Exclusive August 2018 GA Refresher PDF

Exclusive AUGUST 2018 GA Refresher
Banking & Economy

Third Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2018-19
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Third Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2018-19 on Aug
01, 2018. The six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to
increase the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.5% due to inflation concerns.
 The reverse repo rate has been adjusted to 6.25 per cent.
 Inflation is projected at 4.6 per cent in Q2, 4.8 per cent in H2 of 2018-19 and 5.0 per cent in Q1:2019-20, with
risks evenly balanced (Chart 1).
 RBI has retained GDP growth for 2018-19 at 7.4% as projected in the April policy.
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Indian economy to grow by about 7.5% in 2018 and 2019
 According to Moody’s Investors Service Global Macro Outlook for 2018-19, the Indian economy is expected to
grow by about 7.5% in 2018 and 2019 as it is largely resilient to external pressures like those from higher oil
prices.
 The rating agency expects the India’s economy to grow at a higher rate of 7.7% in the first quarter of 2018. Apart
from this, Moody’s put G-20 growth at 3.3% in 2018 and 3.1% in 2019.
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank launches Overdraft facility for MSEs
 Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ujjivan Financial Services Ltd, launched an overdraft
(OD) facility for micro and small enterprise (MSE) customers across its branches nationally.
 The OD facility is offered to all MSEs with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh or more, at a competitive rate of interest.
India to grow at 7.5% in 2018, 2019
 According to the recent report by Moody's Investors Service, the Indian economy is expected to grow by around
7.5% in 2018 and 2019. It comes as it is largely resilient to external pressures like those from higher oil prices.
 Moody's put G-20 growth at 3.3% in 2018 and 3.1% in 2019.
 The advanced economies will grow 2.3% in 2018 and 2% in 2019, while G-20 emerging markets will remain the
growth drivers at 5.1% in both 2018 and 2019.
Injeti Srinivas committee submitted final report
 The committee, chaired by Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas, has submitted final report on review of
penal provisions of Company Act 2013 to the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley.
 The report makes recommendations for de-clogging the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) through
significant reduction in compounding cases before the Tribunal.
World Bank launches World's 1st Blockchain Bond
www.bsc4success.com www.bscacademy.com mailto:bsc4success@gmail.com

 The World Bank has launched ‘bond-i', the world’s first bond to be created, allocated, transferred and managed by
using distributed ledger technology. This two-year bond successfully raised 110 million Australian dollars (USD
80.48 million). It was the first time that investors supported the World Bank’s development activities in a
transaction that is fully managed using the blockchain technology from start to finish.
RIL becomes first Indian company to cross Rs 8 trillion in market cap
 Reliance Industries has0 become the first company to cross Rs 8 trillion in terms of market capitalisation (market-
cap), becoming the country's most valued firm. RIL's market capitalisation (m-cap) stood at Rs 8.01 trillion.
 The stock ended at Rs 1,266.90 on the NSE, up 1.6%, extending its gains over the past four trading days.
Arun Jaitley back as Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister
 Union Minister Arun Jaitley has resumed charge as the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister after a three-
month interval. He was recuperating from a kidney transplant surgery in May last.
 In the absence of him, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal took care of Finance and Corporate Affairs.
India Banking Conclave 2018 held in New Delhi
 India Banking Conclave (IBC) 2018 has been organised by Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) along
with its knowledge partner and government Think Tank, NITI Aayog held in New Delhi.
 It aimed at making India’s banking sector more adaptable to face multiple future challenges in the coming years.
 CEPR, based in London, UK, is network of over 1100 researchers who are based mainly in universities
throughout Europe and collaborate in research and its dissemination.
Paytm partners with Alibaba to launch AI cloud service
 Paytm parent One97 Communications has partnered with Alibaba to launch its artificial intelligence (AI) cloud
computing platform Paytm AI Cloud for developers, start-ups, and enterprise.
 Paytm AI Cloud will offer a suite of business-centric applications including ready-to-use services that will allow
businesses to automate their workflow, integrate payments, and provide messaging, customer engagement tools.
Home Ministry notifies new SoPS for refilling of ATMs
 The Union Home Ministry issued new Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for cash refilling of automated teller
machines (ATMs) after certain time period.
 It comes in view of rising incidents of attacks on cash vans, cash vaults, ATM frauds and other internal frauds
leading to increased sense of insecurity. It will come into effect from Feb 08, 2019.
 It sets deadline of replenishing cash in ATMs before 9pm in cities and 6pm in rural areas.
Only 23% of rural income from farming
 According to National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development’s (NABARD) All India Rural Financial
Inclusion Survey 2016-17, agriculture (farming) generates only 23% of rural income i.e. not even quarter of rural
household incomes in India. The reference period of survey was 2015-16.
 Just over 43% of their average income comes from cultivation of crops and rearing of animals.
 It estimates that total number of rural households in India at 21.17 crore.
 Its definition of 'rural' is broad, covering revenue villages and semi-urban centres with population of less than
50,000. At least one member is self-employed in farming with annual value of produce at more than Rs 5,000.
PSBs to come out of PCA framework by end of 2018
 The Union Government is expecting that public sector banks (PSBs) placed under RBI’s Prompt Corrective
Action (PCA) framework will come out of it by the end of this year. 11 out of 21 state-owned banks are currently
under PCA framework.
 Prompt corrective action (PCA) framework is supervisory tool of RBI, which involves monitoring of certain
performance indicators of banks to check their financial health as early warning exercise and to ensure that banks
don’t go bust.
Investment in P-notes hits 9-year low
 Investments through participatory notes (P-notes) into Indian capital markets- equity, debt, and derivatives
plunged to over nine-year low of Rs 80,341 crore till Jul 2018-end.
 This is the lowest level since Apr 2009 when the cumulative value of such investments stood at Rs 72,314 crore.

 Participatory Notes (P-notes) are offshore/overseas derivative instruments (ODIs) issued by registered foreign
portfolio investors (FPIs) to overseas investors who wish to be part of the Indian stock market without registering
themselves directly.
Bharti Axa ties up with Airtel Payments Bank
 Bharti Axa Life Insurance and Airtel Payments Bank entered into an alliance to offer the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jeevan
Jyoti Bima Yojana’ (PMJJBY), a government-backed life insurance scheme.
 Airtel Payments Bank also becomes the first payments bank in India to offer the Govt of India-backed life
insurance scheme, the company said in a statement.
 The product (PMJJBY) provided by Bharti Axa Life Insurance offers Rs 2 lakh life insurance cover for a nominal
premium of Rs 330 per annum and can be purchased by all existing or new Airtel Payments Bank savings bank
account holders between the ages of 18-50.
PhonePe to facilitate convenient payments on IRCTC app
 India's fastest growing payments platform, PhonePe has announced entering into a partnership with Indian
Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to facilitate convenient, fast and secure payments through
PhonePe on the IRCTC Rail connect Android app.
 It will enable PhonePe's 100 million plus users to now pay directly from their bank accounts using UPI, credit and
debit cards and also the PhonePe wallet for their travel bookings.
SBI ranks the most patriotic brand
 The State Bank of India (SBI) has been ranked as the most patriotic brand as per survey conducted by UK-based
online market research and data analytics firm YouGov.
 SBI followed by Tata Motors, Patanjali, Reliance Jio and BSNL.
 In the financial sector, SBI lead the chart with 47% of the sector-share, followed by LIC with 16%.
 In the auto sector, Tata Motors emerged as the most patriotic brand, followed by Bharat Petroleum (BP) and
Maruti Suzuki.
 In terms of food brands, Amul grabbed the top slot with one-third Indians considering it, followed by Patanjali.
 Nirma emerged as the most patriotic brand in the homecare products category.
 In the beverages category, Tata Tea grabbed the top rank with 35% respondents voting for it, followed by Taj
Mahal with 18%.
India to grow 7.2% in 2018-19: Ind-Ra Outlook
 Rating agency India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) in its Mid-Year FY19 Outlook has revised India’s growth to
7.2% from its earlier projection of 7.4% for 2018-19 (FY19).
 Private final consumption expenditure is projected to grow at 7.6% in 2018-19 compared to 6.6% in 2017-18,
while expansion of government final consumption expenditure is expected to slow down to 8.6% from 10.9%
during the same period.
NPCI launches UPI 2.0 with overdraft facility
 National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched an upgraded and renwed version of Unified Payments
Interface (UPI), UPI 2.0 by adding four new features to make it attractive and safer for users.
 These new four additional services in UPI 2.0 are Overdraft facility, One Time Mandate, Invoice in The Inbox
and Signed Intent and QR.
 UPI is payments system that allows multiple bank accounts belonging to any participating bank to be controlled
via single mobile app. It was launched by NPCI in April 2016 to allow easy, quick and hassle free money transfer
between any two parties. NPCI is the umbrella organisation for all retail payments system in India.
 It is being promoted the Reserve Bank of India.
Rupee for first time hit historic low of Rs. 70 mark against USD
 Indian rupee for the first time in history plunged to record low of Rs. 70.07 against US dollar on Aug 14 2018.
 It recovered later at around Rs. 69.84 after heavy intervention by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
 Turkish lira has been in free fall following political and economic problems in Turkey, combined with fresh
trouble on the external front. It has slid by almost 50% against dollar in past one year.

 Rupee has been on downslide in 2018 and has slipped 9% in 2018 as foreign investors sold $6.8 million and $5.15
billion in equity and debt markets respectively.
 Rupee is one of the worst performing emerging market currencies and hardest hit in Asia due fall in Turkish lira.
IMF forecasts 7.3% GDP growth for India in 2018-19 & 7.5% in 2019-20
 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its report projected India’s GDP growth 7.3% in the 2018-19 fiscal and
7.5% in 2019-2020 on strengthening of investment and robust private consumption.
 India’s near-term macroeconomic outlook for India is broadly favourable.
 It is projected to rise to 5.2% in fiscal year 2018/19, as demand conditions tighten, along with recent depreciation
of rupee and higher oil prices, housing rent allowances and agricultural minimum support prices.
 Current account deficit (CAD) is projected to widen further to 2.6% of GDP on rising oil prices and strong
demand for imports.
Bajaj Allianz General, Vijaya Bank enter bancassurance tie-up
 Bajaj Allianz General Insurance entered into a bancassurance deal with Vijaya Bank.
 It will enable distribution of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance products through the bank’s network of 2,129
branches across the country.
 Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will offer personal lines of insurance products such as health, personal accident,
home, motor and travel along with a commercial line of insurance products.
PayU and Reliance Money announced Strategic Partnership For Instant Loan
 India's best pay later option PayU and Reliance Money has entered into strategic partnership for instant app-based
personal loans via LazyPay to provide loan amount start from as low as Rs. 100 and will extend up to Rs.
1,00,000 with a duration varying from 15 days to 24 months.
 PayU, headquartered in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, is a fintech company that provides payment solutions to online
merchants. Reliance Securities is a broking arm of Reliance Capital.
Axis Bank introduces iris authentication for Aadhaar-based transactions
 Axis Bank becomes the first bank in the country to introduce Iris Scan Authentication feature for Aadhaar-based
transactions through its micro ATM tablets.
 This service, which requires a customer to scan their iris on a tablet, will boost the bank's financial inclusion
efforts by making Aadhaar authentication process hassle-free and offering easier access to digital banking for
consumers especially in the rural parts of the country.
PayPal, HDFC Bank partner
 PayPal, a global technology platform and digital payments leader, has announced its strategic partnership with
HDFC Bank to offer safer, faster and convenient payment experiences for the bank's card holders.
 The HDFC cards will be presented as a payment option during enrollment and subsequent payments, with the
ability for consumers to easily open PayPal accounts and set it as their preferred payment method.
HSBC launches online platform MyDeal
 HSBC has launched a new digital platform—MyDeal to simplify capital raising process through capital markets
by providing real-time access to information such as investors’ feedback, profiles, client orders and deal pricing.
 In its pilot phase, MyDeal has raised over $25 billion in the first seven months through over 30 transactions
globally.
RBI to pay Rs. 50,000 crore dividend to Govt for FY18
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) transferred surplus (dividend) of Rs. 50,000 crore to Govt for year ended in Jun
2018, over 63% more than Rs 30,659 crore which it transferred in 2017.
 With increase in RBI surplus by close to Rs 20,000 crore, Centre’s prospect of meeting fiscal deficit target
(pegged at 3.3% of GDP this financial year) has improved based on fiscal consolidation and budget assumptions.
 For year 2015-16, RBI board had approved transfer of surplus amounting to Rs 65,876 crore to govt and for
year 2014-15, it had paid Rs 65,896 crore, which came as boon to Govt in covering fiscal deficit target.
 The surplus transferred to govt was Rs 52,679 crore in 2013-14.
SBI launches unified payment terminal

 India’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) launched its Multi Option Payment Acceptance Device
(MOPAD) for digital payments convenience of merchants and consumers.
 It aims to provide digital convenience to customers and ease of doing business for merchants at the same time.
 SBI will roll-out this new initiative on all SBI PoS terminals in a phased manner.
 Multi Option Payment Acceptance Device (MOPAD) aims at providing convenience to merchants by eliminating
multiple machines that they keep in order to facilitate transaction from different sources.
NITI Aayog and CII launch partnership on SDGs
 The NITI Aayog and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) signed MoU on Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and entered into three-year partnership.
 It was signed during Govt and Business Partnership Conclave, jointly organised by NITI Aayog, CII and United
Nations, held in New Delhi.
 Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), headquartered at New Delhi, is an association of Indian businesses which
works to create environment conducive to growth of industry in India.
Govt raises import duty on 328 textile products to curb imports
 The Union Govt doubled import duties on 328 textile products to 20% from existing rate of 10% under Section
159 of the Customs Act, 1962.
 Earlier in Jul 2018, Govt had doubled import duty on over 50 textile products — including jackets, suits and
carpets to 20%.
 It will help to promote ‘Make in India’ as imports of these goods had surged drastically in last one year especially
post GST.
Govt launches Niryat Mitra mobile app
 The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched Niryat Mitra mobile application for exporters and
importers of the country.
 It was developed by the largest exporters organisation of the country, Federation of Indian Export Organisations
(FIEO).
 Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), headquartered in New Delhi, is apex and largest trade
promotion organisation in India.
GST Council proposes cashback incentive
 The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to start a pilot project to give cashbacks to consumers in
order to incentivise digital payments in the country.
 Under the project, consumers will get a 20 per cent cashback subject to a cap of Rs 100 on all UPI and USSD
transactions as well as transactions made using RuPay card and BHIM app.
 The GST Council also decided to form a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Minister of State for
Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla to deliberate on issues facing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Mauritius's SBM gets RBI approval for subsidiary
 Mauritius-based SBM Group has received Reserve Bank of India’s approval to operate in the country through a
wholly-owned subsidiary route — the first foreign lender to receive such a licence after local incorporation was
introduced in 2013.
 SBM, which has been in India since 1994, currently operates through four branches, in Mumbai, Chennai,
Hyderabad and Ramachandrapuram.
 It plans to open six new branches in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad and Jaipur by next year.
 Singapore’s DBS Bank is another lender which is awaiting final approval from the RBI to convert its 12 branches
into a wholly owned subsidiary.
Union Govt constituted Pradeep Kumar Sinha committee
 The Union Government constituted a high level empowered committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary, Pradeep
Kumar Sinha, to address the issues of stressed thermal power projects.
Core industries growth quickens to 6.7% in Jun 2018
 As per the recent data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, index of eight core industries
expanded to 7-month high of 6.7% in Jun 2018. The expansion was due to better performance by cement, refinery

and coal sectors of the index. The growth rate in May 2018 was 4.3%. The previous high was witnessed in Nov
2017 at 6.9%.
 The combined index of eight core industries stands at 129.8 in Jun 2018 and was 6.7% higher as compared to the
index of Jun 2017.
 Growth in the core industry is considered by two factors, viz; govt investment in infrastructure projects is going
up and other is petroleum products are mainly exported and drive to increase exports will be pushing this up.
 Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04%)
 Electricity generation (19.85%)
 Steel production (17.92%)
 Coal production (10.33%)
 Crude Oil production (8.98%)
 Natural Gas production (6.88%)
 Cement production (5.37%)
 Fertilizers production (2.63%)
National News
Germany to provide Euro 120 million soft loan for Clean Ganga Mission
 Germany announced to provide soft loan of euro 120 million (Rs. 990 crore approximately) to India to strengthen
sewage water treatment infrastructure in Uttarakhand in an effort to clean River Ganga under Clean Ganga
Mission.
 German development agency GIZ has prepared ‘Ganga Box’ aimed to target schools-going children and inform
them about the river.
 Ganga book has been prepared on lines of ‘Danube Book’ when cleaning of European river was undertaken.
IBM partners with Indian IT companies
 Global IT giant IBM has partnered with Indian IT companies for its 'Call for Code' initiative that aims to build
global solutions for disaster management. Indian IT companies that will partner with IBM for Call for Code
initiative include Persistent Systems, Invest India, Wipro, Capgemini and NASSCOM.
 It aims to bring startup, academic and enterprise developers together to respond to and recover from natural
disasters.
 IBM and David Clark Cause are joining forces to benefit their charitable partners such as United Nations Human
Rights and American Red Cross.
India inks $346 million loan agreement with ADB
 India inked $346 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance Karnataka State
Highways Improvement III Project (KSHIP-III) for improvement of over 400 km of state highways in Karnataka.
 It will help in enhancement of connectivity and access to economic centres across 12 districts in Karnataka.
 KSHIP-lll project will upgrade about 419 kilometers of state highways to two-and four-lane with paved shoulders.
Govt launches third edition of Smart India Hackathon 2019
 The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched the third edition of Smart India
Hackathon 2019 (SIH-2019).
 Smart India Hackathon is world’s biggest open innovation model which aims to provide students with platform to
solve some of pressing problems faced by people in their daily lives.
 It seeks to inculcate culture of product innovation and mindset of problem-solving among young children.
HRD Ministry launches Innovation Cell at AICTE
 The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development established Innovation Cell at AICTE premises in New
Delhi. It aims to systematically foster culture of innovation in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the
country.
Environment Ministry releases India’s National REDD+ Strategy

 The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released National Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) strategy for India.
 It aims at achieve climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation.
 It will soon be communicated to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Union Govt introduces Atal ranking for institutions to promote innovation
 The union ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has introduced Atal Ranking of Institutions on
Innovation Achievements (ARRIA) to systematically rank education institutions and universities primarily on
innovation related indicators. It aims to promote culture of innovation and research in higher education.
 Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARRIA) is named after former Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee.
Govt constitutes 21-member Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council
 The Union Govt has constituted 21-member advisory panel on science, technology and innovation called Prime
Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). It will be headed by Principal
Scientific Advisor to government K Vijay Raghavan. It will replace earlier Scientific Advisory Committee to
Prime Minister and to Cabinet. The council will advise PM on science, technology, as well as innovation.
 PM-STIAC has nine members, including Chairperson. Apart from nine members, it will also have twelve special
invitees — eleven ex offficio secretaries 10 central ministries, related to science, technology, energy and
education, are special invitees to the panel.
Google unveils new platform for Indic language publishers
 Search engine giant Google has unveiled Project Navlekha to make online content relevant for more Indian users
especially in local languages.
 It has been unveiled along with host of upgrades of Google’s other products at fourth 'Google for India' event held
in New Delhi.
 India is important market for Google as it is second largest population of internet users in the world.
 At present, amount of online content in Indian languages is only 1% of what is English.
 Navlekha is word derived from Sanskrit meaning 'a new way to write.'
 Under Navlekha project, Google will help these publishers to receive training and support and a branded page
domain for the first three years.
NVIDIA made deep learning technology partner of NITI Aayog for MoveHack
 The Union Govt’s premier think tank NITI Aayog made computer chip manufacturer NVIDIA its deep learning
technology partner to support its MoveHack event.
 MoveHack is global mobility hackathon event organized by NITI Aayog to crowdsource solutions aimed at the
future of mobility in India.
 NVIDIA will help NITI Aayog to solve grand challenge of making innovations in mass mobility matter of
national importance using Artifical Intellegence (AI) and deep learning.
Govt asks States to ban e-cigarettes
 The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories to not
allow manufacture, sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
(ENDS).
 Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar already have prohibited
manufacture, import, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and ENDS.
 ENDS are devices that heat solution to create aerosol, which also frequently contains flavours, usually dissolved
into propylene glycolor and glycerin.
 e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) are most common prototype of ENDS.
India's first biofuel flight powered by jatropha seeds
 India’s first-ever environment friendly biofuel powered flight between Dehradun and Delhi was propelled by
blend of oil from jatropha seeds and aviation turbine fuel.
 The 43-minute flight was operated by SpiceJet’s Bombardier Q-400 aircraft, with 20 officials and five crew
members on board.

