State News

Overview of PM Modi’s visit to Maharashtra on August 30, 2024

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mumbai and Palghar in Maharashtra on August 30, 2024.
• He laid the foundation stone for Vadhavan Port near Dahanu town in Palghar district, with an estimated budget of around Rs 76,000 crore.
• PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 218 fisheries projects worth approximately Rs 1,560 crore in Palghar district, aiming to boost the fisheries sector infrastructure and productivity across India.
• He addressed a special session at the 5th Global Fintech Festival (GFF 2024) held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Summit and Conference News

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates National Conference of District Judiciary in New Delhi; SCI Flag unveiled

• On August 31, 2024, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day ‘National Conference of District Judiciary’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• The event, organized by the Supreme Court of India (SCI), marked 75 years of the SCI and aimed to address key challenges faced by the judiciary and enhance judicial administration.
• Over 800 district judiciary participants from across India attended the conference.
• PM Modi unveiled a stamp and coin commemorating 75 years of the SCI, and President Draupadi Murmu delivered the valedictory address, unveiling the new flag and insignia of the SCI.

Science and Technology News

DDA, MCD, & SOI Sign a tripartite MoU for Drone Surveys to Monitor Land Encroachments in Delhi

• A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Survey Of India (SOI) to facilitate drone surveys for monitoring land encroachments in New Delhi.
• The MoU aims to generate comprehensive geospatial data resources through survey and mapping activities, creating a foundation for data integration by various government departments.
• It will enable timely detection and action against encroachments, aiding in the planned development of Delhi as per the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD).
• Drone surveys are expected to provide highly accurate data and precise images of targeted areas, including exact property boundary demarcations and accurate verification of land records.

Defence News

Indian Army Launches 1st Phase of Project NAMAN To Support Veterans & Families

• The Indian Army launched the first phase of Project NAMAN to provide support and services to Defence pensioners, veterans, and their families.
• The project was launched in the presence of General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), and Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA).
• Project NAMAN focuses on the implementation of the System for Pension Administration Raksha (SPARSH), a digital pension system that streamlines pension-related processes for Defence Pensioners.
• In the first phase, 14 CSCs were established across India, with plans to expand to nearly 200 centres over the next 2 to 3 years.

Sports News

MoYAS Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Launches Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training Programme

• Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the ‘Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training’ (RESET) Programme on National Sports Day (August 29, 2024) in New Delhi.
• The initiative aims to support retired athletes by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for career development and employability.
• The Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, will lead the pilot phase of the RESET Programme, offering hybrid learning with self-paced modules, on-ground training, and internships.
• Retired athletes who have won international medals, participated in international events, or have been recognized at the national or state levels can apply for the program.

Summit and Conference News

2nd Meeting of Joint Russian-Indian Commission on the Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management held in Russia

• The 2nd meeting of the joint Russian-Indian Commission on the Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management was held on August 28, 2024, in Moscow, Russia.
• The Indian delegation was led by Minister of State (MoS) Nityanand Rai, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
• During the meeting, India and Russia signed the working plan of the joint Russian-Indian Commission on the Cooperation in the field of Emergency Management for 2025-26.
• India will host the 3rd meeting of the Indo-Russian Joint Commission on the Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Management in 2026.

International News

BRICS Countries Adopt Climate & Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

• The BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, adopted a framework document on climate and sustainable development.
• The framework covers various aspects of climate action, including a just transition, mitigation, adaptation, carbon markets, finance, science, and business involvement.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the BRICS carbon markets partnership was introduced, facilitating collaboration and learning among BRICS nations in creating carbon markets and implementing joint climate projects.
• The thematic BRICS Climate Agenda in Modern Conditions Forum was held by the Ministry of Economic Development, Russia, on August 29-30, 2024.

Banking and Finance News

DEA Issued 6 New Rules for PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Other Small Savings Schemes with effect from 1st October 2024

• The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) issued 6 new regulations related to investors in Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), and other Small Savings Schemes (SSS).
• These new rules, effective from October 1, 2024, aim to regularize irregularly opened accounts under National Small Savings (NSS) through Post Office.
• The regulations cover irregular NSS, PPF accounts opened under a minor’s name, holding various PPF accounts, extension of a PPF account by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and regularization of Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts (SSA) initiated by grandparents instead of guardians.
• The objective is to streamline and regularize the management of these savings schemes for better compliance and efficiency.

