Important Weekly Current Affairs PDF Download (15th to 23rd July 2020)

Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of 3rd July 2020. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBI Clerk 2020 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

World Youth Skills Day

• The United Nations, at its General Assembly in November 2014, declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day. This year’s theme is Skills for a Resilient Youth in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond

World Day for International Justice

• Every year on 17 July is celebrated as World Day for International Justice because this day is the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998.

World Emoji Day: July 17

• Keeping in mind the importance of these digital pictures representing our emotions to someone, July 17 is celebrated as the World Emoji Day. The World Emoji Day 2020 is celebrated across the globe since 2014.

International Nelson Mandela Day

• Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday.

117th birthday Anniversary of Ex CM of Tamil Nadu state K Kamaraj, celebrated as Educational Development Day

• The former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Shri Kamaraj ji’s 117th birth anniversary has been observed as Tamil Nadu’s Educational Development Day.

International Chess Day

• The International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20 every year as the founding day of the FIDE (World Chess Federation). This year will mark FIDE’s 96^th

Pi Approximation Day

• Pi Approximation Day is observed on 22 July every year because of the value of Pi that is 22/7.
• Whereas Pi Day is celebrated on 14 March which is similar to the approximate value of 3.14 and also coincides with Albert Einstein’s birthday.

National Refreshment Day

• National Refreshment Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of July every year. This year the day falls on 23^rd July 2020.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

Govt approves Rs 107 cr for fire-fighting facilities at Haldia Dock

• The government has approved Rs 107 crore for modern fire-fighting facilities at Haldia Dock Complex of Kolkata Port to ensure safe cargo operations, especially petro-chemical goods.

Indian Railways on mission mode of becoming ‘Green Railway’ by 2030

• The Ministry of Railways is on a mission mode with the goal of transforming Indian Railways into Green Railways by 2030 and has taken a number of major initiatives towards mitigation of global warming and combating climate change.

Indian Railways creates Post Covid Coach for passenger safety

• Indian Railways has created Post Covid Coach to ensure safer journey of passengers.
• This Post Covid Coach has design improvements in the coach like handsfree amenities, copper-coated handrails & latches, plasma air purification and titanium di-oxide coating for Covid free passenger journey

On United Nations’ 75th Anniversary, PM Modi to virtually address ECOSOC on July 17

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the valedictory of high-level segment of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Ministry of Tourism presents 41st webinar titled ‘NadiVigyan: A complete solution for spinal disorders’ under Dekho Apna Desh series

• To enlighten about the ancient form of health science- NadiVigyan and its fruitful benefits in curing various spinal disorders, Ministry of Tourism presented a webinar on ‘NadiVigyan: A complete solution for spinal disorders’ under Dekho Apna Desh webinar series.

HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal releases PRAGYATA guidelines on digital education

• Union HRD Ministry released the guidelines for Digital Education.
• The ministry has recommended a cap on the screen time for students. As per the guidelines, online classes for pre-primary students should not be for more than 30 minutes. It further mentions that two online sessions of up to 30-45 minutes each should be conducted for classes 1 to 8 and four sessions for classes 9 to 12.

Indian Railways’ 1st cable-stayed rail bridge, Anji Khad bridge

• The country’s “first cable-stayed” Indian Railways bridge – the magnificent Anji Khad Bridge will soon connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir.The country’s first cable-stayed railway bridge is being developed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, which is a Government of India undertaking. The cable-stayed railway bridge is a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

Coal Ministry plans to link mining plan portal with PARIVESH website

• The coal ministry plans to link the mining plan portal with Parivesh
• PARIVESH is a single-window hub for online submission, monitoring, and management of proposals submitted to the Environment Ministry by project proponents to seek various types of clearances. Auction of coal mines for commercial mining organised by Ficci.

Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister e-inaugurates NSTI, Extension Centre in Imphal

• Union Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Mahendra Nath Pandey, e-inaugurated a National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Extension Centre located at the campus of Government ITI in Imphal through a Video conference.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad observes Swachhata Pakhwada

• The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad is a globally recognized autonomous institution under Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India.

HRD Minister Launches First Online NISHTHA Programme For 1,200 Key Resources Persons Of Andhra

• Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched virtually the first online National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) programme for 1,200 key resources persons of Andhra Pradesh, in New Delhi.

Govt announces ‘Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund’ of Rs 15,000 crore

• The government announced an ‘Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund’ worth Rs 15,000 crore to support private investment in dairy processing, value addition and cattle feed infrastructure.

Ministry of Finance releases Rs 15,187 crore as grants-in-aid to 2.63 lakh Rural Local Bodies

• Ministry of Finance has released an amount of over 15 thousand and 187 crore rupees as grants-in-aid to 63 lakh Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) spread in 28 States of the country.

India lifted 271 mn people out of poverty between FY06-16, says UN report

• About 273 million Indians moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-6 and 2015-16, according to a UN report, which noted that India has recorded the largest reduction in the number of people living in this category.

Shripad Naik inaugurates Conference on Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Technologies

• Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik was delivering his inaugural address at the Fifth Edition of the Conference on Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Technologies in New Delhi. The theme of the conference was  Empowering India with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Mission’.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches the revamped Scheme for PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2020

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the revamped PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration and the web portal www.pmawards.gov.in

PM SVANidhi app launched to help street vendors apply for micro loans

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) App.

Income Tax Department rolls out new Form 26AS

• Income Tax Department has rolled out new Form 26AS with an aim to assist Tax payers in filing quick and correct Income Tax Return (ITR). The new form will carry some additional details on taxpayers financial transactions as specified in the Statement of Financial Transactions (SFTs) in various categories.

India establishes bilateral air bubbles with US, France and Germany

• India has established bilateral Air bubbles with the United States of America, France and Germany. The Civil Aviation Ministry stated talks with the United Kingdom are in an advanced stage and similar arrangement in place with UAE till 26th July of this month.

Civil Aviation Ministry set up Investment Clearance Cell for assistance, clearance of proposals

• Civil Aviation Ministry has set up an Investment Clearance Cell, ICC for prompt assistance and clearance of proposals. The ten-member cell will be headed by a Joint Secretary in the Ministry. It will serve as a single-window system for attracting investments.

Govt to start e-campaign on Voluntary Income Tax Compliance

• The Income Tax Department is all set to start an e-Campaign on voluntary compliance of Income Tax for the convenience of the taxpayers. The 11-day campaign will focus on the assessees or taxpayers who are either non-filers or have discrepancies in their returns for the financial year 2018-19.

Centre issues norms for Rs.1-lakh crore Agri Infra Fund scheme

• UP gets the highest allocation of 12,831 crore, followed by Rajasthan at Rs.9,015 crore
• The Centre has issued guidelines for financing under the recently announced Rs.1-lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, that seeks to facilitate creation and strengthening of post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure across the country.

One Nation One Ration Card scheme now enabled in 20 States/UTs

• The One Nation One Ration Card facility was started as inter-State portability of ration cards in 4 States w.e.f. August 2019. Since then, a total of 20 States/UT have been integrated together into a seamless national portability cluster w.e.f. June 2020. Thus, this facility is currently enabled for NFSA card holders in 20 States/UTs.