 This plane had carried blend of 25% of bio jet fuel (derived from jatropha seeds) and 75% of aviation turbine fuel
(ATF) in one of the two engines of plane, while other carried only ATF.
 International standards permit a blend rate of up to 50% biofuel with ATF.
 The blend of bio jet fuel and ATF has potential to reduce fuel costs by 15-20%.
International Water Colour Festival 2018 held in Ranchi
 The International Water Colour Festival 2018 has been held at Audrey House in Ranchi, which is organized by
the Jharkhand Art Culture and Tourism Department in Audrey House.
 It aims to bring local artists in touch with the international art and promote the rich art and culture of Jharkhand.
 During the water colour festival, the visiting artists will interact with school students and local artists on various
themes including 'nature' and 'modern/abstract'.
Govt inks $300 million agreement with World Bank
 The Union Govt has inked $220 million Loan Agreement with World Bank to scale-up Inida’s Energy Efficiency
Program. It also signed $80 million guarantee agreement with World Bank.
 The loan will be provided to EESL by World Bank through its lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (IBRD). It has maturity of 19 years and 5-year grace period.
 The $80 million IBRD guarantee will partially cover re-payment risks to commercial lenders or investors to
enable EESL to raise funds for its program.
 It will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
Govt inks $250 million loan agreement with World Bank for Electricity Distribution Sector Reforms in Rajasthan
 The Central Govt along with Govt of Rajasthan has signed $250 million Development Policy Loan (DPL)
agreement with World Bank for Electricity Distribution Sector Reforms in Rajasthan.
 It will be provided by World Bank’s lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD). It has maturity of 21 years and 3-year grace period.
 It will support Rajasthan Government in improving performance of its electricity distribution sector under State’s
24×7 Power for All program.
TRIBES India Outlets to open at Ahmedabad, Udaipur and Kolkata airports
 Airport Authority of India (AAI) allotted space to Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India
Limited (TRIFED) for opening of Tribes India outlets at Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Kolkata
(West Bengal) airports.
 Tribes India Outlets will provide good opportunity to market tribal products and help to promote tribes India as
brand among target customers.
 TRIFED, headquartered in New Delhi, is multi-State Cooperative Society under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Neta App launched
 Former President Pranab Mukherjee has launched National Electoral Transformation (NETA) mobile application
that allows voters to rate and review their political representatives.
 The app is a brainchild of 27-year-old entrepreneur Pratham Mittal.
 It is the first of its kind platform in India that allows voters to rate and review the political representatives in their
constituencies. It aims to foster political accountability and transparency among leaders.
Home Ministry revokes security clearance to Qatar-based English news channel Al Jazeera
 The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoked security clearance of Qatar govt’s state-funded English
news broadcaster Al Jazeera.
 It is believed that main reason for this revocation is considered to be over documentary made by Qatari channel
on militancy in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), which Indian Govt viewed as 'biased'.
India’s first interstate connected wind power project commissioned in Bhuj
 The 126 MW wind power capacity, part of India’s first inter-state transmission system (ISTS) auction, has been
commissioned in Bhuj, Gujarat. It was part of India’s first ISTS auction.
 It was conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) in Feb 2017.
 The energy generated from this project is being purchased by Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

 It also marks beginning of capacity additions in wind power based on market discovered tariffs, in line with the
Govt’s plan of having 175 GW renewable energy by 2022.
India’s first biofuel flight to fly from Dehradun to Delhi
 India’s first flight using biofuel will fly from Dehradun (capital of Uttarakhand) to Delhi.
 The first ever biofuel test flight has been conducted by SpiceJet on its turborporp Q-400 plane.
 India, with this, will join elite club of nations who have operated flight on alternative energy source like biofuel.
 Developed countries like Canada, Australia and US have already conducted these test flights.
 India will be first developing nation to experiment biofuel test flight.
 SpiceJet operated first such biofuel flight from Dehradun to Delhi using alternative environment friendly fuel for
10 minutes over Dehradun.
UIDAI makes face recognition feature mandatory for Aadhaar authentication
 Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) announced new measure to make facial recognition mandatory
for every authentication that requires Aadhaar.
 The facial recognition will come as additional feature along with regular authentication process that includes
identification of an individual based on fingerprints or eye scans.
NGT appoints Justice S J Vazifdar as Chairman of Panel to Decide Vedanta's Plea
 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has appointed former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice S J
Vazifdar as head of a three-member committee to decide mining company Vedanta's plea challenging closure of
its Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.
Govt unveils Draft UDAN Scheme for International Routes
 The Union Govt has unveiled a draft scheme for extending the affordable air travel programme UDAN to
international circuits, with state governments identifying the routes for operation.
 The draft International Air Connectivity (IAC) scheme envisages to increase the international ticketing to 20 crore
by 2027.
NITI Aayog releases 5 Thematic Reports On Indian Himalayan Region
 The policy think tank of the Govt of India, NITI Aayog released five thematic reports on Sustainable
Development in Indian Himalayan Region.
 It has been released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar, CEO Amitabh Kant and member Dr V K
Saraswat in New Delhi.
 The themes include Inventory and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security, Sustainable Tourism,
and Transformative Approach to Shifting Cultivation, Strengthening Skill and Entrepreneurship Landscape in the
Himalayas.
5G steering committee headed by AJ Paulraj submits its report
 The 5G steering committee chaired by Stanford University’s Professor Emeritus AJ Paulraj has submitted its
recommendations to the Department of Telecommunication.
 It gave wide-ranging recommendations to drive India’s 5G adoption entailing areas like spectrum policy,
regulatory policy, standards and education.
Govt developing National Logistics Portal
 The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry is developing National Logistics Portal to ensure ease of trading
in international and domestic markets.
 The portal will link all stakeholders of EXIM (export and import), domestic trade and movement and all trade
activities on single platform.
Raveena Tandon appointed as brand ambassador of Sanjay Gandhi National Park
 Maharashtra Govt appointed Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon as the brand ambassador of Mumbai city-based
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
 She has been appointed to spread awareness among fellow citizens as she is environmentally-conscious citizen
and respected member of the community.
ICOMOS launches Kerala Heritage Rescue Initiative

 The global monument conservation body, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has
launched Kerala Heritage Rescue Initiative to assess damage to rich cultural and built heritage sites in flood-
devastated Kerala.
 It aims at setting up platform for emergency response to cultural heritage damaged by the floods in Kerala.
 ICOMOS, headquartered in Paris, France, will assess damage and risks to rich tangible, intangible, movable and
immovable heritage that has been adversely affected by foods, including monuments, historic buildings, museum
collections and artefacts of important significance.
UGC directs universities and higher education institutions to ban sale of junk food
 University Grants Commission (UGC) issued circular directing all varsities and higher education institutions to
ban sale of junk food on their campuses.
 The ban will set new standards for healthy food, making students live better, learn better and reduce obesity
levels. University Grants Commission (UGC) functions under Ministry of Human Resource Development.
FSSAI notifies standards for honey and its products
 Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) notified food safety standards for honey and its products in bid to
curb adulteration. It will be applicable to both domestic manufacturers and importers.
 It will help farmers to fetch better prices for their products.
35% of cyber-attacks on Indian sites from China
 According to recent report by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), maximum number of
cyber-attacks on official Indian websites is from China, US and Russia. It had analysed cyber-attacks from Apr-
Jun 2018.
 Cyber-attacks originating from China account for largest 35% of total number of cyber-attacks on official Indian
websites followed by US (17%), Russia (15%), Pakistan (9%), Canada (7%) and Germany (5%).
International Buddhist Conclave 2018 held in New Delhi
 The International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018 has been inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in New
Delhi with the theme "Buddha Path – The Living Heritage".
 This was the sixth edition of International Buddhist Conclave.
 It was organized by Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with State Governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh. Japan is the Partner Country for IBC-2018.
HAL becomes first PSU to transact on TReDS Platform
 State-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has become the first public
sector enterprise to make transaction on RXIL TReDS platform.
 It executed its first digitised invoice discounting transaction on RXIL TReDS platform by accepting digital
invoice uploaded by Nasik-based MSME (micro category) vendor Narendra Udyog.
 This transaction was financed by Bank of Baroda.
 Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) is online electronic institutional mechanism for facilitating the
financing of trade receivables of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) through multiple financiers.
Govt designates NCRB to curb online child pornography and sexual violence
 The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) as nodal
authority to curb online child pornography, sexual violence and rape videos.
 NCRB can act on such online child pornography, sexual violence and rape videos content either on the basis of
complaints or by taking suo motu cognizance.
 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), headquartered in New Delhi, is nodal agency under Home Ministry for
authentic source of data on crime on various parameters including accidents, suicides from across all the states of
the country and prisons for policy matters and research.
Govt to set up Cyclone Warning Centre in Kerala
 The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences announced to set up Cyclone Warning Centre in Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala. It has also proposed to set up C-band Doppler weather radar at Mangalore, Karnataka.
 Cyclone Warning Centre will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure including forecasting tools to
provide daily weather alerts, issue weather warnings and coastal warnings or bulletins (for fishermenetc).

 It will further strengthen to present forecasting activity in India Meteorological Department’s existing office in
Thiruvananthapuram.
 At present, IMD has six cyclone warning centres, four along east coast at Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Visakhapatnam
(Andhra Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Odisha) and Kolkata (West Bengal), and two along west coast at Ahmedabad
(Gujarat) and Mumbai (Maharashtra).
AII launches 'Our Safety, Our Rights' campaign
 The Amnesty International India (AII) launched a new campaign 'Our Safety, Our Rights' to create awareness
among children to help them understand and identify sexual abuse.
 The AII has collaborated with Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS), People’s Action for Rural Awakening
(PARA), Institute of Social Education (ISE) to engage with children in 400 schools, across four Indian states –
Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
 The campaign will culminate on 2018 International Day of the Girl Child (Oct 11).
Sept 2018 will be observed National Nutrition Month
 The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development announced to observe Sept 2018 as the National Nutrition
Month to mark the country’s fight against malnutrition.
 The campaign will be undertaken with an aim of reaching every household with message of nutrition — 'har ghar
poshan tyohar' (every house a celebration of nutrition).
 According to National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), 38% of India’s children aged less than 5 years are
stunted (less height for their age), 21% are wasted (less weight for their height) and 35.7% are underweight.
 India also ranks low 100th out of 119 countries on 2017 Global Hunger Index (GHI).
 Govt already has embarked on Rs 9000-crore to Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission) to fight
malnutrition.
 The target of mission is to bring down stunting among children up to age of six years from 38.4% to 25% by
2022.
Health Ministry notifies new sets of specified health warnings
 The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco
product packs.
 It has made amendments in Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008.
 The first set will be used on tobacco products from Sept 01, 2018 for period of 1 year, whereas second set of
images will be used from Sept 01, 2019.
NOTA option cannot be permitted in Rajya Sabha polls
 The Supreme Court has scrapped the use of ‘None of The Above’ (NOTA) option in the coming Rajya Sabha
elections.
 A bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra held that the NOTA option is meant only for universal
adult suffrage and direct elections and not polls held by the system of proportional representation by means of the
single transferable vote as done in the Rajya Sabha.
IIT Kharagpur to set up Re-Water Research Center
 IIT Kharagpur decided to set up a Re-Water Research Center to replenish and rejuvenate water resources.
 It will be seed-funded by two alumni members – Aneesh Reddy & Aditya Choubey.
 The purpose of the ‘Aditya Choubey Center for Re-Water Research’ is to tackle the challenge of resolving two
burning issues faced by urban India – sewage disposal and access to clean potable water.
 The institute will set up an on-campus plant which will convert 1.35 million litre of sewage water from the hostels
to 1.2 million litre of potable water, on a daily basis. The pilot plant is expected to be ready by Mar 2019.
Govt bans pet coke import for fuel use
 The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Ministry of Commerce and Industry banned import of
petcoke for use as fuel.
 But it has allowed its import of only for use as feedstock in some select industries such as cement, lime kiln,
calcium carbide and gasification industries. India is the world’s biggest consumer of petcoke.
 It gets over half its annual petcoke imports of around 27 million tonnes from United States.

 Local producers include Indian Oil Corp, Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum Corp.
 Cement companies in India account for about three-fourths of country’s petcoke use.
FSSAI constitutes B Sesikeran committee to review food labelling standards
 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) constituted three-member committee, headed by B
Sesikeran, to look into draft food labelling and display regulations-Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and
Display) Regulations 2018.
 FSSAI had released draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2018 in Apr 2018.
Insurers to cover mental illness under medical insurance policy
 The apex insurance body, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has asked insurers to cover
mental illness under medical insurance policy from immediate effect, treating it at par with physical illness.
 At present, insurers exclude mental illness from ambit of medical insurance policies.
 IRDAI’s directive follows Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 enacted by Parliament and came into force from May
2018.
 As per Ministry of Law and Justice, mental illness is defined as substantial disorder of thinking, mood,
perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs behaviour, judgment, capacity to recognise reality or
ability to meet ordinary demands of life.
Govt constitutes Bhaskar Ramamurthy Committee for JEE (Advanced) reforms
 The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) proposed to set up five-member committee, headed
by IIT-Madras director Bhaskar Ramamurthy, to suggest changes to JEE (Advanced) in the wake of an inadequate
number of candidates qualifying entrance test this year.
 Other members will include Abhay Karandikar (Director of IIT-Kanpur), Vineet Joshi (Director General of
National Testing Agency) and Professor Kannan Moudgalya of IIT-Bombay.
Home Ministry to relax terms in agreement signed on repatriation of Bru persons to Mizoram
 The Union Home Ministry agreed to relax conditions laid down in ‘four-corner agreement’ signed with Bru
migrants for their repatriation from Tripura to Mizoram.
 It was signed between Government of India, Governments of Mizoram and Tripura and Mizoram Bru Displaced
People’s Forum (MBDPF) in Jul 2018.
 The agreement covers 5,407 Bru families (32876 persons) presently staying in temporary camps in Tripura to
repatriate them to Mizoram before Sept 30, 2018.
SC accepts Centre’s proposal for use of coloured stickers
 The apex court of India has accepted Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) proposal to use
hologram-based coloured stickers on vehicles, plying in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to indicate the
nature of the fuel used.
 It has asked govt to implement use of coloured stickers on vehicles plying in Delhi-NCR by Sept 30, 2018.
 It also clarified that this colour-coding will only be applicable in Delhi and NCR.
 Delhi will be first city in India to have hologram-based coloured stickers on according to fuel they run on.
N Raghuram becomes first Indian to get elected as Chair of International Nitrogen Initiative
 Indian scientist-academician N Raghuram has become the first Indian and Asian to get elected as Chair of
International Nitrogen Initiative (INI), a global policy making initiative.
 He will succeed Mark Sutton of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh.
 Besides him, David Kanter of the New York University was elected as Vice-Chair.
 The new chairs will formally take up their roles on Jan 01, 2019.
iCRAFPT held in Thanjavur
 International Conference on Recent Advances in Food Processing Technology (iCRAFPT) has been held at
Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT), Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu with the theme 'Doubling
farmers' income through food processing'.
 Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT), headquartered in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu is premier
national institute working under administrative control of Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
Ministry of Agriculture proposes to UNFAO to declare 2019 as 'International Year of Millets'

 The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh has proposed to declare the
upcoming year as the ‘International Year of Millets’.
 For this, the minister wrote to Jose Graziano da Silva, the Director General of the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO).
 The Union Govt recently increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of millets by more than 50 percent of cost
of production which is an important component of efforts to achieve the national commitment of doubling
farmers’ income by 2022.
Special film festival on theme 'Freedom Struggle and Freedom Fighters'
 The special film festival on the theme 'Freedom Struggle and Freedom Fighters' has started in Mumbai On the
occasion of 72nd Independence Day 2018.
 The festival has been organized by Films Division of India (FDI), a film production house belonging to the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).
 It was inaugurated by Rama Khandwala, nonagenarian freedom fighter and Indian National Army (INA) veteran.
Smitha V. Crishna tops list of India’s wealthiest women
 Smitha V. Crishna, a third-generation heir of the Godrej family, ranks first in the Kotak Wealth Hurun-Leading
Wealthy Women 2018 list with an estimated wealth of ₹ 37,570 crore. She owns one-fifth of the Godrej Group.
 Roshni Nadar, CEO and executive director at HCL, ranks second in the list with an estimated wealth of ₹30,200
crore.
 The chairperson of the Times Group, Indu Jain, ranks third in the list. Her wealth is estimated at ₹26,240 crore.
Central govt constitutes Narendra Kumar committee
 The Central govt has constituted coordination committee headed by the Central Water Commission Chairman,
Narendra Kumar to coordinate the discharge of floodwaters from inter-State projects involving Kerala and Tamil
Nadu, including Mullaperiyar and Aliyar.
BSNL launches VOIP based service 'WINGS'
 The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has launched a VOIP based service 'WINGS'.
 The WINGS service offers unlimited free audio/video calling for one year. The service can be activated with a
one-time fee of Rs. 1,099 (Rs 1,297 with GST). There is no SIM or cable wiring as it is a VOIP service through
an app.
First project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme North East Circuit launched
 The first project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 'North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom' has been launched
in Manipur. The project covers two sites i.e. Kangla Fort and Khongjom in Manipur.
 Union Tourism Ministry carried out works such as restoration and improvement of outer and inner moat of old
Govindajee Temple and rejuvenation of sacred ponds, reconstruction of old rampart, among others.
 Kangla Fort is one of the most important historic and archaeological site of Manipur located in the heart of the
capital city Imphal.
 Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been launched by Union Tourism Ministry with an objective to develop theme-
based tourist circuits in the country.
FSSAI launches RUCO initiative
 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil)
initiative to enable collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.
 64 companies at 101 locations have been identified to enable collection of used cooking oil.
 According to FSSAI regulations, maximum permissible limits for Total Polar Compounds (TPC) have been set at
25%, beyond which the cooking oil is unsafe for consumption.
 FSSAI is a nodal statutory agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health in India through
regulation and supervision of food safety.
Prasar Bharati ties up with Google and YouTube to telecast the 72nd Independence Day programme
 Prasar Bharati tied up with Google and its video sharing platform YouTube to telecast the 72nd Independence
Day programme live online on Aug 15 2018 to increase digital presence.

 Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati stated that the live stream window will be seen on the homepage of
Google itself so that people do not have to look for a separate link to go to the Youtube channel.
 This is the first-of-its-kind digital drive in which PM Narendra Modi’s speech from Red Fort is live streamed on
both Google and YouTube.
 This service was first used by Google to telecast the inauguration ceremony of US President Donald Trump in Jan
2017.
NITI Aayog launches Pitch to MOVE competition
 NITI Aayog launched mobility pitch competition Pitch to MOVE to provide budding entrepreneurs of India
unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas to distinguished jury.
 The competition is organised by NITI Aayog in collaboration with Invest India and Society of Indian Automobile
Manufacturers (SIAM).
India grants Rs 470 million to Nepal
 India released additional Rs. 470 million (Nepali) grant for Phase I of Postal Highway Project being constructed
in Southern Plains of Nepal.
 The amount will help to maintain fund liquidity for ongoing construction of 14 road packages under Postal
Highway Project.
 India is providing financial assistance to Nepal since 1950 for infrastructure development as part of its multi-
sectoral India-Nepal Economic Co-operation Programme.
 India so far has released Rs 2.35 billion to Nepal out of total grant assistance of Rs. 8.00 billion committed to
implement 14 packages under Packages 2-6 of Phase I of Postal Highway Project.
Hackers steal Rs 94 crore from Pune’s Cosmos Cooperative Bank via ATMs
 Hackers have stolen (illegally withdrawn) Rs .94 crore from Pune’s Cosmos Cooperative Bank via ATMs in 28
countries. This is first of its kind coordinated digital attack on Indian bank.
 Rs 78 crore were illegally withdrawn in more than 12,000 ATM transactions in 28 countries.
 Rs 2.5 crore were made in different places within India with another 2,800 transactions.
 Rs 13.5 crore was transferred to Hong Kong-based entity using the Society for Worldwide Interbank
Telecommunications (SWIFT) facility.
India celebrates 72nd Independence Day
 India has celebrated the 72nd Independence Day on Aug 15, 2018.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s
71st Independence Day.
 This was the fifth Independence Day speech of Modi as Prime Minister, from the ramparts of Red Fort.
 He announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan, a national healthcare scheme that will
'impact 50 crore Indians' on Sept 25, 2018.
 He also announced India’s first manned space mission ‘Gaganyaan’ for 2022.
Govt notifies rules for unlocking Rs 66,000 crore compensatory afforestation funds
 The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified rules for utilisation of more
than Rs 66,000 crore afforestation funds by states/UTs and for setting up authorities to monitor its use for
afforestation and conservation.
 The fund is accumulated amount which user agencies have been depositing as compensation for diverting forest
land for non-forest purposes such as setting up industries or creating infrastructure, over the past 10 years.
India’s first genetic bank for wildlife conservation inaugurated in Hyderabad
 The National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank has been inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular
Biology’s (CCMB) Laboratory of Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) facility in Hyderabad,
Telanagana.
 It is India’s first genetic resource bank where genetic material will be stored for posterity which will further the
cause of conservation of endangered and protected animals.
 It will cryopreserve living cell lines, gametes and embryos of endangered wild animal species in India.
IFFCO forays into food processing, forms JV with Spainish firm

 Fertiliser major IFFCO entered into joint venture with Congelados De Navarra to set up food processing plant at
Ludhiana in Punjab with an investment of Rs 325 crore.
 With this joint venture, co-operative IFFCO for first time will foray into food processing sector.
 Congelados De Navarra company based in Spain is pioneer in quick frozen (IQF) technology.
 IFFCO will have 30% stake while Congelados De Navarra will have the remaining 70% stake.
 The proposed plant will source produce like potatoes, peas and cauliflower from farmers and then process them
for sale in domestic and exports market.
 It will also contribute in the government’s goal to double farmers income by 2022.
‘Digital North East Vision 2022’ releases
 The document ‘Digital North East Vision 2022’ released by Union Minister for Electronics & Information
Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad in Guwahati, Assam.
 The Union govt will invest nearly Rs. 10,000 crore in the region over the next 4 years to implement more than
400 projects.
 The vision document identified a total of 8 thrust areas to enhance connectivity, including telecom infrastructure,
electronics manufacturing units, BPOs and cyber security, besides promotion of digital innovations.
 The Vision Document aims to empower the people of the North Eastern region.
 The first electronics manufacturing cluster in the northeastern region in Guwahati has been inaugurated.
Santhali becomes India’s first tribal language to get own Wikipedia edition
 Santhali become the first Indian tribal language to get a Wikipedia edition in its own script after the Santhali
Wikipedia went live earlier this month.
 The Santhali Wikipedia got approval from the language committee of the Wikimedia Foundation on June 28 and
went live on Aug 02.
 Wikipedia contributors from India, Bangladesh and Nepal generated the content to make this page possible.
Projects for Defence Industrial Corridor launched in Aligarh, UP
 The projects for defence industrial corridor in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh have been launched recently by Union
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
 It has been launched as part of the Union Government’s efforts to develop specialised zones dedicated to defence
production in the state.
 As part of defence corridor in UP, six nodal points, Agra, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Chitrakoot and Jhansi have
been identified.
 In 2018-19 Union Budget, Government had announced setting up of two corridors – one in Tamil Nadu and
other in UP- exclusively for defence manufacturing.
Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting to offer 3-year Santoor women’s scholarship
 The Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting is going to offer 3-year Santoor women’s scholarship for higher education
to girls from economically weaker families in the three southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana.
 Approx 900 girls from the 3 states will be given Santoor scholarship, with Rs 24,000 for each of them per annum
to do under-graduation.
 The students can apply for the scholarship on “www.santoorscholarships.com” till Sept 15 or in state-run colleges
across the three states. The scholarship is an attempt to empower women to change their life and the world.
 Santoor is the leading brand name of Wipro’s toilet soap.
FSSAI launches 'RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil)'
 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched an initiative 'RUCO (Repurpose Used
Cooking Oil)' that will enable collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel.
 The maximum permissible limits for Total Polar Compounds (TPC) have been set at 25%, beyond which the
cooking oil is unsafe for consumption.
Operation Madad and Sahyog launches
 Indian Navy launched Operation Madad, major rescue and relief operation in flood-hit Kerala.
 Indian Army launched Operation Sahyog to rescue people in flood-hit Kerala.

 Both operations will support rescue and relief efforts of civil administration and National Disaster Relief Force
(NDRF).
 Operation Sahyog Indian Army has deployed its men and machinery into disaster relief and rescue operations at
Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Idukki after incessant rain and landslides hit various northern districts of the
state.
Israel Opens Visa Application Centre in Kolkata
 The Embassy of Israel in India has opened a Kolkata Israel Visa Application Centre for West Bengal and North
Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura to encourage
more Indian travellers to visit Israel.
 Visa applications in the jurisdiction under the New Delhi centre are also acceptable at the new Kolkata Centre.
GRSE becomes first defence PSU
 The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) becomes the first defence Public Sector Units (PSU)
to be activated on the TReDS (Trade Receivable Discounting System) platform.
 The platform hosts 15 financers including Allahabad Bank, Bank of Baroda (BoB), Union Bank of India (UBI)
and Vijaya Bank.
India’s first genetic bank for wildlife conservation inaugurated in Hyderabad
 National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology’s (CCMB)
Laboratory of Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) facility in Hyderabad, Telanagana.
 This is India’s first genetic resource bank where genetic material will be stored for posterity which will further the
cause of conservation of endangered and protected animals.
 National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank is equipped with sophisticated equipment to preserve the genetic
resources that could be utilised to virtually resurrect an animal species in case it goes extinct.
India Art Fair 2019 to be held in New Delhi
 The eleventh edition of the India Art Fair 2019 will be held from Jan 31 to Feb 03 in New Delhi.
 The fair is best known for its strong representation of leading Indian galleries alongside selected exhibitors from
across the world. The director of the 4-day annual art fair will be Jagdip Jagpal.
Project 'SWAYAM' launched By HRD Ministry
 The Human Resource Development Ministry has launched a programme, 'Study Webs of Active Learning for
Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) to provide one integrated platform and portal for online courses.
 It covers all higher education subjects and skill sector courses.
 SWAYAM is a programme initiated by Government of India and designed to achieve the three cardinal principles
of Education Policy viz., access, equity and quality.
Delhi HC decriminalises begging in the national capital
 Delhi High Court declared 25 sections of Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 which have been extended to
Delhi, as 'unconstitutional'.
 With this, it has struck down legal provision criminalising begging in national capital.
 The court’s order came on PILs which had sought decriminalisation of begging in capital and beggar by
challenging provisions of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act.
President of India inaugurates ‘One District one Product’ Summit
 The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated the ‘One District One Product’ Summit in Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh. Micro, small and medium enterprises are called the backbone of our economy.
 The ‘One District One Product’ scheme will enhance skills of local people as well as increase the reach to
products. Under the scheme, the state govt has set a goal of providing employment to 25 lakh people in five years
through the financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 crores.
22nd ‘Parampara series – National Festival of Music and Dance’ festival be held in New Delhi
 The 22nd edition of ‘Parampara series – National Festival of Music and Dance’ festival held at Kamani Auditorim
in New Delhi. It has been organised by Natya Tarangini led by Padma Bhushan awardee Kuchipudi couple Raja
and Radha Reddy.
NRIs cannot file RTI applications: Govt

 The Union Govt has informed Lok Sabha that Non-Resident Indians (NRI) cannot file Right to Information (RTI)
applications to seek governance-related information from Central government departments.
 It mentioned that only citizens of India have the right to seek information under the provisions of RTI Act, 2005
and NRIs are not eligible to file RTI applications.
 Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed by Parliament on Jun 15, 2005 and came fully into force on Oct 12,
2005. The law imposes penalty for wilful default by govt officials. Citizens can ask for anything that government
can disclose to Parliament.
International Conference on 'Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling: Policy Prescriptions' held in New
Delhi
 NITI Aayog’s International Conference on 'Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling: Policy Prescriptions'
has been held at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi.
 It has been inaugurated by the Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin
Gadkari.
Govt launches BIMS and Bhoomi Rashi – PFMS Linkage Portals
 The Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highway (MoRTH) launched two IT initiative Bidder Information
Management System (BIMS) and Bhoomi Rashi and PFMS linkage to expedite pre construction processes
relating to bidding and land acquisition respectively.
 BIMS portal aims at streamlining process of pre-qualification of bidders for EPC Mode of contracts for National
Highway works with enhanced transparency and objectivity.
 Bhoomi Rashi portal, developed by MoRTH and National Informatics Centre (NIC), comprises entire revenue
data of country, right down to 6.4 lakh villages.
RAP eased for foreigners visiting 29 Andaman and Nicobar Islands
 The Union Home Ministry excluded 29 inhabited islands in Andaman and Nicobar from Restricted Area Permit
(RAP) regime under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 till Dec 2022.
 The lifting will allow foreigners to visit these islands without prior permission from the government.
 Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries will
continue to require RAP to visit Union Territory.
 Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime RAP regime has been notified under Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order,
1963.
Govt sets up GoM headed by Suresh Prabhu
 Union Government constituted four-member Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Minister of Commerce
and Industry, Suresh Prabhu to decide on 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
negotiations.
 It has been constituted to advise Prime Minister on whether to continue with or withdraw from RCEP
negotiations.
 The GoM also includes Interim Finance and Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri.
IWAI launches dedicated portal, FOCAL
 The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) launched a dedicated portal, Forum of Cargo Owners and
Logistics Operators (FOCAL) to connect cargo owners and shippers with real time data on availability of vessels.
 It will enable direct interaction among the vessel operators, shippers and cargo owners as currently, there is no
platform to know the availability of vessels in the market.
ECI conducted first-ever Orientation Workshop on Election Management in New Delhi
 The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted the first-ever Orientation Workshop on Election Management
for IAS Asstt Secretaries in New Delhi.
 Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat advised the officers to be prepared for facing the newer
challenges like Data harvesting; targeted messaging & profiling; money and media influencers.
NITI Aayog to host Investors’ Conference for the Holistic Development of Islands

 The NITI Aayog will host an Investors’ Conference for the Holistic Development of Islands at Pravasi Bharatiya
Kendra and will be inaugurated by Amitabh Kant (CEO of NITI Aayog).
 It aims to attract investments for the sustainable development of eco-tourism projects on a Public Private
Partnership (PPP) basis in the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
Startup India launches Academia Alliance Programme
 Startup India launched the Startup Academia Alliance programme, which is a unique mentorship opportunity
between academic scholars and startups working in similar domains, to fulfill the Indian Govt’s mission to
promote the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country.
 The programme aims to reduce the gap between scientific research and its industrial applications in order to
increase the efficacy of these technologies and widen their impact.
International Conference on Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling inaugurated in New Delhi
 The International Conference on Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling has been inaugurated by the
Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra
in New Delhi.
Govt extends deadline for imposing duty hike on 29 US products by 45 days
 Union Finance Ministry further extended deadline on imposing import duty hike on 29 products, imported from
United States (US) by 45 days till Sept 18, 2018 from earlier Aug 4, 2018.
 The decision for extension of retaliatory measures for another 45 days was taken based on suggestion of Union
Commerce Ministry.
Mughalsarai Junction renamed as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
 The iconic Mughalsarai Railway Junction in Uttar Pradesh has been renamed as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
Railway station. A goods train with an all-woman crew was also flagged off on the occasion.
Facebook launches Digital Literacy Library
 Facebook launched 'Digital Literacy Library' to help young people build skills need to safely enjoy online
technology.
 The library is resource for educators looking to address digital literacy and help these young people build the
skills they need to safely enjoy digital technology.
GCMMF awarded the ‘Marketer of the Year’ award
 The marketers of the popular Amul brand of milk and dairy products, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing
Federation Ltd. (GCMMF) has been awarded the ‘Marketer of the Year’ award by the International Advertising
Association of India (IAAI).
 The award has been received by RS Sodhi, the Managing Director (MD) of GCMMF, on behalf of the 36 lakh
milk famers and producers of Gujarat.
MeitY launches desktop software 'e-Aksharayan'
 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched a desktop software 'e-Aksharayan' for
converting any scanned or printed Indian language documents into a fully editable text format in Unicode
encoding. The application is free of cost and supports editing in 7 Indian languages viz. Hindi, Bangla,
Malayalam, Gurmukhi, Tamil, Kannada & Assamese.
Govt withdraws proposal of setting up Social Media Communication Hub
 The Union Govt notified Supreme Court that it has withdrawn proposal for setting up 'Social Media
Communication Hub'.
 The development comes after apex court had issued notice to centre earlier and had termed Govt’s proposal to
monitor online data using this hub akin to 'creating a surveillance state'.
India’s first in-phone tourism guide 'Go whats That' launches
 India’s first in-phone tourism guide and mobile application 'Go whats That' has been launched by the Union
Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan at Rock
Garden in Chandigarh.
 This is the first of its kind app where tourist can scan QR code at a heritage site to download the history & details
of that place in multiple languages.

