Various Events and Achievements in 2024. PDF

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) etched their name in the annals of IPL history by clinching their third title after a resounding eightwicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final of the IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The triumphant Knights, led by the astute captain...

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) etched their name in the annals of IPL history by clinching their third title after a resounding eightwicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final of the IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The triumphant Knights, led by the astute captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, culminating in a comprehensive triumph over SRH in the summit clash. Alok Shukla, a renowned environmental activist and convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, has been selected for the prestigious 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize. Also known as the “Green Nobel Prize,” this annual award honours grassroots environmental champions worldwide for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection. Noted Hindi film superstars Hema Malini and Saira Banu, along with other prominent personalities from the fields of art and culture, will be honoured with the prestigious Pandit Lacchu Maharaj Award. The award ceremony will take place on 31 August 2024 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. In the latest edition of the World Press Freedom Index published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India finds itself at a concerning position, ranking 159th out of 180 countries. This marks a slight improvement from its previous rank of 161, yet it still underscores significant challenges faced by journalists in the country. Surprisingly, India trails behind its neighboring nation Pakistan, which holds the 152nd position, while Sri Lanka stands at 150th place. Norway topped the ranking, while Denmark was on the second rank in World Press Freedom Index. Sweden ranked third on the list. HDFC Bank and Atal Innovation Mission, under NITI Aayog, have empowered social sector startups in India by providing grants totaling Rs 19.6 crore in FY24. This initiative, known as the ‘Parivartan Start-up Grants programme,’ supported 170 startups through 41 incubators, focusing on critical areas such as climate innovation, financial inclusion, agriculture, healthcare, education, livelihood enhancement, and gender diversity. SEBI has introduced significant amendments to its Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) regulations, focusing on the computation of market capitalization for listed companies. The amendments aim to redefine the criteria for applicability and establish a defined period for calculating average market capitalization The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has unveiled three major initiatives: the Pravaah portal, the Retail Direct Mobile App, and a FinTech Repository. These initiatives, previously announced in the RBI’s bimonthly Statement on Development and Regulatory Policies in April 2023, April 2024, and December 2023, aim to enhance regulatory processes, provide easier access to government securities for retail investors, and improve the understanding of the FinTech sector. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a public sector enterprise, has been granted the coveted ‘Navratna’ status by the government, according to a recent filing with the stock exchanges. This prestigious designation takes the total number of Navratna PSEs (Public Sector Enterprises) in India to 17 In a significant development, REC Ltd., under the Ministry of Power, has obtained approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to establish a subsidiary in Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT), Gandhinagar. This move reflects REC’s strategic initiative to diversify its portfolio and tap into new avenues for growth within the burgeoning hub of financial services in India. Tech mogul Elon Musk introduced SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia, aiming to enhance connectivity in remote regions of the archipelago nation. The inauguration took place in Bali, where Musk, alongside Indonesian officials, emphasized the transformative potential of improved internet access The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has introduced a new kamikaze drone resembling Russia’s Lancet drone. This drone, yet to be named publicly, is designed for targeted attacks, akin to those witnessed in the Ukraine conflict. Dubai is embarking on an ambitious endeavor to construct the world’s largest airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, boasting an unprecedented capacity to accommodate 260 million passengers annually, with 400 terminal gates and five parallel runways. Spearheaded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the project signifies Dubai’s commitment to innovation and global connectivity Zimbabwe has launched a new currency called the ZiG (short for Zimbabwe Gold) in an attempt to address the country’s long-running currency crisis. The ZiG, backed by Zimbabwe’s gold reserves, was introduced electronically in early April and has now been released in banknote and coin form. (Read the Complete Article) China is set to launch the Chang’e-6 lunar probe on a round trip to the Moon, marking a significant advancement in their space exploration. The mission aims to gather soil and rock samples from the far side of the Moon, providing crucial insights into its early evolution and the inner solar system Article) As Vladimir Putin embarks on his fifth term as President of Russia, the nation finds itself at a critical juncture, with global attention keenly focused on the trajectory of Putin’s leadership and Russia’s evolving role on the world stage. Japanese men’s hockey team etched its name in the history books by clinching its maiden Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy title Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, is set to seek his fourth vote of confidence on Monday amidst turmoil in parliament. The Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal has withdrawn its support within 18 months of Dahal taking office, prompting this latest confidence vote. (Click to Read the Article) Hundreds of residents near Mount Ibu, an active volcano on Halmahera island in eastern Indonesia, have been evacuated following a significant increase in volcanic activity The University of Tokyo has inaugurated the Atacama Observatory (TAO), which has been awarded a Guinness World Record for being the highest observatory in the world. India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighted India, alongside Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five remittance recipient countries. According to data from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), an economic think tank, China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2023-24, surpassing the United States. The two-way commerce between India and China stood at a staggering $118.4 billion, slightly edging out the $118.3 billion traded with the US. India has achieved a significant milestone with the successful flight test of the indigenously developed antiradiation missile Rudram-II. Fired from a Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft off the coast of Odisha, this missile is poised to become a vital asset for the Indian Armed Forces, serving as a force multiplier in suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions The government of Tamil Nadu has launched a three-day survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, the state’s iconic animal. This initiative aims to better understand and conserve this endangered species that faces numerous challenges, including habitat loss and poaching Kerala’s health authorities have reported West Nile fever cases in three districts: Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur. In response, the state government has directed all districts to be vigilant and implement mosquito control measures, including pre-monsoon cleaning drives and surveillance activities The Spanish football giants, Real Madrid, have etched another remarkable achievement in their illustrious history by securing the La Liga 2023-24 season title. Los Blancos, as they are affectionately called by their supporters, sealed the championship after defeating Cadiz 3-0, while their closest rivals Barcelona suffered a 4-2 loss against Girona. (Read the Complete Article) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the fixtures for the highly anticipated ninth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place from 3 to 20 October in Bangladesh. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly awaiting this prestigious tournament, which promises to be an action-packed spectacle of skill and sportsmanship In a historic move, the United Nations General Assembly has unanimously proclaimed May 25 as the World Football Day, marking a significant milestone in the global celebration of the world’s most popular sport. Cristiano Ronaldo, despite nearing the twilight of his career, has secured the top spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. His significant earnings in Saudi Arabia have propelled him to this position for the fourth time. collaborative effort between the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Cell (SVEEP) of Kamrup Election District and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, a groundbreaking 3D-printed dummy ballot unit has been unveiled. The initiative aims to enhance voter awareness and engagement, particularly among new voters and senior citizens, by providing a practical experience of the voting process German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann have won the prestigious International Booker Prize for their novel “Kairos.” The book, which tells the story of a tangled love affair during the final years of East Germany’s existence, beat out five other finalists from a pool of 149 submitted novels Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has made history as the first airport in India to achieve the prestigious recognition of zero waste to landfill (ZWL). The 77th Cannes Film Festival witnessed a remarkable achievement for Indian cinema as Payal Kapadia’s film ‘All We Imagine as Light’ won the prestigious Grand Prix award, the second-highest honour at the festival. This triumph marks a historic moment, as Kapadia becomes the first Indian filmmaker to receive this prestigious accolade Major Radhika Sen, an Indian military peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), has been awarded the prestigious 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. This award recognizes her dedication and efforts in promoting the principles of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has joined a 16-day multi-nation mega military exercise in Alaska, United States, designed to provide realistic training to participating forces in a simulated combat environment. The exercise, known as ‘Red Flag 24’, commenced on May 30 and will continue until June 14 India has ascended to the 39th spot in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, marking a significant improvement from its 54th position in 2021. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India showcases resilience and competitiveness in various aspects of its travel and tourism industry. The Indian gymnast, Dipa Karmakar, has scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian to secure a gold medal in any Asian Championships. Hailing from Tripura, Dipa achieved this remarkable feat in the women’s vault individual final at the Asian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2024, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan RBI Monetary Policy Committee has decided by majority 5:1 to keep policy rates unchanged, Governor Shaktikanta Das announced on April 5. He also that core inflation has declined steadily. It is the first bi-monthly monetary policy of 2024-25. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor also announced MSF & Bank rates to continue to be at 6.75%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor has kept the policy rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent. RBI Repo Rate are as under Policy Repo Rate: 6.50% (Unchanged) Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 6.25% (Unchanged) Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 6.75% (Unchanged) Bank Rate: 6.75% (Unchanged) Fixed Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35% (Unchanged) CRR: 4.50% (Unchanged) SLR: 18.00% (Unchanged) The Amritsar Massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, remains one of the darkest episodes in India’s struggle for independence. On April 13, 1919, General Dyer ordered his soldiers to open fire on an unarmed gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, leading to hundreds of deaths and injuries. In 2024, India observes 105th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre which serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom. The repercussions of this atrocity continue to reverberate through history, influencing political discourse and public memory. On April 22nd, the world will unite to commemorate the 54th International Mother Earth Day. This annual event serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need to address the mounting environmental challenges threatening our planet, including rapidly rising pollution levels, deforestation, and global warming. The prestigious 2024 Laureus Sports Awards ceremony, held in Madrid, was a grand celebration of the world’s best athletes and their remarkable achievements. The event honored several sporting icons who have left an indelible mark on their respective disciplines. Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, etched his name in the annals of Laureus history by becoming the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the fifth time. This achievement matched Roger Federer’s record for the most decorated male athlete in this category. Djokovic had previously won this coveted award in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2019. Alok Shukla, a renowned environmental activist and convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, has been selected for the prestigious 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize. Also known as the “Green Nobel Prize,” this annual award honours grassroots environmental champions worldwide for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection. Adani Green Energy Limited, an Adani Group company, is building the world’s largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Kutch district of Gujarat. Katchatheevu, an Indian island with a tumultuous past, has been a focal point of contention between India and Sri Lanka since its cession in 1974. On April 1, 2024, Germany became the largest European Union (EU) nation to legalize recreational cannabis use Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, 69, has commenced his third term as the leader of the nation, extending his tenure until 2030. Amidst battling economic challenges, Sisi vows to prioritize national interests and fulfill the aspirations of the Egyptian people for a modern, democratic state Zimbabwe, along with Zambia and Malawi, has declared a state of disaster due to a severe drought sweeping across southern Africa. President Emmerson Mnangagwa cited an “El Nino-induced drought” causing below-normal rainfall, affecting over 80% of the country The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is marking its 75th anniversary this year. The alliance, founded in 1949, will hold a special event in Brussels, Belgium to commemorate this milestone. In an effort to stabilize its economy after years of turmoil, Zimbabwe has launched a new gold-backed currency called ZiG, an abbreviation for “Zimbabwe Gold.” In a significant development, Israel deployed its shipmounted defense system, the C-Dome, for the first time against a suspicious aerial target near the southern city of Eilat. The incident occurred following an alert in the area, which had previously been targeted by missile fire from Yemen’s Houthi rebels The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has introduced a new kamikaze drone resembling Russia’s Lancet drone. This drone, yet to be named publicly, is designed for targeted attacks, akin to those witnessed in the Ukraine conflict. Iraq’s parliament recently passed a stringent law criminalizing same-sex relationships, imposing a maximum 15-year prison sentence. The government of Tamil Nadu has launched a three-day survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, the state’s iconic animal. The 34th Seng Khihlang festival, a revered event for adherents of the Khasi Indigenous Faith, recently concluded in Wahiajer, Meghalaya The northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has taken the lead in having the highest number of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products in the country. With the recent addition of 15 new products, Uttar Pradesh now boasts a total of 69 GI-tagged products, surpassing Tamil Nadu’s 58 The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report reveals that India is second only to China in the number of Hepatitis B and C infections, with 3.5 crore cases. A two-day coastal security exercise called Sagar Kavach 01/24 was conducted off the Lakshadweep Islands from April 1-2, 2024. India has emerged as the fourth largest military spender globally in 2023, In a joint announcement, President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida revealed that Japanese astronauts will join future NASA lunar missions as part of the Artemis program. This move is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen economic and defense ties between the United States and Japan The French Open 2024 witnessed a thrilling conclusion as the young Spanish sensation, Carlos Alcaraz, emerged victorious in the men's singles final. Iga Swiatek Continues Her Dominance at Roland Garros In the women's singles final, the indomitable Iga Swiatek once again reigned supreme at the iconic Roland Garros stadium. The 23-year-old Polish superstar clinched her fourth French Open title, solidifying her status as a true clay-court maestro. The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2024, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), provides a comprehensive measure of global peacefulness, evaluating 163 independent states and territories. This report highlights the trends, results, and economic impacts of violence across the world, offering valuable insights into the current state of peace and the factors influencing it. Table of Rankings Rank Country 1- Iceland, 116 india Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 14, held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders. The countries including UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and others, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in southern Italy’s Apulia. Later, the Prime Minister also met Pope Francis of the Vatican. India’s latest ranking in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for 2024 places it at 176th out of 180 countries, reflecting slight improvement from previous years but still positioning it among the world’s lowest performers. The index, prepared by Yale and Columbia universities, highlights India’s struggles in crucial areas like air quality, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions. Sweden Tops, India at 63rd Rank on Global Energy Transition Index: WEF According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 19 June 2024, India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries, improving three ranks from last year’s 67th position. Sweden has again topped the Index, reflecting its continued leadership in energy transition. The WEF highlighted India’s significant advancements in energy equity, security, and sustainability. China’s space agency announced on 4 June 2024 that BEIJING- China’s Chang’e-6 probe has lifted off from the far side of the moon, starting its journey back towards Earth. China is getting closer to being the first nation to return samples from the far side of the moon, which is always facing away from Earth, thanks to the probe’s successful exit from the moon The main tunnel of the 900 MW Arun III Hydropower Project, being constructed with Indian assistance has achieved a breakthrough, with Nepal Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on June 5, triggering the last blast to mark the completion of heading excavation. Prime Minister ‘Prachanda’ attended an event to mark the completion of heading excavation for the 11.8 km-long Head Race Tunnel of the 900 MW Arun- 3 Hydro Electric Project in the Sankhuwasabha District in eastern Nepal. Chinese scientists have made a significant breakthrough in solar research through the use of their solar exploration satellite, the Chinese H-alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE), which has led to the discovery of a new pattern of solar atmospheric rotation Thailand will become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after the kingdom’s Senate approved a marriage equality bill on June 18, with supporters calling it a “monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.” Om Birla, the incumbent Lok Sabha Speaker, has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Kota parliamentary seat on June 4, 2024. With a resounding margin of 41,139 votes, Birla has become the first presiding officer in 20 years to be re-elected to the Lower House of Parliament India on June 10, wholeheartedly welcomed Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining the BRICS as their representatives attended for the first time a key meeting of the grouping hosted by Russia. Senior diplomat Dammu Ravi led the Indian delegation at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nizhny Novgorod, in western Russia. In a strategic move to counter China’s growing influence in the region, India sets its sights on managing the Mongla Port in Bangladesh. Following the successes of Chabahar in Iran and Sittwe in Myanmar, India aims to further strengthen its commercial and security interests by expanding its overseas port operations. The National Commission for Indian Medical Systems organized a two-day National Conference, ‘PRANA’ Protecting Rights and Novelties in ASUS (Mind to Market for Indian System of Medicines [ISM] Professionals) in Collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education and Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell to mark its fourth foundation In a significant boost to the India’s port development programme, as many as 9 ports of India made it to the Global Top 100 in the latest edition of Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), 2023. This report is prepared by the World Bank and S&P Global Marketing Intelligence). The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal gave credit to the ambitious Sagarmala programme, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for modernisation of the ports and improving their efficiency To realise the vision of saturating National Highways with green cover, NHAI will undertake a unique initiative to plant Miyawaki plantation on land parcels adjacent to National Highways at various locations. Total land area of over 53 acres has been identified at different places in and around Delhi-NCR to establish the Miyawaki plantations. he Uttarakhand government organized India’s first-ever astro-tourism event called ‘Nakshatra Sabha’ in Mussoorie, the ‘Queen of Hills’, on June 1 and 2, 2024. The inaugural event was held at the George Everest Peak, famous for its breathtaking views of the Doon Valley and the snow-capped Himalayas India has added two bird sanctuaries from Bihar, Nagi and Nakti – to the ‘Ramsar Sites’ list, taking the tally to 82. The newest ‘Wetlands of International Importance’, both manmade reservoirs situated in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui District in Bihar, were added to Ramsar Sites as part of World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5 Three years after vowing to enter the Assembly only as Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu has been sworn in for his fourth term as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The oath-taking ceremony, held near Gannavaram Airport in Kesarapalli on the outskirts of Vijayawada, saw the attendance of key figures including PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Sah Pema Khandu of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the oath as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive time. Uttar Pradesh is set to establish the world’s first conservation and breeding centre for Asian king vultures or red-headed vultures in Maharajganj. The facility will improve the population of critically endangered species listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list since 2007. The centre is named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre. Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC). Three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts. Senior diplomat Ruchira Kamboj, who made history after becoming the first woman to become the Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, retired on 1 June, after an illustrious career spanning nearly four decades, she announced on Saturday The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations released The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, its flagship report providing a comprehensive analysis of the global and regional status and trends in fisheries and aquaculture. It shows, for the first time in 2022, that aquaculture production exceeded fisheries Wembley Stadium, Real Madrid etched their name in the history books once again by securing a record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title. The Spanish giants showcased their trademark resilience and clinical edge, overcoming a valiant Borussia Dortmund side with a 2-0 victory. (Click to read complete article) Nayana James, an Asian Athletics Championships bronze medalist, etched her name in glory by clinching the gold medal in the women’s long jump event at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2024 held in Chinese Taipei. Braving rainy conditions at the Taipei Municipal Stadium, Nayana recorded an impressive distance of 6.43m to secure the top spot on the podium. Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra added another feather to his cap by clinching the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw event at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 in Turku, Finland. The Paavo Nurmi Games is a prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour (Gold level) event, and Neeraj’s victory further solidifies his position as a dominant force in the sport. Eminent children’s filmmaker Vinod Ganatra has become the first Indian to be conferred with South Africa’s prestigious ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his outstanding contribution to children’s cinema. The award was presented to him at the 7th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival. India’s first artificial intelligence university, Universal AI University (UAIU), has appointed international strategist and multiple award-winning professor Simon Mak as its vice- chancellor. Mak is the first non-Indian to hold the position of founding vice chancellor of an Indian institution. In a significant recognition of her literary contributions, Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy has been awarded the esteemed Pen Pinter Prize for 2024. This honour comes at a time when Roy faces potential legal challenges, highlighting the importance of her work and the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression. In a heartwarming celebration of linguistic and cultural ties between India and Nepal, Dr. Usha Thakur has been honoured with the 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding contributions to Hindi literature and her efforts in strengthening the bonds between Hindi and Nepali languages.  As part of the Artemis program, which intends to bring humans back to the lunar surface, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are working together to create a common time system for the moon. The project aims to meet the requirement for a common timekeeping system to manage missions from various nations and private organizations. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has revealed plans to release his highly anticipated memoir, titled “Source Code: My Beginnings.” Set to hit the shelves on February 4, 2025, this literary endeavor promises to offer an intimate glimpse into the life and experiences that shaped one of the world’s most influential tech pioneers. Carlos Alcaraz defended his Wimbledon title as he defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in the Wimbledon 2024 final. At 21, Alcaraz is the youngest player in open era to win men’s singles at Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the same year. On Women’s Category, Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jasmine Paolini in their Wimbledon 2024 singles showdown, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The Centre has reconstituted the NITI Aayog, the apex public policy think tank of the Union government, following changes in the council of ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the chairperson, with economist Suman K Bery continuing as the vice-chairperson. The reconstituted NITI Aayog includes four full-time members and 15 Union Ministers, including those from BJP allies, serving as either exofficio members or special invitees The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) took place on July 4, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. This important gathering brought together leaders from various countries to discuss regional cooperation and security issues. Host and Venue Host: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Location: Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan Notable Attendees Several world leaders participated in the summit, including: Russian President Vladimir Putin Chinese President Xi Jinping Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,India was represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar The Sixteenth Finance Commission has constituted an advisory council with five members to advise the Commission on any of the Terms of Reference (ToR) or related subjects. The Finance Commission, as per the ToR, will also suggest measures to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of panchayats and municipalities. Advisory Council Members Poonam Gupta, Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research, has been appointed as the convenor of the Advisory Council. The other members are: D.K. Srivastava, Chief Policy Advisor at EY Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC Securities & Capital Markets Rahul Bajoria, MD & Head of EM Asia (ex-China) Economics at Barclays The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has made a significant decision to observe June 25 annually as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day). This observance is intended to commemorate the immense sacrifices and contributions of those who endured the harsh realities of the 1975 Emergency. The SDG India Index 2023-24 reveals significant national and subnational progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India’s composite score improved to 71, reflecting advancements across key sectors like poverty eradication, economic growth, climate action, and biodiversity conservation In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF has increased India’s GDP growth forecast for the ongoing fiscal year to 7%, up by 20 basis points from earlier projections. This upward revision reflects improved consumption prospects, particularly in rural areas, supporting India’s economic trajectory. However, the IMF retained a slower growth rate of 6.5% for the following fiscal year Tata Group has maintained its position as India’s most valuable brand with a value of US$ 28.6 billion, marking a 9% increase from last year. Infosys ranks second, and HDFC Group has surged to third place following its merger with HDFC Ltd. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is set to develop India’s first integrated agricultural export facility at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai Tata Power Solar Systems Limited has launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh, starting from Varanasi, aimed at providing every home with clean energy through rooftop solar solutions. This initiative promises substantial financial savings and environmental benefits for residents Keir Starmer, born in 1963 to a working-class family near London, is set to become Britain’s next Prime Minister. With a background in human rights law and public prosecution, he entered politics relatively late, becoming an MP in 2015 Rachel Reeves has become the first woman finance minister of UK. The 45-year-old is an economist and has pledged to grow the nation’s economy. Rachel was appointed as the chancellor on June 5, after the Keir Starmer-led Labour Party won a majority in Thursday’s general election. She is now in charge of the UK’s Budget Masoud Pezeshkian, a seasoned lawmaker and cardiac surgeon, has emerged victorious in Iran’s presidential election, defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili. K.P. Sharma Oli on July 15 was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister for the fourth time. The leader of Nepal’s largest communist party was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister on July 14, by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the Himalayan nation. China has built the world’s first passenger train made from carbon fibre, a material that makes it much lighter and more energy-efficient than conventional trains. Azerbaijan, hosting COP29 from November 11 to 22 this year, has announced the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a significant milestone on social media platform X, surpassing 100 million followers. This milestone solidifies his position as the most followed global leader on X, far ahead of other world figures such as US President Joe Biden, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed, and Pope Francis. India is set to launch its first national toll-free antinarcotics helpline, ‘1933’, alongside an email service under the name MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra). Scheduled for launch by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the seventh Narco-Coordination Centre meeting on July 18, the helpline aims to provide a userfriendly platform for citizens to report drug-related crimes and seek assistance 24×7 The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), launched in September 2023 by key G20 members including India, the United States, and Brazil, is poised to take a significant step forward in its institutional development The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on July 22, joined hands towards building joint innovation programmes in the Global Sout In a groundbreaking initiative, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady has installed a wind turbine to power realtime monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity within its expansive forest 16-year-old Jiya Rai from Mumbai has set a new world record as the youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel. Hemant Soren has returned as Chief Minister of Jharkhand, reinstated after a five-month hiatus that began with his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. His reappointment follows a tumultuous period marked by political maneuvering within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which heads the state’s ruling alliance Jagannath Rath Yatra is a famous Hindu festival celebrated every year in the city of Puri, Odisha. I The Jharkhand government is working on a plan to open eastern India’s first university for physically challenged students in Ranchi (Jharkhand) a minister said on June 11. The proposed university will offer education according to the needs of students with disabilities. Higher and technical education minister Champai Soren directed officials to prepare a proposal to open the university for physically challenged students in Ranchi Indore on July 14, set a new Guinness World Record in the category of “the most trees planted by a team in 24 hours” by planting more than 11 lakh saplings. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that Indore, already the cleanest city in India The first confirmed death due to Chandipura virus infection in Gujarat was reported as a four-year-old child from Mota Kanthariya in Aravalli. The confirmation came from Pune’s National Institute of Virology. The virus, initially reported in north Gujarat, has spread to new areas, raising concerns about a potential outbreak with 14 deaths in two weeks and 26 suspected cases under investigation. The Ahom dynasty’s Moidams in Assam have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 43rd entry. India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It takes place from 21 to 31 July 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi Singapore has reclaimed its title as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to a record 195 global destinations according to the Henley Passport Index Ravi Agrawal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico has assumed the presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for a two-year term from July 2024 to June 2026. This transition marks a significant moment for the global financial watchdog, as Madrazo brings a fresh perspective aimed at strengthening efforts to combat financial crimes and terrorism financing The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a consolidated cash prize of Rs. 125 crore for the Indian men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. The amount is a little over three times than the combined figure that was distributed as bonus after the Men in Blue won the 2011 ODI World Cup. ( The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that India will continue the tradition of having two flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics, following the precedent set at Tokyo 2020. This decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee‘s push for gender equality in sports. PV Sindhu, the badminton ace, has been chosen as the female flag bearer for the Indian contingent. Sharath Kamal, the veteran table tennis player, will serve as the male flag bearer In a thrilling finale to Euro 2024, Spain secured their fourth European Championship trophy with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This win cements Spain’s status as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history and marks their third title in the last five editions Cricketer Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot to become India’s most valued celebrity, boasting a brand value of $227.9 million in 2023. However, this value still falls short of his peak brand value of $237.7 million in 2020, as reported by Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023 Former Indian tennis stars Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj have become the first Asian men to be inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame India will host the first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit in November alongside the International Film Festival of India in Goa. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promising to strengthen the ecosystem for the protection of intellectual property rights in the media and entertainment sector India ranks fifth in Generative AI (GenAI) innovations, trailing behind China, the US, Republic of Korea, and Japan. Despite India’s position, the country has shown the highest annual growth rate in GenAI patent publications, with significant potential for economic impact India has maintained its 124th position in the latest FIFA men’s rankings released. This comes as a small relief for the success-starved nation, which has been experiencing a downward trend in recent months. Azerbaijan Army servicemen have arrived in Kazakhstan to take part in the “Birlestik-2024” operational-tactical command-staff exercise. T Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, which was bestowed on him in the year 2019 at St Catherine’s Hall of the Moscow Kremlin The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has honored Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, with the prestigious Olympic Order. A Google employee recently created the “world’s first AI dress” and it has astonished many on the internet. Christina Ernst, a software engineer at the tech giant and the Founder of SheBuildsRobots.org, a platform which aims to educate girls on building robots, shared a clip of her creation which has robotic snakes attached to it to detect faces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest and largest urban tunnel project, the Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel, developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This Rs. 16,600 crore project will reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from over an hour to just 12 minutes, cutting the travel distance by 12 km. This initiative is part of broader infrastructure projects worth Rs. 29,000 crore aimed at enhancing connectivity in Mumbai Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, put on an impressive display at the Paris Olympics, winning the silver medal in the men's javelin throw event. Chopra's season-best throw of 89.45m earned him the runner-up position, but he was unable to defend his title, as Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem broke the Olympic record with a stunning throw of 92.97m. Chopra, who was the defending champion coming into the competition, was unable to replicate his gold-medal-winning performance from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, his silver-medal finish is still a remarkable achievement, as he continues to establish himself as one of the world's premier javelin throwers. Top 10 Richest Global Central Banks in 2024 1- Federal Reserve System $7,835,559,000,000 USA North America ,2- People's Bank of China $6,004,919,369,845 China Asia 3- Bank of Japan $5,543,058,448,125 Japan Asia 4- Deutsche Bundesbank $2,776,759,343,640 Germany Europe 5 Bank of France.While not in the top 10, India's Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holds a respectable 12th position globally The latest “Men and Women” report by the National Statistical Office (NSO) reveals a stark financial disparity between men and women in India. While women own a significant portion of bank accounts. Amul has been named the world’s strongest food brand in Brand Finance’s Global Food & Drinks Report 2024 Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, has announced the beta launch of Rufus, a cutting- edge generative AIpowered conversational shopping assistant, in India. The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a remarkable flowering shrub native to the montane grasslands of southwest India, has recently been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists may have uncovered the world’s oldest solar calendar at the renowned archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe in southern Turkey. Sweden has confirmed its first case of the mpox Clade I variant, marking the first occurrence of this more dangerous strain outside Africa. The ICC has announced the relocation of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to significant safety concerns. The Environmental Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark has launched a Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) with initial funding of Rs 16.8 crore from the Jal Shakti Ministry and an additional Rs 5 crore from Denmark. Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged extensive humanitarian support and handed over four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to the Ukrainian government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland marked a historic moment as it was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 45 years. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently unveiled a new type of “suicide drone,” with state media reporting that he personally oversaw a performance test of the weaponry. “VIRAASAT”, a fortnight long exhibition dedicated to celebrating 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath on 3 rd August, 2024. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has launched the e- Sankhyiki portal on June 29, marking a significant advancement in data management and dissemination in India The third edition of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, aimed at fostering patriotism and national pride by encouraging citizens to display the national flag at their homes, will run from August 9 to August 15. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, primarily due to its increasing prevalence in Africa. India’s first Constitution Museum, named “The Constitution Academy and The Rights & Freedoms Museum,” is set to be inaugurated by OP Jindal Global University on November 26, 2024. India overtook China as the world’s biggest importer of Russian oil in July as Chinese refiners bought less because of lower profit margins from producing fuels, a comparison of import data showed. India’s space efforts received a significant boost with the successful launch of RHUMI-1, the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket. On India’s inaugural National Space Day, the nation witnessed a significant educational milestone with the release of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’, an innovative e-magazine Teghbir Singh, a five-year-old boy from Ropar, Punjab, has etched his name in the annals of mountaineering history. Teghbir has become the youngest Asian to successfully scale Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, standing at an impressive 5,895 meters above sea level Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighat (S-3), at a quiet event in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant boost to India’s nuclear deterrence and second-strike capability. This submarine, armed with 750-km range K-15 nuclear ballistic missiles, will patrol the Indo- Pacific under India’s strategic command The Indian Army has launched the first phase of Project NAMAN, aimed at providing dedicated support and services to Defence pensioners, veterans, and their families the state of Assam has officially recorded the presence of mithun (Bos frontalis) for the first time. This discovery comes generations after the semi-wild, gaur-like animal began to be reared by tribal communities in the state’s hill district of Dima Hasao. Odisha has introduced India’s first round-the-clock grain dispensing machine, known as the Annapurti Grain ATM, designed to transform the Public Distribution System (PDS) for ration cardholders The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat, India, has reached full operational capacity with its second 700 MW nuclear reactor, KAPS-4, which started operating at full power on August 21, 2024. The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat, India, has reached full operational capacity with its second 700 MW nuclear reactor, KAPS-4, which started operating at full power on August 21, 2024. National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, Ajit Doval, participated in the signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave. The signing event marked a significant step in regional security collaboration among India, Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. The Centre has appointed senior IPS officer B Srinivasan as the new Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG). In Iran, for the first time, a woman will be the government spokesperson. At the suggestion of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers, Fatemeh Mohajerani was appointed as the first female government spokesperson. Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a distinguished IPS officer of the 1990 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). Simultaneously, the government has appointed Rajwinder Singh Bhatti as the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Novak Djokovic of Serbia secured his first Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 37-year-old tennis legend overcame Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping men’s singles final at Roland Garros on Sunday, cementing his status in the annals of tennis history. The first-ever Global Women’s Kabaddi League will commence next month (September) in Haryana. Officially named the Global Pravasi Women’s Kabaddi League (GPKL), this groundbreaking tournament will feature female athletes from over 15 countries. Hockey India (HI) has officially announced that retiring goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will be the new head coach for the Indian junior men’s hockey team. Bangladesh has emerged as the new champion of the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) U-20 Championship football tournament. This victory marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s football history, as it is the first time the nation has claimed this prestigious title Para shooter Avani Lekhara created history on August 30, by becoming the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at Paralympics. Avani, who became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic Games gold medal during the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Tokyo Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on August 12, released the India Rankings 2024, which implements the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) drafted for this purpose by the Ministry of Education in 2015. According to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), net foreign direct investment (FDI) in India surged to $6.9 billion during the April-June quarter of FY25, compared to $4.7 billion in the same period last year.  