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NATIONAL NEWS JULY-DEC 2020

PM announced extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana till November 2020 • Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during televised

address to the nation, has announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) from July 2020 till the end of November 2020, with an outlay of more than Rs 90,000 crore. The scheme was initially rolled out for three months i.e. April- June (116.34 lakh metric tonne (LMT) food grains provided during that period).

India, Japan Hold PASSEX Naval Exercise to Promote Understanding in Indian Ocean

Government Declares Entire Nagaland ‘Disturbed Area’ for 6 more Months Under AFSPA Act 1958

India-Bangladesh form 50:50 Joint Venture Company for LPG Business in Bangladesh

NITI Aayog in collaboration with RMI released ‘Towards a Clean Energy Economy’ report • Report is brought out jointly by the National

Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to support India’s clean energy future.

1st Edition of “Matsya Sampada” – Fisheries and Aquaculture Newsletter • Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal

Husbandry and Dairying, launched the 1st edition of “Matsya Sampada” – newsletter fisheries and aquaculture published by the Department of Fisheries and the operational guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Matsy a Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

• The PMMSY flagship scheme was launched by the Government of India in May 2020

Union HRD Minister and Union Health Minister Launched Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020 (DDH2020) • Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, the Union Minister of

HRD and Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and minister of Science and Technology launched the Drug Discovery Hackathon (DDH2020) through an online platform in the presence of Sanjay Dhotre, MoS (HRD).

Odisha Launches 1st of its kind scheme, ‘Balaram’ to provide Rs 1,040 crore credit to 7 lakh Landless Farmers

Asiatic Moon: A New Shipping Service b/w Kolkata Port & Chattogram Begins to Ease Indo- BanglaTrade • Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) [erstwhile

Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT)] has started a new shipping service between Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Chattogram (Bangladesh) through Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route to transport containers with the aim to increase the Indo-Bangla trade.

Indian Railways Sets up Solar Plant in Bina, MP & Becomes the 1st Organization in the World to Directly Supply Power to Railway Overhead Line • For the 1st time in the world, Indian Railways (IR)

will directly supply power to Overhead Traction System of train. To achieve this feat, Indian Railways has recently set up 1.7 MWp at Bina (Madhya Pradesh) which shall be connected directly to Overhead Traction System.

• The IR has partnered with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)forth is first of its kind project in the world.

CBDT signed an MoU with SEBI for the Data Exchange • The New Delhi based Central Board of Direct

Taxes (CBDT) and Mumbai headquartered Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the data exchange between the two organisations via video conference. It facilitates sharing of data and information automatically between the two organisations on a regular basis.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Launches BLUIS, first of its Kind in India to Use Space Technology & Artificial Intelligence to Monitor Government Lands • The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik,

launched the Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence System (BLUIS), a flagship development of the General Administration and Public grievances departments. Because of that, Odisha becomes the first state in India to use high resolution satellite imagery utilising space technology and artificial intelligence to monitor government lands.


Ministry of Culture Released the First Five Re-Printed Volumes of Mongolian Kanjur Manuscripts • Under the National Mission for Manuscripts

(NMM), The Ministry of Culture has taken up the project of re-printing 108 volumes of Mongolian Kanjur.

Chhattisgarh organises India’s first e-Lok Adalat • Chhattisgarh State Legal Service Authority and the

high Court organised India’s first e-Lok Adalat to ensure the administration of justice and to solve the financial crisis of the parties and lawyers amid COVID-19 pandemic. The high court Chief Justice P R Ramchandra Menon inaugurated the e-Lok Adalat through video conferencing.

CoalMin to link mining plan portal with PARIVESH website • The ministry of coal is planning to link the mining

plan portal with PARIVESH website, a single-window hub for online submission, monitoring, and management of proposals submitted to the Environment Ministry for environment clearances (EC). This announcement was made by Coal Secretary Anil Kumar Jain during a stakeholder consultation on auction of coal mines for commercial mining organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Anji Khad bridge: India’s 1st cable-stayed rail bridge by Indian Railways to connect Katra and Reasi in J&K • The Union Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal, has

announced that the India’s first cable-stayed Indian Railways bridge namely “Anji Khad Bridge” being developed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), is all set to connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) & crosses Chenab River.

Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji to be upgraded to wildlife sanctuary

Govt to Increase Public Health Expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025 • In a meeting with the 15th Finance Commission

the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan highlighted that the government aims to gradually increase the public health expenditure to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025.

First online NISHTHA programme launched for 1200 Key Resources Persons of Andhra Pradesh by MHRD

Capitals of NE states to be connected through rail network by 2023 • Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav has

announced the connectivity of all capitals of North- Eastern(NE)states through rail network

Maharashtra becomes the 1st State to use drones to inspect power lines and transmission towers • Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission

Company Limited (MSETCL) has started to use drones for aerial surveillance and inspection of extra high voltage (EHV) power transmission lines and towers. Maharashtrabecomesthe1ststatetodoso.TheUnionMinistryofHomeAffairsandtheDirectorGeneral of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave approval for this purpose. MSETCL becomes the 1st power utility to get approval from DGCA for power line inspections with drones in thecountry.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019 comes into force; Replaces Consumer Protection Act 1986 • The Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019, which

has replaced old Consumer Protection Act 1986 has come into force w.e.f. July 20, 2020 aiming to enforce and protect the rights of consumers, and provide an effective mechanism to address consumer grievances. The act was briefed by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan through video conference with media. ReadMoreDetailsHere:Consumer Protection Act, 2019 comes into force; Replaces Consumer ProtectionAct 1986

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project’s Unit 3 in Gujarat: India’s First 700 MWe unit to Achieve Criticality • The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited

(NPCIL) announced that, Unit-3 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3), India’s First 700 MWe (megawatt electric) and indigenously developed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) in Surat, Gujarat achieved its first criticality – initiation of controlled and sustained nuclear fission reaction on 22nd July 2020.

https://affairscloud.com/consumer-protection-act-2019-comes-into-force/





India to Have 60% Renewable Energy by 2030: R K Singh at Webinar On Energy Transition

Union Home Minister Launches Tree Plantation Campaign-2020 “Vriksharopan Abhiyan” of the Coal Ministry • The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah launched

‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ the tree plantation campaign of the Coal Ministry in the presence of Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs.AmitShahlaidthefoundationstonesofsixecoparksandtourismsitesduringthe‘TreePlantation Campaign’ throughvideo-conferencing.

SPRING Project-India & EU Partnered to Purify Sewage Water in Ganga & Godavari Rivers • The IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Banaras

Hindu University (BHU) to develop a biotechnology based water treatment system for the purification of sewage water flowing into the rivers Ganga and Godavari through the SPRING Project. The project is funded by the Ministry of science & technology, Department of biotechnology, India with the European Union.

HRD Ministry Conducts First Ever Ind-SAT Test 2020 Under its Study in India Programme • The Ministry of Human Resource & Development

(MHRD) conducted the first ever Indian Scholastic Assessment (Ind-SAT) Test 2020 under study in India Programme on July 22, 2020. The exam was conducted in the proctored Internet mode by the National Testing Agency. ‘Study in India’ programme: The Primary objective is to target foreign students by branding India as an attractive education destination.

TRIFED Signed Tripartite MoU with IIT Delhi and Vijnana Bharati Under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan of MHRD • The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development

Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) signed a tripartite MoU with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Delhi and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), a Swadeshi Science Movement under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), a flagship programme under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

GoI funded 10 Broad Gauge Locomotives handed over to Bangladesh by Indian Railways in a virtual ceremony • Indian Railways handed over the specifically

modified 10 railway broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh, which will help in handling the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh. The move was part of a sharpened focus on India’s “neighbourhood first” policy. The locomotives were flagged off virtually to Bangladesh by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. From Bangladesh, the online ceremony was attended by Minister of Railway Md Nurul Islam Sujan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abul Kalam Abdul Momen.

PM Modi Launched High Throughput COVID-19 Testing Facilities at Kolkata, Mumbai & Noida • Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched

three high throughput COVID-19 testing facilities at Kolkata, Mumbai and Noida to increase the test capacity by 10000 tests per day in each city.

India to set up Solar Power Plant in Sri Lanka

GAIL and CCSL signs MoU to partner in Compressed Bio Gas projects in India • The GAIL (India) limited and Carbon Clean

Solutions Limited (CCSL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)toexploretheprojectdevelopmentopportunitiesintheCompressedBiogas(CBG) value chain inIndia.

Home Minister Amit Shah Distributed 100 Electric Potters Wheels to Artisans of Gujarat under KVIC’s ‘KumharSashaktikaran Yojana’ • Under the ‘KumharSashaktikaranYojana’ of the

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Union Home Minister Amit Shah distributed 100 electric potter’s wheels to 100 trained artisans of Gujarat in a programme at the Gandhinagar constituency through video conferencing from New Delhi.

1st five of 36 French Rafale fighter jets landed at Haryana’s Ambala Airbase • The first five of 36 Rafale fighter jets, from France

were landed in Ambala in Haryana after covering a distance of nearly 8500 km to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). These fighter jets are manufactured with 13 India Specific Enhancements (ISE), by Dassault Aviation, a French company. India & France signed Inter-governmental agreement worth €7.87 billion in 2016 for Rafale Fighter jet production.


Prahlad Singh Patel virtually inaugurated 1st golf course of Mizoram, “Thenzawl Golf Resort” under Swadesh Darshan Scheme • Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism

(I/C) Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the first golf

course of Mizoram i.e. “Thenzawl Golf Resort”

under the Swadesh Darshan (SD) Scheme of

Ministry of Tourism Project from New Delhi. The

Project was sanctioned under the “Integrated

Development of New Eco Tourism” of Swadesh

Darshan project (SD) and was constructed by

EduficeInfraservices Private Limited of New Delhi.

The Golf Course is designed by Graham Cooke and

Associates.

Uttarakhand to develop India’s first snow leopard conservation centre in Uttarkashi forests • India’s 1st snow leopard conservation centre is to

be set up in Lanka, near Bhaironghati bridge in

Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Chief minister of

Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat chaired a

meeting along with State forest minister Harak

Singh Rawat and other officials to look into the

setting up of theconservationcentre. It will be built

by the Uttarakhand forest department along with

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

as part of sustainable use and restoration of high

range Himalayan ecosystems SECURE Himalayas.

