Current Affairs - August 2020

Month Aug 2020 Type National

146 Current Affairs were found in Month - Aug 2020 for Type - National

National

1. Minister of State for HRD, Electronics, Communication, and IT, Sanjay Dhotre inaugurated Bharat AirFibre Services at Akola in

Maharashtra, enabling residents of Akola & Washim district to get Wireless Internet Connections on demand.

Bharat Air Fibre services are introduced by BSNL, which aims at providing Wireless Connectivity within 20 KMs from BSNL

Locations.

2. Orunodoi / Arunodoi Scheme of Assam Govt will be launched on Oct 02, 2020, which will provide Assistance of 830 per month

to around 17 Lakh Families in state, with under 2 Lakh as annual income. This is in addition to annual income of 10000 that will

be provided.

Women being primary caretaker of family are kept as beneficiaries of the scheme.

3. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant inaugurated Online Performance Dashboard Empowering Tribals, Transforming India

developed by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as an interactive platform with real-time details of initiatives by Ministry of Tribal Affairs

to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

4. 24 Apps have been awarded under AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge, out of Approx 6940 entries, which was

launched in July 2020.

The first of its kind, App Innovation challenge sought entries for 9 different categories.

Another 20 Apps were identified for Special Mention which have a great potential in being Apps for future.

Three Prizes are conferred In each category, with prize money 20 Lakh, 15 Lakh and 10 Lakh Respectively.

5. 4 more States/UT (Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland and Uttarakhand) have been linked with One Nation One Ration

Card scheme, taking number of States/UTs connected under scheme.

With this, about 65 crores (80%) of total NFSA population is now potentially enabled for receiving food grains anywhere in

these States/UTs through national portability of ration cards. Remaining States/UTs are to be integrated by March 2021.

One Nation One Ration Card aims to ensure delivery of food security entitlements to all beneficiaries covered under National

Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA).

6. 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held in Goa in November 2020. Due to Covid 19, it would screen films on

official digital platform along with theatrical screenings.

7. 78 new routes under 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UdeDesh Ka AamNagrik (UDAN) have been approved

by Ministry of Civil Aviation, to enhance connectivity to remote areas.

So far, 766 routes have been sanctioned under UDAN scheme. 29 served, 08 unserved (including 02 heliports and 01 water

aerodrome), and 02 underserved airports have been included in list for approved routes.

Since its inception, MoCA has operationalized 274 UDAN routes that have connected 45 airports and 3 heliports.

8. India@75 Summit – Mission 2022 organised Virtually by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), with focus on ‘reinventing

technology in India’.

9. Goa’s traditional festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) has obtained Geographical

Indication (GI) tag from Geographical Indications Registry.

GI registration is administered by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999, which protects

produce from being illegally used and ensures benefits to local growers.

10. Swachh Survekshan 2020 Survey Report -

Rankings -

Cities (1 L - 10 L) - Ambikapur (CG), Mysore (Karnataka), New Delhi (NDMC)

Cities (>10 L) - Indore (MP, Adjuged as Cleanest City in India for 4th time in a row), Surat (Gujarat), Navi

Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Jalandhar Cantt Named cleanest Cantonment Board.

States (< 100 ULBs) - Jharkhand (1), Haryana (2), Uttarakhand (3)

States (> 100 ULBs) - Chhattisgarh (1), Maharashtra (2), Madhya Pradesh (3)

Ganga T0wns - Chunar, UP (1), Bithoor, UP (2), Gaucher, Uttarakhad (3)

Other Highlights -

Cities Of Indore, Ambikapur, Navi Mumbai, Surat, Rajkot And Mysuru Rated As 5-Star Cities. 86 Cities ranked 3-Star

And 64 Cities As 1-Star.

New Performance Category—"Prerak Dauur Samman” Introduced in SS 2021, With Five Additional Sub Categories.

Background -

SS 2016 survey was conducted for rating 73 cities, followed by SS 2017 ranking 434 cities.

SS 2018, (world’s largest cleanliness survey) ranked 4203 cities, followed by SS 2019 which covered 4237 cities.

SS 2020 surveyed total 4242 cities, 62 Cantonment Boards and 97 Ganga Towns.

11. A Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has been set up in Karnataka under the aegis of National Pharmaceutical Pricing

Authority (NPPA), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It will function at the State level under direct supervision of the State

Drug Controller for increasing outreach of NPPA.

12. Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched Krishi Megh (National Agricultural Research &

Education System -Cloud Infrastructure and Services) along with KVC ALUNET (Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Chhatr Alumni

Network) and Online Accreditation System for Higher Agricultural Educational Institutions (HEI).

Krishi Megh will help in meeting requirements of Digital Agriculture of National Agricultural Research and Education

System (NARES).

National Agricultural Higher Education Project is designed for strengthening national agricultural education system, to

provide more relevant and high-quality education to agricultural students.

13. An MoU has been signed between Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Council of Scientific & Industrial

Research (CSIR), aimed at collaborative research and information dissemination in area of food and nutrition.

Also, Rockefeller Foundation selected India's FSSAI among 10 global organizations for Food Systems Vision Prize, for its ‘Eat

Right India’ movement.

Award recognizes organisations that developed inspiring vision of regenerative food system that they aspire to create by

2050.

14. Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched YSR Cheyutha Scheme 2020, aimed at making women self-reliant by

promoting entrepreneurship in them.

State government has allocated 4,500 crore for the scheme. in addition.

YSR Cheyutha Scheme will benefit around 23 lakh women who belong to SC, ST, BC, and minority communities and are in

the age group of 45-60 years. They will get incentives of Rs. 18,750 per annum (75000 in four years).

Beneficiaries will also be extended loans that will be worth 3 -4 times value of amount received under YSR Cheyutha with

help of banks.

State government also plans to launch YSR Asara Scheme, aimed at providing relief to about 90 lakh women who belong to

9.33 lakh DWCRA groups by waiving their outstanding loans which amount to 27,168 crores.

15. Andhra Pradesh Government launched new State Industrial Development Policy for years 2020-23, aimed at creating

employment. Key Features -

It envisages multi-faceted end-to-end business enablement centre that will offer 10 services to investors throughout entire

life cycle of industry.

Services from multiple state agencies will be integrated under an end-to-end business enablement centre YSR AP One.

Policy paves way to develop infrastructure facilities targeting MSMEs at affordable rates.

Industrial zoning is to be the key focus area of policy to ensure planned industrial development.

Policy will ensure minimised environmental impacts amidst industrial development.

It will enable faster approval process and enable district level interventions.

State Government will create 30 skill development centres and 2 skill development universities under policy.

16. Andhra Pradesh government signed MOU with Reliance Retail and Allana Group to help members of women self-help groups

market their products.

17. Andhra Pradesh government signed agreement with Hyderabad-based Indian School of Business (ISB), to devise strategies to

achieve economic recovery and growth in the post Covid-19 period.

18. Andhra Pradesh governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan gave his assent to AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All

Regions Bill 2020 and AP Capital Region Development Authority (Repeal) Bill 2020. This has Cleared legislative hurdles of state

Govt's plans to have three capitals for Andhra Pradesh.