HRD Minister to launch Manodarpan initiative to provide psychosocial support to students

• Union Human Resource Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal will  launch the Manodarpan initiative of the HRD Ministry. The initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, aims to provide psychosocial support to students for their mental health and well-being.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019 comes into force

• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came into force . Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan stated that this new Act will empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified Rules and provisions.

Ministry of Tourism holds webinar titled ‘The Mystical Triangle- Maheshwar, Mandu & Omkareshwar’ under Dekho Apna Desh Series

• The Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series titled, “The Mystical Triangle- Maheshwar, Mandu & Omkareshwar” was organized on 18th of July.

Power Minister launches programme to improve indoor air quality

• Energy Efficiency Services Liited (EESL), a joint venture of public sector undertakings, has launched a national programme to improve indoor air quality.
• The initiative is called the Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency (RAISE) national programme.

Employees’ Welfare Scheme Launched In Arun Jaitley’s Name In Rajya Sabha

• The Rajya Sabha secretariat has launched an Employees’ Welfare Scheme in the name of former Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, who was also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.

Home Minister Amit Shah to launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan in New Delhi

• Home Minister Amit Shah will launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan in New Delhi in the presence of Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi. During the launch event, Mr Shah will inaugurate and lay the Foundation stone of 6 Ecoparks and Tourism sites. The event will take place through Video Conferencing across more than 130 locations spread in 38 Districts of 10 coal and lignite bearing States.

22 million children in South Asia missed out on early education due to Covid-19, says UNICEF

• As many as 22 million children from South Asian countries, including India, have missed out on early childhood education in their critical pre-school year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, reveals new research by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

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Ministry of Shipping

• Union Minister of State for Shipping and Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers: Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya
• Constituency: Gujarat

Ministry of Railways

• Piyush Goyal (Minister), Rajen Gohain (Minister of State)
• Constituency: Maharashtra

 Indian Railways

• HeadQuarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Vinod Kumar Yadav

United Nations Economic and Social Council:

• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• Head: Mona Juul

 Ministry of Tourism:

• Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (Independent charge)
• Constituency: Damoh
• MoHRD
• Minister of Human Resource Development: Ramesh Pokhriyal
• Constituency: Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
• Minister of State– Sanjay Dhotre

Ministry of Coal

• Union Minister of coal: Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi
• Constituency: Dharwad, Karnataka

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship:    

• Mahendra Nath Pandey, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency: Chandauli
• Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of State

 Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services:

• Headquarters: Hyderabad
• Founded: 1999

Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

• Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries: Giriraj Singh
• Constituency: Nawada, Bihar.

Ministry of Finance

• Nirmala Sitharaman, Cabinet Minister
• Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Finance

 United Nations:

• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• Founded: 24 October 1945,
• Secretary general: António Guterres

 Income Tax Department:

• Head Quarters: New Delhi
• Pramod Chandra Modi, IRS: Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes

Ministry of Civil Aviation:

• Hardeep Singh Puri: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Civil Aviation
• Constituency: Uttar Pradesh

 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):

• Location: New Delhi
• K. SinghRajeev Sharma (Chairman)
• Saurabh Kumar (Managing Director)

Rajya Sabha

• Chairperson: M. Venkaiah Naidu
• Deputy Leader of the House: Piyush Goyal, BJP
• Deputy Chairman: Harivansh Narayan Singh, JDU

UNICEF:

• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• Head: Henrietta H. Fore

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL

India joined Chile and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) to co-host the High-Level Political Forum side-event ‘On the road to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021

• India joined Chile and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) to co-host the High-Level Political Forum side-event ‘On the road to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021: Highlighting health and nutritional benefits through sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables’.

India-Bhutan Open New Trade Route To Facilitate Connectivity Between Two Countries

• India and Bhutan have opened a new trade route between Jaigaon in West Bengal and Pasakha in Bhutan.
• This link between Jaigaon and Ahlay, Pasakha will facilitate connectivities between our two countries in these COVID 19 times, further strengthening our special relationship.

Boeing receives $916 mn deal to support International Space Station for 4 years

• Boeing announced that it has won an almost one billion dollar contract to support the operations of the International Space Station (ISS) through to 2024.

Pakistan and China signed for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project

• Pakistan and China signed an agreement for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project on the Jhelum river in Sudhoti district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

UAE launches its first space mission to Mars from Japan

• UAE’s historic journey to Mars ,H2A, the rocket carrying the Hope Probe to space, was launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan. It is the Arab world’s first interplanetary landmark mission, putting UAE firmly ahead of all the countries in the Middle East in the area of space and technology.

India-US announce new areas of research on transformational power generation

• India and the US have announced new areas of research on transformational power generation based on supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycles and advanced coal technologies, including carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), the Ministry of Science and Technology stated.

India, Maldives sign agreement for establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in Male

• India and Maldives have signed an agreement for establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in capital Male.

EU approves biggest green stimulus in history with $572-billion plan

• The plan is part of Europe’s bid to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050
• European governments approved the most ambitious climate change plan to date, agreeing to pour more than €500 billion ($572 billion) into everything from electric cars to renewable energy and agriculture.

Turkmenistan gets observer status in World Trade Organization

• Turkmenistan has been granted Observer status by the World Trade Organization (WTO ) General Council. Turkmenistan has become the last former Soviet republic to establish formal ties with the trade body, a WTO Spokesperson stated.

India revives initiative with South African Customs Union for the Preferential Trade Agreement

• The discussions between India and the South African Customs Union (South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho) have been revived to achieve a Preferential Trade Agreement. The two sides had a virtual meeting last week to discuss the various aspects of PTA.

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Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO):

• Director-General– QU Dongyu
• Headquarters– Rome, Italy

Chile:

• President: Sebastián Piñera
• Capital: Santiago
• Currency: Chilean peso

Bhutan:

• Capital: Thimphu
• Prime minister: Lotay Tshering
• Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)

Boeing:

• CEO: Dave Calhoun
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Pakistan

• Capital: Islamabad
• Currency: Pakistani rupee
• Prime minister: Imran Khan

China

• Capital: Beijing
• President: Xi Jinping
• Currency: Renminbi

 France:

• Capital: Paris
• President: Emmanuel Macron
• Currencies: Euro, CFP franc

Germany:

• Capital: Berlin
• Currency: Euro
• President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier

UAE:

• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham
• President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Maldives

• Capital: Malé
• Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
• President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

European Union:

• President of the Commission: Ursula von der Leyen
• Capital: Brussels

Turkmenistan:

• Capital: Ashgabat
• Currency: Turkmenistan manat
• President: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

Southern African Customs Union:

• Member: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini
• Headquarters: Windhoek, Namibia

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE

2% interest subvention on Shishu loans operationalised via SIDBI

• The Department of Financial Services (DFS) stated that SIDBI will provide funds to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) upfront under the government-approved 2 per cent interest subvention for SHISHU loans.

