September English PDF 1567768930 29 PDF

1 CURRENT AFFAIRS JULY 2019
Index
Preface-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No.8
National---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No.9
1. Rajiv Kumar appointed as new Finance Secretary
2. New DPIIT, textile secretaries take charge
3. Anuj Aggarwal Replaces Guruprasad Mohapatra as Chairman of Airports Authority of India
4. M S Velpari takes over as Director (Operations) at HAL
5. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurates TechEx
6. J&K to be largest Union Territory, followed by Ladakh
7. KandikuppaSreekant becomes Power Grid CMD
8. e-Rozgar Samachar launched to spread awareness about job opportunities
9. UNIDO & NISE to partner for skill development program
10. IIT Madras, NIOT researchers developing turbines to convert wave energy to electricity
11. ADB to provide $200 million for rural road project in Maharashtra
12. 31 October 2019: Foundation date of J&K, Ladakh as Union Territories
13. ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive launched
14. Odisha CM launches Small Savings incentives scheme
15. India’s first underwater train soon operational under Kolkata's Hooghly River
16. President signs off on ‘The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019’
17. Fourth edition of National Entrepreneurship Awards announces
18. J-K to host 3-day global investors summit in Srinagar from October 12
19. Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Survekshan Grameen
20. Panchamritham of Palani temple in Tamil Nadu gets GI tag
21. Government Partners With Tata Trust for Rs 300 Crore Skill Development Centre
22. Air India becomes first Indian airline to fly over North Pole
23. World’s 1st museum on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu open in Kolkata
24. Indian Navy to host multi-lateral exercise ‘MILAN 2020’ in Vizag
25. INS Tarkash participates in Exercise “Konkan-19” in English Channel
26. “Aadi Mahotsav” begins at Leh
27. IIT Kharagpur to steer EU-funded project for treatment, reuse of wastewater
28. Karnataka gets first rank in the SARAL Index by Power Ministry
29. HRD Ministry launches NISHTHA initiative for school teachers
31. ‘Sabka Vishwas - Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme’ to be operationalized from 1st Sept
32. Power Minister approves proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy
International-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No. 22
1. Giammattei elected Guatemala president
2. India contributes $1 million to UNSPT Fund
3. Fifth meeting of BRICS Minister of Environment held in Brazil
4. PM Modi inaugurates Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant in Bhutan (International)
5. Narendra Modi receives UAE's 'Order of Zayed' award
6. PM Modi launches $ 4.2 million redevelopment project of iconic Hindu temple in Bahrain
7. PM Modi launches RuPaycard in United Arab Emirates

8. G7 Summit 2019 held in France
9. India and Bahrain sign 3 MoUs
Economy and Banking ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No. 26
1. N Chandrasekaran re-appointed as director of Tata Motors
2. Postal department decides to convert India Post Payments Bank to a Small Finance Bank
3. CRISIL lowers FY20 GDP growth to 6.9%
4. RBI allows Bank of China to offer regular banking services in India
5. Law which allowed circulation of Rs 1000 notes in 1999 scrapped
6. NCAER expects India's GDP to grow at 6.2 pc in FY20
7. Mastercard launches new payment feature for uninterrupted online transactions
8. NBFCs to receive more liquidity support as RBI raises exposure limit
9. RBI lowers repo rate by 35 basis points to 5.40%
11. Jana Small Finance Bank receives Scheduled Bank status
13. Aditya Birla Health ties-up with Axis Bank to expand customer base
14. HDFC Bank's Aditya Puri: India's highest paid bank CEO
15. ANZ Group slashes India's GDP growth forecast to 6.2% in 2019-20
16. RBI paves a new growth path for digital payment cos with eMandate
17. Cabinet approves 100% FDI in coal mining and contract manufacturing
Sports--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Page No. 33
1. ICC adds two new umpires in elite panel for 2019-20

2. Vinesh wins 3rd successive gold in 53kg in Poland Open
3. Cricket commentator Anant Setalvad died
4. Thailand Open: Rankireddy-Shetty become first Indian pair to win BWF Super 500 tourney
5. Rohit Sharma Breaks Chris Gayle's Record of Most Sixes in T20Is
6. South African quick Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket
7. Nick Kyrgios defeats Daniil Medvedev to win ATP Washington Open title
8. Bangalore will host the 10th AASF Asian Age Group Championships 2019 for the 1st time
9. South african Hashim Amla announces retirement from international cricket
10. World Archery suspends Archery Association of India
11. P.V. Sindhu is only Indian on Forbes highest-paid female athletes list
12. Rafael Nadal wins his fifth Rogers Cup title
13. BCCI agrees to come under NADA to undergo doping tests
14. India wins inaugural Physical Disability World Series
15. Usha becomes Asian Athletics Association's Athletes Commission member
16. Former India cricketer VB Chandrasekhar passes away
17. Virat Kohli is the first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a decade
18. Mitchell Johnson becomes MCC Honorary Life Member
19. Ravi Shastri retains Team India's head coach position till November 2021
20. Medvedev wins Cincinnati Masters title
21. Hima Das, Mohammad Anas win gold in Czech Republic
22. Para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia crosses America's Catalina Channel
23. India wins gold at World Archery Youth Championships in Spain

24. P. V. Sindhu - India’s first world champion in badminton
25. Indian para badminton team which won 12 medals at World Championship
26. ElavenilValarivan wins maiden senior ISSF World Cup Gold
27. Ex-India pacer Wassan named chairman of DDCA selection panel
Science & Technology-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Page No.42
1. India to launch Cartosat-3 satellite by November
2. China successfully launches ‘Smart Dragon-1’ rocket for commercial use
3. North Korea tests new ‘super-large multiple rocket launcher’
4. India successfully test-fires 2 quick reaction surface-to-air missiles
Report & Surveys----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Page No. 44
1. London named world's best student city in new rankings
2. Papua New Guinea has the highest number of 'living' indigenous languages (840)
3. India’s start-up boom to make it world’s top unicorn destination
4. Report on the Composite Water Management Index 2.0
Miscellaneous------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Page No. 47
1. Veteran Gujarati journalist Kanti Bhatt passed away
2. Former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj passes away
3. Nobel laureate Toni Morrison died at 88
4. Veteran director and actor J Om Prakash died
5. Former President Pranab Mukherjee gets Bharat Ratna
6. Uri, Andhaadun, Padmaavat, Badhai Ho bagged honours at 66th National film awards
7. BAFTA LA to honour Steve Coogan with Charlie Chaplin Award

9. Ghotu Ram Meena: Next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Congo
10. Chandrima Shaha elected INSA's first woman president
11. Senior advocate & former ASG Amarendra Sharan passes away
12. Priyam Chatterjee becomes first Indian chef to receive French honour
13. Former SC judge Madan Lokur sworn in as Fiji’s SC judge
14. TN honours "Rocket man" Sivan with Kalam Award for stellar scientific work
15. Veteran actor Vidya Sinha dies
17. DD News anchor Neelum Sharma passes away
18. Noted journalist Ranjit Guru passes away
19. Padma Shri awardee Damodar Ganesh Bapat died
20. Veteran music composer Khayyam passes away at 92
21. Former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra passes away
22. Indian-American teen wins 2019 South Asian Spelling Bee contest
23. Smriti Zubin Irani confers POSHAN Abhiyaan Awards
Questions of the Month------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 56

Answer Key----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
One Liners of the Month----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
1. Important Days of the Month---------------------------------------- 61
2. Defense and Economy-------------------------------------------------- 63
3. International------------------------------------- 67
4. National-------------------------------------------------------------- 71
5. Person in News------------------------------------------------------- 75
6. Sports----------------------------------------------------------------------- 78
7. State--------------------------------------------------------------------------81
8. Science and Technology--------------------------------------- 83
9. General Knowledge----------------------------------------------------- 84
PREFACE
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has three parts: (i) Detailed Section-wise Current Affairs in bullet points; (ii) One Liners; and (iii) Current
Affairs Questions with Explanation.
The Current Affairs PDF of July 2019 comes with one more value addition, that is, 8 Topics of the Month.
We have also selected 9articles of the month from The Hindu, the Indian Express and Mint. These topics
have been selected on the basis of their impact and will be very useful for subjective papers like
IAS (Mains) Exam 2019.
Our experts have tried to put in their best efforts to make sure that the content provided remains in the
mind of the candidate for a longer period of time and is perceived with its true meaning.
National
1. Rajiv Kumar appointed as new Finance Secretary
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has
approved the appointment of Rajiv Kumar as the new
Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. Kumar, a 1984 batch
IAS officer from the Jharkhand cadre, was working as the
Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) at
Ministry of Finance.
Kumar will succeed Subhash Chandra Garg as the Finance

Secretary. Garg, who also held the office of Economic
Affairs Secretary, was transferred to the Power Ministry
in the latest bureaucratic reshuffle on July 24. He has
applied for voluntary retirement since his appointment as
the Power Secretary.
Atanu Chakraborty has been appointed as the new Economic Affairs Secretary in his stead.
2. New DPIIT, textile secretaries take charge

Guruprasad Mohapatra, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of 1986 batch assumed charge as
secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). He has taken charge at a time
when the department is working on key policies including those on retail and e-commerce. The national
industrial policy is awaiting the union cabinet’s nod.
Prior to this, he was Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and had earlier served as joint secretary
in the Department of Commerce, where he worked for the promotion of Special Economic Zones, Public
Procurement and Project Exports.
Ravi Capoor, a 1986 batch IAS officer assumed charge of the office of textiles secretary amid a steep
decline in exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, handloom products and readymade garments due to
a fall in demand in importing countries such as China, Bangladesh and South Korea.
3. Anuj Aggarwal Replaces Guruprasad Mohapatra as Chairman of Airports Authority of

India
Regulator Airports Authority of India has appointed board member Anuj Aggarwal as its chairman,
replacing Guruprasad Mohapatra who has joined the commerce ministry as secretary, Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
The temporary appointment of Aggarwal, who is the member-human resources at AAI, is effective from
Aug. 1.
Mohaptara, an IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, was appointed as the DPIIT secretary on July 25. Aggarwal,
the seniormost board member at AAI, has been serving on the board since December 2014.
4. M S Velpari takes over as Director (Operations) at HAL
M S Velpari took over as the Director (Operations) at Bengaluru-headquartered Hindustan Aeronautics

Limited. He will replace Sunil Kumar.
Velpari, who joined HAL as a management trainee in 1985, was earlier holding the post of Chief of Project
(LCA Tejas) at LCA-Tejas Division, the defence PSU said in a statement.
Velpari holds a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai
and did his Masters from IIT Madras in Aircraft Production Engineering.
5. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurates TechEx

Union Human Resource Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated the TechEx -
technology exhibition at IIT Delhi. TechEx was organized to demonstrate products and prototypes
developed under the two flagship schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)
namely IMPacting Research, INnovation and Technology (IMPRINT) and UchhatarAvishkar Yojana (UAY).
The Minister also released TechEx Volume containing abstracts of all the IMPRINT and UAY projects.
TechEx is a unique effort, which offers an excellent platform to the researchers to showcase their work
and inspire them to do their best in their respective domains. As many as 50 models/prototypes under
IMPRINT and 26 under UAY were showcased during the exhibition in addition to 142 posters.
IMPRINT scheme was launched in November, 2015 with a view to providing solutions to the most relevant
engineering challenges by translating knowledge into viable technology (products or processes) in 10
selected technology domains, namely health care, energy, sustainable habitat, nano-technology
hardware, water resources and river systems, advanced materials, Information and Communication
Technology, manufacturing, security and defence, and environmental science and climate change. 142
projects at a total cost of Rs.313.30 cr. were approved under the IMPRINT-I. These projects are funded
jointly by MHRD and the participating Ministry in the ratio of 50:50.
UchhatarAvishkar Yojana (UAY) was announced on October 6, 2015 with a view to promoting innovation
of a higher order that directly impacts the needs of the Industry and thereby improves the competitive
edge of Indian manufacturing. A total of 142 projects, including 83 in Phase-I and 59 in Phase-II) have been
approved under UAY at a total cost of Rs.388.86 cr. UAY projects are funded jointly by MHRD, participating
Ministries and the Industry in the ratio of 50:25:25. The scheme focusses on a viable industry-academic
collaboration where industry shares a part of the cost of research.
6. J&K to be largest Union Territory, followed by Ladakh
Jammu and Kashmir will be the largest Union Territory (UT) in the country in terms of area once it is carved
out, following the Centre’s move to bifurcate the State. Ladakh will be the second largest UT after it comes
to force.
The government revoked Article 370 which gave special

status to Jammu and Kashmir and proposed that the
State be bifurcated into two separate Union Territories
of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
With the addition of two new UTs, its total number will
go up to nine – J&K, Ladakh, Delhi, Puducherry, Diu and
Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh,
Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Currently, only two UTs – Delhi and Puducherry – have

Legislative Assemblies. With the addition of Jammu and
Kashmir, the number will go up to three. UTs with legislative assemblies have Lt. Governors.
The number of MPs from UTs may vary but all have representation in Parliament. For instance, Delhi sends
seven MPs, the largest among union territories.
7. KandikuppaSreekant becomes Power Grid CMD
KandikuppaSreekant took over as the chairman and managing director of State-owned Power Grid
Corporation.
Prior to this, he was the Director (Finance) of the company.
KandikuppaSreekant assumed the charge of the chairman and managing director of Power Grid
Corporation of India on August 5.
According to a statement as per the Ministry of Power order, the tenure of KandikuppaSreekant will be
till December 31, 2023, the date of his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
8. e-Rozgar Samachar launched to spread awareness about job opportunities
The e-version of Rozgar Samachar has been launched recently by Union Minister of Information &
Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar. It has been launched with a view to make aspirants aware of job
opportunities in government sector including public sector enterprises. It will also provide information
and guidance about admission and career opportunities in various streams through career-oriented
articles by experts.
It is expected to meet the emerging challenge of young readers switching to electronic modes of
communication.
The journal has been priced at 75% of the cost of its print version and is available for an annual
subscription fee of Rs. 400. It can be accessed by visiting the website www.employmentnews.gov.in and
clicking on the e-version tab.
9. UNIDO & NISE to partner for skill development program

On 8 August 2019, an agreement has been signed between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)
and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to initiate a skill development
program for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar thermal energy sector.
NISE and UNIDO will engage national and international experts to bring the best practices by developing
specialized training material.
The agreement is a part of the ongoing MNRE-GEF-UNIDO project implemented jointly by UNIDO and to
support capacity building and skill development of technical manpower in the Concentrated Solar Thermal
Energy Technologies (CST) which are being used to replace conventional fossil fuels e.g. coal, diesel,
furnace oil etc. and save costs and emissions in the industrial process heat applications.
10. IIT Madras, NIOT researchers developing turbines to convert wave energy to electricity
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) researchers
are working towards developing better turbines that
can harness the power of ocean waves to generate
electricity.
Their most recent studies on turbine-chamber

coupling have been published in the reputed peer-
reviewed International Journal of Energy Research.
The research is being headed at IIT Madras by

Dr.Abdus Samad, Associate Professor in Department
of Ocean Engineering, who works towards extracting
energy from the ocean waves. The work of Dr. Samad and his research team is aimed at meeting
Renewable Energy and Climate Change objectives of the Government of India.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million (Approx. Rs. 1410.8 Cr) loan for improving
road infrastructure in 34 districts of Maharashtra State to better connect rural areas with markets and
services.
Maharashtra accounted for almost 15% of the gross domestic product in 2016-17. However, economic
development is concentrated around the urban centres of Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. About 20 million
people, or 17% of the state's population, still live below the national poverty line, while in some districts,
particularly in rural areas, it is as high as 40%. The upgraded roads under the ADB project will boost links
between local residents, productive agricultural land, and economic centers across the state.
The project will also work with the rural infrastructure agency, the Maharashtra Rural Road Development
Association (MRRDA), to develop road safety, road asset management, contract management, and
climate resilient design. The total cost of the project is $296 million, of which the government will provide
$96 million. It is due for completion at the end of September 2024.
12. 31 October 2019: Foundation date of J&K, Ladakh as Union Territories
On 10 August 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to “The Jammu and Kashmir
Reorganisation Act 2019”.
The government set the date as October 31, the birthday of Sardar Vallabhai Patel as the date for the
Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to come into being.
The Parliament passed a Bill to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories- Jammu and
Kashmir and Ladakh. Ladakh will now be a Union Territory without legislature, while J&K would be with
one.
Article 370 and Article 35A have defined the state's relationship with the Union for seven decades now,
were effectively rendered null and void.
About Union Territory
A Union Territory (UT) is a type of administrative division in the Republic of India. Unlike the states of
India, which have their own governments, union territories are federal territories governed directly by the
union government (central government), hence the name union territory.
At present, India is a federal union comprising 29 states and 7 union territories, for a total of 36 entities.
The states and union territories are further subdivided into districts and smaller administrative divisions.
Union Territories are administrated by the President acting to such extent, as he thinks fit, through an
Administrator appointed by him. Administrators of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi and Puducherry
are designated as Lieutenant Governors. The National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of
Puducherry each has a legislative assembly and council of ministers.
13. ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive launched
On 9 August 2019, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of HRD has launched the
‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive to promote water conservation activities for School Students, so that
they can become competent, conscientious and committed water citizens of our nation.
The Department has prepared a detailed outline to implement this programme in all the schools of the
country.
Five Major Objectives of campaign are -
• To educate Students learn about conservation of water
• To sensitize Students about the impact of scarcity of water
• To empower Students to learn to protect the natural sources of water

• To help every Student to save at least one litre of water per day
• To encourage Students towards judicious use and minimum wastage of water at home and school
level
Targets is - Save One Litre of Water in One Day by One Student
14. Odisha CM launches Small Savings incentives scheme
In a bid to increase saving habits among state citizens, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the
‘Odisha Small Savings Incentive Scheme’ for 2019 on 8 August 2019. The launched scheme will be run
under the notation “AQ” series.
Naveen Patnaik’s government will conduct a lucky draw of all investors of small savings schemes and give
winners a cash award to promote saving habit.
Under the provisions of the scheme, any eligible person can deposit a minimum amount of Rs. 2,000 in
any Small Savings Schemes (Kisan Vikas Patra, Public Provident Fund, National Savings Certificate, Post
Office (Monthly Income) Account) of Odisha government during the calendar year 2019 in any Post office
or bank located in Odisha. Then person can get a free web-based coupon from the office of the collectors,
sub-collectors or block development officers. This will be like a lucky draw ticket.
On April 26, 2020, a state-level lucky draw of the scheme will take place in which people can win a cash
award.
15. India’s first underwater train soon operational under Kolkata's Hooghly River
The first underwater train in India will be operational under Kolkata's Hooghly River.
Construction of the metro tunnels under the river began at the Howrah end in April 2017. The tunnels are
520 metres long and about 30 metres deep. Two top-order tunnel boring machines, nicknamed Rachna
and Prerna, were brought from Germany in parts and assembled underground for the construction of the
tunnels.
Underwater Train project
The train will be part of the Kolkata Metro Line 2, also known as the East-West Metro. The 16km-line will
be made operational in two phases. The first phase, connecting Salt Lake Sector 5 station to Salt Lake
Stadium station, will span across 5 km and is scheduled to start running later this month. The new metro
line is expected to cut travel time for commuters significantly.
The underwater sector on this line will connect Salt Lake Sector 5 station to Howrah Maidan station. Once
completed, the under-the-river Metro ride will be all of 60 seconds long.
As of now, Kolkata has just one metro line, known as North-South Metro.
16. President signs off on ‘The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019’
The President of India has given his assent for the latest amendments in the Arbitration and Conciliation
Act, 1996 and the same has been published in the Official Gazette of India as the Arbitration and
Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 for general information.
The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 18, 2019,
and by the Lok Sabha on August 1, 2019.
Key features
• Insertion of new section 87 on the application of 2015 amendments - Unless the parties otherwise
agree shall not apply to the arbitral proceedings which commenced before October 23, 2015.
• The Amendment provides for the establishment of an Arbitration Council which will take
measures necessary to promote and encourage arbitration, mediation, conciliation or other alternative
dispute resolution mechanism in India. The Council shall function under the Chairmanship of the Chief
Justice of India and have its head office at Delhi.
• The amendment empowers the Supreme Court and the High Court to designate arbitral
institutions for the purpose of appointment of arbitrators.
17. Fourth edition of National Entrepreneurship Awards announces
The fourth edition of the National Entrepreneurship

