Important Weekly Current Affairs PDF Download (15th to 21st August 2020)

Important Weekly Current Affairs PDF:

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

Indian Independence Day

• Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August as a national holiday in India commemorating the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947.
• On the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day

Indonesian Independence Day

• Independence Day is a national holiday in Indonesia commemorating the anniversary of the Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945.

World Photography Day

• World Photography Day is observed on 19 August annually to raise awareness about the importance of photography.

World Humanitarian Day

• World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on 19 August around the world to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service.

World Mosquito Day

• World Mosquito Day, observed annually on 20 August, is a commemoration of British doctor Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.The theme for the year 2020 is on the topic ‘Malaria’.

Sadbhavana Diwas

• The Congress party observes former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary as Sadbhavna Diwas every year. He was born on August 20, 1944.

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

• UN established 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. An online high-level event entitled “Not Forgotten: Stories of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism”.

World Senior Citizen’s Day

• The World Senior Citizen’s Day is celebrated on August 21 each year. The day is dedicated to increase awareness about the issues that affect older adults.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

Govt forms 5 members panel to probe into Kozhikode plane crash

• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has ordered probe into the Air India Express aircraft crash at Kozhikode airport. The Investigation of the aircraft crash will be done by a five member team headed by Captain S S Chahar.

National Health Authority board gives nod to integrate central health schemes with Ayushman Bharat

• The governing board of National Health Authority (NHA) approved a proposal to integrate existing health schemes of Central Ministries and public sector undertakings with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

PM launches Project Lion, Project Dolphin

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of Project Lion and Project Dolphin for the conservation of the two endangered species in the country using modern technology.

NITI Aayog launches ‘ATL AI Step Up Module’ for students on Independence Day eve

• After a successful launch of a unique initiative to take Artificial Intelligence (AI) to schools through ‘ATL AI Modules’, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog in collaboration with NASSCOM have launched the ‘ATL AI Step Up Module’ for students on the eve of India’s Independence Day in order to drive AI education and innovation to the next level in schools across the country.

PM Modi launches National Digital Health Mission; Every Indian to have Health IDs

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). Every Indian will have an Aadhar like ID card containing all relevant information about his/her medical conditions and treatments and tests.

NTPC develops infrastructure at Rihand project for increased use of fly ash

• To transport fly ash to cement plants located at distance, NTPC Limited has developed infrastructure at Rihand project in Uttar Pradesh, informed the central public sector unit (PSU).

AYUSH Ministry launches campaign “Ayush for Immunity” for awareness on affordable immunity boosting practices

• The Ministry of AYUSH launched a three-month campaign aimed at increasing awareness about affordable and easy practices that can be adopted for enhancing immunity and preventing any disease.

India Post Issued Stamps on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

• India Post has released a set of  five commemorative postage stamps and a miniature sheet on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India on 15th August 2020 on the occasion of 74th Independence Day. This is the third part of the series .

Nitin Gadkari lays foundation for 13 highway projects in Manipur

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones of 3,000-crore highway projects in Manipur and stated the government will soon take up additional projects worth Rs.16,023 crore in the state.

Google partners CWC for flood forecasting initiative

• Google in association with the Central Water Commission (CWC) has taken flood forecasting initiative over the past several months, and sent numerous public alerts to people in impacted regions across the country.

Government modifies Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme 2.0

• The Finance Ministry, announced plans to extend and modify the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) 0.
• It has been decided to extend the scheme for three more months. At the end of six months(by November 19), the portfolio will be crystallised based on the actual amount disbursed for the guarantee to come into effect.
• At the portfolio level, ‘AA’ and ‘AA (-)’ rated investment sub-portfolio under the scheme should not exceed 50 per cent against 25 per cent earlier of the total portfolio of bonds/ CPs (commercial paper) purchased by Public Sector Banks under the scheme.

Govt launches ‘Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge’

• The Union Ministry of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology has launched the “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge- Innovate Solutions for #Aatmanirbhar Bharat” to provide further impetus to the strong startup ecosystem, and drive innovation and research in the country.

Home Ministry approves renaming of Manduadih railway station in UP as Banaras

• The Union Home Ministry has approved the renaming of Manduadih railway station in Uttar Pradesh as ‘Banaras‘. The Uttar Pradesh government had sent a request for renaming the railway station in Varanasi district.

Indian Railways introduces drone-based surveillance system to protect railway assets

• The Mumbai Division of Central Railway zone has recently procured two Ninja UAVs.
• These drones are capable of Real Time Tracking, Video Streaming, as well as they can be operated on Automatic Fail Safe Mode. The extensive use of drones has been planned by the RPF for the purpose of Railway security.

Union Cabinet gives a go ahead to setting up of National Recruitment Agency, to benefit job seeking youth of the country

• The Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct Common Eligibility Test. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar termed it as a historic decision which will benefit job seeking youth of the country. He stated, this fulfills the long standing demand of the youth of the country.

Government has launched schemes for development of three Bulk Drug Parks and four Medical Device Parks across the country

• Department of Pharmaceuticals has taken several measures to create suitable environment for development of domestic capacity in the pharma sector.

 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh virtually releasing a book on Cancer edited by noted Oncologist Dr Ashok Vaid

• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is himself a known Diabetologist and medical professional, released a book on Cancer edited by noted Oncologist and Padma Shree recipient, Dr Ashok K. Vaid.

Dr Harsh Vardhan launches interactive first-of-its-kind video game ‘Corona Fighters’ to spread awareness

• Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched an interactive first-of-its-kind game on COVID-19, the Corona Fighters. The Minister also launched two new videos urging adherence to key COVID Appropriate Behaviours.

Arjun Munda virtually launches ‘TRIFOOD’ Project in Raigad, Jagdalpur

• Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda virtually launched the tertiary processing centres under the ‘TRIFOOD’ project at Raigad in Maharashtra and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. The TRIFOOD Project aims at enhancing the income of tribals through better utilization and value addition to the Minor Forest Produces (MFPs) collected by the tribal forest gatherers. ‘TRIFOOD’ project is being implemented by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).