Northern Railway runs the first-ever Vyapar Mala express train for small traders • Northern Railway ran its first Vyapar Mala

Express train from Kishanganj in Delhi bound for

Jirania in Tripura. It will help small traders to

move their cargo in short time, cost effective,

convenient and environment-friendly mode of

transportation.

India’s first ‘Kisan Rail’ flagged off fromDevlali Railway Station of Maharashtra • Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Railways and

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of

Agriculture & Farmers Welfare flagged off the

India’s 1st Kisan Rail, a Special Parcel Train from

Maharashtra’s Devlali to Bihar’s Danapur Railway

station through video link. This is the 1st ever

multi commodity train of Indian Railways (IR)

that carries fruits like Pomegranate, Banana,

Grapes etc and vegetables like Capsicum,

Cauliflower etc.

UNESCO RecognisesVenkatraipur&Noliasahi of Odisha as ‘Tsunami Ready’; India Becomes 1st Country in Indian Ocean Region to Receive the Honour

Simplilearn and NSDC Announce Collaboration to Upskill Professionals in Digital Skills • In order to support the continuity of digital

skilling of the Indian workforce, Simplilearn, a

global provider of digital skills training joined

hands with National Skill Development

Corporation (NSDC). Under this collaboration,

Simplilearn will host more than 1,000 hours of

free learning in digital skills and technologies for

learners across India. This partnership is aligned

to the Skill India Mission.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Launched the Swachh Bharat Mission Academy • Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Jal

Shakti launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

Academy, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

based free mobile online training course with

modules on the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus

programme at an event in New Delhi. It is

launched as part of ‘GandagiMukt Bharat’, the

ongoing week-long behaviour change campaign.

PM Narendra Modi Launched “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” platform of IT department • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a

platform for “Transparent Taxation – Honoring

the Honest” through video conferencing that

provides faceless assessment and appeal and

taxpayers’ charter, as a part of direct tax reforms.

The objective of the platform is to ease the tax

compliance and expediting refunds, benefiting

honest taxpayers. While the faceless assessment

and taxpayers’ charter would be implemented

from August 13 itself but the faceless appeal

system would be available from September 25,

2020. Note: With a view to provide for resolution

of pending tax disputes the Direct Tax “Vivad se

Vishwas Act, 2020” was rolled out.

India Extends an Assistance of USD 1 Million to Antigua and Barbuda’s COVID-19 Response • India extended an assistance of 1 million USD to

the government of Antigua and Barbuda to combat

the global COVID-19 pandemic and to improve

their health infrastructure and capacity. The


capital and currency of Antigua and Barbuda are

Saint John’s & East Caribbean dollarrespectively.

First-of-its-kind Katra-Delhi Express Road Corridor to be completed by 2023 • First-of-its-kind Katra (Union Territory of Jammu

& Kashmir)-Delhi Express Road corridor works

have begun and it is expected to be completed by

2023. It was announced by Union Minister for

Development of North Eastern Region (M-

DoNER), Dr. Jitendra Singh. The express Corridor

is expected to reduce the travel time between

Katra and Delhi to around six and half hours, the

total outlay of the project is Rs. 35, 000 crores. The

Express Corridor is being built under the

BharatmalaPariyojana project.

Daughters have Equal Birth right to Inherit Property with Retrospective Effect: Supreme Court • In accordance with the landmark judgment passed

by three-judge Bench of Supreme Court (SC)

headed by Justice Arun Mishra and comprised of

Justices S Abdul Nazeer and

MukeshkumarRasikbhai Shah, as per the Hindu

Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, the

daughters will have equal inheritance rights as of

sons in the properties of fathers, grandfathers and

great-grandfathers right from the codification of

the law in 1956 i.e. it would have retrospective

effect.

Goa’s Moira bananas, Harmal Chillies, Khaje gets GI tag • The Geographical Indications Registry

headquartered in Chennai granted Geographical

Indications (GI) to Goa’s HarmalChillies which are

grown only in Harmal village and adjacent areas of

Pernem taluka (specifically in the coastal village of

Arambol), Moira bananas, a unique banana grown

in Moira village of Bardez taluka &Bicholim

Taluka and Khaje, the traditional state sweet.

Def Minister Rajnath Singh Launched 15 Products Developed by Defence PSUs and OFB • Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually

launched 15 products of Defence Public Sector

Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory

Board (OFB) viz. four products each by OFB and

BEML, two by BEL and one each by HAL, BDL,

MDL, GRSE and GSL as a part of the AtmaNirbhar

Week celebration between August 7-14, 2020.

Rajnath Singh Launched Naval Innovation and IndigenisationOrganisation Virtually • Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Minister launched

the Naval Innovation and

IndigenisationOrganisation (NIIO) through an

online webinar. NIIO establishes dedicated

structures to enable end users to interact with

academia and industry towards fostering

innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in

defence in Accordance with the vision of

Atmanirbhar Bharat. Also, ‘SWAVLAMBAN’, a

compendium of Indian Navy’s Indigenisation

perspective plans was also released during the

occasion.

National Health Authority Approves to Integrate Health Schemes of Central Ministries with Ayushman Bharat Scheme • The Governing board of National Health Authority

(NHA) approved the proposal to integrate the

existing health schemes of the central ministries

with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan

Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for employees, during

the governing board’s review meeting on the

implementation AB- PMJAY chaired by Harsh

Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family

Welfare.

MoS for External Affairs: India Signs MoU with Nigeria on Space Cooperation • Government of India signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) on space cooperation with

the Federal government of Republic of Nigeria at

the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology

headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. On the occasion,

both sides also agreed to sign a subsidiary MOU

between New Space India Limited (NSIL), under

ISRO, and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed

Management Project (NEWMAP), under the

Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria, on

cooperation in use of Geospatial Technologies.

Odisha retains Top Position in Implementation of AMRUT Scheme • Odisha has retained top position in the

implementation of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation

and Urban

Transformation(AMRUT)scheme.Accordingtoran

kingsreleasedbytheMinistryofHousingandUrban

Affairs(MoHUA),Odisharegaineditstoppositionby

securingascoreof85.67percent,followedbyUnion

Territory of Chandigarh (75.08) and

Telangana(74.04).


• Top 3 States in Implementation of AMRUT

Scheme:

Position State Score

1 Odisha 85.67

2 Chandigarh (UT) 75.08

3 Telangana 74.04

NITI Aayog’s AIM & NASSCOM launch ATL Artificial Intelligence Step-up modules for school students • National Institution for Transforming India (NITI)

Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in

collaboration with National Association of

Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) has

launched Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) Artificial

Intelligence (AI) Step-up module (ATL AI Step Up

Module) through ‘ATL AI Modules’ for school

students to empower youngest minds and drive

innovations in the country to the next level.

EU launches Nirmanshree for Odisha and Maharashtra Women in Housing Sector • European Union has launched project

’Nirmanshree’ for enhancing the women skill

towards housing construction sector. This is the

first-of-its-kind sustainable housing on a large

scale in India. The project will be implemented in

Beed and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra and

the Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts of Odisha.

PM Narendra Modi delivered 7th consecutive speech on Independence Day; Announced Launch of New Projects • Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi announced

new projects in his 86 minutes’ speech (1 hour 26

minutes) during the 74th Independence Day from

Red Fort, New Delhi. It was his 7th consecutive

Independence Day speech and focused on the

themes of “AatmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant

India)”, “Vocal for local” and “Make in India to

Make for World”.

o PM announced launch of National Digital

Health Mission; rolled out in 6UTs

o PM Modi announces optical fibre link

connecting Lakshadweep, mainlandIndia

o PM announced project for conservation

of GangeticDolphins

o Committee set up to reconsider minimum

age of marriage forwomen

MP CM: Gwalior Chambal Expressway will be Named Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal Progressway • Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh

Chouhan, announced that the Gwalior Chambal

Expressway will be named as Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Chambal Progressway while addressing the

gathering on the 2nd death anniversary of the

former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee

(August 16, 2020).

Indian Railways Constructing World’s Tallest Pier Bridge Across River Ijai in Manipur • As a part of 111 kilometre-long Jiribam-Tupul-

Imphal line project, Indian Railways’ North East

Frontier Railway zone is constructing the world’s

tallest pier bridge, having height of 141m, across

river Ijai in Manipur with an outlay of Rs 280

crore. After completion, it will surpass the record

of 139m of the Mala– Rijeka Viaduct, Montenegro

in Europe. The project will be completed in March

2022.

India Post Issued 5 Commemorative Postage Stamps and 1 Miniature Sheet on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-III • India Post has issued 5 Commemorative Postage

Stamps namely: Historic City of Ahmedabad

(Gujarat)- Sarkhej Roza, Churches and Convents of

Goa- Church of Bom Jesus, Group of Monuments at

Pattadakal (Karnataka), Khajuraho Group of

Monuments Javeri Temple (Madhya Pradesh) and

QutbMinar its Monuments, Delhi. It also issued 1

miniature sheet consisting of all the above stamps

on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-III.

Piyush Goyal Virtually Inaugurated 4th edition of NPPC 2020: Digital Exhibitions and Conferences • Piyush Goyal, Union Commerce and Industry &

Railways Minister virtually inaugurated the 4th

edition of 2-day ‘National Public Procurement

Conclave (NPPC) 2020: Digital Exhibitions and

Conferences’, on August 9, 2020 under the theme

“Technology enabled Govt Procurement -

Towards efficiency, transparency, and

Inclusiveness”. It is organized by Government e-

Marketplace (GeM), in association with the

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) through CII

Hives Digital Platform.


Centre extended Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) 2.0 by 3 months till Nov 11, 2020 • Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) 2.0 which

was launched on May 20, 2020 as a part of

Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan has been extended

by three months i.e. till November 11, 2020. With

regard to portfolio level, the maximum headroom

permissible for purchase of bonds and CPs

(Commercial paper), rated AA/AA-, by PSBs under

the Scheme is also extended to 50% from the

earlier 25% (i.e. Rs 11,250 crore).

Manduadih Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh to be renamed as ‘Banaras’: MHA • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the

renaming of Manduadih Railway Station in Uttar

Pradesh (UP) as ‘Banaras railway station’. In 2019,

Former Union Minister Manoj Sinha had written

to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath requesting

the change in name of the Manduadih Railway

Station. The Manduadih is a place in Varanasi

situated about four kilometres from Varanasi

Cantonment Station.