Awards by the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has opened for nominations.
The Awards aim to honour outstanding young first
generation entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders for
their exceptional contribution in entrepreneurship
development.
There are a total of 45 specially designed awards to be

bestowed – 39 Enterprise Awards and 6 Awards for
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders.
Winners will be felicitated in a grand Award Ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship, and will be presented with a Trophy, Certificate and a Cash Prize of ?5 lakh (enterprises/
individuals) and ?10 lakh (organizations/ institutes). The ceremony has been proposed to take place in
November 2019.
18. J-K to host 3-day global investors summit in Srinagar from October 12
Seeking to attract businesses to Jammu and Kashmir, the state administration announced a three-day
global investors summit to be held in Srinagar from October 12.
The meet will provide J-K an opportunity to showcase its strengths, strategies and potential, the state's
Principal Secretary (Industries), Naveen Choudhary, told reporters.
The announcement comes a week after the Centre scrapped special status to Jammu and Kashmir under
Article 370 of the Constitution. Among the reasons cited was that the provision had restricted the state's
industrial growth and development.
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) will be the national partner for the investors meet. An MoU
has been signed by Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) and CII for organisation
and management of the event.
Trade and industry organisations will come to know firsthand about the business- friendly policies of the
government, assess infrastructure, natural resources, raw material and skill and un-skilled manpower
available and identify business opportunities in the state through the summit.
19. Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Survekshan Grameen
On 14 August 2019, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Swachh Survekshan
Grameen 2019, which will be three times bigger in scale than the previous edition of the survey.
Around 700 districts and 17,475 villages will be covered under the survey to be conducted in 34 states
and union territories. In 2018, around 6,000 villages were covered under it.
The field survey, to rank states and districts based on sanitation level, will be held for 45 days at over
87,000 public places. Five public places in each village will be surveyed under the exercise that will
conclude on September 30.
Minister also launched an app through which people can give feedback on the survey.
The famous Panchamritham, an offering (Prashad) of the Palani Dandayuthaswamy temple, in Tamil Nadu,
has been granted the Geographical Identity (GI) tag.
The office of the Deputy Director, Geographical Indications, Chennai has given GI tag.
This is the first temple from Tamil Nadu offering Prashad to be conferred this honour. Earlier, the
TanjavoorVeenai, Madurai Malligai, Neelgiri Tea leaves as well as Turmeric from Erode from Tamil Nadu
have been bestowed with Geographical Identity tags.
The unique Panchamritam of Palani temple is prepared using five sweet substances including plantains,
jaggery, grapes, forest honey and ghee. The quality of the Panchamritham is being monitored by the
Central Research Institute of Food Technology in Mysore. It is also noteworthy that Palani temple is one
of the six Kartikeya temples in Tamil Nadu.
21. Government Partners With Tata Trust for Rs 300 Crore Skill Development Centre
The skill development ministry announced an association with the Tata Trust to build Rs 300 crore modern
training and skill development centre in Mumbai.
While the government will provide four acres in National Skill Training Institute at Sion in Central Mumbai,
the Tata Trust will build the infrastructure and run the centre at an investment of Rs 300 crore, Union Skill
Development Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey told.
The institute will have a capacity of 10,000 students. We expect to lay the foundation of this project by
mid-September and hope that the institute will be fully operational by next year.
The review meeting was attended by skill development and entrepreneurship secretary KP Krishnan, Tata
Trust representatives and officials of National Skill Training Institute.
The institute will be of international standards of Singapore and Germany providing new-age skills
including factory automation, digital manufacturing, cyber security, additive manufacturing, data
analytics, digital design, smart mechatronics among others.
The institute, which is expected to be ready in 18 months, aims to pull in major private sector companies
across sectors to create replicas and work like environment for imparting practical training, he said.
The government is planning to build another two such institutes at Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Kanpur in
Uttar Pradesh by 2022, he added.
Air India, a national carrier, hoisted its ‘Boeing 777’ aircraft over the North Pole to become the first Indian
airline to operate commercial flights overflying the polar region.
Its Delhi-San Francisco flight has done fly over the polar region. Delhi-San Francisco flight AI-173 lifted off
at 4 am, with about 243 passengers on board, overflew Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and
overflew the North Pole by 12.27 pm to cross over to the other side of planet Earth.
23. World’s 1st museum on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu open in Kolkata
On 13 August 2019, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the world’s first museum
in Kolkata dedicated to the life and teachings of 16th century saint and social reformer Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu. The museum is the dream project of Gaudiya Mission.
The Gaudiya Mission, a spiritual and philanthropic organisation established in 1935, propagates the
teachings of Sri Chaitanya and the Vaishnava faith. It has many centres in India and temples in London
and New York. The museum is a three-storey structure built on an area of approximately 1,350 square
metres and includes galleries, public utility areas and a library. The museum has been designed by the
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM).
24. Indian Navy to host multi-lateral exercise ‘MILAN 2020’ in Vizag
The Indian Navy would be hosting ‘MILAN’, a multi-lateral naval exercise, in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh in
March 2020.
The MILAN series of biennial exercises, which commenced in 1995 and conducted at Andaman and
Nicobar Command (ANC) until last year. In 2020, it was being conducted for the first time on the mainland
at the eastern naval command (ENC).
The most recent edition of Milan was held at Port Blair from 6-13 March 2018. Sixteen foreign nations
participated in the event.
25. INS Tarkash participates in Exercise “Konkan-19” in English Channel
On 14 August 2019, Indian Navy stealth frigate INS Tarkash joined the UK Royal Navy's HMS Destroyer in
the English Channel for their annual ‘Konkan 2019’ Exercise.
The Russian-built Tarkash is a general-purpose frigate bristling with anti-ship/anti-land/anti-air missiles.

The two frigates conducted various combined training manoeuvres and serials including involving anti-
submarine warfare demonstrations and boarding operations.
About Konkan Exercise
Konkan is a long-running exercise designed to test the ability of the two Commonwealth navies (India &
UK) to operate side-by-side during war and other crunch scenarios.
The exercise typically takes place off the namesake Konkan stretch of coastline in India running for 450
miles along the Western Seaboard and encompassing Mumbai and Goa as the Royal Navy maintains a
regular presence in the Indian Ocean.
About English Channel
The English Channel is the body of water that separates Southern England from northern France and links
the southern part of the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the busiest shipping area in the world. It is
about 560 km long and varies in width from 240 km at its widest to 33.3 km in the Strait of Dover. It is the
smallest of the shallow seas around the continental shelf of Europe, covering an area of some 75,000 km2.
26. “Aadi Mahotsav” begins at Leh
On 17 August 2019, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda inaugurated a nine-day national Tribal
festival “Aadi Mahotsav” at Leh in Ladakh.
Adi Mahotsav is jointly organized by Tribal Affairs Ministry and TRIFED with a theme of “A celebration of
the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce”.
This is the first mega event arranged by the Government of India after the announcement of Union
Territory status for Ladakh region which has 97 percent tribal population.
The Adi Mahotsav would provide an opportunity to Ladakhi Tribal artisans to come and get themselves
empanelled with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India to expand their market
base.
27. IIT Kharagpur to steer EU-funded project for treatment, reuse of wastewater
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur will steer a European Union (EU)-funded project to evolve
technologies for reusing wastewater after treating it.
IIT Kharagpur is the lead Indian partner of the multi-institutional, multi-crore Saraswati 2.0 project for
treatment and reuse of water, a statement issued
by the institute said.
The project is being funded by the European Union

and the Government of India's Department of
Science and Technology and the Department of
Biotechnology, it said.
It aims to identify the best available and affordable

technologies for wastewater treatment and to
provide solutions to the challenges of water use in
both rural and urban areas.
As part of the project, three water treatment plants will be set up at the IIT Kharagpur campus to treat
wastewater and make them fit for use in irrigation.
The plants will be commissioned by January 2020, he said.
Seven such plants will be also set up in the other partner Indian institutes, which are IIT Madras, IIT
Bhubaneswar, IIT Roorkee, NITIE Mumbai, MNIT Jaipur and TERI School of Advanced Studies.
IIT Kharagpur will manage the project along with its lead European partner, BOKU (University of Natural
Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna), the statement said.
They will execute the project in collaboration with several European institutes.
Saraswati 2.0 builds on the Saraswati project of 2012-17, which was also jointly funded by the European
Commission and Indian government's Department of Science and Technology.
The project has been selected under the EU-India joint call on research and innovation for water.
It will lead to transfer of European technologies to India, which could then be tested and customised
according to Indian needs at an affordable cost, the statement said.
The target is to not only facilitate exchange of technologies but also use them for benefiting the Indian
population once they are tried and tested, it said.
The project assumes significance as untreated domestic and municipal wastewater has become a major
source of water and environmental pollution.
Treatment of wastewater not only prevents pollution of the water sources but also provides a valuable
additional source of water supply, it said.
The statement said treated wastewater can be used for irrigation or for non-potable purposes such as
flushing of toilets.
R. K. Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship, launched the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index “SARAL”.
The State of Karnataka has been placed at the first rank in the Index that evaluates Indian states based on
their attractiveness for rooftop development. Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have got 2nd, 3rd
and 4th rank respectively.
About SARAL
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has developed the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index–
SARAL that evaluates Indian states based on their attractiveness for rooftop development. SARAL is the
first of its kind index to provide a comprehensive overview of state-level measures adopted to facilitate
rooftop solar deployment.
SARAL (State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index) has been designed collaboratively by the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), Associated Chambers
of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst & Young (EY).
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of 175 GW of renewable energy
capacity by 2022, of which 100 GW solar power is to be operational by March 2022, of which 40 GW is
expected to come from grid connected solar rooftops.
29. HRD Ministry launches NISHTHA initiative for school teachers
On 21 August 2019, Union Human resource development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched
the National Mission to improve Learning Outcomes at the Elementary level - NISHTHA (National Initiative
for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement) program. It is the largest teachers’ training
programme of its kind in the world.
The basic objective of this massive training programme ‘NISHTHA’ is to motivate and equip teachers to
encourage and foster critical thinking in students. Teachers will get awareness and develop their skills on
various aspects related to Learning, Environmental Concerns, Pre-school, Pre-vocational Education and
School Based Assessment in a joyful learning manner.
This integrated programme aims to build the capacities of around 42 lakh participants covering all
teachers and Heads of Schools at the elementary level in all Government schools, faculty members of
State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), District Institutes of Education and Training
(DIETs) as well as Block Resource Coordinators and Cluster Resource Coordinators in all States and UTs.
R. K. Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship, launched the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index “SARAL”.
The State of Karnataka has been placed at the first rank in the Index that evaluates Indian states based on
their attractiveness for rooftop development. Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have got 2nd, 3rd
and 4th rank respectively.
About SARAL
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has developed the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index–
SARAL that evaluates Indian states based on their attractiveness for rooftop development. SARAL is the
first of its kind index to provide a comprehensive overview of state-level measures adopted to facilitate
rooftop solar deployment.
SARAL (State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index) has been designed collaboratively by the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), Associated Chambers
of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst & Young (EY).
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of 175 GW of renewable energy
capacity by 2022, of which 100 GW solar power is to be operational by March 2022, of which 40 GW is
expected to come from grid connected solar rooftops.
31. ‘Sabka Vishwas - Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme’ to be operationalized from 1st
Sept
In the Union Budget 2019-20, the Hon’ble Finance Minister announced the Sabka Vishwas-Legacy Dispute
Resolution Scheme, 2019. The Scheme has now been notified and will be operationalized from 1st
September 2019. The Scheme would continue till 31st December 2019.
Government expects the Scheme to be availed by large number of taxpayers for closing their pending
disputes relating to legacy Service Tax and Central Excise cases that are now subsumed under GST so they
can focus on GST.
About Scheme
The two main components of the scheme are dispute resolution and amnesty. The dispute resolution
component is aimed at liquidating the legacy cases of Central Excise and Service Tax that are subsumed
in GST and are pending in litigation at various forums. The amnesty component of the Scheme offers an
opportunity to the taxpayers to pay the outstanding tax and be free of any other consequence under the
law.
This scheme offers a relief of 70% from the duty demand if it is Rs.50 lakhs or less and 50% if it is more
than Rs. 50 lakhs.
32. Power Minister approves proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy
In a decision that would give boost to the ocean energy in India, Union Minister of State for Power and
New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh approved a proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy.
Accordingly, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has clarified to all the stakeholders that energy
produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion etc.
shall be considered as Renewable Energy and shall
be eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable
Purchase Obligations (RPO).
Ocean Energy
Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth’s surface and

represent an enormous amount of energy in the
form of wave, tidal, marine current and thermal
gradient.
The total theoretical potential of wave energy in India along the country’s coast is estimated to be about
40,000 MW – these are preliminary estimates. This energy is however less intensive than what is available
in more northern and southern latitudes.
The Gulf of Cambay and the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat on the west coast have the locations in the country
where potential exists.
Total identified potential of Tidal Energy is about 12455 MW, with potential locations identified at
Khambat& Kutch regions, and large backwaters, where barrage technology could be used.
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International
1. Giammattei elected Guatemala president
Conservative Alejandro Giammattei was elected as Guatemala's president, defeating former first lady
Sandra Torres in a run-off.
He had polled almost 58.5 percent with a lead of 550,000 votes and only a few thousand left to count
when the court declared him the victor.
Giammattei will take place of the present president Jimmy Morales who is facing the charges of
corruption.
India, China sign 4 agreements to strengthen people-to-people ties (International)

India and China on August 12 signed four agreements to further strengthen the cultural and people-to-
people ties between the two neighbours and ancient civilisations.
The agreements were signed after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart
Wang Yi attended the 2nd meeting of the India-China High Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-
People Exchanges.
Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to China. He called on Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and held talks
with Wang Yi.
The two countries signed four agreements on cultural exchanges, healthcare, sports and cooperation in
museum management.
Both the countries agreed to promote cultural exchanges for preservation of intangible cultural heritage,
organisation of cultural activities and management of archaeological heritage sites.
Both, Jaishankar and Wang Yi, expressed the importance to enhance cooperation in the field of traditional
medicine- where both India and China have a rich knowledge accumulated over centuries, with the
objective of promoting the development of Traditional Medicine in two countries' healthcare systems.
The two leaders agreed to promote exchanges between our National Sports Associations, sports persons
and youth for strengthening cooperation on international sports events.
Also, they agreed to cooperate in museum management for promoting collaboration between Hubei
Provincial Museum, Wuhan and the National Museum, New Delhi in the field of exhibitions, protection
and restoration of collections and archaeological excavations for museums, it said.
The two leaders also agreed on a Plan of Action for bilateral engagements for the year 2020.
India has contributed one million US Dollars to the United Nations Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) for
the Resident Coordinator System.
The Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) is a specific fund housed within the UN Secretariat, established to
receive, consolidate, manage all contributions and financial transactions of the new Resident Coordinator
system in a transparent and effective way.
Funding sources include voluntary contributions from the Member States, the doubling of cost-sharing
amounts from the UN entities who are members of the United Nations development system and a one
per cent levy applied to contributions for UN development related activities earmarked to a single agency,
single programme or project.
3. Fifth meeting of BRICS Minister of Environment held in Brazil

On 17 August 2019, ‘BRICS Minister of Environment meeting 2019’ held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is preceded
by the 2-day meeting of BRICS Joint Working Group on Environment.
The Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash
Javadekar.
Prakash Javadekar stated that India achieved its

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the
Paris Agreement, reduction of energy intensity by 25%,
increment of forest cover by nearly 15,000 sq km,
Swachh Bharat Mission initiative, Waste Management
Rules.
Points mentioned in Declaration
The Ministers of BRICS countries underlined the

“Partnership on Urban Environmental Sustainability
Initiative (PUESI)”. This is used to share knowledge &
experience on major issues such as waste management, cogeneration, reverse logistics, sanitation, urban
air quality, urban green areas.
BRICS Environmentally Sound Technology (BEST) Cooperation Platform was highlighted for innovations,
knowledge sharing and capacity building. It was adopted for improvement of the river ecosystem and
tackling marine waste.
The Ministers agreed to support the development of Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
The BRICS Ministers delegations to join at 14th CoP (Conference of Parties) scheduled to be held from 2 –
13 September 2019 and contribute to the efforts to combat desertification and land degradation.
4. PM Modi inaugurates Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant in Bhutan (International)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant, one of the major
projects under Bhutan's initiative to generate 10,000 MW hydropower by 2020 with the Indian
government's support.
The Rs 4,500-crore hydroelectric plant, touted as a Bhutan-India friendship project, is a 720MW run-of-
river power plant built on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan. It was
developed by the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA), which was jointly constituted by
the Indian and the Bhutanese governments.
The Mangdechhu project is funded by India through a 70 per cent loan and a 30 per cent grant. It is
estimated to generate 2,923 GWh of electricity.
Most of the electricity generated by the Mangdechhu hydropower project will meet the energy
requirements of Bhutan and the surplus electricity will be exported to India.
Modi also launched stamps to commemorate five decades of India-Bhutan Hydropower cooperation.
5. Narendra Modi receives UAE's 'Order of Zayed' award

On 24 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the highest civil decoration of the UAE, “Order
of Zayed”.
This award was conferred to him in April 2019 in recognition of his distinguished leadership that gave a
big boost to bilateral relations between the two countries. The award is named after Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.
PM Modi is on a three-nation tour with France being his first stop, followed by UAE and Bahrain.
About UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)is a country in Western Asia at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula
on the Persian Gulf. It bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as
sharing maritime borders with Qatar to the west and Iran to the north.Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and
UAE dirham is the currency.
6. PM Modi launches $ 4.2 million redevelopment project of iconic Hindu temple in Bahrain
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the USD 4.2 million redevelopment project of the 200-year-old
Lord Sri Krishna temple in Manama, Bahrain.
The heritage and the 200-year-old legacy of the temple will be highlighted in the redevelopment and the
new iconic complex will house the sanctum sanctorum and prayer halls.
PM Modi arrived in Bahrain on 24 August 2019, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to Bahrain.
Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf. Manama is the capital of country and currency is Bahraini
dinar.
7. PM Modi launches RuPaycard in United Arab Emirates

On 24 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the RuPay card in Abu Dhabi, the capital of
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This move making the UAE the first country in the Middle East to launch the Indian indigenous system of
electronic payment.
RuPay card scheme was launched in 2012 to fulfil the Reserve Bank of India's vision to have a domestic,
open and multilateral system of payments. RuPay facilitates electronic payment at all Indian banks and
financial institutions.India has already launched the RuPay card in Singapore and Bhutan.
8. G7 Summit 2019 held in France

The 45th G7 summit is being held during 24 August to 26 August 2019 in Biarritz, France.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the ongoing G7 Summit where he will speak on burning global
issues of environment, climate and digital transformation and also meet world leaders.
About G7
The Group of Seven (G7) is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of the
seven largest IMF-described advanced economies in the world. The countries which are part of the G7
include the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US.
The concept of a forum for the world's major industrialized countries emerged before the 1973 oil crisis.
It was reformed in 2014 (Foundation year).
9. India and Bahrain sign 3 MoUs

On 24 August 2019, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bahrain. India and Bahrain released a joint
statement on August 25, 2019 during his visit to Bahrain.
PM Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister who visited Bahrain. Narendra Modi was conferred
Bahrain Order- First Class by Bahrain’s King, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in recognition of his efforts to
strengthen bilateral relations of India with the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Bahrain Order - First Class is also
known as the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance.
There are 3 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) was signed between India and Bahrain, during this
visit. Those are as follows -
Statement of Intent on collaboration between ISRO and National Space Science Agency in the area of
Space Technology
Statement of Intent on collaboration of the Kingdom of Bahrain with International Solar Alliance (ISA)
Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Bahrain
Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of security and counter-terrorism. The two
sides also discussed ways and means to further promote cooperation in cyber security. The two countries
agreed to focus on enhancing cooperation in energy and strengthen maritime security in the Gulf region.
Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf. Manama is the capital and Bahraini dinar is
the currency of country.
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Economy & Banking

1. N Chandrasekaran re-appointed as director of Tata Motors
Tata Motors said that its shareholders have approved re-appointment of N Chandrasekaran as a director
on the company's board.
He is chairman of Tata Motors.

