General News Winter session of Parliament to begin on December 7 for 23 days. Himachal Pradesh witnessed a record voter turnout at 75.6% in the assembly elections. Gujarat assembly elections to be held in two-phase – December 1 and 5, results on December 8. Annual G20 Summit opens in Indonesia’s Bali province. G-20 Presidency handed over to India; next year’s Summit to be held on 9th and 10th September. India attends Moscow format of talks on Afghanistan to eradicate terrorism. India reiterates opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative at SCO meet. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar participates in 17th East Asia Summit in Cambodia. Rozgar Mela: PM Modi virtually distributes appointment letters to over 71,000 new recruits. PM inaugurates month-long ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Indian Army approves five Make II projects providing impetus to ‘Atma Nirbhaarta’. DRDO conducts successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joins Rahul Gandhi for Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh. Vikram-S, India’s first private rocket successfully lifts off from Sriharikota. ISRO conducts 200th consecutive successful launch of RH200 sounding rocket. ISRO successfully launches Oceansat-3, eight other customer satellites on their way to different orbit. India invites Egyptian […] Read more
General News Elections 2022: Himachal Pradesh elections to be held in a single-phase on Nov 12, counting on Dec 8. EC announces by- elections for seven assembly seats in six states on November 3. PM Modi, UN Chief Guterres launch Mission LiFE for climate-friendly behaviour. President Murmu flags off two train services in Northeast; launches various development projects. PM Modi launches Rozgar Mela, hands over 75,000 appointment letters. Rajnath Singh unveils several digital initiatives of Defence Accounts Department. India hosts SCO joint anti-terror drill to enhance operational capabilities. India’s Indigenous nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant carries successful launch of ballistic missile. Prachand, indigenously-developed Light Combat Helicopter inducted into Indian Air Force. India, China agree to continue talks through diplomatic, military channels to resolve border issues. India-Nepal agree to prevent misuse of their territories, illegal border crossing by third nation citizens. India to contribute $500,000 for UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism. India joins global anti-crime network, can access worldwide database of criminals. Health Ministry to stop procuring fresh COVID vaccines, surrenders ₹4,237 crore from vaccination budget. India’s first case of Omicron BQ.1 reported in Pune; state govt warns of COVID surge amid festive season. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviews COVID situation; […] Read more
General News SCO Summit: PM Modi calls for reliable supply chain to foster economic recovery. World leaders deliberate on regional security situation, enhancing trade and connectivity at SCO Summit. Jaishankar Iterates India’s global efforts, censures neighbours for shielding terrorists at UNGA. India, UAE and France hold first trilateral ministerial meeting on the sidelines of a UNGA session. QUAD nations vow to assist each other in acting against malicious cyber activities. PM Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina jointly unveil Unit-I of Maitree Super Thermal Power Project. S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh attend 2nd India-Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue in Tokyo. India, UAE sign MoU to set up cultural forum to strengthen ties between two countries. S Jaishankar meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, apprises him of bilateral ties. India signs MoU with Gulf Cooperation Council to facilitate consultation. Jaishankar, LIoyd Austin discuss opportunities for bilateral defence industrial cooperation. India, France agree to expand cooperation on Indo-Pacific body. Lt Gen Anil Chauhan(retd) appointed as new Chief of Defence Staff. India and China hold talks in eastern Ladakh, focusing on maintaining security and stability in the region. Defence ministry inks ₹1,700 crore deal for additional BrahMos missiles for frontline warships. […] Read more
General News Jagdeep Dhankhar elected 14th vice president of India; highest poll-victory margin since 1997. Monsoon session: Parliament adjourned sine die 4 days ahead of schedule, 5 Bills passed by both Houses. Productivity of Lok Sabha was approximately 48% and that of Rajya Sabha was approximately 44%. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit took oath as the 49th Chief Justice of India. Government launches ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign amidst celebrations of 75th Independence day. Made-in-India gun used for 1st time for ceremonial salute at Red Fort on Independence Day. 107 Gallantry awards announced for Armed Forces and CAPF personnel. PM Modi, French President Macron discuss Ukraine conflict and its destabilizing consequences for world. Ajit Doval meets Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev; discuss bilateral, regional and global issues. India, Thailand review defence, trade ties as Jaishankar visits Bangkok. Maldives President Ibrahim Solih reaffirms ‘India-First’ policy during his visit, signs 6 agreements. S Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial Conference. S Jaishankar embarks on a 3-nation visit to South America. Rajnath Singh attends SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Army Chief meets Bhutan King in Thimphu; focus on further boosting enduring strategic ties. Dharmendra Pradhan on 4-day […] Read more