President gives Nod for Renaming of HRD Ministry to Ministry of Education • In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3)

of article 77 of the Constitution, President Ram

Nath Kovind amended the Government of India

(Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 by

Government of India (Allocation of Business)

Three Hundred and Fifty Sixth Amendment Rules,

2020, thereby, changing the name of the Ministry

of Human Resource Development (MHRD) as

Ministry of Education.

‘Dhanwantari Rath’ to bring Ayurveda at Doorsteps of Delhi Police Families • All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signed

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Delhi

Police for extending Ayurvedic mode of

preventive and promote health services in the

residential colonies of the Delhi Police through

mobile units named ‘Dhanwantari Rath’.

5th Swachh Survekshan 2020 Announced by Hardeep Singh Puri; Indore is India’s Cleanest City 4th Time in a Row • Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (MoS)-

Independent Charge (I/C) MoHUA announced the

5th edition of the annual cleanliness urban survey

of India i.e.” Swachh Survekshan 2020 (SS2020)”

conducted by MoHUA. A total of 129 awards were

given by the minister in which Madhya Pradesh’s

Indore Creates record as India’s cleanest city for

the 4th consecutive time while Gujarat’s Surat and

Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai grabbed 2nd and 3rd

positions respectively.

Odisha, Chhattisgarh Celebrates ‘2020 NuakhaiJuhar’, Agricultural Festival on August 23 • NukhaiJuhar, an ancient festival which is also

known as NuakhaiParab or NuakhaiBhetghat is

celebrated on the fifth day of lunar fortnight of

Bhadrabaa, to welcome the new crop of the season

in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and other neighbouring

states. Nuakhai is a combination of two words,

Nua which means new and Khai which means eat.

The 2020 NuakhaiJuhar was celebrated on 23rd

August.

India’s Longest River Ropeway Inaugurated in Guwahati, Assam • The Guwahati Passenger Ropeway Project

connecting the Northern and Southern banks of

the Brahmaputra River was inaugurated by the

Assam State Minister of Finance,

HimantaBiswaSarma and Guwahati Development

Department (GDD) Minister, Siddhartha

Bhattacharya. The ropeway service is1.8

Kilometres long, making it the longest ropeway

distance over a river in the entire country.

Kerala State Dragonfly Festival 2020 aka “Thumbimahotsavam 2020” Launched; Mascot is “Pantalu” • The first ever Kerala State Dragonfly Festival 2020

aka “Thumbimahotsavam 2020” was launched by

the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India

State unit in collaboration with Society for

OdonateStudies(SOS) and Thumbipuranam from

Kerala. The festival will culminate with the State

dragonfly summit, most probably in January 2021.

The official mascot of the festival is “Pantalu”

which is the genus of dragonfly.

NITIN GADKARI INAUGURATED AND LAID FOUNDATION STONES FOR 45 HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN MADHYA PRADESH • Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport

and Highways inaugurated and laid foundation

stones for 45 highway projects in Madhya Pradesh

during a virtual event. He also announced that

Rs.700 crores from the Central Road Fund will be


utilised for the road sector of Madhya Pradesh.

The inaugurated project consists of a road length

of around 1361 Km with a construction cost of Rs.

11,427 crores.

ISRO Signs MoU with VSSUT to Set up First of Its Kind Innovation cum Incubation Centre to Promote Space Research • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed

a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with

Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology

(VSSUT), Burla, Odisha, a technical institute, to set

up the first of its kind innovation cum incubation

centre, VSSUT Space Innovation Centre (VSSSIC)

in India to promote space research.

NeGD and CSC E-Governance Services India Ltd Inked MoU to Facilitate UMANG app services at CSCs • National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry

of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)

has signed an MOU with CSC (Common Service

Center) e Governance Services India Limited to

facilitate delivery of UMANG (Unified Mobile

Application for New-Age Governance) app

services to citizens through the network of 3.75

lakh CSCs. Notably, all the UMANG services at CSCs

are available at zero cost and will be provided by

CSC operators Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).

Union Minister Piyush Goyal launches National GIS-enabled Land Bank system • Union Minister for Commerce and Industry,

Piyush Goyal e-launched the National GIS

(Geographic Information System)-enabled Land

Bank system for six states. The system is

developed by the integration of the Industrial

Information System (IIS) with State GIS systems.

The initiative is supported by Invest India,

National Center of Geo-Informatics (NCoG),

National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry

of Electronics & Information Technology and

Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications

and Geo- Informatics (BISAG).

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Completed Six Years of Successful Implementation • On August 28, 2020, the 6th anniversary of

Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojna (PMJDY) was

observed which was launched on August 28, 2014.

The objective of PMJDY is to ensure access to

financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings &

Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance,

Pension in an affordable manner. It is operated by

the Department of Financial Services under the

Union Finance Ministry. As on 19th Aug’20

• the total number of PMJDY Accounts is 40.35

Crore; Rural PMJDY accounts: 63.6%, Women

PMJDY accounts: 55.2%. Out of total 40.35 crore

PMJDY accounts, 34.81 crore (86.3%) are

operative.

• .

Indian Railways Set to Meet All its Energy Need of Over 33 Billion Units by 2030 • Indian Railways organised a discussion over a

wide range of topics with the stakeholders,

chaired by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of

Railways, to become 100% self-sustainable for all

its energy needs and to contribute to the National

Solar Mission of India. Indian Railways is set to

meet its energy consumption which will be over

33 billion units by 2030. Indian Railways has

developed a mega plan to install solar power

plants of capacity 20 Gigawatt (GW) by utilising

vacant lands by 2030.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Launched “Chunauti”, Next Generation Start-up Contest; Foundation stone laid for NIELIT at Muzaffarpur, Bihar

Kerala to set up India’s First International Women’s Trade Centre

India, Singapore commit to further enhance security partnership at 14th India-Singapore DefencePolicyDialogue • India and Singapore carried out a review of their

defence ties at the virtual meet of the 14th India-

Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD). The

DPD was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary

Dr Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary

(Defence), Singapore Mr Chan Heng Kee. During

the DPD, the Implementing Arrangement on

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

(HADR) was signed between the two countries.

Ladakh & Lakshadweep Included in ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme; 26 States/UTs Connected with the Scheme • The Union Territories (UTs) Ladakh &

Lakshadweep have been included in the ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ scheme on ‘Integrated Management of Public Distribution System’ (IM-PDS). After the integration of these two UTs, a total


26 States/UTs Connected with the Scheme and will benefit about 65 crore people.

➢

Ministry of Electronics and Information & Technology Bans 118 Chinese Mobile Apps • Ministry of Electronics and Information &

Technology banned 118 Chinese Mobile Applications. The mobile applications have been banned as they were found to be harmful to the Sovereignty, Integrity, Defence of India and Public Order. The Government has banned them amidst the border tensions with China.

• The apps have been banned under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009.

Sikkim Celebrated Pang Lhabsol: A Festival of Cultural Heritage and Historical Importance • Pang Lhabsol, a festival of cultural heritage and

historical importance is one of the most historically and culturally significant festivals celebrated annually by Sikkim people. This festival is celebrated only in this state. It commemorates the blessing of Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of Sikkim.

12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation Senior Officials’ Meeting held virtually • The 12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)

Senior Officials Meeting took place virtually, the key areas of cooperation tourism, culture, education, transport and communications were discussed and reviewed during the meeting. The meeting was attended by Senior Officials from all 6 MGC Member States – India and 5 ASEAN countries (India, Cambodia, Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic), Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam).

INDRA NAVY-20- Maritime Exercise between India and Russia kicks off at Bay of Bengal

Atal Innovation Mission Partnered with Freshworks Inc., to Empower its Startup Innovators

India’s agriculture technology can grow to $24.1 billion in 5 years: Ernst & Young Report • According to a report by Ernst & Young, India’s

agriculture technology has the potential to grow at $24.1 billion in 5 years. The report also stated that with a turnover of $204 million, India’s Agri-tech

sector is at under 1% of its market potential.

Kerala tops literacy rate chart with 96.2%; Andhra Pradesh worst performer at 66.4%: NSO • In accordance with the report on “Household

Social Consumption: Education in India as part of 75th round of National Sample Survey(NSS) – from July 2017 to June 2018″ conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Kerala again emerged as the most literate state in the country with 96.2% literacy followed by Delhi (88.7%), Uttarakhand (87.6%).

• .

Atal Innovation Mission Launches Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog

launched Aatmanirbhar Bharat ANIC-ARISE Challenges (Atal New India Challenges in Applied Research and Innovation for medium and Small Enterprises) to stimulate applied research and innovation in Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups. It will be driven by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and four ministries namely Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to facilitate innovative solutions to sectoral problems.

India’s ‘Largest Piggery Mission’ launched in Meghalaya • The state government of Meghalaya launched

India’s Biggest Piggery Project with an outlay of Rs 209 Crores. It is being launched under the aegis of Meghalaya Livestock Enterprises Advancement Society (MLEADS) and funded by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The main objective of the Piggery Mission is to reduce the annual import of Pork worth Rs 150 Crore and make Meghalaya self-sufficient in Pork production over the next 3 years.

PM Modi holds ‘Svanidhi Samvaad’ with MADHYA PRADESH’S STREET VENDORS • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed street

vendors from Madhya Pradesh via video conferencing through ‘SVANidhi Samvaad’. PM SVANidhi scheme was launched on June 1, 2020, to help poor street vendors, impacted by coronavirus, to resume livelihood activities. More than 1 lakh street vendors in Madhya Pradesh have registered under the Scheme in just 2 months. Over 90% of loans under the scheme are sanctioned by Public Sector Banks. Under the


scheme, street vendors of urban areas get collateral- free loan of up to Rs 10,000 for a period of one year.

PM Modi inaugurates Kosi Rail Mega Bridge and 12 other Railway Projects in Bihar • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the

historic Kosi Rail Mahasetu (mega bridge) in Bihar. Other projects including a new railway bridge on the Kiul River, two new railway lines, 5 Electrification projects, Bihar’s first Electric Locomotive Shed at Barauni and 3rd Line Project between Barh-Bakhtiyarpur in Bihar was also inaugurated through video conference. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Phagu Chauhan, Governor of Bihar, Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal were present during the inauguration.

