Aug 2022 Daily News Current Affairs

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Aug 31, 2022
1. General Conferences (Aug 21-31, 2022) -
  1. During Visit to Haryana and Punjab, PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated Amrita Hospital at Faridabad (Haryana) & dedicated Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre to the Nation, at Mullanpur (Pujnab).
  2. Home Minister Amit Shah launched CAPF eAwas web-portal in New Delhi, aimed at increasing Housing Satisfaction Ratio (HSR) for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel. CAPF eAwas Portal aims at operationalizing revised policy of allotment and bring transparency in allotment process.
  3. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)'s new (18th) campus inaugurated in Daman.
  4. UP State Government approved setting up India’s first night safari park at Kukrail Forest Area in Lucknow.
  5. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Asia’s Biggest Private Hospital - Amrita Hospital in Faridabad (Haryana), managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
  6. 8th India International MSME Start-up Expo & Summit 2022 organized in New Delhi.
  7. Uttar Pradesh Govt announced to develop Kannauj as a perfume tourism destination.
  8. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and NITI Aayog will establish over 500 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Jammu and Kashmir. ATL is flagship initiative of AIM launched by Centre to nurture an innovative mindset amongst high school students across India.
  9. 50th Shumang Leela theatre Festival 2021-2022 held in Imphal (Manipur).
2. Keel laying undertaken at CSL Kochi for first warship (BY 523, Mahe) of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Craft (ASW SWC) project of Indian Navy.
  1. ASW-SWC anti-submarine warfare vessels are currently being built for Indian Navy by Cochin Shipyard (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), conceived as a replacement to ageing Abhay-class corvettes.
  2. Total 16 vessels are being built under the project, planned to have all 16 vessels in active service by 2026.
3. National Statistical Office (NSO) released estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for April-June quarter (Q1) of FY 23 (2022-23) -
  1. Real GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q1 (2022-23) is estimated to be 36.85 lakh crores, as against 32.46 lakh crores in Q1 2021-22, showing growth of 13.5 %.
    1. Last 4 Quarter GDP Growth -
      1. Q4 FY 22 (2021-22) - 4.1 %
      2. Q3 FY 22 (2021-22) - 5.4 %
      3. Q2 FY 22 (2021-22) - 8.4 %
      4. Q1 FY 22 (2021-22) - 20.1 %
    2. Real GDP Growth remained 8.7 % in FY 22 (2021-22).
  2. Nominal GDP (GDP at Current Prices) in Q1 2022-23 is estimated at 64.95 lakh crore, as against 51.27 lakh crore in Q1 2021-22, showing growth of 26.7 %.
4. Cabinet Approvals (Aug 31, 2022) -
  1. MOUs -
    1. Nepal - Cooperation in Biodiversity conservation.
  2. CCEA Approvals -
    1. Approved disposal of Chana (Pulses) to States/UTs at discounted rate to be utilized for various Welfare Schemes, from stock of pulses procured under Price Support Scheme (PSS) & Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), and enhancement of ceiling on quantity of procurement under PSS from existing 25% to 40% in respect of Tur, Urad & Masur.
      1. Under this, States/UTs will be offered 15 lakh MT of Chana at discount of 8 per kg over Issue Price of sourcing State, on First come first serve basis, for various Welfare Schemes/Programmes.
      2. This will be one-time dispensation for a period of 12 months or till complete disposal of 15 lakh MT stock of Chana, whichever is earlier.
      3. Govt will spend 1200 crores for implementation of this Scheme.
5. Visits from India (Aug 2022) -
  1. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh visited Tashkent (Uzbekistan), to attend Annual Meet of Defence Ministers' of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States.
  2. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal visited Iran.
    1. During the visit, India and Iran signed MoU on recognition of Certificates of Competency in Unlimited Voyages to help seafarers from both countries as per provisions of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (1978).
    2. Visited Shahid Beheshti Port of Chabahar, India's first overseas port project. Chabahar Port Project carries huge national importance, as it is gateway for Indian trade with Europe, Russia and CIS countries.
  3. Union Minister for Education & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan visited Australia.
6. Visits to India (Aug 2022) -
  1. Tanzanian Minister of Defence and National Service Stergomena Lawrence Tax visited India.
  2. Tan Sri Mohd Reza Bin Mohd Sany, Chief of Malaysian Navy, visited India.
  3. President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited India.
    1. MOUs / Agreements -
      1. Capacity Building & Training of Members of Local Councils & Women Development Committee of Maldives.
      2. Collaboration in potential fishing zone forecast capacity building and data sharing and marine scientific research.
      3. Cooperation in the area of Cyber Security.
      4. Cooperation in field of disaster management.
      5. Agreement between EXIM Bank, India and Ministry of Finance, Maldives for USD 41 Mn Buyer’s Credit Financing of Police Infrastructure in Maldives .
      6. Letter of Intent between Exim Bank of India and Ministry of Finance, Maldives on Buyer’s Credit funding approval of USD 119 Mn for additional 2,000 social housing units to be constructed in Hulhumale.
    2. Announements -
      1. Extension of USD 100 Mn new Line of Credit to finance infrastructure projects in Maldives
      2. Approval for award of EPC contract for the USD 128 Mn Hanimadhoo Airport Development project under Line of Credit
      3. Approval of DPR and commencment of tendering proces of the USD 324 Mn Gulhifahlu Port development project under Line of Credit
      4. Approval of Feasibility Report and financial closure for the USD 30 Mn Cancer Hospital project under Line of Credit
      5. USD 119 Mn Buyer’s Credit financing by Exim Bank of India for additional 2,000 social housing units in Hulhumale
      6. Facilitation of duty free tuna exports to India from Maldives
      7. Supply of a replacement ship for the earlier provided ship-CGS Huravee -to Maldives National Defence Force
      8. Supply of the second Landing Craft Assault (LCA) to Maldives National Defence Force
      9. Gifting of 24 utility vehicles to Maldives National Defence Force
  4. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands Visited India, in her official capacity as United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development and G20 GPFI Honorary Patron.
7. World's Largest floating solar power plant will be built in Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh), with 600 Megawatt Capacity, with project cost over 3000 crores. It will be built on Omkareshwar Dam, on Narmada river.
8. Electrochemical scientist N Kalaiselvi became first woman director general of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India's premier public sector R&D organisation that controls multiple state-run institutions.
9. Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), during National Security Strategies Conference 2022 in New Delhi. It has been developed by NCRB.
  1. It will help in quick and easy disposal of cases with the help of centralized finger print database.
10. Aug 31 is observed by UN as International Day for People of African Descent.
Aug 30, 2022
1. Aug 30 is observed as National Small Industry Day In India, to support and promote small Industries for their overall growth.
  1. Aug 30 is also observed as UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
  2. Aug 30 is also observed as International Whale Shark Day.
2. Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100 released by Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman Bibek Debroy, as part of India Competitiveness Initiative.
  1. Competitiveness roadmap for India@100 is based on Competitiveness framework developed by Professor Michael E. Porter (Harvard Business School).
  2. The roadmap is a collaborative endeavour between EAC-PM and The Institute for Competitiveness, and guides way for India to become a high-income country by 2047 through sector-specific and region-specific policies based on 4S principles, which means to attain prosperity by stressing need for prosperity growth to be matched by social progress, to be shared across all regions, to be environmentally sustainable, and to be solid in face of external shocks.
3. Defence Ministry's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved development of an indigenous fighter jet in form of Tejas 2.0 by HAL, sanctioning 6500 crores for design and development of it.
  1. Tejas 2.0 will have extended flight range and additional payload capacity (upto 4 tonnes, as compared to 3 tonnes of existing version).
  2. It will also be equipped with indigenously developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
4. Indian Businessman Gautam Adani become 3rd Richest Person in World, on Forbes' real-time billionaires List. He is the 1st Indian & 1st Asian to achieve this distinction.
5. NITI Aayog named Haridwar (Uttarakhand) as best aspirational district on five parameters, thereby providing an additional allocation of 3 crore rupees.
  1. Aspirational Districts Programme is an initiative by Central Govt, implemented by NITI Aayog. It aims to help improve living standards of people in chosen 112 aspirational districts.
Aug 29 2022
1. Innovation Challenge for the development of Machine Aided Translation System (IC-MATS) has been launched under Natural Language Translation Mission, by Ajay Kumar Sood (Principal Scientific Adviser).
  1. It is primarily divided into three stages - Ideation, Prototype and Solution Building Stage.
  2. The Challenge is targeted at involving industries and start-ups to develop machine-aided translation systems using open-source translation platforms and text corpus available in public domain, including those available on language technology platform, Bhashini (bhashini.gov.in) built by MeitY.
2. Aug 29 is observed as National Sports Day in India. It marks birth anniversary of India’s hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand.
  1. Notably -
    1. In 2021, Govt had renamed India's Highest Sports Honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
    2. On this occasion, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Mukhyamantri Udyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana.
      1. Under it, Chief Minister Sports Development Fund will be established. Sports scholarship of 1500 per month will be given to budding sportspersons between age group of 8 - 14 years.
  2. Aug 29 is also observed as UN International Day Against Nuclear Tests, established in December 2009.
  3. Aug 29 is also observed as Telugu Language Day, to mark birthday of Telugu poet Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy. Govt of Andhra Pradesh provides funds and presents awards, to promote Telugu language.
3. India's largest airline IndiGo joined Clear Skies for Tomorrow initiative led by World Economic Forum (WEF).
  1. Clean Skies for Tomorrow, launched in January 2019, provides a crucial mechanism for aligning on a transition to sustainable aviation fuels, as part of a proactive pathway for industry to achieve carbon-neutral flying.
4. 67th Filmfare Awards (presented by The Times Group) -
  1. Best Film: Shershaah
  2. Best Director: Vishnuvardhan (Shershaah)
  3. Best Actor: Ranveer Singh (83)
  4. Best Actress: Kriti Sanon (Mimi)
  5. Best Supporting Actor : Pankaj Tripathi (Mimi)
  6. Best Supporting Actress: Sai Tamhankar (Mimi)
  7. Best Lyricist: Kausar Munir – “Lehra Do” (83)
  8. Best Playback Singer (Male): B Praak – “Mann Bharrya” (Shershaah)
  9. Best Playback Singer (Female): Asees Kaur – “Raataan Lambiya” (Shershaah)
  10. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: Subhash Ghai

Aug 28, 2022

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completed eight years of implementation, on 28-08-2022. Notably -
1. Over 46.25 crore Bank Accounts have been opened so far underPMJDY.
2. 56% Jan-Dhan account holders are women and 67% Jan Dhan accounts in rural and semi-urban areas.
3. Under PMJDY, 15 million bank accounts were opened on inauguration day, on 28 August 2014, as a Guinness World Record for Most bank accounts opened in one week.
PM Narendra Modi visited Gujarat -
1. Inaugurated Smriti Van Memorial in Bhuj (as India's first Earthquake Memorial Museum), along with other projects worth around 4400 crores. It Notably includes Kachchh Branch Canal of Sardar Sarovar Project (357 km), to help provide irrigation facilities in Kachchh and drinking water in 948 villages and 10 towns.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch) won Belgian Formula One Grand Prix 2022.