19. Antibiotic resistant priority pathogens that were published by World Health Organization in 2017, as greatest threat to human

lives, have been found in River Yamuna.

IIT Delhi Researchers found Beta-lactamases-Enzymes that help bacteria stay resistant to commonly used antibiotics,

showing poor sewage collection and lack of sewage treatment plants.

20. Arunachal Pradesh Government passed resolution to bring state under Schedule VI of Indian Constitution.

6th schedule provides for administration of tribal areas in Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram, safeguarding rights of

tribal population.

It was included based on reports of Bardoloi Committee that was formed by Constituent Assembly.

21. As per Govt Data, India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming. Sikkim

became first State in the world to become fully organic. North East India has traditionally been organic and the consumption of

chemicals is far less than rest of country.

Government had launched two dedicated programs in 2015 to provide a boost to natural, organic and chemical-free farming

- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

Agri-export Policy 2018 also aims to help India emerge as a major player in global organic markets.

India’s major organic exports include flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.

22. As per ICMR Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, number of cancer patients in India are to increase to 15.7 lakhs by 2025,

from 13.9 lakh in 2020. Tobacco related cancers account for 27 of India’s cancer cases, with highest incidence observed in North

East.

23. As per Ministry of Coal, India aims for 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030, to be achieved through investments worth

4 lakh crores.

Coal Gasification is process by which coal is converted into synthesis gas, called Syngas, mixture of Carbon Monoxide,

Hydrogen, Carbon Dioxide.

Syngas is used in applications such as making fertilizers. It will reduce India's Urea Imports.

24. As per Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Odisha remained at first position among states, in terms of AMRUT Scheme (Atal

Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Implementatoion.

It aims to provide piped water supply to households in urban areas of the state.

Odisha is followed by Chandigarh, Telangana, Gujarat and Karnataka.

25. Assam Cabinet passed resolution to set up a Skill University at MAngaldoi in Assam, with investment of 900 crores, as assistance

from Asian Development Bank.

Cabinet also approved People of Assam can apply for Group III and Group IV exams up to 40 years.

26. Aviation security regulator BCAS issued guidelines for drone operating systems, which would act like cockpits on ground to

remotely pilot unmanned aerial vehicle.

Owners of any unmanned aerial vehicle will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones. Except for nano

category, for remaining every flight the users will require permission to fly on a mobile app.

Any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to takeoff to prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure

public safety.

Unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) regulates the drone airspace and coordinates closely with defence and

civilian air traffic controllers (ATCs) to ensure that unmanned aerial vehicles remain on approved flight paths.

27. Bharti Airtel signed multi-year strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS), cloud arm of Amazon, to

deliver cloud solutions to large enterprise and small and medium enterprise (SME) customers in India.

28. Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) signed MOU with IIT-Delhi to set up a geographical information system-based

platform for air quality management.

29. Bureau of Indian Standards prepared draft standard for supply of piped drinking water, aimed at providing safe and adequate

drinking water to rural households by 2024. Key Recommendations Include -

Drinking water should conform to Indian Standard (IS) 10500.

At water reservoirs in distribution system, water should be sampled every eight hours.

30. Cabinet Approvals (Aug 19, 2020) -

General -

Approved leasing out 3 airports (Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram) airports of Airports Authority of India

(AAI) to Adani Enterprises Ltd, through Public Private Partnership (PPP). Adani Enterprises will take over Operation,

Management and Development of these Airports, for 50 years.

Approved creation of National Recruitment Agency (NRA), to bring transformational reform in recruitment

process for central government jobs.

NRA will conduct a Common Eligibility Test (CET), as first-level /Tier I Examination, to screen candidates for

Group B and C (non-technical) posts in Railways, Central Departments, SSC and Banks.

It aims at saving candidates from paying fees for multiple exams and travelling long distances to appear in exams.

CET score shall be valid for three years. Best of valid scores shall be deemed to be current score of candidate.

NRA shall conduct a separate CET each for three levels of graduate, higher secondary (12th pass) and the

matriculate (10th pass).

Initially, scores would be used by three major recruitment agencies - SSC, RRB, IBPS. It is expected to enhance to

other recruitment agencies in Central Government.

Also, Madhya Pradesh Govt announced offering jobs on the basis of NRA CET marks, becoming first state to do

so.

Government sanctioned 1517 crores for National Recruitment Agency (NRA), to be undertaken over 3 years.

Focus will be on setting up examination infrastructure in 117 Aspirational Districts.

CCEA Approvals -

Approved Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for 2020-21 sugar season (October-

September), under Sugarcane (Control) Order 1966 .

FRP of sugarcane for 2020-21 sugar season at 285 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10%.

Premium of 2.85 per quintal for every 0.1% increase above 10% in recovery. Reduction in FRP by 2.85 per quintal

for every 0.1 percentage point decrease in recovery, in respect of mills with recovery between 9.5 - 10 %.

For mills having recovery 9.5 % or below, FRP is fixed at 270.75 per quintal.

Also, Ramesh Chand task force by Niti Aayog has recommended to link sugarcane prices to sugar rates. It also

recommended for a one-time increase in the minimum sugar price at Rs 33 per kg.

Approved one-time relaxation to Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) for

extending loans to Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) above limits of working capital cap of 25% of last year’s

revenues, under Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).

31. Central Government approved investment clearance of about 7922 crores for six projects of Irrigation, Multipurpose and flood

control schemes for Himachal Pradesh.

This includes Renuka ji Dam Project (National Project) with estimated cost of Rs 6947 crores and five proposals related

to flood protection works/anti-erosion measures with estimated cost of Rs. 975 crores.

Himachal Pradesh will also get 40 MW free electricity generated under Renuka Ji Dam Project by HPCL, along with 3.15 %

water share from this project.

32. Central Government asked State governments to include all disabled persons under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan benefits are for persons who are not covered under NFSA Act or Public Distribution System of

States. Therefore, disabled persons without rations cards are also eligible to receive benefits under Atma Nirbhar Bharat

Abbhiyan.

Scheme is to lapse on August 31, 2020. Therefore, Central Government asked states to identify disabled persons who do not

hold ration cards and include them under NFSA 2013.

33. Central Government issued rules for administration in UT of Jammu and Kashmir, specifying functions of Council of Ministers,

President and Lieutenant Governor.

Lieutenant Governor -

Executive functions of LG include public order, police, anti-corruption, All India Services and Critical issues that affect

peace of UT or affecting minorities.

In case of difference of opinion between Minister and LG, decision of the LG is to be accepted by Council of Minsters.

Role of President -

When difference of opinion arises between LG and Council of ministers, LG shall refer to President and shall act

according to his advice.

Role of Council of Minister -

Executive powers of CM and Council of Minsters are restricted to areas such as land revenue, imposition of new tax,

sale or lease o government property, reconstituting departments.

34. Central Govt will assist UT of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to establish Grievance Portal in each of 20 districts of UT, named Awaaz

e-Awam.

35. Centre for Capital Markets and Risk Management (CCMRM) at IIM Bangalore and NSE’s Investor Protection Fund Trust (NSE

IPFT) launched Platform for Investor Education (PIE).