India Launches First Ever Cargo Ferry Vessel “MCP Linz” to Maldives • Minister of State (MoS) (I/C) for shipping,

Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives, Aishath Nahula jointly launched the First Ever Direct Cargo Ferry Service between India and Maldives. The Ceremony was attended by representatives from Tuticorin and Cochin ports and Officials from Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) and Foreign Ministry of Maldives.

One of the First Medical Devices Park to be Set up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala • In 2019, Central government approved the setting

up of 4 medical device parks in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the lines of the “Make in India” initiative and to provide world-class products at affordable prices for treatment. In this regard, on September 24, 2020, Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for one of the first medical devices parks in the country, “MedSpark” at Life Science Park, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram.

PM Narendra Modi addresses Fit India Dialogue on First Anniversary of Fit India Movement • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Fit

India Dialogue on the First Anniversary of Fit India Movement through virtual mode. As part of the event, the Prime Minister interacted with Virat Kohli, Milind Soman, Rujuta Diwekar, Devendra Jhajharia, and Afshan Ashiq, who shared their life experiences and fitness Mantras.

• The Fit India Movement was launched on 29th August, 2019 (National Sports Day).

Plastic Park Scheme • Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers

Sadananda Gowda announced a scheme for setting up 10 Plastics Parks throughout the country. The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has already given final approval in the states of Assam, Madhya Pradesh (2 parks), Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. The Central government will provide funds up-to 50% of the project cost and remaining will be funded by State Government and beneficiary industries. The plastic parks will provide a common facility to consolidate and increase the capacities of the domestic plastic processing industry.

KRITAGYA (Krishi-Taknik-Gyan) Hackathon of NAHEP under ICAR to Promote Farm Mechanization • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

announced a hackathon named “KRITAGYA” (Krishi- Taknik-Gyan) under its National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP). The national level AgTech Hackathon aims to develop and promote women friendly equipment through potential innovative technological solutions and collaboration with stakeholders to improve the farm mechanization, productivity and profitability in India.

President Ram Nath Kovind gives Assent to 3 Farm Bills passed by Parliament On September 27, 2020 President Ram Nath Kovind gave Assent to Three Bills: • The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce

(Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 • The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection)

Agreement on Price Assurance • Farm Service Bill, 2020 and The Essential

Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020

‘Cable Stayed Bridge’ Constructed across Durgam Cheruvu Lake Inaugurated in Telangana • Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban

Development Minister K Taraka Ramarao inaugurated the cable stayed bridge on Durgam Cheruvu constructed across Durgam Cheruvu Lake along with a four- lane elevated corridor connecting it with Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad (Telangana) during an event. Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kishan Reddy was the chief guest of the event. Cost of both the structures together is over Rs 334 crore. It is claimed as the “world’s longest pre-cast segmental span” of 233.85 metres in concrete for a cable stayed bridge.


1st ever India Happiness Report 2020 Released, Mizoram Tops • On September 20, 2020 The first-ever India

Happiness Report 2020 was released by Professor Rajesh K Pillania, which ranks all 36 States and Union Territories(UTs) on the basis of their happiness quotient. Mizoram tops the ranking followed by Punjab and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Odisha, Uttarakhandand Chhattisgarh were least happy states. The survey was conducted based on 6 components of happiness, namely work; relationships; health; philanthropy; religious, spiritual orientation; impact of COVID-19.

South Eastern Railway Launched “Operation My Saheli” to Improve Security of Women Passengers • The South Eastern Railways (SER) launched the

project, “Operation my Saheli (Friend)” to enhance the security of women passengers in the train throughout the entire journey from the originating point to their destinations.” Operation my Saheli” is executed under the Framework of “Nirbhaya Fund” and no additional expenditure is provided by the Head of Railways.

NITI Aayog and Netherlands Signed SoI on Decarbonization and Energy Transition Agenda • A Statement of Intent (SoI) was inked between

NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog and Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi, to combine the expertise of both nations (Indo-Dutch) in supporting the decarbonisation and energy transition agenda for accommodating cleaner and more energy. It was signed by NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amitabh Kant and Ambassador of the Netherlands to India Marten van den Berg.

President Ram Nath Kovind Gives Assent to 3 labour codes along with Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020 • President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to

the three labour codes viz. Code on Social Security 2020, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Condition Code 2020, and the Industrial Relation Code 2020.

Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot launches “Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission (ASIIM)” • Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment,

Thaawarchand Gehlot virtually launched “Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation

Mission (ASIIM)” under Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (SC)(VCF-SC). It has been launched to promote innovation, enterprise among SC students in Higher Education Institutions and to help them become Job Givers.

PM Inaugurates ‘Atal Tunnel’- World’s Longest Highway Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Atal

Tunnel’ – World’s Longest Highway Tunnel in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The 9.02 Kilometre Long Tunnel has been constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of INR 3, 300 crores. It connects Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley. The Tunnel is built in the Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Meters from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).

Narendra Modi inaugurated Virtual Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a

virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Researchers and Academicians namely “Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit 2020” via video conferencing which will continue till October 31, 2020 i.e. Sardar Patel Jayanti. During the summit he encouraged indigenous vaccine production. It is organized by 200 academic institutes and S&T departments, led by Principal Scientific Advisor, Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan.

SUNIDHI Project Launched to Digitise CMPFO Services • On the occasion of 151st birth anniversary of

Mahatma Gandhi (October 2, 2020), the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO) launched the information technology (IT) project Superior New- generation Information and Data Handling Initiative (SUNIDHI) to digitise its entire provident fund and pension related activities.

Famous Chilli of Sikkim “Dalle Khursani” Earns GI Tag • On the basis of an application filed by the North

Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) on behalf of Sikkim, the red cherry pepper chilli of Sikkim, “Dalle Khursani” earned the geographical indication (GI) tag from the Union Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

• It is considered as one of the hottest chilli in the world with medicinal values.


Puducherry Airport Becomes AAI’s first 100% Solar-Powered Airport at a Cost of Rs 2.8cr

Delhi-Mumbai e-way to have India’s 1st 5 “Animal Bridges” • The Delhi-Mumbai Greenfield expressway will be

completed by 2024. The expressway will have India’s first five animal overpass or “animal bridges” with a combined length of over 2.5 km for safe passage of wildlife. These bridges are inspired from the Wildlife crossings in the Netherlands. These will ensure no disturbance and no chance of any conflict to the Ranthambore Wildlife Corridor connecting Ranthambhore and Mukundra (Darrah) wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan as the wild animals will get such passage at every 500 metres interval.

2nd Edition of Bilateral Naval Ex-Bongosagar held between India-Bangladesh along with 3rd Edition of CORPAT • The 2nd edition of Indian Navy (IN) – Bangladesh

Navy (BN) Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar was held in Northern Bay of Bengal which was followed by 3rd edition of IN – BN Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) from 4 to 5 October 2020 at the same venue. Notably, this edition of Exercise Bongosagar has greater significance as it is conducted during Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

KASTURI COTTON • Union Minister for Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani

launched First-Ever Brand & Logo for Indian Cotton through virtual mode on occasion of World Cotton Day on October 7, 2020. India’s Premium Cotton is set to be known as ‘Kasturi Cotton’ in World Cotton Trade. India produces 51% of the total organic cotton production in the world. A Mobile Application “Cott-Ally” has been developed by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to provide news about weather conditions, Crop situation and Farm practices.

Goa Becomes India’s 1st ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State by Providing FHTCs to Every Rural Household • Goa has become the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ state in the

country under Central Governments Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by providing 100% tap water connections in Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) covering 2.30 lakh households.

PM Modi Launches Physical Distribution of Property Cards Under SVAMITVA Scheme • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a

physical distribution of property cards, a legal document of owning their houses under the Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme over a virtual platform. This will support to make rural India self- sufficient. The SVAMITVA is a central government scheme that aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India.

Kerala becomes First State in India to go Digital in Public Education • The state of Kerala has become the First State in

India to make the public education sector completely digital. It has been implemented at a cost of INR 42.36 Crores, out of which KIIFB has contributed INR 34.75 crores. All the classrooms have been converted into high-tech classrooms and have been implemented as part of the Public Education Rejuvenation Mission.

TRIFED, IIT Kanpur and Chhattisgarh MFP Federation E-Launch “Tech for Tribals” Initiative • Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development

Federation of India (TRIFED), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur & Chhattisgarh MFP (Minor Forest Produce) Federation virtually launched “Tech for Tribals” Initiative. The initiative aims for holistic development of Tribals with focus on Entrepreneurship development, soft skills, Information Technology (IT) and Business Development.

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan Launches Second Phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna” • Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr

Harsh Vardhan virtually launched the Second Phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana” from Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. It will benefit underprivileged patients. The program is funded by Coal India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Nitin Gadkari Launched Blasting Process for one of the Asia’s Longest Bi-directional Road Tunnel “Zojila Tunnel” in J&K

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually launched ‘KAPILA’ Kalam Program for IP Literacy; IP Literacy Week to be observed on Oct 15-23, 2020

Jewar at Gautam Budh Nagar to Become one of the Aerotropolis of India • Uttar Pradesh government stated that with


International airport arising in Jewar in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh will become one of the aerotropolis of the country.

• The Jewar airport, that is to be managed by Flughafen Zürich AG (FZAG), based in Kloten, Switzerland, will become India’s largest airport having six runways.

“Kati Bihu” Festival Celebrated in Assam • Kati Bihu is one of the set of three Bihu festivals

(agricultural festivals) was celebrated in the state of Assam.

• The Kati Bihu is also known as Kongali Bihu, the festival of the poor (the word “Kongal” means “poor”) is celebrated in mid-October when the crops are at growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are depleting.

Heeng Cultivation starts in India for the First Time • Heeng (Ferula assa-foetida) commonly known as

Asafoetida cultivation has been started in India for the first time.

• The first plantation of Heeng was done in Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) introduced six accession of Heeng from Iran through National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). It is a perennial plant and can be grown in unutilized sloppy land of cold desert regions.

Surat’s BRTS becomes India’s Longest BRTS Network with a coverage of 108 kms • Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani inaugurated

the newly expanded Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) route from Kumbhariya to Kadodara, Surat virtually from Gandhinagar. With the opening of this BRTS corridor, Surat became the only city in the country to have Longest BRTS network with 108 kms.