Shareholders approved the re-appointment of Chandrasekaran with 98.65 per cent votes.
Nasser Munjee, Vinesh Kumar Jairath and Falguni Nayar have ceased to be independent directors upon
completion of their terms.
2. Postal department decides to convert India Post Payments Bank to a Small Finance Bank
The postal department said it has decided to convert the India Post Payments Bank into a small finance
bank, enabling it to offer small loans to customers.
Besides, the department looks to open one crore accounts for IPPB in 100 days.
This decision was taken at the annual Heads of Circles Conference held at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir
from July 29-31, 2019 to adopt a 100-day action plan and a five-year vision to align the Department of
Posts with the Prime Minister's New India initiative.
3. CRISIL lowers FY20 GDP growth to 6.9%
Analytics firm CRISIL lowered its estimate of India's GDP growth by 20 basis points to 6.9 per cent for the
current fiscal ending March 2020 due to downside risks like weak monsoon and slowing global growth.
In June, the Reserve Bank of India had lowered the economic growth forecast for fiscal 2019-20 to 7 per
cent from its April estimate of 7.2 per cent due to a slowdown in domestic activities and escalation in
global trade war.
In a report, CRISIL said the slowdown would be pronounced in the first half of the fiscal, while the second
half should find support from expected monetary easing, consumption, and statistical low-base effect.
"With the Indian economy caught in crosswinds, we now expect gross domestic product (GDP) to grow
6.9 per cent this fiscal, or 20 basis points lower than what we had envisaged earlier.
As per the Central Statistics Office (CSO), India's GDP slowed to a five-year low of 5.8 per cent in the
January-March quarter of 2018-19.
As per the Economic Survey for 2018-19, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament
last month, the real GDP growth for the year 2019-20 is projected at 7 per cent, reflecting a recovery in
the economy after a deceleration in growth momentum throughout 2018-19.
4. RBI allows Bank of China to offer regular banking services in India
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed Bank of China to offer regular banking services in the country. All
commercial banks, like SBI, HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank and ICICI Bank, are in the Second Schedule.
Banks falling under this schedule have to adhere to the norms of the RBI.
"We advise that the 'Bank of China Limited' has been included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank
of India Act, 1934.
In another notification, the RBI said 'Jana Small Finance Bank Limited' too has been included in the Second
Schedule.
Further, the name of 'The Royal Bank of Scotland plc' has been changed to 'NatWest Markets Plc' in the
Second Schedule.
Meanwhile, 'National Australia Bank' has ceased to be a banking company within the meaning of the
Banking Regulation Act; the RBI said and added that it has been excluded from the Second Schedule.
5. Law which allowed circulation of Rs 1000 notes in 1999 scrapped
A law which allowed the Reserve Bank of India to circulate Rs 1000 denomination notes to tide over the
shortage of currency in the late 1990s has been scrapped.
The High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetisation) Amendment Act, 1998 is one of 58 "redundant"
laws repealed last week. Parliament passed a bill to repeal 58 laws from the statute books.
The then finance minister, Yashwant Sinha, had moved bill in December 1998 to allow RBI circulate Rs
1000 denomination notes.
To eliminate the shortage of currency notes and to ease the pressure on other denominations, it is
proposed to amend section 2 of the High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetization) Act, 1978. This will
facilitate the Reserve Bank of India to issue notes of Rs 1,000 denomination immediately," read the
amended Act which came into force in 1999.
On 8 November 2016, the government announced demonetization of all Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes
of the Mahatma Gandhi series.
It also announced the issuance of new Rs 500 and RS 2,000 notes.
The Rs 1000 denomination notes are no longer in circulation.
6. NCAER expects India's GDP to grow at 6.2 pc in FY20
India's GDP growth is likely to be 6.2 per cent during the current fiscal, down from 6.8 per cent in 2018-
19, on account of flat growth in agriculture sector, economic think-tank NCAER said.
The forecast as per the annual model is that GDP at market prices will grow at 6.2 per cent and Gross
Value Added (GVA) at basic prices at 6 per cent for 2019-20 on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis.
The forecast as per the quarterly model is that GVA will grow at 6.2 per cent on a y-o-y basis.
7. Mastercard launches new payment feature for uninterrupted online transactions
Global payment solutions major Mastercard launched a card payment feature that will allow customers
to do uninterrupted transactions while shopping online. This feature is called Identity Check Express.
Identity Check Express is the next generation, mobile first authentication solution that will eliminate
unnecessary friction and enhance security of online transactions without the need to be re-directed to a
third website to complete the payment process.
The new feature was showcased at the Global Mastercard Cybersecurity Summit, held for the first time
in India, which uses device intelligence and behavioral biometrics, with the latest EMV 3-D secure and
FIDO authentication standards to deliver an uninterrupted mobile payment experience.
The solution will help eliminate unnecessary friction and enhance the security of online transactions, it
said.
Mastercard, citing its analysis, said up to 20 per cent of mobile e-commerce transactions are abandoned
mid-way.
The analysis suggested that the existing methods to verify an identity online can take shoppers away
from a merchant's website and are time-consuming due to issues such as consumers being redirected to
a browser environment for an in-app payment or mobile network fluctuations.
With Identity Check Express, Mastercard will offer a frictionless payment experience to Mastercard
cardholders at leading merchants for an amount less than Rs 2,000 on their trusted mobile devices by
sharing a onetime merchant specific consent.
For transactions above Rs 2,000, cardholders will be able to authenticate themselves with a transaction
PIN of their choice.
The feature, apart from mobile transactions, will support payments done through desktops as well.
In 201920, it further said, the real agriculture GVA is envisaged to grow at zero per cent, real industry
GVA at 6.1 per cent, and real services GVA at 6.9 per cent.
8. NBFCs to receive more liquidity support as RBI raises exposure limit
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed banks’ lending to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)
for on-lending to agriculture, micro and small enterprises, and housing to be classified as priority sector
lending, up to specified limits.
The RBI raised any bank’s exposure limit to a single NBFC from the existing 15 per cent to 20 per cent of
tier-1 capital. The idea is to ease liquidity pressure in NBFCs.
Banks’ lending to NBFCs for on-lending to agriculture up to Rs 10 lakh a borrower will be treated as
priority sector lending.
So, too, for loans up to Rs 20 lakh for micro and small enterprises and housing.
This has been done to increase the credit flow to certain sectors which contribute significantly to
economic growth in terms of export and employment, and recognising the role played by NBFCs in
providing credit to these, said RBI.
9. RBI lowers repo rate by 35 basis points to 5.40%
The Reserve Bank of India has reduced repo rate by 35 bps to 5.40% in its third bi-monthly Monetary
Policy Review. It is for the fourth consecutive time that RBI has reduced the repo rate.
The Reverse repo rate has been revised to 5.15 per cent.
The marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and bank rate stands at 5.65 per cent.
RBI has also cut GDP forecast to 6.9 per cent for the current fiscal from 7 per cent in June policy.
Other than this, RBI kept retail inflation forecast within target of 3.5-3.7 per cent for second half of
2019-20.
Current Policy Rates
Repo Rate- 5.40%
Reverse Repo Rate- 5.15%
Bank Rate- 5.65%
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)-5.65%
Next bi-monthly monetary policy review of RBI will be held on 4th October 2019.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million (Approx. Rs. 1410.8 Cr) loan for improving
road infrastructure in 34 districts of Maharashtra State to better connect rural areas with markets and
services.
Maharashtra accounted for almost 15% of the gross domestic product in 2016-17. However, economic
development is concentrated around the urban centres of Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. About 20 million
people, or 17% of the state's population, still live below the national poverty line, while in some districts,
particularly in rural areas, it is as high as 40%. The upgraded roads under the ADB project will boost links
between local residents, productive agricultural land, and economic centers across the state.
The project will also work with the rural infrastructure agency, the Maharashtra Rural Road
Development Association (MRRDA), to develop road safety, road asset management, contract
management, and climate resilient design. The total cost of the project is $296 million, of which the
government will provide $96 million. It is due for completion at the end of September 2024.
11. Jana Small Finance Bank receives Scheduled Bank status
On 8 August 2019, Jana Small Finance Bank Ltd announced that it has got the status of a Scheduled Bank
from Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The Bengaluru-headquartered bank, established as a financial services company in 2009, said it

presently operates 260 branches and 338 asset centres serving over 5.5 million customers in different
states.
Scheduled Bank
Scheduled Banks in India refer to those banks which have been included in the Second Schedule of
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Banks not under this Schedule are called Non-Scheduled Banks. The
Scheduled banks comprise Scheduled Commercial Banks and Scheduled Co-operative banks.
Every Scheduled bank enjoys two types of principal facilities: it becomes eligible for debts/loans at the
bank rate from the RBI; and, it automatically acquires the membership of clearing house.
India has contributed one million US Dollars to the United Nations Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) for
the Resident Coordinator System.
The Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) is a specific fund housed within the UN Secretariat, established to
receive, consolidate, manage all contributions and financial transactions of the new Resident
Coordinator system in a transparent and effective way.
Funding sources include voluntary contributions from the Member States, the doubling of cost-sharing
amounts from the UN entities who are members of the United Nations development system and a one
per cent levy applied to contributions for UN development related activities earmarked to a single
agency, single programme or project.
13. Aditya Birla Health ties-up with Axis Bank to expand customer base
Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co Ltd (ABHICL) announced bancassurance tie-up with Axis Bank.
ABHICL will now offer holistic health insurance solutions to the bank's customers across the nation.
Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co Ltd (ABHICL) is a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL).
This tie-up will provide ABHICL a platform for reaching out to the bank's existing and new customers
through physical and digital channels and enable them to experience 'proactive care' through its
industry first initiatives such as HealthReturnsTM, Chronic Management Program, among others.
14. HDFC Bank's Aditya Puri: India's highest paid bank CEO
HDFC Bank managing director Aditya Puri remained the highest paid bank chief executive in India with a
monthly basic salary of Rs 89 lakh in FY19, according to the EMA Partners - a global executive search
firm. Puri has led the bank since its inception 25 years ago.
Axis Bank CEO Amitabh Chaudhry was second at a basic monthly salary of Rs 30 lakh. Kotak Mahindra
Bank’s Uday Kotak was at number three with a monthly basic salary of Rs 27 lakh and ICICI Bank’s
former CEO Chanda Kochhar was at four in the list compiled from annual report data, having got Rs 26
lakh per month until her departure.
Her successor Sandeep Bakhshi earned an average Rs 22 lakh per month, ranking him at five. IndusInd
Bank’s RomeshSobti, with an average Rs. 16 lakh per month basic pay, ranked below Bakhshi.
15. ANZ Group slashes India's GDP growth forecast to 6.2% in 2019-20
The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) slashed its forecast for India's economic growth to
6.2 percent in the financial year 2019-20 from a previous estimate of 6.5 percent.
The bank's estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) growth is now well below the expectations of
other banks, and a long way from the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) forecast of 6.9 percent forecast,
which itself was cut from 7.0 percent this month. The forecasts all badly lag the government's longer-
term target of getting the economy humming at rates above 8 percent.
According to ANZ report, sales of cars and consumer durables, as well as passenger air traffic, have
shown declining trends, along with investment indicators, such as steel and cement production. It also
said exports were weakening because of what it called an overvalued rupee currency. The RBI has been
unable to get commercial banks to cut interest rates enough to provide much economic stimulus.
16. RBI paves a new growth path for digital payment cos with eMandate
The Reserve Bank of India has been decided to permit processing of e-mandate on cards for recurring
transactions (merchant payments) with AFA (additional factor of authentication) during e-mandate
registration, modification and revocation, as also for the first transaction. The RBI has allowed consumers
to make recurring payments of up to Rs. 2,000 by giving an e-Mandate from September 2019.
The RBI stated that this development is applicable for ‘transactions performed using all types of cards –
debit, credit, and Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), including digital wallets’. The directive from the
central bank will come into effect from September 1, 2019.
This means one can set auto pay instructions for small-value repetitive transactions such as subscription
payments and bill payments on mobile wallets or debit and credit cards without having to put in the
second factor of authentication every time a payment is made.
The RBI’s decision to permit e-mandate on cards will be a strong enabler to grow digital payments across
the country.
17. Cabinet approves 100% FDI in coal mining and contract manufacturing
Union Cabinet approves 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) under automatic route in coal mining
and contract manufacturing.
Such move will bring huge foreign investments and promote ease of doing business in a big way and
alsolocal sourcing norms for FDI in single brand retail eased.
On FDI in single brand retailing, the Cabinet has expanded the definition of mandatory 30 percent
domestic sourcing norm. It also allowed single brand retailers to start online sales, waiving the previous
condition of setting up a mandatory brick-and-mortar store.
What is FDI?
A foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in
one country by an entity based in another country. It is thus distinguished from a foreign portfolio
investment by a notion of direct control. FDI usually involves participation in management, joint-venture,
transfer of technology and expertise.
Foreign investment was introduced in 1991 under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), driven by
then finance minister Manmohan Singh.
Sports
1. ICC adds two new umpires in elite panel for 2019-20
The International Cricket Council named two new umpires in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for
2019-20 seasons. ICC has named Michael Gough of England and Joel Wilson of the West Indies in this list.
These new umpires have replaced retired umpire Ian Gould and Ravi Sundaram who were part of the
previous panel.
Selection panel consisting of ICC General Manager (Cricket), Geoff Allardice (Chairman), match referees
Ranjan Madugalle and David Boon and former player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar have elevated
both the umpires, Michael Gough and Joel Wilson, from the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires
to ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
According to the selection panel, both these umpires have gained significant experience at the
international level with Gough having officiated in nine Tests, 59 ODIs and 14 T20Is and Wilson have
managed 13 Tests, 63 ODIs and 26 T20I matches.
2. Vinesh wins 3rd successive gold in 53kg in Poland Open

Star India grappler VineshPhogat bagged her third consecutive gold in women’s 53kg category after
winning the Poland Open wrestling tournament in Warsaw.
The 24-year-old prevailed 3-2 over local wrestler Roksana in the summit clash.
Vinesh had earlier beaten Sofia Mattson of Sweden, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist, in the
quarterfinals. The top Indian woman wrestler had bagged the top honour at Grand Prix of Spain and at
the Yasar Dogu International at Istanbul, Turkey last month.
3. Cricket commentator Anant Setalvad died

Yesteryear cricket commentator Anant
Setalvad, who used to draw pictures of the
game's progress on airwaves with his fine
command of the English language, died. He
was 85.
Setalvad had started his radio commentary

stint in the pre-TV days and had shared the
mike with the likes of former Test opener and
ex-selection panel chief Vijay Merchant on All
India Radio.
Setalvad had played club cricket and was also cricket secretary of the club.
4. Thailand Open: Rankireddy-Shetty become first Indian pair to win BWF Super 500 tourney
SatwiksairajRankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian pair to win a BWF Super 500 badminton
tournament with a hard-fought victory over Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen of China in the summit clash of
Thailand Open in Bangkok.
The unseeded Indian duo prevailed 21-19 18-21 21-18 over the third seeded Chinese pair after battling
hard for an hour and two minutes.
It was the first final of the 2019 season for Rankireddy and Shetty, the men’s doubles silver medallist at
2018 Commonwealth Games.
5. Rohit Sharma Breaks Chris Gayle's Record of Most Sixes in T20Is

Rohit Sharma became the leading six-hitter in Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) during the second game of
the three-match series against the West Indies in Florida. In the process, Rohit broke Chris Gayle's record
of 105 sixes in the shortest format of the game.
Rohit needed four sixes to break Gayle's record when the two sides met in the first T20I at Lauderhill in
Florida, USA. During his knock of 24 in the opening game, Rohit had hit two sixes.
Rohit now leads the tally with 107 sixes. Gayle, who is not a part of the West Indies T20I squad, is now
second on the list, while New Zealand's Martin Guptill has 103. Rohit Sharma also brought up his 17th
T20I fifty.
Rohit is currently the highest run-scorer in T20Is and he also holds the record for the most number of
centuries (4) in the T20I format.
The record of most number of fours in Twenty20 Internationals is with Virat Kohli. He leads the tally with
225 fours.
6. South African quick Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket

South African Dale Steyn, one of the great fast bowlers of the modern era, announced his retirement from
Test cricket in a bid to extend his longevity in the shorter forms of the game.
Steyn, who made his international debut against England in 2004 and last played a Test in February against
Sri Lanka, is still contracted in the white-ball form of the game for the 2019/20 season and therefore
remains available for South Africa in one-day internationals and T20s.
7. Nick Kyrgios defeats Daniil Medvedev to win ATP Washington Open title
Australia's Nick Kyrgios defeated Russia's Daniil Medvedev to win the ATP Washington Open title.
The 24-year-old Aussie defeated 10th-ranked Medvedev by 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4).
It was sixth career ATP of Kyrgios. He claimed the $365,390 prize for this.
8. Bangalore will host the 10th AASF Asian Age Group Championships 2019 for the 1st time
For the first time, Bangalore (Karnataka) will host the 10th AASF (Asia Swimming Federation) Asian Age
Group Championships 2019 starting from September 24, 2019, to October 2, 2019, will give the country’s
swimming enthusiasts an opportunity to witness the aquatic event.
Swimming Federation of India (SFI) will organize this 9-day event.
The event will have over 40 countries and about 1200 participants competing for top honors in 4 different
aquatic disciplines such as swimming, Diving , water polo, and the visually-mesmerizing artistic swimming.
The 9th AASF Asian Age Group Championships was held in Uzbekistan in 2017.
9. South african Hashim Amla announces retirement from international cricket

On 8 August 2019, South African opener Hashim Amla announced his retirement from all forms of
international cricket.
Amla played 124 Tests and 181 One Day International (ODI) matches for South Africa. He represented
South Africa in 44 Twenty20 Internationals as well. Amla last played for South Africa during the World Cup
2019.
Amla is the second South African cricketer to announce his retirement inside three days as fast bowler
Dale Steyn had called time on his Test career.
10. World Archery suspends Archery Association of India

On 8 August 2019, World Archery suspended the Archery Association of India (AAI) for defying its
guidelines by electing two parallel bodies and asking the federation to put its house in order by the end
of this month.
The decision is effective from 12 August 2019 and the last event in which the archers can participate under
the Indian flag is the World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid from 19-25 August 2019.
Reason is that, In two separate elections, held simultaneously on June 9 in New Delhi and Chandigarh, AAI
elected two presidents — Arjun Munda and BVP Rao. Munda had the support of 20 state associations
while 10 state bodies backed Rao. World Archery had sent a representative, KaziRajibUddin Ahmed
Chapol, as a mediator and observer for the elections but could not get both the factions to agree to a
common election.
About World Archery
The World Archery Federation is the governing body of the sport of archery. It was founded on 04
September 1931. It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is composed of 156 national federations and other
archery associations, and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
About Archery Association of India (AAI)
Archery Association of India is the national governing body of archery in India. It was founded on 08 Aug
1973. Its headquarters are located in New Delhi, and its current president is Arjun Munda.
AAI is a non-profit, government funded organisation affiliated by International Archery Federation, Asian
Archery Federation and Indian Olympic Association and recoginsed by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
of India.
11. P.V. Sindhu is only Indian on Forbes highest-paid female athletes list
India's badminton star P.V. Sindhu is the only athlete from the country to be named among the world’s
highest-paid female athletes by Forbes. With total earnings of $5.5 million, Sindhu is tied for the 13th
place in ‘The Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019’ list released by Forbes.
A list topped by American tennis player Serena Willams, with total earnings of $29.2 million. On the second
spot is Naomi Osaka with total earnings of $24.3 million.
12. Rafael Nadal wins his fifth Rogers Cup title

Spaniard Rafael Nadal is the winner of Men's single event at the Rogers Cup 2019. Nadal defeated Russian
Daniil Medvedev in the men's final of the tournament.
With this victory, he won his fifth Rogers Cup title. Nadal won last year's Rogers Cup in Toronto, where he
also triumphed in 2008.
About Rogers Cup
The Rogers Cup (Or Canadian Open / Canada Masters) is an annual tennis tournament held in Canada. The
third-oldest tournament in all of tennis, the competition is played on hard courts.
The events alternate from year to year between the cities of Montreal and Toronto. Since 1980 in odd-
numbered years the men's tournament is held in Montreal, while the women's tournament is held in
Toronto, and vice versa in even-numbered years.
13. BCCI agrees to come under NADA to undergo doping tests
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-
Doping Agency (NADA).
The BCCI has given in writing that it would adhere to the anti-doping policy of NADA. All cricketers will
now be tested by NADA.
Till date, Sweden-based International Dope Testing Management (IDTM) has been collecting the
cricketers' samples and submitting them to the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL). IDTM was an
outside agency hired by BCCI to take samples. Now that agency will be NADA.
NADA will carry out the test whenever and wherever they want. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) clause
5.2 gives the authority to the national anti-doping agency to carry all testing in its territory irrespective of
the athletes' country. All athletes irrespective of their country of origin or country of citizenship come
under the jurisdiction of the national anti doping agency.
About BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the national governing body for cricket in India. The
board was formed in December 1928. It is a consortium of state cricket associations and the state
associations select their representatives who in turn elect the BCCI Chief. Its headquarters are in
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
About NADA
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is the national organisation responsible for promoting,
coordinating, and monitoring the doping control program in sports in all its forms in India. The primary
objectives are to implement anti-doping rules as per WADA code.
National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) was set up as registered society under the Societies Registration Act
of 1890 on 24 November 2005 with a mandate for Dope free sports in India.
About WADA
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency
composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world.
Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and
monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all
sports and all countries.
14. India wins inaugural Physical Disability World Series
On 14 August 2019, India clinched the ‘T-20 Physical Disability World Cricket Series 2019’ trophy.
India defeated hosts England in the final which was played at Worcester (England).
Five nations played for the trophy of Physical Disability T20 World Series winners during August 2019.
England had hosted teams from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. This tournament was
organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
15. Usha becomes Asian Athletics Association's Athletes Commission member
Legendary Indian sprinter P T Usha has been made a member of the Athletes Commission of the Asian
Athletics Association in recognition of her stellar achievements at the continental stage.
The 55-year-old Usha, who was the leading sprinter of her time in Asia, will be one of the six members of
the AAA Athletes Commission, to be headed by 1992 Olympics gold medallist hammer thrower Andrey
Abduvaliyev of Uzbekistan.
The other members of the Athletes Commission are Wang Yu of China, 2012 London Olympics gold
medallist triple jumper Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan, Lee Hup Wei of Malaysia and Saad Shaddad of Saudi
Arabia.
16. Former India cricketer VB Chandrasekhar passes away
Former India opener and national selector VB Chandrasekhar passed away. He was 57.
Chandrasekhar played 7 ODIs between 1988 and 1990, scoring only 88 runs, but at the domestic level. He
was prolific for a few seasons, aggregating 4999 runs in 81 games with a highest score of 237 not out.
A qualified engineer, Chandrasekhar made his first-class debut at the age of 25 and played in a formidable
Tamil Nadu team, which comprised WV Raman, Diwakar Vasu, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Bharath
Arun.
17. Virat Kohli is the first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a decade
Indian captain Virat Kohli has become the first batsman to score 20,000 international runs in a single
decade, the incredible stat providing another reflection of his greatness.
Kohli has aggregated 20,502 runs across three formats out of which he has scored 20,018 in the ongoing
decade.
The batting maestro achieved the feat on the way to his match-winning hundred, his 43rd in the format,
against the West Indies in the third ODI.
Kohli made his Test and T20 Internationals debut in

2010. He had already scored 484 runs in ODI cricket
after making his debut in 2008.
Australia's former skipper Ricky Ponting held the

record for scoring most international runs in a decade
with 18,962 to his credit in the 2000s.
Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis is on

the third position with 16,777 runs in the 2000s.
Sri Lankan legends Mahela Jaywardene and Kumar

Sangakkara are fourth and fifth on the list of most runs scored in a decade with 16304 and 15999,
respectively.
18. Mitchell Johnson becomes MCC Honorary Life Member

Former Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson has been elected as an Honorary Life Member of the
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), custodians of the game's laws.
The club made the announcement on Sunday, at Lord's, during the second Ashes Test between Australia
and England which ended in a draw.
Johnson, who has played 73 international Test matches for Australia claiming 313 wickets at an average
of 28.40, was "blown away" by the honor.
Johnson made his debut for Australia in 2005 and hung up his boots a decade later in 2015. He was was a
part of Australia's two successful World Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2015.
The speedster represented Australia in 153 One Day Internationals picking up 239 wickets and 30 Twenty
20 Internationals in which he claimed 38 scalps.
19. Ravi Shastri retains Team India's head coach position till November 2021
Ravi Shastri will continue as the head coach of the Indian men's Cricket team led by Virat Kohli till
November 2021.
This announced by former Indian captain Kapil Dev, who headed the three-member Cricket Advisory
Committee (CAC) comprising of Anshuman Gaekwad and ShanthaRangaswamy tasked with selecting the
next head coach of the Indian cricket team.
The BCCI had invited application for the head coach's position after the contracts of Shastri and his support
staff ended following the ICC World Cup in July 2019.
20. Medvedev wins Cincinnati Masters title
Daniil Medvedev, coming off back-to-back ATP finals defeats, defeated David Goffin 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 to win
the ATP Cincinnati Masters.
It was his first Masters 1000 trophy.
Medvedev defeated the defending champion Novak Djokovic in the semi final.
21. Hima Das, Mohammad Anas win gold in Czech Republic

Top Indian sprinters Hima Das and Mohammad Anas won a gold medal each at the AthletickyMitink Reiter
tourney in Czech Republic. Hima took the top spot in the women’s 300m category, while Anas finished at
the top in men’s 300m.
This was Hima’s sixth gold in European races since July 2. The field in most of them, however, has been
mediocre. Her last win was on July 20 when she clinched gold in her pet 400m event at Nove Mesto in
Czech Republic.
Anas, on the other hand, won the men’s race in 32.41 seconds.
Ana, the national record holder, has already qualified for the 400m event for the World Championships
to be held in Doha in September-October while Hima is yet to achieve it.
22. Para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia crosses America's Catalina Channel
Satendra Singh Lohia, Para-swimmer from Madhya Pradesh, has become the first Asian swimmer to cross
the Catalina Channel of America.
Gwalior born Satendra led the Indian Para Relay team along with five team mates and crossed the Catalina
Channel in 11 hours 34 minutes. At that time, the water temperature was around 13 degrees Celsius.
Satendra holds the Asian record of crossing both the English and Catalina channels. Satyendra has also
honoured with the Vikram Award, the highest sports award in Madhya Pradesh.
About Catalina Channel
The ‘Catalina Channel’ is a little more than 20 miles (32.2 km) at its shortest distance and can be crossed
from Catalina to the mainland (CM) or from the US mainland to Catalina (MC).
23. India wins gold at World Archery Youth Championships in Spain
The Indian junior (U-21) mixed team of MarkooRaginee and Sukhbeer Singh won a gold medal in the World
Archery Youth Championships 2019 in Madrid, Spain. The Indian pair beat their Swiss opponents. It was
also India's first gold in this edition of the championships.
Also, India's Komalika Bari became recurve cadet world champion at the World Archery Youth
Championships. She defeated higher-ranked Sonoda Waka of Japan in the final and earn India's second
gold. The 17-year-old Komalika is now India's second recurve cadet world champion (under-18) after
Deepika Kumari who won the title in 2009.
India concluded their campaign with two gold and one bronze medal in their last event. India also won a
bronze in the compound junior men's team event.
About World Archery
The World Archery Federation is the governing body of the sport of archery. It is composed of 156 national
federations and other archery associations, and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
It was founded on 04 September 1931. It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
24. P. V. Sindhu - India’s first world champion in badminton

P. V. Sindhu became the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships. She beat Nozomi Okuhara
of Japan in Women’s singles final at BWF World Championships 2019 in Basel (Switzerland).
It was Sindhu's fifth World Championships medal, joint most for a woman singles player with former
Olympics and world champion Zhang Ning of China, to go with the two successive silvers and a couple of
bronze medals.
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is an Indian professional badminton player. Sindhu has also won an Olympic silver
in 2016 Rio Games, a silver at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, an Asian Games silver at Jakarta and
the BWF World Tour Finals last year.
Other winners of the championships -
B. Sai Praneeth from India has won bronze in Men's singles. B Sai Praneeth became the first Indian male
shuttler in 36 years to secure a medal in the BWF World Championships.
Men's singles (Gold) - KentoMomota (Japan)
Men's doubles (Gold) - Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan (Indonesian pair)
Women's doubles (Gold) - Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara (Japanese pair)
Mixed doubles (Gold) - Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong (Chinese pair)
25. Indian para badminton team which won 12 medals at World Championship
Indian para badminton team finished with 12 medals including three gold, at the 2019 BWF World
Championships. The championship was held in Basel, Switzerland.
Manasi Joshi had bagged her maiden title in the Para World Badminton Championship. Pramod Bhagat
clinched his third title in the men’s singles SL3 category. Bhagat won second gold in men’s doubles SL3-4
event.
About Championships
The BWF World Championships is a badminton tournament sanctioned by Badminton World Federation
(BWF). The tournament started in 1977. Starting 2006, the tournament was changed to an annual event.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for the sport of badminton
recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It was founded in 1934 as the International
Badminton Federation (IBF). On 24 September 2006, it was decided to adopt the new name Badminton
World Federation (BWF). Its head office was located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
26. ElavenilValarivan wins maiden senior ISSF World Cup Gold
India’s ElavenilValarivan won a Gold medal at the ISSF World Cup IV 2019 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in the
10m air rifle category in the final.
This is the 20-year-old Valarivan's first senior World Cup gold medal. Valarivan is the third Indian to win a
World Cup gold medal in this event, after ApurviChandela and Anjali Bhagwat.
India had already secured the maximum quota of two places in the 2020 Olympics in this event.
About ISSF World Cup
The ISSF World Cup was introduced by the International Shooting Sport Federation in 1986 to provide a
homogeneous system for qualification to the Olympic shooting competitions. It still is carried out in the
Olympic shooting events, with four competitions per year in each event. For the best shooters there is
since 1988 a World Cup Final.
The International Shooting Sport Federation is the governing body of the Olympic Shooting events in rifle,
pistol and shotgun disciplines, and of several non-Olympic Shooting sport events. It was founded in 1907
as the International Shooting Union and then changed its name in 1998. The ISSF headquarters is in
Munich, Germany.
27. Ex-India pacer Wassan named chairman of DDCA selection panel
Former Indian pacer Atul Wassan was named Chairman of the senior selection committee of the Delhi &
District Cricket Association (DDCA).
Wassan was sacked as Chairman of the senior selection committee in 2016 after the DDCA management
received persistent complaints regarding his alleged commercial engagements. However, he was again
appointed as Chairman for 2017-18 session.
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Science & Technology

1. India to launch Cartosat-3 satellite by November
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch its advanced cartography satellite “Cartosat-3”
towards the end of October or early November. Cartosat-3 will be launched using the Polar Satellite
Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket.
An earth observation or remote sensing satellite, Cartosat-3 is an advanced version with better spatial
and spectral characteristics as compared to the Cartosat-2 series satellites. Cartosat-3 will also have
strategic applications with better pictures.
About Cartosat
The Cartosat satellites are a series of Indian earth observation satellites built and operated by the Indian
Space Research Organisation. The Cartosat series is a part of the Indian Remote Sensing Program. They
are used for Earth's resource management and monitoring. Cartosat-1 was launched on 5 May 2005.
Cartosat-2 was launched in 2007, Cartosat-2A in 2008 & Cartosat-2B in 2010.
2. China successfully launches ‘Smart Dragon-1’ rocket for commercial use
On17 August 2019,China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), a Chinese government space
agency, successfully launched its first rocket ‘Smart Dragon-1’ meant for commercial use.
Smart Dragon-1 rocket, which weighs 23 tonnes and was developed by a unit of China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corp (CASC), successfully delivered three satellites into orbit after a launch in Jiuquan,
Gansu.
Smart Dragon-1, whose research and development budget came from social capital rather than state
funding, is a demonstration of China’s drive to commercialise the rockets sector, where more private
rocket firm are allowed to enter the market to compete with each other.
3. North Korea tests new ‘super-large multiple rocket launcher’
North Korea tested the firing of a new “super-large multiple rocket launcher” on 25 August 2019.
The North Korea has called the drills an invasion rehearsal and conducted a slew of missile and rocket
tests in response.
North Korea is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang is
the capital of nation and Korean People's won is a currency.
4. India successfully test-fires 2 quick reaction surface-to-air missiles
India successfully conducted two back-to-back flight tests of its state-of-the-art quick reaction surface-to-
air missiles (QRSAM) against live aerial targets from a base in Odisha.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired the two missiles from the
integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur.
Two missiles were tested against two live targets meeting complete mission objectives of engaging the
targets. QRSAM, with many state-of-the-art technologies, engaged the targets at different ranges and
altitudes.The entire mission was captured by various electro-optical tracking systems, radar systems and
telemetry systems.The all-weather and all-terrain QRSAM system has been developed for the Army, with
search and track on the move capability having a very short reaction time.QRSAM uses solid-fuel
propellant and has a range of 25-30 km.The first trial of the QSRAM was conducted on June 4, 2017.
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Report and Surveys

