Current Affairs

August current affairs
● China continues to intrude Indian cyberspace in significant way as 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%).
● CERT-In is nodal agency for information technology (cyber) security under aegis of
Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Electronics and IT. It was
established in 2004. Its mandate is to protect Indian cyberspace and software
infrastructure against destructive and hacking activities. It also responds to computer
security incidents, report on vulnerabilities and promote effective IT security practices
throughout country. It also issue guidelines, vulnerability notes, advisories and
whitepapers regarding to information security practices, prevention.
● India’s ace Shuttler and Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu (23) was ranked
seventh on Forbes list of highest-earning women sportspersons in the world
(earnings between June 2017 and June 2018).
● The International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018 was held in New Delhi. It was
inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind. It was sixth edition of International
Buddhist Conclave. Its theme was ‘Buddha Path – The Living Heritage”. The Conclave
was organized by Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with State Governments of
Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Japan is ‘Partner Country for IBC-2018.
● University Grants Commission (UGC) issued circular directing all varsities and higher
education institutions to ban sale of junk food on their campuses.
● India Banking Conclave (IBC) 2018 was held in New Delhi from 23-24, 2018. It was
organised by Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) along with its knowledge
partner and government Think Tank, NITI Aayog.
● Maharashtra Government has appointed Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon as the
brand ambassador of Mumbai city-based Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
● Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has notified food safety standards for
honey and its products in bid to curb adulteration.
● Shooter Saurabh Chaudhary (16) won gold medal in Men’s 10m Air Pistol event with
record score of 240.7 at 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games in Indonesia.
● Iran has unveiled first domestically manufactured fighter jet nicknamed Kowsar. It was
unveiled at defence show held in the capital city of Tehran.
● Article 153: It says that there shall be Governor for each state. 7th Constitutional
Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated appointment of the same person as governor for two
or more states.
● Article 156: It says that Governor is appointed by President of India for a term of five
years (But Governor usually holds office during pleasure of President.
● RXIL is India’s first TReDS platform operating since January 2017. It promoted by
National Stock Exchange (NSE), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI),
State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and Yes Bank.
● Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has announced to set up Cyclone Warning Centre in
Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram. It also proposed to set up C-band Doppler
weather radar at Mangalore, Karnataka.
● The World Senior Citizens Day is celebrated every year on 21 August across the world.
● Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated National Crime Records
Bureau (NCRB) as nodal authority to curb online child pornography, sexual violence
and rape videos.
● Supreme Court scrapped use of NOTA (none of the above) option for Rajya Sabha
elections, saying it defeats fairness in indirect elections, destroys democratic values
and serves as Satan of defection and corruption.
● Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced to observe
September 2018 as the National Nutrition Month to mark the country’s fight against
malnutrition. The month-long intensive 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).
● Five northern states Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and
Union territories of and Delhi and Chandigarh have decided to set up centralised
secretariat at Panchkula (Haryana) to tackle the drug menace.
● Home ministry notifies sops which sets deadline of replenishing cash in ATMs before
9pm in cities and 6pm in rural areas. In case of Naxal-hit districts notified by central
government, e deadline will be 4pm.
● SAAW project is India’s first fully indigenous anti-airfield weapon project sanctioned
by Government in September 2013. The Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested indigenously developed light weight
glide bomb Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) dropped from an Indian Air Force
(IAF) aircraft.
● Trio of Bhin Bhin (bird of paradise), Kaka (one horned rhino) and Atung (deer) are
mascots of 2018 Asian Games.,Jakarta. The next games (19th edition) are scheduled
to Hangzhou, China between 10 and 25 September 2022.
● As instructed by the WHO, India is keeping a close watch on incoming tourists, fearing
transmission of a new respiratory virus that belongs to the same family as the
deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A serious form of
pneumonia
● Union Government has imposed safeguard duty of 25% on import of solar cells
(whether or not assembled in modules or panels) from China and Malaysia.
● Scientists from National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) have 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.
● Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) aims 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.
● Union Cabinet has 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. The scheme also has been
liberalized, allowing any Indian company, irrespective of ownership eligible to benefits
of it.
● China successfully 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. Gaofen means “high resolution” in Chinese.
● Union Cabinet has 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.
● President Ram Nath Kovind has conferred Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards on
five Members of Parliament.
● 2013- Nazma heptullah 2014 –hukumdev Narayan 2015 –gulam navi azad 2016
–dinesh trivedi 2017 – bhartruhari mehtab (BJD). The award was established in 1992
by Shivraj Patil who was then Speaker of Lok Sabha.
● Union Ministry of Culture launched Seva Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide
financial assistance on purchase of specific food items by Charitable Religious
Institutions (CRIs) for free distribution among people. Under this scheme, 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. All eligible
religious and charitable institutions first must registered with Darpan portal of NITI
Aayog and get Unique ID generated by it. Thereafter, they shall enroll themselves in
CSMS Portal on the Ministry of Culture’s website in prescribed format.
●