General News Droupadi Murmu elected as 15th President of India; wins presidential elections with 64% votes. Vice President: NDA picks ex-Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar; Opposition picks Margaret Alva. Monsoon session of Parliament commenced on July 18 to continue till August 12. Union ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, RCP Singh quit as Rajya Sabha terms end. Smriti Irani gets additional charge of Minority Affairs; Scindia assigned Steel Ministry. PT Usha, Ilaiyaraaja, V Vijayendra Prasad, and Veerendra Heggade nominated to Rajya Sabha. Both Houses of Parliament witness frequent disruptions following Opposition uproar on different issues. Aerospace major Safran group to set up $150-million overhaul, repair facility in Hyderabad. NSA Ajit Doval meets his UK counterpart, discuss regional security, cooperation in defence sector. Indian Army, Navy begin recruitment under Agnipath scheme: Navy to induct around 20% women. India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ handed over to Indian Navy. Jaishankar meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Bali. COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava: Free COVID booster drive for adults aged 18-75 years launched. India’s total COVID – 19 cases at 4.4 crore; 68.5% of population fully vaccinated. Centre issues guidelines for Monkeypox patients; invites bid to develop vaccine. Maharashtra CM Eknath […] Read more
General News President Election 2022: BJP picks former Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu; Opposition picks Yashwant Sinha; Voting to be held on July 18. Rajya Sabha polls: BJP registers win in Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Congress retains Rajasthan. Agnipath: Centre to hire youth on a 4-year contractual basis for tri-services. Protests erupt against ‘Agnipath’ scheme in many states; highways blocked; rail traffic disrupted. G7 and its 5 partner countries, including India, pledge to protect free speech; PM Modi attends summit. PM Modi meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed; leaders reaffirm commitment to deepen partnership. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu holds delegation level talks with top leadership of Gabon, Senegal & Qatar Israel Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz reviews defence cooperation with PM Modi, Rajnath. India, Vietnam ink military logistics support pact and vision document to expand defence ties. Iranian Foreign Minister meets PM Modi, Jaishankar; talks focus on bilateral ties, connectivity. India hosts 2-day special ASEAN-foreign ministers meet in Delhi. 16th ASEAN defence ministers meet: Defence ministers agree to strengthen regional cooperation. BRICS leaders show commitment to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity. S Jaishankar holds discussion with Austrian and Spanish counterparts and Mauritius PM. PM Modi chairs first National Conference of Chief Secretaries. PM inaugurates […] Read more
General News PM Modi attends Quad summit in Tokyo, holds bilateral talks with US President Biden, Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Kishida. Quad leaders vow to stand together for free and open Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi meets France’s Macron, Germany’s Scholz and Danish PM Frederiksen during his Europe visit. India, Germany sign joint declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration. India-France agrees on deeper French involvement in ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ efforts in defence sector. PM Modi participates in India-Nordic Summit; invites Nordic companies to invest in Sagarmala project. WHO must be reformed, India ready to play key role: PM Modi at 2nd Global COVID Summit. PM Modi, Nepal PM Deuba lay foundation stone for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Nepal’s Lumbini. President Kovind embarks on 7-day state visit to Jamaica, Saint Vincent and Grenadines. S Jaishankar participates in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting. India and UAE sign MoU to enhance bilateral cooperation on Climate Action. President Kovind presents military honours; confers 13 Shaurya Chakras, 14 Param Vishisht Seva Medals. PM Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone of 11 projects worth more than ₹31,500 crore in Chennai. Defence Ministry approves revised ‘scales of accommodation’ for armed forces. Rajnath Singh inducts 2 […] Read more