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NASSCOM:

• President– Debjani Ghosh
• Head quarters– New Delhi

NITI Aayog:

• CEO– Amitabh Kant
• Head quarters– New Delhi

NTPC:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman & MD: Gurdeep Singh

Ministry of AYUSH

• Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy and Minister of State for Defence- Shripad Yesso Naik
• Constituency: Goa

India Post

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 1 April 1854

MoRTH:

• Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Minister of Shipping and MSME: Nitin Jairam Gadkari
• Constituency: Nagpur, Maharashtra

Central Water Commission(CWC):

• Chairman– Rajendra Kumar Jain
• Headquarters– New Delhi

MEITY

• Union Minister of Law and Justice, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology: Ravi Shankar Prasad.
• Constituency: Patna Sahib, Bihar.

MHA

• Minister of Home Affairs: Amit Anilchandra Shah
• Constituency: Gujarat

Indian Railways

• Head Quarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: V K Yadhav

MoCAF

• Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers: Shri. D.V. Sadananda Gowda
• Constituency: Karnataka

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL

Donald Trump announces ‘historic’ peace deal between Israel, UAE

• US President Donald Trump announced Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to a “full normalization” of relations, including re—establishing diplomatic ties.

EU launches 1-mn-euro project in Maharashtra, Odisha for skilling women in housing sector

The  European Union has launched a 1-million-euro project in four districts of Maharashtra and Odisha under which it will train 3,000 women in masonry, plumbing and electrical fitting, among others.

One in two youths subject to depression, anxiety, says ILO survey on effects of Covid-19

• Half of the world’s youth population are subject to anxiety or depression-causing circumstances and more than a third are uncertain of their future career prospects due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey by the International Labour Organization.

UK launches £3 million innovation challenge fund in India to tackle COVID-19 and threat to environment

• The UK Government has launched a £3 million Innovation Challenge Fund to support scientists in academia and industry to tackle the most acute global challenges of our time – COVID-19 and the threat to our environment.

India, UAE agree to integrate financial transactions

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UAE’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Al Tayer have agreed to cooperate in the area of FinTech especially UPI and RuPay card, thereby integrating financial transactions between two economies.

UAE connects first Arab nuclear plant to power grid

• The oil-rich United Arab Emirates announced that it has connected its Barakah nuclear power plant to the national grid in a new first for the Arab world.

41 lakh youth lost jobs in India due to COVID-19 impact, says ILO-ADB Report

• At least 41 lakh youth in the country lost jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic while construction and farm sector workers account for the majority of job losses, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB),

Senator Kamala Harris becomes first Indian American to accept Democratic Party nomination for Vice President post in US

• US Senator Kamala Harris has accepted her nomination for the US Vice Presidential candidate for Democratic Party. she stated that she was honoured to accept the nomination for Vice President of the United States.

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UAE:

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

Israel

• Prime minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
• Capital: Jerusalem
• Currency: Israeli Shekel

European Union:

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

United Kingdom:

• Currency :Pound sterling
• Prime Minister:Boris Johnson
• Capital: London

International Labor Organization (ILO):

• Director-General: Guy Ryder
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE

Standard Chartered & Airtel Africa partner to drive financial inclusion across Africa

• Standard Chartered Bank has entered into a strategic collaboration with Airtel Africa to drive financial inclusion across key markets in Africa by providing customers with increased access to mobile financial services.

SBI rolls out YONO Krishi review to empower farmers

• State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced “KCC (Kisan Credit Card) Review option” on its digital agricultural solution platform, YONO Krishi, to enable farmers to access their KCC limit in four clicks.

Sebi levies penalty of Rs.10 lakh each on LIC, SBI, Bank of Baroda

• Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) penalized three state-owned financial companies, including State Bank of India (SBI), Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Bank of Baroda (BoB), for failing to reduce their stakes in UTI Asset Management Co. (AMC).

RBI Board approves transfer of Rs 57,128 cr as surplus to central govt

• The RBI Board has approved the transfer of 57,128 crore rupees as surplus to the central government for the accounting year 2019-20. RBI has informed that it has also decided to maintain a Contingency Risk Buffer at 5 percent. These decisions were taken at the 584th meeting of RBI’s Central Board.

Digital Apnayen: PNB launches campaign to encourage digital banking

• State-owned Punjab National Bank launched a campaign to encourage customers to use digital banking channels.
• Under the campaign ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’, the bank will contribute Rs 5 towards the PM CARES Fund on behalf of each customer conducting the first financial transaction to activate their RuPay Debit card either on point of sale (PoS) or e-commerce platform.

ADB Approves $750,000 Technical Assistance to Develop Distance Education Platform in Armenia

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a grant-financed $750,000 Knowledge and Support Technical Assistance project to help Armenia improve resilience to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and other disasters by developing and operationalizing a distance education platform.

 Bharti AXA Life, SBM Bank India enter into bancassurance partnership

• Bharti AXA Life Insurance has entered into bancassurance partnership with SBM Bank India for distribution of life insurance products through the latter’s network.

Lakshmi Vilas Bank launches instant account opening facility

• Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has launched LVB DigiGo, a digital initiative to enable opening of savings account instantly.

Muthoot Finance, Kotak Mahindra General Insurance partner to offer COVID-19 cover

• Muthoot Finance has teamed-up with Kotak Mahindra General Insurance in bid to offer COVID-19 insurance cover of up to Rs 1 lakh against gold loan.

Fino Payments Bank launches Aadhaar Auth based Digital Savings account to offer Neo-Banking Experience

• Fino Payments Bank has launched Jan BachatKhata, an Aadhaar Authentication based digital savings account that brings neo-banking experience to consumers.

