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27 January, 2025
GK Update
Fri 16 Aug, 2024
National News
78th Independence Day
- India celebrated its 78th Independence day on 15th August, with the theme ‘Viksit Bharat or Developed India’.
- Theme symbolises the government's commitment to transform India and reflects its vision of a developed nation by 2047, which will mark India's 100-year freedom from colonial rule.
About Independence Day
| On 15th August 1947 that India was declared independent from British colonialism. | The Prime Minister of India hoists the National Flag and addresses the nation from Red Fort, on Independence Day. |
103 Gallantry Awards
- President Droupadi Murmu approved 103 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day.
- These are 4 Kirti Chakras including three posthumous, 18 Shaurya Chakras including four posthumous and one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry) including two posthumous, 11 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and six Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Order of Precedence of Awards
| Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra. |
State Special
Interest free loan scheme by Mizoram
- Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced that the state government will launch a scheme to enable deserving people to avail interest-free loan up to Rs 50 lakh to achieve economic growth and improve the living condition of the masses.
About Mizoram
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International News
Srettha Thavisin
- Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office over breach of ethics for appointing a former lawyer to his cabinet who had been jailed 16 years ago.
About Thailand
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ASEAN-India Fellowship
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched ‘ASEAN-India Fellowship’ for Higher Education in Agriculture and Allied Sciences in PUSA, New Delhi.
About ASEAN
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International conference on “Law and Technology”
- An international conference on “Law and Technology: Sustainable, Transport, Tourism and Technological Innovations” organised by the Commonwealth Legal Education Association was inaugurated jointly by Chief Justice of India Dr D Y Chandrachud and the Chief Justice of Seychelles Justice Roney Govinden at Kumarakom in Kottayam district, Kerala.
About Supreme Court
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3rd Voice of Global South Summit
- India will virtually host the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on 17th August.
- Theme of the Summit: “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future”.
Science and Tech
mpox virus
- Sweden has become the first country outside the African continent to report the more contagious strain of mpox virus, a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the infection a global public health emergency.
About mpox
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EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite onboard the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
- EOS-8 includes EOIR, GNSS-R, and SiC UV Dosimeter payloads for environmental observation, disaster monitoring, and other applications.
About ISRO
| Estb: 15 Aug 1969 | HQ: Bengaluru | Chairman: Shri S. Somnath |
Phase 3 clinical trial for a Indigenous dengue vaccine
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have announced the initiation of the first-ever Phase 3 clinical trial of India’s indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll, developed by Panacea Biotec.
About Dengue
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Environment and Geography
Typhoon Ampil
- In Japan, typhoon Ampil is continuing to gather strength and is likely to approach the Kanto and Tohoku regions in eastern and northeastern Japan.
Name of Cyclones in Different Regions
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IGIA, Delhi
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Delhi became the first Indian airport to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport status under Airport Council International's (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.
Additional info: Panchamrit of India
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National Pest Surveillance System
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan inaugurated the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) in New Delhi, so that farmers will be able to know different types of insecticides and pesticides and save their crops from their harmful effect.
Schemes/ Initiatives related to Organic Farming
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New Ramsar Sites
- India has added three more Ramsar sites to the network, taking the tally to 85.
- Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir of Madhya Pradesh have been added to the list of India’s Ramsar sites.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
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Sports
Alexander Zverev
- In Tennis, German star Alexander Zverev became the first player to earn 50 tour-level wins this season.
Grand Slams of Tennis
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PR Sreejesh
- Hockey India has retired jersey number 16 from the national senior men’s team in honour of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
- Hockey India has also decided to appoint Sreejesh as the coach of the junior men’s hockey team.
About Hockey India
| Estb: 2009 | HQ: New Delhi | President: Dilip Kumar Tirkey |
Dodda Ganesh
- Former India pacer Dodda Ganesh took over as the head coach of the Kenyan cricket team in Nairobi.
Morne Morkel
- Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler, has been appointed as the bowling coach for the Indian men’s cricket team.
About BCCI
| Estb: 1928 | HQ: Mumbai | President: Roger Binny |
Defence
INS Tabar
- Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Tabar commanded by Capt MR Harish visited Gothenburg, Sweden.
About Indian Navy
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Indian Army Tank T-55
- Indian Army tank T-55 was installed at a memorial in Gurdaspur city to make the young generation aware of the valour of the Indian Army.
- Tank T-55 has been installed as a symbol of victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war at Babri bypass in Gurdaspur town.
About Indian Army
| Motto: "Service Before Self" | Army Day: 15 Jan | HQ: New Delhi |
Art and Culture
Navroz
- President Droupadi Murmu has greeted all citizens, especially the people from the Parsi community, on the occasion of Parsi New Year, Navroz on 15th August.
Person in News
Govind Mohan
- Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan appointed as the new Union Home Secretary.
Nalin Prabhat
- Nalin Prabhat became Special Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police
Rahul Navin
- Senior IRS officer Rahul Navin has been appointed as Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED).
About ED
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Khushbu Sundar
- Actor-politician Khushbu Sundar resigned from the post of Member of the National Commission for Women (NCW). She was nominated to the post in February 2023.
About NCW
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Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- The nation pays homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary on 16th August.
About Atal Bihari Vajpayee
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