1. London named world's best student city in new rankings
UK's capital London has been named as the world's best city for students for the second consecutive year,
beating international cities like Tokyo and Melbourne that came second and third respectively.
The 'QS Best Student Cities Ranking' compiled by global education consultancy QS Quacquarelli Symonds
highlights each city's performance across six categories - the number of top-ranked universities; the
proportion of a city's population made up of students; quality of life on offer; job opportunities available
after graduation; affordability; and the feedback of the students themselves.
According to the rankings, India's best student city is Bangalore (81st), followed by Mumbai (85th), Delhi
at 113 and Chennai at 115 out of a total of 120 cities ranked in the list.
London beat international cities such as Tokyo in Japan (2nd) and Melbourne in Australia (3rd) to grab the
first place for the second consecutive year.
Student numbers from India coming to study in London registered a hike of 20 per cent in 2017-18,
marking an increase from 4,545 in 2016-17 to 5,455 in 2017-18.
2. Papua New Guinea has the highest number of 'living' indigenous languages (840)
The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea has the highest number of 'living' indigenous languages in
the world (840), while India stands fourth with 453.
2019 is the United Nations' International Year of Indigenous Languages. In 2016, the UN's Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues pointed out that "40% of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the
world were in danger of disappearing".
Interesting facts
Ethnologue, a directory of languages, lists 7,111 living languages worldwide (languages that are still being
used and spoken by people). According to Ethnologue, there are 3,741 languages (over half the total)
which have fewer than 1,000 speakers.
Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi and Arabic are the most widely spoken languages worldwide when only
first-languages are considered. These five languages account for what is spoken by over 40% of people
worldwide.
Among regions, Asia and Africa account for the highest number of indigenous languages (over 70% of the
total).
The number of languages by region: Asia – 2303; Africa – 2140; Pacific – 1322; Americas – 1058; Europe –
288.
The U.S. (335 languages) and Australia (319), widely English-speaking nations, are among the countries
where the highest number of languages are spoken.
According to UNESCO's 'Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger', 228 languages have become extinct
since 1950. About 10% of the languages are classified 'vulnerable', while another 10% are 'critically
endangered'. In India, five languages have become extinct since 1950, while 42 are critically endangered.
Most Indian languages are derivatives of languages that are spoken in other parts of Asia as well. For
instance, the Sino-Tibetan languages are spoken across Northeast India, China, Bhutan, Nepal and other
South East Asian countries. One of the outliers to this trend is the Andamanese language family, which is
confined to India alone.
3. India’s start-up boom to make it world’s top unicorn destination (Reports and Surveys)
According to a joint report by CREDAI & CBRE, India is currently the third-largest destination for start-ups
in the world and fourth in creating unicorns.
In 2018, eight unicorns emerged out of India including the food aggregator Zomato, Oyo, Byju’s, Paytm
subsidiary Paytm Mall, Udaan and Swiggy. As of now, India’s unicorn start-ups number is just behind the
US, the UK and China.
India is soon expected to lead as a unicorn destination with most billion-dollar valuation start-ups
emerging out of the country. Due to the close integration of start-ups and conglomerates for delivering
tech-enhanced services, the country is expected to churn most number of unicorn companies.
4. Report on the Composite Water Management Index 2.0
NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has prepared the second Round of Composite
Water Management Index (CWMI 2.0).
Gujarat hold on to its rank one in the reference year (2017-18), followed byAndhra Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In North Eastern and Himalayan States, Himachal Pradesh has
been adjudged number 1 in 2017-18 followed by Uttarakhand, Tripura and Assam. The Union Territories
have first time submitted their data and Puducherry has been declared as the top ranker.
Key findings
About 80% of the states (19 out of 24) have shown improvement in their water management scores over
the last 3 years.
Overall top three Best-performing states are Gujarat (75), Andhra Pradesh (74), Madhya Pradesh (70).
Haryana’s score improved by 26.21 points (largest improvement), due to higher scores on four themes—
restoration of water bodies, watershed development, on-farm water use, and policy and governance.
Amongst the 9 themes, states have displayed maximum improvement on the Policy and Governance, with
the theme median score rising by 30% over the last three years.
16 out of the 27 states still score less than 50 points on the Index (out of 100), and fall in the low-
performing category. These states collectively account for 48% of the population, 40% of agricultural
produce, and 35% of economic output of India.
Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Nagaland, and Meghalaya still score less than 40 points.
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Delhi, 4 of the top 10 contributors to India’s economic output, have
scores ranging from 20 points to 47 points.
None of the top 10 agricultural producers in India, except Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, score more than
60 points on the CWMI.
NITI Aayog first launched and conceptualized the Composite Water Management Index in 2018 as a tool
to install the sense ofcooperative and competitive federalism among the states.The CWMI is an important
tool to assess and improve the performance of States/ Union Territories in efficient management of water
resources.CWMI 2.0 ranks various states for the reference year 2017-18 as against the base year 2016-
17.
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Miscellaneous
1. Veteran Gujarati journalist Kanti Bhatt passed away
Veteran Gujarati journalist, author and columnist Kanti Bhatt died. He was 88.
Born on July 15, 1931 in Sachra village in erstwhile Bhavnagar state of Gujarat, he had joined journalism
in 1966 in Mumbai.
He worked as a journalist, writer, columnist and editor in various Gujarati publications like Chitralekha,
Mumbai Samachar, Janshakti, Sandesh, Yuva Darshan, Jansatta, Vyapar and Abhiyan.
2. Former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj passes away

Former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away. She was 67.
The 67-year-old leader, who had served her fourth term in Lok Sabha had long been her party’s most
prominent woman face. She was the youngest cabinet minister at 25 when she joined the Haryana
government in 1977 and the first woman chief minister of Delhi.
Swaraj served as the Minister of External Affairs of India from 26 May 2014 to 30 May 2019. She was
elected seven times as a member of parliament and three times as a member of the legislative
assembly.
3. Nobel laureate Toni Morrison died at 88

Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, a pioneer and reigning giant of modern literature whose imaginative
power in "Beloved," 'Song of Solomon" and other works transformed American letters by dramatising
the pursuit of freedom within the boundaries of race, has died. She was 88.
Few authors rose in such rapid, spectacular style. She was nearly 40 when her first novel, "The Bluest
Eye," was published.
By her early 60s, after just six novels, she had become the first black woman to receive the Nobel
literature prize, praised in 1993 by the Swedish academy for her "visionary force" and for her delving
into "language itself, a language she wants to liberate" from categories of black and white.
In 2019, she was featured in an acclaimed documentary, "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am." Morrison
helped raise American multiculturalism to the world stage and helped uncensor her country's past,
unearthing the lives of the unknown and the unwanted, those she would call "the unfree at the heart of
the democratic experiment."
In her novels, history black history was a trove of poetry, tragedy, love, adventure and good old gossip,
whether in small-town Ohio in "Sula" or big-city Harlem in "Jazz."
She also won Pulitzer Prize for "Beloved in 1988.
4. Veteran director and actor J Om Prakash died

Veteran director and actor died. He was 93.
Prakash was known for his collaboration with two of Hindi film industry’s biggest superstars – Rajesh
Khanna and Jeetendra. The names of most of his film began with the letter ‘A’, and some of the best-
known movies include Aap Ki Kasam, AakhirKyon?,Apnapan, Aasha, Apna Bana Lo, and AadmiKhilona
Hai. The last movie he directed was AfsanaDilwalon Ka in 2001.
Prakash also served as the president of the Film Federation of India from 1995 to 1996.
5. Former President Pranab Mukherjee gets Bharat Ratna

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, Assamese singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika and social activist
Nanaji Deshmukh was honoured with India's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna by President Ram Nath
Kovind on 8 August 2019.
Bhupen Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh was honoured posthumously. The announcement for Bharat
Ratna was made on 25 January 2019.
Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee's life-long political career spanned about five decades with the Congress. The 83-
year-old served as India's 13th President from 2012-2017, but prior to his election to the post,
Mukherjee also served as the Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012.
The other Presidents, who had been conferred the Bharat Ratna include Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Rajendra
Prasad, Zakir Hussain and V.V. Giri.
Bhupen Hazarika
Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika was most popular in Bengal and Bangladesh and was responsible for
introducing the culture and folk music of Assam and northeast India to Hindi cinema. He was popularly
known as Sudhakantha, meaning the nightingale.
Nanaji Deshmukh
Born on October 11 in 1916 in a small town of Hingoli in Maharashtra, Nanaji Deshmukh represented
Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur constituency in the Lok Sabha from 1977 to 1979. He also served as a
nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005. Nanaji Deshmukh established a chain of
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-inspired schools throughout India.
Bharat Ratna
Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian honour, given for exceptional service towards advancement of Art,
Literature and Science, and in recognition of Public Service of the highest order. It is also not mandatory
that Bharat Ratna be awarded every year.
The original specifications for the award called for a circular gold medal, 35 mm in diameter, with the
sun and the Hindi legend "Bharat Ratna" above and a floral wreath below. The reverse was to carry the
state emblem and motto. It was to be worn around the neck from a white ribbon. This design was
altered after a year.
The provision of Bharat Ratna was introduced in 1954. The first ever Indian to receive this award was
the famous scientist, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. Former President A. P. J Abdul Kalam is also a
recipient of this esteemed honour (1997).
There is no written provision that Bharat Ratna should be awarded to Indian citizens only. The award has
been awarded to a naturalized Indian citizen, Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, better known as Mother Teresa
(1980) and to two non-Indians - Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela (1990).
6. Uri, Andhaadun, Padmaavat, Badhai Ho bagged honours at 66th National film awards
Sriram Raghvan’s ‘Andhaadun’ bagged the National award for Best Film and along with Hindi films ‘Uri’,
‘Padmaavat’ and ‘Badhai Ho’, it hogged the honours at the 66th National film awards.
Awards are as follows,
Best Feature Film Award - Gujarati film Hellaro
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment -Badhaai Ho
Best Film on Social Issues –Padman (Hindi movie)
Best Director Award - Aditya Dhar (for Uri: The Surgical Strike)
Best Actor Award (Shared) – Ayushman Khurana (Andhadhun) and Vicky Kaushal (Uri)
Best Actress trophy -Keerthy Suresh (Telugu movie Mahanati)
Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Preservation –Paani (Marathi movie)
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration - OndallaEradalla (Kannada film)
Most Film Friendly State – Uttarakhand
Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director –Naal (Marathi movie)
Best Children's Film -SarkariHiriyaPrathamika Shale Kasargodu (Kannada)
Special Jury Award -Hellaro (Gujarati) &Kedara (Bengali)
Best Feature Film in each of the language specified in the Schedule VIII of the Constitution
Best Konkani Film – Amori
Best Urdu Film – Hamid
Best Hindi Film –Andhadhun

Best Marathi Film -Bhonga
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremonies in India. Established in 1954, it
has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by
the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.
7. BAFTA LA to honour Steve Coogan with Charlie Chaplin Award

English Actor Steve Coogan will be felicitated with the Charlie Chaplin Award by the British Academy's
Los Angeles branch.
The 53-year-old actor, whose vast filmography includes movies such as "Around the World in 80 Days",
"Philomena", "What Maisie Knew" and "Stan & Ollie", will receive the honour during the 2019 Britannia
Awards.The 2019 Britannia Awards will be held on October 25 in Los Angeles (US).
The Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy recognises the talents whose popularity
and cultural impact exemplifies the uniquely transcendent quality of excellent comedy.

The famous Panchamritham, an offering (Prashad) of the Palani Dandayuthaswamy temple, in Tamil
Nadu, has been granted the Geographical Identity (GI) tag.
The office of the Deputy Director, Geographical Indications, Chennai has given GI tag.
This is the first temple from Tamil Nadu offering Prashad to be conferred this honour. Earlier, the
TanjavoorVeenai, Madurai Malligai, Neelgiri Tea leaves as well as Turmeric from Erode from Tamil Nadu
have been bestowed with Geographical Identity tags.
The unique Panchamritam of Palani temple is prepared using five sweet substances including plantains,
jaggery, grapes, forest honey and ghee. The quality of the Panchamritham is being monitored by the
Central Research Institute of Food Technology in Mysore.It is also noteworthy that Palani temple is one
of the six Kartikeya temples in Tamil Nadu.
9. Ghotu Ram Meena: Next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Congo
Ghotu Ram Meena has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Congo.
Currently, Meena is serving as a counsellor, Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine.
India and the Republic of Congo enjoy warm and friendly relations. The African country has supported
India's candidature at various international forums.
Republic of Congo
The Republic of the Congois a country located in the western coast of Central Africa.
Capital: Brazzaville
Currency: Central African CFA franc
Official language: French
10. ChandrimaShaha elected INSA's first woman president
Former director of the National Institute of Immunology ChandrimaShaha has been elected as the first
woman president of the reputed Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
INSA informed this on its website.
Shaha, who will head INSA from 2020, said after taking over as president, her priority would be to make
efforts to further popularise science among the masses, and she would also focus on more
collaborations with foreign institutes.
11. Senior advocate & former ASG Amarendra Sharan passes away
Senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General Amarendra Sharan passed away. He was 69.
Sharan was the Additional Solicitor General in the Supreme Court during the UPA-I regime from 2004 to
2009. He had also served as a special counsel for CBI in the coal block allocation scam cases before the
apex court.
He was also appointed as an amicus curiae by the apex court which was hearing a petition seeking fresh
investigation in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
After doing his LLB from Patna University, Sharan was enrolled as a lawyer in 1975 and started practice
in the Patna High Court.
Later, he shifted to Delhi and in the year 2000, he was designated as a senior advocate.
12. Priyam Chatterjee becomes first Indian chef to receive French honour
Priyam Chatterjee became the first Indian chef to be awarded the 'Chevalier de l'Ordre du MriteAgricoleto'
by the government of France to recognise his contribution towards reinventing the gastronomic scene in
India.
Chatterjee (30) is best known for revisiting the traditional dishes from his native state of West Bengal and
giving it a French twist.
Chatterjee is currently the head chef at Jaan Restaurant Yacht in France, before which he was the head
chef of Rooh, and Qla, both located in Mehrauli here.
He also takes a keen interest in music as well as art.
The award, instituted in 1883, the 'Ordre du Mrite Agricole' (Order of Agricultural Merit) is a distinction
bestowed by the French Republic for outstanding contributions, among others, to agriculture, agro-food
industry and gastronomy.
13. Former SC judge Madan Lokur sworn in as Fiji’s SC judge
The president of Fiji Major.General (Retd) JiojiKonrote has appointed Justice Madan Lokur from India as
the new Supreme Court (SC) judge of Fiji.
He will serve as the judge of the non-resident panel of the Supreme Court of Fiji.
The swearing in ceremony was conducted and the oath was administered by president of Fiji in presence
of Chief Justice Kamal Kumar and others.
This is the first time ever an Indian has been appointed to the Supreme Court of another country.
Mr. Madan Lokur who retired as justice of India’s SC in December 2018, will go to Fiji twice a year to
handle civil, criminal, constitutional, commercial matters etc. The SC of Fiji has two sessions in a year
split across four weeks. He was appointed as the SC judge of India on June 4, 2012.
He will join the office from August 15, 2019.
14. TN honours "Rocket man" Sivan with Kalam Award for stellar scientific work
In recognition of his stellar work in promotion of science and technology, Indian Space Research
Organisation Chairman K Sivan was awarded the Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Award by the Tamil Nadu
government.
Kailasavadivoo Sivan, who led ISRO's successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 mission recently, could not
receive the award in person but will receive it from chief minister K Palaniswami at a later date.
The Kalam award is to honour those who work for promoting scientific growth, humanities and
students' welfare and the awardees should hail from Tamil Nadu.
The award carries 8 gm gold medal, Rs five lakh in cash and a citation.
A native of Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu, the citation hailed him as "Rocket Man" and traced his
humble origins to his splendid rise in career which includes a stint as director of the Vikram Sarabhai
Space Centre and Liquid Propulsion Centre.
15. Veteran actor Vidya Sinha dies
Vidya Sinha, the star of middle-of-the-road Hindi movies such as "Rajinigandha", "Chhoti Si Baat" and
"Pati Patni AurWoh", died. She was 71.
The veteran actor made a name for herself with her woman-next-door characters opposite Amol Palekar
in "Rajnigandha" and "Chhoti Si Baat" and in mainstream commercial space for "Pati Patni AurWoh"
among others
In a career spanning over four decades, she also featured in "Josh", "Love Story", "Bodyguard" and TV
shows such as "Kkavyanjali", "Qubool Hai" and "KullfiKumarrBajewala".
Air India, a national carrier, hoisted its ‘Boeing 777’ aircraft over the North Pole to become the first
Indian airline to operate commercial flights overflying the polar region.
Its Delhi-San Francisco flight has done fly over the polar region. Delhi-San Francisco flight AI-173 lifted
off at 4 am, with about 243 passengers on board, overflew Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia
and overflew the North Pole by 12.27 pm to cross over to the other side of planet Earth.
17. DD News anchor Neelum Sharma passes away
Senior news anchor Neelum Sharma passed away on 17 August 2019.
A founding anchor with over 20 years of association with India’s public service broadcaster -
Doordarshan News (DD news), Sharma played a stellar role in many capacities. Sharma started her
career with Doordarshan in 1995. From ‘BadiCharcha’ to ‘Tejasvini’ her path-breaking programmes won
accolades including Nari Shakti Award. The veteran journalist was also honored with the Nari Shakti
Puraskar by President Ram Nath Kovind in 2018.
About Doordarshan
Doordarshan is an autonomous public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned
by the Broadcasting Ministry of India and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. It was established on 15
September 1959.
18. Noted journalist Ranjit Guru passes away
Noted journalist and columnist Ranjit Guru passed away. He was 61.
With over three-decade-long career in journalism, Guru was working with leading Odia daily Sambad in
a senior editorial position.
He was also associated with leading newspapers like AnandabazarPatrika and The Asian Age.
19. Padma Shri awardee Damodar Ganesh Bapat died
Eminent social worker and Padma Shri awardee Damodar Ganesh Bapat, who dedicated his life to the
treatment and service of leprosy patients, died at a hospital in Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. He was
84.
Born in Amravati district of Maharashtra, Bapat shifted to Jashpur (now a district) in Chhattisgarh in
1970 after his father's demise and got associated with RSS- affiliated Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
In 1972, getting impressed by the work of Dr Sadashiv Katre in the field of leprosy through BKNS in
Champa, Bapat joined the ashram and since then he was working with it, he added.
Bapat was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by President Ram Nath Kovind in
2018.
20. Veteran music composer Khayyam passes away at 92
Veteran composer Khayyam, best known for his music in classic films such as 'UmraoJaan' and 'Kabhi
Kabhie', passed away.
He was 92. He was born on 18th February 1927 in Punjab.
The musician's other notable works include films such as "Trishul", "Noorie" and "Shola Aur Shabnam".
In 2007, Mohammed Zahur "Khayyam" Hashmi was honoured with Sangeet NatakAkademi Award in
Creative Music by the Sangeet NatakAkademi, India's national academy of music, dance and theatre. He
was also honored with Padma Bhushan later.
21. Former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra passes away
Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra passed away. He was 82.
He was three-times Chief Minister of the state.
Jagannath Mishra was the last Congress Chief Minister in the state of Bihar.
He also served as a cabinet minister in the center.
Jagannath Mishra became the Chief Minister for the first time in 1975. Second time he was given
command in 1980 and the last time he was the Chief Minister of Bihar from 1989 to 1990.
22. Indian-American teen wins 2019 South Asian Spelling Bee contest
Navneeth Murali, an Indian-American teenager from New Jersey, has won the 2019 South Asian Spelling
Bee contest by correctly spelling "flipe" to earn the annual title and USD 3,000 grand prize.
The South Asian Spelling Bee (SASB) is an annual spelling bee platform in the US for children of South
Asian descent.
The competition is open to any student at or below the age of 14, who has at least one parent or
grandparent who is of South Asian descent, or whose lineage can be traced to Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and/or Sri Lanka.
Since its launch in 2008, the SASB has been aired in over 120 countries.
The contest was held in five regional centers across the US, including New Jersey, Dallas and San
Francisco Bay Area and Charlotte.
Over 600 spellers from these centers participated from which 15 participated in the finals.
23. Smriti Zubin Irani confers POSHAN Abhiyaan Awards
Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) recognized significant contributions of State
Governments, District teams, Block level teams and Field Functionaries at the POSHAN Abhiyaan Award
Ceremony for 2018-19 held in New Delhi.
The POSHAN Abhiyaan Awards Ceremony was graced by Union Minister for Women & Child
Development Smriti Zubin Irani.
Total 363 POSHAN Abhiyaan Awards were given away with total cash prize of Rs 22 crore. Twenty-two
certificates of appreciation were also given to the line Ministries and Development Partners.
Nine States - Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Mizoram, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand and three Union Territories - Chandigarh, Daman &
Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were given 23 excellence awards consisting of a certificate and cash prize
for ICDS-CAS implementation and capacity building, convergence, behaviour change and community
mobilisation.
About POSHAN Abhiyaan
POSHAN (Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions for Nutrition in India)
Abhiyaan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition
free India by 2022. It was launched in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan in March 2018.
It aims to reduce the nutrition evidence gap in India by synthesizing, generating, and mobilizing nutrition
evidence.
The 5 pillars of POSHAN Abhiyaan are - importance of First 1000 days, detection and right treatment of
Anemia&Diarrohea, Personal Hygiene, Sanitation and Nutritious food.
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Questions of the month