SEP 2018
➢ The output of coal, refinery products, fertiliser and cement grew by 9.7%, 12.3%, 1.3% and
10.8% respectively in July 2018. According to Index of Eight Core Industries
released by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, eight core sectors have grown
by 6.6% in July 2018 pushed by healthy output in coal, refinery products,
cement and fertilizer sectors. It had registered growth of 2.9% in July 2017.
➢ These eight core sectors constitute 40.27% of total index of industrial
production (IIP).
➢ Weightage: 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%).
➢ Punjab National Bank (PNB’s) managing director and chief executive, Sunil
Mehta was elected as new chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA) for
year 2018-19. Bank of India’s managing director and chief executive Dina
Bandhu Mohapatra was elected as the deputy chairman.
➢ India and Nepal have signed MoU to build strategic railway line connecting
Raxaul city in Bihar, India to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli
inaugurated 400-bed Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala in
Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
➢ Mumbai-based eminent neurosurgeon Dr B.K. Misra was named for prestigious
Dr B.C. Roy National Award for year 2018 as Eminent Medical Person of the
Year.
➢ Kerala Government has decided to appoint KPMG as project consultant
partner for rebuilding state ravaged by recent massive floods.
➢ Union Home Ministry has announced that Census 2021 for the first time in
independent India will collect data on Other Backwards Castes (OBCs).
➢ The 4th BIMSTEC Summit concluded in Kathmandu with signing and adoption
of Kathmandu Declaration by all the seven members (India, Nepal, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand)
➢ Union Ministry of Women and Child Development recently had inaugurated
widows’ home ‘Krishna Kutir’ at Vrindavan in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Krishna
Kutir is special home for 1000 widows set under Swadhar Greh scheme.
➢ 18th Asian Games
Indonesia (Jakarta and palembang)
➢ Indian women hockey captain Rani Rampal was India’s flag-bearer at closing
ceremony. China has topped medals tally with 132 gold, 92 silver and 65 bronze
followed by Japan and South Korea. India finished 8th with 15 gold, 24 silver
and 30 bronze. The next Asian Games (19th edition) are scheduled to
Hangzhou, China between 10 and 25 September 2022.
➢ According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, Mauritius was top source of
foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2017-18 followed by Singapore.
➢ National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog flagged off cycle rally
MOVE Cyclathon to spread message of clean mobility to the Indian public and
promote cleaner, accessible modes of transport..
➢ Fourth International Ayurveda Congress (IAvC) was held in Leiden,
Netherlands from September 1 to 2, 2018.
➢ Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has chosen Japanese woman swimmer Rikako
Ikee (18) as winner of Most Valuable Player (MVP) Trophy Award in 2018
Jakarta and Palembang Asian Games.
➢ China has pledged $60 billion of financial assistance to Africa bolster industry,
counter hunger, and enhance security in the continent.
➢ FOCAC is an official forum between China and all states in Africa (except
Eswatini). It was started as Ministerial Conference in 2000 in Beijing and
since then it is held triennially in China and Africa alternatively.
➢ Union Health Ministry has released draft rules on sale of drugs by e-pharmacies
to regulate online sale of medicines across India.
➢ Union Ministry of Home Affairs has cleared proposal of Jharkhand Government
to rename Nagar Untari town and railway station as Banshidhar Nagar, after
Banshidhar Temple, which is dedicated to Krishna in Garhwa district of state.
➢ US-based nonprofit The Internet Society and Internet Service Providers
Association of India (ISPAI) have signed MoU to make Internet safe and secure
in India by securing routers which is vital for healthy internet infrastructure.
➢ Union Government has received Rs. 3,000 crore of additional tax from MNCs
that have entered into advance pricing agreements (APAs) with it over last five
years and also has eliminated big source of tax litigation.
➢ India along with 23 other nations will be participating in major Indian
ocean-wide tsunami mock exercise known as IOWave18. The exercise is being
organized by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. It
will involve evacuation of thousands of people from coastal areas in over half a
dozen states.
➢ India and Cyprus have signed two agreements on combating money laundering
and cooperation in the field of environment. These agreements were signed
after wide-ranging talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Cypriot
counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia (capital of Cyprus).
➢ Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released draft Charter of
Patients’ Rights prepared by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
➢ Ukraine has launched annual joint military exercise named Rapid Trident with
United States and other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member
countries. The exercise will place in western Ukrainian village of Starychi from
September 2 to 15, 2018
➢ The 6th East Asia Summit-Economic Ministers’ Meeting (EAS-EMM) and 15th
India-ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) was held in Singapore.
Singapore is currently holding the Chair of Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN).
➢ NITI Aayog constituted group of experts has submitted report titled ‘Inventory
and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security.’ It has mentioned
that nearly 30% of springs crucial to water security of people are drying and
50% have reported reduced discharge.
➢ Meghalaya with 3,810 villages with springs has highest number of these water
sources in Eastern Himalayan States. Sikkim had greatest density with 94% of
its villages having spring. In Western Himalayas, Jammu & Kashmir had both
highest number of villages with springs at 3,313 and greatest density of 50.6%.
➢ India, Kazakhstan joint army exercise KAZIND will be conducted between
Indian and Kazakhstan Army in Otar region, Kazakhstan from 10 to 23
September 2018.
➢ Union Territory of Puducherry has bagged top position in National Clean
School Award after seven schools from Puducherry were awarded for
cleanliness. Tamil Nadu bagged second position in National Clean School
Award. The third position was shared by Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Fourth
position was shared by Jharkhand, Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
➢ Justice Ranjan Gogoi will be become 46th Chief Justice of India .
➢ Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry launched Coffee Connect-India coffee
field force app and Coffee KrishiTharanga – digital mobile extension services
project for coffee stakeholders. These initiatives were developed by Coffee
Board of India for the overall technological advancement of the coffee sector
and value chain.
➢ India is 6th largest coffee producer in the world with 4% share after Brazil,
Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. In India, coffee is cultivated in India
in about 4.54 lakh hectares by 3.66 lakh coffee farmers and 98% of them are
small farmers. Karnataka (54%), Kerala (19%) and Tamil Nadu (8%) are largest
coffee producing states. India accounts for only 4-5% of world’s coffee output,
but exports 70-80% of its produce. Italy, Russia and Germany are the top three
buyers of Indian coffee. In India, two coffee varieties robusta (or Coffea
canephora) and Coffea arabica are grown on large scale.
➢ Asia Index Pvt Ltd has launched S&P BSE Private Banks Index to measure the
performance of private banks. Asia Index Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between
S&P Dow Jones Indices and BSE Ltd.
➢ The National Nutrition Month (Rashtriya Poshan Maah) is being celebrated
across the country in September 2018 to mark fight against malnutrition.
Union Ministry of Women and Child Development are spearheading various
programmes during this month to spread broad awareness on issues related to
malnutrition like stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight in
children.
➢ International Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2018 was held in Kathmandu,
capital of Nepal from September 3 to 5, 2018. The summit was inaugurated by
Vice President of Nepal Nanda Bahadur Pun. The theme of 3-day summit was
“Equality begins with Economic Empowerment” . It was organised by the South
Asian Women Development Forum.
➢ Dr Arif ur Rehman Alvi (69) was elected as 13th President of Pakistan.
➢ Cyient Solutions & Systems Pvt. Ltd has bagged order from Indian Army to
supply SpyLite mini UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) systems for high altitude
aerial surveillance. Cyient Solutions & Systems Pvt. Ltd is joint venture
between IT firm Cyient and BlueBird Aero Systems of Israel.
➢ American security and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has entered into an
agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture wings
of its F-16 fighter jets in India. Producing F-16 wings in India will support
Central Government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ programme and strengthen
Lockheed Martin’ strategic partnership with TASL.
➢ According to recent study published in Lancet Global Health journal, at least
34% of India’s population is insufficiently active. The levels of insufficient
activity were higher among women at 48%, while prevalence was 22 %among
men.
➢ Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will
soon convene special meeting of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
(GEAC) to decide on field-trial approvals for transgenic mustard DMH-11
developed by University of Delhi’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop
Plants (CGMCP).
➢ Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully carried out first ever midair refuelling of
indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The midair refuelling
test conducted involved dry linkup, meaning no fuel was actually transferred
between IAF Il-78 tanker and Tejas fighter jet through its air-to-air refuelling
probe.
➢ For this test, Russian-built IL-78 MKI tanker was launched from IAF’s base in
Agra while LCA Tejas fighter was launched from Gwalior. LCA Tejas is
lightweight single-seat multi-role jet fighter, powered by single engine. It has
tailess and compound delta wing design made entirely of composite structures.
It is pegged as world’s smallest and lightest supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
➢ Japanese researchers from Shizuoka University will conduct world’s first
experiment to test small prototype of space elevator in space by using two
mini satellites. The test equipment will be launched by Japan’s space agency on
board of H-2B rocket from southern island of Tanegashima.
➢ State-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has bagged order worth Rs. 9,200 crore
for supply of seven Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) systems to
Indian Navy. In this regard, it has entered into a contract with Mazagon Dock
Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
➢ Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project
under Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of rural circuit in Kerala.
➢ Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved
establishment and operationalization of permanent campus of seven new
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). These IIMs will be established at
Amritsar (Punjab), Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Sambalpur
(Odisha), Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and
Jammu.
➢ India and Bulgaria have signed four MoUs in fields of Civil Nuclear cooperation,
investment, Tourism and establishment of Hindi chair at Sofia University.
➢ Atal pension yojna will expand its focus to target individuals, instead of
households. Moreover, all accounts opened after August 2018 will have
accident insurance limit of Rs 2 lakh, double than earlier Rs 1 lakh limit. The
overdraft facility of the scheme was also increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.
Earlier, people of age 18 to 60 years were entitled to enroll in this scheme. But
now it has been relaxed further to 65 years, taking into consideration rise in
average age-expectancy
➢ Search engine giant Google has launched Dataset Search, a new search engine
for scientific community that will help them make sense of millions of datasets
present online.
➢ The third ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Conference on ‘Global Ageing and
Human Rights of Older Persons’ was held in Seoul, capital of South Korea. It
was jointly organised by South Korea and National Human Rights Commission
of Korea.
➢ Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 3-day Defence & Homeland
Security Expo and Conference – 2018 in New Delhi. I
➢ Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched National Mission on
Government eMarketplace (GeM) for increasing awareness and accelerating
use of GeM by major central Ministries, State Governments and their agencies.
GeM provides online, end to end solution for procurement of commonly used
goods and services for all Central Government Departments and State
Governments. Public Sector Units and affiliated bodies.
➢ Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh was unanimously re-elected as World Health
Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia for another
five-year term beginning February 2019.
➢ India, Sri Lanka joint naval exercise SLINEX-2018 was held at Trincomalee, Sri
Lanka from September 7 to 13, 2018. SLINEX exercise started in 2005 was
previously held once in two years and now it has been converted to annual
event this year onwards.
➢ Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD has officially decided
to participate in Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
after gap of nine years. It will send team of officers to Paris to negotiate India’s
terms of participation in PISA 2021.
➢ India and United States has signed Communications Compatibility and
Security Agreement (COMCASA) that will lead to a new generation of bilateral
military partnership. It was signed at end of inaugural India-US ‘2+2’ Ministerial
Dialogue held in New Delhi.
➢ COMCASA is meant to facilitate use of high-end secured communication
equipment to be installed on military platforms being sold to India by US to
fully exploit their potential.
➢ The first edition of 2+2 dialogue between India-US held in New Delhi. In the
inaugural meeting, Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj and
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hosted US Secretary of State Michael
R. Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis.
➢ India and United States will conduct their annual combat exercise “Yudh
Abhyas” at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from 16 to 29 September, 2018. The
exercise will be held soon after both countries hold their inaugural top-level
“2+2” dialogue in New Delhi.
➢ Singapore-based global investment firm Temasek has signed agreement to
invest up to Rs 2,750 crore ($400 million) in National Investment and
Infrastructure Fund’s (NIIF) Master Fund. With this investment, NIIF Master
Fund is now one of largest infrastructure funds in India which invests in core
infrastructure sectors in India with focus on energy, transportation and urban
infrastructure.
➢ India and France have signed implementation agreement on Mobilise Your City
(MYC) to support three pilot cities – Nagpur, Kochi and Ahmedabad for
reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to urban transport. It
was signed between Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Agence
Française de Développement (AfD).
➢ State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has made oil and gas
discoveries in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal that may potentially open up
two new sedimentary basins in country. They are category-III basins, having
hydrocarbon and are considered geologically prospective for exploration.
➢ India and France have signed agreement to collaborate for ISRO’s first human
space mission Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022.
➢ Union Finance Ministry has doubled pecuniary limit to Rs. 20 lakh from Rs.10
lakh for filing loan recovery application in Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT) by
banks and financial institutions. It means that bank or financial institution or
consortium of banks or financial institutions cannot approach DRTs if
pecuniary limit amount due is less than Rs 20 lakh.
➢ The Odisha State Assembly has passed resolution seeking creation of
Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad or second house of legislature). The
resolution was passed with as many as 104 of total 147 legislators casting their
votes in its favour. The resolution now will be sent to Central Government
(Union cabinet) for approval, following which it will be tabled in both houses of
the Parliament. Thereafter, presidential assent is required to make it Act.
➢ The World Hindu Congress (WHC-2018) was held Chicago, United States. It
was organized to commemorate 125 years of Swami Vivekananda’s historic
Chicago address on September 11, 1893. The theme of WHC-2018 was
“Sumantrite Suvikrante” — think collectively, achieve valiantly”.
➢ India’s ace sprinter Hima Das was appointed as Sports Ambassador of Assam to
inspire budding players of northeastern state to aim big and young generation
to take up sports seriously.
➢ Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka is
set to become first airport in Asia to introduce face recognition based passage
system technology from 2019.
➢ The World Summit on Accreditation (WOSA-2018) was held New Delhi. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD)
Prakash Javadekar. WOSA-2018 was organized by National Board of
Accreditation (NBA) with main focus (theme) on “Challenges and
Opportunities in Outcome Based Accreditation.
➢ Former world number one Novak Djokovic from Serbia won 2018 US Open
title of tennis in men’s singles category by defeating Argentina’s Juan Martín
del Potro (world no 3).
➢ Snow leopard was spotted at height of about 4,000 metres in Lippa-Asra
wildlife sanctuary in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Project Snow
Leopard: It was launched in 2009 to safeguard and conserve Snow Leopard (an
unique natural heritage of high-altitude) and its habitats by promoting
conservation through participatory policies and actions.
➢ Regional Conference on Good Governance with Focus on Aspirational Districts
was held in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. It was organized by
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DAR&PG),
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in association with
Madhya Pradesh Government.
➢ Nepal has refused to participate in inaugural joint military exercise of Bay of
Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) countries scheduled to be held in Pune, Maharashtra. The first
BIMSTEC field training exercise will be conducted at Foreign Training Node at
Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra from September 10 and 16, 2018. Armies of
BIMSTEC members including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
Thailand and Nepal were to participate in it.
➢ Haryana Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to set up ethanol plant at village Bohali village in
Panipat district with an outlay of over Rs. 900 crore. The MoU will be valid for
one year. This plant will motivate farmers in its 50 km radius area to manage
crop residue and prevent straw burning and help to fulfill increasing demand of
ethanol and also bio-fuels for consumers of petroleum product.
➢ India, Mongolia joint exercise Nomadic Elephant 2018 commenced at
Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar (capital
of Mongolia). Nomadic Elephant is annual bilateral military exercise started in
2006.
➢ Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully carried out first ever mid-air refuelling of
indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas MK-1 over Gwalior,
Madhya Pradesh. With this, India joins in elite group of countries which have
successfully developed air-to-air refuelling system for military aircraft. It was
first wet mid-air refuelling of LCA Tejas (LSP8) carried out by transferring 1,900
kg of fuel from IAF’s Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 (IL-78) tanker at altitude of
20,000 feet. This operation had refueled all internal tanks and drop tanks of
LCA Tejas.
➢ The first field training military exercise MILEX-18, as part of the Bay of Bengal
initiative for multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation (BIMSTEC)
commenced at Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra. All
member BIMSTEC countries, except Thailand and Nepal will take active part in
this exercise. Thailand and Nepal will only be sending group of observers.
➢ India, Bangladesh jointly inaugurated three projects related to power supply
rehabilitation of existing railway section. These projects were jointly
inaugurated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina through video conference. Rehabilitation of
Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railways: 500 MW additional
power supply from India to Bangladesh: Akhaura–Agartala Rail Link
➢ India was the focus country of 87th Izmir International Trade Show held in
Izmir, third most populous city in Turkey, after Istanbul and Ankara from 7th to
11th September, 2018. Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) had led
75-member Indian delegation for this trade show.
➢ Election Commission of India (EC) had removed NOTA (None of the Above)
option from ballot papers of Rajya Sabha, Legislative Council elections
following directive of Supreme Court. The NOTA option, henceforth will be
only available in direct elections such as Lok Sabha and state assembly
elections.
➢ Union Ministry of Railways has launched Rail Sahyog web portal
(www.railsahyog.in). It will provide platform for Corporates and PSUs to fund
creation of amenities at railway stations through Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) funds.
➢ NITI Aayog, Intel, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) are
collaborating to set up Model International Center for Transformative Artificial
Intelligence (ICTAI) in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. This collaboration is
part of NITI Aayog’s ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’ .
➢ Justice Mukul Mudgal was named Chairman of 11-member selection
committee to pick this year’s Dronacharya and Dhyanchand awardees given as
part of National Sports Awards ceremony. These awards will be presented at
National Sports Awards ceremony scheduled to be held on September 25,
2018.
➢ Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Telecommunications Consultants
India Ltd (TCIL) have signed agreement for implementation of e-VidyaBharati
and e-AarogyaBharati (e-VBAB) Network Project in Africa. e-VBAB Network
Project is completely funded by Government of India for its entire duration.
➢ Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay has recommissioned
India’s oldest nuclear research reactor named ‘Apsara’, which was shut down
permanently in 2009 for repair. The refurbished version of this reactor has
been named as ‘Apsara-upgraded’ (Apsara-U) and also has double capacity
compared to its earlier version. It is located within India’s nuclear weapons
facility at BARC’s Trombay campus (Maharashtra).
➢ Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has mandatory for unlisted public
companies to issue new shares or transfer of all shares in dematerialised or
demat (i.e. in electronic form) form beginning October 2, 2018.
➢ Senior BJP leader L K Advani was renominated as Chairman of Ethics
Committee of Lok Sabha. He was renominated by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra
Mahajan.
➢ Tamil Nadu Government has issued order banning manufacture, sale and
possession of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or e-Cigarettes
with immediate effect in the state. So far, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram,
Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar already have prohibited
manufacture, import, sale and distribution of ENDs or e-cigarettes.
➢ IIP is composite indicator that measures short-term changes in volume of
production of basket of industrial products during given period with respect to
chosen base period. It is compiled and published monthly by Central Statistical
Organization (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI).
Base year: The CSO had revised the base year of the IIP from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in
May 2017.