RBI releases framework for pan-India entity for retail payments

• Reserve Bank of India has unveiled the framework for setting up of pan-India Umbrella Entity for Retail Payments. As per the framework, the companies with a net worth of over 500 crore rupees will be eligible to set up an umbrella entity which among other things will be permitted to set up, manage and operate new payment systems in the retail space comprising ATMs, White Label PoS, Aadhaar-based payments and remittance services.

PayMate launches full stack supply chain payments automation platform

• B2B payments player PayMate launched the country’s first full-stack supply chain payments automation platform for large enterprises and their suppliers (SMEs).

ADB approves USD 1 billion package for rapid transit system in India

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 1 billion (about 7,485 crore) loan to support the construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi-Meerut regional rapid transit system, a first of its kind in India.

YES BANK launches digital `Loan against Securities` under the Loan in Seconds platform for instant loan disbursements

• YES BANK announced the launch of digital ‘Loan against Securities’,a unique solution enabling customers to lien mark their mutual funds digitally and avail quick and hassle-free loan.

IRDAI group recommends setting up loss prevention entity for non-life insurers

• A working group constituted by the insurance regulator has recommended the setting up of a non-profit company to reduce insurance losses arising from property and motor related liabilities for the industry.
• The ten-member committee headed by Irdai member T L Alamelu has recommended the regulator and industry participants to join hands in establishing this company.

RBI releases guidelines for forming self-regulatory organisation in payments

• A recognised Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) for Payment System Operators (PSOs) has to work towards establishing minimum benchmarks, standards and help instil professional and healthy market behaviour among its members, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Edelweiss Tokio Life partners with Element AI for AI transformation journey

• Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance has partnered with Element AI, a global developer of artificial intelligence-powered (AI) solutions and products, to develop a strategic AI roadmap for the new-age insurer and prioritise investments.

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Standard Chartered Bank

• Headquarters location: London, United Kingdom
• CEO: Bill Winters

Airtel Africa

• CEO: Raghunath Venkateswarlu Mandava
• Headquarters: United Kingdom

SBI

• Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: 1 July 1955

PNB

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

ADB

• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
• President: Masatsugu Asakawa

Armenia

• Capital: Yerevan
• Currency: Armenian dram

SBM bank:

• Headquarters: Port Louis, Mauritius
• Chairman: Mr. Kee Chong LI KWONG WING

Bharti Axa General Insurance Company Ltd:

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• MD & CEO: Sanjeev Srinivasan

LVB

• Headquarters: Chennai
• Managing Director & CEO (Interim): Shri S Sundar

Muthoot Finance

• Head Office- Kochi, Kerala
• Chairman– M.G. George Muthoot
• Managing Director– George Alexander Muthoot

Kotak Mahindra General Insurance

• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer– Mahesh Balasubramanian

JBK

• JBK was launched on 15^th August 2020 to commemorate India’s Independence Day driving customers towards financial independence and freedom of choice.

Fino Payment Bank

• Headquarters location: Mumbai
• CEO: Rishi Gupta

Paymate:

• Founder: Ajay Adiseshann, founder and CEO
• Headquarters: Mumbai

YES Bank

• CEO: Prashant Kumar
• Headquarters: Mumbai

KFin Technologies

• Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
• CEO: Sreekanth Nadella

IRDAI

• Headquarters: Hyderabad
• Chairperson: Subhash Chandra Khuntia

Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Formation– 1 April 1935
• Governor– Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, one is yet to be appointed).

Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Company Limited:

• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer– Sumit Rai

Element AI:

• CEO & Founder– Jean-François (JF) Gagné
• Headquarter – Montreal,Canada.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

NSE, IIM-Bangalore join hands to offer platform for investor education

• The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the launch of a digital learning platform for investor education. The platform, an online investor education resource centre, has been developed jointly by NSE Investor Protection Fund Trust and IIM Bangalore.

Universal Sompo General Insurance and BSE EBIX join hands

• Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Ltd, a joint venture between Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank, Dabur Investment Corp and Sompo Japan Insurance Inc, announced its alliance with BSE Ebix Insurance Broking Private Limited (BSE Ebix), a joint venture between BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), the first stock exchange of Asia and Ebix Fincorp Exchange Pte Ltd to sell General Insurance products using strong distribution network of BSE Ebix in a completely digitized environment.

Xiaomi launches Mi For India initiative to distribute 2,500 phones to COVID-19 affected children

• Xiaomi India has launched an Independence Day initiative called Mi For India.
• The company has partnered with Teach For India to distribute 2500 new smartphones to children affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Tech Mahindra launches Upskilling-as-a-service platform

• Tech Mahindra was launching a new ‘Upskilling-as-a-Service’ (UaaS) platform to accelerate new-age skill development for over 60,000 employees globally to create a ‘fit for future’ workforce.

World Bank sees higher GDP fall in India than 3.2% it projected for FY21

• The World Bank stated it was likely to project a steeper contraction in India’s economy than the 2 per cent it had forecast for the current financial year. It cautioned India against using its tariff policy to attract firms seeking a shift away from China.

Tata Capital launches ‘Swift Insta Personal Loans’ on WhatsApp

• Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group announced the launch of its new service called ‘Swift Insta Personal Loans’ (SIPL) on WhatsApp.

Apple becomes first U.S. company to reach a $2 trillion market cap

• Apple hit a market cap of $2 trillion, doubling in valuation in just over two years to become the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach the milestone.Apple first reached a $1 trillion market cap on Aug. 2, 2018.

NPCI launches international unit to expand reach of UPI

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched its international arm– NPCI International Payments Ltd — to expand real-time payment system Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and card payment network RuPay in other countries.

NRDC, NAL to establish incubation centre for start-ups in aerospace technologies

• The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) will establish an innovation-cum-incubation centre with external private funding to promote startups in the emerging area of aerospace technologies, a statement stated.

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NSE:

• Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Vikram Limaye
• Headquarters – Mumbai.