AAI plans to develop 100 Airports, Waterdromes, Heliports under UDAN Scheme by 2024 • Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to

develop at least 100 Airports, Waterdromes, and Heliports by 2024 under UDAN (“Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik”)-Regional Air Connectivity Scheme. The Fourth Anniversary of the UDAN Scheme was observed on 21st October, 2020.

Third Phase of National Supercomputing Mission to commence from January, 2021 • The Department of Science and Technology (DST),

under the Ministry of Science and Technology has

stated that the 3rd Phase of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) will commence from January, 2021. This phase will take the computing speed to 45 Petaflops (PF). The works on Phase Three will include Three systems of 3 PF each and one system of 20 PF as a national facility.

Haryana Topped Anemia Mukt Bharat Index in India • The 8th Governing Body Meeting of the State

Health Society of the National Health Mission (NHM) was held in Chandigarh where Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Index was released which has been topped by Haryana with a score of 46.7 among all the 29 states in the country. The meeting was presided over by the Haryana chief secretary, Vijai Vardhan. Anemia Mukt Bharat is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) to reduce the prevalence of anemia all over India.

MoS Prahlad Singh Patel Launches ‘Life in Miniature’ project • Union Minister of State (MoS) for Culture and

Tourism (I/C), Prahlad Singh Patel virtually launched “Life in Miniature” project, it is a collaboration between National Museum, New Delhi, Ministry of Culture and Google Arts & Culture. The project enables Hundreds of miniature paintings from the National Museum’s collections to be viewed through Google Arts & Culture app.

Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi District Bags Top Position for Implementation of PMGSY • The Union Ministry of Rural Development

declared the list of the top performing 30 districts in the country for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) programme. In this list, Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh won top position among 30 districts of India. Himachal Pradesh secured 2nd position at the national level for construction of roads under PMGSY.

India Meteorological Department Dedicated 1st “Flash Flood Guidance Services” for South Asia • India Meteorological Department (IMD) has

dedicated first of its kind “Flash Flood Guidance services (FFGS)” for South Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka to issue impact-based forecasting of floods. It was launched by Dr. M. Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, who was the chief guest of a virtual event which was attended by distinguished


National and International dignitaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launched ‘Kisan Suryoday Yojana’ for the farmers & Launched 2 other Projects in Gujarat • Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually

inaugurated 3 Key Projects in Gujarat. Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister, Nitin Patel were present during the virtual launch. The Projects are: (i) Launching of Kisan Suryodaya Yojana (Electricity Scheme for Farmers). (ii) Inauguration of Paediatric Heart Hospital attached with U.N Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre & Mobile Application for Tele-Cardiology. (iii) Inauguration of Girnar Ropeway, Junagadh.

India Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp on 75th Anniversary of UN • Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of

Communications (MoC), Government of India released a commemorative postage stamp on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Organisation. Dr. S Jaishankar, Union external affairs minister was the chief guest of the event. Note– Dr. S Jaishankar mentioned the release of the commemorative stamp as a ‘befitting tribute’ to the 75 years of the UN.

5 States to get Conservation Centres to protect vultures: Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025 • In accordance with the Action Plan for Vulture

Conservation 2020-2025 which was approved on October 5, 2020 by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the five states viz. Uttar Pradesh (UP), Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will get vulture conservation and breeding centre each. Vulture Multi-Species Action Plan (Vulture MsAP) was adopted at the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP12) held in Manila, the Philippines in 2017.

Kerala becomes First State in the country to Fix MSP for Vegetables • Kerala became the First State in the Country to fix

Minimum Support Price (MSP)/Base Price for 16 Agricultural items which include Vegetables, Fruits and Tubers to support farmers and boost agricultural sector. On October 21, 2020, Kerala Cabinet cleared the proposal to introduce base prices. The scheme will come into effect from November 1, 2020, which is celebrated as Keralapiravi day.

Base Year of Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers revised from 2001 to 2016 • The Labour and Employment Ministry has revised

the base year of the Consumer Price Index for

Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) from 2001 to 2016 to

reflect the changing consumption pattern. It gives

more weightage to spending on health, education,

recreation and other miscellaneous expenses,

while reducing the weightage given to food and

beverages. CPI-IW index is used to measure

inflation in retail prices, for regulation of Dearness

Allowance (DA) of government employees and

industrial workers, and for fixing and revising

minimum wages in scheduled employments.

Venkaiah Naidu, VP of India Launches Virtual Festival of ‘Parampara Series 2020-National Festival of Music and Dance’ • M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India

launched the virtual festival of ‘Parampara Series

2020- National Festival of Music and Dance’. The

Parampara Series 2020 is organised by Natya

Tarangini in partnership with the United Nations.

Harsh Vardhan Launches DST Initiative SERB–POWER for Women Scientists • Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science &

Technology e-launched a scheme titled ‘SERB-

POWER’ (Science and Engineering Research

Board-Promoting Opportunities for Women in

Exploratory Research), which is designed

exclusively for women scientists.

• The scheme has been initiated by SERB, a

Statutory body of the Department of Science and

Technology (DST), Government of India.

India and Maldives get Three new UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserves • International Coordinating Council (ICC) of

UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization) Man and

the Biosphere (MAB) programme included

Panna Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) in

India, Fuvahmulah Biosphere Reserve

(Maldives) and Addu Atoll Biosphere Reserve

(Maldives) to UNESCO’s World Network of

Biosphere Reserves. The MAB-ICC which met

online from 27- 28th October, 2020 approved

these additions.


Kabartal Wetland of Bihar Designated as Ramsar Site • Ramsar Convention declared Kabartal Wetland

also known as Kanwar Jheel in Begusarai, Bihar as a site of international importance. Kabartal Wetland has been included in the ‘List of Wetlands of International Importance’ established by Article 2.1 of the convention. Kabartal Wetland is the 2436th site of Ramsar.

PM Modi Inaugurates 4th Edition of 2020 India Energy Forum by CERAWeek • Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurated the

4th Edition of India Energy Forum by CERAWeek (Cambridge Energy Research Associates). CERAWeek is a global platform to understand best-practices, discuss reforms, and inform strategies for accelerating investments into Indian Oil and Gas value chain. The Theme of 2020 edition is “India’s Energy Future in a world of Change”. This is the fifth such event organized by NITI Aayog and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Kerala, Goa, Chandigarh emerge as Best Governed States and Union Territory: PAI 2020 • Kerala emerged as the Best Governed State in the

Large States Category, Goa emerged as the Best Governed State in Small States Category, Chandigarh emerged as the Best Governed Union Territory based on Governance in the 5th edition of Public Affairs Index 2020 (PAI 2020) released by Public Affairs Centre (PAC) on October 30, 2020.

Indian Railways Launches ‘Meri Saheli’ Initiative for Safety of Women Train Passengers

Government extends Deadline to Make Payment under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme till March 31, 2021 • Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT),

Government of India has notified extension of payment deadline for direct tax legacy dispute resolution scheme (Vivad Se Vishwas) from 31st December, 2020 to 31st March 2021.The deadline is an incentive for taxpayers as those who make declaration before the deadlines will have to pay at concessional rates.

IISc and R&D Centre of IOCL Sign MoU for Hydrogen Generation Technology • Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Research

and Development (R&D) Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and demonstrate biomass gasification-based hydrogen generation technology to produce fuel cell-grade hydrogen at an economical price.

Indian Naval Ship ‘Airavat’ reaches Port Sudan with Food Aid as Part of ‘Mission Sagar-II’ • Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat entered Port

Sudan with 100 Tonnes of Food aid as part of Mission Sagar-II. Under Mission ‘SAGAR’ Indian government is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic. The mission is being done in close coordination with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies of Indian Government.

President Kovind Promulgates Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 • President Ram Nath Kovind in exercise of the

powers conferred by clause (1) of article 123 of the Indian Constitution promulgated the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Prasar Bharati signed MoU with BISAG-N to Launch 51 DTH Educational TV Channels • Prasar Bharati, the public broadcaster of India

signed a MoU with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N) of Gujarat under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to enable 51 direct-to-home (DTH) Educational television channels to all DD Free Dish Viewers.

NMCG organised three-day virtual ‘Ganga Utsav 2020’; Chacha Chaudhary Named as Brand Ambassador of Namami Gange • A three-day long Ganga Utsav 2020 from

November 2-4, 2020 was virtually organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) amid COVID-19 to spread awareness about river Ganga and the need to keep the river clean and rejuvenated. The 2020 edition marks the 12th anniversary of Ganga being accorded the status of National River, on 4th November 2008.


2nd Batch of Three Rafale Fighter Jets land at Jamnagar Air Base in Gujarat • The 2nd Batch of Three Rafale Fighter Jets landed

at the Jamnagar Air Base in Gujarat. The fighter jets took off from Istres air base, France and flew continuously over eight hours covering 3, 700 nautical miles (6, 852 Kilometres) before landing in India. With the arrival of the Three fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) now has 8 Rafale Fighter jets. The Second batch will be stationed at Hasimara Air Force Station, West Bengal.

India Conducts Tri-Service Combat Exercise “Bull Strike” at Teressa Island • Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)

conducted a three-day Tri-Service Combat Exercise code named “Bull Strike” from November 3-5,2020 at Teressa Island in Nicobar Group of Islands. The exercise focussed on interoperability and synergy among three services – Army, Navy and Air Force to maximise combat potential.

PM Narendra Modi chaired Virtual Global Investor Roundtable 2020 conference • In order to attract investments in India, the Global

Investor Roundtable (VGIR) 2020 conference was held virtually which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It focuses on discussions around three important areas such as India’s economic and investment outlook, structural reforms, and the government’s vision for making the country a $5 trillion economy. VGIR 2020 is organized by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.

Kottoor Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Kerala is Set to Become World’s Largest Care & Cure Centre • Kottoor Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is being upgraded to International standard and is set to become the world’s largest care and cure centre for elephants. The upgradation of the centre is a part of the special program of the government of Kerala for the protection and conservation of elephants. The project is implemented at a cost of Rs.108 crore funded from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board(KIIFB). This move aims to provide a rehabilitation centre for elephants in a natural ecosystem.

Joint coastal security exercise, “Sagar Kavach” held at Paradip Coast, Odisha • A two-day joint coastal security annual exercise

“Sagar Kavach” was held on November 5-6, 2020 at Paradip Coast, Odisha. It was carried out by the

state governments of Odisha and West Bengal. More than 10 such departments, including the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, the Odisha Police, the local fishermen, the forest department, and the port marine department, have joined the joint exercise.