F1 Season 2022 -

Grand Prix	Winner	Race date
Bahrain Grand Prix	Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (Monaco)	20 March
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	27 March
Australian Grand Prix	Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (Monaco)	10 April
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	24 April
Miami Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	8 May
Spanish Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	22 May
Monaco Grand Prix	Red Bull's Sergio Pérez (Mexico)	29 May
Azerbaijan Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	12 June
Canadian Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	19 June
British Grand Prix	Ferraris' Carlos Sainz (France)	3 July
Austrian Grand Prix	Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (Monaco)	10 July
French Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	24 July
Hungarian Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	31 July
Belgian Grand Prix	Red Bull's Max Verstappen (Belgian-Dutch)	28 August
Dutch Grand Prix		4 September
Italian Grand Prix		11 September
Singapore Grand Prix		2 October
Japanese Grand Prix		9 October
United States Grand Prix		23 October
Mexico City Grand Prix		30 October
São Paulo Grand Prix		13 November
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix		20 November

With this, Max Verstappen has been named winner of F1 2022 Championship, as his 2nd F1 Title (1st in 2021).

Aug 27, 2022
1. Temple of Vedic Planetarium in West Bengal's Mayapur will be world's largest temple.
  1. Expected to open by August 2023, It will serve as Headquartwers of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It will also have world’s biggest dome.
  2. Vedic Planetarium will house the Institute of Vedic Cosmology, which will research and discuss Vedic accounts of the universe.
  3. Built at estimated cost of $100 million, it can house 10000 devotees on each of its floors.
  4. It will be headed by Alfred Ford – the great-grandson of noted businessman Henry Ford. He changed his name to Ambarish Das in 1975 after joining ISKCON.
  5. It will replace Cambodia’s 12th-century built Angkor Wat complex as world’s largest religious structure.
2. Book Indian Banking in Retrospect – 75 years of Independence, written by RBI Director Ashutosh Raravikar has been released.
3. Autobiography The Hero of Tiger Hill: Autobiography of a Param Vir, written by Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav has been released.
  1. He became Youngest Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee, at the age of 19 for his actions in the 1999 Kargil conflict.
4. 10th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-22) carried out Indian Coast Guard in Chennai.

Aug 26, 2022

Aug 26 - Observed by US as Women's Equality Day. It commemorates 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to US Constitution, which prohibits states and federal government from denying right to vote to citizens of US on basis of sex. It was first celebrated in 1973.
1. On this occasion, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot launched Mahila Nidhi loan scheme for social and economic development of women through loans.
  1. Under this, easy credit will be available to women for business expansion and starting new businesses. Rajasthan is second state after Telangana, where Mahila Nidhi has been established.
  2. It will facilitate credit up to 40000 within 48 hours, and above 40000 within 15 days.
  3. Notably, earlier in 2019, Rajasthan govt had launched Indira Mahila Shakti Udhyam Protsahan Yojana, which provides loans of up to 1 crore to women, for starting their own enterprises and self-help groups (SHGs).
2. Aug 26 is also Mother Teresa's Birth Anniversary, noted social worker. She came to India in 1929 and worked for welfare of poor. She was honored by Nobel peace Prize in 1979.
3. Aug 26 is also observed as International Dog Day.
Book Free Fall: My Experiments with Living, written by classical dancer and activist Mallika Sarabhai has been released.

2022 BWF World Badminton Championships (Tokyo, Japan) -

Winners -
1. Men's singles - Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
2. Women's singles - Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)
3. Men's doubles - Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik (Malaysia)
4. Women's doubles - Chen Qingchen & Jia Yifan (China)

Medal Table -

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	China	2	1	2	5
2	Japan	1	1	1	3
3	Denmark	1	0	0	1
3	Malaysia	1	0	0	1
5	Indonesia	0	1	1	2
	South Korea	0	1	1	2
	Thailand	0	1	1	2
8	Chinese Taipei	0	0	2	2
9	Germany	0	0	1	1
9	India	0	0	1	1

India's only medal was Bronze medal won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, in Men's doubles event.

Aug 25, 2022
1. Department of Telecommunications released amendment in Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2016, to facilitate faster and easier deployment of Telecom Infrastructure and launched a new 5G RoW application form on GatiShakti Sanchar Portal, to enable faster 5G roll-out in India.
  1. In amended Right of Way Rules, charges for RoW permissions have been made reasonable and a ceiling for RoW charges for installation of 5G small cells and optical fibre cable on street furniture has been fixed. These will pave the way for deployment of 5G small cells on existing street infrastructure.
2. Cabinet Approvals (Aug 25, 2022) -
  1. CCEA -
    1. Approved proposal for amendment of policy of exemption for Wheat or Meslin Flour (HS Code 1101) from export restrictions/ ban, to put a restriction on export of Wheat Flour, which will ensure a curb on rising prices of wheat flour and ensure food security of vulnerable sections of the society.
3. Félix Houphouët-Boigny-UNESCO Peace Prize 2022 has been awarded to Angela Merkel (former Chancellor of Germany), in recognition of her efforts to welcome refugees.
  1. The prize includes a gold medal and monetary grant of USD 150000.
4. Nagaland's second railway station has been inaugurated at Shokhuvi, after a gap of over 100 years since Dimapur Railway Station was inaugurated in 1903.
5. Book India’s Economy From Nehru To Modi : A Brief History, written by Pulapre Balakrishnan has been released.
Aug 24, 2022
1. Aug 24 is observed as World Gujarati Day, Marking Poet Narmad's birth anniversary.
2. Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu released book A New India: Selected Writings 2014-19, as compilation of selected articles of former Union Minister and Padma Vibhushan Late Shri Arun Jaitley.
3. Liberty Medal 2022 has been awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for leading Ukraine's fightback against Russian Invasion.
  1. Liberty Medal is an annual award administered by National Constitution Center (NCC) of USA, to recognize leadership in pursuit of freedom.
  2. It was founded by Philadelphia Foundation. Recipients are now chosen by NCC, since 2006.
4. Indian judoka Linthoi Chanambam won India’s first-ever medal in Judo World Championships, by winning gold in Women’s 57kg category at World Judo Cadet (U18) Championships 2022 in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Aug 23, 2022
1. Aug 23 is observed as UN International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, the day designated by UNESCO to memorialize transatlantic slave trade.
  1. Aug 23 is also observed as Internaut Day, to mark invention of World Wide Web. An internaut is a person who possesses a thorough knowledge of how to use the Internet and its history.
2. India nominated dance form Garba to be inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.
  1. Notably, last year UNESCO had included India's Durga Puja on UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.
3. Vikram K. Doraiswami has been named India’s new High Commissioner to UK.
4. Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) joined RBI's account aggregator framework, aimed at boosting RBI-regulated financial-data sharing system.
  1. RBI Account Aggregator framework allows customers to share information with their financial service providers while giving them significant control over their data.
  2. It can help bridge gap between financial information providers (FIPs) and users, via a robustly managed customer consent design that prioritises customer interest.
Aug 22, 2022
1. Asian Development Bank Approved $96.3 million loan for India, for a project aiming to provide safe drinking water and improve water supply and sanitation services in Himachal Pradesh.
2. Govt awarded GI (Geographical Indication) Tag to Bihar’s Mithila Makhana - foxnuts, to help farmers who grow foxnuts get the maximum price for their premium produce.
  1. A geographical indication is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin.
3. Jharkhand Govt. initiated a project for Distribution of Seeds to Farmers, using Blockchain Technology, in association with Global Blockchain Firm SettleMint.
4. Aug 22 is observed by UN as International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

Aug 21, 2022

Aug 21 is observed as International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism.
1. It is also observed as World Senior Citizens' Day. Note that International Day for Older Persons is observed on October 1.
Railways conducted test run of 3.5-km long freight train called Super Vasuki, as longest and heaviest Freight Train of Indian Railways.
1. Test was conducted between Korba in Chhattisgarh and Nagpur (Maharashtra).

2022 World Junior (U-20) Wrestling Championships (Sofia, Bulgaria) -

Medal Table -

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Japan	9	1	5	15
2	Iran	7	3	6	16
3	Azerbaijan	5	1	3	9
4	United States	3	4	4	11
5	India	1	4	11	16

Notable Indian Medalists -
1. Gold - Antim Panghal (Women's freestyle 53 KG).
2. Silver - Mahendra Gaikwad (Men's Freestyle 125 KG), Sonam Malik, Priyanka, Priya Malik (Women's Freestyle 62 KG, 65 KG, 76 KG Respectively).

Aug 20, 2022
1. Aug 20 is observed as Sadbhavana Diwas, commemorating birth anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.
  1. Indian National Congress instituted Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award in 1992, an year after his death. It was last conferred upon Gopalkrishna Gandhi, in 2018 (24th edition of this award).
  2. Aug 20 is also observed as Akshay Urja diwas in India, observed since 2004, to raise awareness about the developments and adoption of renewable energy in India
  3. Aug 20 is also observed as World Mosquito Day, to raise awareness about causes of malaria and how it can be prevented. 2022 theme is Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.
    1. It commemorates discovery by British doctor Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. In 1902, Ross won Nobel Prize for Medicine becoming first British person to receive the award.
2. To augment skill training in tribal communities for their inclusive and sustainable growth, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in partnership with Seva Bharti and Yuva Vikas Society, launched second phase of Grameen Udyami Project. It aims to impart functional skills to Youth, for enabling livelihoods.
  1. Grameen Udyami project is being implemented in six states - Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
3. With commissioning of 56 MW Kawas Solar PV Project at NTPC Kawas (Gujarat), NTPC’s Group capacity rose to 69454 MW.
  1. About NTPC's Renewable Energy Portfolio -
    1. NTPC's 242 MW Solar portfolio notably includes country’s largest floating solar of 100 MW at Ramagundam in Telangana.
    2. NTPC also become world’s first Energy major to declare its Energy Compact goals, also collaborating with Niti Aayog to achieve its ‘net zero’ targets.
    3. NTPC aims to achieve 60 GW of Renewable Energy by 2032, up from 2.3 GW Presently.
4. General Conferences / News (Aug 11-20, 2022) -
  1. As per 4th advance estimates of production of major agricultural crops for 2021-22, production of Foodgrains in country estimated at 315.72 million tonnes, which is higher by 4.98 million tonnes than production of foodgrain during 2020-21.
  2. Govt Issued a commemorative postal stamp dedicated to freedom fighter Ondiveeran Pagadai (Tamilnadu).
  3. Scotland became first nation to mandate all Local bodies to offer free sanitary products to everyone.
  4. First-of-its kind database of arrested narcotics offenders has been made operational for use by various prosecution agencies, named NIDAAN (National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-offenders).
  5. Uttar Pradesh government announced to construct India's first educational township, with motto Single Entry, Multiple Exit.
  6. Mack Rutherford (British-Belgian) became youngest person to fly solo around world, completing his 5-month journey in Bulgaria. Meanwhile, he also secured 2 Guinness World Records - youngest person to fly around the world by himself, and youngest person to circumnavigate the globe in a microlight plane.
  7. 20th edition of BioAsia 2023 will be hosted in Telangana in Feb 23, as premier event for life sciences and health tech, with theme Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation of humanised healthcare.
  8. To bring forth stories of Indian freedom struggle, IT Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launched Azadi Quest, as a series of online educational games developed in collaboration with Zynga India.