36. Chhattisgarh Govt launched Indira Van Mitan Yojana, to support forest dwellers of Chhattisgarh. Under this, groups of

youngsters are to be formed in 10000 villages of Chhattisgarh, from tribal areas, to manage forest based economic activities.

37. Chhattisgarh Govt. launched social security scheme Shaheed Mahendra Karma Tendupatta Sangrahak Samajik Suraksha

Yojana, for tendu leave collectors in state. Tendu leaves are used for making bidis.

38. Chhattisgarh government launched student centric scheme Padhai Tuhar Para, to enable school students to study with help of

community in their localities and villages, amid suspension of classes due to coronavirus outbreak. State government also

announced to launch three other schemes -

Bultu Ke Bol - Bluetooth-based programme will be rolled out to provide study materials to students living in remote areas.

Mukhyamantri Slum Swasthya Yojana - Health facilities to the people at their doorstep with the help of 70 mobile medical

units.

Radhabai Diagnostic Centre Scheme will be rolled out to offer pathology and other testing facilities to people at concessional

rates.

39. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal e-launched National GIS-enabled Land Bank system

(https://iis.ncog.gov.in/parks), developed by integration of Industrial Information System (IIS) with State GIS Systems.

Project was launched for 6 states Initially.

IIS portal is a GIS-enabled database of industrial areas/clusters across states, with committed approach towards resource

optimization, industrial upgradation and sustainability.

40. Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge, to provide further

impetus to strong Start-up ecosystem of country.

IIT Madras and Center for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) have developed microprocessors named SHAKTI

(32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit) respectively, using Open Source Architecture under Microprocessor Development Programme of

Ministry of Electronics and IT.

Challenge is spread over 10 months - 25 Finalists to win 1 Crore of Award and top 10 teams will get seed fund of 2.30 Crore

and 12 months incubation support.

41. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) launched new forum on Artificial Intelligence, to be chaired by IBM India and South Asia

MD Sandip Patel, aimed at encouraging public-private partnerships in research and development.

42. Delhi Govt. launched Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, to run for 3 years before next review.

It aims to have 25% electric vehicles by 2024, which is currently at 0.29%.

State government will give incentives up to 1.5 lakhs for cars and 30,000 for bikes and smaller vehicles, along with waiver of

registration fee, road tax.

Policy aims to create State Electric Vehicle Board along with 200 charging stations in one year, to ensure charging stations

within 3 KMs.

State Government will provide incentives to those willing to exchange their petrol and diesel-run vehicles, as first such

Initiative in India.

Policy will be in addition to centre’s Fame India Phase II scheme.

43. Department of Science & Technology invited proposals from researchers in area of CCUS under Accelerating CCUS Technologies

(ACT) in collaboration with other ACT member countries.

This aims to facilitate emergence of CO2 Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) via translational funding of projects,

aimed at accelerating and maturing CCUS.

16 countries / regions are working in ACT with, to fund innovation that can lead to safe and cost-effective CCUS technology.

CCUS is one of identified innovation challenges in Mission Innovation (MI) Programme, a global initiative of 24 countries

and European Union, to accelerate global clean energy innovation.

44. ESIC, which is implementing Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyna Yojna, has decided on several measures to provide unemployment benefit

to workers covered under ESI Scheme.

Scheme is extended by 1 more year, upto 30-06-2021.

Payment of relief has been enhanced to 50% of average of wages from earlier 25% of average wages payable upto maximum

90 days of unemployment.

Instead of relief becoming payable 90 days after unemployment, it shall become due for payment after 30 days.

45. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations 2020,

prepared by experts of Council of Architecture (CoA). It aims to address major challenges in area of human habitat and propel

India to a new high in areas of innovation and skills development.

46. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank rolled out Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural

Education) Regulations 2020, to replace Architecture Regulations 1983. It has been prepared by the experts of Council of

Architecture (CoA). As Per new Norms -

Architecture course will have minimum duration of 5 academic years or 10 semesters of 90 days each.

Candidates who secure 50% marks in aggregate at 10+2 level examination or passed 10+3 Diploma Examination with

Mathematics as compulsory subject with at least 50% can only apply To enroll in an Architectural course, candidates must

qualify an Aptitude Test in Architecture conducted by Council.

47. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar stated that 80 % of CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and

Planning Authority) funds must be used for plantation drives and afforestation, while rest for capacity building.

Project Dolphin, announced by PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech, will be launched within 15 Days.

Finance Commission had increased forest-based devolution of funds from 7 to 10 %.

48. European Union has launched Project Nirmanshree, a 1-million-euro project in four districts of Maharashtra and Odisha, under

which it will train 3000 women in several skills Including masonry, plumbing and electrical fitting.

Project is being implemented in Beed and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra and the Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts 0f

Odisha.

49. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Online Dashboard, as a one stop for

looking for information on infrastructure projects Across Nation, hosted on India Investment Grid (IIG)

(www.indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in).

In budget FY 20 (2019-20), Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman announced outlay of 100 lakh Crore for infrastructure

projects over 5 years.

Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline suggested infrastructure investment of Rs 111 Lakh Crore during FY 2020-25.

Projects worth 44 lakh Crores are under implementation, 33 lakh Crores at conceptual stage and 22 lakh Crores under

development and balance projects worth 11 lakh Crores are unclassified.

50. General Conferences (Aug 1-10, 2020) -

Trifed (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) Launched its Own Virtual Office Network to

Spearhead Tribal Socio-Economic Development, on its 33rd Foundation day.

Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel initiative by

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

Northern Railway ran first-ever Vyapar Mala Express train, destined for Jirania in Tripura (from Punjab), loaded with

Wheat, Rice and Pulses. This is an express service where piece-meal stock will reach its destination in a shorter time.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar launched Doordarshan Assam, a 24-hour dedicated channel for

Assam State.

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ laid foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur in

Himachal Pradesh, under a 2014 decision of govt, to establish 7 new IIMs.

Foundation Stone for IIM Dhaula Kuan (Delhi) was also laid.

Madhya Pradesh Govt launched a public awareness campaign "Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi", to run between August 1-15.

Flipkart will onboard 6 lakh artisans across country to its Samarth programme in 2020, which was launched in 2019. It aims

to help local artisans use Flipkart to sell their products.

Tamil Nadu Govt expresse its disagreement with recently launched centre’s three-language policy proposed by government

in National Education Policy 2020. State will continue with its dual language policy of Tamil and English.

Andhra Pradesh Govt launched ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’, an online training programme on cybersecurity, aimed at creating

awareness among public on cybercrimes.

India-Canada IC-IMPACTS Annual Research Conference held Virtually, to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation.

Maharashtra government tied up with Google to provide online education to students in state, becoming first state to do so.

India held international workshop on COVID-19- Good Governance Practices in a Pandemic, organized by Indian Technical

and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG).

E-Gyan Mitra mobile app launched by UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, to provide online education.

Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy held through video

conference, organised by Ministry of Education and University Grants Commission.

Indian Railways launched Overhead Equipment (OHE) Inspection app which will help in minimizing the train delays and

long waits due to technical snags.