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved
proposal for introduction of Bill in Parliament for amendment of National Institutes of Design
(NID) Act, 2014 for establishing four new NIDs across the country.
➢ Amaravati/Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
➢ Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
➢ Jorhat, Assam.
➢ Kurukshetra, Haryana.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved MoU signed between Export-Import Bank of
India (Exim Bank) and member banks under BRICS Interbank Cooperation
Mechanism on Collaborative Research on Distributed Ledger and Block chain
Technology in context of development of digital economy.
➢ Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has prohibited manufacture, sale,
distribution of 328 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) for human use with
immediate effect.
➢ Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is gearing up to undertake sea trials of India’s
first ocean surveillance ship by end of September 2018 or first week of October
2018. This ship is now simply referred as VC 11184 and will be formally named
after its induction into the Indian Navy.
➢ India’s first 205T Electric Drive Rear Dump Truck (Model BH205-E), designed
and developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) was flagged off
recently. The dump truck has been developed for use in the project of Northern
Coalfields Limited (NCL), Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. It will also help to address
the growing demand for higher capacity equipments in mining industry.
➢ 46th Chief Justice of India –Ranjan gogoi
➢ National Hindi Divas ( हंद दवस) is observed every year on 14 September.
➢ Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched Dairy
Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme with an outlay
of Rs. 10881 crore. Under this fund, first installment of Rs. 440 crore was given
to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
➢ Union Ministry for Minority Affairs has launched the country’s first National
Scholarship Portal Mobile App (NSP Mobile App). It aims to provide smooth,
accessible and hassle-free scholarship system for students from poor and
weaker section.
➢ Union Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated India’s first tribal circuit project
connecting 13 tourism sites in Chhattisgarh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
The circuit connects Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Kamleshpur, Maheshpur, Kurdar,
Sarodadadar, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Nathiya Nawagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, and
Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh.
➢ Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved 100%
electrification broad gauge routes of Indian Railways (IR) by 2021-22.
➢ Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) has developed
India’s first indigenous medical kit for protection against nuclear warfare or
radioactive leakage. The kit will ensure protection from serious injury and aid
faster healing of wounds due to nuclear warfare or radioactive leakage.
➢ Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has approved continuation of Capacity Development Scheme
for period 2017-18 to 2019-20. It is ongoing Central Sector Scheme of Ministry
of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI).
➢ Hyderabad International Airport (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport) was
awarded Airports Council International Airport Service Quality World no.1
airport awardin the 5-15 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category. This
is for the second consecutive year Hyderabad airport has won this award.
➢ Rajasthan’s first lion safari was inaugurated at Nahargarh Biological Park. The
park is located on Delhi-Jaipur National Highway in the Aravalli foothills, nearly
12 kilometers from state capital Jaipur (known as Pink City).
➢ Union Ministry of Power has launched Chiller Star Labelling Program to
encourage deployment of energy efficient chiller systems in the country. It was
launched as part of occasion of 24th World Ozone Day and 31st Anniversary
of Montreal Protocol, which will be observed on 16th September 2018. The
program was formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It envisages
providing star rating in terms of its energy performance. Initially, the program
has been launched on voluntary basis and will be valid upto 31st December
2020. BEE has developed online registration platform for easy and expeditious
approval under this program.
➢ India’s first underwater robotic drone EyeROV TUNA was handed over to
Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO).
➢ Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned indigenously built patrol vessel
ICGS Vijaya in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is second in the series of 98 m offshore
patrol vessels (OPVs) commissioned by ICG.
➢ Kerala Tourism has won two prestigious gold awards of Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) for its innovative marketing campaigns. These awards
were won by Kerala Tourism’s Yalla Kerala print campaign and Live Inspired
Posters under PATA’s Travel Advertisement Print and Travel Poster categories
respectively. Both campaign and posters were developed and designed by
Stark Communications which is advertising agency of Kerala Tourism.
➢ The International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer (or World Ozone Day) is
observed every year on September 16 for the preservation of the Ozone Layer.
This year, the theme for the Day is ‘Keep Cool and Carry On: The Montreal
Protocol’.
➢ Union Cabinet recently approved new umbrella scheme “Pradhan Mantri
Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan” (PM-AASHA) to give major boost to
pro-farmer initiatives of Government. The Scheme is aimed at ensuring
remunerative prices to e farmers for their produce as announced in Union
Budget for 2018.
➢ The second edition of Nepal-China joint military exercise named Mt Everest
Friendship Exercise-2018 (Sagarmatha Friendship-2018) commenced in
China’s southwestern Sichuan province.
➢ Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted first
successful trials of indigenously developed third generation Man Portable
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). Two rounds of missile were flight tested
in operational configuration in two days from Ahmednagar range in
Maharashtra.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has inaugurated S–Band
Polarimetry Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre
in Sriharikota spaceport, Andhra Pradesh. It will be used for observation of
weather system up to range of 500 km and also for early warning of severe
weather events.
➢ India and United States joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018 commenced
at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand. It will be fourteenth edition of exercise in Yudh
Abhyas series which was started in 2004 under US Army Pacific Partnership
Program. This will be fourth time exercise will be conducted at Chaubattia in
Uttarakhand
➢
Ministry of Culture has released National Museum Research Bulletin Number
10: Special issue. The bulletin was revived after gap of 16 years. It also has
released Sindhu Ghati Sabhyata:Ek Parichay, a Hindi version of An Introduction
To Indus Valley Civilization which among the bestsellers at National Museum.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched two
satellites— NovaSAR and S1-4-belonging to United Kingdom (UK) based
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). Both satellites were injected into
Sun Synchronous Orbit (pole-to-pole orbit) at an altitude of 583 km after the
launch. These satellites were launched on board of Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV-C42) from first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre
(SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
➢ India’s first ‘smart fence’ pilot project was inaugurated along two 5-km each
patches of India-Pakistan International Border Jammu and Kashmir. It was
launched by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Border Security Force
(BSF) Headquarters in Ploura, J&K.
➢ Maharashtra Government is setting up new Cyber University dedicated to
mitigating cyber threats. It will train 3,000 professionals to fight online space
cyber-attacks, internet crimes and conduct cyber forensics.
➢ 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism was held in Seoul, capital of
South Korea from 16 to 19 September, 2018. The theme of the summit was ‘A
2030 Vision for Urban Tourism’ . The summit was co-organized by World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) and Seoul Metropolitan Government and supported by
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea Korea Tourism
Organization and Seoul Tourism Organization.
➢ NITI Aayog in its recently report has recommended that Ministry of Agriculture
to take up mission on shifting cultivation to ensure inter-ministerial
convergence between different ministries. The report was titled “Mission on
Shifting Cultivation: Towards a Transformational Approach”.
➢ Union Finance Ministry announced proposal for amalgamation of three public
sector banks- Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The combined
entity after consolidation will create India’s third largest bank. Post this merger,
number of PSU banks will come down to 19 from 21, accounting for more than
two-thirds of banking assets in the country.
➢ India and Malta signed three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in the
fields of Maritime Cooperation, Tourism and Training. These MoUs were signed
after delegation level talks between Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and
President of Malta, Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Vice President Naidu
visited in Malta in the second phase of his visit to three European countries viz.
Serbia, Malta and Romania. It was the first senior Indian leader to visit
Mediterranean nation in last 28 years.
➢ Bangladesh Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved
draft agreement allowing India to use its Chittagong and Mongla ports to
transport cargo to and from its northeastern states.
➢ Germany has rolled out world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train. These
locomotives named iLint trains emit zero emissions, making them eco-friendly.
This train technology offers greener and quieter alternative to diesel on
non-electrified railway lines. These hydrogen trains are manufactured by
French TGV-maker Alstom and are commercially running on 100km route
between towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and
Buxtehude in northern Germany.
➢ Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has appointed renowned scientist
Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas as chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and
secretary of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). He will have tenure till he
attains the age of 64 years, i.e. till May 2021
➢ Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on eve
of World Ozone Day (16th September) released draft India Cooling Action Plan
(ICAP). It makes India first country in world to develop such document. The
draft was prepared by Ozone Cell of MoEFC.
➢ Union Government has inked US$74 million loan agreement for International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Credit for Uttrakhand
Workforce Development Project (UKWDP).
➢ Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched e-Sahaj portal to facilitate
individuals and private companies in seeking security clearance for setting up
businesses in certain sensitive sectors. The portal aims to bring greater
transparency in according security clearances to business proposals relating to
sensitive sectors and geographical locations.
➢ Union government (Agriculture and Environment ministries) along with UN
body Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched agriculture
project that seeks to bring transformative change in farm sector through
conservation of biodiversity and forest landscapes. It will be implemented in
five states viz. Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan and
Uttarakhand.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina
jointly launched the construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Product
Pipeline Project through video conferencing. It is first such pipeline through
which refined diesel will be supplied to Bangladesh from India. The project
involves construction of 130-kilometre long pipeline that will connect Siliguri
in West Bengal and Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.
➢ Uttarakhand Assembly has unanimously passed resolution seeking status of
“rashtra mata — mother of the nation” for cow.
➢ India and Morocco have signed revised Air Services Agreement between two
countries enabling greater air connectivity through modernized agreement.
➢ Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched pilot project for
transport of sputum specimen for Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis by utilising
services of Department of Post in Karawal Nagar, New Delhi.
➢ Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has launched
its monthly e-newsletter MSME Insider.
➢ The Employee’s State Insurance (ESI) has rolled out Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan
Yojna for providing unemployment allowance to workers rendered jobless due
to changing employment pattern. It was announced at 175th ESI Corporation
meeting chaired by Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar in New Delhi. It
aims to financially support those who lost their jobs or rendered jobless for
whatsoever reasons due to changing employment pattern. Its beneficiaries will
be insured persons covered under Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 for
period of two years continuously.
➢ India and Russia joint air exercise Aviaindra 18 was held in Lipetsk, Russia from
September 17 to 28, 2018. The second session of Aviaindra 18 will be
conducted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan (India) from December 10 Dec to 22, 2018.
➢
The capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
has allowed India’s top two stock exchanges BSE Ltd and National Stock
Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) to launch commodity derivatives trading from 1
October, 2018. This approval is part of SEBI’s December 2017 announcement
of having unified exchange regime wherein stock exchanges will be allowed to
offer trading in commodities derivatives.
➢ Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Revised Cost
Estimate of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). It has been
increased to Rs. 3,466 crore from earlier Rs. 1968 crore. CCEA also gave
approval for two-year time extension for project from July 2018 to June 2020.
Out of total revised cost of Rs.3,466 crore, Rs.2,628 crore will be funded by
World Bank and Rs.747 crore will be funded by DRIP States or Implementing
Agencies (IAs) and balance Rs.91 crore will be funded by Central Water
Commission (CWC).
➢ India has decided to place four more reactors under International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. It was announced by Sekhar Basu, Chairman,
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) at 62nd General Conference of IAEA held in
Vienna, Austria. The four reactors include two Russian-designed Pressurised
Light Water Reactors and two Pressurised Heavy Reactors being built with Indian
technology. With this, total of 26 Indian nuclear facilities will be now under
IAEA safeguards.
➢ Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has recently
exchanged MoUs with Tata Trusts and Dell to provide technological platform
for nationwide prevention, control, screening and management program of Non
Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of India International
Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) in Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi. On
completion, it will be biggest indoor exhibition space in India and also rank
among the top 10 in the world.
➢ Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has signed Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to set
up of state-of-the-art Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response
(ICR-ER). ISRO will render its technical expertise for setting up of proposed
ICR-ER.
➢ State-owned India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and private life insurer Bajaj
Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd (BALIC) have entered into strategic partnership
to provide life insurance solutions. It will allow IPPB customers across
segments to access wide array of life insurance products and services especially
at doorstep. BALIC is the first life insurer to partner with IPPB. This partnership
will allow BALIC to leverage IPPB’s last mile reach for building awareness about
life insurance.
➢ Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully
flight tested indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range tactical
ballistic missile ‘Prahaar’. It was launched from mobile launcher from Launch
Complex-III, Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore off Odisha Coast. It is
solid-fuelled surface-to-surface short-range tactical ballistic missile. It has been
indigenously developed by DRDO. It has length of 7.3 meter, diameter of 420
mm and weighs 1,280 kg. It has operational range of 150 km and flight altitude
of 35 km.
➢ Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched Cyber Crime Prevention
against Women and Children (CCPWC) portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to
check objectionable online content.
➢ Pakistan has invited Saudi Arabia to join $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) as the third strategic partner. Formal request in this regard
was made after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Saudi Arabia
during his first foreign trip after getting elected.
➢ Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched India’s National Database
of Sexual Offenders (NDSO). With this, India became the ninth nation to
maintain such thorough database.
➢ India’s biggest cyclotron facility named Cyclone-30 became operational at
Kolkata-based Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), which comes under
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Cyclotron is used to produce
radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic use for cancer care. Radiations
from these isotopes are used to destroy cancer cells.
➢ India has contributed $1 million to United Nations (UN) Headquarters’ Solar
Project, under which solar panels will be installed on roof of world body’s
headquarters at New York, US.
➢ The inaugural General Assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) will be
inaugurated on 2 October 2018 in New Delhi. It will be followed by ministerial
level assembly of ISA following day which will be will be held in Greater Noida.
➢ India’s first indigenously developed 500-megawatt (mw) Prototype Fast
Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu is expected to achieve
criticality in 2019. It was stated by Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy
Commission (AEC) and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy at 62th
General Conference of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna,
Austria.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting up third launch pad at
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh to undertake Gaganyaan manned space flight
programme. ISRO currently has two launch pads which are already full. ISRO is
developing SSLV to offer affordable launch options for smaller satellites
through ANTRIX, the space agency’s commercial arm.
➢ National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE)
have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on creating
dual listing route for masala bonds and foreign currency bonds of Indian
issuers. Masala bonds are rupee-denominated bonds through which Indian
entities can raise money from foreign markets in rupee and not in foreign
currency. Basically, it is debt instruments used by corporates to raise money
from foreign investors in local currency.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched commencement of work for India’s
first Coal-gasification based fertilizer plant with pet coke blending will come
up in Talcher, Odisha. The coal gasification based fertilizer plant is being
developed by Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL).
➢ Tamil Nadu government has announced Scheme for protection of exotic Neela
kurinji (Strobilanthus kunthianus) plants that flower only once in 12 years.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated new airport in Jharsuguda – also
known as the powerhouse of Odisha.
➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has shortlisted five IT firms for implementation of
Centralised Information and Management System (CIMS) for seamless data
collection and validations. These five IT firms are Infosys, Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), Capgemini Technology Services India, IBM India and Larsen &
Toubro Infotech.
➢ President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated centenary celebrations of
Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha on 22 September 2018 in New Delhi.
DBHPS is an autonomous body functioning under the grant from Union
Government.
➢ International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually across the world on
23 September every year along with International Week of the Deaf. This year
it was first International Day of Sign Languages. Its theme was “With Sign
Language, Everyone is Included!” .
➢ Assamese movie ‘Village Rockstars’ was selected as India’s official entry to
the Oscars 2019 (91st Academy Awards) under Foreign Language Film
category.
➢ India successfully conducted interceptor missile test off the Odisha coast at
night. With this, Defence Research and Development Organization achieved
major milestone in developing indigenous two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence
system. PDV interceptor missile was launched from Abdul Kalam Island (earlier
known as Wheeler Island) of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Odisha coast.
Its mission was aimed at test-firing of interceptor missile of coast of Odisha to
intercept an incoming ballistic missile off the Bay of Bengal.
➢ Social networking giant Facebook has selected three Indian women among five
global leaders for $1 million award as part of its Community Leadership
Programme. They are Adhunika Prakash, Chetana Misra and Tamanna
Dhamija.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana (PMJAY), under Ayushman Bharat umbrella at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The
scheme aims to provide annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to 10.74
crore beneficiary families i.e. over 50 crore beneficiaries across India.
➢ Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated Indian Culinary Institute (ICI) in
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. It is promoted by Union Ministry of Tourism. The ICI
building was designed by National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC).
➢ Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had held two-day National Orientation
workshop on National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in New Delhi. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram
Meghwal. On this occasion, new website of NeVA was also launched
➢ NeVA is initiative of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. It aims to make all
legislatures in the country paperless by making proceedings of houses digital.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Sikkim’s first-ever airport at
Pakyong. Prior to this airport, Sikkim was only state in India remaining without
functional airport. Pakyong airport is India’s 100th functional airport and one of
the country’s five highest airports.
➢ Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has joined SDG Media
Compact aimed at advancing awareness of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). It is among more than 30 organisations from across the world that have
come together to form global media compact.
➢ Nepal become first country in the world to double its tiger population in a
decade as part of World Wildlife Foundation’s (WWF) ‘Tx2’ programme which
aims to double number of tigers in the world all over the world by 2022.
➢ Andhra Pradesh has topped Ease of Living Index rankings under AMRUT (Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation). It was followed by
Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
➢ India and Morocco have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of
defence and security.
➢ 25th September was observed as Antyodaya Diwas across the country to mark
the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a noted philosopher,
historian and political activist.
➢ Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 1,000
engines of 1,000 BHP (brake horse power) for fitment in T-72 tanks of Indian
Army. These engines will be procured under ‘Buy & Make’ category at an
approximate cost of over Rs 2,300 crore. Most of these engines will be
manufactured by Ordnance Factories Board (OFB). Their fitment will enhance
mobility, agility and acceleration of T-72 tanks making them more versatile and
effective in the battlefield.
➢ Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched portal
www.psbloansin59minutes.com to enable micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) to get in-principle approval of loans within hour without
need for branch visit.
➢ The web portal will enable in principle approval for MSME loans up to Rs. 1
crore within 59 minutes from Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) and 5 Public Sector Banks (PSBs). It also simplifies decision making
process for loan officer as final output provides summary of credit, valuation
and verification on a user-friendly dashboard in real time.
➢ Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Environment
Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated air pollution control device WAYU (Wind
Augmentation PurifYing Unit) for traffic junctions at ITO intersection and
Mukarba Chowk in New Delhi.
➢ Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley launched
Financial Inclusion Index in New Delhi. It was launched after his Annual
Performance Review Meeting with CEOs of Public Sector Banks (PSBs). The
index has three measurement dimensions (i) Access to financial services (ii) Usage
of financial services and (3) Quality.
➢ Indian Navy has signed contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)
located in Visakhapatnam for construction of two Diving Support Vessels
(DSV). These vessels will help to augment Indian Navy’s submarine support
operations on either coast.
➢ Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully test fired indigenously developed
Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra from Su-30 figher
aircraft. The missile was tested at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, West Bengal.
During the test, missile successfully engaged manoeuvring target with high
precision meeting mission objectives.
➢ Supreme Court has unanimously struck down Section 497 of Indian Penal
Code (IPC) 1860 that makes adultery punishable offence for men. The
judgment was given by five-judge bench of the Supreme Court including Chief
Justice of India Dipak Misra on petition filed by non-resident Keralite Joseph
Shine. Justice Indu Malhotra was lone woman judge on this bench.
➢ Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched online software
for processing applications Agmark quality certification mark for agricultural
products. It was launched by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
➢ G-4 Nations viz. India, Brazil, Germany and Japan have voiced concern over
lack of substantive progress in long-pending United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) reform. It was convened during meeting of Ministers from four G4
Countries which was hosted by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at
Indian Mission to UN to review the reform progress.
➢ The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is
observed every year on 26 September across the world.
➢ The World Tourism Day (WTD) is being observed every year on 27th
September to raise awareness about importance of tourism.
➢ The World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed every year on last Thursday of
September to acknowledge the maritime industry and to highlight importance
of shipping safety, maritime security and marine environment and to
acknowledge maritime industry. This it was observed on September 27 with
theme as “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future” .
➢ United States and India have formed ‘USAID-India End TB Alliance comprising
leading experts in public and private sectors to combat the menace of
tuberculosis. It was announced by US Agency for International Development
(USAID) administrator Mark Green at event in New York in presence of Union
Health Minister J P Nadda.
➢ Multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide US $150
million loan for establishing first multi-skills park in central Indian state of
Madhya Pradesh. This new flagship GSP campus will be established in state
capital Bhopal from where about 20,000 people are expected to be benefited.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron
jointly awarded 2018 Champions of the Earth award, UN’s highest
environmental honour.
➢ Union Government has enhanced its contribution in State Disaster Response
fund (SDRF) from 75% to 90%. Now, Central government will contribute 90%
and all States will contribute 10% to the SDRF.
➢ The World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September across the
world to raise awareness about rabies disease and its preventable measures.
The 2018 theme was ‘Rabies: Share the message. Save a life’
➢ Union Railway Ministry has launched Rail Heritage Digitisation Project in
collaboration with Google Arts and Culture Association. It can be accessed at
“https://artsandculture.google.com/project/indian-railways”. It is
first-of-its-kind project that aims to showcase India’s rail heritage to the
national and international audience in an online story-telling platform. It is also
largest cultural heritage digitisation project in India and possibly in entire Asia
Pacific Region.
➢ NITI Aayog and United Nations in India signed Sustainable Development
Framework for 2018-2022. The agreement is reflection of commitment and
efforts made by India towards attaining Sustainable Development Goals.
➢ The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has constituted High Level
Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility – 2018 (HLC-2018) under
Chairmanship of Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, MCA. It will review existing
framework and guide and formulate roadmap for coherent policy on
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
➢ NITI Aayog has singed Statement of Intent (SoI) with Oracle to pilot real drug
supply-chain using blockchain distributed ledger and Internet of Things (IoT)
software to fight growing problem of counterfeit drugs in India. Strides Pharma
Sciences and Apollo Hospitals will partner in this effort. Oracle is US
multinational computer technology corporation that specializes primarily in
developing and marketing database software and technology, cloud engineered
systems, and enterprise software products.
➢ Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has partnered with Google to launch
Loo Review campaign on Google Map. The joint campaign has been launched
under aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM–U). It will run throughout
October and November 2018 in an effort to increase awareness and ease of
locating public toilets across India.
➢ United States and Morocco have launched GCTF Terrorist Travel Initiative
under auspices of Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). The initiative brings
together stakeholders to share expertise on developing and implementing
effective counterterrorism watchlisting and screening tools. It was launched on
sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
➢ Second Anniversary of Surgical Strike was celebrated as Parakram Parv or
Surgical Strike Day on September 29 – 30, 2018 by Indian Army to showcase
gallant action of brave Army in the conduct of Surgical Strikes on September
29, 2016.
➢ India is 6th largest coffee producer in the world with 4% share after Brazil,
Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. This year International Coffee
Organization had chosen special theme: ‘Women in Coffee’ being celebrated
on 1st OCTober.
➢ Madhya Pradesh Government has announced creation of new district Niwari. It
will be 52nd district of the state and came into effect from October 1, 2018.
➢ All India Council for Technical Education will establish country’s first AICTE
Training and Learning (ATAL) Academy in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.
Moreover, three more ATAL academies will come at Thiruvananthapuram
(Kerala), Guwahati (Assam) and Baroda (Gujarat) by next year.
➢ President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent Karnataka Good Samaritan and
Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during Emergency Situations)
Bill, 2016 under Article 200 of Constitution. With this, Karnataka became first
state give legal protection to good Samaritans who help accidents victims with
emergency medical care within golden hour. This law will ensure that good
samaritans are not harassed in any manner and face any criminal or civil
liability.
➢ Union Finance Ministry has constituted nine-member Competition Law Review
Committee to ensure that legislation is in tune with changing business
environment.\ It will be chaired by chaired by Corporate
Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas and includes Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Board of India (IBBI) Chairperson M S Sahoo and Competition Commission
of India (CCI) Chairperson as members.
➢ India-born economist Gita Gopinath was appointed Chief Economist of
International Monetary Fund (IMF).
➢ The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) is observed every year. The
theme for this year is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions”.
➢ The World Habitat Day was observed every year on first Monday in October all
over the world. This year it was observed on 1 October 2018 with theme
‘Municipal Solid Waste Management’ .
➢ India and Uzbekistan have inked 17 agreements including for cooperation in
the fields of tourism, national security, training of diplomats, against trafficking
and visa free travel for diplomatic passport holders. These agreements were
signed after delegation level talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in New Delhi.
➢ India was ranked 5th among 206 countries in Cigarette Package Health
Warnings: International Status Report 2018 released by Canadian Cancer
Society.
➢ The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to two
immunologists James P. Allison (US) and Tasuku Honjo (Japan) for their
discovery of Immune checkpoint therapy i.e. cancer therapy by inhibition of
negative immune regulation. It was announced by Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s
Karolinska Institute.
➢ Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has launched Sustainable Alternative
Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) aimed at providing sustainable
alternative towards affordable transportation. The initiative was launched with
PSU Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs i.e. IOC, BPCL and HPCL).
➢ PMI is an indicator of business activity-both in the manufacturing and
services sectors. It is a survey-based measure that asks respondents about
changes in their perception of some key business variables from month before.
It is calculated separately for manufacturing and services sectors and then
composite index is constructed.
➢ India’s leading bourse Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) became first stock
exchange in the country to launch commodity derivative contracts. It has
launched contracts in popular commodities like gold (1kg) and silver (30kg).
This launch comes after unified exchange regime kicked off from 1 October
2018.
➢ Realtors body National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) has
signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs to provide skill training and jobs in construction sector for 2.5
lakh poor people. The partnership will strengthen skill trainings and
employment opportunities in construction sector for urban poor
under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission.
➢ Odisha Government has launched State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) to
benefit the 25 lakh poor people who were left out of the National Food Security
Act (NFSA).
➢ President Ramnath Kovind has appointed senior judge of Supreme Court
Madan Bhimarao Lokur (64) as Executive Chairman of National Legal Services
Authority of India (NALSA). He was appointed by President in exercise of
power conferred under Clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Legal
Authorities Act, 1987.
➢ The sixth edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multi–national maritime exercise
between Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies was held at Simons Town,
South Africa
➢ The world’s largest dome was inaugurated at Maharashtra Institute of
Technology (MIT)’s World Peace University (MIT-WPU) campus at Loni
Kalbhor, Pune (Maharashtra). It was inaugurated by Vice President Venkaiah
Naidu along with Peace Center on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated first Assembly of International
Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi.
➢ The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched first global guidelines on
sanitation and health.
➢ India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed $240 million loan agreement
for West Bengal Drinking Water Sector Improvement Project to provide safe
drinking water to people in three districts of West Bengal. The project aims at
providing safe and sustainable drinking water to people in Bankura, North 24
Parganas and Purba Medinipur affected by arsenic, fluoride and salinity.
➢ The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has selected three scientists Arthur
Ashkin (USA), Gerard Mourou (France) and Donna Strickland (Canada) for the
2018 Nobel Prize in Physics. They were selected for groundbreaking inventions
in the field of laser physics. Arthur Ashkin (91) received the half prize and
remaining half was shared equally by Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland.
➢ The Union Cabinet has remodified its earlier decision to establish of National
Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR) in Sehore District
(Bhopal-Sehore highway) instead of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
➢ Government has inked US $150 million loan agreement with multilateral
lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) for establishing India’s first Global
Skills Park park in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. It will have training
facilities focusing on skills for manufacturing, service and advanced agricultural
jobs, benefitting about 20,000 trainees and trainers.
➢ India was ranked 28th among 73 countries in 2018 Government e-Payments
Adoption Ranking (GEAR). India has jumped by eight positions in this ranking
from 36th in 2011 which reinforces country’s progress towards digital
transformation. Norway has topped 2018 GEAR list scoring 89.7 points in
seven categories.
➢ Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully undertaken series of flight trials of Astra
Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR-AAM) from September 26 to
October 3, 2018. The tests were conducted at Integrated Test Range (ITR),
Balasore, Odisha as part of final development trials of the missile. Astra is air to
air beyond visual range air-to-air indigenously developed by Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
➢ India has launched massive humanitarian operation Samudra Maitri to provide
assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia.
➢ Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched Udyam
Abhilasha (उ यम अ भलाषा), a national level entrepreneurship awareness
campaign. It was launched in 115 Aspirational Districts identified by NITI
Aayog in 28 States.
➢ The fourth India International Science Festival 2018 (IISF 2018) will be held in
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from October 5 to 8, 2018. It is being organized by
Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences in association
with Vijnana Bharati at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow.
➢ The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has selected US scientists Frances
Arnold and George Smith and British researcher Gregory Winter for the 2018
Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They were selected for harnessing power of evolution
to develop enzymes and antibodies that have led to new pharmaceuticals and
biofuels. Chemistry was third of this year’s Nobel Prizes. Frances Arnold shared
the half price and George Smith and Gregory Winter share other half of the
prize.
➢ The second Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo
(REINVEST- 2018) was organised by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in
Noida from October 3 to 5, 2018. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in the presence of Secretary General of United Nations
Antonio Guterres.