Aug 19, 2022

Aug 19 - UN World Humanitarian Day, Being observed since 2009. It is dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. 2022 theme is It Takes a Village.
1. Aug 19 is also observed as World Photography Day.
Goa has been named First Har Ghar Jal certified state in Country, along with Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as First Har Ghar Jal certified UT.
1. Also, Tamil Nadu has emerged as only State which has achieved target for 2022 Q1 and Q2 for Jal Jeevan Mission, with 70 lakh households provided with tap connections.
2. Har Ghar Jal camapign is under aegis of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which was announced in August 2019, with aim to provide tap water supply to every rural home by 2024.

FIBA Under-18 Women's Asian Championship 2022 hosted in Bangalore (Karnataka).

Medal Table -

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	China	16	5	1	22
2	South Korea	7	5	9	21
3	Japan	1	11	6	18
4	Australia	1	0	1	2
5	Chinese Taipei	0	3	4	7

Aug 18, 2022
1. Govt issued Draft Indian Ports Bill 2022 for Stakeholder Consultation, which seeks to replace 114 years old Indian Ports Act 1908. Its aims to Promote integrated planning, Ensure prevention of pollution measures, Address shortfalls in dispute resolution and bring transparency and cooperation in development.
  1. It looks to homogenize development of maritime sector and promote ease of doing business by eliminating unnecessary delays, disagreements and defining responsibilities.
2. Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise VINBAX 2022 concluded at Chandimandir Cantt (Haryana).
3. Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Mandla District became first fully functionally literate district in India.
  1. A person is called functionally literate when he / she is able to write his / her own name, to count and read and write.
4. Maharashtra Govt announced Dahi-Handi to be recognized as an official sport in Maharashtra.
  1. Also, Govindas (Dahi-Handi Players) will get a job under sports category, along with life insurance cover of 10 lakh.
Aug 17, 2022
1. Namaste (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) Central Sector Scheme has been formulated Jointly by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which envisages safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India.
  1. It aims to create an enabling ecosystem that recognizes sanitation workers among key contributors of sanitation infrastructure, thereby providing sustainable livelihood and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to safety gear and machines.
  2. The Scheme has been approved with an outlay of 360 crores for four years from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
  3. Five hundred cities (converging with AMRUT cities) will be taken up under 1st phase of NAMASTE.
  4. For providing a safety net to identified SSWs and their families they will be covered under the Ayushyaman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), premium for which shall be borne under NAMASTE.
  5. National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation(NSKFDC) would be implementing agency for NAMASTE. Also, State and City Level teams shall also be formed, to monitor is execution status.
2. On Under-construction Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Last 20km stretch passing through eco-sensitive zone of Raja Ji National Park has been completed. It also includes 340 metre long Daat Kali tunnel, and Asia’s longest elevated wildlife corridor (12km).
  1. 210 KM Long Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway will reduce travel time between Dehradun-Delhi from 6 hrs to 2.30 hours.
  2. Notably, 12 km-long elevated corridor being constructed on this expressway, to protect wildlife, is first highway in India to have a wildlife protection corridor, and also Asia's longest wildlife elevated corridor (12 km).
3. Cabinet Approvals (Aug 17, 2022) -
  1. MOUs -
    1. Apprised of signing of Contract between Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (France), on behalf of International Transport Forum and India's Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), to support International Transport Forum (ITF) activities on Indian Transport Sector.
  2. General -
    1. Approved enhancement in limit of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) by Rs 50,000 crore from 4.5 Lakh crore to 5 Lakh crore, with additional amount being earmarked exclusively for enterprises in hospitality and related sectors.
      1. Additional amount of 50,000 crore would be made applicable to enterprises in hospitality and related sectors, till validity of the scheme, which is 31-03-2023.
    2. Approved Widening access of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) database to users, besides patent offices.
      1. Opening up of TKDL database to users will help drive research & development, and innovation based on India’s valued heritage across diverse fields.
      2. It is also envisaged to inculcate thought and knowledge leadership through Bharatiya Gnana Parampara, under New Education Policy 2020.
    3. Approved to restore Interest Subvention on short term agriculture loans to 1.5% for all financial institutions.
      1. Thus, Interest Subvention of 1.5% will be provided to lending institutions (Banks and Computerized PACS directly ceded with commercial banks) for FY 2022-23 to 2024-25, for lending short term agri-loans upto Rs 3 lakh to farmers.
      2. This increase in Interest Subvention support requires additional budgetary provisions of 34856 crores for period 2022-23 to 2024-25.
      3. Increase in Interest Subvention will ensure sustainability of credit flow in agriculture sector as well as ensure financial health and viability of lending institutions especially Regional Rural & Cooperative Banks.
Aug 16, 2022
1. Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) announced launch of Manthan platform, which aims to promote collaboration at scale between industry and scientific research and development ecosystem to help meet India’s sustainability goals in alignment with UN defined Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) charter.
2. India and Malaysia Held joint Air Force exercise Udarashakti, at Kuantan Air Base (Malaysia).
3. Golden Joint of Chenab Railway Bridge, which will be World’s Highest Railway Bridge, has been completed.
  1. Chenab bridge will be 35m taller than Eiffel Tower in Paris (France), and will surpass Beipan river Shuibai railway bridge (275 m) in China, being 359 meters above chenab river bed.
  2. It is designed to withstand the wind’s speeds of up to 260km per hour. It will be 1.315-km-long and will connect Bakkal (katra) and Kauri (Srinagar) in Kashmir.
  3. Bridge forms a crucial link in 111-km stretch between Katra and Banihal, as part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project.
4. Under aegis of Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) – Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), Bengaluru-based Start-up QNu Labs developed advanced secured communication through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems, to enable ultra secure communication among defence units.
  1. Indian Army has initiated process of procurement of QKD systems developed by QNu Labs, by issuing commercial Request For Proposal (RFP) and its deployment.
  2. Quantum technology has huge potential for military application, as a QKD system allows creation of a quantum secure secret pair of non-hackable symmetric keys between two end points, separated by certain distance (over 150 Kms) in terrestrial optical fiber infrastructure.
5. London home of Dadabhai Naoroji received Blue Plaque honour, that is reserved for notable personalities who have lived and worked in London.
  1. Blue Plaque honor, conferred by English Heritage charity, honours historic significance of particular buildings across London.
  2. Earlier, Blue Plaque was erected at london homes of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo, Jawaharlal Nehru, and BR Ambedkar.
  3. About -
    1. Dadabhai Naoroji, also known as the Grand Old Man of India, had served as President of Indian National Congress on 3 occasions. He was second person of Asian descent to be a British MP, after Anglo-Indian MP David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre.

Aug 15, 2022

Aug 15, 2022 - 76th Independence Day of India.
1. On this occasion -
  1. PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation from Red fort in Delhi -
    1. PM has set out a 25 year goal for India, and declared ‘paanch pran‘ or five pledges that included - an aim for a developed India, removal of any trace of colonial mindset, taking pride in our roots, unity, and sense of duty among the citizens.
  2. Ministry of Tourism, Institute of Hotel Management Srinagar and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), jointly displayed a 7500 Sq. Ft Indian Tricolour at Dal Lake, Srinagar.
  3. Govt. Launched Har Ghar Tiranga campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to hoist Tiranga to mark 75th year of India’s independence.
  4. United Kingdom government has announced a partnership with leading businesses in India to offer 75 fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study in UK from September 2022, to mark 75th anniversary of India’s independence. Additionally, British Council in India is offering around 18 scholarships for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) covering over 12,000 courses across over 150 UK universities.
  5. Other Nations that Observe their Independence Day on Aug 15 - Republic of the Congo, Liechtenstein, North Korea & South Korea, Bahrain.
2. Gallantary Awards 2022 -
  1. President Ram Nath Kovind approved 107 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces, police and paramilitary personnel on eve of Independence Day.
  2. These include 3 Kirti Chakra, 13 Shaurya Chakras, 2 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 1 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 7 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
  3. No Ashok Charka Awarded this year, known as highest peacetime Gallantry Award.
  4. Kirti Charka -
    1. Devendra Pratap Singh (Army)
    2. Sudip Sarkar (BSF)
    3. Paotinsat Guite (BSF)
  5. Shaurya Chakra -
    1. Nitin Dhaania (Army)
    2. Amit Dahiya (Army)
    3. Sandeep Kumar (Army)
    4. Abhishek Singh (Army)
    5. Havildar Ghanshyam (Army)
    6. Ragh Vendra Singh (Army)
    7. Karn Veer Singh (Army)
    8. Jasbir Singh (Army)
    9. Mritunjay Kumar (Navy)
    10. Amit Kumar (CRPF)
    11. Somay Vinayak Munde (Maharashtra Police)
    12. Ravindra Kashinath Naitam (Maharashtra Police)
    13. Tikaram Sampatrao Katenge (Maharashtra Police)
  6. Nao Sena Medal -
    1. Vineet Kumar (Navy)
  7. Vayu Sena Medal -
    1. Rahul Singh
    2. Ravi Nanda
    3. Deepika Misra
    4. Dilip Gurnani
    5. D Ravindra Rao
    6. Parmender Singh Parmar
    7. Shyam Veer Singh
Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal launched newly built State-of-the-Art ship building facility of Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited at Nazirgunge, Howrah (West Bengal). This 180 Crore facility is wholly-owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Simon Stiell as new Executive Secretary of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Govt named Rajkiran Rai G as MD of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID).
1. NaBFID was established in 2021 as principal development financial institution for infrastructure financing.

