Don't Have an Account?
सक्षम Test Series 2025
10 January, 2025
GK Update
Sun 25 Aug, 2024
National News
Global Muthamizh Murugan Conference
- Global Muthamizh Murugan Conference was held at Palani in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, aimed to bring together the devotees and harness the philosophy of Lord Murugan.
About Lord Murugan
| Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha and Murugan, is the Hindu god of war. | Six Abodes of Murugan: Thiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Tiruttani, Pazhamudircholai |
Aspirational Development Block Program Rankings
- Jamunaha development block in Shravasti district, Uttar Pradesh, has secured the top position in the overall quarterly Delta ranking (January-March 2024) of the Aspirational Development Block Program, announced by the NITI Aayog.
- Sandila in Hardoi district has claimed the top spot in Zone 2 North India, while Jagdishpur block in Amethi district has ranked second.
Aspirational Blocks Programme
|
|
International News
2nd round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable
- The second round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) will be held in Singapore on 26th August.
About Singapore
|
|
10th Round of India-Australia CECA Negotiations
- 10th Round of India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) Negotiations was held from 19-22 August 2024 in Sydney in the areas of Goods, Services, Digital Trade, Government Procurement, Rules of Origin and Agri tech.
About Australia
|
|
Defence Minister on a four-day visit to US
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Washington, on a four-day visit to the United States.
- During the visit, he will hold a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart and also meet the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Important agreements with US
|
State Special
UP to develop five cities as IT and ITES hubs
- The Uttar Pradesh government announced plans to develop five cities as major centres for the IT and ITES hubs.
- These cities include Gautam Budh Nagar, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj.
About Uttar Pradesh
|
|
Economy
Salient features of Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
- Assured pension: 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. This pay is to be proportionate for lesser service periods upto a minimum of 10 years of service.
- Assured family pension: 60% of pension of the employee immediately after her/his demise.
- Assured minimum pension of Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after minimum 10 years of service.
- Inflation indexation: on assured pension, on assured family pension and assured minimum pension.
- Dearness Relief based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) as in case of service employees.
- Lump sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity. 1/10th of monthly emoluments (pay + DA) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of service this payment will not reduce the quantum of assured pension.
- It will be effective from 1st April 2025.
Science and Tech
Bio E3-Biotechnology
- The Union Cabinet approved the Bio E3-Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment policy to foster high-performance biomanufacturing.
- Objective: To include innovation-driven support for R&D and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors.
What is Biotechnology?
| It involves the use of microorganisms, plants and animal cells or their components to produce products and processes for the benefit of human beings. |
Vigyan Dhara
- The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the three umbrella schemes, merged into a unified central sector scheme namely ‘Vigyan Dhara’ of Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Components of Scheme
| Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building | Research and Development | Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment |
Model Indigenous Electric Vehicle Charging Station
- The Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) S. Krishnan inaugurated the Model Indigenous Electric Vehicle Charging Station at C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram, Technopark Campus, Kerala.
Initiatives related to E-Vehicle
|
|
Environment and Biodiversity
GPCB launched campaign to curb plastic pollution
- The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has launched an innovative campaign to curb plastic pollution and achieve a plastic-free state.
- GPCB has installed cloth bag vending machines-similar to ATMs-at all the prominent temples across the state providing devotees with easy access to reusable cloth bags.
Related Initiatives to Control Plastic Pollution
|
|
Defence
INS Mumbai
- The Indian Navy’s warship, INS Mumbai, will arrive in Colombo on August 26, 2024, for a three-day visit.
About Indian Navy
|
|
Sports
First-ever surfing spots for the Asian Games
- India secured its first-ever surfing spots for the Asian Games, with both men’s and women’s teams qualifying at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024 in the Maldives.
- Indian surfers will also compete at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Person in News
Mauro Vieira
- Foreign Affairs Minister of Brazil, Mauro Vieira visited India and will co-chair the 9th India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on 27th August.
About Brazil
|
|
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
- Eminent sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan performed at an event organised as part of the Azadi Sangeet Sammelan at Rang Bhawan in Akashvani premises in New Delhi.
Award Conferred on Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
|
|