Govt achieves 5 crore Free LPG Connections Target
 The Union Govt has reached the target of providing 5 crore free LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
Yojana (PMUY) almost eight months ahead of schedule (i.e. in 27 months instead of 35 months).
 Union Govt launched PMUY in May, 2016 with tagline of 'Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan.'
 PMUY is under implementation in the all the States/UTs.
 Initially, Govt had set target to provide deposit free LPG connections under PMUY to 5 crore BPL households by
31 March 2019.
 Considering its huge success, govt had revised target to 8 crores with budgetary allocation of Rs. 12,800 crore.
 World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised PMUY as one of decisive intervention by Govt to address indoor
air pollution which accounts for nearly 10 lakh deaths in year in the country.
141st birth anniversary of designer of Indian National Flag observed
 141st birth anniversary of freedom fighter and designer (architect) of Indian National Flag, Pingali Venkayya has
been observed on Aug 02, 2018.
 He had published book in 1916 offering thirty designs of what could make Indian flag.
 India’s National Flag (tricolor or तिरं गा) is based on Swaraj flag of Indian National Congress designed by Pingali
Venkayya.
 It has been adopted during by Constituent Assembly on Jul 22, 1947, a few days before India’s independence
from the British.
 The national flag is horizontal rectangular tricolour of India saffron, white and India green, with Ashoka Chakra
(24-spoke wheel) in navy blue at its centre.
 The usage of national flag is governed by Flag Code of India and other laws relating to the national emblems.
i2i Programme launched
 Invest India under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in partnership with energy companies
launched Integrate to Innovate Programme for startups in energy sector.
 The three-month programme for startups in the power sector aims to foster collaboration between startups and
large corporations of the energy sector.
 The selected startups will receive cash prize grant of up to Rs 5 lakh along with opportunity to pilot their product
with corporates.
NITI Aayog launches global mobility hackathon
 NITI Aayog launched global mobility hackathon Move Hack to crowd source solutions aimed at future of
mobility in India.
 MoveHack aims to bring about innovative, dynamic and scalable solutions to problems pertaining to mobility.
 It is organized in partnership with Govt of Singapore and is powered by Hacker Earth.
FICCI launches WOW mobile app
 The women’s wing of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), FICCI Ladies
Organisation (FLO) launched WOW (Wellness of Women) mobile application aimed at creating awareness on
preventive healthcare for women across the country.
 It is backed by Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals Group that offers access to renowned doctors and provides health
tips. FICCI, headquartered in New Delhi, is the largest and oldest apex business organization in India.
NGT constituted a 2-member monitoring committee
 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted 2-member monitoring committee to oversee the Yamuna
rejuvenation project.
 The committee, comprising former Delhi Chief Secretary Shailaja Chandra and retired NGT expert member
Bikram Singh Sajwan, has been directed to submit the first action plan by September 2018 and report by
December 2018.
 The current chairperson of the NGT is Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, retired Supreme Court Judge.
India’s first in-phone tourism guide launched

 India’s first in-phone tourism guide and mobile application 'Go whats That' launched by the Union Minister for
Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan at Rock Garden in
Chandigarh.
 This is first of its kind app where tourist can scan QR code at a heritage site to download the history & details of
that place in multiple languages.
NBRC researchers decipher how Zika virus causes microcephaly
 Scientists from National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) successfully identified molecular and cellular
mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly.
 Babies born with microcephaly have significantly smaller head size compared with normal babies.
 Zika virus is vector borne disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which also transmits
dengue.
Govt launches logo, tagline for GI
 The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under Ministry of Commerce and Industry unveiled
tricolour logo for geographical indication (GI) certified products.
 The logo has tagline 'Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India' printed below it.
 Winning logo was designed by Adri Chatterjee and winning tagline was coined by Akancha Tripathi.
 The purpose of logo and tagline for GI selected is to increase awareness about intellectual property rights (IPRs)
and also and importance of GI products in the country.
 From now on, GI-registered goods will sport logo and tagline to make them more attractive.
 Geographical Indication (GI) GI tag is name or sign used on certain products which correspond to specific
geographical location or origin.
Govt imposes 25% safeguard duty on import of solar cells
 The Union Govt imposed safeguard duty of 25% on import of solar cells (whether or not assembled in modules or
panels) from China and Malaysia. It aimed at helping domestic solar cell manufacturing sector.
 The decision by the Union Govt follows long deliberation by Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR),
which recommended safeguard duty structure after considering application by Indian solar cell manufacturers.
 The 20% safeguard duty will be effective for one year between Jul 30, 2018, and Jul 29, 2019.
 It will be reduced to 20% for six months from Jul 30, 2019, and further to 15% in the subsequent half year.
Govt launches Seva Bhoj Yojna
 The Union Ministry of Culture launched a new scheme, Seva Bhoj Yojna to provide financial assistance on
purchase of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free distribution among people.
 Centre’s share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Interstate GST charged on raw food materials
purchased by the religious institutions will be refunded.
 It aims to reimburse Central Government share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods
and Service Tax (IGST) to lessen financial burden of religious and charitable institutions providing food, prasad,
langar (Community Kitchen), Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to public and devotee.
CSCs to help in implementation of Ayushman Bharat
 Common Service Center (CSC) and National Health Accounts (NHA) signed MoU to implement the Ayushman
Bharat scheme through 3 lakh Common Service Centers (CSCs) across the country.
 Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) aims to cover over 10 crore poor vulnerable
families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh (per family per year) for
secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
 It will also help beneficiary to scan and upload his KYC documents for verification of his identity and claim his
entitlement. This card can be used at hospitals to claim the benefits under Ayushman Bharat Abhiyan.
Indian Railways launches 'Mission Satyanishtha' program
 The Indian Railways in the first of its kind event, held by any government organization, launched 'Mission
Satyanishtha' program on ethics in public governance for its employees at National Rail Museum in New Delhi.
 It aims to sensitize all railway employees about the need to adhere to good ethics and to maintain high standards
of integrity at work.

STATE News
Assam Govt extends AFSPA in the state for 6 more months
 Governor of Assam has extended application of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire
state for six more months with immediate effect.
 For this, governor has used powers conferred under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
declaring entire state as ‘Disturbed Area’ upto 6 months or unless withdrawn earlier.
 This decision was taken as precautionary measure to maintain law and order during ongoing National Register of
Citizens (NRC) update process during the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process.
 The final draft NRC is likely to be published by end of 2018.
Odisha govt launches 'Mu Hero, Mu Odisha' programme
 The Odisha govt has launched 'Mu Hero, Mu Odisha' (I am Hero-I am Odisha) programme to identify and to give
recognition to the young achievers of the state.
 The initiative is to be conducted by the Biju Yuva Vahini (BYV) members.
Arunachal Pradesh Assembly passes bill for creation of 3 new districts
 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative assembly has passed Arunachal Pradesh Re-Organisation of Districts
(Amendment) Bill, 2018 for the creation of three new districts, Pakke-Kesang, Lepa Rada and Shi Yomi in the
state.
 With addition of these three new districts, state will have total 25 districts from earlier 22 districts.
ADB to $245 million provide loan for safe, sustainable drinking water service in West Bengal
 Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved financing package of $245 million to implement project for providing
safe, sustainable drinking water service to million people in three districts of West Bengal affected by arsenic,
fluoride, and salinity.
 It will be first of its kind technology to be used for large scale rural water schemes in India.
 The total cost of project is $349 million, for which ADB will provide loan of $240 million and grant of $3 million
will be provided from Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction financed by Govt of Japan.
 The West Bengal govt will provide $106 million in funding. The project is due for completion in June 2024.
ADB to provide US $375 million loan for Madhya Pradesh Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Project
 The Union Govt has signed $375 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Madhya
Pradesh Irrigation Efficiency Improvement Project.
 The project will contribute to double farming incomes in Madhya Pradesh by expanding irrigation networks and
system efficiency.
 It will develop 125,000 hectares of new, highly efficient and climate resilient irrigation networks.
 It will help farmers to adopt micro-irrigated agriculture including high-value crops.
Punjab Assembly passes bills to make desecration of religious texts punishable with life term
 Punjab Legislative Assembly unanimously passed Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 and Code
of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 to make sacrilege of all religious texts punishable with life
imprisonment.
 It comes week after State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arminder Singh approved the amendments.
Arunachal Pradesh govt to organize a youths’ conclave 'ATAL'
 The Arunachal Pradesh govt has decided to organize a youths’ conclave 'ATAL – Arunachal Transformation &
Aspirational Leadership' in Itanagar.
 The conclave aims to engage youths in the age group of 18 to 30 years of the state pro-actively in the areas of
public policy and governance.
Madhya Pradesh Govt seeks revival of Cheetah Reintroduction Project
 Madhya Pradesh forest department has written to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to revive its
Cheetah Reintroduction Project to reintroduce Cheetahs in Nauradehi sanctuary located in Sagar district of state.
 The ambitious project was conceived in 2009 but had hit roadblock for want of funds. Cheetah, fastest land
animal was declared extinct in India in 1952.
 India’s last spotted Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) had died in Chhattisgarh in 1947.
BNHS to open its first regional centre near Chilika Lake
 The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of India’s premier avian research institutes, will start
operating its first regional centre or avi-fauna observatory on the campus of Wetland Research and Training
Centre near Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon), Odisha.
President appoints Governors of seven states
 President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Governors of seven states including Bihar, Haryana, Uttarakhand,
Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Tripura by exercising his authority under Article 156.
 The appointments will be effective from the dates the incumbents take charge of their respective offices.
 Satya Pal Malik, former Governor of Bihar, transferred to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
 He succeeds N Vohra, who has been serving this post since 2008.
 Lal Ji Tandon has been appointed as new Governor of Bihar.
 Ganga Prasad, former Governor of Meghalaya, has been appointed as the new Governor of Sikkim.
 Tathagata Roy, former Governor of Tripura, transferred as new Governor of Meghalaya.
 Kaptan Singh Solanki, former Governor of Haryana, has been appointed as new Governor of Tripura.
 Satyadev Narayan Arya has been appointed as the new Governor of Haryana.
 Baby Rani Maurya has been made the new Governor of Uttarakhand.
Here is the complete list of Recent Governors appointed:
State Name of Governor
Haryana Dr. S N Arya
Sikkim Ganga Prasad
Tripura Kaptan Singh Solanki
Bihar Lalji Tandon
Uttarakhand Baby Rani Maurya
Meghalya Tathagata Roy
Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik
Chhattisgarh’s Naya Raipur smart city to be renamed ‘Atal Nagar’
 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has announced to rename Naya Raipur smart city to 'Atal Nagar' in
honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away on Aug 16 in New Delhi.
 He announced that along with renaming of Naya Raipur, the Bilaspur University, a medical college, state capital
expressway and the under-construction Central Park will be named after Vajpayee.
 On Nov 01, which is observed as the foundation day of the state, the govt will also give awards to honour people
who have rendered service to the society. The awards will be called as 'Atal Sushashan Awards'.
5 northern states and 2 UTs to set up centralised secretariat at Panchkula
 Five northern states, viz, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Union territories of
Delhi and Chandigarh have decided to set up centralised secretariat at Panchkula (Haryana) to tackle the drug
menace.
 It was decided at inter-State regional conference of Chief Ministers organised in Chandigarh by Haryana govt on
issue of 'Drug menace, challenges and strategies'.
Telangana Govt launches Disaster Response Force in Hyderabad
 Telangana Govt for the first time launched Disaster Response Force (DRF) vehicles in the capital city of
Hyderabad.
 It aims to start this DRF is that state should have its own Disaster force to swiftly deal with emergency situations.
13.42 TMC water to be allocated to Karnataka, 24 TMC to Goa

 Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal has delivered its final verdict to ending 50-year-old dispute over sharing of
Mahadayi or Mandovi River between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
 The tribunal has been constituted in Nov 2010 under Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to resolve water
sharing dispute between riparian states.
 Mahadayi River (also spelt Mahadeyi or Mhadei, and called Mandovi in Goa) rises in Bhimgad Wildlife
Sanctuary in Western Ghats, in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district in Karnataka.
Telangana govt signed pact with Tech Mahindra
 The Telangana govt signed pact with Tech Mahindra to establish the Blockchain district in Hyderabad, a first-of-
its-kind Centre of Excellence for Blockchain.
 It was signed during the 3-day International congress at HICC in Hyderabad.
Khangchendzonga becomes 11th Biosphere Reserve from India
 Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Himalayan state of Sikkim has been included in UNESCO designated
World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), making it 11th Biosphere Reserve from India to achieve this
recognition.
 The decision has been taken at 30th Session of International Coordinating Council (ICC) of Man and Biosphere
(MAB) Programme of UNESCO held in Palembang, Indonesia.
 It is one of the highest ecosystems in the world, reaching elevations of 1, 220 metres above sea-level.
Rajasthan govt to observe Sept as 'month of nutrition'
 The Rajasthan govt decided to observe Sept as the 'month of nutrition' to create awareness among people living in
the state.
 The students of Class 1 to 8 of govt schools will be given milk daily instead of thrice a week for which additional
funds of Rs 203 crore will be allocated.
 Besides, students in the age group of 3-6 years, adolescent girls and pregnant women registered with Anganwadi
centres will also be provided milk thrice a week and the government will allocate Rs 100 crore for this.
Telangana CM launches three new schemes
 Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao launched three new schemes viz. free life insurance for farmers
(Rythu Bima), 'Kanti Velugu' eye care scheme and an economic support programme for backward classes on the
occasion of 72nd Independence Day 2018.
 Under 'Kanti Velugu' eye care scheme, every citizen of Telangana will be entitle to have free eye care viz. free
eye screenings, medicines and spectacles and surgeries.
 Under the economic support scheme for backward classes, the govt would provide a grant of Rs 50,000 to the
beneficiaries to start small businesses.
 Under the 'Rythu Bima' scheme, every farmer would get life insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh.
Jodhpur, Marwar ranked cleanliest rail stations
 The Union Railway Ministry released Third Party Survey Report on Station Cleanliness which ranked 407
railway stations including 75 A1 category stations, 332 A category stations on basis of cleanliness performance.
 Jodhpur, Rajasthan has been ranked first in survey A1 category stations, Marwar, Rajasthan first in A category
stations and North Western Railway first among all Zonal Railways.
 The survey was conducted by Quality Council of India (QCI) with help of their partners.
 Jodhpur is followed by Jaipur and Tirupati in A1 category Stations (out of 75).
 Marwar is followed by Phulera and Warangal in A category stations (out of 332).
 North Western Railway is followed by South Central Railway and East Coast Railway in Zonal Railways
Rankings.
West Bengal Govt removes lifts family income ceiling
 West Bengal Govt announced to remove annual family income ceiling in eligibility criteria to be beneficiary
under state’s UN award winning Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme.
 It will help more girls to chase their dreams with Govt support.
 Currently only girls belonging to families with annual family income not more than Rs 1.20 lakh were entitled to
get the benefits of this scheme.

 State government is also planning to set up 'Kanyashree University' under this scheme for girls soon.
 Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme is conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at improving status and well-being of girl
child by incentivising schooling of teenage girls and delaying their marriages until the age of 18.
Pune tops Ease of Living index
 Three cities in Maharashtra — Pune, Navi Mumbai and Greater Mumbai — top the first Ease of Living Index
brought out by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
 The national capital, New Delhi, is ranked 65 among 111 cities, while Chennai is in 14th place.
 A city’s ranking reflects its ability to provide data, as well as its actual performance on four different parameters
— institutions or governance, social indicators, economic indicators and physical infrastructure.
 The other cities in the top ten include Tirupati, Chandigarh, Thane, Raipur, Indore, Vijayawada and Bhopal.
 The three cities at the bottom of the rankings are Rampur, Kohima and Patna.
Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2019 scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar
 The 9th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2019 is scheduled to be held between Jan 18 and 20 in
Gandhinagar with the theme 'Shaping of a New India'.
 The 'Youth Connect Forums' at the summit will facilitate interactions between young achievers, successful
businessmen and traders and the youth.
Punjab Govt starts ‘Tatkal Sewa’
 The Punjab Govt has started ‘Tatkal Sewa’ for property registration across the state from Aug 13.
 The state govt has fixed the sum of Rs 5,000 as facilitation charges to seek appointment for ‘tatkal’ (instant)
registration for properties.
 Beside this, an hour-long slot from 9 am to 10 am has been reserved for availing the service under instant mode.
 People could seek an appointment by visiting the website “www.revenue.punjab.gov.in”.
Delhi Police inducts India’s first all-woman SWAT team
 Delhi Police inducted India’s first all-woman Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team for anti-terrorist
operations. The all-woman SWAT team is the brainchild of Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik.
 It has been formally inducted by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
 The all-woman SWAT team has been inducted after rigorous training of around 15 months from specialists all
across India and abroad.
 It comprises 36 women commandos from northeastern states (13 members from Assam, 5 from Arunachal
Pradesh, 5 from Sikkim, 5 from Manipur, 4 from Meghalaya, 2 from Nagaland and 1 from Mizoram and Tripura
each).
 They will be deployed at strategic locations in Central and South Delhi as well as Red Fort and India Gate during
Independence Day and Republic day celebrations.
‘Mathrubhumi Media School’ launched in Kochi
 The leading media group of Kerala, Mathrubhumi launched its new venture ‘Mathrubhumi Media School’ in
Kochi.
 The school is to promote excellence in the field of media, and to infuse broad knowledge, integrity and social
commitment.
 Mathrubhumi, a Malayalam newspaper, was founded in 1922 by K P Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the
Indian freedom struggle against the British.
Mizoram govt to start repatriation process of Bru (Reang) tribals
 The Mizoram govt is going to start the repatriation process of Bru (Reang) tribals from Tripura to Mizoram from
Aug 14 to Sept 10.
Telangana govt to setup 'B-Hub'
 The Telangana govt is planning to setup a state of the art 'B-Hub' with an outlay of Rs. 60 crore for biotech and
biopharma sector in Genome Valley, Hyderabad.
 The first-of-its-kind initiative in the country aimed at providing much-needed support to the biopharma research
and development activities, featuring a scale-up manufacturing facility along with a turnkey incubator, lab space
module at GLP grade spreading over a built-up area of 40,000 sq.ft.