Xiaomi

• Founded: 6 April 2010, Yingu Mansion, Beijing, China
• CEO: Lei Jun

Reliance Industries (RIL):

• CEO: Mukesh Ambani
• HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra

World Bank:

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S.
• President: David Malpass
• MD and CFO: Anshula Kant

Tata Capital:

• CEO: Rajiv Sabharwal
• Headquarters: Mumbai

Apple

• CEO: Tim Cook
• Headquarters: Cupertino, California.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATES

Manipur celebrates Patriots’ day, remembers fallen heroes of Anglo-Manipuri war

• In Manipur, the Patriots’ Day is being observed commemorating the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri war during which many Manipuris sacrificed their lives to safeguard the independence of the State.
• The day is observed every year on the 13th August to pay homage to the great martyres.

Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa vows to build a ‘Kalyana Rajya’

• Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has vowed to build a ‘Kalyana Rajya’, a Welfare state with the avowed principle of ‘development’ as the only mantra.

Price Monitoring and Resource Unit set up in Karnataka under the aegis of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

• A Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has been set up in Karnataka under the aegis of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

 TN govt forms 12-member panel to study new EIA draft

• Tamil Nadu government has constituted a 12-member State-level committee to look into all aspects of merits and demerits of the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Gwalior-Chambal Expressway to be named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the Gwalior-Chambal Expressway will be named Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal Progressway.
• This is the tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary.

CM Pema Khandu launches Arunachal Pradesh Challenge Entrepreneurship Programme on Independence Day

• The Chief Minister launched the Arunachal Pradesh Challenge Entrepreneurship Programme (APEDP) and unveiled the ‘Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Challenge (APEC)’ as the first part of the APEDP.

Indian Railways constructing world’s tallest pier bridge across river Ijai in Manipur

• Indian Railways is constructing the world’s tallest pier bridge in Manipur. The bridge which is being constructed across river Ijai near Noney is an engineering marvel because the tallest pier height will be 141 meter.

Nagaland Cm Launches E-Commerce Platform ‘Yellowchain’

• Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched an e-commerce platform ‘Yellowchain’ during the State level celebration of India’s Independence Day at Secretariat Plaza, Kohima.
• Yellowchain is a single window e-commerce platform developed by Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) to promote local business and entrepreneurship, a DIPR report informed.

Chhattisgarh CM announces ‘Padhai Tuhar Para’  scheme for school students

• The online education platform ‘Padhai Tunhar Duar’ scheme launched by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel under which school students will be able to learn in their respective localities in view of the suspension of classes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Andhra Pradesh teams up with NPCI for digital payments in hinterlands 

• Andhra Pradesh government has announced teaming up with the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and Canara Bank to empower over 15,000 village and ward secretariats with digital payments in the rural areas.

Karnataka plans to implement new National Education Policy by 2030

• Karnataka has planned to implement all the provisions of the new National Education Policy by 2030. As part of this, the state has decided to launch six research oriented Universities, 10 teaching oriented Universities and 34 autonomous educational institutions in the next three years.

Meghalaya govt. plans to launch ‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’, says CM Conrad K Sangma

• A ‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’ was launched by chief minister Conrad K Sangma on the occasion of Independence. This mission comprises a series of programs to support our farmers, and entrepreneurs and to build growth promoting basic infrastructure and services.

MP: ‘Ek Sankalp – Bujurgo ke naam’ campaign proves to be boon for senior citizens amid corona pandemic

• In Madhya Pradesh, a unique campaign ‘Ek Sankalp – Bujurgo ke naam’e. ‘a commitment for elders’ is being run by the Chhatarpur Police in the midst of corona infection in the state.

New Electronics Manufacturing Policy announced in UP

• Uttar Pradesh government has announced it’s Electronics Manufacturing Policy 2020. The policy aims at inviting investment of 40 thousand Crore rupees in next five years and generate four lakh direct employment.

”Dhanwantari Rath” to bring ayurveda at doorsteps of Delhi Police families

• A MoU was signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and the Delhi Police for extending ayurvedic mode of preventive and promotive health services in the residential colonies of the force.

Lokajat Yatra Begins In Uttarakhand

• 11-day Nanda Devi Lokajat yatra began in Uttarakhand. During this yatra, Goddess Nanda Devi would be taken from Siddhpeeth Nanda Devi Mandir to Chota Kailash.

Chandigarh administration launches new website

• Environment Information System (ENVIS) of the Department of Environment of Chandigarh Administration has launched a new website. The URL of the website is http://chandigarhenvis.gov.in .

MP govt to provide poor people Rs. one per kg wheat, rice, salt from Sept 1

• In Madhya Pradesh, all poor people of the state, who have not received ration from the Public Distribution System so far, will now get one rupee per kg wheat, rice and salt from September 1.

J&K govt publishes its work done under ‘Back to Village (B2V)’ programme

• In a first of its kind, government of Jammu and Kashmir published its work done under ‘Back to Village (B2V)’ programme.

Vijaynagar, one of the remotest corners in Arunachal Pradesh, gets mobile connectivity

• Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh, one of the remotest and eastern most part of the country, has been connected with mobile connectivity.

Jharkhand govt launches new state emblem

• Jharkhand government launched a new state emblem, twenty years after the state was carved out of Bihar. The new logo is primarily in green and has the national emblem at the centre with “Satyameva Jayate” etched below.

Chhattisgarh declared as cleanest state of country

• Chhattisgarh has been declared as the cleanest state of the country as per the Cleanliness Survey 2020 organized by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. Chhattisgarh has bagged 14 national awards in various categories. The state had taken many initiatives to achieve this success.