13th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2022 winners (Melbourne, Australia) -

Category	Winners
Best Film	83
Best Director	Shoojit Sircar (Sardar Udham) and Aparna Sen (The Rapist)
Best Actor	Ranveer Singh (83)
Best Actress	Shefali Shah (Jalsa)
Lifetime Achievement Award	Kapil Dev

Aug 14, 2022
1. August 14 is observed as Naga Independence Day, celebrated in states of Nagaland and Manipur.
  1. When India became independent from British rule, Nagas under Naga National Council wished to remain free. On 14 August 1947, Nagas declared independence of Naga region. Nagas did not take part in first and second general elections held in 1952 and 1957 respectively.
  2. Also, Govt decided to observe 14th August every year as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (विभाजन विभीषिका स्‍मृति दिवस), to commemorate sacrifice of people who faced pain during violence during India-Pakistan partition in 1947.
2. Guillermo Pablo Rios (Argentinean navy officer) has been named Head of Mission and Chief Military Observer for United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
3. Tech Firm Microsoft joined India's Government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which is being developed to enable small merchants across country to use advanced technology to improve commerce.
  1. ONDC was incorporated by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 31 December 2021, to develop open e-commerce.
  2. ONDC is a set of specifications designed to foster open interchange and connections between shoppers, technology platforms, and retailers.
  3. Notably, Logistics firm Shiprocket became first inter-city logistics provider to go live on govt’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), enabling sellers from all segments to ship products to cities and towns across India.

Aug 13, 2022

4th Edition of India Oman Joint Military Exercise AL NAJAH-IV, held at Foreign Training Node of Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan).
Aug 13 - World organ donation day.
1. Aug 13 is also observed as International Left-Handers Day.
2. 13 August is also commemorated as "Patriots Day" in Manipur, to honour Kangeilpak soldiers that lost their lives during Anglo-Manipur War.
India Meteorological Department (IMD), Japan Government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new initiative to accelerate climate action in 10 states / UTs across India.
1. It will support India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) to achieve net-zero emissions and ensure climate-resilient development.
2. Japan has extended USD 5.16 million in climate grant to UNDP India for this project, as part of Japan’s global support to 23 countries through UNDP’s Climate Promise - From Pledge to Impact programme.
3. Notably, cabinet had recently approval updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) to be communicated to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

India added 11 more wetlands to list of Ramsar sites (wetlands of International importance), to bring total up to 75 Ramsar sites in India.

11 new sites include 4 in Tamil Nadu, 3 in Odisha, 2 in Jammu & Kashmir and 1 each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.

New Ramsar Sites -

S.No	Name of wetland	Area in Ha	State
1.	Tampara Lake	300	Odisha
2.	Hirakud Reservoir	65400
3.	Ansupa Lake	231
4.	Yashwant Sagar	822.90	Madhya Pradesh
5.	Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary	260.47	Tamil Nadu
6.	Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex	94.23
7.	Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary	112.64
8.	Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary	96.89
9.	Thane Creek	6521.08	Maharashtra
10.	Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve	801.82	Jammu and Kashmir
11.	Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve	1675	Jammu and Kashmir

Aug 12, 2022

Aug 12 - International Youth Day, proclaimed by UN General Assembly (UNGA) in December 1999. 2022 Theme is Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.
1. Aug 12 is also Observed as World Elephant Day, being observed since 2012. On this occasion, Tamil Nadu Government notified 5th Elephant Reserve in state, at Agathiyamalai in Tirunelveli district.
2. Aug 12 is also Birth anniversary of ISRO Founder Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, knows as father of India's Space Proramme. It is observed as National Remote Sensing Day.
3. Aug 12, 2022 is also observed as World Sanskrit Day, observed on Shravan Poornima in Hindu calendar.
SMILE-75 Initiative (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) launched by Virendra Kumar (Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment), at Shelter Home (Rain Basera) near Nizammudin Metro Station in New Delhi.
1. Comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging will be done under this initiative, in identified 75 Municipal Corporations.
2. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has allocated budget of 100 crores for SMILE project, for upto 2025-26.
2022 UEFA Super Cup Football -
1. UEFA Super Cup is an annual football match organised by UEFA and contested by reigning champions of top two European club competitions, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
2. The match featured Spanish club Real Madrid (winner of 2021–22 UEFA Champions League) and German club Eintracht Frankfurt (winner of 2021–22 UEFA Europa League).
3. It was won by Real Madrid.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated UMEED Market Place under AVSAR Scheme of Airport Authority of India, at Srinagar & Jammu airports.
1. It aims at supporting local art and artisans of Self Help Groups of J&K Rural Livelihood Mission, providing a platform to market local products directly to customers.

Inflation and Trade Data for July 2022 -

Wholesale price Index Based (WPI) -
1. WPI based inflation remained 13.93% in July 2022, which is less than 15.18 % in June 2022.
2. WPI Inflation in last 6 months -
  1. June 2022 - 15.18 %
  2. May 2022 - 15.88 % (later revised to 16.63%)
  3. April 2022 - 15.08%
  4. March 2022 - 14.55%
  5. February 2022 - 13.11%
  6. January 2022 - 12.96%
  7. WPI Inflation has remained in double digits for 16 months now, due to elevated global commodity prices.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Based (retail inflation) -
1. CPI-based inflation rate for July 2022 came down to 6.71%, compared to 7.01 % in June 2022. It was still 7th straight month of retail inflation being above RBI Monetary Policy Committee’s medium-term target of 4 (+/-2) %.
2. CPI Inflation in Last 6 Months -
  1. June 2022 - 7.01%
  2. May 2022 - 7.04%
  3. April 2022 - 7.79% (8 Year High)
  4. March 2022 - 6.95%
  5. February 2022 - 6.07%
  6. January 2022 - 6.01%

Trade -

Overall Trade in July 2022 (Merchandise + Services) -
1. Overall Imports - 82.22
2. Overall Exports - 61.18
3. Overall Trade Deficit - 21.04 Billion USD
4. Compared to Last Month (June 2022)
  1. Overall Imports - 82.42
  2. Overall Exports - 64.91
  3. Overall Trade Deficit - 17.51 Billion USD

FY 23 Q1 Quarterly Trade (April - June 2022) -

		April-June 2022 (USD Billion)	April-June 2021 (USD Billion)
Merchandise	Exports	118.96	95.54
	Imports	189.76	126.96
	Trade Balance	-70.80	-31.42
Services	Exports	70.97	56.22
	Imports	45.35	30.41
	Net of Services	25.62	25.81
Overall Trade (Merchandise+ Services)	Exports	189.93	151.75
	Imports	235.11	157.37
	Trade Balance	-45.18	-5.61

Aug 11, 2022
1. Cabinet Approvals (Aug 2022) -
  1. General -
    1. Approved ratification of amendments to Constitution of Universal Postal Union (UPU) as contained in 11th Additional Protocol to the Constitution signed during 27th Congress of Universal Postal Union held at Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), in August 2021.
      1. It will enable Department of Posts (India) to have Instrument of Ratification signed by President of India and have it deposited with Director General of International Bureau of Universal Postal Union.
    2. Approved proposal of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) up to 31stDecember 2024, along with financial assistance to be provided for completion of already sanctioned 122.69 lakh houses till 31stMarch 2022.
      1. PMAY-Urban was launched in 2015, with initial demand of 100 lakh houses and tagline Housing for all by 2022. So Far, 102 lakh houses have been grounded/under construction and 62 lakh houses have been completed. Out of total sanctioned 123 lakh houses so far, proposals of 40 lakh houses were received during last 2 years of scheme. Therefore, Cabinet extended implementation period of PMAY-U till 31-12-2024.
      2. Central Assistance approved since 2015 is 2.03 lakh crores, compared to 20000 crores in 2004-2014 in earlier Urban Housing Scheme. Upto 31st March 2022, Central Assistance/subsidy of 1.18 lakh crores was released, and 85406 crores will be released till 31st December 2024.
2. Uttarakhand government named Cricketer Rishabh Pant as State Brand Ambassador.
3. ISRO Launched its Virtual Space Museum SPARK, hosting several documents, images & videos related to ISRO launch vehicles, satellites and scientific missions. It has been launched at URL spacepark.isro.gov.in
4. Microsoft partnered with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Capacity Building Commission (CBC), for a project aiming to enhance functional computer literacy skills of nearly 2.5 million Indian civil servants.
5. AIFF named Sunil Chhetri as Men’s Footballer of Year for 2021-22, while Manisha Kalyan has been named Women’s Footballer of the Year.
  1. Notably, Manisha Kalyan also recently became first Indian footballer to play at UEFA Women’s Champions League, making her debut for Apollon Ladies FC (Cyprus).

Aug 10, 2022

Aug 10 is observed as World Biofuel Day, to create awareness about importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
1. On this occasion -
  1. PM Narendra Modi dedicated 2nd generation (2G) Ethanol Plant in Panipat (Haryana) to the nation, built by IOCL at cost over 900 crores. It will utilize about 2 lakh tonnes of rice straw (parali) to generate around 3 crore litres of Ethanol annually.
    1. Notably, India will start supplying petrol with 20 % ethanol at select petrol pumps from April 2023.
2. Aug 10 is also observed as World Lion Day.
3. Aug 10 is also birth anniversary of V V Giri, 4th president of India Between 1969 - 1974.
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Uday Umesh Lalit as New (49th) Chief Justice of India, succeding Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana.
1. Justice Lalit became second Chief Justice of India to be directly elevated to the Supreme Court from the Bar, after S.M. Sikri, who served as 13 th CJI in 1971.
Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar has been re-appointed as Chief Minister of Bihar (for his 8th term).
1. Earlier, Nitish Kumar announced his resignation as Bihar CM, after breaking JD(U) - BJP’s NDA coalition, and formed a fresh government with support from RJD.
2. Also, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was named as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.
General News / Events (Aug 1-10, 2022) -
1. India and Mauritius held 1st session of India-Mauritius High-Powered Joint Trade Committee in New Delhi, which was constituted under India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership agreement (CECPA), the first trade Agreement signed by India with an African country.
2. Culture Ministry and Google launched India Ki Udaan initiative, which will Capture milestones achieved by India in its 75 year journey since independence.
3. Minister of State for Health, Bharti Pravin Pawar launched Paalan 1000 National campaign and Parenting App, aiming to reduce child mortality rate and take care of a child for first 1000 days after birth.
4. Asia's largest Compressed Biogas plant begun commercial operations in Sangrur (Punjab), with operational capacity of 33.23 tonne CBG per day.
5. Aurangabad (Maharashtra) became first smart city in India to receive Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) data from Google.
6. Govt released special commemorative postage stamp to mark 146th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya (on Aug 2), the designer of India’s national flag.
7. Drama festival 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav held at Rabindra Natya Mandir in Mumbai.
8. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador proposed a 3-men commission comprising Indian PM Narendra Modi, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Pope Francis, for promoting global peace.
9. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Vidya Rath -School on Wheels project in Guwahati, aimed at enabling economically challenged underprivileged children to access elementary education for a period of 10 months.
10. 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) held in Halifax (Canada).
  1. During the conference, India's Anurag Sharma (MP from Jhansi-Lalitpur parliamentary constituency) has been elected as International Treasurer of Parliamentary Association Conference (CPA).