HSBC to set up IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City

• Global banking major Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) has received an in-principle approval from the GIFT SEZ Authority to set up an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) at GIFT- International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

NABARD extends grant assistance of Rs 221.89 cr to support 298 watershed projects

• In Karnataka, NABARD has extended a grant assistance of 89 crore rupees to support 298 watershed projects in over three lakh hectares benefitting 66,500 families. The State has about 75 percent of rainfed area.

PSBs to purchase NBFC Bonds/CPs worth Rs 14,667 cr under extended PCGS: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme, PCGS was revamped under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package to support the liability side of Non Banking Financial Companies, NBFCs. It provides a 20 per cent portfolio guarantee to Public Sector Banks for the purchase of Bonds or Commercial Papers rated AA and below which are issued by NBFCs.

IndusInd Bank Adopts Agile Technology Platform For Deeper Customer Engagement

• IndusInd Bank announced successful integration with a leading enterprise solution provider which will simplify the process of customer on-boarding, introduce new products and meet customer demands by automating and customising processes to fit the modern-day financial requirements.

Bank of Maharashtra launches OD facility against fixed deposits

• Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has launched an overdraft facility (OD) against fixed deposits (FDs) for its individual customers holding a savings bank account.

NABARD sanctions Rs.795 cr to re-construct infra damaged by cyclone in Bengal

• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned 795 crore for reconstructing infrastructure damaged by cyclone Amphan that ripped through West Bengal in May.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Punjab National Bank’s Nation-wide CSR campaign for Distribution of Mask and Sanitizer to prevent Spread of COVID-19

• Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) campaign to distribute face masks and sanitizers to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Banks sanction over Rs 1.27 lakh cr loans under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme

• There is an increase of over 4,237 crore rupees in the cumulative amount of loans sanctioned and over 9,301 crore rupees in the cumulative amount of loans disbursed by both public and private sector banks till now as compared to 15th of July.

LIC-UBI announce corporate agency pact

• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Union Bank of India, after its amalgamation with Corporation Bank and Andhra Bank, have announced a corporate agency agreement to distribute LIC policies.

Bank of Baroda rolls out ‘Insta Click Savings Account’

• Bank of Baroda (BoB) stated it has launched ‘Insta Click Savings Account’, a 100 percent paperless digital self-assisted online savings account.

NPCI launches UPI Autopay

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI Autopay, a facility that would allow recurring payments at regular intervals. if the amount exceeds 2,000, customers have to execute every mandate with UPI PIN. The facility was launched at the Global Fintech Fest.

PhonePe, ICICI Lombard team up to offer Hospital Cash cover

• Digital payments platform PhonePe announced the launch of its Hospital Daily Cash benefit under Group Safeguard Insurance in partnership with private insurer ICICI Lombard.

RBI committee recommends multiple interoperable QR codes

• A committee set up by the Reserve Bank of India to review the Quick Response (QR) Code has recommended that payment system providers should make these codes interoperable.

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SIDBI:

• Headquarters: Lucknow
• Founded: 2 April 1990
• Mohammad Mustafa, (Chairman and Managing Director)

HSBC:

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• CEO: Noel Quinn

NABARD:

• Chairman: Govinda Rajulu Chintala
• Founded: 12 July 1982
• Headquarters: Mumbai

 IndusInd Bank:

• CEO: Sumant Kathpalia
• Headquarters: Pune

 BOM

• Headquarters: Pune
• CEO: A. S. Rajeev
• Tagline: One Family One Bank

 PNB

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• CEO: S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao
• Tagline: The Name You can Bank Upon

 LIC:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• M R Kumar (chairman)

Union Bank Of India:

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• CEO: Rajkiran Rai G.

Bank Of Baroda:

• Headquarters:Vadodara, Gujarat
• Chairman:  Hasmukh Adhia
• MD & CEO: Sanjiv Chadha

NPCI:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Non-Exe Chairman: Biswamohan Mahapatra
• MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe

PhonePe:

• CEO: Sameer Nigam
• Headquarters location: Bengaluru

ICICI Lombard:

• CEO: Bhargav Dasgupta
• Headquarters: Mumbai

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

NSRCEL Partners With Capgemini To Support Social Startups

• NSRCEL, the startup hub at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B), has partnered with Capgemini in India to support social impact startups in the country’s growing startup ecosystem.

ICRA Sees India Real GDP Contract By Almost Double Digits In FY21

• Rating agency ICRA sharply revised its forecast for the contraction in the Indian economy to 5% in the 2020-’21 financial year from its earlier estimate of 5%. The rating agency cited rising coronavirus cases and the localised lockdown to rein in the pandemic for the downward revision.

KVIC opens footwear training centre for leather artisans in Delhi

• A first-of-its-kind footwear training centre for the marginalised community was inaugurated in Delhi by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) with Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), Agra.

Fiscal deficit to shoot up to 7.6% in FY21; twice budget estimate: Ind-Ra

• The Centre’s fiscal deficit is expected to touch 6 per cent in 2020-21, more than double the Budget Estimate, as the country spends extra to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic while facing a shortfall in revenues, a report stated.

Ola rolls out enterprise solution ‘Ola Corporate’ to global customers

• India-based mobility platform Ola is rolling out its enterprise mobility solution ‘Ola Corporate’ across global markets.

FCC, NPCI to host world’s largest virtual fintech event

• The Fintech Convergence Council (FCC), the fintech committee of Internet and Mobile Association of India, in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Payments Council of India, will be hosting a virtual fintech event

Shikhar Dhawan signs marketing and management agreement with IMG Reliance

• Ace cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has signed an exclusive worldwide marketing and management agreement with IMG Reliance, which specialises in talent management, sports sponsorship and marketing.

FamPay launches India’s First Numberless Card

• FamPay, India’s first Neobank for teenagers, launched country’s first numberless card – FamCard.
• FamCard is just like a debit card that can be used by the teenagers in making payments independently, relieving parents of the trouble of giving them physical cash or their debit/credit card.

GoAir launches GoMore scheme to book adjacent seat for social distancing

• GoAir launched GoMore scheme, which will allow passengers to book adjacent seat on the same PNR in order to maintain social distancing amid the pandemic.

India’s GDP to contract 6.1% in FY21: Nomura

• Economic activity continues to remain weak and will lead to a 1% contraction in India’s GDP in the current fiscal, a foreign brokerage stated.

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Capgemini:

• CEO: Aiman Ezzat
• Headquarters: Paris, France

ICRA:

• Headquarters: Gurgaon
• Arun Duggal: Non-Executive chairman and independent director.

KVIC

• Founded: 1956
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Chairman: Vinai Kumar Saxena

Ola

• CEO: Bhavish Aggarwal
• Headquarters location: Bengaluru

FamPay

• Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Founders– Kush Taneja & Sambhav Jain

Nomura:

• CEO: Koji Nagai
• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATES

Tamil Nadu launches television-based learning programme for 10th standard students

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy has launched a television-based learning programme for the Tenth standard students.
• The state run Kalvi television channel will initially air two-and-a-half hours of teaching programmes for the students

Odisha partners with Coursera to upskill 50,000 unemployed youth

• The Odisha Skills Development Authority has partnered with online learning platform Coursera to train 50,000 unemployed youth during the Covid-19 crisis.