Manipur govt constituted two committees at state and district level
 The Manipur govt has constituted two committees at state and district level to deal with a possible influx of illegal
immigrants, following the publication of the final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.
 It will be headed by Special Secretary (Home) while the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police as
its members.
 The district level committee will be headed by the concerned deputy commissioners while Superintendent of
Police, SDOs, SDPO, SDCs, OCs will be the members.
Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam'
 The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved an unemployment allowance scheme 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam'
through which an allowance of Rs 1000 per month will be provided to unemployed youth in the state.
 Unemployed youths with a degree or diploma between the ages of 22 and 35 years are eligible to avail the benefit.
Karnataka govt launches rural cleanliness and sanitation campaign 'Swachhameva Jayate'
 The Karnataka govt launched a rural cleanliness and sanitation campaign 'Swachhameva Jayate' to make every
citizen in rural Karnataka take a pledge of cleanliness.
 It aims to boost the Swachh Survkekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) survey in all the districts with the help of
school children.
 Since the inception of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the govt of Karnataka has constructed a total of 22 lakh toilets in
29,736 villages.
 The state needs another 5 lakh toilets in its rural areas before Oct 02 to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF)
status.
Thermal battery plant unveiled in Andhra Pradesh
 The world’s first-ever thermal battery plant owned by Bharat Energy Storage Technology Private Limited (BEST)
was inaugurated in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh.
 The thermal battery facility is being manufactured by Bharat Energy Storage Technology Private Limited
(BEST). It will provide energy solutions for electrical grids, transport and telecom services.
 BEST aims to commercially open up the plant by May 2019, where it could provide an initial capacity of
1000MW. In its first phase, it will produce batteries for telecom, mini/microgrids, and electric buses, that are
expected to run for up to 800kms on a single charge.
Govt of Odisha launches 'Heartbeats for Hockey' campaign
 The Govt of Odisha launched a 360 degree nation-wide publicity campaign 'Heartbeats for Hockey' to attract fans
for 2018 men’s hockey World Cup.
 It attempts to get India behind the game by way of music, entertainment, fashion, pure sport and panel
discussions. The event will take place at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from Nov 28 to Dec 16.
 The state is the title partner for the hockey event and Odisha Tourism is the host partner.
Rajasthan becomes first state to implement the National policy on bio fuels
 Rajasthan became the first Indian state to implement the National policy on bio fuels launched by the Union Govt
in May 2018.
 The State will lay emphasis on increasing production of oilseeds and establish a Centre for Excellence in Udaipur
to promote research in the fields of alternative fuels and energy resources.
Special train flagged off to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in New Delhi
 Delhi division of Northern Railway and South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) have jointly launched
Mosquito Terminator on Wheels, a special mosquito terminator train to prevent mosquito breeding along railway
tracks in New Delhi. SDMC has provided high power sprayer and insecticide on truck mounted power sprayer.
Himachal Pradesh launches Shaur Nahin mobile application
 Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur launched 'horn not ok' awareness campaign and 'shaur nahin' (no noise)
mobile application in state capital Shimla.
 It aims to spread awareness of unnecessary blowing horn as it creates unnecessary noise pollution and is harmful
to health. The first phase of campaign has been launched in Shimla and Manali.

 The mobile application is initiative of department of environment science and technology in association with
National Informatics Centre (NIC), Himachal Pradesh.
Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua district of MP gets GI tag
 Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh received Geographical Indication (GI) tag in
'Meat Product, Poultry & Poultry Meat' category from Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry and
Intellectual Property India.
 GI tag denotes that product comes from particular geographical.
 GI tag will ensure that no one else can use name Kadaknath Chicken while selling any other black chicken.
NABARD sanctions Rs 772 cr for water projects in Haryana
 National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 722 crore for eight water
projects in the rural areas of Haryana. The projects will supply water to 256 villages and 72 hamlets.
 The state govt has sent three more project proposals, costing Rs 236.85 crore, to NABARD for financial
assistance. The second proposal aims to supply water to 109 villages and nine hamlets.
MP govt to observe 2018 Independence Day eve as Shahid Samman Divas
 The Madhya Pradesh govt will observe the 2018 Independence Day eve as Shahid Samman Divas to honour
martyrs. The decision has been taken at a cabinet meeting in Bhopal.
 The martyrs will be paid homage and the relatives of the martyrs will also be honoured on the day.
Chhattisgarh govt launches smartphone distribution scheme 'Mobile Tihar'
 The Chhattisgarh govt launched a smartphone distribution scheme 'Mobile Tihar' under the Sanchar Kranti Yojna
(SKY).
 'Mobile Tihar' was launched by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, along with National Award-winning
actress Kangana Ranaut.
AP Govt launches unemployment allowance scheme
 Andhra Pradesh Govt approved an unemployment allowance scheme, Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam to provide Rs
1000 per month unemployed youth in state.
 The scheme aims to provide Rs 1000 per month unemployed youth in the state.
 The scheme will benefit 12 lakh youth in the 22-35 years age group from state.
First cow sanctuary in Rajasthan
 The first cow sanctuary in Rajasthan is going to come up in Napasar, Bikaner to dedicate the entire area for cows,
much on the lines of a wildlife sanctuary.
 It will provide shelter for 10,000 bovines spread over an area of more than 220 hectares in Bikaner district.
 The facilities will include hospitals and Sewan grass as fodder for the animals.
 For this, the state govt has signed MoU with a private trust in this regard.
Assam's NRC officially published
 The second and final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been officially published bearing
the names of 2 crore 89 lakh 83 thousand 677 citizens of the state.
 It will feature the names, addresses and photographs of all Indian citizens, who have been residing in the North-
eastern state before 25th March 1971.
Andhra Pradesh govt set up 'iHub'
 The Andhra Pradesh govt is planning to set up 'iHub' (the intelligent hub), a first-of-its kind global research centre
for scientific learning with an initial investment of Rs 245 crore spread over five years.
 The state govt has already collaborated with UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and
Sustainable Development (MGIEP).
Tiger population in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) doubled to 60
 The tiger population in the reputed Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), in Tamil Nadu, has doubled to 60 from 30,
due to intensive conservation efforts. The MTR is located in Nilgiri District of the state.
Rajasthan first State to implement biofuel policy
 Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to implement National Policy on Biofuels unveiled by Union
Government in May 2018. The implementation has been approved by high-power Biofuel Authority.

 It was also decided that state Govt will release Biofuel Rules, 2018.
 The State Govt will lay emphasis on increasing production of oilseeds and establish Centre for Excellence in
Udaipur to promote research in fields of alternative fuels and energy resources.
International News
First SAARC Agri Cooperative Business Forum held in Kathmandu, Nepal
 The first South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Agri Cooperative Business Forum held in
Kathmandu, Nepal with the theme 'Organizing and Strengthening Family Farmers’ Cooperatives to attain the
Sustainable-Development-Goals-1 and 2 in South Asia'.
 It was co-organized by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations and Asian Farmers’
Association with the support from International Fund for Agricultural Development.
 South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is regional intergovernmental organization and
geopolitical union of nations in South Asia.
 Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
 It was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 8 Dec 1985. Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
3rd edition of Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2018 held in Hanoi
 The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) 2018 held in Hanoi, Vietnam with the theme 'Building
Regional Architectures'.
 It was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with her Vietnamese counterpart, Pham
Binh Minh. EAM Swaraj also unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the Chancery building at the Embassy of
India in Hanoi.
4th Asian electoral stakeholders forum held in Colombo
 The fourth edition of Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF-IV) has been held in Colombo, Sri Lanka to
discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region with the theme 'Advancing Election Transparency and
Integrity: Promoting and Defending Democracy Together'. It is for the first time AESF held in South Asia.
 It has been jointly organised by Election Commission of Sri Lanka and Asian network for free elections
(ANFREL). India was represented by Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Ashwini Kumar and NGO.
G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting held in Argentina
 The G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting has been held in Salta, Argentina with the theme 'Building
consensus for fair and sustainable development'.
 It took place as part of Sherpa Track for 2018 G20 Leaders’ Summit, which is to be hosted by Argentina by end
of 2018. India was represented by Union Minister for Electronics and IT & Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad.
 Group of Twenty (G20) is premier forum for international economic cooperation and decision-making.
 The G20 comprises of total 19 countries plus European Union (EU), representing 85% of global GDP, 80% of
international trade, 65% of world’s population.
 Its members include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan,
South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, UK, US and EU.
3rd Indian Ocean Conference held in Hanoi
 The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference has been held in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam with the theme
'Building Regional Architectures'.
 It was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Min,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
Esala Maha Perehera starts in Kandy
 The historic Esala Maha Perehera has been started in Kandy, Sri Lanka on Aug 17 with a grand procession.
 The procession set off from the biggest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, Sri Dalada Maligawa at an auspicious time.
 The Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers,
jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers and lavishly decorated elephants.

Panini language laboratory inaugurated in Mauritius
 Panini language laboratory has been inaugurated by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj at Mahatma Gandhi
institute in Mauritius to promote reading and writing Hindi amongst young and its further development.
 It was launched on the sidelines of 11th World Hindi Conference held in Mauritius.
 The lab aims to promote reading and writing Hindi amongst young generation and its further development.
 It has been established in Mauritius with support from Indian External Affairs Ministry.
11th World Hindi Conference begins in Mauritius
 11th World Hindi Conference has been held in Mauritius in its capital city Port Lois from Aug 18-20, 2018 with
the theme 'Vaishvik Hindi Aur Bharatiy Sanskriti'.
 It has been inaugurated by Prime Minister of Mauritius Praveen Kumar Jagannath and was attended by External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and some other ministers.
 It was organised by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in association with Government of
Mauritius. The venue of Conference was Swami Vivekanand International Convention Centre, Pailles Mauritius.
US extends $39 million military finance to Sri Lanka
 The United States has announced to grant $39 million as part its foreign military financing to Sri Lanka to boost
maritime security.
 It is viewed latest move by US to counter China’s increasing strategic influence on Indian Ocean island.
Vienna named world’s most liveable city
 Austrian capital Vienna has been ranked as world’s most liveable city among 140 major cities in 2018 Global
Liveability Index released by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
 This is first time that European city has topped rankings of EIU annual survey.
 Global Liveability Index released by EIU compares world cities with each other in terms of security, affordability,
education, healthcare, its urban lifestyle and infrastructure.
 Vienna, Austria with total score of 99.1 topped the list followed by Melbourne, Australia (98.4) and Osaka, Japan
(97.7). New Delhi had figured at 112th and Mumbai 117th position in list.
24th World Congress of Philosophy held in Beijing
 The 24th World Congress of Philosophy (WCP), organized by the International Federation of Philosophical
Societies, and Peking University, held in Beijing, China with the theme 'Learning To Be Human'.
 This was first time that the quinquennial (once in five year) event held in China.
Nepal-India Literature Festival 2018 held in Nepal
 The Nepal-India Literature Festival 2018, organized by Nepal India Co-operation Forum, held in Birgunj, Nepal
on August 12 to strengthen Indo-Nepal ties.
 On this occasion, the renowned writers from both the countries were also felicitated.
India hands over 1st lot of houses built in Sri Lanka
 India handed over 404 houses built for Indian-origin people in Sri Lanka’s tea plantation areas at Dunsinane
Estate in Nuwara Eliya city. It is the first lot of houses built under Indian Housing Project in Plantation Areas in
Sri Lanka. Under this project close to 47,000 houses so far have been completed out of total 60,000.
 With grant of over US $350 million, it is India’s largest assistance project in any country.
UK unveils new organ donation plan to address Indian-origin shortages
 The Govt of United Kingdom announced new plans to change law for organ and tissue donation to address urgent
need for organs within Indian-origin communities in the country.
 The amendment in existing law will propose new system of consent for organ and tissue donation.
 This will be known as Max’s Law after Max Johnson, a 10-year-old boy who was saved by a heart transplant.
 This will come into effect in England in 2020 as part of a drive to help black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME)
people desperately waiting for a life-saving transplant.
Japan pips China to become world's second-largest stock market
 Japan has pipped China as the world's number two stock markets.
 The Chinese market was worth $6.09 trillion next to Japan's $6.17 trillion.
 Both markets are ranked after the US which is the world's largest at just over $31 trillion.

 China lost to Japan after Chinese stocks and currency fell this year amid a trade spat with the US.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet begins in Singapore
 Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong kicked off the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Singapore.
 During the meeting, it was decided that a free trade agreement between ASEAN countries and six Asia-Pacific
states including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and News Zealand, would be finalised by the end of
the year.
UAE launches 3-month visa amnesty programme
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched 3-month visa amnesty programme that will benefit hundreds of illegal
foreign workers, including Indians, overstaying their permits by allowing them to leave the country without
penalties and giving them six months to find a job.
 The UAE is home to 2.8 million Indian expatriates, the largest expatriate community in the country.
2018 BRICS Film Festival held in Durban
 The 2018 BRICS Film Festival has been held in Durban, South Africa, along with the International Durban Film
Festival (DIFF) from Jul 22-27.
 The last day (Jul 27) of the festival has been celebrated as India Country Day, followed by Awards and Closing
Ceremony.
 'Newton', directed by Amit Masurkar, bagged the best film award, while 'Village Rockstars' (directed by Rima
Das) won the Best Actress (Bhanita Das) and Special Jury Award in the BRICS Film Festival 2018.
India elected as President of AIBD
 India has been elected as President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for period
of two years.
 India has been elected against Iran during voting which took place at 44th annual gathering of AIBD held in
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
 AIDB is regional inter-governmental organisation serving countries of United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in field of electronic media development.
 It is hosted by Government of Malaysia and its secretariat is located in Kuala Lumpur.
 Broadcasters from 26 countries in the region including India are full members of the organization.
Myanmar Govt appointed independent 4- member commission
 The Myanmar Govt appointed an independent 4- member commission to investigate alleged human rights abuses
against the ethnic Rohingya minority.
 The Independent Commission will investigate the allegations of human rights violations and related issues,
following the terrorist attacks by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
 It will be comprised of two local members & two international members. It will be headed by Filipino diplomat
Rosario Manalo.
First 'Nepal-India Think Tank' Summit held in Kathmandu
 The first 'Nepal-India Think Tank' Summit held in Kathmandu to foster greater collaboration and knowledge-
sharing among the think tanks of the two countries.
 The summit was inaugurated by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the former Prime Minister of Nepal and Co-
Chairman of ruling Nepal Communist Party.
 It was jointly organized by the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDA) and Nehru
Memorial Museum Library (NMML).
Science & Defence

Russia to conduct largest military exercise in September 2018
 Russia will conduct Vostok-2018 (East-2018) military exercise in central and eastern Russian military districts
from Sept 11 to 15, 2018.
 Vostok-2018 will involve participation of units from Russian Army, Air Force and Navy.

 China and Mongolia will also participate in Vostok 2018.
ISRO unveils plans for India’s manned space flight mission
 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has unveiled details of its first indigenous human space mission
dubbed as Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022.
 Under it, three Indian astronauts (Gaganyatris) will be taken to space on board Gaganyaan spacecraft by 2022.
 This will be the first human space mission to be indigenously developed by ISRO.
 After successful mission, India will become fourth nation in the world to send astronaut into space after US,
Russia and China. The entire cost of Gaganyaan mission will be less than Rs 10,000 crore.
 It will be totally indigenous, very cost-effective mission by Indian standards which is not viable from international
standards.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft catches its first glimpse of its target Bennu asteroid
 NASA’s asteroid sampling spacecraft OSIRIS-REx captured first images of its target asteroid Bennu and began
its final approach towards it after almost two-year journey.
 OSIRIS-Rex stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer.
 The first glimpses of targeted asteroid have been captured by PolyCam camera OCAMS on board of OSIRIS-Rex
from a distance of 2.1 million kilometre.
 It will help to study Bennu’s size, shape, surface features, and surroundings.
 OSIRIS-Rex mission was launched in Sept 2016 for studying 101955 Bennu, a carbonaceous asteroid.
European Space Agency launches world’s first wind-sensing satellite
 European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched wind-sensing satellite named Aeolus into orbit on board of
Vega rocket from French Guyana.
 It is the world’s first wind-sensing satellite dedicated to map Earth’s wind on global scale in particular tropical
winds which are very poorly mapped because of almost complete absence of direct observations.
SCO counter-terror military exercise held in Chebarkul, Russia
 The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Mission 2018 has been held in Chebarkul, Russia.
 Military contingents of the all eight SCO member nations (China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan,
India and Pakistan) participated in this exercise.
 SCO, founded in 2001, is political and security grouping of eight countries headquartered in Beijing, China.
 The full members of SCO are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan.
 Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have observer status at present.
DAC approves procurement of 111 utility helicopters for Indian Navy
 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved
procurement of 111 utility helicopters for Indian Navy at cost of over Rs 21,000 crore.
 DAC is Union Defence Ministry’s highest decision making body on capital procurement of Indian Armed Forces
(Army, Navy and Air Force).
 The procurement of 111 utility helicopters will be first project under Defence Ministry’s prestigious Strategic
Partnership (SP) Model that aims at providing significant fillip to Govt’s ‘Make in India’ programme.
DAC approves procurement of 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems
 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 150 indigenously designed and developed 155
mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems for Indian Army at approximate cost of Rs 3,364.78 crores.
 It will further quest for modernisation of Armed forces.
 These guns have been indigenously designed & developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO). It will also help to create self-reliance in country’s defence manufacturing sector.
DAC approves procurement of VLS Range Missile Systems
 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 14 Vertically Launched Short (VLS) Range
Missile Systems. Of these, 10 systems will be indigenously developed and remaining four will be imported.
 VLS is advanced system for holding and firing missiles on mobile naval platforms, such as surface ships and
submarines.
DAC approves procurement of 24 multi role helicopters for Indian Navy

 The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement 24 anti-submarine capable multi role helicopters
to enhance capability of Indian Navy at sea.
 It will allow Govt to sign contract US based aviation giant Lockheed Martin for purchasing 24 MH-60R
helicopters for Indian Navy. It will be direct govt-to-govt (G2G) deal with United States worth approximately
$1.8 billion.
INS Vikramaditya for first time to be fitted with marine hydraulic system
 India’s only aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya for the first time will be fitted with marine hydraulic system to
boost the air operations of the ship.
 It will be fitted with two marine hydraulic systems whose technical terms go by 'GS-1MF' and 'GS-3'.
 The system will be installed by Technodinamika, a subsidiary of Russia’s Rostec State Corporation by May 2019.
IAF launches Trans Himalayan Mountain Terrain Biking Expedition
 Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched Trans-Himalayan Mountain Terrain Biking Expedition (THE MTB) as part
of its celebration of 86th Anniversary on Oct 08, 2018.
 The expedition has been started on Aug 17, 2018 from Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in Ladakh for Kibithu in
Arunachal Pradesh.
IAF launches Speedex Contract
 Indian Airforce formally launched The Stores, Proactive, Efficient and Expeditious Despatch of Extra Size/ Wt
Consignment (SPEEDEX) contract.
 It has been concluded in Jun 2018 between with Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd and Ashok Travel and Tours for air and
surface component respectively.
 It will facilitate door to door pickup and delivery facility with fixed timelines, lesser than speed post.
IIT Hyderabad launches exclusive incubator
 Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) launched 'Fabless Chip Design Incubator (FabCI)', an
exclusive incubator to boost chip design.
 It is the first of its kind in India that will focus on creating an ecosystem for start-ups in chip design.
EU Wind Survey Satellite 'Aeolus' Launched From French Guyana
 A new European satellite named 'Aeolus' using advanced laser technology to track global winds and improve
weather forecasts has been successfully put into orbit on a Vega rocket from French Guyana.
 The 'Aeolus' satellite has been named after the guardian of wind in Greek mythology that took place at the
European spaceport in Kourou.
Iran unveils first domestically manufactured fighter jet
 Iran unveiled first domestically manufactured fighter jet nicknamed Kowsar.
 It was unveiled at defence show held in the capital city of Tehran.
 It is fourth-generation fighter with advanced avionics and multi-purpose radar. It was 100% indigenously made in
Iran. The name Kowsar means river in paradise in Islam and also title of chapter in Koran.
NASA Scientists confirmed the presence of frozen water deposits in Moon
 NASA Scientists have confirmed the presence of frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the
Moon’s polar regions using data from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft, that was launched by the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2008.
First-ever IAF-RMAF joint air exercise begins in Malaysia
 The first-ever joint air exercise involving the Indian Air Force and the the Royal Malaysian Air Force commenced
at Subang Air Base in Malaysia. India has been eyeing a foothold at the strategically important Subang Air Base.
 The exercise seeks to deepen defence and military ties between the two countries.
Pitch Black 2018 Exercise concludes in Australia
 Pitch Black – 18 (PB-18), biennial multinational air exercise hosted by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has
been concluded in Darwin, Australia.
 It was the largest Pitch Black ever conducted by Australia, which saw participation of 16 nations and more than
140 aircraft, the current edition.