Mumbai and Delhi are at the second and third positions, respectively, among 44 cities globally in annual price rise of prime residential properties during the June quarter, Knight Frank said in a report. The Hurun India Rich List 2024 has unveiled a significant shift in the landscape of wealth distribution across Asia, with Mumbai emerging as the new “billionaire capital of Asia” The bilateral air exercise “Udara Shakti 2024” between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) concluded successfully on August 9, 2024. This exercise, hosted by the RMAF at its base in Kuantan, Malaysia. India is on the brink of commissioning its second nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat. The Mitra Shakti military exercise, an annual bilateral engagement between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, commenced on August 12, 2024 Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on August 20, chaired a high-level meeting focusing on the ongoing transformational initiatives by the Indian Army and its contribution towards achieving the objective of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Women led the way in living organ donation, offering patients suffering from end-stage organ failure a new lease of life. Data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare show that the number of women living donors was 9,784 last year compared to 5,651 men. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to celebrate its 55th foundation day on August 15, 2024, with a significant milestone – the launch of the Earth Observation Satellite-08 (EOS-08). China has taken a significant step in advancing its lowaltitude economy by testing its largest unmanned cargo aircraft yet. This move highlights the country’s push to expand its drone capabilities, with the goal of creating a $279-billion industry by 2030. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on August 13, 2024 successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the long-range glide bomb (LRGB) Gaurav from a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet of the Indian Air Force. SpaceX’s upcoming Polaris Dawn mission is set to make history as the first private spacewalk. Scheduled for launch on August 26, 2024, at 3:38 a.m. EDT (0738 GMT). Gopichand Thotakura, India’s first civilian space tourist, received a warm welcome in Delhi upon his return on August 26, 2024 An outbreak of bird flu, caused by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, has been reported in Pipili town, Puri district, Odisha. Authorities have culled over 11,700 chickens following the detection of the virus. Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal, a renowned Indian scientist and the driving force behind India’s missile program, passed away on Thursday in Hyderabad at the age of 84. Known affectionately as the ‘Father of Agni Missiles‘. Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, Rakesh Pal, died of a severe cardiac arrest in Chennai. The world’s oldest person, Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera, who was born in the US in 1907 and lived through two world wars, has died at the age of 117, her family said. Carlos Alcaraz defended his Wimbledon title as he defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in the Wimbledon 2024 final. At 21, Alcaraz is the youngest player in open era to win men’s singles at Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the same year. On Women’s Category, Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jasmine Paolini in their Wimbledon 2024 singles showdown, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The Centre has reconstituted the NITI Aayog, the apex public policy think tank of the Union government, following changes in the council of ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the chairperson, with economist Suman K Bery continuing as the vice- chairperson. The reconstituted NITI Aayog includes four full-time members and 15 Union Ministers, including those from BJP allies, serving as either exofficio members or special invitees The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) took place on July 4, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. This important gathering brought together leaders from various countries to discuss regional cooperation and security issues. Host and Venue Host: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Location: Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan Notable Attendees Several world leaders participated in the summit, including: Russian President Vladimir Putin Chinese President Xi Jinping Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,India was represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has made a significant decision to observe June 25 annually as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day). This observance is intended to commemorate the immense sacrifices and contributions of those who endured the harsh realities of the 1975 Emergency. The SDG India Index 2023-24 reveals significant national and subnational progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India’s composite score improved to 71, reflecting advancements across key sectors like poverty eradication, economic growth, climate action, and biodiversity conservation In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF has increased India’s GDP growth forecast for the ongoing fiscal year to 7%, up by 20 basis points from earlier projections. This upward revision reflects improved consumption prospects, particularly in rural areas, supporting India’s economic trajectory. However, the IMF retained a slower growth rate of 6.5% for the following fiscal year Tata Group has maintained its position as India’s most valuable brand with a value of US$ 28.6 billion, marking a 9% increase from last year. Infosys ranks second, and HDFC Group has surged to third place following its merger with HDFC Ltd. ( The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is set to develop India’s first integrated agricultural export facility at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai Tata Power Solar Systems Limited has launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh, starting from Varanasi, aimed at providing every home with clean energy through rooftop solar solutions. This initiative promises substantial financial savings and environmental benefits for residents Keir Starmer, born in 1963 to a working-class family near London, is set to become Britain’s next Prime Minister. With a background in human rights law and public prosecution, he entered politics relatively late, becoming an MP in 2015 Rachel Reeves has become the first woman finance minister of UK. The 45-year-old is an economist and has pledged to grow the nation’s economy. Rachel was appointed as the chancellor on June 5, after the Keir Starmer-led Labour Party won a majority in Thursday’s general election. She is now in charge of the UK’s Budget Masoud Pezeshkian, a seasoned lawmaker and cardiac surgeon, has emerged victorious in Iran’s presidential election, defeating hardliner Saeed Jalili. K.P. Sharma Oli on July 15 was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister for the fourth time. The leader of Nepal’s largest communist party was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister on July 14, by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the Himalayan nation. China has built the world’s first passenger train made from carbon fibre, a material that makes it much lighter and more energy-efficient than conventional trains. Azerbaijan, hosting COP29 from November 11 to 22 this year, has announced the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a significant milestone on social media platform X, surpassing 100 million followers. This milestone solidifies his position as the most followed global leader on X, far ahead of other world figures such as US President Joe Biden, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed, and Pope Francis. India is set to launch its first national toll-free antinarcotics helpline, ‘1933’, alongside an email service under the name MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra). Scheduled for launch by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the seventh Narco- Coordination Centre meeting on July 18, the helpline aims to provide a userfriendly platform for citizens to report drug-related crimes and seek assistance 24×7 The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), launched in September 2023 by key G20 members including India, the United States, and Brazil, is poised to take a significant step forward in its institutional development The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on July 22, joined hands towards building joint innovation programmes in the Global Sout In a groundbreaking initiative, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady has installed a wind turbine to power realtime monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity within its expansive forest 16-year-old Jiya Rai from Mumbai has set a new world record as the youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel. Hemant Soren has returned as Chief Minister of Jharkhand, reinstated after a five-month hiatus that began with his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. His reappointment follows a tumultuous period marked by political maneuvering within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which heads the state’s ruling alliance Jagannath Rath Yatra is a famous Hindu festival celebrated every year in the city of Puri, Odisha. I The Jharkhand government is working on a plan to open eastern India’s first university for physically challenged students in Ranchi (Jharkhand) a minister said on June 11. The proposed university will offer education according to the needs of students with disabilities. Higher and technical education minister Champai Soren directed officials to prepare a proposal to open the university for physically challenged students in Ranchi Indore on July 14, set a new Guinness World Record in the category of “the most trees planted by a team in 24 hours” by planting more than 11 lakh saplings. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that Indore, already the cleanest city in India The first confirmed death due to Chandipura virus infection in Gujarat was reported as a four-year-old child from Mota Kanthariya in Aravalli. The confirmation came from Pune’s National Institute of Virology. The virus, initially reported in north Gujarat, has spread to new areas, raising concerns about a potential outbreak with 14 deaths in two weeks and 26 suspected cases under investigation. The Ahom dynasty’s Moidams in Assam have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 43rd entry. India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It takes place from 21 to 31 July 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi Singapore has reclaimed its title as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to a record 195 global destinations according to the Henley Passport Index Ravi Agrawal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico has assumed the presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for a two-year term from July 2024 to June 2026. This transition marks a significant moment for the global financial watchdog, as Madrazo brings a fresh perspective aimed at strengthening efforts to combat financial crimes and terrorism financing The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a consolidated cash prize of Rs. 125 crore for the Indian men’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. The amount is a little over three times than the combined figure that was distributed as bonus after the Men in Blue won the 2011 ODI World Cup. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that India will continue the tradition of having two flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics, following the precedent set at Tokyo 2020. This decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee‘s push for gender equality in sports. PV Sindhu, the badminton ace, has been chosen as the female flag bearer for the Indian contingent. Sharath Kamal, the veteran table tennis player, will serve as the male flag bearer In a thrilling finale to Euro 2024, Spain secured their fourth European Championship trophy with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This win cements Spain’s status as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history and marks their third title in the last five editions Cricketer Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot to become India’s most valued celebrity, boasting a brand value of $227.9 million in 2023. However, this value still falls short of his peak brand value of $237.7 million in 2020, as reported by Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023 Former Indian tennis stars Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj have become the first Asian men to be inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame India will host the first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit in November alongside the International Film Festival of India in Goa. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promising to strengthen the ecosystem for the protection of intellectual property rights in the media and entertainment sector India ranks fifth in Generative AI (GenAI) innovations, trailing behind China, the US, Republic of Korea, and Japan. Despite India’s position, the country has shown the highest annual growth rate in GenAI patent publications, with significant potential for economic impact India has maintained its 124th position in the latest FIFA men’s rankings released. This comes as a small relief for the success-starved nation, which has been experiencing a downward trend in recent months. Azerbaijan Army servicemen have arrived in Kazakhstan to take part in the “Birlestik-2024” operational-tactical command-staff exercise. T Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, which was bestowed on him in the year 2019 at St Catherine’s Hall of the Moscow Kremlin The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has honored Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, with the prestigious Olympic Order. A Google employee recently created the “world’s first AI dress” and it has astonished many on the internet. Christina Ernst, a software engineer at the tech giant and the Founder of SheBuildsRobots.org, a platform which aims to educate girls on building robots, shared a clip of her creation which has robotic snakes attached to it to detect faces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest and largest urban tunnel project, the Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel, developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This Rs. 16,600 crore project will reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from over an hour to just 12 minutes, cutting the travel distance by 12 km. This initiative is part of broader infrastructure projects worth Rs. 29,000 crore aimed at enhancing connectivity in Mumbai In a momentous recognition of his contributions to the world of animation and storytelling, Hayao Miyazaki, the renowned Japanese film director and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has been awarded the esteemed Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2024. This honor, often referred to as “Asia’s Nobel Prize,” underscores Miyazaki’s profound impact on both the art of animation and global cultural discourse. India concluded its most successful Paralympic campaign ever at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, securing an unprecedented 29 medals. This impressive tally included: 7 gold medals 9 silver medals 13 bronze medals The 2024 US Open, held from August 19 to September 8 at Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York City, concluded with groundbreaking victories in both the men’s and women’s singles categories. Jannik Sinner of Italy and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus emerged as champions, each claiming their first US Open title and adding to their growing list of Grand Slam achievements. On September 11, 2024, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presided over a distinguished ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan to present the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2024. This prestigious event recognized outstanding contributions in the field of nursing, highlighting the crucial role that nursing professionals play in the healthcare system. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 16, 2024, marked a significant event in the television industry. This prestigious award show, honouring excellence in primetime television programming, rolled out the red carpet for the second time in just one year, creating a buzz of excitement among TV enthusiasts and industry professionals alike Recently, the Mankidia community became the 6th particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) PVTG to get habitat rights over forests in Odisha.The Mankidia are a semi-nomadic community known for their traditional skill of rope making, trapping and eating monkeys India has climbed to the 39th position among 133 global economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, as announced by Union Minister Piyush Goyal. India also ranked 1st among 10 economies in the Central and Southern Asian region and led the lower-middle-income economies group. The country was 81st in 2015 and rose to 39th due to its thriving innovation ecosystem, powered by entrepreneurs, startups, and public-private partnerships. The 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary has etched itself into the annals of Indian sports history. In an unprecedented achievement, India secured gold medals in both the men’s and women’s team categories, marking a watershed moment for chess in the country. Young Talents Shine India’s victory was spearheaded by a group of prodigious young players: D Gukesh (18 years old): World Championship challenger Arjun Erigaisi (21 years old): Delivered crucial wins R Praggnanandhaa (19 years old): Regained form in the final round Vidit Gujrathi (29 years old): Secured a draw on the fourth board The performance of these young stars underscores India’s bright future in chess. Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan have reported the highest growth in real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY24 among the ten largest states based on their GSDP, India’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record high of $692.3 billion as of September 20, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India on September 27. The reserves increased by $2.84 billion during the week, following a total rise of $19.3 billion over the previous five weeks. The rise in reserves was driven by the Reserve Bank The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has increased the transaction limits for tax payments using UPI (Unified Payment Interface), by allowing people to send 5 lakh in a single transaction. Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia in over a decade, has caused significant disruption across Southeast Asia. After devastating the northern Philippines, the typhoon made landfall in southern China’s Hainan province, leading to mass evacuations and widespread damage Mexico became the world’s first country to allow voters to elect judges at all levels after protesters invaded the upper house and suspended debate on the issue. The reform was approved with 86 votes in favor and 41 against, garnering the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution United States of America’s president Joe Biden will host leaders from QUAD members of other countries like India, Japan and Australia in Wilmington, Delaware on 21st September in the USA Algeria has been officially authorized to join the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), as announced by the bank’s president, Dilma Rousseff, during the ninth annual meeting in Cape Town. The NDB, established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in 2015, aims to support infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies and developing nations. Typhoon Bebinca strikes many countries, as it looks dangerous, it has already striked in the Philippines, Japan and will hit Shanghai city in China soon. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Jordan as the first country globally to eliminate leprosy, marking a significant milestone in public health. WHO Director- General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised this achievement, emphasizing the collective efforts to stop transmission and reduce the stigma associated with leprosy. Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emerged as Sri Lanka’s newly elected president, securing 42% of the vote in the country’s first election since the 2022 economic collapse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a commemorative postage stamp celebrating 75 years of the Supreme Court of India during the inaugural session of the District Judges Conference at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event was attended by Supreme Court Chief Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud, Minister of Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, and other dignitaries President Droupadi Murmu has approved the formation of the 23rd Law Commission of India for a three-year term, effective from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027. This commission will consist of a full-time chairperson, four members, and additional ex-officio and part-time members. Its primary mandate is to review and recommend legal reforms to enhance the Indian legal system. In celebration of the birth anniversary of Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand and in alignment with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ National Sports Day 2024, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organized “Khel Utsav 2024” from August 27 to August 30, 2024. The event took place at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi In a momentous event at Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission of India (ECI) celebrated the achievements of two remarkable Paralympic archers while simultaneously enlisting their support to inspire voters across the nation. Ms. Sheetal Devi and Shri Rakesh Kumar, fresh from their bronze medal victory in Archery at the Paris Summer Paralympics 2024, were honored for their sporting prowess and appointed as national icons for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Union Home Minister of India Shri. Amit Shah inaugurated 2 days National Security Strategies Conference 2024 in the capital of India at New Delhi Typhoon Yagi recently struck Southeast Asia, the government of India has launched Operation Sadbhavana, a humanitarian initiative aimed at providing crucial assistance to affected countries. This operation exemplifies India’s commitment to its Act East Policy and its role as a first responder in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to nations in need Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail on September 16, 2024, which will operate between Ahmedabad and Bhuj. Known as the Vande Metro, this new train covers a 360-kilometre distance in 5 hours and 45 minutes, making stops at nine stations along the route Cambodia’s Angkor Wat has been recognized as the most photogenic UNESCO World Heritage site in Asia by Times Travel, as announced by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on September 15. The nuclear power reactor that achieved criticality is the first of a new series of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be built at Rajasthan Atomic Power Project in Rawatbhata. The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the construction of a Vedic-3D museum at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Kerala has once again secured first position in the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) 2024, marking the second consecutive year that the southern state has claimed the spot. The report was released in the inaugural session of FSSAI Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 The Kolkata trams, which have operated since the late 19th century, are a testament to the city’s rich transportation history. The Kolkata tram is set to be discontinued soon due to congestion. However, one route will still be operational Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative called “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” in Surat, Gujarat. This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing community involvement in water conservation efforts across India. The launch aligns with the ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign, reinforcing the Prime Minister’s vision of collaborative water management to ensure long-term water security for the nation Launched on September 12, 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PM-KMY) has provided social security to land-holding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) across India. This voluntary and contributory old-age pension scheme offers a fixed monthly pension of Rs. 3,000 to eligible farmers after they turn sixty. Farmers contribute monthly to the pension fund, with matching contributions from the central government Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has been unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. The Union Cabinet has extended the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their income. Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the scheme will provide free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year, benefiting around 6 crore individuals and 4.5 crore families. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved ‘Mission Mausam’ on September 11, 2024, with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore over two years. The mission, led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, aims to enhance research and development in atmospheric sciences and improve weather forecasting and management The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to promote electric mobility in India. The scheme, with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years, aims to expedite EV adoption, improve air quality, and reduce the impact of transportation The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is set to launch a groundbreaking digital platform named Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) under the Startup India program. This initiative aims to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem by centralizing and streamlining collaboration between key stakeholders like startups, investors, mentors, service providers, and government bodies In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the signing date of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. Every year on September 15, people across the globe unite to commemorate the International Day of Democracy. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of democratic principles and practices in our societies. The NPS Vatsalya Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, will be launched by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on September 18, 2024, in New Delhi. This initiative allows parents to invest in pension accounts for their children with flexible contributions starting at Rs. 1,000 annually, offering long-term wealth building through compounding. About 7 crore people have subscribed to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), accumulating a corpus of Rs 35,149 crore, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The APY, launched in 2015, is a low-cost pension scheme providing a guaranteed minimum pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month, depending on the contributions made by subscribers. In case of the subscriber’s death, the pension is extended to the spouse for life, and upon the demise of both, the nominee receives the entire corpus. The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections (One Nation One Election – ONOE) under the chairmanship of former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind In 2014 Honorable Prime Minister of India launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, it has a transformative impact in our society. This year it will mark its 10th anniversary and this year Swachhata hi Seva 2024 campaign embraces the theme of ‘Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata’. The release of the TIME100 Most Influential People in AI 2024 List has once again highlighted India’s significant contributions to the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Leading the pack of Indian influencers is Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet The IMD’s recent World Talent Ranking 2024 shows that Switzerland ranks first, followed by Singapore; India finds itself ranked 58th globally, with a talent score of 40.47. The IMD World Talent Ranking 2024 shows the overall ranking for 67 economies. The economies are ranked from the most to the least competitive, and the change from the Previous year’s rankings are also shown India’s Men’s Hockey Team clinched the 5th Title of Asian Champions Trophy in 2024, by winning a goal from Jugraj Singh, India beat China 1-0 in the final game of the tournament. India took part in the BRICS Literature Forum 2024, which began in Kazan, Russia on 11th September 2024. The event, inaugurated by Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin, focused on the theme “World Literature in the New Reality: Dialogue of Traditions, National Values, and Cultures The Indian government will host the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from February 5 to 9, 2025, to boost the country’s media and entertainment industry and enhance its global influence. The 21st edition of Varuna (Varuna-23) naval exercise between the Indian and French Navies was held in two phases in 2023. India-France Bilateral Naval Exercise Varuna is a key strategic exercise, initiated in 1993 and named ‘Varuna’ in 2001. Phase II took place in the Arabian Sea and involved joint operations using guided missile frigates, tankers, Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and helicopters The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise, YUDH ABHYAS-2024, commenced on September 9, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. The Indian Army contingent has departed for the fifth edition of the India-Oman joint military exercise, Al Najah, which will take place from September 13 to 26, 2024, at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman The Government of India has launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian relief/assistance to countries affected by Typhoon Yagi. This will Express Solidarity with - Hit Nations, India Dispatches of Aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. Nations, India Dispatches of Aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. Highlights from the 70th National Film Awards The 70th National Film Awards celebrated significant achievements in Indian cinema, with Southern films dominating the major categories. Major Awards: Best Feature Film: Aattam: The Play (Malayalam), directed by Anand Ekarshi. Best Actor: Rishabh Shetty for Kantara (Kannada). Best Actress: Nithya Menen for Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil) and Manasi Parekh for Kutch Express (Gujarati). Best Director: Sooraj R Barjatya for Uunchai (Bollywood). Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: Kantara (Kannada Comprehensive Overview of Paris Olympics 2024 The Paris Olympics 2024 marks the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympic Games and the third time Paris will host, previously hosted in 1900 and 1924. This year's theme, "Let’s Move and Celebrate," emphasizes the joy of movement, commemorating a century since the last Paris Olympics. The Phryges: Official mascots symbolizing the spirit and history of the Games. Indian Athletes: A total of 117 athletes represented India, competing from July 26 to August 11. Medals Won: India secured six medals - one silver and five bronze. PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker Announced as Flag-Bearers for Closing Ceremony of Paris 2024 Olympics Hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and pistol shooter Manu Bhaker have been named as the joint flag-bearers for the Indian contingent at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This announcement was confirmed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). PR Sreejesh, the renowned hockey goalkeeper, will join Manu Bhaker, a star pistol shooter, as the flag-bearer for India at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic India beats South Africa by 7 runs and lifts the India lifts ICC T20 World Cup 2024 for 2nd time after 2007. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced that the Monetary Policy Committee has chosen to maintain the policy repo rate at 6.5%, with a 4:2 majority decision. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains unchanged at 6.25%, while both the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate stand firm at 6.75%. RBI Repo Rate are as under Policy Repo Rate: 6.50% (Unchanged) Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 6.25% (Unchanged) Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 6.75% (Unchanged) Bank Rate: 6.75% (Unchanged) Fixed Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35% (Unchanged) CRR: 4.50% (Unchanged) SLR: 18.00% (Unchanged) The UDAN Scheme’s Journey: 2016–2024 The UDAN scheme was initially launched for a period of 10 years in 2016. Its core objectives include: Enhancing regional air connectivity by offering subsidies to airlines that operate flights on unserved or underserved routes. Boosting tourism and trade by connecting smaller cities and remote regions with major hubs. Making flying affordable for the common citizen by capping airfares on specific routes. The 2024 BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, marks a significant turning point for the group as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE join its ranks following their inclusion at the 2023 summit. The event centers around the theme, “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security,” with key discussions on alternative global payment systems, dedollarization, and enhanced cooperation. The summit witnessed the adoption of the BRICS Kazan Declaration, endorsing UN reforms and investigating cross-border financial solutions to reduce reliance on the US dollar. The two-week United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) commenced today in Colombia, bringing together environmental leaders from nearly 200 countries to evaluate historic commitments aimed at halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity First Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India.He always requested the people of India to live together by uniting (Ek Bharat) in order to create a foremost India (Shresth Bharat).This ideology still reflects in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative which seeks to make India Self-Reliant. Integrated the farmer’s cause in Kheda Satyagraha (1918) and Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) with the national freedom movement.Women of Bardoli bestowed the title ‘Sardar’ on Vallabhbhai Patel, which means ‘a Chief or a Leader’.Remembered as the ‘Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servants’ as he established the modern all-India services system. October 31st is observed as National Unity Day, also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Haryana has become the first state to implement sub-quotas for the Dalit community by subclassifying the Scheduled Castes (SCs). In a pioneering move aimed at enhancing the safety of women in healthcare settings, Madhya Pradesh has installed ‘pink alarms‘ at the government-run district hospital and medical college in Datia Newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto has unveiled Indonesia’s largest-ever Cabinet, comprising 109 members. Named the “Red and White Cabinet” after Indonesia’s flag, this lineup reflects his vision of a strong, unified government Egypt has reached a significant public health milestone by being officially declared ‘malaria-free’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) on October 20, 2024. This achievement makes Egypt the second country in the world to receive this certification in 2024, following Cabo Verde Smt. Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), making her the 9th individual to hold this esteemed position. The India-Oman bilateral naval exercise Naseem-Al-Bahr, held from October 13 to 18, 2024, off the coast of Goa, featured the participation of the Indian Navy’s INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, alongside the Royal Navy of Oman’s vessel Al Seeb. The exercise was conducted in two phases. The Army’s Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Southern Command is currently conducting ‘Exercise SWAVLAMBAN SHAKTI’ at the Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi, with the primary objective of enhancing combat capabilities through the integration of niche and emerging technologies. The 31st edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is underway from October 23 to 29, 2024, at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is proud to announce Australia as the “Country of Focus” for the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to take place in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2024. In October 2024 The Union Cabinet granted classical language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, increasing recognized classical languages to eleven. The Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES), a cornerstone event of the annual Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), is held on the 11th edition from October 22-24, 2024, in Singapore. New Zealand Women’s Team Lift the ICC T20 World Cup After 23 Years at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They defeated the South African team with 32 runs. Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the upgraded ‘e-Shram: One Stop Solution’ portal, aimed at enhancing access to social security schemes for over 300 million unorganised workers in India The United Nations Day, celebrated annually on October 24, marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter in 1945.the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, and France. World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24 across the globe to raise awareness about the crippling disease, poliomyelitis, or polio The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris was a night dominated by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who triumphed over competitors from Real Madrid to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.For the second consecutive year, Bonmatí earned the title of the world’s best female footballer.This Year UEFA also partnered with France Football award India’s first ‘Writer’s Village’ was inaugurated in Dehradun by former President Ram Nath Kovind, along with Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Lahore has once again claimed the title of the most polluted city globally, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to alarming levels Indian Army contingent embarked on a journey to participate in the 15th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces Exercise, VAJRA PRAHAR, set to be conducted from November 2 to November 22, 2024. 9th edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise, GARUD SHAKTI 24. Scheduled to take place from November 1 to November 12, 2024 The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024 reveals that India ranks 79th out of 142 countries, reflecting a continuing decline in the rule of law globally The Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY), launched on October 28, 2014, is an initiative targeting the upliftment and inclusion of India’s tribal communities, who represent 8.9% of the population. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card on October 29, 2024, providing free healthcare coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income. Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist and chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), has passed away at the age of 69. He was recently admitted to AIIMS for treatment The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a comprehensive tool that tracks and measures hunger at the global, regional, and national levels. The 2024 GHI report sheds light on hunger levels across 127 countries, with specific emphasis on India’s ranking and challenges. India’s Performance in GHI 2024.India ranks 105th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2024, placing it in the “serious” hunger category. India’s GHI score is 27.3, indicating a severe level of hunger.BEST-BELARUS United States has announced it will send the advanced THAAD missile defence system to Israel. This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster Israel’s defence capabilities and deter further aggression from Iran and other regional adversaries. THAAD stands for Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, a cutting-edge anti-ballistic missile defense system developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation. The system is designed to intercept and destroy enemy missiles in their final, or terminal phase, making it a critical asset for defending against missile threats Justice Sanjiv Khanna is set to become the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI), following the recommendation by current CJI DY Chandrachud in a letter to the Union law ministry The Indian Coast Guard successfully conducted the coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ on October 16-17, covering Gujarat, Daman & Diu, as well as Goa and Maharashtra Abu Dhabi has been recognized as the richest city globally regarding sovereign wealth funds, boasting an impressive $1.7 trillion in capital. This significant achievement highlights the city’s financial prowess and strategic investments. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released its 2024 Living Planet Report, revealing a stark and alarming decline in global wildlife populations. World Food Day, observed annually on October 16th, serves as a global call to action in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. The 2024 celebration of World Food Day revolves around the theme “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future MALABAR exercise kick off from 8th October in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It hosted by India, this year’s exercise will see the participation of Australia, Japan, and the United States of America beginning with the Harbour Phase in Visakhapatnam, followed by the sea phase. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out three flight-tests of the advanced fourth-generation Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan on October 3-4. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 to John J. Hopfield from Princeton University, USA, and Geoffrey E. Hinton from the University of Toronto, Canada. They are being honored for their foundational discoveries and inventions that have advanced the field of machine learning, particularly through the development of artificial neural networks The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to David Baker for his innovative work in computational protein design and to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for their groundbreaking AI-based protein structure prediction. These discoveries, recognized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, represent major advancements in understanding and designing proteins. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo. This grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, also known as Hibakusha, is receiving the Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again. The 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and related events began on October 9 in Vientiane, Laos, focusing on the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith urged member countries to uphold peace, stability, and sustainable development while honoring their commitments to multilateralism. This India’s National Space Commission has officially approved the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex), marking the country’s fifth lunar mission. This mission follows the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, which made India the fourth nation to land on the Moon. Lupex is a collaborative endeavor between India’s ISRO and Japan’s JAXA, aimed at exploring the Moon’s resources, particularly water in its polar regions. ( India has officially signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, known as the High Seas Treaty, which aims to promote the conservation of marine genetic resources and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the treaty in a post on X, stating that it represents a crucial step towards maintaining the health and resilience of oceans 155th Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Shri Modi launched and laid the foundation stone for several sanitation and cleanliness projects worth over Rs 9600 crore including projects under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, National Mission for Clean Ganga and GOBARdhan Scheme. The theme for Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 is ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata’ Claudia Sheinbaum made history by being sworn in as Mexico’s first female president, marking a significant milestone for the nation. Taking office after outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, her close ally from the Morena party, Sheinbaum’s leadership symbolizes a continuation of progressive policies Shankh Air, India’s latest airline, is poised to make its debut by the end of 2024 after receiving approval from the civil aviation ministry. In the April-June 2024 quarter, India’s current account deficit (CAD) increased to $9.7 billion, or 1.1% of GDP, up from $8.9 billion (1% of GDP) in Q1 FY2024, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 8th India-Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND-2024 started at Surya Foreign Training Node, Auli, Uttarakhand. An annual affair, the exercise will end on 13th October. The world of mathematics is set to celebrate another brilliant mind as the 2024 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize finds its recipient. This prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in mathematics, particularly those influenced by the legendary Srinivasa Ramanujan, will be bestowed upon Alexander Dunn of the Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S. (Click here to read article) Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, known for his versatile contributions to Indian cinema, will be honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead India’s delegation to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024. This marks the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan since Sushma Swaraj attended a conference in 2015. The visit is focused on the SCO’s regional cooperation agenda, with no bilateral meetings confirmed as of now, according to the Ministry of External Affairs Irani cup title finally returning to Mumbai after the drought of 27 years. Ajinkya Rahane led reigning Ranji champion team has drawn the match after taking the first innings lead against the Rest of India in a 5 day match. In which they stood victorious due to courtesy of the first innings lead. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.79,156 crores with the contribution from Central government is Rs.56,333 crore and State government is Rs. 22,823 crore. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan envisions saturation of critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, livelihood, through 25 interventions implemented by 17-line ministries of Govt of India by convergence and outreach; and ensures holistic and sustainable development of tribal areas and communities The Union Cabinet has recently approved the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare’s proposal to consolidate various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) into two main umbrella schemes: the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and the Krishonnati Yojana (KY). This strategic move aims to promote sustainable agriculture through PM-RKVY and enhance food security and agricultural self-sufficiency via KY