UP’s Chandauli Tops NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts of September 2020 • The Aspirational Districts Programme was

launched in January 2018 with an aim to transform the underdeveloped districts.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Inaugurated India’s first solar-based Integrated Multi-Village Water Supply Project in Arunachal Pradesh • Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal

Shakti inaugurated India’s first solar-based Integrated Multi-Village Water Supply Project (IMVWSP) in Lower Dibang Valley district in north-eastern Arunachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs 28.50 crore.

Navies of India, US, Japan, Australia participated in 24th Edition of 1st Phase of Malabar Naval Exercise 2020 held in Bay of Bengal • The Phase 1 of the 24th Edition of the Four-nation

Naval Exercise Malabar 2020 took place in the Bay of Bengal from November 3-6, 2020. Since 2007, all the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Group countries (India, United States, Japan, Australia) participated for the 1st time in the Malabar Naval Exercise. The exercise was restricted to sea phase and was conducted in “Zero Contact” format due to Pandemic. For the first time in more than 10 years, exercise is witnessing the participation of all four Quad countries.

Gujarat High Court became the 1st High Court in India to Live-Stream its Court Proceedings on Youtube • The Gujarat High Court became the first high court

to live stream judicial proceedings on YouTube channel. This is to increase the access to courts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The live stream also aims to broaden the implementation of the open court concept even for virtual hearings. 1,500 viewers were watching the proceeding on the day of live streaming.

PM Inaugurated Hazir-Ghogha Ferry service in Gujarat; Renamed Ministry of Shipping • On November 8, 2020, the Government of India

renamed the Ministry of Shipping to Ministry of


Ports, Shipping, and Waterways during the Prime Minister’s virtual inauguration event of Ro-Pax Ferry service between Hazira in Surat district in south Gujarat and Ghogha in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.

Uttarakhand CM Inaugurates ‘Dobra-Chanthi’ in Tehri-Garhwal & 1st state to provide free Wifi to Govt Institutes • On November 8, 2020, Uttarakhand CM, Trivendra

Singh Rawat inaugurated the India’s longest motorable single lane suspension bridge of 725-metre-long Dobra-Chanti suspension bridge in Tehri- Garhwal district over the Tehri Lake with a total cost of INR 2.96 Crore (approximately).Also became first state to provide free high-speed WiFi services for all government colleges and universities.

Assam’s Tezpur Litchi Gets GI Tag • Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export

Development Authority (APEDA), under the Union ministry of commerce and industry, confirmed that Tezpur Litchi of Assam has received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. Tezpur Litchi was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag certification on 27th March 2015.

Govt plans to Set Up 14 More Water Aerodromes for Seaplane Services Under RCS UDAN Scheme • Government of India plans to set up 14 more

water aerodromes across India under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) following the launch of the first seaplane service between the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya of Narmada Gujarat and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.These 14 aerodromes will enable seaplane services on multiple routes.

UP’s Gorakhpur is Set to Host the International Bird Festival • On 9th November 2020, Dara Singh Chauhan,

Uttar Pradesh Minister of Forest and Environment announced that the International Bird Festival will be organized in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh(UP) in February 2021.

Interstate Migrant Policy Index (IMPEX) 2019 released by India Migration Now, Kerala Top • The Mumbai (Maharashtra) based research non-

profit India Migration Now has released “Interstate Migrant Policy Index (IMPEX) 2019” stating integration of interstate migrants. In accordance to this, the states of Kerala, Goa,

Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh (AP) have been most successful in integrating migrant workers. IMPEX examines state’s performance on 8 policy areas inclusion with more than 60 indicators.

High Biodiversity in 49% of Ganga River: Wildlife Institute of India Survey • Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in the second

phase of its survey of the entire main stem of Ganga river (Main river without its tributaries) found that 49% of the river has high biodiversity and increased biodiversity sightings. The study was initiated by WII on behalf of the National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Cabinet Approval on November 11, 2020 • Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals which were detailed by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance.

• Cabinet approves PLI Scheme worth Rs 1,45980 cr for Enhancing 10 key Sectors This decision has been taken to attract investments, boost manufacturing and enhance exports on the lines of the Atmanirbhar Bharat. India is expected to have a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 202The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved continuation and revamping of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme under the public private partnership (PPP) model till 2024-25 with a total outlay of Rs 8,100 crore.

Mumbai Metro to have vibration-absorbing tracks at first time in India • For the first time in India, the Mumbai Metro Rail

Corporation Ltd., MMRCL will lay vibration-absorbing tracks on the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro Line-3 with an estimated outlay of Rs.23,000-cr. It will have 27 underground stations en route and is expected to be operational in 2021.

Nirmala Sitharaman Detailed ‘Aatmanirbhar’ Package 3.0 worth Rs 2,65,080 cr; 12 schemes Announced • Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of

Finance has announced the “Aatmanirbhar Package 3.0” covering following 12 schemes as a stimulus measure of additional Rs 2,65,080 crores to boost economic growth. It should be noted that as of November 12, 2020, the Central Government has provided an economic stimulus of Rs 29,87,641 crore amid COVID-19.


L&T Emerges as Lowest Bidder for the India’s Longest River Bridge in Northeast • Larsen & Toubro(L&T) has emerged as the lowest

bidder with Rs.3166 crores for the construction of the India’s longest Bridge over a River in the northeast 20 kilometer(km) 4 lane road bridge across River Brahmaputra connecting Dhubri of Assam to Phulbair of Meghalaya on National Highway(NH) 127B. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is the executing agency and is expected to be completed by 2026-27 and financed by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

Lonar lake in Maharashtra and Sur Sarovar in UP Added to Ramsar sites • On November 15, 2020 Prakash Javadekar, Union

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced that Sur Sarovar also known as Keetham Lake in Agra, Uttar Pradesh and Lonar Lake in Maharashtra, the only crater lake of Country has been added to the ‘Ramsar Sites’.

• These 2 wetlands have been included in the ‘List of Wetlands of International Importance’ established by Article 2.1 of the convention.

PM Modi unveils ‘Statue of Peace’ to mark 151st Birth Anniversary of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj • Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually unveiled

the ‘Statue of Peace’ to mark the 151st Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, Rajasthan. Vijay Vallabh is a Jain Saint who lived from 1870-1954.

Asia’s First Solar Power-Enabled Textile Mill to come up at Parbhani, Maharashtra • Jai Bhawani women’s cooperative textile mill is set

to be come up at Parbhani, Maharashtra, the first Textile Mill in Asia that will operate on Solar Power.It is being set up at a cost of INR 100 Crores and will add momentum to the industrial sector in the district.

One Rank One Pension Scheme completes five years • The year 2020 marked the Fifth Anniversary of

the Government's decision to implement ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) for Defence Forces Personnel, the decision to implement OROP was taken in November, 2015. OROP is aimed at ensuring uniform pensions for veterans retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of when they retire.

Arunachal Pradesh Records Best Sex Ratio in India: Annual Report from Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner • According to Annual Report on ‘Vital Statistics on

India based on Civil Registration System 2018’, Arunachal Pradesh recorded the Highest Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in the country with 1,084 females born per thousand males. It was followed by Nagaland (965) & Mizoram (964), Kerala (963), and Karnataka (957). The report was released by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Manipur (757), Lakshadweep (839), Daman & Diu (877) recorded the Lowest SRB in the country.

Union Minister of Education Virtually Launched AICTE’s Lilavati Award 2020 • On 17th November 2020, Ramesh Pokhriyal

‘Nishank’, Union Minister of Education virtually launched the Lilavati Award 2020, an initiative by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to promote women empowerment in India. The Theme of the Lilavati Award 2020 is “women empowerment”.

Indian Railways Assigns RailTel to implement Hospital Management Information System • On November 10, 2020 Indian Railways(IR)

assigned RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) to implement the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), an integrated clinical information system in its 125 health facilities and 650 polyclinics across India. This is to improve hospital administration and patient healthcare.

Bhubaneswar Becomes 1st City in India to get ISO Certification for FSSM services • Bhubaneswar, Capital of Odisha became the First

City in the Country to get ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2015 Certification for Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) services. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) was the first civic body to implement FSSM regulations in Odisha. Jenaidah is the first city in the world to get ISO certification for FSSM. Bhubaneswar is 2nd in the world and 1st city in India in this regard.

Narendra Singh Tomar Virtually Inaugurated Capacity Building Component of PM-FME & launched GIS ODOP Digital Map of India

Mumbai Became the 1st Indian city to Have an Urban Plan with Gender-Specific Focus • The financial capital of India, Mumbai

(Maharashtra) has become the first city in the


country with a gender-specific city’s urban plan which has provisions for designated spaces for the needs of women. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has added a chapter titled ‘Gender, Special Groups and Social Equity’ under the Revised Draft Development Plan (RDDP) 2034.The plan proposed “departure from gender blindness to gender mainstreaming”.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad releases “My Stamp on Chhath Puja” virtually • On November 19, 2020, Union Minister of

Communications, Ravi Shankar Prasad released a “My Stamp on Chhath Puja”. He also released a Special cover on the theme ‘Chhath – A symbol of Simplicity and Cleanliness’. On Chhath Puja, devotees offer prayers to the God of Light i.e Sun as he is considered the life force that binds the universe and gives energy to all living things.

Solar Capacity Addition falls 80% in Q2FY21; MNRE Proposed Wind-Solar Hybrid Park Scheme in States • As per the report by Mercom Communications

India, the solar capacity of India was decreased in Q2 FY21(July to September) as it added just 438 megawatt (MW) solar capacity, a down of 80% from 2,177 MW the same period in 2019. As of September 30, 2020, India’s total solar installed capacity was at 37.4 Gigawatt (GW). The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed the “Development of Wind Parks/Wind-Solar Hybrid Park” scheme with proper infrastructure including evacuation facilities in place.

Navies of India, US, Japan, Australia participated in the 2nd Phase of Malabar Naval Exercise 2020

2nd Edition of ‘SITMEX-20’ Trilateral Naval Exercise held in Andaman Sea • 2nd Edition of SITMEX-20 – A Trilateral Naval

Exercise between Indian Navy, Royal Thai Navy (RTN) & Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) took place from November 21-22, 2020 at the Andaman Sea.