 In this edition of exercise, Indian Air Force (IAF) for the first time participated with air assets and in earlier
exercises it had participated as observer.
 Pitch Black Exercise is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
India, Thailand joint military exercise concludes
 Joint platoon level military exercise Maitree 2018 between India and Thailand has been conducted in Thailand.
 It was platoon level exercise between Indian Army and Royal Thai Army that comprised of infantry component.
Smart Anti Airfield Weapon successfully flight tested near Pokhran
 The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested indigenously developed light
weight glide bomb Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) dropped from an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
 Total of three tests with eighth round of developmental trails with different release conditions were conducted at
Chandan range near Pokhran in Rajasthan during Aug 16 to 18, 2018 and all the mission objectives have been
achieved. Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) project is India’s first fully indigenous anti-airfield weapon
project sanctioned by Government in Sept 2013.
ATGM HELINA successfully test fired at Pokhran range
 Indigenously developed Helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) ‘HELINA’ has been
successfully flight tested from Indian Army Helicopter at Pokhran range.
 HELINA is helicopter launched version known of NAG ATGM, designed and developed indigenously for Indian
Army under integrated guided missile development programme (IGMDP).
 HELINA is one of the most advanced Anti-Tank Weapons in the world.
Scientists for first time decode complex wheat genome
 International researchers including 18 Indian scientists for first time have decoded wheat genome.
 DNA sequence of bread wheat was successfully ordered and it represents highest quality genome sequence
generated to date for such wheat variety. The research conducted by more than 200 scientists from 73 research
institutions in 20 countries. The reference enome decoded covers 94% (14.5 Gb) of entire wheat genome.
 This project was financially supported by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
China tests 'Xingkong-2 (or Starry Sky-2)'
 China has successfully tested its first cutting-edge waverider hypersonic aircraft 'Xingkong-2 (or Starry Sky-2)'
which could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defense systems.
 The aircraft has been designed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) in collaboration with
the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC).
Scientists develop super-insulating transparent gel
 Scientists have developed Aerogel, a transparent heat-resistant super-insulating gel using beer waste.
 It may be used to build greenhouse-like habitats for human colonised on extraterrestrial habitats such as Mars or
Moon. Aerogels defining feature is air, as it comprise at least 90% gas by weight.
Armed forces to grant permanent commission for women officers
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 72nd Independence Day speech vowed from Red Fort announced that
permanent commission will be granted to serving women officers of armed forces.
 Women officers who have been selected through Short Service Commission (SSC) in defence forces will now
have option to take up permanent commission (PC).
 Women are inducted in armed forces only as officers and not in subordinate ranks and currently, there are 1,561
women officers in Indian Army, 1,594 in Indian Air Force (IAF) and 644 in Indian Navy.
 Unlike male officers who join under SSC scheme and can opt for PC at end of ten years, women SSC officers do
not have the same option.
DAC approves procurement of six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels
 Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved procurement of
six indigenously designed and manufactured Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for Indian
Navy.
 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) will be built in indigenous shipyards at approximate cost of
Rs. 4941 crore. They will be fitted with state-of-the-art sensor suite with increased endurance.

 DAC is Defence Ministry’s highest decision-making body on capital procurement of Indian Armed Forces (Army,
Navy and Air Force).
Iran unveils next generation short-range ballistic missile
 Iran unveiled Fateh Mobin (Bright Conqueror) next generation short-range ballistic missile capable of striking
targets on land and sea.
 It was unveiled as part of Iran’s thrust to further boost its defence capabilities at time of rising tensions with
United States. Fateh-110 missile is 100% domestically made in Iran.
NASA successfully launched the Parker Solar Probe mission
 The US space agency NASA successfully launched the Parker Solar Probe mission to send a satellite closer to the
Sun than any before.
 The rocket carrying the Parker Solar Probe lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station, Florida in the US.
 The US $1.5 billion mission will perform the closest-ever observations of a star when it travels through the Sun’s
outer atmosphere, called the corona.
 It is the first space craft to be named after a living person – astrophysicist Eugene Parker (91), who first described
solar wind in 1958.
Chandrayaan-2 to be launched in Jan-Mar window in 2019
 India's second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 will be launched in the January-March window in 2019 instead of
later this year as the design was changed to enable it land on the lunar surface.
 The space agency would launch 22 satellites in 2019, the maximum in any year in the history of ISRO.
 ISRO would have two missions Chandrayan-2 by GSLV Mark 3 and the PSLV P45 launching RA-SAT 2B next
year.
Exercise SCO Peace Mission 2018
 As part of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) initiatives, SCO Peace Mission Exercise is conducted
biennially for SCO member states.
 The joint exercise for the year 2018 will be conducted by Central Military Commission of Russia from Aug 22 to
Aug 29, 2018 at Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk, Russia.
 This will be a historic occasion due to the maiden participation of India post becoming a full member of the SCO
in June 2017.
'Pacific Endeavor-2018 (PE-18)' started in Nepal
 The communication exercise 'Pacific Endeavor-2018 (PE-18)' under the Multinational Communications
Interoperability Program (MCIP) started in Kathmandu, Nepal.
 The objective of 12 day exercise is to develop common communications operating procedures to enable military
forces in the Asia Pacific region to collectively work in the wake of disaster.
Earth at risk of becoming irreversible hothouse
 According to the recent study, the Earth is at the risk of entering an irreversible hothouse condition – where the
global temperatures will rise by four to five degrees even if targets under 2015 Paris climate deal are met.
 Hothouse Earth climate will in long-term stabilise at global average of 4-5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-
industrial temperatures with sea level 10-60 metres higher than today.
 Currently, global average temperatures are just over 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial and rising at 0.17
degree Celsius per decade.
Pakistan, Russia sign agreement
 Pakistan and Russia signed contract on admission of service members of Pakistan in Russia’s Military Training
Institutes.
 It was signed at conclusion of first meeting of Russia-Pakistan Joint Military Consultative Committee (JMCC),
the highest forum of defence collaboration between both countries held in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
 This will be for first time, Pakistani soldiers will undergo training at Russian military institutes.
China successfully tests first hypersonic aircraft

 China successfully tested the first cutting-edge hypersonic 'waverider' flight vehicle (aircraft) Xingkong-2 (Starry
Sky-2). Waverider is flight vehicle that flies in atmosphere and uses shockwaves generated by its own hypersonic
flight with air to glide at high speed.
 Currently, United States and Russia have been carrying out similar experiments.
 The hypersonic waverider flight vehicle was designed by state-run China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
(CAAA) in collaboration with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
10th International conference on oral implantology held in New Delhi
 The 10th International conference on oral implantology has been held in New Delhi to enhance the awareness and
knowledge on the latest innovations and technologies in oral implantology world over.
 The conference was hosted by Academy of Oral Implantology (AOI).
 Oral implantology is a highly dynamic specialty and has over the years, introduced innumerable modifications
and improvements for dental treatment of patients.
ISRO postpones launch of Chandrayaan-2 mission
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) postponed Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to moon to Jan
2019. The mission has been postponed for the second time.
 The ambitious mission was earlier planned to be launched in Apr 2018 and was later fixed for Oct 2019.
 India may lose fourth position in the world for soft-landing on the moon to Israel as it too planning to launch
moon mission in December 2018.
Defence Minister launches Defence India Startup Challenge
 Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has launched Defence India start up Challenge in Bengaluru to build an
ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in defence sector and make India self reliant for meeting defence
requirements.
 Taking forward the IDEX scheme (Innovation for defence excellence) launched earlier by the Prime Minister in
April this year the ministry of defence launched package of policy and framework for the incubators and partners
to empower India and give a thrust to indigenisation in defence sector.
IIT-Madras develops first indigenous microprocessors
 The Scientists from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras have developed first of family of six industry-
standard microprocessors under Project Shakti.
 Project Shakti has been started in 2014 as IIT-M initiative and part of it is funded by Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology.
Researchers create world's first single chromosome yeast
 Researchers claimed to have created the world’s first single-chromosome yeast while not affecting the majority of
its functions.
 Researchers were from China’s Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences.
 It also showed that all genetic information can be concentrated in just one chromosome.
Supersonic interceptor missile successfully test-fired
 The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successful tested supersonic endo-atmospheric
interceptor missile from Abdul Kalam Island (earlier known as Wheeler Island) Odisha.
 It was developed under Ballistic Missile Interceptor Advanced Air Defence (AAD) System.
 The interceptor missile has been launched against multiple simulated targets of 1,500 km class ballistic missile.
 It is 7.5-metre long and is capable of intercepting incoming targets at altitude of 15 to 25 km.
Ranchi man develops humanoid robot Rashmi, Indian version of 'Sophia'
 Ranchi man Ranjit Srivastava has developed Indian version of ‘Sophia,’ a social humanoid robot developed by a
Hong Kong based company, named Rashmi which can speak Hindi, Bhojpuri and Marathi along with English.
 The developer claimed it as world’s first Hindi speaking realistic humanoid robot and India’s first lip-synching
robot. Rashmi uses linguistic interpretation (LI), artificial intelligence (AI), visual data and facial recognition
systems. He, a master of business administration (MBA), has expertise in software development of more than 15
years. He has developed the speaking robot in two years at a meager cost of Rs 50,000.
China launches high-resolution Earth observation satellite

 China launched Gaofen-11, an optical remote sensing satellite, as part of the country’s high-resolution Earth
observation project.
 It was launched on board of Long March 4B rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi
Province. It was overall 282nd flight mission by Long March carrier rocket.
 Gaofen-11 is sub-meter resolution optical satellite. It was developed by China Academy of Space Technology
(CAST).
NASA’s planet hunting Spacecraft is now operational
 NASA’s new planet hunting Spacecraft Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) became operational and
started collecting data after its successful launch in Apr 2018.
 The TESS spacecraft will now firstly scan patch of sky in southern hemisphere covering 2,300 degrees from south
ecliptic pole to near ecliptic plane.
 Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission is led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT)
Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.
Scientists discover new shape after studying human cells
 Scientists identified new shape called scutoid while studying epithelial cells.
 Epithelial tissue is one of four kinds of tissue that forms human bodym which acts as safety shield of body that
make up cell walls lining our blood vessels and organs.
2018 Unified Commanders’ Conference (UCC) started at New Delhi
 2018 Unified Commanders’ Conference (UCC) has started at New Delhi to review external security challenges as
well as the country’s preparedness.
 The 2-day annual conference will provide a platform for discussions at the Apex Level on all ‘Joint Issues’ among
all three Services & Ministry of Defence.
RANKING & REPORTS

River Ganga drying up in summers due to groundwater depletion
 According to the recent study conducted by IIT-Kharagpur, River Ganga witnessed unprecedented low levels of
water in several lower reaches in last few summer seasons.
 It was carried out under IIT-KGP Science and Heritage Initiative (SANDHI) Initiative, which focuses on river
systems and its relationship with settlement system.
India has highest gender gap in mobile phone ownership
 According to the recent study released by LIRNEAsia, India has highest gender gap in mobile phone ownership
amongst 18 comparable countries and ranks among the lowest in women’s access to Internet.
 Only 43% of women in India own mobile phones compared to almost 80% of Indian males mostly because of
lack of awareness.
 There is substantial urban-rural divide in mobile phone ownership with 71% urban penetration and 55% in rural.
 The gender gap in internet usage is accentuated in rural regions at 52% as compared to 34% in urban areas.
 LIRNEAsia is an information and communications technology (ICT) policy think tank that is involved in pro-
poor, pro-market research in Asia-Pacific since 2005.
India ranked 96th in the United Nation’s EGDI
 India ranked 96th in the United Nation’s E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2018.
 Denmark is the world leader, both on E-Government index and E-Participation sub-index.
 It was noted that India has scored 100% in the first stage of the E-Participation sub-index, followed by 95.65% in
the second stage and 90.91% in the third stage.
 E-Government Development Index released by UN every two years.

APPROVALS & MoUs
GoI signed MoU with Chief Ministers of 6 Upper Yamuna basin states
 The Govt of India (GoI) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chief Ministers of 6 Upper
Yamuna basin states for the construction of Lakhwar multi-purpose project in Uttarakhand.
 The states are Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.
 The project envisages construction of a 204m high concrete dam across river Yamuna near Lohari village in
Dehradun district of Uttarakhand with a live storage capacity of 330.66 Million Cubic Metre (MCM).
 This storage will provide 78.83 MCM water for domestic, drinking and industrial use in the six basin states.
 Out of the total project cost of Rs 3966.51 crore, the power component of Rs. 1388.28 crore will be borne totally
by the Uttarakhand govt.
Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 eliminates leprosy
 The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has eliminated leprosy as a ground for dissolution of marriage or
divorce.
 It is an attempt to end the discrimination against leprosy persons in various central laws: the Divorce Act, 1869;
the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939; the Special Marriage Act, 1954; the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955;
and the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act of 1956.
India, EU join hands for research programme
 The Union Govt and European Union (EU) have collaborated for research programme named Horizon 2020 to
develop Next Generation Influenza Vaccine to protect citizens across the globe.
 India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and EU have committed Euro 15 million (Rs. 240 crore).
 Under this project, cost-effective and affordable influenza vaccine will be developed.
Prasar Bharati signed MoU with Mizzima Media Group of Myanmar
 Prasar Bharati has signed MoU with Mizzima Media Group of Myanmar to realize cooperation and collaboration
in broadcasting and content sharing.
 It was signed in the presence of Prasar Bharati CEO, Shashi Shekhar Vempati and Editor-in-chief and MD,
Mizzima in New Delhi.
Integrated Defence Staff of the Defence Ministry and ISRO signed MoU
 The Integrated Defence Staff of the Defence Ministry and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed
MoU to set up satellite-enabled telemedicine nodes to improve emergency medical support to Indian soldiers
posted in high-altitude areas, especially Siachen.
 ISRO will establish 53 more nodes in the first phase over and above the existing 20, in various establishments of
the Army, Navy and Air Force across the country.
 It will enable medical consultation between soldiers deployed at the Siachen glacier and medical echelons in the
rear.
India, Singapore sign second protocol amending CECA
 India and Singapore have signed Second Protocol amending Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
(CECA) in New Delhi. Its provisions will come into effect on Sept 14, 2018. It will help to boost bilateral trade
between India and Singapore. It formally brings to closure negotiations on second review of CECA.
Exim Bank signs MoU with BRICS development banks
 Exim Bank of India signed multilateral cooperation agreement with member development banks of BRICS to
undertake 'collaborative research' in distributed ledger/blockchain technology.
 Exim Bank of India is the nominated member development bank under the BRICS Interbank Cooperation
Mechanism.
Lok Sabha passes Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2018
 The Lok Sabha passed Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to help India become hub for
domestic and global arbitration for settling commercial disputes.
Govt approves proposal for setting up of water aerodromes

 The Union Civil Aviation Ministry gave in-principle approval to set up water aerodromes in the country.
 It has identified five states: Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Assam for development of water
aerodromes.
 In the first phase, Chilka Lake (Odisha), Sabarmati River Front and Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat) have been
identified for the development of such facilities.
 Airdrome is location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve air cargo,
passengers.
Parliament passes IBC (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018
 Parliament passed Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to bring relief to home buyers and
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
 The Bill replaces ordinance promulgated in this regard and amends Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
 The Bill recognises home buyers as financial creditors in the real estate project and giving them due
representation in the Committee of Creditors (CoC), thus providing significant relief to home buyers.
Parliament passes Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018
 Parliament passed Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to replace Ordinance promulgated by
President in May 2018.
 It amends Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 which sets up Central Council of Homoeopathy and regulates
homoeopathic education and practice.
 The Bill amends 1973 Act to provide for supersession of Central Council with effect from May 18, 2018.
Italian motorcycle-maker Benelli signed MoU with the Telangana govt
 Italian motorcycle-maker Benelli signed MoU with the Telangana govt to set up a manufacturing facility at
Medichal, Pochampally, Hyderabad.
 Under the agreement with Adishwar Auto Ride India (AARI), a subsidiary of Mahavir Group, the assembly plant
on 3 acres in Kompally is expected to become operational by Oct 2018.
Govt approved 122 new research projects of Rs 112 crore under ‘IMPRINT-2’ scheme
 The Central Govt approved 122 new research projects of Rs 112 crore under its Impacting Research Innovation
and Technology ‘IMPRINT-2’ scheme.
 IMPRINT is the first of its kind government supported initiative to address the major science and engineering
challenges that India must address and champion to enable, empower and embolden the nation for inclusive
growth and self-reliance.
Cabinet approvals
Approves raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force
 The Union Cabinet given approval for raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF) to strengthen the India’s disaster response set up.
 These battalions will be placed in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi National
Capital Region based on their disaster vulnerability profile.
Approves release of pulses to States with discounted rates
 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved release of pulses to States/UTs at discounted rate to
be utilized for various Welfare Schemes from stock of pulses procured under Price Support Schemes (PSS).
 Govt will spend Rs. 5,237 crore for implementation of this Scheme.
Approves continuation of Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for studying in India scheme
 CCEA approved continuation and revision of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for Other
Backward Classes Students for studying in India (PMS-OBC) till 2020.
 PMS-OBC is flagship scheme of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, in operation since 1998-99.
Extends tenure of Commission constituted to examine issue of OBC sub-categorisation
 Union Cabinet approved extension of term of Commission to examine the issue of Sub-categorization of Other
Backward Classes (OBCs) in Central List till Nov 2018.
 The five member Commission, headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice (Retd) G. Rohini, was
constituted under article 340 of Constitution in October, 2017 with approval of President.

Approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
 CCEA approved continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) beyond 12th Five Year Plan
period (2012–2017).
 It will help in connecting 38,412 habitations at estimated cost of Rs. 84,934 crore.
 Fund sharing pattern between centre and states will be same (Thus, central govt share will be Rs 54,900 crore and
states’ share is Rs 30,034 crore).
Lok Sabha passes SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018
 Lok Sabha unanimously passed Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment
Bill, 2018 to reverse effects of Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrests under SC/ST
law. Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is popularly known as Prevention of
Atrocities (PoA) Act or simply Atrocities Act.
 It seeks to amend the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Parliament passes bill to provide constitutional status to NCBC
 Parliament passed Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017 to provide constitutional
status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).
 The bill will be sent to President for his assent (as per 368 of Constitution).
 Parliament also passed separate bill to repeal National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 as it will
become irrelevant once Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill comes into force.
AIIA inks MoU with IIT Delhi
 The premier institute of Ayurveda under the AYUSH Ministry, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signed
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Delhi to boost research in traditional medicine and streamline
hospital care facilities in the country.
 It was signed at two-day conference of heads of AYUSH National Institutes organised by All India Institute of
Ayurveda (AIIA) aimed at upgrading the national institutes of traditional medicine at par with the IITs and IIMs.
Govt, NABARD and NWDA ink revised MoA for 99 projects
 The Union Govt, NABARD and National Water Development Agency (NWDA) signed revised Memorandum of
Agreement (MoA) for funding of central share of 99 prioritized irrigation projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) through Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF).
 It has outlay of Rs 50000 crore with implementation period of over five-year till April 2020.
Parliament passes Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018
 Parliament passed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 prescribing death penalty to those convicted of raping
girls below age of 12 years and making law against such sexual offences more stringent.
 The Bill replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 2018.
 The Bill amends Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code, Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences (POCSO) Act and Indian Evidence Act.
 It provides for stringent punishment of jail term of minimum 20 years or life imprisonment or death for rape of
girl less than 12 years. It provides punishment with imprisonment for rest of life or death sentence in case of gang
rape of girl below 12 years.
 It increases minimum punishment from 10 years to 20 years for crime of rape of girl under 16 years, which can be
extended to imprisonment for rest of life. It increases minimum punishment for rape of women from rigorous
imprisonment of 7 years to 10 years, which can be extended to life imprisonment.
 Four states already have brought in law after passing it through their respective assemblies for capital punishment
to those who rape girls below 12 years. The states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Arunachal
Pradesh.
PHDCCI and CNI sign MoU
 PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) signed
memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish India-Nepal Centre.
 It will further strengthen economic engagement between the two countries.
President gives assent to

President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent (under Article 111) to
Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2018
 President gave assent to Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2018.
 It aimed at allowing a court to try offences related to cheque bounce expeditiously and direct the drawee to pay a
minimum of 20% of cheque amount as interim compensation.
State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Act, 2018
 President gave assent to State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Act to repeal two other laws State Bank of India
(Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 and State Bank of Hyderabad Act, 1956.
 It further amend the State Bank of India Act, 1955.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018
 President gave assent (under Article 111) to Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 passed by Parliament.
 The Bill becomes law that will deter fugitive economic offenders to evade legal process in India and flee the
country.
 It aimed to serve as an effective, expeditious and constitutional way to stop these offenders from running away.
NHAI signs MoU with SBI to get Rs 25k cr loan
 The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
State Bank of India (SBI) for getting Long Term Unsecured Loan of Rs 25000 crore for 10 years with 3 years of
moratorium on repayments.
 This is SBI’s highest long term unsecured loan to any entity and is also the largest amount of loan to have been
sanctioned to NHAI in one stroke by any institution.
 The total sanctioned amount of Rs 25000 Crore will be disbursed by Mar 31, 2019 with the Rate of interest based
on one month Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) with the loan tenure of 10 years.
Lok Sabha passes National Sports University Bill, 2018
 Lok Sabha passed National Sports University Bill, 2018 by voice vote to set up the country’s first National Sports
University in Imphal (west), Manipur that will provide sports education, research and coaching.
 The Bill replaces National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 promulgated by President in May 2018 to protect
interests of students who already have been enrolled in National Sports University.
 It establishes National Sports University in Manipur.
Telangana, Tech Mahindra ink MoU
 Telangana State Information Technology, Electronics and Communication department (ITE&C) signed MoU with
Tech Mahindra to launch India’s first Blockchain district.
 It was signed at International Blockchain Congress 2018 held in Hyderabad.
 Blockchain is decentralized incorruptible digital ledger for storing data across peer-to-peer network.
Lok Sabha passes Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Third Amendment) Bill, 2017
 The lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha unanimously passed Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017
by two-third majority.
 It removes power of NCSC to examine matters related to backward classes. Currently, under Constitution NCSC
has power to look into complaints and welfare measures with regard to Scheduled Castes (SCs), backward classes
(OBCs) and Anglo-Indians.
Cabinet approvals
Approves policy framework for exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons
 Union Cabinet approved policy framework to permit exploration and exploitation of unconventional
hydrocarbons such as Shale oil/gas, Coal Bed Methane (CBM) etc.
 It will be carried out under existing Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), CBM contracts and Nomination fields
to encourage existing contractors in licensed or leased area to unlock full potential of unconventional
hydrocarbons in existing acreages.
Approves Extension of Concessional Financing Scheme
 Union Cabinet approved first extension of Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS) for another five years from
2018 to 2023 to support Indian Entities bidding for strategically important infrastructure projects abroad.

Lok Sabha passes bill for speedy disposal of commercial disputes
 Lok Sabha passed Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts
(Amendment) Bill, 2018.
 It replaces the ordinance promulgated by President in May 2018 and amends Commercial Courts, Commercial
Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Act, 2015.
 Under the parent Act, commercial courts and commercial divisions in High courts can decide commercial
disputes with value of at least Rs. 1 crore. The Bill reduces this limit to Rs. 3 lakh.
 The amendment is aimed at improving ease of doing business in India.
Lok Sabha passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2018
 Lok Sabha passed Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to bring relief to the home buyers
and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
 The Bill replaces ordinance promulgated in this regard and amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 provides time-bound process to resolution of insolvency among
companies and individuals.
 The voting threshold for decisions of committee of creditors has been lowered from 75% to 51%.
Appointment
Appointments Appointee
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh
Non-official director on Central Board of RBI Swaminathan Gurumurthy
Non-official director on Central Board of RBI Satish Kashinath Marathe
Colombia's Next President Ivan Duque
Director and General Manager in United India Insurance S Gopakumar
Company (UIIC)
Re-appointed as TRAI chairperson till 2020 R S Sharma
Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajendra Menon
VC of University of Kashmir Prof. Talat Ahmad
UN Human Rights Chief Former Chilean President Michelle
Bachelet
Chairman and MD of Escorts Nikhil Nanda
CEO of Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Raveendran Kasthuri
Ltd (ULCCS)
CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi
Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan
President of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
President of Paraguay Mario Abdo Benítez
53rd Grandmaster of India Nihal Sarin
Additional charge as Governor of Chhattisgarh Anandiben Patel (Madhya Pradesh
Governor)
India’s new Ambassador to Russia D Bala Venkatesh Varma
Brand Ambassador of Union Govt Road Safety Campaigns Akshay Kumar
Chairman of Marine Products Export Development K S Srinivas
Authority (MPEDA)
Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
CEO of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Ashish Kumar Bhutani
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet (former
President of Chile)
CJ of Jammu & Kashmir HC Gita Mittal
Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity Manjula Chellur
(APTEL)
Chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW) Rekha Sharma
Prime Minister of Australia Treasurer Scott Morrison
back as Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley
Brand ambassador of Sanjay Gandhi National Park Raveena Tandon
Governor of Haryana Dr. S N Arya
Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik
Governor of Sikkim Ganga Prasad
Governor of Tripura Kaptan Singh Solanki
Governor of Bihar Lalji Tandon
Governor of Uttarakhand Baby Rani Maurya
Governor of Meghalya Tathagata Roy
Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UN Environment Satya Tripathi
Programme (UNEP)
Secretary of Ministry of Steel Binoy Kumar
Chief Justice of India Js Ranjan Gogoi
First woman Chief Justice of Pakistan Tahira Safdar
Resignations
Chief financial officer at Infosys Mavinakere Dwarakanath Ranganath
Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson
New Zealand cricketer Grant Elliott
Retirement from international football Mario Gomez (German striker)
Awards
Indra Nooyi selected as Asia Society’s Game Changer of the Year for 2018
 The PepsiCo Chairman and CEO, Indra Nooyi has been selected as Asia Society’s Game Changer of the Year for
2018 in recognition of her pioneering business achievements, humanitarian record, and advocacy for women and
girls around the world.
 It will be presented at the 5th Annual Asia Game Changer Awards Dinner and Celebration in New York City on
Oct 9, 2018.
David Beckham to receive 2018 UEFA President's Award
 David Beckham will become the third Englishman to receive the UEFA President's Award.
 The former England captain was described as "a true football icon of his generation" by UEFA president
Aleksander Ceferin and will receive the award in Monaco later this year.
Former Army General Dalbir Singh Suhag awarded Legion of Merit by US Govt
 United States Govt has awarded Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) to General Dalbir Singh Suhag
(Retired) of Indian Army.
 The award has been given to Singh for his exceptionally meritorious service as Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) from
Aug 2014 to Dec 2016.
 With this, he becomes second Indian to get this award, first being General Rajendrasinghji Jadeja in 1946.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi conferred with 2018 Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
 Former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has been conferred with 2018 Rajiv Gandhi National
Sadbhavana Award.
 He has been presented award in New Delhi on occasion of 74th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv
Gandhi on Aug 20.
S K Arora awarded WHO World No Tobacco Day 2017 Award
 Delhi govt’s additional director of health, SK Arora has been awarded prestigious World Health Organization
(WHO) World No Tobacco Day 2017 Award for his extraordinary contribution towards tobacco control.
 He has been presented the award by Henk Bekedam, WHO India country head in New Delhi.
 World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31.
Ang Lee to be honoured by Directors Guild of America
 Oscar-winning director Ang Lee will be honoured the annual Directors Guild of America (DGA).
 The event will be held at the DGA Theatre in New York City on Oct 18.
Smitha V. Crishna ranked first in Kotak Wealth Hurun-Leading Wealthy Women 2018
 Smitha V. Crishna has been ranked first in the Kotak Wealth Hurun-Leading Wealthy Women 2018 list with an
estimated wealth of Rs 37,570 crore.
 Roshni Nadar, CEO and executive director at HCL, ranked second in the list with an estimated wealth of Rs
30,200 crore.
 Indu Jain, the chairperson of the Times Group, ranked third in the list, followed by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Kiran
Nadar.
 Among Industries, pharmaceuticals leads with 22 women from that sector on the list.
 It is followed by Software & Services with 12 individuals, and Food & Beverages with 8 individuals featured in
the list.
Sunishka Kartik won Community Award in the 2018
 Sunishka Kartik won the Community Award in the 2018 Junior NBA World Basketball Championship, which
concluded at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, USA.
2018 Albany Medical Center Prize awarded to James Allison, Carl June and Steven Rosenberg
 Three US scientists James Allison, Carl June and Steven Rosenberg have been declared winners of 2018 Albany
Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research.
Marie Curie named the most influential woman
 Nobel prize winning scientist Marie Curie has been named as the most influential woman in this poll.
 The magazine ranked Polish born Curie at the top of a list of 100 women who changed the world, for her role in
treating cancer.
Annie Zaidi won 2018 Hindu Playwright Award
 Annie Zaidi, an Indian author, won the 2018 Hindu Playwright Award for her play ‘Untitled’ at the 14th edition
of The Hindu Theatre Fest at the Taj Coromandel.
 The award was presented by Ratna Pathak Shah, actor and director.
K. Anvar Sadath won 2018 International Contributions Award
 The vice chairman and executive director of the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), K.
Anvar Sadath won the 2018 International Contributions Award given by the Association for Educational
Communications and Technology (AECT), USA.
 He has become the first Indian to be honoured with the International Contributions award.
Pradip Choudhury conferred Mohun Bagan Ratna 2018
 Pradip Choudhury has been conferred the Mohun Bagan Ratna 2018 at the annual day of the 129-year-old club on
Jul 29.

 Shilton Paul was given the Best Footballer for the Year award and Sudip Chatterjee was handed the Best
Cricketer of the Year honour. Sourav Das was the Best Youth Footballer.
 Rahim Ali received a special award for his performance for Indian team in the FIFA under-17 World Cup 2017.
Akshay Venkatesh won the 2018 Fields Medal
 A renowned Indian-Australian mathematician, Akshay Venkatesh won the 2018 Fields Medal for his profound
contributions to an exceptionally broad range of subjects in mathematics.
 He is one of four winners of mathematics’ top honour known as the Nobel prize for math.
 The Fields medals are awarded every four years to the most promising mathematicians under the age of 40.
 The other three winners are: Caucher Birkar, a Cambridge University professor of Iranian Kurdish origin;
Germany’s Peter Scholze, who teaches at the University of Bonn and Alessio Figalli, an Italian mathematician at
ETH Zurich.
President confers Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards
 President Ram Nath Kovind conferred Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards on five Members of Parliament.
 Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards 2013: Former Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Najma Heptulla
 Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards 2014: Lok Sabha MP, Hukumdev Narayan Yadav
 Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards 2015: Ghulam Nabi Azad (Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha)
 Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards 2016: Lok Sabha MP, Dinesh Trivedi
 Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards 2017: Lok Sabha MP, Bhartruhari Mahatab
 The award was established in 1992 by Shivraj Patil who was then Speaker of Lok Sabha.
ASIAN games 2018

The Indian contingent won 69 medals in total at 18th edition of Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang in
Indonesia. China with 289 medals, which includes 132 Gold, 92 Silver and 65 Bronze, topped the ranking followed by
Japan with 205 medals, which include 75 Gold, 56 Silver and 74 Bronze medals.
 The Logo for the 18th Asian Games is a colorful circle taken from the shape of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium,
and named the Energy of Asia.
 The 18th Asian Games also introduces three mascots namely Bhin Bhin, Atung and Kaka.
 The mascots represent three aspects of these competitive games, being: Strategy, Speed and Strength.
 The Asian Games was first held on March 4-11th 1951 in New Delhi India.
India ranked eighth with overall 69 medals having 15 Gold medals.
Gold Medal – 15
Silver Medal – 24
Bronze Medal – 30
Gold Medal (15)

Winners Sports Category
Athletics (7)
Neeraj Chopra Men’s Javelin Throw
Hima Das, M R Poovamma, Women's 4x400m Relay
Saritaben Gayakwad and
Vismaya Velluva Koroth
Jinson Johnson Men’s 1500m
Manjit Singh Men’s 800m

Arpinder Singh Men’s Triple Jump
Swapna Barman Women's Heptathlon
Tejinderpal Singh Toor Men’s Shot Put
Shooting (2)
Rahi Sarnobat Women's 25m Air Pistol
Saurabh Chaudhary Men's 10m Air Pistol
Wrestling (2)
Bajrang Punia Men's Freestyle 65 kg
Vinesh Phogat Women's Freestyle 50 kg
Boxing (1)
Amit Phangal Men's 49kg
Tennis (1)
Rohan Bopanna and Divij Men's Doubles event
Sharan
Rowing (1)
Sawaran Singh, Dattu, Om Men’s Quadruple Sculls event
Prakash and Sukhmeet
Bridge (1)
Pranab Bardhan and Shibhnath Men’s Pair Event
Sarkar
Silver Medals (24)

Athletics (10)
India Men's 4x400 Relay Team Event
India 4x400m Mixed Relay Team Event
Dutee Chand Women’s 100m Race
Dutee Chand Women’s 200m Race
Hima Das Women’s 400m Race
Sudha Singh Women's 3000m Steeplechase
Muhammed Anas Men’s 400m Race
Jinson Johnson Men’s 800m Race
Neena Vakaril Women’s Long Jump
Ayyasamy Dharun Men's 400m Hurdles
Shooting (4)
Deepak Kumar Men's 10m Air Pistol
Lakshya Sheoran Men’s Trap Event
Sanjeev Rajput Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Event
Shardul Vihan Men’s Double Trap Event

Equestrian (2)
India Equestrian Team Event
Fouaad Mirza Equestrian Individual Event
Archery (2)
Rajat Chauhan, Abhishek Compound Men's Team
Verma and Aman Saini
Muskan Kirar, Madhumita Compound Women's Team
Kumari and Jyothi Surekha
Vennam
Kurash (1)
Pincky Balhara Women's 52 kg
Badminton (1)
PV Sindhu Women's Singles
Hockey (1)
India Women's Team Event
Kabaddi (1)
India Women's Kabaddi
Sailing (1)
Gautham Varsha and Shervegar 49er FX Women Race 15
Sweta
Squash (1)
Tanvi Khanna, Dipika Pallikal Women's Team Event
Karthik, Sunayna Kuruvilla and
Joshana Chinappa
Bronze Medals (30)

Squash (4)
Saurav Ghoshal Men's Singles
Joshna Chinappa Women's Singles
Dipika Pallikal Karthik Women's Singles
Saurav Ghosal, Harinder Pal Singh Men’s Team
Sandhu, Ramit Tandon & Mahesh
Mangaonkar
Wushu (4)
Santosh Kumar Men's Sanda 56kg
Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh Men's Sanda 60kg
Narender Grewal Men's Sanda 65kg
Roshibina Devi Naorem Women's Sanda 60kg