➢ The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has redesignated R N Ravi,
Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee as Deputy National Security Advisor
(Internal Affairs).
➢ 21 countries in Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) adopted Delhi
Declaration on Renewable Energy in Indian Ocean Region. It was adopted at
2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting held at 2nd Global Re-Invest
India-ISA Partnership Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet & Expo in Greater
Noida.
➢ The maiden joint exercise of Coast Guards of India and Vietnam “Sahyog HOP
TAC -2018” was held in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast, Tamil Nadu.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently conferred Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards
2018 to top ranked states and districts. Haryana was ranked as best State, Satara District
of Maharashtra was ranked as best district. Uttar Pradesh was rewarded for maximum
citizens’ participation. Top 3 States: Haryana (1st), Gujarat (2nd) and Maharashtra (3rd).
● Top 3 Districts: Satara (Maharashtra), Rewari (Haryana) and Pedapalli (Telangana).
● States with maximum citizen participation: Uttar Pradesh (1st), Gujarat (2nd) and
Maharashtra (3rd).
● Districts with maximum citizens’ participation: Nashik (Maharashtra), Solapur
(Maharashtra) and Chittorgarh (Rajasthan).
➢ Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has released policy on biometric based digital
processing of passengers at airports called Digi Yatra.
➢ Indian IT industry’s apex body National Association of Software and Services
Companies (NASSCOM) has launched its Centre of Excellence for the Internet
of Things (CoE – IoT) at Gurugram, Haryana.
➢ NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has successfully completed flyby of Venus at
distance of about 2,415 kilometres during its first gravity assist from planet.
These gravity assists will help spacecraft tighten its orbit closer to Sun over
course of the mission. arker Solar Probe is mankind’s first mission to study
outer corona of Sun.
➢ Government has inked $110 million loan agreement with Asian Development
Bank (ADB) to upgrade all-weather rural roads in Madhya Pradesh
under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). It is second tranche of
$500 million Second Rural Connectivity Investment Programme for India
approved by ADB in December 2017.
➢ Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has
launched Closing the Skills Gap Task Force in India in collaboration with World
Economic Forum (WEF). It will be co-chaired by Minister of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan along with Salil Parekh, Chief
Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys.
➢ Pankaj Sharma has been appointed as ambassador and India’s permanent
representative to United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
➢ National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) will be set up on the banks of the
Ganga river in Patna University campus in Patna, capital of Bihar.
➢ Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India
has granted Alphonso mango from 5 districts of Maharashtra gets
Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Norwegian Nobel Committee has selected Dr. Denis Mukwege (63), Nadia
Murad (25) jointly awarded 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. They were given award
for their efforts to end use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed
conflict.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Russia’s federal space agency
Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (ROSCOSMOS) have agreed
to worked together for first manned space mission Gaganyaan. In this regard,
both space agencies have signed MoU at end of delegation level talks between
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladmir Putin in New
Delhi.
➢ Gujarat Forest Department has started vaccination of lions in Gir sanctuary to
protect them from a deadly canine distemper virus (CDV) and protozoa
infections. The virus is blamed for the death of as many as 23 lions in Gujarat’s
Gir sanctuary in less than month.
➢ Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has signed memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with UN Environment for coherent implementation of
the environmental dimension of sustainable development.
➢ 86th Indian Air Force (IAF) day was celebrated on 8 October 2018 to
commemorate its official foundation day of the force.
Union Government has decided to cover damages to crops in wild animal attacks under
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna in select districts on an experimental basis. insurances firms
will also have to spend 0.5% of their earnings from annual premium to advertise provisions of
the scheme.
The amended provisions of the scheme also stipulate fines in cases of delay in clearing
insurance claims for crop damages. In case firm delays insurance clearances beyond two
months, it will have to pay an annual interest of 12%. Similarly State government too will have
to pay interest of 12% in case of delay in release of state’s share of subsidy in premium to
insurance firms. Under this scheme, farmers need to pay uniform premium of only 2% for all
Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural
crops, farmers have to pay premium of only 5%.
➢ Odisha Government has launched ‘Nirman Kusuma’ programme for providing
financial assistance to the children of construction workers for their technical
education in the state.
➢ The 3rd edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) commenced at
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. JIMEX-18
➢ Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned five new battalions of
anti-riot and crowd control Rapid Action Force (RAF). These new battalions will
be stationed at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesg), Hajipur (Bihar), Jaipur (Rajasthan),
Mangalore (Karnataka) and Nuh (Haryana).
➢ Thangjam Tababi Devi (16) became India’s first judo medallist at the Olympic
level. She achieved this feat after winning silver medal at ongoing Youth
Olympics Games in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina.
➢ United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has
released special report on global warming in Incheon, South Korea.
➢ Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was awarded ISSA
(International Social Security Association) ISSA Good Practice Award for
Administrative Solution for Coverage Extension at Regional Social Security
Forum for Asia and Pacific held at Kuala Lumpur, capital Malaysia.
➢ Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga (15) won India’s maiden gold medal at 2018
Youth Olympic Games being held in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. He won
the medal in in the men’s 62 kg category by lifting total of 274 kg (124 kg +150
kg) weight to finish on top.
➢ Union Government has reconstituted Security Policy Group (SPG) under
chairmanship of National Security Advisor to assist National Security Council
(NSC) in strategising on matters dealing with external, internal and economic
security of the country. It will be 16-member body chaired by National Security
Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Its members will include NITI Aayog Vice Chairman,
Cabinet Secretary, Chiefs of the three defence services, RBI governor, foreign
secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and defence secretary.
➢ Bangladesh’s President Abdul Hamid has given his assent controversial Digital
Security Bill, 2018, by enacting it as a law. This new law combines previous
colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions such as arrests
without warrant. Bangladesh Government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
(Bangladesh Awami League) has defended the digital law as necessary to
combat cyber crime
➢ Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has
allowed foreign entities to participate in commodity derivatives market of
stock exchanges for hedging their exposures. Prior to this, foreign entities
were not permitted to directly participate in Indian commodity derivatives
market, even if they imported or exported various commodities from and to
India.
➢ American economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer were jointly
awarded 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics Sciences for integrating climate
change and technological innovation into macroeconomic analysis.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a 64-foot-tall statue of peasant
leader Sir Chhotu Ram at his native village Sampla in Rohtak district of
Haryana. The statue has been sculpted by renowned sculptor and Padma
Bhushan-recipient Ram Vanji Sutar.
➢ Department of Telecom (DoT) has exempted wireless devices that operate in
low frequency range like bluetooth, wireless chargers, internet-of-things (IoT)
products, medical devices etc. from licensing requirement. The move aimed at
facilitating ease of doing business for adoption of new technologies like IoT,
machine-to-machine (M2M) communications both in industrial and consumer
applications.
➢ China has agreed to sale 48 Wing Loong II high-end armed drones to its
all-weather ally Pakistan.
➢ World Post Day is observed every year on October 9.
➢ Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched India for Humanity
initiative to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and
honour of his service to humanity. It will feature year-long series of artificial
limb fitment camps in a number of countries spanning globe. For this initative,
MEA has collaborated with renowned charitable organisation Bhagwan
Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). It is non-profit organization
founded by DR Mehta in 1975.
➢ India’s first ever National Environment Survey (NES) will be kicked off in
January, 2019 to map environment data of 55 districts across 24 states and 3
Union Territories.
➢ Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched ‘MedWatch’ mobile health app to provide
health information to users, including first-aid and other health and nutritional
topics. It was launched on 8 October on the occasion of IAF’s 85th
anniversary. It is first of its kind mobile health app built by any of the three armed
forces.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved the payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB)
equivalent to 78 days’ wages for financial year 2017-18 for all eligible
non-gazetted Railway employees.
➢ Scientists from US claimed that they have developed world’s first bioelectronic
medicine which is implantable, biodegradable wireless device that speeds
nerve regeneration and improves healing of damaged nerve.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved establishment and operationalisation of two new
permanent campuses of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and
Research (IISER) in Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Behrampur (Odisha).
➢ The International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year across world on
October 11 with theme ‘With Her: A Skilled Girl Force’.
➢ Union Cabinet chaired has approved establishment of National Council for
Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). It will be set up by merging
existing regulatory institutions in the skills space – National Council for
Vocational Training (NCVT) and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA).
➢ The Appointments Committee of Union Cabinet has approved appointment
Tushar Mehta has been appointed as the new Solicitor General of India.
➢ Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in collaboration with Assam
Government has launched new Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) facility connecting
Neamati to Manjuli Island in Assam. IWAI is nodal statutory body in charge of
development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation. It
was established in October 1986 and is headquartered in Noida, UP.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between
India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation.
➢ Zika virus Disease is mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes which also transmit three other vector-borne diseases
Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.
➢ The 32nd edition of India-Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)
is being held in Belawan, Indonesia from 11 – 27 October 2018. Under it, ships
and aircraft from both countries will undertake patrolling on respective sides of
236 nautical miles long International Maritime Boundary Line.
➢ The World Obesity Day is observed globally every year on 11 October. The
theme for this year is “It’s time to End Weight Stigma!”.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Central University of Jammu (CUJ) in Jammu today
for setting up of Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science in University.
➢ The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced its new Centre for Fourth
Industrial Revolution in India.. The Centre will be based in Maharashtra. It was
launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at function held in New Delhi. It
will be fourth center in chain-ones as part of WEF’s global network along with
San Francisco (US), Tokyo (Japan) and Beijing (China) are already functioning.
➢ Stanford University was named as World’s Most Innovative University by
Reuters news agency rankings.
➢ Guadeloupean author Maryse Conde (81) was awarded New Academy Prize in
Literature, an alternative award formed in protest to Nobel Literature Prize.
➢ International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is observed every year on
October 13 with theme Reducing Disaster Economic Losses’
➢ India and Azerbaijan has signed protocol on trade and economic, science and
technology cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister of
Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu and Azerbaijan’s
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev.
➢ Sikkim was awarded UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Future
Policy Gold Award (Gold Prize) for its achievement in becoming the world’s
first totally organic agriculture state. Sikkim beat out 51 other nominees from
around the world for the award. Policies from Brazil, Denmark and Quito
(Ecuador) were joinlty Silver Awards.
➢ Government’s premier think tank NITI Aayog has inked agreement with
Microsoft India to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to address
challenges in agriculture and healthcare and promote adoption of local
language computing among others.
➢ India was elected to United Nations’ Human Rights Council’, the main body of
UN charged with promoting and monitoring human rights for period of three
years beginning January 1, 2019. In this secret ballot election held in
193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) India secured 188 votes in
Asia-Pacific category,
➢ National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) celebrated Silver Jubilee (25 years)
on October 12, 2018. NHRC was set up on October 12, 1993.
➢ Indian Navy has inducted its first Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV)
which is deployed to rescue downed or disaster-struck submarines at high sea.
It will be based in Mumbai, Maharashtra and enhance Navy’s operational
capabilities. With this, India joined select list of international navies (United
States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore UK, Sweden and Australia)
with ability to search, locate and provide assistance to downed or
disaster-struck or distressed submarines at high sea. The second DSRV is
expected to be inducted at Visakhapatnam in 2019.
➢ The 46th edition of world’s largest IHGF-Delhi Fair was held at India Expo
Centre & Mart, Greater Noida from October 14 to 18, 2018. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Textiles Ajay Tamta.
Union Government has opened new series of sovereign gold bonds scheme for subscription.
Under this scheme, sovereign gold bonds will be issued every month from October 2018 to
February 2019. This bond will be sold through Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited,
Post Office, Stock Exchange (NSE and BSE). It is aimed at providing alternative to buying
physical gold. Under it, bonds are denominated in units of one gram of gold and multiples
thereof. These gold denominated bonds are restricted for sale to resident Indian entities,
including individuals, Hindu undivided families (HUF), trusts, universities and charitable
institutions.
The minimum subscription for individual and HUF is 1 gram and maximum is 4 kg.
➢ The 6th edition of India International Silk Fair (IISF) was held at Pragati
Maidan in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of Textiles Smriti
Irani. India is the 2nd largest producer of silk in the world after China.
➢ Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Dr. Shekhar
Mande as the Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Research
(DSIR). He will succeed Girish Sahni who superannuated in August 2018.
➢ The first India-United States tri-services exercise is likely to take place in 2019
in India. It will include all services of both countries and talks are on to include
special forces. US will second country after Russia with whom India conducts
tri-services exercise.
➢ The 6th Interregional Ministerial Meeting of Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) was held in Singapore. The meeting was
reviewed after 6th RCEP ministerial meeting held in August 2018.
➢ Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched
Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered chatbot– Ask Disha ((Digital Interaction to
Seek Help Anytime) to help its users answer various queries. The chatbot is
special computer programme designed to simulate conversation with users,
especially over the internet. It has gone live on IRCTC’s next-gen e ticketing
website and soon will be integrated on the IRCTC Rail Connect Android app.
➢ Veteran composer, lyricist, writer and national award winning music director
Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, famously known as Khayya was 2018
Hridaynath Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award will be conferred by
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. This year, the
award ceremony coincides with81st birthday of Hridaynath Mangeshkar after
whom award is named.
➢ The International Day of Rural Women is observed every year on October 15
to recognize the crucial role and contribution of rural women. The 2018 theme
of the day was “Sustainable infrastructure, services and social protection for
gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.
➢ Government has allowed foreign tourists to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands
without any restrictions. In this regard, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
has modified its earlier order which made it mandatory for foreign tourists to
register with Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 24 hours of their
arrival.
➢ The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is observed every
year on October 17 to raise people’s awareness of the need to eradicate
poverty and destitution worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The
2018 theme was ‘Coming together with those furthest behind to build an
inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity’.
➢ Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched Youth Road Safety
Learners Licence programme in New Delhi today. It is Public–private
partnership (PPP) initiative in collaboration with Diageo India and Institute of
Road Traffic Education (IRTE).
➢
The World Food Day is observed globally on 16 October to mark foundation of
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. The
theme for this year was: ‘Our actions are our future – A zero hunger world by 2030
is possible’.
➢ Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun has
signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Kendriya Vidyalaya
Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) to launch ‘Prakriti’
programme. The main objective of Prakriti programme is to provide platform
for school children to learn practical skills towards sustainable use of
resources.
➢ The Union Government launched national campaign ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’ on
occasion of World Food Day (observed on 16 October) to sensitise people
about eating safe food and be healthy. The campaign has been launched in
association with states and led by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI).
The 2018 global hunger index is prepared by Welthungerhilfe together with Concern
Worldwide. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has stepped aside from
its involvement in the report. The index is based on the following four parameters
1. The proportion of the undernourished as a percentage of the population