44th Chess Olympiad (Hosted by Chennai (Tamilnadu)) -

Facts -
1. It was initially supposed to take place in Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia), along with Chess World Cup 2019, but was later moved to Moscow and scheduled for August 2020. However, it was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, and then relocated to Chennai following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This was the first Chess Olympiad to take place in India.
2. PM Narendra Modi had launched first-ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay at Indira Gandhi National Stadium in New Delhi on June 19, 2022. Torch travelled to 75 locations in country for 40 days, and culminating in Mahabalipuram, before heading over to FIDE Headquarters (Switzerland).
3. Official mascot was named Thambi, a chess knight dressed in traditional Tamil male attire.
4. Next (45th) Chess Olympiad will be held in Budapest (Hungary) in September 2024, followed by 46th edition to be hosted by Uzbekistan.
5. Participation -
  1. Event was contested by a total of 188 teams, representing 186 national federations, both records for a Chess Olympiad. India, as host country, was permitted to field three teams.
  2. Women's tournament featured 162 teams, also a record, representing 160 federations.
  3. Russia and Belarus were banned from taking part by FIDE as a result of the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. China & Pakistan declined to send a team.

Results -

Open -
1. 1st place (gold medalist) - Uzbekistan
2. 2nd place (silver medalist) - Armenia
3. 3rd place (bronze medalist) - India-2 (Gukesh, Nihal, Praggnanandhaa, Adhiban, Sadhwani)
4. India A Team ranked 4th.
Women's -
1. 1st place (gold medalist) - Ukraine
2. 2nd place (silver medalist) - Georgia
3. 3rd place (bronze medalist) - India (Humpy, Harika, Vaishali, Sachdev, Kulkarni)
4. India B Team ranked 8th.

Gaprindashvili Trophy -

Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy, created by FIDE in 1997 and named after former women's World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili, is given to the teams with the best combined performance in Open and Women's tournaments (sum of their positions in both results tables). It was won by the first teams of India, with USA being runners up.

#	Team	Sum of positions
1	India	7
2	United States	9
3	India-2	11

Aug 09, 2022
1. Aug 9 is observed as International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples (Also called World Tribal Day).
  1. The day was proclaimed by UNGA in 1994. August 9 marks 1st meeting of UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of Sub-Commission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights was held in 1982.
  2. August 9 also marks anniversary of atomic bombing in Nagasaki during World War II. The incident took place on August 9, 1945, when United States dropped an atomic bomb named Fat Man, on Nagasaki in Japan.
    1. Three Days Earlier, on Aug 6, An atomic bomb named Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima (Japan). The two bombings killed between 129000 and 226000 people, most of whom were civilians. It still remains only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict.
  3. Aug 9 is also observed as National Traders' Day in India, on foundation day of Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal.
2. Gustavo Petro has been named new president (and first leftist president) of South America nation Colombia.
3. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched Radio Jaighosh, to commemorate anniversary of Kakori Train Action.
  1. Radio Jaighosh community radio channel will promote folk arts, performing arts, regional delicacies of state and gallantry award winners, at 107.8 MHz.
  2. Earlier in 2021, Uttar Pradesh government renamed landmark freedom movement event Kakori Train Conspiracy as Kakori Train Action, as a tribute to revolutionaries who were hanged for robbing a train at Kakori to buy weapons in 1925. For involvement in this action, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan and Roshan Singh were hanged.
4. RBI approved setting up of operations and support subsidiary by State Bank of India (SBI), which aims to reduce cost-to-income ratio and improve cost effectiveness.
5. Ramadhar Singh (Ahmedabad University) has been named in Heritage Wall of Fame of US based Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP). He is only social psychologist from India to receive this honour.

Aug 8, 2022

13th Edition of Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise Ex Vajra Prahar 2022, commenced at Special Forces Training School in Bakloh (Himachal Pradesh).
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar laid foundation stone of Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh).
1. Technology for the CoE is provided by Israel under India-Israel Action Plan (IIAP), with funds for building infrastructure for demonstration purposes from MIDH.
2. These Centers of Excellence act as demonstration and training centers for the latest technologies in the field of Horticulture.
World Bank approved a loan of USD one billion to provide support to India's flagship PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission(PM-ABHIM), which comprises of two complementary loans of USD 500 million each namely for Transforming India's Public Health Systems for Pandemic Preparedness Program and India's Enhanced Health Service Delivery Program.
Aug 8 is observed in India as Quit India Movement Day, which marks launching of Quit India Movement at Bombay session of All India Congress Committee by M K Gandhi, on 8 August 1942, demanding end to British rule in India.
Monsoon Session of Parliament 2022 (Jul 18th - Aug 08, 2022) -
1. Notable Info disseminated During Session -
  1. Govt will set up Indian Institute of Heritage (IIH) as a Deemed to be University, at Noida (Uttar Pradesh). It will provide higher education and research in the fields of Indian heritage and conservation.
  2. Tamil Nadu topped among states, for utilisation of funds under government’s flagship Smart City Mission, followed by Uttar Pradesh.
  3. FDI Stats FY 22(2021-22) -
    1. Singapore (27.01%) and USA (17.94%) emerged as top 2 sourcing nations in FDI equity flows to India, followed by Mauritius (15.98%), Netherlands (7.86%) and Switzerland (7.31%).
    2. Among states, Karnataka and Maharashtra remained highest FDI receiving states in India in FY 22 (2021-22). Karnataka recieved 37.55 % of FDI equity inflows, followed by Maharashtra (26.26 %).
    3. As per UNCTAD World Investment Report (WIR) 2022, India improved one position to 7th rank among top FDI receiving economies for 2021-22.
  4. 2nd phase of GOAL Programme (GOAL 2.0) was launched on 28th June, 2022, to digitally upskill tribal youth by promoting entrepreneurship.
    1. GOAL (Going Online as Leaders) is a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Meta (formerly Facebook), which aims at digital empowerment of tribal youth and women. First phase of GOAL programme was launched in May 2020 and completed by Dec 2021.
  5. Rural and indigenous/tribal games namely Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified under Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games component of Khelo India Scheme.
2. Bills Summary -
  1. 5 Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament -
    1. Family Courts (Amendment) Bill 2022 -
      1. It amends Family Courts Act 1984, which allows state governments to establish Family Courts. Central government notifies dates for Act to come into force in different states.
      2. Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland have set up Family Courts in their states under the Act. However, central government has not extended application of the Act to these states.
      3. Bill seeks to extend application of the Act to the state of Himachal Pradesh, with effect from February 15, 2019, and to the state of Nagaland, with effect from September 12, 2008. Establishment of Family Courts in both the states will be retrospectively valid from these dates.
    2. Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill 2022 -
      1. It amends Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act 2005, which prohibits unlawful activities (such as manufacturing, transport, or transfer) related to weapons of mass destruction (biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons), and their means of delivery.
      2. Bill bars persons from financing any prohibited activity related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Government may freeze, seize or attach their funds, financial assets, or economic resources.
    3. Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 -
      1. Bill seeks to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. It also seeks to protect the Antarctic environment and regulate activities in the region.
      2. Key features -
        Provisions of the Bill will apply to any person, vessel or aircraft that is a part of an Indian expedition to Antarctica under a permit issued under the Bill.
        
        Govt will establish a Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection, chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences. It will grant permits for various activities, ensure compliance of relevant international laws for protection of Antarctic environment and other relevant activities.
        
        Bill prohibits certain activities in Antarctica including nuclear explosion or disposal of radioactive wastes, introduction of non-sterile soil and discharge of garbage, plastic or other substance into the sea.
        Conducting a nuclear explosion in Antarctica will be punishable with an imprisonment of 20 years, with fine over 50 crores. Drilling for mineral resources or introducing non-native animals or plants in Antarctica without a permit will be punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine 10 - 50 lakh.
    4. National Anti-Doping Bill 2021 -
      1. Bill prohibits athletes and related persons from engaging in doping in sport. Violation may result in disqualification of results and ineligibility to participate in any competition or event, and financial sanctions.
      2. Currently, anti-doping rules are implemented by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), which was established as a society. Bill provides for constituting NADA as a statutory body headed by a Director General appointed by government.
      3. National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports will be established to make recommendations to government on anti-doping regulations and compliance with international commitments on anti-doping. Board will oversee activities of NADA and issue directions to it.
      4. Board will constitute a National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel for determining consequences of anti-doping rule violations. Board will also constitute a National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel to hear appeals against decisions of Disciplinary Panel.
    5. Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2022 -
      1. Bill amends Central Universities Act 2009, which provides for establishing central universities in various states.
      2. Key features -
        Bill seeks to convert National Rail and Transportation Institute Vadodara (a deemed university) to Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, which will be a central university. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will take measures to provide quality teaching, research, and skill development in disciplines related to transportation, technology, and management. If required, the University may also establish centres in India and abroad.
        