Banking and Finance News

RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on UCO Bank & CBHFL

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of Rs 2.68 crore on United Commercial (UCO) Bank Limited for contravention of certain provisions, including on opening of current accounts, interest rate on deposits, and frauds classification.
• A penalty of Rs 2.1 lakh was also imposed on Cent Bank Home Finance Limited (CBHFL) for non-compliance with certain provisions of Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.
• Both penalties are based on regulatory compliance and are not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the entities with their customers.
• The penalties were imposed under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act of 1949.

Defence News

HAL & SAFHAL Signed an Airframer Contract to Develop and Produce ‘Aravalli’ Helicopter Engines

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Private Limited (SAFHAL) signed an airframer contract to develop and produce a new generation high-power engine named “Aravalli.”
• The Aravalli engine will power the 13-ton Medium Lift class Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), both designed and developed by HAL.
• The collaboration aims to develop cutting-edge engine technologies that ensure superior performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• The engines will be designed to operate in diverse and challenging environments, with plans to extend their use to the civil market for offshore operations, utility, etc.

Sports News

IIS Signed MoU with UWW To Boost Wrestling in India

• The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United World Wrestling (UWW) to boost the sport of wrestling in India.
• The MoU aims to set up a collaborative framework for developing wrestling in India through various mutually beneficial programs, initiatives, projects, and activities.
• It demonstrates the commitment of IIS and UWW to assist elite and pre-elite wrestlers in India, as well as suitably qualified coaches.
• The UWW support is expected to improve India’s wrestling programs in preparation for the 2028 and 2032 Olympics.

Obituary News

Kiingi Tuheitia, New Zealand’s Maori King Passed Away

• Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, the King of the Maori tribe in New Zealand, passed away at the age of 69 after an 18-year reign.
• He was born in 1955 in Huntly, New Zealand, and was crowned as the King of the Maori on August 21, 2006, succeeding his mother Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
• He was the 7th monarch in the Kīngitanga, the Maori King movement, founded in 1858 with the aim of uniting New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori under a single sovereign.
• His reign was marked by efforts to strengthen the cultural and political influence of the Maori community.

Important Days News

National Nutrition Week (NNW) 2024 – September 1 to 7

• National Nutrition Week (NNW) is annually observed across India from September 1 to 7 to educate people about the importance of proper nutrition and balanced diet, and promote healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices.
• The event aims to tackle malnutrition and educate the public on the vital role of balanced nutrition in maintaining health and preventing diseases.
• NNW has been celebrated in India as a mass awareness campaign since 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
• The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) was launched on August 31, 2024, from Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Important Days News

World Coconut Day 2024 – September 2

• World Coconut Day is annually observed across the globe on September 2 to highlight the importance of coconuts and their contributions to agriculture, industry, cuisine, etc.
• The 2024 theme of World Coconut Day is “Coconut for a Circular Economy: Building Partnership for Maximum Value.”
• The day marks the foundation of the International Coconut Community (ICC), formerly the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), in 1969, with India as a founding member.
• The ICC aims to promote the development and sustainability of the coconut industry globally.

State News

Odisha Launches PM-USHA Programme To Strengthen Higher Education

• The Odisha government launched the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) programme to strengthen the higher education landscape in Odisha.
• The initiative aims to ensure access, equity, and excellence in higher education throughout the state, focusing on infrastructure development, teacher training, employability enhancement, and curriculum revamping.
• The central government will provide Rs 500 crore for the development and infrastructure of higher education institutions in Odisha, with the Centre releasing 60% of the allocated grants and the state bearing 40%.
• The programme aims to make Odisha’s state universities into world-class institutions providing students with 21st-century skills.

Appointments and Resignations News

IAS Officer Dharmendra Appointed as Chief Secretary Of Delhi

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) appointed Dharmendra, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, as the new Chief Secretary (CS) of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
• He succeeds Naresh Kumar, whose tenure as Delhi’s CS ended on August 31, 2024, after being extended twice by the Centre.
• Prior to this, Dharmendra served as the CS of Arunachal Pradesh and will take over the new charge with effect from September 1, 2024, or from the date of his joining, whichever is later.
• His appointment aims to bring experienced leadership to the administrative framework of Delhi.