. B 68. C 69. C 70. B 71. A 72.
B 73. A 74. C 75. B 76. B 77. B 78. B 79. B 80. C 81. A 82. C 83. B 84. B 85. C 86.
B 87. C 88. B 89. A 90. B 91. B 92. D 93. B 94. B 95. B 96. B 97. C 98. B 99. B 100.
B 101. A 102. C 103. B 104. C 105. B 106. B 107. A 108. D 109. B 110. B 111. C 112.
A 113. B 114. B 115. B 116. B
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August 14, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................ 9

August 5, 2022 .................................................................................................................................................... 35

Haryana 2G Ethanol Plant ......................................................................................................................... 61

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– 5G spectrum auction enters Day 6 of bidding; garners nearly Rs 1.5-trillion so far

Advisor K V Subramanian appointed Chairman

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

August 13, 2022

EX VINBAX 2022- India Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise

also execute technical military operations in UN missions as well.

It is a part of International North South Transport Corridor network connecting India.

burden of judiciary through speedy disposal of cases.

The sticker is around 3 to 4 inches across and 1/10-inch thick.

Chile's New Constitution- Highlights

because it would protect biodiversity, natural spaces and native species.

The bill specifically focuses on semiconductor industry in United States.

progress made in partnership.

does not cover its financing.

Important facts of the AlphaFold tool include;

Why Tamil Nadu Police received this award?

‘Guidons’ are presented to Light Cavalry.

implement selected infrastructure projects on ground. Important objectives of DSSS

most wanted terrorists.

Mahatma Gandhi approved the design at Indian National Congress meeting in

& lactating mothers, children, adolescent girls, by bringing in a strategic shift in

3. Anganwadi Infrastructure, comprising of modern & upgraded Saksham Anganwadi

Working with Google is significant for Aurangabad, as it will improve the

Assam ‘Mission Bhumiputra’

Haryana: Cheerag Scheme Launched

Haryana government will repay:

Important Facts to know about the plant:

7. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu and

Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021

People possessing live specimens of scheduled animals have been mandated to

Important facts to know:

Justice NV Ramana is scheduled to retire from office on August 26, on

tripod-mounted weapons’ to Vehicle & aircraft mounted missile systems. Shoulder-

scientific advancements by Space Applications Centre would be synergised into

The Vice-President is elected through an electoral college, comprising of members of Lok

Badhe Chalo Campaign:

6. Full-Time Members of NITI Aayog and

August 7: National Handloom Day

History of the day

Oceania region was inaugurated by Minister of State for Communications Devusinh

About PARVAZ Market Linkage Scheme:

First Repair of a US Navy Ship in India

shipyards, instead of going back to American shipyards in the Pacific.

12th edition of DefExpo to be held in Gandhinagar

promotion of research, development, testing and manufacturing of drones, counter

3. To develop goal-based technology research programs, in association with members

RBI proposes for Cross-border inward payments through BBPS

This day is significant for remembering the survivors of bombing.

Nuclear Power energy in India:

International Arbitration Centre”, by replacing the International Centre for Alternative

Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.”

app will be made available on ONDC platform.

among military as well as local civilian population.

Spanish Government in 2010.