Pakistan released a new political map claiming entire territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and part of Gujarat including the

erstwhile state of Junagadh as part of its territory.

Punjab Govt. launched a collaborative 'Pride of Punjab' programme as a partnership between Department of Youth Services

and Sports and YuWaah - a joint initiative of UNICEF and other agencies.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) allowed registration of electric vehicles without pre-fitted batteries.

There is now no need to specify Make/Type or any other details of Battery for purpose of Registration.

MORTH also invited suggestions on proposal to separate emission norms for Agricultural machinery and Construction

Equipment Vehicles.

As a Boost for Atmanirbhar Bharat, Ministry of Defence prepared list of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on

import beyond timeline indicated against them.

Training provider Simplilearn signed pact with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to upskill a wider section of

learners in digital technology skills.

US military test-fired unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, with range over 9000 KM.

Chhattisgarh government launched Adarsh police station scheme, to develop all police stations in state.

51. General Conferences (Aug 11-20, 2020)-

4th Session of BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group held Virtually, with Indian delegation led by Rakesh Asthana, Director

General, Narcotics Control Bureau.

Taiwan accquired 66 latest F-16 jets from US, expected to escalate the tensions between US and China further. This is first

purchase of Taiwan from US since 1992.

Ministry of AYUSH launched 3 month campaign Ayush for Immunity.

India and UAE held their 13th Joint Commission Meeting virtually.

Assam cabinet approved Non-Government Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Rules 2020, to monitor fees of the

private educational institutes.

Mumbai’s Dadar become first city in India to have women symbols on traffic signals and signage.

Indian Railways observed Cleanliness Week between August 10 -15, 2020, to give message of significance of cleanliness.

Mount Sinabung of Indonesia erupted, after staying dormant for 400 years and erupting recently in 2010 and 2014.

Drone based surveillance introduced by Railway Protection Force (RPF), for Railway security, procuring 9 drones for various

zones / units.

MOU signed by Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) with Ministry of Tourism

for women empowerment, to lay emphasis on personal and hospitality skills.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended 6th roundtable of ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT).

Software Technology Parks in India (STPI) are to have largest ecosystem to incubate new technologies, with setting up 21

Centres of Excellence in these parks. Government has already launched 12 CoEs.

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed a 180-feet (50-metre) bailey bridge in Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district

(Uttarakhand), providing connectivity and relief to about 15,000 people in 20 villages.

To achieve its mandates in an improved, timely and effective manner, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

(MoEF&CC) approved establishment of 19 Integrated Regional Offices (IROs), which will start functioning from October

2020.

Government aims at 10% blending target for mixing ethanol (Green Fuel produced by Sugar Mills) with petrol by 2022 &

20% blending target by 2030. To achieve blending targets, Government is encouraging sugar mills and molasses based

standalone distilleries to enhance their ethanol distillation capacity.

Ministry of Labour and Employment launched official Logo of “Labour Bureau”, which displays three goals that Labour

Bureau aspires to achieve in producing quality data i.e. Accuracy, Validity and Reliability.

Google and Central Water Commission(CWC) launched flood forecasting initiatives across India, making CWC first

government entity to partner with Google, to measure water levels on an hourly basis.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated year-long Diamond Jubilee celebrations (60 years) of IIT Delhi, which was

established in 1959.

52. General Conferences (Aug 21-31, 2020)

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju attended meeting of Sports Ministers of BRICS nations, stating India's plans to host BRICS

Games 2021, aligned with Khelo India Games 2021.

India will assume BRICS presidency in 2021

5th BRICS Industry Minister's Meeting held virtually, attended by SOM praklash on India's Behalf (Minister of State for

Commerce and Industry).

World Water Week 2020 observed as World Water Week at Home (WWWeek at Home) Between Aug 24-28, with theme

Water and Climate change: Accelerating Action.

Andhra Govt UPI-based digital payment services in village and ward secretariats, in association with NPCI and Canara Bank.

It would be available in over 15000 villages and ward secretariats.

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda e-inaugurated Tribes India Showroom Mumbai.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) launched in-house mobile app “Pensioners Corner”, to reach out to its pensioners.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) developed Vendor Performance Evaluation System as a transparent

‘Performance Rating’ System for its Consultants, Contractors and Concessionaires.

Uttar Pradesh government renamed Manduadih railway station as Banaras railway station.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) signed MoU with International Professional Scouting Organisation (IPSO), to deliver

courses and webinars with regards to scouting in India.

MSME and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched an online farm-to-fork service VedKrishi.com promoted by farmers

for selling non-toxic farm produce.

India and Uzbekistan held their first National Coordination Committee meeting, which was held virtually.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 is extended for six more months in state of Assam.

China launched first Type-054 frigate built for Pakistan Navy, as Most advanced warship China Built for a Foreign Navy.

Indian Air Force launched mobile application MY IAF, developed in association with Centre for Development of Advanced

Computing (C-DAC), to provide career related information in IAF.

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched completely wireless BSNL Bharat AirFibre for rural areas in Bihar. He also

launched Next Generation Network Telephone Exchange at New Bihar Vidhan Mandal compound.

17th Joint Commission meeting between India and Vietnam held virtually.

14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) held virtually.

Department of Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India

launched Sustainable Finance Collaborative (SFC), to boost country’s efforts on mobilizing sustainable and green finance.

Jammu and Kashmir Govt created an e-auction portal to promote trading of GI-tagged ‘Kashmir Saffron’, to assure buyers to

have access to quality ‘Kashmir Saffron’. URL is saffroneauctionindia.com.

Jammu and Kashmir's Doda District launched ‘Iraada’ campaign, to cover eligible left-out beneficiaries under various social

welfare schemes.

As a boost for Make in India, first ever rockets fully manufactured by the private sector have been successfully test fired by

army. The Pinaka rockets were manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) and are first munition of its kind made by

private sector in India.

8th East Asia Summit - Economic Ministers’ Meeting held Virtually, attended by 10 ASEAN members and eight other

nations, including India, USA, and China. It was attended by Piyush Goyal (Minister of Commerce and Industry) on India'a

Behalf.

53. Google launched its jobs app Kormo in India, to help Indians looking for entry-level roles, as a rival to Microsoft’s LinkedIn.

54. Google launched its new People Cards feature in India that let users create their virtual visiting card and build their public profile

for search engine.

55. Government constituted a 30-member National Council for Transgender Persons, under Transgender Persons (Protection of

Rights) Act 2019.

Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment will be Chairperson (ex-officio).

It will advise Government on formulation of policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender

persons.

56. Government of Kerala launched Marine Ambulance services named Pratheeksha, to provide more efficient rescue services.

57. Government will implement Rs 1,200 crore project to link Nubra and Zanskar regions of Ladakh and Leh with National Power

Grid, to check huge power cuts in These regions. Project will Include extension of Srinagar-Leh transmission line to Zanskar and

Nubra regions.

58. Govt launched PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) online dashboard, as an interactive online platform that

would provide a one stop solution to all stakeholders looking for information and tracking monitoring of progress of PM SVANidhi

Scheme of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors aims to over 50 lakh urban and rural street vendors, with INR 10000 credit provided to

them, to be returned within a year.