Q1. Who among the following has been awarded with the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2019?
1. Ravish Kumar
2. Sonam Wangchuk
3. Bharat Vatwani
4. Sanjiv Chaturvedi
Q2. Who took charge as the Secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT)?
1. Ravi Capoor
2. S C Garg
3. Deepak Mishra
4. Guruprasad Mohapatra
Q3. CRISIL has lowered its estimate of India's GDP growth by 20 basis points to ______per cent for the
current fiscal 2019-20.
1. 7.1 Percent
2. 7.0 Percent
3. 6.9 Percent
4. 6.8 Percent
Q4.Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI)?
1. Guruprasad Mohapatra
2. S C Garg
3. Ravi Capoor
4. Anuj Aggarwal
Q5. Who took over as the Director (Operations) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited?
1. Kota Harinarayana
2. M S Velpari
3. R Madhavan
4. V. M. Chamola
Q6. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed which bank to offer banking services in the country?
1. Bank of Afghanistan
2. Bank of Nepal
3. Bank of China
4. Bank of Japan
Q7. Who among the following won a gold medal in the Poland Open wrestling tournament in Warsaw?
1. Vinesh Phogat
2. Sushil Kumar
3. Sakshi Malik
4. Yogeshwar Dutt
Q8. Name the cricket commentator who died recently?
1. Vijay Merchant
2. Sushil Doshi
3. Anant Setalvad
4. Munir Hussain
Q9. Who among the following became the first Indian pair to win a BWF Super 500 badminton
tournament?
1. Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy
2. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
3. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and B. Sumeeth Reddy
4. Manu Attri and Chirag Shetty
Q10. Which monument has been shortlisted for 'The Structural Awards 2019' of the UK-based
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)?
1. Dubai Frame
2. Tamina Canyon Crossing
3. Statue of Unity
4. Queensferry Crossing
Q11. What is the full-form of QRSAM?
1. Quicker Response Surface-to-Air Missile
2. Quicker Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile
3. Quick Response Surface-to-Air Missile
4. Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile
Q12. Which Indian cricketer broke Chris Gayle's Record of most sixes in Twenty20 Internationals (T20I)?
1. M S Dhoni
2. Shikhar Dhawan
3. Rohit Sharma
4. Virat Kohli
Q13. Who inaugurated the TechEx – technology exhibition at IIT Delhi?
1. Narendra Modi
2. Ram Nath Kovind
3. Rajnath Singh
4. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
Q14. Name the South African bowler who announced his retirement from the Test cricket?
1. Peter Kirsten
2. Dale Steyn
3. Adrian Kuiper
4. Brian McMillan
Q15. Which company has been awarded with the SCOPE Corporate Communications Excellence Awards-
2019 for Crisis Communications and Internal Communications?
1. Steel Authority of India Limited
2. Gail Limited
3. Tata Steel
4. NTPC
Q16. Who will be felicitated with 'Excellence in Cinema' honour at the Indian Film Festival of
Melbourne?
1. Akshay Kumar
2. Shahrukh Khan
3. Imran Khan
4. Rajkumar Rao
Q17. Who defeated Russia's Daniil Medvedev to win the ATP Washington Open title?
1. Roger Federer
2. Rafael Nadal
3. Nick Kyrgios
4. Novak Djokovic
Q18. Kanti Bhatt passed away recently. He was a famous _______.
1. Writer
2. Singer
3. Journalist
4. Shooter
Q19. Former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj passed away. She became the Foreign Minister in the year
____.
1. 2016
2. 2015
3. 2014
4. 2010
Q20. India contributed USD ___________ to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for
Palestinian Refugees.
1. USD 2 million
2. USD 3 million
3. USD 8 million
4. USD 5 million
ANSWER KEY
Q1. (1) Q2. (4) Q3. (3) Q4. (4) Q5. (2) Q6. (3)
Q7. (1) Q8. (3) Q9. (2) Q10. (3) Q11. (4) Q12. (3)
Q13. (4) Q14. (2) Q15. (1) Q16. (2) Q17. (3) Q18. (3)
Q19. (3) Q20. (4)
ONE LINERS OF THE MONTH

IMPORTANT DAYS OF TH E MONTH
1. National Doctors' Day in India - July 1.
2. Theme of the World Breastfeeding Week 2019 (August 1 to 7) - Empower Parents. Enable
Breastfeeding.
3. National Handloom Day in India – 7 August.
4. On 8 August, India observed 77th anniversary of - August Kranti Diwas.
5. Theme for International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2019 (9 August) - Indigenous
Languages.
6. World Lion Day - 10 August.
7. National Librarian’s Day in India - 12 August.
8. World Elephant Day - 12 August.
9. Theme for International Youth Day 2019 (12 August) - Transforming education.
10. International Left Handers Day - 13 August.
11. Independence Day of India - 15 August.
12. 2019 World Humanitarian Day (19 August) campaign - #WomenHumanitarians.
13. Akshay Urja diwas in India - 20 August.
14. World Mosquito Day - 20 August.
15. World Senior Citizen's Day - 21 August.
16. Madras Day – 22 August.
17. International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition – 23 August.
18. National Sports Day in India - 29 August.
19. Telugu Language Day - 29 August.
20. International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August.
21. International Day of the Disappeared – 30 August.
DEFEN CE
1. Next Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army - Lt Gen Paramjit
Singh.
2. Next Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF) - V.K. Johri.
3. Sixth ship of Class of Eight Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mark-IV vessels which was commissioned in
Visakhapatnam - “IN LCU L-56”.
4. On 4 August, India successfully conducted two back-to-back flight tests of its - Quick Reaction
Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM) (range of 25-30 km).
5. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved extension of benefits of Child Care Leave (CCL) to -
single male service personnel.
6. A separate Commando Unit of Railway Police Form (RPF) - CORAS (Commando for Railway
Security)
7. Host of ‘MILAN’, a multi-lateral naval exercise, in March 2020 - Indian Navy (at Vizag, Andhra
Pradesh).
8. Annual ‘Konkan 2019’ naval exercise of Indian Navy and the UK Royal Navy held in - English
Channel.
9. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the design of this
mechanism to the Indian Army for vehicle mobility - Mobile Metallic Ramp (MMR).
10. To build ‘Ready to Move in’ projects, Indian Army signed a MoU with - Tata Realty & Housing.
11. E-commerce company that launched a Military Veterans Employment program in India - Amazon
India.
12. First country in the world to issue Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID) cards, capturing
the facial bio-metric data of seafarers - India.
13. First female officer to be appointed as flight commander of a flying unit in Indian Air Force - Wing
Commander Shalija Dhami.
14. ‘Ghaznavi’, a 290-km range surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by - Pakistan.
15. New Vice Chief of the Army Staff from 01 Sep 2019 - Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane.
16. Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Kun (7077M) was conducted from 30 July to 29
August 2019 in - Zanskar Range in Ladhak.
17. New Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF) - Vivek Kumar Johri.
18. On 1 September, the elite Fire and Fury Corps celebrated its 20th raising day at - Leh, Ladakh.
ECONOMY
1. To finance the purchase of affordable housing projects, PNB Housing Finance Ltd has raised $100
million (around Rs 690 crore) from - International Finance Corporation (IFC).
2. New chief economist and head of research of Bandhan Bank - Siddhartha Sanyal.
3. According to the Annual Report 2018-19 of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT), in the FY 2018-19, India registered highest ever foreign direct investments (FDI)
inflow of - $64.37 billion.
4. Newly appointed Director on the Central Board of Directors of Reserve Bank of India (w.e.f. 29
July 2019) - Atanu Chakraborty.
5. Indian IT firm who has acquired US-based strategic design consultancy firm Mad*Pow - Tech
Mahindra.
6. The postal department has decided to convert the India Post Payments Bank into - a small finance
bank.
7. In accordance with the latest World Bank data, India grew to $2.73 trillion economy in 2018 and
has now taken a backseat to be the - seventh largest economy globally.
8. Analytics firm CRISIL lowered its estimate of India's GDP growth for the current fiscal 2019-20 by
20 basis points to - 6.9%.
9. To offer regular banking services in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed - Bank of China.
10. For the June quarter of 2019-20, India's fiscal deficit touched - Rs 4.32 lakh crore (which is 61.4
per cent of the budget estimate for 2019-20 fiscal).
11. On 3 August 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on these four PSBs for
non-compliance with its directions relating to reporting of frauds - SBI (Rs. 50 lakh), PNB (Rs. 50
lakh), BoB (Rs 50 lakh), OBC (Rs 1.5 crore).
12. A scrapped law which allowed the Reserve Bank of India to circulate Rs 1000 denomination notes
- High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetisation) Amendment Act, 1998.
13. First company to get TEC certificate under Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom
Equipment (MTCTE) launched by TEC, Govt. of India - Matrix Telecom solutions.
14. This global payment solutions company launched “Identity Check Express”, a card payment
feature that will allow customers to do uninterrupted transactions - Mastercard.
15. As per National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India's GDP growth in 2019-20 is
likely to be - 6.2%.
16. To treat as priority sector lending for banks, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed the banks on
lending through Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to - Agri, MSMEs and affordable
housing.
17. The RBI on August 7 expects India’s real or inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) in
2019-20 to grow at - 6.9%.
18. RBI’s new Repo Rate - 5.40%.
19. RBI’s new Reverse Repo Rate - 5.15%.
20. RBI’s new Bank Rate - 5.65%.
21. RBI’s new Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) - 5.65%.
22. The Bengaluru-headquartered bank which got the status of a Scheduled Bank from RBI - Jana
Small Finance Bank Ltd.
23. “Freedom Card”, India’s first Corporate Credit Card for SMEs / MSMEs and Startups, is launched
by - EnKash.
24. Co-branded credit card with HealthCash concept and powered by Mastercard is launched by - RBL
Bank and Practo company.
25. National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) has signed MoU to promote Credit facilitation for
sustainable development of MSMEs - State Bank of India.
26. To setup a network of large world-class data centres across India, Reliance Jio has entered into a
long-term alliance with - Microsoft.
27. With an aim to digitally connect kirana stores across the country, Reliance Industries (RIL) retail
arm will soon unveil - Reliance New Commerce.
28. To confer certain powers for regulation of Housing Finance Companies (HFC) with Reserve Bank
of India, the ‘Finance (No 2) Act, 2019’ has amended - National Housing Bank Act, 1987.
29. Cab aggregator Ola announced ‘acqui-hiring’ an artificial intelligence (AI) startup based out of
Bengaluru, named - Pikup.ai.
30. Name of the scheme which offered by Government of India (GoI) to Public Sector Banks (PSBs) for
purchasing high-rated pooled assets from financially sound Non-Banking Financial Companies
(NBFCs)/Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)’ amounting to Rs. one lakh crore - Partial Credit
Guarantee.
31. Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co Ltd (ABHICL) announced bank-assurance tie-up with - Axis Bank.
32. Monthly Whole Sale Price Index (WPI) in the month of July 2019 - 1.08%.
33. In August, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) slashed its forecast for India's
economic growth in the financial year 2019-20 to - 6.2 percent.
34. In August, Dharmesh Mehta along with a clutch of investors have acquired 100 percent stake in -
IDFC Securities Ltd.
35. On 17 August 2019, this private bank announced signing of an agreement with CSC e-Governance
Services India Ltd to enhance digital and kiosk banking facilities in many rural unbanked and
under-banked areas - Axis Bank.
36. An Indian government panel, headed by Akhilesh Ranjan, has recommended cutting the corporate
tax rate to 25% from - 30% for all companies.
37. Estimated India's economic growth in the April-June quarter of FY 2019-20, as per Nomura's
Composite Leading Index (CLI) - 5.7%.
38. The RBI has allowed consumers to make recurring payments of up to Rs. 2,000 by giving an - e-
Mandate.
39. On 23 August 2019, the first phase of the 7th Economic Census launched in - Manipur (in Imphal
East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Jiribam districts).
40. As announcement made on August 23 by Finance Minister, National Housing Bank (NHB) will offer
additional liquidity support of this much amount to housing finance companies (HFCs) - Rs 20,000
crore.
41. On 23 August 2019, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has
begun pilot projects to nudge vehicle owners to renew their vehicle insurance in - four states
including Maharashtra.
42. On 23 August 2019, this IT company and Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad have signed
MoU to set up an AI (Artificial Intelligence) Digital Lab - Microsoft.
43. The Government of India will receive this much amount from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in
the current financial year over Bimal Jalan Committee recommendations - Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
44. This government organization is planning to launch an e-inspection system - Employees’

Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
45. On 26 August 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced modalities for providing this much
interest subsidy on short-term loans of up to Rs 2 lakh for farmers engaged in fisheries and animal
husbandry through Kisan Credit Card (KCC) – 2%.
46. On 29 August 2019, this bank has launched its first Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)
Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) in Chennai - Indian Bank.
47. Union Cabinet approves this much percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in coal mining and
contract manufacturing – 100%.
48. In order to create India’s second largest banking network, the Indian government has announced
the merger of – Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India.
49. India’s GDP growth in the first quarter of FY 2019-2020 - 5%.
50. In order to redress grievances and address various tax related issues in the cases of Start-ups, a
Start-up Cell has been constituted by - Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
51. RBI has extended the deadline for complying with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms to Mobile
Wallets till – 29 February 2020.
ENVIRONM ENT
1. According to ‘All India Tiger Estimation-2018’ survey, the count of tigers in India has risen to -
2967.
2. A newly-discovered lake which is the world's highest lake - Kajin Sara lake (1,500-metre-long and
600-metre-wide lake located at Singarkharka in Manang district, Nepal at an altitude of 5,200
metres).
3. Now, the second world's highest lake – Tilicho lake, Nepal (situated at an altitude of 4,919 metres,
is 4 km long, 1.2 km wide and around 200 metres deep).
4. First monument to a glacier lost to climate change anywhere in the world – Okjokull (Iceland’s
first glacier).
5. World Bank report found that when Biological Oxygen Demand, an index of the degree of organic
pollution and a proxy for overall water pollution, crosses a threshold of 8 milligrams per liter, GDP
growth in downstream regions drops to - about a third for the mean growth rate.
6. According to environmental NGO Greenpeace, largest emitter of anthropogenic Sulphur dioxide

(SO2) in the world – India (over 15% of all).
7. On 29 August 2019, the environment ministry released this much fund for afforestation to 27
states - Rs. 47,436 cores.
8. India's airline that will ban the usage of single-use plastic aboard its flight from October 2, 2019 -
Air India.
INTERN ATIONAL
1. First position in World’s cheapest cities (as in per cost of living) list by Economist Intelligence Unit
(EIU, UK) – Caracus, Venezuela.
2. India offered a ______ line of credit to Benin for its development projects - USD 100 million.
3. On 29 July, India signed a defence co-operation agreement with - Myanmar.
4. According to CEOWORLD magazine, World's most-influential chief executive in 2019 - Walmart

CEO Douglas McMillon.
5. First place in the “Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019” – San Francisco Bay Area (USA).
6. Asian city that topped in the “Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019” – Singapore (21st).
7. The Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) summit 2019 held in - Bangkok (Thailand).
8. This country will launch the 'Hope Probe', the Arab world's first spacecraft to Mars, in July 2020 -
UAE.
9. In support of skill development and cottage industry projects in the West African country, India
on 31 July extended an assistance of USD 500,000 to – Gambia.
10. First place in the 'QS World’s Best Student Cities Ranking 2019' – London (UK).
11. First place in the World Bank’s Global GDP Rankings for 2018 – The United States ($20.5 trillion).
12. On 2 August 2019, Pakistan has opened the doors of the historic “Gurdwara Chowa Sahib” which
is situated in the - Jhelum district of Punjab province.
13. Miss England 2019 - Indian-British Dr. Bhasha Mukherjee.
14. The 8th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial meeting held in - Beijing, China.
15. Miss World Diversity 2019 - Naaz Joshi (India's transsexual woman).
16. First position at the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) 2019 in Bangkok – Indian
team (Tejas Subramaniam - 'Best speaker in the world').
17. Indian memorial that shortlisted for 'The Structural Awards 2019' of the UK-based Institution of
Structural Engineers (IStructE) - Statue of Unity (Kevadia, Gujarat).
18. World’s third-richest woman - MacKenzie Bezos ($36.8 billion).
19. India contributed this much amount to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for
Palestinian Refugees - USD 5 million.
20. On 7 August, 46 members of the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA)

Resulting from Mediation has inked - the Singapore “Convention on Mediation”.
21. American Nobel laureate person, who died on 5 August 2019 - Toni Morrison.
22. On 8 August, an agreement to initiate a skill development program has been signed between the
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and - United Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO).
23. This country has designated India among the over 20 major drug transit or illicit drug producing
countries - US.
24. Country that has the highest (840) number of 'living' indigenous languages in the world - Papua
New Guinea.
25. United Nations' International Year of Indigenous Languages - 2019.
26. English Actor who will be felicitated with the Charlie Chaplin Award at the 2019 Britannia Awards
on October 25 in Los Angeles (US) - Steve Coogan.
27. According to a joint report by India’s CREDAI & American CBRE, first position in the world in
creating unicorns – US.
28. Newly elected President of Guatemala - Alejandro Giammattei.