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Manipur

• Capital: Imphal
• Chief minister: N. Biren Singh
• Governor: Najma A Heptulla

Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru
• Chief minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
• Governor: Vajubhai Vala

Tamil Nadu:

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

MP

• Capital: Bhopal
• Chief minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
• Governor: Anandiben Patel

Arunachal Pradesh:

• Capital: Itanagar
• Governor: D. Mishra
• Chief Minister:Pema Khandu

Nagaland:

• CM: Neiphiu Rio
• Governor: RN Ravi
• Capital: Kohima

Chhattisgarh

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

NPCI

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: 2008
• MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe

Canara Bank

• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• CEO: Lingam Venkat Prabhakar

Meghalaya:

• Capital: Shillong
• Chief minister: Conrad Sangma
• Governor: Tathagata Roy

Madhya Pradesh:

• Capital:Bhopal
• Governor: Anandiben Patel(additional charge)
• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

UP:

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

AYUSH

• Minister of State (Independent Charge) – Shripad Yesso Naik
• Constituency: North Goa

Uttarakhand

• Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
• Governor‎: ‎Baby Rani Maurya
• CM: Trivendra Singh Rawat

Jharkhand

• Capital: Ranchi
• Chief minister: Hemant Soren
• Governor: Draupadi Murmu

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MERGER AND ACQUISITION

CCI approves Siemens’ acquisition of C&S Electric

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved proposed acquisition of C&S Electric Ltd by Siemens Ltd. The proposed combination envisages acquisition of 100 per cent of the share capital of C&S Electric Ltd (C&S) by Siemens Ltd (Siemens India).

RIL picks majority stake in Netmeds for Rs 620 crore

• The Mukesh Ambani-owned conglomerate announced acquisition of a majority equity stake in Chennai-based online pharmacy delivery startup Netmeds (Vitalic Health Pvt. Ltd) for a cash consideration of approximately Rs 620 crore.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPS AND PORTALS

5paisa launches free app to guide investors in stock market

• Discount broker com has launched a free app to help investors in the stock market understand about safe investment and successful wealth creation.

Govt launches e-portal on tribal health & nutrition

• Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the e-portal on tribal health and nutrition named ‘Swasthya’. The portal provides all health and nutrition related information of the tribal population of India on a single platform.

MSDE to soon launch a demand-driven skill portal for workforce

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will soon come up with a demand-driven skilling portal “I want to skill myself”. The portal will provide an opportunity to the workforce to demand the kind of skilling, upskilling and re-skilling they need for themselves

Nitin Gadkari launches portal for you to buy groceries directly from farmers along with these benefits

• MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launched an online farm-to-fork service com promoted by farmers for selling non-toxic farm produce.

Tata Steel launches FerroHaat App for sourcing steel scrap

• Steel Recycling Business, a division of Tata Steel, has launched FerroHaat, a first-of-its-kind mobile application (App) in the world, to source steel scrap from the traders.

Google launches Kormo app in India to help people find jobs

• Tech giant Google has expanded its employment application – Kormo Jobs – to India as it is looking forward for helping millions of Indians to land entry-level jobs.

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Ministry Of Tribal Affairs:  

• Arjun Munda, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency: Khunti
• Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship:

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

MSME

• Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Minister of Shipping and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Nitin Jairam Gadkari
• Constituency: Nagpur, Maharashtra

Tata Steel Ltd

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• CEO and Managing Director: T. V. Narendran

Google

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU

Delhi govt inked MoU with Bloomberg Philanthropies to enhance road safety

• The Delhi government, in a bid to enhance road safety in the national capital, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bloomberg Philanthropies, joining 30 world cities in the initiative for global road safety.

India-Nigeria signed MoU on space cooperation

• The MoU envisages India-Nigeria collaboration in space science, planetary exploration, ground stations, development of micro and mini satellites and joint space research and development, the statement stated.

Flipkart forges academic collaboration with IIT Patna

• Leading e-commerce player Flipkart has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT Patna) to jointly create industry focused applied research in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML).

IIM Kozhikode ties up with Swiss firm to support humanitarian work

• The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode and Switzerland based HELP Logistics have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage in a collaborative partnership and provide consulting services and logistics training.

JCI & NSC inks MoU to provide certified good quality seeds to jute farmers in year 2021-22

• A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU to provide certified good quality seeds to jute farmers in the year 2021-22 was signed between Jute Corporation of India and National Seeds Corporation.

AIFF signs MoU with IPSO to conduct online scouting workshops in India

• All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Professional Scouting Organisation (IPSO) to deliver a number of courses and webinars with regards to scouting in India.

India, Israel sign cultural agreement to further boost people-to-people ties

• India and Israel signed a cultural agreement that outlines a three-year programme of cooperation to further strengthen their strategic bilateral relations. It aims to promote greater people-to-people exchanges.

Ministry of Skill Development, Ministry of Shipping ink MoU for skill development in port & maritime sector

• A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU was signed between Ministry of Skill Development and Ministry of Shipping for skill development in port and maritime sector.

AIM, NITI Aayog, Business Sweden collaborate to promote disruptive potential of Indian entrepreneurs

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and Business Sweden on behalf of India Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre are collaborating to promote the disruptive potential of Indian entrepreneurs.

IIT Roorkee signs MoU with BIS to work on standardisation and conformity assessment activities

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to carry out activities in the field of standardisation and conformity assessment.

L&T arm signs MoU with NTPC to build CO2-to-methanol demonstration plant

• L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC to build a CO2-to-methanol demonstration plant in an NTPC power station.

Andhra Pradesh inks pact with Reliance, Allana group for empowering women

• Andhra Pradesh government has signed MoUs with Reliance Retail, Jio and Allana group to collaborate in the YSR Cheyutha, a scheme for empowering women.

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New Delhi:

• Chief minister: Arvind Kejriwal
• Governor: Anil Baijal

Nigeria:

• Capital: Abuja
• Currency: Nigerian naira

Flipkart:

• HQ: Bengaluru
• CEO: Kalyan Krishnamurthy

AIFF:

• President – Praful Patel
• Headquarters – Delhi

Israel:

• Capital: Jerusalem
• Currency: Israeli Shekel
• Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu

Andhra Pradesh:

• Capital: Amaravati, Hyderabad
• Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
• Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Sebi appoints G P Garg as Executive Director

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has appointed G P Garg as executive director (ED).

Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumes charge as Director General Naval Operations

• Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumed charge as Director General Naval Operations (DGNO), stated the Indian Navy.

Kaushik Khona to replace Vinay Dube as CEO of GoAir

• Vinay Dube has quit GoAir with immediate effect. Dube, who was earlier the CEO of Jet Airways, was appointed as the CEO of GoAir after being appointed as a consultant for the airline. Kaushik Khona has been appointed as the CEO of the Wadia Group owned airline.

Indian Idol Fame Shahzan Mujeeb signed as first ever National Brand Ambassador of Aligarh Municipal Corporation

• Aligarh Municipal Corporation (AMC) has recently roped in Indian Idol Season 11 Finalist and Oscar Nominated Playback Singer Shahzan Mujeeb as its First Ever National Brand Ambassador for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Campaign at National and International level.

Former RBI governor Urjit Patel in search panel for Monetary Policy Committee members

• Urjit Patel, has been co-opted as a member of the search-cum-selection committee to name the new three government nominees on the all-important Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
• The panel, headed by Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba, also includes RBI governor Shaktikanta Das or a deputy governor representing him, Niti Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar and economic affairs secretary Tarun Bajaj.

IPS officer Rakesh Asthana appointed BSF chief two years

• Former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana appointed the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). V S K Kaumudi will be Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Home Ministry.

Satya Pal Malik appointed as Meghalaya Governor

• The Governor of Goa, Satya Pal Malik has been  transferred and appointed as Governor of Meghalaya. Rashtrapati Bhavan in a communique stated that Maharashtra Governor  Bhagat Singh Koshyari will  discharge the functions of the Governor of Goa in addition to his own duties.

DBS Bank India appoints Prashant Joshi as Managing Director and Head of National Distribution

• DBS Bank India announced the appointment of Prashant Joshi as Managing Director and Head of National Distribution.

Cricketer Rohit Sharma appointed Oakley’s brand ambassador in India

• Performance sports eyewear brand Oakley announced the appointment of cricketer Rohit Sharma as its new brand ambassador for a period of two years in India.

Ashok Lavasa resigns as Election Commissioner; to join ADB as Vice President

• Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa resigned from his post to join the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) as vice-president next month.

Dhanlaxmi Bank appoints 4 new directors to the Board

• Dhanlaxmi Bank has appointed PK Vijayakumar and G Rajagopalan Nair on the Board of the Bank. Last month, the Bank had appointed G Subramonia Iyer and Suseela Menon R, also as Additional Directors (Independent Category) to the Board.

Cyril George assumes charge as new Dy Chairman of Cochin Port Trust

• Cyril C. George, Deputy Chairman, Chennai Port Trust has joined Cochin Port Trust as Deputy Chairman.

Luis Abinader Sworn in as Dominican Leader

• Luis Rodolfo Abinader was sworn in as president of the Dominican Republic.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Resigns After Soldiers Mutiny

• Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has resigned, after being detained by soldiers. A colonel in Mali’s army Assimi Goita now in charge of the West African country

Kishor Rungta assumes charge as Chairman of Fertilisers Association of India

• Kishor Rungta, C&MD, The Fertilizers And Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT) has assumed charge as Chairman of Fertilisers Association of India, Southern Region (FAI SR).

Equatorial Guinea reappoints Prime Minister Asue after government resignation

• Dakar Francisco Asue was reappointed as prime minister of Equatorial Guinea, after he and the government resigned last week after criticism from longstanding President Teodoro Obiang.

Trinidad And Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Begins Second Term

• Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley is beginning his second term as the island’s leader.

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SEBI

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

dhanlaxmi bank:

• Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala, India
• Chairman: Mr. Sajeev Krishnan

Dominican Republic

• Capital: Santo Domingo
• Currency: Dominican Peso.

Mali

• Capital : Bamako
• Currency :West African CFA franc.

Equatorial Guinea

• Capital: Malabo
• Currency: Central African CFA franc

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

• Capital: Port of Spain
• Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar

 CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONORS

WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan honoured with TN CM’s special award

• Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan was conferred with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s special award, in recognition of her advisory role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Telangana CM honours poet Tirunagari Ramanujam with Dasaradhi Award for 2020

• Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao honoured well-known poet Tirunagari Ramanujam with the Dasaradhi Award for 2020.

Nagaland school wins Pallikkutam award for innovation in education

• The first-ever Pallikkutam National Award for Innovation in Education, instituted by Rajagiri Media, has been won by St Christopher School, Chessore Village, Nagaland.

Ganesh Vilas Lengare awarded Star 2020 Certificate by World Book of Records, London

• Solapur based social activist Ganesh Vilas Lengare has been awarded the Star 2020 Certificate by the World Book of Records, London.

Dwijing Festival Wins 5 Awards At WOW Awards Asia – 2020

• The successful fourth edition of the Dwijing Festival with over 15 lakh tourists attending the 12-day event has emerged as the winner in five categories at the prestigious WOW Awards Asia, 2020.

UST Global wins PMI-Kerala award for ‘Adopt a School’ initiative

• Digital transformation solutions company UST Global has won the PMI-Kerala Community Project of the Year Award for 2020 for its ‘Adopt a School’ initiative under which the company adopts and supports government or government-aided schools in the rural and financially backward communities.

Global Gene Corp wins Roddenberry Prize for healthcare project

• An India and UK-headquartered genomics biotech company is among four worldwide projects awarded the $1-million 2020 Roddenberry Prize, designed to advance the vision of ‘Star Trek’ creator Gene Roddenberry to better humanity.

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WHO

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison

Telangana

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE

India calls for real-time information sharing among BRICS nations to tackle drug menace

• The fourth meeting of the BRICS anti drug working group was held recently. The meeting focused on misuse of darknet and other advanced technologies for drug trafficking. The Working Group comprising Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India held fruitful discussions.