59. Govt will create a smart rural water supply eco-system to measure and monitor service delivery of the water supply in rural areas,

under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Jal Jeevan Mission aims at providing functional household tap connection to every rural household of the country by 2024,

aiming to supply 55 litres per capita per day of water.

At Village level, Paani Samiti will function as a 'local public utility' for drinking water management.

60. Govt's Covid-19 Tracker App Aarogya Setu launched a new innovative feature called Open API Service, to help businesses and

economy to start functioning while being safe.

Service can be availed by India-registered organizations with over 50 employees.

61. Gujarat Government launched Industrial Policy 2020. Earlier policy of 2015 had ended on December 31, 2019 and was extended

up to the date of release of new policy. Highlights -

Average annual outlay for New Gujarat Industrial Policy 2020 will be upto INR 8,000 crores. Aims to provide Rs 40,000

crores as subsidies to industries in next 5 years.

Will help industries willing to relocate from China through “Relocation Incentives”.

De-links incentives from state GST and provides for upto 12% of fixed Capital investment will be given to large industries for

setting up manufacturing operations in state in form of capital subsidy. Gujarat became first state to do so.

State Government will provide 65% of cost of acquiring foreign patented technologies by MSMEs, up to 50 lakhs.

To encourage MSMEs to use rooftop solar power, state government will pay 50 paise to every solar unit of solar power

bought from MSMEs. Thus, new purchase price stands at Rs 2.25 per unit.

Policy increased seed support from Rs 20 lakhs to Rs 30 lakhs.

It provides incentives to private developers to set up industrial parks, which will be 25% of Fixed Capital Investment, with

upper limit as 30 crores.

62. Gujarat Government launched scheme Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojana, to replace Centre's Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima

Yojana in state for the current year. Scheme is being replaced as insurance firms have sought high premium from government.

If approved, state government will have to pay 4500 crores. This is much higher than average yearly premium of 1800 crores

paid by govt under PMFBY.

Compensation is to be provided if loss of crop is more than 33% due to excess rain or drought or unseasonal rainfall, for upto

4 hectares land.

If crop loss is between 33% and 66%, farmer will get 20000 per hectare and If crop loss is above 60%, farmer will get 25000

per hectare.

63. Haryana Govt Launched 2 New Schemes -

'Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana - Free sanitary napkins to about 22.50 lakh women and girls below poverty line.

Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana - provide fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder, for children aged 1-6 years.

64. Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan launched Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020-21, as a national programme

aimed at popularizing science among school students of Class 6th to 11th. VVM is an initiative of Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) and

Vigyan Prasar.

65. IIT Kanpur developed indigenous seed balls named BEEG (Bio -compost Enriched Eco-friendly Globule), developed in

collaboration with Agnys Waste Management Private Limited. It will help people and farmers in plantation with safety in Corona

times and will also provide employment.

66. IIT Roorkee signed MoU with Bureau of Indian Standards for collaboration in the areas of standardisation and conformity

assessment based on equality and reciprocity.

67. IT Firm Tech Mahindra collaborated with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), to support women

entrepreneurs across country by providing mentorship in developing go-to-market strategy.

68. India's first International Women Trade Centre will be set up in Kerala, Under Green Park initiative of Kerala, and in line with

UN Sustainable Development goals.

It will accelerate women entrepreneurship by providing them a safe place to start business, expand and get their products

marketed globally.

69. Indian Railways aims to meet all it's energy consumption needs of over 33 billion units by 2030, up from Current annual

requirement of 21 billion units, through Solar Power. Railways aims to achieve 100% electrification by 2023 and become “net zero

carbon emitter” by 2030.

70. Indian Railways introduced first Kisan Rail from Devlali (Maharashtra) to Danapur (Bihar), covering 1519 kms. Kisan Rail was

announced in budget FY 21 (2020-21), aimed at ensuring that agro products get transported fast across country.

Kisan Rail is part of Govt's aim to double farmers’ income by 2022.

In Union Budget 2020-21, It was also announced to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of

milk, meat, and fish.

71. Indian Railways is constructing world’s tallest pier bridge in Manipur, with 141 metres height and 703 metres length.

It has surpassed the record of 139 metres tall Mala-Rijeka bridge in Montenegro.

Bridge is a part of the 111 km long Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line project.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari also laid foundation stone for 13 highway projects in Manipur, worth over 3000 crores.

72. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) signed MoU to set up first

of its kind innovation cum incubation centre at VSSUT, to promote space research.

73. India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre will be opened in Uttarkashi forest division in Uttarakhand, to be built by

Uttarakhand forest department along United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its six-year long project,

SECURE Himalayas.

74. India’s longest river crossing ropeway, across river Brahmaputra, has been opened to public.

1.8-kilometre-long ropeway, built at 56 crores, extending from central to northern Guwahati, will reduce travel time between

both banks to 8 minutes.

75. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO recognised 2 two villages — Venkatraipur in Ganjam and

Noliasahi in Jagatsinghpur district as Officially Tsunami Ready. India will become first country to implement Tsunami Ready

programme in Indian Ocean Region.

76. Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched Swachh Bharat Mission Academy, along with designated toll-free

Number (18001800404).

IVR based free mobile online learning course on ODF Plus will be crucial in achieving goals underlined in Phase 2 of

SBM(G).

Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), Rural India was declaed Open Defecation Free (ODF) on 2nd October 2019

(150th Birth Anniversary of M K Gandhi).

Phase II of the SBM (G) was launched in 2020, which focuses on ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste

Management (SLWM).

77. Jharkhand Govt unveiled state’s new emblem, which represents the state’s progress, culture, flora and fauna. Pictorial

Representation -

78. Karnataka Government will build an industrial corridor between Mysuru and Bidar, to augment development of commerce and

industry, aiming to achieve 35 lakh crore of GDP by 2025.

79. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) will open first of its kind Training cum Production Center of Silk in Arunachal

Pradesh, in tribal village of Chullyu. It will be opened in September 2020.

80. Lok Sabha launched a new French Course at beginner level for staff and officials, implemented by Parliamentary Research and

Training Institute for Democracy (PRIDE). Lok Sabha plans to launch similar courses in other important world languages. PRIDE

was set up in 1976.

81. Madhya Pradesh govt announced ration at minimum price for people with no ration card. State Govt will Provide salt, wheat, and

rice for Rs. 1 and Rs. 1.5 per litre of Kerosene per family, from September 2020, to poor but does not have a ration card.

Madhya Pradesh State Govt. also proposed to reserve Jobs under state Govt for MP Residents. Formal guidelines about the

same are yet to be announced.

82. Maharashtra government approved ambitious Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MagNet) project, aimed at fruit and vegetable

producers, to improve processing and minimise losses in sector of perishables.

Project amount is estimated at $143 million, of which 70 % is to be given by Asian Development Bank as a loan.

83. Maharashtra government scrapped erstwhile BJP-Shiv Sena government’s move to give pension to those who fought against

Emergency imposed by then Congress PM Indira Gandhi, in 1975.