29. On 12 August, India has signed four agreements on cultural exchanges, healthcare, sports and
cooperation in museum management with - China.
30. India’s contribution to the United Nations Special Purpose Trust Fund (SPTF) for the Resident
Coordinator System - USD 1 million.
31. On 16 August 2019, the United Nation Security Council held the closed door meeting on Kashmir
first time after - 54 years (1965).
32. On 17 August 2019, ‘BRICS Minister of Environment meeting 2019’ held in - Sao Paulo, Brazil.
33. 'World Police and Fire Games 2019' held during August 8-17 at - Chengdu in China.
34. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant in - Bhutan.
35. World Skills International Competition 2019 held at - Kazan in Russia.
36. Current President of Zambia - Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
37. On 21 August, a MoU on Food Safety and Standards was signed between Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Department of Food Technology and Quality Control
(DFTQC) of – Nepal.
38. The International Monetary Fund's board recommended a rule change that would scrap the age
limit for its managing director position, as clearing the path for - Bulgaria's Kristalina Georgieva.
39. Present Managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - Christine Lagarde (till 4
October 2019).
40. The world's first floating nuclear reactor launched by – Russia (Akademik Lomonosov).
41. Country that has launched in august an unmanned warship, which is capable of conducting air
defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine missions – China.
42. On 24 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the RuPay card in - UAE (first country
in the Middle East).
43. On 24 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received “Order of Zayed” that is the highest
civil decoration of - United Arab Emirates (UAE).
44. G-7 summit 2019 will be held from August 25 to 26 in – Biarritz, France.
45. NASA is investigating the first crime committed in outer space against - Astronaut Anne McClain
(accused of identity theft).
46. On 24 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Bahrain Order- First Class by -
Bahrain’s King, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
47. Indonesia's capital city is to be relocated to the province of East Kalimantan on the island of -
Borneo.
48. A bus service for 650 Kilometre-journey between Nepal's capital Kathmandu and this Indian city
has started - Siliguri in West Bengal.
49. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with "The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance"
by - Bahrain.
50. First position on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Safe Cities Index – Tokyo, Japan (followed by
Singapore and Osaka).
51. Last position on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Safe Cities Index – Caracas, Venezuela.
52. First place in the ‘World’s Greatest Places 2019’ to visit of TIME Magazine - Geosea Geothermal
Sea Baths (Husavik, Iceland).
53. The FAO-UNIDO Flagship Initiative partnered with this organisation to create more opportunities
in agriculture in Africa - African Union.
54. World’s happiest nation, as per the “Global Happiness Survey” of Ipsos - Australia and Canada.
55. President of this international institution pledged more than $12 billion lending during 2020–2022
to support the Indian government’s new flagship initiatives - Asian Development Bank (ADB).
56. Present President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) - Takehiko Nakao.
57. US President has nominated this Indian-American person as a judge of the US District Court for
the Southern District of California - Shireen Mathews.
58. Host country of the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification - India (at Greater Noida).
59. This Asian country hosted the first global Sikh convention - Pakistan.
NATIONAL
1. Indian cities in a World’s cheapest cities (as in per cost of living) list by Economist Intelligence Unit
(EIU, UK) – Bangalore (fifth), Chennai (8th) and New Delhi (10th).
2. Best Tiger Project for 2018 - Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu.
3. Indian Port that created a new record by handling 1,80,597 MetricTonnes of cargo in a single day
on 27 July 2019 - V.O.Chidambaranar Port.
4. Indian city that topped in the “Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019” – Bengaluru
(Karnataka) (Globally 43rd; 7th In Asia).
5. 22nd ‘National Conference on e-Governance 2019’ will organize on 8th & 9th August 2019 at -
Shillong, Meghalaya.
6. Under the ‘Consumer Protection Bill 2019’, there is provision for central government to set up a -
Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
7. The Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been given to Famous Hill Garlic (Kodaikanal Malai Poondu)
of – Kodaikanal (TN).
8. This state will act as the partner state in ‘World Food India (WFI) 2019’ which will be held at New
Delhi from November 1 to 4, 2019 - Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
9. On 31 July, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of MoU between India and this country on
cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes - Bahrain.
10. First place in the 'QS India’s Best Student Cities Ranking 2019' – Bangalore (81st).
11. As of July 23, topper state in the list regarding the beneficiary enrolment in Ayushman Bharat-
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) - Tamil Nadu (15.7 million families).
12. To provide financial assistance to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the SMILES
Fund (Small and Medium Enterprise Soft Loans Scheme), this institution signed a MoU with Madurai
District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) - Small Industries Development
Bank of India (SIDBI).
13. Location of the 3rd edition of Rural Innovators Startup Conclave (RISC) on September 27-28 -
National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) campus, Hyderabad.
14. Indian Government announced repealing this Article which grants special status to Jammu and
Kashmir and a resolution in this regard was moved in the Rajya Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah
- Article 370.
15. Winner of the SCOPE Corporate Communications Excellence Awards-2019 for Crisis
Communications and Internal Communications - Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
16. The TechEx 2019 (Technology exhibition) organized at - IIT Delhi.
17. Two new Union Territory (UT) in India, as per proposal of the Government of India - Jammu &
Kashmir; Ladakh.
18. The e-version of Rozgar Samachar has been launched recently by – Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting.
19. India’s rank in terms of number of 'living' indigenous languages in the world - fourth (with 453).
20. Foundation date for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territories of Ladakh -
October 31, 2019.
21. Best Feature Film Award at the 66th National film awards - Gujarati film Hellaro.
22. Best Hindi Film Award at the 66th National film awards - Andhaadun.
23. Campaign by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of HRD to promote water
conservation activities for School Students - ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’.
24. The first underwater train in India will be operational under - Kolkata's Hooghly River (part of the
Kolkata Metro Line 2).
25. The 3rd International Electric Vehicle (EV) Conclave was organised in - Manesar, Gurugram.
26. According to a joint report by India’s CREDAI & American CBRE, India’s rank in the world in creating
unicorns – fourth.
27. According to a joint report by India’s CREDAI & American CBRE, India’s rank in the world as largest
destination for start-ups - Third.
28. The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for the establishment of an
Arbitration Council under the Chairmanship of - Chief Justice of India.
29. First position in terms of infrastructure in its district court complexes, according to the report titled
‘Building Better Courts: Surveying Infrastructure of India’s District Courts’ – Chandigarh (followed
by Delhi).
30. This company has partnered with the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC) of the National Skill
Development Corporation's (NSDC) to train its delivery executives - Flipkart.
31. During October 12 to 14, Global Investors Summit 2019 will be held in – Srinagar (J-K).
32. Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) to be set up in – Mumbai.
33. Skill Development Ministry and Tata Trust together will build Rs 300 crore modern training and skill
development centre in - Mumbai.
34. World’s first museum dedicated to the life of 16th century saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu situated at
– Kolkata, West Bengal.
35. First Indian airline to operate commercial flights overflying the polar region - Air India.
36. A national Tribal festival “Aadi Mahotsav 2019” organized at - Leh in Ladakh.
37. Union HRD Ministry launched National mission to improve learning outcomes at the Elementary
level, called – NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement).
38. First rank in the State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index ‘SARAL’ of Union Ministry of Power -
Karnataka State.
39. New form of Renewable Energy that is approved by Ministry for Power - Ocean energy.
40. The Finance Ministry’s Sabka Vishwas-Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2019 offers a relief of
70% from the duty demand if it is - Rs.50 lakhs or less.
41. First position in the second Round of Composite Water Management Index (CWMI 2.0) of NITI Aayog
– Gujarat.
42. The first ever state-of-the-art National Food Laboratory-Delhi, NCR of the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inaugurated at - Ghaziabad.
43. To set a sustainable pathway for the Indian fashion industry, the Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani
launched - Project SURE (‘Sustainable Resolution’).
44. Total number of award distributed at the POSHAN Abhiyaan Award Ceremony for 2018-19 - 363
(with total cash prize of Rs 22 crore).
45. Theme of the 7th ‘Community Radio Sammelan’ is being held in New Delhi from 27th to 29th August,
2019 - Community Radio for SDGs.
46. On 26 August 2019, Smriti Irani lays foundation stone of Integrated Textiles Tourism Complex in -
Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya.
47. Winner of the BML Munjal Award for Business Excellence through Learning and Development in the
Public Sector category - Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
48. State that bagged the top spot in the latest Child Well-Being Index of India – Kerala.
49. Union Human Resource Development Minister launched the school education portal, named -
Shagun.
50. Mumbai’s rank on the Economist Intelligence Unit's Safe Cities Index - 45th (Delhi 52nd).
51. On 29 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched -'Fit India' Movement.
52. Secretariat Office of an International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) will be
established in - New Delhi.
53. Location of the UN Climate Action Summit which will be held on 23rd September 2019 in - New
York, USA.
54. India's first battery operated city bus services flagged off in - Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
55. Indian places which get listed in the ‘World’s Greatest Places 2019’ of TIME Magazine - Gujarat’s
Statue of Unity and Mumbai’s Soho House.
56. To explore AI-based solution against tuberculosis (TB), the Central TB Division of the Health Ministry
has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with - Wadhwani Institute for Artificial
Intelligence.
57. Winner of the prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award for its Portal for Affordable Credit and
Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA) - Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NULM).
58. India’s Position in Happiness Index in the “Global Happiness Survey” of Ipsos - 9th.
59. India’s highest sky cycling Track built in – Manali, Himachal Pradesh (at an altitude of 9,000 feet at
Gulaba; track length is 350m).
60. Rashtriya Poshan Maah with the theme ‘Complementary Feeding’ - September 2019.
61. A Freight Terminal, the first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir - Samba Railway Station in Jammu
Division.
62. Theme of the 50 th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) during 20-28 November 2019 in Panaji,
Goa - Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
63. The Final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam includes - 3.11 crore people.
64. Total number of medals won by the Indian contingent at the WorldSkills 2019 competition in
Russia’s Kazan - 5 (finished at the 13th position).
65. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) entered into a partnership with this
company with the aim of rolling out "Build for Digital India" - Google.
PERSON IN NEWS
1. Indian sand artist who won the People’s Choice Award 2019 at Sand sculpting festival in the U.S. -
Sudarsan Pattnaik.
2. According to CEOWORLD magazine, India's most-influential chief executive in 2019 - Lakshmi Mittal
(ArcelorMittal) (Third in global list).
3. Indian recipient of the “Indian Women of Influence” award by the United Kingdom Parliament -
Priya Priyadarshini Jain.
4. Former Governor of RBI and renowned economist who passed away on July 30 - Subir Gokarn.
5. New Director (Operations) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru - M S Velpari.
6. Executive Director for India at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who passed away on 30 July
2019 in US - Dr Subir Vithal Gokarn.
7. New Secretary of the Ministry of Finance - Rajiv Kumar.
8. Indian winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2019 for ethical journalism - Ravish Kumar.
9. New secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of
Commerce - Guruprasad Mohapatra.
10. New chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) - Anuj Aggarwal.
11. New Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IT services firm Mindtree -
Debashis Chatterjee.
12. Person, who received an honorary Academy Award in 2013, has died on 1 August - Donn Alan
Pennebaker.
13. Person who was Telugu film ‘O Seetha Katha’ actor, passed away on 2 August 2019 - Devadas
Kanakala.
14. Yesteryear cricket commentator of the English language, died on 4 August - Anant Setalvad.
15. Bollywood superstar who will be felicitated with 'Excellence in Cinema' honour at the Indian Film
Festival of Melbourne on August 8 - Shah Rukh Khan.
16. Veteran Gujarati journalist who died on 4 August - Kanti Bhatt.
17. The first woman chief minister of Delhi who died on 6 August 2019 - Sushma Swaraj.
18. Chairman and Managing Director of Power Grid Corporation - Kandikuppa Sreekant.
19. Veteran director and actor who died on 7 August – J. Om Prakash.

20. India’s 13th President who honoured with India’s highest civilian award “Bharat Ratna” - Pranab
Mukherjee.
21. Recipients of Bharat Ratna in 2019 - Pranab Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika and Nanaji Deshmukh
22. Winner of the ‘SRISTI-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award (GYTI) 2019’ - Nalinee
Suryawanshi (researcher at CSIR-NCL, Pune).
23. New Ambassador of India to the Republic of Congo - Ghotu Ram Meena.
24. Freedom fighter who died in Panimora (Odisha) on 10 August 2019 - Dayanidhi Nayak.
25. Book ‘Listening, Learning and Leading’ is based on - Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu’s
two years in office.
26. First woman president of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) - Chandrima Shaha.
27. Senior advocate, who was the Additional Solicitor General in the Supreme Court from 2004 to 2009,
died on 12 August 2019 - Amarendra Sharan.
28. Player whose nickname was `Tata`, who scored Argentina`s opening goal in the 1986 World Cup
final, has died on 12 August - Jose Luis Brown.
29. First Indian chef to be awarded the 'Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mrite Agricoleto' by the government of
France - Priyam Chatterjee.
30. Indian SC Justice who got appointed as the new Supreme Court (SC) judge of Fiji - Madan Lokur.
31. Recipient of Vir Chakra on 15 August - Wing Commander Varthaman Abhinandan.
32. Highest paid bank chief executive in India - Aditya Puri (HDFC Bank managing director with monthly
basic salary of Rs 89 lakh).
33. Former India opener and national selector who passed away on 15 August 2019 – V.B.
Chandrasekhar.
34. Recipient of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award for 2019, given by the Tamil Nadu state government -
ISRO Chairman K. Sivan.
35. Veteran ‘DD news’ anchor who passed away on 17 August 2019 - Neelum Sharma.
36. Eminent social worker and Padma Shri awardee who passed away in Chhattisgarh on 17 August
2019 - Damodar Ganesh Bapat.
37. Noted journalist from Odisha who passed away on 18 August - Ranjit Guru.
38. New President of Paytm - Madhur Deora.
39. Legendary music composer who died on 19 August 2019 - Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi
(Khayyam).
40. Winner of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in National Sports Awards-2019 - Bajrang Punia
(Wrestling) and Deepa Malik (Para Athletics).
41. New MD and CEO of Vodafone India - Ravinder Takkar.
42. Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh who died on 21 August - Babulal Gaur.
43. Para-swimmer from Madhya Pradesh who become the first Asian swimmer to cross the Catalina
Channel of America - Satendra Singh Lohia.
44. New Defence secretary - Ajay Kumar.
45. New Cabinet Secretary - Rajiv Gauba.
46. The book ‘The Diary of Manu Gandhi’ originally in Gujarati has been edited and translated by - Dr
Tridip Suhrud.
47. New Home Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs - Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
48. Former finance minister who died on 24 August 2019 - Arun Jaitley.
49. Person who took oath as Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan - Manmohan Singh.
50. CEO of Tata Digital, new digital venture of Tata Sons - Pratik Pal.
51. Author of the book ‘The Truth About Us – The Politics of Information from Manu to Modi’ - Sanjoy
Chakravorty.
52. Winner of the ‘Eminent Engineer Award for the Year 2019’ by the Institution of Engineers (India) -
Prabhakar Singh (Director General, Central Public Works Department).
53. Winner of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for 2018 in Life Time Achievement
category - Wangchuk Sherpa.
54. Indian who joined The World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors - Purvi Mehta (Head of Asia
Agriculture for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation).
55. Person who won India’s first-ever gold medal in the Water Technology category and was awarded
‘Best of Nation’ among all competitors from India at the WorldSkills 2019 competition - Aswatha
Narayan Sanagavarapu.
56. First-ever woman candidate from India to win a medal at World Skills 2019 - Shweta Ratanpura
(bronze medal in the graphic design category).
SPORTS
1. First cricketer of either gender to score 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets in the T20 format - Ellyse
Perry (Australia).
2. On July 29, the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially launched the inaugural edition of the -
World Test Championship (WTC) (which will get underway on August 1, 2019).
3. ICC World Test Championship Final in June 2021 will be played in - United Kingdom.
4. Athletic in the 400m hurdles at US Championships 2019 who shattered previous world record of
52.34sec set by Russia's Yuliya Pechonkina (2003) - Dalilah Muhammad (52.20sec).
5. Winner of the 2019 German Grand Prix Formula One race - Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
6. Former India batsman and Andhra Pradesh skipper who announced retirement from all forms of
the game on 30 July 2019 - Venugopal Rao.
7. The International Cricket Council named two new umpires in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires
for 2019-20 seasons, named - Michael Gough (England) and Joel Wilson (West Indies).
8. Gold medallist of the women’s 65 kg category at the Cadet Wrestling World Championships 2019 in
Sofia, Bulgaria - Sonam Malik.
9. The Cricket Club of India (CCI) will name one of its gates on Dinshaw Vaccha Road at Churchgate
after - late Vijay Merchant.
10. Winner of the singles final of the ‘eNoah-iSolution men's AITA ranking tournament 2019’ in Chennai
- Mohammed Fahad.
11. First Indian pair to win a BWF Super 500 badminton tournament by winning Thailand Open 2019 -
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
12. Indian wrestler who won third consecutive gold in women’s 53kg category at the Poland Open
wrestling tournament 2019 in Warsaw - Vinesh Phogat.
13. The leading six-hitter in Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) - Rohit Sharma (106 sixes).
14. South African fast bowler who announced his retirement from Test cricket on 6 August - Dale Steyn.
15. Winner of the Men’s single at the ATP Washington Open 2019 - Nick Kyrgios (Australia).
16. This former New Zealand captain announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on 5 August -
Brendon McCollum.
17. Place of the ‘AASF Asian Age Group Championships 2019’ starting from September 24, 2019, to
October 2, 2019 - Bangalore (Karnataka).
18. On 8 August, the ________ suspended the Archery Association of India for defying its guidelines by
electing two parallel bodies - World Archery.
19. On 8 August, this South African batsman announced his retirement from all forms of international
cricket - Hashim Amla.
20. Place of the World Archery Youth Championships during 19-25 August 2019 – Madrid, Spain.
21. The only athlete from India to be named in ‘The Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019’ list released by
Forbes - badminton player P.V. Sindhu (13th position with $5.5 million).
22. First place in ‘The Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019’ list released by Forbes - American tennis
player Serena Willams ($29.2 million).
23. Winner of the UEFA's Goal of the Season award for 2018-19 - Lionel Messi.
24. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to come under the ambit of the - National
Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
25. Winner of Men's single event at the Rogers Cup 2019 - Rafael Nadal (Spain).
26. First Indian to win a world title in motorsports by winning the FIM World Cup 2019 - biker Aishwarya
Pissay.
27. This national women’s cricket team has rewritten a world record by winning its 17th successive T20
international match, the most in this format - Thailand.
28. Winner of the Men's single tennis event at the Montreal Open 2019 - Rafael Nadal (Spain).
29. First place in the ATP Tour men's tennis singles rankings, published in August 2019 - Novak Djokovic
(Serbia).
30. First place in the ATP Tour women's tennis singles rankings, published in August 2019 - Naomi Osaka
(Japan).
31. Indian member of the Athletes Commission of the Asian Athletics Association - P T Usha.
32. The Athletes Commission of the Asian Athletics Association is headed by - Andrey Abduvaliyev
(Uzbekistan).
33. Winner of the ‘T-20 Physical Disability World Cricket Series 2019’ - India.
34. First batsman who scores 20,000 international runs in a single decade - Virat Kohli (20,502 runs).
35. Wrestler who became India’s first junior World Champion in 18 years by claiming a gold medal at
the Junior Worlds at Tallinn, Estonia - Deepak Punia (86kg men’s freestyle).
36. Former actress of middle-of-the-road Hindi movies who died on 15 August 2019 - Vidya Sinha.
37. Next head coach of the Indian men's Cricket team till November 2021 - Ravi Shastri.
38. Winner of the Men’s single event at the ATP Cincinnati Masters 2019 - Daniil Medvedev.
39. Indian sprinters who won a gold medal each in 300m at the Athleticky Mitink Reiter event in Czech
Republic - Hima Das and Mohammad Anas.
40. Australian who has been elected as an Honorary Life Member of the Marylebone Cricket Club
(MCC), England - Mitchell Johnson.
41. Winner of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Maka) Trophy, 2019 - Panjab University, Chandigarh.
42. Winner of the Women’s single event at the ATP Cincinnati Masters 2019 - Madison Keys
(American).
43. Winner football team of the 129th Durand Cup in Kolkata - Gokulam Kerala FC (defeated Mohun
Bagan).
44. World Archery Youth Championships 2019 is being held in - Madrid, Spain.
45. First Indian who won gold at BWF World Championships - P. V. Sindhu.
46. Winner of the Men’s singles final at BWF World Championships 2019 - Kento Momota (Japan).
47. India's recurve cadet world champion at the 2019 World Archery Youth Championships held in
Madrid (Spain) - Komalika Bari.
48. Number of medals won by Indian para badminton team at the 2019 BWF Para Badminton World
Championships – 12 (including 3 gold).
49. New name of the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi - Arun Jaitley Stadium.
50. India's shooter who won Gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle category at the senior ISSF World Cup IV
2019 - Elavenil Valarivan.
51. New Chairman of the senior selection committee of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA)
- Atul Wassan.
52. Winner of the gold medal in the men's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup IV 2019 - Abhishek
Verma.
53. Indian who has been named as Best Asian Athlete (female) in the first-ever Asian Sportswriters
Union (AIPS Asia) Awards ceremony - Mary Kom.
54. Player who has been named as Best Asian Athlete (male) in the AIPS Asia Awards ceremony - Son
Heung (South Korea).
55. Indian shooter who won gold in the women's 10meter Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup IV 2019
- Yashaswini Singh Deswal.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. State that has got Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its 'Rasgulla' - Odisha.
2. First state in India to implement the AMBIS (Automated Multi-model Biometric Identification
System) system to keep online criminal record - Maharashtra.
3. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million (Approx. Rs. 1410.8 Cr) loan for
improving road infrastructure in 34 districts of - Maharashtra State.
4. State that launched the ‘Small Savings Incentive Scheme’ for 2019 on 8 August 2019, which will be
run under the notation “AQ” series - Odisha.
5. According to the report titled ‘Building Better Courts: Surveying Infrastructure of India’s District
Courts’, Maharashtra’s rank in terms of infrastructure in its district court complexes - 18th.
6. Geographical Identity (GI) tag has been given to the Panchamritham (an offering) of the Palani
Dandayuthaswamy temple in - Tamil Nadu.
7. This state government has undertaken a flagship programme, Socio-Economic Development Policy
(SEDP), to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains - Mizoram.
8. This state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority
of India for the development of Kalaburagi airport - Karnataka.
9. The first ever V. Abdulla memorial award for translation presented to - Geetha Krishnankutty.
10. State government which launched "Kalvi Tholaikkatchi" TV, exclusive education channel for
students - Tamil Nadu.
11. Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi - Anil Baijal.
12. 'QR Code Scheme' (Himmat Plus) for women's safety launched in - Delhi.
13. On 27 August, this state government approved a proposal to introduce 10 percent reservation for
the economically weaker section (EWS) of the general category in jobs and education -
Chhattisgarh.
14. This union territory government launched the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana
(PMJAY) scheme on 31 August - Puducherry.
15. New Governors of Rajasthan - Kalraj Mishra.
16. New Governors of Maharashtra - Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
17. New Governors of Himachal Pradesh - Bandaru Dattatreya.
18. New Governors of Kerala - Arif Mohammed Khan.
19. New Governors of Telangana - Tamilisai Soundararajan.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLO GY
1. Scientists at this Indian institution have developed low-cost, environment-friendly Dye-Sensitised