Indian Solar Alliance to hold World Solar Technology Summit on September 8

• The Indian Solar Alliance which India intitated with France in 2015 will hold the World Solar Technology Summit for the first time on September 8.

LS Speaker Om Birla attends inaugural ceremony of 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the inaugural ceremony of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING

Bengaluru ranks 26th in Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index Q2

• Bengaluru and the national capital New Delhi ranked 26th and 27th, respectively, globally in ‘Prime Global Cities Index Q2 2020′, according to Knight Frank report.
• Mumbai is at 32nd position.

Mukesh Ambani slips two ranks, now seventh richest in the world

• Mukesh Ambani has dropped two positions to become the seventh-richest man in the world according to Forbes Real Time Billionaires List. 

Elon Musk gains $8 billion to become world’s fourth-richest person

• Elon Musk’s financial upswing shows no signs of slowing. The outspoken entrepreneur is now the world’s fourth-richest person after Tesla Inc. shares surged 11 per cent, closing at a record high and boosting Musk’s net worth by $7.8 billion.

India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming

• India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming.
• Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets.

IIT Madras bags 1st place in Atal Innovation ranking, 7 IITs among top 10

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Madras, Bombay and Delhi have bagged the top three positions in the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovations Achievements (ARIIA).

Delhi, Chennai among cheapest cities to rent for couples and newly-weds

• Ho Chi Minh City is the cheapest in the world while New York is the most expensive
• According to a new report by Purely Diamonds, couples and newly-weds looking to save money on housing should put Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi, and Chennai at the top of their list. These are the cheapest cities for renting houses, says a report.

Indore in Madhya Pradesh declared as the cleanest city in national Swachh Survekshan 2020 awards

• Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been awarded as the cleanest city in the country in the Swachh Survekshan 2020 awards. The city bagged the position for the fourth consecutive time.

Digital Quality of Life Index 2020

• Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020 has been released by SurfShark, an online privacy solutions provider.According to it, India ranks among the lowest in the world in terms of Internet quality.
• Denmark taking the leading position globally. India ranked 57^th.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Michael Cohen book “Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump”

• Michael Cohen’s memoir about President Donald Trump will be released Sept. 8 by Skyhorse Publishing. The book is called “Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump.”

Ex-Vice Marshal Subramaniam pens book “Full Spectrum: India’s Wars, 1972-2020”

• Retired Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam will come out with a comprehensive account of war and conflict in contemporary India over the past five decades next month.
• “Full Spectrum: India’s Wars, 1972-2020” is a sequel to the military historian’s “India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971” Published by HarperCollins India.

‘The Secret’ author Rhonda Byrne’s ‘Greatest Secret’ out in November

• Rhonda Byrne’s “The Greatest Secret” is coming out Nov. 24.
• “The Greatest Secret” takes readers on a journey that provides the most direct way out for those experiencing hardship and the path to end pain and suffering endured by so many.

‘A Bend in Time’: Pandemic through the eyes of children

• The book, titled “A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the Covid-19 pandemic“, is a collection of 12 engrossing stories and essays by children and young adults from across the country. Its introduction is written by award-winning children’s author Bijal Vachharajani.

One Arranged Murder’: Author Chetan Bhagat’s next to hit stands in September

• A murder mystery in the backdrop of an arranged marriage will be at the centre stage of bestselling author Chetan Bhagat’s upcoming fiction book, announced publishing house Westland.
• The book’s title — One Arranged Murder — and its cover were revealed by the author.

Penguin announces Sudha Murthy’s next book ‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’

• The new book titled ‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’ aims at entertaining children featuring 20 stories.
• Penguin Random House announced a new children’s book by author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy to mark her 70th birthday.

India Tomorrow: Conversations with the Next Generation of Political Leaders by Professor Pradeep Chhibber and Harsh Shah

• The book titled “India Tomorrow: Conversations with the Next Generation of Political Leaders”.

The book is written by American academicians Pradeep Chhibber and Harsh Shah and published by Oxford University Press (OUP).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IIT Ropar develops UVGI-based room disinfection device ‘UVSAFE’

• IIT Ropar claims to have developed India’s first-of-its-kind UVGI-based room disinfectant device ‘UVSAFE’. It harnesses the germicidal effects of UV-C radiations to inactivate all bacteria and viruses.

“Pavitrapati” Biodegradable Face Mask, Anti-Microbial Body Suit “Aushada Tara” from DIAT

• Pune based Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT (DU) developed Nanofibres of Ayurvedic based Biodegradable Face Mask which acts as a virus neutralizer to resist against the bacteria/virus, and has named “Pavitrapati”

Indian scientists develop sustainable process for making brick-like structures on the moon 

• A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a sustainable process for making brick-like structures on the moon.

TERI launches flood and heavy rain warning system for Guwahati, in collaboration with NDMA

• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have launched a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) for Guwahati to alert local authorities about flash floods and/or heavy rainfall.
• The  fully automated web-based tool will help them take timely and appropriate measures in event of a natural disaster heading toward the city.

Chandrayaan-2 captures image of crater on Moon; ISRO names it after Vikram Sarabhai

• Chandryaan-2 has captured images of the Moon and one of the craters has been named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space programme.
• Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai’s 100th birth century was observed on 12th of August, 2020.

IIT Kharagpur Launches DEEKSHAK Platform for Organizations to Conduct Online Classes

• IIT Kharagpur has developed an e-classroom software called “DEEKSHAK” for organizations to conduct online classes.

 Zydus Cadila launches India’s cheapest remdesivir version Remdac

• Zydus Cadila launches the generic version of Remdesivir, under the brand name Remdac, for treating patients suffering from severe symptoms of Covid-19.
• Priced at Rs 2,800 per 100 mg vial, Remdac is the most economical Remdesivir brand as on date. Zydus is the fifth company to launch generic version of Remdesivir

Astronomers find Milky Way look-alike galaxy 12 billion light-years away

• Astronomers at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have found a look-alike of the Milky Way 12 billion light-years away with the help of the Atacama Large Millimetre/sub-millimetre Array (ALMA).

