NATIONAL:
1. $1 Million Grant to UNESCO
Why in news: PM Narendra Modi announced one million dollars grant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for global heritage conservation.
Key points:
• This announcement was made during the inauguration of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• PM Modi highlighted India’s assistance in conserving heritage sites like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Cham Temples in Vietnam, and Bagan Stupa in Myanmar etc.
• The one million dollar grant will be used for capacity building, technical assistance, and conservation of world heritage sites.
2. 7th NCORD Meeting
Why in news: Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 7th Apex Level Meeting of Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Key points:
• On this occasion, the Home Minister launched National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra).
• Home Minister also virtually inaugurated Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Office at Srinagar.
• Shah released NCB ‘Annual Report 2023’ and Compendium on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.
• ‘Mission Spandhan’ has been initiated to create awareness among the public regarding issues relating to drugs.
About MANAS:
• MANAS will have a toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile app, and a UMANG app.
• The citizens of the country can anonymously connect with NCB 24×7 to seek advice on deaddiction and rehabilitation.
• People can also share information about drug trafficking.
3. International Centre for Audit of Local Governance
Why in news: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India Girish Chandra Murmu inaugurated the International Centre for Audit of Local Governance in Rajkot,Gujarat.
Key points:
• The centre aims to serve as a think tank for addressing governance issues at the grassroots level across the nations.
• It will also serve as a platform for information sharing and play a key role in strengthening local self institutions.
ECONOMY:
1. Angel Tax
Why in news: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced abolition of 'Angel' tax for all categories of investors.
Key points:
• Angel tax refers to the income tax that the government levies on funds raised by unlisted companies or startups if their valuation is higher than the fair market value of the company.
• The objective is to strengthen the Indian startup ecosystem, promote entrepreneurial spirit and support innovation.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had recommended removal of this duty on startups.
SCHEMES:
1. Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
Why in news: Union Finance Minister Announces 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan' for Improved Socio-economic Condition of Tribal Communities.
Key points:
• The Scheme Will Adopt Saturation Coverage for Tribal Families in Tribal-majority Villages and Aspirational Districts.
• This initiative aims to provide saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts, covering 63,000 villages and benefiting 5 crore tribal people.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs serves as the nodal Ministry for the overall policy, planning, and coordination of programs for the development of Scheduled Tribes.
2. NPS Vatsalya Scheme
Why in news: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of a new pension scheme 'Vatsalya' for children.
Key points:
• NPS Vatsalya is a plan for minors where contribution can be made by parents and guardians.
• The scheme will be converted to regular NPS once the child attains the age of 18.
• It is a scheme under the National Pension Scheme (NPS)
• Under this scheme, parents or guardians can open an account for their minor children and make contributions towards their retirement savings.
• The Finance minister also increased the deduction available on employer’s contribution to National Pension Scheme (NPS) for private sector employees from 10% to 14% of salary, in case employee opts for the new tax regime.
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. Air Breathing Propulsion System
Why in news: ISRO successfully completed the second experimental flight demonstrating Air Breathing Propulsion Technology.
Key points:
• The test was conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The experiment utilised ISRO's RH-560 sounding rocket, the heaviest in its sounding rocket family, as a cost-effective flying test bed.
DEFENCE & SECURITY:
1. Capt. Supreetha
Why in news: Mysuru’s Capt. Supreetha becomes first woman officer to be deployed at Siachen Glacier.
Key points:
• She has become the first woman officer from the Corps of Army Air Defence, to be operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier.
• The Siachen Glacier is known as the world’s highest battlefield located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas.
2. Triput Warship
Why in news: Indian Navy Launched 'Triput' warship on 23rd july.
Key points:
• Warship 'Triput' is the first of the two 'P11356 warships' being built for the Indian Navy by Vasco-based Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• It is 124m-long and 15.5m-wide ship, propelled by four gas turbines which are designed to achieve a maximum speed of 28 knots.”
• The warship was commissioned by Goa’s Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai while his wife Rita Pillai named it 'Triput'.
SPORTS:
1. Harmanpreet Kaur
Why in news: Harmanpreet Kaur Surpasses Smriti Mandhana To Become India’s Highest T20 Run scorer.
Key points:
• Harmanpreet Kaur has now become the top run-scorer in women’s T20 cricket for India, overtaking Smriti Mandhana.
• This milestone was achieved during India’s Women’s Asia Cup T20 match against the UAE in Dambulla on July 21.
2. Olympic Esports Games
Why in news: IOC Announces Olympic Esports Games to Be Hosted In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia.
Key points:
• The International Olympic Committee announced the partnered with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in Saudi Arabia.