Solar Cell (DSSC) using New Fuchsin (NF) dye (used to make kumkum) - IIT Hyderabad (Prof. Sai
Santosh Kumar Raavi lead team).
2. A mobile application that launched by Ministries of Earth Sciences and Agriculture to provide
location and crop and livestock-specific weather-based agro advisories to farmers in local languages
- Meghdoot.
3. Scientists at this UK’s university have created the world's thinnest (0.47 nanometres) gold (two-
dimensional (2D) material) which is just two atoms thick or one million times leaner than a human
finger nail - University of Leeds.
4. This Indian institute and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) researchers are working
towards developing better turbines that can harness the power of ocean waves to generate
electricity - Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
5. World's smallest stent with features that are 40 times smaller than any produced to date (measuring
less than 100 micrometres in diameter), created by Scientists from - Federal Institute of Technology
in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Switzerland.
6. Maker of “HarmonyOS” (or HongMeng in Chinese), China’s own operating system - Huawei.
7. China’s first rocket that meant for commercial use - Smart Dragon-1.
8. Indian partner of European Union (EU)-funded Saraswati 2.0 project for treatment and reuse of
water - Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur.
9. Russia sent life-sized robot to the International Space Station (ISS) and its name is – Fedor.
10. Towards the end of October or early November, ISRO will launch its advanced cartography satellite,
named - “Cartosat-3”.
11. ‘Little sun’ Project, the International Thermonuclear experimental Reactor, is being implemented in
- France.
12. Scientists of ZSI have discovered this many species of the genus ‘Mesovelia’ semi-aquatic insects
that can walk or run on the surface of water – seven (in Andaman Islands, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu).
13. On 27 August, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadananda Gowda launched a
mobile application - “Janaushadhi Sugam”.
GENERAL KNO WLEDGE
1. Mohun Bagan Athletic Club (in West Bengal, India) was established in – 1889.
2. The Border Security Force (BSF) was established in – 1965 (December 1).
3. First cricket World Cup won by India – 1983.
4. First Women's Cricket World Cup – 1973.
5. First Men's Cricket World Cup – 1975.
6. Benin – Capital: Porto-Novo; Currency: West African CFA franc.
7. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) – Founded in: 1884;
Headquarters: Kolkata (WB).
8. Myanmar - Capital: Naypyidaw; Currency: Kyat.
9. United Kingdom - Capital: London; Currency: Pound sterling.
10. Capital of Meghalaya – Shillong.
11. First Governor of the Reserve Bank of India - Sir Osborn Smith (1935-1937).
12. First Indian governor of the Reserve Bank of India - Sir C. D. Deshmukh (1943-1949).
13. Gambia - Capital: Banjul; Currency: Dalasi.
14. International Monetary Fund (IMF) – Established in: 1945; Headquarters: Washington D.C. (US).
15. World Bank – Founded in: 1944; Headquarters: Washington DC (USA).
16. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Founded in: 1967; Headquarters: Jakarta,
Indonesia.
17. Ramon Magsaysay Award Established Year - 1957.
18. First Governor of the Reserve Bank of India - Sir Osborn Smith (1935-1937).
19. First Indian governor of the Reserve Bank of India - Sir C. D. Deshmukh (1943-1949).
20. Airport Authority of India (AAI) was established in - 1995.
21. World Bank – Founded in: 1944; Headquarters: Washington DC (USA).
22. Location of the Cricket Club of India (CCI) – Mumbai, Maharashtra.
23. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations were formally launched
in - 2012.
24. The world's largest economic bloc, covering nearly half of the global economy - Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
25. All India Tennis Association (AITA) was established in - 1920.
26. State Bank of India (SBI) was founded in – 1955 (1 July).

27. International Cricket Council (ICC) – Formed in: 1909; Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(UAE).
28. Tallest statue in the world - Statue of Unity (Kevadia, Gujarat) (182 meters).
29. South Africa - Capital: Cape Town (Constitutional); Currency: South African Rand.
30. Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) - Formed in: 1972; Headquarters: London, United
Kingdom.
31. Article of Indian Constitution that had maintained Jammu and Kashmir as autonomous state - Article
370.
32. United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees founded in - 1949.
33. Power Grid Corporation was established in - 1989.
34. The UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA) Resulting from Mediation was
adopted by UNGA in - 2018 (December 20).
35. Swimming Federation of India (SFI) was founded in – 1948.
36. The Quit India resolution was passed at the Mumbai session of AICC on – 8 August 1942.
37. Asia Swimming Federation (AASF) - Founded in: 1978; Headquarters: Muscat, Oman.
38. India's highest civilian award - Bharat Ratna (introduced in 1954).
39. The first ever Indian to receive Bharat Ratna - Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
40. World Archery - founded in: 1931; Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
41. Archery Association of India (AAI) - founded in: 1973; Headquarters: New Delhi.
42. A Union Territory (UT) is administrated by the - President (through an Administrator).
43. Administrators of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi and Puducherry are designated as -
Lieutenant Governors.
44. Those UTs which has a legislative assembly and council of ministers - National Capital Territory of
Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry.
45. Scheduled Banks in India refer to those banks which have been included in the ______ Schedule of
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 - Second.
46. India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) was launched in – 2012.
47. International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in India - Established in: 2006; Located in:
Manesar, Haryana.
48. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) was set up in – 1999.
49. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) – Founded in: 1954; Headquarters: Nyon,
Switzerland.
50. First Chief Justice of India after independence – Harilal Jekisundas Kania (14 August 1947 to 26
January 1950).
51. First Chief Justice at the Federal Court of India (before independence) – Maurice Gwyer (1 October
1937 to 25 April 1943).
52. First Indian Chief Justice at the Federal Court of India - Srinivas Varadachariar (25 April 1943 to 7
June 1943).
53. Present Chief Justice of India – Ranjan Gogoi (since 3 October 2018).
54. The Rogers Cup is an annual tennis tournament held in – Canada (Montreal and Toronto).
55. Republic of the Congo - Capital: Brazzaville; Currency: Central African CFA franc.
56. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – founded in: 1928; Headquarters: Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
57. India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) was setup in - 2005.
58. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – Founded in: 1999; Headquarters: Montreal, Canada.
59. National Librarian’s Day (12 August) in India is observed in remembrance of – Dr. S. R. Ranganathan
(1892-1972) (national professor of library science).
60. International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) – Founded in: 1904 (21 Dec); Headquarters: Mies,
Switzerland.
61. Thailand – Capital: Bangkok; Currency: Baht.
62. Indian National Science Academy (INSA) – Founded in: 1935; Headquarters: New Delhi.
63. China – Capital: Beijing; Currency: Renminbi.
64. Guatemala - Capital: Guatemala City; Currency: Quetzal.
65. Fiji - Capital: Suva; Currency: Fijian dollar.
66. New headquarter of Asian Athletics Association was inaugurated in - Bangkok, Thailand (on 15th
July 2019).
67. France - Capital: Paris; Currency: Euro, CFP franc.
68. A specific fund housed within the UN Secretariat which is established to receive & manage all
contributions of the new Resident Coordinator system in a transparent way - Special Purpose Trust
Fund (SPTF).
69. United Nations (UN) – Established in: 1945; Headquarters: New York City, USA.
70. Indian Railway was founded in – 1845.
71. Total number of members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – 15 (5 permanent & 10
non-permanent).
72. Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – Russia, the United Kingdom,
France, China, and the United States.
73. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – founded in: 1945; Headquarters: New York, US.
74. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) – Established in: 1969; Headquarters: Bangalore.
75. First satellite of ISRO - Aryabhatta (1975).
76. India's Chandrayaan-1 mission - 22 October 2008.
77. The MILAN series of biennial naval exercises was commenced in – 1995.
78. India’s National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous society under the Ministry of
Culture – Formed in: 1978; Headquarters: Kolkata, WB.
79. BRICS (association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) was founded on - 16 May 2008.
80. The New Development Bank (formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank) – Founded in:
2014; Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
81. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) was established in
- August 1987.
82. Body of water that separates Southern England from northern France and links the southern part
of the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean - English Channel.
83. Doordarshan was established in - 1959.
84. The Parliament building of India has been designed by - British architects Edwin Lutyens and
Herbert Baker (in 1921).
85. Number of member states in the European Union (EU) – 28.
86. European Union (EU) – founded in: 1993; Headquarter: Brussels (Belgium).
87. Madhya Pradesh State – Founded on: 01 November 1956; Capital: Bhopal.
88. Zambia - Capital: Lusaka; Currency: Zambian kwacha.
89. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in - 1958.
90. British doctor who discovered in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans -
Sir Ronald Ross.
91. World Tourism Organisation – Founded in: 1975; Headquarters: Madrid, Spain.
92. World Trade Organisation – Founded in: 1995 (01 January); Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
93. World Health Organization – Founded in: 1948 (07 April); Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
94. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) – Founded in: 1946 (11 December); Headquarters: New
York, US.
95. World Food Programme – Founded in: 1961 (19 December); Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
96. The Parliament building of India has been designed by - British architects Edwin Lutyens and
Herbert Baker (in 1921).
97. Number of member states in the European Union (EU) – 28.
98. European Union (EU) – founded in: 1993; Headquarter: Brussels (Belgium).
99. Madhya Pradesh State – Founded on: 01 November 1956; Capital: Bhopal.
100. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in - 1958.
101. 20 miles (32.2 km) long Channel between America mainland & Catalina island - Catalina Channel.
102. World Bank – Founded in: 1944; Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States.
103. International Monetary Fund (IMF) – founded in: 1945; Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
104. Nepal – Capital: Kathmandu; Currency: Nepalese rupee.
105. International Space Station (ISS) program was started in - 1998.
106. The International Space Station (ISS) programme is a joint project between - United States, Russia,
Japan, Europe, and Canada.
107. China – Capital: Beijing; Currency: Renminbi (yuan).
108. Russia – Capital: Moscow; Currency: Russian ruble.
109. India’s RuPay card scheme was launched in - 2012.
110. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in - August 2011.
111. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Capital: Abu Dhabi; Currency: UAE dirham.
112. POSHAN (Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions for Nutrition in
India) Abhiyaan was launched in - March 2018.
113. NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog was established in – 2015 (1 January).
114. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) - Opened up in: August 2000;
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana.
115. Karnataka – Formed on: 1 November 1956; Capital: Bangalore.
116. Group of Seven (G-7) was founded in – 2014.
117. Members of the Group of Seven (G-7) - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United
Kingdom, and the United States.
118. National Housing Bank (NHB) in India – Founded in: 1988 (09 Jul); Headquarters: New Delhi.
119. Currency of Indonesia - Indonesian rupiah.
120. Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) was founded in – 1952 (04 March).
121. First two individuals who reached the summit of Mount Everest - Tenzing Norgay and Edmund
Hillary (1953).
122. Bahrain – Capital: Manama; Currency: Bahraini dinar.

123. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) was established in - 1916.
124. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) - Established in: 1990; Headquarters: Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh.
125. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – Founded in: 1935 (1 April); Headquarters: Mumbai (Maharashtra).
126. The Indian Air Force was officially established on - 8 October 1932.
127. World Archery Federation - Founded in: 1931 (4 Sept); Head office: Lausanne, Switzerland.
128. Badminton World Federation (BWF) - Founded in: 1934; Head office: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
129. Capital of Chhattisgarh – Raipur.
130. Pluto (dwarf planet) was discovered in 1930 by - American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh.
131. Air India was founded on - 15 October 1932.
132. An investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based
in another country - foreign direct investment (FDI).
133. Foreign investment was introduced in India in - 1991.
134. International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) - founded in: 1907; Headquarters: Munich, Germany.
135. The National Sports Day in India is celebrated on the birth anniversary of - hockey legend Major
Dhyan Chand.
136. Pakistan – Capital: Islamabad; Currency: Pakistani rupee.
137. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) –Founded in: 1966; Headquarters:
Vienna, Austria.
138. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Founded in: 1945; Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
139. African Union – launched in: 2002; Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
140. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering Sports Institute - Founded in: 1961; Located in: Manali,
Himachal Pradesh.
141. Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Founded in: 1966; Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines.
142. British economist who came up with a basic concept of gross domestic product (GDP) for the first
time - William Petty.
143. Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India – Founded in: 1951; Headquarters: Mumbai.
144. The National Register of Citizens of India was first prepared after the - 1951 Census.
145. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in India was founded in - 1964.

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1 CURRENT AFFAIRS JULY 2019

2 CURRENT AFFAIRS JULY 2019

National---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No.9

1. Rajiv Kumar appointed as new Finance Secretary

2. New DPIIT, textile secretaries take charge

3. Anuj Aggarwal Replaces Guruprasad Mohapatra as Chairman of Airports Authority of India

4. M S Velpari takes over as Director (Operations) at HAL

5. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurates TechEx

6. J&K to be largest Union Territory, followed by Ladakh

7. KandikuppaSreekant becomes Power Grid CMD

8. e-Rozgar Samachar launched to spread awareness about job opportunities

9. UNIDO & NISE to partner for skill development program

12. 31 October 2019: Foundation date of J&K, Ladakh as Union Territories

13. ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive launched

14. Odisha CM launches Small Savings incentives scheme

17. Fourth edition of National Entrepreneurship Awards announces

19. Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Survekshan Grameen

20. Panchamritham of Palani temple in Tamil Nadu gets GI tag

23. World’s 1st museum on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu open in Kolkata

24. Indian Navy to host multi-lateral exercise ‘MILAN 2020’ in Vizag

25. INS Tarkash participates in Exercise “Konkan-19” in English Channel

26. “Aadi Mahotsav” begins at Leh

29. HRD Ministry launches NISHTHA initiative for school teachers

International-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No. 22

1. Giammattei elected Guatemala president

2. India contributes $1 million to UNSPT Fund

3. Fifth meeting of BRICS Minister of Environment held in Brazil

4. PM Modi inaugurates Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant in Bhutan (International)

5. Narendra Modi receives UAE's 'Order of Zayed' award

7. PM Modi launches RuPaycard in United Arab Emirates

8. G7 Summit 2019 held in France

9. India and Bahrain sign 3 MoUs

Economy and Banking ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Page No. 26

1. N Chandrasekaran re-appointed as director of Tata Motors

3. CRISIL lowers FY20 GDP growth to 6.9%

4. RBI allows Bank of China to offer regular banking services in India

5. Law which allowed circulation of Rs 1000 notes in 1999 scrapped

6. NCAER expects India's GDP to grow at 6.2 pc in FY20

7. Mastercard launches new payment feature for uninterrupted online transactions

8. NBFCs to receive more liquidity support as RBI raises exposure limit

9. RBI lowers repo rate by 35 basis points to 5.40%

11. Jana Small Finance Bank receives Scheduled Bank status

12. India contributes $1 million to UNSPT Fund

1. ICC adds two new umpires in elite panel for 2019-20

2. Vinesh wins 3rd successive gold in 53kg in Poland Open

3. Cricket commentator Anant Setalvad died

5. Rohit Sharma Breaks Chris Gayle's Record of Most Sixes in T20Is

6. South African quick Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket

9. South african Hashim Amla announces retirement from international cricket

10. World Archery suspends Archery Association of India

12. Rafael Nadal wins his fifth Rogers Cup title

13. BCCI agrees to come under NADA to undergo doping tests

14. India wins inaugural Physical Disability World Series

15. Usha becomes Asian Athletics Association's Athletes Commission member

16. Former India cricketer VB Chandrasekhar passes away

18. Mitchell Johnson becomes MCC Honorary Life Member

20. Medvedev wins Cincinnati Masters title

21. Hima Das, Mohammad Anas win gold in Czech Republic

22. Para-swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia crosses America's Catalina Channel

23. India wins gold at World Archery Youth Championships in Spain

24. P. V. Sindhu - India’s first world champion in badminton

26. ElavenilValarivan wins maiden senior ISSF World Cup Gold

27. Ex-India pacer Wassan named chairman of DDCA selection panel