Under scheme, anyone who underwent imprisonment for upto a month would get 5000 as pension and anyone who

undergone over 3 months of imprisonment would get 10000 as pension.

84. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has opened a Quality Control Laboratory in coastal city of Porbandar

(Gujarat), facilitating tests for seafood processors and exporters.

85. Meghalaya cabinet approved Policy on Reservation of seats for Women in Village Employment Councils (VECs), reserving at

least 50 % seats for women in grassroot village level community institutions (VECs).

86. Minister for Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan launched online system of Registration and Renewal of Jewellers and online

system of recognition and renewal of Assaying and Hallmarking Centres, at URL www.manakonline.in

Hallmarking of precious metals will be mandatory from 1st June 2021.

87. Minister for Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad launched Chunauti, as a Next Generation Startup Challenge Contest to

further boost startups and software products with special focus on Tier-II towns of India, with budget of 95 Crores over 3 years.

It aims to identify around 300 startups working in identified areas and provide them seed fund of upto Rs. 25 Lakh and other

facilities.

88. Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (I/C) Prahlad Patel inaugurated Thenzawl Golf Resort Project implemented under

Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism.

89. Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India, to strengthen preservation and registration of

archaeological monuments along with registration of artefacts with self declaration.

New circles have been created in Trichy, Raiganj, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Jhansi & Meerut.

This has taken number of ASI circles to 36.

90. Ministry of Education will review higher education institutes that offer Chinese language training, with links with official Chinese

language learning and training department “Hanban”. Hanban is a Chinese organization which runs hundreds of Confucious

Institutes abroad.

91. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) extended timeline for public to review draft on Environment

Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2020, created to replace existing EIA notification 2006.

In Environment Protection Act 1986, it was mentioned that India will frame EIA norms which came into effect in 1994 and

later modified by a draft in 2006.

Key Policy Changes Proposed -

It re-categorises all projects related to production of bulk drugs and intermediates for several ailments from ‘A’

category to ‘B2’ category.

It states that projects / activities can receive clearance post-facto. It implies that those projects can also seek clearance

that violate Environment (Protection) Act 1986. However, Supreme Court stated that such clearances are against law.

It exempts various projects from EIA including "strategic" projects labeled by Government, placing them in public

domain.

Draft exempts up to 150,000 sq m construction projects from assessment. These projects can now gain clearance after

scrutiny by state-level expert appraisal committee. Earlier, exemption was granted to construction projects of up to

20,000 sq. m or above.

92. Ministry of Jal Shakti launched a new version of India Water Resources Information System (India-WRIS), containing

information related to Water Resources through dashboards for various aspects.

Government had launched first version of India-WRIS in July 2019, to ensure Judicious use of water resources.

Jal Shakti Ministry established a dedicated organization, National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) to maintain India

WRIS.

93. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) signed MoU with

Government of Goa, to set up an International Skill Hub in state.

Goa government also signed a tri-partite agreement with Siemens Limited and German-headquartered GIZ, to carry out

world-class German dual vocational education and training in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) of state.

94. Ministry of Textiles disbanded All India Powerloom Board after All India Handicrafts and Handloom boards. All 8 Textiles

Research Associations in country will now cease to be “affiliated bodies” of ministry.

Board was constituted in 1981. Powerloom is a mechanised loom that was developed during early Industrial Revolution.

95. Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Rural Development signed a Joint Communication, for leveraging each other’s

strengths to propel rural economy and jointly promote sustainable livelihood opportunities among tribal women Self Help Groups

(SHGs) under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

96. Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced several initiatives Including Tribal Health and Nutrition Portal ‘Swasthya’ and e-

newsletter on health and nutrition ALEKH, opening of National Overseas Portal and National Tribal Fellowship Portal.

97. Ministry of petroleum and Natural Gas simplified guidelines for grant of authorization for bulk and retail marketing of Petrol and

Diesel, aimed at increasing private sector participation in their marketing.

Entity desirous of seeking authorization for either retail or bulk must have a minimum net worth of 250 crores at time of

making application (500 crores in case of authorization for both retail and bulk).

For retail authorization, the entity is required to set up at least 100 retail outlets.

Policy has opened up marketing sector of Petroleum products by removing the strict conditions applicable earlier.

98. Misc. MOUs /Agreements (August 2020) -

Hyderabad-based Greenko Energies partnered with NTPC, to develop round-the-clock on-demand power supply from wind

and solar projects.

UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Limited (UTIITSL) signed an MoU with National Health Authority (NHA), for

providing printing services of e-cards to beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-

JAY).

Haryana Government signed MoU with M3M Foundation to facilitate online preparation of students preparing for

government jobs.

Payments Firm Mastercard partnered with artificial intelligence (AI) company Goals101.ai, to make banking more

personalised and automated, Using big data, AI and automation.

Clean energy firm ReNew Power and UN Environment Programme (UNEP)'s District Energy in Cities Initiative to promote

increased access to renewable energy and improved energy efficiency.

MoU worth 110 crores signed between Himachal Government and Microtek Technologies, for setting up manufacturing unit

of thermometers, UPS, invertors and other electronics products at Baddi in Solan district.

Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA) partnered with United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP), to set up a help desk which will provide support to MSMEs.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) signed a pact with Israel based REE Automotive to explore production of electric commercial

vehicles.

UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority signed deal with a consortium of six banks, led by Bank of Baroda, for

funding construction of Bundelkhand Expressway.

National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace

Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) partnered to establish an Innovation cum Incubation Centre with external private funding to

promote start-ups in emerging area of Aerospace technologies.

Ministry of Tourism signed MoU with Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) & FICCI Ladies Organisation(FLO) to

promote tourism as sustainable livelihood model for women's economic empowerment.

Jute Corporation of India (Under Textiles Ministry) signed MOU with National Seeds Corporation (under Ministry of

Agriculture), to provide certified good quality seeds (JRO-204) to jute farmers in 2021-22.

MoU signed between All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Delhi Police, for extending Ayurveda Preventive and

Promotive health services in residential colonies of Delhi Police, through a mobile unit named ‘Dhanwantari Rath’.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed MoUs with AFC India Limited,

and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), to synergize activities in interest of agriculture and allied sectors.

99. MoU been signed by Flipkart and IIT Patna, to encourage industry focused applied research in areas of Artificial Intelligence

(AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML).

100. MoU signed between Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Aimed at skilling, re-

skilling and up-skilling manpower for growing maritime industry and development of coastal community.

101. NITI Aayog US Based IT Firm Oracle to modernise vital IT infrastructure in 112 most backward districts under its Aspirational

Districts Programme. Oracle will provide new cloud solution and will aid District Magistrates to transform lives of citizens in

Aspirational districts.

102. NITI Aayog in partnership with Institute of Competitiveness released Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020, as first report to

examine export preparedness and performance of Indian states.

Overall, most of Coastal States are best performers. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu occupy top three ranks. 6 of

8 coastal states feature in top 10 rankings.

In landlocked states, Rajasthan performed best, followed by Telangana and Haryana.

Among Himalayan states, Uttarakhand is highest, followed by Tripura and Himachal Pradesh.

Across Union Territories, Delhi performed best, followed by Goa and Chandigarh.