J&K UT: Advisor to LG Baseer Ahmad Khan e-launches NeFMS at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar

• In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan e-launched National Electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.

Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji to be upgraded to wildlife sanctuary

• Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary.

 A&N Islands: NABARD launches development projects worth Rs 44 lakhs

• In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, NABARD has launched development projects worth rupees 44 lakhs in order to strengthen the concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat through rural entrepreneurship.

MP govt. approves proposal to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to acid attack victims

• In Madhya Pradesh, the government approved a proposal to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to the acid attack victims in the state.

Andhra Pradesh to reorganise its 13 districts into 25 for optimal use of resources

• The Andhra Pradesh cabinet decided to reorganise its 13 districts into 25 districts by March 31 in such a way that each of the 25 parliamentary constituencies will represent a new district.

Telangana Police Launch ‘CybHER’ Campaign To Tackle Cybercrime Against Women, Children

• Telangana Police launched a month-long virtual awareness campaign ‘CybHER’ in the wake of cybercrime against the women and children in the state.

Punjab Police to hire civilian domain experts to deal with complex probes

• The Punjab council of ministers gave the go-ahead for the state police department to recruit civilian domain experts in the areas of information technology (IT), legal forensics and finance to deal with complex investigations. Punjab will be India’s first state to recruit civilians as domain experts in its police force.

Manish Sisodia inaugurates first electric vehicle charging station in East Delhi

• Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia inaugurated the first public e-vehicle charging station in East Delhi. The e-vehicle charging-station is set-up under a partnership between power discom BYPL and EV Motors India Private Limited.

Chhattisgarh govt launches ‘Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana’ to combat malnutrition in state

• Chhattisgarh was tagged among those states which have high levels of malnutrition and anaemia among children and women in the National Health Family Survey (NHFS) – 4 (2015-16). Bhupesh Baghel-led Chhattisgarh government to launch a crusade — the ‘Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana’

Yogi launches employment scheme for SCs

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched ”Navin Rojgar Chhatri Yojana” for an all round development of the Scheduled Castes.

Transgender Community In Odisha To Receive Pension Under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana

• The Odisha Government included transgender community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY), a social security scheme which provides financial assistance to poor elderly, differently-abled persons and widows in the state.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal Inaugurates Mega Food Park In Mizoram

• Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated a mega food park in Mizoram that has been set up at a cost of Rs 75 crore and will benefit 25,000 farmers as well as generate 5,000 job opportunities.

TN govt inks 8 MoUs, attracts over Rs 10,000 cr investments

• Tamil Nadu government inked MoUs with eight companies involving an investment of more than Rs 10,000 crore and creating more than 13,000 jobs.

Godhan Nyay Yojana’ begins in Chhattisgarh

• In Chhattisgarh, first of its kind scheme of the country- Godhan Nyay Yojana has been commenced.
• On the occasion of the traditional festival of Hareli, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the scheme by symbolically procuring cowdung.

Andhra Pradesh announces Renewable Energy Export Policy

• The Andhra Pradesh government has notified a renewable export policy that permits sale of power to other States.
• In a Government Order, the Andhra Pradesh Renewable Energy Export Policy states it is applicable to solar/wind/ wind-solar hybrid projects.

NTPC’s 1,600 MW Lara Power Project in Chhattisgarh fully operational

• NTPC ‘s 1,600 MW Lara super thermal power station in Chhattisgarh has been fully operational after 800 MW Unit-2 of the project was made fully functional.

Tamil Nadu govt launches web portal for unorganised sector workers

• Tamil Nadu Government has announced that the unorganized sector workers can now join the state-run welfare boards through a dedicated web portal. As there are travel restrictions due to the prevailing pandemic, the move is expected to help thousands of the workers.

AP, AMUL sign up to help self-help groups, boost milk cooperatives

• Andhra Pradesh Government has signed an MoU with the milk cooperative giant AMUL (Anand Milk Union Limited) to provide fillip to the empowerment of women self-help groups and by encouraging the milk cooperatives in government sector.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal approves ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana’; doorstep delivery of ration

• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government has approved ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana’. The scheme will help the beneficiaries avail doorstep delivery of ration.

Haryana  launches  e-Sachivalaya portal for online appointments

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched e-Sachivalaya portal, a digital platform to help people to take online appointments for virtual meetings with the chief minister, deputy CM, ministers and heads of various departments.

Centre to release over 300 crore rupees as first installment under Flood Management Programme to Assam

• In order to effectively manage the relief and rehabilitation works in flood-hit Assam, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assured to release an amount of 346 crore rupees immediately from his Ministry to Assam as the first installment under Flood Management Programme (FMP).

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Tamil Nadu

• Chief minister: Edappadi K. Palaniswami
• Capital: Chennai
• Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

Odisha:

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal
• Chief minister: Naveen Patnaik

Jammu and Kashmir:

• Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Girish Chandra Murmu: Lieutenant Governor

Assam

• Chief minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
• Capital: Dispur

Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

• Capital: Port Blair
• Lieutenant Governor: Admiral (ret.) Devendra Kumar Joshi

Madhya Pradesh:

• Capital: Bhopal
• Chief minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Governor: Lalji Tandon

Andhra Pradesh:

• Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
• Chief minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
• Capital City: Amaravati

Telangana

• Capital: Hyderabad
• Chief minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
• Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan

Punjab:

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Chief minister: Amarinder Singh
• Governor: V. P. Singh Badnore

Chhattisgarh

• Chief minister: Bhupesh Baghel
• Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
• Capitals: Bilaspur, Raipur

UP

• Capital: Lucknow
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath

Mizoram

• Capital: Aizawl
• Governor: P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
• Chief minister: Zoramthanga

New Delhi

• Chief minister: Arvind Kejriwal
• Governor: Anil Baijal

Haryana

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Chief minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
• Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPS AND PORTALS

Researchers develop PROSIT app that tracks mental health by studying phone usage

• The app is called PROSIT and includes tracking features like exercise, sleep, call frequency, message histories and music tastes.

Prakash Javadekar hails KURMA mobile app towards conservation of Indian turtles

• Union Environment and Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar hailed the KURMA mobile application as a unique tool for tracking and reporting Indian turtles.

ICAT launches automotive technology e-portal ASPIRE

• International Centre of Automotive Technology (ICAT) has announced the launch of the automotive technology e-portal ASPIRE, which stands for Automotive Solutions Portal for Industry, Research and Education.

Actor Sonu Sood launches Pravasi Rojgar app to help migrants find job opportunities

• In Maharashtra, actor Sonu Sood has launched a free online platform called ‘Pravasi Rojgar’ to help migrants find job opportunities in various sectors across the country. The app will provide all the necessary information and right linkages to find jobs.

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ICAT

• Headquarters: Manesar, Gurugram

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU

UNICEF India and SAP India partner to improve employability of young people

• On World Youth Skills Day, UNICEF India announced its partnership with SAP India to provide career counselling to young people in the country that will improve their employability skills in a COVID-19 and post COVID-19 era.