Shooting (3)
Abhishek Verma Men's 10M Air Pistol
Apporvi Chndela and Ravi Kumar 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
Heena Sidhu Women's 10M Air Rifle
Tennis (2)
Prajnesh GP Men's Singles
Ankita Raina Women's Singles
Sailing (2)
Varun Thakkar and Ganapathy 49er Men
Chengappa
Harshita Tomar Open Laser 4.7
Rowing (2)
Dushyant Men's Lightweight Single
Sculls
Rohit Kumar & Bhagwan Singh Men's Lightweight Double
Sculls
Athletics (2)
Seema Punia Women's Discus Throw
PU Chitra Women’s 1500m Race
Table-Tennis (2)
Achanta Sharath Kamal, G Men's Team
Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Anthony
Amalraj & Manav Thakkar
Achanta Sharath Kamal & Manika Mixed Doubles
Batra
Bridge (2)
Jaggy Shivdasani, Rajeshwar Men’s Team
Tewari, Ajay Khare, Raju Tolani,
Debabrata Majumder & Sumit
Mukherjee
Kiran Nadar, Hema Deora, Himani Mixed Team
Khandelwal, Bachiraju
Satyanarayana, Gopinath Manna
& Rajeev Khandelwal
Badminton (1)
Saina Nehwal Women's Singles
Sepaktakraw (1)
India Men’s Team Regu
Hockey (1)
India Men’s Team Event
Kabaddi (1)
India Men's Kabaddi
Kurash (1)
Malaprabha Jadhav Women's 52 kg
Wrestling (1)
Divya Kakran Women's Freestyle 68 KG
Boxing (1)
Vikas Krishan Yadav Men's Middleweight
Sports
Swapna Barman wins India’s first gold medal in Heptathlon Athletics
 Indian athlete Swapna Barman has won gold medal in women’s Heptathlon Athletics event at 18th edition of
Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang in Indonesia.
 She became first Indian to win gold medal in heptathlete event in Asian Games.
Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singhal completed the immensely difficult 'Ironman triathlon'
 Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singhal, the Maharashtra cadre IPS officer & presently Nashik Police Commissioner, has
successfully completed the immensely difficult 'Ironman triathlon' in 15 hours and 13 minutes as against the
stipulated time of 17 hours in France on Aug 26, 2018.
 The Ironman is an international triathlon consisting of three consecutive events- 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km
cycling and 42.2 km of running (a full marathon). It is considered one of the toughest one-day sporting events in
the world.
Neeraj Chopra becomes the first-ever Indian javelin-thrower to win an Asian Games gold
 Neeraj Chopra has become the first-ever Indian javelin-thrower to win an Asian Games gold medal.
 He shattered his own national record by clearing a distance of 88.06m at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
 He also became the 2nd Indian after Milkha Singh to win a Commonwealth and Asian Games gold in the event in
the same year.
Japan Women’s National Team won 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament
 The Japan Women’s National Team has won the 9th edition of 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament
by beating the Spanish team 3-1 at the final in France. In Japanese football history, it’s their first-ever FIFA U-20
Women’s World Cup title. The FIFA Fair Play Award goes to Japanese team.
Tejinder Pal Singh Toor wins India’s first Gold medal in Athletics at 2018 Asian Games
 Shot-putter Tejinder Pal Singh Toor won Gold medal in men’s shot put final at 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian
GamesAsian Games held in Indonesia.
 It was India’s first Gold medal in Athletics event in this edition of Asian Games.
Bopanna, Sharan Win Tennis Maiden Doubles Gold
 Top seeds Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan notched up their maiden men’s tennis doubles gold medal at the
Asian Games, in Palembang, Indonesia.
 They defeated Aleksander Bublik and Denis Yevseyev of Kazakhstan.
 Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes remain the most successful Indian men’s doubles pair in the Asian Games
history, having claimed back-to-back gold medals in the 2002 and 2006 Games.
New Zealand allrounder Grant Elliott retires from all cricket
 South Africa-born New Zealand allrounder Grant Elliott has announced his retirement from all cricket.
 He, 39, announced his decision on social media after captaining the Birmingham Bears to sixth place in the North
Group of England’s Twenty20 Blast.
 He is best remembered for hitting a six to take New Zealand to the final of the 2015 World Cup.
Rahi Sarnobat becomes first Indian woman shooter to win Asiad gold
 Rahi Sarnobat became the first Indian woman shooter to win gold at the Asian Games.
 She prevailed in a thrilling double shoot-off for the top prize against Naphaswan Yangpaiboon of Thailand in the
Women’s 25m Pistol event in Palembang, Indonesia.
Vinesh Phogat becomes first Indian woman to win gold medal at 2018 Asian Games
 Wrester Vinesh Phogat has become the first Indian women athlete to win gold medal at the Asian Games 2018
held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
 She achieved this feat, by defeating Yuki Irie of Japan by 6-2 score final of the women’s wrestling in the 50kg
category. She also has become first Indian woman wrestler to win gold medal at 2018 Asian Games.
 It also makes her only woman wrestler to win two medals in back-to-back Asian Games.
 She had earlier won Bronze medal in 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea (in 48 kg category).
 This was India’s second Gold medal after start of Asian Games in Jakarta, first was won by wrestler Bajrang
Punia in the men’s freestyle 65 kg.
Rishabh Pant becomes fourth Indian wicket-keeper to take five catches on Test debut
 Rishabh Pant has become fourth Indian wicket-keeper to take five catches on Test debut during the second day of
the third Test against England.
 He achieved this feat by taking catches of Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Chris Woakes and Adil
Rashid in England’s first innings.
Shooters Apurvi Chandela, Ravi Kumar win first medal for India
 Shooters Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar clinched the first medal for India at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta.
 Chandela and Kumar, who were participating in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event, got eliminated in the
penultimate stage which meant a bronze medal for India.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia wins India’s first gold medal at 2018 Asian Games
 Wrestler Bajrang Punia won India’s first gold medal at the 18th edition of the Asian Games held in Jakarta,
Indonesia.
 In the men’s freestyle 65 kg final event, he defeated Japan’s Takatani Daichi by 11-8 score.
 It was Bajrang’s maiden gold medal and overall second medal in Asian Games after he had earlier won silver
medal in 2014 Asian Games (Incheon, South Korea) in the men’s freestyle 61 kg category.
Mitchell Johnson retires from all forms of cricket
 Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
 He made the decision public through an article that he wrote on the Australian news website PerthNow.
 He had retired from all forms of international cricket in 2015 but was pretty much a constant in the Big Bash and
the IPL.
India wins SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship
 India won South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-15 Women’s Championship.
 In the final match held in Thimpu, Bhutan, India defeated Bangladesh by 1-0 score.
 Sunita Munda scored the goal that helped the Indian U-15 team clinch the title.
 SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship is association football tournament for women’s national teams under the age
of 15 from seven south Asian countries (Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan).
 This was second edition of SAFF Under-15 Women’s Championship.
 Bangladesh had won the inaugural edition in 2017 by beating India, 1-0 in the final played at Dhaka.
Teen cyclist creates history by winning India’s first ever medal at world level
 Indian Teen cyclist Esow Alben at the age of 17 created history by winning the country’s maiden medal in track
cycling at the world level.
Nihal Sarin becomes 53rd Grandmaster of India
 Nihal Sarin at the age of 14 from Kerala has become the 53rd Grandmaster of India and the 12th youngest
grandmaster in chess history after attaining his third and final GM-norm in the Abu Dhabi Masters 2018.
 He tallied 5.5/9 with a rating performance of 2626 to secure his third GM norm.
Viraj Madappa becomes youngest Indian golfer to claim the Asian Tour title
 Viraj Madappa, at the age of 20 from Kolkata, has become the youngest Indian golfer to claim the Asian Tour
title after lifting the 2018 TAKE Solutions Masters trophy in Bengaluru.

 He has also become the first rookie and youngest player to win on Tour this season.
Rafael Nadal lifts Rogers Cup
 World No 1 Rafael Nadal saw off the challenge of Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Rogers Cup for a fourth time.
 The top-seeded Nadal was always in command, but Tsitsipas did put up a fight in the second set before going
down 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in one hour and 42 minutes in his first ATP Tour Masters final.
Indian-American student, Avi Goel won International Geography Bee World Championship 2018
 The Indian-American high school student, Avi Goel has won the International Geography Bee World
Championship 2018 in junior varsity division in Berlin, Germany.
 He is a tenth grader at Silver Creek High School in Evergreen, San Jose, California.
 He won a gold medal in 7 out of the 10 medal events, and a silver medal in two of the events, topping the overall
medals table.
Neeraj Chopra to be India’s flag-bearer at Asian Games opening ceremony
 Javelin thrower star Neeraj Chopra will be India’s flag bearer in the opening ceremony of the upcoming Asian
Games 2018.
 The announcement was made by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra during the send-off
ceremony organised for the Indian contingent.
Netherlands won 14th edition of Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018
 The defending champion, the Netherlands recorded a stunning 6-0 victory over Ireland in the 14th edition of
Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018 at London to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 32 matches.
 The Netherlands have been crowned the world champions for a record 8th time.
 Spain won the third place match by beating Australia 3-1 to claim their first ever World Cup medal.
 India finished the tournament at the 8th spot.
Indian women chess team clinched the gold
 The Indian women chess team clinched gold in the Blitz event at the Asian Nations Chess Cup 2018 at Hamadan,
Iran.
 It’s India’s first gold-medal finish at the event since 2014.
 The Indian team comprising Harika Dronavalli, Eesha Karavade, Padmini Rout, Vaishali R and Aakanksha Haga
left the teams from Vietnam and China behind to clinch gold.
 The team also bagged a silver and a bronze in the Rapid and Classical categories, respectively.
Indian U-20 football team wins 2018 Cotif Cup football tournament
 The Indian Under-20 football team created history by winning the 2018 Cotif Cup football tournament by
defeating the 6-time U20 World Cup champions Argentina by 2-1 in their final match in Spain.
 Deepak Tangri scored for India in the 4th minute and Anwar Ali’s 68th minute put India 2-0 up against the most
successful team in U-20 World Cup history.
Carolina Marin becomes first woman to win women’s singles World Badminton Championships thrice
 Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain becomes the first woman shuttler to win the women’s singles World
Badminton Championships thrice with an emphatic victory over P.V. Sindhu of India in Nanjing, China.
 Earlier, Marin won the title in 2014 and the 2015 Jakarta edition.
 The second silver meant Sindhu is the only Indian to have four world championships podium finishes.
 In men’s singles, Kento Momota of Japan won the title with an easy 21-13, 21-11 victory over local boy Shi Yuqi.
 With this victory, Kento Momota became the first Japanese man to win the Championships.
Tokyo 2020 becomes 1st Olympics to deploy facial recognition technology to increase security
 Tokyo 2020 is going to become the first Olympics to use facial recognition technology to increase security around
all venues.
 The technology will use IC chips within identification cards to automatically verify the identity of those entering
over 40 sporting venues.
 The technology takes only 0.3 seconds to match up face with pre-registered photo, making it world’s fastest such
system. It will concentrate on strengthening security and decreasing waiting times for athletes.
 It will help to prevent fraudulent entry by people borrowing, stealing or faking an ID card.

Indian Origin, Sashi Cheliah clinches MasterChef Australia 2018 title
 An Indian origin prison guard from Adelaide, Sashi Cheliah clinched the title of MasterChef Australia 2018 after
scoring 93 out of 100 points. He defeated fellow contestant Ben Borsht, who scored 77 out of 100.
 The winner took home the MasterChef Australia trophy and a winning amount of $2,50,000 (almost Rs 1.7 crore)
while the first runner-up was awarded $40,000 (around Rs 27 lakh).
Lewis Hamilton won 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix
 British racing driver, Lewis Hamilton won the 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit.
 It is his sixth Hungarian Grand Prix title and also 67th career victory.
P V Sindhu wins silver World Championships 2018 of Badminton
 Ace Indian shuttler P V Sindhu finished second best winning silver medal at World Championships 2018 of
Badminton in women’s singles category held at Nanjing, China.
 It makes Sindhu only Indian to have four world championships podium finishes.
 Earlier she had won two bronze medals at 2013 (Guangzhou) and 2014 (Copenhagen) editions.
 Men’s singles: Kento Momota of Japan won the title (gold medal) with 21-13, 21-11 victory over China’s Shi
Yuqi.
 Women’s singles: Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain won title by defeating India’s P V Sindhu by 19-
21 10-21 score.
 Men’s doubles: Chinese pair of Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen won the title by defeating Japanese pair of Takeshi
Kamura and Keigo Sonoda.
 Women’s doubles: Japanese pair of Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara won the title by defeating another
Japanese pair of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota.
 Mixed doubles: Chinese pair of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong won the title by defeating another Chinese pair
of Wang Yilü and Huang Dongping.
Gaganjeet Bhullar wins maiden European Tour title
 India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar grabbed his maiden European Tour title with a brilliant chip-in eagle on the 17th hole
for a one-stroke win over a charging Anthony Quayle of Australia at the Fiji International.
 He is the first Indian to win on Australasia Tour and also became the fifth from the country to win on European
Tour after Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh (4), SSP Chawrasia (4) and Anirban Lahiri (2).
Prabhat Koli crossed the English Channel
 Prabhat Koli from Maharashtra, who crossed the English Channel when he was 16, becomes the first Asian at the
age of 17 to swim the choppy water from Jersey (an Island in the UK) to France in cold weather.
 The long-distance sea swimmer covered 25km in 6 hours and 54 minutes.
Egypt squash team won boy’s title at 6th WSF-World junior squash team championship
 The Egypt squash team won the boy’s title at the 6th WSF-World junior squash team championship 2018 by
defeating England by 2-0 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
 Egypt’s Marwan Tarek, who lost the individual championship final, defeated Nick Wall of England in straight
games. Czech Republic and USA finished third and secured the bronze medal.
 Host country, India finished 11th overall.
Karman Kaur Thandi becomes only the 6th Indian woman tennis player to crack the top-200 rankings in singles
 Karman Kaur Thandi from Delhi became only the 6th Indian woman tennis player to crack the top-200 rankings
in singles and is now ranked exactly 200 in the WTA list.
 In Apr 2018, India’s top singles player Ankita Raina had broken into the top-200 and is now ranked 195.
International Army Games 2018 started
 The International Army Games 2018 started at 24 training grounds in seven countries namely Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, China and Russia from July 28 to Aug 11.
 It is for the first time that Armenia and Iran are co-hosting events of the Army Games.
 Indian teams are taking part in two major competitions– Tank Biathlon event at Alabino ranges, Moscow region
and Elbrus Ring competition in Caucasus mountains.
Bajrang Punia clinches gold at 2018 Yasar Dogu International

 Wrestler Bajrang Punia clinched gold in the 71kg freestyle at the 2018 Yasar Dogu International in Istanbul,
Turkey.
 It was his second consecutive gold medal, after he recently won gold at the 2018 Tbilisi Grand Prix in Georgia.
 Sandeep Tomar finished with silver after losing 2-8 in the 61kg final against Iran’s Mohammad bagher
Yakhkeshi.
 In the women’s competition, Pinki was the lone gold medallist in the 55kg category with her 6-3 win over
Ukraine’s Olga Shnaider.
 Sangeeta Phogat (59kg) and Geeta (65kg) won bronze medals in their respective categories.
 Overall, Indian wrestlers returned with 10 medals, including 7 by women in the event.
Books
Book 'Atal Ji Ne Kaha' is authored and compiled by Brijendra Rehi
 The book 'Atal Ji Ne Kaha' is authored and compiled by Brijendra Rehi.
 It is a book on the BJP patriarch and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which was launched by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
 The book has 26 chapters based on former Prime Minister’s speeches which is on economy, policies, small
industries, social development, nuclear programme, science and technology or terrorism.
VVS Laxman pens autobiography '281 And Beyond'
 Veteran cricketer VVS Laxman, known for the suppleness of his wrists, will now bring his expertise into play as
he picks up the pen to write his tell-all book with the title '281 And Beyond'.
 The book will hit the stands on Nov 20.
 Westland Publications announced the release of the former Indian cricketer’s autobiography titled, '281 and
Beyond'.
 The title has been borrowed from the Hyderabad stylist’s fabulous series-turning innings of 281 against Australia
at the Eden Gardens in 2001.
 The autobiography will be launched as part of the publishing house’s new imprint, Westland Sport.
Shane Warne to come out with autobiography in Oct' 18
 Spin legend Shane Warne will talk about his extraordinary cricketing career and his life off the pitch besides
unveiling several unknown facts in his autobiography which will be published this October.
 Ebury Press announced that Warne’s memoir 'No Spin' will have a global release on Oct 04.
Important days
Date Days Theme
Aug 21 World Senior Citizens Day
Aug 20 World Mosquito Day
Aug 19 World Photography Day
Aug 19 World Humanitarian Day #NotATarget
Aug 12 World Elephant Day
Aug 13 World Organ Donation Day
Aug 10 World Biodiesel Day
Aug 12 International Youth Day ‘Safe Spaces for Youth’
Aug 12 World Elephant Day

Aug 10 World Biofuel Day
Aug 09 International Day of the World’s 'Indigenous peoples’ migration
Indigenous Peoples and movement'
Aug 07 National Handloom Day
Obituary
Veteran Filmmaker & Former Director of Film and John Sankaramangalam
Television Institute of India (FTTI)
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Dr Bhishma Narain Singh
NotedG Singer & Composer from Kerala Umbayee
Acclaimed Bengali Writer Ramapada Chowdhury
Veteran Congress leader and Former Union Rajinder Kumar Dhawan
minister
Kannada film producer, distributor and exhibitor M Bhakthavatsala,
Australian professional golfer Jarrod Lyle
Veteran screenplay writer Jalees Sherwani
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi
Former United Nations secretary-General & Nobel Kofi Annan
Peace Prize laureate
US Soul Singer Aretha Franklin
Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Asian Games Gold Medallist Athlete & Dhyan Hakam Singh Bhattal
Chand Awardee
Malayalam Poet & Sahitya Akademi Awardee Chemmanam Chacko
Former Indian Cricket Captain Ajit Laxman Wadekar
Trinidad-born Indian Origin Author Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad
Naipaul
Former Lok Sabha Speaker & Veteran Communist Somnath Chatterjee
Leader
India’s first captive-born Humboldt Penguin named Freedom Baby
Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Gurudas Kamat
Eminent writer and journalist Kuldip Nayar
Israeli journalist & peace activist Uri Avnery
Legendary US singer and pianist Aretha Franklin
The former Bengal cricket captain Gopal Bose
All the BEST !!

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