        Existing VC of the National Rail and Transportation Institute will hold office for six months from when the Act is notified, or until new VC for Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is appointed, whichever is earlier.
3. Introduced Bills (Currently in pending State) -
  1. Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Pending in Rajya Sabha) -
    1. Bill amends the Energy Conservation Act 2001 to empower the central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. Key Features -
      1. Bill empowers central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. Carbon credit implies a tradeable permit to produce a specified amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse emissions.
      2. Obligation to use non-fossil sources of energy - Act empowers govt to specify energy consumption standards. Bill adds that govt may require designated consumers to meet a minimum share of energy consumption from non-fossil sources. Different consumption thresholds may be specified for different non-fossil sources and consumer categories. Failure to meet this obligation will be punishable with a penalty of up to 10 lakh.
      3. Energy conservation code for buildings - Act empowers govt to specify Energy Conservation Code for buildings. Code prescribes energy consumption standards in terms of area. Bill amends this to provide for an Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code, which will provide norms for energy efficiency and conservation, use of renewable energy, and other requirements for green buildings.
        Under the Act, energy conservation code applies to commercial buildings erected after notification of the Code, and having minimum connected load of 100 kilowatt (kW) or contract load of 120 kilo volt ampere (kVA). Under Bill, the new Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code will also apply to office and residential buildings meeting the above criteria. Bill also empowers state governments to lower the load thresholds.
      4. Standards for vehicles and vessels - Under the Act, the energy consumption standards may be specified for equipment and appliances which consume, generate, transmit, or supply energy. Bill expands the scope to include vehicles and vessels.
      5. Act provides for setting up of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), with governing council of 20 - 26 members. Bill amends this to provide that number of members will be between 31 - 37. It increases number of secretaries to 12, and provides for up to 7 members representing industries and consumers.
      6. Notably, Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030 from about 6.3% now.
  2. New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Pending in Rajya Sabha) -
    1. It amends New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Act 2019, which provides for setting up New Delhi International Arbitration Centre and designates it as an institute of national importance. The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre replaced the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
    2. Key features of the Bill -
      1. Bill renames New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as India International Arbitration Centre.
      2. Act requires Arbitration Centre to strive to facilitate conduct of international and domestic arbitration and conciliation. Bill expands this to include conduct of other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
      3. Act allows central government to provide for removing any difficulties in implementing the Act up to two years from the date of commencement of the Act. Bill extends this time period to five years.
  3. Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Introduced in Lok Sabha and Referred to Standing Committee) -
    1. Bill seeks to amend Competition Act 2002, to regulate mergers and acquisitions based on the value of transactions. Key Features -
      1. Regulation of combinations based on transaction value - Act prohibits any person / enterprise from entering into a combination which may cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition. Prohibition applies to transactions where parties involved have cumulative assets of more than 1000 crore, or cumulative turnover of more than 3000 crores. Bill expands the definition of combinations to include transactions with a value above 2000 crores.
      2. Act requires the CCI to pass an order on an application for approval of combinations within 210 days. The Bill reduces this time limit to 150 days.
      3. For classification of combinations, the Act defines control as control over the affairs or management by one or more enterprises over another enterprise or group. Bill modifies the definition of control as the ability to exercise material influence over the management, affairs, or strategic commercial decisions.
      4. Under the Act, anti-competitive agreements include any agreement related to production, supply, storage, or control of goods / services, which can cause an adverse effect on competition in India. Bill adds that enterprises or persons not engaged in identical businesses shall be presumed to be part of such agreements, if they actively participate in furtherance of such agreements.
      5. Under the Act, CCI may initiate proceedings against enterprises on grounds of entering into anti-competitive agreements or abuse of dominant position. Bill permits CCI to close inquiry proceedings if enterprise offers settlement (may involve payment) or commitments (may be structural or behavioural in nature).
      6. Bill changes nature of punishment for certain offences from imposition of fine to penalty.
  4. Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Introduced in Lok Sabha and Referred to Standing Committee) -
    1. Bill amends Electricity Act 2003, which regulates electricity sector in India. It sets up the Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (CERC and SERCs) to regulate inter-state and intra-state matters, respectively. Key provisions under the Bill -
      1. Act provides for multiple distribution licensees (discoms) to operate in the same area of supply. Act requires discoms to distribute electricity through their own network. Bill removes this requirement. It adds that a discom must provide non-discriminatory open access to its network to all other discoms operating in same area, on payment of certain charges.
      2. Upon grant of multiple licenses for same area, the power and associated costs as per existing power purchase agreements (PPAs) of existing discoms will be shared between all discoms.
      3. To meet any additional power requirements, a discom may enter into additional PPAs after meeting obligations of existing agreements. Such additional power need not be shared with other discoms. Under the Act, in case of multiple discoms in the same area of supply, the SERC is required to specify maximum ceiling for tariff. Bill adds that the SERC will also specify a minimum tariff for such cases.
      4. Bill adds that upon grant of multiple licenses for the same area, the state government will set up a Cross-subsidy Balancing Fund.
        Cross-subsidy refers to arrangement of one consumer category subsidising the consumption of another consumer category. Any surplus with a distribution licensee on account of cross-subsidy will be deposited into the fund.
        
        The fund will be used to finance deficits in cross-subsidy for other discoms in the same area or any other area.
      5. As per the Bill, the CERC will grant licenses for distribution of electricity in more than one state.
      6. Bill provides that electricity will not be scheduled / despatched if adequate payment security is not provided by the discom.
      7. Bill empowers the CERC / SERCs to adjudicate disputes related to performance of contracts related to sale, purchase, or transmission of electricity. Commissions will have powers of a Civil Court.
      8. Act empowers SERCs to specify renewable purchase obligations (RPO) for discoms. RPO refers to the mandate to procure a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources. Bill adds that RPO should not be below a minimum percentage prescribed by central government. Failure to meet RPO will be punishable with a penalty between 25 paise and 50 paise per kilowatt of the shortfall.
      9. Under the Act, Chairperson of Central Electricity Authority or the Chairperson of the CERC is one of the members of selection committee to recommend appointments to the SERCs. Under the Bill, instead of this person, the central government will nominate a member to the selection committee.
      10. Bill increases number of members (including the chairperson) in SERCs from three to four. Further, at least one member in both CERC and SERCs must be from law background. Under the Act, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) consists of a chairperson and three other members. Bill instead provides that the APTEL will have three or more members, as prescribed by central government.
  5. Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 (Pending in Rajya Sabha) -
    1. Bill amends Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, regulates protection of wild animals, birds and plants.
    2. Bill seeks to increase species protected under the law, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
    3. Key Features -
      1. CITES -
        It is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Under CITES, plant / animal specimens are classified into three categories, based on threat to their extinction.
        
        CITES requires countries to regulate trade of all listed specimens through permits. It also seeks to regulate possession of live animal specimens.
        
        Bill seeks to implement these provisions of CITES.
      2. Rationalising schedules -
        Currently, Act has six schedules for specially protected plants (one), specially protected animals (four), and vermin species (one). Vermin are small animals that carry disease and destroy food. Bill reduces the total number of schedules to four, by reducing number of schedules for specially protected animals to 2, removes schedule for vermin species, and inserts a new schedule for specimens listed under CITES.
      3. Obligations under CITES -
        Bill enable government to designate a Management Authority, which grants export or import permits for trade of specimens, and Scientific Authority, which gives advice on aspects related to impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.
        
        As per CITES, Management Authority may use an identification mark for a specimen. Bill prohibits any person from modifying / removing identification mark of specimen.
      4. Invasive alien species -
        Bill empowers government to regulate import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species. Invasive alien species refers to plant or animal species which are not native to India and whose introduction may adversely impact wild life or its habitat.
      5. Control of sanctuaries -
        Act entrusts state government appointed Chief Wild Life Warden to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state.
        
        Bill specifies that actions of Chief Warden must be in accordance with management plans for sanctuary.
        
        These plans will be prepared as per guidelines of central government, and as approved by Chief Warden. For sanctuaries in special areas, management plan must be prepared after due consultation with concerned Gram Sabha.
        Special areas include a Scheduled Area or areas where Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 is applicable.
      6. Conservation reserves -
        Under Act, state governments may declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve, for protecting flora and fauna, and their habitat. Bill empowers central government to also notify a conservation reserve.
      7. Surrender of captive animals -
        Bill provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to Chief Wild Life Warden. No compensation will be paid to person for surrendering such items. Surrendered items become property of the state government.

22nd Commonwealth Games 2022, Held at Birmingham (UK) -

About -
1. Motto - Sport is just the beginning.
2. 5054 Athletes from 72 Commonwealth Nations participated in 280 Events of 20 sports.
3. Perry, a multi-coloured bull is Official mascot of 2022 Commonwealth Games.
4. Cricket was re-included in Commonwealth Games 2022, having previously been in Kuala Lumpur Games of 1998. Indian Women won Silver in Cricket at CWG 2022, after Australia beat India in Final.

Medal Tally -

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Australia	67	57	54	178
2	England	57	66	53	176
3	Canada	26	32	34	92
4	India	22	16	23	61
5	New Zealand	20	12	17	49
6	Scotland	13	11	27	51
7	Nigeria	12	9	14	35
8	Wales	8	6	14	28
9	South Africa	7	9	11	27
10	Malaysia	7	8	8	23

India at CWG 2022 -

Indian Flag Bearers -
1. PV Sindhu (Badminton) & Manpreet Singh (Hockey) - opening ceremony.
2. Nikhat Zareen (Boxer) & Sharath Achanta (Table Tennis) - closing ceremony.
India Finished 4th with 61 Medals (22 Gold, 16 Silver and 23 Bronze), compared to 3rd position in Earlier (2018) CWG Games.

Indian Gold Medalists at CWG 2022 -

Name	Sport	Event
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu	Weightlifting	Women's 49 kg
Jeremy Lalrinnunga		Men's 67 kg
Achinta Sheuli		Men's 73 kg
Rupa Rani Tirkey Nayanmoni Saikia Lovely Choubey Pinki Singh	Lawn bowls	Women's fours
Harmeet Desai Sanil Shetty Sharath Achanta Sathiyan Gnanasekaran	Table tennis	Men's team
Sudhir	Para powerlifting	Men's heavyweight
Bajrang Punia	Wrestling	Men's freestyle 65 kg
Sakshi Malik		Women's freestyle 62 kg
Deepak Punia		Men's freestyle 86 kg
Ravi Kumar Dahiya		Men's freestyle 57 kg
Vinesh Phogat		Women's freestyle 53 kg
Naveen Malik		Men's freestyle 74 kg
Bhavina Patel	Table tennis	Women's singles C3–5
Nitu Ghanghas	Boxing	Women's 48 kg
Amit Panghal	Boxing	Men's 51 kg
Eldhose Paul	Athletics	Men's triple jump
Nikhat Zareen	Boxing	Women's 50 kg
Sharath Achanta Sreeja Akula	Table tennis	Mixed doubles
P. V. Sindhu	Badminton	Women's singles
Lakshya Sen		Men’s singles
Chirag Shetty Satwiksairaj Rankireddy		Men’s doubles
Sharath Achanta	Table tennis	Men's singles

