NATIONAL:
1. ISI Mark For Stainless Steel, Aluminium Utensils
Why in news: Govt makes ISI mark mandatory for stainless steel, aluminium utensils.
Key points:
• The government has mandated conformity to enhance kitchen safety, quality and efficiency.
• This development follows the BIS’ recent formulation of comprehensive standards for kitchen items, including IS 14756:2022 for stainless steel and IS 1660:2024 for aluminium utensils.
2. Sikh For Justice
Why in news: Ban on pro-Khalistan group 'Sikh for Justice' extended by five years.
Key points:
• The Union Home Ministry has extended the ban imposed on pro-Khalistan group 'Sikh for Justice' for anti-India activities by five years.
• SFJ was declared a banned organization under UAPA five years ago.
• This group is banned because its anti-national activities are detrimental to the internal security and integrity of the country.
2. First State to Adopt a Road Safety Action Plan
Why in news: Rajasthan Becomes First State to Adopt a Road Safety Action Plan.
Key points:
• Rajasthan will be the first state in India to create a ten-year action plan specifically designed to improve road safety.
• This plan targets 50% drop in traffic accidents by 2030, this plan was backed by Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa in July 2023.
• Framework of the Road Safety Action Plan is the part of 100-day plan.
• The plan is being executed by the road safety cell in the Transport Department.
• International Collaboration and Plan Development Together with the World Bank, the government of Rajasthan is improving and expanding the road safety system
INTERNATIONAL:
1. India-Russia Relations
Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
Key points:
• This is PM’s first bilateral visit after becoming Prime Minister for the third time.
• During PM’s two-day visit to Moscow, which concluded on 9th july, India and Russia inked nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
• These include increasing trade, trade settlements using national currencies, and increasing trade through new routes such as the North-South Transport Corridor.
Defence & Security:
• According to the SIPRI report, Russia remains the top arms supplier to India with 45% share.
• After Russia, France and the US are the largest defense suppliers to India with a share of 29 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.
Bilateral Trade:
• India and Russia to increase mutual trade to US$ 100 billion by 2030
• India's 25th largest trading partner in FY 2021-22 with $13 billion.
• Russia's total investment in India is 14 billion dollars, including an investment of $13 billion by Rosneft for Essar Oil.
• The deal is Russia's largest investment abroad and the largest foreign direct investment in India.
• In the financial year 2023-24, bilateral trade has now reached its highest ever level of 65.70 per dollar.
Russia agrees to release all Indians Working as Support staff to its Military:
• Russia on agreed to India's demand to ensure early release and return to home of the Indian nationals working in the Russian military as support staff
• Nearly two dozen Indians are believed to have been forced into fighting the war against Ukraine
STATES/UTs:
1. Ghar Ghar Solar Initiative
Why in news: Tata Power Solar Systems Limited launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh.
Key points:
• The initiative is started from Vara.
• Nasi with the aim to provide every home with clean energy through rooftop solar solutions.
• Residents can avail a maximum subsidy of up to Rs. 1,08,000 on rooftop solar installation, combining Central and State Government subsidies.
• Tata Power Solar offers state-of-the-art technology with bifacial modules for higher efficiency and durability.
• Installing a 3 kW solar rooftop can save residents up to INR 27,000 annually on electricity bills, with the potential to generate 12 units of electricity daily.
2. Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin
Why in news: Maharashtra government launched the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme to empower the women of the state.
Key points:
• The government has announced to give a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to women in the age group of 21 to 60 years under this scheme.
• Only those women are eligible for this scheme whose annual family income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh.
• Anganwadi Sevika, Gram Sevak will accept the online form in rural areas and upload it on the portal after verifying it.
• To avail the benefits of this scheme, the beneficiary woman must have a bank account in her name.
3. Mitra Van Initiative
Why in news: UP govt launched ‘Mitra Van’ initiative on the UP-Nepal border.
Key points:
• Uttar Pradesh Government has launched the ‘Mitra Van’ initiative under the Tree Plantation Jan Abhiyan-2024.
• The aim of the ‘Mitra Van’ initiative is to increase the green cover on the Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border.
• The ‘Mitra Van’ initiative will start on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal from 20 July. Main Objective is to increase the green cover by planting 35 crore
saplings.
ECONOMY:
1. 16th Finance Commission
Why in news: 16th Finance Commission sets up five-member advisory panel.
