National News

JJM

• The National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a historic milestone providing tap water connections to 15 crore rural households across the country.

About JJM

Project Swasthya Nagaram by Telangana

• A unique model for TB-Free Municipalities under the Project Swasthya Nagaram, was launched by Telangana government in Hyderabad.

About Tuberculosis (TB)

International News

Beijing Declaration

• Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed the Beijing Declaration on “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity,” in Beijing on ending a years-long rift.

About Palestine

Economy

9 priorities of Budget 

New Tax Regime

• Standard deduction has been increased to Rs 75,000 in new tax regime from earlier Rs 50,000.

Highlights of Budget 2024-25

• Total Expenditure: Rs. 4820512 Crore
• Fiscal Deficit: Rs. 1613312 Crore (4.9%)
• Primary Deficit: Rs. 450372 Crore (1.9%)
• Finance minister announced the 'Purvodaya' plan, targeted at five states - Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
• Rs 6.22 lakh crore allocated to Ministry of Defence, highest among Ministries, in Regular Union Budget 2024-25
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna was extended for 5 years benefiting 80 crore people.
• Financial support for loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education.
• The government’s flagship sports initiative, Khelo India secured 900 crore rupees from the overall sports budget of over 3,442 crore rupees.
• Govt to launch three employment-linked schemes.
• The Limit of Mudra Loans will be enhanced to ₹ 20 Lakh from the current  ₹ 10 Lakh.
• Angel Tax Abolished For All Class Of Investors To Boost Start-Ups And Investments
• Budget provides Rs 2.66 lakh crore for rural development
• 100 branches of India Post Payments Bank to be set up in North East
• Govt allocates over Rs 3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women, girls.
• New National Pension Scheme for Minors announced; govt to launch 'NPS Vatsalya'.
• FM has announced an ‘Employment Linked Incentive scheme' under which the government will give the first salary to those who are newly entering the workforce a direct benefit transfer (DBT) of one month's salary, up to Rs 15,000, will be provided in three instalments under the scheme.

About Budget

Defence

Triput

• The first of two Advanced Frigates ships named “Triput” constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Navy, was launched at GSL, Goa.

About Indian Navy

F-16 fighter Jets

• Slovakia has received its first two US-made F-16 fighter jets.

About Slovakia

Environment

July 21: Hottest Day

• According to European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, July 21 was the hottest day ever recorded globally

State of the World’s Forests Report

• According to a report titled “The State of the World’s Forests”, released by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), India secured the 3rd spot among the top 10 countries with the gain of 2,66,000 hectares of forest area annually from 2010 to 2020.
• China led the world with the maximum forest area gain of 1,937,000 hectares, followed by Australia with 4,46,000 hectares, and then India.

About FAO

Typhoon Gaemi

• Typhoon Gaemi and a southwest monsoon caused heavy rainfall in the Philippines and Taiwan, forcing officials to suspend work and classes.

Name of Cyclones in Different Regions

Sports

Charlie Cassell

• In the ICC Men’s ODI Cricket, Scotland fast bowler Charlie Cassell scripted history, breaking an all-time ODI record by taking 7 wickets for 21 against Oman, in Dundee.

Abou ICC

BPCL principal sponsor of IOA

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) as its official principal sponsor for four years, starting with the Paris Olympics till the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

About IOA

Important Days

Income Tax Day

• Income Tax Day is celebrated on 24th July, to commemorate the introduction of income tax in India by Sir James Wilson in 1860.

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