National News

2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation

• India will host the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on civil aviation on September 11 and 12.

About ICAO

7th apex-level meeting of NCORD

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 7th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) in New Delhi. 
• He will also launch the National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra) and inaugurate the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) zonal office at Srinagar.
• He will also release NCB ‘Annual Report 2023’ and Compendium on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.

About NCORD

Mukhyamantri Warkari Mahamandal

• The Maharashtra government announced the establishment of Mukhyamantri Warkari Mahamandal to facilitate the Kirtankars and Warkaris of the state. The headquarters of this Corporation will be situated at Pandharpur.

About Maharashtra

SAUSHRUTAM 2024

• The Department of Shalya Tantra at All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi organised the Second National Seminar SAUSHRUTAM Shalya Sangoshti on the auspicious occasion of Sushruta Jayanti-2024.

World Heritage Committee Meeting

• India is set to host the UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage Committee meeting from 21st-31st July, 2024 in New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Culture is hosting the 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum under the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme.

About UNESCO

International

UN-ISA 

• The United Nations’ International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting was held in Kingston, Jamaica, to consider new rules allowing firms to extract minerals from the ocean floor.

About ISA

Global Conference on Space Research

• A Global Conference on Space Research was held in South Korea’s Busan city, to foster international scientific research in space.
• It is the first time that South Korea hosted the biennial global conference.

Science and Tech

Final Report of India’s G20 Task Force on DPI

• G20 Sherpa of India, Amitabh Kant released the final Report of India’s G20 Task Force on Digital Public Infrastructure.

About G20

ICAR Foundation Day

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched its ‘One Scientist-One Product’ programme on July 16 to improve research in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry.
• ICAR also announced the release of 323 varieties of 56 crops, including cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugar cane, at a function in New Delhi.

About ICAR

Cave on the Moon

• Italian Scientists Using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data, have confirmed the existence of a cave on the moon near the Apollo 11 landing site, potentially offering shelter for future astronauts.

About Moon

Economy and Banking

India’s Goods and Services Exports

• According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India’s goods and services exports increased by 5.4 % in June to 65.47 billion dollars.

What is Trade Deficit?

Fraud Account

• The Reserve Bank of India has directed banks to provide defaulting borrowers with a minimum of 21 days to respond before classifying their accounts as "fraud."

About RBI

Kharif Crop sowing Area in India

• According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India’s Kharif crop sowing area has crossed 575 lakh hectares as of 15 July.

About Kharif Crop

Person in News

Vikram Misri

• Mr. Vikram Misri assumed charge as the new Foreign Secretary.

Awards and Honours

Bharat Kirtimaan Alankaran

• Dr. Basant Goel will be felicitated with the prestigious “Bharat Kirtimaan Alankaran” at the International Excellence Awards 2024, organised by the World Book of Records (WBR) in London.