Formal MoU signed between CBDT & MoMSME for sharing of Data

• A formal Memorandum of Understanding, MoU was signed between the Central Board of Direct Taxes, CBDT and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for sharing of data by CBDT to the Ministry.

CBDT, CBIC sign MoU for data exchange

• A MoU was signed between Central Board of Direct Taxes, CBDT and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, CBIC for data exchange between the two organizations.

Punjab govt signs MoU with IIT Ropar for skill development

• The Punjab government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, in the area of skill development.

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UNICEF India

• UNICEF Representative in India– Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque
• Head Quarters- New Delhi

SAP SE

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Christian Klein
• Headquarters– Walldorf, Germany

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises:          

• Nitin Gadkari, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency: Nagpur
• Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of State

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT):

• Headquarters- New Delhi
• Chairperson- Pramod Chandra Mody

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC):

• Headquarter- New Delhi
• Chairman- M. Ajit Kumar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MERGERS AND ACQUISITION

Google to pick 7.7 per cent stake in Jio for Rs 33,737 crore

• Reliance Jio- a $66 billion, four years old startup led by world’s sixth richest man, Mukesh Ambani  has raised $4.5 billion ( Rs 33,737 crore) from the search giant, Google for a 77% stake.

CCI approves Aceso Company’s acquisition of 58.92 pc stake in HealthCare Global Enterprises

• The Competition Commission has given its nod to Aceso Company Pte Ltd’s acquisition of 92 per cent stake in HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.

 CCI approves Krishnapatnam port acquisition by Adani Ports, SEZL

• The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited. The proposed combination envisages acquisition of equity shareholding along with management control of Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited.

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RIL

• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman & Managing Director– Mukesh Ambani

Google

• Headquarters– California, United States
• CEO– Sundar Pichai

 HCG

• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: BS Ajai Kumar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Suriname elects Indian-origin ‘Chan’ Santokhi as President

• South American country Suriname brought an end to dictatorial rule by electing a new President Chan Santokhi. Santokhi is an Indian-origin former police chief, who won a landslide victory in the election that took place in May this year.

Election commissioner Ashok Lavasa appointed vice president of Asian Development Bank

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed election commissioner Ashok Lavasa, as its vice-president. Lavasa will succeed Diwakar Gupta, whose term will end on August 31.

Brett Lee named brand ambassador of Sports Adda

• Sports Adda has on boarded Australian cricket legend Brett Lee as it’s brand ambassador. One of the most feared bowlers of his generation and a two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner with Australia.

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh resigns

• Tunisia’s Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh handed his resignation to the country’s presidentKais Saied, amid a brewing political crisis.

SBI Card gets new MD & CEO in Ashwini Kumar Tewari

• SBI Cards and Payment Services, the country’s second-largest credit card issuer, has a new Managing Director & CEO, Ashwini Kumar Tewari.

Shiv Nadar retires, daughter Roshni becomes HCL Technologies chairperson

• Roshni Nadar Malhotra was appointed the chairperson of HCL Technologies, the IT services company stated. She replaces her father Shiv Nadar, who would continue as managing director and hold the designation of Chief Strategy Officer.

Gabon appoints first woman prime minister Ossouka Raponda

• The president of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, has appointed the country’s first female prime minister, Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda.

 SAP appoints Kulmeet Bawa as new India MD

• SAP SE announced the appointment of Kulmeet Bawa as President and Managing Director for SAP Indian Subcontinent, effective July 20, 2020.

RBI approves reappointment of Shyam Srinivasan as Federal Bank MD & CEO

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the reappointment of Shyam Srinivasan as the MD & CEO of the Federal Bank, w.e.f. September 23, 2020 (the completion of the present term of office) till September 22, 2021.

P Praveen Siddharth appointed Private Secretary to President

• P Praveen Siddharth has been appointed as Private Secretaryto the President of India Ramnath Kovind. He replaces Vikram Singh whose tenure was curtailed at President Secretariat.

Saba Karim resigns from General Manager Cricket Operations BCCI

• Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper, has resigned from his post as general manager cricket operations in the Indian cricket board. He is the second big name to resign recently after the CEO Rahul Johri was relieved of his services.

Karur Vysya Bank appoints Ramesh Babu Boddu as MD & CEO

• Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) stated its Board of Directors has co-opted Ramesh Babu Boddu as an Additional Director and appointed him Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer for three years.

Sumit Deb appointed CMD of National Mineral Development Corporation

• Sumit Deb has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).

Rahul Bajaj steps down as chairman of Bajaj Finance

• Business tycoon Rahul Bajaj will step down as chairman of Bajaj Finance Ltd on 31 July after 33 years at the helm and hand over the reins to his son Sanjiv Bajaj as part of succession planning at the non-banking financial company.

MFIN names Dr Alok Mishra as new CEO & Director

• Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), has appointed Dr Alok Misra,currently Professor & Chairperson of Public Policy & Governance at MDI Gurgaon, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
• The appointment will be effective from 1^stAugust, 2020. Dr Misra takes over from the present CEO, Harsh Shrivastava.

SBI General Insurance appoints Prakash Chandra Kandpal as MD & CEO

• Non-life insurer SBI General Insurance announced the appointment of Prakash Chandra Kandpal as its new managing director and chief executive officer, effective July 20.

International Union of Railways nominate DG of RPF, Arun Kumar as its security platform’s Vice-Chairman

• International Union of Railways, UIC, Paris, has nominated Director General of Railway Protection Force, Arun Kumar, as Vice-Chairman of its security platform.

Airtel appoints Ganesh Lakshminarayanan as CEO, Enterprise Business

• Bharti Airtel (Airtel) stated it has appointed Ganesh Lakshminarayanan as Chief Executive Officer-Enterprise Business.

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Suriname:

• Capital: Paramaribo
• Currency: Suriname Dollar

Asian Development Bank:

• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
• President: Masatsugu Asakawa

Tunisia

• Capital: Tunis
• Currency: Tunisian dinar

 HCL technologies:

• CEO: C Vijayakumar
• Headquarters: Noida

 Gabon

• Capital: Libreville
• Currency: Central African CFA franc

 Federal Bank

• Managing Director & CEO– Shyam Srinivasan
• Headquarters– Aluva, Kerala
• Tag line- Your Perfect Banking Partner

BCCI

• President: Sourav Ganguly
• Secretary: Jay Shah
• Headquarters: Mumbai

Karur Vysya Bank:

• Headquarters: Karur, Tamil Nadu
• N. S. Srinath:(Chairman)

NMDC

• Headquarters: Hyderabad

Bajaj Finserv Ltd:

• Headquarters: Pune
• CEO: Sanjiv Bajaj

MFIN

• Location: Gurgaon, Haryana

International Union of Railways:

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Chairperson: Gianluigi Vittorio Castelli

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU

UNICEF INDIA announced its partnership with FICCI for #Reimagine Campaign

• UNICEF INDIA announced its partnership with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI), Socio-Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) to jointly develop UNICEF’s#Reimagine Campaign to support the most vulnerable populations and children during the COVID-19 response and its after-math in India.