103. NITI Aayog launched Nationally Determined Contributions Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA), to decarbonize transport

and provide technical support on Green Gas emission reduction measures.

The 4 years NDC-TIA Program aims to promote decarbonizing of transport in India, Vietnam, and China.

It is supported by International Climate Initiative (IKI) of Germany and implemented by consortium of 7 organisations.

104. NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) declared results of its flagship national annual innovation Marathon challenge ATL

Tinkering Marathon 2019, with 150 winners of the Marathon.

Challenge was executed by AIM in partnership with MyGOV on MyGov’s Innovate Platform, With central theme Research,

Ideate, Innovate, Implement – Mindful Innovation for the greater good.

105. NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with Dell Technologies launched Student Entrepreneurship

Programme 2.0 (SEP 2.0) for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs). SEP 2.0 will allow student innovators to work

closely with Dell volunteers.

Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) 1.0 was launched in January 2019.

106. NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission in collaboration with NASSCOM launched ‘ATL AI Step Up Module’ for students, in order

to drive AI education and innovation to the next level in schools across country.

This module is the next step in bringing AI to Indian classrooms and is a successor to the AI Base module launched in

February 2020.

With this, through hands-on projects and activities, the step-up module encourages a deeper understanding of AI which can

be applied in real world.

107. Nagaland Govt launched Yellow Chain, a centralized e-commerce system to provide the people of the state integrated platform to

build sustainable businesses.

108. National Commission on Population report on population projections for 2011-36 -

Sex ratio of country is to increase from 943 (2011) to 957 (2036).

Population of India is to reach 1.52 billion by 2036.

Between 2011 and 2021, population growth rate is to decline to 12.5%, and to further 8.4% in 2021-31.

109. National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) organised Inaugural session of World Urdu Conference, in New

Delhi.

110. National Film Development Corporation began a first of its kind online patriotic film festival, to run betwen 7 - 21 August 2020,

showcasing high quality Independence Day themed patriotic films, at URL www.cinemasofindia.com.

111. National Statistical Office released Envistats India 2020 report -

Number of heat wave days in 2019 increased over 82.6%, to 157 in 2019.

Highest number of heat wave days was recorded in Rajasthan followed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

112. National e-Governance Division (NeGD) signed MOU with CSC (Common Service Center) e Governance Services India Limited,

To enable Digital Inclusion across India.

It aims to facilitate delivery of UMANG services at CSCs, making services on UMANG app available to citizens through

network of3.75 lakh CSCs.

This will benefit citizens who do not have access to smartphones or are not comfortable accessing App based e services on

their own.

113. Natonal Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed MoU with IIT Delhi to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Use of

Artificial Intelligence in Data Driven decision making and Advance Data Management System for Highways.

114. Nuakhai Juhar festival celebrated in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and other neighbouring states, to welcome new crop of season.

115. Odisha government launched a new scheme for promoting intensive aquaculture through Biofloc technology in fisheries, to boost

employment.

Biofloc based farming system promotes intensive fish/ shrimp production in a limited area, without significantly increasing

usage of basic natural resources of water and land.

In This, waste organic matter in tank, is digested using probiotics and carbon source such as molasses and gets converted to

fish feed.

116. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra - an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission,

at the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti at Rajghat, New Delhi.

It was Launched on occasion of Anniversary of Quit India Movement, also known as August Movement. It was launched at

Bombay session of Congress Committee by M K Gandhi on 8 August 1942.

It was first announced by PM on 10th April 2017, on occasion of centenary celebrations of M K Gandhi's Champaran

Satyagraha.

117. PM Narendra Modi launched 2300 Kms long submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connecting Andaman & Nicobar Islands to

mainland (Chennai), whose foundation stone was laid in December 2018.

It will allow access to cheap and better telecom connectivity in UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Also, Bharti Airtel became first mobile operator to launch ‘Ultra-Fast 4G’ services in A&N.

The submarine OFC is to deliver bandwidth of 2×200 Giga bits per second between Chennai and Port Blair, and 2 x100 Giga

bits per second bandwidth between Port Blair and other islands.

PM also announced that Great Nicobar Island will get a trans-shipment port with an investment of Rs. 10,000 crores.

118. PM Narendra Modi performed Bhoomi Pujan at Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir at Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh).

This came after Historic Supreme court Judgement In November 2019, which ruled construction of a Ram temple by a trust

at disputed site. It also ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in Ayodhya.

Timeline of Ram Janambhoomi Dispute -

1526 - Mughal Ruler Babar demolished Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Making Babri Masjid at that place.

1859 - British officials erected a fence to separate places of worships, allowing inner court to be used by Muslims and

outer court by Hindus.

1885 - Mahant Raghubir Das files a suit seeking permission to build a temple on Ram chabootra but his plea was

rejected by Faizabad district court.

1950 - First title suit is filed by Gopal Singh Visharad asking for right to worship the idols installed at ‘Asthan

Janmabhoomi’.

1959 - Nirmohi Akhara entered fray and filed third suit, seeking possession of site. It claims itself to be the custodian of

the spot at which Lord Rama was supposedly born.

1961 - UP Sunni Central Board of Waqf moves in to claim possession of mosque and adjoining land.

1989 - Vishwa Hindu Parishad carried out Shilanyas ceremony in Ayodhya and first stone of the planned Ram temple is

put in place.

6 Dec, 1992 - Babri mosque is razed to ground by Hindus, Triggering large scale communal riots.

Sep 2010 - Allahabad High Court gives verdict partitioned 2.77 acres 2:1 between Hindu and Muslim groups.

9 Nov 2019 - 70-year long dispute came to an end. SC ordered setting up of a trust that will pave way for construction

of a temple at Ayodhya. It also orders allotting 5 acres to Muslims in Ayodhya for building a mosque.

119. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry reviewed progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation

India Limited (DFCCIL).

First 2 DFC - Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai, 1504 KM) and Eastern Dedicated Freight

Corridor (Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal, 1856 KM), will decongest railways by moving 70% of India's goods

train to these two corridors. These will be completed by December 2021, at cost 81459 crores.

120. Power PSU NTPC developed an infrastructure at Rihand project in Uttar Pradesh to transport fly ash in bulk to cement plants, in

line with NTPC's commitment towards 100 percent utilization of fly ash from power plants.

121. Proposals have been approved for construction of nearly 10.28 Lakh houses under PMAY(U), aimed at Housing for All by 2022,

with construction of 2 Crore Houses.

With this, number of sanctioned houses under PMAY(U) is now 1.07 Crores. More than 35 Lakh have been completed.

122. Punjab Government passed resolution against farm ordinances of central government, which were introduced in June 2020.

Ordinances -

Farmers’ Produce Ordinance 2020 - to provide barrier-free trade of farmers produce outside the markets that are specified

under State Agriculture Market Laws.

Farmers Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance 2020 - provided a framework to empower and

protect farmers with reference to sale and purchase of farm products, overriding state APMC laws.

Essential Commodities Ordinance 2020 - It amended Essential Commodities Act, excluding essential commodities such as

pulses, oil seeds, onion, potatoes are excluded from the act.