2. The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from wasting;
3. The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from stunting;
4. The mortality rate of children under the age of five.

➢ India has been ranked at the 103rd position among 119 countries.
➢ The North Central Railways (NCR) launched two mobile apps, NCR RASTA
(Railway assets Summerised Tracking Application) and Yatri RASTA (Railway
Approach to Station Tracking Application) for its employees and passengers,
respectively, for locating assets and stations.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired sixth meeting of National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) at New Delhi. It is governed by 9 member
board chaired by Prime Minister of India (thus, he is ex-officio chairman of
NDMA).
➢ Shahi Litchi from Bihar has received Geographical Indication (GI) tag from
Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India
➢ The first joint military exercise named “Dharma Guardian” between India and
Japan will be held at the Army’s Counter-Insurgency Warfare School at
Vairengte (Mizoram) from November 1 to 14, 2018.
➢ The National Commission for Women (NCW) has come out with dedicated
e-mail address ([email protected]) to report instances of sexual harassment at
workplace.
➢ The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium.
The theme of summit was ‘Global Partners for Global Challenges’. It was
chaired by European Council President Donald Tusk. The summit was attended
by heads of state of 51 European and Asian countries, representatives of
European Union and Secretary General of Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). India was represented by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
➢ Dravk Nyamrup Tshogpa Party has won the recent general elections held in
Bhutan. This party won 30 of the National Assembly’s 47 seats.
➢ JSW Steel CMD Sajjan Jindal was elected as treasurer of World Steel
Association (WSA).
➢ Indian-American Minal Patel Davis was honoured with Presidential Medal for
Combating Human Trafficking’. She was presented with award by US Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo for her extraordinary contribution towards combating
human trafficking. It is US’s highest honour in the field.
➢ The seventh meeting of education ministers of member states of Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Astana, capital city of Kazakhstan.
➢ The 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and 5th ADMM-Plus
was held on October 19 and 20, 2018 Singapore. ADMM and ADMM-Plus
serves as key Ministerial-level platforms in regional security architecture for
promoting strategic dialogue and practical cooperation between ASEAN and its
partners. The conferences were attended by defence ministers from India,
Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and US.
➢ 10-member ASEAN comprise of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore,
Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos. India is a full
dialogue partner of the ASEAN.
➢ India and US have agreed to elevate their bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to
trilateral format by including Japan.
➢ China’s first home-grown amphibious aircraft AG600 (code-named Kunlong)
successfully carried out its first take-off and landing on water. It is claimed to be
as the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.
➢ 75th anniversary of establishment of Azad Hind government observed October
21, 2018.
➢ India’s longest river bridge with total length of 19.3 kilometers will be built on
Brahmaputra river in Assam. This bridge will connect Dhubri of Assam to
Fulbarani of Meghalaya. This bridge will reduce the distance between these
two places by 203 kms and also travel time. At present, India’s largest river
bridge is Dhola-Sadia bridge, its length is 9.15 kilometers.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced launch of national award in name of
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to honour those involved in disaster response
operations.
➢ The 27th Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2018) was held in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat. The six-day event is organised by the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) and hosted by Department of Atomic Energy and
Gandhinagar-based Institute of Plasma Research.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated National Police
Memorial (NPM) to nation in New Delhi on the occasion of National Police
Commemoration Day (Observed on October 21).
➢ US-based Dalit writer Sujatha Gidla (55) has won 2018 Shakti Bhatt First
Book Prize for her debut book “Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family
and the Making of Modern India”.
➢ The joint military exercise Iron Magic 19 between United Arab Emirates (UAE)
and United States (US) kicked off near Dubai.
➢ United States (US) President Donald Trump has announced that US will
unilaterally pull out of three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces
(INF) treaty signed with Russia during Cold War.
➢ India and Myanmar inked MoU for appointment of private port operator for
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water
Terminal and associated facilities included in Kaladan Multi Model Transit
Transport Project.
➢ UN-backed fund Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved US $43.4 million for
enhancing climate resilience for millions of people living in India’s coastal
communities as part of its efforts to combat extreme impacts of climate
change.
➢ Eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman (89) was awarded 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Award for Excellence in Public Administration. He was presented the
award by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at a function held in New Delhi.
➢ India and China have signed agreement on internal security cooperation. It is
first such agreement to be signed between the two countries. The agreement
was signed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and China’s State Councilor
and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi in New Delhi.
➢ The Druzhba 2018 (Friendship 2018) joint bilateral military exercise between
Pakistan and Russian special forces has begun in Pakistan.
➢ Invest India, the country’s investment promotion body, has won United
Nations (UN) Award for excellence in promoting investments in sustainable
development. The award was presented by Armenian President Armen
Sarkissian to CEO of Invest India Deepak Bagla at the World Investment
Forum, Geneva.
➢ The Asian Economic Integration Report 2018 was presented by Asian
Development Bank.
➢ International Conference on Status and Protection of Coral Reefs (STAPCOR –
2018) was held at Bangaram Island, Union Territory of Lakshadweep from 22nd
to 24th October, 2018. The theme of the conference was “Reef for Life”. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr.
Harsh Vardhan.
➢ Seoul Peace Prize Committee has decided to confer 2018 Seoul Peace Prize on
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is the fourteenth recipient of this award.
➢ China inaugurated Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, world’s longest sea
bridge with total length of 55 km.
➢ The first trilateral meeting between India, Afghanistan and Iran of Coordination
Council of Chabahar Agreement was held in Tehran, capital city of Iran. India,
Iran and Afghanistan in May 2016, had signed agreement which entailed
establishment of transit and transport corridor among three countries using
Chabahar Port as one of regional hubs.
➢ On October 25, 2018, the Central Government has announced formal launch
Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) scheme to promote
research in Social Sciences.
➢ The Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR) will be the project
implementing agency.
● QS Asia University Ranking is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli
Symonds (QS). Universities are assessed based on the academic reputation, employer
reputation, student-faculty ratio, international faculty and students, staff with PhD, papers
per faculty and citations per paper, among other parameters. Eight Indian universities have
figured among the top 100 in the list of Asia’s top 50 universities. IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi,
IIT-Madras, IISC Bangalore, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Kanpur, Delhi University and IIT-Roorkee
are the Indian institutions in the top 100.
➢ The second conference on PHC inaugurated on 25 October 2018 in Astana,
Kazakhstan. The conference is a collective initiative of Government of
Kazakhstan, WHO and UNICEF.
➢ On October 25, 2018, the Union Ministry of HRD has launched Scheme for
Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) scheme, which
aims to improve the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational
institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between
Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.
➢ The World Polio Day is observed annually across world on 24 October.
➢ India has won Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and
Management (CAPAM) Award, 2018. The award was announced at Annual
General Members Meet held at Georgetown, Guyana. Department of
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under Union Ministry
of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is institutional member of
Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management
(CAPAM).
➢ Union Government (Ministry of Culture) has announced winners of Tagore
Award for Cultural Harmony for year 2014, 2015 and 2016.
2014-Rajkumar Singhajit Singh
2015-Chhayanaut
2016- Ram Vanji Sutar.
➢ Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) is going to issue masala
bonds worth Rs. 5,000 crore to mobilise funds for various development
works. KIIFB has appointed Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings for rating the
masala bonds issue. The bonds will be listed in London and Singapore stock
exchanges. The funds will be raised in tranches over period of 10 years.
➢ Masala bonds are rupee-denominated bonds through which Indian entities can
raise money from foreign markets in rupee and not in foreign currency.
➢ The Central Vigilance Commission observes the Vigilance Awareness Week
every year during the week in which birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(31st October) falls.
➢ Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe,
incumbent prime minister of Sri Lanka and appointed former President
Mahinda Rajapaksha as new Prime Minister.
● The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights (UN Human Rights Prize) was
announced recently by María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of
United Nations General Assembly. The winners of 2018 award are:
● Asma Jahangir – Pakistan’s late human rights activist
● Rebeca Gyumi – A Tanzanian human rights activist
● Joenia Wapichana – Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer
● Front Line Defenders – A human rights organisation of Ireland

