National | India Current Affairs

India's Statue of Unity visible from space: Commercial satellite network 'Planet'

The memorial was inaugurated on October 31, 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kevadia in Gujarat's Narmada district to honour India’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 143rd birth anniversary.

Government approves 3 proposals under Nirbhaya Fund; 1023 Fast Track Courts to be set up

The Committee approved the proposal of Union Ministry of Home Affairs for procurement of forensic kits for sexual assault cases to kick start usage of such kits in States. These kits will be used through Training of Trainers (TOTs), capacity building or training for forensics in sexual assault cases and strengthening of State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSLs).

Government to refund employers for seven weeks of maternity leave given to employees

The Union Women and Child Development Ministry has announced that the government will refund the employers the salaries for the first seven of the 26 weeks of maternity leave for women earning more than Rs 15,000 a month.

CBI-Alok Verma Dispute: SC orders CVC to hand over probe report to Alok Verma for his response

The court directed the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to hand over the copy of the probe report to CBI Director Alok Kumar in a sealed cover and asked Verma to file his response by November 19, 2018. The matter will now be heard on November 20.

SC issues directions to 8 High Courts, State Governments on appointment of Judges

The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul and Justice K. M. Joseph also pulled up these state governments for their laid-back attitude in providing infrastructure and manpower for the functioning of the subordinate courts.

NITI Aayog constitutes 'Himalayan State Regional Council'

The Council was constituted with an aim to review and implement identified action points based on the Reports of five Working Groups, which were established along thematic areas to prepare a roadmap for action.

Union Agriculture Ministry launches NCDC’s 'Yuva Sahakar Scheme' to promote young entrepreneurs

The scheme will be linked to Rs 1000 crore ‘Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund (CSIF)’ created by the NCDC. It would have more incentives for cooperatives of North Eastern region, Aspirational Districts and cooperatives with women or SC or ST or PwD members.

HRD Ministry launches LEAP and ARPIT programmes for higher education faculty

While LEAP is a three weeks flagship leadership development training programme for second level academic functionaries in higher education institutions, ARPIT is a unique initiative of online professional development of 15 lakh higher education faculty.

Ministry of Renewable Energy prepares draft of Indian Wind Turbine Certification Scheme

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in consultation with National Institute of Wind Energy Chennai has prepared a draft of a new scheme called Indian Wind Turbine Certification Scheme. The draft scheme enlists the guidelines for the benefit of all the stakeholders from concept to lifetime of a wind turbine.

Government to release Rs 75 commemorative coin to mark anniversary of Tricolour hoisting by Bose

During his visit to Andaman in on December 30, 1943, Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Tricolor for the first time on free Indian soil at Cellular Jail of Port Blair, much before India attained Independence declaring the island as the free territory from the British rule.

Government sets up National Data Repository

The Union Government has set up a state of -the- art National Data Repository. With the introduction of the National Data Repository, India has joined the league of countries like UK and Norway which have a National Data Repository for the upstream sector.

Government approves constitution of new boards of Governors for IIMs

The Union Government has approved the process of constitution of new boards of Governors for 20 IIMs. The process is in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the IIM Act 2017. The Act is a historical step of the Government that for the first time provided comprehensive autonomy to the higher educational institutions.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Inland Multi-Modal Terminal Port in Varanasi

Constructed at the cost of Rs 207 crore, this inland waterways terminal is the first of the four Multi-Modal Terminals being constructed on National Waterways-I on River Ganga as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India.

India’s nuclear submarine INS Arihant completes first ‘deterrence patrol’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant has successfully completed its “first deterrence patrol". The development signifies that the underwater warship has completed its maiden long-range mission with live nuclear-tipped missiles.

Union Home Ministry releases Rs 113 crore to 6 Border States for development purpose

The funds were released under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP). The BADP covers 111 border districts in 17 states to meet special development needs of border population with a focus on the people living within 50 kilometres of the International Border.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries issues guidelines for 'Operation Greens'

The Operation Greens was announced in the Budget speech of 2018-19 with an outlay of Rs 500 crores to stabilise the supply of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) crops. It will ensure availability of TOP crops throughout the country round the year without price volatility.

3rd Ayurveda Day observed across India

Ayurveda is perceived as one of the well documented systems of medicine. Prevention of disease and promotion of health is the main aim of Ayurveda. Lord Dhanvantari is considered as divine propagator of Ayurveda. Therefore, Dhanvantari Jayanti was preferred for celebration of Ayurveda Day by the Ministry of AYUSH to nationalise this system of medicine.

Railways Ministry launches ‘UTS on Mobile’ facility to enable seamless booking of unreserved tickets

After successful registration, the user is given user-ID and password through which the user can log-in and book ticket through this application within the ticketing area and outside the Geo-fenced area.

PM Modi launches historic Support and Outreach Programme for MSME Sector

Various Central Ministers will visit these districts in order to apprise the entrepreneurs about various facilities being extended to MSME Sector by the Government and financial institutions.

Justices Hemant Gupta, R Subhash Reddy, MR Shah and Ajay Rastogi sworn-in as Supreme Court Judges

With their elevation, the number of judges at the Supreme Court rose to 28. The sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges in 31. Two judges, namely, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Madan B Lokur are set to retire in November and December 2018 respectively.