123. Punjab Govt launched Punjab Smart Connect Scheme that aims at providing more than 1.74 lakh class XII students with

smartphones by November 2020, costing approx 90 Crores.

124. Railways Minister Piyush Goyal dedicated a Railway Museum at Hubballi in Karnataka, as first of its kind in North Karnataka

and second in South Western Railway after historic Rail Museum at Mysuru.

125. Railways flagged off first ever RORO service of South Western Railway from Nelamangla (near Bengaluru) to Bale (near

Solapur).

Roll On Roll Off (RORO)is a concept of carrying road vehicles loaded with various commodities, on open flat railway wagons.

RO-RO train services were first introduced in Indian Railways on Konkan Railways in 1999.

126. Rajasthan Govt amended Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules 2010 to include reservations for Gurjars. Candidates from most

backward class (MBC), including Gurjars will get 5% reservation in Rajasthan Judicial Services instead of earlier 1%.

127. Soon after disbanding handloom, powerloom and handicrafts boards, textiles ministry has abolished Cotton Advisory Board,

and notified that 8 Textiles Research Associations have ceased to be ''affiliated bodies'' of ministry.

Cotton Advisory Board advises government on matters pertaining to production, consumption and marketing of cotton.

128. Supreme Court refused to direct transfer of contributions made to PM CARES fund to National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF),

in response to petition by NGO seeking transfer of funds.

SC Stated that contributions made to PM CARES Fund were funds of a charitable trust, however, there was no statutory

prohibition on contributions made to NDRF by individuals or any organizations.

129. Supreme Court ruled that daughters have equal rights as that of sons on parental property, remaining coparcener throughout

their life.

Coparcener is a person who assumes legal rights in parental property by birth only. Current judgement makes a daughter

now a coparcener as well.

SC ruled that daughters would have equal coparcenary rights in Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) properties. This would

hold irrespective of whether the father was alive or not at the time of the amendment.

Hindu Succession Act 1956 act codifies laws related to intestate or unwilled succession among Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and

Sikhs. It was amended in 2005, adding Section 6.

Till 2005, Hindu Succession Act 1956 was biased against women.

130. Supreme Court ruled that states can sub classify list of SC, Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and STs to provide

preferential treatment to those that are deprived within, disagreeing with 2004 judgement of Supreme Court in E V Chinnaiah Vs

State of Andhra Pradesh.

Since a 5 judge bench can not overrule /revisit decision of a coordinate bench of 5 judges, matter is now referred to bench of

7 judges.

131. Telengana Govt launched AI4AI: Artificial Intelligence for Agricultural Innovation in collaboration with Centre for the Fourth

Industrial Revolution (C4IR), World Economic Forum (WEF).

Telangana government had declared 2020 as Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate AI readiness and develop a

conducive AI innovation ecosystem in State.

132. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 45 highway projects in Madhya Pradesh, consisting

of Road length of 1361 kilometers and cost 11427 crores.

133. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched Harit Path, a mobile app to monitor plantations through geo-tagging and web-based

GIS enabled monitoring tools, developed by NHAI. Ministry aims to achieve 100% plantation on highways by March 2022, and

reduce Road construction cost by at least 25 %.

134. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda e-launched tertiary processing centresof Trifood Project of TRIFED (Ministry of Tribal

Affairs), in Raigad (Maharashtra) and Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh).

TRIFOOD aims to enhance the income of tribals through better utilization of and value addition to MFPs collected by tribal

forest gatherers. To achieve this, 2 Minor Forest Produce (MFP) processing units will be set up initially.

135. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda launched Swasthya, a first of its kind Tribal Health & Nutrition Portal as One-stop solution

for health & nutrition status of tribal population of India.

Portal will be managed by Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Knowledge Management in Health and Nutrition, established by

the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with Piramal Swasthya.

136. Tripartite MoU signed between Department of Defence of Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department of Administrative Reforms &

Public Grievances (DARPG) and IIT Kanpur. IIT Kanpur will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Techniques to conduct analysis of Public Grievances received on Centralized Public Grievances Redress & Monitoring System

(CPGRAMS).

137. US Based Boston Group signed MoU with Andhra Pradesh government to set up an IT company in Visakhapatnam.

138. Under ongoing auction process of coal mines for commercial coal mining in India, an entity of a country, which shares land

border with India, can invest only under Government route.

Earlier in 2019, Government had amended FDI Policy 2017, to permit 100% FDI under automatic route in coal mining

activities.

139. Uttar Pradesh government announced Electronic Manufacturing Policy 2020, aimed at inviting investment of 40000 crores in 5

years and generate 4 lakh direct employment. It will replace Electronic Manufacturing Policy 2017.

Investors will be provided with double rate of land subsidy to set up manufacturing units in Purvanchal regions and

Bundelkhand.

Investors will be eligible for capital subsidy of 15 % and additional capital subsidy of 10 % on investment over 1000 crores.

140. Uttar Pradesh government launched NRI unified portal, eanabling Overseas Indians to get their issues resolved quickly.

141. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu released 2 reports - Status of Sex Ratio at Birth in India and Elderly Population in India:

Status and Support Systems, brought out by Indian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (IAPPD). It

states that India’s population is expected to grow to 1.52 billion by 2036 (by 25 % with reference to 2011).

142. Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu announced Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020 -

Institute of National Importance, Central Universities & CFTIs

IIT Madras (TN)

IIT Bombay

IIT Delhi

Govt. And Govt. Aided College/institutes -

College of Engineering Pune (Maharashtra)

Govt. And Govt. Aided Universities -

Institute of Chemical Technology (Maharashtra)

Panjab University (Chandigarh)

Private or Self-financed Universities -

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Khordha (Odisha)

S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology (TN)

Private or Self-financed College / Institutes -

S R Engineering College (Telangana)

Higher Educational Institutions Exclusively for Women (Launched This year) -

Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women

Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women

143. WWF-India Partnered with Society for Odonate Studies (SOS) and Thumbipuranam for first-ever State Dragonfly Festival in

Kerala, named Thumbimahotsavam 2020.

144. With support from Department of Science and Technology’s Clean Air Research Initiative, Gayatri Vidya Parishad-Scientific and

Industrial Research Centre (Visakhapatnam) developed an indigenous photonic system for real-time remote monitoring of air

quality parameters, titled AUM (Air Unique-quality Monitoring).

AUM can identify, classify, and quantify various pollutants simultaneously and meteorological parameters, with high

precision.

145. Work began on 687 kilometre Long Katra (J&K) - Delhi Express Road Corridor, which is to be ready by 2023.

It will reduce travel time from Katra to Delhi, to around 6.5 hours, connecting holy cities of Katra and Amritsar and offering

connectivity to major religious shrines in between.

It will cost approx 35000 crores.

146. e-commerce Firm Flipkart signed MoU with One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme of Uttar Pradesh Government. Under it,

artisans, weavers and craftsmen under ODOP scheme will be brought into the ambit of Flipkart Samarth initiative.

Flipkart also signed MoU with Assam Govt, to promote state’s local arts, crafts and handloom sectors by bringing them into

e-commerce fold.

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