➢ So far, only one Indian personality – Baba Amte has been awarded United
Nations Human Rights Prize. Baba Amte was given this prize in 1988.
Global Agriculture Leadership Awards – 2018

➢ Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu was awarded the Policy
Leadership Award for his proactive policies for uplifting the farming
community by focusing on irrigation, investment, global partnerships,
marketing initiatives and zero budget natural farming. The best fisheries
State Award was given Jharkhand for efforts in augmenting the production
potential of the state in fisheries segment. Further, Bihar is Best Animal
Husbandry State, Nagaland is best Horticultural state, Gujarat is Best
Agriculture State and Haryana has been conferred with Program
Leadership Award.
➢ India railways announced its plan to link New Delhi and Ladakh by means of a
railway line that will run along the India-China Border. The
proposed Bilaspur-Manali-Leh Line would be the world’s highest railway line
once launched.
➢ World wrestling championship - india position 17(1 silver ,1 bronze). Top
-japan
➢ Bajrang Punia bagged the silver medal. Pooja Dhanda won Bronze medal and
became fourth Indian woman to win a medal at the World Wrestling
Championship.
➢ India will be among the top three aviation market by 2024 according to
International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its 20- year air passenger
forecast report. India is currently at seventh position in Global Aviation market.
➢ The sixth edition of North East festival is being organized till October 28, 2018
in New Delhi and the 15th edition of Indian International Centre festival is to
be held from 27-31 October 2018.
➢ The GoI has notified the sale of electoral bond by SBI through its 29
authorized branches from 1.11.2018 to 10.11.2018. 29. These SBI branches
are in cities like New Delhi, Gandhinagar, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Bhopal,
Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati. The concept of
electoral bond was initiated in Union Budget 2017.Later on Electoral bond
scheme 2018 was introduced.
➢ The bonds are issued in multiples of 1000, 10000, 1lakh, 10 lakh, 1 crore. The
cash donation has been capped at Rs. 2000 and beyond that donations are via
electoral bonds.
➢ The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has organised a seminar on
Gandhian thoughts and Swachhta to make India a Swacch Bharat by 2019 -150
the birthday celebration of Mahatma Gandhi organized in wardha district.
➢ The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) scientists has
developed less polluting green firecrackers named SWAS,SAFAL,STAR.
Green crackers are so named because they do not contain harmful chemicals
that would cause air pollution.
➢ The 19th meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was
held in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley. The meeting was attended by RBI Governor Dr. Urjit R. Patel, SEBI
chairman, IRDAI Chairman along with heads and other senior officers of
Government and financial sector regulators.
➢ Union Defence Ministry has signed contract worth Rs 2,435.15 crore with
public sector Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for
manufacturing of four survey vessels aimed at boosting to capabilities of
Indian Navy.
➢ The World Cities Day is observed every year across the world on 31st October
with theme this year ‘Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities’.
➢ NASA has retired Kepler space telescope after it ran out of fuel needed for
further science operations. This brings end of nine-and-a-half year mission of
Kepler space telescope in which it had discovered over 2,600 intriguing
exoplanets from outside our solar system some of which may harbour life.
➢ Harvard University (US) has selected Nobel Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai (20)
for its 2018 Gleitsman Award in recognition of her work promoting girls’
education.
➢ The first ever India-US Dialogue on Intellectual Property (IP) was launched in
New Delhi to deepen bilateral strategic cooperation on IP policy.
➢ India ranked 77th among 190 countries by leapfrogging 23 ranks in World
Bank’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) 2018 rankings.
➢ India has successfully carried out night user trial of Agni-I short-range
nuclear-capable ballistic missile. The test flight was conducted by Indian
Army’s Strategic Forces Command off Abdul Kalam Island in Bay of Bengal, off
the coast of the Indian state of Odisha. The test was second known nighttime
trial of Agni-I since its first such successful test in April 2014.
➢ Former India captain Rahul Dravid was officially inducted into International
Cricket Council’s (ICC) Hall of Fame. , Dravid became fifth Indian cricketer
after Bishan Singh Bedi (inducted in 2009), Sunil Gavaskar (2009), Kapil Dev
(2010) and Anil Kumble (2015) to be named on the elite list.
➢ Lt Gen P S Rajeshwar took over as 12th Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to
Chairman, COSC.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved renaming of Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha as
“Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda” after Veer Surendra Sai who is
well-known freedom fighter of Odisha.
➢ The first joint military exercise named “Dharma Guardian” between India and
Japan has begun at Indian Army’s Counter-Insurgency Warfare School at
Vairengte (Mizoram).
➢ The Union Cabinet Narendra Modi has approved signing of Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between India and South Korea for strengthening
cooperation in the field of Tourism.
➢ Indian Railway has eliminated all Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on
Broad Gauge routes (rails separated by 1676 mm or 1.67m of distance) from
12 of its total 16 zones.
➢ Maharashtra state cabinet approved plant for conversion of Indian Navy’s
longest-serving aircraft carrier INS Viraat, into India’s first-ever moored
maritime museum-cum-marine adventure centre. At present, INS Viraat is at
Mumbai’s Naval dockyard after it was decommissioned (retired) in 2017.
➢ India and Japan signed Loan Agreement worth Rs. 1817 crore for construction
of Turga Pumped Storage (I)’ Hydel Project. On completion, this project will
contribute to Industrial Development and Living Standard Improvement in the
West Bengal.
➢ Odisha Government has launched Saura Jalnidhi scheme to encourage use of
solar energy in irrigation by farmers. Under this scheme, farmers will be given
90% subsidy and 5,000 solar pumps. The beneficiary of this scheme will be
farmers who have valid farmer identity cards and have minimum 0.5 acres of
agricultural land.
➢ The researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have
designed India’s first indigenous microprocessor called ‘Shakti’. It is aimed at
developing industrial-grade microprocessors and other components of the
microprocessor ecosystem.
➢ The National Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business Development in
Ayurveda was held in New Delhi. It was organised by Ministry of AYUSH in
association with NITI Aayog with aim of encouraging entrepreneurs and
Ayurveda stakeholders towards businesses opportunities in the sector.
➢ New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has launched quick response
(QR)-enabled fridge magnets for digital payment of bills. The magnets are
personalised and each customer will have unique QR Code mapped to their
consumer account number. It is powered by SignCatch – an IT and services
company,.
➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated steps to set up wide-based digital
Public Credit Registry (PCR) to capture loan information of individuals and
corporate borrowers. In this regard, RBI has invited expression of interest
(EOI) for developing PSC from companies with turnover of over Rs 100 crore in
last three years.
➢ Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launches new Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ICGS
Varaha at L&T Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is fourth in the
series of 98 M OPVs designed and built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
➢ India and South Korea have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
sports cooperation. The MoU was signed between Union Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in
New Delhi.
➢ The World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed every year across the world
on 5 November 2016 .
➢ Union Home Ministry has released more than Rs. 113 crore to six border states
under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) as part of its plan to
ameliorate the problems of people living in isolated locations. These six states
are Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
➢ India and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for
strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.
➢ India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant has successfully
completed its first deterrence patrol.
➢ INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously-designed, developed and
manufactured nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and three more
such submarines are reportedly under various stages of construction.
➢ Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) approved
operationalisation strategy for Operation Greens. Operation Greens was
announced by Union Government in Budget 2018-19 to stabilise supply of
Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) crops. It is aimed at ensuring availability of
TOP crops throughout the country round the year without price volatility.
➢ United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued special stamps with
Diyas lamps (special event sheet) to commemorate India Hindu festival of
Diwali. These stamps are available at UN headquarters post office in New York,
US and also online.
➢ United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Chinese e-commerce
giant Alibaba Group have formed strategic partnership to support efforts
eliminate hunger globally by 2030.
➢ The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the
filling of Padur Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) in Karnataka by overseas
National Oil Companies (NOCs). The filling of the SPR will be under PPP model
and is being undertaken to reduce budgetary support of Union Government.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved setting up of Central Tribal University in Andhra
Pradesh.
➢ Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved strategic
disinvestment of 100% Government of India’s shares in Dredging Corporation
of India Limited (DCIL) to consortium of four ports.
➢ Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved
leasing out six airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for operation,
management and development under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the
first phase.