NTPC, NIIF to jointly explore business opportunities in India

• State-run power generator NTPC and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) will now jointly explore business opportunities in India.

Alankit Ltd partners with UTI for PAN Card Services

• Alankit Ltd, e-governance and digital solutions provider has  collaborated with UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Limited, a Government Financial Services Provider Company in a bid to offer PAN card services to the citizens digitally across India at all its facilitation centers.

Airtel Payments Bank partners NSDC to train rural youth for financial services jobs

• Airtel Payments Bank Ltd has collaborated with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to train and skill young people in rural areas on financial services, enabling them to find jobs and become entrepreneurs in the sector.

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FICCI

• President– Sangita Reddy
• Secretary General– Dilip Chenoy
• Headquarter– New Delhi

NTPC:

• Founded: 1975
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Chairman and managing director: Shri Gurdeep Singh

NIIFL:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• CEO: Sujoy Bose

Airtel Payment Bank

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• CEO: Anubrata Biswas
• Founded: January 2017

NSDC

• CEO: Manish Kumar
• Headquarters location: New Delhi

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONORS

Gurbux Singh, Palash Nandi to be honoured with Mohun Bagan Ratna

• Hockey legendGurbux Singh and former first-class cricketer Palash Nandi will receive this year’s Mohun Bagan Ratna. The club has decided not to hold the customary ‘Mohun Bagan Day’ function on July 29 this year owing to the pandemic.

Ved Parkash Dudeja, vice chairman, RLDA awarded ‘Infra Business Leader of the Year’

• Ved Parkash Dudeja, vice chairman, Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) was recently awarded the coveted ‘Infra Business Leader of the Year’ award for 2020 by the Rail Infra and Mobility Business Digital Awards (RIMBDA).

Tata’s Chandrasekaran, Lockheed Martin’s Taiclet to receive USIBC Global Leadership Award

• Tata group Chairman N Chandrasekaran and Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet will receive the USIBC Global Leadership Award this year.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford to receive honorary doctorate for campaigning against child poverty

• Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to become the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his campaign to help needy children.

Marianna Vardinoyannis & Morissana Kouyaté win 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize

• This year’s laureates of United Nations 2020 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize are Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece and Morissana Kouyate of Guinea. It was announced by General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

South Central Railway’s Ongole Sub-Division Office bags WATER HEROES AWARD from Jal Shakti Ministry

• The Ongole Sub-Division Office of South Central Railway has bagged the WATER HEROES AWARD, from Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

Dubai-based Indian girl breaks world record in performing 100 yoga poses

• A Dubai-based Indian girl has broken the world record for performing 100 yoga poses within minutes in a confined space. This is 11-year-old Samridhi Kalia’s third world record entry and the second one in the last one month.

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute adjudged the best research institute under ICAR

• The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been adjudged as the best research institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

IFGTB Scientist Gets Award From Indian Council Of Forestry Research And Education

• Senior principal of Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB)scientist Kannan C S Warrier has received the National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research in Forestry for the year 2019.

Messi beats Benzema to break La Liga record with seventh Pichichi award

• Lionel Messi secured a record seventh Pichichi award after the Barcelona star finished the 2019-20 season as the leading scorer in La Liga.

Arnab Chaudhuri to receive Toonz Media Award

• The ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the Toonz Media Group (TMG) as part of the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020 – Digital Edition will be posthumously conferred to the legendary animation director Arnab Chaudhuri.

Indian-origin nurse in Singapore conferred with President’s Award

• A 59-year-old Indian-origin nurse in Singapore has been conferred with the President’s Award for Nurses for serving on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kala Narayanasamy was among the five nurses given the award, the Ministry of Health announced.

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg wins first Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity

• Young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg was awarded the first Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity.
• The award carries a €1,000,000 prize and the entire amount would be donated by Thunberg to project and organisations “fighting for a sustainable world”.

 UST Global wins ISG digital recognition for second year

• Digital transformation solutions company UST Global has been recognised by the Information Services Group (ISG), a leading global technology research and advisory firm, for its role as one of the top 25 examples of digital transformation in 2020 as featured in the ISG digital case study book, Scaling Digital: 25 Stories of Innovation.

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USIBC

• Headquarters- Washington, D.C., United States
• President– Nisha Biswal

Singapore:

• Capital: Singapore city
• President: Halimah Yacob
• Currency  :Singapore dollar

UST Global:

• CEO: Krishna Sudheendra
• Headquarters: Aliso Viejo, California, United States

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING

Mukesh Ambani’s $72 billion fortune makes him richer than Elon Musk and Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin

• India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani surged past Silicon Valley tech titan Elon Musk as well as Alphabet Inc. co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to become the world’s sixth-richest person.
• The chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd., whose wealth surpassed Warren Buffett’s last week, is now worth $72.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index

India Ranks Third In Global Manufacturing Risk Index: Cushman & Wakefield Report

• India ranks third in the list of most-suitable locations for global manufacturing among 48 countries in terms of cost competitiveness and operating conditions, according to property consultant Cushman & Wakefield. China and the U.S. retain the top two positions, while India has moved one place higher to rank third.

India among top ten nations in intellectual property filings

• As per World Intellectual Property Indicators-2019 Report, India has emerged as the top tenth nation in the ranking of the total (resident and abroad) Intellectual Property (IP) filing activity.
• The overall ranking has been topped by China, which was the main source of growth in worldwide IP filings in 2018.

HDFC Bank’s Aditya Puri highest paid banker for FY20 with Rs.18.92 cr in remuneration

• HDFC Bank Managing Director Aditya Puri has emerged as the highest paid banker among the top lenders for FY 2019-20, with a 38 per cent jump in salary and prerequisites to 18.92 crore.

India Higher than China in business, technology skills but lags in data science: Global Skills Index 2020

• India lags in skills in the data science domain but is an emerging player in the business and technology skills.
• Data from the Global Skills Index 2020 by online learning platform Coursera showed that India stood 34^th in the world when it comes to business skills, outperforming China which was at the 45^th spot (emerging category).

Indian direct selling industry ranked 15th after recording $2B sales in 2019

• According to World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, The Indian direct selling industry has reported a growth of 1% to $2.47 billion in 2019.
• The ranking of the direct selling industry improved from 19th a year before to 15th.

India ranks among 10 worst countries for working people: ITUC

• India is among the 10 worst countries for working people, according to the seventh edition of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index that ranks 144 countries on the degree of respect for workers’ rights.

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Coursera

• CEO– Jeff Maggioncalda
• Headquarters– California, United States of America

WFDSA

• Head Quarters: Washington D.C, US.

International Trade Union Confederation:

• Sharan Burrow (General Secretary)
• Ayuba Wabba (President)
• Office location Brussels, Belgium

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE

India Business Council to host 2020 India Ideas Summit on July 22

• India Business Council will host the 2020 India Ideas Summit on July 22nd.
• The Summit convenes business and government leaders for discussions on the future of the S.-India Partnership and the trends shaping globalization, trade and investment, and the future of work in the COVID-era and beyond.