UNDP and Invest India Launched the SDG Investor Map Report for India • On 20th November 2020, SDG Finance Facility

platform at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Invest India launched the SDG Investor Map Report for India, which presents 18 investment opportunities areas (IOAs) in 6 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) enabling sectors that

will support India to advance in sustainable development. The 6 SDG sectors include education, healthcare, agriculture & allied activities, financial services, renewable energy & alternatives and sustainable environment.

India’s First Moss Garden comes up at Khurpatal, Nainital District of Uttarakhand • On November 20, 2020 India’s First Moss Garden

was inaugurated at Khurpatal, Nainital District of Uttarakhand by renowned Water Conservation Activist of India, Rajendra Singh (also known as Water Man of India). The park was approved by the Research Advisory Committee of Uttarakhand Forest Department under the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) scheme in July, 2019.

PM Modi launched “Har Ghar Nal Yojna” drinking water projects in UP’s Mirzapur, Sonbhadra • On November 22, 2020, Prime Minister (PM)

Narendra Modi launched “Har Ghar Nal Yojna” (tap water to every household) worth Rs 5,555.38 crore for drinking water projects in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts in Vindhyachal region of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The scheme will be completed within the next two years. Rs 3212.18 crore will be spent in Sonbhadra and Rs 2343.20 crore will be utilized in Mirzapur.

5th India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2020 in Shillong Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic • India International Cherry Blossom Festival

is the annual event of Meghalaya that

attracts a record number of tourists in

Shillong.

• Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya hosts the

only Cherry Blossoms festival in India.

Meghalaya people celebrate festivals

through virtual mode. These flowers can be

spotted across Meghalaya during this time of

the year. These flowers are expected to

continue to bloom till the end of November.

Union Minister of Education Chairs a Virtual National Conference on ‘Empowering Through Zero- Shunya Se Sashaktikaran’ • On November 25, 2020 Ramesh Pokhriyal

‘Nishank’, Union Minister of Education chaired and addressed a virtual national conference on ‘Empowering Through Zero- Shunya Se Sashaktikaran’.It was organised by Sri Aurobindo Society. He launched an e-book, ‘Innovation and


Leadership Casebook – Covid Edition’. It comprises the innovative efforts and work of the education officers and teachers.

Cyclone Nivar: 4th cyclone to hit the North Indian Ocean region in 2020

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet clears Proposal to Rename Ayodhya airport as Maryada Purushottam Sri Ram Airport

Rajasthan CM inaugurates India’s first “Organ

donor Memorial”

• On the occasion of 11th National Organ Donation

Day celebration at Jaipur, Rajasthan CM Ashok

Gehlot inaugurated virtually the first of its kind

“Organ Donor Memorial” in the country. The

organ donor memorial has been built near SMS

Hospital by the Mohan Foundation Jaipur Citizens

Forum and the Jaipur Municipal Corporation.

PM Modi addressed the 8th Convocation of

Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

• Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University is located

at Gandhinagar, Gujarat

• The Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

(PDPU) was established as a private university

through the State Act Act enacted on April 4, 2007.

• PM laid foundation stone 45 MW Production Plant

of Monocrystalline Solar PhotoVoltaic Panel’ and

‘Centre of Excellence on Water Technology’.

Hornbill festival 2020 :Nagaland

• On 1st December, 2020 Nagaland started

celebrating the 21st edition of Hornbill festival

2020 from 1st- 5th of December organised

virtually for the first time due to the pandemic.

• Hornbill festival known as “Festival of Festivals”

is organised by the state tourism of arts and

culture department of Nagaland at the Naga

Heritage Village of Kisama, Kohima.

• It is a 10-day event.

Lachit Divas 2020 Celebrated Across Assam

on 24th November to Remember Lachit

Borphukan, Legendary Ahom General

• Lachit Divas is annually celebrated across the

state of Assam to remember the valor of Chao

Lachit Borphukan, an army general of Ahom

Kingdom (now Guwahati, Assam).

• Lachit Divas is celebrated across India since 2017.

• The day is celebrated to mark the birth

anniversary of the state Hero Lachit Borphukan.

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju launches

2nd Edition of “Fit India School Week”

program

• Minister of State (MoS) Youth Affairs and Sports,

Kiren Rijiju virtually launched the 2nd Edition of

“Fit India School Week” program on November 25,

2020 to Make Every Indian fit.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Minister Launched ‘Sahakar Pragya’ to Train

Farmers in Primary Cooperatives in Rural

Areas

• Narendra Singh Tomar, Union minister for

agriculture and farmers welfare launched

‘Sahakar Pragya’, an initiative of National

Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

10th National Science Film Festival 2020

Organised by Vigyan Prasar

• 10th National Science Film Festival 2020 was

jointly organised by VigyanPrasar, an autonomous

agency under the Department of Science and

Technology (DST), Government of India and the

Tripura State Council of Science and Technology,

Government of Tripura.

India’s 1st 100 Octane Petrol, ‘XP-100’

developed by IOC

• On 1st December, 2020 Ministry of Petroleum and

Natural gas(MOP&NG) Minister Dharmendra

Pradhan launched the India’s first 100 Octane

Petrol also known as XP 100 manufactured by

Indian Oil Corporation(IOC).

• XP 100, the premium grade petrol is

manufactured at IOC’s Mathura refinery in Uttar

Pradesh.

Tribal Affairs Minister, Arjun Munda launched

the 1st virtual Aadi Mahotsav in Madhya

Pradesh

• On 1st December, 2020 Cabinet Minister of Tribal

Affairs, Arjun Munda launched the first ever

virtual edition of Aadi Mahotsav, at Madhya

Pradesh.

• Aadi Mahotsav also known as National Tribal

festival is conducted to promote the tribal,

products, culture thereby increasing Tribal

https://affairscloud.com/current-affairs-2-december-2020/


income.

Power Minister RK Singh Launches ‘Green

Charcoal Hackathon’

• On December 1, 2020, Minister of State (MoS)

(Independent Charge) for Power and New &

Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar Singh virtually

launched ‘Green Charcoal Hackathon’ to

deliberate on technology to convert Farm

Residue into Green Charcoal.

• The Hackathon has been launched to reduce

India’s Carbon footprint.

DoT mandates ‘0’ Prefix for Landline-to-

Mobile calls from 15 January, 2021

• Consumers need to prefix ‘0’ for Landline-to-

Mobile calls.

• The decision has been taken in line with the

recommendations by Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India.

• The process is set to generate around 2539 Million

Numbering Series, freeing up adequate

numbering resources for Future use.

‘Ramayan Cruise Service,’ Becomes India’s 1st

Luxury Cruise Service on Saryu River in

Ayodhya, UP

• The ‘Ramayan Cruise Service’ is to be launched on

Saryu river (Ghagra/National Waterways-40) in

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

• It is India’s 1st luxury Cruise service on the Saryu

river.

DRDO creates New Laboratory ‘Defence Geo

Informatics Research Establishment’ by

Merging 2 DRDO Labs – SASE, DTRL

• Defence Research and Development Organisation

(DRDO) created a New Laboratory named

‘Defence Geo Informatics Research Establishment’

for focused research on terrain and avalanches

along the borders with China and Pakistan by

merging 2 DRDO labs – Manali based Centre for

Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment

(SASE) & Delhi based Defence Terrain Research

Laboratory (DTRL).

Odisha hosts 9th International Sand Art

festival and 31st Konark Dance festival

• From 01-05 December, 2020 Odisha

government’s tourism department has organised

the 9th edition of International Sand Art festival at

Chandrabhaga Beach in Odisha’s Puri district and

parallely the 31st edition of Konark dance festival.

• Theme of 2020 event- “environment” and “COVID-

19”.

• India’s renowned sand artist and Padma Shri

Awardee, Sudarsan Pattnaik, is the Brand

Ambassador and Chief Curator of the event.

Vice President virtually releases Postage

Stamp in honour of late Prime Minister of

India, I K Gujral

• I K Gujral was the 12th Prime Minister of India, he

served as the Prime Minister from April 1997-

March 1998.

• He was born in Jhelum, Punjab (now in Pakistan)

in 1919.

‘Smuggling in India Report 2019-20’

• On December 4, 2020, the 63rd Founding Day of

the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) was

observed virtually which was attended by Union

Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of

Corporate Affairs (MCA) and Ministry of Finance.

• During the occasion Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled

“Smuggling in India Report 2019-20”which

analysed smuggling trends on Gold & Foreign

Currency, Narcotic Drugs, Security, Environment,

Commercial Frauds.

UP Renames Dandupur Railway Station as

Maa Barahi Devi Dham

• The Government of India consented to change the

name of Dandupur railway station located

between Pratapgarh and Badshahpur on the

Varanasi railway section, Uttar Pradesh(UP) as

“Maa Barahi Devi Dham”.

Central Zoo Authority grants recognition to

New Zoos at Bihar & Uttar Pradesh

• 2 New Zoos – Rajgir Zoo Safari in Nalanda, Bihar

& Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan

in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

UNESCO Launched 2020 State of Education

Report for India to Support GoI in Youth’s Skill

Development

• On December 8, 2020, the UNESCO (United

Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural


Organization), New Delhi virtually launched the

2nd edition of “State of the Education Report for

India 2020: Technical and Vocational Education

and Training (TVET)”.

Indian Navy finalises procurement of Israeli

‘SMASH 2000’ Anti-Drone Systems

Malayan Giant Squirrel could fall by 90% in

India by 2050; ZSI’s 1st of its kind Survey

• According to a First-of-its-kind survey conducted

by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under the

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change (MoEFCC), Malayan Giant Squirrel or

Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor) could fall by

90% in India by 2050 due to shrinking of its

original habitat zone.

• Malayan Giant Squirrel is one of the World’s

Largest Squirrel species and also one of the 3 Giant

Squirrels species found in India.

Lakshadweep becomes India’s First 100%

Organic Union Territory

• Indian Island region, Lakshadweep becomes

India’s first 100% organic Union Territory in the

country, and second in the country only after

Sikkim.

• This comes after the UT received proper

certifications and declarations under the Centre’s

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (organic

farming improvement programme).

• Synthetic chemical usage has stopped completely

since 2005.