Aug 7, 2022
1. Aug 7 is observed as National Handloom Day, being observed since 2015.
  1. It commemorates Swadeshi movement that was launched On Aug 7, 1905.
  2. It focuses on contribution of handloom to the socio economic development of the country and also increase the income of weavers.
2. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced to observe National Javelin Day on Aug 07, as it was on this day in 2021 that Neeraj Chopra won Olympic gold medal with a throw of 87.58 metres. It was India’s first track and field medal in the Olympic Games.
3. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated First Flight of New Commercial Airline Akasa Air, from Mumbai to Ahmedabad.
  1. It has been promoted by Late Indian billionaire Investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, who held 46% in Akasa Air.
4. ISRO's maiden Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), carrying earth observation satellite EOS-02 and co-passenger student satellite AzaadiSAT, faced data loss issue after launch, making Satellites unusable after getting placed in an unstable orbit.
  1. AzaadiSAT satellite has been built by over 750 girl students from across India, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration. AzaadiSAT is a small size 8kg satellite, equipped with 75 Femto experiments, selfie cameras and solar panels.
5. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has been honoured with dPal rNgam Duston award by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), as highest civilian honour of Ladakh.
6. Indian Army conducted a pan-India satellite communication exercise named ‘Ex Skylight’, to test operational readiness and robustness of satellite communication systems.
Aug 6, 2022
1. Jagdeep Dhankhar of Bharatiya Janata Party has been elected as new (14th) Vice President of India.
  1. Vice President of India is also officiating Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper house of the parliament).
2. Divita Rai from Karnataka won title of Miss Diva Universe 2022.
  1. She will now Represent India at 71st Miss Universe pageant, to be held on 14 January 2023 in USA.
  2. India's Harnaaz Sandhu had won global title of Miss Universe 2021 (70th Edition).
3. Haryana Govt. announced Chief Minister Equal Education Relief, Assistance and Grant (Cheerag) programme, which will allow government school students from Economically Weaker Section (EWS) sections, to attend private schools and receive free education.
  1. It will be applicable for government school children in grades 2 to 12, enabling them to enrol in private schools.
  2. To qualify, parents’ verifiable annual income must be less than 1.8 lakh.
4. Uttar Pradesh government announced Panchamrut Yojana, which aims to help achieve goal of doubling farmers’ income through introduction of cost-effective technical measures and promotion of co-cropping method.
  1. State Government will also honour farmers who implement Panchamrut scheme and enhance productivity of land and their income, with ‘Uttam Sugarcane Farmer’ awards.
5. 2022 SAFF U 20 Football (Hosted by India) -
  1. India won the title (their 2nd), defeating Bangladesh in final.
Aug 05, 2022
1. Canadian scholar Jeffrey Armstrong has been awarded Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Distinguished Indologist Award for 2021.
2. Indo - Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najaf IV held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan).
3. RBI's composite financial inclusion index (FI-Index) capturing the extent of financial inclusion across the country rose to 56.4 in March 2022, compared to 53.9 in March 2021.
  1. It comprises three broad parameters - access (35% weightage), usage (45% weightage) and quality (20% weightage).
4. France bestowed its highest civilian honour - Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, for his writings and speeches.
5. Uttarakhand government announced to develop one Sanskrit-speaking village in each of the 13 districts in state.
Aug 4, 2022
1. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission (Dharampur) in Valsad district (Gujarat) -
  1. It includes Inauguration of Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital, Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital and laying foundation stone of Shrimad Rajchandra Centre of Excellence for Women.
2. UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution that recognised everyone’s right to a healthy environment, to help reduce environmental degradation and combat climate change.
3. A new scheme called State University Research Excellence (SERB-SURE) has been launched by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), to augment research capabilities in a structured way, and create a robust R&D ecosystem in state and private universities / colleges.
4. Misc. Science News (August 2022) -
  1. Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched India’s first truly indigenously developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus developed by KPIT-CSIR in Pune. Fuel cell utilizes Hydrogen and Air to generate electricity to power the bus and the only effluent from the bus is water, making it most environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
  2. India’s first commercial space situational awareness observatory will be set up in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, by Bengaluru-based start-up Digantara. It will be used to track satellites and space debris.
  3. New Bat species has been discovered in India and Sri Lanka, with distinct physical characteristics including longer fingers. New species has been named Miniopterus Phillipsi after W W A Philips, for his contributions to studies on mammals of Sri Lanka and South Asia.
  4. Nilekani Centre at AI4Bharat has been inaugurated at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, to advance state of Indian language technology. It has been Funded through a grant of 36 Crores from Nilekani Philanthropies.
  5. Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched India’s first saline water lantern named Roshini, which uses seawater to power Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps. It was unveiled at Chennai based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
  6. IIT Guwahati Researchers created a fermentation process that uses ultrasound to safely generate food additive and sugar substitute Xylitol, from sugarcane bagasse. Use of ultrasound during fermentation process reduced time of fermentation to 15 hours, and also increased yield of product by 20%.
  7. World’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains launched in Lower Saxony (Germany), establishing hydrogen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
5. As per Fortune 500 List 2022 -
  1. 9 Indian companies have been featured in list of 500 top companies globally (measured by revenue).
  2. Top 3 Indian Companies in list -
    1. Life Insurance Corporation (98)
    2. Reliance Industries Limited (104)
    3. Indian Oil Corporation (142)
  3. Top 3 Companies globally -
    1. Walmart
    2. Amazon
    3. State Grid (China)
Aug 3, 2022
1. Misc. Sports News (Aug 2022) -
  1. India ranked 3rd (jointly with Singapore) at 15th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), held in Kutaisi (Georgia).
  2. V Pranav became India’s 75th Chess Grand Master, by winning Limpedea Open in Baia Mare (Romania).
  3. Noted American Tennis Player Serena Williams announced her retirement from Tennis.
  4. World football’s governing body FIFA lifted suspension imposed on All India Football Federation (AIFF), which was put after citing third party interference. Ban stayed for 11 days.
  5. India’s 1st Composite Indoor Shooting Range inaugurated at Indian Navy's INS Karna.
  6. Four new members have been appointed to International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission - Allyson Felix - Sprinter (USA), Alistair Brownlee - Triathlon (UK), Oluseyi Smith - Sprinter (Canada), Masomah Ali Zada (first refugee athlete on any IOC commission).
  7. Tata Steel India Chess Tournament Kolkata 2022 winners - Nihal Sarin (Rapid), Arjun Erigaisi (Blitz).
  8. American female powerlifter Tamara Walcott broke powerlifting Guinness World Record after lifting 737.5 kg across three compound lifts - squat, bench press, and deadlift.
  9. Ireland Cricketer Kevin O’Brien announced retirement from international cricket.
  10. Karim Benzema (France) and Alexia Putellas (Spain) have been named UEFA men’s and women’s player of the year 2022.
  11. Virat Kohli became first Indian Cricketer and just the second player overall in international cricket, to have played 100 matches each in all three formats.
  12. England’s James Anderson become first-ever fast bowler to complete 950 wickets in international cricket, by getting past Australia’s Glenn McGrath (949 wickets). Ahead of James Anderson are Muttiah Muralitharan (1347 wickets), Shane Warne (1001 wickets) and Anil Kumble (956 wickets).
  13. Athletics Federation of India partnered with HSBC India to support young women athletes of country.
  14. Month-long Rajiv Gandhi Rural Olympic Games held in Jodhpur (Rajasthan).
2. To promote self-sufficiency in Fertilisers, India’s phosphatic fertiliser Firm Coromandel International Ltd formalized acquisition of 45% equity in Senegal based rock phosphate mining company Baobab Mining and Chemicals Corporation (BMCC).
  1. Under it, mining will be done in Senegal and production of DAP will be done in India, which will include 10 LMT of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK).
3. New Appointments in Central Vigilance Commission -
  1. Central Vigilance Commissioner - Suresh N. Patel.
  2. Vigilance Commissioners - Praveen Kumar Srivastava, Arvinda Kumar.
  3. About -
    1. Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003 provides for appointment of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners, with tenure of four years or till 65 years age.
4. India added 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites, to bring total to 64 sites.
  1. 10 new sites include 6 in Tamil Nadu and 1 each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
  2. List of new Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of International Importance) -
    1. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
    2. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
    3. Vembannur Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu)
    4. Vellode Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
    5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
    6. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
    7. Satkosia Gorge (Odisha)
    8. Nanda Lake (Goa)
    9. Ranganathituu (Karnataka)
    10. Sirpur wetland (Madhya Pradesh)
  3. About -
    1. India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar (Iran), in 1971.
5. Cabinet Approvals (Aug 3, 2022)
  1. General -
    1. Approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
      1. Updated NDC seeks to enhance India’s contributions towards achievement of strengthening of global response to climate change, as agreed under Paris Agreement.
      2. Earlier, at 26th session of Conference of the Parties (COP26) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow (UK), expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action.
        This NDC update translates Panchamrit announced at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets, as a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070.
        
        The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070.
      3. Background -
        India had submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to UNFCCC on October 2, 2015.
        
        2015 NDC comprised eight goals, three of these have quantitative targets upto 2030 namely -
        Cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources to reach 40%.
        
        Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33 to 35 percent% compared to 2005 levels.
        
        Careation of additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover.
      4. Now -
        As per updated NDC, India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 % by 2030, from 2005 level and achieve about 50 % cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
      5. Recognizing that lifestyle has a big role in climate change, India at COP 26, proposed a ‘One-Word Movement’, to the global community, called LIFE (Lifestyle For Environment).
Aug 02, 2022
1. Fit @50+ Women's Trans Himalayan Expedition 2022, led by Bachendri Pal (Noted mountaineer and First Indian woman to conquer Mt. Everest), completed its 5 Month long Expedition.
  1. It was flagged off on March 8 (International Women’s Day), in New Delhi.
2. West Bengal government announced to create 7 new districts in state, taking number of districts up to 30.
  1. New districts will be Sundarban, Ichhamati, Basirhat, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur and Berhampore.
3. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik released book Lockdown Lyrics, as collection of poems written by Sanjukta Dash.
4. New book Dangerous Earth, by noted Marine biologist Ellen Prager has been released.
5. Book Lion of the Skies: Hardit Singh Malik, written by Stephen Barker has been released.
  1. Hardit Singh Malik was first Indian High Commissioner to Canada, and then Indian Ambassador to France. He was first Indian to fly as a pilot with Royal Flying Corps in First World War.

Aug 01, 2022

Aug 01 is observed as Muslim Women’s Rights Day, to mark enacting of law that made Triple Talaq a criminal offence. Triple Talaq Bill was passed by Both houses in July 2019. The day is observed since 2020.