● Yudh abhiyas - india and US in chaubatia in Uttarakhand from 16 to 29
September, 2018.
● Rapid Trident - Ukrain with United States and other NATO.
● KAZIND -India, Kazakhstan Otar region, Kazakhstan from 10 to 23
September 2018.
● SLINEX-2018 –India srilanka naval exercise
● Nomadic Elephant –India and Mongolia joint exercise 2018 commenced at
Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar
(capital of Mongolia).
● MILEX-18, as part of the Bay of Bengal initiative for multi-sectoral technical
and economic cooperation (BIMSTEC) commenced at Foreign Training Node at
Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra.
● Aviaindra 18 - India and Russia joint air exercise was held in Lipetsk,
Russia.2nd will be held in Jodhpur..
● IBSAMAR, a joint multi–national maritime exercise between Indian, Brazilian
and South African Navies was held at Simons Town, South Africa.
● The maiden joint exercise of Coast Guards of India and Vietnam “Sahyog HOP
TAC -2018” was held in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast, Tamil Nadu.
● The 3rd edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) commenced at
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. JIMEX-18
● The 32nd edition of India-Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)
is being held in Belawan, Indonesia from 11 – 27 October 2018.
● “Dharma Guardian” between India and Japan will be held at the Army’s
Counter-Insurgency Warfare School at Vairengte (Mizoram) from November 1
to 14, 2018.
● India and US have agreed to elevate their bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to
trilateral format by including Japan.
● Maitree - Indian Army and Royal Thai Army in
Thailand
● Iron Magic 19 between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United States (US)
kicked off near Dubai.
● Druzhba 2018 (Friendship 2018) joint bilateral military exercise between
Pakistan and Russian special forces has begun in Pakistan.
●

2018 Nobel Prize
● Physiology - James P. Allison (US) and Tasuku Honjo (Japan) for their
discovery of Immune checkpoint therapy.
● Physics - Arthur Ashkin (USA)(1/2), Gerard Mourou (France) and Donna
Strickland (Canada) for the 2018 Nobel Prize in They were selected for
groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics.
● Chemistry -US scientists Frances Arnold(1/2) and George Smith and British
researcher Gregory Winter. They were selected for harnessing power of
evolution to develop enzymes and antibodies that have led to new pharmaceuticals
and biofuels.
● Peace - Dr. Denis Mukwege (63), Nadia Murad (25) jointly awarded 2018
Nobel Peace Prize. They were given award for their efforts to end use of sexual
violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
● Economics Sciences -American economists William Nordhaus and Paul
Romer for integrating climate change and technological innovation into
macroeconomic analysis.
●

● World Senior Citizens Day - 21 August
● National Hindi Divas -14 September.
● World Ozone Day- September 16
● International Day of Sign Languages -23Sep .Theme was “With Sign Language,
Everyone is Included!” .
● 25th September was observed as Antyodaya Diwas across the country to mark
the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
● The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons- 26
September.
● The World Tourism Day (WTD) -27th September
● The World Maritime Day (WMD) -every year on last Thursday of September to
acknowledge the maritime industry and. This it was observed on September 27
with theme as “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future”.
● The World Rabies Day - 28 September.
● Parakram Parv or Surgical Strike Day on September 29 – 30, 2018.
● World Post Day is observed every year on October 9.
● The International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year across world on
October 11 with theme ‘With Her: A Skilled Girl Force’.
● International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is observed every year on
October 13 with theme Reducing Disaster Economic Losses’
● The World Polio Day is observed annually across world on 24 October.
●

● India was ranked 28th among 73 countries in 2018 Government e-Payments
Adoption Ranking (GEAR).
● Ease of doing business -77
➢ Global hunger index- 103rd position among 119 countries.
➢ India has been ranked 96th in the United Nation’s E-Government Development
Index (EGDI) 2018.
● India has been ranked 57th most innovative nation among 130 countries in the
11th edition of Global Innovation Index (GII-2018).
● India has been ranked 158th among 195 countries in
2016 for investment in health care and education

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August current affairs

● China continues to intrude Indian cyberspace in significant way as cyber-attacks

1. The proportion of the undernourished as a percentage of the population

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