NITI Aayog released ‘Vision 2035: Public

Health Surveillance in India’, a White Paper

• On December 14, 2020, NITI (National Institution

for Transforming India) Aayog publicized a white

paper titled “Vision 2035: Public Health

Surveillance in India” which was released by NITI

Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar;

PM Narendra Modi Laid Foundation Stone for

1st-of-its-kind World’s Largest Renewable

Energy Park in Kutch, Gujarat

• On December 15, 2020, Prime Minister (PM)

Narendra Modi undertook a visit to Dhordo in

Kutch, Gujarat where he virtually laid the

Foundation Stone of several development projects

in the State viz. world’s largest hybrid renewable

energy (RE) park, a desalination plant Mandvi,

Kutch and a fully automated milk processing and

packing plant at Sarhad Dehri in Anjar.

Bihar’s 1st Migratory Birds Festival held in

Bhagalpur, Bihar

• Bihar’s 1st Migratory Birds Festival was organized

for 3 days from 11th to 13th December, 2020 in

Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Ladakh New Year ‘Losar’ celebrated on

December 15, 2020

• On December 15, 2020, Ladakh Buddhist

Association (LBA) celebrated the ‘Losar’ festival to

mark the beginning of Ladakhi New Year.

• ‘Losar’ is celebrated in the 11th month of the

Tibetan calendar.

• ‘Tarchen’ – a religious and traditional flag was

hoisted to mark the beginning of the new year.

Telangana’s Nehru Zoological Park becomes

1st Indian zoo to receive ISO certification

9001:2015

• Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) in Hyderabad,

Telangana has become the first in India to acquire

ISO (International Organization for

Standardization) 9001:2015 Quality Management

Standards Certification from Accreditation

Service for Certifying Bodies (ASCB) United

Kingdom (UK) as the zoo passed the extensive

documentation of every activity.

• In 2004 African Safari was the first ever animal

park in the world to gain ISO 9001 certification.

CinemaSCOpe – India’s exclusive movie series

for members of SCO Organisation

• Indian Embassy in Beijing, China has launched

“CinemaSCOpe” exclusively for the members of

the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO),

more than a 2 dozen Indian films will be dubbed

in Russian.

• Screenings will continue till India’s Chairmanship

of the SCO ‘Council of Heads of State’ meeting in

2023. The movie series will coincide with “SCO

Year of Culture” in 2021.

VP Venkaiah Naidu virtually Inaugurates the

12th GRIHA Summit 2020

• GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat

Assessment) Summit 2020 organized by GRIHA


Council, Hyderabad, Telangana & TERI (The

Energy & Resources Institute) from December 15-

16, 2020.

• Theme of the 12th GRIHA Summit – ‘Rejuvenating

Resilient Habitats’.

8th edition of North East Festival (NEF) 2020

Held in Guwahati, Assam for 1st time

• On December 19-20, 2020, the 8th edition of the

North East Festival (NEF) 2020 was held at

Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, Assam .

• It was for the first time that Guwahati hosted this

annual two-day event.

International Gita Mahotsav 2020 begins in

Haryana’s Kurukshetra

• The International Gita Mahotsav 2020(17 to 25

December) commenced in Kurukshetra, Haryana.

Jai Ram Thakur, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister,

Haryana Tourism and Education Minister Kanwar

Pal, Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini among the

others inaugurated the festival.

TRIFED and DIVINITI Join Hands for Tribal

Made Products: Launched New Tribes India

Outlet in Assam

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Co-operative

Marketing Federation of India (TRIFED) are in

motive to promote the livelihood of the tribal

artisans with various initiative.

• As a part of the event, Union Minister for Tribal

Affairs Shri Arjun Munda E-launched new Tribes

India Outlet at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi

International Airport or also called International

Airport, Guwahati in Assam.

• TRIFED and Shree Swarnam Divine Products

Private Limited (DIVINITI) made an MoU aimed to

create market- leading products and to be labelled

as “TRIFED-DIVINITY Premium Range” in New

Delhi.

Govt. of Karnataka Inaugurated 1st of its Kind

FRUITS Portal

• On December 22, 2020 the First of its kind Farmer

Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information

System (FRUITS)Portal inaugurated by the

Government of Karnataka,and the same is

integrated with BHOOMI Package of the

Karnataka State to fetch and validate land details.

India plans to set up Coastal Radar Stations in

Maldives, Myanmar & Bangladesh to expand

area under CSN

ISRO & IIT-BHU Signs MoU to Set-up Regional

Academic Center for Space (RAC-S) at IIT-BHU

• On December 23, 2020 Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) signed Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of

Technology (IIT)-Banaras Hindu University

(BHU) to set up its Regional Academic Centre for

Space (RAC-S) at the institute. This will enable

advanced research in the future technology of the

Indian space program.

Indian Navy, CSIR-NIO sign MoU to

Collaborate and Exchange Expertise in the

Field of Ocean Studies

• On December 24, 2020 The Indian Navy

represented by Integrated Headquarters,

Directorate of Naval Oceanology & Meteorology

(DNOM) & CSIR-NIO (Council of Scientific &

Industrial Research - National Institute of

Oceanography) virtually signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) to collaborate & exchange

expertise in the field of Oceanography.

India adds Ladakh’s Tso Kar Lake Complex to

list of Ramsar Sites

• On December 24, 2020, Union Minister for

Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC),

Prakash Javadekar announced that Tso Kar

Wetland complex in Changthang region,

Ladakh has been added to the list of Ramsar

Sites (Wetlands of International Importance).

• It will be India’s 42nd site & UT Ladakh’s 2nd

Ramsar Site.

• Tso Kar Wetland Complex consists of: Startsapuk

Tso, a freshwater lake & Tso Kar, a hypersaline

lake.

India’s largest Hockey Stadium is Set to Build

in Rourkela, Odisha

• On 25th December, 2020, Odisha Chief Minister

Naveen Patnaik announced the plan for India’s

largest Hockey stadium to be built in Rourkela

city, Odisha with a seating capacity of 20,000. The

stadium will also be a part of hosting International

Hockey Federations’(FIH) 2023 Men’s Hockey

World Cup that is planned to be held at Odisha.It


planned to be built at Biju Patnaik University of

Technology Campus owned by the Odisha

Government.

6th India International Science Festival 2020

inaugurated by Prime Minister

• The 6th Edition of Indian International Science

Festival 2020 (IISF 2020) took place virtually in

New Delhi from December 22-25, 2020. Prime

Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the

event.Theme of IISF 2020 – “Science for Self-

Reliant India and the Global Welfare”. Organized

jointly by Council of Scientific & Industrial

Research (CSIR), Department of Science &

Technology (DST), Ministry of Earth Sciences

(MoES), Department of Biotechnology (DBT),

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in

association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA). The

nodal institution for IISF 2020 is CSIR-NISTADS

(National Institute of Science, Technology &

Development Studies), New Delhi.

UP Govt to Set up India’s First Mega Leather

Park in Kanpur

• Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is set to

establish India’s First Mega Leather Park in

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This project is expected to

generate more than 50000 job opportunities and

indirectly provide livelihood to more than 1.5 lakh

individuals. Union Ministry of Commerce has

given approval to the project. The project is set to

be built across 235 acres in Ramaipur village,

Kanpur at an expense of Rs.5850 crores.

India’s First Lithium Refinery to be Set up in

Gujarat

• The 1st Lithium refinery of India is to be set up in

Gujarat. It will process Lithium ore to produce

battery-grade material. More than Rs 1,000 crore

will be invested by Manikaran Power Limited

(MPL) to set up this refinery.

PM Modi launches Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

SEHAT – Health Insurance Scheme to cover all

residents of J&K

• On December 26, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra

Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan

Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana Social Endeavour for

Health & Telemedicine (PM-JAY SEHAT) Health

Insurance scheme for covering all the residents of

Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

• The scheme will operate on insurance mode in

convergence with PM-JAY. The main objective of

PM-JAY SEHAT is to provide free of cost insurance

cover to all citizens of J&K.

India, Vietnam hold PASSEX Naval Exercise

2020 in South China Sea

• Indian Navy & Vietnam People’s Navy undertook a

Passage Exercise (PASSEX) 2020 in the South

China Sea from December 26-27, 2020 to boost

maritime cooperation between the two countries.

PM Modi Inaugurates India’s 1st ever

Driverless Train operations on Delhi Metro’s

Magenta Line

• On December 28, 2020, Prime Minister (PM)

Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India’s 1st

ever Driverless Train Operations on Delhi Metro’s

38 Kilometres long Magenta Line which connects

Janakpuri West & Botanical Garden in Noida.

• PM also inaugurated the fully operational National

Common Mobility Card (NCMC) services on the

Airport Express Line of Delhi Metro.

• The Driverless train operations will be extended

to the Pink Line between Majlis Park & Shiv Vihar

by Mid-2021.

President Ram Nath Kovind’s Visit to Diu from

December 25-28, 2020

• President of India Ram Nath Kovind visited Diu

Town in the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and

Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu from December

25-28, 2020.

• He Inaugurated the 1st academic session of IIIT

(International Institute of Information

Technology) Vadodara-International Campus Diu.

• President also inaugurated the INS (Indian Navy

Ship) Khukri Memorial.

• INS Khukri is Indian Navy’s only warship to be lost

in a war to date.

India Hoists Blue Flags on its 8 Beaches

• On December 28, 2020 India hoisted ‘Blue Flags’

on its 8 beaches.

• Blue Flag certification is an eco-label given by

Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark

for beaches that meets its stringent

environmental, educational, safety-related and

access-related criteria.


• The label signifies India’s efforts to safeguard its

coastal region. In October 2020 India became the

First Country to be awarded the Coveted

International Blue Flag certification for 8 beaches

in one attempt.

India’s Highest Meteorological Centre at Leh,

Ladakh

• On December 29, 2020, Union Minister of Earth

Sciences, Dr Harsh Vardhan virtually inaugurated

India’s Highest Meteorological (Met) Centre at

Leh, Ladakh (UT).

• This is India’s Second Met Centre located in the

Himalayas, the first one is located at Itanagar,

Arunachal Pradesh.

India’s 1st Pollinator Park comes up at

Haldwani, Uttarakhand

• On December 29, 2020, India’s 1st Pollinator Park

was inaugurated at Haldwani in Nainital district,

Uttarakhand by Peter Smetacek, a butterfly

expert.

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