2022 World Cadets Wrestling Championships (Rome, Italy) -

Medal Table -

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	India	7	1	6	14
2	United States	5	6	3	14
3	Azerbaijan	3	4	7	14
4	Japan	3	4	2	9
5	Iran	2	4	6	12

With 14 Medals (7 Gold, 1 Silver and 6 Bronze), India topped the medal table.
Gold Winners for India -
1. Mor Sachin (Men's Freestyle 80 KG)
2. Suraj (Men's Geco-Roman 55 KG)
3. Muskan (Women's Freestyle 40 KG)
4. Ritika (Women's Freestyle 43 KG)
5. Savita (Women's Freestyle 61 KG)
6. Harshita (Women's Freestyle 69 KG)
7. Priya (Women's Freestyle 73 KG)

Gross GST revenue collected in July 2022 stood at 1.49 Lakh crores (CGST 25751 crore, SGST 32807 crore, IGST 79518 crore and cess 10920 crore). This is second highest revenue since introduction of GST.
1. Earlier in April 2022, all-time high GST Collection of 1.68 lakh crores was recorded.
Misc. Appointments (Aug 2022) -
1. Satyendra Prakash has been named as Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB).
2. World Bank named Auguste Tano Kouamé (Côte d'Ivoire) as Country Director for India.
3. Ravinder Takkar (MD and CEO of Vodafone Idea), has been named as its new chairman.
4. Ranjit Rath has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Oil India Ltd (OIL).
5. Unity Small Finance Bank appointed Inderjit Camotra as its MD & CEO.
6. Noted Indian former chess player Viswanathan Anand has been elected as deputy president of International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation (FIDE).
7. Piyush Goyal has been appointed by Govt as CEO of NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid), which is central organization for intelligence gathering with aim of enhancing India’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
8. FMCG Major Dabur India named Mohit Burman as Chairman.
9. Govt re-nominated 4 directors on RBI Central board - Satish Kashinath Marathe, Swaminathan Gurumurthy, Revathy Iyer, and Sachin Chaturvedi.
  1. RBI Board has 5 Official (Governor and upto 4 Deputy Governors), and 14 Non official directors (10 Nominated by Government and 4 from each of 4 local boards).
10. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres named India’s Electronics and Information Technology Secretary, Alkesh Kumar Sharma, to a panel of eminent experts on internet governance.
11. Indian philanthropist Ashish Dhawan has been appointed to board of trustees of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
12. Rajesh Verma has been appointed as Secretary to President Droupadi Murmu.
13. Odia scientist Debasisa Mohanty has been named Director of National Institute of Immunology (NII).
14. Military officer Abdoulaye Maiga has been named as interim Prime Minister of Mali (West Africa).
15. Govt named Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan (Associate professor at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research), as a whole-time member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Misc. Defence News / Events (Aug 2022) -
1. Indian Navy's INS Tarkash conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Naval Ships in North Atlantic Ocean.
2. Female Officers of Indian Navy's INAS 314 based at Naval Air Enclave (Porbandar) completed first all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in North Arabian Sea, onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft.
3. As a boost for Aatmanirbharta in Defence Sector, US Navy Ship (USNS) Charles Drew arrived at L&T’s Shipyard at Kattupalli (Chennai), for undertaking First ever repair of a US Navy ship in India.
4. Indian Army launched Him Drone-a-thon programme, in collaboration with Drone Federation of India, to develop path-breaking drone capabilities for meeting requirements of frontline troops.
5. DRDO and Indian Navy successfully flight tested indigenously developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from Integrated Test Range Chandipur (Odisha).
6. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh handed over several indigenously-developed equipment and systems to Indian Army, which notably includes Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS), New generation anti-personnel mine Nipun and Landing Craft Assault (LCA) boats.
7. South Korea, US and Japan held biennial combined ballistic missile defence exercise Pacific Dragon, in Hawaii (US).
8. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu presented President's colour to Tamil Nadu Police, as highest honour given to military, paramilitary and police forces of States / UTs.
9. India gifted a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka, to enable it to tackle several maritime challenges better.
10. South Korea and USA began their large scale joint military drill Ulchi Freedom Shield.
11. Taurus Sainik Aramgrah at Delhi Cantt has been inaugurated, as first of its kind facility constructed by Indian Army as an Equal Value Infrastructure Project, in collaboration with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Obituaries (Aug 2022) -
1. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala - Noted Stock Investor, known as Big Bull of India, for his stock predictions and bullish outlooks.
2. Pradeep Shantaram Patwardhan - Noted Marathi Actor.
3. Nirmala Mishra - Noted singer (Bengali & Odia).
4. Fidel Valdez Ramos - Former president of Philippines.
5. Johnny Famechon - Former Australian featherweight boxing world champion.
6. Rudi Koertzen - Former international cricket umpire (from South Africa).
7. Uma Pemmaraju - Noted Indian American journalist.
8. Narayan - Kerala’s first tribal novelist and short story writer.
9. Abdul Gaffar Nadiadwala - Noted film producer.
10. Samar ‘Badru’ Banerjee - Former Indian Footballer. He captained India at 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where India achieved 4th place. It was Indian Football team's best performance at Olympics so far.
11. Syed Sibtey Razi - Former Governor of Assam, Jharkhand.
12. Abhijit Sen - Noted economist, former Planning Commission member and a Padma Bhushan awardee.
Misc. Financial News (Aug 2022) -
1. Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved combination involving amalgamation of Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC Limited) , HDFC Bank, HDFC Investments and HDFC Holdings.
  1. Step 1 - Amalgamation of HDFC Investments and HDFC Holdings with HDFC Limited.
  2. Step 2 - Amalgamation of amalgamated HDFC Limited into HDFC Bank, such that HDFC Bank will be the surviving entity.
2. RBI cancelled licence of Deccan Urban Co-operative Bank (Vijayapur, Karnataka) & Rupee Co-operative Bank (Pune).
3. RBI lifted business restrictions imposed on American Express Banking Corp, approx 15 months after imposing them.
4. RBI announced new Digital Lending Norms, to regulate digital loans and check malpractices. These norms have been framed after taking into accout Recommendations of Working group on Digital Lending, which was formed under chairmanship of Jayant Kumar Dash.
5. Govt removed upper and lower price cap placed on Domestic Flight Ticket Prices, w.e.f. Aug 31, 2022.
6. BSE and NSE stock exchanges approved Zee Entertainment's merger with Sony Pictures Networks India.
7. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) of Deutsche Bank AG at Gujarat International Finance-Tec City (GIFT City) in Ahmedabad.
8. RBI imposed penalty of 2.33 crore on Hyderabad based NBFC Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited, for non-compliance with certain RBI directions.
9. Federal Bank became India's first bank to list its Payment Gateway platform on TIN 2.0 platform of the Income Tax Department.
10. SBI became first Indian Bank to frame a policy to fund makers of lab-grown diamonds.
11. Kerala government launched Lucky Bill App, to enable people to upload original bills and also stand a chance to win prizes, to curb GST evasion.
12. As per American investment firm Morgan Stanley, India’s GDP growth will average 7% during FY 23 (2022-23), becoming fastest-growing Asian economy and contributing 28% and 22% to Asian and global growth, respectively.
13. SBI introduced term deposit programme called Utsav Deposit Scheme, with higher interest rates and available for a limited time period.
14. SBI launched its first branch dedicated to start-ups in Koramangala (Bengaluru). Next Startups dedicated SBI branches will be opened in Gurgaon and Hyderabad.
15. Indian IT Firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) partnered with American Commercial Bank Five Star Bank, for its digital transformation journey.
16. Noted Industrialist Ratan Tata launched old age companionship services startup Goodfellows.
17. HDFC ERGO launched India’s first one-stop solution portal for Electric Vehicles Ecosystem, named All things EV.
18. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and TATA Power Subsidiary TP Renewable Microgrid Ltd (TPRMG) partnered to launch green energy businesses programme, aiming to build 1000 green energy businesses across nation.
19. AirAsia became India's first Airline to collaborate with CAE (Canadian Aviation Electronics), to integrate CAE Rise Training System into airline’s simulator training program.
20. Bank of Baroda-backed BOB Financial Solutions launched Yoddha co-branded RuPay credit card for Indian Army personnel.
21. Vehicle manufacturer Maruti Suzuki completed 40 years of operations in India. On this occasion, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated company’s electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant at Hansalpur (Gujarat) and passenger vehicle plant at Kharkhoda (Haryana).
22. India reportedly surpassed China, UK to become 10th largest life insurer globally.
23. India's Bengaluru (Karnataka) ranked second in Asia Pacific region in top tech hubs list, only behind China's Beijing, according to report by Cushman and Wakefield.
Misc. MOUs (Aug 2022) -
1. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) signed Heads of Agreement (HoA) with global petroleum giant ExxonMobil for Deepwater exploration in East and West coasts of India. It focuses on Krishna Godavari and Cauvery Basins in eastern offshore and Kutch-Mumbai region in western offshore.
2. Indian Oil signed MoU with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for transcontinental relocation of Cheetah in its historical range in India.
  1. This came after MoU signed between India and Namibia, on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization, for establishing cheetah back in India.
  2. Indian Oil is first corporate to come forward to support Project Cheetah under CSR.
3. Indian Navy signed MoU with Ahmedabad based Space Applications Centre (ISRO) on data sharing and cooperation on Satellite based Naval Applications in Oceanology and Meteorology.
4. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) signed MoU with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Ltd. (MAHAPREIT). Under it, IREDA will offer financing facilities to MAHAPREIT for Renewable Energy projects to be implemented for state utilities, local bodies and Renewable Energy Parks.
5. NHPC signed MoU with PTC India Limited, for sale of power to be generated from upcoming West Seti & Seti River-6 Projects in Nepal.
6. Tripartite agreement for swift development of modern Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLP) under Bharatmala Pariyojna, has been signed by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). It aims at centralizing freight consolidation and reduce logistics cost from 14% to less than 10% of GDP at par with International Standards.
7. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment signed MOU with National Health Authority, for providing Comprehensive Medical Package to Transgender Persons.
8. Airports Authority of India (AAI) and LFV Air Navigation Services of Sweden signed MOU to jointly explore smart aviation solutions.
9. MoU signed between National Health Authority (NHA) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, to provide an inclusive and composite health package for Transgender Persons under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY.
10. MoU signed between National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and IIT Kanpur, to boost research in development of digital payment solutions.
11. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed MoU to establish its first international marketing and sales office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), amid HAL Tejas being considered by Malaysia for inclusion in Malaysian Air Force.
OP Jindal Group Chairperson Savitri Jindal became Asia’s richest woman (with net worth $11.3 billion), surpassing China’s Yang Huiyan, as per real-time Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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