National News

States have unlimited right to tax mineral-rich lands: Supreme Court

• A Constitution Bench of 9 judges, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, by a 8:1 majority, held that Parliament cannot limit the power of State legislatures to tax mineral-bearing lands and quarries. Court clarified that since the power to tax mineral rights is enumerated in Entry 50 of List 2 of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, Parliament cannot use its legislative powers to impose taxes on mining in the respective states.Additional Info:

7th Schedule mentions 3 Lists:

Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall

• Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan have been renamed as Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Mandap respectively.'Durbar Hall' is the venue of important ceremonies and celebrations such as the presentation of National Awards.

Important Articles related to President

Vriksharopan Abhiyan (VA) 2024

• Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the Vriksharopan Abhiyan (VA) 2024 at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (a subsidiary of Coal India Limited) in Dhanbad, as part of the visionary campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s 500th Community Radio Station

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s 500th Community Radio Station through video conferencing in Aizawl, Mizoram.

About Mizoram

International News

State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World

• The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report released by the United Nations, highlighted that more than half of India’s total population (55.6%) is unable to afford a healthy diet and with one in 11 people facing hunger globally in 2023.Additional Info:

United Nations:

Economy

Lithium resources in Karnataka

• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, found Lithium resources in Mandya and Yadgir districts, Karnataka.

About Lithium

Model Skill Loan Scheme

• Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary launched the ‘Model Skill Loan Scheme’ in New Delhi, to empower the country’s future-ready workforce.Under the scheme, education and upskilling opportunities will be provided to 25 thousand youth across the country.

Major Government Initiatives Related to Skill Development : 

SIMS 2.0

• Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launched the upgraded Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) 2.0.

Additional Info:

“Economic case for investment in the well-being of adolescents in India” Report

• Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has launched a summary report on the economic case for investment in the well-being of adolescents in India, at an event in New Delhi.

About Adolescence

Awards and Honours

Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman’ for 2023-24

• ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman’ for the year 2023-24 was awarded to the PSUs located in Visakhapatnam for their exemplary performance in the field of Official Language implementation and ‘Nagar Rajbhasha Samman’ to the Hindi Officers & Coordinators of the respective organisations.

Rajbhasha

Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award 2024

• Community leader Nida Collado has been honoured with the Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award 2024 for her commitment to forest conservation and community empowerment in the Philippines. 

About Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award

Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Award

• IIT-Kharagpur honoured Google CEO Sundar Pichai with the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Award and his wife Anjali Pichai with Distinguished Alumnus Award at a programme in San Francisco in the US, in recognition of his remarkable contribution towards digital transformation, affordable technology and path breaking innovations.

Person in News

Shekhar Kapur

• Shekhar Kapur has been appointed as the festival director of the 55th and 56th editions of the International Film Festival of India, IFFI, Goa. 

Francis D’Britto

• Sahitya Academy Award laureate Father Francis D’Britto passed away at his home in Vasai of Palghar district of Maharashtra.Fr. D’Britto is renowned for his translation of the Holy Bible (New Testament) into lucid Marathi titled ‘Subodh Bible-Nava Karar’.

About Sahitya Akademi

Important Days

Kargil Vijay Diwas

• Kargil Vijay Diwas, celebrated every year on 26th July, to pay tribute to the bravery of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country during the Kargil War of 1999.

About Kargil Vijay Diwas