FM Sitharaman attends 3rd G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors Meeting

• Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the Saudi Arabian Presidency through Video Conferencing to discuss the global economic outlook amid evolving COVID-19 pandemic crisis along with other G20 Finance Track priorities for the year 2020.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

HRD minister launches ‘world’s most affordable’ Covid-19 test kit developed by IIT Delhi

• Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Minister of State (HRD) Sanjay Dhotre launched a low-cost Covid-19 test developed by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT) Delhi. The test, Corosure, has been billed as the world’s most affordable probe free RT-PCR based Covid-19 diagnostic kit.

Hyderabad Airport Gets India’s 1st and Only Completely Contactless Car Parking Amid Covid-19

• GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) that operates the city airport is offering fully contact-less airport car parking service.

China successfully launches APSTAR-6D telecommunication satellite

• The APSTAR-6D telecommunication satellite was launched via a Long March 3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

IIT Madras-incubated startup develops portable hospital to treat COVID-19 patients

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) incubated start-up Modulus Housing, has developed a portable hospital unit that can be installed anywhere within two hours by four people.
• Called ‘MediCAB,’ it aims to decentralize the approach to detect, screen, identify, isolate and treat COVID-19 patients in their local communities through these portable microstructures.

IIT Kanpur-incubated startups develop device to monitor water quality india

• IIT Kanpur Incubated Start-ups i.e Earth-face Analytics Pvt Ltd and Kritsnam Technologies Pvt Ltd have built up a gadget, for dissecting and observing water quality through simple to utilize colorimetric test-strip, in view of advanced mobile phone innovation that screens numerous significant water quality boundaries in under two minutes.

UV system for baggage scan disinfection developed

• In order to control spread of infection through baggage, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST), of India and Vehant Technologies, Noida have co-developed KritiScan® UV Baggage Disinfection System.

China Prepares To Launch Long March-5 Rocket For Mars Mission

• The fourth Long March-5 rocket, to be used to launch China’s first Mars exploration mission, was vertically transported to the launching area at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China’s Hainan Province.

DCGI nod to first indigenous pneumonia vaccine

• Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd — the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally (more than 1.5 billion doses)– has got the go-ahead from Drug Controller and General of India to manufacture its own indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine. The vaccine maker has also partnered with AstraZeneca

IIM-Kozhikode startup develops wearable hand band to ensure social distancing

• The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K), has developed a wearable hand band that helps in maintaining social distancing by sending out alarm in case of proximity with another person.
• Known as the Veli Band, the device has been developed by Qual5 India Pvt.Ltd

AIIMS begins e-ICU video-consultation programme to reduce COVID-19 mortality

• In order to strengthen the Government of India’s efforts to reduce COVID-19 mortality, AIIMS, New Delhi has started a video-consultation programme with ICU doctors across the country called e-ICU.

THSTI Faridabad develops synthetic peptide-based vaccine candidate targeting CoronaVirus

• Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad has developed a synthetic peptide-based vaccine candidate targeting CoronaVirus.

CMERI develops COVID protection systems for workplaces

• The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has come up with a surveillance kiosk which can gauge the body temperature of a person as well as check if he is wearing a face mask through a customised software solution.

CIPET gets accreditation by NABL to test PPE kits

• Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology, CIPET an apex level premium institute under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has been accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories NABL for Testing and Certification of PPE Kit.

SpaceX Launches ANASIS-II Military Communications Satellite for South Korea

• SpaceX launched a South Korean military communications satellite, ANASIS-II. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. The launch took place from SLC-40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine early trial shows positive result, India to start trial next month

• The human trial of COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford and backed by AstraZeneca Plc has shown a positive result. Officially known as AZD1222, the vaccine has prompted a protective immune response in hundreds of people who got the shot, according to a report published in British medical journal Lancet.

First indigenous nuclear reactor attains criticality at Kakrapar

• India’s first 700 MWe nuclear power reactor — commissioned at Kakrapar in Gujarat — attained criticality. The unit-3 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3 – 700 MW) achieved its first criticality (controlled sustained nuclear fission reaction), July 22, at 09.36 hours,” the statement stated

Russia successfully holds flight test of 3D-printed aircraft engine

• Russia has for the first time conducted a successful flight test of a 3D-printed aircraft engine, and its production is scheduled for 2021-2022.

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Translational Health Science and Technology Institute:

• Gagandeep Kang (Executive Director)
• Location: Faridabad, India

Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology:

• Director-General: Prof. (Dr.) S. K. Nayak
• Location: Chennai

South Korea

• Capital: Seoul
• President: Moon Jae-in
• Currency: South Korean won

Russia:

• Capital: Moscow
• President: Vladimir Putin
• Currency: Russian Rouble

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Pema Khandu releases book ” The Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study Of The Critically Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh”

• The book titled The Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study Of The Critically Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh by Centre for Endangered Languages (CFEL), Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS), Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Arunachal Pradesh was released by Chief Minister  Pema Khandu.

New book on Udham Singh by Akademi awardee Baldev Singh Sadaknama

• The 80th martyrdom day of freedom fighter , Sahitya Akademi Award winner Baldev Singh Sadaknama has written another book shedding light on historic perspectives.
• ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies) is on the life of Udham Singh, whose 80th death anniversary will fall on July 31.

“The Endgame”- Authored by S Hussain Zaidi

• Veteran Crime writer S Hussain Zaidi has penned a new novel titled “The Endgame” which talks of politics, betrayal and unimaginable terror.
• “The Endgame” has been published by Harper Collins India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE

Cochin Shipyard Limited signs contract for construction of Autonomous electric vessels for ASKO maritime AS, Norway

• INDIA’s largest commercial shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has signed contracts for construction and supply of two autonomous electric ferries to Norway-based ASKO Maritime, with an option to build two more identical vessels.

Defence Research Body Develops Fully Indigenous P7 Heavy Drop System

• DRDO has developed P7 Heavy Drop System which is capable of para dropping military stores up to 7-ton weight class from IL 76 aircraft.

DAC delegates powers for progressing urgent Capital Acquisition Cases upto Rs 300 crore to Armed Forces

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has delegated the powers for progressing urgent Capital Acquisition Cases upto Rs 300 crore to the Armed Forces to meet their emergent operational requirements.

USS Nimitz may conduct Passex with Indian Navy

• The US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) may conduct a passing exercise (Passex) with the Indian Navy. The drill may be held off the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Malacca Strait.

MoD inks contract with BEML for procurement of 1,512 Mine Plough for T-90 tanks

• With an aim to boost ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government, Acquisition Wing of Ministry of Defence signed a Contract with Bharat Earth Movers Limited, BEML for procurement of 1,512 Mine Plough for Tank T-90 S/SK at an approximate cost of 557 crore.

3-day long Air Force Commanders’ Conference to begin in Delhi

• The three day long Air Force Commanders’ Conference will begin at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) in New Delhi. The theme of the conference is “Indian Air Force in the Next Decade”.