DRDO develops UV disinfection tower for sanitising coronavirus-prone areas

• Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO has developed an equipment named UV blaster which is a Ultra Violet based area sanitiser. Designed and developed by Laser Science and Technology Centre, LASTEC, the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO, the equipment is useful for high tech surfaces like electronic equipment, computers and other gadgets in laboratories and offices that are not suitable for disinfection with chemical methods.

SCTIMST & IIT Madras start-up set up portable hospital infrastructure for COVID -19

• Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India in collaboration with ‘Modulus Housing’ a start-up incubated by IIT Madras has come up with a solution using decentralised approach to detect, manage and treat COVID-19 patients in local communities through portable microstructures.

NASA observing ‘dent’ in magnetic field ‘It is splitting’

• NASA Researchers Track Slowly Splitting ‘Dent’ in Earth’s Magnetic Field
• A small but evolving dent in Earth’s magnetic field can cause big headaches for satellites.

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ISRO

• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI):

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Director: Ajay Mathur

National Disaster Management Authority:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Agency executive: Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Zydus Cadila Healthcare:

• CEO: Pankaj Patel
• Headquarters: Ahmedabad

NASA:

• Headquarters; Washington, D.C, United States
• Administrator: Jim Bridenstine

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE

Rajnath Singh launches online portal ‘SRIJAN’ to promote indigenisation in defence production

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched an online portal that provides information about defence equipment and items that can be taken up for indigenisation by private sector companies. Ministry of Defence is observing ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Week’ from 7 Aug to 14 Aug 2020.

Anti-drone system developed by DRDO deployed near Red Fort on Independence Day

• An anti-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was deployed near the Red Fort on the ocassion of the 74th Independence Day.

Indian Coast Guard Launches 27-Meter-Long Interceptor Boat In Surat

• A newly-built “Interceptor” boat of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was launched in
• Interceptor Boat ‘ICGS C-454’, built by Larsen and Toubro, was launched into the service of the Coast Guard.

First rockets produced by private sector successfully test fired

• The first ever rockets fully manufactured by the private sector have been successfully test fired by the army. The Pinaka rockets were tested at a firing range in Pokharan and achieved the desired results by accurately hitting targets.

Iran unveils locally made ballistic and cruise missiles amid US tensions

• Iran inaugurated a surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 1,400 km and a new cruise missile.
• The surface-to-surface missile, called martyr Qassem Soleimani, has a range of 1,400 km and the cruise missile, called martyr Abu Mahdi, has a range of over 1000 kilometers, Hatami stated.

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DRDO

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 1958
• Chairman: G Satheeshkumar Reddy

Iran:

• Capital: Tehran
• Currency: Iranian rial
• President: Hassan Rouhani

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS

Sri Lanka Cricket Felicitates Two Veteran Umpires On Retirement

• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) felicitated two renowned cricket umpires — DN Pathirana and KRP Doolwala — who retired from officiating duties after a service of over 20 years.

MS Dhoni announces retirement from international cricket

• Former India captain and two-time World Cup winner, Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket.

Suresh Raina Announces Retirement From International Cricket

• Indian batsman Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from international cricket.
• The 33-year-old represented India in more than 300 internationals in a career that spanned over 13 years.

AIFF & SAI join hands to launch E-Pathshala

• All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) joined hands to launch an E-Pathshala, the web platform to recognise the creativity and develop the interest in football.

Lewis Hamilton Breaks Michael Schumacher’s Record With Spanish Grand Prix Win

• Lewis Hamilton claimed his 88th Formula One career victory and, with it, an outright record 156th podium finish in the Spanish Grand Prix.

Dream11 wins IPL title rights at 50 percent discount

• Dream11, a market leader in the fantasy gaming space, will be the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season after it was awarded the sponsorship rights for Rs 222 crore nearly half the Rs 440 crore Vivo India.

INOX Group to sponsor Indian team for Tokyo Olympics: IOA

• The INOX group will be the official sponsor of the Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced.

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AIFF

• President: Praful Patel
• Headquarters: Dwarka, Delhi

SAI

• Founded: 1982
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Director General: ‎Sandip Pradhan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Malayalam Film Lyricist Chunakkara Ramankutty passes away at 84

• Popular Malayalam poet and film and drama lyricist Chunnakara Ramankutty passed away. He was 84.

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes away due to Covid-19

• Former Test batsman Chetan Chauhan has passed away following complications due to Covid-19. He was 73.

Robert Trump: brother of president Donald Trump passes away

• Donald Trump’s younger brother, Robert Trump has passed away aged 71.

Renowned Carnatic musician & Veena artist Dr B Siva Kumar passes away

• Noted Carnatic musician and renowned veena vidwan Dr B Siva Kumar, senior veena artist. He was 53. He had been ailing from various health problems for some time.

Renowned vocalist Pandit Jasraj passes away at 90

• Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj passed away following a cardiac arrest.
• Indian classical vocal music was a recipient of various prestigious awards and honours including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

Director-actor Nishikant Kamat passes away at 50

• Director-actor Nishikant Kamat passed away , after a battle with liver cirrhosis. He was 50.

Veteran cricketer Gopalaswamy Kasturirangan passes away due to heart attack

• Veteran cricketer Gopalaswamy Kasturirangan passed away due to heart attack.
• Kasturirangan was a former cricketer-administrator and the BCCI curator.

‘Chariots of Fire’ star Ben Cross passes away

• British actor Ben Cross, best known for his starring role in the 1981 Oscar-winning sports drama ‘Chariots of Fire’ passed away.

Former India international goalkeeper Bhaskar Maity passes away

• Former India international goalkeeper Bhaskar Maity, who suffered a brain stroke, passed away at the age of 67.

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