• The proposal will be made to the IOC Session, which will be held on the eve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
• The duration of the partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC will be 12 years, with Olympic Esports Games held regularly.
3. PR Sreejesh
Why in news: Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh Announces Retirement After Paris Olympics 2024.
Key points:
• Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has announced that he will retire from international hockey following the Paris Olympics 2024.
• Sreejesh captained the team in Rio 2016 and played a key role in securing a bronze medal at Tokyo 2021.
• He was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021 and the Padma Shri in 2017.
3. Olympic Order by IOC
Why in news: Abhinav Bindra to Awarded with Prestigious Olympic Order by IOC .
Key points:
• Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, will receive the prestigious Olympic Order from the IOC at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on August 10, 2024.
• The Olympic Order, the IOC’s highest award, acknowledges distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.
• Abhinav Bindra won Gold Medal in the men’s 10-meter air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Indian to secure an individual Olympic gold.
OBITUARIES:
1. C.T. Kurien
Why in news: C.T. Kurien, distinguished economist, Passes Away at the age of 93 due to age-related ailments.
Key points:
• C.T. Kurien was a distinguished economist and former professor of Madras Christian College.
• Kurien’s journey in economics began with a profound awareness of the stark contrast between his comfortable life and the grim poverty that surrounded him.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Shiksha Saptah 2024
Why in news: Department of School Education and Literacy observed Shiksha Saptah from July 22 to July 28, 2024, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the National Education Policy 2020.
Key points:
• The week features daily themes including Teaching-Learning Material day, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Day, Sports Day, Cultural Day, Skilling and Digital Initiatives Day, Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE/School Nutrition Day, Community Involvement Day.
• This week-long event focuses on promoting collaboration and highlighting the educational reforms introduced by NEP 2020.
• The Objective is to empower students and educators with knowledge and opportunities, honoring NEP 2020’s achievements.
BIHAR:
1. Power Plant in Pirpainti
Why in news: The new power plant to be built in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur will have 2400 MW capacity.
Key points:
• It will have three units of 800-800 MW each, will give direct benefit to 2 crore electricity consumers
• Along with this new unit, Rs 21,400 crore will be spent on other power projects in Bihar.
2. Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project
Why in news: Center announced green signal to the Kosi-Mechi river linking project to overcome flood in bihar.
Key points:
• 29 districts and 73 percent of the state are considered flood affected while 76 percent of the population lives in flood prone areas.
• Kosi-Mechi river linking scheme will provide relief from floods then water resources in the meeting Large areas of Kosi and Seemanchal will get relief from floods.
• The surplus water of Kosi river is to be taken through a 76 km long channel to the Mahananda basin and connected to Mechi there.
• This will provide relief from floods to Supaul, Saharsa, Madhubani, Khagaria, Katihar.
• Center approves Kosi-Mechi river linking Irrigation facility through the scheme Araria: 59642 hectares Purnia: 59970 hectares Kishanganj: 39548 hectares Katihar: 35635 hectares.
3. Vishnupad And Mahabodhi Corridor
Why in news: Vishnupad and Mahabodhi corridor to be built like Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Key points:
• On the lines of the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, comprehensive development of Vishnupad Temple Corridor and Mahabodhi Temple Corridor will be supported to convert them into world class pilgrimage and tourist destinations.
• At the same time, Rajgir will also become a world class destination.
• It has been announced to build the headquarters of Kolkata Industrial Corridor at Dobhi in Gaya.
• It includes the areas around the 20th Tirthankara Munishwar Jain temple, places associated with the Saptarishis and the sacred hot water pond.
• There is a also plan to develop Nalanda as a tourist center and revive Nalanda University in its glorious form.
4. Municipal Amendment Bill 2024
Why in news: No-confidence motion cannot be brought against Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Bihar.
Key points:
• In the municipal bodies of the state, no-confidence motion will not be brought against the Mayor-Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporations and the Chief Councilor-Deputy Chief, Councilor of Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats who are directly elected by the public during their entire five-year tenure.
• The provision related to this, which can be brought against them two years after the election, has been deleted from the Bihar Municipal Act.
• Along with this, the provision of appealing before the District Judge against objection on property tax has also been amended.
5. Awadhesh Narayan Singh
Why in news: Awadhesh Narayan Singh assumed charge as the new Chairman of Bihar Legislative Council on 23rd july.
Key points:
• Sanjeev Shyam Singh formally announced his election as Executive Chairman.
• The legislative council commonly known as the Vidhan Parishad is the upper house of the state.
• It was established by Article 169.
• It is a permanent committee chosen from the meets of both houses.
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