Key points:
• The Sixteenth Finance Commission, headed by Arvind Panagariya set up a five-member advisory council.
• The function of the advisory council is to advise the Commission on the Terms of Reference (ToR), assist in the preparation of research papers and help broaden the Commission's ambit.
• The Sixteenth Finance Commission has constituted an Advisory Council with the following members:
(a) Dr. D.K. Srivastava
(b) Mr. Neelkanth Mishra
(c) Dr. Poonam Gupta
(d) Ms. Pranjul Bhandari
(e) Mr. Rahul Bajoria
• Dr. Poonam Gupta shall be the Convenor of the Advisory Council.
• The Sixteenth Finance Commission was constituted on 31.12.2023 with Shri Arvind Panagariya as its Chairman.
• The Sixteenth Finance Commission (FC16) was constituted in December 2023, to cover a period of five years starting 1 April, 2026.
2. $2.5 Million Loc For Guyana
Why in news: India’s Exim Bank to provide $2.5 million LoC for Guyana.
Key points:
• The Export-Import Bank of India has signed an agreement with Guyana to provide a line of credit worth $2.5 million for the installation of a solar photo voltaic
power plant.
• While the deal was dated February 29, 2024, Under the Line of Credit, the last date for disbursements will be 48 months after the completion of the project.
• The solar photo voltaic power plant will be set up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana.
DEFENCE & SECURITY:
1. Malabar Exercise
Why in news: India to conduct Malabar Exercise with ‘Quad’ allies in the Bay of Bengal in October 2024.
Key points:
• India will host the prestigious Malabar Naval Exercise alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia in October 2024.
• It is the 28th edition of the Malabar exercise Naval Exercise between India's, the United States, and Japan's navies
• This multinational event aims to boost military coordination and combat skills amid rising tensions exacerbated by China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region.
2. Philippines-Japan
Why in news: Philippines and Japan Sign Key Military Cooperation Deal
Key points:
• Japan and the Philippines have signed a major security deal to strengthen their military cooperation at a time of tensions arises in theIndo-Pacific region.
• This deal makes it easy for each country’s military to enter the other’s territory, which strengthens their strategic partnership.
• It is first security pact of this kind in Asia.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Mount Etna
Why in news: There has been an explosion in the Mount Etna volcano located in Sicily, Italy.
Key points:
• Mount Etna is the most active volcano in Europe.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Order of St. Andrew the Apostle Award
Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored with the 'Order of St. Andrew the Apostle' award at the historic St Catherine’s Hall in the Moscow.
Key points:
• PM Modi To Receive Russia’s Highest Civilian Honour For “Outstanding Service”
• The order was presented for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly ties
between the two countries.
2. Kenza Laili
Why in news: Kenza Lylee won the crown of the first AI beauty queen.
Key points:
• Moroccan Kenza Laili has been crowned the world's first Miss AI Model.
• She is an AI generated model.
• 1500 AI models participated in this competition organized by social media platform 'Fanview'.
• Lalina of France stood second and Olivia of Portugal stood third.
• India's Zara Shatavari, created by Rahul Chaudhary reached in top 10 of the competition.
SPORTS:
1. Gautam Gambhir
Why in news: Gautam Gambhir Appointed as New Head Coach of Indian men’s cricket team.
Key points:
• Gautam Gambhir has been named as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team by Jay Shah,secretary of BCCI.
• Gautam Gambhir succeeded Rahul Dravid.
• Rahul Dravid stepped down after leading India to win in the T20 World Cup 2024.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Soumya Swaminathan
Why in news: Soumya Swaminathan appointed Principal Advisor for National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
Key points:
• Swaminathan will provide technical advice on the overall strategy to achieve goals, suggest policy directions and necessary course corrections for optimal outcomes, and advise on research strategy.
• India has set the deadline for eliminating TB by 2025.
• According to the India TB report released by the Centre,India accounts for 25% of world’s TB burden and over 25 lakh new cases of TB were notified in 2024 in India.
BIHAR:
1. First Transgender Inspector
Why in news: Manvi Madhu becomes the country's first transgender inspector.
Key points:
• Three transgenders and 450 women has got selected in 1275 new inspectors.
• 5 posts were reserved for transgenders, but only 3 eligible candidates are selected.
• This is the first time in the state that a transgender has been selected for the post of Inspector in the police department.
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