DRDO provides ‘Bharat drones’ to Indian Army for accurate surveillance at India-China border

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided drones named ‘Bharat’ to Indian Army. The indigenously developed drones are sent in order to provide an accurate surveillance along the Line of Actual Control in high altitude and mountainous terrains of Eastern Ladakh.

Dhruvastra: DRDO test fires ‘made in India’ anti-tank guided Nag missile

• Defence Research and Development Organisation conducts flight trials of the anti-tank guided Nag Missile (HELINA), which has been named now as Dhruvastra. Trials were done without helicopter at Interim Test Range, Balasore, Odisha.

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Norway

• Capital– Oslo
• Currency‎– ‎Norwegian krone‎ (‎NOK‎)
• Prime Minister– Erna Solberg

DRDO

• Headquarter: New Delhi
• Chairman: Satheesh Reddy

Ministry of Defence:

• Union Minister– Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State– Shripad Yesso Naik

Indian Navy

• Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Karambir Singh

Indian Army

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chief of the Army Staff: Manoj Mukund Naravane

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS

Former Australia Skipper Mile Jedinak Announces Retirement From Football

• Former Australia skipper and Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak announced his retirement from football at the age of 35.

FIFA World Cup 2022 schedule announced

• The latest edition of the World Cup will be played for the first time in Qatar.
• The FIFA World Cup 2022 will have four games every day in a 12-day group stage and matches later in the tournament that go into extra time will extend past midnight in Qatar.

IOC Postpones Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games To 2026 Due To COVID-19 Pandemic

• Senegal and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have mutually agreed to postpone the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to 2026 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Real Madrid clinch La Liga title for 34th time as Benzema scores brace in win against Villarreal

• Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time over Villarreal which clinched the title with one game to spare. Karim Benzema starred for Madrid with a brace to seal the win – which is also their tenth consecutive win.

Captain Sourabh Kalia Cup cancelled in Kargil due to COVID- 19

• The pandemic has also affected the celebration of this year 21st Kargil Vijay Diwas both from the Indian Army Side as well as from the Local Level as no event has been organised.
• The most popular Captain Sourabh Kalia cricket Cup has also been postponed due to the pandemic in

World Cup Winner Andre Schurrle Retires

• World Cup winner Andre Schurrle has confirmed his retirement at the age of just 29.
• Schurrle began his career with Mainz, and won club honours including the 2014-15 Premier League with Chelsea, and two DFB-Pokal titles – in 2015 with Wolfsburg and 2017 with Dortmund.

Hamilton takes the lead with eighth Hungarian GP win

• A masterful Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix in dominant style and for a record eighth time to wrest the Formula One championship lead from Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas. Max Verstappen took second for Red Bull

Rahm wins PGA Memorial to seize World Number One ranking

• Jon Rahm became the first Spaniard since Seve Ballesteros in 1989 to hold golf’s world number one ranking, fending off a late challenge to win the US PGA Memorial tournament.

France Football announce the Ballon d’Or will not be awarded in 2020

• France Football, the magazine behind the annual Ballon d’Or award, have announced that the prize will not be handed out this year.

Statement of Intent signed for partnership with UNICEF India, YuWaah India, UN in India

• Youth Affairs Secretary Usha Sharma signed a Statement of Intent for partnership with UNICEF India, YuWaah India and United Nations in India to work together with young people for empowering them and to make them change makers with access to aspirational socio-economic opportunities.

Ben Stokes overtakes Jason Holder to become No.1 all-rounder in ICC Test rankings

• England Test vice-captain Ben Stokes has overtaken Jason Holder to become the 1 Test all-rounder in the ICC rankings. Stokes went past Holder thanks to his match-winning performance against West Indies in the Manchester Test.

ICC officially postpones World T20 due to coronavirus pandemic

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially postponed this year’s T20 World Cup slated to held in

WADA Extends Suspension of India’s Dope Testing Laboratory by 6 Months

• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has extended the suspension of the country’s National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) by another six months citing non-confirmation to international standards.

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FIFA:

• President: Gianni Infantino
• Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland

Senegal:

• Capital: Dakar
• Currency: West African CFA franc

International Olympic Committee:

• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• President: Thomas Bach

United States:

• Head Quarters: New York
• Secretary General: António Guterres
• General Assembly President: Tijjani Muhammad-Bande

ICC

• CEO (Chief Executive Officer) : Manu Sawhney
• Headquarters : Dubai, United Arab Emirates

WADA

• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Wim Suurbier, Dutch Football Legend, passes away

• Netherlands and Ajax defender Wim Suurbier, a key member of the 1970s Dutch squad who played in two World Cup finals, passed away at the age of 75

 Renowned ceramic artist Jyotsna Bhatt passes away

• One of India’s best-known ceramic artists, Baroda-based Jyotsna Bhatt passed away.

Neela Satyanarayan, Maharashtra’s first woman Election Commissioner, passes away at 72

• Former IAS officer and Maharashtra’s first woman Election Commissioner Neela Satyanarayan passed away.  The 72-year-old breathed her last at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai

Acharya Shree Purushottam Priyadasji Swamishree passes away

• Acharya Shree Purushottam Priyadasji Swamishree, head of Swaminarayan Sanstha – a spiritual, cultural, and social welfare centre headquartered in Ahmedabad, has passed away.

Ace para-badminton player Ramesh Tikaram passes away

• Arjuna awardee and ace para-badminton player Ramesh Tikaram passed away of coronavirus.
• The country’s first para-badminton player to be honoured with an Arjuna award.

 Civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis passes away

• Civil Rights icon Congressman John Lewis passed away at the age of 80.

C.S. Seshadri, a leader of Indian mathematics, passes away

• S. Seshadri, one of the leaders of Indian mathematics in the post-Independence era, passed away. He was 88.

Civil rights veteran Rev. C.T. Vivian passes away

• The Rev. T. Vivian, an early and key adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who organized pivotal civil rights campaigns and spent decades advocating for justice and equality, passed away.

 Filmmaker Rajat Mukherjee passes away

• Bollywood director Rajat Mukherjee passed away due to kidney-related issues.

Award-winning Spanish novelist Juan Marse passes away at age 87

• Juan Marsé, the Spanish novelist has passed away at age 87.
• One of Spain’s most-respected novelists over the past few decades, Marsé was awarded the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world’s top literary award.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon passes away

• Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon passed away. A veteran BJP leader, Lalji Tandon was a former MP from Lucknow and former Cabinet Minister in the state government.

Versatile Odia actor Bijoy Mohanty passes away

• Veteran Odia film actor Bijoy Mohanty passed away. The actor was suffering from multiple ailments.
• He had acted in over 350 Odia, Bengali and South Indian movies.

The creator of the Olympic bear: artist Victor Chizhikov passes away

• The national artist of Russia Viktor Chizhikov passed away at the age of 84.
• He is known as the author of the Olympic bear MISHA– the symbol of the 1980 Games in Moscow.

Anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni passes away

• Struggle stalwart and the last surviving Rivonia Trialist Andrew Mlangeni has passed away. He was 95.

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